Black Friday is the ominous nickname given to the day after Thanksgiving, the start of the holiday shopping season and one of the busiest shopping days of the year. Supposedly the term was first used in reference to the day's heavy traffic and chaos, with "Black Friday" stemming from the term "Black Tuesday" (the 1929 stock-market crash) and other similarly stressful and terrifying "black" days.
A fine example of all the good that a man and police officer can do was wiped away in an instant last week when bullets fired by a habitual criminal killed White Center Deputy Sheriff Steve Cox.
Deputy Cox was a man above the plane of most, a man who gave up the potentially lucrative life of an attorney to return to his hometown and take up law enforcement. He was a composed, efficient deputy who "was one of the most coolheaded" and "always levelheaded."
Steve Cox was not only a crime fighter, but a man dedicated to the comprehensive betterment of White Center.
As a member of the Closure and Consolidation Committee from last spring, I read your article about Pathfinder (Nov. 29) with great interest. The committee had hoped that moving Pathfinder to the Boren building would allow them to grow and possibly co-house with a Native American group. That was not met with any enthusiasm and dropped.
Then the district proceeded to try to merge Cooper Elementary with Pathfinder into one building. That got shot down (and rightly so).
But after three different building recommendations for Pathfinder to move to, nothing has panned out.
Ever watched "It's a Wonderful Life" or one of those other holiday movie classics and wondered how we can recapture that Capraesque Christmas spirit?
A couple of talented and entertaining musicians have found a way, and (this) Sunday afternoon they will lead us all through Admiral Sings Christmas. I attended last year's inaugural event and it was a hoot.
I would like to compliment the Herald Circulation Department for "quickly" delivering the Herald when the original delivery is overlooked. It shows the Herald really cares about subscribers. Thank you.
Happy Holidays, now rush for your lattes.
Gary R. Sutherland
City View
A towering tree lights up the Junction with glee. Despite snow and sleet, shoppers crowd the street. And coffee shops hum with the production of eggnog lattes (minus the rum).
The spirit of the season is in the air, and minds reel wondering what to give that special someone. What to get dad that he doesn't already have? How to find something cool under 10 bucks for your co-worker?
And people wonder why we have traffic congestion and transportation problems in this city. You are looking at the source of the problem - idiot traffic planners and this city's leadership who supports them.
Just check out the Bridge Way "improvements" at about 5:05, bumper-to-bumper northbound lane all the way across the Aurora Bridge.
Yeah that's the way to solve traffic congestion. Put up a half dozen lights at an intersection and slow everything down. That way you can have an excuse ask for more money to solve the traffic problem.
Although I don't disagree with many of the points made by the writer who encouraged Mayor Nickels to "step away from the limo," I must say that I often see Mayor Nickels and his wife out and about in West Seattle. A number of times I've run into them at the coffee shop or grocery store and although I don't know them personally, we've shared a few pleasant comments about the weather, baseball or current events.
Downtown Ballard is increasing in density and the number of cranes in the area makes it obvious it will continue to do so. Encouraging pedestrians has advantages, including personal health, the feel of community, air quality and parking availability for those who aren't fortunate enough to live within walking distance.
That's a far cry form "pushing people out of cars."
Through traffic on 24th Northwest north of 65th isn't impeded by left turning traffic and flows quite well.
Thank you for shedding light on Ballard's newest park. Ballard Corners Park (Money for Park Still is Needed" (Nov. 29) will fill a need for people of all ages, including families with young children to have green and open space within walking distance. No park is currently located within the neighborhood bounded by the arterials Market and Northwest 65th Street, and 15th Avenue Northwest and 20th Avenue Northwest.
Ballard Corners Park will feature a children's climbing structure, an open green lawn, a fruit tree orchard, and a community garden.
