West Seattle, Washington
10 Friday
Though the plastic-bag fee/tax eventually got bagged, a new City Council move to get plastic bags out of the local waste stream is right around the corner. You’ve probably heard about it already; today we have a sneak peek at the proposal, thanks to a “Determination of Non-Significance” that landed in today’s semiweekly Land Use Information Bulletin. This is expected to be introduced in the City Council next week. The language in today’s notice would ban plastic and require stores to charge at least a nickel per paper bags – that would not be a tax, but would be kept by stores to help defray the cost of those bags. According to a story from the Seattle Times (WSB partner), people in our state city use almost 300 million plastic bags a year.
FRIDAY MORNING UPDATE: The proposed bag-ban ordinance (read it here) is scheduled for its official unveiling at a news conference Monday afternoon.
Our previous report listed free dinners in West Seattle on Thanksgiving. Now, here’s YOUR chance to help people in need. Two local food banks are accepting turkeys and other food donations this weekend. First, from the West Seattle Food Bank:
Frozen turkeys and other food donations will be gratefully accepted at the West Seattle Food Bank on Saturday from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM and on Monday from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Pull into our parking garage off Morgan St. just east of 35th Ave. SW [map]. Contact us at 206-932-9023 for additional hours for donations on site.
Also, donations can be accepted during the Turkey Bowl on Saturday from 5:30 PM-8:00 PM at West Seattle Bowl, 4505 39th Ave. SW.
We published the White Center Food Bank turkey-drive announcement earlier; they’re requesting frozen turkeys and chickens this Saturday, 9 am-7 pm, at their HQ, 10829 8th SW [map]. Here’s our original announcement, which also includes contact information if you want to find out about other dropoff hours.
One week till Thanksgiving, and we have word of three FOUR free dinners that day in West Seattle. Even if you don’t want/need to go, maybe someone you know does – so help get the word out! Note that one of these is asking both for advance RSVP, and also for volunteers:
YOUNGSTOWN CULTURAL ARTS CENTER: Philippia Goldsmith says they’re looking for “families who have no other place to go for the holidays and need/want to join other local families for a good meal.” Families, please RSVP ASAP to Renée at renee.hipp12@gmail.com. This dinner has some needs, too:
Volunteers to donate a side dish
Volunteers to help with set up and teardown of the space
Entertainment (mostly music and/or board games for the kiddos)
If you can help with any of those, e-mail Phillippia at phillippiagoldsmith@live.com. (Youngstown is at 4408 Delridge Way SW.)
THE HALL AT FAUNTLEROY: Once again this year, Tuxedoes and Tennis Shoes Catering is putting on its famous free community Thanksgiving meal. And as usual, they say they already have plenty of volunteers – BUT they welcome pies and cookies to be donated for dessert. You can start bringing them down the day before Thanksgiving, or that morning. The dinner will be noon-3 pm at The Hall at Fauntleroy, 9131 California SW. Questions? 206-932-1059.
ST. JAMES ANNEX: On the south end of West Seattle – considered by some as the north end of White Center – Good News Christian Fellowship plans to offer a free Thanksgiving dinner, 1:30 to 5:00 pm, at St. James Annex, 9421 18th Avenue SW. All welcome, and they’re also welcoming “donations of food, cash, and clothing.” Contact Michael Spann at 206-854-2245 or michaelspann206@gmail.com to contribute (or inquire).
(added) WEST SEATTLE EAGLES: Just got word that the WS Eagles will again be having a free community Thanksgiving dinner: “Come and enjoy a mouth-watering homemade feast with your fellow West Seattleites. Dinner served from 2-5 PM. Everyone is welcome. Please use the door nearest the alleyway.” Their aerie is at 4426 California SW; call (206) 938-4426 with questions.
Any others? Let us know ASAP as our West Seattle Holidays page is almost ready to go up, and this information will all be there, along with other giving – and enjoying! – opportunities throughout the season. (editor@wsb.blackfin.biz)
Just got word from Greg Whittaker at Mountain to Sound Outfitters/Alki Kayak Tours that his other enterprise is about to start its season:
The Seattle Ski Shuttle will be launching its 2011-2012 Season in coordination with the Crystal Mountain opening tomorrow.
This will be the 3rd year we have made the season opener at Crystal Mountain, and we have room for a limited number of riders to join us.
Call Mountain to Sound Outfitters @ 206-935-7669 to book your space on the ski shuttle, or sign up online @ www.seattleskishuttle.com.
How much snow is there at Crystal, you ask? Check their webcams!
(6/28/2011 photo courtesy Kathryn)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
One of our periodic peeks into various court files to check on ongoing cases has just yielded news: There’s been a plea bargain in last June’s arson/domestic violence case in Gatewood. It happened three weeks ago, but we just spotted it now, and it does not appear anyone else has reported this yet. The fire happened on June 28th; the only person hurt was the defendant and home co-owner, 40-year-old John C. Siegel, whose injuries were later described as self-inflicted. He was found sitting outside the home as it burned.
The case drew extra citywide attention because Siegel had just gotten out of jail a month earlier after a plea bargain in a domestic-violence case that also yielded a charge of threatening a judge (as reported by Seattle Weekly). He is a lawyer and has been representing himself in this case, as he did in that one; the list of files in the four-month-old arson case is longer than many lists from cases that have been going on for years, and full of documents he wrote by hand while in jail (where he’s been since the fire). Here’s what we found out about Siegel’s plea bargain:Read More
Darlene shared the photo, writing, “How windy was it last might? The street light in front of our house fell over on our fence.” (She’s on the western side of Charlestown Hill.) Wind speed got into the 30s overnight, and it’s still a bit blustery now, but the weather focus is turning to the cooldown. Latest weather alert, issued early this morning, says tomorrow could bring a bit of snow in showers, but there’s more concern about low temperatures Saturday and Sunday mornings, and icy roads.
(Photo by Steve Mohundro, via the WSB Flickr group pool)
One week till Thanksgiving! From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:
BANK PARTY: Umpqua Bank (WSB sponsor) in the Admiral District has been open a few weeks, but officially celebrates its grand opening today, 9 am – 6 pm, with local food and drink.
DELRIDGE DESC FUNDING: Joint Recommendations Committee considers Delridge DESC project’s county funding, 9:30 am, Mercer Community Center on Mercer Island (more information at delridgeforum.blogspot.com)
WEST SEATTLE DEMOCRATIC WOMEN: Want to learn how the “redistricting” of our state will change its political climate? Tim Ceis, Senate Democratic Appointee to the State Commission, speaks at the West Seattle Democratic Women luncheon meeting today at West Seattle Golf Course. Registration is from 11:15-11:30 am; program from 11:30 am-1 pm. $12/members; $15 nonmembers (or the minimum fee of $5, which includes coffee/tea and dessert). Call (206) 935-3216 to check on space availability.
GOT A BAND? MEET THE SKYLARK BOOKERS: From Skylark Café and Club: “Bands cancelled (tonight) so Skylark is doing a Meet & Greet with Jessie and Mackenzie, the booking agents. Bring your press kit and tell them about your band. 5-7 pm. Afterwards we will play vintage vinyl on the turntables and you will drink beer.”
COMMUNITY SAFETY COALITION: South Delridge/White Center Community Safety Coalition meets to discuss crime and safety issues in the area, St. James Annex, 9421 18th SW, 6 pm.
UNDERSTANDING LONG TERM CARE OPTIONS: Seminar hosted by Merrill Gardens at West Seattle (WSB sponsor), 4611 35th SW, 6 pm. Having difficulty understanding which long-term-care option is best for you or your loved one? You are not alone! Local experts will be on hand to help you better understand the difference between retirement living, assisted living, adult family home and skilled nursing facilities. Check availability – call Colleen at (206) 932-5480.
METRO CHANGES: Second and final scheduled meeting to talk about Metro’s future and “restructuring” the route system in West Seattle, 6:30 pm, Madison Middle School (details here). Note that this is scheduled to be open-house format, as was the first meeting last week (WSB coverage here), so there is no presentation – Metro managers are taking comments and answering questions on a one-to-one basis.
DESIGN REVIEW: Southwest Design Review Board’s second meeting to consider 3261 SW Avalon Way, 6:30 pm at WS Senior Center (California/Oregon) – here’s our report about the first meeting back in July.
ALKI COMMUNITY COUNCIL: Monthly meeting at 7 pm, Alki UCC (6112 SW Hinds).
‘BEAN’: Original family musical “Bean: The Musical Fruit” continues at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW) tonight at 7. Tickets: Adults: $7; $5 student (present ID at will-call); $5 children 12 and under. Tells the tale of a character who just doesn’t quite fit in, finding her way in the world.
SHOP LATE THURSDAY: Happening Thursday nights in The Junction through the holidays. Till 9 pm; participating merchants are listed here.
AT CLICK! DURING ‘SHOP LATE THURSDAY’ TONIGHT: Poppi jeweler Dawn Benedetto and “Meat Lover’s Meatless Cookbook” author Kim O’Donnel at Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor) in The Junction. 6-9 pm.
Remember “Viadoom” week, when Seattle Police cited a couple dozen drivers for bus-lane violations on the West Seattle Bridge? According to the latest roundup on SPD Blotter, they were out looking again today, and cited 8 more. Speeders too – including 76 mph in the bridge’s 45 mph zone – and some school-zone citations elsewhere in West Seattle. Details here.
Two updates related to the “Delridge Supportive Housing” 75-apartment project that Downtown Emergency Service Center (DESC) is seeking to build in the 5400 block of Delridge Way SW:
COUNTY FUNDING MEETING TOMORROW: While the city and state have committed funding to the project, the county’s final decision isn’t in yet. Tomorrow, the advisory group that makes recommendations to King County Executive Dow Constantine, the Regional Joint Recommendations Committee, will meet on Mercer Island. They were scheduled to decide last month, but deferred the decision after hearing from Delridge residents who came to their meeting to voice concerns. Tomorrow’s meeting is at 9;30 am at the Mercer Island Community Center, 8236 SE 24th Street. 10 people will be allowed to speak, according to North Delridge Neighborhood Council‘s Kirsten Smith.
NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL DISCUSSION: The project was a major topic of discussion at NDNC’s meeting on Monday night. Patrick Baer recapped the first Delridge Community Forum, last month’s big gathering about the project, saying it had “successes and failures,” amid “logistical issues we never expected,” but overall met the goal of providing information to the community.
As he noted, he and other DCF volunteers have continued in that role, posting copious quantities of material online at delridgeforum.blogspot.com – and if you’ve been looking into the issue and have come across information to share with the community, e-mail him at delridgeforum@gmail.com.
Meantime, NDNC’s Smith says they’re trying to set up a meeting shortly before the project’s first Design Review Board meeting (6:30 pm December 8th at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center), to provide community members with information on how the process works. Since there’s “limited public comment” at those meetings, Vonetta Mangaoang suggested a “letter-writing campaign.”
A gift from one school community to another is something that might not have become common knowledge – but in this case, the recipients let the Seattle Council PTSA and the district know about it, and that’s how we heard about it – we are publishing it with permission:
Last Thursday, November 10th, Roxhill fourth graders were treated to a Living Voices performance of Native Vision. Lisa Gladstone, a Blackfoot Indian from Browning, Montana did a remarkable job of engaging our students in the story of Alice, a Navajo girl sent to a government run boarding school in the 30’s and 40’s. Alice became a nurse in the Pacific during World War ll, struggling to keep true to her native culture in a changing world. Before the performance, Roxhill students had read about and discussed how native children fared in the boarding schools and had also learned about the contributions of the Navajo Code Talkers. Their rapt attention during the performance and perceptive questions afterward spoke to how valuable this performance was in enhancing their knowledge of a very complex subject.
I am writing to you because this performance was a gift to Roxhill, a gift from the PTSA of a neighboring West Seattle school, Schmitz Park. With more than 80% of our students on free and reduced lunch, Roxhill does not have the resources to pay for performances of this type. The Schmitz Park PTSA paid for the Living Voices performance at their school and gifted us with an additional performance. We at Roxhill would like to acknowledge this generous gift and applaud the Schmitz Park PTSA members for their dedication to the educational welfare of Seattle children who live beyond the boundaries of their own school.
We are deeply appreciative,
Pat Bliquez
Roxhill Teacher/LibrarianCarmela Dellino
Roxhill Principal
Thanks to Melissa for the tip: Via Facebook, Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt has just announced that its Admiral store will open next Monday, November 21st. We first reported in July that Menchie’s was planning to take one of the new retail spaces on the northwest side of the new Admiral Safeway site.
We’ve obtained a 37-page federal court document related to Tuesday’s DEA search at GAME Collective in White Center (one of a dozen-plus medical-marijuana establishments searched around Puget Sound) – and they reveal that federal authorities obtained search warrants for GAME Collective locations in West Seattle and North Seattle as well, along with the West Seattle home and car of its owner, and vehicles belonging to others associated with GAME.
The documents reiterate what statements from federal authorities said last night (as included in our Tuesday story), saying that they are not targeting “medical marijuana providers that comply with the letter and the spirit of existing state law,” though marijuana of any type is illegal under federal law. But they allege that five people associated with GAME Collective are suspected of federal crimes including conspiracy to distribute marijuana, distribution of marijuana , and unlawful possession with intent to distribute marijuana. The documents allege that constitutes a “drug-trafficking organization.”
The court documents also show a tie-in between the GAME investigation and the recent “Operation Center of Attention” raids, as well as detailing a series of undercover buys, and even mentioning a mysterious anonymous letter. The investigation of GAME Collective began in late July, at which time, an investigator writes:Read More
You can be forgiven for blocking out the Fauntleroy Expressway Seismic Retrofit Project updates back when Viadoom was looming/semi-happening – but now that it’s over, it’s time to refocus on the work under way on the half-mile southwest end of the West Seattle Bridge. Quick refresher: This project has been under way UNDER the west end of the high bridge, without much effect on traffic, but its next phase will involve lifting sections of the bridge deck – and the ensuing closures (promised to be only at night, and some weekends) WILL affect traffic. When consultant Josh Stepherson was making the rounds of community-group meetings to talk about this, the most recent timeframe he had for these closures to start was “mid-November.” Now that’s here, so we asked him for an update:
The contractor’s plan to lift segments of the Fauntleroy Expressway and replace the bridge bearing pads, as well as, the traffic control plan for the expressway closures has yet to be finalized. As a result, the first expressway closure will take place sometime in December and not November as discussed earlier. Though this work is beginning a bit later than we had originally expected, we do not anticipate it will affect our overall schedule. … In the meantime work continues out on the site to repair some of the expressway’s columns and footings. This is the work that can be seen now if you were to drive by the site.
The project has been in the works for more than two years (here’s what we wrote about it in 2009).
They’re new to the WSB sponsor team but a longtime fixture in West Seattle: Menashe & Sons Jewelers.
Just as the holiday season gets under way, Menashe & Sons invites you to a special evening sale event at the store this Friday, 5-9 pm, with refreshments. More on that later. Here’s what they would like you to know about their business:
Menashe & Sons is the premier fine jeweler in West Seattle, specializing in custom creations and unique jewelry pieces. Since opening our doors in 1973, we have served our Seattle community with an enthusiastic commitment to selling beautiful and quality jewelry pieces. Our full-service store strives to provide all your appraisal and repair needs for jewelry, watches, and clocks. Our dedicated staff will take the time to work with you to ensure you are satisfied in every possible way. (Meet them here.) Menashe & Sons also is proud to offer you the opportunity to create your own unique custom masterpiece. We will work with you to turn your dream jewelry into reality. (Read about the custom-jewelry process, and see photos, here.) Menashe & Sons also is proud to have one of the largest estate jewelry inventories in the state of Washington (as detailed here).
You can follow Menashe & Sons Jewelers on Facebook (here) and Twitter (here). Please also feel free to browse our website and see what we can offer you.
Now, more about the Friday 5-9 pm: Along with “a little bubbly and good cheer,” they’ll be serving hors d’oeuvres and Bakery Nouveau carrot cake. You’ll find Menashe & Sons Jewelers at 4532 California SW; by phone, 206-932-4272.
We thank Menashe & Sons Jewelers for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news on WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.
10:55 AM: Proposed rezoning for the West Seattle Triangle – and adjacent areas – is going before the City Council’s Committee on the Built Environment during the meeting that’s under way right now (the meeting started at 9, but they had a big agenda). You can watch the live video feed here – click “play”:
Here’s the presentation they’re being shown about the proposed rezoning, which would rezone some parts of the Triangle/east Junction area to allow 85-foot-high buildings, as well as changing an even-larger area from “commercial” to “neighborhood commercial” zoning, which doesn’t change the height but does change expectations at street level, for example. The Triangle Advisory Committee did not endorse the upzoning, as council staffers are noting in the briefing, but DPD council staff is recommending expanding that upzoning beyond what had previously been discussed. You can read their extensive memo here. It mentions a bombshell dropped recently by the Seattle Planning Commission, which suggested that the concept of a “single iconic tower of 160 feet or more” be considered for the Fauntleroy/Alaska vicinity. That is NOT currently part of the rezoning proposal, but something to keep an eye out for. We’ll add some notes once the meeting is over.
11:51 AM: Meeting’s over. Council staff will draft a bill to be voted on by the committee on November 30th if possible (the sentiment expressed was that they would “like to get this wrapped up by the end of the year” – watch the agendas here). West Seattle-residing Councilmember Tom Rasmussen expressed concerns about zoning in the area of 40th/Oregon, where he expressed appreciation for old bungalows that have townhouses built behind them; he thought that was a more appropriate and “pleasant, unique” use of the land than changing the zoning so those bungalows are all facing demolition and replacement with what he called “schlocky townhouses.” Council President Richard Conlin said he wanted to be sure the “canyon effect” – taller buildings, both sides of the street – wasn’t going to result from changes here. Councilmember Sally Clark (the committee’s chair) said she favors DPD’s proposal and appreciated the firsthand look she got during a recent Triangle walking tour (WSB coverage here). Conlin and Councilmember O’Brien said they’ll probably come out this way for their own firsthand looks.
One other thing discussed, the issue of “hide and ride” parking – Clark said that was raised during the walking tour, and she supports the proposal to have SDOT study the area for potential parking regulation to reduce that possibility.
First set of quick notes from last night’s West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting: Southwest Precinct operations Lt. Pierre Davis briefed the group, as usual, on crime-trend highlights:
*Residential burglaries, up 2 percent
*Non-residential burglaries, down 6 percent
*Auto thefts, up 10 percent
*Car prowls “way down” thanks to some recent arrests that “led to others”
Overall, Lt. Davis’s assessment: “We’re getting our bad guys, but there are still a lot more out there.” He stressed that “if you see something, say something” – call 911 if what you see is happening now; don’t worry about possibly “bothering” them with a non-emergency, as the operator’s job is to figure out the best way to route your call. Report #2, coming up – highlights from Metro Transit Police Chief Lisa Mulligan‘s presentation on what her team is all about. (Side note: WSCPC won’t meet in December, so its next meeting is January 17th.)
By Megan Sheppard
On the WSBeat, for West Seattle Blog
From reports on cases handled recently by Southwest Precinct officers – two rounds of The WSBeat, compiled over the past few weeks:
*Early Tuesday of last week, a 41-year-old man was walking on 16th SW near SW Elmgrove when he was confronted by a man being pushed in a wheelchair, who yelled out some “territorial” type of threats. Suddenly, the man in the wheelchair jumped up, punched the victim in the face and knocked him backward to the ground. The victim had to be taken to Harborview for treatment of multiple golf ball-sized contusions and lacerations to his head. The attacker — described as an Asian/Pacific Islander male, aged 22-29, with an athletic build and black hair in a ponytail — remains at large.
14 more summaries ahead:Read More
Thanks to Machel Spence for the image of blooming moss in the Lincoln Park frost. A “special weather statement” warns that we might see a rain/snow mix in showers later this week. On to what’s up today/tonight – from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:
TRIANGLE REZONING: The City Council’s Committee on the Built Environment takes up the West Seattle Triangle rezoning proposal, 9 am, City Hall. They’re not expected to vote today but may do so later this month. We’ll have a separate story up when the meeting gets under way, with Seattle Channel‘s video feed if you’d like to watch the meeting – it’s the last item on the agenda and we won’t put the feed up till it’s getting close, but you can check in on the feed sooner if you want; just go here.
WHITE CENTER DEVELOPMENT’S GRAND OPENING: At 3 pm today, tours and speeches will celebrate the grand opening of Unity Village (formerly Strength of Place Village, co-developed by West Seattle-based Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association).
YARROW SPA GRAND OPENING: 5962 Fauntleroy Way SW is the new home of Yarrow Spa, and they’re inviting you to come celebrate tonight, 4:30-7:30 pm. The opening will feature bites by chef Robin Leventhal, Babycakes by Cupcake Royale, plus specials and giveaways. From the announcement: “Yarrow Spa features 100% organic edible ingredients in all treatments and services.”
SAVVY SEATTLE WOMEN: They’re hosting the free workshop “Short Sales, Foreclosures and You,” with West Seattle real- estate lawyer Sharon E. Best presenting information and answering questions about how short sales and foreclosures can affect you, your credit, and your ability to buy or sell a home. 6-7:30 pm at the Prudential NW Realty office in Jefferson Square, 4700 42nd SW. No registration required; just show up. Info at Facebook.com/SavvySeattleWomen or call 206-708-9800.
DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOODS DISTRICT COUNCIL: Tonight’s monthly meeting will be highlighted by a discussion of the Delridge Way SW “boulevard” concept, with City Councilmembers Tom Rasmussen and Sally Bagshaw. 7 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center.
We’re now halfway through the month that for some men in West Seattle and the rest of the world is better known as “Movember” (combining “moustache” and “November”), as they grow mustaches to raise money and awareness for the Prostate Cancer Foundation and the Livestrong Foundation. Derek Wilson shares news about the local team:
West Seattle has a Movember team, called the West Seattle Mo’s. They are Tony Meats (captain; photo, above left), Ted LeRoy, Erik Walum [photo, above center], Tony Tolmich, Will Reagan, Adam Niles, Colby Perry, Marco Deppe, Benny Luna, Bobby Bowling, Brian Jensen, Jacob Anthis, Jason Bowling, Trevor MacLachlan, Brandon Godfrey, Chase Fitzpatrick, Derek Wilson [photo, above right], Eric Cozens, Jay Ameln, Terry Pilant, Thomas Eckar, and Timothy Pierson.
Founded in Melbourne, Australia in 2004, as a fun and attention getting way to raise money, Movember now has formal campaigns in Australia, New Zealand, the US, Canada, the UK, Finland, the Netherlands, Spain, South Africa and Ireland. Informal campaigns occur in other countries.
Men who join the campaign are Mo Bros. Women can join too as Mo Sistas. Team members have their own Mo Space page on the Movember website with their picture, their motivation for joining the event, their funds raised totals, and a running commentary about their progress through the month.
There are rules. November 1, you start clean-shaven. No jumping the gun. And you are supposed to grow a moustache, not a beard or a goatee. This is moustache-growing as a sporting competition.
To learn more about Movember, go to us.movember.com. Movember is on Facebook and on Twitter, and Movember has a mobile app for iPhone and Android.
Click on the Movember Community button on the Movember website and check out “The Lodge” for some Movember entertainment.
If you would care to donate to the West Seattle team, or any other Movember team, go to the Movember home page, click on the Donate button and use the tools there to find a team. If you donate to the West Seattle Mo’s, they thank you sincerely.
Known to many for her work at West Seattle High School, Carol Wakefield will be remembered at a memorial service next month. From her family:
Carol Lynn Wakefield 04/03/1948 ~ 11/01/2011
Carol Wakefield went home to be with the Lord on November 1, 2011. Carol touched many lives and will be fondly remembered.
Carol is survived by her son Scott, her sisters and their families: Cheryl, Ken, Russ and Ozzy, Sue, Ken, Heather, Kenny and Janelle.
Memorial services will be held at 2:00 pm on December 3rd, 2011, in the Banquet Room at West Seattle Golf Course, 4470 35th Ave SW.
Per the WSHS website, the school’s main office is accepting donations for flowers and a commemorative tree.
Just hours after school let out for the day at Roxhill Elementary … the campus was jumping again tonight, from PE specialist Chellie LaFayette and principal Carmela Dellino, to hundreds of students and their families:
The occasion: Family Fitness Night, with free dinner courtesy of Subway, lots of get-up-and-move activities, plus the chance to meet a Seahawks player – 26-year-old cornerback Kennard Cox:
Yes, he was mobbed, but he got a chance to talk with some of the kids one-on-one, too:
Afterward, he tweeted, “I had a blast!” Family Fitness Nights are co-sponsored by Communities in Schools of Seattle.
A momentous day for West Seattle’s highest-ranking politician, King County Executive Dow Constantine. As he would put it, this is the 12th time he is celebrating his 39th birthday. Do the math, and you’ll notice it’s one of those milestone things. Tonight, he partied at The Paramount downtown (check out the marquee); this morning, he celebrated in a quieter way, with volunteers from the West Seattle-based Nature Consortium, whose volunteers mark his birthday and half-birthday every year with a work party at College Street Ravine, a greenspace not far from his west Admiral neighborhood. (Helping save it is what got him into politics in the first place, the story goes.) Above, the birthday guy with the NC’s restoration director, who was also celebrating a milestone birthday today (let’s say her 13th eighteenth birthday!), Lili Alalla; below, some of the volunteers tackling invasives:
You can join a Nature Consortium work party at sites like this one just about any time – they’re usually out three times a week; find out more here.
Since so many West Seattleites commute from/through downtown, and this is an unannounced event, here’s an FYI – a protest reported to be affiliated with Occupy Seattle is blocking Pine Street between 4th and 6th. So says Metro, which notes that the routes currently affected including 125, which serves part of West Seattle and White Center. (6:24 PM NOTE: Via Twitter, SPD reports four arrests.)
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