day : 24/02/2016 12 results

This was a big night of orchestral music at Chief Sealth International High School – four orchestras in all!

The main event was the Seattle Symphony, side by side with the West Seattle Community Orchestra. Video recording wasn’t allowed for that, but we did get the opening acts on video – above, the Sealth orchestra, directed by Jorge Morales, introduced by Denny International Middle School principal Jeff Clark. They performed works by Holst and Vivaldi. Next, the West Seattle High School Orchestra, directed by Ethan Thomas:

The WSHS musicians performed selections from the score of “Jurassic Park.”

The student musicians were the opening act for the Symphony and Community Orchestra – we caught a photo of musicians from the latter, who joined the Symphony for “Finlandia” (Op. 26) by Sibelius.

The Symphony’s program included works by Mozart.

Also taking a turn on stage, District 1 City Councilmember Lisa Herbold:

She thanked the Symphony for coming to West Seattle, mentioning that they were the only musical group from Seattle to win a Grammy this year. The concert was free, part of the Symphony’s community programs, and supported by local volunteers including members of the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Moped stolen; bicycle found

February 24, 2016 8:47 pm

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| Crime | West Seattle news

Two-wheeled West Seattle Crime Watch news:

STOLEN MOPED: From Tim – “I wanted to reach out and report my stolen moped in hopes someone has seen it around the neighborhood. It’s a vintage 70’s green Sachs Balboa, taken from my backyard on 21st Ave SW between Barton and Cambridge near Westwood Village. … It has a long seat, lime green grips on the handle bars, and a large aftermarket exhaust tied to the frame with leather cord.”

FOUND BICYCLE: Jen photographed this bike apparently dumped in Sunrise Heights:

If it was stolen from you, let us know the # of the report you filed so we can pass on the location.

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West Seattle scene: Sunset rainbow

February 24, 2016 6:08 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

Thanks to Martha Kongsgaard for the rainbow photo from The Junction, right around this evening’s sunset.

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West Seattle wildlife: Whale, coyote sightings

February 24, 2016 4:44 pm

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| Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Wildlife

Two wildlife sightings just in via text (206-293-6302 any time):

-Whale spotted off Alki about an hour ago – not an orca – the texter thought it might have been a gray whale; Orca Network had word of a humpback off Manchester (right across the Sound) early today. Here’s a handy guide to species ID, from The Whale Trail.

-Coyote strolling the sidewalk “on 48th between the intersection of Beach Drive and Lincoln Park Way and Graham.”

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West Seattle restaurants: Peek inside Kizuki Ramen and Izakaya as it gets closer to opening

February 24, 2016 3:38 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

EDITOR’S NOTE: The in-the-works West Seattle restaurant we’re getting the most questions about right now is Kizuki Ramen, previously Kukai when we first reported its Junction plan last August. So if you’re wondering when it will open (etc.), here’s what we have found out:

By Randall Hauk
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

Ramen fans of West Seattle can look forward to late April, the current target for the opening of Kizuki Ramen & Izakaya in The Junction.

The West Seattle outlet of Kizuki will be the fourth Seattle-area location for the Japan-based ramen chain that’s currently undergoing a name change from Kukai. When the company opened its Bellevue location late in 2012, that was its first outside Japan. Now, after successful openings in Northgate, Capitol Hill, and Beaverton, Oregon, Kizuki’s management is excited to come to the peninsula.

“Kizuki recognized the opportunity to be a part of an ever-growing destination and diverse neighborhood in West Seattle,” says Kizuki District Manager and 17-year West Seattle resident Patrick Haight. “We are excited about offering a unique and different dining experience in The Junction.”

Haight says the company already employs several West Seattle residents at other locations, including a general manager, which should help bring some local feel to a restaurant dealing in one of the world’s great comfort foods. Here, by the way, are two Kizuki interior photos shared with us to give you an idea of what you’ll find inside the 42nd/Alaska location:

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Help launch Nerdy 30s and 40s of West Seattle

February 24, 2016 3:02 pm

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| Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news

Just out of the WSB inbox, the most attention-grabbing calendar-event title we’ve seen all day: Nerdy 30s and 40s of West Seattle: Inaugural Drinks. Kati says this 7 pm event on March 11th, at The Bridge (California/Graham), is to: “Meet new friends and have fun in West Seattle! We are a group of sociable nerds in our 30s and 40s interested in meeting other sociable nerds for fun times on the peninsula.” You can RSVP and join the Meetup group by going here. And it’ll be in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar soon – thanks again to EVERYONE who sends info to share there (editor@westseattleblog.com, at least a week in advance).

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West Seattle schools: Global Reading Challenge!

February 24, 2016 2:12 pm

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| West Seattle books | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Thanks to Elise Olson for sharing the photo collage from Global Reading Challenge competition at Arbor Heights Elementary, one of a dozen West Seattle schools on the list of this year’s participants. The Exploding Platypi won the AH in-school challenge with a perfect score of 120 and move on to the semifinals downtown on March 8th. GRC is described by the Seattle Public Library as a “battle of the books” competition for 4th and 5th graders; here are the books they’re reading this year. The teams that emerge from the semi-finals citywide will compete in the finals at the downtown library on March 22nd.

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VIDEO: Housing Levy briefing, Q&A in West Seattle

February 24, 2016 12:47 pm

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| West Seattle housing | West Seattle news

As you’ll hear the city Office of Housing director Steve Walker explain toward the start of our video, last night’s second West Seattle briefing on the proposed Housing Levy expansion/renewal was scheduled for a variety of reasons – because it was requested, because the first one was in a small room, and because on that previous night the slide projector didn’t work. So if you couldn’t be there last night, but have questions about the levy, which is expected to go to a vote this August or November – watch and/or listen. Many of the questions/concerns focused on whether this is doing enough to help, given the cost, and also on how increasing property taxes are affecting payers. You’ll find lots of info about the levy here.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: More car prowls

February 24, 2016 11:39 am

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| Crime | West Seattle news

11:39 AM: He’s said it before, and last night at the West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network meeting (full story to come), Southwest Precinct commander Capt. Pierre Davis said it again: Car prowling remains our area’s biggest crime problem. This morning, we have two reader reports:

36TH SW NORTH OF FAUNTLEROY: Mike sent the photo and reports, “Someone smashed our car’s tinted rear window early this morning. SPD officer stated this is happening more frequently. Thieves are only breaking tinted glass to check for valuables. Nothing taken.”

WESTCREST PARK: Janet reports, “My passenger window was smashed and bag grabbed in main parking lot (by community garden) at Westcrest Dog Park around 5:30 p.m. yesterday, 2/23. Bag stolen. Reported to police, but be careful!”

ADDED 1:59 PM: We’ve heard from Taren about a Sunrise Heights car prowl mentioned in comments:

We had an auto break-in last night on 35th Avenue SW in front of Trinity Church near Holden. The burglar/vandal broke the passenger side window with a rock. The key items stolen were a medium (18×10) grey metal toolbox containing primarily craftsman screwdrivers and pliers, a red back-pack style auto emergency kit (purchased pre-filled) and a large new-in-box Star Wars toy (black box… Star Wars The Black Series Jabba’s Rancor Pit Set).

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West Seattle Wednesday: Seattle Symphony, parenting advice, Civic Poet, open mic, more…

February 24, 2016 10:36 am

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| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(By Flickr member Charge, shared via WSB Flickr group)

Our daily look at what’s up for the rest of the day/night, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

HIGHLINE PREMIER FC SOCCER TRYOUTS: They start tonight at Highline Stadium, 6 pm for boys born 2000-2001, 7:30 pm for boys born 1998-1999 – see the full tryout calendar, and register, by going here. (430 S. 156th, Burien)

SEATTLE SYMPHONY AND STUDENT ORCHESTRAS: 6:15 pm, as previewed here, the music starts at Chief Sealth International High School‘s auditorium, with CSIHS and WSHS orchestras before the Seattle Symphony takes the stage at 7; the program also spotlights West Seattle Community Orchestra musicians. Free! Bring $ for Denny-Sealth Performing Arts benefit bake sale. (2600 SW Thistle)

‘TELL ME WHAT TO SAY’: Free parenting seminar, plus wine tasting and appetizers, starting at 6:30 pm at Northwest Wine Academy on the north side of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus. Details in our preview – including the e-mail address for registering. (6000 16th SW)

HIGHLAND PARK ACTION COMMITTEE: 7 pm, monthly meeting at Highland Park Improvement Club. Spotlight topic: New leadership for HPAC. (12th SW/SW Holden)

POEMS AND STORIES: Claudia Castro Luna, Seattle’s Civic Poet (and a West Seattleite), is a featured reader, along with Janet Yoder, at Poetrybridge‘s monthly Poems and Stories event at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), including a community microphone. 7-9 pm. (5612 California SW)

TREEHOUSE OPEN MIC: Signups at 7:15 pm, event starts at 7:30 pm – music, poetry, comedy, whatever you bring to the Treehouse Lounge. (2206 California SW)

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YOU CAN HELP! What you give West Seattle Helpline right now is up for matching $

February 24, 2016 9:20 am

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| How to help | West Seattle news

Your dollar(s), donated to the West Seattle Helpline right now, will go farther thanks to matching funds, as the Helpline’s Chris Langeler explains:

In November 2015, Nucor Steel Seattle paired with one of their suppliers, Graymont, to provide $10,000 in community matching funds to the West Seattle Helpline. These funds were used to match donations made at the Neighbors Helping Neighbors Dinner & Auction. Their matching support helped make that night the most successful fundraising event in the history of the West Seattle Helpline!

We recently learned that Nucor and Graymont have now allocated $2,414.77 in additional matching funds, specifically for utility assistance through our One-Time Assistance Program. By working with Seattle City Light, Seattle Public Utilities, and Puget Sound Energy, this program helps prevent electricity, water, and gas shutoffs for families recovering from an unexpected hardship.

We ask our neighbors to help us access these funds to keep the lights and heat on and the water running for local families through the rest of the cold weather season. All donations made online to the West Seattle Helpline before March 4th will be matched up to a total of $2,414.77. If we meet our goal, we will be able to help up to 100 additional members of our West Seattle community stay safe and warm in their homes while they get back on their feet!

To help West Seattle Helpline acquire these funds and be there for our neighbors in need, please make a contribution online by Friday, March 4th at:

wshelpline.org/donate.

Our sincere thanks to Nucor and Graymont for their generous donations and to the West Seattle community for their wonderful, ongoing support. The West Seattle Helpline’s motto is “Neighbors Helping Neighbors since 1989.” We are grateful every day to have the best neighbors anyone could ask for!

Helpline is a nonprofit that provides emergency assistance to “help prevent evictions and utility shutoffs (and) provide transportation assistance” and also hosts the West Seattle Clothesline, “a volunteer-run clothing donation and distribution center for low-income families.”

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Wednesday watch

February 24, 2016 6:47 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)

6:47 AM: Good morning! No incidents in or from West Seattle so far.

9:01 AM: After a quiet commute, we do have a look ahead to Thursday night, when the West Seattle Transportation Coalition returns to its regular meeting space, 6:30 pm at Neighborhood House’s High Point Center (6400 Sylvan Way), and the agenda includes planning for the Alaskan Way Viaduct closure once the Highway 99 tunneling machine goes beneath it – timely since tunneling just resumed yesterday. From the agenda:

I. Membership Business – Vote for newest Board Member. Board positions open for May!

II. Vision Zero / 20mph: Gordon Padelford

III. Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Program – Molly Freed; Brief presentation on the Viaduct replacement and closure information plus Q&A

IV. King County Metro – Chris Arkills; Update on Metro’s role during viaduct shut down.

V. Discussion on WSTC’s Sound Transit 3 Survey and Next Steps

All are welcome.

9:46 AM: Two problems to mention: A stalled vehicle blocking the left lane on northbound I-5 just north of the West Seattle Bridge, and a car fire at 16th/Roxbury.

9:50 AM: Advance alert for northbound I-5 in our area on Saturday night/Sunday morning:

Drivers heading into downtown Seattle on northbound Interstate 5 should prepare for possible delays overnight Saturday, Feb. 27-28. Washington State Department of Transportation maintenance crews will close multiple lanes of the freeway to repair overhead lane control signs.

Closure details
-10:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, to 5 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 28
-Up to four left lanes of northbound I-5 from State Route 599 to Interstate 90 will be closed.
-The northbound I-5 off-ramp to Corson Avenue South/South Michigan Street will be closed.
-All northbound I-5 traffic will be rerouted to the collector-distributor lanes at the I-90 off-ramp and back on the mainline just before the Cherry Street on-ramp from 2 to 2:30 a.m.

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