Jackson firm is even greener

Jackson Remodeling, a Ballard design and building company, is already known for their environmentally friendly "green" remodeling projects. Recently the company started driving Smart cars and the staff is wearing new organic cotton shirts and recycled fleece jackets.

Owners Leif and Erik Jackson also painted their company's conference room with a natural based paint.

Employees have been going through Green Advantage training sessions, a national environmental certification funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Nature Conservancy.

"There is way more to green building than just using recycled materials. Energy and water efficiency, durability, indoor air quality...This training gives our team an excellent overview of the elements of green construction and building science. More importantly it points out why it is so critically important to build responsibly," said Erik Jackson.

With energy prices on the rise, Jackson said homeowners in the market are interested in building homes that cost less to heat and maintain.

Both Erik and Leif Jackson are lifelong Ballard residents. The company is located at 7543 15th Ave. N.W. Call 352-5644 or info@jacksonremodeling.com.

Good for environment

Fourth generation Ballard native Sarah Miller has started Salmon Bay Environmental Tank Services which provides affordable options for underground tank removals.

Miller says her company's goal is to keep petroleum contamination out of Puget Sound by offering homeowners who can't pay for full service tank removals an opportunity to participate in the process.

Salmon Bay Environmental has a full range of tank services including from simple pump outs.

"I've worked really hard to create this company because I love Ballard and I want to keep it healthy for the next generation," said Miller.

Growing up in Seattle, Miller realized Puget Sound's salmon runs were suffering from environmental despair and wanted to limit the pollution that found its way into local waterways.

Salmon Bay Environmental Tank Services is located at 2417 N.W. Market St. Call 274-7991 or salmonbaytank@comcast.net.

Free shuttle to QFC

Seniors living at the Nelson Manor across the street from the old QFC store are taking advantage of a free shuttle bus provided by the grocery chain's Crown Hill store to meet their shopping needs.

The old QFC at 2237 N.W. 58th St. closed in December to make way for a new six-story apartment building. A new QFC store will reopen at the site when the project is completed.

"The elderly really seem to enjoy it," Crown Hill QFC manager Grant Johnson.

With the Ballard store gone temporarily, QFC started the shuttle and ridership has grown. The service will continue until the new store opens, said Johnson.

The buses can carry 16 people. Four wheelchairs can be accommodated. The service is picking up more passengers each week.

The shuttle picks up shoppers at Nelson Manor, 2200 N.W. 58th St. at noon each Tuesday and leaves at 12:05. Once arriving at the Crown Hill QFC, people have until 12:45 to buy what they need.

Other buildings serving seniors are on the shuttle's route, but they make separate runs.

At 11 a.m. on Tuesday, the shutter stops at Schwabacher House, 1715 N.W. 59th St. The Ballard House, 2445 N.W. 57th St. has a pickup time of 1 p.m.

Crews are busy at work, constructing the new QFC store with a 268- unit, mixed-use apartment building above it. The design will have a Scandinavian theme.