Roxhill Elementary celebrates 4 newly awarded grants
Story and photos by Ellen Cedergreen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
A big celebration at Roxhill Elementary today as it received a total of 4 grants, all from the Seattle Education Foundation, awarded in a dignitaries-laden ceremony that also marked grants for schools elsewhere in the district.
Roxhill teachers applied for and were selected for the grants after they submitted proposals to Seattle Education Foundation’s board. Up to $20,000 in grant money is distributed annually among Seattle Public Schools, whose superintendent Dr. Maria Goodloe-Johnson was among those at Roxhill this morning for the presentation.
Last year, Roxhill was given $1,000 (the foundation’s maximum allowance for a single grant) for audio library books and equipment. This year, they’ll get to expand the impact with grants going to fund a variety of areas including: physical education, kindergarten, and reading intervention.
Today’s ceremony at Roxhill happened during the morning assembly. Students carried out their regular assembly business items; student of the month awards, reminders to be persistent and responsible, school chant, and birthdays. But the end portion of the assembly brought a big surprise in the form of a really big check.
Students got to hear a short and humorous presentation by Roxhill alum and foundation board member, Jim Oftebro, who shared a story from his tenure as a PE teacher at Roxhill. Then Dr. Goodloe-Johnson, and School Board member Steve Sundquist helped present the check along with the general manager at SEF’s Foundation House, Farron Bernhardt. Bernhardt told WSB he’s gratified to see the whole process go full circle, all the way from Foundation House back to the schools. Roxhill students gave big cheers at the prospect of more field trips, PE, and art.
Read on for more about the specific grants, and the Seattle Education Foundation:Read More
West Seattle scene: First Westside Symphony rehearsal of the year
Thanks to Sha’ari from Inner Listening for sharing that photo from tonight’s Westside Symphony rehearsal, during the first West Seattle Community Orchestras sessions of the year. That’s founder Toni Reineke conducting, at top left. Sha’ari says, “Lots of strings but we still need another French horn, trombone, a couple trumpets, another bassoon, two oboes, a bass trombone and a couple celli. No more flutes please – we’ve got a whole cocktail already. It’s fun! Join us next Tues.” The orchestras rehearse on Tuesdays, Chief Sealth International High School – the schedule can be found, with lots more info, on their website.
Ahead this week: Alki Community Council’s future on the line
If you think Alki should have an active Community Council, this is the time to step up. Shared by Larry Carpenter on behalf of the ACC:
What: Alki Community Council Meeting
When: Thursday, January 20, 7:00-8:30 PM
Where: Alki UCC Church Parlor, corner of 62nd Ave & Hinds
Who: ACC Members and Residents of Alki
Agenda: Open Forum on Future Course of the Council
Declines in ACC membership and increasing costs associated with producing a quarterly newsletter and holding monthly meetings have created a dire fiscal situation for the Council. The main agenda item will be a presentation of the current financial situation followed by discussion of possible options:
a. Raise dues to cover expenses or continue as is until treasury is exhausted
b. Discontinue mailing the Beacon but continue to maintain website at reduced cost and distribute minutes electronically
c.. Discontinue monthly ACC meetings, with ACC board continuing to meet monthly/bimonthly and the Council meeting 1/2 times a year for family social event and election of board
d.. Seek merger of ACC with a nearby neighborhood group with similar goals
Please try to make this meeting if you think it’s important that the Council continue to play a role in Alki. A quorum of 15 members is needed to make decisions on the Council’s future.
This will be the ACC’s first meeting in two months. Here’s our report on the previous one.
Steve Bushaw murder trial: Pre-jury-selection week 2 begins
(WSB photos by Christopher Boffoli)>
Today officially marked the start of the second week of murder-trial proceedings in the case of the deadly West Seattle shooting two years ago of Steve Bushaw – though the case hasn’t even gone to jury selection yet, and might not for a while, depending on how things proceed. Previously, two of the four original defendants – the two accused of actually shooting Bushaw along California SW between Alaska and Edmunds late Super Bowl Sunday night in 2009 – pleaded guilty to the reduced charge of second-degree murder. Danny O’Neal entered his plea eight days ago, as proceedings began; John Sylve pleaded guilty last Friday. The other two were in court today – from left, alleged mastermind Bryce Huber and alleged getaway driver Brandon Chaney:
They remain charged with first-degree murder and with conspiracy to commit murder. After a brief session this morning, King County Superior Court Judge Joan DuBuque recessed court until 1:30 this afternoon to review some of the information that had emerged; the afternoon session was even shorter, and she recessed the case until 9 tomorrow morning. While there were many twists in this morning’s open discussion involving lawyers, the prosecutor and Judge DuBuque, the most noteworthy one involved the statement given by Sylve as part of his plea agreement. It was indicated that his statement might conflict with the one that the other confessed triggerman, O’Neal, gave days earlier. And that, the prosecutor said, might change the deal to recommend the low end of the sentencing range for him. We’ll find out what’s next when court resumes tomorrow morning.
Video: Marty Riemer’s first post-announcement podcast
So what REALLY happened to bring Marty Riemer back to The Mountain, 15-plus months after they booted him? This morning, that topic came up while we were visiting Riemer’s West Seattle-basement-based podcast – the guests were past and present co-workers Shawn Stewart (also a West Seattleite) and John Fisher. And as you can hear in our top clip, Riemer offered an assessment you may not have heard before. As we reported Sunday night/Monday morning, he returns to the station on the afternoon shift next Monday, and will continue with his podcast. The station’s made some other tweaks too, involving the music, as you’ll hear in another clip after the jump:Read More
Community meeting set for Camp Long ropes-course plan
Almost a year after first word of a “ropes course” coming to West Seattle’s Camp Long, the plan is advancing, and Seattle Parks has just sent word of a community meeting where you can find out more about it:
Seattle Parks and Recreation is hosting a public meeting for the community to learn about the new ropes course coming to Camp Long; it takes place from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 27 at Camp Long, 5200 35th Ave SW.
Last year, Seattle Parks and Washington State University 4-H entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to bring a ropes challenge course to Camp Long.
Parks’ news release continues after the jump:Read More
King County Councilmember Joe McDermott to chair Health Board
A quick note for anyone interested in keeping track of what issues their political representatives are focused on: West Seattle’s newest King County Councilmember, Joe McDermott, is chairing the county Board of Health. That’s one of the assignments just made public by the King County Council, after its reorganization meeting. McDermott also is on the following committees: Budget and Fiscal Management; Environment and Transportation; Law, Justice, Health and Human Services; and Regional Policy. (All councilmembers also serve on the Committee of the Whole.)
@ Rotary Club of West Seattle, Mike Heavey defends Amanda Knox
(The table was only empty for presentation logistics – all the others were full)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
With that quote from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., longtime West Seattleite Mike Heavey opened his presentation this afternoon to the Rotary Club of West Seattle‘s weekly lunch meeting at Salty’s on Alki. The topic: The much-discussed case of Amanda Knox – “a 20-year-old kid, from the University of Washington, from West Seattle” at the time of her arrest in Italy in 2007, which as you almost certainly have heard led to a murder conviction which is now being appealed (with proceedings continuing next Saturday).
Read More
2 chances to learn more about West Seattle’s avian abundance
That image of brant in West Seattle waters is courtesy of Danny McMillin, who often shares photos of beautiful birds you can see around here almost every day. Though we’ve all seen them and may even be able to identify them by name – how much do we really know about them? An expert is making two presentations in West Seattle today and tomorrow; the first one is less than an hour away, so notice might be short, but there’s plenty of time to arrange to see the second one. The expert is Woody Wheeler of Conservation Catalyst; at 1 this afternoon, he speaks at Merrill Gardens-West Seattle (4611 35th SW; if you want to go, just RSVP to Colleen at 206-932-5480); then tomorrow at 7 am, he’s the featured speaker at the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle‘s next meeting. Here’s the announcement they asked us to share:
Expand your awareness of our connection to nature by learning about the wild birds in our midst. No better way to connect kids and families, neighbors and friends than to appreciate the birds around us. West Seattle is blessed as a stopover for birds flying elsewhere, and is home to many beautiful birds on our beaches and backyards. Come hear Woody Wheeler’s informative, fun, visual presentation of our beloved, sometimes ruffled winged friends. You may even want to take a birding tour to learn more first hand. Kiwanis of West Seattle is 80 years old. Come have breakfast, see Kiwanis in action (and members having fun) at a weekly meeting; and hear this informative presentation. Consider joining Kiwanis to apply your talents in making our community the place you want it to be. Our goal: Helping communities, one child at a time.
The Kiwanis meeting is at 7 am tomorrow (Wednesday), Be’s Restaurant in The Junction (4509 California SW).
Reminder: WB Spokane Street Viaduct closures start tomorrow
It’s been a while since this was announced – but tomorrow’s the first night, so SDOT is out with a reminder today:
Work to widen the Spokane St Viaduct requires closure of the structure’s westbound lanes just west of I-5 for six nights: from 10 p.m. – 5 a.m. this week and next on Wednesday , Thursday and Friday nights – January 19, 20, 21, and 24, 25, 26. During the closures, the bridge weight will be shifted onto a new column; a barrier will be set up on the Harbor Is. ramp; and pavement repair needs will be determined. No work is scheduled and all lanes will be open Saturday and Sunday nights. During this work, southbound I-5 traffic will exit at Forest St to access surface streets. Northbound I-5 traffic and westbound traffic from Columbian Way will be detoured to surface streets at 6th Ave S.
The Spokane Street Viaduct is the section of the West Seattle Bridge between Highway 99 and I-5.
Followup: Shorewood crash truly an accident, investigators believe
(WSB photo looking south toward the crash scene on Saturday afternoon)
The King County Sheriff’s Office has sent an update this morning on last Saturday’s Shorewood truck-pedestrian crash, which shut down 26th SW south of SW 106th (map) for several hours and sent a teenager to Harborview Medical Center:
A 14 year-old boy was seriously injured when struck by a pick-up truck about 12:30 PM on Saturday, January 15th. The accident occurred in the 10800 block of 26th Ave SW, which is in unincorporated King County just south of Seattle.
Investigating detectives believe the boy came running out of a driveway and into the street. He was hit by a 2005 Dodge Ram pick-up driven by a 21 year-old man, who was not able to stop or avoid the boy. The man lives several blocks from the scene of the accident.
Detectives do not believe there were any contributing factors in the accident, such as alcohol or drugs.
10:37 AM UPDATE: According to KCSO spokesperson Sgt. John Urquhart, the boy was reported this morning to be in serious condition. The case isn’t entirely closed, though; he tells WSB, “The case is still under investigation and there have been no arrests or citations issued.”
West Seattle Tuesday: Baseball, sustainability, crime prevention…
(Photo shared by JJ – looking south from Constellation Park, south of Alki Point)
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar: West Seattle Little League‘s first in-person registration of the year was “snowed out” last Tuesday, but the weather looks fine for tonight, West Seattle High School library, 6-8:30 pm, full details at WSLL website …Two major community meetings on the list: Sustainable West Seattle‘s Community Forum (Senior Center of West Seattle, 6:30 pm, preview here), and West Seattle Crime Prevention Council (Southwest Precinct, 7 pm, preview here). … West Seattle Community Orchestras practice tonight at Chief Sealth International High School for the first time in the new year details here … Sanislo Elementary‘s PTA meets at the school tonight, 6:30 pm … Are you the (unpaid) caregiver for a loved one, dealing with stress and relentless demands on your time? A course called “Powerful Tools for Caregivers” will be offered at the Senior Center of WS (California/Oregon), 1-3 pm Tuesdays from today through Feb. 22nd, free; call to register – 206-932-4044.
UPDATE 7:05 pm: The Sustainable West Seattle meeting is moved to Coffee To A Tea, in the Alaska Junction. Happening now! (until 9pm)
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