December 2008

The Sears department store in the Starbucks Corporate building opened its doors two hours early Saturday and nearly 110 young West Seattle elementary students from underserved families celebrated Christmas early. Six schools participated. Every year West Seattle Elementary schools rotate. Each child was armed with a one-hundred dollar gift certificate and, accompanied by a high school student or adult volunteer, invaded the department store's cavernous shoes and clothes department.

Photo by Steve Shay

At the Farmers Market

www.seattlefarmersmarkets.org

This week will feature apples, goat bratwurst, summer and Italian sausage, pepperoni, Landjaeger, butter, chocolate milk, cheddar cheese, wild mushrooms, beans, beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, celery root, chard, fennel, garlic, greens, kale, kohlrabi, lettuce, leeks, onions, parsnips, potatoes, pumpkins, radiccio, radishes, rutabaga, shallots, spinach, squash, turnips, aprums, pears, nuts, cheese, eggs, pork, beef, chicken, duck, veal, lamb, Pate

After receiving significant comments from community members, as well as School Board member Steve Sundquist, the school district is researching Cooper as a new home for alternative school Pathfinder K-8.

Superintendent of Seattle Schools Marie Goodloe-Johnson recommended on Nov.

Ama Ama Oyster Bar and Grill

4752 California Ave. S.W.

937-1514

Happy Hour: 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. to Midnight daily.

http://www.ama-amaseattle.com/

Thursdays, 9 p.m.

Live Music (jazz, blues, funk)

Bamboo Bar and Grill

2806 Alki Ave. S.W.

937-3023

To the dismay of many Fremont residents, business owners and the Fremont Chamber of Commerce, the Seattle Department of Transportation has decided to install parking meters in the neighborhood.

The department presented their final plan meant to create more turn over and parking availability in the Fremont business district last week.

Surprised when the press contacted her Thursday morning before receiving the press release due to be sent later that afternoon of the final decision, Jessica Vets, executive director of the Fremont Chamber of Commerce shared great regret with the department's decision.

"In a final insult to Fremont, Seattle Department of Transportation had a private press conference with the major newspapers in Seattle in the morning before sending the plan to the chamber in the afternoon," said Vets. "It is this type of calculated dishonesty that is making Seattleites grow weary of dealing with city government."

With the final plan, paid parking will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Ballard

Bad Albert's Tap and Grill

5100 Ballard Ave. N.W.

782-9623

Happy Hour: 3 to 6 p.m. daily, $1 off appetizers, beers and well drinks on special.

www.badalberts.com

Thursdays, 8 to 10:30 p.m. No cover

Taste of the Blues, featuring Annieville Blues and her special guests

Sundays, 5 to 8:30 p.m. No cover

Bill Chism, Jazz and guitar

Almost 100 people lined up at Camelion Design Dec. 3 on Ballard Avenue to get into the debut Sit and Sip event.

Sit and Sip and Shop Local/Think Local are encouraging shoppers to stay in Ballard and support local independent merchants this holiday season and beyond.

West Seattle residents now have a cyber-gym in which to pursue their fitness goals. The facility, located in Jefferson Square, is a high-tech establishment that offers state-of-the-art equipment and support.

It opened for business on Nov. 12.

Developed as an alternative to the "big box" gyms, owners MJ Benovente and Jim Flynn, both West Seattle residents, have created a clean, convenient and secure environment.

Members receive 24-hour accessibility to the business and the place is full of cameras and infared sensors.

This Friday and Saturday the Youngstown Cultural Arts Center hosts a winter open house with the residents of Cooper School Artists Housing.

Dec. 5, from 6 to 11 p.m., there will be a silent auction of resident artist paintings, photography and sculpture work on the ground floor.