After you go green for St. Patrick’s Day, go bald for St. Baldrick’s

Heard about St. Baldrick’s?

Organizer Emily Austin is asking West Seattleites to agree to go bald on March 29th to help kids with cancer. She and Shanti Salon are organizing the fundraising event at Mind Unwind (2206 California SW) in The Admiral District, just a few blocks from the salon.

(St. Baldrick’s Foundation photo)

The act of giving up your head hair, says Emily, is “a gesture of solidarity for children who lose their hair in treatment, or anyone else who has gone through the hair loss trauma while undergoing treatment.”

Cheering on the shavees – who will have gathered sponsor pledges ahead of time – is just part of the event, so you’re invited even if you’re planning on keeping your hair. Says Emily, “There will also be silent auction items, raffle items and other ways to donate. We are still in need of a few donations of goods, services, gift cards, or table ready baskets to auction off.” But most importantly:

We’re actively searching for a few more folks who would consider shaving their heads and in particular, those willing to collect donations in advance. Our event link makes it quite easy to sign up, and sometimes, people or businesses will even form a team to make things more interesting. Anyone can get involved, from getting shaved, shaving heads, sweeping hair, helping collect donations for the raffle tickets that evening, to just coming by the event and lending support.

Emily hopes to build the event in the years ahead to where 100 people will get their heads shaved in a single evening. If you’re willing to help her head in that direction – sign up here. And join her at Mind Unwind on Saturday, March 29th, 6-8 pm.

Countdown to 10th annual West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day on May 10th: Registration starts soon

garagesaledaysmalllog5.jpgThe 10th annual West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day is coming up on Saturday, May 10th, and we’ve set the date for registration to begin: Monday, March 31st, which is two weeks from tomorrow. If you’re new to West Seattle, this is one big day with hundreds of sales around the peninsula, 9 am-3 pm, always the second Saturday in May, and we promote it around the region to draw shoppers from all over, though its major mission is to provide a chance for neighbors to meet and mingle … some people choose to just walk to the nearest sales, while others get out on two or four wheels and explore further. This will be the seventh WSCGSD since we started coordinating and promoting it in 2008. When the registration form goes live on March 31st, we’ll announce it here, as well as in the WSB social-media channels (links to all of them are at the top of the sidebar); the registration period will run at least two weeks. Again, sale day is May 10th – coming up fast – updates to come!

High-school sports: West Seattle HS baseball begins

March 16, 2014 12:12 pm
|    Comments Off on High-school sports: West Seattle HS baseball begins
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

Play ball! High-school sports’ spring season is starting. Thanks to Greg Slader for sharing photos as Coach Velko Vitalich‘s West Seattle High School baseball team takes the field for the year, after finishing 2013 as #2 statewide. Above, the official team photo; next, two of Greg’s images from the pre-season jamboree Saturday at Liberty High School. Here’s Kevin Cuddy throwing the first pitch:

And Jimmy Mai rounding third base on his way to scoring a run:

Greg reports:

WS tied Kentwood in three innings at 3-3 and jumped on Liberty for a 4-1 edge. Offense had plenty of big hits as the top of the order scored seven runs in six innings. Five pitchers have stepped up this season and seem ready for the challenge ahead. Defense was shaky but they should return to last year’s form as they work together more.

Up next for WSHS – two games at home (Hiawatha), Garfield on Tuesday and Ballard on Thursday, both at 3:30 pm.

West Seattle Bridge alert: Watch out for ‘metal plate’ on eastbound east end

10:15 AM: We’ve just received two reports of a hazard on the eastbound Spokane Street Viaduct – near the I-5 ramps on the east end of the West Seattle Bridge: It’s described as a protruding “metal plate,” in the left lane between the 1st and 4th Avenue exits, and one texter reports seeing people pulled over with flat tires. We’ve advised people to call 911 to report it since it sounds like it needs urgent repair work; on weekdays, the SDOT hotline 206-684-ROAD would be the place to call.

10:22 AM: The texting tipster says 911 promised to get someone out to fix it.

West Seattle Sunday: Chinese Garden open house; dog-costume contest; Gear Swap, day 2; cookie conclusion; more…

The migratory Rufous Hummingbirds are showing up just in time for spring – and Mark Wangerin got a good look at this one last Thursday. Quite the commute – they overwinter in the Southwest. You won’t have to go far at all to check out what’s on the calendar today/tonight.

FIRST, HIGHWAY 99 TRAFFIC ALERTS: If you’re traveling Highway 99 north of the West Seattle Bridge today, take note of lane/ramp closures near downtown all day, and the Battery Street Tunnel/Aurora closure this morning (7:30-11 am) for the St. Patrick’s Day Dash. All of that is detailed here.

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: New vendor today – Heavenly Honey, with raw honey. West Seattle’s own Sod House Bakery promises shamrock cookies. It’s almost spring, so you’ll find something new every week. 10 am-2 pm. (44th/Alaska)

CHINESE GARDEN’S SPRING OPEN HOUSE: Another sign of impending spring – an open house at the Seattle Chinese Garden!

Come see what’s blooming (SCG-provided photo above) and what else is new – free. Lots of info in our listing. North side of South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor) campus. (6000 16th SW)

WEST SEATTLE GEAR SWAP, DAY 2: 11 am-3 pm, Mountain to Sound Outfitters presents the swap just down the street at the American Legion Post 160 Hall – details on the M2SO site. (3618 SW Alaska)

HOW TO CREATE A DISASTER KIT ON A BUDGET: You know how important it is to be prepared – for anything. Just in case. Even though you hope you’ll never need to use your kit, bag, etc. If you’re not quite ready yet, go to the Southwest Branch Library 1:30-2 pm today for a free class on “how to create a disaster kit on a budget.” (35th/Henderson)

CELTIC SWELL DOG-COSTUME CONTEST: 2-4 pm, it’s the wearing of the green for your pup(s) at Celtic Swell Irish Pub/Restaurant on Alki, hosted by Tracey Conway, donations benefiting the Seattle Humane Society, part of the CS’s St. Patrick’s Weekend Festival. (2722 Alki SW)

MUSIC NORTHWEST: “Chamber Music from the Folk Side” is the theme for today’s 3 pm concert at Olympic Hall on the SSCC campus – find out more by checking out our calendar listing. (6000 16th SW)

SECURITY BREACH INFORMATION NIGHT: If you are concerned about the recent reports of fraud related to a security breach with the Archdiocese of Seattle, Holy Rosary is offering its school community an information night tonight with a credit expert, 6:30 pm – information on the school website. (42nd/Genesee)

MONA CONCEPCION IN BELLEVUE: Not IN West Seattle, but … WS stand-up comic Mona Concepcion is featured at 7:30 pm tonight in Dis/orient/ed Comedy, “the first-ever (mostly) all-female, all-Asian American stand-up comedy tour.” Until noon, tickets are available online – go here; they’ll also be on sale at the door. Parlor Live in Bellevue. (700 Bellevue Way NE, 3rd floor)

LAST DAY OF COOKIE SALES: Girl Scout Cookies fan? Last chance to get ’em! Here’s the list of who’s selling where, and when, 8 am-8 pm.

Fairmount Ravine cleanup followup, plus: How about an ivy-fighting day – are you in?

After the 22nd annual Fairmount Ravine cleanup, a lot of work’s been done, and much remains. The photo, report, and question, are from Sarah Schieron:

23 volunteers joined to remove 65 large bags of trash, 4 tires, 5 chairs, a kids swimming pool, and many many cans and bottles out of the Fairmount Ravine this morning.

This year, we saw fewer volunteers than last year despite very favorable weather conditions. However, those that participated, to a person, worked hard and made a valuable contribution. Volunteers ranged from 2 to 86 years of age and over half were participating for the very first time. We were grateful to have veterans, John Lang and Blair Constantine, participate for their 22nd consecutive year as their history and experience in this green space is so useful.

Our thanks to Metropolitan Market, Zatz a Better Bagel and Natalie Steffens of the Admiral Starbucks for donating generous refreshments. SPD Officers Flores and MacNeil were a very helpful presence and arranged for trash pick-up at midday.

Each year the majority of our time and effort is under the Admiral bridge. We do some invasive plant cutting, but we never make the impact we would like on this growing concern. We wonder if our community has the interest and commitment for a second work day specifically to cut back ivy? There are many trees that are overcome by this invasive plant and will die and fall without some intervention. If helping in this way interests you, please contact sarahbroz@yahoo.com so we can plan another community workday in the next month (before the nettles grow taller).

Thank you to the volunteers, donors, and police team who made Saturday such a success!

Prosecution calls final witness as Morgan Junction murder trial ends third full week of testimony

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

After 3 1/2 four-day weeks on the case, the jury in the Morgan Junction murder trial is hearing from what’s expected to be the prosecution’s final witness.

Seattle Police Homicide Unit Detective Tim DeVore has been seated at the prosecution’s table for most of the trial, until now. On Thursday afternoon, he got up and crossed the courtroom to sit in the chair that constitutes “the witness stand.” Monday morning, he will be there again.

But first, Thursday began with more discussion of blood-alcohol levels, followed by an analyst’s report on defendant Lovett “Cid” Chambers‘s gun and ammunition – how it was tested and what she believed it showed.

Read More

Want an update on the pump-station project? Or another Fauntleroy issue? Tuesday’s your chance

March 15, 2014 9:04 pm
|    Comments Off on Want an update on the pump-station project? Or another Fauntleroy issue? Tuesday’s your chance
 |   Fauntleroy | West Seattle news


(Click image for larger view)
That’s an aerial view of the Barton Pump Station upgrade project north of the Fauntleroy ferry dock, photographed this week by Long B. Nguyen. It’s a project of the King County Wastewater Treatment District, and they’re one of dozens of participants slated for the big annual membership meeting of the Fauntleroy Community Association this coming Tuesday (March 18th).

The meeting at The Hall at Fauntleroy is part info fair; at last Tuesday’s FCA board meeting, we were told confirmed participants include, besides KCWTD, Washington State Ferries, the Fauntleroy Schoolhouse Community Center, Fauntleroy Church, “Diver Laura” James with Tox-Ick.org, The Whale Trail, Seal Sitters, The Kenney (WSB sponsor), ArtsWest, the Fauntleroy Y (WSB sponsor), Morgan Community Association, and the Southwest Branch Library.

It’s also a chance for Fauntleroy residents to pay their annual FCA membership dues and vote for the board; and local bites are offered as an incentive – including The Hall’s own Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes Catering, nearby Endolyne Joe’s (WSB sponsor), Bird on a Wire Espresso, The Original Bakery, and Stuffed Cakes. It all starts at 6 pm; The Hall is on the south side of the historic schoolhouse at 9131 California SW.

2 schools, 1 campus, 1 busy road: Safety improvements sought before Arbor Heights moves in with STEM

(School-zone beacon near Boren, now fully operational; photo courtesy Robin Graham)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Next school year, the former Louisa May Boren Junior High School on Delridge will be home to two schools – ongoing permanent home to K-5 (future K-8) STEM, and starting its two-year status as temporary home to Arbor Heights Elementary while AH is rebuilt.

That’s 800 or so students filling the campus, plus their teachers and other staffers.

Space in the building is not much at issue. Safety is – specifically, safely getting all those students to and from school, which fronts one of West Seattle’s main arterials, Delridge Way, a much-used route to and from the two bridges across the Duwamish River connecting the peninsula with downtown.

Though this is the second year K-5 STEM has occupied the building, it is only now getting something as simple as flashing beacons to catch drivers’ attention in the 20-mph zone. The beacons just began operation, and SDOT’s Brian Dougherty says that when Arbor Heights moves in this fall, the lights will be programmed to reflect the staggered times both schools will be in session on the campus.

The lights are welcome, but nowhere near a full solution.

Read More

Update: Emergency response at Terminal 5

3:28 PM: Big Seattle Fire callout to the 2900 block of SW Florida. 911 log calls it a haz-mat response. More to come.

3:31 PM: Scanner says an unknown substance sprayed on a worker at Terminal 5.

3:48 PM: “Cutting fluid” is what’s suspected to be involved. Via Twitter, SFD says the worker’s “symptoms are minor.”

5:07 PM: No additional official info, but after an hour and a half, the incident is now closed.

St. Patrick’s Day 2014: West Seattle HS, Denny IMS bands in downtown parade

We’ll confess we weren’t able to make it downtown for today’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, but thanks to King County Councilmember Joe McDermott, we are able to show you a bit of the West Seattle High School Marching Band‘s performance as they marched along the parade route on 4th Avenue.

As noted here on Thursday, the Denny International Middle School Marching Band was scheduled to be in the parade too – any pics/video of them (and/or other participants from West Seattle), please consider sendingeditor@westseattleblog.com – so we can add!

5:43 PM UPDATE: Thanks to Denny International Middle School principal Jeff Clark for sharing photos of his school’s band in the parade:

As with WSHS, it was a repeat performance.

P.S. One week from tonight you can hear musicians from Denny and adjacent Chief Sealth International High School at their Big Band Dinner Dance fundraiser, also featuring the esteemed West Seattle Big Band – all the details are in our recently published preview.

P.P.S. Today’s parade included the Highland Park-based Seattle Police Mounted Patrol, who just published photos via Facebookincluding this one.

Spring arrives Thursday! Join Alice Enevoldsen at Solstice Park

Yes, we know, that’s a SUNRISE (photo courtesy of Karen, this past Thursday) and Alice Enevoldsen‘s events are SUNSET gatherings. But we didn’t want the attention-getting beauty to go to waste. Get ready to celebrate spring, which arrives a few hours after sunrise on Thursday (March 20th) – just before 10 am. Then you’ll want to come to Solstice Park east of Lincoln Park for sunset, which is a few minutes past 7, but you’re advised to arrive around 6:45. Alice has just published the official invitation on her Alice’s Astro Info website; it’s an all-ages event, fun and educational. (Alice will also be happy to talk with you about the new discoveries out in space.)

Need a break? WSHS student leaders offering ‘Parents’ Night Out’ to benefit community-service project

March 15, 2014 12:32 pm
|    Comments Off on Need a break? WSHS student leaders offering ‘Parents’ Night Out’ to benefit community-service project
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Student leaders at West Seattle High School are working on a service project to help homeless people, but they’re not just asking for donations – they’re offering you a chance to leave your kid(s) with them and go have a fun night out this coming Friday (March 21st). Here’s what they’re offering and how to sign up:

We will provide dinner, snacks, and beverages for your children, and then we will be playing games and movies in our theater and gym!

Minimum Donation: $20 per kid with $10 for each additional child in family

Time: 5 – 10:30 PM

Dinner: Pizza, snacks, and veggies!

Sorry, but no diapers!

We will be having experienced students and teachers there at all times. Please RSVP at wshsparentsnightout@gmail.com

To RSVP please include: parent’s first and last name, child’s name and age.

The WSBeat: Unanswered doorbell; arson followup…

By Megan Sheppard
On the WSBeat, for West Seattle Blog

This edition of The WSBeat contains summaries written from reports on cases handled recently by Southwest Precinct officers – generally cases that (usually) have not already appeared here in breaking-news coverage or West Seattle Crime Watch reports, but that might at least answer the question “what WERE all those police doing on my block?” Or on the bridge, or the beach, or …

*Around 8:30 a.m. on the 7th, in the 9200 block of 17th SW (map), someone repeatedly rang the doorbell at an apartment. When the resident didn’t answer, a loud “BOOM” shook the building as the would-be visitor tried to kick the door in. Video shows a slim, light-skinned black male wearing a beige hoodie jumping over a gate and into the victim’s side yard. He remains at large.

Four more summaries ahead (it’s been quieter lately) including a followup on an arson case reported here earlier this week: Read More

Happening now: 22nd annual Fairmount Ravine cleanup

If young volunteer Woodrow can do it, you can too. The Fairmount Ravine cleanup is under way and if you happen to see this before 11:30 or so, extra hands are still very welcome – their trash pickup is scheduled at noon (so bags aren’t blocking the sides of the not-so-wide road used by many on foot and on wheels) and the more that gets bagged by then, the better.

The ravine runs under the Admiral Way Bridge – you can get there via the south end just east of Hiawatha or the north end at Harbor Avenue.

West Seattle Saturday: Rummage sales continue; Gear Swap starts; new Log House Museum exhibit; nature walks; music; more!

March 15, 2014 6:30 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Saturday: Rummage sales continue; Gear Swap starts; new Log House Museum exhibit; nature walks; music; more!
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

morning light  along the trail

(Morning light along the Longfellow Creek Trail; photo by Flickr member “wsLaura,” via the WSB Flickr group)
Morning through late night, we have options for your West Seattle Saturday, from the calendar (where you’ll find even more):

FAIRMOUNT RAVINE CLEANUP: 8:30 am, meet just east of Hiawatha – to be part of the 22nd annual Fairmount Ravine cleanup, pulling invasives to help the greenbelt survive, as well as picking up thrown-out and dumped items. More info in our Friday preview. Refreshments/snacks! (Fairmount/Forest)

TIBBETTS SALE: Day two of the twice-annual rummage sale at Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor), 9 am-3 pm – details in our calendar listing. (41st/Andover)

WEST SIDE PRESBYTERIAN SALE: It’s also day two of the “gigantic garage sale” at West Side Presbyterian Church, 9 am-2 pm – details in our calendar listing. (3601 California SW)

WEST SEATTLE GEAR SWAP: First day of this weekend’s West Seattle Gear Swap, presented by Mountain to Sound Outfitters 10 am-6 pm (one last chance to drop off gear for sale during the first two hours). Sale is at American Legion Post 160 just down the block from M2SO. (3618 SW Alaska)

SCOUTING FOR FOOD: Cub Scout Pack 793 reminds us that they and other local Scouts (including Troop 282, mentioned here earlier this week) will be out this morning to place door-hangers for the Scouting For Food door-to-door food drive. They’ll be back next Saturday (March 22nd) to pick up donations left on doorsteps – and if you are missed, they’ll also be collecting food at their gathering spot 9 am-11 am that day (44th/Hill grassy triangle) – we’ll remind you again! Scouting for Food is nationwide and dates back to 1988.

TEA EXTRAVAGANZA: 10 am-1 pm, explore teas at PCC Natural Markets-West Seattle (WSB sponsor), with baked-goods samples too – details in our calendar listing. (California/Stevens)

HAPPY 6TH, ATOMIC BOYS: As mentioned in the biznotes published here Friday, Atomic Boys in The Admiral District invites you to stop by to help celebrate the toys/candy/more store’s sixth anniversary today, 10 am-6 pm. (4311 SW Admiral Way)

LOG HOUSE MUSEUM OPENS WITH NEW EXHIBIT: After two weeks of setup for the next chapter of “Telling Our Westside Stories,” the Southwest Seattle Historical Society‘s Log House Museum reopens at noon. You’ll be greeted by videos, SWSHS executive director Clay Eals explains, like this one with Bob Washburn‘s memorable story:

Eals says that’s “a good example of the interviews done by Madison Middle School students with still photos edited together to make videos that museum visitors will see when they come in the door.” More info on the LHM website; the museum is open noon-4 pm Thursdays-Sundays. (61st/Stevens)

WEST SEATTLEITES IN ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE DOWNTOWN: If you’re going to the 12:30 pm parade downtown, our report from Thursday mentions West Seattle participants (and if we missed any, please let us know!) and has links to other parade info, including the route. (On 4th Ave., northward from Jefferson)

SALAMANDER SEARCH: 3 pm at Camp Long, for ages 6 and up (all children must be accompanied by an adult) – details in our calendar listing. (5200 35th SW)

MADISON ‘CASINO NIGHT’ FUNDRAISER: The Madison Middle School PTSA‘s biggest fundraiser of the year starts at 6 pm at Brockey Center on the South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor) campus: “There will be some terrific auction items up for bid, including: a mountain-cabin weekend for 6, a distillery tour & tastings for 12, 6 hours of architectural services, dinner for 4 at Zippy’s, 5th Avenue Theater tickets …” Buffet dinner too. No ticket yet? Go here. (6000 16th SW)

OWLS AND OTHER ORGANISMS: 6:30 pm guided nature walk at Lincoln Park with naturalist Stewart Wechsler – details in our calendar listing. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)

‘THIRD’: Curtain time for ArtsWest‘s production of the Wendy Wasserstein play is 7:30 pm. (4711 California SW)

NORTHWEST SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA IN WEST SEATTLE: The orchestra’s third concert of the season, “Music for the Soul,” is at 8 pm at Holy Rosary Church, featuring Bruckner’s 8th Symphony and “Motet” by Northwest composer Clement Reid. Ticket information is in our calendar listing. (42nd/Genesee)

LIVE MUSIC AT THE CASK: Acoustic set with Gary Benson, who specializes in singing the music of “James Taylor and other artists of that era.” 8-10 pm at The Cask. (2350 California SW)

CHLOROFORMULA AT FEEDBACK LOUNGE: 9:30 pm – be there. (6451 California SW)

4755 Fauntleroy: Rasmussen’s response to ‘volume of correspondence’

(From project team’s presentation at last Tuesday’s hearing)
Following up on Tuesday’s City Council Transportation Committee hearing (WSB as-it-happened coverage here) on the requested “alley vacation” for 4755 Fauntleroy Way SW, recently named The Whittaker, aka “the Whole Foods project” for the only tenant announced so far for the ~400-apartment, ~600-parking-space mixed-use building: The committee’s chair, Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, has made public the e-mail he is sending to those who’ve contacted him with concerns. Read it here or below:

As noted both in Rasmussen’s e-mail and our Tuesday coverage linked above, the next official step is the April 8th committee meeting. It will also have a public-comment period, but since it’s not the formal public hearing on the proposal, it won’t be as long as the hour last Tuesday. Along with Rasmussen, the committee includes vice chair Mike O’Brien and member Jean Godden. The final vote on the proposal would be up to the full council.

Remembering Mary ‘Butch’ Gribble and her friendly face

You might only have known Mary “Butch” Gribble from Illusions Hair Design (WSB sponsor) or community benefits, but if you met her, you wouldn’t forget her. Her sister Sue Lindblom, Illusions proprietor, shares this remembrance:

Mary (Coghill) Gribble

It is with sadness we report the passing of the friendly face of Mary ‘Butch’ Gribble to many residents living in West Seattle. After 23 years, she retired in November 2013 from Illusions Hair Design and passed peacefully at home on March 4th.

She was born Mary Coghill in Montana but was raised in West Seattle with siblings David, Angus, Susan, and Bill. Her family lost Angus in 1994.

She always loved her Scottish heritage and loved playing by ear her piano, accordion and squeezebox. Her father had musical talent but unfortunately she was the only one that took up the ‘ear.’ She had always been a real caretaker to many in her life including family members and friends. She started her working career for many years at Sears. All remember her energy and sense of humor wherever she was. Many remember her face at one of the car washes or dinners held at the West Seattle Eagles for a Pencil Me In For Kids benefit.

She leaves behind her devoted husband and best friend Grant Gribble, sister Sue (Mike Lindblom), brothers Bill (Debbie) and Dave, many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great nephews, co-workers and past co-workers. There will be no services, as per her request. The family thanks all who have so kindly expressed their condolences.

West Seattle biznotes from Junction, Admiral, Triangle, Delridge

Six quick biznotes:

ALKI BEACH TATTOO MOVING TO THE JUNCTION: Poking around to find out who’s taking over the former Edie’s Shoes space at 4310 SW Alaska, we heard it might be Alki Beach Tattoo … and now, they have confirmed it via their Facebook page. The name will change to Alaska Street Tattoo Parlour. Opening date TBA.

ATOMIC BOYS TURN 6: The toys/candy/more store at 4311 SW Admiral Way is celebrating its sixth anniversary tomorrow, and co-proprietor Kent Sadow says you’re invited to stop by to join the party – 10 am-6 pm, ice cream, balloons, “and drawings for fun prizes.”

MATADOR REOPENING: Matador in The Junction, approaching its 9th anniversary, is scheduled to reopen at 4 this afternoon after a weeklong remodel, including an interior described as having “reclaimed barn wood accents and new metalwork … There will be more seating added, including several new booths and an expansion of the fire-pit area, and a completely new floor.”

VENTIDUE EXPANSION UPDATE: Update from proprietor Cary Kemp about the Pizzeria 22 expansion project mentioned here last August:

The new room will accommodate up to 50 people for private events as well as space for overflow from our original dining room,which means no more waiting as well as reservations! We plan on completing the project in April.

DOGCITY WEST SEATTLE: We received some questions about the blue/green building in The Triangle, just south of the YMCA (WSB sponsor). It’s DogCity West Seattle, a day-care/boarding/grooming facility whose owner Jan Brown says they decided to start it after looking around for pet sitters for their own furry family members.

UPTOWN DELRIDGE ADDS GAMES: The game business is suddenly hot in West Seattle. In addition to Meeples Games getting ready to open, Uptown Espresso in Delridge has added retail sales of games. (Added: A “grand opening” is scheduled March 22nd.)

South Seattle Community College’s new name: South Seattle College

Community college isn’t just for 2-year degrees any more, so a new name is in the works for West Seattle-headquartered South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor) – it will become South Seattle College. That’s part of a district-wide change, as this announcement explains:

At its meeting March 13, 2014, the Seattle Community Colleges District Board of Trustees voted unanimously to change the name of the District to Seattle Colleges and to change the names of the colleges to North Seattle College, Seattle Central College, and South Seattle College.

The decision came after a year-long exploration of national and statewide trends; opinion surveys of students, employees and community partners; and consultation with business and civic leaders and representatives from Seattle Public Schools.

All three of the District’s colleges offer bachelor’s degrees now.

Read More

Happening now: Two 2-day sales at West Seattle churches

March 14, 2014 2:25 pm
|    Comments Off on Happening now: Two 2-day sales at West Seattle churches
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Quirky finds are lurking throughout the two big church rummage sales under way right now in West Seattle. Above, a sighting at the Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor) sale, under way until 4 pm today, 9 am-3 pm tomorrow (41st/Andover); below, an item we noticed at the sale at West Side Presbyterian Church, until 5 pm today, 9 am-2 pm tomorrow (3601 California SW):

Can’t guarantee what’s still available, but WSPC posted a 41-photo preview gallery here.

Water Taxi rider alert: Detour for walking to downtown dock

March 14, 2014 1:51 pm
|    Comments Off on Water Taxi rider alert: Detour for walking to downtown dock
 |   King County Water Taxi | West Seattle news

If you catch the West Seattle Water Taxi back home by walking to the downtown dock via Yesler Way – as we’ve done a few times while working at the courthouse this month – you’ll need to detour north to Columbia, starting today: The county just announced that the city’s seawall work is closing the Yesler/Alaskan Way crossing TFN.

Meet West Seattle Hi-Yu’s 2014 Senior Court candidates!

Back in October, we reported on West Seattle Hi-Yu‘s historic decision to open applications to male candidates for their Junior and Senior Court. As Hi-Yu gets ready for its Senior Court coronation, the candidates include the first-ever boy. 17-year-old Hang Thao is pictured (at this month’s Hi-Yu meeting) with, at left, 17-year-old Lorelei McFadden and, at right, 19-year-old Nina Coluccio. Hang and Lorelei are seniors at the Arts and Academics Academy in White Center, while Nina is a student at South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor). We’ll find out who becomes Hi-Yu Queen or King at the coronation on May 18th.