West Seattle Blog...

West Seattle Crime Watch: Alki hit-and-run; 3 reader reports

WSB — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 06:40:58 +0000

Topping tonight’s West Seattle Crime Watch roundup – a hit-and-run at 56th/Alki tonight. Marty says he saw it from the deck at Duke’s:

White 4-door, late-model Cadillac (didn’t see driver) hit maroon Dodge Durango (east side of street) about 9:33 p.m., slamming it up across the sidewalk to within inches of the food truck in the Alki Auto Repair parking lot. Luckily, no one injured. Cadillac turned east onto 56th, presumably squirreled around neighborhood before finding exit up Admiral. A small black car gave chase; no word on whether it caught up w/the perp. Best of luck to SPD finding Caddy & driver.

We’re checking. (Thanks also to Jonathan for a tip about the crash.)

Also from Alki, Darren‘s Kona men’s mountain bike was stolen sometime last night or very early today:

Last night between 9:30pm and 6:00am this morning, someone came down onto my porch and cut my bike lock and stole my bike.

Here’s a photo of Darren’s bike:

Darren’s building is in the 2200 block of Alki.

From Arbor Heights, Rick got a handwritten note from an apparent neighbor in the 10000 block of 35th, reading:

*WARNING* My house was broken into in the middle of the day on Friday (assume this means 6/14) probably around 11am-1pm. The thieves came in through a back window. They were probably on foot because they took things like all my jewelry, laptop, Xbox, etc. Nothing too big. BE CAREFUL & SAFE!

And Toby reports a car prowl in the 32nd/Barton vicinity:

Wanted to let everyone know and remind people to keep their doors locked and to not leave valuables in their car. Sadly we (re)learned the hard way. My girlfriend’s car was left unlocked last night and unfortunately she had forgotten her wallet in the glove box. It was gone this morning along with a Coach sun-glass case, some small bottles of perfume and a few other odds and ends. The wallet was also Coach, so if anyone happens to see any of the stuff (yeah right!), please let us know. Credit cards are cancelled, police have been notified. Overall not too terrible but there are better ways to start your day!

P.S. Our report on tonight’s West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting will be up overnight. No big news, though, but a couple updates as well as discussions of ongoing issues/cases.

West Seattle scene: Red noctiluca in the water, seen from above

WSB — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 05:31:18 +0000

We’ve reported on it multiple times already this year, and questions are still coming in about the “red stuff in the water” off West Seattle shores. As the non-toxic “noctiluca” bloom continues to appear, we have aerial views tonight courtesy of West Seattle photographer/pilot Long Bach Nguyen. Above, the view looks south toward West Seattle’s north shore. Next, a closer view as a boat goes through a patch:

And north across Elliott Bay, looking at West Point west of Discovery Park and Magnolia:

The state has a webpage with lots of info about this type of bloom and others.

West Seattle road work: ‘Bonus’ during California SW repaving

WSB — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 04:34:20 +0000

Tomorrow is scheduled to be the second day of repaving work on California SW south of Morgan Junction. While SDOT only announced work for the block between Frontenac and Myrtle, Ron A shares the photo and says the city crews have already done something extra:

Looks like we got a bonus — they filled in the slumps in the road to the north and south of Mills this morning! FYI, there are underground springs in those locations that slowly erode whatever material is under the roadbed. The section in the picture was patched about 5 years ago.

West Seattle generosity: Sophie’s gift to the West Seattle Food Bank

WSB — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 03:19:41 +0000

Meet Sophie. We found out about her from Michele at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor):

This is such a touching story that I wanted to share it with you.

This young lady’s name is Sophie in the photo attached. She and her mom Tami stopped by our BBQ for the West Seattle Food Bank on Saturday. On West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day, Sophie had a lemonade stand that was for charity. She wished for her proceeds to help the food bank and donated them to us.

I remember when I was that age… $20 may as well be $100! I wanted to commend Sophie’s thoughtfulness and say thank you again.

It’s nice to see young people with such a good spirit – not to mention the parents that instill such good morals in ther kids. Good job, Tami!

The proud mom adds, “Sophie’s Girl Scout Troop #45180 is looking forward to doing great community service this year.”

SIDE NOTE: Thriftway has regular summertime Saturday barbecues raising money for charities – the Food Bank was last Saturday’s beneficiary; this Saturday, they’ll be raising money for the Morgan Community Association while MoCA presents its free annual Community Festival nearby. (Festival details here – see you there!)

Followup: Details on planned additions for Metro Routes 21, 120

WSB — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 01:03:35 +0000

Another followup to transportation news from Monday: After the city announced it’s giving the county money for extra Metro hours on certain routes, including 21 and 120 in/through West Seattle, we asked for any and all specifics, and this afternoon, we finally have them. If the current plans are finalized, the service changes on September 28th will include:

ROUTE 21: On Saturdays, extending 15-minute frequency until 8 pm outbound

ROUTE 120: Three additions –
*Weekdays – Extend 30-minute frequency until 11:04 p.m. inbound and 12:09 a.m. outbound
*Saturdays – Extend 15-minute frequency to operate from 7:12 a.m. to 6:49 p.m. inbound and 8:53 a.m. to 7:23 p.m. outbound; Extend 30-minute frequency until 10:48 p.m. inbound and 11:24 p.m. outbound
*Sundays – Extend 30-minute frequency from 6:32 a.m. to 10:18 p.m. northbound and 6:09 a.m. to 11:24 p.m. southbound

(Hat tip to Bruce at STB for sharing first word the specifics had become available, and thanks to Rochelle at KCDOT for tracking them down for us to share here.)

White Center would-be kidnapper may have tried again

WSB — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 23:26:18 +0000

4:26 PM: Just published on our partner site White Center Now: The King County Sheriff’s Office says a burglary attempt this past Sunday night might be linked to the attempted kidnapping two weeks ago. Both happened in the same block, 3rd/104th vicinity, and in both cases, fast-acting family members intervened. Here’s the newest story; here’s the previous story from early June. P.S. If you noticed helicopters in Arbor Heights/Shorewood/White Center this afternoon – those were TV choppers responding to this new information.

ADDED 5:39 PM: We asked KCSO Sgt. Cindi West if there was any more descriptive information about the suspect/s – unfortunately, she says, what’s in the story is everything they know.

Followup: City Council proposes full funding for long-sought 47th/Admiral traffic signal

WSB — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 21:13:09 +0000

(WSB photo, November 2011)
Tomorrow morning, when the City Council’s Government Performance and Finance Committee considers mid-year budget changes/additions, they will include half a million dollars for a traffic signal long sought by the Admiral Neighborhood Association and other neighborhood advocates. The dangers of the top-of-hill, on-a-curve intersection got a tragedy-borne spotlight when 26-year-old Tatsuo Nakata was hit and killed in November 2006. Some safety improvements have been made, but getting a full signal has proven elusive – though the ANA has continued to push, including with the November 2011 demonstration shown above.

The new proposal is an major upgrade from just one month ago, when Mayor McGinn announced a plan for a “flashing pedestrian beacon” at the intersection, and the start of a technical study for a full signal, as part of a list of projects to be pursued with savings from the Spokane Street Viaduct Widening Project. Yesterday, the council issued its own announcement about a “re-alignment” of midyear transportation spending – including some changes from the mayor’s May proposal; most notably for West Seattle, the “full traffic signal” for 47th/Admiral.

We’ve been seeking additional details since then, and obtained them today from Councilmember Tom Rasmussen‘s office. While the documentation for tomorrow morning’s meeting is not finalized yet, we’ve seen a draft version of the 47th/Admiral proposal, which would explain that “Councilmember Rasmussen proposes to add $480,000 in additional funding (on top of $20,000 in the Mayor’s initial proposal) for SDOT’s more comprehensive approach of full signalization of the intersection, which would place each of the 10 entering side streets into full traffic control; possibly adding an additional crosswalk on Admiral …” As soon as the official document is available, we’ll share it. Tomorrow’s council committee meeting is at 9:30 am at City Hall.

Local coalition goes face-to-face with councilmembers on ‘Nickelsville’ and other homelessness issues

WSB — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 18:45:15 +0000

(Photos by WSB’s Patrick Sand)
The two City Council members who did not sign last week’s letter calling for the Nickelsville encampment’s closure by September 1st were among three councilmembers who came to West Seattle last night for a forum on homelessness.

Their divergent positions on the matter were evident when all three – Nick Licata and Mike O’Brien, who weren’t part of the letter, and Tom Rasmussen, who was – responded to an audience question asking about “the plan” for the shutdown. We have that part of the discussion on video:

Ahead, the rest of what was discussed – what’s the city doing regarding homelessness in general, and what community members can do to help:

The forum was organized by the Westside Interfaith Network, a new name for a not-so-new coalition of West Seattle/White Center-area faith-based organizations. They say they invited the mayor and all nine councilmembers; the aforementioned three showed up, plus a representative for Councilmember Sally Bagshaw who sat on the panel but did not speak.

Many have been working to help homeless people and others in need – including people at the encampment – in their own quiet ways.

The goal of the event, moderated by White Center Food Bank executive director Rick Jump, was to try to find out from the councilmembers what the city is doing toward its stated goal of ending homelessness, and what community members/organizations can do to be most effective in helping.

“May we never lose sight of what really matters in life,” was part of the invocation delivered as the forum began with about 50 people on hand at Our Lady of Guadalupe‘s Pastoral Life Center.

A representative of Alki UCC was the first to ask a question. “You’ve kind of been in the hot seat lately,” she observed, “with the very complicated and challenging issue of disbanding Nickelsville,” she said to the councilmembers, going on to observe that “homelessness is increasing, it’s not going away. … We feel that the rise of homelessness, especially family homelessness, is a disgrace.” She read from a statement saying that she believes our area has the resources but apparently not the will. “Housing ends homelessness,” she said, wondering if every housing development could be asked to include a certain percentage of affordable housing. “If they wish to come into our city and make megaprofits off our resources, then they need to pay their way,” she went on, suggesting other cities required developers to do so, while ours does not. “What does it take” to do this? she asked the councilmembers.

First to answer, Councilmember Licata: “What it takes is political will, simple as that.” He also noted that the “public has shown the will to tax itself to build affordable housing …but the private sector has not stepped up to the plate.” He singled out South Lake Union, saying only 450 of 5,000 needed affordable-housing units are to be required. “… My goal this year is to get legislation passed that says 10 percent of new construction should have affordable housing in it.” Right now, he said, it’s less than five percent, but “… it’s something we need your help with.”

Next, Councilmember Rasmussen suggested “incentive zoning” regarding allowing developers to build higher. “(But) I do want you to know that the City of Seattle is doing a tremendous amount (to help with homelessness) … $30 million … no other city provides as much as we do.” But, he said, the city has other responsibilities too. He went on to say that people come here because of the programs offered – but there’s a limit, so “they end up being disappointed … so I think it’s important for our city and our state to do more for the people in our community who need help.” He spoke of talking with people he finds on the streets and asking what communities they came from, finding a way to see how they can be helped without leaving their communities of origin. While in San Diego recently, he said, he learned Seattle has “a reputation” as “Free-attle” because of the services that are available.

Councilmember O’Brien said that he understands the state constitution places some limits “on what we can do.” The council is now convening “national experts,” in the wake of “what happened in Lake Union,” to find out more about what can be done in the future, “what can developers afford.” He says “a lot of information, looking forward” will come out in the next six to nine months. “My hope is that by the end of this year through this process we’ll have a clear picture on what we need to perceive from a perspective of affordability …” as well as sustainability, and a clear picture on what tools are needed.

A representative of Calvary Lutheran Church was next with a question, asking about the countywide 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness – “how do you evaluate (the plan’s) effectiveness” right now? Where has progress been made? What impedes progress? What part can faith-based groups play?

Licata again brought up the issue of people being drawn here – not just in hopes of a “free ride,” but also in “desperate hope they’ll get a job … So they show up sometimes unrealistically and end up not getting a job, or getting a job and getting laid off .. so what can we do?” He takes that to the issue of housing, and needing “to get people off the streets at night.” So, he said, the Committee to End Homelessness has added that mission – trying to get those people “into shelter and move them as quickly as possible into permanent housing.”

Rasmussen: “Is there a limit to the number of people that we can help? If there are 2,000 people on the street every night, are we responsible (for all of them)?” He says that’s a question those who are concerned need to think about, and if so, how do we pay for it? Where do they live, where do they stay? “In community centers? Churches? Parks? (Tent cities)? Because that’s what we are wrestling with.”

O’Brien: He said “it’s hard to fault” those who come here because there’s a glimmer of hope for a job. “And if we decide we don’t have responsibility for that person – well, they’re still here. … The reality is, we live in a country, in a city, where people move in and out within borders. … At the end of the day, we have an ultimate responsibility for the people who are in our city … Everyone should have a solid roof over their head and not .. something they get kicked out at the end of the day.” But, he said, with all the various types of housing and shelter (including “Nickelsville”), “the demand exceeds the supply.” He also mentions the pilot program for safe parking for people who are sleeping in their cars, currently offering a handful. He says they need more parking lots, “because we’re going to go citywide.”

The next questioner, from OLG, asked about funding sources. O’Brien said the city has “done a good job” maintaining its Human Services budget through the recession, but “at the same time, when you look at the cuts from the federal and state level,” the end user is seeing that the services have been cut, and they don’t care if the city’s doing their part but others have not, if they are losing services. He says the city also keeps asking for permission to raise revenue, if the state will not give money – but “if those fail, how do we get creative in finding new revenue streams?” He said, “It’s a struggle .. there’s no easy answer.”

Councilmember Rasmussen picked up on that, noting that legislators are hearing from the city, but asked the church members on hand to talk to their counterparts at churches around the state, and ask them to make their voices heard too.

Next, a Peace Lutheran Church rep suggested that it’s less costly to prevent homelessness than to fix it. She mentioned the high poverty level of students at West Seattle and Roxhill Elementaries, and how many hundreds of families in our community are close to homelessness, if not there now.

Licata pointed out that the last housing levy set aside $4 million for rental assistance – one of the things that was asked about, regarding preventing evictions. He said the council increased its support for food banks by $200,000 in each of the past two years. “There’s a combination of how you use public funds and what you do with the private sector …”

The Nickelsville discussion (see above) ensued. After that, a question focused on transportation issues for those in need – the bus tickets and other help?

Rasmussen wonders where the money will come from. “I encourage you to contact your county councilperson and legislators. … ” and then he offered to be the contact person. O’Brien noted he’d heard a “technical question” about how bus passes are delivered, and said, “we need to be really thoughtful about how we deliver (them).”

The issue of eviction prevention – and foreclosure-related evictions – resurfaced.

42,000 homes in the city are under water, noted Licata. He said he is working with specialists and people from other cities about “possibly using a tool every city has – eminent domain – to buy down the principals. Until you reduce the principals of the loan, you’re just getting deeper and deeper … ”

Rasmussen says it’s frustrating there’s not more help with that issue, particularly for people whose problems are linked to issues including mental health, domestic violence, addiction, and more. He told a story about someone who was booted from his home because of his sexual orientation, but got help, got education, and got on his feet.

Brian Callanan, the West Seattle-residing journalist/broadcaster from the Seattle Channel, a fixture at many OLG events, asked some of the questions in the later going, from slips of paper on which attendees had written them. That included one about the city purchasing unneeded buildings to house homeless people. Licata mentioned it’s been done, though not enough for that to be “the” homeless solution.

An audience member said that while he’s impressed with the answers he heard tonight, he’s less impressed with the council’s history of action or non-action. And he said he’s sorry that Nickelsville will be disbanded because of its sense of community.

Next from the audience, a longtime volunteer/donor who has helped at Nickelsville exhorted the councilmembers to look at the people in the room who have helped too: “I want to hear from you … how are you going to use US … as a point of service so that we can help those who are less fortunate to us?”

Licata’s reply: “Two ways – the (safe parking) program,” which currently has three churches with 10 spots and is now looking to have 10 churches with 50 spots by next year – “if you can get your community to agree to host them, we have a system set up” to make that happen. Second, he said, “I’ve been meeting a lot with the people from Nickelsville to figure out what the next step is – they’re in agreement they may not find a single spot to put them all in … they are willing to break into smaller communities if your church has land, or private owners who’d want to lease land to a church, legislation in my committee now is talking about 5,000 square feet … you have a network that we do not have; you have members who are compassionate and passionate, and you have physical facilities that might be able to be used to help with the transition for people who are in the encampment.”

Rasmussen reiterated that churches can host campers, and he suggested they work with churches in other communities to make sure they are providing services and help in their communities – “why should a family have to move across the county or across the state to find a place to live, shouldn’t they be able to find help in their own communities?”

O’Brien said, “Those of you who have been working with Nickelsville, I want to thank you for that work … you never know who that one person is who maks that one little connection that provides that hope to get that person into a stable living situation where they can support themselves … Yes, we need (institutional solutions), but at the end of the day, we need (volunteers) too.” He reiterated a request for hosting cars or offering land to host an encampment, or to get a private landowner to lease land to a church so that it could become church property and host an encampment. He said he believes there will be encampment(s), whether called Nickelsville or not, after September 1st.

WHAT’S NEXT: The individual organizations involved in the Westside Interfaith Network continue their work and periodic meetings – next time one is announced, we’ll get it in the calendar.

Regarding the “Nickelsville” issue: On June 25th, there’s a formal public hearing on Licata’s encampment-related ordinance, which seeks to make more sites around the city potentially usable as hosts. Here’s the official notice with details. On Monday, July 8th, as reported here last week, the full council will consider the ordinance created from the seven councilmembers’ direction last week to get “Nickelsville” residents housing and services so the camp can be closed by September 1st.

Waiting for the Highland Park spraypark? Quick update

WSB — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 17:38:53 +0000

(Seattle Parks photo, taken during spraypark testing)
School’s out, the sun’s out (despite forecasts to the contrary), and West Seattle families are anxiously awaiting the opening of our area’s first-ever spraypark, in Highland Park, five years in the making. As reported here a week and a half ago, construction is done – but they can’t open just yet. First, they were awaiting a part; now, an inspection. After a reader e-mailed to ask for an update, we checked with project manager Kelly Goold, who replied: “We are now waiting on final King County Health approval. Not sure when this will occur, hoping in time for this weekend, but could be next week.”

P.S. City-run wading pools start opening this weekend – the first in our area is Lincoln Park, where the season starts Saturday (weather permitting). Here’s the full citywide schedule.

From the WSB Forums: Volleyball overkill? Parks responds

WSB — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 17:12:13 +0000

For about a week, WSB Forum members have been discussing Alki Beach volleyball tournaments and a perception that they’re taking up more of the sandy beach than past summers. Many questions were asked about matters such as permits, parking, and rules; we asked Seattle Parks for answers, and have added the reply to the Forums thread, which you’ll find here – as the discussion continues. (One thing we learned from the Parks reply: The department publishes a regularly updated list of big events coming up at its parks citywide.)

West Seattle Tuesday: Rotary; CAPERS; Crime Prevention Council; dementia workshop; bellydancing…

WSB — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 16:13:22 +0000

(Click image to see larger view)
Thanks to Trileigh Tucker for another bird-family photo – juvenile crows squawking at mealtime. (These were photographed in the Lincoln Park area, but we’ve heard about some apparent parent crows dive-bombing people on California SW south of The Junction – ’tis the season.) On to today’s highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

AMANDA KNOX CASE @ WEST SEATTLE ROTARY: Two and a half years ago, West Seattle-residing Judge Mike Heavey spoke to the Rotary Club of West Seattle about the Amanda Knox case (WSB coverage here), in which he had become personally involved as an advocate for Knox. Today at noon at Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor), he returns to the Rotary, and the subject, with the presentation “Amanda Knox: 100% Innocent,” billed as “discuss(ing) the concept of confirmation bias and dismantl(ing) the prosecution’s” theories and claims. (1936 Harbor Ave SW)

HAPPY 28TH ANNIVERSARY, CAPERS! The Junction store celebrates 28 years in the neighborhood with a celebration 4-6 pm today. You’re invited to stop by CAPERS for “cake and bubbly and fun.” Details on this Facebook event page. (4525 California SW)

CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL: Neighborhood crime concern? Bring it to the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting tonight – you’ll be able to ask local SPD leadership about it, as well as directly hearing from them about current trends. 7 pm, Southwest Precinct meeting room, right off the parking lot. (SW Webster, west of Delridge Way SW)

CARING FOR SOMEONE WITH DEMENTIA? Providence Mount St. Vincent presents educator Teepa Snow, with the first of three workshops for those who are caregivers for people with dementia. Free of charge; no RSVP required. 7 pm in the Chapel. (4831 35th SW)

BELLYDANCING: Tonight’s nightlife listings include the Alauda bellydancing showcase at Skylark Café and Club, 7:30 pm, free/all ages. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Tuesday, with road work

WSB — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 13:07:42 +0000

(Live view from the east-facing WS Bridge camera; other cameras are on the WSB Traffic page)
As we start today’s traffic/transit watch, remember that California SW repaving between Myrtle and Frontenac is scheduled for today and tomorrow. We’ll be checking later this morning to see if the heavy equipment indeed shows up and gets going.

And the advance reminder again – if you expect to leave the peninsula on Saturday, review the closures for the Rock ‘n’ Roll Seattle Marathon, including NB 99.

West Seattle’s Georgia Mitchell will cross the USA on a …what?

WSB — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 05:39:23 +0000

(Photo by Amanda Grove)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

While hundreds of people will be taking courses from South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor) this year, we can guarantee that Georgia Mitchell will be the only one taking them while riding a three-wheeled Y Fliker scooter cross-country.

You might already know Georgia. Not just because she’s a 2009 Chief Sealth graduate; that same year, she made news by becoming Miss West Seattle Hi-Yu.

She’s been off at college in Hawai’i, and on a culinary internship in France, before transferring back to join the hospitality program at SSCC.

But first: Starting one week from today, she’s embarking on three months of human-powered travel across America, with three Brazilians and an Irishman.

(Meet them here.)

They’re riding on the Y Fliker, a three-wheeled scooter that requires a sort of “wiggle” to ride, as Georgia describes it. (Here’s the manufacturer’s how-to promotional video, in case you want to see for yourself:

Part of their goal is to raise money to donate hundreds of Y Flikers to schools for fitness programs, beyond 300 that the company making them is donating already. They’re also raising money for a camp in Ireland for kids with serious illnesses – that will be via a second, European leg of the journey, but Georgia is “only” with the team till they get to the east Coast.

How did she get involved? While on the aforementioned internship, Georgia met Waneska Valois, who had used the Y Fliker as part of a PE program in California schools and wanted to figure out a way to get it into more schools.

She and Georgia got to talking – Georgia had always wanted to make a cross-country trip; “In October, we came up with the idea, and in January, it started happening.” Now, it’s almost reality. She’s flying to Los Angeles tomorrow, and in a week, they leave L.A., headed east. (See the route map on their website’s home page.)

They have some corporate sponsors for the trip, during which they’ll be living in an RV, and they also used a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign so they can produce a web-video series along the way.

Georgia says they’re hoping that people will follow their progress via the series – likely with weekly episodes, and shorter clips inbetween – and via events at their stops: “We’re planning to do workshops and demos along the way.”

That’s inbetween 10-or-so-hour daily stints of Y Fliker riding. She says she rode one on cobblestone streets in France, which was a bit of a challenge, but when they started planning the upcoming journey, “it didn’t go through my head that we’d be going up and down mountains!” Their route will cross the Continental Divide in the Colorado Rockies – after they travel from L.A. to Las Vegas to Salt Lake City and beyond.

Georgia acknowledges the first week will likely be brutal physically, but she’s been an athlete all her life – soccer, volleyball, softball, basketball – so she’s ready. Four members of the team will be Y Fliker’ing, while they also will have a driver for the RV and “a media guy” who will work on advance publicity and related matters.

They’re expecting the cross-USA trip to take until early October, at which time Georgia will fly back here to rejoin SSCC classes, which she’ll be taking online in the meantime, starting over the summer.

“It’s going to be life-changing,” she declares. And she of course has the support of proud parents Mark and Carrie Hewitt, though, when asked what they thought at first, she admits her dad “kind of laughed,” being familiar with the type of terrain they’re facing.

So how can you help, besides, of course, donating? “We really want people to follow us along our journey and see what we’re doing, and (how we’re) making a difference along the way.”

You can do that here, as well as via Facebook and Twitter

West Seattle Weather Watch: Thunderstorms possible

WSB — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 04:46:16 +0000

The National Weather Service has a “short-term forecast” alert in effect for our area right now, and it warns of potential thunderstorms. Claire tweeted a few minutes ago that, from the Lincoln Park area, she’d seen lightning to the west. In case it heads this way, you’re forewarned! (The forecast says they’re a possibility tomorrow and Wednesday, too.)

Got tickets yet? ‘Jaws’ @ Admiral Theater on Friday night

WSB — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 03:34:59 +0000

It’s been a while since we’ve reminded you – but now we’re just four nights away from the benefit screening of “Jaws” at the Admiral Theater, so we’re reminding you again. As announced last month, it’s the kickoff of a benefit movie series (with co-sponsors including WSB) for the Mind Unwind Foundation‘s support of arts in education and for The Admiral’s renovations, and there’ll be a silent auction and art exhibit as well as the movie. 11 pm this Friday night, June 21st. Get your tickets online, here. 21+ only because of beer/wine sales. And save the dates for the second and third movies in the late-night series, “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” July 27th, and “The Big Lebowski” on August 24th.