day : 17/12/2010 13 results

Story and photos by Ellen Cedergreen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

West Seattle High School head girls-basketball coach Sonya Elliott says the team needed a lot of work when she took over this year: The locker rooms were a mess, morale was way down, team enrollment was at a minimum, and the team had won only 3 games last year. In addition, there was a budget of just $4 to work with. This year, the players had to purchase their uniform shirts themselves.

Coach Elliott is working on a new approach: the girls have study hall three times a week (because discipline in the classroom is just as important as on the court), and the team is working hard on the core fundamentals of the game with a very disciplined approach. Coach says: “When they do a drill and go down and touch the line, they have to actually touch that line.”

Though this is her first year at WSHS, Coach Elliott is no rookie. She’s been in West Seattle for 16 years and has spent a good portion of that time coaching and playing at community centers and in recreational leagues. As a result, she understands the game from every perspective.

When she heard that Seattle Storm coach Brian Agler – the WNBA’s “Head Coach of the Year” – would be willing to give her team a pep talk, she jumped at the chance. And so did the team. During this afternoon’s visit, Coach Agler had the girls sit according to class, with the seniors to the front of the line.

Coach Agler enlisted the seniors to lead the other girls. and to help implement the steps in a three=point plan he laid out for success: Work ethic, attitude, and togetherness. One of the main tenets of the plan is “no drama,” because according to Coach Agler, “drama will kill a girls-basketball team.”

Elaborating on how to accomplish the plan, Coach Agler repeatedly referred to Storm veterans Lauren Jackson and Sue Bird and to their high levels of dedication and discipline. He said that their talent only got them so far and credited their high level of dedication and focused training to improving their games. Focus was a central theme in Coach Agler’s talk. “These are, believe it or not, some of the best years of your life. Don’t waste a day,” he told the team. “Whatever your position, you ought to be as good as you can and accomplish as much as you can.” He sad that winning was great but that doing their absolute best was the bottom line.

(Agler’s in the back row, 3rd from right, with Elliott next to him)
After the talk, Coach Adler handed out FIT T-shirts for the girls and told them he’d be tracking them. He also informed the team, to heavy cheering, that they would be getting tickets to a Storm game in the coming season. By the time he left, the excitement in the air was palpable.

The team has already made some major improvements this year, with a 2-1 record so far this season. Their next game is Saturday night at WSHS at 5:15 against Seattle Lutheran. Their game schedule is here:

Looking for another way to support the WSHS girls? Coach Elliott is donating 50% of all proceeds of sales from her inspirational product line “peacelovebasketball” to the team.

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West Seattle holidays: New Delridge tradition – caroling!

December 17, 2010 10:02 pm

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| Delridge | Holidays | West Seattle news

About 20 people added their voices to a cheery mix tonight in what organizers hope will be a new annual tradition: Delridge caroling. They set out from Greg Davis Park in North Delridge and serenaded neighbors along the way. And they had warm beverages too – Karrie Kohlhaas explained the ingenious wagon-borne setup:

Still plenty of holiday happenings around West Seattle this weekend – the updated lists, grouped by activity type, are on our Holidays page.

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West Seattle holiday scenes: Bakery Nouveau, Admiral Pub

December 17, 2010 9:24 pm

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| Holidays | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

With just one week till Christmas Eve, we checked out four West Seattle holiday events tonight. First: Bakery Nouveau‘s open house in The Junction – packed house, of course, but then again, that happens most regular days too. The renowned bakery’s two-hour event offered holiday-treat samples and the chance to place pre-orders (which they’re taking till next Tuesday, according to the BN Facebook page). Over in the Admiral District, the party’s still under way at Admiral Pub, where they’re playing poker, celebrating “ugly sweaters,” and most important of all, collecting diapers – Adele explained it for us on video:

As Adele mentioned, Admiral Pub is collecting diapers through the end of the month – about three-fourths of the way to the 6,000-diaper goal as the night began, but you can bet they’d love nothing more than to far exceed the goal, so drop off diapers there even if you can’t make it to tonight’s festivities.

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Newest moves in the court fight over ‘The Hole’

December 17, 2010 7:00 pm

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| Development | West Seattle news

(Aerial view of The Hole, September 2010)
Court records show two notable moves this week in the ongoing legal fight over “The Hole” at 39th/Fauntleroy/Alaska in West Seattle (map; the project once known as Fauntleroy Place and slated for Whole Foods, Hancock Fabrics, and residential units, excavated before stalling in a financial/legal tangle more than 2 years ago).

In the wake of last month’s decision (WSB coverage here) that construction companies Ledcor and Aero have “lien priority,” there was a motion for a new trial. It came from 3922 SW Alaska LLC, trying to buy the site without paying those liens; it claimed it had uncovered evidence that a key witness from the project’s original developer, BlueStar, had been talking with Aero about “reviving” the project, without disclosing that for the trial.

Here are the two new developments: This week, King County Superior Court Judge Susan Craighead rejected the motion for a new trial. Plus, Aero filed a motion asking her to order the foreclosure sale of the site, to get the money to pay off the liens she ruled have priority. The judge is scheduled to consider that motion next week.

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West Seattle scene: Alki today, Waikiki tomorrow?

December 17, 2010 4:02 pm

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| Seen at sea | West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

While it’s by no means unusual to spot stand-up paddleboarders off Alki and other West Seattle beaches, this time of year they’re usually a little more covered-up than these two. Thanks to JayDee for sharing the pic (before the clouds moved in) – he points out the air temperature at the time was 48 degrees. (Just a bit cooler than the 50-degree water temperature.) Forecast, you ask? Windy after midnight; rain returning tomorrow.

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West Seattle Water Taxi schedule announced for next 3 months

December 17, 2010 2:45 pm

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| King County Water Taxi | West Seattle news

Another announcement today from the King County Department of Transportation (following the Metro and Water Taxi changes published here earlier):

The King County Ferry District is advising passengers that the 2011 winter sailing season has been set for the West Seattle Water Taxi.

From Jan 1 – March 31, service will continue to be offered five days a week consistent with the current sailing schedule. Currently, the water taxi operates five morning trips and five afternoon trips Monday through Friday to serve commuters headed into downtown Seattle. This schedule may be adjusted when the Rachel Marie returns to service in a few weeks.

“This winter sailing schedule will continue to be a great option for passengers looking to avoid bumper-to-bumper traffic during their daily commute,” said King County Ferry District Chair Larry Gossett. “And as road work continues along the waterfront, the water taxi will become an even more valuable commute alternative for residents who want to avoid construction tie-ups.”

Meanwhile, repair work continues on the Rachel Marie, which was damaged in last September. The vessel is expected to be back in operation sometime in January.

For more details on the West Seattle Water Taxi winter sailing season, visit: www.kingcounty.gov/watertaxi.

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Holiday helpers: Seattle Lutheran students’ ‘Month of Giving’

December 17, 2010 1:21 pm

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| How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

We mentioned earlier that local students are out early today. In at least one case, one school in West Seattle had no classes at all – Seattle Lutheran High School, whose students are out volunteering. The photos are courtesy Bil Hood, who explains:

The Saints are hitting the streets today for the culmination of the Seattle Lutheran Month of Giving.

The month started with a week-long food drive for the West Seattle Food Bank. That was followed by a week of change-giving to buy gifts for kids who would otherwise not get any. This week, toys and clothes were collected for the Salvation Army. At tonight’s 3-on-3 Charity Basketball game, the students at Seattle Lutheran should reach $5,000 and 1000 hours in giving this month.

Today, staff and students have fanned out across the community to use their last day before Christmas break to give. Saints can be seen this Giving Day cleaning at Alki and traffic circles in the neighborhood.

Students are knitting scarves and hats for donations. Groups are making cards and hand-crafted gifts for shut-ins. They are also helping at other local schools and community centers who have needs. It is our way to say thank you for your many years of support, and have a blessed Christmas, West Seattle.

This last photo shows the blessing of handmade scarves headed for a women’s shelter:

We have giving opportunities listed on the West Seattle Holidays page, if you’re still looking for someplace or someone to help.

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Holiday help: White Center Food Bank needs you

December 17, 2010 12:58 pm

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| How to help | West Seattle news | White Center

One of the two food banks that serves West Seattle, the White Center Food Bank, just put out the call for volunteer help. Can you pitch in? From volunteer coordinator Audrey Zemke:

The White Center Food Bank needs help this coming week handing out food to clients. The most urgently needed shift is 3:30 to 6:30 pm Monday, December 20. In addition we could use help Wednesday, December 22 from 12:30 to 3:30. Please contact me by e-mail (audrey@whitecenterfoodbank.org) to sign up.

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Reminder: Metro and Water Taxi schedule changes ahead

December 17, 2010 12:02 pm

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| King County Water Taxi | Transportation | West Seattle news

From the King County Department of Transportation today, a reminder of upcoming holiday-related schedule changes for Metro and the Water Taxi over the next month – plus another nudge about the Metro fare changes that take effect on New Year’s Day. Read on for full details:Read More

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West Seattle scenes: Mountains emerge; eagle keeps watch

December 17, 2010 11:18 am

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| Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Wildlife

The sky’s been clear since first thing this morning. We mentioned the pink-lit Olympics on Twitter, wondering aloud about images; that photo subsequently was shared by West Seattle food writer Kim O’Donnel (whose cookbook-autograph session is mentioned in this morning’s preview) – thanks! Meantime, we realized this gorgeous bald-eagle photo hadn’t been shared yet:

It’s by Robin Lindsey of Seal Sitters, taken during a sunbreak earlier this week; she added:

On my sweeps looking for seal pups, I spotted this eagle perched high above Duwamish Head, enjoying the briefest glimmer of sunlight.

We have pups still using the beaches, including Queen Latifah, who continues to haul out on her City-side rocks. Her schedule has become less predictable, however.

You can always keep up with Seal Sitters’ latest “news on the beach” at blubberblog.org.

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Hope Lutheran’s new principal: There ‘to steer, rather than row’

December 17, 2010 10:24 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

As the 2010 portion of the 2010-2011 school year closes out on this day before winter break, it is time for many to reflect on how the year’s gone so far.

Among those whose roles in local schools doubtless will send them into the break with much to think about: Kristen Okabayashi, the new principal at West Seattle’s Hope Lutheran School, the first school she is leading as principal.

Though she is new to that job, and role, she is not new to West Seattle – she is a 10-year resident. She had been working at Concordia Lutheran in North Seattle while studying for her masters’ degree – and the Hope job opened up just as she had completed those studies. Now she is the school’s principal, as well as one of its parents, with four sons attending hope – a seventh-grader, fifth-grader, and twin second-graders.

That gives her extra insight into one focus this fall has been to help build relationships between the school and its students’ families. And she has been closely reviewing the Hope Lutheran curriculum: ” … making sure we meet all the state standards, reviewing whether we have the right curriculum, do we need to switch something we offer?”

Language arts, for example, is one area that will be changed schoolwide.

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West Seattle Friday: School’s out early; diaper drive; more!

December 17, 2010 9:20 am

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| Holidays | West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Beautiful day so far – clear sky, Olympics, Cascades, and Mount Rainier out in all their splendor. Reminder that school’s out early, one hour for Seattle Public Schools, independent schools vary. Also today/tonight: The Admiral Pub‘s diaper drive (featured on KING 5 – see clip above) goes big with an “ugly sweater” holiday party/poker tournament tonight, 7 pm – bring diapers for WestSide Baby; they’re more than halfway to their goal of 6,000 … Also in the Admiral District, West Seattle-based (and nationally acclaimed) food writer Kim O’Donnel signs her “Meat Lover’s Meatless Cookbook” at Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor), 5-7 pm … In The Junction, it’s Bakery Nouveau‘s holiday open house, 4-6 pm, and wine tasting with Walla Walla’s Corliss Cellars at Bin 41 (WSB sponsor), 5:30-7 pm, plus Howden-Kennedy‘s annual memorial service/community open house, 5:30-8 pm … At the beach, it’s the last Friday night skating session of the year at Alki Community Center, 6:45-8:45 pm (they’re taking Christmas Eve/New Year’s Eve off) … Vaudeville with Matt Baker tonight at Kenyon Hall, 7:30 pm (reservations by e-mail at kenyonhall@earthlink.net ) … Go make your own music, caroling in Delridge! Meet at 7 pm at Greg Davis Park (26th/Brandon) … If you’re shopping for a Christmas tree this weekend, check out our 5th annual West Seattle tree-lot price survey. Have a great day!

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Video: Chief Sealth International High School’s winter concert

December 17, 2010 9:02 am

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

Here’s some music for your morning: Video/photojournalist Cliff DesPeaux produced 16 minutes of highlights from several of the student groups — vocal and instrumental — who rocked the Chief Sealth International High School auditorium during the music program‘s Winter Concert last night.

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