West Seattle, Washington

19 Friday

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day : 21/08/2010 9 results

Sunday: Go see the Seattle Chinese Garden’s courtyard-in-progress!
August 21, 2010 11:08 pm
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 |   Gardening | Puget Ridge | West Seattle news

Those are some of the artisans who’ve been here for two weeks now, visiting from China to help make the Seattle Chinese Garden‘s first major feature as authentic as possible – and now it’s your chance to meet and welcome them. Tomorrow (Sunday) afternoon, 1-4 pm, you’re invited to the welcome party at the garden site – on West Seattle’s Puget Ridge, north end of South Seattle Community College – for a welcome party. We took these photos last Monday afternoon during a quick tour of their worksite, the Knowing the Spring Courtyard:

That’s a look at the expanse inside the courtyard walls – the work is going on inside and out:

Tomorrow’s not just a simple open house – special programs are planned as listed in the full party program here, from a flower-arranging demonstration to a lion dance to martial arts (and more).

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Happening now: ‘Walk On, Jayme!’ at Rocksport in The Junction
August 21, 2010 7:55 pm
|    Comments Off on Happening now: ‘Walk On, Jayme!’ at Rocksport in The Junction
 |   Fun stuff to do | How to help | West Seattle news

Dropped by Rocksport Bar and Grill (on SW Alaska a few doors east of California) for a photo of Jayme Miller and friend Sydni Smith just before the “Walk On, Jayme!” fundraising silent auction got rolling. In our photo, Jayme’s holding one of the many cool prizes donated by local merchants – Alki Tours, in this case. Go visit, bid on something, help Jayme with the massive medical bills she’s incurred while beating the odds in her battle to walk again, after she was suddenly struck by a rare neurological disorder (as explained here – our story includes video from the KING5 story about Jayme too).

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Update: West Seattle Outdoor Movies crowd braves rain during ‘Up’
August 21, 2010 7:34 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle Outdoor Movies

FIRST AS-IT-HAPPENED UPDATE AT 7:34 PM: Still some room in the courtyard by Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor) for tonight’s West Seattle Outdoor Movies presentation of “Up,” starting at dusk – second to last movie of the season (this was scheduled to be the grand finale, but “Star Trek” was rained out two weeks ago, so it was rescheduled for next Saturday). Speaking of rain, yes, we know clouds are moving in, but Hotwire’s Lora Lewis has been watching the forecast all day and so far it looks like any rain won’t arrive till very late – cross your fingers. If you’re coming, bring a few bucks for the raffle, raising money tonight for Family Promise of Seattle (which has had to put its homeless-families-sheltering work “on hiatus” as first reported here). FP’s Laura Bermes talked to the crowd briefly about the agency’s mission and hopes of reopening:

Looks like there’s also still some burgers/dogs left at the free barbecue presented by West Seattle Christian Church/Preschool, if you get here fast!

POST-MOVIE NOTE AT 10:08 PM: Though it started sprinkling shortly after the movie began, and escalated for a while into a steady shower (concurrent with a thunderstorm scene onscreen!), the movie continued to its conclusion (by which time the rain had stopped). Dozens of hardy moviegoers pulled up their sweaters, or even popped up an umbrella, and stayed. Lora thinks that might be the first time in her years of overseeing the movie series that rain didn’t stop the show. The projector was manned as usual by WSCC pastor Dan Jacobs, who managed to put up a rain shield (leading, toward the movie’s end, to a “danger, projector is overheating” onscreen warning, quickly dealt with) and kept things running. Be there next Saturday night for the rescheduled “Star Trek,” and think clear skies!

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Happening now: Arts in Nature Festival – till 9, plus tomorrow!
August 21, 2010 6:25 pm
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 |   Environment | West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

(Photos by Christopher Boffoli)
The Nature Consortium‘s Arts in Nature Festival is for all ages – from print-making kids, to the musicians in the Seattle Festival Orchestra‘s Little Band:

If you haven’t been to the festival yet, you have till 9 tonight – then again from 11 to 5 tomorrow – on the lush green grounds of Camp Long, with venues throughout the woods, the meadow, and inside the newly renovated lodge. Among the performers – the aerial-dancing Cabiri:

Here’s the schedule – note that tomorrow kicks off with a slate including Caspar Babypants; its leader Chris Ballew then performs a benefit show to raise money for the Nature Consortium right after the festival, 5 pm tomorrow at Camp Long Lodge. (Tickets are available online here.)

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West Seattle Pharmacy: Drugstore/coffee shop now halfway open
August 21, 2010 2:20 pm
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 |   Health | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Back in December, we introduced you to Kenny Wolfe, who was taking over the former Westside Pharmacy immediately south of West Seattle Nursery. He thought he’d have the renamed West Seattle Pharmacy – closed when its former owner moved to the then-new QFC in The Junction last fall – open before long. Eight months have passed, and he and wife Scarlett Wolfe are finally almost there, as the brand-new sign in the window (top photo) says. We pulled over to check in last night when we saw saw that sign and another one on the shop’s north side, just painted by West Seattle’s popular “Sign Savant“ Japhy Witte, so fresh that he was still there talking with them when we walked up.

The espresso bar in the drugstore space has been open for a week-plus – using Pioneer beans, and please note, per the sign, they’re making smoothies too – and they intend for West Seattle Pharmacy to be a coffeehouse/Internet café as well as a drugstore, with Wi-Fi and probably even a desktop computer to be used by customers who don’t bring their own. Getting the pharmacy open took a lot longer than expected because of various delays, Kenny explains, including a long wait time for the state Pharmacy Board to get to their application. But now everything’s falling in place. What the Wolfes would love is if you come in – even now, before the drugstore opens – and let them know what you’re interested in buying. They plan to offer a wide range of merchandise including medical, health and fitness equipment as well as over-the-counter sundries, and they promise that since they’re your small, independent drugstore, if you ask for something, they’ll do their best to get it – no corporate approval needed – “we ARE corporate,” they grinned. (They’re at California/Brandon; here’s a map.)

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Photos: Picnic at the Precinct with West Seattle police
August 21, 2010 1:58 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police

(Photos via iPhone from Deanie Schwarz)
ORIGINAL AS-IT-HAPPENED REPORT, 1:58 PM: Horses from the Seattle Police Department Mounted Patrol – headquartered right here in West Seattle, next to Westcrest Park – are always a big hit at the Southwest Precinct “Picnic at the Precinct,” and you can go meet them – and the human members of the force, too – till 4 pm. High-tech, too:

SW Webster, east of Delridge (map).

MORE PHOTOS ADDED SATURDAY NIGHT: City Councilmember Sally Clark stopped by – that’s her at left in the photo above, with Deanie Schwarz, Deb Greer and Karen Berge of the West Seattle Blockwatch Captains’ Network, (which has scheduled its next meeting – Sept. 28, 6:30 pm @ the precinct), and at right, SW Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Benjamin Kinlow. Thanks to Karen for sharing the photo. Other community crimefighters on hand included Dot Beard, president of the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council:

After no meetings in July/August, the WSCPC will meet again on Sept. 21, 7 pm @ SW Precinct. Meantime, we haven’t shown you any photos of actual police so far! Found a couple by the bouncy house:

Also spotted SWP Capt. Joe Kessler and Lt. Norm James – both busy talking with picnicgoers so we didn’t get them on camera. Back to the high-tech – two robots were on hand this year:

Here’s the whole scene, looking west down Webster:

The people in yellow T-shirts were with King County Council candidate Diana Toledo‘s entourage (we do our best to get candidates on camera when we see them at public events) – she finished second in the primary and is moving on to the general vs. State Sen. Joe McDermott.

After a few hours of fun, it was time to ride off into the sunset – or rather, into Home Depot’s parking lot:

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Happening now: ‘Big Bonanza’ in The Junction – sun, fun, shopping
August 21, 2010 11:47 am
|    Comments Off on Happening now: ‘Big Bonanza’ in The Junction – sun, fun, shopping
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Never mind those cloudy forecasts, the sun has come out in time for The Junction’s big multi-merchant sale. The Big Bonanza is continuing till 5. Above, that’s Linda Walsh outside her shop, Clementine, famed for its shoes (and note the ones she’s sporting); it’s one of dozens of sale displays you’ll find Junction-wide. The Junction’s newest shops are participating too, like Bin 41 (WSB sponsor) and knows perfume, whose proprietor Christen Cottam was putting the finishing touches on her table:

You can find deals for your pet today, too – here’s the setup outside Next to Nature:

At Cupcake Royale (WSB sponsor), wardrobe additions are the frosting on the (cup)cake:

As you wander The Junction, just look for the bandana and/or red balloons like the ones outside Square One Books:

For Square One, Big Bonanza falls right in the middle of a big four-day sale – drop in for a deal on almost anything in the store. And for coupons delivering bonus deals, drop by the Big Bonanza HQ tent on the southwest corner of California/Alaska. The sales are in full swing till 5 pm.

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West Seattle Saturday: Big Bonanza, Arts in Nature, precinct picnic
August 21, 2010 7:53 am
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 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

SO much going on! In order of start time, some of the highlights:

BIG BONANZA: Just look for the red bandanas and balloons at dozens of stores in The Junction to see who’s part of today’s Big Bonanza end-of-summer sale organized by the West Seattle Junction Association (WSB sponsor) – and check this list before you go. Stop by Big Bonanza HQ in front of KeyBank at Walk-All-Ways to pick up coupons (like these) you can use at many of the participating businesses – or to be part of the water showdown at high noon! Sale starts at 10 am and runs till 5 pm.

ART FAIR AT LIFE CARE CENTER: Visitors of all ages are welcome 10 am-2 pm at Life Care Center (4700 SW Admiral) for art displays, a free barbecue lunch, kids’ activities, and more, all detailed on the official flyer.

REGISTRATION EVENT FOR ALKI BEACH 5K: With the walk/run benefiting Northwest Hope and Healing coming up a week from tomorrow, West Seattle Runner (California/Charlestown) is hosting a registration party today, 10 am-2 pm – come sign up for the Alki Beach 5K and enjoy refreshments, a raffle, plus a discount if you’re buying something from WSR while you’re there signing up for the 5K.

ARTS IN NATURE FESTIVAL: The Nature Consortium‘s annual Camp Long extravaganza (5200 35th SW) runs 11 am-9 pm today and 11 am-6 pm Sunday. You will find interactive art in the woods, music in the (newly renovated) lodge, aerial dance by The Cabiri (shown in Catherine Anstett‘s photo at left) in the meadow, among many other things. Find the schedule here.

PICNIC AT THE PRECINCT: It’s really more like a street festival, with SW Webster closed west of Delridge (map) for booths and displays that also fill the Southwest Precinct‘s parking lot in a celebration/information event put on by West Seattle’s own police HQ. 1-4 pm today, come meet not only local police, but also community volunteers from a variety of local organizations. And you never know what you’ll see – SPD usually brings out everything from Mounted Patrol horses to a remote-controlled robot.

HAMS AT THE LIGHTHOUSE: A couple weeks ago, the West Seattle Amateur Radio Club shared the story of “activating” Alki Lighthouse as part of a worldwide event – but they had to do it from a tent at Alki Beach Park. Today, they will actually be set up AT the lighthouse, and are inviting everyone to come by and get a firsthand look and listen. 1-4 pm (also one of your last chances to tour the lighthouse this summer).

FUNDRAISER FOR SAILOR’S FAMILY: 5-10 pm tonight at Alki Crab and Fish (Seacrest Pier), proceeds from beer/wine sales and raffles go to the family of Petty Officer Jarod Newlove, the West Seattle sailor killed recently in Afghanistan.

‘UP’ AT WEST SEATTLE OUTDOOR MOVIES: Second-to-last WSOM show of the summer! Come get carried away with the animated hit – AND enjoy a free barbecue courtesy of West Seattle Christian Church/Preschool (6:30 pm till the food runs out). Movie’s free, at dusk. Bring your own chair/blanket – and also consider money for tonight’s raffle to benefit Family Promise of Seattle (which helps homeless families but, as first reported here, has had to shut down because of $ shortage).

WALK ON, JAYME! The amazing story of Jayme Miller‘s sudden paralysis and fight to walk again has made news all over Western Washington, because of her friends’ decision to plan a fundraiser to help with her massive medical bills. That event is tonight at Rocksport in The Junction, starting at 7:30 pm – centered on a silent auction for which they’ve collected some terrific donations. Here’s the Facebook event page.

Even more on the WSB West Seattle Events calendar!

(P.S. And just outside of West Seattle – South Park is throwing a party at Duwamish Waterway Park 11 am-3 pm, community garage sale and free barbecue, to raise money for Wi-Fi – details on FB.)

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Take that, taggers: Dad-daughter team vanquish vandalism again
August 21, 2010 1:33 am
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

They’ve done it again – the wants-to-remain-anonymous West Seattle dad who went on an anti-graffiti tear with his daughter in summer 2009 – here’s the resulting story – found himself back for round 2. The vandals have been busy again lately – so, he wrote:

(Thursday) we had a father/daughter outing planned for a day of swimming and enjoying the summer day. Unfortunately, the weather did not quite cooperate but we still wanted to get outside. On a recent walk through Schmitz Park, we noticed the beautiful log benches in the center of the park were once again covered with graffiti. So we decided to spend our day cleaning up the benches and other graffiti around our neighborhood. We had a wonderful time together, cleaned up a lot of graffiti, and ended the day with a great sense of accomplishment as well as a great feeling of West Seattle community pride.

He shared numerous before/after photos; we’re putting up a couple here – though, as is our policy, we’ve blurred the tags in the “before” photos.

We asked what they use to remove tags. Answer: “We use ‘Goof Off’ and some scouring pads. They make a great product, and one specialized for graffiti. As for the log benches, the only way to get it off is with a hand-held wood planer.” If you’re not up for removal but want to be sure it at least gets reported – which police stress is important – here’s how to report tagging/graffiti vandalism on public property.

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