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Election 2013: Tim Burgess drops out of mayor’s race; West Seattleite Doug McQuaid jumps in
May 17, 2013 1:24 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

1:24 PM: City Councilmember Tim Burgess has just sent a news release to his media list announcing he’s dropping out of the race for mayor. He would have had to file by 4 pm today. Here’s the news release (PDF from his site). He had just been in West Seattle last Saturday for a chat with voters – we had received (but not published) a photo from his campaign that day:

1:36 PM UPDATE: You’ll probably recall that seven other candidates had declared they were running – they and Burgess all participated in the April 29th “Super Seattle Mayor’s Forum” co-sponsored by the 34th District Democrats (WSB coverage, including video, here). The other seven have all filed for official candidacy, according to this page on the King County Elections website; it had been noted by political-news site PubliCola that Burgess was the only one not to have filed by noontime today.

6:12 PM UPDATE: Two more candidates joined the race, making it a field of nine, by the deadline. One is West Seattle lawyer Doug McQuaid, who ran last year for state Supreme Court; his campaign website does not appear to be up yet (at least not at the link listed on the county Elections website), but his background is detailed on a site related to last year’s court campaign. The other new candidate to file in the mayor’s race is Joey Gray, whose bio is on her website. The full list of candidates in this office and others on King County ballots in the August primary is here.

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Hello, musicians! Delridge Day organizers are looking for you
May 17, 2013 12:23 pm
|    Comments Off on Hello, musicians! Delridge Day organizers are looking for you
 |   Delridge | West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

This year’s Delridge Day festival is three months away – but planning is in full swing, and we’ve been asked to share this call for musicians:

2012 was the first year Delridge Day had a music stage and helped to showcase some the best local talent! This year, the plans are no different and the community planners for Delridge Day are hard at work in search for some great musical talent to help fill out time slots and show the community what they have to offer.

Delridge Day is planned for Saturday, August 17th from 11 AM-4 PM at Delridge Community Center and Park. If you’ve got a voice, guitar, drum set or even a drumbot, then we want to hear what you have to offer! We have time slots ranging from 11 AM-3 PM and are looking to fill them immediately. Interested musicians can e-mail Chas Redmond at credmond@mac.com and provide links to their music. We’re looking for solo artists and groups that are ready to entertain the local community!

This year’s Delridge Day co-sponsors include WSB – and they’re still seeking more; here’s the info packet for prospective sponsors.

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West Seattle Water Taxi: Spirit of Kingston goes into service tomorrow
May 17, 2013 11:47 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   King County Water Taxi | West Seattle news

(WSB photo from April 23)
Exactly two months after news that King County would take possession of the Spirit of Kingston and put it on the West Seattle Water Taxi run – the change is about to happen. We just got word from the office of King County Councilmember Joe McDermott that Spirit of Kingston will take over the run starting tomorrow (Saturday), which means that, after three years, 25-year-old Rachel Marie will become a backup boat. Kingston got the 7-year-old SoK through federal grants but scrapped its foot-ferry service and would have had to pay the grants back if this transfer – which brings the boat here almost for free, as explained in our November report – hadn’t happened. More to come.

ADDED 1:39 PM: The county’s official announcement has just arrived via e-mail – read on:

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Roxhill Elementary scholars get to walk to school – from the bus
May 17, 2013 11:30 am
|    Comments Off on Roxhill Elementary scholars get to walk to school – from the bus
 |   Safety | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

This morning, Roxhill Elementary principal Sahnica Washington greeted scholars arriving by bus – two blocks north of campus! Here’s why: All month, Roxhill families have been part of “walking school buses” – and today was a chance for bus-transported scholars to join in too, with the help of Feet First and the state Transportation Department:

FF even brought along its famous giant Chicken (as in, “why did the chicken cross the road …”)

Crossing the road – and walking along it – will soon be even safer for kids headed toward Roxhill, which, as explained in the Feet First announcement, “is the recipient of a Safe Routes to School grant from the Washington State Department of Transportation. This grant will fund a new sidewalk on SW 30th immediately south of Roxbury, and improvements to the intersection of SW 30th Ave and SW Roxbury, due for construction in the summer of 2013.”

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Lafayette’s ‘Willy Wonka Jr.’ and 4 more highlights tonight
May 17, 2013 10:17 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts | WS miscellaneous

Looking for something to do tonight? Five highlights!

(Photo courtesy Edgar Riebe)
‘WILLY WONKA JR.’: 106 Lafayette Elementary students are in the production, performing their hearts out, under the direction of Melia Scranton with choreography by Aaron Swartzmann, and you have two chances to see it at the West Seattle High School Theater – 7 pm tonight, or 7 pm tomorrow (Saturday). Tickets are free but donations are encouraged. (3000 California SW)

WOMEN, WINE, WELLNESS: Free event at 7 pm tonight at Roxbury Spine and Wellness Clinic (WSB sponsor), but you have to RSVP ASAP! Details are in our calendar listing. (2656 SW Roxbury)

MOVIE NIGHT AT HPIC: It’s this month’s free-movie night at Highland Park Improvement Club! 7 pm (doors open at 6:30) – details in the calendar listing. (12th/Holden)

PEARL DJANGO AT KENYON HALL: 7:30 pm tonight, the local legends play historic Kenyon Hall – details in the calendar listing.

SECOND-TO-LAST WEEK … to see “33 Variations” at ArtsWest. Curtain tonight: 7:30 pm. (4711 California SW)

Check the calendar for nightlife listings.

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Bike To Work Day 2013: West Seattle, White Center stops
May 17, 2013 8:57 am
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

8:57 AM: Busy morning at the Bike-To-Work Day station hosted under the bridge by West Seattle Bike Connections – with repairs/checkups as well as treats.

This is the first BTW Day since WSBC was formed.

ADDED 10:53 AM: WSBC president Don Brubeck tells WSB they had 592 riders by 9 am – up 38 percent from last year! He shares the photo below, featuring Sonia Honeydew, who helped count riders (and baked cookies!), with rider #592:

Don says Stu Hennessey of Alki Bike and Board (who’s in our top photo) says last year’s count was 429. Don adds, “Some riders zoomed right through. Many stopped for a chat, cookies, coffee, and bike checks or helmet fit adjustments. I enjoyed actually meeting people I see every day going the opposite direction. Bob Winship led the West Seattle Bike Connections volunteers for the station. Kathy McCabe, Deputy Director, and Serena Lehman, Community Outreach Manager, were with us representing Cascade Bicycle Club.”

(back to original 8:57 am report) Meantime, in downtown White Center, local businesses set up a Bike To Work Day station outside Caffé Delia (WSB sponsor) offering treats:

The events on this side of the bay are usually focused on the morning; for afternoon events, check the Cascade Bike Club’s official page.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Showery Friday
May 17, 2013 7:15 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Live view from the east-facing WS Bridge camera; other cameras are on the WSB Traffic page)
7:15 AM: The roads are damp, so be careful out there. It’s Friday, and it’s Bike To Work Day, which we’ll cover in a separate update. A few notes:

*Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth ferries are all running late right now, says WSF, because of an earlier staffing problem.

*Reminder that this Sunday, May 19th, starts with the West Seattle 5K and continues with Summer Streets on Alki, aka “car-free day.” Alki SW is closed along the race route until 11 am, and then from 56th to 63rd continuing until 5 pm. Other citywide traffic alerts for the weekend are here.

*If you drive 99 north of the Battery Street Tunnel, there’s a closure starting overnight tonight (added: continuing all weekend) between the tunnel and Valley Street because of the ongoing Mercer project.

7:21 AM: A crash just south of the West Seattle Bridge on I-5 is blocking multiple lanes.

7:42 AM: WSDOT says tow trucks are working to clear that scene, and 2 lanes are now open southbound. This camera has the wide view:

That’s one of the cameras you can find anytime on the WSB Traffic Cams page.

8:22 AM: Though all lanes are open again at the scene of that crash, there’s still a long backup on southbound I-5. P.S. Thanks to Neil McNeight for the photo – shows you what emergency workers are up against as they handle a crash on the freeway!

12:19 PM: A truck problem is partly blocking the ramp to NORTHBOUND I-5 right now.

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Next up for The Whale Trail: Erich Hoyt, ‘Adventures with Orcas in the North Pacific’
May 16, 2013 11:15 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Wildlife

(Photo copyright Evgeniya Lazareva, Far East Russia Orca Project [FEROP, WDC])
One more talk is set for The Whale Trail‘s series, announced today by TWT’s Donna Sandstrom: “Adventures with Orcas in the North Pacific, From A1 Stubbs to Iceberg, the White Russian Bull,” featuring author/researcher Erich Hoyt. Big topic, and a bigger venue – after filling C & P Coffee (WSB sponsor) for each of the four previous talks, this time it’ll be at The Hall at Fauntleroy, and instead of on a weeknight, it’s on a Saturday night, June 8th (7-9 pm). Tickets are available now! Read on for the full announcement:

Read More

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Bike to Work Day tomorrow: Stations under the bridge and in downtown WC
May 16, 2013 8:51 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news | White Center

Two major stops tomorrow in our area for Bike To Work Day – the customary station under the West Seattle Bridge, 6-9 am, will be hosted this year by West Seattle Bike Connections, whose website has details here. And if you head south – or ride from the south – downtown White Center, in front of Caffé Delia (9622 16th SW; WSB sponsor), is THE place to stop, also 6-9 am – here’s what they have going on. (And if you’re going through someplace besides WS/WC – check the map on the Cascade Bicycle Club website.)

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Update: Search off Alki after ferry passenger reported seeing a body
May 16, 2013 7:17 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | WS breaking news

7:17 PM: We have multiple reports of a search under way off the Washington State Ferry Wenatchee, in Elliott Bay north of Alki Beach, after a report of someone overboard. The U.S. Coast Guard is helping search. The ferry was headed to Bainbridge Island.

7:26 PM: Wenatchee is continuing on to Bainbridge. No official report on the fate of the person reported overboard.

11:26 PM: More information late tonight from the community-news website Inside Bainbridge: They report the search started after someone on the Wenatchee reported seeing a body in the water. Searchers couldn’t find it, though, and IB says the USCG stopped searching about two hours ago.

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Update: Taste of West Seattle 2013 sells out, feeding the funding for West Seattle Helpline
May 16, 2013 6:47 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

(First 4 and final 5 photos by WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand)
Big line along the sidewalk leading to The Hall at Fauntleroy when we arrived around 6:30 pm to check out the bigger-every-year event, which has almost 50 West Seattle/White Center food and drink establishments offering bites, sips, treats, and more, all to benefit West Seattle Helpline. They had a limited number of tickets at the door. Big crowd inside, once everybody got in:

One of the fun parts about The Taste is that you get to vote on the offerings – and later, we’ll find out who won. Besides the Helpline, of course, whose Brooks Riendl and executive director Tara Luckie stopped for a moment to pose:

Also in welcoming mode – Helpline board member Rev. Ron Marshall:

More photos to come later tonight!

11:43 PM: First, an update just in from Tara:

Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes Catering Company won Best Savory Taste and Stuffed Cakes won Best Dessert. The event was a sellout with 550 tickets sold. … The proceeds are going to help many families in West Seattle. We can all be proud of such a great community effort. Big thanks to all of the restaurants and sponsors that made the event possible!

Helpline’s photo of the “Best Savory Taste” winners (who served a Savory Seafood Risotto):

And the “Best Dessert” victors:

It was a field crowded with tastiness, too, from venues old and new. On the latter side, Harry’s Chicken Joint made its debut, dishing up chicken strips:

The team from The Bridge reminded everyone they’ve got an excellent menu, with their famous bacon-wrapped dates:

Kevin and Holly Brown from Siren Song Wines and The Brown Lounge:

Jack Miller from Husky Deli was offering his famous ice cream in floats:

And a piece de resistance – Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor) donating $7,500 to the Helpline!

The night’s total tally is expected to be made public early next week.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Ola burglarized; ‘stun’ item stolen
May 16, 2013 3:06 pm
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Luna Park | West Seattle news

We start West Seattle Crime Watch with word of a business burglary overnight. From Natalie at Ola Salon in Luna Park:

Hi there, I wanted to let the community know that Ola Salon in West Seattle was broken into and (burglarized) last night. All of our retail, equipment, cash, checks, two laptops and more was stolen. Everyone is safe; we just want to give the community a heads up and to be aware of a robber in the neighborhood. If anyone happened to see anything, please let the police and the front desk at Ola know immediately. Thank you! 206-933-6702

We have another reader report – this one from Mona, who says she ordered something because of a crime report- and now it has resulted in one:

I came home around 5:30 PM today and found (an) empty package on my doorstep which was supposed to have contained the stun gun flashlight that a WSB reader recommended in (comments on) this post. I already filed a report. This happened near 17th avenue SW and Cambridge.

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As it happened: Design Commission tells 4755 Fauntleroy to come back for 4th review
May 16, 2013 1:43 pm
|      26 COMMENTS
 |   4755 Fauntleroy | Development | West Seattle news

(TOPLINE: After almost 3 hours, the Design Commission told 4755 Fauntleroy to tweak its proposed “public benefit” plan and come back a 4th time)

1:43 PM: We are downtown for the third review of the 4755 Fauntleroy Way (Whole Foods/apartments) megaproject before the Seattle Design Commission – and it’s another crowded room, more than 50 people this time, including golden-shirted members of UFCW Local 21, which has expressed consistent opposition to the project, and others including members of the project team, Parks and SDOT reps and, among community members, Steve Huling, former owner of most of the land on which the project will be built, and Nancy Woodland, from the board of the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce. The commission’s role in this is to review its “urban design merit” and the “public benefit” the developers plan to offer in exchange for the city granting an alley vacation. Highlights as they happen.

Lance Sherwood of Weingarten, the retail developer on the project, starts with three big announcements:

*There is no longer a drugstore drive-through in the project

*The developers will pay to improve the Masonic Temple’s nearby parking lot

*The developers will contribute money ($25,000) toward public outreach regarding the design of the park that the city plans to create on land it’s purchased across 40th from the project’s west side.

The presentation then is taken over by Bill Fuller of Fuller Sears Architects. He explains that the Masons’ parking lot will be graded to be at a single level (it’s on two now), with one entrance. He also notes that part of 40th SW will become the first true “Seattle Green Street” under their plan. Removing drugstore drive-through traffic and Masons’ entry from the project’s “midblock connection” will resolve many of the persistent concerns about it, he says.

He also shows the “iconic corner” at Fauntleroy/Alaska (northeast corner), which now will have glass and lighting.

Next, landscape architect Andy Rasmussen, a West Seattleite who works for Weisman Design Group, is talking about the corners of the project as part of its public benefit. An artist named Troy is here and is involved with the project, Rasmussen says.

The art will involve corten/rusted metal and will be inspired by maritime West Seattle – he shows anchors and pilings as “inspiration.”

He says the connection on 40th to the future park has been “strengthened” in the latest design. Also – more street trees, fewer curb cuts (4 total – compared to 15 on the site now), and overhead weather protection for pedestrians all around the project, he says.

2:02 PM: The discussion of the art, in particular at the Fauntleroy/Alaska SW corner, continues. Some of the forms also will be evocative of the mountains, Rasmussen explains; others, of waves. They also are continuing to work with SDOT, as mentioned previously, on a crosswalk across Alaska at that corner (where Spruce – which just started construction – will be). He says the “water-like” elements will continue down 40th south from Alaska, into the raingarden area that’s streetside on the site there:

Back to the midblock connector that will cut between the project’s two buildings, from Fauntleroy to 40th, it will still have a raised crosswalk midway through. One area on the Fauntleroy edges will also have some extra public space, north of the connector. It’ll carry on the nautical theme with “oar-like forms.”

On the Fauntleroy/Edmunds corner, it will be a more “pier-like/dock-like space,” Rasmussen continues. The major residential entry is there, as is bike parking. Fuller picks up the presentation after that, summarizing the points they believe comprise the public benefit – what’s mentioned above, and more.

OUR AS-IT-HAPPENED COVERAGE CONTINUES BELOW: Read More

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Dakota Place notes: Tuesday meeting on Seattle Parks’ future; rental-venue specials
May 16, 2013 12:24 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Two notes today about the newly renovated city-landmark building at Dakota Place Park, at California/Dakota just north of The Junction:

TUESDAY MEETING ABOUT PARK SYSTEM’S FUTURE: Tuesday night at 7 pm, you’re invited to Dakota Place to share your thoughts about the future of Seattle Parks – priorities, funding, more, as explained here. Parks Superintendent Christopher Williams talked about it at Celebrate Lincoln Park last month (here’s our story, including video), and you can see the draft Parks Legacy Plan here – but Parks would like to hear directly from as many people as possible, and with all the land and facilities it has here in West Seattle, plus more in the works, now’s the time.

DAKOTA RENTALS: While you’re at Dakota Place for the meeting, take a look around – they’re offering rental specials through the end of the year, since the facility is not completely booked with classes or other Parks events. From Tiffani Melake at Hiawatha Community Center, which runs the Dakota Place building too:

3-hour special, including booking fee, staffing, patio and exclusive use of facility! – $225

5-hour special, including booking fee, staffing, patio and exclusive use of facility! – $400

Weekday inquiries go through Hiawatha, 206-684-7441; weekend inquiries go through Parks’ event-scheduling department, 206-684-7254.

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5 highlights for your West Seattle Thursday
May 16, 2013 10:57 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Note the ladybug

(Photo by Flickr member “old desolate,” shared via the WSB Flickr group)
Happening today/tonight (and you’ll find more on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar):

4755 FAUNTLEROY MEGAPROJECT BACK @ DESIGN COMMISSION: 1:30 pm today at City Hall, the city Design Commission takes its third look at the project, this time for “public benefit.” The Design Commission’s role in this project’s review involves the approval needed for the “alley vacation” that’s involved. The meeting’s in the Boards and Commissions Room. (600 4th Avenue)

FRANK FEST: Tonight’s that special night of the year when the Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) celebrates Frank Sinatra – with food, music, and more. Starts at 6 pm. (6451 California SW)

TASTE OF WEST SEATTLE UPDATE: We’re told a “very limited number of tickets” will be available at the door for tonight’s fundraiser featuring almost 50 food and drink purveyors from around West Seattle and White Center, all to help the West Seattle Helpline. It’s at 6:30 pm, The Hall at Fauntleroy. (9131 California SW)

POETRY READING: Joseph Aprile reads tonight at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor). (5612 California SW)

ALKI COMMUNITY COUNCIL: The agenda for the 7 pm meeting includes a review of housing developments in the area, including 2414 55th SW (covered here earlier this month), and a presentation on the Alki Point Lighthouse’s centennial year. The meeting’s at Alki UCC. (6115 SW Hinds)

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After 4 years, city approves illuminated sign for Madison
May 16, 2013 8:01 am
|      22 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Four years after a review process began for a proposed illuminated sign at Madison Middle School, the city has announced a decision: The sign installation is approved, “with conditions.” Some neighbors had expressed concern after the 30-square-foot sign was first proposed in 2009 for the east facade of the school gym. Discussion here at that time indicated the money was coming from parent fundraising as well as from grants and gifts. After the proposal languished for three years, it resurfaced last June, with the city convening the committee formed to consider a requested “departure” from zoning, and now comes the decision. Today’s notice opens a two-week period for appeals, with the deadline May 29th; we’re asking the district about the project’s status.

ADDED 1:51 PM FRIDAY: District spokesperson Tom Redman replied today to our inquiry. He included background, some of which is redundant to our story above, but in the spirit of sharing everything the district said, his full reply is below:

Read More

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Thursday updates; 2 upcoming reminders
May 16, 2013 6:30 am
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Live view from the east-facing WS Bridge camera; other cameras are on the WSB Traffic page)
As we begin the morning, one more reminder: The new southbound Delridge Way detour between Holden and Thistle is now in effect. Looking ahead to the weekend, the only major planned closure happens on Sunday, for the West Seattle 5K and then Seattle Summer Streets on Alki:

Along the usual car-free-day footprint, Alki and Harbor Avenues will be closed for WS5K approximately 9 am-11 am, and then everything reopens except Alki between 56th and 63rd, where festivities will continue till 5 pm (see you there!).

BUT FIRST … tomorrow (Friday) is Bike to Work Day, with a commute station under the West Seattle Bridge 6-9 am as usual, and other special events/stops as shown on this map assembled by the Cascade Bicycle Club:


View Bike Month Activities & Bike to Work Day Stations in a larger map

ADDED 9:55 AM: Thanks to commenters for word of the truck flip on the hill to and from the Myers Way ramp to/from Highway 509:

It was a Charlie’s Produce truck, witnesses say. No injuries reported; traffic was getting around, albeit slowly, and the tow truck had arrived by the time our crew got there.

ADDED 10:39 AM: SDOT just tweeted that a crash reported earlier on southbound 1st Avenue South at Horton has closed the 1st Ave. ramp to/from the westbound West Seattle Bridge.

ADDED 12:54 PM: Still closed at last report. Thanks to Tony Bradley for the photo:

We’ll update when the blockage is cleared and the bridge ramp reopens.

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Youth sports: More success for West Seattle Totems
May 16, 2013 6:11 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people | WS & Sports

(Front row: Corinne Blair, Alec Patajo; second row: Casey Iwamoto, Emma Carey, Lauren Phillips; not pictured, Owen Yeasting)
More big success for the West Seattle Totems riflery team, reports coach Joe Matter:

The West Seattle Totems recently competed in the American Legion National Air Rifle Postal match, which was locally sponsored by the Vashon American Legion Post #159. The American Legion match has two elements, a team competition and an individual competition.

In the individual competition, a match was worth 600 points. Lauren Phillips shot a 584 to place in the top 30 of the competition and qualified for the second round of competition. Lauren then shot a 586 to finish 5th in the second round which qualified her for the final round of competition which will be hosted at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs this summer.

In the team competition, a match is worth 2400 points. The team of Lauren Phillips, Casey Iwamoto, Owen Yeasting, and Emma Carey shot a 2302 to finish 2nd in the first round of competition. Only the top ten teams were invited to the second round. In the second round, the team of Lauren, Emma, Corinne Blair and Alec Patajo shot a 2322 to capture the team national bronze medal.

The Vashon American Legion Post as well as the West Seattle Sportsmen’s Club have been supportive of organized youth rifle sports, helping to build leadership skills and scholarship opportunities for youth and young adults. Focus skills required for shooting well are enormous and this further supports academic focus. NCAA rifle scholarships are not earned without having good grades also. We congratulate Lauren Phillips on earning a rifle scholarship to The University of Nebraska, a CMP Scholarship, as well as additional academic scholarships. We know that her opportunities have just begun.

The team practices at the West Seattle Stadium and has members from the peninsula, north Seattle, Puyallup, Ellensburg and Vashon. This summer will include a trip to nationals in Anniston, Alabama, for 8 shooters. The team was thrilled to get one team invitation last year and is stoked to have two teams qualify this year. What an accomplishment for these kids.

The volunteer coaching staff includes Joe Matter, Kurt Oberloh and Alan Carey.

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High-school sports: Three postseason losses; 1 game ahead
May 16, 2013 6:07 am
|    Comments Off on High-school sports: Three postseason losses; 1 game ahead
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

Disappointing day on Wednesday for three local high-school sports teams:

SOCCER: In a first-round state-tournament match played at Snohomish High School last night Chief Sealth International High School lost to Glacier Peak, 2-1.

SOFTBALL: On Wednesday afternoon, district softball play resulted in defeats for two local teams:

4-1 was the final score in Chief Sealth’s game with Mercer Island, played at Lower Woodland, which is also where West Seattle High School‘s softball team played Interlake:

13-3 was the final score in that game, with the Wildcats on the lower end.

NEXT UP: The West Seattle HS baseball team awaits its first-round state-tournament game this Saturday, facing Ferndale at Dream Field in Mount Vernon at 1 pm.

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West Seattle generosity roundup: Last call for GiveBIG, Taste tickets; tallies for WSHS music, WS Food Bank benefits
May 15, 2013 11:00 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

GIVEBIG 2013, FINAL HOUR: You have till midnight to give to participating nonprofits and have your money go farther because of the Seattle Foundation‘s “stretch” – here one more time is our list of West Seattle, White Center, and South Park participants, and their special GiveBIG donation links. At midnight, this donate-a-thon is over until next year.

TASTE OF WEST SEATTLE: Last few hours to buy tickets online to enjoy your favorite West Seattle/White Center food/drink places – current favorites and future favorites – all in ONE place, tomorrow (Thursday) night. The Taste of West Seattle brings them all together at The Hall at Fauntleroy (9131 California SW), on behalf of West Seattle Helpline, which helps people who find themselves in need of emergency assistance. Get your ticket(s) here.

WEST SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL MUSIC BENEFIT: Tuesday night, as previewed here, Abbondanza Pizzeria and volunteers from the Rotary Club of West Seattle teamed up for a dining-out benefit on behalf of the West Seattle High School music program. Tonight, Rotary member Sue Lindblom from Illusions Hair Design (WSB sponsor) tells us it was a busy, busy night, raising $900 for WSHS music!

WEST SEATTLE FOOD BANK GALA: The final tally is in for this year’s recent Instruments of Change – almost $100,000, the Food Bank reports, with 200 guests there for auction bidding, dining, and inspirational speeches.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: More car prowls, and what police want you to do about them
May 15, 2013 7:12 pm
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

The latest West Seattle Crime Watch reader reports are about car prowls. Jay tells the tale of break-ins on 37th SW:

Two cars were broken into, one (the 6500 block) and the other (in the 6700 block). The windows on the outside (rather than the sidewalk side) were almost fully broken.

Analysis:

Observation 1:
The distance betweeen the two houses is far enough that if a person heard one car being broken into, the other one was far enough away that the person would not hear the other being broken into. There were plenty of cars that could have otherwise be broken into. Thus, I think the person has some sense of not awakening the neighborhood.

Observation 2:
Both glove comparment were left open.
a. One car was a loaner car from a dealer, hence nothing of value inside. Two windows broken.
b. The other car had the glove compartment gone thru, with items (old CD’s, etc.) thrown on the drivers seat.

General:
1. Leave nothing of value in the glove compartment.
2. Pay attention to glass breaking noise at night.

Other:

I awoke during the night 4ish and remember a car with its lights on on the other side of the car that was broken into. I thought, that is unusual, but was I going to go out, just barely awake?, and check if anything was happening. In retrospect, that might have yielded an answer.

Much of what Jay wrote dovetails with car-prowl-related advice from Southwest/South Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Mark Solomon, in the form of his newest newsletter, received today. In case you didn’t get it – here’s the heart of it:

Recently many of our neighborhoods have experienced a high degree of car prowls. This is a concern from Arbor Heights to Mount Baker, Rainier Beach to Alki, and all points in between. Car prowl is a regional problem, not just a neighborhood problem or a City of Seattle problem.

It’s frustrating in so many ways.

Read More

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Lou’s on the run again! Next Monday at Pathfinder K-8
May 15, 2013 4:23 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

(WSB video from the end of Lou’s run last year)
This year, Pathfinder K-8 teacher Lou Cutler turns 62 – and for Lou, that number carries extra meaning: It means he’ll travel 62 laps around the school playfield to raise money for Make-A-Wish, for which he’s been volunteering since way back in his forties. He doesn’t do it alone – hundreds of Pathfinder students and staffers join him along the way. And they’re all gearing up for next Monday (May 20th), when Lou is scheduled to start his 62 laps around 8:45 am. You can pledge/donate now by going here – and read on to see the official announcement from Make-A-Wish:

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Moved to make a point, Potter Construction’s pencil is back
May 15, 2013 2:40 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(Photos courtesy Potter Construction)
After some trouble with vandalism, the 13 1/2-foot-tall pencil sculpture that used to point skyward outside the California/Findlay offices of Potter Construction (WSB sponsor) was taken down for a while – but now it’s been refurbished and reinstalled. It used to be perpendicular to the ground, and now it’s parallel, right over the company’s front window.

The pencil was created by West Seattle artist Stephen Rock of Rock’s Studio and originally installed almost two years ago; a Potter Construction crew put it up in its new spot this morning.

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