day : 28/04/2011 13 results

Sustainable Tourism on Vashon’s “Park To Park” two-course cycling tour July 31st

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| Announcements

As you make your summer plans, if you’re a cyclist you might want to just walk on to the ferry and head for Vashon’s “Park to Park” cycling tour. This press release just in –

EQUAL PARTS PEDAL AND METTLE: STOV ANNOUNCES 2011 VASHON CYCLING EVENT, “PARK TO PARK”

Sustainable Tourism on Vashon’s “Exercising Our Better Selves” takes shape in a lively two-course cycling tour that winds from park to park on July 31

VASHON, WASH.- April 26, 2011-On Vashon Island, summer brings the promise of fresh air, quaint farm stands and long, winding country roads perfect for bicycling. Long-utilized as a favorite meeting place of regional cycling clubs, Sustainable Tourism on Vashon invites cyclists of all abilities and ages to Vashon for its July 31, 2011 event, Park to Park. This cycling event offers two suggested rides (a choice of 33.7 miles if meeting near the North End ferry dock, or 24.3 miles, meeting at Paradise Ridge Park). Cycling clubs, families and individual cyclists are welcome on these self-paced courses.

The event begins at 8 a.m. and ends at 2 p.m. with routes that course through both Vashon and Maury Islands. Cruise through stunning rural scenery and spectacular water views while enjoying the island’s incredible parks. A light lunch is offered to participants at the finish at Paradise Ridge Park.

Choose your course registration and start location:
1. North End by ferry dock (Vashon – Fauntleroy ferry run)
33.7 miles (does not include bike route back to ferry-8.6 miles)

2. Paradise Ridge Park
24.3 miles (center of Vashon Island)

Register before July 27 and pay advance admission: $20 adults, $12 for children ages 12 and under. Beginning July 27, late registration is $25 and $15, respectively. Register online by credit card at www.parktopark.org, or on island with retailers by cash or check at Essentials 4 (17504 Vashon Hwy. SW); The Little House (17636 100th Avenue SW); or The Vashon Island Coffee Roasterie (19529 Vashon Hwy SW). The tour packet for bicyclists will be available at the registration sites. For ferry information, click here <http://www.wsdot.com/ferries/Schedule/Default.aspx> . Note: King County Metro bus service does not run on the day of the event.

Park to Park is presented by Sustainable Tourism on Vashon (STOV), a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to preserving the beauty and rural nature of our islands, and only promoting culturally and ecologically responsible tourism.

Sponsors of this year’s event include Puget Sound Energy, Sawbones Worldwide, Essentials 4, Institute for Environmental Research and Education, Minglement, The Little House, and The Vashon Island Coffee Roasterie. Find out more about STOV by visiting www.stov.us

For more information contact
Kathleen Fitch
Sustainable Tourism on Vashon (STOV)
stov@centurytel.net 206.463.7706

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Warrant; theft thwarted; car found, but…

Three West Seattle Crime Watch notes tonight: First, a bit of info regarding a big law-enforcement operation spotted on SW Trenton west of 35th this morning. Federal agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration were serving a warrant – as part of an “active and ongoing investigation,” and that’s all we could get anyone to say about it. Thanks to the WSB’ers who asked about it later in the morning; any time you see news, call or text us at 206-293-6302 – we usually have a better chance of getting information if we hear about operations as they happen (many things aren’t on the scanner or online logs). Meantime, two more Crime Watch notes – an “awesome neighbor” thwarts a thief, and a not-so-awesome ending to a car-theft tale – read on:Read More

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West Seattle Weather Watch: So rainy, Shop-Vac became Field-Vac

April 28, 2011 9:37 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle weather | WS & Sports

Did you get caught in the late-afternoon/early-evening downpour? If you did, this scene might not surprise you. J sent the photo as Bar-S Playfield got special attention from West Seattle Little League – with a Shop-Vac! Yes, that’s what’s in the wheelbarrow – click for a closer look. (As you might recall, the wet spring left WSLL beleaguered, so to speak – forcing the cancellation of the traditional pre-season Jamboree.) The weekend’s supposed to be nice(r), though – really!

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West Seattle schools: “Fools” opens Friday at Seattle Lutheran HS

April 28, 2011 9:22 pm

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

The Seattle Lutheran High School gym has been full of Drama in recent weeks – with a capital D – for a good reason: The student production of Neil Simon‘s “Fools” is about to hit the stage. We dropped by while students were getting ready to rehearse late Wednesday; tomorrow night and Sunday afternoon, they hope you will come watch them put on a show. Here’s the synopsis, courtesy of drama teacher Meredith Zandi:

It is 1890, and the little Russian village of Kulyenchikov is plagued by a terrible curse: Everyone in town is stupid! It is up to Leon Tolchinsky, the new schoolteacher from out of town, to come in and break the curse by helping the townspeople to learn, otherwise he may suffer the same fate. This zany comedy, which includes heroic plans, dastardly villains, and of course, true love, teaches us that sometimes knowledge isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be.

Performances are in the SLHS gym at 4100 SW Genesee at 7:30 pm tomorrow (Friday 4/29) and 2:30 pm Sunday (May 1st). Tickets are $5 adults, $2 ages 7-14; 6 and under are free.

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King County: Environmental-impact statement NOT needed for Lowman Beach overflow-control proposal

April 28, 2011 5:44 pm

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| Environment | West Seattle news

(County overview of the proposed Murray project; go here for full-size PDF version)
A new public-comment period has just opened for one of two combined-sewer-overflow (CSO) control proposals in West Seattle – King County says its environmental review of the Murray Pump Station basin proposal for a million-gallon underground tank across from Lowman Beach concluded that an official environmental-impact statement is NOT needed, because the county believes this project will have “no significant environmental impacts.”

Shortly after receiving a news release with the announcement – which you can read in full here – we talked by phone with Annie Kolb-Nelson from the King County Wastewater Treatment Division, which is managing the project. She says the county has not finished its review of the other West Seattle CSO-control proposal, the Barton Pump Station basin plan for raingardens and other “green stormwater infrastructure” in Sunrise Heights and Westwood.

State law is requiring CSO-control projects for both basins, to cut down on their untreated overflows into Puget Sound, which happen when heavy rain maxes out the system and the pump station can’t handle the flow from “combined sewers,” which mix stormwater and sewage.

The documents related to the decision announced today can be read here, or if you’d rather read printed-out copies, the county says those can be found at the West Seattle (Admiral) library branch at 2306 42nd SW.

Today’s announcement opens a new public-comment period that will continue until May 16th. The county is requesting comments be sent by postal mail to:

Wesley Sprague, Supervisor, Community Services and Environmental Planning
King County Wastewater Treatment Division
201 South Jackson Street, MS: KSC-NR-0505
Seattle, WA 98104-3855

Questions about the environmental review can go to Sue Meyer at 206-684-1171 or
sue.meyer@kingcounty.gov; other questions about the Murray CSO project can go to
Doug Marsano at 206-684-1235 or doug.marsano@kingcounty.gov.

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West Seattle towing-company driver’s killer pleads guilty

April 28, 2011 3:23 pm

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| Crime | West Seattle news

(Flowers and a flag on the victim’s truck at the GT yard on Harbor Avenue last fall)
Just found out from the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office that the woman who hit and killed 51-year-old GT Towing driver William “Tony” Padilla pleaded guilty this afternoon. Shavelle Lewis was charged with vehicular homicide and felony hit-and-run for the crash on I-5 last September 24th (the police narrative of what happened is contained in our original report on the charges), and KCPAO spokesperson Dan Donohoe says that’s what she pleaded guilty to (in other words, no plea bargain). She will be sentenced on May 20th, and is facing what Donohoe describes as a range of “41 to 54 months in prison.”

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Drive-thru drop-offs during Drug Takeback Day on Saturday

April 28, 2011 2:47 pm

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| Health | Safety | West Seattle news

If you’re still a little hinky about clearing out your medicine cabinet via National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day dropoff spots this Saturday, maybe this will help: Jodie Underwood from the Drug Enforcement Agency‘s Seattle office says their Admiral Way Viewpoint location will be a drive-through! Right there at the viewpoint on the northeast side of the top-of-Admiral-Way curve, you can drive through – 10 am-2 pm Saturday (April 30) – drop off the meds, drive away. You don’t even have to give them your prescription container (though if you do, you can block out the info with a marker ahead of time) – you can just empty it into their receptacle. Underwood stresses that this is a no-questions-asked event – they just want to get unneeded drugs away from places where they might be a danger or temptation to someone (there are also environmental hazards, since some think it’s OK to flush them or dump them down some other drain). Underwood also tells us the DEA’s Admiral Way site will have a mascot – good ol’ Mr. Yuk. That’s one of two drop-off locations in West Seattle on Saturday; Seattle Police will also have one, same hours, at the Southwest Precinct (Delridge/Webster).

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The speeder-roundup returns, including 54 mph on 35th SW

April 28, 2011 2:22 pm

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| Safety | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

The Aggressive Drivers Response Team‘s latest report just turned up on SPD Blotter, with top speeding tickets mentioned including 54 mph on 35th SW, 58 mph on Admiral Way, 66 mph on the West Seattle Bridge, among other spots. Full list here. (P.S. The speed-camera van also has been spotted on 35th SW today, according to a phone call we received. And no, police do NOT mind if we warn you.)

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Girl Scouts’ donation drive semi-rained-out – till tomorrow!

April 28, 2011 1:42 pm

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| How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Local Brownies’ donation drive yesterday afternoon outside West Side Presbyterian Church – to “stuff the van” for two local charities – ran into a bit of a weather snag (remember the pounding downpour?). Rosina Geary shared the photo and a reminder that they’ll be back tomorrow:

Yesterday our 16 Girl Scouts (Troop #40890) held their STUFF THE VAN event. The girls stood outside for 40 minutes, in the rain. They took turns holding signs. They chanted “Stuff The Van!!” But after 40 minutes, we couldn’t take the rain anymore. So we took the girls inside and cut our event short by 30 minutes.

Hopefully the weather will be nicer to us on Friday. Come by and see us. Even if you don’t have a donation, HONK to support these 2nd Grade Girl Scouts.

WHAT TO DONATE:
Gently used, clean blankets, children’s PJs & children’s DVDs.

WHEN:
4-5p, Friday, April 29th

WHERE:
West Side Presbyterian Church (On California and Spokane). Look for the black EuroVan.

All to benefit critically ill children at Seattle Children’s Hospital and the homeless through Wellspring Family Services.

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Underdog Sports: Welcoming a new West Seattle Blog sponsor

April 28, 2011 11:44 am

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| West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Today we welcome a new sponsor, Underdog Sports Leagues, who would like to ask you three questions.

*Do you spend more time coming up with nicknames for your teammates than coming up with plays to run?

*Does your pre-game preparation consist of remembering where you left your glove and cleats?

*Do you remember half the lines from “Office Space” and “Caddyshack,” but often forget what your team record is?

If you’ve answered yes to any of those questions, and if you’re over 21, Underdog Sports would like to invite you to join them for any of the eight sports they offer in the Seattle area. Whether it’s kickball, dodgeball, volleyball, and/or their brand-new bocce-ball league, Underdog Sports wants you to know that they offer a place to meet people and have some fun. Here in West Seattle, Underdog offers beach-volleyball leagues starting in May at Alki. Choose from a Monday or Wednesday night league and get out in the sand for some fun. The season is six weeks long, with an additional two weeks of playoffs. The format is co-ed four’s with teams rosters up to eight people; games are one hour, and you get three matches in a night, two skill levels to choose from. Signups are online at this link – and you can use this special WSB online coupon for a discount.

In the fall, we bring it inside for some liquid sunshine at West Seattle Bowl, with 6-week bowling leagues filled with theme nights and prizes! Leagues start again in the fall when the leaves start to change.

We thank Underdog Sports Leagues for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news on WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.

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The WSBeat: Towing tiff; grill theft; bus-stop robbery; more…

April 28, 2011 9:49 am

| 8 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle police | WSBeat

By Megan Sheppard
On the WSBeat, for West Seattle Blog

From reports on cases handled recently by Southwest Precinct officers:

*At an apartment in the 2600 block of 42nd SW, tenants must display a parking permit in order to use the rear parking lot. Tuesday morning, a tenant heard a tow truck and saw it preparing to tow his roommate’s car. The tenant ran downstairs, opened the car door, found the permit on the floor and showed it to the driver. But the tow truck driver ignored him. The roommate came down as well, and when she stood in front of the rear tire of her vehicle, she claims the driver deliberately struck her bare foot with a metal crossbar. The car was towed, and the residents have been advised to contact the building’s management company about the incident.

*Someone entered a fenced yard in the 5600 block of 35th SW last week on Wednesday and stole a number of metal parts from a restaurant-quality barbecue grill. The estimated loss is $2,000.

11 more summaries – including more details on a case we’ve been following outside WSBeat, a bus-stop robbery, a potential case of tree poisoning, and more – after the jump:Read More

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West Seattle Thursday: Design review; college $; dine ‘For Life’…

April 28, 2011 8:34 am

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| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(WSB iPhone photo taken Tuesday during a near-sunbreak on Alki)
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

7100 DELRIDGE DESIGN REVIEW: Design Review Board meeting for 7100 Delridge, 6:30 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle, here’s our preview with the graphics/info that board members will review.

DINING OUT FOR LIFE: The citywide restaurant event to raise money for Lifelong AIDS Alliance; four West Seattle restaurants are participating, as reported here on Wednesday. And here’s the full citywide list.

HOW TO PAY FOR COLLEGE WITHOUT GOING BROKE: Information session at Chief Sealth International High School (2600 SW Thistle, map and directions), 7 pm – 8:30 pm. See full details here

MEET THE MIDDLE SCHOOL FACULTY: At 4:30 pm today, faculty for Westside School (WSB sponsor)’s new Middle School are available to meet and talk with parents in the school’s multipurpose room (interested prospective future parents as well as current students’ parents). Participants will include new humanities teacher Glyn Jenkins, new science instructor Sara Harper-Smith (via video conference), math teacher David Preston, athletic director Devin McQuiston, Spanish teacher Veronica Hellar, and Mandarin Chinese teacher Su-Chen Wang. (Bios here.)

SCIENCE FAIR: Tonight, the future scientists of Sanislo Elementary show their work, 6-8 pm.

REMINDER: THE WATER TAXI’S BACK; Just in case you missed yesterday afternoon’s announcement, the county says the West Seattle run is back in service today.

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West Seattle represents x 2 at ‘Best of Seattle Art Walk’ awards

April 28, 2011 7:30 am

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| West Seattle Art Walk | West Seattle news

You’re invited to a free party tonight to celebrate Seattle’s art-walk scene – it’s on Capitol Hill, but it gives you the chance to vote in a contest with two West Seattle-staked artists! It’s the City Arts Magazine quarterly “Best of Seattle Art Walk Awards” event. Unlike most awards events, the awards aren’t predetermined; tonight’s attendees get to choose. At left, Sarah Loertscher is a finalist for her geometric-jewelry showing at Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor), which provided the photo. Also among the six finalists, Carla G, for her paintings shown at Carmilia’s. The party’s at 8 pm at FRED Wildlife Refuge art center, 127 East Boylston (map), and if you’re 21 or older, you can get in free by RSVP’ing to promos@cityartsmagazine.com. The winning artist gets $1,000 and a City Arts profile; the magazine is sponsoring the awards each quarter, with nominations coming from the businesses and galleries participating in a dozen art walks around the city, including West Seattle.