March 2006

The fourth annual Washington Wine Restaurant Awards, hosted by the Washington Wine Commission and the Seattle Times, honored West Seattle's Salty's on Alki with two top honors, the coveted Restaurant of the Year and Sommelier of the Year awards. Co-owners Gerry and Kathy Kingen are Washington wine supporters. Tim O'Brien, beverage director and sommelier at Salty's on Alki, earned Sommelier of the Year award. 51 Washington restaurants were also honored for their commitment to supporting the Washington wine industry.

A resident called 911 to report seeing a man trying to enter a back door of a home. The suspect was actually using a drill to remove the door. When officers arrived, the man ignored their questions and started to walk into the house, against their orders to stop and drop to the floor. Inside the home, officers could see a baseball bat and a 3-foot sword. Two women began yelling at the officers, who took the man to the ground. He remained hostile and uncooperative and was wanted on two warrants, one for contempt and one for theft.

When I first came to White Center and West Seattle years ago I joined the Toastmasters. I didn't know anybody and though I was blessed with ambition felt it could benefit me to not only get to know people but help me in learning how to stand on my feet and convey ideas without stumbling around with a twisted tongue.

It was brutal.

Toastmasters teaches you to how to be silver tongued but the process includes having your fellow wannabes criticize you mercilessly.

I love breakfast. It's my favorite - and possibly largest - meal of the day. Every morning I start my day with a large bowl of cereal (maybe a little more), a toasted bagel with jam, and a cup of coffee to help me remember my name at 6 o'clock in the morning, which is surprising considering that the average teenager doesn't even eat the one meal that can help a person lose weight by consuming more. Either he or she doesn't have time in the morning, or stomachs haven't yet awakened by the time school starts.

Then comes lunch.

His name was Greg Sobel.

Everyone knew Greg at Western. He was the big man on campus. He was the president of the Student Body. He helped create the Washington Student Lobby, going to Olympia to fight for better funding of education. He was always busy, running around the campus and leading some rally or movement.

For me, he was also one whopping crush.

I was a sophomore reporter for the college paper, studying to be a journalist. I interviewed Greg one time, and that was all it took. After a bit of flirting, I invited to him my place for dinner.

Last year the Seattle School District attempted to force the closure of Alki Elementary, move students from Cooper School and replace them with those attending alternative Pathfinder. The resulting tumult caused the district to beat a fairly quick retreat.

Some of the complaints of parents were not well focused - but others were. The bottom line was that the district attempted to force a major change without asking the people who consider the school where their children go each day as part of their own special private reserve.

According to the interview with Mayor Nickels (March 22) he wants a public vote on the viaduct but also states that if the state - and I assume he means the voters - want a elevated viaduct he still "guarantees there will be lawsuit after lawsuit." One must assume also that each lawsuit he intends to bring will be paid for by our taxes, which means our money.

Somewhere along the way the politicians have forgotten that one should live within their means and not leave children not even born yet with the bill to pay.

It has been very plain that even when we taxpayers vote x

down with meters

My wife and I moved to West Seattle from out of state within the last year. We enjoy strolling downtown and being able to cross California Avenue at the crosswalks. If the crosswalks are removed, older people, the disabled and little kids will really be disadvantaged in enjoying both sides of the street. My wife and I would vote down the elimination of the crosswalks.

Also, we knew something was different about West Seattle. We discovered there were no parking meters. We loved it.

The very first question to ask about this project, is this "repaving" or "replacement?" If they're proposing a coat of asphalt over the existing street, take a look at the recent "repaving" of Sylvan Way between 35th SW and Delridge Way. It's brand-new and already it has multiple patches, is in need of further repairs and surely always will continue to do so. If they're going to replace California Avenue with new concrete, fine, otherwise it's much better off left alone.

How many lawsuits have midblock crosswalks in West Seattle generated? Any?

After reading your March 15 article, "Some parents question ways of school discipline," I felt compelled to respond.

As a parent of three children who have all attended Schmitz Park Elementary over the past twelve years, I see nothing wrong with the "Wall". The children at Schmitz Park know the rules and they understand that if they don't respect the rules it will result in consequences. I don't feel that having to stand against a wall during recess is in any way a cruel or humiliating punishment.