day : 17/07/2012 14 results

Caveat before you think it’s a sudden crime wave: This is another roundup with several days of reader reports. First one happened at a local school:

We took that photo at the Schmitz Park Elementary playground gate after a call (206-293-6302 any time) this morning. A driver apparently plowed into it very early today, doing damage including knocking down a tiled bollard. Seattle Police are investigating, Seattle Public Schools confirms; the person who called us said the driver apparently bolted.

Also early this morning, Matthew reported hearing five gunshots from his home in the 40th/Genesee area just after 3 am. Though it may be impossible to prove whether this is related, we heard late today from Ryan near 48th and Alaska, who says he found a 9-millimeter bullet casing on his front steps this morning – something he didn’t recall seeing when returning home late last night after a trip out of town. (We advised him to report it to SPD.)

Six more reader reports from the past few days are ahead:Read More

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White Center Jubilee Days fireworks show tomorrow night

July 17, 2012 9:27 pm

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| West Seattle news | White Center

A heads-up in case you hear them from West Seattle – or in case you want to go see them! Tomorrow (Wednesday) night is the official start of five days of White Center Jubilee Days festival fun, and that means a professional fireworks show at Steve Cox Memorial Park (just east of McLendon Hardware). Everyone’s invited to go see it – and to enjoy the carnival, complete with rides, that’ll be under way by the time the fireworks begin. The festival also includes a street fair Saturday-Sunday and parade on Sunday.

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Got a convertible? 2 needed for West Seattle Grand Parade

July 17, 2012 8:10 pm

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| West Seattle Grand Parade | West Seattle news

(WSB photo from just before the start of 2010 parade, in which we rode behind Post 160’s commander)
This Saturday’s West Seattle Grand Parade is suddenly short two convertibles for the VIP’s who ride toward the start – and organizers are asking if anyone out there in WSB-land can loan theirs. One is needed for Orville Rummel Trophy winner Shirley Vradenburgh (here’s our story from last night), and the other for parade-presenting American Legion Post 160‘s Commander Chris Shea, a Navy veteran riding in his final parade before a change of command for the Post. If you can loan one (or two!) convertibles to the parade, please contact co-coordinator Dave Vague ASAP – e-mail vagued@comcast.net. Thanks!

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The Cove School: Welcoming a new West Seattle Blog sponsor

July 17, 2012 5:11 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Today we welcome WSB’s newest sponsor, The Cove School. Here’s what they want you to know:

Living an interesting, fun-filled, opportunity-stuffed life. Friendly + flexible. Curious + engaged. Following a path that makes them thrilled-to-the-tips-of-their-toes happy. Don’t we all want that life for our kids?

Well, we here at The Cove School sure want that for our kids – both now and when they’re adults. Can a preschool do all that? Ignite a life of mindfulness, creativity, and self-determined passion? We think so. Here’s why – and how – we do it:

We believe every child has a unique contribution to make to the world – and finding that contribution leads to a joyful + successful + complete life. We fill your kids with the desire to do something and the belief that they can. So we set about creating a place that would help our little ones do just that.

To do that, The Cove School combines a variety of philosophies and educational approaches. We focus on social + emotional learning and the mindfulness at our core. Of course (of course!) our students learn numbers, letters, reading, and math. But more importantly, they learn that positive thought and mindfulness is a way of being – not a solution to a problem.

Our preschool ranges from ages 2-6; preschool, pre-K, and junior kindergarten. We show our students the importance of purpose and intent, innovation and creativity. Together, we build a foundation of flexible thinking and understanding different perspectives.

We work with you and your child to instill a love of learning and a knowledge that life is what you make it. In fact, we discourage use of the word can’t at our school. Instead, we say “How can I?” That opens a world of possibilities.

Help your child live a totally fulfilled life. Pop in for a visit or drop us a line to arrange a tour – contact information is at www.thecoveschool.com. We can’t wait to meet you!

We thank The Cove School 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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West Seattle Grand Parade countdown: Police Pipes and Drums’ debut

July 17, 2012 4:05 pm

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| West Seattle Grand Parade | West Seattle news

Our countdown to this Saturday’s West Seattle American Legion Post 160 Grand Parade continues with a brand-new entry:

Making their first appearance in the West Seattle Grand Parade this year are the Seattle Police Pipes and Drums. They practice at the Harbor Patrol facility on Lake Union, where we recorded that video last night. (They also participated in this year’s Seattle Police Memorial at Forest Lawn back in May.)

Their participation will change the first part of the parade a bit – the Seattle Police Motorcycle Drill Team will take off from the parade route’s California/Lander starting line at about 10:30, and instead of the Vancouver (B.C.) Police motorcycles being right after SPD, the Pipes and Drums will march … along with a special guest: The Boston Police Gaelic Column of Pipes and Drums. The West Seattle Grand Parade is the only parade in which they’ll participate; the Seattle and Boston pipers/drummers then have a big concert on Sunday night, along with even more visitors, from Delta, B.C. (The concert’s at 6 pm Sunday at Seattle University – full details here.)

The SPD Pipes and Drums are in their second year (their Boston mentors, in contrast, are in their 21st); they’re nonprofit, all-volunteer, supported but not financed by the department. And the group includes two West Seattleites:

The drum major, Scotty Bach, works in Criminal Intelligence at headquarters. One of the pipers is Michael Jongma, who’s with the Traffic Division:

And while he’s NOT a West Seattleite, we photographed Det. Mark Jamieson, who we usually talk with several times a week:

He is a member of the Public Affairs/Media Relations team downtown, so he’s often quoted in news stories – he and his colleagues find the info that us journalist types call to ask for. (They also write for SPD Blotter, tweet, appear on camera at major breaking-news scenes, etc.)

So look for the SPD Pipes and Drums this Saturday along California SW, between Lander and Edmunds, right after the SPD motorcycles (which start everything off at 10:30), marching with their Boston counterparts; then, see them Sunday night at Seattle U’s Pigott Auditorium (ticket info here).

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Remembering Marcus: 25 years since deadly Delridge crash

July 17, 2012 2:56 pm

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| Delridge | Safety | West Seattle news

Along Delridge, near SW Brandon, there’s a sign urging you to drive carefully “in memory of Marcus Ryan Anderson.” North Delridge community advocate Mike Dady points out via the ND e-mail list that today marks the 25th anniversary of the crash that killed 7-year-old Marcus (whose mother fought for seven years to get that sign put up, and for other safety improvements). Remember him, wherever you’re driving/riding.

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West Seattle wildlife: Lunch break for road-crossing otter

July 17, 2012 2:29 pm

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| West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news | Wildlife

We’ve shared photos taken by others, but never before have we had the chance to personally photograph one of Alki’s famous road-crossing river otters. S/he just turned up while we were standing on the Duwamish Head seawall to get a photo of this great blue heron …

Then a gentleman unloading a Wiseman’s Appliance truck shouted something like “THERE’s your photo op!” – we turned, and the otter was suddenly on the sidewalk, galumphing over to slide down the seawall:

… and onto the beach. It was just about noon, so, we assume, lunch break time. PLEASE be careful when you drive Alki Avenue … the otters seem to be frequent commuters.

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Roxhill Elementary principal Carmela Dellino promoted to executive director of West Seattle schools

July 17, 2012 11:56 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

FIRST REPORT, 11:56 AM: Just forwarded to us:

Dear Roxhill Elementary School families:

It is with deeply mixed emotions that I am writing to let you know I have decided to accept the position of Executive Director of Schools for Seattle Public Schools’ Southwest Region. I will be replacing Aurora Lora, who has taken a job in Texas.

My years at Roxhill have been filled with incredible joy. Roxhill is a vibrant, positive school that celebrates our diverse community and is committed to every student’s success. The staff is truly the best group of educators with whom I have ever had the honor of working. I am proud and grateful to have been the principal of Roxhill. I look forward to watching the continued progress of our students and celebrating the many successes that I am confident lie ahead.

I am also very excited about this new opportunity to lead our principals and staff in service to families in the Southwest Region, which includes Roxhill. While I will miss the opportunity to interact with you on a daily basis, I will be in Roxhill on a regular basis with your new principal. As one of the six regional Executive Directors of Schools, I will support principals’ instructional leadership in order to increase student achievement and close opportunity gaps. This includes using data to monitor school progress, coordinating professional development, one-on-one coaching, principal evaluations and conducting frequent learning walks through school buildings.

Please be assured that my highest immediate priority in the next few weeks is to work with Roxhill staff and parents to select the next leader for our school. Please do not hesitate to contact me to share the qualities and characteristics you would like to see in your next principal. You can reach me at cddellino@seattleschools.org.

You will be able to meet your new principal at the Welcome Back BBQ on Thursday, Aug. 30 from 4:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. at Roxhill. Looking forward to seeing you all there!

Sincerely,

Carmela Dellino, Principal
Roxhill Elementary School

ADDED 1:03 PM: The district has since sent a news release announcing Dellino’s appointment, as well as an executive director for another region of the district, in a letter from new Superintendent José Banda – read it ahead:Read More

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Equity Residential Junction project update: Demolition could start ‘as early as August 10th’

July 17, 2012 10:44 am

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| Development | West Seattle news

(2011 WSB photo looking southwest toward project site on Alaska’s south side, 42nd to California)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

With the remaining businesses on notice to clear out of the future Equity Residential two-building development site in the heart of The Junction by the end of this month, demolition could start days later.

We’ve been working for weeks to get an update directly from the site’s owner/developers, and finally have some new information.

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WSDOT says south-end 99 work will be done, early, this fall

July 17, 2012 10:07 am

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| Alaskan Way Viaduct | Transportation | West Seattle news

(WSDOT photo of the new 99 bridge-in-progress, taken last month)
If you drive 99 from the West Seattle Bridge to downtown, you’ve noticed that the eastern elevated section of the highway, south of the remaining Alaskan Way Viaduct, is taking shape fast. Once it’s done, that new bridge will carry the northbound 99 traffic, while its semi-twin, which has carried both directions since last year, will be the southbound-only side. This morning, WSDOT announced that the new bridge will be done this fall, with the entire south end demolition/construction project complete “one year ahead of schedule and on budget.” Read on for the announcement:Read More

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West Seattle Tuesday: Hi-Yu Concert in the Park, and more

July 17, 2012 8:56 am

| Comments Off on West Seattle Tuesday: Hi-Yu Concert in the Park, and more

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Thanks to John Kincaid for sharing the photo – a sharp-shinned hawk seen in Fauntleroy Park)
Happy Tuesday! Some highlights for today/tonight:

COMMUNITY ORCHARD OF WEST SEATTLE: The Health and Harvest Tour/work party hours are now 5-7 pm every Tuesday, and you’re invited. The orchard is on the northeast side of the South Seattle Community College campus at 6000 16th SW.

DROP-IN E-BOOK CLINIC: Need help with downloading e-books and/or audiobooks? The Southwest Branch of the Seattle Public Library (35th/Henderson) invites you to stop by 6-7:30 pm tonight – any time during that window – for help.

MURRAY CSO MEETING: The community advisory group for the Lowman Beach sewer-overflow-control project will meet tonight, 6:30 pm at Fauntleroy Church (9140 California SW). Agenda highlights are in the calendar listing.

EVENING BOOK GROUP: The High Point Branch of the Seattle Public Library hosts its evening book group at 6:30 pm tonight; this month’s book is “The Lost Painting” by Jonathan Harr.

WEST SEATTLE HI-YU CONCERT IN THE PARK: It might still be cloudy, but the forecast says it’ll be warm when the West Seattle Big Band takes the stage for the Hi-Yu Concert in the Park tonight on the Hiawatha Community Center/park’s east lawn. Note the time is different from previous years – 7:30 pm. Bring your own chair/blanket to sit on the grass. Admission free.

NIGHTLIFE: Tonight’s lineup includes the monthly Alauda belly-dancing showcase at Skylark Café and Club, 7:30 pm; Trivia That Rocks at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), 8 pm; there’s also trivia at The Bridge, 8:30 pm; Shadowland hosts the weekly Starlight songwriters’ showcase, 9 pm.

More on the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar!

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West Seattle scene: A rod, a line, a view, a park

July 17, 2012 1:45 am

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| West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

WSB’s newest professional photojournalist contributor, Nick Adams, netted that image of people fishing during Monday’s sunset at Lincoln Park. Today’s forecast is a little murky – then again, so was Monday’s, and the sun triumphed anyway.

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West Seattle Summer Fest postscripts: Can-tastic donation! Plus, Good Samaritan story

July 17, 2012 1:09 am

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| West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

A couple post-West Seattle Summer Fest notes tonight:

The photo is from Prudential Northwest Realty‘s Don Bereiter, who explains the cans in their WSSF booth were part of a game that will help keep a lot of people from going hungry:

I just wanted to point out the HUGE success that Summer Fest was this year. We tried a new approach this year by involving as many kids that would participate. We set up some empty cans to be knocked down with foam rubber Prudential rocks. Each kid received a piece of licorice and we agreed to donate one can of food to the West Seattle Food Bank for each participant. We ended up with 756 kids (some adults, too)!

In lieu of physically donating canned food, we are going to write a check for $378 (756 divided by 2) to the food bank. This way they can use their buying power to purchase more than the 756 cans. My guess would be well over 2000.

Just wanted to share with the neighborhood the good news. I am sure the participants will be happy to hear how much good they did by playing!

We also received a note from James, who wanted to offer this public “thank you”:

I just wanted to thank the Good Samaritan that returned my 8-year-old daughter’s coin purse (Sunday) at the West Seattle Street Fair. My daughter was carrying around $40 in her purse for the fair. We didn’t realize it was lost until we were almost home. We rushed back to the fair, which was shutting down for the year. I backtracked our steps (to no avail). I then went to the event center’s lost and found, happily discovering someone turned it in with every cent accounted for. I am proud to be born and raised here in this community of West Seattle where great people reside!

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West Seattle weddings: Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Robert!

July 17, 2012 12:18 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle people | West Seattle weddings

The first wedding announcement we’ve ever been asked to publish – but hey, they’re news too! From the bride:

Jolene Humphrey and Sanjay Robert are happy to announce that they are now Mr. and Mrs. Sanjay Robert!

They exchanged vows on Saturday, July 14, 2012, in a small service at their church.

The happy couple are residents of West Seattle and attend church at Hope Lutheran.

You are likely to see them at Lincoln Park with the kids, Kelci, Zach, and Ravi – or walking together hand in hand around the city.

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