We didn’t hear about it till Ron Zuber of Morgan Junction sent the official government report a few minutes ago: At 6:54 this morning, there was a 2.1-magnitude earthquake centered in West Seattle, north of Schmitz Park, about seven miles down (here’s the USGS page; here’s the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network info page; here’s another map you can use to zoom in on the spot). That’s pretty tiny as quakes go, but notable nonetheless, especially in light of the Northern California quake yesterday, and always a good excuse to bring up preparedness info again: Just so happens our newest sponsor is the Emergency Communication Hubs project, which shows you where to go for information and help if need be in case of disaster – go here to find your nearest hub.
(From left, Juliann Everett, Lisa Olson, Natasha Hissong, Tauna Evans)
Story and photos by Mary Sheely
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Michelle Gaither wants you to know that sometimes being environmentally friendly isn’t about what you do, but what you don’t do.
“I don’t know much about oven cleaning in general because I don’t really do it,” she says only half-jokingly to a group of women from West Seattle and beyond who’ve come to High Point’s Bridge Park Retirement Living for a green cleaning demo. Gaither is a technical research coordinator for the Pacific Northwest Pollution Prevention Resource Center (PPRC) and also a member of the group CoolMom, a growing Seattle-based nonprofit that “unites moms to take action on climate change through education, lifestyle change, and advocacy,” which organized the event.
Lifestyle change is the goal of the demo (which happened this past Wednesday night). Gaither explains what she means about cleaning her oven:
(Story continues – with recipes and links too! – after the jump)Read More
During the Seattle City Council‘s first regular meeting of the New Year tomorrow, councilmembers are expected to vote on a resolution asking the state to create a registry you could use to opt out of unsolicited direct mail – like the “do not call” registry for telemarketing. If you have an opinion on this, you’re advised to contact councilmembers — Sustainable Seattle has the info here; to read the resolution they’ll be considering, go here. Supporters cite environmental benefits of lower paper use; opponents (whose views are detailed here) say jobs would be lost and the US Postal Service‘s future would be in danger because advertising mail comprises a third of what it handles.
ORIGINAL 2:09 PM REPORT: Thanks to the WSB’ers (including Bruce, who sent the top photo) who sent word of that rollover crash, which is the reason for the “heavy rescue” call in the 8600 block of 35th SW (south of Thistle; map). Avoid the area. 2:16 PM UPDATE: Here’s what we’ve found out at the scene – 1 person has been taken to the hospital. Two vehicles involved, as you see in the photo. No word yet on the circumstances. 35th is closed between Thistle and Trenton (the crash is closest to Cloverdale); side streets are closed in the blocks leading up to that area as well. 2:25 PM UPDATE: Police tell us at the scene that a few other cars may have been hit, but not as badly damaged – they are still trying to sort it all out – so don’t expect the scene to reopen quickly. 2:47 PM UPDATE: This WSB photo from Christopher Boffoli shows you how far north of the scene 35th is closed:
We have more information, too. The person who was hurt was in the flipped car and is not believed to have life-threatening injuries. That vehicle apparently didn’t see the gray vehicle, which was trying to make a left turn into a driveway on 35th, and they collided; three other cars were hit in the ensuing spinouts, though damage was not major and no one in those cars was hurt. As soon as the damaged vehicles are cleared, police tell us, the road will reopen, though there are a few things (like flattened tires) that are making for slower going in the tow effort. We’ll keep checking on the scene so we can update when everything’s open again. 3:25 PM UPDATE: 35th is clear and open again. Meantime, another photo from Christopher shows one of the other three vehicles that were hit:
4:09 PM UPDATE: Video from Christopher as the police and firefighters investigated and cleaned up:
And an ironic side note: One of the stations that responded to this crash, FS 32 in The Triangle, apparently had been training/practicing earlier in the day for this kind of situation – nearby resident Sharonn Meeks had noticed the activity and sent us a note even before the crash. The practice car was still at the station when Christopher went by afterward to check it out:
ADDED LATER: Our video of the flipped car being turned upright for towing. Not an easy job.
From a burglary victim who asked to be anonymous, but wanted to share advice that might help others:
We were burglarized on Friday afternoon. We live in a townhouse east of the Alaska Junction. The intruder came in through the window on the ground floor. They took a number of things, including my beloved camera, all my lenses and some of my wife’s jewelry. Fortunately everything is replaceable and nobody was hurt, including our cats. Everyone should take a second look at their ground-floor doors and windows and reinforce them. A number of things could have prevented this from happening. Most of them very cheap solutions. I’ve spent most of the last two days making the house more secure and we will be getting an alarm system. It’s frustrating.
Followup to Friday’s stories about a special encore of the “Helmstetler Family Spectacular” music-synched Christmas lights by the Charlestown water tower, on behalf of the family of a soldier about to leave for the Middle East – Show designer Jim Winder has just finished the videos for the two special songs he added as a tribute; at top, it’s Josh Groban’s “I’ll Be Home for Christmas“; below, “American Soldier” by Toby Keith.
Earlier stories on the display, and the other shows featured on WSB this year – including the Menashe Family‘s Beach Drive home, which we visited the night they were filmed for a cable TV special next holiday season – are all archived here (newest to oldest).
Browsed through the winter “combined brochure” for West Seattle’s community centers? (You can get it online as a PDF, or pick up the paper version at any of those centers.) If not – you might have missed this – lots of new classes for kids @ High Point Community Center, particularly for those 18 months (with parent) to 5 years, and a few for 5-11. HPCC assistant coordinator Rebecca Hall shares the list:
Classes are between 30 minutes to 1 hour in length and meet once a week. There are art, movement, music, and education classes plus a 4 hour Parents’ Day Out program! There are 2 sessions of class offerings this quarter and the first classes begin during the next two weeks.
Classes: Monday
9:15-10 am Messy Masterpieces (3-5 yrs)
10:15-10:45 Sing, Play & Learn (2-4 yrs/parent)
10:45-11:30 Mommy & Me Storytime & Crafts (18 mths-3 yrs/parent)
11:30-12:30 Red Light, Green Light (3-5 yrs)
Tuesday
9:15-10 Mom & Me Art Express (2-4/parent)
10:15-11:30 Fun on the Farm (3-5 yrs)
11:30-12:30 Kiddie Chefs (2-4 yrs/parent)
Side note: When you’re inquiring about one of these classes or anything else at your local community centers, ask if it’s part of the Try It for $2 program that’s currently being advertised on WSB and other community news sites – explained here.
It is only 45 minutes long and is a gem of a theater piece….lots of singing, acting, dancing and a full orchestra with choir, plus acting on the stage. The young boy who sings the Amahl part is delightful and Amahl’s mother is fabulous. You get a lot for your money. This is community theater at its best.
FREE YOGA: 11 am today, it’s Free Sunday Yoga at SoundYoga (WSB sponsor), 5639 California (map).
PLAY “OLD” GAMES WITH NEW FRIENDS: That would be the Friends of Southwest Branch Library, who are presenting another Board Game Afternoon today, 1-4:30 pm. They’re bringing some games; you’re welcome to bring one or more too; and if you want to learn a game, they’re ready to show you (details here). The library’s on the southeastern corner of 35th/Henderson (map).
FLOWERS AT THE FARMERS’ MARKET: Tulips from Alm Hill return to the West Seattle Farmers’ Market today, according to a tweet from market management. 10 am-2 pm, as always, 44th/Alaska.
Yet more must-share photos have come in – first the Saturday sunset, from Kelly Johnston (who has more here); then, a few more views of the Three Tree Point Duwamish Head sailing race – this one from David Hutchinson:
Last month, we published a Seattle Public Schools list of teachers who have achieved Board Certification. In our latest Madison Middle School update from Jeanne Merritt, she spotlights the two Madison teachers on the list, and one of their certified colleagues:
Madison Middle School teachers Kathy Myers (Math) and Karen Nixon (Reading) recently joined Angela Clement (Science) in attaining National Board Certification. Madison has three more teachers currently working on their National Boards.
To earn this certificate, teachers must complete a rigorous two part assessment: 1) create four portfolios that include videotaped classroom teaching, lesson plans, samples of student work, and written reflections on their teaching and 2) take a three hour exam that measures knowledge of the teacher’s subject area.
Congratulations and thank you for your hard work!
P.S. We’ve been mentioning this new list of open houses coming up at schools around the district; Madison’s open house is 6:30-8:30 pm February 4th.
Michelle Gaither wants you to know that sometimes being environmentally friendly isn’t about what you do, but what you don’t do. 
“AMAHL” FINALE: Last performance of 
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