Video: PO Jarod Newlove honored at Chief Sealth assembly

“I thought Veterans Day was just another day until July 23rd of this year,” you’ll hear Will Newlove tell Chief Sealth International High School students in our clip. He spoke during their Veterans Day assembly today, as a tribute to his brother Petty Officer Jarod Newlove, also a Sealth graduate, missing in Afghanistan on that day in July. He tells the story of how they got the news, first that his brother was missing – then, that he was gone. Like his brother, as you might have deduced from the uniform, he is in the US Navy. Also at the assembly, Sealth singers performed the national anthem:

(The Sealth honor choir is raising money for a once-in-a-lifetime trip – separate story on that is in the works.) Also acknowledged during the assembly, five Sealth staffers who are veterans: assistant principal Lupe Barnes, a former Army ROTC 1st lieutenant; literature teacher James MacDonald, a U.S. Army veteran whose wide-ranging experience included Operation Silent Echo, which removed short-range nuclear weapons from Europe; former MP “Jimbo” Di Obilda, now working security; and two Marine Corps veterans, DuWayne Young and Mr. Jewels. A plaque honoring 15 Sealth graduates who lost their lives in combat was presented today as well.

The actual Veterans Day is this Thursday – and Seattle Public Schools, along with many others, are closed that day.

Reminder: That’s a training fire in the 2200 block of California

(Photo courtesy David Rosen of SlickPix Photography)
As noted here last night, the Seattle Fire Department is burning down an Admiral District house bit by bit this week to help train new firefighters. We’re publishing this reminder because not everybody got the message (we just received a note from someone who thought it was a “real” fire incident). SFD has said it’ll set more than a dozen fires in the house at 2206 California SW (map) before the week’s over.

C & P Coffee Company: Welcoming a new West Seattle Blog sponsor

This afternoon, we officially welcome one of the newest WSB sponsors, C & P Coffee Company. New sponsors are offered the chance to share information about their business, and here’s what C & P Coffee wants you to know:

(Photo by Chris Landry)
C & P Coffee Company was founded in 2003 by husband and wife team Cameron (ā€œC) and Peter (ā€œP) Moores. The couple’s vision of providing a community gathering place that features excellent coffee, friendly service and a platform for local events, art, and music came to fruition when they found a charming craftsman-style house for lease. Over the years, they have established themselves as an intrinsic part of the West Seattle community; supporting local events, fundraisers, a community garden space, and a place for neighbors to meet and gather.

Come enjoy the ambience for yourself and bring your laptop to use the free wireless internet access. Proudly serving Lighthouse Roasters’ fine espresso and coffees, as well as a rotating selection of beer and wine. Indulge in wholesome baked goods from Essential Baking Company, Little Rae’s and Mighty-O vegan doughnuts.

C & P hosts a variety of events; wine tastings, arts and crafts fairs, weekly live music, poetry readings, and offers their lovely setting for parties, baby showers, meetings and private event rentals.

Open Mondays-Fridays 6:30 am – 8 pm, Saturdays and Sundays 7 am-8 pm, C & P Coffee is at 5612 California SW (map), and online at candpcoffee.com; the live-events schedule can be found here.

We thank C & P Coffee for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news on WSB; find our sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.

More details on Mayor McGinn’s West Seattle ‘community forum’

As first reported here last Thursday, Mayor Mike McGinn is coming to West Seattle on December 2nd for what’s now billed as a “community forum.” The city is circulating more details today about the event’s format – here’s the official announcement:

West Seattle Community Forum with Mayor Mike McGinn
Youngstown Cultural Arts Center
Thursday, December 2, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
4408 Delridge Way SW

Please join Mayor McGinn, City Department staff & West Seattle neighbors for a conversation about issues relevant to Seattle as a whole, as well as those specific to West Seattle.

Agenda:
6:00-6:30 p.m. Information tables and staff from City Departments and local Community Groups
6:30-6:35 p.m. Energetic performance from a local youth group (to be announced)
6:35-8:00 p.m. Open question and answer session with the Mayor and City staff

The mayor came to North Delridge three months ago for a walking tour (WSB coverage here).

Schmitz Park, Lafayette get highest scores in new district report

Seattle Public Schools is out this morning with new reports on every school in the system. Our partners at the Seattle Times have gone through the documents already and report that Lafayette and Schmitz Park Elementaries in West Seattle are among twelve schools citywide receiving the highest rating possible. Here’s the Times story; here’s a link to the page from which you can access all the school reports.

Mayor/SDOT snow-readiness event greeted by stormy weather

Could be an omen, or not. Last year, when SDOT invited the media to its Charles Street yard to discuss its revamped and beefed-up snow plan, it was a brilliantly sunny day. Today, the same event happened on a day graced by a regional rainstorm. Mayor McGinn was there for the briefing; the photo above is from WSB contributing photojournalist Ellen Cedergreen, who’ll be sending more information and photos we’ll add to this report soon – snowplows and sand were part of the snow-fighting arsenal that was to be shown off. (Photo added – salt, too:)

In the meantime, SDOT has said that the revamped plan from last year — which never had to be deployed — is the basis for what’s in place this year; you can check out its Winter Storm information online here.

ADDED 2:25 PM: Just in, SDOT’s news release with highlights of the updated plan discussed today (including other city agencies, plus weblinks and phone numbers to keep handy in case of weather trouble) – click ahead:Read More

West Seattle Tuesday: Fauntleroy, Admiral, tea, sports, more …

(Monday photo by David Rosen of SlickPixPhotography. Read more about West Seattle’s latest pup sightings at Seal Sitters‘ “blubberblog” site)
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar: 2 neighborhood meetings tonight, both at 7 pm – Fauntleroy Community Association at The Hall at Fauntleroy (9141 California SW), and Admiral Neighborhood Association at Admiral UCC Church (California/Hill) … After the grand-opening-eve celebration, today’s the real opening day for Tuscan Tea Room and Romanza Floral in The Junction (4521 California SW) …. Fall sports banquet at Chief Sealth International High School tonight, 6 pm … Free remodeling/custom-home workshop tonight at Ventana Construction (WSB sponsor), 5458 California SW, RSVP to 206-932-3009High Point Library (35th/Raymond) invites you to a Poetry Workshop at 6:30 tonight, call 206-615-1637 to register … Special workshop tonight at SoundYoga (WSB sponsor), Restorative Yoga with Milo Minnis, 6:30 pm … At Senior Center of West Seattle, “Matter of Balance” begins weekly classes at 1 pm – reduce the risk of falling – free but call 206-932-4044 ext #1 to register … We’ve reported multiple times lately on the new Duwamish River cleanup-alternatives report; learn more about it in a workshop tonight in South Park, SP Neighborhood Center (8201 10th Ave. S.), 5:30, RSVP to contact@duwamishcleanup.org, since dinner’s included.

West Seattle Volunteer Recognition Awards: Days left to nominate!

November 9, 2010 7:41 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Volunteer Recognition Awards: Days left to nominate!
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

On the first Hometown Holidays Sunday in The Junction (December 5th), the next West Seattle Volunteer Recognition Awards winners will be honored. But before anyone can be honored – they have to be nominated! The deadline is less than a week away – November 15th. The Southwest District Council and Delridge Neighborhoods District Council team with WSB to sponsor the awards twice a year, and volunteers from those two groups review the nominees before choosing the winners. There are four categories: One individual volunteer each in community, environment, and youth work; the fourth is a group award. Just use the online form you’ll find here – and, whomever wins, make plans to come applaud them the afternoon of 12/5 in the heart of The Junction.

West Seattle sites no longer in running for homeless camp

Tonight our partners at the Seattle Times report that the mayor’s made his choice for the site of a permanent homeless camp, and it’s not either of the West Seattle sites that were on the list revealed last month. The Times quotes Deputy Mayor Darryl Smith as saying the choice is the former Sunny Jim peanut-butter plant site on Airport Way (map) that was gutted in a September fire; the site’s been owned by the city since the early ’90s.

Grand-opening eve for Tuscan Tea Room & Romanza Floral

Tea time tonight for Aimee Pellegrini and daughter Nina on the eve of tomorrow’s official Grand Opening for Aimee’s Tuscan Tea Room and Romanza Floral in The Junction (4521 California SW). Dropping in for a few photos during the special preview, we also got to see more of the fully remodeled space:

That’s of course from the tea room side – and here, the floral side:

The tea/coffee bar opens at 8 tomorrow, the dining room (where lunch and all-day “afternoon tea” will be served) at 10:30. (As noted in our June report with first word of Tuscan/Romanza’s Junction plans, Aimee is one of the founders of West Seattle’s La Rustica Italian Restaurant.)

ADDED 1:26 AM: Thanks to Cozbi Hultz of ZZPhotography & Design for sharing a couple more scenes from pre-grand-opening night – like this view of some of the food!

Where there’s smoke, there’s training: West Seattle practice ahead

Thanks to Claire for pointing out this story on the Seattle Fire Department‘s Fire Line site: You’ll see fire crews at 2206 California SW (map) over the next four days. They’ll be setting and fighting fires to train more than a dozen recruits: “There will be sixteen fires ignited over the course of the week. Each day the fires will grow more intense and provide more challenging situations for the recruits.” According to the city website, live/work units and townhomes are planned for the site (after what is described there as “deconstruction”).

KING 5 tells the tale of ‘Cosmo the cash-eating dog’

Thanks to our friends at KING 5 for sharing their tale of Cosmo, the West Seattle dog who dined on donations … $300 cash, three times as much in checks. Read about it here, and/or view the video above.

Seattle Chinese Garden: Courtyard complete!

(WSB photos by Ellen Cedergreen)
Big news from the north end of the South Seattle Community College campus on West Seattle’s Puget Ridge – a milestone for the Seattle Chinese Garden! The visiting Chinese artisans will be returning to China on Wednesday after spending three months on site completing the “Knowing the Spring Courtyard.” Here’s its formal entrance:

The artisans originally weren’t expected to be finished for a few more weeks, but their work is done ahead of schedule, and they say it’ll be exciting to go home and see their families. They lived on site in trailers, which will be relocated to an upper hill now, to make room for a larger visitor’s information trailer. Here’s the interior of the courtyard:

And here’s the south entrance to the courtyard.

A central sculpture in the interior courtyard is located in the southwest corner. The rocks were brought over from China, guided in with cranes and intricately placed by the artisans.

WSB contributing photographer Ellen Cedergreen, who took these photographs today, reports she learned, all that’s left to do is some grading on the grounds, move some trailers around, and complete some landscaping. er.This first phase of the garden is set to be complete by 12/31 in time for it’s soft opening and will be open to the public 12-4, Wednesday-Sunday thereafter.

West Seattle businesses: More about ‘The Bridge’

You might have missed this tidbit of news, since we rolled it up along with a semi-update on the future West Seattle Trader Joe’s: The former Redline Music and Sports on 35th south of Avalon will become The Bridge. As noted in our brief mention Friday, we sent out an inquiry to its proprietor. And we’ve now heard back from Rita Dixson, who says she and her business partner hope to open in mid-December, depending on how renovations go:

Trevor and I are both longtime West Seattle residents and are relishing the opportunity to breathe new life into an underutilized West Seattle feature.

I’m currently working at Talarico’s. Taking over the old Redline building gives us both an opportunity to put our own (hopefully) unique stamp on the nightlife industry.

Some key features of the Redline will remain, such as on-site parking and a large outdoor patio. We aim to add a satellite bar and fire pit in the summer months. Inside we are looking to to create an intimate, welcoming environment with an emphasis on good drinks and good, simple food.

West Seattle help for the holidays: Adopt-a-family, anyone?

We’ve received more than a few notices about holiday giving campaigns – a roundup with some of the newest ones is in the works, in fact – but we don’t know the definitive answer to this question from Gayle, so we’re putting it out in hopes that, if there *is* such a campaign, you’ll share the info:

In the spirit of helping folks locally, I wonder if you are aware of any West Seattle ‘adopt a family’ programs for the holidays? I’ve contacted the WS food bank about it but thought I’d check with you as well.

I think it’s such a great way to make a difference in these difficult economic times and can also be a meaningful way to teach children the spirit of giving.

Let us know – in the comment section, preferably – if you know of one!

Slippery slope: Free landslide-awareness workshop in West Seattle

Before rainy season really kicks in, the city has advice for people on “landslide-prone” property – steps you can take immediately, as well as a free landslide-awareness workshop here in West Seattle in a few weeks (in addition to one in North Seattle). Read on for the city’s full announcement:Read More

Grand opening day for High Point Mini Market

Festive green balloons mark the now-open door to High Point Mini Market, the small grocery that has just opened at 3413 SW Graham (map), next to Hans’ VW Repair. Its sign announces halal meat and spices – halal means slaughtered/processed in accordance with Islamic dietary laws (explained here) – and it’s also offering a selection of other foods, as you’ll see on the shelves inside:

The store’s hours are 9 am-9 pm daily for starters, according to its cards; they’re at 206-932-4003.

First a new site; now Westside School expands to add middle school

Big announcement from Westside School (WSB sponsor) today – as they had hoped would be possible once they moved into the former EC Hughes site in Sunrise Heights (here’s our coverage of the dedication 2 months ago), they’re expanding to add middle-school grades. It’ll be an incremental expansion – Westside will add 6th grade in fall 2011, then 7th grade in fall 2012, and as of fall 2013 will be fully preschool through 8th grade. The school says it’ll be organizing Middle School as a unique “rigorous, high-school-preparatory curriculum,” not just adding classes; we’re scheduled to talk with Head of School Jo Ann Yockey momentarily to find out more, and will add to this report later.

ADDED 2:11 PM: More details, as promised! For starters, there’ll be there is now a new section on the Westside website with middle-school details. As for what we learned in a conversation with Jo Ann Yockey, read on:Read More

West Seattle Crime Watch: Drive-by BB shooting

Out of the WSB inbox, from a Fairmount Springs resident who doesn’t want to be identified:

I … wanted to let the community know that yesterday, Sunday, 11/7/10, at about 1:45 pm, two youths drove by our home on the 5900 block of Fauntleroy Way [map] and shot a bb gun at our front window, putting a hole through both panes. A neighbor walking by with her young son and was startled by the sudden POP! She noticed the culprits were driving a gray sedan but was unable to get the license plate number. The police have been notified and a case # was assigned. Please comment here if you have any helpful information or if you hear of any similar unfortunate incidents. Thanks very much, and be safe.

The city’s My Neighborhood map, which catalogs many police responses within a few hours, does confirm a case categorized as “property damage” in that block yesterday afternoon; because the classification is so general, it’s impossible to tell at this point whether there were other similar, recent cases, but we’re checking with police – West Seattle has had past cases of serial BB-gun shooters, with people being hit and hurt.

West Seattle Monday: N. Delridge Neighborhood Council, and more

November 8, 2010 7:59 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Monday: N. Delridge Neighborhood Council, and more
 |   Delridge | West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

First community-group meeting of the week is tonight, North Delridge Neighborhood Council at Delridge Library (5423 Delridge; map), short meeting starting later than usual (7 pm), agenda includes voting for the new NDNC co-secretaries … Senior Center of West Seattle (map) launches a new class today: “Breathe Well to Live Well,” 1 pm … Weekly events include Family Story Time at High Point Library (map) with children’s librarian Amy, 7 pm, and bingo night at Alki UCC (6112 SW Hinds; map), 6:30 pm … LOOKING AHEAD: If you’re interested in remodeling or custom-home construction, Ventana Construction (WSB sponsor) presents a free workshop at 6 pm tomorrow (Tuesday), 5458 California SW (map), RSVP to 206-932-3009.

West Seattle holidays: Date set, website up for Charlestown lights

With just seven weeks to go till Christmas, we have an update on the Charlestown lights-synched-to-music show, officially the Helmstetler Family Christmas Spectacular: The family friend who created the show, Jim Winder, says its new website, at westseattlelights.com, is now up and running, so a banner’s up at the house too – and they’ve been working to install the display as well:

On Friday, a crew from KING 5’s Evening Magazine came over to cover the installation process; no exact date is set yet for the feature to be on TV, but the date IS set for the Opening Night Ceremony: 7 pm Saturday, November 27th. Zach Lystedt will be the special guest who turns on the lights. He’s a high-school student who survived a sports injury and now campaigns for safety:

A charity chosen by Zach’s family, Pushing Boundaries, will be the beneficiary of any donations showgoers care to make on night 1; other nonprofits that’ll benefit from donations are listed here, along with donation button. Something else new this year: Some nights they’ll do Christmas-music karaoke! More info on this page – including how to sign up in advance via e-mail.

West Seattle Democratic Women celebrate voting-rights centennial

(WSB photos by Ellen Cedergreen)
Appropriately enough, a West Seattle moviehouse with history was the place today to kick off a celebration about history – On the eve of the 100th anniversary of Washington women winning the right to vote (HistoryLink.org tells the story here), West Seattle Democratic Women screened a suffragette saga at Admiral Theater. Above, WSDW chair Karen Chilcutt, who told the audience before the screening of “Iron-Jawed Angels,” “If it weren’t for them, we — in this room, couldn’t vote.” About 75 people turned out, mingling before the film:

Afterward, Alki’s Libby Carr led a discussion – she’s at center here, with Fran Presley and Donna Stewart:

At the info table, WSDW secretary Sue Backs (left) and treasurer Beth Grieser, as the group accepted new memberships today.

On November 8, 1910, Washington became the fifth state to grant women the right to vote. That was almost a full decade before the 19th Amendment was ratified in summer 1920. The anniversary will be marked in Olympia tomorrow with Day of Jubilation activities – the schedule is on the Washington Women’s History Consortium homepage. Then WSDW has a big party at the West Seattle Golf Course on Friday night, “highlighting the success and struggle of women in Washington State history,” as their announcement puts it, with period costumes welcome, hat/dress fashion shows planned, recognition of women in politics, and more, $25, reservations at wsdwomen@yahoo.com or 206-935-3216.

Weekend scenes: Free screenings; market wagons; sports swap

November 7, 2010 8:41 pm
|    Comments Off on Weekend scenes: Free screenings; market wagons; sports swap
 |   Health | How to help | West Seattle news

3 more weekend scenes to share: Kevin McClintic shared that photo after happening onto the mobile cancer-screening van at 35th and Henderson on Saturday – one of the periodic free-screening days for non-insured/underinsured women 40-65 offered by West Seattle Community Clinic. The next one is January 8th; Kevin says the clinic staff told him they’ll likely start taking appointments around the first of next month (937-9722). Moving ahead to this morning’s West Seattle Farmers’ Market:

The Kiwanis Club of West Seattle not only is selling tickets to its traditional December 4th pancake breakfast (details here), it’s also loaning wagons to families to help them get around the market while they shop – so next time you go, look for Kiwanis volunteers and little red wagons! Meantime, this afternoon at Lafayette Elementary:

Lafayette parent Luckie shared photos from the Sports Swap – as reported here on Saturday morning, this is part of an intensive fundraising process in Phase 2 of the school’s playground renovations, now called the Play It Forward Project. Volunteers are working to raise $100,000 to match a city grant that’ll go away in two months if they’re not successful. Regarding today’s sale, Luckie says, “I’m not sure how we did money-wise, but we sold a bunch of stuff!”