West Seattle, Washington
28 Thursday
A freebie too hot to just keep in the WSB Forums’ Freebies, Deals, Sales section — Michael Hoffman at Liberty Bell Printing (WSB sponsor) in The Junction is offering free resume printing:
We know it’s hard out there and Liberty Bell Printing wants to help. Now through the end of March, bring in your resume ready to copy and we will give you 20 FREE copies on stationery paper. Tell us you saw it on West Seattle Blog and will will give you five more FREE for a total of 25!
That’s black/white printing, by the way. Liberty Bell is on the east side of California, a few doors north of Edmunds (map), open Mondays-Fridays, 9 am-5:30 pm.
Just sent around by Susan Melrose from the West Seattle Junction Association (a guest speaker at tonight’s Junction Neighborhood Organization meeting, 6:30 pm at Ginomai, 42nd/Genesee), so we thought we’d share:
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
West Seattle Junction GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Organization Background:
The West Seattle Junction Association (WSJA) is a small non-profit organization whose mission is to develop, encourage, promote and participate in activities that enhance a healthy economic, social and environmental climate for the West Seattle Junction community.The West Seattle Junction Association has completed an initiative that provided a comprehensive, cohesive, and strategic approach to branding The Junction. We have a new logo, tagline, website, and other supporting work. We are seeking a West Seattle business, person, or team to get to know our brand and work with committee and event leaders to help implement and ensure a consistent brand.
Scope of work:
WSJA seeks a professional to be the organization’s “go to” graphic designer. This person/team would provide brand guidance and graphic design to committee and event leaders as needed. Examples of work produced:1. Design of posters and supporting materials for Summer Fest, Car Show and other events.
2. Design and language content for advertising pieces.
3. Design of Live Local materials including bumper stickers, t-shirts, etc.Application:
Please submit your letter of interest, portfolio and hourly rate by March 18th at NOON. Make sure to include examples of posters and other promotion materials. Please submit via email to:susan@wsjunction.org. Online portfolio is very helpful.
Greg Whittaker of Alki Kayak Tours took, and sent, that photo after a day of lobbying in Olympia on behalf of tourism. He says everybody in the photo is from the 34th Legislative District — which includes West Seattle, White Center, and Vashon — and explained: “We talked with (Sen.) Joe McDermott and (Rep.) Sharon Nelson promoting support of our industry which provides jobs and tax revenue for much-needed programs (that) are going to be receiving huge cutbacks.” Two of the tourism-related bills in the Legislature this year are House Bill 1290 and Senate Bill 5265, which would enable King County to create “tourism promotion areas” – right now, it’s the only county in the state that’s not allowed to create such areas, which can raise tourism-promotion dollars through hotel/motel taxes. ADDED WEDNESDAY: One more photo:
MAKE IT WORKSHOP: A sad note from the sewing-instruction business in The Building, the art/craft studios just west of Seattle International Church in Gatewood (Othello west of California; map), seen here in Google Street View:
Make It Workshop proprietor Joey sent this e-mail announcement headed “Can’t make it work” and asking that it be shared “far and wide”:
As great of an idea as MIW seems to be -So sad to say- I am not attracting enough students to stay in business… Maybe the economy or busy schedules. I dunno?? But for the time being- MIW will have to be on hold…after April maybe..?? If you are signed up for a class, don’t worry, I’ll be here for it- bring a friend if you can!! On another BIG note- I *need *to find an artist or crafter to take/rent my gorgeous space. I ambitiously signed a 2-year lease and cannot get out-until there’s another renter. It’s such an incredible work environment that we put a lot of work into- if you know anyone looking for a space or 2 people?? write me for my landlord’s number/info..
Joey’s contact info is on the Make It Workshop webpage at makeitworkshop.com.
TALK WITH THE TOASTMASTERS: One of the listings for today on our West Seattle-wide WSB Events calendar (which now stretches into fall – is YOUR event on it? editor@westseattleblog.com) is from the Daystar Dialoguers Toastmasters, who invite you to their open house, noon-1 pm today at Daystar (across SW Barton from Westwood Village). Find out more about them online at daystarclub.freetoasthost.us.
RUMMAGE X 2: Early heads-up if you relish rummage sales: Two West Seattle churches have big ones planned this Friday and Saturday. West Side Presbyterian Church (3601 California SW; map) plans theirs 9 am-5 pm Friday, 9 am-2 pm Saturday; Tibbetts United Methodist Church (3940 41st SW; map) is at 9 am-4 pm Friday, 9 am-3 pm Saturday.
SPEAKING OF RUMMAGE SALES: The 5th annual West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day, presented again this year by WSB, is two months from today – May 9, 2009. More details on this year’s registration, etc., by this time next week.
Spring is in sight – and that means time to green up. One of our newest sponsors, Clean Air Lawn Care, brings a new meaning to that term, and here’s what they want you to know about their business: “Do you know that 5-10% of the nation’s air pollution is attributed to small engines like the ones used in gas-powered lawn-care equipment – mowers, blowers, edgers and trimmers? Or that gas lawn mowers consume some 580 million gallons of gasoline annually, of which 25-35% escapes unburned – that’s on top of the 17 million gallons that are spilled annually by people filling up gas mowers?
Clean Air Lawn Care of West Seattle is ‘Changing the Way America Mows the Lawn’ by using only battery- and electric-operated equipment powered by renewable energy sources. The solar panels on their trucks are used to harvest the solar energy and recharge their equipment throughout the day. Adam Werner, owner of Clean Air Lawn Care, has been a Seattle resident since 1995 and a West Seattle resident in the Riverview Neighborhood since 2004. He has been involved with his Riverview Neighborhood group to help save the Sound Ways property from private development. He is also a member of the Highland Park Improvement Club and a new member of Sustainable West Seattle.
In 2008, Clean Air Lawn Care was able to reduce air pollutants by 2289 pounds or the equivalent of 70,158 vehicle miles driven. According to the EPA, in 1 hour, 1 gas mower: 1) pollutes the same as 40 late model cars, 2) emits the amount of hydrocarbons as a SUV driven 23,600 miles and 3) contributes 93 times more smog-forming emissions than 2006 cars. Another huge advantage of the electric equipment is the lack of noise – 50-70% quieter than traditional lawn equipment. So not only do you not have to smell the gas burning you don’t have to hear it either. This is great for working from home, napping children, and not disturbing your neighbors on a nice sunny afternoon. We’ve had several customers tell us that they did not even know we were at their house.
Adam and his crew are knowledgeable, professional and courteous. They provide all of West Seattle (and beyond) spring and fall cleanups, mowing, blowing, edging, trimming, weeding, mulching, hedge trimming (up to 7 ft) and other hourly work as required. Outside of the electricity generated by the solar panels, Clean Air participates in the Seattle Green Up program and all additional electricity used is purchased from a renewable energy broker. The windpower they purchase is used to power the lawn equipment and offices, qualifying the entire organization as carbon neutral.
Be sure to stop Adam, Josh, or Chelsea when you see them in your neighborhood to get a look at the truck with the solar panels. Josh would love to talk you about his photography and Chelsea would be more than happy to show you some of the jewelry she makes or even teach your kids to play the piano. Help your neighborhood become clean and quieter and help Clean Air Lawn Care “Change the Way America Mows the Lawn.” Call 206-941-4180 or e-mail adam@cleanairlawncare.com. Thanks to Clean Air Lawn Care for joining the WSB sponsor team, just in time for lawn-care season to get into full swing (remember, Daylight Saving Time starts this Saturday night)!
We’re welcoming a new WSB sponsor: Envision Homes. Every time a new sponsor joins, we offer them the chance to tell you about their business, so here’s what Envision Homes wants you to know: “In 2000, we started Envision Homes, with the basic idea that we envisioned homes that were energy and resource efficient, clean and low toxic, durable and well crafted … to leave a legacy of responsible and conscience building. For the last nine years, our dedication to sustainable building has continued to gain momentum. (We love what we do.) We are small and personal, passionate about sustainable building, exceptional project managers and proud craftsmen. Our fees and hourly rates are very competitive, but mostly, our value is compelling. Our competitively priced lead carpenters are friendly, efficient, creative and clean. They also act as site supervisors, dedicated to each client. Our clients enjoy focused site supervisors who are proud builders, share our commitment to environmentally friendly building practices, and build positive client relationships. We believe the experience of the project is just as important as the result. But what really sets us apart is our dedication to sustainable remodeling, our continuing education on building sciences, our involvement and sponsorship of major local sustainable building organizations, public, college and outreach speaking and lecture programs. Each client gets the full benefit of our product and application knowledge in making informed decisions about their project, in all aspects of residential building sciences, renewable energy and materials, all of which is included in our very competitive GC fee.” Envision Homes is currently sponsoring the WSB Crime Watch page, where you will see their ad banner; you can find them online by going here, and you can call Envision Homes at 206-356-7853. We’re glad to have them on the WSB sponsor team, listed in its entirety here, where you’ll also find information on how to be part of it.
(photo at left, Mike Gain in his West Seattle office, next to framed drawings of Cayce and Gain’s past headquarters)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
“Personally, I think the market’s bottomed out.”
Longtime West Seattle real-estate/development leader Mike Gain was careful to include the term “personally.” But it’s emblematic of his optimistic nature, which he is using to fuel what he calls the “run” to get up to speed as he takes over Prudential Northwest Realty, which he ran for two years after he and Roger Cayce sold their West Seattle-iconic Cayce and Gain real-estate firm to Prudential in 2002.
That “run” hasn’t stopped since at least Tuesday, when he prepared to tell the PNW areawide team he was coming back to run the company (as first reported here Thursday morning, once Gain confirmed it).
Even as I sat in Gain’s 3210 California SW office this afternoon – where I’d last visited in December 2007 to talk with Gain and Cayce about their rezoning proposal for the blocks surrounding it (more on that proposal’s status later) – signs of that “run” persisted.
Thanks to Sally for the tip that the Lagarto Glass studio in Pigeon Point (1904 SW Dawson; map) is having a sale today to clear out the garage studio and switch to work-at-home mode. Get there as soon as you can – they’re just going till it’s gone. Meantime, we’ve also stopped by the first-ever Rat City Rummage at the old White Center skating rink – good turnout of sellers and shoppers:
This one’s going till 6 tonight and you can see a few more pix as well as an artist/seller interview at our partner site White Center Now.
ADDED 9:52 PM: Thanks to Highland Park’s Dina Johnson for sharing this page full of photos of other artists and craftspeople who were on hand at Rat City Rummage.
SEATTLE STYLE SALON: After a move from North Delridge up to 7350 35th SW (map), Seattle Style Salon has just opened in the former Carosello Coffee (among other names; it closed a year and a half ago) space in Olympic Heights. Owner Denise showed off her salon’s unique furnishings (photo left) when we dropped by the other day, and also noted that she’s hiring more staff (here’s her CL listing).
COFFEE AT THE HEIGHTS UPDATE: Across the street from Seattle Style Salon, work on this new coffee shop continues, slower than its owners originally hoped (as unfortunately seems to be the case for so many hard-working entrepreneurs). Co-owner Paul tells us the flooring’s going in this weekend, and the counters will follow, so they’re getting closer.
WESTSIDE DERMATOLOGY RE-WELCOMES AMY NELSON: This week, Westside Dermatology rejoined us as a sponsor, and wanted to share the news that certified physician assistant Amy Nelson (photo right) is coming back on Monday, after a few months of maternity leave following the arrival of her twins, Dylan (6 lbs, 13 ounces) and Sasha (6 pounds even), who join 2-year-old big brother Elijah.
CHURCH’S NEW WEBSITE: Pastor Erik Kindem from Peace Lutheran in Gatewood shares the news that his church’s previous website has been upgraded to this brand-new look.
Thanks to the anonymous postal-mailer who suggested it was long past time for a followup on the Huling/Gee lawsuit. If you’re new to the area or your memory’s murky, long story short: The deal to sell West Seattle’s longtime Huling Brothers car dealerships to Spokane-based Gee Automotive was announced in January 2007 — shortly afterward, a criminal case erupted involving former Huling employees. Gee closed the dealerships less than nine months later and sued Huling, originally seeking $7 million, saying they knew and should have disclosed what was happening. Huling countersued, to evict Gee, but a deal was reached relatively quickly, and Gee cleared out as agreed at the end of November 2007. The suit against Huling proceeded, however, and WAS tentatively set for trial next month — but, as of right now, it is no longer scheduled for further court proceedings, because of a decision earlier this month to send it to private arbitration (see the court document here) to address the Gee claims and Huling “counterclaim.” Arbitration is what Huling had originally wanted, but the courts previously said no go (as reported here in November 2007) because of a certain part of the claim, seeking “equitable relief”; that part was dismissed on “summary judgment” this past November, which cleared the way for arbitration. We called Huling lawyer Randall Beighle to ask for details of when arbitration might happen and how it would be done; he said he couldn’t elaborate, but said they considered the summary judgment a “victory.”
ORIGINAL 9 AM REPORT: As reported here January 22, the two Prudential Northwest Realty locations in West Seattle recently consolidated operations at Jefferson Square, vacating the California SW branch. This morning, another big change is being announced at that firm: previous owner Mike Gain (12/07 WSB photo at left), long a major name in West Seattle real estate sharing the helm of Cayce and Gain, is taking over. We received word of this from two sources last night, and Gain answered our query this morning by saying he’ll send a news release with full details as soon as it’s available, so we’ll get more info a bit later. ADDED 11:52 AM: Here’s the news release in its entirety:
Prudential Northwest Realty Associates, a 7-office residential brokerage firm with 575 agents and a relocation firm headquartered in Bellevue, WA, has recently announced a management change. Mike Gain, the former owner of Prudential Northwest Realty Associates and Cayce & Gain Real Estate, and a 30-year veteran in the Greater Seattle real-estate industry, has assumed the management of the Puget Sound Company. Gain has assembled a leadership group to assist him in the firm’s ongoing operations. Roger Cayce, Michael Smith, and Al Lynch will make up that leadership team. Roger Cayce, Gain’s business partner for over 30 years, will assist and consult in operations activities. Michael Smith, former owner of Prudential Michael Smith Realtors, brings 36 years of real estate experience to the company, and will head up the firm’s eastside operations, including Business Development and Corporate Marketing Services. Al Lynch, former manager of the firm’s West Seattle/Jefferson Square office with over 20 years in real estate experience and an extensive background in business and finance, will serve as the firm’s Chief Operating Officer.
ADDED 1:41 PM: Reaction from one of the West Seattle-based Prudential realtors, Alice Kuder, who reports a “big turnout” for the official 9 am announcement today:
Many of the long time agents in this office worked for/with Mike during his previous ownership and they are VERY excited about his return. In fact, three different agents popped the corks on bottles of champagne to help celebrate the announcement. I’ve never heard anything but positive comments about Mike and his particular talent for positive leadership, so I’m very excited myself. I’ve been very happy here at Prudential, and now it seems as if the organization is getting even stronger! I’m a big believer/practitioner of the positive attitude overcoming all obstacles, so I’m thrilled to have another CEO who believes the same.
Please welcome one of our newest sponsors, Malinda Newstrom, LMP. She offers in-home massage appointments in West Seattle and neighboring communities. She thinks receiving a massage is a key to replenishing and healing the whole person. Malinda was trained at Brenneke School of Massage. The school is known nationwide for its wide range of social, medical, clinical, and physical instructions. To introduce her services, and as a benefit to WSB readers, Malinda is offering a *50% discount on a one-hour Deep Swedish massage* for first-time customers who mention WSB when booking. She also offers discounted gift certificates and customers rewards for any referals. You can book your appointments on-line. Malinda has partnered with Full Slate, a Seattle-based company (co-founded by West Seattleite Bill Lange) that enables online appointment booking. Book online (here’s the link) and enter “WSB” in the comment field to receive an *additional $10 off* any treatment booked before February 28, 2009. WSB welcomes Malinda to our sponsor lineup, which you can see on this page, where you’ll also find information on how to become part of it!
Meet the members of the West Seattle Junction Association Board of Directors who were elected/re-elected this morning at a breakfast meeting, and shown above as they posed for the WSB camera afterward with board president Dave Montoure (West 5) — from left, Brandon Nicholson (Nicholson Kovalchick Architects), Lora Lewis (Hotwire Coffee, WSB sponsor), Heather Leaman (Bakery Nouveau), Michael Hoffman (Liberty Bell Printing), Montoure, Doug Baldwin (Windermere Real Estate). The vote was part of an annual meeting that not only recapped the Junction Association’s 2008 successes, but also looked ahead to this year’s priorities — read on for details:Read More
If you don’t believe your body has much to do with the way you communicate, check out that video clip to see the way Valerie Waugaman (right) – “Siren” from TV’s “American Gladiators” and a motivational entrepreneur – explained it this afternoon at West Seattle’s Anytime Fitness (WSB sponsor) in Charlestown Center. She offered those in attendance some entertaining, and practical, advice you can put into action almost instantly, even if your quest for fitness isn’t very far along.
Now, to our second set of West Seattle scenes:
It’s of course easier to move well if you’re well-nourished:
Those hors d’oeuvres — Mediterranean Skewers of Cucumber, Tomato, Feta, and Kalamata Olives — were among the culinary creations dished up at the Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes Catering open house this past Thursday night at The Hall at Fauntleroy, in the old schoolhouse, which is also home base to the T and TS team, including executive chef Michael Chase:
Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes has been in business more than 20 years. They cater events not only at The Hall at Fauntleroy, but also other venues (including these).
And one more West Seattle scene:
Thanks to Jim Clark for sharing that beautiful conclusion to a sunny Saturday.
Thanks to Dawn211 for posting a comment on our report about Natureway closing its Junction shop, noting that Funky Jane’s Consignment would be the new tenant. We subsequently got that confirmed by building co-owner Gina Terrana, and today, we stopped in to talk with Funky Jane’s proprietor Angela Nichols (photo above). Hers is one of several businesses that needed to move anyway because the Conner Homes project is taking down the existing buildings at California/Alaska/42nd; since demolition’s not happening immediately, so she’ll be moving to the new location over the summer, she told us. By the way, Angela also had a note about what’s happening in her business right now – winter’s over and it’s time to think spring, so the current focus is on “spring preview.” (Funky Jane’s is at 4706 California now [map] and the new location in a few months is at 4455 California [map].)
Thanks to the WSB’er who wrote to make sure everyone knew that the founder of a longtime West Seattle business — Mary North Travel in the Triangle, founded more than a half-century ago — has died. According to this obituary, Mary Margaret Finley North was just a few months shy of her 90th birthday. You can sign the online guestbook here.
(CSS team members, from left: Doug, Justin, Carmela, Tiziana, Carlos)
We’re welcoming a new WSB sponsor today: C.S.S. (Computer Service Solutions). Here’s what they’d like you to know about what they can do for you: C.S.S. (Computer Service Solutions LLC) has been serving our local community’s Computer and IT needs for the last eight years, growing at a steady pace. The foundation of C.S.S. success is built into the motto: “Better Technology to Serve You Better.” They recognize the importance of remaining nimble enough to hear what their customers are saying, as well as strong enough to provide the level of support and expertise their customers deserve. Serving both home users and the business community, C.S.S. provides a variety of computer services and IT solutions, including: Computer repairs, general system optimization, point-of-sale customized systems & support, data recovery/backup, upgrades, networking (Virtual Private Network), digital surveillance systems, anti-virus sales & installation, and software configuration. C.S.S. welcomes the opportunity to help you find a solution to your personal or business computer or IT project or problem. The team at C.S.S. is a dedicated group striving to perform their own personal best everyday and to achieve excellence, with the best customer-service possible, and the latest hardware and software technology. C.S.S. is also proud to be part of our community’s effort to recycle unused computers. It’s a free drop-off point for InterConnection, which refurbishes computers for reuse at a low cost while keeping hazardous materials out of our landfills. C.S.S. is located at 6030 California Ave SW, just 2 blocks north of Morgan Junction (map), 206-935-5808, with ample parking in front. We’re glad to have C.S.S. (Computer Service Solutions) join the WSB sponsorship lineup, which you can see in its entirely here (with information on how to become part of it).
Thanks to Keith for e-mailing to share the news that the Natureway vitamin/supplement shop cleared out of its Junction storefront over the past few days – we subsequently found the above-shown sign on its door on California north of Oregon. We had noted when Fresh Vitamins opened last August in Westwood Village that it was owned by the same company, and this sign indeed directs customers to visit that shop instead; if you want to stay in The Junction, of course, Super Supplements is at California/Alaska (though that building is to make way in the future for the Conner Homes development, which as first reported here earlier this week has its next Design Review meeting March 12), and as pointed out in comments, GNC has a branch in Jefferson Square. 9:55 PM UPDATE: Following up on a comment posted below this story, we’ve received confirmation tonight that Funky Jane’s Consignment will be the new tenant in the space vacated by Natureway. We tried to contact the store’s owner today but were unsuccessful; we’ll try again tomorrow, to get more details on their plan. (Their current space, like Super Supplements as mentioned above, is in one of the buildings that will be torn down when the Conner project at California/Alaska/42nd is bulit.)
As noted in this report earlier today, Valentine’s Day is a big day for florists – but one West Seattle florist is looking ahead to something even bigger, now that the holiday is over. When we spotted that big banner (shown above) outside Bobo Botanicals at 3435 California SW, we wondered whether the shop was going out of business, so we put a call in to owner Anka Bobo. Her emphatic answer: NO – “we’re not going out of business, we’re staying in business.” She does acknowledge, “The economy’s hit us really hard,” but she’s doing what she can “to keep everything going” — including moving to a studio on Charlestown Hill where she will continue her floral business “by appointment only.” Her original lease hasn’t expired yet but she is helping the owner get the word out about the search for a new tenant. And as she gets ready to move at the end of the month, she’s got sales going to reduce her inventory. She’s focused on staying in West Seattle — she grew up here, went to West Seattle High School, then moved away but came back to raise her kids. (If you want to check out her moving sale before the month ends, here’s a map.)
Yes, Valentine’s Day procrastinators, you can still get flowers. One option: Follow the trail of rose petals (who needs bread crumbs?) to Linda’s Flowers and Gifts at Admiral/California (map); we stopped by last Valentine’s Day to chronicle the craziness of this very busy day, and they invited us back. The shop’s namesake and owner Linda Harader was busy with what she says remains the Valentine favorite – red roses:
As you can see in the background of that photo, balloons are bouncing around the shop too. At the work table, here are Debra (left) and Virginia:
And in the other direction, with the boss in the foreground, Melody (in pink) and Wendy:
They’re there till 5:30 tonight or “until we’re done.” When we stopped in about an hour ago, they were finishing their pickup orders, but they say they’ve got plenty left for walk-ins. (There’s a flower shop on the south side of West Seattle too, Sharon’s Westwood Florist on 35th south of Kenyon.)
From left, John, Kelly, and Lauren are the family who unleashed Muttley Crew Cuts on West Seattle – and as we mentioned earlier this morning, they’re having a bake sale today to raise money for the North Sound puppy-mill rescuees/rescuers. You can’t miss the bake-sale tent outside their shop on the west side of California south of Hanford (map) – that’s what caught our eye and led us to pull over for a quick photo on the way back to WSB HQ from another story. (Inside, 50 percent of the proceeds from today’s bath-only canine clients go to the same cause, and The Wash Dog in Morgan Junction is doing the same for self-serve dog washes.) They’re there till 7 (bake sale too, for as long as the ample supply of treats last!). ADDED 10 PM: Kelly e-mailed to say the bake sale alone brought in $1,000 today! And that doesn’t even include the 50% of “bath dog” proceeds they were planning to donate. She adds, “We had a wonderful day and thank everyone that came out and supported us. We will be here tomorrow starting at 10 am to groom cats; I will have the left-over goodies here if anyone wants to stop by and donate. Please no dogs tomorrow, it’s hard enough grooming cats :) We are all going home and going to bed!!!!”
Today we’re welcoming the latest WSB sponsor, Roger Steiner. As always, we ask sponsors to share information you might like to know, and here’s more from Roger: He is a residential real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Danforth, and is dedicated to helping buyers in West Seattle have a great real estate experience. “We moved to West Seattle from the Central District in 2004, and I immediately fell in love. I grew up in Ketchum, Idaho, and I feel like West Seattle has this wonderful energy much like a little resort town. We’re surrounded by so much natural beauty, there’s a strong sense of community, and neighbors who truly care about one another- there’s so much to see and experience right here – and yet, if you want to do the big city thing, it’s literally right over there.” Prior to joining Coldwell Banker in 2008, Roger was an agent in the Belltown office of Windermere Wall Street. Although he has helped buyers and sellers all over Seattle, and does most of his business through friends and referrals, he hopes to expand his business by reaching out to folks who are considering buying in West Seattle. “I love working with buyers, especially first-time buyers, because it’s like solving a puzzle together- talking people through the process, helping them figure out what their priorities are, what is realistic for them, and then going on the big Treasure Hunt. And right now it’s great, because buyers get to be choosy, take their time, and negotiate. Combined with historically low interest rates, the market being tilted way in the buyer’s favor for a change, and the fact that the government is continuing to offer tax credit incentives to many buyers, for many folks it’s a perfect storm for buying, if you’re in a place to be considering it.” Contact Roger Steiner today if you’re considering a move, and let him know you saw his ad on WSB! (All our sponsors are listed here, where you can also find information on how to join them.)
At right, that’s Southwest Precinct commander, Captain Joe Kessler, talking to the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce‘s monthly luncheon meeting – which transformed the precinct’s community room into an informal banquet room for the occasion. Capt. Kessler is coming up on his first anniversary since taking over precinct leadership; he was joined in speaking to the chamber by Lt. Steve Paulsen, whose role as operations lieutenant is basically “assistant precinct commander,” he explained, and he also introduced Lt. Norm James, one of the precinct’s “watch commanders.” They didn’t discuss crime specifics — though Capt. Kessler said he’s “confident” about progress in the Steve Bushaw shooting investigation — as much as voice hopes about working more closely with the business community, inviting them to be represented on the Precinct Advisory Council (whose chair Pete Spalding was in attendance). Mentioning the reports that the city’s likely in the market for a new police chief, Capt. Kessler mentioned that “at the internal service level, nothing will change” even if the department’s top leadership changes. As for his position, he said he’s hoping to stay put at this precinct a while, praising his team and also the level of community involvement he’s found in West Seattle. Other notes from the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce lunch: There’s still time for you to nominate people for the WSCC’s Business of the Year and Community Service awards, which will be presented at the annual Awards Breakfast on April 8; the forms are linked from this page. Next Chamber lunch meeting is March 11; the theme: “speed networking.” (Disclosure: WSB is one of the many, many West Seattle businesses that belong to the Chamber of Commerce, so we attend the monthly luncheons as member-participants as well as to be there in case news is made!)
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