West Seattle, Washington

27 Tuesday

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month : 01/2012 297 results

Helicopter over Highland Park
January 14, 2012 11:42 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Helicopter | Highland Park | West Seattle news

11:42 PM: Thanks for the e-mails/texts. We’re checking. (LATER: Sorry, the fire sidetracked the investigation into what this was about. We still have inquiries out, though, and whenever we get an answer, we’ll post it here.)

SUNDAY MORNING: Southwest Precinct Lt. Alan Williams told us they did NOT have Guardian One (the area’s only law-enforcement chopper, owned/operated by King County Sheriff’s Office, but assists other agencies) out on anything. Was it a KCSO case? No word yet.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Burglary victim’s reminder
January 14, 2012 9:10 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | High Point | West Seattle news

It’s been quieter on the burglary front lately; we should hear the newest stats at the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting on Tuesday. Meantime, an alert from a break-in victim near 29th and Raymond in High Point, who sent a note this afternoon:Read More

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Benefit cat adopt-a-thon continues Sunday; 1st day a success
January 14, 2012 8:37 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Pets | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

At Kitty Harbor late this afternoon, the first day of a special cat adopt-a-thon wrapped up, with distinguished visitors – with KH founder Delyn Kosbab (left) and Furry Faces Foundation’s Teri Ensley (right), that’s one of them, King County Executive Dow Constantine, holding Patches the cat. Patches, an 11-year-old tortoiseshell, is one of two-dozen-plus cats who will be awaiting you at Kitty Harbor tomorrow. (By 4 pm today, more than 30 already had found new homes!) The adopt-a-thon is also a benefit on behalf of Teri, whose home caught fire this past Monday (WSB coverage here). All but one of her personal and rescue cats is OK, but she is mourning Pouncer, who didn’t make it; otherwise, Teri told us, she’s doing better, and very thankful to everyone who has reached out to help. (Even the clothes she’s wearing are thanks to folks who are helping.) Constantine is a longtime animal advocate – not to mention companion of two rescue cats – and was there not just to show support for Teri, but also for King County Regional Animal Services, which helped with the event:

As terrific as Kitty Harbor is (helping 575 cats find homes this past season!), he noted, it would be great if there was less need for volunteers and private nonprofits to shelter and help so many homeless cats – and there’s an easy way to help that become reality:

(Side note – Constantine and partner Shirley Carlson stopped at Kitty Harbor while heading back from an event at the University of Washington at which local Japanese-American World War II heroes were honored, including two from West Seattle; more on that later.)

The Kitty Harbor adopt-a-thon – which is happening outside the timeframe of the facility’s normal adoption season – continues noon-6 pm tomorrow at 3422 Harbor Avenue SW. Meantime, the latest on assistance for Teri, her cats, and Furry Faces is here (including a “mini-pub crawl” in Morgan Junction Thursday night).

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January 21st memorial for lifelong West Seattleite Jack Hanning
January 14, 2012 6:07 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Obituaries | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

One week from today, family and friends will gather to remember lifelong West Seattleite Jack Hanning. His family shares this remembrance:

Jack Hanning
“Maui Jack”
3/24/25-1/7/12

Jack was born in Seattle to Jack and Irene Hanning. He was a lifelong resident of West Seattle and graduated in ‘43 from West Seattle High School.

Jack joined the Sea Scouts and sailed on the Yankee Clipper; later in life, he served on the Sea Scout Foundation.

He volunteered for the U.S. Navy Submarine Service during WWII and served on the Pogy SS266 from ’43-‘46. In ‘47, Jack married Bettie McCoy, and they celebrated their 64th anniversary last June 14th. He graduated from the U of W in ’53, then worked for Benton Realty before opening Hanning Realty in ’56. Later he added Olympic Escrow. After 50 years in the business, he closed his office in ‘06.

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Unusual side effect of sewer-storage project: ‘Garage sale’ ad brings out deputies, crime tape at Lowman Beach
January 14, 2012 3:36 pm
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   Utilities | West Seattle news

We first heard about this at midmorning, when Richard sent a note about a King County Sheriff’s Deputy and “crime tape” at a home across from Lowman Beach. We suspected it had something to do with the county taking over that property and others, for the future Murray Pump Station Combined Sewer Overflow project, which will replace the residences across from Lowman Beach with a million-gallon underground storage tank and its support faciliities. When we got there for a photo early this afternoon, that looked so obviously to be the case, we didn’t even seek out the deputy who was parked there, figuring we’d go look up property records.

Then while back at HQ we got a note from Robin, who said she had seen a Craigslist ad about a garage sale at the address today, got there at 10 am – and instead of a sale, she found a (different – in a KCSO car, while this afternoon, it was Burien PD) deputy, the house cordoned off with crime tape, and NO TRESPASSING signs put up:

She says the deputy who was there at the time explained that the renters already had moved out and the sale listing was “fake,” one of those “everything including the fixtures are for sale” listings. We looked around online and saw some corroboration of this on CL:

Further searches showed some hint of the original post, but it’s already been removed, even from caching. Online county records confirm this site is now owned by the county; the sale closed December 30th, but the purchase price is not listed. We’re seeking further info from the Sheriff’s Office (such as, was anyone arrested?) and will also be researching the ownership status of the other properties on the block – the county’s timetable calls for demolition as soon as this spring, though construction isn’t expected to start till next year. More info on today’s incident, as we get it.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Vandal driver(s) tear up Hiawatha lawn
January 14, 2012 12:36 pm
|      45 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Police are investigating vandalism on the east lawn of Hiawatha Community Center. An officer arrived while we were there looking at the damage a neighbor had called to tell us about. One or more vehicles drove over the east lawn – in repeated circles/criss-crosses, tearing up the grass in the area used for so many community events:

The neighbor who called us said it happened overnight – he believes he heard the noise of whatever vehicle(s) did this, but didn’t realize at the time what it was. The tire tracks are on the north side of the east lawn too:

We did not see any equipment or building damage, though, and it wasn’t clear what direction the driver(s) came from – there is a driveway but the locked bollards were up. The site is owned by Seattle Parks, and we won’t be able to check with them till Tuesday because of the holiday.

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West Seattle Weather Watch: Burn ban canceled; snow update
January 14, 2012 10:36 am
|      16 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

10:36 AM: The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency has just canceled the burn ban that’s been in effect the past few days – no surprise given the rain and wind, of course, but just in case you’ve been longing to get the fireplace/woodstove going, there’s your green light. Meantime, the forecast continues to include a possibility that the rain showers will turn to snow showers – possibly this afternoon; so far, no word of morning snow sightings.

11:35 AM: The snow has hit the north end, according to multiple reports – Fremont, Woodland Park Zoo among the areas mentioning it. Headed this way? We’re on watch. The National Weather Service has issued a “short-term forecast” focused on north King/south Snohomish counties.

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West Seattle schools: Board rep McLaren decides not to try to delay new ‘option’ school at Boren after all
January 14, 2012 10:01 am
|      41 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

In an hour, West Seattle’s new school-board rep Marty McLaren holds her third and final community-conversation meeting before the board votes Wednesday on what to do to try to relieve school overcrowding next year – a process the district is calling “short-term capacity management.” As first reported here January 4th, McLaren had said that she planned to offer an amendment to delay the proposal to reopen the former Boren Junior High School as temporary home of a STEM – science, tech, engineering, math – focused “option” elementary. We’d been asking about the status of the amendment in recent days, and minutes ago, she sent this announcement she has decided not to pursue it:

Thank you to all the West Seattle (and other) people who have joined the dialogue about short term solutions for overcrowding in our elementary schools.

Decision to move forward with the STEM option proposal
Friday I made the decision not to go forward with my amendment to the current proposal: Thus, the Seattle School Board will vote next Wednesday, January 18th, on whether to open an elementary STEM option program at the Boren site, and in addition to add portables as needed in the Denny and Madison service areas for the 2012-13 school year.

Because many of you felt that there had not been adequate community discussion about the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) program recommendation, I had prepared an amendment which would have delayed placing a STEM program at Boren for a year, until 2013-14. I invited interested people to comment on this blog about their vision for West Seattle schools and the STEM option, and also invited people to attend one of three meetings (the final meeting of this series takes place this morning at 11 AM at the Delridge Library). However, after listening carefully, discussing the various angles, and looking at all the factors, when the Friday deadline came to post the amendment, I chose not to do it.

Deciding factors — concerns about going forward
As you know, this was a complex and difficult decision. Many West Seattle people have correctly pointed out that placing a STEM program at Boren does not begin to adequately address overcrowding in our elementary schools. It’s clear that we need a comprehensive mid- and long-range master plan for providing more neighborhood schools, and many people believe strongly that it’s premature to commit to a STEM option program before a feeder pattern for the program is determined and before the master plan is in place. However, there is simply not enough time to formulate such a plan before open enrollment begins on February 27th.

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Video: West Seattle High School basketball teams vs. Hale
January 14, 2012 9:59 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

(WSHS mascot and band, drumming up school spirit)
Story and video by Randall G. Hauk
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

Troy Lingle’s 21 points were enough to make him the high scorer for the West Seattle High School boys basketball team Friday night, but even with 15 of those points coming in the second half, the effort was not enough to avoid a third-straight loss for the Wildcats, who fell at home to the Nathan Hale HS Raiders.

Hale also won the girls’ varsity match preceding the boys’ varsity game.

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West Seattle Saturday: School Board chat, open houses, more…
January 14, 2012 8:08 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Added 10:17 am – an intrepid dozen-plus turned out in chilly rain/wind for Admiral cleanup!)
While we wait and watch the weather – here’s the latest “special weather statement” – there’s plenty else to do. From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

ADMIRAL CLEANUP: Admiral Neighborhood Association‘s quarterly Adopt-A-Street cleanup, meet outside Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor) at 9 am – free breakfast and lunch.

COVE SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: The Cove School, with a toddler program and preschool program, hosts its final open house of the season at its location in Fauntlee Hills, 9-10:30 am. Call to RSVP ASAP, 206-923-COVE.

FIND OUT ABOUT BECOMING A VOLUNTEER NATURALIST: Open house for those interested in information about being a volunteer naturalist. Camp Long, 10 am-1 pm, 5200 35th SW. From the announcement: “Do you love sharing nature with others? Are you interested in learning more about the flora and fauna of the Seattle’s many parks? Then you might be the perfect candidate for the Seattle Volunteer Naturalist program. … Training for Volunteer Naturalists begins in March of 2012. The deadline for applications is February 10.”

TALK WITH YOUR REP ON THE SEATTLE SCHOOL BOARD: With the board’s decision about “short-term capacity management” – reopen Boren as a new “option” elementary? add more portables to several local elementaries? or? – today is your final pre-vote chance to talk with School Board rep Marty McLaren, 11 am-1 pm at Delridge Library (Brandon/Delridge).

AVALON CENTER OPEN HOUSE: Avalon Center (WSB sponsor) is having an open house 11 am-3 pm today, 6959 California SW. From the announcement: “Everyone is invited to stop by to meet the staff. There will be a light brunch buffet and great conversations.”

CAT ADOPT-A-THON BENEFITING TERI ENSLEY & FURRY FACES: As announced earlier this week, at Kitty Harbor (3422 Harbor Ave. SW) noon-6 pm today, a cat adopt-a-thon will benefit fire victim Teri Ensley and her animal-advocacy organization Furry Faces Foundation.

BRIGHT BEGINNINGS OPEN HOUSE: Open House at Bright Beginnings Preschool Program, Hiawatha Community Center (2700 California SW), 1-3 pm. Bright Beginnings is operated by the Associated Recreational Council in partnership with the Parks Department. From the announcement: “We provide rich environments with different learning areas, consistent schedules and routines, large and small group times and outdoor play.”

SOLDIERS’ MEMORIAL DEDICATION: Fallen Soldiers Memorial dedication at Vietnamese Cultural Center (on SW Orchard north of Home Depot, west of Delridge), 1 pm, public invited, especially Vietnam War veterans and their families. Read about it in our recent preview.

FEELING CRAFTY? Monthly Crafting party group in Delridge with its first meet-up today, 1-6 pm. From the announcement: “The cost is $10/person and it includes: snacks, appetizers, door prizes, make n takes, and more. Space is limited so interested folks should inquire/rsvp to me at phillippiagoldsmith@live.com – Participants can come work on their sewing, scrapbooking, card making, knitting projects with other people. Youth are welcome!”

AT THE LONGHOUSE: “Remembering Medicine Songs of Chief Seattle’s Time” with Johnny Moses, 6 pm at Duwamish Longhouse (details on this Facebook event page).

Note: After publishing the roundup, we learned this event has been postponed – watch for news of a new date! ‘WINEMAKER’S DINNER’ TO BENEFIT WHITE CENTER FOOD BANK: Endolyne Joe’s and Sozo Wines are hosting it tonight at 7 pm, $60 per person, five-course meal with wine. Check to see if reservations remain – 206–937-5637.

RAT CITY BRASS @ KENYON HALL: At Kenyon Hall (7904 35th SW): 7:30 pm tonight, it’s Rat City Brass, described in the announcement as “a dynamic eight-piece band that specializes in the music of Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass.” Reserved table seats are $14. Row seating is $12 general and $10 seniors. With a reservation, row seating is only $10 general and $8 seniors. Elementary, middle, and high school students are $5. Pre-schoolers are free. To make a reservation, please e-mail kenyonhall@earthlink.net.

AT THE CLUBS/LOUNGES/COFFEEHOUSES: Cool Cats at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 6-8 pm … The Buckets at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), 9 pm … Estafets, Bone Cave Ballet, Debutante Year at Skylark Café and Club, 9 pm … Candylandia dance party at Benbow Room of the Heartland Café, 9 pm-2 am … DJ/karaoke with Tony B at Rocksport, 10 pm …

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How to lift a 100-ton girder 1 inch: Up-close look at the Fauntleroy Expressway seismic-retrofit crew
January 13, 2012 10:31 pm
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   Safety | Transportation | West Seattle news

(Photos by Christopher Boffoli for WSB, unless otherwise credited)
Good news if you are among the nighttime drivers dealing with west-end bridge closures for the Fauntleroy Expressway quake-resistance project (well, technically, seismic retrofitting): The work is ahead of schedule, according to superintendent Jeff Bailey with general contractor C.A. Carey.

We (WSB editor Tracy Record and contributing photojournalist Christopher Boffoli) met Bailey and his crew last night while visiting the work site under the bridge with Bob Derry of Stepherson & Associates, which is doing communications consulting on the project; we’ve brought you their updates in multiple community-council reports over the past four months.

If you’re just tuning in – the Fauntleroy Expressway is the almost-half-century-old, half-mile-long western end of the high bridge. It’s undergoing work with this goal, from the project page: “Once completed, the seismic retrofitting improvements will decrease the probability that the Fauntleroy Expressway will collapse after a large magnitude earthquake.”

Seeing the current work up close, it’s not as dramatic as the images evoked when we heard the crew would spend months lifting the bridge deck, one section at a time, to replace rubber seismic cushions. The “lifting” does not involve some kind of big hoist, no cranes, nothing overhead, in fact – it actually involves crews going up in cherry-pickers to place a 600-pound jack under each (up to) 100-ton girder:

Here’s a closer look at one of the jacks:

Once the jacks are in place, the crew uses them to lift the bridge deck one inch (any more, Bailey explains, and the rules change), taking out the old cushion, then testing the space with this T-shaped tool dangling short chains:

(Cameraphone photo by Tracy Record)
The sound of the chain links against the concrete helps crews confirm if the concrete is in good shape.

(Photo courtesy Bob Derry)
And when they put in a new cushion, it has “glue” on one side. You can see all the phases in this video Christopher put together – including the traffic passing by on both sides of the work zone:

Fauntleroy Expressway Work from christopher boffoli on Vimeo.

The project also has involved jacketing bridge support columns with steel. Next week, Bailey explained, they’ll put grout in, between the steel and the concrete, though he says the void isn’t that wide – one inch all around.

Watching all the work from beneath, we wondered aloud what’s visible atop the bridge while the deck is being raised from below. So Bailey took us up to look. Turns out you would barely notice the bump if you drove over it:

Our trip topside was more notable just for the chance to stand on the bridge without traffic.

(That’s Bailey at left, Derry at right.) But back underneath, the crew – about 20 people on an average night, according to Bailey – was moving forward, removing and replacing the cushions, one by one, moving from girder to girder, section to section.

So far, he added, they haven’t heard many complaints about effects of the project and its closures. We mentioned receiving a few notes earlier this week about the under-bridge park/ride spaces being blocked off earlier this week; he said the crews had moved fast enough in the previous few nights for much of the space to open back up again.

What’s next? Overnight closures are expected on weeknights the next two weeks; there’s no firm plan yet for weekend closures, which were mentioned as a possibility during community-meeting briefings next fall. The $3 million project, funded by the Bridging the Gap levy, is expected to be complete before summer.

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ADRT back on the streets in West Seattle, and guest speaker ahead
January 13, 2012 7:45 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police

Four days before a member of the Seattle Police Aggressive Driver Response Team makes a guest appearance at the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council‘s next meeting, ADRT was back in action in West Seattle today, including 35th SW, Admiral Way, and local school zones. See the SPD Blotter roundup here; come to the Southwest Precinct (Webster/Delridge) at 7 pm Tuesday to hear how they work (and ask questions!).

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The sunset before the … well, you know. West Seattle views
January 13, 2012 6:57 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

We have groused lately that the word “amazing” is overused. However – it truly applies to what graced the sky around 5 tonight, as do glorious, spectacular, breathtaking, (your favorite superlative here). Thanks to everyone sharing photos. (Ever heard the explanation for sunset colors?) Top, Brad Huskinson shot that from the Me-Kwa-Mooks area. Next, JayDee‘s view, looking over Alki Point:

Two more ahead:Read More

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Seattle civil-rights leader speaks at Madison’s MLK Day assembly
January 13, 2012 3:20 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

With school now out for the three-day Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Day holiday weekend, many students will be coming home with stories about special assemblies in honor of Dr. King and what he stood for. Madison Middle School shares this photo of principal Henterson Carlisle (left) and house administrator Elizabeth Shields (right) with Madison’s special assembly speaker, Rev. Dr. Samuel McKinney, longtime Seattle civil-rights leader and friend of Dr. King. As noted in Rev. Dr. McKinney’s biography on HistoryLink, his many accomplishments include his longtime leadership of Seattle’s Mount Zion Baptist Church, as pastor from 1958-1998 (he is still listed there as its Pastor Emeritus). He invited Dr. King to Seattle for his only visit here, in November 1961 (HistoryLink tells that story too).

ADDED 7:42 PM: CC shared a photo too – her 8th-grade daughter Chanel with the Rev. Dr. McKinney and Madison’s Dr. Virgie Harris, the friend who invited him to speak at the school:

Big event at Madison next week, by the way – Literacy Night on Thursday (details here).

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West Seattle High School student’s poetic moment at Benaroya
January 13, 2012 2:10 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS culture/arts

Word is just getting out about an achievement by a young poet at West Seattle High School. Freshman Charli Elliott read one of her poems at a Seattle Arts and Lectures poetry event at Benaroya Hall in December. The headliner was award-winning poet Terrance Hayes, in the next photo with Charli, who read a poem inspired by his work.

WSHS shared it with us, to share with you:

Freedom of Speech
by Charli Elliott

I want to always rise to the
Challenge. I want to never sit alone.
I want to learn to talk and be heard.

I want to watch as the grass grows
Old and dies. Month after month. Year after year.

I want to see. If the moon can rise
Every night, I want the taste
Of freedom on the tip of my tongue

I want to touch you, dance with you on
A cloud made of light. I want to lose myself

In the labyrinth and rolling waves
Of your eyes. I want to free myself
Of hate. I want to be free from the shackles of freedom.

I want to be free, and free of freedom,
With its cold irons clasped on your wrists. Its

Frenzied thoughts, its open plains, and definition
Tied neatly with a bow. I want to be free of
Words without meaning and listlessness. My anger,

My loss and apologies, my doubt.
If the rain can cleanse the earth

I want a fresh soul. I want the stones wisdom
And the earth’s flexibility. I want the lights
Ubiquity, but not its invisible touch

I want the reliance of the sun, but not its fury.
I want the strength of the universe. I want to search

The rolling hills of elsewhere and find
You there. I want the tips of your fingers

In the small of my back. I want to be the tree
But not the leaves. I do not want to be the grass
I do not want to be the dew covered spider web,

Or the spider. When I leave this body
I want to be sheer power. I want to have a voice.

(Charli’s proud mom, by the way, is Sonya Elliott, who coaches her and other athletes on the WSHS girls’ basketball team, and is also a writer.)

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West Seattle Snow Watch: Saturday morning? Plus, road readiness
January 13, 2012 11:48 am
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

11:48 AM: Here’s where things are at with the buzz of possible snow in the days ahead: The National Weather Service‘s new “forecast discussion” – where they go in-depth with the info that’s shaping their forecasts – says “spotty snow showers” are likely tomorrow night around much of the region. Snow showers remain possible through Sunday and Monday, and then Tuesday has a possible collision between lingering cold air and incoming “warm rain” that might “start as snow.” As always with these things, we won’t REALLY know till we get there – but if you had to summarize it now, think “snow readiness” but not “snow panic.” (Note that the forecast also mentions wind tomorrow.) Meantime, SDOT says it has “crews on standby” (here’s its readiness report) and also warns about possible black ice Saturday night. WSDOT is talking about its readiness at a media briefing this afternoon. Forecasts should be updated by 3:30 pm or so; we’ll add the latest then (or anything sooner).

3:33 PM UPDATE: Now the forecast has accelerated to possible snow showers in the morning. It’ll be notably colder in the next several days, with highs expected in the 30s.

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Followup: Benefit next Thursday to help fire victim Teri Ensley & Furry Faces Foundation
January 13, 2012 10:16 am
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

Friends helping organize efforts on behalf of fire victim and animal advocate Teri Ensley had promised a fundraising event as well as other ongoing efforts – and they’ve just announced the date via Facebook, as well as a request for auction donations:

There will be a mini-pub crawl next Thursday 1/19 at 7pm at the Feedback Lounge & Beveridge Place Pub. The Feedback Lounge is hosting “Teri’s House Party” and all money raised will go directly to Teri and the Beveridge Place Pub will be hosting “F4 – Furry Faces Fire Fund”, with all proceeds going to Furry Faces. There will be silent auctions at both places and we need your help! Do you have any connections for gift certificates or great prizes? Please let us know ASAP and your gift will help either Teri or Furry Faces regain what they lost in the fire.

This is via the just-set-up FB page Teri’s Fire Fund. We expect to have additional updated information later today, and will add it. If you missed earlier coverage – the fire happened this past Monday morning (WSB coverage here); no human injuries but one cat, Pouncer, died, while another, Jared, was rescued and given oxygen before going to a clinic.

ADDED 10:55 AM: The added update info, shared by Sara Riehl from Animal Aid and Rescue Foundation:

Teri has been having good days, Tammy (F3) says yesterday (Thursday) she was going well, she was focused, she knows the support she has in the community and I really think this is helping her recover from her tragedy. We have a group of her close friends checking in with her but giving her some space right now so she can process what has occurred 4 long days ago. Teri has started going through the house and figuring out what might be salvageable and what needs to be thrown out. This is a process she would like to do privately. She had said Wednesday night that she thinks she can finally admit what had happened was real, which is a positive step. But as many of you know Teri, her being focused and having a task in front of her that she is in control of will help her process what her next step in recovery will be. We will keep checking in and hopefully building on her list of what things she will need to replace.

On to other things, the stuff that everyone can help with.

All of Teri’s personal cats and foster cats have been at Lien Animal Clinic since the fire; due to the smoke they were all exposed to their throats are all sore. They also have to be kept in a warm environment, around 70 degrees, for the next 3 weeks to minimize their chance of getting pneumonia. This is very common for animals to get if they are involved in a fire. Jarred (the cat the was resuscitated by a very nice firefighter) is doing very well, he is stable, he has still not eaten but due to his very irritated throat this is not concerning to his vets. If he does not start eating by today, they will give him a feeding tube to help him until he is feeling better. Lien has really stepped up and has gone above and beyond to help Teri and her cats transition. They are constantly updating her and allow her to come and visit with the cats daily. Teri’s bill is slowly getting more and more expensive. If you would like to make a donation to help with this vet bill please call Lien Animal Hospital at: 206-932-1133 and tell them you are donating to Furry Faces Foundation.

New List of Donation Needs:

­Organizational Supplies- clear bins
Label maker
Shelving
Anything organizational related
File folder
File cabinets
Air tight containers to store food in
Medical supplies for animals
Animal Vaccination supplies

Teri Personal List of Donation Needs:

­Work shoes, low to no heal, comfortable casual work shoes size 7 ½ to 8, women’s
Coat hangers
Socks
More pants- she needs more dressier pants for work
Good books to read

The donation link via Facebook is here; we’re still confirming which one is the focus for non-FB’ers.

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Results of Westwood neighbors’ efforts evident, as new park-that’s-not-really-a-park opens on ex-Denny site
January 13, 2012 9:53 am
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   Denny-Sealth | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

westwoodvisionsmall.jpg

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

If you harbor that festering suspicion that citizen involvement can’t make a difference – here’s the latest case in which it did: The new park-that’s-not-technically-a-park on Denny International Middle School‘s former site.

Three-plus years ago, when the district invited neighbors to help shape the site plan – as long as a few requirements (especially tennis courts and softball field to replace the ones lost on the new Sealth/Denny site to the northeast) were met – Westwood community leaders didn’t just show up for meetings, they roughed out their own vision (above) and fought for it in the process:

(WSB photo from January 12, 2009)
Now, except for a finishing touch here and there, the site work is complete, and you’re welcome to use the area. Though the final layout of what ultimately became a $6 million project is different (here’s what was presented in February 2009), several elements on which they insisted have become reality – particularly pathways through the site:

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Viaduct/99 traffic update: Battery St. Tunnel reopened
January 13, 2012 7:40 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(SDOT cam looking north at 99 through SODO, from the WSB Traffic cams page)
7:40 AM: Just got word of the Battery St. Tunnel closure from SDOT via Twitter. If it lasts for long, 99 northbound will be worse than usual – so if you’re heading into downtown, you might want to opt for 1st or 4th exits from the bridge.

7:51 AM: SDOT says it’s now been cleared and reopened.

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West Seattle Friday: The sea, the slopes, the sounds…
January 13, 2012 7:17 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Friday: The sea, the slopes, the sounds…
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Navios Hyperion in Elliott Bay this week, shared by Don Brubeck via the WSB Flickr group pool)
First Friday the 13th of the year, and there’s still talk of snow on the way (not today/tonight, though). Here’s what else is on the radar, from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

‘KING TIDE’: The highest high tides of this month, peaking where they did a few weeks ago, are today and tomorrow (here’s the chart) – today, it’s 12.8 feet at 7:49 am.

MOUNTAIN TO SOUND DEMO @ ALPENTAL: Going skiing? Or – you weren’t planning on it, but interested? West Seattle’s Mountain To Sound Outfitters will be at Alpental tonight for Demo Ski and Snowboard Night, 4 pm – close, with “new model skis from Lib Tech, Rossignol, 4FRNT, Atomic, Blizzard, Salomon and snowboards by Gnu. Limited gear will be offered first come, first serve,” according to M2SO’s Greg Whittaker. They’re also offering a special Seattle Ski Shuttle trip to the event – call 206-935-7669 or e-mail info@m2soutfitters to see if there’s still space.

LIVE MUSIC: Beeda at C & P Coffee (WSB sponsor), 6-8 pm … Hondo II, Poland, Sweet Secrets at Skylark Café and Club, 9 pm ($5 cover) … Ultimate Sellout Band at Heartland Café’s Benbow Room, 9 pm-1 am … Burley Mountain at Alki Tavern … The Fiasco at Talarico’s

Something for the calendar? The sooner you send it, the more people see it! Don’t worry about having to write a big “press release,” just send a few lines with the basic what/who/when/where (and a link if you have one), plain text in your e-mail (not an attachment), recurring meetings/events/nightlife welcome as well as one-time announcements, editor@westseattleblog.com – call 206-293-6302 if you have a question – thanks!

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‘Build-out’ project for Dakota Place Park building goes to bid
January 12, 2012 8:52 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(WSB photo from 2009)
When Dakota Place Park was dedicated two years ago, it was acknowledged that the old substation building at the site – a city landmark – still needed to be renovated. It was going to be used as extra space for Hiawatha Community Center programs, we were told.

Right about that same time, the Parks and Green Spaces Levy Oversight Committee voted to put money toward the project. But now, two-plus years later, with the city cutting back on community-center hours, and even changing one West Seattle community center to another function, you might think the project has gone on indefinite hold. It hasn’t – and in fact, this week, the call for bids appeared online, for about $350,000 worth of work. (See the call for bids here.) So we asked Seattle Parks what the building would be used for, now that the community-center system has been somewhat reorganized. Spokesperson Dewey Potter provided the reply:

Parks will use the Dakota Place building as a location for classes and programs as an annex of Hiawatha Community Center. Classes and programs held there will be for registered participants (no drop-in). Staffing for the facility will be included in the cost of the class or program. The space will open only when a class is scheduled. Programs will be offered Monday through Thursday.

The building will also be available for private and community rentals on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. That will probably be handled through our event-scheduling office but that arrangement is not set up yet.

Another fact: The Hiawatha Community Center Advisory Council has contributed up to $170,000 to help Parks with the interior renovation and to buy equipment and furnishings.

We’ll be following up on the expected construction timetable.

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Happening now: West Seattle Art Walk, January 2012 edition
January 12, 2012 5:47 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle Art Walk | West Seattle news

5:47 PM: Tonight’s West Seattle Art Walk technically doesn’t begin till 6 pm, but Holli Margell got started early – Sugar Rush Baking Company is the site of her first photography show, and she is collecting donations for the West Seattle Food Bank. She started at 5 and is continuing till 8, and a few donations already had come in when we stopped by. Bring 2 nonperishable food items (the bin’s by the front door) and get a free photo card! Holli explained, “I am inspired by all the West Seattle Holiday giving, and want to see it extend into the New Year. I have family who have depended on the Food Bank, and I know the need is still high after the holidays.” She’s a Delridge resident and while she used to be a wedding photographer, she is now a fulltime homemaker/mom and says her work “captures the beautiful details of everyday life.”

More stops ahead – tonight we’re updating as we go.

6:07 PM: A few blocks away, at 4709 42nd SW (across from the north end of Jefferson Square, next to The Beer Junction, which has a tasting event tonight), go say hi to the folks at Young At Art:

Dr. Vali Hawkins Mitchell, an art therapist (and more) who recently opened a studio inside YAA, is at left, with YAA proprietor Theresa Anderson (who we first told you about three months ago). Next to them, that’s work by Starheadboy, who they were expecting to arrive at any moment for live painting tonight.

6:52 PM: At Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor), they’re winging it tonight:

Artist Shelli Markee is famous for her wire birds – modeled after real ones; these are no flights of fancy. They are so delicate that it’s hard to capture them in a photo that includes a person! You just have to go take a look (there are closer views on the Click! website, too). You can put them on the wall, usually with a single nail or tack; some also can be placed standing on a table bookcase, etc.; and some are mounted. Click! has dozens of her creations. Co-proprietor John Smersh also reminded us that their January sale is still on. Among the sale items:

Tired of toting your groceries in bags bearing store logos or something else promotional? Show your West Seattle pride! These cloth bags featuring the peninsula and many of its neighborhoods are on sale too.

7:15 PM: At Nature Consortium‘s office in The Junction – the little building right behind Shadowland – live music was scheduled to start a short time ago. We were there before the band started playing, and met featured artist Tamblyn Gawley:

Appropriately enough for an organization focused on forest restoration, her work, like “Green Burst” in the photo, explores nature’s glory. Read more about Tamblyn and her paintings on the NC website. P.S. If you missed our mention yesterday – NC invites you to spend your MLK Day Weekend of Service with them in the West Duwamish Greenbelt, with work parties Saturday and Monday (details here).

P.S. Here’s the winter-quarter walking map/venue list – 30 participants this time around. The Art Walk’s on till 9 pm.

P.P.S. (8:21 PM) While you’re out – M3 Bodyworks (WSB sponsor) is having its annual Masquerade Party/art celebration till 9 – proprietor Michael Mandell sent a photo:

M3 is a few blocks south of The Junction, at 5236 California SW.

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Pink Gorilla Games expands to West Seattle, opening next week
January 12, 2012 3:35 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Another new business is on its way to the new live-work buildings on California SW just north of Morgan Junction – and for the two guys who lead Pink Gorilla Games, it’s a homecoming. Paublo Smith (pictured) lives just south of West Seattle – in North Highline – and his friend and colleague Nathan Paine lives in West Seattle. Next Monday, they expect to open the third Pink Gorilla Games store at 6051 California SW. That’ll be a soft open, because they have a big “grand opening” weekend scheduled for February 4th and 5th.

The first two Pink Gorilla stores are in the International District and University District. Haven’t been to one? Paublo explains what they do: “We sell video games and video-game supplies. We sell everything but specialize in retro and import games.”

They buy and trade, too – so if you have a still-usable copy of some old Atari, Sega, or Nintendo game, they just might be interested. Paublo says their goal is to have at least one of everything available – so “you can find anything you’re looking for.” (If you want to sell or trade, you’re welcome to bring the game/s in any time; one or two might be evaluated immediately, but if you have a bag or box full, you’ll have to leave it for evaluation.)

The West Seattle Pink Gorilla Games shop also will carry board games. Paublo sees that as a reflection of WS community spirit, since board games are a face-to-face community-building activity.

They’ll be open 11 am-7 pm seven days a week. Their inventory of new games will be weighted toward “all the big hits.”

Though the U-District Pink Gorilla Games store is known for its events, there’s not much room in the cozy West Seattle space for those, but Paublo says they’re hoping to talk with nearby venues (Beveridge Place Pub and Feedback Lounge [WSB sponsor] are just down the block, for example) about space for gatherings.

Once they open – again, likely next Monday – everybody who makes a purchase between that day and the grand-opening weekend February 4th/5th will get a raffle ticket, with drawings scheduled for Sunday of that big weekend – $100 gift card, T-shirts, and so on. You won’t have to be present to win, but those who ARE, will have a chance at something even more special, Paublo promises.

Just look for the store with pink and green inside – P and G, for Pink Gorilla.

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