West Seattle, Washington

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Spotlight Stories


  • Closure

    LOW-BRIDGE CLOSURE: Continues today

  • Comeback

    DOUGHNUT COMEBACK: West Seattle return

  • Sale day

    WS GARAGE SALE DAY 5/11: Register by Thursday 4/25!

Happening now: Boren mural painting, non-artists welcome
June 4, 2011 10:13 am
|      20 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | How to help | West Seattle news

Pablo Lambinicio is one of the volunteers painting murals right now at shuttered Boren School (5950 Delridge Way SW). But you don’t have to be an artist to join in – volunteers are painting the backs of the murals, so the wood will last longer once they’re up. The murals’ fronts were painted by Starbucks volunteers on their April 30th day of service; leftover paint is being used today to weatherize the other sides:

That’s Pete Spalding, who organized the work party, to get more of the boarded-up surfaces around Boren – which Seattle Public Schools is keeping in reserve for emergency use – covered with something less tempting to tagging/graffiti vandals.

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WSB notes, including last call to answer our ‘4 Questions for You’
June 4, 2011 9:08 am
|    Comments Off on WSB notes, including last call to answer our ‘4 Questions for You’
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle online

Before the day gets crazy: First, thanks to the 500+ people who have already answered our “4 Questions for You.” In case you didn’t have time during the week but might have a few minutes now, here’s the last call, before we close the “survey” at weekend’s end. The questions are here.

Second, we’re honored that WSB has received another award: WSB is the city’s “Best News Website,” according to this year’s Seattle Weekly Web Awards (reader votes were factored in, with a panel of judges having the final say; WSB was a 2010 winner as well, though the categories differed).

Third, if you use Facebook, a warning that they seem to have reset the news feeds again – without having initiated any changes ourselves, we just wound up with the “only see pages you interact with” setting again, and had to fix it so we can see ALL the WS/related pages we have “liked.” To make sure this hasn’t happened to you, scroll down your news-feed updates to “edit options.” If you don’t have “updates from all your friends and pages” chosen, you might not see updates from pages like ours that are more frequently viewed than discussed. (What? Didn’t know WSB was on FB too? facebook.com/westseattleblog Also on Twitter – twitter.com/westseattleblog. If you don’t use the service but want to see what we’re tweeting about – an eclectic mix of observations, bulletins, and conversations – scroll to the bottom of our sidebar, which always shows the latest WSB tweets.) Have a great Saturday!

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West Seattle Saturday: Two dozen-plus possibilities
June 4, 2011 7:11 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Saturday: Two dozen-plus possibilities
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous


(From the WSB Flickr group pool: Nakean‘s photograph of rope-jumping champ Rene Bibaud – click to see larger size)
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar – the highlights for today/tonight include an amazing array of options:

MASTERS’ TRACK AND FIELD MEET: Designed for those especially 30 years old and older. Grab your track shoes and stretch out your hamstrings! 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at West Seattle Stadium (4432 35th Ave. SW). Meet includes, but is not limited to, the 100 meter, 200 meter, 400 meter, 4 x 400 meter relay, 5,000 meter, pole vault, long jump, shot put and much, much more! Last year’s event attracted more than 70 participants. The cost is $5 per event, and event participation is unlimited. Sign up for as many events as you like, starting at 8:30 am.

HELP FEND OFF TAGGING AT BOREN: Mural work party to help make Boren School more graffiti-vandalism-resistant. 9-11 am 5950 Delridge Way. Details here.

ADMIRAL ADOPT-A-STREET: The Admiral Neighborhood Association‘s quarterly Adopt-A-Street cleanup welcomes volunteer help – meet at Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor) in Admiral by 9 am, with free treats beforehand and a sack lunch afterward. Tools/bags provided.

HELP LINCOLN PARK: Forest restoration at Lincoln Park, 9 am – 2 pm. Join Friends of Lincoln Park, EarthCorps and Green Seattle Partnership to make the forests and shoreline of Lincoln Park healthy! Projects include invasive plant removal, preparing areas for and then planting native plants. Meet at the kiosk in the north parking lot (Fauntleroy Way SW and SW Rose St). Bring garden gloves and hand clippers if you can (they’ll have some extras).

CLASS AT THE TOOL LIBRARY: Power Tools 101 & Advanced Tool Use Classes at the West Seattle Tool Library. Today, it’s Power Tools 101 ($20), taught by Amy Ecklund, is a really friendly introduction to use of smaller power tools such as circular saws, jigsaws, impact drivers, and nail guns. This class is great for those who would love to use power tools but have perhaps been a little intimidated in the past. It’s also great as a general brush up on safe tool practices.9 am-11 am, Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. (Check with library@sustainablewestseattle.org regarding future classes!)

‘WHERE THE ART IS’ EVENT: “Where the Art Is,” presented by Arts Leadership Lab Seattle at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW), 9 am – 4 pm, lunch provided. Part provocative short talks from an eclectic mix of leading Seattle artists, organizers, and producers, part head-to-head dialogue, and part participant-driven workshops and discussions, this is a forum for candid insight into the current state of art in our city; tickets are $25.

PREVENT LEAKS, PROTECT OUR WATERWAYS: Free “Bert’s Auto Leaks Class” at South Seattle Community College Help Bert the Salmon keep oil and other fluid leaks from your car from harming our local waterways and wildlife. Join the experts at South Seattle Community College’s Automotive Technology Program to learn where most leaks occur and how to fix them. 9 am to 1 pm today – also July 9, August 13, and September 24 (If you’re not signed up for today, register for an upcoming class – e-mail anthony.matlock@seattle.gov or call 206-386-9746.)

COFFEE FOR A CAUSE: Betsy sends word of a fundraiser at Bird on a Wire today, with a percentage of proceeds between 9 am and 1 pm going to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

FREE SHREDDING AND ELECTRONICS RECYCLING: FREE shredding/e-cycling presented by Windermere Real Estate in The Junction. High-speed shredding truck on hand, and/or bring your computers, monitors, cell phones, TVs for recycling. 10 am-1 pm, in the parking lot behind the office, off 42nd between Oregon and Alaska.

ONLINE ‘COMMUNITY TOOL’ DEMONSTRATION: West Seattle Blockwatch Captains Network got a chance to meet with Code for America fellows earlier this year to talk about online tools that would help with community work – and they’re inviting you to a demonstration this morning to see what C4A has come up with. 10 am, West Seattle (Admiral) Library. Details in first two posts on WSBWCN website.

BENEFIT PLANT SALE AND ANIMAL ADOPTION: Furry Faces Foundation plant sale with animal adoption opportunities too! 3809 46th SW. Sale is 10 am-4 pm both days, flyer with full details and location at furryfaces.org

FREE YOGA AT SOUNDYOGA: Longtime WSB sponsor SoundYoga offers one of its periodic free classes, 10:30 am, 5639 California SW, details in this WSB Forums post.

INTERACTIVE THEATER FOR KIDS: Theater for Young Children Presents: The Bremen Town Musicians & The Golden Goose! An interactive theater experience with performing, singing, dancing, take-home art projects, and more. 10:30-11:30 a.m. in West Seattle at Westside Unitarian Universalists Church (7141 California SW) $5 per person (including babes in arms). Bring snacks (nut-free) and blankets for an indoor picnic. Brought to you by Sweet Pea Cottage Preschool of the Arts.

WSHS CLASS OF ’86 BEACH PARTY: West Seattle High School Class of 1986 family-friendly potluck at Alki Beach from 10 am to 2 pm on Saturday. We encourage all members of the Class of ’86 to attend, and we welcome our fellow classmates from throughout the 80s. See the Facebook event page.

BENEFIT CAR WASH: Get your car washed by the West Seattle High School Girls Volleyball Team at the West Seattle Produce Parking Lot (Alaska & Fauntleroy), 10:30 am-2 pm. Team’s raising money to pay for new gear and fees for the upcoming season. Donations are welcome and encouraged.

COLMAN POOL’S 2ND PRE-SEASON WEEKEND: The outdoor pool in Lincoln Park opens at noon for a lap-swim session, for its second pre-season weekend of 2011.

SIFF AT THE ADMIRAL: More screenings today/tonight for the Seattle International Film Festival (WSB sponsor) – four films are on the schedule, starting at 1 pm, find out about them (with ticket info too) here.

LOW TIDE: 1:16 pm, -2 feet. Here’s the monthly chart (the full moon at midmonth has even-lower tides).

KITTY HARBOR OPENS FOR THE SEASON: West Seattle’s only animal shelter, Kitty Harbor (3422 Harbor Ave SW) has its opening weekend June 4th and 5th. New shelter hours this year are Saturday from 12 – 6pm and Sunday from 2 – 6 pm. More than 60 kittens available for adoption on opening day.

FANTABULOUS FIFTIES: Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon) presents “Those Fantabulous Fifties: A Musical Revue” conceived and directed by Kent Johnson. The musical will showcase more than 35 popular ’50s songs and a hula-hoop challenge. All ages are welcome. 2 pm matinee.

ARBOR HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY CARNIVAL: 3-6 pm, bouncy rides/slides, games, prizes, face painting, dunk tank, and more. Wristbands $15 (unlimited rides, 5 game coupons), single tickets available too.

BENEFIT DOG WASH: 3:30-6 pm at the Southwest Athletic Complex (next to Southwest Community Center), the Chief Sealth International High School Yoga Club has a benefit dog wash. $5 minimum donation requested.

SKYLARK – SCRABBLE TODAY, MUSIC TONIGHT: Skylark Café and Club (WSB sponsor) starts its sixth year with two things on tap today – charity Scrabble at 3:30 pm, live music starting at 10 (Christina Orbe and the White Guilt, followed at 11 by Trip Like Animals, $5 cover)

SKATE FOR A CURE TONIGHT AT SOUTHGATE: Put on your roller skates and “Skate for a Cure.” Help West Seattleites Amiko Imori and Ashley Vincent raise $4,600 to be able to participate in the 2011 Susan G. Komen 3-Day walk! 5-7 pm at Southgate Roller Rink in White Center. Rink entry fee $10 (includes skate rental), any donations over that “will be greatly appreciated.” You’re invited to “come dressed in your craziest pink clothes” – prizes planned for best dressed, racing, limbo, more. Facebook event page here.

SALSA ON ALKI: 6 – 10 pm. Sponsored by Belltown Dance Studio & Century Ballroom. Facebook event page here

HELP A FALLEN HERO’S FAMILY: Benefit for the children of Cpl. Brandon Hocking, VFW Post 2713, 7-11 pm (details here in our announcement published earlier this week).

ROCKY HORROR AT THE ADMIRAL: It’s the first Saturday night of the month, which means the midnight presentation of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” complete with shadow casting, at The Admiral Theater.

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Class of ’61 in golden spotlight at WSHS All-School Reunion
June 4, 2011 6:33 am
|    Comments Off on Class of ’61 in golden spotlight at WSHS All-School Reunion
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

It is truly a “golden moment” each year when the annual West Seattle High School All-School Reunion spotlights the class that’s having its 50th reunion. Last night in the WSHS Theater, the curtain was opened to reveal all the 1961 alums you see above. Their celebration – which continues tonight at the Rainier Golf/Country Club – was onstage after the school’s principal had wrapped up her remarks expressing admiration for “the nation’s largest alumni association,” and before a round of honors including scholarships and new inductees to the WSHS Hall of Fame – details ahead:Read More

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On the WSBeat: Park problem; glove-box ‘surprise’…
June 4, 2011 5:41 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police | WSBeat

By Megan Sheppard
On the WSBeat, for West Seattle Blog

From reports on cases handled recently by Southwest Precinct officers:

*After being approached by a concerned citizen on Wednesday afternoon, officers spoke with a transient man who apparently has been sleeping in the dugout at a Lincoln Park baseball field. For several weeks, he had allegedly been leering at women and harassing the kids who try to use the facility. He was cooperative with officers and has been told not to return to the park to camp or sleep. Officers also confiscated an illegal 3.5 inch fixed-blade knife and are taking official steps to have the man trespassed from the park – meaning, formally told that he is not allowed there at all.

Seven more summaries ahead:Read More

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Congratulations to the Bronze Award Scouts of Troop 41504!
June 4, 2011 12:04 am
|    Comments Off on Congratulations to the Bronze Award Scouts of Troop 41504!
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

A happy scene Friday night inside the parish hall at Our Lady of Guadalupe – with seven Girl Scouts from West Seattle’s Troop 41504 receiving the Bronze Award. We visited Camp Long two weeks ago (WSB coverage here) as the Scouts hosted younger Brownie and Daisy Scouts in a day of mentorship, games, and activities; that was one of the final steps on their journey to earning the Bronze Award, which is explained here. Tonight’s event included Bridging Ceremonies as well. Congratulations to Scouts Penny Dierich, Corinne Manley, Jane Miller, Kaitlin Morgan, Regan Nagle, Haley Pyscher and Hana Kurahara Sisk, and their troop leader Patricia Hahler!

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Traffic-alert reminder: East Marginal/Spokane intersection closure
June 3, 2011 9:40 pm
|    Comments Off on Traffic-alert reminder: East Marginal/Spokane intersection closure
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

A reminder that if you take surface streets between SODO and West Seattle/Harbor Island, this closure is scheduled to have begun – the intersection of East Marginal Way/Spokane Street, as part of the project building a new structure on EMW to get over the railroad tracks between the south side of the West Seattle Bridge and the west side of Highway 99. The city created an updated map, which you see above, to show how traffic is supposed to circulate through/around the closure area this weekend – police/flaggers were promised, too. IMPORTANT: The detour map above is only good through Monday morning, but the closure continues through Thursday – here’s the map for Monday morning through Thursday. (And then remember, the day after that – starting late the night of June 10th, NEXT weekend brings an Alaskan Way Viaduct closure, more reminders on that to come.)

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West Seattle in the limelight again: Who was shooting today
June 3, 2011 9:07 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Another camera crew was in action around West Seattle today. Not a movie this time – but still a major production. Laurel Trujillo sent word that her Junction-area home was going to be a major location for an L.A.-based production company, Kontent Partners, shooting a marketing video on behalf of Kinetix, the company she works for, which Laurel describes as “a wellness company that provides fitness and nutrition programs to corporate clients” (including Starbucks), and is soon going direct-to-consumer too. The crew started the day on the West Seattle Golf Course, where Kim spotted them and shared the photo above. Then WSB contributor Christopher Boffoli caught up with the crew at Laurel’s place (where parking was blocked off along 41st to make space for the production vehicles):

Laurel isn’t in the video but was on hand as the crew set up, including covering the windows and setting up their own light:

The company’s marketing director chose the place after visiting for a party and becoming intrigued with its distinctive design:

It’s not all glamour if your home is chosen for a film/video – Laurel got up at 5 am when an advance team arrived to start rearranging furniture, among other things. She and her husband have lived in The Junction for just about six months, moving from Bellevue. From their place, the crew was planning more outdoor work – so if you saw them in action today, that’s what it was about.

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West Seattle scenes: Sun, sea, sand
June 3, 2011 7:02 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle scenes: Sun, sea, sand
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

With two days of 70-plus-degree sunshine on the way – according to the newest forecast – the sign outside Red Cup Espresso (which you probably know is partly solar-powered!) seems appropriate. (Thanks to JayDee for spotting it and sharing the photo. Note the hockey cheer in the lower-left corner.) And if you missed the noontime low tides the past two days, you have another chance tomorrow:

Debra Herbst shared that view from today’s -2.2 in the Alki area. Tomorrow, just a tiny bit higher, -2.0 at 1:16 pm.

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West Seattle scene: Original Bakery’s National Donut Day visit
June 3, 2011 4:37 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

We’ve covered some big, serious stories today … now on to a little Friday fun:

Let us be the 6,000,000th (or so) person today to quote Homer Simpson‘s immortal line “MMMM, doughnuts.” As noted here on Wednesday, The Original Bakery in Fauntleroy decided to celebrate National Doughnut Day today by visiting Southwest Community Center in Westwood with free coffee and applesauce doughnuts. Above, that’s David, first recipient of a free doughnut; below, Gina Saxby from the SWCC team at left, with Original Bakery’s Anna Alonzo:

Anna reports TOB’s new website launched today too – including a menu page with a list of all their regular doughnuts.

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Skate for a Cure on June 4th at newly reopened Southgate Roller Rink
June 3, 2011 2:36 pm
|    Comments Off on Skate for a Cure on June 4th at newly reopened Southgate Roller Rink
 |   Announcements

We received a nice email from Ashley Vincent asking for our help to promote their fundraising skate event this Saturday. She made a personal appeal for help, and how can we refuse?

My name is Ashley Vincent I’m 22 years old and a local West Seattle-ite. I am writing to you about a fundraiser that I am having this weekend. My best friend and I are walking in the Susan G. Komen 3 Day for the Cure (my 3rd year and her 1st) and are holding a fundraiser at Southgate Roller Rink this weekend! We had our first fundraiser, a bake sale, listed through you during the Community Garage Sale Day and raised over $800! We were wondering if there was any way you could help us get the word out about our “Skate for a Cure” fundraiser for more people to show up?

Here are the event details:
Put on your roller skates and “Skate for a Cure”. Help local West Seattleites Amiko Imori and Ashley Vincent raise the $4,600 they need to be able to participate in the 2011 Susan G. Komen 60 mile 3-Day walk! A fun two hours of catching up with old friends, great music, and roller skating all while supporting a great cause!
Where: Southgate Roller Rink
When: Saturday, June 4th, 5:00-7:00 pm
• Entrance into the rink will be $10 per person (this includes skate rental) but any donations over that will be greatly appreciated!
• 100% of the donations received from this event will go straight to Susan G. Komen for the Cure!
• Prizes for best dressed (male and female), racing, limbo and more!

They also have a Facebook Event page where you can RSVP, ask questions, or make comments.

So come dressed in your craziest pink clothes and get ready to skate! See you there!

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Video: 99/Viaduct’s south end 6 months ahead of schedule
June 3, 2011 1:56 pm
|      15 COMMENTS
 |   Alaskan Way Viaduct | West Seattle news

1:56 PM: A high-powered team of elected officials led by Governor Gregoire summoned media to the south end of the downtown waterfront for what was billed as an announcement about the Holgate-to-King section of the Highway 99/Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement project. The news: It is 6 months ahead of schedule and demolition will start Oct. 22. More to come.

2:12 PM UPDATE: This was an elaboration on what the Holgate-to-King project leader Matt Preedy had announced at the South Portal Working Group meeting on Wednesday (here’s our coverage; no other newspeople were there). While he had reported the work ahead of schedule, he didn’t say how much ahead of schedule, but said timelines were being revised. So today came the details, with Governor Gregoire joined on a stage in the work zone (top photo) by Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond, King County Executive Dow Constantine, City Councilmembers Sally Clark, Jean Godden, Tim Burgess and Sally Bagshaw, and Port Commissioner Gael Tarleton. (Clark spoke for the City Council, saying that other members might have been there too, except for the fact committee meetings were still under way back at City Hall. Agendas show one committee meeting this afternoon – 2 of its members, Clark and Bagshaw, were at this event; the other two, Nick Licata and Tom Rasmussen, were not.)

The state says the demolition work wasn’t supposed to start till next April, but contractor Skanska has worked so quickly, it’s now going to start in October. The new cost is $3.5 million less, says WSDOT, but Skanska gets about 70% of that as a bonus, so taxpayer savings is $1 million. The new 99 structure you see taking shape along the old one will be opened before that happens, and traffic will be shifted onto it. So does this mean any shorter timeframe for the traffic woes West Seattleites (among others) are experiencing, which intensified with the mid-May reduction? We asked Hammond that question when the announcement segued to Q/A:

(A new WSDOT graphic also reiterates it will still be two lanes each way while traffic is using the new structure.) County Executive Constantine had an interesting stat: Two weeks of West Seattle Water Taxi stats are now in, post-Viaduct Squeeze, and ridership in the commute periods is up 60 percent.

We’re reviewing the “official” materials handed out after the speeches ended and will add more details shortly.

10:47 PM: One more thing to add – Seattle Channel video’d the 20-minute event in its entirety, so here it is:

(Our question to Secretary Hammond is about 17:50 in – the event venue was so noisy, reporters were motioned to the front of the stage to ask our questions, and ours was the first. )

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BULLETIN: Fauntleroy Place (aka ‘The Hole’) case settled
June 3, 2011 11:56 am
|      18 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

(WSB photo of ‘The Hole,’ taken last month)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

WSB has confirmed with two sources that the longrunning legal case involving the idled West Seattle development called Fauntleroy Place, but better known as ‘The Hole,’ has been settled.

That’s according to both the bailiff for King County Superior Court Judge Susan Craighead, who has been on the case, and one of the myriad attorneys representing the many parties involved.

Neither bailiff Jennie Cowan nor the lawyer had (or could divulge) details of the settlement, and there is no paperwork in the court system so far – so that’s all we know at this point, but we are continuing to work to find out additional information. There had been a motion hearing scheduled in the case this afternoon, but bailiff Cowan says that when lawyers informed the judge that a settlement had been reached, the hearing “was stricken.”

The case had gone to mediation at the suggestion of Judge Craighead, as we reported here in April, while a second trial date continued to approach. It’s a complicated case, and the judge already had rendered one decision back in November, to settle whose liens had priority. (That decision was appealed; we’ll be checking on its status.)

The big question for most West Seattleites, of course, is whether this will lead to the resumption of development at the site. Judge Craighead had repeatedly expressed concern about its safety, and suggested that it was important for the West Seattle community to see something done with the site sooner rather than later. At one point earlier this year, she ordered a foreclosure sale, but in February, it was called off at the last minute when the concern that wants to take possession of the site, 3922 SW Alaska LLC (associated with the owner of Madison Development), put up a $7.7 million cash bond.

Ground was ceremonially broken for Fauntleroy Place in June 2008; it was slated for a new Whole Foods Market (they have long since pulled out of the project), a new Hancock Fabrics store, and apartments. The development stalled later that year, and the squabbling over why and who was to blame has been at the heart of the legal fight.

We’ll add to this story as we find out more.

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Video: Chief Sealth Athletics’ 1st benefit golf tournament
June 3, 2011 11:36 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

The carts were lined up and ready to go as the first-ever Chief Sealth International High School Athletics Benefit Golf Tournament teed off this morning at Rainier Golf Course and Country Club. Last-minute registrants were still signing up, much to the delight of athletic director Sam Reed, who has been working hard to make the event happen. He and principal John Boyd opened the tournament with a few words:

Also among the golfers, Chief Sealth’s basketball coach Colin Slingsby:

Tournament participants will wrap up their day with an early dinner/auction event. As noted in event previews, proceeds will help pay for athletics-program components including “C-team” participation (enabling sports to be played by more than just the top athletes), transportation, new uniforms, equipment, off-season camps and leagues, and continuing education for coaches. (The event comes the same week Sealth celebrated the conclusion of a successful spring-sports season, as detailed here.)

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Beautifying Boren: Tomorrow’s the day 2 hours can make a difference
June 3, 2011 11:21 am
|    Comments Off on Beautifying Boren: Tomorrow’s the day 2 hours can make a difference
 |   Delridge | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(WSB photo from September 2010)
A reminder today about a need for two hours of your time tomorrow – a small investment for a big difference: Eight months after the now-vacant Boren School on Delridge Way was boarded up, Pete Spalding and other community activists want to take action to discourage graffiti/tagging vandalism by putting up more murals. The murals already have been painted, but need some work so that they will last longer once they’re installed. Tomorrow from 9 to 11 am, help make that happen – and then get on with the rest of your Saturday fun in the (expected) sun! Here’s our original invitation; Boren’s at 5950 Delridge (here’s a map).

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West Seattle Friday: Skylark birthday, WSHS reunion, CSIHS golf
June 3, 2011 9:20 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

That photo is from yesterday’s low tide (near Luna/Anchor Park), and today’s low tide, around 12:30 pm, will be even lower – just in case you are looking for an excuse to get out into the sunshine, by the water! Also from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SKYLARK: Skylark Café and Club (WSB sponsor) has its 5th birthday celebration tonight with the solo acoustic debut of Zach Davidson from Vendetta Red/Sirens Sister, doors at 8 pm, $5 cover – details here (3803 Delridge Way SW).

WEST SEATTLE HS ALL-SCHOOL REUNION: It all begins with cars on display along SW Stevens starting around 4 pm, then the school doors open at 5 pm. Events include West Seattle Big Band performance and more – here’s the full schedule (originally published on WSB in April).

WSHS CLASS OF ’86: 1986 grads are having their 25th reunion in conjunction with the All-School Reunion, at the school 5-8 pm, and then off to an afterparty at The Bridge (4439 35th Ave SW), plus a family-friendly potluck on Alki Saturday (contact class rep Jeff Stern at Sternski1@comcast.net if you’re not already in the loop).

CHIEF SEALTH INT’L HS ATHLETICS GOLF TOURNAMENT: The first-ever fundraising golf tournament for Sealth’s athletic program is under way all day at Rainier Golf & Country Club, with an awards dinner tonight.

FRIDAY NIGHT SKATING: If you can’t make it to the rink – West Seattle has a place to skate too, every Friday night at Alki Community Center (5817 SW Stevens), 6:45-8:45, you can borrow skates there if you don’t have your own. $3/person.

NATIONAL DOUGHNUT DAY: Anna from The Original Bakery (follow the link to see their new website) says they’re celebrating by giving out free applesauce donuts and coffee at Southwest Community Center, 1 pm (previewed here).

SKA/REGGAE/CARIBBEAN MUSIC: Live tonight at Brickyard BBQ in the Admiral District, 7 pm.

WINE TASTING: At Bin 41 (4707 California SW), 6 – 7:30 pm. Pinot Noir Tasting with Sojourn Cellars.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Can you help find this car?
June 3, 2011 9:09 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Out of the WSB inbox this morning, a request from Peter, for your help in finding a stolen car:

My wife’s car was stolen from our driveway on Wednesday night. We’ve reported the theft to the police, but hope WSB readers can help us find it. It’s a black 2004 Saab convertible, license plate ADC 1007. If someone sees it, please call 911. Thanks to one and all.

(He didn’t mention what neighborhood, but we’ve got a return inquiry out and will update – please include general location info with Crime Watch reports – nearest intersection will suffice – thanks!)

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Benefit Sunday for motorcyclist who survived crash on Avalon
June 3, 2011 8:26 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

The eye-catching posters are all over town – ERIC RICE BENEFIT. If you haven’t read the fine print (full-size version here), it’s about an event this Sunday night at Brickyard BBQ in the Admiral District, to raise money for the motorcyclist hurt in a collision with a car in the Luna Park business district on April 30th. We covered the crash that night (the driver was cited). A benefit organizer, Michelle, tells WSB that Eric “is healing but will be in recovery and therapy for many months ahead. He is with us (thanks) to those from the Luna Park Cafe who witnessed the incident and saved his life before medical help could arrive.” She says five local bands will play at the benefit between 1 and 9 pm, and Eric is expected to attend in the afternoon; they’ve amassed many donated items for the raffle/auction: “Everyone is invited and welcome to join in the benefit, all donations go to Eric.” 2310 California SW. (You can also donate online via Facebook.)

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Security at ‘Nickelsville’ camp: 1st of 2 reports – ‘The Incident’
June 3, 2011 2:23 am
|      45 COMMENTS
 |   Nickelsville encampment | Safety | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Story by Joanne Brayden
Photo by Kevin McClintic
Special to West Seattle Blog

The incident that sparked this story began when a West Seattle resident reported in the comments section of this recent WSB report, “So You Think You Know Who’s at Nickelsville?”, that an automatic notification had informed her/him that a registered sex offender living in the vicinity of the camp that moved back to eastern WS three weeks ago today.

At first glance, that report and how Nickelsville rapidly responded to it seemed to be all there was to tell, but this story, like all tales of human interaction with bureaucracy, turns out to be much more complex than anticipated.

I confess, as the person breaking the story of WSB Forums member Mike’s move to Nickelsville, I was inclined to dismiss the initial comment about a sex offender living at Nickelsville as one of the many Not In My Back Yard reactions to the homeless camp, but as the evening progressed, the probable offender was identified.

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Just 1 week till West Seattle Relay for Life – still time to be in it
June 3, 2011 12:53 am
|    Comments Off on Just 1 week till West Seattle Relay for Life – still time to be in it
 |   Fun stuff to do | Health | How to help | West Seattle news

(WSB video: Walking along the line of luminarias at 2010 West Seattle Relay for Life)
One week from tonight, it’s the summer’s only all-night fundraiser in West Seattle – Relay for Life. Though some teams have been planning and raising money for months, it’s also not too late to form one and sign up now to be part of the cancer-fighting walkathon at West Seattle Stadium. WSB is proud to be among the West Seattle Relay for Life co-sponsors this year; here’s the latest update from Rebecca Polivy:

The West Seattle Relay for Life is right around the corner! Join us by creating a team or just coming out and seeing what it is all about. Festivities kick off at 6 pm on Friday June 10th with fun for the whole family – walk the track for American Cancer Society or just come to check out an awesome performance by the Seattle Civic Dance Theater, practice your marshmallow launching skills, or compete in the first annual Minute-to-Win-it competition!

We are also looking for lots of day-of volunteers – if you could come and help us out any time between 1pm on June 10th through noon on Saturday we would love to have you. E-mail Rebecca (bec@busstop.org) to learn more about how you can help! Between setting up, helping set up for the luminaria ceremony, or manning our information tent – we could use volunteers of all ages!

Hope to see you there – westseattlerelay.com

You can also donate online right now to any of dozens of participants – the links are here.

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Got something to shred or e-cycle? Free event Saturday
June 2, 2011 8:52 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Environment | West Seattle news

Got documents to shred, and/or computers, monitors, cell phones, TVs to recycle? You can do it all in West Seattle on Saturday, presented by Windermere Real Estate in The Junction (home to WSB sponsors The CoHo Team). 10 am-1 pm, you can bring your shreddables and e-cyclables to the parking lot behind the office, off 42nd between SW Alaska and SW Oregon, and drop them off for free. (InterConnection.org will be providing the e-cycling services.)

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Police search in Highland Park
June 2, 2011 6:03 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police

The big police response in Highland Park this past hour, around 9th/Henderson, is linked to a family-violence case, according to police. They say a father and son clashed after one showed up at the residence with a gun. We’re told one is in custody and the other was still being sought, at last report.

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Update: Cars hit house, fence after 34th/Trenton crash
June 2, 2011 5:13 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

Driving along SW Trenton just east of 35th might be slow going for a bit as two tow trucks are busy towing two cars that collided on the north side of 34th/Trenton, one winding up in a house’s yard, one through a fence (photo above). No serious injuries; one driver has been taken to the hospital in a private ambulance. 34th is blocked off at the scene till the towing crews’ work is done.

ADDED 5:36 PM: The family who owns the home escaped injury, though they were all home – husband, wife, and two little kids. He told us that he heard three loud impacts, and thought maybe someone was hitting parked cars along 34th – then went out to discover the car in the yard (which also damaged the house, at the daylight basement level) and the one through the fence next door.

ADDED 6:06 PM: About to add more photos. Nathan reports that the street is open again. (Also thanks to Sam and Val for the original tips.)

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