West Seattle, Washington
27 Saturday
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
The newest development in the AllStar Fitness Chapter 11 bankruptcy and proposed sale: 
We heard today from multiple club members who reported receiving a copy of these court documents for a motion asking the federal bankruptcy judge to allow the cancellation of contracts purchased before the bankruptcy proceedings started last August.
Other court documents we have since obtained online say that would mean a cancellation of more than 2,100 contracts for the North Delridge club.
Those documents explain that Chapter 11 bankruptcy trustee Richard Hooper believes:
… the Club’s balance sheet has been hampered by the Debtor’s longstanding practice of selling long-term membership as significant discounts. A practice which the Trustee ceased in the interim period of his appointment. It was often the case that the Debtor would offer members reduced monthly rates in return for prepaying 6 or 12 months at a time. The Debtor would further discount these pre-paid memberships by offering an additional 6 or more months free of dues as an additional incentive for prepaying the already reduced rate. As sales of these prepaid membership slowed, the Debtor’s ability to meet its ongoing obligations suffered greatly. It appears from the Debtor’s financials that it relied heavily on these prepayment to meet operational and other needs…
The court documents say the trustee does want to:
Every quarter, the Admiral Neighborhood Association marshals an Adopt-A-Street cleanup – and this sunny Saturday was the day. In the photo is ANA’s new president David Whiting, photographed at the Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor) staging area by ANA member Karl de Jong, who co-chairs the Southwest District Council. Want to get involved next time? Keep an eye on the ANA’s e-mail list and/or Facebook page.
(Friday photos by Nick Adams for WSB)
With all of yesterday’s breaking news, we are finally now getting the chance to share with you more of WSB contributing photojournalist Nick Adams‘ photos from a big Friday event on Harbor Island – Gov. Jay Inslee ceremonially making a weld during the keel-laying ceremony for the new state ferry Samish at Vigor Shipyards.
Workers took pictures too:
Samish, named for a Northwestern Washington tribe, is a 144-car ferry, one of four planned in the new Olympic class – it’s under construction at Vigor along with the first in the class, Tokitae:
While at Vigor, the governor took a look at both:
First we got a note from Amanda asking which aircraft carrier is passing West Seattle right now; while we tried to find out, without even asking the question publicly, we received the photo above from Thom, who identified it as CVN-76, the carrier USS Ronald Reagan. We last featured it here in January 2012 as it arrived for what was described at the time as a year of maintenance.
ADDED 4:57 PM: Amanda also shared a photo. We haven’t figured out yet what the Ronald Reagan is heading out for – but we did find a bit of information saying the USS John C Stennis is due back in Bremerton later this month, so we’ll be watching for that sighting off Alki and Beach Drive.
3:50 PM: Hoping to comet-watch tonight, with Pan-STARRS in the western sky? Above, that’s a new graphic from local skywatching expert Alice Enevoldsen, updating the one originally featured when we published her second “Skies Over West Seattle“ here last Sunday. We see some clouds gathering to the west right now, so hard to tell how things will look post-sunset, but now you know where to look if there’s a clearing.
5:12 PM UPDATE: Alice says via Twitter that if there aren’t too many clouds, she’ll be at the south end of Lincoln Park around 6:20 to be on the lookout for the comet. Even if it doesn’t show, she says, Jupiter and Sirius will be worth watching.
6:18 PM UPDATE: Update from Alice (in case you haven’t looked outside lately) – we won’t see the comet tonight; the clouds are thickening.
(Photo courtesy West Seattle Helpline)
The tastiest fundraiser of the year has opened ticket sales – and has room on its roster of restaurants. From West Seattle Helpline executive director Tara Luckie, here’s first word of this year’s Taste of West Seattle:
It’s time to start preparing your appetite for the Taste of West Seattle on Thursday, May 16th. The only event where you get to taste the local food West Seattle have to offer all in one place, one night. Last year we had 50 establishments comprised of restaurants, breweries, bakeries, and wineries to taste from! The best part is that all of the funds raised go to help West Seattle families facing emergencies through the West Seattle Helpline.
Last year we sold out, so buy your ticket early (go here).
Are you a West Seattle restaurant that wants to be a part of the Taste? Go to tasteofwestseattle.org and click on the “For Restaurants” tab to fill out the application. Spots are limited; sign up while there is still space available.
Never been? Here’s our report on last year’s Taste of WS – biggest yet!
(Photos by WSB’s Patrick Sand unless otherwise credited)
Even before we got to the big room with the big party last night at The Hall at Fauntleroy – Gatewood Elementary‘s annual Bids for Kids auction, whose organizers invited us to stop by – the sight above brought us to a full stop: A tree hung with old-fashioned rabbit’s-foot keychains, popular trinkets in the ’60s-’70s. Worked perfectly with the sign, given that the theme was Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, which also meant it was no surprise to spot more than a few hats in the crowd:
Also in keeping with the theme – this Cheshire Cat cake from the “dessert dash,” donated by Melinda Pond:
(Photo by Doug Branch)
Student-made artworks were among the auction items – as was this teacher/student (among others) collaboration:
The card with the puppet theater explained that the Team Lake Union kindergarteners of Nancy Carney and Charlene Higuchi worked on designs and sock puppets for the theater, which was built by Carney’s husband. Congratulations to everybody at Gatewood, including auction chair Ava Barnes and the numerous volunteers it takes to put on this kind of event. (Got a fundraiser coming up at YOUR school? Please let us know!)
Big news for soccer fans – the Women’s Premier Soccer League – largest women’s league in the world – has a new team that will play home games at Delridge Playfield this summer. That news comes with a request for host families for players. We received this from AC Seattle‘s Katie Milne:
The 2013 season of Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) is right around the corner and we have an exciting new team – AC Seattle PH America. It is an Italian-made team as most of its players will be coming to the USA from Italy. This is a unique project with two souls: Soccer and life experience in the United States. As such, we are looking for host families for these players.
My family had the pleasure of hosting one of these players, Alessandra Nencioni, last year when she played with Issaquah Soccer Club. It was a wonderful experience for our family and we will be hosting her again this year. Once your interest is confirmed and the roster is finalized, players will be matched with families.
The commitment level for interested families:
• Housing for June and July
• Healthy meals and snacks
• Possible transportation to and from practices and home games. Are you close to public transportation? Or would you have a car the player can use while in town? (we may be able to figure out carpooling as well- we do not want this to be a burden and will work with you to figure this part out). The team will provide transportation for away games.
• Access to washer and dryerThese women are excited for this opportunity to play soccer and experience life in the United States, but it would not be possible without the support of area families. We hope you will take this opportunity to welcome one of these players into your home and show them around the great Pacific NW. They are expected to integrate into the family and share some household chores and possibly childcare or other light work. If you are interested in hosting a player, please email or call me and I will put you on a list of prospective homes.
The players range in age from 18 to 27. More than a dozen host families are needed; you can reach Katie at jkmilne@mac.com or 425-427-8139. She adds that “the team is looking for American players to play with them as well. They have scheduled open tryouts for Mar 30th and 31st, at 6-8 pm,” both nights at Delridge Playfield. “Talented women soccer players over the age of 16 can try out.” More details here. For prospective spectators – read more details here about the new team’s plan.
(Shoring timbers along the bicycle route between West Seattle and downtown; photo by Don Brubeck)
Good morning! Here’s a quick look at highlights for today from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar – please note that the calendar software has some glitches for events this evening, related to the overnight time change – if you go to the page itself, note that the correct time for evening events is in the title and on the full listing page. And times are correct below, too:
SPEAKING OF TIME… SPRING FORWARD EARLY TOMORROW: 2 am Sunday, it’ll become 3 am Sunday, as Daylight Saving Time arrives overnight. But before we get there …
ANNUAL FAIRMOUNT RAVINE CLEANUP: 8:30-10:30 am, meet at Fairmount and Forest to join the 21st annual cleanup. Full details in the calendar listing, and our preview story. Refreshments for participants.
FLASH WORKOUT BENEFIT: Meet at Colman Pool on the Lincoln Park shore, 8:45 am, for workout with Coach Michele, benefiting The Big Climb. Details here.
ADMIRAL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION ADOPT-A-STREET CLEANUP: All welcome to the ANA’s quarterly patrol of Admiral District streets, which also includes breakfast treats before and a sack lunch after. 9 am-noon – meet at Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor) at 42nd/Admiral.
DAY 2 OF THE BIG SALES: Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor) and West Side Presbyterian Church both continue their big rummage/garage sales today – location, times, and more in our Friday story.
WESTSIDE SCHOOL’S FUTURE SITE OPEN HOUSE: Find out more about Westside School (WSB sponsor) plans for purchasing and renovating Hillcrest Presbyterian Church in Arbor Heights – first of two community open houses is 10 am today, 10404 34th SW.
NORTH DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION ENCORE CLEANUP: Picking up where they left off last Saturday, NDNC will resume work at Greg Davis Park, 26th/Brandon, 10 am-noon. Beautification chair Lisa Taylor-Whitley says, “Meet at the 3 large rocks.”
GOT BOOKS? Members of the Rotary Club of West Seattle will be at 40th and Alaska (southeast corner) to accept your donations for the Books for the World program, 10 am-1 pm; here’s our preview story with info on what kind of books they’re seeking.
GIRL SCOUT COOKIE SALES: It’s the halfway point for this year’s cookie sales, and Sheryl Guyon shared this update and photo on behalf of one troop:
Girl Scout Troop 40766 wishes to thank the West Seattle Community for all of the cookie sales! They are the top-selling troop in the West Seattle and appreciate all of the support from the community. They are a group of 16 girls from Madison Middle school. The cookie sales support girls in our community and teach responsibility. The troop also recognizes the value of giving back to our community; they have supported Tent City in West Seattle and other neighbors in need. The troop will be selling cookies at QFC in Westwood village from noon to 4:00 pm today. Thanks for your support!
We’d be happy to feature other troops daily in the final week, so yours is welcome to send an update too (editor@westseattleblog.com). Many other troops are out and about selling, and you can find the full list via the Cookie Locator.
HIGH-SCHOOL SPORTS: Spring season is here, and Chief Sealth International High School kicks it off with baseball at noon and soccer at 6 pm, both home games.
FREE CONCERT: Rose City Mixed Quartet at Peace Lutheran Church (39th and Thistle), 4 pm, no admission charge, all welcome.
RONNY COX AND FRIENDS: As previewed here earlier this week, the TV/movie actor/musician plays Kenyon Hall tonight, 7:30 pm.
THREE BANDS AT SKYLARK: 8 pm tonight, Superedge, Sweetlix, and Tangerine at Skylark Café and Club.
BURLEY MOUNTAIN AT ALKI TAVERN: Second to last weekend for Alki Tavern, and final performance by Burley Mountain tonight, 9 pm.
SOUNDGARDEN TRIBUTE: The all-female Soundgarden tribute band Bleed Together plays Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), 9 pm.
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