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Update: Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth back to 3 boats
November 3, 2011 12:56 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

ORIGINAL 12:56 PM REPORT: The Fauntleroy wait wasn’t much last time we checked that semi-live image from the dock camera, but the state warns that people leaving Vashon might face quite a wait this afternoon till they are back to three boats. We were just talking here the other day about the aging ferries, particularly the half-century-old Evergreen State class, and one of its vessels, the Klahowya, is currently broken down and being checked out. That leaves only the Issaquah and Tillikum on the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth run at the moment. Here’s the two-boat schedule; here’s the place to check for updates later (we will too).

8:48 PM UPDATE: WSF says that Klahowya is fixed and back in service.

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‘Fauntleroy Way Green Boulevard’ on today’s budget agenda
November 3, 2011 11:36 am
|      46 COMMENTS
 |   Triangle | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

(Sketch from West Seattleites’ 2008 presentation to the City Council about a “boulevard” vision for Fauntleroy Way)
All week long, the City Council has been listening to presentations about possible changes to the Mayor’s budget plan. Just because a change is presented, doesn’t mean it’ll make it into the final plan, but with that in mind: One of the proposals that will be heard this afternoon would allot a quarter-million dollars to start working toward what’s dubbed the “Fauntleroy Way Green Boulevard.” This is a concept that has been under discussion for more than three years, including as a component of the West Seattle Triangle vision. Just last night, in fact, members of the Southwest District Council brought it up briefly while reviewing what’s transpired with the Triangle. It’ll be one of many budget-change options presented during this afternoon’s City Council session. Here’s part of the description, from the “Green Sheet” for the proposal (which you can see in its entirety here):

This project will transform Fauntleroy Way SW into a green boulevard. Preliminary engineering will address project elements identified during conceptual design, including: a planted median with signature lighting fixtures, a pedestrian zone with sidewalks and planting areas including street trees, pedestrian lighting, potential green stormwater infrastructure and art, and safety improvements for crossing movements for all modes, including bicycle improvements and pedestrian crossings, signals, and reconfigured intersections and bulbs. Funding will be used to complete preliminary engineering in 2012, including public outreach, preliminary design, and construction cost estimates. Alternative project designs will be developed (with and without the relocation of a 28? drainage and wastewater main) that seek to balance green boulevard design elements with Major Truck Street treatments.

The proposal is officially from Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, who chairs the Transportation Committee and has long been involved in discussions about improving the Fauntleroy Way “gateway” to West Seattle. His office says the goal of this item is to get the project on the city’s Capital Improvement List and start studying what it would take to make it happen. This presentation is part of the council’s afternoon agenda (full list here), scheduled to start at 2 pm; you can watch live on Channel 21 or seattlechannel.org (or of course by going to City Hall downtown). Budget-change decisions are scheduled to start next week, with a plan finalized before Thanksgiving.

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West Seattle Thursday: Shop late; learn to prepare; more…
November 3, 2011 10:30 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Our recent photo of the Fauntleroy ferry dock includes the type of weather said to lie ahead for us today (remember, we have a weather page!) – nice till clouds creep in late in the day. Meantime, here are some of tonight’s highlights, from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

HOLIDAY FOOD TASTING: The annual West Seattle Thriftway holiday-food tasting is 4-7 pm, and they’re having a wine tasting at that same time as well (Fauntleroy/California).

THURSDAY NIGHT FOOD TRUCK: The Junction’s new “food truck pod” in the Uptown Espresso lot will have its first Thursday night visitor – I Want Curry Now is scheduled to be there for dinner tonight, 5-8 pm.

SHOP LATE IN THE JUNCTION: It’s back, just in time for the holidays. 6-9 tonight, at participating merchants (listed here), and every Thursday till the last one before Christmas.

HELP THE HELPLINE: From the official announcement by West Seattle Helpline: “Give the gift of warmth and light this year! We are holding our 14th annual fall fundraiser dinner event for West Seattle families that are facing a one-time emergency. Proceeds will be used to help families that have faced emergency situations with rent and utilities so that they may remain in their homes with heat and water. This mission becomes even more vital as the weather turns colder and the need is especially great this year.” 6-9 pm tonight at Duwamish Longhouse; tickets can still be purchased this morning – call 206-932-2746 (or go online).

BOOK SIGNING: Party at The Cask for author/entrepreneur/athlete/basketball coach Sonya Elliott, 6-8 pm (more info here).

GET READY! Not sure you’re ready for disaster – be it a winter storm, an earthquake, or who knows what? Check out tonight’s free city-presented SNAP (Seattle Neighborhoods Actively Prepare) preparedness class at Southwest Library, 6:30 pm.

STORMWATER: LIFE IN THE GUTTER: One-man performance written and performed by Stokley Towles, tracing a tale of rainwater and runoff in a way you’ve never seen or heard it before. Free! 6:30 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, 4408 Delridge Way SW.

(added) POTLATCH AT ALKI ELEMENTARY: Just in from the school’s arts-ed rep Karen Hinkey: “Alki PTA has been thrilled to welcome Ronn Wilson as this year’s Artist-in-Residence. “Of Cedar and Salmon” is a multicultural, hands on enrichment program which has allowed all students to experience the native arts and cultures of the Pacific Northwest Coast. For the past 5 weeks, students in every classroom have been immersed in Native clans within the school and have learned arts and crafts, games, legend writing and more… During the residency, Ronn’s artistic talents have been on display while creating an original piece of Native American artwork which will be presented to the school at tonight’s potlatch ceremony. Reflections of a potlatch will include an artistic replica of a Kwakwakawaka ceremonial house and a dramatic presentation of traditional Northwest Coast art. The ceremony begins promptly at 7 pm in the school gym and doors will be closed at that time. Please, NO photographs or video during the performance at the request of the Wilson family. Photographs can be taken after the performance. ”

‘THE DESPERATE HOURS’: Your second-to-last chance to catch West Seattle High School’s Drama Club production, 7:30 pm at WSHS Theater. More info, photos, cast list, etc., can be found here.

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Police search near West Seattle High School for suspicious person(s)
November 3, 2011 9:26 am
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police

9:26 AM: Information on this one is still a little sketchy – but it’s happening right now and we’ve received questions about why police cars were outside West Seattle High School, so here’s what we have found out so far: They are searching the area around the school for a report of one or two men seen with a knife or knives. The school district says WSHS went into “shelter in place” mode for this, around 8:45 am. According to Det. Mark Jamieson in the SPD media unit, so far they haven’t found anything or anyone. No one is reported hurt – by all accounts so far, this is just a case of someone seeing something alarming. If we get new information later, we’ll update.

10:12 AM UPDATE: The district says the “shelter in place” situation is over; police didn’t find the person(s) they were looking for, but again, everybody’s OK.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Early-am search; daylight car prowl
November 3, 2011 3:17 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

ORIGINAL 3:17 AM REPORT: Two things this morning – one that’s happening right now: We’re working to find out more about a search that’s under way in the neighborhood east of California SW, between the Alaska and Morgan Junctions. Officers, including a K-9 team, are out searching for somebody. As soon as we find out what led to this, we’ll update. (Thanks to those who have reported this via e-mail, Facebook, and Twitter.)

9:40 AM UPDATE: Got the details from SPD: This started as a report of a “suspicious male” in the alley behind the 5400 block of 45th SW, with a running vehicle. Police arrived, saw three “unknown race males in dark clothing … 5’6 to 5’8″, slim build” who took off running eastbound upon seeing officers. They had been standing around a car that was up on blocks with three wheels/tires off. A search ensued; the K-9 team lost the scent around the 5400 block of 42nd, which likely means, police say, someone picked them up there. The car turned out to be stolen but hadn’t been reported yet; police are analyzing some items from its interior for possible prints.

(back to original report) Meantime, we have a report about a car prowl during the daytime on Wednesday – read on:Read More

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West Seattle sports: Holy Rosary 7th grader’s ‘Hoops for Help’
November 3, 2011 3:10 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | WS & Sports

From the WSB inbox – Holy Rosary 7th grader Kyle Joyce asked for help getting the word out about a service project called “Hoops for Help.” Kyle’s doing it with a friend and says, “All the money we make is going to Saint Vincent de Paul.” Specifics: 3 on 3 tournament at Holy Rosary School on November 12th, up to 4 players per team, $5/person, age groups 9-10, 11-12, and 13-14. “Winners will receive cool NBA prizes,” Kyle says. E-mail hoopsforhelp@gmail.com to sign up, including team name, age group, and contact info.

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Election 2011: Mayor comes to WSHS for levy campaign
November 3, 2011 2:50 am
|      17 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

When Mayor McGinn arrived outside West Seattle High School Wednesday morning to campaign for the Families and Education Levy (Seattle Prop 1 on next Tuesday’s ballot), some of the citywide media swarmed him to ask about a different ballot measure – Seattle Transportation Benefit District Prop 1, which would raise money for transportation projects via $60 added to car tabs. They were following up on Seattle Times (WSB partner) reporter Mike Lindblom‘s story about $400,000 of that money possibly going to revise the Bicycle Master Plan, more than its original cost. Plans change all the time, the mayor was heard to explain. Eventually, the event got back on topic – the levy; specifically, the funding it includes for school-based health centers. That’s what brought a couple of industry executives to join the mayor, including Neighborcare CEOMark Secord:

His company runs clinics at all of West Seattle’s public middle schools and high schools. They offer service beyond what the traditional “school nurse” offers – they run centers that offer services to students including so-called “confidential” care such as mental and reproductive health, as well as vaccinations and other checkups. He says flatly that if the levy loses, those centers close. Photographers were invited into the WSHS clinic after the news conference ended. Physician assistant Auky van Beek was on duty:

The clinic funding has been singled out by levy supporters for months; when we covered the first PTSA meetings of the year at both WSHS and Chief Sealth, we noted that both groups were addressed by the Neighborcare staffers at the respective school health centers, pointing out the levy’s relation to funding their services. A news release following Wednesday’s event said the health funding portion of levy proceeds would total more than $40 million over the measure’s 7-year lifespan.

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Delridge DESC housing proposal: Community members dig up details
November 2, 2011 10:45 pm
|      66 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | DESC Delridge project | West Seattle housing | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Delridge residents concerned about the Downtown Emergency Service Center‘s 75-unit “supportive housing” project have obtained more information about the project via public-records requests, and we have a few new details too.

Four months after news of the proposed apartments in the 5400 block of Delridge first came to light at a North Delridge Neighborhood Council meeting (WSB coverage here; next-day followup here), documents posted by citizen researchers indicate the agency is close to key dates for greenlighting the project, such as a projected December 1st closing of the deal for property on Delridge. Public-funding decisions are being made; as reported here last week, the city Office of Housing says it has approved “up to $4.45 million” for the project, right after the state announced an award of $500,000.

The county is considering a grant as well; the advisory Joint Recommendations Committee was scheduled to make a decision at a meeting last week, but postponed it after hearing from Delridge residents who attended the meeting on Mercer Island to comment on the project. One of them, Karrie Kohlhaas, summarized some of the concerns that were voiced regarding the neighborhood’s characteristics:Read More

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3 ways to help: Helpline, Killer Whale Tales, Furry Faces
November 2, 2011 8:22 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Fun stuff to do | How to help | West Seattle news

HELP THE HELPLINE: Tomorrow night at 6 at the Duwamish Longhouse, it’s the fall fundraising gala for West Seattle Helpline. Executive director Tara Byrne says one of the highlights will be “award-winning Native American flutist and storyteller Paul ‘Che oke ten’ Wagner performing.” You can still get a ticket online by going here, no later than tomorrow morning.

KILLER WHALE TALES: Also at the Longhouse, West Seattle-headquartered Killer Whale Tales plans a dinner and auction – with special guest Tucker the whale-research dog! – on Saturday, November 12th, starting with drinks and appetizers at 6 pm. Tickets are available online, here.

‘THE ART OF LOVE’: Furry Faces Foundation‘s silent auction and wine tasting event, featuring Stomani Cellars, is set for Sunday, November 13th, 3-6 pm at Ola Salon. No admission fee; all ages are welcome. Read on for the official news release:Read More

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2nd Design Review Board meeting set for 3261 SW Avalon Way project
November 2, 2011 7:11 pm
|    Comments Off on 2nd Design Review Board meeting set for 3261 SW Avalon Way project
 |   Development | West Seattle news

The next design review is now set for the six-story, 120-apartment project that is now in the records as 3261 SW Avalon Way (different from the address used during its first review three months ago). It’ll come back before the Southwest Design Review Board at 6:30 pm Thursday, November 17th, at the Senior Center of West Seattle (California/Oregon in The Junction); here’s the official project page.

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Another traffic alert: Westbound Spokane St. Viaduct closures set
November 2, 2011 5:06 pm
|    Comments Off on Another traffic alert: Westbound Spokane St. Viaduct closures set
 |   Spokane St. Viaduct project | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

And another traffic alert – this one for next week. The next westbound closures of the Spokane Street Viaduct (that’s the West Seattle Bridge between Highway 99 and I-5) have just been announced for every weeknight next week, 10 pm-5 am, Monday (November 7th)-Friday (Nov. 11th). You will NOT be able to get onto the WS Bridge from I-5 or Beacon Hill during these closures, but the exit from southbound 99 will be open. (Detour info here.) Like previous westbound closures, this is because of the ongoing Spokane St. Viaduct Widening Project.

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Traffic alert: SDOT warns the commute home might get ‘dicey’
November 2, 2011 4:39 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

Need to pass through downtown and/or SODO to get home tonight? Beware! This just in from SDOT:

The afternoon commute could become a little dicey later today. Occupy Seattle will hold a protest rally and march in downtown Seattle starting at 6 p.m. A crowd of more than 500 people is expected to gather at the north end of Westlake Park at Fourth Avenue and Pine Street for the rally. Between 6:30 and 7 p.m. the protesters will move to the Sheraton Hotel on Sixth Avenue between Union and Pike streets. Seattle Police will escort the marchers south on Fifth Avenue to Union street, east on Union to Sixth Avenue, and north on Sixth to Pike Street. Given the size of the expected throng of protesters, the march will likely be in the street so motorists should plan to avoid the area to avoid delays.

At the other end of downtown at 7 p.m., the Seattle Sounders will be drawing over 40,000 scarf-waving fans at CenturyLink Field. They’ll take on the Real Salt Lake soccer club for the second leg of the Western Conference semifinals. Expect traffic around the stadium to be very congested before and after the match.

The Water Taxi is on its winter schedule now and is NOT extending for sporting events, according to the county.

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Saving Southwest Community Center: Councilmember to visit
November 2, 2011 4:08 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

(Photo courtesy Kathleen Lonergan, from 10/26 City Council budget hearing)
As reported here previously, the mayor’s proposal for next year’s city budget – currently under review before the City Council – changes the Southwest Community Center into a shared space with Southwest Teen Life Center and West Seattle’s lone Neighborhood Service Center (moving from its Delridge location). SWCC supporters are trying to get the Council to change the plan and keep the center open for general community use. Among them is Kathleen Lonergan, who shares the news that …

… City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen has accepted our invitation to visit SWCC! He’ll be there this Friday, November 4th, at 2:00pm. He will do a meet and greet/Q&A session with members of the community for about 1/2 hour. Around 2:30, he will tour the center with me and other Family Learning Program representatives.

We’d love to have plenty of people there for his visit. Most of our homeschoolers will be gone home by that time, since so many have small kids who need to nap. This would be a GREAT opportunity for West Seattleites to get out and show their support for SWCC.

Lonergan was one of dozens of SWCC supporters who went downtown last week to plead their case at the City Council’s most recent public hearing on the budget. This week, the council has moved into a round of presentations about potential budget alternatives – you can check them out under “Green Sheets,” in the Budget Documents section of their website. Tomorrow morning, when the budget meetings resume at 9:30, Parks (which runs community centers) items are on the agenda, including one titled “Enhanced Hours at Community Centers”; the Green Sheet for that does not appear to be online yet. Next week, the council starts making decisions on potential changes to the mayor’s plan, and final approval is expected on or by November 21st, so if you have something to say, this is the time, as they start locking in on changes (or non-changes) – here’s how (as well as being at SWCC if you can on Friday).

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New look, new books for library at West Seattle Elementary School
November 2, 2011 2:30 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   High Point | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

For the past month, the library at West Seattle Elementary has been undergoing renovations – 2,000 books, a tech upgrade with iPads, new furniture, new shelves, new carpeting. Today, the overhauled library unveiled to the world. Lauren sent us the above photo via Twitter; when we dropped by for a look, a full complement of photojournalists was there, as was Mayor McGinn (on the other side of the cameras):

The project was the work of the Heart of America Foundation and Target volunteers, dozens of whom were at the school doing more work today, including playground revitalization:

WSES is one of 42 schools around the country in the library-makeover program this year. As part of the project, each WSES student gets seven new books to take home. A commemorative tree was planted too, we were told by WSES counselor Laura Bermes, who summed up the day as “a big deal!”

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Seen in West Seattle waters: Purse seiners at work
November 2, 2011 12:23 pm
|    Comments Off on Seen in West Seattle waters: Purse seiners at work
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news

Every year right about this time, we get the question – What are those boats with the big nets out there? Reply: Purse seiners fishing for salmon. They have been working off West Seattle’s west-facing shore, as Beach Drive Blog reports. (Our files yield photos from 2009.) The times when this type of fishing is allowed are reported here.

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Video: How the city’s getting ready for winter windstorms
November 2, 2011 12:01 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Utilities | West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

Mayor McGinn‘s been on the road all morning – including visits to West Seattle Elementary and West Seattle High School – our stories on those are coming up shortly, but first, an early-morning stop at Seattle City Light‘s control facility in Ballard. That’s of interest to WS because the topic was how the city – particularly its electric utility – is better prepared for winter windstorms than, oh, say, five years ago (anyone remember December 2006?). We tried to make it over to Ballard to cover it in person but – no exaggeration – almost-winter weather set us back (we walked out of the house this morning to a much-iced windshield and couldn’t find the scraper!). So here’s the Seattle Channel video. We’re betting they talked about the SCL mobile website we mentioned here yesterday; will add other toplines later, for anyone who can’t (or doesn’t have time to) check out the video.

ADDED 12:46 PM: Most of the toplines are in the official city news release that’s since been sent out; the mayor also noted that SCL has 50+ more lineworkers than at the time of Windstorm ’06 – read the news release (including family preparedness advice, which the mayor also stressed) after the jump:Read More

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Benefit brunch this Sunday to help Ed Kingston’s family
November 2, 2011 10:25 am
|    Comments Off on Benefit brunch this Sunday to help Ed Kingston’s family
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

(WSB photo from Ed Kingston‘s memorial at Holy Rosary on October 22nd)
Just got word about an event this Sunday to help the family of Dr. Ed Kingston, who died suddenly at the age of just 38 while coaching his son’s West Seattle Soccer Club team at Riverview Playfield almost a month ago. West Seattle Eagles vice president Paul Leonardo, who is also a fellow Holy Rosary parishioner with the Kingston family, invites you to a benefit brunch at the aerie:

There will be a benefit brunch for the Kingston family on Sunday November 6, 2011 beginning immediately after the 9:30 am Family Mass. Doors will open at 10 am. The benefit will be held at the West Seattle Eagles Aerie #2643. It is located at 4426 California Avenue SW (1 block from the parish). The cost will be $15 per adult and $7 for children under the age of 10 years.

There will be an omelet bar, fresh fruit, waffles, coffee, tea, juice, and hot chocolate. All proceeds will benefit the Kingston Family and all are welcome. In addition, we will be holding a raffle.

If you have any questions, please contact Paul leonardo at 206-250-5213 or Erik Ricard at 206-683-1018.

Dr. Kingston is survived by wife Laura, son Jack, and daughter Reese; his memorial fund also has a webpage, here.

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West Seattle Halloween PS: Admiral Treats & Treasures winners
November 2, 2011 9:43 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Holidays | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Every trick-or-treater in Monday’s “Admiral Treats and Treasures” was invited to get their stops marked off on a map which then was presented at Merrill Gardens-Admiral Heights (WSB sponsor) for a drawing to win one of two giant treasure chests (goodie baskets) – and the folks at MG have shared photos of the winners as they came to claim their “treasures”! Congratulations to Brenna Hinsley and Annabelle Moeckel!

Each basket contained gift cards, toys, and other items worth a total of more than $300.

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Peek inside West Seattle’s Umpqua Bank before it opens today
November 2, 2011 7:46 am
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Many people ask where they can get “I Heart West Seattle” items. Here’s a new answer: The first West Seattle branch of Portland-based Umpqua Bank (WSB sponsor), opening its doors north of Admiral Safeway at 9 am today. It’s also where you’ll find this tale out of early West Seattle history:

And though it’s a brand-new bank branch, it has a veteran manager who’s worked in West Seattle banking for seven years:

Kirk Mead is also a board member with the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce. Of course, not everything about the new Umpqua Bank branch is West Seattle-specific, but it certainly has features you don’t find in every bank branch – read on:Read More

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West Seattle Wednesday: Metro changes; ‘Desperate Hours’; more
November 2, 2011 7:21 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Wednesday: Metro changes; ‘Desperate Hours’; more
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(By smohundro from the WSB Flickr group pool)
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

BUSINESS OPENINGS: Opening day for Umpqua Bank (WSB sponsor) in West Seattle’s Admiral District, next to Admiral Safeway, and Petco‘s new location at Capco Plaza (41st/Alaska), both at 9 am.

METRO CHANGES IN WEST SEATTLE: Before its official meetings later this month, Metro presents its proposed West Seattle changes tonight at the Southwest District Council meeting, 7 pm, South Seattle Community College board room. Also on the agenda: SDOT rep explaining changes on West Seattle roads that have been or are being made for RapidRide. Here’s our preview (including linked maps to meeting location).

‘THE DESPERATE HOURS’: West Seattle High School’s Drama Club production, 7:30 pm at WSHS Theater. More info here.

PRIDE SKATE: Second edition of Pride Skate at Southgate Roller Rink – Halloween sequel; wear your costumes! 9-11 pm; more info on FB.

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West Seattle Lights: The famous music-synched show starts going up
November 1, 2011 10:28 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

The e-mail from lightmaster Jim Winder began with the subject line: “Now that Halloween is over …” and continued:

…then it must be time to set up CHRISTMAS LIGHTS!!!!! … we are going to start setting up the lights this weekend for our West Seattle Lights – Helmstetler Family Christmas Spectacular.

Looking forward to some new things this year and LOTS more lights and new songs. Our lighting ceremony will be Saturday, November 26th at 7:00 pm.

If this is going to be your first holiday season here, a bit of background … this is a light-synched show on a house across from the water tower on SW Charlestown. A sample from last year (WSB opening-night coverage here):

The Helmstetler Family owns the house; family friend Jim masterminds the lights. More at westseattlelights.com.

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Thanks a million! We’re grateful for a great October
November 1, 2011 10:02 pm
|      24 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle online

Before the first day of November ends … we wanted to say thank you for October.

For one … it was the first time ever that WSB registered at least one million pageviews in a single calendar month. Certainly, there was a lot of news this month … October started with the Amanda Knox decision and ended with a week of “Viadoom” traffic-tracking, with a sunken vessel and fuel slick at midmonth. By the last moment of Halloween night, the counter (per Google Analytics) hit 1,081,362 pageviews, more than 100,000 past the previous record back in August.

For two … we wanted to thank you for the votes that topped the “Best of Western Washington” category for the second consecutive year. We aren’t much for campaigning, so hearing that so many people still found the contest and took the time to vote for WSB was heartening.

For three … this marks the start of our fifth year as a business, a milestone many small family businesses aren’t lucky enough to reach. WSB is what some call “bootstrapped” – no investors, no grants, no co-owners, no rich relatives/friends, no day jobs. The 24/7 community-collaborative news, information, and discussion you find here is made possible by the local businesses that choose to gain exposure to more than 100,000 people each month by sponsoring WSB; we thank them for their support.

Your newstips, your reader reports, your comments, your photos, your presence are the indispensable ingredients. Thank you so much for choosing to be here (same goes for those in the WSB communities on Facebook and on Twitter) and to share information with your community – whether it’s a crime report, a crash, a lost/found pet, or a breathtaking sunset photo – via WSB. We could go on with more gratitude … including a huge thanks to the reporters/photographers who work with us … but there’s a story waiting to be written!
— Tracy (WSB editor/co-publisher, on behalf also of co-publisher Patrick)

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Big hair, big fun: You’re invited to ’80s Flashback Adult Prom’
November 1, 2011 8:04 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

You’re invited “to turn back the clock, dust off those old dresses and tuxes, and enjoy a night of disco balls, punch bowls, shoulder pads and big hair” – at the ’80s Flashback Adult Prom on Saturday, November 19th, a fundraiser for the Chief Sealth International High School Class of 2012. That night from 8-10 pm in the CSIHS Galleria, you’ll enjoy music, refreshments, free pictures, and even valet parking – for only $15, and you get to compete for prizes awarded to the “best flashback attire.” (And if you went to your original prom back in the ’80s and happen to have a photo handy, send it to Sealth activities coordinator Sam Reed at sjreed@seattleschools.org – he’ll be printing photos out to display at the Flashback Prom.) Proceeds will benefit the Class of 2012 as it works toward a couple of big parties of its own later this school year – making sure prom and the “safe and sober” Grad Night celebration are affordable for everybody. You can buy tickets online (or donate if you can’t go but want to support the prom/Grad Night fund).

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