May 2007

It hasn't been easy for people trying to get something to eat at the old West Seattle Food Bank. Often about 20 families patiently stood in line on the sidewalk, sometimes in the rain, with cars full of prying eyes on nearby Fauntleroy Way.

But at the new West Seattle Food Bank and Community Service Center, which opened this week, people needing food will have an indoor waiting area with chairs, restrooms, and a corner devoted to children.

There's also space in the new waiting area for staff to help people appIy for job training or food stamps.

Studies to determine the feasibility of bringing light rail to West Seattle and Ballard will be included in the "Roads and Transit" plan that will be put to voters in the autumn.

The Sound Transit board of directors accepted the study proposals and made them part of a whole package of transportation projects the agency will ask voters to approve next fall.

A city inspector interrupted workers who were installing a new cell phone tower without a permit April 24 atop the same Alki apartment building where two other cellular phone companies applied to expand their own communications equipment.

Workers for the wireless broadband company Clearwire were able to install some rooftop equipment before neighbors alerted the Seattle Department of Planning and Development.

"It appeared that an antenna was put up," said Alan Justad, department spokesman.

Thanks to an appropriation of the Washington Legislature, a neighborhood center at High Point is within $2.5 million of the $10 million having enough money to build an 18,500 square-foot building.

The Legislature included $2 million for the construction of a neighborhood center in West Seattle in the budget for the next biennium.

The High Point Neighborhood Center will house services for families including multilingual programs and activities to enhance families and to promote self-reliance.

Seattle City Light said last week its customers should be on guard against telephone con artists posing as utility bill collectors who appear to be targeting customers with Asian surnames in the West Seattle area.

Several customers have reported they received phone calls from people claiming to be City Light employees. One customer's account was fraudulently tapped for more than $3,000.

In the scam, the callers claim there is a problem with payment of the customer's bill by check and demand credit card information to resolve the matter.

HB 1128

Making operating appropriations for 2007-2009. By a vote of 31 to 17, on April 22, the Senate approved HB 1128. By a vote of 60 to 36, also on April 22, the House approved HB 1128, which would make appropriations to the 2007-09 state operating budget. The operating budget is one of three budgets approved by the Legislature each year. These appropriations pay for general state services such as state employee salaries, basic education, and social services. The bill is now under consideration by the governor.

Sens. Erik Poulsen; Reps.

The White Center community is gearing up for its annual Spring Clean event scheduled for Saturday, May 19.

"This is our fourth year, and we are always excited to make it the best one each year," said Aileen Balahadia, executive director of the White Center Community Development Association.

"Our members look forward to this event as a gathering as well as giving back to the White Center," says Pastor Mabel Fatialofa-Magalei of the White Center Assembly of God, and a yearly participant.

The Elliot Bay Water Taxi resumed service on Sunday between West Seattle's Seacrest Park and downtown Seattle's Pier 55.

A crowd estimated in the hundreds showed up to take advantage of the opening day only free rides across the bay. The event also featured live music and activities for children.

The one way fare is $3. Children 5 and under ride free.

Jim Nobles, a social services manager, conservationist, and political activist, says he is a candidate for the Seattle City Council.

Nobles serves on the Seattle Monorail Project Board, to which he was elected in 2005 on a platform of shutting down an out-of-control agency.

"I kept my word to Seattle's citizens to close down the project, pay off the agency's debt, and end its motor vehicle excise tax as soon as possible," he said.

Nobles said his campaign will focus on improving the quality of the city's services.

"The taxpayers expect the city to de

With the track and field season winding down, the Ballard Beavers are relying on a team of relatively young team to get them into the playoffs.

"This is the time of the season when it is starting to count. We are working towards the post season," said assistant coach Bob Mirenzi.

Individually, the boy's team has had some strong performances in recent weeks.