West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
(Photo by DC)
A sunset to remember, after that crazy out-of-the-blue (and gray) evening downpour … more people have e-mailed to share sunset photos than we’ve seen in a while – thank you! This one had it all – dramatic clouds, splashes of color … and Alki was the place to see it:
(Photo by Cheryl Nellis of Cnellis Photography)
Here’s another view with the Bremerton ferry passing Alki …
(Photo by Valerie)
And even without the color, the Olympic Mountains made for a beautiful show …
(Photo by Debra Salazar Herbst)
But then – some of them were suddenly gone in the clouds:
(Photo by Russ Walker)
Thank you to everyone who shared sunset views. Photos welcome, from weather to wildlife to breaking news to events to … any time: editor@westseattleblog.com (or via the WSB Facebook page).
Four West Seattle Crime Watch reports from the past few days – one prowling report, one burglary, and two car break-ins, all reported by WSB’ers. Read on for their firsthand reports:Read More
7:18 PM: At Highland Park Way and Othello, a few trees came down – apparently concurrent with the downpour about an hour ago – and right now, one downhill lane is closed.
7:33 PM UPDATE: Cleanup crew is on scene. Photos added.
ORIGINAL 6:31 PM REPORT: A large Fire Department response has headed for Alki Point in response to a reported boat fire. So far, though, they’re not finding anything.
6:41 PM UPDATE: Per scanner, the Coast Guard has found a boat that had a small fire “put out by occupants.”
7:22 PM UPDATE: Beach Drive Blog has published a photo of what looks like the boat in question getting a tow or escort.
7:30 PM UPDATE: Our crew is back at HQ and we’ve added their photo atop the story. No injuries reported in all this, by the way.
Denny International Middle School principal Jeff Clark is famous far and wide for his suits – especially the bright blue one. He wore something darker to get dunked during a school carnival in honor of the recent state-mandated testing (same round for which they made another “inspirational music video”). Patricia Rangel from Denny shares the photo, and this report:
To celebrate the best performance of the students during the MSP, the Washington State Exams, the Denny International Middle School Staff hosted a school-wide carnival including dance, face-painting, and dunk booth. Principal Jeff Clark took his turn in full suit and tie while students aimed fire at the bullseye. Last year Denny International 8th graders saw more growth in their MSP scores in math than any other middle school in the city. They are expecting similar results this August when the 2012 scores are announced.
If you live near the Highland Park home where longtime community advocate Martha Mallett and son Brian escaped from a fire in early May, you’ve probably already seen this – but in case you were among those who came to the post-fire neighborhood benefit from other parts of West Seattle, a neighbor sent us this photo to share, to be sure everyone who helped knows they’re appreciated. (We haven’t heard how the fire survivors are doing now, but we’re checking.)
As first reported by Beach Drive Blog yesterday, Seattle Police have finally set the date for the Beach Drive safety walk they have been promising. Southwest Precinct Operations 
Lt. Pierre Davis has just confirmed that the safety walk will be at 6:30 pm next Friday, June 1st. He explains, “This will be an opportunity for police, other city agencies and the Alki /Beach Drive community to partner, walk and discuss crime prevention topics and strategies relating to their neighborhood. We will muster at Emma Schmitz Park and canvas a portion of Beach Drive, completing our walk at Me Kwa Mooks Park.” The area, of course, has been under scrutiny since the as-yet-unsolved murder of 51-year-old Greggette Guy in March, whose car was found at Emma Schmitz, across from Me-Kwa-Mooks, where her family says she had gone to take a walk the night before her body was found in the water half a mile north. In the weeks since, Seattle Parks has cleared some of the shrubbery blocking street visibility at the viewpoint, and Parks Superintendent Christopher Williams has spoken to the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council about overall park safety.
(Photo by Hal Tangen)
As Seattle Public Utilities‘ massive new South Transfer Station has gone up just east of West Seattle, on the west side of South Park, it’s brought double takes and questions – especially when a paint problem caused its partial dismantling last year – and photos. Today, the city announced it’s finally about to open. Mayor McGinn and City Councilmembers Jean Godden and Richard Conlin are scheduled to dedicate it next Wednesday morning. From the media advisory, some factoids you might not know about it:
Features of the New South Transfer Station:
Reduced dust due to a misting system that can also be used to reduce odors.
A rainwater collection system that stores rain in a cistern to be used for washing.
Automated weigh-and-pay station for better efficiency, shorter lines and wait times.
Increased safety inside the station for customers and employees; a separate entrance for commercial collection trucks for added safety and efficiency.
Hydraulic compactors to optimize loads for efficiency.
High-quality architecture that meets the gold standard in environmental design.
Public art that features salvaged street signs and parts from the old South Park Bridge. Other artwork made from recycled plastic forks and spoons.
Niches for station staff to display “interesting items” that are found in the trash.
A viewing room for tour groups, individuals to safely see the activity on the sorting floor.
If you haven’t seen it yet, the station is on South Kenyon right alongside Highway 509.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
A letter to families, or a news release, only says so much – so after news came in Thursday afternoon about the new principal hired for West Seattle’s most populous elementary school, Lafayette in the Admiral District, we asked for a chance to speak with her.
The announcement of Shauna Heath‘s hiring pointed out that she is a West Seattleite.
Not only does she live here, she told WSB in a Thursday-evening phone conversation, she lives less than a mile from the school she will be leading as of July 1st.
“My child said, ‘We could ride our bikes to school together'” if she worked close to home, instead of in Kent, where Heath has been principal of Sunrise Elementary for two years. (Her son is an Alki Elementary first-grader right now.)
Making a school community also feel like a “home”/”family” community is one of the goals Heath says she has strived for, wherever she has worked.
Summer weekend with lots of events – and that means SDOT has created a list of the events that are drawing crowds around the city and potentially affecting traffic. It’s just arrived; read on!Read More
(Click for full-size image)
Congratulations to the musicians at Madison Middle School, back from an out-of-state festival with some major honors. Music teacher Clark Bathum shares photos and a report, plus word of their upcoming concerts here at home:
Last weekend 100 Madison Middle School band and orchestra students and 16 brave parents, grandparents, and staff had a fantastic time on their annual 3-day trip to the Music in the Parks Festival in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
All of our groups represented West Seattle well against some extremely tough competition. Madison’s string orchestra and concert band both finished second in their divisions, receiving ratings of “excellent.” The Jazz Band won their division and also earned an “excellent” rating. Madison 7th grade saxophonist Logan Schiller played fantastically and continued a dominant Madison win streak becoming the 9th straight Madison student to win the Outstanding Middle School/Jr High Jazz Soloist Award:
After the competition on Saturday morning students had a great time riding rollercoasters and attending the awards ceremony at Silverwood Theme Park.
Congratulations to all of our young musicians for representing Madison and your community so well on and off stage!
With our trip behind us all of the Madison music groups have thrown themselves into preparation for our upcoming spring concerts so come and check them out. Our spring band concert will be on Tuesday, June 5 and our orchestra and jazz concert will be on Thursday, June 7. Both concerts will start at 7:00 pm in the Madison Commons. We would love to see you there.
(We’re adding those dates to the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar, which always welcomes listings for school events and already has lots for the weeks before school lets out – just please e-mail us with as much lead time as possible! Thanks!)
(Great blue heron south of Alki Point, photographed by Zane F. Ware)
Welcome to the holiday weekend! Here’s some of what’s up if you’re NOT taking flight and leaving town:
WEST SEATTLE GARDEN CLUB’S MAY MEETING: The Garden Club meets 10 am-2 pm and you’re invited to all or part of the meeting, which includes a presentation about lavender. Full details here; you’ll find the club at Daystar (2615 SW Barton).
LIVE MUSIC AT C & P COFFEE: Never seen Bob “Bobcat Bob” Rice perform? Not to be missed. See him tonight at C & P (WSB sponsor), 6-8 pm (5612 California).
DINNER JAZZ AT LA ROMANZA: Music with your meal? Friday nights you’ll find it at La Romanza Bistro Italiano (WSB sponsor) in The Junction, starting at 6.
WEST SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL TALENT SHOW: The WSHS junior class is presenting the talent show as a fundraiser, 7 pm, $5 with an ASB card and $7 without (3000 California SW).
LIVE MUSIC AT SKYLARK: Nightrain, Punk Funk Mob, Pony Time, Orca Team, starting at 8 at Skylark Café and Club (3803 Delridge Way SW).
LIVE MUSIC AT FEEDBACK LOUNGE: “Funkiness” is promised in tonight’s performance by The Flat 5 at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), 9 pm (6451 California).
LIVE MUSIC AT THE BENBOW ROOM: Blackline and Prelude 2A Pistol, 9 pm, Heartland Café’s Benbow Room (4210 SW Admiral Way).
That’s Venus setting last night, behind “some rain that didn’t reach the ground,” as John Hinkey described it. The forecast looks good for at least today and tomorrow – so you might see something just as, if not more, beautiful tonight.
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