day : 06/12/2012 12 results

(Photos courtesy Chief Sealth International High School)
Leadership often means leading by example – and that’s what 21 members of the student government at Chief Sealth International High School did today. They went to the White Center Food Bank to help stock and distribute food.

It served as a team-building activity as well as a gift of time and energy, according to CSIHS’s Sam Reed, who oversees student government as well as other components of student life. And the entire Sealth community, including students’ families, will get the chance to give next week, in a canned-food drive to benefit the West Seattle Food Bank. The announcement explains:

Beginning Monday, December 10th, students and family members can drop off canned and packaged food items at a number of collection stations that will be set up around the school. Items will be collected and sorted by grade level, and the competition will tie in with the fun and school spirit that surrounds spirit week. The winning class will be announced during that Friday’s all-school spirit assembly. To raise the stakes, items will be collected to “protect” that respective grade level’s Class President; because at the assembly the non-winning presidents will receive whipped-cream pie to the face.

Lots of other giving opportunities around West Seattle this season too – we have an ever-growing list on the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: 3 reader reports

December 6, 2012 9:24 pm

| 7 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

~~Two~~ Three West Seattle Crime Watch reader reports tonight A Fairmount Springs-area neighbor sends word of this:

Sometime before 3 pm today, someone broke into my neighbor’s home in the 5900 block of 39th SW (map), through a back window, which backs to the alley between 39th and Fauntleroy. Items taken were cash, a gun, and jewelry – only the good jewelry (including family heirlooms); the costume items were left.

And in Seaview, a resident who also wanted to stay anonymous wondered if anyone had a package stolen Wednesday evening:

Around 5:30 pm three teenagers (one male, two females) walked E on SW Findlay, turned S on SW 44th and walked to SW Juneau. I noticed one had a package hidden under a jacket. They met up with a car at SW 44th and SW Juneau (map). It was a dark-colored sedan with Virginia license plates. … I reported it to the police.

And if you do fall victim to package theft – even if you’re dealing with the sender regarding a replacement, do report it to police – you can even file the report online if the value is under $500.

ADDED 9:59 PM: After publishing this, we received a report from Jenn:

I wanted to send you an e-mail to let you know that we have (within the last 2 weeks) mail and packages stolen from our front porch. Packages specifically stolen on 11/24 and 11/28. Mail stolen on 11/24. While taking our garbage this weekend, we found, in our bushes, mail from multiple addresses around our neighborhood. This seems to be an ongoing issue.

They’re in the 7100 block of 47th SW (map), near Lowman Beach.

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Happening now: ‘Shop Late Thursday’ in The Junction

December 6, 2012 7:33 pm

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| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

7:33 PM: The weather’s dry, the doors are open, and The Junction is midway through another edition of Shop Late Thursdays – with the holidays roaring up, Hanukkah starting this weekend, Christmas less than three weeks away. Till 9 tonight, local blacksmith Erica Gordon from Steel Toe Studios in nearby Georgetown is having a trunk show at Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor) in The Junction – one of more than 15 shops participating!

ADDED: We made a few more stops last night – above, Eliza at Carmilia’s, where the Shop Late Thursday highlight was a “buy one, get second one 50 percent off” sale … and next, Jayme at Clementine:

Saturday is a big day for Clementine, with an all-day party to celebrate the “Best Shoe Store” designation from Seattle Magazine. Just south of The Junction, we stopped by new WSB sponsor Seattle Weight Loss and Wellness, during their open house:

Rachel Giordano and Dr. Justin Favreau, DC, are now open at 5001 California SW.

Next up for Junction businesses: The second of this season’s Hometown Holidays Sundays – and then next Thursday, it’s not only “Shop Late,” but also the holiday edition of the West Seattle Art Walk.

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Council committee OK’s 40th SW parkland deal: ‘Dream acquisition’

December 6, 2012 5:59 pm

| 7 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Followup on Seattle Parks‘ proposed purchase of a quarter-acre at 4731 40th SW (map) for a future city park, across from the 4755 Fauntleroy Way SW mega-project: The council Parks and Neighborhoods Committee gave its unanimous blessing today to the $1.4 million purchase, to be funded by city Parks and Green Spaces Levy money. The committee, headed by Councilmember Sally Bagshaw, was told that Parks originally was focused on a parcel adjacent to Dakota Place Park, and might still pursue it in the future, but decided to go for this one right now; one city staffer called it a “dream acquisition” since it’s rare “open space” in the urban core. They also noted they had sought community comments (including via this WSB coverage). The committee was also told that assuming full Council approval is forthcoming, the purchase should close fairly quickly. (Money for actually developing it into a park would have to be found elsewhere.) You can watch the 10-minute discussion and vote by picking up the clip above at 19:30.

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Happening now: Holiday-appetizer tasting @ West Seattle Thriftway

December 6, 2012 5:07 pm

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| Holidays | West Seattle news

‘Tis the season for sampling – and for everybody still planning holiday gatherings, West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) welcomes you to a holiday-appetizer tasting happening right now, till 7 pm. (For more holiday events, including tastings – see our Holiday Guide.)

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Marriage Equality Day: Gifts from West Seattle businesses

December 6, 2012 3:08 pm

| 6 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Thanks to Elisa for suggesting on the WSB Facebook page earlier today that we build a list of West Seattle businesses offering freebies/discounts to newly licensed couples who bring in their licenses. So far, that list includes Full Tilt Ice Cream, Stuffed Cakes, Salon Julian, The Cask, and Photographs By Dawndra – check out the thread on our FB page for the details (a few non-WS businesses are mentioned too), and please let us know of any others, with comments there and/or here. Thanks!

P.S. Latest update from King County:

As of 3 p.m., 432 couples have received marriage licenses at the King County Administration Building today. Congratulations to all #MEDaywa

— King County, WA (@kcnews) December 6, 2012

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Land-use decision for overflow tank across from Lowman Beach

December 6, 2012 2:52 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Environment | West Seattle news

(Recent aerial of Lowman Beach Park and future overflow-control tank site, by Long Bach Nguyen)
From today’s city Land Use Information Bulletin – the land-use permit decision for the million-gallon underground storage tank and other components comprising the county Wastewater Treatment Division’s Murray Combined Sewer Overflow Control Project. (You can read the decision here.) This is the county’s plan to reduce overflows from the Murray Pump Station that’s underground at Lowman Beach Park; it will be built across the street from the park, where six residential buildings are fenced off and awaiting demolition. There are two dates of note coming up: December 20th is the date set for this decision to be appealed (here’s the process for that); December 27th is the date for appealing a separate related decision involving underground piping (find that decision here).

One other note regarding the project: The community Design Advisory Group meets again next Tuesday, December 11th, 6:30 pm at Fauntleroy Church (9140 California SW). While the agenda is not yet online, PDFs with renderings that will be shown – Beach Drive views around the project – can be previewed here, along with the plan for where interpretive signs will be placed.

ADDED 4:52 PM: We asked KCWTD about timetable for demolishing the structures on the future storage-tank site, now that this decision is in. The reply from spokesperson Annie Kolb-Nelson:

The City of Seattle today conditionally approved King County’s Master Use Permit (MUP) and Shoreline Development Permit for the Murray CSO Control Facility. The County needs a MUP before it can file for a construction permit to cover activities related to deconstruction of the buildings on site. Now that the County has that permit, it will file for a construction permit, and when that permit is obtained – typically a much shorter process than the MUP process- the County will bid a contract for deconstruction of the buildings. If all proceeds smoothly, that means deconstruction could occur in early 2013.

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No, it probably won’t be the Washington State Liquor & Weed Control Board any time soon…

December 6, 2012 2:08 pm

| 6 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

… and other answers to your legal-marijuana questions, provided by the WALCB in this FAQ document just made public. No, it’s not in the vein of the now-famous Seattle Police FAQ, but if you have questions – such as, until there are state-licensed marijuana stores, where do you legally buy some? – it will probably be helpful.

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Followup: School Board briefed on options for crowding relief; next step, community meeting Tuesday

December 6, 2012 11:30 am

| 18 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Following up on our Wednesday morning report regarding Seattle Public Schools trying to craft a plan for dealing with school crowding before it builds new BEX IV-funded schools (assuming the levy passes), we went to the Wednesday afternoon School Board briefing/work session. Here are the toplines, including district officials saying they especially want to hear from you regarding the most controversial possibilities:

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West Seattle Thursday: Shop late in The Junction! and more…

December 6, 2012 10:29 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Marriage Equality Day continues at county HQ downtown – here’s our late-night/early-morning coverage; watch the King County Twitter feed for ongoing updates on how many licenses they’ve issued and whether there’s a wait (none right now) – they’re open till 6:30 tonight. Meantime: With the weekend in view, holiday events start ramping up. You’ll find several included in today’s highlights list, excerpted from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide (where you’ll find all the holiday events – they’re NOT on the regular calendar):

FIRST THURSDAY DEMOCRATS: Lunch meeting at 11:30 am, Daystar Retirement Village (across from Westwood Village) – more details here.

FREE WINE TASTING: Italian wines from Small Vineyards, 5:30-8 pm at West Seattle Wine Cellars (WSB sponsor).

SHOP LATE THURSDAY IN THE JUNCTION: Another chance to get out and do shopping at your local, independent businesses! 6-9 pm – participating merchants are listed here. Among them …

SHOP LATE THURSDAY AT CLICK! DESIGN THAT FITS: “…features a trunk show with local blacksmith Erica Gordon, who welds, forges, and otherwise creates belt buckles made of steel, brass, and copper. Erica will be on hand to talk about her processes which include vegetable-dying the leather straps for her belts. 5-9 pm. During the trunk show, 10% of all proceeds will be donated to Friends of the Animals Foundation, whose cats and kittens are regularly available for adoption right across the street at Next to Nature!” (Click! is a longtime WSB sponsor. Here’s the Facebook page for tonight’s event.)

HOLIDAY SERVICE AND OPEN HOUSE: Forest Lawn Funeral Home and Cemetery (WSB sponsor) invites you to a Holiday Service & Open House with music and light refreshments, 6 pm, 6701 30th SW, RSVP requested:

During this holiday season, we know memories and time well spent with family and friends is what makes this season special. This will be a time to remember your loved ones and to share a message of hope. Please plan to attend our Holiday Service and Open House. Feel free to bring friends and family. To RSVP, please call 206.932.0050 or e-mail nancy.hoult@dignitymemorial.com

ADMIRAL PARTY: Admiral District Business Association members are invited to their holiday party, 6-9 pm at The Benbow Room.

BAKED POTATO BENEFIT DINNER: Help the White Center Kiwanis support New Start High School Key Club members at this second-annual event, 6:30 pm at the school, with music by The Delridge Boys – map and details here.

SEATTLE WEIGHT LOSS AND WELLNESS OPEN HOUSE: As mentioned earlier, this new WSB sponsor invites you to an open house 7-8:30 tonight, 5001 California SW.

‘WINTER WONDERETTES’ AT ARTSWEST: The “Wonderettes” rocked the West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays Tree Lighting (WSB is a WSJHH co-sponsor) last Saturday night (see video in our coverage) – tonight’s another chance to see the whole show, 7:30 pm – details and tickets via the ArtsWest website.

MORE NIGHTLIFE: Busy night around West Seattle! Check our regular calendar for five listings tonight.

Events to add to the calendar – holiday guide or regular ongoing calendar? WSB listings are free, always have been, always will be. Please send the info at least one week in advance, in plain text in the body of your e-mail, and include weblink and/or Facebook link if you have one – editor@westseattleblog.com! Thank you very much!

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Seattle Weight Loss and Wellness: Welcome, new WSB sponsor

December 6, 2012 9:43 am

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| Health | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

(8/14 note: To check whether a business is still a current WSB sponsor, please go here)

Today we welcome a new sponsor, Seattle Weight Loss and Wellness, where tonight they are having an open house from 7-8:30 pm. Dr. Justin Favreau, DC, and SWL&W’s co-director and weight-loss consultant Rachel Giordano invite you to drop by their office at 5001 California Ave. SW (map) for small, healthy snacks and refreshments. You’ll also be able to meet the staff, learn more about their services, and enter their raffle for a free one- hour massage.

Rachel (photo at left) says the new office is a community resource center for optimal healing and health. She adds, “We are a clinic specializing in a very effective and safe-proven physician-monitored weight-loss protocol, the Ideal Protein program. We also offer other services such as massage therapy – all non-invasive, risk-free additions to your weight-loss program.” Rachel says the clinic will be adding acupuncture, nutritional, and Power Plate fitness classes over the next few months.

Rachel received a doctorate degree in Naturopathic medicine from Bastyr University this past summer. Prior to that, she managed an Ideal Protein program at a chiropractic office in downtown Seattle for several years. She’s a member of the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce and a local chapter of Business Network International. You’ll find Seattle Weight Loss and Wellness online at seattlewl.com and on Facebook here, or call 206-673-2269.

We thank Seattle Weight Loss and Wellness for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Thursday tracking

December 6, 2012 6:59 am

| 25 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Live view from the only WS Bridge camera currently in operation; see other cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
Starting off quiet again today. Let us know (when you can call or text safely) if you see anything others need to know about – whether it’s on the roads here in West Seattle or on the routes used to get to and from here.

10:35 AM UPDATE: The bridge cam looks more like 8 am right now – there’s a backup on northbound 99, which has been reported to us as various things including construction work and large vehicles stalling. Absent official info right now, we’ll just warn you of the backup.

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