day : 04/10/2011 12 results

Friends of the Southwest Branch Library are getting the word out that it’s signup time for the 20th annual Southwest Community Art Showcase. Artists of all ages, working in any medium, can sign up by Saturday, October 15th – just a week and a half away; work will be displayed at the SW Library (35th/Henderson) October 16-November 12, with a meet-the-artists reception at 2 pm November 6. To sign up, just stop by the branch, or call 206-684-7455.

Update: Amanda Knox back in Seattle, thanks supporters

October 4, 2011 5:54 pm

| 139 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle people

5:54 PM: You are likely to hear/see helicopters shortly – at least one news chopper is tracking Amanda Knox and her family as they drive from Sea-Tac to West Seattle. She spoke very briefly when her family met with the media at Sea-Tac a short time ago:

(Photo of Amanda Knox and mom Edda Mellas, by STEVE RINGMAN/Seattle Times, used with permission)
Video of her emotional minute-long remarks, courtesy of KING 5:

“Welcome home” signs are waiting in her family’s Arbor Heights neighborhood – here’s the sign that neighbor Jim and his family have up:

(added) And another sign, photographed by Jennifer:

TV trucks await as well (thanks to the anonymous WSB’er who shared the photo):

6:12 PM: They’ve just arrived home, according to live coverage we’re monitoring on KING.

6:39 PM: …family members arrived in Arbor Heights, anyway. Amanda herself is reported to be at an “undisclosed location.”

ADDED AT MIDNIGHT: A few final notes on the night: From our partners at the Times, Erik Lacitis takes a look at the international media-mania that briefly took over Sea-Tac. Speaking of the airport, WSB contributor Christopher Boffoli happened to catch Knox’s British Airways flight passing West Seattle on its way in:

Around mid-afternoon, we learned that Easy Street wasn’t the only marquee-bearing business with a “welcome” sign:

WEDNESDAY MORNING P.S. Thanks to Lisa for mentioning this in comments. Four regional-media organizations have agreed to honor the Knox family’s request to be left alone for now.

Share This

West Seattle traffic alert: Crash at 30th/Thistle

October 4, 2011 5:33 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS breaking news

5:33 PM: Police/fire/tow crews are blocking eastbound Thistle at 30th, 2-car crash.

5:48 PM: Police actually were blocking eastbound Thistle at 31st, a block west of the scene, till the cars are towed. No serious injuries – one private ambulance responded. One tow truck was already there before we left a few minutes ago.

Share This

Radar Pest Management: New WSB sponsor, with special offer

October 4, 2011 4:54 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Today we welcome a new WSB sponsor, Radar Pest Management. Here’s what they’d like you to know about their business:

As summer transitions into fall and the weather continues to get colder, rodents and pests are looking for warmth and shelter – and they love our West Seattle neighborhood! Radar Pest Management is here now too – and their arrival couldn’t come at a better time.

Radar specializes in pest and rodent removal and regular treatment, and has many options to serve our locals and their various needs. As an added bonus, one of Radar’s top technicians, Angela Osbourne, is a local herself! “I live on a well-traveled road in West Seattle, so you will likely see my Radar truck in the neighborhood,” chuckles Angela. Full of energy and humor, her laugh will make you smile every time. “Angela is one of our most experienced technicians. Combine that with her wealth of knowledge and her engaging and bubbly personality, and you’ve got a real asset in Angela. We are happy to have her on board,” said Tim McCafferty, operations manager. Radar brings dedication to every task performed, quickly inspecting, identifying, and treating the home for a variety of pest infestations. The primary mission at Radar Pest Management is to be the #1 provider of services in the greater Seattle area, with an utmost commitment to customer satisfaction and service.

When you call Radar Pest Management, you can rest assured you will receive the very best extermination service in the area. They bring the strongest, most-effective pest-control methods in the industry to your home, while still trying to be as environmentally conscious as possible. Plus, with Radar you’ll receive on–time service, frequent communication with their service experts, and an excellent experience, every time.

Best of all, Radar Pest Management is offering all West Seattle Blog readers a FREE home inspection, for a limited time! With the rodents looking for somewhere to keep warm as the fall and winter approach, there’s never been a better time to take advantage of this $120 value. Customers praise this local company’s responsive, knowledgeable staff and around-the-clock emergency care. So give them a call, welcome them to the neighborhood, and ensure your home will be pest- and rodent-free all season long. For more information or to take advantage of the WSB Free Inspection Special, contact Radar Pest Management at 800-710-1567 or www.radarpest.com.

We thank Radar Pest Management 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.

Share This

West Seattle Water Taxi: The latest Viaduct-closure-week plan

October 4, 2011 4:08 pm

| 13 COMMENTS

| Alaskan Way Viaduct | King County Water Taxi | West Seattle news

As first reported here last month, the West Seattle Water Taxi will add runs, shuttle-bus capacity, and parking for the weekdays that fall during the October 21-31 Alaskan Way Viaduct closure. A news release with official final details is just in from the King County Ferry District – including the full WT schedule for the closure period – read on:Read More

Share This

This Thursday, ‘Dine Out to Remember Our Fallen’

October 4, 2011 3:36 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| How to help | West Seattle news

Four West Seattle restaurants are participating this year in “Dine Out to Remember Our Fallen,” a benefit for Washington State COPS (Concerns Of Police Survivors), supporting families of law enforcers who lost their lives in the line of duty: Puerto Vallarta – where you’ll also find a silent auction – Rocksport, and Talarico’s in The Junction, and Duke’s on Alki. Have dinner at any of those restaurants this Thursday, and proceeds will go toward the cause. More info (and the full list of participants around the region) is online at dineouttoremember.org and on Facebook at facebook.com/rememberourfallen.

Share This

West Seattle schools: Principal change at Alki Elementary

October 4, 2011 12:59 pm

| 23 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Just announced by Seattle Public Schools: After two years at Alki Elementary, its principal Clover Codd is taking a new job as director of the district’s Teacher Incentive Fund. Award-winning Denny International Middle School assistant principal Chanda Oatis (right) will become interim principal at Alki in about two weeks. The district is sending a letter home to families; read on for its full text – PLUS, ADDED 7:18 PM TUESDAY – Denny principal Jeff Clark sends word that teacher Artise Burton will be promoted to interim Assistant Principal for Literacy, the position Oatis holds; he too has sent home a letter to families, and it’s added beneath the letter to Alki families:Read More

Share This

Neighborhoods’ call for help: ‘While major crime is down … street disorder persists’

October 4, 2011 11:32 am

| 7 COMMENTS

| Crime | Safety | West Seattle news

Tonight is the first of two major public hearings for next year’s city budget proposal – and if you have something to say, you’re urged to participate, either by going to the hearing (5:30 pm at City Hall, with signups starting at 5) or by sharing your thoughts online. One coalition didn’t want to wait for tonight’s hearing; they planned to attend a special budget meeting this morning. They are a coalition of 11 groups from neighborhoods around the city – primarily business-focused – who together have issued a letter boiling down to this sentence near the start of a letter they have sent to city leaders: “While major crime is down citywide, street disorder persists and continues to negatively impact our neighborhoods.” They want to make sure the budget provides adequate resources to fight that disorder, and they have some suggestions. Among the signatories to their letter are reps from the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce and the White Center Community Development Association (whose office is in South Delridge). Here’s some of what the letter calls for:

*Increase police foot and bike patrols and dedicated anti-crime teams.
*Implement a pilot ‘Hot Spots’ program.
*Officer Distribution [in problem areas].
* Legislative Tools for Arrest/Diversion.

All of those points are elaborated on, in the full letter – we didn’t receive it in a cut-and-paste-friendly format, so we can’t include the full text here, but you can read it as a PDF.

Share This

Update: Van flips near Madison Middle School, no serious injuries

October 4, 2011 9:43 am

| 41 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS breaking news

9:43 AM: Startling sight on the sidewalk, just off the southeast corner of the Madison Middle School parking lot – an overturned van. Amy, who sent first word of the crash, says a woman and small child were inside, but both OK, and police at the scene confirmed that no one had to go to the hospital. No word how this happened; it’s the second West Seattle van flip in four days, after this one east of High Point on Saturday (no serious injuries in that one, either). Traffic is not affected, though you might want to avoid 45th/Spokane for a while, since a tow truck will have to get the van uprighted before taking it away.

5:09 PM UPDATE: Official info from police is finally in. Another driver is blamed for causing the rollover by “failing to yield the right of way at the intersection” – and that driver, NOT the driver of the van that rolled, was cited, police tell WSB.

Share This

Followup: Amanda Knox returning to Seattle this afternoon

October 4, 2011 8:35 am

| 76 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle people

(Easy Street Records marquee, predawn today)
Hours after the Italian court decision freeing her after four years, Amanda Knox is reported to be on a British Airways flight headed back to Seattle, expected to arrive between 4:30 and 5 pm, after flying from Rome to London. Video/photos of her departure are in this British news report. As for what happens after that – regional (and beyond) media crews were already camped out at the airport as of today’s morning newscasts, hoping for a glimpse after her arrival, hoping even that her family might decide to have a news conference. National media reports that she sent a letter to the Italy-US Foundation, thanking the Italians who supported her. Meantime, the prosecution in the case has announced it will appeal the ruling canceling the murder convictions of Knox and Raffaele Sollecito.

4:56 PM: The Knox family’s plane is expected to land at Sea-Tac shortly, and regional-media sources including KIRO TV say they are planning a news conference around 5:45 pm, but they’re not certain if that will include comments from Amanda Knox. We’ll include highlights from Web coverage later, but if you want to watch live, multiple TV stations and cable networks have been set up at the airport for hours, ready to go (see Twitter photo links in the comment section below this story).

Share This

West Seattle Tuesday: Alzheimer’s ‘Town Hall’; WSHS PTSA…

October 4, 2011 8:09 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Thanks to Emily Austin for sharing the heron photo)

SCHOOL BOARD PRESIDENT @ ROTARY: The Rotary Club of West Seattle weekly luncheon meeting, noon at Salty’s on Alki, will hear from local school-board rep, and board president, Steve Sundquist.

HAS ALZHEIMER’S AFFECTED YOUR FAMILY? If so, they’re hoping to see you at the Alzheimer’s Association Town Hall meeting at Providence Mount St. Vincent (4831 35th SW), 2 pm, full details here.

SOMETHING TO SAY ABOUT THE CITY BUDGET? The first Seattle City Council public hearing on the city budget proposal for next year is at 5:30; signups at 5 pm. City Hall downtown.

WEST SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL PTSA: First general-membership meeting of the school year, 7 pm. Agenda includes an update from principal Ruth Medsker and briefings on upcoming projects/events such as the fall drama production, the WSHS Foundation auction to benefit WSHS Athletics, the West Seattle 5K, and more.

DISC-OVER THIS: West Seattle Ultimate Frisbee, 6:30 pm, Fairmount Playfield (Fauntleroy at Brandon).

SHERRY AT THE BIN: Sherry-seminar wine tasting at bin 41, 6-7:30 pm. Meet Drake McCarthy of the Lustau estate in Spain and discover the world of sherry. Drake will be sharing a broad spectrum of sherries, from the dry subtleties of Amontillado to the supple richness of Pedro Ximénez.

OPEN MIKE NIGHT: 7 pm at Skylark Café and Club, acoustic-only, poetry and comedy encouraged as well as all flavors of acoustic music! All ages till 9, then 21+.

‘TRIVIA THAT ROCKS’: 8 pm trivia at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), not just music – “the topics are all entertainment, from music and movies, to TV and pop culture!”

Share This

Video: Denny event launches ‘Be Here, Get There’ school-attendance campaign

October 4, 2011 2:09 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news

An all-star cast descended on Denny International Middle School in West Seattle at midday Monday to send out a citywide message: Come to school more often! Absences are a bigger problem than you might think – more than a third of all Seattle Public Schools students were absent more than 10 times in the 2009-10 school year, and that’s a number the district is trying to reduce – since it’s a slippery slope to academic failure, and then dropping out of schoolentirely. So interim superintendent Dr. Susan Enfield and Mayor Mike McGinn teamed up to announce “Be Here, Get There,” which will offer prizes in school- and classroom-level competitions to encourage better attendance. For example – as detailed here – there’s an elementary-school competition this month with a Pagliacci Pizza party at stake. We recorded today’s Denny kickoff event in two video clips – above, the formal announcements, introduced by Denny principal Jeff Clark; below, the visitors dropped in on a Denny classroom, including pro-basketball players from Seattle, Jamal Crawford and Will Conroy:

Celebrities are an integral part of the campaign; students can sign up for celebrity wakeup calls by going here. Side note: The campaign does take pains to say there’s nothing wrong with staying home if you’re really sick – they’re just targeting absences for which there is really no good excuse.

Share This