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West Seattle safety: Signal ‘warranted’ for Avalon/Yancy/30th
February 21, 2011 10:16 am
|      28 COMMENTS
 |   Safety | Transportation | West Seattle news

The narrow-Y intersection of Avalon, Yancy, and 30th, south of the Luna Park business district (map), has long been a frustration, and danger, to pedestrians, bicyclists, drivers, and bus riders. But there’s a glimmer of hope. A resident who’s been talking with the city about getting a signal there, Liz Johnson, sent first word that the city agrees the intersection needs help. Liz shared this from city traffic engineer Valerie Lee:

SDOT recently completed a signal warrant study for the intersection of SW Avalon Way, 30th Avenue SW and SW Yancy Street. The study results showed this intersection met the MUTCD* manual signal warrant 1.

SDOT will put this location on our warranted signals location list. Every year, more signals are warranted than we have funding to build. Towards the end of each year, all warranted locations compete for the following years’ new signal fund.

At the end of 2011, SDOT will consider the traffic volume, pedestrian volume, and collision history as well as the cost of the signal to determine which of the warranted locations will receive a new signal in 2012.

*The MUTCD is the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, a federal document that defines the national standard for municipalities to follow when installing any traffic control devices.

We checked with SDOT about the length of the waitlist; Marybeth Turner from the communications team tells WSB, “Our Traffic Management Division reports that we now have 15 traffic signals on the list. We are usually able to install 2 to 4 new signals each year, depending on the funding available.” This is the same intersection that got pedestrian flags almost three years ago. (P.S. For comments, the city has this e-mail address: traffic.signals@seattle.gov)

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West Seattle Weather Watch: Be on the lookout for snow showers
February 21, 2011 7:54 am
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

(Photo by Mark Pierson)
It didn’t happen last time – but just in case it does this time, you should know the National Weather Service issued another “special weather statement” late last night warning about the chance of snow showers this week. Cold air and incoming systems suggest this might happen any time between tonight and Thursday, and snow or no snow, it’s going to be cold, with lows possibly in the 20s Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights.

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Video: ‘Soul Jambalaya’ talent feast, for (and with) Denny students
February 20, 2011 10:58 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS culture/arts

If you weren’t among the 200 or so people in the Chief Sealth International High School auditorium Saturday night, you missed something truly breathtaking in the three-hour, multi-act “Soul Jambalaya” event, a celebration of African-American history (musical and otherwise) to benefit Denny International Middle School musicians. We were there from start to finish, recording video so you can enjoy (or re-enjoy) highlights. Our top clip is the show-opener, the entire Denny-student-performed “The Stolen Ones and How They Were Missed” by Marcia Tate Arunga, explained in this story by Jack Broom from the Seattle Times (WSB partner). From Denny principal Jeff Clark‘s morning-after note today:

I was so proud of the students who performed the scene from our play based on the book, The Stolen Ones and How They Were Missed by Marcia Tate Arunga. Ms. Tate Arunga — and the many talented artists she brought with her — did a beautiful job working with our students and community; we are very grateful for their time and many talents. Thank you also to Ms. Patricia Rangel, who coordinated all the details of this play so effectively.

Under the direction of Denny music-program leader Marcus Pimpleton, who put together “Soul Jambalaya,” the Denny Jazz Band wowed the crowd too:

Pimpleton also leads the band program at Sealth, whose Jazz Band 2 was featured as well – here’s one of their numbers (with soloists identified at the end of the clip):

Sealth’s drummer guested with Septimus, a veteran Seattle group that was among the non-student acts on the bill:

Septimus was in reggae mode for that song, though they also played some blues; a pure reggae performer was on the program, too, even more reggae from Jamaican native Clinton Fearon:

And there were two stage-shaking, crowd-rousing gospel performances, too – including Seattle’s own Total Experience Gospel Choir, led by Pastor Pat Wright:

The brothers-and-sisters group Oliver Generations of Faith brought their own style to the Sealth stage:

While Marcus Pimpleton joked to the audience toward show’s end, “You got $10,000 worth of music,” admission was free, and voluntary donations were collected for Denny musicians’ upcoming California travel. (You can still donate – here’s where to send a check.) Two more acknowledgments from principal Clark’s post-show note:

I would like to express my sincere thanks to everyone who came last night to support the students at Denny and Sealth at our Soul Jambalaya event. The event was a huge success! …

This whole event was the creation of Mr. Marcus Pimpleton, who, as he always does, did a phenomenal job pulling together such a fantastic event. Mr. Pimpleton has a team of volunteers who help with set up, backstage, and with countless other things–thank you, volunteers. Last night, Mr. Pimpleton said, “This is what being an International School is all about.” I absolutely agree. Thank you, Mr. Pimpleton, for all that you do for our children, our school, and our community!

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@ Alki Community Council: Alki Art Fair plan; skyscraper signs
February 20, 2011 9:59 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

Story and photos by Karen Berge
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

Though the city budget cuts to Alki Community Center threatened the Alki Art Fair‘s future, as previously reported here, it’s expected now to continue – with volunteer power (and that means you!).

That’s one of the biggest items discussed this past Thursday night at the monthly meeting of the Alki Community Council. City Council President Richard Conlin was there too – his first of two West Seattle visits in a three-day span – as were Southwest Precinct police leaders, who discussed crime trends as well as police-staffing plans for Alki this summer. Read on for details:Read More

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Presidents Day tomorrow: Bus changes, no Water Taxi, more
February 20, 2011 5:31 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

In case you’re not off tomorrow and forget it’s a holiday (Presidents Day) – there are some changes. Metro will be on reduced weekday service; the King County Water Taxi and its shuttles won’t be running at all (West Seattle OR Vashon); most government offices/facilities are closed, as are most (if not all) banks. Most state liquor stores, however, are open. If you’re going someplace in the city with metered street parking, tomorrow it’s free. Schools are closed (many, including all Seattle Public Schools, have the whole week off). But if you have Monday trash/recycling/yard waste (etc.) pickup, Seattle Public Utilities says everything is normal tomorrow (no changes for Sound Transit or state ferries, either).

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Happening now: Rock ‘n’ roll auction for animals at The Feedback
February 20, 2011 3:52 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   How to help | Pets | West Seattle news

Weary of wandering in the sunshine? Duck into the Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) and put in a bid on rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia – as the live “Vinyl Countdown 3” auction continues till 5 pm. It’s a benefit for the Animal Aid and Rescue Foundation, and The Feedback’s website promises “a plethora of vintage vinyl, rock memorabilia, posters, shirts, 45s, and more!” 6451 California SW, in Morgan Junction. (P.S. If you didn’t, or can’t, make it to the auction, there’s another way to help – here’s the latest list of critters that AARF is trying to find “forever homes” for.)

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Your next chance to learn the do’s and don’ts of calling 911
February 20, 2011 2:02 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Safety | West Seattle news

If you see or suspect anything suspicious, call 911. You’ve heard that from local police leaders time and time again. Yet there’s still confusion about when to call, or even concern if it sounds like the 911 dispatcher isn’t taking you seriously. So here’s another chance to hear from the experts – and ask your questions – at Tuesday night’s West Seattle Blockwatch Captains Network meeting (note, EVERYONE is welcome):

When should I call 9-1-1? What should I say? Can I text 9-1-1? What do I do if they don’t take me seriously? What happens after I hang up? Should I call even if I think someone else has already called?

The February meeting of the West Seattle Blockwatch Captains’ Network will focus on the 9-1-1 system. Our guest speaker will be Kayreen Lum from King County 9-1-1. She will cover 9-1-1 basics, how to use it effectively, explain how the information is processed through the system and discuss future technologies. Our own CPT Officer, Jonathan Kiehn, will also be there to add his perspective and field questions about what the police do with information from a 9-1-1 call.

We invite everyone throughout the SW Precinct (even if you aren’t a Blockwatch Captain) to attend and improve your skills!

Tuesday, February 22, 2011, 6:30-8 PM
SW Police Precinct, 2300 SW Webster Street (at Delridge, next to Home Depot)

Find out more about WSBWCN at its website and/or on Facebook.

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Followup: New information about West Seattle-bound The Sneakery
February 20, 2011 11:59 am
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Late Friday night, capping a busy week of new-and-moving-business news, we reported that The Sneakery, a Ballard shoe store, is expanding to West Seattle, in the space at 4736 California SW that was long home to Liberty Bell Printing (which moved to a storefront-less location two months ago). We also sent an inquiry to the store’s owner, hoping to get some timetable information, and just heard back. Owner Drea tells WSB “… the space is going to take a lot of work to get up and running. Look for us to open sometime in May. We will be offering old-school sneakers from Saucony Originals, Adidas, Puma, PF Flyers and more. Plus, we will have an extensive sock selection. We are pleased as punch to be serving the people of West Seattle!”

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Mystery find; vandalism; stolen bike
February 20, 2011 8:41 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Recognize any of that? It turned up night before last on Cheryl’s parking strip – left there while she was away for just a few hours. It appears to be the interior of a Honda. That’s one of three West Seattle Crime Watch reports out of the WSB inbox … this next one is from Howard:

Just wanted to let you guys know that sometime (Friday) night, our Nissan Xterra’s back window was smashed. It looks like it was a random act of vandalism because nothing was stolen, they didn’t even to attempt to open up any doors. The car was parked on the street in front of my house at 29th Ave SW and Cloverdale.

And from Adam via Twitter:

Bike theft, Hanford between 44th/45th this afternoon. Left my garage door open; when I came home around 6, my white Raleigh road bike was gone. … white Raleigh Record Ace with black custom fenders, head- and taillight.

Side note: Do you have a Block Watch? One last time before Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Benjamin Kinlow retires, he’s leading a blockwatch-captain training event that’s being organized by the West Seattle Blockwatch Captains’ Network. It’ll be on March 7; full details here.

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West Seattle Sunday: CD release @ Skylark, auction @ Feedback…
February 20, 2011 6:30 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts | WS miscellaneous


Myspace music player

Clicking “play” will get you to a sampling of music for West Seattle native Trevor Ras, who plays Skylark Café and Club (WSB sponsor) tonight for his CD release party. 8 pm, $7 cover. (The new album – his second – is “Blue Sky,” and is on sale at West Seattle’s own Easy Street Records, by the way.) … This afternoon, it’s the annual rock ‘n’ roll live auction at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), “Vinyl Countdown,” raising money for animal advocates, 2-5 pm (more info on The Feedback’s home page) … Want to help animals by giving a cat a new home? There’s an adoptathon noon-3 pm at Next to Nature in The Junction (4543 California SW) … Also in The Junction, a new farmer (with fresh goat and cow milk) and live music today at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market, 10 am-2 pm, plus the West Seattle Tool Library with a sewing demonstration, as previewed here, and the final performance of “Emilie” at ArtsWest, 3 pm (tickets available online. … A 2 pm matinee closes out this weekend’s run of “The New New News” at South Seattle Community College‘s Olympic Hall (details here) … More on the calendar!

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West Seattle students: Madison’s Lauren Estep in honor orchestra
February 20, 2011 4:25 am
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Madison Middle School teacher Clark Bathum shares news of a big achievement by one of his students: 12-year-old Lauren Estep, a seventh-grade violist, represented Madison by playing with the All-Northwest Junior Orchestra at the National Association for Music Education’s Northwest Division Conference in Bellevue this weekend. He shared this story with quotes from the young musician and her mom before the big event:

“This is a good moment for Lauren as a viola player,” says Alison Estep, Lauren’s mother. “I think she’s really going to enjoy playing with gung-ho instrumentalists coming from all over. It’s exciting for her. I really credit Lauren’s private teacher Laura Martin and her Madison orchestra teacher Mr. Bathum for supporting her completely and making this happen. She’s fortunate to be growing up as a musician with such devoted, kind, and talented teachers in her life. Sure, it’s been a lot of work for her to prepare for the audition and learn all the music but my hunch is she’ll get there and think it’s all been incredibly worthwhile.”

“I’m really excited. I’ve been counting the days,” says Lauren. “I feel kind of honored and it’s taken a lot of practicing to get ready for it because there’s so much music. Mr. Bathum and Mike Watson have really helped me. They’re the reason I got into this. Hopefully some other kids will try and have the opportunity next year at Madison.”

The All-Northwest Junior Orchestra is made up of top middle-school musicians from Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming. This is a major honor for Madison. The orchestra is a very tight group and the other orchestra students here are really proud of Lauren’s accomplishment.

We have a lot of talented and hard working musicians in the Madison music program. Hopefully Lauren’s success will help show others in the band and orchestra program to realize that they are on par with the best young musicians around. Congratulations, Lauren.

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West Seattle weekend scenes: 6 more views of windblown waves
February 20, 2011 1:15 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news

One more round of views of the incredible sun, wind and waves from Saturday – First, from David Rosen of SlickPix Photography, up, up, and away over the surf! A shoreside view of something similar, from Kenna of Kenna Klosterman Photography:

Next, Craig Young caught sea-sprayed kids on the Alki boardwalk …

… and Cheryl from Cnellis Photography found people running from/through the megawaves:

And the waves left behind quite the cleanup job, as David Hutchinson documented:

Hope nobody spent much time cleaning it all up Saturday afternoon/evening, since 6 am today brings an even-higher tide than yesterday … 12.9 feet. (Minus the north wind, though.)

ADDED: Fritz Rud‘s photo of the waves at sunset along Alki – hadn’t quite calmed down yet!

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West Seattle Girl Scouts get their cookies; next, you get yours
February 19, 2011 9:31 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

The Alaska Marine Lines loading dock along West Marginal Way Southwest is usually bustling with trucks – but this morning, minivans and SUVs ruled the day, as West Seattle Girl Scouts and troop leaders picked up this year’s supply of cookies. Inside, stacks of boxes awaited each group that dropped by from predawn till noontime:

Service Unit cookie manager Cheryl Brown says this year’s West Seattle order totaled 35,016 boxes – 5,220 more than last year. No new flavor this year – same ones as last year. If you pre-ordered, deliveries are starting tomorrow; if you didn’t, look for Girl Scouts selling cookies outside local stores and businesses starting next Friday (February 25th) and continuing through March 13th. Wondering where to find them? The online Cookie Locator is up and running again this year too – just go here. (Use it to search by zip code, or within a certain distance of a zip code; this appears to be the complete list of WS sales.) And if you’d like to buy cookies to donate to U.S. military personnel, Operation Cookie Drop is back in business as well (read about that here).

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Relay for Life of West Seattle: Discount signup through Sunday!
February 19, 2011 9:30 pm
|    Comments Off on Relay for Life of West Seattle: Discount signup through Sunday!
 |   Health | How to help | West Seattle news

After Thursday night’s kickoff for this June’s cancer-fighting Relay for Life of West Seattle, Rebecca Polivy sent in a report – and an invitation if you haven’t signed up yet:

The West Seattle Relay Kickoff event held (Thursday) night, February 17th, at Coffee to a Tea with Sugar in the junction was a huge success! New and old participants gathered for a night of food, entertainment and information. Event Chair Jilyan Perry spoke to new and old relay participants and got everyone very excited for the event which will be June 10-11 at the West Seattle Stadium. Dwaine Casmey, captain of Team Avanade, entertained the crowd with his brillant tunes while everyone munched on delicious cupcakes from our hosts.

If you haven’t had a chance to participate in Relay for Life it’s not too late! Please visit our website and contact us with any questions. Team registration fees will be half price through this weekend – so sign up today!!! All are welcome.

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West Seattle wildlife: Meet Oswold the Lincoln Park owl
February 19, 2011 8:29 pm
|      18 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks | Wildlife

West Seattle’s eagles have made headlines recently (both here and on TV) – but don’t forget the rest of our amazing avians – like the owl Trileigh photographed at Lincoln Park this morning:

It’s not only eagles who are increasingly active this season! Many of our forest species are feeling the energy of spring. If you keep your eyes, and especially your ears, open, you can see all kinds of life in our West Seattle parks. Here’s a photo from this morning of one of our Lincoln Park Barred Owls, named “Oswold” by one of my students in honor of young Wollet of a previous year. If you’d like to find owls, pay close attention to when other birds large and small are making a loud fuss…you may get lucky and find that the source of their concern is a nearby owl!

(We appreciate the tip – we’ve had about as much luck owl-watching as we have had whale-watching.) If you missed WSB reports on the owlet Trileigh mentioned, Wollet, check out this 2009 story.

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CoolMom, Sierra Club team at Alki to ‘Paint Past Coal’
February 19, 2011 6:29 pm
|    Comments Off on CoolMom, Sierra Club team at Alki to ‘Paint Past Coal’
 |   Environment | West Seattle news

(Photos by Ellen Cedergreen for WSB)
Sunny Saturday at Alki wasn’t just about kite-flying and wave-watching (more photos of that later, by the way). It was also about mural-painting and awareness-raising. West Seattle-founded environmental/family-focused activism group CoolMom organized “Paint Past Coal” outside the Alki Bathhouse, with the Sierra Club and others, as part of a campaign to stop coal-burning as a means of energy generation, because of pollution concerns. At right, below, is CoolMom director Terri Glaberson with, from left, Sierra Club’s Charley Danner and Robin Everett, who noted, “In the end, this is really about having a healthy planet for our kids to grow up on.”

There were speakers (including City Council President Richard Conlin talking about alternative fuel sources including wind – appropriately enough today! – and solar) and musicians:

Our state has one coal-burning plant, in Centralia, owned by Canada-headquartered TransAlta, whose website notes this pro-plant rally in Olympia last week – the State House is considering HB 1825, seeking to decommission the plant. CoolMom and Sierra Club say they are hoping that coal can be completely phased out by 2015. CoolMom says the mural will be presented to 34th District State Sen. Sharon Nelson, who has been working on the issue (also of local note, West Seattle’s 34th District State Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon is a co-sponsor of HB 1825).

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West Seattle Farmers’ Market tomorrow: Music; new farmer; sewing
February 19, 2011 5:51 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle Farmers' Market | West Seattle news

Every time we stop by the West Seattle Farmers’ Market on Sunday and see live music, we’ve wished it had been announced ahead of time so we could have mentioned it here. Tonight – there’s advance notice! Great news for an expected-to-be-sunny Sunday market – market manager Catherine Burke sends word that tomorrow they’ll have “folksy MOZO music, a Tool Library demo and a new farmer, Silver Springs Creamery (fresh cow and goat milk!)” A tweet from the West Seattle Tool Library itself elaborates on the demonstration: Sewing machines making produce bags. As always, year-round, the WS Farmers’ Market is at 44th/Alaska.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: 1 car stolen, 1 car found
February 19, 2011 1:07 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

First, the latest stolen-car report we’ve received – from Andy:

Last night between 10 pm and 1 am some hoodlums stole my black 1997 Nissan Maxima from the street in front of our house, which is located on the 5200 block of 45th Avenue SW. Most importantly, my golf clubs are in the trunk. Police report was filed… just sharin’ the love. License number 192 ZGB, if anyone spots the vehicle please report to police. Black Maxima, my kids like to write letters in the dirt on the doors, so that’s another identifying characteristic, golf clubs are Nike Procombos :(

Here’s the SPD tweet on that. Second, an update from Tina, whose family car was stolen for the second time in a year in the Genesee area, just as she and her cancer-patient husband were about to head out of state with it – she says it was found in South Park: “For the second time, they stole the car, stripped the brake light modulator, then dumped the car. We’re still waiting to hear about the trailer and our belongings. The crooks also stole a family heirloom that was very important to my recently deceased mother.”

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High-school basketball: Chief Sealth loss, next game Friday
February 19, 2011 1:06 pm
|    Comments Off on High-school basketball: Chief Sealth loss, next game Friday
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

1:06 PM: From Bellevue College: Chief Sealth International High School‘s boys-basketball team lost to O’Dea, 67-51. Next game: Auburn on Friday (part of the state tournament). More details on today’s game later.

ADDED: As promised, details, and two video clips, after the jump:Read More

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West Seattle Weather Watch: Wind, waves, moon, mountains
February 19, 2011 11:34 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

(Saturday night note – another roundup in the works with today’s great photos – editor@westseattleblog.com if you have one to share)

Before we move on to the rest of today’s news, more photos of this morning’s confluence of high tide, north wind, and full moon (thanks to everyone for sharing!) … Above, Cormac captured the seaspray at Alki. Someone else who lives near Alki Point e-mailed to say it was so fierce early this morning, they were getting soaked on the second floor of their building. From a bit more of a distance, David Hutchinson sends this rosy view of the Olympics and a choppy-sea-navigating tugboat:

David reported it was about 34 degrees (before the wind chill!) when he sent that. (added) Later in the morning, Danny McMillin photographed the wave action, with Mount Constance towering overhead:

And how about one more shot of the moonset?

That’s courtesy of Leaf, taken along Beach Drive. If you want to see something close to any of the above again – tomorrow morning just might bring a repeat – except for the part about the gusty wind. The tide will be a bit higher than it was this morning when it peaks just after 6 tomorrow morning; the Sunday forecast looks just as clear as today.

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West Seattle Saturday: 2 moon views, and today/tonight highlights
February 19, 2011 8:11 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Saturday: 2 moon views, and today/tonight highlights
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Beautiful moonset this morning – thanks to Lynne for sharing the view, with the Olympics (which are out in all their frosted splendor right now). And late last night, Booker shared a closeup of the full moon that graced the West Seattle sky through the night, including a spectacular moonrise for those facing the Cascades:

As for what’s up today – the full list is on the WSB West Seattle Events calendar as always, but here are a few highlights:

FAMILY FUN – MAGIC SHOW! Family-friendly magic show with Jeff Evans at High Point Community Center (6920 34th SW), 10:30 am, $5 per person.

‘PAINT PAST COAL’ AT ALKI: CoolMom, Sierra Club and others invite you to join in painting a mural during today’s event south of the Alki Bathhouse, 11 am-2 pm, to “highlight the need for a coal-free future for Washington” – event details here.

CAMP LONG ROPES COURSE WORK PARTY: 10 am-1 pm. Organizers say they’ll be “working primarily on removing logs and an old fire circle near cabin 2.” (Here’s the latest on the project.)

NATIVE PLANT SALE: 10 am-3 pm, 3225 47th SW.

HIGH-SCHOOL BASKETBALL: Chief Sealth vs. O’Dea at Bellevue College (map), 11:30 am.

SEATTLE OPERA PREVIEW: 3 singers – all the main characters! – 6:30 pm at The Kenney. (Entertainment 2011 books for sale at $25 also, raising money to pay for the preview events.)

‘SOUL JAMBALAYA’ DENNY FUNDRAISER @ SEALTH: Benefit concert with Total Experience Gospel Choir, Septimus, other groups, in addition to student musicians, organized by Denny International Middle School as a benefit for student musicians’ travel, happening at Chief Sealth International High School Auditorium, 6:45 pm (full details here)

FINAL WEEKEND FOR ‘EMILIE’: Last scheduled evening performance at Arts West at ArtsWest in The Junction (tickets available online

‘THE NEW NEW NEWS’: The play about the changing world of journalism is performed again at 7:30 pm at South Seattle Community College‘s Olympic Hall (details here)

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More Junction business news: Shoe store The Sneakery on the way
February 18, 2011 11:04 pm
|      18 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Thanks to Desiree, first to send a note tonight about a sighting in the Junction block we’ve been talking about most of the week – east side of California, north of Edmunds. The former HQ of Liberty Bell Printing – which is still in business elsewhere in West Seattle, without a retail storefront – has a new tenant. “Coming Soon: The Sneakery,” say the signs (as you can see in our iPhone photo at left) – a shoe store. (Datapoint – you might recall, Volume/Payless Shoe Source was in that block some years back.) Desiree even pointed us to a website for The Sneakery, currently based in Ballard. We haven’t reached the proprietor yet, but the city business-license database confirms the West Seattle location has the same owner, and checking The Sneakery’s Facebook page, a cryptic post a few weeks back asked where “fans” might want to see a second location … half of the 12 respondents mentioned West Seattle. We’ve got notes out to see if we can find out how soon they plan to open.

(To recap the week’s earlier discussion of this block – first Tom Yum Koong closed; then we confirmed its new ownership; and today, we confirmed Petco is moving elsewhere in The Junction.)

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Schmitz Park Elementary gets double honors: Excellence, plus math
February 18, 2011 10:26 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Two proud Schmitz Park Elementary parents forwarded this to us to share with you – word of double honors for their school, announced to them via e-mail from principal Gerrit Kischner:

Schmitz Park has been awarded the Washington Achievement Award from the State of Washington. In addition, we were one of just three elementary schools in the State to receive “special recognition” for math, one of just two Seattle Schools to receive special recognition in any subject area. This is an award that recognizes the tremendous efforts of our entire staff and our entire community. It recognizes achievement in a matrix of 10 categories over two school years, 2008 to 2010.

Here’s the full statewide awards list; note that Concord International Elementary School in South Park, which Seattle Public Schools considers to be in the West Seattle area, also won an award for overall excellence.

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