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year : 2018 3707 results

NEIGHBORS FOR PEACE: You’re invited to march in South Park tomorrow night
February 8, 2018 9:11 pm
|    Comments Off on NEIGHBORS FOR PEACE: You’re invited to march in South Park tomorrow night
 |   Crime | South Park | West Seattle news

No new official information tonight on last night’s shooting in South Park that left a 16-year-old boy in critical condition. No arrest reported in that case or the double shooting a week earlier. But we do know that neighbors in South Park are hoping that West Seattleites and others from around the city will join them in this quiet plea. The invitation, in English and Spanish:

In wake of the recent shootings in our neighborhood, please join your neighbors in a silent march for peace. We will meet at 7:30 pm Friday at the library [8604 8th Ave. S.] and proceed to the Chevron gas station on 14th. Bring flashlights or candles. Let’s bring the city’s attention to our neighborhood. We need additional resources. We need community engagement. We need Peace. ☮️

A raíz de los recientes tiroteos en nuestro vecindario, únase a sus vecinos en una marcha silenciosa por la paz. Nos reuniremos a las 7:30 en la biblioteca y nos dirigiremos a la estación de servicio de Chevron en la 14 avenida. Trae linternas o velas. Es importante llamar la atención de la ciudad a nuestro vecindario. Necesitamos recursos adicionales. Necesitamos trabajar como comunidad. Necesitamos LA PAZ!

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HAPPENING NOW: West Seattle Art Walk, February 2018 edition
February 8, 2018 6:28 pm
|    Comments Off on HAPPENING NOW: West Seattle Art Walk, February 2018 edition
 |   West Seattle Art Walk | West Seattle news

6:28 PM: Thanks to Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor) for the photo – they’re hosting Portland artist George Perrou tonight, for the February 2018 edition of the West Seattle Art Walk. As we mentioned in today’s daily preview – where you’ll also find the venue map/list of every venue participating tonight – George’s work is also on this quarter’s official Art Walk poster. Stop by and say hi sometime in the next few hours!

7:20 PM: Another highlight tonight – student work at ArtsWest. It includes students from Chief Sealth International High School and West Seattle High School; we found two WSHS students when we stopped by:

Above, Quinn Fitzgerald; below, Arwen Blazier.

The students’ work, comprising an exhibit titled Visual Narratives, will be up at ArtsWest through this weekend.

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FOLLOWUP: Installation planned this weekend for new SB 99 West Seattle Bridge/Harbor Island exit signs
February 8, 2018 5:37 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

Two weeks ago, we published a report on SDOT‘s promise to replace the signs that have been missing for quite some time on southbound Highway 99 just before the side-by-side exits for the westbound West Seattle Bridge and Harbor Island. SDOT now has set the dates for installation. Here’s the announcement:

The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) advises travelers that SDOT crews will reduce the number of southbound SR 99 travel lanes on Saturday February 10, and Sunday, February 11 to replace overhead signs directing travelers on southbound SR 99 to West Seattle and Harbor Island.

This work will reduce the number of southbound travel lanes to create work zones for crews just north of the West Seattle and Harbor Island exits starting Saturday morning and continuing through Sunday afternoon. Please use extra caution during this time as lane closures will alternate depending on the location of signs being replaced. SDOT would like to thank the public for its patience while this work is being completed.

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Crime drop, bog progress, park future @ Westwood-Roxhill-Arbor Heights Community Coalition
February 8, 2018 3:24 pm
|      19 COMMENTS
 |   Arbor Heights | Neighborhoods | West Seattle news | Westwood

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Some promising news emerged on multiple fronts at this month’s Westwood-Roxhill-Arbor Heights Community Coalition meeting.

CRIME DROP: WWRHAH was briefed by Southwest Precinct Operations Lt. Ron Smith. The area covered by this community group, he said, has had 56 incidents in tracked categories compared to 119 a year earlier. That includes one fewer robbery, one more aggravated assault, 7 crimes against persons compared to 5 – but property crime is down dramatically – one more burglary, one more commercial burglary (3 compared to 2), but larceny (much of it shoplifting) is down dramatically, about a fourth of what it was. Also: 15 car prowls compared to 17, 8 car thefts compared to 13. 49 property crimes in all – less than half it was at this point last year. Police continue working harder to get repeat offenders kept in jail – including for example making sure the “(law enforcement) objects to release” box is checked on reports.

The subject of the arrest of officer-assault suspect Jorge Cruz-Benitez two nights earlier came up; he was allegedly first spotted doing graffiti vandalism in the area (Delridge/Henderson). Lt. Smith echoed what we noted in a previous discussion, that not all tagging is gang-related. (This meeting was on Tuesday night; one night later, on Wednesday night, Cruz-Benitez was released from jail, according to the KC Jail Register.)

(Southwestern side of Roxhill Bog – WSB photo from 2014)

ROXHILL PARK AND BOG: WWRHAH has been pushing forever to get the bog water-flow fixed –
here’s an extensive report we published in 2014 – and is making progress. Your involvement can accelerate things. First:

Read More

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CONGRATULATIONS! Seven more West Seattle High School athletes sign for college
February 8, 2018 2:22 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

(WSB photos)

Though basketball is in the high-school-sports spotlight right now, seven West Seattle High School athletes are celebrating scholarships for other sports, and we were there for their ceremonial signings on Wednesday afternoon, as were proud family members.

The student-athletes are:

Alex Pastrana – Linfield University, football; majoring in exercise science
Ben Dagg – Carroll College, soccer; majoring in physics
Reed Lower – Santa Clara University, rower; majoring in business
Cass Elliott – University of Washington, track and field; majoring in business
Lucy Mead – Bradley University, softball; majoring in business
Hailey Hirano – University of New York, soccer; majoring in business
Joseph Kirk-Woodbury – Olympic Junior College (Bremerton), track and field; majoring in nursing

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CONGRATULATIONS! Multiple awards for West Seattle Nursery display at Flower & Garden Festival
February 8, 2018 1:45 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Gardening | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

That video tweet is just one of the tips we got about this big news – congratulations to West Seattle Nursery for winning multiple awards at the biggest gardening event of the year. From Marie McKinsey:

The Northwest Flower and Garden Festival is running now through Sunday at the Washington State Convention Center. We are happy to say that our display garden – Wabi Sabi: Embracing Flawed Beauty – was awarded the Founder’s Cup (best of show) award. We also won a Gold Medal, awards for Best Use of Horticulture, Best Use of Color and the Garden Design Magazine award. We are honored, happy and a bit overwhelmed!

You can read more about the display garden – including its plant list – on the WS Nursery website. For info about the Flower and Garden Festival downtown, go here.

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FOLLOWUP: City gets state grant for Don Armeni Boat Ramp project
February 8, 2018 11:47 am
|    Comments Off on FOLLOWUP: City gets state grant for Don Armeni Boat Ramp project
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(From February 2017 presentation about this project and others – obviously the timeline has slid)

11:47 AM: One year ago, we reported on Seattle Parks‘ plans to renovate Don Armeni Boat Ramp with two new floating ramps. The expected start date was listed at the time as last fall, but it hasn’t happened yet. Parks was pursuing a grant to cover part of the $1.5 million cost, and now there’s word the city is getting it – a mayoral announcement on Wednesday mentioned the $374,950 state grant for the project. We’re checking with Parks to get the new timeline.

ADDED 1:57 PM: Christina Hirsch with Parks tells WSB, “Due to the uncertainty with funding over the last year, design and permitting was put on hold. We will be restarting our efforts in March 2018 once agreements are in place and will get a status update out in the second quarter of 2018.”

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West Seattle Thursday: WS Art Walk; light rail; student poetry; basketball; much more!
February 8, 2018 10:18 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

We start the highlights for today/tonight with the West Seattle Art Walk, since it’s the second Thursday:

Remember, it’s not just places to see art and meet artists, you’ll also find food/beverage venues with specials! Here’s the long list of tonight’s highlights, including:

STUDENT ARTISTS: ArtsWest has a 6 pm reception for Chief Sealth International High School and West Seattle High School student artists who are showing work this month.

CLICK’S BACK: Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor) skipped last month’s Art Walk during its post-holiday refresh, but they’re open again and ready to welcome you tonight, with artist George Perrou, whose work is featured on this quarter’s Art Walk poster:

Also on our list of highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

LAFAYETTE TOUR: Incoming kindergartener at Lafayette Elementary, or thinking about it? 2:30-3:30 pm tour today. (2645 California SW)

LIGHT RAIL @ PLANNING COMMISSION: The Seattle Planning Commission is scheduled for a briefing and discussion on the West Seattle to Ballard light-rail “representative alignment” during its 3-5:30 pm meeting at City Hall. (600 4th Ave.)

KNIFE SKILLS: Chef/author Kim O’Donnel has a new class series at the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) in The Triangle, 4:30 pm – info and registration details here. (3622 SW Snoqualmie)

LIGHT RAIL STAKEHOLDERS: First meeting of the newly finalized Stakeholders Advisory Group for the West Seattle to Ballard light-rail extensions – public’s welcome, 5-8 pm at the board room at Union Station. Here’s the agenda; the roster, just announced yesterday, is here. (401 S. Jackson)

WINE AND CHOCOLATE WITH THE CHAMBER: Viscon Cellars (WSB sponsor) hosts this tasty event that includes wine, chocolate, more – details here – check to see if tickets are still available! 5:30-8:30 pm. (5910 California SW)

WORDS, WRITERS, WEST SEATTLE: New time and venue for the Southwest Seattle Historical Society author series – tonight, 6 pm, High Point Library, featuring Elise Hooper, author of “The Other Alcott.” (35th SW/SW Raymond)

AERONAUTICAL TECHNOLOGY OPEN HOUSE: 6-7 pm at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) – meet with faculty and find out about the programs in this SSC department! (6000 16th SW)

PAGE-TO-STAGE POETRY PERFORMANCE: As previewed here, you’re invited to the Chief Sealth IHS Auditorium at 7 pm to watch 9th graders’ performances of student poetry – we covered it last year and this is not just a “stand at the microphone and read” event – go appreciate their art! (2600 SW Thistle)

OPEN MIC: 7 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), come make music! (5612 California SW)

PUNK ROCK AEROBICS: 7 pm class at Highland Park Improvement Club. (1116 SW Holden)

BASKETBALL: Both West Seattle High School teams have Metro League third-place games tonight at 7:30 – the boys are playing Cleveland at Chief Sealth IHS (2600 SW Thistle); the girls are playing Garfield at Nathan Hale HS (10750 30th NE).

MORE FOR TODAY, TONIGHT, BEYOND … on our complete-calendar page.

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CONGRATULATIONS! 2 local students win Rotary Club scholarships for leadership training
February 8, 2018 9:22 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Rotary Club of West Seattle | West Seattle news

Just announced:

The Rotary Club of West Seattle is pleased to announce the selection of two West Seattle students to receive scholarships to attend Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (“RYLA”) from March 15-18,2018 at Pacific Lutheran University.

The scholarship recipients are:

Konrad Gerhardt, son of Roxanne and Jon Gerhardt of West Seattle, is a sophomore at O’Dea High School, where he is the House Captain of Limerick Sophomore House and a member of the O’Dea Lacrosse team. Konrad is also an Adventure Scout and completed the high adventure trek at Philmont Scout Ranch last summer.

Zach Carver, son of Lars and Allison Carver of West Seattle, is a sophomore at Seattle Lutheran High School, where he is Sophomore Class Vice President and was honored as the 2nd Team All-League selection in football as a running back. Zach loves creative writing and making music.

RYLA is an intensive leadership training program for sophomore and junior students selected by their Rotary Clubs from Rotary Districts 5020 and 5030, encompassing the metropolitan Seattle area, Pierce County, Vancouver Island, and the Olympic Peninsula. We congratulate our scholarship recipients.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Thursday watch
February 8, 2018 7:06 am
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

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

7:06 AM: So far this morning, no incidents reported in/from West Seattle.

Two notes:

FAUNTLEROY/WILDWOOD CLOSURE: The pavement/curb ramp project continues to close this intersection south of the Fauntleroy ferry dock, and the C Line/Route 116 reroutes continue.

SCHOOL-BUS STRIKE: Day 6, and the union says the two sides will meet.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Police search for would-be burglar near Lowman Beach
February 8, 2018 12:23 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

A police search near Lowman Beach right now, with K-9 called out, following a reported burglary attempt. Someone called 911 to report a man using a ladder to try to break into a house in the 7000 block of Beach Drive SW, just south of Lowman Beach Park. The description just broadcast on police radio is a man in his 20s, Hispanic, black hair that’s long on top and short on the sides, a black sweatshirt and Carhartt-type pants. If you have any information, call 911.

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BASKETBALL: Overtime loss for West Seattle HS girls in first Metro tournament game
February 8, 2018 12:20 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

Wednesday night was the first time all season that the West Seattle High School girls had lost to a Metro League opponent – and it was in their first game of the Metro tournament. It took overtime to bring them down, with Cleveland winning 63-60. #32 Meghan Fiso was top scorer with 21 points:

#4 Kelsey Lenzie had 19:

And #20 Grace Sarver brought in 11:

The Wildcats were up by five at halftime, 32-27, but in the second half, they had trouble hanging onto the ball, and their shooting grew chilly. They were still up after the third quarter, 46-40, but then Cleveland tied it at 54 and forced the OT, which went the Eagles’ way.

Tonight (Thursday) at Nathan Hale HS at 7:30 pm, the girls play Garfield for Metro third place. They already are guaranteed a district-tournament berth, either Saturday or Tuesday, depending on what happens tonight.

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BASKETBALL: West Seattle HS boys fall to Rainier Beach in second Metro League playoff game
February 7, 2018 11:56 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

A disappointing Wednesday night for both West Seattle High School basketball teams. The boys fell to Rainier Beach, 73-43:

(WSB photos)

Beach took the win in their previous meetup last month, but that one was only by four points. This time, the Wildcats were down by seven points after the first quarter, and the deficit widened every quarter thereafter. Top scorer was #23 Anthony Giomi with 14 points.

#24 Simon Harris had 9:

And #5 Abdullahi Mohamed, 8:

The West Seattle boys play Cleveland for Metro third place Thursday night, 7:30 pm at Chief Sealth International High School (2600 SW Thistle). And they’re already guaranteed at least one appearance in the district tournament, which starts Saturday.

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SCHOOL-BUS STRIKE UPDATE: Drivers’ union and employer to meet Thursday
February 7, 2018 9:35 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

As of right now, Thursday will be Day 6 of the drivers’ strike against Seattle Public Schools‘ yellow-bus service provider First Student – but for the first time since the strike began, the two sides will be meeting. The district has posted an update saying a federal mediator is involved, and the drivers’ union Teamsters Local 174 has posted an update saying, “First Student has finally reached out to the Teamsters and a meeting will be taking place tomorrow, February 8, 2018. We are hopeful that this meeting will bring us closer to a resolution to this strike.” This news follows the Seattle Education Association teachers union’s show of support for the drivers this afternoon, with demonstrations around the city including this one in West Seattle.

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UPDATE: 16-year-old boy injured in South Park shooting
February 7, 2018 7:23 pm
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

7:23 PM: Seattle Police are investigating a shooting at 14th Avenue S. and S. Trenton in South Park. They say one victim has been rushed to the hospital with life-threatening injuries, and that there is no suspect in custody yet. No other official details except that an officer who left a meeting we’re covering to go to the scene said that it involved “youth in our community.”

7:29 PM: Metro says Route 132 is rerouted off 14th Ave. S. (which is an arterial) because of this.

9:17 PM: 14th Avenue South is still blocked at the scene. SPD now says the victim is 16 years old and that he has a gunshot wound to the head, and that gang detectives are investigating, “processing the scene and interviewing potential witnesses.” If you have any information, call 911.

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Crash on Harbor Avenue SW
February 7, 2018 6:16 pm
|    Comments Off on Crash on Harbor Avenue SW
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

Thanks to David Christensen for the photo and report about a crash in the 3000 block of Harbor Avenue SW less than an hour ago. SFD has since cleared the scene so the road is likely no longer blocked, but he reports that it appeared to be a one-vehicle crash. No major injuries as no SFD medic unit was called.

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BIZNOTE: Virago Gallery moving around the corner to ex-bookstore space
February 7, 2018 5:15 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

A West Seattle Junction business is on the move … but not going far. Virago Gallery is moving from 4306 SW Alaska, the space just west of Easy Street Records, to 4537 California SW, where Merryweather (Leisure) Books recently closed.

But don’t look for Virago in its new space just yet – proprietor Tracy Cilona told us today that the remodeling work is just about to get under way and she’ll be moving in this April or May. Meantime, Virago’s current location remains open – and in fact you’re invited to stop in during West Seattle Art Walk tomorrow night, 6-9 pm, for a trunk show and pop-up by Kate S. Mensah.

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UPDATE: West Seattle rescue response at Seacrest
February 7, 2018 3:57 pm
|      20 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS breaking news

(WSB photo of fireboat that was part of the big but short-lived response)

3:57 PM: A Seattle Fire Department rescue response is on the way to Seacrest Park, where there’s a report that a diver “did not surface.” More to come.

4:06 PM: Scanner traffic indicates rescuers believe the diver reported missing is actually OK after having surfaced separately from the rest of his group.

4:19 PM: Our crew at Seacrest has confirmed that all is well and responding crews are being dismissed.

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WEST SEATTLE LIGHT RAIL: Tonight SW District Council, tomorrow Planning Commission & Stakeholders Group, whose full roster is out
February 7, 2018 3:56 pm
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE LIGHT RAIL: Tonight SW District Council, tomorrow Planning Commission & Stakeholders Group, whose full roster is out
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

Even before we get to next week’s first open house for the Sound Transit West Seattle-Ballard light-rail extension, it will be part of three meetings tonight and tomorrow.

TONIGHT: Added to the Southwest District Council agenda (6:30 pm, Sisson Building/Senior Center, 4217 SW Oregon), the Junction Neighborhood Organization‘s presentation on what’s known so far about the “representative alignment” (here’s our coverage of the presentation at last week’s JuNO meeting).

THURSDAY AFTERNOON: The Seattle Planning Commission will be briefed on, and will discuss, the “representative alignment” for the West Seattle-Ballard extension during its 3-5:30 pm meeting in the Boards and Commissions Room at City Hall (600 4th Ave.). Here’s the draft agenda.

THURSDAY EVENING: 5-8 pm in the board room at Union Station (401 S. Jackson), it’s the first meeting of the Stakeholder Advisory Group that Sound Transit is convening, with members appointed by the Elected Leadership Group. Its mission is explained here. The full list of appointees was made public moments ago; we’ve been awaiting it since hearing earlier today from Deb Barker of the West Seattle Transportation Coalition that she will be a member of the group. Here’s the full roster:

• Abigail Doerr, Transportation Choices Coalition
• Andres Arjona, Community Representative – Ballard
• Becky Asencio, Seattle Public Schools
• Deb Barker, Community Representative – West Seattle
• Brian King, Community Representative – West Seattle
• Bryce Yadon, Futurewise
• Colleen Echohawk, Chief Seattle Club
• Dave Gering, Manufacturing Industrial Council
• Erin Goodman, SODO Business Improvement Area
• Ginny Gilder, Force 10 Hoops/Seattle Storm
• Greg Nickels, Former Mayor of Seattle
• Hamilton Gardiner, West Seattle Chamber of Commerce
• Jon Scholes, Downtown Seattle Association
• Julia Park, Community Representative – Ballard
• Katie Garrow, Martin Luther King Labor Council
• Larry Yok, Community Representative – Chinatown/ID
• Maiko Winkler-Chin, Seattle Chinatown International District Preservation & Development Authority
• Mark Nagle, Expedia
• Mike Stewart, Ballard Alliance
• Paul Lambros, Plymouth Housing
• Peter Schrappen, Northwest Marine Trade Association
• Robert Cardona, Community Representative – Uptown
• Ron Sevart, Space Needle
• Savitha Reddy Pathi, Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience
• Scott Rusch, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
• Steve Lewis, Alliance for People with disAbilities
• Walter Reese, Nucor Steel
• Warren Aakervik, Community Representative – Freight
• Willard Brown, Delridge Neighborhood Development Association

All three of the meetings we’ve mentioned above are open to the public.

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HAPPENING NOW: Teachers’ West Seattle show of support for striking bus drivers
February 7, 2018 2:43 pm
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

On day 5 of the drivers’ strike against First Student, which provides yellow-bus service for Seattle Public Schools, teachers are demonstrating right now in a show of support. Our photos are from Fauntleroy and Alaska.

(The teachers, by the way, did NOT walk out of class – Wednesdays are early-release days all year now – they would be in “professional development” time right now.) We even found a show of support for one specific striking driver:

That’s Jackie holding the sign in support of Al, the local driver who’s been sending us updates every morning from the picket line in South Park – here’s the photo he texted early today:

Al reported that the strikers appreciate the show of community support – lots of honking from passersby this morning, for example, he said. Meantime, no new negotiations reported, so at this point it looks likely that tomorrow will be Day 6 of the strike.

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WEST SEATTLE BIZNOTE: ‘Have a Heart’ at Illusions Hair Design, celebrating 40 years!
February 7, 2018 2:11 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   How to help | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

(WSB photo)

Just one week until Valentine’s Day, and Illusions Hair Design (WSB sponsor) just might be the Valentiney-est place in West Seattle. As briefly noted last week, this year, in honor of their 40th anniversary, Illusions has expanded its annual “Have a Heart” community-nonprofit fundraiser to last an entire month. Illusions’ proprietor Sue Lindblom (front and center in our photo) and the team will “sell” you a paper heart at the for a $1, $5, or $20 donation that goes to Southwest Youth and Family Services, while your paper heart goes up on the wall. And whatever you donate goes an extra distance because Illusions is matching donations, up to $1,000! Illusions (which opened in June 1978 and has been a WSB sponsor for 10 of those 40 years!) is at 5619 California SW.

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Property owner? Brace yourself for this year’s tax bill
February 7, 2018 11:54 am
|      75 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle housing | West Seattle news

By the end of next week, this year’s property-tax bills will be on the way. And that includes the new education-funding tax increase – $1 for every $1,000 your property’s worth – so the King County Assessor’s Office has sent an alert, in hopes you won’t be too shocked. Here’s the news release:

King County Treasury will begin sending out the annual property tax bills in mid February. King County collects property taxes on behalf of the state, the county, cities, and taxing districts (such as school and fire districts), and distributes the revenue to these local governments.

Voters have approved several property-tax increases that will make much-needed investments in veterans and senior citizen services and fire protection. In some parts of King County, as much as 50 percent of the property tax bill is the result of voter-approved measures.

New levies approved in 2017 for collection this year include:

· Fire protection levies in Maple Valley, Vashon, and Skyway.
· School bonds for Shoreline and Federal Way.
· Renewal of the Veterans, Seniors and Human Services levy in King County.

In addition to approved local measures, the Washington State legislature passed an additional property tax to increase funding of education. Previously, the State Supreme Court ruled that the state must make new investments into public education; as a result the legislature added $1.01 per thousand dollars of assessed value, in King County, to their portion of property tax collection in order to fund the mandate (this is known as the McCleary Plan).

“Communities in our region are thankful to voters for approving new funding for essential services, but we know that property taxes can be especially tough for those on fixed incomes,” said King County Assessor John Wilson. “That’s why we’ve been aggressively reaching out to seniors, veterans and disabled homeowners with the property tax exemption program. Additionally, I’ve been working with Executive Constantine to create more tools for transparency around property taxes,” Wilson continued.

Low-income seniors, veterans and disabled homeowners may qualify for a property-tax exemption offered by King County. Information on how to apply for an exemption, along with other property-assessment-related information, can be found at kingcounty.gov/assessor. Property taxes vary depending upon location, the assessed value of the property, and the number of jurisdictions levying taxes (such as state, city, county, school district, port, fire district, etc).

With property taxes going up 16.92 percent on average, that means countywide property tax billings will be $5.6 billion in 2018, up from $ 4.8 billion last year. Aggregate property values in King County increased by 13.41 percent, going from $471.5 billion in 2017 to $534.7 billion in 2018.

“Without doubt voters are going to see a property tax increase due to the funding model the legislature has passed to fund education. So at a local level we are building more tools and supporting more legislation to increase transparency and fairness around the property tax. It is a work in progress and we will continue working on behalf of King County taxpayers,” said Wilson.

To avoid interest and penalties, the first-half property taxes must be paid or postmarked by April 30, 2018. The second-half property taxes must be paid or postmarked by Oct. 31, 2018.

If you haven’t received a notice by February 16th, that’s the date you can see your bill online via the King County Parcel Viewer. You also can sign up here to get your notice electronically instead of by postal mail.

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West Seattle Wednesday: Suicide prevention; school safety; SW District Council; much more!
February 7, 2018 10:39 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Varied thrush, photographed by Mark Wangerin)

Midway through the week! Here’s our list of WSB West Seattle Event Calendar highlights for the rest of today/tonight:

BABY STORY TIME: 11:30 am at High Point Library, geared to wee ones up to one year old. (35th SW/SW Raymond)

HOT TOPICS: The discussion series at Southwest Library continues at noon today with “Cooking Without Waste” – info in our calendar listing. (9010 35th SW)

WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON AT THE MOVIES: 1 pm at Senior Center of West Seattle. Today: “Will There Really Be a Morning? Part 2.” (4217 SW Oregon)

WEST SEATTLE HS SUICIDE-PREVENTION TRAINING: For parents and guardians, 6-8 pm, “to help empower individuals to play a role in recognizing peers, friends, and family who might be having thoughts of suicide, and to know how and where we can refer those individuals to keep them safe.” (3000 California SW)

CHIEF SEALTH IHS PTSA SAFETY MEETING: Annual meeting focused on campus safety and procedures, with school and public-safety officials. All welcome. 6:30 pm – note the off-campus location – Neighborhood House High Point. (6400 Sylvan Way SW)

ALKI ELEMENTARY PTA: 6:30 pm meeting. (3010 59th SW)

SOUTHWEST DISTRICT COUNCIL: 6:30 pm at the Sisson Building/Senior Center. Agenda includes

6:45 pm​ – Kathryn Murdock & Thomas Fawthrop – ​SPU Drainage and Wastewater South Operations Center Outreach Team
● 4500 W Marginal Way SW – SPU Drainage & Wastewater South Operations Center site

7:15 pm – Andres Mantilla – Director of External Relations and Outreach, Office of the Mayor
● Overview – Mayor Jenny Durkan’s Agenda
● Discussion – Future engagement with DC’s and Neighborhood Organizations

(4217 SW Oregon)

BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS: Both West Seattle High School teams have Metro League playoff games tonight, both at Seattle Pacific University. The girls play Cleveland at 7 pm; the boys play Rainier Beach at 8:30 pm. (3307 3rd Ave. W.; map)

JIM PAGE: Singer-songwriter at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. (5612 California SW)

TRIANGULAR JAZZTET: Live music at Whisky West in Morgan Junction, 7 pm. No cover. 21+. (6451 California SW)

OPEN MICROPHONE: At Great American Diner and Bar in The Junction, hosted by Alan Sobel. Sign up at 7, performances start at 7:30 pm. All ages. (4752 California SW)

PRIDE SKATE SEATTLE: Monthly event for LGBTQIA community at Southgate Roller Rink in White Center, 8:30 pm, $8 – includes skates if needed – 21+. (9646 17th SW)

AND THERE’S MORE … on our complete-calendar page!

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