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Three Thursday night notes
October 23, 2008 8:04 pm
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 |   Development | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

DESIGN REVIEW: We’re midway through tonight’s Southwest Design Review Board meeting. First project, a mixed-use building proposed for what’s currently a sloped, treed site at 4106 Delridge, is being sent back for a second round of “early design guidance” – board members said they weren’t seeing enough distinct options for the site. The Kenney‘s redevelopment project is next up. More details on that, and the Delridge review, later. (The Delridge writeup will be later Friday, after we can get some on-site photos of points raised during the review.)

PARKS BOARD: Meeting at Parks Department HQ downtown tonight, the board is taking public comments on its “request for proposals” that will soon be issued to seek a private operator for West Seattle Stadium. hughessite.jpgAccording to Morgan Junction‘s Cindi Barker, Parks Superintendent Tim Gallagher also had another West Seattle note in his informal briefing at the start of the meeting – artists who are being displaced by the Magnuson Park redevelopment project might be moved to the Hughes School site (photo left; it temporarily housed South Lake High School for the past few years but is vacant this year). We’ll be checking to find out more on the status of that proposal.

FIRST IN-STORE TASTING: The two photos below are from the first wine tasting Thriftway in Morgan Junction hosted as part of its participation in the state’s pilot program of beer and wine sampling in grocery stores. We dropped by just as the event was starting at 4 pm. Thriftway charged $5 for the tasting plus snacks from the lavish appetizer spread you see below; the tasting’s theme was “Washington vs. Italy – Taste the Difference.”

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Madison Middle School named a “School of Distinction”
October 23, 2008 6:45 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

madison.jpgCoincidentally, we’re at Madison Middle School (for tonight’s Design Review Board meeting) as we’re reading the news release sent late today by Seattle Public Schools: Madison is one of five SPS schools (the only one in West Seattle) honored as a “School of Distinction” for making dramatic improvements in reading and mathematics achievement. Madison, led by principal Jill Hudson, cited several reasons for its improvement, including low turnover in recent years, professional development time during the regular workday, intervention programs for struggling students, and “engaging afterschool programs.”

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59th/Admiral shooting trial update: Prosecution rests its case
October 23, 2008 6:09 pm
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 |   Crime | West Seattle news

gavel.jpgWe’re continuing to cover the trial of the Alki 18-year-old charged with murder in the 10/13/07 shooting death of 33-year-old Francisco Bailey-Ortiz, killed inside a car at 59th/Admiral. The week’s proceedings concluded (the trial’s not in session Fridays) with prosecutors resting their case. Ahead, our courtroom correspondent’s full report:Read More

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Urgent call to help WestSideBaby – as demand doubles
October 23, 2008 3:08 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

Just out of the WSB inbox from WestSide Baby executive director Nancy Woodland: They need people-power as well as diaper donations, in order to help West Seattle and White Center-area families:

As you can expect, we are experiencing an incredible increase in requests for the items we distribute. This week we have orders to fill for 300 children! This is double what a normal week was just in September. We are also down approximately 12 hours of regular volunteer time from those who commit time each week to this task.

WE NEED HELP TO FILL ORDERS!! Ever wanted to be a personal shopper for a child who really needs the items you find? This task is one level higher than sorting clothes and requires about ½ hour of training before we let you loose.

WE WILL BE OPEN TOMORROW, FRIDAY OCT. 24 (10-2) AND SATURDAY OCT. 25 (10-1) AND INVITE ANYONE WHO IS INTERESTED TO COME IN TO HELP FILL THESE ORDERS. THIS IS AN ADULT OR “ENTHUSIASTIC TEEN” REQUEST. If you can join us, just show up.

In addition, please spread the word… diaper requests are skyrocketing and we are unable to purchase enough to fill the gap. We desperately need size 4, 5 and 6 diapers this week. Please let folks know that this is a real need. Although we gather large numbers of diapers in the summer, this need is ongoing and the need is rising very quickly.

Diaper-only dropoff locations are:

· WestSide Baby 10032 15th Ave. SW (in White Center; map)
· White Center Chiropractic 10030 15th Ave. SW (map; our wonderful landlords upstairs will take diapers only if you arrive and we are not open)
· Red Cup Espresso 4451 California Ave. SW (map)
· Eats Market Café (north-central Westwood Village, near Bed Bath and Beyond; map)
· On the Way Maternity 5446 California Ave. SW (map)

Other regular dropoff sites are listed on our website at www.westsidebaby.org

As always, thank you so much for your support of WestSide Baby. We realize everyone’s situation is unique. If you can help now, great. If you cannot, we hope you’ll think of us another time!!

With regards,
Nancy

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West Seattle Crime Watch: 19-year-old arrested for alleged rape
October 23, 2008 1:41 pm
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 |   Crime | High Point | West Seattle news

Just posted on the new SPD Blotter site: A 17-year-old girl told police a 19-year-old “male acquaintance” had sexually assaulted her in his home in the 5900 block of High Point Drive SW (map) on Monday; she called police the next day, and they arrested the suspect for investigation of rape. (Reminder, the latest entries from SPD Blotter’s Southwest Precinct page are automatically posted on the WSB Crime Watch page.)

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West Seattle Gas Price Watch: First $2.80s sighting
October 23, 2008 1:07 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | Gas prices | West Seattle news

arco280.jpgMinutes ago at Arco on Delridge. Down eight cents from a day earlier, down 28 cents since the time of our weekly West Seattle-wide gas-price check on Sunday night. (With most West Seattle stations now below $3 for regular, we’re notably below the AAA citywide average.) Anybody want to bet on whether it’ll go below $2.50? Or dare we wonder, even below $2? 2:23 PM UPDATE: Hopey just texted to say it’s $2.79 at Costco.

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Big day Saturday @ Chief Sealth High School: You can help
October 23, 2008 9:30 am
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 |   Delridge | How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

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From the Chief Sealth PTSA, a confluence of events this Saturday that they’d like you to know about:

• Our adoption of Delridge Way SW, from Orchard to Brandon, through the Seattle Public Utitlies Adopt-A-Street program, which is part of our outreach efforts to the North Delrdge community while Sealth is located at Boren. In addition, we will plan to pick up litter on the school grounds and on other neighborhood streets within a 1-2 block radius of the school

• Make a Difference Day – We would like this to be a new PTSA tradition that we participate in each year

• The Teacher & Staff Wishlist program that we launched this school year. We are midway through fulfilling their request to make the teacher & staff lounge at Boren more friendly. Phase 1 was a furniture placement re-design in the space; Phase 2 is painting the walls (part of our event on 10/25); Phase 3 is decoration & finishing touches. We are working with a wonderful West Seattle designer, Gwen Williams of Space Transform

Volunteers are still needed for the Saturday 10/25 event, which starts at 10 am and finishes with a free lunch for volunteers when the work is done (around 1 pm). Chief Sealth students who participate will earn service learning hours. All materials and equipment will be provided. Contact PTSA president Leslie
Menstell: president@chiefsealthptsa.org

See the flyer here. Side note: Friday night is the big annual Chief Sealth vs. West Seattle HS “Huling Bowl” football game; we’ll be live-tweeting it (and reporting afterward) as we did with WSHS-Rainier Beach last week.

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Happening today/tonight: LOTS of options, from wine to design
October 23, 2008 8:05 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news | WS beverages

It’s all on the WSB Events calendar, but for extra emphasis, a few highlights: West Seattle Democratic Women lunch; first in-store wine-tasting at Thriftway; Design Review for The Kenney and 4106 Delridge; city Parks Board looks at West Seattle Stadium private-operator search; South Delridge/White Center Community Safety Coalition; WS Ministerial Association’s Initiative 1000 forum; Alki Idol; West Seattle Pins and Needlers. Plus two open houses: Family Promise (previewed here) and Explorer West Middle School. For times/places/links, just go here. ADDED: Seattle Lutheran High School has an open house tonight too, 6:30-8 pm in the gym, on Genesee east of 42nd.

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Update: Alki Statue of Liberty brick-cleaning quest
October 23, 2008 6:03 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Alki Statue of Liberty | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

beforeafter.jpgDavid Hutchinson from the Seattle (Alki) Statue of Liberty Plaza Project sends an update on the “brick legibility problem” (previous report here): He says the city Parks Department has been investigating methods for “safely removing the calcium deposits that have formed on about 100 of the 1,500 inscribed pavers.” The photos at left show the results of a white-vinegar cleaning method that was tested – for spot-cleaning, it looks “encouraging,” but an evaluation by a professional cleaning company subsequently suggested it wouldn’t be appropriate for the large-scale plaza cleaning Parks wants to do initially. He explains, “It is not possible to use many of the standard cleaning methods for ordinary masonry products in this situation due to the nature of the engraved inscriptions.” So the tests continue – as do the sales of additional pavers (through 12/31/08; order info is available at sealady.org) to be placed next spring or summer, probably “in the east and west paths and in the brick landings of the stairs.”

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59th/Admiral shooting trial update: West Seattle witnesses testify
October 22, 2008 11:56 pm
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 |   Crime | West Seattle news

gavel.jpgToday was the first full day of testimony in the trial of the Alki 18-year-old charged with second-degree murder in the 10/13/07 59th/Admiral shooting; WSB start-to-finish courtroom coverage continues – here’s who testified today, what they said, and what happens next:Read More

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Car break-in and near-theft
October 22, 2008 11:09 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Highland Park | West Seattle news

Drury shares the “nerve-rattling” story – read on:Read More

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Car crushes motorcycle on Alki Ave, rider survives
October 22, 2008 9:01 pm
|      23 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news

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That was the scene in the 2100 block of Alki SW (map) earlier this evening – and though it looks bad, nobody was badly hurt. This happened in the northbound lane — according to police and a witness, the motorcycle had stopped to let a woman walk across the street, in the crosswalk, when the red car came up from behind and plowed right into the stopped motorcycle. Its rider, a man, was hurt, but not seriously, and was taken to the hospital in a private ambulance; the woman driving the car wasn’t hurt but was clearly badly shaken up. The woman walking across the street wasn’t hurt at all – she’s the witness who talked with us. Traffic was being allowed around the scene.

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Election ’08: I-1000 event tomorrow; Prop 1 forum report
October 22, 2008 6:21 pm
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

While Election Day is technically still 13 days away, checkbox.jpgso many people vote by mail that it’s become more like Election Weeks. The presidential and governor’s races are getting lots of play, but you’ll be making other meaningful decisions too – particularly when it comes to several state and local ballot measures. One of the state initiatives, I-1000, “Death With Dignity,” will be explored at a forum tomorrow night at West Seattle High School, sponsored by the WS Ministerial Association, with speakers expected from both sides, 7:30 pm. Meantime, the most-debated local measure on the ballot — Sound Transit Proposition 1, raising the sales tax half a cent — got a thorough airing at this week’s Sustainable West Seattle meeting. If you’re guessing it was a warm, friendly pro-Prop 1 crowd since sustainability and transit seem to go together — not entirely:Read More

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Seen this missing motorcycle?
October 22, 2008 4:05 pm
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

From Mary at Twilight Art Collective (west of Easy Street in The Junction), who usually e-mails us about openings and parties (like their Halloween gala), but is reporting something much different today:

Sad news from us this time. My motorcycle that I often park in front of the gallery was stolen from right in front of my house on 32nd and Holden last night 10.22.08. It’s a German-made MZ 125 sm. Very rare in these parts. I’ve made a flyer with two similar bikes. Mine is black with grey logos exactly like the ones on the lower picture. Please help!!

Here’s that flyer (Wednesday night update, Mary sends word that the reward is up to $500):

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West Seattle vanpool open house expands: Everybody’s welcome!
October 22, 2008 2:43 pm
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 |   Transportation | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

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We told you last week about a vanpool open house that a West Seattle woman is organizing, coming up this Sunday. Just got word that its scope is now expanded – she started off with a plan to look for other vanpoolers interested in getting to Bellevue, but now, all would-be West Seattle vanpoolers are invited to come and find out about this commuting alternative and potentially make some commuting connections, whatever your destination happens to be. The open house is 4:30-5:30 pm at Uptown Espresso in The Junction. It’s not an official Metro event,, but you’ll meet some current vanpoolers there too, in case you have questions on how it really works. (If you can’t make it on Sunday but are interested in finding out more, e-mail the get-together’s organizer, Lisa: l.rough@comcast.net.)

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Junction/Triangle development: Next public update set
October 22, 2008 9:14 am
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Development | Triangle | West Seattle news

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WSB contributing photojournalist Christopher Boffoli captioned that recent photo from the Fauntleroy Place worksite as, “They put the ‘hole’ in ‘Whole Foods’.” The developers behind that project and two others are part of an all-star slate lined up by the Fairmount Community Association for a meeting to which you’re invited: Reps from BlueStar and Harbor Properties (six Triangle/Junction projects between the two) will be there; the association plans to ask them to speak specifically about the projects closest to its neighborhoods, the ones planned along SW Alaska. Also expected to attend, City Councilmembers Tom Rasmussen and Sally Clark. The Fairmount Community Association meeting is at 6:30 pm November 6th in the chapel at The Mount. Those six projects are all in various stages — for BlueStar, Fauntleroy Place is well under way, Spring Hill has finished Design Review, Gateway Center hasn’t gotten to DR yet; for Harbor, Mural is in its final months of construction, Link has finished Design Review, the motel site hasn’t gotten there yet — and this will be an excellent chance to hear what’s new, as well as the latest on new development rules (like the multifamily code proposal — aka townhouse design — Councilmember Clark helped unveil three months ago).

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Thrill the World/West Seattle: It’s almost showtime
October 22, 2008 7:02 am
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 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

thrill.jpgThey’ve been practicing for weeks (see video of their latest dress rehearsal here) – and now it’s almost showtime for the Thrill the World/West Seattle crew, joining forces with the citywide group in the collective attempt to help set a world record this Saturday for dancing to the Michael Jackson classic “Thriller.” Tonight they have one last rehearsal, and then organizer Lora Lewis from Hotwire Coffee (WSB sponsor) says they’ve gotten final approval for the official on-the-record-for-the-record dance to be in Pioneer Square’s Occidental Park at 11 am Saturday – then you have two chances to see them in West Seattle: 2 pm at Easy Street in The Junction, 9 pm at the Admiral Theater. (This is all in the Halloween section of the WSB Holidays page, too.)

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Two angry break-in victims
October 21, 2008 11:29 pm
|      15 COMMENTS
 |   Arbor Heights | Crime | Genesee Hill | West Seattle news

Two of your West Seattle neighbors have e-mailed to let you know what happened when burglars targeted them – one in Arbor Heights, one on Genesee Hill. Sometimes, the Crime Watch reader reports we get are simple and emotionless, but not these two:Read More

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“Living With Wildlife”: Coyote, raccoon tips tonight @ Camp Long
October 21, 2008 10:58 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Coyotes | West Seattle news | Wildlife

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A wild time at Camp Long tonight, as the “Living With Wildlife” presentation offered info about how to do just that – particularly so far as our two biggest wild neighbors are concerned, coyotes and raccoons. Both smart, both requiring specific behavior from all of us so that we can co-exist with as little trouble as possible. Read on for some facts and advice that might surprise you!Read More

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300 more trees suddenly growing in West Seattle
October 21, 2008 8:59 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Environment | West Seattle news

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The city yard belonging to SDOT on 8th SW in Highland Park could be said tonight to resemble something more like S-D-O-Tree. We got word this afternoon that 300 trees had just arrived, destined for plantings in various West Seattle spots, so we went over for a quick pic of city arborist Nolan Rundquist with some of his new charges, which include two types of elm. (These trees are spoken for, but if you’re interested in free street trees sometime in the future, find out more here.)

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59th/Admiral shooting trial update: Testimony begins
October 21, 2008 8:22 pm
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 |   Crime | West Seattle news

gavel.jpgAfter jury selection was completed on Monday, testimony began today in the trial of the 18-year-old charged with murder in the deadly shooting inside a car at 59th/Admiral (map) a year ago. WSB is covering the trial start to finish — read on for today’s report from court:Read More

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City reaction to Coast Guard bridge-rule rejection
October 21, 2008 6:25 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

This morning, we brought you first word of the U.S. Coast Guard‘s decision (read it here) not to grant the City of Seattle request to restrict openings of the Spokane Street “low bridge” during weekday rush hours. We asked for reaction from both City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, who had pursued the idea, and from SDOT, which made the official request. Heard back from both late today — read on:Read More

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Fire on 15th SW: Food on the stove
October 21, 2008 6:14 pm
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 |   Highland Park | West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

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Thanks to WSB contributing photojournalist Christopher Boffoli for providing that photo as well as information about the sizable “fire in single-family residence” call in Highland Park, 7700 block of 15th SW (map). “Food on the stove,” firefighters told Christopher, nobody hurt, but crews had to stay a while, using fans to clear smoke out of the house.

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