Photo courtesy of the Sweeney family
Jim Sweeney, owner of Alki Lumber, seen here at the helm of his boat, died on Feb. 5, 2012. A vigil will be held at Our Lady of Guadalupe (OLG) Catholic Church 7000 35th Avenue Southwest in Seattle on Saturday, February 11 at 7pm and funeral mass at OLG on Sunday, February 12 at 2pm. A reception celebrating Jim’s life and legacy will follow at the Hall at Fauntleroy. CLICK THE PHOTO ABOVE TO SEE MORE

West Seattle icon Jim Sweeney has passed away; Services set for Feb. 11

Family and employees of Alki Lumber shared their stories and memories of him

By Patrick Robinson
Feb 06, 2012

A West Seattle icon, Jim Sweeney, passed away on Sunday, February 5. He was 73. Sweeney was a fixture in West Seattle and owned Alki Lumber since 1959.
Friends and family gathered at the store at 4422 36th s.w. on Monday to plan services and recalled a man of strength, wisdom, loyalty and kindness.

Son-in-law Matt Pedersen, Sweeney's best friend Dean Boender and other employees talked about his life and their memories of him. Alki Lumber was founded in 1921 by Sweeney's grandfather, and then operated by his father Bill Sweeney, Boender recalled. Boender grew up with Sweeney in West Seattle, was born only four months apart, and remembers a bike race they were in together as kids.

CLICK THE PHOTO ABOVE TO SEE MORE

"Hi-Yu used to have a race that started out at Duwamish Head and went around Beach Drive up Marine View Drive and into 35th s.w. Jim and I were at a disadvantage. We had one speed bikes, the guys who came in first second and third had three speed bikes. This was in about 1952. It was the middle of August and it was hot, so we stopped and went into a guys yard to get some water from his sprinkler and ended up coming in eighth and ninth."

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SLIDESHOW- UPDATE- Colman Pool improvements underway at Lincoln Park

Phase 2 of the improvements scheduled for Colman Pool at Lincoln Park are now underway. Photographer David Rosen paid an exclusive visit to the work site on Monday February 6 to document the work being done on the 70 year old structure. Phase 1 involved the installation of a vault to take on the back wash water.

If you use the park for your walks you should know that Orca Pacific, the contractor for the work will be using the pathway along the shoreline of Lincoln Park to move all materials and equipment associated with the project. The path to the pool will be busy with construction related traffic each weekday from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., with possible work on weekends, through June 30, 2012. The normal opening date for the pool has been delayed by 30 days in order to complete the work

Orca Pacific is in control of this traffic Seattle Parks said they will maintain a high degree of awareness and customer service at all times.

Phase 2 includes some large scale repairs, including replacement of part of the pool deck, pool gutters, and upper section of the pool shell. The contractor will also install a new plaster lining to increase the life expectancy of the pool.

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On The Go Week of 2-8-12

By Shara Hamby
Feb 07, 2012

Convergence Zone Bluegrass Band
Kenyon Hall
7904 35th Ave. S.W.
Friday, February 10, 7:30 p.m. General admission $12/reserved $10, Seniors $10/reserved $8, Students $5.Reservations: 206-937-3613.

Lion’s Club Valentine’s Day Dinner
Senior Center of West Seattle
4217 S.W. Oregon St.
Saturday, Feb. 11, dinner starts at 5:30 p.m. Bring your Valentine and your friends. $20 per person. Reservations: 206-762-1221.

American Sewing Guild Monthly Meeting
The Kenney
7125 Fauntleroy Ave. S.W.
Saturday, Feb. 11, 10 a.m.-noon. We will be making blankets for babies, cancer patients and veterans as part of our National Community Service Project. Bring your machines, fabric and notions. If you don’t have anything to bring, come and we’ll find a job for you cutting and packaging. Also bring your Sew & Tell along with your questions. For more information: Claudia at 937-5774.

The Cultures and Landscapes of Western Sichuan
Seattle Chinese Garden
6000 16th Ave. S.W.

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