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Spotlight Stories


  • Festival

    ADMIRAL FUNKTION: Street party video, photos

  • Admiral

    BRIDGE HALF-CLOSURE: Ahead for Admiral

  • Trailblazer

    TRAILBLAZER TEEN: Local student’s huge hike

New Alki Point sidewalk plan: Public meeting now set
February 26, 2008 3:54 pm
|    Comments Off on New Alki Point sidewalk plan: Public meeting now set
 |   Neighborhoods | Transportation | West Seattle news

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First came the plan for a sidewalk along Alki Ave west of the spot shown above – then came concern – then the protest – then word the plan would change (and incorporate some improvements to the 63rd/Alki arterial-turn route) – now (hat tip to AlkiNews.com for first word), the city will send a delegation to Alki on April 2 to show and explain potential alternatives. Larry Carpenter of the Alki Community Council is helping coordinate the meeting; he explains:

SDOT will present several alternative plans at a public meeting on Wednesday, April 2nd from 6:30 to 8:30 PM at the Alki Community Center. Drawings of the variants will be available on tables or along the walls as early as 6 PM so that people can come in early and familiarize themselves with the plans. Sidewalk program manager Sandra Woods (handles all 16 Seattle projects), Alki project manager Therese Casper, and some project engineers will present the plans and answer questions with the intent of getting consensus. … Alki Council will also have reps on hand to answer any questions on the history of the project (going back to the early ’90s).

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Denny-Sealth vote tomorrow: Board agenda updated
February 26, 2008 3:05 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Denny-Sealth | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

The agenda for tomorrow night’s Seattle School Board meeting, including the vote on the Denny-Sealth combined-campus project, is now updated on the district website. In the public-comment section at the start of the meeting, 18 people are listed as signed up to speak about the Denny-Sealth proposal (you can see the entire list on the agenda posted online). Also added to the agenda since this morning is the “updated report” on the actual item on which board members will be voting, whether to “transfer” $10 million to the Denny-Sealth project in support of Option 2. Here’s a link to that; its list of the sources for the $10 million is: “$1.5 million from Debt Service Fund, $3.5 million from BEX III Technology, $5 million from BEX III Infrastructure.” Again, the meeting’s at 6 pm tomorrow, district HQ in Sodo; we’ll be there and plan to liveblog it with continuous updates here, start to finish (you can also watch live on cable channel 26).

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Denny-Sealth vote tomorrow: CSHS student protest
February 26, 2008 1:36 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Denny-Sealth | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | West Seattle video

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Within the past half-hour, as promised, several dozen Chief Sealth High School students walked out in protest of the proposal to build a new Denny Middle School on their campus. They walked up Thistle and past Denny, as shown in the clip above. We watched the walkout from their Sealth departure and it appeared orderly; according to an e-mail sent to the CSHS staff by principal John Boyd, any student who missed a class will be marked for an unexcused absence in that class. ADDED 4 PM: Another angle from our video, as the protesters walked uphill on Thistle toward Denny:

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Click To Play

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Denny-Sealth vote tomorrow: CSHS principal interview today
February 26, 2008 12:34 pm
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   Denny-Sealth | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | Westwood

boydmugshot.jpgTomorrow night is a particularly important night for Chief Sealth High School principal John Boyd (left). Not just because the Seattle School Board is scheduled to make its final decision on the controversial proposal to build a new Denny Middle School on the CSHS campus — two other events will keep him from being at district headquarters for the vote: A mariachi concert with the CSHS musicians and visitors from California, and a basketball game with the 8th graders he’s coaching (including his son) across the street at Southwest Community Center. This morning, though, not quite as hectic, so he made time to talk with WSB — not just about the much-discussed impending vote, but also about what else is happening at his school:Read More

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“Viaduct closed” lights: Just a test
February 26, 2008 11:32 am
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Alaskan Way Viaduct | Seen around town | Transportation | West Seattle news

Thanks to two WSB’ers who e-mailed us to report seeing those semi-new “VIADUCT CLOSED WHEN FLASHING” lights in action this morning — one report at 9 am on The Bridge, one report at 10 am on 35th. Marybeth Turner of SDOT confirms it was a planned test, not a malfunction, and is checking to see if any more testing is planned; good thing they’re checking now, since the next weekend-inspection closure for The Viaduct is just a few weeks away (March 22-23).

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Veteran West Seattle journalist Tim St. Clair passes away
February 26, 2008 8:54 am
|      18 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Just got sad news from editor Jack Mayne at the West Seattle Herald: Longtime reporter Tim St. Clair, 57, passed away last night after a battle with cancer, through which he continued to work — covering West Seattle issues, events, and people — almost up to the end. The Herald plans to have a story up soon with more details on Mr. St. Clair’s life and work (20 years covering West Seattle); Jack Mayne says, “He will be sorely missed by all of us and by the people he chronicled over the years. Tim was not just a reporter, he was a man who believed strongly in the people of West Seattle.” When the Herald’s obituary for Mr. St. Clair is up, we will link to it here, and will also update you on memorial plans. 11:39 AM UPDATE: The obituary is now posted on the Herald website.

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Two more youth-sports notes
February 26, 2008 8:48 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

First – just got word that West Seattle Little League is planning a “late registration” event tonight at West Seattle High School, 7-9 pm, room 212. Full details plus forms, at the WSLL website. Also, West Seattle Pee Wee baseball has a few spots left (find out more on their website). And a photo followup to last night’s post about big games this week for WSHS and Seattle Lutheran basketball teams — this morning, Walking on Logs (along the westbound Fauntleroy path off The Bridge) is decked out in honor of SLHS with a banner congratulating the “Sea Lu girls” (sorry we only had the cameraphone in tow so no zoom):

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Today’s the day: Starbucks’ simultaneous shutdowns
February 26, 2008 6:22 am
|      21 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS beverages

Just in case you haven’t already heard this 2,000,001 other places already, today’s the day that Starbucks is closing its 7,000-plus U.S. stores for three hours of worker training, 5:30-8:30 pm local time. If you’re a SBUX fan looking for alternatives, here’s what you’ll find in West Seattle:
Alki Bakery
Angelia’s Red Cup Espresso
Bakery Nouveau
Bird on a Wire
Bubbles on Alki & on Delridge
Caffe Ladro
C & P
Cafe Rozella
Capers
Coffee to a Tea with Sugar
Cupcake Royale
Diva
Easy Street
Freshy’s
Hotwire (WSB sponsor)
Java Bean
Original Bakery
Revolution
Sleepless (DRIVE-THRU)
Tully’s Alki
Tully’s Morgan Junction
Uptown Delridge
Uptown Junction
Grocery stores not included. (Taken from our annual “where you can get a latte on Thanksgiving morning” compilation.)

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Shot dog; ferry rage; phone scam
February 25, 2008 11:32 pm
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Safety | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

From the files at the Southwest Precinct: A dog is believed to have been shot by its owner’s drunk, enraged boyfriend. handcuffs_2.jpgThis all played out in the 5600 block of Delridge last Thursday night. Police were called after a woman was heard screaming, “He shot my dog!” They found the woman’s 45-year-old boyfriend holding a .357 handgun, which he promptly dropped when ordered to. She told officers they were arguing when he pulled the gun from his pocket, fired a shot into the ceiling, then shot the dog; she fled the apartment and the dog bolted too. Officers found a trail of blood but no sign of the dog; they also found a significant criminal record for the boyfriend, who admitted firing the gun into the ceiling and shooting at the dog, a pit bull that he described as “vicious.” He also told police, “I was drinking Mad Dog 20-20 and it affects me fast; I drank too fast.” He was taken to jail. NEXT: Ferry rage, bridge rage, phone scam, break-ins, and more:Read More

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Good luck, Saints and Wildcats!
February 25, 2008 9:28 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

Some big games ahead this week for three of West Seattle’s high-school basketball teams — first, thanks to the proud Seattle Lutheran High School families who e-mailed WSB to say the boys and girls teams are both en route to the tournament in Spokane – here are comprehensive details from Mike and Stephanie Jensen:

On Saturday, both the boys and girls basketball teams from Seattle Lutheran High School qualified for the State 2B Basketball Tournament. This is the first time since 1987 that both boys and girls have qualified for the State Tournament in the same year. The boys team is coached by alum Jack Menashe while the girls are coached by longtime coach Bruce Carlson. The entire SLHS community (faculty, staff, students, parents and alum) are excited to have our teams headed back to the tournament representing the school and our West Seattle community.

The tournament starts this Wednesday in Spokane, and concludes on Saturday. It is a double elimination tournament. Here are links to the boys and girls brackets.

We also wanted to mention again that the West Seattle High School boys play Rainier Beach at Bellevue Community College tomorrow, 3 pm, after their big defeat of Bellevue last Thursday. (And if we’re missing any other WS schools in big tournament/playoff action right now, our apologies; please let us know and we’ll add to our coverage!)

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Family Promise almost ready to open – just one last thing
February 25, 2008 8:39 pm
|    Comments Off on Family Promise almost ready to open – just one last thing
 |   How to help

Family Promise of Seattle, a West Seattle-based organization created to help homeless families with children, says it’s almost ready to open — but first, it needs a few more congregations that can help those families, and they don’t even have to be in WS:

We are still seeking 3 or 4 congregations to serve as hosts, and commit prior to opening our operation. Hosting is very important to adequately serve families in need and to spread the volunteer committment so that each congregation is providing night-time hosting about once per quarter.

Being a host congregation includes:

*Providing an overnight spot for families in our program (no more than 14 total persons at any time)

*Agreeing to serve as host for one week per quarter, approximately

*Providing an evening meal, breakfast and items for families to make lunches with to take to the Day Center, school, work, etc.

*Lining up volunteers to greet families, play with children, essentially welcome them to your space

Please contact Marcia Olson, Board Chair, immediately if your congregation, anywhere in greater Seattle is willing to serve this urgent need. Please e-mail familypromiseseattle@yahoo.com.

You can find out more about Family Promise, and those who have already agreed to help, by checking its website.

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Also from the follow-up files: Charlestown Cafe fire repairs
February 25, 2008 5:03 pm
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   Charlestown Cafe | West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

As of this afternoon, it’s been exactly three weeks since the Charlestown Cafe fire. ccfiresmall.jpgWe just checked back in with restaurant owner Larry Mellum, who says he regrets to report he has no update on a time estimate for reopening; according to Larry, “The stumbling block is that the City is requiring we replace our hood system” — but since that’s considered part of the building, fixing/replacing it is up to the landlord, and “all we know is, they are discussing it.” He is hoping to hear a decision this week; he knows it’s frustrating for customers, as it is for him and his business partner, and their staff of 35 “wondering what they should be doing, and we have no answers to provide them.” If/when the hood work is approved, Larry says, it would take at least three weeks to be completed — “at least two weeks to fabricate the ‘hood’ and another week to install it.” (All of our archived Charlestown Cafe coverage, including fire reports and the ongoing site-development issues, can be found here.)

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“Coyote warning” posted in Upper Fauntleroy
February 25, 2008 3:24 pm
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   Coyotes | Wildlife

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Heading up the switchbacks from mid-Lincoln Park to WSB HQ, we spotted these flyers on two utility poles (this one was at Northrop/Southern; map). The bold-face text says “Multiple coyote are living in this forest. Many neighborhood cats are missing. Our small dog was grabbed by a coyote from our patio while I was standing nearby (2/20/08). They are bold, hungry, and crafty. Please beware!” This just a few weeks after a citywide presentation urging calm coexistence with coyotes and other wildlife, with some enlightening info on their preferred food and how to keep them away from your house; read our coverage here.

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From the follow-up files: California Ave “upzoning” status
February 25, 2008 1:12 pm
|    Comments Off on From the follow-up files: California Ave “upzoning” status
 |   California Ave upzoning | Development | West Seattle news

upzonescreengrab.jpgAlmost three months have passed since the big public meeting on the proposed “upzoning” of both sides of California Ave between Hanford and Hinds (plus a bit further south on the west side of the street), and two months since we talked to major property owners Mike Gain and Roger Cayce about it, so it seemed high time to check in with city planners. The lead planner on the proposal, Malli Anderson, just told us by phone that the official recommendation isn’t likely to be out for at least another month — two main reasons: 1. it’s an especially important proposal and they don’t want to rush, and 2. they’re swamped with other concurrent projects. She says she has “a ton” of citizen feedback to review as she works toward a recommendation, which will also have to go through Department of Planning and Development management; once that recommendation is out, several steps will remain, including a public hearing before the city Hearing Examiner, and then a City Council vote would be required before any zoning change could be approved. (Previous WSB coverage is archived here.)

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West Seattle graffiti, and what can be done about it
February 25, 2008 10:20 am
|      20 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news

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We had a spirited discussion here a month ago when that cat (above left) turned up on a utility structure along Admiral Way, along the lines of “is graffiti EVER a good thing?” John pointed out the cat’s been painted over but its sibling under the Schmitz Park bridge was still there this weekend (above right). As of our drive-by an hour or so ago, the cat paintover already has been painted over by some entirely non-ornate white tagging. All this coincides with a note we received from Mark, who thinks it’s high time for a reminder about what to do when graffiti hits. Here’s what he writes:

Now that warm weather is returning, so is graffiti already. The Key Bank building right there at Alaska and California, the heart of the Junction, is a perfect example. Also, nearby 1st Ave. has become a prime target — I drive it daily and it’s getting worse every day there. The nature of the graffiti “culture” is that graffiti attracts more graffiti. It’s not just a hobby with these kids — it’s a lifestyle that’s a big part of their identities as they “stay up” to acquire “fame” within the graf scene. I know some kids (teens to twentysomethings) who live in West Seattle and are big into the Seattle graf scene. If they see their home turf as welcoming, they will keep on tagging it up like dogs marking their territory.

Anyway, Seattle city government has a Graffiti Prevention & Removal website (click here). You can report graffiti there, and there are tips for removing and preventing it. My experience has been that the city crews do respond to this input pretty quickly.

I’d hate to see our beautiful Junction and Alki areas — and the rest of West Seattle — be seen as even more of a ripe “canvas” for these spray can punks.

(Photo credits: Admiral cat, from last month, courtesy of Jerry at JetCityOrange; bridge cat, from this weekend, sent by John.)

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School’s back in session today
February 25, 2008 6:24 am
|    Comments Off on School’s back in session today
 |   West Seattle schools

Seattle Public Schools, and some private schools, just finished “mid-winter break.” Next up, spring break, semi-early this year – for SPS, it starts Saturday 3/29.

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West Seattle weekend scenes: Canine, cookies
February 24, 2008 10:07 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | Pets | West Seattle news

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CANINE: That’s Mo the poison (and hurricane) survivor at his party at Beveridge Place Pub tonight (backstory here), posing with one of the baskets donated for a fundraising raffle.

COOKIES: West Seattle Girl Scouts announce … they’re here:

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Here’s the official GS announcement on where and when you’ll be able to buy them:Read More

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Crime Watch reader report: Alki car break-in
February 24, 2008 7:02 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

From Patricia:

My neighbor let me know his car parked in his driveway was broken into Friday early morning. We’re at 64th & Hinds. He had left an I-Pod Nano visible in his sportscar, the thieves busted the side window to get in. Guesstimate on break-in, most likely early morning between 2-4 am.

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New “West Seattle Walking Trails” map: Ready for its closeup
February 24, 2008 3:01 pm
|      26 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | Transportation | West Seattle news

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That’s a new map that could change your life, for the better: the draft of the first-ever West Seattle Walking Trails map, whose creators want to hear your take on it, before they draft the final version. (Click the image above, or this link, to download the whole thing as a PDF so you can zoom in to your neighborhood, your favorite walking route, or just to get a closer look at all of it.) One of the project ringleaders is the tireless West Seattle activist Chas Redmond, who explains what it is and how you can help with it:

Feet First, in partnership with Morgan Community Association, Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association, the Southwest and Delridge District Councils, The Southwest Historical Society, every community association here in WS and other organizations such as the West Seattle Junction Association and West Seattle Chamber of Commerce, present the first draft of the now-Climate Action Now program grant-funded walking trails map.

This is the first public review – folks should examine it, suggest changes – both additive and subtractive. There will be a second draft based on the comments of the first draft. SDOT will have the final review and there will probably be some changes from that resulting in a – final – third draft.

In the meantime, the back side of the map – which will include write-ups on every neighborhood and organization and signature interest point – will hit the streets. Probably two weeks from now we’ll have the text draft, which will coincide with the closing of comments for the first draft. The back side review will also include a second review round.

Folks should comment not only on the trails, the evolution of which can be learned by reading the contents of westseattlewalks.org, but also on the use of symbols, the correct location of schools and parks (we’ve checked, always helps to triple check), the color scheme (we’re limited to two colors to get max number of copies), and anything else.

Within a month or so we’ll have 20,000 copies of this map, which will be folded to a size about like a Metro route schedule. We have a complex and involved distribution scheme which should allow everyone in WS to at least have access to a copy. Eventually we’ll reprint in larger numbers, but want this first version to not only serve the neighborhood, but serve as a learning tool for what an urban wayfinding system and info tools about such a system might be like and how they might be better. A year of using this map will teach all of us – including the users – a whole new dimension in getting around – we hope, anyway.

Here’s the link again to take a close-up look at the map as a PDF (using zoom if you choose). As Chas mentioned, there’s a lot of backstory on the parent site for that link, westseattlewalks.org – once you’ve reviewed the map, Chas asks that comments be sent to him (credmond@mac.com) and Feet First’s Seth Schromen-Wawrin (seth@feetfirst.info).

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‘Tis the season … to have your bid bash for kid cash
February 24, 2008 12:10 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Arbor Heights | How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

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Not only is it school-choice season (Seattle Public Schools‘ deadline is Friday), it’s school-auction season. The photo above is from the Our Lady of Guadalupe GAIN auction last night at SSCC, courtesy of a mysterious correspondent calling himself “Rock Steele, Man About Town.” Before showing you a few other pix he sent, we want to note that at least five other local schools have auctions in the next month: Schmitz Park Elementary at the Hilton downtown on March 1 (flyer here), Arbor Heights Co-op Preschool at Youngstown Arts Center on March 8, West Seattle High School PTSA dinner/auction at SSCC on March 14, Gatewood Elementary (kicking off a centennial celebration) at The Hall @ Fauntleroy (also on March 14), Pathfinder K-8 at SSCC on March 15, Madison Middle School PTSA at The Hall on March 22. Again, that’s just the next month; others are on the WSB Events Page, and if yours is missing, please let us know so we can add it. Now, those other photos from last night’s OLG event:Read More

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Happening today: Noon dinner for Olivia, 4 pm party for Mo
February 24, 2008 9:00 am
|    Comments Off on Happening today: Noon dinner for Olivia, 4 pm party for Mo
 |   How to help | Pets | West Seattle people

oliviacathospital.jpgOLIVIA: She’s the 10-year-old Hope Lutheran fifth-grader we told you about last Wednesday (left), fighting Crohn’s disease, a chronic intestinal inflammation that’s hell on anyone and rare in kids. Her school and church are presenting a spaghetti dinner and silent auction, noon today at the Seattle Lutheran High School gym, to help with her mounting medical bills.

MO: He’s the Hurricane Katrina survivor chow mix (right) who had a second brush with life-threatening danger last month (our original story here) in a poison scare with a possible link to Westcrest Park. This afternoon, Beveridge Place Pub is where a 4 pm party, including a raffle, is planned to help cover his costs.

As for what else is going on today – you’ll find the full list on the West Seattle Weekend Lineup.

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What’s fresh at West Seattle Farmers’ Market today
February 24, 2008 6:34 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle Farmers' Market

Just a few days after we broke the news that the West Seattle Farmers’ Market is going year-round, immediately – it’s time for another market day; here’s the “fresh sheet”:Read More

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Another West Seattle treasure gets ready for a new season
February 23, 2008 11:53 pm
|    Comments Off on Another West Seattle treasure gets ready for a new season
 |   Gardening | How to help

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(photo by Jim Dawson)
The Seattle Chinese Garden at South Seattle Community College not only is getting ready to resume free tours (March 8 is the first one) and preparing to add a new feature, it’s getting ready to train a new crop of volunteers, with an intriguing training program:Read More

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