May 2008

During a 20-minute cruise on the Duwamish River that hugged the columns, and riprap, of the West Seattle Bridge, Mayor Greg Nickels was surrounded by cameras as he introduced a new approach, and a new firm, to developing a salmon and shorebird-friendly habitat on the troubled, industrial waterway.

Nickels announced that the Duwamish River Habitat Restoration Project would include the city's partnership with Bluefield Holdings.

Miss Fiona and Eoghan (pronounced "Owen") are local celebrities. That's because they are the mascots of Phinney Ridge Cabinet Company, and greet customers at the door when they are not sitting in the window. The puggles are half pug and half beagle, and at the recent Greenwood neighborhood art walk were dressed up as cabinet members, you might say.

Business and life partners Lynn Gallob and Timothy Nolan said their dogs are always with them and sleep in their king-sized bed.

"People come in just to see the dogs even if they are not going to get a cabinet," said Gallob.

Last year, when Leslie Newman and Lisa Jo Chard planned their new real estate brokerage, ReMax Team One, they knew the market was down, they knew houses weren't selling.

Bad news didn't deter these ladies. Newman, with 21 years in the game, has seen the cycles. Chard, previously worked retail for Nordstrom before running several espresso stands and ultimately obtaining her realty license. Together they are Team One.

The office opened in March of this year and the sign went up in late April.

Some residents of Northwest 32nd at Northwest 65 are disturbed over the potential of restaurant with a full-service bar serving hard liquor and "amplified music" in the evening. Others seem to think the establishment is a good idea.

Ballard News-Tribune columnist Peggy Sturdivant has written about the development in her Seattle P.I. Blog.

Last year, when Leslie Newman and Lisa Jo Chard planned their new real estate brokerage, ReMax Team One, they knew the market was down, they knew houses weren?t selling.

Bad news didn't deter these ladies. Newman, with 21 years in the game, has seen the cycles. Chard, previously worked retail for Nordstrom?s before running several espresso stands and ultimately obtaining her realty license. Together they are Team One.

The office opened in March of this year and the sign went up in late April.

I love the days when nothing really happens. No urgent phone calls. No work so pressing that it can't wait a little longer. Just a wandering day in the neighborhood when all the details seem special: three baking sheets of roasted cactus still steaming at Austin Cantina, people lounging in the outdoor living room of the library entrance watching every passerby admire the St. Bernard dog resting his head on bear-sized paws.

It's lunch break and the construction crew on Northwest 59th is scrimmaging in the street with a soccer ball; kicking up dirt and sawdust.

Valley Street money

(Editor's Note: This letter was written to members of the Seattle City Council with a copy to this newspaper.

Honorable Council members,

I am writing to urge you to remove the provision of Council Bill 116161 that approves an initial payment of $25 million to purchase property and begin work on the proposed $200 million Mercer/Valley Street plan.

This project wasn't worth the cost when it was estimated at $90 million, let alone now that it has doubled to over $200 million.

More "cottage housing" is planned for Ballard, a type of housing designed around sharing space with your neighbors while allowing more separation than a condominium or town home.

Only allowed in areas of the city zoned multi-family, cottage housing is a "zoning rarity," said Jolie Lewis, of Gerrard, Beattie and Knapp Realtors. Some have questioned its use in the city.

It's an uncommon development in Ballard and the rest of the city because of certain zoning and lot size requirements.

Ballard's biggest cultural celebration is this Saturday as the May 17 Syttende Mai parade brings in Scandinavians from all over the Northwest.

This parade is the largest May 17 parade in the United States, and is third only parades in Oslo and Bergen, Norway.

With all the people visiting Ballard for the parade it becomes one large reunion of friends and family.

"We see people we don't see throughout the year.

Ballard lost one of its favorite sons when Ron Olsen, best known as the co-host of the Scandinavian Hour radio program, passed away on April 29.

He was 69.

Olsen was visiting Scandinavia with his brother John when they were involved in a car accident in Flekeefjord in southern Norway.

As he was being released from the hospital, Olsen suffered a heart attack.

Co-host and long-time friend Doug Warne said Olsen's death was a shock, although Olsen had not been in good health with diabetes and heart problems.

The two men have teamed up for near