November 2009

Remember those days years ago when you stood in line on Tuesday at Skippers Fish & Chips?

Remember how much you enjoyed the All You Can Eat special they offered? Then you probably remember how the product began to suffer, the portions were smaller, the famous chowder got a little soupy?

The well-known regional chain was sold years ago to an east coast conglomerate. The local flavor left town with the management.

Skippers slid further. The current recession did not help as more stores faced perilous changes or worse.

Now you can forget all that. Skippers is making a comeback thanks to the passion of one man whose idea of good business is to hire good people and take care of them, then get the best possible product available, stay true to the quality of the product and toss in some sustainability for flavor.

Scott Way is that man. With more than 30 stores getting back on their collective feet, Scott is convinced the seafood restaurant we came to love is back in business.

Gone are the hamburgers and pre-cooked, warmed offerings. Back is the thick and creamy, real clam chowder.

SeaTac officials will be seeking comments from residents and business people on the city's planned downtown district at an open house on Dec. 7.

The open house will be held at the Holiday Inn Conference Center, located at 17338 International Boulevard, from 5-8 p.m.

The planned downtown area is next to the Sea-Tac International Airport/SeaTac City Center light-rail station, located at International Boulevard and South 176th Street, opening on Dec. 19.

Boundaries are from International Boulevard to 32nd Avenue South, between South 176th Street and South 170th Street.

Planners envision constructing a new 30th Avenue South between 176th and 173rd that would link with the boulevard.

City staffers and council members have been working on the entertainment district concept for at least two years, including making trips to other cities with entertainment districts.

An entertainment district is just one concept in the city's plans to build a main street area, according to Acting City Manager Todd Cutts.

"At the end of the day, concepts evolve," Cutts noted. "We want feedback on what people want and whether we are taking the right steps.

Burien City Council members were expected to establish March 2, 2010 as the effective date of the North Highline South Annexation at their Nov. 23 meeting.

However, City Manager Mike Martin learned late last week that King County plans to sell Puget Sound Park, on the corner of 1st Ave South and Southwest 126 Street. A library or fire station could be buit on the property but Burien wants the park transferred to the city.

Martin recommended that council hold off on setting a date for annexation.

This news was disheartening for council members, especially given the length of time Burien and North Highline residents have waited to consummate the annexation.

Mayor Joan McGilton noted the city's desire to provide North Highline citizens with "some level of certainty."

And Councilwoman Kathy Keene expressed her angst with past dealings with the county that seemed underhanded to her, as well as her hope that the new administration would leave behind its "dictatorial approach."

With light rail ready to roll from the Sea-Tac International Airport/SeaTac City Center station on Dec. 19, SeaTac lawmakers decided Nov. 24 to pause in efforts to enact design standards for the city's downtown area across from the station.

Council members voted 5-2 to place a moratorium on applications for building and development permits in the station area.

The area is between International Boulevard and 32nd Avenue South from South 176th Street to South 170th Street. The new Sound Transit station is located at International al Boulevard and South 176th Street.

The action came after lawmakers heard complaints from local business people objecting to zoning standards proposed by SeaTac's planning department.

Cathy Boysen Heiberg, who along with her brother, owns several business properties along International Boulevard, reported that 50 people attended a SeaTac Planning Commission public hearing on Nov.16.

"It was the best showing of SeaTac business people in 20 years," Heiberg said. "The attendees are risk takers who want to help SeaTac with economic development."

On December 5th, Friends of the Hylebos will organize volunteers to help save trees in Federal Way’s Dumas Bay Preserve by removing the invasive tree-killing vine.

The Dumas Bay Preserve is part of a new program by the Federal Way-based group to restore Federal Way’s forests to health.

Like Dumas Bay, much of the city’s 990 acres of publicly-owned forest is threatened by invasive plant species that kill trees and displace native plants.

Recent surveys by the Friends found that the Dumas Bay Preserve is 25%-100% invaded by Ivy. If left untreated, the ivy will eventually kill the trees, replacing a beautiful, green forest with an ivy desert.

Please come and help us restore this beautiful waterfront park to the healthy forest it could be!

Those interested in volunteering are encouraged to contact Lili Allala at 253-874-2005 or lili@hylebos.org or Chris Carrel at 253-874-2005 or chinook@hylebos.org.

Friends of the Hylebos is a nonprofit conservation organization, founded in 1983 and working to protect and restore the environmental quality of Hylebos Creek, the West Hylebos Wetlands and the surrounding watershed.

Community Winter Ball & Holiday Party
Hiawatha Community Center
2700 California Ave. S.W.
Saturday, Dec. 5, 7-10 p.m. Beginning swing dance lesson, 8-10 p.m. Dance to swing, waltz, blues and more! Don't know how to dance? Don't worry, mini-lessons throughout the evening to keep you dancing. Singles and couples welcome. Lesson and dance $12, lesson or dance only $8. 206-264-5646.

Chicago
Kenyon Hall
7904 35th Ave. S.W.
206-937-3613
Sunday, Dec. 13, 7 p.m. New York pianist Donald Sosin accompanies the original blockbuster, Chicago, the classic comedy-drama crime film that spawned two recent movies and a stage musical. This will be the first Seattle screening of this recently restored masterwork. Tickets $8-14. www.kenyonhall.org.

Arts West Gallery
Arts West Playhouse and Gallery
4711 California Ave. S.W.
www.artswest.org
Tuesday-Saturday, November 29-December 31, 12-7 p.m. Throughout December ArtsWest presents four talented artists in Expressionist Landscape with diverse representations of nature, from colorful abstracts to atmospheric open spaces. Admission is free.

West Seattle Junction Merchants
Hometown Holidays Headquarters: 12-4PM – Stay local on Sundays and enjoy what your neighborhood has to offer. Meet us in front of Key Bank for festivities and information on shopping, the $6500 raffle, and in-store events.

Santa’s Workshop at 4218 SW Alaska St. (around from Cupcake Royale):

Santa Photos: 12-4PM Santa Photos – Santa will be here to listen to your children’s Christmas requests. Professional Santa Photos by Donna Ryan Photography and a suggested donation of $10 or more will be donated to our West Seattle charities. Also help make ornaments for the holiday tree. Santa donations to West Seattle Food Bank, West Seattle Helpline and West Side Baby.

Free Gift Wrap: 12-4PM – Receive a complimentary holiday gift wrapping by Swee Swee Paperie with any $50 or more purchase from participating West Seattle Junction merchants. Additional holiday gift wrapping services are available for a fee with a portion of the profits to be donated to a local charity.

Dow Constantine County Executive

Several years ago I wrote you commenting about the practice of wrapping our buses with advertising and how it degrades the 'street scene' when we see these moveable bill boards on our streets and roads. To me they didn't belong in our area and please discontinue the practice.

You replied that it was a trial and would be discontinued in the future as you had received many negative comments. I see in the media that they are again being considered for additional income. I fully realize that you are doing everything you can to balance the budget and this is a source of income.

I question whether the amount of income that it generates is worth the negative image that this area will present to its citizens and tourists. I hope that it is not continued, at least assure us that it will be on only a few busses and please off the windows.

Thank you,
Leon A. Harman

Husky Deli & Catering, 4721 California Ave SW, celebrates its 77th anniversary with a party open to the public Friday night, Dec. 4, 5:00 pm. – 9:00 pm. Jack Miller is the third generation of the family-owned business.

“We’re going to give out food and put things on sale,” said Husky Deli & Catering owner Jack Miller. “It’s a lot of fun. If you want to run into a lot of West Seattle people come in. It’s real down home. We’ll be giving away meatballs, chicken, and everything else.

“We’ve done this every year for 25 years. We sell a lot more half gallons than cones for people to go home and sit in front of a movie. If anyone wants to drop in don’t eat a late lunch.”

Check out: http://www.huskydeli.com/

Some people took advantage of the cool clear weather after Thanksgiving to get their Christmas lights up. Chuck and Chris Hendryx in the Fauntleroy neighborhood put up "around 3000 lights this year," though he said, "We're kinda holding it down this year.

There are still several boxes in the garage." Hendryx continued, "We decided to get it done ahead of time this year so we can enjoy it."

When we checked on Concord Street in Fauntlee Hills, known as a neighborhood with likely the most impressive holiday light displays in West Seattle, Pete Caune (inventor of the famous Santa Bush) assured us that the street would soon be glowing in spectacular fashion again this year.

Click the image to see two other photos.

Check out more Herald photos in our new Flickr Gallery.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/westseattleherald