Aim– I know Herban Feast just moved out of Admiral down to the old Herban Pottery bldg on 1st Avenue South, SoDo district — I believe the purpose was to have a space AND on-site catering. BJ and staff are amazing and the food always incredible although it might be on the pricey side.
http://www.herbanfeast.com Could be worth checking out.
My 4yo and 6yo go there, the latter in the K-2 class. We love the school and feel strongly a part of its community.
The teachers of the K-2 class, Michelle and Paul, are consistently compassionate and encouraging while still feeling human and approachable. The kids steer much of the learning in the class by choosing topics and asking questions interesting to them. The best way to get an idea of what the class is like is probably to check out the K-2’s blog…
http://thelivingclassroom.wordpress.com/
Our 4yo’s class has gone through a rockier year with some teacher changes although the principal Sara has been a steady support and presence throughout. My 4yo loves school and is eager to move into the ‘big kid’ K-2 class.
We also have a 2yo who we plan on sending to CSWS. Most schools ask for parent involvement but the community of parents and teachers at CSWS make it fun to be involved.
I think what you are forgetting is that although typically the WASL does have multiple choice answers the multiple choice is worth significantly less than the short answer and extended response questions. Furthermore, the WASL test high failure rate typically has to do with students who have english as a second language. The WASL test is a very inaccurate assessment of education level, IMO. My father is on the school board, my brother in law is a principal, and my mother and sister are teachers and they all share the opinion that the WASL is very inaccurate in its measurements. However, I do love hearing that you do care so much about your education not enough students do these days.
Luna Park is definitely #1. I always get the llama pile with tomatoes instead of olives. YUM!
http://www.lunaparkcafe.com/page.php?page=menu&anchor=breakfast
Skylark is okay too – good for vegetarians and vegans especially.
Endolyne and Alki Cafe are overpriced and hit-n-miss. There was a good thread about this a while back, don’t think you can search for it though…??
The service at Endolyne is abusive? D’oh. We just never went back because we thought the food was average and overpriced. I can do without server abuse.
I like to make breakfast at home. I have a lot of easy brunch recipes, so I rarely go out for breakfast. I did have the pancakes at Luna Park once, though, and loved them.
… other than Endoline Joe’s. I know… sacrilege to say that. But the slow, often abusive, service and mediocre food has just worn thin with me. Even their GREAT bloody mary can’t do it for me anymore. Time for find a new place to indulge our breakfast cravings.
Where oh where in WS do you like to go for breakfast. We LOVE Blackbird Bistro on the weekends but still want another option. And what about during the week? Holidays like today? Where do WS folk go when it’s just too much to drag out the egg poacher and fire up the toaster?
The lovely Bob Barr is the official nominee of the Libertarian Party. He expects to be on the ballot in 48 states. I, personally, will sign any petition to get him on the ballot here. :-0
I’m hoping they revive the Conservative party as well — clearly, since McCain threw his two “controversial” preachers under the tires of the straight talk express, he isn’t a true conservative and they need an alternative. Yeah, that’s the ticket.
I spent a couple of years as a strict vegetarian and was amazed how willing chefs were to modify their dishes. I originally thought it would be too much work and somewhat insulting to ask — turned out neither was the case. I tried because I was tired of not going out with friends or eating only salads. Sometimes I’d call ahead, espcially if they published daily menus, to say, “I’d really love the Chicken a la Igor, but could you leave out the chicken?”
I suspect if you’re a rigorous vegetarian this might not work; if you don’t want to eat something cooked in the same pans with meat dishes, for example. But otherwise, it’s worth trying.
I love this blog….bringing people together one more time :)
I have some friends on the hill that I keep telling that West Seattle is the place to be now…one guy is the manager of an apt. bldg. there – and the building is ordinary, the neighborhood mediocre, and the rents astronomical. If you’re gonna pay the high rent, I say live over here on this side of town…
This isn’t West Seattle, but a friend of mine rented out the Swedish Cultural Center for a going-away party. It was awhile back, but he had a bartender and probably some apps. It has a rather kitchsy (sp?) vibe (a bit outdated), but the views of Lake Union are great.
My sister was married at the Hall at Fauntleroy. It was really nice and I think it must have been somewhat reasonably priced since she was trying to save money. She provided her own beer, wine and cake, which might have cut down costs even more.
After bringing soup to our favorite WSBer I peeked in the windows at the Sanctuary. What a beautiful space, and lovely outdoor tables as well. I’m hoping to have an opportunity to get dressed up and be a grown up there someday.
I didn’t think the WASL was all essay. I had to grade them for a temp-agency after I had graduated college and couldn’t find a real job. Granted, that was ten years ago, but I do remember it rather well. It was rather disheartening to read some of these essays, knowing that this was the future of Washington…pretty pathetic. I remember with the math portion, kids would have to explain how they reached their answer, which I always found difficult, even from my own test-taking days pre-WASL. If the education system would focus on something other than standardized tests, you might have more time to teach these kids more important things to actually make them kinda smart. But most school children I encounter are lazy and have this misguided sense of entitlement which I’ll blame on their parents. I’ve concluded no kiddos for me unless I can afford to send them to private school. My parents work for the Bellevue School District and after hearing stories about how things work over there, moving across the lake isn’t the answer to your problems.
An often overlooked place is the Highland Park Improvement Club. It’s very reasonably priced.
Also, the log cabin building at White Center Park can be rented but I am not sure if they have activities on the weekend.
According to wiki it has 4 question styles *multiple-choice, short-answer, essay, and problem solving*
Caduceus, the Wikipedia entry comments on the controversial aspects of the test. Have you read it? Includes references and external links where some of your questions might be answered.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Assessment_of_Student_Learning
Sorry it took me so long to get back to this thread, thanks for all the recommendations. I’m hoping to try Tom’s later this week. :)
Love the forums and the blog!
JanS – thanks for explaining to RonM.
JT – It’s all good! We love a good potluck. “Friends of” are always good too. Just looking for an alternative to the “scene” over on “the hill.” We know there are LOTS of us over here because we see a lot of the people we knew from “the hill” over here now living in houses they just purchased. I’m thinking LOTS of places for potlucks and cook outs!
Now if you invite all of us WSB your guest list will increase a bit but you know we all know how to party til the sun goes down (or up in this case since it is November).
We have done a couple of weddings at Fauntleroy Church and its pretty inside with the big window and all the greenery in back of the church. I guess this doesn’t really qualify as unusual.
We are thinking of starting a social group for the LGBT community here in West Seattle. Anyone interested? Give us your ideas for get togethers, activities, etc.
We just don’t ever hang out over at the clubs in Downtown Seattle and we really don’t like attending any of the events over there. We’ve always thought it would be nice to have a group of folks who could get together over here on this side of the bridge.
Just a thought… let us know what you think.
i think that this all depends, and also is very variable! I grew up going to private school all my life, yes i know im still a terrible speller! but our standards where very high! i remember starting to pull all nighters my sophmore year with 20 page papers due almost every month! at this minute i can not afford private school for my daughter so i researched the best public school. By the way we are talking grade school here. There was such a huge difference in the test scores!!! even in west seattle!!! i decided to send her over to John Hay on top of queen ann because the school is THAT good. My nephew goes to school here in west seattle and in the 3rd grade he still can not read anything but the most basic, and forget math! anyways point being in the 1st grade she started having trouble, and before i even knew the school had set up an intervention and now she has a tutor at school everyday to help her. and special one on one monitoring. I think this is fab! and yes this is PUBLIC school!!! but i dont understand why my nephew can not get the same kind of attention…my only theory is demographics but you would think a public school is a public school and all should be able to offer the same assistance……anyways sorry so long, but long story short if you really want your children to have a good education it takes some really good research on which schools to place your child in! this is my take…
Dinah –
This is what West Seattle needs!!!!!! I’m so glad some one is going to try to fill this culture gap in a non-alcoholic environment. Fantastic.
Besides the Skylark, it seems there have been just a few coffee shops and a tavern or two who set up for music, now and again, but it is always very small – lovely – but small.
How might a Writers Series go over? Published West Seattle novelists, poets, journalists reading & discussing their own works …too bone dry?
Here’s another possibly too dry idea. How about a “Town Hall” type series of discussions/panels with local West Seattle luminaries, artists, or business folk with a moderator/interviewer. Maybe even record it, and then put the show on youtube, or wherever videos go.
Hey. Did not Dinah say to think big? Yes. She did.
This is really a great idea!
I’m looking forward to reading the ideas other’s come up with. Yippee!!!!
If that’s a bump – no, no further info. Continuing to inquire with the precinct, though our main contacts won’t be available till Tuesday — TR
First, I think the unity ticket is an awful idea.
The VP choice that seems almost too good to be true is Jim Webb. He is a first term senator, so he falls right in line with Obama’s message of experience in Washington isn’t the only useful experience.
He was passionately and articulately against the Iraq war before it begin, another great synergy.
He is from Virginia, which is a huge swing state in the general election, one with a lot of delegates, that would make Florida and Ohio irrelevant.
He is a regular looking early 50’s white male, who grew up in the Appalachian region. He served his country with distinction and served in a high military post under Ronald Reagan.
He sponsored and got approved with overwhelming bipartisan support a GI benefits bill that makes John McCain and George Bush look stupid, and he puts allows Obama to put McCain on the defensive about his perceived greatest strength…
There are some great candidates out there- Bill Richardson, John Edwards, Ed Rendell, Wesley Clark, Chuck Hagel, Michael Bloomberg, and I’m sure careful consideration will be given to all.
For my .02 cents, Jim Webb just happens to be absolutely perfect to balance out Obama’s ticket, while keeping true to the most core principles of what his campaign is about to begin with—
Hi All:
My name is Dinah Brein and I am the new promoter and booker for the Admiral Theater. I’m interested in hearing about the kinds of entertainment YOU would support at this historic theater.
Whether its different kinds of music, children’s story-telling, our very own, West Seattle “Idol” -charity auction shows… you get the picture.
We are not looking for just local bands with a small following. If you are a solo performer, perhaps we can feature a “night of local performers” (music, dancers, jugglers)- think big here folks. This is your chance to tell me what (legitimate)entertainment our community would support.
In a week or so, we would love in you come on in to the Admiral and fill out a questionaire about what kinds of talent you would enjoy seeing. We want you to partner with us in better serving our great community.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Looking for individual who can help with prep work in landscaping our yard. Initially, we are looking to remove visquine and grading of soil.
Please respond to lmb@pupik.com for additional information.
