July 2014

By Ed Shepherd
SPORTS CORRESPONDENT

SNOHOMISH--No more games.
No going to Nogales, Ariz. for regionals for the West Seattle All Stars players, coaches and manager to represent District 7.

But the Intermediate age 11-13 players had a ball at state and gave themselves quite a baseball ride, making it all the way to the championship game before losing to South Everett, 14-3, at Willis Tucker Park Thursday.
Representing District 7 mighty fine at state is good, indeed.

Cool.

And, that might not be too bad at all to not be having to fundraise and figure out all the logistics and such to go to Nogales, because, this time of year, it's around 100 degrees in that southern Arizona town.

Quipped Kevin Ruf, a coach of the West Seattle team after the game to the players, "It may not be hell down there, but they say you can see it from there."

So, not winning the Intermediate 50-70 championship for these 11 to 13 year olds was OK, after all.
"Glad we got here," said Dave Douglas, West Seattle's manager. "In a nutshell, they were the better team. All good things come to an end."

By Gwen Davis

Developers proposed a 3-story, 20,000 square foot plus medical services office, the Clearview Eye and Laser Clinic for 7520 35th Ave. S.W.

Our previous coverage including massing study graphics is here.

On July 10, the Southwest Design Review Board discussed the matter.

Here are the takeaways:

1. The proposed clinic would have 1,500 square feet of retail on the street with 32 parking spaces provided. The existing structures, a single family home and pizza restaurant would be demolished. The total square footage of the building is 20,500 to 21,500. The Eye Clinic approximate total square footage would be 13,000.

2. The board invited the applicant to describe the urban form and architectural character of the project vicinity, and the opportunities and constraints of the project site. The Powerpiont presentation also included a conceptual site plan and alternative architectural concept diagrams. The architect company is PB Architects Inc.

The Seattle Fire Department and the Seattle Fire Fighters Union, Local 27, invite the community to check out the completed seismic and safety upgrade of Seattle’s Fire Station 36, located at 3600 23rd Ave. SW in the Delridge/Harbor Island neighborhood during an open house on July 12, 2014, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Fire Station 36 is one of 32 neighborhood fire stations being upgraded, renovated or replaced through the Fire Facilities and Emergency Response Program, which was approved by Seattle voters in 2003. Built in 1971, Fire Station 36 was in generally fair condition, but required seismic retrofits to meet current earthquake safety standards. Remodeling to enhance operations was also part of the $1.7 million project.

Fire Station 36 houses one engine company (E36), the department’s Tunnel Rescue Unit, and the marine specialty unit designated to serve the south end of Seattle. To ensure continued fire response to the neighborhood while the construction work was ongoing, the crew worked out of an interim facility located nearby.

By Steve Shay

Light rail between West Seattle and Downtown Seattle was discussed at West Seattle Transportation Coalition's (WSTC) July 8 meeting at High Point Neighborhood House. Three Sound Transit representatives showcased six possible scenarios ranging from $1.9 billion to $8.9 billion. The panel emphasized these routes were only a starting point for discussion and, if rail to West Seattle was realized, routes could incorporate favorable elements of a combination of the six plans, or something new.

Sound Transit was asked to evaluate high-capacity transit on various corridors when in the 2008 voters approved the ST2 package, and current funding exists for the north corridor to extend from UW to Northgate, and the south corridor to the Federal Way area.

By Christy Wolyniak

Although school may be out, Seattle’s School of Rock is still going full throttle, empowering young students to continue learning and pursue their dreams as musicians.

The Seattle School of Rock students work hard all year long under expert training and musical instruction and will transfer those skills directly into their live performances.

“Music is much more than any kind of competition, it’s a community that we share with one another,” said Seattle School of Rock Music Director, Zeke Trosper.

For seven young Seattle School of Rock students ages 12 to 14, the dream of performing live in front of thousands became a reality at Milwaukee’s 46th Annual Summerfest, also known as “The World’s Largest Music Festival.” Featured bands included Outkast, Lady Gaga, and Dave Matthews.

The Battle of the Bands competition titled GEMBA or “real place” in Japanese, opened the stage to fifty-nine bands and over 500 talented students from across the country and Canada.

The Southwest Seattle Historical Society is presenting “Bridging the Gap: The Full Story Told by Those Who Were There,” a free panel presentation at Hotwire Coffeehouse on Monday July 14.

The event will include Charles Royer, former Seattle mayor; Bob Royer, former Seattle deputy mayor; Tom Rasmussen, current Seattle City Council member and former aide to then-Seattle City Council member Jeanette Williams; Phyllis Lamphere, former Seattle City Council member; attorney Gerry Johnson, former aide to U.S. Sen. Warren Magnuson; Jack Block, former Port of Seattle commissioner; Bruce Wasell and Tom Mahoney, former Seattle Engineering Department project engineers for the bridge, and Terry Finn, former editor of the West Seattle Herald.

The event runs from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., and the venue will be the Hotwire Online Coffeehouse courtyard, 4410 California Ave. S.W.

Tonight marks the pre-festivities for the biggest street party of the year, the annual West Seattle Summer Fest in the heart of the West Seattle Junction. The event runs from Fri-Sun, July 11-13. Thousands will crowd into the junction to enjoy food, shopping, entertainment, children's activities, educational demonstrations and more. But prior to the big party is this month's West Seattle Artwalk. The art walk is hosted by the local West Seattle merchants who feature a wide range of art and showcase our vibrant artist community. Once the streets are closed at 4pm, merchants up and down the Junction will have pre-festival activities taking place. The festival officially opens on Friday morning at 10am.

West Seattle Herald Photojournalist David Rosen is the feature artist for the month of July and has a variety of his world class photography at Homestreet Bank located at 4022 SW Alaska Street that is available for purchase. You can see more of his work on his website at www.slickpixphotography.com

WHAT: During the week of July 7, Swansons Nursery completed a community gardening and landscaping project at the Ballard Boys & Girls Club. By transforming an overgrown rain garden and a high-traffic grassy area near the clubhouse entrance into a sustainable art garden and parklett, club-goers now have a two beautiful new outdoor spaces to enjoy. Swansons Nursery, Dunn Lumber, and Mutual Materials generously donated materials for the project.

On Wednesday, July 16, at 3 p.m., Swansons employees, staff and children from the Ballard Boys & Girls Club, and staff and members of the Ballard Chamber of Commerce are hosting a garden dedication and an art installation. Community and media members are encouraged to attend the event and visit the new garden space at the neighborhood clubhouse. As part of the celebration, Ballard’s own Cupcake Royale is providing mini cupcakes for all to enjoy.

The Fauntleroy Schoolhouse will turn 100 in 2017, and a planning committee is laying the groundwork for several events to honor “A Century of Serving the Community.” If you are a former student or staff member, please consider

§ adding to the alumni database by providing your full name, contact information, and year(s) you were at the school.

§ donating or loaning photos or memorabilia from your time at the school.

§ joining the planning committee. A variety of skills and time commitments will be needed.

The first centennial event will be an open house next May. Grander celebrations will follow in 2017.

Contact the planning committee by emailing faunt.schoolhouse100years@gmail.com or calling Susan Lantz-Dey at 425-445-4064.

information from West Seattle Rotary

The annual West Seattle Grand Parade steps off on Saturday, July 19, 2014 at 11 AM. The parade route follows California Ave. from SW Landers St. to SW Edmunds St. The Kiddie Parade (also at 11 AM) starts at SW Genesee St. and ends at SW Edmunds St. (3 blocks).

The Rotary Club of West Seattle is producing the parade for the first time this year with support from long time parade coordinators, Dave Vague and Jim Edwards, and the American Legion which had previously produced it.
The whole family will enjoy this fun event - marching bands, antique cars, floats, community organizations, Seattle and Vancouver BC police motorcycle drill teams, and food.

An awards ceremony follows the parade at 1:30 PM at the American Legion Hall, 3816 Alaska Way SW where the Orville Rummel Trophy for outstanding service to the community will be presented. Emeritus West Seattle will provide refreshments for the volunteer thank you party which follows.