March 2006

The Seattle Board of Parks Commissioners voted to build two loop trails in Orchard Street Ravine but not a public stairway as some neighbors had requested.

The board told Seattle Parks and Recreation to work with other city departments to explore the possibility of a future pedestrian connection through the ravine, which interrupts the southerly progress of 38th Avenue Southwest near the 7100 block.

The parks board's Feb. 23 decision clears the way for construction of the trails in the lower, relatively flat part of the ravine.

With the proposed Fauntleroy Place project planned for one of West Seattle's most prominent intersections, a member of the West Seattle Design Review Board wondered how come architects didn't design an attention-getting architectural feature that could be seen for blocks in every direction.

The new six-story development is planned with 185 apartments, a Whole Foods Market, a Hancock Fabrics and a large underground parking garage. It's to be built on the northwest corner of the intersection of Alaska Street, Fauntleroy Way and 39th Avenue Southwest.

Y = Yes

N = No

NV = Not Voting

Alternatives to the WASL

By a vote of 33 to 10 on Feb. 10, the Senate approved SB 6475. The bill would establish three alternative ways of assessing student performance and aptitude.

Seattle City Council member David J. Della introduced legislation that calls for the Parks Department in conjunction with a new skateboard park advisory task force to develop a comprehensive skateboard park plan for Seattle. Della worked with members of the skateboarding community to develop the legislation in direct response to constituent concerns that the city lacked public skateable terrain. It is estimated that nationwide, more than 11 million people from all ages and backgrounds skateboard for recreation and sport.

Patricia McLean, Alki Elementary School principal, has warned parents that during the week of Feb. 13 a girl about 10 years old was selling $5 coupons for a Feb. 18 car wash, claiming that it was to support "Youth Girls Basketball" at Alki Elementary School.

"Alki Elementary was in no way involved with this, nor was the Alki Community Center, who brought this to our attention," McLean said.

"I am aware of only two or three people who were defrauded. On behalf of the school community, I apologize for this inconvenience and dishonesty.

Two South Seattle Community College students on Thursday will be named to the All-Washington Academic Team in an awards ceremony in Olympia.

Khoa Ho and Kathie Pham will be recognized as top community and technical college students for their academic achievement and community service.

The Seattle Education Association supports an advisory committee's new recommendations for improving Seattle Public Schools - especially the need for increased school funding.

The Community Advisory Committee for Investing in Educational Excellence report recommends increasing funding for Seattle Public Schools to meet the district's student achievement goals. It calls for increased investment in teachers, curriculum, remedial assistance and class-size reduction.

NO. 06-4-01458-5SEA

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

(RCW 11.40.010 & .015)

In the matter of the estate of: HAZEL EMILY BAUN, Deceased.

The personal representative named below has been appointed and has qualified as personal representative of this estate.

Dressed in black to blend into the dark background, Caroline Socha brings a puppet to life as a performer for Thistle Theatre, a group producing shows to entertain the entire family.

Socha, a Ballard resident, enjoys what she does. "There is definitely an energy flow through the puppets," she said.

A few weeks ago, members of Thistle Theatre staged "The Tiger and the Dried Persimmon," at the Sunset Hill Community Club for students from Adams Elementary School.

The club on Sunset Hill is one of three adopted homes where they do their shows.

Choir singers will perform a free concert on Saturday, March 11, that manages to celebrate cultural diversity while being at the heart of Ballard heritage. The Market Street Singers will perform their concert "Shilshole on the Pacific Rim" at the Nordic Heritage Museum that evening.

Concert organizer and Market Street Singers founder Chris Vincent hopes the concert will engender a sense of community with neighbors spanning the Pacific Ocean.