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Spotlight Stories

West Seattle firm helps Alaskans with library/museum project
January 20, 2010 1:27 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle firm helps Alaskans with library/museum project
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Seward, Alaska, is almost 1,400 miles from West Seattle, but the two communities have a link: Accounting firm Jackson, Morgan & Hunt, PLLC (WSB sponsor), has donated $2,000 toward the Seward Community Library Museum Project, to help with the $1 million capital campaign covering about a tenth of its cost. JMH’s Alaska ties involve the commercial-fishing industry in Seward, Homer and Kodiak, with some of that community’s members relying on the expertise of principals Jim Jackson, Chuck Morgan and Scott Hunt. Their longtime business and personal relationship with Tom Tougas of Four Seasons Marine in Seward resulted in their decision to support the project; the photo above, provided by the Seward Community Library/Museum Building Committee, shows Jackson with committee vice chair Mary Tougas.

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Cross-peninsula rivalry week: WSHS hosts Sealth for basketball
January 19, 2010 9:43 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

Tonight, the boys – Chief Sealth High School edged West Seattle High School in varsity basketball, 37-36. (We tweeted it as-it-happened at @wsblive.) ADDED 10:35 PM: In our video clip, that’s the Seahawks’ Keon Lewis who picked up the shooting foul off West Seattle’s LeTrey Newsome with only one second on the clock. Lewis, who was perfect at the free-throw line all night, sank his first shot to tie the game up, and then put Sealth ahead with his second shot. Read More

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Beach Drive slide update: Closure planned Wednesday for SDOT work
January 19, 2010 5:39 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

We’ve been checking with SDOT today on the aftermath of last week’s Beach Drive slide – and just got new information from Peg Nielsen about work they’ll do tomorrow:

A portion of the southern-most slide will be removed by SDOT crews. An SDOT Urban Forestry crew will trim down a few trees on the hillside in the same general vicinity (more north) to reduce the risk to the right-of-way and Beach Drive. SDOT intends to close Beach Drive for safety purposes from 9 a.m. until the crews complete the work, which should be approximately 4 p.m. While the road is closed, a detour around the slide area will be provided from Atlas Place SW to 49th Avenue SW to SW Canada Drive. Residents will be allowed limited access. The city will continue to evaluate the condition of the slide area daily.

That southern section of the slide moved further into the roadway yesterday, according to a photo a WSB’er sent us (above). We also asked SDOT a question we were asked via Facebook: Are they evaluating the slide zone to see if anything related to development upslope might have factored into this and resulted in property owner liability? Nielsen’s reply:

SDOT’s focus now is to safeguard public and private property. We are, however, documenting the situation while waiting for a geotechnical report that will recommend the best ways to stabilize the slope.

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Southwest Precinct commander joins SPD Chief Search Committee
January 19, 2010 4:39 pm
|    Comments Off on Southwest Precinct commander joins SPD Chief Search Committee
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police

Noted in an update just received from Mayor McGinn‘s communications director Mark Matassa (a West Seattleite) – Southwest Precinct Captain Joe Kessler is now on the Police Chief Search Committee. (The update was primarily intended to announce that the committee’s next meeting is 5:30 pm tomorrow at SPD HQ downtown. Agenda here.) P.S. Side note – If you have crime concerns to bring to SW Precinct leadership, tonight’s your chance, as the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meets at the precinct, 7 pm.

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New Alaskan Way Viaduct report: Tunnel tolls up to $3.50?
January 19, 2010 4:07 pm
|      32 COMMENTS
 |   Alaskan Way Viaduct | Transportation

Some new info out today from the Alaskan Way Viaduct project team. They’re out with a new report about the tunnel project’s projected cost, as well as potential tolls. The report is here; among the highlights, they say they’d charge different tolls for different times of day, potentially $3.50 during peak commute hours. Read on for the news release with toplines; the report’s also been summarized by our partners at the Seattle Times. (One of its points, the new alignment for the tunnel’s south end, was reported during the South Portal Working Group meeting covered here last month.)Read More

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More West Seattle help for Haiti: Yoga; Skylark joins dining benefit
January 19, 2010 4:02 pm
|    Comments Off on More West Seattle help for Haiti: Yoga; Skylark joins dining benefit
 |   Health | How to help | West Seattle news

Just in from 8 Limbs Yoga in The Junction, a Haiti relief benefit class this Friday, all levels, Flow with Amelia, 5:45-7 pm, all drop-in class payments go to Doctors Without Borders – checks made out to DWB, or cash. Other ongoing fundraisers are listed here (you can find that page any time from the top of the sidebar at right). ADDED 4:28 PM: And we have word that Skylark Cafe and Club (WSB sponsor) has joined the Jan. 24 Dine Out for Haiti benefit, with a percentage of proceeds to relief efforts; La Rustica is also in on it.

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Officer McKissack speaks as police push for “catastrophic” benefits
January 19, 2010 1:10 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police

1:10 PM: We are in SODO at Seattle Police Officers Guild HQ – with a room full of law enforcement officers from all over the area, and at the table in front of the room, former Southwest Precinct SPD Officer Jason McKissack (blue T-shirt), whose loss of medical benefits – since he cannot work following a vicious attack a year and a half ago – is triggering a campaign for legislation. Who else is here, is amazing. Officer Britt Sweeney, who survived the attack that killed SPD Officer Tim Brenton; Officer Brenton’s widow is here as well. “Call your legislators today,” Renee Maher, a law-enforcement advocate and police widow, is saying, re: HB 1679. 1:23 PM: Officer McKissack has just spoken. He says the city’s letter arrived just last Thursday, informing him of “medical separation,” and the hardest part was seeing his wife break down and cry. He also said it’s been tough to be off the job as he watched the recent officer murders – he feels like a “caged tiger,” wanting to do something: (video added 2:48 pm)

He also said the timing is unfortunate – he has found new medical treatment that may help him get better. Regarding the bill, advocates here say there are only six public-safety personnel statewide in the past 30-plus years who qualified as “catastrophically injured” and would be affected by this bill – Officer McKissack has not yet received that determination. (added 2 pm – his description of what he’s been coping with while trying to recover)

The Seattle Police Officers’ Guild also reiterates that they are accepting donations for his expenses through their fund. (The address is on this page on the SPOG site, with more information about the bill.) They also are “taking up other ideas on fundraising,” they say, and will have more on that in the weeks ahead. 5:30 PM UPDATE: Reminder, regarding fundraising: Two local karaoke hosts have stepped up for starters. Joe at Yen Wor announced on Facebook that he’s raising money for Officer McKissack’s fund Wednesday night at 9:30, and Willie Murderface announced in comments here last night that he is collecting for the fund this Saturday night at Goldie’s in Georgetown (WMF is a West Seattleite).

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Seattle Public Schools’ new assignment plan: More transition talk
January 19, 2010 12:29 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Tomorrow night, the Seattle School Board continues working on the next step in the new Student Assignment Plan – how to start the transition this fall, from a focus on “tell us what school you’d like to attend” to “your default assignment is a ‘neighborhood school’.” Some of the thorniest issues – like “sibling grandfathering” – are part of the transition, and the fine points highlighted West Seattle school board rep Steve Sundquist‘s open-door community chat this weekend. Read on for the discussion, plus the reason why he says he won’t be able to propose that some elementaries be “dual feeders” as he had hoped:Read More

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Update on next month’s West Seattle Preschool Fair
January 19, 2010 10:58 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Last month, we brought you early word of the West Seattle Preschool Fair that’s in the works for next month. More details are firmed up now: 12 programs are registered to participate in the event, and they have room for a few more (e-mail jenelle.forde@soundchildcare.org). The location is now set: 5:30-8:30 pm February 22, St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church (3050 California SW); in addition to the chance to talk with representatives of participating preschool programs, they’re also offering the Families Read Workshop during the Preschool Fair (6-7:30 pm that night) to help parents gain skills in promoting child literacy – space is limited (child care will be provided) and advance registration is required – same e-mail address as above, or call (206) 518-0261.

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Followup: Remembering West Seattle Cellars’ Bear Silverstein
January 19, 2010 10:25 am
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

The West Seattle Cellars website now includes a tribute to shop co-owner Bear Silverstein, who died last week. We’re still getting notes from people who are just finding out; we had a short report on Thursday and have since talked with WSC’s Tom DiStefano. The memorial display was up when we stopped by the shop to ask him about his favorite memory of Bear:

Bear died of complications from multiple strokes. The Caring Bridge website that pays tribute to him says details of a memorial are still being worked out; WSC, meantime, invites people to “raise a glass and make a toast” in his memory.

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Today/tonight: Self-defense; crime-fighting; belly dancing; more
January 19, 2010 7:20 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Sunrise photo by Carter, substituted 8:52 am for previous WSB pic)
FREE SELF-DEFENSE CLASS: The Senior Center of West Seattle is the site today of the latest in a citywide series of self-defense classes, taught by martial artists and supported by the Looking Out Foundation, Indigo Girls, and Compass Center, for the Fight the Fear Campaign, honoring the memory of Teresa Butz, killed in South Park last summer. The class is from 1-2 pm; preregistration is requested (206-932-4044) but drop-ins are OK.

SUSTAINABLE WEST SEATTLE: The Senior Center is also where SWS meets tonight, electing Coordinating Council members and hearing from new City Councilmember Mike O’Brien – more here; meeting’s at 7.

WEST SEATTLE CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL: Also at 7, WSCPC meets at the Southwest Precinct, with an agenda including SPD’s Traffic Unit talking about issues including red-light cameras; this is also your chance to hear directly from SW Precinct police leadership about the latest West Seattle crime trends.

SCHOOL OPEN HOUSES: The open houses/tours season gets into full swing, starting with tonight’s open house at 6:30 pm at Lafayette Elementary (previewed here, with a schedule of events). Tonight’s also open-house night at The Center School (as noted in this WSB Forums post). The citywide list of Seattle Public Schools tours/open houses is here; independent schools’ tours are listed on the WSB Events page as announced.

ALAUDA BELLY-DANCING SHOWCASE: The popular monthly event is tonight at 7:30 at Skylark Cafe and Club (WSB sponsor), after the Spin Your Wax open-turntable session at 6 pm.

WESTSIDE SYMPHONETTE REHEARSALS: It’s the second week of the new season for this community orchestra, but you can still join – here’s our preview from last week – same times/location apply tonight.

NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICE CENTER FURLOUGH CLOSURES: The Southwest and Delridge Neighborhood Service Centers are closed today for a scheduled furlough day for all NSCs (this is NOT a city-government-wide furlough day – individual departments have their own schedules).

WEST SEATTLE LITTLE LEAGUE REGISTRATION: The 2nd registration night is tonight, 6:30 pm, West Seattle High School. Full details and the registration form can be found here.

More West Seattle events today/tonight/beyond, here.

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Alaskan Way seawall tax vote? 5 views from West Seattle
January 18, 2010 11:55 pm
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   Alaskan Way Viaduct | West Seattle news

Dates are now set for the next meetings of the Alaskan Way Viaduct/Seawall Replacement Project‘s South Portal and North Portal working groups. Those meetings will be the first since Mayor Mike McGinn announced last Thursday (WSB coverage here) that he will ask the City Council to approve a May special election to ask voters to pay $241 million in property taxes for faster-than-scheduled seawall repairs. (About $12 per $100,000 of property value, for each of 30 years; 60% voter approval required.) In the days since that announcement, we’ve collected reaction from 4 of the West Seattleites on the Viaduct/Seawall “working groups,” as well as from West Seattle-residing City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, who now chairs the Council’s Transportation Committee. Read on for what they have to say.Read More

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Seal-pup season’s not over on West Seattle beaches
January 18, 2010 10:20 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | Wildlife

Jennifer Giuffre shared that photo taken today on a West Seattle beach, where a baby harbor seal rested in the sun. After the photo came in, we asked a followup about whether Seal Sitters were notified; we’re awaiting the answer, but in the meantime, we see they have an update on their website tonight about an ailing pup that spent some time today on shore. Whether it’s the same pup or not, it’s another occasion to make note of how to contact Seal Sitters if you spot a pup – all the info’s here (and you can pop their hotline into your phone – 206-905-SEAL). TUESDAY MORNING UPDATE: Robin Lindsey from Seal Sitters tells WSB this is definitely the same ailing pup they were watching yesterday. She adds:

We are on the lookout today, but two early sweeps have yet to turn up anything. Off on another one here in a minute and are awaiting word from NOAA as to whether the pup would be taken to PAWS for treatment if he shows up. He’s a small pup, but body weight was pretty good. The fact that he is hauling in and out is a good sign.

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Tomorrow night: Crime Council talks traffic; councilmember @ SWS
January 18, 2010 8:20 pm
|    Comments Off on Tomorrow night: Crime Council talks traffic; councilmember @ SWS
 |   Crime | Environment | Safety | West Seattle news

Fast-forwarding – two meetings of note in West Seattle tomorrow night: The West Seattle Crime Prevention Council is back in action after skipping December (as do many local community groups), and a hot topic’s on the agenda: A rep from the Seattle Police Traffic Unit is expected at the meeting to talk about issues including red-light cameras (West Seattle has two – 35th/Avalon and 35th/Thistle). That meeting’s at 7 pm, Southwest Precinct (map). Meantime, Sustainable West Seattle also meets at 7 tomorrow night (Senior Center of West Seattle at California/Oregon; map), with Coordinating Council elections plus an appearance by new City Councilmember Mike O’Brien – a full preview of the meeting is on the Sustainable WS website.

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West Seattle scenes: “Paradise” in the park; eagle on the branch
January 18, 2010 7:32 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle video | Wildlife

Seems like it’s all about Lincoln Park today – this is the third item in which it’s factored, but undeniably the most pleasant – Gatewood resident Pam from Nerd’s Eye View shares that video from a walk along the LP waterfront. She observed that this is one of those afternoons in which West Seattle is definitely “paradise.” Meantime, Rob and Patricia Shiras shared this photo of an eagle seen near their Seaview home: “We see the eagle almost every day and sometimes just circles above us. The eagle gets chased away by the crows and seagulls.”

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West Seattle help for Haiti: Dining fundraiser looking to expand
January 18, 2010 4:30 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle help for Haiti: Dining fundraiser looking to expand
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

Monica e-mailed us to say she’s organizing a Dine Around Seattle fundraiser for Haiti citywide next Sunday – in West Seattle, she says, La Rustica is the first one who’s joined, but she’s looking for more participants. Interested restaurants can contact her at tastyfeast@gmail.com – more info online at tastyfeast.com. (Monica also says anyone who’s closed Sundays can choose to donate a portion of proceeds from another night of their choice.)

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Another Lincoln Park note: Why the parking lots are closed
January 18, 2010 3:42 pm
|      20 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Unrelated to the downed tree along the Lincoln Park waterfront path, two people e-mailed us about LP parking being off-limits today; our photo above shows the gated-and-empty central parking lot along Fauntleroy north of Rose. This posted note on the park’s kiosks seems to explain:

The fine print: Last Friday and tomorrow are the first of this year’s unpaid-furlough days for Seattle Parks staff, and of course those are bookending today’s holiday. This post from Parkways explains how the department’s splitting up those days – but it doesn’t include specific impacts such as gated parking lots; the notice does say that some gates may not be open as a result of furloughs, but “the park is open.” Today, that meant a lot of street parking usage, though after 3 pm the west side of Fauntleroy is off-limits because of ferry traffic.

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Update: Dog on the West Seattle Bridge (now back home!)
January 18, 2010 3:26 pm
|      25 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news

ORIGINAL 3:26 PM REPORT: Have received several notes/texts about this – there’s a dog running on the westbound West Seattle Bridge, reportedly near Admiral and in the left lane/on the shoulder. First note we received says help’s been called. 5:22 PM UPDATE: Dog and owner will be reunited, thanks in the end to the folks who e-mailed and texted about the situation. We also posted to Facebook and Twitter; long story short, via FB, a friend of the dog’s owner says the owner has called police, the dog’s OK, reunion’s impending. 5:37 PM UPDATE: Owner Christel confirms, in comments:

I HAVE MY DOG BACK!!!! Thank you all SOOOO much!!! All the help was amazing! This is the first time he has ever run away and I had no idea what to do! The West Seattle Blog, FB and tweeting saved my dog!!! Thank you to all! P.S. His name is Arrow. Love to all!!

And throw in texting and e-mail too (shoutout to Carrie Ann and Debbie). Glad Arrow is safe.

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MLK Day at Greenbridge: “A day on, not a day off”
January 18, 2010 1:22 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

Story and photos by Keri DeTore
Reporting for West Seattle Blog/White Center Now

A joint event between the Southwest Boys and Girls Club, the Red Cross and HOPE worldwide at Greenbridge (map) combined messages of civil rights and disaster preparedness to honor and celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Day.

The event was kicked off by the Seahawks’ Blue Thunder drummers and an opening speech by North Highline Fire District Fire Chief Scott LaVielle. Chief LaVielle spoke about fire safety— which is being highlighted by the Red Cross — and quoted from speeches by John F. Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy to highlight the importance of caring for our communities.

Red Cross Coordinator Beth Jusino notes that MLK Day is viewed by her organization as “A day on, not a day off” in service to the community. After the event, volunteers dispersed into the Greenbridge neighborhood to place door-hangers regarding fire safety and earthquake preparedness at the surrounding homes. The information is printed in both English and Spanish. (In case you’re not in the area flyered – here’s the Red Cross’s infopage on fire safety.)

Jusino adds that in light of the Haitian earthquake, people have opened their hearts to the world community; today, people are focusing on opening their hearts to their local community – and the volunteers who are spreading the word about helping each other, locally and globally.

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MLK Day: West Seattleites join march
January 18, 2010 12:54 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Thanks to Scott Durham from our fellow online-only community-collaborative news service Central District News for sharing that photo from the MLK Day Rally and March that’s under way in his neighborhood (that’s Garfield High School in the photo) – he spotted the contingent from West Seattle Neighbors for Peace and Justice. Go here to follow CDN coverage of the event.

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Why procrastinate? Registration now open for West Seattle 5K
January 18, 2010 11:52 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

(May 2009 photo by John Loftus)
Last year, more than 1,000 people turned out to run, walk and raise money for West Seattle schools in the first-ever West Seattle 5K on Alki. Registration has just opened for this year’s second annual West Seattle 5K – May 23, organized again this year by, and benefiting, the West Seattle High School PTSA – and WSB has joined the team as a co-sponsor. There’s a 25% discount for early registration – you can start from this page.

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West Seattle Weather Watch: Tree down in Lincoln Park
January 18, 2010 8:42 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle parks | West Seattle weather

Blustery night in West Seattle – no power outages reported here but Kimberley spotted this downed tree across the main Lincoln Park waterfront path early today. For more perspective on the location, here’s a wider shot – showing the picnic shelters on either side of the tree.

Per the latest forecast, the wind advisory’s still in effect a while longer this morning – though it’s certainly a lot calmer out there right now than it was around, oh, say, 3 am, when official hourly observations recorded 45 mph gusts at Alki Point. 12:33 PM UPDATE: Krista sends an even-more-recent photo of the tree:

City offices are closed today but we will check tomorrow on whether they’re coping with any other damage after this morning’s wind.

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Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Day: What’s different; how to help
January 18, 2010 5:31 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | How to help | West Seattle news

January 15 – last Friday – was the 81st anniversary of the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.. This Wednesday marks the 24th anniversary of the first time King Day was celebrated as a national holiday (Jan. 20, 1986). Dr. King’s only visit to Seattle happened in November 1961 (here’s the HistoryLink.org story about it). Today (presidential proclamation here), here’s some of what you need to know about the holiday:

WHAT’S DIFFERENT:
Schools are closed
Most government offices are closed
Banks are closed
City-run community centers are closed (Southwest Pool too)
West Seattle Family YMCA (WSB sponsor) facilities are closed
City and county libraries are closed
Metro Transit is on “reduced weekday” service
No regular-mail delivery
Parking’s free on city streets with pay stations/meters

WHAT’S NOT DIFFERENT:
Trash/recycling/etc. on regular schedule
Sound Transit service on regular schedule (except for Sounder between Everett and Mukilteo because of a mudslide)
State liquor stores are open

HOW TO HELP:
Two MLK Day of Service opportunities for volunteering in West Seattle/White Center:
*Nature Consortium welcomes volunteers for its Pigeon Point Park work party, 9:30 am-3 pm (map; more info here)
*WestSide Baby needs volunteers to help sort, 2-5 pm (full details here)

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