November 2007

After months of speculation, a manager at the QFC on 24th Avenue Northwest has confirmed the grocery store will close on Dec. 1 while an eight-story mixed-use apartment building is built there.

The existing QFC at 2237 N.W. 58th St. will be torn down and reopened at the ground floor level of the new development. Six stories of apartments will be built above the grocery store.

The News-Tribune reported in January the store would close and construction would begin by March on a 268- unit, mixed-use apartment building.

Imagine if every kindergartener, first or second grader knew that they could make a difference during the holiday season - whether it be feeding the hungry, helping the poor or bringing back the holiday spirit that many families only dream of this time of year.

Students at KapKa Cooperative School have been doing just that for the past 14 years, through their annual Thanksgiving project.

"It's an event that truly captures the meaning of Thanksgiving," said parent and local business owner Elonna Lester.

There's no untruth a young journalist won't try to uncover, even if that reporter is still learning multiplication tables and getting rides to school on a yellow bus.

From hard hitting news revealing elevated levels of lead in the water at several Seattle Public schools last year, to profiles on teachers and new textbooks, the students at North Beach Elementary School have it covered in their thrice yearly edition of the North Beach Chronicle.

With the professional help of a "journalist in residence," every student, third-through-fifth grade, participates in developing an

Swedish Medical Center's Midwifery and Women's Health Center has started "Centering Pregnancy" a program offering group sessions for expectant mothers to discuss all aspects of prenatal care.

The program, in operation since July on the hospital's Ballard campus, is described as ground breaking by Swedish Medical Center. The only similar program in the northwest is at the Bremerton Navy Hospital.

The first groups of eight to 10 women in the Swedish program are all expecting to give birth sometime in January.

A new play structure was unveiled at Salmon Bay School on Oct. 31, as children, staff and parents gathered to celebrate.

"I love this new play structure. It is challenging and fun. It will make such a difference for our kids. They love it and think it's great. They said it was awesome," said Salmon Bay Principal Jodee Reed.

An older set of play equipment remains at the playground, while the new set, made in Europe by Kompan is designed for kids ages 5 to 13 years old.

"It's more challenging. You have to be a little taller and stronger.

A small bookstore like Secret Garden Bookshop has found the formula for competing with the chain stores by bringing authors in to read.

"One of the things we do is have programming for our community," said Events Coordinator Suzanne Perry.

The free readings began in November 2005 after the new library opened. Since then the readings and the audiences have grown.

"It's lovely to have that space. Patrons come just for the series. We never have less than 25 people. It's really amazing," said Perry.

The local Ballard schools are not left out.

The Fremont Rotary Club has given its annual Vocational Award to Kvichak Marine Industries, a 25-year-old leader in design and construction of aluminum boats with more than 125 employees.

The company is known for developing its own training program for welders. "In the last year, it has become acutely problematic to find skilled workers," said Kvichak Principal Brian Thomas.

Kvichak trainers teach steel welders more specialized tasks required for aluminum boat building with classrooms and practice on the floor at the company's factory at 459 N.W.

The Seattle City Council has unanimously passed the Seattle Bicycle Master Plan in order to, it the city's words, "increase bicycling and improve bicyclists' safety in the city."

The Bicycle Master Plan was an 18-month collaboration between the city and a Citizen's Advisory Board that

included representatives from the Cascade Bicycle Club, the Bicycle Alliance of Washington, and others.

"Bicycling has great benefits for personal, public, and global health, said Councilwoman Jan Drago, chair of the Transportation Committee.

The Tigertail Restaurant and Bar opens in Ballard in early November and features small plate style menu, blending Asian-inspired techniques with fresh products from local Northwest farmers.

The owners are Carl Carlson and Tim Hayes. Carlson is the co-owner of the Sunset Tavern on Ballard Avenue.

"We want people to feel welcome in a fun, energetic setting that's comfortable, but still a bit out of the ordinary," said Carlson.

Mayor Greg Nickels says the city has stepped up efforts to keep people safe, protect property and keep Seattle moving during this year's winter storm season.

The mayor also urged all residents to make sure they are prepared to weather storms with emergency kits at home and in their cars.

"We can't control the weather, but we can control how we respond to it, and in Seattle our obligation is to be ready for the worst," the mayor said.

This year the city's winter storm preparations are based on lessons learned from the historic December 2006 wind and rain storm t