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Spotlight Stories

The WSBeat: Why you need to get all the keys back, + 7 more
October 2, 2011 9:29 pm
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police | WSBeat

By Megan Sheppard
On the WSBeat, for West Seattle Blog

Back after another short hiatus: From reports on cases handled recently by Southwest Precinct officers:

*Though he had been evicted at the beginning of the month, a man still had the key to the front door of his former condo building in the Admiral area. He would enter, climb to the roof, and then jump to his old balcony to get inside his old unit, against the orders of the sheriff, bank, and realtor. On Tuesday he was arrested and booked into King County Jail for investigation of criminal trespass. The condo management group will be changing the lock on the front door.

*Late Saturday of last weekend, seeing a car pull out of an Admiral service station without its headlights on, an officer ran the plate and discovered that the registered owner did not have a valid driver’s license. He pulled the car over at 36th and Olga. The driver admitted he had no insurance or license and, although he wasn’t wanted on any warrants, he did have a history of burglary and firearms possession. For safety reasons, the officer had him exit the vehicle, which brought half-full bottles of whiskey, brandy and cognac, a crowbar, and a pair of black leather gloves into plain view. These were confiscated. The 16-year-old was cited for driving without a license or insurance, for not using his headlights, minor in possession, and possession of burglary tools. He was released to his brother’s custody; his car was towed.

Six more summaries ahead:Read More

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West Seattle pets blessed in three events this weekend
October 2, 2011 7:25 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Pets | West Seattle news | West Seattle religion

“Blessing of the Animals” events are a tradition for the weekend closest to the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals – and again this year, West Seattle had three of them. We dropped by the third and final, and only outdoor, blessing event, presented by St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church in the West Seattle High School parking lot next door. Order of St. Francis Brother Kris Wilder (above left) and St. John’s Rev. Peter DeVeau (above center, and below) offered the blessings;

Here’s video as everybody – people and pets – circled around:

(This weekend’s other two West Seattle “Blessings of the Animals” were at Providence Mount St. Vincent on Saturday morning and Alki UCC earlier today.) Side note: If Brother Wilder looks familiar … it may not be just because he has been featured in our previous years’ coverage of this event. He was also on WSB recently in a different kind of robe: The one he wears as a karate instructor, and author of self-defense books.

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West Seattle weekend scene: Another young entrepreneur
October 2, 2011 4:12 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

We don’t know if she’s still there, but the photo and report are from Jeffrey. (Thanks!)

Further to your feature on the wee egg sellers last week, thought I might forward a photo of this kiddo selling her jewelry creations at the Junction Plaza Park a half hour ago. Said her name is Keaton. She seems to be attracting business spilling over from the mobile food truck fest. These West Seattle kids sure have an entrepreneurial spirit!

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Happening now: CROP Walk on Alki, raising money to fight hunger
October 2, 2011 3:11 pm
|    Comments Off on Happening now: CROP Walk on Alki, raising money to fight hunger
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

The message of welcome on the sidewalk outside Alki UCC Church this afternoon was a creation of the congregation’s kids, we’re told. It’s in honor of the annual CROP Walk, happening right now along the beach. This one isn’t a giant 5K-run-style event – more of a casual walk, but with a lot of heart and hope:

Once again this year, the walkers got not a pep talk, but a pep concert, you might say, from Rev. Pat Wright and the Total Experience Gospel Choir:

Notice those signs, about texting a donation? New way to chip in, and it’s an easy way to help, even if you couldn’t participate in the walk. (Or, donate online here.)

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Happening now: Skiing star Molly Baker at Mountain to Sound Outfitters
October 2, 2011 1:27 pm
|    Comments Off on Happening now: Skiing star Molly Baker at Mountain to Sound Outfitters
 |   Triangle | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

This weekend’s grand-opening-of-expanded-space celebration continues at Mountain to Sound Outfitters (WSB sponsor) this afternoon, and if you get there (3602 SW Alaska) before 2 pm, you can meet Molly Baker, a big-mountain freeskiing star on the rise – more on the M2SO site. Also at the shop greeting customers – proprietor Greg Whittaker and son Keller:

Ready for ski season yet? M2SO not only sells skis, they rent them too:

And if you’re hungry – they’re barbecuing for a second straight afternoon (hey, the weather’s nice!):

But think snow.

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Happening now: Mobile Chowdown sizzles in West Seattle
October 2, 2011 12:41 pm
|      62 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

The sun is out just in time for food-truck fans to fill two blocks of California SW in The Junction as Mobile Chowdown revs up big time. Don’t let the angle fool you – it’s not shoulder-to-shoulder, there’s elbow room – but there’s definitely a good turnout for this first-time-in-West-Seattle event. Even if you’re not sure you want to stand in line for food, the trucks themselves are worth coming to see:

The “pig truck” is Maximus Minimus, which serves pulled pork and veggie sandwiches. We peeked inside – most of these trucks have quite the kitchen:

There’s outdoor cooking going on, too:

That’s the Veraci Pizza crew. They’re on the north end of The Junction – where we also found a line that was NOT for a food truck:

Organizers say some trucks take credit cards but all PREFER cash, so come with some if you can. By the way, it’s not all full-meal deals – some trucks are more snacky:

Mobile Chowdown continues till 5; more photos to come.

6:02 PM: A few more from today – first, the crowd through a haze of cooking smoke:

Hawaiian-style plate lunches go well with the food-truck theme, and that’s what Pai’s offered:

And one last image – refresh the page for the latest view of whether California is open again (as we publish this, the barricades at SW Alaska are still up, but once they’re gone, it’s open):

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Scam alert: This one’s coming in by phone! ‘Wells Fargo,’ not
October 2, 2011 12:12 pm
|      93 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

12:12 PM: Yes, we know you’re probably scam-savvy. But for those who aren’t, and for those who will want to warn possibly gullible relatives/friends, this is just out of the WSB inbox (and before we could publish the warning, we received the same call, though we’re not customers of the bank in question!). From Carrie:

I received a call this Sunday morning from a blocked number that I did not answer. The voice mail message said ” for security reasons your Wells Fargo account has been locked. To unlock your account press “1”. ” I called Wells Fargo and they said this was not a legitimate call, they do not call from a blocked number but sent emails. Obviously the caller was checking to see who has an account with Wells Fargo and would proceed from there with some devious deed.

ADDED 5:35 PM: Just got the call AGAIN, as a straight-to-voicemail message on a personal cell phone. Rooting around for official WF policies of how to report this type of call, we found this page on their website, asking that scam e-mails or other info be sent to: reportphish@wellsfargo.com.

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Need more computer know-how? 2 West Seattle chances tomorrow
October 2, 2011 11:14 am
|    Comments Off on Need more computer know-how? 2 West Seattle chances tomorrow
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle online

Vicky sends word this morning of two open houses tomorrow at public West Seattle computer centers you might not even know about, part of the city’s Get Online Week, which starts tomorrow:

Did you know you can attend classes for free or low-cost at computer learning centers in your own neighborhood? Come in, have a snack, learn about our labs and the workshops and classes offered for teens, adults and seniors. Stop by one of these centers and GET ONLINE!

October 3, 3:00-6:00 PM
High Point Mobile Lab
6400 Sylvan Way SW

October 3, 6:00-8:00 PM
RecTech Delridge Computer Lab
4501 Delridge Way SW

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Mobile Chowdown in West Seattle: Setup under way
October 2, 2011 9:47 am
|    Comments Off on Mobile Chowdown in West Seattle: Setup under way
 |   West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

Setup is under way as 26 food trucks continue arriving for Mobile Chowdown, the food-truck extravaganza that’s happening in The Junction for the first time ever (organizers staged several in 2009 and 2010 elsewhere in the city). As the sign says, SW Alaska is open, as are SW Edmunds and SW Oregon, all west-east streets, but both blocks of California are closed in the heart of the bizdistrict. The trucks are staging single file down the middle of the street:

As for locations, if you’re looking for a favorite, since most hadn’t arrived yet, we couldn’t rough out a map, but we can tell you that Veraci Pizza and its portable wood-fired oven are at the north end, with Andrae’s Kitchen from Walla Walla right behind; in the middle (photo above) you’ll find weekly West Seattle visitor Marination Mobile by Easy Street Records and Street Donuts by Bin 41; at the south end, West Seattle fixture Beloved Mexico. The beer garden, raising money for the West Seattle Food Bank, is being set up outside Petco. The trucks are scheduled to be here 11 am-5 pm; full details at the official Mobile Chowdown site.

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West Seattle Sunday: Mobile Chowdown; Blessing of the Animals; CROP Walk; lots more
October 2, 2011 8:44 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(First sunset of October 2011 – photo courtesy Emily)
One of those rare weekends when Sunday has even more major events than Saturday. From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

HELP GET THE WORD OUT: The Delridge Community Forum needs volunteers to help distribute informational flyers to residences in North Delridge today; we are seeking volunteers to assist. This effort will be used to both inform community members about the proposed DESC project and also inviting them to the Oct. 11th informational event. Meet in front of Delridge Library (Brandon/Delridge) at 10 if you can help.

TWO ‘BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS’ EVENTS: First, 10 am, Blessing of the Animals service at Alki UCC. This year, the service is interfaith, with members of Kol HaNeshamah (WSB sponsor) synagogue participating, and the blessings will be done by Pastor Diane and Rabbi Zari. Everyone welcome (dogs on leads, cats in carriers, please!) … Second, noon, outdoor Blessing of the Animals hosted by St. John the Baptist Church in the WSHS parking lot next door: The community is invited for this annual gathering to give thanks for the gift of cats, dogs, and all creatures great and small. The blessing ceremony includes an impromptu parade of pets, refreshments, and an opportunity to mingle with neighbors and friends. In the spirit of Francis of Assisi, known for loving animals and all creation, Franciscan brothers assist in the blessing.

FARMERS’ MARKET! Every Sunday, year-round, it’s the West Seattle Farmers’ Market, 10 am – 2 pm, The Junction (44th/Alaska) – remember the California street closure for the food-truck event.

ALL SOULS’ 1ST ANNIVERSARY: All Souls Church of Seattle (WSB sponsor), which meets at 10 am at Madison Middle School, marks its first anniversary of public worship services today (here’s the preview we published last night).

FOOD TRUCKSTRAVAGANZA: Today’s the day for the long-awaited Mobile Chowdown in the West Seattle Junction – 26 food trucks!, 11 am-5 pm, California SW is closed Edmunds-Oregon for the occasion.

MEET MOLLY BAKER: Grand reopening festivities at Mountain to Sound Outfitters (WSB sponsor), highlighted today by freeskier Molly Baker‘s appearance at the newly expanded store, noon-2 pm.

CROP WALK TO FIGHT HUNGER: Once again, Alki UCC hosts the West Seattle CROP Walk, a Church World Service program to help communities overcome hunger. Registration 12:45 pm. Total Experience Gospel Choir 1:15 PM – The nationally renowned ensemble will help us kick off the Seattle CROP walk with some high energy music in the Alki UCC Sanctuary. 3-Mile walk around Alki starts at 2 pm.

WANT TO BE HI-YU ROYALTY? Afternoon informational session for prospective West Seattle Hi-Yu Senior Court candidates, 2 pm, details here.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Serial burglaries; business vandalism
October 1, 2011 10:54 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Three reports in West Seattle Crime Watch tonight: Two reports of multiple burglaries in individual neighborhoods, and one report of vandalism along a block of businesses in Morgan Junction – read on:Read More

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New after-school program launching at Alki Community Center
October 1, 2011 9:20 pm
|    Comments Off on New after-school program launching at Alki Community Center
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news

Registration starts this week for a new program called “Enrichment on Alki,” for kindergarteners through fifth graders, at Alki Community Center. ACC’s Angelica Boyden explains, “Currently for the Fall quarter we have between 40 and 45 after-school enrichment classes that will be available to the youth from Alki Elementary as well as the greater West Seattle community. Some of these programs include, but are not limited to: Drama, Dance, Art, Creative Writing, Origami, Chess, Legos, Zumba, Yoga, and Academics. The program for the fall quarter is set to start the week of October 17th and run for 8 weeks through the week of December 16th, with no classes being held Thanksgiving week, Nov 21st-25th. The program also consists of a winter and spring quarter as well.” Here’s the flyer with more information.

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Another West Seattle 1st anniversary: All Souls Church
October 1, 2011 5:44 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle religion

Tomorrow, All Souls Church of Seattle (WSB sponsor) celebrates one year of weekly public worship in West Seattle, and Pastor Andy Pelander (at left in the church-provided photo above) has an invitation, and status report.

All are invited to participate in our service, which will include ‘community stories’ from folks who’ve been part of this exciting, growing new worshipping community over the past year. Of course, we’ll also have birthday cake! Join us Sundays at 10 a.m. at Madison Middle School.

All Souls began humbly in autumn 2009 with a handful of families in a living room in Admiral, dreaming and praying about what a brand new church would be like in our neighborhood, for our neighborhood. We imagined a community where we could worship, love one another in authentic relationship, and seek the welfare of our city. A year later, on Oct. 3, 2010, having gathered many more local families, we began meeting weekly for public worship.

To get a church off the ground this past year has been more hardworking than anyone involved could have imagined(!) and, yet, so much more rewarding than we could have hoped. Plenty of blood and sweat, and our share of tears…

And we’ve seen a dynamic, multi-generational community take shape that wasn’t here before we began–in our beloved West Seattle neighborhood. All Souls is now a church family into which folks are welcomed no matter what, are becoming known and being served, are encountering the character of God and his gospel of grace, and are being changed by it. We’ve celebrated faith at All Souls, both new and renewed!

A thousand thank you’s to all who’ve given of themselves so greatly to this remarkable project. We’re seeing buds on our little tree.

Every Sunday is a good Sunday to visit All Souls for the first time.

They’re online at allsoulsseattle.org, and you can check out their Facebook page for some of their outside-the-service activities.

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Meet the sequel to West Seattle’s own Löwman Bräu: Whale Tail Ale
October 1, 2011 3:49 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS beverages

Back when the Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) and partners announced Löwman Bräu last spring, launching not only a taste-sensation, charity-fundraising beer but also a fashion trend, they promised there would be more to come. And so today there is word of Whale Tail Ale – a “delicious, mouth-pleasing” Belgian ale, launching at 6 pm November 9th, simultaneously at the following West Seattle and White Center venues:

FEEDBACK LOUNGE • 6451 California Ave. SW
WEST 5 • 4539 California Ave. SW
MISSION • 2325 California Ave. SW
SHADOWLAND • 4458 California Ave. SW
BIG AL BREWING • 9832 14th Ave. SW
LOCÖL • 7902 35th Ave. SW
THE BRIDGE • 4439 35th Ave. SW
BEVERIDGE PLACE PUB • 6413 California Ave. SW
COMPANY • 9608 16th Ave SW
FULL-TILT ICE CREAM • 9629 16th Ave SW
AVALON • 2940 SW Avalon Way

Says the official news release (which you can read in its entirety here), “If the rest of Seattle wants to taste it, they have to come across the bridge to get it. (Note to downtowners, bring lots of tourist cash.)” Like Löwman Bräu, Whale Tail Ale is crafted by Big Al Brewing, and its logo et al is the work of The Feedback’s creative genius Jeff Gilbert.

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West Seattle Autoworks celebrates Year 1, looks ahead
October 1, 2011 3:21 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Sunrise Heights | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

West Seattle Autoworks (WSB sponsor) at 35th/Webster isn’t usually open on Saturdays, but Todd Ainsworth and Chris Christensen threw open the doors today to celebrate their first anniversary. Throughout their first year, they’ve continued to evolve the services they offer – including the “green oil change” – and they’re continuing to look ahead. We asked what’s on the horizon, and they mentioned they’ll be studying electric-car conversion, hoping that “down the road” they’ll be able to offer that type of service as well as repair and maintenance work. Whether you’re a customer already or you’d just like to meet them and say “Congratulations on making it through the first year,” they’ve got snacks and smiles till 5 pm today.

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Traffic alert: Crash closes eastbound Sylvan Way
October 1, 2011 1:51 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS breaking news

A car has flipped on the greenbelt shoulder of eastbound Sylvan Way just uphill from Home Depot. No serious injuries but eastbound traffic is being turned back several blocks uphill. Westbound is getting through.

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Happening now: Prudential NW food drive at local supermarkets
October 1, 2011 12:36 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

Maybe you’ve seen them if you’ve already been out grocery shopping this morning – Prudential Northwest Realty team members collecting food and donations for local food banks. Above, we photographed Nicole Rea, Chariti McIndoe, and Aaron Rysemus at Albertsons in White Center; below, Alice Kuder (who wrote about the food drive on her website) shared the photo of Bruce Butterfield manning one of the collection carts at West Seattle Thriftway:

They’ll take monetary donations – food banks have special deals to really stretch dollars – as well as food donations at those stores and others including PCC Natural Markets-West Seattle (WSB sponsor) and Jefferson Square Safeway, till 2 pm today.

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‘Now is the time’: West Seattle retirement communities’ town hall
October 1, 2011 12:03 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle housing | West Seattle news

At Fauntleroy Church this morning, representatives of seven West Seattle (and vicinity) retirement communities teamed up for a Town Hall-style event to answer questions – both about their individual properties, and about big-picture issues such as “When is the time to sell your house and move to a retirement community?” That one was answered during our short stop at the event, and the reply was a strong “Now” – the economy may be down, but affordability is up. A related question was “what if you can’t sell your home?”; turns out, there are special programs, as well as agents who specialize in helping – talk to your retirement community of choice. The Q/A was moderated by Karen Sisson from the Senior Center of West Seattle; participating communities included WSB sponsors Merrill Gardens at Admiral Heights, Merrill Gardens at West Seattle, The Kenney, and Daystar Retirement Village, as well as Providence Mount St. Vincent, Arrowhead Gardens, and Boulevard Park Place.

P.S. The Kenney is having a meeting of its own next Wednesday night (October 5th), 6:30 pm, with an update on the Memory Support Unit that it’s adding. All welcome.

P.P.S. Helping out at the door for this morning’s event was a rep from Friend to Friend‘s West Seattle chapter. They appreciate volunteers and donations, to make sure nobody’s lonely in a retirement/assisted-living center. Call 206-246-5150 to find out how to help.

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West Seattle Saturday: Welcome to October 2011!
October 1, 2011 8:43 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Saturday: Welcome to October 2011!
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Anniversary celebrations – where you get the gifts! – are part of our highlights today from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar, as are opportunities to pitch in around the peninsula:

TRAFFIC ALERT: Westbound Spokane Street Viaduct is scheduled to remain closed all day, till 10 am Sunday (no access to West Seattle Bridge from I-5 or Beacon Hill).

REMINDER FOR BUS RIDERS: Metro‘s service change starts today.

HELP LINCOLN PARK: Fall is the perfect time for urban forest restoration! Join the Friends of Lincoln Park as we remove invasive plant species from the beautiful mature forests of this urban gem. Get some healthy green exercise today from 9 am to noon! Meet in the north parking lot (Fauntleroy Way SW and SW Rose St). Bring garden gloves and hand clippers, or we’ll have extras.

WORKING ON A FALL PROJECT? West Seattle Tool Library open at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center space (east side of main building), 9 am – 2 pm.

WEST SEATTLE AUTOWORKS’ 1ST ANNIVERSARY: West Seattle Autoworks (WSB sponsor) invites you to its 9 am-5 pm open house celebration today with Red Star Pizza, Cafe Osita coffee and other refreshments. They’ll also be giving out raffle tickets to everyone and giving away some door prizes. They will also be giving out special discounts throughout the first week of October – good for the entire month. (35th/Webster)

CLICK! TURNS 7: Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor) kicks off its 7th anniversary (first year in The Junction) celebration. Details here. Click! is open 11 am-5 pm today (4540 California SW).

MOUNTAIN TO SOUND OUTFITTERS EXPANDS: Grand reopening/expansion festivities at Mountain to Sound Outfitters (WSB sponsor), find full details here including 2-6 pm barbecue. Open 10 am-6 pm (3602 SW Alaska).

BARTON STREET P-PATCH NEEDS YOU! 10 am-3 pm, volunteers needed as West Seattle’s newest P-Patch (34th/Barton) continues taking shape.

LEARN ABOUT WEST SEATTLE’S RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES: Eight retirement and assisted living communities of West Seattle are coming together for a Town Hall Meeting. Free event, from 10 am to 12:30 pm at Fauntleroy Church. SHAG Arrowhead Gardens, Boulevard Park Place, BridgePark, Daystar, The Kenney, Merrill Gardens at Admiral Heights, Merrill Gardens at West Seattle and Providence Mount St. Vincent will all be present. Free “breakfast bites” and a chance to hear presentations as well as dropping by each organization’s table/booth for Q/A.

DONATE FOOD: Food drive for Prudential Northwest Realty “Global Volunteer Day,” at stores including PCC Natural Markets-West Seattle (WSB sponsor), West Seattle Thriftway, Jefferson Square Safeway, White Center Albertsons, 10 am-2 pm, donate food and/or money, more details here

ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL: Blessing of the Animals, Providence Mount St. Vincent lobby, 10:30 am, all pets (and their people) welcome

MEET THE AUTHOR: Book signing by West Seattle author Charles Philipp Martin for his new Hong Kong thriller “Neon Panic,” at Seattle Mystery Bookshop, noon to 1:30 pm, 117 Cherry Street.

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS: Delridge Library branch event for kids, 1-2:3 pm today.

WINE AND TUNES: Vine and Cheese at Village Green Perennial Nursery: 3 pm – 5 pm,10223 26th Ave SW. Sodovino winery will be hosting a wine tasting at Village Green. Live music by harpist Johanna.

CLOSING NIGHT: “Amy’s View” final performance at ArtsWest Playhouse in The Junction, 7:30 pm

LIVE MUSIC, #1 From Kenyon Hall – Casey MacGill and Orville Johnson in concert at 7:30. Reserved table seats are $14. Row seating is $12 general and $10 seniors. With a reservation row seating is only $10 general and $8 seniors. Elementary, middle, and high school students are $5. Pre-school children are free. To make a reservation, please e-mail kenyonhall@earthlink.net. You’ll receive an e-mail confirming your reservation.

LIVE MUSIC, #2: Memphis Radio Kings reunion as a benefit for the Animal Aid and Rescue Foundation, Feedback Lounge, 9 pm, full details on this Facebook event page.

HOW ABOUT A FREE TRAIN TICKET? Amtrak companion fare giveaway launches at PCC Natural Markets (WSB sponsor), more info here

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Teacher’s disturbing discovery in West Seattle park: Hazing
October 1, 2011 2:47 am
|      169 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Jennifer Hall knows a lot about teenagers. She teaches them. And she parents one. On Friday night, she happened onto a group of teens in West Seattle’s Solstice Park, engaged in behavior troubling enough to cause her eventually to call 911. Here’s her story:

I was walking my dogs up from the pea patches into Solstice Park at 6 PM. There were around 15-20 young people there, laughing raucously, squealing. Young men were yelling at the young girls to “Come hither, ladies!” After being at the park for about a minute, I realized that they were high school students.

There were beer cans, white powder, and plastic containers littering the grass. One of my dogs was especially interested in a large fleshy thing that they were batting around on the grass. I walked into the group to look at it. It was a large animal heart — a pig’s or a cow’s. The young people were not hostile to me, but I could smell alcohol, and I could tell by the way that some of the boys were slurring their speech that they were drunk. I told them I was a high-school teacher myself, and I asked what high school they were from. One of the boys said, “Roosevelt.” I said, “You’ve got beer cans all over the place, and you’ve obviously been drinking. You’ve driven here from Roosevelt, and you’re planning on driving back impaired? How old are you?” “Eighteen!”, one very young-looking girl replied. I said, “Well, that’s a lie. You drove here from Roosevelt, a bunch of you are drunk and you’re planning on driving back?” There was a chorus of, “We’re OK!” and other protests.

I asked the girls, who appeared younger than the boys, “Do your parents know where you are, and who you’re with?” Again, there was a chorus of, “We’re OK! We’re just having fun!”

Read More

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3 ways to be helpful in West Seattle this weekend
September 30, 2011 11:03 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

HELP GET THE WORD OUT IN DELRIDGE: At 10 am Sunday, volunteers are needed to help distribute 1,600 flyers in the Delridge area, letting people know about the October 11th Delridge Community Forum, focused on the DESC proposal to build a 75-apartment complex for homeless people living with mental illness. If you can help, be at Delridge Library (Brandon/Delridge) at 10 o’clock Sunday morning (rain or shine).

DONATE FOOD: 10 am-2 pm Saturday, Prudential NW Realty team members are collecting food-bank donations – money and/or food – at stores including PCC Natural Markets (WSB sponsor), West Seattle Thriftway, Jefferson Square Safeway, and White Center Albertsons.

HELP WEST SEATTLE’S NEWEST P-PATCH:

From the Barton Street P-Patch (34th/Barton) crew, that photo and this request:

The Barton Street PPatch is seeking community volunteers to help build retaining walls this weekend. No experience necessary- you need only bring your enthusiasm. These walls use mortar over reclaimed materials, chain link and tiles, shells, pottery shards and other found objects. Shifts are available Saturday 10-3 and Sunday 11-3. We are also seeking muscular folks to help mix mortar and do other digging, weeding and wheelbarrow activities. Please let us know if you are interested in participating in this community garden. KFarleyLandscapeDesign@gmail.com or Randeef@Comcast.net

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High-school football: 2 shutouts among tonight’s 3 games
September 30, 2011 9:13 pm
|    Comments Off on High-school football: 2 shutouts among tonight’s 3 games
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

9:13 PM: At Southwest Athletic Complex, Chief Sealth International High School‘s homecoming game just wrapped up – and it was a shutout, Eastside Catholic 46, Sealth 0. Most of the scoring came in the first half, which concluded at 39-0; then Eastside ran the ball in from the second-half kickoff, and that (plus the extra point) ended the night’s scoring.

ADDED 10:34 PM: Another score in: Seattle Lutheran High School lost at Concrete, 42-13, per its Twitter feed, which notes that it’s SLHS’s homecoming next weekend.

ADDED 11:25 PM: Per our partners at the Seattle Times, West Seattle High School shut out Cleveland at Southeast Athletic Complex, 35-0.

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West Seattle traffic-alert reminder: Longer closure than usual
September 30, 2011 7:56 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle traffic-alert reminder: Longer closure than usual
 |   Spokane St. Viaduct project | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

One more reminder if you are, or are heading, downtown or beyond – tonight’s westbound Spokane Street Viaduct closure is scheduled to last longer than previous ones – this time, it’s set to start at 10 pm and continue all day and all night Saturday, until 10 am Sunday. (We’ll publish an update, of course, if it reopens early.) That means the only high-bridge access westbound during that time will be from Highway 99/Alaskan Way Viaduct – the I-5 and Beacon Hill ramps will be closed.

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