day : 13/12/2011 11 results

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Admiral won’t lose as much Metro bus service as the first draft of the transit service’s “restructuring” plan proposed.

That’s what lead planner Jack Lattemann told the Admiral Neighborhood Association tonight, in the first public update on what’s happening since the public-comment period for that draft plan closed. The “restructuring” is planned in connection with next fall’s debut of RapidRide service in West Seattle (which will replace the 54).

And they got plenty of public comments, he said: 3,000 people took the online questionnaire; another 1,000 people provided non-online written comments. As an Admiral-specific result, he said, “I can assure you that we are going to submit a revised proposal that will include some level of bus service on California 7 days a week all the way as far north as Atlantic Street … it looks like that is going to be feasible,” said Lattemann. “We’ll have a second round of proposals out in about a month.”

That round will include another series of community meetings, he said, likely in the first two weeks of February. He says other “concepts” from the draft circulated online and at public open houses (including two in West Seattle) are being revised in response to public comments, too.

One option for that could be extending Route 128, Lattemann said, and that route already is up for an extension with service at least until midnight – California and Admiral both will be served at least that late, he said. (It also, he said, is up for the addition of two afternoon trips to help with the student load at those times.)

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Helping the neighbors: Ola fundraiser for Transitional Resources

December 13, 2011 9:50 pm

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| Luna Park | West Seattle news

At Ola Salon in the Luna Park business district tonight, that’s Tiann Stubberfield with the tweezers and Transitional Resources‘ Darcell Slovek-Walker (reclining) and Yemaya St. Clair. Ola and TR are neighbors – TR, which provides housing and other services to people living with “severe and persistent” mental illness, is headquartered just a few blocks south on Avalon Way. Tonight, Ola held a fundraiser for TR, including donating the proceeds from certain services as well as raffle tickets. Treats too, plus live music from West Seattle’s own Sid Law:

If you missed tonight’s event – here’s how to help Transitional Resources. Meantime, still lots of chances for you to reach out and give this holiday season – we’ve got a special section, with both fundraisers and direct donation opportunities, on the WSB West Seattle Holidays page.

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West Seattle Christmas lights, including a lit roof Santa can’t miss

December 13, 2011 8:13 pm

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| Holidays | West Seattle Christmas lights | West Seattle news

Our nightly spotlights continue: Tonight’s photo is courtesy of the McKean Family, whose lights are shining at 3431 48th SW, near Schmitz Park. Thanks for including the photo! We appreciate photos if you have them to go with Christmas-lights reports – but it’s not mandatory, just let us know where you’ve seen lights others might want to know about! We’re continuing to add them to the clickable/printable Google Map you will find on the WSB West Seattle Holidays page (along with lots of other holiday info and event listing).

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West Seattle scene: FEEST volunteers hit the street

December 13, 2011 5:20 pm

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| Health | Sunrise Heights | West Seattle news

Following up on Monday’s story about John’s Corner Deli joining the Healthy Foods Here program – we stopped by for a photo as the FEEST (Food Empowerment Education and Sustainability Team) volunteers got ready to visit the surrounding neighborhoods with info about, and coupons for, the store’s new offerings. From left in our photo are Leoma, Katt, Dureti, Matthew, Celina, and Megan. (They wanted to get John’s owner David Ji in the shot too – but he was too busy with customers, and for a store, that’s a GOOD thing!)

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From West Seattle to the world: Omilero benefit at OutWest

December 13, 2011 3:50 pm

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| Health | How to help | West Seattle news

(Photo courtesy Jim Loder)
Thursday night, OutWest Bar is hosting a benefit that will help save lives on the other side of the world. Starting at 6 pm Thursday, an auction and proceeds from drink specials, plus a share of the night’s bar proceeds, will go to Omilero, an organization whose director of development Jim Loder is a West Seattle resident. Omilero is working on a sustainable way to provide Nigerian families with safer drinking water through the use of clay water-filtration pots. Loder provided the photo, showing families using water filters provided in their first phase. Regarding Thursday, he explains, “This event is in support of our next phase, now that we’re confident the local populations want and will use the filters, where we will bring in filters to serve an additional 10,000 people. We expect that to be in place by February 2012. We hope our next phase will be to build a ceramic studio in country where local potters will learn the process and will then be able to build the filter locally. That investment will be about another $50,000 to complete the construction, siting, and training of local potters. Our end goal is to establish a sustainable, locally run enterprise that will support clean water and promote economic development.” Wondering about the name? According to Omilero’s website, it means “Water is the cure,” in the Yoruba language. And the problem it’s curing is a deadly one – Omilero says disease spread through contaminated water kills at least 10 Nigerian children each day.

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New rules for street trees: Proposal discussed in West Seattle

December 13, 2011 1:30 pm

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| Environment | West Seattle news

Story and photos by Keri DeTore
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

What can you – and can’t you – do with, and about, street trees by your home?

The answers may soon change in Seattle. City Arborist Nolan Rundquist (pictured) shared the city’s proposed Street Tree Ordinance with an audience last night at High Point Community Center.

A “Street Tree” is any tree located in a city right-of-way such as parking strips (or “planting strips”) in front of homes and businesses, or traffic circles. These trees, though on city property, are required by law to be maintained by the property owner. While there currently are laws dictating how trees should be maintained and protected, they aren’t particularly clear, or enforceable. Since then-Mayor Greg Nickels introduced his Urban Forestry Management Plan in 2007, the city has been looking at ways to better maintain, and even increase the tree count in Seattle.

The city is asking for the public’s input for the new ordinances being drafted now. If you have a home with trees on the parking strip, or on a city right-of-way, let the city know what you need to keep your trees healthy and maintained.

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West Seattle businesses: Stroller Strides owner wins national award

December 13, 2011 1:07 pm

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| Health | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

(Photo courtesy Athena Frederick)
Congratulations to Athena Frederick, whose Fit Family, LLC, is the Stroller Strides fitness program’s franchisee in West Seattle (and 7 other parts of the city) . She’s been chosen as Stroller Strides Franchisee of the Year, out of almost 300 nationwide. Judging criteria, according to the Stroller Strides news release: “Business acumen, her successful fitness program and enthusiasm, and involvement in the community.” Frederick’s franchise has supported nonprofits from the Salvation Army’s domestic-violence programs to WestSide Baby to Autism Speaks to well-building. We featured Stroller Strides when it first offered classes here in 2008; it’s a group-fitness program that new moms can do with their babies.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Decoration thefts; stolen mail found

December 13, 2011 11:20 am

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| Crime | West Seattle news

‘Tis the season for holiday crime as well as holiday joy, holiday giving, holiday celebrations … We have two reports of decoration theft in this West Seattle Crime Watch roundup. Linda e-mailed to say that “outside Christmas lights and lighted candy canes (were) stolen from the 4800 block on 49th Ave SW.” Molly (35th/Trenton/Henderson) reported a similar theft in this WSB Forums post, with another member adding a mention of a Fauntlee Hills theft later in the thread.

On a non-holiday note, from Carolyn:

I just wanted to let people in the Highland Park area know that this morning we found mail that belonged to a house about 2 block away in the road. There was an envelope with pictures that had been opened and an offer from a credit card company also opened, but the mail containing bills were left unopened. The mail was found at the corner of 8th Ave SW and SW Elmgrove St. We took the mail to the house it belonged to, but nobody answered, so we left the mail on the door step. Just a reminder for people to be extra vigilant during the holiday season. We will continue to keep a close eye out for any other suspicious activity.

Seasonal crime-prevention advice is in the latest SPD crime-prevention newsletter, by the way.

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Help for the holidays: White Center Food Bank needs helping hands

December 13, 2011 10:31 am

| Comments Off on Help for the holidays: White Center Food Bank needs helping hands

| How to help | West Seattle news | White Center

With less than two weeks till Christmas, the giving trees, food drives, diaper drives, etc., all acquire a new sense of urgency – as does the need for volunteer help at some local nonprofits. One of them is the White Center Food Bank – which, remember, serves part of West Seattle too – and Ann just sent this request:

We are still looking for volunteers for our holiday distribution on Monday, December 19 from 12:30 – 3:30. Volunteers will assist clients that have signed up for holiday distribution by assisting clients to gather foods from our distribution line during this time period. Best for adults, volunteers will be on their feet for the time period and should dress warmly. If anyone can assist, contact Audrey Zemke at 206-762-2848 or email audrey@whitecenterfoodbank.org. Thank you!

Please take a minute when you can and scroll down the West Seattle Holidays page for some of the other giving opportunities around our area.

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West Seattle Tuesday: From Admiral to Lowman to libraries…

December 13, 2011 9:13 am

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| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by Steve Mohundro, from the WSB Flickr group pool)

From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar and Holiday Events/Info page (where you’ll find the West Seattle Christmas Lights map, lists of who sells Christmas trees, upcoming events, and more):

CALIFORNIA SW RESURFACING CONTINUES: Day two of work between SW Findlay and SW Graham on California SW, scheduled for 9 am-5 pm. One lane of traffic available in both directions but no parking on California in those blocks. Here’s our Monday update.

FAUNTLEROY EXPRESSWAY CLOSURE CANCELED FOR TONIGHT: As reported here last night. Next closures likely next week.

AT THE LIBRARIES TODAY: Toddler Story Time at West Seattle Branch, 10:30 am; Baby Story Time at Southwest Branch, 11:30 am; Somali Story Time at the High Point Branch, 1:30 am; Family Story Time at Delridge Branch, 7 pm; see the Seattle Public Library Calendar of Events page for links and details

FEEST VOLUNTEERS IN SUNRISE HEIGHTS: As reported here on Monday, youth volunteers with FEEST will be meeting at John’s Corner Deli in Sunrise Heights (35th/Webster) at 3:30 pm to canvass the neighborhood with info and coupons about the new “Healthy Foods Here” produce on sale at the store.

FUNDRAISER AT OLA SASON: For a donation of $20 that goes to Transitional Resources, which provides housing and other services for people living with mental illness, Ola Salon offers blowouts and brow waxes tonight, 5-8 pm, plus a raffle and other holiday fun. Here’s our original report.

LOWMAN BEACH (MURRAY) PUMP-STATION DESIGN ADVISORY GROUP: Meets tonight, 6:30 pm, The Hall at Fauntleroy (9131 California SW). (See the meeting materials here.)

ADMIRAL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: Metro’s proposed service cuts – including a big change for North Admiral – are on the agenda at 7 tonight, Admiral Church (California/Hill). Holiday treats too, all welcome.

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS? CHRISTMAS TREES? One more reminder, check the WSB West Seattle Holidays page. And keep sending your events if they’re not already on the page (including Hanukkah/Christmas services, business hours for Christmas/New Year’s, etc.) – editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!

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West Seattle schools: ‘Harvest’ time again at Gatewood

December 13, 2011 1:04 am

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| Gatewood | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

The ‘crop’ those Gatewood Elementary students (and others) helped “harvest” is now out in the world, supporting good work. From Gatewood teacher Darren Radu:

Once again this year, kids from all across the school worked together to bring in close to 400 pounds of pennies (and other coins) as part of the 2011 Penny Harvest. We shipped our bags of coins to the local Penny Harvest offices on Thursday.

In the New Year, we will convene a Philanthropy Roundtable, where students from each grade will research organizations working for justice in the community, country, and world, and determine which organizations are in most need of support. The Philanthropy Roundtable will then allocate grant funds from the pennies raised to these organizations. One of the Roundtable’s most important criteria is ‘leverage per dollar’ – the Philanthropists use their research to allocate funds in a way that works most effectively to make a positive difference in the world. Last year, Gatewood students awarded Penny Harvest grants to Save the Children Japan, Southwest Boys and Girls Clubs, and the Nature Consortium. Students weighed the impact of their decisions and made the final call on where to send the money.

The attached photo shows some of our many ‘harvesters’ with a few of the 30-pound bags they filled.

You can find out more about the Penny Harvest here:

Much ‘Gator Gratitude’ goes out to our Gatewood neighbors, families, and friends, for supporting this worthwhile work!

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