November 2005

Last evening I so cherished driving wonderful California Avenue between Morgan and Alaska, praising all along the way that the evil monorail will never despoil the ample free roadside parking, the ample turnouts for bus, the essential left-hand turn lane and the trees. How massive pigeon-poop perches will never shadow Morgan or Alaskan junctions. How concrete support pylons will never exist to host the urban litter of commercial and political sales pitches.

That appreciation all inspired my to offer a clue to the clueless job seekers of the former Seattle Monorail Project.

Ben Franklin said "Freedom of the press belongs to those who own a press." This truism is exemplified by the Herald's long-term "monorail at any cost" whining. I had hoped The Herald would have been capable of presenting some sort of journalism, in the form of unbiased presentation and analysis of the important issues.

Instead, ownership chose to present only one-sided project cheerleading and attacks on opponents. I don't recall seeing the Herald campaigning like this on any past issues. Even in articles written by Tim St.

It's with a lot of disappointment that I heard the Chief Sealth Marching Band won't be performing in the Macy's parade this year. It has been a tradition for the band to be in the Bon Marche Holiday parade for the last decade and their appearance is one of the highlights of the marching band each year. The kids had been practicing for several weeks before they found out this week they won't be appearing.

We also found out that West Seattle and Ingraham bands were also turned away.

I felt compelled to respond to a recent article that appeared in the West Seattle Herald on Nov. 2nd of this year. The article dealt with a preliminary decision that had been reached by the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council.

In that article you quoted King County Deputy Sheriff Steve Cox (who also happens to be on the North Highline Council) as saying that our Delridge and South Park communities are going downhill.

Instead of repairing the weather-worn totem pole at the Admiral Viewpoint, it will be replaced next spring with a new "story pole" featuring a localized design.

The existing totem pole is a 39-year-old replica of a totem pole from Canada. Carpenter ants have been weakening the interior of the totem pole, said Virginia Hassinger, project manager for Seattle Parks and Recreation.

Atop a hill on a scenic stretch of road in White Center sits a very purple and very different kind of wedding chapel.

For more than 40 years, locals and people from all over the world have come to AA Vagabond’s Enchanted Chapel to get hitched.

The Rev. Zady Evans and her grandson the Rev. Kristem Michael, the owners, view their chapel and their methods as a sort of new-age alternative for couples who want simply to celebrate love on their wedding day. No religious affiliation is required.

Inside, the walls are covered with sparkly white lights.

With monorail off Seattle's list of potential modes of mass transit, the remaining contenders to serve the western side of the city are streetcars, buses, and light rail.

Sponsored by the Sierra Club at the REI store downtown, the transit forum for about 100 featured a panel discussion by city officials, a state legislator and a journalist.

Seattle City Councilman Richard Conlin talked about "bus rapid transit," which means buses traveling in bus-only lanes.

When a bus driver refused his request for a special bus transfer, a young man spat a large mouthful of saliva-soaked Cheese-Puffs all over him.

Seventeen young people were admonished by officers Thursday afternoon after they left an event at West Seattle High School, climbed aboard a Metro bus, and began arguing loudly, throwing a yogurt and spilling a drink on other passengers. The driver pulled over at SW Charlestown, and a group ran southbound. A little later, some teens were rowdy on a bus headed eastbound from the Junction.

It is about time to update the world on how Elsbeth is doing since she had a knee replaced nearly a year ago.

We're not sure why the old one wore out. Maybe from all those potatoes she had to dig as a kid in Deutschland. But true to form, she gritted her teeth through hours of rehab. She faithfully rode a stationary bike, and claims it is a lot more comfortable than the one she used to ride back in Bochum.

We got her a cute little cane.

Concerned business and property owners around Leary and Ballard Avenues Northwest may have won their battle with Teutsch Partners, a development firm who plans to build a 150-unit assisted living and retail development, the Ballard Landmark Inn, at the old Wilson Ford dealership site on Leary Avenue Northwest.

A group of citizens who call themselves the Downtown Ballard Neighborhood Association (DBNA), have been concerned the new development will not adequately meet the parking needs they think it will create in an area already short of parking.

In 2001, Teutsch Partners