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Roxhill Playground renovation: New dates for community build
October 3, 2012 8:35 pm
|    Comments Off on Roxhill Playground renovation: New dates for community build
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks | Westwood

Update on the Roxhill Playground renovation project: Mat McBride, who’s been organizing the “community build” for the new “castle” play structure to go on the site of the now-torn-down “castle,” says a new date’s been set: Friday, November 2nd, through Tuesday, November 6th. (It had been set for mid-October, but as noted here last week, preparation of the site – which is under way, along with construction of the neighboring skatespot – hit some snags that required the schedule to be pushed out.) McBride says they’re signing up volunteers again (and asking already-signed-up volunteers to re-check the schedule) – go here. And he reiterates, “We still need volunteers. Lots of them in fact.” For project updates and information, check out the community website roxhillcastle.wordpress.com – or contact him at roxhillcastle@gmail.com.

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Blessing of the Animals at Alki UCC, St. John the Baptist
October 3, 2012 4:45 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Pets | West Seattle news | West Seattle religion

(WSB photo: Alki UCC’s Rev. Diane Darling at “Blessing of the Animals” service in 2009)
Early October means time for the Blessing of the Animals in honor of the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals, and the local congregations that have been offering this service in recent years are doing it again this Sunday.

INTERDENOMINATIONAL SERVICE AT ALKI UCC: This Sunday at 10 am, you’re invited to a “Blessing of the Animals” service. The church‘s announcement says, “This year Pastor Diane Darling, Rabbi Zari Weiss, and Rev. Ann Holmes Redding (Christian, Jew, and Episcopal/Muslim) will bless the animals you bring to worship. Dogs on leashes and critters in carriers, please! You also may want to bring a blanket or cushion to sit on.” 6115 SW Hinds.

ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH: St. John’s says its interim priest Reverend Greg Peters “will be blessing animals at both worship services, 8:00 am and 10:15 am, and also at noon in the West Seattle High School Parking Lot,” which is at 3000 California SW, immediately north of the church.

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West Seattle school questions answered at Superintendent Banda’s regional meeting in South Park
October 3, 2012 3:35 pm
|      16 COMMENTS
 |   South Park | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(Superintendent José Banda listens as Concord Elementary principal Norma Zavala speaks)
Story and photos by Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

One month into his first school year as Seattle Public Schools superintendent, José Banda came to the city’s southwest sector last night for a “regional meeting.”

It happened at Concord International School in South Park, but it was intended for the West Seattle community too. And they turned out in force, including – as promised in this letter published here last week – Sanislo Elementary, which got some reassurance relating to its kindergarten-class-size concerns during the Q/A period, which also brought questions from Arbor Heights Elementary, K-5 STEM at Boren, and Schmitz Park Elementary parents.

After Superintendent Banda was introduced with a biographical outline, including his 30 years of work in education, he turned the floor over to Concord Principal Norma Zavala, who spoke to the crowd about the school and its programs. she described its highlight as being “a school that is truly truly diverse – linguistically, ethnic, geographical, gender orientation, everything … and that’s the beauty of being an international school – we’re working every single day to apply a global perspective to our problems, to our successes, as adults and as children.”

The superintendent acknowledged parents were wondering “what IS IT we’re focused on?” and “where are we going?”

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Marination ma kai: West Seattle’s newest restaurant opens tomorrow – if all goes well
October 3, 2012 1:09 pm
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

1:09 PM: One week ago, Marination opened the doors of its almost-ready Seacrest Boathouse location for a sneak peek (here’s our coverage) – and now, they’re getting ready to open the doors for real. They’ve announced via Facebook that tomorrow’s the big day. We’re checking to see what time they plan to open.

2:25 PM UPDATE: Went over to Seacrest to get the answer – 7 am tomorrow.

3 PM: Marination co-proprietor Kamala Saxton does have a caveat via e-mail – they are working with their kitchen team today (it did smell good while we were over checking on the time!) and will make the FINAL call tonight regarding opening tomorrow. So by mid-evening, we should get word on whether it’s confirmed, or changed.

8:50 PM UPDATE: 11 am tomorrow with limited menu, full bar, says Kamala – they’re still working out a few things in the kitchen.

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Video: Walk To School Day in Highland Park, with the mayor
October 3, 2012 12:45 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Highland Park | Safety | West Seattle news

Highland Park Elementary students gathered for a group photo after a memorable International Walk To School Day stroll. Not only were they basking in October sunshine, they also were celebrating new safety improvements in the area (crosswalk, speed bumps, stop signs) – with a VIP guest on hand:

Actually, those are both VIPs. Photographed with Mayor McGinn, that’s Rachael Wright, a parent volunteer who has worked hard to get safety issues addressed, including securing grants to fund them (as mentioned in previous WSB coverage including this big safety celebration last spring). This morning, she was part of the crowd crossing at the 11th/Holden crosswalk that’s become a reality

Carrying the banner – CityYear corps members who work at HP Elementary:

They huddled with the mayor too:

And, as the walk proceeded, Highland Park Elementary principal Ben Ostrom chatted with the mayor:

Highland Park community leaders were on hand too – we saw HP Action Committee co-chair Carolyn Stauffer, and members of nearby Highland Park Improvement Club.

ADDED: Wouldn’t be an appearance without a speech – we recorded that too:

Find out more about Safe Routes to School here.

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Walk-to-School Day scene: Schmitz Park Elementary
October 3, 2012 11:53 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Thanks to Schmitz Park Elementary PTSA president Mark Wainwright for sharing the photo of SP students gathered at the campus flagpole after taking part in International Walk to School Day. They even had a color-coded map of their routes!

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West Seattle Wednesday: Debate-watching; history-preserving; School Board…
October 3, 2012 10:58 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news

Thanks to Mark Wangerin for the photo of harlequin ducks in West Seattle waters. Before the day gets away again, there are some highlights we wanted to point out – among a LONG list of possibilities you’ll find on the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar:

TRAFFIC ALERTS: On West Marginal Way, you may happen onto the manhole work that King County announced yesterday … No highway/bridge closures scheduled; more traffic alerts listed here.

EXTRA WATER-TAXI RUNS FOR M’S GAME: With the Mariners playing a late-afternoon game, the West Seattle Water Taxi has added evening runs: “In addition to its normal schedule, a 7:15 pm sailing from Pier 50 and 7:30 pm sailing from Seacrest will be added.”

PARENTING SUPPORT: Noon-2 pm, parents of babies are welcome to drop by Nurturing Expressions (WSB sponsor) at 4746 44th SW (just buzz to get into the building) to check out the Early Days drop-in support group.

SCHOOL BOARD: With the board scheduled to have a final proposal for the BEX IV levy before its next meeting, they’ll be hearing today from many people with an interest in the final draft – the list of those signed up to speak includes more than a few West Seattleites. Here’s the agenda; remember the meetings now start at 4:15, and public testimony starts at 5 pm.

WHERE TO WATCH THE PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE: Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) and Skylark Café and Club both say they’ll have Obama vs. Romney on their bigscreens tonight (both are also restaurants as well as bars – you can have dinner, drinks, AND debate). 6 pm. (ADDED 1:12 PM) More locations: Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor) will stream via the Net at 6 and discuss @ 6:30 pm … A Democratic Party fundraiser/watch party is planned at Alki Arts at 5:30 pm ($35/person) – details and RSVP link here …

WHAT TO DO ABOUT DEVELOPMENT: The Southwest District Council has been talking over its past several meetings about possibly pursuing some kind of historic district in West Seattle in order to keep the new wave of development from completely subsuming the area’s “character.” That discussion continues at its monthly meeting tonight (the agenda’s on our calendar), with city Historic Preservation Officer Karen Gordon on hand, 7 pm at the board room of South Seattle Community College (6000 16th SW).

LEARN ABOUT WILD MUSHROOMS: Hunting for them can be rewarding – and dangerous, if you don’t know what you’re doing. Special presentation at 6:30 pm tonight, Southwest Library (35th and Henderson), details here.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT SOCCER: Delridge Playfield – 7 pm – adults and “big kids.” Details here.

PRIDE SKATE’S ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY: 9-11 pm tonight, be at Southgate Roller Rink to celebrate the one-year anniversary of Pride Skate! Details here.

Again, MUCH more on the calendar!

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Fewer ‘bioswales’ planned for Westwood/Sunrise Heights project, says county
October 3, 2012 9:29 am
|    Comments Off on Fewer ‘bioswales’ planned for Westwood/Sunrise Heights project, says county
 |   Sunrise Heights | West Seattle news | Westwood

(County map – the larger, shaded area is the entire “basin” that feeds the Barton Pump Station)
After the latest round of research and feedback, King County says fewer bioswales (19, instead of the original 31) are planned for Westwood and Sunrise Heights neighborhoods where “green stormwater infrastructure” is planned to reduce combined-sewer overflows at the pump station the area feeds – and fewer streets will be involved. That’s part of an announcement they’ve just sent about an open house coming up a week from Saturday:

Neighbors are invited to an open house on Saturday, Oct. 13 to learn about design updates to King County’s Barton Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Control project in West Seattle.

The open house is set for 10 a.m. to noon at Westside School, 7740 34th Ave. S.W., Seattle.

Combined sewer overflows occur during heavy rain when stormwater fills sewers to capacity in older parts of the city. To comply with state water quality requirements, King County will control CSOs from the Barton Pump Station through a system of bioretention swales and Green Stormwater Infrastructure in West Seattle’s Sunrise Heights and Westwood neighborhoods.

Project staff will share a number of design updates that reflect new technical information and community member feedback, including:

· A reduction in the number of bioswales and impacted streets.
· Fewer and smaller curb bulbs to preserve parking.
· Preservation of property access and tree canopy.
· Rebates and financial incentives for residents to voluntarily install raingardens and cisterns through Seattle’s RainWise program.

Additional information is available at the Barton CSO Control Program website, or by contacting Kristine Cramer at 206-263-3184 or kristine.cramer@kingcounty.gov.

Area residents are receiving a flyer – if you haven’t gotten it already – that you can see here.

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West Seattleites participating in International Walk to School Day
October 3, 2012 7:27 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Safety | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

7:27 AM: Safety reminder this morning – depending on where you drive/ride/walk/run, you may see more students on the sidewalks and in the crosswalks, because it’s International Walk to School Day. Some schools are doing special “Walking School Buses” (and some do them daily). In the Highland Park Elementary area, there’ll be some extra pomp-and-circumstance with Mayor McGinn coming to help dedicate newly completed safety improvements along routes to school. Schmitz Park Elementary also sent word of their “Walking School Buses,” and even this map of routes that students (and parents if available!) are welcome to join. If your school has a special event and somebody takes photos – please consider sending/sharing one that we can include in our coverage. Thanks!

8:34 AM: Just added the Instagram photo the mayor tweeted from the Highland Park crosswalk; we have a crew there too and will publish their work in a separate story later.

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Metro changes, weekday #3: Wednesday updates
October 3, 2012 6:42 am
|      88 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

6:42 AM: As reported here last night, Metro has acknowledged the reports/complaints of full buses and says it’s “working to address the issues.” They also offered information (same story link) recapping other routes running from and to West Seattle. So again today, we’re setting up a story page for updates and riders’ reports. Let us know how it’s going.

11:20 AM: Thanks yet again for all the reports. Meantime, also from the comments, Chas Redmond from Sustainable West Seattle notes that the group plans a transportation forum October 15th with key county and city decisionmakers on hand – so come join the discussion. Details in his comment.

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Seeking scholarships? West Seattle VFW announces 2 writing contests
October 3, 2012 6:30 am
|    Comments Off on Seeking scholarships? West Seattle VFW announces 2 writing contests
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

West Seattle’s Veterans of Foreign Wars post wants to get the word out about two scholarship programs that are open for applications right now, with a November 1st deadline. From VFW’s Kyle Geraghty:

The Patriot’s Pen program is open to students in grades 6-8, who are enrolled in a public, private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States and its territories.

The Patriot’s Pen is a 300-400 word essay with the theme of “What I Would Tell America’s Founding Fathers.” The top prize for this program is $5,000. For more information about Patriot’s Pen and a link to the entry form go to: vfw.org/Community/Patriot-s-Pen

The Voice of Democracy Program is open to students in grades 9-12, who are enrolled in a public, private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States and its territories. Students should record their reading of the draft to CD. The recording can be no shorter than 3 minutes and no longer than 5 minutes. This year’s theme is “Is the Constitution Still Relevant?” The top scholarship for this program is $30,000. For more information about Voice of Democracy and a link to the entry form go to:
vfw.org/Community/Voice-of-Democracy

” Please turn in your entries, as well as everything else required by the program, by November 1, 2012 to VFW Post 2713 located at 3601 SW Alaska St, Seattle, WA 98126. Visit VFW Post 2713 on the web at vfwpost2713.org

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Metro bus changes, weekday #2: About those full RapidRide buses
October 2, 2012 9:06 pm
|      66 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

As we head into the third weekday since Metro‘s big changes – in West Seattle, launching RapidRide C Line while restructuring much of the rest of the route system – we’ve heard again from the King County Department of Transportation regarding some of the most common concerns. They’re hearing directly from riders, and we’ve had three vigorous comment discussions here on WSB – today here, Monday pm here, Monday am here. Metro spokesperson Jeff Switzer sent an update earlier tonight; we added it to the ongoing comment thread but promised a separate story later, since he’d included some attachments. So here it is, starting with the toplines he sent:

Situation

Full RapidRide C line were reported Monday and Tuesday during the morning commutes from West Seattle to downtown Seattle. Riders are frustrated and contacted Metro Transit asking for more buses to improve capacity.

What’s Metro doing about it?

Metro temporarily deployed two RapidRide additional buses, and also made a third additional trip to help carry passengers on Tuesday morning. That said, there also were a few temporary mechanical problems with buses on the route during the Tuesday morning commute, causing delays and additional overloads. Metro will have two additional buses available downtown for the RapidRide C and D lines during the Tuesday afternoon commute, and for the C line during the Wednesday morning commute. The additional buses are intended to be available in case of service disruptions due to mechanical problems, transit delays or reports of overcrowding or stops passed because a bus was too full.

What do riders need to know?

Full buses might bypass stops if there is no more room for additional passengers. Metro drivers report and the Transit Control Center tracks these situations and when possible works to add available buses to the route to accommodate the demand.

Metro is tracking the issue of full buses on the C Line and working to address the issues. During these first few days of the new service, crowding and longer travel times might occur as riders, drivers and transit coordinators become familiar with the route and schedule. Other bus service in West Seattle is available through Metro’s Trip Planner and noted in the attached document.

Three documents actually came along with the above toplines. The first one is a Word doc listing “Commuter Options for riders from West Seattle” – including links. We don’t have the time to replicate it into a story with links intact, but if we convert it into a PDF the links won’t work, so here’s the Word doc. Second, the route map for peak times (PDF, here); third, the “all-day” route map (PDF, here).

Again tomorrow, we’ll launch a story in the morning for discussion of how things are going.

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One more West Seattle biznote: Seattle Wushu Center moving
October 2, 2012 8:29 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Received this too late to include in the roundup of West Seattle business notes we published earlier, but it’s somewhat time-sensitive, and you might be able to help, so here it is:

Restita DeJesus and Seattle Wushu Center are moving out of their studio space (located at California and Juneau). We will be holding classes in other locations in the West Seattle area until we find a permanent location. Awaiting to hear back from a few places, preferably Kenyon Hall. We’re looking at renting floor space for 3 or 4 hours per evening Mondays thru Saturdays.

Individuals interested in our Tai Chi, Kung Fu/Self Defense, or Filipino Martial arts classes may call Restita DeJesus (206) 229-4774 or e-mail seattlewushu@gmail.com. Community members who know of or own affordable evening floor space to rent for the longtime members of our kids’ and adult classes, may contact Restita as well.

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Happening now: Got Delridge-repaving/rechannelization questions? Get answers
October 2, 2012 6:03 pm
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | Transportation | West Seattle news

Chief Sealth International High School (2600 SW Thistle) is just a few blocks from the stretch of Delridge Way SW that is scheduled for a big repaving/resurfacing project next year, with some rechannelization plans included (as detailed on this city flyer). It’s also the place to take your questions, concerns, other comments, about the project, till 7:30 pm, as an open house is under way right now, with city reps on hand in the school library (go up the steps to the entrance off the main parking lot and follow the signs down the hall). No presentation is scheduled; it’s just a drop-in event. SDOT staffers on hand include the project manager as well as specialists in some of the areas involved, from pavement to traffic control. The info-boards on easels around the room include new graphics we hadn’t seen before, including two boards that explain the detours planned for southbound Delridge drivers during the year-long project:

The city expects the work to start in January, and it may include the southernmost few blocks of 16th SW in the city limits, too, if the money is found.

ADDED WEDNESDAY MORNING: We’re expecting to get the newest graphics from SDOT in a PDF we can share – but for starters, we did photograph more of them last night, and you can click ahead to see the images:

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2 West Seattle traffic alerts: West Marginal Way & Spokane St. Viaduct
October 2, 2012 4:51 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

WEST MARGINAL WAY: A traffic alert from the King County Wastewater Treatment Division, about work that’ll be happening over the next few weeks: They’ll have contractors “replacing manholes at the intersections of West Marginal Way SW and Southwest Idaho Street, and West Marginal Way SW and Southwest Alaska Street” starting tomorrow, according to spokesperson Annie Kolb-Nelson. Her advisory continues:

The project could last for up to a couple of weeks, and work hours will be from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. weekdays, with some night work expected in mid-October to restore sections of West Marginal Way.

Drivers can expect traffic control set up on both sides of the work site to shift traffic around the site. Flaggers will be on hand to ease congestion and accommodate entry and exit to and from facilities near the work sites, including the City of Seattle’s Herring’s House Park parking lot.

Thinking manhole covers generally seemed sturdy enough to last forever, we asked Kolb-Nelson for a little more info about exactly what’s being done. Her reply: “While sewer infrastructure is built to last for many decades, daily wear-and-tear eventually takes a toll, even on non-mechanical equipment like manholes. The workers are replacing the manhole rings and covers in the intersections, which take a lot of stress from traffic, especially heavy trucks.”

SPOKANE STREET VIADUCT RAMP CLOSURE DATE CHANGE: Just found out from SDOT that the date of an overnight ramp closure is changing. The 1st Avenue South offramp from the WESTBOUND SSV will be closed 3 am till 9 am this Saturday morning (October 6th), instead of for a few hours Thursday morning. (We’ll be updating our standing list of traffic alerts – always linked atop the WSB sidebar – ASAP.)

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West Seattle architecture: Tour 3 modern homes this Saturday
October 2, 2012 3:13 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle history | West Seattle housing | West Seattle news

Just got word of this: A modern-architecture group called Docomomo WEWA has a home tour in West Seattle this Saturday:

You’ll visit three mid-century modern homes that demonstrate the creative work of one architect, Arnold Gangnes (1918 – 2003), who was known for his innovative designs for modern dwellings and later for large scale non-residential and institutional projects. Included on the tour is Gangnes’s own house built in 1948.

The event is a self-guided driving/walking tour. Two of the residences are next door to each other. The third home is reachable by car, bike or a nice long walk.

The tour hours are 11 am-2 pm, and there’s a $10/person (cash or check) fee. Check in at 5054 SW Grayson (county archive photo above; here’s a map) to get a tour booklet and map; organizers also want you to know that (a) you’ll have to take off your shoes at each home and (b) only exterior photography will be allowed.

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West Seattle biznotes: Bartell sign; Olivia’s move; Zatz contest; BodyLife opens
October 2, 2012 2:03 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Four West Seattle business notes:

BARTELL DRUGS HQ SIGN UP: Thanks to Sam for the tip. We think this is the first corporate name on the outside of West Seattle Corporate Center since Services Group of America moved its HQ. Last time we checked with Bartell – whose move was first reported here August 7th – they were expecting to move 100 or so corporate employees here by the end of this month.

Another sign of note:

OLIVIA’S OPENS IN NEW HOME TOMORROW: There will be a consignment consortium of sorts on the north edge of The Junction as of tomorrow. That’s when Olivia’s Consignment for Kids expects to open its new location at 4140 California SW, next to Cherry Consignment. Olivia’s had been at the south edge of the Admiral District.

ZATZ COLORING CONTEST – WITH FREEBIE! Jesse from Zatz A Better Bagel (WSB sponsor) just sent us heads-up about a coloring contest that’s under way at the Admiral District store and continues till this month’s West Seattle Art Walk on October 11th: “It is open to kids ages 1-10 and when they submit their coloring page they get a free bagel card good for 1 bagel free with any purchase. We will choose winners at Art Walk on the 11th. The winning prize is a $25 gift card to Zatz. No purchase is necessary to enter. We will be displaying the colored pages inside our bakery lobby so kids can come back and see their artwork.” Zatz is at 2348 California SW.

BODYLIFE CONDITIONING: You might remember Jill Pagano from NiaDivas, which she ran from Youngstown Cultural Arts Center for almost six years. Now she has expanded her business to a “permanent commercial location just north of C & P Coffee” (WSB sponsor), at 5432 California SW. It’s called BodyLife Conditioning – and her remodeling work there has included heated floors (“just like our feet to be comfortable,” Jill says). She’s offering a mix of “holistic exercise that brings people’s bodies to life.” And they’re planning a grand-opening event 9 am-2 pm October 13th.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Heartless theft of heart-restarting defibrillator
October 2, 2012 11:32 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Health | West Seattle news

We start today’s West Seattle Crime Watch with a theft that puzzles the person who reported it: Darla Varrenti, executive director of the Nick of Time Foundation (which came to Chief Sealth International High School last year for youth heart screenings). She says a defibrillator donated by her organization, like the one at right, has been stolen:

We placed 130 AED’s last year in all the schools in SPS and at the 15 outside sports fields with a program called “The Heart of Seattle Schools.” The one at the (Southwest Athletic Complex) has gone missing and in order to have that complex covered the school district has taken one from the high school [Sealth] to replace it. That leaves a floor at the school not covered as the nearest one is on the 3rd floor.

This machine really has no value to anyone unless you are having a sudden cardiac arrest, then it becomes life-saving! … The school district doesn’t have the money to replace it and I hope the community might rally around and help them out to replace it.

Varrenti says the units cost about $1,200 each. If you have any tips on the theft – call 911. If you are interested in donating to help replace the stolen one, you can do so through Nick of Time (go to nickoftimefoundation.org and click “Donate”; then, she says, “they can put a note in that the donation is for the West Seattle AED and they get a receipt back right away”). P.S. The field from which the AED was stolen is the same one where a coach suffered a fatal heart attack four months ago.

THREE MORE CRIME WATCH NOTES: Ahead, two bike thefts and a followup on a recent theft report, after some of the stolen items were found and returned to their owner!:

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‘Unexpected’ bonus in Highland Park safety work: 9th/Henderson
October 2, 2012 10:31 am
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Highland Park | Safety | West Seattle news

(Photo courtesy Rachael Wright)
Tomorrow is International Walk To School Day, and while many schools are planning special events here and elsewhere, Highland Park Elementary has the biggest West Seattle celebration, since – as first noted here last Wednesday – Mayor McGinn is coming to help dedicate “Safe Routes to School” grant-funded safety improvements along the route to HPE. Parent volunteer Rachael Wright has been working on this for a long time and in addition to the 11th/Holden crossing and speed bumps on 10th, she e-mailed us this morning to point out an “unexpected (but much appreciated) result of the improvements”: New stop signs on 9th SW at SW Henderson (map). Rachael quotes longtime Highland Park resident and parent Monica Benshoof:

“The recent placement of the stop signs located at the intersection of 9th & Henderson, has made it tremendously easier for me & my children to cross the street- to enter the park & trails on the other side. I have resided in Highland Park for 41 years, and up until now, it has always been difficult to cross there, being as it is a very busy arterial road. Even now that I am a driver, it is also less difficult to utilize this intersection, because other vehicles don’t have a choice of stopping to rotate traffic flow. It’s awesome!!!”

In our correspondence, Rachael added:

I love that Monica mentions access to Westcrest park and trails. Because of the nature of Highland Park, located in the most SW quadrant of West Seattle, and crisscrossed by arterial roads, it can be very difficult for local children and adults to safely access our amazing parks. As kids walk to school, they also walk to parks, and we have been very fortunate that the Safe Routes project, by creating safer routes to school, also created safer routes to our local parks: Riverview Park, Highland Park Playground and Playfield, and Westcrest Park.

You’re invited to join in tomorrow morning’s ribbon-cutting, followed by a walk to HPE with the mayor – be at 11th and Holden (map) at 8 am.

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West Seattle Tuesday: Downtown traffic alerts; Delridge-repaving Q/A; Superintendent’s regional meeting
October 2, 2012 9:00 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Tuesday: Downtown traffic alerts; Delridge-repaving Q/A; Superintendent’s regional meeting
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(SDOT map for upcoming Delridge repaving project and tonight’s open house about it)
From the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar for today/tonight:

BOEING FIELD ALERT – FIRST LADY’S VISIT: Of particular note for Boeing Field watchers and eastern West Seattle, First Lady Michelle Obama flies in this evening for a fundraiser and departs tomorrow morning.

…AND 2 OTHER DOWNTOWN TRAFFIC FACTORS: Madonna’s at KeyArena tonight and the Mariners are at Safeco Field. Add that to the First Lady heading for a Westin fundraiser, and you’re probably want to going to get out of downtown/SODO early, unless you’re going to any of these events.

AS FOR THE REST OF THE TRAFFIC ALERTS: Ongoing intensified work at the Barton Street Pump Station north of the Fauntleroy ferry terminal is likely to include lane closures there, plus work is scheduled during the day on Highland Park Way today. Both projects are detailed in our day-by-day traffic-alert list.

Now, the other highlights:

TODDLER STORY TIME: 10:30-11 am at the West Seattle (Admiral) Library.

DELRIDGE (AND POSSIBLY 16TH) REPAVING/RECHANNELIZATION OPEN HOUSE: 5:30-7:30 pm at Chief Sealth International High School (2600 SW Thistle), go get your questions answered about the BIG repaving project coming up for the south mile of Delridge Way SW, and possibly part of 16th SW, as well as the “rechannelization” scheduled along part of the stretch. We checked with SDOT and this is completely open-house format, no presentation planned, so drop by any time during the 2 hours.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REGIONAL MEETING: New Seattle Public Schools superintendent José Banda is touring the city for community meetings, and tonight, 6-7:30 pm, is the “regional” meeting for West Seattle and South Park. It’s at Concord International Elementary in SP – map and details here. P.S. This is the meeting for which a Sanislo Elementary teacher requested community support, as they deal with class size – here’s her open letter.

SUNSET-TO-DARK LINCOLN PARK HIKE: Keep enjoying the dry weather while we have it! Tonight, naturalist Stewart Wechsler leads an evening hike through Lincoln Park, starting at 6:30 pm. Details here.

NIGHTLIFE: Trivia That Rocks at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), 8 pm … Baby Ketten Karaoke at 9 at Skylark Café and Club … Starlight singer-songwriter showcase at Shadowland, 8 pm …

More on the calendar!

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Metro changes, weekday #2: Checking on the commute
October 2, 2012 6:38 am
|      152 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

(Monday morning photo from Alaska/California RapidRide station)
6:38 AM: How will things go for bus riders on the second weekday of RapidRide C Line and Metro route restructuring? After going through the first two commutes yesterday, Metro said they would consider adding buses on the C Line if needed. We’re starting this story for updates and comments – let us know. (We’re watching Twitter and Facebook again this morning, too.) Yesterday’s coverage is here (morning) and here (pm), both including Metro responses/updates. Detailed Metro info (including schedule and map links) is here.

8:08 AM: So far the rider reports continue to center on crowded buses.

8:40 AM: Via Twitter, Ben reported that his RapidRide bus stalled for a few minutes on northbound 99 (around 8:30 am) before the driver could get it restarted.

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West Seattle coyotes: 4 sightings, South Admiral to Highland Park
October 1, 2012 11:15 pm
|      28 COMMENTS
 |   Coyotes | West Seattle news | Wildlife

Bryan photographed that coyote in his back yard near 36th and Hinds, where he says it’s showed up the past two days. That’s one of four sightings we’ve received in the past five days, including:

*13th and Cloverdale (same area mentioned during last week’s Highland Park Action Committee meeting), last Friday morning. Amy writes, “I was walking home from dropping my kindergartner off at Highland Park Elementary. I was heading west on Cloverdale and saw the coyote on the corner of 13th and Cloverdale.”

*Also in Highland Park, last Thursday. Erin writes, “Saw a coyote … run across our backyard that borders the greenbelt in Highland Park. After clapping loudly to scare it away, I realized there was a second one off in the woods in a different direction.”

*From the Fairmount Ravine area, Jennifer sent in a “found cat” note last week – after, she said, “I just had a coyote chase a young gray cat into my yard. … He sat down across the street from my partner and yawned at him this morning when he interrupted the cat chase by going out to get in his car.”

We report periodically on coyote sightings not in the interest of hysteria, but in the interest of neighbors reminding neighbors that they live among us. For answers to questions such as “what do I do if I see one?” and “what do I do to encourage them to keep their distance?” the state’s Living With Wildlife: Coyotes infopage offers thorough advice. Archived coyote reports published on WSB can be found here; the map we published earlier this year, to show all the places WSB readers have reported sightings since 2007, can be seen here.

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MicroChix talk with seniors to tackle robotics challenge
October 1, 2012 9:50 pm
|    Comments Off on MicroChix talk with seniors to tackle robotics challenge
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

How can robotics make life easier for seniors? That’s one question the MicroChix, a group of local Girl Scouts, are working on, as part of a special regional challenge (explained here). To help tackle the topic, they came to The Kenney (WSB sponsor) to talk with some of the residents on Sunday afternoon. In our photo, MicroChix members are showing a project they worked on previously, looking for a robotic solution to a problem faced with food service equipment, something they even discussed with Husky Deli proprietor Jack Miller. Before the challenge competition is over this winter, the MicroChix will build a LEGO robot to try to solve unique quality-of-life challenges for seniors. We’ll check back with them to see how it goes!

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