October 2008

When Lisa Lancaster moved from California to West Seattle last June, her son, Brendan, 7, was enrolled in Alki Elementary School.

Classes conclude at 3:15 p.m., so she planned to enroll her second grader in the Alki Community Center's after school program next door. Problem is a child needs to be on their waiting list in January to have a shot.

"We didn't know which school Brendan would be enrolled in until we moved here in June," said Lancaster.

West Seattle's newest high school expansion is at nearby Shorewood Christian School.

Celebrating its 29th anniversary, this is a big milestone year for Shorewood Christian. The high school is currently in the expansion development phase with this being the first year offering ninth grade. Each subsequent year, they will be adding 10th, 11th, and 12th grade. By the year 2011, they will be a full service school offering pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. The school is a member of the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) and is approved by the State of Washington.

Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels has presented his proposed biennial budget of $1.87 billion, which has a distinct focus on human services and public safety.

The proposed general budget totals $920 million in 2009 and $952 million in 2010. The Seattle City Council will spend the next two months reviewing the budget to determine if any funds should be cut or reallocated to balance the budget.

Credit freezes are hot with consumer advocates concerned about identity theft and privacy protections and Washington residents have even more control over their credit files because of changes that are also helping more retailers warm up to the law.

Washington consumers who want to open new credit, apply for a mortgage or take out an insurance policy have an easy way to provide temporary access to their frozen credit reports.

About 30 old and diseased poplar trees are being removed from Steve Cox Memorial Park in White Center, and the King County Parks is making plans to replant new trees within the next few weeks.

The county is removing a long line of Lombardy Poplar trees along the southern edge of the park because the trees are in declining health.

The King County Housing Authority just completed the Nia Apartments, its first new public housing for seniors and disabled residents in 26 years, and a week later, it was fully leased.

The new 82-unit, four-story apartment complex, which is located in the Greenbridge community in White Center, offers residents spacious, light-filled apartments with well-appointed kitchens. Each apartment home comes with a patio or deck. The property also features a comfortable community room with a fireplace, a computer room with Internet access, raised bed gardens and a full-sized greenhouse.

Now that he is back working at West Seattle's Hotwire Coffee, former Project Runway contestant Blayne Walsh is asked an array of questions about the show everyday.

What was it like?

Which contestants does he hate?

And, is it true they wouldn't let him go tanning?

While the fashion designer says he doesn't like being gawked at, the attention he's receiving could benefit his career in the long run.

"You can't pay for exposure like that," Blayne said. "Now the whole nation knows my name. It's overwhelming."

Voters can drop off general election ballots at the Delridge Neighborhood Service Center, 5405 Delridge Way, 24 hours each day starting Friday, Oct. 17, until 8 p.m. on Nov. 4, Election Day.

Please do not return your voted ballot at any other service center.

Voters will be instructed with signs to return their voted absentee ballots into the payment drops at the two sites.

It's tough to imagine anything new that could contribute to California Avenue's restaurant scene, but The Bohemian, located at 3405 California Avenue Southwest, has, in fact, found its own niche.

After nearly a year of serious construction while the local community waited, The Bohemian opened on Sept. 15.

The globally influenced restaurant is the result of efforts from the entire Rice family.

Jason Rice says he has wanted to be a chef since he was 10 years old.

Kiewit Pacific Co. last week was awarded a $67 million project to build a new State Route 519 interchange near the Seattle sports stadiums.

"SR 519 is a crucial connection from I-5 and I-90 to the waterfront for cars and freight, and this investment improves our ability to send Washington goods to a global market," said Paula Hammond, secretary of transportation. "The coalition of organizations supporting this project - including the sports teams, the city and county and Port of Seattle - worked hard to combine resources and get this project built."

Gov.