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West Seattle summer songwriting camp with Ivory Smith and Kelli Frances Corrado: New WSB sponsor

Looking for summer options for kid(s) 7-12? How about a West Seattle summer songwriting camp, taught by two acclaimed local musicians? They’re sponsoring WSB right now to get the word out, and here’s what they’d like you to know:

What makes this music camp unique, is that it’s the first of its kind, a SONGWRITING camp, for children this age. Kelli Frances Corrado (above left) and Ivory Smith (above right) worked for over six years at various rock camps and schools, none of which taught students how to write their own songs. While it is important to learn technique and theory, the value of empowering the individual creative voice is essential, not only in making music, but for childhood development.

We are pursued by parents not only because of our teaching history but our experience as songwriters. We are active professional songwriters. Our resumes cover a wide range of experience from college training, performance, touring, recording, radio play, to receiving grants. For example, Ivory has scored numerous pieces for performances at On The Boards and ACT Theaters, has vocal training from Cornish, and has written songs with many ensembles including her band Ivory In Ice World. Kelli is a touring musician who writes songs that have been featured on various radio stations from KEXP to BBC6, and in 2014 received a grant from the Seattle Office of Arts and Culture to teach a songwriting camp for young women.

Kelli and Ivory’s summer songwriting camp has two week-long sessions in West Seattle in August – get the details here, including how to register.

We thank the West Seattle summer songwriting camp taught by Ivory Smith and Kelli Frances Corrado for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.

Classroom to courtroom: Chief Sealth IHS students’ mock trial

May 21, 2015 4:49 pm
|    Comments Off on Classroom to courtroom: Chief Sealth IHS students’ mock trial
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

The photo and report are from Chief Sealth International High School teacher Noah Zeichner:

49 Chief Sealth International HS seniors participated in a mock trial (Wednesday) at the UW School of Law as part of the UW Street Law program. Students in my American Government classes have been preparing for several weeks, with the help of three UW law students. Students played various roles, including prosecutors, defense attorneys, witnesses, and bailiffs.

The case involved a high school senior who was charged with murder in the first degree. The defendant was found not guilty of all charges. The two judges were played by practicing public defenders and the jury was played by UW law professors.

Read more about the UW Street Law program here.

Congratulations! Five West Seattle HS student athletes honored

The photo is from West Seattle High School athletic director Trevor Leopold, who shares this report on a lunchtime event downtown today:

These West Seattle High School students were honored at The Washington Athletic Club by the 101 Club. From left to right are Carter Mensing, Annalisa Ursino, Charli Elliott, Isabella Burzynski, and Joey Kane. All the Metro League schools have students who were there and nominated. Charli Elliott was awarded a scholarship at the luncheon. She has a 4.0 GPA and 11 Varsity Letters. 4 Soccer, 4 Basketball, 3 Softball. She is attending Pacific University in Oregon in the fall and going to play basketball.

Congratulations to all!

(SIDE NOTE: Coach Leopold and athletes Elliott and Ursino take to the field at Southwest Athletic Complex with the rest of the WSHS softball team less than an hour from now – 5 pm – for a district-tournament game against Lake Washington HS.)

West Seattle development: Design Review date for 35th/Graham mixed-use building

A Southwest Design Review Board hearing is now set for the mixed-use building planned on part of High Point’s most prominent undeveloped site, at 35th/Graham.

We last mentioned it here eight months ago, when it surfaced in the city’s online files. The outline on the project page hasn’t changed much since then; it now describes “a 4-story structure containing 89 residential units, 8,500 sq. ft. of office space and 1,500 sq. ft. of retail space located at ground level. Surface parking for 98 vehicles to be provided.” The “site plan” dated last month shows an L-shaped building stretching across all of the currently vacant 35th SW frontage, from the corner of Graham northward. The parking entry would be on the east side of the building. The rest of the sprawling site is still set for residential development – most if not all townhouses – but only the mixed-use building is involved in the Early Design Guidance meeting that’s planned for the SWDRB’s next meeting, June 25th at 8 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle. (As reported here on May 5th, the 6:30 pm project review that night is for the CVS drugstore project at 4722 Fauntleroy Way SW.)

Six 7 ways to spend the rest of your West Seattle Thursday

(Photo by Gary Jones: ‘Sea hawk’ [osprey] and prey, in Constellation Park area)

Quick look at the calendar for the rest of today/tonight:

ALKI ELEMENTARY FUNDRAISERS: First, the annual Alki-A-Thon fundraiser is on until 2 pm at Alki Elementary. (3010 59th SW) Then, 4-8 pm, Dine Out for Alki at Mission Latin Restaurant and Lounge (2325 California SW), where 20 percent of the net proceeds from food sales will be donated to the Alki PTA.

(added) SOFTBALL PLAYOFFS: West Seattle High School‘s next game in the district softball tournament is at 5 pm at Southwest Athletic Conference, vs. Lake Washington HS. Go cheer the Wildcats! (2801 SW Thistle)

TASTE OF WEST SEATTLE – SOLD OUT! Tonight’s West Seattle Helpline fundraiser at The Hall at Fauntleroy (6 pm VIP, 6:30 pm general) is sold out, just in case you were wondering. So even if you do have tickets, don’t be late! (9131 California SW)

ADMIRAL WAY SAFETY PROJECT: 6 pm at Alki Elementary, an “open house”-style meeting about SDOT’s proposal for changes on Admiral Way west of California SW – presentation at 6:30 pm. (3010 59th SW)

ALKI COMMUNITY COUNCIL: 7 pm at Alki UCC. The ACC is encouraging attendance at the aforementioned Admiral Way Safety Project event first, then make your way over to the church for topics also including the Don Armeni Boat Ramp parking enforcement and speeding problems on Beach Drive and 63rd SW. (6115 SW Hinds)

OPEN MICROPHONE – ‘UNPLUGGED’: It’s an open-microphone-style event for musicians who don’t need/want microphones and other electronics – come perform “unplugged” starting at 7 at C & P Coffee Company. (WSB sponsor; 5612 California SW)

BELLY DANCING: The monthly Alauda belly-dancing showcase is at 7:30 pm at The Skylark. No cover, all ages. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

Help fight hate crimes as a ‘Safe Place’: New program from SPD

May 21, 2015 12:47 pm
|    Comments Off on Help fight hate crimes as a ‘Safe Place’: New program from SPD
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Just out of the WSB inbox:

Today Mayor Murray and Chief of Police Kathleen O’Toole announced SPD Safe Place, a public education and visibility campaign aimed at preventing and responding to anti-LGBT bias crimes.

“Seattle welcomes all people,” said Mayor Ed Murray. “There is no place for bigotry or harassment in our city. We developed Safe Place so that businesses and community organizations can visibly stand up against intolerance and provide shelter to victims.”

SPD Safe Place is a voluntary program that provides businesses and organizations with decals and information on how to report malicious harassment, more commonly known as hate crimes. Training for these organizations includes when and how to call 911, sheltering victims of crime until police arrive and proactive outreach about working with the SPD’s LGBT liaison officer.

“Seattle Police officers work every day with the diverse communities of Seattle to ensure safety. SPD Safe Place is another way of connecting and educating those who live, work and visit Seattle about how the SPD can assist in times of crisis,” said Chief Kathleen O’Toole.

Businesses, organizations and educational institutions can request SPD Safe Place placards or posters and learn about how to work with police to prevent and address anti-LGBT crime concerns at www.seattle.gov/spd-safe-place.

UPDATE: ‘5-way intersection’ west of low bridge open again after propane tank triggers hazmat response

May 21, 2015 11:30 am
|    Comments Off on UPDATE: ‘5-way intersection’ west of low bridge open again after propane tank triggers hazmat response
 |   West Seattle news | WS breaking news

11:30 AM: Avoid the “five-way intersection” area west of the low bridge for now – Seattle Fire has it at least partly blocked off because of a hazmat response.

(Added: WSB photo – that’s the tank in the background, by a traffic-signal pole)
11:40 AM: We’ve just arrived at the scene, and SFD has just tweeted what it’s about: “HazMat response on W Marginal Way SW is a propane tank that fell off a truck and began leaking.” But, SFD adds, “the hazard (is) mitigated.” Side note: This is just yards from Station 36 – which was the original address on the call, later changed.

12:34 PM: SDOT says the intersection is fully open now, including the southbound lanes onto Delridge.

BIZNOTES: First day at the beach for Mountain to Sound; sign up for CSA boxes at The General Store Seattle

Two West Seattle biznotes to share this morning:

RENTALS AT THE BEACH: Thanks to Greg Whittaker for the photo and update:

Mountain to Sound Outfitters will be opening stand up paddleboarding and kayak rentals at 55th and Alki Ave today for the 2015 season. Come on by and enjoy the water!

CSA SIGNUP TIME AT THE GENERAL STORE SEATTLE: Last month, The General Store Seattle (WSB sponsor) proprietor Claire E. Jones put out the call for interest in qualifying her shop (3400 Harbor SW) as a dropoff site for CSA produce from Skylight Farms. She says, “We did it!” and now the next step is – sign up for weekly or biweekly pickups! All you have to do is go here and scroll to choose the West Seattle option. Claire adds, “The boxes will be available for pick up on Tuesdays from 4-7 pm starting in June and ending in October.”

West Seattle coyotes: Cat grabbed during the daytime

In our seven-plus years of reporting on West Seattle coyotes, we’ve heard people often mention they bring outdoor cats inside at night, in hopes of avoiding coyote encounters. This report from Jaime is a reminder that coyotes roam in the daytime too:

I thought I should report this to the blog, even if not sure of proper procedure.

My neighbor reported to me that just last week after hearing a commotion outside his porch, opened his front door to find a young coyote who had the family cat in his mouth. He immediately yelled and tried to scare the coyote away, which did cause the coyote to drop the cat. But the cat was badly injured and subsequently died.

This was in the middle of the daytime at 50th and Hudson. My neighbor believed that the coyote had entered from the alley into their fenced front yard and grabbed the cat, who was sunning himself on their porch.

Biologists who have analyzed coyotes’ diets say this is only a small part of what they eat – more commonly, they consume rats and mice, among other things you can see listed here – but nonetheless, it can be a risk if your pet is outside, unattended, so we publish this as a neighbor-to-neighbors alert. (A wildlife agent was blunt about it in this report we published two years ago.)

TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Thursday updates & holiday previews

(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Nothing out of the ordinary in/from West Seattle so far this morning. We’ll be adding some holiday-weekend reminders while watching the commute.

ADDED 7:08 AM – MEMORIAL DAY TRANSIT NOTES: These are for **Monday** – Metro will be on its Sunday schedule; the West Seattle Water Taxi will also be on a Sunday schedule; and so will Sound Transit Route 560. The Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth Washington State Ferries route will be on its regular weekday schedule.

ADDED 7:29 AM – TRAFFIC THROWBACK THURSDAY: This week’s view – from the Seattle Municipal Archives – is an example of how some things don’t change, much:


From November 1960, that photo looks east across Fauntleroy Way from the Fauntleroy ferry dock. The photo apparently was taken for reasons involving landscaping in the bus-stop area. (Click the image to go to the page with the largest view.)

ADDED 8:05 AM – ADMIRAL WAY MEETING TONIGHT: Tonight is the first (and likely only) standalone meeting about the Admiral Way Safety Project, which SDOT has presented to the Admiral Neighborhood Association (WSB coverage here) and Southwest District Council (WSB coverage here). Here’s the flyer, which also includes project details:

It’s an “open house” style meeting, 6 pm at Alki Elementary (3010 59th SW), with a presentation at 6:30 pm.

VIDEO: 34th District Democrats make key endorsements

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

“We all knew it was coming down to this anyway, so let’s give them a dual (endorsement) and take it to the streets.”

So said former 34th District Democrats chair Ivan Weiss – with current chair Marcee Stone-Vekich declaring it “the quote of the night” – just before the group took its third vote on an endorsement in the first-ever City Council District 1 race, resulting in dual endorsement of Shannon Braddock and Lisa Herbold (L-R photos above).

The voting had started with five of the race’s nine official candidates nominated for potential endorsement on the first ballot. No one ended up with 60 percent or more – Herbold received 63 votes, Braddock 60 votes, Chas Redmond 18 votes, Brianna Thomas 9 votes, Phillip Tavel 6 votes.

That sent the top two vote-getters to a second ballot, the results of which were Braddock 77, Herbold 70. And that set up the motion and the vote for a dual endorsement.

The other big vote was an endorsement in the West Seattle/South Park Seattle School Board race, which has three candidates, two of which were nominated for potential endorsement – incumbent Marty McLaren and challenger Leslie Harris. The results:

Harris declared herself “speechless.”

10:16 PM: The meeting has just wrapped up – endorsement votes for the two at-large City Council seats were delayed because the candidates were coming from earlier meetings to the north. Both of those races also resulted in dual endorsements – for Position 8, Tim Burgess and Jon Grant; for Position 9, Bill Bradburd and Lorena Gonzalez.

ADDED 7:51 AM MONDAY: Here’s our video (and embedded above) of the heart of the meeting – the hour and a half that involved the two aforementioned votes, among other business, and that started with the endorsement of King County Councilmember Joe McDermott, who is unopposed.

Added: Video from the Position 8/9 City Council speeches.

And ahead – play-by-play from the meeting, through the final District 1 results:

Read More

New movie ‘Tomorrowland’ co-created by West Seattle native Jeff Jensen

Planning to see the about-to-open movie “Tomorrowland“? You’ll be watching the work of a West Seattle native.

It’s co-written and executive-produced by Jeff Jensen, who grew up in West Seattle and went to Hope Lutheran School and Seattle Lutheran High School.

(Photo of Jeff Jensen, courtesy Mike Jensen)
That news is courtesy of Jeff’s proud brother Mike Jensen, who got to join his brother at the recent world premiere of “Tomorrowland” at the home of the film’s namesake, Disneyland. (The movie, starring George Clooney, is NOT about that part or any part of Disneyland, however.)

You might know Jeff Jensen already for his writing – which most recently has included what he called a “distant prequel” to the movie, “Before Tomorrowland.” He’s particularly well-known for what he’s written about the TV series “Lost.”

You will be able to watch this movie co-written by a West Seattleite without leaving West Seattle – it’ll be at The Admiral Theater starting Friday. (Jeff Jensen pointed that out on his Twitter feed.)

HAPPENING NOW: Walk the SW Roxbury project zone with SDOT

5:30 PM: For the next 2 1/4 hours, SDOT’s project team will walk the SW Roxbury project zone – as was done with 35th SW last Saturday – with anyone who shows up to ask questions, voice concerns, or just look and listen. Here’s the schedule:

5:30 pm – 4th/Roxbury
5:50 pm – 8th/Roxbury
6:15 pm – Delridge/16th/Roxbury
6:45 pm – 26th/Roxbury
7:15 pm – 30th/Roxbury
7:45 pm – 35th/Roxbury

You can join anywhere along the way. We’re off to see what happens as it starts, and we’ll be back with an update.

6:03 PM: We met up with SDOT’s James Le at the 8th/Roxbury meetup point. He was alone. He told us one person did show up at the 4th/Roxbury starting point – but not to talk about the Roxbury project; that person wanted to know what was the leading option so far for 35th. (Project manager Jim Curtin had said during Saturday’s walking tour there that Option A was “looking good. Curtin is scheduled to join the Roxbury tour around 17th/Roxbury, about 15 minutes from now, said Le.)

10:03 PM: Here’s a photo from 30th/Roxbury, where we checked back on the tour. By that point, Curtin told us, they’d tallied about a dozen participants along the way, including those at this stop:

From left, Eric Iwamoto of the Westwood-Roxhill-Arbor Heights Community Council (and co-chair of the Southwest District Council), Chris Stripinis, who is the transportation point person for WWRHAH, Richard Miller from the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council and West Seattle Crime Prevention Council, Le and Curtin from SDOT. Work on the project is expected to start in mid-August.

West Seattle churches: New pastor announced for Holy Rosary

Thanks to the Holy Rosary parishioner who forwarded us the announcement made by the Archdiocese: A new pastor has been chosen to succeed Father John Madigan, who is departing after a decade. Father Matthew Oakland will come to Holy Rosary from St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Camas and Our Lady Star of the Sea Mission in Stevenson, both east of Vancouver, Washington. He is scheduled to start here on July 1st (here’s how he told his parishioners of his departure). Holy Rosary plans a farewell party for Father Madigan in its school gym on Sunday, June 28th, starting after 10:30 am Mass and continuing until 3:30 pm.

West Seattle Memorial Day: Where to find American Legion poppies this weekend; traditional Forest Lawn service on Monday

Word of two Memorial Day traditions, from American Legion Post 160:

First, the post and Auxiliary Unit 160 will distribute Memorial Day poppies 8 am-4 pm both Saturday and Sunday at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) at California/Fauntleroy/Morgan. The poppies “honor the dead and help the living,” reminds the Post 160 announcement, which adds that the poppies “are made by hospitalized veterans in V.A. hospitals or nursing homes … All money received during the distribution of these poppies is returned to the veterans through service programs of the American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary. When you see someone offering a poppy, know that your donation helps veterans and wearing the poppy shows your support for those veterans.”

Then at 2 pm Monday, Post 160 presents the annual Memorial Day ceremony/service with, and at, Forest Lawn Cemetery & Funeral Home (WSB sponsor), which is in High Point at 6701 30th SW. All are welcome.

UPDATE: SolTerra planning 125-unit, LEED Platinum building ‘Perch’ at 1250 Alki Avenue SW

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

ORIGINAL 12:25 PM REPORT: In a routine check of the city’s online files, we’ve found the first new triple-digit-unit development proposal in a while. This one’s on Duwamish Head, a 120-unit proposal planned for seven parcels, five of which currently hold single-family homes.

The project address is 1250 Alki Avenue SW [map] but the early-stage “concept” shows it stretches to 1262 Alki SW.

An unusual point: This is on the drawing board as a mixed-use building, with retail space included. That area of Alki Avenue has long been strictly residential. The early-stage information also mentions underground parking, and describes the building as 120 units and 4 to 6 stories, while also saying it’ll have to go through Design Review (no date yet). However, the “conceptual site plan” on file outlines:

+/- 125 RESIDENTIAL UNITS
MIX OF STUDIO, 1BR, 2BR & 3BR TBD
PERCENTAGE OF AFFORDABLE UNITS TBD
15′-0″ GROUND FLOOR RETAIL AND SUPPORT STORY (5) 10′-0″ FLOOR-TO-FLOOR RESIDENTIAL STORIES 6 TOTAL STORIES, 65′-0″ TOTAL HEIGHT

Documents show the property as in the midrise zone, which the city says allows “limited commercial uses.”

The development team is listed as Seattle-based SolTerra and Portland-based Design for Occupancy Architecture. County property records show that Solterra bought the property from three separate owners in February and March, for a total of more than $5.3 million. It’s described on its website as a six-year-old firm that began “as a residential solar, living wall and green roofing company.”

2:11 PM UPDATE: We’ve just spoken with Melissa Milburn at SolTerra to get more information.

No rendering yet, she says, because design is in the very early stages. But SolTerra, she explained, is just starting to build sustainability-focused apartment projects – all designed to be certified as LEED Platinum, including “living roofs” and solar arrays. She says the company is “changing the way development works by hiring architects and contractors and all the Pieces under one company … everybody works together and you can build more efficiently.” Then, she explained, SolTerra will continue to own and manage the buildings.

This one, they’re planning to call Perch – “the idea is, to find your perch – to provide unique views to the tenants.” The sustainability features, she says, will help keep the units more “cost-effective and affordable.” The design features, she says, will ensure it’s a distinctive building that’s “not a box.” (The underground parking will meet the Alki code, she said – 1.5 spaces required per unit.)

As for the retail – Milburn said it’ll be “small.” A little store? Coffee shop? Restaurant? We asked. Something like that, she agreed.

Depending on how the permit process goes from here, they aren’t expecting to start construction until early 2016. While they already have a couple buildings in Portland, she said, they’re growing into the metro area here – where their Seattle offices are in SODO, near the West Seattle Bridge – by breaking ground on a building in Newcastle next month, and then one on Capitol Hill.

FOLLOWUP: Final results of Amanda Kay Helmick’s City Council District 1 signature effort – 9 names short

Last Friday we reported on the conclusion of King County’s election-filing week, with one matter left unsettled: City Council District 1 (West Seattle/South Park) candidate Amanda Kay Helmick had been determined to get on the ballot via 1,200 petition signatures rather than a $1,200 filing fee, and was told that despite a 100-plus-signature pad, she was still short of the required number of qualified signatures. After several days of doublechecking and other research, Helmick has just announced the official end of her campaign:

Exactly 7 months after announcing her candidacy for Seattle City Council in District 1, Amanda Kay Helmick has ended her grassroots campaign. Her steadfast choice to gather signatures in lieu of the filing fee was successful in getting 1318 people to sign for her, but fell 9 signatures short.

“I am disappointed in the process and outcome. The last several days of comparing the King County Elections list to the petitions, and speaking to individual signers, has been alarming. Invalid voters on the list had no idea their right to vote is in question. There is room for obvious improvements, and I hope King County Elections is working diligently to rectify the situation. I want to thank everyone who signed and helped me in my bid for inclusion on the ballot. Ultimately, the support I needed was not there.”

Amanda will continue to fight for District 1. She is co-chair of the Westwood/Roxhill/Arbor Heights Community Council, co-chair of the West Seattle Transportation Coalition, Delridge Rep to the City Neighborhood Council, and Budget Committee Chair of the City Neighborhood Council. She looks forward to working with the newly elected District 1 Councilmember.

This means the nine candidates who are on the King County list comprise the official, final field for the August 4th primary – this is the order in which they will appear on the ballot, per the county’s drawing:

Lisa Herbold
Jody Rushmer
Chas Redmond
Shannon Braddock
Karl Wirsing
Brianna Thomas
Phillip Tavel
Pavel Goberman
Arturo Robles

They all appeared at a candidates’ forum in Fauntleroy on Monday night (WSB coverage with video is here) and at least two more forums are coming up – May 27th in South Park and June 8th in Pigeon Point.

UPDATE: Fire response in 9000 block 16th SW

10:31 AM: Seattle Fire is just arriving at a residential building in the 9000 block of 16th SW [map] and reporting “light smoke.”

10:34 AM: It’s described as a “smoldering fire” that’s already tapped, so not major, and many units are being canceled. We have a crew on the way to check in person.

10:38 AM: Our crew says the SFD units have ALL left – but now we’re hearing a dispatch for police to “remove transients” from the same location.

West Seattle Wednesday: SW Roxbury walk; Delridge District Council; 34th Democrats; 34th Republicans; port town hall; more …

Thanks to John Hinkey for that image of the post-sunset moonset last night. (You can find sunset, sunrise, moonset, and moonrise times any time on the WSB West Seattle Weather page, by the way.) MUCH happening between now and tonight’s sunset:

CO-WORKING MEETUP: Noon-1 pm at West Seattle’s only co-working center, WS Office Junction (WSB sponsor) – get out of your home/coffee-shop office, even just for an hour! (6040 California SW)

LOW TIDE: 1:06 pm today, -2.2 feet.

GET HELP GETTING READY FOR COLLEGE: Need application help/advice, or … ? Get it via a workshop today at 4 pm at High Point Community Center. (6920 34th SW)

SW ROXBURY WALKING TOUR: Questions/concerns/comments about the SDOT plan for SW Roxbury, unveiled last month? Join a walking tour tonight, for as long as you like – a few minutes, a few blocks, the entire length, or … 5:30-7:45 pm, with these times/places listed by SDOT:

5:30 pm – 4th/Roxbury
5:50 pm – 8th/Roxbury
6:15 pm – Delridge/16th/Roxbury
6:45 pm – 26th/Roxbury
7:15 pm – 30th/Roxbury
7:45 pm – 35th/Roxbury

CHIEF SEALTH IHS PTSA: Last meeting of the year for the PTSA at Chief Sealth International High School, 7 pm: “We will be electing new officers and voting on our budget for next year, as well as hearing reports from Principal Fraser-Hammer and the new IB Coordinator Teresa Cairns.” (2600 SW Thistle)

WORDSWEST: As previewed here earlier this week, best-selling West Seattle author Lyanda Lynn Haupt is the headliner for this month’s edition of the WordsWest Literary Series at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor). Her specialty: Urban wildlife. (5612 California SW)

DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOODS DISTRICT COUNCIL: 7 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, with the agenda including an update from Southwest Precinct commander Capt. Pierre Davis and tree-trimming information from city reps, as well as planning for the upcoming candidates’ forum. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

34TH DISTRICT DEMOCRATS’ ENDORSEMENT MEETING: Our area’s largest political group meets tonight to make its endorsements in various races/ballot measures. 7 pm, The Hall at Fauntleroy; more info here. (9131 California SW)

34TH DISTRICT REPUBLICANS’ MEETING: The group’s meeting in West Seattle this time, 7 pm at American Legion Post 160 HQ, with King County Assessor candidate John Wilson on the agenda. (3618 SW Alaska)

SPRING CONCERT: 7 pm, Schmitz Park and Lafayette Elementaries’ spring concert at Madison Middle School – more info here. (45th/Spokane)

PORT ALLIANCE TOWN HALL: The Port of Seattle presents a town-hall meeting about its new alliance with the Port of Tacoma, 7 pm at the Georgetown campus of South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) – more info here. (6737 Corson Ave. S.)

EVEN WITH ALL THIS, THERE’S MORE for today, tonight, and beyond, on our calendar!

Reader reports: Recognize either of these ‘found’ bicycles?

Within minutes of each other late last night, two reader reports came in (editor@westseattleblog.com) about bicycles found in West Seattle – stolen and dumped? or? – Above, Alicia spotted that child-size bicycle in the 8800 block of 30th SW, “lying out on the grass parking strip across the street from our house – for a few days now. It’s a newer bike and looks like it was ditched. Perhaps stolen.” Below, Alan spotted this bicycle “in a location where we have had multiple dumped stolen bikes (14th & Holly)”:

He added, “This one looks like someone may have found it in the woods and brought it out to the street. The tires are flat and the chain is rusted. Still, it looks like a bike that someone cared about at some point.” We’ve suggested to both that the bicycles be reported to police, but in the meantime, in case they look familiar, we’re sharing the photos and reports.

West Seattle scene: Y fundraiser for Sounders/Seahawks ‘superfans’

May 20, 2015 8:59 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle scene: Y fundraiser for Sounders/Seahawks ‘superfans’
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

(Photo courtesy West Seattle YMCA)
Thanks to Joleen at the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) for the photo from last night’s “superfan” fundraiser – that’s Tom Hutyler (radio sports anchor, voice of the Mariners at Safeco Field, and West Seattleite) with Steven Hauschka from the Seahawks and Zach Scott from Sounders FC. To raise money for its upcoming expansion, the Y sold a limited number of tickets to “superfans” to meet the players and bid on donated items including signed jerseys.

TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Wednesday updates

(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
SDOT reports some residual bridge backup from a non-injury crash this past half-hour, but says the scene itself, west of the 99 overpass, has already been cleared. Meantime, Seattle Public Schools are back in session today so volume is back to normal.

WALKING TOUR TONIGHT: Questions/comments about the SDOT plan for SW Roxbury? Join a walking tour tonight – all or part; it starts at 5:30 pm at 4th/Roxbury, and proceeds westward to end at 35th/Roxbury at 7:45. (For the specific stops inbetween, go here.)

ADMIRAL WAY PROJECT MEETING TOMORROW: SDOT has a meeting of note in our area tomorrow (Thursday) night too – regarding the proposed changes to Admiral Way west of California SW, as previously discussed at two community-group meetings. 6 pm Thursday at Alki Elementary, “open house” style with presentation at 6:30 pm.

9:33 AM: SPD is dispatching units to a crash on the eastbound bridge, midspan, three vehicles, said to be blocking the middle lane.

West Seattle food notes: Ripple Café & Chipotle updates, more

Quick bites of West Seattle restaurant news:

RIPPLE CAFE OPEN: The new café at 35th/Henderson, in the former JC’s Deli spot, mentioned here last month, is now open – check it out 10 am-6 pm tomorrow.

CHIPOTLE SIGN UP: For the first time since we reported in February that Chipotle Mexican Grill was coming to the retail space at 4730 California (WSB sponsor), a sign’s up:

We’ll be checking back with the company for any new estimate of when they’ll open; the permit to build out the space was just issued last week.

PATIO TIME: With spring heating up, La Rustica on Beach Drive tells us the patio’s open (and it’s not alone, as you’ve probably noticed at other establishments). The Pellegrini family is also proceeding with its new project at the former La Romanza in The Junction; they’ve applied for a liquor license under the name Pellegrini Restaurant, though the family says there’s still nothing to announce quite yet.

SPEAKING OF PATIOS: The Bridge has opened theirs too and says it’ll be open for brunch on Monday (Memorial Day), 9 am-2 pm, with the all-day menu starting after that. (Anywhere else with special holiday plans/hours Monday? Let us know – editor@westseattleblog.com)