day : 03/04/2012 12 results

ORIGINAL 9:09 PM REPORT: Thanks to everyone who’s been texting and calling about crashes – it’s been a dangerous night on local roads.

The latest is a crash in front of the opening-next-week Trader Joe’s in the 4500 block of Fauntleroy Way SW – and if you’re headed westbound on Fauntleroy, coming from the bridge, or 35th SW, you’ll be detoured onto a side street from Fauntleroy just before you get to the scene. Eastbound traffic toward 35th and the bridge is moving OK.

10:19 PM UPDATE: As pointed out in comments, westbound Fauntleroy is fully open again – we just checked it out in person, too.

Not related to the crash, but if you’re out driving tonight, remember the westbound Spokane Street Viaduct closure is now in effect till early am – we were just heading back from an errand on the other side of the bay, and the barricades were going up at 10 pm sharp.

11:28 PM NOTE: Another crash – this one, single vehicle, currently closing the 8100 block of Delridge Way SW. They’re calling an ambulance for a man in his 40s, though the injuries do not sound major at this point.

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West Seattle weather: Tumultuous Tuesday evening

April 3, 2012 7:50 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

Sage shared that photo, saying: “Turns out 30th & Thistle is somewhere over the rainbow!” That rainbow, you probably know, followed an intense hail* shower about an hour ago. According to the National Weather Service’s latest “forecast discussion,” tomorrow will bring more scattered showers mixed with sunbreaks. Possibly related to the downpour, there’ve been at least two crashes in the past hour, including one at California/Charlestown that we’re told is still affecting traffic in the area. Matthew sent this photo from that scene:

Meantime, back to the rainbow – Mike Gerber shared this view of a double rainbow seen from Puget Ridge, on his property with the old orchard house mentioned here previously:

And from High Point, Wendy Hughes-Jelen shares this view:

If you missed the hail … here’s a view on the backyard bricks at WSB HQ in Upper Fauntleroy:

ADDED 9:25 PM: A few more photos – first, Don Brubeck captured the squall as it headed downtown:

And John Hinkey, northeast of The Junction, got an Alaska Airlines jet, rainbow-bound:

Probably another photo or two to add later .. but in the meantime, thanks again, everybody!

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High-school sports: Another soccer win for undefeated Chief Sealth

April 3, 2012 6:42 pm

| 1 COMMENT

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

The biggest spring-sports success story so far in West Seattle this year is the Chief Sealth International High School boys’ varsity soccer team. They are undefeated after another win this afternoon, on the road against division rival Nathan Hale, 4-0. That puts their record at 7-0-1, and even before today’s big win, the Seattle Times ranked them 9th in the state. Their next scheduled game is Friday afternoon at home – 4 pm, hosting Rainier Beach at Southwest Athletic Complex (across SW Thistle from CSIHS).

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West Seattle development: Youngstown Flats art, parklet, website

April 3, 2012 4:21 pm

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| Delridge | Development | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

About 5 months into construction, we have a few updates from the developers of Youngstown Flats – the almost-200-unit building going up at 26th/Dakota in North Delridge, the biggest project under construction in West Seattle right now. For one, their design for turning the “right of way” across 26th (newest version here) into a parklet of sorts won Seattle Design Commission approval, required because they need a Street Use Permit from the city. For two, the sculpture above has been chosen for installation along 26th near the building’s main-lobby entrance (it’s “Continuity” by Jan Hoy), and another RFP for more art is going out. Last but not least, if you’re interested in more info before they open in a year or so, the project finally has an official website.

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Delridge Unsung Heroes update: More honorees; sponsor search

April 3, 2012 3:59 pm

| Comments Off on Delridge Unsung Heroes update: More honorees; sponsor search

| Delridge | How to help | West Seattle news

Another first-of-its-kind event is on the West Seattle calendar this month – the first Delridge Unsung Heroes awards banquet on April 20th. Outreach co-chair Holli Margell has an update:

We were so impressed with the all of the 27 nominees to the “Delridge Unsung Heroes Banquet” that we’ve decided to change the format to a celebratory banquet. Instead of recognizing just the top 8, we’ll invite all 27 nominees to gather together for recognition and celebration.

One Outstanding Unsung Hero will be our nominee to the 2013 National Jefferson Awards. Every neighborhood within the Delridge District is represented, and this event will provide a unique opportunity for bringing the district together.

We know there are many who would like to help us celebrate these Unsung Heroes. One way we still need help is with providing the banquet portion of the event. We’re still accepting sponsorships. If you’d like to be a sponsor, please contact Mike Shilley at michael.j.shilley@q.com. We wish to thank everyone for sending in nominations!

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Happening tonight: Public hearing on proposed library levy

April 3, 2012 2:15 pm

| 17 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

This wasn’t in our morning roundup but in case it’s a subject about which you’re passionate – a reminder that the Seattle City Council‘s public hearing on the proposed Seattle Public Library levy is tonight, City Hall downtown, 5:30 pm (they’re taking signups starting at 5). Lots more info here. If finalized, the levy to raise $17 million a year would go to voters this August. If you can’t make it to the hearing, you’ll be able to watch it live via Seattle Channel, cable 21 or online.

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‘Food for Art’ update: 7 places to dine out on April 12th

April 3, 2012 1:32 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

West Seattle-based Transitional Resources recently put out the call for restaurants to join in its first Food for Art benefit: You dine, a portion of the proceeds goes to TR. Today, we have word that seven local restaurants have answered the call, and on Thursday, April 12th – in conjunction with that night’s West Seattle Art Walk night – they’ll partner with you, to help Transitional Resources, which shares this announcement:

Seven West Seattle restaurants will donate a generous percentage of proceeds to Transitional Resources’ art-therapy program on the evening of Thursday, April 12 as part of the first annual Food for Art event. Representatives from Transitional Resources will be at each restaurant, selling $5 raffle tickets for prizes donated by local artists and businesses, including event sponsor Ola Salon. All raffle proceeds will benefit the art therapy program at Transitional Resources, a West Seattle-based non-profit mental-health center serving people living with severe and persistent mental illness.

Food for Art diners are encouraged to let their servers know they support Food for Art. Details about each restaurant’s Food for Art promotion follows:

CIRCA will offer two Food For Art specials, donating 50% of the proceeds from those sales. Promotion runs 5-10 p.m. (2605 California SW)

FRESH BISTRO will donate 10% of proceeds from sales off their regular menu (not their Restaurant Week promotional menu) and strongly encourages reservations. Promotion runs 5-10 p.m. (4725 42nd SW)

HIGHSTRIKE GRILL will donate 25% of proceeds from all restaurant sales. Promotion runs 7-10 p.m. (4505 39th SW)

LOCOL BARLEY & VINE will donate 25% of proceeds from all restaurant sales. Promotion runs 6-10 p.m. (7902 35th SW)

LUNA PARK CAFE will donate 25% of proceeds from all restaurant sales. Promotion runs 6-10 p.m. (2918 SW Avalon Way)

WEST 5 will donate 25% of proceeds from all restaurant sales. Promotion runs 6-10 p.m. (4539 California SW)

ZATZ A BETTER BAGEL will donate 15% of proceeds from all restaurant sales. Promotion runs 6-9 p.m. (2348 California SW)

Transitional Resources’ commends these local restaurants for their philanthropic engagement. By contributing to Transitional Resources’ art therapy program, these businesses are helping men and women have access to a creative catalyst for healing. The process involved in expressing one’s self artistically can help people resolve issues, as well as develop and manage their behaviors and feelings, reduce stress, and improve awareness. Art therapy is one of many programs offered at Transitional Resources, which provides respectful, optimistic, and highly personalized care to those most in need.

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Washington State Ferries to raise fares next month

April 3, 2012 1:00 pm

| 5 COMMENTS

| Transportation | West Seattle news

Just received a reminder about Washington State Ferries‘ plan to raise fares in May. The new fares are listed in this brochure (PDF). Read on for the news release in its entirety:Read More

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West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day 2012: Registration’s open!

April 3, 2012 10:39 am

| 1 COMMENT

| Community Garage Sale Day | West Seattle news

We really DID open registration as promised yesterday for the 8th annual West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day – but by the time we were ready, there was so much news to report here, we could only get the early word out in other channels – the WSCGSD website and the Facebook pages for WSCGSD (here) and WSB (here). NOW – we have a breaking-news-less moment to make the announcement here too!

The big day for sales all over West Seattle (more than 200, in recent years) is 9 am-3 pm Saturday, May 12, 2012. Here’s the link to the registration form (registration is online-only). Again this year, to further reduce paper use – it was a big hit last year – if you are OK with getting your “packet” via e-mail instead of postal mail (general info including the sign template and how to donate leftovers through Northwest Center if you choose), please click “yes” on the form.

New this year: We have been asked every year about West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day sponsorships. This year, we’re going to give it a try – 3 sponsorship spots. If your business is interested, please contact WSB co-publisher/business-development director Patrick Sand, patrick@wsbsales.com.

Backstory ahead, if you’re new or need a refresher: Read More

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West Seattle Tuesday: Arbor Heights/Roxhill merger meeting; California SW paving; more

April 3, 2012 9:39 am

| 7 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Thanks to Doug B for sharing photos of the submarine seen off West Seattle shores early today (see another, larger image on his Flickr page). Meantime, from the new-look-new-features WSB West Seattle Events calendar, some of what’s up today (follow the link to the calendar page for even more happenings for today/tonight):

ROAD WORK TRAFFIC ALERTS: Once again tonight, the westbound Spokane Street Viaduct is scheduled to be closed 10 pm-5 am (Wednesday night too), and that means drivers cannot exit to the West Seattle Bridge from I-5 or Beacon Hill. The city rundown of the closure(s) is here. … And this is the day that SDOT is starting to repave a block-plus of California SW from Hudson to Dawson – we just checked with Marybeth Turner from SDOT and she confirms (from the scene!) that the work has begun.

CYCLE UNIVERSITY’S NEW LOCATION: Per the announcement published here last month, they’re scheduled to open their bigger new digs on Harbor Avenue SW (just south of ActivSpace) today. Here are their hours. (3418 Harbor Avenue SW)

PARKINSON’S SUPPORT GROUP: Monthly meeting at Providence Mount St. Vincent, 2:30 pm – our calendar listing has more info. (4831 California SW)

PRESCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: You’re invited to come tour West Seattle Christian Preschool on the northeast edge of The Junction and meet the staff. 5-7 pm. (4425 41st SW)

WINE TASTING: Special Tuesday tasting, 6-7:30 pm, at Bin 41 in The Junction, with James Cahill of Soter Vineyards in Oregon. (4707 California SW)

MERGE ARBOR HEIGHTS/ROXHILL ELEMENTARIES? It’s one possibility the district is floating as the BEX IV levy planning moves to a more intense stage, and school-community members want to talk about it publicly before the official BEX IV feedback meeting later this week. So tonight at 7, there’s a community meeting – “ALL community members welcome,” as one parent put it in a reminder note to us this morning – in the AH cafeteria. Here’s the original announcement we published a few days ago. (3701 SW 104th)

WEST SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL PTSA MEETING: 7 pm tonight in the school library. More info on the WSHS PTSA website. (3000 California SW)

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Video: ArtsWest previews next season – ‘We’re on a roll here’

April 3, 2012 1:34 am

| Comments Off on Video: ArtsWest previews next season – ‘We’re on a roll here’

| West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

You can call it an announcement in two acts – last Friday, ArtsWest artistic director Christopher Zinovitch sent a news release with the 2012-2013 season lineup (we published it here), and then on Monday night, he and the ArtsWest team, including new managing director Line Sandsmark, invited fans and friends into the theater for a live hourlong preview with some drama, some music, some laughter and more. Which fit the mood, as Zinovitch reminded the packed house, “Our shows are not black and white, they are shades of gray – and full of color.” We captured the hour on video – meet the new managing director at 6 minutes in, and start hearing from Zinovitch at 12 minutes in. He admired the turnout and exclaimed, “We are on a roll here!” (Almost 300 actors auditioned for the season, he said, and you’ll see some of them in the video.)

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Nature Consortium brunch doubles last year’s success

April 3, 2012 1:05 am

| 1 COMMENT

| Environment | How to help | West Seattle news

(Photo by Long B. Nguyen)
What you see in that recent aerial view is part of the West Duwamish Greenbelt – the largest contiguous forest in Seattle, and the focus of the restoration work done by the Nature Consortium. The West Seattle-based nonprofit is celebrating the other kind of greenery, too – almost $40,000 raised by Sunday’s annual benefit brunch at The Hall at Fauntleroy, double last year’s total, according to NC founder and executive director Nancy Whitlock:

Other big numbers could be found in the NC’s annual report, circulated at the brunch – 2,295 youth served with art classes last year, 3,651 volunteers helping plant 7,155 native trees and shrubs. “It’s pretty astounding even to me, how much is accomplished,” marveled Whitlock. She spoke of her organization “growing up,” coming out of its adolescence – next year is its 15th anniversary. The terms were apropos, given that Nature Consortium works with youth, including the two groups that performed at the brunch – Natural Voices sang “The Greatest Love of All”:

There was also a feisty dance performance by younger kids from Rainier Vista; though Nature Consortium is headquartered in West Seattle, it works elsewhere in the city, too. This year, a bit of a disappointment for fans of all ages of the NC’s signature Arts in Nature Festival – it’s going on a one-year hiatus to regroup for a big 15th anniversary blowout next year, and beyond. But the boost from Sunday’s brunch is bound to help power them in that direction. You can donate to the NC’s work online any time; you can also plug into their frequent forest-restoration work parties by going here.

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