West Seattle weekend scenes: Statewide Chinese Language/Talent Competition
Hundreds of students from kindergarteners to 12th graders were at Chief Sealth International High School today, for a statewide event – the Washington State Chinese Language and Talent Competition. We hadn’t heard about it in advance but noticed the school’s parking lot was full, an unusual sight for a Sunday; a web search revealed what was going on, so a bit later, we stopped in to check it out. It was lunchtime for most participants, but performances were under way in the auditorium – dancers performed (top photo) while musicians practiced in the hallway:
Among the spectators during our visit: The renowned Seattle Chinese Community Girls’ Drill Team – this might be the only time you’ve ever seen them NOT in motion:
In addition to music and dancing, competition was held in categories from poetry to public speaking to drawing to Chinese chess. The event was presented by the Cultural Exploration of Greater China Foundation, the Chinese Language Teachers Association of Washington State, the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction’s World Languages Program, and the Confucius Institute of the State of Washington, whose Education Center is headquartered on the Denny/Sealth campus.
Second full day of defense testimony tomorrow in Morgan Junction murder trial
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Tomorrow is scheduled to be the second full day of defense-witness testimony in the Morgan Junction murder trial.
The defense’s first full day, on Thursday, delved into 69-year-old defendant Lovett “Cid” Chambers‘s life, before, during, and after the incident for which he is charged with second-degree murder.
Forensic psychologist Dr. Mark Cunningham was on the stand all day and will be there again when proceedings resume tomorrow morning before King County Superior Court Judge Theresa B. Doyle.
After the conclusion of direct questioning by defense attorney Ben Goldsmith, prosecutor Margaret Nave was cross-examining him about his practice and his pricing by day’s end on Thursday.
Cunningham’s report on interviews with Chambers and others, enhanced by other research, was intended as context for the defense contention that Chambers acted in self-defense, through the prism of post-traumatic stress disorder, when he shot 35-year-old Travis Hood by Morgan Junction Park the night of January 21, 2012. Cunningham drew a portrait of a man who, despite having been out of prison for decades, was constantly on edge for the possibility that dangerous elements from his former life would find him in his new one.
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Roadside memorial for Ruth N. Toliver, driver in Puget Ridge crash
Two weeks ago, we reported briefly on a driver who had crashed into a tree atop a greenbelt slope in the 4800 block of 21st SW on Puget Ridge. No major investigation followed; the car was soon towed, after its driver was taken to the hospital with what sounded, from emergency-radio communications, non-life-threatening injuries. But now a roadside memorial has appeared, on and beneath the tree hit that morning, and we thereby have learned the driver, 91-year-old Ruth Naomi Toliver, did not survive. Her name and photo are part of the memorial; we have found only a very brief obituary for Ms. Toliver (on a small Texas town’s paywalled news site), which says she was born November 8, 1922, in St. Louis, and died the day of the crash, March 9, at Harborview Medical Center. (The roadside memorial lists the same dates.) Public records show a Highland Park address for Ms. Toliver; the online obituary suggests memorial donations to (the former) Community Services for the Blind.
Denny-Sealth Big Band Dinner Dance report: ‘Phenomenal’!
(Photos courtesy Denny principal Jeff Clark)
Big night of music and dancing last night in the Sealth/Denny Galleria! From Denny International Middle School principal Jeff Clark, on behalf of himself and Chief Sealth International High School principal Aida Fraser-Hammer:
The Denny International Middle School and Chief Sealth International High School Big Band Dinner was held last night to the delight of all in attendance.
(Denny Jazz Band)
The music from all three performing groups, the Denny Jazz Band, the Sealth Jazz Band, and the West Seattle Big Band was phenomenal! Guests enjoyed great food and dancing to the amazing sounds or the performers.
(Dancing to the Chief Sealth Jazz Band)
Once again, Mr. Marcus Pimpleton has skillfully taken our music groups to a new level of performance–congratulations to all of the Denny and Sealth musicians! A huge thank you to the West Seattle Big Band for supporting us with their time, talents, and donation.
(West Seattle Big Band)
Our volunteers are a group who continue to demonstrate unparalleled dedication to our kids and music program — thank you so much!
The West Seattle Big Band also performed for benefits at West Seattle High School and at Madison Middle School; supporting student music is their main mission. Watch for their local performances later this year, usually including the West Seattle Hi-Yu Concert in the Park at Hiawatha in July.
Update on ex-substations’ future, as West Seattle Green Space Coalition meets again today
What will be done with those six long-shuttered substation sites in West Seattle, declared surplus by City Light?
Today is your next chance to check out/get involved with the citizens group asking the city to slow down the process so that neighborhoods can help determine the sites’ future, the West Seattle Green Space Coalition. Its meeting is open to all, 3 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle in The Junction (California/Oregon).
Earlier this month, the City Council’s Energy Committee, chaired by Councilmember Kshama Sawant, was briefed on where the substation-disposition process stands. What you see above is the presentation prepared for that committee and a meeting later in the day of the city’s Urban Forestry Commission, providing a thorough overview of the group’s efforts and each of the six sites. (Thanks to coalition member Michael Oxman for providing the slide deck, and pointing us to this city webpage where you can hear archived audio of the commission meeting as well as see its draft notes.)
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You can help! ‘Share your ideas, talents, and abilities’ via the Southwest Advisory Council
Activities, programs, and events at Seattle Parks facilities involve more than city staffers … many also result from the work of citizen advisory councils. And right now, the Advisory Council at Southwest Pool and Teen Life Center in Westwood is looking for new members:
The Southwest Advisory Council is a group of citizens dedicated to the enrichment of our community through supporting people and programs at Southwest Pool and Teen Life Center. Its support enables us to offer a variety of programs and services for people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds.
Our Advisory Council is always looking for new members. Meetings are held on the 3rd Thursday of the month from 7-8:30 pm to talk about programs, policies, and financial issues. Citizen direction, input and participation are vital to our continued success. Advisory Council members also create scholarship opportunities through grant writing and other fundraising activities. If you would like to get involved, please contact Diane Jones at 684-7440 or Stephanie Berry at 684-7438. We would love to have you share your talents, ideas, and abilities. You can make a difference in our community!
The pool and center are at 2801 SW Thistle.
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