day : 05/10/2011 13 results

(This is what “Tox-Ick” looks like – diver Laura James‘ photo of a WS storm-drain plume)
You can do all three in the span of a single hour next Monday night at Pathfinder K-8 on Pigeon Point – here’s the official announcement from Sustainable West Seattle:

Help Pathfinder School win $1,000 toward a rainwater harvesting system for its Earth Project!

Sustainable West Seattle will be giving its “Don’t Feed the Tox-Ick Monster” presentation at Pathfinder K-8 Monday, Oct. 10 from 7-8 p.m. and is challenging Pathfinder to bring a crowd.

The challenge: If 40 or more adults show up to learn about protecting Puget Sound, then Sustainable West Seattle will donate $1,000 toward the school’s Earth Project. To help encourage turnout even further, free pizza will be provided. Pathfinder is located at 1901 SW Genesee St.

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Video: Roxhill students’ recording session with Psalm One

October 5, 2011 10:06 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

The list of who’s recorded at Robert Lang Studios in Richmond Beach is long, and star-studded (see it here).

Just as impressive – the studio itself (see it here), and its setting, on a bluffside overlooking the Sound.

And now, more than two dozen students from West Seattle’s Roxhill Elementary have stories to tell for quite some time, as does hip-hop artist Psalm One, with whom they have been working the past three days to create and record a song for an upcoming album. In our clip above, part of the student group recorded their part of the song’s chorus in a session this afternoon, while the rest of the group toured the studios (which impressed the artist too – she tweeted this tonight:)

The Roxhill residency – writing the song the past two afternoons at the school, then recording today – was the second stop of Psalm One’s 9-city national tour with the literacy program America SCORES. And the young songwriters are quite proud – two girls in the first group of singers showed off their handwritten lyric sheets:

We asked America SCORES how Roxhill was chosen – it’s the only Seattle stop on the tour – and the answer was, simply, “It was their turn.” The album will be available online after the tour ends in December.

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West Seattle coffee: New owners for Red Cup Espresso

October 5, 2011 9:27 pm

| 15 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | WS beverages

(From left, Breanna, Eric, Samir, and Tricia)
A change of ownership at one of The Junction’s independent coffee shops, Red Cup Espresso. Now-ex-owner Tricia DiBernardo sent the photo above, plus the following note of thanks, as well as an introduction from the new owners:

Hey West Seattle!

Eric and I would like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for being supportive and loyal to our business and friends to our family. We have enjoyed this time at Red Cup immensely, but our tides are shifting and we’re moving our pursuits in other directions. It is with a happy heart, we have passed the steam wand over to long time Red Cup barista, Samir and his wife, Breanna. Please continue to support this great business and wonderful couple. See ya around the neighborhood!

Love,
Tricia, Eric and Nina

And from the new owners:

Five years ago Breanna and I moved to West Seattle and fell in love with it. Both her Mother and Grandfather have deep roots in the community, and have history throughout the area. When I first began working at Red Cup, i could tell that this is the right place for me. We are both honored to have been passed this torch & are both humbled by the kind words and positive energy sent our way by the neighborhood. She and I are excited to bring a new approach to the cafe experience, and promise to continue to provide top notch service, and delicious beverages. Thank you West Seattle and thank you Tricia, for making both of our dreams a reality. Red Cup, Repra’Zent.

Samir & Breanna Baillie

Not only are Brenna and Samir now entrepreneurs – they’re still relative newlyweds, too.

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Fauntleroy Expressway street lights should be shining again

October 5, 2011 7:51 pm

| Comments Off on Fauntleroy Expressway street lights should be shining again

| Utilities | West Seattle news

So says Seattle City Light, with whom we checked after we – and two WSB’ers who e-mailed us – noticed a sudden stretch of streetlights in the dark on the Fauntleroy Expressway end of the westbound West Seattle Bridge. SCL spokesperson Suzanne Hartman checked it out; we also noted an SCL truck near Walking on Logs this afternoon; and tonight, Hartman says crews fixed a “blown fuse” and that should have the lights on again.

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Seattle Police go back to school (-zone-enforcement patrol)

October 5, 2011 7:21 pm

| 8 COMMENTS

| Safety | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

The Seattle Police Aggressive Drivers Response Team has been in major school-zone-enforcement mode the past two days, according to an update tonight on SPD Blotter, and most of it’s been done in West Seattle. For the numbers – including some non-school-zone enforcement, too – read on:Read More

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Party on the Alaskan Way Viaduct? WSDOT launches contest

October 5, 2011 4:11 pm

| 26 COMMENTS

| Alaskan Way Viaduct | West Seattle news

The first full day of the Alaskan Way Viaduct shutdown, WSDOT is setting aside a half-hour on the love-it-or-hate-it span for a contest winner and two dozen of her/his friends. It’s an essay contest – read on for details (and for what you might call a consolation prize that is available even if you don’t enter the contest) :Read More

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Next step toward selling historic former Fire Station 37

October 5, 2011 2:38 pm

| 7 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

The city has taken the next step toward putting historic ex-Fire Station 37 (at 35th SW/SW Othello) up for sale, as authorized by the City Council last month. It’s just sent out a “request for proposals” (RFP) from real-estate brokers interested in marketing the former station, among other vacant properties. Read on for the full announcement:Read More

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Spira Power Yoga: New WSB sponsor, with Friday party!

October 5, 2011 1:19 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| Health | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Today we welcome a new sponsor, Spira Power Yoga, at 2332 California SW, across from the Admiral Theater. Spira is operated by Dora Gyarmati. Her dream was to create a space where people get a strong workout, but in a fun, easy-going environment that also supports the wisdom and teachings of yoga tradition. Dora hopes to open up yoga to a wider audience by using English terms, and teaching mindfulness, concentration, and relaxation while providing a full-body exercise. The studio is bright and spacious. The lobby area looks more like a living room, so students feel comfortable lingering and talking to friends. The artwork in the lobby was created by Dora’s mom, all in the spirit of love and support; that is exactly what she hopes to give to Spira Power Yoga students – love and support.

Dora feels happiness and community are the best route to health. This is why on October 7th (this Friday), starting at 8 pm, Spira is featuring a dynamic yoga class to the soulful sounds of Correo Aereo, playing live in the studio. Yoga class is from 8-9 pm, then a short break, and a party with more live music, plus wine and chocolate tasting. Students and visitors are welcome to attend the class and the post-class party, or they can purchase tickets just for the party with wine, chocolate, and live music. For more information, go to Spira’s workshop webpage and scroll down to “Yoga Lush.” The class and party represent one way that, as Dora says, “We teach a very physical and challenging practice, but we have fun doing it. The idea is to find grace and balance in life with lightness and a sense of humor. We teach yoga as a western art. We translate the eastern art of yoga to a Western audience, make it accessible and fun and open to all spiritual and religious paths.”

We thank Spira Power Yoga 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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West Seattle schools: Highland Park Elementary is on its feet

October 5, 2011 12:38 pm

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| Highland Park | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Today is International Walk to School Day – and among those celebrating this morning were Rachael Wright, David Bader, and a crowd of Highland Park Elementary students and parents. They had a special celebration before classes started, with food and prizes. Since it’s also Walk to School Month, you’ll see other events at other schools as October continues.

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Update: Seattle Fire crew rescues woman off Beach Drive

October 5, 2011 10:37 am

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| West Seattle news | WS breaking news

(Photo courtesy Beach Drive Blog, used with permission)
10:37 AM: Seattle Fire Department is responding to a “water rescue” call off the 4400 block of Beach Drive, and that’s what the choppers are about. We’re en route.

10:51 AM: Most of the big response you might have seen on the 911 log was canceled before they even arrived, according to SFD spokesperson Kyle Moore, because the rescue happened fast. He says Seattle Police reported a woman in her 30s in the water, “maybe hypothermic,” and SFD first responders used a ladder to get her out of the water and safely to shore. She’s been taken to Harborview Medical Center.

1:41 PM: SFD confirms that, as a commenter had noted reading elsewhere, the rescued woman was believed to be suicidal. Moore says, “We transported her to Harborview with a possible overdose and psych evaluation. She was about 15 feet in the water and we lowered a firefighter on a ladder to rescue her.”

(As we always note in stories mentioning suicide, which takes more lives than homicide but is not nearly as reported/discussed, there is help available 24/7 for those who need it – the Crisis Clinic hotline is 206.461.3222.)

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West Seattle Crime Watch: ‘Unique’ getaway car to watch for

October 5, 2011 10:08 am

| 22 COMMENTS

| Crime | Genesee Hill | West Seattle news

Bill shares word of a break-in attempt on Genesee Hill with a “unique” getaway car that you might want to keep an eye out for – read on:Read More

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West Seattle Wednesday: Today/tonight highlights, and more

October 5, 2011 9:15 am

| 7 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Our daily preview always starts with a featured photo/video, and this one is a sight to see:

Lest today’s grayness get you down – that clip shows rain from a new perspective – underwater, with a moon jelly! Diver Laura James says she found it just off 64th SW. Now, a few notes from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

LIBRARY TALES FOR TOTS: Two Preschool Story Times at local library branches this morning – 10:30 am at West Seattle (Admiral) branch, 11:30 am at Southwest branch. More info via the Seattle Public Library events calendar.

LATEST VIADUCT INFO, #1: If you want to be on the leading edge of what’s new with the Highway 99/Alaskan Way Viaduct project, at a meeting that’s open to the public but seldom attended by any member of it, this is your day – the Alaskan Way Viaduct South Portal Working Group meets 4-5:30 pm at the Sound Transit Board Room, Union Station downtown (401 South Jackson). The Oct. 21-31 closure will be discussed, as will “initial construction activities for the SR 99 tunnel and preview the north portal construction simulation tool.”

LATEST VIADUCT INFO, #2: From there, it’s on to the Southwest District Council meeting, 7 pm, South Seattle Community College board room, where the AWV project’s deputy director Matt Preedy will provide the latest closure details to an all-West Seattle group. Public welcome here too. Full list of agenda toplines is on the WSB Events calendar.

TONIGHT’S PTSA MEETING: Highland Park Elementary, 5:30 pm.

KENNEY MEETING: Updates on the Memory Support Unit under development at The Kenney (WSB sponsor) are planned at a meeting there tonight, 6:30 pm, all welcome (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW).

FREE WAY TO HELP TEACHERS/STUDENTS: DonorsChoose cards available today, free while they last, at Starbucks stores, so you can use them to make $10 donations toward classroom projects. (Please let us know if you discover any West Seattle store is out of them.)

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City budget: SWCC fans @ first hearing; SPD toplines earlier

October 5, 2011 1:32 am

| 5 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

That’s Sadie, 6 1/2. You might remember her from our story about Southwest Community Center users – including the Family Learning Program she attends – concerned about the big changes ahead for SWCC if the mayor’s 2012 budget goes forward unchanged. The day we visited Sadie’s program, she showed off the donations brought in by her new weekly food drive. Tuesday night, she and other SWCC supporters went downtown for the first of two City Council public hearings on the budget. It wasn’t an overflow crowd, but did include supporters of other community centers facing changes.

As first announced last month, the budget proposes changing SWCC into a Teen Life Center and Department of Neighborhoods’ service center (basically relocating West Seattle’s lone remaining NSC from Delridge to the SWCC building). We’re awaiting the Seattle Channel‘s video of the hearing, to link here. (added midday Wednesday – here’s that video)

The next one is same time, same place, October 26th (more on the council’s budget page).

But that wasn’t the only budget event of the day. The City Council is well into its schedule of presentations from individual departments, and Tuesday’s lineup included the Seattle Police Department presentation. Among its line items of note: “Maintain current number of Crime Prevention Coordinators …” which is good news for neighborhoods (though still not the former level of one coordinator per precinct). We also are checking on whether the proposal to add six more red-light cameras and relocate two would affect West Seattle. The budget also would keep the West Seattle-headquartered SPD Mounted Patrol Unit officers, as PubliCola reports here.

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