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Summer’s not here yet, but West Seattle Soccer Club is thinking fall
June 1, 2011 9:55 pm
|    Comments Off on Summer’s not here yet, but West Seattle Soccer Club is thinking fall
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Even without a taste of true summer yet, you’ll want to look ahead to fall if you’re involved with – or thinking about getting involved with – the West Seattle Soccer Club. Fall registration is open now online, and they’re looking for coaches/volunteers as well as signing up players. Returning players who register by June 30th get priority placement on their former teams; after that, players go into the “general pool” for assignment on a space-available basis. Got questions? E-mail wsscboard@gmail.com if you can’t find the answers at westseattlesoccer.org.

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Viaduct south end ‘ahead of schedule,’ & other meeting toplines
June 1, 2011 6:35 pm
|      18 COMMENTS
 |   Alaskan Way Viaduct | Transportation | West Seattle news

(WSDOT photo taken last month in construction zone)
From this afternoon’s downtown meeting of the Alaskan Way Viaduct South Portal Working Group, one of the advisory groups that gets briefed on, and offers opinions about, how the ongoing 99 work and related projects are tying into our part of town:

ANOTHER CLOSURE COMING UP: For about a week, starting at the end of this week – specifics to come – the intersection of East Marginal and Spokane will be closed, according to the Port’s Mike Merritt. It’s because of ongoing work on the Port of Seattle’s East Marginal Grade Separation Project – the ramp-resembling structure you see off to the south when heading east on the high-rise West Seattle Bridge. He didn’t have full details – we will check with the Port tomorrow – but also said the project is moving toward “substantial completion in September.”

AHEAD OF SCHEDULE: As for the Highway 99/Alaskan Way Viaduct south-end work, which is now in full swing, project leader Matt Preedy told the advisory group that it’s “ahead of schedule.”

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Video: West Seattle Water Taxi crew honored as heroes
June 1, 2011 4:37 pm
|    Comments Off on Video: West Seattle Water Taxi crew honored as heroes
 |   King County Water Taxi | West Seattle news

On the West Seattle Water Taxi‘s downtown pier about an hour ago, King County Ferry District board chair Joe McDermott and member Larry Phillips honored the crew who rescued a diver. Here’s our coverage from May 10th, including a photo of the Rachel Marie just off Seacrest during the rescue. As was recounted in coverage that day, Captain Neal Amaral maneuvered the passenger ferry into place, and crewmember Aaron Barnett jumped into the water till the diver was safely secured into a sling.

Also honored (our video shows the short ceremony in its entirety), their fellow crewmembers Frank Massaro – who received a citation last year from the U.S. Coast Guard for rescuing a man in the water near Pier 50 – and engineer Vik Misic. All of their roles in the rescue are recapped in today’s county news release – click ahead to read it in its entirety:Read More

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2 West Seattle project changes: Oregon/42nd; Denny demolition
June 1, 2011 2:31 pm
|      43 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Significant changes for two long-in-the-works West Seattle projects – one in scope, one in cost:

MORE RESIDENTIAL UNITS, LESS COMMERCIAL SPACE: The long-idled project at 42nd/Oregon in The Junction (map), replacing those three houses and a fourth that made a much-watched move last summer, has changed plans, and architects. When the project went through city review back in 2008-2009, it had 89 residential units, and 20,000 square feet of commercial space. Now the owners are asking for revisions to their master-use permit, proposing 135 residential units and 2,900 square feet of commercial space. The building would remain at 7 stories (as originally planned); the underground parking garage would increase to 137 spaces, from 121. The new architects, JBDG (which designed Arrowhead Gardens on the southeastern edge of West Seattle), are scheduled to be part of a community meeting that Junction Neighborhood Organization president Erica Karlovits announced is scheduled two weeks from tonight, 6 pm June 15th, at the Senior Center of West Seattle.

Another project with a notable change:


(CLICK IMAGE FOR FULL-SIZE VERSION: Top of the rendering is west)
DENNY PROJECT PRICE RISES: As pointed out by the Save Seattle Schools site team, previewing the agenda for tonight’s Seattle School Board meeting: Board members are being asked to approve another $1.2 million for the project to tear down the old Denny International Middle School and put in six tennis courts, a softball field, and an “informal playfield,” while leaving room for a potential future new elementary school (the sports facilities are replacing the ones torn out to build the new Denny next to Sealth). The board approved a $4.9 million contract with BNBuilders last December; now they’re being asked to raise that to $6.1 million for reasons including:

The cost of this project includes funds to address several issues identified during the preconstruction phase. A larger than expected amount of unsuitable existing soils was discovered during the … pre-construction services phase. Funds to remove and replace these soils are included in this contract amendment. Additional hazardous materials abatement work was identified and is funded in this contract amendment. Additional electrical services are also included for possible future use.

Tonight’s school-board meeting is at district HQ in SODO at 6 pm; the Denny cost change is item 10 on the list of “introduction” items. A community meeting on the demolition/construction project is set for June 14th (more details in our original preview).

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West Seattle door-to-door ‘alert’: Canvassing tomorrow
June 1, 2011 1:16 pm
|      19 COMMENTS
 |   Door-to-door alert | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

You might find a door-to-door political canvasser outside your home or apartment tomorrow night – and thanks to a heads-up from Diane, we can tell you in advance, they’re legitimate. They will be asking people to support a potential city ordinance requiring that employers provide paid sick days. The notice Diane shared says that canvassers will gather at Pioneer Coffee (2536 Alki SW) at 5:30 pm Thursday, heading out to West Seattle neighborhoods over the ensuing two hours.

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From the WSB Forums: ‘Nickelsville’ update, including potluck
June 1, 2011 12:11 pm
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | Nickelsville encampment | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

If you don’t frequent the WSB Forums, you’ve missed members’ updates on the “Nickelsville” homeless camp that is now in its third week at the same city-owned West Seattle site where it was founded three years ago. Though the city administration then led by its namesake booted the camp in 2008, leading to a series of moves, Mayor McGinn is not planning to try to evict it, as reported here two weeks ago.

Shortly after that report, two Forum members told the story of a third who became homeless and is now living at the camp, and that led to questions about how to help. Several discussions have followed, including updates from new Nickelsville resident Mike, and now a bigger event is being organized: A June 18th potluck dinner. The plan is taking shape here; to feed the estimated 100 residents, plus visitors, is a big order, but with many participants, each contributor won’t have to add much. If you can provide food but can’t take it to the camp yourself, arrangements are also being made to help with that. As for other ways in which people are helping out – check out this Forums thread; the water supply is even receiving assistance (and another update is here). More updates to come, including a two-part report on Nickelsville security by Joanne Brayden and Kevin McClintic (who took the 5/16 photo reused here), who previously told the story of Mike’s move.

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Wondering when A Terrible Beauty will open in West Seattle?
June 1, 2011 10:25 am
|      23 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

Now that Zippy’s Giant Burgers has celebrated its reopening (WSB coverage here), the next restaurant-opening question peppering the WSB inbox is: When will A Terrible Beauty open in The Junction? WSB contributor Katie Meyer has been checking frequently on its progress (including taking the photo of the sign that went up last week). Katie says the latest word from co-proprietor Jenna is that they probably are still a couple weeks out, much as they wish things were moving faster. (The site has been given an extensive facelift as well as much interior work; previous exterior touches covered here included the stonework and the green paint; it’s only been a bit over two months since the Renton-founded Irish restaurant/pub announced its West Seattle expansion plans for the California/Edmunds NE corner.)

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West Seattle High School latest to launch new-format website
June 1, 2011 9:24 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

One by one, Seattle Public Schools have been switching over to the district’s new standardized website format, and the latest announcement comes from West Seattle High School, which you will now find online at westseattlehs.seattleschools.org. By next school year, the district says, they’ll roll out more personalized features for students and their families to use to access school-related information. In the meantime, this morning’s note from WSHS principal Ruth Medsker points to a survey for feedback on the new site – find it here.

Chief Sealth International High School launched the new format earlier this month (chiefsealthhs.seattleschools.org); both of West Seattle’s middle schools are using it now (dennyms.seattleschools.org and madisonms.seattleschools.org); but it appears some of the elementaries are still in the process of switching over (Schmitz Park announced last week that it’s now at schmitzparkes.seattleschools.org; we also found Gatewood at gatewoodes.seattleschools.org and Sanislo at sanisloes.seattleschools.org). Previously – we can say as one of the (probably) few organizations whose work involved frequently visiting all the schools’ sites – it was a free-form case of “every school for itself,” sometimes not only in the design, but also the URLs, with a lot of volunteer power involved.

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West Seattle Wednesday: Viaduct; Triangle; ferries; authors…
June 1, 2011 6:03 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Band-tailed pigeon, photographed by Liz near Schmitz Park)
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

HIGHWAY 99 CONSTRUCTION/TRAFFIC/PLANNING: As previewed here Tuesday, the Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Project South Portal Working Group meets at 4 pm, board room at Union Station (details here), with the agenda including an update on the south-end construction work and how it’s affecting traffic, plus what’s next.

SOUTHWEST DISTRICT COUNCIL TALKS TRIANGLE, AND MORE: Also previewed here Tuesday, the SWDC meets at the South Seattle Community College board room (here’s how to find it) at 7 pm, agenda including Triangle planning, SW Alaska “rechannelization,” and the Department of Neighborhoods‘ new director.

WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES COMMUNITY MEETING: Though the meeting is on Vashon, it’s for all the communities along the Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route. 6:30-8:30 p.m., at the McMurray Middle School Multi-Purpose Room, 9329 SW Cemetery Road on Vashon Island (map), assistant state transportation secretary David Moseley will be on hand to discuss the 2011 Legislative session outcomes, the new vessel program, the fare proposal process, and route-specific issues.

SIFF AT THE ADMIRAL: The SIFF showings continue at the Admiral Theater; tonight at 6:30 pm, it’s “The Hunter” (Iran); at 9 pm, “Dance Town” (South Korea); details and ticket info here.

AUTHORS READ: At C & P Coffee (WSB sponsor; 5612 California SW) from 7 pm – 8 pm, West Seattle writers Harold Taw and Elizabeth Austen will read from and sign copies of their new books. His debut novel is titled “Adventures of the Karaoke King”; her new collection of poetry is titled “Every Dress A Decision.”

‘WAAAY OFF BROADWAY’: It’s opening night for Schmitz Park Elementary‘s musical review, 6:30 pm at West Seattle High School.

UP EARLY?: Westside Professionals business-networking group meets at 8 am at The Kenney, 7125 Fauntleroy Way SW. (find out more about them on Facebook).

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West Seattle benefit for children of Cpl. Brandon Hocking
May 31, 2011 9:40 pm
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

An Army corporal killed in Iraq this past March had family with longtime ties to West Seattle – and a benefit show has been organized for this Saturday night. The announcement includes a request to RSVP by Thursday:

Saturday, June 4 · 7:00pm – 11:00pm
________________________________
VFW Post 2713 at 3601 SW Alaska
________________________________
In honor of US Army Sgt. Brandon S. Hocking, who lost his life on March 21st 2011 while serving in Iraq. Come join the event that brings together musicians who grew up and went to school with Brandon’s Mom Chris (Pitts) Dansereau, Stepdad Calvin (Dempsey) Dansereau, and Aunt Jodi (Pitts) Lascoumes, here in West Seattle.

“The Band of Brothers” will put two groups on stage for the evening, as part of a fundraiser for Brandon’s children. This is an all-ages show, with a $10 per person suggested donation at the door. This event is by invitation only, and space is limited, so please respond by June 2nd to secure your name on the invite list. Food and drinks will be extra and some items to be raffled off too. If you would like to donate items such as gift certificates, goods or services to be raffled, please contact me. [ Richard at rpmotorsports@yahoo.com, 206-225-0153 ]

The list of those musicians who have graciously offered their support, as well as the VFW Post 2713, are some of the best in Seattle, and they are our guys from right here, showing their true West Seattle support.

Rod Moody
Pat Tunison
Joe Bauer
John Bradley
Bill Reid
Monty Smith
Shel Van Taylor
Jon Sleight
Michael Wolfe
Mike Winston
Doug Marrapodi
Jay Marrapodi

According to this Seattle Times (WSB partner) story about Corporal Hocking’s death, he was 24, and survived by his wife and two preschool-age children.

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Update: List of West Seattle summer camps with room left
May 31, 2011 6:58 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(EDITOR’S NOTE: We’re continuing to update this list as additions come in – newest update, 6/12 – if you discover any of these no longer have room, please let us know! Thanks!)
With just a few weeks of school left, we’re getting a few questions about day-camp options. We don’t have a comprehensive list but here are a few announcements we’ve received:

(updated 6/1) THE PINK ARMADILLO ART STUDIO: Clare Hebert (above) just opened this studio in the same building as the Blue Mist Salon in Admiral (which is very much alive and well, its owners assure us, and still in that same building!), across from Hiawatha, and is offering half-day camps for 6-12-year-olds in July and August. The schedule is here. (She teaches classes for adults/teens too – more online, or e-mail her at thepinkarmadillo@gmail.com)

ARTS-IN-NATURE CAMP: West Seattle-headquartered nonprofit Nature Consortium presents a week of day camp August 15-19 for ages 9 and up at Camp Long, with nature-themed art projects, 10 am-4 pm daily, registration at naturec.org. Questions? Ryan @ naturec.org.

GARDEN ART DAY CAMP AT VILLAGE GREEN: West Seattle artist Sarah Browning is offering two 3-day sessions in August for ages 8-12 at Village Green Perennial Nursery just south of WS – full details here.

WEST SEATTLE/FAUNTLEROY YMCA DAY CAMPS: There’s a wide range of camp sessions offered by the Y (WSB sponsor) – and if you follow the registration links, you can see whether spots are available. Here’s where to start.

LITTLE GYM OF WEST SEATTLE: They e-mailed tonight to say they have camps for ages 3-10, Mondays-Fridays, June 20th-August 27th, 1-4 pm, with games, group activities, gymnastics, arts and crafts; you can sign up “for one day or every day.” See the schedule at tlgwestseattlewa.com or call 206.937.0311.

SEATTLE SCHOOLS SUMMER MUSIC AT WSHS: This is for student musicians who are finishing grades 4 through 8 and have at least one year of experience playing an instrument. This is a three-week program, 9 am-noon, June 27-July 15 (or, students may attend just one or two weeks). The program offers band, strings, jazz, and/or small ensemble participation, with a concert each week. You can register online; here’s the link. More info also is available from Toni Reineke, head teacher for the West Seattle site: tonireineke@comcast.net or 206-243-6955.

WEST SEATTLE SOCCER CLUB: Via Facebook, WSSC says it’s sponsoring three different soccer camps for players age 4-14 this summer. Details and online-registration links can be found at westseattlesoccer.org.

THE COVE SCHOOL: The school’s summer-camp program has a few spaces open, 9-noon Mondays-Fridays, for children ages 3-5, the last 3 weeks in July and the middle 3 weeks in August. Info: thecoveschool.com

ARC SUMMER DAY CAMPS AT SEATTLE PARKS’ COMMUNITY CENTERS: Five locations in West Seattle, one in South Park. From the announcement we just received: “The atmosphere at camp is one that emphasizes community relationships, but also recognizes individual achievement, creativity and original thinking. Enriching field trips weekly! Children currently in Kindergarten through 5th grade that are not younger than 5 and not older than 12 are welcome. Weekly sessions June 27-September 2- attend one week or all.” Go here to find out more online.

COMMUNITY DAY SCHOOL AT SANISLO ELEMENTARY: Announcement just in: “Offering weekly sessions for K-5 focusing on different book genres. Join us for JRR Tolkien/The Hobbit or Harry Potter Week, just to name a few! Open 7 am-6 pm with flexible dropoff and pickup times. Contact us at Sanislo@communitydayschool.org or 206-763-5910 for a complete list of themes and more details.”

COMERFORD SCHOOL OF IRISH DANCE: Beginning Irish Dance workshop for kids offered July 18-20 at the West Seattle VFW. C’mon over and learn a jig! The session for new beginners will be 10 to 11 AM each day. INFO: celticartsnw@hotmail.com; 206-935-3225.

SING OUT SEATTLE: Reports the following: The Lion King (July 11- July 22) 2 weeks – 5 slots left … Princess and the Frog ( July 25-Aug. 5)- 6 slots left … Shrek! (Aug. 8- Aug. 19)- 12 slots left. For information and registration, contact: singoutseattle.com.

WESTSIDE SCHOOL CAMPS: Sing Out Seattle is one of several summer camps offered at Westside School (WSB sponsor). Full list, including ages, details, and how to register, can be found here.

YOGAGIRLZ: Shana Hageman reports, “I still have room in one of my YogaGirlz summer camps: July 25-29th for girls 7-11. It runs from 9-3 pm and the cost is $300. There is more info at www.yoga-girlz.com.”

SEATTLE LUTHERAN SPORTS CAMPS: Cheer, basketball, volleyball, and running camps are offered, and SLHS says there’s room. Age groups (some for as young as 2nd grade, some up to 12th grade) and schedules are listed in this brochure (2-page PDF).

COMETA PLAYSCHOOL: “Around the World in 5 Weeks,” starting with North America the week of July 11th, then South America the week of July 18th, Asia the week of July 25th, Europe the week of August 1st, and Africa the week of August 8th. Daily hours 10 am-1 pm; more info at cometaseattle.com, or call 206-353-6781.

BLOOM PRESCHOOL: This school is hosting three summer camps for preschoolers (3 to 5 year-olds) and older siblings (grade school age). Sibling discounts are available. Camp hours are 9:30 am-12:30 pm, with sessions June 28-July
1, July 18-21, and August 29-Sept 1 – summer-themed crafts, storytime, walking recess, and
lunch. RSVP to Bloom Preschool teachers Keri Russell or Kristi Ingle at kristi@westseattlebloompreschool.com or 206.612.6044.

CHIEF SEALTH BASKETBALL AND LIFE SKILLS CAMP: For 2nd through 9th graders, girls and boys, this camp teaching both basketball and life-skills/leadership lessons has three one-week sessions this year. Full details in our original preview, including a link to the brochure and registration information.

LIMBER YOGA AND SEATTLE INTEGRATED MARTIAL ARTS: Two summer-camp sessions in August – “Yoga, Adventure, and Martial Arts Camp” – through this Junction-based studio. August 8th-11th, 9-1, is for 4 to 6-year-olds; August 22nd-25th, 9-1, is for ages 7 through 11. More information online – go here.

SEATTLE BOULDERING PROJECT: This is a new indoor rock-climbing gym in South Seattle, and a West Seattleite who works there sends word they have summer camp programs – full details here. She says it offers “a different form of climbing than most people are accustomed to” with climbing walls no higher than 15 feet and the gym floor including 16 inches of padding. Programs start June 27th and are available for ages 6-16. Register by phone 206.299.2300 or e-mail lindsey@seattleboulderingproject.com – 900 Poplar Place S.

SEREVI RUGBY: Introductory one-session “camps” for ages 7-18 at Hiawatha Playfield, details here.

(Any others in WS, or nearby, that still have room? We’d be happy to add more to the list; editor@westseattleblog.com)

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West Seattle coyotes: How to handle a close encounter
May 31, 2011 3:44 pm
|      30 COMMENTS
 |   Coyotes | West Seattle news | Wildlife

The latest coyote sighting out of the WSB inbox raises the issue of how to react if you have a close encounter with one. After our last photo-accompanied coyote report, one reader chastised us for the lighthearted headline – as if you would want to play with a coyote. She reminded us that for their safety and ours, you want to do your best to scare them off. That point was raised again by Shawn‘s encounter, which resulted in these photos and note:

I took these pics with my cell phone yesterday around 4 pm while walking my dog, Charlie. The coyote was so close my hands were shaking! It seemed curious, but not threatening. Charlie’s a big dog, though, and does not look like a snack, except maybe to a bear or a whale. It did bark or yip once, which was kind of cool. The coyote followed us for at least a block and was close enough to touch. (I didn’t) These pics were taken on a populated street in High Point; the one that backs up to the cemetery.

As advised in the “coexisting with coyotes” link we often share: “If a coyote ever approaches too closely, pick up small children immediately and act aggressively toward the animal. Wave your arms, throw stones, and shout at the coyote. If necessary, make yourself appear larger by standing up (if sitting) or stepping up onto a rock, stump, or stair. The idea is to convince the coyote that you are not prey, but a potential danger.”


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Hot topics on tap tomorrow: Highway 99 traffic; West Seattle Triangle
May 31, 2011 1:49 pm
|      32 COMMENTS
 |   Alaskan Way Viaduct | Triangle | West Seattle news

Two West Seattle meetings of note tomorrow tackle hot topics: First, the Highway 99/Alaskan Way Viaduct construction work and its effect on traffic to and from West Seattle. The South Portal Working Group, an advisory committee focused on that side of the 99 project, meets at 4 pm Wednesday, for the first time in a few months. Its agenda includes a project update, with committee members specifically asked to be ready to answer this question: “Do you have any feedback regarding the way traffic has been managed during construction?”. West Seattle reps in the working group include Pete Spalding from eastern West Seattle, Vlad Oustimovitch from western West Seattle, and Junction lawyer Jerry Cohen.) The meeting’s at the Sound Transit Board Room at Union Station on the south end of downtown.

Then at 7 Wednesday night, South Seattle Community College Board Room, the Southwest District Council – whose members are from neighborhood groups and other organizations around the west side of the peninsula, which the city calls the “Southwest District.” The SWDC has expressed concern over the city-led Triangle planning process – especially a suggestion that some parts could be rezoned for 85-foot-tall buildings – and will hear from the city planners on the project, Susan McLain and Robert Scully, tomorrow night. They’ll also hear from SDOT about SW Alaska “rechannelization” – changes planned to that street’s flow through the Triangle and Junction for the RapidRide bus service. The agenda also includes new Department of Neighborhoods director Bernie Matsuno. All are welcome at both meetings.

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West Seattle traffic alert update: 35th SW crash scene clear
May 31, 2011 12:12 pm
|      21 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS breaking news

12:12 PM: A crash at 35th/Henderson has police diverting traffic north of the scene, at SW Trenton, and south at Barton. More details to come.

12:19 PM UPDATE: Added a photo. No information so far on the circumstances of the crash, but as the picture shows, two cars were involved. The private ambulance was there to take one person to the hospital. It and the fire truck have just cleared, according to our crew on the scene, but you’ll want to avoid the area a while longer, till debris can be cleaned up, and vehicles towed if needed.

1:03 PM: Went back over to verify – the scene is all clear, traffic back to normal.

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Help Seattle Parks plan adult/senior rec programs’ future
May 31, 2011 11:45 am
|    Comments Off on Help Seattle Parks plan adult/senior rec programs’ future
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

There’s still room at the table for a dinner conversation coming up one week from tomorrow in West Seattle. Parks Department Lifelong Recreation Program staffers want to hear what programs you’d like to see offered to adults (seniors as well as younger adults), and what partnerships might be appropriate to make those programs happen. The free dinner is at 6 pm June 8th at Delridge Community Center, but you need to RSVP – call Mary at 206-935-2162 or e-mail mary.dalzell@seattle.gov.

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Zippy’s Giant Burgers really is open now in White Center
May 31, 2011 10:58 am
|      26 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants | White Center

For the “won’t believe it till we see it” contingent – this photo is proof, Zippy’s Giant Burgers is indeed open for business in White Center (9614 14th SW).

ADDED 12:25 PM: More scenes from (re)opening day:

The photo is by WSB/White Center Now contributor Deanie Schwarz, who caught Steve Vodopich and Kenan Cetincelik, lifelong West Seattle buddies, working on the first Big Mouth orders of the day. Three patties! But it isn’t the biggest burger at Zippy’s; that would be the King Lou Lou (added ahead – see somebody try one of those!).

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West Seattle business: Volleyball ace prepares to open BioJunction
May 31, 2011 10:34 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Story and photos by Stephanie Chacharon
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

Lora Clothier is getting ready to open her own business; but first, she has a championship to win.

She’s come a long way since taking up the game of volleyball at age 12. After playing ball for Eastern Washington University’s Division I program, Lora has continued to build her skills both on the court and in the sand. During the indoor season, she plays through USA Volleyball (USAV), one of the world’s leading organizations for the sport.

Today, Lora is flying to Dallas, where she’ll join other elite players for the 2011 USAV Open Championships. The tournament marks the end to her indoor-season involvement — when she returns home, she’ll switch focus to her beach game, which she says is her new favorite.

But it won’t be just beach volleyball that’s on her mind when she’s back home in West Seattle. Come mid-summer, Lora’s first entrepreneurial venture, BioJunction Sports Therapy, will open for business at Charlestown Center (on the NW corner of SW Charlestown and California SW).

The clinic will occupy the long-vacant ground-floor corner unit of the building, directly below West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor). Lora, an experienced physical therapist who specializes in outpatient orthopedic physical therapy, has big plans for the clinic. “I want to do it right,” she told WSB. “I love working with people, and I love making people better.”

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West Seattle Tuesday: Highlights for the final day of May
May 31, 2011 7:59 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Tuesday: Highlights for the final day of May
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Steller’s Jay, photographed by Danny McMillin)
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

LAST DAY: Bring a package of diapers for WestSide Baby to C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor, 5612 California SW), get a free coffee drink.

LAST DAY: Food drive to feed needy kids during the summer months – drop off non-perishable food donations at PCC Natural Markets‘ West Seattle store (WSB sponsor), 2749 California SW.

FIRST DAY: Zippy’s Giant Burgers opens at 10:30 am in its new location, 9614 14th SW in White Center.

FESTIVAL CONTINUES: SIFF with films at the Admiral Theater for all three weeks this year. Tonight, two films will be screened, “Do You See Colors When You Close Your Eyes?” at 7 and “Tilt” at 9:30 – more details and ticket links here.

‘LIVING INTO LIFE’: Learn about building your Personal Safety Net at a workshop tonight, 7-8:30 pm at Alki Arts (2820 Alki SW), call 206-659-0665 to check if there’s still space.

AT THE LIBRARIES: West Seattle’s public libraries host baby, family, and toddler story times today as well as a citizenship class – all listed here.

NIGHTLIFE: Among tonight’s options: Rock trivia (every Tuesday night!) at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), 8 pm.

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Holiday-weekend extra: WSB news tidbits, and a request
May 30, 2011 10:58 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle online

As a blessedly safe, quiet holiday weekend closes, a few bits of WSB news to share – and a request.

First, if you didn’t see our note in the WSB Forums: We are proud to announce the latest award for WSB, because this one, like the national award last fall from the Online News Association, is much more about you than about us. When the Society of Professional Journalists announced its Regional Awards last weekend, WSB was honored for Best Online Community Engagement. (We’d drop that last word and simply say, Best Online Community … or maybe drop the “online” too!) Tough competition – our friends at KING 5 came in 2nd; 3rd-place honors went to Amy Duncan for MyGreenLake.com, who presents news and information earnestly and thoroughly to, and with, her neighborhood. What was taken into account for this award was your participation and how we work together – comment threads that so often yield new information about stories; news that is a collaboration between your notes/tips and our research; user-to-user WSB Forums; the neighbor-alerting-neighbor heart of West Seattle Crime Watch coverage. Your daily involvement and caring is often breathtaking. (P.S. The SPJ awards also included one for our partners at the Seattle Times on behalf of a project with which we were involved, special coverage of the graffiti-vandalism problem – celebrated with an Innovation Award.)

Second – We are overdue in telling you about a nationwide grassroots campaign we have helped found, Authentically Local. Authentically LocalWe are founders along with more than two dozen other independent, community-collaborative, local online-news publishers around the country. We all decided to start it because our “industry” is currently under siege from megacorporations that are moving into communities with one-size-fits-all operations to try to templatize and commoditize neighborhood news/information. The attraction for them is twofold: Once they have hundreds of sites, they can sell space to the highest-bidding national advertiser, and/or try to save their own failing old-media businesses through amassing small-business ads. But Authentically Local isn’t just an awareness campaign for those of us who do news; our counterparts in New Jersey at the nation’s first successful grass-roots independent online-news site, Baristanet, who hatched the idea, have suggested it might be appropriate for other types of businesses too. Check it out here.

To the localism point, two links that might be of interest. Your editor here offered perhaps-radical thoughts in a recent interview with Street Fight Magazine, a new national online publication looking at the “business of hyperlocal” (the latter is the shop-talk term for “neighborhood”; we don’t like it, so we don’t use it). And the inherent localism of WSB has drawn attention across the Atlantic: Gretchen sent a note pointing to this Financial Times (London) article about a wave of “localism” sweeping Britain – it seems some aspects of what we take for granted in civic life are wholly new ideas there. The sidebar story to the right of the main text column leads off, for some reason, with a quick summary of “Localism, Seattle style,” with WSB as exhibit A – noting recent WSB discussions on schools and transportation, and commenters’ tendency to question authority.

NOW, OUR REQUEST FOR YOU: Four questions we’d love to have you answer, if you can spare a few minutes, as we look to the future. Your answers can be short, long, or somewhere inbetween – just go here. Thanks in advance!

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Video: West Seattle Memorial Day military flyover
May 30, 2011 8:17 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Helicopter | West Seattle news

We’re not sure exactly what the mission/destination is/was, but just in case you wondered if you were hearing things – yes, two military helicopters (Chinooks, we think) flew over Fauntleroy and points east a little while ago, and then one headed back west – that’s the one we got on video. Before they headed this way, we had seen the two over Vashon, headed north, and Twitter talk includes Eastside sightings too. (And thanks to Howie for mentioning a forum discussion at MyBallard.com.)

MONDAY AFTERNOON UPDATE: Patty at Roosiehood, one of the other neighborhood sites that reported on the chopper flyover last night, talked to the Army today and learned it was just a training flight.

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Zippy’s Giant Burgers ready for long-awaited reopening tomorrow
May 30, 2011 7:09 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants | White Center

That photo of Zippy’s Giant Burgers co-proprietor Blaine Cook (left) in the kitchen of the new Zippy’s location – 9614 14th SW in White Center – reminds us a bit of one we took three years ago, with Blaine in the kitchen of his original location in Highland Park. (It’s in this 5/1/2008 WSB story and on the ZIppy’s home page.) The location isn’t the only thing changing between their 1st opening day, and tomorrow’s grand reopening. Among other changes: They’ll have beer and wine, and they’ll take plastic. And – as this next photo (with Zippy’s co-proprietor Rahel Cook at left) reminds us – they’ll have more space:

As announced last Thursday, the doors are scheduled to swing open at 10:30 tomorrow morning, six and a half weeks after the final burgers were served at Highland Park, and almost four months after we broke the news about the new location. (When we stopped by the new digs this afternoon, the Zippy’s crew was getting ready for a test run; while some marked Memorial Day with a cookout, they were having a cook-in.)

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West Seattle Memorial Day 2011 service: ‘For us, they fell…’
May 30, 2011 5:48 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

(Kristen Rasmussen from the West Seattle Big Band plays Taps, as Walt DeLong from American Legion Post 160 holds the flag)
For this year’s Memorial Day service at Dignity Memorial-Forest Lawn Cemetery (WSB sponsor) in West Seattle, American Legion Post 160 Commander Chris Shea paid tribute to two anniversaries: The sesquicentennial of the start of the Civil War (which has two veterans buried at Forest Lawn), and 10 years since 9/11. Shea also mentioned that the last surviving World War I veteran recently died.

His annual speech also told the story of three Medal of Honor recipients and their acts of bravery. And along with the traditional “Taps” (see top photo), music included patriotic songs by Seattle Opera mezzo-soprano Melissa Plagemann – our video has the entirety of the 35-minute service:

At the conclusion, that’s David Salove of Forest Lawn thanking attendees, who were greater in number than we recall from the recent years:

At the start of the service, bagpipe music echoed a short distance away. That wasn’t part of it – it was the Maccray family, Colin, Barbara, Finlay, and Ken, who come each year to remember, and to play:

Toward the end of his Memorial address, Post 160 Commander Shea exhorted those on hand to not only remember our military veterans – “they fought for us, and for us, they fell” – but also to keep the Midwest and South tornado victims in their thoughts as well.

ADDED: As a commenter reminds us, Boy Scout Troop 284 also plays a major role in this annual remembrance – by placing flags and crosses on veterans’ graves at Forest Lawn.

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Next Saturday: Benefit car wash for WSHS girls’ volleyball team
May 30, 2011 3:59 pm
|    Comments Off on Next Saturday: Benefit car wash for WSHS girls’ volleyball team
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | WS & Sports

One more to put on your radar for next Saturday: The West Seattle High School Girls’ Volleyball Team will be at the West Seattle Produce lot (10:30 am-2 pm) to wash your car. They need to raise money for new gear and fees for next season, and your donation in exchange for car-washing will be more than welcome. WSP is on Fauntleroy just south of Alaska (map); the WSHS volleyball coaches point out you can shop for produce or dine at the Beloved Mexico truck while you wait for your (shiny) car.

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