day : 23/01/2008 11 results

The latest from the files at the Southwest Precinct – and we’ve got a lot to tell you about, since our last visit was last Thursday. We start with a “good news” story that unfolded while we were at the precinct late today: It started this morning, when a West Seattle man found a wallet in the Central District. He reported it to police later by flagging down an officer at Delridge and Hudson. Police called the wallet’s owner and asked if she could come pick it up at the Southwest Precinct. She arrived around 4 this afternoon, received the wallet from officer Buzzy Katzer at the front desk, and exclaimed, “Wow, my 11 dollars are even still in here!” She wanted to thank the man who found her wallet and turned it in; at last report, police were trying to reach him to convey her message. Ahead – an amazing array of other incidents, including the “adult model” dispute and the runaway litterer:Read More

Denny-Sealth bulletin: District sets decision timetable

January 23, 2008 7:30 pm

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| Denny-Sealth | West Seattle schools | Westwood | WS breaking news

Bulletin from the Seattle School Board meeting under way right now (live on Channel 26, though no further Denny-Sealth discussion is expected tonight) — in her “superintendent’s updates,” Dr. Maria Goodloe-Johnson said there will be a community forum at Chief Sealth High School on Feb. 4 to present the 3 options under consideration (continue current plan, continue current plan but add some $ to Sealth renovations, rebuild Denny on its own site and renovate Sealth separately) — this apparently is separate from the Westwood Neighborhood Council‘s planned Feb. 5 meeting on the project (we will check with the Westwood folks to be sure). Then, she said, a resolution will be introduced at the Feb. 13 school board meeting recommending which option to pursue, and the board would vote on it at its next meeting after that, Feb. 27. More later, including highlights of the Denny-Sealth speakers in tonight’s public comment period (all opposed to the consolidation project — is there a reason no supporters ever seem to appear?). 11:30 PM UPDATE: Speaker recap ahead:Read More

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Next Viaduct closure dates set, plus the latest report

January 23, 2008 5:27 pm

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| Alaskan Way Viaduct | Transportation

Viaduct news this afternoon: The latest inspection report is in, and it includes the dates for the next major inspection shutdown, when ostensibly they’ll get to test those new signs. Here’s the WSDOT news release:

Initial results from last weekâ€™s inspection revealed that the Alaskan Way Viaduct has settled approximately 1/8 of an inch, where foundation strengthening work is taking place between Columbia Street and Yesler Way . No new structural damage was caused by the additional settlement.

â€œThis settlement does not come as a huge surprise,â€ said Jugesh Kapur, WSDOT State Bridge Engineer. â€œThe viaduct has been settling incrementally between Columbia Street and Yesler Way since 2002.â€

â€œThis continuing settlement reinforces our decision to move ahead with stabilizing the columns in this area,â€ added Ron Paananen, Alaskan Way Viaduct Program Director.

This fall, WSDOT began repairs to strengthen the foundations of the four columns that are settling in this area. The columns have settled approximately five inches since the 2001 Nisqually earthquake. The foundation work is expected to be complete in April, limiting further settlement in this area and preventing damage to the structure. This work is one of six improvement projects planned to replace or repair more than half of the viaduct.

WSDOT crews conduct visual inspections every three months to monitor the viaductâ€™s condition and keep drivers safe. Full inspections and closures are every six months, with the next scheduled for March 22 and 23.

Another Viaduct-related date to mark on your calendar: a West Seattle public meeting is set for Feb. 12 at Cooper Elementary to talk about the “Central Waterfront” section — as in, the part that no one’s decided yet whether to tear down and replace, or tear down and not replace. That date and the Viaduct closure dates are now added to the WSB Events page; the closure dates are also atop the Traffic page.

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Crowning glory

January 23, 2008 5:18 pm

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| West Seattle restaurants

Ever wonder where West 5 got the big lit-up crown that graces the back wall? This week’s Stranger tells the tale.

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Denny-Sealth: 10 people to address the School Board tonight

January 23, 2008 3:10 pm

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| Denny-Sealth | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

The full agenda is now up for tonight’s Seattle Public Schools Board of Directors meeting — see it here — including the list of those who signed up to speak at the start of the meeting. 10 of the 17 people on the list are scheduled to talk about the Denny-Sealth project. The meeting’s at 6 pm — attend in person @ district HQ, or watch live on cable channel 26.

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Ferry SW closure

January 23, 2008 2:13 pm

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| Transportation | Utilities | West Seattle news

Thanks to Will for the tip that Ferry SW was abruptly closed today. We parked by the closure sign near Ferry/California Ave (map) and walked to see what was up … and kept walking … and kept walking (awesome views, great workout going back uphill). The work is under way close to where Ferry meets California Way (map):

A contractor is drilling for some repair work above this erosion area we mentioned 2 weeks ago:

We have left messages for SDOT to ask how long the closure will continue (if it’s not over already; will check again later this afternoon). 5 PM UPDATE: SDOT says it was a one-day closure, ended around 3 pm, and the contractor does not expect to need to close the street again.

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Beach Drive-area coyote sighting

January 23, 2008 1:07 pm

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| Coyotes | Wildlife

From Steve:

Around 10 am today saw the most beautiful (and large) coyote in the greenbelt just east of the 3700 block of 58th Ave SW and Chilberg Pl SW. Really stunning animal – it looked at me rather nervously from about 100 feet away. I grabbed my camera but by the time I returned (maybe two minutes) he was gone.

Here’s a map.

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Midweek malaise? Entertainment options

January 23, 2008 11:19 am

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| Fun stuff to do | WS culture/arts

Two highlights tonight, from the WSB Events list:

-It’s the second Wednesday night for the Sidewalk Cinema Rainy Night Movies series @ Kenyon Hall (never mind the rainlessness). And these are movies you probably haven’t seen before (maybe never even heard of); the list is here.

–“The Retreat from Moscow” continues at ArtsWest tonight; we don’t currently do entertainment reviewing here but once in a while a reader sends something out of the blue – Lynn Taylor e-mailed to say she attended this last week and wanted to let other WSB readers know, “This is a really top quality piece of theatre â€“ both the writing AND the acting, especially the mother and father roles. Very poignant yet with humor sprinkled in. Weâ€™ve seen all range of quality from Arts West â€“ and this is right up there with the best weâ€™ve seen.”

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Myrtle Reservoir meeting: Skatepark or no skatepark?

January 23, 2008 7:56 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle parks | WS & Sports

That’s “Design Concept B” for the park that will be built atop and around the newly covered Myrtle Reservoir (map). It has a spot saved at the northeast corner for a skatepark. Here’s “Design Concept A,” which doesn’t:

Though there are many design issues to decide, the potential skatepark was at the heart of most of the Myrtle Reservoir park discussion last night at High Point Community Center:Read More

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Red Cup Espresso update

January 23, 2008 5:44 am

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| West Seattle people | WS beverages

Two and a half weeks after owner Angelia Paulsen‘s untimely death, Red Cup Espresso in The Junction is open 7 days a week, according to a sandwich board we saw out front – 6 am-2 pm weekdays, 7 am-4 pm weekends, which appears to be a bit of an update from what her husband told WSB last week.

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School days future and past

January 23, 2008 12:29 am

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| Gatewood | West Seattle schools

School-tour season continues today – the WSB Events page lists many West Seattle schools’ tours, continuing on into February. One of the schools with tours today is Gatewood Elementary — which also just happens to be looking to celebrate its past as well as hosting potential participants in its future — per this announcement:

Gatewood Elementary turns 100!

Are you a Gatewood graduate? If so, we would love to hear from you. We will be celebrating Gatewoodâ€™s birthday on May 31st, 2008, and would love to have you join in the party. Please contact celebration coordinator Celia Townsend with your name, contact information and any stories or photos you would like to share. Thank you!

E-Mail: cktownsend@comcast.net
Phone: 206.932.1939

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