month : 01/2009 365 results

Yet more baseball signups: Southwest Seattle Pony League

January 17, 2009 5:40 am

| Comments Off on Yet more baseball signups: Southwest Seattle Pony League

| Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news | WS & Sports

(Photo courtesy Southwest Seattle Pony Baseball: Red Sox, 2008 Bronco Division champs)
In the past week, we’ve brought you news of West Seattle Little League registration (another session coming up Tuesday) and West Seattle Association of Pee Wee Baseball signups (ongoing, online). This morning: Southwest Seattle Pony Baseball. It’s spring tryout time, according to the announcement we’re sharing, from Doug Groesbeck:

Southwest Seattle Pony Baseball will be holding Spring Tryouts for the Bronco Division on February 7th and 8th between 11 AM and 1 PM at High Point Playfield in West Seattle (map). The Bronco Division is open to players ages 11 and 12 (birthdays between 5/1/1996 and 4/30/1998). You can pre-register for the tryouts through the league website (link here).

Southwest Seattle Pony Baseball also has two teams in our Pony Division for players ages 13 and 14 (birthdays between 5/1/1994 and 4/30/1996). Currently, both teams have a full complement of players and we will not be holding tryouts for this age group on the dates listed above. If however, your child has an interest in playing at this age level, we can facilitate getting you and your child in touch with another Pony League in our area who may be in need of players. If your child would like to have this opportunity, please contact Dennis Crawley (Player Agent) through our website (here’s the link).

Southwest Seattle Pony Baseball is dedicated to providing a competitive, fun and affordable baseball experience to the families of the Greater West Seattle area. The majority of Bronco Division games are played in beautiful Lincoln Park right here in West Seattle. Pony Division home games are held at High Point and Highland Park Playfields, also here in West Seattle.

Share This

Inauguration Day countdown: West Seattleites in D.C.

January 16, 2009 11:03 pm

| 5 COMMENTS

| 2009 Inauguration | West Seattle people | West Seattle politics

(photo from Carter, showing the space that’ll be jammed with people on Inauguration Day)
Over the past few weeks, we’ve received e-mail from several West Seattleites who will be at the Presidential Inauguration on Tuesday – and they’ve promised to send updates on what it’s like to be there, both before and during (maybe even after). We have our first dispatch tonight from Carter and Dan, Upper Fauntleroy residents who’ve already arrived — here’s what Carter wrote (with more photos, added Saturday afternoon):Read More

Share This

Update: Generous folks foot the full bill for Zack the cat

January 16, 2009 5:44 pm

| 9 COMMENTS

| Pets | West Seattle news

Our third followup on Zack the cat is (the one with) the charm: We got word this afternoon from Teri Ensley of Furry Faces Foundation that Zack’s entire medical bill is paid. If you’re joining the tale late, Zack found his way into the life of a West Seattleite named Jane; she couldn’t find his previous owner, but she did learn he had been badly hurt and needed expensive surgery. She e-mailed us, at wit’s end, and we put out her call for donations to pay for Zack’s care. Along the way, Furry Faces jumped in to assist, and here’s Teri’s report today:

Hi, West Seattle Community!

Zack is one lucky cat–not only does he have Jane, but our West Seattle Community! Twenty-eight donors paid his entire bill of $1239.00, plus left a positive balance of $32.00 in F3’s Lien Animal Clinic account. Because of each of you, Zack now has a second chance at having a loving forever home with Jane. The remaining balance will be used to help with any medical followup Zack may need. If he doesn’t have followup needs, then it will be used to help another [future] animal companion who needs financial assistance.

There really are no words to describe how grateful, humbled and inspired F3 is feeling. Our Oliver’s Fund helps animal companions, whose humans are on restricted income (going through difficult times, etc.), with unexpected Veterinarian bills, however, alone, Oliver’s Fund did not have even close to enough money to cover the full cost of Zack’s surgery. Thanks to everyone for your generosity.

And please help us thank:

1. Jane—who rescued and adopted Zack

2. Lien Animal Clinic who performed the surgeries and provide pre/post op care

3. West Seattle Animal Hospital (WSAH) for starting Zack’s fund so that word could get out. At the time Zack’s fund was started, Jane did not know where Zack’s surgery would be performed. WSAH was very supportive of the change to Lien Animal Clinic and quick to let donors know that their donations would need to be redirected to Lien Animal Clinic. We know this created duplication of effort for both WSAH and all of the donors, so greatly appreciate your patience and follow through.

4. West Seattle Blog for posting Zack’s need and keeping all of us informed of his status.

Have a lovely weekend. And think about smiling at everyone you see…they just may be one of Zack’s benefactors. ; )

Cheers,
F3

Share This

Alki Community Center closing till Tuesday – no heat

January 16, 2009 4:30 pm

| Comments Off on Alki Community Center closing till Tuesday – no heat

| West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

From the city Parks Department:

Alki Community Center will close today, Friday, Jan. 16, at 6 p.m., and will remain closed all day on Saturday, Jan. 17, due to the fact that the heating system for the building is temporarily out of service. All Friday evening activities have been cancelled. Saturday basketball games have been moved to Madison Middle School, 3429 45th Ave SW. All other Saturday activities have been cancelled. The center will open again on Tuesday morning, Jan. 20, for regular programming.

That means no roller skating tonight; we’ll amend the West Seattle Weekend Lineup.

Share This

Two Metro notes: Monday changes; snowstorm feedback

January 16, 2009 3:10 pm

| Comments Off on Two Metro notes: Monday changes; snowstorm feedback

| Holidays | Transportation | West Seattle news

MONDAY CHANGES: Metro wants to make sure you know it’s running at reduced service levels for the MLK Day holiday on Monday. Here are the details, including a list of which routes won’t be operating that day.

SNOWSTORM FEEDBACK: In our report on last night’s post-snow open-house feedback session at Southwest Community Center, we mentioned a printed survey Metro was circulating. It’s not available online but Metro provided us with a copy to share with you – you’re invited to print it out and mail it in by next Friday, or use the e-mail address on the form to send your answers to their questions.

Share This

West Seattle Weekend Lineup: Road map to fun (in TWO ways)

January 16, 2009 2:02 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

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

What we mean by that is: Our weekly list of Friday-Saturday-Sunday events is a “map” in its own right, but the big map activity this weekend happens tomorrow afternoon, when Snowstorm ’08 WSB mapmaking star Alice is leading an informal session on how to make Google Maps – that, and other activities including a big concert rescheduled from its snow-scuttled date, are all part of more than 30 events and activities in West Seattle this weekend, ahead:Read More

Share This

Welcome, new WSB sponsor: Community School of West Seattle

January 16, 2009 1:36 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle online | West Seattle schools

Even though new school years start in fall, decisions about each year are made the preceding winter, so this is a busy time for local schools and families. Today, we’re welcoming a new WSB sponsor, The Community School of West Seattle, which invites you to attend an open house tonight or tomorrow morning. Here’s what they’d like you to know about their school: The Community School of West Seattle (CSWS) provides a unique family friendly learning environment. Their philosophy of Organic Education creates respectful early learning experiences in an enriched, anti-bias environment. The teachers work with the children on communication skills and problem-solving techniques, they support social, intellectual, physical, emotional and cognitive growth in a creative and developmentally appropriate space that has lots of outside space and a large dedicated studio. They believe in supporting the whole family by offering a year round program, parenting workshops, social events and a resource library. CSWS is currently accepting applications for Fall 2009. There’s two open house events — one tonight (Friday, January 16th) at 6 pm, and another tomorrow (Saturday, January 17th) at 10 am. These events are for adults, but you and your child will be able to schedule an observation when the classes are in session. At the open houses, parents will learn about; Messy Play Day for Toddlers age 18 months to 3 years. Pre-school for 3- and 4-year-olds. And, the multiage Kindergarten through 2nd grade program. We welcome The Community School of West Seattle to the WSB sponsor team; full lineup’s on this page along with info on how to become part of it!

Share This

High Point Community Center info — in 12 languages!

January 16, 2009 12:19 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(from the brochure in Tigrigna, spoken in parts of Eritrea and Ethiopia)
Working on the forthcoming West Seattle Weekend Lineup, we stopped by the High Point Community Center website and remembered that HPCC’s Brian Judd had asked us to share this with you: An informational brochure about HPCC is now available in 11 languages besides English. If you have friends, neighbors, co-workers, relatives who speak any of these languages — Amharic, Arabic, Cambodian, Chinese-Simplified, Chinese-Traditional, English, Farsi, Oromo, Samoan, Somali, Spanish, Tigrigna, Vietnamese — you’re invited to print out the material or point them to the website – the links are all on the HPCC home page.

Share This

West Seattle Crime Watch: What the Lincoln Park search was about

January 16, 2009 11:58 am

| 9 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Got a couple notes last night about a police search/containment operation along the Fauntleroy side of Lincoln Park, but the units were gone when we went to check it out. So this morning we got the scoop from Southwest Precinct Lt. Steve Paulsen: Two juveniles tried to steal beer from the Lincoln Park 76 station (map). As they ran, the clerk hit one with a bottle. They still managed to get away; no arrests so far.

Share This

Re-striping tomorrow for West Seattle Bridge (+ 35th, and more)

January 16, 2009 10:13 am

| 4 COMMENTS

| Transportation | West Seattle news

If you drove The Bridge late yesterday, no doubt you noticed the re-striping work wasn’t all done. And indeed, there’s more ahead – plus 35th and Fauntleroy as soon as the city can get to it – according to this citywide update just in from SDOT:Read More

Share This

Updates: Alki Homestead fire out, Christmas lights blamed

January 16, 2009 6:23 am

| 27 COMMENTS

| Alki Homestead | West Seattle fires | West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

(scroll down for latest information, continuing to add it as we get it)

(photo by David Hutchinson)
ORIGINAL 6:23 AM POST (which was headlined “Alki Homestead fire out”): That’s according to Helen Fitzpatrick of the Seattle Fire Department, who says flames were coming from the rear of the restaurant when crews arrived. Crews were sent out about 5:20 am. The Homestead’s log-house building on 61st SW south of Alki SW (map) is a city landmark (since 1996); the restaurant business was up for sale last year and we had reported just before the holidays (11/25/08 WSB report here) that its owner, Tom Lin, had found buyers. According to the Fire Department, no one was in the building at the time of this morning’s fire. More details and photos shortly. 6:43 AM UPDATE: Another photo from David Hutchinson, this one showing the fire-response vehicles lined up all the way onto Alki Ave. Witness reports say firefighters had to cut into the building while fighting the flames. No word of any injuries.

6:49 AM UPDATE: Co-publisher Patrick has an update from SFD spokesperson Fitzpatrick at the scene: The fire broke out on the 1st floor and flames did shoot up through the roof. No idea yet what caused it. Damage is mostly confined to the 1st floor (which of course is the restaurant’s main floor). 61st remains blocked off from Alki Ave to SW Stevens (Log House Museum).

7 AM UPDATE: Most of the fire vehicles are starting to pack up to leave. We’re not being allowed around back of the building so far, so it’s too soon to say just how extensive the damage appears from the outside.

7:06 AM UPDATE: Fitzpatrick says there’s “significant smoke and char damage on the first floor” and some damage in the attic area. Investigation into the cause continues.

7:22 AM UPDATE: Patrick just talked with owner Tom Lin at the scene. The message he wanted to reaffirm: Nobody is hurt – in the past there were tenants renting some space in the building but that space has been vacant for a while. Tom knows his office was damaged but doesn’t know the extent of the restaurant damage yet and so has no idea when it’ll reopen. He told us that he lives nearby and heard the sirens; when he realized how close they were, he went over to look and was shocked to find out it was the Homestead. Patrick asked about the in-progress sale mentioned in our November report; Tom said it hadn’t closed yet but the prospective purchaser had been actively preparing for some potential remodeling work, and the restaurant had been scheduled to close soon because of that (as he’d told us in November). Patrick adds that the fire damage is not visible from outside, at least from the front of the restaurant; Tom believes the thickness of the log structure kept the flames from actually breaking through the framework, aside from the aforementioned attic damage. (added later – video we shot as a TV reporter was interviewing him with the same questions we’d asked some time earlier)

7:38 AM UPDATE: Owner Tom just told Patrick investigators believe the fire was electrical in origin.

8:01 AM NOTE: We’ll have more photos back shortly, more clearly showing the damage from outside. Regarding the mention of the attic, we’re reminded that we covered a special sale at the Homestead last April (here’s our story, with photos); many of the items had been brought out of storage in the attic.

8:15 AM UPDATE: Adding more photos. First, this is from behind the restaurant, showing the roof damage – that’s right behind the famous vertical neon sign:

Looking at the roof from the front, only a little damage can be seen, right around the chimney:

Here’s a wide shot of the restaurant’s century-old building – from this angle, if not for the fire trucks, you wouldn’t have known there’d been a fire:

By the way, if you’ve never been inside the Homestead, here’s a photo of the interior.

10:29 AM UPDATE: From Dana Vander Houwen at the SFD: The fire is blamed on “excessive draw of power for Christmas lights plugged into a single outlet” and damage is estimated at $400,000.

11:45 AM UPDATE: From an opening to the courtyard on the alley behind the restaurant, you can see this sad scene – burned items from inside the restaurant.

Share This

Details: New dock, new boat when Water Taxi goes year-round

January 16, 2009 3:44 am

| 13 COMMENTS

| Elliott Bay Water Taxi | Transportation | West Seattle news

If all goes as currently planned, the Elliott Bay Water Taxi‘s long-anticipated year-round operation will start a little more than a year from now. But first, some improvements – including a new dock and gangway worth about $2 million at Seacrest, in the configuration above, displayed Thursday night at Alki Community Center during a public meeting about the proposal. The gangway will be 80 feet long and 10 feet wide, to accommodate people walking in both directions, which doesn’t work well on the current 6-foot-wide gangway. The new dock will extend past the end of the fishing pier, and then join with a 75-foot-long north-south section where the boat will tie up, keeping it further away from divers. The meeting brought other updates about the foot ferry’s future — read on:Read More

Share This

Investigators say $4 million Spokane St. fire was accidental

January 16, 2009 2:00 am

| Comments Off on Investigators say $4 million Spokane St. fire was accidental

| Not WS but we're mentioning it anyway

(January 8 photo by C. Simmons)
Eight days ago, we told you about the huge fire that gutted Pacific Sheet Metal and adjoining music facility The Dutchman on the south side of the Spokane Street Viaduct section of the West Seattle Bridge, still smoldering when many West Seattleites passed it hours later on the way to work. Seattle Fire Department spokesperson Dana Vander Houwen now says investigators have finished their work, and determined that the fire started in the engine compartment of a truck in the PSM building. Damage total: $4.2 million. A relief fund for the music studio’s owner continues to accept online donations; haven’t found a link to any such fund for PSM – let us know if you know of one (editor@westseattleblog.com). FRIDAY AFTERNOON UPDATE: Got a note from Nancy, who doesn’t know of relief efforts but does know that Pacific Sheet Metal’s owners are a longtime West Seattle family – founder William Zaknich lives on Alki; son Nick Zaknich, who runs the company now, lives in Shorewood.

Share This

West Seattle finale for mayor’s storm-talk open-house tour

January 15, 2009 10:21 pm

| Comments Off on West Seattle finale for mayor’s storm-talk open-house tour

| West Seattle news | West Seattle video | Westwood

That’s Mayor Nickels arriving at Southwest Community Center tonight for the third and final “open house” he scheduled this week to invite in-person comments on the city’s much-criticized response to last month’s snow. As with the other two (coverage linked from our preview this morning), in Green Lake and the Central District, no huge crowds, no fireworks. No presentation, either, so we roamed a bit and caught this exchange about the hottest topic of the storm’s second half — salt — and related environmental concerns:

City Light Superintendent Jorge Carrasco was one of the other top city officials on hand (along with deputy mayor Tim Ceis and SDOT director Grace Crunican) – what you see on the table by him are some of the preparedness freebies that were handed out at the event:

And it wouldn’t be a public meeting without someplace to write ideas on big pieces of paper – here, Seattle Public Utilities collected concerns about the trash/recycling/yard waste delays endured by thousands for weeks:

For some, it was a family affair – not only parent and child, but also, that’s the mayor’s wife Sharon Nickels at his right:

Perhaps the most interesting note: Metro is taking comments related to its operations during Snowstorm ’08. A hard-copy survey was circulated at the open house. A Metro rep promised to get us an electronic version; we can’t find it online. We’ll share it as soon as we get a copy or a link, should be tomorrow. (Earlier today, we had the opportunity to meet with two King County managers to share some feedback from what happened here as you all shared information with us and each other, and as we worked to procure more official information, during Snowstorm ’08; we will keep you updated as we hear about changes to come.)

Share This

Sunshine, anyone? Schmitz Park Elementary’s auctioning it

January 15, 2009 7:48 pm

| Comments Off on Sunshine, anyone? Schmitz Park Elementary’s auctioning it

| How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

That tantalizing photo shows a Palm Springs condo that’s part of what’s up for auction at Schmitz Park Elementary‘s annual fundraiser. It’s coming up Saturday, January 24th, but RSVP deadline is this coming Monday, and Schmitz Park parent Gretchen Frampton sent an invite to share with you:

Schmitz Park Elementary invites you to their Catch the Dream Auction! Enjoy a fabulous evening and support your local school at the same time! Saturday, January 24th, Schmitz Park Elementary is hosting their annual Catch the Dream Auction. Items include a week-long stay at a beautiful, newly remodeled condo in sunny Palm Springs California, an electrical home service upgrade (value $3,800!), spring yard clean up, salon certificates, and much more.

RSVP now! Contact Lee Baker at leebe13@gmail.com by Monday, January 19th

Select from the following dinner options (tickets $70 per person):
Grilled Filet of Beef
Pine Nut Crusted Northern Salmon
Roasted Cornish Game Hen, Portobello
Crunchy Eggplant, Beefsteak Tomato Stack

Auction details:
Saturday, January 24th
Sheraton Seattle Hotel
5:00pm – check-in and registration
5:30pm – Silent Auction opens
7:15pm – dinner
8:00pm – Live Auction

Money raised funds critical reading, math, music and physical education programs.

Got a school fundraiser coming up? We’d be happy to share info about yours too! Send info to editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!

Share This

Quick update on tonight’s 2 big West Seattle meetings

January 15, 2009 7:12 pm

| 6 COMMENTS

| Elliott Bay Water Taxi | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

At the mayor’s open house: About 50 people there (Southwest Community Center in Westwood) as of 7 o’clock. No formal presentation, the mayor really is just working the crowd, with a variety of other high-level city staffers there (including SDOT director Grace Crunican and deputy mayor Tim Ceis, both of whom are also West Seattleites). At the Water Taxi dock open house: Also about 50 people (Alki Community Center) as of this writing, including County Council Chair Dow Constantine. Easels are set up displaying the changes planned for the Seacrest dock, which will stretch it out beyond the existing “L” shape, to a “T” that would be perpendicular to the end of the current fishing pier; there’s also information about an upcoming study of parking in the area. A formal presentation is about to be made. 8:44 PM NOTE: We’ll be publishing separate stories on both events – which are now over.

Share This

Neighborhood alert: More possible casing, this time in Delridge

January 15, 2009 5:30 pm

| 10 COMMENTS

| Delridge | West Seattle news

An alert from Betsy in Delridge :Read More

Share This

Got a few hours to spare tonight? WestSide Baby needs you!

January 15, 2009 5:09 pm

| Comments Off on Got a few hours to spare tonight? WestSide Baby needs you!

| How to help

In addition to the snowstorm and Water Taxi meetings – WestSide Baby is hoping to see volunteers show up to help sort through holiday-season donations – we published details on partner site White Center Now yesterday but wanted to put up a last-minute shoutout here: 7-9 tonight, here’s the scoop.

Share This

Design workshops set for California Place Park

January 15, 2009 3:37 pm

| 18 COMMENTS

| California Place Park | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

View Larger Map

Just in from Friends and Neighbors of North Admiral, whose proposal to add a “playscape” to tiny California Place Park (Google Street View above) has drawn some neighborhood controversy (our past coverage is archived here) – the dates are now set for design workshops:

Mark your calendars! We invite you to attend a series of design workshops
that will allow the community to explore various ideas and design options
for California Place. These three workshops will be led by Karen Kiest,
Landscape Architects. We are looking for ways to increase community use of
the park by people of all ages, and create a naturalized and safe area for
the neighborhood to enjoy now and for generations to come. As an option, a
supervised area for childcare will be available during each meeting.

Tuesday, 2/3, 7 – 8:30 PM
Saturday, 3/7, 10:30 – 12 Noon
Thursday, 4/16, 7 – 8:30 PM

All the meetings will be held at:
Alki Community Center
5817 SW Stevens Street

FANNA obtained a city matching-funds grant to pay for the design process, but any changes to the park would require a different round of funding – could be all private, all public, or a combination.

Share This

Design Comm. meeting: Updates on Conner’s Junction megaproject

January 15, 2009 1:04 pm

| 14 COMMENTS

| Development | West Seattle news

The second Seattle Design Commission review of the Conner Homes California/Alaska/42nd megaproject has just concluded. Two updates, with more details to be added after we switch locations: #1, Jim Miller from Conner confirms that the two-building project is going in the “apartment direction” instead of condos, though they will be “built to condo spec.” (We spoke with him after the commission vote, seeking clarification after we heard architect Peter Greaves repeatedly mention “apartments” and “leasing office” in the presentation.) #2, Design Commissioners voted to have the project return to them one more time. Their vote basically is needed to approve the “public benefit” a developer is offering in exchange for an alley vacation — in this one, Conner wants the space under the alley as part of a big underground parking garage — and a narrow majority (five of the nine commissioners) voted that the proposal still doesn’t offer enough public benefit. We’ll add details shortly, plus images from a CD we’ve just received of the presentation that was made. ADDED 1:59 PM: The image added above (thanks to the architects, Weber Thompson) shows the Alaska/California corner, looking southwest through a new rendering of a corner setback, with a “column.” Here’s the same spot, looking south – this would be roughly where the Super Supplements entrance is now:

And this is a rendering of the alley between the two Conner buildings, looking north (toward where the salon and jewelry/watch shop are now, across the street):

ADDED 9:57 PM: More images, and details from today’s Design Commission review:Read More

Share This

One more meeting reminder for tonight: Water Taxi

January 15, 2009 12:59 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Elliott Bay Water Taxi | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Before too much more time slips by, we wanted to remind you once more that in addition to the mayor’s snowstorm open house, 6:30 pm at Southwest Community Center, the other major event in West Seattle tonight is the Alki Community Center meeting about Seacrest dock changes to facilitate year-round Elliott Bay Water Taxi operation. That meeting starts at 7 pm.

Share This

Update: Beware of bridge-striping backups; more light work too

January 15, 2009 11:13 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| Utilities | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

We’re downtown for the Design Commission review of the Conner Homes Junction project alley vacation (second review), and while headed this way a short time ago, we spent about 15 extra minutes on the high bridge, eastbound, in a major all-lanes traffic backup while the lane stripers worked way up ahead – chalking where they will later paint (as mentioned earlier). Did afford a nice view of the City Light crews working on more bulb replacement on the westbound side, though – but in general, if you’re using The Bridge at any time today, plan for extra time.

Share This

Delridge Skatepark update: Design rolls on

January 15, 2009 10:25 am

| 6 COMMENTS

| Delridge | West Seattle news | WS & Sports

(Micah Shapiro from Grindline at center, with skatepark meeting attendees)
Even though money to build the Delridge Skatepark didn’t make it into this year’s budget, there’s money ($76,000) to design it – so that’s why dozens of people gathered last night at Youngstown Arts Center, including some of the skaters who will use it. With reps from the city Parks Department and from the renowned West Seattle-based skatepark-design/construction firm Grindline and landscape designers Abbotsford, they discussed possible features. The city estimates the skatepark will cost about $446,000 to build, and there’s hope that money might make it into the 2010 budget, if not from some other source (we asked about the parks levy passed by voters, since some of that wasn’t specifically spoken for upfront; decisions about that $ are still being worked on). Once that money’s in hand, and a design’s complete, construction would only take about 90 days. Also from last night’s meeting: Lots of support for integrating art into the project. One commenter’s words summed it up: “Make it West Seattle.” More design discussions ahead; we’ll keep you posted.

Share This