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  • Charged

    SERIAL ROBBERIES: 24-year-old suspect charged

Garbage strike: City tells Thursday pickups, put trash out
April 21, 2010 7:59 pm
|      18 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news

Quick update re: the garbage strike: The city has issued a request that if you have Thursday pickup, DO put it out tomorrow. If your pickup was missed today, put it out NEXT Wednesday, they request. 10:21 PM: West Seattle is all Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday, per the map above, which is linked from the garbage-strike info box at the top of seattle.gov. According to the updated story from our regional-news partners at the Seattle Times, Waste Management says it may take “several days” for its strike-contingency plan – using replacement workers – to fully kick in. However, the WM website says “regular service expected tomorrow.”

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Landmarks Board agrees to consider “Bloss House” for designation
April 21, 2010 5:43 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle housing | West Seattle news

“Too often, our landmarks are big, grandiose houses,” observed one member of the city Landmarks Board just before their vote moments ago, unanimously agreeing to consider designating West Seattle’s far-from-grandiose “Bloss House” as a landmark. We wrote about it two and a half weeks ago, when the Southwest Seattle Historical Society (Log House Museum) shared the news that Historic Seattle would bring the 1915 North Admiral Craftsman bungalow (4055 SW Holgate) to the board. Most board members noted that its main attribute as a potential landmark is the fact that its interior is virtually unaltered from the original Craftsman-style details, as well as its exterior, so before they agree to officially designate it, they may decide they want the nomination to include its exterior as well – though that is not usually what’s done with private residences. The home’s owner was not able to be at the hearing because of health challenges but several people spoke in support of the nomination, one citing comments on the previous WSB story as evidence of community support. The board also had a full presentation on the nomination document (text here, photos here), which includes information about West Seattle history as well as this home in particular. Next step: June 2nd is set for the hearing and vote on whether to officially declare the “Bloss House” a Seattle landmark.

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Seattle cruise season starts Monday, with ms Amsterdam’s arrival
April 21, 2010 4:43 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Not WS but we're mentioning it anyway | Seen at sea

If you’re looking north/northeast into Elliott Bay early Monday morning – between about 5:15 and 6 am – you may see ms Amsterdam, Seattle-headquartered Holland America Line‘s flagship, which’ll be the first cruise ship to call in Seattle this season, during a 108-day around-the-world journey. The Port of Seattle is expecting 223 ship visits this year, up five from last year; Celebrity and Norwegian Cruise Line will dock at Pier 66, while Holland America, Princess, Royal Caribbean, and Carnival will dock in Magnolia. More info here (though the schedule link doesn’t appear to be working – we’ve got a message out to the port seeking a copy).

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Earth Day Groceries Project: Arbor Heights kids’ Safeway delivery
April 21, 2010 2:57 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Arbor Heights | Environment | West Seattle news

For the 18th consecutive year, Arbor Heights Elementary teacher Mark Ahlness and students have just delivered specially decorated grocery bags to the Roxbury Safeway store. Ahlness founded the Earth Day Groceries Project, which involves not only Arbor Heights students, but also classes from many other cities (here are online reports from 2008 and 2009). On tomorrow, the official date of Earth Day, if you shop at Roxbury Safeway, you’re likely to get one of the special bags – while they last!

You can also track the Earth Day Groceries Project on Facebook (here), Twitter (here), and photos on Flickr (here).

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Waste Management, serving West Seattle (etc.), now on strike
April 21, 2010 11:26 am
|      90 COMMENTS
 |   Utilities | West Seattle news

(Picketers at WM on W. Marginal Way; photo by DEAN RUTZ/used with permission of the Seattle Times)
FIRST REPORT, 11:26 AM: From our citywide-news partners at the Seattle Times: The truck drivers of Waste Management are now on strike. West Seattle is among the areas they serve. WM had said they will work to keep regular service, with strike-replacement workers. More details as we get them. 11:46 AM: No official statements yet from Waste Management or Seattle Public Utilities – we are off to a story interview with an SPU rep on an unrelated topic so will be looking for an update. 11:55 AM: SPU has just sent this news release – some West Seattle customers may have missed pickups today:

Following a strike by Teamsters Local 174 garbage and yard waste drivers, some Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) customers will not have their garbage and yard waste collected today in northwest and south Seattle.

Those customers whose collections are missed today are asked to put all of their garbage and yard waste out next week on their regular collection day.

The City’s recycling services are covered by a different contract, and should not be affected by the strike. All customers are asked to keep their recycling out.

Approximately 18,000 residential customers could be affected by the strike action today in the following approximate areas:

– N. 105th St to N. 85th St, W. of SR-99
– Delridge Way SW to Beacon Ave. S, from S. Royal Brougham to SW Roxbury St.

View a detailed map of the affected area.

Members of Teamsters Local 174 went on strike after contract negotiations with Waste Management reached an impasse.

Waste Management’s collection contract with Seattle covers only about half of the city’s solid waste customers, in portions of northwest and south Seattle. Drivers in other areas of Seattle are covered by separate labor agreements and are not part of the current negotiations. Customers in those areas should continue to put all of their garbage and yardwaste out on their regular collection day.

“The City of Seattle is not part of the negotiations between Waste Management and the Teamsters; however, we are disappointed that the two parties were not able to reach an agreement and hope they continue good faith negotiations toward a speedy and successful outcome,” Seattle Public Utilities Acting Director Ray Hoffman said.

“Service delivery and the protection of public health and safety are the city’s top priority and we expect Waste Management to honor its collection contract, regardless of its dispute with the Teamsters,” Hoffman said.

SPU will provide updates as needed. Customers with solid waste service problems may call the Call Center at (206) 684-3000.

5:04 PM UPDATE: There’s a little more city-produced info on the seattle.gov home page – note the FAQ, which addresses the question about whether you can take trash to a Transfer Station for free (for now, it says “no”). Also, a news release from the Seattle Mayor’s Office has elected officials’ take on the situation, including word that the County Executive Dow Constantine and Mayor Mike McGinn have sent a joint letter – read on:Read More

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Reminder: Sidewalk work means no parking by Junction Plaza Park
April 21, 2010 11:00 am
|    Comments Off on Reminder: Sidewalk work means no parking by Junction Plaza Park
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

Reminder that as of today, continuing for the next month or so, you can’t park alongside the Junction Plaza Park site at the northwest corner of SW Alaska/42nd SW – SDOT is starting work on the sidewalk-repair project (as previewed here 2 weeks ago), so that stretch of sidewalk will be closed too. The city says work hours will be 8 am-3 pm. Park construction is under way too; that and the sidewalk are all supposed to be done by the end of next month.

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West Seattle Wednesday: Quake drill; landmark; Morgan; Delridge
April 21, 2010 9:21 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Wednesday: Quake drill; landmark; Morgan; Delridge
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Now that the power outage is over, a few quick notes on today’s highlights from the WSB Events calendar: Statewide earthquake drill at 9:45 am … Landmarks Board hearing for the Bloss House (here’s our previous story) at Municipal Tower downtown, 3:30 pm … Morgan Community Association meeting (agenda here) at The Kenney, 7 pm … Delridge Neighborhoods District Council (presentations including Spokane Street and Alaskan Way Viaducts updates) at Youngstown Arts Center, 7 pm.

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Updates: West Seattle power outage over after 3 hours
April 21, 2010 5:57 am
|      73 COMMENTS
 |   Utilities | West Seattle news

(Scroll down for updates)

(Admiral/California cameraphone photo added 6:53 am)
FIRST REPORT, 5:57 AM: Thanks to those who’ve called, tweeted and Facebooked with the tip – there’s a power outage affecting 2700 customers (homes/businesses) in north West Seattle – City Light says it stretches from 25th SW to 44th SW, Alki Ave to SW Juneau. They don’t yet know the cause (though via Twitter, @macjustice says he heard a transformer blow, and @mcneight mentions “blue flashes in the distance”). We’re on the road checking the extent and looking to see which major intersections are affected.

6:15 AM UPDATE: On California SW, the southernmost intersection without power is at SW Lander (by Lafayette Elementary). California/Admiral is out. Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor) appears to have emergency lighting only.

6:23 AM: Part of eastern Harbor/Alki Avenue is out too – to about the 1100 block on the west. And the Avalon/Harbor/West Seattle Bridge intersection is out, as is the Luna Park business district till SW Genesee on the SE.

6:46 AM: In the North Delridge area, Allstar Fitness is out – but just to the east, power is ON along Delridge itself, so people going to The Bridge that way won’t be affected. We’re checking next on schools in the outage area – so far, Lafayette DOES appear to have power. A commenter says Pathfinder K-8 on Pigeon Point is out. At Admiral/California, SDOT has put up temporary stop signs (see top photo).

6:54 AM: Commenters are saying power has just come back on, at least in some areas. Let us know if you’re NOT back on. (Note: Areas restored include Harbor Ave, Luna Park/North Delridge.)

7:17 AM: The Admiral District is still out.

7:29 AM: We are at Pathfinder K-8 School on Pigeon Point (former Cooper building) and the power’s out there; the principal’s on the phone trying to sort things out. They’re just telling parents as they arrive. That’s the ONLY school affected that we know of (in comments, Connie from Lafayette reaffirms they have power and are open). Photo of Pathfinder staff waiting to notify parents as they arrive:

8:02 AM: At Pathfinder, buses are arriving and those kids are being kept in the cafeteria for starters, we’re told.

The school’s phone system is not working, so you can’t call. Again, they ask that if you haven’t left yet and if you can keep your child at home, please do. Meantime, City Light has sent its first Twitter update on the outage, saying 1,447 customers still affected (each individual home, business, institution is one customer).

8:26 AM: Just talked to City Light’s media rep. They believe the outage was the fault of a branch into wires at 42nd/Hill, though it took a while to trace. They hope to fix it shortly – then breakers have to be tripped manually, so apparently everyone won’t be on instantly.

8:53 AM: No new reports of restoration, though areas beyond the outage (including ours) had a flicker a short time ago.

9:01 AM: City Light just tweeted that the power’s all back. Let us know if you’re still out.

9:52 AM: City Light’s official everyone’s-back news release confirms what rep told us at 8:26 (see above) – branch at 42nd/Hill gets the blame for hitting wires.

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Seattle Police sendoff for Jason McKissack: Tribute to his legacy
April 20, 2010 11:10 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police

(L-R, Jason McKissack, Lt. Ron Smith, Capt. Joe Kessler, Dep. Chief Nick Metz, Asst. Chief Mike Sanford)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Twenty-two months after we all first learned of the attack on Southwest Precinct Officer Jason McKissack – the attack that cost him his career but spurred passage of a new state law – his long road to recovery paused for celebration: More than 70 people, mostly former Seattle Police Department colleagues, crowded into the precinct community room for a retirement party tonight.

Before and after SPD leaders including precinct commander Captain Joe Kessler, Deputy Chief Nick Metz and Assistant Chief Mike Sanford took to the podium, law enforcers in and out of uniform mingled, applauded, and honored McKissack’s achievements.

Those achievements included fighting for the passage of legislation that was described as his legacy – the legislation we went to Olympia twice this year to cover, then to Lakewood to watch the governor sign: HB 1679 will make sure no catastrophically injured public-safety worker ever faces what he faced, the potential loss of medical benefits.

The tributes, his words, and the retirement gifts he received tonight are part of the story ahead, along with a look back:

Read More

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Got an idea for The Hole, or another stalled site? Send it in!
April 20, 2010 9:16 pm
|      34 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

Tailor-made for The Hole at Fauntleroy/Alaska/39th … or maybe Avalon Center … or maybe one of the other stalled/not-yet-started development sites around town … the Seattle Design Commission has put out a call for “Holding Patterns,” and Kevin thought you’d want to see it – here’s how it starts:
Have you noticed how many lots have been left empty or partially developed due to the stalled economy? These vacant project sites are all around us. Unattractive and unbecoming of our city, we pass by them every day: empty holes, barren plains of gravel, voids in the city fabric. How can we convert these eyesores to opportunities?
 
The Seattle Design Commission wants your ideas for Holding Patterns, interim uses for stalled project sites. We are seeking your concepts to transform the following types of stalled project sites around the city:
*holes in the ground  
*surface lots 
*ongoing construction above or below street level

The deadline for sending in ideas is May 24. After that, certain ideas will be “selected” and you might get to make a pitch to “potential partners who are able to help make your ideas a reality.” Here’s the document with all the info on how to enter.

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West Seattle school news: Lafayette’s composting success
April 20, 2010 8:52 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Thursday is the official 40th anniversary of Earth Day, and one of the local schools celebrating sustainability success is Lafayette Elementary, which shared the photo of fifth-graders Marques Titialii and Alyx Hastings, members of its Green Team, helping with composting. Students meet monthly to come up with ideas for reducing the school’s environmental/carbon footprint; in the first year, they recycled lunchroom milk cartons, and this year, they’re working to compost everything that goes uneaten at lunchtime. They got grants from Seattle Public Schools and from ReUsies, the West Seattle-based company (two Lafayette moms!) that makes and sells reusable sandwich/snack bags, and they set up the program – for which Green Team third, fourth and fifth-graders are fully responsible, including getting their schoolmates to put leftovers in the proper bins. The district is able to pay for compost pickup because the program has reduced the school’s trash pickup costs. Principal Virginia Turner wanted to congratulate “the Lafayette students, parents and staff – led by Laurie Hertzler – for taking on the challenge of composting more than 550 student/teacher lunches each day!”

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West Seattle school news: Holy Rosary students thank Safeway
April 20, 2010 8:36 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Holy Rosary School shared that photo, explaining that Dave Dupuy of Jefferson Square Safeway is one of two local Safeway store managers receiving special presentations from students recently; he and Admiral Safeway‘s Amy Hill got posters and certificates in honor of their contributions to the school through the eScrip program. The announcement from Holy Rosary explains, “eScrip contributes to our operating budget which helps keep tuition affordable for all families, compensates our faculty and staff at a just and equitable salary, and continuously improves the learning opportunities for our students.” Last year, the program – which donates a portion of the monthly grocery purchases by each registered participant – brought almost $5,000 to Holy Rosary. Other local schools participate too – you can see the list and support a local school by going to escrip.com.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: More numbers, and 2 reports
April 20, 2010 6:38 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

First, the numbers: During the crime-trends update at last night’s West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting (WSB coverage here), Southwest Precinct Lt. Norm James mentioned that auto theft was down, but didn’t mention numbers. We just got those from him – 38 in February, dropping to 28 in March. Meantime, we have two short reports from WSB’ers who wanted to get the word out about recent incidents – read on:Read More

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Sewer overflow facility at Lowman Beach? Next meeting tomorrow
April 20, 2010 6:13 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | Utilities | West Seattle news

Three weeks after the first public discussion of three options for reducing “Combined Sewer Overflows” from the Murray Pump Station at Lowman Beach – including one that would dig up much of the small park – it’s back on a local agenda tomorrow: The Morgan Community Association‘s quarterly meeting. Meantime, park neighbor Dr. Ron Sterling writes on his website dedicated to the controversial proposal that nearly 400 signatures have been gathered on an “offline” petition, while this online petition is still open to signatures and as of this writing has more than 60 names. At the March 30 public meeting (WSB coverage here), the county described the three alternatives it’s considering for reducing overflows at the site; all involved some form of storage, with the most concern voiced about the option detailed in the graphic above, showing a large tank buried at the park and a storage pipe under part of Beach Drive, plus an above-ground odor-control/electrical vault on the park’ s north side. (The other two listed alternatives include one that would put an underground tank on land across from Lowman that now holds homes and apartments – which could be claimed by eminent domain if their owners chose not to sell – plus one with underground storage under a street uphill.) Neighbors urge anyone interested in the project, pro and con, to be at tomorrow night’s MoCA meeting, 7 pm in the downstairs meeting area at The Kenney (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW). Meantime, the county is taking comments through the end of this month – feedback options are listed here.

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Attention, artists: Be part of the West Seattle Art Walk’s “look”!
April 20, 2010 3:32 pm
|    Comments Off on Attention, artists: Be part of the West Seattle Art Walk’s “look”!
 |   West Seattle Art Walk | West Seattle news

Every quarter, the West Seattle Art Walk‘s promotional materials take on a new look – for spring, the flyers and posters show the photo collage making up the WSAW’s name (as you can see at left). Twilight Artist Collective in The Junction is putting out the call for local artists to send in art to use on posters, flyers, etc., in future quarters. If you’re chosen, your work will be seen on more than 2,000 pieces of promotional material – not to mention myriad places online. Here’s the form with more details on what and who they’re looking for (By the way, the next WS Art Walk is May 13th; you can keep up with WSAW plans on the Web at wsartwalk.com and on Facebook by going here.)

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West Seattle traffic alert: “Rolling slowdowns” for film crew
April 20, 2010 2:01 pm
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

From SDOT:

Drivers may encounter congestion on the West Seattle Bridge on Thursday, April 22, while a film crew works from noon to 3 p.m. and again from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. There will be “rolling slowdowns” on the bridge from First Avenue South to Southwest Avalon Way in both the eastbound and westbound directions.

Filming is also scheduled Thursday for the Alaskan Way Viaduct from East Marginal Way South to the Western Avenue off-ramp, from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. The filming will affect only northbound traffic on the viaduct.

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West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day signups: Deadline nears
April 20, 2010 11:26 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Community Garage Sale Day | West Seattle news

garagesaledaysmalllog5.jpgAs of this morning, we’ve passed 120 sales registered for the sixth annual West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day, coming up Saturday, May 8th – not one big sale, but a multitude of sales big AND small, all over the peninsula. It’s the third year that WSB has sponsored/coordinated the sale, and we’ll start making The Map as soon as registration closes late Thursday night (it’ll be available May 1st). A few notes:

*Hotwire Coffee (WSB sponsor) still has a few courtyard spots, if you don’t want to sell at your own place (or don’t have enough room) – you can sign up @ Hotwire (free)

*C & P Coffee also is offering space for individual sellers (free) – we’re checking on their status but you can contact them in the meantime

*(added) Highland Park Improvement Club is offering space too, but charging $20 as an HPIC fundraiser – e-mail hpic1919@gmail.com

*If you have stuff you don’t want to sell but would like to donate to one of the nonprofits that’s participating, we know of at least one: CoolMom is collecting donated items at Cycle University (4550 Fauntleroy; that’s where their sale will be) up through Friday 5/7, the day before Sale Day. CM executive director Terri Glaberson says, “Folks can drop off their loot at Cycle University and place inside the Blue large storage container, which is located on the East side of Cycle University, Fauntleroy side. Here’s their flyer about the donations and sale.

As usual, we’re promoting West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day regionally so that sale-shopping fans know they’re also welcome to come to the peninsula that for one day becomes a garage-saler’s paradise – the ultimate in person-to-person recycling. Want to be part of it? Register and pay online by 11:59 pm Thursday (4/22), starting here. (The form server’s been running a little slow this morning; we appreciate your patience.) Any questions? E-mail our special WSCGSD mailbox, garagesale@westseattleblog.com or call our 24/7 business line, 206-293-6302.

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West Seattle Tuesday: Reading group; Tool Library meeting; more …
April 20, 2010 7:55 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Harbor Avenue gosling and parent, photographed by David Hutchinson)
Want to curl up … with a good book? The monthly reading group at High Point Library meets at 6:30 tonight to discuss the 2010 Seattle Reads featured work, “Secret Son” by Laila Lalami … The West Seattle Tool Library, closer to launch after two recent successful donation drives, needs YOUR help tonight – join the people working on it as they meet at 7 pm at Uptown Espresso in The Junction (full details and background here) … Crosstown rivalry in boys’ varsity soccer today, West Seattle High School at Chief Sealth HS, 3:30 pm … Tonight at Skylark Café and Club (WSB sponsor), the weekly Spin Your Wax open-turntables event at 6 is followed by the monthly Alauda bellydancing showcase, 7:30 … More on the WSB Events calendar!

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Kiwanis Club of West Seattle hears from Alliance for Education executive April 21
April 20, 2010 1:49 am
|    Comments Off on Kiwanis Club of West Seattle hears from Alliance for Education executive April 21
 |   Announcements

Announced by the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle:

Alliance for Education Exec will Address Kiwanians

Vice President for Operations, Karen Tollenaar Demorest is the featured speaker at a 7 a.m. breakfast meeting of the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle, Wednesday, April 21st. The Alliance is a non-profit organization dedicated to help all students in Seattle Public Schools achieve academic success.

In her role, Demorest works with the district’s leadership, foundations, corporations, and other partners to secure strategic investments for innovative programs in Seattle Public Schools. She also oversees the organization’s community engagement program, and provides leadership for the Educational Investments and Community Engagement Task Forces to lead the work in the two core priority areas. She also convenes funders, community groups and civic leadership to provide support for public education.

The meeting will be held in the dining room of BE’s Restaurant, 4509 California Ave SW. Parking in the Junction lots on 44th Ave SW behind the marked rear entrance. The public is invited. Please call 206-938-8032.

The Kiwanis Club of West Seattle, now in its 82nd year, undertakes a full program of service to the communities of West Seattle with special emphasis on the growth, education and needs of children from preschool though college. An affiliate of Kiwanis International which has clubs in 83 nations, the West Seattle club is an organization of concerned adults dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time.

The West Seattle Kiwanis club is one of the first service clubs established in West Seattle, and was started in 1929.
Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world, one child and one community at a time. The Kiwanis Club of West Seattle offers you the opportunity to share your experience, knowledge, and time in service to the community. This service is great fun and builds fellowship with other members. Excellent, diverse
programs can be enjoyed at our weekly meetings. Membership is open to all men and women who possess a genuine interest in serving the community.

The club meets at 7am every 1st and 3rd Wednesday, and Noon every 2nd Wednesday, at Be’s Restaurant in the Junction, at 4509 California Ave SW. Park in rear lot and enter the rear door.

For more information, contact Warren Lawless at 206-938-8032 or ewl@westseattle.com

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Disaster Preparedness Month, night 19: Secure your water heater
April 19, 2010 11:56 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Preparedness | Safety | West Seattle news

One relatively simple, but hugely important, home-improvement action you can take in honor of Disaster Preparedness Month: Secure your water heater, since it can supply you with fresh water for quite a while if trouble interrupts your access to the main system. The sketch at right is from a how-to page on the state Department of Health website – which points out that plumber’s tape is no longer the preferred method for securing water heaters, because “so many tanks burst through this strapping” during the 1989 Bay Area and 1994 Southern California quakes. To see how to secure your water heater, check out the state how-to here. Got yours secured already? Send us a photo so we can show the world your awesome preparedness! And while we’re talking earthquakes – a reminder that the statewide drill, recommended for everyone (work, home, school, etc.), is coming up at 9:45 this Wednesday morning. Till then, make sure you’ve completed the basic preparedness steps we’ve been reiterating each night: Take the “3 to Get Ready” challenge (city campaign, sponsoring WSB this month); explore the West Seattle Be Prepared website and memorize your Emergency Communication Hub; and if you’re on Facebook, join the West Seattle Be Prepared group.

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West Seattle “reasonably quiet,” Crime Prevention Council told
April 19, 2010 11:18 pm
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

(L-R, Lt. Norm James, WSCPC president Dot Beard, secretary Betty Wiberg, VP Richard Miller)
There was so (relatively) little crime to talk about at tonight’s West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting, it didn’t even last an hour. In his meeting-opening update, Southwest Precinct Operations Lt. Norm James began, “Everything’s been reasonably quiet.” And he said that is particularly good news for one neighborhood, Highland Park, where burglaries have “dropped off the charts” – recent arrests seem to have ended the latest series (described in this April 1st report). More of his toplines on current West Seattle crime trends, plus a surprise presentation at the meeting, and more, ahead:Read More

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West Seattle scene: Wedding wrapup at Alki
April 19, 2010 9:07 pm
|      20 COMMENTS
 |   Seen around town | West Seattle news

For better or for worse, through richer or poorer … through rain or shine … Mark shared that photo taken over the weekend after he spotted the truck on Alki.

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Another way to mark Earth Day: West Duwamish Greenbelt walk
April 19, 2010 9:04 pm
|    Comments Off on Another way to mark Earth Day: West Duwamish Greenbelt walk
 |   Environment | West Seattle news

(Photo courtesy Nature Consortium – a West Duwamish Greenbelt pond that’s home to red-legged frogs)
Thursday is the official celebration of Earth Day – the 40th anniversary of the first one on April 22, 1970 – and just one day later, you can get an up-close-and-personal look at our city’s largest remaining contiguous forest, the West Duwamish Greenbelt, by joining the free monthly guided eco-hike (mild terrain) presented by the Nature Consortium, the West Seattle-based nonprofit that’s devoted to restoring the WDG. RSVP by calling 206- 923-0853 or emailing lisa@naturec.org; then meet at 1 pm Friday at the 14th SW/SW Holly (map) trailhead. P.S. Even if you’ve already seen our Duwamish Alive! coverage from Saturday – don’t miss the comments on this report – they include reports that two key participants added just today.

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