day : 05/06/2014 11 results

If you want to close out the night on a hopeful note – and/or to hear about an easy way to do some good in the world – listen to this: 5-7 pm tomorrow, in White Center, you can help hundreds of schoolchildren reach out across the miles to help other kids. The helpers are not necessarily so well-off themselves, but one of their teachers explains that when they learned how much better they have it than some others, they had to do something. The event has been in our calendar a while but we didn’t have all the details Shoshanna Cohen shares:

I’m a 2nd grade teacher at Mount View Elementary, next to White Center, and I’m planning our school’s carnival this year. … It is not any regular carnival. Our school has a 87% free and reduced population, yet my 6th-grade carnival leadership team has learned about children in Honduras who are not as fortunate as us. For instance, education is only free until 6th grade in Honduras. From 7th grade on, you have to pay $500 tuition to attend school. The vast majority of the rural Honduran population does not have that kind of money. As part of our WE Day participation, we are raising $1000 to send to the non-profit Light of Esperanza, to help two deserving students in Vega Redonda, Honduras, attend 7th grade. The rest of the money raised will go to our PTA so that the school can afford field trips, special events, and sports for the 2014-2015 school year.

Again, this is happening 5-7 pm tomorrow (Friday, June 6th) at Mount View Elementary, 10811 12th Ave SW (map). The official invitation: “Come and celebrate the end of the school year with us with food, fun, bouncy houses, games, and GREAT prizes! Learn about our sister school in Vega Redonda, Honduras and how we are helping other children around the world! There will be free face painting and art projects too! This event is free to get in.”

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Log House Museum totem-pole dedication tomorrow: Sign, exhibit work today

June 5, 2014 6:41 pm

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| West Seattle history | West Seattle news

At 10:30 tomorrow morning, the intersection of 61st and Stevens outside the Log House Museum – home of the Southwest Seattle Historical Society – will be closed to vehicles and full of people: Hundreds of students from Alki and Schmitz Park Elementaries, dozens of VIPs including County Executive Dow Constantine, Mayor Ed Murray, Duwamish Tribe chair Cecile Hansen, City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, County Councilmember Joe McDermott, and former Mayor Greg Nickels, and as many other spectators as care to show up. The occasion: A ceremony unveiling the former Admiral Way totem pole, fixed up and shined up and placed (as we showed you Tuesday) in its new home outside the museum. Inside the museum, a new “mini-exhibit” will open in honor of the occasion, and it’s being worked on right now. We stopped by earlier this afternoon to check in with museum manager/exhibit curator Sarah Baylinson (below) and SWSHS executive director Clay Eals.

In the exhibit, you will see a collection of items from three mini-totem poles on loan from Ye Olde Curiosity Shop (with Baylinson, above) to totem-themed memorabilia:

The Shoppe’s original owner JE “Daddy” Standley brought the totem pole’s predecessor to West Seattle in 1939, 38 years after it was carved by First Nations members in coastal British Columbia. That pole is featured in the 1952 Hi-Yu program cover, shared with us by the museum:

That’s Diane Qualls, Miss West Seattle Hi-Yu 1952. The pole that will be unveiled tomorrow morning was carved in 1966 and stood for 40 years at the northeast-facing viewpoint on Admiral Way, until a newer pole replaced it, at which time it was given to SWSHS with the expectation it would be renovated and displayed. It was taken away in 2012 for work at Artech in Renton, and brought back Tuesday.

(WSB photo from Tuesday)
This afternoon, Eals and volunteers put its interpretive sign into place as one of the finishing touches before tomorrow morning:

The pole’s history, and that of its predecessor, are shown in this slide deck put together by SWSHS. Again, all are welcome at tomorrow morning’s ceremony, which is to include a group photo – but don’t show up at the last minute, because the intersection will be closed and hundreds will be on hand!

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West Seattle traffic alert: Crash at 36th and Avalon

June 5, 2014 6:16 pm

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| West Seattle news | WS breaking news

The emergency response at 36th/Avalon is reported as a vehicle crash, but it’s a single-unit response so we don’t believe any serious injuries are involved. However, a tipster tells us that “one bridge-bound lane” is blocked, and shares the photo you see above (thank you!).

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Not in West Seattle, but you should know: Multiple shooting victims at Seattle Pacific University, suspect in custody

June 5, 2014 4:03 pm

| 33 COMMENTS

| Not WS but we're mentioning it anyway | West Seattle news

4:03 PM: A situation in lower north Queen Anne/west of Fremont is affecting emergency resources citywide, so we want to mention it here just to make sure you know – especially in case that’s an area of town you were planning to head to or from any time soon – Multiple people have been shot at Seattle Pacific University. Reports so far have put the number of victims as high as 7 (at least one with life-threatening injuries), and conflicting reports of one or two shooters – with at least one suspect in custody. The only thing clear is that, as just described on emergency radio, it’s a “chaotic” scene and you will want to stay far from that area for hours to come. Our partners at The Seattle Times are covering it here (and every other regional source is on it too).

4:10 PM: From SPD: “The suspect is in custody. There are no outstanding suspects being sought.”

4:30 PM: And one more police update: “1 man, 1 woman with life-threatening injuries; 1 man, 1 woman in stable condition.”

5:10 PM: One of the victims has died. SPU has canceled classes this evening.

11:30 PM: Since discussion is still going on in comments here, we’ll add a few links before the night’s out:

*Seattle Times on Jon Meis, the student hailed as a hero for stopping the gunman
*SPD confirms 26-year-old suspect’s identity (via Twitter)

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Next round in minimum-wage fight: Charter amendment proposed for $12.50 by 2020

June 5, 2014 3:10 pm

| 34 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Two days after Mayor Murray signed the City Council-passed minimum-wage increase into law, a business group is trying to get an alternative onto the ballot via city charter amendment. The group calling itself Forward Seattle says it’s a coalition of independent businesses, with a counterproposal laying out 40-cent incremental increases resulting in a $12.50 minimum wage by 2020. It briefed citywide media this morning but hasn’t yet released the text of its proposal, nor does it have a public list of members/supporters. In addition to that, Publicola reports that Tim Eyman is now pursuing an initiative that would make it illegal for any entity but the state to mandate wage levels.

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D-Day’s 70th anniversary: Flyover plan; veteran’s perspective

June 5, 2014 12:15 pm

| 12 COMMENTS

| West Seattle history | West Seattle news

(1944 photo of four P-51 Mustangs in flight – not the same ones you might see tomorrow, but similar)
Tomorrow is the 70th anniversary of D-Day, the beginning of the end of World War II. Two local notes: First, thanks to Bob for noticing and pointing out a special airborne tribute that you might see in the sky over West Seattle (and/or elsewhere) tomorrow. From the Historic Flight Foundation, which is based at Paine Field in Snohomish County:

To mark this important day, HFF has organized a very rare formation of P-51 Mustangs to visit cities and towns throughout Western Washington on June 6th, the 70th anniversary of D-Day. Led by HFF’s D-Day veteran (four sorties over the beaches of Normandy), P-51B “Impatient Virgin,” the formation will launch from HFF at 9 a.m. and conclude operations at approximately 3 p.m. with a noon-hour tour of downtown Seattle. Special visits include Joint Base Lewis-McChord and Gray Army Airfield. Operations will extend as far north as Bellingham, as far south as Olympia.

Our friends at Lynnwood Today have schedule details.

For more on D-Day – a West Seattle veteran tells some of the context, perspective, and backstory in a video published on the Southwest Seattle Historical Society‘s website.

ADDED 9:19 PM: From the HFF website, as pointed out in comments, the expected viewing times/places tomorrow – the afternoon route is the one closest to us, in spots:

Paine Field 11:50
Lake Forest Park 11:56
Seattle Waterfront 12:00
Seattle 12:05
Boeing Field 12:15
Newcastle 12:20
Bellevue 12:23
Woodinville 12:30
Issaquah 12:40
McChord 12:50
Gray AAF 13:00
DuPont 13:05
Lacey 13:10
Olympia 13:15
Tumwater 13:18
Tacoma Narrows 13:22
Tacoma 13:25
Gig Harbor 13:32
Vashon Island 13:37
Belfair 13:40
Bainbridge Island 13:44
Poulsbo 13:50
Kingston 13:55
Paine Field 14:10

Also in the comment section, there was word of a possible sighting today. The Times, in fact, has photos from a practice, including the one in this tweet:

"It's our way of paying respect" said pilot John Sessions (top r) as P-51s practice Thurs @ Paine Field for #DDay70. pic.twitter.com/I8hnLhXid2

— Ken Lambert (@SeaTimesFotoKen) June 6, 2014

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The Cask: Welcoming a new WSB sponsor, under new ownership

June 5, 2014 11:39 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | WS beverages

Today we welcome The Cask in The Admiral District as a new WSB sponsor.

New owner Marty Ogan took over just last month and says he’s working to bring The Cask back to its roots – under its original ownership, it began as “a bottle shop” with small plates, and that’s what he is emphasizing.

You can see The Cask’s food menu here – fresh seasonal items generally ranging from $8 to $12, with some changes every three months or so to stay in line with what’s new and fresh. The Cask also is featuring live music some nights (like tonight!) and other special events – for example, a special tapping tonight. Watch for “Wine Wednesdays,” as well as daily happy hour 4-7 pm.

Marty grew up in Edmonds and worked many years as a firefighter in Idaho, where he also operated a mobile wood-fired pizza enterprise. Looking at retirement from the fire department, he found Seattle appealing, and discovered The Cask was available. He invites you to come sip, taste, and enjoy, 4-10 pm Tuesdays-Wednesdays, 4-11 pm Thursdays, 4-midnight Fridays and Saturdays, 2350 California SW. Online, you’ll find The Cask at thecaskwestseattle.com.

We thank The Cask for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via WSB; see our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.

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Summer’s arriving – camp booked yet? 3 options at local schools

June 5, 2014 9:54 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

With days/weeks to go in the school year, most families have summer plans all settled. But in case you still have room/need for camp, three local school programs were still taking applications last we heard:

WEST SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL WILDCAT SUMMER BASKETBALL CAMP: WSHS boys-basketball head coach Keffrey Fazio shares news of this camp, 9 am-2:30 pm Monday-Thursday, July 7th-10th, for boys and girls in 3rd-9th grades, all skill levels:

Our camp is a four day journey focusing on basketball fundamentals, teamwork, player confidence, and FUN! Bring your sack lunch and hoop game, and we will see you in the gym!

The cost for all four days is $250; you can register online here (or, Coach Fazio says, even at the door on the first day). More info here.

WESTSIDE SCHOOL CAMPS: Long list of weeklong camps at Westside School (WSB sponsor) in Sunrise Heights – here are the themes:

K‐6th Grade “Adventure Camps” Out in the World!
K‐8th Grade “Specialty Camps” @ Westside
Ages 6‐12 “Sing Out Seattle!” @ Westside

The first camp starts next week (since tomorrow is the final day of the year at Westside). Read about the camps, including registration info, at this page on the school website. Questions? summer@westsideschool.org

SUMMER MUSIC CAMP: All local students entering 5th-8th grades who are “actively participating in their school’s music program” are welcome to the two weeks of music camps led by Denny/Sealth music director Marcus Pimpleton, starting July 14th.

Daily activities will include:

• Full Group Music Rehearsal in their primary ensemble
• Sectionals and or individual coaching sessions with a mentor musician
• Games/Icebreakers—time to get to know one another; and an extended recess time in the gym

While this is an educational program, the mood will be quite fun and laid back. Our aim is to have a good time making music together and to help elementary students feel comfortable in the middle school environment.

The program is broken into “marching band,” “cadet band,” and “strings” sections; tuition is $120 if you sign up before July 1st. Here’s the brochure, which includes the schedule and how to register/pay.

P.S. If you have a summer camp with space, you are welcome to post a comment below – but please include a link for families to find out more information/register. (Just include the link in your text – our system automatically hotlinks it if it begins with http or https.)

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West Seattle Thursday: Bird’s-eye view of today/tonight

June 5, 2014 9:13 am

| 4 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Thanks to Mark Wangerin for the photo of a Caspian tern with a meal/snack; he explains, “Caspian terns have been making their presence known in our area for about a month. Their raspy squawk eliminates the gulls from identification. They can be seen working the waters of the Duwamish by Kellogg Island or at the ferry terminal or even cruising over the golf course. They typically cruise head/bill down searching for fish near the surface. Once spotted, they dive completely underwater like an osprey does. Unlike the osprey, they capture fish using their beak.” And with that, we dive into a few calendar highlights for today/tonight:

SSCC PLANT SALE: 11 am-3 pm, the garden center on the north side of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus is open and selling plants, benefiting the horticulture program. (6000 16th SW)

BIKE BRAKES: Do yours need help? Get free assistance at DIY Bikes tonight at the West Seattle Tool Library, 6-8 pm on the northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

SPIRITS FOR SPORTS: As previewed here last weekend, the West Seattle Booster Club‘s benefit pub crawl in The Junction is tonight – 6-9 pm, info here, raising $ for WS High School sports. (Various locations)

DENNY-SEALTH CONCERT: Last night, the Denny International Middle School and Chief Sealth International High School orchestras performed their final concert of the school year (thanks to Denny principal Jeff Clark for the photo):

Tonight, it’s the bands’ turn – 7 pm, Sealth auditorium, free. (2600 SW Thistle)

POP-UP SHOP: From the Black Lodge presents a touring pop-up shop with independent artists and designers’ “dark, mystical handmade goods” tonight at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), 7 pm-11 pm, explained here. (6451 California SW)

FINAL WEEK FOR ‘HAIR’: Haven’t seen it yet at ArtsWest (WSB sponsor)? Don’t let your chance slip away – tonight is the third-to-last performance, 7:30 pm curtain time. (4711 California SW)

LOTS MORE! … on the calendar.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Thursday updates & alerts

June 5, 2014 7:35 am

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| West Seattle news

(WS Bridge and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Going into the heart of the commute, no major problems reported so far. On Alki Avenue, the paving work shifts westward today and tomorrow. And yet another reminder – southbound 99 closes between the bridge and Battery St. Tunnel late Friday night until early Monday for lane reconfiguration.

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WSB Lost/Found Pets happy ending: Sampson the big, friendly dog makes it home, with help!

June 5, 2014 1:16 am

| 24 COMMENTS

| Pets | West Seattle news

We often hear about happy endings from lost/found pets posted on the WSB Lost/Found Pets page – but we don’t often get to see them. Sampson “the big, friendly dog” is finally home tonight and one of his people, Steve, shared the reunion photo. Most lost dogs are reunited relatively quickly – but Sampson was away for four days, and it played out in an unusual way: A commenter on Sampson’s WSB post spotted a “found dog” flyer and mentioned it:

Sampson’s person Steve had difficulty getting his messages returned … but then:

We know from the viewing statistics on the Pets page that some people look at it regularly just so they can be of help if they see a stray pet – or a flyer! – so, thank you to everyone who has continued to help to reunite lost pets and their people.

P.S. Speaking of which, another pet came home this week after an extended absence, thanks to sharp-eyed WSB readers – a “found” pet posted here turned out to be a cat also posted as “lost” six weeks earlier, and now Babycat is where he belongs.

P.P.S. The top of the Pets page explains how to send info/photo if you have lost a pet or if you have found one that is in your custody.

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