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day : 20/05/2010 15 results

Photos: Taste of West Seattle 2010 draws more than 300
May 20, 2010 10:45 pm
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

Not only were dozens of current West Seattle food/beverage purveyors part of tonight’s Taste of West Seattle, attended by more than 300 people at The Hall at Fauntleroy — one future local eatery was represented too. That’s Andy Pattalochi, manager for the future Wing Dome in The Junction, expecting to open just north of CAPERS in July. We did mention more than 300 people, right?

The Taste of West Seattle is a major fundraiser for West Seattle Helpline, whose board includes First Lutheran Church of West Seattle‘s pastor Rev. Ron Marshall, who tended the all-ages drink table:

Guests were entertained by performers including Troupe Hipnotica:

And after we showed you their setup work earlier, we had to show you the finished look at Skylark Café and Club (WSB sponsor)’s table:

(From left, Roger, Jessie & Charlie) And serving coffee, Lora Lewis of Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (inaugural WSB sponsor):

Just heard back from promoter Brooks re: results of the voting during The Taste – he reports: “Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes won! Fresh Bistro and Bakery Nouveau tied for second.” (WSB was among the co-sponsors of tonight’s event.) FRIDAY MORNING UPDATE: One more photo to add – Helpline provided this photo of director Anna Fern (left) accepting a big (in more ways than one) check from Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor) during The Taste:

FRIDAY NOONTIME UPDATE: A note of acknowledgment from the Helpline’s board president, for the community support – read on!Read More

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Delridge District Council: O’Brien visit, and more
May 20, 2010 9:51 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge District Council | West Seattle news

Here are last night’s Delridge Neighborhoods District Council toplines, before we move on to the reports on multiple stories covered tonight: City Councilmember Mike O’Brien (photo right, with Delridge District Coordinator Ron Angeles) was the featured guest. After a few general remarks about his months in office, he fielded questions – first one about replacing the Alaskan Way Viaduct‘s Central Waterfront section; he said he still thinks a surface option would be best, adding that transit is also an important part of the solution. His point about using transit for shopping and errands was challenged by David Ellinger from the North Delridge Neighborhood Council, explaining that the transit system does not work efficiently for areas like West Seattle. O’Brien had mentioned that Metro was working on finding transit solutions recognizing that parts of the county differ – Seattle’s needs are not the same as North Bend’s, for example – but Ellinger stressed that leaders like O’Brien must understand there are major differences between neighborhoods within Seattle, as well. O’Brien also was asked about the potential of service/facility cuts in the Parks Department, but said that like everyone else, he is waiting to see the mayor’s list of mid-year cuts, and will wait till then to comment. OTHER TOPLINES: Southwest Precinct Lt. Norm James presented the same basics information about crime stats – including a rise in car prowls – that he’d announced at the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council the night before (WSB coverage here). Pete Spalding of Pigeon Point and Nancy Folsom from North Delridge mentioned a recent uptick in area graffiti; Lt. James stressed the importance of reporting it to police … Patrick Dunn from Sustainable West Seattle talked about the WS Tool Library, opening June 12, and thanked DNDC for the letter of support which helped bring in a $20,000 grant to kick-start the program. He said they now have 300 tools, and are still seeking more … Dunn also talked about the Community Orchard of West Seattle, which is receiving a city grant; it’ll take a few years before the trees are producing, he noted, but in the meantime, there’ll be berry bushes, and educational programs to teach others about growing food … DNDC also heard from another grant recipient, Power of Hope, bringing youth together starting in spring of next year, for poetry, music, and community projects. … And they of course discussed the upcoming Delridge Day/Sustainable West Seattle Festival combo event that’s now under the ReFRESH Southwest umbrella (more info here), 1-5 pm June 5 at Delridge Community Center.

Delridge Neighborhoods District Council meets on the third Wednesday of the month, 7 pm, Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. TFN, its meetings will be preceded by Strategic Delridge at 6 pm, a chance for anyone and everyone who’s interested in helping shape the area’s future to take a longer-range look.

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Services set for longtime West Seattle restaurateur Neal Saffer
May 20, 2010 7:56 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Obituaries | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Thanks to Leslie for sharing this link via Facebook: Our partners at the Seattle Times published an obituary today for 86-year-old Neal Saffer, who ran Quesnel’s Restaurant in West Seattle for more than 20 years. According to the obituary, Mr. Saffer is to be buried at Dignity/Forest Lawn in West Seattle at noon tomorrow, with the burial service there to be followed by a reception at Holy Rosary; he died of heart failure, and is survived by family members including wife Margaret Saffer, with whom he had moved to Port Orchard in 2004. (If you are not a long-long-time West Seattleite – some WSB’ers who are, have discussed Quesnel’s over the years, and remember it as being along Beach Drive.)

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West Seattle Scouts at Eagle Banquet/Centennial Celebration
May 20, 2010 7:52 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

(At left, Chad Lehman of West Seattle’s Troop 282, getting Matt Hasselbeck’s autograph)
Rick Lehman shared the photo and the following report on the Chief Seattle Council of the Boy Scouts of America‘s Eagle Banquet and Centennial Celebration held last weekend at Hyatt Regency Bellevue:

This prestigious and historic event was held in honor of the 2009-2010 Boy Scouts who attained Scouting’s highest rank and celebrating the 100 anniversary of Boy Scouting in America. Every Eagle scout in attendance was sponsored and paired up with a business person in the community who shared common interests with the scout.

The event hosted almost 200 new eagle scouts in the Seattle Area. To be an Eagle (the 6th and highest rank) a scout had to earn 21 separate Merit Badges, hold numerous leadership positions, be active in his troop and attend numerous outings and high adventures. He also had to do a major community service project where he had to conduct a feasibility study, plan, secure funding, purchase materials and schedule manpower support to help complete the project (many times involving well over 100 hours of service).

Scouts from West Seattle included Chad Lehman, Michael Cross and Kirk Wetzel of Troop 282. Representing Troop 284 were Kyle Edwards, Sam Guzzardo, Ryan Jacobs, Mathew Russell and Mark Viger.

Big-name entrepreneurs who also had been Eagle Scouts were on hand too – Rick’s report continues after the jump:Read More

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Update: Getting ready for tonight’s Taste of West Seattle
May 20, 2010 5:15 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants | WS beverages

Online ticket sales are closed but a few tickets remain to be bought at the door for tonight’s Taste of West Seattle, 6-8:30 pm at The Hall at Fauntleroy, raising money for West Seattle Helpline, co-sponsored by local businesses including WSB – and best of all, featuring 30+ local food/beverage purveyors, including Skylark Café and Club (WSB sponsor), whose bartender Roger and proprietors Jessie and Charlie are shown above, photographed about 45 minutes ago during setup, with (at left) ToWS promoter Brooks. Skylark’s “taste” tonight is toasted ravioli, by the way. And remember that it’s not just a chance to eat and drink – there’s also a silent auction – lots of cool stuff to bid on:

We’ll be heading back down after it starts at 6, for coverage of the event as it happens. And if you want to know more about the nonprofit you’re supporting – West Seattle Helpline’s mission is explained here.

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Admiral Way crash updates: Bicyclist’s condition; police’s request
May 20, 2010 3:59 pm
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police

(WSB photo, taken after rescuers had raised the car and extricated the bicyclist)
Two updates in the aftermath of this morning’s Admiral Way/SW Manning/30th SW (map) collision between a car and a bicyclist who had to be rescued from beneath it: First, Laura, identifying herself as the bicycle rider’s wife, says in comments on the original WSB story that her husband is in ICU awaiting surgery; read her full comment here. Second, Seattle Police investigators asked us to publish this call for any witness(es) to come forward:

(This is) a request from the Seattle Police Department, for anyone that witnessed the collision event between the SUV & Bicyclist on SW Admiral Way & SW Manning St., to contact Detective Tim Wear at (206) 684-8935. Would like to hear from anyone that witnessed the collision event. Thank you.

If you missed our earlier coverage – the car’s driver was not hurt; Admiral Way reopened just before 1 pm, almost 4 1/2 hours after this morning’s collision. ADDED 9:04 PM: And from the comment section following our original report – a commenter who says she is the driver’s wife, explaining that their whole family bicycles too. Read her full comment here.

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Waiting game: Will Seattle Parks wading pools open this year?
May 20, 2010 3:41 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Will the trickle of rainwater we photographed in the Hiawatha Community Center< wading pool this morning be the only water it (and West Seattle’s other wading pools) sees this summer? At least a few citywide mailing lists are circulating concerns about the fate of Seattle Parks wading pools this summer, and some concerns/questions have made their way to the WSB inbox, so we wanted to share what we know: As reported in our coverage last week of the Seattle Parks Board meeting and a briefing by the department’s finance director, the status of wading pools (and other Parks facilities) will NOT be known until midyear budget cuts are made public. That announcement is still set for June 1st, according to Parks spokesperson Dewey Potter, with whom we checked again today; she said, “We are waiting for decisions from the Mayor and budget office on the array of possible reductions that might take place in mid-2010. We do not know if those decisions will include any closures in 2010; we will not know anything until they announce their decisions around June 1.” If the wading pools do open, Potter told us previously, opening day will be June 26.

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Alki walk/run updates: West Seattle 5K deadline; lupus tally
May 20, 2010 2:25 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Health | West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Two updates this afternoon on Alki walk-and/or-run fundraisers: First, we have the final tally from organizers of last Saturday’s Walk With Us to Cure Lupus (original WSB report, with video, here) – 500 walkers participated, raising more than $40,000 – $10K past their original goal! Meantime, today is the deadline to register online – for a lower price – for this Sunday’s West Seattle 5K Run/Walk (co-sponsored by WSB). Sign up online by 6 pm tonight. After that, you have two more chances, both in-person signups for a higher fee: At West Seattle High School (whose PTSA organized and benefits from WS5K), 1-4 pm Saturday, and at Alki on Sunday morning, starting at 8 am. (Yet another reminder – the race is the start of Seattle Summer Streets “car-free day” on Alki, with the street closed between Don Armeni and 63rd SW 9 am-5 pm Sunday.)

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West Seattle HS baseball looks to state – and celebrates an MVP!
May 20, 2010 1:27 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

Thanks to West Seattle High School assistant baseball coach Scott Meaker for sharing information on what’s next for WSHS baseball, including information from head coach Velko Vitalich: This Saturday, WSHS plays in the 3A Region 1 state championships at Mount Vernon’s Dream Field on the Skagit Valley College campus (map), facing Enumclaw High at 1 pm. If the Wildcats win, Coach Vitalich says, they play at 4 pm Saturday vs. the winner of the 10 am Mount Rainier/Meadowdale game. And if they win THAT – it’s on to the Final Four at Safeco Field on May 28. Also announced by the team: 4 West Seattle HS players were voted to the All-Metro League first team last night: infielder Trevor Martin, outfielder Stephan Adams, pitcher Brandon MacKinnon, and catcher Ryan Wiggins. Trevor subsequently was voted Metro League MVP. Coach Meaker adds, “Trevor Martin was a unanimous choice for Metro League MVP! That is very rare … Trevor is currently committed to play at Western Nevada College in Carson City next year, a perennial playoff team nationally for junior colleges.”

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West Seattle politics: Shawn McEvoy running for County Council
May 20, 2010 12:26 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   King Co. Council District 8 | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

A new entrant today in the 8th District race for King County Council, a position to which Councilmember Jan Drago was appointed last year but has said she won’t run for. Normandy Park Councilmember Shawn McEvoy is now in the running against previously declared candidate State Sen. Joe McDermott. Read on for McEvoy’s announcement:Read More

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Updates: Bicycle-car crash on Admiral Way at West Seattle Bridge
May 20, 2010 8:32 am
|      128 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS breaking news

(Scroll down for the latest – we’re still adding info and images)

ORIGINAL 8:32 AM REPORT: We’re on our way to a “heavy rescue” call where Admiral Way meets The Bridge – it’s a vehicle vs. bicyclist and Admiral is blocked in both directions, per the scanner. More as we get it. 8:37 AM: Adding a photo sent by Shauna Causey – the crew you see in the background is working to help the bicyclist, who was reportedly trapped under the vehicle. 8:52 AM: The bicyclist is out. We don’t know about their condition. This shot shows the rescuers and the raised vehicle (the patient is NOT in the shot):

WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand reports from the scene that an articulated bus got into trouble up the Admiral hill trying to turn around – it has been emptied and its passengers are now walking. (added 10:33 am, short clip showing them)

Again, stay away from Admiral north/west of The Bridge, since that’s where all this is unfolding. 9:04 AM: Briefing from authorities at the scene: The bicyclist, a man around 35-40, was coming down the Admiral hill, while the driver was going up – how the vehicle ended up over the bicyclist, is not yet clear. He’s been taken to Harborview Medical Center and was described as “relatively stable.” No word how long Admiral will be closed. 9:24 AM: They’re about to reopen an uphill lane – and the exit off the westbound bridge – but downhill will remain closed TFN; more investigators have just arrived. 9:32 AM: The northwest edge of the closure, by the way, is at the top of the hill at SW Olga (the pedestrian light). 10:19 AM: Heading back to the scene to check on the road. Meantime, some witnesses have posted in comments, including Susan, who writes:

I was ~6 cars behind the crash, here’s what I saw: I first noticed the bike because it had some type of bubble/windshield thing. I believe it was either in line with traffic or biking on the left side of the line of cars; I remember wondering if it was some type of small motorized vehicle because of the windscreen and its location in traffic. I saw the motorist turning left from Avalon and thought that the trajectory of car + bicycle/motorcycle thing didn’t look quite right. Then a car passed between me & the scene (in the opposite direction) blocking my view, and by the time it had passed the cyclist was under the car.

Rescuers had to cut up the bicycle as part of the extrication process – some of what was left can be seen in this photo:

ADDED 10:35 AM: Video of the earlier briefing from SFD Battalion Chief Phil Jose, who explained to us and other media at the scene how they got the bicyclist out, among other updates:

BOTTOM LINE (10:41 AM): To recap – a bicycle and car collided just before 8:30 am on Admiral Way by The Bridge. The bicyclist, a man described as 35-40, was trapped under the car; rescuers got him out, and he was described as “relatively stable” as he was rushed to the hospital. The car’s driver was not hurt. We will update Admiral’s traffic status shortly – en route back to see where things stand now. 11:22 AM: Admiral is still closed southbound/downhill from SW Olga to The Bridge; uphill, the outside lane remains open coming off The Bridge (etc.); investigators are still onscene. 11:40 AM: Also note: Route 56 is still rerouted; the detour from southbound Admiral atop the hill is putting a heavy load of traffic onto one-lane-each-way 35th SW north of Fauntleroy, so that is VERY slow going (we have just waited through about six lights to get the last few blocks to Fauntleroy. Also just got a call back from Harborview: The bicyclist is in serious condition, “headed to intensive care.” 12:58 PM: Admiral Way is now FULLY REOPENED, and the 56 is back to normal. 4:00 PM: We have published a separate followup with information from a comment regarding the bicyclist’s condition, plus SPD’s call for witnesses to get in touch with them – see that story here.

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West Seattle Thursday: Big day/night!
May 20, 2010 8:28 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Thursday: Big day/night!
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

RAINBOW FESTIVAL AT SOUTH SEATTLE COMMUNITY COLLEGE: Third and final day/night of this celebration – here’s the schedule of events for today/tonight, running all the way from 10 am-9 pm!

TASTE OF WEST SEATTLE: The West Seattle Helpline‘s been doing this fundraiser for a while but it’s never been this big: More than 30 food/beverage purveyors from all over the peninsula will be in multiple areas of The Hall at Fauntleroy (the old schoolhouse, 9131 California), and your ticket (you can still save $5 by buying in advance online) gets you in to try them all, 6-8:30 pm. (WSB is a Taste of West Seattle co-sponsor.)

TRIANGLE PARKING: This is not a Triangle Advisory Group meeting, though it’s related to their work – this is a public meeting (that means YOU) to air any and all issues about parking, present and future, in The Triangle. Think we need park-and-rides? Think we should have less parking and more walking/biking/busing capabilities? Got another idea? This is the place to be. 6 pm, Senior Center of West Seattle (SE corner of California/Oregon – entrance on Oregon, the meeting room’s upstairs).

ALKI COMMUNITY COUNCIL: In addition to the ACC’s regular business, there’s a bit of a wildlife theme tonight, as Seal Sitters founder Brenda Peterson and West Seattle Wildlife Habitat Project‘s Dolly Vinal are the highlighted guest speakers. 7 pm, Alki UCC Church (6115 SW Hinds).

STUDENT MUSICAL, PHOTOGRAPHY EVENTS AT WSHS: “Once Upon a Mattress” has the first of six performances at 7:30 tonight at the West Seattle High School theater (here’s our preview from earlier this week). Also this afternoon/evening, student photographers open a show in the WSHS Library, as described by Martha Tonkin:

Sixty talented Westside photographers in their first public exhibition, “Face to Face: Portraits by West Seattle Teens”, up May 20 – May 28, 2010, in our beautiful library! Students were asked to pick a subject they were very close to, take 300 photos of them, edit 5-9 of their best images in Photoshop, print, mat and write artist’s statements about their series. Come and see how they’ve done with this challenge!

The official opening is 4-8 pm today, and the photos will continue on display till May 28th.

WEST SEATTLE DEMOCRATIC WOMEN: As noted last night, they invite you to join them tonight in a politics/art/mingling event with a long, high-powered guest list – all the way up to King County Executive Dow Constantine and Mayor Mike McGinn. Meet your reps AND enjoy art at the Woodside-Braseth Gallery, 9th/Lenora downtown.

Even more – see the WSB West Seattle Events calendar!

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West Seattle school news: More success for Denny, Sealth bands
May 20, 2010 7:44 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Turns out the West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival float (photos here) wasn’t the only West Seattle winner in last weekend’s biggest regional parade – Denny International Middle School‘s band brought home awards too. With a month to go in the school year, its director Marcus Pimpleton shares several big updates about not only Denny’s musicians, but also the band members he guides at Chief Sealth International High School:

I just wanted to take a quick second to brag on my amazing middle and high school band students.

The Denny International Middle School Marching Band traveled to Port Townsend to participate in the Rhododendron parade this past Saturday May 15th. The band took first place in the middle school band division which included bands from five different middle schools around Washington State. In addition to taking 1st in the middle school band division, they were also awarded second place in the middle/junior high drill category (which tells me they must’ve scored the drum majors in the drill category). Pictures from the event are available at www.dennymusic.org

On Monday, both the Chief Sealth High School and Denny Bands participated in the Syttende Mai Parade in Ballard. The Chief Sealth Band took third place behind Columbia River High School in Vancouver and the Shorewood High School Marching Band in the band division which consisted of at least 8 bands from around the region including Ballard and Interlake High Schools who have dominated the event in recent years.

Both have big gigs ahead, too – read on for that news, plus word of a big grant:Read More

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Neighborhood note: New night for North Delridge meetings
May 20, 2010 4:09 am
|    Comments Off on Neighborhood note: New night for North Delridge meetings
 |   Delridge | West Seattle news

The North Delridge Neighborhood Council is changing its regular monthly meeting nights once more – they had to make a switch some months back because of library-schedule changes, and now they’re trying another tweak: They’re back at the Delridge Library as of June 14th, and will meet at 6:30 pm on the second Monday of the month from thereon out.

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West Seattle Weather Watch update: ‘Wind advisory’ extended
May 20, 2010 12:49 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

(Video by David Rosen from SlickPix Photography)
That video’s from just after Wednesday night’s 11 pm-ish high tide – the classic Constellation Park waves-collide-with-seawall shots. And it illustrates the fact that the wind didn’t quite die down when forecasters had expected it to – they’ve now extended the wind advisory till 4 am.

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