day : 05/01/2013 9 results

The return of a lost Golden Retriever to her family tonight reminded us that today is the 5th anniversary of the WSB Lost/Found Pets page. In keeping with our mentioned-earlier resolution to “make WSB more useful in 2013,” particularly by making sure everyone knows about free services offered here beyond 24/7 news, a few words about it: We haven’t kept count, but anecdotally, the page at westseattleblog.com/pets has helped at least a couple hundred pets reunite with their people. We never expected to have a lost/found pets sideline, but as WSB readership/participation grew after our turn toward news in winter 2006-2007, we started receiving requests to list them; on January 5, 2008, we launched the dedicated page as an easy-to-find place for listings, whether you’ve found a pet or lost one. Last year, we upgraded its format so each listing would have its own web address, enabling it to be shared if necessary (as with every story or page here on WSB, mouse over the “Share This” link for a simple way to share it via Facebook, Twitter, e-mail, and/or dozens more sharing-service options). Once there’s a reunion, please let us know so we can update the listing and remove the details. We share our home with pets (the two cats in the photo above, both adult shelter cats when we adopted them) too, and are glad WSB can be of assistance in getting wayward animal friends home. Hope you don’t ever need to use the Pets page, but if you do – e-mail info (and photo if available, jpg preferred) to editor@westseattleblog.com.

Southwest Seattle Super String Saturday: Free event January 26

January 5, 2013 9:23 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Three weeks from today, on January 26th, you are invited to Southwest Super String Saturday – a free event celebrating students, families, and music teachers from Roxhill, Arbor Heights, Gatewood, Sanislo, Concord, Highland Park, and West Seattle Elementary Schools, plus Denny International Middle School. It’s presented by Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestras (SYSO, a WSB sponsor), which explains:

This event showcases the efforts of students, professional music coaches and Seattle Public School music teachers who are part of the SYSO in the Schools program. SYSO in the Schools provides free small-group lessons during the school day and out-of-school time to young musicians who have historically had inequitable access to music education. This program has resulted in a dramatic increase in the number of students in orchestral music playing at higher levels of musicianship. Students have also gained self-confidence, built their skills in self-discipline, concentration and collaboration, and have had higher levels of academic achievement and school engagement.

As Carmela Dellino, former Roxhill Elementary principal and current SPS Executive Director for West Seattle Schools, explains: “We are so pleased to have SYSO’s continued support of the young string musicians in our Southwest Seattle schools. The free coaching provided by SYSO gives these students access to high quality, individualized music lessons that families in this area might not otherwise be able to afford. When I was principal at Roxhill Elementary, I saw students who, because the SYSO coaches were there to nurture their musical skills, not only persevered in their instrument playing, but brought that same focus to other areas of study. These skills prepare students, even at the elementary level, for college and career.”

Activities at Southwest Seattle Super String Saturday include: a mini-concert by the Youth Symphony Orchestra performing Emmanuel Charbrier’s España and Dmitri Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5 in d minor, Op. 47.; violin, viola, cello and bass master classes led by Youth Symphony musicians; chamber ensemble demonstrations; parent education sessions; and information from SYSO partner the West Seattle Community Orchestras. All students attending Super String Saturday are eligible for a full or partial scholarship to SYSO’s Marrowstone-in-the City summer program.

For more information about Southwest Seattle Super String Saturday, please contact Kathleen Allen, SYSO Director of Education, Communications and Partnerships at kathleen@syso.org or 206-362-2300. To learn more about SYSO and all of its programs supporting young musicians visit syso.org

On January 26th, you’ll find this all happening 10 am-1 pm at the Chief Sealth International High School auditorium (2600 SW Thistle).

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Stolen-vehicle alert

January 5, 2013 7:47 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Just out of the WSB inbox:

My friend’s car, in my possession, was stolen from in front of my house in Highland Park, 7000 block of 13TH AVE SW (Between HOLDEN & KENYON) last night.

The car is a 1993 Honda Accord, teal/light green, license AAX 1269. The back bumper is covered with bluegrass/music stickers. It was last seen by a neighbor in front of the house at 10:30 PM 1/4. Wasn’t noted missing until 4:00 PM today 1/5.

As we always note, many stolen vehicles are found within a relatively short distance – so if it happens to you, after you’ve notified police, let us know too so that we can also get the word out.

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Winter sailing: Three Tree Point Yacht Club’s Duwamish Head Race, seen from West Seattle

January 5, 2013 3:02 pm

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| Seen at sea | West Seattle news

Thanks to Gary Jones for sharing photos from the Three Tree Point Yacht Club‘s Duwamish Head Race (from Des Moines Marina, then back) as some of the sailboats passed Alki Point.

It’s part of this year’s Southern Sound Series of races (all listed here, on the same page where results should be linked later).

Watch for more sailboats off west-facing West Seattle three weeks from today – January 26 is the date for the Blake Island Race.

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Happening now: Still time to bring blankets to West Seattle Autoworks

January 5, 2013 1:44 pm

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| How to help | West Seattle news

Till 3 pm, Dianne Ainsworth – in our photo with husband Todd – is continuing to collect donated blankets at West Seattle Autoworks (WSB sponsor; 35th and Webster) to help people in need at Nickelsville and Union Gospel Mission stay warm. When Todd sent us the announcement a few days ago, he said that if you miss today’s dropoff window, you can still bring donated blankets to WSAW during its regular business hours.

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Looking ahead to spring: West Seattle Baseball registration time

January 5, 2013 11:56 am

| 9 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Just a few weeks into winter, here’s another chance to look ahead to spring – West Seattle Baseball has begun registration for the Spring 2013 PONY Baseball season. Here’s the announcement from Fritz Araya:

West Seattle Baseball, longtime youth-sports organization in West Seattle created from the merger of West Seattle Pee Wee and Southwest Pony Baseball, announces the opening of priority registration for youth baseball for the 2013 season. The following divisions are open for registration.

Shetland (ages 5-6)
Pinto (ages 7-8)
Mustang (ages 9-10)
Bronco (ages 11-12)
Pony (ages 13-14)

The announcement continues ahead:Read More

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West Seattle Saturday: Blanket drive; tree-cycling; music; more

January 5, 2013 10:19 am

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Thanks to Mark Wangerin for sharing the photo of a killdeer at Jack Block Park earlier this week – one of about 30 he says were there that day. From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, highlights for today:

TRAFFIC ALERT: Another reminder – the southbound I-5 and Columbian Way (Beacon Hill) ramps to the West Seattle Bridge are closed all weekend. Here’s why.

BLANKET DRIVE HAPPENING NOW: As previewed earlier in the week, West Seattle Autoworks (WSB sponsor) at 35th and Webster is collecting blankets today, to help homeless people stay warm here in the heart of winter. Bring donations by before 3 pm.

CHRISTMAS-TREE RECYCLING HAPPENING NOW: Haven’t put your tree out yet? Here’s one way to help a local youth group by taking it to them instead of having it sit on the curb (or driving to the transfer station). The sixth annual West Seattle Rainbow Girls Christmas tree recycling fundraiser is happening now at the Alki Masonic Hall, 40th and Edmunds, till 2 pm. Suggested donation $5; no flocked trees, please.

DRUM, DANCE, SING OPEN HOUSE: Free introduction to this program for ages 3 and up at the Fauntleroy Schoolhouse (9131 California SW), noon-1 pm – details here.

REMODELING EXPO: Not happening in West Seattle, but lots of West Seattle participation – including WSB sponsors NCompass, Potter Construction, and Ventana Construction. At the Convention Center all weekend (info here) – till 8 pm tonight (and again tomorrow).

BENEFIT FOR JOSHUA WATLER: Also in the “not in West Seattle, but lots of WS participation” – at Bison Creek Pizza in Burien (630 SW 153rd) tonight, starting at 5, a silent auction/raffle benefit is happening to help area community organizer Joshua Watler in the fight of his life, against leukemia. Details on our partner site White Center Now.

LIVE MUSIC TONIGHT: Check our calendar page for listings from C & P Coffee (WSB sponsor), Skylark Café and Club, The Cask, and The Benbow Room.

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High-school basketball: ‘Biggest win … in 15 years’ for WSHS boys, & other Friday games

January 5, 2013 5:31 am

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

A one-point win for the West Seattle High School boys-varsity basketball team topped a full Friday night slate, with WSHS and Chief Sealth International High School boys and girls teams all playing on their respective home courts, and Seattle Lutheran High School‘s two varsity teams on the road. First: WSHS boys varsity. Our photo above is from the early going; the game was won in the final seconds, according to this report from Coach Keffrey Fazio:

The West Seattle Boys Basketball team improved their record to 5-5 on the season with a clutch home win last night against number-five-ranked Franklin Quakers, 70-69. Senior LaTrey Newsome made two game-winning free throws with three seconds left to seal the deal for the Wildcats. Newsome finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds. West Seattle was powered by senior Jimi Martin, who finished the game with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Also for the Wildcats, junior DeAndre Love finished with 19 points and seven rebounds. This win is arguable the biggest win in WSHS basketball in 15-plus years.

The Wildcats travel across town to face Rainier Beach on Tuesday (1/8/13) 7pm, and then back home against O’Dea Friday (1/11/13) 6 pm.

Before the boys’ game, the WSHS girls faced Franklin.

They fell, 55-38.

Meantime, the girls varsity at Sealth emerged with a Friday night win, 49-36 over Nathan Hale (stats here), but the boys’ team was defeated, 43-38.

Finally, the Seattle Lutheran games at Tacoma Baptist, both losses for the Saints: 27-21 in the girls game, 46-42 for the boys.

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Update: 7.5 earthquake off southeast Alaska; tsunami warnings/advisories over

January 5, 2013 1:55 am

| 14 COMMENTS

| Not WS but we're mentioning it anyway | West Seattle news

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1:55 AM: The marker on the map is for Craig in southeastern Alaska, the reference point that authorities are using for a magnitude 7.6 earthquake that hit about an hour ago, around 60 miles west-southwest of Craig. Nearby areas of Alaska and B.C. had tsunami warnings; there was a tsunami advisory stretching as far south as the British Columbia-Washington border. See the warnings/advisories here. No word of any trouble so far. P.S. If you’re wondering how our area’s been doing with quake activity – we found this Pacific Northwest 2012 wrapup online.

2:02 AM: The USGS is now calling the quake 7.5.

2:37 AM: The tsunami advisory that had run south to the BC-Washington border is now canceled. Two months ago, there was a 7.7-magnitude quake in the Haidi Gwaii (formerly Queen Charlottes) region to the south of this quake’s location – we wrote about it here.

3:10 AM: If you needed a jolt to work on preparedness – here is a link we haven’t mentioned since that last regional quake: West Seattle Be Prepared, laden with information including your nearest “emergency-communication hub.” Know it, just in case.

3:23 PM: The last warnings up in Alaska/BC are no longer in effect.

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