West Seattle, Washington

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month : 03/2010 365 results

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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More disaster readiness: Seattle Fire Department rescue training
March 2, 2010 3:26 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Safety | West Seattle news

In the wake of the Chile quake, we’ve been talking more about preparedness (have you memorized your West Seattle Emergency Communications Hub yet? and have you joined the West Seattle Be Prepared group on Facebook yet?). Public-safety personnel, of course, are training all the time – and this month, coincidentally, a particularly quake-relevant type of rescue training is under way at the Joint Training Facility (right) on the far southeastern edge of West Seattle: They’re practicing rescued trapped victims from the rubble of a structural collapse. Media crews have been invited to photograph some of the training tomorrow (we’ll be there) – the SFD advisory says, “During each session, 16 firefighters will work together in teams to search for and rescue patients using rope rescue equipment, airbags, hydraulic rescue tools, saws, bars, cribbing, rescue baskets and aerial ladders.” More than 1,000 firefighters will go through this training before the month’s out.

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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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West Seattle scenes: Take a neon tour
March 1, 2010 10:05 pm
|      15 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle video

WSB contributing photojournalist Christopher Boffoli has been shooting neon signs around West Seattle, and this is the first compilation he put together – after we took a look at it, we thought you might be interested too. See if you recognize the signs!

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“West Seattle, Be Prepared” in the citywide TV spotlight tonight
March 1, 2010 7:18 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | Safety | West Seattle news


View West Seattle Emergency Communication Hubs in a larger map

After the Chile earthquake over the weekend – and a belated reminder that yesterday was the 9th anniversary of our area’s last big quake – it’s high time for us all to be sure we’re ready for the unthinkable, just in case. So on Saturday, we published a reminder about West Seattle, Be Prepared – the trailblazing preparedness effort that tireless volunteers have been ramping up peninsula-wide for two years. Part of it is making sure you know about the West Seattle Emergency Communication Hubs – the nine spots marked on the Google Map above; memorize the one closest to you, because in case of catastrophe, that’s where you’ll go to get information and help. Tonight, West Seattle, Be Prepared got a citywide spotlight, as part of a KING 5 TV story about local readiness – one of its key organizers, Cindi Barker from Morgan Junction, is featured in the middle of reporter Glenn Farley‘s story:

In addition to the Hubs map, the West Seattle, Be Prepared website has tons of information – take some time and wander around – and if you’re on Facebook, be sure to join the WSBP group —just go here (and if you haven’t friended us on FB yet – we’re WS Blog – go here).

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Update: Prep work starts tomorrow for Don Armeni paving
March 1, 2010 3:41 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(Parks Department photo of cracked pavement @ Don Armeni)
As first reported here Friday night, Seattle Parks plans to repave Don Armeni Boat Ramp for the first time in a quarter-century, and that means a temporary closure is ahead. Just got a Parks news release with an update – prep work is now scheduled to start tomorrow, though that will not require lot shutdown – read on for the latest:Read More

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West Seattle Crime Watch followup: No evidence of shots fired
March 1, 2010 3:13 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Pigeon Point | West Seattle news

A quick followup on the Pigeon Point “shots fired?” reports from early Sunday morning: Southwest Precinct Lt. Norm James says that officers found “no evidence of gunshots” while investigating – in other words, no shell casings turned up anywhere. The hours-earlier Alki call turned out to be fireworks, according to nearby residents. That’s often the case with “shots fired?” calls, but you never know, so police would rather hear from you, just in case.

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Update: Senate Ways and Means approves “Jason McKissack Act”
March 1, 2010 1:26 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police | West Seattle politics

ORIGINAL 1:26 PM REPORT, WHEN WE GOT WORD THE BILL *WOULD* BE VOTED ON TODAY: Just got that word from Sen. Joe McDermott and law-enforcement advocate Renee Maher – it’s now on the list for the Ways/Means Committee meeting that’s about to start. 2:53 PM UPDATE: The meeting is live on TVW – we’re watching online here. Looks like they are still in public hearings; the votes, described on the agenda (see it here) as “executive session,” generally come up afterward (the public hearing on this bill was held last Monday – we went to Olympia to cover it; here’s our story). As of a moment ago, they took a break to go into “caucuses” prior to those votes, but the live broadcast should resume soon. 4:18 PM: The live broadcast just resumed. 1679 is the next bill. 4:24 PM: Senate Ways and Means voted for it unanimously. It goes to the Rules Committee with a “do pass” recommendation. We’re checking on what exactly that means – and what happens next, as well as whether further expressions of support are still needed – look for an update. 4:48 PM: Sen. McDermott tells WSB he will keep working to move the bill ahead – getting out of Rules is apparently not a slam dunk; the bill’s history says that’s where it stalled last year.

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Partially submerged tug in the Duwamish – now back up again
March 1, 2010 12:16 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | Seen at sea | West Seattle news

Thanks to a tipster (who didn’t want to be credited) for pointing out the Coast Guard’s report of a partially submerged 65-foot tugboat at Island Tug and Barge, in the Duwamish, just north of The Bridge. It had more than 6,000 gallons of fuel and oil on board, but according to the Associated Press, it was brought back up this morning without spilling anything but 25 gallons of oily bilge water.

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Monday midday notes: School-surplus auction; “Taste” date change
March 1, 2010 10:36 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Fun stuff to do | How to help | West Seattle news

AUCTION: Just got word from multiple sources (thank you!) that this Saturday (March 6) at 9 am, there’s an auction of surplus Seattle Public Schools items at the old Hughes School building (map) in Sunrise Heights. Power tools and musical instruments are on the highlights list (see it here); photos are here, the full list here (Excel doc). The auctioneers’ site says it’s open for preview an hour ahead of time.

“TASTE OF WEST SEATTLE” DATE CHANGE: Anna Fern from West Seattle Helpline says the fundraising event offering food from multiple local restaurants has been moved back a week, to May 20, so it doesn’t conflict with that month’s West Seattle Art Walk. And they’re still signing up restaurants interested in participating – call Anna at 206-932-2746.

2 OTHER BENEFIT REMINDERS: Among other benefits coming up are two for which WSB is among the event sponsors, so we’re taking the opportunity to remind you if you haven’t checked them out already: The benefit brunch for the Nature Consortium, which focuses on restoring the West Duwamish Greenbelt – Seattle’s longest remaining contiguous forest – is March 14 (RSVP info here); West Seattle Food Bank‘s Instruments of Change gala is April 30 (event/ticket info here).

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Update: Small house fire in the 8800 block of 18th SW
March 1, 2010 6:17 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

(photo added 6:26 am)
Firefighters are at the scene of a house fire in the 8800 block of 18th SW (map). According to the scanner, they say it’s tapped. We’ll have info from the scene shortly. 6:28 AM UPDATE: Some of the fire crew is already pulling out. They think a ceiling fan started the fire. No injuries but “a lot of mess, a lot of smoke” and they’re ventilating the house right now. Five people were in the house, and they all got out OK. 7:04 AM: Adding video from the mop-up … within less than an hour, as some fire crews left and others mopped up, the only sign of the fire visible from outside was the light smoke still coming from the roof:

10:06 AM: SFD says via Twitter that the fire did $35,000 damage.

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Seattle All-City Band hits the road today for a TV tryout
March 1, 2010 6:07 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

That’s the Seattle All-City Band, performing at the first-ever Band Jam at Southwest Athletic Complex in West Seattle last summer. The student musicians are from all over the city, but they’re led by Marcus Pimpleton, the renowned music man from Denny International Middle School and Chief Sealth High School. Last night, band members rehearsed at Denny to get ready for a road trip today: They’re headed to Portland to try out for the “America’s Got Talent” TV show. We got the tip from Carrie Hewitt, who says someone from the show saw an online video of the ACB and invited them to come try out – this is the second day of a two-day round of tryouts in Portland. Good luck!

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Next chance to see West Seattle’s “Rosie the Riveters” (& WAVE)
March 1, 2010 12:37 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle history | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

(February 2009 photo by Christopher Boffoli)
That photo’s from WSB coverage a year ago, when a group of local “Rosie the Riveters” appeared at The Mount with stories and songs about their World War II-era exploits. Just got word from one of them, Georgie Bright Kunkel, that a group of Rosies – plus a WAVE – will be at Daystar Retirement Village in Westwood this Thursday, 11:30 am. They’re planning a sing-along of WWII-era songs, according to Georgie, who adds, “The host is the First Thursday Democrats, who meet there every month.”

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