By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Hundreds – if not thousands by now – of West Seattleites have reached out to help the Haiti earthquake victims in ways big and small.

But Alki resident Angela Williams felt one thing was missing: A direct, personal, hands-on connection. “Any time there’s like a crisis or trauma, I have an overwhelming feeling to help or deal with the emotional aspect instead of just saying, ‘here’s a check’ … money seems like not doing enough, not connecting with event.”

Going to Haiti to try to personally connect wasn’t quite feasible, so the next best thing was to hatch a plan for people who care to connect with each other, while they learn about what’s happened in Haiti since the quake, and figure out how best to help.

We found out about Angela’s event through a Facebook event invitation that led to a somewhat mysterious website:

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Neighborhood alert: Encounter near Morgan Junction

February 3, 2010 9:56 pm

| 13 COMMENTS

| Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

Rachel just sent a note she wanted to share about someone who came up to her house about an hour ago – read on:Read More

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Live in the Genesee (Hill) area? Community council in your future

February 3, 2010 9:42 pm

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| Genesee Hill | Southwest District Council | West Seattle news

From the Southwest District Council meeting that just wrapped up: One of this year’s goals has been to increase participation from more areas of the western half of the peninsula, which is the SWDC’s turf, so there’s been talk about helping community groups start (or restart) in two unrepresented areas – Genesee/Genesee Hill and Arbor Heights. So far, SWDC co-chair Chas Redmond reports, there’s progress in Genesee – and an organizational meeting is planned March 16, 7 pm, West Seattle PCC (WSB sponsor) – everybody in that area’s welcome, and you’ll likely see flyers soon urging you to be there. We’ll check on the exact area targeted here; this is what the city has mapped as Genesee, but it seems to stretch way past the area that had been discussed. (Lots more SWDC news to come.)

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West Seattle school news: Open houses, playground, book sale

February 3, 2010 7:58 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

We have updates from several West Seattle schools tonight. First, it’s open house night TOMORROW at Madison Middle School:

Welcome 5th Grade Families to Madison Middle School Open House
Thursday, Feb. 4th — 6:30 – 8:00 pm
Come visit Madison classrooms, meet teachers & administration.
Ask questions about curriculum, feeder-patterns, GeoBee, etc.
We look forward to seeing you @ Madison!

We’ve also received word tonight of a preschool open house this Saturday – it’s a new school, and they’ll get you the open house details if you RSVP:

Saturday, Feb. 6th 9:30am-11:30am
The Cove School
www.thecoveschool.com
RSVP: admissions@thecoveschool.com

And Saturday afternoon/evening, Cometa Playschool has its next open house:

Open House
Saturday, February 6th from 4-6 pm
at Cometa Playschool, 3212 California Ave SW

Moving on to next week – on Thursday, Feb. 11, West Seattle High School has its open house – principal Bruce Bivins shares the news release with full details (see it here) – here’s the schedule of events that night:

6:00-6:30 Departmental Fair in the Commons
Hors d’oeuvres prepared and served by our culinary arts students
Student-performed music
Meet with faculty and learn about course offerings and expectations in each department

6:30-7:00 Presentation
Welcome & Introduction from Principal Bruce Bivins
Student video: “Why Westside?”
Scene from student-directed play, “Jumpin’ Jupiter”

7:00-8:00 Panel Discussions (choice of two)
1. Student Panel: Students discuss life at Westside
2. College-Prep Panel: Faculty discuss advanced learning opportunities and program expectations within the departments
3. 9th Grade Panel: Faculty and students discuss school requirements, resources and supports, and summer-bridge expectations

7:00-8:30 Explore Westside: School facility and lab tours throughout the evening
8:30-10:00 Basketball Game
Prospective students and their families will receive free admission to the boys’ varsity basketball game with special appearances by our Pep Band, Cheerleaders, and Spirit Mob

Nearby at Lafayette Elementary, their playground project has just received a big boost – here’s the latest newsletter update:

The Playground Committee started the year off with a generous donation of $10,000 to the PTA earmarked for the playground from a Lafayette family. Whoever you are, thank you so very much! Several fundraising events will be announced specifically for the playground improvement project in the coming year. One will be a Ski and Sports Equipment Swap in April. Save your items for sale or donation for that event. More details will be coming on that event. Feel free to attend any of our meetings. For more information, or to get involved, please contact Janine Bostock at Janine@avadesignbuild.com

And looking ahead to next month, we’ve just added this to the WSB Events calendar:

Sanislo Elementary’s 4th Grade Used Book Sale.
Sanislo Elementary School
1812 SW Myrtle St, (206) 252-8380
Saturday, March 13th from 10 am- 2 pm.
Sanislo’s 4th graders are having a Used Book sale to raise money for their annual educational overnight trip. There will be many books of all types for sale as well as coffee, tea and treats. You are invited to this fun event!
If you have books that you would like to donate, drop them by the school or call Lisa at 206-767-3561 for other arrangements.

(added) And tomorrow night is your first of 2 chances to see local students put on a show – thanks to Michele for sharing this:

A stage production of Mulan will be performed by the West Seattle Academy (& West Seattle Montessori [WSB sponsor]) at the West Seattle High School Theatre this Thursday (2/4) & Friday at 7:00 pm(2/5). Tickets are $10 at the door.

WSA/WSM performances boast professional choreography and set design… and they are very entertaining!

Not recommended for children under age 5.

Got school news? Share it! Here are all the ways you can reach us – choose whatever works for you.

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Crime Watch: Drug bust, break-in attempt, stolen signs…

February 3, 2010 4:26 pm

| 17 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Three items for West Seattle Crime Watch this afternoon. First, two notes came in asking about a King County Sheriff’s Office operation in the 9000 block of 35th SW (map) overnight. KCSO spokesperson Sgt. John Urquhart tells us it was NOT related to the SWAT-involved raid four blocks south last week, but this too was a “drug bust” and resulted in at least one arrest so far. Meantime, we’ve got a burglary attempt and a case of suspected sign-stealing -read on:Read More

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Apply to create art for the new West Seattle Reservoir parkland!

February 3, 2010 3:17 pm

| Comments Off on Apply to create art for the new West Seattle Reservoir parkland!

| Highland Park | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Just in from the city – a call for artists for two city park projects – including the expansion of Westcrest Park that is planned for the top of the “lid” that’s going in atop adjacent West Seattle Reservoir. (The next public meeting to talk about park design is THIS SATURDAY, 10 am-noon at Southwest Community Center.) Read on for the details of both projects – each with a $150,000 budget:Read More

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“Jason McKissack Act” passes State House unanimously

February 3, 2010 2:36 pm

| 8 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle police

That’s the word from West Seattle Rep. Eileen Cody. While we went to Olympia for last week’s public hearing on the bill, EHB 1679, which would prevent catastrophically injured public-safety personnel like former Southwest Precinct SPD Officer Jason McKissack from losing health benefits, we weren’t able to go to today’s vote, but Rep. Cody sent word on the results. Next stop: The State Senate. Last year it made it through the House but stalled in the Senate; if you want to express your opinion, State Sen. Joe McDermott represents our area; his contact info is here. ADDED 5:27 PM: The Seattle Police Guild has just sent a news release with more info – read on to see it:Read More

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West Seattle help for Haiti: Update on Eagles’ fundraiser

February 3, 2010 12:01 pm

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| How to help | West Seattle news

From Amy McGrath with the West Seattle Eagles: Final tally from their Saturday night fundraiser – $4,526.43 for Mercy Corps. And Amy says they’re still collecting shoes till February 13th – new or gently used, take them to the Eagles (immediately south of the post office in The Junction). It was a fundraising doubleheader for the Eagles – they had a live/silent auction that same night, right before the Haiti benefit, and Amy says that brought in $1,100 for the Eagles’ Art Ehrmann Cancer Fund. (P.S. Updates coming later today on more new West Seattle-linked help for Haiti.)

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Citizens’ Budget Conference: Miss it? Now you can see it!

February 3, 2010 11:15 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

The first guy you see as soon as you hit the “play” button on that newly available Seattle Channel video from last Sunday’s Citizens Budget Conference at Seattle Center is West Seattle activist/advocate/volunteer Chas Redmond, chair of the City Neighborhood Council, co-chair of the Southwest District Council (which meets tonight). The conference was offered as a chance for citizens to have a say on the head end of the city budgeting process – how do YOU think your money should be spent? Chas was one of several West Seattle participants; we asked afterward for reflections/comments on what happened, and you can read on for his response:Read More

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Neighbor Appreciation Day on Saturday: West Seattle events

February 3, 2010 10:11 am

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| Fun stuff to do | Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

The city Department of Neighborhoods has just sent out the citywide list of events scheduled for Neighbor Appreciation Day this Saturday. Three listings are in West Seattle; topping the list – you can go see your neighborhood fire station!

Event: Visit your Neighborhood Fire Station
Event Time: Saturday, February 6, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Event Location: Seattle Fire Stations. Visit
www.seattle.gov/fire/firestations/stations.htm for list of Seattle Fire Stations.

Event: Raise the Beds at C&P Coffee (presented by CoolMom)
Event Time: Saturday, February 6, 10:00 am
Event Location: C&P Coffee, 5612 California Ave. SW

Event: Alki/Admiral neighborhood Open House
Event Time: Saturday, February 6, 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Event Location: Hiawatha Community Center
Event Contact: Lakema Bell, 206-684-7441

Though it’s not on the list, we might suggest that the North Delridge Neighborhood Council Adopt-A-Street cleanup Saturday morning – meet at Delridge Community Center 9:45 am – is a good way to celebrate Neighbor Appreciation Day too.

ADDED THURSDAY: It’s been brought to our attention that this list sent out by the city is missing at least a few other West Seattle events. We’ll be adding those to our events calendar. Thanks!

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Today/tonight: Library changes; Bagshaw in WS; CoolMom …

February 3, 2010 8:31 am

| Comments Off on Today/tonight: Library changes; Bagshaw in WS; CoolMom …

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

From the WSB Events calendar:

NEW LIBRARY HOURS: Here’s our most recent reminder; the new schedules take effect today. As Diane noted in this comment, the two West Seattle libraries that will be open 7 days a week – Admiral and Southwest – will actually now open earlier two days a week (10 am on Mondays/Tuesdays instead of 1 pm).

ONE EFFECT OF LIBRARY CHANGES: Reminder that the North Delridge Neighborhood Council is NOT meeting tonight – its former meeting site, Delridge Library, is closing earlier on Wednesdays, so this month’s meeting is 6:30 pm **next Tuesday**, Feb. 9, at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, with a decision yet to be made on the permanent day/location. (And join NDNC for the quarterly Adopt-A-Street cleanup this Saturday; meet outside Delridge Community Center at 9:45 am.)

SOUTHWEST DISTRICT COUNCIL: When reps from West Seattle’s major community councils and other groups/organizations meet tonight, the agenda includes two guests: City Councilmember Sally Bagshaw and the city’s Historic Preservation Officer, Karen Gordon. You’re welcome to be there – 7 pm, board room at South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor) – here’s a map for the central-campus area.

URBAN FARMING ADVOCATE AT YOUNGSTOWN: The youth involved in FEEST at Youngstown are scheduled to meet this afternoon with Will Allen, a leader in the urban-farming movement, who is also speaking at a free citywide public event at 7 tonight at Mercer Middle School.

ROXHILL ELEMENTARY OPEN HOUSE: 6:30-8:30 pm, 30th/Roxbury. (Here’s the full list of ongoing open houses at Seattle Public Schools.)

EARLY DISMISSAL DAY FOR SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Students are out 2 hours early (here’s the school-year calendar).

COOLMOM’S MONTHLY MEETING: Here’s a preview from the Sustainable West Seattle website; highlights will include a closer look at the city’s new “carbon calculator” that you can use to facilitate a lower-impact lifestyle. 7 pm, C and P Coffee, 5612 California SW.

JUST FOR FUN: “Groundhog Day” is tonight’s Fine Films at Freshy’s presentation, Freshy’s Coffee, 2735 California SW, 7 pm. At 7:30, the second week starts for performances of ArtsWest‘s “Love Song,” and at 8, the second of 2 nights for “From Africa to the White House,” the spoken word/musical performance by Taya Aluko (with Lou Magor on keyboards) at Kenyon Hall.

(Got something for the calendar? Lots of options for sharing it – thanks!)

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