A year ago on March 5, 2025, I finished setting up fremontneighbor.com, which stretched my neuroplasticity with the trials and tribulations of WordPress. I landed on the dinosaur topiary as my logo, had the branding solidified and a vision for what I wanted to do. Yet, I was scared…would readers come?
Thankfully, family, friends and neighbors wholeheartedly supported this endeavor and the momentum continues to this day!
I started Fremont Neighbor because I know the power of telling stories, from someone’s personal circumstances to a bureaucratic program. It all matters when it comes to civic life. Whether you live in a small town or big city, neighbors need a trusted news source to stay informed and feel connected.
One story that captured it best: when a guerrilla marketing company plastered concert posters over the Still Life mural last fall, Fremont didn’t just get annoyed. It got organized. Volunteers from the Fremont Arts Council, the Fremont Neighborhood Council, Fremont Chamber of Commerce and building owner Blueprint Capitol mobilized. Out of that effort grew Keepers of the Quirk, a volunteer network dedicated to protecting public art across the neighborhood. Amber McMorrow, president of the FAC, said it well, “When the community comes together to do it, it’s an act of love and unity.”
That’s my story here, an act of love for Fremont. The stories are small by national standards and enormous by neighborhood ones. A new development, a business closing, a mural coming under threat… these things shape daily life in ways that don’t make the Seattle Times but absolutely matter to Fremonsters.
In the past twelve months I’ve published more than 200 articles covering Fremont news, local businesses, neighborhood history, and community events. I’ve done it mostly as a one-person operation – with invaluable help from James, Nate, Valarie, Leo, Pete, Caroline and Wallyhood – on nights and weekends, because I believe this neighborhood deserves consistent, independent coverage.
Year two starts now and I’ve got fun plans afoot!
If Fremont Neighbor has been useful to you, the best way to support it is directly. A few dollars a month on Patreon or custom support through Venmo keeps this independent and reader-funded.
And one more thing… I want to hear from you. What story from this past year meant something to you? What do you want me to cover next? Leave a comment or send me a text or email.
Here’s to year two!
Aly
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