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How to help 4174 results

Ercolini Park: They (you) did it!
October 31, 2007 7:15 am
|    Comments Off on Ercolini Park: They (you) did it!
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

ercolinimay07.JPG

Just two days ago, we told you about the fundraising deadline today for matching funds to make Ercolini Park (48th/Alaska; photo above from last summer) a true park when construction work begins shortly — and we have word from Bill Barna that, thanks to one last big donation — $2,800 from Wanda Pommer — they made it! Bill and everyone at Friends of Ercolini Park send out a huge thanks to everyone who helped them reach the goal and says the big thing now is to make good on commitments of volunteer time (also vital in the “matching funds” process); as Bill explains, “It is also important to remember that all the volunteer hours that were pledged have actually been assigned a dollar value. If the volunteers don’t make good on their contributions some of the park features may suffer. So, PLEASE, everyone who committed time … make good on your pledge.”

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Tomorrow’s not just Halloween …
October 30, 2007 12:39 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

ercolinisign.jpg… it’s also the fundraising deadline for Friends of Ercolini Park, to help them qualify for city matching funds in their work to create a park for the growing residential neighborhoods west of The Junction. (The land has been set aside — but now it’s time to start putting in the features that will transform it into a park.) The group says work should be starting within a few weeks, and they expect to have “a park to play in by spring!” Read more about the project on the city’s page about it, and to help Friends of Ercolini Park get across the $ finish line, use the “donate” link on the group’s website. (Also coming up, this blog post from an Ercolini relative reminds us, is the deadline for the city to accept name suggestions, though as that writer notes, it’s hard to imagine it could end up being named anything else.)

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They help the environment; can you help them?
October 28, 2007 8:26 pm
|    Comments Off on They help the environment; can you help them?
 |   Environment | How to help | West Seattle news

planting.jpg

That’s a photo from an EarthCorps event with Denny Middle School students at the Thistle Street section of Longfellow Creek, where they put in more than 200 native plants — all amid the weather craziness of 10/19. EarthCorps invites you to go check out the new plantings just north of the P-Patch — and a frequent WSB contributor @ EarthCorps also hopes you’ll consider their request for a different kind of community help — one that doesn’t involve digging or planting:Read More

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Making the south end of West Seattle safer
October 26, 2007 12:55 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Highland Park | How to help | West Seattle news | White Center

We’ve said it dozens of times and want to say it again today: West Seattle Blog works because of you. The photos, the information, the tips, the rumors, the questions, the comments, the announcements, or even simply reading WSB and using the info to become more involved in community events and concerns … thank you to everyone who contributes in every way. That said, we have a big shoutout today to someone who agreed to cover the White Center/South Delridge Community Safety meeting for WSB last night, when we realized neither WSB editor could go. Here’s his report, full of information that might be of value to you even if that’s not your end of WS, including more on the latest West Seattle crime trends:
————-
By Evan Baumgardner
WSB contributor

This was my first time attending a Community Safety Meeting. I have to say, it was a real eye-opener for me, and I highly recommend checking one of these out if you haven’t yet. …Read More

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West Seattle Food Bank follow-up: Donate at your door!
October 23, 2007 6:45 am
|      27 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

Since we reported yesterday on the West Seattle Food Bank‘s request for immediate help — we have already heard of some people stepping up in ways big and small, all helpful. (Read the original report here.) That includes at least one business joining the cause — Garlic Jim’s Pizza proprietor Ryan Reese says he’s going to print up 3,000 coupons offering $3 off pizza deliveries for customers who donate at least three canned/nonperishable food items — giving the donations to the GJ’s drivers who shows up at their door. They bring you the pizza, you give them donations for the WSFB; as Ryan puts it, “how easy is that!” He’s planning on sending the coupons out for printing this afternoon after the Food Bank folks take a look at it this morning. 3,000 coupons=at least 9,000 items for the Food Bank! (And remember the online donation link here.)

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Just in: West Seattle Food Bank needs you, now
October 22, 2007 11:46 am
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

Just got e-mail from the West Seattle Food Bank and it’s more important than the other stuff we’re working on to post for you later – so here goes. Preface: Last fall, when you probably didn’t even know we were here (WSB readership now is 10x what it was then, thank you!), readers generously joined in an impromptu campaign to rustle up turkeys for another area food bank, and it felt great to help. Now, the West Seattle Food Bank is putting out the call to WSB readers for immediate help — we’ll do what we can and hope you will too. If you’re too busy to get food and drop it off at WSFB or the donation bins at three local supermarkets (mentioned below), click here to go to their site now and donate $ online (we just did so we’re challenging you to join us; the service handling $ donations takes credit cards or PayPal). Here’s the full text of the WSFB request:

The West Seattle Food Bank is seeking food and cash donations to ensure that no one in our community goes hungry this holiday season.

“There are many of our West Seattle neighbors who need special help,” said Food Bank Executive Director Fran Yeatts, “and unfortunately that’s especially true at this time of year. The West Seattle Food Bank will greatly appreciate anything you can do to help bring cheer to their holidays.”

Individuals and businesses can make holiday meals possible by donating items from the list below. Donations will help the most people by bringing Thanksgiving food donations to the Food Bank by November 17th.

Holiday foods to donate:

* Frozen turkey
* Hams
* Stuffing mix
* Mixed salad greens
* Canned cranberries (whole or sauce)
* Canned gravy
* Yams or sweet potatoes (fresh or canned)
* White potatoes
* Pumpkin or apple pies
* Dinner rolls (frozen or packaged)

Cash donations are always welcomed and will help the Food Bank purchase items that are needed Cash donations can be sent to: West Seattle Food Bank, 3419 SW Morgan Street, Seattle, WA 98126, or donated online at westseattlefoodbank.org. Food donation bins are also located at Metropolitan Market, PCC and West Seattle Thriftway.

“Generous neighbors can make such a difference,” said Yeatts, “and on our clients’ behalf, we thank everyone.”

We’ll remind you about this in the days/weeks ahead, but do what you can now – donate online, get extra food in your next grocery trip, make it a happier holiday season for West Seattle families who are counting on you.

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Happening in maybe-not-so-windblown West Seattle tonight
October 18, 2007 8:50 am
|    Comments Off on Happening in maybe-not-so-windblown West Seattle tonight
 |   Fun stuff to do | How to help | West Seattle schools

Good thing it’s sounding more like we won’t just have to hunker down and hide inside tonight (unless the forecast changes again – next update should be out within an hour or so), because there are some big things happening tonight (all from the WSB Events page – keep sending us the word on what’s up with your school, business, organization, community group, etc., thanks!):

GOOD FOOD, GOOD WINE, GREAT CAUSE: 6:30 pm tonight at the Hall at Fauntleroy, it’s the winetasting fundraiser and auction for West Seattle Helpline.

GOOD BEER, GREAT CAUSE: Murphy’s Furniture on Avalon has a benefit tonight for the West Seattle Food Bank — Oktoberfest beer tasting with Elliott Bay Brewery’s brewer talking about the price of hops (almost as hot a topic these days as the price of gas). Brats to go with the beer, too!

INFO NIGHT FOR INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE PROGRAM @ CHIEF SEALTH HS: If you haven’t heard about IB, it’s a rigorous high-school program and CSHS had to go through a lot to get it — this is its first year and the CSHS community is incredibly excited about it. Find out more about IB at Chief Sealth at 7 pm tonight.

ALKI COMMUNITY COUNCIL: Tonight’s the monthly meeting, featuring Q/A with candidates for key open seats on the City Council and School Board. ACC meetings are always great places to find out what’s happening in West Seattle’s highest-profile neighborhood. 7 pm, Alki Community Center.

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A letter to the community from Fauntleroy Church
October 16, 2007 10:34 am
|      42 COMMENTS
 |   Fauntleroy | How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle religion

This morning, we finally heard from Fauntleroy Church (UCC) leadership regarding the Tent City 3 proposal, which, as we reported on Sunday with reader assistance, is now tabled. Rev. David Kratz forwarded a letter to the community dated Sunday, and added a few additional comments. First, the letter, in its entirety:

Dear Neighborhood Friends,

During the first week of October, a small group of men and women from Tent City 3 (TC3) came to our church to present information, and to ask if we would consider hosting them from December through February because of their pressing need for somewhere to live at that time. Because of their need, we agreed to have TC3 make a similar presentation to our congregation last Sunday. A majority of church members at the meeting favored exploring the possibility of hosting TC3, but there were many concerns about whether we are well-positioned to explore this question right now.

Homelessness and housing is a multi-faceted issue that seriously concerns us. The growing gap between the rich and the poor, the diminishing of the middle class, the rapid loss of affordable housing across the nation and in Seattle, and more importantly coming to know individual homeless people prompt us to discern how we should respond as followers of Christ.

Fauntleroy Church has a long history of service on behalf of the poor. One of the things we’re most proud of is having helped found the original First Avenue Service Center in downtown Seattle (now called the Family and Adult Service Center). FASC is a program that provides the homeless with basic human services, such as nutritious meals, a place to shower, laundry facilities, access to phone and computer services, as well as case management, assistance finding safe and affordable housing, vocational training, and much more.

This morning our Church Council decided not to host Tent City 3 in the near future. We do plan to continue educating ourselves on the issue of homelessness. We directed our Outreach Ministry to create a Homelessness Task Force, with the charge to explore the whole range of theological, biblical, social, and psychological dimensions of homelessness and seek appropriate responses for our church. We plan to start this effort in 2008. We will keep you apprised of our process. Perhaps you may want to join our conversations and learn with us–we would welcome your wisdom and questions. We honor our relationship with you just as much as we do our call to serve the “least among us.”

Sincerely,

David Kratz, Senior Pastor
Susan Towner Larsen, Associate Pastor
Steve Sundquist, Moderator, Church Council

Rev. Kratz added in his e-mail to WSB that he has read the comments on our previous posts and, “I would invite anyone who would like to participate in a broader conversation about how to respond to people who are homeless to become part of a mailing list we are starting. As the letter states in the winter we will take a broader
look and would welcome the wisdom of concerned folks.”

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Monday evening miscellany
October 15, 2007 5:43 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Highland Park | How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

-Following up on the process of choosing a new State House Representative for West Seattle (and the rest of the 34th District), now that the King County Council has formally appointed ex-Rep. Joe McDermott to the State Senate: The 34th District Democrats now have the date, time, and place set for their meeting to make a recommendation: 7 pm November 1st, Hall at Fauntleroy. That will be eight days after their candidates’ forum.

-For everyone who helped out with the Prudential NW Realty food drive at three local supermarkets a week ago, Bill Barna sent the final numbers and a big thank you: 2,575 pounds of food donated, $1,805 cash donated. By the way, you can donate to the West Seattle Food Bank online any time here.

-If you happened to see the tv story about public sex at Westcrest Park, you may be interested in the Slog take on it today. (Also, we received a note from a WSB reader who has written to the city about the Westcrest situation twice and hasn’t even received a reply.)

-Speaking of Slog, our favorite citywide news blog, we are honored to have finished right on its heels in a contest we didn’t know was happening till a reader wrote to tell us WSB was among the winners – the Evening Magazine Best of Western Washington “Best Local Blog” category. WSB is the only neighborhood site, and the only not-owned-by-a-bigger-media-business site, on the BoWW list (along with Slog, which is run by The Stranger, the other winners were a blog by the Seattle Times and Citizen Rain, which is a production of KING5.com). If you were among those who voted, THANKS!

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Fauntleroy Church talks about possibly helping Tent City 3
October 12, 2007 11:55 pm
|      49 COMMENTS
 |   Fauntleroy | How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle religion

This is a sensitive issue, obvious since we first heard about it Wednesday. Within the span of a few hours, we received several notes from WSB readers asking if we had heard a rumor about Tent City 3, the rotating-site church-sponsored homeless camp, possibly coming to Fauntleroy Church (UCC) later this year. Our first stage of research quickly turned up a mention on the church website, saying that it was under discussion. Knowing the movements of other Tent City camps have led to community concern and questions elsewhere around Western Washington, we decided to seek comment and context rather than just slapping something up here on WSB. We left messages Wednesday afternoon for leaders at Fauntleroy Church, and also contacted the Church Council of Greater Seattle. While the Church Council did respond to our queries and after some discussion ultimately decided to take an official “no comment” position, we still have not heard back from Fauntleroy Church. Yet this is clearly being talked about in the community — yet more local residents have contacted us to inquire; one has forwarded a letter that the church-based Little Pilgrim preschool has sent to its families; another has forwarded a letter that was sent to the church on behalf of concerned neighbors. So in hopes of helping calm rumors, we want to share what we have found out so far:Read More

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Two Tuesday night notables
October 9, 2007 6:07 am
|    Comments Off on Two Tuesday night notables
 |   How to help | West Seattle people | West Seattle schools

JUNO MEETS AGAIN: If you live in or around The Junction, it’s your chance to get in on the ground floor of a great group — tonight’s the second meeting of JuNO (Junction Neighborhood Organization). They’re gathering at the Senior Center (Cali & Oregon) at 6:30. Click for the updated meeting agenda flyer.

DENNY/SEALTH CONSOLIDATED CAMPUS – WHERE’S IT AT? Find out from school district reps at tonight’s meeting in the Chief Sealth HS Little Theater (also 6:30). Will anything have changed from the intense schedule laid out at the summer meeting organized by the Westwood Neighborhood Council? Will the website mentioned on the district flyer be up and running any time soon? These and many other questions about this nine-digit project will hopefully be answered.

Several other noteworthy gatherings tonight too, including the Fauntleroy Community Association and Admiral Neighborhood Association; these and many more listings are always accessible on our ever-growing Events page.

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Wet walkers, warm hearts
October 7, 2007 3:09 pm
|    Comments Off on Wet walkers, warm hearts
 |   How to help | West Seattle religion | West Seattle weather

Caught up with some of the Seattle CROP Walk’ers in the rain and the wind a little while ago just south of Alki Point. Hundreds of people from churches all over the area are braving the 3-mile Alki-area route today to raise money and awareness to fight hunger, locally (benefiting agencies include the West Seattle and White Center Food Banks) and worldwide.

cropwalkers.jpg

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And two more late-breaking weekend haps
October 6, 2007 9:33 am
|    Comments Off on And two more late-breaking weekend haps
 |   How to help | West Seattle religion

FOOD DRIVE TODAY: Bill Barna from Prudential NW Realty tells us the company’s collecting donations around West Seattle for its food drive today as part of Global Volunteer Day. You can drop off donations 10 am-2 pm at Metro Market, PCC, and Morgan Junction Thriftway, or throughout the weekend at boxes set up at both PNW offices (Jefferson Square, 3221 Cali). Bill adds, “The usuals are asked for: Canned: veggies, meats, soups, tomato sauce, chili, etc. Peanut butter, mac & cheese, pasta, rice, beans. Don’t forget items like: diapers, baby food, toilet paper, toothpaste, tooth brushes, soap, detergent. Of course, cash donations are always appreciated by the food banks.”

ALUMNI EVENT TOMORROW: It’s Alumni Sunday at Holy Rosary, for the grade school as well as the high school, with special honors for the Classes of ’57, ’67, ’77, ’87, and ’97, but the invitation is extended to alums from every year. They’ll be planning for future reunions as well as for HR’s Centennial in 2013. You can RSVP for the alumni gathering online.

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West Seattle Weekend Lineup: First weekend of October
October 5, 2007 10:32 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Weekend Lineup: First weekend of October
 |   How to help | WS culture/arts | WS Weekend Lineup

You can check our new Events page any time to see what’s happening any day of the week (and thanks to everybody who’s sent us additions so far; keep ’em coming) but we’ll still bring you the West Seattle Weekend Lineup list every Friday morning too – with full weekend details (such as music acts at the major WS venues). Here’s this week’s edition; more than 30 items this time around:Read More

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Happening later today & tonight
October 3, 2007 11:29 am
|    Comments Off on Happening later today & tonight
 |   Fun stuff to do | How to help | West Seattle housing | WS culture/arts

A few highlights from the Events page (additions welcome; let us know!):

4:30 PM: Celebration scheduled to mark the start of construction phase 2 @ High Point; park at West Seattle Elementary, event at 31st & Holly (hope the weather clears!)

6:30 PM: North Delridge Neighborhood Council meeting @ Delridge Library

7:00 PM: Southwest District Council meeting @ South Seattle Community College

7:30 PM: Opening night @ ArtsWest for “Bat Boy” (through November 10th)

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Not entirely nameless
October 2, 2007 6:09 am
|    Comments Off on Not entirely nameless
 |   How to help | West Seattle parks

The park-in-progress west of The Junction is already known, albeit unofficially, as Ercolini Park, so you might wonder if you read the second item here today (or saw the original city press release), what’s up with the “name search”? The neighbors whose time, toil, and $ have gone toward making the park a reality, Friends of Ercolini Park, plan to submit their own proposal before the November 1st deadline and are hopeful the final official result will honor the land’s previous owner, as does the park’s current unofficial name.

ercolinifog.jpg
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Beverages with a mission
October 1, 2007 8:02 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | WS beverages

TONIGHT: A Drink for the Kids, a rolling-location fundraiser for the Vera Project, stops in West Seattle tonight, 6-10 pm @ West 5. Famous WS-residing participants promised: Mark Arm of Mudhoney and Dow Constantine of the KC Council. More on ADFTK here; more on Vera here.

LATER THIS MONTH: We mentioned Friday that the Gee situation had forced West Seattle Helpline to find someplace new for its Oct. 18th winetasting/auction event. The new location has now been revealed online — Tuxedo and Tennis Shoes Catering is hosting the event @ The Hall at Fauntleroy.

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Next weekend on Alki: Think global, run/walk local
September 30, 2007 11:33 pm
|    Comments Off on Next weekend on Alki: Think global, run/walk local
 |   How to help

In the final half-hour of this weekend, we look ahead to the next one … which will bring two events to Alki involving both exercise and fundraising/awareness-raising. Next Saturday, the first-ever One Race/One Village 5K run benefits the Agathos Foundation, a faith-rooted organization working to build farming communities to sustain children and elders left adrift by the AIDS epidemic in Southern Africa. (Registration, route, and time info here.) Next Sunday, churches from around the city are participating in the Seattle CROP Walk to help fight hunger globally and locally (according to this site, which includes contact info if you want to participate, part of the proceeds will benefit the West Seattle and White Center Food Banks). The CROP Walk will start at Alki Congregational UCC, which also is inviting everyone to its annual “Blessing of the Animals” service the same day. (Post-closing pitch: All of the aforementioned is linked from our new Events page, which we will continuously update with major events happening in the weeks and months to come; if you have something to add, e-mail us!)

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Side note to the Gee announcement
September 28, 2007 1:37 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   How to help

We won’t call it the “Gee closure” until and unless it actually happens – somehow we keep thinking about Idaho Sen. Larry Craig and his “I *intend* to resign September 30th …” (so much for that one) announcement. That aside, the Gee situation has led to some inconvenience for the wonderful folks at West Seattle Helpline — their winetasting fundraiser on October 18th was to be hosted at Gee. Don’t worry, the big bash is still on; Helpline tells WSB that a new location should be confirmed shortly. (Tickets by the way are $5 cheaper in advance; buy them online at the Helpline website.)

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Your neighborhood needs you
September 28, 2007 11:34 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle people

We’ve talked about West Seattle’s neighborhoods; their largely unsung heroes are the WS neighborhood associations. With a new month starting next week, October monthly meeting time is rolling around, and two groups have e-mailed us to let you know they’re getting together soon and to invite everyone in their areas to come check them out: Wednesday (October 3) @ 6:30, the North Delridge Neighborhood Council meets @ Delridge Library; Tuesday, October 9, 6:30 pm @ WS Senior Center, it’s the second-ever meeting of the Junction Neighborhood Organization (JuNO). Click here to see JuNO’s flyer with full meeting details. We’re listing these and other neighborhood meeting dates, as we receive/find them (e-mail us yours!), on our brand-new Events page – check it often from the handy tab above!

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Seal Sitters mourn another pup
September 28, 2007 8:01 am
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | Wildlife

Received late last night from Brenda Peterson of the Seal Sitters:

     After heroic efforts by Robin, Joanie, Jane, Marci and many others, the seal pup on the boat ramp these past two days was rescued by NOAA and taken off the beach by Animal Control who promptly delivered him to PAWS rehab workers to stabilize her. The plan was to take her to Wolf Hollow rehab in Friday Harbor by a plane donated by someone. But upon examination at PAWS they realized this pup had terrible systemic infections and abscesses throughout her body and would never recover. Mercifully, she was euthanized. But PAWS said we did the right thing to campaign so hard to get her removed from the beach and medical attention because her infections would have meant a long, slow death. This is the second pup in a week we’ve sat over and lost and it is very difficult for us all.

There is consolation in knowing that out of the 30-odd pups we’ve watched over on Alki, we’ve only lost about 4 that we know of  and so we’ve helped launch a whole new generation of pups this season. There was also a seal sitter this morning who wondrously witnessed the birth of a pup; and the pup we’ve been watching for the past week is still robust and healthy.

As the rains begin, there will be fewer risks to these resting pups on the beach from people, though dogs off leash are still a big concern. Thanks so much for all of you who have given your energy, time, and compassion to these fellow creatures who share our shores. Somehow I do think the seals realize that Alki Beach is full of good neighbors.

Brenda also attached a Seal Sitters flyer. We’ve uploaded it so you can take a look. Worth your time even just for the photo; click here.

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New way to find out what’s coming up
September 28, 2007 5:04 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Fun stuff to do | How to help | West Seattle schools

Just launched: Version 1.0 of our brand-new Events page, stocked with a variety of events coming up in West Seattle (and a select few elsewhere, but of WS relevance) over the next three months. If you are involved with an event of public interest and you don’t see it there yet, please send e-mail to tell us about it. One of the events on the page already is the October fundraising dinner/auction for West Seattle’s only private high school, Seattle Lutheran HS; WSB readers sent us full details too, including a call for more auction donations:Read More

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Last reminder – happening tonight
September 26, 2007 2:52 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | Transportation | West Seattle restaurants

VIADUCT MEETING: “Scoping meeting” regarding the project that the state says will replace the south end of The Viaduct no matter what’s decided about the rest of it — 5-8 pm tonight, with the official presentation starting at 6, Madison Middle School.

DINING FOR LITERACY: A portion of tonight’s proceeds at three WS restaurants — Angelina’s Trattoria, Garlic Jim’s Pizza, Talarico’s — go toward a literacy campaign, as part of Page Ahead’s area-wide Dish Up Literacy campaign.

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