October 2007

I can't be the only West Seattleite who has concluded that Metro must be conspiring (and unfortunately succeeding) in making commuting by but a nightmare for West Seattle riders.

Over the years, we have endured the loss of night service on the No. 22; the loss of Sunday service the No. 37; the loss of night service on the No. 55 to and from downtown; no North End Sunday service on the No. 55; the frustration of the consistently late No. 54; and for riders northbound on California Avenue, being hostage to the No. 55 night shuttle, access to which depends on the above mentioned No.

Seattle School District officials said current enrollment at West Seattle High should remain about the same after it transitions from a four to a six period schedule, based on an initial analysis.

At a second community forum last week, chief academic officer Carla Santorno came armed with projections for what the school community should expect during the highly controversial schedule switch.

A development group wants to build housing, retail stores and restaurants on a site between Harbor Avenue and Terminal 5, but Port of Seattle officials are dubious about having people living that close to an industrial site.

Owned by the Port of Seattle, the 20-acre site is a short distance south of Florida Street and east of Harbor Avenue.

To recognize the effect of condominium conversions on displaced renters, the city council unanimously have passed an ordinance that penalizes developers and property owners who fail to notify eligible renters of tenant relocation assistance.

Tenants who earn at least 80 percent of median income are supposed to receive notice they are due $500 in assistance and the new ordinance just "puts teeth into that requirement," said Tom Rasmussen, chair of the council's housing committee and sponsor of the bill.

Though it is under state law that developers converting rental units t

Cooper Elementary School is one of five schools in Washington State to be awarded a $53,000 grant for the school's "E.A.R.T.H." Project.

Of that amount, $26,500 will come from the state and there will be an in-kind match of services from the three partner organizations of Northwest Environmental Education Council, Nature Consortium and Camp Long. The E.A.R.T.H. Project is a new magnet environmental focus at Cooper Elementary School.

The mayor has asked the Seattle City Council to approve a one-time addition to his 2008 proposed budget that would make the money available for a $7 million "Orphaned Parks Wish Fund."

"We are fortunate to have so many beautiful and well-used parks in virtually every neighborhood in Seattle," said Mayor Greg Nickel. "Unfortunately, some have become orphaned over the years.

Washington State Department of Transportation maintenance crews will close the Alaskan Way Viaduct for its semiannual inspections this weekend.

Since the 2001 Nisqually earthquake, the department has conducted a full inspection of the viaduct every six months to closely monitor any settlement or other signs of continuing deterioration. Transportation crews also conduct three-month visual inspections as an added safety measure.

"We follow an aggressive inspection schedule for the Alaskan Way Viaduct.

La Rustica owners are counting their blessings, reopening this evening (Tuesday, Oct 9), with two new refrigerators, a new oven and a new kitchen floor.

"We were going to do the work anyway," said owner Guilio Pellegrini. "This January, we planned to do the work anyway, so it's all OK."

The famed local Italian restaurant on Beach Drive closed after a fire Friday morning, Sept. 21. A dry old beam in the wall supporting the oven began to smolder.

Sealth-Westside match did not come to pass

By John Leonard

West Seattle and Chief Sealth high school girls were on the same cross country course, but the anticipated neighborhood match did not materialize when Chief Sealth was able to field only an incomplete team of four runners.

Had they figured in team scoring, however, the threesome of Claudia Jacob, Rachel Cermak, and, on the latter's heels, Alejandra Barajas, would have placed 6th, 8th, and 9th, respectively.

Without Sealth in the mix, the meet became a dual affair between Ingraham and West Sea

The money for an $84,762 check was raised at a golf classic in August sponsored by the Ballard High School Foundation. At left is Ballard High Principal Phil Brockman with Victor E. Salvino, class of 1951 who came to Seattle from Dallas for the event, and Jim Vatn, class of 1962 who was chairman of the seventh annual golf classic.