West Seattle, Washington

19 Friday

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day : 17/12/2015 7 results

FOLLOWUP: Questions and some answers, the day after Sealth student’s arrest following bullets, gun found at school
December 17, 2015 7:52 pm
|      16 COMMENTS
 |   Safety | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

One day after Chief Sealth International High School told families a student had been arrested in connection with the discovery of bullets and a stolen gun at school, we asked more followup questions, and here’s what we’ve received in response, via Seattle Public Schools spokesperson Stacy Howard:

*The district can’t comment as to why the notification went out at the end of the day, and says there is no policy about how soon such notifications should be made.

*They can’t comment on what discipline the student might face separate from potential prosecution, as that is “private” information.

*We asked how many guns were found on SPS campuses so far this year; reply – this was the only one so far.

Meantime, principal Jeff Clark from neighboring Denny International Middle School sent us this letter he sent to families today; it includes a followup letter that Sealth principal Aida Fraser-Hammer sent to families at her school (we received a copy of her followup letter from the district earlier today).

Dear Denny Families,

Yesterday, there was an incident at Chief Sealth.  The principal of Chief Sealth, Ms. Fraser-Hammer, wrote the letter below which is being sent home and shared with the calling machine.  We want you to be aware as well.  Safety continues to our top priority—we are prioritizing this with our collaboration with Chief Sealth.

Sincerely,

Jeff Clark, Principal
Denny International Middle School

(Sealth followup letter)

December 17, 2015

Dear Chief Sealth families,
 
I want to follow up on the incident at our school yesterday. I understand you might have some questions or concerns, so I would like to give you some clarity on the situation.

Prior to the start of school yesterday morning, a gun magazine was discovered in a classroom. I notified SPS security and began an investigation to determine its origin and whether a student was involved. SPS security and administration interviewed several students, and identified a potential student of concern. The student was immediately escorted to the office where SPD and school security secured the incident. The student took responsibility for bringing a weapon and said he did not intend to harm anyone. Seattle Police arrested the student.

Please know that we take safety in our buildings very seriously; the well-being of our students is our top concern. I am proud of how our staff responded to this incident.

We will continue to coordinate with SPD and are committed to doing everything we can to keep our students safe. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Aida Fraser-Hammer
Chief Sealth International High School

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‘Star Wars’ mania in West Seattle: Meeples Games this weekend
December 17, 2015 4:25 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

(Some of Meeples’ Star Wars merchandise, photographed on Shop Small Saturday)
Going to “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” at a premiere event tonight? Or sometime soon? You can indulge your “Star Wars” fandom outside the theater, too, with a stop at Meeples Games (WSB sponsor) this weekend. In case you haven’t already seen it in the WSB Event Calendar, here’s the announcement from Meeples proprietor Laura Schneider:

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…

Ok, so not long ago, but This Weekend…

And, not far away, but right in your neighborhood…

Meeples Games is having an all-out Star Wars celebration! This is your chance to check out some of these awesome Star Wars games you’ve heard so much about. You can watch, learn to play and get in the action!

Here’s the schedule:

Saturday 11:00 am – 1:00 pm: Star Wars X-Wing Demonstrations

Saturday 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm: Star Wars Role Playing Game

Saturday 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm: Star Wars Armada Demonstrations

Saturday 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm: Star Wars Imperial Assault

Sunday 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm: Star Wars X-Wing Trench Run Demonstration

Sunday 4:00 pm: – Meeples is closing for us to all go see the movie! Woo!!

Meeples is at 3727 California SW (upstairs).

P.S. The new “Star Wars” movie will be at The Admiral, so you don’t have to leave WS to see it.

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TRAFFIC ALERT: Crash at Highland Park Way & Holden
December 17, 2015 4:03 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS breaking news

No injuries reported, but traffic is slow at Highland Park Way and Holden while a multi-vehicle crash is cleared, so if you’re heading out any time soon and have to go through that busy intersection, you might consider an alternative, or waiting a bit. (Thanks for the tip texted to our hotline, 206-293-6302.)

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Winter solstice Monday night! Celebrate it with Alice Enevoldsen
December 17, 2015 1:07 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Skies Over West Seattle | West Seattle news

On a gray rainy day, if you’re longing for more light, it might be some consolation that the winter solstice is just a few days away. And as is customary for the changing of the season, you can celebrate it – and learn about it – at Solstice Park in West Seattle, with NASA Solar System Ambassador Alice Enevoldsen from Skies Over West Seattle and Alice’s Astro Info.

(That photo from Winter Solstice Watch 2014 was shared by Lori.) If you’ve never been to a solstice or equinox watch with Alice – Solstice Park has markers placed at spots that line up with the sunset closest to the solstices and equinoxes, and Alice usually gives a short, fun presentation explaining and demonstrating exactly what the terms mean. Next Monday, the sun will disappear around 4:05 pm, so show up at the park around 3:45 – more info on Alice’s website – all ages welcome, and encouraged. P.S. If you’re keeping track, the solstice moment itself is a few hours later – 8:40 pm – the official arrival of winter.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Home, car break-in reader reports
December 17, 2015 10:44 am
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Two reader reports to share this morning:

THEY EVEN TOOK THE PILLOWCASES: From Jim in Arbor Heights:

Heads up for those in the Arbor Heights/Marine View vicinity. Our home was burglarized (Wednesday). It happened while we were at work. Busted the window pane on the front door to gain access…the door was wide open when we arrived home with our cat standing in the door way. They got watches, jewelry, some heirlooms, cash, some jackets. A couple of pillowcases are missing….I guess a criminal’s version of a reusable bag. It could have been far worse. Police report filed.

We followed up with Jim to ask about any particular items that people might watch out for if they’re browsing online listings, etc.:

They took a number of very identifiable items: a Breitling Blackbird watch with a black leather strap. They also took some mid 1800s daguerreotype photos in original leather cases. They look like little embossed leather books that open up with picture inside. These were family images. Not sure why they took those except for the fact that the pictures are printed on metal plate that looks like silver.

CAR BREAK-IN: From Randall:

Overnight (Tuesday night-Wednesday morning), 31st & Trenton: Backpack full of kids’ clothes & snacks taken. Nothing of value other than sentimental. Thanks for the broken window, though!

P.S. If you’re interested in overall stats, SPD shares them in various ways, but we just noticed that they updated the Seastat page for the first time in almost two months, and you can view the slide deck there for an easy one-glance look at key categories – for other precincts as well as ours (Southwest, which includes West Seattle and South Park).

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West Seattle Thursday: ‘Shop Late’; music; belly dancing; more…
December 17, 2015 9:00 am
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Alki Point photo by Gary Jones)

Here are your highlights of what’s up today/tonight, from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide and year-round Event Calendar:

PRESCHOOL STORY TIME: 10:30 am at Southwest Library, bring your 3- to 5-year-old(s)! (35th SW & SW Henderson)

TODDLER STORY TIME: 11:30 am at High Point Library. (35th SW & SW Raymond)

DIY HOLIDAY CRAFTS: Another chance for teens to make gifts and wrap them at Hiawatha Community Center, 2:30-4 pm. Details in our listing. (2700 California SW)

12s FOR GOOD: From Brookdale West Seattle: “We are hosting the 12 Days of Goodness/12’s for Good evening Extravaganza! This will be a fundraising event for a company called Answers for Elders, benefiting the Meals on Wheels program and Rebuilding Together. Join us for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. This is a free event, but we are accepting donations and all proceeds go to these charities. We will have special guest Tony Ventrella here as well as surprise guests that are Seahawks Alumni! 6-7:30 pm.” (4611 35th SW)

SHOP LATE THURSDAY: Part of West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays, one last Thursday night before Christmas week, many stores open until 9 pm – listed here.

DENNY/SEALTH CONCERT: Musicians from Denny International Middle School and Chief Sealth International High School perform a free concert in the CSIHS Auditorium, 7 pm – details in our calendar listing. (2600 SW Thistle)

UNPLUGGED: Monthly open-microphone event at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7 pm – details in our calendar listing. (5612 California SW)

ALAUDA BELLY-DANCE SHOWCASE: 7:30 pm, the all-ages showcase at The Skylark. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Thursday updates & alerts
December 17, 2015 6:30 am
|      26 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Six WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
6:30 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Thursday, December 17th – one week until Christmas Eve, two weeks until New Year’s Eve, last full day of school before winter break (tomorrow’s an hour-early-dismissal day for Seattle Public Schools).

One reminder to start the day – Friday night marks the first of a series of overnight closures for part of Highway 99 north of the Battery Street Tunnel – full details on the WSDOT website.

9:25 AM: Compounding what – as commenters have noted – has been a lousy traffic morning everywhere, there’s now a report of a crash on the eastbound West Seattle Bridge by the 99 exit. And at this exact moment, the low bridge also has closed to surface traffic.

10:04 AM: Debris reported on the westbound bridge by the Admiral exit – @HommeSea says it’s a broken ladder.

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