September 2008

Mark Wainwright of the Admiral Neighborhood Asscociation should have his facts right before writing his letter to the editor ("Headline a Disservice," Thursday Sept. 25).

The facts are:

- Department of Neighborhoods Application Review comments conclude, "There is a chance that the Parks Department does not support the project at this time due to the size and location of the park. The park (at) California Avenue and Southwest Hill Street is between a green area and a parking lot that belongs to a church and right next to a busy arterial.

When Jill Wakefield was diagnosed with breast cancer last year she found herself reevaluating her life.

As she battled the life-threatening illness she contemplated what mattered most to her. What she discovered was a renewed determination to invest time in a job she's passionate about.

"My job is really great because everyday I know I make a difference in the life of a student," said Wakefield, president of South Seattle Community College since 2003.

While some of Seattle's public elementary schools are over capacity, other student populations are dropping. Looking at current enrollment, as well as 10-year projections, the Seattle School Board is planning to reallocate resources so that schools might address these demographic changes.

The goal is to minimize both student wait lists and the costs created by schools over capacity.

With the snip of a pair of scissors, the purple ribbon dropped and the Brandon Roy basketball court was reborn recently.

The refurbished outdoor court south of the Delridge Community Center was once the healthy hangout for the Portland Trailblazer who fans call "Broy." The court was renamed in his honor.

"It's incredible to be back with my family," said Roy, a 6 foot 6 inch guard, following the ceremony. He was toting his 18-month-old son, Brandon Jr.

"I've had so many memories from this court when I worked on my game," he said.

New interim regulations to protect trees in Seattle would close a loophole used by developers to take down trees before applying for a development permit.

The proposed interim regulations will be transmitted to City Council for review and would stay in place until permanent tree protection regulations are adopted.

There are currently few limits on tree cutting for most developed sites in Seattle other than in environmentally critical areas.

Ever wanted to teach a skill but thought you weren't qualified enough?

As the cost of gas and food has skyrocketed in the last six months so has the number of senior citizens visiting the White Center Food Bank.

Part of the frustration that Rick Jump, executive director of the White Center Food Bank, sees with the ever-growing population of senior citizens visiting his food bank is the stress they endure during regular food bank hours when the center is often overcrowded.

"This food bank gets very busy," said Jump. "We use to serve between 1,000 to 1,100 (people) a month but now we're up to 1,500 families a month.

After the Design Review Board showed a design that would include a 58,000 square foot market, a residential unit and a separate commercial building, community members voiced their concerns and the board requested to see more alternative designs.

The three different design options presented last Thursday night were not distinctive enough for community members or the board.

Bartell Drugs is launching an extensive vaccination program as the flu season approaches, including a full schedule of in-store vaccinations, pre-paid FluGram cards and a new program targeting businesses.

The 56-store chain begins a full schedule of more than 70 in-store vaccination clinics October 1. In addition to clinics, many stores are offering shots by appointment or on a walk-in basis. Cost for the shots is $28 and Medicare Part B is accepted.

Saturday, Oct. 4, is the last day for online or mail-in voter registrations or transfers in the Nov.