day : 01/10/2014 13 results

October is Disaster Preparedness Month in our state, and how timely; regional water woes – this morning’s Delridge pipe break, and the recent Mercer Island scare – are a reminder that you need to have an emergency supply of water on hand. From West Seattle Be Prepared:

The recent challenges to our normal water supply reflect the importance of being prepared for emergencies. Sometimes an emergency can be small, like a day where the water is shut off, or bigger in scale, with complete disruption or like the recent “boil water” notice on Mercer Island. Stores in Mercer Island quickly sold out of bottled water and residents were dragging out pots to boil water. This would have been a perfect time for those residents to dig into their 3-day (or more) stash of water set aside for emergencies, as part of their emergency preparedness kit. Using that water, while waiting for normal service to return, would have prevented panicked searches for bottled water supplies at the stores or the inconvenience of boiling water for multiple days. The additional benefit is that once you used your supply up, in the Mercer Island case, the stores would have received new shipments AND you can replace your stored water with a fresh supply, and your emergency-kit water is now good to go for another 6 months before normal cycling.

So what should you do to secure that water stash? We covered that during our special preparedness reports last year – check it out here.

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Couch Fest Films invites you to be a film-fest host – at home, or…

October 1, 2014 9:34 pm

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| West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Couch Fest Films is recruiting for hosts! Organizers of this self-described “scrappy film festival” are hoping some West Seattleites will want to be part of it – the festival isn’t until December 6th, but they are only taking signups until next Tuesday, October 7th.

Erin Knobler, a community organizer for Couch Fest Films and resident of High Point, asked us to share the invite. She says Couch Fest started in Seattle in 2008 and “is a cozy shorts film fest hosted in people’s houses and community spaces all over the world, all on the same day. The shorts come from some of the top festivals around the world, and we even highlight local artists as well as some virtually unknowns. … We typically have themed houses, such as ‘Comedy,’ ‘Animation,’ ‘Documentary,’ ‘Inappropriately Awesome’ and more!” You don’t even have to have a couch: “You can host at home, at work, with a community org, at school, on a pirate boat, in a tree house, at your local theater, in a cave, or wherever!” Curiosity piqued? Here’s how to apply.

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Chief Sealth student(s) in the family? New ways to get info

October 1, 2014 8:56 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

If you have a Chief Sealth International High School student in the family, the school’s staff wants to make sure you’re connected with new ways to get information. Librarian Katie Hubert forwarded this:

Chief Sealth International High School has implemented a new communications plan to better keep our community informed about the many happenings at our school.

1. Weekly newsletters (the Seahawk Weekly News) are attached to

2. a weekly phone call update from Principal Fraser-Hammer, both of which are sent on Sunday evenings.

3. The third element of our new communication plan is the CSI Monthly Reader, a compilation of the many events, programs, services, and achievements that take place each month at Sealth.

Parents/families who have not received the phone calls or news publications should call or email the school to update their contact information.

Phone: 206.252.8550 email: kahubert@seattleschools.org

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Overflow tank excavation work at Lowman Beach extended to Saturdays

October 1, 2014 5:01 pm

| 14 COMMENTS

| Utilities | West Seattle news

(UPDATE: The county announced Friday that this won’t start until October 11)

(WSB photo looking into excavation site from Lincoln Park Way, taken today)
If you live near Lowman Beach, and/or along the routes that are being used by trucks to haul away dirt from the excavation for a million-gallon sewer-overflow tank, here’s an alert: Starting this Saturday, crews will be working on Saturday as well as weekdays, at least for this month. Here’s the announcement:

To keep the project on schedule and avoid digging during heavy rains, King County’s contractor will work Saturdays in October. Saturday work will begin at 9 a.m. and finish at 6 p.m. The County contractor expects to finish digging out the tank area by early November, before the largest winter storms usually arrive. Digging during storms takes longer and increases the chance of mud from the site getting on to streets and storm drains.

What to expect on Saturdays:

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Reminder: 1-day closure next Wednesday for local libraries

October 1, 2014 3:10 pm

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| Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

Your friendly neighborhood local librarians want to remind you that, one week from today, all five southwest-area Seattle Public Library branches are closed, for an in-service day for the people who work there. That’s Wednesday, October 8th; the “closed” sign will be up that day at Admiral (West Seattle), Delridge, High Point, South Park, and Southwest Branch Libraries. Book drops will still be open. Other libraries in the city will remain open – this year they’re staggering the “in-service day” regionally rather than doing it citywide all at once.

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‘Red Light Revolution 2.0’: Benefit Saturday @ Youngstown

October 1, 2014 2:45 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| How to help | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Just found out about this benefit Saturday at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, for the fight against sex trafficking:

“The Seattle-Tacoma sex industry’s growth is notable… because it more than doubled in four years (March 2014).” -The Seattle Times

After two years, we present to you…. RED LIGHT REVOLUTION 2.0., a benefit show showcasing local hip hop dance teams, singers, spoken word, & rap artists coming together to:

EXPRESS freedom in arts, and INSPIRE others to join the movement to advocate for victims of sex trafficking. MAKE NOISE & let it be known through the arts and our voices that OUR CITY is anti-trafficking.

RLR in partnership with local non-profits and groups: REST, Seattle Against Slavery, World Concern, Youthcare, New Horizons, Friday Night Hip Hop, and Youngstown Cultural Center.

Mark your calendars for October 4, 2014. Red Light Revolution 2.0 hosting the best Northwest hip-hop crews, singers & spoken word artists in the Northwest! A great cause by a great group @withliving. Come help unite the community around the tragic effects of human trafficking in the Seattle area. Only $8 online and $12 at the door. Limited seating so buy early!

Doors open 5 pm Saturday, show at 5:30 pm. Here’s the Facebook event page.

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Celebration of Life on Saturday for Kristine Lenning, 1952-2014

October 1, 2014 1:34 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| Obituaries | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

A Celebration of Life is planned this Saturday for Kristine Lenning, who died last week at 62. Here’s the remembrance we were asked to share:

Kristine M. Lenning
July 13, 1952 – September 26, 2014

Kris passed away at her home in West Seattle, surrounded by friends and family. Kris was preceded in death by her husband Donald G. Lenning and is survived by her daughter Alexa Victoria Lenning, brothers Bernard, Kenneth, and Steven Larson, and sister Kathy Hodges.

Kris recently retired from Century Link after 44 years of service. She fought a long and courageous battle against cancer, never losing her zest for life, her sense of humor, and loving concern for others. Kris was a gifted artist who loved sharing her talents with friends, and especially children. The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to Hospice and her family of co-workers that helped care for her. There will be a Celebration of Life for Kris on Saturday, October 4th, 2014, at West Seattle Golf Course from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. Remembrances to the Cancer Society in lieu of flowers, please.

(WSB publishes obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

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What’s up for the rest of your West Seattle Wednesday

October 1, 2014 11:57 am

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| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo credit correction: Photo by Jack Miller, *sent* by Cori Miller)

As we move toward the middle of the day, here’s a look ahead to the afternoon/evening, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

FOOD DRIVE: For the third year, Sound Physical Therapy challenges other PT clinics to a food drive during the entire month of October. Even if you’re not a client, visit one and contribute! Details here. (3823 Delridge Way SW)

COSTUME SWAP: Kids’ costume(s) you don’t need, now that Halloween is just four weeks away? Bring to My Three Little Birds 1-5 pm today and swap! Details in our preview. (6959 California SW)

FALAFEL SALAM’S RETURN: The Middle Eastern-food truck is trying West Seattle again, starting 4-9 pm Wednesdays at the California/Charlestown 7/11.

‘MELT METHOD’ WORKSHOP: Injury prevention (and more) for runners, taught at West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor), with workshop series starting 6 pm tonight. Details in our calendar listing. (California/Charlestown)

SOUTHWEST DISTRICT COUNCIL: 6:30 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle, with ~~City Councilmember Sally Clark,~~ the West Seattle Green Space Coalition, and a discussion of the transit-funding Prop 1 on Seattle’s November 4th ballot. All welcome. (Oregon/California)

NIGHTLIFE: Music, theater, open microphone, trivia, karaoke – see the listings here.

One more note …

IF YOU’RE DOWNTOWN: The CityClub/Crosscut/Seattle Channel series of “Civic Cocktail” conversations starts a new season tonight, and your editor here will be on the journalist panel as the show is recorded at Palace Ballroom downtown, 6 pm. Other West Seattleites we know will be on hand include County Executive Dow Constantine, who will be interviewed by host Joni Balter, and former Deputy Mayor Tim Ceis, when the talk turns to “levy fatigue.” (We asked WSB Forum members for their thoughts, in preparation.) There is an admission charge – you can register here if interested. (And/or check out Seattle Channel in the days ahead, once the program is available online)

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Update: Delridge water-main break repairs under way

October 1, 2014 10:32 am

| 3 COMMENTS

| Delridge | Utilities | West Seattle news

Thanks to Melissa for the tip: About 100 Delridge-area residences are without water while Seattle Public Utilities crews work on an 8-inch-pipe break. While the trucks we photographed are right by the Boren Building, home to two schools, SPU’s Ingrid Goodwin tells WSB that the building DOES have water. She adds that “the water has been throttled down. … Once the pipe is exposed, we’ll have a better idea about how long the repair will take. If it is a horizontal break, it could take all day (until 5 pm) to fix.” We’ll update this report when that information’s available.

2:32 PM: Update from Goodwin: “Water is back on for all customers and crews should have things wrapped up and be out of the street by 4 pm today. The cause of the break will be investigated by SPU.”

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West Seattle development: Another crane coming down

October 1, 2014 9:28 am

| 3 COMMENTS

| Development | West Seattle news

Almost 16 months after it went up, the tower crane at Spruce (3922 SW Alaska) is about to come down. Neighbors have been notified (thanks to Steve for the tip!) that the removal is scheduled to start early tomorrow morning. Unless you’re a recent arrival, you might still know the site best as “The Hole,” so nicknamed because it was excavated in 2008 and then sat idle until a new owner started construction last year. Spruce will have more than 200 apartments and one commercial tenant, LA Fitness.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Wednesday updates

October 1, 2014 7:02 am

| 10 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(WS bridge and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
The commute is on – nothing out of the ordinary on routes through/from West Seattle so far.

DOWNTOWN WATERFRONT REMINDER: Seawall work resumes today and that means changes along the downtown waterfront, some involving transportation. Here’s the SDOT reminder.

8:42 AM: We’re commuting downtown again today (second day of the 3078 Avalon appeal hearing – here’s our report on day 1) and while the bridge was OK, 4th Avenue is more sluggish than we’ve experienced before, including several light cycles to get off the overpass and onto 4th.

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West Seattle development: 3078 SW Avalon appeal hearing begins

October 1, 2014 6:52 am

| 4 COMMENTS

| Development | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Two years ago, a crowd of neighbors from the neighborhood just north of Avalon filled the room for the first Southwest Design Review Board meeting about 3078 Avalon, proposed for ~100 apartments and 60 parking spaces:

(WSB photo, September 2012)
A lot has happened south of their neighborhood since then – a twin proposal for 3062 Avalon has come and gone; a microhousing building has opened a block west, with two more in the works; two more apartment buildings have opened on the south side of Avalon, just east of 35th.

3078 Avalon has continued to work its way through the system, finishing Design Review in January, though its permits don’t have final approval yet. Forming a group called NERD – Neighbors Encouraging Reasonable Development – some of the neighbors have followed it with concerns and critiques.

After the city finalized the Design Review recommendations and issued a Determination of Non-Significance saying the project would have no significant environmental impacts, they got a lawyer and filed an appeal in May. The hearing for that appeal is now under way before city Hearing Examiner Sue Tanner, at the Municipal Tower downtown. We were there for testimony all day Tuesday and expect to return as it continues today.

While the case is just about one development, the issues are much bigger.

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High-school sports: West Seattle HS soccer hosts Bainbridge

October 1, 2014 5:35 am

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

The division-leading Bainbridge High School girls-soccer team crossed the Sound to play West Seattle High School on Tuesday afternoon.

Tough match for the Wildcats, but their loyal cheering section was on hand at Walt Hundley Playfield in High Point.

The Spartans went back to Bainbridge with a 6-1 win. After they scored the first goal, WSHS answered with one of their own, by Kate Veenhuizen, but they were shut out after that.