Vacation Bible School at West Side Presbyterian Church

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| Announcements

Here’s the official announcement:

All school age children, pre-kindergarten (5 by August 31st) through 5th grade are invited to attend Vacation Bible School (VBS) at West Side Presbyterian Church, June 22-26 from 9am – noon. Enjoy Bible Stories, Crafts, Movies, Music, Treats, Puppets, Awards and Recreation, all at no charge. See WSPC.org for more information and a registration form (pre-registration is not required, but helpful). We hope to see you there!

Got an announcement for our Events calendar and/or our Announced page? E-mail us: editor@westseattleblog.com

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“Aunt Dottie’s Sing-Along Cabaret” at Kenyon Hall June 20

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| Announcements

Next weekend at Kenyon Hall in West Seattle – here’s the announcement from “Aunt Dottie” herself:

AUNT DOTTIE’S SING-ALONG CABARET
Come join the musical adventure that’s different every time!

After years entertaining on the high seas, Aunt Dottie, finds herself on dry land,
due to her current husband’s chronic sea-sickness. Unable to stop performing, and
still paying alimony for all of those previous husbands, Aunt Dottie is bringing her
act to KENYON HALL!

In this show, the audience is encouraged to participate and sing along as Aunt
Dottie and her nephew, Aaron, take you on a journey through some classic and
not-so-classic songs.

THERE WILL BE PRIZES!
ONE night only:
Saturday, June 20, 2009
8:00 p.m.
Kenyon Hall in West Seattle
7904 35th Avenue SW, Seattle, WA 98126
(35th & Kenyon)

Table Seats $14 • Row Seats $12 ($10 Students/Seniors)
Make a reservation and receive $2 Discount on row seats
Reservations: Phone (206)937-3613 or e-mail kenyonhall@earthlink.net

For more information, you can visit: http://auntdottiesings.blogspot.com
You can follow Aunt Dottie on twitter @auntdottie

AND you can read her story in the May issue of Renton Magazine (page 22)

Yes, Aunt Dottie is everywhere –intent on spreading her own unique brand of peace,
love & rock n’ roll!

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Ceremonies today: Sealth graduation, Morgan park, Genesee Hill

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle parks | West Seattle schools

MORGAN JUNCTION PARK DEDICATION: 10 am today, right before the Morgan Junction Community Festival, which is happening in and around the park 11 am-6 pm. The park’s been open a couple months just north of Beveridge Place Pub, on the former Fauntleroy Auto Works site once tabbed for a monorail station. (More on the festival shortly – we’ll be there all day, reporting “live.”)

GOODBYE, GENESEE HILL: The elementary school building atop the hill had already been closed once when it was reopened to serve as “temporary” home to West Seattle’s only public alternative school, Pathfinder K-8. More than a decade later, the district is closing it again and moving Pathfinder to the Cooper building in Pigeon Point. The Pathfinder community is leading a closure ceremony/commemoration 10 am-2 pm today.

CHIEF SEALTH HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION: Members of the Chief Sealth Class of 2009 end their high-school years with a commencement ceremony at 1 pm. This year, it’s at Memorial Stadium at Seattle Center, same place West Seattle HS had its graduation two days ago.

For more of what’s happening around the peninsula today, see the West Seattle Weekend Lineup.

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From the WSB Forums: “Alex’s Lemonade Stand” in Admiral today

June 13, 2009 12:25 am

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| How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

WSB Forums member “bsmomma” says it was a last-minute decision, but she and her daughter have joined the nationwide Alex’s Lemonade Stand movement to fight childhood cancer. They’re planning a lemonade stand today, noon-3 pm, 48th SW & SW Waite (map).

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Alki Kid’s Place open house on June 24

June 12, 2009 11:57 pm

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| Announcements | West Seattle news

From Cheryl Snyder at Alki Kid’s Place:

In celebration of our “One Year Anniversary” we are hosting an Open House June 24 from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm.

Alki Kid’s Place is “West Seattle’s Solution” for summer camp and afterschool activities specially designed for children ages 4 – 14. Our unique and affordable program provides a safe, caring environment with individualized care and flexible scheduling. The program includes crafts, games, exercise, music, movies, baking and beach time.

Please come and experience our program and enjoy Pizza “donated by our new local Zeeks”, refreshments, activities for your children and a Free Gift for stopping in. We are located at 6115 SW Hinds Street. For more information, call Cheryl at 938-0145.

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Power outage in Gatewood projected to end by 1:30 am

June 12, 2009 11:46 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Utilities | West Seattle news

Amy e-mailed to ask what we’d heard about a power outage on Gatewood Hill. Nothing — till her note. Checked with Seattle City Light; the boundaries (seldom precise) are listed as Fauntleroy Way north, SW Orchard south, 37th SW east, Parshall Place west. It’s affecting about 80 homes. No word on the cause; they’re estimating it’ll be fixed by 1:30 am.

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West Seattle scene: A monster worth rooting for?

June 12, 2009 11:12 pm

| 9 COMMENTS

| Seen around town | West Seattle parks

West Seattle photojournalist Matt Durham from mattdurhamphotography.com shares this scene, describing it only as follows: “A monster emerged … out of a downed tree’s root ball at a West Seattle park. The location will remain a mystery.” Hmmm.

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Get your new Facebook address yet? Here’s ours

June 12, 2009 10:02 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle online

It’s been about an hour since Facebook started offering members the chance to customize the Web address for their FB presence. We signed up fast for facebook.com/westseattleblog – so that’s where you can find us, as opposed to the previous long string of numbers that we never did manage to memorize. (If you haven’t signed up to customize your FB address yet, it’s a quick free process that starts here. –

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Three free West Seattle events to help jobseekers

June 12, 2009 4:41 pm

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| Delridge | West Seattle news

Looking for work? Three events coming up at Delridge Community Center might help – and we were asked to help spread the word about them – all free! Read on for details:Read More

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Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza Phase II work to start next week

June 12, 2009 2:04 pm

| 5 COMMENTS

| Alki Statue of Liberty | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(2008 photo by David Hutchinson)
It’s been anticipated for quite a while that the next round of brick installation, and time-capsule placement, would be happening soon at the Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza. Now there’s word from Libby Carr that it’ll start next week:

Seattle Parks & Recreation has informed us that the Phase II construction work on the Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza will begin on Tuesday, June 16th. The immediate area of the Plaza will be fenced for approximately 2 weeks while the 850 new engraved bricks and 7 Tribute Plaques are installed. Preliminary work will be done for the installation of the Time Capsule which has been prepared by the Log House Museum. The Capsule is scheduled to be opened in 2059. Some additional maintenance work will also be done at this time.

Funds raised in Phase II (by selling these bricks and plaques) are dedicated, through the Parks Department, to the future maintenance of this plaza, after paying for the cost of materials and labor.

We are anticipating a Celebration event for the completion of Phase II will be held in late September.

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West Seattle Weekend Lineup: Morgan Junction Festival edition

June 12, 2009 12:49 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| Fun stuff to do | WS culture/arts | WS Weekend Lineup

The Morgan Junction Community Festival on Saturday is this weekend’s marquee event – we’ll be reporting live there all day and hope to see you too – more music, more food (the “Bite of Morgan” freebies!), etc. Also in the spotlight this weekend, … more than FIFTY events ahead in the full West Seattle Weekend Lineup, brought to you by Skylark Cafe and Club:Read More

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Cooper Elementary closure challenge hearing: No ruling today

June 12, 2009 12:13 pm

| 5 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle school closure

(From left, Charita Dumas, Joy Anderson, Shelly Williams, pursuing legal action against the school district; photo by Christopher Boffoli)
We’re back from the hearing at King County Superior Court on the challenge to the Seattle Public Schools closure of the Cooper Elementary “program” (the building will remain open as the new home to Pathfinder K-8, whose longtime “temporary” home at Genesee Hill will be closed). Topline: Judge Greg Canova said he would not issue a ruling today. Lawyers for both sides argued the points they’ve been making – for the closure opponents, that Cooper is a school, not a “program,” and should have received its own closure hearing; for the district, that it followed proper procedure and that this was the School Board’s decision to make, so anyone who doesn’t agree with it should vote against them in the next election rather than going to court. More details, plus photos/video, to come. 2:55 PM UPDATE: Adding some additional photos and video:Read More

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Federal “compliance review” of Seattle Public Schools closures

June 12, 2009 10:39 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle school closure

View Larger Map

As the court hearing for the Cooper Elementary School (Google Street View above) closure challenge is about to get under way at King County Superior Court (we’re there and will update you when it’s over), we have word from closure opponent Joy Anderson of another action under way in connection with the entire Seattle Public Schools closure process last fall/winter: A federal “compliance review” by the U.S. Department of Education, under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Anderson explains that Shelley Williams, who is one of the other two people pursuing the court challenge that’s being heard today, “organized and helped people file about 200 civil rights complaints to the Department of Education. Since they had so many, and it would have been really time consuming to act on each one, the DOE dismissed the individual complaints and has initiated one BIG COMPLIANCE review.” We have asked Seattle Public Schools for comment. Meantime, the letter to Williams that explains the review can be seen after the jump (as provided by Anderson) – we have cut off only the letterhead which has the Education Department logo and Williams’ personal address:Read More

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Continuing with today’s “food” theme: Amazon Fresh to 98146

June 12, 2009 10:30 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle online

(2008 photo by Jerry from JetCityOrange)
No, not a news release – just one line on Twitter: the big green trucks of Amazon Fresh are now delivering to zip code 98146. It’s been a year and a half since AF’s first West Seattle service, at which time (WSB report here) they told us they weren’t sure how soon 98146 would be added. (They added 98106 in March of last year.)

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Skillet Street Food’s new Junction location: Olympic Court

June 12, 2009 10:00 am

| 19 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

We mentioned Thursday that after several Sundays in the Seattle Lutheran High School parking lot, and then no West Seattle service last Sunday, Skillet just announced a new WS spot starting this Sunday – in the same block of 44th SW as the West Seattle Farmers’ Market. Now we’ve gotten details (and the photo above) from Jon Davis at Westside Dermatology (WSB sponsor):

Skillet Street Food has found a new location at 4740 44th Ave SW in the Junction in front of the Olympic Court Building parking lot. The building is home to Westside Dermatology and is on the same block as the West Seattle Farmer’s Market… just a half block south. Olympic Court and Westside Dermatology hope Skillet can finally find a permanent home in West Seattle and encourage everyone in the neighborhood who hasn’t had a chance to try their delicious food this Sunday.

Just thought we’d confirm with you that Skillet WILL be in our parking lot this Sunday. Our agreement with them is for them to stay as many Sundays as they’d like. We’ve heard such great things about them and are so happy to have the opportunity to host them. I’ve enclosed a photo of our building in case people are wondering which parking lot on 44th it will be in.

11 am-2 pm on Sunday; the West Seattle Farmers’ Market, of course, is 10 am-2 pm. P.S. You’ll note on the Westside Dermatology website that WD is having a Summer Skin Care Fair on Saturday, July 11, during West Seattle Summer Fest.

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West Seattle Art Walk: June images, and a look ahead to July

June 12, 2009 9:41 am

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| West Seattle Art Walk | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

That’s the Fraternal Order of Eagles Band performing at The Kenney last night during the monthly West Seattle Art Walk. Other sights from along the route:

Twilight Artist Collective celebrated its June group show. (And remember, they’re accepting applications for the Art Dive at West Seattle Summer Fest next month – full details here.) To the south, Curious Kidstuff unveiled its new Curious Art Kids and Curious Party Kids additions:

And in the Admiral District, Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor) featured Mixed Greens Blog and celebrated 10 years of the West Seattle Farmers’ Market with rosemary/lavender lemonade, homemade crackers with rhubarb and Beecher’s cheese (second photo), and co-proprietor Frances Smersh‘s cork jewelry:

The West Seattle Art Walk (official site here) adds new participants quarterly – here’s a Google Map with sneak peek at who you will find on the next three WSAWs – July 9th will be particularly fun because that’s the night before Summer Fest, so you can visit stops in The Junction while wandering the closed street. And the new participants include venues outside The Junction, too, like Coffee at the Heights (WSB sponsor) in Sunrise Heights.

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Happening today/tonight: Cooper hearing; TV switch; wine; skating

June 12, 2009 7:54 am

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| Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news

COOPER ELEMENTARY CLOSURE COURT HEARING: 10:30 this morning in King County Superior Court; closure opponents are offering bus rides to supporters who want to be there (as reported here).

TV SWITCH: This is the date TV’s all supposed to go digital. If you still need help making sure you’re ready, there’s a drop-in help center at Youngstown Arts Center (as reported here).

WINE RELEASE: 3-6 pm, the Northwest Wine Academy at South Seattle Community College hosts a free event for you to taste and purchase its summer wine releases (tomorrow too; more info here).

END-OF-YEAR SKATING PARTY: The popular Friday night roller-skating events at Alki Community Center wrap up the season with a party tonight, 6:45-8:45 pm, free admission – including hot dogs and a bouncy toy for younger kids.

More to come – for today, tomorrow and Sunday – in the West Seattle Weekend Lineup later this morning.

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Video: West Seattle High School, Seattle Lutheran graduations

June 12, 2009 1:57 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | West Seattle video

(video no longer available due to blip.tv shutdown)

After both the West Seattle High School and Seattle Lutheran High School commencement ceremonies on Thursday night, we published photos here – now we’re adding video. Above, it’s the WSHS Class of 2009 — 265 grads — on the field at Memorial Stadium (here’s our earlier coverage on their Awards Night); below, members of the SLHS Class of 2009 (45 grads) doing the wave while waiting to enter the gym for their ceremony:

(video no longer available due to blip.tv shutdown)

Since our photographer got a little closer to the SLHS grads, he noticed special detail work on some of their caps, like this:

And here they are in the gym:

The SLHS ceremony, by the way, was streamed live online! Graduations yet to come: Chief Sealth High School on Saturday, and two ceremonies at South Seattle Community College next week (schedule here).

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West Seattle food: Swinery Deli in the works for The Junction

June 12, 2009 12:48 am

| 15 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle people

(Gabriel Claycamp demonstrating pork-butchering in Port Orchard; 2008 photo by Christopher Boffoli)
One month ago, we shared the report that The Swinery — Culinary Communion founder Gabriel Claycamp‘s cured-meat business, closed on Beacon Hill – was planning to take over space in West Seattle. Now, a multitude of WSBers have shared e-mail from Claycamp that not only has more details about the originally reported West Seattle space, but also about plans to sell their products retail in The Junction – here’s the excerpt:

The Swinery Deli (The Swine Shop?)
The rumors are true. The Swinery is about to open an official retail establishment in West Seattle. This will be a full-service delicatessen (in the style of DeLaurenti’s, but smaller). We will carry cured meats from our friends around the sound and include a FULL butcher shop, as well as truly incredible cheeses that you don’t see anywhere else. We will have some dry goods, plus plenty of the hard to find deli items. This will be a delicatessen for foodies—for CC type foodies, who would everyday ask us where to buy veal bones, or salt cod, or bocarones. We hope to open this summer. Culinary Communion will have a little play here too: The Swinery Deli will feature a computer and printer running the complete CC database of recipes and curriculum. Now, when you ask about oxtails or mahi mahi, you can choose from a selection of real recipes, tested and proven. This has never been done before, truly turning a retail store into an educational cooking experience.

Where is it?
For 7 years people asked the Chefs at CC where their favorite fish store was. Without a doubt, our first response was always: Seattle Fish Company in West Seattle (California Ave, just north of the Junction). Owner Hobey Grote carries, we believe, the most amazing fish in Seattle at the best price. Only one little oddity, Seattle Fish has a huge amount of empty space in the front of its store… perfect to house an amazing deli/butcher. The deal isn’t finalized yet, but Hobey has told us to go ahead and tell people. Please, if you are in the area, come down, say hi to Hobey and crew, and buy some fish to show your support for this incredible opportunity for all of us!! The combination of amazing seafood, incredible meats and cheeses, and great wine will be a treasure for West Seattle and the whole Puget Sound.

If you haven’t been to Seattle Fish Company, it’s on the west side of California SW, north of SW Oregon.

(photo by Christopher Boffoli)
Claycamp and his family, meantime, have moved to Vashon Island. They originally started in West Seattle, then moved to Beacon Hill, but lost their lease there shortly after a permit controversy and – according to their e-mail – are currently in a legal fight over how that ended. Their other new endeavor, which has been reported elsewhere – teaming with Skillet Street Food‘s Josh Henderson to come up with a “street food fair” starting later this year.

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West Seattle scene: Yet another memorable sunset

June 11, 2009 11:18 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle weather

David Hutchinson shares this shot from Duwamish Head (you’ll recognize the silhouetted area as Anchor/Luna Park). ADDED FRIDAY MORNING: Thanks also to Cynthia, for this view:

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Traffic alert: Crash blocking Delridge at Trenton

June 11, 2009 10:27 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Delridge | West Seattle news | WS breaking news

We’re on the scene of a two-car crash – at least one person is being transported by private ambulance – Delridge is blocked at Trenton right now. No info on how it happened.

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A very busy night

June 11, 2009 9:05 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Tonight both West Seattle High and Seattle Lutheran held their graduations. Here’s two quick pictures. The first is from Memorial Stadium, where the WSHS graduation took place. The second features the Seattle Lutheran class of 2009 waiting to make their grand entrance.

Later we’ll be adding an update that includes highlights of the West Seattle Art Walk, the grand opening of the new art studio and birthday space at Curious Kidstuff, and the Fraternal Order of Eagles Band performing at The Kenney.

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Cooper Elementary “buddy program” to present art show 6/13

June 11, 2009 4:41 pm

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| Announcements

Coming up this weekend:

TAKE A WALK IN OUR SHOES:
An art show hosted by the Cooper Elementary Buddy Program

Saturday, June 13th
6:30 – 9:30 pm
Zeitgeist Coffee
171 S. Jackson St.
Come help us celebrate a successful first year of the Cooper Buddy
Program, a program dedicated to building relationships among students
with and without Autism at Cooper Elementary in Seattle Public Schools.
This evening celebration will feature student photography, paintings,
musical performances, spoken word, and writing, all highlighting the
relationships developed between students with Autism and their buddies.
There will be musical performances by local bluegrass and folk
musicians, Kirk Reese, Jason Stewart, Tom Rooney, Brad Carter and Melisa
Holman. Join us June 13th at Zeitgeist Coffee to celebrate friendships
as we walk together in the shoes of Autism.