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SUNDAY: How to be part of ‘Question Week’
March 12, 2016 7:56 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news

It’s been said that it’s far more important to have the right questions, than to have the right answers.

Tomorrow, you have a chance to do something unique with your question(s):

In honor of Albert Einstein‘s upcoming birthday, this will be Question Week, and local organizers have announced:

To launch Question Week locally, Red Cup Espresso, 4451 California Ave SW, is allowing use of their deck on Sunday, March 13th from 10 AM – 2 PM, where everyone can come to have their photos professionally taken by West Seattle’s own Filmateria when they share their questions. We will have some starter exercises to align with the Sunday West Seattle Farmers Market, and there will be the option to participate via social media.

For more about Question Week, read on:

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WEATHER ALERT UPDATE: ‘High Wind Warning’ for Sunday pm
March 12, 2016 3:51 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

3:51 PM: The weather alert for tomorrow has been upgraded this afternoon to a “High Wind Warning,” and the National Weather Service‘s forecast discussion describes it as a “classic Puget Sound windstorm scenario,” with sustained wind from the south/southeast/southwest potentially 35-45 mph and gusts as high as 70 mph. This is all supposed to happen Sunday afternoon/evening, so you have time to charge everything, get flashlights handy, and other precautions for possible outages.

9:44 PM: As noted in comments, there’s now more of a possibility this might be a little weaker than the afternoon projection – you can read the NWS’s newest “forecast discussion” by going here. As of right now, they’re keeping the warnings up, since the possibility of winds strong enough to bring down trees and cause outages remains. We’ll see what the morning forecast updates (there’s usually another by 4 am, for night owls/earlybirds) bring.

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VIDEO: Three local schools in St. Patrick’s Day Parade downtown
March 12, 2016 1:35 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

1:35 PM: The St. Patrick’s Day Parade is just wrapping up downtown – and the three local school bands that marched in it turned out to be the only school bands in the parade. First, Chief Sealth International High School:

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(Added: Video)

Then Denny International Middle School:

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(Added: Video)

And West Seattle High School:

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(Added: Video)

One more West Seattle sight – the Seattle Police Mounted Patrol, which is based next to Westcrest Park in Highland Park:

The parade began with sights and sounds best known for summertime parades, the SPD Motorcycle Drill Team …

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… and the Seafair Pirates, whose first two cannon blasts are on our short Twitter video:

This year’s Grand Marshal was SPD Chief Kathleen O’Toole.

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(Added above: Photo with, from left, Chief O’Toole, husband Dan, local journalist Casey McNerthney, and retiring Congressmember Jim McDermott.)

5:35 PM: Updated with video of all three marching bands. Yet to come: Photos to replace the early ones we added from our as-it-happened tweeting.

9:22 PM: Photos added, as well as substituted for the bands’ Twitter images that we had originally included.

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VIDEO: 2016 Gathering of Neighbors @ Youngstown Cultural Arts Center
March 12, 2016 10:14 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Gathering of Neighbors | West Seattle news

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10:14 AM: In the hallway at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, the Gathering of Neighbors is under way, starting with a resource fair – tablers include:

*SWYFS
*West Seattle Food Bank
*Dept. of Education & Early Learning
*HALA
*West Seattle Time Bank
*SDOT
*DPCI
*West Seattle Helpline
*Seattle Subway

Opening ceremony is at 10:30. More to come.

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11 AM: First panel is under way in the theater.

11:37 AM: The theme today is ‘growing pains’ and this discussion with Councilmember Lorena González and the Junction Association‘s Susan Melrose, plus Ben Crowther from The Urbanist and the city’s HALA project manager Michelle Chen, has touched on many challenges and opportunities. We have it on video and will add later when the clip’s ready. West Seattle-residing broadcaster Brian Callanan moderated. (Added – here’s the video:)

12 PM: Breakout sessions now, from business development to light rail. Still time to get here for the concluding panel on homelessness, to be moderated by Councilmember Lisa Herbold, scheduled as an encore of the panel we covered at the 34th District Democrats in January.

ADDED SATURDAY EVENING … a few more photos. From the organizing group VieWS (Visualizing Increased Engagement in West Seattle), Pete Spalding showed off his T-shirt from the first GoN back in 2004:

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The group that launched the GoN was Megawatt, which disbanded in 2007 but not before having a lasting effect on the local community, not just via this event but also by creating West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day in 2005 (after MW’s closure, we took it over in 2008 and beyond; we’ll be opening registration in early April for this year’s WSCGSD, which is nine weeks from today – Saturday, May 14th).

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West Seattle Saturday: Before we ‘spring forward’ tonight, here’s what’s up
March 12, 2016 7:02 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Saturday: Before we ‘spring forward’ tonight, here’s what’s up
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

WScrubJay0316-01a
(Another beautiful jay photographed by Mark Wangerin – this time a Western Scrub-Jay found by the Duwamish River)

Tonight, we “spring forward” as Daylight Saving Time arrives at 2 am Sunday. But first, a big day/night in West Seattle – from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (which you can browse any time of the day or night to see what’s ahead), highlights include:

24th ANNUAL FAIRMOUNT RAVINE CLEANUP: It’s along the route so many take between the water and Admiral, so this cleanup is of interest even if you’re not a nearby resident. Spend an hour or two helping not only clean up the ravine but also clipping ivy off its trees – more info here. Treats for volunteers. Meet at 8:30 am. (Fairmount/Forest)

GATHERING OF NEIGHBORS: 9 am-1 pm, drop in for any or all of this year’s “Gathering of Neighbors” at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center and talk/hear about West Seattle’s “growing pains” – the challenges, the opportunities, and more. See our preview for what’s happening, who’s talking/listening, and when. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

SOFTBALL JAMBOREE: 9 am-4 pm, 10 teams at Southwest Athletic Complex, including all three of our local high schools. Free to watch – 2-inning games will be ongoing at the upper and lower fields. See the schedules and addresses in our preview (including Sealth vs. WSHS at 9:55 am on the lower field).

SHOP, DINE, HAVE FUN ALL AT ONE EVENT: 9 am-3 pm at the Seattle Lutheran High School Gym, Soroptimist International of Seattle South is throwing a fun(draising) event including “food, Easter baskets, plant starts, yard art, garden gnomes, gifts for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. Kids can have their picture taken with the Easter Bunny and there will be an area for little ones to color while their parents shop.” There’s an admission charge – details in our listing. (4100 SW Genesee)

GIGANTIC GARAGE SALE: 9 am-2 pm, it’s the second and final day of West Side Presbyterian‘s megasale, indoors and out – just look for this (which we photographed yesterday afternoon):

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(3601 California SW)

LOCALS IN ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE: The Denny IMS, WSHS, and Chief Sealth IHS bands are all in the parade downtown today. It starts at 12:30 pm, heading north from 4th/James. Route, running order, more, all here.

AUDITION FOR ‘LISTEN TO YOUR MOTHER’: Local auditions for interested in writers start at 1:15 pm at High Point Library – explained here. (35th SW/SW Raymond)

SPAGHETTI DINNER: The West Seattle High School ASB hopes you’ll come have dinner with them tonight – (updated start time) 5:30 pm-8:30 pm, $10 adults, $7 kids at the door, spaghetti, garlic bread, dessert, beverages, and they’re selling T-shirts too – ASB officer Angelo Guerrero e-mailed us the info and promises it’ll be a lot of fun. Questions? angeloguerrero850@gmail.com (3000 California SW)

ULTIMATE ORIENTEERING AT LINCOLN PARK: Navigate in the dark! The Cascade Orienteering Club is hosting a nighttime orienteering event at Lincoln Park – sign up at 6 pm, start time 7 pm, details in our calendar listing. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)

DANNY O’KEEFE: The legendary singer/songwriter is live at Kenyon Hall tonight, 7:30 pm – check ASAP to see if there’s still room. Here’s how. (7904 35th SW)

THE ESOTERICS IN CONCERT: 8 pm at Holy Rosary, choral music based on poets’ work – full details (including ticket info) in our calendar listing. (42nd SW/SW Genesee)

MAURICE AND HIS THING: 9 pm, live at Parliament Tavern. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

NO, THIS ISN’T *EVERYTHING* – take a quick run through the calendar for even more.

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Restoring the Alki Homestead: Landmarks Board committee briefed as next decision approaches
March 11, 2016 7:54 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Alki Homestead | West Seattle history | West Seattle news

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By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Next Wednesday afternoon, the full city Landmarks Preservation Board will formally consider the Alki Homestead‘s restoration plans. As a prelude, Homestead owner Dennis Schilling and his architect Jeff Hamlett spoke this morning with the board’s Architectural Review Committee – almost exactly one year after we first reported that Schilling was the historic Fir Lodge‘s new owner, and more than seven years after the fire that ravaged and closed what had been a beloved restaurant.

What is before the board now isn’t the full site plan, which is eventually expected to include apartments to the south of the city landmark. But because much of the Homestead is protected, changes and repairs have to get approval from the board as well as from city staff.

The committee meetings are open to the public but informal, so this morning’s session was a discussion more than a presentation. And this stage of the review generally follows months of discussions between building owners and city staffers:

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West Seattle weather update: Now ‘high wind warning’ alert for Sunday
March 11, 2016 6:41 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

6:41 PM FRIDAY: It’s early – but the National Weather Service wants you to know there’s a chance of a windstorm Sunday afternoon through late Sunday night, possibly bringing southerly winds 20 to 40 mph and gusts up to 60, so it has issued a “High Wind Watch” (read it here). We’ll update through the weekend, as usual.

6:51 AM SATURDAY: The High Wind Watch is officially in effect noon Sunday-5 am Monday, as of the most-recent update (see it here).

2:13 PM SATURDAY: Now the alert is up to a ‘high wind warning,’ noon-11 pm Sunday, gusts up to 70 mph.

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UPDATE: Pedestrian hit on SW Barton by Westwood Village
March 11, 2016 5:30 pm
|      17 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS breaking news

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5:30 PM: Thanks for the tips – we’ve just checked out the incident that has eastbound Barton blocked across from central Westwood Village, west of 26th SW. Emergency responders tell us a female pedestrian was hit while crossing there. She’s being taken to the hospital by private ambulance, indicating her injuries are not life-threatening.

5:44 PM: Our crew tells us police and fire have all cleared the scene and the road is open again. Community advocates have long lobbied for safety improvements there, and SDOT indicated at a recent meeting that some are finally in the works.

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Next safety project: 30th/ Avalon/ Yancy/ Andover, with work starting soon
March 11, 2016 3:55 pm
|      15 COMMENTS
 |   Luna Park | Safety | West Seattle news

That’s a quick Instagram-video spin (mouse over the image to bring up the “play” button) around the treacherous intersection of 30th/Avalon/Yancy/Andover. Busy road, many residents, south edge of the Luna Park business district, RapidRide stop steps away … dangerous whether you’re on wheels or on foot. It’s been a concern for many years – and now improvements are on the way. This came in from project manager Brian Glas at SDOT this afternoon:

Starting as soon as late March, crews working for the Seattle Department of Transportation will add a curb extension, curb ramps, a striped crosswalk, and a flashing crossing beacon at the intersections of SW Avalon Way, SW Andover St, SW Yancy St, and 30th Ave SW.

As I’m sure you know, this junction of intersections does not have a marked crosswalk across the SW Avalon Way arterial. Also, the current sidewalks do not have curb ramps that are compliant with current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards, making access difficult for people with assistive devices (such as wheelchairs, walkers, or strollers). Please see the map in the attached project fact sheet for more details about the planned improvements.

The contractor has not yet finalized the construction schedule, but we wanted to give you and your readers a heads up of some general construction impacts. Crews will need to temporarily close SW Andover, SW Yancy St, and 30th Ave SW at SW Avalon Way as they build the improvements. They plan to close these side streets on a rotating schedule, to minimize impacts. There will also be intermittent single lane restrictions on SW Avalon Way while crews are working. During these lane restrictions, a flagger will be present to maintain two-way traffic. As of now, we expect King County Metro routes will not be impacted. We anticipate construction will last approximately 6 weeks, though the paving work is very weather dependent. As we know more about the traffic impacts during construction, we will distribute construction notices door-to-door in the project area and to the project email list.

This project is part of the Pedestrian Master Plan, which aims to enhance pedestrian safety, comfort, and access in all of Seattle’s neighborhoods. This project is also part of the Neighborhood Street Fund Program and was one of three projects the Delridge District Council submitted in 2015.

We also plan to send out project listserv email updates throughout construction. People can sign up to receive updates here.

Note that this does *not* include a signal, though one was decreed as “warranted” back in 2011 – before the signal was added at Genesee/Avalon nearby.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Business burglary; car prowl; stolen bicycle
March 11, 2016 2:12 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Three incidents in West Seattle Crime Watch so far today:

BUSINESS BREAK-IN: Pharmaca in The Junction opened late today because of a burglary. Damage was visible to the shop’s door on the SW Alaska side of the drugstore the first time we went by at mid-morning after a tip; we went by again, and someone fixing the door said the shop would open as soon as the repairs are done. No other details about the burglary yet.

CAR PROWL: Joe in Arbor Heights reports his car was gone through overnight in the 9800 block of 32nd SW. Charging cables were taken.

BICYCLE STOLEN: Kim is asking that you be on the lookout for this bicycle stolen from a backyard patio around 9 pm last night in the 8400 block of 8th SW: “Voodoo titanium cyclocross bike. Serial number b115420.” If you have any info, in addition to calling police, you can contact Kim at trendamissoula@msn.com

We hope crime doesn’t happen to you. If it does, once you’ve reported it (911 if it’s in-progress or just happened), let us know so we can get the word out via Crime Watch – editor@westseattleblog.com or 206-293-6302 text or voice – thank you.

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Also from the ‘in case you wondered’ file: Why the windows rattled, and might again
March 11, 2016 12:54 pm
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   Port of Seattle | West Seattle news

(ADDED FRIDAY NIGHT: Newly published Port of Seattle video that, toward the end, shows one of these tests)

12:54 PM: We’ve just confirmed with the Port of Seattle that what rattled windows from Admiral to Pigeon Point a little while ago was another one of those rapid-load pile tests related to the planned Terminal 5 modernization project. Port spokesperson Peter McGraw says the test scheduled for yesterday – second one this week – was postponed until today because of the wind. Judging by the messages/questions we received, this one was apparently the most widely felt one yet. Here’s the original alert from December.

P.S. The next major step in the T-5 project, after this testing ends later this month, is the release of the draft Environmental Impact Statement, expected in May.

ADDED 1:32 PM: McGraw just sent word that two more tests are scheduled, Monday (~3 pm) and Wednesday (~noon).

ADDED 8:06 PM: The Port has just published a video explaining how the tests work, and showing one – we’ve added the video above.

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CRASHES: Driver to hospital after hitting Westwood Staples; hit-run driver damages car south of The Junction
March 11, 2016 11:41 am
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news

11:41 AM: Two crashes of note this morning:

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WESTWOOD STAPLES: Thanks to Andy for the photo taken right after a driver hit the Westwood Village Staples about 9:15 am. We missed it in real time, having been downtown covering a meeting about the Alki Homestead (story to come); by the time we checked on the scene an hour later, the only sign of it was this damage to tiles on the store’s facade:

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We’re checking with Seattle Fire about the driver’s condition when transported; staff inside the store tells us everybody there is OK.

1:19 PM UPDATE: SFD spokesperson Corey Orvold tells us the driver in the Staples crash is 92 years old and was taken to the hospital via private ambulance with minor injuries.

(back to original report) HIT-RUN SOUTH OF THE JUNCTION: The owner of this car says it was hit between midnight and 4 am, on the west side of California SW by Rite-Aid:

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Please contact SPD if you have any information about what happened. And yes, the victim is checking with nearby businesses to see if any surveillance cameras caught the crash.

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From the ‘in case you wondered too’ file: Military-jet takeoff
March 11, 2016 10:30 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news

We’ve just received a couple questions about a loud takeoff from Boeing Field within the past half-hour. According to flight trackers, it’s the military tanker-jet testing we first wrote about three months ago. (Hat tip, @civmilair.)

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West Seattle Friday: Music and more…
March 11, 2016 9:40 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

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(Steller’s Jay, photographed by Mark Wangerin)

Happy Friday! From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

GIGANTIC GARAGE SALE: Now through 5 pm, it’s the first of two days for the annual West Side Presbyterian Church Gigantic Garage Sale. More here. (3601 California SW)

FOR TEENS – ARTISTS IN ACTION: 4-5:30 pm at Southwest Library, ages 11-18 are invited to “get creative, have fun and win prizes” – more info here. (35th SW/SW Henderson)

PARENTS’ NIGHT OUT: 5:30-10 pm, leave the kid(s) for a fun night, and have one of your own. Last call to sign up for the Parents’ Night Out planned for tonight by West Seattle High School senior Gabby Carufel, as part of her project to raise money to buy audiobooks for learning-disabled schoolmates. More info here. (3000 California SW)

ARBOR HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY DINNER/AUCTION: 5:30 pm at The Hall at Fauntleroy, it’s the biggest benefit of the year, to help AHES students. Everyone’s welcome – check here for ticket availability. (9131 California SW)

TRAVIS HARTNETT @ ADMIRAL BIRD: 6:30 pm-8 pm, live music with Travis Hartnett at Admiral Bird. (California SW/SW Admiral)

NELSON WRIGHT @ C&P: Singer-songwriter Nelson Wright performs live at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. (5612 California SW)

NERDY 30s & 40s OF WEST SEATTLE: 7 pm, the inaugural meetup! At The Bridge. More info here. (California SW/SW Graham)

PANAMA HOTEL JAZZ, BENEFITING WEST SEATTLE HELPLINE: Another one-of-a-kind concert at Alki UCC, benefiting West Seattle Helpline, 7:30 pm – ““music made from memories,” a combination of stories about the Japanese internment during WWII and original jazz compositions by Steve Griggs. More info here. (6115 SW Hinds)

WEST SEATTLE COMMUNITY ORCHESTRAS: 7:30 pm at Chief Sealth International High School Auditorium, a free concert by WSCO (donations appreciated):

Beethoven: Overture to Egmont
Mahler: Four songs from die Ruckert-Leider featuring Evan Norberg, Baritone
– Ich atmet’ einen linden Duft
– Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen
– Liebst du um Schönheit
– Blicke mir nicht in die Lieder!
Saint-Saëns: Danse Macabre
Khachaturian: Masquerade Suite

Say hello to the musicians at the reception over cookies and snacks after the concert!

In the CSIHS Auditorium. (2600 SW Thistle)

MORE, MORE, MORE … on our complete calendar (where you can preview the weekend, too).

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West Seattle schools: Holy Rosary chooses Anna Horton as next principal
March 11, 2016 8:59 am
|      16 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Holy Rosary School will have a new principal for next school year – and she’s already a Holy Rosary parent. The school has just announced Anna Horton as its next leader:

Holy Rosary School is pleased to announce the appointment of Anna Horton to the position of principal, effective July 1, 2016. Ms. Horton succeeds Mr. George Hofbauer, who will retire in June after serving with distinction as teacher and principal for 45 years in the Archdiocese of Seattle.

After an extensive search both locally and nationally, Ms. Horton was the unanimous choice of the Principal Search Team. She brings many gifts and talents to the Holy Rosary School community. Her background in science education will help her integrate STEM into all areas of the school.

The announcement continues:

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Friday updates
March 11, 2016 6:35 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(SCROLL DOWN for weather updates as well as traffic)

(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)

6:35 AM: Good morning! No incidents on the routes through or from West Seattle so far.

DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME REMINDER: Saturday night/Sunday morning at 2 am, we “spring forward” an hour.

6:38 AM: Trouble on the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth ferry route, just tweeted by Washington State Ferries:

The 6:40am departure from Vashon to Fauntleroy is cancelled due to a shortage of Coast Guard documented crew. Replacements are being dispatched. This will also cancel the 7:05 am departure from Fauntleroy to Vashon. The next departure from Fauntleroy to Vashon is 6:50 am. We apologize for the inconvenience. Updates will occur when more information is available.

6:48 AM: Thanks to Thomas for e-mailing about a small power outage – 15 customers (homes) in Seaview, surrounding 45th/46th/Graham. No signals on that stretch, so it shouldn’t affect traffic. He reports hearing a distant boom just before it started.

7:06 AM: Update from WSF: “The Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route will return to full service with the 7:30am departure from Vashon to Southworth.”

7:14 AM: The backup will take a while to clear – via Twitter, @SudsyMaggie says, “Line is 2+ miles long on Vashon! Past the fire station and around the corner.”

7:58 AM: We’re headed downtown for a City Hall meeting this morning and can report the bridge is moving relatively well – we’re just off it at 4th Avenue South, barely 15 minutes after leaving Upper Fauntleroy. (Updating from the passenger seat, of course.)

8:01 AM: Traffic alert downtown for tomorrow, with a local angle: The St. Patrick’s Day Parade goes down 4th Avenue at 12:30 pm, and three local schools have marching bands in it, according to the running order: Denny International Middle School, West Seattle High School, and Chief Sealth International High School.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Preventing car prowls
March 10, 2016 10:14 pm
|      17 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

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Car prowls remain our area’s biggest crime problem – we hear that every time someone from SPD speaks at a community meeting, and we see it in the reader reports we receive and publish. So tonight, the Southwest Precinct is sharing a “crime prevention bulletin” one-sheet with advice on preventing/deterring/reporting car prowls. Click the image above, or go here, for the full-size PDF version; use the Share This button below to e-mail or otherwise circulate it.

P.S. Questions/concerns about crime in your neighborhood? Bring them to the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting at the precinct (2300 SW Webster) next Tuesday, 7 pm.

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Students campaign to keep wood-shop class from chopping block
March 10, 2016 9:59 pm
|      40 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

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(WSB photos)

In the photo are Elliott, Jennifer, Diana, and Jennifer. They are Chief Sealth International High School seniors, and they have spent the past few days collecting hundreds of signatures in support of the school’s wood-shop class, which they say they have learned is in danger of being cut.

The school’s budget and staffing decisions for next year will be made soon, and while no decisions have been finalized yet, the students want to make sure the class is kept; they contacted us to let us know about the petition drive, and met us in the rain, off-campus, after school on Wednesday afternoon.

Wood shop, they explained, is the last shop class at Sealth. Teacher Nan Johnson is an inspiration, they told us, mentoring students, giving them the chance to express their creativity while mastering real-world skills during the wood-shop work – calculating measurements, using tools, overseeing projects. Elliott showed us a pen that students often make:

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(The pens were also featured in this story from our archives.) She said she’s been building a chicken coop, too.

All of the students who spoke with us said it would be a mistake to remove this class from the curriculum – and remember, they’re seniors, so they’re campaigning on behalf of students coming up behind their class. What they’re seeking now is community support. They’re continuing to circulate paper petitions for signatures at school; as of today, we’re told, they had collected more than 400 signatures. They also have an online campaign going, with almost 200 names and a space for community comments – find it here. The final decision is expected next Wednesday; we’ll be following up.

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SOFTBALL STARTS! Jamboree on Saturday
March 10, 2016 9:02 pm
|    Comments Off on SOFTBALL STARTS! Jamboree on Saturday
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

High-school softball season starts with a big event this Saturday (March 12th) at Southwest Athletic Complex – a jamboree, with fifteen 2-inning games running 9 am to 4 pm, on the upper and lower fields, and you can stop by to watch any or all for free! Participating teams include all three local high schools (host Chief Sealth International as well as West Seattle and Seattle Lutheran), nearby Kennedy, and six others. Here’s the schedule, as shared by tournament director Mike Depew:

The lower field is at 2700 SW Trenton; the upper field is at 2900 SW Cloverdale.

P.S. West Seattle resident and Seattle ASA/USA Umpire in Chief Kayleen Dunson will be at the lower field all day, watching NEW umpires who have just completed training work some of their first games. “This is my absolute favorite part of this job,” Dunson said. “Feeling the excitement (and nervousness) from these new umpires as they step onto the field the first time.” She adds that they are always looking for new umpires and have a “Crash Course” training session that begins March 29, so if you’re interested in learning about becoming an umpire stop by and chat with Kayleen, or send her an an email at umpkayleen@outlook.com.

.

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HAPPENING NOW: West Seattle Art Walk, with wine
March 10, 2016 7:20 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle Art Walk | West Seattle news

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(WSB photo)

Winemaking is itself an art … so you could say you’d be enjoying two types of art if you stop by Viscon Cellars (WSB sponsor) during tonight’s monthly West Seattle Art Walk. Winemaker Ben Viscon‘s tasting room opens on Art Walk night (second Thursdays, 6-9 pm) in addition to its regular Friday and Saturday sessions. We stopped by tonight to admire the art of Jesse Link – also known in West Seattle as a muralist – and the Viscon Cellars tasting-room decor, which Ben explains is 90 percent reclaimed, including shelving from old wooden grape boxes, an antique typewriter, and more. Plus, tonight, four wines to sample. Viscon Cellars is at 5910 California SW, just north of Morgan Junction, with table and bar seating where you can get comfy and unwind with the weekend in view. (The full list of Art Walk venues is in the preview we published earlier today.)

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TRAFFIC ALERT UPDATES: Highland Park Way, West Seattle Bridge
March 10, 2016 5:43 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

5:43 PM: If you’re about to head home … you might want to wait a while. We’ve received multiple reports of a backup on Highland Park Way, uphill/westbound, where the 911 log shows a crash blocking a lane; also, SDOT has just tweeted about a crash on the westbound West Seattle Bridge, Fauntleroy end.

6:25 PM: We don’t have an update on HP Way yet, but SDOT says the westbound West Seattle Bridge incident is now cleared.

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Genesee Hill Elementary School: New campus to carry name of its predecessor
March 10, 2016 4:34 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Genesee Hill | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

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(WSB photo, taken this afternoon, looking at northwest side of new school)

4:34 PM: Schmitz Park Elementary principal Gerrit Kischner will be principal of Genesee Hill Elementary as of this September. That’s the name chosen, Kischner announced this afternoon, for the new school that’s being built for his students and staff, on the site of a school that carried that same name, Genesee Hill Elementary. He says the ribboncutting is set for 1 pm September 6th. The Schmitz family name will stay with the current Schmitz Park building, he says; we’re checking with the district on the current plan for its future use (once described as potentially an early-learning center, but it’s been a while since we’ve heard that mentioned). Meantime, Kischner says students in the new building will have a special way to learn about their school’s history: “We are writing a historical plaque that will be in the new building tracing this joint history.” Funding for the new school is from the BEX IV levy.

6:08 PM: The principal’s announcement in this week’s school newsletter, sent out this afternoon, also notes that more than half the respondents in last year’s survey wanted this name. The mascot will remain the fox, however. The newsletter also notes that the new school currently is projected to open with about 663 students, 19 more than this year’s Schmitz Park enrollment; it’s being built to ~650 capacity. And one more note since our first report – SPS says the future use of the current Schmitz Park building has not yet been decided.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Shooting-incident followups; car prowls
March 10, 2016 3:06 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Two followups and two new reports in West Seattle Crime Watch today:

GUNFIRE FOLLOWUP: We’ve finally obtained the report narrative from Sunday night’s gunfire incident at 11th SW and SW Barton. It says the original call came from the family whose home was hit by a single gunshot; one resident was in the bathroom when she heard what she thought was a light bulb popping, until she found and picked up what turned out to be a .22-caliber bullet. It had gone through the western side of the house, into the wall of what the report describes as “the nursery,” and then ricocheted off the bathroom door before landing on the bathroom floor. Police believe it was fired from 12th SW but none of the neighbors with whom they spoke saw or heard anything. No one was hurt, but judging by the description, it was a close call.

SHOOTING FOLLOWUP: On February 28th, we reported on the investigation of a shooting whose victim was “dropped off” at a hospital but had ties to an address in the 6500 block of 18th SW on Puget Ridge. A commenter today pointed out this seattlepi.com story about charges filed in the case. We’ve subsequently pulled up the court documents. The suspect, 29-year-old Corey X. Brown, is in the King County Jail, in lieu of a quarter-million dollars, charged with first-degree domestic-violence assault and unlawful gun possession. Court documents say the victim is his pregnant 37-year-old ex-girlfriend, shot in the leg by Brown in front of witnesses outside a house in the area mentioned above, described as her family’s home, then driven to a hospital by her current boyfriend. Brown, whose record includes assault, robbery, and car-prowl convictions, was in jail on an unrelated warrant when the new charges were filed.

And two reader reports:

CAR BROKEN INTO, DOG BED TAKEN: From DHS:

Our Nissan Xterra was broken into last night in High Point at 29th and SW Raymond. The window was smashed out. Small items and personal belongings were stolen including our dog’s bed!!!

Not sure what kind of lowlife steals a dog bed but I’m very disappointed. Attached is a picture of the dog bed. It’s a hammock style to safely transport your dog in the back seat. It’s bright red and had a red stuff sack, also stolen.

My wife’s Mazda was broken into two weeks ago in the same fashion. After speaking to some of our neighbors this morning, at least 6 other cars have had windows smashed out and personal belongings stolen in the past few weeks.

CAR PROWLER WITH STROLLER: From Jim: “At 12:30 am (Wednesday), our vehicle was broken into using a filed-down ford key. According to the police officer who showed up, this is becoming commonplace and it does not trip the car alarm. Few items were taken. This took place on the 9200 block on 11th SW.” Per a surveillance camera, he added, “Looks like a male with backpack and a dog – Rottweiler mixed – pushing a baby stroller.”

P.S. Next West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting is Tuesday (March 15th), 7 pm @ the precinct (2300 SW Webster).

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