Twilight Artist Collective announces 3-gallery group show for July

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| Announcements

Here’s the official announcement from Twilight in The Junction:

WHAT: We proudly present “The Good, The Bad, and THE UGLY”, a three-gallery group show.
-OPENING PARTY: July 9th, 6 – 9 PM during the West Seattle Art Walk.
-CLOSES: August 7th, 2009
-WHERE: Twilight Artist Collective, in the Junction: 4306 SW Alaska St.

ABOUT “THE UGLY”:
FEATURING the artworks of Bird, Clare Bowers, CASH, Brian White, Robroy Chalmers, Larry Cyr, Pamela Davis, Billy Dyson, Jon & Tracy Haaland, Brad Strain, Michelle Smith-Lewis, Rick Simpson, Joey McChan, Mark Walker, and Vern White!

THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE UGLY is a collaboration between 3 Seattle art galleries, showing over 35 artists in a combined show during the month of July. Go to all three shows for a chance to WIN A PIECE OF ORIGINAL ART in a raffle! The winner will be announced at the end of the show(s). There will be raffle cards at each location – you need to get a stamp from all 3 to qualify for the drawing. GET OUT AND SEE LOCAL ART!!

“THE UGLY” portion of this show will be featured at Twilight Artist Collective. “THE GOOD” can be viewed at Halogen (2316 2nd Ave, Seattle, WA 98121), and “THE BAD” at Bherd Studios (8537 Greenwood Ave. N, Suite 1, Studio D, Seattle, WA 98103).

Like the artwork featured on the flyer? Visit all three galleries to be eligible to win these works in a raffle!

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Police investigating gunshots

Sometimes “shots fired” calls to police turn out to be fireworks. Not this time. Right now police are out at Delridge/Thistle (map) investigating one of those calls, and, per the scanner, an officer reported finding several shell casings “just east of Delridge/Thistle.” No word so far of anyone having been hit; they are circulating a possible vehicle description — full-size white SUV, chrome rims, no description of who’s in it.

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West Seattle weekend scenes: Antique cars; fundraising ribs

June 27, 2009 10:58 pm

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| How to help | West Seattle history | West Seattle news

Beautiful, well-cared-for antique cars got the spotlight this afternoon at Merrill Gardens-Admiral Heights (WSB sponsor):

During the 2-hour car show, hot dogs and soda were available for donations that benefited the Senior Center of West Seattle.

Another food-for-a-good-cause event, West Seattle Thriftway‘s barbecue-ribs lunch offering – for the second consecutive week, proceeds went to Pencil Me In For Kids:

More fundraising barbecues are ahead – with different beneficiaries – WestSide Baby just announced that the Thriftway crew is barbecuing on its behalf July 11th and 18th.

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Tomorrow in West Seattle: It’s all about berries

June 27, 2009 8:22 pm

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| Rotary Club of West Seattle | West Seattle Farmers' Market

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET, 10TH ANNIVERSARY: This is tomorrow’s marquee event on the peninsula — “Berry Spectacular” is the theme for the celebration during the Farmers’ Market, 10 am-2 pm at 44th/SW Alaska, marking its first decade in operation. Free berry mini-sundaes (including Husky Deli ice cream) are promised, along with other special additions including a “no-tax” tent sale (at the market site) by Square 1 Books (WSB sponsor), live music with Mozo, and free recipe booklets.

BONUS ROUND FOR ROTARY CLUB STRAWBERRY SALE: One more place to shop for berries tomorrow — Rotary Club of West Seattle past president Gary Potter sent this news of an added third day of strawberry sales:

The Rotary strawberries are usually all gone by 5:00 pm Saturday, but we have about 25 buckets left and are going to be open for business Sunday from 11 am to 1 pm in the Admiral Safeway back parking lot. There are approx. a dozen each of 7.5 lb buckets for $25.00 and 15 lb buckets for $38.00.

They’re also taking orders for the next two rounds of berry sales – blueberries and raspberries – more info here.

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Heavy rescue call: 1-car crash outside Westwood Village Target

June 27, 2009 6:00 pm

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| West Seattle news | WS breaking news

(photo added 6:12 pm)
We are still at Westwood Village as the street fair enters its final hour – and a huge fire/police response has just raced by for a “heavy rescue” call at 2600 Barton, which is one of Westwood Village’s addresses – we’re heading up the block to see what’s happening. UPDATE – A car has crashed into a wall by Target – actually the wall on the west side of Target. Rescuers are working to extricate the driver. It doesn’t appear anyone else was hit. 6:20 PM UPDATE: No serious damage to the Target building – the car took out a relatively small tree; no word yet on how badly anyone in the car was hurt. 6:30 PM UPDATE: The fire response is closed, so this was handled fairly quickly. 7:25 PM UPDATE: Saw the spot after the car was moved away (less than an hour after the first response), no damage to the wall, Target employees were cleaning up.

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Westwood Village Street Fair, report #2: Showtime

June 27, 2009 3:54 pm

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| West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news | West Seattle video

That’s the magician who drew a crowd of kids here at the Westwood Village Street Fair with tricks including that bit of doll levitation earlier this afternoon – live entertainment is about to rev up in a big way with Theatre Sports comedy improv onstage at 4 (a taste of what they’re doing at the Admiral Theater tonight at 9) followed by three bands: Nekkid Frankie, Reckon Yard, Morris Can Fly. If you haven’t been here yet, the stage is right in front of Bed Bath Beyond – booths are in the same parking lot as well as down the Wyatt’s Jewelers (WSB sponsor – and giving away a gold/diamond pendant at 6:15 pm if you enter the center-wide drawing) and 24 Hour Fitness breezeway, as well as over in front of QFC and the neighboring restaurants. The fair continues till 7 pm; more photos/video to come – and you can see our first report here.

4:17 PM UPDATE: Here’s that Clifford the Big Red Dog photo we promised earlier:

Nekkid Frankie – a teen-girl band – is on stage right now (video added 5:36 pm) – turns out they swapped spots with TheatreSports, which will do its improv comedy afterward, followed by more bands.

5:03 PM UPDATE: The bouncy houses are being deflated – so looks like the kids’ activities are done for the day. Music continues, with band #2 playing now.

5:46 PM UPDATE: More of the other booths are folding up. Just got a chance to talk to someone else who dropped by the WSB table (we’ll be here till at least 6:15) – guide dog-trainer Ruth, whose event last Tuesday was publicized here on WSB. She visited with puppy-in-training Amos, whose photo we will add later – he even has his own training card. They’re working to get the word out that Guide Dogs for the Blind are provided free of charge to the visually impaired, but they don’t have guaranteed funding forever, so they need support, as well as volunteers. ADDED 8:01 PM: A snippet of Morris Can Fly, the third and final band of the night:

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West Seattle Crime Watch: House, car vandalism; SUV break-in

June 27, 2009 3:46 pm

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| Crime | West Seattle news

ORIGINAL 3:46 PM REPORT: We’ve received two reports from neighbors in the 41st/42nd/Andover/Charlestown vicinity of overnight spray-paint vandalism on a home and vehicle. The vandalism is described as using sexually offensive terms; one of the neighbors, Scott, says tagging happened in the area about a month ago too. Scott adds, “I’d like to think no one was being targeted as (his neighbor) is straight and I’m gay. I’m fairly sure this was just random and their choices of words and pictures were just what teenagers think will offend people. At least I hope it’s random! All of our neighbors are on high alert now for suspicious activity in the neighborhood.” Both cases have been reported to police.

ADDED 4:13 PM: Not too far south of there, Gracie reports an SUV break-in:

Just wanted to let you know about a car break-in at our apartment building, which is on the corner of 41st Ave SW and Alaska St. My husband’s SUV was broken into between 10:30pm Friday and 2:00pm Saturday. It was parked in a “secure” garage under our apartment building. The only things that were stolen were his 5 year-old Sirius radio (which is a piece of junk and pretty much worthless) and a USPS box with my birthday gift from a friend (some tea and 2 Japanese tea cups). All of his CDs were left untouched.

I personally haven’t seen the damage (as my husband didn’t notice it until after he left for work) but he described it to me. He said it looked like the thief tried to use a screwdriver as a key in the passenger side lock but then ended up jamming it in and around the lock and door handle until it opened.

Also, there was another car break-in last month in our building (that time, our neighbor’s car was parked in one of the Highline Medical Center’s visitor spaces and the thief broke a window) and a car was stolen from the Bank of America parking lot a few weeks ago.

One of the neighbors from the vandalism report above also mentioned their area had been hit a month earlier (with a different round of tagging).

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Traffic trouble: West Seattle Bridge backed up most of the day

June 27, 2009 3:19 pm

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| Alaskan Way Viaduct | Transportation | West Seattle news

The warnings were issued but not everybody could stay home, and we’ve received reports that it’s been a nightmare, as feared, to travel off the peninsula today. And from within the past hour, here’s pictorial proof, from Creighton. (The Viaduct should be open again before too long, but remember, other events around the city are affecting traffic patterns. Here at the Westwood Village Street Fair, where we’re reporting “live” till 7 pm, only thing closed is the Bed Bath Beyond parking lot where many activities are centered.)

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Happening now: Westwood Village Street Fair, report #1

June 27, 2009 11:31 am

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| Fun stuff to do | West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news | Westwood

The bouncy toys are up and the Westwood Village Street Fair is officially under way, with giveaways, freebies, food, entertainment and more continuing till 7 pm tonight. We’re there too and will be adding more photos and video as the afternoon goes on – drop by to say hi! 12:01 PM UPDATE: We are here in the gorgeous sunshine right outside Dress Barn – and discovered another fun feature that’s taking kids on rides around the Westwood Village site – this train:

A workout demonstration is happening on the stage by Bed Bath and Beyond right now – video shortly. 12:17 PM: Here’s the clip:

Chico’s fashion show followed the fitness demo. By the way, there’s quite the variety of bouncy toys, including one with a Sesame Street theme over by Pier 1:

Great to meet the fine folks who’ve stopped by so far – some we’ve met before, some we haven’t. We’re about to check out what’s happening on the QFC side – food, and also pet adoptions by All the Best Pet Care – stand by for those pix! ADDED 1:12 PM: Just talked with Nancy Woodland from WestSide Baby and Audrey Zemke from White Center Food Bank – both are here – two major agencies helping local families – here’s a photo of Audrey at her table, which is over on the Pier 1 end of the parking lot:

At the QFC food booth, the sausage they’re dishing out as free samples, along with the salmon bake:

Near QFC, you can check out adoptable pets:

Then up in the breezeway across from 24 Hour Fitness, our newest WSB sponsor Wyatt’s Jewelers is joining in the fun too –

You can enter a drawing for a gold/diamond pendant that Wyatt’s is giving away – the drawing’s not till 6:15 so there’s plenty of time to get here – you can get a drawing ticket with any WV purchase (be sure to drop it by the stage by BBB). And next to Wyatt’s, John L. Scott offers the chance to plant sunflowers – appropriate for this spectacularly sunny day:

Just saw Clifford the Big Red Dog still circulating, much to kids’ delight – we’ll see if we can snag a pic. We also have video of the magic show that was onstage a short time ago. (3 pm) That’ll be in the next update – going to post a bit more news first – less than an hour away from comedy and music onstage here, and the free kids’ fun (bouncy toys) continues too.

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Video: The West Seattle benches that inspired a change in city law

June 27, 2009 11:26 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle video

That’s Admiral resident Clay Eals, City Councilmember Jean Godden, and neighborhood kids helping unveil one of four benches this morning outside a new loft-townhouse development in the 1700 block of California SW. (Also seen briefly toward the end of the clip, another neighborhood advocate who worked to make this happen, Dennis Ross.) As we reported yesterday, these benches are more than they may seem to passersby who don’t take a closer look: They represent the culmination of years of neighborhood advocacy to be sure an open-space easement would be part of the deal when the property, which includes a onetime Seattle City Light substation site, was sold. (added 8:50 pm) Here’s Eals explaining that:

And as Councilmember Godden added during the brief unveiling ceremony, the process also led to a change in city law:

That city law has figured into more than a few stories we have covered in the past few years too – like the public-notification process that helped bring the 34th/Barton site into view as a possible P-Patch community garden. (Added Sunday: Here’s the page where you can find out city property that’s currently “under review.”) Back to the ceremony: The bench unveiling was repeated three more times and then of course, it wasn’t official till somebody actually used the bench:

A reception followed, with guests including executives from Soleil Development, who also got kudos as the site’s most recent owners for finalizing the easement deal.

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Also happening now: Furry Faces plant sale @ Beveridge Place

June 27, 2009 11:13 am

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| Gardening | How to help | Pets | West Seattle news

Christy and friend are part of the Furry Faces Foundation animal-advocacy crew you’ll find at a plant sale that just started at 11 am between the Beveridge Place Pub deck and neighboring Morgan Junction Park. It’s “Blooms for Bow-Wows” – and one highlight, we were told when we stopped by for a photo, is a table of $3 grape vines – table and wine varieties. The sale’s on till 3 pm today, with all plants at this fundraiser priced $1-$5.

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Got “e-waste”? Take it to Metropolitan Market in Admiral

June 27, 2009 9:24 am

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| Environment | West Seattle news

At the three-day Wellness Fair continuing today and tomorrow at Metropolitan Market, one of the highlights is e-waste collection: Laptops, cell phones, TVs, computer monitors and computer towers will be accepted free, but there’s a $5 charge for printers, fax machines and VCRs/DVD players. 11 am-6 pm; more info here.

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Happening today: Westwood Village Street Fair (and more)

June 27, 2009 9:15 am

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| Fun stuff to do | West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news | Westwood

11 am-7 pm today, Westwood Village transforms into more than a shopping center – community groups and entertainers join its merchants for a daylong Street Fair. QFC‘s offering a free Salmon Bake, Wyatt’s Jewelers (a new WSB sponsor) is among the merchants offering raffles, live music starts in the late afternoon, family fun goes all day including Clifford the Big Red Dog at 11 am, free child-protection kits are available … see more on the schedule here. You can help other families, too, by donating diapers to WestSide Baby, which will be on site too (a prelude to next month’s huge annual Stuff the Bus diaper drive July 19th at West Seattle Farmers’ Market). Much of today’s activity will be in the parking lot area bounded by Bed Bath and Beyond to the north and businesses from Eats Market Cafe to Pier 1 Imports on the east; that’s where we’ll be too, reporting “live” from the WSB table all day – hope to see you there. A full slate of events around the rest of the peninsula too – the West Seattle Weekend Lineup lists all the highlights.

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Another reminder: Viaduct closed, bus changes, other alerts

June 27, 2009 5:31 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| Alaskan Way Viaduct | Transportation

One more reminder: The Alaskan Way Viaduct is closed for most of the day because of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon; other events elsewhere in the city are having traffic effects; and it’s all resulting in bus changes too. (The expected closure times for The Viaduct have varied, so we’ll monitor it throughout the day and post updates here, on Twitter, and on Facebook when we get word it’s reopened.)

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Delridge’s new playground: Site prep starts; 60 volunteers to go!

June 27, 2009 4:07 am

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| Delridge | How to help | West Seattle news

In three weeks, volunteers will swarm that site at the Delridge Community Center to build a brand-new playground in one day. Thanks to Holli Margell for e-mailing photos and the announcement that the old playground’s been removed, site prep has begun, and now one big task remains before playground-building day: 60 more volunteers are needed to sign up ASAP —

Help build a playground!

When: JULY 17th, 8 AM – 2:30 PM, Rain or Shine!
Where: Delridge Community Center, 4501 Delridge Way

We need 60 more volunteers to build a new playground for our neighborhood! Volunteers MUST register by July 2nd by sending e-mail to helpdelridgeplay@gmail.com or by calling Chris at 206.499.3733. Playground sponsored by the Bank of America Charitable Foundation with help from Seattle Parks and Recreation and the North Delridge Neighborhood Council.

Some kids just can’t wait – like Holli’s son Cooper, shown here watching the site-prep work:

To catch up on how the playground project has progressed over the past two-plus months, check our coverage archive here, newest to oldest.

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Video: West Side Music Academy’s Pop Rox at Easy Street

June 26, 2009 11:19 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle video | WS culture/arts

When Mike e-mailed to share the news about West Side Music Academy “Girl Band” students performing tonight at a special all-ages Easy Street After Hours in The Junction (here’s our preview), we knew we’d want to share a bit of the show – so here you go – Pop Rox at Easy Street: Danielle Howard, Annie Murphy, Olivia Norberg, Maryellen Fleming, Oly Mosely and Erica Schwartz.

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Also this weekend: Sound Steps/Seafair Half-Marathon walk for 50+

June 26, 2009 9:59 pm

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| Fun stuff to do | Health | Not WS but we're mentioning it anyway

This isn’t on the list of citywide road-closing events – and it’s not in West Seattle – but Admiral resident Dennis Ross suggested more of West Seattle’s 50+ residents might want to know about it, so here’s info he shared about a half-marathon walk around Lake Union this Sunday, part of Seattle Parks’ Sound Steps program, the Northwest Senior Games and Seafair:

Sunday, June 28th — 7:00 am arrival and registration, — 7:30 am walk

Event information: — 13.1 mile walk looping twice around Lake Union. Event includes water/snack stations, live music along the way, prizes and special athletic T-shirts (while supplies last). Invite your family and friends to walk with you or to cheer you on.

Contact Mari Becker — (206)-684-4554 or e-mail sound.steps@seattle.gov

Location: Start/Finish Gas Works Park on the north side of Lake Union, 2101 N. Northlake Way (map)

Sound Steps is a Seattle Parks and Recreation walking program for adults age 50+. The Sound Steps program includes ongoing weekly walking groups and special events for active older adults.

Northwest Senior Games represents five cities in King County that specialize in recreation and community services for adults 50+.

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Seattle Open swim meet continues tomorrow at Colman Pool

June 26, 2009 6:12 pm

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| West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Thanks to Cindy McComish for that photo from Colman Pool at Lincoln Park, where the Seattle Open swim meet continues through tomorrow (replacing the regular public swimming schedule). Cindy writes, “Congratulations to all the swimmers who work hard to qualify to be in this meet. Come watch youth from western Washington go fast!” (She’s parent to a West Seattle YMCA [WSB sponsor] Dolphin swimmer.)

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8 days till July 4th: Rules for fireworks, and where to see them

June 26, 2009 5:09 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| Holidays | Safety | West Seattle news | White Center

Driving through White Center this afternoon, we noticed fireworks stands like that one set up in a few spots. In unincorporated King County and the few other places where personal fireworks are still legal, they go on sale at noon Sunday, but you’re only allowed to use them 9 am-midnight on July 4th (except for Normandy Park, where the use period is the same as the sales period). Here’s the full King County list of fireworks rules – note they are banned in Seattle and in Burien, which is relevant to part of White Center, since that means a change if the “North Highline South Annexation” proposal passes in the August 18th election. And if somehow you haven’t heard, reminder, NO Elliott Bay fireworks on the Fourth, since Ivar’s canceled them; if you’re still trying to decide where to go instead, here’s the full statewide list of fireworks shows.

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West Side Music Academy students play Easy Street tonight

June 26, 2009 4:33 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

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

It’s on our latest West Seattle Weekend Lineup – but we got extra details courtesy of Mike – good thing tonight’s Easy Street After Hours is “all ages” because the lineup includes 9- and 10-year-old musicians! The West Side Music Academy Girl Band is from a class that’s described on the WSMA website this way:

This class is designed for the experienced girl rocker who likes a challenge. This 5 day class includes playing several instruments, working with peers, rehearsing songs, and preparing for a real rock show at the end of the week. SO FUN!

So come cheer them on, during the 9 pm “Easy Street After Hours” show tonight (also with Exploding High Fives and Black Swedes, $5 cover). 5:29 PM P.S. – Mike adds that the WSMA band performing tonight is called Pop Rox and its members are 9-12 years old: “This is the culmination of the last five days of hard rocking by Danielle Howard, Annie Murphy, Olivia Norberg, Maryellen Fleming, Oly Mosely and Erica Schwartz.”

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4 benches, 1 neighborhood success story: Ceremony tomorrow

June 26, 2009 2:34 pm

| 16 COMMENTS

| Development | West Seattle news

That’s one of four benches that are being installed this afternoon in front of the new loft-townhouse development at 1716 California SW (map). The benches, and the open-space easement they represent, will be at the heart of a celebration tomorrow morning, because of the neighborhood success story they represent, something we’ve told you a bit about before: In March of last year, we wrote about nearby residents’ concerns about whether the development would honor open-space easement requirements linked to a onetime Seattle City Light substation site on the property. Over the ensuing months, a plan was worked out, and we got final word recently from author/historian Clay Eals, who lives nearby; we didn’t shoot a closeup of the inscription on the benches, but he shared the text:

OPEN SPACE FOR ALL

Enjoy these benches for a brief respite. Thanks to the City of Seattle and to the owner of the project that replaced the City Light substation on this site, this 100-foot frontage strip is an easement for public use from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily through May 2026.

This open space is privately owned and maintained. Please pick up any stray items when you leave. Palm Avenue neighbors thank you!

As our 3/08 report noted, City Councilmembers got involved too, and one of them – Councilmember Jean Godden (described by Eals as “our champion to insure that a public easement was included in the sale documents”) – is expected to speak at tomorrow morning’s official unveiling of the benches. You’re welcome too – 10 am, out front at 1716 California SW, across from Park West.

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Have a “Field Day”: Hams need you in West Seattle this weekend

June 26, 2009 1:40 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| Fun stuff to do | How to help | Puget Ridge | West Seattle news

That’s one of our photos from last year’s “Field Day” with ham-radio operators set up in the field on the south side of the South Seattle Community College campus on West Seattle’s Puget Ridge. They’ve always been open to having you stop by and see what their exercise is all about each year – but this time around, they’re ENCOURAGING you to visit – Jeff Cacy explains why:

Ham Radio operators will be operating a radio station from the field just south of South Seattle Community College. The event runs from 11:00 am Saturday to 11:00 am Sunday. You can’t miss us – we are in the big tent in the field by the south parking lot.

We need your help to stop by and participate in our simulated emergency. This event is put on by the Auxiliary Communication Service of the City of Seattle and we will be operating our radios from solar panels, batteries and generators.

If you are in any way interested in emergency preparedness (and you should be here in earthquake and winter-storm country) or in radio communication, please stop by. We will be operating all night, so there is no reason to let your schedule or mistaken need for sleep stop you.

This special event is called Field Day. It happens each year in June and is in the form of a contest where we see how many stations we can talk to in 24 hours. Thousands of similar stations all around the country have moved radios and batteries out in the field and erected various forms of antennas for the event. We will have a digital station, voice and satellite communications, plus some others as more people bring out their radios. You might be talking through a satellite as we will have a mobile satellite station set up as well – it all depends on the passes of the low-earth orbiting satellites we use, but there are dozens to choose from.

One of the parts of the contest is have people like you come by and try out our radios – we will coach you through and all you need is to put on some headphones and squeeze a microphone to talk to another station anywhere in the US or Canada. We need at least 20 people to stop by and participate to get some bonus points in the contest. We also need some public officials to stop by, so if you know of any in West Seattle, we sure hope to see them (I can think of several…).

Any ham radio operators who might not have been active in a while are also encouraged to stop by anytime in the 24 hour period.

Call Curt Black – 206 755-4541 for more information or more encouragement. You are allowed to feed the operators, so feel free to bring some life support, but please no alcohol since we are on South Seattle Community College property.

Hope to see everyone there!

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