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After a year and a half, Duwamish Rowing Club ‘finally … reality’
April 22, 2012 5:30 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   South Park | West Seattle news | WS & Sports

A year and a half ago, we published Michael Merta‘s invitation to fellow rowers to join him in getting the sport going on the Duwamish River. This weekend, he shares this report – and photos – to announce that he and others have made it happen!

After a little over a year and a half of talking, planning, and fundraising, Duwamish Rowing Club has finally become a reality.

We have established a “boathouse” (really a 45-foot shipping container) in South Park near Duwamish Waterway Park. We have a double, a single, and a four-person rowing shell so far. We hope to buy another four in the coming weeks. Its a small start, but we are happy with what we have been able to accomplish.

Thanks so much to all the people who have helped us get this far, particularly the people of South Park. We look forward to growing this into a thriving club that will become an asset to the people in the Duwamish Valley, and we are happy to bring something very positive to the Duwamish River. Our mission is to develop a rowing club that is affordable, accessible, and open to everyone. If you would like to row or get involved, please contact Mike Merta at duwamishrowingclub@gmail.com.

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1 week AFTER Earth Day – ‘Recycle Roundup’ next Sunday
April 22, 2012 1:52 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Environment | Fauntleroy | West Seattle news

Another reminder, while you’re in the Earth Day” mood today – NEXT Sunday (April 29th) is the Fauntleroy Church Green Committee‘s next event with 1 Green Planet, coming to West Seattle for another “Recycle Roundup.” 9 am-3 pm in the church parking lot that day, come drop off your stuff. The church’s website has the list of what you can bring that day to be recycled – see it here. Yes, they will accept your items for free.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: John’s Corner Deli robbery
April 22, 2012 11:56 am
|      16 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Sunrise Heights | West Seattle news

11:56 AM: Police are rushing to 35th/Webster where an armed robbery has just been reported. We have this description so far – white male, around 6 feet tall, in his 30s, black/gray hair, black baseball cap, black jeans, dark vest, green T shirt, unshaven (with “a little” facial hair), tinted gray sunglasses, last seen running north “and then headed back east” from the area, per the scanner. More as we get it.

12:20 PM UPDATE: At the scene (adding a photo), we have confirmed with police that the business robbed was indeed John’s Corner Deli – not the first time. No injuries reported. In addition to the robber description above, police say they are looking for an apparent accomplice driving a getaway vehicle (there was one scanner report of a possible dark SUV headed east on Holden).

12:52 PM UPDATE: No word of any luck so far finding the robber/s.

MONDAY UPDATE: We just called SPD to ask for any additional details. Aside from what’s reported above, two things – one, confirmation that the robber WAS armed; he “removed a handgun from his waistline, pointed it at the clerk, demanded money from the till, the victim handed over an undisclosed amount of cash and the (robber) fled the store,” Det. Mark Jamieson tells WSB. There’s also a different description of a POSSIBLE getaway vehicle – white early-to-mid ’90s Buick or Oldsmobile.

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New neighborhood-news roundup from our Seattle Times partners
April 22, 2012 11:55 am
|    Comments Off on New neighborhood-news roundup from our Seattle Times partners
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle online

WSB’s informal partnership with The Seattle Times, now in its third year, is pretty low-key. In case you missed our original announcement in August 2009: It’s a casual relationship that means the Times sometimes links to WSB stories from its home page – as well as highlighted stories from some the dozens of other news websites from around the region that are in the partnership (which started in 2009 with just a few of us – including WSB, our site to the south White Center Now, Capitol Hill Seattle, and My Ballard), and we do the same if there’s a story of interest on their site, plus they will grant permission to use a Times photo on request if they happen to have one that would enhance our coverage. (Here’s an example.) No contract, no money, no behind-the-scenes involvement on either side. Our favorite part of it is the fact that many times, when we have a story about somebody in West Seattle doing something great, it might be linked from the region’s biggest news website, meaning even more people will hear about it beyond the 120,000+ homes/businesses/offices that read WSB anywhere from once to 100 times each month.

SO, that all said, something new: Today in the paper version of the Sunday Times, a new section called “Around the Sound” debuts, featuring quick blurbs from some of their partner sites. The first version includes one they chose from WSB, a short mention of park safety on the agenda of last Tuesday’s West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting (here’s the full story, with video, if you missed it). Just thought we’d mention it in case you read the Sunday Times but missed this (which is on page B3 – here’s a PDF version). They decide what to feature, same way we decide what – and if – to feature any Times content here, but once in a while, you just might see something from our peninsula go by.

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West Seattle Sunday: Happy Earth Day 2012! Today’s highlights
April 22, 2012 7:20 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Summer in April. Almost. Another sunny day expected; thanks to Debra Salazar Herbst for the Alki overview from late Saturday (really did look summery). From the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar:

HOLY FAMILY OPEN HOUSE: You’re invited to Holy Family Parish School (WSB sponsor; 20th/Roxbury) for an open house featuring its new Spanish-language program, 9:30 am-2 pm.

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm as always, 44th/Edmunds in The Junction.

GREEN HOME TOUR, DAY 2: Four West Seattle locations – there’s a map in our coverage from Saturday, and a full list of citywide locations on the tour website, 10 am-4 pm, admission free.

ROCK AND GEM SHOW, DAY 2: The West Seattle Rock Club‘s annual show continues at the Alki Masonic Temple (40th/Edmunds), 10 am-5 pm, admission free, activities for all ages – lots of info on the club’s website.

EARTH DAY SEED SALE: Noon-6 pm, benefiting Community Orchard of West Seattle, at Alki Bike and Board (2606 California SW) – where you also can rent electric bikes, by the way!

BAMBOO FESTIVAL: At Seattle Chinese Garden (north end of South Seattle Community College campus, 6000 16th SW), 12:30-4:30 pm, schedule here.

FREE CPR/AED TRAINING: The West Seattle Eagles invite you to a free training session at their Junction HQ this afternoon, 1 pm. Details in the event-calendar listing.

EARTH DAY CLEANUP AT DAKOTA PLACE PARK: Help take care of the park at California/Dakota! 1-4 pm. More details here.

BENEFIT FOR ANIMAL ADVOCACY GROUPS: At Rocksport Bar and Grill this afternoon, a benefit for animal-advocacy organizations Friends of the Animals Foundation and Feral Cat Assistance and Trapping. As announced in the WSB Forums: “There will be lots of fantastic silent auction items, purrraffle prizes, chair massages, and for the adults, a wine pull and drink specials. Come for the whole four hours or as long as you can! Donations of wet or dry cat food are always appreciated and will gladly be accepted at the door.”

EARTH DAY AT FLEURT: WSB sponsor Fleurt continues celebrating its new location AND Earth Day – drop off your old vases and containers for “recycling” (they’ll either be “repurposed” at Fleurt or donated to the Senior Center of West Seattle), and you’ll get a mini-plant as a present. Fleurt’s new location (sneak peek here) is at 4536 California SW.

WEST SEATTLE GREENWAYS MEETING: An appropriate topic for Earth Day: Interested in “greenways” across West Seattle? Meet with local advocates! Full details on the North Delridge Neighborhood Council website. 3 pm (Pearls Coffee and Tea, 4800 Delridge Way SW)

(Photo by Gary Wigle)
FINALE FOR ‘LOVE LETTERS’: Twelfth Night Productions‘ “Love Letters” at 3 pm, featuring Mary and Rick Springer (photo above), at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW).

MUSIC NORTHWEST PRESENTS ‘THE LEGACY OF DEBUSSY’: 3 pm at South Seattle Community College‘s Olympic Hall; more here.

LIVING-ROOM OPERA, TO BENEFIT SWYFS: Today’s the day for the unique Southwest Youth and Family Services fundraiser in a private Fauntleroy Cove home, featuring a wine and cheese reception with music by the Opera Belles. 4 pm – check to see if there’s still room!

‘CUSTOMER APPRECIATION EVENT,’ DAY 3: West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor; California/Fauntleroy/Morgan) continues its Customer Appreciation Event, with its first-ever produce tent sale, and raffle tickets on sale (for a $500 shopping spree), benefiting the West Seattle Food Bank.

ALSO BENEFITING WS FOOD BANK – BY-DONATION YOGA: Bikram Yoga Seattle is sponsoring a donation-only yoga class at 5 pm today, everyone welcome, proceeds to the West Seattle Food Bank. The studio is at 4747 California SW.

LAST ‘SUNDAY RIBS’ FOR A WHILE: Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) says its famous Sunday Ribs will take another hiatus after today. They start serving ’em at 5 pm (6451 California SW).

PIANOMANIA! FINALE AT KENYON HALL: As the announcement from KH describes it, it’s their “celebration of all things pianistic.” See who’s playing, on the Kenyon Hall website. Final show is 7:30 pm tonight (7904 35th SW).

Even more events on the calendar.

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West Seattle wildlife: Surprise sighting, and bonus photo
April 21, 2012 11:36 pm
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Wildlife

From Danny McMillin:

I’ve never seen a Eurasian Collared-Dove until this morning. I spotted a pair while photographing an eagle on Alki Point. I’m curious to know if anyone else has seen these doves in West Seattle; and if so, where and when.

As a bonus, Danny included the eagle (pursued by a crow):

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Continuing tomorrow: Rock and Gem Show; Green Home Tour
April 21, 2012 7:37 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Environment | Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news

That’s Logan, and he’s proof the West Seattle Rock Club‘s annual Rock and Gem Show is for all ages – whether you’re helping out, as he is, or just visiting. Interactive, too. If you missed it today, the show (no admission charge!) continues 10 am-6 pm tomorrow at the Alki Masonic Lodge, 40th/Edmunds.

Activities as well as exhibits – and a silent auction, too, according to the official show info. Another free event you can enjoy in its second day tomorrow, the Seattle Green Home Tour, with four West Seattle stops, including the LD Arch Design (WSB sponsor) “Lemon Drop Addition”:

That’s architect Parie Hines and landscape designer Keri DeTore (yes, same KDT who also writes for WSB!), who is working on a “green roof” for the chicken coop. Here’s the Green Home Tour map with all four West Seattle sites (and one not too far away):

If you want to check out tour sites outside West Seattle, our preview story has a link to the Seattle-wide site, as well as lots more info on the WS stops. Tomorrow’s hours are 10 am-4 pm.

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West Seattle Junction Tax-Free Day (& more), midway through
April 21, 2012 2:24 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Junction Tax-Free Day (& more), midway through
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Just look for the balloons to see who’s participating in Tax-Free Sale Day in The Junction – continuing till 6 tonight! Above, co-proprietor John Smersh outside Click! Design That Fits, a WSB sponsor as is Fleurt, now open in its new location further up the same block:

Other WSB sponsors participating: Brunette Mix and Hotwire Online Coffeehouse. On the other side of the 4500 block of California, CAPERS‘ Lisa Myers shared photos of recycled pillows they’re showcasing:

The full list of participants is here. And while they’re not on the Tax-Free Day list, it is a special occasion at Easy Street Records – “Record Store Day”!

Easy Street has live music coming up this evening – The Young Evils at 7:30 pm and Reignwolf at 9 pm. Back to Tax-Free Day, restaurants are offering specials too – also on the list.

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Donated yet? West Seattle Kiwanis food drive till 3 pm
April 21, 2012 1:49 pm
|    Comments Off on Donated yet? West Seattle Kiwanis food drive till 3 pm
 |   How to help | Kiwanis Club of West Seattle | West Seattle news

You have an hour-plus to join in the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle‘s one-day food drive for the WS Food Bank, if you haven’t already! We stopped by West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor), where we found Kiwanis member Linda Cox and two Chief Sealth International High School Key Club members, sophomores Sharon and Kat. You’ll find volunteers at other stores around West Seattle too, including PCC Natural Markets and Metropolitan Market (also WSB sponsors), and remember, your donation (food OR cash) to local food banks counts extra till the end of the month, because of the Feinstein Challenge. (Thriftway also has a raffle raising money for the WS Food Bank, raffling off a $500 shopping spree – details in the WSB Forums.)

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Photos: Duwamish Alive! in West Seattle, South Park, beyond
April 21, 2012 1:43 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | West Seattle news

Hundreds of volunteers have been hard at work over the past three-plus hours doing cleanup and restoration work not only in the Duwamish River watershed, but on the river, as part of the semiannual Duwamish Alive! mega-work party. We stopped by Duwamish Waterway Park in South Park as volunteers got ready to head out for the day – note the Alki Kayak Tours URL on some of the kayaks; they’re involved with this part of the cleanup every year:

(If you were part of any other work parties, we’d love to add another photo or two, since this is the only one we could visit – editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!)

ADDED 4:23 PM: Thanks for answering the call! Two people sent photos from the Pigeon Point/West Duwamish Greenbelt work party – Trissa shares this photo of her son Atticus, who she says volunteered along with his Uncle Thomas:

Amanda ‘s photos start with Norman Baker singing to the volunteers who were clearing out invasives (having art or music is a trademark of events like this when Nature Consortium is involved):

And she says this reptile made an appearance too!

Missed the chance to pitch in today? Lots more work parties coming up around the area. Tomorrow, for example, there’s an Earth Day cleanup at Dakota Place Park (Dakota/California), 1-4 pm.

ADDED SATURDAY NIGHT: One more photo – thanks! Karen shares the picture from the T-107 cleanup:

T-107 is one of the Port of Seattle’s local parks, by the way.

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West Seattle schools: Denny marching band in Tacoma parade
April 21, 2012 1:18 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Parade season already! Denny International Middle School principal Jeff Clark sends news (and the photo) from the marching Dolphins’ big event today:

I am very pleased to share that the Denny All Star Band did a great job marching in the Tacoma Junior Daffodil Parade today! Our All Star Band includes students from our local elementary schools who have been a part of our Spring Break Music Camp with Mr. Pimpleton and Mr. Morales. Congratulations to the students and a special thank you to all of the volunteers who have helped this week!

1:34 PM P.S. Turns out – some of those musicians were headed here to the Gathering of Neighbors (in the Sealth/Denny Galleria), where we’ve been since mid-morning, for an encore performance. We recorded part of it on video and we’ll add that here later. Here’s the video:

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Video: Gathering of Neighbors 2012 @ Chief Sealth
April 21, 2012 12:38 pm
|    Comments Off on Video: Gathering of Neighbors 2012 @ Chief Sealth
 |   Gathering of Neighbors | West Seattle news

East to west, north to south, people from all over West Seattle are at the Gathering of Neighbors right now, till 3, in the Chief Sealth International High School Galleria, and the place is abuzz with conversation. Above, that’s Ariana Rose Taylor-Stanley and Galena White from Delridge Produce Cooperative. On the north side of the Galleria, till 1, special presentations on preparedness:

That’s Debbie Goetz from the city’s Office of Emergency Management. Every speaker’s been announced by West Seattle Be Prepared‘s Cindi Barker, hollering from the staircase over the Galleria:

No, no one called 911, but police have stopped by too – chatting here with award-winning Pete Spalding, who’s on the Southwest Precinct Advisory Council:

(added) Admiral Neighborhood Association president Katy Walum came to answer questions about some of the group’s high-profile projects, such as Summer Concerts at Hiawatha (this year’s performers to be announced soon!)

West Seattle’s own South Seattle Community College, represented too:

Lots more to see and do. We’re by the door, so say hi (as many already have done) on your way out! Entertainment starts at 1 pm, and the day began with a special leadership summit, including an hour we have on video that we’ll add – along with more photos! – later. Admission’s free; parking’s right out front off SW Thistle, and once you’ve parked, look for the path to the Galleria, to the left (west) of the gym.

1:24 PM UPDATE: The tables are breaking up – and the event’s moving on to food (pizza and bake sale) and entertainment – look for all that toward the north side of the Galleria!

ADDED SATURDAY NIGHT: Video from one of the performances – members of Twelfth Night Productions sang several songs, in this clip, a comic Monty Python song from “Spam-A-Lot”:

One other performance clip – student marching-band musicians – is at the end of this story. We also recorded two events earlier in the day, during the invitation-only leadership summit – here’s “Neighbor Power” guru Jim Diers:

Second, the Leadership Panel moderated by Ron Angeles, featuring Sili Savusa of the White Center Community Development Association, Aileen Sison of White Center B.O.S.S., Tony Fragada of the Alki Community Council, and Kirk Mead of the Admiral District Business Association and West Seattle Chamber of Commerce:

Gathering of Neighbors was organized and coordinated by a volunteer group this year – VIEWS.

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About that West Seattle Bridge backup this morning…
April 21, 2012 12:05 pm
|      29 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Photo courtesy Mary from Service Dog Academy)
Sorry we missed the chance to bring you real-time updates during what by multiple accounts was a bad hour or so on the eastbound West Seattle Bridge this morning. We are trying to reach SDOT to see what they can tell us, but a couple of WSB’ers have mentioned road work – possibly painting crews – which were not mentioned in any advance traffic advisories, so far as we can tell; there were no scheduled closures for the weekend, nothing till another round of overnight-only southbound 99/Viaduct closures during the weeknights next week. Though everything seems to be OK now – at least according to the cameras on the WSB Traffic page – let us know if you encounter otherwise. (And if/when you can, please text or voice-call about something like this – even if we’re offline for a bit, which we were because of a panel discussion before the Gathering of Neighbors today, the text/voice calls break through IMMEDIATELY, whatever we’re doing, 24/7 – 206-293-6302 – consider putting it in your phone “contacts” list; traffic is “breaking news” too! Thanks!)

12:26 PM UPDATE: Rick Sheridan from SDOT says it wasn’t their fault:

We’re sorry to hear drivers were delayed. While we are restriping the high-rise bridge today, the earlier collision was the cause of the traffic problem. According to staff on site at the time, traffic was backed up prior to beginning our work and delayed us as well.

Once emergency response dealt with the incident, traffic problems dissipated. The SDOT live cameras show traffic is flowing smoothly now.

The only crash on the 911 log was at 6:53 am (though it doesn’t show non-injury crashes or stalls).

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Planning to sell on West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day?
April 21, 2012 10:03 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Community Garage Sale Day | West Seattle news

garagesaledaysmalllog5.jpgIf so … the sign-up clock is ticking: West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day registration deadline is Wednesday night, 11:59 pm … and then we get busy making The Maps! Sale day is always the second Saturday in May, which means this year it’s May 12th, exactly three weeks from today, 9 am-3 pm, all over the peninsula. More than 140 sales ready to go already, from block sales to group sales to individual sales (plus the multi-seller sites at Hotwire Online Coffeehouse and C & P Coffee Company [WSB sponsors] – contact them directly to see if there’s still room). Need the registration form? It’s all online – no postage stamp or envelope or check needed – just go here. Thanks!

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West Seattle Saturday: Gathering of Neighbors, Tax-Free Sale Day, Duwamish Alive!, lots more
April 21, 2012 7:38 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Thanks to Doug B for sharing two photos of a fish-catching osprey (the second one is at the end of this long list of things happening today). So much to do, the ability to fly might be helpful. From the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar, here goes!

RECORD STORE DAY: Easy Street Records in The Junction is already open for the day if you want to get started. Special events include a photo exhibition plus The Young Evils live at 7:30 pm and Reignwolf live at 9 pm. (California/Alaska, of course. Thanks to Lissa for her note that there was a line outside by 7 am!)

NICKELSVILLE FUNDRAISING PANCAKE BREAKFAST: Till 11 am at Seattle Lutheran High School gym (41st/Genesee) – details in the WSB Forums.

FREE BARBECUE: West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor; California/Fauntleroy/Morgan) continues its Customer Appreciation Event all weekend, including a free grilled lunch today, and the ongoing produce tent sale, plus a raffle benefiting the West Seattle Food Bank. Speaking of which…

KIWANIS CLUB ONE-DAY FOOD DRIVE: 9 am-3 pm, drop off donations of food and/or money for the West Seattle Food Bank with the Kiwanis/Key Club volunteers you will find at local grocery stores including WSB sponsors Metropolitan Market, PCC Natural Markets, and WS Thriftway.

TAX-FREE SALE DAY IN THE JUNCTION – AND FOOD DEALS TOO: The list of participants has grown since the first announcement – check ’em out on The Junction’s website. All day long and into early evening, participating stores/restaurants have deals for you, to commemorate another Tax Day just past – the “tax-free” part involves 10 percent discounts – look for the red balloons.

OPEN HOUSE AND EARTH DAY AT FLEURT: While you’re in The Junction, stop by WSB sponsor Fleurt, which is not only participating in Tax-Free Sale Day but also celebrating its new location AND Earth Day – from proprietor Sam:

We will have cupcakes provided by Sugar Rush Bakery and a raffle for a chance to win a custom made Terrarium ($100 value). Special Reminder: Earth Day is Sunday April 22nd. Fleurt encourages you to drop off your old vases and containers that will be repurposed at Fleurt, or donated to the West Seattle Senior Center. Our gift to you for recycling is a mini plant. Dropoff both Saturday and Sunday.

Fleurt’s new location (sneak peek here) is at 4536 California SW.

DUWAMISH ALIVE! This is the big day for the spring edition of the all-over-the-Duwamish-watershed cleanup/restoration work, and hundreds of volunteers will be working at a variety of sites, 10 am-2 pm (see the map on our partner website The South Park News).

ROCK AND GEM SHOW: Rock on! The West Seattle Rock Club‘s annual show is happening this weekend at the Alki Masonic Temple (40th/Edmunds), 10 am-5 pm both days – lots of info on the club’s website.

APRIL POOL’S DAY: Southwest Pool is open again and celebrating this annual event with free activities and safety education, 10:30 am-noon today (2801 SW Thistle).

GATHERING OF NEIGHBORS: These are the neighbors you might never have met, but whose ongoing volunteer work has changed your life, your neighborhood, in so many ways. A variety of local groups and advocates are gathering in the Chief Sealth International High School Galleria 11 am-3 pm, with a special preparedness-focused resource fair till 1 pm, ongoing tabling by all participants till 3 pm, and entertainment 1-3 pm. Wondering who you’ll find? Here’s our preview, first published Thursday night.

EARTH DAY AT DUWAMISH LONGHOUSE: Special events all day! Here’s the calendar-listing page. 11 am-4 pm (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)

WALKING ON LOGS WORK PARTY: Noon-4 pm today – as previewed here. Too busy to help today? Sign up to be part of the planting party NEXT Saturday!

WINE TASTINGS: 2 on the schedule today – at Admiral Safeway noon-4 pm and a special 3-5 pm tasting with Obelisco Estate at West Seattle Cellars (WSB sponsor, with a special offer for first-time customers this month).

POSSIBLE FLYOVER: The Mariners’ Salute to Armed Forces accompanies their 1 pm game today. Many years, that’s sent military aircraft over West Seattle.

WORKOUT FOR LONI: They’ll be smiling through the sweat at Allstar Fitness 2-5 pm this afternoon during special fundraising workshops to benefit cancer-fighting fitness instructor Loni McIntosh. Details in our recent story.

FREE REMODELING/CUSTOM HOME-BUILDING WORKSHOP: Call to see if there’s still room! Ventana Construction (WSB sponsor) presents another one of its free workshops, 2:30-4 pm.

PIANOMANIA! AT KENYON HALL: As the announcement from KH describes it, it’s their “celebration of all things pianistic.” The lineup is on the Kenyon Hall website. Two shows today, 3 pm this afternoon and 7:30 pm tonight (7904 35th SW).

‘CASH MOB’: Curious Kidstuff in The Junction is scheduled to be “mobbed” by supporters at 4 pm today – here’s our preview from earlier this week.

THEATER TONIGHT: Twelfth Night Productions‘ “Love Letters” at 7:30 pm, Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, and ArtsWest‘s “Exit, Pursued by a Bear” at 7:30 pm in their theater.

And back to Doug B’s osprey …

Even more events, by the way, on the calendar.

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‘Gathering of Heroes’: Delridge celebrates its star volunteers
April 20, 2012 8:48 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

(Julie Schickling, “Volunteer of the Year,” with Council President Sally Clark; photo by Dina Johnson)
“Most neighborhoods don’t do what you’re doing right now,” City Council President Sally Clark told the first-ever “Gathering of Heroes: Celebrating Volunteers” event tonight, “taking a moment … to simply say ‘thank you’ to one another and recognize good deeds.”

(Photo by Holli Margell)
The “moment” was a two-hour event attended by more than 50 people from around eastern West Seattle – plus some neighbors from over the ridge – at High Point Neighborhood Center to celebrate volunteers working hard to improve the community, the people that organizers dubbed Delridge’s Unsung Heroes. You might recall, the Delridge Neighborhoods District Council put out the call for nominees – and while the original thought was to choose honorees from among them, they decided to celebrate everyone who was nominated. Then at night’s end, two finalists were announced for “Volunteer of the Year” – here’s the reading of the nominations, then the announcement of the winner, and a few words of explanation from Council President Clark about the Jefferson Awards for which that winner will be nominated:

The winner, Julie Schickling from the Highland Park Improvement Club (how she led the charge to save the HPIC building was well-told by our partners at the Seattle Times in 2009), and the other finalist, Alejandra Ruiz Diaz, from the Roxhill Elementary PTA, were among 27 honored individuals and groups. Here they are (including our truncated descriptions of how the event program explained their achievements):

from Highland Park
Betsy Harris – public-safety volunteer
Blair Johnson – “volunteered in multiple capacities”
Julie Schickling – “led the double facelift at the Highland Park Improvement Club”
Carolyn Stauffer – spray-park project leader, Westcrest Park expansion, more

from High Point
Mat McBride – Camp Long Advisory Council, chairs Delridge Neighborhoods District Council
Peter Miller – ESL computer lab teacher

from North Delridge
Gale Hurley – public safety
Dave Brown – preparedness
Jake Vanderplas – Greenways
Tammy & Chris Stewart – fighting drug houses/street activity
Amanda Leonard – saved “Delridge Day” in 2011, co-chairs North Delridge Neighborhood Council
Nancy Folsom – skatepark liaison, cleanup organizer
Betsy Hoffmeister – “gets things done when others see no way”
Vonetta Mangaoang – DESC advisory committee
Patrick Baer – Delridge Community Forum
Parie Hines – NDNC
Mike Dady – “diligent in his pursuit of a better community for more than 12 years”
Michael Taylor-Judd – “longtime advocate for transportation and transit”
Benjamin Canfield – preparedness

from Puget Ridge
Pamela Dore – Block Watch captain
Tasha Mosher – “Recovery Garden”

from Pigeon Point
Gene Recker – quiet steward, cleanups
Helen Shampain – directs Community Orchard of West Seattle

from Westwood
Alejandra Ruiz Diaz – active PTA parent @ Roxhill

“special groups & people”
Willard Brown – development of affordable housing, DNDA board president
Delridge Branch Library Homework Helper Team (John, Robyn, Jim, Linda, Michele, Elaine, Robert, Dang, Joyce, Phil, Gary)

Longfellow Creek stewards
Jay Mirro, Scott Blackstock, Mike Arizona, Kirsten Rohrbach

Those at the celebration, which included a buffet dinner sponsored by Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes Catering and Events (other contributing sponsors included the Delridge Day Committee), also heard from Christa Mazzone-Palmberg from Sound Alliance. Organizers promise coverage to come on the Delridge Grassroots Leadership website. This was intended to be something of a pre-func to tomorrow’s Gathering of Neighbors – you’ll see more than a few of these dedicated volunteers there – hope to see you at Chief Sealth International High School during the GoN, 11 am-3 pm Saturday!

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Followup: 4724 California (ex-Petco) development-plan details
April 20, 2012 4:19 pm
|      41 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

If you have something to say about the proposed apartment/retail development for the ex-Petco site at 4724 California SW, the development-team leads want to hear it.

So insist Chris Rossman and Matt Corsi of Urban Evolution, who spent almost an hour and a half talking with WSB this afternoon as a followup to our Thursday story breaking the news that this development is in the works – albeit in the very early stages, with the city webpages we mentioned last night little more than placeholders..

They already have been reaching out (quietly) to local groups such as the Junction Neighborhood Organization and the West Seattle Junction Association, to find out what people want to see in the development.

Ahead, what we found out, but first, who they are and how the proposal came to be:Read More

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Mayor McGinn returning to West Seattle for another Town Hall
April 20, 2012 3:05 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

He was here last month for a Town Hall at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (WSB coverage here), and now Mayor McGinn is returning to West Seattle for another one in two weeks, according to an e-mail announcement this afternoon. It invites anyone interested in Q/A with the mayor to come to the Senior Center of West Seattle, 5-6 pm Thursday, May 3rd.

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Alki Community Council: Marination/Seacrest update; more
April 20, 2012 2:17 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

(Marination’s Roz Edison and Kamala Saxton, with Alki CC president Tony Fragada at right)
Marination proprietors Roz Edison and Kamala Saxton stole the show at last night’s Alki Community Council meeting, with an update on the sudden red-tape snag that pushed back their Seacrest Boathouse project – but that wasn’t the only meaty briefing on the agenda:Read More

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Big weekend for donating to food banks & having it count extra
April 20, 2012 2:15 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

Till the end of April, the Feinstein Challenge remains in effect for local food banks – which means your donations to the White Center Food Bank and West Seattle Food Bank, both of which serve areas of WS, count extra. We have two updates on ways you can help – first, just in from the WC Food Bank:

White Center Food Bank continues to serve record numbers of families. We gave food to 1,654 families which included 1,476 children and 1,323 seniors. With such a large demand, we are seeing a huge need for food donations. Most needed foods include canned meat, cereal, Hamburger Helper and Rice a Roni type products, peanut butter and canned fruit. Non-perishable foods and fresh produce from gardens is accepted Mondays through Fridays 8:30 to 5:00. We will also be open Saturday, April 21 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. Food donations made from now until April 30 count bring a little extra bonus for the food bank as they count toward our Feinstein Million Dollar Challenge totals. Food can also be donated at barrels in the community at: A Place for Pets (Burien), Admiral Safeway, BECU (in Roxbury Safeway), Big Al’s Brewing, Café Rozella, and QFC Westwood Village.

Second, a reminder that tomorrow is the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle one-day food drive for the WS Food Bank. 9 am-3 pm, you’ll find Kiwanis and Key Club volunteers collecting food and monetary donations at several spots around West Seattle, including WSB sponsors Metropolitan Market and PCC Natural Markets in the Admiral District and West Seattle Thriftway in Morgan Junction.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: 2 reports, including ‘scary surprise’
April 20, 2012 1:41 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Crime Watch: 2 reports, including ‘scary surprise’
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Two West Seattle Crime Watch reports this afternoon. First, from Sara:

We came home to a scary surprise yesterday evening and wanted to let our West Seattle neighbors know so that it doesn’t happen to them. Someone had tried to break-in to our house in the Fauntleroy neighborhhood, north of Endolyne Joe’s. Sometime between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., they managed to pry open a bathroom window in the back of our house, in an area where they wouldn’t have been easily seen. It seems they grabbed one of our patio chairs, stood on that to get up to a drain spout and pried open our old-fashioned window; breaking the drain, the window and a chunk of the windowsill in the process.

Sara’s report continues with another photo – plus, we have a separate car break-in report – after the jump:Read More

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‘Park Preservation Work Group’ set up to work on $ issues
April 20, 2012 11:05 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

With so much city parkland in West Seattle, this news release just sent by the Mayor’s Office might be of interest. (The group it “announces” has already had its first meeting, though, if the timetable in the last paragraph is correct.)

Mayor Mike McGinn and City Councilmember Sally Bagshaw today announced the formation of the Parks Preservation Work Group, charged with advising the Mayor, City Council and Parks and Recreation on a range of options for generating more revenue and finding efficiencies that could reduce costs in the 2013 operating budget and beyond.

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West Seattle traffic alert: Closures for next week (April 23-27)
April 20, 2012 10:33 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Alaskan Way Viaduct | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

From the citywide “lookahead” updated by SDOT each week (but also containing info on state projects): Just one round of major closures next week – nightly from Monday (April 23rd) through Thursday (April 26th and into early April 27th morning), the southbound Alaskan Way Viaduct/Highway 99 stretch will be closed overnight for four nights, between Denny Way and the West Seattle Bridge, 9 pm-5 am nightly.

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