West Seattle, Washington

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day : 05/04/2013 10 results

4 West Seattle ways to help your community Saturday
April 5, 2013 10:34 pm
|    Comments Off on 4 West Seattle ways to help your community Saturday
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

In case you’re still planning your Saturday:

HELP CLEAN UP LINCOLN PARK: Friends of Lincoln Park could use as many hands as it can get, removing invasive plants. Meet at 9 am (or look for directions if you come late) – details on our calendar.

HELP CLEAN UP NORTH DELRIDGE: The ND Neighborhood Council‘s Beautification Committee also welcomes helping hands, as it tackles the 23rd/Juneau staircase Saturday morning, 10 am-noon – details on our calendar.

KIWANIS FOOD DRIVE @ GROCERY STORES: The Kiwanis Club of West Seattle will have members and Key Club students outside four local grocery stores 9 am-3 pm Saturday, collecting food and money for the West Seattle Food Bank (remember, donations go further till the end of this month) – if you’re going shopping, buy something extra and drop it off. You’ll see them at Metropolitan Market, PCC Natural Markets, and West Seattle Thriftway (all WSB sponsors) and at QFC in The Junction.

WESTSIDE BABY DONATIONS: Remember the urgent call for help earlier this week? Lots of great folks are stepping up – including businesses, with two WSB sponsors offering incentives to donate:

Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (4410 California SW) offers a free 8-ounce Americano through Sunday if you drop off any of the items listed here.

Firefly Café and Creperie (4160 California SW) is accepting diaper and car-seat donations for WS Baby through the end of April. For each of the first 50 car seats that come in, Firefly will donate a package of diapers.

And WSB Forums member Gretchen is offering help in getting donations to WS Baby if you have something to donate and no way to get it there.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: About the Admiral arrest…
April 5, 2013 6:01 pm
|      56 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Door-to-door alert | West Seattle news

For the past few hours, we’ve been working to get details about an Admiral-area arrest that several people tipped us to/asked about, and finally have just spoken with police. They arrested a man who allegedly was working a residential neighborhood, going door to door claiming to be selling magazines, possibly as a sports-team fundraiser. Finally, at one house, police say, a woman was asleep on the couch when repeated doorbell-ringing woke her up. She answered the door, and the man tried to claim he was a neighbor, started talking about baseball, and as she tried to close the door, he put his foot in the door to try to stop her. She pushed back and he left; police found him at 45th and Admiral. Since he didn’t actually break into the house, they ultimately could only book him into jail for investigation of criminal trespassing, but the sergeant with whom we spoke says the suspect did not have anything in his possession indicating he was a legitimate door-to-door solicitor.

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West Seattle’s Roxhill Castle and Skatepark: Dedication date set
April 5, 2013 3:36 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(February aerial of Roxhill Park – skatepark at left, castle in middle – by Long Bach Nguyen)
The date is finally set for the official dedication of the two new features at Roxhill Park – its revamped play area featuring community-built Roxhill Castle, and the new Roxhill Skatepark. Seattle Parks has just announced a celebration for 11 am-2 pm on Saturday, April 20th, with skate giveaways and entertainment promised. We’ll be checking to see if it will have a “soft open” before then, as is usually the case.

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Conversation with Lafayette Elementary’s new principal: ‘Making a commitment to be there for the long haul’
April 5, 2013 1:44 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Robert Gallagher knows what he’s walking into as the next principal of Lafayette Elementary:

“I’m making a commitment to be there for the long haul,” he vows.

In a conversation with WSB this week, days after his appointment was announced last Friday, he said he’s well aware of hurt feelings at the school, following two years of changes since Lafayette’s seven-year principal Virginia Turner moved on.

Read More

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City Council committee to review ‘green stormwater infrastructure’ plan
April 5, 2013 12:41 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Environment | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

That projection of a future bioswale/raingarden-added Westwood/Sunrise Heights block comes from a slide deck that will be shown to the Seattle City Council‘s Transportation Committee next Tuesday morning (April 9). This “green stormwater infrastructure” plan to reduce combined-sewer overflows at the Barton Pump Station is a county project, but it’s happening in city-owned right-of-way, such as the planting strip in the rendering, so the committee will be asked to give “conceptual approval” to the project. Public comment is on the agenda before the meeting’s business/action items including this one; the meeting is at 9:30 am Tuesday (April 9) in City Council chambers at City Hall downtown.

P.S. The latest project update on the county website identifies 15 blocks for construction of 93 bioswales and 15 underground drains, with four more to be monitored for possible later addition. Most are in the north part of the project area:

Construction is scheduled to start next year.

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2 surveys to consider: City talks tech; schools talk plan
April 5, 2013 11:44 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle online

If you can spare some time for a survey or two, both the City of Seattle and Seattle Public Schools are asking for your help:

CITY’S TECHNOLOGY SURVEY: The City of Seattle is asking questions about your use of everything from Internet access to mobile devices to TV, to try to understand how its citizenry is using technology. You can take the city’s tech survey here.

DISTRICT’S SECOND ‘STRATEGIC PLAN’ SURVEY: If you’re interested in helping Seattle Public Schools shape its goals – and the verbiage that communicates them – take this one. It’s the second community survey that’s been offered as part of the district’s creation of a new Strategic Plan.

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Update: A plan to put the party back into Alki’s ‘car-free day’
April 5, 2013 10:28 am
|      25 COMMENTS
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

(WSB photo, May 2012)
With a month and a half to go until Alki’s car-free day, aka Seattle Summer Streets – coming up May 19th, right after the West Seattle 5K wraps up – one beach resident says the event needs more fun. So Guy Olson is hoping to inspire others by organizing a two-part event that he hopes will turn into something big:

I have 2 DJ’s, one band, and “The Bubble Man” committed so far. My home has a large balcony in the heart of Alki Beach, overlooking the beach, in the middle of the nearby bars/restaurants, and the avenue. My plan is to have all the performers perform from the driveway directly next door and the bubble artist on my patio/deck/balcony.

And that’s just for starters. For the next part of the plan, you, your family/friends/kids/schoolmates/etc. are invited to join in:

The biggest idea, which I will need the most help with, is: “West Seattle’s Largest Costumed Bicycle Parade.”

This parade will begin at 1:00 pm on May 19, 2013. The parade will begin at 63rd and Alki Avenue continuing to Seacrest Park on Harbor Avenue and then looping back to El Chupacabra on Alki Avenue. This will be the “finish line” and the place for our post-parade party. … I’m hoping for a huge turnout and to make this “Alki Car-Free Day” a very memorable experience for everyone I possibly can.

So mark your calendar, and think sun – as noted at the end of last year’s WSB report, we haven’t really seen it since the first “car-free day” in 2008! – and if you have a bike, be ready to join Guy’s parade.

P.S. As noted on the city’s official Summer Streets page, citizen-organized events like this are welcomed – so if you have an idea, get going with it too!

SATURDAY NOTE: Guy clarifies that this is being planned in conjunction with the Alki Beach Creeps Bicycle Club – you’ll remember them for the big cleanup at Constellation Park last month.

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West Seattle Friday: Taste of the Arts; anniversaries; Corner Bar; First Friday; Mighty Wurlitzer …
April 5, 2013 9:23 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

The photo is from our visit to the WSHS Theater last night just before the first performance of the school’s spring student musical – which is part of the event that headlines today’s calendar preview:

‘TASTE OF THE ARTS’ WSHS BENEFIT: Starting with art, appetizers, and beverages at 6 pm in the St. John’s Church hall next door (3050 California SW) and moving to the West Seattle High School theater (3000 California SW) at 8 pm for “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” it’s this year’s “Taste of the Arts” WSHS benefit. We just checked and it looks like you can still get the $20 advance discount ticket online – go here. Otherwise, it’s $25 at the door.

Also today/tonight:

TRAFFIC ALERT: 8 pm tonight, the I-5 northbound lane closures just south of the West Seattle Bridge begin for a second weekend. Here’s the official WSDOT alert.

WEST SEATTLE RUNNER’S 3RD ANNIVERSARY SALE: Today through Sunday, West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) is celebrating its third anniversary. From proprietor Tim McConnell: “All regularly priced merchandise is 20% off. And that means everything; shoes, apparel, and accessories. We will be having drawings, giveaways, and other goodies all weekend.” (California/Charlestown)

HIGHLAND PARK ‘CORNER BAR’: Tonight, spring on over to the HP Improvement Club for this month’s edition of the Corner Bar – all ages welcome, starts at 6 pm. (12th/Holden)

BIN 41 CELEBRATES 3RD ANNIVERSARY: Tonight’s tasting at Bin 41 wine shop in The Junction, 6-7:30 pm, is also a third-anniversary party – local winemaker Darby English will be there. Details on the Bin 41 website. (4707 California SW)

‘FIRST FRIDAY’ AT FEEDBACK LOUNGE: 5-7 pm, the Rotary Club of West Seattle invites you to stop by Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) for their monthly combination of fun and service, this time focused on ShelterBox:

ShelterBox provides emergency shelter and lifesaving supplies for families who are affected by disasters, at the time when they need it the most. All the equipment needed for one family to survive for that critical time after a disaster is included in one box, a ShelterBox. Come out and meet your local Rotary members and our own ShelterBox team.

(5612 California SW)

SEE & HEAR THE MIGHTY WURLITZER: Kenyon Hall‘s amazing organ is in action tonight at 7:30 pm – as detailed here. (7904 35th SW)

SECOND-TO-LAST NIGHT FOR ‘NEXT FALL’: 7:30 pm at ArtsWest – details in our calendar listing. (4711 California SW)

COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE DAY REGISTRATION CONTINUES: 45 garage sales signed up in three days for the 9th annual West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day, coming up Saturday, May 11th, coordinated/presented by WSB again this year. Got stuff to sell during the big day of sales on May 11th? Join the fun and register now!

P.S. The WSB West Seattle Event Calendar has the FULL list of what’s up today/tonight!

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Friday notes; weekend reminders
April 5, 2013 7:30 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Live view from the east-facing WS Bridge camera; see other cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
Approaching the heart of the commute, nothing unusual on the major routes from West Seattle. Previewing the weekend:

I-5 LANE CLOSURES: Again this weekend, starting late tonight, lanes on northbound I-5 will be closed south of the West Seattle Bridge for expansion-joint work.

OTHER WEEKEND ALERTS: Here’s the city’s list.

7:48 AM UPDATE: Stacey reports via Twitter, “Big car accident at Fauntleroy Starbucks. Huge backup.” No major injuries, apparently, as the lone fire engine already has been pulled.

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Two new members join Southwest Design Review Board
April 5, 2013 1:06 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

With the next Southwest Design Review Board meeting now less than a week away, the board has two new members, and the revised lineup is online. Departing after the March 28th meeting (three hours focused on the 4755 Fauntleroy Way project) were chair Robin Murphy and Norma Tompkins. New to the board: T. Frick McNamara and Todd Bronk. You might know McNamara as co-owner of the Bin 41 wine shop in The Junction; she has a background in landscape architecture, too. And that’s the specialty of Bronk, who is with the Berger Partnership. Their short bios are now on the SWDRB board along with second-term members Laird Bennion, Myer Harrell, and Daniel Skaggs. Next Thursday, April 11th, the board meets at the Senior Center of West Seattle for what’s likely to be a long night – at 6:30 pm they review 29-apartment 3829 California SW (as noted here on Thursday); at 8 pm, it’s the first review – aka Early Design Guidance – for the 166-apartment 3210 California SW. P.S. Not quite sure how Design Review works? Read this.

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