day : 11/09/2013 12 results

Driving back from Alki in early evening, we noticed the Patriot Day flags flying on this building across from Don Armeni.

West Seattle music: Grammy-nominated David Miles Huber crowdfunding for vinyl

September 11, 2013 9:10 pm

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| West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

If you’re among those who still appreciate music on vinyl – West Seattle’s three-time Grammy nominee David Miles Huber has a project that might interest you. It involves the work you can hear by clicking “play” above – a recent live performance of his trademark electronic music that he’s hoping to turn into a record, with the help of crowdfunding. The project is titled “Chamberland: The Berlin Remixes,” and Huber explains:

This project is quite unique, in that it started out life as a studio project, but then took on a new life as a live performance in Berlin. These performances were then captured and transferred back into the studio setting for mixdown, mastering, and further preparation for the Limited Vinyl Edition and special digital download set.

Those who invest in this project will be receiving a whole slew of special gift and quality analog and digital product incentives (more than is actually stated in the listing), plus you’ll be doing your part to help support the year of hard (and rewarding) work that went into making it possible.

“Chamberland” is one of Huber’s Grammy-nominated works; it was up for “Best Surround Sound Album” (but not on vinyl!) earlier this year, same category in which he was nominated in 2009 and 2010. Meantime, for the record project, his Kickstarter page is here.

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Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza marks an anniversary of its own

September 11, 2013 6:03 pm

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| Alki Statue of Liberty | West Seattle news

Right now, a few floral tributes rest at the base of the Alki Statue of Liberty, simple remembrances of 9/11 on its 12th anniversary, though a shadow of what was there two years ago on the 10th anniversary:

The plaza built around the statue, a touchstone for gatherings of many kinds, has just passed a milestone anniversary of its own: Five years since its dedication on September 6, 2008. If you moved to West Seattle sometime after that, you might not realize the statue was originally on a square concrete base in a sea of asphalt:

Now, it is the centerpiece of a swirling plaza of bricks and benches:

This West Seattle icon was renovated in two stages: The statue itself was replaced and re-dedicated in 2007. By then, a local couple who had met nearby was leading a committee pursuing the vision of something grander to surround it, a new statue pedestal and plaza. Libby and Paul Carr headed up the Seattle Statue of Liberty Plaza Project, a citizens’ committee that made it happen, mostly through private donations. We saw Libby last weekend at another special event nearby and talked about the plaza’s anniversary. She later shared this remembrance:

It was wonderful to see another great example of community support and participation with the celebration of the Harbor Seal Day festivities and dedication of the “Sentinels of the Sound” sculpture just north of the Bathhouse on Alki Beach.

It reminded Paul and I of another picture-perfect day just 5 years ago … and another wonderful community celebration for the long awaited completion of the new Statue of Liberty Plaza. The Seattle Statue of Liberty Plaza Project worked for almost two years to bring this long awaited project to completion, which was overwhelmingly supported by the whole West Seattle and greater Seattle community. In fact, people as far away as Brooklyn, NY, and even further, bought bricks, plaques and benches which raised the money to build this beautifully designed space, designed by architects Matt Hutchins and Chris Ezzell, who so generously donated their work.

Like so many people, we have have often enjoyed strolling on the promenade and then coming to the Statue Plaza to enjoy a slow meditative meandering and reading many of the brick inscriptions and getting glimpses of the meaning and history this place holds for so many.

I am glad that Paul and I and the whole community could participate in building this special space that promises to be here for a long time to come …

Libby Carr, Co-Chair of SSLPP

We were first reminded of the anniversary by one of the architects Libby mentioned in her note, Matt Hutchins of CAST Architecture. We asked for his thoughts, five years later:

For my part, the plaza is more of a success than I had hoped!

When we were working with our neighbors during the community design process, our goal (from my design presentation notes, Sept. 2007) was to:
‘Provide a community landmark with a safer, rejuvenated public space that celebrates not only the symbolism of the Statue, but also the commitment of this community to this part of Alki Beach history. The plaza is designed to inhibit vandalism and reduce the need for City maintenance. ”

Given the nearly three-year struggle to get it approved, funded and build, nothing is more satisfying that to see the Statue and plaza so well used and loved. I’m always filled with pride seeing how many people are hanging out there, meeting friends, doing tai chi, salsa dancing and, yes, even using it for guerrilla-art installations.

It is holding up very well given the environment and the use, and I credit the ongoing efforts by community members, the Parks Department, and the maintenance endowment written into the fundraising campaign.

Your editor here is finishing this story while seated on a bench at the plaza, where in just the past hour or so we’ve seen people stop by to look at the floral 9/11 tribute, to read the statue’s plaques, or just to bask in the sun and sea air on a 90-degree afternoon.

P.S. Stewardship of the plaza, by the way, is now in the hands of the Alki Community Council, since a 2010 agreement.

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Congratulations to Roxhill Elementary teacher Robin Hicks, honored as a ‘Hero in the Classroom’

September 11, 2013 4:48 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

For the third time in four years, a Roxhill Elementary teacher has been chosen as a “Heroes of the Classroom” winner. Honored today in a ceremony at the school: Robin Hicks, who teaches 3rd-5th-grade Roxhill students who are on the autism spectrum (at center in our photo with Jennifer from Symetra and Allison from the Seahawks, both organizations that sponsor the awards). Her prizes include a $1,000 donation for classroom supplies and books and two tickets to this Sunday’s Seahawks game with the 49ers; she’ll be recognized on the big screen during the game. Read on for more about her work and her nomination:

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Protecting yourself from robbers

September 11, 2013 3:01 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle police

Just received the newest newsletter from the Seattle Police crime-prevention coordinator for the Southwest and South precincts, Mark Solomon, who talks about how to protect yourself from street robbery, given the recent spike in that crime in many parts of the city including ours. Here’s the PDF – or, read it via Scribd without leaving this page:

Seattle Police Crime Prevention newsletter, September 2013

You might have noticed that most of the cases mentioned in the newsletter are from the South Precinct, not Southwest – the prevention advice is of course applicable everywhere – but the August case mentioned is this one involving three arrests after an Arbor Heights robbery; we reported back on Monday that the suspects pleaded not guilty and remain jailed in lieu of $250,000 bail each.

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West Seattle food: Terra Cole Butchery & Fine Foods plans October 1st ‘soft open’ in The Junction

September 11, 2013 1:51 pm

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| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Thanks to the WSB’ers who tipped us that the sign is up for Terra Cole Butchery & Fine Foods, the business going into the former Coffee to a Tea (etc.) storefront at 4541 California SW in The Junction. West Seattle residents Ashli Brown and Tim Mitchell tell WSB they are currently planning to “soft open” on October 1st. The couple has a combined 40 years in the hospitality industry. They say Terra Cole (“Terra” is Latin for “earth,” “Cole” is Old Germanic for “minor”) will sell meats and sauces, marinades, and rubs, as well as having a deli for items including sandwiches and soups made with from-scratch stocks. There will be some seating for dining in. When WSB’s Katie Meyer checked in with the proprietors today, they gave her a copy of their planned fall-rollout menu/merchandise list – read on:

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Video: Transit advocacy, development discussion top Westwood-Roxhill-Arbor Heights Community Council meeting

September 11, 2013 12:25 pm

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| Arbor Heights | Development | Neighborhoods | Transportation | West Seattle news | Westwood

Our video from last night’s Westwood-Roxhill-Arbor Heights Community Council meeting shows two of the meeting’s central discussions. In order, here’s what and who you’ll see on the video:
*From the start, Elena Perez for Getting It Right for West Seattle, the group lobbying for changes in the 4755 Fauntleroy Way project, proposed for ~370 apartments, ~600 parking spaces, a Whole Foods Market, and other TBA retail, before its Mayor McGinn-opposed alley vacation comes to a City Council vote this winter.

*21:47 in, chair Amanda Kay Helmick starts the discussion of forming a West Seattle Transit Coalition, born from WWRHAH’s intense focus on Metro cuts and changes affecting the area (such as the eventual Highway 99 tunnel), so that the peninsula has a unified voice. They have drafted a letter and have been circulating it among community groups; they plan to “ask for the moon” of what West Seattle needs regarding traffic, rather than complaining about what’s missing now. The possibility of requiring development impact fees for transit funding was also brought up. Next step is likely an organizing meeting later this month.

Before these discussions, the meeting started with an in-depth discussion of the concept of organizing and producing Roxhill Park Day next year, with both a mega-work party and a neighborhood festival, funded with the assistance of a hoped-for city grant (applications due soon). You can find more background on the WWRHAH website.

Next month, WWRHAH is scheduled to return to its first-Tuesday meeting schedule; you can watch for announcements at wwrhah.org, which is also where WWRHAH secretary Joe Szilagyi‘s meeting minutes will be published when they’re ready (at which time we’ll add a link here too).

ADDED THURSDAY AFTERNOON: As promised, here’s the link to the newly published meeting minutes/notes on the WWRHAH site.

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West Seattle Wednesday: Last chance to see 9/11 luminaria bags; remembrance at 34th District Democrats’ meeting; more

September 11, 2013 10:26 am

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| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Thanks to Sean for the photo of the flag at half-staff at Station 29 in Admiral)
Three highlights for today/tonight from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

9/11 LUMINARIA BAGS AT ALKI ARTS: As noted here Monday, Alki Arts and the Southwest Seattle Historical Society decided to leave the bags from 2001’s post-9/11 remembrances – displayed in “The Earth Cried Out” on Sunday (WSB coverage here) – up through closing time tonight. You can see them noon-7 pm. (2820 Alki SW)

HIGH POINT MARKET GARDEN FARM STAND: 4-7 pm every Wednesday through early October – buy organic produce just steps away from where it was grown. Info in our calendar listing. (32nd/Juneau)

34TH DISTRICT DEMOCRATS: West Seattle’s largest political group meets at 7 pm at The Hall at Fauntleroy, and agenda highlights shared by chair Marcee Stone-Vekich include:

9/11 Remembrance (with member Ron Schoenberg, who was there).

Program: Celebration of Labor
• Jonathan Rosenblum, Campaign Director, Working Washington, discusses the $15 minimum wage for fast-food Workers and the Sea-Tac Good Jobs Initiative.

• Seattle Education Association President Jonathan Knapp reports on the Seattle Teachers Contract Negotiations.

The group also will consider campaign contributions and two resolutions, on gun-sale background checks and on development. Full agenda here; The Hall is at 9131 California SW.

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‘Coffee with the Sallys’ returning to West Seattle

September 11, 2013 10:06 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

For the first time in almost two years, per our archives, City Councilmembers Sally Clark (current council president) and Sally Bagshaw will bring their “Coffee with the Sallys” community chat back to West Seattle. (Our photo above is from their stop at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market in November 2011.) Just got confirmation from council staff that they will be at High Point Branch Library (35th/Raymond) 2:30-4 pm on September 28th. It’s an informal drop-in event – so if you have a concern, question, idea, be there.

P.S. Not that it should limit what you bring up, but if you want to know which committees they’re on, check here. Clark currently chairs the Economic Resiliency and Regional Relations Committee, while Bagshaw chairs the Parks and Neighborhoods Committee.

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Authentic Oktoberfest returning to West Seattle – but you can’t just show up

September 11, 2013 9:43 am

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| Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news

(Photo courtesy Austrian Club of Washington)
The Austria Club of Washington is bringing its Oktoberfest celebration back to West Seattle – and getting out the word early, because you have to buy tickets in advance – by postal mail! It’s at 6 pm Saturday, October 5th, at the Alki Masonic Center (4736 40th SW):

Western Washington’s most authentic Oktoberfest! Wear a Dirndl or Lederhosen and join the Austria Club of WA in celebrating our Alpine heritage and the fall season. Traditional music, Bavarian food, plus beer and wine at reasonable cost. Na, Prost! $30 (includes dinner) ADVANCE PURCHASE ONLY!

Table Reservations for Parties of 8; tickets must be paid and reservations made by October 1. Mail check (made out to Austria Club of WA) to: Rosie Mulholland, 11737 5th Avenue NE, “C,” Seattle, WA 98125

For info, call Rosie at 206.367.1988 or Martin Král at 206.546.9692

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Wednesday updates & road work

September 11, 2013 7:18 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Live view from the east-facing WS Bridge camera; other cameras are on the WSB Traffic page)
Sunny morning, and we’re still facing a sizzling forecast – with the day’s high expected to go into the upper 80s. Today’s road-work reminders:

*SW Thistle is closed westbound between 35th and 37th for repaving work. Here’s the Metro reroute alert: “Route 22 heading toward the Alaska Junction will travel instead via 35th Av SW, SW Rose St and 37th Av SW to its regular route, using all posted and temporary stops along the revised routing. Heading toward Shorewood, Route 22 will travel instead via 37th Av SW, SW Rose St and 35th Av SW to its regular route.”

*SW Orchard is closed eastbound between Sylvan and Delridge as part of the Delridge Way Repaving Project.

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West Seattle schools: Schmitz Park movie rescheduled for this Friday; K-5 STEM at Boren paint party this Saturday

September 11, 2013 1:58 am

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| How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Two school events coming up are open to the community, not just students and families:

SCHMITZ PARK OUTDOOR MOVIE RESCHEDULED: No repeat of last Friday’s rain – so THIS Friday (September 13th) is the rescheduled outdoor-movie fundraiser at Schmitz Park Elementary. The school’s PTA invites you to come see “Epic” on a big screen at the SP playground. Gate opens 6:15 pm, movie at dusk (around 7:30 pm), $3/person (kids 3 and under are free), pizza and snacks/drinks will be sold ($2 or less). Proceeds will help support the 4th-grade outdoor-education experience at Islandwood.

STEM PAINTING PARTY: K-5 STEM at Boren PTA president Robin Graham shares the announcement:

This coming Saturday, September 14th, 9:30 am, we will be painting (and re-painting) our school playground (assuming good weather) at Boren on Delridge. We’ll be adding two new four-square courts, shifting the kickball diamond so it’s usable again, hopefully adding a wall ball court or two, and repainting the existing four-square, track, basketball keys, and hopscotch. With the portables gone, we want to use our new-found space! Also we have to remove moss and encroaching sod from the walk along the west side of parking lot, to remove bush on SE corner of exit driveway and to paint a limit line just east of driveway crosswalk so drivers know where to stop.

They’d love to have lots of help – sign up NOW, here. Whether you can or can’t be there in person, donations are needed too – see the list ahead:
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