West Seattle, Washington

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day : 21/08/2015 9 results

Westside School days away from dedicating new campus; EC Hughes likely to reopen as public elementary
August 21, 2015 9:36 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Westside School is finishing the transformation of the former Hillcrest Presbyterian Church campus into its new permanent home. Westside (a longtime WSB sponsor) has announced August 29th – one week from tomorrow – as the date for its grand opening:

Westside School will host the grand opening of its new campus on Saturday, August 29 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in West Seattle’s Arbor Heights neighborhood. The Westside School community will gather to celebrate the move into its permanent home with a ribbon cutting, tours, food trucks and more.

Construction at the new location began in early 2013. The building is a complete renovation of the former Hillcrest Presbyterian Church and features 53,000 square feet dedicated to teaching and learning: 27 classrooms; light-filled, child centered work spaces; a beautiful library; separate, team-oriented middle school classrooms; a 450 seat auditorium; green space, and warm and inviting gathering spaces where students, teachers, parents and visitors can connect, share, and meet.

Westside School was founded in 1981 by a group of educators and parents who wanted a positive and self-esteem building school experience for their children. Today, Westside School is the only accredited NWAIS (Northwest Association of Independent Schools) pre-kindergarten through eighth grade school located in West Seattle, with 340 students enrolled in for the 2015 – 2016 school year. Over the past few years, the school has grown into one of the largest pre-kindergarten through eighth grade independent schools in the region. Westside School’s mission is to prepare students for the world by challenging them to achieve academic success and by connecting their human spirit to imagination and learning.

Westside’s administration has moved to the new campus, while its camp and Sing Out Seattle will continue their programs at the school’s old campus, the former EC Hughes Elementary, until summer’s end. The plan for what happens to that campus in Sunrise Heights, leased and fixed up by Westside five years ago and recently designated a city landmark, has changed:

While Seattle Public Schools had been saying Hughes would be used as an emergency/interim site after Westside’s move, the district is now moving toward renovating and reopening it to add more elementary capacity in West Seattle. It’s at on the list of proposed projects for one of the levies the district plans to take to Seattle voters next February. The district has not finalized the levy plan yet, but the Hughes plan is already on a “request for qualifications” the district circulated this summer (cached here – the district website is down as we finish this story):

Project #5: E.C. Hughes Elementary: Located at 7740 34th Ave. SW, Seattle, WA 98126 on a site area of approximately 160,736 sq. ft. The school was constructed in 1926 with a three story classroom addition completed in 1949. This project will modernize the existing 47,307 sq. ft. school to provide permanent space for up to 490 students, grades K-5. Construction is anticipated to begin by February 2018 and be substantially complete by July 2019. The construction budget is anticipated to be approximately $15 million to $17 million including hazardous material abatement and offsite improvements. Funding for the project is provided by the State through a Distressed School Grant and BTA IV capital levy dollars. If BTA IV is passed, the project total cost will be approximately $24 million to $26 million dollars.

Before the BTA levy is finalized, the district plans a series of community meetings next month, including one in our area – 6:30 pm Monday, September 28th, at West Seattle High School.

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SATURDAY NIGHT: ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show’ closes West Seattle Outdoor Movies’ 2015 season
August 21, 2015 7:54 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news | West Seattle Outdoor Movies

Time is … fleeting! In one month, it’ll be the 40th anniversary of the debut of “Rocky Horror Picture Show.” Don’t wait to celebrate – do it tomorrow night at the courtyard by Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor), during this year’s West Seattle Outdoor Movies finale. (No rice, please – birdseed will be provided!) And bring your own chairs/blankets … and do show up early – gates open at 6:30 pm and you can start staking out your spot then. Movie (free!) is at dusk, which should be around 8:30 pm. Before then, live comedy and music, and concessions (provided by and benefiting the Southwest Seattle Historical Society) plus raffle benefiting Furry Faces Foundation and AARF. Hotwire’s at 4410 California SW, next to the Junction post office.

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VIDEO: More logs arrive at Alki Homestead as restoration continues
August 21, 2015 5:10 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle history | West Seattle news

Another shipment of logs arrived today at the Alki Homestead, as owner Dennis Schilling continues the first part of its restoration. The video is courtesy of Southwest Seattle Historical Society executive director Clay Eals, whose organization is headquartered just half a block away, at the Log House Museum, which was the Homestead’s carriage house in its early decades as the Fir Lodge. While the full restoration project will require city Landmarks Board approval, Schilling has administrative approval to proceed with work to replace logs at the building’s southeast corner.

P.S. This year’s SWSHS gala will celebrate the start of the Homestead’s restoration; reservations will be open soon, but in the meantime, SWSHS invites you to save the date, November 7th, and to read an early preview here.

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What happens to leftover campaign cash if you don’t win? Here’s what City Council District 1 ex-candidate Chas Redmond did
August 21, 2015 2:25 pm
|      22 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

(Photos provided by Chas Redmond: Above, at WS Food Bank today with Judi Yazzolino, Lester Yuhand, and Christopher Dickie)

With two of nine candidates in the primary for Seattle City Council District 1 advancing to the general election, what’s next for the other seven? We heard today from one of them – Chas Redmond, who was first to start campaigning for the seat, and finished fifth. As far as we can recall, he’s the first ex-candidate who’s ever sent word of what he’s doing with the leftover campaign cash:

Now that I’m out of the race, I have to close out my campaign finances. I ran a very tight campaign and underspent my fundraising, meaning I had surplus funds at the conclusion of my run for office. I raised $12,467 and spent $9,967, making my cost-per-voter among the lowest, if not the lowest, of all 47 campaigns for City Council – my cost-per-voter was $7.86.

According to the Public Disclosure Commission, I can do several things with surplus campaign funds including donating them to non-profits and charities. Thanks again to all who donated. I had $2500 in surplus funds and have donated $1250 of those funds to Sustainable West Seattle and another $1250 of those funds to the West Seattle Food Bank.

(Above, at Sustainable WS picnic last night, presenting check to president Bryan Fiedorczyk)
As I kept saying throughout the campaign, there are no losers in this race, all of West Seattle and South Park are winners.

After receiving that announcement from Redmond, we asked him about future plans:

I’m working on a few ideas that still involve being an activist in local politics and I think it’s going to be really hard to take me out of the music scene, so music will remain part of my life. And I’m an active member of VIEWS, and we’re looking to do all sorts of cool things to increase engagement here in West Seattle in South Park. The campaign was amazing and getting to know everyone was even more amazing. West Seattle and South Park are very fortunate to have the quality of people running for public office and engaged in civic activities that we do. And finally, hats off to Lisa Herbold and Shannon Braddock, you were great competitors; I thoroughly enjoyed running with the pack.

We published the final election results after certification this past Tuesday.

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FOLLOWUP: Dedication date for new West Seattle water taxi M/V Doc Maynard
August 21, 2015 12:03 pm
|    Comments Off on FOLLOWUP: Dedication date for new West Seattle water taxi M/V Doc Maynard
 |   King County Water Taxi | West Seattle news

(Photo from M/V Doc Maynard’s launch in Bellingham, courtesy King County DOT)

As first reported here last week, the new King County Water Taxi vessel that will serve West Seattle is due to arrive in about a month. And now the county has announced the plan for a dedication ceremony on September 18th – though it won’t be happening on this side of the bay:

We cordially invite you to the dedication ceremony and celebration for the new King County Water Taxi vessel, the M/V Doc Maynard.

Named in honor of an early Seattle leader, the Doc Maynard will provide safe, comfortable and environmentally sound transportation to the growing number of riders on the King County Water Taxi’s West Seattle-downtown Seattle route.

The dedication event will be held Friday, Sept. 18, 11:30 a.m. at the King County Water Taxi dock on Pier 50 in downtown Seattle.

After the ceremony you are invited to board the Doc Maynard for her maiden voyage.

Guests coming to the event from West Seattle are welcome to take a special trip from Seacrest Dock departing at 10:45 a.m. to the event at Pier 50 on the current Water Taxi vessel, the Spirit of Kingston. We will provide a return trip to West Seattle for invited following the maiden voyage, departing Pier 50 at 12:35 p.m. (both trips are free of charge). A community celebration event will be held at Seacrest Dock at a later date, after the Doc Maynard starts regular service on the West Seattle route.

If you want to ride over per the aforementioned offer, the Spirit of Kingston will leave Seacrest at 10:45 that morning; the ceremony at Pier 50 begins with remarks at 11:30 am; the return trip to Seacrest leaves Pier 50 at 12:35 pm.

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West Seattle Friday: Donation drive; Garden Party; free movie; Duwamish Revealed; more…
August 21, 2015 11:27 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Friday: Donation drive; Garden Party; free movie; Duwamish Revealed; more…
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Before we get further into Friday, quick highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

STUDENT DONATION DRIVE FOR CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL: Noon-3 pm at Hiawatha Community Center, here’s what you can help Seattle Lutheran High School student Macey Crooks with:

For a service project I will be collecting crayons, markers and coloring books to give to Seattle Children’s Hospital. I have my first drive on the August 21st at Hiawatha Community Center from 12:00 to 3:00 pm. All contributions of the above items are welcome, as well as dollar donations where all proceeds will go toward the hospital.

(2700 California SW)

CELEBRATING SPAIN: Flamenco and tapas at Brookdale West Seattle, 4-6 pm, open to the public but please RSVP – our calendar listing explains how. (4611 35th SW)

34TH DISTRICT DEMOCRATS’ GARDEN PARTY: 6 pm at Bethaday Community Learning Space in Lakewood Park, join this area’s largest political organization for its biggest annual fundraiser – dinner, auction, and more, themed “The Roaring ’20s.” (605 SW 108th)

FREE MOVIE NIGHT: 6:15 pm kids’ short, 7 pm main feature at Highland Park Improvement Club – let’s just say, it’ll be incredible! Movie’s free. Bring $ for concessions. More info on the HPIC website. (12th SW & Holden)

DUWAMISH REVEALED PRESENTS ‘SIGNAL’: Rachel Green‘s performance is at T-107 Park in West Seattle tonight, 7 pm, described as “site-specific multimedia performance exploring growth and rebirth.” (4750 W. Marginal Way SW)

MOUNT CONCERT POSTPONED: If you missed the announcement yesterday – Providence Mount St. Vincent has postponed tonight’s scheduled outdoor concert with Danny Vernon‘s Elvis tribute. He’ll perform instead on September 10th.

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UPDATE: Police/helicopter search on Puget Ridge
August 21, 2015 9:46 am
|      33 COMMENTS
 |   Helicopter | Puget Ridge | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

9:46 AM: Thanks for the tips that Guardian One is up over Puget Ridge, with police on the ground near 18th and Dawson. SPD media relations tells us they’re looking for an assault suspect in a suspected case of domestic violence.

10:02 AM: Our crew reports the helicopter is still up and while there’s a significant police presence in the area, including K-9, Dawson (which takes a much-used turn through that area, between Puget Ridge and North Delridge) remains open.

10:48 AM: Guardian One has moved on, but no arrest is reported yet.

11 AM: Commenters have been asking about whether the closest schools that have Kindergarten Jump Start this week – Pathfinder, Sanislo, and Arbor Heights at Boren are each about 1 mile away – were in lockdown or shelter-in-place; some say they received notice that Pathfinder was, but Seattle Public Schools spokesperson Stacy Howard tells WSB, “We’ve just told them to lock their front doors. No shelter-in-place.”

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VIDEO: Ayron Jones and The Way rock Summer Concerts at Hiawatha’s second-to-last 2015 show
August 21, 2015 9:24 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

One more show ahead for this year’s Summer Concerts at Hiawatha series – but last night’s won’t soon be forgotten:

That’s Ayron Jones, who with his band The Way was in the middle of a Jimi Hendrix riff when we arrived at the park about midway through last night’s show, which truly rocked. Missed it? Here’s video of their original song “My Love Remains”:

Lots of showmanship as well as solid music – Jones went out into the crowd at one point; at another, as shown in the photo below, shared by Brian O – who declared this “best concert of the series” – played his guitar with a drumstick:

Busy schedule for the band – which is off to Pullman to play the Lentil Festival tonight, then back toward Puget Sound for a few more metro-area gigs. Read more about them here.

NEXT UP AT SUMMER CONCERTS @ HIAWATHA: Always the biggest turnout of the series – family fave Caspar Babypants, 6:30 pm next Thursday (August 27th) on the east lawn, and that’s the series finale. We’re proud to have been a series sponsor again this year, and every year since its start in 2009; check the right side of the series’ main page on the ANA website for the list of other great local businesses making this free music possible, and if you’ve enjoyed it, consider telling them “thanks”! (The roster includes four that are also WSB sponsors: Metropolitan Market, Curious Kidstuff, Thunder Road Guitars, and Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Northwest Real Estate.)

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Friday updates; Highway 99 closure starts tonight; Alki Beach 5K on Sunday
August 21, 2015 7:48 am
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
7:48 AM: It’s been a quiet commute, regionally as well as locally. So, the weekend reminders:

HIGHWAY 99 CLOSURE STARTS TONIGHT: From late tonight until very early Monday (we’ll update if it ends sooner), between the Battery Street Tunnel and Valley St. in lower Queen Anne, Highway 99/Aurora Avenue will be closed so crews can realign it onto a newly built section of road – details and maps here.

ALKI BEACH 5K & OTHER WEEKEND EVENTS: Sunday morning, Alki and Harbor Avenues close for a few hours for the 9 am walk/run to raise money for Northwest Hope and Healing. It’s one of the events spotlighted in SDOT’s citywide weekend roundup.

ADDED 10:31 AM: In case anyone else was wondering – a commenter asked about missed 56/57 buses this morning; we asked Metro via Twitter, and here’s the response:

12:04 PM: A car is reported to have hit a power pole and brought it down in the 5400 block of W. Marginal Way SW. Two people were in the car; no major injuries reported so far.

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