VIDEO: ‘Delridge, all the way!’ Neighborhood-focused forum for Seattle City Council District 1, feedback clickers & all

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Last night’s Seattle City Council District 1 candidate forum at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center was a first even in this election year of many firsts – first one with audience-feedback clickers, first one specifically and pointedly insisting that candidates explain how they would outline and take action on particular priorities for Delridge, aka eastern West Seattle.

The forum was organized by, and held in the regular monthly meeting slot for, the Delridge Neighborhoods District Council, whose chair Mat McBride energetically emceed it over the course of almost two hours at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center.

There to answer the questions and goodnaturedly endure the feedback were seven of the nine D-1 candidates you’ll see on your August 4th ballot – left to right across the stage, Phillip Tavel, Shannon Braddock, Arturo Robles, Lisa Herbold, Jody Rushmer, Karl Wirsing, Chas Redmond. McBride explained that Brianna Thomas had RSVPd to participate as well but had to cancel at the last minute because of a family-health emergency.

Each person in attendance was offered a clicker-type device to be used after each candidate’s reply to a question, with four options for rating the reply, with the results then shown on the big screen behind the candidates. Here’s what the clicker (borrowed from the city Department of Neighborhoods, which uses them at certain types of meetings, according to district coordinator Kerry Wade) looked like:

Each of the seven participating candidates had randomly drawn a specific Delridge-priority question to answer in the first round, then got to choose which one of the priorities to address in round two, and finally, it was “talk about whatever you want” for round three. Our first clip has the introduction to the event plus the first round:

Ahead, highlights of the replies from our as-it-happened notes, plus video of the second and third rounds:
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West Seattle Crime Watch: Recognize (what’s left of) this car? Plus, keyed & insulted

Two quick West Seattle Crime Watch reader reports:

DUMPED? The photo was texted to us from 38th and Juneau, where that trashed BMW turned up about an hour and a half ago. The texter says no plate or VIN were in view. Police have been notified.

KEYED AND TAUNTED: From Andrew:

Our car was keyed (last) night near the West Seattle Health Club between 5:50 & 7:30 pm. It was parked on the right side of SW Yancy St. on the opposite side of the street from the club. To make this incident worse, this person left a printed card with the slogan “Hey… You parked like a total a–hole, stop doing that.” Hope this doesn’t happen to anyone else as it is super sad that people waste their time with acts like this.

City-run community centers’ future: Two ways to have your say

June 18, 2015 11:13 am
|    Comments Off on City-run community centers’ future: Two ways to have your say
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Seattle’s city-run community centers have gone through a lot of changes in recent years – particularly dating back to major cuts announced here in 2011. Now, Seattle Parks and Recreation is taking a big-picture look at what’s next, and asking for your thoughts as the department works on a Community Center Strategic Plan. This Saturday, they’re having a citywide community meeting, 10 am-noon at Seattle Center. Since that’s a busy day (two festivals here in West Seattle alone), we asked if this event would be followed up by neighborhood-specific conversations; answer, no. But if you can’t make it to the downtown event (or even if you can!), Parks’ policy manager Susan Golub tells WSB, you can have your say via an online survey that’s open right now – just go here. Its goal, says Golub: To “collect information on what services/ programs people would like to see at community centers, what barriers there are to using centers and much more.”

West Seattle Thursday: Junction art; global sustainability; business networking; music & dance via Duwamish Revealed …

One more look at that showstopper sunset from Wednesday night – courtesy of David Hutchinson. (Here’s our gallery of photos shared last night – thank you again to everyone who shares photos, from sunsets to breaking news and more!) Between now and tonight’s sunset, whatever it brings, here are the spotlight events from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

TODDLER STORY TIME: 11:30 am at High Point Library – stories, rhymes, songs, and fun! (35th/Raymond)

BUSINESS NETWORKING: Join the West Seattle chapter of I Take The Lead for a networking event tonight at 6 pm at Pizzeria 22 – details in our calendar listing. (4213 SW College)

JUNCTION NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATION: This month’s rescheduled meeting is tonight at 6:30 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle. From JuNO director René Commons:

Lezlie Jane, West Seattle artist, will engage our community with a presentation for two art installations she is creating for Junction 47 – the new building on California & Alaska, kitty-corner from Easy Street Records. There are 11 small glass sculptures and 10 historical bronze panels planned for exterior niches around the building. JuNO has been involved with the WS Community group working with the City behind the scenes for five years to seek amenities like wider sidewalks, underground utilities and artwork for our community. We will discuss concepts for 10 historical panels and glass sculptures.

Please join us if you can to provide community input!

All are welcome. (Oregon/California)

SEATTLE FOLLOWUP TO POPE’S ENVIRONMENTAL ENCYCLICAL: Pope Francis has declared climate change to be “one of the principal challenges facing humanity.” Now what? As previewed here, all are welcome at Our Lady of Guadalupe tonight at 7 pm for an event reacting to and exploring the Pope’s declaration and how to live more sustainably. (35th/Myrtle)

OPEN MICROPHONE AT C & P: Monthly “Unplugged!” open-microphone event at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7 pm; details in our calendar listing. (5612 California SW)

DUWAMISH REVEALED: Just across the river tonight at 7, it’s the next event in this all-along-the-river ongoing art project:

An evening of folkloric song and dance along the river, at The Estuary:

The Lonely Coast (Valerie Holt & Anne Mathews) perform close-harmony duets of folk and traditional music from Europe and the Americas.

Ballet Folklorico Angeles de Mexico shares Mexican culture in a welcoming environment where people from 5 to 105 can have fun and experience traditions from all over Mexico. Founder and director Aurelia Ramos has over 30 years of folkloric dancing experience. As part of Duwamish Revealed, she and her dance partner Jose Antonio Malagon Garcia “Pepe” will be teaching a 12-week series of free folkloric dance workshops, ending with a performance at the Duwamish Water Festival on Sunday, Aug. 16th. All are welcome. Workshops May 16 – August 8 on Saturdays, 2-6 pm at the South Park Neighborhood Center (8201 10th Ave S); and Tuesdays, 6:30-10 pm at Holy Family School (9622 20th Ave SW).

The address for tonight’s event is 4651 Diagonal Ave. S. (just off East Marginal Way)

BEYOND WHAT YOU SEE ABOVE … browse our calendar, right now or any time.

Morgan Junction Community Festival countdown: The music!

June 18, 2015 9:40 am
|    Comments Off on Morgan Junction Community Festival countdown: The music!
 |   West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

Two days away from the Morgan Junction Community Festival (presented by the Morgan Community Association, with co-sponsors including WSB), this Saturday in and around Morgan Junction Park, 10:30 am-6 pm. In this preview – the music lineup, as announced by festival organizers:

10 am – Allison Preisinger – Folk Rock, Singer/Songwriter

10:45 am – Baker James – Acoustic Folk and a bit of Rock

(11:30 am, music breaks for the Bubbleman performance)

1 pm – Ellis Brothers – Jazz Trio

2 pm – McKenzie’s Folly – Celtic Music Group

3 pm – Tongan Choir – Pacific Islander Songs and Dances

4:15 pm – Alan Ehrlich – Varied Song Genres

5:15 pm – Acoustic set

6 pm – Festival ends

The stage is in Morgan Junction Park; the festival is on both sides of California SW north of Fauntleroy Way SW – in the park, behind Zeeks Pizza (WSB sponsor) / Feedback Lounge, and alongside Washington Federal. Previous previews:

*Kids’ activities
*Pet parade & contests
*Meet local authors
*Food

See you there on Saturday!

TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Thursday watch; weekend preview

June 18, 2015 7:40 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Thursday watch; weekend preview
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Nothing unusual reported so far in today’s outbound commute.

CITYWIDE WEEKEND ROUNDUP: Now that we’re moving into summer-event season, SDOT takes its weekly look at what’s ahead around the city; this edition includes Saturday’s Morgan Junction Community Festival, though no street closures are involved. If you’ve been away or mega-busy, by the way, remember on Sunday that the West Seattle Farmers’ Market is now on California SW between Alaska and Oregon and that block is off-limits to vehicles 7 am-4 pm Sundays. (The debut drew more than three times as many people as usually attend, market management says!)

5 PM: Alki traffic alert – thanks to Suzanne for info on the crash, and the photo:

What’s up (there)? Skies Over West Seattle, June-July 2015 edition

June 18, 2015 2:34 am
|    Comments Off on What’s up (there)? Skies Over West Seattle, June-July 2015 edition
 |   Skies Over West Seattle | West Seattle news

By Alice Enevoldsen
Special to West Seattle Blog

Venus. Venus, Venus, Venus, Venus, Venus. Oh, and also Jupiter and then Regulus, but mostly Venus. That’s what we’ve been seeing every night gleaming in the West, so bright I keep thinking it must be an airplane.


(Click image to see it full-size: Looking west from West Seattle at 10:30 pm in mid-June 2015)

Venus will continue to brighten until July 12th before slowly beginning to get dimmer. I highly recommend the article about the difference between Venus’s greatest elongation, greatest illuminated extent, and maximum brightness by Guy Ottewell. As with many things in astronomy and observing there are a number of “best” or “most” moments, and his article clearly illustrates the ones applicable to Venus this month. It continues to be a wonderful observing target for the rest of the month and next month.

EVENTS

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UPDATE: 3-car crash at 32nd and Thistle in Westwood

(WSB photos)
10:27 PM: Police are blocking off SW Thistle at 34th because of a crash just to the east, at 32nd and Thistle. Multiple cars involved; our crew is still trying to find out more at the scene.

10:33 PM: At least two people are hurt; one is being taken to the hospital, and the other is still being evaluated at the scene. Three cars are involved.

10:37 PM: Police at the scene tell us TCIS is not being called out – no life-threatening injuries – so this scene will clear after tow trucks arrive to move the vehicles. SFD has tweeted that it’s taking a 33-year-old man “in stable condition” to Harborview Medical Center.

11:59 PM: Just got a chance to go check the area to be sure the scene is clear … it is.

PHOTOS: Spectacular almost-summer West Seattle sunset

9:23 PM: Thanks to Jissy for being the first to send a photo of the truly spectacular sunset that’s gracing the northwestern sky right now. We’ll add more if we get them! (editor@westseattleblog.com)

9:41 PM: Thanks to those who’ve tweeted …

… and to those who’ve e-mailed. From Chris Frankovich:

From Darren Pilon, the sunset over the Arbor Heights Elementary construction site:

From Greg Snyder:

From Lynn Hall:

10:14 PM: Still adding – this one came in via text (remember we don’t see names with texts and don’t generally know your phone number on sight, so please mention your name so we can credit you!):

From Don Brubeck via e-mail:

And from Kristin Widman, taken at Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor):

Adding a few more when we get back to the keyboard in a bit – been dealing with breaking news.

12:37 AM: And two from beach level – this is from Paula G:

And from Jeremiah:

P.S. Speaking of sunsets … Saturday night, it’s Solstice Sunset Watch with Alice Enevoldsen, 8:45 pm at Solstice Park.

FOLLOWUP: Repeat drunk driver jailed after bridge crash, bail set at $100,000

(WSB reader photo from Tuesday crash, courtesy Raquel)
The man who flipped his car on the eastbound West Seattle Bridge Tuesday afternoon is a repeat drunk driver who is in jail right now, bail set at $100,000. He and his 1-year-old daughter, who was in the back seat, escaped injury, as did the people in the three other cars involved, according to Seattle Fire. But police soon discovered that he was wanted on a warrant, which is why we’re identifying him as 32-year-old Christopher T. Martin of Renton.

According to the documents from his bail hearing this afternoon, Martin first told police the crash happened because he was passing a snack to his daughter, then later said he wasn’t sure why he crashed. Police also say he first told them he had been driving a gray Honda, when in reality he had been driving a red Ford. Police said he smelled of alcohol, and that he told them he had consumed one alcoholic drink 5 or 6 hours earlier, and also smoked “a bowl” of marijuana. They discovered Martin had a warrant for failing to appear in connection with a drunk-driving case that happened downtown three years ago; we looked up that case and found he had taken a breath test that showed him at three times the legal drunkenness level, and that his record at that time showed two DUI arrests in 2010 and two in 2003. Prosecutors wrote at that time that Martin “either cannot or will not refrain from driving impaired and is a grave danger to the community.” The case remains unresolved because of his failure to appear, for which an arrest warrant was issued in September 2012. (He had been allowed out on work release weeks after his May 2012 arrest.)

The new court documents also say he was driving despite a suspended driver license. According to Seattle Fire, neither Martin nor his toddler were hurt in the crash. King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office spokesperson Dan Donohoe says a judge found probable cause to hold Martin for investigation of reckless driving, reckless endangerment, and negligent driving while prosecutors review the case for potential charges; he’s due back in court on Friday.

Student safety: How SPD followed up after chief’s Denny visit

(WSB photo from June 1st @ Denny)
Two weeks after Seattle Police Chief Kathleen O’Toole visited Denny International Middle School and heard students request more help from police in staying safe (WSB coverage here), members of her department followed up to start making good on that promise. Southwest/South Precincts Crime Prevention Coordinator Mark Solomon shares these notes of what happened when they visited the Denny/Sealth campus this past Monday, one day before the last day of school, particularly to lay the groundwork for a safer start next fall:

* SPD Reps met up with students and staff at 12:40 at classroom

* Walked SW Kenyon Street between 2600 Block and Delridge SW

* Walked from Kenyon & Delridge to Holden & Delridge; observed Holden Stairs; returned to Denny via same route

* Mark drove routes between Denny/Sealth Campus and Westwood Village to observe areas about which students expressed concerns.

* SPD Officers spoke with students about ways to minimize their chances for victimization (Robbery/Assault)

* Discussed the possibility of SPD officers getting together with students at the beginning of the school year to discuss safety measures; being proactive and focus on prevention vs. being reactionary.

Measures in Progress

* Mark will work with Youth Ambassadors and Denny Staff through the summer to engage surrounding neighbors to form Block Watch groups with have Denny/Sealth student safety as a prime focus.

* Mark will facilitate communication between the Youth Ambassadors Program and The Seattle Youth Violence Prevention Initiative regarding the Safe Passages Program (a group of adult volunteers who provide a presence in the Rainier Beach community between the 1400-1800 hrs on school days to deter youth violence and disorder). The goal is to try to implement this program for the Denny/Sealth campus area by the fall of 2015.

Recommendations

* Raise tree canopy on SW Kenyon Street Between 2400 – 2600 Blocks. Tree canopy should be no lower than 8′ to ensure good lines of sight for pedestrians transiting SW Kenyon ST.

* Request SDOT conduct additional vegetation clearing at dead end of SW Kenyon ST & 24th Ave SW.

* Request SDOT conduct vegetation clearing along trail/walkway/bridge over creek between Delridge WY SW & 24th Ave SW along SW Kenyon Street (Longfellow Creek Legacy Trail).

* Request additional vegetation clearing be done on the Holden Stairs, between Delridge WY SY & 20th Ave SW. (possible return of the goat herd?)

* Request vegetation clearing along the non-through streets of 26th Ave SW, 25th Ave SW and the North/South Alley that runs parallel between those two streets, between SW Thistle Street and SW Trenton ST. Students use these corridors to transit anyway; let’s open them up to reduce cover and concealment.

* SPD conduct student safety assembly at the beginning of the 2015-16 school year.

West Seattle development: Revised CVS design; Whittaker’s 2nd crane; another South Delridge plan

Three West Seattle development notes this afternoon:

REVISED CVS STORE DESIGN: One week from tomorrow – at 6:30 pm Thursday, June 25th – the Southwest Design Review Board will again take an “early design guidance” look at the planned CVS drugstore at 4722 Fauntleroy Way SW, and the “design packet” with the revised proposal is now available online – see it here. Board members’ first look at potential size/shape options in March ended with a “try again” directive (WSB coverage here); this project’s big challenge is seen as the the owners from whom CVS is leasing the land will not allow a mixed-use project, though the site is zoned for it, so the project team is expected to design it in a way that will still fit with a densifying neighborhood drawing increased foot traffic, and the new “preferred plan” is described as one with a “pocket park” feel – take a look at the packet and see for yourself. Public comment is welcome at the June 25th meeting, which will be at the board’s usual meeting place, the Senior Center of West Seattle.

The CVS is planned right across the street from the biggest project under construction in West Seattle, for which we also have an update:

(Recent photo by Long Bach Nguyen; Whittaker site is in lower-center)
THE WHITTAKER’S SECOND CRANE: One crane has been up at the south end of The Whittaker‘s Edmunds/Fauntleroy/Alaska site for almost two months, and now the second is on the way. The second crane’s base is up and a project-team spokesperson tells WSB its installation is expected on Monday, June 29th.

SOUTH DELRIDGE PROJECT: Last week, we had first word of a South Delridge site, 9021 17th SW, where a 31-apartment building is proposed. Today, city files have turned up a new early-stage plan on the next block to the west – one house to be demolished on a 4,400-square-foot lot at 9043 18th SW, with eight townhouses to subsequently be built on that lot and the vacant site (already subdivided into four parcels) to the south of it.

THURSDAY: Our Lady of Guadalupe to host Seattle-wide followup to Pope’s environmental encyclical

June 17, 2015 1:39 pm
|    Comments Off on THURSDAY: Our Lady of Guadalupe to host Seattle-wide followup to Pope’s environmental encyclical
 |   Environment | West Seattle news | West Seattle religion

Tomorrow, worldwide news will be made by a major statement expected from Pope Francis, about the environment and climate change (some of it’s already been leaked). Then tomorrow night, Seattle-area Catholics will follow it up with an event here in West Seattle. The announcement:

Pope Francis’ much anticipated encyclical on the environment will be celebrated at a 7 p.m. service Thursday, June 18, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 7100 35th Ave. SW.

All are invited to the 7 p.m. service to gather with local Catholic, ecumenical, and environmental leaders to honor Pope Francis’ call to protect the Earth. Speakers include:

· Fr. Jack Walmesley, pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Parish

· Dr. Catherine Punsalan-Manlimos, director of the Institute of Catholic Thought and Culture at Seattle University

· Dan and Robyn Campbell, parishioners at Our Lady of Guadalupe

· Jessie Dye, program & outreach director of Earth Ministry/Washington Interfaith Power & Light

There will also be the opportunity for a tour of the parish grounds, which feature solar panels, a children’s solar kiosk, a rain garden, a National Wildlife Federation Certified Wildlife Habitat peace garden, green buildings, and other energy-saving measures that have made the parish a leader in environmental sustainability.

Background: On the morning of June 18 in Rome, the Vatican will release the first comprehensive Catholic moral statement on caring for creation in the face of climate change. The pope’s encyclical, titled “Praised Be” (or Laudato Sii in Latin), is expected to make three key points: 1) Catholic teaching calls for protecting God’s creation; 2) humans cause climate change, which is a serious moral issue; and 3) the time to act is now – specific personal and public policy measures are needed to address global warming.

The encyclical will explicitly name climate change as one of the greatest threats to life on Earth, which poses particular challenges here in the Pacific Northwest where glaciers are melting, drought and forest fires are intensifying, and fossil fuel projects threaten Native American and other communities.

“’Praised Be,’ a call from Pope Francis to inspire us to care for creation, will resonate with Catholics throughout the region,” predicts Father Jack Walmesley, Our Lady of Guadalupe pastor.

All are invited to the event at OLG – more info here.

West Seattle Crime Watch: Bicycle stolen; truck found; purse back

The reader reports in this West Seattle Crime Watch report include some good news. But first, a new theft:

STOLEN BIKE: That bicycle was stolen from a garage in the 4500 block of SW Henderson (map) on Tuesday morning between 6:30 and 7:30 am. A police report is filed; please call 911 if you see it.

FOUND TRUCK: Last Friday, we published this reader report about a stolen red pickup truck. That helped its owners get it back, and they e-mailed this update late last night:

We couldn’t be more excited to report that our Red Ford F-150 XLT pick up was recovered late (Tuesday) afternoon in West Seattle.

Further, we directly attribute the successful return of our vehicle to two things:

1. The West Seattle Blog – The SPD officers specifically called out the West Seattle Blog, how they had remembered seeing the photo of our truck and description on the blog. We feel so fortunate that the blog, its staff, and the community responded so quickly and got the word out. It is so awesome to have such an incredible resource, for all types of information, in West Seattle.

2. SPD – West Seattle – We couldn’t be more proud to have met a handful of these guys today. After talking with them for over an hour, we certainly feel we’re lucky to have these guys looking out for us. And they do, every day, even when when they’re off the clock. They have our deepest appreciation and heartfelt thanks.

Johnny and Kalynn

STOLEN PURSE RETURNED: We also published word last Friday of a purse theft, and have an update from the purse’s owner: “it was returned anonymously; the ID and important papers were all in it.”

THEFT/TRESPASSING: Another reader report details an incident that started with a man parking on the street by her residence in the 2100 block of SW Holden on Monday and emptying items of “his very packed car onto my parking strip. It’s clear he is living in the vehicle. When I got home from work around 6 pm my housemate informed me that he saw some of my possessions in his car. The man had gone onto my property and stolen metal yard art from my flower garden. I called 911 while my housemate and neighbor confronted the man. He admitted to trespassing and stealing and explained it was an accident and after some time returned one item. I suspect he had more items, but I felt too intimidated to confront him further and didn’t want to spend time outside inventorying because he proceeded to shout and scream he would shoot anyone who messed with his family. He then took the paper items strewn about and shoved them into the grill and wheel wells of a Car2Go vehicle across the street. He settled down around 9:30 pm.” She says police finally came to check it out Tuesday morning; as of Tuesday afternoon, the man and his car were still there, and she wanted to alert people in the area to call 911 if they see an intruder on their property.

West Seattle Wednesday: Council candidates @ Youngstown; Kids’ Night @ WordsWest; college; comedy; coworking…

June 17, 2015 9:45 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Wednesday: Council candidates @ Youngstown; Kids’ Night @ WordsWest; college; comedy; coworking…
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photographed at Alki last weekend by Joe Szilagyi)

That dog looks like a potential Bark of Morgan candidate … but the festival’s not until Saturday. Right now, we’re looking ahead to the rest of today/tonight – five highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

LEAVE YOUR HOME (OR COFFEE SHOP) OFFICE … at noon today, to go meet others working nontraditionally in West Seattle, during the free weekly meetup at West Seattle Office Junction (WSB sponsor), this area’s only coworking center. (6040 California SW)

LOOKING AHEAD TO COLLEGE: Don’t wait to learn the hard way that it’s never too soon to start planning. Check out this free workshop for youth looking ahead, at High Point Community Center, 4-5 pm – details here. (6940 34th SW)

KIDS’ NIGHT @ WORDSWEST LITERARY SERIES: 6 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), this month’s event is “Kids’ Night at WordsWest ­- Build a Summer Reading List! with Sundee Frazier and Charles & Elisheba Johnson” – details here. And Leslie Sumida from the West Seattle Library is the featured “favorite poem” reader. (5612 California SW)

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES? Tonight’s 7 pm forum presented by the Delridge Neighborhoods District Council includes a chance for you to give instant feedback (it’ll be explained as the forum begins). The format:

Round 1 – Each candidate draws a Delridge Priority from a special hat and allotted five minutes to address the priority.

Round 2 – Each candidate will present on the Delridge Priority of their choice. Two minutes allotted.

Round 3 – (time permitting) – Freestyle! Candidates will share (what) they would like. One or more minutes allotted, depending on time available.

Come early for dinner – the Spice on Curve Indian-food truck will be on site starting at 6 pm. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

FUNNY @ THE FEEDBACK: 8 pm comedy at Feedback Lounge in Morgan Junction – see the lineup here. (6451 California SW)

2016 West Seattle Wildlife Calendar: Help it take off!

June 17, 2015 8:50 am
|    Comments Off on 2016 West Seattle Wildlife Calendar: Help it take off!
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

The first-ever West Seattle Wildlife Calendar featuring photos by Mark Wangerin, who kindly has shared so many here on WSB, was a hit – sold out, raising money for students at Chief Sealth International High School, where Mark taught for so long.

Now the small independent local publisher that printed his calendar, Mark House Publishing (which donated ALL proceeds from it), is getting ready for a 2016 West Seattle Wildlife Calendar. Mark and Mark House are hoping for a little help, so the calendar sales can yield even more for the students: They’re crowdfunding to raise money to help cover the print run of 500. Laura Robb of Mark House explains:

Just like last year, the calendar sales will benefit Chief Sealth International High School environmental programs. Last year the sales netted Chief Sealth $1200 and helped them host the WAGIN leadership conference for 200+ students at Sealth in March.

With double the run of calendars this year, our goal is $2500. However, if we can crowdfund the printing costs, the donation could rise to $5000. We need people to contribute just $10 to the campaign. $10 will print 2 calendars and net the students over $20. For contributors of $50 or more, we are offering an autographed print of Mark’s bald eagle photo from the cover of the 2016 calendar, as seen above. Here’s how to contribute.

The calendar will go on sale in September; if you’re interested in pre-ordering it, e-mail markhousepublish@gmail.com.

TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Wednesday updates and alerts

(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Quiet commute so far. Two alerts to mention:

ALKI SW RAMP WORK: SDOT announced yesterday that you’ll see work crews installing two curb ramps at crossings on Alki Ave. SW over the span of about a week and a half, starting today.

47TH/ADMIRAL/WAITE SIGNAL & CROSSWALKS: If you’re traveling through this area, you might have to pause as the final phase of work intensifies, as noted here on Tuesday.

9:09 AM: Traffic still sludgingly slow, per commenters … no incidents on the 911 log or scanner.

Morgan Junction Community Festival countdown continues: Food

Another day closer to the Morgan Junction Community Festival (presented by the Morgan Community Association, with co-sponsors including WSB), this Saturday in and around Morgan Junction Park, 10:30 am-6 pm. In this preview – the food you’ll find! From festival organizers:

Food Trucks

This year the returning Hungry Me and the newly launched Nibbles, as well as Sweet Bumpas Ice Cream, will be in the Washington Federal parking lot at the northeast corner of Fauntleroy and California from 11:00 to 6:00. Hungry Me offers Asian fusion dishes, such as their signature “Kao Man Gai” (poached chicken and rice) and vegetarian, gluten-free “Peanut Sauce Curry.” Nibbles specializes in Southwest fusion dishes. Their “Smoky Meatloaf Sandwich” and “Grandma GG’s Shortcake” menu items sound tempting. This month, Nibble has been in the West Seattle Eagles parking lot and at the Des Moines Farmers Market opening day. Sweet Bumpas Ice Cream, meantime, promises “boldly flavored ice cream and treats from our cart.”

West Seattle Thriftway special promotion for the Festival

Thriftway will be holding a fundraiser BBQ again for the festival! This is much appreciated and is essential to our fundraising. This year, they will be grilling burgers and the suggested donation of $7 will also get you a bag of chips and a drink. Best deal around!

Plus: Beveridge Place Pub will again have a hot dog cart in their parking lot.

Bite of Morgan

Last but not least is the Bite of Morgan sampling, which starts at participating venues at 11:30 and goes until supplies run out. Six of our fabulous food businesses will provide free small samples in exchange for tickets issued at the MoCA booth in the park. Participants this year are:

Caffé Ladro – Mini-scone and a cold beverage (don’t miss this, it’s worth the couple blocks’ walk south of park)
Peel and Press – Pizza rollup
Zeeks Pizza – Pizza slice
The Bridge – Chocolate-covered strawberry
Domino’s Pizza – Breadstick
Pet Elements – Dog treat

Previous previews:
*Kids’ activities
*Pet parade & contests
*Meet local authors

Congratulations! West Seattle Rotary scholarships for local students

(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)
School’s out – and some are looking ahead to the next stage of their education, like the seven students to whom the Rotary Club of West Seattle awarded scholarships today – Student of the Month and Gambriell scholarships totaling $15,500. We stopped by the Rotary lunch meeting to photograph the students who were there to accept them – from left, Julia Nark (Career Link), Tin Vo (West Seattle High School), Caprice Villeza (West Seattle HS), Naeem Ghodsian (Career Link), and Joey Werlech (now a Central Washington University student); recipients not pictured are Brisa Mendez-Alvarez (Chief Sealth International High School) and Carolina Sayuri Sasai (Seattle Lutheran). The club explains, “The Students of the Month program honors outstanding students in West Seattle (area) high-school programs selected by their school counselors. Each year all Students of the Month are encouraged to apply for the available scholarships. Also every year, the club awards two or three Gambriell Scholarships based on financial need and academic merit to graduating West Seattle-area seniors who apply and might not otherwise be able to attend college.”

A Rotarian with extra reason to smile about all this is Len Burton-Hardin:

Starting next month, he’ll be in charge of the club’s vocational/educational outreach.

P.S. The next big West Seattle Rotary-sponsored event, the WS Grand Parade, is now just one month away – Saturday, July 18th!

AMNO & CO does it again! ROV team to compete internationally

It’s been three years since we first heard from AMNO & CO, the trio of West Seattleites who have literally taken on the world in a robotics specialty, the ROV – and they’re doing it again this year. The theme is one with particular local resonance this year – read on for their report on what they’re doing (they provided the photos, too):

In May, AMNO & CO ROV team won first place in the Pacific Northwest Regional MATE ROV competition, qualifying for the international event in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada. (Check out the Marine Advanced Technology Education Center’s Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) competition at marinetech.org.) For the three team members – Alex Miller, Clara Orndorff, and Nicholas Orndorff – this will be their fourth consecutive year at the international competition, and as always, the team with the fewest team members.

ROVs are extremely valuable at accomplishing tasks in environments which would be too deep or risky for human divers. This year’s tasks revolve around deploying, salvaging, and servicing equipment related to the oil industry in the Arctic. Teams have to design and build a vehicle to replace components in oil wellheads, turn valves in oil pipelines, and measure icebergs. In doing these tasks, AMNO & CO will be competing against the winning teams of regional competitions in the USA, Canada, Egypt, China, Hong Kong, Scotland, Russia and several others. While MATE’s tasks revolve around oil in the Arctic, communication is also emphasized in the competition, so teams have to write a technical report, create a poster, and give an engineering presentation.

In Newfoundland, AMNO & CO will compete in a state-of-the-art marine facility, which has three unique research test tanks, including a tank with waves, another with currents, and a third covered in ice. These tanks accurately simulate the conditions in real Arctic environments, while providing teams the opportunity to test their vehicles in unusual conditions.

In addition to competing and fundraising for the MATE competition, AMNO & CO seeks to instill their passion for engineering in others. For instance, they gave a special presentation in the Seattle Aquarium’s Window on Washington Waters tank for the public in November. Also, team member Alex Miller will be leading a robotics summer camp in West Seattle this June, fostering an appreciation for the unique fusion of mechanical systems, electrical systems, and software which robotics encompasses.

The international competition will be in St. John’s, Newfoundland, June 25-28. For more information about AMNO & CO, please visit facebook.com/AMNOandCoROV or contact them at amnoandco@live.com.

No West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting tonight

If you were thinking of going to the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting – don’t; it’s not happening. We arrived at the precinct and found out that the meeting was being canceled; WSCPC president Richard Miller continues to deal with health challenges. We’ll take the liberty of saying again, as we were asked to mention in our coverage of last month’s meeting – if anyone is interested in helping so that this group can continue, please e-mail westseattlecpc@gmail.com.

Congratulations to two West Seattle Little League teams! Rookie Division champs, Tournament of Champions winners

Thanks again to the youth-sports parents and coaches who’ve shared championship news these past few weeks (and in past years). Two more rounds of congratulations to share, both for West Seattle Little League teams:

Congratulations to the Pilots, who became the 2015 WSLL Rookie Division Champions on Saturday in a 9-2 game against Sonic Boom, concluding a four-game series between the two. The photo is by Debbie Ross. In the pic:

Back Row: Coach Cip Dacanay, Coach Justin Buehring, Head Coach Eric Beardemphl

Middle Row: Erik Wingle, Otis Schlede, Connor Tynan, Nicholas Beardemphl, Cody Buehring, David Haugen

Front Row: Caden Ross, Owen Odegard, Daniel Dacanay, Luke Brown, Atticus Blum, Carson Cottle

Next, congratulations to the WSLL 50/70 (Intermediate) team, which Tracy Holloway tells us won the District 7 Tournament of Champions after going 19-0 on the season:

The final score in Des Moines was WSLL 21, South Highline National Little League 8.

In the photo, L-R, are Mike Murphy (coach), Adam Chin, Dominic Taylor, Jack Summers, Rick Southall (Manager), Cole Stephenson, Konrad Gerhardt, Wil Holmes, Justin Murphy, Ben Trigg, Mike Messinger (Coach), Eli Markham, Dylan Pool.

Find out more about West Seattle Little League at westseattlelittleleague.com.

Work starts Wednesday for new curb ramps on Alki Ave. SW

June 16, 2015 6:14 pm
|    Comments Off on Work starts Wednesday for new curb ramps on Alki Ave. SW
 |   Safety | West Seattle news

From SDOT:

The Seattle Department of Transportation will install new “ADA” compliant curb ramps at two locations on Alki Avenue Southwest. They plan to start tomorrow and complete the work by June 26. The curb ramps are at two crosswalks on Alki where there are viewing areas with benches along the waterfront. The first location is at 1716 Alki Avenue SW [map] and the second is at 1564 Alki Avenue SW [map]. The crews will work in the parking lane, and on-street parking will be restricted at those locations.