month : 10/2016 308 results

West Seattle Hi-Yu ready for reinvention

hiyumeet1

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

Reorganize, regroup, reinvent.

That’s what’s next for West Seattle Hi-Yu, after a meeting last night at which it was made clear that the people involved with the community organization are not ready to just let it die after more than 80 years. Read More

West Seattle Tuesday: From math to music!

October 4, 2016 9:00 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Tuesday: From math to music!
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

downywp0916-06
(Downy woodpecker, photographed by Mark Wangerin)

From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

MATH BUDDIES: Drop-in program at West Seattle (Admiral) Library for kids in grades K-5, 4-5 pm – play math games with teen volunteers. (2306 42nd DW)

FREE CHINESE-LANGUAGE CLASSES: Eight weeks, 4:30-6 pm, starting today, at Seattle Chinese Garden on Puget Ridge – info (including how to check if there’s still room) is in our calendar listing. (6000 16th SW)

JUSTIN KAUSAL-HAYES: Live acoustic music at Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor), 5-8 pm. (1936 Harbor SW)

VICE PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE-WATCHING: 6 pm, it’s the one and only scheduled debate between the major-party vice presidential candidates Tim Kaine (D) and Mike Pence (R). OutWest is watching (California SW/SW Brandon) – anyone else?

‘DRINKING LIBERALLY’: Monthly meetup at Pizzeria 22 in The Admiral District, 6-7:30 pm – details in our calendar listing. (4213 SW College)

FAMILY STORY TIME: 7 pm at Delridge Library, for kids 1-5 and their families. Free. (5423 Delridge Way SW)

SIGGIE THE VINTAGE MAN: Live music at Whisky West in Morgan Junction, 7-9 pm, with Siggie the Vintage Man (photo above) more about Siggie, here. (6451 California SW)

WEST SEATTLE SONGWRITER SHOWCASE: 8-11 pm at Parliament Tavern, “a night of original music and stories with Jared Mitchell, Ian Jones, and October’s guest, Trevor Ridge.” 21+, no cover. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Tuesday updates & road-work alerts; weekend Alaskan Way Viaduct closure

October 4, 2016 6:34 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Tuesday updates & road-work alerts; weekend Alaskan Way Viaduct closure
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)

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

6:34 AM: Welcome to a rainy Tuesday. Trouble right now on southbound I-5 just south of the West Seattle Bridge – a crash blocking two lanes and partly blocking the ramp from the bridge to 5 – so if you use that route, you might want to wait a while before leaving.

Meantime, alerts and reminders:

WEEKEND VIADUCT CLOSURE REMINDER: We’re mentioning this daily so no one’s taken by surprise. The Alaskan Way Viaduct – really, Highway 99 between the West Seattle Bridge and Battery Street Tunnel – is scheduled for closure Saturday and Sunday (October 8-9), 6 am-6 pm each day, for its twice-yearly inspection. These often end early; we’ll be updating all weekend. ALSO: The Highway 520 floating bridge will be closed all weekend too. Here’s what WSDOT says about both closures.

ROAD-WORK ALERTS: Here’s what you need to know:

–Beach Drive SW, south of 61st SW: Today is the second of three scheduled days for repaving between Orleans and Charlestown.

–On Thursday and Friday, paving crews will move on to 39th SW between SW Oregon and Fauntleroy Way.

–The Spokane St. paving project east of the low bridge continues; here’s what’s being done now.

FERRY NOTE: The Kitsap is back on the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth run today, so capacity is back to normal.

7:20 AM: SPD/SFD are responding to a crash reported at 16th SW/SW Cambridge. Meantime, the SB I-5 crash has cleared.

7:54 AM: If you’re heading this way instead of outbound: Crash reported on westbound West Seattle Bridge @ Delridge.

8:36 AM: The SFD response to that incident has closed.

8:45 AM: And the crash has cleared, per SDOT.

West Seattle Crime Watch: The case of the repeat offender who had to be dragged into custody

We’ve found ourselves writing more about repeat offenders lately. No surprise, since Southwest Precinct police have long pointed out that a relative handful of criminals are responsible for a disproportionate amount of the property crimes representing the worst problems in this area. But what continues to be surprising to many is the reality of what happens once they’re arrested. We track cases and present what we find in documents; a senior prosecutor from the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office gave some frank context at last week’s West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network meeting, pointing out, among other things, that while someone might have a long record, when it comes to sentencing time, what counts most – literally, via a scoring system – is the number of felony convictions they have, and for many, that number is relatively few.

For most of the repeat offenders whose cases we updated last week, that was the case. It’s why Jessica Detrick and Taylor Church are both set for residential drug treatment, via the Drug Offender Sentencing Alternative. We’ve also updated the cases of repeat offenders Sean Jeardoe and Alan Polevia, both of whom are still in jail tonight.

Now – another one.

While checking the King County Jail Register over the weekend, we saw another name we recognized: Jared Barden. We first reported on Barden, who is 31 years old, on August 23rd, when he was arrested in Lincoln Park after fleeing a car-prowl scene nearby. The arrest drew a lot of attention because the Guardian One helicopter helped with the early-afternoon search. Barden was charged with misdemeanors and released from jail the next day.

We hadn’t checked on his file recently, until seeing his name on the jail register, which shows this is his third time in jail since that Lincoln Park arrest six weeks ago.

Suspect caught in Lincoln Park
(August 23rd photo via Steve Shelton Images)

Barden was booked September 8th for a failure-to-appear warrant in a burglary case and suspicion of auto theft; he was released September 26th – one week ago tonight. He was arrested four days later, last Friday (September 30th), for what’s described as criminal trespass, and then released on Saturday, with the notation “case dismissed.” Less than eight hours later, at 1:16 am Sunday, he was back in King County Jail, for investigation of auto theft. At a hearing this afternoon, his bail was set at $10,000.

Probable-cause documents say Barden’s newest arrest happened in Arbor Heights late Saturday night, near 35th SW and SW 102nd. Police were called when the owner of a pickup truck saw “an unknown male” in the truck, possibly “breaking the steering column.” When police arrived, their report says, Barden was still in the truck, both doors locked. He ignored their orders to get out of the truck and to stop what the report calls “digging around in the truck.” At some point, police say, he found a screwdriver and stuck that in the ignition, which started briefly, then sputtered out. He tried yet again – police still outside the truck, deploying spike strips so he wouldn’t get far if he got it going – and failed. The truck’s owner came out of his house and gave police a key they used to open the door. Barden still refused to get out; the report says officers finally “dragged” him out, arrested him, and took him to jail. He is due back in the jailhouse courtroom on Wednesday.

VIDEO: New 360-degree view of ‘Alki Junkyard’

New from “Diver Laura” James – a 360-degree view of what divers know as the “Alki Junkyard,” off the west end of public Alki shoreline (64th SW).

Laura says, “This was shot with ambient light in the 50’ range; the only lights were on my dive buddy Lamont’s camera. So you can see it’s really quite bright down there during the day (lots of ambient light unless a really heavy plankton bloom), and the diver lights primarily serve to restore the colors (red goes away first, due to the way water absorbs light).”

If you haven’t viewed this type of video before – provided it’s compatible with your browser, you should be able to click “play” and then click the video, using your cursor to “drag” it around, to see above, below, in front, behind … 360 degrees.

P.S. If you follow Diver Laura on Twitter/Periscope, you just might catch her “live” underwater – she’s done a few tests in the past few days.

PHOTOS: Art by your West Seattle neighbors, all month at Southwest Library

Photos by Leda Costa for West Seattle Blog

Kyla Scheff's polymer clay piece titled "Miniature World"
>(Kyla Scheff’s polymer clay piece “Miniature World”)

It’s that magic month of the year when you’ll find paintings, sculptures, pottery, and other visual art among the bookshelves and other standard fixtures at Southwest Library. The 25th annual community art showcase continues at the branch is on all month, launched with a Sunday reception organized by Friends of the Southwest Library:

Friends of the Southwest Branch, a chapter of the Friends of the Seattle Public Library.

They told us this year’s response to the call for art was great – 103 pieces by 46 artists. You can see the artwork all month during regular library hours – 10 am to 8 pm Mondays through Thursdays, 10 am-6 pm Fridays and Saturdays, 1 pm-5 pm Sundays. Some of the artists who were at the reception:

southwestartistshowcase_03

Above, Vera C Stirling has several pieces in the show. She says an art class at the Senior Center two years ago sparked her interest in drawing and creating art. Below, it’s the second year of participation for Tycho Bear, who is displaying two of his creations:

Tycho Bear by his tempera artwork. This is his second year participating.

Betty M. Laughlin (below) grew up coming to the Southwest Library:

Betty M. Laughlin and her photograph.

She says her mom would bring her and they would leave with stacks of books. Years later, here she is displaying her photography and her wearable art – a felted necklace and bracelets.

Another artist there for Sunday’s reception: Ernie Flowers (below), a local film photographer, named his photograph of the swan after Edward Weston‘s iconic 1927 image Nautilus.

Ernie Flowers and his silver gelatin print of "Weston's Swan"

This is his first year participating in the show.

Gordon Miller was also at the reception:

Gordon Miller stands right below his resin piece titled "Rooftop"

In our photo, he’s standing under his resin piece “Rooftop.”

More of what you’ll see when you go check out the art at Southwest Library this month: Read More

MORE ROAD WORK: 39th SW paving Thursday-Friday

After the Beach Drive repaving Monday-Wednesday, SDOT is moving on to 39th SW. Just announced:

The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) advises travelers that crews will be paving 39th Ave SW between SW Oregon St and Fauntleroy Way SW October 6 -7. This work is weather dependent.

From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, October 6, and Friday, October 7, travelers can expect the following:

· SDOT crews will grind and repave 39th Ave SW from SW Oregon to Fauntleroy Way SW.
· 39th Ave SW will be closed to traffic in both directions with local access only.
· Parking will be restricted. Some parking will be available to accommodate local businesses.
· No parking signs will be placed on the street 72 hours before the work starts.
· Travelers may enter and exit driveways, but may have to wait up to 15 minutes for equipment to clear.

This project is part of SDOT’s 2016 Arterial Major Maintenance (AMM) program. The AMM program maintains our busiest streets by making strategic small scale investments at key locations on city streets. SDOT would like to thank the public for its patience while this work is completed.

‘New and different’ expansion plan in the works for The Kenney

img_6724
(Early-stage concept for expansion of The Kenney – the light-green-shaded buildings at bottom of image)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

“The senior population is growing and we don’t have the type of housing they want.”

That’s what The Kenney‘s executive director Larry Foss told about 50 people at a community meeting, explaining why the 125-year-old retirement complex north of Lincoln Park is launching a “totally new and different” expansion plan.

What he and others made clear at Thursday night’s meeting is that the plan to add some housing on the south side of their block is nothing like the “pretty grandiose plans” scrapped five years ago, leaving The Kenney with financial challenges. To underscore that, Foss stressed that “the people who (were part of that) are not a part of The Kenney any more.” The board is new, the management is different, the affiliation is different.

In 2014, The Kenney announced plans to affiliate with East Coast-based Heritage Ministries, whose CEO David Smeltzer also serves as Kenney CEO and was part of the presentation, as were architects John Shoesmith and Steve Cox.

Before getting to the new plans – which are still in their early stages, the Kenney executives said – they offered some context on their organization and what’s happened since it took over.

Read More

West Seattle Monday: WWRHAH, Hi-Yu, food-film fest, quilting, & more…

killdeer0916-04
(Killdeer, photographed by Mark Wangerin)

Lots going on already today but we don’t want to miss the chance to look ahead to what’s up tonight! From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

‘REAL FOOD’ POP-UP FILM FESTIVAL: 6 pm at Delridge Library, 10 short films about sustainable food and farming. Full details in our calendar listing. Free. (5423 Delridge Way SW)

TINKERLAB: “Ecosystems” is the theme for tonight’s drop-in STEM-based craft event, also at Delridge Library at 6 pm. Full details in our calendar listing. (5423 Delridge Way SW)

WESTWOOD-ROXHILL-ARBOR HEIGHTS COMMUNITY COUNCIL: 6:15 pm at Southwest Library, with agenda highlights in our calendar listing. Live/work in the area and have something else you’re concerned about? Bring it! (35th SW/SW Henderson)

WEST SEATTLE HI-YU – NOTE DIFFERENT LOCATION: 7 pm at West Seattle Library, your chance to help as West Seattle Hi-Yu reorganizes and decides on its path forward, as previewed here. All welcome. (2306 42nd SW)

WEST SEATTLE QUILTERS: 7 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle. Into quilting? Be there! (SW Oregon/California SW)

NIGHTLIFE: Tonight, your options include Cracker Factory at West Seattle Brewing in The Triangle, Pub Quiz at Shadowland in The Junction, and All-Ages Trivia at The Skylark in North Delridge.

BIZNOTE: A la Mode Pies now open in West Seattle, after ribbon-cutting

piewaiting

Sisters Alynn and Kahlena were waiting for A la Mode Pies to open the doors of its West Seattle expansion location first thing this morning. Just one bit of business before the serving could begin – the ceremonial ribbon-cutting!

piecutting-1

From left, that’s West Seattle Chamber of Commerce CEO Lynn Dennis, general manager Frank
Krhounek, pastry chef Ashleigh Totin, and ALMP’s “Pie Guy”/founder/etc. Chris Porter. Ribbon cut, it was on to the pie for the aforementioned first customers:

piereceived

For more about what the new shop’s offering, see our sneak-peek story from last Thursday. It’s been five months since we broke the news that A la Mode Pies would add a West Seattle location (4225 SW Alaska).

West Seattle whales: Return of the residents! J-Pod orcas’ morning visit

kath1
(Photos courtesy Kathryn Aupperlee)

7:54 AM: No other details, but we just got a call reporting whales visible, northbound, in the Lincoln Park area. Off to check.

8:24 AM: See Krista’s comment for details on what she saw and called in (THANK YOU! 206-293-6302 is our voice/text 24-7 hotline). We’re down along Beach Drive to see if we can spot them. No luck so far, but the water’s pretty choppy.

8:38 AM: Scott e-mailed to say they were visible off north tip of Blake Island – closer to West Seattle side – as of about 10 minutes ago. We’re on the lookout now from the Constellation Park shore.

orcas-oct16-edit-2517

8:42 AM: They’re passing Constellation Park right now!

8:48 AM: Just out of view from Constellation unless there are far-behind stragglers – passing Alki Point.

9 AM: Now on the west end of Alki Beach Park – where the watchers include Donna Sandstrom of The Whale Trail, who tells us these are Southern Resident Killer Whales making their autumn salmon-seeking return – J Pod, to be specific. They’re now heading north across the Bainbridge ferry lanes and not likely to be visible from here much longer. We’re adding a phone photo we took from Constellation, hoping someone will have a better one to share (editor@westseattleblog.com) later.

9:43 AM: Thanks to those who are sending photos! We’ve replaced our aforementioned blurry phone photo with much-better contributed shots.

TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Monday updates; road-work alerts; Viaduct closure next weekend; tunnel machine halfway there

October 3, 2016 6:58 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Monday updates; road-work alerts; Viaduct closure next weekend; tunnel machine halfway there
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)

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

6:58 AM: Good morning. No incidents in/from West Seattle right now.

ROAD-WORK ALERTS: The Spokane St. project east of the low bridge continues – here’s the newest information … As noted here last night, SDOT crews are scheduled to be working on Beach Drive SW south of 61st SW the next three days.

VIADUCT CLOSURE NEXT WEEKEND: Reminder that the Alaskan Way Viaduct’s twice-yearly inspection/maintenance closure is set for next weekend, Saturday-Sunday, October 8-9, 6 am-6 pm both days (and if it ends early, as often happens, we’ll let you know ASAP here).

FERRY NOTE: One vessel on the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth run is being downsized, with the Tillikum being brought in to replace the Kitsap.

7:42 AM: We mentioned in our weekend preview of the Viaduct closure that WSDOT expected tunneling might pass the halfway mark this weekend. Just announced – it did (full announcement here). The current estimate for the tunnel to open is early 2019.

8:27 AM: While down on Beach Drive checking on the whale-sighting report, we passed the SDOT crews. Clearly a big tear-up-and-replace paving project. A separate ongoing utility project just north of 61st, on the south end of Constellation Park, continues too, so please be careful in the area (please don’t be like the driver who, when we slowed for the road crew, revved up, sped up to pass us, only to realize in half a block that s/he was in danger of mowing down workers in two work zones).

‘YAPPY HOUR’: Furry Faces Foundations plans party for people AND dogs

Go have fun without leaving your dog at home OR in the car! Just announced:

Furry Faces Foundation Announces our first ever Mutts ‘n Martinis… a yappy hour.

Get your cocktail attitude on and bring your dog! Local guest bartenders each feature their signature drink; delish noshes; dog bakery truck; dog games; two rescue groups; a dog ruff-le; silent auction; and more. You don’t have to bring a dog to attend…you just need to love dogs like we do.

Date: October 15th
Time: 4 pm – 7 pm
Location: Stay! Doggie Daycare & Boarding, 10027 14th Ave SW

Guest Bartenders from
-Smarty Pants Garage
-Whisky West
-OutWest

Two Local Rescue Groups
-Animal Aid & Rescue Foundation
-Emerald City Pet Rescue

Special Guests
-Cascade Heights Veterinary Center
-The Seattle Barkery – a food truck for dogs

Limited number of tickets, so buy yours ASAP. Dog tickets are $5 – buy here. Human tickets are $20 – buy here. If you’d rather buy in person, go to Pet Elements (6511 California SW), Wash Dog (6400 California SW), or Stay! (10027 14th SW).

P.S. Furry Faces says this is an indoor/outdoor event; ID required for humans “even if you are 95 years young”; and “dogs must be spay or neutered, dog-friendly, and up to date on vaccines, in order to partake.”

Powerful job program: Puget Sound Electrical Apprentice Training Center graduates honored in West Seattle

multiplegrads
(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)

Not all graduations happen in summer. Last night in West Seattle, 112 graduates were cheered and applauded at a banquet and ceremony marking their success in a paid-training program that launches them into good-paying jobs in a field where there’s much demand. You’d think there would be a waiting list for a program like that, right? Not so – it’s looking for more applicants! More on that after we get back to more about the event.

The Puget Sound Electrical Apprenticeship Training Center graduation is what brought grads, family, friends, and educators to Brockey Center at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor).

gradcrowd

The center provides the training required for certification as Construction Electricians, Low Voltage/Sound and Communication Electricians, or Residential Electricians. According to the announcement we received, “programs provide opportunities to ‘earn while you learn,’ through paid on-the-job training and classroom instruction that leads to high-paying careers in skilled trades.”

Like any graduation, this one honored exceptional achievements – academic excellence, perfect attendance, apprentice of the year. Two grads spoke, Karla Hemmelgarn and Aaron Martin, with praise for the program and exuberance about their future:

gradkarla

gradaaron

Special gifts awaited the grads – useful for their careers ahead:

gradschwag

While the program welcomes all qualified applicants (see the minimum requirements here), there are specific programs for veteran and female applicants, too. This year’s graduates, who ranged in age from 20s to 40s, included five women and 18 veterans. Find out more about the training options here; find out how to apply here.

ROAD-WORK ALERT: Next 3 days on Beach Drive SW

ORIGINAL SUNDAY REPORT, 8:10 PM: No details or advance alert (any neighbors get one?) about this, but we’re writing about it as a precaution, given what happened with the no-notice pavement repairs on 35th SW last week: While out this evening, we noticed “no parking” signs along a stretch of Beach Drive SW just south of 61st SW [map]. This is the bumpy area that SDOT confirmed in January would be repaved “this summer.” The signs we saw tonight were placed on behalf of SDOT’s paving division, and are dated for 7 am tomorrow (October 3rd) through 5 pm Wednesday (October 5th). We’ll seek the details tomorrow morning.

ADDED MONDAY: After our inquiry to the SDOT communication team this morning, they published this, confirming it’s the long-awaited paving project.

West Seattle Crime Watch: Car break-in; brazen bicycle thief; another bike, found

More bicycles in West Seattle Crime Watch tonight (and SPD’s still looking for the owner of this one), but first…

CAR BREAK-IN IN ARBOR HEIGHTS: Mike D, on 40th SW near SW 106th, reports:

I heard a car alarm going off this morning around 6 a.m. Turns out it was the neighbor’s car. But my car was the one that was opened and rummaged through. No forced entry; not sure how they got into the car – my car locks automatically when I walk away. I’m guessing they went up and down 40th checking cars. The neighbor said he saw an unfamiliar minivan.

Taken: A laptop and loose change.

WESTWOOD BIKE THEFT: “This bike wasn’t really worth much but, the thief entered my yard and took it unbeknownst to me or my tenant. Disturbing to say the least,” began Michelle, reporting the theft. We e-mailed back to ask about a photo; no, but: “Red mountain bike, nothing special, more concerned that people are getting bold enough to remove a lock, open a gate, and trespass while it was clear we were home!”

STOLEN? BIKE SPOTTED IN JACK BLOCK PARK: F sent this photo and report:

file

Walking in Jack Block with our puppy (Saturday) and saw an apparently abandoned bike leaned up against the power pole near the kids’ play area.

It may’ve been in the weather a bit, but looked serviceable (tires full, etc.)

We are getting ever-more reports of abandoned and likely stolen bikes, so if you are missing one, keep an eye on our crime-coverage archive.

Where should West Seattle’s next ‘greenway’ be? Last day for survey

If you haven’t answered the city’s survey about potential routes for the next West Seattle greenway – this is your last chance. (The greenway concept is explained here.) The survey contains questions about transportation topics above and beyond the greenway route, too. Answer the survey here. The project website also has an interactive map of route options with options for “liking” one or more and/or leaving comments. Whichever route is chosen, the greenway is targeted for a 2019 debut. (Our area has two greenways now, both in east West Seattle, shown in green on the map above.)

TOMORROW: In Arbor Heights? Westwood? Roxhill? Your community council beckons

October 2, 2016 2:30 pm
|    Comments Off on TOMORROW: In Arbor Heights? Westwood? Roxhill? Your community council beckons
 |   Arbor Heights | West Seattle news | Westwood

Want to see change in your neighborhood? One easy way is to jump in with the people who are already working on it – but can’t do it alone – your all-volunteer community council. Next West Seattle group to meet is the Westwood-Roxhill-Arbor Heights Community Council, 6:15 pm tomorrow (Monday, October 3rd), at Southwest Library (35th/Henderson). Agenda items include following up on July’s Find It, Fix It Walk (WSB coverage here) and information about the new Westside Neighbors Network. See the full agenda preview in our calendar listing – and if the issue that interests you isn’t featured, show up and speak up!

VIDEO: Countdown to discount deadline for SW Historical Society brunch gala

October 2, 2016 1:30 pm
|    Comments Off on VIDEO: Countdown to discount deadline for SW Historical Society brunch gala
 |   West Seattle history | West Seattle news

Wednesday is your last chance for discounted early-bird tickets to the Southwest Seattle Historical Society‘s Champagne Gala Brunch – which will feature an auction item donated by a star with West Seattle roots:

Dyan Cannon was Diane Friesen in her West Seattle days. Meantime, the discount deadline on Wednesday (October 5th) will be exactly one month before the November 5th “Loving Our Landmarks” gala (for which WSB is a media sponsor). Her donation will be part of a live-auction item the SWSHS is calling the “Hollywood Star Tour of West Seattle.” Be there November 5th at Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor)! Get your ticket here before the price goes up.

YOU CAN HELP! Join 100 Women Who Care as they choose next beneficiary

100womenwhocare
(Photo courtesy 100 Women Who Care)

Show you care! You’re invited to join 100 Women Who Care as they gather Wednesday to choose their next local beneficiary – or, there are other ways to help. Here’s the invitation and explanation:

This past June, the 100 Women Who Care giving circle chose West Seattle Food Bank for their donation of $3,800 to support the Backpack Program.

They are a group of women who lead busy lives but want to do some good in the community. They meet 3 times a year and agree to help one local charity in a really BIG way…….
100 people x $100 = $10,000 impact to a charity chosen by the group.

Come join 100 Women Who Care to choose the next charity to receive their donation. The charities up for vote are: The Tears FoundationMajor Taylor Project, Ladybug House.

If you join prior to the event – Make a Commitment – you get to nominate your favorite charities for selection at our October 5th (Wednesday) event. See their website for more information. Invite your friends and join us for the evening.

P.S. If you are unable to attend, there is online voting. If you have any questions, please e-mail 100womenseattle@gmail.com

Alaskan Way Viaduct closure next weekend: Another reminder

October 2, 2016 10:03 am
|    Comments Off on Alaskan Way Viaduct closure next weekend: Another reminder
 |   Alaskan Way Viaduct | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

WSDOT‘s big alert announcement is expected tomorrow, but in the meantime, we brought you early warning September 22nd that next weekend (Saturday-Sunday, October 8-9) will bring the next twice-yearly inspection/maintenance closure of the Alaskan Way Viaduct, and we’re reminding you again today. This is scheduled once again as a shutdown 6 am-6 pm each day, but recent closures have tended to end early.

Also note, next Saturday’s closure will include a stretch north of the Battery Street Tunnel, between Denny Way and Valley Street, 6 am-3 pm, with Valley remaining open for detours.

P.S. We also expect to hear tomorrow if the Highway 99 tunneling machine has passed the halfway point along its 9,270-foot route – WSDOT updates this page on Mondays and Thursdays, and as of three days ago, it was less than 100 feet from that milestone.

West Seattle Sunday: Nature, art, writing, music, more …

October 2, 2016 7:59 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Sunday: Nature, art, writing, music, more …
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

dsc02495-1
(2 of about half a dozen harbor porpoises seen off Alki Point Friday – photographed by Gary Jones)

Happy Sunday! From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

MAKING THE MOSSES AND WILDFLOWERS GROW: With naturalist Stewart Wechsler, 10 am-1 pm at Lincoln Parkdetails on his website, including preregistration information. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm – the market continues its weekly sessions in the street year-round. (California SW between SW Oregon and SW Alaska)

BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS: 1-2:30 pm, St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church offers the traditional blessings for your pet(s) in the West Seattle High School parking lot just north of the church. (3000 California SW)

SPIDERS OF THE DUWAMISH: 1-3 pm, learn about them at the Duwamish Tribe Longhouse; naturalist Jeff Rahlmann gives a talk and then leads a walk in nearby Herring House Park.

christopherspider

Details in our calendar listing. Free. (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)

SOUTHWEST LIBRARY ARTISTS’ RECEPTION: 2 pm, meet your neighbors showing work in this year’s Community Artist Showcase at Southwest Library. Free coffee and dessert. (35th SW/SW Henderson)

TOTE BAG GIVEAWAY: While you’re at Southwest Library, starting at 2 pm, the Friends of The Seattle Public Library is giving away tote bags in honor of its 75th anniversary, while they last. (35th SW/SW Henderson)

SEATTLE WRITES – CONFLICT: Author Karen Finneyfrock will help writers work with conflict, “the machine of fiction,” in a free 2 pm workshop at the Delridge Library, as part of Seattle Writes. (5423 Delridge Way SW)

SCRATCHDOG STRINGBAND: 3-5 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), “Americana/rockgrass” trio from Portland performs. (5612 California SW)

West Seattle Crime Watch: Pellet shooting in park; car stolen by wheel-swapper(s); more

In tonight’s West Seattle Crime Watch roundup:

PELLET-GUN SHOOTING IN LINCOLN PARK: The victim e-mailed us tonight with this report:

As I was jogging in Lincoln Park on Friday, September 30th, around 5:15 pm, I was heading downhill on the the trail directly above Colman Pool. I felt a sharp stinging pain in my chest, and realized I had just been shot with something! I saw two Caucasian boys, in their early teens, hiding in the brush above the trail. As I went towards them, they tried to hide themselves with their shirts and ran off! When I got home, I found the pellet in my shirt and the pellet had broken the skin. Just wanted to get the word out! Be aware!

CAR STOLEN IN GATEWOOD: From Melissa: “We had our white 2000 Honda CR-V, WA plate ASK3577, stolen from the front of our home. It did have a club attached to the wheel; officer said thieves come with their own wheel and swap it out. If anyone sees the vehicle, please call the police.”

PLEA BARGAIN FOR REPEAT OFFENDER: In July, we reported on Taylor Church, a 26-year-old repeat property-crime offender arrested for prowling in Highland Park/South Delridge and then charged with burglary. Checking online records, we found that Church had reached a plea bargain and was sentenced on Friday afternoon. She pleaded guilty to residential burglary for a July break-in in the 9000 block of 17th SW. And she pleaded guilty to a drug violation from a May incident in which court documents say she was found in a community-center bathroom in Tukwila trying to inject heroin. Superior Court Judge William Downing sentenced her to time served – almost three months – plus the residential version of the Drug Offender Sentencing Alternative, which she is expected to begin on Monday – three to six months of residential treatment. It will be followed by two years of “community custody” (probation).