day : 23/01/2009 9 results

That’s the trailer from “Arctic Tale,” the movie that’ll be featured April 17th in the second CoolMom.org Family Movie Night at Camp Long; the first one, held tonight, was a roaring success. Why mention the next one so early, you ask? The answer ahead – plus a campaign that CoolMom is involved with now, to get a message to the new Mom in the White HouseRead More

West Seattle Crime Watch: Wheels; window; Trenton trouble

January 23, 2009 11:21 pm

| 23 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

That photo is from Ray, who says his car is the wheel-less Honda Fit reported by Justin in this comment on last night’s Junction wheel-theft report. That’s not the only car-targeting crime we have received word about today:

Somebody smashed Mark‘s car window near Fairmount Playfield. He says it appeared to be an isolated incident, at least on his block (5000 block of 38th SW – map), and he also sent a report of the weapon:

Two more reports to share, ahead:Read More

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West Seattle Weather Watch: Sunset, stagnation, snow

January 23, 2009 6:25 pm

| Comments Off on West Seattle Weather Watch: Sunset, stagnation, snow

| Environment | West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

That photo of tonight’s sunset, from Anchor (Luna) Park, is courtesy of MarkB (who also shared video, photo, info from last night’s WSHS concert). As the weekend begins in earnest, a few weather notes: The latest forecast does have the s(now)-word in a few spots – maybe flurries tomorrow night, maybe “rain possibly beginning as snow” on Tuesday. But till something scours out the “stagnant” air, the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency wants to remind you the Stage 2 Burn Ban remains in effect – no wood-burning fireplaces or stoves unless it’s your “only adequate source of heat.”

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West Seattle pet alert: Watch where your dog’s drinking

January 23, 2009 4:14 pm

| 17 COMMENTS

| Highland Park | Pets | Safety | West Seattle news

That’s Metro in happier times; he’s sick right now, according to his human companion Abby, who wanted to share this info with other local dogs and their people:

Our dog Metro has just been diagnosed with Giardia. While
we cannot be certain where he picked it up, we were recently at the Westcrest dog park (Sun. 1/11, Sat. 1/17 and Sun. 1/18) – his most favorite place in the world.

It is possible that my backyard or a puddle we encountered on a walk is the source of the offending parasite, but we wanted to remind the great folks at the dog park to be alert, especially to your puppy’s drinking sources. We’ll keep our puppy away from your dogs for a few weeks (much to his dismay). Just another important reason to clean up after the beasts we love and help prevent the spread of a yucky parasite to some unwitting and likely adorable dog. Happy walks–See you in a few weeks!

Abby also has posted this alert to the Westcrest Off-Leash Area mailing list, where one respondent has noted that the park’s water is off for the winter so “many dogs have been drinking from the drainage pipe next to the big tree.” Again, there’s no proof that Westcrest is where Metro got this parasite, but Abby wanted to suggest that dog owners be extra watchful. We’ll be checking with local health authorities to look for more information on how common this is and how best to take precautions.

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Welcoming a new WSB sponsor: West Seattle Montessori School

January 23, 2009 3:36 pm

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| How to help | West Seattle online | West Seattle schools

Today we welcome a new sponsor – West Seattle Montessori School, which is inviting prospective students and their families to two open houses, including one tomorrow afternoon. Here’s what WSMS would like you to know about their school: Choosing a school where children flourish according to their needs and abilities is more critical today than ever. West Seattle Montessori School is pleased to offer individualized teaching from experienced professionals, and would be delighted to assist you throughout your child’s academic journey. Since 1985, West Seattle Montessori School has been an integral part of the West Seattle Community. Offering preschool through 8th grade education, WSMS prides itself on fostering independence and intellectual curiosity, stimulating personal growth, and encouraging innovation and a love of learning. As part of our close-knit WSMS community, we focus on the development of the whole child, not only providing personalized attention and student centered lessons, but also creating a rich and broad variety of experiences beyond our walls through art classes, stage performances, engaging field trips, and activities throughout Seattle’s eclectic neighborhoods. It is our goal to instill within our students a clear set of values, including respect for each individual and her or his own unique talents and contributions. We are now enrolling for the 2009 – 2010 academic school year at our newly remodeled building, only a few miles away from our current location! Please join us for an Open House to hear more details about this exciting move, Montessori curriculum, and our amazing community on Saturday, January 24, from 1 pm to 3 pm, or Thursday, February 5, from 6 pm to 8 pm, 4536 38th SW (map). For more information, please contact our main office at (206) 935-0427, or take a look at our website westseattlemontessori.com. **** Welcome, West Seattle Montessori, to the WSB sponsor lineup, listed in its entirety here along with info on how to become part of it!

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Bulletin: Fauntleroy rechannelization approved, work starts in May

January 23, 2009 12:28 pm

| 53 COMMENTS

| Transportation | West Seattle news

(“rechannelization” plan as shown on easel at 12/1/08 open house)
Just in from SDOT – the decision’s in, and the city WILL reconfigure the lanes on Fauntleroy Way between Edmunds and California when it repaves the stretch starting in May: One car lane in each direction, center turn lane, northbound bike lane, two crosswalks to be added. Here’s the official city news release:

The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) announced today its decision to change Fauntleroy Way SW to make it safer for pedestrians and bicyclists, reduce vehicle speeds and collisions, and still maintain current capacity. The department’s decision was guided by an analysis of current and future traffic conditions, Bicycle Master Plan recommendations, and input from the community.

The rechannelizing of Fauntleroy Way SW, from California Avenue SW to SW Edmunds Street, will occur with the paving project scheduled to begin in May 2009. After work is completed, the 1.3 mile stretch will feature one travel lane in each direction, a center two-way left turn lane, a bicycle lane northbound and shared lane pavement markings (sharrows) southbound. Marked crosswalks will be added at SW Brandon Street and 40th Avenue SW, south of SW Juneau Street. On-street parking will remain, though a minimal number of spaces may be impacted by improved bus zones.

(6:07 pm note – We asked SDOT’s Rick Sheridan a follow-up question re: what “minimal” means; his answer – about 15 spaces. Back to the news release and the original 12:28 pm post:)

Residents have expressed concerns about excessive speeds on Fauntleroy Way SW, which has a posted 35 miles per hour speed limit. Creating a single through lane for each direction has been shown in national studies to calm traffic, creating a safer environment for pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists.

After the paving and rechannelization are complete, SDOT will study the street’s performance and make adjustments as needed to keep traffic flowing. It will additionally assess whether additional marked crosswalks can be added in the future. The department held an open house in December to solicit public comment and its decision carefully considered the needs of motorists, freight, transit, bicycles, pedestrians, ferry users and emergency response.

Here’s our report on that 12/1 open house; here’s an update from 12/14, when the city published answers to questions asked at that event. We first reported on the “rechannelization” proposal in mid-November, with word of the official city announcement on Nov. 13th and an in-depth followup later that week after speaking with the key SDOT manager working on the plan. ADDED 2:32 PM: We also have a version of this announcement that went out to a different city-managed mailing list, and the verbiage is a bit different, so for those interested, we’re publishing that too – it also includes contact info if you have questions about the project – read on: Read More

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West Seattle Weekend Lineup: Rock flick to pancake flips, & more

January 23, 2009 11:16 am

| 1 COMMENT

| Fun stuff to do | WS culture/arts | WS Weekend Lineup

That’s the trailer for “Rock ‘n’ Roll Gearhead,” which on Sunday night will become the first movie ever shown at West 5 in The Junction. Also happening in The Junction, opening weekend for “WELL”:

At ArtsWest, Kate Witt and Therese Diekhans star in a play that’s about a play … and about the playwright’s mother … sort of … taking a “riotously funny” turn, per AW. And yet another Junction fete – Saturday’s the 4th birthday bash for Twilight Art Collective, featuring Goldhick/Crystals:

What does G/C do? Follow the links from Twilight. And if you like pancakes, Saturday’s the morning you’ve been waiting for:

That’s the morning you can enjoy a pancake breakfast at Fauntleroy Church to support the Fauntleroy Fall Festival. Those events, plus the food/wine gala “Gifts from the Earth” at SSCC, a chance to help Seacrest become a Wildlife Habitat, school events including open houses and a Chief Sealth-WSHS joint fundraising car wash, a free parliamentary-law workshop (gotta run meetings? this will help), all part of more than FIFTY!!!! events and activities in West Seattle this weekend, ahead:Read More

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Fauntleroy ferry future: Read the mayor’s letter against expansion

January 23, 2009 9:39 am

| 8 COMMENTS

| Transportation | West Seattle news

In our Wednesday night coverage of the Washington State Ferries Draft Long-Range Plan hearing in Fauntleroy, we showed you video of SDOT’s Ann Sutphin telling WSF that the city opposes the proposal to expand the West Seattle dock. She read a letter Mayor Nickels wrote to WSF; this morning, we have a copy of that letter — you can read it in its entirety here. Also a reminder — as mentioned in our Wednesday report — WSF has extended the deadline for public comments to Monday, so you still have time to read the plan and send your thoughts (wsfplanning@wsdot.gov).

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West Seattle Crime Watch: North Admiral scare

January 23, 2009 3:45 am

| 36 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

This is just out of the WSB inbox, from Daphne, who wanted to alert others to what happened at her home near Hill/41st (map) a little while ago:Read More

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