January 2014

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think about planning a winter meal? Limited vegetable selections? Hot soup? Hearty stews? Creamy, cheesy comfort food? Or, all of the above? This time of year, we crave meals that warm us up on the inside when it’s cold on the outside. Ironically, many of us are also mindful about eating healthfully and light this time of year, hoping to balance out the indulgent parties we enjoyed during the holidays.

The good news is you can have it both ways. The best winter dinners are easy, hearty, and healthy. One-pot meals like Chicken Pot Pie, Chile Verde, Cajun Dirty Rice with Red Beans and Chicken, or Grilled Vegetable Couscous are all excellent choices for meal planning this time of year; especially if you’re busy getting back into your pre-holiday routine, and don’t have a lot of time to plan, shop, and cook. One-pot meals are easy to prepare, can be made in advance, and they make delicious leftovers.

To the person(s) who think(s) that driving on Alki/Harbor Ave is the same as driving on Interstate 5, may I have your attention for a few minutes? I Iive on Harbor Avenue. Leaving our condo and entering into the main flow of traffic usually presents some challenges so, one must exercise much caution when doing so.

In the morning when I am leaving our condo property, I look both ways on Harbor Avenue watching for an opportunity to safely enter the flow of traffic. If I see you in a vehicle that is 4 or 5 blocks away from me, I should be able to assume that you are traveling at the legal rate of speed (35 mph), permitting me to enter the road and then accelerate to the legal speed limit without impeding your rate of speed. I’ll even give you an extra 5 mph, just to be safe.

After I am onto Harbor Avenue and safely (so I believe) traveling at the legal limit, you speed up to me as I observe you in my mirrors as you decide to “tailgate” me for a while. I think you’re trying to get my attention.

By Gwen Davis

“The fact that this school has all sorts of activities – like getting dirty with outdoor play and water play and sandbox play – I think will definitely keep him busy,” said parent Ali Sundet, who attended the Community School of West Seattle’s open house on Sat., Jan 19.

Sundet has a four-year-old, who needs more structure.

“We are new to the neighborhood, we’ve been here about a month, and our son is ready to do something more than be at home with mom and dad,” Sundet said. “I went to the preschool fair on Mon. night and met the people who work here, and they said come to our open house and see what it’s all about.”
The school offers many advantages to Sundet.

“It’s close and convenient, and also works with our work schedules,” she said.

The Community School of West Seattle – specializing in providing an “organic” education for three and four-year-olds – is currently offering open houses, observations and opportunities to apply.
Sarah Airhart, founder and director, said she began the school years ago because she wanted something different for her own preschool –aged kids.

Warren Lawless, whose history in West Seattle included time with the West Seattle Herald, and whose service to the community extended for many decades has passed away.

Stephanie Halcomb, shared his obituary with the Herald.

Edwin Warren Lawless passed away in the early hours of January 13th, 2014. He was 95. Born June 1918 in Bremerton WA.

He was part of the greatest generation. He served in the US Navy and was on a LST (ship) in 1945 as part of the invasion force of Japan when the war ended.

Warren spent his life in public service; he served 50 years as Chairman Western University of Health Sciences, winning numerous awards for his dedication of service to the school

For 50 years he was a member of the West Seattle Kiwanis Club, serving as secretary/treasurer and last year as President.

Preceded in death by his lifelong companion wife Betty May Brant Lawless in 2009.

Another Booze Balls and Bingo fundraiser bingo night is coming to the Feedback Lounge Feb. 9

The production stars Tru St. James and DJ Tony B, co-hosted by Donnatella Howe, former Miss Gay Seattle. Prizes will be awarded to the winners.

Event: Booze Balls and Bingo ~ A Valentine's Charity Benefit FREE2LUV.ORG
Date: Sunday, February 9th
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Location: Feedback Lounge
6451 California Ave. SW
West Seattle

The National Weather Service has issued an air stagnation advisory that extends through next Friday

...AIR STAGNATION ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM PST FRIDAY JANUARY 24...

* AIR QUALITY...LOW-LEVEL TEMPERATURE INVERSIONS AND LIGHT WINDS WILL RESULT IN WORSENING OF AIR QUALITY AT TIMES THROUGH NEXT FRIDAY.

* IMPACTS...LIMITED MOVEMENT OF THE AIR WILL ALLOW AIR POLLUTANTS TO INCREASE AT TIMES THROUGH NEXT FRIDAY. IMPACTS WILL BE GREATEST ON INDIVIDUALS WITH RESPIRATORY ILLNESSES.

* RESTRICTIONS/BURN BANS...CHECK WITH YOUR LOCAL CLEAN AIR AGENCY FOR ANY RESTRICTIONS...SUCH AS BURN BANS...IN YOUR AREA.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

AN AIR STAGNATION ADVISORY IS BASED ON WEATHER CONDITIONS. IT IS NOT AN AIR POLLUTION ADVISORY OR FORECAST. AIR POLLUTION ADVISORIES AND FORECASTS ARE ISSUED BY AIR QUALITY AGENCIES.

THOSE WITH RESPIRATORY AILMENTS SHOULD CONSIDER LIMITING OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES.

An Early Design Guidance meeting is set for Jan. 30 to review plans for the former Charlestown Cafe site at 3824 California S.W. The project would include 30 townhouses plus live-work units and offer 30 parking spaces. The owner/developer is Intracorp Real Estate LLC who also built Burien Town Square and have a project coming up in the Admiral District. Elsewhere in the area they've built projects in Newcastle, and in Seattle's Roosevelt neighborhood, and University District. They've retained Caron Architecture for the design work.

The project would be comprised of six new buildings. Three structures would contain 17 live-work units of 9,000 sq. ft. at street level and three more structures with 13 townhouse units.

The meeting is set for Jan. 30 at 8 p.m. at the West Seattle Senior Center, 4217 S.W. Oregon Street.

You can download the Early Design Guidance packet (18.8 MB) at the link above.

OPPORTUNITY FOR COMMENT

The West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting on Jan. 21 will offer an update on recent crime trends from operations Lt. Pierre Davis. He and the officers that work in your neighborhood will be on hand to listen to questions regarding your neighborhood concerns.

Melissa Chin, Precinct Liaison,City Attorney's Office, will also be on hand to answer questions.

Covering animal related issues will be Ann Graves, Manager of Field Services, Seattle Animal Control Shelter.
Ms. Graves will discuss Dog-flipping, dangerous and abused animals, the leash law law and more.

C. Kimi Kondo, Presiding Judge, Seattle Municipal Court, will be the guest at the February 18th, 2014 meeting. Judge Kondo is the Mental Health Judge on the court and she will discuss the Mental Health Court's mission in the court system.

This meeting is open to the public and you are encouraged to attend.

For more information contact WSCPC at westseattleCPC@gmail.com

WEST SEATTLE CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL
Community Safety Meeting,TUESDAY, JANUARY 21,
@ Southwest Police Precinct, 2300 SW Webster, 7 – 8:30pm

information from South Seattle Community College

South Seattle Community College released an all-star line-up of participating chefs for the annual fundraising event, "Gifts From the Earth," today. This year's event will take place on Saturday, January 25, 2014 at 5PM in the Brockey Center with the proceeds benefiting South Seattle Community College Foundation.

In addition to a silent and live auction, guests to the sold-out fundraiser will enjoy a multi-course meal that is prepared by 15 of Seattle's finest chefs, along with the help of South Seattle Community College's Culinary students. Each chef will prepare a meal for two of the 31 tables (with 10 guests per table) at the event.

Here is this year's line-up, including six graduates of South's Culinary Program:

• Chef Alvin Binuya, Ponti Seafood Grill - South Seattle Community College Alum
• Chef Bruce Cougan, Harry's Chicken Joint - South Seattle Community College Alum
• Chef Eric Floyd, Washington Athletic Club
• Chef Evan Garrard, Emerald Cove Catering
• Chef Wayne Johnson, Ray's Boathouse
• Chef Sarah Lorenzen, Andaluca

Seattle Public Schools Superintendent José Banda announced that Fairmount Park Elementary which has been in the process of a major $20 million overhaul, adding 10 classrooms and more than 19,000 sq. ft. The school is scheduled to re-open this fall.

Banda made the announcement in a letter to the community:

Dear West Seattle community,
I am pleased to announce the appointment of Julie Breidenbach as the new principal of Fairmount Park Elementary School, effective immediately.