day : 24/02/2010 11 results

If you drive past Walking on Logs at the Fauntleroy end of the West Seattle Bridge over the next week or two, you’ll see the sculptures dressed in Girl Scout garb, thanks to Troop 43141, fifth-grades who are second-year junior Scouts. We rolled a bit of video this afternoon as they embarked on what’s become an annual tradition just before cookie sales begin – decorating Walking on Logs, then picking up trash around the sculptures.

Troop 43141 is one of 25 West Seattle troops selling cookies this year – more than 30,000 boxes for starters between them, as we showed you in our story about the troops’ cookie pickup at a local loading dock last Saturday. Cookie sales start Friday and continue through March 14. Troop 43141’s leader Cynthia Voth and assistant leader Barb McGlothlin were at bridgeside with most of their 10 Scouts this afternoon, slogging through the muddy slopeside as traffic zoomed by – and gathering them for a group photo before they wrapped up:

Official permission to decorate Walking on Logs goes through the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce, in case you wondered. And sometimes, items get left behind; Voth noticed a hobby-horse bearing the name “Roller Bull” was still at Walking on Logs, possibly from the Rat City Rollergirls‘ most recent stint decorating the site. She’s going to hold onto it for a week or so in case anyone wants to claim it (we’ll put you in touch with her if it’s yours, or if you’re interested). Meantime, look for Troop 43141 and others at locations around West Seattle starting Friday – the parent organization promises a Cookie Locator search box will be on their website once sales start, so you know where to find them and when.

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Your chance to do more than drive through Fairmount Ravine

February 24, 2010 7:57 pm

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| Environment | How to help | West Seattle news

That’s one of our photos from last year’s Fairmount Ravine cleanup – just part of what neighborhood volunteers picked up and took out of the ravine during several hours of work. They could have done more, with more help – and here’s the advance alert in hopes that you will join them for this year’s cleanup, just a week and a half away. From John Lang:

Fairmount Ravine Preservation Group will sponsor the 18th Annual Spring Cleanup and Reforestation of Fairmount Ravine, Saturday March 6th at 8:30. Meet at top of ravine (Forest St. and Fairmount Ave.). Wear boots and gloves. Bring a pruning saw if interested in removing ivy from trees. Delicious Tully’s coffee and hot cocoa along with donuts will be served. We extend a special invitation to those who use the ravine to access the waterfront; please donate an hour of your time to keep this greenbelt healthy and pristine. More info – call John at 932-5151.

(Google Maps doesn’t seem to recognize Forest/Fairmount but the meeting spot is just east of the spot marked on this map.)

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West Seattle weather: Somewhere under the rainbow

February 24, 2010 5:06 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

Thanks for the rainbow photos! Anne from Ventana Construction (WSB sponsor) and Mary from Service Dog Academy snapped this afternoon’s rainbow too – but, even with the window bar in the middle, the one above, from Frank Rutledge at Prudential NW Realty in Jefferson Square, came out the best – note “Hole Foods” and the Link crane also under/through the rainbow.

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West Seattle real estate: Alki Point’s $1,300,000 “teardown”

February 24, 2010 3:40 pm

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| West Seattle housing | West Seattle news

(Photos republished with permission of Rick Miner)
Thanks to Creighton for spotting this one in the real-estate listings. The house next to the Alki Point Lighthouse (on the northeast side) is for sale, asking $1,300,000. The 2-bedroom, 1-bath house at 3221 Point Place is 92 years old, according to the listing information, which pronounces it a teardown. We dug around to find out more of the backstory – read on to see what we found out:Read More

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Happy 95th to West Seattle’s Boy Scout Troop 284!

February 24, 2010 2:59 pm

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| West Seattle history | West Seattle news

Yes, we know, you’re thinking, “They don’t look a day over 94.” But seriously – the Scouts of Troop 284 are part of West Seattle history, and Diane shares the photo and invitation for you to help them celebrate – and to help them pay tribute, if you have memories to share:

Boy Scout Troop 284 celebrates its 95th Anniversary! Troop 284 (originally chartered as Troop 4 in 1915) is one of the oldest continuously chartered troops in the state of Washington. This year we are celebrating our 95th Anniversary as a troop at the same time Scouting turns 100! You are cordially invited to attend our celebration on Saturday, March 13, from 2-4pm. It will be held in the Parish Hall at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, on the corner of 34th Ave SW and SW Myrtle in West Seattle.

Please help us spread the word to Troop alumni, Eagle Scouts and Scoutmasters. Join us in celebrating this great program called Scouting that has been growing leaders for 100 years. Send us your memories of the troop to 95th@troop284.org to be added to the troop history book. RSVPs can also be sent to 95th@troop284.org. For a look at what the troop is doing now, visit our website at www.troop284.org.

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Wonder where your ferry is? State upgrades Vessel Watch

February 24, 2010 1:48 pm

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| Seen at sea | Transportation | West Seattle news

This has apparently been in beta a few weeks but we hadn’t heard about it till a mention on WSDOT‘s Twitter feed today: The Vessel Watch page, which tells you where any given state ferry is at any given moment, has been upgraded – the map used to be static, and now it’s dynamic, with panning/zooming capabilities among other things. Check it out here. (And while that feature can identify a state ferry for you, if you’re looking to ID any other kind of vessel, MarineTraffic.com’s the place to go.)

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23rd/22nd SW road-closure effects: Official city update on changes

February 24, 2010 11:58 am

| 5 COMMENTS

| Delridge | Pigeon Point | Puget Ridge | West Seattle news

As noted here yesterday, Metro and SDOT worked together to make some changes lessening the Pigeon Point effects of the up-to-six-weeks closure of 23rd/22nd. Today, SDOT has sent an official news release summarizing the changes – read on:Read More

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Another coffee closure: Admiral District’s Revolution Coffee/Art

February 24, 2010 11:06 am

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| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | WS beverages

Last week, we reported the impending closure (after March 28) of Tully’s Coffee in Morgan Junction. Today, another impending closure has been confirmed – Revolution Coffee and Art in the Admiral District. Revolution owners Jason and Pam Douros, who took over Revolution last year, have put up two announcements on its Facebook page this morning. From the main announcement:

We regret to inform you that on March 5th 2010 Revolution will close its doors for the last time. This decision was not easy for anyone involved and it was thought through thoroughly and many options were explored. Unfortunately, due to factors beyond our control we are unable to sell the business at this time and are left with the option of closing and liquidating our assets.

And a separate note “from the barista,” from Pam:

I have been told not to feel too bad that something like between one third and fifty percent of new businesses fail in the first year. Somehow being part of this statistic only makes me feel worse. I wish I could have been more to the community than another statistic. However for what it’s worth, thank you friends and community for being a part of our journey and I am sorry that the trip didn’t last longer.

In the meantime, Revolution is open and invites customers to come in for coffee. They’re at 4217 SW Admiral Way. (Thanks to Jennifer Lynn for the original tip on this.)

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Today/tonight: Library story times, Highland Park meeting, poetry

February 24, 2010 6:03 am

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| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(T-107 Park along the Duwamish River in West Seattle, photographed by Bill Bacon)
HIGHLAND PARK ACTION COMMITTEE: Tonight HPAC has its monthly get-together at the usual spot, Highland Park Improvement Club, 7 pm (or come a bit earlier and be part of the potluck). Agenda items include park trails, crime updates, and the proposed Seattle annexation of White Center and vicinity.

WORD! MORE LIKE … WORD(S): It’s a Poetry & Storytelling Event tonight at C & P Coffee from 6-8 pm. Free, all ages; this will be a monthly series with a featured reader followed by open mike. February’s poet: Leopoldo Seguel.

SCHOOL TOUR: Denny International Middle School is offering one at 8:30 this morning.

TALK WITH YOUR SCHOOL BOARD REP: It’s the next community chat with School Board rep Steve Sundquist, 11 am at High Point Branch Library.

STORY TIMES FOR THE LITTLE ONES: All week long, it’s the return of Story Times at local libraries. This morning: Toddler Story Time at West Seattle (Admiral) Branch Library, 10:30 am (details here), and Preschool Story Time at Southwest Branch Library, 11:30 am (details here)

Looking for more (oh, say, regular Wednesday night trivia at Skylark Café and Club [WSB sponsor])? Or trying to find out what’s happening weeks and months in the future? Check out the WSB West Seattle Events calendar page.

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Local kids need you: Can you be an after-school homework helper?

February 24, 2010 3:01 am

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| How to help | West Seattle news | White Center

From Romina at Neighborhood House:

Are you a retired teacher? Are you currently pursuing a degree in education and would like to increase your teaching experience in a culturally diverse setting? Are you a previous camp counselor or someone who has worked with elementary-school students and knows how to effectively work with them? An hour a week could do wonders for our local students and their academic success.

Neighborhood House (www.nhwa.org) has an immediate need for reliable, patient volunteer after-school tutors at Mt. View Elementary in White Center. Volunteer your time helping students with their homework. Show them how to break big words into syllables. Tell them your secrets on how to solve fractions. Inspire them to do well in school. Your presence alone will make these energetic students smile.

We’re looking for people who are available for at least an hour between 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. once a week for at least three months. If you (or anyone you know) are interested in becoming an after-school tutor, please e-mail RominaR@nhwa.org for more information on how to get started as an after-school tutor.

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Slice of West Seattle life: Car meet under The Bridge

February 24, 2010 12:10 am

| 29 COMMENTS

| Seen around town | West Seattle news

Your WSB co-publishers and freelance reporters/photojournalists go out and “cover stories,” but the spice of the site is so often YOUR contributions – whether a wildlife sighting, a breaking-news photo, kudos for volunteers, or something else entirely. The latter category might be the most appropriate for this story, with photos, shared by Kevin McClintic:

I took the low bridge home from downtown Seattle and came upon a large gathering of car enthusiasts assembling under the West Seattle Bridge around 17:15 Sunday evening, February 21. Most of the cars were Hondas, with a few other makes and models mixed in for variety. One Honda even sported right hand drive. The drivers were all in their late teens to early twenties and very well behaved. Young men and women – and their love affairs with cars.

I managed to find the leader, Daniel Vargas, who was happy to take a moment away from his own photography to explain the group and their purpose.

Daniel is the sort of official leader of the group and spokesperson. He explained that the group comes from all over the Puget Sound area once or twice a week when the weather is nice and cruises around to different locations and then parks and talks cars, taking turns photographing each other’s rides. Daniel went on to explain that they DO NOT race – they just simply enjoy cruising around. The events usually draw a crowd of about 40 to 60 cars. I estimated perhaps 30 at this gathering.

Daniel has a My Space account called “Big Brown Photography” where he evidently showcases pictures from the weekly events [it’s set to “private”]. While I was busy taking a few pictures, Daniel motioned for me to come over, and he had arranged for one of his friends to put on a little demonstration.

Meet “Nick” in the blue plaid shirt.

Nick was using a laptop to “tune up” his engine from the driver’s seat. I was not really sure what was going to happen next. Nick revved up his engine while he made some adjustments from the laptop that resulted in a half dozen or so loud bangs (similar to gunfire) that was caused by his purposely causing the engine to backfire. Some might say juvenile – but this 50+-year-old writer was suitably impressed with the fact that it was all controlled by a laptop. Demonstration now over – the car sounded like any other Honda that you might see around town.

It’s not hard to see that organizer Daniel takes his interest in autos seriously. Just take a look at his forearm and you will see that he is a die-hard Honda owner.

I asked Daniel about his car – what does his car do? He began to tell me about his 4000 (yes – four THOUSAND) watt stereo, and asked me if I would like to hear it. I looked at my watch, thanked Daniel for his time, and told him I had to get home in time for dinner.