April 2015

The leaders at Schmitz Park Elementary announced via Twitter that "Our name will be Genesee Hill Elementary School." They will retain the school mascot name of foxes. The name comes at the end of a process of consideration that looked over four potential names. The ribbon cutting for the new school is set for 1pm, Sept. 6.

Original post 4/16/15
The potential name for the new school replacing Genesee Hill Elementary (now under construction) has been narrowed to a field of four after the Building Leadership Team Naming Committee completed evaluating early submissions. A letter has been sent to area neighbors asking them to complete a preference poll to determine the final name.

Dear Schmitz Park Community and Neighbors,

Tuesday, April 14
Baseball
Mt. Rainier 7, Federal Way 3
Mount Rainier towered above the Eagles in Tuesday's game.
Bellevue Chr. 9, SCS 8
Seattle Christian came up one run short in a slugfest at Bellevue's Bannerwood Park against Bellevue Christian on Tuesday.

Fastpitch
SCS 20, Bellevue Chr. 0
Alyssa Baucom threw a five-inning two-hitter for the Warriors on Tuesday at Hidden Valley, striking out eight and walking only one. She also hit 2-for-3 with two RBI, two runs scored and a double.
Kelly Ronish hit 2-for-3 with two RBI and three runs, while Kumasaka hit 2-for-2 with three RBI, four runs and a home run. Rogle hit 1-for-1 with three RBI and Whillhoite 1-for-4 with a triple, three RBI and one run scored.

Boys soccer
Tyee 3, Evergreen 1
Tyee's Totems tallied a 3-1 victory at Valley Ridge over Evergreen on Tuesday.
Kennedy 6, Foster 3
The Lancers outgunned the Bulldogs in Tuesday action.
Highline 5, Renton 1
Isaias Gomez scored two goals for the Pirates in Tuesday's victory and Edgar Gonzalez, Gurjit Dhesi and Cristian Cortes all contributed one goal.
Kentridge 4, Mt. Rainier 0

A fire in the apartments 6910 Calfiornia Ave SW that broke out in the garage begin in a Volkswagen van according to Seattle Fire Dept. spokesperson Kyle Moore. The vehicle was located about 70 feet inside the garage and when firefighters arrived the garage gate was down and dark black smoke was belching out the garage door opening.

The location of the vehicle presented a challenge since it was directly adjacent to the power panels for the building and they were exposed due to the fire presenting a hazard to the firefighters. No one was injured.

Many of the people self evacuated.

Power to the building is out and no word as yet as to when residents can re-enter the building.

No damage estimate was offered or reason for how the fire in the van began.

By Georgie Bright Kunkel

Until you have sat in front of a big camera and been the focus of a news story you haven’t lived. Since I believe that older people need to share their wisdom I was happy to sit in front of a local TV camera and tell my story—and a long lived story it is. I remember when in psychology class we learned about the varied lives that people live. I had difficulty focusing on just one thing that I do best because I love to do so many different things. What one finally chooses is dependent upon the guidance and support of the elders in the community. I am now aware of the influence that my teachers had over the years and a special neighbor whom I used as a sounding board when I was a teenager.

Today, Mayor Ed Murray announced the increase and year round expansion of shelter beds available exclusively for homeless youth. This expansion is made available by an additional $152,000 investment with Peace for the Street by Kids from the Streets (PSKS) to extend its temporary cold weather shelter to a year round, five day a week operation. In addition, the bed capacity in this shelter will increase from 15 to 20 total by June 2015.

“In a region like ours where there is such tremendous wealth, it’s heartbreaking that any of our youth experience homelessness,” Mayor Ed Murray said. “That’s why it is vital that we provide a warm bed, a pillow, and some relief from the dangers of the street. While permanent, safe housing is the ultimate goal, securing these additional resources will mean a few more young people every night won’t have to sleep on the streets.”

Update 5:55 p.m.:
It is now being reported from numerous new affiliates that Vien Nguyen has turned herself in to police.

Original story:
This morning, around 7:48 a.m., an Amber Alert was issued for 2-year-old Ronnie Tran from Des Moines, who was abducted by his 65-year-old grandmother Vien Nguyen. The child was found safe two hours later in the Renton area but his grandmother remains at large.

According to reports from Des Moines police and other news affiliates Nguyen, along with Alyssa M. Chang, a family member whose relation has not yet been defined, kidnapped Ronnie and his 40-year-old mother in the middle of the day on Tuesday in Des Moines. After using a stun gun on the mother and binding her with plastic zip ties the pair transported them to a home in Fife.

The mother was tied into a cupboard in the garage of the home while the boy was taken into the main house. Early this morning the mother managed to get free of her bonds and attempted to get Ronnie from the house. She was unable to get him back before she ran away and alerted police.

Seattle’s newest arts and environmental community organization, Seattle ReCreative, has announced its spring 2015 class and workshop schedule, which is slated to begin on April 20. The organization is offering a diverse range of classes for different age groups, skill levels, and interests, all of which focus on expanding experiences with art through reused materials.

Highlights from the upcoming class curriculum include Introduction to Bookbinding, in which participants will learn four different types of bookbinding stitches from artist Jennifer Kinney, and Family Woodworking Workshops, where children can learn to use real tools along with the help of a family member. Local teaching artists provide instruction for ReCreative’s workshops, and every class sources its materials from the reused items in ReCreative’s retail shop, which are donated by community members and businesses.

The House Transportation committee approved a revenue package Tuesday night that includes $500,000 for the Seattle Waterfront Loop Feasibility Study, a project championed by Rep. Gael Tarleton (D-Ballard). The waterfront loop study would finalize the design of a fully contiguous loop from Shilshole Bay Marina to West Seattle.

“A vibrant waterfront is key to a growing economy and connecting communities in Seattle,” said Tarleton. “The Seattle Waterfront Loop will be more than a walking and biking path. The loop will connect ferries, harbor cruises, cruise ships, farmers markets, restaurants, and other local businesses in a way that we haven’t seen before. Once the viaduct project is complete and our neighborhoods become better connected, we will rediscover just how diverse Seattle’s public waterfront really is.”

information from SDOT

This week West Seattle residents have another opportunity to discuss plans to improve safety for everyone using Southwest Roxbury Street.

Last week the Seattle Department of Transportation’s project manager provided a presentation and discussion of the roadway safety plans at the Westwood/Roxhill/Arbor Heights Neighborhood Council. Tomorrow, the project manager will be at the Southwest Seattle Public Library to provide another opportunity to drop in and learn what is planned.

What: SW Roxbury Street Road Safety Corridor Project Drop-in Session
Date: Thursday, April 16
Time: 3 to 4:30 p.m.
Where: Southwest Seattle Public Library
2nd Floor Meeting Room
9010 35th Avenue Southwest

The plan for Roxbury Street includes spot improvements to signs and pavement markings, pavement repair in several locations, and new sidewalks on the south side of Roxbury between 28th Avenue SW and 30th Avenue SW. The plans also include radar speed signs east of White Center and rechannelization of Roxbury between 17th Avenue SW and 35th Avenue SW.

Walker Maintenance and Care Event, Tuesday 4/21 10:00 A.M.

Are you someone who uses a walker or know a friend, family member, or neighbor who does? Please join us at Brookdale Admiral Heights (2326 California Ave SW, right across from the Admiral Theatre) along with Stu from Alki Bike and Board for a complimentary event on Tuesday April 21st at 10:00 A.M. Stu will be demonstrating how you can care for your walker, and help you identify potential maintenance and safety issues. Join us afterwards for coffee, tea, and breakfast pastries. Need a ride? Transportation may be available. Please R.S.V.P. to our Community Relations Director, Anne Weglin at 206-938-3964, or email anne.weglin@brookdale.com.