No doubt, the majority of dog owners are responsible and respectful of others. And then, there are the few who make things unpleasant for everybody else by not picking up after their pets. More than a few, in the case of Junction Plaza Park, the tiny oasis of public greenspace at Alaska/42nd, just steps from the heart of The Junction, which now has “designated pet areas” in graveled spots along the sidewalk, after its grassy central circle was so badly befouled, it was in danger of dying. It’s now marked with signs asking pet owners to NOT let their animals relieve themselves there:

We spotted the signs this past week, but had heard about the plan from Susan Melrose of the West Seattle Junction Association and Erica Karlovits of the Junction Neighborhood Association, both of whom worked hard to help make the park happen in the first place; Melrose brought the problem up at the Southwest District Council meeting back in February.

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2 weeks till West Seattle Community Centers’ new egg-hunt event

March 24, 2012 7:07 pm

| 6 COMMENTS

| Holidays | West Seattle news

With two weeks till Easter weekend, it’s time to make plans — so we’re reminding you about a big change this year for the West Seattle area’s city-run Community Centers, as first reported here last month. Instead of multiple egg hunts, they’re joining forces for one big event at Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle, just east of the former SW Community Center). It’s a festival-style event 11:30 am-3 pm on Saturday, April 7th, with egg hunts for all ages, plus bouncy toys, face-painting, games, and even a concert by Caspar Babypants. There’s an admission charge – $3/person if you buy a wristband in advance at your local community center, $5/person the day of the event. (This is one of the Easter-weekend events already on the newly remodeled WSB Events calendar, and we’re continuing to add more.)

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K-5 STEM at Boren: 200+ applications; new e-mail group

March 24, 2012 2:43 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

3 notes about the new West Seattle public elementary school K-5 STEM at Boren, opening this fall in the two-years-closed Boren building on Delridge:

ENROLLMENT: We’ve been asking Seattle Public Schools about an update from open-enrollment applications submitted for the new school, since it’s been a couple weeks now. They won’t give us an exact number – processing isn’t over yet – but here’s the reply forwarded by SPS spokesperson Teresa Wippel:

We are continuing to work with the data in processing Open Enrollment applications for schools around the district. Because this work has not been completed, we are not prepared to release data that is still in process. Assignment information will be available on April 16 for schools and families. However, since K-5 STEM at Boren is a new program, we are tracking that data in particular, and can report that applications have surpassed the 200 mark.

NEW ONLINE DISCUSSION GROUP: In case you missed this announcement in the WSB Forums or the comment section following an earlier story – Families who applied to – or are considering applying to – the new school have formed an online discussion group, open to anybody interested. It started briefly on Google and then moved to Yahoo! Find it at groups.yahoo.com/group/K5STEM – anyone can read the posts, but you have to join in order to participate. The group’s e-mail address is K5STEM@yahoogroups.com.

NEXT DESIGN TEAM MEETING: The school’s Design Team, discussing issues and making decisions to help shape it, has its second meeting at 6:15 pm Wednesday (March 28), at district HQ downtown. Here’s our report on the first one.

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West Seattle weekend scenes: Sailing in the Sound

March 24, 2012 12:06 pm

| 10 COMMENTS

| Seen at sea | West Seattle news

(UPDATED 3:33 PM with submarine photo)

12:06 PM: Sailboats on Puget Sound today! From Upper Alki, JayDee captures the wide view, and from sea level, Gary Jones takes a closer look. (Thanks to both for sharing the photos!)

We are having more trouble than usual confirming which yacht club this is – the U.S. Coast Guard “Notice to Mariners” says the Corinthian Yacht Club has its “Pulley Point” event today, but the CYC’s website labels its event for today as “Three Tree Point,” and there’s no other listed event on the USCG notice that would seem to include sailing past West Seattle shores. Any inside info appreciated!

ADDED 12:41 PM: And for more photos – nice Flickr set by Russ Walker.

1:13 PM UPDATE: Thanks to those who gently pointed out via e-mail and comments that Three Tree and Pulley are the same point! (Also pointed out on this website.) 21 years ’round here and we didn’t know that. Always glad to keep learning. Still doesn’t 100 percent confirm that this is the CYC, but the likelihood seems fairly high.

3:33 PM UPDATE: Look what else was seen off West Seattle shores today!

That photo also is courtesy of JayDee (thanks!).

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New monorail-system proposal: Century Transportation Company

March 24, 2012 9:54 am

| 77 COMMENTS

| Transportation | West Seattle news

On the half-century anniversary of the Seattle Monorail, more than five years after the end of the last attempt to expand the monorail along a route from Ballard to West Seattle, an activist says it’s time to try again. The announcement comes from Elizabeth Campbell, known for past campaigns including a push for a rebuilt Alaskan Way Viaduct. The news release (and a call for board members) is ahead:Read More

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West Seattle Saturday: Sales; open houses; music; more

March 24, 2012 9:22 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Friday afternoon photo, some of the skis awaiting today’s Gear Swap, see below)
First Saturday of spring! Highlights from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

TRAFFIC REMINDER – VIADUCT/99 CLOSED: From the Battery Street Tunnel to the West Seattle Bridge, inspection/maintenance closure is scheduled for the entire weekend. (We’ll let you know if it reopens before the announced time of 5 am Monday.)

HAPPENING NOW – DONATE FOOD! If Scouting For Food participants didn’t leave a note at your door asking you to leave food for them to pick up in today’s food drive, you can still pitch in – go to 44th/Ferry before 11 am and drop off a donation for the West Seattle Food Bank. Here’s our reminder from Friday. **Added** And there are also Scouts at West Seattle Thriftway (California/Fauntleroy/Morgan) till noon to accept donations.

SUPER SALE TO BENEFIT TEAM TRACY: 10 am-3 pm at Fauntleroy Church (9140 California SW), megasale to raise money to fight breast cancer. For photos/details of what’s on sale, check out the event page on Facebook.

PLANTING PARTY AT SANISLO WETLAND: 10 am-1 pm (meet in front of the school at 1812 SW Myrtle). Hundreds of trees need to get into the ground in this Puget Creek headwaters wetland. Details in our Friday preview.

FOREST RESTORATION AT WESTCREST PARK: 10 am-2 pm (9000 8th SW), join EarthCorps to help the park’s extensive forest. Full details on their website

WEST SEATTLE GEAR SWAP, DAY 1: Winter gear of all types on sale – and winter’s not really over yet anyway! Mountain to Sound Outfitters is presenting it, with more details here. 10 am-6 pm at the VFW Hall, 3602 SW Alaska.

SKATE ‘N’ BAKE: Skating party and bake sale at Southgate Roller Rink (9646 17th SW) to benefit Arbor Heights Co-Op Preschool, 10 am-12 pm. $7 tickets at the door – with $1 off if you bring a can of food for the White Center Food Bank!

EUROPAKIDS PRESCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: EuropaKids International Preschool, 10:30 am-noon at Southwest Teen Life Center (2801 SW Thistle, back entrance), which is their half-day location, but they’ll be talking about their new full-day location, opening this fall.

COMETA PLAYSCHOOL OPEN HOUSE AND FREE CONCERT: 11 am-1 pm at Cometa Playschool, 3212 California SW, with special guest singer/songwriter Felipe Cañete . Including more info about new toddler program.

TEA CEREMONY: Seattle Chinese Garden hosts “a rare demonstration of a Han style ancient Chinese tea ceremony from 1:30 to 2:30 pm. There will be time for questions after the ceremony. The suggested donation is $7 for the general public and $5 for garden members.” North end of South Seattle Community College campus, 6000 16th SW.

OCCUPY WEST SEATTLE: Meeting 2-5 pm at Highland Park Improvement Club (12th/Holden).

FAUNTLEROY CHILDREN’S CENTER 25TH ANNUAL AUCTION: Doors open at 5:30 pm tonight at The Hall at Fauntleroy (9131 California SW). Dinner at 7, live auction at 8. Bob Watt will once again serve as our auctioneer, with emcees former Mayor Greg Nickels and KING TV’s Jim Dever. Check if tickets are still available: (206) 932-9590.

CHIEF SEALTH BIG BAND DINNER/DANCE: 6-10 pm tonight at the school (2600 SW Thistle), a night of food, music, and dancing, featuring not only student musicians but also the West Seattle Big Band. Dance-only tickets are available too. Full details here. *Schedule update, added 12:35 pm – doors open at 5:30 pm, music starts 6:30 pm, dinner at 7 pm*

LIVE MUSIC AT C & P: 6-8 pm, Gary Benson. C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) is at 5612 California SW.

‘WEST SEATTLE HAPPY HOUR’ AT ADMIRAL PUB: 2 weeks after Alki Crab and Fish closed at Seacrest, its owners are continuing to offer the menu faves at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW), and that’s where fans, many from the local diver community, are inviting you to come support them and mingle, 7-10 pm tonight. Full details on this event’s WSB calendar page.

‘RISE AND FALL OF LITTLE VOICE’: Second-to-last weekend for the comedy at ArtsWest Playhouse and Gallery in The Junction, curtain time 7:30 pm.

ROCK 4 CLEAN WATER: Benefit featuring live music from Fiasco, Bonobros, and Sue Quigley, presented by EcoBeauty Salon and Spa tonight at Feedback Lounge (6451 California SW; WSB sponsor), with prize drawings. Starts at 8 pm. $10 suggested donation.

LIVE MUSIC AT THE BRIDGE: Jenny sends word that True Romans plays at 9:30 pm, no cover. 35th SW just south of Avalon.

EVENT CANCELLATION: In case you had tickets but hadn’t heard, the WSHS father/daughter dance scheduled for tonight was canceled.

LOOKING AHEAD – 7 WEEKS TILL WEST SEATTLE COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE DAY: May 12th is the big day this year, and registration will open April 2nd – one week from Monday. Keep an eye out here and at westseattlegaragesale.com (which you can browse for details of past WSCGSDs, if the event is new to you!).

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Traffic alert: Highway 99/Alaskan Way Viaduct weekend closure

March 24, 2012 6:00 am

| 12 COMMENTS

| Alaskan Way Viaduct | Transportation | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Newest traffic-cam image of traffic-less Viaduct)
If all is going according to WSDOT‘s schedule, the (remaining) Alaskan Way Viaduct, and Highway 99 from there to the West Seattle Bridge, is closing about now, and is scheduled to stay closed until Monday morning. This is the twice-yearly inspection closure, and some maintenance work is being done too. (Then it’ll close again the weekend after next, Friday night 4/6 through Monday morning 4/9.)

1:28 PM UPDATE: Anne from Ventana Construction (WSB sponsor) shares this photo showing bridge traffic a little while ago:

Meantime, a commenter asks about the reason for the early April closure – as explained by WSDOT here, it’s for reinforcement work in advance of tunnel-boring.

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