day : 13/06/2012 15 results

West Seattle wildlife: Lincoln Park’s eagle family

June 13, 2012 11:46 pm

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| West Seattle news | Wildlife

Noting Seattle Times (WSB partner) coverage of an eagle family elsewhere in the city, West Seattle photographer Gary Jones checked in on Lincoln Park’s own bald-eagle family this week – that’s Mom and Dad “making a bunch of noise in a tree not far from the nest,” he notes, while back in the nest …

No official count, but eagles certainly seem more numerous in our area this year – at least we’ve seen them a lot more often than years past!

Menashes honored by West Seattle Kiwanis as ‘Everyday Heroes’

June 13, 2012 9:57 pm

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| Kiwanis Club of West Seattle | West Seattle news

Next year, Jack Menashe‘s Junction business, Menashe and Sons Jewelers (WSB sponsor), will mark 40 years in The Junction. Today, as he and his family accepted the “Everyday Hero” award from the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle, he said he’d learned a lot over the years, and that it’s been a remarkable experience. It hasn’t just been decades of business, but also decades of community support – his wife Linda Menashe described him as the most generous guy she’s ever known, with charity donations, youth-sports sponsorships, and gifts to schools (just last February, the Seattle Lutheran High School gym was formally christened the Menashe Family Gymnasium), as well as their legendary Christmas lights. Linda was there to join in today’s celebration, along with their daughter Joanna and visiting relative Paul from California:

The weekly Kiwanis lunch meeting at Be’s in The Junction, not far from the Menashes’ store, also heard a special presentation on salmon from 11-year-old Alex Lee:

Alex, photographed with the Kiwanis Club’s Dr. Steve Leifheit, is homeschooled but studied salmon through Roxhill Elementary School.

More big events ahead for the Kiwanis include their Charity Motorcycle Poker Run and Classic Car Show on June 23rd and participation in the Seafair Pirates’ Landing activities on July 7th; more info on their website at kiwaniswestseattle.org.

National title for West Seattle Thunderbirds riflery team

June 13, 2012 6:52 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle people | WS & Sports

As reported here last month, there’s a youth sport here in West Seattle that hasn’t gotten as much buzz as field sports like soccer and baseball, but has athletes achieving big things: Riflery. Tonight, we have an update from coach Joe Matter on a team that’s just gotten word of major national success, and will be off to a championship event later this month:

The West Seattle Thunderbirds have had a busy junior season. These four girls: 9th Graders Lily Voynick, Corinne Blair, Juniors Emma Carey and Lauren Phillips, are one of only a few all girl teams competing nationally.

These girls won the NRA National Junior Sectional – Indoor Conventional Position Smallbore Rifle team title, shooting an 1573/1600. Lily Voynick placed 2nd with a 398/400. They are also awaiting confirmation of breaking the National Women’s Team record for metallic sights, last set in 1969.

They further went on to win their age group, Intermediate Junior, and finish 4th overall in the NRA National Junior Sectional – Precision Air Rifle Position team competition. Lily Voynick finished 11th in the Intermediate Junior Division, shooting a 581/600.

And finally, they took 2nd in the Intermediate Junior division of the NRA National Junior Sectional – Indoor Metric Position Smallbore Rifle, shooting a 2203/2400. Lauren Phillips led the team with a 566/600 and finished 6th in the Intermediate Junior division and 15th overall. They are also awaiting confirmation of 2 more National records: The Intermediate Junior Team Record and the Women’s Team Record in this event.

The team is heading south to Anniston, AL to compete in the NRA Jr. 3P Air Gun Championships and the CMP 3P Air Rifle Championships at the end of June.

Odd discovery in High Point: 45 bike keys on 1 ring

June 13, 2012 6:40 pm

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| High Point | West Seattle news

A High Point resident who wants to be anonymous found what they described as:”45 bike keys, 2 house keys & 1 Nissan car clicker” near their house this week. We usually point lost/found to the WSB Forums, but this one was just too weird; the finder wondered whether it might be crime-related, and planned to turn it in to police, so if you know whose these are, contact them at 206-625-5011.

Hokum W. Jeebs murder in Fauntleroy: Angelo Felice pleads guilty to reduced charge

June 13, 2012 4:29 pm

| 24 COMMENTS

| Crime | Fauntleroy | West Seattle news

A guilty plea today for 20-year-old Angelo Felice, who, 16 months ago, was arrested and charged with the Fauntleroy stabbing murder of a man best known by his vaudeville name, Hokum W. Jeebs. Felice was arrested while spotted walking in eastern West Seattle after someone saw him climbing out of the Kilbourne Park ravine near Jeebs’ home the morning after the murder – as detailed in this WSB comment – and reported the sighting to police. Today, Felice pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of 2nd-degree murder, which carries a potential sentence of 10 to 18 years, but court documents say prosecutors will recommend a sentence of 140 months – just over 11 1/2 years. Felice had moved to Seattle less than a month before killing Jeebs; he had juvenile convictions for burglary and assault. (2011 photo by Jill Schmieder of Altena Photography, for WSB)

New site to be announced soon for Middle College High School

June 13, 2012 4:07 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

There are actually three public high schools in West Seattle – though one is much smaller than the two you could probably name off the top of your head. It is Middle College High School, based at South Seattle Community College for 15 years, but about to move. Seattle Public Schools spokesperson Teresa Wippel explains that “the college recently informed us that they received two large grants and need to re-occupy the space currently used by Middle College students” – who currently number 70.

Tonight, during their monthly meeting, the 34th District Democrats will be asked to consider a resolution asking SSCC and SPS to work it out for another year. Supporters also have spoken about the situation at school-board meetings; the resolution expresses concern that the program stay in this area, rather than moving to a possible spot east of downtown.

But SPS appears to have found a new home for the school, and it’s in what Wippel describes only as “South Seattle.” She tells WSB, “We have been looking for a new South Seattle location, and will be announcing a move to a new facility in the next few days, after we have had an opportunity to make final arrangements and notify our Middle College families.” She says they’re not expecting any changes to the curriculum for the program, described as “a college prep and dropout prevention program aimed at students who have the ability to go to college but because of life circumstances don’t always see a postsecondary education as an option.” Supporters say that’s been an advantage of having MCHS based at SSCC – the potential to move right into college at a familiar location.

Post-Alaskan Way Viaduct, what route should Metro buses use?

June 13, 2012 2:51 pm

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| Transportation | West Seattle news

Metro invites you to take a survey to answer that question. Here’s the news release they just sent:

Construction of the State Route 99 tunnel on the Seattle waterfront will continue to affect bus service for the next few years. When the Columbia and Seneca street ramps are closed in 2016, it could change access to downtown Seattle for many King County Metro Transit routes.

Metro is planning ahead on how buses will be routed through downtown Seattle in the long-term and during construction once the SR 99 tunnel project is complete and the city of Seattle begins works on the Central Waterfront project. It is starting by soliciting feedback from the public via an online survey, and would particularly like to hear from current riders of routes: 15, 15X, 18, 18X, 21X, 54, 54X, 55, 56X, 113, 120, 121, 122, and 125.

The survey can be found online.

Survey respondents will help Metro look at potential pathways to connect transit from south of downtown along Alaskan Way to the Third Avenue transit spine in the Central Business District. Two possible pathways are Columbia Street, or a combination of Main and Washington streets.

If you have questions or need the survey in an alternate format, please call 206-263-9768 or email haveasay@kingcounty.gov.

Help launch a hydro – in West Seattle! Public event at South Seattle CC tomorrow

June 13, 2012 12:15 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

(Photo courtesy SSCC)
Remember our story last week about the Schumacher Racing hydroplane getting paint and refinishing work courtesy of the Automotive Technology program at South Seattle Community College? It’s almost done and tomorrow, you are invited to the event “launching” the hydro. Just in from SSCC:

The public is invited to the “launch” of the No. 37 hydroplane owned by legendary Billy Schumacher as it departs the South Seattle Community College campus at 2 pm, Thursday, June 14. It will be the first time the boat’s 2012 racing season colors and sponsor graphics will be revealed. Owner Billy Schumacher, former driver, will be on hand.

The boat has been housed at the college while Automotive Collision Repair students have given it a complete make-over, including stripping the old paint, and applying the new color and clear coat. At the same time, Heavy Duty Diesel and Automotive Technology students have performed major maintenance on the truck that will tow the No. 37 across the US during the racing season.

The boat is owned by legendary Billy Schumacher (“Billy the Kid”), the former unlimited champion driver who won 17 races from 1967-1976, and is perhaps best known for his unprecedented string of wins with the Miss Bardahl team. Schumacher Racing has paid a shop fee and materials costs for the student project.

The newly-painted and refinished boat will carry the South Seattle Community College name and logo on its side as it competes throughout the U.S. and in Qatar this season.

The automotive program is just south of the north parking lot on campus, accessible from the north entrance at 6000 16th SW on Puget Ridge.

Update: What sounded like a shot, was not

June 13, 2012 11:43 am

| 13 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle police

11:43 AM: If you’re seeing a big police response, they’re heading for the 6700 block of 37th SW – conflicting reports of what might have happened, but possibly a shot or shots fired – we’ll have more as we get it.

11:47 AM: Still no confirmation of shots – scanner traffic has even indicated they’re checking out whether “a transformer blew because of a bird.”

11:50 AM: Lt. at the scene confirms the bird scenario. No shots. All’s well.

West Seattle Summer Fest: 1 month away! Vendor list out

June 13, 2012 11:30 am

| 11 COMMENTS

| West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

One month till West Seattle Summer Fest begins in The Junction – July 13, 14, and 15, those magic days/nights when the streets in the heart of “downtown West Seattle” close for the neighborhood’s biggest party of the year. Today, you can preview the official list of Summer Fest vendors – see the list here. Once you’ve found a vendor that interests you, you can cross-reference their number with their location by zooming in on the map you’ll find here. (WSB, a Summer Fest co-sponsor, will again this year be assisting fairgoers and reporting live from the Information Booth.) The eagerly awaited music list is expected soon; as reported here last week, we know Caspar Babypants will be back, on Friday 7/13 at the community stage on SW Alaska (which is where community performance acts such as dance troupes will be found).

ADDED 1:50 PM: One more local act has announced via Facebook that it’s playing Summer Fest on opening day, too: Branden Daniel and The Chics (2 pm 7/13, they say), featured here back in March because of the West Seattleite-led band’s “Mor Yay” video featuring mostly WS scenery.

Fauntleroy Community Association: Pump-station timeline; school-commute parking

June 13, 2012 11:08 am

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| Fauntleroy | West Seattle news

(County rendering of Cove Park, after the Barton Pump Station project)
From last night’s Fauntleroy Community Association meeting: The latest timeline for the start of major work for the Barton Pump Station upgrade project – which will close Cove Park north of the ferry dock for about two years – plus, neighborhood traffic/parking concerns related to school commuting via ferry – read on:Read More

West Seattle Wednesday: Highlights for today/tonight

June 13, 2012 10:07 am

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| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Christine shared this photo of Canada geese and goslings by the West Seattle Water Taxi, saying, “Made my kids smile this morning.” Now, on to our slightly delayed daily sample of calendar highlights:

TONIGHT’S TRAFFIC ALERTS: Southbound Alaskan Way Viaduct/Highway 99 is scheduled to close again tonight, 9 pm-5 am, but there will NOT be a Spokane Street Viaduct closure, per the city’s cancellation notice yesterday. Here’s our updated list of closures ahead as the week continues.

KIWANIS CLUB PRESENTS AWARD: At their lunchtime meeting at Be’s Restaurant in The Junction (noon), the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle will present Jack Menashe with their “Everyday Hero” award. All welcome; you don’t have to be a member.

‘IN MOTION,’ THE SEQUEL: King County is working on another “In Motion” campaign for this fall after declaring the transportation-information effort (co-sponsored by WSB) last year as “quite successful,” with more than 1,200 participants. If you would like to talk with county reps about how to make the program – which offers incentives to participants for trying various ways of getting around – come to Youngstown Cultural Arts Center at 6 pm tonight.

K-5 STEM AT BOREN MEET-AND-GREET: Those who are enrolled, or even just interested, in the new West Seattle public school K-5 STEM at Boren are invited to a meet-and-greet event tonight at Madison Middle School (45th/Spokane), 6-8 pm.

34TH DISTRICT DEMOCRATS: Monthly meeting at 7 tonight, The Hall at Fauntleroy (agenda info here).

SEALTH/DENNY BAND CONCERT: The last of three consecutive Wednesday concerts for musicians at Chief Sealth International High School and Denny International Middle School, with band performances planned tonight, 7 pm, Sealth auditorium.

West Seattle Crime Watch: Burglary followed by gunfire

June 13, 2012 9:13 am

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| Crime | Highland Park | West Seattle news

From a report just published on SPD Blotter:

Last night at around 8:30 pm, Southwest Precinct officers responded to a “shots fired” call in the 8100 block of 9th Avenue Southwest [map]. The call stated that a neighbor heard 3 gun shots and then a car speeding away. Officers arrived and contacted a resident. He told officers that he was alone in the house sleeping when he heard a noise at the front door, followed by a loud crash at the back door of the house. The victim walked out of the front door to investigate, and he saw three Asian males, and a black male, all in their teens, running from behind his house. The victim told officers that he yelled at them. One of the males turned around and pointed his arm at the victim. The victim stated that he could not actually see a gun, but saw 2-3 flashes and heard gun shots. According to the victim, the group of teens then ran southbound on 9th Ave SW and then west on SW Thistle Street.

The victim returned to his house and found that the back door had been kicked in. Officers conducted an area search but did not locate the suspects. Officers did, however, locate two shell casings in the area where the victim stated the suspects fired the gun.

Police say they don’t have any additional descriptive information; nobody was hurt.

West Seattle’s Relay for Life this Friday; help needed, too

June 13, 2012 7:24 am

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| Health | How to help | West Seattle news

(WSB photo from 2011 Relay for Life, after participants had been going all night)
Just two days now till the cancer-fighting all-night fundraising Relay for Life at West Seattle Stadium. This morning, Jilyan Perry shares a reminder – and also a request for some volunteer help to set up on Friday afternoon, before it all begins:

West Seattle’s Relay for Life is taking place this Friday at the West Seattle Stadium starting at 6 pm. Relay for Life is an overnight, community based fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. West Seattle’s Relay raised nearly $60,000 last year to help in the fight against cancer. Please come join us for an evening of celebration and remembrance.

Remember – we always need day of volunteers and we welcome anyone in the community to come down and help. Committee members will be arriving at the stadium at 12 pm on Friday. Anyone willing to help is encouraged to just show up.

For more information regarding Relay for Life contact Jilyan.Perry@yahoo.com or visit relayforlife.org

The official West Seattle webpage says more than 240 people are signed up to participate this year. Even if you’re not among them, you’re welcome to stop by the stadium and cheer them on; the event always begins with a “survivors’ lap” on Friday night, and a few hours later, around 10 pm, luminarias are lit around the track in honor of both cancer survivors and those who are being remembered.

1 year later, West Seattle family with Joplin relatives says ‘thanks’

June 13, 2012 7:08 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle people

One year ago this week, Steve John and family in West Seattle raised money to help his aunt and uncle who were affected by the May 22, 2011, tornado that killed more than 150 people and destroyed thousands of homes in Joplin, Missouri; two of Steve’s neighbors organized a benefit garage sale, and many friends and neighbors donated items to sell. This week, Steve e-mailed WSB to say he wanted to publicly thank everyone again: “I’ll never be able to repay everyone, both here and at my place of work, who pitched to help far away strangers in their time of need” – and to share then-and-now photos of his relatives’ neighborhood. Above, their house post-tornado; ahead, their house now, plus the then-and-now views of their neighborhood:Read More