West Seattle, Washington

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day : 11/01/2012 18 results

‘Going to continue to grow’: West Seattle Chamber annual meeting
January 11, 2012 11:50 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

“An exciting year” was recalled – and another one envisioned – as more than 60 people lunched at Neighborhood House’s High Point Neighborhood Center today for the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce‘s annual meeting.

The excitement included membership growth as well as intensive advocacy on key issues.

Reviewing 2011 accomplishments, Chamber board chair Dave Montoure (proprietor of West 5 in The Junction) detailed advocacy issues included working for passage of the pro-tunnel ballot measure, supporting West Seattle transportation priorities brought to the awareness of the citywide committee known as CTAC-3 – “this group was the only neighborhood to (develop) a list of priorities” and present it to the group – and lobbying the City Council to commit “resources to improve The Triangle.”

The rate of new members joining the Chamber was up more than 150 percent from 2010, and 80 percent of current members renewed during the year. “We have a healthy Chamber and we’re going to continue to grow,” Montoure declared.

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West Seattle schools: Tours/open houses for middle schools
January 11, 2012 9:04 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Earlier this week, we listed scheduled open houses/tours at local high schools. Now, here’s the info we have about what’s planned at local middle schools (6th-8th grades unless otherwise described):

DENNY INTERNATIONAL MIDDLE SCHOOL
Evening Open House for Prospective New Families: February 9, 6:30 p.m. F
Daytime Tours: January 31, February 8, and March 1 from 8:00 to 9:10 a.m. All are welcome – no appointment needed.

EXPLORER WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL (WSB sponsor)
Update from EWMS: “Although the 2012-13 Admissions season has concluded, ongoing admissions applications will be accepted and reviewed on a case-by-case basis. For more information about the Admissions Process, please visit: www.explorer-west.org or call 206-935-0495.”

HOLY ROSARY CATHOLIC SCHOOL
Open house: January 29; 10 am-1 pm

HOPE LUTHERAN SCHOOL
Open house: January 31, 7-8:30 pm (flyer here)

MADISON MIDDLE SCHOOL
Tours: 6-8:30 pm February 2nd, 8:30-10:30 am February 9th and 16th

OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE CATHOLIC SCHOOL
Open house: 9 am-1 pm January 29th

PATHFINDER K-8
Middle-school open house: 6-7:30 pm February 7
Middle-school tours: 8:30-9:45 am February 8, February 13, February 16

WEST SEATTLE MONTESSORI/WEST SEATTLE ACADEMY (WSB sponsor)
Open houses: 1-3 pm January 21, 6:30-8 pm February 2.

WESTSIDE SCHOOL (grades 5, 6, 7; WSB sponsor)
Drop-in tours on Wednesdays; more info on this page

If you’re affiliated with a local school and see something missing/incorrect, please let us know so we can add/fix it – for schools that hadn’t sent us announcements of their plans, the above info is gleaned from their websites.

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Do-it-yourselfers: Expert advice at West Seattle Tool Library tomorrow
January 11, 2012 8:03 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Sustainable West Seattle | West Seattle news

(Photo courtesy Laura Elfline)
On the second Thursday every month, the West Seattle Tool Library invites do-it-yourselfers to not just come check out tools, but come get free expert advice on projects/ideas you might be pursuing or considering – now or in the future. And tomorrow’s the January edition. From the announcement:

Our coaches have expertise in a variety of areas, including solar power, water harvesting, green architecture & building, permaculture, and urban gardening. This month’s lineup includes experts from: Mighty House Construction, Urban Land Army, Solar Epiphany, LD Arch Design, Alki Bike and Board, as well as members of our community at large

These open and informal community meetups offer an opportunity to bounce project ideas off fellow DIYers and maybe receive some advice in the process, if you like. It’s also a great time to show off what you’ve been working on. You bring your inspiration and your inquiring minds. We’ll bring the experts and the pizza! See you there!

The Tool Library is on the northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, 4408 Delridge Way SW.

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West Seattle Baseball: 2 groups merge; registration now open
January 11, 2012 7:23 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Baseball: 2 groups merge; registration now open
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

(Photo courtesy Fritz Araya)
Early registration is now open for the Spring 2012 PONY Baseball season with West Seattle Baseball, which sent an announcement explaining that it’s “a brand-new youth-sports organization in West Seattle created from the merger of West Seattle Pee Wee Baseball for players 5 to 10 years old and Southwest Pony Baseball, for players from ages 11-19.” Full details ahead:Read More

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West Seattle restaurants: Ex-Bohemian = West City Sardine Kitchen
January 11, 2012 4:36 pm
|      22 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

Aside from “when will the West Seattle Trader Joe’s open?” a top question landing in the WSB inbox at least once a week has been: “What’s the old Bohemian turning into?” Thirteen months after it closed, and 4 1/2 months after it was sold, we’ve continued trying to find out. Our reporter on the case has left messages, business cards, etc. No reply. We’ve received recent reports that work crews have been sighted at the 3405 California SW storefront, but there are no permits on the DPD log – might just mean they’re not doing enough work to need them. However, intrepid reader Jodee has discovered a name for the enterprise: West City Sardine Kitchen, according to state records (there’s a city business license in that name too). The names include the same person whose name eventually turned up on the deed, the owner of Bick’s Broadview Grill in the north end. Could just be a working title. But for the tidbit-hungry, that’s the latest, for now.

THURSDAY UPDATE: Just made the daily check of liquor-license applications – and even as we were publishing this story yesterday, the owners were applying for a liquor license as West City Sardine Kitchen, it turns out.

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1st resident to move into The Kenney’s Memory Care Community
January 11, 2012 4:05 pm
|    Comments Off on 1st resident to move into The Kenney’s Memory Care Community
 |   Health | The Kenney | West Seattle news

Though The Kenney (WSB sponsor) scaled back its redevelopment plans, one element that remained was a specific center for people with Alzheimer’s/dementia. That center, the Memory Care Community, is now about to welcome its first resident, according to an announcement today from The Kenney, which also invites you to an upcoming open house – read on:Read More

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Helping your street-tree knowledge branch out: New city map
January 11, 2012 3:53 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | West Seattle news | West Seattle online

The City of Seattle’s online map lineup has a new addition. Not only can you find development projects, traffic times, and 911 calls on city maps, you can now look up street trees. For example, if you zoom to 35th SW, you can click on the dark-green tree cluster and find out about the famous European Hornbeams (the trees, shown in our 2009 photo above, just before getting special attention a couple years back from a group of professional arborists who donated their time and talents). The new map (explained here) comes just as the city gets ready to consider a new street-tree ordinance (find it here), as we reported here and here.

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Another photographer with a new show: 9-year-old Audrey
January 11, 2012 3:02 pm
|      20 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Tomorrow night is West Seattle Art Walk (6-9 pm, all over WS). That’s not the only time you can enjoy art around the peninsula; new work is put up in local businesses all the time. Like images by young photographer Audrey Strevey, at Red Cup Espresso in The Junction, with part of the proceeds from any sales going to charity. Her proud mom Beth Bakeman sent us news of the show – as well as the photo above, and this bio that Audrey wrote:

Audrey Strevey is 9 years old. Taking photos has been her passion her whole life, and she recently acquired a Nikon D70.

Her new dog, Stirling, pushed her to go to the Westcrest dog park and discover her true talent, animal photography.

Audrey is pleased Red Cup Espresso is displaying her photos and hopes there will be more opportunities in the future.

She is donating 50% of her profit to PAWS, the animal shelter where her two 4-year old cats came from, to give thanks and show her appreciation.

PAWS is a champion for animals—rehabilitating injured and orphaned wildlife, sheltering and adopting homeless cats and dogs, and educating people to make a better world for animals and people.

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Liquor licenses for senior centers? West Seattle-backed bill
January 11, 2012 1:41 pm
|      20 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics | WS beverages

First bit of news from the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce‘s annual membership meeting, just wrapped up in High Point (full meeting report later): Senior Center of WS director Karen Sisson (at left, with Chamber board chair Dave Montoure) stood up and requested support for a bill that 34th District State Senator Sharon Nelson is co-sponsoring on behalf of the center and others like it. SB 6076 would create a new type of liquor license for senior centers. Sisson says her center started the year $86,000 in the red and could make more money at its fundraisers if it had a liquor license – particularly evening events such as dances and the popular Rainbow Bingo. They’re not looking to open a bar, she stressed, though she said that if this goes through, the board might consider selling beer/wine at their upstairs café. Alcohol sales at fundraisers, however, would be the main goal. The full text of the bill is here; it just had its “first reading” today and goes next to the Senate’s Labor, Commerce, and Consumer Protection Committee (If you would like to contact that committee’s members with an opinion on this bill, they’re listed here.)

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West Seattle development: Harbor Ave. project no longer stalled
January 11, 2012 11:33 am
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

(WSB photo by Tracy Record)
It’s nowhere near the scale of “The Hole,” but this once-stalled West Seattle development project now has new ownership and has finally been completed. It’s “Harbor Work Live,” designed by Junction-based Nicholson Kovalchick Architects, built in the 2400 block of Harbor Avenue SW (between Salty’s and 7-11). The permits were granted back in 2006; exteriors appeared mostly complete when the project suddenly idled a ways back; there they sat, obviously missing some final touches, for many months. Now they’ve been purchased and completed, and instead of being sold, they’re available for lease, and immediate occupancy, according to the agent representing them, Jacob Menashe. We met him at the site for a quick tour. On the corner (Harbor/Fauntleroy) is a space where he says they’re hoping to attract a small café that might appeal not only to nearby residents but also to pedestrians on the Harbor/Alki trail:

(Next two photos courtesy Jacob Menashe)
That space, Menashe says, could either be leased just for the ground-level retail – or with the living space above. (The units in the back not-street-front row are four stories, and almost 2,000 square feet.) Depending on whether they are leased separately or as live-work, there’s up to 19 units on the property, all with garages and decks, and an industrial-modern interior:

Views, too. There’s more info on individual units – including prices and photos – on the project’s website.

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West Seattle Weather Watch: Burn ban for King County
January 11, 2012 11:12 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

The dry, clear weather is great for views, but also has led to this: A “Stage 1” burn ban takes effect at 4 pm today for all of King County (among other parts of the metro area) – that means your fireplace/woodstove, too. Read on for full details from the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency:Read More

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MLK Weekend of Service: West Seattle volunteer opportunity
January 11, 2012 10:53 am
|    Comments Off on MLK Weekend of Service: West Seattle volunteer opportunity
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

As usually happens this time of year, we’ve received e-mail asking about volunteer opportunities in West Seattle for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Day – which is celebrated next Monday. So far, we have heard from the Nature Consortium, which is hosting “a Weekend of Service,” with events in the West Duwamish Greenbelt on Saturday and Monday. Mouse over those days on the calendar on this page of the NC’s site to get full details. Anyone else looking for volunteers for MLK Day – either Monday, or the preceding weekend? Please let us know and we’ll add the info here! (And if you doing something impromptu like these local kids did last year, let us know about that too!)

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Walking tour today, DESC project group meeting ahead, more: North Delridge Neighborhood Council notes
January 11, 2012 9:57 am
|    Comments Off on Walking tour today, DESC project group meeting ahead, more: North Delridge Neighborhood Council notes
 |   Delridge | DESC Delridge project | West Seattle news

By Karen Berge
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

The Downtown Emergency Service Center‘s (DESC) Delridge Supportive Housing project was the major discussion topic at the North Delridge Neighborhood Council (NDNC) January monthly meeting on Monday evening.

This first meeting of the new year, held at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, kicked off with brief introductions and reflections on New Year’s resolutions from the 15 neighborhood attendees. After that, meeting business quickly got underway. The very full agenda also included a proposal for a new committee on Community Design and Land Use; details about today’s North Delridge Walking Tour with City Council and SDOT representatives; information about potential Bridging the Gap grant projects; discussion of the recent request to the city regarding an update to the Delridge Neighborhood Plan; and other items and announcements.

First, since it’s about an event happening today:

NORTH DELRIDGE WALKING TOUR:
Jake Vanderplas, NDNC Transportation Committee chair, briefed the group on
details about the North Delridge walking tour set for 3-4:30 pm today (meet outside the Delridge Community Center). Tour participants will include City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, representative(s) from SDOT, members of NDNC, and any other interested Delridge neighbors or others who wish to attend. Issues include large and small items relating to bike, pedestrian, transit or driving safety (for example, a Walk-signal button that doesn’t activate the signal light when pressed). If you know of additional issues or sites that should be addressed/visited on the tour, they suggest that you post a comment on their site. A new pedestrian issue that was brought up during this meeting is an asphalt sidewalk with a mailbox positioned inconveniently in the very center of the walkway.

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West Seattle Wednesday: Business, politics, ‘green resolutions’…
January 11, 2012 8:39 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Wednesday: Business, politics, ‘green resolutions’…
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

We hear traffic is worse than usual again today. Certainly the sunrise would have been some distraction an hour ago; no other obvious causes, but we’re still monitoring. Thanks to Brian for sharing the photo via Twitter. As for the day/night ahead – from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

BRIDGE CLOSURE SCHEDULED: Fauntleroy Expressway overnight closures

AT THE LIBRARIES: Seattle Public Library story times – here’s the citywide list, including what’s happening in West Seattle today.

GOT A LITTLE ONE? Baby Peppers class starts up! 10:30 am at Bright Horizons in The Triangle. Details here.

ANNUAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MEETING: West Seattle Chamber of Commerce annual meeting, 11:30 am, Neighborhood House‘s Neighborhood Center in High Point (details here). If you haven’t already RSVP’d, contact the Chamber ASAP to see if there’s still room.

WALKING TOUR TO TALK ABOUT TRANSPORTATION ISSUES IN NORTH DELRIDGE: Take a North Delridge walking tour with city reps, 3 pm; meet outside Delridge Community Center, more info here

LIVE MUSIC AT AVALON: Pourquoi Pas plays tonight, 6:30, at Avalon (which is celebrating its first anniversary this month).

GO GREEN IN THE NEW YEAR: West Seattle CoolMom meets: We’ll be discussing our New Year’s resolutions for greening our lives and lowering our carbon footprints. Bring your stories and ideas. We’d love to hear what you did in 2011, how you did it, and what you’re looking forward to in 2012. 7:00 – 8:30 pm at C & P Coffee (WSB sponsor, 5612 California SW).

34TH DISTRICT DEMOCRATS: 34th District Democrats meet, The Hall at Fauntleroy, 7 pm. Here’s the latest agenda information.

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West Seattle garage fire ‘tapped’ on 31st SW
January 11, 2012 7:39 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Arbor Heights | West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

If you’re in or near Arbor Heights and wondered about the sirens – Seattle Fire sent a big response to what was reported as a garage fire on 31st near 97th (map), but canceled most of the units within minutes, declaring the fire “tapped.”

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‘Toys and food’: West Seattle photographer Christopher Boffoli opens exhibition
January 11, 2012 7:37 am
|      17 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people | WS culture/arts

Story and event photos by Keri DeTore
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

“Toys and food — everybody gets that,” says longtime WSB contributor Christopher Boffoli of his photographic series featuring food and tiny human figurines. It’s making a splash worldwide and here at home, as an exhibition titled “Big Appetites” opened at a downtown gallery.

Christopher’s show at Winston Wachter Fine Art began with an artist reception last night. Inspired by media depictions of tiny people, from “Gulliver’s Travels” to “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids,” he’s been playing with the imagery concept for the past few years, but it’s only in the past few months that their popularity has “exploded” — especially internationally, since a first wave of European interest last spring.

“The ‘tiny things’ fascination crosses cultures,” says Christopher. “There’s a God-like feeling that comes from playing with small toys. The size disparity draws people into a different world.” Christopher’s photos will soon be showing in galleries in London, Brazil, and Monaco.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Neighbor thwarts theft
January 11, 2012 3:11 am
|      31 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | Westwood

Out of the WSB inbox, from Mary, who tried a simple tactic to stop would-be thieves:

About 2:00 (Tuesday afternoon) I heard a vehicle stop in the alley next to my home, (in the Westwood neighborhood) and looked out to see 2 men taking something heavy from my neighbors’ yard and loading it into their pickup truck. Just as I got outside and to the alley, they were driving off, but stopped when I spoke to them. I asked if they had permission to take “that thing.”

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‘Fact-finding, conversation stage’: Family Promise, post-closure
January 11, 2012 1:11 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Story and photos by Katie Meyer
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

A continuing passion for helping homeless families drew more than 30 attendees to an “exploratory, fact-finding” meeting Monday night at Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor) by members of the board of Family Promise of Seattle, the shelter program that recently closed.

Representatives from a wide network of churches and non-profit groups, many of whom had worked with Family Promise, shared their questions, concerns, ideas and enthusiasm. People representing Alki UCC, Admiral UCC, Fauntleroy UCC, Hope Lutheran, Operation Nightwatch, Union Gospel Mission, Church of Mary Magdalene, Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Catholic Community Services, and two Queen Anne churches (among others) were among others at the meeting interested in listening and speaking with the FP board members about possible solutions and synergies to provide services to more homeless families in the future.

The rate of families becoming homeless continues to rise. Mary’s Place, a downtown day shelter that provides services for homeless women and children, has seen a staggering 300% increase in families coming through their door in 2011. A speaker from Hope Lutheran stated they “would like to continue helping in the format we have been helping in. 100 families were helped in West Seattle at Christmas; 1 in 5 of those families were homeless. We had families who were in a tent city, others were living in their cars. I hope we can continue to be helping keep families intact.”

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