day : 07/08/2009 11 results

West Seattle Weather Watch: Saturday showers? Or not?

August 7, 2009 10:44 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle Outdoor Movies | West Seattle weather

(Thursday night sunset from Alki, photographed and shared by Mike Boyle)
Since we’re sponsoring tomorrow night’s edition of West Seattle Outdoor Movies on the Wall — “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” — we’re keeping a really close watch on the forecast, since this week only, there’s no backup indoor location. So far, while it definitely sounds like a sweater night, the National Weather Service probably wouldn’t put much odds on a rainout. From the newest twice-daily Forecast Discussion, issued about an hour ago:

SYNOPSIS…EXPECT A WEAK LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM TO BRING A CHANCE OF LIGHT RAIN OR DRIZZLE TO MAINLY THE COAST ON SATURDAY. A STRONGER SYSTEM WILL BRING A BETTER CHANCE OF PRECIPITATION TO THE REGION ON MONDAY.

.SHORT TERM…
A WEAK…UPPER TROF WAS APPROACHING THE COAST FROM THE W. THE CDFNT ASSOCIATED WITH THIS SYSTEM WILL LIKELY FALL APART BEFORE REACHING THE WA COAST. THUS THE BEST CHANCE OF ANY PRECIP…ALBEIT LIGHT… WILL BE ON THE COAST…AND MOST LIKELY IN THE AFTERNOON. ELSEWHERE…ANTICIPATE CLOUDY SKIES ON SATURDAY WITH DAYTIME TEMPS REMAINING WELL BELOW NORMAL FOR THIS TIME OF THE YEAR.

As always, tomorrow night’s movie is scheduled for dusk on the big “screen” (white wall) in the courtyard by Hotwire Coffee (WSB sponsor) — gates open at 7 – free, but bring a few $ for concessions and raffles, all benefiting local nonprofits. And if it DOES turn showery at any point during the day, keep an eye on WSB and/or Twitter (twitter.com/westseattleblog) and/or Facebook (facebook.com/westseattleblog), whichever is most convenient for you, because we will post updates about the movie’s status in all three places. Meantime – hope to see you there!

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Video: First night for Summer Concerts at The Mount

August 7, 2009 8:01 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle video | WS culture/arts

As with the rest of West Seattle’s outdoor entertainment slate this summer – Providence Mount St. Vincent‘s Summer Concerts at The Mount (WSB sponsor) series offers more than music. In that clip from tonight’s 2009-debut event on the south grounds of the Fairmount-area retirement center, you see Carol Johnston leading a Charleston dance lesson while her Duwamish Dixieland Jazz Band-mates play in the background. And then there was Chuckalou the Clown:

Chuckalou’s balloon stylings captivated the younger members of the audience. The Mount’s concerts are free, 6 pm the next three Fridays, with the grounds opening at 5 pm for food/beverage sales; Maia Santell and House Blend are scheduled next Friday night, and you can see the full-season lineup here.

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Having a yard sale, or looking for one? 5 listed for Saturday

August 7, 2009 6:57 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle online

Just a reminder that the Freebies, Deals, Sales category in the WSB Forums is open to yard/garage sale listings (as well as individual items you or your business is offering at a “deal” price) – free. Five yard sales are listed for tomorrow, so far, including a big group sale at Youngstown Arts Center by the Service Board. See these sales (and the other Freebies/Deals/Sales items) here.

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Seattle Vein Clinic: Welcoming a new WSB sponsor

August 7, 2009 3:42 pm

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| Health

(from left, Seattle Vein Clinic doctors Dr. Dave Omdal, Dr. R. Torrance Andrews, Dr. Manrita Sidhu)
This afternoon we welcome one of our newest sponsors, Seattle Vein Clinic. Here’s what they would like you to know about their practice: Seattle Vein Clinic specializes in the treatment of painful or heavy varicose veins. Varicose vein sufferers are often not aware that varicose veins are a serious medical condition and tend to get worse over time. They also don’t realize that treating this problem is covered by most major medical insurance. Those who suffer from varicose veins are often less apt to exercise and stay active because of the associated pain and discomfort. Once patients have undergone this procedure, they are often able to remain much more active, which contributes positively to their overall health. We’re a division of Seattle Radiologists and are located just a few minutes from West Seattle on First Hill (Broadway and Cherry; map). We’re offering free consultations for anyone who would like to discuss their varicose vein issues. We also have a free information CD available to help potential patients learn about how we treat this problem. Just visit our Web site or call (206) 292-7734 for more information. Thanks to Seattle Vein Clinic for joining the WSB sponsor team, listed here along with info on how to join the team!

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City proposes furloughs

August 7, 2009 3:36 pm

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| Announcements

News release we received this afternoon:

The city of Seattle has proposed to the Coalition of City Unions a 10-day
furlough program aimed at reducing the number of layoffs required in 2010. If
approved by union membership, the city would extend the same program to
non-represented city employees.

“Over the past several months, we have worked together with our unions and I
appreciate their cooperation in these difficult budget times,” said Mayor Greg
Nickels.

Under the proposal, approximately 6,700 workers, including coalition union members
whose bargaining units ratify the agreement and non-represented employees, would
take 10 furlough days spread across the year. Uniformed police and fire personnel,
and employees represented by IBEW 77 are not part of this furlough proposal at this
time.

The city has seen a continued drop in sales tax and business and occupation tax
revenues, and a revised revenue forecast used for planning the 2010 budget will be
available by the end of the month. The furlough plan would help preserve services
for city residents by reducing the number of city employees who would be laid off in
2010 due to the recession. This plan would save approximately $8 million from the
general fund and a total of up to $20 million from the entire city budget.

The proposal is being discussed with the 20 unions that make up the coalition. Under
the plan, furlough schedules would be assigned so that most city services would
remain open to the public. Some exceptions to the furloughs would be allowed, such
as for employees whose departments have minimum staffing and operational
requirements, and for employees earning less than $18 an hour.

In May, the mayor made $13.3 million in mid-year cuts from the general fund budget
while preserving funding for public safety and direct human services. To reduce the
number of layoffs in 2009, full-time employees at the Seattle Public Utilities call
center went to a 38-hour-a-week schedule, and employees at Seattle Public Libraries
will take a one-week furlough this month. In 2009, the mayor also implemented
furloughs for professional staff in several departments and rolled back salaries for
100 senior managers to 2008 levels. In 2010, those salaries will remain at 2008
levels.

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Don’t dump it, e-cycle it: A note from Councilmember Rasmussen

August 7, 2009 2:42 pm

| 5 COMMENTS

| Environment | West Seattle news

West Seattle-residing City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen took that photo in the Alki alley that runs just west of 61st, south of Alki (map). He asked if we would share the photo and this message:

This is a photograph that I took this morning of what I am seeing around West Seattle. These computer monitors were dumped in the alley behind the Homestead Restaurant. Please let people know that there is free drop-off at authorized locations, and television and computer monitors will be picked up at your residence for a fee. Here is where you can get more information:

RCW 70.95N (passed in 2006): “sets up a third party organization called the Washington Materials Management and Financing Authority to be funded and run by the electronics manufacturing industry for the purpose of collecting and reusing, recycling or disposing of certain electronics products at their end of life. The products included are TVs and monitors, CPUs and laptops.” As a result, a system allowing consumers to drop off these “covered electronic products” was in place Jan. 1, 2009.

There is free drop-off at authorized locations, and fees for television and computer monitor pickups at your residence. Relevant links:

From the .pdf link below, King County has a noticeable increase in electronics collected compared to last year.
(http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/swfa/eproductrecycle/docs/2009Collections.pdf)

Links:

E-Cycle Washington
(Washington State site describing program)

Search results for Television Pick-Ups

SPU Look-up-your item for televisions

King County’s Take it Back Network

Seattle Goodwill

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West Seattle Weekend Lineup: Mount concert, UFO singalong …

August 7, 2009 1:02 pm

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

That’s the Duwamish Dixieland Jazz Band last night at The Kenney‘s annual barbecue – tonight, you can see and hear them at Providence Mount St. Vincent in the first of four Summer Outdoor Concerts at The Mount. (Bring a sweater, it’ll be fun.) Then make music with us and a few hundred of your closest friends tomorrow night in the courtyard next to Hotwire Coffee (which, like The Mount’s event, is a WSB sponsor):

Singing along to those five famous notes from “Close Encounters to the Third Kind” (practice up!) is part of the preshow fun before CE3K takes the big screen at tomorrow night’s West Seattle Outdoor Movies on the Wall. And if you’d rather have fun indoors – here’s a highlight tonight:

That’s Manooghi Hi, playing Admiral Theater tonight, as part of a double bill that includes a movie, too. Also on tap – though it’s in South Park, the Duwamish River Festival tomorrow is all about the body of water on West Seattle’s eastern border, so be there … these are among more than four dozen events ahead in this edition of the West Seattle Weekend Lineup, brought to you by Skylark Cafe and Club … here goes!Read More

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Reform health care? Rep. McDermott headlines 34th DDs’ forum

August 7, 2009 10:53 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

It’s the hottest topic in coast-to-coast politics at the moment – will our health-care system change? Are the proposed changes for the better or for the worse? Our area’s biggest political organization, the 34th District Democrats, will take on health-care reform at next Wednesday’s meeting (7 pm, The Hall at Fauntleroy), headlined by Seattle’s U.S. House Rep. Jim McDermott (who is a physician as well as a politician). The forum also will include Lisa Plymate, M.D., who’s active not only with the 34th DDs but also with Doctors for America. See who else is on the roster (and what else is on the agenda) by going to the 34th DDs’ website at 34dems.org — where you’ll also find information about their big annual fundraiser one week from tonight, the Garden Party.

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Local law-enforcement initiative takes on “open-air drug markets”

August 7, 2009 9:34 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| Crime | Not WS but we're mentioning it anyway

At community meetings and in WSB comment sections – as recently as this week – we have seen and heard complaints about open drug dealing in some neighborhoods. SPD just issued a news release about a just-complete operation which targeted a so-called “open-air drug market” in the Central Area, with others in the city potentially to follow, and while this isn’t West Seattle-specific (yet) we thought you might be interested in reading about it —Read More

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Opening tonight: Twelfth Night Productions’ “The Music Man”

August 7, 2009 6:07 am

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| Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

It’s big, it’s bold, it’s brassy, it’s a classic, and it’s playing in West Seattle the next three weekends: “The Music Man,” presented by Twelfth Night Productions at West Seattle High School Theater. Twelfth Night is returning as a WSB sponsor to get the word out; here’s the official news release about the show:

Twelfth Night Productions (TNP) is pleased to announce its next offering, Meredith Willson’s ode to Americana, The Music Man, an affectionate tribute to small town USA of a bygone era. The Music Man follows a fast talking traveling sales man, Harold Hill as he cons the people of River City Iowa into buying instruments and uniforms for a boys’ band he vows to organize. This despite the fact that he doesn’t know a trombone from a treble clef. His plans to skip town with the cash are foiled when he falls for Marian the librarian, who transforms him into a respectable citizen by curtain’s fall.

TNP is excited to partner with the All City Band for this cherished musical. Expect surprises, laughter, fun and an old fashioned good time this summer as Twelfth Night Productions presents The Music Man. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the All City Band.

TNP is a non-profit performing arts organization located at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. This production features several artists from the West Seattle community as well as the greater Seattle area.

The Music Man runs in a special limited engagement at the West Seattle High School, 3000 CALIFORNIA AV SW. Show times are: August 7-8, 14-15 and 21-22 at 7:30 PM, with matinees at 3 PM on August 9, 16 and 23. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for students & seniors, and are available through Brown Paper Tickets (www.brownpapertickets.com), and at West Seattle High School two hours before each performance.

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“Photography is not a crime”: Open letter from West Seattleite

August 7, 2009 1:47 am

| 43 COMMENTS

| Not WS but we're mentioning it anyway | West Seattle people

Longtime WSB’er Kevin McClintic cc’d us on this letter earlier this morning, and we asked to publish it as an open letter. He had told us a few months ago about being hassled on a state ferry for taking photographs, and while we’d thought about writing a story then, we never got around to it. Now that he’s been hassled again, it seems worthy of further light. He is sending this to various government officials:

Thursday evening (8/6) I finally decided to take my first ride on our new light rail system. I parked my car at the Mount Baker Station and took two small pocket cameras and a monopod with me. I purchased a round trip ticket and boarded a train to Westlake Station.

I had a delightful time at Westlake with one exception. If you have not yet been, you should! It is beautiful, and there is SO much to see and photograph. I will have to return when I have more time. Public art everywhere! I was a little concerned about leaving my car on the street in the Mount Baker area after dark, so I cut my Westlake visit a bit short.

Upon arrival at Westlake Station, I put one of the cameras on the monopod (similar to a handicap cane) and proceeded to walk all over the station, taking pictures of buses and trains. After a few minutes of that, I took the escalator to the upper level and took more pictures on the mezzanine level. There were plenty of security officers around and some of them walked right past me. Not one even said hi to me.

Metro might just want to take a clue from the banking industry on this one. If someone “looks” suspicious, take a moment and say hi to them – perhaps take a moment and suggest a good place to get great pictures or a particular item of interest?

I even approached one security officer with my camera in hand, and asked him if there was a time limit on my round trip ticket. His answer was “good all day” and that was the end of that conversation.

After I had been shooting all over the mezzanine area, a security officer finally approached me and told me that “this is a sensitive area” and I need to “STOP taking pictures.” Hmm… where did I least hear that line? On a Washington State Ferry, and that issue has since been resolved. Their head of security personally invited me to return often, and take ALL the pictures I want.

I told the Metro security officer that as far as I know I have the right to take pictures ANYWHERE in a public place. He did not like that answer. I was polite, but I was not going to back down, and he did NOT like it.

Kevin’s letter continues after the jump:Read More

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