West Seattle news 60713 results

West Seattle traffic alerts: Two bridge notes

February 4, 2010 4:02 pm
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 |   South Park | Transportation | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

From a big construction roundup just sent around by Delridge Neighborhoods District Coordinator Ron Angeles – these two notes of specific interest – including the rescheduling of the South Park Bridge closures called off last weekend:

– Crews will be working nights on the West Seattle Bridge Feb 8-11 in both directions.
– South Park Bridge to be closed Feb 10-13, 7am-7pm daily

The full roundup, including some previously announced SODO closures, is available online here.

From the WSB Forums: Free ski/snowboard hot-wax clinic tonight…

February 4, 2010 3:53 pm
|    Comments Off on From the WSB Forums: Free ski/snowboard hot-wax clinic tonight…
 |   West Seattle news

… and other new additions to the Freebies, Deals, Sales section, which is FREE for businesses to post freebies/deals/sales (though you don’t have to be a business to post there – WSB Forums members share deals they spotted, or free items they’re offering, too). The free ski/snowboard hot-wax clinic is at WSB sponsor Mountain to Sound Outfitters, 3602 SW Alaska, 6:30 pm (plus they’re offering 20 percent off any one item in their ski/snowboard/racks/etc. store). You can check (or post to) the Freebies/Deals/Sales section any time by going here.

Warm Up America followup: Come celebrate the blankets

(From left, Leslie Hoots, Margot Massey, Sofia Wagner, Susan Munn, and Lisa Boeckh of the Threads Ministry)
This is the embodiment of “many hands make light work” – and also, many hands = more warmth, in a multitude of ways. Leslie Hoots shares this update on Warm Up America – including an invitation for you to come help celebrate, this Sunday:

Last August, the Threads Ministry at Peace Lutheran Church in West Seattle began our second annual Warm Up America project. The Seattle Yarn Gallery on California Ave SW partnered with us and became a collection point for the community. The West Seattle and White Center communities were invited to join with us by donating left over yarn, knitting or crocheting squares and sewing them into blankets, which will be donated to WestSide Baby, White Center Salvation Army Corp, and Riverton Place Men’s Rehab Facility.

The outpouring from the community overwhelmed us. We had a student contact us from Highline High School, whose teacher taught her to knit over the summer, and she made our project her Senior Project making three Warm Up America blankets and a Child’s quilt, and the West Seattle YMCA took up our cause and donated yarn to the project, as the “good deed of the month”, during the month of January. Many folks from the community called and donated or worked with us in making squares for our blankets. As of today, we have 28 completed blankets and enough squares to make another 30 blankets.

On Sunday, February 7th, we will have a blessing ceremony during our 10:30 AM church service and then distribute the blankets to agencies in the West Seattle and White Center communities. We want to extend an invitation to the community to see the results of their generosity and join us in celebrating the end of this wonderful project. A big thank you to the Seattle Yarn Gallery for their part in making this a successful event. Peace Lutheran Church is located at the corner of 39th SW and Thistle in West Seattle and our web address is www.peacelutheranseattle.org.

Update: Teen arrested after robbery at Super 24

(Cameraphone photo added 12:39 pm)
ORIGINAL 12:29 PM REPORT: Police are rushing right now to the Super 24 in the 5400 block of Delridge – where there’s a report of an armed robbery involving a suspect described as a black female in her teens who said she had a knife. NEW DESCRIPTION: Wearing a light gray zipper hoodie sweatshirt, turquoise shirt underneath, red-and-white-striped scarf around her neck, black pants and white shoes, large earrings, carrying a green bag with a black strap. This store was held up earlier this week (Tuesday night) – as of last night, Lt. Norm James told us at the Southwest District Council meeting, no arrests (two male suspects in that one). This is the same store whose owner has been working with community volunteers to transform it into a “healthy corner store.” 2:20 PM UPDATE: Seattle Police media unit Det. Mark Jamieson confirms they have arrested a suspect, who he says is a 15-year-old girl.

Rethink the West Seattle RapidRide route, SW District Council says

From last night’s Southwest District Council: A new turn in a long-simmering concern about the the West Seattle RapidRide bus route. Fairmount Community Association‘s Sharonn Meeks and Fauntleroy Community Association‘s Vlad Oustimovitch obtained the group’s support to take the concern to King County Executive Dow Constantine, asking him to reopen the discussion about how RapidRide will get from Morgan Junction to the West Seattle Bridge. Currently, plans call for it to go up California SW through The Junction, then turn to SW Alaska and again to 35th SW and SW Avalon before getting to The Bridge; some have long suggested Fauntleroy Way would make more sense. Why take another look now? There’s one big reason – read on:Read More

Bus hits Morgan Junction pedestrian – without driver realizing it

We’ve finally been able to talk to police about a crash that got some TV coverage late last night – a woman hit and seriously hurt by the northwest corner of the California/Fauntleroy intersection in Morgan Junction, and there are new details this morning. Seattle Police spokesperson Det. Mark Jamieson says the 29-year-old woman was crossing Fauntleroy southbound (between the Zeeks Pizza and Starbucks corners) just before 10 pm when she was hit by a bus turning from southbound California to westbound Fauntleroy. “The driver was unaware of the collision and continued on his route,” Det. Jamieson explains, but once police figured out what happened and notified Metro, the driver stopped – at 35th/Barton – and cooperated with investigators. Whether the driver will be cited, won’t be determined immediately – the Traffic Collision Investigation Squad was called out because the victim has life-threatening injuries. (Note: Since we spoke with police, they have added this to SPDBlotter.)

9:27 AM UPDATE: SPD has just called to clarify one detail: The bus, while operated by Metro, was the Sound Transit 560.

10:18 AM UPDATE: Just talked with Sound Transit spokesperson Geoff Patrick to get a few more details. Per standard procedure, he says, the driver “has been removed from service”; he doesn’t have details yet on driver’s age/length of service/etc. but is working to get that information. The bus was a 40-foot, non-articulated ST bus.

Tonight: Alki wayfinding kiosks, Madison open house, “Mulan”…

From the WSB Events calendar:

ALKI WAYFINDING KIOSKS: As part of the West Seattle Trails project — which will eventually dot the peninsula with kiosks and signs to help walkers, runners and riders — three informational kiosks are slated for the greater Alki area: The Me-Kwa-Mooks/Emma Schmitz Overlook area along Beach Drive, Statue of Liberty Plaza vicinity in the heart of the beach zone, and around Seacrest. What art, photos and information should they contain? Tonight, come help shape that part of the plan. 6 pm, Alki Community Center (5817 SW Stevens). (At left, the first kiosk put up as part of this ongoing project, on Delridge.)

SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: Madison Middle School welcomes 5th-grade families to come see the school (3429 45th SW) and meet the staff, 6:30-8 pm tonight.

STUDENT PRODUCTION: West Seattle Montessori/West Seattle Academy (WSB sponsor) presents the first of two nights of “Mulan,” 7 pm at the West Seattle High School Theater (3000 California SW), tickets $10/door.

WEST SEATTLE AUTHOR’S READING: Brenda Peterson, an acclaimed author for years and also known more recently as founder of West Seattle’s Seal Sitters, reads from her newest book at 7 pm tonight, Elliott Bay Books in Pioneer Square. Details here.

Registration starts for West Seattle Soccer Club’s special spring

February 4, 2010 5:53 am
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 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news | WS & Sports

From Tim McMonigle on the West Seattle Soccer Club board, here’s news that spring registration is open – and there’s something new this time around:

As soccer fans around the world eagerly await the start of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa , the West Seattle Soccer Club (WSSC) is excited to announce registration for our 2010 Spring Soccer Season.

Founded in 1968, the West Seattle Soccer Club is committed to creating the best possible youth sports experience for our players and their families. To build on the excitement of the 2010 World Cup – the greatest sporting event on the planet – and to help educate our young players about the rich diversity of peoples and nations that are brought together by a common love for the world’s greatest game, the WSSC is proud to feature our first ever WORLD CUP SPRING SOCCER SEASON. Participating players will be placed on teams with colorful jerseys representing many of the 32 teams that will be competing in this summer’s 2010 World Cup.

Read on for the rest of the announcement – plus an update on two teams in competition right now:Read More

Video: West Seattle YMCA kicks off “Partners With Youth”

February 4, 2010 1:39 am
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 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Wednesday night at The Hall at Fauntleroy, smiles and energy spread among more than 150 volunteers as the West Seattle Family YMCA (WSB sponsor) kicked off its Partners With Youth campaign. Dinner, games and a raffle filled the evening.

That’s Dawn Baber (standing) and husband Carl (seated at her right). Partners With Youth raises money for activity scholarships and in-school programs, among other things (there’s a more detailed description in this report on last year’s fundraising success). Volunteers will be making phone calls as well as talking to prospective donors face-to-face in the weeks ahead. (You can also donate online.)

West Seattle help for Haiti: Local woman’s Valentine’s Day plan

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Hundreds – if not thousands by now – of West Seattleites have reached out to help the Haiti earthquake victims in ways big and small.

But Alki resident Angela Williams felt one thing was missing: A direct, personal, hands-on connection. “Any time there’s like a crisis or trauma, I have an overwhelming feeling to help or deal with the emotional aspect instead of just saying, ‘here’s a check’ … money seems like not doing enough, not connecting with event.”

Going to Haiti to try to personally connect wasn’t quite feasible, so the next best thing was to hatch a plan for people who care to connect with each other, while they learn about what’s happened in Haiti since the quake, and figure out how best to help.

We found out about Angela’s event through a Facebook event invitation that led to a somewhat mysterious website:

Read More

Neighborhood alert: Encounter near Morgan Junction

Rachel just sent a note she wanted to share about someone who came up to her house about an hour ago – read on:Read More

Live in the Genesee (Hill) area? Community council in your future

From the Southwest District Council meeting that just wrapped up: One of this year’s goals has been to increase participation from more areas of the western half of the peninsula, which is the SWDC’s turf, so there’s been talk about helping community groups start (or restart) in two unrepresented areas – Genesee/Genesee Hill and Arbor Heights. So far, SWDC co-chair Chas Redmond reports, there’s progress in Genesee – and an organizational meeting is planned March 16, 7 pm, West Seattle PCC (WSB sponsor) – everybody in that area’s welcome, and you’ll likely see flyers soon urging you to be there. We’ll check on the exact area targeted here; this is what the city has mapped as Genesee, but it seems to stretch way past the area that had been discussed. (Lots more SWDC news to come.)

West Seattle school news: Open houses, playground, book sale

We have updates from several West Seattle schools tonight. First, it’s open house night TOMORROW at Madison Middle School:

Welcome 5th Grade Families to Madison Middle School Open House
Thursday, Feb. 4th — 6:30 – 8:00 pm
Come visit Madison classrooms, meet teachers & administration.
Ask questions about curriculum, feeder-patterns, GeoBee, etc.
We look forward to seeing you @ Madison!

We’ve also received word tonight of a preschool open house this Saturday – it’s a new school, and they’ll get you the open house details if you RSVP:

Saturday, Feb. 6th 9:30am-11:30am
The Cove School
www.thecoveschool.com
RSVP: admissions@thecoveschool.com

And Saturday afternoon/evening, Cometa Playschool has its next open house:

Open House
Saturday, February 6th from 4-6 pm
at Cometa Playschool, 3212 California Ave SW

Moving on to next week – on Thursday, Feb. 11, West Seattle High School has its open house – principal Bruce Bivins shares the news release with full details (see it here) – here’s the schedule of events that night:

6:00-6:30 Departmental Fair in the Commons
Hors d’oeuvres prepared and served by our culinary arts students
Student-performed music
Meet with faculty and learn about course offerings and expectations in each department

6:30-7:00 Presentation
Welcome & Introduction from Principal Bruce Bivins
Student video: “Why Westside?”
Scene from student-directed play, “Jumpin’ Jupiter”

7:00-8:00 Panel Discussions (choice of two)
1. Student Panel: Students discuss life at Westside
2. College-Prep Panel: Faculty discuss advanced learning opportunities and program expectations within the departments
3. 9th Grade Panel: Faculty and students discuss school requirements, resources and supports, and summer-bridge expectations

7:00-8:30 Explore Westside: School facility and lab tours throughout the evening
8:30-10:00 Basketball Game
Prospective students and their families will receive free admission to the boys’ varsity basketball game with special appearances by our Pep Band, Cheerleaders, and Spirit Mob

Nearby at Lafayette Elementary, their playground project has just received a big boost – here’s the latest newsletter update:

The Playground Committee started the year off with a generous donation of $10,000 to the PTA earmarked for the playground from a Lafayette family. Whoever you are, thank you so very much! Several fundraising events will be announced specifically for the playground improvement project in the coming year. One will be a Ski and Sports Equipment Swap in April. Save your items for sale or donation for that event. More details will be coming on that event. Feel free to attend any of our meetings. For more information, or to get involved, please contact Janine Bostock at Janine@avadesignbuild.com

And looking ahead to next month, we’ve just added this to the WSB Events calendar:

Sanislo Elementary’s 4th Grade Used Book Sale.
Sanislo Elementary School
1812 SW Myrtle St, (206) 252-8380
Saturday, March 13th from 10 am- 2 pm.
Sanislo’s 4th graders are having a Used Book sale to raise money for their annual educational overnight trip. There will be many books of all types for sale as well as coffee, tea and treats. You are invited to this fun event!
If you have books that you would like to donate, drop them by the school or call Lisa at 206-767-3561 for other arrangements.

(added) And tomorrow night is your first of 2 chances to see local students put on a show – thanks to Michele for sharing this:

A stage production of Mulan will be performed by the West Seattle Academy (& West Seattle Montessori [WSB sponsor]) at the West Seattle High School Theatre this Thursday (2/4) & Friday at 7:00 pm(2/5). Tickets are $10 at the door.

WSA/WSM performances boast professional choreography and set design… and they are very entertaining!

Not recommended for children under age 5.

Got school news? Share it! Here are all the ways you can reach us – choose whatever works for you.

Crime Watch: Drug bust, break-in attempt, stolen signs…

Three items for West Seattle Crime Watch this afternoon. First, two notes came in asking about a King County Sheriff’s Office operation in the 9000 block of 35th SW (map) overnight. KCSO spokesperson Sgt. John Urquhart tells us it was NOT related to the SWAT-involved raid four blocks south last week, but this too was a “drug bust” and resulted in at least one arrest so far. Meantime, we’ve got a burglary attempt and a case of suspected sign-stealing -read on:Read More

Apply to create art for the new West Seattle Reservoir parkland!

February 3, 2010 3:17 pm
|    Comments Off on Apply to create art for the new West Seattle Reservoir parkland!
 |   Highland Park | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Just in from the city – a call for artists for two city park projects – including the expansion of Westcrest Park that is planned for the top of the “lid” that’s going in atop adjacent West Seattle Reservoir. (The next public meeting to talk about park design is THIS SATURDAY, 10 am-noon at Southwest Community Center.) Read on for the details of both projects – each with a $150,000 budget:Read More

“Jason McKissack Act” passes State House unanimously

That’s the word from West Seattle Rep. Eileen Cody. While we went to Olympia for last week’s public hearing on the bill, EHB 1679, which would prevent catastrophically injured public-safety personnel like former Southwest Precinct SPD Officer Jason McKissack from losing health benefits, we weren’t able to go to today’s vote, but Rep. Cody sent word on the results. Next stop: The State Senate. Last year it made it through the House but stalled in the Senate; if you want to express your opinion, State Sen. Joe McDermott represents our area; his contact info is here. ADDED 5:27 PM: The Seattle Police Guild has just sent a news release with more info – read on to see it:Read More

West Seattle help for Haiti: Update on Eagles’ fundraiser

From Amy McGrath with the West Seattle Eagles: Final tally from their Saturday night fundraiser – $4,526.43 for Mercy Corps. And Amy says they’re still collecting shoes till February 13th – new or gently used, take them to the Eagles (immediately south of the post office in The Junction). It was a fundraising doubleheader for the Eagles – they had a live/silent auction that same night, right before the Haiti benefit, and Amy says that brought in $1,100 for the Eagles’ Art Ehrmann Cancer Fund. (P.S. Updates coming later today on more new West Seattle-linked help for Haiti.)

Citizens’ Budget Conference: Miss it? Now you can see it!

The first guy you see as soon as you hit the “play” button on that newly available Seattle Channel video from last Sunday’s Citizens Budget Conference at Seattle Center is West Seattle activist/advocate/volunteer Chas Redmond, chair of the City Neighborhood Council, co-chair of the Southwest District Council (which meets tonight). The conference was offered as a chance for citizens to have a say on the head end of the city budgeting process – how do YOU think your money should be spent? Chas was one of several West Seattle participants; we asked afterward for reflections/comments on what happened, and you can read on for his response:Read More

Neighbor Appreciation Day on Saturday: West Seattle events

The city Department of Neighborhoods has just sent out the citywide list of events scheduled for Neighbor Appreciation Day this Saturday. Three listings are in West Seattle; topping the list – you can go see your neighborhood fire station!

Event: Visit your Neighborhood Fire Station
Event Time: Saturday, February 6, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Event Location: Seattle Fire Stations. Visit
www.seattle.gov/fire/firestations/stations.htm for list of Seattle Fire Stations.

Event: Raise the Beds at C&P Coffee (presented by CoolMom)
Event Time: Saturday, February 6, 10:00 am
Event Location: C&P Coffee, 5612 California Ave. SW

Event: Alki/Admiral neighborhood Open House
Event Time: Saturday, February 6, 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Event Location: Hiawatha Community Center
Event Contact: Lakema Bell, 206-684-7441

Though it’s not on the list, we might suggest that the North Delridge Neighborhood Council Adopt-A-Street cleanup Saturday morning – meet at Delridge Community Center 9:45 am – is a good way to celebrate Neighbor Appreciation Day too.

ADDED THURSDAY: It’s been brought to our attention that this list sent out by the city is missing at least a few other West Seattle events. We’ll be adding those to our events calendar. Thanks!

Today/tonight: Library changes; Bagshaw in WS; CoolMom …

February 3, 2010 8:31 am
|    Comments Off on Today/tonight: Library changes; Bagshaw in WS; CoolMom …
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

From the WSB Events calendar:

NEW LIBRARY HOURS: Here’s our most recent reminder; the new schedules take effect today. As Diane noted in this comment, the two West Seattle libraries that will be open 7 days a week – Admiral and Southwest – will actually now open earlier two days a week (10 am on Mondays/Tuesdays instead of 1 pm).

ONE EFFECT OF LIBRARY CHANGES: Reminder that the North Delridge Neighborhood Council is NOT meeting tonight – its former meeting site, Delridge Library, is closing earlier on Wednesdays, so this month’s meeting is 6:30 pm **next Tuesday**, Feb. 9, at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, with a decision yet to be made on the permanent day/location. (And join NDNC for the quarterly Adopt-A-Street cleanup this Saturday; meet outside Delridge Community Center at 9:45 am.)

SOUTHWEST DISTRICT COUNCIL: When reps from West Seattle’s major community councils and other groups/organizations meet tonight, the agenda includes two guests: City Councilmember Sally Bagshaw and the city’s Historic Preservation Officer, Karen Gordon. You’re welcome to be there – 7 pm, board room at South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor) – here’s a map for the central-campus area.

URBAN FARMING ADVOCATE AT YOUNGSTOWN: The youth involved in FEEST at Youngstown are scheduled to meet this afternoon with Will Allen, a leader in the urban-farming movement, who is also speaking at a free citywide public event at 7 tonight at Mercer Middle School.

ROXHILL ELEMENTARY OPEN HOUSE: 6:30-8:30 pm, 30th/Roxbury. (Here’s the full list of ongoing open houses at Seattle Public Schools.)

EARLY DISMISSAL DAY FOR SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Students are out 2 hours early (here’s the school-year calendar).

COOLMOM’S MONTHLY MEETING: Here’s a preview from the Sustainable West Seattle website; highlights will include a closer look at the city’s new “carbon calculator” that you can use to facilitate a lower-impact lifestyle. 7 pm, C and P Coffee, 5612 California SW.

JUST FOR FUN: “Groundhog Day” is tonight’s Fine Films at Freshy’s presentation, Freshy’s Coffee, 2735 California SW, 7 pm. At 7:30, the second week starts for performances of ArtsWest‘s “Love Song,” and at 8, the second of 2 nights for “From Africa to the White House,” the spoken word/musical performance by Taya Aluko (with Lou Magor on keyboards) at Kenyon Hall.

(Got something for the calendar? Lots of options for sharing it – thanks!)

West Seattle Crime Watch: Super 24 robbery; Admiral stab attempt

(WSB photo by Christopher Boffoli)
And two more incidents police are working right now: In the 2300 block of California, there was an attempted stabbing. Nobody cut, the scanner clarified before we could even head out the door. They’re searching for a suspect. Then in the 5500 block of Delridge (map), police are looking for armed robbers who are reported to have held up the Super 24. 12:08 AM: Adding a photo. No indication of any arrests so far.

Believe it or not – one MORE car mishap in West Seattle

That photo’s just in from Aaron, who says it happened about an hour ago at 17th/Graham, which is a block west of where the bicycle crash happened this afternoon (one of the four crashes in this roundup). He says it’s believed that “(a) driver lost her brakes in a car, drove backwards down the street, and ended up on a utility pole support cable.” Instantly brought back memories of this one we covered (with photos and video) in Fauntleroy in December 2007. No word of injuries in tonight’s mishap – one engine was sent out, but the call’s already closed.

Another “Parent/School Advocacy Night” at High Point center

Last time we covered one of these special events at High Point Neighborhood Center (photo above is from Jan. 8), which has been working with Seattle Public Schools to help local families get more closely connected, there were concerns that word hadn’t gotten out widely in advance. This time, the notice arrived three weeks in advance, so organizers hope even more people will hear about the event and be able to attend. Here’s the official invite:

Making Your School Better
A Night for Parent-School Advocacy with Seattle Public Schools Administration

Tuesday February 23, 6:00 pm-8:00 pm

*MEET Seattle Public Schools Representatives
*HEAR about school Improvement Plans
*YOU Influence Quality Schools

Limited Childcare – Please Make Alternate Plans

The Neighborhood Center
High Point Family Center
6400 Sylvan Way SW
206.371.4319

The announcement we received mentioned that “school improvement plans” for West Seattle Elementary will be part of the agenda.