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Happening today: From pancakes to pickup (photos added!)
January 24, 2009 8:59 am
|    Comments Off on Happening today: From pancakes to pickup (photos added!)
 |   Delridge | How to help | West Seattle parks | West Seattle schools

PANCAKES: Till 10:30 am, Fauntleroy Church (map), fresh-cooked breakfast (including pancakes, ham, orange juice, milk), to support the annual Fauntleroy Fall Festival. (In the photo above, helper Jason Chase is adding some special touches, including M&Ms, to a pancake or two.)

(photo added 11:29 am)
CAR WASH: Till 3 pm, the Chief Sealth and West Seattle High School swim teams are joining forces for a fundraising car wash at WSHS (map). Perfect weather to go get the dust washed off!

(Seacrest cleanup photo added 11:30 am)
PICKUP: Two special cleanup events this morning: At Seacrest (map), 9-noon, to help the park qualify as official Backyard Wildlife Habitat; also, meet at Delridge Community Center or Chief Sealth High School (map) at 9:45 to join in a double-teamed Adopt-a-Street cleanup along Delridge, from Orchard to Andover, with the North Delridge Neighborhood Council and Chief Sealth PTSA (photo added 11:32 am, after we caught up with some of the crew):

Lots more happening – check the West Seattle Weekend Lineup.

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Will Cooper Elementary be closed? Final weekend before the vote
January 24, 2009 6:07 am
|    Comments Off on Will Cooper Elementary be closed? Final weekend before the vote
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle school closure | West Seattle schools

Next Thursday, in a special meeting at 6 pm at district HQ in Sodo, Seattle School Board members will vote on proposed closures and changes. Right now, West Seattle’s Cooper Elementary is proposed for “program closure,” as part of a chain reaction starting with closing the Genesee Hill building that’s been home to Pathfinder K-8 for more than a decade, and ending with Pathfinder moving into the Cooper building. Cooper supporters (whose site is here) have continued to relentlessly press the point that their school should be “a model, not a target” because the academic achievement of its children outpaces area schools with comparably diverse demographics (as detailed on this page).

DISTRICT SUMMARY OF COMMENTS FROM HEARINGS: Posted on a new page at the district Capacity Management (the umbrella term for changes including the closure process) website. (If you want to compare the summaries to the official transcripts, you can find those on this page.)

ANOTHER Q/A/LISTENING SESSION WITH WEST SEATTLE’S SCHOOL BOARD REP: Steve Sundquist will be at Delridge Library (map) 1-2:30 pm this afternoon; it’ll be a session similar to the one he held at Coffee to a Tea in The Junction this past Wednesday morning (WSB coverage here).

CITYWIDE PROTEST MARCH ON SUNDAY: As we reported before the January 7th school board meeting, closure opponents from around the city plan a protest rally and march Sunday afternoon, 2 pm, starting at TT Minor (map). Here’s the official site for march organizers.

NOT TOO LATE TO HAVE A SAY: Though Thursday was the last public hearing on the closure proposals, school-board members have till Tuesday at noon to propose changes to the plan (technically they could propose changes up till the last minute before the vote next Thursday, but board president Michael DeBell requested the Tuesday deadline). So you can still e-mail them with your opinion at schoolboard@seattleschools.gov (or find individual board members’ addresses here).

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Sheer poetry: Center School students; Poet Populist celebration
January 24, 2009 2:26 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle people | West Seattle video | WS culture/arts

Thanks to Paul Dieter for sharing that video of The Center School‘s Poetry Slam performance/competition on Thursday night. We learned more about TCS during the Seattle Public Schools closure process that’s heading for a vote next Thursday; TCS changes are NOT part of the plan any more but when they were, we learned that the unique Seattle Center-based school has more than a few West Seattle teens in attendance, including one who performed in the Thursday night event, as Paul explains:

The Center School presented A Night Of Poetry and Theater For Social Change at the Seattle Repertory Theater. The standing-room-only audience was treated to these talented high-school students exercising the power they are finding in words, performance and personal poise confidence. The evening began with 18 students reading their own poems and finished with a competitive poetry slam that included West Seattle’s own Daniel Willoughby. There was also a brief performance by the school’s Theater For Social Change class that gave us a view on some of the issues facing these young adults.

Another poetry note with a West Seattle hook: South Seattle Community College writing instructor Mike Hickey (photo left), elected last November as the city’s newest Poet Populist, will be officially “installed” as the PP Sunday afternoon. He’ll read, of course, at the 2 pm event at the city’s central library branch downtown (map), which features other special guests. Read more about the (free!) event here; hear Mike read in this WSB report on a pre-election event last October at Youngstown Arts Center.

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1st CoolMom movie night a sold-out success, another planned
January 23, 2009 11:58 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | West Seattle parks | West Seattle video

That’s the trailer from “Arctic Tale,” the movie that’ll be featured April 17th in the second CoolMom.org Family Movie Night at Camp Long; the first one, held tonight, was a roaring success. Why mention the next one so early, you ask? The answer ahead – plus a campaign that CoolMom is involved with now, to get a message to the new Mom in the White HouseRead More

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Wheels; window; Trenton trouble
January 23, 2009 11:21 pm
|      23 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

That photo is from Ray, who says his car is the wheel-less Honda Fit reported by Justin in this comment on last night’s Junction wheel-theft report. That’s not the only car-targeting crime we have received word about today:

Somebody smashed Mark‘s car window near Fairmount Playfield. He says it appeared to be an isolated incident, at least on his block (5000 block of 38th SW – map), and he also sent a report of the weapon:

Two more reports to share, ahead:Read More

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West Seattle Weather Watch: Sunset, stagnation, snow
January 23, 2009 6:25 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Weather Watch: Sunset, stagnation, snow
 |   Environment | West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

That photo of tonight’s sunset, from Anchor (Luna) Park, is courtesy of MarkB (who also shared video, photo, info from last night’s WSHS concert). As the weekend begins in earnest, a few weather notes: The latest forecast does have the s(now)-word in a few spots – maybe flurries tomorrow night, maybe “rain possibly beginning as snow” on Tuesday. But till something scours out the “stagnant” air, the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency wants to remind you the Stage 2 Burn Ban remains in effect – no wood-burning fireplaces or stoves unless it’s your “only adequate source of heat.”

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West Seattle pet alert: Watch where your dog’s drinking
January 23, 2009 4:14 pm
|      17 COMMENTS
 |   Highland Park | Pets | Safety | West Seattle news

That’s Metro in happier times; he’s sick right now, according to his human companion Abby, who wanted to share this info with other local dogs and their people:

Our dog Metro has just been diagnosed with Giardia. While
we cannot be certain where he picked it up, we were recently at the Westcrest dog park (Sun. 1/11, Sat. 1/17 and Sun. 1/18) – his most favorite place in the world.

It is possible that my backyard or a puddle we encountered on a walk is the source of the offending parasite, but we wanted to remind the great folks at the dog park to be alert, especially to your puppy’s drinking sources. We’ll keep our puppy away from your dogs for a few weeks (much to his dismay). Just another important reason to clean up after the beasts we love and help prevent the spread of a yucky parasite to some unwitting and likely adorable dog. Happy walks–See you in a few weeks!

Abby also has posted this alert to the Westcrest Off-Leash Area mailing list, where one respondent has noted that the park’s water is off for the winter so “many dogs have been drinking from the drainage pipe next to the big tree.” Again, there’s no proof that Westcrest is where Metro got this parasite, but Abby wanted to suggest that dog owners be extra watchful. We’ll be checking with local health authorities to look for more information on how common this is and how best to take precautions.

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Welcoming a new WSB sponsor: West Seattle Montessori School
January 23, 2009 3:36 pm
|    Comments Off on Welcoming a new WSB sponsor: West Seattle Montessori School
 |   How to help | West Seattle online | West Seattle schools

Today we welcome a new sponsor – West Seattle Montessori School, which is inviting prospective students and their families to two open houses, including one tomorrow afternoon. Here’s what WSMS would like you to know about their school: Choosing a school where children flourish according to their needs and abilities is more critical today than ever. West Seattle Montessori School is pleased to offer individualized teaching from experienced professionals, and would be delighted to assist you throughout your child’s academic journey. Since 1985, West Seattle Montessori School has been an integral part of the West Seattle Community. Offering preschool through 8th grade education, WSMS prides itself on fostering independence and intellectual curiosity, stimulating personal growth, and encouraging innovation and a love of learning. As part of our close-knit WSMS community, we focus on the development of the whole child, not only providing personalized attention and student centered lessons, but also creating a rich and broad variety of experiences beyond our walls through art classes, stage performances, engaging field trips, and activities throughout Seattle’s eclectic neighborhoods. It is our goal to instill within our students a clear set of values, including respect for each individual and her or his own unique talents and contributions. We are now enrolling for the 2009 – 2010 academic school year at our newly remodeled building, only a few miles away from our current location! Please join us for an Open House to hear more details about this exciting move, Montessori curriculum, and our amazing community on Saturday, January 24, from 1 pm to 3 pm, or Thursday, February 5, from 6 pm to 8 pm, 4536 38th SW (map). For more information, please contact our main office at (206) 935-0427, or take a look at our website westseattlemontessori.com. **** Welcome, West Seattle Montessori, to the WSB sponsor lineup, listed in its entirety here along with info on how to become part of it!

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Bulletin: Fauntleroy rechannelization approved, work starts in May
January 23, 2009 12:28 pm
|      53 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

(“rechannelization” plan as shown on easel at 12/1/08 open house)
Just in from SDOT – the decision’s in, and the city WILL reconfigure the lanes on Fauntleroy Way between Edmunds and California when it repaves the stretch starting in May: One car lane in each direction, center turn lane, northbound bike lane, two crosswalks to be added. Here’s the official city news release:

The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) announced today its decision to change Fauntleroy Way SW to make it safer for pedestrians and bicyclists, reduce vehicle speeds and collisions, and still maintain current capacity. The department’s decision was guided by an analysis of current and future traffic conditions, Bicycle Master Plan recommendations, and input from the community.

The rechannelizing of Fauntleroy Way SW, from California Avenue SW to SW Edmunds Street, will occur with the paving project scheduled to begin in May 2009. After work is completed, the 1.3 mile stretch will feature one travel lane in each direction, a center two-way left turn lane, a bicycle lane northbound and shared lane pavement markings (sharrows) southbound. Marked crosswalks will be added at SW Brandon Street and 40th Avenue SW, south of SW Juneau Street. On-street parking will remain, though a minimal number of spaces may be impacted by improved bus zones.

(6:07 pm note – We asked SDOT’s Rick Sheridan a follow-up question re: what “minimal” means; his answer – about 15 spaces. Back to the news release and the original 12:28 pm post:)

Residents have expressed concerns about excessive speeds on Fauntleroy Way SW, which has a posted 35 miles per hour speed limit. Creating a single through lane for each direction has been shown in national studies to calm traffic, creating a safer environment for pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists.

After the paving and rechannelization are complete, SDOT will study the street’s performance and make adjustments as needed to keep traffic flowing. It will additionally assess whether additional marked crosswalks can be added in the future. The department held an open house in December to solicit public comment and its decision carefully considered the needs of motorists, freight, transit, bicycles, pedestrians, ferry users and emergency response.

Here’s our report on that 12/1 open house; here’s an update from 12/14, when the city published answers to questions asked at that event. We first reported on the “rechannelization” proposal in mid-November, with word of the official city announcement on Nov. 13th and an in-depth followup later that week after speaking with the key SDOT manager working on the plan. ADDED 2:32 PM: We also have a version of this announcement that went out to a different city-managed mailing list, and the verbiage is a bit different, so for those interested, we’re publishing that too – it also includes contact info if you have questions about the project – read on: Read More

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West Seattle Weekend Lineup: Rock flick to pancake flips, & more
January 23, 2009 11:16 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Fun stuff to do | WS culture/arts | WS Weekend Lineup

That’s the trailer for “Rock ‘n’ Roll Gearhead,” which on Sunday night will become the first movie ever shown at West 5 in The Junction. Also happening in The Junction, opening weekend for “WELL”:

At ArtsWest, Kate Witt and Therese Diekhans star in a play that’s about a play … and about the playwright’s mother … sort of … taking a “riotously funny” turn, per AW. And yet another Junction fete – Saturday’s the 4th birthday bash for Twilight Art Collective, featuring Goldhick/Crystals:

What does G/C do? Follow the links from Twilight. And if you like pancakes, Saturday’s the morning you’ve been waiting for:

That’s the morning you can enjoy a pancake breakfast at Fauntleroy Church to support the Fauntleroy Fall Festival. Those events, plus the food/wine gala “Gifts from the Earth” at SSCC, a chance to help Seacrest become a Wildlife Habitat, school events including open houses and a Chief Sealth-WSHS joint fundraising car wash, a free parliamentary-law workshop (gotta run meetings? this will help), all part of more than FIFTY!!!! events and activities in West Seattle this weekend, ahead:Read More

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Fauntleroy ferry future: Read the mayor’s letter against expansion
January 23, 2009 9:39 am
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

bythedock.jpgIn our Wednesday night coverage of the Washington State Ferries Draft Long-Range Plan hearing in Fauntleroy, we showed you video of SDOT’s Ann Sutphin telling WSF that the city opposes the proposal to expand the West Seattle dock. She read a letter Mayor Nickels wrote to WSF; this morning, we have a copy of that letter — you can read it in its entirety here. Also a reminder — as mentioned in our Wednesday report — WSF has extended the deadline for public comments to Monday, so you still have time to read the plan and send your thoughts (wsfplanning@wsdot.gov).

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West Seattle Crime Watch: North Admiral scare
January 23, 2009 3:45 am
|      36 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

This is just out of the WSB inbox, from Daphne, who wanted to alert others to what happened at her home near Hill/41st (map) a little while ago:Read More

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West Seattle High School winter concert: Rhythm of the night
January 22, 2009 11:57 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle High School winter concert: Rhythm of the night
 |   West Seattle schools | West Seattle video | WS culture/arts

Thanks to MarkB for that video from tonight’s West Seattle High School winter concert – where students played the drums donated to them as a surprise gift last spring by the WSHS Foundation (as reported here). Many other student musicians performed tonight – MarkB also e-mailed this photo to share:

He even sent along the concert program.

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West Seattle school-closure fight: Last chance to speak out
January 22, 2009 10:13 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle school-closure fight: Last chance to speak out
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle school closure | West Seattle video

Jason Gruenwald (assisted by son Idaya) was one of the speakers advocating for West Seattle’s Cooper Elementary School during tonight’s final public hearing on proposed Seattle Public Schools closures, to be voted on by board members one week from tonight. (Clip added 11:04 pm) Said Shekuna spoke on behalf of the Somali immigrants whose children attend Cooper, saying the school is providing them some of what they could not get in that country, so why would the district want to take that away?

Note the signs displayed as he spoke, declaring Cooper (for its academic success) should be a “model, not a target.” Also speaking tonight, Cooper teacher Ruth Solnit, describing Cooper as “a school on an upswing”:

(Clip added 12:37 am) Cooper parent Steve Ball said the school would be fuller if its “reference area” were redrawn – especially given the growth in High Point and along Delridge:

And the board heard from Cooper parent Brittany Abbott (who spoke at the board’s regular meeting the night before, too):

Though there was talk of lawsuits and “no” votes at re-election time, overall, tonight, there were no headlines and no announcements, just a last chance for people to have their say about schools all over the city facing closures and changes. If board members want to propose changes to the current plan (linked from the SPS “Capacity Management” page), president Michael DeBell told them last night that those changes should be submitted to Superintendent Dr. Maria Goodloe-Johnson by noon next Tuesday; the vote is scheduled for a special board meeting next Thursday night. West Seattle’s board rep Steve Sundquist told concerned parents at his monthly coffee gathering yesterday morning (WSB coverage here) that he won’t make up his mind till next week; if you would like to speak with him about the closure plan (or any other education concern), he is having another informal gathering this Saturday, 1 pm, at the Delridge Library. All seven board members’ e-mail addresses are here.

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Delridge District Council report: New chair; lots more updates
January 22, 2009 10:00 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Delridge | Delridge District Council | How to help | West Seattle news

In addition to the Washington State Ferries Draft Long-Range Plan public hearing in Fauntleroy (WSB coverage here) and the last Seattle School Board meeting before the school-closure vote (WSB coverage here), we have coverage for you from one more Wednesday night event — the Delridge Neighborhoods District Council monthly meeting, which included updates on a multitude of local events and projects, as well as a leadership change, and more details on the upcoming Gathering of Neighbors – read on:Read More

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West Seattle Crime Watch: 2 cars-on-blocks, and a burglary
January 22, 2009 7:49 pm
|      22 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Brian at TouchTech Systems in The Junction sent that photo Wednesday – he’d noticed this car parked in the pay lot at 42nd/Edmunds (map) for a while, with wheels, until yesterday morning. He notified the owner, and by late afternoon, the car was gone. Same kind of theft happened to Drury‘s husband’s car – read her story, and Amy‘s burglary report, just ahead:Read More

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Furry Faces organizing West Seattle help for puppy-mill dogs
January 22, 2009 5:42 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | Pets | West Seattle news

That’s part of a poster you’ll see soon at local businesses, according to Teri Ensley of Furry Faces Foundation (F3), in a drive to help the hundreds of dogs rescued from “puppy mills” north of Seattle. Here’s what’s needed, and how you can help:

300+ Dogs and Puppies Seized From Three Puppy Mills

Furry Faces Foundation, [F3], and multiple West Seattle Businesses are teaming to collect donations of supplies to assist with the care of the dogs and puppies that have been seized from three puppy mills. It appears that these puppy mills are part of a puppy mill ring and F3 wouldn’t be surprised to see more seizures in the near future. Thank you for caring and helping these animals.

Everett Animal Shelter and Saving Pets One at A Time need help with the following supplies:

• Dog and puppy food – preferred types are Canidae, Natural Balance or Nutro Ultra lamb/rice, small bites
• Wee Wee pads
• Grooming tools and dog toys
• Freshly washed blankets, towels, beds and crate pads-all sizes
• Dishes—stainless steel preferable (for sanitation reasons)
• Liquid laundry detergent and bleach
• Paper towels
• Monetary donations for veterinary care

The following West Seattle businesses are accepting the above donations. Please check back frequently as more businesses will be added soon.

Admiral District: Mud Bay; 2611 Calif. Ave SW (dog food & supplies only)

The Junction:
Hotwire Online Coffeehouse; 4410 Calif. Ave SW (dog food & supplies only)
Petco: 4732 California Avenue SW

Alki: All the Best Pet Care; 2820 Alki Ave SW

Morgan Junction:
Pet Elements; 6701 California Ave SW
The Wash Dog; 6400 California Ave SW

Westwood Village: Pet Pros; 9033 25th Ave SW

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West Seattle traffic alert: Fauntleroy-Southworth ferry delay
January 22, 2009 3:37 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle traffic alerts

From the Washington State Ferries service bulletins: “The Klahowya is currently 15 minutes behind schedule due to a Coast Guard request for vessel assistance. This will affect the 4:05pm from Southworth, the 4:40pm from Fauntleroy and possibly later sailings.” According to WSF Vessel Watch, the Klahowya is at or near the Vashon dock right now; we’ve got a call out to the Coast Guard to ask what’s up.

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Inauguration night: Where West Seattle’s most famous rocker was
January 22, 2009 3:37 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   2009 Inauguration | West Seattle people | WS culture/arts

No, it wasn’t here in West Seattle. Just happened onto this mention of Eddie Vedder making a cameo at the Tractor Tavern (in Ballard) on Tuesday night on the Mayor’s Office of Film and Music‘s new blog-format website. (Full story seems to be at RollingStone.com.)

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More West Seattle biz notes: Friends & Co expands; Revo progress
January 22, 2009 2:07 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Luna Park | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

Good to hear about booming business, giving the continued tough news from other quarters, so here are two more updates:

SECOND “FRIENDS”: Doris Goulet, owner of the popular Junction craft store Friends and Company, is opening a second location in Issaquah this spring; thanks to Michael at Liberty Bell Printing for the tip. *Added later* Doris also has written about the big news on her website. (Another Junction business that’s expanding is Cupcake Royale, which recently announced it’s opening a fourth location, on Capitol Hill.)

CAFE REVO “LOOKING FINISHED”: Still awaiting an exact date (co-owner Sofia Zadra Goff tells WSB final inspections have just begun), but Cafe Revo – the new Italian restaurant in the Luna Park business district on Avalon – has been sending updates saying they’re almost ready to open. You can see lots of new photos of the completed interior on this page of the CR website.

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Junction megaproject update: Capco Plaza joined by Altamira
January 22, 2009 12:13 pm
|      18 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

Checking on the Junction megaprojects’ status, we just talked with Leon Capelouto, the longtime West Seattle businessman whose mixed-use building is well under way between 41st and 42nd on Alaska (previous update, last September). First: Both QFC and Office Depot are moving forward as the major retail tenants, and are likely to open this summer — Capelouto tells WSB that QFC will open first, Office Depot shortly thereafter. Negotiations are still under way for potential tenants in the remaining smaller retail spaces in the complex. While the project’s main name is Capco Plaza, he says there’s a new name for the 157 apartments that will be atop the stores: Altamira (which has the stirrings of a website here) – you can see it on the project’s east side:

The apartments are likely to be ready to occupy around November, a few months after the retail spaces open. Right now, Capelouto adds, construction is going well; the roof’s on the building and the brick’s being put on (as you can see in the photo above, taken this afternoon).

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Post-snow street update: “More sand sweeping and restriping”
January 22, 2009 12:08 pm
|    Comments Off on Post-snow street update: “More sand sweeping and restriping”
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

We’ve been updating you on the city’s work to repaint stripes worn off local streets/bridges during last month’s snow, and to clean up leftover sand – here’s the latest update from SDOT:Read More

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West Seattle’s Prudential real-estate offices merging tonight
January 22, 2009 11:25 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

They’re already co-owned, and now they’re going to be co-located: The 3221 California SW (map) branch of Prudential Northwest Realty is moving to Jefferson Square, to join forces with the branch that’s located there (photo left), and one of the local PNW realtors, Alice Kuder, tells WSB the biggest part of the move is happening tonight, including a meet-and-greet for the more than 100 new co-workers to get to know each other. She says the move is “exciting”; the two are under the same ownership already anyway. More info expected a bit later today. The branch on California SW was Cayce and Gain Realty before merging with Prudential in 1996. ADDED 11:56 AM: We have comment now from the company’s owner, Chris Pauling, who says Don Bereiter will lead the newly combined office, and enclosed a news release – read on to see it:Read More

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