November 2008

Thanks for bringing this to light, Tom (Letter, Oct. 29).

McDermott's actions are reprehensible. It's a win-win for the government, if we leave our money in our 401k's they'll take half, if we take it out we'll pay tax and penalties - probably about half. This criminal behavior must be stopped. That McDermott can see this as an acceptable plan is telling, he can no longer distinguish between right and wrong.

I can't believe my fellow West Seattleites re-elect this guy every two years. We should be ashamed to have him representing us.

Your caption for the photo of "Ruxbury Gasoline" points out the spelling error, but the caption itself has an error - it's for its. This was the fourth error I happened on while reading the Herald this week (the others were "loosing" for "losing," another its, and another one I've forgotten). We English teachers depend on the print media to get it right. It seems like you need a copy editor.

Judy Bentley

Seattle

As I awoke this morning, welcomed quiet filled the air

The campaigns all were over and no longer did I care

If Gregoire was for income tax or Rossi owned a bank

Whether Burner went to Harvard or if Joe the Plumber drank

Obama could be GOP, McCain a Democrat

King Kong a playful chimpanzee and Lassie just a cat

With the current state of the economy consumers are tending to be a little more frugal with their spending, but in the West Seattle Junction businesses are faring well so far as their neighborhood has become a popular destination for people across the city.

At Northwest Art and Frame, owner Dan Reiner says business this fall has increased compared to this time last year.

Reiner says this is due largely to the fact that many local restaurants have received favorable press from citywide publications, creating good foot traffic on California Avenue.

The King County Sheriff's office budget will be cut by over 11 percent next year and that could mean 79 people will have to leave the department said Sheriff Sue Rahr, who is urging people to complain to county government right now.

Rahr spoke to alarmed area residents last week at a town hall meeting called "Public Safety in Peril" at the Steve Cox Memorial Park log cabin in White Center.

Rahr laid out the realities of law enforcement budget cuts to affect unincorporated King County communities, including the potential of increased crime.

Neighbors from the west end of Admiral Way came together and spent over seven hours at Seattle municipal court in a hearing last week that will determine whether Verizon Wireless has the right to add eight new cell phone antennas to the existing three on the Sound Crest Apartment building.

It was certainly an uphill battle for the neighbors who could not afford to hire an attorney and have the burden of proof.

"By the end of the day we were exhausted," said Jim Borrow, a member of the neighborhood who has helped lead his community against the cell towers.

The Seattle Families and Education Levy provides many school-based, extended-day academic and enrichment opportunities for students.

For example, every afternoon at Denny Middle School, the extended-day activities allow students to participate in academic programs in science, math and reading, as well as music and art.

College Bound provides the promise of free tuition and books at Washington colleges, universities and career or vocational schools for qualifying 7th and 8th grade - and for next year only, 9th grade - students.

Last year Denny Middle School sign

When John Lennon hit a personal rough spot in 1965 he responded with "Help!" In that hit song he crooned that when younger he never needed any help, but "I've changed my mind. I've opened up the doors."

In her new book, "Personal Safety Nets: Getting Ready for Life's Inevitable Changes and Challenges," West Seattle author Judy Pigott also opens doors and asks, "In an emergency who will help you? To whom do you matter?

The times they are a-changin' but before today gets away from us, the Log House Museum and the Seattle Statue of Liberty Plaza Project are upping the ante and expanding on their proposed time capsule project.

Nov. 13, some 157 years to the day after the Denny Party officially landed on Alki, remains the official send-off day for the project. But according to Log House Museum director Andrea Mercado, the original modest budget of $1,000 has expanded. Mercado says she this is because of the fundraising efforts of Paul and Libby Carr, co-chairs of the Plaza Project.

Last week 58 schools in the area joined over 1,000 schools nationwide - and nearly 500,000 students - as they began scouring their homes and neighborhoods for idle pennies.

From now until Thanksgiving students, together with their parents, will connect with extended families, friends, neighbors and businesses to help them better their communities by donating spare change.

"As students participate in Penny Harvest, they are literally creating their own philanthropic bank account," said Mike Beebe, the program director.

For over 16 years Penny Harvest, formerly k