West Seattle, Washington

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month : 01/2012 297 results

West Seattle wildlife: Sandy the satellite-tracked seal
January 31, 2012 10:24 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Wildlife

(Photo by Robin Lindsey)
Five months ago, Sandy the harbor seal was rescued from a West Seattle beach, dehydrated and emaciated, and eventually taken to PAWS for rehab. Tonight, as the Seal Sitters‘ “blubberblog” reports, Sandy has been returned to the wild, and she is the first seal in her age range – “older rehabilitated weaned yearling” – to be tracked by satellite! Get the full story, including video of Sandy being fitted with her “hat,” by going here.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Four reader reports
January 31, 2012 8:46 pm
|      20 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Four reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch tonight – starting with Ryan‘s stolen car:

My 1997 Subaru Impreza 4 Dr. white with black trim was stolen from 41st and SW College at approximately 3AM January 31st. License #085-ZOS. The car has a npr and NW native art orca sticker on the back of the car. A police report has been filed.

Three more reports – a bride-to-be’s car break-in, doorstep grocery theft, and suspected car prowlers to LISTEN for – ahead:Read More

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Followup: ‘Occupy West Seattle’ announces first two meetings
January 31, 2012 6:20 pm
|      47 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

Last night, we reported on two signs – almost simultaneous, but apparently not linked – of the economic-inequality protest movement heading this way. One was word that the newly announced “Occupy West Seattle” plans its first meeting in Seattle this Saturday. All we had at the time was a line or two from social media; tonight, we’ve received an announcement via e-mail, with details on the first meeting and word of a second. Read on:Read More

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Super Bowl Sunday: Compiling the West Seattle list
January 31, 2012 3:55 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants | WS & Sports

(UPDATED SUNDAY 2/5/2012 WITH NEW ADDITIONS)
3:55 PM: Some bars and restaurants have the big game on the big screen(s) – some don’t, and call it a day early. We’re putting out the call this afternoon for Super Bowl plans at local venues this Sunday, and have already collected a few – West 5, for example, invites you to come brunch or have a Bloody Mary 10 am-3 pm, and then they’re closing. Skylark Café and Club will close at 3 post-brunch. JaK’s Grill won’t be open at all. Where to watch – or not? Let us know here, or via e-mail (editor@westseattleblog.com) so we can fill out the list.

ADDED 5:49 PM: Additions – Thanks to HelperMonkey in the comments for pointing out that Corner Pocket in The Junction is hosting a Super Bowl event starting at 2:30 pm Sunday, with “crab cakes, pulled pork and brisket sandwiches, wings, our famous corn dawgs, drink specials.” Also on the “where to watch” front, The Wing Dome in The Junction has lots of screens and, general manager Andy Pattalochi says, the #1 Super Bowl Sunday food – chicken wings. If you want to order takeout wings for a viewing party at home, he tells WSB via e-mail, they’re taking pre-orders now through Saturday … And one more addition to the where-NOT-to-watch list, Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) will be closed, so that, proprietor Jeff Gilbert quips, their loyal and talented staff can go home and “yell at the TV.” … Keep the info coming! We’ll keep this story linked in the sidebar BIG STORIES list for those seeking Super Bowl Sunday info.

ADDED WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON: Rocksport “showing the game on all 23 screens! Also offering Bloody Marys & Brunch 11am – 3pm, as well as full menu & new featured menu items & draft beers for February,” per comments, where there’s also mention of Bamboo Grill on Alki having a viewing party. And from Jenny at The Bridge: “The Bridge will be open this Sunday normal hours, 9 am for brunch! $3 Bud Lights and we do have Buffalo Wings as well! We are expecting a great party like last year.”

ADDED THURSDAY: Tuscan Tea Room and Bistro in The Junction has an unusual promotion: “MEN EAT FREE** 10:30 am-4:00 pm Super Bowl Sunday Brunch!! **Fine Print: With two entrees and two beverages the man’s entree is free! Two men dining? 50% off the whole bill.” … The Celtic Swell is having a viewing party with drink specials …

ADDED FRIDAY: From Pizzeria 22 proprietor Cary: “I have been noticing that many restaurants and bars in West Seattle will be closed for the Super Bowl, traditionally a very slow night for us. However, Pizzeria 22 does not have a television, one of the only restaurants in Admiral that doesn’t, by choice, and we will be open as we always are on Sunday evening at 4 pm. We are encouraging our neighbors and customers to support local business during the hours of the giant corporate advertisement blitzkrieg.”

ADDED SATURDAY: Company in White Center says, “Hey sports fans, advertising enthusiasts and half-time show trainwreck appreciators! This Sunday is the Super Bowl! Come down early for pre-game nonsense, drinks and FOOD! $2 PBR, $2 Rainier and $4 Fireball. We will also offer Swinery Bacon Dogs ($8) and 1/2 pound Painted Hills burgers ($9). Mmmmm, sporty! We will open at noon.” … From Beveridge Place Pub in Morgan Junction, proprietor Gary reports: “Beveridge Place Pub will be hosting a potluck while showing commercials on all three screens intermittenly interrupted by a football game! Bring some food and enjoy Happiest Hour prices from noon til 6:00pm! In addition, Animal Aid & Rescue Foundation (AARF) will be serving up hot dogs – donations welcome – and raffling beer glassware, beer signs, and t-shirts!” … And after the game, Guy Olson suggests post-game karaoke at Yen Wor Village in the Admiral District: “Madonna is singing at half time during The Super Bowl. I’m singing super bad Madonna at 9:00pm. Karaoke from 9 pm-2 am.”

ADDED SUNDAY: Admiral Pub‘s Super Bowl party details are on FB … And Patty tells us what’s up at West Seattle Thriftway: “West Seattle Thriftway Deli will be offering a Hot Wing Bar…6 Different sauces will be offered!! Only $4.99 lb cooked and ready to go with you where ever you plan on watching the game! Also THE BEST cheese selection in town!”

ONE MORE SUNDAY NOTE: Shannon at Avalon GlassWorks in Luna Park says they’re open and blowing glass – if you’d like to watch something other than football. The superheated process might serve as a REAL pre-game “warm-up”!

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West Seattle Water Taxi back in service for this afternoon
January 31, 2012 2:00 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   King County Water Taxi | West Seattle news

Just announced by the King County Marine Division – after mechanical trouble cut short the Monday night service (as reported here) and canceled this morning’s runs entirely, the West Seattle Water Taxi is back in service for this afternoon/evening, starting with the 3:45 run from downtown.

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Love low-tide walks? Be a volunteer beach naturalist!
January 31, 2012 12:20 pm
|    Comments Off on Love low-tide walks? Be a volunteer beach naturalist!
 |   How to help | West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

(June 2011 photo by Jim Clark)
What could be better than walking West Seattle beaches during low-low tides and enjoying sights like that? How about – being there during low-low tides as a volunteer beach naturalist, to help others learn about the beach and how to be careful while on it! Here’s your chance:

Care about beaches? Good with people? Sign up to be a volunteer beach naturalist with the Seattle Aquarium at a Seattle-area beach this summer. Naturalists will attend a program orientation on Tuesday, March 13, and receive training from marine and interpretative experts on five weekday evenings (3/20, 4/4, 4/17, 4/24, 5/1) and three weekend days (3/25, 4/7, 5/6). Once trained, volunteers spend three summer days educating visitors about beach ecology and beach etiquette at Carkeek Park, Constellation Park (Alki), Des Moines Beach Park, Golden Gardens, Lincoln Park, Olympic Sculpture Park Beach, Redondo Beach, Richmond Beach, or Seahurst Park. To sign up or get more information, please e-mail beachnaturalist@seattleaquarium.org or call (206) 386.4365.

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West Seattle restaurants: Spring Hill changing name, concept
January 31, 2012 9:44 am
|      101 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

Just announced by Spring Hill in The Junction: It’s becoming Ma’ono Fried Chicken & Whisky:

Spring Hill Restaurant & Bar at 4437 California Avenue SW will be changing its concept from a modern Pacific Northwest bistro into a Hawaiian inspired fried chicken shop & whiskey bar.
 
Mark, Marjorie and team are very excited to present the neighborhood of West Seattle with ma’ono.  Spring Hill has had such a fantastic response and following for our fried chicken dinners, beginning February 8, 2012 we will begin serving fried chicken dinners seven nights a week (Monday through Sunday) paired with mid-pacific inspired food.  ma’ono, meaning flavor, will be a reflection of Mark Fuller’s flavor memories of Kauai. 
 
The bar at ma’ono will be expanding from eight bar stools to eighteen with an additional counter.  ma’ono’s mixologist MiNan Ahn will be behind the bar with an expanded whiskey selection making delicious cocktails and beverages.  Happy hour will be available in our larger bar and in the dining room.  Brunch will continue on Saturday and Sunday. 

The change takes effect next week – Wednesday, February 8th. You can see the menu on the new website that goes with the big change – go here.

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West Seattle Tuesday: Transportation alerts; school open houses, meetings…
January 31, 2012 7:15 am
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(At Jack Block Park, by Flickr member ‘Old Desolate,’ via the WSB Flickr group pool)
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

NO WATER TAXI tHIS MORNING: Reminder that the West Seattle Water Taxi is canceled this morning because of mechanical trouble that cut its schedule short last night. We’ll publish an update whenever word comes in that a decision is made for this afternoon/evening.

OVERNIGHT BRIDGE CLOSURES: Scheduled again tonight – Fauntleroy Expressway (info here) and eastbound Spokane Street Viaduct (SDOT announcement here), both 9 pm-5 am.

DENNY INTERNATIONAL MIDDLE SCHOOL TOUR: From 8:00 to 9:10 am. All welcome – no appointment needed. (2601 SW Kenyon)

WEST SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL COFFEE CHAT: Talk about WSHS with principal Ruth Medsker, 9-10:30 am (check in at school office, 3000 California SW).

WEST SEATTLE COMMUNITY ORCHESTRAS: Weekly rehearsals as detailed here for returning AND new musicians; rehearsals at Chief Sealth International High School (2600 SW Thistle).

POWER TOOLS 101: Workshop at the West Seattle Tool Library, 6 pm. From the announcement: “Join instructor Amy Ecklund, as she welcomes you in to the basics of using small powertools such as circular saws, jigsaws, powerdrills, impact drivers, nail guns, and miter saws. As part of the class, you’ll demonstrate what you’ve learned by building a take-home, cedar planter box.” Sign up online.

PATHFINDER K-8 PTSA MEETING: At the school (1901 SW Genesee on Pigeon Point), 6:15 pm.

SANISLO ELEMENTARY PTA MEETING: From the announcement, “We welcome all current and prospective parents. 6:30-7:30 in the school library, child care is provided.” (1812 SW Myrtle)

SEATTLE LUTHERAN HS OPEN HOUSE: It’s open house night at Seattle Lutheran High School: 6:30-8 pm, details here. (4100 SW Genesee)

HOPE LUTHERAN SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: Open house night at Hope Lutheran School (WSB sponsor) – 7-8:30 pm more info on this flyer. (4456 42nd SW)

NIGHTLIFE: Skylark Café and Club acoustic open mic night, starts 7 pm … Rock music/pop culture trivia at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), 8 pm … At The Bridge: Trivia every Tuesday, $2 registration beginning at 8 pm and play starting at 8:30 pm.

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High-school basketball: Monday scores; Tues./Wed. games, food drive
January 31, 2012 2:10 am
|    Comments Off on High-school basketball: Monday scores; Tues./Wed. games, food drive
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

Tonight (Tuesday) and tomorrow, it’s crosstown-matchup time in high-school basketball: West Seattle High School‘s boys’ varsity team hosts Chief Sealth International HS at 7:30 tonight, and the girls’ varsity teams play same place, same time, Wednesday night. At both games, Bev Corey tells WSB, the WSHS cheerleaders will be collecting food for the West Seattle Food Bank, so spectators from both sides are encouraged to bring something to donate. Both schools were in action Monday night – WSHS hosted Bainbridge, and Bev reports that the boys won 68-45, while the girls lost 29-53. At Sealth, per our partners at the Seattle Times, the Seahawk boys lost to Lakeside 79-73, and the girls came up short too, 64-44.

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Election 2012: Congressional campaigning @ Beveridge Place
January 30, 2012 11:16 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

(From left with Rep. McDermott, 34th District Democrats activists Jackie Dupras, Marcee Stone, Tamsen Spengler)
For West Seattle’s highest-profile politicians and political activists, Beveridge Place Pub was the place to be tonight. The occasion: A fundraiser for the Seattle area’s longtime Congressional representative, U.S. Rep. Jim McDermott, that also drew contributions for the West Seattle Food Bank. If a media alert about the event went out, we didn’t receive it, but big thanks to Dina Lydia Johnson for sharing photos and info – more ahead:Read More

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King County Councilmember Joe McDermott to chair Budget Committee
January 30, 2012 9:38 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

West Seattle’s King County Councilmember Joe McDermott has a new high-profile role – leading the council through the budget process. Read on for the official announcement:Read More

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Update: West Seattle Water Taxi canceled Tuesday morning, too
January 30, 2012 6:10 pm
|      15 COMMENTS
 |   King County Water Taxi | West Seattle news

6:10 PM: Multiple reports via Twitter and e-mail of engine trouble just as the 5:45 pm West Seattle Water Taxi run from downtown was arriving at Seacrest. Checking on its status.

(Photo by Bill Schrier – looking down toward engine room before docking at 6 pm)
6:25 PM UPDATE: It’s just been confirmed by King County, the West Seattle Water Taxi is canceled for the rest of the night. That means no 6:15 or 6:45 runs from downtown, no 6:30 or 7 pm runs from West Seattle. We’re expecting an update later on its status for tomorrow.

9:24 PM UPDATE: It’s also just been announced, the West Seattle Water Taxi will be canceled for Tuesday morning, too. Too soon to say what’ll happen Tuesday afternoon.

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Economic-inequality protests fan out, from Working Washington in The Junction to ‘Occupy West Seattle’ online
January 30, 2012 4:58 pm
|      44 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

West Seattleite Sage Wilson at Working Washington tells WSB it’s just a coincidence that his group’s mini-protest outside a local bank today came the same day that the “Occupy” movement announced an official “Occupy West Seattle” branch. But it’s notable that the economic-inequality protest movement is reaching outside downtown.

First, the protest: Working Washington stationed Sera and Abdi outside Wells Fargo in The Junction with signs and flyers about WF’s tax history (based on this report). Its news release also said WW hopes to attract West Seattleites to participate in a protest targeting WF downtown tomorrow, meeting at Westlake at noon and marching from there.

At the same time, though apparently not related, “Occupy West Seattle” turned up for the first time on Facebook (here) and Twitter (here). They have announced their first “General Assembly” meeting for this Saturday at Alki UCC (6112 SW Hinds, time TBA). Their motto: “We are taking what we learned downtown and bringing it to the local neighborhoods.”

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South Seattle Community College events to remember Japanese-American relocation
January 30, 2012 3:50 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Announcements

February 13-18, a series of events is planned for South Seattle Community College. Here’s today’s announcement:

Japanese American Day of Remembrance
Events mark the 70th anniversary of the signing of Executive Order 9066.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012
11 am – 1 pm, Brockey Student Center

Japanese American Day of Remembrance observes the 70th anniversary of the signing of Executive Order 9066 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on February 19, 1942, following the attack on Pearl Harbor. It authorized the evacuation and incarceration of 120,000 persons of Japanese ancestry living on the West Coast, most of whom were U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents

In Washington state, nearly 13,000 people of Japanese descent were ultimately sent to detention centers. Most Seattleites ended up at Camp Minidoka near Hunt, Idaho, while the majority of rural Western Washington evacuees were sent to Tule Lake in California.

South Seattle Community College is holding a series of events to recognize this historic date.

Wednesday, February 15
*11 – 11:50 am – Mary Matsuda Gruenewald will discuss her memoir, Looking Like the Enemy, and share her story of living in several Incarceration Camps
*12 – 1 pm – Mark Mitsui, South’s former vice president of Student Services and current president of North Seattle Community College will discuss the significance of this Day of Remembrance with author, Mary Matsuda Greunewald.

Monday, February 13 – Friday, February 18 Photographs by Teresa Tamura
Photographer Teresa Tamura created a series of black and white images that record the remains of the Minidoka Relocation Center, as a means of affirming the spirit and resilience of those who lived through the incarceration. The collection will be on display in the South Seattle Community College library. Ms. Tamura’s photos have been displayed at Whitman College, Missoula Art Museum, and published in the Seattle Times.

The public is invited to remember and learn more about this period in our history through the words and experiences of these special guests. The events are free and open to the public. Driving directions: www.southseattle.edu/campus/map.htm#sscc.

This program is part of the learning series From Prejudice to Genocide, sponsored by the Office of Diversity & Retention at South Seattle Community College.

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SDOT reminder about tonight’s West Seattle Bridge closures
January 30, 2012 3:20 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

In case you missed it in our morning preview – the Fauntleroy Expressway and eastbound Spokane Street Viaduct are both closed tonight (and other nights). SDOT has just sent media organizations another reminder (and published it on their blog-format On The Move site):Read More

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No more snow makeup days? District seeks waiver
January 30, 2012 12:34 pm
|      66 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(Mid-January West Seattle snow; photo by JM)
No more makeup days for this month’s snow? Seattle Public Schools is hoping to get the state’s blessing:

Rather than add days to the end of the school year, Seattle Public Schools is asking the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) for a waiver for the Jan. 19 and Jan. 20 snow days.

Gov. Chris Gregoire declared Washington in a State of Emergency for those days, prompting Seattle Public Schools to seek a waiver to not make up the Jan. 19 or Jan. 20 snow days. This is contingent on a decision allowing the Emergency Proclamation to apply to schools in King County.  OSPI officials said they will have more information next month on how to apply for waivers.

It would cost Seattle Public Schools roughly $500,000 to make up the two days in June.

Seattle schools made up one of the three snow days on Friday, Jan. 27. State law does not require students to make up a day for Tuesday, Jan. 17, when students had a late arrival and an early dismissal.

Making up the time during mid-winter break is not an option, as families and staff have arranged their schedules around the school calendar, which was approved by the School Board in May 2011. That calendar, which is available online at http://bit.ly/DistrictCalendar, listed Jan. 27 as a weather make-up day, and up to three additional days are to be made up at the end of the school year.

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Why there’s a construction fence at Colman Pool in Lincoln Park
January 30, 2012 12:02 pm
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

That construction fence around Colman Pool at Lincoln Park brought some questions our way over the weekend, so we walked into the park to check it out today, while also sending an inquiry to Seattle Parks. It’s for the second phase of a renovation project that began last year, and the work means that West Seattle’s only city-owned outdoor pool won’t open this year until late June (that was announced before last season ended – we mentioned it here in September). The work that’s getting under way now will “replace portions of the pool deck, pool shell, and provide a new plaster lining to extend the life of the pool,” as explained on the project page. Parks spokesperson Dewey Potter adds that, “The demolition work on the deck and other elements will begin this week, so people will start to see trucks going in and out.” If the work goes as scheduled, Colman Pool will open on June 30th.

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West Seattle Tool Library: 2 workshops this week
January 30, 2012 10:41 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Sustainable West Seattle | West Seattle news

Free time this week? 2 workshops at the nonprofit West Seattle Tool Library both have room: “Power Tools 101: Lose Your Fear, Not Your Fingers” at 6 pm Tuesday – register online here – and “Introduction to Indoor Winter Gardening,” 7 pm Wednesday (promising a kickstart on your spring gardening too), with online registration here. The Tool Library is on the east side of >Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW).

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West Seattle Monday: Bridge closures; Cooking Club; story time…
January 30, 2012 8:38 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

From “Planet LB” via the WSB Flickr group pool, that’s the new Spokane Street Viaduct section at left, the old one at right, looking east from 4th Avenue South. More bridge closures overnight tonight are part of what’s on the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

OVERNIGHT BRIDGE CLOSURES: Scheduled tonight – Fauntleroy Expressway (info here) and eastbound Spokane Street Viaduct (SDOT announcement here), both 9 pm-5 am.

PROTEST IN THE JUNCTION: Per a news release, “a local resident wearing a Statue of Liberty costume will appear outside Wells Fargo bank” in The Junction 11:30-1:30 to protest the amount of federal income tax WF pays, and as a preview to a rally downtown tomorrow.

WEST SEATTLE COOKING CLUB: Meeting info at westseattlecookingclub.org; 2:30 pm at Beveridge Place Pub, theme “Braised/Slow-Cooked.”

FAMILY STORY TIME: 7 pm at the High Point branch of the Seattle Public Library – details here.

TAI CHI LIFESTYLE: 7 pm Mondays at High Point Neighborhood Center (6400 Sylvan Way SW), Caylen Storm leads “Tao Jin: Foundations of a Tai Chi Lifestyle,” introducing, the announcement says, “basic concepts and movements of Tai Chi, as well as information on diet, mind-set, tools to facilitate a healthy lifestyle based on Tai Chi philosophy, energy regeneration, and the motivation in making positive life changes.” Free to High Point’s SHA and Elizabeth House residents and KCHA Greenbridge residents, otherwise $10 drop-in fee. Questions: caylen_storm@yahoo.com

NIGHTLIFE: Trivia with Brian Calvert at Christo’s on Alki, 7 pm … Karaoke with Kelli at Skylark Café and Club, 9 pm … Talarico’s has karaoke @ 9:30 pm. … Around 10 pm, the “Flat Earth Society” weekly vinyl DJ’ing at West 5 features Randall Dunn (MMOB) & Chris Martin (Kinski, Ampbuzz), plus surprise guests (bartender Don’s birthday celebration)

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Madison Middle School students get a look into the future
January 30, 2012 4:32 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(Photos by Jessica Ruger)
It’s never too soon to learn what it might be like in the “real world” after high school. Last week, two career-centered events at Madison Middle School brought that point home. School staff shares photos and a recap:

More than 45 adults representing Madison parents, the Y, City Year and South Seattle Community College visited our students during two career events.

(Lauren Hadley from the Georgetown Apprenticeship/Education Center, Vanessa Reed Calonzo from SSCC, Colleen McDevitt and Sean Goode from the Y)
On Tuesday the YMCA, with support from the City Year team at West Seattle High School, put our 8th grade students through an exercise called “A Real Life Fair”. Each student was given an envelope with a high school degree, Associate Degree or a Bachelors Degree paper, a job title and some play money that would be associated with that job. Students were told to manage their money by going around to each table to make payments for child care, food, transportation and housing.

(Math teacher Mr. Meltzer collects payments for transportation
Some of our students ran out of money quickly, while others decided to pursue higher education to increase their wages.

(Ms. Yoshitomi talking to a class about entrepreneurialism)
Career Day on Thursday allowed each student to hear from 3 adults talking about their careers and what education is required for their job. The students showed a lot of interest in learning about their future and the adults were excited to share insights about how to succeed in life.

P.S. Madison’s annual auction date is set – March 10; full details on the school’s webpage.

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West Seattle Bridge closures: Next one overnight; SDOT leader promises ‘improved … plan’
January 29, 2012 11:17 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

In case you missed the gridlock and frustration earlier this weekend: The eastbound Spokane Street Viaduct – that’s the official name for the West Seattle Bridge between 99 and I-5 – has another construction closure overnight, 12:01 am-5 am Monday. That’s a remnant of what was supposed to be a weekend-long closure that caused weekday-style gridlock for most of the day Saturday, until SDOT suddenly announced it was ending early after “completing required work early.” Though the closure had been mentioned in SDOT updates dating back more than two weeks (here’s the first one we published, on January 12th), they all included it in lists starting with much-less-impactful overnight closures; the biggest complaint Saturday was an offline situation: No signage on bridge approaches warning of the closure, neither electronic nor analog. In addition, as some pointed out, while the 1st Avenue South offramp was open, it was narrowed to one lane.

Along with a 97-comment discussion here on WSB, some concerned West Seattleites contacted SDOT directly. Among them was one who shared with us a response he received from the man who runs SDOT, director Peter Hahn:

I share the concerns you describe below. The SDOT people who have worked on the outreach plan for the projects(all) impacting W. Seattle will be meeting with me Monday and devising an improved responsive plan of coordination and outreach. We will share that with the community.

We also had e-mailed SDOT media contacts during the closure jam as well as West Seattle-residing Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, who chairs the council’s Transportation Committee, who replied that the city “must do better.” Ironically, the Saturday backup coincided with a four-hour Open House at City Hall to which all Seattleites were invited to come meet city reps and get “information from city departments,” SDOT included.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Stolen truck to watch for
January 29, 2012 9:44 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Just in case it’s still in the area – keep watch for this stolen truck reported tonight by Ann-Marie:

Sometime today, Sunday January 29, 2011, between 3:45 pm and 6:30 pm, my father’s red 1987 Toyota pickup truck was stolen from out in front of his home on 34th Ave SW and SW Raymond St. The license plate number is A71496U. It has a manual transmission and a black canopy over the bed of the truck. If it is seen, please call it in to the police and then contact my father at marshameaton@comcast.net or 206-938-0488. Thank you for your time!

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High-school basketball: Senior Night at Chief Sealth
January 29, 2012 8:36 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

The Chief Sealth International High School Band, directed by Marcus Pimpleton, had a special occasion to play for last night – Senior Night for the basketball teams. Though both Sealth varsity teams were bested by visiting Bainbridge Island, it was still a festive night, including a celebration of the players who will graduate this year. We have photos of them all, right after the game recaps, ahead:Read More

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