West Seattle, Washington

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month : 02/2017 285 results

‘Your story is the message’: Chief Sealth IHS storytellers @ Youngstown
February 3, 2017 11:00 pm
|    Comments Off on ‘Your story is the message’: Chief Sealth IHS storytellers @ Youngstown
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS culture/arts

lashaugnessy
(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)

It wasn’t a Valentine event, but love was the theme that wound through the first three stories told tonight at the Chief Sealth International High School Young Storytellers Project event at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, from “On Forever’s Toes,” a relationship story told by the first student performer, poet/musician Lashaunycee (above), to professional storyteller Danielle K.L. Grégoire, who told of her first lost love (age 10) …

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… to Native American storyteller Roger Fernandes, who told the story of a young man coming of age, passing a test by saving those he loved, even while breaking the rules:

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Fernandes also counseled the young storytellers not to be nervous, saying they are just the messenger, and their story is the message. The event was emceed by Sealth teacher Paul Fischburg:

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A unique component of the teacher-organized event, which began with a potluck and mingling, was the request for the audience to write messages of support for each storyteller afterward, including a comment on how they connected with the story.

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HIGH-SCHOOL BASKETBALL: West Seattle women win @ Chief Sealth
February 3, 2017 9:47 pm
|    Comments Off on HIGH-SCHOOL BASKETBALL: West Seattle women win @ Chief Sealth
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

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9:47 PM: In the last of their regular-season games, it’s a crosstown doubleheader tonight with Chief Sealth International High School‘s varsity basketball teams hosting their counterparts from West Seattle High School. The women’s game is in the books, and though they were tied at 39 at halftime, the Wildcats pulled away for the win, 74-68.

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2:11 AM: Adding photos (a few more to come later). Above, Sealth’s #4, senior Labrea Denson, was the night’s top scorer, with 28 points. Seahawk Sydney Thomas was next with 20. Leading the Wildcats was #20, Grace Sarver, with 13 points:

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WSHS’s Jenna McPhee was next with 12. This game wrapped up the regular season; postseason play starts next week.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Junction police response; car prowled, again
February 3, 2017 9:21 pm
|      15 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Two reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch tonight.

JUNCTION POLICE RESPONSE: A few people have asked about a sizable police response in The Junction in the 7 pm hour. Before we could break away from what we were covering, Jon sent the photos and report, explaining it’s about a recurring problem with a pickup-truck driver:

Neighbors have been trying to get this guy picked up by LEO for over two months as he routinely disturbs and puts into danger anyone who shares the streets with him.

He routinely burns out, does donuts, and drives high-speed laps around the Junction between 6 PM to 5 AM (regardless of traffic or crowds); parks, gets out, walks back and forth at the crosswalk, behaves erratically and then hops back into his vehicle where he then resumes his dangerous antics.

SPD showed up around 6:25 PM and the guy was in cuffs by 6:50 PM. We’ll see for how long.

Incident number is: 2017-42145

If anyone has videos or photos of the driver, or has interacted with him, it would help the case, tremendously. Evidence can be sent to the responding officer on scene: Christopher.Perry@Seattle.gov

Thanks to Ofc. Perry for coming out and thanks to everyone who repeatedly made calls.

CAR PROWLED, AGAIN: From Haley – “On the night of February 1, our Honda was broken into while parked in the alley behind our home. The driver-side window was broken but nothing appears to have been taken, although the driver seat was pushed all the way to the back. This is the second time, as it was also broken into this past October.”

Thanks again to everyone sharing Crime Watch reports so your neighbors all around the peninsula know more about what’s happening – we hope crime will NOT happen to you, but if it does, once you’ve reported it to police (911 if it’s happening now or just happened), let us know … 206-293-6302 if breaking, editor@westseattleblog.com if not. Thank you!

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West Seattle schools: Denny IMS visits Olympia
February 3, 2017 7:07 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

The photo and report are from Denny International Middle School principal Jeff Clark:

Congratulations to the Denny International Middle School scholars who traveled to Olympia yesterday to meet with Governor Inslee, Reps. Fitzgibbon and Cody, and Sens. Nelson and Senn to discuss issues related to gun control, a topic they have been learning about in their Youth Ambassadors class.

Thank you to Mr. Segall and Ms. Markowitz for helping our scholars to take leadership roles on issues that they care about—in our school, city, and state. In addition to meeting with our elected leaders, they had the opportunity to provide testimony on House Bill #1387. We are very proud of them for learning to actively participate in our democracy and for sharing their insights as young leaders! Go Dolphins!

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West Seattle schools: Unity demonstration @ Louisa Boren K-8 STEM
February 3, 2017 4:49 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

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Rather than being a protest *against*, this was a demonstration *for*, at Louisa Boren STEM K-8 and more than a dozen schools around the city today.

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Students, staffers (including librarian Mary, above), and families were showing support for unity, of all people, no matter who you are, no matter where you’re from, as Theo‘s sign declared:

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The signs made for today’s show of support included Leo‘s sign made from LEGOs.

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Today’s event came one week after the Presidential executive orders banning certain people from entering the U.S.

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And this afternoon, a federal judge granted a temporary restraining order against the president’s order, an early victory in a multi-state lawsuit led by our state’s Attorney General Bob Ferguson, whose office announced the ruling here. (ADDED LATE FRIDAY NIGHT: Here’s court-provided video of today’s hearing.)

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MEET YOUR FIREFIGHTERS: Fire Station tours in West Seattle on Neighbor Day
February 3, 2017 2:20 pm
|    Comments Off on MEET YOUR FIREFIGHTERS: Fire Station tours in West Seattle on Neighbor Day
 |   Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

thechief
(WSB photo from Station 37 tour in February 2016)

One week from tomorrow, it’s Neighbor Day in Seattle – and the long list of events includes your chance to visit and tour two of West Seattle’s fire stations. From 11 am to 1 pm on Saturday, February 11th, you’re welcome to visit Station 29 in Admiral (2139 Ferry SW) and Station 37 in Sunrise Heights (7700 35th SW). The full citywide list of stations open for tours that day is here.

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The Westy Sports & Spirits: Welcome, new West Seattle Blog sponsor!
February 3, 2017 12:15 pm
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants | WS beverages

Today, we’re welcoming a new WSB sponsor! Here’s what The Westy Sports & Spirits would like you to know:

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(Photos provided by The Westy)

If you travel up and down 35th Avenue SW on a regular basis, there is a good chance you may have passed us without even knowing it. We are The Westy Sports & Spirits. Open now just over two years, The Westy is owned and operated by West Seattle residents JP Vidican & Paul Ritums.

Once you discover The Westy, you find it isn’t your typical sports bar. Yes, you will most likely find the sports you seek showing on one of the 18 TVs, as we have been recognized as a “go-to” viewing destination for your local teams and more by the Seattle Times, Seattle Weekly, & Eater.

You’ll discover The Westy is deceptively larger than it appears from the outside. Once inside, you will discover a comfortable, neighborhood hangout where friends gather to enjoy good food, drinks, and games.

Westy Collage

The Westy has a seasonal menu that is home to more than just deep-fried pub food, like the burger with Ghost Pepper cheese, award-winning chili (2016 Junction Harvest Festival), and one of the most popular items on the menu, our Broccoli. On the beverage side, you will find 13 monthly rotating draft beers/ciders/sours, over 120 different whiskies, 2 cocktails on tap, and much more. For your entertainment, you of course have the TVs, but also classic Skee-Ball, retro arcade game classics, and Golden Tee.

The Westy is open Monday – Friday, 11:00 am until 2:00 am; Saturday/Sunday, 9:00 am until 2:00 am, with breakfast served until 2:00 pm.

Special $5 Late-Night Bites 7 nights a week, from 11:00 pm – 1:00 am

Happy Hour Monday thru Friday, 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm

And introducing our new ‘Hangover Happy Hour,’ Sat/Sun 9:00 am – 11:00 am

We are thankful for the West Seattle community and our neighbors for an unbelievable first two years, and we look forward to serving you for many more. The Westy is at 7908 35th SW; 206-937-8977.

We thank The Westy Sports & Spirits for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.

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HALA REZONING: City Council briefing Monday; comment deadline; Admiral workshop reminder
February 3, 2017 11:36 am
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle housing | West Seattle news

A few notes today about the city’s proposed rezoning for the Mandatory Housing Affordability component of HALA (the Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda):

COUNCIL BRIEFING MONDAY, WITH DEADLINE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT: On Monday morning, the City Council‘s weekly briefing meeting at 9:30 am will include a HALA briefing. The documents related to the briefing are already linked to the meeting’s agenda. Two of them announce a date for the end of public comment: June 30th. It’s in this memo, and on the last page of the briefing slide deck – here’s a framegrab:

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(The briefing documents note that only 600 people have used the hala.consider.it site, which has drawn complaints about user-unfriendliness.) Earlier this week, we reported that City Councilmember Lisa Herbold had learned the draft Environmental Impact Statement for the MHA rezoning was expected to go public in May rather than March. Some community groups including the Junction Neighborhood Organization and Southwest District Council have asked for an extra six months to comment; the draft rezoning maps went public in October but without a clear citywide announcement of what they were and who they would affect. The city now says its upcoming outreach will include going door-to-door:

The City will be going door to door in our Urban Villages to answer questions and leave
information about ways to comment on the draft proposals. The doorbelling will take place in March
2017 and will focus on the single-family homes that will be changing to multifamily.

That’s an excerpt from the memo for Monday morning’s briefing. Public comment is not taken during council briefing meetings, but you can attend at City Hall, or watch live via seattlechannel.org (online or cable 21).

ADMIRAL MEETING REMINDER: One week from tomorrow is the Community Design Workshop for the Admiral Residential Urban Village, 9:30 am-12:30 pm at West Seattle High School. It’s the Admiral version of the well-attended Junction meeting last week (WSB coverage here). Here’s the official city weblink about the meeting (child care provided, by the way); if you still don’t know whether your neighborhood is proposed for rezoning, explore the citywide interactive map.

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West Seattle Friday: Student storytellers; Clay Eals @ WWWS; Corner Bar; wine & chocolate @ Viscon Cellars; more…
February 3, 2017 10:52 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

West Seattle, downtown Seattle, Lake Washington, Mercer Island and Floating Bridges 004 Standard e-mail view
(Early Thursday photo by Long Bach Nguyen, looking eastward over West Seattle)

Get your weekend going early – here are highlights for this afternoon and evening, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

WINE AND CHOCOLATE: Get ready for Valentine’s Day at Viscon Cellars (WSB sponsor), where winemaker Viscon’s wines will be paired with chocolate from Intrigue, 5-9 pm. (5910 California SW)

WORDS, WRITERS, WEST SEATTLE: Tonight’s edition of the author-appearance series presented by the Southwest Seattle Historical Society features its executive director Clay Eals, author of the definitive biography of songwriter/singer Steve Goodman, “Facing the Music“:

5-7 pm at Barnes and Noble/Westwood Village. (2600 SW Barton)

CORNER BAR: Highland Park Improvement Club‘s monthly pop-up event starts tonight at 6 pm, with music by Hot Rod and DJ Dr. Lehl. All welcome! (12th SW/SW Holden)

SEALTH STUDENT STORYTELLERS: 6:30 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center:

Chief Sealth International High School students will take the stage at the Youngstown Cultural Arts Center to share their stories with the community. Come hear, connect, interact, and support young people you might never otherwise meet! Stories, music, time to mingle. Bring a potluck dish to share if you can. Potluck at 6:30, stories begin at 7:00.

(4408 Delridge Way SW)

HIGH-SCHOOL BASKETBALL: Chief Sealth International High School‘s varsity teams host West Seattle High School tonight, women at 7, men at 8:30. (2600 SW Thistle)

SIGGIE THE VINTAGE MAN: 7 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), “acoustic Americana.” (5612 California SW)

ROY ZIMMERMAN: “ReZist” – political satire, live at Kenyon Hall, 7:30 pm. Check ASAP to see if reservations remain! (7904 35th SW)

ROCK/PUNK: Three bands at Parliament Tavern, 9 pm. $5 cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

SEE WHAT ELSE IS UP … by browsing our complete calendar.

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Seattle Public Utilities’ future, and what you pay for their services: 2 ways to have a say
February 3, 2017 10:07 am
|    Comments Off on Seattle Public Utilities’ future, and what you pay for their services: 2 ways to have a say
 |   Utilities | West Seattle news

It’s the city department that handles water, trash, recycling, sewage, and drainage: Seattle Public Utilities is updating the road map to its future – the Strategic Business Plan.

SPU has two ways for you to let them know what you think. And as City Councilmember Lisa Herbold has mentioned repeatedly lately (the committee she chairs oversees SPU, among other things), it’s ultimately about the rates you pay. So consider weighing in on this.

The quickest way: Answer their online survey. It’s not just “yes/no” – it’s a bit educational, and a bit creative (at one point you’re asked how you want them to spend $100, if you had to split it between certain ways to do that). Several pages in, you will indeed be asked your thoughts about various rates and what SPU would be able to do and not do at certain levels. Go here to answer the survey.

You’re also invited to a meeting. It’s next Wednesday (February 8th), 6 pm, at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW). Cambodian, Vietnamese, and Spanish-speaking interpretation will be available.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Car-prowl reader reports
February 3, 2017 9:04 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Two car-prowl reports – 4 cars – in West Seattle Crime Watch:

IN GATEWOOD: Steve C on 38th SW sent the report and photos from a break-in at 1:30 am Thursday:

They stole some stereo equipment, car-maintenance equipment and CDs, some of which belonged to the Library. We have the whole thing on our security camera and have filed a report with the police. They also got a good set of prints that will hopefully turn up something. These guys were fast and ballsy. They pulled up in a light-color, older-model minivan. The driver stayed in the car and the passenger got out and walked right up to the truck. He very quickly entered into the drivers side by jimmying the lock in about 1 second flat. He spends time going through the vehicle and leaves a few minutes later in the van.

SPD is investigating. Please tell your viewers to be on the lookout for the van. The responding officer told me car prowls are getting more frequent.

IN FAIRMOUNT SPRINGS: Texted this morning:

Three cars with broken windows at 41st & Brandon. We’ve filed an online police report for ours. Prowlers were not thorough. Maybe the weather was starting up as they were working.

Thanks again to everyone sharing Crime Watch reports so your neighbors all around the peninsula know more about what’s happening – we hope crime will NOT happen to you, but if it does, once you’ve reported it to police (911 if it’s happening now or just happened), let us know … 206-293-6302 if breaking, editor@westseattleblog.com if not. Thank you!

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Post-snow Friday updates
February 3, 2017 6:07 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts | West Seattle weather

(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)

6:07 AM: What was left of the late-night snow is melting, and reports around the region are that roads are “bare and wet.” Go slow in case of slick spots, though. The National Weather Service says “a wintry mix” of precipitation is still a possibility.

7:03 AM: Still no incidents reported in/outbound from West Seattle. But some are reporting the aforementioned “wintry mix” – give yourself extra time.

8:50 AM: Late-commute trouble on northbound I-5 on the south side of downtown – emergency response at Yesler, in the right lane.

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Ceremonial groundbreaking for West Seattle charter school Summit Atlas
February 2, 2017 11:56 pm
|      56 COMMENTS
 |   Arbor Heights | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

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(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)

Tonight’s ceremonial “groundbreaking” for West Seattle’s first charter school, Summit Atlas, happened indoors. That’s where the first phase of work to convert the former church/supermarket site at 9601 35th SW will happen – starting next week, according to Summit officials.

It’s been two years since we broke the news that this school was on the way, after discovering an early-stage plan in city files. Tonight, Summit displayed renderings of how the campus will look once they’ve added Phase II, an addition so there’s eventually room for full sixth through 12th grades:

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Right now, they have about 125 applicants, split between the sixth and ninth grades with which Summit Atlas will be launched in August, Summit officials told us tonight. They’re accepting applications through March 10th, with a lottery set for the next day if they have more applicants than spaces (they had told us last summer they expected to launch with about 100 students in each of those two grades). The school’s executive director (principal) is Katie Bubalo:

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We introduced you to Bubalo in this story last August, when the school year began at Summit Sierra in the ID, one of the two schools Summit (based in California) has already opened in Western Washington. Summit told us that the changes made to their building there are similar to what they plan here. A Summit Sierra 9th grader, Jayla Foster, spoke at tonight’s event:

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She said she hopes to become a doctor, and appreciates the “personal attention” the school offers.

Summit Atlas originally was slated to open in fall of last year, but was pushed back a year amid the battle over state funding for charter schools. While a bill passed to provide money from a lottery-related source, charter opponents went to court again and that suit hasn’t been resolved yet. Charters also have support from donors such as those funding the organization that bought and is fixing up the 35th/Roxbury site for Summit Atlas.

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West Seattle weather: Thursday night snow!
February 2, 2017 9:48 pm
|      18 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

9:48 PM: Snowing in south West Seattle – we first encountered a flurry while heading back from a meeting in White Center, and now it’s a rather serious snow shower in Westwood – the road’s already slick. Seeing any where you are?

10:07 PM: Back at HQ now. Still snowing, and sticking, and not mentioned in the National Weather Service forecast discussion. We had been tracking a now-expired “special weather statement” that had said only there might be a bit of freezing rain, and even that hadn’t been expected outside the far South Sound.

10:28 PM: It’s very lightly snowing now where we are – and the snow on the street is melting, so this probably isn’t the blizzard of the century. We’re adding a few photos that we’ve received. First, from Darlene in The Junction:

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And from Steph in Gatewood:

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No official forecast updates so far, but we’ll be keeping watch through the early-morning hours to see what happens next.

12:22 AM: Thanks to Jay in Sunrise Heights for this photo:

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While the snow has stopped, it’s sticking around on planting strips and atop cars, at least up here. The NWS now says “evaporative cooling” might have played a role in the semi-surprise snowfall. The temp’s above freezing so far, but be ready to take it very slow when you head out in the morning, since it can be slippery without icing over.

6:22 AM: From here, we’re tracking weather in morning-traffic coverage. Right now – rain. And what was left of the snow is melting.

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West Seattle scene: Louisa Boren STEM families get ready for Friday show of support
February 2, 2017 7:36 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle scene: Louisa Boren STEM families get ready for Friday show of support
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

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(WSB photos)

Tonight at Uptown Espresso in North Delridge, families from Louisa Boren STEM K-8 are making signs for a show of support tomorrow (Friday) morning, to show their support for all students, including refugees and other immigrants.

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At least 17 schools around the city are participating, according to organizers.

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(Signmaker Eleanor)

The STEM group plans to be outside the school (5950 Delridge Way SW) 9:15-9:35 am.

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FERRY ALERT UPDATE: Sealth back in service on Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route
February 2, 2017 4:10 pm
|    Comments Off on FERRY ALERT UPDATE: Sealth back in service on Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route
 |   Fauntleroy | Transportation | West Seattle news

4:10 PM: The Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route of Washington State Ferries is back to reduced capacity again because of a boat breakdown. M/V Sealth is having steering troubles and is out of service for repairs TFN. Updates and schedule alerts are here; you can monitor boat status via Vessel Watch here.

4:50 PM: Via e-mail, WSF says there’s now a two-hour wait at Fauntleroy.

6:46 PM: WSF says the Sealth is now back in service.

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Port of Seattle CEO Ted Fick out
February 2, 2017 3:28 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Port of Seattle | West Seattle news

3:28 PM: The Port of Seattle has announced that CEO Ted Fick has resigned:

The Port of Seattle Commissioners accepted the resignation of CEO Ted Fick today in public session. The special meeting was called for this specific action.

“We accept the resignation of Ted Fick, and acknowledge his desire to return to the private sector,” said Commission President Tom Albro. “We are currently working through the details of his departure and will defer further comment until those details are resolved.”

Chief Operating Officer Dave Soike will serve as interim CEO. Soike has over 35 years of experience at many levels and lines of business at the Port of Seattle. A public process for a replacement will begin later this year.

This comes one week after he was reported to have gone on paid leave. Fick, hired a little over two years ago, was “the Port’s first CEO from the private sector,” according to his now-taken-down bio page on the port’s website.

ADDED 4 PM: The port announcement now includes a link to Fick’s resignation letter.

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UPDATE: QED Coffee, Sound & Fog join nationwide ACLU fundraiser
February 2, 2017 3:04 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS beverages

3:04 PM: One of West Seattle’s newest coffee shops, QED Coffee (6032 California SW), just sent word they’re joining the nationwide Friday-Sunday coffee-shop fundraiser for the ACLU. The coffee-industry publication Sprudge organized the benefit, as explained here, where you’ll also find the list of 400+ cafés participating nationwide so far. Sprudge’s announcement explains, “Today (the ACLU is) defending innocent refugee and immigrant families impacted by the recent executive orders — tomorrow they could be defending you, because they are committed to defending all of us.” Matt from QED tells WSB, “A portion of sales, as well as any extra monies that people want to give, we will be donating” after the weekend. (If any other West Seattle/White Center coffee shops join, please let us know.)

4:19 PM: Sound and Fog Coffee/Wine Bar (4735 40th SW) just sent word they’re in, too, Friday-Sunday.

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Seen off West Seattle: USS Turner Joy, towed for maintenance
February 2, 2017 1:12 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news

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Thanks to Gary Jones for the photo! This is the USS Turner Joy, which, as he points out, is usually on display in Bremerton – it’s an official Naval Museum, decommissioned in 1982 after 23 years of service, including involvement in what became known as the Gulf of Tonkin Incident in 1964 (read the ship-specific history here).

Today, according to our friends at the Kitsap Sun, the Turner Joy is under tow to the Lake Union Drydock Company for about a month of maintenance work.

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Want to be on the city’s new Community Involvement Commission?
February 2, 2017 12:30 pm
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

When the mayor announced last summer that he was cutting city support for Neighborhood District Councils, he promised to create a citywide Community Involvement Commission. Half a year later, the call for members has finally just gone out:

Mayor Edward Murray and Seattle City Council are seeking community members to serve on the City’s new Community Involvement Commission (CIC). Created by Executive Order 2016-06 and established by ordinance last November, this Commission will advise the City on policies and strategies to advance equitable public engagement and civic participation.

“All residents, including those representing under-represented and under-served communities must have the opportunity to participate in the City’s decision making and planning processes, “said Mayor Murray. “This new commission will guide the City’s efforts to create policies and initiatives that are more inclusive for residents. If Seattle is to become a more equitable place for all, we must bring more voices at the table to ensure that we are representative of Seattle’s diversity.”

The 16-member commission was created by an Executive Order issued by Mayor Murray to advise the City on priorities, policies, and strategies related to equitable civic engagement and public participation in City decision-making processes. It will also provide feedback on the development of City departments’ community involvement plans.

“The Community Involvement Commission will provide an opportunity for residents across Seattle to weigh in on the most effective ways to engage in the political process,” said Councilmember Tim Burgess. “City government is most effective when we include a diverse array of experiences and prioritize equitable representation and inclusion in our decision-making processes.”

The Board will be composed of 16 members – seven appointed by City Council (by Council District) and seven appointed by the Mayor with one of his appointments reserved for a young adult through the Get Engaged program. The final two members will be selected by the Commission once established. All the appointments are subject to City Council confirmation.

Initially, the Commission will meet monthly at Seattle City Hall. Commissioners will serve without compensation and must commit approximately 3-6 hours per month to Commission business.

If you are interested in being considered, complete the online application by Wednesday, March 1 by 5 pm. If you cannot submit the application online, contact Seattle Department of Neighborhoods at 206-684-0464 and an application will be mailed to you or you can pick one up at its office (Seattle City Hall, 600 Fourth Avenue, 4th floor) between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. If mailing the application, it must be postmarked by March 1. Mail it to: Tom Van Bronkhorst, Seattle Department of Neighborhoods, PO Box 94649, Seattle, WA 98124-4649. Translated online and paper versions of the application in Korean, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, Traditional Chinese, and Vietnamese are available.

For more information or questions, contact Tom Van Bronkhorst at (206) 233-3954 or email NewDON@seattle.gov. You can also learn more about the Community Involvement Commission on our website.

The City of Seattle is committed to promoting diversity in the city’s boards and commissions. Women, persons with disabilities, sexual and gender minorities, young persons, senior citizens, persons of color, and immigrants are encouraged to apply.

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Make Valentine history in The Junction this Sunday
February 2, 2017 10:31 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle history | West Seattle news

2017 02-01 Junction valentine Whittaker Bennett
(West Seattleites Bobby Whittaker and Aurora Bennett, photographed by Leda Costa)

You can get a fun, free Valentine photo – like the one above – this Sunday, courtesy of the Southwest Seattle Historical Society. With the Campbell Building’s landmark nomination getting its first hearing before the Landmarks Preservation Board this month, SWSHS’s “We Love The Junction” campaign is using it as a backdrop for photos this Sunday during the West Seattle Farmers’ Market. Here’s the official announcement:

The “We Love The Junction” Task Force of the Southwest Seattle Historical Society has a fun and unique way for you to obtain a free digital valentine with your sweetie and show your love for the Junction at the same time.

It’s called “Be My Junction Valentine.” Here’s how it will work:

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Sunday, February 5, 2017, the task force will be at West Seattle Farmers Market taking FREE valentine photos at the northeast corner of the Junction in front of the Campbell Building, 4554 California Ave. SW. (main tenant: Cupcake Royale).

You – with a companion, with your family or even by yourself – will be able to pose for a valentine photo while holding a sign with the “We Love The Junction” logo.

The photo will be digitally placed into a heart-shaped template and e-mailed to you in time for you to circulate it – and post it on social media – on Valentine’s Day, Tuesday, Feb. 14, as your 2017 valentine greeting. The “We Love The Junction” Task Force also will post the photos on Facebook.

The first 25 people to have their “Be My Junction Valentine” photos taken will receive a free Cupcake Royale “Babycakes” cupcake – one cupcake per photo.

Those getting their “Be My Junction Valentine” photos taken also will come away with a flier describing how they can write to the Seattle Landmarks Preservation Board about their support for landmark status for the Campbell Building and Hamm Building.

The flier also will include logistical information on showing support by attending the Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2017, meeting of the landmarks board at City Hall downtown.

The landmarks board’s Feb. 15 meeting starts at 3:30 p.m., but hearings on designation of the Hamm Building (built in 1926) and nomination of the Campbell Building (built in 1911/1920) likely will take place later in the afternoon and early evening. More precise times for the hearings will be known when the agenda is released the week prior to the meeting.

Here’s our recent preview of that meeting. For more on this Sunday’s photo event – which will happen rain or shine! – go here.

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What’s up for your West Seattle Thursday
February 2, 2017 9:49 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

California Ave SW in West Seattle 107 Standard e-mail view
(Photo by Long Bach Nguyen, looking north from the south end of the California SW straightaway)

From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar for today/tonight:

WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: 5-8 pm. Got a project planned? Or, want to find out about membership? The WSTL is open 5-8 pm on the northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

CHARTER SCHOOL GROUNDBREAKING: Summit Atlas is having a ceremonial groundbreaking event at the Arbor Heights site where it’s renovating a former church/supermarket building to open West Seattle’s first charter school in August. 5:30 pm. (9601 35th SW)

PATHFINDER MIDDLE SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: 6:30 pm at Pathfinder K-8 – prospective middle-school families are welcome. (1901 SW Genesee)

SHOREWOOD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: 7 pm, prospective elementary families are welcome to this open house at Shorewood Christian School. (10300 28th SW)

FLY FISHING FILM TOUR: Online tickets are sold out but check at Emerald Water Anglers (WSB sponsor) shop in The Junction to see if they still have tickets for tonight’s Admiral Theater screening. (2343 California SW)

SOME’TET: Jazz and more at Parliament Tavern, 8 pm. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

MORE! on our complete calendar.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Thursday updates
February 2, 2017 7:02 am
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   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)

7:02 AM: Good morning. Trouble on northbound 99 as we start – a crash reported just north of the West Seattle Bridge, blocking one lane.

7:06 AM: That crash has been cleared quickly, to the shoulder.

WEEKEND CLOSURE ALERT: If you use Highway 99 north of the Battery Street Tunnel, you need to know about a closure planned this Sunday – SB 99 from Valley Street to the BSTunnel will be closed 8 am-5 pm Sunday (February 5th).

9:11 AM: Trouble at Highland Park Way/2nd – semi-truck trailer has gone sideways. Thanks to John for this photo:

IMG_1788

Looks like traffic is getting around.

10:21 AM: Just passed the scene. The trailer has been restored to an upright position and the truck is in the center of the road. Police are still there too. But it looks like it will be clear soon.

2 PM: The Sunday closure of SB 99 north of the Battery Street Tunnel, mentioned above, has been canceled because rain is expected, and will be rescheduled.

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