Looking ahead to August 13th meeting of city Parks Board

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| Announcements

Here’s the official announcement of the meeting, now eight days away:

The Seattle Board of Park Commissioners will hold its next regularly scheduled meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, August 13, at 100 Dexter Ave. N, the Parks Administration Building at Denny Way and Dexter Avenue N.

The agenda includes:

Meridian Playground legislation briefing.Staff will brief the Board on proposed legislation, which
confirms that portions of the City-owned land at the shared Meridian Playground/Good Shepherd Center site in Wallingford, currently occupied by a P-Patch and Seattle Tilth’s demonstration garden, have formally become a part of Meridian Playground. The legislation will give the Superintendent authority to continue those uses and also to enter into agreements with Seattle Tilth or other organizations for use of an area to be renamed in the Comprehensive Site Plan from “Formal Lawn” to “East Entrance and Outdoor Education Area.”

New partnership policy proposal. Staff will review with the Board a plan to draft a new Partnership Development Policy, and discuss the steps and timeline involved. The new policy will address how we can engage non-traditional partners that reflect the City’s changing demographics, potential park users and providers that are not currently participating in our programs and services. The proposed policy will address how Parks can be more proactive, creative, and engage potential private and non-profit agencies in a time of ever-tightening budget constraints.

Briefing papers on both agenda items will be available on the web by close of business on Monday, August 10 at: seattle.gov/parks/parkboard.

The Board of Park Commissioners is a seven-member citizen board created by the City Charter. Three members are appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council; three members are appointed by the City Council; and one member is appointed by the Park Board. The Board meets the second and fourth Thursday of each month to advise the Parks and Recreation Superintendent, the Mayor, and the City Council on parks and recreation matters. For more information, please contact Sandy Brooks at 206-684-5066 or sandy.brooks@seattle.gov.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: 2 break-ins – 1 “alarmed,” 1 not

| Crime | West Seattle news

Two reports to share tonight – one from someone who’s seeking an alarm as the result of another burglary, one from someone whose alarm was triggered but got burglarized anyway – read on:Read More

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Double bill tomorrow night for Summer Concerts at Hiawatha

| Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Looks like late-in-the-day sunshine tomorrow for the third of six Summer Concerts at Hiawatha, presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association (with more than 20 sponsors – all listed here – including WSB). ~~The group in the clip above~~ Neil Young tribute band Ragged Glory, is on a double bill with Cajun/Zydeco musicians Swamp Soul (shown in the 2007 clip above). Special feature tomorrow night: Face-painting for kids! 6:30 pm on the Hiawatha east lawn, b/y/o chairs/blankets.

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Junction KeyBank robbery update: Photos just in from the FBI

August 5, 2009 5:16 pm

| 15 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Under the heading “ARMED AND DANGEROUS, WEAPON DISPLAYED” the FBI has just sent a bulletin with this photo of this afternoon’s Junction KeyBank robber (here’s our original report):

Also on the bulletin:

The above-pictured suspect robbed the KeyBank, 4701 California Way SW, Seattle, about 1308 hrs today. He presented a demand note and told the teller he was armed. The suspect displayed a handgun tucked into his waistband. The suspect fled in the described vehicle.

Suspect: B/M
30-40 yrs
6 (feet tall), heavy-set
Eyeglasses

And here’s a photo of the getaway-car type; the FBI says the car may be in Seatac or Burien:

Any info? Call 911, or, also per the FBI:

Anyone with information regarding the suspect is asked to call the FBI Task Force Detective Len Carver III at (206)262-2526 (office) or (206)786-4746 (cell).

ADDED: Here’s the flyer as distributed by the FBI.

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West Seattle’s newest city landmark: The Sanctuary at Admiral

August 5, 2009 4:40 pm

| 11 COMMENTS

| West Seattle history | West Seattle news

We’re at the Municipal Tower downtown, where the city Landmarks Preservation Board has just voted unanimously to designate the former Sixth Church of Christ, Scientist — now known as the events venue The Sanctuary at Admiral — as an official Seattle city landmark. Its site, exterior (described as “Art Deco”), and 1st-floor-foyer interior are the features specifically landmarked, which means any change proposed to any of those features would require approval from this board. Just before the vote, board chair Stephen Lee called it “an amazing little gem of a building that certainly deserves to be a Seattle landmark.” It was used as a church for more than half a century before the congregation merged with counterparts in Fauntleroy after the turn of the millennium; Dahli Bennett has owned it since 2003. Her restoration of the building – including, as we reported in this story yesterday, reuse of materials from some of its elements including pews — won praise from the board today as well; board member Marie Strong cited Bennett’s “sensitivity” in the reuses. After the vote was complete, Bennett and her “venue mistress” Jennifer applauded briefly and thanked the board. P.S. Here’s the list of West Seattle-area sites/buildings that already have city-landmark status. And we should note, for those who watch these proceedings closely, the board agreed with staff that The Sanctuary met designation criteria D, E and F. At the board’s next meeting August 19, they’ll decide whether to give landmark status to The Kenney‘s Seaview Building.

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West Seattle’s newest park: Dakota Place is officially done

August 5, 2009 4:04 pm

| 9 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

As that shiny new sign says, work on West Seattle’s newest park is complete. Dakota Place Park is on the grounds of the city-landmark former substation at California/Dakota, north of The Junction. While you may have noticed building-renovation work if you simply drove by, walk up now, and the full park will be in view:

Jennifer Cargal from Friends of Dakota Place Park has sent us the official announcement of its completion, and what’s next:

If you live near the Alaska Junction, you should take a stroll up to the corner of California and Dakota. Though the opening celebration won¹t happen until the fall after the art installation, neighbors are finding some new open space in the recently completed Dakota Place Park. Nestled behind the old City Light Substation, this pearl of a park offers a little shade, a little room to stretch, and some much needed open space for those traveling just north of the Alaska Junction.

Tremendous thanks goes to the Friends of Dakota Place Park, Kelly Gould of Seattle Parks and Recreation, Seattle Department of Neighborhoods and the Neighborhood Matching Fund, King County Wild Place Grant, Mark Sindell and the staff of GGLO, the West Seattle Garden Tour, First Mutual Bank, King County Council Chair Dow Constantine, and the many community donors, and the sixty plus volunteers who planted the park in June.

Note: The substation is a separate project. For information about the status of building renovation or about the park, please contact Kelly Goold at 206-684-0586 or Kelly.Goold@Seattle.Gov.

We visited Dakota Place Park today to take photos, and noted the nicely gardened patches around the park’s periphery, as well as the bench:

Jennifer shared photos from the planting parties — here’s one with a young volunteer:

According to the city project page, Dakota Place Park’s budget was $587,000+. If you’re not familiar with the site, here’s a map.

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Updates: KeyBank robbery in The Junction

August 5, 2009 1:33 pm

| 17 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

ORIGINAL 1:33 PM REPORT: Seattle Police spokesperson Detective Jeff Kappel confirms there’s been a bank robbery (he says it’s in the 4700 block of California SW – we’re on our way to verify which bank). We found out when we called to check with him about a sizable police presence at several Junction spots, after getting passed by several cars with lights and sirens. Heading back toward the bank now to see what else we can find out. Description of the robber, according to Det. Kappel: Black man, 30s-40s, about 6-1, blue jacket, green T-shirt, black handgun. More as we get it. 1:46 PM UPDATE: Per the scanner, there’s a vehicle associated with this robbery – early ’90s police-style Chevrolet Caprice, all white, with the chrome “spotlight” police-style light attached. Two black male suspects believed to be in the vehicle. Meantime, we have just verified at the scene, it’s the KeyBank at California/Alaska. 2:29 PM UPDATE: Changed the photo at the top of the story, now that our non-cameraphone photos are back in house. No other new info – police are still looking for the suspect. This is West Seattle’s third bank robbery in less than a month, after the Westwood Village Alaska USA robbery on July 10 and the Junction US Bank robbery on July 15.

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West Seattle’s Night Out 2009 block parties: Even more pix

August 5, 2009 12:34 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| Delridge | Pigeon Point | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

(Our other two Night Out 2009 photo roundups are here and here)

(Pigeon Point Night Out party photos by Chris Wells)
The firefighters who visited Pigeon Point’s big Night Out party last night really sparked some fun. They even got into the spirit of one popular feature that neighbors had set up the party, which Pete Spalding explains in this update:

We had a visit from a fire engine from station 36 that is right by the bridge. We also had visits from Interim Police Chief John Diaz, Doug Carey from the Mayor’s office, a contingent from the Dept of Neighborhoods, our CPT officer Kevin McDaniel and then later we were visited by Capt Joe Kessler and Lt. Steve Paulsen from the SW Precinct.

We had 100+ neighbors that gathered with us at the corner of 20th Ave SW and SW Dakota [map]. One of the highlights was we brought in a bale of hay and then hid small toys, quarters and nickels in the hay and then the kids got to do a scavenger hunt to find all of the hidden gems.

Darkness (and bedtime for the kids) was the only reason folks went back home. It was a great turnout and we saw several new faces to our Pigeon Point neighborhood who came out to meet their neighbors.

Three more Pigeon Point pix – including one with the full fray over the straw, and one with a delighted Engine 26 visitor:

We’ve also received photos today from Shell Marr, whose party in the 2400 block of SW Holden (map) offered a game too – beanbag toss:

Canine participants were crowdpleasers as well:

Thanks again to everyone who shared photos and/or gave us clearance to drop by. Night Out is traditionally held on the first Tuesday in August, so you can just mark your calendar right now for August 3, 2010!

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Post-Sounders game transportation, in case you were wondering

August 5, 2009 11:44 am

| 7 COMMENTS

| Not WS but we're mentioning it anyway | Transportation

Several people have asked via e-mail and Facebook whether the King County Water Taxi is planning extra runs tonight because of the huge turnout expected at the Sounders/Barcelona game. Answer from county transit spokesperson Linda Thielke: No. But please do note, they’ve already warned of possible bus delays in the Pioneer Square/SODO areas. 1:39 PM UPDATE: Just got new information from Thielke — she says Argosy has agreed to an “11th hour” addition of runs to help with the expected postgame crush:

Argosy WILL add runs to help with traffic for the Sounders Game tonight. They will continue the half hour schedule after the usual (last) 7:30 run and continue through 9:30 pm. The last sailing from Seattle will be at 9:30 this evening. ‬‪ ‬‪This is an 11th hour addition – thank you Argosy!

And she sent a postscript minutes later:

Just confirmed with Argosy that they will delay the 9:30 sailing to West Seattle if the Sounders game is not over. The purpose of that last run will be to get folks from the Sounders game to West Seattle.

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Pencil Me In For Kids: Can they pencil YOU in for support?

August 5, 2009 11:35 am

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| How to help | West Seattle news

Though school doesn’t start for a month, it’s time to make sure that every student has the supplies needed for educational success. One of the local efforts working hard to make sure that happens is Pencil Me In For Kids — you may even have seen promotion in last month’s West Seattle Grand Parade (banner at left). One of the local businesses leading the charge to help local kids by supporting PMIFK is Illusions Hair Design (WSB sponsor), whose proprietor Sue Lindblom sends this update:

Pencil Me In For Kids is winding up their yearly drive. The bulk of the supplies they will donate to local public grade schools will be purchased from Westwood Staples this week. If anyone has any school supplies (pens, paper, glue sticks, washable markers) they would like to donate drop them off at 5619 California Ave. SW [map]. Also, if anyone would like to make a cash donation, make checks payable to Rotary Club of West Seattle and in the memo line write ‘Pencil Me In For Kids’. Staples gives a great discount for this yearly drive. This is the 15th year PMIFK has been supplying basics to kids in our area. All the volunteers want to say ‘thanks’ for past, present, and future help! And the kids thank you too!!

We’ve also received word that you can drop off supplies at the office of local Edward Jones financial adviser Jon Gerhardt, who’s at 7354 35th SW (just north of the northeastern corner of 35th and Webster; map).

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Join the Seattle Public Schools’ Student-Family Partnership Advisory Committee

August 5, 2009 11:15 am

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| Announcements

Just announced by the school district – they’re looking for your help:

Seattle Public Schools is actively seeking nominations for its Student Family Partnership Advisory Committee. The committee will be comprised of parents/families/guardians who reflect the diversity of Seattle Public Schools families. The committee advises the Superintendent on the implementation of School-Family Partnerships Policy (E10.01) while also providing support and technical assistance to District schools in using family and community engagement national best practices.

Seattle Public Schools is committed to providing an excellent education for every student and we are dedicated to preparing every student to graduate from high school ready for college, careers and life. The District’s strategic plan, Excellence for All, focuses on raising student achievement by ensuring excellence in every classroom, strengthening leadership throughout the district and building an infrastructure that works well. Community engagement is one of the key strategies of Excellence for All and we are committed to working with families and community members to create a truly excellent school district for each and every student.

The Student Family Partnership Advisory Committee will consist of up to thirty parents/guardians and family members representing the diverse population of the District. Consideration will be given to involve those community members and groups who have not historically been active or represented in District decision-making processes, as well as representation by individuals of differing gender, ethnicity, race, age, geography and stakeholder interest groups.

The initial term of membership to the committee is October 2009 – October 2010. The committee’s work involves one to two meetings a month, a presentation of the School Family Partnership report to the Superintendent and a presentation to the School Board.

To be considered for the Student Family Partnership Advisory Committee, parents, guardians or family members should complete and submit a nomination form by Monday, September 21. The nomination forms and a complete description of the committee are available on Seattle Public Schools’ Web site at http://www.seattleschools.org/area/fam/PAC.xml. Nomination forms will also be available at school offices.

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Today/tonight: Sanctuary; North Delridge; “Frog and Toad”

August 5, 2009 11:02 am

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| Delridge | West Seattle history | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

LANDMARKS BOARD HEARING FOR THE SANCTUARY AT ADMIRAL: As previewed here yesterday, the city Landmarks Preservation Board will consider today whether to designate the former Sixth Church of Christ, Scientist, at 42nd/Lander — now The Sanctuary at Admiral — as a city landmark. The hearing will include a chance for public comment; it’s during the board’s 3:30 pm meeting on the 40th floor of the Municipal Tower downtown.

NORTH DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL: The regular NDNC monthly meeting is at 6:30 tonight, Delridge Library, with agenda items including officer elections, the next Adopt-A-Street cleanup, and traffic-circle maintenance.

“A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD”: The kids’ edition of this musical opens its run at ArtsWest tonight, with two different troupes from the ArtsWest summer camps alternating in the performances. Shows are at 7:30 tonight through Saturday, with 3 pm matinees Saturday and Sunday; buy tickets online here.

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Fire followup: Local band Bend affected; benefit events planned

August 5, 2009 8:32 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| How to help | West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

That Night Out party southwest of The Junction last night included a show of support for neighbors who have just been through a tough time: The victims of the house fire one week ago today near 45th/Erskine (map).

(July 29 photo by Tony Bradley)
The day the fire happened, the main headlines included firefighters following special procedures because of the historic 103-degree heat, one resident going to the hospital with burns, and investigators saying the fire was started by embers from a barbecue igniting a deck and spreading to the house. We’ve since learned there’s another story: A well-known local band, Bend, recorded at the house, and members’ friends and co-workers are organizing benefits to help. One of the fire survivors told us at last night’s block party that the items lost in the fire included some of the studio equipment and computers; his housemate who suffered burns is out of the hospital and staying with relatives on the Eastside. Meantime, benefit organizers haven’t locked down the details yet, but several tell us they’re talking about an event in the next few weeks at Feedback Lounge and possibly one at Skylark (both WSB sponsors), so organizers asked us to share the word that they’ll announce it as soon as details are settled. They’re reaching out to help in other ways too, such as a collection at Shadow Land, workplace for one band member, and donations were being collected at last night’s Night Out party — the only one to our knowledge with this distinctive type of “street closed” alert signal!

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West Seattle’s Night Out 2009 block parties: Report #2

August 5, 2009 1:43 am

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| Fun stuff to do | Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

Thanks to Dina Johnson for sharing that Night Out photo from the 9000 block of 12th SW – she says some 13th SW neighbors joined in, too, and that the party had live music – piano and drums – adding:

The singer/piano player’s name is Danny (in gray tee), we’re posing in front of his house. Red-haired guy in green shirt is the drummer. Thanks for the entertainment! Samantha Updegrave (at left) is holding her 8 week old baby, Blair Johnson is to her left, I’m at lower right in African print shirt. Marie Figgins, blonde at lower left is holding her blonde son Lincoln. The older gentleman at upper right is a good dancer. In the purple tee is a UW student majoring in bioengineering.

We had two people roaming West Seattle to drop in on some of the peninsula’s 250+ Night Out block parties; our first report included photos and video primarily from the north half of the peninsula, where we published notes as the night unfolded; now, here are pix from our other stops. Like Fauntleroy, where Gary Dawson invited us to the SW Henderson celebration just east of Fauntleroy Way:

Near Gatewood Elementary, we met the neighbors of quiet Sylvan Lane (thanks to Hilary for the invite here):

Uphill in Gatewood, Engine 37 made a post-dusk visit to the 39th/Elmgrove vicinity:

Thanks to Mark Ahlness for sharing that photo. In nearby Westwood, there were games aplenty at 32nd/Thistle, like bean-bag toss:

Kelly had alerted us her block party would have “a lawn/street game triathlon (croquet, bean-bag toss, and ladder golf), chalkboard pictionary, and a potluck (serving Ube and Mexican chocolate ice cream from Full Tilt).” Enticing eats in many places on Night Out – even sushi on 26th SW in North Delridge:

Thanks to Gary for telling us about that party, which he explained was either the first-ever two-block party in that area, or the first in a long while! Side note: Night Out celebrated its 25th anniversary this year, according to this online history. If you want to get a jump on next year, and help keep your neighborhood safer all year round, one thing you can do now is make sure you have a Block Watch – here’s more info on the program.

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West Seattle’s Night Out 2009 block parties: Report #1

August 4, 2009 6:35 pm

| 9 COMMENTS

| Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

(added more photos inline @ 9:30 pm)

(47th/Admiral-area barricades)
ORIGINAL 6:35 PM REPORT: So far, we’ve seen more barricades than people gathered in the streets beyond them – but we know, everyone’s just getting home to work. Just stopped at 44th/Hill, where neighbors are gathered in a triangle between streets, rather than closing off the road; they’re getting ready to barbecue.

It’s their first-ever Night Out party; thanks to Kim for the note. More to come – we’ve got two people roving, one north, one south.

6:48 PM: Just stopped in the Sunset/48th vicinity – they’ve got a long table, beautifully decorated, with homemade desserts planned later after their barbecue (and lights strung in the trees to enjoy when the sun goes down).

Thanks to Deborah for welcoming us there.

7:02 PM: 47th/Admiral, where Charla (at left) gave us the party tip:

They’re hoping for a candidate visit before the night’s out. We expect to see at least one ourselves – we’ve got word of where the mayor will wind up his rounds tonight.

7:20 PM: We’ve been to two stops south of Admiral, including the Hinds/45th party, where the Block Watch reins have just turned over after a quarter-century; we found Eric in charge of the hot dogs:

Then, Al‘s party near 42nd/Hinds:

Al had a luau last year (went with the theme for his 60th birthday party just before Night Out), and this year it’s a Mexican beach fiesta (we said hi just as he was preparing the fajitas), including this decorated tent-side:

7:31 PM: About to check out Howie‘s party near 32nd/Andover, over the Luna Park business district. First, just got this photo from Desiree in Gatewood:

7:44 PM: The party up here (on the other side of the Fauntleroy end of The Bridge) is the biggest one we’ve been to so far. Here’s the long shot before you finish walking up the Andover dead end:

Howie invited us, but turns out, it’s Dave’s house – and he counted 70 people! (Sorry this crowd shot’s a bit blurry.)

Meantime, the other half of the team is in Highland Park and spotted our first SPD sighting of the night – Officer Adonis Topacio, near 12th/Trenton.

And we’ve received a photo from Daniel at the big party near 31st/Othello:

Next, we’re heading to Junction-area stops, including one that reportedly has a live band!

8:10 PM: Live band indeed – and a live young musician, 9-year-old Connor, in the 4400 block of 40th SW.

~~We’ll add a bit of video later~~ (here’s the video, added 10:43 pm)

Just passed Ercolini Park, where Engine 32 is visiting block-partiers.

And now we’re headed south of The Junction. Sunset’s getting close – fiery pink-red again tonight.

8:22 PM: Just checked in with Cheryl, Rosina and dozens of neighbors on 48th in the Erskine/Dawson vicinity. They were kind enough to gather for a group shot:

Ladder 11 just wrapped up its stop here as we walked up (one thing about Night Out – you can’t just pull up, hop out, shoot a photo and go – you’ve got to park near the barricade and walk to where the people are), and two parties in adjoining blocks have agreed to combine forces next year.

8:53 PM: We’re folding up the Night Out caravan. Lots more pix to add from these stops and others – tried to catch up with the mayor here in his North Admiral neighborhood and we seem to have missed him. Reminder, if you have pix from your party, we’d be happy to publish some of those too – editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks! (Once we’re done filling in the pictorial blanks in this report, we’ll start on a second report from our travels on the south half of the peninsula.)

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West Seattle wildlife: Skate? Ray? Help ID this sea creature

August 4, 2009 4:19 pm

| 14 COMMENTS

| Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Wildlife

Jill sends this photo and explains, “Out walking the dog on the beach at low tide and saw this dead Manta Ray, or so I think. found south of the Arroyos during low tide. Anyone know, is this common for Puget Sound?” We know “skates” can be found in cold waters – “manta rays” tend to be tropical – any thoughts on Jill’s discovery? Here’s another photo, for scale:

One possibility we’ve come across so far: A “big skate.”

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Happening now: High Point resource fair (BBQ/Night Out later!)

August 4, 2009 4:12 pm

| Comments Off on Happening now: High Point resource fair (BBQ/Night Out later!)

| Fun stuff to do | High Point | West Seattle news

Thanks to Tony for sharing the news of a big event happening at High Point’s Commons Park right now – hundreds of people gathered for a resource fair and family fun (note the bouncy house!), to be followed at 6 pm by a community barbecue and Night Out celebration – beautiful afternoon to be out in the not-too-hot-now sunshine. (And remember the High Point Market Garden opens shortly, 4:30-7 pm at 32nd/Juneau.)

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Looks like a big “Night Out” ahead, all over West Seattle

August 4, 2009 2:02 pm

| Comments Off on Looks like a big “Night Out” ahead, all over West Seattle

| Crime | Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

More than 250 Night Out block parties are registered for tonight in the Southwest Precinct‘s coverage area (West Seattle and South Park), according to info we just received from SWP crime-prevention coordinator Benjamin Kinlow – that’s up from 200+ on the advance list last year. Thanks to the dozens of party-throwers who’ve given us clearance to drop by – we’re mapping strategy right now to get to as many as possible, but we also welcome YOUR photos, in progress or afterward – editor@westseattleblog.com. Watch here for “live” coverage (on Twitter, too) in a few hours – and have fun – more than a few people we’ve heard from are planning live bands and/or games, above and beyond the heart of the matter: Strengthening your neighborhood by getting to know your neighbors.

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Blue Angels, one last time: Yes, they’re really gone

August 4, 2009 1:45 pm

| 5 COMMENTS

| Blue Angels | Not WS but we're mentioning it anyway

Thanks to David DeSiga for sharing, via Facebook (with permission to republish here), his photos of the Blue Angels‘ departure from Boeing Field a little more than an hour ago. His angle is about the same as the one from which we watched, just south of the airport’s tower. They took off heading south, no flybys back around the city, so some have asked “Are they gone?” Yes, and here’s the proof. Click ahead for a few more pix (also, KING has just posted the video shot from its chopper, which hovered just a bit to the west):Read More

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From church, to events venue, to landmark? Hearing tomorrow

August 4, 2009 11:29 am

| 17 COMMENTS

| West Seattle history | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Tomorrow afternoon, the city Landmarks Preservation Board will consider whether to designate the building now known as The Sanctuary at Admiral – officially known in its nomination as the former Sixth Church of Christ, Scientist — as a city-designated Seattle landmark.

After a presentation last month (WSB coverage here; see the presentation document here), the board agreed to consider the nomination, but there’s a high hurdle to leap (see the criteria here) to get from that point to official designation.

Board members were scheduled to make a site visit last week as part of the process, according to Sanctuary owner Dahli Bennett, who invited us to visit recently for a closer look at the building that served as a Christian Science church for almost three-quarters of a century, before its congregation merged with the one on SW Barton by Fauntleroy Park and then sold the building (Bennett bought it in 2003).

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One more vote down, one ahead for “Soundway” forest transfer

August 4, 2009 10:53 am

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| Environment | Puget Ridge | West Seattle news

Within the past hour, the City Council’s Transportation Committee (with only its chair, Councilmember Jan Drago, in attendance) gave its blessing to transferring the “Soundway” property in the West Duwamish Greenbelt to the city Parks Department. (It’s also been approved by the city Design Commission, as we reported in June.) The site includes 32 acres, mostly south of South Seattle Community College, platted long ago into streets that were never built, envisioned as part of a road grid that was superseded by other projects including the West Seattle Bridge. If the proposal passes one more vote – the full council next Monday – it will lose its longtime status as public right-of-way, and the Parks Department will lease it to the West Seattle-based Nature Consortium, which helped procure a state grant that will go to the city as compensation for the land. NC director Nancy Whitlock was on hand for this morning’s committee briefing, explaining the “Soundway” property’s role in preserving the West Duwamish Greenbelt as the city’s biggest remaining stretch of forest. Whitlock explained the restoration work her group does in this area and other parts of the WDG: “What we’re hoping to do is set in motion the re-creation of an old growth forest.” (The Nature Consortium has frequent work parties and guided hikes in the WDG; keep an eye on its website, naturec.org, for info.)

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2 “garden parties” ahead: Benefits for Senior Center, 34th DDs

August 4, 2009 10:15 am

| Comments Off on 2 “garden parties” ahead: Benefits for Senior Center, 34th DDs

| Fun stuff to do | How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

After most (but not all! Arts in Nature, for one, is still to come) of the festivals are over, August is a time for subtler summer fun. Two “garden parties” are coming up to raise money for major local organizations:

SENIOR CENTER OF WEST SEATTLE: Carol Johnston from the Senior Center shares word of “A Sunset Patio Party” that lifelong West Seattleite Florabelle Key is hosting at her Morgan Junction apartment at 7 pm next Monday (August 10th). Carol says, “The beautiful gardens with its flower garden and candles and many patio tables and chairs will be filled while guests enjoy appetizers and assorted desserts while being serenaded by The Ukes, a ukulele group. Donation is $8 and guests may bring their own spirits. Paid reservations can be made at the Senior Center and info (is available) by calling 206-932-4044, ext. 3.”

34TH DISTRICT DEMOCRATS: Days before the primary-election votes are counted, West Seattle’s biggest political group will gather for its biggest fundraiser of the year, the Garden Party, 6 pm August 14 at West Seattle Nursery. Emcee this year is Gatewood’s own New York Vinnie. Lots more info here.

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Today/tonight: Blue Angels leave; Night Out; High Point garden

August 4, 2009 6:30 am

| 7 COMMENTS

| Blue Angels | High Point | Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

(iPhone photo taken during final Blue Angels flyby Sunday, north of Boeing Field control tower)
BLUE ANGELS’ DEPARTURE: Finally found some ballpark time info, for anyone else interested in seeing them leave: Len Anderson IV — aka @lead_solo on Twitter, a former Blue Angels pilot traveling with the group and providing behind-the-scenes info, came through again: He says Blues 1-7 are scheduled to leave Boeing Field around noon today; check his Twitter page for the latest. Their next stop: The California International Airshow in Salinas (near Monterey/Carmel).

NIGHT OUT: Neighborhoods all around West Seattle will close their streets and get together for block parties during tonight’s annual Night Out celebration, in the name of building bonds and fighting crime. We’ll be reporting “live” as it happens, thanks to the dozens of WSB’ers who answered our second annual call for locations we can visit. If you’re not participating – since arterials aren’t eligible for block-party shutdowns, you shouldn’t find any major traffic effects, though your favorite side-street route might be off-limits for a few hours.

HIGH POINT MARKET GARDEN: Lots of rave reviews since this once-a-week produce stand opened last month. 4:30-7 pm today, 32nd/Juneau (map), fresh and reasonably priced produce grown in the gorgeous “market garden” right by the stand.

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