day : 04/10/2013 14 results

Add your voice to theirs: Metropolitan Glee Club meets in WS

October 4, 2013 11:46 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Love to sing? Don’t just do it in the shower or the car – you’re welcome to join community groups like this one!

The Metropolitan Glee Club, a non-profit West Seattle community-based women’s singing group, has just started the 2013 – 2014 season. We meet weekly to improve our singing skills, practice pieces for upcoming concerts and just have fun. We need women in all voice ranges who are interested in joining us on Tuesday evenings. We meet at the ActivSpace Building on Harbor Avenue SW. Please contact The_Met@seattlegleeclubs.org or look at the website Seattlegleeclubs.org for more information. Or just show up one Tuesday evening!

Thanks to Jenny for sharing the announcement.

Halloween 2013: Date set for Admiral District trick-or-treating

October 4, 2013 10:47 pm
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 |   Fun stuff to do | Holidays | West Seattle news

jackols.jpgThanks to everyone who has sent Halloween-season event info since our call for it last night, as we start putting together the annual special one-stop WSB page of treats, frights, festivals, costume contests, etc. One of particular note, as families mark their calendars – Parris Sadow from Atomic Boys announces:

The Admiral District will be providing candy to trick-or-treaters on Halloween…Oct 31st…from 3-6 pm. No frills, just a great afternoon of simple old fashioned trick-or-treating.

The list of participating stores/groups is usually available a bit closer to event time. Meanwhile, if you missed it, West Seattle Junction trick-or-treating will be part of the second annual Harvest Festival, with streets closed in the heart of The Junction on Sunday, October 27th, and fun activities/games along with the in-the-street-for-a-day Farmers’ Market.

If your business, group, school, church, etc., has a seasonal event ahead, please let us know ASAP – just a short note with the basics in the text (no attachment/flyer/poster needed) to editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!

Closer to completion: South Park Bridge’s second leaf arrives

Thanks to Scott Miller for the photo of the South Park Bridge‘s second drawspan leaf being lifted into place this afternoon. It’s been three weeks since the first one quietly arrived; this time, King County gave the community plenty of advance notice just in case anybody wanted to watch – and what a perfect sunny afternoon it was. The county says the bridge project remains on track to open next spring, which will be just under four years after its predecessor was closed for safety concerns. The new leaf will be maneuvered and bolted into place over the course of this weekend, as explained here, if you’re interested in a firsthand look (here’s a map).

PACK YOUR BAG! Day 3’s item, so you can ‘MacGyver something’

California has the earthquake reputation. But we have the REALLY big earthquake threat. This book excerpt published today at SeattleTimes.com (WSB partner) can turn you from skeptic to believer, if necessary.

And it’s necessary if you still haven’t bought into the premise of what we’re doing every day through the end of the month – in honor of Washington State Disaster Preparedness Month. We’re packing a “go bag” for you to have ready in case of catastrophe, putting it together an item or two at a time, something you can do every night (or catch up with, a couple days at a time), so that you’re actually taking action to be prepared JUST IN CASE, instead of feeling overwhelmed by how NOT prepared you are.

Cindi Barker from West Seattle Be Prepared is leading us through the daily bag-packing addition(s):

Today’s activity:

Put some rope, 20 feet or so, and a roll of duct tape in your bag. You never know when you might have to MacGyver something!

Catch up with Days 1 and 2 – or get started this weekend, if you haven’t yet – by going to the WSB “preparedness” archive.

West Seattle Crime Watch: Backpack gone in a flash

One more West Seattle Crime Watch note this afternoon. From Nancy:

This afternoon … someone stole a backpack from my husband’s car. He parked in front of our house for a couple minutes to check on one of our kids and when he went back out to the car it was gone. His wallet and a laptop were in it. We’re assuming that those are long gone but hoping that the thief dumped the backpack somewhere. There was some paperwork in it that has absolutely no monetary value but would be a huge hassle to replace. Can you ask your readers to let you know if they come across an abandoned black backpack in the North Admiral / Admiral neighborhood?

Next community crimefighting meeting, by the way, will be the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council, 7 pm Tuesday, October 15th, at the Southwest Precinct (Delridge/Webster); president Richard Miller told WSB last night that he is still finalizing the guest speaker(s) plan.

West Seattle Crime Watch: Big police response in Highland Park

Thanks to everyone who messaged us about a big police response in the 17th/Kenyon vicinity of Highland Park. Police on the scene told our crew it’s a case of suspected auto theft. Witnesses saw at least three people detained – but keep in mind, detained doesn’t always translate to arrested; we will be checking back with police a little later to see how the case shook out.

New life for West Seattle’s American Legion Post 160 after 72 years, including new event venue Pershing Hall

(American Legion Post 160 photo, from its 1941 dedication)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

A multi-phase renovation project is bringing new life to West Seattle’s American Legion Post 160, as the World War II-era hall finds new ways to be relevant to the veterans of today, as well as its broader community.

Even if you are not associated with Post 160 (which is in The Triangle at 3618 SW Alaska), you get a chance to see Phase I for yourself tomorrow, when the renovated event space debuts as Pershing Hall – announced with this plaque by its door off the lobby:

The first show booked for Pershing Hall is tomorrow (Saturday, October 5th) at 8 pm, the Somethin’ Fierce Band will perform there with special guest MER. Booker Savannah Miller-O’Malley says, “This is sure to be a show full of passion and the first of many in our newly renovated building.”

She was first to let us know about the changes – but when we stopped by Post 160 on Thursday afternoon, we found out more.

Read More

Reader report: Pedestrian, driver OK after crash in Admiral District

Saw the response at California/Admiral about an hour ago but couldn’t get to it because our crew was checking out something on the other side of the peninsula – so we appreciate this report and photo from Ted Johnson:

Pedestrian car accident … 10:15 AM at the Adm. Junction. Pedestrian [adult male] walked away from this. Officer said he’s lucky to be alive. He just caved in the windshield when he ran across the street and was struck by this vehicle. Driver rather shaken up.

No official details at this point.

West Seattle Whale Watch: Possible gray-whale sightings

October 4, 2013 10:36 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Whale Watch: Possible gray-whale sightings
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Wildlife

Let us know if you see it/them too – tipster Cormac reports seeing at least one gray whale in Elliott Bay off Seacrest/Jack Block and the 1300 block of Alki SW.

West Seattle Friday: From fog photos to Family Fun Night to ‘Words, Writers…’ to Elvis to Sealth homecoming…

(Thanks to Max for the photo!)
Some cool photos with today’s morning fog – so we’re starting off the daily preview with those:

(Thanks to Russ Walker for the photo!)
And:

(Thanks to Don Brubeck for the photo!)
And finally:

(Thanks to WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand for walking up the hill to get that one!)
Now – on to the highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar!

CONNOISSEUR LUNCHEON: South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor) offers these periodically – more info in our calendar listing, including how to get a (required) reservation. Seatings start at 11 am. (6000 16th SW)

WORDS, WRITERS, & WEST SEATTLE: The new monthly author-reading series debuts today at Barnes and Noble/Westwood Village, co-presented by the Southwest Seattle Historical Society. 4-6 pm, Stephanie Guerraseries details here. (2800 SW Barton)

FAMILY FUN NIGHT: Dance! West Seattle at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse presents its popular fall event, 5-8 pm – free activities and music, bring $$$ for pizza, pop, cake walk, face painting fundraiser, full details in our calendar listing. (9131 California SW)

FIRST FRIDAY: The Rotary Club of West Seattle invites you to stop by and hang out with Rotarians at (updated) The Bridge, 5-7 pm. (35th south of Avalon)

DINNER WITH ‘ELVIS’: Tonight at the Senior Center of West Seattle (WSB sponsor), it’s an Elvis tribute show with award-winning West Seattle Elvis stylist Bret Wiggins. From the SCWS, Carol Johnston says: “An oven-baked chicken dinner (one of Elvis’s favorites) will be served at 5:30 pm and showtime around 6:45 pm. Bret has new costumes, backdrop, and different songs including his all-new Elvis Gospel Tribute. Suggested donation is $20 with advance reservations – 206-932-4044 ext. 1 or $25 at the door.” (California/Oregon)

HIGH-SCHOOL FOOTBALL: Chief Sealth International High School‘s homecoming game, 7 pm vs. Franklin at Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle) … West Seattle High School is on the road vs. Rainier Beach at SE Athletic Complex, also 7 pm (8815 Seward Park Ave. S.).

AN ACTRESS VS. WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE‘: 7 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor): “A female actor explores Shakespearean female characters and grapples with their lack of agency in their respective plays.” Details in our calendar listing. (5612 California SW)

LIVE AT EASY STREET: Mark Pickerel and His Praying Hands are live in-store at Easy Street Records, (updated) 8 pm. (California/Alaska)

And there’s a LOT MORE on the calendar – check out the listings here!

You can help! Got wheels? White Center Food Bank needs you

October 4, 2013 9:00 am
|    Comments Off on You can help! Got wheels? White Center Food Bank needs you
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

From operations manager Audrey Zemke at White Center Food Bank, which serves southern West Seattle (SW Myrtle southward) as well as WC and environs:

The White Center Food Bank urgently needs a driver to pick up produce Thursday mornings. The produce is donated by Food Lifeline’s Produce for the People program and allows us to give more healthy food to the clients. The food bank has a van to use. Volunteer must be able to lift 35 to 40 pounds and have a clean driving record. If you think this is for you or you have questions about the position, please call or e-mail me.

To reach Audrey – 206-762-2848 or audrey@whitecenterfoodbank.org

TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Friday updates; weekend Viaduct/99 closures

(Live view from the east-facing WS Bridge camera; other cameras are on the WSB Traffic page)
7:14 AM: Happy foggy Friday!

HIGHWAY 99/VIADUCT CLOSURES THIS WEEKEND: Don’t forget that-both directions of Highway 99/Alaskan Way Viaduct will close between the West Seattle Bridge and Battery Street Tunnel 5 am-6 pm Saturday and 6 am-6 pm Sunday, for the twice-yearly safety inspection. North of downtown, a weekend-long closure of Highway 99 is planned for utility work – full details here.

‘WE ARE METRO’: Metro Transit is celebrating accessibility and diversity all month, as explained here.

7:54 AM: Though the bridge cam is fogged in, we’ve been out on a quick errand and it’s clear on the ground, at least from The Junction southbound. Meantime, there’s a crash on the eastbound bridge at Delridge, per the 911 log. Both bridge cams are fogged in, but the Fauntleroy-approach cam (which unfortunately has no Admiral counterpart) isn’t:

8:32 PM: New crash that might affect you if you’re heading south via I-5 – it’s just come up on the 911 log at southbound I-5 @ Spokane.

High-school sports: Another shutout win for WSHS soccer

The division-leading West Seattle High School girls-varsity soccer team remains undefeated in league play, after Thursday’s 4-0 win over Rainier Beach High School. Thanks to Karin Beck for the photo and report, including: “Goals were scored by the following players: Aiken Brown, Natalie Fuller, Hannah Gordon-Kirk, and Madison Larson. Shutout keepers were Samantha Hemmert and Olivia Williams.”

Update: Helicopter over Gatewood/Lincoln Park/Fauntleroy

12:19 AM: Several passes over WSB HQ so far, in fact. Don’t yet know why.

12:29 AM: The chopper has finally moved on. Still a mystery!

12:34 AM: And now they’ve tweeted:

11:02 AM UPDATE: Checked with Seattle Police, who say they have NO reports of any attack in the park or anywhere in the area, nor any other incident that would have brought the helicopter. It assists many law-enforcement agencies but is operated by King County Sheriff’s Office, which in turn is now checking to see what the call was about.