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Spotlight Stories

West Seattle Wednesday: ‘Rise and Fall of Little Voice’ opens; more
March 7, 2012 8:46 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Images courtesy ArtsWest, from “The Rise and Fall of Little Voice”)
From midmorning stories to evening theater, here are highlights from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

SEATTLE PUBLIC LIBRARY STORY TIMES: Preschool story time at West Seattle (Admiral) branch, 10:30 am, and Southwest branch, 11:30 am; Somali story time at High Point branch, 5 pm – SPL Calendar of Events has details on all 3.

EARLY DISMISSAL DAY: Seattle Public Schools classes get out two hours early today.

FIND OUT WHAT SOUTH SEATTLE COMMUNITY COLLEGE IS ALL ABOUT: Tonight is “College Night,” geared for everyone from high-school students looking ahead, to much-older prospective students looking to return to school, to people who want to study certain trades with experts – 5:30 to 7:30 pm at Brockey Center on the south side of SSCC’s campus, more details in last night’s preview.

THIS YEAR’S SUMMER STREETS (CAR-FREE DAY) PLAN: An SDOT rep will talk about it (May 20th’s the day, by the way) during tonight’s Southwest District Council meeting, 7 pm, board room at South Seattle Community College. See the full agenda here.

BATTERY PROJECT ON TV: Our friends at KING 5 read about diver/photographer Laura James‘s “Battery Project” here and contacted her about doing a story, which you can see tonight at 7 pm on “Evening Magazine.” (In case you miss it, we’ll watch for the video clip online, to link here afterward.”

OPENING NIGHT AT ARTSWEST: At ArtsWest in The Junction, “The Rise and Fall of Little Voice” by Jim Cartwright, directed by Christopher Zinovitch, opens tonight. Winner of the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Comedy, 1993. AW’s story synopsis:

In a working class town in Northern England, Mari Hoff is desperate for the elixir that will make her feel alive. And she’s not the only one. Her teenage daughter, LV is a shut in who lives by the light of the records left by her father. Turns out she’s a prodigy who can perfectly imitate the great vocalists she loves. Enter a seedy talent agent with big plans for Little Voice’s future, and a quiet young phone man with his own electric dreams, and you have a delirious burst of light to lift us all.

Curtain time tonight is 7:30 pm.

RESTAURANT NOTE: Pizzeria 22 sends word they’re closed tonight for a sold-out private wine dinner with West Seattle’s Siren Song Wines.

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West Seattle traffic alert: Crash at 35th/Thistle
March 7, 2012 8:09 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle traffic alert: Crash at 35th/Thistle
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Photo added 8:17 am)
Looks like no major damage and no injuries, but traffic is being slowed, particularly on northbound 35th, by what appears to be a fender-bender involving an SUV and Access bus at 35th/Thistle. If you’re just heading out, you might consider another arterial for a little while if you can.

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Local filmmakers hope you can help save the day for their industry
March 7, 2012 12:42 am
|      19 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

Local filmmakers made that video clip (featuring actors from the West Seattleites-featuring “The Collectibles“) to educate you, entertain you, and inspire you to give them a hand. Not the applause kind – the making-a-call or writing-e-mail kind. ASAP. They’re trying to save their industry from an unhappy ending.

As West Seattleite Todd Downing explains, SB 5539 – regarding incentives for the film industry in our state – is hung up in the State Legislature. The State Senate has passed it (including a “yes” vote from our area’s Sen. Sharon Nelson) but it hasn’t come to a vote in the State House, and it might fade to black if that doesn’t happen by Thursday. A phone call or note from you might help it get there. Todd elaborates:

Just about every state in the US has a film industry tax incentive program to entice productions to the state, and local areas within the state. Washington’s program is about mid-range in comparison to other states. What it does is refund a certain percentage of a production’s expenditures based on budget level and local talent/crew hired.

As we are sandwiched between Oregon and BC, both of which having superior incentive programs, much of our talent and skilled crew end up leaving the WA film community for jobs in Portland or Vancouver. Our existing incentive program is the baseline that we must build on to create more jobs for skilled crew and support personnel, as well as keeping performance talent in the state … Anyway, the numbers are pretty overwhelmingly in favor of continuing the current incentives by a huge margin of return per dollars spent.

Want to give SB 5539 a boost? We noticed on the Legislature’s website that it’s scheduled for a public hearing in Olympia at 10 this morning, before the House Ways and Means Committee (whose members include West Seattle State House Rep. Eileen Cody). You might not be able to get there, but you can call the legislative hotline at 1-800-562-6000, and e-mail/call Rep. Cody to urge that she support getting the bill to a vote.

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Followup: Chief Sealth auction total ‘huge increase’ over 2011
March 6, 2012 9:54 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

(WSB photo from last Saturday night)
Three nights after the Chief Sealth International High School Seahawk Spirit Dinner/Auction, CSIHS PTSA president Amy Daly-Donovan just announced the fundraising total: Nearly $60,000, “a huge increase over last year’s successful event.” The proceeds, she writes, will be shared between the PTSA for funding “programs and activities that support academics, student enrichment, and staff/curriculum support,” and the Performing Arts and Athletics programs.

P.S. As we’ve reported in the past week or so, you’ve got ample chances ahead to support other school fundraisers too: Gatewood Elementary‘s auction this Friday, Madison Middle School‘s auction this Saturday, Arbor Heights Elementary‘s “family photo event” this Saturday-Sunday, Lafayette Elementary‘s auction March 17th, Explorer West Middle School (WSB sponsor)’s auction March 23, Schmitz Park Elementary‘s auction March 31.

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‘College Night’ tomorrow at South Seattle Community College
March 6, 2012 6:52 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(Photo courtesy SSCC)
Landscape/Horticulture is just part of a long list of studies you can pursue at South Seattle Community College in West Seattle – which is throwing open the doors to prospective students, families, community members, etc., tomorrow night, 5:30 pm-7:30 pm, during its annual College Night. If you come to SSCC’s Brockey Center (on the south side of the campus at 6000 16th SW), you can find out about starting a degree there, finishing a degree there, getting a 2- or 4-year degree there, or joining one of its training programs. They’ll also have information about getting money for school. Parking is free, admission is free, and refreshments are promised too. Want to know more? Find it here.

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DESC Delridge project: Design Review ‘packet’ now online; Advisory Committee meets tonight
March 6, 2012 3:34 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | DESC Delridge project | Development

Two notes about the DESC Delridge Supportive Housing project – first, the “packet” for this Thursday’s Design Review Board meeting (8 pm, Senior Center of West Seattle) is available online – download it here. Also, tonight is the second meeting of the Community Advisory Committee, which is tasked with prioritizing community concerns and will again listen to public comment; it meets at 6 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way).

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Update: Shots fired at Westwood Village; no one hurt; schools take precautionary steps
March 6, 2012 1:07 pm
|      66 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police

1:07 PM: We are on the way to Westwood Village, after a report of possible shots fired. There’s no indication anyone has been shot – no medic calls, for example. Police describe the situation as “still fluid.” Our son, who attends school at Chief Sealth a few blocks away, texted us that they are in lockdown/shelter in place, and we are trying to call to confirm. Again, no reports of anyone hurt, and we will be on scene before long for an update.

1:17 PM UPDATE: Our crew is almost to Westwood but meantime we have heard from a WSB’er who was there (and who sent the photo immediately above this paragraph). She says police are mostly concentrated in the Bank of America area on the east side of the center, and are searching for something/someone. As noted in comments, we have heard from parents who say Denny, next to Sealth, is also in lockdown. Again, no reports of any injuries related to whatever has happened.

1:26 PM UPDATE: Our crew has arrived at Westwood Village. The police activity there is indeed around B of A – we are trying to find someone who can talk to us. But the shopping center itself is business as usual aside from that one particular area, so there does not seem to be an atmosphere of general danger.

1:36 PM UPDATE: One officer at the scene said that they were looking for three people in connection with this incident, and have arrested two. The school lockdown, he said, was indeed a matter of standard procedure when schools are within blocks of an incident. Still no word of any injuries, and we still don’t have the full scope of what exactly happened, but we should be able to put it together before long.

1:39 PM UPDATE: If you’re among the many parents who have been receiving texts from your kids, you probably already heard, but our son just texted us to say the lockdown/shelter in place is over. We haven’t heard back from Seattle Public Schools yet with any official comment.

1:50 PM UPDATE: Conflicting info from commenters regarding the shelter in place, but we have another assurance from the top of the ranks at the Southwest Precinct that it’s a precaution, everybody at the schools is fine.

2:18 PM UPDATE: We’re at the Sealth/Denny campus. Just got this update from Southwest Precinct commander Capt. Steve Paulsen:

Still sorting out the facts given the information we are obtaining from possible involved subjects..There was a disturbance at Westwood Village, exact location is still being determined. Shots were fired with subjects dispersing. We took the extra care in locking down our nearby schools as precaution. We worked closely with our school administrators to ensure the safety of our students. Our Denny and Chief Sealth students were never in any danger.

We are currently interviewing individuals. No individuals were injured by gunfire or property was damaged. The SW Precinct will be providing high visibility in the area of Westwood Village and our schools this afternoon as well as the rest of the week when school gets out.

We can attest to the latter – Denny appears to have gotten out on schedule; there are two police cars visible along Thistle. Sealth assistant principal Lupe Barnes says they will continue sheltering in place till dismissal before 3.

3:15 PM UPDATE: Sealth dismissal happened as usual; we took the photo above at the campus shortly before 3. In comments, Cheryl, a Roxhill Elementary parent, says she got a robo-call saying that school had “sheltered in place” as well and will get out at their normal time.

3:47 PM UPDATE: Here’s the letter that Denny Principal Jeff Clark and Sealth Principal Chris Kinsey sent home with students:

Dear Denny and Sealth Students and Families,

This afternoon gunshots were fired at Westwood village. As a result, to ensure the safety of our students, both Denny and Sealth went into a lockdown. After a few minutes, we shifted to a “shelter-in-place” where we keep the exterior doors locked and resume normal class activities.

We have been in consultation with the Seattle Public School Safety and Security Office as well as the Seattle Police Department to monitor this situation in our community. As always, safety is our top priority.

Thanks for your support,

Jeff Clark, Principal
Denny International Middle School

Chris Kinsey, Principal
Chief Sealth International High School

(The letter also was read in a robo-call.)

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Got an hour Thursday night? Help Puget Sound and Sanislo
March 6, 2012 12:06 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | How to help | West Seattle news

Diver Laura James‘s video shows what came out of just one “outfall” off Alki when stormwater was running fast and furious. Your everyday choices can ensure that stormwater is less toxic – and you’ll know what choices to make and not make, if you can spare an hour Thursday night, with a bonus side effect: Sanislo Elementary, which is hosting the event, will win $1,000 from Sustainable West Seattle, which is presenting it, if at least 50 community members show up. (The money would go toward a native-plant-education project at Sanislo.) Ready to help? Be at Sanislo (1812 SW Myrtle) at 7 pm Thursday. You’re also invited to stay afterward for an 8 pm meeting described by organizers as intended “to discuss a ‘greenway’ proposal to filter street stormwater on 21st and provide sidewalks or safe routes to school.” Plus – you’ll be gifted with a free native plant – and there’s free pizza. Need more info? tox-ick.org, or contact cate@sustainablewestseattle.org.

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Build a new West Seattle school? Rebuild an old one? BEX IV levy-input meeting set
March 6, 2012 11:32 am
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Five years ago, Seattle Public Schools went to voters with the Building Excellence (BEX) III levy, which included money to build a new Denny International Middle School on the campus of Chief Sealth International High School, renovated as part of the project. After the vote, some community members complained they weren’t really aware that an unprecedented shared campus would be created as a result of the levy.

We can’t speak for what led up to that levy, since WSB wasn’t a news service then – but we CAN tell you that the next BEX levy (IV) is being planned now, and here’s your chance to speak up loud and clear about what you think should (and, maybe, should not) be part of it: The district has just announced three meetings to “share information and ask for feedback about options for possible building-construction projects to be included” in the levy, which goes to voters next February. One is in West Seattle: 6:30 pm April 5th, at Denny (whose old site, now an open field, might be used to build a new school, if that winds up in the levy).

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Traffic alert: Truck trouble on new East Marginal Way bridge
March 6, 2012 10:46 am
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

In case you’re planning to head through the East Marginal Way/Spokane Street area (map) east of the “low bridge”/under the “high bridge” any time soon – you may encounter traffic trouble, as police have been working on diverting traffic away from the new Port of Seattle-built East Marginal Way Grade Separation bridge, after a semi-truck crash on that structure. No word of injuries.

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This morning’s site outage: Please accept our apology
March 6, 2012 10:32 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle online

computer.jpgWe apologize to you for WSB having been all but inaccessible for more than an hour and a half this morning – the longest outage in years. Our server-management company, the usually impeccable WiredTree, had what they described as a “complex” problem that affected not only our site, but many others elsewhere. They say it’s fixed now. One reminder – Whenever anything goes awry, we step up our already intensive reporting on Facebook (here) and Twitter (here), so that we can continue keeping our 24/7 news-coverage commitment, so during this outage, we reported breaking news there – and we also had just started to post WS stories to our White Center site, whitecenternow.com, hosted by a different server company, so NOT affected if WSB’s host company has trouble. Again, sorry about that, and now on with the rest of the day …

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Police investigate shooting incident on 16th SW
March 6, 2012 10:25 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police

Just after 9 am, a sizable police/fire response rushed to a home in the 7000 block of 16th SW for a call listed on 911 as “assault with weapons.” Scanner traffic indicated a 77-year-old man was rushed to the hospital with a possible life-threatening gunshot wound. There was no indication at the scene or over the radio that a suspect was being sought, so we called SPD Media Relations Officer Renee Witt to ask about the nature of the initial call; she said all indications were that this was self-inflicted (though of course, investigators will have to verify). One neighbor also told WSB via e-mail that authorities at the scene told her that there was “no danger” to anyone in the area.

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What ‘visioning’ participants hope to see in Delridge’s ‘Brandon Node’
March 6, 2012 9:39 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

(Click to see larger image)
That’s the “3-D” look at the area of north/central Delridge known as the “Brandon Node” – which was centerstage at last Wednesday night’s “visioning” open house sponsored by the North Delridge Neighborhood Council and Delridge Neighborhoods District Council at Martin’s Way. We dropped by in the first hour; now NDNC co-chair Parie Hines has put together and published a thorough look at the entire event, its results, and next steps. You can see her report here, on the NDNC website. One key summary point: The desire voiced for new food-related businesses in the area was four times the desire voiced for other types of businesses. However, as another chart in Parie’s report shows, that doesn’t mean everyone’s clamoring for restaurants – the #1 type of food-related business that open-house-goers wanted to see was “farmers’ market/produce,” followed by “bakery.” The most-desired non-food business: “Children’s or clothing consignment store.” Outside the business realm, street trees and bike racks were atop wish lists.

North Delridge leaders plan to pursue ways to make this all happen, including city support; attendees last Wednesday included City Council President Sally Clark and Councilmembers Tom Rasmussen and Richard Conlin – Clark mentioned the Brandon Node event during what amounts to council “open mike” time at their weekly briefing session yesterday.

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West Seattle snow: ‘Winter weather advisory’; morning commute
March 6, 2012 6:40 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

(Refresh for latest pic from WS Bridge & 1st Ave. S. Bridge cams, more on the WSB Traffic page)
More snow showers are possible by mid-morning, according to the National Weather Service’s “Winter Weather Advisory.” So far, no major commute effects of the snowfall we covered overnight, though; no changes for area schools, either. We’ll keep tabs on conditions in the next few hours and update as needed.

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West Seattle Weather Watch: Early-early-morning snow
March 6, 2012 1:04 am
|      16 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

1:04 AM: A wave of it is moving through, headed north to south, west to east. Seeing it yet?

1:30 AM UPDATE: It’s been here for about 10 minutes – and as one commenter describes it, it’s more like snow-sleet – you can hear it. Just added video.

1:55 AM UPDATE: Going on an hour now, still snowing. The photo above shows a non-arterial street near WSB HQ, with the snow sticking – but it’s deceptive – without cars passing, you can hear meltwater going into the storm drains.

2:56 AM UPDATE: No longer snowing. Maybe half an inch accumulated (we’re at about 330 feet up) on the cars and the plants; the street-sticking snow didn’t stick around for long. We’ll see in a few hours what the morning commute’s like, though – we’ll be covering that in a separate story.

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Potentially life-saving reminder: Deaf or hard-of-hearing Seattleites can get free ‘strobe’ smoke alarms
March 5, 2012 11:19 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Safety | West Seattle news

The Southwest Precinct got this reminder from their colleagues at the Fire Department, and asked us to help get the word out: SFD continues to provide and install Gentex “strobe” plug-in smoke alarms, free, to Seattleites who are deaf or hard of hearing. SFD’s William Mace notes, “A working smoke alarm is known to reduce the risk of dying in a home fire by 50%. To qualify, a person must be Deaf or Hard of Hearing and live in Seattle. Renters need permission from landlords before we can install them. Any Seattle resident who might be interested in a free Deaf/HOH smoke alarm, should contact me.” He’s at william.mace@seattle.gov.

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West Seattle Elementary’s lesson: ‘B(ee)’ is for breakfast
March 5, 2012 11:17 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Elementary’s lesson: ‘B(ee)’ is for breakfast
 |   Health | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

You can’t just call them “lunch ladies” (or gentlemen), since a big part of the job for workers like these two at West Seattle Elementary and other schools is to provide a nutritious breakfast, too. And breakfast was in the spotlight in a big way at WSES this morning, as Seattle Public Schools launched a monthlong campaign to convince students (and their families) of its importance. Helping get the message out: A district worker in a bumblebee suit:

Her name is Katie Busby (perfect!), and she told media crews that she’s been appearing as “Buzz, the Bee Healthy bee” for a few years now. She works with the district’s Nutrition Services Department, which says, “Children who eat breakfast daily do better on standardized tests, get better grades, are able to concentrate in school, can more easily complete complex tasks and are more able to maintain a healthy weight.” The monthlong “Go for Gold” campaign will offer prize drawings and other celebrity appearances to participating schools.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Three court-case updates
March 5, 2012 8:24 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Notes tonight on three defendants whose cases we’re continuing to watch in the courts:

DUANE STARKENBURG: More than a year after this Gatewood resident was arrested and charged with attacking three women jogging in or near Lincoln Park, he is about to go on trial, but the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office tells WSB there’s likely to be a short delay. Starkenburg’s trial is on the books to start this Wednesday, but according to KCPAO spokesperson Dan Donohoe, the prosecutor assigned to the case is in another trial that may not be over till days after that. Starkenburg also is awaiting a separate trial in an unrelated, long-ago child-rape case.

LOVETT CHAMBERS: The Gatewood man charged with murdering (Michael) Travis Hood by Morgan Junction Park in January was scheduled to return to court last week; as is fairly typical at this stage of a murder case, a postponement was requested, as lawyers are still in the “discovery” process. His next hearing is now set for April 4th.

BRANDON CHANEY: The Prosecuting Attorney’s Office confirms they are planning to re-try Chaney, a South King County resident who is the only one of four men charged in the February 2009 Steve Bushaw murder whose case is not yet resolved. Last August, a King County Superior Court jury deadlocked on Chaney’s case, while convicting co-defendant Bryce Huber (the two “triggermen” in the case had already pleaded guilty). Chaney was back in court last Friday, at which time a tentative trial date of November 1st was set; he is expected back in court in three weeks, for a “status hearing.”

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West Seattle restaurants: Alki Crab and Fish has closed
March 5, 2012 5:43 pm
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

Found that sign on the door of Alki Crab and Fish at Seacrest this afternoon. We had actually gone there to check on a closing date, since the new concessionaires chosen by Seattle Parks, the owners of Marination Mobile, had told us the changeover was scheduled to happen by March 15th. As reported here last week, Marination plans to extensively remodel both the restaurant space and the watercraft-rental area run by Alki Kayak Tours will be next door; they hope to open Marination Marina (“working title”) by July.

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Highway 99 traffic alert: 6-week lane closure north of The Viaduct
March 5, 2012 4:00 pm
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

Hadn’t mentioned this before, since it’s not the section of 99 that WSB covers closely – but Michelle e-mailed us about it today, saying it will affect her commute and she thought other West Seattleites would want to know too: Starting tomorrow, 99 southbound will narrow from three lanes to two between Republican and John Streets, just north of the Battery Street Tunnel – all part of preparations for tunnel construction. The closure is expected to last about six weeks. WSDOT has full details here.

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More room for more restaurants to join Taste of West Seattle 2012
March 5, 2012 2:57 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

(Beverages from 2011 Taste of West Seattle – photobymike.com image provided by WS Helpline)
Good news for both participants and attendees at this year’s Taste of West Seattle, set for May 17th, benefiting West Seattle Helpline – executive director Tara Byrne says they’ll “have a tented area outside this year, and room for more restaurants.” So, while they’ve already invited past participants, they’re trying to get the word out to any and all area restaurants, if you want to participate, now’s the time to say so!

Calling all West Seattle restaurants: The 7th annual Taste of West Seattle is coming up Thursday, May 17th. Last year we had 40 West Seattle restaurants and more than 400 participants. If you are a West Seattle restaurant and would like to be a part of the action this year please e-mail Tara for more details at wshelpline@gmail.com.

Remember – Helpline needs to hear directly from the restaurateur(s), so if you have a suggestion, please make sure your favorite restaurant sees this! (If you need their contact info, consider checking our West Seattle Restaurant Guide.)

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Short-term host families needed for young visitors from China
March 5, 2012 12:46 pm
|    Comments Off on Short-term host families needed for young visitors from China
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Can you spare some room and time for a short-term houseguest this summer?

Once again West Seattle will be hosting students from Chengdu, China, and we are looking for host families! The students will be between the ages of 10 and 12 with a variety of English language proficiency. Students will be here for a total of 9 days and will arrive the last week in June. Last year our host families had a wonderful time with their students and enjoyed many Seattle activities. If you are interested or have questions about hosting a student, contact Pathfinder K-8 School’s assistant principal, Lisa Clayton, at lclayton@seattleschools.org.

Here’s a Google Map showing Chengdu and Seattle – more than 9,000 miles apart!

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West Seattle scene: Junction stump gets ‘yarn-bombed’
March 5, 2012 11:42 am
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   Seen around town | West Seattle news

The tree stump on the KeyBank corner of the California-Alaska intersection (aka “Walk All Ways”) in The Junction has a new decoration. A tipster e-mailed us early today to say it had been “yarn-bombed” overnight. First one of those we’ve heard of/seen in a while. The tipster’s photo was too small to use, so we stopped by while in The Junction a little while ago to get this one.

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