May 2016

By Patrick Robinson

A Land Use Application has been filed with the Seattle Department of Planning and Development to construct 14 single family residences at 3601 Fauntleroy Way SW in an environmentally critical area (clustered housing). Accessory parking for 28 vehicles would be located within the structures.

City records indicate that the project goes back to 2007 originally but it has changed from 21 homes to 14.

Also on file with the city are letters expressing concerns about traffic and safety in the area, which at this time remains undeveloped.

The following approval is required:
Environmentally Critical Areas Administrative Conditional Use - to allow more than one structure on a single lot in an Environmentally Critical Area in a Single- Familyzone. SMC 25.09.260

SEPA - Environmental Determination - SMC Chapter 25.05.

A decision has been issued by DPD. Here's an excerpt.


You might work diligently at building a financial roadmap for your retirement years and a comprehensive estate plan. But you can’t just create these strategies – you also have to communicate them. Specifically, you need to inform your spouse and your grown children what you have in mind for the future – because the more they know, the fewer the surprises that await them down the road.


Let’s start with your spouse. Ideally, of course, you and your spouse should have already communicated about your respective ideas for retirement and have come to an agreement on the big issues, such as when you both plan to retire, where you’ll live during retirement, and what you want to do as retirees (volunteer, travel, work part time and so on).


But what you both might have let slip through the cracks are the important specifics related to financing your retirement. You’ll need to answer several questions, including these:

• When will you each start taking Social Security?
• Are there strategies for maximizing both of your Social Security payments?

By Amanda Knox
 
I’m a camper. Or, at least, I used to be. During the summers of my childhood, my family went on a few weekend and week-long trips to the campgrounds around Gold Bar and Lake Roosevelt in Eastern Washington. My middle school had an outdoor education program that included multi-day hiking and camping trips twice each academic year—to Mt. Rainier, Olympic National Park, and the peninsulas along the coastline. When the weather cooperated, my friends from the UW rock climbing gym and I piled together into one of our cars and drove down I-90 until we encountered a reliable cliff face or bouldering camp. During breaks in the schoolyear, my college boyfriend DJ and I hiked to muddy hot springs in the middle of nowhere, and glissaded, usually head over heels, down mountainsides. I brought all my camping gear—tent, sleeping bag, camping stove, rock climbing gear—all the way to Italy, taking up valuable room in my suitcase, because I was looking forward to hiking trips in the Umbrian countryside, particularly around Lake Trasimeno.
 
Now, for the first time in many years, I’m headed outdoors again.
 

By Patrick Robinson

Hunger is a a human condition that always needs attention. In a society seemingly awash in food advertising, people fighting obesity, and heart disease, and a nation whose all inclusive culture seems to offer any kind of food, you can imagine the facts of hunger are hard to face.

Food Lifeline faces those facts daily. Food Lifeline, one of 202 around the nation, supplies 39 million pounds of food to food banks across Western Washington from Vancouver to the Canadian border. They are responsible for repackaging and delivering food to 275 different organizations and now they have a new home in South Park, a Hunger Solution Center to meet this most important human need. They are located at 815 South 96th Street in a new 130,000 square foot facility. They will celebrate their Grand Opening June 16 with a party featuring food, games, tours and live music provided by The Approximations, featuring King County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Satterberg.

The organization raised $34 million to construct the new facility (and the 70,000 sq. ft. building next door) from individuals, corporations, grants and government sources.

Starting on Tuesday, May 31, Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) will close a section of Charles Richey, Sr. Viewpoint, 3521 Beach Dr. SW, so that a crew can replace an old, rusty handrail.

The work involves cutting the old handrail into pieces, core drilling 47 holes in the supporting concrete, and setting the new handrail and mortar in place.

The crew estimates the work will take eight to 10 working days. While there will be no access to the viewpoint once the work begins, there will be street parking available at the site evenings and weekends.

SPR regrets any inconvenience to park users, looks forward to providing a new, safe handrail in time for summer, and hopes park visitors will enjoy nearby Me Kwa Mooks, Schmitz and Whale Tail parks while the work is under way.

information from WSJA

It is with great appreciation that the West Seattle Junction Association announces the resignation of Susan Melrose, Executive Director. Susan provided more than 9 years of service to the organization, during which her steadfast leadership and strong sense of community helped the business district to flourish. The West Seattle Junction Association wishes her well in her future endeavors and thanks her for her dedication and guidance.

Susan has lived West Seattle since 1998 and has brought her passion for the neighborhood into every aspect of her work. Her accomplishments include building Junction Plaza Park, creating the Harvest Festival, producing ten years of West Seattle Summer Fest, defining The Junction’s brand and increasing its reach, contributing to the creation of new public art, and acting as a conduit between The Junction businesses and greater community.

By Tim Clinton
SPORTS EDITOR

Back to back losses brought an early end to West Seattle's stay at the state Class 3A girls fastpitch softball championship tournament Friday.

After being edged by Enumclaw by a 2-1 score in their noon opener the Wildcats played Glacier Peak at 2 p.m. and bowed out with a 7-2 loss.

West Seattle entered the tournament as the fourth seed out of the Sea-King District 2 tournament after winning its first ever Metro League title.

The state tournament was played at the Regional Athletic Complex in Lacey.

Courtesy article by Gerardo Bolong

For the fourth consecutive season, the Seattle Christian fastpitch softball team will marshal its troops at the Columbia Playfield in Richland for the Class 1A WIAA/Dairy Farmers of Washington/Les Schwab Tires state tournament.

While performing the traditional decorating of the team bus on Wed., May 25, senior players recalled their experiences.

"I'm grateful I was able to play from the beginning of this season," said oft-injured Hannah Ruffcorn, who suffered a season-ending injury last season before incurring another season-ending injury a few weeks ago. "The seniors were able to lead well and we learned to communicate well, non verbally, as well as out loud. We gave it our all and fully respect and love each other."

Tri-captain Lisa Kumasaka, who is Lewis & Clark College (Portland) bound, added her thoughts.

"Making it to state every year was a great experience," she said. "The hard work the coaches put in and the great attitude of our team are just memorable. I'll really appreciate winning district last year and tri-district the year before."

By Tim Clinton
SPORTS EDITOR

West Seattle and Seattle Christian both drew noon Friday starts for their state girls fastpitch softball tournament efforts, but they will be playing on opposite sides of the Cascade Mountains.

West Seattle's Wildcats will be down I-5 in Lacey playing against Enumclaw at that time, while the Warriors from SeaTac are going on the road to Richland to play Deer Park.

The Class 3A state tournament involving 16 teams will take place at the Regional Athletic Complex in Lacey, while the 1A tournament is being held on the Columbia Playfield.

Both teams would play at the same ensuing times that day if they have the same results.

A win would advance them into 4 p.m. action, while a loss would mean a 2 p.m. start for their second game. Ensuing loser's bracket games would take place at 6 p.m.

Both tournaments continue through Saturday -- weather permitting. Two Friday wins would advance a team to Saturday.

By Tim Clinton
SPORTS EDITOR

Two Foster athletes took titles to highlight the Highline-area performances in West Central District track and field meets that concluded Saturday.

Shakila Omar of the Bulldogs won the girls 400-meter run at the Class 2A meet, posting a time of 59.04 seconds.

Over on the boys side, Foster's Zane Jacobson won the javelin with a throw of 162 feet, 00 inches.

Both will compete at the state meet to be held Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the Mount Tahoma High School stadium in Tacoma. Class 3A and 4A will also be held there at the same time.