From Chief Sealth High School (at Boren) – The Seahawks boys’ varsity team won tonight’s district-tournament game against Seattle Prep, 57-50. They play again Thursday – if we’re reading the chart correctly, the opponent will be Franklin. .

9:36 PM UPDATE: Confirmed – Sealth plays Franklin at Bellevue College, 6:30 pm Thursday. Winner goes to the state tournament.

ADDED 10 PM: Here’s our video of how the game ended – listen for the countdown:

Our summary: Most of the elements that had been missing from Sealth’s last two games managed to make a return tonight as the Seahawks beat Seattle Prep 57-50 to move on to play in the next round of the Sea-King 3A District Tournament. The game was a tight one, tied at halftime. Sealth only pulled away from Prep in the fourth quarter by controlling the rebounding. Big games for Sealth: Keon Lewis with 18 points, repeatedly powering his way through Prep’s defense under the basket; Tomas Ogbaslassie with 15 points, including a couple of 3-pointers and a perfect night at the free-throw line. Side note: Congratulations to Sealth coach Colin Slingsby for being honored as the 2010 Star Times boys’ basketball coach.

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West Seattle scenes: Downtown = the gold at rainbow’s end

March 2, 2010 8:19 pm

| 6 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

Two takes on the view of this evening’s rainbow over downtown, seen from West Seattle. First, Edgar from Captive Eye Media caught it from The Mount; next, Babs caught it from a spot further north on the peninsula:

ADDED 9:12 PM: And another rainbow view just in from Alki’s David Hutchinson – Lady Liberty in the glow:

Photos? Here’s how to share them – thanks!

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Followup: “Jason McKissack Act” – what happens next?

March 2, 2010 5:29 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle police | West Seattle politics

This time yesterday, we were still gathering reaction to news that the State Senate’s Ways and Means Committee took an action some advocates had feared they wouldn’t – voting EHB 1679, now known as the “Jason McKissack Act” after the former West Seattle police officer, out of their committee. (This is the bill to keep catastrophically injured public-safety personnel like McKissack, who suffered brain damage from being attacked while on duty, from losing health coverage because they can’t work.) The W/M Committee’s recommendation was that Rules Committee members, who have it now, “do pass” the bill – and they have to, this week, in order for it to get to the floor for a full Senate vote. West Seattle’s Sen. Joe McDermott says he’ll work to get it out of Rules. For some more legislative context, we heard from Arbor Heights resident Gary Gardner of GRG Government Relations. He explains that while the Ways and Means Committee had to approve the bill because of its potential costs, the Rules Committee is a filter of whether to let the bill get to the floor. (More explanation here.) Gardner says the best way to express interest in getting a bill moved out of Rules is to let the leader of the appropriate house – in this case, the Senate Majority Leader, Sen. Lisa Brown – know that you want to see this bill come up for a vote. Here’s her contact information (she also is on the Rules Committee, whose membership is listed here). He says this Friday is the deadline for this bill to clear its next hurdle, as the cutoff for advancing bills that originated in the other house (as did this one). ADDED 11:45 PM: Jason McKissack’s wife Kim, who testified twice in Olympia as the bill has progressed, left this message in comments on Monday’s story:

I am injured officer, Jason McKissack’s wife. I just want to thank the West Seattle Blog for staying on top of this for the past (almost) 2 years. I wish I could thank everyone in person, but I don’t think I’d make it thru all my tears of gratitude. I did give a big thank you to WSB last night on Q13, but they edited it out :( But did, thankfully, kept in my thanks to Ms. Margarita Prentice. This sure has been a ride I didn’t expect to take – but thankfully, I’ve met many wonderful people and did learn a lesson about how important our voices are. We were in the right place, at the right time, with the right message. Renee Maher, could not have done it without you and will always be grateful. So far so good. Hope to have the best news EVER really soon! Thank you all! The McKissack Family

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Help your local food banks now – your donation counts extra!

March 2, 2010 4:22 pm

| Comments Off on Help your local food banks now – your donation counts extra!

| How to help | West Seattle news | White Center

It’s March, which means Feinstein Challenge time – your donations to the two food banks serving West Seattle go further! This news release sent by White Center Food Bank executive director Rick Jump explains, on behalf of the WS Food Bank as well:

The White Center Food Bank and West Seattle Food Bank are encouraging community members to make donations between March 1st and April 30th so they can receive additional funds from the Feinstein Foundation’s $1 Million Challenge.

For the past 12 years Rhode Island philanthropist Alan Shawn Feinstein has made $1 Million available to help anti-hunger agencies. For every cash and food donation received by the end of April the Feinstein Foundation will add a financial contribution.

“During these tough economic times local food banks are serving more families than ever. Many of them are first time visitors to a food bank,” said Rick Jump, executive director of the White Center Food Bank. “This increased demand for services is likely to continue over the next several months and we urgently need to support of the community to insure that we are able to provide nutritious meals to our neighbors in need,” said Jump.

For the White Center Food Bank, donations may be mailed to 10829 8th Avenue SW, Seattle, WA 98146. To make a donation online or for information about the White Center Food Bank’s programs benefited by the $1 Million Challenge, visit www.whitecenterfoodbank.org or contact Rick Jump at (206) 762-2848, or email rick@whitecenterfoodbank.org.

For the West Seattle Food Bank, donations may be mailed to 3419 SW Morgan, Seattle, WA 98126. To make a donation online or for information about the West Seattle Food Bank’s programs benefited by the $1 Million Challenge, visit www.westseattlefoodbank.org or contact Fran Yeatts at (206) 932-9023, or e-mail fran@westseattlefoodbank.org.

Information about the Feinstein Foundation and the $1 Million Challenge, visit www.feinsteinfoundation.org

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West Seattle Elementary on “state’s lowest-performing” list

March 2, 2010 1:34 pm

| 15 COMMENTS

| High Point | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Just published by our citywide-news partners at the Seattle Times – an update on the state’s list of “lowest-performing” schools. Three Seattle Public Schools are on the list, and the only one in our area is West Seattle Elementary. According to the Times, Seattle Public Schools plans to send letters home to parents. And WS Elementary will get a new principal, because of the district’s plans for dealing with “lowest-performing” schools – if a principal at any such school has been there longer than two years, as has Gayle Everly, the district will replace them. The designation also means that the school may be eligible for a federal grant; the district has until the end of this week to apply. (Two months ago, we covered an at-times-contentious meeting in High Point at which local parents faced district leaders with their concerns, mostly about WS Elementary.) 2:39 PM UPDATE: We’ve now received the district’s news release about all this – focused on the grant possibilities – read on:Read More

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North Delridge notes: NDNC meeting set; playground-pickup plan

March 2, 2010 12:19 pm

| Comments Off on North Delridge notes: NDNC meeting set; playground-pickup plan

| Delridge | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

First – after a little time in semi-limbo following the schedule change at Delridge Library, the North Delridge Neighborhood Council has now settled on a regular meeting time/place: Second Tuesday of the month, 6:30 pm, Youngstown Arts Center conference room next to the office. That means NDNC’s next meeting is one week from tonight. Then, a bit later this month:

(July 2009 photo by Hai Truong)
Remember the sea of people who pitched in to build the Delridge Community Center playground in a single day last July? Seven months have gone by, and volunteer power is needed again on March 20th to show it a little love. From NDNC co-secretary Holli Margell:

With our new playground, and unusually warm weather this year, the playground and surrounding park is getting littered with trash. With budget cuts, the Parks Department is unable to keep it picked up. The planting beds could use some sprucing up too, so if you have some gardening tools you can pull weeds too. Let’s work together and have fun! All ages are welcome.

We’ll provide some coffee and hot chocolate to warm you up. Please dress appropriately for the weather. Prizes will be awarded – the very last chance to own a (Heart) Delridge Tee Shirt!

The cleanup won’t take long – they’re planning for 10 am-noon on March 20th, which is two weeks from this Saturday. Can you help? E-mail Holli at holli.margell@gmail.com – or talk to her at next week’s NDNC meeting.

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Update: Don Armeni Boat Ramp to close tomorrow for paving

March 2, 2010 10:35 am

| Comments Off on Update: Don Armeni Boat Ramp to close tomorrow for paving

| West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(Paving prep work this afternoon)
Update from Seattle Parks senior capital-projects coordinator Garrett Farrell: With prep work now under way, the paving work that will temporarily close West Seattle’s Don Armeni Boat Ramp and its parking/staging lot is scheduled to start tomorrow afternoon, but should only take two days, so the contractor expects to be done by noontime Friday. As first reported here last Friday, this is the first major repaving work in a quarter-century at the city’s busiest boat ramp.

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West Seattle Summer Fest countdown: “Local” deadline nears

March 2, 2010 8:32 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

West Seattle pride is at the heart of West Seattle Summer Fest – T-shirts like that one, photographed at Summer Fest ’09, are one way to show it; if you’re a local business, even better, be part of the festival! Now that it’s March, Summer Fest is a scant four months (and change) away, and the West Seattle Junction Association reminds us all that the first deadline’s rolling up: Local businesses interested in being part of Summer Fest need to get their applications in by March 15 (as first announced here); make sure you write “West Seattle Local” in the comment area on your app. Get the forms here; see you there!

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Today/tonight: Big game; free food; Feedback trivia; Skylark spins

March 2, 2010 6:07 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo from last weekend, by Eric Bell of fridgefoto.biz)
Highlights from the WSB Events calendar: Reminder that paving-prep work is supposed to start today at Don Armeni Boat Ramp, but it’s supposed to stay open till the actual paving begins; 7 pm tonight, Seattle Prep comes to West Seattle to play Chief Sealth in a boys’ varsity basketball district tournament game; Dream Dinners (WSB sponsor) has an open house tonight so you can sample its spring menu – go here to RSVP by clicking either 6 or 6:30 pm tonight; and it’s weekly fun at two other WSB sponsors – rock trivia at Feedback Lounge, 8 pm, and open turntables (bring your records!) at Skylark Cafe and Club, 6 pm.

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Next meeting set for the group working on our side of The Viaduct

March 2, 2010 4:00 am

| 11 COMMENTS

| Alaskan Way Viaduct | Transportation | West Seattle news

That’s one of the sketches shown at the last meeting of the Alaskan Way Viaduct South Portal Working Group, which had asked for better visual representations of the new tunnel route as it crossed under the current viaduct and approached the seawall. When we covered the most recent meeting of this group – tasked with discussing and vetting plans for how traffic will be handled south of the viaduct’s Central Waterfront section — its next date hadn’t yet been set, but now it has: March 23, 4 pm, Puget Sound Regional Council board room (1011 Western Avenue). At the January meeting, it was promised that this meeting will include more on upcoming construction staging, as well as how various scenarios would affect biking, walking and transit times. The public’s welcome at these meetings; here’s a map to PSRC offices.

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What’s up this March and April at Senior Center of West Seattle

March 2, 2010 2:53 am

| Comments Off on What’s up this March and April at Senior Center of West Seattle

| Announcements

WED. MARCH 3

11:45 a.m.

Have any aches and pains? Come to a demonstration of a simple self-healing system, Pranic Energy Healing. West Seattle residents, Meghan Kaul and Mary Larson will share the theory and show the technique of this powerful, no-touch method. Local pranic energy healers also offer a free clinic at the Senior Center on the second Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m.

WED. MARCH 3

11:45 am – FREE lunch by AGT to learn about Tax & Insurance Services

Lunch Reservation – 206 932-4044

12:30 p.m. AGT Tax & Insurance Services West specializes in wealth preservation, offering a wide variety of tax & insurance services designed with “Sleep at Night Strategies.” Safely protect your assets and your loved ones. Taxes for seniors for only $49. More information at (206) 528-2001 or visit online at www.tagwest.com.

Dance Time with Lauren Petrie

1t Wednesdays March 3 and April 7

6:0 to 8:30 p.m.

Donation $5 mem./$7 non-mem.

Bring your own snacks, beverages, etc.

Sponsors for March 3 are Jane Conrad and Alan Mendelssohn, and April 7 is Terry Holm.

NEW ! CREATIVE WRITING Classes

4 week series THURSDAY starting March 4

10:00 -11:30 A.M.

$20 member/$28 non-mem. Per series

Laura Neville will teach Creative Writing 101:
This will be an introductory course on the basic elements of creative writing. We will explore how to tap into your creativity, through short story writing, photo journaling, and also some basic styles of poetry writing. The writing exercises will be maintained in a journal so class members will have a book of their completed work to share with others or keep for themselves and hopefully continue writing!

Acrylic Painting class taught by Mary Ellen Buzard

4 week Mondays, March 8, 15 , 22, 29

And April 5, 12 , 19, 26

From 1:00 to 2:0 p.m.

Cost for each 4 week session is $40 members/$50 for non-members. Supplies extra; all levels, limited to 10. Samples of Mary Ellen’s paintings are on exhibit in Hatten Lobby.

WED. MARCH 10

12 NOON

Fire Safety Bingo – Bill Mace from the Seattle Fire Department will be here cover fire safety tips for seniors using Fire Safety Bingo. His program will include fire prevention tips and information on what to do if you experience a fire at home.

Corned Beef and Cabbage Luncheon for only $3!

Sponsored by Faerland Terrace

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

11:45 a.m. Lunch of corned beef and cabbage

12:15 p.m. “Leprechaun” Michael O”Harris will lead happy singalongs.

Space limited – Reservations requested – 206-932-4044

ONE DAY ONLY! HEALTH FAIR Tuesday, March 30

10:00 am to 1:00 p.m.

11:45 am Free lunch by Park West Skilled Care Center and Merrill Gardens Admiral Heights

Blood Pressure readings, Massage by appointment, Hearing tested, oral cancer screening, mammogram screening,

Hearing Checked. Many service providers ie. Choice Advisory, Daystar, Providence Mt St Vincent, Puget Sound Health Partners, The Kenney, Shield Healthcare. Sound Associate and many more.

Also on Tuesday, March 30 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Mammogram Screening Clinic at Senior Center West Seattle

For Cost: Call Imaging Associates for details – 206-467-1949

If you are eligible and your mammogram is due, please schedule your mammogram appointment with Imaging Associates at 206-467-1949. They are accredited board certified female radiologists who will interpret your exam.

Upcoming Casino trip with bus transportation

Register with Flo – 206-938-1700

Redwing Casino

THURS. MARCH 11

$5/$7

Tulalip Casino

Tuesday, March 16 and April 20

$5/$7

Lucky Eagle

Thursday, March 25 and April 29

$5/$7

Clearwater Casino

Thursday, April 8

$5/$7

Vince Ferriols will teach the following Basic Computer classes for 8 hours total for $5 Center members or $10 for non-members:

March 16, 18, 23 and 25. or

April 20, 22, 27 and 29.

All classes will be from 9:30 am to 11:30 am .

NEW!!!! Windows 7 workshop dates to be announced. Sign up to be notified

West Seattle Lions Club invites the community to a fundraising

St. Patrick’s Dinner & Entertainment

On SATURDAY, MARCH 13, 2010

5:30 pm – Happy Hour

6:00 pm – Full Dinner of Corned Beef or Chicken (Select one)

Cost: $12 for members/$15 non-members

Reservation – 206-932-4044

Defensive Driving Workshops

Friday, March 12 and Monday, March 15 from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. with Marge Lutton or

Thursday,.April 8 and April 9 from 9:30 a..m. to 1:00 p.m. taught by Harriett Woodzin

$!4 to AARP

Defensive Driving workshops NEED Volunteers to teach 8 hour class once a month – at least 3 times a year.

*Must be AARP member

* Teach 8 hours a series – can be 4 hour sessions two different times

* Learn the curriculum by taking a class; practice teaching of one unit

* Attend a PAID Overnight Training in Everett or Gig Harbor (held 2-3 months)

Register with Marge Lutton – 206-322-0490

Tax Service again available Free by trained AARP & IRS volunteers.

Call 206-932-4044 for appointment until April 15

* MUST bring in 2009 tax return
* All pertinent papers i.e. income, stocks (LIMITED), etc.

Strawberry Belgian Waffles with sausage and coffee on

4th MONDAYS MARCH 22 & APRIL 26

5:30 p.m.

Cost $6 mem./$8 non-mem.

Register – 206-932-4044 drop ins welcome too

Book Discussion Group –

4th Wednesday March 24 and April 28 at 1:00 p.m.

West Seattle Lions Club annual Charlotte ’s Annual Plant Sale

Friday, April 9 from 5:00 to 8:00 pm

5:00 p.m. Spaghetti Dinner for $7- Sign up appreciated with Center receptionist

Saturday, April 10 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm

100 Special Dahlia tubers from Sea Tac Gardens, A LARGE SUPPLY OF VARIOUS PLANTS FROM Puget Sound Fuchsia Society, West Seattle Garden Club, and Apple Yard Farms.

Proceeds raised by Lions Club support community services. www.wslions.com

“Fight the Fear Self Defense “ workshop

FREE to ALL WOMEN

WED. APRIL 21

1;00 – 3:00 p.m.

This campaign is to provide self defense and violence prevention education and training . Women learn practical tips, how to defend themselves using their natural abilities, and practice with others.

Sign up – 206-932-4044

Friday, April 16:

“Murder Mystery”

Jazzed by Victory. The victim is Major Bo Narrows (think bow and arrows), who was an ordnance officer with the U.S. Army

5:30 pm – Happy Hour

6:00 pm Prime Rib Dinner by Salty’s

$35 for members, guest and community

Jazzed by victory, 1945-era murder mystery. Think Big Bands and the excitement of the troops returning home.

The victim is Major Bo Narrows (think bow and arrows), who was an ordinance officer with the U.S. Army….Be rewarded for adding your detective skills to solving this mystery! Participants encouraged to dress in the post ’45 era.

Proceeds benefit Senior Center West Seattle

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Swinery shutdown: Cooking classes announced, to fund remodel

March 2, 2010 2:25 am

| 7 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

WSB Forum members started talking again on Monday about The Swinery‘s temporary shutdown (starting its third week); we noted that the much-discussed meat (etc.) shop had been offering updates on its own site in the past week Then something new popped up: They’re offering cooking classes “to finance the remainder of our remodel,” and late last night, the first one was announced: “Pig Breakdown” – how to cut up a pig – March 12. Full details here. They’re also offering in-home “dinner party” group classes. As for the remodeling status, as of this Sunday post on their site, the plans were still “in review”; the DPD site says “application accepted” for their electrical work.

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