day : 01/09/2011 12 results

A West Seattle 11-year-old is at Harborview Medical Center tonight, recovering from a terrifying close call out on the ocean coast. Peter Dyer was rescued from beneath a half-ton log in the surf in Pacific Beach, thanks to help from Issaquah resident John Atzbach, who was nearby when Peter got trapped under the log. KING 5 told the story tonight; see it here, with video. We contacted Peter’s mom Toddy Dyer by e-mail; she tells WSB, “He is going to be 100% fine because of the actions by John. He saved Peter’s life. … We hope Pete comes home sometime this weekend. … I feel lucky, loved, blessed, and fortunate to have this ending. Peter fought that log, John did what he did, and I smile that there are people like John in this world.”

Video: Summer Concerts at Hiawatha wrap up with Star Anna

September 1, 2011 10:33 pm

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| West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

This year’s Summer Concerts at Hiawatha lineup was more star-studded than ever, including the closing act for the sixth and final concert of the summer tonight: Star Anna and the Laughing Dogs. Star Anna and most of her band live in West Seattle now, so they’re hometown musical heroes:

Admiral Neighborhood Association president Katy Walum put the call out for concertgoers to donate diapers for WestSide Baby, and we checked in on the early response:

Katy says she’s thrilled with the response this year and expects the series will continue next year:

P.S. No Conan O’Brien sightings this week. But we did spot a couple familiar faces:

On the left, you probably recognize City Councilmember Bruce Harrell. On the right, someone we’ve known since shortly after we arrived in West Seattle 20 years ago, Dr. Shepherd Siegel, director of school-to-work for Seattle Public Schools. You just never know who you’re going to see at the outdoor concerts and movies in summertime; we’re glad to have been able to co-sponsor the series again this year (the full list of 20+ sponsors is on the right side of this webpage – if you enjoyed the free concerts, let ’em know!).

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Weekend traffic advisory, and Labor Day transit notes

September 1, 2011 7:42 pm

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| Transportation | West Seattle news

SDOT‘s traditional weekend traffic advisory is out – and it’s a good time to mention two other things: Metro Transit and the West Seattle Water Taxi (along with its shuttle buses) will be on a SUNDAY schedule next Monday, Labor Day (while on that day, the Vashon Island Water Taxi will not be running at all). Now, the official city roundup for the next four days (p.s. for a longer-range look, go here):Read More

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West Seattle High School staff back to work: ‘Incredible things are possible

September 1, 2011 5:51 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(Photo courtesy WSHS; click for larger image)
Classes don’t start at Seattle Public Schools till next Wednesday, but staff are on the job today – including the staff at West Seattle High School, from which Jennifer Hall shared the photos and this update:

West Seattle High School teachers, administrators and support staff were back on the job for a full day today, after being furloughed on August 31. We had a wonderful, collegial day to work with each other, and plan the best possible start for our 2011-2012 school year. We are excited to welcome new and returning students back to school on September 7!

Last year was a good year for West Seattle High School. Under new administrative leadership, we added new programs including a student lounge, new intensive Algebra classes, a school composting program, and several others. Our Drama and Music departments out did themselves, capping the school year with a superlative production of the musical, “Oklahoma!” Our athletes and cheer teams excelled! Our Science and Math departments brought out our students creativity with hands-on projects and field trips. Test scores improved for students served by the Special Education and English Language Learner departments. All in all, staff members worked with our students and with each other to create a world class school. We are glad to be back to continue that work.

This year, we are rolling out our new “Link Crew” program. Some of our returning students have been training to be Link Crew members. They will be providing support and advocacy to new students. More support for our students will come from the City Year program. West Seattle High School will have nine dedicated City Year volunteers supporting our students’ academically, and helping some to stay in school.

We are going to have a great year! With our awesome students, and the commitment of our dedicated staff and community partners, incredible things are possible!

ADDED THURSDAY NIGHT: This was Freshman Family Night at WSHS, so we stopped by for a few photos – starting with the PTSA team:

(This photo and next, by Patrick Sand for WSB)
And an overview in the halls:

We’ll also be there in the morning to check out one of this year’s new programs, aimed at helping 9th graders’ transition to high school.

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Congrats to the Seattle.gov team, including West Seattleites!

September 1, 2011 3:32 pm

| 5 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle online

If we had to count how many times a day we turn to Seattle.gov while working on WSB stories/event listings/etc., we would run out of fingers, toes, and probably grains of sand on Alki. The place to go for everything from police/fire updates to development-site status reports to historic city photos (and way beyond) has just won a big national award: “Best City Portal” in the 2011 Best of the Web Awards from the Center for Digital Government. Those you’ll want to high-five, at least virtually, include at least two West Seattleites – city tech kahuna Bill Schrier and Seattle.gov web manager Bruce Blood, who commented on the WSB Facebook page, “Pleased as punch can’t begin to describe our glee! Seattle.gov has hundreds of contributors (web managers, content creators, server and network admins, to name a few) throughout the City. Every last one of them shares in the award!”

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Need heating oil? SC Fuels, new West Seattle Blog sponsor

September 1, 2011 2:15 pm

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| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

It’s the first day of September, and there’s a bit of chill in the air. Time to think about heating oil, if you use it, and that’s the business of a new WSB sponsor, SC Fuels. Here’s what they would like you to know:

Customers rest assured that SC Fuels will deliver the best prices on home heating oil. We pride ourselves on having the highest level of service that is possible, from the time someone picks up the phone and places their heating oil order with one of our customer-services representatives, till the time our delivery drivers step on the property to deliver the oil, our unwavering commitment to customer service is unmatched. Customers also rest assured that we have the highest level of integrity of any heating-oil-delivery company and we always look out for our customers’ needs and family first. After all, without our customers, who would we be? No one.

Customers come to SC Fuels because they know that they will find the best possible price for their oil. They know that we have a price-match guarantee, and we always beat our competitors’ prices. Home heating oil is the most efficient way to heat your home and we ensure that you can do that at the most affordable prices possible!

Customers continually come back to us because of the peace of mind we have developed with our customers. When you call to place an delivery order to your home, you want to know the delivery personnel are not going to do anything shady. Customers tell us all the time that they know, when SC Fuels delivers their oil, they can rest assured that they will receive their delivery with no problems.

SC Fuels‘ community/advocacy involvement includes organizations such as the Pacific Northwest Oil Heat Council and the National Biodiesel Board (for development of sustainable energy resources), and sponsorship of the Washington State Special Olympics. You can call them at 253-475-7600; they’re online at scfuelsnorthwest.com.

We thank SC Fuels 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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Another traffic alert: Next partial Spokane St. Viaduct closures

September 1, 2011 12:20 pm

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| Spokane St. Viaduct project | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

Another traffic alert for your calendar – the next westbound shutdowns of the Spokane Street Viaduct (the West Seattle Bridge between 99 and I-5). Just in from SDOT:

The contractor working to widen the Spokane Street Viaduct will close the structure’s westbound lanes just west of I-5 for three nights: September 7, 8 and 9. To complete necessary work, crews will also close First Avenue S at S Spokane Street overnight from September 6 through 10. Details are as follows:

• Westbound Spokane Street Viaduct closed September 7, 8 and 9
10 p.m. each night until 5 a.m. the next morning

• First Avenue S at S Spokane Street closed September 6 – 10
9 p.m. each night until 5 a.m. the next morning – September 6 & 10
11 p.m. each night until 5 a.m. the next morning – September 7-9

During the viaduct work, southbound I-5 traffic will be directed to the S Forest Street exit to access surface streets. Northbound I-5 traffic and westbound traffic from Columbian Way will be detoured to surface streets at 6th Avenue South. Motorists can still use southbound SR-99 to access West Seattle.

As we reported on Monday, the new 1st Avenue South on/off ramp, which is part of this project, will not be open before the 9-day Alaskan Way Viaduct shutdown Oct. 21-31, but SDOT says it should be open “by the end of the year.”

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Update: Fire call in High Point – no fire

September 1, 2011 11:20 am

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| West Seattle news | WS breaking news

(Thanks to Amanda for sharing photo taken by Kelby)
11:20 AM: Big response to Bridge Park in 3200 block of SW Morgan, but scanner indicates it’s an air conditioning problem. On our way to doublecheck.

11:30 AM: All’s well – last fire truck left as we arrived.

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Alaskan Way Viaduct traffic alert: Lane closures Saturday

September 1, 2011 11:04 am

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| Alaskan Way Viaduct | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

This could cause some backups, even on a Saturday, so here’s the heads-up from SDOT:

On Saturday, September 3, the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) will be removing and repairing expansion joints on the Alaskan Way Viaduct southbound. They will be working from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Alaskan Way Viaduct Extension where the roadway increases from two to three lanes near S Hanford Street. In order to accomplish the work, the SDOT crew will move from left to right closing two of the three lanes at a time. Motorists should expect to slow down and be prepared to shift lanes as they pass by the work zone.

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Reminder: Star Anna @ Hiawatha tonight, and bring diapers!

September 1, 2011 10:51 am

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| How to help | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

That’s a look at the crowd from last Thursday’s Summer Concerts at Hiawatha show (Caspar Babypants, with concertgoers including Conan O’Brien) – tonight’s the final show of the season, the hot-and-getting-hotter Star Anna and the Laughing Dogs, and we recommend getting there early to stake out your (free!) spot on the grass. One more reminder: BRING DIAPERS for WestSide Baby – give them to the series-presenting Admiral Neighborhood Association, and you’ll get a Popsicle treat in return! Showtime is 6:30 pm; don’t miss your final chance to be part of the summer’s biggest concert series, with a West Seattle-based rising star ready to play for you. Walk/bus/bicycle if you can (joined West Seattle In Motion yet?); parking alongside the lawn (which borders Walnut) can be tough. There’s usually room in the West Seattle High School lot next door, but they’re having an event tonight too (for freshmen).

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Video: White Center murder suspect pleads not guilty

September 1, 2011 9:27 am

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| Crime | West Seattle news | White Center

We’re at the King County Courthouse, where Anthony Haroldlee Smith has just appeared for arraignment in the August 16th murder of 23-year-old Sweetheart Failautusi, shot early that morning at 15th/Roxbury (original White Center Now coverage here). Our video above (shot through the glass that separates the gallery from the judge/lawyer areas of this particular courtroom) shows the brief hearing in its entirety, after Judge Ronald Kessler denied Smith’s lawyer’s request to keep the media from photographing his face, ending before witness names were mentioned in terms of a no-contact order. Smith only spoke to acknowledge his identity; his lawyer formally entered the plea of “not guilty.” Media reps (TV and radio were also here) were asked by an advocate not to photograph the two members of Sweetheart’s family who came to watch the hearing. Smith remains in jail in lieu of one million dollars bail.

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West Seattle Thursday: Welcome to September!

September 1, 2011 8:51 am

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| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Added 10 am: Photo booth at Chief Sealth IHS, taking student photos during orientations today)
A few highlights for today/tonight, from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

ORIENTATION AT CHIEF SEALTH INTERNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL: 9-noon today, 10th-12th graders have drop-in orientation; 1-4 pm, 9th graders.

FRESHMAN FAMILY NIGHT AT WEST SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL: 5:30-7:30 pm in the WSHS Commons.

MS. AND MR. FIX-ITS WELCOME: The Fixers’ Collective @ the West Seattle Tool Library (east side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, 4408 Delridge Way SW), 6 – 8 pm. A Fixers’ Collective is a group of folks who love to fix and mend things, which could be any old thing from broken blenders to ripped sweaters to antique dentist drills. Take it apart, put it back together, figure out how it works, refuse to throw it away, and get to know others who do the same! Join us if you are interested in prolonging the life of the things you own, learning how things work, saving a few resources, or if you just love to tinker.

JEWELRY RECEPTION AT CLICK! At Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor), Sarah Loertscher jewelry, 6-9 pm opening reception for prints, drawings and installation pieces.

FINAL ‘SUMMER CONCERTS AT HIAWATHA’ SHOW: 6:30 pm, east lawn at Hiawatha, Star Anna and the Laughing Dogs, bring diapers for WestSide Baby and get a Popsicle treat in return, courtesy of the series-presenting Admiral Neighborhood Association! Concert’s free, bring your own blanket/chair.

WINE DINNER: Bin 41 wine shop from The Junction presents a wine dinner at Via Tribunali at 7 pm. Join Italian winemaker Antonio Sanguinetti for a 5-course meal with wine pairings at Via Tribunali in Georgetown, all for $55 per person not including tax and gratuity. To RSVP for this special wine dinner, contact the restaurant at faith@viatribunali.com or contact Bin 41.

PLANT LECTURE: West Seattle naturalist Stewart Wechsler speaks at the UW Center for Urban Horticulture at 7 tonight, . Full details here.

TONIGHT AT KENYON HALL: New York bassist Jay Leonhart performs at 7:30 pmtonight. KH says, “His signature act ‘It’s Impossible to Sing and Play the Bass’ will leave you marveling at his wit, his honesty, and his ability to lampoon those public figures whose hypocrisy begs to be skewered.” Reserved table seats are $14. Row seating is $12 general and $10 seniors. With a reservation, row seating is only $10 general and $8 seniors. Elementary, middle, & high school students are $5. Preschool children are free, and Root Beer Floats are still only a buck. To make a reservation, e-mail kenyonhall@earthlink.net.

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