West Seattle, Washington

25 Tuesday

42℉

Spotlight Stories

World Water Week festival at Chief Sealth: Free event tonight
March 21, 2011 5:44 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Environment | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Think global, act local. You’ve heard it a million times. That’s what the students of Chief Sealth International High School are setting out to do this week – with some of their local action potentially having global benefits. Their five-day World Water Week “local ideas festival” is finally here, and they need YOU to help kick it off in a big way.

The main event: 7 pm tonight, “Unquenchable” author Robert Glennon speaks in the Sealth auditorium (west side of campus), talking about America’s water crisis — not to alarm you, but to explain what’s happening and what to do about it. Glennon will be introduced by Congressmember Jay Inslee (whose father was a coach at Sealth). And there’ll be a special video message from Alexandra Cousteau (granddaughter of the legendary Jacques Cousteau – read about her here).

Come early to see what the students have arranged, through months of hard work, for a resource fair, starting at 6:15 pm (refreshments too). And get a preview of the big night earlier this morning – at 10 am, Glennon will be interviewed live on KUOW Radio (94.9 FM, or live online) along with Molly Freed, the Sealth senior who’s leading the World Water Week project with social-studies teacher Noah Zeichner (pictured with her recently along one of West Seattle’s fragile waterways, Longfellow Creek):

(Photo by Camille Burke)
Lots more information about World Water Week @ Sealth is perusable here.

ADDED 1:43 PM: You can listen to the radio show from this morning by going here. And a photo of Molly and Glennon, courtesy of teacher Zeichner, is here:

Share This

Another sunless equinox/solstice sunset with ambassador Alice
March 21, 2011 12:37 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks | West Seattle people

“We’re 8 for 8!” was the cheery declaration at 7:22 pm last night, as, for the eighth consecutive equinox-or-solstice-sunset-viewing event at West Seattle’s Solstice Park (uphill from the Lincoln Park tennis courts and P-Patch), the sun failed to appear . That didn’t faze Alice Enevoldsen (photo center, just past blue scarf), an official NASA Solar System Ambassador, jovially checking the time till the first (technical) sunset of spring, while explaining equinoxes/solstices to the crowd (with the help of a young assistant):

Sun or no sun, Alice hopes to be back at Solstice Park for summer solstice in three months, toting the daughter she’s expecting in a few weeks; the solstice/equinox crowds just keep getting bigger – we counted more than 50 people this time! Long after the actual moment the sun set somewhere behind all those clouds, Alice stayed, answering questions, including one about the previous night’s so-called “supermoon.” No, it wasn’t really that big a deal, she explained, it was only a little closer that night than on previous nights (that was a relief to the people who asked the question, since apparently they hadn’t been able to join the “supermoon”-gazers the night before).

(If you missed the “supermoon,” by the way, here’s a video that WSB’er Coleman shared, including the subsequent moonset:)

We shared local photographers’ “supermoon” photos late Saturday night, too – see them here.

Share This

Fairmount Ravine Cleanup 2011: The mystery mattress, and more
March 20, 2011 11:35 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | How to help | West Seattle news

Following the first round of weekend-cleanup updates on Saturday, we received a report and photos tonight from the Fairmount Ravine annual-cleanup team:

The nice weather encouraged more to attend and the event was very successful. Twenty people joined up last Saturday for the Fairmount Ravine’s 19th annual cleanup and reforestation. It is quite apparent that pedestrian users of the ravine regularly help keep the ravine clean (thank you) as there was little trash alongside the road from top to bottom by Salty’s. As usual, most of the trash is located under and alongside the bridge itself, as well as considerable graffiti, which means discarded spray-paint cans.

We found two homeless young men living under the west side of the bridge and Seattle Police stopped by to ensure we did not have another pit bull incident like last year. One young man departed but the other chipped in and helped clean up the hillside. We still find one or two “pop top” cans amongst the undergrowth but the most unusual item was a perfectly good king size mattress set……(see photo). Several people removed ivy growing on trees as it eventually kills the mature trees within the ravine and they topple over.

This year, we also chose to clean the top of the ravine, namely sidewalk along the north side of the bridge. Since no one could even remember the last time it was cleaned by the city, years of dirt, decayed leaves and even three foot tall weeds were growing on the sidewalk. A special thanks to Kevin and Marie for tackling this major undertaking. It looks terrific. We also want to thank Tully’s Coffee for again supplying coffee and supporting this neighborhood effort.

The results:

Share This

Video: West Seattle prelude for Lyric Opera NW’s ‘La Bohéme’
March 20, 2011 9:58 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   The Kenney | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(Singing Marcello the painter: Jason Fowler; entering, as Rodolfo the poet: Gino Lucchetti)
On the lower level of The Kenney, the strains of “La Bohéme” have been resounding for months – as Lyric Opera Northwest prepares to perform Puccini‘s “crowd-pleaser” opera at The Moore downtown next Sunday afternoon. With the company’s founders based in West Seattle, Kim Cooney explains, The Kenney became its “secret rehearsal site” … she adds, “Sometimes at night you can hear a soprano soloist singing in the dark on the way to her car.” The rehearsing’s almost about to make way for showtime. Lyric Opera NW co-founder Pamela Casella is directing the production; co-founder Craig Heath Nim sings the role of Colline.

One of the reasons they chose “La Bohéme” for their next production: The cast includes more than a few children (as you’ll see in the background in our video clip); they have a children’s workshop on Queen Anne and this enables some of their proteges to return to the stage (some of them were in an earlier LONW production of “Oliver“). We dropped in on their rehearsal Friday night; they practiced at The Kenney again tonight, and now move to The Moore for dress rehearsals and a preview, before the Sunday 4 pm show (March 27 – ticket info here, including an online-purchase option).

Share This

Sustainable West Seattle: Worms today, fish tomorrow …
March 20, 2011 8:52 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Sustainable West Seattle | West Seattle news

Every other Sunday, you’ll find Sustainable West Seattle at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market – always with a different demonstration, something sustainable you can work into your life if you’re not doing it already. Today, it was worm composting – worms and all, as well as an example of six-months-in-the-making compost. (Here’s composting how-to’s from Seattle Tilth.) Tomorrow night, SWS hopes to see you at the Admiral Theater for an evening focusing on sustainable fishing – including a talk with Mashiko proprietor Hajime Sato, and a screening of the film “The End of the Line“:

For more details about the evening ($5 suggested donation), here’s an update on the Sustainable WS website. At the booth today, we also talked with SWS’s Patrick Dunn, Christina Hahs and Chas Redmond about the upcoming West Seattle Tool Library move. Before they get to the April 9th grand reopening in the new location at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, April 3rd will be the last day at the old location, followed by the tool “migration.”

Share This

Youngstown youth show off their ‘All Access’ abundance of talent
March 20, 2011 6:18 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(Photos and video by Ellen Cedergreen for WSB)
As this weekend began, Youngstown Cultural Arts Center in North Delridge was the place to be for a high-energy free talent showcase – the latest for the youth of Youngstown All-Access classes, available free to local teens (and a few for tweens). When the session ends, there’s a special showcase, and the latest one was on Friday night, including breakdancing faceoffs – one for high schools, one for middle schools. After the jump, video and photo highlights:Read More

Share This

West Seattle coffee: Bird on a Wire’s Admiral store suddenly closed
March 20, 2011 3:04 pm
|      40 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS beverages

ORIGINAL 3:04 PM REPORT: In the Admiral storefront at 2604 California SW, Bird on a Wire Espresso is suddenly closed – just 4 months after the popular Westwood shop expanded there, first to serve coffee in tandem with Heavenly Pastry (which was baking in the back of the same space), then going it alone when Heavenly completely pulled out in January. We received two messages about the closure this afternoon, and here’s what we can tell you: We went to Bird on a Wire’s original (and still open) SW Henderson location, where owner Heidi Herr told us she wasn’t ready to comment yet. Then we went to the Admiral storefront, where we found only the empty windows seen in the photo above. A reader who e-mailed us about this said there had been a note on the door this morning saying the closure was as of 5 pm yesterday and mentioning something about a lease; however, when we checked about an hour ago, there was no note in sight. So far we do NOT know if this is a permanent or temporary closure; if we get additional information, we’ll add it here. (Again, Bird on a Wire remains OPEN at its Westwood location at 3509 SW Henderson.)

ADDED 4:18 PM: Just e-mailed by Bird on a Wire’s owner:

Essentially, due to the original intent for the Bird/Heavenly venture obviously changing (their decision to shut down completely), and then given the impact of the Safeway development, I was concerned and did not want to risk the health and vitality of the Original Bird (at SW Henderson St). I saw no improvements on the horizon, so I made the decision to fly back South.

We will miss the new friends we made in the Admiral ‘hood and hope to see our new “peeps” at our other shop when life or business takes them in that Southernly direction.

And YES the Bird is alive and well at 3509 SW Henderson St! We will even be extending our hours soon-stay tuned!

Regards,

Heidi Herr
www.birdonawireespresso.com

Share This

West Seattle help for Japan: Benefit garage sale planned – join in!
March 20, 2011 10:26 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle help for Japan: Benefit garage sale planned – join in!
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

West Seattleites continue reaching out in many ways to help the earthquake/tsunami survivors in Japan. On Thursday, we reported efforts including the “flash mob” planned by West Seattle Montessori (WSB sponsor); Friday, we reported on West 5 proprietor Dave Montoure‘s plan – a multi-venue benefit one week from tonight (update – he now says 14 businesses are in, with room for more); last night, there was a vigil on Alki; and this morning, we have word of a block-sale benefit in two weeks – and you are invited to donate! From Shelley Lebert:

The Garage Sale will be held Saturday April 2nd and Sunday, April 3rd, 2011, from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. The address for dropping off donations and of the garage sale itself is: 3014 45th Ave SW.

People must write their suggested asking price on the item and we will have the discretion to lower the price if need be to sell the item. There will be several homes on this block hosting this event, and Admiral Starbucks will provide coffee carafes and we will have Rachel’s home-baked cookies! All proceeds will go to the American Red Cross for the people affected by the earthquake/tsunami and checks will be made out to them. …

More from Shelley after the jump, including plans to pick up donations if you can’t bring them over, plus a suggestion for kids:Read More

Share This

West Seattle Sunday: Equinox, YMCA ‘Zumba,’ Knox fund bowling
March 20, 2011 9:05 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(This morning’s high tide met high winds! Photo by David Rosen, SlickPix Photography)
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar, as we say farewell to winter:

FIRST SPRING SUNSET: Spring equinox arrives at 4:21 pm our time – watch at Solstice Park with Alice Enevoldsen!

REMEMBER, THE VIADUCT’S CLOSED AGAIN: Alaskan Way Viaduct shutdown scheduled till 6 pm; the closure often ends earlier on Sunday, so watch here (and our new Facebook page – “liked” it yet? – plus Twitter) for updates if it does reopen sooner.

FLOWERS AND FOOD AT THE MARKET: West Seattle Farmers’ Market, 10 am-2 pm, The Junction (44th/Alaska),

ROCK ‘N’ ROLL RUMMAGE SALE: Garage Rock rummage sale at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), 11:30 am-6 pm.

BOWLING BENEFIT FOR AMANDA KNOX DEFENSE FUND: 2-4:30 pm at West Seattle Bowl, a community fundraiser for the costs her family continues to incur. (Official flyer here). Questions? Al or Julie at tootdelafruit@gmail.com or almco@aol.com

ZUMBA FOR WEST SEATTLE YMCA PARTNERS WITH YOUTH: Spend up to two hours Zumba’ing 5-7 pm tonight (or any portion thereof) to raise money for the Y initiative that supports so many programs in the community – details in our preview.

LIVE MUSIC TODAY/TONIGHT: Jamtime at C & P Coffee (WSB sponsor), 1-4 pm … Locöl hosts the Jacob Lakatua Quartet, 8 -11 pm (here’s the Facebook invite) … Note that Skylark Café and Club is NOT presenting live music tonight – instead it’s closing after brunch for floor repair (open till 3 pm).

Share This

‘Supermoon’ over West Seattle: Most-watched moonrise ever?
March 19, 2011 11:24 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

(Photo by David Rosen from SlickPix Photography)
Thanks to the photographers who shared their views of tonight’s “supermoon” moonrise (explained here – the closest-to-Earth point in its orbit). We were out watching it too, but these photos are all better than ours.

((Photo by Mike Scharer)
Though the moon was first visible coming up from behind the Cascades if you were looking east from the southern half of West Seattle, it eventually was visible from further north:

(Photo by R.C. Eng)
This is the crowd on Hamilton Viewpoint. We spotted gatherings like this in many places, especially along east Alki.

(Photo by R.C. Eng)
Next natural phenomenon: Very high tide, early tomorrow morning (12.3 feet at 5:45 am, highest tide of the month).

ADDED 11:38 PM: More just came in (thank you!):

(Photo by Patrick McCaffrey)
As that one demonstrates – as the moon rose, it took on something resembling its normal coloration (an hour after we watched the moonrise from Sunrise Heights, with reddish hue like most of these photos show, we saw it again over the hill that’s southeast of central Alki, and by then, it was a more normal silvery-white) –

(Photo by Jim Clark)
But the early view remains the most striking:

(Photo by Kai McNichols)

Share This

Candlelight vigil on Alki for Japan quake/tsunami survivors, victims
March 19, 2011 10:40 pm
|    Comments Off on Candlelight vigil on Alki for Japan quake/tsunami survivors, victims
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Even if you weren’t close enough to the beach to see the luminarias, if you traveled along Alki tonight, you probably saw the TV trucks there to cover a vigil for the survivors and victims of the Japan earthquake/tsunami: “Our Hearts Send Hope.” Dozens of people gathered along a stretch of the beach east of the Bathhouse; the three-hour event, announced via Facebook, is scheduled to wrap up shortly. (added) Our video is more notable for the sound than the sights – a lone drumbeat; the steady waves:

Here is the text of one handout from a vigil participant, one of several on a piece of paper headed HOPE, with the “O” replaced by the red circle (sun) of the Japanese flag:

Thay’s Prayer for Japan
Sending love and compassion to the people of Japan

Dear friends in Japan,

As we contemplate the great number of people who have died in this tragedy, we may feel very strongly that we ourselves, in some part or manner, also have died.

The pain of one part of humankind is the pain of the whole of humankind. And the human species and the planet Earth are one body. What happens to one part of the body happens to the whole body.

An event such as this reminds us of the impermanent nature of our lives. It helps us remember that what’s most important is to love each other, to be there for each other, and to treasure each moment we have that we are alive. This is the best we can do for those who have died; we can live in such a way that they continue, beautifully, in us.

Here in Seattle and at our (faith) centers all over the world, our brothers and sisters will continue to chant (pray) for you, sending you the energy of peace, healing and protection. Our prayers are with you.

Thich Nhat Hanh

ADDED 12:50 AM: Two photos by David Rosen of SlickPix Photography:

Share This

West Seattle Crime Watch: 3 arrested in dispensary robbery
March 19, 2011 7:49 pm
|      57 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

(SUNDAY MORNING UPDATE: Police have just posted their account – we’ve added it)

(Photos by WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand)
7:49 PM: We finally have a bit of information about the big police response that’s drawn tips and questions the past hour and a half. The first tipster thought they were seeing something “undercover” around California/Juneau, so we headed out and saw police at two scenes, the tense “guns-drawn” situation in the photo above (which we photographed with a zoom lens), just north of California-Brandon, where someone was ordered out of a car and then cuffed:

Further south, there were multiple cars outside the building that is home to a medical-marijuana dispensary, and while you can’t see it from this angle, police were inside – the door is set back from the street (the building is not in our angle either, it’s immediately south) – talking with people:

Southwest Precinct Lt. Alan Williams tells WSB that since officers are still out, full details aren’t available yet but it is reported to have been a robbery or attempted robbery; three people are in custody (according to later scanner traffic, two are juveniles, one is an adult), and up to two more suspects may still be at large. Lt. Williams says robbery and CSI detectives are responding to investigate now. There is no indication anyone is hurt, and no information yet about whether anything was taken.

10:28 PM UPDATE: More information from Lt. Williams, now confirming it was a robbery: “The suspects’ did take some property of the dispensary and personal property of at least one person inside. At least some of the property taken was recovered by officers. The detectives are continuing their investigation.” (We just drove past the scene, on our way back from two other stories, and saw two police cars still parked outside the building on California.)

SUNDAY MORNING, 9:17 AM: SPD Blotter has just posted a summary of what they say happened:

On March 19th, shortly after 6:00 PM, three suspects entered a licensed medical marijuana dispensary located in the 5400 Block of California Avenue SW. Also inside the business were three employees and two customers. The three suspects were asked by employees to leave, as they were not there to purchase anything. At that point, the suspects pulled out handguns and proceeded to restrain everyone in the store and rob them. The suspects then fled the store on foot. The employees of the business were able to free themselves and gave chase. They managed to catch two of the suspects a few blocks away. In his haste to get away, one of the suspects dropped his handgun and some stolen items in the alley. Responding officers arrested the two suspects and then located and arrested the third suspect a short distance away. In all, two handguns, the victim’s wallets and money and stolen marijuana were all recovered. Robbery and CSI detectives responded to the location to process the scene. All of the suspects were interviewed by detectives. The 24 year old male was later booked into the King County Jail for Investigation of Robbery. The other suspects, ages 16 and 17, were booked into the Youth Services Center for Investigation of Robbery. Robbery detectives will have the responsibility for the continuing investigation.

Share This

Traffic update: Alaskan Way Viaduct open, closes again Sunday
March 19, 2011 5:43 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Alaskan Way Viaduct | West Seattle news

After a day of closure for inspection, maintenance, and testing those new in-case-of-quake gates, the Alaskan Way Viaduct reopened at 5:30 pm, WSDOT just announced. It’s scheduled for 6 am-6 pm closure again tomorrow (if it reopens early as usual on Sundays during these weekends, we’ll publish an update) – remember that traffic out of West Seattle can be brutal, as it was at times today (here’s one pic from Twitter), so allow yourself extra time.

Share This

‘Zumbathon’ Sunday for West Seattle YMCA Partners With Youth
March 19, 2011 4:46 pm
|    Comments Off on ‘Zumbathon’ Sunday for West Seattle YMCA Partners With Youth
 |   Fun stuff to do | How to help | West Seattle news

The West Seattle/Fauntleroy YMCA (WSB sponsor) is working right now to raise money for its Partners With Youth program – which supports an amazing array of youth-geared offerings around the community. Tomorrow night, you can pitch in by Zumba’ing with the Y – here are the details just shared by Tish:

Zumbathon event to benefit West Seattle & Fauntleroy Y Partners with Youth – 5 pm – 7 pm Sunday
________________________________
West Seattle Family YMCA (GYM)
4515 36th Ave. SW

$20 minimum donation. All money raised goes to seving youth in the West Seattle community.

Everyone is invited to JOIN THE PARTY – dance, sweat, laugh, move and help our community’s families live healthy and well lives… Stay for as little or as long as you like (you are not required to move for 2 solid hours! ha!)

It’s been said, You are never so Tall as when you stoop to help a child. Let’s see what happens when you dance to help a child?!

Share This

Beautiful day to beautify West Seattle (etc.): Cleanup updates
March 19, 2011 4:02 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | How to help | West Seattle news

Midway through the first “Keep Seattle Beautiful” cleanup – offshoot of the campaign whose founder Mike Merta wrote an open letter, published here – we caught up with King County Councilmember Joe McDermott, who was with other volunteers along the Olson Place/1st Avenue South hill between Highway 509 and the West Seattle/White Center line (cleanup participants fanned out after meeting up at Waste Management, a short distance north).

McDermott later noted on his Facebook page that the cleanup had netted “six yards of trash” even before it officially ended at 2 pm.

Meantime, Admiral Neighborhood Association president Katy Walum reported that one of the biggest Adopt-A-Street turnouts in some time, 21 people, showed up to join ANA’s cleanup this morning – we’ll update this with any more aftermath information we find.

And we’re also waiting to hear from the Fairmount Ravine cleanup team, who were scheduled to head out for their annual event this morning, not just cleaning up the much-traveled canyon, but also helping save its forest by removing ivy and other invasives. Congratulations to everyone who’s out there making our area a cleaner and better place! Keep an eye on the WSB West Seattle Events calendar for news of future cleanups (we usually announce them here on the main page too, along with one last reminder on the morning of an event).

Share This

‘Star Wars: Revenge of the Sealth’? Band at Pacific Science Center
March 19, 2011 11:34 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Not that they don’t have a tough-enough leader in Marcus Pimpleton already, but … imagine the pressure of hitting the right notes when Darth Vader is wielding the baton! The Chief Sealth International High School Band had a surprise guest conductor for a few minutes during their mini-concert this morning at the Pacific Science Center grand opening of “Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination.” We reported on Thursday about the band’s downtown gig to celebrate the Science Center opening the doors for the first ticketholders to the new exhibit; after they played a medley of key themes from the entire “Star Wars” movie series, an entourage of familiar characters made their entrance, including Lord Vader. (They’re from the 501st Legion – explained here; right after the opening event with the Sealth band, they paraded over to the new exhibit, posing for photos – which their leader had explained is part of the deal in exchange for the costuming help they get from Lucasfilm!)

ADDED 2:04 PM: The band’s performance of the “Star Wars” medley, WITHOUT Darth Vader. That’s above; click ahead, and after the jump you will find the section of the encore that featured the Dark Lord of the Sith, plus a few more photos from this morning’s event:Read More

Share This

West Seattle Saturday: Viaduct closure, 3 cleanups, book sale…
March 19, 2011 7:30 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Low-tide sights from Machel Spence earlier this week – “Super Moon” rises 7:30 tonight)
VERY busy Saturday! Here are some highlights of things to do/places to go, starting with a traffic alert – all from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

VIADUCT CLOSURE: The Alaskan Way Viaduct is closed till 6 pm tonight, scheduled for closure again 6 am-6 pm Sunday, for inspection/maintenance/quake-gate testing.

RAVINE CLEANUP: Fairmount Ravine Preservation Group will sponsor the 19th Annual Spring Cleanup and Reforestation of Fairmount Ravine. Gather at 8:30 for delicious Tully’s coffee and hot cocoa along with donuts. Cleanup is usually completed within two hours. Meet your friends and neighbors at the top of the ravine Forest St. and Fairmount Ave., just east of Hiawatha Park). Beware that currently there is utility construction at this intersection. You can walk through intersection but need to park nearby. Wear boots and gloves. Bring a pruning saw if interested in removing ivy from trees. We extend a special invitation to those who use the ravine to access the waterfront; please donate an hour of your time to keep this greenbelt healthy and pristine.

‘STREET SCRAMBLE’: Alki Street Scramble, registration starts 8;30 am 62nd/Alki, details here

ADMIRAL CLEANUP: Admiral Neighborhood Association Adopt-A-Street cleanup, meet at Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor), 9 am (breakfast snacks/beverages and sack lunch provided, tools and vests too)

BUY BOOKS, HELP STUDENTS: Sanislo Elementary‘s 4th Grade Used Book Sale, 10 am-2 pm (Facebook event page here), raising money for their camp fund.

ATOMIC BOYS’ ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION: Atomic Boys in the Admiral District celebrating its third anniversary: Food, Fun & Games! Nifty drawings for kids of all ages! (yes, grown-ups too) Wear your Atomic Boys shirt for something neat-o! (10 am-6 pm)

WEST SEATTLE NESTFEST: Remodeling workshop including WSB sponsors Ventana Construction and WEDesign, Senior Center of West Seattle presenting information about remodeling with family needs in mind, 10 am (registration information here)

‘KEEP SEATTLE BEAUTIFUL’ CLEANUP: This one started as the “Clean Up Your Act, Seattle” cleanup, meet 8111 First Avenue South, 10 am, with King County Councilmember Joe McDermott joining in and Waste Management (whose HQ is at the meeting site) providing free breakfast.

FUNDRAISER CAR WASH: Rainbow Girls of West Seattle are holding a car wash on Saturday, March 19, 2011 from Noon to 3:00 pm at the Alki Masonic Hall – 4736 40th SW. Donations are gladly accepted. Rainbow is a service organization for girls between the ages of 11 and 20.

BOOK SIGNING: Barnes & Noble is proud to welcome members of the Southwest Seattle Historical Society to our West Seattle store for a book signing event on March 19th. Society members will be signing copies of their latest “Images of America” series book, about West Seattle, 1-3 pm

CELEBRATE PURIM: Kol HaNeshamah welcomes the community to its Purim celebration Saturday evening, March 19. We will have a child-oriented Celebration and Megilla Reading from 6:00-6:45: come hear the story of Purim told with the help of puppets!!! At 7:00 p.m. come see “Shushan on the Roof” as our congregants retell the story of Purim in costume and set to the music of the famous musical. Dress in costume (there will be prizes) and bring Hamantashen to share if you like (there will be more prizes for the most original or unusual!). For those who would like to help transform the Purim celebration into a force for good, bring small change to go into our tzedakah grogger! Kol HaNeshamah shares space with the Alki UCC and is located at 6115 SW Hinds St.

SCRABBLE FOR CHARITY: Play Scrabble, raise money for nonprofits, weekly tournament at Skylark Café and Club (WSB sponsor), 3:30 pm

FREE BOAT SAFETY CHECKS: Coast Guard Auxiliary boat safety checks at Don Armeni boat ramp, 3-5 pm

And that’s not even everything – check the calendar for more.

Share This

Donate to local food banks 2 ways through Scouting For Food
March 19, 2011 7:11 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

(Photo courtesy Troop 282)
Remember that this month and next, donations to your local food banks count for extra because of the Feinstein Challenge (explained here) – and one way you can give is via a door-to-door drive that local Boy Scouts are conducting the next two Saturdays, plus a Cub Scout collection site today. First – if you get info about Scouting For Food left at your door today, consider putting out a donation next Saturday. Rick McMinn with Troop 282 explains:

Boy Scouts of America teaches the value of community service and the importance of helping others in all of its programs. “Doing a good turn daily” is a cornerstone of the Scouting program.

For the next two Saturdays boys from West Seattle will be in the neighborhood “Scouting for Food”. “Scouting for Food” is a program of the Boy Scouts of America in conjunction with local food banks conducted throughout the country each year. Scouts will be distributing door hangers this Saturday, March 19 and returning next Saturday, March 26th to collect food donations for the West Seattle Food Bank. Non perishable food donations such as peanut butter, baby formula, packaged meals and canned goods (especially tuna, soups, stews, meats, fruits and vegetables) would be greatly appreciated. Simply take the door hanger and use it to remind yourself to dig out of your cupboards or shop for the above items and put them out for the scouts to collect in the morning on March 26th.

Second, here’s a way to drop off donations this morning:

Cub Scouts from Den 7, Pack 284 will be at West Seattle Morgan Street Thriftway from 8:30-10:30 Saturday morning collecting food as part of their annual Scouting for Food. All proceeds and food will benefit West Seattle Food Bank. Our goal is to stuff a pickup truck full to overflowing. Anyone missing this time slot but still want to donate can contact me and I’ll make arrangements to get donations picked up. 206.383.2352

Share This

Barton Street P-Patch decision: The big birch tree stays
March 18, 2011 9:46 pm
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   Gardening | West Seattle news | Westwood

(WSB photo taken last month)
It was a major point of discussion during the first two design meetings for the new P-Patch at 34th SW and SW Barton in Westwood (here’s WSB coverage from Feb. 13 and March 2), and it even came up during Mayor McGinn‘s walking-tour visit two weeks ago: Should the big birch tree that’s on the lot now stay, or should it go? Kate Farley sends word tonight that the decision has been made:

A special session was called for the steering committee of the Barton P-Patch to gather more information on how the gardeners can live compatibly with the birch tree, which will remain on site. Several local arborists donated their time and expertise to form a panel discussion. Included were Mark Harman of Stonehedge Tree Experts, Sean Dugan of Tree Solutions, Joe Markovich from SDOT, and Kyle Henegar, who is with the Washington Park Arboretum. Cass Turnbull from Plant Amnesty and John Hushagen of Seattle Tree Preservation were not able to attend.

The discussion was centered on how to protect the tree, and at the end of the meeting there was agreement that the controversial root barrier should not be installed. As Kyle Henegar said at the end of the meeting, “It just doesn’t get any better than this…these are some of the top tree people in Seattle.” Several ideas for protecting the tree were suggested and will be explored as we go along in the design process, so stay tuned.

The 34th/Barton site, previously Seattle Public Utilities land that wasn’t needed by that department any more, is being turned into a P-Patch courtesy of money from the Parks and Green Spaces Levy that voters approved in 2008. The third and final open community meeting before the garden is built, with a final proposed design to be presented, is scheduled for 1:30 pm Saturday, April 2nd – two weeks from tomorrow – at Southwest Community Center.

Share This

Day off from school? Not for Sealth’s World Water Week team
March 18, 2011 9:18 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Environment | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(Photos courtesy Noah Zeichner)
If you drove home past Walking on Logs at the Fauntleroy end of the West Seattle Bridge, you saw their latest theme – a banner and T-shirts for the World Water Week “ideas festival” coming up next Monday through Friday at Chief Sealth International High School.

Important thing to remember: World Water Week kicks off with a big event for the entire community, not just the school – an author, a congressmember, a tribal leader. (More on them in a moment.) Along the bridge this afternoon, on what was an official day off for the school district, young volunteers dressed the sculptures with permission from the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce, which is the official permission-granter for that privilege, conferred only on good causes. And earlier, they had an even more-monumental task:

They spent the morning filling water bottles for the Walk for Water next Friday; it will dramatize what millions of people around the world have to go through to get something resembling clean, safe water to their homes and families.

But first, the stage is set for next Monday, and there’s one thing they can’t do without you – fill the Sealth auditorium Monday night for author Robert Glennon‘s 7 pm presentation on “America’s Water Crisis and What to Do About It,” also featuring appearances by Congressmember Jay Inslee and Duwamish Tribe chair Cecile Hansen. There’s a resource fair at 6:15 pm that’ll overflow with information (plus live music and refreshments0, followed by the talk at 7 pm. Here’s the official flyer for the entire evening (all free!).

Earlier Monday, you can get a preview by listening to KUOW (94.9 FM, or you can listen live online at kuow.org), when Glennon will be interviewed along with Molly Freed, the student leader of the World Water Week project at Sealth (working with social-studies teacher Noah Zeichner, following up on their Aspen Ideas Festival trip last year) – she too was filling water jugs today:

Participants in the Walk for Water will carry the jugs – 1 to 5 gallons, for up to 5 kilometers. More details on that next week – but first, mark your calendar for Monday night, to share the new knowledge that’ll be brought to the community as a school expands its education efforts beyond those who attend each day.

Share This

West Seattle stars again in today’s edition of ‘Speeders of the Day’
March 18, 2011 7:11 pm
|      26 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police

They didn’t call it that on SPD Blotter this time – instead, the roundup got the headline ‘A Fast Friday’ – but West Seattle and vicinity once again received extra police attention today. They were in the 4700 block of Admiral Way, where SDOT says a signal isn’t warranted, but SPD promised extra patrols; and look, another 84 mph ticket on the West Seattle Bridge:

On Friday, March 18th the Seattle Police Traffic Unit conducted enforcement around the city in accordance with their mission to promote traffic safety through the vigorous enforcement of city and state traffic laws.

In the 4700 block of SW Admiral Way, 12 speeding tickets were issued with a high of 45 mph in the 30 mph zone. Additionally, tickets were issued for no proof of insurance and no front license plate.

The Traffic Unit also worked the area from the 4200 to the 4700 block of 1st Avenue South [map]. Tickets were issued for 67 mph in a 35 zone, 69 mph in a 35 zone and a high of 70 mph in a 35 zone.

The West Seattle Bridge and Highway 99 were also patrolled.

On the West Seattle Bridge, a 45 mph zone, 25 speeding tickets were issued for speeds over 65 mph. Six tickets were issued for speeds over 70 mph, with a high of 84 mph in the 45 mph zone.

On Highway 99, a 50 mph zone, eight tickets were issued for speeds over 70 mph with a high of 75 mph in the 50 mph zone.

All in a day’s work.

Share This

4 weeks till ‘Seattle’s 1st Environmental Adventure Race’ in Delridge
March 18, 2011 6:19 pm
|    Comments Off on 4 weeks till ‘Seattle’s 1st Environmental Adventure Race’ in Delridge
 |   Delridge | Environment | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

A first-of-its-kind race is coming to West Seattle in four weeks – HP3, on April 16th. We heard first word of it at a community meeting months ago; organizers have been putting it together ever since

HP3’s unique 16-mile Adventure Race crisscrosses the Delridge community and features multiple challenges that will help the Parks Department maintain and upgrade trails in West Seattle parks, including: carrying two 5-gallon buckets of gravel over a series of routes, pushing a wheelbarrow full of mulch and planting trees.

HP3 features an exclusive partnership with the City of Seattle Department of Neighborhoods & Parks Department, engaging community members, businesses, students and City officials in an event to raise awareness and foster action on environmental issues.

The race consists of two divisions: an Elite Division for experienced, competitive runners and an Open Division for less competitive runners interested in a relay style event. Each division is restricted to 25 teams.

Here’s more about what the race entails; here’s where to sign up.

Share This

West Seattle Little League postpones ribbon-cutting for improvements
March 18, 2011 5:16 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Little League postpones ribbon-cutting for improvements
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

West Seattle Little League‘s Opening Day Jamboree is still on schedule for March 26, but WSLL president Mark Terao sends word that the ribboncutting ceremony for their Bar-S Playfield improvements will not happen that same day. “Mother Nature, along with other holdups and delays, put up too many obstacles for us to overcome,” he explained via e-mail. “We will re-evaluate what is needed for completion along with establishing the new timeline for completion so that we can set up a new ribbon cutting date. It is my hope to complete the project within a few weeks.”

Share This