day : 08/10/2012 14 results

(Click photo to see larger image – note the Big Dipper!)
10:40 PM: WSB contributing photojournalist Nick Adams got that view of the Northern Lights off Alki a short time ago. We had heard about the Capitol Hill sighting early today – our friends at CapitolHillSeattle.com published photos – then local meteorologist Patrick Kelly tweeted that they were likely visible tonight … and here’s what Nick saw. (Here’s what he used to track it.)

11:56 PM: Went out to see just how visible it was. From Alki’s west end, parallel with 63rd, very faint. Beautiful sky show overall, though, so many stars (and planets) visible. Here’s more info from space.com.

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‘My dream come true’: New Roxhill principal Sahnica Washington, after month #1

October 8, 2012 10:25 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Sahnica Washington‘s new job is blocks away, and yet a world away, from the site of her first job.

As a teenager, she says, she entered the work world as a courtesy clerk at the former Safeway store at 35th and Roxbury (where Freedom Church of Seattle is headquartered now).

This summer, a few blocks east at 30th and Roxbury, she began work at Roxhill Elementary School as its new principal.

We reported Washington’s appointment in early August, and met her weeks later when the Seattle Police Guild leadership visited to “adopt” the school.

But before sitting down for an interview, Washington wanted to get the school year well under way, so we finally sat down to talk last week – her first official interview as Roxhill principal.

Much has happened in the school year’s first month – and yet, it all comes down to, and up to, one word:

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West Seattle Whale Watch: Orca photos, round 1

October 8, 2012 8:32 pm

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| Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Wildlife

First of two rounds of orca photos tonight, as they put on a show right up till (and past) sunset – these photos are contributed by WSB’ers. Top photo with the kayaker is courtesy of Mike Scharer. Next, by Gary Jones:

Also by Gary, this view with Alki Point Lighthouse in the foreground:

With the setting sun, next one is from David DeSiga:

ADDED 9:23 PM: Another Gary Jones photo with a breaching orca:

By all accounts, these are “southern residents” – the orcas that spend most of the time between the San Juans and south Puget Sound. (added) And here’s a view from David Hutchinson at Constellation Park south of Alki Point:

2nd round of photos coming up.

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Update: Big police response to Admiral; 2 reported in custody

October 8, 2012 7:08 pm

| 12 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

(Added 7:29 pm, WSB cameraphone photo of the car that police are searching)
ORIGINAL REPORT, 7:08 PM: Still checking to find out why half a dozen Seattle Police cars went screaming past Delridge Library, northbound, a short time ago (we saw/heard them while at the library covering the North Delridge Neighborhood Council meeting). If you’re seeing a big police response where you are – please let us know.

7:11 PM: Our crew found them – and thanks to the commenter who also reports – they’re in the Admiral District, by Jack in the Box. Now we’re working to find out why. No injury-involving incidents, according to the 911 log. Witnesses at the scene say that one man appears to be handcuffed.

7:18 PM: SPD Lt. Ron Smith tells WSB that it has to do with an auto-theft case and two people are in custody.

7:29 PM: That’s also the word from a sergeant who talked to our crew at the scene. Added a cameraphone photo of the apparently stolen-and-recovered car, in the alley between Jack in the Box and Alki Bike and Board, just north of Admiral Safeway.

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West Seattle shooting suspect’s bail set at $100,000

October 8, 2012 4:59 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

(Saturday morning photo by WSB’s Patrick Sand)
Followup today on the early-Saturday-morning shooting in Westwood: Bail was set this afternoon at $100,000 for the 23-year-old man arrested less than an hour and a half later, as reported here shortly after it happened. He is facing a first-degree assault charge for shooting another man in the chest. The court documents for today’s bail hearing have the same details as the police report that came out later Saturday – the victim was walking in the 9200 block of 30th SW around quarter past two Saturday morning and got into an argument with the suspect, followed by a physical fight, which then was followed by the suspect grabbing a gun from the holster worn by a friend, and firing one shot into the victim’s chest, before taking off in a vehicle now described as “a silver SUV.” Witnesses gave police the suspect’s name, and officers arrested him at his parents’ home on Queen Anne. He’s due back in court Wednesday. We don’t know the victim’s name, so we have no way to even try to get a condition update, but police reported on Saturday that he had been “stabilized” at the hospital. The suspect does not appear to have a felony criminal record.

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West Seattle Whale Watch: Orcas headed this way!

October 8, 2012 4:33 pm

| 19 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | Wildlife

4:33 PM: We’ve been tracking reports all day that orcas were headed in this direction – spotted in the North Sound, then off Ballard’s Golden Gardens Park – and now Donna Sandstrom from The Whale Trail says they’re headed southbound toward Alki, albeit slowly. With a couple hours left till sunset, you might have a chance at a sighting!

6:19 PM UPDATE: Thanks for the updates (via the comments) – they really did make it this far south! (See our newer reports with photos.)

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Followup: West Seattle Fight and Fitness now open on Delridge Way

October 8, 2012 3:33 pm

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| West Seattle news | WS & Sports

(Photo courtesy WSFF’s David Stegman)
Another new West Seattle business is planning its open house for this coming weekend – Saturday (October 13th), 11 am to 7 pm, you’re invited to drop by West Seattle Fight and Fitness. It’s the new martial-arts studio we told you about last month, which just remodeled and moved into what had been a boat business at 5050 Delridge Way SW – they are now in their second week of opeartion. Here’s the Facebook event page for Saturday’s open house.

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Plan your afternoon! 2012 Fauntleroy Fall Festival schedule’s out

October 8, 2012 2:12 pm

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| Fauntleroy | West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

(WSB photo of decorated pumpkins at 2011 Fauntleroy Fall Festival)
Six days till the 10th annual Fauntleroy Fall Festival – 2-6 pm this Sunday at the Y, church, and schoolhouse in the 9100 block of California SW (map). Today, the schedule’s out!

Click the schedule image to see the full-size PDF. Thanks to Judy Pickens for sharing the info! See you there.

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Fight West Seattle, White Center hunger: WC Food Bank’s Harvest Dinner/Auction

October 8, 2012 1:29 pm

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| How to help | West Seattle news | White Center

It’s calendar-marking day. Something else you won’t want to miss – less than two weeks away! The official announcement:

The White Center Food Bank will host its 8th annual Harvest Dinner and Auction on October 20 at South Seattle Community College’s Brockey Center beginning at 5:30 pm. The event will feature a live and silent auction with items ranging from wine collections to weekend getaways at premier northwest locations. Tickets (pre-registration only) are $65 and available at whitecenterfoodbank.org or by calling our offices at 206-762-2848.

White Center Food Bank serves West Seattle from SW Myrtle Street through White Center to SW 140th in Burien, bordered by Highway 509 and Puget Sound. In 2012 we are on track to serve 60,000+ individuals, much like 2011. The need in our community remains high for food assistance as record numbers throughout our state face food insecurity – many for the first time in their lives. Seniors are particularly feeling the pinch and our outreach efforts are expanding to serve this special client group that often finds themselves unsure of how to ask for help, and where to get it. We place a special emphasis on fresh, healthy foods that promote and maintain health for all our clients, from babies to seniors, as well as providing shelf-stable pantry items.

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Veteran? And/or, over 40? What’s your career future? West Seattle Rotary announces an event to help

October 8, 2012 12:01 pm

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| Rotary Club of West Seattle | West Seattle news

Announcing this event for November 3rd, the Rotary Club of West Seattle wants to be clear – it’s not a job fair, but instead, a career workshop. For veterans – and workers over 40, whether you’re a veteran or not – this could be invaluable in helping you plot your career plan from here on out. Here’s the announcement:

If you are a veteran or an adult aged 40=plus, and you are seeking information about really good jobs that need qualified workers, jobs that will continue to grow in need of skilled qualified workers, plan on attending the Occupational Resource Fair on the South Seattle Community College campus on the morning of Saturday, November 3rd.

This event is planned by two members of the Rotary Club of West Seattle Vocational Committee and two South Seattle Community College (SSCC) staff members from WorkForce and WorkSource offices.

“We want to provide a one stop shop for veterans and mature adults wanting assistance in developing their individual career plans”, says Cathy Rouyer, Rotarian.

The announcement continues ahead:Read More

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2 neighborhood meetings, 2 book groups: West Seattle Monday highlights

October 8, 2012 11:34 am

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| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Leaves starting to turn! Thanks to Greg for sharing the photo)
Quick notes for what’s ahead tonight:

NORTH DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL: Regular monthly meeting at 6:30 pm, Delridge Library (Brandon/Delridge). Agenda’s here – topics include the 26th Avenue SW Greenway.

EVENING BOOK GROUPS: The West Seattle Library book group meets at 6:45 tonight; this month’s book is “Half the Sky” by Nicholas Kristof. The Southwest Library book group also meets at 6:45, with this month’s book announced as “Year of the Flood” by Margaret Atwood.

PIGEON POINT NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL: Meeting tonight at 7 pm, Pathfinder K-8 school cafeteria.

NIGHTLIFE: Pub quiz night at Shadowland, 8 pm … Flat Earth Society at West 5 features Eric Eagle and Bill Herzog, 9 pm … which is also showtime for Karaoke Kelli at the Benbow Room.

As always, there’s even more on the calendar …

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Ready to vote on I-1185? Kiwanis forum this Wednesday

October 8, 2012 10:40 am

| Comments Off on Ready to vote on I-1185? Kiwanis forum this Wednesday

| Kiwanis Club of West Seattle | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

Much of this fall’s ballot-measure discussion has focused on the marriage-equality (Referendum 74) and marijuana (I-502) measures – but there’s another statewide initiative of note, I-1185 (read the text here). The Kiwanis Club of West Seattle plans a forum at its lunch meeting this week, and you’re invited:

In an effort to air both positions, Kiwanis of West Seattle will hear arguments on both sides at its noon meeting, Wednesday, Oct. 10, at Be’s Restaurant, 4509 California Ave SW.

Initiative Measure 1185 concerns tax and fee increases imposed by state government. It would require sixty-six percent legislative approval or voter approval to raise taxes; require “fee increases,” as defined, be set by the Legislature; and dedicate collected fees to their identified statutory purposes.

This measure would require that any action by the Legislature that “raises taxes,” as defined, be approved either by at least sixty-six percent of both houses of the Legislature or by the voters. It would require “fee increases,” defined as including new fees and increases in existing fees, to be set by the legislature. It would limit use of fee revenues to the statutory purposes for which the fees were collected under the fee-authorizing statutes.

Amber Carter, Association of Washington Business director of government affairs for tax and fiscal policy will speak as a proponent of the measure. Speaking against Initiative 485 will be Representative Reuven Carlyle (D) of the 36th Legislative District, a member of the House Ways and means Committee.

Members of the public are invited to attend. Please RSVP. Luncheon is $8 including tax and tip; beverages only, $3. Call 206-938-8032 or e-mail warrenlawless@comcast.net. Parking is available behind the marked alley entrance to Be’s.

P.S. You can read about all the November statewide ballot measures via this page of the Secretary of State’s website.

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Metro changes, week #2, with added buses on RapidRide C Line

October 8, 2012 5:44 am

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| Transportation | West Seattle news

After a week of complaints about crowded buses – among other things – Metro announced Friday that it would add 2 buses to peak periods on the new RapidRide C Line, starting this morning. Will that be enough to ease the crowding? Every day last week, riders reported on their experiences, and with those changes today, we’re launching this story as a place to collect reports and updates one more time. Thanks in advance!

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At The Admiral next Sunday: ‘Anthems of Activism’ double bill celebrates Pete Seeger, Steve Goodman

October 8, 2012 4:50 am

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| West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Music for the ages – and for the present – will fill West Seattle’s historic-landmark Admiral Theater next Sunday, with a live double bill under the title “Tribute Times Two – Anthems of Activism” — expected to be a moving and unforgettable experience, both musically and in the context of the national election three weeks later.

It’s also going to be a benefit for Northwest Folklife (whose website previews the event here) – launching a new series of benefit events to keep the annual festival going strong.

The opening tribute at 4 pm Sunday features Peter McKee, a singer and banjo/guitar player who performed with his folk group Clallam County as part of Seattle’s celebration of Seeger’s 90th birthday three years ago at the Admiral. It’s the premiere of his one-man, multimedia show, weaving together recordings, images, and live performances that reveal the breadth and depth of the legendary humanitarian who at age 93 continues to inspire with his commitment to peace, justice, and environmental sustainability, via ever-relevant songs:

Says McKee, “For more than 70 years, the songs he has sung and written are songs of consequence, they are songs of import. He has been on the forefront of virtually every major social issue that has confronted our nation since 1940.”

Also continuing to inspire – though he’s been gone for 28 years – is Steve Goodman, who proudly considered himself one of Seeger’s disciples. At 7 pm Sunday, historian, Admiral Theater patron, and Goodman biographer Clay Eals will take the stage to focus on the story and music of Goodman, who wrote and performed hundreds of songs throughout the United States and Europe during his 15-year career, before leukemia ended his life here in Seattle in 1984 at age 36.

Anchoring the Goodman show next Sunday will be the stalwart of Eals’ events, Tom Colwell, whose track record as a singer/songwriter and interpreter of others’ music spans more than 50 years. Colwell was the featured performer in the Seeger 90th-birthday bash held at the Admiral 3 years ago. He actually shared a stage with Goodman – and told the story at a Sunday rehearsal for the upcoming show:

“City of New Orleans” – the signature Goodman song mentioned by Colwell – was also part of his rehearsal with bassist/harmonica player Bruce Hanson,dobro/steel guitar/harmonica player Mark Myers and Eals:

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