day : 13/02/2011 14 results

(WSB photo from 2010 West Seattle Grand Parade, by Christopher Boffoli)
Yet another city-budget shock wave is rippling tonight – this time, one that casts a cloud over a decades-old West Seattle summertime tradition.

American Legion Post 160, longtime sponsor of the midsummer West Seattle Grand Parade, has just started planning for this year’s parade, set for July 23rd, and has learned it’s facing a big new bill – not unlike the local youth-sports leagues that are suddenly paying thousands more than they used to.

Last year, we reported on the close call American Legion Post 160 and other summertime event sponsors had with a city “cost-recovery” proposal – at one point in May, it looked like events happening just weeks later might have to pay for their own traffic control, which the city has always picked up, and that could have cost the West Seattle Grand Parade $1,500 it didn’t have.

Given the short notice and big protests from other affected groups, the city decided to pull back for last year, while issuing a warning about this year’s budget. So now, it’s 2011. Post 160’s parade chair Dave Vague tells WSB, “Although the city has not changed its fee schedule for the parade, the Seattle DOT is now requiring us to handle all of our own No Parking signs. I asked one of the barricade companies for a bid and it is going to cost us $3,000 to put up all of the signs. Needless to say, this is too large a burden for the American Legion to take on by themselves now.”

The “no fee-schedule change” to which Vague refers cuts both ways. As explained in our story last year, while the obvious solution would seem to be for Post 160 to charge entry fees for commercial participants, they can’t; parades that charge entry fees are charged sharply higher permit fees. Right now, so that their permit fees stay low, there’s no fee for anyone to enter (though some donations are received).

So how to handle the $3,000? Vague says, Post 160 is turning to you for ideas and support:

We are looking to the West Seattle Community to help us raise the necessary funds for the parade or help us find a sponsor or sponsors to help us with the cost. If your readers would like to donate or have ideas on how we could raise the funds needed, they can contact the American Legion at (206) 935-9407 or write me at vagued@comcast.net.

(WSB photo from 2010 West Seattle Grand Parade, by Mindon Win)
As longtime fans of the West Seattle Grand Parade, and co-sponsor of multiple community events each year since we became a business, we have already said (as we did last year) that WSB will be first in line to be a sponsor if Post 160 decides to go that route. What’s your thought about the best solution? Let Post 160 know, and/or post a comment here.

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Basketball champs! Congratulations to Holy Rosary 6th grade boys

February 13, 2011 9:04 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

Thanks to Derek Page for sharing the photo and the results of this afternoon’s big game:

“The 6th Grade Holy Rosary boys defeated St. Joseph today in a hard-fought battle to win the citywide CYO championship. The final score of 20-13 reflects the excellent defense played by both teams. Congrats, Gators!

ADDED 9:58 PM: We now have the results of the HR 8th-grade boys’ championship game; they lost to Lakeside, 43-29.

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West Seattle eagle sightings: Love is in the air

February 13, 2011 8:01 pm

| 6 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | Wildlife

For a lucky few, this was a day for whale-watching. But for many more, it was a great day for eagle-watching. Above, the closeup is courtesy of Robin Lindsey, who notes, “This eagle perched on a light pole was literally stopping traffic this afternoon along Constellation Park as people were excitedly taking cell phone photos, No doubt this mature eagle was probably thinking people are crazy.” The juveniles drew attention, too:

Trileigh Tucker shared that photo and the next one, observing that love is in the air, and not just for people: “For the past few days, there’s been lots of eagle activity, and lots of eagles, in Lincoln Park. I’m attaching a couple of photos of a juvenile bald eagle (I’m guessing it’s a first-year bird, born last spring) from today. In addition, there’s been lots of courtship behavior between two adults, including chasing each other, aerial interactions, and much chattering back and forth. Just in time for Valentine’s Day! I hope everyone keeps their eyes out to appreciate nature’s romance…as well as our own!”

And an eagle couple was caught on camera too, by Steve Edington, who says, “I was in Lincoln Park about 9:30 this morning and saw a bald eagle catch a salmon. It flew into its ‘usual’ tree, along with its mate, and proceeded to devour the fish.”

Thanks to everyone who shared their sightings!

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Big turnout at first design meeting for 34th/Barton P-Patch

February 13, 2011 5:17 pm

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| Gardening | How to help | West Seattle news | Westwood

Should it stay or should it go? The fate of the big birch tree shown above is one of the issues that came up as about 50 people joined in the first design meeting for the new 34th/Barton P-Patch, Saturday afternoon at Southwest Community Center.

Landscape architect John Barker, who’s leading the design work, told attendees that an arborist checked out the tree with him earlier in the day, and proclaimed it to be perhaps the healthiest European paper-birch tree she had seen in the city. On the other hand, materials prepared for the meeting show it casts a significant shadow, so the design process will have to determine whether that’s an impediment to maximizing the site, or perhaps a feature for cool shade on warm summer days. Toward the start of the meeting, a show of hands was requested, and the “keep the tree” hand-raisers significantly outnumbered those supporting “take out the tree” – which is the only tree of any kind on the site. Barker estimated that it would cost about the same to keep it or get rid of it.

But the tree’s future was just one topic, albeit one that took up a fair amount of time.

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Just so you know: Orcas seen in West Seattle waters again today

February 13, 2011 3:29 pm

| Comments Off on Just so you know: Orcas seen in West Seattle waters again today

| Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Wildlife

Though they’re to the south of us at last report, local orca experts did spot whales in West Seattle waters again today, and sightings on the Orca Network Facebook wall affirm this. We mention it so that you can be on the lookout between now and dusk – on days when they pass here headed southbound, they often reappear in this area late in the day (last Sunday, orcas made a very close pass by Alki, and some even went on into Elliott Bay, toward downtown). We’ll add updates here if they’re seen in our waters again before dark.

P.S. West Seattle-founded The Whale Trail has another presentation coming up that orca fans won’t want to miss – find out about Tucker, the dog who’s helping save orcas! It’s at the Duwamish Longhouse in West Seattle at 7 pm February 24th, and advance tickets are available now – full details on The Whale Trail’s website.

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West Seattle schools: King County Executive @ Explorer West

February 13, 2011 3:21 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Thanks to Explorer West Middle School for sharing photos from a special guest appearance last week by King County Executive Dow Constantine. Every year, the school focuses on a sustainability issue, and this year it’s “What makes a society sustainable?” so that’s what he talked about, before answering students’ questions. The school says his presentation included an explanation of balancing environmental sustainability with economic health plus reminiscences of his early involvement in community organizing to help save West Seattle’s College Street Ravine (side note, the Nature Consortium‘s quarterly work party there in his honor is coming up 10 am Tuesday – RSVP to 206.923.0853). So how did the school get West Seattle’s top politician to come speak? The event had a unique origin: Explorer West parent Judith Arvidson was the winning bidder for an appearance that Executive Constantine donated to the Southwest Youth and Family Services auction last year, and decided to in turn donate it to her daughter’s school.

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Happening now: ‘Have a Heart Day’ 2011 at Illusions Hair Design

February 13, 2011 2:04 pm

| Comments Off on Happening now: ‘Have a Heart Day’ 2011 at Illusions Hair Design

| How to help | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Lots of early Valentine’s celebrations today, and things are especially heart-y at Illusions Hair Design (WSB sponsor), in the throes of its annual “Have a Heart Day” fundraiser. Illusions team members donate their time, and the salon offers reduced-price haircuts with all proceeds going to charity – this year, it’s Pencil Me In For Kids, to make sure no student has to go to school without the supplies she/he needs. The salon was busy when we stopped in a while ago, but Illusions’ Sue Lindblom told us they still had a few openings – so you can call 206-938-3675 to see if there’s a chance they can get you in before 4. More reasons to stop in – the artists they’re currently showcasing are on hand too; and they’re offering salon merchandise at a 14% discount. They are accepting Pencil Me in for Kids monetary donations too, so even if you aren’t getting a cut, you can stop by and help the cause – 5619 California SW.

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Worldwide Fungi fame: West Seattle’s Machel Spence on the cover

February 13, 2011 1:57 pm

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| West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

If you pursue your passion, it’s said, it can take you a long way – and West Seattle photographer Machel Spence‘s photographs of local fungi are now on their way around the world. She announced this weekend that she’s “in the current winter issue of Fungi Magazine – there is an article inside with more photographs and I was chosen for the cover shot too! I think it’s such an amazing boost for West Seattle and another reason why we should protect our parks here!” Many of her photographs, views into a sometimes-tiny world you have walked by and through a million times and never noticed, are from Lincoln Park. Her website has a link you can use to get a copy of the magazine, whose founders say it’s both for amateur and professional mycologists.

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1st-ever West Seattle Community Orchestras gala, to benefit youth

February 13, 2011 11:29 am

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| How to help | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Spring approaching – and it’s the major season for fundraising galas. Some of them are annual traditions – and then every year new ones emerge, like this one: The intergenerational three-group West Seattle Community Orchestras have just announced their first-ever Spring Gala, to raise money for their youth programs – that’s half the WSCOs’ 120-musician membership! – as founder Toni Reineke notes in the announcement, the group “fill(s) the gap for students wishing to pursue their talents in music, at a time when many local music programs have suffered budget cuts.” If you buy your ticket early, there’s a discount. A night of music, with a silent auction and light dinner, is promised, at West Seattle’s Kenyon Hall. The gala is at 7 pm Saturday, March 12th (doors will open at 6:30 pm), with tickets $20 if purchased before March 1st, $25 afterward. To get your advance tickets, e-mail Abe Santini at abe@wscorchestras.org.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Latest reports from the inbox

February 13, 2011 8:32 am

| 14 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Collected from the inbox in recent days, seven West Seattle Crime Watch reports – two with photos of loot to be on the lookout for (one of those photos is related to a burglary already reported here). It’s all after the jump:Read More

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West Seattle Sunday: Valentine’s Eve; music; adopt-a-thon; more

February 13, 2011 6:30 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle Farmers' Market | West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

VALENTINE’S DAY AT WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: That’s the sign at last week’s West Seattle Farmers’ Market promoting what you will find there today – a whole lotta love (explained here). 10 am-2 pm, 44th/Alaska.

NOT SO VALENTINE-INCLINED? Tonight you can enjoy “Anti-Valentine” dinner at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) (details here)

GET YOUR GAME ON: An informal weekly “adult/big-kid pickup soccer game” is scheduled at 10:30 am Sundays at Hiawatha Playfield – same place you’ll find West Seattle Family Ultimate Frisbee every 2nd Sunday at 11 am (southeast corner).

PIANO ACCOMPANIMENT FOR SILENT FILMS: At Kenyon Hall, 7 pm: Pianist extraordinaire Donald Sosin plays silent shorts by request, To make a reservation, please e-mail kenyonhall@earthlink.net.

ARTSWEST TRUNK SHOW: A special one-day-only jewelry trunk show 11 am – 3 pm in the newly renovated gallery at ArtsWest.

OPEN HOUSE: Little Pilgrim School, a program for 2 – 5 year old children that’s in the Fauntleroy Church building (9140 California SW), has an open house 11 am-1 pm today.. Stop by to tour school spaces, meet the teachers, ask questions and pick up enrollment information for fall classes.

ALSO IN FAUNTLEROY: Filming of the independent movie “After the Ghost” is scheduled to continue at a home north of the ferry dock today/tonight (details here).

HERE, KITTY, KITTY: Second day of county-presented cat adopt-a-thon at Kitty Harbor, noon-4 pm (3422 Harbor Avenue).

MEMORIAL: Memorial for 14-year-old Carter Allen, killed in a crash last month in Shorewood; it’s at the Evergreen High School gym (map), 2 pm (details here including how to help his family)

More on the WSB West Seattle Events calendar.

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Chief Sealth Percussion Ensemble wins contest, on to state event

February 13, 2011 3:09 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS culture/arts

The basketball games we mentioned earlier weren’t the only student competitions on Saturday – just got this report early today from Marcus Pimpleton, band director at Chief Sealth International High School (among other local roles) – the video above is from the winning performance:

Please join me in congratulating the members of the Chief Sealth International High School Percussion Ensemble on winning the percussion ensemble division of the Elliott Bay Music Educators Solo and Ensemble Contest at Seattle Pacific University Saturday morning. The students received a rating of superior and will move on to represent the Greater Seattle area in the WIAA/WMEA State Solo and Ensemble Contest on April 29th in Ellensburg.

The Chief Sealth percussion ensemble is comprised of concert and marching band members from the Chief Sealth High School Band’s drumline. The participating students have demonstrated a great deal of initiative from the selection of the piece, to organizing their own practice schedule to individually mastering their parts. They have taken our percussion program to a whole new level of musicianship, pride, unity, and intensity. I would especially like to acknowledge Josh Chan and Justin Bales, the volunteer coaches who have helped to prepare the students for the festival.

P.S. – Some of Chief Sealth’s band musicians are on the program for the big Soul Jambalaya benefit next Saturday night (details in our previous story on that).

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So you want to make movies? Interns sought for local filmmaker’s ‘Loaded’

February 13, 2011 3:01 am

| Comments Off on So you want to make movies? Interns sought for local filmmaker’s ‘Loaded’

| West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

That’s the official (current) trailer for “Loaded,” the project by West Seattle filmmaker Jamie Chamberlin, who just sent word that intern filmmakers are needed to help:

We are looking for intern filmmakers to come on board the LOADED Rock and Roll Feature film currently being shot in Seattle.This project has a built-in international distribution deal and will be an opportunity to get a solid credit on resume. Depending on proficiency , it could lead to a paid position and opportunity to align with an award winning production team. We are looking for: Visual artists. Editors. Cinematographers. Graphic Designers. For info or resume submissions: info@blackdahliafilms.com

Its synopsis, after the jump:Read More

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In case you wondered: Small fire on 31st SW

February 13, 2011 12:49 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

We’ve received a couple notes asking about the big fire callout along the Admiral Way hill a few hours ago. It wasn’t much of a fire but since people are asking – Christopher Boffoli checked it out for WSB and reports that it was a “small bed fire, no injuries” – firefighters stayed around for a while ventilating the home (which was in the 3200 block of 31st SW, just east of Admiral Way).

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