West Seattle, Washington
13 Tuesday
The first of two West Seattle elementary schools to be built/rebuilt if Seattle Public Schools‘ BEX IV levy passes next month is already in the design phase. That’s because the new Schmitz Park Elementary at Genesee Hill (not its official name; that’s not decided yet) is expected to open in fall 2015. The project team has design concepts/options ready to show the community, and they along with SP principal Gerrit Kischner are inviting you to a presentation next Tuesday (January 22), 7 pm, at SP Elementary’s cafeteria (5000 SW Spokane). Meantime, ballots are expected to be mailed within days for the 2-levy vote on February 12th. (The rebuild to be funded by BEX IV, Arbor Heights Elementary, is slated to open in fall 2018 but the district is hoping to use “bridge funding” to move that up.)
The visibility might not be much in our foggy weather – but if you’re down at eye level with the flora and fauna, as photographer Machel Spence so often is, that’s not a problem. She reports that the freezing fog did not keep the Duwamish Greenbelt bunnies from emerging – and shared the photo as proof.
That crosscountry-via-iPad musical collaboration between Admiral Theater manager/entertainment director Dinah Brein and South Carolina resident Jon Michaels has made the list of three finalists in the nationwide TV contest for a Today Show “jingle.” Brein is a veteran songwriter/producer whose work has been recorded for TV and film use as well as by recording artists, and while working in Nashville years ago, collaborated previously with Michaels, who called her during the holidays to ask if she wanted to work on the jingle. “He lives in South Carolina and I’m up here in Seattle so we got together on Face time on our iPads and churned it out,” she explained, adding: “Being able to use an ipad was great plus he got to meet my husband and 3 dogs, one of which was always trying to get me to use the word dog in the song.” The rules called for an original song, less than 2 minutes long, and if possible, mentions of the anchors’ names. Brein says they decided to take a “historic perpective in presenting (the show’s) longevity of 60 years and (its) family-like approach to the news.” Michaels will sing the song live with the other two finalists on January 29th. Brein’s not sure what they get if the jingle wins, “but as they say at the Oscars, it’s an honor to be nominated.”
The off-and-on burn ban is BACK ON as of 4 pm today: Stage 1 burn ban for King County (see for yourself here). That means:
No burning is allowed in fireplaces or uncertified wood stoves. Residents should rely instead on their home’s other, cleaner source of heat (such as their furnace or electric baseboard heaters) for a few days until air quality improves, the public health risk diminishes and the ban is cancelled.
No outdoor fires are allowed. This includes recreational fires such as bonfires, campfires and the use of fire pits and chimineas.
Burn ban violations are subject to a $1,000 penalty.
It is OK to use natural gas, propane, pellet and EPA certified wood stoves or inserts during a Stage 1 burn ban.
Just out of the WSB mailbox:
WSHS 1st Annual Big Band Dance:
The West Seattle High School Music Department invites you to dust off your dancing shoes and join us for a night of live music and dancing on Friday, February 1st in the WSHS Commons. There will be a swing dance lesson with a local instructor from 6:30 to 7 pm. The dance is from 7:00 to 9:00 pm with music by the West Seattle High School Jazz Ensemble and the West Seattle Big Band. Light refreshments will be available for sale.
Tickets are available: $12 in advance or $15 at the door and can be purchased from students in the Music Department or by sending an email to: wshsmusicdept@gmail.com. See you there!
(West Seattle 5K 2012 photo by Debra Salazar Herbst)
Just four months from tomorrow – the morning of May 19th – the fifth annual West Seattle 5K will hit the street on Alki Avenue Southwest. Organizers are already signing up both runners/walkers and sponsors. (WSB has been a sponsor each year since the start, and we’re proud to be signing on again this year.) For runners/walkers, there are two incentives to sign up early: First, there’s a discount. Second, the first 100 people to register will qualify for a drawing to win a new pair of running shoes. The West Seattle 5K is a benefit for the West Seattle High School PTSA; registration and sponsorship information is all online at WestSeattle5K.com.
Traffic has been decidedly difficult at times since the Barton Pump Station upgrade project started north of the Fauntleroy ferry terminal, with closures including one toll booth and a dock lane at times. But north of the dock, the usual rules still apply, as Washington State Ferries reminded drivers with this advisory:
Customers lining up at Fauntleroy should note that the ferry queue continues along Fauntleroy Way at the gas station at the north end of Lincoln Park; it does not go down 47th Ave. SW toward the beach. Please also note that line cutting is against state law and subject to a fine of up to $124. We ask that customers be respectful of others waiting in the queue. You can report line-cutters by calling 877-764-HERO. All violators are logged and receive a warning letter. Multiple violations result in further action.
Interested in surveillance cameras to deter crime or record it if it happens? That’s a major topic of next Tuesday’s West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network meeting – and you don’t have to be a BW captain (or even part of a BW) to attend. Also on the agenda, new Southwest Precinct commander Capt. Joe Kessler is expected to drop in for a (re-)introduction (here’s our recent story on his return to the precinct). The meeting’s at 6:30 pm Tuesday (January 22nd) in the precinct meeting room, which is right off the parking lot on SW Webster at Delridge – full details on the Blockwatch Captains Network website.
Gary Jones‘ Alki Point photos (see two more in the series, further down in this report) remind us there is a sun out there somewhere. Might reappear later – or tomorrow. Meantime, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (where you’ll find even more of what’s up today/tonight):
SCANNING YOUR PHOTOS: 9 am class at Senior Center of West Seattle (California/Oregon) this morning – call 206-932-4044 to see if there’s still room.
WEST SIDE MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers): The group in its 25th year meets 1st and 3rd Fridays at West Side Presbyterian Church, 9:30 pm; details in our calendar listing.
INFORMAL GATHERING TO REMEMBER JERRY CEIS: First of at least three gatherings planned by friends – this one’s at 5:30 pm at Christo’s on Alki. (The other two, so far, are at 3 pm January 27th at the Chelan Café and then another at Christo’s at 6:30 pm February 5th.)
‘BOBCAT BOB’ AT C & P: Tonight’s live music around West Seattle starts with Bob “Bobcat Bob” Rice, 6-8 pm at C & P Coffee (WSB sponsor; 5612 California SW).
RESTORATIVE YOGA: Milo Minnis leads Restorative Yoga at 6:30 pm to get you ready for the weekend (and you don’t have to be a yoga expert, Milo notes), Sound Yoga (WSB sponsor; 5639 California SW).
SKATE NIGHT AT ALKI COMMUNITY CENTER: 6:45 pm, the weekly tradition continues. Details here.
BAD YEAR FOR TOMATOES: Last night for the student-directed production at West Seattle High School, 7:30 pm (details here).
(Thanks again to Gary Jones for the three wonderful eagle-vs.-the-world photos from Alki Point)
(Live view from the east-facing WS Bridge camera; see other cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
Another day starts with fog and freezing temperatures – this time with a “dense fog advisory” in effect until noon.
WEEKEND TRAFFIC ALERT: The I-5/Spokane St. Interchange Bridge Repair project closure tonight through Monday morning only affects traffic from Beacon Hill – you won’t be able to use the Columbian Way ramps to the West Seattle Bridge, 6th Avenue, and I-5 southbound.
7:51 AM: Via Twitter, Stacey reports what looks like a crash affecting traffic on northbound Delridge Way near Youngstown and Delridge Community Center. Nothing on SFD 911 so far.
This year’s winter concert for the Denny International Middle School and Chief Sealth International High School student ensembles has been spread across three Thursdays. We stopped in last night, during the second of the three free concerts in the Sealth auditorium. Above, the Denny Junior Orchestra; below, the Sealth Choir.
In both of our clips, the students were conducted by Heather Shaffer. The final concert of the series is next Thursday, with the Denny International Concert Band and the Chief Sealth International Concert Band, 7 pm.
P.S. Also coming up, another youth-music opportunity at Sealth – more than just a concert – also a chance for interested students and families to explore – Southwest Super String Saturday on January 26th:
The community is invited to hear the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra (SYSO) perform excerpts from last Sunday’s Benaroya Hall concert at a free mini-concert on January 26th at 10:30 a.m. at Chief Sealth International High School Auditorium.
After the mini-concert, Seattle Youth Symphony musicians will mentor younger musicians who participate in the SYSO in the Schools program at Arbor Heights, Concord, Gatewood, Roxhill, Sanislo, Highland Park and West Seattle Elementary schools as well as at Denny International Middle School. These student musicians will have the opportunity to participate in master classes, chamber ensemble demonstrations, and play side-by-side with Seattle Youth Symphony. SYSO thanks media sponsors West Seattle Blog and Classical KING-FM for their support of Southwest Seattle Super String Saturday. For more information about the event, contact Kathleen Allen, SYSO Director of Education, Communication and Partnerships at kathleen@syso.org or 206.362.2300.
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