After 38 years, Liberty Bell Printing is closed in The Junction, though the business itself will continue on. As first reported here two weeks ago, Liberty Bell is only closing its retail storefront, but it’s a momentous occasion just the same, since it’s one of the oldest businesses in The Junction. Christopher Boffoli was there for WSB when Michael Hoffman, who’s owned it for a decade, closed the doors tonight one last time. Michael will continue offering printing and design services without a storefront, via libertybellprinting.com.
From SDOT, an alert for late-night drivers heading westbound toward West Seattle from I-5 or Beacon Hill tonight:
Tonight at midnight there will be an estimated 10-minute-long rolling slowdown of westbound traffic on the Spokane Street Viaduct (West Seattle Bridge), at the point just west of Sixth Avenue South. The contractor working for the Seattle Department of Transportation to widen the Spokane Street Viaduct must remove a light pole on the side of the bridge, working from below with a crawler crane to detach the pole and position it away from the Viaduct and onto the ground. As a safety precaution, Washington State Patrol will be on site to provide traffic control, leading a rolling slowdown until this brief construction task is completed.
An in-the-works educational-TV show that’s already out on the Web, “Team Marco Polo,” has a local link this Christmas – the goofy holiday video you can watch above, whose cast includes three West Seattle youth, according to producer William Yeakle:
Matt, Siena, and Gabi Jeakle and 10,000 viewers have been dancing with Santa in a
YouTube video that has caught on this Christmas season. The video, The Santa Claus Dance, with more than 10,000 total views in 3 versions, is from the TV show Team Marco Polo, produced by Filmateria Studios, based in Seattle. Matt, Siena, and Gabi join veteran actors Jonathan Wright and Ethan Newberry in skits for the new show, which has shot 13 episodes and is currently in the editing process. The web version of the show is already becoming a staple in many classrooms. Producers have received positive comments from teachers in Hawaii, Colorado, New York, and Iceland.
In addition to the YouTube version of the show, producers have completed a CD and two books and are producing an iPhone app. The show is slated to hit TV screens and bookshelves in the fall of 2011, but complete shows and more than 50 snippets can be seen on the Team Marco Polo YouTube Channel now. Fans can also join the beta website: teammarcopolo.com
From Kristin, who encountered this solicitor late this morning:
I just had a guy come to my door claiming to want to wash my carpets. When I said no thanks, he wanted to do my floors or upholstery – one room for free. He had no ID, and forgot to ask until after he was gone. He was on foot – no van anywhere in sight. I’m near Graham and 38th.
(He may have been perfectly legit, but we share these alerts just in case.)
Caveat, this is a work-in-progress: WSB contributor/researcher Katie Meyer has done a tremendous amount of work to gather the info, but she’s still tying up loose ends, and we’ve still got a lot of links to add. That said, since we’re getting a lot of requests, we’re publishing the first “who’s open in West Seattle on the holiday” take for your reference (the link will remain the same as we tweak). This year, it includes who’s open for groceries, coffee, and/or dining on Christmas Eve and/or Day, so read carefully! And if you have firsthand knowledge of anything different/missing, please comment or e-mail us – thanks.
(Photos courtesy Cary Kemp) By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
“My dream of owning my own pizzeria is a reality!”
That’s what Cary Kemp told WSB this morning, now that he’s signed the lease for the Admiral space (4213 SW College; map) where he plans to open a wood-fired pizzeria.
We talked with Cary a few days ago, so we could be ready to share details about his restaurant, Pizzeria 22 (Ventidue) once everything was official.
He’s been in the pizza business a while – just without his own fixed location, till now.
Thanks to Marty and Lia for e-mail about an early-morning SWAT sighting near Anchor Park on Alki Avenue SW (map); traffic was blocked for a while but Marty says it IS now getting through, and that the officers had announced themselves on arrival as there to serve a warrant. He also says SWAT’s gone but other police vehicles remain. We’re checking with SPD for additional info.
(WSB video by Cliff DesPeaux)
Caroling can be a hoot – as that group of neighbors/church friends found out as they serenaded part of High Point last night with a truly merry round of Christmas songs. Thanks to Fred for inviting WSB to follow along for last night’s musical meandering!
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