day : 27/07/2012 9 results

(Photos by Nick Adams for WSB)
If you saw a group of more than 40 bicyclists riding by in the Thursday evening sunshine, here’s what it was all about: A “bikeability tour” of West Seattle, presented by groups including the Cascade Bicycle Club, Seattle Greenways, and the city Bicycle Advisory Board, whose co-chair Max Hepp-Buchanan spoke before the group pedaled away from the starting point by Chelan Café:

He said, “This is a great way for people to bike through communities, meet their neighbors, and help inform the recommendations we are going to be making to the council, Mayor’s office, and SDOT.” The route is mapped here (with descriptions of various points along the way).

More views from along the 10.5-mile ride, ahead:Read More

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Community School of West Seattle plans new focus, while 2 teachers plan new K-5

July 27, 2012 5:51 pm

| 6 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Two big headlines in the news shared by Community School of West Seattle founder/director Sarah Airhart: Starting in fall of next year – not this fall – her school will focus on what it considers its sweet spot. And two of its teachers, Terry Garrido and Michelle Taylor (shown above with Sarah at center) are venturing out to form a new independent school. Here’s how Sarah tells the story:

The Community School of West Seattle (CSWS) has been working on creating its Strategic Plan for the next 3 years.

CSWS currently has 3 preschool classrooms for 3 to 5 year olds and 1 classroom for Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade.

The preschool program has grown over the years and most recently participated in the WA State pilot study of the new Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS). CSWS was instrumental in getting the language of an emergent and project approach curriculum imbedded as an ‘approved’ curriculum model.

And during the pilot process we received some of the highest ratings in the country on the CLASS assessment. The CLASS looks at what we believe is one of the most critical components of any program – teacher/child interaction. The WA State Department of Early Learning (DEL) recently received $60 million to implement the QRIS (now called Early Achievers) across the State and CSWS is among the first programs to participate. You can read all about Early Achievers and the Race to the Top grant here.

(We) have also been recognized by DEL as an Early Achievers Peer Mentor. This opportunity is offered to only 14 programs in King County who served in the pilot study. The Peer Mentor’s role is to provide advice and support to other Early learning programs who choose to go through the rating process.

Part of the Strategic Planning process was to really look at our strengths and passions.

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West Seattle development: ‘The Hole’ now ‘Spruce West Seattle’

July 27, 2012 2:05 pm

| 76 COMMENTS

| Development | West Seattle news

(June aerial photo of “The Hole” by Long Bach Nguyen)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

“The Hole” has a new name, according to plans filed with the city Department of Planning and Development: Spruce West Seattle.

Nine and a half months have passed since the project/site formerly known as Fauntleroy Place was auctioned off to an entity of Madison Development Group (WSB coverage here), and many West Seattleites have been waiting and watching to see what, if anything, will happen with the long-idle site. Work stopped in fall 2008 after site excavation; a lawsuit ensued; and once that was finally settled (in June of last year), foreclosure and auction led to the sale.

Back in May, we finally got a short response from Madison owner Tom Lee, who said they expected to have an update “soon.”

No word since then – but a revised plan was filed at the DPD this week, making it a matter of public record.

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West Seattle restaurants: Chaco Canyon, Meander’s, Talarico’s updates

July 27, 2012 12:45 pm

| 10 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

Three updates on West Seattle restaurants:

CHACO CANYON’S SIDEWALK CAFE: The city has granted a sidewalk-café permit to Chaco Canyon Organic Café (WSB sponsor; 3770 SW Alaska) in The Triangle, and owner Chris Maykut shared the sketch above. It’s not just any “sidewalk café” space – he says it “is being fabricated by a local artist out of cedar and steel whose studio is under the WS bridge (on the downtown side of it) – James Reinhardt, who also did our gorgeous lighting. … He’s shooting for installation around August 15th.”

DINNER AT MEANDER’S: The cozy café north of Morgan Junction (6032 California SW) has announced via Facebook that it’s about to add dinner service, starting next Thursday (August 2nd), 5-10 pm Thursdays-Saturdays, 5-9:30 pm Sundays. They’re promising “meat loaf and mashed potatoes,” among other “exciting and delicious bits.”

NEW HOURS AT TALARICO’S: General manager Daniel Cardinal e-mailed to share the news that Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW) has new hours – opening for lunch at 11 am six days a week. Their hours are now 3 pm-2 am on Mondays, 11 am-2 am Tuesdays-Sundays (with lunch served 11 am-3 pm). They’re also showing the Olympics live during lunch, Cardinal says.

We’re adding these changes to the WSB West Seattle Restaurant Guide – and in the process of adding a few more pages, too. If you’d like to add your short reviews of favorite local restaurants – not just “hated it” or “loved it,” but recommendations for other diners – just find the page and write your review in the “comments” section! The index is here.

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West Seattle Crime Watch followup: Stolen SUV found

July 27, 2012 11:37 am

| 5 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

11:37 AM: Thanks to Jackie for the tip – the stolen Ford Explorer that police were looking for has been found. We published their request for help last night – they said the SUV was linked to a burglary/car prowl case and, while they had arrested a suspect, they needed to find the vehicle, and figured it would still be in north West Seattle somewhere. Indeed – it turned up on an off-the-beaten-track street near Schmitz Park, Jackie told us. Bruce, who spotted it and called it in last night, shared the photo of the vehicle getting towed away. We’re checking with police to see if there’s anything more to say about the case.

12:31 PM UPDATE: Sgt. Joe Bauer says regarding the suspect in this case, “the guy was pretty busy yesterday. He was caught due to the great descriptions and help from the community. Our hats are off to our West Seattle residents!”

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Followup: District will replace Sanislo Elementary’s blown-up slide

July 27, 2012 9:45 am

| 5 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(WSB photo from July 5th)
Three weeks ago, on the day after the 4th of July, we followed up a tip about that slide on the Sanislo Elementary playground, rendered unusable because someone had blown up something right in the middle of it. We’ve been checking with Seattle Public Schools and the Sanislo PTA since then, to find out what would be done about it. First, we learned that the district had removed the blown-up slide, for safety’s sake; whether it would be replaced wasn’t clear – but now, Lynette Jeung from the PTA tells us they have good news:

(Thursday) afternoon, the PTA received an email from our principal, Ernie Seevers, who shared with us that the “district metal shop will fabricate a new slide for us at no cost to the school.” Needless to say, we were thrilled to hear this news! We don’t know yet when the slide would be completed. Of course, we’d love for it to be completed in time for the start of the new school year. That is the next bit of info to find out, but certainly this news was very welcome.

Lynette says they appreciate the community’s support – for a while there, it looked like they might have to consider fundraising to replace the slide, but now it looks like that won’t be necessary.

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West Seattle Friday: Health, camp, bands, more Shakespeare…

July 27, 2012 8:50 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Bird’s nest fungi, photographed at Lincoln Park by Machel Spence)
From the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar (got something coming up? please send us the info!):

COLMAN POOL REOPENS: The restroom problem that closed the outdoor pool yesterday was fixed by evening and Parks says it’ll reopen at noon today, as per the regular schedule.

FREE SKIN CANCER SCREENING: Look for the Skin Cancer Foundation‘s RV in the lot at Rite Aid at 5217 California Ave SW – that’s where you’ll find West Seattle dermatologist Dr. Susanne L. Gee (WSB sponsor), who will be screening from 1- 4 pm as part of the foundation’s Road to Healthy Skin Tour.

PLAYGROUND PARTY: This month marks the third anniversary of the Delridge (Community Center) Playground’s community build and grand opening! Come celebrate 4:30-6 pm.

CAMP COLMAN CELEBRATION IN FAUNTLEROY: 5:30-8:30 pm at The Hall at Fauntleroy, celebrate the camp’s history and future with a bean-feed dinner and screening of the Camp Colman Centennial film.

WINE TASTING: “Fabulous French Finds” is the theme for tonight’s weekly tasting at Bin 41 in The Junction, 6-7:30 pm.

MARCHING BANDS ‘JAM’ TONIGHT! Not in West Seattle, but lots of young West Seattle musicians participating, notes Seattle All-City Marching Band director/Denny International Middle School/Chief Sealth International High School music leader Marcus Pimpleton:

The students and staff of the Seattle Schools All-City Marching Band cordially invite you to join us for the 2012 Band Jam (tonight) at 6:30 pm at Memorial Stadium – 401 5th Ave N. The evening will feature musical performances by the:

Ten Man Brass Band
Junior All-City Marching Band (presented by Denny International Middle School, Chief Sealth International H.S., and the All-City Band)
Sumner High School Marching Band
Seattle Seahawks Blue Thunder Drumline
Seattle Sounders Soundwave FC Band
Seattle Schools All-City Marching Band

It will be a fun night celebrating the best part of any parade – the marching bands.

HAITI FUNDRAISER: Artist Leah Ingram is raising money to spend three months teaching kids in Haiti, and tonight Mind Unwind in the Admiral District is hosting a drop-in fundraiser, starting at 7 – details here.

SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK: “Taming of the Shrew,” tonight at 7 pm, presented free by Greenstage at Camp Long.

NIGHTLIFE: Barbie Anaka at Salty’s, 8 pm … Three bands at Skylark, starting at 8 … Two bands at the Benbow Room, starting at 9 … The Brian & Janie Show at The Bridge, 9:30 pm …

More on the calendar!

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Waste Management drivers’ strike: Friday update – still no pickups

July 27, 2012 7:32 am

| 11 COMMENTS

| Utilities | Waste Management strike | West Seattle news

FIRST REPORT, 7:32 AM: As promised, we’ll publish a new story each day for whatever developments happen that day during the course of the strike by Teamsters-represented drivers who collect recycling, yard waste, and garbage for Waste Management. The walkout started at midday Wednesday. This morning, the city has announced no pickup today either:

The strike by Teamster Union Local 117 recycling drivers continues, and Teamsters 174 garbage and yard drivers continue to honor the picket lines. Garbage, yard waste and recycling will not be collected from most Waste Management Friday customers today.

Waste Management is expected to increase limited collection service today, focusing on those accounts critical to public health and the environment.

Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) asks customers who are missed for collection today to put out their garbage, recycling and yard waste next Friday, Aug. 3. There will be no charge for additional items placed at the curb. Monday customers should put out their materials as normal.

The strike is affecting about 60 percent of the city, in Northwest and South Seattle. Teamster Local 117’s contract with Waste Management expired May 31. In Seattle, Local 117 represents only recycling drivers, and other drivers are covered by separate labor agreements.

Collections by CleanScapes, which covers about 40 percent of the city are not impacted by the strike.

SPU continues to urge Waste Management and the Teamsters to engage in good faith negotiations toward a speedy and successful outcome.

Under its contract with the city, Waste Management is required to continue services in the event of any disruption. Specifically, any missed collections due to any labor complications must be collected later in the week, or the following week. Waste Management will not be paid for any non-service.

The contract allows the city to deduct approximately $4,500 per day in payments to Waste Management for any services that are not completed the next day. For any interruptions that continue more than a week, contractors can also be fined substantially for service failure, up to $250,000 per day.

Protecting public health and safety continues to be the city’s top priority throughout this collection disruption.

SPU will provide updates as needed. Customers with solid waste service issues or concerns may call the Call Center at (206) 684-3000.

Customers with labor/union questions or concerns should contact Waste Management or Teamsters Local 117.

No new negotiations so far. The union says it offered to stop picketing Monday if WM would meet with them tomorrow; WM issued a statement yesterday saying that it would meet with the union if drivers went back to work first.

Meantime, the latest story on this will always be atop our BIG STORIES list on the sidebar for the duration of the strike. We also have created a coverage category with which all our stories will be tagged, so you can always find the newest information, and archived coverage, via this link.

ADDED 11:31 AM: An update from our partners at The Seattle Times – WM has brought in some “replacement workers.” Their coverage also includes some background on the dispute itself.

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Video: The Local Strangers open Summer Concerts at Hiawatha 2012

July 27, 2012 2:14 am

| Comments Off on Video: The Local Strangers open Summer Concerts at Hiawatha 2012

| West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

The fourth season of Summer Concerts at Hiawatha is under way! The Admiral Neighborhood Association-presented series began Thursday night with The Local Strangers (video above), emcee Marty Riemer, and outdoor music fans young and old: