West Seattle creativity crosses state lines for artist, author

October 28, 2008 7:57 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle creativity crosses state lines for artist, author
 |   West Seattle people | WS culture/arts

salutekay.jpgWest Seattle artist Kay Kirkpatrick is about to see her work “Salute” (design at left) installed at Boise State University‘s expanded student union, during a Veterans’ Day commemoration. “Salute” is a veterans’ memorial, created from a design chosen by BSU’s art advisory board after a search that initially targeted thousands of artists; the Nov. 11 ceremony will include an Apache helicopter flyover. Kirkpatrick has public-art installations much closer to home – most notably at the Southwest Precinct, with interior and exterior pieces (including the building’s stone “sign” at Delridge/Webster) that reference nearby Longfellow Creek (see photos here).

Now to a West Seattle author who’ll be at centerstage in Oregon next month: North Admiral resident Michael stusserpic.jpgStusser (photo at right) sends word he’s reading from his book “The Dead Guy Interviews” at the WordStock Festival, 5 pm November 9th at the Oregon Convention Center. He says, “It’s an amazing gathering of authors, hippies and literary types in Portland – if you – or anyone you know is within 400 miles that weekend, you should check it out.” Given that Portland is fewer than 200 miles away, that means all of us. Here’s a page on the WordStock website featuring his “interview” with Mark Twain.

Besieged by bugs: Sudden surge of … flies?

So we just returned from a post-sunset neighborhood walk (hillside east of Lincoln Park), during which, clouds of tiny flies seemed to follow us every step of the way. Thought maybe it was just us. Then, as soon as we walked into the house and checked e-mail, the WSB inbox yielded this note from “DC”:

I live right near Ercolini Park and there have been a TON of nasty little flies all over the place this evening. Anybody know what causes that phenomena, and why this time of year? Seems weird.

We’ll fly into research mode – but in the meantime, maybe you’ve already got the answer? ADDED 6:55 PM: WSB contributing photojournalist Christopher Boffoli wonders if these might be the culprits – he says there were “millions” in his garden this afternoon:

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Tale of two teardowns: 1 today, 1 impending

Thanks to Luckie for that video of the roof getting torn off 3038 44th SW (map) today. It was a century-plus-old house, to be replaced with a new house (city project page here); Luckie also uploaded another clip, showing the front of the house coming down. And she sent this photo of the end result:

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Meantime, another demolition is apparently impending:

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That’s 4532 42nd in The Junction (just north of Alaska), discussed here several times before, with comments describing its storied history – once upon a time, it was even a small hospital. After previous development plans went on hold for a while, the site plan reactivated earlier this year with a Design Review Board session (WSB coverage here); the demolition permit was granted a week and a half ago, with one tipster telling us the backhoe is reportedly expected this Thursday. As discussed at that DRB session in June, the project is set to be about 65′ high, with 35 residential units and 3,000 square feet of retail.

Former West Seattleite Amanda Knox ordered to stand trial

Looks like Arbor Heights resident Edda Mellas will have to spend a lot more time in Italy – her daughter Amanda Knox is now ordered to stand trial in the murder case that’s drawn international attention over the past year-plus. Here’s the latest, via the P-I.

1st city-organized meeting set for California Place Park

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We’ve been reporting since June (most recent WSB update here) on the proposal for “improvements” – likely a “play space” – at California Place Park in North Admiral (California/Hill; here’s a map). The city has just finalized November 6th as the date for the first of four public meetings. (P.S. Tonight’s the organizational meeting for an area Block Watch, 6:30 pm at the Admiral library branch.) Click ahead for the official park-meetings announcement, just in from the Parks Department:Read More

Election ’08: West Seattle notes, with one week to go

October 28, 2008 2:02 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

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Passing by Peace Lutheran Church at 39th/Thistle this morning, we spotted these workers delivering voting apparatus to our official in-person polling place, with one week to go till Election Day (Tuesday 11/4). If you’re not sure where to vote – if you’re not doing it by mail – you can find out online. If you are voting by mail, you also have the option to drop off your ballot any time, day or night, at the Delridge Neighborhood Service Center (one of only two such official dropoff spots in the city), till 8 pm Election Night. If you’re looking for background information on ballot measures and candidates, we have lots of links on the WSB Election page (and we also are sponsored this month by the 34th District Democrats, whose ad in the sidebar links to their “sample ballot” with the candidates and measures they’ve endorsed, all the way down to the judicial races). And as for Election Night parties – so far we have two on the list: Skylark (WSB sponsor) on Delridge, and Big Al Brewing in White Center – this WSB Forums thread has been discussing other locations around the city – if you know of any other West Seattle/White Center events, partisan or nonpartisan, post ’em here or e-mail us – thanks!

Take a spin: “Open Turntables” tonight at Skylark

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Straight from the semi-fabulous vinyl collection at WSB HQ, that’s some of what co-publisher Patrick hopes he might get a chance to spin during the second monthly “Open Turntables” night tonight at Skylark Cafe and Club (WSB sponsor) – and if you have those old school things known as “records,” you’re invited to come down too. As proprietor Jessie Summa-Kusiak explained in her initial announcement: “You’ve got a lonely collection of vinyl — from hand-me-down gems to awesome yard sale finds. We’ve got the Technics turntables, atmosphere, and late night happy hour prices to turn your secret DJ dreams into reality. It’s easy and fun!” Bring “half an hour’s worth of vinyl and some friends to witness your debut”; signups start at 9 pm, the spinning continues till Skylark closes at 2, and the “late-night happy hour” is from 9 till 1. Skylark’s at 3803 Delridge (map).

West Seattle High School title game: Alumni bus, anyone?

Just out of the WSB inbox from the West Seattle High School Alumni Association: They are hoping to organize a bus for alumni to attend Friday night’s WSHS-Eastside Catholic conference title game at Memorial Stadium downtown – and they would need to have 25 people confirmed for the bus ASAP to secure the bus. Cost would be $5 per person; the bus would leave WSHS parking lot at 6:30 pm, back around 10:30. If you’re interested, call Christy Rowe ASAP – 206-932-6953 – or if you can’t call, e-mail carowe@blarg.net (also ASAP).

Pop(corn) goes the world: Local 2nd graders think global, sell local

October 28, 2008 10:45 am
|    Comments Off on Pop(corn) goes the world: Local 2nd graders think global, sell local
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

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(Photo courtesy Shorewood Christian School)
For a second straight year, Mrs. Beth Gatlin‘s second-grade class at Shorewood Christian School is supporting a nonprofit group on the other side of the planet … with popcorn. Last year, they sold popcorn after school, 50 cents a bag, to help missionaries in India buy bicycles – their popcorn sales ultimately bought five bikes at $105 each. This year they are selling popcorn again, in part to raise money for the same missionaries – who now are trying to build wells to get water to villages, at $1000/well — but also to help a Costa Rican orphanage buy books. If you can’t get over to Shorewood Christian to buy popcorn, you can bring a donation to the school office, 10300 28th SW (map), or call the school office at 206/933-1056.

Update: More radar-powered speed-watching signs go up

A little more than a week after we told you about that speed-radar sign going up on northbound 35th near Willow, two more are up: Southbound 35th near Brandon, and southbound Fauntleroy near Brandon (map). (Thanks to Bob Loblaw for the tip on the Fauntleroy sign, which as of our drive-by a short time ago was not yet activated, though the other two – which start checking your speed about a block before you get to them are.)

Going to the dogs: Dog yoga at Twilight; “Bassets” in a contest

DOGA AT TWILIGHT: Got word from Twilight Artist Collective in The Junction that Barking Buddha Doga is headed their way; Brenda Bryan will teach a special class in what Twilight has dubbed its “lovely back gallery” on November 20th, $20, with part of the proceeds supporting Twilight and the arts. Space is limited; sign yourself and your canine companion up ASAP — you can do it right now by clicking the button at the bottom of this post on the Twilight blog. Speaking of dogs:

“BASSETS FOR OBAMA” UPDATE: We told you last week about that sweetly goofy little campaign video made by Westcrest Park Off-Leash Area volunteer steward Stevo McElhenney, starring his basset hounds Barkley and Buddy. Now we get word from Stevo that the video has made the Air America Top 10 video contest this week, with a $500 prize up for grabs – but he, Barkley, and Buddy need your vote; go here and look for the voting box in the lower right sidebar.

West Seattle business-networking group in search of 2. You?

October 28, 2008 6:03 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle business-networking group in search of 2. You?
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle people

Out of the WSB inbox, from Shannon Felix at Avalon Glassworks:

My business networking group has rare openings for a chiropractor and massage therapist who want to grow their West Seattle businesses. If this is you, please come to Pegasus Pizza on Alki this Wednesday 10/29 at 8 am for networking with 30 other local business people who share referrals. It’s free and breakfast is included. This is the Westside Professionals chapter of BNI (Business Network International), a thriving group which already has a naturopathic physician and acupuncturist with whom to exchange word-of-mouth business referrals. For more information, contact Shannon Felix, sfelix@quidnunc.net, 206-937-6369. These two positions will be quickly filled. Bring business cards this Wednesday morning, if you are interested.

Shannon’s business, by the way, has what is the only West Seattle pumpkin patch we know of – an art-glass pumpkin patch!

Highland Park Action Committee recap: Halloween; jail; “DV 101”

October 27, 2008 11:56 pm
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 |   Highland Park | Holidays | West Seattle jail sites | West Seattle news

Big week for the Highland Park Action Committee — it’s sponsoring Highland Park Neighborhood Halloween on Friday night, with the Highland Park Improvement Club building as headquarters for family-geared fun. But first, tonight it was the regular monthly meeting, including a briefing on recognizing domestic violence and helping its victims, and the last-minute arrival of HPAC’s chair, fresh out of the City Councils budget hearing, with news about the ongoing fight against the potential construction of a city jail in West Seattle — read on for details:Read More

At Youngstown tonight: Poet Populist “candidates’ forum”

That’s video of South Seattle Community College‘s Mike Hickey, reading tonight during the second “candidates’ forum” held during voting for Seattle’s next “Poet Populist.” Here’s Mike’s official “candidate” page; he is one of two West Seattleites who are in the running (Karen Finneyfrock from Cooper Artists’ Housing at Youngstown read at a previous forum held elsewhere in the city; read more about her here). Voting continues one more week, till November 4th; the online ballot is here.

59th/Admiral shooting trial update: Defendant takes the stand

gavel.jpgThe trial of the Alki 18-year-old charged with murder in the 10/13/07 deadly shooting inside a car at 59th/Admiral is now in its third week. WSB is covering the trial start to finish; today, the defendant took the stand – here’s our courtroom correspondent’s latest report:Read More

Halloween countdown: Jack-o-lanterns of the night

October 27, 2008 7:48 pm
|    Comments Off on Halloween countdown: Jack-o-lanterns of the night
 |   Holidays | Seen around town

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Thanks to Susan and Ben in Admiral for sharing their jack-o-lanterns; we’d love to showcase yours – send pix (creative outdoor decoration pix welcome too) to editor@westseattleblog.com! (P.S. We’ve added more Halloween events to the WSB Holidays page, and speaking of Admiral, the listing on that page for merchant trick-or-treating Friday now has a link to the map showing all 31 participants!).

West Seattle Crime Watch: Seen this scammer? Plus – car break-in

Two incidents to alert you about this afternoon. One – word of a credit-card scammer who hit West Seattle Nursery (WSB sponsor) – with a distinctive description, and a distinctive purchase – and WSN wants to make sure other businesses are on the lookout; two, word of a car break-in – read on for details of both:Read More

“Save West Seattle Stadium” website launched

Next step in the plan to seek private operators for West Seattle Stadium is a Parks Board vote Nov. 13 on the “request for proposals” (as we reported last week), but in the meantime, there’s a new website set up by people concerned about its future. We got word today of savewestseattlestadium.blogspot.com; its author is requesting your comments and other feedback, and is planning to add additional info to the site in days to come.

West Seattle Crime Watch: Fighting crime, by intervening early

Out driving around to check on a few things this morning, we noticed what looked like a particularly prolific graffiti-vandalism spree in recent days – one particular tag (which we will not name or show) in dozens of spots, from safety signs to real-estate signs to concrete construction blockades, where it hadn’t been just days earlier. Can’t say for sure if the vandal is a teenager, but in most cases, graffiti vandalism is done by young offenders. That reminded us we’d been meaning to write about a discussion at last week’s West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting — an update on the mayor’s proposed youth-violence-prevention program, and what local police are seeing and doing:Read More

2 West Seattle schools’ holiday bazaars looking for vendors

October 27, 2008 1:25 pm
|    Comments Off on 2 West Seattle schools’ holiday bazaars looking for vendors
 |   Holidays | West Seattle schools

Both are on the WSB Holidays page (along with tons more Halloween and winter-holidays events) but in case you’ve got something to sell at events like this, wanted to mention it quickly here too: holidaypresent.jpgArbor Heights Elementary has its bazaar 4-8 pm December 4th; table charge $25, call or e-mail Amy Christensen, 206/938-2634 or amychristensen_3@hotmail.comHighland Park Elementary has its bazaar 9 am (setup) to 3 pm December 6th, table charge $10, call Christie Sjostrom at 206/252-8250. (If you have an event coming up that’s NOT already on our Holidays page, or Events page if it’s not holiday-related, please e-mail us the info!)

You’ll have to wait an extra week for Southwest Pool: New date

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Just heard back from Dewey Potter at the Parks Department, after we checked in to ask whether any sort of “grand reopening event” was planned for Southwest Pool, as the end of its four-month-plus renovation closure nears. Short answer, “no event scheduled yet”; long answer, there is some news — instead of November 1st, the reopening is now planned for November 7th. Here’s why:

There will be a slight delay in the opening because of time lost to three factors: a delay in selecting the contractor as low bid was rejected, delay by the manufacturer in shipping the air handling unit, and water damage because the roof was exposed during the August rains.

Instead of opening on Saturday, November 1 as originally planned, we will now open on Friday, November 7. Drop-in recreation programs will be affected by this delay, but swimming lessons are scheduled to start on November 8 and will continue as originally planned.

The contractor will finish their primary work on Friday, Oct. 31: a new HVAC system, new roof, new boiler, and upgraded electrical systems. Also included in this closure are energy conservation improvements including a pool blanket, UV disinfection system, and new lighting. Parks maintenance crews will need the additional six days to address other maintenance needs and prepare for reopening.

The original reopening date actually was in late September; it changed to 11/1 in August (as we reported here). We reported on the project’s scope in a preview story just before the pool closed for construction; see that story here (rare peek inside its inner workings!). And you can get a look at what was happening inside DURING the construction by watching the latest edition of Seattle Channel‘s “CityStream” show, which includes a story about us here at WSB; it’s viewable online here, or on cable Channel 21 at these various times between now and early Thursday morning (the WSB and Southwest Pool stories are about midway through the half-hour show).

Hope Lutheran School celebrates expansion milestone

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Thanks to Bil Hood for that photo and this update:

Hope Lutheran Church and School celebrated a milestone today. The day after the church celebrated its 90th year of ministry, ribbon-cutting ceremonies took place, opening up the new wing of the grade school. The 8th grade, kindergarten and preschool classes all moved into their new rooms, and for the first time, all of the school’s classes are housed in the same building. The final phase of the construction will be completed at the end of the year, with the addition of a new computer classroom, music room, Discovery Program rooms, elevator, much larger church lobby and much more. To follow the progress, visit HopeSeattle.org.

We covered the Hope Lutheran project groundbreaking ceremonies back in June (here’s that report, with video); it’s one of three church-construction projects in the same area on The Junction’s northeast edge.