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month : 04/2012 332 results

Video: Gathering of Neighbors 2012 @ Chief Sealth
April 21, 2012 12:38 pm
|    Comments Off on Video: Gathering of Neighbors 2012 @ Chief Sealth
 |   Gathering of Neighbors | West Seattle news

East to west, north to south, people from all over West Seattle are at the Gathering of Neighbors right now, till 3, in the Chief Sealth International High School Galleria, and the place is abuzz with conversation. Above, that’s Ariana Rose Taylor-Stanley and Galena White from Delridge Produce Cooperative. On the north side of the Galleria, till 1, special presentations on preparedness:

That’s Debbie Goetz from the city’s Office of Emergency Management. Every speaker’s been announced by West Seattle Be Prepared‘s Cindi Barker, hollering from the staircase over the Galleria:

No, no one called 911, but police have stopped by too – chatting here with award-winning Pete Spalding, who’s on the Southwest Precinct Advisory Council:

(added) Admiral Neighborhood Association president Katy Walum came to answer questions about some of the group’s high-profile projects, such as Summer Concerts at Hiawatha (this year’s performers to be announced soon!)

West Seattle’s own South Seattle Community College, represented too:

Lots more to see and do. We’re by the door, so say hi (as many already have done) on your way out! Entertainment starts at 1 pm, and the day began with a special leadership summit, including an hour we have on video that we’ll add – along with more photos! – later. Admission’s free; parking’s right out front off SW Thistle, and once you’ve parked, look for the path to the Galleria, to the left (west) of the gym.

1:24 PM UPDATE: The tables are breaking up – and the event’s moving on to food (pizza and bake sale) and entertainment – look for all that toward the north side of the Galleria!

ADDED SATURDAY NIGHT: Video from one of the performances – members of Twelfth Night Productions sang several songs, in this clip, a comic Monty Python song from “Spam-A-Lot”:

One other performance clip – student marching-band musicians – is at the end of this story. We also recorded two events earlier in the day, during the invitation-only leadership summit – here’s “Neighbor Power” guru Jim Diers:

Second, the Leadership Panel moderated by Ron Angeles, featuring Sili Savusa of the White Center Community Development Association, Aileen Sison of White Center B.O.S.S., Tony Fragada of the Alki Community Council, and Kirk Mead of the Admiral District Business Association and West Seattle Chamber of Commerce:

Gathering of Neighbors was organized and coordinated by a volunteer group this year – VIEWS.

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About that West Seattle Bridge backup this morning…
April 21, 2012 12:05 pm
|      29 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Photo courtesy Mary from Service Dog Academy)
Sorry we missed the chance to bring you real-time updates during what by multiple accounts was a bad hour or so on the eastbound West Seattle Bridge this morning. We are trying to reach SDOT to see what they can tell us, but a couple of WSB’ers have mentioned road work – possibly painting crews – which were not mentioned in any advance traffic advisories, so far as we can tell; there were no scheduled closures for the weekend, nothing till another round of overnight-only southbound 99/Viaduct closures during the weeknights next week. Though everything seems to be OK now – at least according to the cameras on the WSB Traffic page – let us know if you encounter otherwise. (And if/when you can, please text or voice-call about something like this – even if we’re offline for a bit, which we were because of a panel discussion before the Gathering of Neighbors today, the text/voice calls break through IMMEDIATELY, whatever we’re doing, 24/7 – 206-293-6302 – consider putting it in your phone “contacts” list; traffic is “breaking news” too! Thanks!)

12:26 PM UPDATE: Rick Sheridan from SDOT says it wasn’t their fault:

We’re sorry to hear drivers were delayed. While we are restriping the high-rise bridge today, the earlier collision was the cause of the traffic problem. According to staff on site at the time, traffic was backed up prior to beginning our work and delayed us as well.

Once emergency response dealt with the incident, traffic problems dissipated. The SDOT live cameras show traffic is flowing smoothly now.

The only crash on the 911 log was at 6:53 am (though it doesn’t show non-injury crashes or stalls).

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Planning to sell on West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day?
April 21, 2012 10:03 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Community Garage Sale Day | West Seattle news

garagesaledaysmalllog5.jpgIf so … the sign-up clock is ticking: West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day registration deadline is Wednesday night, 11:59 pm … and then we get busy making The Maps! Sale day is always the second Saturday in May, which means this year it’s May 12th, exactly three weeks from today, 9 am-3 pm, all over the peninsula. More than 140 sales ready to go already, from block sales to group sales to individual sales (plus the multi-seller sites at Hotwire Online Coffeehouse and C & P Coffee Company [WSB sponsors] – contact them directly to see if there’s still room). Need the registration form? It’s all online – no postage stamp or envelope or check needed – just go here. Thanks!

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West Seattle Saturday: Gathering of Neighbors, Tax-Free Sale Day, Duwamish Alive!, lots more
April 21, 2012 7:38 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Thanks to Doug B for sharing two photos of a fish-catching osprey (the second one is at the end of this long list of things happening today). So much to do, the ability to fly might be helpful. From the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar, here goes!

RECORD STORE DAY: Easy Street Records in The Junction is already open for the day if you want to get started. Special events include a photo exhibition plus The Young Evils live at 7:30 pm and Reignwolf live at 9 pm. (California/Alaska, of course. Thanks to Lissa for her note that there was a line outside by 7 am!)

NICKELSVILLE FUNDRAISING PANCAKE BREAKFAST: Till 11 am at Seattle Lutheran High School gym (41st/Genesee) – details in the WSB Forums.

FREE BARBECUE: West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor; California/Fauntleroy/Morgan) continues its Customer Appreciation Event all weekend, including a free grilled lunch today, and the ongoing produce tent sale, plus a raffle benefiting the West Seattle Food Bank. Speaking of which…

KIWANIS CLUB ONE-DAY FOOD DRIVE: 9 am-3 pm, drop off donations of food and/or money for the West Seattle Food Bank with the Kiwanis/Key Club volunteers you will find at local grocery stores including WSB sponsors Metropolitan Market, PCC Natural Markets, and WS Thriftway.

TAX-FREE SALE DAY IN THE JUNCTION – AND FOOD DEALS TOO: The list of participants has grown since the first announcement – check ’em out on The Junction’s website. All day long and into early evening, participating stores/restaurants have deals for you, to commemorate another Tax Day just past – the “tax-free” part involves 10 percent discounts – look for the red balloons.

OPEN HOUSE AND EARTH DAY AT FLEURT: While you’re in The Junction, stop by WSB sponsor Fleurt, which is not only participating in Tax-Free Sale Day but also celebrating its new location AND Earth Day – from proprietor Sam:

We will have cupcakes provided by Sugar Rush Bakery and a raffle for a chance to win a custom made Terrarium ($100 value). Special Reminder: Earth Day is Sunday April 22nd. Fleurt encourages you to drop off your old vases and containers that will be repurposed at Fleurt, or donated to the West Seattle Senior Center. Our gift to you for recycling is a mini plant. Dropoff both Saturday and Sunday.

Fleurt’s new location (sneak peek here) is at 4536 California SW.

DUWAMISH ALIVE! This is the big day for the spring edition of the all-over-the-Duwamish-watershed cleanup/restoration work, and hundreds of volunteers will be working at a variety of sites, 10 am-2 pm (see the map on our partner website The South Park News).

ROCK AND GEM SHOW: Rock on! The West Seattle Rock Club‘s annual show is happening this weekend at the Alki Masonic Temple (40th/Edmunds), 10 am-5 pm both days – lots of info on the club’s website.

APRIL POOL’S DAY: Southwest Pool is open again and celebrating this annual event with free activities and safety education, 10:30 am-noon today (2801 SW Thistle).

GATHERING OF NEIGHBORS: These are the neighbors you might never have met, but whose ongoing volunteer work has changed your life, your neighborhood, in so many ways. A variety of local groups and advocates are gathering in the Chief Sealth International High School Galleria 11 am-3 pm, with a special preparedness-focused resource fair till 1 pm, ongoing tabling by all participants till 3 pm, and entertainment 1-3 pm. Wondering who you’ll find? Here’s our preview, first published Thursday night.

EARTH DAY AT DUWAMISH LONGHOUSE: Special events all day! Here’s the calendar-listing page. 11 am-4 pm (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)

WALKING ON LOGS WORK PARTY: Noon-4 pm today – as previewed here. Too busy to help today? Sign up to be part of the planting party NEXT Saturday!

WINE TASTINGS: 2 on the schedule today – at Admiral Safeway noon-4 pm and a special 3-5 pm tasting with Obelisco Estate at West Seattle Cellars (WSB sponsor, with a special offer for first-time customers this month).

POSSIBLE FLYOVER: The Mariners’ Salute to Armed Forces accompanies their 1 pm game today. Many years, that’s sent military aircraft over West Seattle.

WORKOUT FOR LONI: They’ll be smiling through the sweat at Allstar Fitness 2-5 pm this afternoon during special fundraising workshops to benefit cancer-fighting fitness instructor Loni McIntosh. Details in our recent story.

FREE REMODELING/CUSTOM HOME-BUILDING WORKSHOP: Call to see if there’s still room! Ventana Construction (WSB sponsor) presents another one of its free workshops, 2:30-4 pm.

PIANOMANIA! AT KENYON HALL: As the announcement from KH describes it, it’s their “celebration of all things pianistic.” The lineup is on the Kenyon Hall website. Two shows today, 3 pm this afternoon and 7:30 pm tonight (7904 35th SW).

‘CASH MOB’: Curious Kidstuff in The Junction is scheduled to be “mobbed” by supporters at 4 pm today – here’s our preview from earlier this week.

THEATER TONIGHT: Twelfth Night Productions‘ “Love Letters” at 7:30 pm, Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, and ArtsWest‘s “Exit, Pursued by a Bear” at 7:30 pm in their theater.

And back to Doug B’s osprey …

Even more events, by the way, on the calendar.

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‘Gathering of Heroes’: Delridge celebrates its star volunteers
April 20, 2012 8:48 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

(Julie Schickling, “Volunteer of the Year,” with Council President Sally Clark; photo by Dina Johnson)
“Most neighborhoods don’t do what you’re doing right now,” City Council President Sally Clark told the first-ever “Gathering of Heroes: Celebrating Volunteers” event tonight, “taking a moment … to simply say ‘thank you’ to one another and recognize good deeds.”

(Photo by Holli Margell)
The “moment” was a two-hour event attended by more than 50 people from around eastern West Seattle – plus some neighbors from over the ridge – at High Point Neighborhood Center to celebrate volunteers working hard to improve the community, the people that organizers dubbed Delridge’s Unsung Heroes. You might recall, the Delridge Neighborhoods District Council put out the call for nominees – and while the original thought was to choose honorees from among them, they decided to celebrate everyone who was nominated. Then at night’s end, two finalists were announced for “Volunteer of the Year” – here’s the reading of the nominations, then the announcement of the winner, and a few words of explanation from Council President Clark about the Jefferson Awards for which that winner will be nominated:

The winner, Julie Schickling from the Highland Park Improvement Club (how she led the charge to save the HPIC building was well-told by our partners at the Seattle Times in 2009), and the other finalist, Alejandra Ruiz Diaz, from the Roxhill Elementary PTA, were among 27 honored individuals and groups. Here they are (including our truncated descriptions of how the event program explained their achievements):

from Highland Park
Betsy Harris – public-safety volunteer
Blair Johnson – “volunteered in multiple capacities”
Julie Schickling – “led the double facelift at the Highland Park Improvement Club”
Carolyn Stauffer – spray-park project leader, Westcrest Park expansion, more

from High Point
Mat McBride – Camp Long Advisory Council, chairs Delridge Neighborhoods District Council
Peter Miller – ESL computer lab teacher

from North Delridge
Gale Hurley – public safety
Dave Brown – preparedness
Jake Vanderplas – Greenways
Tammy & Chris Stewart – fighting drug houses/street activity
Amanda Leonard – saved “Delridge Day” in 2011, co-chairs North Delridge Neighborhood Council
Nancy Folsom – skatepark liaison, cleanup organizer
Betsy Hoffmeister – “gets things done when others see no way”
Vonetta Mangaoang – DESC advisory committee
Patrick Baer – Delridge Community Forum
Parie Hines – NDNC
Mike Dady – “diligent in his pursuit of a better community for more than 12 years”
Michael Taylor-Judd – “longtime advocate for transportation and transit”
Benjamin Canfield – preparedness

from Puget Ridge
Pamela Dore – Block Watch captain
Tasha Mosher – “Recovery Garden”

from Pigeon Point
Gene Recker – quiet steward, cleanups
Helen Shampain – directs Community Orchard of West Seattle

from Westwood
Alejandra Ruiz Diaz – active PTA parent @ Roxhill

“special groups & people”
Willard Brown – development of affordable housing, DNDA board president
Delridge Branch Library Homework Helper Team (John, Robyn, Jim, Linda, Michele, Elaine, Robert, Dang, Joyce, Phil, Gary)

Longfellow Creek stewards
Jay Mirro, Scott Blackstock, Mike Arizona, Kirsten Rohrbach

Those at the celebration, which included a buffet dinner sponsored by Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes Catering and Events (other contributing sponsors included the Delridge Day Committee), also heard from Christa Mazzone-Palmberg from Sound Alliance. Organizers promise coverage to come on the Delridge Grassroots Leadership website. This was intended to be something of a pre-func to tomorrow’s Gathering of Neighbors – you’ll see more than a few of these dedicated volunteers there – hope to see you at Chief Sealth International High School during the GoN, 11 am-3 pm Saturday!

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Followup: 4724 California (ex-Petco) development-plan details
April 20, 2012 4:19 pm
|      41 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

If you have something to say about the proposed apartment/retail development for the ex-Petco site at 4724 California SW, the development-team leads want to hear it.

So insist Chris Rossman and Matt Corsi of Urban Evolution, who spent almost an hour and a half talking with WSB this afternoon as a followup to our Thursday story breaking the news that this development is in the works – albeit in the very early stages, with the city webpages we mentioned last night little more than placeholders..

They already have been reaching out (quietly) to local groups such as the Junction Neighborhood Organization and the West Seattle Junction Association, to find out what people want to see in the development.

Ahead, what we found out, but first, who they are and how the proposal came to be:Read More

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Mayor McGinn returning to West Seattle for another Town Hall
April 20, 2012 3:05 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

He was here last month for a Town Hall at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (WSB coverage here), and now Mayor McGinn is returning to West Seattle for another one in two weeks, according to an e-mail announcement this afternoon. It invites anyone interested in Q/A with the mayor to come to the Senior Center of West Seattle, 5-6 pm Thursday, May 3rd.

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Alki Community Council: Marination/Seacrest update; more
April 20, 2012 2:17 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

(Marination’s Roz Edison and Kamala Saxton, with Alki CC president Tony Fragada at right)
Marination proprietors Roz Edison and Kamala Saxton stole the show at last night’s Alki Community Council meeting, with an update on the sudden red-tape snag that pushed back their Seacrest Boathouse project – but that wasn’t the only meaty briefing on the agenda:Read More

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Big weekend for donating to food banks & having it count extra
April 20, 2012 2:15 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

Till the end of April, the Feinstein Challenge remains in effect for local food banks – which means your donations to the White Center Food Bank and West Seattle Food Bank, both of which serve areas of WS, count extra. We have two updates on ways you can help – first, just in from the WC Food Bank:

White Center Food Bank continues to serve record numbers of families. We gave food to 1,654 families which included 1,476 children and 1,323 seniors. With such a large demand, we are seeing a huge need for food donations. Most needed foods include canned meat, cereal, Hamburger Helper and Rice a Roni type products, peanut butter and canned fruit. Non-perishable foods and fresh produce from gardens is accepted Mondays through Fridays 8:30 to 5:00. We will also be open Saturday, April 21 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. Food donations made from now until April 30 count bring a little extra bonus for the food bank as they count toward our Feinstein Million Dollar Challenge totals. Food can also be donated at barrels in the community at: A Place for Pets (Burien), Admiral Safeway, BECU (in Roxbury Safeway), Big Al’s Brewing, Café Rozella, and QFC Westwood Village.

Second, a reminder that tomorrow is the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle one-day food drive for the WS Food Bank. 9 am-3 pm, you’ll find Kiwanis and Key Club volunteers collecting food and monetary donations at several spots around West Seattle, including WSB sponsors Metropolitan Market and PCC Natural Markets in the Admiral District and West Seattle Thriftway in Morgan Junction.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: 2 reports, including ‘scary surprise’
April 20, 2012 1:41 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Crime Watch: 2 reports, including ‘scary surprise’
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Two West Seattle Crime Watch reports this afternoon. First, from Sara:

We came home to a scary surprise yesterday evening and wanted to let our West Seattle neighbors know so that it doesn’t happen to them. Someone had tried to break-in to our house in the Fauntleroy neighborhhood, north of Endolyne Joe’s. Sometime between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., they managed to pry open a bathroom window in the back of our house, in an area where they wouldn’t have been easily seen. It seems they grabbed one of our patio chairs, stood on that to get up to a drain spout and pried open our old-fashioned window; breaking the drain, the window and a chunk of the windowsill in the process.

Sara’s report continues with another photo – plus, we have a separate car break-in report – after the jump:Read More

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‘Park Preservation Work Group’ set up to work on $ issues
April 20, 2012 11:05 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

With so much city parkland in West Seattle, this news release just sent by the Mayor’s Office might be of interest. (The group it “announces” has already had its first meeting, though, if the timetable in the last paragraph is correct.)

Mayor Mike McGinn and City Councilmember Sally Bagshaw today announced the formation of the Parks Preservation Work Group, charged with advising the Mayor, City Council and Parks and Recreation on a range of options for generating more revenue and finding efficiencies that could reduce costs in the 2013 operating budget and beyond.

Read More

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West Seattle traffic alert: Closures for next week (April 23-27)
April 20, 2012 10:33 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Alaskan Way Viaduct | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

From the citywide “lookahead” updated by SDOT each week (but also containing info on state projects): Just one round of major closures next week – nightly from Monday (April 23rd) through Thursday (April 26th and into early April 27th morning), the southbound Alaskan Way Viaduct/Highway 99 stretch will be closed overnight for four nights, between Denny Way and the West Seattle Bridge, 9 pm-5 am nightly.

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West Seattle Friday: From bake sale to ballroom to bingo…
April 20, 2012 9:09 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Friday: From bake sale to ballroom to bingo…
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Along the Duwamish River, south of the WS Bridge – by Don Brubeck, via the WSB group pool on Flickr)
‘Rain tapering off by noon!’ promises the current forecast. (We added the exclamation point.) In the meantime, prepare for your weekend (take an advance look at the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar – especially for tomorrow – it’s wall-to-wall) – and for a great Friday full of opportunities including these:

CUSTOMER APPRECIATION EVENT AT THRIFTWAY: Three days of appreciation start today at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor), with the store’s first-ever produce tent sale plus a raffle benefiting West Seattle Food Bank. More details on the Thriftway website (4201 SW Morgan).

BAKE SALE AT SHANTI: During regular business hours today through Sunday (10 am-7 pm today), stop by Shanti Salon and Spa (WSB sponsor) in the Admiral District to check out a deluxe bake sale – described on our event-calendar listing (2138 California SW).

BALLROOM DANCING: Monthly event with Lauren Petrie at Senior Center of West Seattle, 1:30-3:30 pm (California/Oregon in The Junction)

MEET YOUR SCHOOL BOARD REP: Questions/concerns about Seattle Public Schools, as it prepares to choose a new superintendent, open a new “option” elementary in WS, and put a levy on the ballot (among other things)? West Seattle’s school board director Marty McLaren holds her next community-conversation meeting 5-6:30 pm at High Point Neighborhood Center (6400 Sylvan Way SW).

STORYTELLING WITH MISS SEAFAIR: Veronica Quintero is the guest storyteller at the White Center Community Cultural Center (actually in West Seattle, 9421 18th SW) tonight, and all are invited; the event starts with a light meal at 5:30 pm. Our calendar listing has the details.

DELRIDGE UNSUNG HEROES: They’ll be honored in this first-ever event tonight at 6 at High Point Neighborhood Center (last we checked, the event was at capacity).

RAINBOW BINGO: Got a reservation already? No? Call quick (info’s here)! Doors open at 6, bingo starts at 7, Senior Center of West Seattle.

WINE TASTING: At Bin 41 in The Junction, wines under $20 from around the globe. 6:30-8 pm (4707 California SW).

(Jay Jenkins and Connie Murray in “Love Letters”; photo by Gary Wigle)
‘LOVE LETTERS’: Last weekend for Twelfth Night Productions‘ presentation at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center! Showtime is 7:30 pm; ticket info’s on TNP’s website (4408 Delridge Way SW).

PIANOMANIA! AT KENYON HALL: As the announcement from KH puts it, it’s their “celebration of all things pianistic.” Check out the lineup on the Kenyon Hall website. Four shows this weekend, starting with 7:30 pm tonight (7904 35th SW).

LIVE MUSIC AT ALKI TAVERN: The Slags play at the tavern tonight, 9 pm (1321 Harbor Avenue SW).

‘CALIFORNIA 90420’ AT THE ADMIRAL: One-time-only documentary screening at the Admiral Theater, 9 pm (2343 California SW).

And there’s even more on the WSB Events Calendar (handy hint for using that page- mouse over the right side of any listing line to see the “plus” sign; click it and a preview of the details will open WITHOUT you leaving the page – then click READ MORE if you want to – or mouse over the upper right again to find the “minus” sign and click it to close the item)

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West Seattle volunteering: 1-on-1 chance to make a difference
April 20, 2012 7:54 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Some requests for volunteer help that we receive and publish may sound a little vague, and if that’s what’s kept you from lending a hand, here’s something different, and very specific, from the WSB inbox:

ElderFriends, a volunteer-based program of local non-profit Full Life Care, matches elders with friendly volunteer visitors who help relieve isolation and loneliness. We foster mutually rewarding friendships between our elders and volunteers. Pairs are matched based on geography, similar interests, and shared life experiences. We currently have 7 elders in and around West Seattle who are waiting to be matched with a volunteer. This is a great way to build a lasting friendship, while making a significant difference in the life of an elder in your community.

We ask that volunteers commit to visit an elder friend at least twice a month for one year. It is important that volunteers are comfortable listening attentively, initiating conversation, and being sensitive to the needs of isolated older adults. Volunteers must be over the age of 18, must pass a background check, and must attend a one-time training session.

If you’re interested in volunteering, or have questions about the ElderFriends program, you can contact Ginger Seybold, Director of Volunteer Programs, at 206.224.3790 or gingers@fulllifecare.org. You can also fill out a volunteer application online at www.elderfriends.org and someone will contact you.

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Morgan Community Association: Updates on Murray CSO, RapidRide, festival…
April 20, 2012 12:57 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

Salvage work has started at the residential properties that will be demolished to make way for the million-gallon underground tank anchoring the Murray Basin Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Control Project. An update on the CSO project was one of several major items at Wednesday night’s Morgan Community Association meeting:Read More

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Followup: Jacob Terao’s perfect game gets a TV spotlight
April 20, 2012 12:30 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Earlier this week, we shared West Seattle Little League president Brian Pare‘s report of 12-year-old Jacob Terao‘s perfect game. It drew attention from regional media, too, including Q13 FOX TV, which interviewed Jacob, his catcher, and his dad (WSLL past president Mark Terao). The story’s not embeddable so we can’t show it here, but here’s a link where you can watch it on the Q13 website.

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What/who you’ll see at Gathering of Neighbors on Saturday
April 19, 2012 8:59 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Gathering of Neighbors | West Seattle news

Just before WSB became a full-time news service, we learned a LOT about neighborhood organizations – nonprofits, community councils, and more – by attending the first Gathering of Neighbors events years ago. The GoN idea was the brainchild of Megawatt, the now-defunct nonprofit that also dreamed up West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day. When they closed up shop in 2007, we took over WSCGSD (coming up May 12th this year!), and others took on the Gathering of Neighbors. This year, a new group of volunteers, VIEWS, is putting it together, and you can enjoy the result of their work – and lots of community groups’ ongoing efforts – this Saturday at the Chief Sealth International High School Galleria, first GoN in a year and a half. From the draft program for the day, here’s who you’ll find there:

Performances between 1 and 3 pm are scheduled to include Aikido of West Seattle, an ensemble from Twelfth Night Productions, Wise Orchid Martial Arts, and Denny/Sealth music students. But first, an area with a special focus on preparedness, 11 am-1 pm, featuring:

WEST SEATTLE BE PREPARED! HUB DEMO
plus Preparedness speaker sessions every 15 mins.
City of Seattle Office of Emergency Management
King County Public Health Reserve Corps
West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network
West Seattle Amateur Radio Club
Seattle Auxiliary Communication Service
Washington State Animal Response Team
City of Seattle Home Retrofit Program
Red Cross

Other organizations who’ll be represented at tables/booths during the overall resource fair 11 am-3 pm, with lots of info and people happy to chat with you, include:

34th District Democrats
Admiral Neighborhood Association
Artisan Electric
Cascadia Solar Project
City of Seattle Department of Neighborhoods
Delridge Produce Cooperative
Highland Park Action Committee/Highland Park Improvement Club
North Delridge Neighborhood Council
Roxbury Spine and Wellness Center
Seattle Neighborhood Group
Seattle Fire Department
Seattle Police Department
Seattle Public Library
South Seattle Community College
Southwest Seattle Historical Society / Log House Museum
Sustainable West Seattle
West Seattle Blog (hey! that’s us!)
West Seattle Community Orchestras
West Seattle Democratic Women
White Center Chamber of Commerce

If you’ve never been to Sealth, the parking-lot entrance is off SW Thistle, and the Galleria entrance is the central building with the angled roof, set back and to the north of the lot. No admission charge, but there will be food for sale, scheduled to include Giannoni’s Pizza and a dessert fundraiser put on by Sealth students. See you there!

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West Seattle development: 7-story proposal for ex-Petco site
April 19, 2012 3:56 pm
|      121 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

In every story we’ve published about the ex-Petco site in The Junction (4700 block of California), it’s been noted that the quirky Sound Advertising Group setup there – an office staff and ex-pizza-place animatronics! – isn’t there for the long haul. So why didn’t the owner seek someone who is? many have asked. Here’s the likely reason: A development proposal.

Even before the north side of the block – the future Equity Residential (ex-Conner) project – starts construction, a potential project is emerging further south. A few details are on the city’s Department of Planning and Development website:

New construction of a 7-story mixed-use building with approximately 80 residential apartment units, 18 L/W units, approximately 5,000 gsf of commercial space at ground level, and two level subgrade parking.

L/W is “live/work,” an increasingly popular development component – dozens of live/work units are open now on the north side of Morgan Junction, for example, with a variety of small businesses at ground level (some have moved there from elsewhere in West Seattle, like longtime WSB sponsor John Moore and his Northwest Insurance Group). Other details on the DPD page note that this is for “Lots 10-14,” which county records identify specifically as the ex-Petco building, so – pending further research – it doesn’t appear other parts of the block are involved, but we’re investigating further.

There’s not much other detail on the DPD webpages yet – not unusual for an early-stage proposal, and it should be noted that sometimes proposals appear and never come to fruition. There is an architect listed – Weber Thompson (which worked on the California/Alaska project) – and “ownership” is listed as The Wolff Company, an Arizona-based, Spokane-founded firm whose website is currently down but does have a cached description: “Acquiring, developing and managing investment real estate with a focus on multi-family properties.” They’re not currently listed in county records as owning the site, but we’ll be contacting them to try to find out more. (Looks like they have a sizable project going in Snohomish County.) Followups to come.

4:47 PM: Thanks to Peter, in comments, for pointing out that The Wolff Company is in the early stages of a Capitol Hill project, and actively seeking neighborhood feedback there. Here’s the story from our fellow community-collaborative neighborhood-news site, Capitol Hill Seattle. ::minutes later:: Taking cues from something mentioned in the CHS story, we have found a fledgling website for this project – 4724California.com – which includes a contact link and the slogan, “West Seattle Authentic.”

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West Seattle (and beyond) history: Aerial views from 1962
April 19, 2012 3:15 pm
|      29 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle history | West Seattle news


Last night, e-mail came in from Terry Hammonds, a Florida resident who was visiting Seattle for the World’s Fair in 1962 and took the photos during a helicopter ride. Terry was a “Texas college student on my first road trip” at the time. Terry offered the photos, available via Flickr, if we were doing a ’62 retrospective (as so many are, in honor of the half-century anniversary). We thought you might be interested in the view of the Alaskan Way Viaduct and even this one of West Seattle and Harbor Island, from a distance:


Of course the big news at the time was the brand-new Space Needle:


(Click any of the photos to see the largest size via Terry’s Flickr feed.) Thanks! We love receiving photo surprises to share. P.S. Did you know that West Seattle (Duwamish Head, in particular) was one of seven sites considered as a possible World’s Fair site for that year?

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Time-travel with the Genesee-Schmitz Neighborhood Council
April 19, 2012 2:52 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Genesee Hill | Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

Well, in lieu of actual time-traveling, envisioning the future is the next best thing. And that’s what the Genesee-Schmitz Neighborhood Council – which hasn’t had a general meeting in a while – is getting ready to do, with the help of as many interested neighbors as they can find! One week from tonight, the journey begins:

What would make our neighborhood a great place to live in 2020?

The GSNC is embarking on a neighborhood Vision 2020 planning process, and we want YOUR input and involvement! Please come to our next meeting and share your ideas with us:
• What do you like about our neighborhood now?
• What short- and long-term changes would you like to see?*

Thursday, April 26, 2012
6:30-7 p.m. Social Time (refreshments will be served)
7-8:30 p.m. Meeting (with lots of time for input and perhaps a speaker or two)
Howell Auditorium, West Side Presbyterian Church, 3601 California Avenue SW

* Some areas to think about:
Social events, parks, communication, traffic improvements, beautification projects, education and support, crime prevention, emergency preparedness, gardening, policy, shared interests/resources, volunteer opportunities

For more information (including a map), please visit our website at www.genesee-schmitz.org. If you would like to be added to our mailing list, please send your name and email address to gsncouncil@gmail.com

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1 week till Dining Out for Life; 4 West Seattle/WC participants
April 19, 2012 12:02 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

Your next chance to make a difference with your fork/knife/spoon/chopsticks is just one week away: Dining Out for Life, to benefit the Lifelong AIDS Alliance, is next Thursday (April 26th). According to the Seattle DO4L website, three West Seattle restaurants are participating, and one in White Center: Buddha Ruska (info here), Company (info here), Skylark (info here), and Talarico’s (info here). All are listed as donating 30 percent of their dinnertime proceeds that night.

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Who’ll be Seattle Public Schools’ next superintendent? 3 finalists
April 19, 2012 10:43 am
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(From left, Dr. Sandra Husk, Steven Enoch, José Banda)
Just in from Seattle Public Schools, the three finalists for superintendent (you’ll recall that Dr. Susan Enfield, acting superintendent, is going to run Highline Public Schools starting this summer). The finalists – two men from California, one woman from Oregon – will be in Seattle next week. You can see the district’s official news release on its website. P.S. More background and context from our partners at the Seattle Times, here.

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LD Arch Design: New WSB sponsor (and Green Home Tour site!)
April 19, 2012 9:58 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | West Seattle housing | West Seattle news

Welcome to another new sponsor, LD Arch Design, a green architecture firm focusing on residential additions and remodels. Their message for you: The mission of the firm is “thrifty and thoughtful design for a small planet,” and architect Parie Hines works to sensitively transform existing homes – maximizing reuse and keeping any added spaces compact and efficient.

Parie is sitting on the porch of her family’s home, which doubled its space with an addition built in 2009 on a very tight budget. Featured as part of the Seattle Green Home Tour on April 21st and 22nd (this Saturday-Sunday), it’s an example of Parie’s “less is more GREEN” design philosophy, showcasing affordable green strategies for people who are interested in making their existing home greener.

The “less is more GREEN” design concept is simple – it uses less space, less new stuff, less toxic stuff, less energy, and less water – which often leads to less money spent on your home. You can read more about it at the “less is more GREEN” blog, and specifically about the green strategies of the LemonDrop Addition at the NW Ecobuilding Guild site page. And, of course, you are invited to stop by to see it in person on April 21st and 22nd.

LD Arch Design also reserves time for pro bono or reduced-fee design for community projects, using Parie’s background in public architecture, affordable housing, and community development. LD Arch Design is one of the resources available at the WS Tool Library DIY Ask an Expert event every 2nd Thursday at 6 pm at Youngstown. Parie also serves as co-chair of the North Delridge Neighborhood Council and chairs its Community Design and Land Use committee.

Reach LD Arch Design online at ldarchdesign.com, by phone at 206-229-8923, and via its Facebook page.

We thank LD Arch Design for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.

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