West Seattle, Washington

15 Wednesday

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year : 2015 3718 results

CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUP: Bail set at $100,000 for suspect in Game Stop robbery, under investigation in 4 more holdups/thefts
November 19, 2015 4:45 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Arbor Heights | Crime | West Seattle news | Westwood

New information today in the case of the 30-year-old man arrested at an Arbor Heights house Tuesday night on suspicion of robbing the Westwood Village Game Stop store earlier that night. His bail is set at $100,000 after his appearance in a jailhouse courtroom downtown this afternoon. And the probable-cause documents say police suspect him and a 39-year-old relative – who is not in custody – of committing this robbery, and are investigating them in connection with three other robberies/major thefts in the past six months:

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ELECTION UPDATE: Newest count – Herbold 28 votes over Braddock
November 19, 2015 4:17 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

With the election headed for certification next Tuesday – after which a recount will surely follow in the City Council District 1 race – today’s results have Lisa Herbold gaining three more votes over Shannon Braddock:

Lisa Herbold – 12,437 – 49.73%
Shannon Braddock – 12,409 – 49.62%

A few hundred ballots with problems (unverified signatures, for example) are still being dealt with. In all, about 28,000 ballots were turned in by District 1 voters, who number almost 61,000, and that’s a ~45% turnout. You’ll notice by doing the math, more than 2,000 did not vote in this race at all; 164 are tallied as write-ins, though the county doesn’t report whose names were written in.

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West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays: New for this year’s tree lighting – street closure!
November 19, 2015 2:35 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

The updated-daily WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide includes a full list of what’s happening for WS Junction Hometown Holidays this year (we’re again among the co-sponsors), and there’s something new: On tree-lighting night – Saturday, December 5th – SW Alaska will be closed in front of Junction Plaza Park, so you’ll have more room to gather around the tree and park to enjoy the ceremony! It’s been elbow-to-elbow for years now, and the park itself is fairly small, so this is a big move to make room for more people to join the fun. Music, caroling, and more – full schedule TBA – 5 pm on the 5th. Also this year, that same night will bring a rolling Holiday Party at Junction stores, 4 pm-8 pm, with sips and snacks and specials all around, so come prepared for shopping and fun before and after the tree lighting.

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West Seattle wildlife: Bird alert
November 19, 2015 1:39 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Wildlife

1:39 PM: Just got this text:

Flock of big white swans (tundra?) swimming off Arroyos heading north. Big white with long black bills, very beautiful, local birders will want to see them. I am at Seola Beach so they already passed us – couldn’t get a picture, they are majestic, someone should try for a good photo from maybe Brace Point if they get up that far.

We’re going to go look, though, given our odds with orcas, that’s no guarantee.

2:35 PM: Struck out on the bird search, too. We went down to a viewpoint near Brace Point – no unusual birds in view. A little choppy with the wind out of the north, too. But a beautiful afternoon to visit the beach anyway!

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West Seattle Thursday: Alki Community Council’s annual meeting; 4106 Delridge @ Design Review; Lincoln Park play-area ideas; Morgan ‘shopping extravaganza’…
November 19, 2015 11:52 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Thursday: Alki Community Council’s annual meeting; 4106 Delridge @ Design Review; Lincoln Park play-area ideas; Morgan ‘shopping extravaganza’…
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Six ways to spend your West Seattle Thursday night (see MORE on our complete calendar):

LINCOLN PARK NORTH PLAY AREA RENOVATION: 5:30-6:30 pm open house at Southwest Teen Life Center – come see what’s possible and offer your ideas too. (2801 SW Thistle)

COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING DINNER: One week before the holiday, break bread with the SW Teen Life Center crew, 6:30 pm (right after the aforementioned open house, same address). **From the WSB Holiday Guide**

4106 DELRIDGE AT DESIGN REVIEW: Tonight’s the last scheduled Southwest Design Review Board meeting of the year – 6:30 pm, mixed-use 4106 Delridge Way SW goes back to the board. At the Sisson Building. (California SW & SW Oregon)

MORGAN JUNCTION SHOPPING EXTRAVAGANZA: As previewed here earlier this week, what began as the third annual Ladies Night for Second Gear Sports (WSB sponsor) has broadened to include three other Morgan Junction businesses – My Three Little Birds, Lika Love, Nurture By Nature. Start at SGS and get your “passport”; more info in our calendar listing. (6529 California SW)

WEST SEATTLE TIMEBANK: 6:30 pm potluck, 7 pm meeting at the Senior Center of West Seattle, learn about timebanking and get involved if you’re not already! (California SW & SW Oregon)

ALKI COMMUNITY COUNCIL’S ANNUAL MEETING: 7 pm in the parlor at Alki UCC, with the agenda including:

1) SPD Operations Lt.. Ron Smith w/ intern about Alki Policing Plan; SPD’s letter of support for Constellation Park; Beach Drive resident SDOT upcoming Street Fund application; public disclosure application for Block Watch membership
2) Approval of September Minutes
3) Election of Officers and Board for 2016
4) Approval of letter draft to Seattle Parks about summer volleyball activity concerns
5) Perch Project Update (SolTerra) by Action Alki Alliance
6) Water Taxi Route Update

(6115 SW Hinds)

Photo of the leaves-on-driveway starfield courtesy Yel0Rose, via the WSB Flickr group

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FERRY ALERT: Fauntleroy route down one boat again
November 19, 2015 11:04 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

Washington State Ferries sends word that it’s canceling some runs this hour on the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route because M/V Cathlamet needs repairs, through at least the 11:55 trip from Fauntleroy. This boat was in the #3 spot, so check the schedule here for other times that might be affected. We’ll update when more info’s available.

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West Seattle development: Comment time for Upton Flats
November 19, 2015 10:39 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Development | High Point | West Seattle news

After other proposals surfaced and stalled in recent years, the mixed-use project making its way through the city system for 35th and Graham in High Point has just hit another milestone: Official application for a land-use permit, as announced in today’s edition of the city’s Land Use Information Bulletin. This means a two-week public-comment period has opened.

(From the second Early Design Guidance meeting’s information packet)
After two Southwest Design Review Board meetings – find the reports here – the project at 6058 35th SW is now proposed as two 4-story buildings, with a total of 102 apartments, 10,000 square feet of commercial space, and an underground garage with 109 parking spaces. The notice is here; you can use this form to send in a comment – December 2nd is the deadline. Meantime, this project, currently named “Upton Flats,” still has to go back to the Design Review Board at least one more time; no date yet.

P.S. This development only covers a fraction of the sprawling vacant space at 35th/Graham, specifically the 35th SW frontage and part of the corner; the rest of the site is still planned for an 11-building, 52-unit townhouse development, under the address 3420 SW Graham, shown in the image above, to the east of the 6058 35th SW buildings.

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SATURDAY: Turkey/groceries giveaway at Eastridge Church
November 19, 2015 9:42 am
|    Comments Off on SATURDAY: Turkey/groceries giveaway at Eastridge Church
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

One more quick reminder so word can circulate to those in need: Once again this year, the Saturday before Thanksgiving will bring the annual Eastridge Church giveaway of turkeys and bags of groceries. You don’t have to sign up or show anything – it’s available to all comers while supplies last. The line forms outside Eastridge, which is on the southeast corner of 39th SW and SW Oregon, and the giveaway starts at 9 am Saturday (November 21st). Read more about it on the church website.

P.S. This is part of a long list of Thanksgiving-related events/info in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Thursday on the move
November 19, 2015 7:39 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news

(Five WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
The high-bridge cameras aren’t working yet, so they’re still not back in our array of camera views. Meantime, no major incidents in or from West Seattle right now.

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See new West Seattle public-school ‘bell times,’ just finalized by the School Board
November 19, 2015 1:47 am
|      56 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

The Seattle School Board has approved the final revised list of “bell time” changes for next school year. First, the announcement, followed by the current and future times for all schools in this area:

The Seattle School Board voted 6-1 Wednesday evening, to adopt a Transportation Service Standard that would revise arrival and departure times for the 2016-17 school year. The changes to bell times will authorize the superintendent to implement the cost-neutral plan as recommended by the Board, allowing minor modifications as necessary for implementation. Additionally, the district reviewed recent community feedback and made the following adjustments:

· Change #1: Adjust all tiers 5 minutes earlier
· Change #2: Add a modification that allows the Superintendent to decrease the number of 3rd Tier schools if “actual routing during spring 2016” can adjust schools while maintaining the no cost option. We will be asking for schools to volunteer to be considered (through the principals) as we realize this may be considered disruptive by school communities and they may not wish to go through this process. Any changes would be announced prior to the end of the school year.

The recommendation reflects Seattle Public Schools’ extensive community and stakeholder outreach over the past year. This is in response to a resolution approved by the School Board in March of 2014 in response to ongoing discussions between School Boards and Superintendents since 2008, around the benefits of shifting to later start times for adolescents.

“We will become the largest district in the country to make this switch, and hopefully we will set a trend,” said Board Director Sharon Peaslee. “This is a historic moment.”

The Resolution directed the Superintendent to determine feasibility, costs, impacts and logistics of shifting to later start times for adolescents, for implementation in the 2016-2017 school year, while continuing to simplify the transportation standards and align them with the Student Assignment Plan. The Bell Time Analysis is the outcome of this directive.

Transportation costs will increase in 2016/17 due to enrollment growth, boundary changes and Special Education program service updates. That amount is estimated to be $182,500.00.

It’s a big change for many local schools. From the citywide list in the last pages of this district document, here are the West Seattle times, now and next year (note that these are the actual start/end times, not the bus arrival/depart times that bookend them in the doc, and also remember that “this year” refers to this school year (2015-2016), while “next year” refers to next school year):

HIGH SCHOOLS

Chief Sealth International HS
*This year – 8:40-3:10
*Next year – 8:45-3:15

West Seattle High School
*This year – 7:50-2:20
*Next year – 8:45-3:15

MIDDLE SCHOOLS

Denny International MS
*This year – 7:50-2:20
*Next year – 7:55-2:25

Madison MS
*This year – 7:50-2:20
*Next year – 8:45-3:15

K-8 SCHOOLS

Louisa Boren K-8 STEM
*This year – 9:30-3:40
*Next year – 9:35-4:05

Pathfinder K-8
*This year – 8:40-3:10
*Next year – 8:45-3:15

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

Alki
*This year – 8:40-2:50
*Next year – 7:55-2:05

Arbor Heights (at Boren this year, new building next year)
*This year – 8:40-2:50
*Next year – 7:55-2:05

Concord
*This year – 9:30-3:40
*Next year – 7:55-2:05

Fairmount Park
*This year – 8:40-2:50
*Next year – 7:55-2:05

Gatewood
*This year – 8:40-2:50
*Next year – 7:55-2:05

Highland Park
*This year – 8:40-2:50
*Next year – 7:55-2:05

Lafayette
*This year – 9:30-3:40
*Next year – 9:35-3:45

Roxhill
*This year – 9:30-3:40
*Next year – 7:55-2:05

Sanislo
*This year – 9:30-3:40
*Next year – 7:55-2:05

Schmitz Park
*This year – 8:40-2:50
*Next year – 7:55-2:05

West Seattle
*This year – 8:40-2:50
*Next year – 7:55-2:05

It’s been four years since a district transportation-plan change pushed Concord, Lafayette, Roxhill, and Sanislo to 9:30 am start times; we covered Sanislo’s fight against it. Now, three of the four will be moved to the district’s near-universal 7:55-2:05 elementary schedule – all except for Lafayette.

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STUDENT SAFETY ALERT: Denny students report luring attempt
November 18, 2015 9:32 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Safety | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Thanks to the Denny International Middle School parent who shared this e-mail sent to the school community tonight:

This afternoon, two of our 8th-grade scholars reported to us that they were approached by a man in a red Sports Utility Vehicle who called to them to get in the back of the vehicle as they walked home from school yesterday. The scholars did the right thing by running away and telling an adult at home and at school. Seattle Police have been informed.

As a precaution, we reminded our scholars this afternoon about safety tips for walking to and from school. We would appreciate your help by having a similar conversation at home. The walking-safety advice includes:

GENERAL SAFETY TIPS

Pay close attention to your surroundings, avoid “automatic pilot.”

Walk with a purpose; project an assertive, business-like image.

Use common sense; plan your route to avoid uninhabited parks, parking lots, garages and alleyways.

Stick to well-lit areas.

Develop a plan before you see trouble. Crossing a street or entering a store may get you out of a potentially bad situation.

If a car follows you or beckons you while you are walking, do not approach it. Instead, turn and quickly walk the opposite direction.

Consider wearing clothing and shoes that you can move freely and quickly in, especially when walking or waiting for the bus.

Carry minimal items; overloading yourself can make you appear vulnerable.

Always plan your route and stay alert to your surroundings. Avoid shortcuts. Walk confidently. Scan your surroundings and make eye contact with people.

Avoid walking alone at night. As much as possible, walk or travel with a friend, even during the daytime.

As always, thank you for your help and partnership!

Sincerely,
Jeff Clark, Principal

That’s the e-mail in its entirety, with no location-specific information regarding where the incident happened; Tweets by Beat notes a “lewd conduct” call not far from the school, at 28th SW and SW Elmgrove, but we likely won’t be able to check that directly with police until tomorrow morning.

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West Seattle Senior Center board getting closer to deciding future of Senior Services relationship, one year after town halls
November 18, 2015 8:22 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news

By Patrick Sand and Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog co-publishers

Exactly one year after the board of the Senior Center of West Seattle grappled publicly with whether to remain independent or be absorbed into the countywide Senior Services, it is moving toward a change in relationship, though perhaps not as sweeping as first considered.

At its regular monthly meeting last Thursday night, the Senior Center board discussed the possibility of offering a lease to Senior Services (which is renaming itself Sound Generations on January 1st).

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West Seattle restaurants: Itto’s Tapas grand opening this Saturday
November 18, 2015 6:01 pm
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

(WSB photo of Itto’s front door, this morning)

Six months after we brought you first word of Itto’s Tapas coming to 4160 California SW, its official grand opening has just been announced:

We are FINALLY having our Grand Opening! We are so excited to be in West Seattle where the neighborhood has shown its support with encouraging words, kind drop-ins, and overall excitement! Thank you all for the supportive energy. This has been a whirlwind of lessons learned and now all we think about is giving West Seattle our best. We can’t wait to feed you!

We are having our Grand Opening this Saturday, the 21st of November. Itto’s is named after our owner’s mother, and we thought it would be a blessing to honor her spirit by inviting you all in on the anniversary of her passing.

We will have our full menu and specialty drinks rolling! If you want to glimpse our menus, you can check out our Facebook page. To keep the energy up, we will have one of our favorite local belly dancers, Nadira at 10 pm!

Thank you again for all of your support! Looking forward to seeing our neighborhood in full force!

Itto’s is in the ex-Firefly space on the northeast corner of California SW and SW Genesee.

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ELECTION UPDATE: 11 more ballots in the Seattle City Council District 1 race, now a 25-vote gap
November 18, 2015 4:24 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

Eleven more ballots were added to the Seattle City Council District 1 vote totals before today’s results came out a short time ago – five for Shannon Braddock, six for Lisa Herbold, who now is 25 votes ahead:

Lisa Herbold – 12,428 – 49.72%
Shannon Braddock – 12,403 – 49.62%

As noted previously, the election is now down to ballots that have problems such as signature verification; if that happened to your ballot, there’s still time – until the election is certified next Tuesday – for you to fix it and have your vote count. If you haven’t checked on yours, you can do that here – but this is important: The last message it will give is that your ballot “will be counted.” It will never say “has been counted.” If it says “will be counted,” that means you’ve been verified.

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@ Junction Neighborhood Organization: Emergency hub; street lighting; crime-fighting plan; public-safety survey…
November 18, 2015 3:57 pm
|    Comments Off on @ Junction Neighborhood Organization: Emergency hub; street lighting; crime-fighting plan; public-safety survey…
 |   Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

Three notes from last night’s Junction Neighborhood Organization meeting:

EMERGENCY HUB: JuNO has been working on setting up another hub for the West Seattle Emergency Communication Hubs, closer to the heart of The Junction, and its thousands of apartment residents. Ellen West from the JuNO board is working on the project. While they’ve obtained a city grant to help start and equip the hub, they’ll be looking for donations to cover the rest of the cost. West and JuNO director René Commons plan to talk to some of the new buildings’ managers/owners in hope they’ll want to chip in. West also will be talking with building managers about their emergency-response plans.

STREET LIGHTING: One of JuNO’s 2016 priorities, according to Commons, will be a followup on lighting concerns along the west side of 42nd SW. She’s had a walking tour with a Seattle City Light representative but hopes to keep up the pressure for improvements; JuNO had been working with Councilmember Tom Rasmussen and now will need to work with whomever is elected in the too-close-to-call District 1 City Council race.

CRIME STATS: In the first round of the city’s development of “micro-policing plans,” The Junction was lumped in with a few other neighborhoods, but Southwest Precinct Operations Lt. Ron Smith says that will change, and soon The Junction will be broken out into its own plan area – which also means its own distinct set of crime stats on the new SPD “Dashboard.”

PUBLIC-SAFETY SURVEY: Researcher Jennifer Burbridge, who’s been working with the Southwest Precinct on projects including the micro-policing plans, is circulating one more reminder: If you haven’t already answered the citywide Public Safety Survey, please take a few minutes to do it – start here.

To join the JuNO mailing list for updates on meetings and projects, e-mail wsjuno@yahoo.com.

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FOLLOWUP: Arrest in Arbor Heights followed robbery at Westwood Village
November 18, 2015 1:11 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Arbor Heights | Crime | West Seattle news | Westwood

Thanks to everyone who tipped us about a big police response at an Arbor Heights house last night. We have finally obtained Seattle Police confirmation that the arrest made there was linked to the robbery we covered earlier in the evening at the Westwood Village Game Stop store. A witness to the robbery tells WSB they saw a getaway vehicle and provided its description and license plate to police. Officers found the vehicle at a home near 35th and 104th in Arbor Heights and, with a warrant, searched the house and arrested a 30-year-old man who is now in the King County Jail; the vehicle was towed as evidence. We’re expecting a few more details from police this afternoon, and will add them when available, but after many inquiries today about the AH response, we wanted to publish this as soon as we had confirmation of the link.

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VIDEO: Freedom for 13 cleaned-up birds from oiled White Center pond; 61 remain in rehab
November 18, 2015 11:44 am
|      17 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | West Seattle news | White Center | Wildlife

Our phone video is the first look at post-cleanup freedom for 13 of the birds captured at the oil-contaminated White Center stormwater-retention pond. A team from PAWS just brought them back to the area and joined state and county reps in opening the carriers and watching them go free. We first reported on the pond problem a week and a half ago; last Friday, the state announced that a WC food-manufacturing business, La Mexicana, had taken responsibility. They say the pond is now clean enough for the birds to return to it safely, but they were released this morning across the street at Steve Cox Memorial Park. As you can see in the video, all 13 brought back by PAWS this morning were mallards; crews have captured 78 in all, a mix of mallards and Canada geese. Four birds did not survive, including two that were euthanized, according to the state Ecology Department.

ADDED 2:20 PM: A few more photos and additional information about today’s release and the cleanup:

Ecology spokesperson Larry Altose says oil-recovery efforts wrapped up at the pond yesterday, as contractor National Response Corporation removed the last cleanup materials. NRC’s subcontractor Focus Wildlife captured the oiled birds and, Altose says, “housed and treated the birds at the Progressive Animal Welfare Society Wildlife Center in Lynnwood,” where, he adds, the state Department of Fish and Wildlife “supplied a bird rescue trailer to provide extra space for the effort.”

Of the 61 birds still in treatment after today’s release, he adds, 27 are mallards and 34 are geese. All four of the birds that died were mallards. A WDFW spokesperson confirmed that this is the largest bird-rescuing operation in our state in some time, in terms of spill recovery.

Meantime, as for the birds released today …

… they were last seen taking a few test flights around the field. If you see oiled or distressed birds, WDFW asks, call 800-22-BIRDS, but don’t “approach or handle the wildlife,” the state asks, adding that “WDFW asks dog and cat owners in the area to keep their pets under control, as oiled birds are less able to escape from animal attacks.”

P.S. In addition to reporting to the state, the federal EPA also tells us they are interested in information about environmental violations – here’s how to report them. (You can also call the local office directly at 206-553-8306.)

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MORGAN JUNCTION BIZNOTES: Seattle Logo Pro move; ‘Shopping Extravaganza’ tomorrow
November 18, 2015 10:44 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Two biznotes from Morgan Junction:

SEATTLE LOGO PRO MOVING: After 5+ years in The Junction, off the midblock breezeway on the west side of California between Oregon and Alaska, apparel/accessories biz Seattle Logo Pro is moving to the former Pilates Al Dente storefront at 6521 California SW, same building that’s home to WSB sponsors Mailbox West and Second Gear Sports. Via Facebook, SLP says it’s expecting to be in its new spot by early December.

Speaking of SGS …

‘MORGAN JUNCTION SHOPPING EXTRAVAGANZA’ TOMORROW: What started as Second Gear Sports’ third annual “Ladies Night” has expanded into a “Morgan Junction Shopping Extravaganza” tomorrow (Thursday) evening, 7-9 pm, in partnership with three other Morgan Junction businesses – My Three Little Birds, Lika Love, and Nurture by Nature – for a fun way to jump-start your semi-early holiday shopping. Full details of who’s doing what are in our calendar listing.

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West Seattle Wednesday: Drama, donations, dogs, more…
November 18, 2015 9:13 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Thanks to Amy Shuster for the post-storm Tuesday night photo from High Point)
Happy post-storm Wednesday! Some of what you need to know about (please see our full calendar for the complete list – LOTS more happening today/tonight):

SCHOOL BOARD: We previewed tonight’s Seattle School Board meeting earlier this week. It starts at 4:15 pm downtown, public comment at 5 pm – you’ll see the speaker list on the final revised agenda – key votes at 6 pm. (3rd & Lander)

‘THE EMPOWERMENT PROJECT’: Free movie! This documentary tells the story of inspirational women, geared for middle-school age and up. Here’s the trailer:

The showing’s at Fauntleroy Church Fellowship Hall – and if you just can’t make it tonight, maybe you can make the Friday night showing. No admission charge but you need to save your seat(s), and you can do that here. (9140 California SW)

DOGS IN PARKS: Do dogs and their people need more or less room to roam in city parks? Policy changes are on the table as the city works on a “strategic plan,” and you’ll hear about it at tonight’s Delridge Neighborhoods District Council meeting, as previewed here. 7 pm, all welcome, Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

MADISON MS PTSA: 7 pm at Madison Middle School, tonight’s PTSA meeting has a special focus on 8th grade families, with a guest from West Seattle High School to “to help our families prepare for entering high school.” (45th SW & SW Spokane)

WORDSWEST LITERARY SERIES AND BAKE SALE: 7 pm tonight at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), this month’s edition features “Seeking What Nourishes with Allison Green and Hannah Faith Notessh. Favorite Poem by West Seattle Food Bank” – and bring a donation for WSFB *or* money for the benefit bake sale. (5612 California SW)

‘THE DEAD GUY’: 7:30 pm, next performance of West Seattle High School Drama Club‘s student production, in the WSHS Theater. (3000 California SW)

And another chance to give, from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide:

DONATE TURKEYS FOR WCFB: Tonight’s your chance to donate turkeys in the evening. Our listing: “Come to the White Center Food Bank (10829 8th Ave SW) during our regular business hours (Monday – Friday 9 am to 5 pm, and Wednesday until 8 pm) to drop off turkeys with our receptionists; or come by Fauntleroy United Church of Christ (Fauntleroy UCC at 9140 California Ave SW) Sunday, November 22, from 10 am to 12 pm, to drop off a turkey at our Mobile Food Bank truck in their parking lot; or financial gifts are always appreciated, and you can donate online at whitecenterfoodbank.org/donate.”

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Wednesday alerts and updates
November 18, 2015 7:04 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Five WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
7:04 AM: Good morning! If you use NB 99 north of downtown, you should know that a crash north of the Battery St. Tunnel is causing some backups. That’s the only incident right now on the major routes through/from here.

7:14 AM: The 47th/Admiral stoplight is flashing red, according to a texter. That means it’s an all-ways stop, but they say some aren’t treating it that way.

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UPDATE: One person shot in North Delridge, expected to recover; witnesses tell police they suspect gang involvement
November 17, 2015 11:12 pm
|      18 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Delridge | West Seattle news

(WSB photo)
ORIGINAL REPORT, 11:12 PM: Police and medics are on the way to an apartment in the 4800 block of Delridge Way SW, where a man is reported to have a gunshot wound to the back. Officers are starting a search for a suspect or suspects last seen northbound on Delridge. Police are blocking Delridge near the scene. Updates to come.

11:34 PM UPDATE: We just arrived near the scene. Before getting here, we heard via scanner that the victim’s wound is not life-threatening, and that there might be multiple suspects who reportedly fired from outside. Delridge is reopening.

12:09 AM: No new information was available at the scene, but we’ll pursue the report in the morning and add whatever more we find.

12:37 PM: We just received the narrative from the official report. With names redacted as is SPD policy, here it is:

(The victim) was over at his friend’s house playing video games.

He went outside with (two people) to try to locate a set of car keys that he may have dropped outside.

(Those two) were on the west side of Delridge while (the victim) was on the east side of the street near (the victim’s) van. All three said that they heard shots and dropped to the ground. All three said that the shooters were three B/Ms [black males], younger, possibly in their twenties, wearing dark clothing.

(One person) said that they came out from behind 48xx Delridge (east side of the street), fired approximately 3 times, then ran off to the north and then back behind the buildings on the east side of Delridge where they were no longer in sight. (Witnesses and victim) retreated back into 48xx (west side) Delridge Way SW #A where they contacted 911 to report the shooting.

When officers arrived (the victim) walked out to Delridge where he was treated by SFD Engine 11 and Medic 32. He was transported to HMC [Harborview Medical Center] for further treatment. (The two others and a third person) all believed that this was a gang-involved shooting. They implied that they knew who had done this. (One) said that he had heard the three shooters on previous occasions yell out (gang name), but all three believed that they were associated with a (different gang). All three witnesses were shaken up and did not want to provide statements at the time of the incident. I advised that detectives would be contacting them and they would be able to tell them what had happened. … Officers were unable to locate suspects or any evidence at the scene.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Westwood Game Stop robbed
November 17, 2015 9:42 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | Westwood

Police are investigating a robbery this past hour at the Game Stop store in Westwood Village, right around closing time. We’re just back from talking with officers and the store clerk, who said the robber tried to pepper spray him, then took a swing at him, and eventually got away with some cash. No medical attention needed; no suspect descriptions. We had just left the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting, where Southwest Precinct commander Capt. Pierre Davis had mentioned that robberies are a category of crime currently on the upswing citywide – full report to come.

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West Seattle weather: Hail after the wind and rain
November 17, 2015 7:09 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

7:09 PM: Commenter “Community Member” first mentioned it in comments on our previous storm story – but we could hardly believe it until we saw it in the photo above: Hail/sleet has fallen in various West Seattle spots. We’re checking the forecast to see what’s next.

7:20 PM: More photos – this one is from Steve:

He explains, “It sounded like really heavy rain for the past 10 minutes up here in Admiral (Just East of Schmitz Park). When I let our dog out, the rear deck was covered in some kind of frozen precipitation. You can also see our umbrella that was broken off in the windstorm.”
Video from Mark in High Point:

From Kate in Seaview:

And from Kyle near Ercolini Park:

Closer look at what fell from the sky, tweeted by Amy (as mentioned in comments):

So far as we can tell, this wasn’t forecast, but in this kind of storm, just about anything can happen. Tonight’s low is expected to be in the 40s.

ADDED 8:49 PM: One more photo – texted, so we don’t know who to credit:

Hiawatha Playfield, if you don’t recognize it.

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