An eclectic group of West Seattle residents were asked by the West Seattle Herald about their plans, hopes, and dreams for the coming new year. Some chose to discuss career goals and art, others spoke of education and community cohesiveness, and most mentioned their desire for a more peaceful earth.

People quoted below are ordered in the photos above left to right in descending rows.

John Van Lierop, Jr., Musician, music instructor

“2010 will be especially meaningful for me for I will be beginning my 30th year as organist/pianist at Tibbetts United Methodist Church in West Seattle as well as completing 40 years as a piano teacher in West Seattle. What's unique about my profession is that I am able to see piano students grow up under my teaching. This is true of two of my high school seniors who will be earning their high school diplomas in music through the National Guild of Piano Teachers based in Austin, Texas. These two students are Cooper Sinai-Yunker, a senior at West Seattle High, and Timothy Locke, a senior at Garfield High. I've had Cooper 12 years and Timothy 14 years as piano pupils.”

Judy Pickens, Fauntleroy community activist and nature advocate and author

“I’ve been volunteering at an area public school’s 5th grade class. It is real evident the Seattle School District cannot offer schools what they need when students don’t fit in. The kids with any kind of special needs don’t get the attention for whatever their special needs are. It’s a pretty naïve hope and dream but I’d love to see a recommitment by the school district. I’d like to see more creative thinking rather than shuffling these kids through with everybody mushed together and not much learning taking place.”

Bob Brown, Westenders Scooter Club president

“My wish for 2010 is for all people to come together at local, national and global levels and set partisan agendas aside so that we may make progress against the complex problems that face us. I would like to see all communities large and small come together like West Seattle does. And if I can find a nicely restored vintage Lambretta (scooter) that should just about make things perfect!”

Chas Redmond, Community activist, West Seattle fixture

“I'm hopeful that the City of Seattle and its many neighborhoods can strike a new alliance and work together to build a stronger and more cohesive city fabric. I'm hopeful that the many neighborhoods which need transportation and a link with each other, as much as they need to link with downtown, will be able to find new routes and uses of existing infrastructure to create a quicker city to navigate. (I hope) that the trip time itself is truly competitive with the car and we can get people out of their cars and back on the streets, making that same city fabric more diverse and much more safe and interesting. In short, a vibrant, pedestrian-oriented Emerald Cit

Elizabeth Huff, Grandmother of Amanda Knox

“I can only wish that in 2010 we get this (court case) over with and get peace and order in our family again. I get hugged left and right at the local dog park. It’s amazing the support I am getting. There are all kinds of families with problems, not just ours, who are trying to relax and get on with a normal life. I know what they are going through.”

Cecile Hansen, Duwamish Tribal Chairwoman

“My hope is that we have a more peaceful world, and that President Obama restores our status as a recognized tribe. A treaty is a treaty is a treaty. The Point Elliott Treaty of 1855 needs to be honored. Clinton recognized us at the end of his presidency. The first week Bush came into office his administration did not honor the recognition granted by Clinton.”

Randy McCoy, Artist, owner of the art galleries in “The Building” in West Seattle

“My wish for today is that the exhibition of my new artwork opening Jan. 8th at Fetherston Gallery is a success. Professionally, I hope the book about my artwork to be published in 2010 is a fun and wonderful experience. I also hope I get to enjoy some great lunches with some of my great artist colleagues at The Building. I dream that we have a terrific summer full of new travels and new adventures. However, my biggest hope and dream is that everyone gains a better understanding and greater sense of compassion towards everyone else.”

Becca McCoy, Biochemical engineer, and Randy’s wife

“I'm looking forward to traveling to new places with my family, and visiting friends. I hope my family stays healthy. I hope lots of colorful flowers bloom in my garden this year. I aspire to make at least one significant scientific discovery.”

Pete Moores, co-owner with wife Cameron of C&P Coffee, 5612 California Avenue SW

“I’m always for peace on earth, even in mid-year. We have a lot of customers who’ve lost jobs and have been cut back. I hope the economy picks up so that people can get back to work. It would be good for them, and for us, too. We’ve been renting the coffee shop out a lot for parties. We’re hoping for more rentals in the new year. There’s so much music on our calendar I hardly look at it. I just flow with it and I like to become pleasantly surprised.”

Kadi Camara, 5th grader, Pathfinder School

“I look forward to continuing my ‘Blue Heron Canoe’ dance group. We go on (Tribal) Canoe Journey every year and dance in front of the public, drumming, singing, arts and crafts. We’re all native kids and all know each other and our tribes. I’m (part) Black Feet. Some are Duwamish and Snohomish. In June I’ll go camping and see killer whales with a group from Pathfinder.”

Tamie Clark, Real Change salesperson at the Alaska Junction

I get people and puppy dogs stop. They let me pet them. We could use more straightening out in 2010. We could use more bus routes. More forms of transportation. For me McGinn is ‘a border’- On the border. I don’t know which way he’s going to go.”

Rev. Dr. Ron Rice, West Side Presbyterian Church

“My prayers for 2010 are:

1) That the angels' proclamation to the shepherds 2000 years ago of peace on earth and good will among men and women would ring more true than ever before,
2) That the peace of Christ would rule in more and more hearts so that the evil intents and deeds, which plague our world, would be overcome,
3) That somehow a lasting basis of peace could be found between Israel and the Palestinians,
4) That the violence in Iraq and Afghanistan will lessen and hasten the day that our troops can come home,
5) That many of the 27 million enslaved men, women and children in the world will be freed, and
6) That many will contribute to the Nigeria Wheelchair Fund (www.WheelchairsforNigeria.org) so that we can transform the lives of many more polio victims who otherwise spend their lives crawling on the ground.”

Laura Matson, Continuing Education Department, South Seattle Community College

“For me the future is exciting. I see our programs expand and new classes develop. We’re doing an electric car conversion class in 2010. I love the passion that West Seattleites have for the environment. Our chocolate truffles class fills up every time. We’re now adding a ‘spirited chocolate truffles’ class, using liquor filling in a delicate way. We’ve got a French chef on staff teaching ‘cuisine and culture of France.’ It’s all hands on. You’re in the kitchen with chef, sleeves rolled up, every evening a tasting, wine, cheese. We have a lot of West Seattle instructors who are really proud to be part of the community.”

BJ Cummings, Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition coordinator on sabbatical, now in Vietnam

“Going into the holidays, I am amazed and humbled by the graciousness and forgiveness with which we've been welcomed in Vietnam. As a child during the war, I never imagined that I would one day celebrate the holidays here with my family. I am thankful, quite literally, for the peace on earth that has settled over this beautiful, rich and vibrant place.”

What are your plans hopes and dreams for 2010? What are your thoughts about the future of West Seattle? Share them with us in the comments area below or by email to pr@robinsonnews.com