West Seattle, Washington
11 Sunday
(WS high/low bridges and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
So far, no trouble on the routes through/from West Seattle. Ice shouldn’t be a problem anywhere this morning, with temperatures 10 degrees above freezing.
6:24 AM: We’ll be asking Seattle City Light this morning about the hourlong early-morning power outage that affected about 4,700 customers in southwest West Seattle. Our apologies for missing it in real time; looks unofficially like it started sometime after 3 am, and ended by 4:20 am, and it appears to have been in what was the primary area of the windstorm outage last weekend (see the screengrab in this tweet from @kjkjal). Whatever we learn from SCL, we’ll add here.
8:44 AM: Though the power was back relatively quickly, SCL’s Scott Thomsen tells WSB, crews are still working on it: “The first thing they did was to isolate the area where they believe the problem exists and re-route power from other circuits. That put all our customers back in service. The crews are still patrolling the line to find out what caused the outage and make repairs.”
5:16 PM: We checked back with Thomsen to see what the crews had found. He replied: “Crews determined that the outage was caused by an underground cable failure. This underground cable is near the substation and feeds the overhead lines in the area that experienced the outage. The damaged area has been isolated and power continues to be routed into the area from an alternate path until permanent repairs can be made.”
From transportation to tax returns, briefings, updates, and announcements spanned two busy hours at tonight’s Delridge Neighborhoods District Council meeting:
DELRIDGE MULTIMODAL CORRIDOR: SDOT‘s Sara Zora provided the briefing on this, which traces to an idea that Delridge neighborhood advocates have been discussing for a while. The concept of viewing a road as a “multimodal corridor” is at a “very conceptual level,” Zora said. Delridge is one of 10 corridors SDOT will be looking at in 2015, all “major arterials” to be reviewed through the “complete streets” prism.
6:09 PM: Northbound Delridge at Oregon, near Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, is blocked by a 2-vehicle crash. Avoid the area. More to come.
6:22 PM: Police confirm at the scene, no major injuries. Two people were being transported by private ambulance. No TCI callout, so it will not be a long closure.
6:39 PM: Added a photo taken from the footbridge by Youngstown, looking south over the northbound lanes. We’ll be checking back on the scene before the top of the hour.
6:44 PM: Police just announced via scanner that Delridge is open both ways again.
(WSB photos by Christopher Boffoli. Above, police near the robbery scene)
5:18 PM: Police are combing North Admiral neighborhoods right now for two street-robbery suspects. More to come.
5:27 PM: They have found a possible suspect. We don’t have full details of the incident yet but police had been seeking two people, one reported to have a knife, another who reportedly told the victims he had a gun. They either stole or tried to steal a phone.
(44th/Atlantic, where police checked a home whose resident reported an intruder alarm)
5:45 PM UPDATE: No word of any arrests yet. An active search continues, with K-9; the actual robbery happened north of Admiral/California.
(Tonight’s search went all the way to the water – above, Don Armeni Boat Ramp park)
Just before this, we had learned of a robbery attempt near there yesterday afternoon; police say they don’t know yet if that’s related. In that one, two people tried to steal a 13-year-old’s phone, but older youth in the area chased them away. It apparently was not reported to police until today. (Added: That attempt happened near Lafayette Elementary around 3 pm Tuesday, according to the victim’s family.)
6:26 PM: Search continuing, and it’s very wide-ranging.
(Sunset/Seattle, atop the North Admiral bluff)
7:23 PM: Police have been searching as far north as Harbor Avenue. Counting the attempted robbery yesterday that we just learned about today, this is the fifth street robbery or attempt in West Seattle in the past seven days, starting last Thursday (January 15th) when two people knocked down and stole the backpack of a middle-schooler walking by Myrtle Reservoir in Gatewood; on Friday, a robber stole a phone from a high-school student walking in a Westwood neighborhood; on Saturday, a man parking near his workplace in Morgan Junction was accosted by robbers who tried to steal his car.
8:14 PM: We’re adding photos from the search. Meantime, we just checked with Lt. Alan Williams, who confirms, no arrests yet, and that the person detained at 45th/Walker was not identified by the victims, so he was released. The robbery itself, Lt. Williams says, happened in the 2300 block of 44th SW. He has no description information at this point aside from “two black males … estimated to be 15-17 years of age.”
Here’s what’s new and interesting in the development files:
LENNAR’S SECOND WEST SEATTLE PROJECT – 2501 HARBOR: Seven months ago, we mentioned this one-acre parcel with three industrial/storage buildings was listed for sale. Among the possibilities touted in the listing: “Excellent potential for apartment, office or mixed-use redevelopment.” The latter is what’s on the drawing board now. According to an early site plan in the city’s online files, Lennar Multi-Family (residential developer for The Whittaker in The Junction) is proposing a 142-unit, 117-parking-space mixed-use building with 4,500 square feet of commercial space, to replace the three existing buildings. The zoning is C1-40 but the site plan proposes a building rising 48′ above grade. Parking would be entered from SW Florida, on the west side of the site. This will require Design Review; no date set yet. We’ll be following up on questions such as timeline and the future of the businesses currently on site.
YMCA EXPANSION GETS KEY APPROVALS: This week’s first Land Use Information Bulletin from the city includes the notice of key land-use approvals for the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) expansion/remodel. The approval notice includes a link to information on how to appeal. The expansion plan was announced last September.
2646 SW HOLDEN, 1 HOUSE GOING, 18 COMING: A demolition permit is now being sought for the one old, vacant house on this site stretching between Holden and Webster:
One land-use permit has been issued for the 18-house subdivision planned here, and another one is being sought for other aspects of the planned development.
OTHER DEMOLITION-PERMIT FILINGS: 10037 39th SW in Arbor Heights, except for the foundation; 3402 SW Morgan in High Point, to be replaced by two duplex townhouses; 3031 59th SW in Alki, to be replaced by two single-family houses and a two-unit townhouse.
320O BLOCK OF CALIFORNIA SIDE NOTE: We mentioned earlier this month that two addresses here are going to Streamlined Design Review with a mix of townhouses and live-works. What we didn’t notice, until some neighbors pointed it out, is that the sites were part of the location proposed for a 60-unit building at 3211 California SW. So it appears that project – which had made its Design Review debut last spring – is apparently no longer in the works.
More signs of Seahawks spirit, with The Biggest Game now just 11 days away:
From Amy Daly-Donovan – who says it’s part of a Super Bowl-related commercial being filmed by CenturyLink Field today, and she and her husband are both involved. (In case you missed it last Sunday, Amy shared a photo of Finnegan, The 12th Dog.)
Other spirited scenes/notes shared with us so far this week:
Chuck Jacobs says he put together those kerosene lanterns just in time for last Sunday’s game and will have them going for the Super Bowl as well.
And next week, West Coast Entertainment in Admiral is offering a free bag of Skittles for everyone who takes a West Seattle Segway tour next Monday-Friday. On the final pre-game Blue Friday, January 30th, you’re also invited to stop by the WCE office at 2705 California SW between 9 and 5 for a free Seahawks airbrush tattoo (and free popcorn if/while you wait).
Thanks to Southwest District Council co-chair David Whiting (president of the Admiral Neighborhood Association) for sharing the city’s announcement confirming which Neighborhood Park & Street Fund projects are funded for this year. See the full list of projects citywide here; below, see the excerpts showing West Seattle projects (the city considers WS to be two neighborhood districts, Southwest and Delridge):
The citywide total for all projects funded this year is almost $2 million. In some cases, the grant money is applied to a larger project – for example, this will be the case with the Boren crosswalks, a project confirmed earlier this month. We don’t have full details on all the projects but they will certainly be topics at the respective district council meetings, including Delridge, 7 pm tonight at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (as previewed in our daily highlights list).
P.S. A similar amount, about $2 million, is set aside for this year’s NPSF – and the application deadline is approaching.
The latest reminder that the West Seattle Food Bank provides recycled books to its clients – and needs your donations to keep the books flowing!
The West Seattle Food Bank’s Bookcase Program was so successful with our clients during the holidays that we have run out of many books, especially children’s books. Young children enjoy the picture books while waiting with their parents in our lobby and are excited about being able to take them home. Cookbooks, history books and Adult fiction and non-fiction are extremely popular with our adult clients. Our Bookcase Program distributed more than 5,500 recycled books last year donated by local book stores and individuals in our community. Donations are accepted during our office hours of Monday – Friday 9 am – 3 pm. The West Seattle Food Bank is located at 3419 SW Morgan St. at the corner of 35th & Morgan.
First, if you happen to have been at Westwood Village and noticed police this past hour:
SHOPLIFTING/ROBBERY: What was described over the air as shoplifting-turned-robbery at the Westwood Village Radio Shack drew a big police response. Our crew was told the employee wasn’t hurt; they’re still trying to determine what was taken. Police were searching for two possible suspects, described early on as Hispanic women 18-22, both 5’3″ to 5’4″, one thin, one medium-to-heavy, one dressed all in black, one in a gray jacket. We’re hearing of one possible arrest in a residential area several blocks north and will be checking to verify.
(12:35 PM UPDATE: SPD confirms a 15-year-old girl is in custody. Apparently the other possible suspect was not involved in the crime.)
(back to original report) A few other Crime Watch notes from the past few days:
RECOGNIZE THIS CAR? Shay says it’s been parked in her neighborhood for a few weeks and neighbors thought it belonged to someone working nearby, but now realize it’s abandoned.
Police will be contacted if they haven’t been already, but Shay got a stolen car back via this kind of WSB report a few years ago and so wanted to get the word out this way too.
CAR PROWLS: Last Friday night, according to a reader report, three cars, all Hondas, were broken into near 49th/Juneau in Seaview; someone “with a flashlight was spotted at 6 am and fled upon being observed.” No signs of forced entry, so neighbors are wondering if the prowler(s) have “a keyless entry.”
NEXT CRIMEFIGHTING MEETINGS: The West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network meets at 6:30 pm next Tuesday (January 27th) at the Southwest Precinct – you don’t have to be a captain, or even in a block watch (yet!), to attend. And if you missed the announcement published here Tuesday morning, Seattle Police Chief Kathleen O’Toole is coming to West Seattle for her first “community conversation” here, 6:30 pm Tuesday, February 3rd, also at the precinct (which is at Webster/Delridge).
P.S. The chief’s latest quarterly report to the City Council will be presented this afternoon – read it here.
(Today’s sunrise at Seacrest – photo by Lise Thivierge)
Thanks to our community contributors for views of this morning’s sunrise! Scroll all the way through to see all three views. And, of course, to see the highlights of what’s up today/tonight – maybe your first community meeting of the new year? From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
STORY TIMES: Four library story times on the calendar today – preschoolers at West Seattle and toddlers at Southwest, both at 10:30 am; babies at High Point, 11:30 am; Somali story time at High Point, 5 pm. Each has its own listing, with more info and even a map, on our calendar.
DUWAMISH RIVER CLEANUP PLAN: 5:30-7:30 pm tonight in South Park, the Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition offers your next chance to find out more about the plan, in three languages:
Tonight at Concord International School is your opportunity to learn about EPA’s “Record of Decision,” its final cleanup plan for the Duwamish River. It is a step in the right direction – but there is still more to do! To keep working for an even healthier cleanup, we need YOU! Join DRCC/TAG and your neighbors tonight as EPA and South Park community members provide some highlights from the plan and talk about what is next. Presentations will be available in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese. Light dinner and child care will be available!
(723 S. Concord)
NEIGHBORHOOD GREEN MEETING: Talk about climate change with the Green Party of Seattle and Sustainable West Seattle. 6:30 pm at Admiral Bird. (2600 California SW)
(Today’s sunrise, Olympics view – photo by James Bratsanos)
DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOODS DISTRICT COUNCIL: 7 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. Agenda toplines:
7:10 p.m. Friends of Art on Pier 86, the Silos & Grain Elevator – David Levinson
7:17 p.m. UWKC Free Tax Campaign – Thomas Gardner
7:25 p.m. Multimodal Corridor Program, Delridge Way Project – Sara Zora (SDOT)
7:45 p.m. Update from CM Rasmussen – Tom Rasmussen
8:15 p.m. DNDC Business/Events/Discussions – All
-District 1 Candidates Forum
-2015 Grant Opportunities
-Joint DC Meeting with SWDC
-Annual DNDC Membership Meeting/Elections
-West Seattle Working Waterfront Tour
8:35 p.m. Neighborhood/Community Announcements – All
This time, DNDC meets in the Youngstown theater. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
MORGAN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: 7 pm at The Kenney (WSB sponsor), it’s MoCA’s quarterly meeting. Agenda toplines:
* Special Guest – James Bush, Department of Neighborhoods
* Murray CSO
* Morgan SDOT update
* Morgan Park Little Library update
* Donation to Morgan Neighbors
* New Bike Racks for Morgan Junction
* 2015 Neighborhood Streets and Parks Funds – Morgan applications
* 2015 Morgan Festival
* Election of Officers, slate presentation for April meeting and vote
Find MoCA in The Kenney’s lower-level meeting rooms. (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW)
WORDSWEST LITERARY SERIES: As previewed here Monday night, WordsWest takes on New Year’s resolutions in the 7 pm writers’ showcase at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), featuring Jennie Shortridge and Frances McCue. (5612 California SW)
COMEDY! 8 pm at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), hosted by Mona Concepcion, it’s the next “Just Laugh It Off” showcase – check the lineup here. (6451 California SW)
MORE COMEDY: Tonight’s also the night West Seattle native Adam Cozens, visiting from L.A., stars at Comedy Underground in Pioneer Square, 8 pm, as mentioned in our recent followup story on how his showbiz career is going. (109 S. Washington)
(More of the Olympics, from Alki – photo by Don Brubeck)
EVEN MORE … daytime activities AND nightlife, on our calendar!
Two new reports of the scam phone callers who claim to be from Seattle City Light, alleging you owe money and are at risk of imminent shutoff if you don’t pay them. This came in last night from Dan at Peel and Press in Morgan Junction:
My employees at Peel and Press just got a call from someone claiming to be Seattle City Light stating that they were going to shut off our power in one hour and that they needed to confirm our billing info. My employees took down the name and number and then called me. I called back “Mr. Allan Grey” and he went on about how my last two payments weren’t cleared and they would be shutting off my power in the next few minutes. He wanted me to confirm my card number and exp date. I asked him to reference the last 4 numbers of my SCL account because something didn’t seem right and I had a feeling this was a scam. He assured me I could wait for my power to get shut off so I would know it was real. I again asked for the last 4 digits and he hung up. I called Seattle City Light and just as I expected my power bill was up to date and no issues with my service. Claimed to be Allan Grey – Ph. 1-800-237-3081
At least one local residence also just got this kind of call – see this post in the WSB Forums. And as noted here a month ago, utility-bill scammers are showing up in person, too.
WHAT YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT: City Light has scam-protection advice for you here.
(WS high/low bridges and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
7:05 AM: With the temperature at/around freezing, after a mostly clear night, watch for icy spots this morning. First transportation-related tweet of the day is from Kevin, who says his girlfriend hit a spot of black ice while on her bicycle passing the bottom of the SW Yancy hill in North Delridge.
7:44 AM: Junction traffic note from SDOT:
A medical response has blocked the WB lane of SW Alaska St just east of California Ave SW. pic.twitter.com/Hj9PUTxdkt
— seattledot (@seattledot) January 21, 2015
ROADSIDE-WORK REMINDER: Today is scheduled to be the second and final day of SDOT work on the medians near Admiral Way Viewpoint, 8 am-3 pm, with inside lanes closed on both sides.
99 OVERNIGHT WORK NORTH OF DOWNTOWN: Again tonight, 8 pm-6 am, there’s work on 99 north of downtown – here’s the WSDOT alert.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
No new information about Saturday’s Morgan Junction holdup, when it was brought up during tonight’s West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting.
What did dominate the evening was a wide-ranging discussion on various neighborhoods’ problems and what can, can’t, and – in some neighbors’ view – should be done about them.
First, the crime-trend update:
LOCAL CRIME TRENDS: Auto theft has remained the same – a high level, but “we’re starting to make some arrests.” Car prowls are “down drastically.” So said precinct operations Lt. Ron Smith, representing precinct leadership at the meeting – he said car prowls are down to 11 in the past week, compared to 18. A new way of handling the data is being implemented soon, he said, so that could make a change. Nonresidential burglaries are down; residential burglary is down 40 percent from an average week, 6 compared to the average of 10. “We’ve made a couple arrests, and that might have made a difference – names known to the community.” Strong-arm robberies, usually 1 a week, this past week we’ve had two (both reported here).
Asked about the strong-arm robbery, Lt. Smith mentioned – without specifying the location – the Sealth student who was walking to school when her phone was stolen. They don’t know yet for sure whether the robber is a student or not, though “similar age group” to the victim. Sometimes the response time is hampered by the fact the robbery isn’t reported until they tell their parents hours later. He says this type of robbery has now been dubbed “Apple-picking.”
Asked about shoplifting, aggravated assault, drug-dealing arrests, Lt. Smith said he doesn’t have numbers on those categories but can get them. He says the Anti-Crime Team is going after drug crime right now, though, and that drug dealing is being addressed “through other methods” – CPTED, such as lighting, removing phone booths, cutting back shrubbery, and talking to businesses to let them know it’s their responsibility to keep watch on what’s happening on their property.
NUISANCE HOUSES: A question is asked about a South Delridge block and a particular house on 17th SW. Lt. Smith says they’re aware of several trouble houses. Precinct liaison Matthew York from the City Attorney’s Office, seated next to Lt. Smith (photo at right), gives his card to the asker. Another man says there’s a similar problem in his neighborhood – stolen cars dumped, an unregistered sex offender who they say had a teenage girl in his house, someone else who was wanted on warrants and “had a sawed-off shotgun.” The house in question had “constant turnover,” troublemakers in the back yard – they would report the problems, police would show up, and be deterred by a locked gate and people going into hiding. “With (houses like this) you can look at the 911 calls – 197 on that block – (people have) called constantly.” Someone else says “it’s kind of like we’re at war” but it has quieted down a bit with the involvement of the Community Police Team.
(All photos in this story are by Mark Wangerin. Above, rhinoceros auklet)
A glimmer of good news about the health of Puget Sound and some of its wildlife. This news release arrived via NOAA, but much of the work was done by volunteers:
A new analysis of seven years of bird sightings by volunteer birdwatchers from the Seattle Audubon Society has found positive trends in several Puget Sound seabird species that had been in historic decline.
(Common loon)
The study tracked the occurrence of 18 seabird species at 62 sites around Puget Sound and found increased presence of 14 species, including cormorants, loons, rhinoceros auklets, and harlequin ducks. It also documented local hotspots for certain species, which may reflect especially important habitat or prey the birds depend on.(Harlequin duck)
“This means that all other things being equal, if someone goes out now they’re more likely to see these birds than they would have been seven years ago,” said Eric Ward, an ecologist at NOAA Fisheries’ Northwest Fisheries Science Center in Seattle and lead author of the research.Many seabird species are thought to have declined around Puget Sound since the 1960s and 1970s but the new results suggest the trends have turned up for many species.
(WSB photo, taken Saturday)
We noticed those sandbags at Alki Bathhouse over the weekend, apparently awaiting the next round of “king tides,” the very-high high tides that happen a few times in winter. They’re coming up later this week; according to our favorite tide chart (aside from the short-range one on the WSB Weather page, that is), they are:
* 12.8 feet, 5:54 am Wednesday, January 21
* 13.0 feet, 6:31 am Thursday, January 22
* 13.2 feet, 7:10 am Friday, January 23
* 13.2 feet, 7:50 am Saturday, January 24
* 13.0 feet, 8:32 am Sunday, January 25
The Alki/Beach Drive/Harbor Avenue shores are classic places to go see the high water in West Seattle; you can also see the tides’ effects on the Duwamish River by joining either or both of two events, Friday and Saturday mornings – details are on our partner site The South Park News. Right now, the forecast is rainy, but not windy, so you’re not likely to see anything too dramatic, certainly not like last November!
New details about Saturday morning’s Morgan Junction street robbery/carjacking attempt are in the official police report we have just obtained, as well as the reason for the subsequent search in Gatewood. Until now, as weekend WSB readers are aware, most of what we knew came via comments (here and here) plus a bit of information we procured by finding an SPD sergeant at an unrelated scene post-search. So far, no word of any arrests, but we hope to hear more directly from Southwest Precinct police during tonight’s West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting. Ahead, we’ve transcribed the report’s narrative, since this is a high-interest incident, the third street robbery in three days in West Seattle at the time (no reports of any since Saturday):
PCC Natural Markets (WSB sponsor) has just announced a new CEO – and she is a West Seattle resident. Cate Hardy joins PCC this week from Starbucks, where she has worked for 9 years, most recently as vice president of operations, according to the PCC announcement, which says she “brings more than 15 years of retail experience in general management, retail operations, supply chain, growth and store development, and strategy” to her new job. The Seattle-based food-store company had been led since last May by Randy Lee, its chief financial officer, serving as interim CEO. The full announcement, with more on Hardy’s background, is on PCC’s website, here. PCC has 10 markets around the metro area, including one at 2749 California SW here in West Seattle. (Photo courtesy PCC Natural Markets)
(Photo by Jim Clark, taken Monday at Lincoln Park)
Some of what’s up today/tonight, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
FIVE STEPS TO YOUR RIGHT LIVELIHOOD: 2:30-4 pm, free workshop at High Point Branch Library – details in our calendar listing. (35th/Raymond)
STUDENT AID: West Seattle High School seniors and parents/guardians are invited to an event to help them finish the FAFSA (the standard application for financial aid for college), 6:30-8:30 pm, drop in – open labs with volunteers ready to help. (3000 California SW)
MASTER MIXOLOGY: 6:30 pm, cocktail class tonight at Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor) – but call ASAP to see if there’s room. Details in our calendar listing. (1936 Harbor SW)
WEST SEATTLE CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL: 7 pm, Southwest Precinct meeting room right by the entrance from the parking lot. Questions/concerns to bring up to West Seattle police leadership? This is the time and place. Tonight’s meeting has no other guests – you, SPD, WSCPC – and you’ll hear about the latest crime trends as well as plenty of time for Q/A. (Webster/Delridge)
LIVE MUSIC TONIGHT: Blues to Do at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), 8 pm … Weekly singer/songwriter showcase at Shadowland, 9 pm … More nightlife on our calendar!
(WSB photo from August 2014 – Chief O’Toole with Karen Berge & Deb Greer of the WS Block Watch Captains Network)
Shortly after Seattle Police Chief Kathleen O’Toole started her job last summer, she visited last summer’s Delridge Day/Picnic at the Precinct festival. She has not, however, been to a formal community meeting here – but that’s about to change. Just announced:
The Southwest Precinct Advisory Council (SWPAC) and the West Seattle Block Watch Captains are pleased to announce a community conversation with Seattle’s Chief of Police Kathleen O’Toole.
The West Seattle community is invited to come to the Southwest Police Precinct on Tuesday, February 3rd from 6:30 to 8:30 pm to participate in this community conversation.
There will not be a formal program as this is an opportunity for the citizens of West Seattle to come out and meet Seattle’s new police chief.
If you would like more information or have any questions, you can contact Pete Spalding at SWPAC@comcast.net.
The precinct is at 2300 SW Webster, on the NW corner of Webster/Delridge.
(WS high/low bridges and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
6:07 AM: Back to school, back to work, back to regular transit schedules, and probably back to “regular” traffic as Tuesday gets going. One alert for today: As announced last week, city crews plan to clean the Admiral Way medians between Olga and 39th SW today and tomorrow, 8 am-3 pm, closing the inside lanes both ways. Also worth noting: The same city/port measures that helped avert a third day of truck backups last Friday are supposed to be continuing today. But if you see any sign of a backup, please let us know.
8:24 AM: Backups on 4th because of a crash at Main should be improving as the scene is clearing.
This Wednesday (January 21st), you’re invited to the next edition of the WordsWest Literary Series at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), and with two days to go, there’s been a last-minute change in readers – Jennie Shortridge (above right) will now join Frances McCue (above left). Here’s the updated announcement from the WordsWest curators:
From fad diets to online dating to world peace — this is the exhaustingly inexhaustible material of New Year’s Resolutions. Join us for the perspectives of two amazing local authors as they take a new look at the old tradition of making and breaking our resolve. For the January 21, 2015, edition of WordsWest Literary Series, best-selling novelist Jennie Shortridge and award-winning poet Frances McCue will read their work which invites all of us to explore our ideas, hopes and intentions for the coming year.
This month WordsWest is thankful for support from Poets & Writers.
Frances McCue is a poet, essayist, reviewer and arts instigator. From 1996-2006, she was the founding director of Richard Hugo House in Seattle. Her poetry collection The Bled won the 2011 Washington State Book Award. McCue’s other work includes the essay collection The Car That Brought You Here Still Runs (runner-up for the Washington State Book Award), poetry collection The Stenographer’s Breakfast, and prose in Mary Randlett Portraits.
Jennie Shortridge is the author of five bestselling novels, including Love Water Memory and When She Flew. Her books have been selected as American Booksellers Association’s Indie Next picks, Target Bookmarked picks, and Library Journal’s Editors’ Picks. Three have been optioned for film. An avid volunteer, Jennie is the co-founder of Seattle7Writers, a nonprofit collective of Northwest authors who raise money and awareness for literature and literacy.
Every third Wednesday, 7 pm, at C & P Coffee Company, WordsWest hosts literary events that range from readings by published local and national authors, to craft discussions and guided writing explorations for every experience level. Folks from local, independent businesses share a favorite poem as part of the Favorite Poem Project. On January 21st, Twilight Gallery and Boutique will join us.
WordsWest is curated by West Seattle writers Katy E. Ellis, Susan Rich, and Harold Taw. Join us on Facebook at facebook.com/WordsWestLiterary. For more information, please contact wordswestliterary@gmail.com or visit WordsWestLiterary.com.
C & P is at 5612 California SW.
(WSCO photo: Wind Symphony in concert, December 2014)
The West Seattle Community Orchestras‘ new Wind Symphony, just launched last fall, is open to new members – and if you’re interested, you can check it out as soon as tomorrow night’s rehearsal, says orchestra manager Mariane Hermanson:
Following the great concert which concluded the fall season, the Wind Symphony of the West Seattle Community Orchestras is jumping into spring season rehearsals.
This group of musicians, including students and adults, is combining talents to perform two concerts this spring, the first at Providence Mount St. Vincent on March 20, 7:00 PM, to which the public is invited!
Anton Coleman, director of the group, has selected a program of wind band classics for the upcoming concert, including Alfred Reed’s “A Festive Overture,” Samuel Barber’s “Commando March,” and a band transcription of the finale from Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5.
More musicians are welcome to join in the fun and camaraderie of playing in a large ensemble. Woodwind, brass, and percussion players with high school level or above skills may join in; students participate without charge. Rehearsals are at Chief Sealth International High School, Tuesday evenings, 7:00-8:30. More information at WSCOrchestras.org.
CSIHS is at 2600 SW Thistle.
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