J & M Automotive in Pinehurst (The sign reads: "Martha Stewart wears army shoes.") Martha Stewart took over our kitchens, our KMart, and reportedly dated a Microsoft executive.

Wild West Trucks in Maple Leaf (The sign reads: For all the articulation, it's still spelled R-A-I-L-R-O-A-D.) The Monorail Initiative was approved in 1997, but stayed on the minds of North Seattleites through 1998. This fall, matching funds were awarded.

The City Council recently approved a proposal by the Mayor to award a $50,000 matching funds grant in 1999 to the Elevated Transit Company, the body formed by a voter-approved initiative to pursue building a citywide monorail system for Seattle.

To qualify for the matching funds from the city, the Elevated Transit Company must raise $61,000 of outside funds. The group still has $85,000 of available funds left over from the City's initial $200,000 contribution to it in 1998.

Members of the Elevated Transit Company's board of directors say they should be able to acquire the matching funds from either private corporation or foundation donations, or funds from another government body, such as Sound Transit that is responsible for building the RTA in Seattle.

But even if the group finds matching funds, its future financing will come into question unless it can show it has a specific proposal that can move forward. This probably means receiving a commitment from a private partner or a regional government body to identify a specific monorail technology, service route, and cost/revenue projections for that route.

Kidd Valley in Wallingford and Broadview Kidd Valley went "P.C." (Politically Correct) and changed their sign and logo in Wallingford. However, fans can still enjoy viewing an original sign on Aurora at 143rd. (The original sign shows a voluptuous woman sitting on top of a hamburger. The new sign uses a geometric stick figure shaped like the letter K.)

Ingraham High School in Haller Lake The sign reads: "We will miss you, Mr. Stanford." John Stanford lost his race with cancer, but won the race to promote reading. The Library Bond Initiative was passed which will bring new and improved libraries to North Seattle.

The base of the Aurora Bridge in Fremont One of our trusted public servants, Metro Bus driver Mark McLaughlin, lost his life in a senseless act of violence.

The Fremont Arts Council organized a Community Healing Event on Dec. 19 near the Fremont Troll - the scene of a tragic crash of the Metro bus that fell off the Aurora Bridge on Nov. 27 resulting in the deaths of three people. The healing event provided a chance for people to come together for candlelight singing in remembrance of the victims.