day : 09/05/2018 16 results

CAN YOU HELP? Teacher needs a boost from a builder

An unusual request landed in the WSB inbox, from Shoshanna Cohen:

I am a sixth-grade teacher at White Center Heights Elementary. My students are planning an entire S.T.E.A.M. Carnival for the entire school of 750 students. On May 16th we want to have a building/cutting party at the school from 1-3:30 pm. We have all the materials already donated. We are looking for anyone who knows anything about construction/building and could help support my students in building everything from a remote control car obstacle course to a gigantic Plinko board to a life size Angry Birds Launcher.

Can you help? E-mail Shoshanna at shoshanna.cohen@highlineschools.org if you can, or if you have questions.

3 DAYS AWAY! Sunny forecast for West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day 2018. Here’s another list

The forecast for Saturday just keeps improving – now we have sunshine and a high in the 70s predicted for the 14th annual West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day! If you haven’t seen the 330-sale map yet, clickable/zoomable and printable versions are both available here. Last night we featured the benefit sales – now another highlight list, the businesses hosting sales:

#5, Fresh Flours – 9410 Delridge Way SW (benefit for HONK! Fest West)
#8, David Robertson Design – 5050 Delridge Way SW
#20, White Center Chamber of Commerce – 9834 17th SW (flea market for businesses and community)
#49, Click! Design That Fits – 4540 California SW
#57, Thunder Road Guitars – 4736 California SW
#62, Hotwire Coffeehouse – 4410 California SW (multi-seller site)
#191, Daystar Retirement Village – 2615 SW Barton (free pancake breakfast + multiple sellers)
#215, Nepenthe – 9447 35th SW
#273, C & P Coffee Company – 5612 California SW (multi-seller, arts and crafts vendors)
#313, The Kenney – 7124 47th Ave SW (multi-seller, plus bake sale)

More tomorrow!

MUSIC: Here’s the lineup for West Seattle Summer Fest 2018!

Announced tonight by the West Seattle Junction Association, the music lineup is out for West Seattle Summer Fest 2018, now just two months away, July 13-15!

Music is once again taking center stage with a stellar lineup that includes some of the best bands in the Northwest. Big names for this event also include Kinski, Dude York, Spesh, and The Black Tones.

West Seattle’s Ben Jenkins and Troy Nelson, co-founders of Killroom Records, booked the event lineup and had this to say: “We had a lot of fun rounding up the artists for West Seattle Summer Fest 2018. Showcasing artists that are making a significant impact in our city is something we focused heavily on this year. We also wanted to represent all genres from our vibrant music scene. We’re excited to see this lineup come together!”

In addition to the headliners, festival goers can catch more than 20 artists performing on the California main stage Friday through Sunday. The diverse lineup includes artists like Mirrorgloss, Dusty 45s, HYWAYS, Trick Candles and Versing.

This FREE 3-day party in the streets celebrates West Seattle as a thriving music and arts community.
Sidewalk cafes, shopping, Gaming Tents, GreenLife, kids’ rides, and a beer garden next to the festival
stage, means there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Find lots of festival info on the official Summer Fest website. As usual, we’re a co-sponsor, so we look forward to seeing you at West Seattle’s biggest party of the year!

HAPPENING NOW: HALA upzoning – and more – open house in West Seattle

(WSB photos)

Very low-key – and low turnout, so far – city open house happening right now in the Louisa Boren STEM K-8 lunchroom. Though the headline topic is HALA upzoning for Mandatory Housing Affordability, it’s somewhat outflanked by an abundance of other city departments tabling too, like SDOT:

Other departments there if you have questions include Seattle Public Utilities, City Light, Parks, Neighborhoods, and the Office of Housing. But back to HALA upzoning – if you have questions about what’s planned for your part of West Seattle, you can wander around the room to find the map, and someone to talk with:

This is not a feedback event, so, so far as we can tell, you’re not being asked to put dots on maps. Just an FYI type of open house – the next feedback event in this area is the official public hearing on June 5th at Chief Sealth International High School.

Several community groups are here too, even the coalition that’s appealing the HALA Environmental Impact Statement (as their case continues working its way through the system, with more documents filed on the Hearing Examiner‘s site just this week). You’re welcome to drop in until 8 pm, 5950 Delridge Way SW – parking is in the big lot that stretches south of the school entrance. And of course there are snacks.

BIKE TO SCHOOL DAY: How it went for Boren STEM K-8, Alki Elementary

The weather for Bike to School Day was even better than expected! First report is from Louisa Boren STEM K-8 – thanks to Joe Laubach:

The first-ever Louisa Boren STEM K-8 Bike Train was a great success! May 9, 2018 is bike to school day and STEM students, parents, staff, and even neighbors pedaled their way to school. The turnout was better than planners expected. Over 20 students participated, in addition to many parents and two teachers. Also joining the ride was Rachel Osias, Youth Programs Manager for Cascade Bicycle Club.

The bike train route included several blocks along the 26th Ave SW Greenway and a segment of the Longfellow Creek Legacy Trail. Pedaling has its rewards – in addition to some treats along the way, each participating student was awarded a card redeemable for a free dessert at Menchie’s. The event was planned by STEM parents Joe and Marlo Laubach with help and support from the PTA and other parents. A huge thanks to everyone who participated in this fun and healthy event.

Meantime, we also had previewed Alki Elementary‘s Bike to School Day plan and included a photo in today’s morning traffic/transit report. Here’s one of their bike trains headed in from Alki Avenue:

The Alki events were coordinated by Chris Nutter. We spotted West Seattle Bike ConnectionsDon Brubeck along for the ride, too.

Small fire brings briefly big response in West Seattle Triangle

Just so you know what that short-lived Seattle Fire “full response” at 37th/Alaska was about – turned out to be a dryer fire in the Link Apartments building, per SFD, and most of the crews have been canceled.

BIZNOTE: Luna Park Café’s unexpected 1-day closure

Thanks for the tip. Luna Park Café confirms they’re unexpectedly closed for the rest of the day/night because of water trouble. They explain that Seattle Fire was doing some hydrant testing nearby and that left them with brown water that’s not expected to clear for some hours, so they had no choice but to close. They hope to reopen for regular hours at 7 tomorrow morning.

Special delivery for Chief Sealth International High School

Chief Sealth International High School principal Aida Fraser-Hammer (above left) welcomed a contingent from John L. Scott Westwood and Evergreen Home Loans today. They had a special drive to help the school and brought the results – including, along with a $1,000 check, a video gaming chair for special-needs students, a camera kit for the art department, a marker board for the faculty, and clothing for students in need. They also brought fruit and candy for the faculty staff room!

YOU’RE INVITED: Discussion next week about Transit-Oriented Development in West Seattle

May 9, 2018 2:20 pm
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 |   Development | Transportation | West Seattle housing | West Seattle news

With light rail on the way to West Seattle … one local group says it’s time to talk about Transit-Oriented Development (TOD). Welcoming West Seattle has just announced “a lively discussion” about TOD and affordable housing, one week from tonight:

WEDNESDAY MAY 16 | 5:30 PM
Southwest Youth and Family Services, 4555 Delridge Way SW

Featuring:

Councilmember Lisa Herbold
Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda
Bill Rumpf, Mercy Housing
Marijana Cvencek, Schemata Workgroup
Edward Butterfield, Sound Transit

Moderators:

Bryce Yadon, Futurewise
Matt Hutchins, Welcoming West Seattle

The event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be provided. Doors 5:30 pm, discussion 6:00 pm. Panelists will have a robust conversation on the ins and outs of implementing TOD, and what it will mean for further development and housing affordability; diving into the advocacy action necessary to capitalize on TOD, and how neighbors can start efforts now to be well positioned as new stations open over the next two decades. Our moderators will be asking a set of questions collected from community members and coalition partners. Please RSVP and submit any Transit Oriented Development and Affordable Housing Questions, here!

ROAD-WORK ALERT: Repaving ahead for two blocks of Admiral Way SW

Thanks to Chris for forwarding the SDOT notice – two blocks of SW Admiral Way SW are set for repaving over the next two days. This is south/west of Schmitz Park; SDOT repaved a stretch of Admiral north of the park last summer.

SEEN OFF WEST SEATTLE: USNS Carl Brashear

Just after someone else texted about seeing that ship off south Bainbridge, Jim Borrow sent the photo. It’s a Military Sealift Command dry cargo/ammunition ship, USNS Carl Brashear (T-AKE 7). Looks like some work is ahead for the nine-year-old vessel, named for Master Chief Boatswain’s Mate Carl Brashear (1931–2006), the first African-American to become a US Navy Master Diver.

BIZNOTE: New (sort of) ownership for The Swinery in West Seattle

Thanks to Pamela Rogers for the photo and report:

Longtime Manager/Head Chef Kim Anne Leveille and lifelong West Seattle resident (WSHS 2007) Sous Chef/Butcher Danny Rogers are ecstatic to announce West Seattle Swinery is now employee-owned!

Kim has managed and run the front of the store for over seven years, while Danny has been behind the scenes butchering, smoking and grilling some of the neighborhood’s favorite meats. On the corner of California and Hanford, the West Seattle Swinery is a one-stop shop offering a meat market, grilled burgers, specialty sandwiches, and deli products. The Food Network’s Grill Dads recently featured the Double B (bacon and belly) sandwich and Danger Fries.

Kim and Danny are looking forward to continuing to provide West Seattle with the family environment that is at the heart of our community, celebrating good food and good friends! Stop by and say hello (or Bonjour to Kim).

West Seattle Wednesday: HALA upzoning open house; candidate forum @ 34th DDs; more…

(WSB photo: Olympics peeking through this morning’s clouds)

From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, what’s ahead for today/tonight:

GIVEBIG: Sorry we don’t have a West Seattle/White Center participant list for this year, the eighth and final Seattle Foundation presentation of the one-day giving blitz. Our advice: Choose your favorite local nonprofit(s) and give generously, directly to them – today and/or every day!

DINE OUT FOR SWSHS: There is one GiveBIG event on the calendar – dine out all day/night at West 5 and part of the proceeds go to the Southwest Seattle Historical Society. Also, there’s a 6-8 pm whisky tasting there with Westland Distillery. More info on the SWSHS website. (4539 California SW)

HEAD TAX AT CITY COUNCIL: The council’s Finance and Neighborhoods Committee has two special meetings today to continue the consideration of the “head tax” to raise money for homelessness-related programs. One is under way right now; the second is at 2 pm. You can watch both on Seattle Channel if you aren’t at/can’t get to City Hall. (600 4th Ave.)

HALA (AND MORE) OPEN HOUSE: Still have questions about HALA Mandatory Housing Affordability as it makes its way through the City Council process? 6-8 pm at Louisa Boren STEM K-8, you can get answers from city staff at a drop-in open house. Other city departments will be there too. (5950 Delridge Way SW)

WRITING CIRCLE WITH HUGO HOUSE: 6 pm at West Seattle (Admiral) Library, writers welcome: “Bring something you’re working on, or just come ready to write. You will have the opportunity to share your work and get feedback – but only if you want to (no pressure!). You can also use this time to increase productivity on your current work in progress, surrounded by fellow writers. Open to all ages and genres.” (2306 42nd SW)

DANCE CLASSES: Two more series of dance classes start tonight at the Senior Center of West Seattle, 7 and 8:15 pm – swing and nightclub two-step. Call to sign up! (4217 SW Oregon)

POETRYBRIDGE: This month’s featured readers at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) are Chris Jarmick and Mary Crane. 7 pm. More info here! (5612 California SW)

34TH DISTRICT DEMOCRATS: 7 pm at The Hall at Fauntleroy. Agenda includes a candidate forum for the open 34th District State Senate seat – more info in the organization’s newsletter. (9131 California SW)

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen red Subaru Impreza

May 9, 2018 10:22 am
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 |   Crime | West Seattle news

From Chelsea, who hopes you can help find her 1997 red Subaru Impreza, plates BGX7941:

My car was stolen from in front of my house (Luna Park area) last night between the hours of 10 pm and 9 am. I would appreciate all the help possible in locating it because I do rely heavily on my car. I know the power of the West Seattle Community and I would really appreciate the help and support.

She adds that her car has many bumper stickers plus prayer beads hanging from the rear-view mirror and “a tear over the back right tire next to the gas cap.” If you see it, call 911. (Added: SPD incident # 18-163305.)

Sister school’s state superintendent visits West Seattle High School

May 9, 2018 9:00 am
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(WSB photo by Patrick Sand)

Another high-profile international visitor for West Seattle: At left is William Marois, who visited West Seattle High School on Tuesday from France. He is State Superintendent of the area two hours west of Paris where WSHS’s sister school, Lycee Polyvalent Robert Garnier, is located, explains WSHS French teacher Meghan Schumacher (above center), adding, “We welcomed three exchange students for a month in the fall, and then three of our students just returned from spending 3 weeks at their school and in their community.” The visit included a chat with WSHS principal Brian Vance (above right) and of course visits to the school’s French classes.

TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Wednesday watch; Bike to School Day

May 9, 2018 6:50 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)

6:50 AM: Good morning. No incidents reported in/from West Seattle so far today, and no transit alerts in the area so far either.

BIKE TO SCHOOL DAY: More riders than usual are out on the roads today! We’ve featured three local schools with special plans this morning and no doubt there are others.

7:11 AM: Added above, some early bike-to-schoolers arriving at Alki Elementary.