day : 07/12/2017 12 results

LOVE ORCAS? Be at The Whale Trail’s winter gathering Tuesday

December 7, 2017 11:32 pm

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| Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Wildlife

(Photo by Mark Sears, permit 16163-01)

We’ve reveled in whale-watching opportunities as the Southern Resident Killer Whales visited multiple times the past few weeks … but concern is rising, along with the joy. What’s the current reality of their situation? Next Tuesday, 6 pm at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), is your chance to find out, courtesy of The Whale Trail:

There are just 76 individuals in the Southern Resident Killer Whale population – a near-historical low. What can we do to prevent these beloved and iconic pods from going extinct? Join us to hear the latest about J, K and L pods, and learn what you can do to help.

At the Whale Trail Winter Gathering, local photographers and researchers will share stories and photos of orcas and other marine mammals who share our waters. Hear about recent encounters with southern resident orcas, and other sightings near West Seattle this year.

We’ll also have signed copies of Erich Hoyt’s latest book The Encyclopedia of Whale, Dolphins, and Porpoises for sale, and other goodies!

Bring your questions, concerns, ideas, stories and poems. Together, we’ll find light in the dark for the whales.

Buy tickets now to reserve your seat. (Kids under 12 are free.) Look forward to seeing you there!

About The Whale Trail

The Whale Trail is a series of sites around the region where the public may view orcas and other marine mammals from shore. Our mission is to inspire appreciation and stewardship of whales and our marine environment. Our overarching goal is to ensure the southern resident orcas recover from the threat of extinction.

Through our current sites and signs, including two on every Washington State ferry, we reach more than 50 million people each year. The Whale Trail is currently adding new sites along the west coast, from California to British Columbia, throughout the southern resident orcas’ range and beyond.

C & P is at 5612 California SW.

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YOU CAN HELP: Tango benefit for education

December 7, 2017 9:04 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| How to help | South Park | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Dance for education! A tango charity gala is in the works for programs including the Concord International Elementary PTA and the Heritage Spanish program at Kennedy CHS, “A Milonga for a Cause,” with live music featuring the Chicharra Tango Orchestra, a pre-milonga lesson, dance performances, a DJ, and more. It’s set for 8:30 pm Friday, December 15th, at Eden Seattle Event Place and Nightclub (1950 1st Ave. S.) Tickets are $40 in advance – buy yours now – and after advance sales cut off (or at the door), $50. Tickets include two drinks and a bite.

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NEW DATES: RapidRide H Line open houses in January

December 7, 2017 6:30 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| Transportation | West Seattle news | White Center

Metro has just set the new dates for its RapidRide H Line open houses next month – one in White Center, one in Burien:

Wednesday, January 10th from 5-8 p.m.
Burien Community Center, Shorewood Room
14700 6th Ave SW, Burien

Thursday, January 11th from 5-8 p.m.
Mount View Elementary School, Cafeteria/Multi-purpose Room
10811 12th Ave SW, White Center

These are the open houses promised when Metro went public three weeks ago with a survey asking you to get specific about feedback as they plan the conversion of Route 120 into the H Line – that survey is still open if you haven’t taken it yet.

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WHITE CENTER: Advisory Council members sought for affordable-housing, family-resource project

December 7, 2017 4:36 pm

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| West Seattle news | White Center

We’re publishing this announcement both here and on partner site White Center Now because of the scope of the project:

The White Center Community Development Association (WCCDA), celebrating its 15th year serving White Center families with family/social services, small business/entrepreneurial development, school educational support, and family wellness, is partnering with Southwest Youth and Family Services (SWYFS), which provides critical health services to youth and families-at-risk, to create the White Center Neighborhood Advisory Council. This 20-person council, nominated from diverse segments of our White Center community, will meet twice a month, over five months in 2018, to assist us in the following;

*Review and plan for a Family Resource Center at the former White Center public health building site at 8th Ave. SW and SW 108th Ave, now temporarily used by Mary’s Place as transitional housing for homeless families.

*Develop a long-range affordable housing plan for White Center that helps keep White Center families living near each other, and incorporate the planning process findings into affordable housing at the former public health site

*Assist in ensuring that homeless transitional housing is considered as a continuing service in the affordable housing discussions for the site and elsewhere in White Center that will result.

The 20 members of this Council will receive $100 each in May of 2018, to compensate for their time serving on this council. The Nomination Form and Scope of Work for the Advisory Council can be found at the WCCDA website. All nominations are welcome, but we reserve the right to ensure that broad, diverse community perspectives are included through the nomination process as described in the Nomination Form and Scope of Work.

Nomination forms are due by December 12 at the CDA Open House meeting from 4-6 pm, that will be held at the WCCDA offices in the Technology Access Foundation building at 605 SW 108th Street. All nominees are encouraged to attend this meeting to meet staff, learn about the existing important work our staff do here in White Center, and eat good food. Child care will be provided.

Questions: Mark@WCCDA.ORG or call the WCCDA office at 206-694-1082

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TUNNEL TOLLS: State Transportation Commission gets briefing next week

December 7, 2017 2:25 pm

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| Alaskan Way Viaduct | Highway 99 tunnel | Transportation | West Seattle news

(WSDOT photo: Southbound tunnel portal near the stadium zone, photographed 2 weeks ago, shared to WSB Flickr group)

Though the Highway 99 tunnel is a little over a year from replacing the Alaskan Way Viaduct, the tolls aren’t set yet – though the $1 vicinity was recommended almost four years ago. So what will they be? The next step toward decisions is set for next week, when the state Transportation Commission meets in Olympia, with the agenda for its two-day meeting including:

On December 12, the Washington State Department of Transportation Toll Division will present initial traffic and toll revenue projections for the tunnel replacing the Alaskan Way Viaduct portion of SR 99. The Washington State Legislature has directed that tolls raise $200 million toward project construction costs over time. Although the commission will not adopt toll rates until fall 2018, the data will be used to determine how toll rates will vary by time of day to manage congestion on the facility and impacts on surface streets.

You can see the full agenda here. The full meeting announcement notes that the tunnel toll rates are not expected to be finalized until fall of next year. (If you follow the link, you’ll see the two-day meeting includes some other hot topics, including the pilot project for a road-usage charge, and getting ready for “self-driving” vehicles.)

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Dr. Steven Leifheit: Welcoming a new West Seattle Blog sponsor

December 7, 2017 1:17 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| Health | West Seattle news

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Steven H. Leifheit, who has a medical practice in West Seattle and is a new WSB sponsor:

Dr. Leifheit specializes in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, which works to identify musculo-skeletal conditions such as common ailments like “joint pain,” sports-related injuries, and degenerative disc and joint diseases that would affect the weight-bearing joints, the spine, and the pelvis. His methods include various manual treatments, orthotic regimens, and specific stretching postures to help promote better and more efficient movement. These things come together, as he has said one of his main goals is to not only help people but also to educate them about their condition(s). Dr. Leifheit believes providing information that is pertinent can create a useful perspective that can help people resolve their health challenges — or at least better manage their health.

Dr. Leifheit completed college at Lehigh University (Pennsylvania) and attended medical school at the University of North Texas Health Science Center, receiving the Doctor of Osteopathy Degree in 1977. He also worked as an Army flight surgeon and as an instructor at his alma mater in Texas. He moved to the Northwest in 1988 and opened his practice in 1991. Since then, he has served on the State Licensing Board (1995 to 1999) and as a Trustee and Officer with the Washington Osteopathic Medical Association since 1994.

Dr. Leifheit‘s office is located in the West Seattle Junction, at 4746 44th Avenue SW, and is open Tuesdays through Fridays. Patients are seen by appointment only. To make an appointment, call 206-935-2722. The initial exam takes about 90 minutes.

We thank Dr. Steven Leifheit 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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Gathering planned January 8th to remember John Jones

December 7, 2017 12:45 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| Obituaries | West Seattle news

If you knew John Jones, we’re told, you’d know he would only have wanted a short and sweet mention like this one:

John was a graduate of West Seattle High and Central Washington University.

The Ol’ Man was legendary for his stories, all of which have all been independently verified by the firm Crabtree, Kavanaugh, Tervo, and Wachsmith.

We will gather at West 5 on January 8 to celebrate the King and Pops.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

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Westwood-Roxhill-Arbor Heights Community Coalition toplines, from SPD to HALA

December 7, 2017 12:19 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| Arbor Heights | Neighborhoods | West Seattle news | Westwood

Quick toplines from this past Tuesday night’s Westwood-Roxhill-Arbor Heights Community Coalition meeting at Southwest Library:

CRIME TRENDS: Southwest Precinct Operations Lt. Ron Smith said a major problem in the area – shoplifting at Westwood Village – is down significantly, after months of emphasis patrols. (More on that in our upcoming Southwest District Council report.) SPD’s work at Westwood will soon be enhanced by an observation station.

SAFETY: WWRHAH member Earl Lee reported that the long-awaited lighting of the bus stop across Barton from WW Village is up and working:

(WSB photo, added Thursday night)

HALA UPZONING APPEAL: As reported previously, WWRHAH is participating in the citywide coalition that is appealing the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed upzoning in the city’s HALA Mandatory Housing Affordability plan. The coalition is now awaiting hearing dates, planning to go door to door to talk with neighbors, and raising money for legal help.

NO GENERAL MEETING IN JANUARY, BUT … Since the first Tuesday is the day after New Year’s, no general WWRHAH meeting until February. But watch wwrhah.org for TBA details of a January 9th meeting about Roxhill Park.

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Highlights of what’s happening for the rest of your West Seattle Thursday

December 7, 2017 10:30 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Swimmers going into Puget Sound from Alki Beach Park on Wednesday morning, photographed by Ron Templin)

The chilly sunshine continues! Here are highlights for the hours ahead, from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide and Event Calendar:

CREATE YOUR OWN CUSTOM HOLIDAY GIFT TAGS: Free workshop at Delridge Community Center, 1-3 pm: “In this two -hour workshop you will learn how to use Microsoft Word or Publisher to create your own custom holiday gift tags utilizing your art or photographs. Bring a favorite photo or art design with you to class and you will leave with several sheets of gift tags ready to cut out and use for holiday gift giving.” (4501 Delridge Way SW)

FREE SANTA PHOTOS: Santa visits and free DIY photos, 2-5 pm at Main Street Play in White Center. (9988 15th SW)

SHOP LATE THURSDAY IN THE JUNCTION: First of three Thursdays that you will find many stores open late as part of West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays! Among them tonight, WSB sponsors Click! Design That Fits (4540 California SW), VAIN (4513 California SW), and Menashe & Sons Jewelers (4532 California SW).

JUNCTION NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATION LAND USE COMMITTEE: 6:30 pm at the Senior Center/Sisson Building, JuNO’s LUC convenes a community meeting to talk about the HALA MHA maps and more. (4217 SW Oregon)

‘BOBCAT BOB’: 7 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), the legendary Bob “Bobcat Bob” Rice will entertain you. (5612 California SW)

METRO @ NORTH HIGHLINE UNINCORPORATED AREA COUNCIL: 7 pm at North Highline Fire District HQ in White Center, tonight’s North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meeting includes a visit from Metro reps to talk about transit matters including the upcoming conversion of Route 120 to the RapidRide H Line. (1243 SW 112th)

DENNY CONCERT: 7 pm at the Chief Sealth International High School Auditorium, the Denny International Middle School Orchestra performs. (2600 SW Thistle)

MADISON CONCERT: 7 pm at the Madison Middle School Commons, it’s the Madison Orchestra and Jazz concert. (3429 45th SW)

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HOLIDAY MUSIC: ‘Nutcracker!’ – and more

December 7, 2017 9:31 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Before we get to the list of highlights for today/tonight – as you’ll see if you look at the music section of the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide, we’re heading into a big weekend for holiday music. Including the next West Seattle Community Orchestras‘ concert!

The full announcement:

West Seattle Community Orchestras invites you to attend its annual December concert by West Seattle’s very own Symphony Orchestra!

Conducted by James Pham, the program includes Grieg’s “Norwegian Dances” and Bizet’s popular “L’Arlesienne Suite No. 1.” You might not recognize that title, but you’ll definitely recognize the music as it’s often played during the holiday season. Also in tune with the season is Tchaikovsky’s ever-popular “Nutcracker Suite.”

The concert is FREE! Donations are gratefully appreciated. They help enable student musicians’ participation in this and our other orchestras and classes at no charge.

Again, that’s Friday, December 8, 7:30 p.m., in the Chief Sealth International High School auditorium, 2600 SW Thistle Street. Find more info at www.WSCOrchestras.org.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Thursday watch

December 7, 2017 7:20 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

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

7:20 AM: Good morning. No incidents in/from West Seattle so far, but beware of slick roads/paths.

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BASKETBALL: Chief Sealth IHS girls defeat visiting Nathan Hale

December 7, 2017 1:12 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

Second win of the season Wednesday night for the Chief Sealth International High School girls, 53-42 over visiting Nathan Hale HS. #11 Aundra Tuchscherer led the Seahawks with 19 points:

#2 Jasmine Smith was also in double digits for the Seahawks, with 13 points. Under new head coach Cartiea French-Toney, the Sealth girls are now 2-1 on the season.