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Be part of history: Help clean & protect Fairmount Ravine
March 4, 2012 12:51 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | How to help | West Seattle news

(1994 “planting party” photo, courtesy of Fairmount Ravine Preservation Group)
We often publish notices about community cleanups. Few are as long-running as the annual Fairmount Ravine work party – which could really use extra hands from beyond the immediate neighborhood. It’s a beautiful West Seattle greenspace that many drive, bicycle, or walk through, but not only is it a trash magnet, it’s also suffering from the same problem as other greenspaces: Invasive plants, and this year the Fairmount Ravine Preservation Group hopes to get rid of as many as possible. John Lang says it’s their 20th annual cleanup – and there’s history in the invitation he sent to last year’s participants, also shared with us:

Twenty years ago Charlie Chong came over to my house to help develop a strategy to save the Fairmount Ravine. It was full of trash and overgrown with invasive plants. Discussion how to turn this around was patterned after similar and successful community efforts in the nearby College Ravine. That night, my son Michael was 2 months old and sleeping in a small bassinet. Flash forward twenty years and Michael is now 6’-3” and soon to get his AA degree from SSCC.

Likewise, every year the Fairmount Ravine Preservation Group grows in its commitment to preserving this valuable open space by cleaning the ravine from top to bottom of the hill. Over these twenty years, concerned neighbors have removed tons of trash, removed illegal encampments and planted hundreds of native trees and shrubs. We were instrumental in securing over $4.2 million dollars to purchase property within the ravine which is now held in public domain. The open space across from Salty’s is a good example.

We are proud of our achievements to date and pleased to announce the 20th annual Fairmount Ravine cleanup Saturday, March 10th from 8:30 to approximately 10:30. We meet at the intersection of SW Forest St and Fairmount Ave, just east of Hiawatha Park. Everyone is welcome to participate. Community awareness keeps the ravine cleaner than past years and our focus this year will be on removal of invasive plants as well as general cleanup. Coffee, hot cocoa and donuts are provided. Please dress for the weather, wear boots and gloves as well as bring large cutters, saws if interested in plant removal. Your two hours can make a huge difference and we hope to see you there on the 10th. Please let others know of this effort!

Teen volunteers welcome too (as you’ll note in our 2008 cleanup coverage).

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DESC Delridge project: Meetings this week on Tuesday, Thursday
March 4, 2012 9:04 am
|    Comments Off on DESC Delridge project: Meetings this week on Tuesday, Thursday
 |   Delridge | DESC Delridge project | West Seattle news

For those tracking the DESC 66-unit “supportive housing” complex planned at 5444 Delridge Way SW (map), two meetings are on the schedule this week. Tuesday (6 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, 4408 Delridge Way SW) the Advisory Committee meets for a second time, with another opportunity for public comment. Thursday, it’s the second, and possibly final, Southwest Design Review Board session to look at the project. It’s the second project on the schedule, 8 pm at Senior Center of West Seattle, California/Oregon. (The “packet” for the first project to be considered that night, an unrelated 20-unit proposal at 9051 20th SW, is available online, but the DESC “packet” is not, yet.) More information and links are in a DESC-meetings preview published on the North Delridge Neighborhood Council website.

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West Seattle Sunday: Soccer; baseball; nature; Purim carnival…
March 4, 2012 6:25 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Sunday: Soccer; baseball; nature; Purim carnival…
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Youngstown Cultural Arts Center – “the old Cooper school” – photographed last weekend)
Happy Sunday! From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

SUNDAY SOCCER: Pickup game for men and women of all ages and skill levels, 7:30 am, Delridge Playfield. On Facebook, check out West Seattle Sunday Soccer.

LITTLE LEAGUE: Draft Day for West Seattle Little League – 8:45 am majors, 1:15 pm minors; more details here

WALK IN THE PARK: Spring is Sprouting nature walk with naturalist Stewart Wechsler, Lincoln Park, 10 am, full details here.

MARKET DAY: West Seattle Farmers’ Market in The Junction, 44th/Alaska, 10 am-2 pm. Highlights include: Final visit until July for Finnriver and its cider.

GUEST SPEAKER: At 10 am, Alki UCC will hear from Rev. Dr. Ann Holmes Redding. From their announcement, she is “a minister, teacher, author, Ph.D. in New Testament, consultant, and musician. Ann is founder and president of Abrahamic Reunion West.”

WEST SEATTLE SPOKESPEOPLE RIDES AGAIN: Meet at Alki Bike and Board in the Admiral District for a ride to Portage Bay Grange, 11 am. Details here.

WINTER GEAR ON SALE: Returning WSB sponsor Mountain to Sound Outfitters is having a “progressive sale” – now it’s 40 percent off. They’re at 3602 SW Alaska in The Triangle.

SECOND DAY FOR NEW CAFE: As reported here on Saturday, Fiddlehead Fine Foods and Café is now open for lunch in The Junction, with breakfast service starting next week.

TOOL LIBRARY’S OPEN: Just a reminder, the West Seattle Tool Library is open on the northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center space, 1-5 pm.

YOUTH SOCCER TRYOUTS: Highline Premier FC is holding tryouts for Boys U16, U17 and U18 at Hiawatha Playfield (2700 California SW).
· Boys U16: 1:30-2:30PM
· Boys U17: 2:30-3:30PM
· Boys U18: 3:30-4:30PM
You can register, and get more info, here.

MUSIC AT THE LONGHOUSE: At the Duwamish Longhouse: Native American Flute, 2-3 pm. Paul “Cheoketen” Wagner introduces his new album, reception includes performance of selections from “Time of Paradise.” 4705 W. Marginal Way SW. Free.

LIVE MUSIC AT C & P COFFEE: Sarah Burgess and Friends, 3-5 pm, C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 5612 California SW.

PURIM CARNIVAL: A celebration in honor of the Jewish festival of Purim is planned for 3:30 pm-5:30 pm today at High Point Community Center (6920 34th SW), presented by West Seattle Torah Learning Center. More info on the Facebook event page.

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‘Chain-reaction’ crash on 35th SW: SUV vs. truck vs. tree
March 4, 2012 12:41 am
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS breaking news

Two people texted us in the past hour or so, reporting a loud “bang” or “crash” noise. This was apparently the source – a crash on southbound 35th SW, just north of SW Henderson (map; across from the Gasco station). No serious injuries, if any injuries at all – no victims were in sight by the time we got there, and the Fire Department‘s involvement in the call ended pretty quickly. But the “GOT JUNK?” truck wound up pushed into what we believe is one of the area’s famous collection of European Hornbeam street trees:

Tow trucks for both vehicles arrived fairly quickly; we’ll follow up later for any information on the crash’s cause, and to see if the tree will survive. (Speaking of which, a side note: Online information now indicates the Fauntleroy crash we covered in the early-morning hours yesterday was a suspected case of DUI).

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Get a new family portrait: All invited to Arbor Heights fundraiser
March 3, 2012 11:37 pm
|    Comments Off on Get a new family portrait: All invited to Arbor Heights fundraiser
 |   Arbor Heights | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

As we continue publishing school-fundraiser announcements, here’s an unusual one for next weekend: Arbor Heights Elementary PTA is presenting a “Family Photo Event,” open to all, not just AH families. 9 am-6 pm next Saturday and Sunday (3/10-3/11) they are scheduling professionally photographed family-portrait sessions for $35, “including one complimentary 8 x 10 print and one low-resolution file.” You can even bring the family pet. Fundraising Committee chair Amanda Nokes says, “We will photograph multiple poses and families will choose their favorites themselves.They are of course welcome to purchase any additional pictures they’d like.” But you need to contact her to book a session – 206-902-6324 or maxnokes@comcast.net. (Get more details via this flyer.)

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West Seattle schools: Chief Sealth gala celebrates principal news, and more
March 3, 2012 10:02 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle schools: Chief Sealth gala celebrates principal news, and more
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Tonight during the Chief Sealth International High School PTSA‘s third annual Seahawk Spirit Dinner and Auction at The Hall at Fauntleroy, Sealth principal Chris Kinsey got a big hug from Seattle Public Schools‘ interim superintendent Dr. Susan Enfield. Just yesterday afternoon, she announced his appointment as Sealth’s permanent principal, eight months after he joined the school as its “interim” leader. Tonight, she took the stage to describe him as “great.” (She of course is leaving after the school year to lead the neighboring Highline Public Schools district – where she’ll be reunited with Kinsey’s Sealth predecessor, John Boyd, now an executive director of schools for Highline.)

The big turnout for the event included not only parents and community supporters, but also others from the greater West Seattle education community:

At right, that’s West Seattle High School principal Ruth Medsker, with the district’s executive director of West Seattle schools, Aurora Lora. The event raised money for various Sealth programs – academic, athletic, arts among them. A Sealth senior was part of the onstage program too – Kari Sandell:

Kari’s senior-project video, a slice of life at Sealth, was shown. It’s on YouTube, too:

We’re waiting to hear from PTSA president Amy Daly-Donovan about the night’s fundraising total.

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West Seattle wildlife: Watching like, well, a hawk
March 3, 2012 8:25 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Wildlife

(Click to see larger image via Flickr)
Thanks to Russell in Arbor Heights for sharing his photo of that Cooper’s hawk. He explains that it “has been scoping out a finch nest in our carport.”

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West Seattle power outage: Almost 300 Admiral homes affected
March 3, 2012 6:02 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Utilities | West Seattle news

Thanks to everyone who e-mailed with news that the power’s out for a stretch of the Admiral area. The City Light outage map says almost 300 homes are without power but should be back by late evening (the “estimated restoration time” is usually a very general estimate – could be earlier). The boundaries are shown as north of Admiral Way, between 47th SW and 53rd SW. No indication at this point of what caused the outage (no fires/lines-down incidents on the 911 log, etc.) – let us know if you’re seeing Seattle City Light crews (we’re out looking too).

6:22 PM UPDATE: Just saw a truck near 47th/Admiral – our crew is going to see if they can get close enough to find out anything about the outage.

6:34 PM UPDATE: Thanks to Karl de Jong, nearby resident and vice president of the Admiral Neighborhood Association, for sharing a photo of that crew. WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand talked to them very briefly before they moved on – they said they had fixed a “burned connector.” The SCL map still shows the power out, but one commenter says it came back on at 6:23, and we are seeing streetlights/porch lights on in the area.

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West Seattle restaurants: Fiddlehead Fine Foods & Café now open
March 3, 2012 1:34 pm
|      23 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

Story and photos by Katie Meyer
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

The paper is off the windows, flowers are on each table, and Fiddlehead Fine Foods and Café is open for business at 4310 SW Oregon in The Junction.

Proprietors Carrie Duncan and Dana Moreland welcomed us to the newly opened space; Dana explained that they’re now open for lunch from 11:30 am to 4 pm, Tuesday through Sunday. They plan to add breakfast service starting next Tuesday (March 6th), 8 am through 11:30 am (and on weekends, breakfast will be served until 1:30 pm.)

The light, airy space features some unique re-purposed furniture: glass-covered vintage doors as for the smaller tables, and a beautiful solid wood work bench as one of the longer tables.

Menu choices include such staples as grilled cheese, meat loaf or roasted turkey sandwiches, along with tantalizing creations such as an ancho-braised pork sandwich (with carmelized onions); lemon rosemary chicken salad with roasted tomatoes and smokey bleu cheese; and daily selections of house-made fine foods at the counter.

Beverages range from fruit juices, sodas, tea, and sparkling water to select wines, hard ciders, and beer. Baked goods and desserts graced the front counter case – including these chocolate caramel pudding cups:

Fiddlehead also offers a soup of the day.

(We’d reported one week ago that Fiddlehead’s sign was up outside the former Blue Willow Luncheonette space, with a photo and tip courtesy of BJ from Brunette Mix [WSB sponsor] next door; today, a tip from Sam at Fleurt [also a WSB sponsor] a couple doors down revealed the doors were open and lunch was being served)

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Election 2012: West Seattle, White Center Republican caucuses; statewide results coming in
March 3, 2012 10:11 am
|      28 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

(9:15 PM UPDATE: Statewide and countywide results continuing to show up here)

10:11 AM: We’re at West Seattle High School, one of two sites in the 34th Legislative District where Republicans are gathering to participate in their party’s statewide precinct caucuses this morning. 34th Republicans chair Jim Clingan had told us they expected the WSHS Commons to be packed; the tables here, each for a specific precinct, are indeed full, maybe 300 people by our count. Craig Keller, who is leading this meeting, is just starting to speak, to explain the rules; he’s been presiding over sign-ins. The gathering is scheduled to continue till noon.

11:22 AM UPDATE: We stayed at WSHS until all the individual tables were about to get down to business. Keller (above) explained to participants that they had two things to accomplish: Elect delegates to the next level of caucusing (one or two delegates per precinct, depending on each precinct’s “Republican voting strength” in the 2008 election), and participate in the presidential “straw poll.” (Participants would have to pledge that they were Republicans – since we don’t have formal party registration in this state – and that they weren’t participating in any other party’s caucuses.) Results were not to be announced at individual caucus locations; they were to be reported to county and then state headquarters, which is expected to announce them tonight. After WSHS, we headed south to White Center to check out the caucusing location that also included precincts from south West Seattle:

This one was run by Jim Clingan, who told us they’d counted about 200 people. One thing of note: We looked at both locations for evidence of presidential-candidate preference, and the only candidate whose logo we noticed was Ron Paul: Somebody wearing a Ron Paul hoodie at WSHS: a stack of Ron Paul signs outside the doors at Evergreen.

4:16 PM UPDATE: The Paul campaigning – he was the only Republican presidential candidate to come to Seattle – seems to be showing in the early results; he’s a close second to Romney. You can watch statewide results updates on this State GOP website.

9:15 PM UPDATE: Statewide, it’s Romney 37 percent, Paul 26 percent, Santorum 25 percent, with 90 percent of the vote counted. King County is listed as 75 percent counted, also with Romney in first place, Paul in second.

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West Seattle Saturday: Cove Park; caucuses; Longhouse…
March 3, 2012 8:50 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo added 9:31 am – Cove Park dig [see below] begins; separate update later!)

From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

COOKIE SALES, DAY 2: Girl Scouts’ cookie sales continue; the online “cookie locator” shows you where and when.

PLANT ADOPTION: Cove Park “big dig,” come help save plants before Pump Station project moves in, 9 to noon, just north of Fauntleroy ferry dock (9005 Fauntleroy Way SW). Bring your own tools; experienced gardeners will be on hand to help you salvage ground covers, shrubs, perennials, or even a small tree.

PURIM STORYTIME: At Kol HaNeshamah, 6115 SW Hinds, 9:30 am. The PJ Library Storytime at Kol HaNeshamah Congregation. Erik Lawson is guest musician, with PJ Library manager Amy Paquette as storyteller. We will be reading a Purim story.

NEED KNITTING HELP? Knitting class for both beginners and project help, 9:30 – 11:30 at C&P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), with instructor Marguerite Lynch.

REPUBLICAN CAUCUSES: GOP gatherings here and statewide are 10 am-noon. Sign in starting at 9:30. Must be a registered voter. Major site in West Seattle is WS High School (3000 California SW); for southern West Seattle and beyond, at Evergreen Campus (830 SW 116th) in White Center. Details, links, and more in our Friday preview.

WHALE OF A DISPLAY: Remember the Arroyos gray whale from 2010? Its skeleton makes its public debut as an educational exhibit at MaST Center, whose executive director Dr. Kaddee Lawrence is a West Seattleite; here’s our recent preview of the exhibit, 10 am-2 pm, 28203 Redondo Beach Dr. S. in Des Moines.

GRIEFSHARE RECOVERY SUPPORT GROUP: Hosted by Grace Church, for those recovering from the loss of a loved one. 10:00 to 11:30 at 10323 28th Ave. SW. Onetime cost for participating in ongoing series once or multiple times is $15 (for a journal).

LONGHOUSE ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION: Duwamish Longhouse‘s 3rd Anniversary Open House, 11 am – 3 pm, free. Celebrate the building of the first longhouse in Seattle in 110 years, the home of Chief Seattle’s Duwamish people; programming includes admission to “Peter Boome: Salish Connections,” screening of “Princess Angeline” at 1 pm, and more, 4705 W. Marginal Way SW.

MOVEMENT COURSE: At Highland Park Improvement Club (12th/Holden), six-week intensive course focusing on somatics/movement imagery/voicework and dance ethnology. It will be open to all walks of life and adults can bring their children if they need to. It will be based on movement exploration through storytelling, dance techniques such as contemporary, modern, butoh and West African (yet, one does not have to be a professional dancer to take the class, any sort of mover or lover of movement is welcome). Saturdays for Six Weeks, starting March 3rd-April 7th 11 am-1 pm. $15 a class. Pre-registration required – contact info: miayogi@gmail.com/206-683-4414.

LOCAL STUDENTS’ EVENT OPENS: “Becoming Us – Thru the Eyes of Immigrants,” 2-3 pm. History House of Greater Seattle, 790 North 34th in Fremont, free. Produced by students from Chief Sealth International High School and St. Christopher’s Academy in West Seattle, documenting how immigration has helped make Seattle the city that it is today.

OCCUPY WEST SEATTLE: The group’s next “General Assembly” meeting is this afternoon, West Seattle (Admiral) Library, 2 pm.

SCHOOL FUNDRAISER: Chief Sealth PTSA auction, The Hall at Fauntleroy, 5 pm

WILDLIFE WALK: Owling in Lincoln Park with naturalist Stewart Wechsler, 5:30 pm, details here.

STORYTELLING AT THE LONGHOUSE: At the Duwamish Longhouse: “Native Oral, Visual & Digital Storytelling for Social Justice,” 6-8 pm, free. Program/Reception, Keeping the Earth Power Coming, Native oral, visual and digital storytelling for Social Justice, hosted by the Inclusion and Justice Committee of Antioch University’s PhD in Leadership and Change Program. Includes stories by local Duwamish youth about the Duwamish River. 4705 W. Marginal Way SW.

FOOD HANDLER PERMIT CLASSES FOR TEENS: Free at Southwest Teen Life Center for ages 13-19, 7 pm, 1st Saturday each month. 2801 SW Thistle.

PARTY AT THE FEEDBACK: Joe Dredd‘s “Meet Your Facebook Friends” Party, 8 pm at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor).

‘ROCKY’: Monthly “Rocky Horror Picture Show,” shadow casting and all, at Admiral Theater, tonight at midnight.

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2 hurt in Fauntleroy flip; church wayfinding sign damaged too
March 3, 2012 3:22 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Fauntleroy | West Seattle news | WS breaking news

(Photos by WSB editor Tracy Record)
A suddenly ironic sign marked the spot where that car flipped onto a Fauntleroy sidewalk a short time ago, right on the curve from Fauntleroy Way eastbound onto Wildwood (map). 2 people were hurt, minor injuries per the scanner, and we can confirm that the one victim who was placed on a gurney was sitting up as he was wheeled toward a private ambulance. Police were tracing the car’s trajectory:

Though that “no stops” sign survived unscathed, what you see in the lower right corner of that photo is another sign that did not:

That sign has long been a wayfinder pointing people to Fauntleroy UCC Church a few blocks east. No other cars were involved in the crash, but this one had far-ranging effects; police were up on the house’s lawn looking for debris.

ADDED 8:59 AM: Kevin McClintic sent a photo of the sign, taken last fall:

Fauntleroy-residing community volunteer Judy Pickens says that to her recollection, it’s been there since the mid-’90s, with the family who lives there having kindly agreed to “host” the sign.

ADDED EARLY SUNDAY: This is believed to be a case of DUI, according to the SPD time-delayed “incident response” map.

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Mortgage story to tell? Vera Johnson’s collecting them for DC
March 2, 2012 11:34 pm
|      23 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

Just after opening Village Green Perennial Nursery for the season, owner Vera Johnson has a quick out-of-town trip ahead – way out of town. Eight months after her very public foreclosure fight with Bank of America, she is going to Washington, D.C. – and if you too have been through something similar, she would like to take your story along for the ride. Vera explains, “I was asked to go to D.C. to meet with the Obama Task Force next week. We have meetings scheduled with folks at DOJ, HUD, and other agencies involved in the newly created mortgage-fraud task force. We’re going to spend some time together talking about the work happening in our cities and states, AND there’s going to be a Senate Banking Committee hearing on “public and private solutions to the mortgage crisis” (ie. Principal reduction) on Wednesday 3/7 – perfectly timed for us! I was asked to collect personal stories with photos of people who are dealing with this personally.” She is representing WA-CAN (Washington Citizens Action Network) and asks, “E-mail me your story of any Fannie/Freddie nightmares. Include a family photo. By Sunday ….. vjvillagegreen7@gmail.com.” She heads out on Monday.

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West Seattle schools: Chris Kinsey now permanent Chief Sealth principal
March 2, 2012 9:11 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

A little more than midway through the school year, Chris Kinsey is no longer interim principal of Chief Sealth International High School – he is its permanent principal, according to a letter sent to students’ families today:

Dear Chief Sealth International High School community,

Today I am excited to officially appoint Chris Kinsey as your permanent principal.

Mr. Kinsey stepped into the role in August – building on the momentum created over the past several years, while finding new ways to create student and staff success.

This school year, Chief Sealth won a Washington Achievement Award for improvement, honored one of its teachers with a Golden Apple Award, and increased the number of students taking International Baccalaureate classes. Under his leadership, the school expanded math and science offerings, kept more seniors than ever on track to graduate, developed more international education curriculum and is meeting the challenges of a growing student population.

Read More

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Election 2012: Republican precinct caucuses tomorrow morning
March 2, 2012 7:25 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

checkbox.jpgWith the Republican presidential nomination still undecided, the party’s precinct caucuses in our state tomorrow, 10 am-noon, are getting national attention. If you are interested in participating, our partners at the Seattle Times have put together a pretty good primer. There’s an FAQ on this party-owned site. And there’s a lot of good information from WSB’er JoAnne in new comments she has added following our caucus preview published last weekend. As she mentions, West Seattle High School (3000 California SW) is the major caucusing spot for this area – but if you are in south WS, your precinct may be caucusing in White Center, at the Evergreen Campus (830 SW 116th) – doublecheck your location here. We’ve checked in with 34th District Republicans chair Jim Clingan, who explains that results will NOT be announced at the caucus locations – they’ll go to the party’s county HQ, then on to the statewide GOP, which should announce statewide results tomorrow evening.

P.S. Democratic caucuses are NOT on the same date as the GOP this year; theirs are on April 15th.

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West Seattle traffic alert: Spokane St. Viaduct lane closures (etc.)
March 2, 2012 4:56 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle traffic alert: Spokane St. Viaduct lane closures (etc.)
 |   Spokane St. Viaduct project | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

An update from SDOT on lane closures and other traffic alerts related to the Spokane Street Viaduct Widening Project – some happening tonight. Read on:Read More

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Happening now: West Seattle Girl Scout Cookie sales, day 1
March 2, 2012 4:54 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Outside West Seattle Thriftway in Morgan Junction, we spotted Morgan, Elena, and Bianca, as their cookie-selling season began. Theirs is one of the troops you’ll find listed via the online “Cookie Locator” we featured in last Saturday’s report on the cookies’ arrival at a local loading dock.

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West Seattle school auctions: Gatewood ‘Bids for Kids’ March 9th
March 2, 2012 3:59 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle school auctions: Gatewood ‘Bids for Kids’ March 9th
 |   Gatewood | How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Continuing our series of announcements for local schools’ upcoming dinner/auction fundraisers – one week from tonight, it’s the Gatewood Elementary PTA‘s “Bids for Kids” (5:30-9 pm March 9th at The Hall at Fauntleroy):

We’re hoping for glamour, fun and a few “celebrity” appearances with this year’s silver-screen theme. All of the money raised goes directly to support the children in our diverse community of learners. Money raised at past auctions has been used to help start new arts, music, supplemental math and science programs over the past year and to provide scholarships for after-school enrichment programs. Gatewood is an all-inclusive community and we are committed to ensuring that all of our children thrive with access to enriching activities, support, and engagement.

At Gatewood we believe that changing the world is possible – especially with the support of our community. We welcome your support and everyone is invited. Our auction website includes a description of live and silent auction items and you can bid by proxy if you cannot attend! Check it out at http://www.gatewoodauction.org/home/

Live auction items include the opportunity to be a Top Gun fighter pilot for a day with Air Combat USA, family snowshoe package, Sounders ticket packages and signed memorabilia, getaways and more!

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Free plants! Join Cove Park’s ‘Big Dig’ in Fauntleroy tomorrow
March 2, 2012 12:15 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Fauntleroy | Gardening | West Seattle news

Before the Barton Pump Station expansion project takes over little Cove Park on the beach north of the Fauntleroy ferry dock (map) for about two years, the park’s plants need new homes – and you are invited to be part of the “adoption” effort. As Mardi Clements summarizes it, “”Free plants! Take them to a good home before they are bulldozed!” The plants fill border gardens along the pathway down to Cove Park’s tiny slice of beach. You dig ’em, you take ’em, 9 am-noon tomorrow (Saturday). Once the pump-station project is over, the park will be restored – the Fauntleroy Community Association has been working with the county for a long time to make sure that happens – with new art among other features (as reported in this story last September).

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Neighborhood crimefighting: Arbor Heights talks Block Watch
March 2, 2012 11:08 am
|    Comments Off on Neighborhood crimefighting: Arbor Heights talks Block Watch
 |   Arbor Heights | Crime | West Seattle news

Thanks to Kevin McClintic for sharing a photo and toplines from last night’s Arbor Heights crime-prevention/Block Watch-formation meeting, which he says about two dozen people attended. Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Mark Solomon (next to the pulpit in Kevin’s photo) was the guest speaker for the meeting coordinated by AH residents Sherry Fullerton and Kathy Ward. Mark stressed what you have heard from police over and over – if you see something suspicious happening, call 911. If you see someone who looks unfamiliar – say hi, “let them know they’ve been seen,” as Kevin summarized the message. Interested in getting involved with Arbor Heights Block Watch efforts, but couldn’t get to the meeting? You can e-mail arborheightsblockwatch@gmail.com and/or join the new Facebook group Arbor Heights Block Watch.

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Off West Seattle shores: USS John C. Stennis, headed home
March 2, 2012 9:16 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news

The aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis, which has had a more-eventful-than-many deployment these past seven months, is in central Puget Sound right now, visible from West Seattle as it heads home to Bremerton. Thanks to Bob A in North Admiral for the photo. The Kitsap Sun, of course, is all over it – here’s their latest report on what’s been happening aboard as the carrier finished its deployment. (It stopped in San Diego this past Monday, before the final leg of the trip home.) The Navy is promising a live online video stream as the Stennis gets closer to Bremerton; here’s the link.

10:30 AM UPDATE: This photo’s from Gary Jones, with the tip of the Alki Lighthouse in the foreground:

(The Stennis is out of view now, from here – by the time we got down to the water for a firsthand look around 9:45, it was already rounding south Bainbridge.)

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West Seattle Friday: From cookies to music, and more
March 2, 2012 9:13 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Friday: From cookies to music, and more
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Happy Friday! From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

GIRL SCOUT COOKIES ON SALE: This afternoon starts the annual cookie-selling season; last Saturday, we brought you the story of tens of thousands of boxes of cookies delivered to West Seattle for troop leaders to pick up. To find out where you can buy yours – use the online “cookie locator” to see which troop is scheduled to sell where, and when.

WINTER GEAR ON SALE: Returning WSB sponsor Mountain to Sound Outfitters is having a “progressive sale” – through today, 30 percent off winter gear; starting tomorrow, 40 percent off. They’re at 3602 SW Alaska in The Triangle.

WINE TASTING: At Bin 41 in The Junction, 6-7:30 pm, focusing tonight on new French wines.

AT KENYON HALL: 7:30 pm, Duo Rubicund – flutist Erica Coutsouridis and guitarist Meredith Connie, presenting a feast of Latin American music. From the announcement: “From Argentina to Puerto Rico to Cuba, they present works that take you on a tour through the history of the Tango, evoke the cities of Havana and Buenos Aires, and deliver a tasty selection of dances and melodies. (Rubicund means optimistic, bright, cheerful.) Their program includes works by Piazzolla, Pujol, and Ravel, plus the famous Gypsy Tango Jealousy.” Please visit www.duorubicund.com for more information.

MORE LIVE MUSIC: “Bobcat Bob” at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 6-8 pm … George Tisdale Band, Kissing Potion, Down North at Skylark Café and Club, 9 pm … Dolly Rottens, Torch Burner at the Benbow Room, 9 pm

BARLEYWINE BACCHANAL, SECOND-TO-LAST NIGHT: 9th annual event continues through Saturday at Beveridge Place Pub.

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2nd meeting for K-5 STEM at Boren: More info, less attendance
March 1, 2012 10:41 pm
|      45 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

The second informational meeting for families interested in West Seattle’s new public school, K-5 STEM at Boren, was very different from the first one 2 weeks ago (WSB coverage here).

For one, tonight’s meeting was led by Seattle Public Schools assistant superintendent for teaching and learning Dr. Cathy Thompson (at left in top photo). The crowd at the first meeting was told that Dr. Thompson had been leading the school-creation project, but was unable to be there that night because a School Board meeting was scheduled concurrently. Tonight, no board meeting, so the West Seattle-residing district official was there, bubbling over with enthusiasm, as well as a message: Yes, it will obviously be a “leap of faith” for families to enroll their elementary schoolers in this new program, and they understand if someone decides against it.

Also different, but not surprising: While more than 300 people jammed the Schmitz Park Elementary cafetorium for the first meeting, our informal count noted maybe 100 in the more-spacious Denny International Middle School galleria tonight. Here’s our video of the meeting, unedited, in its entirety:

We’ll add the key toplines soon. One important point: If you are interested in being on the school’s Design Team, which Dr. Thompson says will include six district staffers, six parents, and three community representatives, tomorrow’s the deadline for applying. Those chosen, she said, will be notified March 9th, and the team’s first meeting – which will be open to the public – will be March 14th. Meantime, the March 13th meet-and-greet with principal Dr. Shannon McKinney (about whom we learned more tonight, too) is still on, 6:30 pm at Madison Middle School. And if you missed the link in a comment thread here this afternoon – the first FAQ about the new school is now on the district website.

ADDED 7:51 AM FRIDAY: More new info from the meeting:Read More

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