day : 15/11/2011 11 results

Known to many for her work at West Seattle High School, Carol Wakefield will be remembered at a memorial service next month. From her family:

Carol Lynn Wakefield 04/03/1948 ~ 11/01/2011

Carol Wakefield went home to be with the Lord on November 1, 2011. Carol touched many lives and will be fondly remembered.

Carol is survived by her son Scott, her sisters and their families: Cheryl, Ken, Russ and Ozzy, Sue, Ken, Heather, Kenny and Janelle.

Memorial services will be held at 2:00 pm on December 3rd, 2011, in the Banquet Room at West Seattle Golf Course, 4470 35th Ave SW.

Per the WSHS website, the school’s main office is accepting donations for flowers and a commemorative tree.

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West Seattle schools: Roxhill Elementary’s ‘Family Fitness Night’

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Just hours after school let out for the day at Roxhill Elementary … the campus was jumping again tonight, from PE specialist Chellie LaFayette and principal Carmela Dellino, to hundreds of students and their families:

The occasion: Family Fitness Night, with free dinner courtesy of Subway, lots of get-up-and-move activities, plus the chance to meet a Seahawks player – 26-year-old cornerback Kennard Cox:

Yes, he was mobbed, but he got a chance to talk with some of the kids one-on-one, too:

Afterward, he tweeted, “I had a blast!” Family Fitness Nights are co-sponsored by Communities in Schools of Seattle.

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Birthday party = work party for County Exec Dow Constantine

November 15, 2011 7:55 pm

| 14 COMMENTS

| Environment | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

A momentous day for West Seattle’s highest-ranking politician, King County Executive Dow Constantine. As he would put it, this is the 12th time he is celebrating his 39th birthday. Do the math, and you’ll notice it’s one of those milestone things. Tonight, he partied at The Paramount downtown (check out the marquee); this morning, he celebrated in a quieter way, with volunteers from the West Seattle-based Nature Consortium, whose volunteers mark his birthday and half-birthday every year with a work party at College Street Ravine, a greenspace not far from his west Admiral neighborhood. (Helping save it is what got him into politics in the first place, the story goes.) Above, the birthday guy with the NC’s restoration director, who was also celebrating a milestone birthday today (let’s say her 13th eighteenth birthday!), Lili Alalla; below, some of the volunteers tackling invasives:

You can join a Nature Consortium work party at sites like this one just about any time – they’re usually out three times a week; find out more here.

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Downtown traffic alert: Protest affecting traffic, buses

November 15, 2011 5:49 pm

| 14 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

Since so many West Seattleites commute from/through downtown, and this is an unannounced event, here’s an FYI – a protest reported to be affiliated with Occupy Seattle is blocking Pine Street between 4th and 6th. So says Metro, which notes that the routes currently affected including 125, which serves part of West Seattle and White Center. (6:24 PM NOTE: Via Twitter, SPD reports four arrests.)

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Election 2011: Another Seattle School Board challenger ahead

November 15, 2011 4:39 pm

| 6 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

One full week into the vote counting for the 2011 election in Seattle, there’s suddenly another School Board challenger ahead of an incumbent: Sharon Peaslee is leading Peter Maier – by 91 votes (67,385 to 67294). Here’s the latest count, released minutes ago. Previously, West Seattle’s Steve Sundquist had been the only incumbent losing; his share of the vote behind Marty McLaren is now down to 46%, vs. 54% for her. (No other races in our area have changed.)

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Update: Feds explain DEA raids on medical-marijuana establishments, including White Center’s GAME Collective

November 15, 2011 1:52 pm

| 70 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | White Center

1:52 PM: We’re outside the GAME Collective medical-marijuana “lounge” in downtown White Center – where the Drug Enforcement Administration has a significant presence at the moment. The DEA tells us it’s part of an “ongoing operation” and that they will have a statement “in a few hours.”

Regional-media sources (here’s KING 5‘s story; here’s The Olympian’s story) are reporting a series of raids at medical-marijuana operations all over the region; we’re checking on the status of others in West Seattle/White Center. More to come.

2:32 PM: We have just driven by three West Seattle medical-marijuana dispensaries, including the GAME Collective’s California SW location; no sign of current police activity at any of them.

5:54 PM: Statement just in from the DEA, in its entirety:

DEA SPECIAL AGENT IN CHARGE MATTHEW G. BARNES STATEMENT REGARDING MARIJUANA ENFORCEMENT

It has never been our policy to target individuals with serious illnesses. However, there are those operating commercial storefronts cultivating, selling or distributing marijuana under the guise of state medical marijuana laws and exploiting such activities to satisfy their own personal greed. The DEA remains committed to the enforcement of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) in all states.

The coordinated enforcement actions of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and our state and local law enforcement partners involve violations of both federal and state law.

The DEA will exercise its investigative authority to pursue criminal actions for any violation of federal law, when warranted. This includes investigating organizations or individuals that grow, manufacture or distribute any illegal drug to include marijuana, and those who rent or maintain a property to facilitate drug trafficking.

8:58 PM UPDATE: We also have received a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office:

Today Drug Enforcement Administration agents and local law enforcement executed search warrants in four ongoing federal investigations in Western Washington relating to illegal drug distribution and other crimes in violation of federal law. Each of the investigations targets commercial enterprises that purport to operate as “medical” marijuana establishments but also fail to comply with applicable state law.

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West Seattle holidays: Junction, Westwood Village Santa changes

November 15, 2011 1:05 pm

| 40 COMMENTS

| Holidays | West Seattle news

With Christmas getting closer, you might be thinking about Santa Claus. He tends to appear in West Seattle’s two major shopping spots each season: The Junction, and Westwood Village. Both are changing it up a bit this season:

THE JUNCTION: We’ve already briefly mentioned this year’s schedule for Hometown Holidays (co-sponsored by WSB). The schedule includes three Sunday visits by Santa Claus, at City Mouse Studio and Store. The first two, December 4th and 11th, offer professional photographs, for a donation of (at least) $15 that benefits West Seattle charities; on December 18th, no photographer, but you are welcome to bring your own camera for a DIY picture with Santa (charity donations encouraged). The hours for all three Sundays will be 11 am-3 pm. You’ll find Hometown Holidays fun at California/Alaska 11 am-4 pm each of those days too, and mule-drawn carriage rides till 3 pm on Dec. 11 and 18. (Other HH events are listed here.)

WESTWOOD VILLAGE: When WSB Forums members wondered aloud about Santa plans for this year, Luckymom30 discovered a big change – Arthur and Associates is taking over. Westwood Village, you may recall, has new ownership, and new management; we pinged WV assistant general manager Andy Thompson to ask about the holiday change. He says, “It will be different, but … we think it will be better.” Instead of Santa making only weekend-afternoon appearances as in past years, he will be at WV daily from November 25th through Christmas Eve, morning through early evening. The center also plans to have carolers make regular appearances – Friday, November 25th, 11:30 am-1:30 pm, and then those same hours every Saturday through Christmas Eve. There’ll be a Giving Tree to help kids in need through the Salvation Army. (We are waiting to hear back from Arthur and Associates to confirm WV photo pricing; in past years, photos were free with a food-bank donation.) 2 other notes: “Black Friday” means 12:01 am Target shopping at WV, according to Thompson, and they’re working with Barnes & Noble on setting up gift wrapping “for the entire shopping center.” (We’ve already heard Sanislo Elementary is planning to be there on November 27th.)

ADDED 2:44 PM: Just heard back from David Mickelson at Arthur and Associates, who says they asked the popular Westwood Santa “if he would be interested in continuing,” but, Mickelson says, he wasn’t. Read on for more of what he had to say about their 68-year-old Seattle-based company and its Westwood plans:Read More

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2 chances this week to talk with City Councilmembers: Delridge District Council, West Seattle Farmers’ Market

November 15, 2011 10:48 am

| Comments Off on 2 chances this week to talk with City Councilmembers: Delridge District Council, West Seattle Farmers’ Market

| Delridge | West Seattle Farmers' Market | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

Two chances this week to talk with City Councilmembers in West Seattle:

DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOODS DISTRICT COUNCIL: Councilmembers Tom Rasmussen and Sally Bagshaw are on the DNDC meeting agenda tomorrow night (7 pm, Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, 4408 Delridge Way SW) for a discussion about the “boulevard” concept for Delridge Way SW.

‘THE SALLYS’ AT THE FARMERS’ MARKET: Councilmembers Bagshaw and Sally Clark have been visiting neighborhoods in tandem as “The Sallys,” in community-conversation format, and just announced a West Seattle stop this Sunday: 10-11:30 am at the WS Farmers’ Market (44th/Alaska). The announcement says they “will host a booth and hope Seattleites will stop by to talk about local issues.” Free cider while it lasts. You’re invited to RSVP, though it’s not required (here’s the link).

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Video: Roxhill Park Skatespot design review, the final round

November 15, 2011 10:27 am

| 7 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle parks | WS & Sports

Roxhill Park‘s future “skatespot” is going into the final design phase before construction next year, now that the project team has presented the newest round of design concepts. In case you wanted to be there but couldn’t go, we have the full hour on video in our clip above (if you just want a quick look/listen at the concepts, fast-forward to about 12 minutes in).

More than 20 people attended the meeting at Southwest Library. As with the 2nd meeting last month (WSB coverage here), design firm California Skateparks was represented by its lead designer Colby Carter, who brought two concepts, each with two variations. Votes were requested; “Plan A” was the favorite by far …

… with “Plan B” a fairly strong second, while the other two got a combined total of one vote. One key feature requested: Something unique that can’t be found at any other skatepark in Seattle.

We’ve requested electronic versions of what was shown last night; in the meantime, keep an eye on the official project website for updates. This is to be built at the same time as the Roxhill Park Playground renovations, which get their own final design meeting on November 30th (6 pm, also at SW Library), with completion projected for next fall.

11:11 AM UPDATE: Thanks to Parks project manager Kelly Davidson for the full PowerPoint from last night’s meeting; see it here (from it, we’ve added the Plan A rendering inline, above).

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West Seattle Tuesday: Frost today, wind tomorrow? Plus, events from cooking to crime prevention to dancing…

November 15, 2011 8:45 am

| Comments Off on West Seattle Tuesday: Frost today, wind tomorrow? Plus, events from cooking to crime prevention to dancing…

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Not the first morning in which windshield-scraping was required, but maybe the iciest. The weather’s changing, though: A “special weather statement” says wind might be on the way tomorrow; we’ll keep an eye on that as the forecast evolves later today. … On to the highlights from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

HEART-HEALTHY COOKING: “Simple Cooking with Heart” demonstration at Delridge Community Center, 11 am-1 pm, sponsored by the American Heart Association and WalMart Foundation (4501 Delridge Way SW).

DANCE WITH THE WEST SEATTLE BIG BAND: USO Dance 7-9 pm, co-sponsored by The Kenney (WSB sponsor) at the Senior Center of West Seattle (California/Oregon). Dance music by West Seattle Big Band. Snacks and beverages available; ’40s attire encouraged; $5/person.

BOARD GAMES: The new West Seattle-based board-game group that’s met recently on Sundays is trying a weekday-evening meeting tonight: 7 pm, Beveridge Place Pub. Questions? Contact Gene at egene1@yahoo.com – there’s also an online group:
groups.yahoo.com/group/wsgamers

SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH, OR NOT? Eight months after appointing Dr. Susan Enfield as interim Seattle Public Schools superintendent, the School Board is deciding whether to conduct a national search for a permanent superintendent – but first, it wants to hear about ” traits that members of the public would like to see in a Superintendent, so the board and citywide PTSA are hosting meetings including one tonight at 7 pm at Denny International Middle School. Child care available.

METRO POLICE CHIEF @ CRIME COUNCIL: Metro Transit Police Chief Lisa Mulligan is the guest as the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meets, and local police will discuss crime trends as usual, plus there’s an opportunity for community crime concerns. Southwest Precinct (Webster/Delridge), 7 pm.

DIY WREATH-MAKING: At Highland Park Improvement Club (12th/Holden), 7 pm. “Monica Cavagnaro will share ideas on themes, shapes, decorations and how-to’s! Participants bring: Greens: ivy, wisteria, evergreen … Decor: pine cones, ribbon, yarn, bulbs, berries, bells … Tools: wire, nippers, string”

NIGHTLIFE: Monthly Alauda belly-dance showcase at Skylark Café and Club, 7:30 pm … Rock music/pop culture trivia every Tuesday night at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), 8 pm … Open mike at Mac’s Triangle Pub (Delridge/16th), 8 pm … Songwriters’ showcase at Shadowland, 9 pm.

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Scam alert: ‘Phishing’ phone calls ‘about your credit card’

November 15, 2011 7:33 am

| 23 COMMENTS

| Safety | West Seattle news

Remember the “phishing” calls last month citing Wells Fargo? Now, things have gone generic, according to Val‘s note:

I don’t know if you’ll hear about this from others, but I just got a suspicious robocall from the 503 area code (503.902.8997) warning me about “your credit card” and inviting me to press ‘1’ to start the process to avoid whatever dire consequences they were predicting. Which of course I didn’t do. I listened to the entire spiel and the call did not specify any financial institution; it was all couched in terms of “your credit card”.

Just in case it’s happening more widely, or if it’s time for another reminder about phishing phone calls…

As was widely and repeatedly advised when the “Wells Fargo” calls were proliferating, don’t give any specific data out by phone – if you think the call might be legit, call your bank to check. Here’s some federal advice on how to avoid becoming a victim of this kind of crime.

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