West Seattle, Washington

08 Thursday

43℉

month : 05/2014 323 results

Video: Denny IMS Marching Band leads Roxhill Elementary walkers for safety celebration with Feet First
May 16, 2014 1:19 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Safety | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

A bit of a parade this morning to Roxhill Elementary School, with the Denny International Middle School Marching Band and director Marcus Pimpleton leading the way, and local elected officials walking alongside:

(That’s State Rep. Eileen Cody, right, and Seattle School Board director Marty McLaren, both West Seattleites, with Roxhill principal Sahnica Washington at left.) The occasion? As noted here earlier in the week, Feet First organized the walk-to-school event as a celebration of Safe Routes to School improvements near Roxhill, funded by a state grant. They even brought along their safety mascot, the chicken:

Safe Routes for School improvements are in the works for other West Seattle schools, as SDOT‘s Brian Dougherty told the Southwest District Council earlier this month – our report on that meeting, including his briefing and the list of projects, is here.

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Madison musical, Duwamish birds, bingo, Sinatra … and other highlights for your West Seattle Friday
May 16, 2014 10:53 am
|    Comments Off on Madison musical, Duwamish birds, bingo, Sinatra … and other highlights for your West Seattle Friday
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts | WS miscellaneous

The photo was shared by Jean Williams, a dress-rehearsal photo looking ahead to tonight’s spotlight event – the first of two performances of this year’s Madison Middle School musical:

‘HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL’ AT MADISON MIDDLE SCHOOL: Tonight at 7 pm and Saturday at 10 am, in the auditorium at West Seattle High School, it’s the third year that Madison MS is producing and performing a musical production – this time, “High School Musical,” directed by Jenny Cross. Here’s the plot summary:

The smash Disney hit starts with the first day after winter break at East High. The Jocks, Brainiacs, Thespians and Skater Dudes find their cliques, recount their vacations, and look forward to the new year. Basketball team captain and resident jock, Troy, discovers that the brainy Gabriella, a girl he met singing karaoke on his ski trip, has just enrolled at East High. They cause an upheaval when they decide to audition for the high school musical, led by Ms. Darbus. Although many students resent the threat posed to the “status quo,” Troy and Gabriella’s alliance might just open the door for others to shine as well.

$10 tickets in advance – or at the door, $15/adults, $10/students. For advance reservations, e-mail madisonmiddleschoolplay@gmail.com ASAP! (3000 California SW)

Also happening today/tonight:

LOW TIDE: -2.6 at 12:44 pm today and the same at 1:29 pm tomorrow. Find the tide chart any time on the WSB West Seattle Weather page.

BIRDS OF THE DUWAMISH: Hear from a naturalist at 1 pm about watching for wildlife along Seattle’s river. Free event at the Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center. (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)

BINGO BENEFIT AT SEATTLE LUTHERAN: Support Seattle Lutheran High School athletes with an evening of bingo – every $25 ticket buys 11 games (additional bingo cards available at #2 each), food and non-alcoholic beverages (but do note, this is a 21+ event, beer/wine available for purchase). 6:30-9:30 pm in the gym; buy your ticket online here. (4100 SW Genesee)

SUE QUIGLEY AT C & P: Live music tonight at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. (5612 California SW)

FULL MOON WALK IN LINCOLN PARK: Go exploring at 8 pm – details here, including how to register. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)

KAZOKU! Improvised game show at Pershing Hall, 8 pm tonight – read about it here, and go check it out! Tickets $10; get them here or at the door. (3618 SW Alaska)

FRANK FEST: Annual celebration of Frank Sinatra music at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), 9:30 pm, with Velveteen Lotharios. (6451 California SW)

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Bike To Work Day 2014: West Seattle, White Center scenes
May 16, 2014 9:58 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

The morning commute for today’s edition of the annual Bike To Work Day brought extra support and encouragement for local riders – above, the West Seattle Bike Connections-hosted “commute station” just west of the “low bridge.” That’s where we found Stu Hennessey:

As well as being proprietor of Alki Bike and Board, Stu also leads DIY Bikes, helping riders learn more about taking care of their bicycles. They’ll be at this Sunday’s Seattle Summer Streets event on Alki, too.

ADDED LATE FRIDAY NIGHT: Thanks to Don Brubeck from WSBC for added photos and info:

We counted 668 people on bikes at the West Seattle Bridge Bike to Work Day Commute Station hosted by West Seattle Bike Connections with Alki Bike & Board and DIY Bikes. Thanks to the Alki Starbucks for donating coffee, Nuun for drink mix, and lots of volunteer cookie bakers.

Don shared the next photo of WSBC member Jay Guettler photographing “a group of buddies on their way to work in Kent”:

And here’s West Seattle-residing City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen stopping while en route to Bike To Work Day events on the other side of the bay; behind the table, WSBC members Jason and Theresa Beaulieu and Kathy Dunn:

(back to original report) For those riding to/from points south, White Center included two commute stations – one alongside Greenbridge Plaza, next to Dubsea Coffee:

And the downtown WC business district racked up bicyclist visits too:

Local favorites including Proletariat Pizza, Caffé Delia, and Zippy’s Giant Burgers offered treats there as incentives for two-wheeling today.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Friday on the move; Bike To Work Day
May 16, 2014 6:00 am
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(WS Bridge and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
In honor of Bike to Work Day, we’re adding the camera closest to the low bridge’s West Seattle end:

From 6-9 am, three “commute stations” are welcoming riders in West Seattle and White Center – click the markers to find out more:


View Commute Stations — Bike to Work Day presented by F5 in a larger map

Fun and treats promised at all three stops. Other notes this morning:

WEEKEND ALERTS: Here’s the citywide list of weekend events that will or might affect traffic – among them, the West Seattle 5K (last day to register online!) and Seattle Summer Streets road-closing fun on Alki on Sunday – the full race route to and from Anchor Park will close Alki SW until 11 am, and then a smaller section, between 56th and 63rd SW, will be closed 11 am-5 pm.

TAKE THE POLL YET? As first mentioned here Thursday morning, the West Seattle Transportation Coalition wants to know which taxing option(s) you would use – from the ones the city has the authority to enact – if it were up to you to decide how to get money to avoid Metro cuts. Go take the poll here (before Tuesday morning).

9:13 AM NOTE: We stopped by the local Bike To Work Day stations – separate report coming up.

9:37 AM: If you use Airport Way – take note:

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Taste of West Seattle 2014: Many winners, including WS Helpline
May 16, 2014 1:24 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Fun stuff to do | How to help | West Seattle news

Everyone was a winner at this year’s Taste of West Seattle, including the food-and-beverage fest’s hundreds of attendees, and the benefiting/organizing West Seattle Helpline, whose emergency-assistance work depends on not only Taste-goers, but sponsors/donors such as Metropolitan Market, which presented Helpline with a $10,000 check:

From left, that’s Brooks, Megan, Carol, Jude, and Brent. And then there are … the Taste winners, chosen by attendees! Fresh Bistro, which is about to celebrate its 5th anniversary, won Best Bite for its “Carlton Farms Pork Confit”, described as stuffed filo cups with pickled kohlrabi, confit pork, smoked almond butter, blackberry vin, and micro-arugula. Chef Shun, center below with Adam and Mary, created it:

The best sweet taste was won for a second consecutive year by Stuffed Cakes.

Back to the savory … Salty’s brought oyster buckets featuring Firecracker Prawns:

You can probably guess what Harry’s Chicken Joint – represented by Catherine and Patty – dished up:

Also on hand, from just about a block away, Endolyne Joe’s, with Andrea and Rich:

Lora from Hotwire Online Coffeehouse:

Did you know The Cask in the Admiral District is under new ownership? Marty was at the Taste:

And major Taste sponsor – not to mention, host! – Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes Catering/Hall at Fauntleroy proprietor David Haggerty (below left) took a moment to pose with Rev. Ron Marshall from the Helpline board:

Also among the topline sponsors, HomeStreet Bank. Congratulations to all for a fun, successful night!

ADDED 9:18 AM FRIDAY: A few more notes courtesy of Helpline board president Brooks Riendl: More than $50,000 raised; second and third place winners in the voting, for Best Taste, #2 Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes, #3 Blackboard Bistro; for Best Sweet, #2 Ma’Ono, #3 Bakery Nouveau.

(Per our customary disclosure – those mentioned above include multiple current WSB sponsors: Metropolitan Market, Salty’s on Alki, Harry’s Chicken Joint, Endolyne Joe’s, Hotwire Online Coffeehouse, and HomeStreet Bank. They and the dozens of other sponsors and participants all gave WS Helpline a boost by donating food, beverages, and personnel, and/or funding. Go here to find out more about what WS Helpline does.)

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High-school baseball playoffs: West Seattle HS takes 2nd in Metro
May 15, 2014 10:45 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

(WSB photo by Patrick Sand)
The West Seattle High School Wildcats finish the Metro League baseball tournament at #2, after tonight’s loss to O’Dea at Steve Cox Memorial Park in White Center. The summary, and the next two photos, are courtesy of Greg Slader:

Pitcher Larry Jensen (above) dazzled the Irish hitters with a combination of sliders and knuckleballs to keep them off balance.

Cameron Slader‘s two-run home run (above) gave the Wildcats a brief 2-1 lead through three innings. But O’Dea’s strong bats and speedy runners kept pressing, as they would eventually top West Seattle 7-3 for the Metro League title.

It’s not over for West Seattle, as they head to Centralia for the South Regional in the state tournament on May 24th. Game time will be announced next Monday.

Here’s the state-tournament bracket (no team names yet); the finals are in Pasco.

UPDATE: WSHS will play Shelton HS this Saturday (May 24th) at 10 am in Mount Vernon.

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High-school baseball playoffs: Seattle Lutheran wins first game
May 15, 2014 9:13 pm
|    Comments Off on High-school baseball playoffs: Seattle Lutheran wins first game
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

Thanks to Joe Puckett for the summary of this afternoon’s Seattle Lutheran High School baseball victory:

Seattle Lutheran High School won their first baseball playoff game today at Delridge Playfield against the Concrete Lions by a score of 4 to 1. Four different Sealu players had RBI’s in a well-played game. Cody Jones pitched a complete game for Sealu, giving up only 4 hits while striking out 15 Concrete batters. Seattle Lutheran will play again on Saturday at Stanwood against an opponent still to be determined.

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Memorial tomorrow for Robert E. Chaney, ‘true West Seattle guy’
May 15, 2014 8:53 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Obituaries | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

A memorial service and celebration are planned tomorrow (Friday, May 16th) for Robert Edmund Chaney, whose family shares this remembrance:

Mr. Robert Edmund Chaney met his Pilot face to face on May 8th at 88.

Mr. Chaney was best known as a true West Seattle guy! He was the father to Liz Chaney (Trindade) and Carolyn Camille Chaney, both of whom graduated from West Seattle High! Mr. Chaney was a true neighbor and lived in the North Admiral district since 1966.

He worked at Husky Delicatessen for more than 20 years and has been a RE Broker for Century 21 for most of his career. As a Christian minister, award-winning poet & writer, he left a powerful legacy to his other two children, Christopher Chaney of Southern California and & Kimberly Condrin of Renton WA. He has five grandchildren, Cory & Taylor Condrin, Tatiana, Lorenzo & Romeu Trindade. Mr. Chaney was one of 11 children and for the very reason he loved to have a lot of people, friends and family around. Mr. Chaney was a loving husband to Beverly Chaney (former Talent Manager to Jim Caviezel and Brendan Frasier). Mr. Chaney, Bob, was also a host father to hundreds of exchange students for over 15 years. He attended University of Oregon and Stanford with degrees in Business & Political Science.

Memorial service at Tahoma National Cemetery on May 16th, 2:00 pm, 18600 SE 240th St., Kent. Memorial celebration at his home in West Seattle. If you would like to attend, contact his daughter, Liz Chaney Trindade by cell, 917 435 6455; text is OK.

(WSB publishes obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

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New microhousing rules: Tell City Councilmembers what you think on Monday
May 15, 2014 6:06 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle housing | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

If you feel strongly about microhousing – the new wave of mini-apartments that cluster around shared kitchens, usually one per floor – Monday’s your chance to speak to the City Council’s Planning/Land Use/Sustainability Committee about the proposed new city rules/definitions. The meeting agenda circulated today reminds us of the date, which, as reported here, was first announced last month. Here again is the council memo about the proposal; here’s the agenda. The public hearing is at 5:30 pm Monday (May 19th) in council chambers at City Hall downtown. (WSB photo: First West Seattle microhousing project to open, Footprint Delridge)

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West Seattle Summer Fest 2014: Community Tent awaits you!
May 15, 2014 4:16 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Summer Fest 2014: Community Tent awaits you!
 |   West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

Summer festival season is weeks away, and planning is well underway for the biggest event of the year, West Seattle Summer Fest (co-sponsored by WSB). If you’re with a community group/nonprofit organization interested in a free chance to meet more neighbors (and prospective members/supporters), the WS Junction Association has a deal for you:

The West Seattle Junction Association is again offering the FREE Community Tent at West Seattle Summer Fest – July 11, 12, and 13. The purpose of this area at Summer Fest is to allow our small neighborhood non-profits and community groups easy access to the event and their community – free of charge!

Furry Faces Foundation has volunteered to coordinate the community tent and is now accepting requests for space from West Seattle non-profits and community groups. Furry Faces Foundation will select groups who strive to benefit, strengthen, and educate our community.

Here are the Community Tent details:

The Community Tent will be located on Alaska St . Tent, tables, and chairs will be provided. Participants are encouraged to set up their area with displays which reflect their mission and contributions to the West Seattle Community. Please feel free to bring props, brochures and such, which will entice folks to stop and chat with you about your organization. No sales please.

Shift changes will be a little cozy, so we’ll all have a chance to get friendly and help each other out, if needed.

Hours
Friday: 10 am – 6 pm
Saturday: 10 am – 6 pm
Sunday: 11 am – 5 pm

Community Tent Shifts
Friday/Saturday: 4-hour slots
10 am – 2 pm
2 pm – 6 pm

Sunday: 3-hour slots
11 am – 2 pm
2 pm – 5 pm

If your neighborhood non-profit or community group is interested in being a part of the Summer Fest Community Tent, please e-mail by June 27th, furryfaces@hotmail.com

We are looking forward to hearing from you.

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Followup: West Seattle author Emily Krieger wins Children’s Choice Book Award
May 15, 2014 1:47 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle books | West Seattle news

Congratulations to West Seattle author Emily Krieger, whose “Kids’ Myths Busted” has won Book of the Year for fifth/sixth graders in the Children’s Choice Book Awards, announced last night. We mentioned here a week and a half ago that her book was a finalist; WSB reader Ketty e-mailed us today to share this link with news of Emily’s win. (The second book in the series, by the way, has just been published.)

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Video: Seattle Preschool Program announced in High Point
May 15, 2014 11:38 am
|      35 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)
11:38 AM: The achievement gap among Seattle students is “unacceptable,” Mayor Ed Murray has just told a gathering at High Point Commons Park’s outdoor amphitheater, starting the official announcement of the Seattle Preschool Program. Materials provided to us and other media reps say they’ll go to voters with a four-year property-tax levy to raise $14.5 million a year, costing “the average homeowner” $3.63 a month. It will be “voluntary for providers and participants and will build toward serving 2,000 children in 100 classrooms by 2018.” Otherwise, “the moral cost is too high,” declared the mayor. More to come.

11:48 AM: “Every child in our city deserves a fair start … in life,” says Councilmember Tim Burgess, after being called by the mayor “the godfather” of the proposal. He says this would pay for full-day preschool. The announcement notes, “The program will have the ultimate goal of serving all eligible and interested 4-year-olds and all 3-year-olds from families making less than 300 percent of the federal poverty level in Seattle.” The classrooms in which they would be served would “be provided through a mixed-delivery system, with classrooms offered by Seattle Public Schools and community providers.” SPS Superintendent José Banda speaks shortly thereafter, saying the district looks forward to being “a partner” in this, and that he expects this will make Seattle “a model” for the rest of the country.

Asked about asking for yet another tax, the mayor acknowledges that “there’s a risk” but also says that if this helps bring a brighter future for more Seattle youth, “it’s going to save us money.”

A few more points:

*Free tuition for families earning less than 200% of federal poverty level

*Sliding scale for families earning more than that, “with at least some level of subsidy for all families”

*”Ongoing, independent evaluation” promised for a “feedback loop” to shape the program as it continues

12:02 PM: Event wrapping up; we have it on video and will add when uploaded. If you watch TV news, you’ll see something about it tonight, as it was a full-scale regional-media turnout. Next step? The council will have to vote by early August to get this on the November ballot. Details here.

ADDED: Our video of the entire event:

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Seattle Police SWAT team in The Junction: Just training, but …
May 15, 2014 11:20 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police

When Judy asked via Twitter why Seattle Police SWAT officers are in The Junction, near 42nd and Oregon, we suspected they’d come for training (the to-be-demolished homes in that block have been used for it before); as our crew discovered, that suspicion was correct. The team has a request, though: If you parked along 42nd in the area (4400 block, north of Oregon), please go move your vehicle(s) ASAP …

… they need the space!

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Followup: What $ would YOU use to avoid Metro cuts? West Seattle Transportation Coalition launches its poll
May 15, 2014 10:44 am
|      60 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

The poll mentioned in our coverage of Tuesday’s West Seattle Transportation Coalition meeting has just launched: WSTC is looking for your opinion on funding sources you think the city should consider before a final decision on how to avoid Metro cuts. The poll will be open until Tuesday morning; find it here. Ahead, the WSTC’s announcement and explanation:

Read More

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34th District Democrats: Endorsements; soapbox speeches; McDermott explains how to survive Colbert
May 15, 2014 10:24 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

A visit from U.S. Rep. Jim McDermott was top-billed for Wednesday night’s meeting of our area’s largest political organization, the 34th (Legislative) District Democrats, but endorsements stole the show.

Atop that list, the 34th DDs gave their blessing to the August ballot measure that will seek to set up a Seattle Park District, though one pre-vote speaker warned that elected officials should “explain it better” before ballot-casting time arrives.

They also made endorsement decisions in judicial races, with some of the candidates on hand, even an appearance by newly appointed State Supreme Court Justice Mary Yu, who arrived at the meeting after her endorsement vote, and thanked the group:

Other endorsees included Congressmember McDermott, who spoke for a few minutes shortly after the meeting began. Introducing him, 34th DDs chair Marcee Stone-Vekich suggested everybody go look up the video clip of McDermott “swinging a fish in the halls of Congress” with Stephen Colbert. We found it:

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West Seattle development: 3210 California, 3078 Avalon approvals
May 15, 2014 9:22 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

Land-use approvals are in for two sizable West Seattle projects, as announced in today’s Land Use Information Bulletin from the city. Both decisions include DNS rulings (determination of non-significance, meaning the city does not believe a full environmental review is needed):

(Rendering courtesy Nicholson-Kovalchick Architects)
3210 CALIFORNIA: This mixed-use project won Southwest Design Review Board approval last month, in its fifth meeting; it’s now partly four stories, partly five stories, with 134 apartments, 5,913 square feet of commercial space, two live/work units, and 152 offstreet parking spaces. Here’s the notice; here’s the decision. The announcement starts the clock on an appeal process open until May 29th; here’s how.

3078 AVALON WAY: This is an all-residential project, seven stories, 102 apartments and 59 offstreet parking spaces, with approval recommended by the SWDRB in January; here’s the notice; here’s the decision. This approval also triggers an appeal period until May 29th; here’s how.

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West Seattle Thursday: Tidewalking; Taste of West Seattle; theater; development; baseball; more…
May 15, 2014 8:55 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Thursday: Tidewalking; Taste of West Seattle; theater; development; baseball; more…
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Thanks to Rahel for sharing that low-tide scene via the WSB Facebook page – that’s the view from Wednesday afternoon, and today will bring an even lower tide, -2.3 at noon, then -2.6 at 12:44 pm Friday and the same at 1:29 pm Saturday. Find the tide chart any time on the WSB West Seattle Weather page. And now, from our calendar:

PLANTS! The South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) Garden Center is open today – 11 am-3 pm on the north end of campus. (6000 16th SW)

NATURE THURSDAY AT CAMP LONG: After school, join West Seattle naturalist Stewart Wechsler for exploration at 3:30 pm – details here. (5200 35th SW)

CHALLAH BREAD-BAKING WORKSHOP: 5:30 pm at Delridge Community Center – details (call to see if there’s still room) in our calendar listing. (4501 Delridge Way SW)

TASTE OF WEST SEATTLE: Last tickets up for grabs as we write this – check here; details including the restaurant/bar list can be found in our update from Wednesday. 6 pm VIP ticketholders, 6:30 pm general, The Hall at Fauntleroy. (9131 California SW)

6917 CALIFORNIA PROJECT, COMMUNITY UPDATE: As previewed here last weekend, you’re invited tonight to hear from the neighbors who have been talking with the city and the developer of the controversial 30-apartment, no-offstreet-parking 6917 California project, as they look ahead to an appeal hearing next week, and solicit other community opinions on possible mitigation related to the project. Come hear and be heard, downstairs meeting room at The Kenney (WSB sponsor), 7 pm. (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW)

HIGH-SCHOOL BASEBALL PLAYOFFS: Seattle Lutheran plays at Delridge Playfield at 3:15 pm today; West Seattle HS is in the Metro League tournament final game at Steve Cox Memorial Park in White Center at 7 pm tonight.

GUITARISTS INVITED … to the Seattle Classic Guitar Society‘s open-microphone event at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7 pm. (5612 California SW)

‘HAIR’ AT ARTSWEST: Flower power with the classic musical at ArtsWest (WSB sponsor) curtain time 7:30 pm. (4711 California SW)

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West Seattle schools: UW football players ‘Blitz the Sound’ with Roxhill Elementary visit during ‘Jump Rope for Heart’
May 15, 2014 8:50 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)
Roxhill Elementary‘s Jump Rope for Heart event got a bonus boost from guest participants on Wednesday – University of Washington Huskies football players! Above, defensive end Jarett Finau goes airborne. Next, linebacker Sean Constantine and offensive lineman Mike Criste with the assist for Roxhill scholars working on heart health:

But the half-dozen visiting student-athletes weren’t just on campus to jump …

… they also spoke at an assembly, as part of their “Blitz the Sound” program.

Other participants included defensive back Brandon Beaver, outside linebacker Hau’oli Kikaha, and wide receiver Marvin Hall. Blitz the Sound is a program the UW football program launched a decade ago to help inspire local students – even if athletics aren’t in their future – to work hard and do their best. (Thanks to Roxhill’s PE teacher Chellie LaFayette for inviting us to stop by!)

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Thursday updates; looking ahead
May 15, 2014 6:47 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Thursday updates; looking ahead
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(WS Bridge and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
6:47 AM: Quiet on the routes through/from West Seattle, so far.

Looking ahead to tomorrow – it’ll be Bike To Work Day on Friday, with the usual “commute station” for bicyclists beneath the West Seattle Bridge, plus two in White Center; here’s the regional map.

Looking ahead to the weekend – remember that Sunday brings the West Seattle 5K (co-sponsored by WSB), closing Alki SW along the full route until about 11 am, and then between 56th and 63rd until 5 pm for the “car-free” Seattle Summer Streets event.

8:33 AM: If you haven’t headed out yet and usually take Fauntleroy from Morgan Junction or southward, we’ve received a report of a potential hazard – somebody standing out in the street in the Fauntleroy/Graham vicinity. En route to check it out.

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High-school playoffs: Tonight’s Chief Sealth vs. Bainbridge game
May 14, 2014 10:31 pm
|    Comments Off on High-school playoffs: Tonight’s Chief Sealth vs. Bainbridge game
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

(WSB photo: Sealth sophomore David Johnson)
Tough loss tonight for Chief Sealth International High School, playing Bainbridge in the Metro League playoffs at Steve Cox Memorial Park in White Center. The Seahawks played hard, holding the lead at times, but fell short, losing 10-7.

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Video: West Seattle Little League player’s spotlight @ The Safe
May 14, 2014 10:02 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Quick break for a fun clip – Kaycie shared it, explaining:

Our son, Henry, who plays T-Ball for the West Seattle Little League “Wild Things,” was the Steal-A-Base Kid at the Mariners game Sunday (Mother’s Day), which also happened to be Little League Day at the Stadium. He got some help from Mariners player James Jones! Thought I’d send along the video that was posted on Mariners.com and MLB.com. WSLL was well represented! Lots of cheering and fun all around!

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Mayor Murray, Superintendent Banda, Council President Burgess coming to West Seattle to announce Seattle Preschool Program
May 14, 2014 7:45 pm
|      29 COMMENTS
 |   High Point | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

Mayor Ed Murray and Seattle Public Schools Superintendent José Banda will be back in West Seattle tomorrow morning for a big announcement – what’s expected to be a tax levy to raise money for universal pre-kindergarten in Seattle. They will announce what’s described in a media advisory as the “Seattle Preschool Program proposal” during an 11:30 am event at Neighborhood House’s High Point Center, joined by City Council President Tim Burgess (who has been a leading advocate of the proposal), State Rep. Ruth Kagi, and State Department of Early Learning Director Bette Hyde.

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Happening now: City Council budget workshop @ Youngstown
May 14, 2014 6:09 pm
|    Comments Off on Happening now: City Council budget workshop @ Youngstown
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

6:09 PM: Want to talk with a city councilmember about how your money is spent – and will be spent? Now until 8 pm, you have a prime chance at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center in North Delridge. Three councilmembers are here so far for the Public Safety/Civil Rights-focused workshop looking ahead to the 2015-2016 budget cycle – Nick Licata, who chairs the budget committee; Tim Burgess, who’s the president of the council; and Bruce Harrell, who chairs the public safety/civil rights/technology committee. Tom Rasmussen, the lone West Seattle-residing councilmember, is said to be en route. (Added: He arrived around 6:30.) The presentation hasn’t started yet, but we’re told it’s fairly short, and then it’s your turn to talk. More to come.

6:19 PM: City budget director Ben Noble is leading the presentation. He explains that right now the process of making the next budget plan is “in the executive phase” – departments send in their proposals this month and next, then the mayor reviews them over the summer, and a proposed budget goes to the council this fall. The current city budget is $4.4 billion; utilities and transportation spending comprise more than half that. But, Noble explains, most of the decisionmaking focuses on just $1 billion of that $4.4 billion – the “general fund.” More than half of that, in turn, goes to public safety – $576 million in the current cycle, says Noble. (Some of the information he’s presenting is on this two-page doc from the city website; we’re promised a copy of the slide deck, to come; ADDED – here it is.) Of that, a bit more than half – $289 million – goes to SPD. $175 million goes to SFD.

How much in the SPD budget goes to items related to the Department of Justice settlement? asked local community activist Pete Spalding. Hard to break that out, city staff said; Councilmember Harrell picked it up by saying, “You’ll hear different numbers,” noting that it’s led to the creation of new units, for example, such as Force Investigation (which was launched by now-Southwest Precinct commander Capt. Steve Wilske before his assignment to the local precinct, by the way).

6:43 PM: Questions so far include how budget items relate to, for example, SPD officers’ union and contract. Councilmember Harrell offered the example that the council might budget money for, say, body cameras, but if they weren’t written into the contract as a change of terms of employment, the money might sit there unspent, though “we’d find a way to use it,” Harrell added. West Seattle Be Prepared‘s Cindi Barker asked how much of the city budget goes toward preparedness; city staffers said they’d look it up. We have to move on to another meeting – but again, if you have questions/ideas, drop in at Youngstown, 4408 Delridge Way SW, until 8, and tell city reps about your public-safety-budget priorities (or send them via e-mail – lots of contact info on the right side of this page).

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