(Photo by Christopher Boffoli)
For the first time since its formation (largely via Facebook group), members of the West Seattle Blockwatch Captains Network met face-to-face this morning. While they all either lead a Block Watch group or are interested in doing so, the new network isn’t part of the official process – it’s born of the fact (as discussed in the WSB Forums a few months ago) that there’s no formal blockwatch-to-blockwatch communications system. (Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Benjamin Kinlow, the area’s point person for Block Watch formation, keeps a list, but that list can’t be shared with members.) Co-organizer Deb Greer shared detailed notes of what they discussed today and what “next steps” they’re planning on – read on:Read More
(WSB photo from April 2009)
More than half a dozen sites in West Seattle are part of the annual Duwamish Alive! Earth Day work parties next Saturdays – cleanup, restoration, invasive-plant removal, myriad tasks to help our greenspaces and waterways (including the Duwamish itself). Many of them, we’re told, still need more volunteers to sign up – so please set aside some time; it won’t even take the whole day – just 10 am-2 pm so that you can check out the Earth Day Festival 2-4 pm at Pathfinder K-8, adjacent to one of the sites (Pigeon Point Park, also the scene of the 2009 photo shown above). Here’s the list of sites and info on who to contact to sign up.
Another way to have a great time for a good cause is under way right now at Rocksport in The Junction – Friends of the Animals Foundation andFeral Cat Assistance and Trapping are teaming for “Let’s Fix the Problem Together,” a silent auction/raffle event – with chair massages and psychic readings also offered for donation. They’re raising money for pet population control and health care. No cover charge – food and drink are no-host; the event continues till 5.
(Photos by Christopher Boffoli)
Got room in your home and heart for somebody new? Cats and dogs looking for “forever homes” are at Pet Elements until 3 pm, with Furry Faces Foundation (whose Teri Ensley is holding Frosty Mogul, one of their candidates, above) and Animals First Foundation, which brought dogs including 2-year-old Mauser:
His people just gave him up for adoption yesterday, because of family health problems. If you want to go see who’s still in search of that aforementioned “forever home,” Pet Elements is at 6701 California.
(Photo by Christopher Boffoli)
There’s still time to get to West Seattle High School for the Grad Night Fundraiser Car Wash, which is scheduled to continue till 2 pm. As you can see, volunteers of all ages are pitching in to help raise money for the safe, fun celebration that’s become a tradition. Just drive into the school parking lot (3000 California SW, across from PCC [WSB sponsor]). They’ve also got donated coffee from the Triangle Starbucks, latté coupons from Hotwire Coffee (WSB sponsor), and raffle items. (And a few other Grad Night fundraisers are listed in the WSB Events calendar.)
Gene and Patrick from Sustainable West Seattle are showing off two of the tools donated already for the West Seattle Tool Library , part of what’s happening during West Seattle Nursery‘s 27th annual open house (donate a tool, get a 20% off WSN coupon!), which continues till 3 pm. The open house features special, free speakers too – at 1 pm, it’s about urban chicken-raising; at 2 pm, orchids. Full details on the West Seattle Nursery website; WSN is on the northwest corner of California/Brandon (map). ADDED 1:49 PM: The chicken-raising talk got some extra promotional oomph courtesy of Elliott (in the chicken suit) and friend Charlie:
(Photo added 12:19 pm – Sheryl and Donna at the Youth Activities Fair, on behalf of creek stewardship)
First – go check out the Summer Youth Activities Fair happening right now, continuing till 2 pm today at High Point Community Center (map) – tons of info and ideas to make this a lively summer for West Seattle kids and teens. And here’s another idea:
The group shown in that photo we published during last year’s West Seattle Summer Fest was Delridge Community Center‘s class of “Digital Darkroom” interns. They worked on multimedia projects, and you saw some of their work here on WSB. Seattle Parks and the Associated Recreation Council are now recruiting interns for this year’s “RecTech” program, which includes Digital Darkroom as well as different programs at sites in South Park and the Central District – read on for the official announcement:Read More
First, from West Seattle High School assistant baseball coach Scott Meaker, who is providing WSHS baseball recaps (THANK YOU!):
Friday The West Seattle High School Varsity Baseball team made up for their loss to Nathan Hale on Wednesday. The Wildcats won the Metro League game at Hale’s Meadowbrook Field by a score of 15-4. Young and experienced alike had a great day at the plate starting with freshman LaTrey Newsome (3-for-4 scoring 3 runs), sophmores Jeff Watkins (3-for-3) and Tim Tinkler (3-for-4), and seniors Kellen Gearon (2-for-3, 2 runs scored), Stephan Adams (2-for-3, 2 HRs), Trevor Martin (2-for-3, 2 HRs) and Ryan Wiggins (3-for-4, 2 HRs). Senior Ryan Wenli got the win, running his record to 2-0. Next week the Indians-now-Wildcats face a tough schedule traveling to O’Dea Monday and hosting Eastside Catholic on Wednesday.
FIGHT CRIME: Lead your Block Watch, or working to make one happen? Don’t miss the inaugural meeting of the West Seattle Blockwatch Captains Network, 10 am at Giannoni’s Pizza in Westwood Village. Here’s the Facebook invite.
Courtesy of Gretchen Montgomery @ Square One Books (WSB sponsor), we bring you her independent West Seattle bookstore’s 5 best-sellers in each of 4 key categories:
Hardcover:
1. War Dances by Sherman Alexie
2. Solar by Ian McEwan
3. Half the Sky by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn
4. Silver Borne by Patricia Briggs
5. The Mapping of Love and Death by Jacqueline Winspear
Paperback:
1. Little Bee by Chris Cleave
2. Food Rules by Michael Pollan
3. I am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced by Nujood Ali
4. The Stieg Larsson Mysteries by Stieg Larsson
5. Brooklyn by Colm Toibin
Children/Young Adult:
1. The Lion and The Mouse by Jerry Pickney
2. Fading Echoes: Warriors: Omen of the Stars #2 by Erin Hunter
3. The Diary of a Wimpy Kid Movie Diary by Jeff Kinney
4. Pat the Bunny by Dorothy Kunhardt
5. When You Reach Me by Rececca Stead
Teen:
1. Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
2. Twilight: The Graphic Novel Vol. 1 by Stephanie Meyer and Young Kim
3. The Secret Life of Prince Charming by Deb Caletti
4. Incarceron by Catherine Fisher
5. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
Each and every one of the 30 nights of April, we are marking Disaster Preparedness Month with a suggestion of something you can do – in some cases a simple step, maybe just something to read – to achieve another bit of progress toward being prepared, albeit for things we hope never will happen. You can catch up with the archive by going here – each of our nightly items is tagged for the WSB Preparedness archive. Tonight, it’s about the youngest members of the family – how do you bring kids into the preparedness loop without scaring them? Both FEMA and ready.gov have kids’ sections – here’s FEMA For Kids, including the “Kids to Kids” section with artwork and letters created by students (hurricanes, tornadoes and 9/11 are represented), and then there’s the slightly higher-tech Ready Kids, starring a family of mountain lions. And for parents, teachers and others who live/work with kids, here are resources from the American Academy of Pediatrics. That page, in turn, points to this one that reminds parents they should ask their children’s care providers what plan they have in place, should disaster strike while the kids are in child care – that “check-in number” we talked about back on Night 3 also applies here – if you cannot directly reach the provider, she/he may be able to get word to the out-of-area contact. One last note – remember that as noted on Night 6, a statewide earthquake drill is coming up April 21 – might be a good idea to make a note to talk to your child(ren) before and after. Now, our nightly reminders: Join the West Seattle Be Prepared group on Facebook if you haven’t already; set aside some time to browse the West Seattle Be Prepared website and know your nearest Emergency Communication Hub; and check in with the city’s “3 to Get Ready Challenge“ (WSB sponsor) – where you can register for fun freebies (yes, preparedness can be fun).
It’s in the West Seattle Weekend Lineup, even though it’s happening in Wallingford, because it’s for a man who’s meant a lot to many West Seattleites – Jade West Café owner Wah Wong. This Sunday is the first major benefit for Wah and son Jason Wong – both seriously injured when a drunk driver hit them last December – and their family. It involves a three-course lunch at Perché No Pasta and Vino, 1319 North 49th (map), with live music and a silent auction, for $35/person. The driver who hit the Wongs has since pleaded guilty and been sentenced, but the family is left with financial challenges, and particularly for Jason, who lost part of a leg, a long road to recovery. Sunday’s your chance to support them. Here’s a Facebook invite for the event.
Bail is now set at half a million dollars for the 33-year-old man arrested near his High Point apartment Wednesday night (WSB coverage here), suspected of crimes including kidnapping, beating and robbing a woman who called police for help from that apartment. The suspect is not yet charged – Monday is the deadline, according to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office – but we have new details about the incident from the probable-cause document they provided, as well as the letter that High Point management sent to residents. Read on:Read More
Last year, Alki photographer David Hutchinson shared several progress reports on Canada geese along Harbor Avenue SW, birth to maturity. This year, the photo you see above just arrived, under the heading “First Gosling Photo of 2010.” David explains:
The Canada Goose gosling season has begun on schedule along Harbor Avenue. This family of six goslings was seen getting acclimated to their new surroundings. Hopefully everyone will be tolerant of their presence over the next 2 ½ months as they roam the shoreline of Elliott Bay from Don Armeni south to Salty’s.
From the WSB Forums: Lowman Beach Park neighbor Dr. Ron Sterling has set up a website to rally those concerned about the possibility of the park being dug up to place a large wastewater-storage tank underground if King County chooses that as the solution to “combined sewer overflows” (CSO) into Puget Sound. He had the most to say at the county-led public meeting last week on what the county has announced as its 3 options for the Lowman Beach (formally known as Murray) pump station’s CSO solution. His new website is at soundangels.org. As he writes on the site, the next chance for public discussion is the April 21st Morgan Community Association meeting (7 pm, The Kenney), but in the meantime, some of those commenting on our coverage of last week’s meeting had asked how to get involved. In addition to sending official comments to the county (go here), those who are concerned can join an online petition just linked from the soundangels.org website.
The Junction fills with music on Sunday afternoon as HONK Fest West brings the third of its three days to our side of the bay (California SW will be closed between Oregon and Alaska) … Sunday is also when the King County Water Taxi (WSB sponsor) throws its grand-opening party, including free rides ALL DAY … And there’s a HUGE number of benefit events this weekend – a fundraiser for Jade West Café proprietor Wah Wong and family, “Borscht and Bagels” for Delridge Produce Cooperative, Dog Makeovers for the Cure, The Kenney‘s annual brunch, WSUU‘s gala dinner, WSHS Grad Night‘s car wash, two animal-advocacy groups teaming up … And to help your summer planning, check out the High Point Youth Activities Fair. Click ahead to see the whole lineup, because from now through Sunday, more than SEVENTY! events/activities are on the list, sponsored by Skylark Cafe and Club, where you’ll find FREE live music and rockin’ food:Read More
We’re welcoming the Dakota Condominiumstoday as a new WSB sponsor. Here’s what they’d like you to know: The Dakota Condominiums are located at 4116 California Ave. SW (map), just two blocks to “The Junction,” West Seattle’s shopping and dining district and home of the year-roundWest Seattle Farmers’ Market and West Seattle Summer Fest. This is a great neighborhood where homeowners can walk to everything — the bank, the grocery, cafés, shops, the post office — but when they need to drive into downtown Seattle, it’s also very accessible. Priced from $219,950, the collection of 39 studio, one-, and two-bedroom homes is FHA-approved. The developers, Kevin Krout with Paul Cesmat and Steve Butler of Omni Construction, hand-selected quality materials that represent the Northwest’s natural beauty and have a classic, timeless appeal. Interiors feature oak hardwood floors in the main living areas and kitchens, slab granite countertops with full-height backsplashes, maple cabinetry, full-sized washers and dryers and a full stainless steel kitchen appliance package. Many of the homes include mountain and/or sound views and a select few surround a landscaped interior courtyard for added outdoor entertainment possibilities. Additional amenities include a rooftop terrace with seating and 360-degree views, a controlled access parking garage and video-monitored entry. The Northwest Multiple Listing Service recently reported an increase in home sales, and its agents say buyer traffic is up as the April 30th deadline approaches for the federal tax credit of up to $8,000 for first-time buyers and $6,500 for existing homeowners who purchase a new residence. Buyers should try to take advantage of the tax credit if they qualify and be aware that historically low interest rates could go up soon. All of the condominium homes at The Dakota are complete and ready for move-in. The community’s model homes are open weekends from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Tuesdays through Thursdays 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. For photos and floor plans, visit our website at www.westseattlecondos.info, or call 206-948-6046 with any questions.
We thank the Dakota Condominiums for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news on WSB; find our sponsor team, and info on joining, all here.
Thanks to Vera from Village Green Perennial Nursery (open again this season, Thursdays-Fridays noon-7 pm and Saturdays-Sundays 10 am-4:30 pm) for the video clip of a baby hummingbird getting fed. Gardening is also at the heart of one of the events we’re previewing this morning: The West Seattle Lions Club‘s annual two-day plant sale includes an evening session tonight at the Senior Center of West Seattle in The Junction, 5-8 pm. Also of note today: The Seattle Humane Society‘s Maxmobile will bring pet adoptions to Pet Pros in Westwood Village, 2-5 pm. West Seattle’s community centers and Southwest Poolare closed for a furlough day. And tonight is the first of six performances for “The Miss Firecracker Contest” by Twelfth Night Productions (WSB sponsor), 7:30 pm at Youngstown Arts Center. More to come in the West Seattle Weekend Lineup.
You’ve probably seen the photos from the outside – but this time, we’re going inside. As Chief Sealth International High School renovations move into the final months, school administrators thought it was time to get the students excited about the upgrades too. So Thursday morning a busload of 2nd-period class reps – who act as liaisons between classmates and staff – got a hardhat tour; WSB got to join them. First stop on the tour, the former commons area, where project manager Robert Evans explained what it was morphing into:
After Sealth students and staff move back to the permanent campus this fall, they’ll be lunching in the new Galleria (top photo). Many more sights ahead, including another look at the slope-clearing goats:Read More
This hasn’t been formally announced yet but we just found it on the Alaskan Way Viaduct project website’s “Public Events” page: Another public meeting for information about the viaduct-replacement project (not just the tunnel but also the south end replacement, which starts work soon) is set for West Seattle – 6-8 pm April 27, Madison Middle School. ADDED 8:01 AM: One of West Seattle’s reps on the project’s South Portal Working Group, Pete Spalding, says you also have a chance before then to get updated on the major transportation projects affecting our area: SDOT will be at the April 21 Delridge Neighborhoods District Council meeting to “discuss all of the closures and related items involving the Spokane Street Viaduct project,” and Alaskan Way Viaduct reps will “make a presentation on where things stand with this project.” DNDC meets at Youngstown Arts Center, 7 pm 4/21.
As we roll on with nightly Disaster Preparedness Month spotlights – tonight it’s about unlearning, instead of learning. We found an expert who’s written about the “5 Myths of Earthquake Survival.” Worth a look – they include helpful advice on a thing or two you SHOULD do, as well as what you should NOT do (#4, regarding how to signal to rescuers that you’re trapped, is a point we’d never heard before). Again, read the list here. Now, the nightly reminders: Browse and bookmark the West Seattle Be Prepared website, and make sure you know your Hub by heart; join the West Seattle Be Prepared group on Facebook to directly connect with other local folks working to be sure they’re ready; and jump into the “3 To Get Ready” city promotion (which is advertising on WSB this month to help make sure the word gets out) – there are freebies to be had, and simple steps to be taken. Anything you’ve done regarding preparedness that you’re particularly proud of, no matter how small or how big? Let us know about it so we can share your story!
Hardcover:
Tonight, it’s about the youngest members of the family – how do you bring kids into the preparedness loop without scaring them? Both FEMA and 
Bail is now set at half a million dollars for the 33-year-old man arrested near his High Point apartment Wednesday night (
The Junction fills with music on Sunday afternoon as 
This is a great neighborhood where homeowners can walk to everything — the bank, the grocery, cafés, shops, the post office — but when they need to drive into downtown Seattle, it’s also very accessible. Priced from $219,950, the collection of 39 studio, one-, and two-bedroom homes is FHA-approved. The developers, Kevin Krout with Paul Cesmat and Steve Butler of 
Worth a look – they include helpful advice on a thing or two you SHOULD do, as well as what you should NOT do (#4, regarding how to signal to rescuers that you’re trapped, is a point we’d never heard before).
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