West Seattle, Washington

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day : 06/04/2011 16 results

West Seattle Crime Watch: Two stolen vehicles, found
April 6, 2011 11:56 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Annemarie e-mailed earlier tonight about her 1983 red Toyota pickup, stolen from in front of the Tug Inn … but before we could even put up the request for you to be on the lookout for it, she says watchful West Seattleites helped find it – read on for that story plus another stolen vehicle, now found:Read More

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Why an Italian TV crew was at West Seattle’s Feedback Lounge
April 6, 2011 10:42 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(Photos by Ellen Cedergreen for WSB)
This week, an infamous chapter of Seattle rock history is being revisited – and late today, West Seattle’s Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) had a share of the spotlight. Italian journalist Ezio Guaitamacchi brought a camera crew for his interview with Gene Stout, whose career as a Seattle music critic included the ’90s heyday of grunge – including covering Nirvana, whose frontman Kurt Cobain killed himself 17 years ago this week. Stout is friends with Feedback proprietor Jeff Gilbert, so between that and the rock ‘n’ roll atmosphere – memorabilia and all – at the Feedback, it was the logical choice for the interview, covered by Ellen Cedergreen for WSB.

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Video: Skating has returned to Southgate Roller Rink!
April 6, 2011 10:07 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | White Center | WS & Sports

As we’ve been reporting, tomorrow night is grand-opening night for the renovated Southgate Roller Rink in White Center – but tonight, some lucky skaters got a test run, and Deanie Schwarz – who was first to report the renovation plan back in February – was there for WSB and partner site White Center Now. Here’s a clip for starters; more coverage to come.

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Collection success! Kiwanis food drive; Fauntleroy Church recycling
April 6, 2011 8:11 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | Fauntleroy | How to help | Kiwanis Club of West Seattle | West Seattle news

Two followups tonight on weekend collection efforts in West Seattle that both proved highly successful:

(WSB photo from Saturday)
On Saturday, we reported on the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle food drive “as it happened.” It was part of the global volunteer-action Kiwanis ONE Day. Tonight, the Kiwanians report that they collected more than 7,000 pounds of food and almost $1,000 in cash at five West Seattle grocery stores Saturday – all going to the West Seattle Food Bank (and remember, this is the time of year when food-bank donations count extra). The club says, “Special thanks goes out to all the members of the community who generously donated to support this worthy cause.” They’re also glad to have had Key Club members join them (note the teens in our photo). West Seattle Kiwanis also wants to remind you that they meet 1st, 3rd, 4th Wednesdays for breakfast, 7 am, and lunch (noon) on the 3rd Wednesday at Be’s Restaurant in The Junction (4509 California SW)

Another event we covered “as it happened” – on Sunday, the Fauntleroy Church Green Committee invited the community to another Recycle Roundup:

(WSB photo from Sunday)
Judy Pickens reports that 1 Green Planet filled its trucks with “an estimated 12 to 14 tons of just about everything for free recycling.” The church did accept donations from anyone interested in showing their appreciation – and took in almost $1,000. She says the company’s crew chief Michael Szanyi told them that the “strong support has made Fauntleroy Church one of 1 Green Planet’s favorite places to go!”

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West Seattle Weather Watch: Snow? In April?
April 6, 2011 6:40 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

No, we’re not saying that was snow that fell in the past hour – it was sleet/hail/graupel/whatever you think best describes what came down (thanks to Shelley for the photo!) – but that word is actually in tonight’s forecast, as a wild weather system moves through:

Tonight…showers likely and a chance of thunderstorms this evening… then mostly cloudy with a chance of showers after midnight. Some showers may produce small hail or light snow.

Perhaps even more notable than whatever falls from the sky – it’s cold! Lows in the 30s. But sun predicted for Friday!

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Conner’s Junction project proceeding after neighborhood deal
April 6, 2011 3:32 pm
|      40 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

(Sketch of California-facing view from latest version of Conner project in The Junction)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Since nothing’s happened publicly with the Conner Homes two-building development proposal in the heart of The Junction for two years, you might have thought that, like other once-active local projects, it’s stalled indefinitely.

Not so, we learned when its “alley vacation” component – asking to take over city right-of-way under part of an existing alley, so its two buildings can share one parking garage – suddenly appeared on last week’s City Council agenda.

As a result of that quick vote (reported here), the “alley vacation” will get a public hearing before the council’s Transportation Committee three weeks from today. (Here’s the official notice.)

The project’s potential effects on the alley that runs south from SW Alaska between 42nd and California once drew opposition vehement enough that a petition drive was started (here’s our report from July 2008). And concerns still lingered when the project finished going through Design Review two years ago.

But you won’t see key opponents speaking against it at the April 26th public hearing. In fact, some of them have signed an agreement not to. The agreement ended a process that has played out over a year and a half outside the public spotlight, addressing concerns that participants had voiced about the project. If you want to cut to the chase – this document is the result of that process, and will be presented to the Council this month; it includes changes in the “public benefits” that are considered crucial for allowing a development to take over public right of way. It also includes the text of the agreement signed with the seven participants in the mediated community discussions.

Ahead, a more detailed look, including project backstory as well as comments from Conner Homes’ Charlie Conner, who spoke with WSB a few days ago:

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Southgate Roller Rink opens tomorrow: Latest look inside
April 6, 2011 2:10 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | White Center | WS & Sports

(Photo by Deanie Schwarz for WSB/WCN)
In case you haven’t seen it yet on our partner site White Center Now – WSB/WCN contributor Deanie Schwarz has checked back inside Southgate Roller Rink as it gets ready to open to the public tomorrow night. Here’s the story, with more photos. The rink officially opens at 8:30 tomorrow night for an adult (18+) session; here’s the full schedule.

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West Seattle Triangle planning: Phase 2 about to launch
April 6, 2011 12:50 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Triangle planning: Phase 2 about to launch
 |   Development | Triangle | West Seattle news

The city has just announced Phase 2 in its planning process for The Triangle’s future, with a “focus on providing an urban design framework to identify the future neighborhood character of this area” – which would include, among other potential flashpoints, how tall the area’s buildings might eventually be. The city’s inviting the Triangle Advisory Group from Phase I to a round of two meetings – also open to the public – starting with one at 6 pm April 14th at the Senior Center of West Seattle. Advance material for that meeting isn’t on the city website yet, but here’s the introductory document (PDF) that senior planner Susan McLain sent around with the announcement.

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West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day: Registration update
April 6, 2011 12:29 pm
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 |   Community Garage Sale Day | West Seattle news

garagesaledaysmalllog5.jpgJust about 48 hours after registration opened for West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day 2011, signups are running ahead of last year – 38 as of this writing! In case you missed the original announcement on Monday afternoon, this is a reminder as much as an update. If this is your first spring in West Seattle – WSCGSD, now in its seventh year (fourth one presented/coordinated by WSB), isn’t one big sale, but hundreds (more than 200 in 2010!) all over the peninsula, from single-home/apartment sales, to block sales, to school or nonprofit or business sales, and we already have one group site if you just need someplace to put up a table (Hotwire Online Coffeehouse [WSB sponsor] – contact Lora at info@hotwirecoffee.com to save your space).

The date is Saturday, May 14, 2011 – the time, 9 am-3 pm – the sale map will be available at least a week in advance. If you would like to be part of this fun selling/shopping day by having your own sale, the registration form is here. SIDE NOTE: There’s a Facebook page for WSCGSD (go here) – and we also hope you’ve “liked” the new WSB FB page (moved from a “profile” which capped the number of friends, while a “page” has no limit) – find it here.

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Encore across from Lafayette: Protesters return; police called
April 6, 2011 10:45 am
|      71 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

10:45 AM: Six days after a loud protest outside the Admiral Safeway construction site, the protesters are back, and Lafayette Elementary staffers across the street say the noise is “unbearable” – so they have called the police again. The protesters again carry signs saying they are from the Regional Carpenters’ Council, targeting Marquise Drywall for allegedly not paying the “area standard.” Last time they agreed to stop using drums as they marched; this morning, so far, no such deal. Here’s our coverage from last week; again, the school says they’re not opposed to protesting, but wishing for some consideration for their students and staff.

12:06 PM: Substituted video for the original cameraphone photo atop this story. You can’t hear drums in our clip but they were being used along with whistles and megaphones before our photographer crossed the street; school staff and parents in the office told us the protesters quieted down every time police showed up, then ramped it up again as soon as officers left.

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West Seattle winners! Chamber’s annual awards @ Salty’s
April 6, 2011 9:04 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

(New photos added 10:12 am. Above, the Chamber says more than 125 attended)
With the sun making a cameo appearance outside the waterfront windows, the banquet level of Salty’s on Alki hosted an energetic gathering this morning – the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce‘s annual awards breakfast. Salty’s also happened to be the winner of “Business of the Year”:

(Cindy Smith and Bonnie David from Salty’s)
Greg Whittaker of Mountain to Sound Outfitters accepted “Emerging Business,” a new award category:

(Mountain to Sound Outfitters crew, with owner Greg Whittaker back row, left)
The West Seattle Farmers’ Market was the nonprofit honoree; and Rick Jump of the White Center Food Bank drew a standing ovation as he received the “Westsider of the Year” award:

Jump spoke briefly, and emotionally, saying he sees “the face of hunger” daily, and that’s what keeps him going:

The chamber has much to celebrate, noted board chair Dave Montoure of West 5 as he opened the event – new membership, he said, is up 200 percent.

Keynote speaker for the morning was Jordan Royer, a maritime-industry executive who ran for City Council two years ago and had harsh words for Mayor Mike McGinn without ever saying his name – criticizing what he sees as a “stupid strategy to force gridlock as transportation policy,” alleging a deliberate effort to force people out of cars, which Royer contended will be around for a long time to come – just not using fossil fuels. (Added above, video of all but the first couple lines of his speech.) He also urged the WS Chamber to lead the way in advocacy; and he expressed economic optimism. His father, former mayor Charles Royer, was at the event, as well as King County Executive Dow Constantine, County Councilmember Joe McDermott, and City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen:

(From left, Rasmussen, Constantine, Harbor Properties‘ Denny Onslow, Charles Royer, McDermott)
More to come.

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West Seattle Wednesday: Chamber awards; SW District Council…
April 6, 2011 7:01 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by Danny McMillin)
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

WESTSIDE AWARDS: The West Seattle Chamber of Commerce‘s annual awards breakfast starts at 7:30 am, Salty’s on Alki (here’s the original announcement of the winners).

SOUTHWEST DISTRICT COUNCIL: Monthly meeting at South Seattle Community College board room, 7 pm, guests include city Info Tech rep and Council President Richard Conlin.

‘GREEN STORMWATER INFRASTRUCTURE’ MEETING: Community meeting to update King County’s “green stormwater infrastructure” proposal for Combined Sewer Overflow control in the Barton Pump Station’s basin, Westside School (WSB sponsor), 6:30 pm (details in this preview).

RESTAURANT BENEFIT FOR JAPAN RELIEF: Red White Unite restaurant fundraiser for Japan includes Spring Hill and Pagliacci participating (metro area-wide list here)

HORSESHOES: The Brickyard BBQ is hosting a horseshoe league. Play begins tonight at 6 pm. Sign-up at the Brickyard or call to reserve a spot. Teams consist of two players and play two matches a night.

NEW – SPANISH-PRACTICE GROUP! Quiere practicar hablar en espanol? New regular group for Spanish practice in West Seattle. La idea es 1-1.5 horas completamente en espanol. All skill levels are welcome, but ideally you should be able to make yourself understood in Spanish, even if your vocabulary is poor. At C & P Coffee (WSB sponsor), 5612 California Avenue SW. We will meet for 1.5 hours, from 6:30-8 pm. Ability Level: Conversational Spanish to fluent, some English words OK. If you have questions, concerns, or want to RSVP, e-mail Jen at jenifer.mcintyre@gmail.com.

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Preparedness Month, 5th report: ‘Drop, Cover, Hold,’ and then…
April 6, 2011 2:31 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Preparedness | Safety | West Seattle news

If an earthquake hit now, what would you do? If you replied “Run for a doorway” – sorry, wrong. The advice these days is “Drop, Cover, Hold.” As our nightly Disaster Preparedness Month spotlights continue, with a focus on quake preparedness/survival – there’s a little more to “Drop, Cover, Hold” than those three steps. We’ve found a few videos that have extra information that can increase the chances “Drop, Cover, Hold” – or as some put it, “Drop, Cover, Hold On” – will save you. They’re right after the jump:Read More

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Ruby Room Glammin’ Up West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day
April 6, 2011 12:53 am
|    Comments Off on Ruby Room Glammin’ Up West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day
 |   Announcements

Exciting news for women of all ages in West Seattle – The Ruby Room is holding a $10 gown sale.

The Ruby Room’s Dresses for Divas (D4D) Sale, as part of the “West Seattle Garage Sale” event is back and this time we’re glammin’ up West Seattle. We’ve done Pioneer Square, Ballard, even Bellevue – now we’re ready to take on California Avenue! And we’ve gathered an amazing selection of gently-used gowns in all sizes and styles for only $10!

Saturday, May 14
9 am – 3 pm
Cherry Consignment (4142 California Ave) 

What is the D4D sale?
– We get tons of gowns through donations from individuals and businesses.
– Some are too mature or too casual for the prom, so we’re selling them to help raise funds for the Ruby Room. Some gowns have designer labels, some are sought-after vintage, and all will make you feel like a million bucks for practically no money. 
– All gowns are only $10! Cash or checks only please. Craving a new LBD (little black dress), but you’re underemployed? Even if you’re on a tight budget you still wanna feel like a diva. And even better: All money raised goes to support high school girls whose families can barely pay the bills, let alone buy them a new prom dress.

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Video: West Seattle Rotary celebrates ‘Partners for Work’
April 6, 2011 12:49 am
|    Comments Off on Video: West Seattle Rotary celebrates ‘Partners for Work’
 |   Rotary Club of West Seattle | West Seattle news

The Rotary Club of West Seattle‘s weekly Tuesday lunch meeting at Salty’s on Alki drew about double the usual crowd as Rotarians celebrated the “Partners for Work” service program, which helps developmentally disabled people prepare for and secure employment. It’s not just a West Seattle Rotary program – it’s implemented throughout their regional District (5030), so those who were on hand included visitors from all around King County. And county government was represented too; as seen in our video clip (along with remarks from areawide Rotary leaders), County Executive Dow Constantine – a longtime WS Rotary member – received an award for his support of similar employment programs. A bit of the current political climate sparked in his brief speech; you’ll hear him criticize proposed state cuts that would mean less support for people with developmental disabilities. So far, the Rotary program has created 13 jobs – in a group that they say has up to 80 percent unemployment – but even more important, it was noted, “We have educated hundreds about the dignity of work.” They have set a goal of creating 20 jobs districtwide per year. You can find out more about Partners for Work here.

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SSCC student art exhibit open house for “Identity Characteristics Explored”
April 6, 2011 12:08 am
|    Comments Off on SSCC student art exhibit open house for “Identity Characteristics Explored”
 |   Announcements

We’ve received a press release from our friends at South Seattle Community College.

Exhibit showcases student interpretations on the nature of the self

April 4 – May 6,  2011
Opening Reception – Tuesday April 12, 2011 – 12 to 1:30 pm

South Seattle Community College Art Gallery
Jerry Brockey Student Center (6000 16th Avenue SW)

The concept of  IDENTITY is made visual through a broad range of interpretations by South Seattle Community College art students through portraits, personals interests, affinity to historical trends, object as object, geographic location, pets, food, and multiple treatments of different subjects. Student artists have created work embodying the unique characteristics of personhood, recognition, identification, their interpretation of the essential character of IDENTITY.

Please join us for an opening reception for the artists and community from 12-1:30 pm on Tuesday, April 12.

Admission is always free and open to the public. Click here for gallery hours and information about future exhibits . For more information contact:

Contact:          Tracy Cilona
Phone:             (206) 934 – 5337
Email:               tracy.cilona@seattlecolleges.edu
Website:          http://studentlife.southseattle.edu/art.html

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