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New addition to WSB Forum’s Jobs section
April 11, 2008 5:00 pm
|    Comments Off on New addition to WSB Forum’s Jobs section
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle online | West Seattle people

Just this week, we added a new area to the WSB Forums, for West Seattle-based businesses who are hiring. By request, we have retitled that section West Seattle Jobs Offered and added a West Seattle Jobs Wanted section (where we have moved 2 jobseekers who turned up in the original area). Please follow the rules posted on the main Forums page. Thanks!

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The fall of Gypsy, famous/secret/underground/traveling restaurant
April 11, 2008 11:33 am
|      25 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle people

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A story playing out today in Seattle’s foodie world has a West Seattle hook — which we would never have known, if not for WSB contributor Christopher Boffoli, who not only sent the above photo to illustrate the point of worlds that may exist outside your normal field of view, but also sent his story of the West Seattle link to Gypsy, the “famous/secret/underground/traveling/televised restaurant” that just closed:Read More

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West Seattle Yacht Club: No boat? No problem!
April 10, 2008 1:50 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Fun stuff to do | Seen at sea | West Seattle people

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That’s West Seattle Yacht Club commodore Jim Hanson, showing us the club’s official flag on the bow of his boat “At Ease,” moored at Des Moines Marina, where we talked with him about the club’s open invitation to you to join them for an open house tomorrow night, whether you have a boat or not, and about WSYC activities including their plan to sail in the upcoming Opening Day parade:Read More

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2 West Seattle High School debaters back from triumphant trip
April 9, 2008 5:31 pm
|    Comments Off on 2 West Seattle High School debaters back from triumphant trip
 |   West Seattle people | West Seattle schools

Habiba & Zahra Mohamed from West Seattle High School are back from the Chase Urban Debate National Championship in Chicago, where they took 11th place while representing the Seattle Urban Debate League. Here’s a great account, with pix.

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1st day in the office for Southwest Precinct Capt. Joe Kessler
April 9, 2008 2:16 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people | West Seattle police

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This afternoon we got the chance to spend a few minutes talking with the new leader of West Seattle’s police force (they handle South Park too), Southwest Precinct Capt. Joe Kessler. This was his first official day in the office at the precinct (which is just east of Home Depot). He says he’s thrilled to be working in West Seattle because of strong community involvement — and he considers community participation in info-sharing here at WSB to be part of that. When it was clear some of the department’s top leaders would be moving around this year (we first reported the moves in late February), Capt. Kessler says the Southwest Precinct was his top choice. He says he’s worked before with many people who are based at the SWP, so they’ve already got a good working relationship to start with. As he gets settled in, we’ll be talking with him more about his plans for leading the team that’s working — with your help — to keep West Seattle safe. (Capt. Kessler’s predecessor in the SWP’s top role, Capt. Mike Fann, is now running the Traffic Unit.)

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Fighting colon cancer? Invitation from a West Seattle survivor
April 9, 2008 11:31 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

anitaheadshot.jpgWest Seattle mom of three Anita Mitchell is not just fighting colon cancer, she’s fighting to help other people who are battling it. And that’s why she took time to talk with WSB about how she’s doing and about a celebrity-led event in Seattle this Saturday that’s a must-attend for not just patients, but also their family and friends — an event that wouldn’t be happening if she hadn’t pushed for it:Read More

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West Seattle Chamber of Commerce awards: 2 honored
April 9, 2008 10:02 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people | West Seattle video

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That’s Tom Smith of Tom’s Automotive, honored at the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce‘s annual Awards Breakfast attended by 105 people at Salty’s on Alki this morning as “Business of the Year” — as he mentions in our video, in business 37 years! (Thanks to WSB readers for contributing nominations!) Also honored this morning, Warren Lawless with the Community Service Award; he has been a businessman and community leader in West Seattle for more than 65 years. The awards were presented by deputy mayor Tim Ceis; among those in attendance were other political leaders including West Seattle-residing City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, and countless West Seattle business/community leaders. ADDED 11:52 AM: Here’s a short clip from Warren Lawless’s acceptance speech. He had many great quips drawing audience laughter, but this brief quote seemed to get to the heart of what he was honored for:

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Ever wonder “how can I make a difference?” Read this
April 7, 2008 7:02 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle people | West Seattle schools

Carol Viger, one of the parents who helped organize this weekend’s successful West Seattle High School Grad Night car wash fundraiser (WSB coverage here), sent this to us today to share — a heartfelt tale she titled “Miracle on California Avenue.” For the thousands of volunteers who make the wheels of West Seattle (and so many other communities) turn — this one’s for you … and for everyone who doubted whether joining the volunteer ranks would truly make a difference:

In a secular (public) school miracles happen. Maybe it was the recent Christmas-like snowfall that spurred this realization.

I’m talking about genuine acts of faith and spirituality, and they have for years. We might think that public school is fueled by public servants and funds; a non-religious environment where overt acts of faith are scorned. However, when you stop to think about the acts of faith that happen every day in public school, it is encouraging and heartwarming, and this article intends to acknowledge what is amazing about our community, and especially about our public West Seattle High School, which we should be proud of.

It is a miracle that parents step forward to volunteer in public school. As parents, our kids, and circumstances wear us out often, and yet some of us volunteer for activities that require more energy. Is this insanity? It is not, contrary to one’s first thought. What happens when parents step out the door to volunteer, in this case in public school, is that they discover that their efforts towards the greater good catch fire. It can take a daunting amount of starter fluid and in the beginning a disappointing amount of matches, but when the fire takes hold everyone enjoys the flame and the satisfaction is multiplied due to the mutual benefit reaped by everyone. Along the way, others learn how to build the fire. It is perhaps relevant that the current “Seeds of Compassion” event is being planned in Seattle. We can learn to be good volunteers, to enjoy it and to teach it to our children, much as the current research regarding compassion is proving that the brain is plastic and we can continue to develop and optimize our abilities throughout our life.

The miracles at WSHS are numerous; it is a miracle that any auction happens at a public school. In the last several years I have lost count how many I have attended, but the last few at WSHS have been impressive. The amount of work that goes into them, not to mention the commitment of the people who attend, is inexplicable from the standpoint of a consumer. How does it all comes together seemingly flawlessly, year after year, not to mention the Staff Appreciation Day? The countless hours the numerous good staff basically donate as volunteers outside of their contract, simply because they believe in kids (God Bless Ms Jewell, Ms. Sugden, Ms. Berenter, and so many others!) And then there is Grad Night…yet another miracle.

Many years ago, an individual organized a celebration that would be safe and sane for high school seniors on graduation night. His volunteer effort caught fire and became an occupation, and is now a popular professionally planned and common occurrence among high schools. However, the volunteer flame is still being nurtured, as to make the event affordable for all public school students requires much volunteer and financial support in a public school.

In the case of West Seattle High School, four years ago a group of parents embarked on the first organized “Grad Night,” and bravely plunged forward. This being the fourth year, again a (new) group of parents signed the contracts, proceeding on faith that somehow, some way, they would figure out how to organize for more than 100 kids, the funds would be raised, the students would come, parents would volunteer as well as the students, lives might be saved and memories made. Lending proof to the “Build It and They Will Come” tenant of faith, the amazing WSHS PTSA once again stood behind them, on a limb albeit, but with smiling faces and encouragement. Talk about faith…the PTSA runs the church.

So, the Grad Night Committee just held their second car wash fundraiser April 5th. Again, proceeding on faith that the endeavor would get volunteers (they did! The students were amazing; single working moms, and dads were out there for all they were worth!), and that they would get support (they did! Starbucks‘ 35th drive-through provided coffee and cocoa, and generous bakery donations were given with goodwill from The Original Bakery, Little Rae’s, Salvadorean Bakery, and PCC, which kept the volunteers going and helped us raise probably an additional $350). The community at large was present in the 34th Democratic Caucus and was promising heartily to support Grad Night at Barnes and Noble on the coming weekend’s book fair. At the end of the event, exhausted, one mom volunteer’s last patrons drove up and were about to be informed the car wash ended long ago, when the patrons donated handsomely, committed to chaperoning at the event, and even promising a sponsorship to Grad Night..

It will be interesting to see how the membership of the famous and historically notable WS Alumni membership fares in future years in correlation to Grad Night engagement with our recent four years of graduates. And will they be volunteers? My money is on them.

If you haven’t been a volunteer before, or haven’t volunteered recently, maybe you should reconsider. It really is a lot more enjoyable than watching “America’s Next Top Model”, and it certainly is a real slice of life. Don’t underestimate yourself. Volunteer…somewhere. If it’s for Grad Night, you could be saving a life. You likely will never know, but it will be good leadership on your part, appreciated and more than likely, a lot of fun satisfaction. If you don’t think you are good enough, just hang around the amazing principal at WSHS, Bruce Bivins for a while. You will be convinced that you, and all of us, can do more, and be better individuals than we think we can. If you live in West Seattle you shouldn’t miss out on the rare opportunity to work with a good leader, because the flame is irresistible.

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Former Hart’s Cards and Gifts owner dies
April 6, 2008 8:50 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

This is somewhat old news but we missed it somehow till two people pointed it out last night, so we’re posting it in case you missed it too. Just a few months after selling his Admiral store, which is now the Atomic Boys retro-stuff store, Alan Hart — longtime owner of Hart’s Cards and Gifts — has died at age 67. The obituary published at nwsource.com a few days ago notes he “thoroughly enjoyed his 2 months of retirement.” Here’s the online guest book mentioned in the obituary.

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Thriftway team thrilled by turnout for benefit barbecue
April 5, 2008 5:24 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle people

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Just got word from West Seattle Thriftway in Morgan Junction that today’s barbecue lunch to raise money for employee Julie Lynch and her family raised $3,000! That includes donations as well as food sales. Julie is fighting breast cancer and her co-workers wanted to do something to help make sure she could focus more on recovery and less on finances. They’re thankful for everybody who chipped in.

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Remembering “Auntie”
April 4, 2008 8:32 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle people

We don’t have an “obituary” section (though it’s been suggested), but when DeAnna Piccini e-mailed to ask that we publish one for her great-aunt, whose Funeral Mass is at Holy Rosary tomorrow, we found it hard to say no:Read More

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West Seattle native fights back from bizarre surfing injury
April 3, 2008 11:53 pm
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

addie.jpgThat’s 20-year-old Adrianna “Addie” Killam, who grew up in West Seattle — graduating from Our Lady of Guadalupe in 2002, Holy Names Academy in 2006, then heading to Arizona to go to college at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical and Engineering University. Today, she traveled home to Seattle on a plane from Maui – but it was no tourism flight – it was a “medical lift” so that Addie could be admitted to the University of Washington Medical Center for therapy and rehab after a spring-break surfing jaunt left her with a spinal-cord injury. Family friend Maureen Emerson e-mailed WSB to help get the word out about Addie’s injury — which didn’t happen the way you might think after hearing the phrase “surfing injury” — and her fight to recover, which she’s chronicling online:Read More

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New captain in charge @ Southwest Precinct
April 2, 2008 2:50 pm
|    Comments Off on New captain in charge @ Southwest Precinct
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people | West Seattle police

kessler.jpgWe told you in late February about the impending transition, and now it’s happened. After almost 3 years, Captain Mike Fann has left the Southwest Precinct and is now in charge of the Traffic Division, and Captain Joe Kessler (left) is now in charge of the SWP. His bio is now on the precinct website too; read it here.

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Huge thanks to YOU! Another record month here at WSB
April 2, 2008 12:29 pm
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle online | West Seattle people

We were starting to put this together as something to send to West Seattle businesses as advertising info but realized we really should share it with everybody right here on the site – because WSB has become a place not only where we post West Seattle news, information, photos and video for you here on the main page and in our additional sections, but also, most excitingly, a place where you communicate directly with your West Seattle neighbors, in the ever-growing WSB Forums as well as in comments on main-page posts. So these numbers are about you, not just about us: In the month of March, WSB had another record month — 426,980 pageviews — that’s almost 14,000 per day (on pace for more than 5,000,000 this year). The number of households and businesses visiting WSB each day averages more than 4,600 — keep in mind, that’s not people, that’s IP addresses, so in some cases – big companies, government agencies, etc. — many visitors can only be counted as one (that’s one of the few weak points of Internet statistics-measuring). Over the course of each week, more than 11,000 households/businesses visit WSB at least once. There’s a lot of other stuff we’re excited about, such as the continued content growth (311 home-page news articles during the month of March, an average of 10 per day; the new “West Seattle 101” section, etc.) and best of all, the expanding community connection, with our sponsorship of West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day coming up on May 10, the next West Seattle Community Recognition Awards coming up April 18, Disaster Readiness info that you will find here on WSB throughout this month, and most exciting of all – the WSB Forum Community members banding together to organize fundraisers, with the Handbags for Hunger success last month and plans well under way for the April 19 fundraiser to help the arson victims at Puget Sound Key and Lock get back on their feet. THANK YOU FOR CREATING SUCH A STRONG ONLINE COMMUNITY and for helping spread the word about WSB – and for continuing to send us news, events, info, photos, questions, ideas (e-mail, text or phone us any time). This type of community-news site is a concept that is just starting to catch on in cities across the country, and we are proud and energized to have you as a partner, helping build a trailblazing, independently owned local site to help enhance existing community connections and create new ones – whether you are a reader, a sponsor, or both. (Please support and thank our sponsors for helping make it possible for this site to keep growing as a place for you to share information and get the latest news; they’re all listed here.)

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CoolMoms launches West Seattle group: 1st meeting tomorrow
April 1, 2008 11:01 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Confused about climate change? A Seattle-based group has a website coolmomgrab.jpgwhere you can check the facts, and the myths, as vetted by a panel of scientific advisers. No, this isn’t some academic group, or someone who’s trying to get you to go wave protest signs downtown. It’s CoolMom.org – a moms’ group founded to support lower-ecological-impact lifestyles — and the real-life CoolMoms, including a Morgan Junction entrepreneur who co-founded the group, are launching a West Seattle chapter with a gathering tomorrow night. Meet them and read what it’s all about:Read More

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West Seattle Chamber leaders: Eyes on the big picture
March 31, 2008 7:09 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

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If you don’t know them already, meet Dawn Leverett and Patti Mullen — board president and executive director, respectively, of the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce. As changes aplenty propel West Seattle into a bigger, busier future, they are among the key people looking at “the big picture” and fighting to ensure WS is more than a bedroom community whose residents have to squeeze through a worsening bottleneck to work and shop elsewhere. WSB sat down with them both a few days ago for an in-depth chat:Read More

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2 items from Thriftway: Egg-hunt pix, plus a chance to help
March 29, 2008 9:35 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | How to help | West Seattle people

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Those are some of the folks who, as we showed you last Saturday, thronged West Seattle Thriftway in Morgan Junction exactly a week ago for its annual kids’ egg hunt. Thriftway has just posted dozens of its own pix online and is inviting families who participated to come have a look and send them a note if you want a copy (find the Easter pix here). In the same e-mail, Thriftway also asked us to share news of a benefit barbecue coming up next Saturday (4/5): Thriftway employee Julie Lynch is battling breast cancer — a cause that the Thriftway team has long been active in (see this page) — and the store’s going to cook up burgers next Saturday (April 5) to offer a burger/chips/soda lunch for $7, all proceeds to Julie and her family. (In case you lose track of that event or anything else going on in West Seattle, just keep a daily eye on our Events list page, updated multiple times daily.)

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Speaking of well-deserved honors: It’s nomination time!
March 28, 2008 11:37 pm
|    Comments Off on Speaking of well-deserved honors: It’s nomination time!
 |   West Seattle online | West Seattle people

trophy.jpgThe second quarterly West Seattle Community Recognition Awards will be announced in three weeks, and you’ve got about one week to nominate people who are working to make this a better place! The first-ever awards — brainchild of Divina‘s Julie Mireille Anderson — were announced at a January get-together at Capers; we then profiled the recipients here on WSB — Cindi Barker from Morgan Junction, Larry Carpenter from Alki, and Paul Sureddin from Fairmount Springs. So who’s next? Up to you! Forms are available at Divina (California/Genesee) and other participating businesses, or you can download it here (it’s a Word doc so you can use “replace” and type the info “inline”), and e-mail the completed form to us at westseattleblog@yahoo.com; explanatory info is here. Then mark your calendar for the informal gathering April 18 at which we’ll announce the winners!

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Lafayette Elementary teacher honored
March 28, 2008 10:25 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle people | West Seattle schools

While away from the keyboard for a few hours tonight, we received two notes (thank you!) that Lafayette Elementary fifth-grade teacher Catherine Bloom was honored today as the STAR 101.5 “Teacher of the Week”; checking their website, it appears to be a new program they just started this month. (Disclosure: As we mention on our “about” page, Mrs. Bloom is one of the fabulous people who taught and helped the Junior Member of the WSB Team in his Lafayette days.) This is her last year, so what a great time for a well-deserved honor — congratulations, Mrs. Bloom!

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What’s the rush? New 2-wheeled anti-speeding campaign
March 28, 2008 6:33 pm
|      24 COMMENTS
 |   Safety | Transportation | West Seattle people

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There you see neighborhood activists Nancy Folsom from North Delridge and Miranda Taylor from High Point, gearing up outside Skylark about an hour ago for a southbound bike ride during the Delridge commute. Their goal was small and simple, yet big in its own way – be a presence on the road to remind vehicle drivers that city streets aren’t high-speed expressways. They’re thinking this could grow into a bigger group activity; we’ll let you know about their future plans once we hear how this one went.

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West Seattle Chamber of Commerce announces winners
March 28, 2008 10:13 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Just in from the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce – the official announcement of its Business of the Year and Community Service award winners: Business of the Year goes to Tom Smith for Tom’s Automotive; Community Service goes to Warren Lawless. Both have worked in the West Seattle community for decades; according to the Chamber announcement, Tom’s has been in business for more than 37 years and — quoting the announcement regarding Warren Lawless — “Since 1938 he has been a constant force and a very active participant in numerous West Seattle organizations.” You can be on hand to honor them both when the WS C of C presents the awards during a breakfast event at Salty’s on Alki, 7:30 am April 9. The reservation deadline is next Thursday; go to the West Seattle Chamber website for more on that.

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Congratulations to five West Seattle middle-schoolers
March 27, 2008 6:52 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people | West Seattle schools

This city news release today announced middle-school students from around the city chosen for the Mayor’s Scholar Awards; they had to write essays about how they contribute to their communities, and about what they would do with the $500 prize — here are the winners from West Seattle schools:

Mia Kaiser-Nielsen, Pathfinder K-8, 6th grade
Princess-Nyosha McWilliams, Pathfinder K-8, 8th grade
Adriana Tabile, Madison Middle School, 6th grade
Miranda Taylor, Denny Middle School, 8th grade
Amleset Tesfamariam, Madison Middle School, 8th grade

They and the other winners from around the city will be honored with a reception May 29. Meantime, reminder – if you’re ever looking for a comprehensive list of West Seattle schools, public and private, we have one with weblinks, addresses, and maplinks, on this page; we also have a section of the WSB Forums set aside for school-related discussion.

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So you wanna be a star? Two new things to try
March 25, 2008 10:11 am
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people | WS culture/arts

First: C & P Coffee is hosting an April Fool’s talent show – no foolin’! – 6-8 pm 4/1, to support Gatewood Elementary. Families welcome; sign up at C & P or click to e-mail. Second: Twelfth Night Productions is kicking off opening night of its next play, “Deathtrap,” with a Dyan Cannon lookalike contest. (The former West Seattleite turned movie star, previously known as Diane Friesen (Miss West Seattle Hi-Yu 1955!), starred in the movie version in the early ’80s. From that same era – since we couldn’t find a free-use photo of her, we found this early ’80s YouTube clip (a tiny bit risque’) of Cannon with TV legend Johnny Carson:

Back to the lookalike contest – it’s planned for 7:15 pm Friday, “Deathtrap” opening night @ Youngstown Arts Center. How to enter, you ask? From the Twelfth Night announcement:

To enter the contest, please e-mail a photo of you as Dyan Cannon, as well as your name, age, phone number and e-mail address to Twelfth Night Productions, janeatay (at) msn.com. Both men and women are encouraged to apply.

The contest winner will be awarded the title “Miss West Seattle of 1955 of 2008.”

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