West Seattle, Washington

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Spotlight Stories


  • Parade

    WS GRAND PARADE: Scroll our video, photos!

  • Float Dodger

    FLOAT DODGER 5K: See how Saturday began!

  • Incidents

    2 INCIDENTS LINKED: Carjacked, then dumped

West Seattle Wing Dome: No opening date yet, but here’s a peek
September 17, 2010 9:31 am
|      24 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

It’s currently atop the list of questions we’re frequently asked: When’s the new Wing Dome in The Junction opening? No date yet, but it’s far enough along – one year after first word it was in the works – that we managed to swing a peek inside – courtesy of manager Andy Pattalochi and Wing Dome marketing director Nicole Aly:

The video clip atop this story walks you around inside for a little over a minute. As you can see, it has the same “garage” theme as other Wing Domes, though Nicole and Andy – a West Seattleite who managed the Kirkland Wing Dome for three years – tell us this is the first one Consolidated Restaurants has built and opened since buying the Seattle-based mini-chain, so it’s their “ideal Wing Dome.” And the first one with a fire-pit-equipped patio out back, to which a sign by the rear door directs you:

The concrete for the patio was just poured the other day, in time to beat the rain. (You will be able to enter the restaurant from the alley.)

Besides the patio, a few more features: Both restrooms (which are in a hallway that’ll be shared with Tuscan Tea Room next door) will have changing tables; each of the big screen TVs (you see them in our walkabout video) has its own cable box for individual control of what’s shown (as long as it’s sports!); six beers will be on tap, including Manny’s from not-too-far Georgetown:

There’ll be counter seating as well as standalone tables and the half-booths against the north wall. And for next summer – the front windows will fully open:

You can keep an eye on their West Seattle-specific promotional website thefireisspreading.com – after the slogan that’s been on those windows since West Seattle Summer Fest. (The team’s a little bummed they won’t be open in time for this Sunday’s West Seattle Junction Car Show, since the automotive theme would synergize nicely.) And speaking of fire – yes, of course they’ll have the 7-Alarm Challenge (eat 7 of their “7-Alarm” wings in 7 minutes, and you make the Wall of Flame).

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Need a head shot? Tomorrow, get a great pic and do a good deed
September 17, 2010 8:55 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Luna Park | West Seattle news

You’re on Facebook, and/or Linked In, and/or Twitter, and/or you have a website with an “about” page … but you just don’t have a great photo of your smiling face to show the world. Tomorrow (Saturday) is the day you can fix that while doing a good deed – “Head Shots at the Hot Shop” features pro photographer Timothy Aguero set up at Avalon Glassworks 1-5 pm tomorrow to photograph you with an art-glass backdrop. Suggested donation of $40 goes to the White Center Food Bank. No appointment required! 2914 SW Avalon Way.

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West Seattle Friday: 9 quick reminders
September 17, 2010 6:12 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

WATER TAXI: Different boat scheduled today through Wednesday – regular one’s in for work. (But the county’s changed its note about the fill-in – now it says it’ll be the Rachel Marie‘s “twin,” Melissa Ann.)

(UPDATE: Photo added 10:43 am – the “park” is still being assembled)
PARK(ING) DAY: 9 am-3 pm, West Seattle has one temporary “park,” near Easy Street in The Junction.

SQUARE ONE SWAN SONG: 11 am-1 pm, bookshelf giveaway and decoration sale (details here).

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: Chief Sealth vs. Cleveland, Memorial Stadium at 5; West Seattle vs. O’Dea, WS Stadium at 7; Seattle Lutheran at Tenino, 7.

FAUNTLEROY FALL FESTIVAL FUNDRAISER: Pasta dinner starting at 5:30 pm!

HIAWATHA COMMUNITY CENTER OPEN HOUSE: 6-8 pm, open house to find out about fun fall programs (entertainment and kids’ activities tonight too!).

WESTFEST: Holy Rosary’s fall festival starts with 6-10 pm fun tonight (stage lineup and more details here).

SKIFFLE: Help Youngstown Arts Center keep its All-Access youth programs free! Party’s at 7, details here.

YOM KIPPUR: West Seattle synagogue Kol HaNeshamah has a Kol Nidre service at 7:30 tonight, 1st Presbyterian downtown. Details in our recent story about new Rabbi Zari Weiss.

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Genesee Schmitz Neighborhood Council gets zoo gift, just in time!
September 17, 2010 5:01 am
|    Comments Off on Genesee Schmitz Neighborhood Council gets zoo gift, just in time!
 |   Gardening | Genesee Hill | West Seattle news

From Woodland Park Zoo, to Genesee Hill! The zoo donated a truckload of “Zoo Doo” compost to the Genesee Schmitz Neighborhood Council – at left in the top photo is Dan Corum, the zoo’s “Dr. Doo,” with GSNC’s master composter/gardening committee co-chair Peter Church, after the truck was filled. From there, on to its destination – the community garden at Genesee Hill School – where you can help too, with another neighborhood work party coming up tomorrow (Saturday, September 18, 9 am-1 pm).

Volunteers started spreading the compost after it arrived, but there’s still lots of work to go around to prepare the garden plots (garden spaces are available) – join GSNC at Genesee Hill if you can; lots more info on their website.

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Awards time! West Seattle Garden Tour; WS author April Bolding
September 17, 2010 4:14 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Gardening | Health | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

(Photo by Sofia Zadra Goff)
Two celebrations of note: First – Parent Trust for Washington Children has given its 2010 Leadership Award to the five authors of the million-plus-copies-selling manual “Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Newborn” – including West Seattle’s April Bolding (second from right, with, from left, Penny Simkin, Ann Keppler, Janet Whalley, and Janelle Durham). Thursday also was proclaimed “Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Newborn” Day by King County Executive Dow Constantine, in honor of the book that’s guided countless expectant parents over the past 20 years. It’s been revised multiple times, with the fourth edition now out; Bolding joined the co-author team in 2007. (Read more about her on her website, here.)

More awards: At left, a photo from Tuesday night’s awards ceremony at the Duwamish Longhouse for the West Seattle Garden Tour (co-sponsored this year by WSB) and its 2010 beneficiaries – who received a total of $23,190 from the nonprofit tour’s proceeds. The 2010 beneficiaries were Highland Park Elementary School, Seattle Tilth, Duwamish Longhouse & Cultural Center Rain Garden, South Seattle Community College Arboretum and ArtsWest (WSB sponsor). WSGT provided the photo, identifying those left to right as: Jim Reid (WSGT 2010 VP and current President) and Kam Boulle (WSGT 2010 President) with representatives from HP Elementary, Duwamish Longhouse, Seattle Tilth and ArtsWest. Meantime, the West Seattle Garden Tour membership committee is seeking new volunteers – they meet for monthly potlucks “to review the steady, building progress of the tour.” Interested in helping? westseattlegt@gmail.com – next meeting is October 13th.

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Recommendation time draws near for Murray overflow solution
September 17, 2010 3:25 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | West Seattle news

While relatively routine work continues at Murray Pump Station in Lowman Beach Park, decision time is nearing for a complicated process to figure out how to reduce overflows from that station – the so-called “combined sewer overflows” that happen if runoff from heavy rain in the “basin” that feeds the station overwhelms the system. If you have been keeping an eye on the process (explained here), you know that the neighborhood did not exactly cheer the three options presented by the county back in March (WSB coverage here) – and at a subsequent meeting (WSB coverage here), suggested a citizens’ advisory group. The county took the suggestion; that group’s been meeting since June and is now close to finalizing its recommendations. At its latest meeting Wednesday night, the group narrowed down a list of 16 options (which in turn were from an even longer list that had emerged from their discussions plus expanded county recommendations) – deciding that they would continue looking at five. Read on for details:Read More

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Request for you, as ‘Cory’s Story’ is about to come to an end
September 16, 2010 9:18 pm
|      22 COMMENTS
 |   Pets | West Seattle news

Earlier today, we mentioned the happy ending to the search for a West Seattle yellow Labrador Retriever named Toby. Tonight, the story of another West Seattle yellow Lab – which is about to come to a different kind of ending. We heard from Jayson DeMers, who has a website called Cory’s Story at corysstory.com. He explains that Cory is “a 13.5 year-old yellow Labrador Retriever with an amazing story – he conquered canine epilepsy, and his story serves as an example for how all dogs can live happier, healthier lives. … Unfortunately, he is old and at the end of his life. After a heartwrenching family meeting last night, we have decided that the time has come to put Cory down. It will take place tomorrow at 3 pm.” Jayson asked if we could share the word, “so that as many people can pray for him as possible while he transitions into the next life.” Jayson’s website isn’t the only place Cory’s Story is being told – he says his mom Sandra DeMers, also a West Seattleite, has written a book about it that is weeks away from publication. Jayson says that his mom “spent years of her life figuring out exactly how to not only cure epilepsy in Cory, but help him live to be 13.5 years old (far beyond the expected age range for a yellow lab, especially one with epilepsy).” He concludes, “I hope other West Seattleites find Cory’s Story touching and learn from it so that their dogs can live longer, happier, healthier lives.”

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Stage lineup announced for Holy Rosary’s WestFest
September 16, 2010 7:12 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

Just out of the WSB inbox – the lineup for who’s onstage during Holy Rosary‘s WestFest, tomorrow night and all day/night Saturday on the school’s campus on the north side of The Junction. Here’s the announcement:

Now in its 21st year, WestFest has become West Seattle’s Fall Family Festival. In it, we celebrate the culmination of a summer well-spent and the beginning of an exciting new school year! Join us for music and talent on the stage, rides, games, food, beer garden, Bingo and fun for all both Friday evening (6-10) and all day Saturday (10-10). Wristbands for rides are available in advance at Curious Kidstuff, 4740 California SW, 206-937-8788. Wristbands will also be available at the festival.

Updated Stage Lineup:

Friday
6:00 pm till 7:15 pm “We’re Not Dead Yet” – Dad’s playing classic rock
7:30 pm till 9:30 pm “Tupelo” Blues, country rock and soul

Saturday
12:00 pm till 12:30 pm – Dance Troupe performance (waiting for name)
1:00 pm till 1:30 pm – Rose Laughlin -Celtic/traditional folk music
2:00 pm till 2:45 pm – “Best In Show” – See amazing pets from around West Seattle.
Hosted by King5’s Jim Dever
3:00 pm till 3:45 pm – “CastBound” – ROCK!!!
4:00 pm till 5:00 pm – West Seattle Idol – Talent Show! Hosted by King5’s Jim Dever
5:00 pm till 6:00 pm – Stage Dark – Mass
6:00 pm till 7:15 pm – Westfest favorites “Midlife Crisis” (aka The Dads) Rock ….unplugged!
7:30 pm till 9:30 pm – DeCoda – Classic Rock!
Your stage MC for the weekend, Bill Reid

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Celebration Saturday as High Point Playfield gets its new name
September 16, 2010 6:29 pm
|    Comments Off on Celebration Saturday as High Point Playfield gets its new name
 |   High Point | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

This Saturday, the Parks Department will pay tribute to a Seattleite who made history, while renaming High Point Playfield in his honor. Read on for the official announcement of the naming celebration for Walt Hundley Playfield:Read More

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Car-theft arrest on Delridge
September 16, 2010 5:38 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

Got a call (thank you!) a while ago about a large police presence at/near the Shell station at Delridge and Orchard. Just so happened we were nearby, at the Southwest Precinct, at the time – where Lt. Norm James told us a parking-enforcement officer had spotted what turned out to be a stolen car; the responding officers wound up finding not just a stolen car, but arresting a suspect, too.

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West Seattle Junction Car Show Sunday – preregister by tomorrow!
September 16, 2010 3:33 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Junction Car Show Sunday – preregister by tomorrow!
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news

Just a few days till the third annual West Seattle Junction Car Show – and tomorrow’s the deadline to preregister to guarantee your car a spot – too late to get the form in the mail, so drop by Liberty Bell Printing tomorrow. (Sunday, you and your car can show up at 7 am to see if there’s space left, but there are no guarantees.) You’ve probably noticed the no-parking signs that are already up, because during the show on Sunday, The Junction’s main streets will be closed, California from Oregon to Edmunds, and the sections of Alaska that are immediately west and east of California; hundreds of classic cars will line them. The show runs 8 am-4 pm on Sunday, and you’ll find some other fun activities nearby – for example, the West Seattle Eagles invite you to drop in for breakfast, and the West Seattle Farmers’ Market keeps the vehicle theme on the move with the annual Zucchini 500 – kids can make and race their own zucchini vehicles! The car show is free, by the way – just show up and wander – but do bring a few dollars because there’s a raffle and 50/50 drawing, with proceeds benefiting West Seattle Helpline. WSB is proud to be among the sponsors again this year, and we look forward to seeing you there.

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Chance to say goodbye to Square One – and get non-book items
September 16, 2010 2:49 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

One week after Square One Books proprietor Gretchen Montgomery announced they had shut down for good, without getting to say goodbye in person – she just e-mailed with word of a chance for you to stop by, particularly if you’re interested in the following free and for-sale items:

Square One Books is giving away all of our bookshelves. We have a variety of sizes. Some are freestanding, but most need to be attached to a wall. We have already disassembled most of them. We will be here on Friday and Saturday from 1-3. The shelves are free, but donations are greatly appreciated. You must be able to haul them away. They tallest shelves are 84″ long, but we have some that are a bit smaller. Please bring a drill with a phillips head bit just in case you want one of the shelves that has not been taken down yet. If you cannot come during the times we will be here on Friday and Saturday, let me know and I will make other arrangements with you.

We also have many of our store decorations for sale as well as other items such as folding chairs. We hope to see you here! This would be a great time to say goodbye as well.

If you’d never been there – Square One is along the east interior side of Jefferson Square.

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Futura Health Screening: Welcome, new West Seattle Blog sponsor
September 16, 2010 1:51 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Health | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Today we welcome one of our newest WSB sponsors, Futura Health Screening, located in Jefferson Square. Here’s what they’d like you to know: Did you know that 80% of strokes could have been prevented? Screening for stroke in at-risk people can identify early signs of carotid artery disease, the major cause of stroke. Recommendations can then be made for lifestyle changes or care that can significantly manage this risk. Futura Health Screening now has a West Seattle facility at Jefferson Square – SW Alaska and 42nd SW. Please visit our website or give us a call to make an appointment. Futura recently launched a comprehensive online resource for Vascular Disease concerns. Here you can use the Risk Calculator to assess potential concerns, learn more about vascular disease, lifestyle adjustments, options for treatment if necessary and to schedule a screening. Futura Health Screening utilizes non-invasive ultrasound scanning technology to see the inside your arteries, which assesses your current state of risk for stroke. Screenings are inexpensive, do not require a physician’s referral and are quick & comfortable. Unlike other screening services, Futura takes great care to make sure that only those at risk for vascular disease (blood circulation diseases) are screened. Inappropriate screening for people who are not at risk may result in false-positive results (tests indicating disease, when it is not present). These incorrect results can lead to additional testing or care that is unnecessary, costly and potentially dangerous. In addition to screening for the risk of stroke, Futura can also screen for peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA), conditions that can lead to death or disability. You can contact Futura Health Screening at www.futurahealthscreening.com or at (425) 398-7797 or toll-free at (866) 486-4882.

We thank Futura Health Screening for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news on WSB; find our sponsor team, and info on joining, all here.

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West Seattle canine news: Toby’s been found; plus, coyote on cam
September 16, 2010 12:49 pm
|      16 COMMENTS
 |   Coyotes | Pets | West Seattle news | Wildlife

Two bits of four-footed news: First, you might have seen signs – or searchers – looking for Toby the yellow Lab. He’s been on the WSB Pets page for the past several days, too, and a topic of discussion in the WSB Forums. This morning, we got word he’s been found. Grace, who recently adopted Toby, sends a big thank-you to everybody who helped look, saying they got lots of calls from WSB readers. We also just got word of another happy reunion, this one from a post to the Pets page early today. Hope you never need to use the Pets page, but if you find or lose a pet, it’s been there as a West Seattle-specific resource for almost three years now (e-mail lost/found pet reports, with photos if you have them, to editor@westseattleblog.com).

Also in the canine realm:

That photo’s used with permission from Byron , who posted it on his blog-format site for Textura Design, a creative agency in West Seattle. He photographed the coyote this morning near his Schmitz Park-area home and says he’s seen this one before. (If you haven’t read the advice for coexisting with coyotes, here’s the link we always share; our archived coverage of West Seattle coyote reports, including other photos, is here.)

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Community Harvest Plant Sale at SSCC on September 19
September 16, 2010 11:29 am
|    Comments Off on Community Harvest Plant Sale at SSCC on September 19
 |   Announcements

From the WSB inbox:

Community Harvest Plant Sale!
Come get your spinach, lettuce, kale, onions, swiss chard, garlic and more!

Sunday, September 19, 2010 1:00-3:30pm

South Side of South Seattle Community College

Fall starts only $3!

All Proceeds benefit Community Harvest of Southwest Seattle, a 501(c)3, whose mission is to reduce hunger by increasing access to fresh fruits and vegetables for our neighbors in West Seattle and White Center. Along with harvesting and distributing the abundance growing in our backyards, we encourage and inspire edible gardens through our educational programs and events.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Case of the stolen trapeze boots
September 16, 2010 11:24 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Seaview | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(Photo copyright Mark Gardiner)
Upside down on the left, that’s Cathy. She’s hoping you can help her find the custom-made trapeze boots – and other gear – stolen out of her car in Seaview. Her friend John shares this photo of the boots – with the unmistakable red stars:

Cathy says it happened Monday night along 44th between Findlay and Juneau (map). The thief/thieves stole a black lululemon bag with “all my trapeze clothes in it as well as 2 pairs of custom-made leather boots that go with my new act. … They have no heel or toe as they are specially made for trapeze and fit my foot exactly.” Any info, call police – she’s reported the theft.

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Delridge District Council: From police surveys to speed signs
September 16, 2010 9:49 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge District Council | West Seattle news

From the SPD door-to-door survey, to traffic concerns, and a P-Patch tour reminder – toplines from last night’s Delridge Neighborhoods District Council meeting at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center – read on for our toplines:Read More

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West Seattle Thursday: ‘Greener Skies’ @ Alki CC; ‘Ask an Expert’
September 16, 2010 8:38 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Thursday: ‘Greener Skies’ @ Alki CC; ‘Ask an Expert’
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

3 highlights for tonight from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar: Alaska Airlines‘ “Greener Skies” proposal – which could change air-traffic patterns over our area – gets a forum before the Alki Community Council, 7 pm at Alki UCC; tonight’s “An Evening of Inspiration” for Transitional Resources, 6 pm at The Hall at Fauntleroy; also at 6, the West Seattle Tool Library debuts its “Ask an Expert” series for DIY’ers – full details here.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Vandals blow up duck display
September 16, 2010 7:00 am
|      94 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

The famous rubber-duck display by Lowman Beach Park has been targeted by vandals and thieves before, but what its creator and owner, Dr. Ron Sterling, caught in that surveillance video goes beyond what he’s documented recently: The video from late last night shows people walking up and igniting something – then captures the resulting explosion. Sterling posted about it shortly afterward in the WSB Forums:

There is a $500 reward for solid information about and apprehension and charging of the perpetrator(s). The reward will be paid at the time that a detective thinks he/she has the perp in hand, so to speak.

$500. It’s enough to make you, whoever you are, think twice about your loyalties. Might even be more if this is an outcome for felony arson and the perp does some hard time…

The explosion was loud enough that some (according to two notes we have so far this morning) thought it was a gunshot in the park. Call police if you recognize anyone in the video – 206-625-5011 is the non-emergency number. ADDED 9:36 AM: We went to Lowman for a look at the damage once it was fully light. It’s not a big charred mess, and some of the ducks survived, but if you look closely you’ll see the many damaged spots, including burned trimmings, and this big crack in the pool, with the signs telling the story:

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Update: Shed fire on 25th SW blamed on ‘smoking materials’
September 15, 2010 10:46 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

(Video added 12:26 am)
ORIGINAL 10:46 PM REPORT: The call’s listed as a “garage fire” in the 5000 block of 25th SW (map) – but Seattle Fire Department has sent a fair amount of units. One neighbor tells us she’s seen a lot of smoke, though it seems to be dying down now. No word of any injuries. We’re off to check it out. 11:36 PM UPDATE: Back from the scene. It was actually a detached shed behind a house; the incident commander confirmed nobody was hurt, but had yet to talk to investigators re: the cause (we’ll check in the morning). From what we could see from the street, though, it was still smoldering, and firefighters were still putting water on it.

UPDATE, 1:08 PM THURSDAY: SFD spokesperson Helen Fitzpatrick tells WSB the fire is blamed on “smoking materials” that weren’t discarded properly; damage is estimated at $7,000.

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Changing course? New West Seattle Golf Course driving-range plan
September 15, 2010 8:42 pm
|      19 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

(Click to see tonight’s new rendering in full: Top is west; the lighter area in the upper right is the previously suggested driving-range area; the area with dots around it is the newly proposed area)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

The design team for the West Seattle Golf Course‘s future driving range unveiled a proposal at tonight’s second public meeting that differs dramatically from what was roughed out for the first meeting – with architect Todd Schroeder calling it “a driving range that fits in the area where we can actually build it.”

That refers to what the team (bios here) explained were daunting challenges to the originally proposed site (see upper right of top rendering), close to the slope that runs down alongside West Seattle Rotary Viewpoint Park and parallels 35th SW. Among those challenges: It would have required a $1 million retaining wall (taken out of the $2.5 million construction budget for the $3.4 million project), as well as blocking the park view with tall netting, and other cons (such as removing trees, and hauling away more than 3,000 loads of soil during an excavation process). Those challenges led the team, overseen by the Parks Department‘s Garrett Farrell, to focus on a different section of the golf course site – one not requiring “digging into a nasty, gooey hillside,” as Farrell put it. (With the possibility, consultant Bob Thorpe said, of maybe even “blowing out” 35th SW.)

The area that’s now under consideration for the driving range is further east, not level but not on the slope, and would have driving-range users facing south-southeast into the golf course site from a starting point close to the existing clubhouse and parking lot. (See the full rendering here.)

But the newly proposed design drew sharp criticism from golfers (who, along with site neighbors, were present in much bigger numbers than the first meeting) – because it would mean big changes for the existing first and ninth holes on the golf course (the previous driving-range proposal would not have affected the course itself at all). One declared it a “no-go”; another vowed “revolt” if the course changes went through.

Read More

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Fiery creation: Highland Park artist Kay Kirkpatrick’s achievement
September 15, 2010 6:44 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Highland Park Action Committee chair Dan Mullins shares the news of a big achievement for artist Kay Kirkpatrick, an HPAC member and Highland Park Improvement Club board member – her work “Rescue” will be celebrated as the new Seattle Fire Station 35 is dedicated in Crown Hill on September 25th. Dan shares the official announcement here. The photo of Kay’s work is used with permission of our fellow community-collaborative neighborhood-news publishers at My Ballard, from their tour of the new station last month.

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Mortgage Help Day in West Seattle: October 2 at South Seattle Community College
September 15, 2010 5:57 pm
|    Comments Off on Mortgage Help Day in West Seattle: October 2 at South Seattle Community College
 |   Announcements

Just out of the WSB inbox:

Families facing foreclosure will have the opportunity to meet with their mortgage lenders and get free one-on-one advice and resources from state- certified housing counselors at Mortgage Help Day on October 2.

Last year, over 30,000 families in Washington State lost their homes to foreclosure. With another wave of adjustable rate mortgages resetting and the economy still staggering, it is estimated that nearly 41,000 Washington homeowners are likely to face foreclosure this year.

To support homeowners and communities as well as build awareness around the need for changes in public policy to better stabilize our communities, Statewide Poverty Action Network (Poverty Action) and partner agencies are hosting Mortgage Help Day on October 2, 2010 from 10:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M. at South Seattle Community College.

The free event will connect homeowners with lenders and HUD-certified housing counselors, as well as help attendees understand the foreclosure process and take steps to help remedy the crisis. To date, lenders who will be attending the event include Chase Bank and Wells Fargo. Attendees should bring a photo ID, social security card, last two years of W-2s and tax returns, last two pay stubs and bank statements as well as all mortgage documents (note that pre-registration is required for translation services). For more information, call (206) 694-6794 or go to www.povertyaction.org.

“Because lenders, borrowers, homeowners and our communities all benefit if foreclosures are avoided, we are committed to helping vulnerable homeowners gain a broad range of options to maintain their housing,” said Bev Spears, Executive Director of Poverty Action. “Homeowners who are worried about losing their homes or are facing foreclosure should attend our free Mortgage Help Day to gain a deeper understanding about the process, timeline and options to avoid foreclosure.”

In addition to helping Washington homeowners understand and navigate the foreclosure process and possible options, Mortgage Help Day will highlight the overwhelming need for laws to help protect Washington homeowners from foreclosure. Poverty Action is promoting legislation that would create a mandatory mediation process in Washington State to give homeowners every opportunity to avoid foreclosure and maximize the ability for loan modifications. In 23 other states and municipalities around the country, this mediation process has helped 60 percent of participants avoid losing their homes.

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