Update on Link – West Seattle’s next big construction project
You might have noticed that trailer just east of Lien Animal Clinic. It’s not for the construction project that Lien wrapped up recently (which by the way has an open house 10/25) – it’s for Link, the Harbor Properties mixed-unit project slated for this site on the other side of Lien (38th & Alaska; map), which formerly held West Seattle Montessori School (WSB sponsor, now with a new campus) and a Huling Brothers shop:
We checked with Harbor Properties today after a commenter asked if Link was still supposed to start construction in “early fall.” Emi Baldowin from HP says, “Exxel Pacific, the general contractor, is setting up trailers, hopeful for an anticipated start within the next few weeks,” and they’re still finishing the paperwork to get the project going. Link’s second and final Design Review meeting was one year ago (here’s our report). It’s a 200-unit apartment project with ground-level retail; Harbor is the company that built Mural (WSB sponsor) across from Jefferson Square, apartments over retail including Wallflower Custom Framing (WSB sponsor) and Fresh Bistro. 11:07 AM UPDATE: If you want to hear more from Link’s developers in person, Fairmount Community Association president Sharonn Meeks says they’re scheduled to make a presentation at her group’s next meeting, which is scheduled for 6:30 pm October 21st at Providence Mount St. Vincent (4831 35th SW). She adds that her group would like to thank Harbor having the contractor, Exxel Pacific, “tidy up, mow and (do) tree trimming” around the future construction site.
First-time marathon runner from West Seattle wins – big time!
That’s West Seattle graphic designer Heather Green, who just accomplished something so amazing that Karen White e-mailed to share the news (and that photo): “(Heather) ran her FIRST marathon on Saturday in Leavenworth … She won. She beat 75% of the men runners. She qualified for the Boston Marathon. Her finish time: 3:31:14.” Amazing indeed, so we checked with Heather to find out more. She tells us she’s “pretty excited,” and adds: “I used to run cross country and track in high school (long time ago). Over the years.. I’ve done several 5k’s, 10k’s and one half marathon. For training, a good friend from West Seattle helped me put together a training program.. So for the last 2 1/2 months I’ve been running 5 out of 7 day (at least trying my best to stick to the schedule).” As for the Boston Marathon: “Having a qualifying time sure makes it tempting, but haven’t committed.” What did she get for winning the marathon in Bavarian-village-themed Leavenworth? “A stein with beer coupons to the Munchen Haus.” Here’s the page listing her results.
West Seattle Crime Watch: Midday break-in
From Greg: “Just a heads up that my house was broken into sometime between 11:00 am and 1:45 today on Charlestown St. Looks like they used a crowbar to tear through the door. The cops came by pretty quickly but the perps did take some items including a laptop, 2 rather large jars full of coins, and a Samsung HD camcorder. Now it’s off to fix things they broke.” He didn’t want to get more specific about the location on Charlestown than “west of California.” (map) By the way, the next West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting, where you’ll hear about crime trends and get to bring up concerns to local police leadership, is two weeks from tomorrow – 7 pm October 20, Southwest Precinct meeting room.
Chris Thayer, Seattle personal-injury attorney: New WSB sponsor
We’re welcoming a new WSB sponsor this afternoon: Chris Thayer, Seattle personal-injury attorney (and West Seattleite). Here’s what he’d like you to know: He’s a Seattle-area native who grew up in Edmonds, currently a partner at a small law firm in downtown Seattle: Larson, Hart & Shepherd, PLLC. 
He’s put together three websites highlighting some of his particular practice areas and providing extensive information for consumers: www.seattle-personal-injury-attorney.net, www.seattle-wrongful-death-attorney.com, and www.seattle-medical-malpractice-attorney.com. Chris and his wife moved to West Seattle last summer, and he says, “We are growing to love our new neighborhood more and more every day. We have enjoyed going to the West Seattle Farmers’ Market, riding our bikes down to Alki, and taking our dog for walks in Lincoln Park.”
Back to business: What sets him apart from others in his field? He cites a “compassionate approach”: “This is a business for me, but it is also about helping people who have been the victim of unfortunate circumstances. I have been handling serious personal injury, wrongful death, insurance disputes, and medical malpractice claims and lawsuits in Washington since 1995. I understand that these cases are often about much more than money. I am often able to help my clients obtain closure on a difficult chapter in their lives, and, in some cases, I can help bring about changes in policy or procedure which may help prevent similar problems in the future. I am dedicated to efficiently and compassionately representing my clients to assist them in seeking resolution and compensation for their losses. My philosophy is to represent my clients aggressively to obtain a fair and just result.”
What does he hear from clients? “They appreciate my willingness to explain things to them and to answer their questions in a way that makes sense and is easy to understand without all that legal jargon. They come to me because they have found themselves in a difficult situation that is not their fault. They are often frustrated by their experiences in trying to deal with their claim on their own. I feel like I can offer a very valuable service by helping them understand their rights and to make sure they are treated fairly. I get most of my business from referrals from happy clients. I offer a free initial consultation, where I will sit down with any prospective clients and review their situation so that I can provide feedback and my assessment of whether or not they should retain a lawyer. Chris belongs to the Washington State Bar Association and Washington State Association for Justice, and has an Avvo rating of 10/10 – here’s his profile. You can reach Chris Thayer, Seattle personal-injury attorney, at 866-884-2417. We thank Chris Thayer for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news on WSB; the sponsor team, plus info on joining, is all here.
Musical instrument you don’t use? Students would love it!
If you have an instrument gathering dust in the closet or on a shelf, here’s a chance to 
get it into the hands of someone who can put it to good use: WSB’er Eliza is organizing a music-instrument-donation drive for White Center Heights Elementary (just a few blocks over the line from WS – here’s a map). Eliza says the school (where her mom works) “just got a really amazing music teacher” but doesn’t have enough instruments to accommodate all the kids now interested in studying with her. Eliza explains, “The school doesn’t have the budget to buy new instruments and the parents can’t afford to rent them or buy them for the kids.” So, she says, “If you have any old/used/formerly loved instruments you could donate that would be so much appreciated!! I will pick them up, I will come to you, I would just like to get these kids a chance to learn a skill they might otherwise miss out on. Please feel free to e-mail me at egjunkerman@yahoo.com or give me a call, 206.818.7376.”
2 new West Seattle businesses: Used cars; furniture consignment
USED CAR LOT MOVES TO THE JUNCTION: The sign’s not up and only a few cars are in the lot, but Automotive Solutions of Seattle has taken over the space at 3925 SW Alaska (map). We discovered this via Twitter, when @WestSeattleCars “followed” us over the weekend. This marks the first car business to open in West Seattle since WS Motors closed on Fauntleroy. The business, which mostly brokers cars online, moved from North Seattle. We asked for a little more info, and here’s the reply:
The owner of Auto Solutions is a West Seattle resident with a daughter at Holy Rosary so the location is very convenient for him. Also, one of our managers is a lifelong West Seattle resident. We hope to eventually have 25-30 cars on the lot. We have access to over 30,000 cars online across the country through dealer auctions so we can find any car a customer is looking for. Our business model is a bit different from a traditional dealer. We have no secrets from our customers, a Carfax is always available as well as a current Blue Book value, we welcome mechanics’ checks on our vehicles and we will always be the most competitive in pricing. We also sell warranties to cover your current vehicle for a huge discount over traditional warranty quotes. We will have a sign up by mid week and will have a grand opening around the 1st of November. We have signed a 7-year lease on the property so we will be around for a while.
FURNITURE CONSIGNMENT BUSINESS: Sold Home Décor Furniture Consignment — offering, according to its announcement, “high-quality pre-owned furniture and eye-catching accessories” — has its grand opening this Saturday, noon-5 pm, at 9003 35th (map), former home of West Seattle Karate (which moved south, as noted here). Owner Maria Groen has been working in “staging” of homes/condos as well as design consulting, and is now expanding into retail. There’s more info online at soldhomedecor.com – about the consignment process as well as the operation in general.
Alki Community Center invites you to John Hermann’s sendoff
From the Parks Department:
Come celebrate with John Hermann, Recreation Coordinator at Alki Community Center, as he retires from Seattle Parks and Recreation after 36 years of service. John has served the West Seattle area at Hiawatha and Alki Community Centers from 1978-2009. The retirement party will take place at the Alki Bathhouse, 2701 Alki Ave. SW, from 6 – 8 p.m. on Tuesday, October 13. For more information, please call Mary Pat Byington at 206-684-7430.
Westwood Neighborhood Council regroups, with lessons for others
The first full week of the month means the start of the calendar of monthly recurring community-group meetings – starting with two this Wednesday, North Delridge Neighborhood Council (6:30 pm, Delridge Library) and Southwest District Council (7 pm, South Seattle Community College [WSB sponsor] board room). One of West Seattle’s neighborhood councils recently regrouped – here’s the story of how, and what’s next:
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Donn DeVore just moved to Westwood last year, but didn’t want to just sit back and see what happened with his neighborhood and its community group.
After finding out that the Westwood Neighborhood Council hadn’t met in months, DeVore coordinated a regrouping meeting of sorts a week and a half ago.
With him were members and leaders, old and new. In the photo above, that’s Donn; to his left, Pablo Lambinicio, the first person to lead the WNC; not pictured but sitting on his other side were Ron Angeles, longtime Delridge Neighborhoods District coordinator for the city, and Steven Fischer, longtime WNC leader, particularly through the months of struggle to get Seattle Public Schools to pay attention to neighborhood concerns over the Denny Middle School-Chief Sealth High School co-located campus project.
DeVore and Lambinicio both told their stories as the meeting began.
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