day : 28/05/2014 12 results

The state has just laid out its plan for major summertime road work, and that includes Highway 99 just north of West Seattle. First, a busy weekend of regional work will include a shutdown of southbound 99 between Denny Way and the WS Bridge, 10 pm Friday, June 6, until (no later than) 5 am Monday, June 9. This, WSDOT says, is “to shift southbound traffic onto a new route through the State Route 99 tunnel project site.” That same weekend, two lanes of northbound I-5 will be closed just north of the WS Bridge for more expansion-joint work, and the 520 Bridge across Lake Washington will be closed, so that first weekend of June might be a great time to just not try to leave the peninsula.

WSDOT also has announced Highway 99 work that will include nighttime closures in the late summer:

This project will replace 81 concrete panels on the aged stretch of Highway 99 in the area shown above, between the West Seattle Bridge and the remaining elevated Alaskan Way Viaduct. From the project webpage:

In summer 2014, contractor crews will repair 81 concrete panels in both directions of State Route 99, between South Spokane and South Holgate streets in Seattle’s SODO neighborhood. Crews also will grind down 198,000 square feet, approximately three and a half football fields, of wheel ruts. This project is similar to concrete grinding and replacement work we have done on I-5 in Kent, Seattle near the Ship Canal Bridge, and I-405 near Bellevue.

What can drivers expect?

• Weekend and weeknight lane closures in both directions of SR 99 between South Spokane and South Holgate streets

Right now, that work is not expected to start until August. Watch our weekday traffic coverage for reminders about upcoming projects as well as day-to-day updates.

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Video: Camper Van Beethoven live at Easy Street Records

May 28, 2014 9:19 pm

| 13 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(WSB photos/video by Patrick Sand)
Not much advance notice for Camper Van Beethoven‘s live in-store performance tonight at Easy Street Records, but a full house of fans turned out for the California alt-rockers, who started making music in the ’80s, including their biggest hit, their cover of “Pictures of Matchstick Men,” which we recorded them playing tonight:

Lead singer David Lowery said this was their first performance in Seattle since the mid-’80s (added: but, as pointed out in comments, they were in town far more recently). Drummer (corrected) Chris Pedersen sat on the floor and played the bucket:

They were here to promote their new album “El Camino Real,” officially out next Tuesday (Easy Street is taking pre-orders).

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West Seattle 8-year-old celebrates birthday by giving instead of receiving: You’re invited to the party

May 28, 2014 6:44 pm

| 9 COMMENTS

| How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

For the sixth year in a row, Lucas Engles-Klann of West Seattle is celebrating his birthday by raising money for animals … and he’s all of 8 years old. You’re invited to the party, this Sunday at Woodland Park Zoo – his mom Jen Engles-Klann shared the announcement:

The 6th annual Auction for Animals will be taking place on Sunday, June 1st at Woodland Park Zoo from 1 pm to 3 pm.

Auction for Animals was started by Lucas Engles-Klann in 2008 amidst plans for his 3rd birthday party. When asked how he wanted to celebrate, his reply was “I want to save all the animals,” and his annual fundraiser was born. The event has taken many different forms over the years, including benefit dinners, raffles, and auctions, and has raised over $15,000 to support the Woodland Park Zoo, the National Audubon Society, and Point Defiance Zoo. Money raised this year will go toward preservation of Woodland Park Zoo’s gorillas, snow leopards, and jaguars. 

Special features at this year’s event will include a bake sale, games, a live auction (hosted by Lucas) for kids, and a silent auction for the grown-ups. Items up for grabs this year include unique pieces from local artists and amazing wines.

 Now eight years old, Lucas’ passion for animal preservation has grown with him, and he now assumes much of the responsibility for planning and overseeing every aspect of the event. His excitement has not gone unnoticed – more than 150 people attended last year’s event and raised more than $3,200.

This years’ Auction for Animals event is free and open to the public (zoo admission is not required, but may be purchased separately) and will be held in the Education Center at the South (Hippo) Gate, 750 N 50th Street.

(In the photo, that’s Lucas presenting a check for last year’s proceeds to WPZ’s Sarah Valentine.)

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Park theft; tree vandalism…

May 28, 2014 4:48 pm

| 10 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Three West Seattle Crime Watch reader reports today. From Trissa, a theft at Camp Long:

We were at Camp Long with students & had locked a purse in the kitchen during the day. It looks like it didn’t get locked after lunch & someone snagged it and a Nike jacket between 12:30 and 2:45. We’re filing a police report and looked through the bushes and along the road leaving camp. If anyone comes across a silver coach bag, please let us know!

At Schmitz Park, someone is vandalizing a tree, says the Seattle Nature Alliance:

Last week, someone had apparently cut and peeled bark from this old-growth native Western Red Cedar in Schmitz Park, leaving a bright red scar.

A few days later, more bark had been peeled from the same cut. Removing bark can harm trees and is not allowed in Seattle Parks. Trees like this cedar are among the few remaining old-growth trees we have left in Seattle. They have stood for hundreds of years. They were protected for us, and we are protecting them for future generations.

From South Delridge, Mike spotted possible evidence of package theft – an empty parcel box, with packing material nearby, left on “the curb along the south side of Barton, where the stub of 17th off Delridge used to be.” He reported it to a Seattle Police officer he found nearby, so if you’re in that area and missing a package, be sure you report it so they can connect the dots.

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‘The second Independence Day’: New local Juneteenth celebration announced for June 22nd

May 28, 2014 4:01 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| High Point | West Seattle news

Just announced – plans for a new celebration of Juneteenth – “the second Independence Day” – in West Seattle, set for June 22nd. Here’s the announcement (starting with some history), from High Point resident Liz Davis, shared by community builder Shukri Olow:

Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States. Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19th that the Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free.’

This summer will not pass without two opportunities to celebrate freedom, June 19th and July 4th. Do you remember your first Fourth of July? The first time you drove a car? What about your first kiss? Did you have trepidation and enjoyment at the same time? Were there Internal and external fireworks? Celebration and excitement? The exploration of something new yet unknown can bring many different, sometimes conflicting feelings.

That’s what I think the enslaved Africans in Galveston were feeling summer of 1865 when they received the announcement from the Union Major-General Gordon Granger, “The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor…” This announcement was two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed into law. Over the years the celebrations and realization of freedom have grown.

Are you ready to celebrate this summer? You may have mixed emotions about this celebration. You may not have heard of this day of independence. No matter how you feel about Juneteenth, The Juneteenth Committee invites you to celebrate FREEDOM. Volunteers of The African American community at High Point are working with community partners including Seattle Housing Authority Community Builder to bring entertainment, spoken word, and food from the rich and uniquely West African and American culture known by many different descriptions; Black American, Soul/Soul Food or African American, to name a few. Children and adults will have lots to taste, touch and eat at this inaugural High Point Juneteenth Celebration. Sunday, June 22, 2014 2-6 pm at The Neighborhood House High Point Center, 6400 Sylvan Way SW!

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Update: Short-lived house-fire call in North Admiral

May 28, 2014 3:09 pm

| Comments Off on Update: Short-lived house-fire call in North Admiral

| West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

3:09 PM: A big Seattle Fire response has rushed to a house in the 2200 block of 46th SW (map). Details to come.

3:19 PM: We’re still en route, but the call has closed, which explains the lack of scanner discussion.

3:36 PM: SFD spokesperson Kyle Moore says the call turned out to be somebody burning leaves.

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Ever been inside Nucor? See inside, via Seattle Times photos

May 28, 2014 2:36 pm

| 5 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Efficient, agile, smart, Seattle’s steel mill keeps the fires burning. (@MikeSiegel7) Pics: http://t.co/6L93UK4MfG pic.twitter.com/gCV7b1zNVC

— Seattle Times Photo (@SeaTimesPhoto) May 27, 2014

Thanks to Amy for the tip about a rare photographic look inside West Seattle’s Nucor Steel plant – we say “rare” because they’ve had a “no photo” policy in the past, but either they’ve made an exception or it’s changed, because the photo gallery published on SeattleTimes.com this week is definitely a closeup look inside. The photo in the tweet above is just one of the images; go here to see the others. They were published with a feature story about the steel mill that appeared in the Times’ Sunday magazine Pacific Northwest (here’s the online version).

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Luna Park Street Market to debut with 4 dates this summer

May 28, 2014 12:06 pm

| Comments Off on Luna Park Street Market to debut with 4 dates this summer

| Luna Park | West Seattle news

This summer marks the fourth year that Luna Park businesses will throw a Block Party – it’ll be on July 10th. That date also will be part of a new monthly event debuting this weekend: The Luna Park Street Market. On four Sundays – June 1st, July 10th, August 17th, and September 14th – the lot outside Ola (2942 SW Avalon Way) will “provide a fashion, accessory, music, shopping mecca,” according to the announcement. While you’re out and about this Sunday, you’re invited to stop by between noon and 3 pm.

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West Seattle crowdfunding: Ready for the city’s ‘first 100% vegan ice-cream-sandwich’ truck?

May 28, 2014 11:02 am

| 30 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Summertime is ice-cream-truck time. West Seattle residents Chelsea and Chris are hoping to hit the road this summer with what they say will be Seattle’s first 100 percent vegan ice-cream truck, specializing in vegan ice-cream sandwiches – if their crowdfunding campaign works out.

They’re calling their mobile enterprise the Cookie Counter, and it’s actually not a truck – it’s this blue 1974 VW Van:

The Sunrise Heights-area residents have taken to Kickstarter to look for funding, where they explain: “All of our ice creams are coconut based and we offer a variety of gluten-free options, meaning we automatically cater to dairy & egg allergies, along with wheat & gluten.” Flavor combinations in the works include Earl Grey with Lemon Zest, Orange Cardamom with Coconut Chocolate Chunk, Gluten Free White Chocolate with Mint, Green Tea with Raspberry, Gluten Free Coconut Lime with Mango. “Unlike other trucks offering vegan ice cream, we will have more than one or two options,” says Chelsea, adding that her background includes work as a personal vegan chef and as a waitperson/barista at Easy Street Café – plus volunteer work with kids: “I am passionate about kids and hope to get the truck involved in community events once we’re up and running!” Chris is a UW student, veteran (Marines), and dad (his 12-year-old son Mally is in the Kickstarter video). Their campaign has two and a half weeks to go.

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West Seattle Wednesday: Camper Van Beethoven, live; Highland Park Action Committee, pre-summer; low tide; more!

May 28, 2014 9:40 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Tuesday night’s sunset, by Lynn Hall; did you see last night’s cloud formations?)
Six possibilities for the day/night ahead:

LOW TIDE, WITH BEACH NATURALISTS: Low tide is at 11:22 am today, this time down to -1.8, and you have another chance to explore with the advice of Seattle Aquarium volunteer beach naturalists. Look for them (there should be signs) south of Alki Point and on the beach at Lincoln Park near Colman Pool, now until 1 pm. (See our calendar listing for other upcoming dates – tomorrow’s low tide will be even further out.

WEST SEATTLE TIMEBANK: It’s your next chance to get involved with the West Seattle Timebank – 6:30 pm potluck, 7 pm orientation for new members (concurrent with a membership meeting), details in our calendar listing. At the Senior Center of West Seattle. (California/Oregon)

HIGHLAND PARK ACTION COMMITTEE’S LAST MEETING BEFORE FALL: After tonight, HPAC is on meeting hiatus until fall, so come to HPIC tonight to find out what’s happening in HP. As announced:

Our agenda includes representatives from King County’s Wastewater Treatment Division to update us on the potential *roadside rain garden project in Highland Park* that we talked about in the fall. They spent the winter doing geotechnical testing and want to let neighbors know what they found out, and implications for a potential project.We will also be hearing from a friend and neighbor involved in Highland Park Elementary’s PTA with an exciting collaboration opportunity.

Potluck at 6:30, meeting at 7. (12th/Holden)

POETRY AND STORYTELLING: Listen, participate, or do both at the monthly night for poems/stories/open mike at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7 pm. (5612 California SW)

CAMPER VAN BEETHOVEN, LIVE: Easy Street Records will rock at 7:30 pm tonight with a live in-store by longtime faves Camper Van Beethoven, who will stick around for signing afterward. (California/Alaska)

‘LONG AS I CAN GROW IT …’ Seen the acclaimed production of “Hair” at ArtsWest (WSB sponsor) yet? Next immersion in the Summer of Love is at 7:30 pm; info here. (4711 California SW)

MORE … on our calendar!

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Wednesday on the move

May 28, 2014 7:38 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(WS Bridge and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Good morning! Slow going this morning, though no specific situation is blamed.

SPEED-CAMERA INSTALLATION: If you missed the story on Tuesday – the two school-zone speed cameras announced almost a year ago for Roxbury are being installed starting today. However, the city says they won’t be activated until fall.

8:45 AM: Via scanner, there’s word of a crash in the outside eastbound lane “midspan” on the high bridge.

9:07 AM: We just checked Roxbury for any sign of the camera-installation crews that the city said would be starting work today. Not seeing anyone yet.

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From middle school to college: Denny International MS’s big week

May 28, 2014 1:17 am

| Comments Off on From middle school to college: Denny International MS’s big week

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

You have to start thinking about college even before you get to high school. Denny International Middle School scholars learned that lesson during a special week of activities, as principal Jeff Clark reports:

Last week, at Denny International Middle School, our scholars enjoyed a week-long focus on preparing for future success in college. As a part of this theme and celebration, college-focused lessons were taught daily; special activities, including a college fair, were held during lunchtime; and, on Friday, all three grade-levels went off to college on an exciting field trip!

Plans for the week included:
· Monday, 5/19: Intro to College lesson taught in Language Arts
· Tuesday, 5/20: What’s important in High School lesson taught in Social Studies
· Wednesday, 5/21: Major and Career Awareness lesson, including presentations from City Year, taught in Science
· Thursday, 5/22: Financing College lesson taught in Math
· Friday, 5/23: Whole-school Field Trip Day!
o 6th grade: All scholars went to Seattle Central Community College
o 7th Grade: ½ went to South Seattle Community College and ½ went to Highline Community College
o 8th Grade: All scholars went to the University of Washington (top photo)

On our field trips, our scholars enjoyed College tours, attended classes, and experienced an afternoon on campus!

Thank you so much to our College Week Planning Team: Roxana Amaral, Meva Beganovic, Lisie Monahan, Francis Sutton, Becca Gross, and Patricia Rangel! Go Dolphins!

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