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Update: Delridge playground breakthrough, and how you can help
April 30, 2009 4:23 pm
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | How to help | West Seattle news

Yesterday, we brought you North Delridge Neighborhood Council co-vice chair Betsy Hoffmeister‘s report on a proposal that could bring a major improvement to the Delridge Community Center playground for a dramatically reduced cost – if the city would go along with an innovative proposal to get it done. Today, good news from Betsy – one important approval is in – but help is still needed — here’s what she just wrote about what’s happening and how you can pitch in:

We have a commitment from our AMAZING community neighbor, McLaughlin Brothers Construction, to prepare the site at Delridge Community Center for building a new playground – for FREE. This means we could get a new playground at Delridge Community Center on July 17. That’s only 10 weeks away!! Most amazing of all, we got approval from the Parks Department to allow the pro bono work in this special circumstance. One of the least-served communities in the West Seattle Peninsula could get a brand new playground with a less than $11,000 commitment from the community.

Here’s how it works:

a) The Community Center wrote a proposal to KaBOOM! This proposal included a promise of $7,500 in earnest money towards the purchase of playground equipment. With a yard sale, raffle, donations from neighbors from North Delridge, Nucor Steel, BECU, MacMillan Piper, Wick Homes, Cyclops Restaurant, and the Community School of West Seattle, we have raised $6680. The Community Center has come up with some cash of their own, too. So we were able to promise the $7500.

b) KaBOOM! loved the proposal. KaBOOM! then did two screening interviews.

c) The Community Center wrote a Small and Simple proposal to the City for funding for the site preparation. That decision doesn’t come down until mid-May, and KaBOOM! needs to know whether we can get the site prepared way before then, so we hustled out and found our fairy godparents, Paul and Sally of McLaughlin Brother’s Construction (seriously, if you need a hole dug or a driveway made, these folks are the ones for you! Support your neighbors!) So, we hustled REALLY hard and got the City to agree to this pro bono work. You’d be amazed at how much red tape is involved in allowing someone to do something for the City for free.

d) KaBOOM! will now go to its top-secret corporate partner and say “We think the Delridge Community Center is an excellent fit for your corporate dollars, and we think you should build a playground there.” The sponsor will ultimately make that decision.

e) When the corporate sponsor says “YES we want to build a playground at Delridge,” KaBOOM! representatives will come to the Community Center on May 12 to meet with children and their parents about their wishes for the new play space, and other improvements to make to the area as in gardens, painting a mural on the wading pool, planting fruit trees, and anything else that will beautify and improve the area. These are called “side projects.” We also rush and get the soil tested for lead and arsenic. If your business does this and you are on the approved list for the Parks Department, consider donating your services!

f) The designers come up with three proposed designs. After the Parks Department swiftly approves the designs, the community at large, but most especially the kids in the day care, preschool, before and after school, and neighborhood kids, gets to choose its favorite design.

g) McLaughlin Brothers prepares the site. We bake them lots of cookies.

h) We plan a huge party, including food, music, entertainment, and fun, and gather 70 volunteers. On July 17, over 100 volunteers from the corporate sponsor swoop in and we all get to build the playground, plant the trees, paint the wading pool, and have fun together!!

The wish list at this point includes:
1) Laminated sign at the playground saying “here’s what’s coming and here’s how to help.”

2) $4,000 to cover any miscellaneous expenses we haven’t foreseen like renting a Dumpster or putting up safety fencing. Please, keep those pledges coming. Remember, these are PLEDGES. NDNC doesn’t cash the checks until we get the grant from KaBOOM!

3) A city-approved soil testing company to donate their services.

4) Volunteer musicians and performers for the celebration day.

5) Lots of comments on the Blog to show KaBOOM how excited we are.

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West Seattle food news: Skillet gets the boot again
April 30, 2009 2:04 pm
|      76 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

After three busy hours last Sunday in the Hotwire Coffee (WSB sponsor) courtyard – a backup location after Diamond Parking told Skillet Street Food they couldn’t park next to the West Seattle Farmers’ Market after all – Skillet has been told they can’t come back for an encore. This is according to Hotwire’s Lora Lewis, who tells WSB that while the property owner gave permission for last week’s Skillet appearance, they have now canceled that permission. Whether Skillet will be anywhere in West Seattle this Sunday, therefore, is up in the air. We are making calls to see what else we can find out.

UPDATE 3:02 PM: Just talked to Josh from Skillet, who says, “We’ll be somewhere in West Seattle on Sunday, we just don’t know where yet.”

5:47 PM UPDATE: Regarding the West Seattle Junction Association‘s role in whether Skillet will be able to find a Junction home, we called Susan Melrose at WSJA to ask their position. Here’s her reply:

It’s great to see so much interest in the shiny silver Skillet! This is all very new to the Junction Association and we’re still figuring out a few things. There are factors which include that we’re a Business Improvement Area where each merchant is taxed and how does a mobile business fit into that model; the Junction Association has an agreement with the Farmers Market which addresses selling prepared foods; and also where might the best spot be? We are still waiting to get clarification from the City. Our mission is to make a fun, attractive and clean shopping district with free parking for West Seattle and once we get more information, we’ll figure out how Skillet can fit in.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Junction Key Bank robbed
April 30, 2009 11:45 am
|      37 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

(surveillance camera photo from FBI, added 12:36 pm)

(photo added 12:01 pm)
ORIGINAL 11:45 AM REPORT: Happened within the past half-hour. Officer Mark Jamieson of Seattle Police says the call to police said the robber was described as male, white, maybe 40s, 5-8 to 5-11, thin build, with a beard, wearing a purple sweatshirt and brown knit cap. No one hurt; no word of whether he showed a weapon. A search is still under way in the area. More from the scene shortly.

12:11 PM UPDATE: Police are searching on the northeast side of The Junction as well, which explains the reports that Holy Rosary School is “in lockdown,” per trustable source in comments. Tilden School north of The Junction also reports being in lockdown as well, as does Hope Lutheran.

12:33 PM UPDATE: Just received the official news release from the Seattle FBI office:

The Key Bank at 4701 California Ave SW in West Seattle was robbed today at 11:12 am by a white male, 35-45 years of age, 5’8″-6′ tall, thin build, full beard and mustache, dirty appearance, wearing a purple knit cap and a purple hooded sweatshirt. He entered the bank through the east doors, approached the teller and presented a demand note. He did not display a weapon or imply that he had one. He was given money and he left the bank through the west doors and was last seen running northbound up the alley past Wells Fargo Bank.

Anyone with information is asked to call the FBI at 206 622-0460.

The FBI also sent photos – added one atop this report; here’s the other one:

Meantime, as noted in comments, the school lockdowns are ending.

4:49 PM UPDATE: Just checked with Seattle Police. No arrest so far.

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More West Seattle repaving: 16th SW work finally set
April 30, 2009 11:43 am
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   Puget Ridge | Transportation | West Seattle news

16thrut.jpg

(WSB photo from fall 2008)>
What just might be the most teeth-rattling stretch of road in West Seattle, on 16th SW north of South Seattle Community College, is now back on the SDOT schedule for repaving. This was supposed to happen last year – then, as reported here in November, it was put on hold. But now it’s officially set for repaving and widening between Findlay and Brandon (map) this summer – this SDOT webpage has details, including:

Work includes:

* pavement removal and replacement
* drainage improvements
* curb ramp construction
* sidewalk repaving

Construction work is scheduled to begin in mid June and continue for approximately six weeks.

Note that the city’s page also says that while southbound traffic will continue during the project, northbound traffic will be detoured “via Dumar Way SW/SW Orchard St and Delridge Way SW.”

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Pathfinder K-8 postpones tonight’s Multicultural Night
April 30, 2009 11:15 am
|    Comments Off on Pathfinder K-8 postpones tonight’s Multicultural Night
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

We just confirmed with Pathfinder K-8 that tonight’s Multicultural Night has been postponed until May 21st. We spoke with Principal David Dockendorf after getting a note about this — he makes it clear, they initiated the decision, just to be proactive, in the rapidly evolving flu-concern situation. He has informed the school district, and automated phone calls have gone out to parents, and Pathfinder has notified the scheduled performers as well. (We are reporting today’s other non-West Seattle-specific swine-flu developments in this ongoing story, which we’ll update as needed, but as we promised there, we will also publish separate stories – like this one – with any WS-specific news.)

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Triangle development: Decisions published for Harbor’s Link
April 30, 2009 10:23 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Development | Triangle | West Seattle news

wholelink.jpg

That’s Link, the 200-unit apartment/retail building Harbor Properties (whose Mural Apartments sponsor WSB) is planning at 38th/Alaska (map). Today’s city Land Use Information Bulletin includes DPD decisions on the project (read them here), including final approval of Design Review (here’s our report on its second and final Design Review meeting last September) and “determination of nonsignificance.” If you are interested in appealing the decisions, this page has a link explaining how – the deadline is May 14. Link is to be built along 38th on a site currently occupied by West Seattle Montessori School (WSB sponsor) and a former Huling shop; WSMS is moving to a new location next school year.

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Roxhill Elementary celebrates “Sustainable School” award
April 30, 2009 9:04 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Roxhill Elementary School principal Carmela Dellino e-mailed to share this news:

Roxhill Elementary has been selected as a winner of the Terry Husseman Sustainable School Seed Award, sponsored by the Department of Ecology. The grant was written by one of our Kindergarten teachers, Elizabeth Owen-Twombley. A school representative will be presented with the award and $490 stipend in a ceremony in Olympia on May 21. This award has been granted to Roxhill to recognize and support our outstanding recycling and composting efforts. This year, through the outstanding leadership of our PTA President, May Ovalles, we have implemented a lunchtime program to compost all of our food waste and to enhance the existing recycling efforts. Our wonderful custodian, Eric Wong, and cafeteria staff, Marena Laing, have completely supported these efforts. Our 5th and 4th grade students serve as valuable “compost helpers.” This school-wide supported program is one more example of how the Roxhill community is committed to being responsible stewards of our environment.

Side note on a different form of “recycling” — Roxhill Elementary (map) is one of the schools having a sale as part of West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day on Saturday, May 9th. (Other school sales on WSCGSD – West Seattle High School Grad Night Committee, Chief Sealth High School PTSA, Hope Lutheran New Orleans Mission Trip, Alki Co-op Preschool, Lincoln Park Co-op Preschool, Bella Mente; you can get a map starting Sunday at the WSB table at the Sustainable West Seattle Festival, then after that, online at westseattlegaragesale.com or at a list of locations we’ll post there later today.)

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West Seattle Crime Watch: “Decades of … collecting – gone”
April 30, 2009 8:45 am
|      23 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Just heard from Anna, who wanted to share the news of a break-in at her house:

Just writing to report that my house was robbed yesterday afternoon. We live at 35th & Webster [map] and up until now thought our little area was pretty safe. It was done somewhere between 4:30 – 6:15 p.m. so a small window of time. This robbery doesn’t have the same feeling as some of the others I’ve read about on this site. No doors were kicked in, no broken windows, no ransacking – just a clean entry and all they took was my flat screen TV and a large tower cabinet containing close to 300 CDs. Decades of music collecting – gone. I’m a compulsive door locker so I’m still puzzled about how they got in without any damage. Of course, I have filed a police report and am talking to my insurance company today.

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Three ways to do a good deed today … and one later
April 30, 2009 6:30 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants | West Seattle schools

#1 — Since today is the last day of April, it’s also the last day that your donations – while appreciated any time of the year – pack an extra punch for West Seattle Food Bank and White Center Food Bank, because of the Feinstein Challenge (explained here). To donate online to WSFB, go here; to donate online to WCFB, go here.

#2 — Speaking of food, it’s Dining Out for Life day, with participating restaurants around Seattle donating part of the day’s proceeds to Lifelong AIDS Alliance. West Seattle/White Center participants: Skylark Cafe and Club and Ama Ama Oyster Bar and Grill (WSB sponsors), Coffee at the Heights, Full Tilt Ice Cream, Eats Market Cafe, Abbondanza Pizzeria, Buddha Ruksa. Take note of an extra element: If you donate $25 or more tonight, you get to be in the 20% Off Tuesdays club, which means 20% off your tab at a smaller group of participating restaurants (Skylark and Abbondanza, in West Seattle) throughout the year.

#3 — What to do after you Dine Out for Life? How about – enjoy a fashion show that’s raising money to help breast cancer patients? Tonight is the night West Seattle-based Northwest Hope and Healing (WSB sponsor) presents Style ’09 at Showbox SODO. Ticket info’s here.

#4 — This one’s a couple weeks away but the target audience might want to plan ahead. Cathy Cooper sent this announcement:

The junior-high youth group at Holy Rosary Parish here in West Seattle is planning a “Youth in Action” Benefit Concert for the West Seattle Food Bank. The public is invited, but we’d especially like to encourage junior and senior high school students from West Seattle to join us on Thursday, May 14 at 7 pm at Holy Rosary school.

Dennis Zender, singer/songwriter lead singer for Truce (a local Seattle rock band) will be performing. Dennis is music minister at Holy Cross Parish in Lake Stevens, and has been performing at Catholic high schools and youth groups in the Puget Sound area. You can hear music from his album, Walls, at www.myspace.com/denniszendermusic.

Admission is almost free! We¹re asking folks to bring a non-perishable food item for donation to the West Seattle Food Bank to gain entry.

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West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day update: 10 days away!
April 29, 2009 7:33 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day update: 10 days away!
 |   Community Garage Sale Day | West Seattle news

West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day, May 9, 2009In the throes right now of making The Map for the big day (Saturday, May 9) – you can be among the first to get a copy by stopping by the West Seattle Blog table at the Sustainable West Seattle Festival this Sunday in The Junction, 10 am-3 pm in and around the Wells Fargo parking lot north of the Farmers’ Market. The count’s still not final but we know we’ve passed 180 sales, far surpassing last year’s record – and as we go through the listings, we’ve come across some unique items – a car, a treehouse, a “cuddle couch.” We’re promoting WSCGSD citywide and you can help: PLEASE PRINT THIS 11 X 17 POSTER if you can spare the time and paper, and tack it up at your workplace, your church, your kids’ school, anywhere (not just in West Seattle) you can think of. Thanks! And keep an eye on westseattlegaragesale.com for more-frequent updates (like this one from earlier today).

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Seattle snow aftermath: New city report, plus a plan for new help
April 29, 2009 4:51 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

(WSB photo from December 2008)
This just in from the city – councilmembers and the mayor have agreed to “hire an independent consultant to manage a plan” for future snow response. That’s in the wake of the issuance of a report on how things could work better, given the problems and challenges during our recent winter storms. We’re looking for a copy of the report itself (the Times has some highlights)

ADDED 5:50 PM: Here’s the 10-page report. After the jump, the official news release, which arrived first:Read More

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Update: Toplines from Seattle City Council swine-flu briefing
April 29, 2009 1:41 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Health | Swine flu | West Seattle news

You can watch live on channel 21 or online at seattlechannel.org. We’ll summarize afterward but will also add any major toplines here as it happens. City Council President Richard Conlin opened by noting that the World Health Organization has just raised the pandemic-preparedness alert level to 5 on a scale of 6, so the briefing is “timely.” County public-health managers are leading the briefing, same ones who briefed the County Council earlier this week (WSB coverage here).

2:56 PM UPDATE: Briefing’s over. Here are the toplines:

-No local cases, not even any reports of increased absenteeism or severe illness of any kind that might point to something suspicious

-U.S. cases have acted more like typical flu, “on the mild side” (aside from one toddler death reported today)

-Northern Hemisphere less at risk right now than Southern Hemisphere since prime flu-spreading weather is ending here

-King County’s been prepping for a pandemic since 2004; its stockpile of antivirals – with more on the way – eventually will be enough to treat 25% of the county’s population if that many people got sick; would be distributed through pharmacies, clinics, doctors; what’s on hand now should retain its potency through 2013

-If you feel sick, STAY HOME – don’t expose others; face masks, by the way, are mostly good for sick people who can’t stay home trying to minimize spreading their illness to others – might have some protection use – two most important things you can do to keep anything from spreading: Wash your hands, cover your cough

-Symptoms would be sudden onset, high fever, achy joints and muscles, cough

-If you were immunized against swine flu in the ’70s, doesn’t help, this is a different virus

Here’s the county’s info page on the swine-flu situation.

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West Seattle food: Sneak peek inside new Zeeks Pizza
April 29, 2009 1:25 pm
|      28 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

If you remember this space at Fauntleroy/California as the Corner Inn, you probably won’t recognize it now that the work transforming it into West Seattle’s first Zeeks Pizza is almost done. We just got the chance to take a quick look inside, though crews are still working hard on finishing touches to get it ready to open Friday as planned (4 pm). Here’s a closer look at the counter in the background of the top photo, followed by a peek inside the kitchen:

Only thing we have for pre-Zeeks comparison is video we shot inside the day the Corner Inn fixtures were auctioned last July (less than two months before news broke of impending pizza):

Our full report on that July 2008 auction, including more video, is here. (Added 2:18 pm) Here’s a video clip from today, including a look at the roof/ceilings, quite different from the Corner Inn configuration:

While Zeeks does some franchising, this one is a company-owned store; for delivery, the chain offers online ordering, too. The new pizza restaurant is opening eleven months after the Corner Inn‘s sudden shutdown.

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Red-tape trouble? Delridge playground plan may need help
April 29, 2009 11:33 am
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

At this month’s North Delridge Neighborhood Council meeting (WSB coverage here), NDNC co-vice chair Betsy Hoffmeister reported a new development in the campaign for playground improvements in the area – instead of focusing on Cottage Grove Park, the attention turned to a proposal targeting the Delridge Community Center‘s playground. We got this update from her late last night – it includes some concern about the process, an offer of help, and the potential need for more:

Amazing things keep happening in Delridge! Kaboom, a national nonprofit organization, works with communities to help them build safe places to play. Occasionally, a corporate sponsor approaches Kaboom!, offering to fund a playground in a specific area. The organization helps the community group plan the playground, and comes in on one specific day and builds the whole thing.

In late March, Kaboom asked the Delridge Community Center to make a proposal to overhaul their 15 year old playground which, by the way, no longer meets federal safety standards. A donor corporation targeted the Delridge area, and the Community Center specifically and asked them to put together a proposal – by April 11. When the North Delridge Neighborhood Council (playground committee) heard this amazing news, we dropped our Neighborhood Matching Grant Proposal about Cottage Grove Playground, asked all the donors to switch allegiance to the Community Center proposal, and asked all the volunteers if they’d be willing to help out one mile north. Every single donor and volunteer agreed.

The Delridge Community Center whipped together a proposal which Kaboom really liked. Their advisory council recommended they apply to the City’s Small and Simple matching fund for additional resources, knowing they would need City oversight as the project is part of the Parks Department. They had less than two days to get a Small and Simple proposal together but managed to get everything together and get their proposal in.

On April 18, Kaboom had a conference call with the Community Center, representatives of the Parks Department, the SSCC, NDNC, and their advisory council. Kaboom was thrilled what they heard and asked for a second round which took place today, April 28. They as much as said as this proposal is the top contender. Unfortunately, the funding from the Parks Department, to cover the Parks Department oversight and the preparation of the site is far from certain. There are 74 proposals to the Small and Simple round from all over the City, with much less money available to spread around. The Kaboom folks were extremely worried to hear that the City wouldn’t be able to make a decision until after the Kaboom deadline. They called the NDNC (and basically said look, you are our top contender, it would be really sad if you didn’t get the grant because the City’s deadline is after ours) to ask if there was anything the neighbors could do … any way to come up with the site preparation/excavation without the city.

Amazingly, a neighbor who happens to be a licensed and bonded excavator volunteered to do the site preparation for FREE! We do not yet know whether the City will allow this company to volunteer their services to prepare the site. We also don’t know how we can pay the Parks employees to usher the playground designs through all of the reviews it needs to go through, and to oversee site preparation and installation. We are waiting extremely anxiously to hear from the City whether they will permit such an unorthodox approach. They have so many rules!

If you’ve read this far, you are a diehard Delridge Groupie. And you can ask yourself, how can I be helping make this amazing thing come true? And you might be feeling a little frustrated – why does the City tend to make things harder – here’s a golden opportunity to leverage a really big grant and upgrade a really needy playground really fast. So, what can you do? Approach any business that is not suffering horribly right now and ask them for a pledge – just a pledge – of $250, $500, $1000, or more. We don’t need cash in hand, we need pledges that folks will follow through on. Think about your tax return and see if you have a spare $50 (or $100, or $1000) to pledge. Go to the Community Center and sign a form stating you will pledge volunteer hours. Think if you know a licensed and bonded contractor who might be willing to donate excavation services. Imagine your vision of the Delridge Community Center with a new, safe, up to date, accessible playground for children of all ages, and respond to this with enthusiasm so I can send your responses on to the City, Kaboom, and maybe even our Councilmembers to ask for their help. Write to me with suggestions. If you are an artist or musician, think about how you could help hold an instant fundraiser for the playground to help us raise a few hundred or thousand bucks. (before you ask, we have a huge donation already from Nucor and from BECU).

Best case scenario – the people who need to respond, respond very quickly in the morning, and we have our answer right away, and they say “yes, of course the volunteer can do the excavation,” and then Kaboom is happy, and we’re happy, and it’s all good. But if Delridge needs help – and needs it fast – we need to know who is on deck to help out.

So far today, she hasn’t heard from the city – but you can e-mail her with offers of help, ideas, etc., at betsy (at) hoffmeisters.com.

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High Point solar history, and a bridge-side sign you’ll see soon
April 29, 2009 8:23 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | High Point | West Seattle news

neighborhoodcenter.jpg

(note: since original publication of this item, Neighborhood House has changed banner installation date to “approximately May 7”)

As previously reported, the Neighborhood Center that Neighborhood House is building in High Point will make solar-powered history. It opens in September, but days from now, NH just announced, a huge banner touting that fact will go up in a can’t-miss-it spot – on the Nucor plant, alongside The Bridge. The timing is aligned with this Sunday’s Sustainable West Seattle Festival in The Junction. Read on for the big news about the big banner:Read More

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Lesson in giving: Painters and Allied Trades Union’s gift to SWYFS
April 29, 2009 7:52 am
|    Comments Off on Lesson in giving: Painters and Allied Trades Union’s gift to SWYFS
 |   Delridge | How to help | West Seattle news

That’s Southwest Youth and Family Services director Steve Daschle front and center, with students and staff from one of the high-school re-entry classes in the Southwest Education Center at SWYFS HQ in North Delridge. The photo op was to thank the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades’ regional council for a $10,000 donation to SWYFS. The money was raised by the union’s community-assistance effort PATCH, from the proceeds of an annual golf tournament (the next one’s coming up June 20 at Fort Lewis – contact Cara at SWYFS if you’re interested). SWYFS administers a variety of area programs, and is ramping up with its most high-profile assignment yet, managing this area’s section of the city’s new Youth Violence Prevention Initiative; Daschle says the city money for that work starts coming in July, but SWYFS already is well into its planning and preparation for components such as anger-replacement therapy work.

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West Seattle food news: Changes for Endolyne Joe’s parent firm
April 28, 2009 10:15 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants


View Larger Map

Chow Foods, parent company of local restaurants including Endolyne Joe’s (which raised $1,000 tonight for the Fauntleroy Fall Festival), has just sent out a news release confirming reports its owners were splitting the chain (here’s the Capitol Hill Seattle report from last Saturday) and explaining what happens next. Read on for the details:Read More

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Meet the Miss West Seattle Hi-Yu Senior Court candidates
April 28, 2009 7:11 pm
|    Comments Off on Meet the Miss West Seattle Hi-Yu Senior Court candidates
 |   West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

But first, a video flashback:

Last July, WSB was at Grace Church to capture that moment on video when Margo Femiano was announced as Miss West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival for 2008-2009. With less than three months remaining now till Queen Margo’s successor is coronated, it’s time to introduce you to the six candidates in this year’s scholarship competition: Two Chief Sealth High School students, two Holy Names Academy students, one John F. Kennedy High School student and one Mount Rainier High School student. Read on to see their photos and brief bios, shared by Hi-Yu pageant coordinator Shirley Enebrad:Read More

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New West Seattle summer-camp option – from local synagogue
April 28, 2009 5:31 pm
|    Comments Off on New West Seattle summer-camp option – from local synagogue
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle religion

Less than two months now till school lets out, and local families are continuing to plan their kids’ schedules for summer. One brand-new option: Local synagogue Kol HaNeshamah is offering its first-ever day camp. We decided to take a closer look:

By Keri DeTore
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

Synagogue Kol HaNeshamah, housed at Alki Congregational United Church of Christ, will be hosting Camp Kol — a two-week summer day camp for kids this August.

Tammy Kaiser, director of Education and Administration for Kol HaNeshamah, describes it this way: “We will concentrate on Tikkun Olam, which translates into ‘repair of the world,’ as well as Tzedakah which is ‘righteousness or social justice’ and usually takes the form of charity. Part of this will be teaching environmental conscientiousness, and West Seattle is a wonderful learning lab with its beaches and tidal pools.”

Read More

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Photos: Remembering J.B. Webster – memorial at Alki UCC
April 28, 2009 4:37 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

There were smiles as well as sadness as J.B. Webster‘s fellow Seafair Commodores joined other friends, family and co-workers in celebrating his life during a memorial service today at Alki UCC. Mr. Webster’s family granted us permission to take photographs during the service; it’s been just five days since the first report of his death after a short illness. His daughter Tyler Webster played “Let It Be” during today’s service:

His son Logan Webster also played piano at the service (“Chimes“). More images from the memorial, and details of the service, ahead:Read More

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West Seattle coyotes: Lincoln Park neighbor’s alert
April 28, 2009 2:54 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Coyotes | Fauntleroy | West Seattle news | Wildlife

coyote2.jpg

(the coyote we spotted a year ago at Thistle/Northrop, a few blocks from this latest report)
Also out of the inbox, the first coyote sighting reported to us in a while – this one’s from Alice:

Keep your cats and small dogs inside, or protected. Yesterday, in the middle of the day, as i pulled into my driveway, a coyote walked casually across 44th Ave SW, @ 8200 block (map), and went into the greenbelt. This is just a few blocks above Lincoln Park.

Previously, our neighborhood lost many many cats, and at least one small dog to a hungry coyote. I believe they are nocturnal, so she must be hungry to be out midday.

All WSB coyote reports (including some with photos and video) are archived here, newest to oldest.

ADDED 5:44 PM: Another note that came in after we published this:

My sister lives in Snohomish. Her cat was killed by a coyote in broad daylight. They are not just nocturnal hunters. This happened at around 2pm, my nephew heard the cat screaming, etc. So, don’t be fooled, keep your pets inside.

And that’s what the experts advise as well, but they warn against other dangers to outdoor cats (cars, raccoons, other cats, etc.) too.

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City offers a partial break on unpaid parking tickets
April 28, 2009 2:08 pm
|    Comments Off on City offers a partial break on unpaid parking tickets
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

Out of the WSB inbox, from the Seattle Municipal Court – starting May 1st, pay your unpaid tickets, and they’ll waive collection fees and interest:Read More

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2 West Seattle food notes: Zeeks change; Dining Out for Life
April 28, 2009 12:10 pm
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 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

ZEEKS PIZZA: We checked in with Zeeks Pizza‘s Dan Black to see if everything was on track for the grand-opening plan at the new Morgan Junction location (California/Fauntleroy) this Friday – he says yes, with one change: Instead of opening at 11 am, they will open the first day at 4 pm. (Here’s our story from last week about their delivery boundaries.)

DINING OUT FOR LIFE: Last week, we passed on the word from the Lifelong AIDS Alliance that it needed one more restaurant to match last year’s total of 155 participants (food/drink venues that will donate part of their proceeds this Thursday). Just heard back that two local establishments that saw the note here have signed up – and now, citywide, Dining Out for Life has a record 160 participants! The two local additions are Coffee at the Heights (whose proprietors mentioned in comments on that report that they were signing up) and Full Tilt Ice Cream; they join WSB sponsors Skylark Cafe and Club and Ama Ama Oyster Bar and Grill, as well as Abbondanza Pizzeria, Eats Market Cafe and Buddha Ruksa (full Seattle participant list here).

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