day : 21/10/2016 11 results

SATURDAY: Solstice Park P-Patch Fall Festival!

October 21, 2016 10:06 pm

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| Gardening | West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

This will of course be on our Saturday highlights list but in case you’re up tonight looking ahead to tomorrow … the Solstice Park P-Patch gardeners rescheduled their Fall Festival because of last weekend’s weather worries and are hoping to see you, 2-5 pm Saturday. Everybody’s welcome! Karen from the P-Patch says, “We’ve worked really hard on making it great this year. We have wonderful plants and fall garden starts. Also, really unique organic produce and herbs for cooks, that can’t be found in the markets.” The hillside garden itself, across from the north end of Lincoln Park, is a sight to see, too.

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Harbor/Avalon/Spokane/Manning improvements win citywide Neighborhood Street Fund vote

October 21, 2016 8:35 pm

| 9 COMMENTS

| Safety | Transportation | West Seattle news

(May 2016 photo contributed by Chris, showing one traffic-choked morning at south section of the project zone)

The final official list isn’t out yet, but West Seattle Bike Connections says its proposal for improvements at Harbor/Avalon/Spokane/Manning topped the list last night when the citywide Levy to Move Seattle Oversight Committee voted on which proposals should get Neighborhood Street Fund money.

The proposal won top ranking from the Southwest District Council in neighborhood-level voting. Here’s the SDOT document explaining the proposal by WSBC’s Jodi Connolly, and estimating it at $352,000; here’s a WSBC report from February detailing the intersection’s challenges.

WSBC president Don Brubeck summarizes it as “The project will improve driver sight lines, traffic signals, and signage for safety for people crossing Harbor and Avalon on foot and on bikes. It’s a blind corner at the Spokane ramp to Harbor Ave SW for people driving low vehicles. At SW Manning to Avalon Way, the signage is confusing for the little pocket left turn bike lane and right-only vehicle lane.”

He adds – and note that one key change was made after SDOT’s version of it came out – “This grant application had strong community support, including Alki Community Council, Nucor Steel, Luna Park neighbors (who have their own Neighborhood Park & Street Fund project to improve the appearance and commemorate the history of this gateway to West Seattle). Our grant is for safety for people crossing the street on foot and on bikes. The Luna Park businesses has concerns about parking loss at Avalon and Manning by Luna Park Cafe. We discussed that, and modified the request so that no street parking spaces would be lost on Avalon (the SDOT link shows it before that modification). David Whiting, president of Southwest District Council and a founding member of West Seattle Bike Connections, helped us present to the council and obtain their recommendation.”

Following up on Brubeck’s note, we asked SDOT for an official list from last night’s meeting, but spokesperson Norm Mah said that wasn’t available yet: “This list of project recommendations has been transmitted to the Mayor for final approval. SDOT expects project applicants will be notified next week about final funding selections, with an official public release shortly thereafter.” A list tweeted by Seattle Neighborhood Greenways shows the only other West Seattle project to make the citywide top 10 was the “26th SW proposal” for the walking corridor between Chief Sealth International High School and Westwood Village.

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West Seattle weather: Friday night sights

October 21, 2016 7:57 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

Last Friday night, some in our area were cleaning up after a few hours of tree-toppling wind; tonight, nothing more serious than beautiful sights to share. Above – thanks to the Arbor Heights texter who sent the rainbow photo! Below – thanks to Gary Gates, who often shares sunset sights via Twitter:

Couldn't get down to Alki but even the view from California Ave was stunning. @westseattleblog pic.twitter.com/PeOd9JjUbp

— Gary Gates (@DrGaryJGates) October 22, 2016

As for tomorrow – good news is that the day starts with a “partly sunny” forecast, which is great news considering everything that’s on the calendar, including the Duwamish Alive! and Denny IMS Garden work parties.

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SATURDAY: Help revive Denny International Middle School’s learning garden

October 21, 2016 4:50 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| Gardening | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(2012 photo from Denny garden’s early days)

Tomorrow is a big day of volunteering around the area. If you’re not already committed elsewhere – the Little Red Hen Project and Denny International Middle School Science Department invite you to join them in the work of reviving the school’s Learning Garden. As one parent put it:

The Denny Learning garden will provide our kids with more than just tomatoes. In this garden, kids will have a hands-on learning experience, giving a real, tangible understanding to the lessons that are taught at their desks.

Kids and parents at Denny will reap the rewards of community building as the lessons of biology mix together with the lessons of teamwork and patience. Departments will “adopt” the garden for a month to maintain the upkeep, as the Little Red Hen Project (LRHP) provides the consulting toward growing a garden that can teach our kids the lessons that can’t be taught with an iPad.

High School Students can earn service hours on campus by taking on leadership positions. After school programs can be held in the plaza at the garden, or in the amphitheater, which faces a native bioswale.

If (when) we get the project infrastructure in place, we may also be able to provide a place for troubled students can option, rather than detention, so instead of staring at their thumbs in detention hall, kids can watch their thumbs turn green.

The Little Red Hen Project also points out that this is about food justice, one of the great divides in our area and elsewhere, “a problem that impacts our youth the most, as kids go to school without proper nutrition, which leads to a decline in grades and mood. The Little Red Hen Project is dedicated to reaching our community families to teach each other how proper food can lead to a better future.” The community’s help is needed, LRHP notes, “to make this garden grow.” Denny is at 2601 SW Kenyon, and tomorrow’s work is scheduled 11 am-4 pm – so there’s time to drop in even if you’re going to be at a Duwamish Alive! work party until 2.

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More $ progress as Delridge Grocery Cooperative works to grow into its storefront

October 21, 2016 2:48 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| Delridge | Health | West Seattle news

By Linda Ball
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

The Delridge Grocery Cooperative is much closer to becoming a real store rather than a farm stand as it has been the past few summers near the Delridge P-Patch.

At the annual meeting of co-op members last weekend, Andrea Wilmot, manager and president, was able to share the news that the co-op was chosen for a $100,000 grant from the King Conservation District.

KCD director of food and farm programs Josh Monaghan said it received 33 grant applications this year, all related to strengthening local food economies. Of those, 11 projects were ultimately funded, including DGC. Read More

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FOLLOWUP: Child hit by tree branch still in hospital

October 21, 2016 1:22 pm

| 6 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle people

(WSB photo from October 14th)

Right about this time last Friday, the wind picked up and caused several hours of trouble in West Seattle, among other areas; trees came down and more than 4,000 homes and businesses lost power for a while. As reported here that afternoon, the most serious injury related to the storm was suffered by a 4-year-old boy who along with his dad was hit by a falling tree branch near the Fauntleroy Church/YMCA building. The child was most seriously hurt of the two, and many have asked us how he is doing. While we have no direct contact with his family, we were able to find out from Harborview Medical Center that he is still there, in intensive care, in serious condition. A friend tells us that the family has chosen not to comment but is heartened by knowing how much the community cares. We have reached out in several ways to renew the request to let us know if there is any information we can share regarding needs or requests.

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FOLLOWUP: West Seattle robbery suspects arrested after South Park-area pursuit

October 21, 2016 10:51 am

| 12 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

10:51 AM: Last night, we brought you first word that a short pursuit by Southwest Precinct officers in the South Park area resulted in arrests linked to robberies in West Seattle. Police have just released more information via this SPD Blotter post:

Eight suspects were arrested late Thursday afternoon in a stolen vehicle after a short pursuit by officers in South Park.

Just before 4:00 pm officers saw a silver 2006 Hyundai Sonata that matched the description of a suspect vehicle used in a robbery in West Seattle earlier that morning. The same vehicle description also eluded officers when they attempted to pull it over on Wednesday. Officers attempted to stop the Sonata, but it fled from the marked patrol vehicle. Officers attempted to pull over the car using emergency lights and sirens, but the driver of the Sonata kept driving at a high rate of speed until the driver lost control and struck a curb, causing the vehicle to stop near the intersection of South 96th Street and Des Moines Memorial Drive South.

Officers quickly arrested the eight individuals inside the car, which turned out to be a reported stolen vehicle from Kent. The Seattle Fire Department also responded to evaluate and treat the suspects that were exhibiting the effects of drug consumption. One of the suspects was transported to Harborview Medical Center from the scene and the remaining seven were transported to the Southwest Precinct. Three of the suspects were later transported to the hospital for drug related issues. The Hyundai was impounded from the scene.

Detectives responded to the Southwest Precinct and began their investigation. The suspects are believed to be involved in a series of robberies of convenience stores in West Seattle. The driver, a 19-year-old male, was later booked into the King County Jail for robbery and eluding. A 17-year-old male was later booked into the Youth Services Center (YSC) for robbery and drug charges, and a 15-year-old male was also booked into YSC for robbery.

The remaining suspects, two juvenile females and three juvenile males, were released to the custody of their parents.

We’re working to find out which robberies are believed to be linked to these suspects.

11:13 AM: Just talked with Det. Mark Jamieson at SPD. Two of the cases happened yesterday – a robbery at the 7-11 on Harbor Ave., and a holdup attempt at the 41st/Admiral Chevron. Detectives are still looking into others. The 19-year-old suspect does not appear to have a felony record, at least not in this state; he wasn’t booked into jail until early this morning, so his bail hearing might not be held today, but we’ll be tracking the case.

10:51 PM: The adult suspect won’t have a bail hearing until Saturday. Two juvenile suspects went to court this afternoon. Documents say one is 17 and an Admiral resident; he is accused of being one of two who allegedly held up the Admiral 7-11 twice this week – early Tuesday and early Wednesday. During the Tuesday holdup, the police report says, this suspect was wearing a mask, possibly a “white Halloween clown type.” His alleged accomplice in both robberies is a 15-year-old from Tukwila.

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West Seattle Friday: Food drive, football, free dinner/dance, music, movie, more!

October 21, 2016 10:05 am

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| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Highlights of what’s happening today/tonight in West Seattle:

KID-FRIENDLY FOOD DRIVE WITH COSTUME DISCOUNTS: Starting today, Again & Again/Kid-Friendly Footwear (WSB sponsor) in The Junction is launching a “Kid-Friendly Food Drive” for the West Seattle Food Bank Backpack Program starting today. A donation gets you 50% off a Halloween costume (and part of the costume proceeds benefit WestSide Baby). Full details in our calendar listing – the store’s open until 7 tonight. (4832 California SW)

CITY COUNCILMEMBER OFFICE HOURS: Councilmember Lisa Herbold is at the Senior Center of West Seattle today for in-district office hours, noon-7 pm. Walk-ins welcome. (SW Oregon/California SW)

HIGHLAND PARK ELEMENTARY DINNER AND SQUARE DANCE: Dinner at 6, square dancing with a live string band 7-9 pm, all ages welcome, free! Donations accepted as a Highland Park Elementary PTA fundraiser. (1012 SW Trenton)

HIGH-SCHOOL FOOTBALL: 6 pm at Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle), Franklin vs. Chief Sealth; 7 pm at West Seattle Stadium (4432 35th SW), Lakeside vs. O’Dea.

MOVIE NIGHT AT HPIC: Doors at Highland Park Improvement Club open at 6, short at 6:15, movie at 7, both featuring Scooby-Doo! Free, with concessions available for purchase. More info in our calendar listing. (12th SW/SW Holden)

KARRIE PAVISH ANDERSON: Songs full of hope at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. No cover. (5612 California SW)

MALLET HEAD: 7:30 pm at Kenyon Hall, it’s a new episode in West Seattle native Tom Collier‘s popular “Mallet Head” concert series featuring vibraphone and marimba, plus guest artists. Details in our calendar listing. (7904 35th SW)

ELLIOTT SMITH TRIBUTE NIGHT: 8 pm at The Skylark – see the lineup here. 21+. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

THREE BANDS: 9 pm at Parliament Tavern – details in our calendar listing. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

LOOK INTO THE FUTURE … on our complete-calendar page!

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Car stolen with child seat, tricycle inside

October 21, 2016 8:05 am

| 7 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

8:05 AM: Codie woke up to find the family car gone:

Sometime between 1230 am and 530 am, my 4-door 1997 black CR-V was stolen from in front of my house on 4th Ave SW near Roxbury [map] … it is the only transportation for 2 people who work. My daughter’s car seat, and purple “new from Value Village” Schwinn tricycle both in the back seat. My husband is supposed to be at work right now. It is very basic and plain. Please, we do not have the money for another car.

Plate information to come. The tricycle was for Codie’s 3-year-old daughter, who “is going to be crushed…she was so excited about that bike.” The theft been reported to police, so if you see it, call 911.

9:29 AM: Here’s the plate – AUA5782.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Friday updates; weekend preview

October 21, 2016 7:18 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)

(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)

7:18 AM: No incidents in/from West Seattle right now.

For this weekend, the Spokane St. work postponed because of last weekend’s weather concerns has been rescheduled – according to the SDOT Construction Lookahead, that means starting at 7 pm tonight:

SW Spokane St. will be closed between E. Marginal Way S. and 11th Ave. SW while crews remove abandoned railroad track and repave the roadway. The westbound off-ramps from the West Seattle Bridge to Harbor Island will also be closed.

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COUNTDOWN: Fauntleroy Fall Festival this Sunday!

October 21, 2016 5:00 am

| 1 COMMENT

| Fauntleroy | West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

If it’s not already in your weekend plan … we need to talk about the Fauntleroy Fall Festival. Again this year, it’s three busy hours of all-ages fun in the heart of Fauntleroy – in and around the historic Fauntleroy Schoolhouse, in and around the Fauntleroy YMCA (WSB sponsor) and Fauntleroy Church across the street, this Sunday (October 23rd), 2-5 pm. Here’s just part of what you’ll find:

*Pumpkin decorating
*Other crafts
*Birdhouse building
*Climbing wall
*Pony rides
*Music (including West Seattle Big Band in The Hall at Fauntleroy at 3:30 pm)
*Cake contest and cakewalk

About that last one – you can enter! Here’s how:

The decorating contest has three categories: Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced. Cakes can be any shape or size but should have either a Fall, Halloween, or West Seattle theme. They can be very simple to very elaborate, baked and decorated by an individual, or a parent and child, a family, or a group of friends.

Cakes should be brought to the Vashon Room on the day of the festival, between 12 noon and 1 pm. Voting will begin at 1:30 and continue until about 3 p.m. Once the votes have been tallied, prizes will be awarded for each category. (Who votes? You do, along with other Fall Festival guests.) And then the Cake Walk begins! The Cake Walk continues until all the cakes have been given away. If you do not want to enter the Cake Decorating Contest, you can bake and donate a cake for the Cake Walk.

The Vashon Room is at The Hall at Fauntleroy (9131 California SW). Everything’s free except the food items you’ll find available for purchase.

P.S. One great way to get there is RapidRide C Line, which drops you off in the middle of the festival.

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