The Ballard District Council, with the help of Mayor Mike McGinn, honored six individuals from the neighborhood with the council's annual Community Service Awards at the March 10 council meeting.

Steve Cohn, a past president of the Ballard District Council, was given the award for his strategic advice and hands-on work with a variety of civic improvement projects in Ballard.

Fred Maxie, owner of Ballard Auto Licensing and the evening's presenter, said Ballard has been very fortunate to have the expertise of Cohn, who has been a city planner for more than three decades.

"He has always been a valuable asset to our neighborhood planning efforts," Maxie said.

George and Jane Hancock, owners of Maritime Pacific Brewery and the Jolly Roger Taproom, were awarded for turning their business into a unique icon for the Ballard community.

Seattle City Council member Tom Rasmussen held a question and answer session earlier in the meeting. He started that off by saying he always enjoyed coming to meetings in Ballard because it meant he could stop off at Maritime Pacific Brewery for a six-pack on his way back to West Seattle.

Ballard High School graduate Jesse Harris was honored for his achievements as a film producer and as a role model for other young filmmakers.

While only 17, Harris produced a full-length film that was released in multiple cities. Since then, he has gone on to found the National Film Festival for Talented Youth.

The film festival features a lot of very impressive work from young filmmakers, Rasmussen said.

Barry Hawley of Hawley Realty is one of the people in Ballard who needs no introduction, Maxie said.

He was recognized for 48 years of commitment to making Ballard an attractive, economically viable and desirable place.

Maxie said Hawley's family has been directly involved in Ballard's civic leadership for generations, going back more than 100 years to when the neighborhood was independent of Seattle.

Art Olsen was given the award for his involvement in the Ballard High School Foundation and the Ballard Rotary Club, as well as his resourcefulness and generosity within the community.

Olsen and his family provided instrumental leadership in creating the Ballard Avenue Historical District in the mid-70s, Maxie said.

"You obviously have a very active and engaged community," McGinn said after the awards had been given out. "Thank you for all of your work on behalf of the community."