Bridge Class For Even An `Absolute Beginner'

Hey Johnston: I'm looking for a place to take beginning bridge lessons. There used to be a place called The Bridge Club, but I can't find it in the phone book.

Answer: We have a couple of places for you. The Bellevue Senior Center (425-455-7681) holds bridge classes. You get six classes for $32 by registering at the center, 4063 148th Ave. N.E. You have to be 55 or older to join.

Mr. Johnston is far too polite to ask this caller her age, but in case the caller is under 55, Vicky Peterson said she is starting bridge classes "for absolute beginners" at Bitter Lake Community Center in North Seattle.

She said they would like to get 10 to 15 people. The cost is $25 for eight to 10 classes. Peterson said her bridge group would like to get other classes started, so contact her at 206-366-1130.

Hey Johnston: A contractor in Bellevue has been working late hours, including Sunday evening. My wife remembered an article you wrote about the hours allowed for noisy construction work in the Bellevue area. Can you tell us whom to contact?

Answer: After writing answers for five years, Mr. Johnston finds it unbelievable that his readers don't clip each column and keep them handy for future reference.

The person you want to call is Robin Zambrowsky (425-452-4570) of Bellevue's code-compliance division. She will investigate to make sure everything is being run according to the rules.

"They can work, but they can't make noise after certain hours," Zambrowsky said. The noisy hours in Bellevue are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. Sunday is a no-noise day.

Zambrowsky said if the noise is going on during the weekend and her office isn't open, call 911, and Bellevue will send out a police officer to listen and take notes.

For folks living in different parts of the Eastside, you can find the code-compliance office for your city in the phone book. King County also has a code-compliance division for the unincorporated areas.

These departments make sure everybody is reading from the same rule book and not storing junk cars in the front yard or building illegally.

Hey Johnston: Last March I asked about the unsightly Jersey barriers on Coal Creek Parkway between Interstate 405 and 124th Avenue Southeast in Bellevue. These barriers were supposed to be temporary and a sign went up saying Bellevue was planning to improve the parkway this spring. Now the sign is gone, and the ugly barriers are still there. I fear the barriers are no longer "temporary" because they have installed a chain-link fence on top of them. What is the story?

Answer: The chain-link fence was put up because kids were using the barriers as part of their skateboarding routine. Tricia Thomson, project manager, said the work has been delayed because of property issues, but she expects the final contract for the sidewalk, bike path and gutters to be approved next week.

But the work won't start until the end of the year. If you don't see something going on by Valentine's Day, give us a call.

How to Just Ask Johnston: This column appears Mondays and Wednesdays in the Eastside edition. Leave your questions on Steve Johnston's voice mail at 206-464-8475. Or write: Just Ask Johnston, c/o The Seattle Times, 10777 Main St., Suite 100, Bellevue, WA 98004. The e-mail address is east@seatimes.com