West Seattle, Washington
29 Friday
After our Monday night Disaster Preparedness Month mention, a comment from “Onceachef” pointed out that if you need prescription medication to stay healthy, you need to make sure you have a supply ready to go if you have to evacuate. The federal government has plans to get drugs into disaster-affected zones – read about them here – but the whole point of personal preparedness is the expectation that authorities will not be mobilized to help immediately, so you have to be able to take care of yourself for at least several days. The general advice is that you keep the stockpile in your preparedness kit, and rotate it, rather than just packing it and forgetting about it. What if you need insulin, which is supposed to be kept refrigerated? Here’s a federal infosheet on that. … Got a preparedness question we haven’t addressed, as we get to the final few days of Disaster Preparedness Month? Leave a comment, e-mail us, or take your question, any time, to the West Seattle Be Prepared group on Facebook – where others interested in the topic will help you find the answer!
(Our first report on the Confucius Institute celebration, with more video/photos, is here)
First-grader Delaney Blanford‘s English and Mandarin greeting embodied what the Confucius Institute Education Center opening ceremony at Denny International Middle School was all about: Giving more students in our state the chance to learn Mandarin. She was preceded by Beacon Hill International School classmate Nat Beaumon (that’s Confucius Institute HQ director Madame Xu Lin and state Superintendent of Public Instruction Randy Dorn in the background):
Their participation as student emcees fits right in with the mission of the Seattle Public Schools international schools – with Chief Sealth International High School the latest to win that designation, and prominently participating in today’s ceremony; the center and its language programs will be based for now on the Denny campus, but will move to the Sealth/Denny campus a few blocks east on SW Thistle this fall. That’s why a parade/procession traversed those blocks as today’s ceremony ended:
At the end of our video, that’s Denny principal Jeff Clark, resplendent in the bright-blue suit he often wears when his Denny Dolphins are in the spotlight. At the start of the video, the Lion Dancers (doubling as break dancers) were from Franklin High School, the marching musicians from Denny and Sealth (both directed by Marcus Pimpleton). Clark and Chief Sealth principal John Boyd both spoke at their future new campus – the Denny principal, exchanging gifts with the Confucius Institute’s leader Madame Xu Lin:
Boyd will be hosting the center starting this fall, since his students move into their renovated school this September, while the new Denny won’t be occupied till 2011.
He also walked in the parade/procession, with West Seattle’s school board rep Steve Sundquist (photo right) also accompanying Madame Xu Lin:
The distinguished visitor from China had a short time earlier unveiled a plaque, with Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Maria Goodloe-Johnson:
And she heard students sing the Chinese folk song “Mo Li Hua“:
The student emcees joined them:
But what this ultimately comes down to, is back in the classroom – where the visiting delegation began their short stay in West Seattle, watching students practice writing Chinese – in this case, the word for “harmony”:
Along with Madame Xu Lin, four other representatives from the headquarters of the Confucius Institute – a nonprofit affiliated with the Chinese government (explained further on this University of Washington website) – attended the ceremonies, as did representatives from the Chinese Consulate General in San Francisco. They got a whirlwind hard-hat tour of the Denny/Sealth site before they left (here’s our report on the one we took with Sealth students a few weeks ago).
Out of the WSB inbox, from Holly:
Just sending in a quick note to alert the community of a car theft. My white 1990 Honda Civic DX hatchback (plate #774-MVS) was stolen from in front of my home sometime between 9:00 last night and 9:00 this morning. We live in the Highland Park neighborhood on 18th Ave SW between Thistle and Cloverdale [map]. Any information regarding my beloved “Lily White” would be much appreciated.
According to a memo shared with us by a reliable source, Seattle Parks Superintendent Tim Gallagher has just turned in his letter of resignation. By all accounts, the department is facing a budget crisis – as we reported here a month ago – and may be hit the hardest of any department, according to what City Council President Richard Conlin told the Southwest District Council in West Seattle earlier this month. Read ahead for the memo that includes Gallagher’s resignation letter (ADDED TUESDAY MORNING, reaction from West Seattle-residing Parks Board chair Jackie Ramels):Read More
(Friday afternoon photo by Christopher Boffoli)
ORIGINAL 2:41 PM REPORT: Prosecutors have until Wednesday to file charges against the 22-year-old man arrested in connection with the stabbing of a 40-year-old woman along a High Point street Friday afternoon, but in the meantime, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has just provided us with the document that indicates probable cause, and tells the story not only of the brutality of the attack, but also of the three heroes who helped and led police to the suspect. 3:25 PM UPDATE: After that document, following the jump, we also have added a letter that High Point residents are receiving, which includes information about a Thursday community meeting, the victim’s current condition, and eviction proceedings for the suspect’s household – read on to see it all:Read More
As noted previously, West Seattle won KEXP’s “Hood to Hood” fundraising challenge – and the celebration is set for May 21st. Today, the radio station has revealed details of who’s playing where and when that day/night as part of the peninsula-wide party – full list here. (Thanks to Lauren for sharing the link!)
Denny International Middle School in Westwood is abuzz with excitement right now – in two languages – Mandarin and English. Dignitaries from China are part of a high-powered delegation visiting the school right now to celebrate the launch of the Confucius Institute language program – to be based here at Denny until the new Denny/Sealth campus is open a few blocks east. The visit began with a classroom tour (photo above) and is now moving on to a big assembly, with students from Denny, Chief Sealth International High School, and Beacon Hill International Elementary, as well as dignitaries galore (including state schools Superintendent Randy Dorn). This will conclude with processions, including a lion dance, from Denny to the new Denny-Sealth campus in a little more than an hour, and as we mentioned earlier today, that means SW Thistle will be briefly closed in the area. “A very historic day for the state, city, and Seattle Public Schools,” as Karen Kodama, SPS international education administrator, has just proclaimed this to be. More to come! ADDED 3:16 PM: We’ve got lots of photos and video to put in a second report, but while we work on that, here are the Denny and Sealth musicians playing short version of both the China and USA national anthems at the new Sealth/Denny campus as the event ended:
ADDED 4:54 PM: And here are two of Christopher Boffoli‘s photos: First, from the start of the procession down SW Thistle from Denny to the new Sealth/Denny campus – lion dancer/break dancers from Franklin HS, followed by Denny/Sealth musicians – video of the parade will be in our second report:
From the auditorium event, Madame Xu Lin, who leads the Confucius Institute from its headquarters in China, with Superintendent Dorn:
She told the Denny audience this is the first middle-school-based Confucius Institute she has visited on the occasion of its grand opening.
Not a lot to preview for tonight – the regular Monday highlights are all on the WSB West Seattle Events calendar – but here’s an advance reminder of some biggies later this week:
TUESDAY – ALASKAN WAY VIADUCT OPEN HOUSE: The south-end Alaskan Way Viaduct work starts later this year, and nearby projects such as the city’s Spokane Street Viaduct Widening Project are about to kick into higher gear. What does this mean for how you get around? The people with the answers will all be in the Madison Middle School Commons 6-8 pm Tuesday, waiting for your questions.
TUESDAY – SOUTH PARK BRIDGE CLOSURE MEETING: The bridge continues on the county-announced track to permanent closure June 30th. So what’s being done to help drivers and South Park businesses survive until a new one is built – if it’s built at all (financing is still no sure bet)? The draft closure plan will be unveiled and explained tomorrow night at the Machinist Union Hall in South Park (map), 6 pm. More info here.
WEDNESDAY – CITY BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING: This isn’t in West Seattle, but so far, it’s the closest scheduled hearing on the city budget, and many people already are rumbling about drastic effects of potential cuts – like the dire warnings we reported recently about what Parks may face. So if you have a strong opinion about ANYTHING in the city budget – what shouldn’t be cut, what should – advocates on a wide variety of issues are all but begging you to show up for this hearing, sponsored by the mayor and City Council, at the New Holly Gathering Hall on Beacon Hill (map). 5:30 pm – signups start at 5.
The mayor’s office announced this morning that three women and eight men are in the running for Seattle Police Chief, including 3 candidates from SPD – here’s the list:
Judy Bradshaw, Chief of Police — Des Moines (IA) Police Department
Rick Braziel, Chief of Police — Sacramento (CA) Police Department
Adam Burden II, Former Assistant Chief of Police — Miami (FL) Police Department
Ronald Davis, Chief of Police — East Palo Alto (CA) Police Department
John Diaz, Interim Chief of Police — Seattle (WA) Police Department
Rick Gregory, Chief Administrative Officer/Acting Public Safety Director — New Castle County (DE)
Clark Kimerer, Assistant Chief of Police — Seattle (WA) Police Department
Anne Kirkpatrick, Chief of Police — Spokane (WA) Police Department
Jim Pugel, Assistant Chief of Police — Seattle (WA) Police Department
John Romero, Chief of Police — Lawrence (MA) Police Department
Lisa Womack, Former Chief of Police Elgin (IL) Police Department
Here’s the full announcement. Southwest Precinct Captain Joe Kessler is among those on the search committee; video of its meetings, including the most recent one last Wednesday, are archived here.
We just got full details of a big event this afternoon that not only is significant for West Seattle students and educators, but also will briefly affect traffic on a busy street, so here’s the heads-up: As part of a celebration of the new Confucius Institute language program based at Denny International Middle School – until the new Denny/Sealth campus is open – there will be two processions from the current Denny to the under-construction Denny/Sealth in the 1:45-2 pm vicinity, and SW Thistle will be closed (map) while that’s happening. The first procession is a lion dance around 1:50 pm; the second will include marching-band members and an international delegation of dignitaries. It’s a short route from Denny to the new campus, but Thistle is often busy between 35th and Delridge, so this is your advance alert. (P.S. For more on the Confucius Institute in West Seattle, here’s the letter Denny principal Jeff Clark is sending home with students.)
Almost eight months after The Sanctuary at Admiral applied to officially change the designation of how its church-turned-events-venue building (42nd/Lander) can be used, the city has granted the request, according to this morning’s Land Use Information Bulletin. The new designation is “theater and spectator-sports facility,” but as explained in our story when the application was made public last September, that’s not what it sounds like – it’s just the classification they had to seek for the sort of events they host (weddings, parties, etc.). Now that the decision’s in, there’s a deadline of May 10th for appeals, as explained on the official notice. The Sanctuary became an official city landmark last year.
It’s a two-way story here on the 25th night of our Disaster Preparedness Month coverage: Since the West Seattle peninsula doesn’t have a hospital, what happens if disaster cuts us off from off-peninsula services? First – looking ahead, now is the perfect time to put out the call for volunteers in the Public Health Reserve Corps, to spring into action if necessary in a crisis. Read all about it here. From that webpage, here’s who PHRC is looking for right now:
Licensed medical volunteer roles:
* Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners
* Clinical Social Workers
* EMT/Paramedics
* Licensed Practical Nurses and Licensed Vocational Nurses
* Marriage and Family Therapist
* Mental Health Counselors – Registered or Licensed
* Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians
* Physicians and Physician Assistants
* Psychiatrist
* Psychologist
* Registered Nurses
* VeterinariansNon-medical, non-licensed support volunteer roles:
* Administrative Support
* Call Center Operator
* Chaplains/Spiritual Care Worker
* Pastors
* Support Volunteer
The PHRC has formal mobilization protocol, but also, the folks behind West Seattle Be Prepared note that in case of crisis, people with medical skills will also be VERY MUCH WELCOME at the West Seattle Emergency Communication Hubs (here’s the map). One other note from the WSBP site: This page is devoted to information about medical and first-aid help, including a link to Google Maps with the nearest hospital and veterinary facilities.
Nightly reminders: Join the West Seattle Be Prepared group on Facebook … take the 3 to Get Ready challenge (city campaign sponsoring WSB this month) and sign up for the prize pack!
That Seattle Times video about Seattle’s “Graffiti Rangers” is part of a package of stories that just hit the Times site, including a contribution from WSB. It’s been seven months since we and other neighborhood-news sites around the area became part of the J-Lab Networked Journalism Project – an experiment to see how small and large news organizations could work together – and while offshoots of that collaboration have been visible here in other ways, such as Times photos we’ve sought permission to run, and links from the Times home page directly to WSB coverage of big West Seattle stories, this is the first official collaborative project. A Times reporter has taken a look at the graffiti-vandalism “big picture” – and six of us partner sites have contributed stories and vignettes about what’s happening in the neighborhoods. You can see it all here.
Two months ago, we brought you the story of Christen Cottam (photo left) and her new store Knows Perfume, on its way to The Junction at 4536 California SW. Tonight, Knows Perfume has announced via Facebook and Twitter that it’s set May 13th for its grand opening. That’ll be the next West Seattle Art Walk night, by the way, and Knows plans to participate. Here’s our original story on the perfume-store plan.
(Friday afternoon photo by Christopher Boffoli)
Two updates tonight in the High Point stabbing case from Friday afternoon — already reported in the comment section following our original story, but we realize not everyone checks back: First, we now have two reports that the 40-year-old victim is in stable condition; we’d checked with police earlier today and that’s also the newest information they had. Second, while we won’t find out about possible charges against the suspect any earlier than tomorrow, the King County Jail Register says the 22-year-old suspect’s bail is set at $1 million. Many people have asked if there’s anything they can do to help the victim and her family; we’ll publish any updates we get along those lines, but haven’t heard anything yet.
Just in time for next Saturday’s neighborhood Spring Clean event, the people of Pigeon Point have a new signpost. It’s been 3 weeks since someone cut down and stole its predecessor, Braveheart spoof and all, but now, Pigeon Point’s Pete Spalding shared the photo, telling the PP neighborhood list, “A big thank you to Nick for building the new sign post and to Jim for the new Welcome to Pigeon Point sign that tops it.” (Real-estate-shingle-type signposts like this one are routinely used to promote Pigeon Point Neighborhood Council meetings and other major events in West Seattle’s northeasternmost neighborhood.)
First, the beer part of Beer Fest – Cole and Tyler from Prost West Seattle are at West Seattle Nursery, where proceeds from their beer sales till 5 pm today will benefit the West Seattle Wildlife Habitat Project (as will a portion of today’s WSN proceeds). They’re selling pretzels, too, and spreading the word about their upcoming World Cup viewing sessions – if Germany or the USA is playing, you’ll see the game at Prost, starting with USA vs. England (11:30 am June 12), provided the game’s not outside legal serving hours (6 am-2 am). Back to today’s nursery event: If you don’t know every little detail about the WSWHP – Dolly and Grace are there to answer questions:
You can also join the West Seattle Wildlife Habitat Project group on Facebook to stay connected with this effort to eventually get the entire peninsula certified as wildlife habitat – just like Alki was, last spring (here’s our story about the May 2009 celebration).
Got glasses, cell phones or ink cartridges to recycle? The Kiwanis Club of West Seattle will gladly take them off your hands. Just go to their booth at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market (on the east side, immediately behind KeyBank) before 2. And if you don’t see this in time, they’ll be doing it again later. (P.S. The motorcycle is a reminder of the Kiwanians’ upcoming Charity Poker Run/Classic Car Show, May 15th – more details here.) Glorious day at the Market in the sunshine …
We always link the newest “Ripe ‘n’ Ready” list in our Sunday morning preview story – if you missed it, here’s the link. Never know what you’ll find …
In the mood to shop for sports equipment? Till 4 pm, Lafayette Elementary‘s the place to be. They’ve been collecting donated and consigned items leading up to this day, for the first-ever Sports Swap fundraiser, raising money for their ongoing playground project. Mountain to Sound Outfitters (WSB sponsor) is participating too – in our photo, that’s Adam and Ryan from M2SO. The items on sale are all over the sports map – including kids’ bikes:
(L-R, Feedback Lounge co-owner Jeff Gilbert, general manager Bradi Jones, co-owner Matt Johnson)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
If you can make it to the Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) sometime today/tonight, go ahead and break out in song: “Happy Birthday,” or better yet, “Birthday,” would be appropriate. Today’s the 1st anniversary of Opening Night for Morgan Junction’s rock ‘n’ roll bar/restaurant.
The Feedback’s proprietors have already published a wry-laughter-inducing list of the Top 20 Lessons from their first year – you can read it on the Feedback site. But there’s of course more to the story, so co-owners Jeff Gilbert and Matt Johnson agreed to clear some time for us earlier this week to sit down and look back, while also looking ahead.Read More
Pretzels among the plants, photographed last May during West Seattle Nursery‘s first Beer Fest with Prost West Seattle – and this afternoon they’re doing it again, 1-5 pm, with part of the day’s proceeds benefiting the West Seattle Wildlife Habitat Project … This morning/afternoon, Lafayette Elementary raises money for its ongoing playground project with its first-ever Sports Swap sale, 9 am-4 pm at the school (map) … At Southwest Library this afternoon, bring your own poetry or your favorite authors’ work to perform and/or simply appreciate, in celebration of National Poetry Month, 2-3 pm (here’s the official flyer) … The former football star nicknamed “The Throwin’ Samoan” speaks at Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor) at 11:30 this morning, and lunch is part of the deal (full details here) … And of course it’s West Seattle Farmers’ Market day, 10 am-2 pm at 44th/Alaska – with new items including “Rocksalmic Vinegar” (explained in the Ripe ‘n’ Ready list). … More on the West Seattle Weekend Lineup!
Just a little encouragement as we enter the final week of Disaster Preparedness Month. Even the pros work to prepare. The scene above is from the Joint Training Facility in the southeasternmost corner of West Seattle – scene of the Fire Muster competition featured here on WSB earlier tonight. That’s an area of the site used for search/rescue training – just last month, Christopher Boffoli shot this video of firefighters participating in monthlong training exercises:
Telling the story in that clip is Seattle Fire Department spokesperson Dana Vander Houwen, who explained that firefighters go through that training annually. But what about you and your family-preparedness plans – how often should you review? At least “every few months” seems to be the consensus. Set a day and time and hold everyone to it. You could alternate practicing earthquake drills, fire evacuation plans, and going over the information about where you would all meet if you weren’t together when disaster struck (this is where West Seattle has an advantage, with the Emergency Communication Hubs – be sure everyone knows “your” location). Don’t just make a plan once, or pack a kit, and forget about it until you realize rustily – oops – should have practiced.
Got questions about this or other preparedness issues? Great place to ask: West Seattle Be Prepared group on Facebook.
Erin sent this tonight:
Just saw a coyote walking and then running between 48th and 50th on Graham St. [map] He disappeared into a private yard. Just wanted to send out the warning to small-pet owners!
Yes, we know they are relatively common, and certainly no cause for hysteria – here’s info on “coexisting with coyotes” – but every so often, it’s worth the reminder, for newcomers, or people who just haven’t heard about it before. (Then there’s the occasional cautionary tale like this one from Shorewood, too.)
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