Powerful job program: Puget Sound Electrical Apprentice Training Center graduates honored in West Seattle
(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)
Not all graduations happen in summer. Last night in West Seattle, 112 graduates were cheered and applauded at a banquet and ceremony marking their success in a paid-training program that launches them into good-paying jobs in a field where there’s much demand. You’d think there would be a waiting list for a program like that, right? Not so – it’s looking for more applicants! More on that after we get back to more about the event.
The Puget Sound Electrical Apprenticeship Training Center graduation is what brought grads, family, friends, and educators to Brockey Center at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor).
The center provides the training required for certification as Construction Electricians, Low Voltage/Sound and Communication Electricians, or Residential Electricians. According to the announcement we received, “programs provide opportunities to ‘earn while you learn,’ through paid on-the-job training and classroom instruction that leads to high-paying careers in skilled trades.”
Like any graduation, this one honored exceptional achievements – academic excellence, perfect attendance, apprentice of the year. Two grads spoke, Karla Hemmelgarn and Aaron Martin, with praise for the program and exuberance about their future:
Special gifts awaited the grads – useful for their careers ahead:
While the program welcomes all qualified applicants (see the minimum requirements here), there are specific programs for veteran and female applicants, too. This year’s graduates, who ranged in age from 20s to 40s, included five women and 18 veterans. Find out more about the training options here; find out how to apply here.
ROAD-WORK ALERT: Next 3 days on Beach Drive SW
ORIGINAL SUNDAY REPORT, 8:10 PM: No details or advance alert (any neighbors get one?) about this, but we’re writing about it as a precaution, given what happened with the no-notice pavement repairs on 35th SW last week: While out this evening, we noticed “no parking” signs along a stretch of Beach Drive SW just south of 61st SW [map]. This is the bumpy area that SDOT confirmed in January would be repaved “this summer.” The signs we saw tonight were placed on behalf of SDOT’s paving division, and are dated for 7 am tomorrow (October 3rd) through 5 pm Wednesday (October 5th). We’ll seek the details tomorrow morning.
ADDED MONDAY: After our inquiry to the SDOT communication team this morning, they published this, confirming it’s the long-awaited paving project.
West Seattle Crime Watch: Car break-in; brazen bicycle thief; another bike, found
More bicycles in West Seattle Crime Watch tonight (and SPD’s still looking for the owner of this one), but first…
CAR BREAK-IN IN ARBOR HEIGHTS: Mike D, on 40th SW near SW 106th, reports:
I heard a car alarm going off this morning around 6 a.m. Turns out it was the neighbor’s car. But my car was the one that was opened and rummaged through. No forced entry; not sure how they got into the car – my car locks automatically when I walk away. I’m guessing they went up and down 40th checking cars. The neighbor said he saw an unfamiliar minivan.
Taken: A laptop and loose change.
WESTWOOD BIKE THEFT: “This bike wasn’t really worth much but, the thief entered my yard and took it unbeknownst to me or my tenant. Disturbing to say the least,” began Michelle, reporting the theft. We e-mailed back to ask about a photo; no, but: “Red mountain bike, nothing special, more concerned that people are getting bold enough to remove a lock, open a gate, and trespass while it was clear we were home!”
STOLEN? BIKE SPOTTED IN JACK BLOCK PARK: F sent this photo and report:
Walking in Jack Block with our puppy (Saturday) and saw an apparently abandoned bike leaned up against the power pole near the kids’ play area.
It may’ve been in the weather a bit, but looked serviceable (tires full, etc.)
We are getting ever-more reports of abandoned and likely stolen bikes, so if you are missing one, keep an eye on our crime-coverage archive.
YOU CAN HELP! Join 100 Women Who Care as they choose next beneficiary
(Photo courtesy 100 Women Who Care)
Show you care! You’re invited to join 100 Women Who Care as they gather Wednesday to choose their next local beneficiary – or, there are other ways to help. Here’s the invitation and explanation:
This past June, the 100 Women Who Care giving circle chose West Seattle Food Bank for their donation of $3,800 to support the Backpack Program.
They are a group of women who lead busy lives but want to do some good in the community. They meet 3 times a year and agree to help one local charity in a really BIG way…….
100 people x $100 = $10,000 impact to a charity chosen by the group.
Come join 100 Women Who Care to choose the next charity to receive their donation. The charities up for vote are: The Tears Foundation, Major Taylor Project, Ladybug House.
If you join prior to the event – Make a Commitment – you get to nominate your favorite charities for selection at our October 5th (Wednesday) event. See their website for more information. Invite your friends and join us for the evening.
P.S. If you are unable to attend, there is online voting. If you have any questions, please e-mail 100womenseattle@gmail.com
Alaskan Way Viaduct closure next weekend: Another reminder
WSDOT‘s big alert announcement is expected tomorrow, but in the meantime, we brought you early warning September 22nd that next weekend (Saturday-Sunday, October 8-9) will bring the next twice-yearly inspection/maintenance closure of the Alaskan Way Viaduct, and we’re reminding you again today. This is scheduled once again as a shutdown 6 am-6 pm each day, but recent closures have tended to end early.
Also note, next Saturday’s closure will include a stretch north of the Battery Street Tunnel, between Denny Way and Valley Street, 6 am-3 pm, with Valley remaining open for detours.
P.S. We also expect to hear tomorrow if the Highway 99 tunneling machine has passed the halfway point along its 9,270-foot route – WSDOT updates this page on Mondays and Thursdays, and as of three days ago, it was less than 100 feet from that milestone.
West Seattle Sunday: Nature, art, writing, music, more …
(2 of about half a dozen harbor porpoises seen off Alki Point Friday – photographed by Gary Jones)
Happy Sunday! From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
MAKING THE MOSSES AND WILDFLOWERS GROW: With naturalist Stewart Wechsler, 10 am-1 pm at Lincoln Park – details on his website, including preregistration information. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm – the market continues its weekly sessions in the street year-round. (California SW between SW Oregon and SW Alaska)
BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS: 1-2:30 pm, St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church offers the traditional blessings for your pet(s) in the West Seattle High School parking lot just north of the church. (3000 California SW)
SPIDERS OF THE DUWAMISH: 1-3 pm, learn about them at the Duwamish Tribe Longhouse; naturalist Jeff Rahlmann gives a talk and then leads a walk in nearby Herring House Park.
Details in our calendar listing. Free. (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)
SOUTHWEST LIBRARY ARTISTS’ RECEPTION: 2 pm, meet your neighbors showing work in this year’s Community Artist Showcase at Southwest Library. Free coffee and dessert. (35th SW/SW Henderson)
TOTE BAG GIVEAWAY: While you’re at Southwest Library, starting at 2 pm, the Friends of The Seattle Public Library is giving away tote bags in honor of its 75th anniversary, while they last. (35th SW/SW Henderson)
SEATTLE WRITES – CONFLICT: Author Karen Finneyfrock will help writers work with conflict, “the machine of fiction,” in a free 2 pm workshop at the Delridge Library, as part of Seattle Writes. (5423 Delridge Way SW)
SCRATCHDOG STRINGBAND: 3-5 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), “Americana/rockgrass” trio from Portland performs. (5612 California SW)
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