day : 30/04/2018 9 results

MLK Medal for Bettie Williams-Watson: West Seattleite, founder of Multi-Communities, helping survivors where #MeToo has yet to reach

(Bettie Williams-Watson, photographed this afternoon at MLK Medal recipients’ reception by WSB’s Patrick Sand)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Bettie Williams-Watson has been doing “the work” for more than 30 years.

Her work with sexual assault and abuse survivors might seem to resonate more in this time of #MeToo.

But in the communities where she helps survivors – “We’re not there yet.”

The West Seattle resident’s organization is called Multi-Communities. She works with “predominantly African American faith communities, where we are still trying to break the silence and shame that exists.” And her work just earned her another award – today the King County Council honored her with the MLK Medal of Distinguished Service.

She started with a simple hope: “If I could just help one survivor, one woman and her child or children, be able to heal from the impact of physical and sexual violence, that it was worthwhile … now it’s been my shopping cart to push around for the last 33-plus years … I’m a 33-year-plus overnight sensation.”

While the #MeToo movement has erupted in a big way in the entertainment industry, government, and other arenas, Williams-Watson says, in her arena, “it’s a whole different ballgame because people have a hard time naming their experiences still … we are not there yet … In communities of color, we’re still wrapping our brain around, yes indeed, I was sexually abused … yes indeed, someone in leadership who had more power over me (did something that) was wrong, and it violated me … it’s hard to wrap your brain around. … Someone that loves us wouldn’t hurt us, my God, not a family member .. not a trusted person you’ve had a relationship with for years and years … you have built up other parts of that relationship that are really impacting and powerful so you can’t wrap your brain around the fact that person could indeed hurt you, could violate you, could kill you…”

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COUNTDOWN! Dozen days until West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day 2018

We are assembling the list and making the map for West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day, now just 12 days away – 330+ sales all over West Seattle (and a bit beyond) are registered for Saturday, May 12th. Official sale-day hours are 9 am-3 pm, but some sellers are starting earlier, some are ending later, another reason this looks to be the biggest WSCGSD yet. As we doublecheck the listings and locations, we’re making notes – for example, here are a few of the unique items we’ve seen so far: Coke machine, Dictaphone, pizza oven, vintage Barbies, a massage chair, skylights, congas, and two cars for sale. You’ll see all the listings when we publish the map/list – clickable and printable versions – next Saturday, here and at westseattlegaragesale.com.

P.S. If you have just a bit of stuff to sell and you didn’t get a spot at the multi-seller Hotwire courtyard, here are two other possibilities – the White Center Chamber of Commerce invites community members and business owners to be part of the flea market they’re planning in the parking lot at 9834 17th SW, 10 am-2 pm on sale day, and in West Seattle, The Kenney is renting tables on its big lawn, $25 for a 10×10 space with a 6-foot table and two chairs, proceeds benefiting its Resident Fund – call Danette, 206-938-6985.

FOLLOWUP: West Seattleites’ dropoffs total up to a record-setting Recycle Roundup!

(WSB photo, April 22nd)

So many people showed up for Fauntleroy Church‘s Recycle Roundup on April 22nd, it was a record-setting event, Judy Pickens tells WSB. With 500 vehicles – the most ever – “1 Green Planet relieved West Seattle of 14.6 tons of recyclables for responsible disassembly.” The fall edition will be in September – no date yet, but we’ll announce it when we find out. And in the meantime, the West Seattle Junction Association will have a drop-off recycling-and-more event in late June.

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Busy night for vandals

Two cases of vandalism vs. cars in West Seattle Crime Watch reader reports:

WINDOWS SHOT OUT: The photo is from Megan in Highland Park, who reports: “3rd time my car windows have been shot out on 9th Ave SW, in front of my house. So frustrating.”

And in Gatewood…

PAINT VANDALISM: The photo and report are from Charis:

Wanted to share as I am curious if this happened to others last night. Our car (picture) and our neighbors’ cars were tagged last night or early this morning. It was in the Gatewood area (near 39th/Southern). One car was tagged with SUCC. Not sure of the meaning. And if someone does, please share. Just a reminder that neighborhood watch efforts are important (we are thankful for ours).

WEST SEATTLE OUTDOOR MOVIES: Help choose the 2018 lineup! Sponsors sought, too

(WSB photo, August 2017)

Another one of the fun events getting ever-closer is the West Seattle Outdoor Movies series, presented by the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) with the West Seattle Junction Association in the “festival street” outside the Y. Every year, WSB readers help determine the lineup; this year, the YMCA and WSJA have pre-vetted a list of 9 movies from which they hope to present 6 favorites, so you’re invited to speak up for one you really want to see, or which six you would pick, or even rank all nine in your order of preference:

• Coco
• Jumanji
• Black Panther
• Wonder Woman
• Star Wars: Last Jedi
• Paddington 2
• A Wrinkle In Time
• Peter Rabbit
• Secret Life of Pets

The series runs six consecutive Saturday nights, starting July 21st. Please post your vote/ranking/etc.in the comment section below!

P.S. Whether or not you want to offer an opinion on the movies, here’s another way to be part of WSOM – sponsorship! We’re already in again this year as media sponsor. But lots of support is needed – renting popular movies for public screenings gets more expensive every year! There are a variety of sponsorship levels (see them here) – as WSJA’s Lora Swift puts it, ways to “power up.” Whichever level you choose, you can sign up and pay here.

P.P.S. Almost forgot to include the link to last year’s lineup!

ELECTION 2018: Joe Nguyen becomes second candidate to announce a run for 34th District State Senate seat

We’ve heard from another candidate who has entered the race for our area’s 34th District State Senate seat, open since Sen. Sharon Nelson is not running for re-election. Here’s the announcement from Joe Nguyen‘s campaign:

Joe Nguyen, a Senior Manager at Microsoft who was born and raised in the 34th Legislative District, announced he would run for State Senate. The son of Vietnamese refugees and father of two, Nguyen aims to succeed retiring Senate Majority Leader Sharon Nelson for the open seat. He is off to a strong start with an early endorsement from Senator Bob Hasegawa.

Nguyen’s involvement in the Seattle area is lifelong, multi-faceted and represents a lived experience that is deeply connected with the values of hard work and service in this community. His mother escaped Vietnam with his sister on her back – and floated for weeks in the Pacific until seen by a Coast Guard plane and picked up by a cargo ship. He was born and raised in White Center/Burien, where his parents settled.

At Microsoft, Nguyen is working to provide accessible job training resources that empowers all people
with the right – often new – skills needed to succeed in this rapidly changing, technologically dependent economy.

“As the father of two young children and husband to an all-star educator, there is no issue more important than education,” said Nguyen. “Our state should be a national leader, not only in providing the kind of education that sets our kids up for success, but in reducing inequity and disparity. Fully funding our state’s obligation for education is essential, but it is not enough. Our teachers need better pay and benefits; our kids need resources in the classroom and beyond – whatever it takes so all students arrive at school ready to learn and thrive.”

Nguyen serves as the Associate Board Chairperson at Wellspring Family Services, which partners with families experiencing homelessness. This year, he helped Wellspring promote and advocate for legislation that will incorporate training in trauma-informed child care for early learning providers in Washington. This legislation was signed by Governor Inslee in March.

Nguyen is committed to finding solutions, so our residents can afford to stay here. “Seattle grows more unaffordable every day. People are worried they will no longer be able to live in their homes because they can’t afford the taxes. Health care costs, property taxes and rents are rising faster than wages. Despite Washington having one of the fastest growing economies in the nation, many residents right here in the 34th, don’t have any access to that prosperity.”

Nguyen was appointed by the King County Council to the Community Advisory Committee for the Office of Law Enforcement Oversight (OLEO). He serves as a bridge between the community and the King County Sheriff’s Office in efforts to hold law enforcement accountable for providing fair and just police services to the public. “Along with law enforcement de-escalation resources and training,” Nguyen said, “Washington must implement solutions to decrease the epidemic of gun violence. There were nearly 700 firearm-related deaths last year in the state. We need stronger gun laws and policies to protect our children and save lives.”

Nguyen attended Highline Public Schools, John F. Kennedy High School in Burien, and graduated from Seattle University, where he was a two-term student body President. He lives with his wife Tallie, a former Highline Public School teacher who taught for a decade, and their two children near the West Seattle Junction.

“I am excited for the opportunity to amplify the voices and ensure a seat at the table for all our
neighbors, community members, business owners, teachers, immigrants, union workers and families that make our community such a special place to live.”

America is made greatest by its immigrants and refugees. If elected, Nguyen would be the first legislator of Vietnamese heritage in Washington and despite being one of the most diverse communities in the state, he would also be the first legislator of color from the 34th district.

The first candidate to announce in the race was Shannon Braddock, earlier this month. Formal filing happens the week of May 14th; the primary election is on August 7th.

West Seattle Monday: Delridge Triangle planning; postseason baseball; more!

(Photo by Eric Bell, who spotted this open-water swimmer and others while kayaking off Alki on Sunday)

Opportunities for your West Seattle Monday:

GIVE THE GIFT OF LIFE: If you can donate blood, and are on the peninsula this afternoon, consider donating at the mobile blood drive outside the Masonic Center, 12:30-3 pm – details here. (4736 40th SW)

DELRIDGE TRIANGLE PLANNING: As previewed here last week, Friends of the Delridge Triangle are moving ahead with plans to get help making it more of a “safe and usable community space,” and you are invited to bring your ideas and energy tonight, 6:30-8 pm at Two Fingers Social (all ages welcome) right across the street. (9211 Delridge Way SW)

FAMILY STORY TIME: Bring the kids – all ages – to High Point Library, 6:30-7 pm. (35th SW/SW Raymond)

POSTSEASON BASEBALL: After their Saturday win (WSB coverage here), the West Seattle High School Wildcats play Ingraham at 7 tonight at Steve Cox Memorial Park in White Center. (1321 SW 102nd)

SEE WHAT’S UP FOR TOMORROW AND BEYOND … via our complete calendar!

YOUTH SOCCER: HSA Select tryouts starting next week in West Seattle

April 30, 2018 9:22 am
|    Comments Off on YOUTH SOCCER: HSA Select tryouts starting next week in West Seattle
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

More youth soccer tryouts ahead! Tim McMonigle sends word of the HSA Select tryouts that start next week:

HSA Select is a program that was started in 2015 to fill the gap between recreational soccer (West Seattle Soccer Club) and premier soccer (Highline Premier FC). Highline Premier FC tryouts were just announced, and we are now announcing tryouts for the HSA Select program. It is a very popular offering, starting with two teams in 2015, six teams in 2016, ten teams in 2017, and we’re planning for twelve teams this year.

The 2018 HSA Select program is for 10-15 year olds (birth years 2003-2008), with tryouts in May and practices and tournaments starting in June (2003 birth year has already had tryouts). The season goes from Sept to Dec, with an optional state tournament in January.

Here are the tryout dates, all at Walt Hundley Playfield – 6920 34th Ave SW, West Seattle

Girls – 2008 – U-11
May 7 & 9
5:50-7:10 pm

Boys – 2008 – U-11
May 7 & 9
5:50-7:10 pm

Girls – 2007 – U-12
May 11 & 14
5:50-7:10 pm

Boys – 2007 – U-12
May 7 & 9
7:15-8:40 pm

Girls – 2006 – U-13
May 11 & 14
5:50-7:10 pm

Boys – 2006 – U-13
May 22 & 24
6:15-7:45 pm

Girls – 2005 – U-14
May 15 & 16
5:50-7:10 pm

Boys – 2005 – U-14
May 15 & 16
5:50-7:10 pm

Girls – 2004 – U-15
May 15 & 16
7:15-8:40 pm

Boys – 2004 – U-15
May 15 & 16
7:15-8:40 pm

If there are any changes, they’ll be posted here, so check before you go.

TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Monday watch

April 30, 2018 7:27 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Monday watch
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

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

7:27 AM: Good morning! No traffic incidents or transit alerts of note in/from West Seattle so far on this final day of April.

8:10 AM: Trouble in the HOV lane on the NB First Ave S Bridge.

9:27 AM: For later commuters: Crash at 35th SW and SW Snoqualmie. SFD en route to check on at least one person who might be hurt. (added) Texter says it’s blocking the northbound side.