November 2008

Jack, you seem to be forgetting that most of us who commute from West Seattle to downtown don't do so because of the shopping, we have jobs there. We need real solutions, not more forecasts of gloom and doom. I'm not saying I have any solutions, mind you, but I would appreciate any thoughtful ideas to inspire hope and less of your chicken little syndrome which basically ignores the reality of having to commute as opposed to choosing to commute.

Sandy DeMers

Marine View Drive

Unfortunately for me, I got to know Bert late in her life, but I was in awe of her from the first day we reconnected. My daughter was very young then and I tried to emulate Bert's way of thinking about parenting with my daughter. Bert was truly an amazing person whom you wanted to follow and be with and listen to for hours. I will remember that great smile with the impish twinkle in her eyes. I will miss her ... we all will.

Robin Roland deStefano

Seattle

To the people who care - I recall reading somewhere "A nation strong enough to give everything to you is also strong enough to take away everything from you."

You all may be pleased and comforted to know how much I hope and pray you are right.

Mary E. Kanyer

Alki

I'm 47 years old. The civil rights movement of the 1960's was as familiar to me as the Flintstones and Barbie. I watched as women and minorities stood up and said, "We are equal and demand equality."

While I am proud to be able to share the excitement of the civil rights movement with my teenage daughter as we march side by side for the equal rights of same sex couples to marry, I am dismayed that the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender community has been marginalized for so long.

For years, the noble Kenney stood

With views of shaded lawn and wood

A kind and gracious, caring home

Set proudly neath a stately dome

Her residents, in comfort spent

Long days of leisure, quite content

For they knew dignity would dwell

With those who loved this place so well

But some who valued size, not grace

And thought her charm was wasted space

No matter which option is chosen for replacement of the Alaskan Way Viaduct, it will come with a big price tag for taxpayers to swallow.

A bored tunnel, running under downtown from Royal Brougham to Roy Street may cost $3.5 billion. A cut-and-cover tunnel, $2.7 billion. The integrated elevated highway running on top of residential and commercial buildings and under a citywide park may cost $2.2 billion. A lidded trench $1.9 billion. A side-by-side, four-lane elevated highway, $1.6 billion.

The Elliot Bay Water Taxi will become a year round service beginning January 2010, the King County Ferry District Board decided last week.

The action was prompted by Washington State Governor Christine Gregoire's announcement that the Alaskan Way Viaduct will come down.

On any given Friday night you will find the front door open at the Schwartz's Admiral home. As the sun begins to set men gather in the basement with Rabbi Ephriam Schwartz, where he leads them in prayers and songs together. They have each covered their heads and are formally dressed. Even Schwartz's 10-year-old son Yonah wears a suit and tie.

Upstairs in the kitchen joining his wife Aliza, a group of women, some in long, dark dresses have set the table with twice as many places as there are guests. It would be an odd occurrence if someone did not drop in during the meal.

Ten years have chugged by since train-enthusiast Scott Law opened the Electric Train Shop at 4511 California Avenue. Because he wheels and deals in a niche market, buying, selling, and restoring new and collectable model trains and accessories, he sees his business staying right on track while picking up a head of steam.

"Yes, model trains are a hobby for collectors. But they also serve as a creative outlet for the builder-operator.

West Seattleites now have a place to go for catfish, collard greens and other barbeque dishes. After opening a location on Greenwood Avenue 17 years ago, Otis Austin has now opened a new OK Corral restaurant at 4417 Fauntleroy Way.

When he first considered opening a restaurant in the neighborhood, some of Austin's friends and family tried to talk him out of it, suggesting that the concept wouldn't work in this neighborhood.

But Austin is pleased to report that since opening their doors on Nov. 3, he has had a surprisingly large clientele.