January 2011

Snow was expected in the West Seattle area just after school and at rush hour, but began coming down lightly at about 7:00 p.m.

Click on first photo for SLIDE SHOW.

Please check out snow photos taken between 9:pm-10:30pm here:

http://www.westseattleherald.com/2011/01/11/news/slideshow-snow-covers-…

Snow did now show just after school let out today, but it seems to be picking up steam currently.

A tip line has been set up for information regarding the disappearance of Jeremy Peck after he left the Admiral Pub around 1:30 a.m. on Christmas Eve. Jeremy’s uncle John Peck encourages anyone with even the slightest piece of information to call the tip line.

That number is (206) 478-4905 and there is a $1500 reward for information that leads to finding Jeremy.

A candlelight vigil for Jeremy will be held in front of the Admiral Pub at 4:30 pm on Jan. 23. A Karoke Night to raise funds for the search effort is still in the planning stages but will take place at the Yen Wor Village, one of the places Jeremy was last seen or possibly at the Chelan Cafe. A date will be announced.

$1000 of the reward was put up by one of Jeremy’s cousins. The West Seattle Herald donated $100 to the reward and encourages any other concerned businesses or citizens in West Seattle to donate. Cheryl Perry, part of the search effort and a friend of Jeremy's has also pledged $100 and Chris Bain another friend has pledged $300. To donate to the reward, contact the tip line.

On Wednesday, Feb. 2, the Mission – Latin Restaurant & Lounge, will enjoy its six-year anniversary. Co-owners Eric Cozens and Peter Morse issued this press release:

The Mission – Latin Restaurant & Lounge, West Seattle’s Admiral District neighborhood cantina, celebrates its six year anniversary, serving Latin influenced fare in a fun, neighborhood environment.

Since 2005, Mission has strived to offer a warm, inviting atmosphere coupled with a community feeling. Mission offers a menu made from scratch, including house-made tortillas and tamales, many vegetarian and vegan options, and an extensive gluten-free menu. Mission also welcomes families and offers and several options for kids for just $5 each.

“We are very excited to be celebrating our six year anniversary here in West Seattle. We worked very hard to create a relaxed neighborhood environment that also feels like special experience. We want to thank our customers and the entire neighborhood for supporting us and helping us reach this milestone. We are really excited about the future and the direction of the neighborhood in the Admiral District and we feel grateful to be a part of it," said Cozen.

The Ballard High School gymnastics team is mere weeks away from hosting the KingCo 4A Championships where they’re looking to upset the defending champion, Woodinville.

Last week, on January 6th, the Ballard gym team beat Woodinville for the first time in school history.

“I have hopes,” said Coach Stephanie Gundel, now in her eighth year at BHS.

“This is the best team I’ve coached.”

At last week’s meet, Ballard’s Taylor Stern took first on vault and bars and won the all around with a career high 37.9 points. This broke her previous best all-around score of 37.d from December 16, the highest all-around score in the league.

The Seattle Times named her Athlete of the Week and she’s a competitor that could likely unseat the reigning champs.

“She’s a really consistent competitor. She’s calm at meets and performs the same or better as she does in practice,” Gundel said. “Taylor definitely has potential to win this year, especially since last year’s champion has graduated.”

A team co-captain, Stern said the season has been very successful so far and the new personal bests are “nice to have.”

On Friday, Jan 14th, Ghost Light Theatricals will premiere “Metamorphosis”, a play based on the famous short story by Franz Kafka and written and directed by Wilder Nutting-Heath.

“The story isn’t by any means original and it has been done many times. It’s like reading a good book again and again and again,” said director Wilder Nutting-Heath. “Each time it resonates differently with you and that’s why you come back to it.”

In short, Metamorphosis tells the story of Gregor Samsa, a salesman who is the sole provider of his parents and sister. One morning he wakes up to find that he has transformed into a bug overnight. His appearance is horrific and he is no longer able to leave his room and risk being seen. He goes from being the family’s provider to being the burden in need of sister’s care.

Nutthing-Heath said when he first read Kafka’s short story, he was a high school student going through an identity crisis.

“I identified with Gregor Samsa’s struggle with his new body.” he said.

When he read the story again at the start of the current project two years ago he was at a very different stage in his life, Nutting-Heath said.

Due to the weather predictions of snow and ice, Seattle Public Schools has released an emergency message canceling all afternoon and evening activities for January 11.

Ballard High School confirmed stating that all activities including the scheduled basketball games and team practices have been cancelled.

Citing the potential of a serious snow fall the Seattle Public Schools have cancelled all after school activities for today, January 11.

School will dismiss at the usual times.

A call placed to Arbor Heights Elementary School at 1:00 pm confirmed this. Principal Dr. Carol Coram said "Our literacy night has been rescheduled for February 15, from 6:00 to 7:00 pm."

West Seattle Elementary said, "The only thing that will be cancelled would be the community learning center after school." They were not certain if it would also involve any supplemental education services that are up to the discretion of each provider. They suggested that the YMCA After School Day Care would still be functioning and the High Point Community Center Day Care as well.

Sanislo Elementary School said that a unicycling club and and after school math tutoring program are cancelled for this evening. The before and after school day care are also cancelled for tonight and the Community Day School Association is closed after school today.

Press Release:
The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) stands ready to take on snow later this afternoon, keeping roads open, buses moving and critical emergency services accessible. Current predictions are for one to three inches of snow falling between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m., followed by rain with the potential for icing during the transition period.

Last night, SDOT pre-treated all elevated structures and certain trouble spots on major arterials with salt brine. The department also treated sidewalks on bridges and pedestrian bridges yesterday. SDOT will continue its preparatory work by pre-treating the remaining portions of the snow route network today. By early afternoon Tuesday, the department will have 30 plows and four flusher trucks prepositioned throughout the city in key locations in advance of the storm’s predicted onset.