West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
If you weren’t among the 200 or so people in the Chief Sealth International High School auditorium Saturday night, you missed something truly breathtaking in the three-hour, multi-act “Soul Jambalaya” event, a celebration of African-American history (musical and otherwise) to benefit Denny International Middle School musicians. We were there from start to finish, recording video so you can enjoy (or re-enjoy) highlights. Our top clip is the show-opener, the entire Denny-student-performed “The Stolen Ones and How They Were Missed” by Marcia Tate Arunga, explained in this story by Jack Broom from the Seattle Times (WSB partner). From Denny principal Jeff Clark‘s morning-after note today:
I was so proud of the students who performed the scene from our play based on the book, The Stolen Ones and How They Were Missed by Marcia Tate Arunga. Ms. Tate Arunga — and the many talented artists she brought with her — did a beautiful job working with our students and community; we are very grateful for their time and many talents. Thank you also to Ms. Patricia Rangel, who coordinated all the details of this play so effectively.
Under the direction of Denny music-program leader Marcus Pimpleton, who put together “Soul Jambalaya,” the Denny Jazz Band wowed the crowd too:
Pimpleton also leads the band program at Sealth, whose Jazz Band 2 was featured as well – here’s one of their numbers (with soloists identified at the end of the clip):
Sealth’s drummer guested with Septimus, a veteran Seattle group that was among the non-student acts on the bill:
Septimus was in reggae mode for that song, though they also played some blues; a pure reggae performer was on the program, too, even more reggae from Jamaican native Clinton Fearon:
And there were two stage-shaking, crowd-rousing gospel performances, too – including Seattle’s own Total Experience Gospel Choir, led by Pastor Pat Wright:
The brothers-and-sisters group Oliver Generations of Faith brought their own style to the Sealth stage:
While Marcus Pimpleton joked to the audience toward show’s end, “You got $10,000 worth of music,” admission was free, and voluntary donations were collected for Denny musicians’ upcoming California travel. (You can still donate – here’s where to send a check.) Two more acknowledgments from principal Clark’s post-show note:
I would like to express my sincere thanks to everyone who came last night to support the students at Denny and Sealth at our Soul Jambalaya event. The event was a huge success! …
This whole event was the creation of Mr. Marcus Pimpleton, who, as he always does, did a phenomenal job pulling together such a fantastic event. Mr. Pimpleton has a team of volunteers who help with set up, backstage, and with countless other things–thank you, volunteers. Last night, Mr. Pimpleton said, “This is what being an International School is all about.” I absolutely agree. Thank you, Mr. Pimpleton, for all that you do for our children, our school, and our community!
Story and photos by Karen Berge
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Though the city budget cuts to Alki Community Center threatened the Alki Art Fair‘s future, as previously reported here, it’s expected now to continue – with volunteer power (and that means you!).
That’s one of the biggest items discussed this past Thursday night at the monthly meeting of the Alki Community Council. City Council President Richard Conlin was there too – his first of two West Seattle visits in a three-day span – as were Southwest Precinct police leaders, who discussed crime trends as well as police-staffing plans for Alki this summer. Read on for details:Read More
In case you’re not off tomorrow and forget it’s a holiday (Presidents Day) – there are some changes. 
Metro will be on reduced weekday service; the King County Water Taxi and its shuttles won’t be running at all (West Seattle OR Vashon); most government offices/facilities are closed, as are most (if not all) banks. Most state liquor stores, however, are open. If you’re going someplace in the city with metered street parking, tomorrow it’s free. Schools are closed (many, including all Seattle Public Schools, have the whole week off). But if you have Monday trash/recycling/yard waste (etc.) pickup, Seattle Public Utilities says everything is normal tomorrow (no changes for Sound Transit or state ferries, either).
Weary of wandering in the sunshine? Duck into the Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) and put in a bid on rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia – as the live “Vinyl Countdown 3” auction continues till 5 pm. It’s a benefit for the Animal Aid and Rescue Foundation, and The Feedback’s website promises “a plethora of vintage vinyl, rock memorabilia, posters, shirts, 45s, and more!” 6451 California SW, in Morgan Junction. (P.S. If you didn’t, or can’t, make it to the auction, there’s another way to help – here’s the latest list of critters that AARF is trying to find “forever homes” for.)
If you see or suspect anything suspicious, call 911. You’ve heard that from local police leaders time and time again. Yet there’s still confusion about when to call, or even concern if it sounds like the 911 dispatcher isn’t taking you seriously. So here’s another chance to hear from the experts – and ask your questions – at Tuesday night’s West Seattle Blockwatch Captains Network meeting (note, EVERYONE is welcome):
When should I call 9-1-1? What should I say? Can I text 9-1-1? What do I do if they don’t take me seriously? What happens after I hang up? Should I call even if I think someone else has already called?
The February meeting of the West Seattle Blockwatch Captains’ Network will focus on the 9-1-1 system. Our guest speaker will be Kayreen Lum from King County 9-1-1. She will cover 9-1-1 basics, how to use it effectively, explain how the information is processed through the system and discuss future technologies. Our own CPT Officer, Jonathan Kiehn, will also be there to add his perspective and field questions about what the police do with information from a 9-1-1 call.
We invite everyone throughout the SW Precinct (even if you aren’t a Blockwatch Captain) to attend and improve your skills!
Tuesday, February 22, 2011, 6:30-8 PM
SW Police Precinct, 2300 SW Webster Street (at Delridge, next to Home Depot)
Find out more about WSBWCN at its website and/or on Facebook.
Late Friday night, capping a busy week of new-and-moving-business news, we reported that The Sneakery, a Ballard shoe store, is expanding to West Seattle, in the space at 4736 California SW that was long home to Liberty Bell Printing (which moved to a storefront-less location two months ago). We also sent an inquiry to the store’s owner, hoping to get some timetable information, and just heard back. Owner Drea tells WSB “… the space is going to take a lot of work to get up and running. Look for us to open sometime in May. We will be offering old-school sneakers from Saucony Originals, Adidas, Puma, PF Flyers and more. Plus, we will have an extensive sock selection. We are pleased as punch to be serving the people of West Seattle!”
Recognize any of that? It turned up night before last on Cheryl’s parking strip – left there while she was away for just a few hours. It appears to be the interior of a Honda. That’s one of three West Seattle Crime Watch reports out of the WSB inbox … this next one is from Howard:
Just wanted to let you guys know that sometime (Friday) night, our Nissan Xterra’s back window was smashed. It looks like it was a random act of vandalism because nothing was stolen, they didn’t even to attempt to open up any doors. The car was parked on the street in front of my house at 29th Ave SW and Cloverdale.
And from Adam via Twitter:
Bike theft, Hanford between 44th/45th this afternoon. Left my garage door open; when I came home around 6, my white Raleigh road bike was gone. … white Raleigh Record Ace with black custom fenders, head- and taillight.
Side note: Do you have a Block Watch? One last time before Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Benjamin Kinlow retires, he’s leading a blockwatch-captain training event that’s being organized by the West Seattle Blockwatch Captains’ Network. It’ll be on March 7; full details here.
Clicking “play” will get you to a sampling of music for West Seattle native Trevor Ras, who plays Skylark Café and Club (WSB sponsor) tonight for his CD release party. 8 pm, $7 cover. (The new album – his second – is “Blue Sky,” and is on sale at West Seattle’s own Easy Street Records, by the way.) … This afternoon, it’s the annual rock ‘n’ roll live auction at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), “Vinyl Countdown,” raising money for animal advocates, 2-5 pm (more info on The Feedback’s home page) … Want to help animals by giving a cat a new home? There’s an adoptathon noon-3 pm at Next to Nature in The Junction (4543 California SW) … Also in The Junction, a new farmer (with fresh goat and cow milk) and live music today at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market, 10 am-2 pm, plus the West Seattle Tool Library with a sewing demonstration, as previewed here, and the final performance of “Emilie” at ArtsWest, 3 pm (tickets available online. … A 2 pm matinee closes out this weekend’s run of “The New New News” at South Seattle Community College‘s Olympic Hall (details here) … More on the calendar!
Madison Middle School teacher Clark Bathum shares news of a big achievement by one of his students: 12-year-old Lauren Estep, a seventh-grade violist, represented Madison by playing with the All-Northwest Junior Orchestra at the National Association for Music Education’s Northwest Division Conference in Bellevue this weekend. He shared this story with quotes from the young musician and her mom before the big event:
“This is a good moment for Lauren as a viola player,” says Alison Estep, Lauren’s mother. “I think she’s really going to enjoy playing with gung-ho instrumentalists coming from all over. It’s exciting for her. I really credit Lauren’s private teacher Laura Martin and her Madison orchestra teacher Mr. Bathum for supporting her completely and making this happen. She’s fortunate to be growing up as a musician with such devoted, kind, and talented teachers in her life. Sure, it’s been a lot of work for her to prepare for the audition and learn all the music but my hunch is she’ll get there and think it’s all been incredibly worthwhile.”
“I’m really excited. I’ve been counting the days,” says Lauren. “I feel kind of honored and it’s taken a lot of practicing to get ready for it because there’s so much music. Mr. Bathum and Mike Watson have really helped me. They’re the reason I got into this. Hopefully some other kids will try and have the opportunity next year at Madison.”
The All-Northwest Junior Orchestra is made up of top middle-school musicians from Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming. This is a major honor for Madison. The orchestra is a very tight group and the other orchestra students here are really proud of Lauren’s accomplishment.
We have a lot of talented and hard working musicians in the Madison music program. Hopefully Lauren’s success will help show others in the band and orchestra program to realize that they are on par with the best young musicians around. Congratulations, Lauren.
One more round of views of the incredible sun, wind and waves from Saturday – First, from David Rosen of SlickPix Photography, up, up, and away over the surf! A shoreside view of something similar, from Kenna of Kenna Klosterman Photography:
Next, Craig Young caught sea-sprayed kids on the Alki boardwalk …
… and Cheryl from Cnellis Photography found people running from/through the megawaves:
And the waves left behind quite the cleanup job, as David Hutchinson documented:
Hope nobody spent much time cleaning it all up Saturday afternoon/evening, since 6 am today brings an even-higher tide than yesterday … 12.9 feet. (Minus the north wind, though.)
ADDED: Fritz Rud‘s photo of the waves at sunset along Alki – hadn’t quite calmed down yet!
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