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Spotlight Stories

West Seattle schools: K-5 STEM at Boren plans Singapore Math
May 14, 2012 2:25 pm
|      30 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

If you weren’t at the last Design Team meeting for the new K-5 STEM at Boren school, or missed the mention in the WSB Forums, the official district notes for that meeting are now published online. The notes confirm a major curriculum decision: The Design Team supports seeking a waiver so the new science/tech/engineering/math school can use Singapore Math, which, in West Seattle, has led to major math success at Schmitz Park Elementary. The meeting notes also include an enrollment update:

Three kindergarten classes
One first-grade class
One first/second-grade class
One second/third-grade class
One third-grade class
One fourth-grade class
One fourth/fifth-grade class

Total enrollment as of last Thursday, 233. There has been some confusion over whether people are still being encouraged to apply in hopes they will add another class or two; the meeting notes say “still encourage people to get on the waitlist.” Next team meeting (public always welcome): 6:15 pm May 24th, Madison Middle School. There’s also an ongoing online-discussion group here.

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The WSBeat: Teens attacked; booze-party bust; dogs rescued; more
May 14, 2012 1:11 pm
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police | WSBeat

By Megan Sheppard
On the WSBeat, for West Seattle Blog

As always, the WSBeat summaries are from reports on cases handled recently by Southwest Precinct officers, incidents of note that (usually) have not already appeared here in breaking-news coverage or West Seattle Crime Watch reports, but that might at least answer the question “what WERE all those police doing on my block (whenever)?”:

*A 17-year-old was attacked from behind while she waited for a bus at California and Hanford late Thursday. One attacker covered her mouth, walked her to a nearby alley, and slammed her head against a tree. When she fell to the ground, five peoplie began kicking and punching her. She was taken to Highline Medical Center for treatment. The attackers were described as two Hispanic males, 15-17 years old, wearing gray hoodies; one Hispanic female, 15-17, wearing a tank top, dark basketball shorts, with her hair in a tight bun; and two other Hispanic females.

*Around 4 p.m. Thursday, a junior high student was attacked from behind by three people described as older male teens near 35th and Thistle. He did not recognize the suspects.

*A 36-year-old Highland Park mom (described as having an anecdotal history of throwing underage drinking soirees) is facing charges of unlawful furnishing of liquor to a minor after officers responded to complaints about a party in the 7700 block of Highland Park Way SW on Sunday, April 29th. Five juveniles ran from the scene but were caught and sent home to parents. Fifteen others — ranging in age from 18-14, and all showing serious signs of intoxication — were released from the apartment. One officer stated, “I can’t express how strong the smell (of marijuana) was.” Mom copped to the alcohol consumption but had nothing to say about the pot.

Eight more summaries ahead, including dogs rescued from a car, and a theft that happened in a flash:Read More

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Hearing in West Seattle on environmental-impact statement for school levy
May 14, 2012 12:48 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Though Seattle Public Schools‘ BEX IV levy plan has not yet been finalized, as part of the process, the district has to have hearings on the potential environmental impact of the potential projects, and the date’s been set for the next hearing: 5 pm May 22nd at Roxhill Elementary (30th and Roxbury). “Environmental impact,” in this case, doesn’t just mean ecological, but also noise, traffic, and other potential effects. The district’s draft environmental-impact statement regarding BEX IV can be seen in its entirety here. If you can’t make it to the hearing, you can also comment, until May 25, via e-mail or postal mail:

Noel Treat, SEPA Responsible official
John Stanford Center for Educational Excellence
2445 3rd Avenue South
Seattle, WA 98134

Or: jawolf@seattleschools.org

The School Board is expected to give final approval to the levy plan in October, after another round of community meetings in September. What’s currently being discussed was covered in our report on a board “work session” last week.

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West Seattle giving: CoolMom/Sustainable West Seattle tea on Saturday; followup on ‘Style ’12’
May 14, 2012 11:09 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle giving: CoolMom/Sustainable West Seattle tea on Saturday; followup on ‘Style ’12’
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

Two midday notes:

COOLMOM/SUSTAINABLE WEST SEATTLE BENEFIT TEA: This Saturday afternoon at 2 pm, you’re invited to a benefit tea to help “make West Seattle more sustainable and resilient,” as Bill Reiswig put it in his note, by supporting two groups: CoolMom and Sustainable West Seattle. From local food to transportation to toxic runoff to recycling, both groups have led a variety of creative sustainability campaigns in the community, with small budgets and tireless volunteer energy, and this is your chance to help them keep the work going. Tickets are $30; get yours here.

NORTHWEST HOPE AND HEALING’S ‘STYLE ’12’ TALLY: A week and a half after another annual edition of Northwest Hope and Healing‘s triumphant fashion show raising money to help breast-cancer patients (WSB coverage here) – with survivors wowing the crowd from the runway – the tally is in, and NWHH says its $100,000 goal was exceeded, with a total of $114,000 raised. As explained in today’s announcement:

Proceeds from the event benefits the Northwest Hope & Healing (NWHH) Patient Assistance Fund, which provides financial assistance for every day expenses like child care, groceries, gasoline, utilities & emergency rent to women in need who are receiving breast and gynecological cancer treatment at Swedish Medical Center, as well as for Signature Healing Baskets which are given free of charge to newly diagnosed breast cancer patients.

You can also help NWHH by registering for the annual Alki Beach 5K – it’s on August 26th, and online registration is open now.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Police investigate two fires
May 14, 2012 10:38 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Crime Watch: Police investigate two fires
 |   Crime | West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

The fire call we covered on SW Kenyon Saturday night turns out to be one of two “suspicious” fires now under investigation by police. After this comment from the homeowners in the 2400 block of SW Kenyon (map), where firefighters handled what was described at the time as burning debris, we checked this morning with Seattle Police, and here’s what they told us: It’s been determined that fire was set in a pile of yard debris, and spread to the house. While that fire briefly drew a full “fire in single-family residence” response, another one about a block away at 24th and Holden at almost the same time drew a much smaller response (and isn’t even on the call log) – it was in a trash can on the sidewalk, according to police, who say the only damage done was to the plastic can, which melted. SPD media-relations Det. Mark Jamieson tells WSB that while witnesses say they believe they saw three young children set the trash can fire, there were no witnesses at the larger fire on Kenyon. No injuries reported in either incident, and no arrests so far; the investigation continues.

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Video: Pathfinder K-8 celebrates technology grant from CenturyLink
May 14, 2012 9:56 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Our video shows the special surprise that kicked off Pathfinder K-8‘s Monday morning assembly today – the presentation of a ceremonial oversized $10,000 check from the CenturyLink Teachers and Technology program, to buy more tech equipment for classrooms.

It’s the only Seattle school getting one of nine such grants statewide. It didn’t really just come out of the blue, though – Pathfinder librarian Kathy Egawa, who spoke briefly at the assembly along with principal David Dockendorf and CenturyLink vp Sue Anderson, applied for the grant. She explained that while the state has tech standards students are expected to meet, Pathfinder doesn’t have the equipment needed to meet those standards – but this grant, to get 2 laptops for each classroom in the “Earth Hall” section, will help, as the second- and third-graders embark on a mapping expedition using them.

PATHFINDER P.S.: This Wednesday night is the kickoff for another project – more analog! – and the community’s invited to dinner in the cafeteria at 6 pm Wednesday to talk about how the school can transform its playground into a “creative outdoor learning space.” More info in the calendar listing.

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West Seattle Monday: North Delridge council; buses; paddleboards
May 14, 2012 7:33 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Monday: North Delridge council; buses; paddleboards
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Mid-May has been looking more like mid-July lately; Jody Baker shares the photo of Sunday’s crowd at Alki Beach. Today’s supposed to get into the low 80s, though unless there’s an en-masse sickout, the beach should be a little quieter. Besides the weather, here are highlights for today/tonight from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

WESTBOUND SPOKANE STREET VIADUCT CLOSURE LATE TONIGHT (technically early Tuesday): 2-5 am Tuesday, that short section of the westbound bridge at 99 will be closed again, as explained here. (And looking way ahead, remember NEXT weekend, the Alaskan Way Viaduct will be closed all weekend.)

BIKE AND BUS? FREE RIDE! As mentioned here Sunday night, if you take your bike on a Metro bus (or Sound Transit lines operated by Metro, including the 560), you get a free ride all week. First-come first-served for the bike racks, though.

STAND-UP PADDLEBOARDING FOR WOMEN: Monday nights at Alki Kayak Tours (Seacrest Boathouse, 1660 Harbor Avenue SW), it’s time for women to get out on the water, starting at 6 pm, and tonight the weather should be perfect.

NORTH DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL: Their monthly meeting is at 6:30 pm, Delridge Library. The agenda’s on the NDNC website; it’s a busy one, with updates from parks to roads to festivals.

AT THE LIBRARIES: Three events tonight at Seattle Public Library branches in West Seattle, all featured on the SPL Calendar of Events: Evening Book Group at Southwest Library, 6:45 pm, reading “The Reluctant Fundamentalist“; Seattle Reads ‘The Submission’ Book Group at West Seattle (Admiral) Library, also 6:45 pm; and Family Story Time at the High Point Library, 7 pm.

NEW HOURS, NEW MENU AT FEEDBACK LOUNGE: New for spring/summer – The Feedback (WSB sponsor) opens at 4 pm Mondays-Thursdays, 11:30 am Fridays-Sundays (full details on their home page), and a new menu will debut today.

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Update: Poggie Tavern closed temporarily after fire
May 14, 2012 4:19 am
|      18 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

4:19 AM: Big fire response to the 4700 block of California in The Junction. Even as we head that way, SFD has reduced the response, though. More to come.

4:32 AM UPDATE: The address for the call, 4717 California SW, is the Poggie Tavern, and WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand, at the scene, says that’s where fire crews are working – in the back, on the alley. No flames.

4:44 AM UPDATE: The incident commander has just briefed media crews (TV is there too), saying the fire started in a dumpster in the back of the building. The interior isn’t affected but there was some damage to the back.

4:54 AM UPDATE: Crews are also cutting into the roof for ventilation because of the “extension” – the area the original dumpster fire had spread to before somebody called it in.

5:08 AM UPDATE: The crews’ work is winding down. We’ll update later with an official ruling on the fire’s cause. Photo above is the charred contents of the dumpster (as TV crews shone a light briefly).

MONDAY AFTERNOON UPDATE: SFD spokesperson Kyle Moore tells WSB, “The 4717 California Avenue SW fire was started in a dumpster. It was not suspicious. The fire caused $5000 to the roof of the tavern. Fire investigators did not investigate.”

5:13 PM NOTE: We called to check on the tavern’s status; they’re closed and might remain closed for up to a week.

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West Seattle wildlife: This otter’s on a roll
May 14, 2012 1:09 am
|      24 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Wildlife

Thanks to Russ Walker for video and photos of a river otter that’s spending a lot of time out of the water at Alki – bet you haven’t seen one take a “sand bath.” (Well, WE haven’t.) Russ notes that the otter’s been crossing Alki Avenue SW, “right around the blue bottle house” – no pic of that, but here’s a pose on the beach:

And yes, what you see in West Seattle are river otters, NOT sea otters like the ones at the Seattle Aquarium. Find out all sorts of fascinating river-otter facts here.

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Double wedding at ‘Nickelsville’ encampment, on its anniversary
May 13, 2012 10:54 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Nickelsville encampment | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

(Bride Thelema, aka “TJ,” tosses her bouquet)
Thanks to Kevin McClintic for sharing photos and info about a noontime event today: As previewed in a news release on Friday, Mother’s Day was wedding day for two couples at the eastern West Seattle encampment that calls itself “Nickelsville.” The day also marked exactly a year since the encampment returned to the spot where it began in fall 2008 – at that time, under the administration of its namesake, it was evicted days later, but this time, it’s been allowed to stay, though not allowed to hook up to city services. Kevin says that today at the camp, “the wedding overshadowed the 1 year anniversary by a long shot.” The Christian Crusaders Motorcycle Club of Tacoma officiated; Kevin says most are fully ordained ministers:

TJ’s groom is Charlie Smith; the couple at right, Charlie’s brother Josh Smith and his bride Barbie Houseman. TJ and Charlie are camp residents; Josh and Barbie used to be, but, according to this WSB Forums post, found housing before their baby was born. Before the noontime ceremony, Kevin reports, “The CCMC showed up about 11 AM with about a dozen bikes (mostly Harleys) and a box truck with a trailer. They brought all the food needed, a powerful generator, two propane BBQs, and lots of donations for NV residents consisting of boots, blankets, clothing, and other needed items!” He got them to pose for a group shot before they left around 2:30 pm.

Meantime, on Friday, the city released its “draft investment plan for homeless services” – how it proposes to better appropriate and track tens of millions of dollars spent on those services each year – and is inviting public comment. Read about it here.

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Bike-to-Work Day on Friday, and free bus rides all week
May 13, 2012 9:34 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news


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

Also coming up Friday – it’s Bike-to-Work Day, and in addition to the commute station on the west end of the “low bridge” here in West Seattle, two White Center spots participating this year – both marked on the map above with aqua markers – Caffe Delia (9622 16th SW) is inviting bike commuters to stop by for coffee, waffles, and Full Tilt Ice Cream (Caffe Delia and FT are both members of the Rat City Business Association, a WSB sponsor); and Dubsea Coffee (9910 8th SW), with free bike tune-ups as well as free coffee.

And all week – tomorrow through Friday – Metro and Sound Transit are offering free rides to any bicyclist who loads a bike on one of their buses. Each bus, Metro notes, has three spaces, available first-come first-served. And if you’ve never used the bus bike rack before, remember that you can give the same equipment a try at Alki Bike and Board at 2606 California SW in the Admiral District (ABB is also participating in the Friday morning bike-to-work station by the low bridge, mentioned above).

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Seattle Police Memorial remembrance at Forest Lawn next Friday
May 13, 2012 6:56 pm
|    Comments Off on Seattle Police Memorial remembrance at Forest Lawn next Friday
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police

(May 2010 photo from Seattle Police Memorial at Forest Lawn, by Christopher Boffoli)
Next Friday, you are invited to the annual Seattle Police Memorial on the grounds of Forest Lawn Cemetery (WSB sponsor) east of High Point, where the plan for a permanent memorial is finally moving forward. The Friday (May 18) ceremony will be at 1 pm, with the founding president of the Washington State Law Enforcement Memorial Foundation, retired Sgt. Frank Kampsen, as keynote speaker, according to Forest Lawn’s David Salove. SPD leadership at the ceremony will include Deputy Chief Nick Metz, and the Seattle Police Pipes and Drums will be there to provide ceremonial music. The site for the permanent memorial was dedicated in 2009 (WSB coverage here), with hopes it would be built within the following year, but the plan stalled for a while; now it’s proceeding, according to Salove, who says anyone interested in getting involved can contact Forest Lawn at 206-932-0050.

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West Seattle wildlife: Honeybee-swarmed neighborhood
May 13, 2012 3:33 pm
|      21 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Wildlife

Yes, we count bees (and other insects/etc.) as wildlife too. So here’s an unusual sight, shared by Ute Herzel-Harding, whose block (3600 block of 46th SW, Genesee area) has drawn five honeybee swarms in three days – including the one shown above, with the honeybees almost appearing to be part of the hanging planter, which is what inspired Ute to share the photos (thanks!). Ute’s husband Mike Harding is a beekeeper and gathered them up for a new home:

The planter swarm turned up on Friday. Then on Saturday, another swarm on what Ute says otherwise was “a rather flimsy ash-tree branch”:

Here’s Mike:

(If you find a bee swarm, the Puget Sound Beekeepers Association website usually displays a list of who to call – we’ve tried it in multiple browsers and it’s not displaying for us – perhaps a bee-savvy WSB’er knows what’s up?)

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Déja vu at Alki Beach: Sunny day = littering beachgoers
May 13, 2012 2:20 pm
|      45 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Alki photographer David Hutchinson was out at the beach early this morning and dismayed to see this scene repeated (remember April?) – in multiple spots. Not long after he took the photos, David says, a Parks Department crew came by for trash pickup. But the point of this isn’t to criticize Parks, which put out some extra cans after last month’s litterfest – some of which still overflowed or were ignored:

The point is for people to consider picking up after themselves. David notes there’s available space in “dumpsters (usually half empty) when cans are full. There are 5 dumpsters from 59th Ave to 56th Ave – a distance of 4 blocks. They are spaced about every block. There are 3 dumpsters around the Alki Bathhouse plus 1 dumpster for recycling. An additional dumpster is located by the picnic shelter down at 62nd.” After all, it’s not like somebody’s on hand to bus your table:

We know many people who use Alki won’t see this story because the beach draws from far beyond West Seattle. But if you do go to the beach on a sunny day, or know someone planning an event, be sure to make sure an extra bag or two is in the plan, and even consider packing out your trash – or at least hauling it to the nearest dumpster, which probably, as David points out, will have room.

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West Seattle weekend scene: Mother’s Day hot spot
May 13, 2012 1:49 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

Many a Sunday, you’ll find a line at Bakery Nouveau in The Junction. This morning, Edgar Riebe from Captive Eye Media caught this photo from the back of what he says was a 30-minute line to get in the door! And worth it, Edgar added. Here’s hoping this is a successful Mother’s Day for all local eateries – and if you’re just venturing out for late lunch/brunch, while we can’t guarantee they have room, La Romanza Bistro Italiano in The Junction (WSB sponsor) offers jazz brunch till 4 pm. The sponsor team also was joined this week by vegetarian Chaco Canyon Organic Café in The Triangle, brunch till 3 pm on Sundays. And while driving north of Morgan Junction the other day, we noticed a NOW SERVING BRUNCH banner outside Pan Africa Grill at Juneau/California.

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West Seattle Sunday: Happy Mother’s Day! 2012 edition
May 13, 2012 7:02 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

Thanks to Doug B for the photo! (More on his Flickr page.) Not entirely certain whether that’s Mom Goose or Dad Goose, so let’s just celebrate the spirit of parenthood, which comes in so many forms. And to that point, while brunch is awesome, Mother’s Day activities go beyond that … especially on a summer-like day … check out this list:

STILL IN THE MOOD FOR YARD/GARAGE/RUMMAGE SALES? Here in the aftermath of West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day, the Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation is continuing its sale 9 am-2 pm today (details here). P.S. If you’re having a sale, you’re always welcome to post it in the Freebies/Deals/Sales section of the WSB Forums.

MOTHER’S DAY AT WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm as always, with food and flowers and special activities:

We’ll have a book booth from Readers to Eaters, with author readings and book sales:

10:30 – Jill Lightener – Edible Seattle: The Cookbook
11:30 – Rick Swann – Our School Garden! (children’s picture book)
12:30 – Sara Anderson – A Day At The Market (children’s book)

All Day: Master Gardeners will host a seed-planting booth for kids! (With sweet peas from Langley Fine Gardens on Vashon).

44th/Alaska in The Junction.

GLASS FLOWERS FOR MOTHER’S DAY: Not only can you buy them, you can watch glass sunflowers being created at Avalon Glassworks again today, 11 am-5 pm (SW Avalon Way just south of the West Seattle Bridge).

‘NICKELSVILLE’ ANNIVERSARY: As reported here on Friday, today marks one year since the encampment founded on a triangle of public land at West Marginal Way SW and Highland Park Way SW moved back, with the city not threatening eviction this time. The public is invited to events today that start at noon, including a double wedding.

MOTHER’S DAY TEA DANCE … with Dance for Joy @ Camp Long Lodge (5200 35th SW). 1-5 pm. See the schedule here.

TAKE MOM TO THE SEALTH MUSICAL: The last of three performances of “The Rehearsal Room” at the Chief Sealth International High School auditorium (2600 SW Thistle) is a 2 pm matinee today, with flowers and chocolate promised for the moms in attendance. Ticket info here.

LIVE GUITAR MUSIC: Jonathan Nicholson performs at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 3-5 pm (5612 California SW).

‘IRON BREWER COMPETITION’ … a special event this week for the West Seattle Cooking Club, with an unusual lineup of flavors. 4 pm, Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW).

THE MAMA-LOGUES: Mother’s Day evening performance at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW)! 7:30 pm, with wine, dessert, and the knowledge that the proceeds benefit family-nurturing nonprofits. Details here.

More on the WSB West Seattle Events calendar.

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Casting call! Next Saturday’s West Seattle ‘hubs’ drill needs you
May 13, 2012 6:34 am
|    Comments Off on Casting call! Next Saturday’s West Seattle ‘hubs’ drill needs you
 |   How to help | Preparedness | West Seattle news


View West Seattle Emergency Communication Hubs in a larger map

If you can spare a few hours next Saturday morning, the volunteer-run West Seattle Emergency Communication Hubs would love to have your help as a “citizen actor.” It’s another drill – this time with a terrorism scenario – and two of the 11 West Seattle hubs are scheduled to be “activated,” along with at least 10 others around the city. The “hubs” are neighborhood spots designated as places you would be able to go to find information if some kind of disaster takes out the regular communications channels, and local volunteers “activate” them periodically in drills, to stay fresh with the procedures and skills that might have to be put to use someday. The drill is scheduled for Saturday (May 19th) 8:30-noon at hubs in High Point and Fauntleroy; to volunteer as a potential “citizen actor,” role TBA, please e-mail Cindi at cbarker@Qwest.net.

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West Seattle weekend scene: Pack 793’s derby & ‘dogs
May 13, 2012 5:01 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news

West Seattle’s Cub Scout Pack 793 was on the fast track to fun Saturday evening at Holy Rosary, with its annual Pinewood Derby – which troop leaders also hoped to use as a springboard to wider community involvement in a bigger derby later this year. Check out the vehicle lineup:

And it wasn’t just a derby, it was dinner too – here are Dylan and Daniel, on the hot-dog crew:

Interested community members/businesses were offered the chance to sign up for the bigger event ahead – once there’s more information to share about that, we’ll publish an update. Pack 793, by the way, is online – here.

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West Seattle weekend scene: Troop 284’s Spaghetti Dinner/Auction
May 13, 2012 4:25 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle weekend scene: Troop 284’s Spaghetti Dinner/Auction
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Tables, bellies, and hearts were full Saturday night at Our Lady of Guadalupe, as Boy Scout Troop 284 hosted its annual spaghetti dinner and auction. Lots of food, and lots of donations for the auction:

As the original announcement of the event, shared by Teresa Syrstad, noted, “Having just celebrated our 97th year, Troop 284 is the fifth oldest, continuously charted troop in the nation! The boys are involved in numerous service projects in the West Seattle community. We look forward to them becoming community leaders and passing on their skills, inspiration and leadership to countless other youth.”

(That’s the troop portrait Teresa sent with the original dinner announcement.)

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Update: Fire call in 2400 block of SW Kenyon
May 12, 2012 11:10 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

ORIGINAL 11:10 PM REPORT: On our way to a house-fire call in the 2400 block of SW Kenyon.

11:18 PM UPDATE: Not a major incident. It appears that something caught fire inside the residence and was thrown or taken outside, and extinguished there. SFD is calling for its investigator, though.

11:21 PM UPDATE: Firefighters tell us some kind of debris in the home’s garage were smoldering, and filled the house with smoke, but again, out now, cause under investigation, no report of injuries.

SUNDAY NIGHT NOTE: The homeowners say in comments that investigators told them the fire was set; we had planned to follow up with SFD tomorrow regarding the cause and will update when we get that info.

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West Seattle schools: Schmitz Park’s annual face-to-face geography lesson
May 12, 2012 6:07 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools


(Click image for larger view)
Friday was a day that meant the world to Schmitz Park Elementary. Literally! It was Schmitz Park’s third annual Global Ambassador Day, explained by principal Gerrit Kischner as a day “during which UW students teach Schmitz Park students about their home countries and cultures.” He added:

Every year, Schmitz Park students learn global geography through the Passport Program. (Friday), students met real people who live in the countries they study. After welcoming the UW students with a fifth-grade drum circle and an all=school performance of the Schmitz Park “anthem,” a version of “Under One Sky,” Schmitz Park students learned languages, sang songs, danced, ate, played schoolyard games, and did crafts from 16 different countries, all thanks to the Foundation for International Understanding through Students (FIUTS, the international student-support organization at the University of Washington).

At the front of the Friday afternoon photo shared by Principal Kischner are Principals-for-the-Day Maxine and Cayla Hall (third graders) and the 35 visiting international students from UW.

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High-school baseball tournaments: SLHS wins, WSHS loses
May 12, 2012 5:03 pm
|    Comments Off on High-school baseball tournaments: SLHS wins, WSHS loses
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

Two postseason high-school baseball games today involving teams from West Seattle:

LUTHERAN TO STATE: Playing in Stanwood, Seattle Lutheran High School beat Concrete this afternoon and is now headed to the state regionals, playing in Anacortes next Saturday, according to the SLHS Twitter feed.

O’DEA BEATS WSHS: This one was played at midday at Steve Cox Memorial Field in White Center.

West Seattle High School lost 4-1; O’Dea goes on to state. WSHS has one more chance at a state berth, with a game on Tuesday.

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West Seattle weekend scene: Walk With Us to Cure Lupus
May 12, 2012 3:16 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle weekend scene: Walk With Us to Cure Lupus
 |   Health | How to help | West Seattle news

Thanks to Debra Salazar Herbst for the bird’s-eye view of this morning’s Walk With Us to Cure Lupus fundraising walk along Alki. The money raised supports the Alliance for Lupus Research, trying to cure lupus, an autoimmune disorder affecting up to 1.5 million people in the U.S.

SIDE NOTE: Next fundraising walk/run on Alki is a biggie – one week from tomorrow, it’s the West Seattle 5K (co-sponsored by WSB) on Sunday, May 20th, 9 am (preceding Seattle Summer Streets “car-free day” activities till 5). Registration and packet-pickup details are on the WS5K website; the event is a benefit for, and organized by, the West Seattle High School PTSA.

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