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Spotlight Stories

Video: West Seattle’s 2012 Polar Bear Swim on Alki … plus one
January 1, 2012 2:43 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Fun stuff to do | Holidays | West Seattle news

Here’s one good sign for the year ahead: The hale and hardy of West Seattle, White Center, and environs were graced with sunshine for the second consecutive New Year’s Day Polar Bear Swim on Alki (after two preceding years under cloud cover). Of course, as evidenced on the beach this morning, it’s not the weather – it’s more about the chance to, shall we say, chill with friends – like this group identifying themselves as the “Dunkins“:

And this one, the “Libres“:

Then there was the pirate, and friend …

No costume for organizer Mark Ufkes, just a big smile:

And as the crowd (biggest one we’ve ever seen!) lined the beach, ready to run into Puget Sound, one guy went first – everybody else counted down, and ran in, shortly thereafter:

(added) And from the WSB Flickr group pool, Henrik‘s really-close-up view:

P.S. Turns out that wasn’t the only Polar Bear Swim today. Dave Meucci shared this video of his friends-and-family dip:

Though this year and last year had sunshine in common, the air temperatures were different – we noted it at “freezing” on New Year’s Day 2011, but at 10 am today, it was 48 degrees!

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Video: ‘Bubbles’ on the rocks with Seal Sitters for New Year’s
January 1, 2012 1:29 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news | Wildlife

Following the sad news about Frosty the seal pup, West Seattle-based Seal Sitters was heartened to end the year with a visit from this pup, promptly dubbed “Bubbles.” Seal Sitters’ Robin Lindsey shared the video of Bubbles; you can see more of her video and photos as pup visits (and other “news on the beach”) is chronicled on their Blubberblog site, where you’ll also find their year-end wrap-up – as noted here previously, it was a record year for pup sightings on local beaches, keeping the all-volunteer Seal Sitters busy. If you see a seal or other marine mammal on a local beach, call them at 206-905-SEAL (7325).

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Something to do with the kids: Free ‘story times’ at local libraries
January 1, 2012 12:37 pm
|    Comments Off on Something to do with the kids: Free ‘story times’ at local libraries
 |   Delridge | Fun stuff to do | High Point | West Seattle news

Here’s a potential New Year’s resolution for parents, grandparents, guardians, and caregivers of young children – take advantage of Seattle Public Library story times! Children’s librarian Amy LaVare shares a list of what’s scheduled at the Delridge (Brandon/Delridge) and High Point (35th/Raymond) branches the next few months:

JANUARY 5 and all Thursdays through MARCH 8: Preschool Story Time, 11:15 am, Delridge Branch (5423 Delridge Way SW)

JANUARY 10 and all Tuesdays through MARCH 20: Family Story Time, 7 pm, Delridge Branch (5423 Delridge Way SW)

JANUARY 12 and all Thursdays through MARCH 29: Toddler Story Time, 11:30 am, High Point Branch (3411 SW Raymond St.) No story time on March 15.

JANUARY 23 and all Mondays through MARCH 26: Family Story Time, 7 pm, High Point Branch (3411 SW Raymond St.)

JANUARY 28 and all Saturdays through MARCH 31: Vietnamese Story Time, 11:30 am, Delridge Branch (5423 Delridge Way SW) This story time is offered entirely in Vietnamese.

FEBRUARY 1 and all Wednesdays through MARCH 28: Somali Story Time, 5 pm, High Point Branch (3411 SW Raymond St.) This story time is offered entirely in Somali.

Story times are open to the public. Everyone is welcome. No registration is required. Free parking is available at each location. For more information, call the High Point Branch at 206-684-7454, the Delridge Branch at 206-733-9125 or Ask a Librarian.

You’ll also find Story Times at the Southwest, South Park, and West Seattle branches; we’ll be adding these, and those, to our ongoing WSB West Seattle Events calendar, and you can check on daily/weekly events through the calendar on the library website.

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West Seattle New Year’s Day 2012: Swim, sip, stroll…
January 1, 2012 7:33 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle New Year’s Day 2012: Swim, sip, stroll…
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

That’s our video from last year’s New Year’s Day Polar Bear Swim on Alki, just in case you’re thinking about joining today’s swim but need a little reassurance that you won’t be alone. This year, at least, will be warmer – our 2011 story notes an air temperature in the 30s, and it’ll be in the 40s this time around. The swim is part of what’s on our list for this holiday:

WHO’S OPEN FOR COFFEE … Not an all-inclusive list but here’s who told us they definitely planned to be open: Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor), 8 am-6 pm … Diva Espresso, open 8 am to 6 pm … Bird on a Wire, 10 am-2 pm … Caffe Delia (in Proletariat Pizza‘s WC storefront), 9 am- 1 pm … Red Cup Espresso open 9 am-3 pm … (added) C & P Coffee (WSB sponsor) open 10 am-2 pm

RESTAURANTS … You won’t likely have much trouble finding places that are open, but several did let us know they definitely are open, and the list is on the West Seattle Holidays page (which goes back on hiatus after today, till next November!).

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET CLOSED for the holiday, but it’ll be back next Sunday (January 8th).

SEATTLE PUBLIC LIBRARY … branches closed today.

POLAR BEAR SWIM … Jump/run/wade into Puget Sound from Alki, across from Duke’s/Christo’s, 10 am (here’s the announcement).

NEW YEAR’S DAY WALK … Emerald City Wanderers is sponsoring a New Year’s Day walk, starting between 9 am and 1 pm, 5- or 10-kilometer route, free. Starts from St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church, 3050 California SW.

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Happy 2012 to you! West Seattle’s Space Needle fireworks view
January 1, 2012 1:35 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

2011 again brought immense joy as another year of collaborating with you to cover our community – and 2012 is off and running that way too. Thanks to David Hutchinson for the first shared-via-WSB photos of the Space Needle 2011-2012 New Year’s fireworks, as seen from Duwamish Head.

When KING posts the fireworks video, we’ll add a link here.

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Video: Highland Park’s 3rd annual ‘Not-So-Silent’ New Year’s Eve
December 31, 2011 9:45 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Highland Park | Holidays | West Seattle news

Story and video by Randall G. Hauk
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

More than 90 participants of all ages kicked off tonight’s Highland Park New Year’s Blast (and Potluck!) by marching in the Not-So-Silent Night Parade.

Armed with assorted noise-making devices and papier-maché lanterns, children and adults set out from the Highland Park Improvement Club on a several-block march through the surrounding neighborhood, stopping traffic and bringing people out onto their front porches and yards to exchange shouted wishes for a “Happy New Year.”

Dan Mullins served as a sort of de-facto grand marshal of the procession, with tonight marking the third annual New Year’s Eve noise-making march, though he noted that the neighborhood has been gathering for community events on the last day of the year for 91 years.

Awaiting the group in the parking lot of the club afterward was another relatively new tradition for the holiday: the “Sage Comet.”

Former Cirque de Flambé member Chris Huson was joined by Rory Denovan in a fireball-twirling display, adding a bit of heat to the chilly evening air.

Wearing kilts as a nod to the tradition’s Scottish “Hogmanay” roots, the men spun flaming wire cages in large circles around them. Despite the name given the event, “Sage Comet,” it was bits of Christmas trees and rosemary set aflame by another Cirque alum, known only as “Tricky Bunny.”

Keeping with the family-orientation of the evening, Huson and Denovan were attended by their wives — Kristin Huson and Becca Fong –donning black robes and holding tall torches in front of the gathered crowd, lending an air of ritual to the proceedings.

Once the flames had burned out, revellers were invited back into the club for a potluck dinner and a night of live music from four bands, promising to carry the festivities securely into 2012.

With a solid attendance already on hand for the early part of the night, HPIC secretary Julie Schickling expected as many as 150 people might attend throughout the evening.

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DESC Delridge project: Nominations sought for advisory group
December 31, 2011 5:28 pm
|    Comments Off on DESC Delridge project: Nominations sought for advisory group
 |   Delridge | DESC Delridge project | West Seattle news

From the North Delridge Neighborhood Council website: Two neighborhood-advocate positions are open on the “Delridge Alliance” advisory group that’ll work on issues related to the Downtown Emergency Service Center‘s plan for a 75-apartment “supportive housing” project at 5444 Delridge Way SW. The alliance’s formation was discussed at last month’s NDNC meeting, as reported here. If you’re interested in being part of it, details and links are in this writeup on the NDNC site. The project itself passed the first round of Design Review earlier this month (WSB coverage with video, here), with at least one more round to come, though the review-meeting date is not set yet.

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2011 in review, installment five: Christopher Boffoli’s photography
December 31, 2011 2:02 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   2011 in review | West Seattle news | WS breaking news

For more than four years now, we’ve been glad to be able to work with photojournalist Christopher Boffoli. Though lately his career focus have turned toward the unique “Disparity” imagery that gained worldwide attention this year, he took the time to look back at his WSB work from this year and put together a slideshow of dozens of memorable images. Many were from breaking-news stories, as that’s been his WSB specialty over the years, but that’s not all you’ll see if you click through the photos (or let them play automatically) … watch closely for, for example, the most-talked-about food from last July’s West Seattle Summer Fest. Speaking of food, Christopher’s about to open an exhibition of images from his “Disparity” work, January 10-February 23 at Winston Wächter Fine Art (203 Dexter Ave. N. downtown).

P.S. 2 more year-in-review roundups to come … we’ve archived previous installments (plus this one) here.

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West Seattle wildlife: From the ‘name that bird’ file…
December 31, 2011 1:04 pm
|      22 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Wildlife

“Bird Watcher Newbies” sent that photo. Sometimes we can “name that bird” without asking for community help; this time, nope, we need you. They write:

We just had a feathered visitor near our house on Alki, and not having seen him before wanted to know if it could be posted for those who know for identification. He had an interesting call, which our intrepid hound still wants to locate!

The photo above is as close as we could crop it, by the way. Thanks, if you can help!

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West Seattle Saturday: Counting down the hours till 2012
December 31, 2011 9:59 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

Paul Swortz added that photo to the WSB Flickr group pool back in October, but it seems more evocative of the New Year’s Eve party mood as people start staking out Harbor Avenue viewpoints for tonight’s Space Needle fireworks. Here’s what else is on the schedule as the New Year approaches:

TAKE A WALK: The Emerald City Wanderers have New Year’s Eve and Day walks planned here in West Seattle again this year; tonight, start between 4 and 7 PM at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church and head down to Alki Beach. Free! More info on the ECW website.

CLOSING EARLY: Not all-inclusive, but a few that we’ve heard about/found … Seattle Public Library facilities close at 6 pm (and are closed tomorrow); state liquor stores are open till 8 pm; PCC Natural Markets (WSB sponsor) close at 10 tonight, open 9 am-7 pm tomorrow …

NEW YEAR’S EVE DINNER – multiple restaurants listed on the WSB West Seattle Holidays page (and if you have trouble finding contact info for any other West Seattle restaurant, consult its page in the WSB Restaurant Guide, where we also have linked its Facebook and/or Twitter pages if they have ’em).

NEW YEAR’S EVE NOT-SO-SILENT NIGHT PARADE, AND HIGHLAND PARK IMPROVEMENT CLUB PARTY: Gather starting at 6:15 pm in the Highland Park Improvement Club parking lot at 11th/Holden; the parade is at 6:30, party following – full details here.

NEW YEAR’S EVE BASH AT MENCHIE’S FROZEN YOGURT: 7 pm-11 pm: Balloons, coloring contest, games, party-room raffle (1 raffle ticket with each purchase), pictures with Menchie & other surprises – facebook.com/menchiesadmiral.

NEW YEAR’S EVE BURLESQUE: At Skylark Café and Club, 8 pm. Facebook event page has more.

LOTS MORE NEW YEAR’S EVE BAR/LOUNGE PARTIES – listed on the WSB West Seattle Holidays page

FIREWORKS AT THE SPACE NEEDLE: Just in case you’re new in town, if you can find a spot with a view of the Space Needle, you can enjoy the eight-minute fireworks show at … no, not midnight, the Needle reminds you via Twitter, 11:59 pm. But don’t wait till the last minute. And please note that traffic along Harbor Avenue, pretty much all the way up to Alki, is generally absolute gridlock late in the evening, so don’t wait till the last minute to go look for a spot (we speak from experience).

NEW YEAR’S EVE AT THE HELMSTETLER FAMILY SPECTACULAR CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SHOW: Want to catch it one more time? Free cocoa tonight, as mentioned a couple weeks back. Official website with directions and lots more info, here.

WANT TO TAKE OUT THE CHRISTMAS TREE? If you just can’t wait till next week’s pickup, you can take it for free to the South Transfer Station. Details on the Seattle Public Utilities website.

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Final West Seattle coyote report of 2011? Two seen in Admiral
December 31, 2011 1:30 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Coyotes | West Seattle news | Wildlife

“Fred by the Library” sent this just before midnight:

Saw 2 healthy-sized coyotes about 30 minutes ago by Arch Ave SW and Walnut Ave SW [map] while walking the dog. They sauntered away to the NW after we saw each other (they were about 50 yards away).

Thought others in the neighborhood might like to know.

Coyotes made it into our West Seattle wildlife year-in-review report; if you haven’t read up recently on what to do if you see one (most important advice – try to spook them), here it is again.

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High-school basketball: Seattle Lutheran girls win tournament
December 30, 2011 7:31 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

School may be out but holiday basketball tournaments continue. Tonight Seattle Lutheran High School‘s teams are both playing in the finals of a tournament in the Skagit County town of Mount Vernon – and the Saints have already taken the girls’ title, beating Mount Vernon Christian 40-37. Thanks to Seana for the score updates and the photo.

8:50 PM UPDATE: Also from Seana: The SLHS boys take second place in the tournament, losing 42-30 to Mt. Rainier Lutheran.

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West Seattle group invites you to local meeting with Occupy’ers
December 30, 2011 7:03 pm
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

Another meeting just added to the schedule for the first week of the New Year:

Inspired by Occupy Seattle? Just curious?

Come to: A Public Meeting

6:00 – 7:30 PM Thursday, January 5
West Seattle Library, 2306 42nd Ave SW

Meet some Occupy Seattle participants. Bring your questions, concerns, ideas. Find out how to get involved!
Hosted by: West Seattle Neighbors for Peace & Justice

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West Seattle 2011 in review, installment four: Seagoing sights
December 30, 2011 3:43 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   2011 in review | Seen at sea | West Seattle news

(5/10/11 photo by Gary Jones)
Continuing to go through the WSB archives as we rough out more year-in-review roundups, we realized that “Seen at Sea” coverage – even without the wildlife stories, which we’ve already recapped – contains some of 2011’s most memorable sights. Among them, of course, what you see in the top photo – the Sea-Based X-Band Radar, the missile-tracking floating dome which was at Vigor Shipyards on Harbor Island from May 10th (nighttime arrival coverage here) till August 20th (departure coverage here), during which time it was the subject of doubtlessly millions of photos, and almost as many questions.

(8/20/11 photo by Melanie Dixon)
By the way, SBX is on the move again right now – this story says it departed a Hawaii base on Wednesday for point(s) unknown.

Here’s some of what else made news in and on West Seattle waters this year:

SINKING AND RAISING OF ‘JUSTIN’

Beach Drive was media central for a few days in October after the rock-laden Justin sank. Nobody hurt, but the slick raised some concern – Colby Chester provided the view you see above – and raising the sunken vessel took quite an operation.

FIRST-EVER NORTHWEST PADDLING FESTIVAL

In June, a first-of-its-kind festival debuted in West Seattle, as Alki Kayak Tours/Mountain to Sound Outfitters led the way for the Northwest Paddling Festival at Jack Block Park, where a stretch of previously closed shoreline opened for the occasion.

MORE HUMAN-POWERED WAYFARING

In July, during the outrigger race “Da Grind,” Gatewood pilot/aerial photographer Long B. Nguyen shared that sight. Also in July:

David Hutchinson shared great shots from the Tribal Journeys visit to Alki.

NO, THAT WASN’T AN AIRCRAFT CARRIER

The Seafair Parade of Ships was particularly impressive this August, with the amphibious-assault vessel USS Bonhomme Richard part of the parade, and a hovercraft right behind it. Gary shared the view looking over the Alki Lighthouse.

WHY WE ALL LEARNED THE WORD ‘NOCTILUCA’

In June, many people spotted this phenomenon close up along local waterways, and worried about “red tide.” It was reddish, but that’s not what it was – it was a nontoxic microorganism bloom called “noctiluca.”

WEIRDNESS AT SEA – BEACH DRIVE’S BEACHED COW

Maybe the weirdest West Seattle story of the year – a dead cow washed up in front of multiple Beach Drive homes over the course of a few days in February. Police finally got involved and towed it to Don Armeni, where a rendering company picked it up. As far as we know, the cow’s origins remain a moo-stery.

Track “seen at sea” stories on WSB any time via this archive (newest-to-oldest). Meantime, more year-in-review coverage to come!

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White Center shooting suspect charged with first-degree murder
December 30, 2011 3:05 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | White Center

We have just added details from court documents to our White Center Now report on the first-degree-murder charge filed this afternoon against the suspect in Wednesday morning’s deadly shooting, 25-year-old Cu Van Truong. According to court documents, the dispute started over a piece of jewelry. The full story is here.

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West Seattle runner Maddie Meyers up for ‘Sports Star of the Year’
December 30, 2011 12:58 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

She’s one of the fastest women in the state – and she’s still in high school. West Seattle resident Maddie Meyers is one of five nominees for “Female Sports Star of the Year” when the Seattle Sports Commission announces its annual awards next month. She runs for The Northwest School and is a national recordholder as well as winning four consecutive state titles in cross-country. But in addition to rooting for Maddie, you can also vote for her – the SSC is asking for public votes online. Maddie’s mom Kathy Meyers says, “There have been few high schoolers nominated for this award, and Maddie is really honored by this.” You can vote for her by going here (note, they ask for an e-mail address up front, but right over the final “cast vote” button, you can click to uncheck the box that would put you on a newsletter list). There are three other voting categories – Male and Professional Sports Stars of the Year and Sports Story of the Year. The winners will be announced at Benaroya Hall downtown on January 25th.

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Sad news from Seal Sitters: Frosty the pup didn’t make it
December 30, 2011 11:55 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | West Seattle news | Wildlife

(Photo by Robin Lindsey)
Our roundup of 2011’s top West Seattle wildlife news included the record year reported by Seal Sitters – more than 50 seal pups on area beaches. Seal Sitters‘ first responder Robin Lindsey has a sad update today about one that they had been watching recently, and what they discovered about his death:

At 9 pm Christmas Eve, the hotline received a report of a pup sleeping on the beach. Instead, it was a dead pup who was identified as our little seal nicknamed Frosty. Having entertained quite a number of onlookers on Saturday, Frosty returned to the sound around 6 pm and we fully expected to see him the following morning. He had been alert without any notable indication of health concerns. We were shocked and saddened to find him dead that night.

The necropsy revealed a parasitic infestation in his lungs and trachea complicated with pneumonia and bacterial infection – a common and often deadly combination that weaned pups face. Except for one coughing spell over the course of three days, Frosty did not give any reason to believe he was in such compromised health. There is a more in-depth blog post on blubberblog about the findings, as well as a discussion of why these “weaners” are so at risk. With only a 50% survival rate the first year, they desperately need safe haven on shore. The work that the marine mammal stranding network does is often challenging – with much heartbreak that is, thankfully, counterbalanced with much reward – as we help this newest generation of pups get the best chance they can, not only to survive, but to thrive under our community’s protective watch.

There is something you can do about the runoff problem mentioned in Robin’s full update – Sustainable West Seattle’s “Tox-Ick” website has some simple advice, for starters.

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2 days to go after 47 years: Barber John Burmaz says ‘thanks’
December 30, 2011 9:00 am
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

(Photo by Kevin McClintic: At right, John Burmaz with longtime client John Jardine)
The New Year will bring a big change for a West Seattle barber who’s heading out of the business after almost half a century. Today is the second-to-last day of barbering for John Burmaz, whose “significant other” Jeannette Eshom shares this announcement:

END OF AN ERA! John Burmaz of the Alki Style and Barber Shop at 5040 California Avenue SW (across from the Rite Aid drugstore) is retiring after 47 years of barbering in West Seattle. His last day of work is December 31, 2011.

John started barbering at George’s Barber Shop, across from the Admiral Theater, on August 25, 1964. One year later, George sold the barber shop and John worked for the new owners, Don Jahnke and Martin Picinich, for four years. On the 18th of March 1969, John bought a barber shop from Arthur Buffington, a retiring barber, on Alki Beach. He barbered in that location until the 12th of December 1989, when the building was sold to Pegasus Pizza. He relocated to his current location, barbering another 22 years.

John wishes to thank his customers, past and present, for all their support through the years. He will miss interacting with his customers. At 70 years of age, he plans to enjoy winters in Arizona and summers in Seattle, as well as traveling and enjoying visits with his children and grandchildren.

Customers won’t have to look far for another barber, as the Classic Barber Shop is taking over John’s shop on January 1, 2012.

Might be a hard act to follow; Kevin McClintic, who took the photo you see above while visiting John for one last haircut on Thursday, said the longtime barber told him that when things get busy, he can do five haircuts an hour!

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West Seattle Friday: Happy New Year’s Eve-Eve
December 30, 2011 6:30 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Friday: Happy New Year’s Eve-Eve
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Not much on our calendars, as another holiday weekend approaches. A few things:

ANOTHER OVERNIGHT BRIDGE CLOSURE: The Fauntleroy Expressway work continues tonight – here are the details from SDOT.

BARTON STREET P-PATCH WORK PARTY: Through the summer and into the fall, volunteers have kept working to develop West Seattle’s newest P-Patch (34th/Barton), and – “if the weather cooperates” – they’ll be out again at noon today.

‘TINY BUBBLES’ TASTING AND PET-DONATION DRIVE: At Bin 41 in The Junction, 4-6 pm. From the announcement: “Here’s your chance to sample and select the perfect sparkling wine to pop open as the clock strikes midnight for welcoming in 2012! We’ll be pouring everything from Champagne, Cava, Prosecco, Cremant d’Alsace to sparkling rose. Our domestic sparkling wine this year will be from Iron Horse in California.” The Bin also says it’s one last chance to donate to their donation drive for the Old Dog Haven – bring a donation (here’s the wish list) and they’ll waive the fee for tonight’s tasting.

LIVE MUSIC: 2 bands at Skylark Café and Club, 9 pm.

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Hope Lutheran group seeking support for ‘yucky challenge’
December 30, 2011 3:51 am
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

A team of teens and adults from Hope Lutheran has something to look forward to in the new year – a trip to help improve the health and safety of people in the mountains of Jamaica. But first, as Hope’s student ministry director Abaigh Vickers writes, they’re hoping to get you involved too, through community partnership:

This coming July, six high school students, and four adults (including myself) are leaving the cozy little town of West Seattle to take on a much yuckier challenge. Digging outhouses. But, that’s not even the kicker — we’re digging outhouses in Catadupa, Jamaica. A place with no electricity or running water. Our shower situation, one might wonder? A natural spring. It’s going to be gross, tiring, hard work — but definitely worth it.

As one might imagine, this trip is expensive, so we’re looking for local businesses and/or residents to help out. The biggest trip this church has ever done, previously, was to Mexico (which was great) but this is huge, comparatively. I’m excited, the students are excited and I’m hoping the other chaperones are as well! It’ll be an excellent experience for everyone. We will get to see how the poorest of the poor live. I’m proud of these kids for giving up basically six months of their lives to commit to bettering the life of someone more than 3,000 miles away.

The trip isn’t until July, but we’re starting the fundraising (epic) journey now. I’m easily contacted though this e-mail (avickers@hopeseattle.org) and any contributions people make are tax deductible, of course.

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Aggressive Driver Response Team busy on the bridges (etc.)
December 29, 2011 8:38 pm
|      31 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police

SPD Blotter is updated tonight with a couple more lists of warnings/citations from special patrols by the Aggressive Driver Response Team. This time, they were out on the newly opened lanes of the westbound Spokane Street Viaduct, where they say someone was doing 59 mph in the stretch where the speed limit is now 25 mph; on the West Seattle Bridge, where the list is topped by 72 mph in a 45 zone; and on Admiral Way. Those lists ahead:Read More

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$1 million bail for West Seattle man jailed in White Center shooting
December 29, 2011 4:50 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | White Center

Some new information in the deadly White Center shooting, after the first court appearance of the 25-year-old West Seattle man arrested less than 10 hours after it happened. We’ve just published the update on partner site White Center Now.

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2011 in review, installment three: West Seattle schools
December 29, 2011 4:25 pm
|    Comments Off on 2011 in review, installment three: West Seattle schools
 |   2011 in review | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Our series of topic-by-topic 2011 reviews started with one that was easy to quantify, since it was by-the-numbers – most-commented WSB stories of the year. Then came the review roundup for one of our favorite topics, wildlife. Now, we start getting into some of the more classic topics, starting with West Seattle schools. Going back through the archives, we discovered more than 200 stories over the course of the year. You can review them all, in reverse chronological order, here. From those stories, some of the MANY highlights:

SCHOOL CROWDING, AKA ‘CAPACITY MANAGEMENT’
Some public schools in West Seattle are already over capacity, and the quest for a solution will continue into the New Year, with the district scheduled to announce its official proposal for next school year at a media briefing next Wednesday. Early in the year, some local schools already were getting portables; this month, newly elected West Seattle school-board member (more on that in the 2011-politics-in-review report) Marty McLaren asked for your thoughts about short-term solutions.

FINAL PHASE OF 3-PHASE DENNY/SEALTH PROJECT
After more than three years of work, the Denny/Sealth project is almost done. A September dedication event opened the new Denny International Middle School (phase two) next door to the renovated Chief Sealth International High School (phase one); by the time that happened, demolition of the old Denny was complete, and construction of park/sports facilities on the site (phase three) is nearly done.

PRINCIPAL CHANGES
The most populous school in West Seattle, Chief Sealth International High School, is now led by interim principal Chris Kinsey, after longtime principal John Boyd took a new job in the Highline Public Schools district … This past spring, Ruth Medsker became permanent principal of West Seattle High School … Arbor Heights and Lafayette Elementary Schools began this fall with new principals – Christy Collins and Jo Lute-Evans, respectively – while a principal change was announced about a month into the new year at Alki Elementary, as award-winning Chanda Oatis took over.

COMMUNITY COLLABORATION – GETTING, AND GIVING
Lafayette Elementary‘s students have someplace new to play … The Roxhill Elementary “R” got a facelift thanks to community help … A West Seattle Montessori School (WSB sponsor) student’s blanket drive gets regional coverage … Holy Rosary reached out with a big gift for Holy Family … West Seattle Elementary‘s library gets an overhaul … Awareness-raising and money-raising were part of what happened during World Water Week at Sealth … Freshmen got a boost from upperclassmen as West Seattle HS debuted “Link Crew.” … Explorer West Middle School (WSB sponsor) students won arts honors.

ONE BIG PROMISE
Thousands of students in West Seattle will get the chance for college classes they might not have been able to afford, thanks to the South Seattle Community College 13th Year Promise expanding to Chief Sealth.

BIG ACHIEVEMENTS
So many of them! These are just a few … Chief Sealth’s Honor Choir sang at Carnegie Hall … FCCLA students from WSHS went to state, nationals…

(Sanislo GRC participants, photo courtesy of Craig Seasholes)
Sanislo Elementary and Concord International went to the Global Reading Challenge finals … Madison Middle School‘s “Project Citizen” crew went to state competition … Madison and Alki were chosen “Schools of Distinction” … Denny principal Jeff Clark got not only a new school but also, this year, the Foster Award … And Denny music director/Sealth band director Marcus Pimpleton got the Golden Apple Award.

VIDEO OF THE YEAR?
You’ll see several of the previously mentioned newsmakers in “Teach Me How to Study,” which went viral for Denny:

… and even brought a TV spotlight.

WEST SEATTLE’S NEWEST MIDDLE SCHOOL
Westside School (WSB sponsor) started adding middle-school classes this fall, introducing the school community to new faculty members before last school year ended.

PRESCHOOLS
The West Seattle Preschool Association was launched this year … After many years at Seaview Methodist Church, Lincoln Park Cooperative Preschool moved to a new home in the Fauntleroy Schoolhouse.

EVERY West Seattle school did amazing things this year … this is just part of the story. In the New Year, please let us know what’s going on with YOUR school, big and small – here’s how to share info, photos, or advance notice so we can come cover an event. More year-in-review reports still to come!

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