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Got a college-bound grad? West Seattle author’s book might help
June 12, 2012 3:26 pm
|    Comments Off on Got a college-bound grad? West Seattle author’s book might help
 |   West Seattle books | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

It’s graduation season, which means hundreds more West Seattleites are headed for college. If there’s one in your house – you might consider packing them off with a copy of Gatewood resident Ellen Bremen‘s new book. It’s called “Say This, NOT That to Your Professor: 36 Talking Tips for College Success,” published by NorLights Press and released nationwide. Ellen is a professor herself – tenured Communication Studies faculty at Highline Community College – so she should know. She writes online, too, as The Chatty Professor. She says her book breaks new ground:

This book is a first in the college success genre to a) tackle the student-professor dynamic (if you can believe that); b) give students the exact appropriate, professional words to say to deal with challenging, but common everyday classroom issues, such as absences, late work, grades, boring classes; and c) lift the veil on college policy in a conversational way that takes students insight the faculty mind, empowering them to feel informed when tackling tough issues or standing up for themselves with professors.

But don’t take her word for it. She’s linked to some reviews, too. You can of course buy the book online.

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Visiting students from China need short-term host families
June 12, 2012 2:40 pm
|    Comments Off on Visiting students from China need short-term host families
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Got room? A quick announcement:

Pathfinder K-8 School continues to seek host families for 5th grade students from Chengdu China. The students will arrive on July 3rd and depart on July 14th. During weekdays students will attend a special program at Pathfinder School. Evenings and weekends are free for you to explore our culture with your Chinese students. Students come with their own spending money, insurance and a thirst for American experiences. Please contact Lisa Clayton, lclayton@seattleschools.org, ASAP if you are interested.

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West Seattle Podcast: New project for the ‘ex-Petco site’ guy
June 12, 2012 12:07 pm
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(From left, Tao and Jason; photos by WSB’s Patrick Sand)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

First, he brought in the Rock-afire Explosion animatronics.

Then, he painted the windows (while leaving peek-a-boo spots through which passersby peer, continually).

He’s on notice his temporary digs at 4724 California SW will be replaced by a 7-story building. (No worries, he’s bought his own building anyway.)

Does Jason Rudolph of Sound Advertising Group sound busy enough to you?

Nah. Now he and two of his team members have launched the West Seattle Podcast.

And they’re inviting you in to see it all – and be part of it all! – during this Thursday’s West Seattle Art Walk.

Read More

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Got a question for Council President Clark? Ask her here, Thursday
June 12, 2012 10:46 am
|    Comments Off on Got a question for Council President Clark? Ask her here, Thursday
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

This Thursday, Seattle City Council President Sally Clark is the guest speaker at the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce‘s monthly lunch – and you don’t have to be a member to attend, Chamber president Dave Montoure reminds us. So he’s issuing an invitation to anybody interested – not just to come listen, but to ask questions during the Q/A section of lunch. Want to ask about development? Job creation? Transportation? Or? Be at The Kenney (WSB sponsor; 7125 Fauntleroy Way SW), 11:30 am-1 pm this Thursday. If you’re a Chamber member, the cost for lunch is $25; if not, $35, and everyone has to RSVP – you can do it online or call the Chamber office at 206-932-5685.

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Pigeon Point Neighborhood Council: Crime down, traffic up, & more
June 12, 2012 10:15 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Pigeon Point | West Seattle news

After a burglary wave a few months back, some promising news about crime was heartening to the 20-plus people in attendance at last night’s Pigeon Point Neighborhood Council meeting.

Southwest Precinct operations Lt. Pierre Davis said West Seattle-area burglaries/car prowls were at a “historic low” in May – “the bad guys just aren’t playing here right now.” The Pigeon Point neighborhood itself is “pretty quiet right now,” he added. Attendees were invited to ask questions – and their biggest concerns involved speeding through the neighborhood (which includes a couple of straightaways). Before Lt. Davis left, a meeting attendee called out that he wanted to express thanks for everything that Seattle Police have done while being “severely tested” recently – and that sparked a round of applause.

Much of the rest of the meeting included other public-safety topics, from Block Watches to traffic calming:Read More

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West Seattle Tuesday: Admiral, Fauntleroy, schools, skating…
June 12, 2012 8:26 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Tuesday: Admiral, Fauntleroy, schools, skating…
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Just in case we don’t get to see the Olympics today, there’s a photo we took Monday morning. Otherwise, there’s no looking back – lots going on tonight. From the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar, some highlights for today/tonight:

TONIGHT’S TRAFFIC ALERT: Another overnight closure planned for the southbound Alaskan Way Viaduct/Highway 99 stretch between Battery St. Tunnel and West Seattle Bridge, 9 pm-5 am (here’s our full list of this week’s closures, including the all-weekend, both-ways AWV/99 closure).

PRE-MEETING POTLUCK FOR ADMIRAL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: This isn’t business as usual for ANA, but president Katy Walum said at last week’s Admiral District business gathering that given recent troubling events around the city, it might be a good time for people to get to know each other better, spend a little more time face-to-face, rather than just rushing in at the last minute and jumping right into a meeting. So at 6 pm, lower-level meeting room at Admiral Congregational Church (California/Hill), you’re invited to a potluck – bring something to share – before tonight’s 7 pm meeting. You can even come to the potluck and not stay for the meeting. More info in this update on the ANA website.

‘FINDING KIND’ AT MADISON: Free screening of “a great film to watch with your favorite student,” as organizers describe it, 6:30 pm, Madison Middle School (45th/Spokane) – details here.

PREPAREDNESS CLASS: Tonight at High Point Library Branch (35th/Raymond), Seattle Neighborhoods Actively Prepare (SNAP) offers a free class. 6:30 pm, details here.

LEARN ABOUT JUICING: Tammy at Alki Juice and Java across from Seacrest Boathouse invites you to a free 6:30 class tonight – details here.

DESC PROJECT ADVISORY COMMITTEE: Members of the community advisory committee for DESC’s Delridge Supportive Housing project toured two of the agency’s buildings last week and will present a briefing tonight, along with a discussion of how DESC screens tenants. 6:30 pm, Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW).

MEET LAFAYETTE ELEMENTARY’S NEW PRINCIPAL: 3 weeks after the announcement that Shauna Heath will lead Lafayette Elementary School next year (here’s our followup interview with her), tonight she’ll be at a “meet and greet” for the school community, 6:30 pm (details here).

CHIEF SEALTH’S LAST PTSA MEETING OF THE YEAR: Cupcakes at 6:45 pm, Chief Sealth International High School PTSA meeting at 7. Agenda details are in our calendar listing. (2600 SW Thistle)

WEST SEATTLE WRITERS: Monthly meeting, 7 pm, Ginomai (42nd/Genesee) – details here, including a request to bring work to read to the group.

FAUNTLEROY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: Its monthly board meeting is at 7 pm tonight, Fauntleroy Schoolhouse (9131 California SW), all who live/work in Fauntleroy always welcome.

SCHMITZ PARK SHAKESPEARE: Schmitz Park Elementary teacher Craig Parsley sends word that his students’ annual Shakespeare performance is tonight, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” onstage in the SP cafeteria, 7 pm (and they’re performing for their fellow students at 1 pm), 5000 SW Spokane.

DJ NIGHT AT THE RINK: Two West Seattle-based DJs bring music – and visuals – to Southgate Roller Rink tonight, 8:30-11 pm. Details here.

STARLITE SINGER/SONGWRITERS’ NIGHT: Tonight and every Tuesday night at Shadowland, 9 pm.

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Update: Bonfire ‘explosion’ at Alki sends 5 to hospital with burns
June 11, 2012 9:12 pm
|      36 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

(TOPLINE: 5 teenagers, reported at the scene to be celebrating the end of the school year at an Auburn high school, went to the hospital after someone added some kind of “accelerant” to a fire in an Alki Beach fire pit, resulting in what witnesses described as an “explosion.”)

(1st 2 photos by Christopher Boffoli for WSB)
9:12 PM: We’re arriving at Alki where multiple emergency crews are tending to what we are told may be a case of someone with burn injuries … more momentarily. It’s happening at 59th and Alki SW – police are handling traffic control in the area – steer clear of there TFN. One witness describes what happened as a “fire pit explosion” and we are told more than one person has been transported to the hospital.

9:19 PM: Nearby resident Ben Hutchinson reports what he saw, and shares two photos:

About 20 minutes ago (20 minutes before the time of me sending this email), I was sitting in my room using my computer, when I heard a loud explosion. It sounded like maybe an illegal large/homemade firework exploding. I went outside to see what was going on. From the balcony of my apartment, I saw some burning material outside the fire ring just to the left of the fire ring. It appeared to be in the middle of the pile of belongings that the group of people had who were at the fire ring. Also to the right of the fire ring, I saw some burning material about 20 feet away. They people were throwing sand on, and stomping on the fire to put it out. I quickly pulled out my cellphone and to a picture on the phone’s camera, but they’d put out the fire by the time I pulled it out.

Other witnesses tell us at least two people were transported. We’ll be adding Ben’s photos shortly.

9:24 PM UPDATE: Christopher Boffoli was the first photojournalist there for WSB and tells us that fire crews told him five people have been taken to Harborview Medical Center with burns. He was also told that this was an end-of-year gathering involving students from Auburn; someone threw gasoline on a bonfire, and that’s what led to what multiple witnesses describe to us as an “explosion.”

10 PM UPDATE: Still awaiting info from formal briefing by Seattle Fire. Some online discussion cites witnesses as saying it was a “gas can,” not fluid itself – we’ll find out soon what SFD has determined.

10:21 PM UPDATE: Briefing by SFD spokesperson Kyle Moore is over. He says the five victims are all “high-school age” – two males taken by SFD medic unit have serious burns, two other male victims and one female with less-serious burns were transported to hospital(s) by private ambulances. Investigators are still trying to officially determine exactly what the “accelerant” and reported container were; the fire marshal is en route to the hospital to interview the victims who are OK enough to talk with him. We have the full briefing on video and will upload it to add here when our crew is back.

11:28 PM UPDATE: Seattle Fire has posted its account – only new information includes the degree of burns, 2nd and 3rd degree for the boys described as seriously burned. (Above this line, we’ve added the unedited video of the SFD briefing.)

TUESDAY MORNING: Police have also posted their online account; its only new detail is affirmation that their Arson/Bomb Squad is handling the followup investigation.

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The WSBeat: Fighting back; stolen saw; ‘why do you have a GPS?’
June 11, 2012 8:30 pm
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | WSBeat

By Megan Sheppard
On the WSBeat, for West Seattle Blog

As always, the WSBeat summaries are from reports on cases handled recently by Southwest Precinct officers, incidents of note that (usually) have not already appeared here in breaking-news coverage or West Seattle Crime Watch reports, but that might at least answer the question “what WERE all those police doing on my block (whenever)?”:

*A recent Monday, around 8 p.m., a citizen yelled at some suspicious teens who were lurking in bushes near 30th and Roxbury. The three boys began cursing at her, but only one remained after she revealed that cops were on the way. He squared off against the 62-year-old and took a swing, landing a glancing blow on her chest. In return, she — quoting the police report — “jabbed him in the chest with a left, on the nose with a right, and then kneed him in the groin.” After running away, the underage, drunk, and combative trio tried to hide in some blackberry bushes. Stumbling and tripping, they were transported to the Southwest Precinct, where one vomited in the holding cell. Released to their parents, they face investigation of obstruction and minor-in-possession of alcohol. The third will also face questions about his failure at fisticuffs and might be charged with assault.

*Feeling that his tile saw was heavy enough to stymie any would-be thieves, a citizen left it in the bed of his pickup truck, which was parked in his driveway in the 3400 block of 41st SW. Overnight on the 30th, someone managed to lug it away without being detected.

Eight more summaries ahead:Read More

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Still looking for a summer camp? Sealth program has room
June 11, 2012 6:37 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Still have room in your summer-camp program? Let us know – we’re putting together a list this week. For starters, here’s an update from Chief Sealth International High School basketball coach Colin Slingsby:

Sealth Basketball and Life Skills Camp is hosting three sessions this summer, and registration is still open for all sessions! The dates are as follows:

Session 1- June 25th to June 29th (about 20 spots left!)
Session 2- July 9th to July 13th
Session 3- August 6th to August 10th

Here is a direct link to the camp brochure and registration info.

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West Seattle parks: New ‘furniture’ for Junction Plaza Park
June 11, 2012 4:09 pm
|      20 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Notice the new “furniture” in Junction Plaza Park – tables and chairs for sitting outside with food, drink, friends, etc.? We got a tip the other day (thanks!) wondering if it was something “official” or if someone unofficially just set it out. This afternoon, Susan Melrose of the West Seattle Junction Association confirms it was placed there by WSJA – just in time for summer.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Overnight break-in at Tony’s Market
June 11, 2012 2:49 pm
|      21 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

For the second time in a little more than a month, Tony’s Market at 35th/Barton has been broken into. This time, the report comes from SPD Blotter, which says that once police found the intruders, they also found evidence of what writer Jonah Spangenthal-Lee calls a “food fight”:

As the officer pulled up to the market, he found fruit and vegetables strewn in and around the business, and in the middle of the street.

Officers searched inside the market, found two men hiding under tables, and arrested them.

SPD Blotter says a third man was arrested for “obstruction.” We reported in early May on another break-in at the market, but one that didn’t involve the kind of damage reported here.

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Update: Crash on southbound I-5 has cleared
June 11, 2012 1:44 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

WSDOT just sent this alert: “On I-5 southbound just south of West Seattle Bridge (MP 162) there is a collision blocking the 3 left lanes.” If you’re about to head in that direction, you might consider an alternate route.

4:16 PM UPDATE: This won’t be a problem for the evening commute – it was moved to the shoulder, per a WSDOT tweet last hour.

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Stunt planned at Seafair Pirates Landing? Mystery CL ad
June 11, 2012 1:17 pm
|      15 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

If an ad that just appeared on Craigslist in Seattle is for real, someone appears to be planning a political protest of sorts during this year’s Seafair Pirates Landing, coming up July 7th on Alki. Thanks to Diane for spotting the ad; it offers T-shirts (“sure to be a collectors item”) and $20 to each of up to 125 people who will be hired for: “Holding a sign and/or passing out info sheets requesting that the laws of the state of Washington and the City of Seattle should apply to all.” The ad also says organizers are “expecting national TV coverage.” We’ve sent a note to the blind-box address in the ad, which also includes an ad for a mail drop in Lake City. While we continue poking around for clues and awaiting a possible reply, thought we would throw it out to you – know what this is about? If you don’t want to leave a comment, you’re also welcome to e-mail editor@westseattleblog.com.

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West Seattle development: Staircase in the sky
June 11, 2012 12:24 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Development | Triangle | West Seattle news

Josh Sutton from the West Seattle Y (WSB sponsor) caught this view of an unusual sight at the development site across the street from the Y’s HQ in The Triangle – a spiral staircase being hoisted into place. The 62-apartment development at 36th/Snoqualmie is Harbor/Urban‘s Nova, one of three major developments under construction in West Seattle right now, along with Youngstown Flats (26th/Dakota in North Delridge) and Oregon 42 (where the recent 3-home demolition is over and excavation is beginning) at 42nd/Oregon in The Junction.

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West Seattle scenes: Electric cars; food truck; eagle’s perch
June 11, 2012 11:37 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Seen around town | Seen at sea | West Seattle news

Out and about the past few hours, here’s some of what we saw: Above, a group of parking spaces at Don Armeni marked as “no parking” for noon-5 pm today started filling up with shiny new Ford Focus electric cars – all bearing Michigan plates – so as two more were driven up, we asked the driver, “Commercial?” and he nodded. Right about that time, we found out via Twitter (hat tip, SeattleFoodTruck.com) that yet another food truck is testing the West Seattle waters:

That’s co-owner Kryse with the Happy Grillmore truck, parking in the Midas lot (4457 Fauntleroy Way SW) Mondays 11 am-2 pm starting today, specializing in burgers and fries, with two teriyaki burgers as today’s specials (veggie and salmon). Last but by no means least, a view from “Anchor Park” (the Duwamish Head lookout at the former site of Luna Park):

Couldn’t zoom in any further without a lens the size of the future Highway 99 tunnel – but even at a distance, you can’t mistake a bald eagle, this one with a great perch atop the navigational signage.

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West Seattle Monday: North Delridge, Pigeon Point, cooking, paddleboarding, book groups..
June 11, 2012 9:18 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Seagull and scenery, courtesy of Susan on Beach Drive)
Four neighborhood councils meet over the next two nights, and one of them is starting the second year of its “meet outside in the summer” tradition … that’s part of what’s on the Monday docket from the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar:

TONIGHT’S TRAFFIC ALERT: The southbound stretch of Highway 99/Alaskan Way Viaduct between the Battery Street Tunnel and West Seattle Bridge will close 9 pm-5 am, first of four consecutive overnight closures. We’ve put together a full day-by-day/night-by-night list of this week’s 99 *and* Spokane Street Viaduct closures – see it here (the list continues through next weekend’s all-weekend-long-both-ways AWV/99 shutdown).

STUDENT CONCERTS: School-concert season is wrapping up with 1:30 and 6:30 pm performances scheduled at Roxhill Elementary (30th/Roxbury).

GOT A CLASSIC FAMILY RECIPE? Make it and bring it to the West Seattle Cooking Club, 3 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW).

LADIES’ NIGHT ON THE BOARDS: Should be a great night for stand-up paddleboarding, and Alki Kayak Tours has another edition of its “Ladies’ Night” set for 6 pm (1660 Harbor Avenue SW).

BOOK GROUPS: Tired of having nobody to talk to about the book you’re reading? Two library branches have book-group gatherings tonight – both on the Seattle Public Library calendar – both at 6:45 pm – the Southwest Branch (35th/Henderson) is reading “The Name of the Rose” by Umberto Eco, and the West Seattle Branch (2306 42nd SW) is reading “Let’s Take the Long Way Home” by Gail Caldwell.

NORTH DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL: Join NDNC in Cottage Grove Park (5206 26th SW) tonight at 6:30 pm as their “meet outdoors on nice summer nights” series resumes. The full agenda’s linked from their website.

PIGEON POINT NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL: 7 pm at the Pathfinder K-8 cafeteria (19th SW and SW Genesee). Agenda details are in our calendar listing.

PUB QUIZ AT SHADOWLAND: Every Monday, go get your quiz on at Shadowland, 8 pm (4458 California SW).

FLAT EARTH SOCIETY AT WEST 5: The weekly vinyl-DJ’ing extravaganza, 9 pm Mondays at West 5 (4539 California SW). Tonight, featuring Johnny Horn of KEXP.

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Traffic alerts this week: Both Viaducts, Alaskan Way, Spokane St.
June 10, 2012 11:37 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(UPDATED 6/12 with city’s changes to Spokane Street Viaduct schedule)

The westbound Spokane Street Viaduct closure this weekend ended earlier than projected, as noted here this morning, but the coming week brings more closures, both for the SSV and for the Alaskan Way Viaduct/Highway 99 stretch between the Battery Street Tunnel and the West Seattle Bridge. On 2 nights, the closures will overlap. Since the SSV is a city project and the AWV is a state project, the closures have been announced separately, but we’ve put the main points together here in one night-by-night/day-by-day guide:

MONDAY NIGHT (JUNE 11):
Southbound Alaskan Way Viaduct/Highway 99 closing 9 pm-5 am
No Spokane Street Viaduct closures scheduled

TUESDAY NIGHT (JUNE 12):
Southbound Alaskan Way Viaduct/Highway 99 closing 9 pm-5 am
No Spokane Street Viaduct closures scheduled

WEDNESDAY NIGHT (JUNE 13):
Southbound Alaskan Way Viaduct/Highway 99 closing 9 pm-5 am
*UPDATE: Spokane Street Viaduct closures canceled*

THURSDAY NIGHT (JUNE 14):
Southbound Alaskan Way Viaduct/Highway 99 closing 9 pm-5 am
*UPDATE: Spokane Street Viaduct closures canceled*

FRIDAY NIGHT AND THIS WEEKEND (JUNE 15-18)
Alaskan Way Viaduct/Highway 99 closed BOTH ways from 11 pm Friday till 5 am Monday
No Spokane Street Viaduct closures scheduled

All of the above – and other construction-related closures around the city – are listed on the “lookahead” that is sent out every Thursday – see the latest version here.

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Followup: ‘Red water’ noctiluca bloom spreading, outside West Seattle too
June 10, 2012 9:57 pm
|    Comments Off on Followup: ‘Red water’ noctiluca bloom spreading, outside West Seattle too
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news

Notice the reddish water along some local beaches this weekend? Since we first reported on it Saturday morning, it’s spread. The photo above was tweeted by Russ Walker, who photographed it on Alki Point late today; next photo is from Chris Johnson, who saw it at Burien’s Seahurst Park.

Again, if you missed our Saturday story (and last year’s coverage), this is caused by single-cell organisms known as noctiluca. It’s NOT “red tide,” not toxic at all; it is described as common in Puget Sound, though last year was the first time in three years that its bloom drew a lot of attention (here’s what the state Ecology Department wrote about it in 2011; we’ll be following up with them about this year’s sightings).

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Followup: Uniforms recommended for K-5 STEM at Boren
June 10, 2012 8:37 pm
|      46 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

As the plan for West Seattle’s new public school K-5 STEM at Boren continues to take shape, its Design Team is meeting to discuss details big and small. One potentially big item came up at the May 29th meeting: Principal Dr. Shannon McKinney‘s suggestion that the school should require uniforms, or have a uniform-like dress code. (Our coverage of that meeting reports the rationale, as well as the opinions voiced that night.) Though no decision was made at that meeting, as planned, the discussion continued at the most recent meeting this week – and Design Team member Robin Graham tells us the team decided to support the recommendation:

With understanding and appreciation of the community’s thoughts on both sides, the design team supports Dr. McKinney with our vision that STEM is a place kids should know they are doing something very important – this is their uniform for learning.

The uniform will go far to increase safety, reduce distractions; communicate to the students, staff, and the community that we are serious about learning at K-5 STEM; increase equality between sexes; reduce teasing between boys and girls; enable teachers to truly “see” the student as a student; encourage students to see beyond external attributes and get to know his/her classmates on the basis of who they are; along with many other reasons.

The uniform to be decided upon will not be something akin to “ties for the boys and only skirts for the girls.” On the contrary, students will be able to wear khaki-colored pants, shorts and/or skirts of appropriate length, along with initially, perhaps a navy blue polo shirt. After the student body and staff have together chosen school colors, a mascot and a name, then more choices will be added to the uniform. All the logistics and the support to families are details that will be addressed.

The Design Team, which includes community, school, and district representatives, is scheduled to meet again at 6:15 pm June 21st at Madison Middle School‘s library. The school’s PTA is in formation, too, and its charter membership meeting is set for 6:30 pm June 27th at the West Seattle (Admiral) branch of the Seattle Public Library (2306 42nd SW). Meantime, the Yahoo! discussion group for enrolled and interested families continues going strong – find it here.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Block Watch news; bicycle thefts
June 10, 2012 6:58 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

3 updates in Crime Watch tonight, starting with these neighborhood crimefighters:

NEW SIGN: The 13th Avenue SW Block Watch in Highland Park is making its presence known with this new sign at SW Henderson. The photo is by Dina Johnson; from left in the photo are Blair, Randy, Art, Brian, & Brian. (If you’re interested in a Block Watch, here’s SPD info on how to get one going.)

SPEAKING OF BLOCK WATCHES: If you are a Block Watch captain or in an “acting BW captain” role, have you RSVP’d for the first-ever West Seattle Block Watch Captains’ Appreciation Party yet? It’s coming up in less than two weeks and it’s FREE for captains/acting captains and their guests, but the WS BW Captains’ Network needs you to hurry up and RSVP – all the details are here.

NOW, TWO THEFT REPORTS: Both involve bicycles. First, GI reports, “A good friend had his rare beach cruiser stolen from his garage on Alki. He’s retired and this is his toy and favorite mode of transportation. There is a reward. … If you could put the word out please. Again it’s a tan 1998 Felt Military Police beach cruiser.”

Second, this report comes from SODO, but since so many West Seattleites work (and play) there, maybe you can be on the lookout for this:

Jann e-mailed to say:

Our delivery bike was stolen last night from the sidewalk @ SODO Deli ( 3228 1st Ave S. ) It is a VERY unique vehicle, so we’re trying to get this photo in front of as many people as we can so we can try to bring it back home. It’s a 3 wheel, recumbent, with a hand made wooden seat on the back. It was recently repainted red, but it still has many touches of purple still on it, ’cause I bought it from Purple Perry Pedicabs. When it was stolen, it had the “SODO Deli” sidewalk sign in the back, which is red & white & black.

We’re a small family business with no $$ to spare, so having our marketing/delivery vehicle stolen is a huge blow.

We would greatly appreciate it if you could ask people to call 911 and let them know (if they see it). Incident # 12-180485. Thanks for any help you can give in this!

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West Seattle Little League’s Marlins, Cubs are the champs!
June 10, 2012 3:21 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

ORIGINAL 3:21 PM REPORT: Thanks to Michael for sharing the photo of the Marlins. They’re the winners of the West Seattle Little League end-of-season tournament minor-league championship after beating the Nationals 13-4 on Saturday.

ADDED 6:05 PM: And congratulations to the Cubs, who won the WSLL EOS major-league championship this afternoon, per this report, winning 10-1 over the Cardinals.

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Happening now: Canoe-journey support @ Duwamish Longhouse
June 10, 2012 2:56 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Till 4 pm, you are welcome to check out the Paddle From Seattle support event at the Duwamish Longhouse, co-sponsored by CARW, whose members posed for us when we stopped by just before the event began. Donations welcome, including traditional Longhouse treats such as frybread and Indian tacos, so the kitchen is busy:

More info on the event here; the Longhouse is at 4705 West Marginal Way SW, and its calendar of upcoming events is here – including the gala on June 30th.

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Traffic update: Westbound Spokane Street Viaduct reopens early
June 10, 2012 11:42 am
|    Comments Off on Traffic update: Westbound Spokane Street Viaduct reopens early
 |   Spokane St. Viaduct project | West Seattle news

Thanks to the tipster who texted us (206-293-6302 any time!) to say it appeared the westbound Spokane Street Viaduct had reopened early. Just drove the bridge to verify it, since SDOT hasn’t sent an announcement, and yes, it has reopened. More closures ahead this week – including some on Highway 99 – and we’re putting together a comprehensive list to publish here later.

ADDED 2:16 PM: SDOT’s Marybeth Turner confirms via e-mail that crews are totally done with the work for which this weekend closure was planned, so that’s the last closure until a partial eastbound closure this Wednesday night (explained here).

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