January 2025

On January 25th, ReThinkTheLink.org hosted a public forum at the Center for Active Living in West Seattle to discuss the proposed West Seattle Light Rail Extension (WSLE), drawing a crowd of concerned citizens and transit advocates. The forum, led by Alan McMurray of Rethink the Link, aimed to delve into the facts surrounding the project, using information gleaned from Sound Transit's documents and public records. The panel included John Niles, an independent researcher and transportation consultant; Martin Pagel, an engineer, cyclist, and transit advocate; and Martin Westerman, an advocate for urban green space preservation. Conrad Cipoletti, a carfree community advocate, moderated the panel.

District 1 City Councilmember Rob Saka shared some updates on the issue of RV encampments vis his newsletter to constituents:

Our office has been actively working with the Mayor’s Unified Care Team (UCT), which brings together multiple city departments to ensure Seattle’s public spaces, sidewalks, and streets remain clean, open, and accessible. This includes resolution of both tent and vehicle encampments throughout D1.

The UCT’s southwest boundaries cover D1 - our district has the most lived-in vehicles as of the third quarter of 2024. UCT reminders:

School of Rock West Seattle is celebrating its 10th anniversary with an open house and a free performance. The community is invited to the celebration on February 7th.

The open house will be held at the School of Rock West Seattle location at 4701 41st Ave SW, Suite 120 Seattle, WA 98116 from 6-7 pm.... Guests can tour the school and enter a drawing for door prizes. Prizes include a $100 gift certificate to Easy Street Records. The drawing will be at 6:45 pm, and winners do not need to be present to win. Winners will be contacted by phone or email1. Current students and staff are not eligible for the drawing.

Following the open house, the School of Rock West Seattle House Band will perform at Easy Street Records, located at 4559 California Ave SW Seattle, WA 98116, at 7 pm.

The phone number for School of Rock West Seattle is 206.294.3175 and their website is westseattle.schoolofrock.com.

The January 25 community forum on the West Seattle Light Rail extension being promoted by RethinkTheLink.org, coming as it does so late in the process, still hopes to clarify the issues with the project from "scope and impacts" to the most likely route map to their reasoning why bus rapid transit remains the more flexible and financially reasonable option.

Sound Transit board chair Dow Constatine recently expressed optimism about the project and since the board has now approved the "project to be built" it's up to the Federal Transit Authority to pass final approval. 

The likelihood of the new Secretary of Transportation (former congressman Sean Duffy) approving a light rail project in Seattle depends on several factors, including the project's alignment with federal transportation priorities, its potential impact on the community, and the level of local support.

Pizzeria 22, an institution in the Admiral District at 4213 SW College Street for well over a decade changed hands back in August when founder Cary Kemp sold it to enter a new chapter turning the reins over to Brandi Moery and her husband Daniel.  Brandi has been transforming the restaurant, building upon its 13-year foundation of authentic top quality Italian pizza while introducing new concepts and dishes.For Brandi, this venture is a "new baby," perfect timing as her youngest child just turned eighteen. She is a chef and Daniel has a background in the hospitality industry. Chef Daniel Palestina-Sanchez brings his passion as a master pizzaiolo to the heart of the kitchen.

A Foundation of Pizza, with an Eye Towards the Future

During the recent holiday season, West Seattle Nursery undertook a fundraising effort to support Mode Music and Performing Arts (MMPA). The nursery invited customers to donate $5 when purchasing Christmas trees and other items, with a promise to match all donations. The nursery initially set a goal of $1,500 but quickly surpassed it, raising the goal to $2,000. By Christmas Eve, the nursery had collected $1,955, which they then rounded up to $2,000. With the nursery matching the donation, a total of $4,000 was presented to Erin Rubin, the owner of MMPA. 

The fundraising campaign was a team effort, with employees actively encouraging customers to participate. Some employees even donated their tips to the cause. The nursery found that many of their customers were already familiar with Mode Music.