West Seattle, Washington

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month : 12/2008 319 results

West Seattle Christmas Lights, 12/3/08
December 3, 2008 11:49 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Arbor Heights | Holidays | West Seattle Christmas lights

From Arbor Heights, a cheerful display, 12000 block of 39th SW (map). Gratuitous reminder – Join us for the annual West Seattle Community Christmas Tree Lighting, 5 pm Saturday in The Junction (Farmers’ Market parking lot), with your WSB co-publishers helping emcee an all-star lineup for one hour of holiday fun — including the Endolyne Children’s Choir, “Plaid Tidings” cast members from ArtsWest, singalong holiday caroling, and the first drawings in The Junction’s $5,000 Holiday Giveaway (multiple chances to win gift certificates! – have you entered yet?). And in the meantime, please send us Christmas lights photos and/or addresses!

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Holiday Happenings update: “Messiah” sing-along
December 3, 2008 11:14 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Holidays | Seaview | West Seattle news

We’ve been looking for something like this in West Seattle — hoping to practice our creaky remembered-from-high-school choir alto line in “Hallelujah Chorus” — so thought we’d pass along what we just got from Seaview United Methodist Church music director Dell Gossett (it’ll be on the West Seattle Holiday Happenings calendar momentarily, too):

Seaview United Methodist Church is hosting the second “Messiah” Sing-along on December 14 at 2 pm. All who love to sing (or hear) this glorious musical expression are invited. Bring your own score if you have one, and if you don’t, we will have extras. Accompaniment will be with professional string players. If you think you can’t carry a tune in a bucket, we will even provide buckets!

Seaview UMC is at 46th SW and Graham (map).

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Arbor Heights’ fight: School Board meeting begins
December 3, 2008 6:08 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Arbor Heights | West Seattle news | West Seattle school closure | West Seattle schools

We’re at school district HQ in Sodo, with a standing-room-only crowd here to speak out about the school-closure/changes plan at tonight’s School Board meeting – and half the room (photo above, taken moments ago) is dominated by Arbor Heights Elementary School families, fighting to keep their school “program” from being eliminated, because district management is proposing to move Pathfinder K-8 there. No decision will be made tonight, but this is the first official board meeting since the closure/change plan was announced eight nights ago. We’ll add updates as things develop – in addition to scheduled public comment (six AH reps are on the list, which is compiled from people who called and e-mailed starting first thing Monday morning), Superintendent Dr. Maria Goodloe-Johnson is scheduled to present an update on the closure/change plan; you can watch the meeting live on cable channel 26. Side note: District HQ is formally named the John Stanford Center for Educational Excellence; a few days ago, Nov. 28, marked 10 years since the passing of the legendary superintendent (taken by leukemia at age 60) after whom this facility is named.

6:36 PM UPDATE: The first four Arbor Heights parents to speak have just taken their turns. They are focusing on four alternative proposals: Wait for Denny Middle School to be vacated when it moves to a new building on the Chief Sealth campus; close Roxhill and move its students to Arbor Heights, Highland Park, and Gatewood; move Pathfinder to Cooper Elementary or West Seattle Elementary. Two more Arbor Heights parents are still on the speaking list, along with people speaking on behalf of other controversial closure/change proposals elsewhere in the city.

6:50 PM UPDATE: Eric Iwamoto, co-president of the Arbor Heights PTSA, spoke, focusing on “why isn’t a high school being closed?” – he says Franklin, Cleveland, or Rainier Beach (which has 1300 seats but barely a third of them filled) all have aspects that could qualify them for potential closure, and he says closing a high school would save the cost equivalent of closing two elementaries.

7:20 PM UPDATE: The public comment period of the meeting is over; the board is taking a brief break so the superintendent’s “update” on the school closure/change proposal can be technically set up for display on the big screen.

7:54 PM UPDATE: Before the school-closure briefing, a budget briefing from district financial boss Don Kennedy – district may be $37 million short next year, not just the $24 million already anticipated. Thanks to the SPS Community Blog at saveseattleschools.blogspot.com for noting that the superintendent’s presentation, including the closure update, is already posted online here. From that presentation, in a section that addresses some of the questions board members asked when the recommendations were presented last week:

Questions about locating Pathfinder at Arbor Heights or at Cooper
○ Response: At the work session on November 25 the School Board indicated that the option of altering the Student Assignment Plan to permit the location of Pathfinder at Cooper should be evaluated. Staff are evaluating this option.

The superintendent also is proposing another workshop (next Tuesday, apparently, will update when time/day/place is finalized) about the closure/change proposal, with these goals (from the presentation linked above):

□ Review of functional capacity numbers
□ Review of comments heard at December 4th and 6th
community meetings
□ Review of questions/concerns raised after November 25
work session
□ Review of potential final recommendations

“Functional capacity” is being evaluated now with walkthroughs at schools (it was mentioned last night that Arbor Heights had just gotten such a visit).

8:30 PM UPDATE: Board members have been asking more questions about the superintendent’s presentation. They’re saying they’re glad it’s obviously an “iterative” process.” Next events, a reminder – tomorrow night, a public “workshop” here at Stanford Center 6:30-8:30 pm; another one Saturday morning, Filipino Community Center, 5740 Martin Luther King Way, 9:30-11:30 am (map); that day, Saturday afternoon, Steve Sundquist will have another informal community gathering to discuss this (and other school issues) – 3-5 pm, Delridge Library.

8:50 PM UPDATE: The aforementioned work session, with lots of data etc., will be 4 pm next Tuesday here at district HQ “and we’ll go till we’re done,” says Dr. Goodloe-Johnson. She says feedback at any time can and should be sent to:
capacity@seattleschools.org
but mail also welcome at
schoolboard@seattleschools.org She just also mentioned an Arbor Heights-specific meeting for next Tuesday as well – checking on that.

9:24 PM NOTE: We have all of tonight’s Arbor Heights speakers on video and will upload those clips later tonight when we’re back at HQ – more pix too, like this:

ADDED 11:40 PM: Still working on the next report but in the meantime, here’s the info on the Tuesday meeting at Arbor Heights: 6 pm, per this district webpage. Concurrent with part of the aforementioned board workshop.

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Simple way to make it a happier holiday for hundreds of kids
December 3, 2008 4:50 pm
|    Comments Off on Simple way to make it a happier holiday for hundreds of kids
 |   How to help | West Seattle video | White Center

One way to look at it is, it’s like helping get the toys and clothes from Santa’s workshop, into the sleigh: WestSide Baby, which collects and distributes clothing, diapers, and toys for local families in need, is having a Sorting Party tomorrow night, and it’s a classic case of “many hands mean lighter work” — If you can spare all or part of two hours, 7-9 pm tomorrow (Thursday), you can help get items from shelves like the ones above, into family-tailored bags like the ones below (with “orders to fill” for almost 200 kids as of our visit this morning):

RSVP to Sarah at sarah@westsidebaby.org – or just show up, 10032 15th SW in White Center (map). Read on for more, as explained by WestSide Baby executive director Nancy Woodland:Read More

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Happening tonight: School Board, jail-site forum
December 3, 2008 3:47 pm
|    Comments Off on Happening tonight: School Board, jail-site forum
 |   West Seattle jail sites | West Seattle school closure

Two quick reminders about events that aren’t happening IN West Seattle tonight, but have potential for major effects ON West Seattle – Seattle School Board, 6 pm, district HQ in Sodo, with members of the public speaking about the school-closure proposal as well as an update expected from the superintendent; downtown forum for the proposed King County Jail-adjacent site for a new regional misdemeanor-offender jail (one of six sites now on the list), with Highland Park reps expected to be there to speak in support of a downtown site (the West Seattle site that’s still on the list is in HP, West Marginal/Highland Park Way), 6-9 pm at City Hall downtown (more info on the new jail-site-search website). ADDED 4:15 PM: The Save Arbor Heights blog reminds us that since this is a regularly scheduled school-board meeting (unlike the closure-announcement meeting last week), you can watch it live on cable TV: Channel 26. We will be at the meeting to cover it in person and will post periodic updates, but since it’s being broadcast live, we don’t plan to liveblog it like last week.

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Welcoming a new WSB sponsor: Ama Ama Oyster Bar and Grill
December 3, 2008 2:19 pm
|      24 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle restaurants

Good food doesn’t have to be expensive: That’s one of the guiding principles for the Junction restaurant we are welcoming today as WSB’s newest sponsor, Ama Ama Oyster Bar and Grill. It’s been in business more than a year now but Ama Ama also has something new – someone new, to be precise – Chef Jared Wentworth, who recently joined Ama Ama:

Ama Ama notes that Jared “has worked his way west while honing his culinary skills in New York (Aureole, Park Avenue Cafe) and Chicago (Charlie Trotter’s, Atlantique, Tizi Melloul) and most recently in Seattle as Chef de Cuisine at Quinn’s on Capitol Hill. He has worked for acclaimed chefs such as David Burke, John Hogan, Keith Korn, Charlie Trotter, and David Bouley. Jared brings to Ama Ama extensive knowledge of French, Japanese, and Mediterranean cuisines, and more than 12 years of executive chef experience preparing cutting-edge food. While Jared has had many high-profile culinary experiences, his approach to cooking remains simple: Fresh, wholesome ingredients, dictated by the changing seasons. He also shares in our belief that creative, high-quality food doesn’t have to be expensive.” Speaking of “not expensive” — 7 days a week you have a chance to try Ama Ama‘s fabled oysters for a low price – they’re 75 cents each from 4 to 6 pm and 10-11 pm every day/night. If you’re looking for someplace to get a late bite to eat, oysters or not, Ama Ama serves till midnight every night of the week. You’ll find Ama Ama on the northeast corner of California and Edmunds (map) in The Junction; you can find its new fall menus online. We thank Ama Ama Oyster Bar and Grill for supporting 24/7 West Seattle news/information/discussion — for, and by, the community — by joining the WSB sponsor team; the current lineup is here, along with info on how to become part of it!

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West Seattle orca sightings update, with photos from Alki!
December 3, 2008 1:45 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Wildlife

Just received that photo and the one below this post from Jeff Hogan, executive director of Killer Whale Tales, who was more closely involved than most people with the sightings we reported yesterday (anyone seen them today? we think we MAY have seen them in the distance, south of the Fauntleroy ferry dock, within the past hour, but our binoculars leave much to be desired). Jeff e-mailed:

I just wanted to let my new West Seattle neighbors know that we have members of the endangered Southern Resident Killer Whale Community in the area. Yesterday they spent most of the day off Alki Point and were easily visible for the better part of the afternoon. I am including two photos I took from the beach, one is picture of 13 year old J30 and the other has J8, a 75 year old female in the foreground and L7 a 47 year old female in the background. I spent most of the day on the water with a group of NOAA scientists, collecting fecal samples, (yes, poop) as well as scale samples from their prey. If anyone sees them on the water please give me a call at 206.660.0835 or call the Orca Network hotline at 1.866.672.2638.

Here’s the photo of J30:

Our coverage from yesterday is here (first report) and here (Orca Network sightings details, plus a link for more on the individual whales). For more information on Killer Whale Tales, here’s its website.

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Holiday helpers: WS-based Vending Solutions’ donation drive
December 3, 2008 12:39 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

That photo shows some of the food and clothing collected so far for West Seattle Food Bank and West Seattle Helpline by the folks at Vending Solutions. Linda Jarvimaki wrote to tell us that VS — a “West Seattle-based, nationwide management company” — is having an office competition to liven up its campaign to support those in need, “the gals against the guys… The team with the most points wins a prize and the individual person who brings in the most points wins a prize, both prizes donated by management. Each week, there is a bonus point day – everything from goofy hat day to slipper day where teams can accumulate points if every team member complies with the bonus point day requirement and brings a one-point item (such as a can of food.)” Linda also shared a team photo from the aforementioned “goofy hat day”:

She adds, “We also had a salad bar day – everyone brought an item for the salad bar and then contributed a dollar to eat (and also had to wear an apron.) In addition, we are having an auction – several people donated their talents (photography, baking, crafts) and all monies collected will be donated to our community. Although our office is small, it’s amazing what can be accomplished. We want to make a difference and invite other businesses to do the same.” Linda and everybody at Vending Solutions also invites you to drop off donations at their office – they’ll deliver them for you! 5415 California SW (map), Monday-Friday, 8 am-4:30 pm. As listed on our West Seattle Holiday Happenings page, donation drives are also under way at other businesses including AAA Travel, Cafe Rozella, and C and P Coffee. If we’re missing yours, please e-mail to let us know (photos welcome too – when we heard from the Vending Solutions folks, we asked them if they had pix, and that’s why they sent these – so we could show you the places and faces making West Seattle better every day), so we can share the good news.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Noisy arrest
December 3, 2008 11:48 am
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Highland Park | West Seattle news

Thanks to those who e-mailed to ask about a loud boom near 16th/Kenyon (map) around 6:30 this morning, followed by “police” sightings. Ralph had the most vivid description of what he saw at a house he identifies as being in the 7900 block of 16th SW:

I heard a loud ka-boom and thought it was a bomb. (About a year or so ago, someone did pipe-bomb neighbor’s back yard.) I thought that I should call that one in.
But first I looked out the window, and everything was quiet. Then I looked out the other window and realized that I didn’t have to call this one in – the lights were already flashing. Then a floodlight illuminated the entire front of the house … And there were numerous SWAT (or whatever) team folks there, armed and wearing helmets. … Turns out it was King County sheriff – no SPD, which surprised me. The ka-boom must have been the flash-bang used by the assault team.

Before Ralph’s note came in, we had been checking with the Southwest Precinct, and indeed, it wasn’t an incident with which they were involved – so we moved on to King County Sheriff’s Office, where Sgt. John Urquhart tells us an arrest warrant was being served – no details on what the person was wanted for, but the person is in custody.

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West Seattle traffic alert: Westbound “low bridge” Friday work
December 3, 2008 11:29 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle traffic alert: Westbound “low bridge” Friday work
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

Just in from SDOT:

SDOT crews plan to work on the westbound approach to the lower Spokane Street Bridge to West Seattle on Friday, December 5, from 9 a.m. until no later than 12 p.m. Eastbound traffic will not be affected. Westbound traffic will be detoured around the work area by way of Southwest Klickitat Avenue before crossing the bridge. During this time, crews will place a shim on a sharp dip in the roadway.

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Fauntleroy “rechannelization”: Answers promised, next week
December 3, 2008 10:18 am
|      20 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

Thanks to Chas Redmond for forwarding the city e-mail that’s apparently gone out to all 120-plus people who signed in at Monday night’s open house about the Fauntleroy “rechannelization” proposal (to be done during next year’s repaving). The e-mail, which is officially from SDOT’s Peter Lagerwey via walkandbike@seattle.gov – the address to use, as we’ve mentioned, for feedback – promises answers next week to questions raised at the event (WSB coverage here):

We heard support for re-paving the street, reducing speeds, improving pedestrian crossings and installing new bicycle facilities. We also heard concerns about possible congestion, diversion of traffic and lack of enforcement. As soon as we compile comments, we will respond to questions in writing to the group. We will have this work completed by the end of next week, December 12.

All comments will be taken into account as we move forward on a lane configuration decision by the end of the year. We will provide an update once a decision has been made.

The project website mentioned on Monday night handouts still isn’t up; we’ll check today on a timeline for that. As mentioned that night, the timeline for the “rechannelization” would be during the May-October 2009 period set for the repaving. 2:07 PM UPDATE: As Allie points out in comments, the webpage is now live, with some basics about the repaving project but not much on the “rechannelization” proposal; there’s also a spot to subscribe to e-mail bulletins about SDOT paving projects.

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One year ago today, it was the December Deluge
December 3, 2008 9:58 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle weather

One year ago today – there’s really no elegant way to put this – West Seattle and environs got dumped on. Tons of rain. Second-wettest day on record: almost 4″. That photo above, by Kristin, was taken on Juneau between Delridge and 26th, as she reported in a memorable quote, “The creek has burst free!” This gives us a chance to mention something we forgot to report before — a couple months ago, a county employee contacted us asking for permission to use that photo for the cover of the King County Flood District Opportunity Fund application packet. We e-mailed Kristin to see if she’d mind; she said “sure,” and this was the result:

By the way, if you want to look back at the soggy memories of the December (’07) Deluge, including many photos shared by WSB’ers (including the iconic Allstar Car), we put all the coverage (including followups) in this archive, newest to oldest.

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City tackles guns and trees, all in one night
December 3, 2008 7:02 am
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

First we told you December 15th was the night set for the city to hear comments on proposed gun restrictions on city-owned land. Now comes word the proposed tree-cutting restrictions also will be public-comment fodder that same night (trees at 5:30, guns at 6:30), summarized this way:

This council bill would provide interim controls including changes to existing exemptions to the tree ordinance, further restrict tree removal or topping of trees on lots of 5,000 square feet or more in single family zones and to all lots in Lowrise, Midrise and Commercial zones, further limit tree removal to no more than 3 trees of 6 inch caliper or greater in one year, and expand existing code enforcement authority.

Here’s the ordinance; 5:30 pm December 15th, City Hall, is the time and place for public comment (per this agenda – which includes information on how to comment by e-mail or postal mail till mid-January). Coincidentally, word of this came just hours after “A West Seattle Neighbor” e-mailed us a lament about Monday tree-cutting – read on:Read More

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Arbor Heights strategizes for tonight’s board meeting, and beyond
December 3, 2008 2:22 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Arbor Heights | West Seattle news | West Seattle school closure | West Seattle schools | West Seattle video

(video no longer available because of blip.tv shutdown)

They’re not showing all their cards yet, but Arbor Heights Elementary families and other supporters are certainly assembling their hands. That much was clear at last night’s meeting in the school cafeteria, called primarily to discuss the school community’s coalesced campaign to fight Seattle Public Schools‘ proposal to close the program and turn the building into the long-overdue new home of Genesee Hill’s Pathfinder K-8. Above, PTSA secretary Dana Varon exhorts the crowd to make a strong show of support at tonight’s School Board meeting, the first since the closure/change proposals were announced at a special board “work session” one week ago. Read on for what else they’re planning:Read More

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Giving to the givers: West Seattle Food Bank honors volunteers
December 2, 2008 11:52 pm
|    Comments Off on Giving to the givers: West Seattle Food Bank honors volunteers
 |   Holidays | How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Those are two of the photos West Seattle Food Bank board member Keri Detore kindly sent us from tonight’s WSFB Volunteer Appreciation Dinner at The Hall at Fauntleroy. Read on for more on tonight’s event, and how you can help:Read More

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West Seattle Christmas lights, 12/2/08, and a bonus tree
December 2, 2008 10:45 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | Seen around town | West Seattle Christmas lights

Tonight we’re pointing to last night’s Beach Drive Blog featured home. The tree is just too gorgeous. (BDB says the house is just south of Jacobsen; here’s a map.) Meantime, thanks for the address tips that are starting to come in — a few were described as works in progress so we’re going to give them a few days till we come by! We did get one photo that doesn’t qualify as lights – but it can’t go unnoted:

Nicole from Chill says that turned up last Sunday by Jan’s Salon next door (here’s a map; and yes, that’s a school – Gatewood Elementary – in the background).

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More on the West Seattle orca sightings: Who saw what, where
December 2, 2008 10:30 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Wildlife

(file photo of Puget Sound resident orcas, from NOAA)
In our morning report about nearby orca sightings, we mentioned the Orca Network‘s daily “sightings” e-mail (subscribe to it here). The latest one just arrived, and it tells the story of today’s sightings – we’ll paraphrase:

*8:15 am, six orcas reported by captain of ferry Tacoma on Seattle-Bainbridge run
*9 am, orcas reported off Alki Point by captain of ferry Hyak on Seattle-Bremerton run
*9:09 am, orcas reported “at the mouth of Elliott Bay” by captain of ferry Kalama (Seattle-Vashon)
*9:30 am, five whales seen from Alki Point identified as: J1 (Ruffles), J27 (Blackberry), J2 (Granny), J8 (Speiden) and J30 (Riptide) [find out more on individual whales here]
*9:45 am, report of three orcas “traveling southwest from Alki Beach”
*9:45 am, report from a vessel that saw “about 4 whales just south of West Seattle and east of Blake Island”
*10:20 am Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth ferry run, passenger reported the captain announcing a pod of orcas, one male and four females: “They appear very active and look to be feeding. … The male appeared to be herding salmon down to the others.”
*10:43 am, captain of the ferry Issaquah reported orcas “milling near the Fauntleroy dock”
*10:50 am, sighting between Vashon and West Seattle
*11:40 am, two orcas spotted heading from Alki Point toward West Point (Magnolia)
*11:41 am, captain of the ferry Wenatchee spotted orcas near Bainbridge
*Noon, chief mate of the ferry Tacoma spotted orcas near Bainbridge

Last report says a Vashon spotter saw the whales heading north around 5 pm “after spending at least 8 hours in south Puget Sound.” Tomorrow, perhaps? Thanks to the tipsters who sounded the alert this morning for WSB-land!

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Beach-fire fans, take note: Parks Board to get a “status report”
December 2, 2008 8:05 pm
|    Comments Off on Beach-fire fans, take note: Parks Board to get a “status report”
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

beachfirefromhell.jpgRemember the brief battle over beach fires earlier this year? To recap: Parks Department staff prepared a briefing document in June suggesting a ban (WSB coverage here), public outcry ensued, the Parks Board turned a hose on it? The agenda for next week’s Parks Board meeting is out, and the “written status report” requested by the board will be part of the meeting. The agenda also includes (as we mentioned yesterday) the park-naming policy review, an update on fees, and the latest on reservoir-lidding (WS has two such projects — Myrtle, which is done except for the park component, and West Seattle next to Westcrest, which is well under way). The Parks Board meets at 7 pm Thursday 12/11, parks HQ at Denny Park downtown.

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Arbor Heights meeting, report #1
December 2, 2008 7:09 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle school closure

We’re in the cafeteria at Arbor Heights Elementary, where a community meeting is about to begin, called by the PTSA to discuss the proposal to close the AH “program” so the building can be given to the Pathfinder K-8 program. The fluorescent green T-shirts you see around the room are newly minted “Save Arbor Heights” T-shirts. PTSA leadership will speak, followed by open mike time; we’ve seen several crews here from citywide media – KOMO TV included (so something should be on their 11 pm news). 7:21 PM UPDATE: PTSA leaders say Arbor Heights parents managed to get six of the speaking slots at tomorrow night’s School Board meeting (the official agenda lists four, and one for Pathfinder); they are offering child care to any AH community members who want to go to the board meeting to show support for the school. 7:48 PM UPDATE: As listed on the “fact sheet” we reported on yesterday, they are suggesting West Seattle, Cooper, and Roxhill Elementaries are better options for closure than AH. PTSA president Suzette Riley also mentioned proposing Denny as a new Pathfinder home, once its students move to the new Denny on the Sealth campus, as a longshot proposal. 8:32 PM UPDATE: The meeting has just ended and they’re signing people up for committees to help with various tasks in what could be a two-month road ahead, although they are hoping to present compelling-enough evidence to get the “close Arbor Heights program” tossed out sooner. (Full report on tonight’s meeting is in the works.)

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School-closure proposal update: Pathfinder’s side of the story
December 2, 2008 6:24 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Genesee Hill | West Seattle news | West Seattle school closure

pathfinder.jpg

As we’ll see at a meeting less than one hour away, the proposal to basically vaporize what is now known as Arbor Heights Elementary – except for its building – is wrenching for that close-knit school community. But the school community that district management wants to move into that building, Pathfinder K-8, isn’t exactly throwing a party. The years-old Pathfinder building dilemma (shown above, the portables they repainted this summer) has thrust them into myriad difficult situations. Knowing that, and knowing how hard they too have worked on their school community, we asked: “What’s your position about the new proposal?” starting even as unofficial word leaked out before Superintendent Dr. Maria Goodloe-Johnson‘s formal presentation a week ago tonight. They thought a while before crafting this statement, and we wanted to bring it to you in its entirety, sent to us by Pathfinder PTSA leadership:

The question has been repeatedly asked: “What does Pathfinder K-8 think of the preliminary recommendation to move its program into the Arbor Heights Elementary building?”

This is a tough question to answer. The Pathfinder K-8 community is extremely grateful that in these challenging times the District supports keeping our program open and intact. This is clearly the most important thing to us. That stated, the community is more than disheartened, once again, to be put in the position where advocating for our program directly puts other schools and programs at risk.

Pathfinder K-8 is a vital part of public education in West Seattle. It is the only Alternative School and only K-8 in the region. It provides an important and necessary option for the many non-traditional learners in our community as well as a unique, quality education for families and kids seeking a more exploratory and holistic public education experience.

For the last 4 years we have surveyed prospective parents during enrollment tours to discover their thoughts about what we offer. Overwhelmingly, the majority of survey respondents rate our programs, curriculum, and teachers highly and rate our building very low. Our facility poses a large obstacle for families to overcome when choosing Pathfinder K-8 for their children. In a building with a sound structure that is appropriate for our program, our ability to better serve all of West Seattle increases dramatically.

As a bit of history, Pathfinder K-8 has now been on the receiving end of 5 preliminary recommendations, in the last four years, to move our program to a different building. This comes after a district-mandated change from a K-5 to a K-8 school in 1999, with little additional funding to provide for an upgrade in facilities. Our upper grades, 6th through 8th, have been in portables ever since. Despite this challenging situation, the staff and community persevered and today we have strong and cherished upper grades.

There is a detailed timeline and background information on Pathfinder’s facilities issues available on our website (here’s that link). Please take a look at it so you can understand the situation in detail. Suffice it to say that Pathfinder K-8 has a history of receiving preliminary recommendations that are reasonable for its program and address its facility issue, but come with the heavy burden of causing pain to other parts of our shared community. It has always been an extremely difficult, painful and energy-draining situation to be placed in. It is also true in the last 4 years that reasonable preliminary recommendations have turned into less desirable final recommendations that our community could not support.

Last spring and summer, questioning that a suitable building for our program would be found, built or otherwise manifested and, not willing to wait for another BEX levy, the Pathfinder K-8 community rolled up its sleeves to do what it could for its kids and community. Volunteers spent over 1,000 hours in 5 months, weekends and summer break with brushes and ladders, painting its 6 double portables. Thousands of dollars of paint and supplies were donated by the community. The staff hand-painted a new sign for the portables and the eighth grade students began the work of reclaiming planting beds.
So, what is Pathfinder K-8’s response to the recommendation that our program move into the Arbor Heights building? We struggle with what it should be. We ask the community to understand how difficult it is to answer this. In light of our past experience, how can we ensure the safety and integrity of our program, defend the need for high quality schools for all children in West Seattle, and still meet the goals and constraints set forth by the Seattle School District?

While there are certainly many possibilities, the ones that meet everyone’s needs are not as easy to find. The School Board has indicated that they are interested in hearing ideas and creative approaches, as are we. It is unfortunate that, due to the current state of our School District, none of the likely scenarios are easy or painless for any of the schools involved. Still, we are committed to enduring this process and working through the appropriate channels to find resolution.

The link detailing Pathfinder’s history also is new (here it is again); we had inquired about that as well, wondering how long they had been in this “temporary” building. A week from tonight, 6:45 pm December 9th, the Pathfinder community plans to meet and talk about the relocation proposal; a week after that, 6:30 pm December 16th, the district will have its legally mandated public hearing at the Pathfinder building (Genesee Hill). But before all that, the School Board meets downtown tomorrow night for the first time since the special meeting last week, 6 pm, district HQ in Sodo.

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Random act of kindness in Lincoln Park
December 2, 2008 4:13 pm
|      17 COMMENTS
 |   Fauntleroy | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

This, we had to share the second we read it. Shelley sent it with the photo you see above:

I had to share this. Today my 13-month-old daughter and I were playing in Lincoln Park when she ran over to a bench that had a little toy sitting on it. She picked it up and under the toy said ‘A Gift: For You’. There was no one on the playground or in our vicinity and it wasn’t a lost toy. I was touched and thought it was an adorable sentiment. My daughter was appreciative too and tucked the little bicycling man under her arm and walked with him toward the swings. My heart is warm from the intentional random act of kindness and will work to pass it on.

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Countdown to 3 big holiday events in The Junction
December 2, 2008 4:01 pm
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 |   Fun stuff to do | Holidays | West Seattle Art Walk | West Seattle news

thetree1.jpgFirst – this Saturday’s tree lighting in The Junction. We are pleased to announce that your WSB co-publishers have the honor of helping emcee the hourlong extravaganza, which will feature live holiday music, live holiday theater (a sample of ArtsWest‘s “Plaid Tidings”), and the first drawings as part of the West Seattle Junction Association (WSB sponsor)’s $5,000 holiday giveaway (enter FREE at any participating store!). 5 pm in the Farmers’ Market parking lot (44th/Alaska). WSB marks its third birthday this holiday season (first post 12/24/05) and we’d love to celebrate a West Seattle holiday tradition with YOU. Second event – the day after that, noon-4 pm this Sunday, it’s the first of three Junction Hometown Holidays Sundays, with draft-mule carriage rides, special in-store events, and Santa photos at Cupcake Royale (donation suggested for local charities) taken by a professional photographer. Speaking of great photography – we are thrilled to learn that WSB contributing photojournalist Christopher Boffoli will be one of the artists participating in the holiday edition of the West Seattle Second Thursday Art Walk next week (6-9 pm December 11th) — Christopher’s work will be displayed on the big screens at Ama-Ama (which also happens to be a brand-new WSB sponsor – story to come tomorrow!), northeast corner of California/Edmunds. This Art Walk also has a special bonus to help holiday shoppers – free child care for ages 3-11, provided by West Seattle Christian Church (space limited; call Dan at 932-2098, x. 102, ASAP).

*Linda Ann Cox reminds us that a great way to start next Saturday is at the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle Pancake Breakfast at the Masonic Hall, 4736 40th SW – 7 to 11 am, $6 adults/$3 kids, proceeds to Kiwanis Sponsored Youth Services, Santa will even be there. (This event is one of many listed on the Holiday Happenings page – and we’re continuing to add new ones daily, so keep an eye out; West Seattle is overflowing with holiday fun this year.)

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Kenney redevelopment proposal: FAQ update; meeting reminder
December 2, 2008 3:11 pm
|    Comments Off on Kenney redevelopment proposal: FAQ update; meeting reminder
 |   Development | Fauntleroy | The Kenney | West Seattle news

kenneycupola.jpgGot word from The Kenney’s CEO Kevin McFeely that there’s an update to the FAQ addressing concerns about its $150 million redevelopment proposal – so we’ve uploaded it to share with you – read it here. McFeely says the major changes are toward the start of the document, with an added section about The Kenney’s income and executive salaries – no specific numbers, though. He also reiterates that, as the FAQ says, they’re expecting to return for the next Design Review meeting on December 18th – that’s still not on the city DR-schedule website as of this posting, so we have a call out to city planners to doublecheck. (The 12/18 Design Review Board meeting is scheduled for Madison Middle School and so far has one project on the agenda, as reported here last week, 4502 42nd SW, 6:30 pm; that still leaves room for another project to go before the board at 8.) A meeting that unquestionably IS happening: This Thursday night’s community gathering sponsored by the Fauntleroy Community Association and Morgan Community Association for an update on the project and the process – 7 pm Thursday at Fauntleroy Church (WSB sponsor) Fellowship Hall.

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