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    WHALE-WATCHING: Southern Residents at dusk

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    FIRE FOLLOWUP: Camp Long lodge ‘assessment’

  • President

    NEW SSC PRESIDENT: Her first months

West Seattle Crime Watch: Break-in reports, north to south
July 7, 2009 4:00 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

All three of these came in today. First two are short: Christina writes to say, “Our neighborhood had had several burglaries”; she says it’s the 6000 block of 17th SW (map), and she is looking to get involved with Block Watch. (This is the best place to start, to find out whether there’s one in your area OR whether you can start a new one; we also recommend checking out your neighborhood council if there is one – see the Neighborhood Groups list in the WSB sidebar.) Second report: “Our truck was broken into in the 4400 block of 51st Avenue on July 4th [map], and our neighbor’s house was broken into yesterday.” Third one is the longest – from Zane in the 7700 block of 16th SW (map):

Last night, before 12:33 my vehicle was broken into. A long list of items was taken. Including some very important work documents. I was complacent, I agree. But nevertheless some very important work documents were taken along with other items. They were in a blue plastic box along with a maroon “Safari Club International” bag. I am a general contractor, so the documents will relate to that. I am sure that I will never see the items stolen, but if anyone finds any of the documents please let me know.

No blame-the-victim comments, please; as you see above, they’re generally very well aware it was a mistake to leave anything in the car. Take it as a “don’t think it can’t happen to you,” or maybe you even live in one of those areas and in retrospect saw or heard something out of the ordinary (in which case, police remind us, call 911 – even if you’re not sure it’s 911-worthy, they say, if it’s happening NOW, call them NOW).

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Madison Middle School principal leaving; interim successor named
July 7, 2009 1:04 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

madison.jpgSeattle Public Schools has just announced a principal change at West Seattle’s Madison Middle School. Dr. Jill Hudson is moving to Nathan Hale High School; assistant principal Henterson Carlisle will become its interim principal. Read on for the full news release, which begins with separate news of a districtwide Executive Director of Special Education:Read More

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Sounders FC amateur soccer tournament coming to Alki
July 7, 2009 12:35 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news | WS & Sports

soccerball.jpgThanks to Tim McMonigle from the West Seattle Soccer Club for spotting news of a big new event headed to West Seattle – Seattle’s wildly popular Sounders FC pro-soccer organization is presenting the first-ever Sounders FC Soccer Beach Blast Tournament on Alki, set for August 23rd. Signups are under way now; here’s where to register and to find out more (note that co-sponsor Super Supplements, which has a West Seattle Junction store, is offering a coupon for discount registration). 2:58 PM NOTE: The fine print says this is for ages 18 and up.

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Lettuce Pray: West Seattle-area churches’ hands-on help for hunger
July 7, 2009 11:58 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle religion

That’s the back of Jane Taylor‘s car this past Sunday, after the summer’s first collection for Lettuce Pray, which so far has 10 area congregations participating in collection/distribution of nonperishable food and fresh produce. Jane reports, “Between the eight of the ten member churches who had food to collect, we collected 176 pounds of canned goods and 26 pounds of fresh produce. As the summer and the harvest season moves forward, we anticipate that that percentage will shift and we’ll be gathering more fresh produce than canned goods.” Here’s just one of the participating groups – at Grace Church, from left, Jane (who’s coordinating Lettuce Pray area-wide) with Grace’s LP coordinator Ali Kerr and donor Martha Heuschele:

Jane adds, “Our goal for the 12 week collection period is 2000 pounds of fresh produce and an equal amount of canned goods. We are well on our way!!” So far, participants are:

Alki UCC and Congregation Kol HaNeshamah (shared location)
St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church
Tibbetts United Methodist Church
First Lutheran Church of West Seattle
Holy Rosary Parish
Eastside Christian Assembly
Westside Unitarian Universalists
Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish
Grace Church
St. Bernadette’s Parish

Jane says that if you would like to donate produce from your garden, “you can take it to any of (those locations) on Sunday morning and we will pick it up between 10:45 and 12:30 and deliver it into cold storage at the West Seattle Food Bank and White Center Food Bank. If other churches would like to be on the collection list and mobilize their congregations to donate their spare homegrown produce, they can e-mail (me) at janeatay@msn.com.” Jane also added a special thanks “to Kristen Parsons-Rosen for helping with collections and documenting our great day in these photographs” – this last one’s from Our Lady of Guadalupe, as Lisa Keith shared a tomato plant with home gardener Flora Cantos, for future Lettuce Pray collections:

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West Seattle man arrested in Central Area skirmish with police
July 7, 2009 11:16 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

From our fellow online-neighborhood-news providers at Central District News: One of the suspects jailed in a skirmish with police in the Central Area yesterday (SPD report here) — in which a fleeing car almost ran over an officer — has a West Seattle address, and a lengthy criminal history. Here’s the centraldistrictnews.com report today (including a link to their extensive coverage from yesterday).

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West Seattle Junction-area updates: Park progress; JuNO meeting
July 7, 2009 10:41 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Junction-area updates: Park progress; JuNO meeting
 |   How to help | Junction Plaza Park | West Seattle news

Groundbreaking this year for Junction Plaza Park (NW corner of 42nd/Alaska) looks more likely than ever, now that the money amassed for the long-in-the-works project has passed $300K: $303,554, to be precise, as announced at last night’s Friends of Junction Plaza Park meeting. “We’re really close,” said Junction Neighborhood Organization president Erica Karlovits. The total so far includes the $98,000 city matching-funds grant announced recently; Karlovits and West Seattle Junction Association director Susan Melrose said last night they’re still waiting for word on a few more grants. One big boost for the park will come this Friday-Saturday-Sunday, from West Seattle Summer Fest, with 25% of the proceeds from a beer garden by the park site going to the project, plus donation boxes for you to make a contribution. You’ll be able to find out more about the park by stopping at the central (California/Alaska) tent at Summer Fest – Friends of Junction Plaza Park will be next to our spot, on the west side of the tent, facing KeyBank (we’ll be across from Easy Street, next in turn to the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce-staffed Information area facing Cupcake Royale on the north/east side). The park project also will be on the agenda for the Junction Neighborhood Organization‘s next meeting, 6:30 pm July 14 at Ginomai (SW corner of 42nd/Genesee) – it’ll be an abbreviated meeting so everyone can adjourn to the free West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival Concert in the Park with the West Seattle Big Band at Hiawatha Community Center at 7:30 that night.

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Dive in to help Seal Sitters protect West Seattle wildlife
July 7, 2009 9:49 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | Wildlife

(Photo courtesy Robin Lindsey)
It’s that time of year again: The local volunteer group Seal Sitters is ready to train new volunteers to help keep watch when seal pups come out of the water and start turning up on local shores. The Seal Sitters’ first volunteer training session is one week from tonight at Alki UCC – read on for the full official announcement:Read More

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In West Seattle tonight: A Drink for the Kids; Bike Smart Seattle
July 7, 2009 6:30 am
|    Comments Off on In West Seattle tonight: A Drink for the Kids; Bike Smart Seattle
 |   How to help | Transportation | West Seattle news | WS beverages

A DRINK FOR THE KIDS: This annual weeklong citywide benefit for the all-ages arts center The Vera Project makes its West Seattle stop tonight, with West 5 again the venue, with Sub Pop Records‘ Megan Jasper hosting. 6-10 pm. The benefit involves certain drinks on the menu — more details here.

BIKE SMART SEATTLE: Its debut West Seattle event happens at Southwest Community Center (map), 6:30 pm, a “basic bike maintenance” clinic.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Another Gatewood two-time target
July 7, 2009 12:28 am
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Gatewood | West Seattle news

From Laura, who lives along Othello in Gatewood (vicinity map):

Wanted to let you know that my car (2008 RAV4) was victimized for the second time in two weeks. Sometime between 10 p.m. (Sunday) night and (Monday) at noon, the rear windshield was shattered. It wasn’t broken out, so the thieves/vandals didn’t get anything — this time.

Last week, several cars on our street were tossed. My navigation system was stolen. I unintentionally left the car unlocked and they got the GPS. This time, nothing was stolen but the damage is far greater. In hindsight, I wish I had left it unlocked. Other neighbors had their car entered and rummaged….

As we’ve reported here before, police say GPS’s are particularly prized by car prowlers, who will even be drawn to a hint of a GPS, like a suction cup on a windshield.

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More baseball congrats: This time, for the volunteer coaches, too
July 6, 2009 11:56 pm
|    Comments Off on More baseball congrats: This time, for the volunteer coaches, too
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

You don’t need the top trophy to be a winner. Jill Pagano from Arbor Heights reminds us of this by sending that photo and explaining:

This weekend the U8 (8-year-olds) West Seattle All-Star Team played in “The Lineup, July 4th Tournament” down in Tacoma (Spanaway Park). A full weekend of baseball included 4 games on Saturday, July 4th (they went 3-1) with a final game on Sunday. Coach Peter Eastey team took home the third-place win and all the kids received medals. A special shout-out to all volunteer coaches for giving so freely of their time to teach our kids about, not only the sport but also how to enjoy the game, support their teammates, and smile even when they don’t win.

This team is affiliated with the West Seattle Association of Pee Wee Baseball, which is hosting two tournaments later this month, as noted in this story from last week.

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West Seattle designers’ T-shirt tribute to Michael Jackson
July 6, 2009 10:44 pm
|      26 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

With the much-publicized memorial just hours away, Michael Jackson headlines are rampant again. We have just one here at WSB: West Seattle designers/artists/musicians Heart On My Sleeve (profiled here in March) have designed and are selling the Jackson tribute T-shirt shown above.

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Not too late to plant: 2 fundraising West Seattle plant sales
July 6, 2009 8:38 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Gardening | How to help | West Seattle news

Spring and fall may be the perfect planting seasons, but it’s not too late to get something new in your garden – and we have word today of two opportunities, plant sales that also happen to be fundraisers: First, Community Harvest of Southwest Seattle is selling vegetable starts at SSCC this Wednesday afternoon/evening:

Plants raised with care and donated by South Seattle Community College Dept of Horticulture

Wednesday, July 8 4-7 PM
SSCC – on campus

* Heirloom Tomatoes * Basil * Peppers * Tomatillos *
Lots of interesting varieties

30% off already great prices + bonus plant for sales over $20

Sample Prices
4″ Heirloom Tomatoes – $1.75
4″ herbs – $1.00
1 gallon Heirloom Tomatoes – $3.75
1 gallon Peppers – $3.00

Community Harvest of SW Seattle is a local non-profit helping to share the abundance of our local harvests as well as inspiring and educating on the joys of growing food. We sponsor the Edible Garden Fair and Tour, canning classes, gardening classes, as well as coordinating the fruit harvest in West Seattle. More info – 206-762-0604 info@gleanit.org

The other plant sale is continuous all month long at Hotwire Coffee (WSB sponsor), in the courtyard, benefiting the Hip to Be Snipped program by Furry Faces Foundation — flowers and grape vines among other items — drop by whenever Hotwire’s open and check ’em out.

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Morgan Community Association meeting coming up July 15
July 6, 2009 8:02 pm
|    Comments Off on Morgan Community Association meeting coming up July 15
 |   Announcements

From Steve Sindiong, Morgan Community Association secretary, the official announcement of the group’s quarterly meeting next week (everyone invited):

Morgan Community Association Quarterly Meeting
Wednesday, July 15, 7pm at The Kenney, 7125 Fauntleroy Way SW

Major Agenda Items:
Orchard Street Ravine pedestrian safety project, Neighborhood Plan Update, Parks and open space interest, West Seattle Trails, Seattle Council candidate Dorsol Plants

Contact: Cindi Barker e-mail at: cbarker@qwest.net

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West Seattle Summer Fest starts Friday: More sneak-peek tidbits
July 6, 2009 5:50 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Summer Fest starts Friday: More sneak-peek tidbits
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

Friday, Saturday and Sunday, it’s the peninsula’s biggest party of the year – West Seattle Summer Fest in The Junction (sponsoring, and co-sponsored by, WSB). For the duration, we’ll be there reporting “live” from the big tent at California/Alaska; till then, we’ll be sharing more tidbits about the highlights. (If you have something to share about what your business/group will be doing at Summer Fest, let us know ASAP!) A few miscellaneous items for starters: Artist Glenn Case – whom we caught up with for a quick photo op [left] as he worked outside Craze in The Junction late today – will be painting a mural during Summer Fest (you have seen his work all over West Seattle, including the Easy Street wall and “Zetta” on the south side of Cafe Revo [WSB sponsor]). … The kids’ area in front of Curious Kidstuff not only will include all sorts of family activities, but on Saturday, you’ll even find mini-martial-arts classes for kids, taught by Angel Kimball. … West Seattle Helpline is getting the word out that if you bring clothes to donate, you’ll find a dropoff bin at its location in the Community Tent, which will be home to a variety of other nonprofit groups along Alaska east of California … Among the many Summer Fest food choices will be Pagliacci Pizza, which e-mailed to note that its new West Seattle general manager Mine Niznik will be out meeting people and helping his team sell $2 slices, right in front of their location on California north of Oregon. … Plus, if you missed the earlier reports on this, remember that the Summer Fest music slate is getting buzz around the city, especially with headliner Mudhoney at 8:10 Friday night … Though West Seattle Summer Fest officially begins at 10 am Friday, fun in The Junction starts when the street closes on Thursday night, just before the West Seattle Art Walk (6-9 at more than 50 venues around West Seattle; get the new map here).

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Meet West Seattle’s newest centenarian, Phil Bellefeuille
July 6, 2009 3:25 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Providence Mount St. Vincent threw a party this afternoon for Phil Bellefeuille, who just turned 100 years old.

We asked Phil if he had a birthday message to share. His reply: “Thank you, Lord!” He was also asked how he made it this far; he said, “I don’t know,” but noted that the best memory of his 100-years-long-and-counting life is his “wonderful marriage.” (The P-I wrote about Phil and wife Alean three years ago; she died in April of last year, about a month short of turning 96.)

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Followup: 4th of July fire toll
July 6, 2009 2:31 pm
|    Comments Off on Followup: 4th of July fire toll
 |   Holidays | West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

On the 4th of July, we mentioned the online 911 log just jumping with brush-fire calls, including more than half a dozen here in West Seattle (such as the one near Morgan Junction Park; photo at left shows an Engine 37 crew member soaking the park afterward). Called SFD today to ask if they had some final stats. Here’s the citywide count, from spokesperson Dana Vander Houwen: 320 total SFD responses on the 4th of July, “about 100 more than usual.” (Here’s the archived log.) 34 of those were brush fires – no official cause on many of them, but, she says, “you can safely assume a lot were because of fireworks.” Three bigger fires were definitely linked to fireworks – one house, one near a community swimming pool, one school portable – none of those was in West Seattle but damage from all three tallied more than $76,000. P.S. The Fire Department just announced it’s launched a new blog-format site, The Fire Line – see it here.

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Picnic at the Precinct: Calling all West Seattle community groups
July 6, 2009 1:14 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Delridge | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

precinctwideshot.jpg

That was the scene one sunny afternoon last August, as the Southwest Precinct‘s annual Picnic at the Precinct took over SW Webster west of Delridge for an afternoon of fun, free food and community mingling. The city’s Delridge District Service Coordinator Ron Angeles has just circulated this note inviting community groups to participate:

The Southwest Police Precinct is having their annual “Picnic at the Precinct” community BBQ on Saturday, August 15th. Community groups are now being recruited to have a free information table at the event. It’s a great way for organizations to reach a huge cross-section of the West Seattle community. To reserve a table, please contact Pete Spalding at bayouwonder@comcast.net

And even if you’re not interested in tabling – mark your calendar for the afternoon of August 15th! (Speaking of crimefighting-related block parties: Registration continues for the annual Night Out – if you register in advance, you get to close your non-arterial street to traffic that night, August 4 – here’s where to go to sign up and get more info – deadline 7/31.)

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West Seattle’s Admiral Theater announces non-movie slate for rest of July
July 6, 2009 12:01 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle’s Admiral Theater announces non-movie slate for rest of July
 |   Announcements

Just announced by the Admiral Theater – its slate of upcoming events:

July 18th: Theatresports

Seattle Theatresports is Seattle’s longest running improve show, having turned 25 years old last year.

Theatresports is comedy, improv, theatre, and sports all rolled into one! Teams of improvisers create scenes based entirely on audience suggestions and are scored by a panel of judges or the audience themselves.

July 24th: Twisted Flick – The Phantom Planet

Picture the cheesiest B movie you can imagine. Now watch as the talented cast from Jet City Improv redubs that movie with funny new dialog and sound effects. All the suggestions from the audience help to make this show absolutely hilarious.

If you’ve ever enjoyed Mystery Theater 3000, YOU WILL LOVE THIS SHOW! Suitable for all ages.

July 25th: The Listening Room Series

ACOUSTIC MUSIC. SPOKEN WORD. LIVE PAINTING.

Three singer/songwriters, one poet, and four painters come together to create an interactive and art-filled evening at the Historic Admiral Theater.

Musicians: Gina Young, Ian Jones, Jackie Mitchell
Spoken word artist: Lucas Smiraldo
Artists: Glenn Case, Nicole Stremlow-Monahan, Michaela Eaves

July 31st: Troup de Ville

Troup de Ville is a unique musical presentation, three soloists playing together and separate, sharing the stage and interacting in a lighthearted way. The trio is comprised of Steve Thoreson with a voice more powerful than Pavarotti, the soulful voice, harmonica and guitar of Chicago native Eric Fridrich and award winning Segovia trained Italian guitarist Andre Feriante.

Together this combo is receiving rave reviews from audiences across the Northwest. Andre Feriante has been inviting musicians who share a common musical mentality to perform with him for years.

Tickets are available through Brown Paper Tickets – just search for the individual event title or for Admiral Theater.

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State moving to curtail lines at Licensing office in West Seattle
July 6, 2009 11:46 am
|      16 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Westwood

Vlad shared that photo a few weeks back, showing a long line at the State Department of Licensing office in Westwood. Apparently not an uncommon sight, since it’s one of the offices that offer the Enhanced Driver License (EDL), and that’s become so popular that the state just announced new procedures to shorten lines at the West Seattle office and others encountering the same problem. Specifically, as noted in a news release:

To better mitigate wait times, DOL is:
* Screening applicants waiting outside beginning at 7:15 am
* Installing a greeter at the front door to separate transactions and encourage people to do their business online or at a self service station if possible
* Not accepting EDL applicants after 2 p.m. weekdays and at noon on weekends
* Adding new office signage and information on the DOL website – dol.wa.gov

The new rules also affect the DOL offices in Lacey, Kennewick, Mount Vernon, Parkland, Renton, Smokey Point, Spokane and Wenatchee. In addition, the state points out that you can make an appointment to get an EDL through the office in downtown Seattle (as well as Bothell, Port Angeles and Bellingham). More info on the locations (and licenses) is available here.

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Lady Washington now Alki-bound for Seafair Pirates’ Landing
July 6, 2009 9:59 am
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news

(photo by Thomas Hyde)
Our state’s official ship is headed this way for the Seafair Pirates’ Landing on Alki this Saturday — Joe Follansbee is communications director for the Lady Washington, and sends word that it’s left its seacoast homeport:

The brig Lady Washington has made sail for Seattle and the annual Seafair Pirates’ invasion of Alki Beach in Seattle, a traditional highlight of the annual city-wide celebration. The Lady Washington departed Grays Harbor today, setting a course north along the Washington coast, then through the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and then south into Puget Sound. The ship is scheduled to arrive at Shilshole Bay Marina in Seattle on Thursday. The stop at Shilshole Bay will include public tours. On Saturday, the vessel will move to Lake Union Park for a five-day stay, which will also feature public tours and a three-hour sailing.

This year, the Seafair Pirates’ takeover of Alki Beach is scheduled for noon on Saturday, July 11. The ship will stand by as a Seafair landing craft disgorges its piratical passengers on the beach.

Read on for the rest of the announcement about the Lady Washington’s forthcoming Seattle visit:Read More

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Update: Crash at Delridge/Andover, no serious injuries
July 6, 2009 9:27 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | West Seattle news

Even if you’re not in the area, you may have heard a lot of sirens within the past hour – here’s what it was about: A crash at Andover/Delridge (map) originally went out as a “heavy rescue” call – it closed before too long, but North Delridge’s Nancy Folsom (who provided the photo) says the crash involved a car and a truck from nearby Nucor, and blocked the intersection for a while. We’ll be checking to see if anyone was seriously hurt. 1:40 PM UPDATE: No serious injuries, according to fire department spokesperson Dana Vander Houwen.

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South Seattle Community College’s WorkSource Center offering more job-search, resume workshops
July 6, 2009 9:15 am
|    Comments Off on South Seattle Community College’s WorkSource Center offering more job-search, resume workshops
 |   Announcements

Just received from South Seattle Community College:

College offers free résumé and job search workshops
WorkSource partners with Seattle Public Library & Delridge Community Center.

South Seattle Community College’s WorkSource Center has been retained to conduct 70
job search and résumé workshops at the Seattle Public Library’s downtown Central
library between July 15, and December 15, 2009. The one-hour workshops are
conveniently scheduled on weekdays and Saturdays.

Said the college’s WorkSource Director of Career Services Duncan Burgess, “South
Seattle Community College’s WorkSource Affiliate is pleased to be partnering with
the Seattle Public Library WorkSource Connection site, under the leadership of the
King County Workforce Development Council. The classes cover all the basics, and
will provide job seekers with the critical job procurement skills they need.”

South’s WorkSource office has also partnered with the Delridge Community Center in
West Seattle to deliver résumé and online job search workshops.

For more information on Seattle Public Library site workshops, contact (206)
386-4636, or visit www.spl.org. Information on Delridge Community Center classes
may be obtained by calling (206) 684-7423. Access South’s WorkSource resources
online at http://worksource.southseattle.edu/, or call (206) 764-5304.

Workshop schedules are attached.

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Happening tonight: Junction Plaza Park update; Duwamish tour
July 6, 2009 6:30 am
|    Comments Off on Happening tonight: Junction Plaza Park update; Duwamish tour
 |   Environment | How to help | Junction Plaza Park | West Seattle news

FRIENDS OF JUNCTION PLAZA PARK MEETING: During West Seattle Summer Fest this Friday-Saturday-Sunday, you’ll get a chance to support the final fundraising push for the park by enjoying a beer garden at the site, and a chance to learn more about the park plan at the big tent in the heart of the festival zone (California/Alaska, where we’ll be too, like last year). But first – Friends of Junction Plaza Park invites you to a meeting tonight to discuss the latest on the project and firm up the plan for Summer Fest volunteer help. 6 pm, Senior Center of West Seattle (Nucor Room).

DUWAMISH RIVER KAYAK TOURS START: Also at 6 tonight, the first in this summer’s series of six “community kayak tours” along part of the waterway that marks West Seattle’s eastern boundary, presented by the Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition, Alki Kayak Tours and the Seattle Aquarium Society. Full details and RSVP info here.

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