West Seattle, Washington

24 Wednesday

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month : 01/2016 295 results

CONGRATULATIONS! West Seattle High School’s Lydia Giomi is WIAA Player of the Week
January 27, 2016 11:25 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

ws0giomi2
(WSB photo: Lydia Giomi, WSHS #32, in victory vs. Eastside Catholic on January 8th)

For the second time in three weeks, West Seattle High School has a Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) Player of the Week. This time, it’s senior Lydia Giomi from the undefeated girls-varsity basketball team. WSHS athletic director Trevor Leopold sends word that Giomi was honored for a week in which she “had two double-doubles … with 18 points, 16 rebounds, and five blocks against Rainier Beach. And against Ballard, she recorded 15 points, 15 rebounds, and four steals.” You can cheer her and and her teammates in a huge home game at 7:30 pm tonight, as mentioned in our West Seattle Wednesday lineup – hosting another unbeaten team, Bishop Blanchet.

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West Seattle Chamber of Commerce home-hunting
January 27, 2016 10:12 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Chamber of Commerce home-hunting
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

On the eve of its annual meeting, the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce is in the midst of a big search – for a new office. It’s long been at 3614 California SW but needs to move on. Chamber CEO Lynn Dennis says they need commercial office space, 300-500 square feet, and are open to office-share options. Someplace to offer or suggest? lynndennis@wschamber.com

Meantime, if you’re not signed up for tomorrow’s annual meeting, the CofC suggests you go here fast! It’s at 11:30 am Thursday at the Alki Masonic Center, 4736 40th SW in The Junction. (Looking ahead – City Councilmember Lisa Herbold is the guest for the February 11th lunch.)

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What’s ahead for your West Seattle Wednesday
January 27, 2016 9:09 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

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(Thanks to Colin Bishop for the photo from a tree near Alki Avenue – click for larger view)

What’s up for the rest of your Wednesday, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

FITNESS ROOM DEDICATION: As previewed here last night, the Southwest Pool Fitness Room – one decade in the making! – has a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 5 pm, with gifts for attendees and discounted swims afterward. (2801 SW Thistle)

RV ‘SAFE LOT’ AT HIGHLAND PARK ACTION COMMITTEE: 7 pm at the Highland Park Improvement Club, HPAC has questions for city reps including Deputy Mayor Hyeok Kim and City Councilmember Lisa Herbold regarding the “safe lot” for RV/vehicle residents that the city plans at West Marginal Way SW and Highland Park Way SW. See the questions on the agenda posted here. (12th SW and SW Holden)

‘RAISING LILLY LEDBETTER’: Tonight at the monthly Poetrybridge reading/community-microphone event at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), selections from this new anthology will be read by four women, three of whom contributed to it. Read all about it here. 7 pm. (5612 California SW)

BASKETBALL SHOWDOWN: 7:30 pm at West Seattle High School, it’s the biggest game in the region tonight – the undefeated WSHS girls-varsity team facing undefeated Bishop Blanchet. (3000 California SW)

TRIVIA: Wednesdays bring the big weekly games at Talarico’s Pizza in The Junction, hosted by Phil Tavel, 8:30 pm; details in our calendar listing.

YOU’LL FIND MORE … on our complete calendar.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Wednesday watch
January 27, 2016 6:03 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Wednesday watch
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Click any view for a close-up)

6:03 AM: First note this morning: The Spirit of Kingston is on the West Seattle Water Taxi run today, because Doc Maynard is filling in for Sally Fox on the Vashon run.

8:06 AM: Still incident-free in and from West Seattle, with one hour of major commute time to go.

8:20 AM: SDOT reports a crash at 51st and Admiral Way. No SFD callout, which indicates no serious injuries.

8:36 AM: Several Seattle Fire units are responding to a call at an apartment building in the 9000 block of 35th SW, so that might cause some congestion for a while. (First units on scene aren’t seeing anything.)

8:49 AM: Call closed – units were leaving as we pulled up. Northbound traffic was getting around via the center lane.

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What Mayor Murray said about ‘an extraordinary crisis’ – homelessness – in speech overshadowed by deadly gunfire at camp
January 26, 2016 11:26 pm
|      51 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

“People living on our streets are living harsh and dreadful lives.”

Minutes before Mayor Murray said those words in his live speech to the city about the homelessness emergency – they had been underscored.

Five people were shot in the unauthorized freewayside encampment known as “The Jungle.” Two did not survive. No one’s been arrested yet.

While the attack – called “targeted” by Police Chief Kathleen O’Toole – suddenly overshadowed the mayor’s speech, you might want to watch it, with West Seattle taking another spotlight role in the homelessness crisis shortly, as an RV “safe lot” is readied in Highland Park.

(Updated) You can watch it on the Seattle Channel website by going here – or below:

We watched and listened for key points:

“This is what income inequality looks like … We are dealing with an extraordinary crisis. … Emergency responses alone are not the answer. … We must shift the focus to long-term solutions.” He said he will pursue “a new strategy based on outcomes … (to) shift more resources to (keep people) from ever becoming homeless.” Once people do become homeless, “we know very little about the people living in those tents.” Murray vowed to change that. And he said affordable housing is key to the solution; he promised citywide meetings and also a doubled housing levy, saying that “as a city there is nothing more important we can do this year than to pass this levy.”

He repeated throughout the speech that the federal government must do more, that our city already is spending almost $50 million a year and can’t solve it alone. To get the remaining 3,000 people into emergency shelter would require another $50 million, he said.

And finally, he challenged Seattleites to face the problem “without denigrating each other,” decrying how people have vilified and dehumanized homeless people: “In one tent on our streets you might find a family that lost their home in a personal financial crisis. Go to an encampment, you might find someone struggling with addiction. Go to another you might find someone committing crimes to feed their habit. Polarized one side fits all rhetoric we hear from both sides is unhelpful.”

He also said that the claims the city is doing nothing, or that it’s doing the wrong thing by sweeping encampments, are both wrong.

And – chillingly, knowing what had happened just before his speech, he spoke of people dying on the streets, living in “encampments where some have been murdered or raped.”

He mentioned the “safe lots” to be opened for people living in vehicles, one of which will be in West Seattle, on a Highland Park paved lot adjacent to a former unauthorized encampment closed more than two years ago. Tomorrow night, Deputy Mayor Hyeok Kim and City Councilmember Lisa Herbold will be among city reps at the Highland Park Action Committee meeting to talk about it and to listen; 7 pm at HP Improvement Club (12th SW/SW Holden).

ADDED WEDNESDAY MORNING: As noted in comments, tonight’s HPAC agenda – including questions for the city – can be seen here.

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City suing Monsanto over Duwamish River contamination
January 26, 2016 9:34 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | South Park | West Seattle news

brubeckduwamish
(Recent nightscape at the industrial mouth of the Duwamish, by Don Brubeck)

This story was breaking just before other news of the day took precedence, but we did want to make note of it in case you didn’t hear elsewhere – a lawsuit over pollution in the Duwamish River. Announced by the office of City Attorney Pete Holmes this morning:

The City of Seattle is suing three “Monsanto” corporations to make them pay to remove cancer-causing chemical compounds known as PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) from the City’s drainage system and the Duwamish River. Monsanto was the sole producer of PCBs in the United States from 1935 to 1979.

PCBs — found globally in bays, oceans, rivers, streams, oil and air – are an equal opportunity toxic that destroys populations of fish, birds and other animal life as well as harming human immune, reproductive, nervous and endocrine systems.

At issue in the complaint filed Monday in U.S. District Court in Seattle is PCB contamination in 20,000 acres that drain to the Lower Duwamish, a federal Superfund site, and in areas that drain to the East Waterway adjacent to Harbor Island, a separate federal Superfund site. PCBs were detected in “82 percent of samples of sediment in drainage pipes” and in “73 percent of samples collected from catch basins in street right-of-ways” in Lower Duwamish drainage basins.

Here’s the full lawsuit document, provided by the CAO:

The news release continues:
Read More

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Emergency response in 2400 block SW Holden
January 26, 2016 8:00 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS breaking news

8 PM: Police and fire converged on the 2400 block of SW Holden a short time ago, not far from the Southwest Precinct, where we’ve been covering the West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network meeting and heard the sirens. What we’ve found out so far is that one woman has gone to the hospital after falling from an apartment window. Whether it was an accident or deliberate, police are trying to sort out.

8:56 PM P.S. We’re not likely to be able to find out more about this until morning, because of this incident which was unfolding in South Seattle at the same time.

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WEDNESDAY: You’re invited to celebrate Southwest Pool’s new fitness room
January 26, 2016 6:59 pm
|    Comments Off on WEDNESDAY: You’re invited to celebrate Southwest Pool’s new fitness room
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Tomorrow (Wednesday, January 27) at 5 pm, you’re invited to Southwest Pool for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the brand-new fitness room. Assistant coordinator Anne Barnes says there’s an extra incentive – a free gift for everyone who attends, and a discounted fee for those who stay for the 5:30 pm lap swim or Masters swim program afterward ($2/lap, $3/Masters). It’s also your chance to find out more about what’s at Southwest Pool – more than just swimming. The Fitness Room has been a decade in the making, as Parks announced:

The Southwest Pool fitness room project began following a proposal from the Southwest Advisory Council in April 2006. The room was originally an unutilized space following the completion of the gym at the then Southwest Community Center. Construction and planning was led by Seattle Parks and Recreation in partnership with the Southwest Advisory Council and Ravenna-Eckstine Advisory Council and the Associated Recreation Council.

The fitness room was completed in December 2015 and provides machines for weight training (powered by compressed air), stretch bands and balance discs, and space for static stretching. The space will allow for community members and regular swimmers to diversify their workouts while still in the same facility, decreasing the risk of overuse injuries and promoting cross-training. The fitness room is located at the south/shallow end of the pool deck. Hours of operation are identical to Southwest Pool hours of operation and may change quarterly based on public program schedules.

SW Pool is at 2801 SW Thistle.

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FOLLOWUP: Water OK again off Constellation Park, post-sewage spill
January 26, 2016 4:37 pm
|    Comments Off on FOLLOWUP: Water OK again off Constellation Park, post-sewage spill
 |   Environment | Health | West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

If you’re thinking about a beach walk late today or tonight now that the rain’s lifted – you don’t have to worry about contaminated water along Alki Point.

Four days after the sewage-pipe leak that brought emergency repairs and beach closure south of Alki and beyond, the King County Wastewater Treatment District reports the water quality has “returned to normal” near the leak site, and that while health authorities closed Alki Beach Park itself to swimming as a precaution, its water tested at normal levels all along.

According to county spokesperson Doug Williams, the county estimates 14,200 gallons of wastewater/sewage spilled before they started work to stop and fix the leak last Friday near 63rd SW/Beach Drive SW. It was caused by a failed joint seal. After they fixed the pipe, it was buried in concrete, and now they’re restoring the landscaping by the south end of Constellation Park (a crew was still there when we went by an hour ago). The sewer line there, almost 4 feet across, pipes West Seattle wastewater to the West Point treatment plant across Elliott Bay.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Denny, Sealth send letter home after 8th graders report being ‘grabbed’
January 26, 2016 2:37 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Safety | West Seattle news

2:37 PM: Two eighth-grader girls from Denny International Middle School say older boys/men “grabbed and pushed” them on Monday. That’s according to this letter just sent to Denny and Chief Sealth International High School families by Denny principal Jeff Clark (who shared it with WSB) and Sealth principal Aida Fraser-Hammer:

Dear Denny and Chief Sealth Scholars and Families,

This morning, two of our 8th grade female scholars reported to us that they were approached by two males on their walk home yesterday near SW Trenton St. and 22nd Ave SW. They reported that the males followed them and then grabbed and pushed them towards a yard.

Our scholars did a great job by screaming, getting away, and running off. Our scholars believed that the males were in their late teens and approximately 5’7”. Both of the males had their jackets zipped up partially blocking their faces and had hoods on, so we have a limited description.

Our scholars did the right thing by screaming, getting away, and telling an adult at home and at school. The families reported the incident to the Seattle Police Department last night and they are investigating today. The Seattle Police and Seattle Public Schools staff will both be providing extra presence in that area.

As a pre-caution, we are reminding 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!

P.S. If you didn’t see it in the comments earlier – here’s the SPD Blotter writeup about the incident – same basic information.

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About the police responses on and beneath the West Seattle Bridge
January 26, 2016 1:33 pm
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police

Another death under investigation right now in West Seattle – under the West Seattle Bridge, apparently someone who died by suicide. Police were still in the right lane on the eastbound bridge as of a few minutes ago, with a vehicle believed to have been related to the incident.

That’s all we know right now but as we always mention in relation to cases of suicide, if you or someone you know is considering self-harm, the Crisis Clinic is one of the resources available to help 24/7 – 206-461-3222.

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UPDATE: West Seattle worker killed, state’s first trenching fatality since 2008
January 26, 2016 10:52 am
|      67 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS breaking news

(SCROLL DOWN for newest information)

10:52 AM: A big Seattle Fire response is headed to a “trench rescue” call in the 3000 block of 36th SW (map). More to come.

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(Added 1:08 pm, WSB photos by Christopher Boffoli, unless otherwise credited)

10:56 AM: From the scanner – first crews on scene say this is a person “buried up to his head” in an 8-foot deep, 3-foot wide hole. They’re working to dig him out. We won’t know until our crew arrives if it is related, but city files show a side-sewer repair permit for the address listed on the 911 log.

(WSB photo by Patrick Sand)

11:09 AM: If you’re in the area, you’ll see specialized SFD vehicles heading that way – technical rescue equipment. (The heavy-rescue vehicle, shown above, is already on scene.) We’re awaiting an update from our crew.

11:16 AM: They’ve confirmed this happened during sewer-repair work. SFD’s public-information officer is on scene and gathering information from the SFD crews, more of which are still arriving. There’s also at least one TV helicopter in the area.

firefighters

11:21 AM: Just announced via radio communications – “this is now a recovery operation, not a rescue operation.”

11:52 AM: Also just announced – state Labor and Industries, which investigates workplace incidents, is on the way. Seattle Police will investigate the incident for starters, according to SFD, whose spokesperson Corey Orvold has just briefed us and other media at the scene (update: here’s the video):

They say the soil was too dense for them to get to the victim in time – there was no real way to make a path for air.

vacuum detail 1024px

They’re still using vacuum equipment to try to clear it. 36th SW remains closed between Hanford and Stevens and likely will be for a while.

chaplain 1024px

2:21 PM: Some crews remain at the scene. We’ll be checking back there within the hour. No additional investigation information so far. A few lines above, we’ve added the video of the early briefing SFD gave media at the scene.

4:25 PM: Only TV crews left at the scene. Meantime, we just talked with Elaine Fischer at Labor and Industries. She says this was the first trenching fatality in our state since 2008. And she confirms what our search of online records indicated – there was no history of safety investigations for the company doing the work, Alki Construction LLC of Burien. L&I doesn’t have any information about the person who was killed – that would come from the Medical Examiner, likely no sooner than tomorrow. No additional information from SPD, who SFD had indicated would be doing some investigation too.

ADDED WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON: The King County Medical Examiner has identified the victim as 36-year-old Harold Felton. We have a message out to L&I to find out if there’s anything new in the investigation.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Burglar(s) steal memories
January 26, 2016 10:49 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

In West Seattle Crime Watch today – a reader report from Kyle:

My family’s home was burglarized (Monday) afternoon.

I came home from work to find my back door kicked in and two Apple computers stolen as well as an XBOX one, Samsung sound bar, etc. The bad thing is the iMac that was stolen had our entire 7-year-old’s life of pics and movies on it! We have most saved on an external hard drive but it still hurts.

We live in the Westwood area and just wanted to spread a warning that people who don’t care about other humans are on the prowl. If you see an older iMac or MacBook Pro with a dent in the top, please let us know. Thanks!

And one more reminder that a briefing on local crime trends is on the agenda for tonight’s West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network meeting – all welcome, block-watch captain or not – 6:30 pm at the Southwest Precinct, 2300 SW Webster.

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West Seattle Tuesday: Block Watch Captains Network; art; your heart; more…
January 26, 2016 9:18 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Tuesday: Block Watch Captains Network; art; your heart; more…
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

beachdrivegoat
(Photo by Jim Clark – goat out for a walk at Lincoln Park last weekend!)

From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

TODDLER STORY TIME: 10:30 am at West Seattle (Admiral) Library – bring your toddler for free fun. (2306 42nd SW)

WATERCOLOR PAINTING: New class series at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) with Jennifer Carrasco starts at 6 tonight, as previewed here on Monday. Learn to paint, or work on advancing your technique. (5612 California SW)

HEART HEALTH: Free class at High Point Library with Miranda Taylor – 6:15 pm, healthy snacks and mingling; class starts at 6:30 pm. Details in our calendar listing. (35th SW/SW Raymond)

WEST SEATTLE BLOCK WATCH CAPTAINS MEETING: As previewed here last night, WSBWCN resumes its monthly meetings tonight, 6:30 pm, at the Southwest Precinct. You’ll meet SPD’s new local Community Police Team officers and hear about crime trends from precinct commander Capt. Pierre Davis. All welcome – you don’t have to be a block-watch captain or even member! (2300 SW Webster)

FAMILY STORY TIME: For ages 1-5, at Delridge Library – details in our calendar listing. (5423 Delridge Way SW)

MAYOR’S SPEECH ON THE HOMELESSNESS EMERGENCY: As previewed here last night, Mayor Murray plans a 7:30 pm speech to be broadcast/webcast via Seattle Channel (cable 21 or seattlechannel.org), aimed at a citywide audience.

BABY KETTEN KARAOKE: 9 pm at The Skylark – sing it! (3803 Delridge Way SW)

SOMETHING FOR OUR CALENDAR? Please send it to editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Tuesday updates; bridge crashes
January 26, 2016 6:29 am
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Click any view for a close-up)

6:29 AM: No incidents in or from West Seattle so far this morning. Rainy, though.

7:48 AM: Texter reports a crash on the eastbound bridge near Nucor. No fire callout on the 911 log, so apparently no major injuries.

8 AM: Just had the dispatch for that. Right lane blocked; no injuries reported but “one vehicle is not drivable” so it’s not going to clear quickly.

8:25 AM: Now another dispatch for a crash on the eastbound bridge, this one described as closer to the 99 exit. So if you’re headed toward the bridge – beware. Consider waiting a while if you can.

8:31 AM: That one has cleared, but the other one is still blocking, further west, as SDOT tweeted:

8:42 AM: SDOT says that crash is now clear too – so the bridge should be getting back to something resembling normal.

10:05 AM: … but not for long. Now, yet another crash on the eastbound bridge, this time reported to be under the 99 overpass.

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Handling homelessness: Mayor speaks Tuesday; HPAC talks RV ‘safe lot’ Wednesday
January 25, 2016 9:59 pm
|      25 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

9:59 PM: Two events of note over the next two nights:

JUST ANNOUNCED – MAYOR’S SPEECH ON HOMELESSNESS: Mayor Ed Murray‘s office just announced that he’ll speak live to the city Tuesday night at 7:30 pm via Seattle Channel (cable 21, or seattlechannel.org), with an update on what’s been done since he declared homelessness an emergency two months ago. He’ll be speaking from Mary’s Place Family Center in North Seattle, which is a shelter for women and families that opened last summer in a City-owned building.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT – DEPUTY MAYOR AT HPAC: Related to the emergency, the mayor announced last week that he would open two “safe lots” for people living in RVs and other vehicles, one of them in Highland Park, a paved lot adjacent to the former unauthorized encampment at West Marginal Way SW and Highland Park Way SW. The community council for that area, the Highland Park Action Committee, meets Wednesday night, and says city reps who are confirmed so far include Deputy Mayor Hyeok Kim and District 1 Councilmember Lisa Herbold. The meeting’s at 7 at the Highland Park Improvement Club (12th SW/SW Holden).

10:53 PM P.S. Just published on SPD Blotter, a roundup of cases the department cites as proof it’s “committed to addressing criminal behavior associated with car campers.” No West Seattle cases are mentioned, but several were in SODO.

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‘Youth Voice, Youth Choice’: Participatory budgeting, round 1, with West Seattle gathering
January 25, 2016 8:10 pm
|    Comments Off on ‘Youth Voice, Youth Choice’: Participatory budgeting, round 1, with West Seattle gathering
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

Youth around the city have the chance to decide how $700,000 of the city budget will be spent, via the Participatory Budgeting Initiative, and the next step will include seven gatherings, one in West Seattle. The city’s announcement:

Youth Voice, Youth Choice, the City’s new Participatory Budgeting (PB) Initiative for youth, kicks off this week with the first of seven idea assemblies to be held across the city. This is the first stage of the program which gives youth the opportunity to decide how to spend $700,000 of the City’s budget.

The idea assemblies are where the public can brainstorm ideas for projects they would like to see in their communities. Anyone can attend and participate. The dates and times are:
· January 28 from 4 – 6 p.m. at Meridian Center for Health
· February 3 from 3 – 5 p.m. at UW Ethnic Cultural Center, Unity Room
· February 4 from 4 – 6 p.m. at Greenwood Library
· February 9 from 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. at Douglass Truth Library
· February 10 from 4 – 6 p.m. at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center
· February 18 from 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. at New Holly Gathering Hall
· February 23 from 5 – 7 p.m. at Seattle Center Armory, Loft Room #2

Once the public assemblies are completed, the next stage involves youth volunteers who will turn the ideas into concrete proposals with help from Seattle Department of Neighborhoods and City staff. Seattle youth will then get to vote for the projects they would like to see implemented. Once the projects are decided, City staff and local agencies will implement the projects.

Participatory Budgeting (PB) is a democratic process where community members directly decide how to spend part of a public budget. This initiative began here last July when Seattle Mayor Murray and former Councilmember Nick Licata announced the launch of a citywide youth PB process. Youth Voice, Youth Choice is managed by the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods (DON) with the goal of empowering youth to make decisions on how to spend a portion of the budget.

Need more info? The city’s youth engagement strategic adviser Rahwa Habte is at 206-615-2008.

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From the WSB Forums’ new Lost and Found section: Missing jewelry, found money
January 25, 2016 6:28 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle online

After eight years of keeping the only all-West Seattle online clearinghouse for lost-and-found pets, we’ve been asked often if WSB has any place to post lost-and-found items that AREN’T dogs, cats, chickens, etc. With our recent changes, we’ve been able to add a lost-and-found NON-pet section to the WSB Forums – see it here. Among the listings there already are two posted today – money found on California SW, and family-heirloom jewelry lost at Westcrest Dog Park. Maybe you can help!

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Meet new Community Police Team officers @ West Seattle Block Watch Captains’ Network
January 25, 2016 3:28 pm
|    Comments Off on Meet new Community Police Team officers @ West Seattle Block Watch Captains’ Network
 |   Crime | Safety | West Seattle news

They’re the police officers you go to about neighborhood nuisances and other persistent problems – not the “happening NOW” emergencies, though their work can mean less of the latter: The Community Police Team, or CPT. The Southwest Precinct has two new CPT officers, John O’Neil and Clayton Powell, after losing two to reassignments and promotions; you can meet them at tomorrow night’s West Seattle Block Watch Captains’ Network meeting. You don’t have to be a captain, or even part of a block watch, to be there – WSBWCN welcomes everybody. The meeting also will include a crime-trend update from precinct commander Capt. Pierre Davis. It starts at 6:30 pm Tuesday at the precinct, 2300 SW Webster.

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Demolition for Dakota Place Park expansion
January 25, 2016 2:02 pm
|      17 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

dakotapile
(WSB photo)

Thanks to Bill for the tip: Almost two years after the City Council approved the purchase of 5,750 square feet of land to expand Dakota Place Park, a milestone for the project has finally happened – the demolition of old structures to clear most of the site.

When councilmembers approved the $715,000 purchase in March 2014 – using money from the Parks and Green Spaces Levy – Parks had said it would demolish the three 1927-built houses, plus a garage and shed, “as soon as possible” but that the California-fronting commercial building would stay for now.

We talked today with Donald Harris from Parks. He says the tenants in the commercial building could be there for up to five more years, under terms of the lease they had worked out with the property’s previous owner, so “you’re not going to see any full redevelopment of the property for a while.” (He says there’s a chance the building’s tenant might be interested in leaving sooner.)

They’re talking with neighbors about what they’ll be doing in the meantime with the area that’s now being cleared – Harris says they’ll likely “plant some grass, do a little landscaping, make it usable, at least.” Before anything more is done with it, money would have to be found and a design process would follow. It’s not in the budget right now, not even with the Park District funding approved by voters – “this addition occurred after the work program was in place,” Harris told WSB.

Dakota Place Park itself, centered on a city-landmark substation building, opened in 2009.

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VIDEO: Motor home burns in driveway
January 25, 2016 12:00 pm
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

IMG956250
(Photo courtesy Mel)
12:00 PM: Thanks to the texter who sent the photo from a car fire that Seattle Fire crews are currently fighting in the 9000 block of 14th SW. It’s a fire with potential exposure to the adjacent house, and that’s why the response is larger. Updates to come.
IMG9563561
(Photo courtesy DRW)
12:06 PM: SFD says it was a motor-home fire in a driveway (reader photo added). It’s out, and the cause is under investigation.

12:40 PM: Just went by. The investigator is still on scene. We confirmed that no one was hurt.

4:34 PM: SFD spokesperson Corey Orvold tells WSB the cause hasn’t been determined yet, but damage to the vehicle and its contents totaled $1,200.

ADDED MONDAY NIGHT: We received the clip above via text. We’ll be checking again Tuesday on whether SFD figured out how the fire started.

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Schmitz Park Elementary: New school opening this fall; kindergarten tour tomorrow
January 25, 2016 11:07 am
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Genesee Hill | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

genback
(WSB photo of under-construction school, earlier this month)
The construction of both new West Seattle elementary campuses – for Schmitz Park at Genesee Hill (above) and Arbor Heights – is on schedule for their planned openings this fall, Seattle Public Schools tells us. And if you will have a kindergartener going into Schmitz Park this fall, principal Gerrit Kischner invites you to their upcoming tours – 9 am tomorrow (Tuesday, January 26th) and Wednesday, February 10th:

We are still hosting tours this year because we want families to start getting excited about our program. Next year, it will be the same great teachers and the same great community in a brand new, beautiful space! We will showcase our five Kindergarten classrooms, give parents an opportunity to observe upper-grade classrooms as well, and share pictures and ideas for how our program will maximize the advantages of our new space. Whether families choose to tour or not, please remember that Kindergarten registration is now open for attendance-area schools, and the sooner families register their youngsters, the better we will be equipped to plan for their coming!

Kischner adds that the new school’s name hasn’t been finalized yet but so far they’re calling it “Schmitz Park at Genesee Hill.” But be sure you go to the CURRENT campus for the upcoming tours – 50th SW/SW Spokane.

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TUESDAY: Learn to paint, or brush up on your skills
January 25, 2016 10:17 am
|    Comments Off on TUESDAY: Learn to paint, or brush up on your skills
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(File photo, courtesy C & P Coffee)
Not only is C & P Coffee Company (longtime WSB sponsor) a hub for coffee and conversation, live music, and events – classes are taught there too. Co-proprietor Cameron calls our attention to a series starting tomorrow night – watercolor painting. The instructor is well-known local artist Jennifer Carrasco, who teaches a six-week series of evening classes, 6-8 pm Tuesdays, both for those learning to paint and those who want to refine their technique. E-mail the instructor – jennifer@carrascostudio.com – for more info and to sign up.

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