West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
Featured at tonight’s Soundgarden “King Animal” album-release party at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), co-presented by Easy Street Records, that’s the tribute band Bleed Together (named after a Soundgarden song). Party’s on right now; no, Soundgarden’s not there – they’re in New York to guest on the Late Show With David Letterman. But you can hear and buy the new album:
And raffle tickets for a guitar autographed by Soundgarden, donated to raise money for the West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival:
Still time to get to the Feedback – 6451 California SW. P.S. Soundgarden has two Seattle gigs on its tour schedule – February 7-8 at the Paramount downtown.
(EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the first of two detailed reports from the Southwest Design Review Board’s two-project meeting last Thursday night.)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
4724 California – the 7-story mixed-use building planned for what used to be the Junction’s Petco store (among other things) – could start construction as soon as April 1st.
That is, if the rest of the planning/permitting process goes as smoothly as the project’s second and final session before the Southwest Design Review Board.
We reported the result shortly after the meeting last Thursday night at the Senior Center of West Seattle. Our report ahead, for those interested, runs through the details of what was shown, discussed, and recommended, from the board and the public:
Though the BEX IV school-building levy won’t go to voters till next February, the process of designing its first potential projects is starting now – including the creation of a community/district Design Team for the new school that’s currently described as Schmitz Park Elementary at Genesee Hill. That school will be built on the site where the closed ex-GH Elementary now stands. The Genesee-Schmitz Neighborhood Council is announcing its hopes for the site – looking ahead to a community conversation next week:
GSNC is pleased to announce that Kerrie Schurr, the group’s Communications Chair, has been selected to represent the council on the Seattle School District’s Design Advisory Team for the new Genesee Hill school building (future location of the Schmitz Park program, if the capital levy passes in February). This is a great opportunity for the community to have input into the design considerations, either via the council or directly to the district at the Community Conversation for this project.
The Community Conversation will be held on Monday, November 19, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Schmitz Park Elementary School. A second Community Conversation will be held during the week of January 21 (details forthcoming).
At the short (1-hr.) GSNC meeting last Thursday evening, those in attendance came up with the initial list below of desired features for the new Genesee Hill school. Additional ideas may be submitted to gsncouncil@gmail.com by 5 p.m. Sunday, November 18.
The GSNC requests, after the jump:Read More
(Photo courtesy Gil White)
This Thanksgiving weekend, instead of going over the hills and through the woods to Grandma’s house, a West Seattle five-year-old will be going over the hills … and other challenges … of a Bicycle Motocross (BMX) race course in Tulsa, Oklahoma. And Hudson White won’t “just” be racing – he’ll be going for the #1 plate at the Grand Nationals.
Hudson’s already pretty close, with the #4 plate, according to his dad Gil White, who shared this video of Hudson from the Canadian Grand Nationals last month – Hudson is on the white bike:
We asked Hudson’s dad how his son got involved. Dad says he too was a BMX racer in his childhood days. So that led to a little interest after he himself became a dad:
We happened by the North SeaTac track on a race day in October 2011 and stopped to watch. While watching the other kids race, Hudson said, ‘I can do that,’ and he’s been doing it ever since.
Hudson joined Sonic BMX, a local developmental BMX team under the tutelage of Carmel Schimmel (a West Seattlelite) and Jamie Stenson, and he competed well enough on the National circuit to be currently ranked #4 in the 5 & Under age group. The trip to the Grand Nationals in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is the granddaddy of all nationals – if you’re in contention for a national plate, you attend. In Hudson’s age proficiency, he anticipates competing against approximately 25 racers. Numerically, Hudson is still in the hunt for the #1 plate since points awarded are worth double.
Hudson is a pretty active kid; between attending school, Mandarin classes, baseball (he played on the West Seattle T-ball Menashe team) and riding his bike, he finds time for his other passion – Legos. He’ll tell you he wants to build things when he grows up. Probably the Lego influence. His favorite activity at school is recess – go figure.
The sport of BMX has been a great life lesson for Hudson – he’s been able to comprehend that some days he may not have it and finish last, or he may have it and finish first – either way, we drive home and follow the same routine – stop for ice cream. As he prepares for the Grand Nationals and a run at the #1 plate – the question is, will he have it? – I guess we’ll have to wait and see. However, you can bet we’ll have ice cream in Tulsa.
Good luck to Hudson! By the way, Gil notes that BMX “is an Olympic sport and a really fun activity for people of all ages – locally, 41-45 years (of age) tends to be some of the more competitive races. The Pacific Northwest has a tradition of really good riders and well-run tracks nearby.”
Voting is open today in the latest online contest for school grants – and there’s a West Seattle entry in this one. K-5 STEM at Boren – aka West Seattle STEM Elementary – is in the running for a $50,000 prize in the “Power a Bright Future” contest. WS STEM is partnering with Arbor Heights Elementary and Schmitz Park Elementary in hopes of getting the money for projects such as a tablet-computer lending library. Voting will continue till December 19th, and you can vote by text and online once (each way) per day – as explained on the STEM PTA website. You can vote online (but note, you will have to register) by going here; easiest way to vote is via text message – just text 2646pbf to 95248.
(2010 WSB photo: Busy in the kitchen before the Fauntleroy Thanksgiving feast)
If you’ve been wondering – yes, The Hall at Fauntleroy is opening the doors again this year for its free Thanksgiving dinner. We just received the official announcement:
Join us for a free Community Thanksgiving meal at the Hall at Fauntleroy in West Seattle on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 22th from 12 noon to 3:00 PM. All are welcome for a traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings prepared by Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes Catering Executive Chef Michael Chase.
This is the 14th year that Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes owners Meg and David Haggerty and David Meckstroth have hosted this wonderful dinner. They are joined by a wonderful group of volunteers who help greet our welcome guests and serve dinner.
We will gladly accept donations for desserts. They can be dropped off at the Hall the day before Thanksgiving between 10 and 4 or on Thanksgiving Day after 10 am.
We are located at 9131 California Ave SW in the Fauntleroy Community Schoolhouse, across the street from the Fauntleroy YMCA. Call us at 206-932-1059 if you have any questions.
Lots of traditions are returning to West Seattle this holiday season – and this year, there’s a chance for at least one new tradition too – “Santa’s First Magical Ride,” a new locally written/produced holiday musical that will premiere at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. Here’s the announcement, now that tickets are available:
“Santa’s First Magical Ride: The Musical” is a new tale about why Santa took that first magical ride and his life with the North Pole Elves.
It features original music, songs and lively dance numbers, and was written by Ricky Gene Powell and Paul S. Carr III. The new musical is being performed at the Youngstown Cultural Arts Center in Seattle the three weekends just before Christmas.
The musical is based on the book, “Santa’s First Magical Ride,” written by Paul S. Carr III and first published in December 2011. The book, written entirely in rhyme, tells the story of Santa’s birth and adoption by the North Pole Elves, his magical upbringing, and the story of his first magical sleigh ride. Ricky Gene Powell and Paul S. Carr III are both professional singers and musicians who combined Paul’s story with Ricky’s expertise as a playwright and director to create a charming new musical story with original bluegrass, celtic, and folk music that will make you want to dance along with the Elves. Bring cameras, since children can visit with Santa afterward and parents can take a free picture.
Tickets are $15 and are available through Brown Paper Tickets by calling 1-800-838-3006 or at brownpapertickets.com. Interview arrangements and other information is available at www.yulestory.com, or by contacting Libby Carr, Executive Producer, at libby@yulestory.com; 206-938-8721.
‘Santa’s First Magical Ride’ has a Facebook page if you’d like to follow the progress toward the premiere.
With Veterans Day officially observed today, here are the major holiday-related changes/notes:
*Transit changes: Metro “reduced weekday service”; no Water Taxi
*Schools are closed
*Banks are closed
*Most government facilities are closed – with one notable exception:
*Seattle Public Library branches are OPEN (they observed the holiday yesterday)
*Free on-street-parking day for city neighborhoods with pay stations/meters
*Trash/recycling/yard-waste service is normal if you have Monday pickup
*No USPS delivery; post offices closed
FREEBIES FOR VETERANS TODAY: Writer David Nelson e-mailed to let us know that West Seattle businesses are included in his roundup of places offering something free for veterans, today only. See the full regional list here. We also heard directly from Celtic Swell (61st and Alki), which is offering free appetizers today for veterans AND active-duty military. And WSB sponsor C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW) is offering free coffee for veterans today.
Other calendar highlights for today:
WEST SEATTLE COOKING CLUB: The theme this time is vegan – so bring a vegan dish to Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW) at 3 pm.
NORTH DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL: Monthly meeting tonight at 6:30 pm, Delridge Library (Delridge/Brandon). Here’s the agenda.
RELAY FOR LIFE 2013 VOLUNTEER MEETING: Get involved now, to help out with the cancer-fighting overnight event next June. Volunteers and potential volunteers meet at 6:45 tonight, Merrill Gardens-Admiral Heights (WSB sponsor; 2326 California SW).
SOUNDGARDEN ALBUM RELEASE PARTY: Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) and Easy Street Records co-sponsor the big event tonight at The Feedback (6451 California SW). Starts at 7 pm and includes not only the chance to hear and buy “King Animal,” but also live music by Soundgarden tribute band Bleed Together, Soundgarden videos on the big screen, and the raffle of the Hi-Yu-benefiting autographed guitar (see this WSB story) – you can still buy $5 raffle tickets at tonight’s event before the drawing.
More on our calendar!
Cindy Craig was on a ferry from Southworth to Fauntleroy on Sunday when she met the three veterans shown in her photo, which was taken as they walked off the boat at Vashon, carrying flags. She explains:
They were invited by the Vashon Island VFW to come for dinner in honor of Veterans Day. They started walking (Sunday) morning from the base at Bremerton and will be walking from Vashon to Joint Base Lewis/McChord (today, Monday). They are all veterans (one young man removed his sunglasses to speak with us and he is missing his right eye from a combat injury) and their goal is to raise awareness of and support for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder among veterans and others affected by major trauma.
Cindy didn’t get their names, but we found a Vashon Beachcomber story about their visit online. Chess Johnson, Andy Britt, and Will Carroll are the trio. Johnson’s story was told in a documentary called “Exit Wound” – you’ll see and hear from him in this trailer:
Cindy last saw them as they continued walking onto Vashon.
>
She said the men hoped to spend time today talking to people they meet while walking south on Vashon, where another ferry will take them across to Tacoma.
| 3 COMMENTS