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Video: Dedication of future officers’ memorial site in West Seattle
May 1, 2009 3:50 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   High Point | West Seattle police | West Seattle video

The presentation of the colors opened the ceremony at noon today at Dignity Memorial/Forest Lawn in High Point, with dozens of police officers and community members gathered for a groundbreaking. We reported a week ago about the plan for this site — Forest Lawn is donating it for the construction of what will be Seattle’s first freestanding memorial to officers who lost their lives in the line of duty. The ceremony was brief; speakers included West Seattle’s highest-ranking law enforcer, Southwest Precinct Captain Joe Kessler:

The line of SPD cars nearby was another sign of the police participation:

Also in attendance, representatives of groups that assist the families of fallen officers. Forest Lawn officials explained that the idea’s been in the works for three years, sparked by ongoing collaboration with SPD chaplains, whose leader John Oas was part of today’s event, and helped with the ceremonial groundbreaking:

Forest Lawn will now embark on fundraising to help cover the cost of designing and building the actual memorial; they’re hoping it will be ready for a big dedication ceremony around this time next year. (Forest Lawn has another big event coming up, by the way – 2 pm May 25th, the annual Memorial Day ceremony; here’s our coverage from last year.)

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Admiral Adopt-a-Street tomorrow: Pitch in, get treats!
May 1, 2009 3:40 pm
|    Comments Off on Admiral Adopt-a-Street tomorrow: Pitch in, get treats!
 |   Environment | How to help

admiralogo.jpgOne more event tomorrow — Admiral Neighborhood Association president Mark Wainwright reminds us that tomorrow’s the day for neighbors to gather outside Metropolitan Market at 9 am to launch the quarterly Adopt-a-Street cleanup. Supplies provided, free treats, plus a chance to do something to make your neighborhood look better (like the North Delridge Neighborhood Council and Chief Sealth High School PTSA did along Delridge Way LAST Saturday!).

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Flu update: 5 King Co. schools now closed (none in West Seattle)
May 1, 2009 2:56 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Health | Swine flu

King County health authorities just finished a short briefing on the flu situation. One more case of suspected swine flu is now reported, a 9-year-old patient, and because of that, an additional school has closed in King County, Midway Elementary in Des Moines, but no more Seattle Public Schools closures were announced, beyond the current three (Madrona, Stevens, Aki Kurose), none of which is in or near West Seattle. Perhaps the most important thing Dr. David Fleming said: Right now this flu seems to be behaving like “regular” flu – different levels of severity, but no worse than the seasonal outbreaks. Also participating in the news conference was Mayor Nickels, who noted that the city’s Emergency Operations Center has been activated to help track the flu outbreak. And authorities again stressed, the most important thing you can do is to stay home if you feel sick. We’ll add more info here when the official roundup from today’s briefing is available.

ADDED 4:53 PM: As promised, we’re adding the official roundup. It also includes word of a new flu hotline – 877-903-KING – and the total number of schools in King County closed because of the flu situation is now five (so we have changed our headline):Read More

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West Seattle Weekend Lineup: Sustainable WS Festival edition
May 1, 2009 2:44 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Weekend Lineup: Sustainable WS Festival edition
 |   Fun stuff to do | WS culture/arts | WS Weekend Lineup

wswllicon3.pngSunday’s the big 2nd annual Sustainable West Seattle Festival in The Junction (which is sponsoring, and co-sponsored by, WSB) – and that tops another long list of things to do, places to go, etc., with West Seattle Montessori School (WSB sponsor) and Arbor Heights Elementary having rummage sales (get in the spirit for NEXT weekend’s West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day!), marching drummers in The Junction … more than 40 events in the full West Seattle Weekend Lineup, brought to you by Skylark Cafe and Club:Read More

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Welcoming a new West Seattle Blog sponsor: Coffee at the Heights
May 1, 2009 2:08 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | WS beverages

(from left, Coffee at the Heights’ Jennifer Watson, Paul Binder, Dave Robertson)
Today, we welcome our newest WSB sponsor, Coffee at the Heights at 7349 35th Ave SW (map). Coffee at the Heights is owned and operated by Paul Binder and Dave Robertson, who also own PB&J Textiles, which used to be in that same space.

Why the change?

Paul says, “We were asked by the building manager to consider opening a coffee shop in the space that previously housed our embroidery business. We had just moved out but did not want to get rid of the space because it was in a great location and we knew we could find something that would work well here. At first we were not interested, but then when we realized that the neighborhood greatly needed a good coffee shop that was supportive of our neighbors we started working on the concept. We wanted a nice warm space, with a great product, and a name that connected with the area. I have almost 18 years of food and beverage service, so we knew what we were going to get ourselves into.”

Coffee at the Heights is offering grand opening specials all month, starting tomorrow, Saturday 5/2, when all 12 ounce coffee beverages are free, Sunday 5/3 all coffee drinks are only $1, and Monday 5/4 is Pull Your Price Day. When you order your drink, you will reach into a jar full of various pricing. Paul says all drinks will be discounted and some will be free.

Thanks to Coffee at the Heights for supporting 24/7 community news, information and discussion by sponsoring WSB; our full list of sponsors is here, along with info on how to join them!

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2 West Seattle state legislators end session with perfect records
May 1, 2009 1:42 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

… as in, no missed votes. According to this list drawn up by Washington Votes, Reps. Eileen Cody and Sharon Nelson were on hand for every single vote this session; our area’s State Sen. Joe McDermott missed two. That still puts him toward the bottom of the list for missed votes (note legislators from other areas with triple-digit miss rates!).

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2 West Seattle notes from the big screen and the small screen
May 1, 2009 12:42 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle politics | West Seattle schools | WS culture/arts

BIG SCREEN: That’s a trailer for “Walk Right In,” a film that’ll do some shooting at Seattle Lutheran High School this weekend, according to SLHS’s Bil Hood. The film’s website explains some of the Seattle connections.

SMALL SCREEN: Your editor here got to spend some time at City Hall yesterday afternoon guesting on a Seattle Channel show that takes a closer look at the city budget and some of what’s being cut. It starts airing tonight at 7 pm (Channel 21) and at some point after that, you’ll be able to catch it on seattlechannel.org too – here’s the official announcement:

The recession has chipped away at the Emerald City. Since November 2008, City leaders have been dealing with a $43 million deficit in 2009’s budget. Recently, Mayor Greg Nickels announced a mid-year budget cut, plus plans to tap the city’s rainy day fund. What programs and services will be impacted in balancing the budget? How might the cuts impact the residents of Seattle? And looking ahead, how will the city deal with the $41 million budget deficit that is projected for 2010?

Studio guests include Seattle Deputy Mayor Tim Ceis, Washington Policy Center’s Paul Guppy, SeattlePI.com’s Joel Connelly and West Seattle Blog’s editor Tracy Record. Tune in, tonight, Friday, May 1, 7 p.m., Cable 21 on SEATTLE CHANNEL.

Three of those four panelists, by the way, live in West Seattle – besides the deputy mayor and us, so does Paul Guppy (who, along with Connelly, had far livelier things to say than we did, but we did recap some interesting WSB comment threads regarding the city budget, including this lively, even investigative, conversation regarding Fire Station 37).

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“School Spirit” voting: Chief Sealth High School now in Round 2
May 1, 2009 11:26 am
|    Comments Off on “School Spirit” voting: Chief Sealth High School now in Round 2
 |   West Seattle online | West Seattle schools

KIRO‘s online regional High School Spirit contest, which pitted West Seattle High School vs. Chief Sealth High School in the first round, is now into round 2, and Sue just e-mailed to suggest we remind you that Sealth is among the contenders, now facing Renton. Vote here.

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Wondering where your bus is? Metro unveils “new online tools”
May 1, 2009 10:16 am
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

(December 2008 photo)
Where’s my bus? Will it ever show up? Those were two of the most frequent questions commuters had during the December snow woes, which resulted in hundreds of people sharing information via WSB comment threads. The county promised to work on better ways to get bus riders information about what’s really happening out there – and just unveiled “new online tools” today – here’s the announcement:Read More

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Also about to open in Morgan Junction: Pilates Westside
May 1, 2009 9:43 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Health | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

You’ve heard all about Feedback Lounge (which opened last Saturday) and Zeeks Pizza (which opens at 4 pm today). But the Morgan Junction business boom isn’t just about eating and drinking. A new fitness business is on the way too, in the 6521 California SW (map) space occupied by Aaron’s Bicycle Repair before it moved a few doors south. We first told you, briefly, about Pilates Westside 4 weeks ago; since then, we’ve had a chance to chat with proprietors Jodie Stolz and Jack Lanham, scheduled to move into their new space starting today, and officially opening Monday:Read More

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Happening today: Fallen Officers’ Memorial at Forest Lawn
May 1, 2009 7:49 am
|    Comments Off on Happening today: Fallen Officers’ Memorial at Forest Lawn
 |   High Point | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

Reminder – at noon today (here’s our report from a week ago), you’re invited to Forest Lawn in High Point for the dedication of a site intended to become the first freestanding memorial to Seattle Police who lost their lives in the line of duty. (Here’s a map to Forest Lawn.)

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Washington State Ferries fares go up Friday
April 30, 2009 10:08 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

Catching a ferry from Fauntleroy (or someplace else)? Prepare to pay more starting tomorrow (Friday 5/1), the start of “peak season” for Washington State Ferries. One example: Full fare for car/driver from Fauntleroy to Vashon is $14.80 tonight, but it goes up to $18.50 tomorrow. Check fares here. (And if you’re going further than Vashon, take note – Friday also is when the Hood Canal Bridge starts a six-week shutdown.)

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Flu update: 3 schools closed (none in West Seattle)
April 30, 2009 9:42 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Health | Swine flu

Couple of updates since the last addition to our ongoing flu story (we will launch a new one tomorrow for any updates during the day): The city of Seattle has added extra resources to its home page, including a special section about the flu; see it here. The city also has joined with Seattle Public Schools in the announcement of three schools (NOT in West Seattle) now closing for at least a week because of flu concerns, and asking that students from those schools be kept at home. Here are the latest announcements (and a map of those three schools’ locations):Read More

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Wondering about the fire trucks on 35th?
April 30, 2009 9:08 pm
|    Comments Off on Wondering about the fire trucks on 35th?
 |   West Seattle fires

We just got half a dozen notes asking about a fire response on 35th at Andover (map). WSB photojournalist Christopher Boffoli (who sent the above photo) checked it out and reports, “Fire companies just wrapping up now. Was an appliance fire in a residence on 35th. SFD told me it was a washing machine motor that burned out and caused a lot of smoke.”

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Earth Month finale: JFK HS, EarthCorps in Lincoln Park today
April 30, 2009 8:39 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Environment | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

With Earth Month in its final hours, we have two stories to share with you tonight, starting with this one: Hundreds of volunteers swarmed Lincoln Park today in a huge EarthCorps-led event. Ron Richardson covered it for WSB:

By Ron Richardson
Special to West Seattle Blog

In a project coordinated by Liz White of EarthCorps and teacher Jenny Farrell of Burien’s John F. Kennedy High School (from right in photo above), the entire JFK sophomore class set out today to work on ridding Lincoln Park of invasive plants such as ivy and blackberry bushes.

(A sampling of young leaders of the Lincoln Park cleanup. They represent EarthCorps, AmeriCorps, Kennedy High leaders and volunteers from around the world)
White explained that the mission of the organization is to “create healthy habitats, empower young leaders, and build communities around local environmental services.”

This is not the first time the EarthCorps program has worked at Lincoln Park.

Read More

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Art installation ahead for Camp Long – and you can help make it
April 30, 2009 5:17 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks | WS culture/arts

The Mater Matrix Mother website has been documenting artist Mandy Greer‘s creation of a crocheted art installation – she’s been visiting West Seattle libraries, too, and will be at the Sustainable West Seattle Festival this Sunday, as well as at Delridge Day coming up May 30th. Now there’s word her work her installation has found a future home, Camp Long’s Polliwog Pond – read the update just sent by Camp Long’s Sheila Brown:Read More

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Protecting yourself
April 30, 2009 5:10 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Safety | West Seattle news

The Southwest Precinct Public Safety Newsletter is out, and it includes burglary and scam prevention tips – read on:Read More

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West Seattle business news: Eagle Electric now with Mr. Sparky
April 30, 2009 4:56 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

From WSB sponsor Eagle Electric – a West Seattle-based business run by a 5-generation West Seattle family – word of some big news. Here’s the official announcement of a big change:

Local Electrician Brands Business with Mister Sparky Name
Eagle Electric of Seattle LLC expands business into
Mister Sparky America’s On-Time Electrician franchise

David and Wendy Lind are ready to grow their business, now that they have transformed their residential electrical service division into a Mister Sparky America’s On-Time Electrician franchise serving the Seattle area.
“Being a part of the Mister Sparky family provides national brand awareness, superior training programs and customer service approaches that will benefit my customers and my business,” David Lind said.

More on the change, ahead:Read More

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Update: Delridge playground breakthrough, and how you can help
April 30, 2009 4:23 pm
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | How to help | West Seattle news

Yesterday, we brought you North Delridge Neighborhood Council co-vice chair Betsy Hoffmeister‘s report on a proposal that could bring a major improvement to the Delridge Community Center playground for a dramatically reduced cost – if the city would go along with an innovative proposal to get it done. Today, good news from Betsy – one important approval is in – but help is still needed — here’s what she just wrote about what’s happening and how you can pitch in:

We have a commitment from our AMAZING community neighbor, McLaughlin Brothers Construction, to prepare the site at Delridge Community Center for building a new playground – for FREE. This means we could get a new playground at Delridge Community Center on July 17. That’s only 10 weeks away!! Most amazing of all, we got approval from the Parks Department to allow the pro bono work in this special circumstance. One of the least-served communities in the West Seattle Peninsula could get a brand new playground with a less than $11,000 commitment from the community.

Here’s how it works:

a) The Community Center wrote a proposal to KaBOOM! This proposal included a promise of $7,500 in earnest money towards the purchase of playground equipment. With a yard sale, raffle, donations from neighbors from North Delridge, Nucor Steel, BECU, MacMillan Piper, Wick Homes, Cyclops Restaurant, and the Community School of West Seattle, we have raised $6680. The Community Center has come up with some cash of their own, too. So we were able to promise the $7500.

b) KaBOOM! loved the proposal. KaBOOM! then did two screening interviews.

c) The Community Center wrote a Small and Simple proposal to the City for funding for the site preparation. That decision doesn’t come down until mid-May, and KaBOOM! needs to know whether we can get the site prepared way before then, so we hustled out and found our fairy godparents, Paul and Sally of McLaughlin Brother’s Construction (seriously, if you need a hole dug or a driveway made, these folks are the ones for you! Support your neighbors!) So, we hustled REALLY hard and got the City to agree to this pro bono work. You’d be amazed at how much red tape is involved in allowing someone to do something for the City for free.

d) KaBOOM! will now go to its top-secret corporate partner and say “We think the Delridge Community Center is an excellent fit for your corporate dollars, and we think you should build a playground there.” The sponsor will ultimately make that decision.

e) When the corporate sponsor says “YES we want to build a playground at Delridge,” KaBOOM! representatives will come to the Community Center on May 12 to meet with children and their parents about their wishes for the new play space, and other improvements to make to the area as in gardens, painting a mural on the wading pool, planting fruit trees, and anything else that will beautify and improve the area. These are called “side projects.” We also rush and get the soil tested for lead and arsenic. If your business does this and you are on the approved list for the Parks Department, consider donating your services!

f) The designers come up with three proposed designs. After the Parks Department swiftly approves the designs, the community at large, but most especially the kids in the day care, preschool, before and after school, and neighborhood kids, gets to choose its favorite design.

g) McLaughlin Brothers prepares the site. We bake them lots of cookies.

h) We plan a huge party, including food, music, entertainment, and fun, and gather 70 volunteers. On July 17, over 100 volunteers from the corporate sponsor swoop in and we all get to build the playground, plant the trees, paint the wading pool, and have fun together!!

The wish list at this point includes:
1) Laminated sign at the playground saying “here’s what’s coming and here’s how to help.”

2) $4,000 to cover any miscellaneous expenses we haven’t foreseen like renting a Dumpster or putting up safety fencing. Please, keep those pledges coming. Remember, these are PLEDGES. NDNC doesn’t cash the checks until we get the grant from KaBOOM!

3) A city-approved soil testing company to donate their services.

4) Volunteer musicians and performers for the celebration day.

5) Lots of comments on the Blog to show KaBOOM how excited we are.

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West Seattle food news: Skillet gets the boot again
April 30, 2009 2:04 pm
|      76 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

After three busy hours last Sunday in the Hotwire Coffee (WSB sponsor) courtyard – a backup location after Diamond Parking told Skillet Street Food they couldn’t park next to the West Seattle Farmers’ Market after all – Skillet has been told they can’t come back for an encore. This is according to Hotwire’s Lora Lewis, who tells WSB that while the property owner gave permission for last week’s Skillet appearance, they have now canceled that permission. Whether Skillet will be anywhere in West Seattle this Sunday, therefore, is up in the air. We are making calls to see what else we can find out.

UPDATE 3:02 PM: Just talked to Josh from Skillet, who says, “We’ll be somewhere in West Seattle on Sunday, we just don’t know where yet.”

5:47 PM UPDATE: Regarding the West Seattle Junction Association‘s role in whether Skillet will be able to find a Junction home, we called Susan Melrose at WSJA to ask their position. Here’s her reply:

It’s great to see so much interest in the shiny silver Skillet! This is all very new to the Junction Association and we’re still figuring out a few things. There are factors which include that we’re a Business Improvement Area where each merchant is taxed and how does a mobile business fit into that model; the Junction Association has an agreement with the Farmers Market which addresses selling prepared foods; and also where might the best spot be? We are still waiting to get clarification from the City. Our mission is to make a fun, attractive and clean shopping district with free parking for West Seattle and once we get more information, we’ll figure out how Skillet can fit in.

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City traffic alert: Viaduct closure Sunday morning and more
April 30, 2009 1:29 pm
|    Comments Off on City traffic alert: Viaduct closure Sunday morning and more
 |   Alaskan Way Viaduct | West Seattle traffic alerts

Lots going on IN West Seattle this weekend — most notably, the Sustainable West Seattle Festival on Sunday, 10 am-3 pm (schedule here) — so why leave? Well, if you MUST – here’s the city’s official rundown on what’s happening and where things are going to get a little crazy, including a two-hour Alaskan Way Viaduct closure Sunday morning:Read More

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Junction Key Bank robbed
April 30, 2009 11:45 am
|      37 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

(surveillance camera photo from FBI, added 12:36 pm)

(photo added 12:01 pm)
ORIGINAL 11:45 AM REPORT: Happened within the past half-hour. Officer Mark Jamieson of Seattle Police says the call to police said the robber was described as male, white, maybe 40s, 5-8 to 5-11, thin build, with a beard, wearing a purple sweatshirt and brown knit cap. No one hurt; no word of whether he showed a weapon. A search is still under way in the area. More from the scene shortly.

12:11 PM UPDATE: Police are searching on the northeast side of The Junction as well, which explains the reports that Holy Rosary School is “in lockdown,” per trustable source in comments. Tilden School north of The Junction also reports being in lockdown as well, as does Hope Lutheran.

12:33 PM UPDATE: Just received the official news release from the Seattle FBI office:

The Key Bank at 4701 California Ave SW in West Seattle was robbed today at 11:12 am by a white male, 35-45 years of age, 5’8″-6′ tall, thin build, full beard and mustache, dirty appearance, wearing a purple knit cap and a purple hooded sweatshirt. He entered the bank through the east doors, approached the teller and presented a demand note. He did not display a weapon or imply that he had one. He was given money and he left the bank through the west doors and was last seen running northbound up the alley past Wells Fargo Bank.

Anyone with information is asked to call the FBI at 206 622-0460.

The FBI also sent photos – added one atop this report; here’s the other one:

Meantime, as noted in comments, the school lockdowns are ending.

4:49 PM UPDATE: Just checked with Seattle Police. No arrest so far.

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More West Seattle repaving: 16th SW work finally set
April 30, 2009 11:43 am
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   Puget Ridge | Transportation | West Seattle news

16thrut.jpg

(WSB photo from fall 2008)>
What just might be the most teeth-rattling stretch of road in West Seattle, on 16th SW north of South Seattle Community College, is now back on the SDOT schedule for repaving. This was supposed to happen last year – then, as reported here in November, it was put on hold. But now it’s officially set for repaving and widening between Findlay and Brandon (map) this summer – this SDOT webpage has details, including:

Work includes:

* pavement removal and replacement
* drainage improvements
* curb ramp construction
* sidewalk repaving

Construction work is scheduled to begin in mid June and continue for approximately six weeks.

Note that the city’s page also says that while southbound traffic will continue during the project, northbound traffic will be detoured “via Dumar Way SW/SW Orchard St and Delridge Way SW.”

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