Results are in, via SPD Blotter, from the bus-lane crackdown mentioned on Twitter on Friday (here and here), though it is reported as a two-day effort. Read on for the details (headline – 51 lane violations) plus another crackdown on Highland Park Way:Read More

Traffic update: Eastbound crash on the bridge now cleared

June 11, 2011 6:39 pm

| 15 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:39 PM: A crash that involves several cars is backing up traffic on the bridge. It’s reported on the Spokane St. Viaduct near the 4th Ave exit and one tipster says traffic is being detoured at 1st.

7:46 PM UPDATE: Multiple commenters say the scene is cleared, and the bridge cams seem to bear that out. (Thanks to everyone who e-mailed and texted about this.)

Share This

West Seattle family asks for help finding runaway teenager

June 11, 2011 4:33 pm

| 25 COMMENTS

| How to help | West Seattle news

A local family is hoping you can help find their runaway son – even though that may mean he gets arrested. We talked with the mom of 16-year-old Brody Webster. He ran away more than two weeks ago, and they reported it to police shortly afterward; his mom explains he has a history of running away, but this time, they are more worried than ever about his safety, who he’s with, what he’s up to, and have decided to put up posters and ask widely for help in finding him. He has an arrest warrant, she explains, because he violated terms of a “Youth At Risk” petition (explained here); she says they just want to get him the help he needs. As you can see on the full poster his family is distributing, they ask that you call 911 if you see Brody or know where he might be. He is 5’6″, 110 pounds, brown-haired and blue-eyed, and a West Seattle High School student.

Share This

Return to Delridge: 2 councilmembers from ‘problem properties’ tour return for ‘improvements’ tour

June 11, 2011 4:13 pm

| Comments Off on Return to Delridge: 2 councilmembers from ‘problem properties’ tour return for ‘improvements’ tour

| Delridge | West Seattle news

More than two years ago, City Councilmembers Sally Clark and Tim Burgess were part of a city delegation joining Delridge activists on a “problem properties” tour. Today, they and fellow councilmember Tom Rasmussen followed a different Delridge trail, as neighborhood advocates led an “improvements” tour. Above, we photographed the group (with North Delridge Neighborhood Council‘s outreach chair Holli Margell speaking) not far from the under-construction Delridge Skatepark. From there, they headed toward the Community Center – you can see the two-year-old community-built (with help from KaBOOM!) playground off to the left:

On the other side of the community center, they stopped by the newly resurfaced Delridge Playfield, updated with money from the Parks and Green Spaces Levy the council had backed (Rasmussen chaired the Parks Committee at the time; Delridge advocate Pete Spalding, also on today’s tour, now chairs the levy’s Oversight Committee):

We had to leave the tour after that, but their full planned itinerary was detailed here; Want to get involved with helping Delridge improvements continue? The NDNC’s next meeting is just two days away – this Monday night, 6:30 pm, at Delridge Library (Delridge/Brandon). Then on Wednesday, the Delridge District Council meets at 7 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW), following an hourlong “Strategic Delridge” discussion at 6.

ADDED SUNDAY NIGHT: Amanda Leonard from NDNC has posted a thorough report on the tour, its stops, and their backstory, here – it’s a don’t-miss!

Share This

West Seattle weekend scenes: Saturday at the supermarkets

June 11, 2011 2:48 pm

| Comments Off on West Seattle weekend scenes: Saturday at the supermarkets

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Two West Seattle supermarkets with outdoor events this afternoon: Above, Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor) is celebrating its 40th anniversary with special offerings all month, and today the Admiral store had a Cupcake Royale cupcake-sprinkling party. Checking it out while we were there, that’s Kent Sadow from Admiral toys/candy/retro store Max and Quinn’s Atomic Boys Shop-O-Rama, and the shop’s co-namesake, son Quinn. What else is on the MM anniversary calendar? Check out the Admiral schedule here.

Meantime, on to Morgan Junction:

West Seattle Thriftway is well into benefit-barbecue season, and Michele was grilling and grinning today as the store raised money for Pencil Me In For Kids. Miss today’s benefit-b-q? No worries, they’re doing it again (also for PMIFK, which helps students who need school supplies) NEXT Saturday, 11 am.

Share This

The WSBeat: Alleged prowler punched; cranky caller; road rage…

June 11, 2011 1:47 pm

| 8 COMMENTS

| Crime | 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:

*The victim of a car prowl took matters into his own hands around 1 a.m. last Saturday, when he came outside (in the 2300 block of Barton Pl.) and punched a man who he said was breaking into his car. When officers arrived, the 55-year-old suspect (who lives in the neighborhood) was on the ground, bleeding from a cut near his eye. He was taken to Harborview for treatment and then booked into King County Jail for investigation of theft.

*A man using the business phone at a Junction grocery became loud and belligerent. When the manager told the man to hang up, he was threatened and shoved. A nearby witness happened to be a police officer, who held the intoxicated suspect down until uniformed officers arrived. The suspect, a Beacon Hill resident, was booked into jail for investigation of assault.

Six more summaries, plus new details on an incident recently covered in WSB Crime Watch, ahead:Read More

Share This

Video: Seattle firefighters face off at ‘Battle of the Bravest’

June 11, 2011 12:41 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| Safety | West Seattle news

Some fire calls seem relatively simple: Food on the stove, out before engines arrive. But when the alarm goes off, firefighters don’t know what they’ll face, and they have to be ready for the worst – ready to push themselves to the max, racing up stairs, lifting heavy equipment, wielding tools to break through roofs or walls or windows or cars to get to victims and/or fire sources – and rescuing people. Some of those particularly demanding skills were showcased in a competition this morning at the city’s Joint Training Facility, on the southeastern edge of West Seattle (9401 Myers Way). Our clip shows one competition sequence from the first-ever “Battle of the Bravest: Seattle Firefighters Intramural Combat Relay Challenge” was a team relay, with proceeds going to Seattle’s Bravest Charity. The Seattle Fire Department communications team says SBC “benefits victims of fires, helps elderly residents through a Home Rescue Program, and donates bike helmets to children in need.” (They promise to let us know who won, so we’ll add that when we get word!)

12:54 PM: Just got word from SFD spokesperson Kyle Moore that the team from Station 32 in The Junction won! (Their time was 1:45, beating Station 33 by six seconds, and Moore says the six teams collectively raised $3,088 for SBC.)

3:12 PM: A photo of the winning Station 32 team, courtesy of SFD:

In the photo: Dean Ronhar, Jake Bange, Tom Hofland. Congratulations!

Share This

West Seattle Relay for Life 2011, report #2: The last laps

June 11, 2011 11:36 am

| Comments Off on West Seattle Relay for Life 2011, report #2: The last laps

| Health | How to help | West Seattle news

When you’ve been going all night – it takes a final push to make it through those final hours. At West Seattle Stadium this morning, a team captain blew bubbles to keep spirits high as the 2011 West Seattle Relay for Life reached its final hour. On the other side of the field, a throwing game had takers:

And special visitors drew attention – Ladder 11 (off-camera, its stationmate from Station 32 in The Junction, Engine 32, was on hand as well):

As we reported last night, organizers say this year’s Relay was bigger than ever – we’ll check in the days ahead for final fundraising totals. At the heart of it all, the fight against cancer – on a large scale, and on a very personal scale, as West Seattle survivor Wendy Weeks told participants just before the Survivor’s Lap launched the event last night:

She has been undergoing treatment for breast cancer for 10 months but is a longtime Relay for Life participant; she said that last year, as she walked past the luminarias lit after dark on Relay night, she could never have imagined that this year, her name would be on one of the bags.

Share This

West Seattle Saturday: Fundraisers, celebrations, and more!

June 11, 2011 7:56 am

| Comments Off on West Seattle Saturday: Fundraisers, celebrations, and more!

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo added 9:45 am, from the tornado-survivors-fundraiser yard sale at 4726 50th SW)
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

TRANSPORTATION/TRANSIT NOTES: Alaskan Way Viaduct closed … Sound Transit service changes now in effect, including cutbacks on Route 560 from West Seattle to Sea-Tac (as previously reported here)

RELAY FOR LIFE: The overnight cancer-fighting fundraiser (co-sponsored by WSB this year) has been under way since 6:30 Friday night at West Seattle Stadium and concludes with closing ceremonies at 10 this morning.

BENEFIT YARD SALE #1: 8 am-5 pm, 4749 51st Place SW, benefiting the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation, details in this WSB Forums post.

BENEFIT YARD SALE #2: West Seattle neighborhood yard sale to help victims of Joplin, MO tornado, hosted by neighbors of a family with Joplin ties (and who have visited to help their relatives cope with the aftermath). 9 am-3 pm today, 4726 50th SW (and they say thanks for a mountain of donated items!).

SEACREST GARDEN WORK PARTY: Seacrest Garden Work Party – Help is needed to maintain the beautiful native plant garden on the shore of Elliott Bay! Weeds need to be pulled and mulch needs to be spread. All tools and gloves will be provided, plus some snacks and beverages to keep you fueled up! Meet at Seacrest Park (1660 Harbor SW), 9 am – 12 noon

BARTON STREET P-PATCH WORK PARTY: Starts 9:30 am (details here), 34th/Barton.

‘ONE LAST LOOK’ AT DENNY MIDDLE SCHOOL: Demolition is scheduled this summer, since Denny’s new building is ready. Today, take “one last look” between 10 am and noon (details here), 8402 30th SW.

GOVERNMENT PROCESS TRAINING WORKSHOP: Don’t know how to use the government process? Want to know how you can make a difference? Come to a free training program. 10 am – 1 pm at Neighborhood House High Point Center (6400 Sylvan Way SW, corner of Lanham). At this workshop, we will:
* Explore the concepts of advocacy, direct action and public leadership.
* Give a brief overview of the government agencies.
* Meet other community organizers in your neighborhood.
* Practice different approaches for communities to make positive change at the neighborhood or city level
-Bring your action project idea, such as 35th Ave Safety, HP Pedestrian Safety, community building.
Training is Free. Refreshments provided. Child care is available.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, TOOL LIBRARY: West Seattle Tool Library celebrates its 1st anniversary with special events all weekend – starting with a “community welcome” at 10 am today – schedule of events in this WSB story

SEOLA PARK NEEDS YOU: EarthCorps Volunteer Event at Seola Park (10 am – 2 pm).

DELRIDGE IMPROVEMENTS WALK: Delridge Improvements Walk – Meet at Uptown Espresso (3845 Delridge Way SW), 11 am. Bring a water bottle and wear comfy shoes (walking for a couple hours). Have you ever wondered how a street gets speed bumps, or thought about the need for a cross walk around your neighborhood? Learn what neighbors have done to improve the neighborhood, and see how you can make a difference. City councilmembers expected to be on hand. Full list of stops here, in case you have to join in progress.

TALK TO YOUR SCHOOL BOARD REP: Informal discussion with Steve Sundquist (sundquist4schools.com). 11 am -12:30 pm at the High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond).

SSCC GARDEN CENTER: Puget Ridge Garden Center at South Seattle Community College doesn’t have regular hours for the public – but today, it’s open 11 am – 3 pm, selling a wide variety of plants. North end of the South Seattle Community College campus at 6000 16th Ave SW.

FUNDRAISING BARBECUE: Get lunch at West Seattle Thriftway (look for the barbecue tent outside the store) starting at 11 am – proceeds go to Pencil Me In For Kids

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, METROPOLITAN MARKET: 40th anniversary celebration at Metropolitan Market-Admiral (WSB sponsor, 2320 42nd Ave SW), today featuring a Cupcake Royale sprinkle party for kids, noon-2 pm

SWIM OUTDOORS! Another pre-season weekend for Colman Pool in Lincoln Park, starting with lap swim at noon.

KITTY HARBOR: West Seattle’s only animal shelter, Kitty Harbor (3422 Harbor SW) open for its second weekend of the season, noon-6 pm.

NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY: Northwest Wine Academy event at South Seattle Community College: 12 – 6 pm with Wine Barrel Toasting Demonstration (12 – 3 pm): Watch professional coopers toast wine barrels AND Dare to Pair Competition! (3 – 5:30 pm). Six teams from SSCC’s Culinary School go up against each other to pair our wines with their artistry.

SECOND TO LAST DAY OF SIFF IN WEST SEATTLE: The film festival concludes tomorrow, and four films are screening at the Admiral Theater today, starting at 1 pm, from the US, UK, and Norway. Full details here.

BENEFIT BOOK FAIR: Sanislo Elementary School Fundraiser at the BARNES AND NOBLE BOOK FAIR. Westwood Village (2600 SW Barton) Barnes and Noble is hosting a Sanislo Fundraiser 5 – 8 pm. In addition to Sanislo students and staff reading, at 6 pm Frances McCue will read from her book The Car That Brought You Here Still Runs, and more. After 7 pm, Sanislo alum Aaron Counts will slam a few rhymes of his own, and maybe one with his son Azai. If you can’t come, take your support online! Visit bn.com/bookfairs to support us online from 6/11/11 to 6/17/11 by entering Bookfair ID# 10483899 at checkout.

FAMILY PROMISE FUN-DRAISER: Sock hop dinner, dance and auction to benefit Family Promise of Seattle and celebrate its reopening, 5 – 10 pm, Holy Rosary‘s Lanigan Gym, call 206-937-2703 for ticket info.

ARTSWEST FUN-DRAISER: ArtsWest’s annual gala, at Museum of Flight, 6 pm.

Share This

West Seattle schools: Waitlist information, school by school

June 11, 2011 12:08 am

| 20 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Earlier this week, after hearing from a West Seattle parent concerned about the waitlist situation at local Seattle Public Schools, we asked the district for school-by-school waitlist information. They said they’d try to make it available by the end of the week – and they did. Here’s the current breakdown, school by school, grade by grade, district-wide. The waitlist is for students whose families asked that they be assigned to that school, though it’s not their “neighborhood” school. There’s usually a fair amount of movement on the list before (and shortly after) school starts, but for now, here are the five longest West Seattle waitlists:

Chief Sealth International High School, 9th grade waitlist – 83
Pathfinder K-8 kindergarten waitlist – 48
Gatewood Elementary kindergarten waitlist – 28
Lafayette Elementary kindergarten waitlist – 28
Schmitz Park Elementary kindergarten waitlist – 20

The Sealth 9th-grade list is the second-longest districtwide, eclipsed only by the 88 waiting for 9th grade at Garfield High School. If you have a student on a waitlist, you can check her/his status here (the district says it’s usually updated on Fridays).

Share This