day : 21/05/2015 13 results

(UPDATED Friday afternoon with fundraising total and more)

ORIGINAL REPORT, 10:07 PM THURSDAY: When you see the advance warning every spring that the Taste of West Seattle will probably sell out, so you’ll want to get your tickets early – it’s not just a sales pitch. Tonight’s benefit for the West Seattle Helpline sold out days in advance and the line above was just for ticketholders waiting to get into The Hall at Fauntleroy! Once inside, you had the chance to sample the tastes and sips brought by dozens of local food and beverage purveyors. From north to south, here’s who we photographed:

Up from Alki were Nadia and Inaam Khazaal from Phoenecia (WSB sponsor) – where giving back isn’t just something they do for occasions like this, but also on Give Back Tuesdays (which raised money for Helpline in March). From East Alki, Chef Paolo Carey-DiGregorio and Corporate Pastry Chef Douglas Taylor from Salty’s (WSB sponsor):

From North Admiral, Cary Kemp from Pizzeria 22:

Also from Admiral, Jude and Megan from Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor):

From the north end of The Junction, Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor) proprietor Lora Swift (below right) with Janie and Dan Jacobs:

From the east side of The Junction, at outer Jefferson Square, Dream Dinners (WSB sponsor) proprietor Leslie Thomson and assistant Amanda, with Brooks Riendl from the Helpline board:

Heading south to just north of Morgan Junction, members of the Harry’s Chicken Joint team:

Tom DiStefano from nearby West Seattle Cellars, which raised more than $1,300 for Helpline in honor of their recent 20th anniversary:

More than 40 participants in all – and about 500 people there to be delighted by what they ate and drank. We’re waiting to hear the final tallies on tonight’s Helpline-helping success and will update when we have the info.

ADDED EARLY FRIDAY: A popular feature of The Taste is voting to choose best bite and best sweet – Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes, which operates The Hall, won the former, while Stuffed Cakes for the third consecutive year won the latter.

ADDED FRIDAY AFTERNOON: The fundraising total is in from new Helpline executive director Chris Langeler, $53,000, the most for a “Taste of West Seattle” so far. That includes a $10,000 day-of donation from Metropolitan Market.

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West Seattle road work: Schmitz Park Bridge inspection next week

May 21, 2015 8:49 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

Before everybody (or almost everybody) starts checking out for the holiday weekend, an alert for next week, sent late today by SDOT:

Bridge engineers plan to conduct a routine inspection of the “Schmitz Park” Bridge on Admiral Way Southwest on May 27 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The U-BIT truck (provides access to the underside of the bridge) will be positioned on the shoulder of the bridge roadway and will not affect pedestrian traffic.

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District softball playoffs: WSHS loses; plays Ballard again Friday

May 21, 2015 8:16 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

(WSB photo: WSHS’s Spritle Hirano in the foreground)
8:16 PM: At the district softball tournament tonight at Southwest Athletic Complex in Westwood, West Seattle High School lost to Lake Washington HS, 3-2. But they’re already guaranteed a spot in the state tournament, and they’ll play again tomorrow at 5 pm, vs. the loser of Ballard vs. Bainbridge Island, who are playing right now. More to come.

EARLY FRIDAY: It’ll be a rematch – WSHS vs. Ballard for the second consecutive Friday night. Last week, it was for the Metro League championship; this time, for third place in the district tournament. More of Thursday’s game details, courtesy of our partners at The Seattle Times:

Pitcher Gabby Wenn, above, drove in both WSHS runs before having to leave the game with a hamstring injury. Below, that’s Annalisa Ursino scoring the second of those runs,

The Wildcats, coached by WSHS athletic director Trevor Leopold, are 21-5.

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West Seattle summer songwriting camp with Ivory Smith and Kelli Frances Corrado: New WSB sponsor

May 21, 2015 5:44 pm

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| West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Looking for summer options for kid(s) 7-12? How about a West Seattle summer songwriting camp, taught by two acclaimed local musicians? They’re sponsoring WSB right now to get the word out, and here’s what they’d like you to know:

What makes this music camp unique, is that it’s the first of its kind, a SONGWRITING camp, for children this age. Kelli Frances Corrado (above left) and Ivory Smith (above right) worked for over six years at various rock camps and schools, none of which taught students how to write their own songs. While it is important to learn technique and theory, the value of empowering the individual creative voice is essential, not only in making music, but for childhood development.

We are pursued by parents not only because of our teaching history but our experience as songwriters. We are active professional songwriters. Our resumes cover a wide range of experience from college training, performance, touring, recording, radio play, to receiving grants. For example, Ivory has scored numerous pieces for performances at On The Boards and ACT Theaters, has vocal training from Cornish, and has written songs with many ensembles including her band Ivory In Ice World. Kelli is a touring musician who writes songs that have been featured on various radio stations from KEXP to BBC6, and in 2014 received a grant from the Seattle Office of Arts and Culture to teach a songwriting camp for young women.

Kelli and Ivory’s summer songwriting camp has two week-long sessions in West Seattle in August – get the details here, including how to register.

We thank the West Seattle summer songwriting camp taught by Ivory Smith and Kelli Frances Corrado for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.

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Classroom to courtroom: Chief Sealth IHS students’ mock trial

May 21, 2015 4:49 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

The photo and report are from Chief Sealth International High School teacher Noah Zeichner:

49 Chief Sealth International HS seniors participated in a mock trial (Wednesday) at the UW School of Law as part of the UW Street Law program. Students in my American Government classes have been preparing for several weeks, with the help of three UW law students. Students played various roles, including prosecutors, defense attorneys, witnesses, and bailiffs.

The case involved a high school senior who was charged with murder in the first degree. The defendant was found not guilty of all charges. The two judges were played by practicing public defenders and the jury was played by UW law professors.

Read more about the UW Street Law program here.

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Congratulations! Five West Seattle HS student athletes honored

May 21, 2015 4:18 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

The photo is from West Seattle High School athletic director Trevor Leopold, who shares this report on a lunchtime event downtown today:

These West Seattle High School students were honored at The Washington Athletic Club by the 101 Club. From left to right are Carter Mensing, Annalisa Ursino, Charli Elliott, Isabella Burzynski, and Joey Kane. All the Metro League schools have students who were there and nominated. Charli Elliott was awarded a scholarship at the luncheon. She has a 4.0 GPA and 11 Varsity Letters. 4 Soccer, 4 Basketball, 3 Softball. She is attending Pacific University in Oregon in the fall and going to play basketball.

Congratulations to all!

(SIDE NOTE: Coach Leopold and athletes Elliott and Ursino take to the field at Southwest Athletic Complex with the rest of the WSHS softball team less than an hour from now – 5 pm – for a district-tournament game against Lake Washington HS.)

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West Seattle development: Design Review date for 35th/Graham mixed-use building

May 21, 2015 3:41 pm

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| Development | High Point | West Seattle news

A Southwest Design Review Board hearing is now set for the mixed-use building planned on part of High Point’s most prominent undeveloped site, at 35th/Graham.

We last mentioned it here eight months ago, when it surfaced in the city’s online files. The outline on the project page hasn’t changed much since then; it now describes “a 4-story structure containing 89 residential units, 8,500 sq. ft. of office space and 1,500 sq. ft. of retail space located at ground level. Surface parking for 98 vehicles to be provided.” The “site plan” dated last month shows an L-shaped building stretching across all of the currently vacant 35th SW frontage, from the corner of Graham northward. The parking entry would be on the east side of the building. The rest of the sprawling site is still set for residential development – most if not all townhouses – but only the mixed-use building is involved in the Early Design Guidance meeting that’s planned for the SWDRB’s next meeting, June 25th at 8 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle. (As reported here on May 5th, the 6:30 pm project review that night is for the CVS drugstore project at 4722 Fauntleroy Way SW.)

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Six 7 ways to spend the rest of your West Seattle Thursday

May 21, 2015 1:25 pm

| 25 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by Gary Jones: ‘Sea hawk’ [osprey] and prey, in Constellation Park area)

Quick look at the calendar for the rest of today/tonight:

ALKI ELEMENTARY FUNDRAISERS: First, the annual Alki-A-Thon fundraiser is on until 2 pm at Alki Elementary. (3010 59th SW) Then, 4-8 pm, “Dine Out for Alki“ at Mission Latin Restaurant and Lounge (2325 California SW), where 20 percent of the net proceeds from food sales will be donated to the Alki PTA.

(added) SOFTBALL PLAYOFFS: West Seattle High School‘s next game in the district softball tournament is at 5 pm at Southwest Athletic Conference, vs. Lake Washington HS. Go cheer the Wildcats! (2801 SW Thistle)

TASTE OF WEST SEATTLE – SOLD OUT! Tonight’s West Seattle Helpline fundraiser at The Hall at Fauntleroy (6 pm VIP, 6:30 pm general) is sold out, just in case you were wondering. So even if you do have tickets, don’t be late! (9131 California SW)

ADMIRAL WAY SAFETY PROJECT: 6 pm at Alki Elementary, an “open house”-style meeting about SDOT’s proposal for changes on Admiral Way west of California SW – presentation at 6:30 pm. (3010 59th SW)

ALKI COMMUNITY COUNCIL: 7 pm at Alki UCC. The ACC is encouraging attendance at the aforementioned Admiral Way Safety Project event first, then make your way over to the church for topics also including the Don Armeni Boat Ramp parking enforcement and speeding problems on Beach Drive and 63rd SW. (6115 SW Hinds)

OPEN MICROPHONE – ‘UNPLUGGED’: It’s an open-microphone-style event for musicians who don’t need/want microphones and other electronics – come perform “unplugged” starting at 7 at C & P Coffee Company. (WSB sponsor; 5612 California SW)

BELLY DANCING: The monthly Alauda belly-dancing showcase is at 7:30 pm at The Skylark. No cover, all ages. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

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Help fight hate crimes as a ‘Safe Place’: New program from SPD

May 21, 2015 12:47 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Just out of the WSB inbox:

Today Mayor Murray and Chief of Police Kathleen O’Toole announced SPD Safe Place, a public education and visibility campaign aimed at preventing and responding to anti-LGBT bias crimes.

“Seattle welcomes all people,” said Mayor Ed Murray. “There is no place for bigotry or harassment in our city. We developed Safe Place so that businesses and community organizations can visibly stand up against intolerance and provide shelter to victims.”

SPD Safe Place is a voluntary program that provides businesses and organizations with decals and information on how to report malicious harassment, more commonly known as hate crimes. Training for these organizations includes when and how to call 911, sheltering victims of crime until police arrive and proactive outreach about working with the SPD’s LGBT liaison officer.

“Seattle Police officers work every day with the diverse communities of Seattle to ensure safety. SPD Safe Place is another way of connecting and educating those who live, work and visit Seattle about how the SPD can assist in times of crisis,” said Chief Kathleen O’Toole.

Businesses, organizations and educational institutions can request SPD Safe Place placards or posters and learn about how to work with police to prevent and address anti-LGBT crime concerns at www.seattle.gov/spd-safe-place.

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UPDATE: ‘5-way intersection’ west of low bridge open again after propane tank triggers hazmat response

May 21, 2015 11:30 am

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| West Seattle news | WS breaking news

11:30 AM: Avoid the “five-way intersection” area west of the low bridge for now – Seattle Fire has it at least partly blocked off because of a hazmat response.

(Added: WSB photo – that’s the tank in the background, by a traffic-signal pole)
11:40 AM: We’ve just arrived at the scene, and SFD has just tweeted what it’s about: “HazMat response on W Marginal Way SW is a propane tank that fell off a truck and began leaking.” But, SFD adds, “the hazard (is) mitigated.” Side note: This is just yards from Station 36 – which was the original address on the call, later changed.

12:34 PM: SDOT says the intersection is fully open now, including the southbound lanes onto Delridge.

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BIZNOTES: First day at the beach for Mountain to Sound; sign up for CSA boxes at The General Store Seattle

May 21, 2015 11:02 am

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| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Two West Seattle biznotes to share this morning:

RENTALS AT THE BEACH: Thanks to Greg Whittaker for the photo and update:

Mountain to Sound Outfitters will be opening stand up paddleboarding and kayak rentals at 55th and Alki Ave today for the 2015 season. Come on by and enjoy the water!

CSA SIGNUP TIME AT THE GENERAL STORE SEATTLE: Last month, The General Store Seattle (WSB sponsor) proprietor Claire E. Jones put out the call for interest in qualifying her shop (3400 Harbor SW) as a dropoff site for CSA produce from Skylight Farms. She says, “We did it!” and now the next step is – sign up for weekly or biweekly pickups! All you have to do is go here and scroll to choose the West Seattle option. Claire adds, “The boxes will be available for pick up on Tuesdays from 4-7 pm starting in June and ending in October.”

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West Seattle coyotes: Cat grabbed during the daytime

May 21, 2015 10:02 am

| 14 COMMENTS

| Coyotes | West Seattle news | Wildlife

In our seven-plus years of reporting on West Seattle coyotes, we’ve heard people often mention they bring outdoor cats inside at night, in hopes of avoiding coyote encounters. This report from Jaime is a reminder that coyotes roam in the daytime too:

I thought I should report this to the blog, even if not sure of proper procedure.

My neighbor reported to me that just last week after hearing a commotion outside his porch, opened his front door to find a young coyote who had the family cat in his mouth. He immediately yelled and tried to scare the coyote away, which did cause the coyote to drop the cat. But the cat was badly injured and subsequently died.

This was in the middle of the daytime at 50th and Hudson. My neighbor believed that the coyote had entered from the alley into their fenced front yard and grabbed the cat, who was sunning himself on their porch.

Biologists who have analyzed coyotes’ diets say this is only a small part of what they eat – more commonly, they consume rats and mice, among other things you can see listed here – but nonetheless, it can be a risk if your pet is outside, unattended, so we publish this as a neighbor-to-neighbors alert. (A wildlife agent was blunt about it in this report we published two years ago.)

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Thursday updates & holiday previews

May 21, 2015 6:58 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Nothing out of the ordinary in/from West Seattle so far this morning. We’ll be adding some holiday-weekend reminders while watching the commute.

ADDED 7:08 AM – MEMORIAL DAY TRANSIT NOTES: These are for **Monday** – Metro will be on its Sunday schedule; the West Seattle Water Taxi will also be on a Sunday schedule; and so will Sound Transit Route 560. The Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth Washington State Ferries route will be on its regular weekday schedule.

ADDED 7:29 AM – TRAFFIC THROWBACK THURSDAY: This week’s view – from the Seattle Municipal Archives – is an example of how some things don’t change, much:

From November 1960, that photo looks east across Fauntleroy Way from the Fauntleroy ferry dock. The photo apparently was taken for reasons involving landscaping in the bus-stop area. (Click the image to go to the page with the largest view.)

ADDED 8:05 AM – ADMIRAL WAY MEETING TONIGHT: Tonight is the first (and likely only) standalone meeting about the Admiral Way Safety Project, which SDOT has presented to the Admiral Neighborhood Association (WSB coverage here) and Southwest District Council (WSB coverage here). Here’s the flyer, which also includes project details:

It’s an “open house” style meeting, 6 pm at Alki Elementary (3010 59th SW), with a presentation at 6:30 pm.

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