With all this talk of recession and the reality of gas prices at a level even an oil sheik might resist, we wondered how West Seattle's annual big party would turn out. By all estimates and reports, it was a roaring success.

The planning and the execution were first rate if you go by the comments people made at the West Seattle Herald booth, where people puzzled over a history quiz and bought 14 months of subscription for 12 months cost. A wander through the booths that stretched from Edmonds to north of Oregon showed others were doing a grand business too.

In restaurant after restaurant, the crowds streamed in looking to sit for a few minutes and eat, drink, rest and chat. But that did not stop the many with hunger for those foods sold at the "food court" on Alaska.

Music captured many while the kids had places for fun and games.

Another year, another success.

West Seattle is blessed that we are not growing as wildly as other parts of the city, but we are growing and evolving. With that comes the expected grumbling and muttering at some very real problems and some woes more perceived than real. This is expected as times change.

Many comment that they wish things would stay the same, but others remember when the Alaska Junction was a sad place to be, when business was in a slump and merchants watched a number of empty spaces.

But there are concerns in Alaska Junction that circulate around two words that some love, others detest: Condominiums and apartments.

How will over 1,000 new dwelling units and as many or more new automobiles fit in the Junction and still leave a pleasant shopping experience? One answer is less obvious to many, and that is the absolute necessity for adequate parking. Even in the time of green, we must have a parking place or we will simply stay away. We all look forward to the time of cars fueled by electricity or fuel cells, but that time is not here yet - and even they will need to park someplace.

One other idea circulated at the street fair: What about a local hotel? We have a couple of fine bed and breakfasts, but that is not enough. Our one motel is headed for oblivion to reemerge as an apartment building.

It is an idea that needs some real, hard thinking - soon.

- Jack Mayne