(Photo by Robin Lindsey)
Five months ago, Sandy the harbor seal was rescued from a West Seattle beach, dehydrated and emaciated, and eventually taken to PAWS for rehab. Tonight, as the Seal Sitters‘ “blubberblog” reports, Sandy has been returned to the wild, and she is the first seal in her age range – “older rehabilitated weaned yearling” – to be tracked by satellite! Get the full story, including video of Sandy being fitted with her “hat,” by going here.

West Seattle Crime Watch: Four reader reports

January 31, 2012 8:46 pm

| 20 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Four reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch tonight – starting with Ryan‘s stolen car:

My 1997 Subaru Impreza 4 Dr. white with black trim was stolen from 41st and SW College at approximately 3AM January 31st. License #085-ZOS. The car has a npr and NW native art orca sticker on the back of the car. A police report has been filed.

Three more reports – a bride-to-be’s car break-in, doorstep grocery theft, and suspected car prowlers to LISTEN for – ahead:Read More

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Followup: ‘Occupy West Seattle’ announces first two meetings

January 31, 2012 6:20 pm

| 47 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

Last night, we reported on two signs – almost simultaneous, but apparently not linked – of the economic-inequality protest movement heading this way. One was word that the newly announced “Occupy West Seattle” plans its first meeting in Seattle this Saturday. All we had at the time was a line or two from social media; tonight, we’ve received an announcement via e-mail, with details on the first meeting and word of a second. Read on:Read More

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Super Bowl Sunday: Compiling the West Seattle list

January 31, 2012 3:55 pm

| 8 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants | WS & Sports

(UPDATED SUNDAY 2/5/2012 WITH NEW ADDITIONS)
3:55 PM: Some bars and restaurants have the big game on the big screen(s) – some don’t, and call it a day early. We’re putting out the call this afternoon for Super Bowl plans at local venues this Sunday, and have already collected a few – West 5, for example, invites you to come brunch or have a Bloody Mary 10 am-3 pm, and then they’re closing. Skylark Café and Club will close at 3 post-brunch. JaK’s Grill won’t be open at all. Where to watch – or not? Let us know here, or via e-mail (editor@westseattleblog.com) so we can fill out the list.

ADDED 5:49 PM: Additions – Thanks to HelperMonkey in the comments for pointing out that Corner Pocket in The Junction is hosting a Super Bowl event starting at 2:30 pm Sunday, with “crab cakes, pulled pork and brisket sandwiches, wings, our famous corn dawgs, drink specials.” Also on the “where to watch” front, The Wing Dome in The Junction has lots of screens and, general manager Andy Pattalochi says, the #1 Super Bowl Sunday food – chicken wings. If you want to order takeout wings for a viewing party at home, he tells WSB via e-mail, they’re taking pre-orders now through Saturday … And one more addition to the where-NOT-to-watch list, Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) will be closed, so that, proprietor Jeff Gilbert quips, their loyal and talented staff can go home and “yell at the TV.” … Keep the info coming! We’ll keep this story linked in the sidebar BIG STORIES list for those seeking Super Bowl Sunday info.

ADDED WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON: Rocksport “showing the game on all 23 screens! Also offering Bloody Marys & Brunch 11am – 3pm, as well as full menu & new featured menu items & draft beers for February,” per comments, where there’s also mention of Bamboo Grill on Alki having a viewing party. And from Jenny at The Bridge: “The Bridge will be open this Sunday normal hours, 9 am for brunch! $3 Bud Lights and we do have Buffalo Wings as well! We are expecting a great party like last year.”

ADDED THURSDAY: Tuscan Tea Room and Bistro in The Junction has an unusual promotion: “MEN EAT FREE** 10:30 am-4:00 pm Super Bowl Sunday Brunch!! **Fine Print: With two entrees and two beverages the man’s entree is free! Two men dining? 50% off the whole bill.” … The Celtic Swell is having a viewing party with drink specials …

ADDED FRIDAY: From Pizzeria 22 proprietor Cary: “I have been noticing that many restaurants and bars in West Seattle will be closed for the Super Bowl, traditionally a very slow night for us. However, Pizzeria 22 does not have a television, one of the only restaurants in Admiral that doesn’t, by choice, and we will be open as we always are on Sunday evening at 4 pm. We are encouraging our neighbors and customers to support local business during the hours of the giant corporate advertisement blitzkrieg.”

ADDED SATURDAY: Company in White Center says, “Hey sports fans, advertising enthusiasts and half-time show trainwreck appreciators! This Sunday is the Super Bowl! Come down early for pre-game nonsense, drinks and FOOD! $2 PBR, $2 Rainier and $4 Fireball. We will also offer Swinery Bacon Dogs ($8) and 1/2 pound Painted Hills burgers ($9). Mmmmm, sporty! We will open at noon.” … From Beveridge Place Pub in Morgan Junction, proprietor Gary reports: “Beveridge Place Pub will be hosting a potluck while showing commercials on all three screens intermittenly interrupted by a football game! Bring some food and enjoy Happiest Hour prices from noon til 6:00pm! In addition, Animal Aid & Rescue Foundation (AARF) will be serving up hot dogs – donations welcome – and raffling beer glassware, beer signs, and t-shirts!” … And after the game, Guy Olson suggests post-game karaoke at Yen Wor Village in the Admiral District: “Madonna is singing at half time during The Super Bowl. I’m singing super bad Madonna at 9:00pm. Karaoke from 9 pm-2 am.”

ADDED SUNDAY: Admiral Pub‘s Super Bowl party details are on FB … And Patty tells us what’s up at West Seattle Thriftway: “West Seattle Thriftway Deli will be offering a Hot Wing Bar…6 Different sauces will be offered!! Only $4.99 lb cooked and ready to go with you where ever you plan on watching the game! Also THE BEST cheese selection in town!”

ONE MORE SUNDAY NOTE: Shannon at Avalon GlassWorks in Luna Park says they’re open and blowing glass – if you’d like to watch something other than football. The superheated process might serve as a REAL pre-game “warm-up”!

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West Seattle Water Taxi back in service for this afternoon

January 31, 2012 2:00 pm

| 6 COMMENTS

| King County Water Taxi | West Seattle news

Just announced by the King County Marine Division – after mechanical trouble cut short the Monday night service (as reported here) and canceled this morning’s runs entirely, the West Seattle Water Taxi is back in service for this afternoon/evening, starting with the 3:45 run from downtown.

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Love low-tide walks? Be a volunteer beach naturalist!

January 31, 2012 12:20 pm

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| How to help | West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

(June 2011 photo by Jim Clark)
What could be better than walking West Seattle beaches during low-low tides and enjoying sights like that? How about – being there during low-low tides as a volunteer beach naturalist, to help others learn about the beach and how to be careful while on it! Here’s your chance:

Care about beaches? Good with people? Sign up to be a volunteer beach naturalist with the Seattle Aquarium at a Seattle-area beach this summer. Naturalists will attend a program orientation on Tuesday, March 13, and receive training from marine and interpretative experts on five weekday evenings (3/20, 4/4, 4/17, 4/24, 5/1) and three weekend days (3/25, 4/7, 5/6). Once trained, volunteers spend three summer days educating visitors about beach ecology and beach etiquette at Carkeek Park, Constellation Park (Alki), Des Moines Beach Park, Golden Gardens, Lincoln Park, Olympic Sculpture Park Beach, Redondo Beach, Richmond Beach, or Seahurst Park. To sign up or get more information, please e-mail beachnaturalist@seattleaquarium.org or call (206) 386.4365.

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West Seattle restaurants: Spring Hill changing name, concept

January 31, 2012 9:44 am

| 101 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

Just announced by Spring Hill in The Junction: It’s becoming Ma’ono Fried Chicken & Whisky:

Spring Hill Restaurant & Bar at 4437 California Avenue SW will be changing its concept from a modern Pacific Northwest bistro into a Hawaiian inspired fried chicken shop & whiskey bar.

Mark, Marjorie and team are very excited to present the neighborhood of West Seattle with ma’ono. Spring Hill has had such a fantastic response and following for our fried chicken dinners, beginning February 8, 2012 we will begin serving fried chicken dinners seven nights a week (Monday through Sunday) paired with mid-pacific inspired food. ma’ono, meaning flavor, will be a reflection of Mark Fuller’s flavor memories of Kauai.

The bar at ma’ono will be expanding from eight bar stools to eighteen with an additional counter. ma’ono’s mixologist MiNan Ahn will be behind the bar with an expanded whiskey selection making delicious cocktails and beverages. Happy hour will be available in our larger bar and in the dining room. Brunch will continue on Saturday and Sunday.

The change takes effect next week – Wednesday, February 8th. You can see the menu on the new website that goes with the big change – go here.

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West Seattle Tuesday: Transportation alerts; school open houses, meetings…

January 31, 2012 7:15 am

| 7 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(At Jack Block Park, by Flickr member ‘Old Desolate,’ via the WSB Flickr group pool)
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

NO WATER TAXI tHIS MORNING: Reminder that the West Seattle Water Taxi is canceled this morning because of mechanical trouble that cut its schedule short last night. We’ll publish an update whenever word comes in that a decision is made for this afternoon/evening.

OVERNIGHT BRIDGE CLOSURES: Scheduled again tonight – Fauntleroy Expressway (info here) and eastbound Spokane Street Viaduct (SDOT announcement here), both 9 pm-5 am.

DENNY INTERNATIONAL MIDDLE SCHOOL TOUR: From 8:00 to 9:10 am. All welcome – no appointment needed. (2601 SW Kenyon)

WEST SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL COFFEE CHAT: Talk about WSHS with principal Ruth Medsker, 9-10:30 am (check in at school office, 3000 California SW).

WEST SEATTLE COMMUNITY ORCHESTRAS: Weekly rehearsals as detailed here for returning AND new musicians; rehearsals at Chief Sealth International High School (2600 SW Thistle).

POWER TOOLS 101: Workshop at the West Seattle Tool Library, 6 pm. From the announcement: “Join instructor Amy Ecklund, as she welcomes you in to the basics of using small powertools such as circular saws, jigsaws, powerdrills, impact drivers, nail guns, and miter saws. As part of the class, you’ll demonstrate what you’ve learned by building a take-home, cedar planter box.” Sign up online.

PATHFINDER K-8 PTSA MEETING: At the school (1901 SW Genesee on Pigeon Point), 6:15 pm.

SANISLO ELEMENTARY PTA MEETING: From the announcement, “We welcome all current and prospective parents. 6:30-7:30 in the school library, child care is provided.” (1812 SW Myrtle)

SEATTLE LUTHERAN HS OPEN HOUSE: It’s open house night at Seattle Lutheran High School: 6:30-8 pm, details here. (4100 SW Genesee)

HOPE LUTHERAN SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: Open house night at Hope Lutheran School (WSB sponsor) – 7-8:30 pm more info on this flyer. (4456 42nd SW)

NIGHTLIFE: Skylark Café and Club acoustic open mic night, starts 7 pm … Rock music/pop culture trivia at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), 8 pm … At The Bridge: Trivia every Tuesday, $2 registration beginning at 8 pm and play starting at 8:30 pm.

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High-school basketball: Monday scores; Tues./Wed. games, food drive

January 31, 2012 2:10 am

| Comments Off on High-school basketball: Monday scores; Tues./Wed. games, food drive

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

Tonight (Tuesday) and tomorrow, it’s crosstown-matchup time in high-school basketball: West Seattle High School‘s boys’ varsity team hosts Chief Sealth International HS at 7:30 tonight, and the girls’ varsity teams play same place, same time, Wednesday night. At both games, Bev Corey tells WSB, the WSHS cheerleaders will be collecting food for the West Seattle Food Bank, so spectators from both sides are encouraged to bring something to donate. Both schools were in action Monday night – WSHS hosted Bainbridge, and Bev reports that the boys won 68-45, while the girls lost 29-53. At Sealth, per our partners at the Seattle Times, the Seahawk boys lost to Lakeside 79-73, and the girls came up short too, 64-44.

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