day : 02/08/2012 11 results

Some West Seattleites saw them … some just heard them … no mistaking the sounds and sights of the Blue Angels practicing for Seafair Weekend today. Doug B (a frequent Flickr contributor, including the WSB group pool) shared a few of his photos – including this low pass over Lake Washington:

If tomorrow is like most Seafair Fridays, they will go up after 1 pm (leaving Boeing Field, where Museum of Flight viewing of the takeoff/landing is a don’t-miss experience too) to go through the same show they will officially perform on Saturday and Sunday.

You can see the full airshow and hydroplane schedule for all three days of Seafair Weekend by going here. (Remember that you can watch from Seafair HQ on Lake Washington for free tomorrow, but Saturday and Sunday, admission is charged.) Tours of the visiting U.S. Navy ships are scheduled to continue all three days too – that schedule is here. (Tip – if you’re going to visit the USS Bunker Hill, the West Seattle Water Taxi dock is a short walk away.)

P.S. The scheduled I-90 bridge closure times are the same each of the next three days – 12:45-2:40 pm.

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Video: Blues, balloons, bubbles at Hiawatha concert

August 2, 2012 7:06 pm

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| West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Singing the blues isn’t always a downer – we’ve heard lots of upbeat the first half-hour at Hiawatha tonight with Mark DuFresne headlining the season’s second free concert presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association. Still time to get here – the crowd keeps growing, but there’s still room to sit on the grass and enjoy the music – and the balloons! Joyful the Clown is making balloon animals for kids, sponsored by Merrill Gardens-Admiral Heights (WSB sponsor):

And there are bubbles. Lots of bubbles. ANA vice president Karl de Jong couldn’t resist:

Karl led off tonight’s show, introducing emcee Jim Dever from KING 5’s Evening Magazine. C’mon down to the east lawn at Hiawatha if you can, even to drop in for a song or two – they’ll be playing till about 8.

ADDED 8:02 PM: Video:

Next Thursday night at 6:30 pm, it’s Reilly & Maloney with folk music – be here!

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From the ‘in case you wondered’ file: Cranes in Fauntleroy

August 2, 2012 5:33 pm

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| Fauntleroy | Seen around town | Seen at sea | West Seattle news

Lots of work going on in the vicinity of Washington State Ferries‘ Fauntleroy terminal. The crane in the photo above just arrived today, and it will be doing work for King County’s Barton Pump Station Upgrade Project, which got under way earlier this summer on the north side of the dock. Meantime, a crane that had been working on the ferry dock itself has now departed. Kevin McClintic photographed it on Monday:

This one WAS a ferry-system project. WSF’s Marta Coursey tells WSB, “During a recent bridge inspection, a pile was discovered missing under the timber trestle due to loss of pile embedment. The area was closed while an emergency contract was developed and materials were procured. The work began on Monday to drive two steel H-piles and remove one timber pile.”

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Beach Drive sinking last October leads to $18,000 state fine today

August 2, 2012 3:02 pm

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| Environment | West Seattle news

(October 2011 photo by Colby Chester)
The state has just announced an $18,000 fine for a fuel spill related to last October’s sinking of a construction company’s landing craft off Beach Drive. The sinking, and raising, of the Justin played out over two days, last October 14th (WSB stories here and here) and 15th (coverage here and here). The state’s announcement today also reveals that the size of the spill was determined to be 320 gallons, and that more assessments may be forthcoming:

The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) has fined Waterfront Construction Inc. (Waterfront) of Seattle $18,000 for spilling 320 gallons of diesel fuel in Puget Sound off West Seattle in October 2011.

The company also faces more than $32,000 in additional assessments for environmental damage and state costs associated with responding to the spill.

Waterfront’s 74-foot, 1950s-vintage military landing craft, the Justin, sunk on the morning of Oct. 14, 2011, while moored off a work site along the shoreline about two miles south of Alki Point. The vessel was delivering boulders for a construction project.

Although Waterfront failed to notify Ecology of the oil spill, the company did hire salvage and environmental cleanup contractors to respond to the incident. They refloated and removed the vessel the next day.

After the Justin was raised, inspectors found two half-inch holes in a corroded section of the hull.

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Haven’t mailed your ballot? Dropoff van in West Seattle tomorrow

August 2, 2012 2:54 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

Next Tuesday is Primary Election Day – which means you have to get your ballot in the mail by Tuesday night. But you can save the money for a stamp, and be sure you’ve delivered it directly to King County Elections, by using the “ballot dropoff van” that will be stationed in West Seattle tomorrow, Saturday, Monday, and Tuesday. We first reported the plan in early July, and it’s time now for a reminder. You can drop your ballot(s) off at the van at West Seattle Stadium (turn east off 35th just south of Avalon) 10 am-5 pm tomorrow, Saturday, and Monday, or 7 am-8 pm on Tuesday. Lots more election info on the county website. Remember that while this is technically a primary election, there are some issues and races that will be decided in this vote – including county Prop 1 (for a new juvenile/family justice center) and city Prop 1, the library levy.

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Update: Apartment fire in South Delridge ruled accidental

August 2, 2012 1:02 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| West Seattle fires | West Seattle news | WS breaking news

(WSB photos by Patrick Sand; top picture substituted 1:49 pm for original iPhone pic)
1:02 PM: Big response headed to a fire call at an apartment building in the 9000 block of 20th SW (map). First arrivals are seeing some smoke from the building’s fourth floor, per scanner traffic. We’ll have updates from the scene shortly.

1:10 PM: Fire’s under control, per scanner.

1:13 PM: Added photo from the scene. Smoke no longer showing from the building.

1:22 PM: Fire’s reported out. Still some traffic trouble in the area (Delridge/20th). We’re expecting to talk soon to the incident commander for more official information.

1:30 PM: Seattle Fire spokesperson Kyle Moore is there and we should be talking with him soon. We’ve also heard from the neighbor who says he called 911 to report the fire, Jeff at eGreen Landscaping, whose business is right next door on Delridge: “We reported it to 911 and then ran up and alerted the building manager, who hit the building fire alarm.”

1:35 PM: Moore says the fire was confined to a bedroom in one apartment. No injuries. (Update: Here’s video of his briefing:)

Investigators are working to figure out how it started; all the other residents will be allowed to go back inside. The woman who lived in the burned unit wasn’t home at the time; her cat might have been inside, and fire crews were looking for it.

5:23 PM UPDATE: Seattle Fire has just published a report here – saying the fire has been ruled accidental, and was “likely” started by a lamp in the bedroom. The report also notes that damage is estimated at $45,000 – and that the resident was reunited with her cat.

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West Seattle businesses: OutWest Bar to celebrate 1st anniversary

August 2, 2012 12:39 pm

| 9 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | WS beverages

(Pride Parade 2012 photo by Seattle Gay News, republished with permission)
August 11th will mark exactly one year since OutWest Bar opened its doors in the former pharmacy storefront at 5401 California SW. Its owners and staff plan a two-day anniversary celebration on August 10th and 11th, and are publicly thanking the community now:

This achievement is not necessarily due to the great business acumen of her two owners, but more importantly to the marvelous work of the tireless team of Joe, Josh, Holly, Nich, Rich, and Shannon, and most entirely to our unfailing patrons who believe in the OutWest Bar as the “LGBTQA community center with adult beverages” in West Seattle. When we marched in the Pride parade this year (our second year, as we also marched last year two months before opening) we were thrilled with the cheering reception of supporters from all over the city and region and knew we’d done a good thing.

We feel very welcome in West Seattle (especially as many of us have personally lived here more than a decade or so) and feel warmly accepted into the larger community. We believe our presence has encouraged a healthy conversation about difference and tolerance in our age and area. We truly are the gay frontier, and as good neighbors we embrace our dual responsibility of honest communication and to advance businesses and provide jobs in West Seattle by continuing to promote local stores and restaurants to our LGBTQA patrons and beyond.

In seeking to create a “small, local, comfortable, neighborhood LGBTQA focused but straight friendly bar”, and although there is no shortage of great ideas and plenty more to do, we believe we’ve attained this fundamental promise. It is no small accomplishment to have survived this year during the Great Recession, and Chad and Bob wholeheartedly and humbly thank our terrific team and our very loyal friends and customers: we are here entirely for and because of you. Please come by to celebrate with us on August 10th and 11th, we open at 4 pm and will have drink specials, our favorite video DJ, Andy, and a sparkling wine toast at midnight on the 11th. And please keep coming by to meet your friends at OutWest Bar and have a drink or two.
Thank you so much,

Bob, Chad, Joe, Holly, Nich, Rich, and Petey
OutWest Bar

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Waste Management strike aftermath: Collection, dropoff updates

August 2, 2012 11:02 am

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| Utilities | Waste Management strike | West Seattle news

Followup information is just in from Seattle Public Utilities regarding the now-over Waste Management strike (here’s the Teamsters‘ ratification announcement), and it answers the question we’ve received most frequently since last night – yes, you still have a few days to take trash/yard waste to transfer stations for free. Here’s the full news release from SPU:

Teamsters Local Union No. 117 recycling drivers voted this morning to end their strike against Waste Management, and garbage and food/yard waste collections have resumed across Seattle. The city of Seattle thanked both parties for reaching an agreement. At least partial collection of recycling materials is also expected today.

The mayor said city inspectors are on the streets today, checking for garbage, food/yard waste and recycling that went uncollected yesterday. Fines will be assessed against the company for materials that were missed yesterday. No fines will be levied for materials missed today.

The mayor also announced that, through Sunday, Seattle residents serviced by Waste Management can continue to drop off up to six bags up to six bags of either garbage or yard waste in any combination at the transfer stations — for free. Yard waste should not be in plastic bags. Recycling drop off is always free.

Residents can put out any extra materials that were previously missed, on their next regular collection day, through next Wednesday.

If your collection is missed, please report it.

The mayor also announced that, through Sunday, Seattle residents serviced by Waste Management can continue to drop off up to six bags of either garbage or yard waste in any combination at the transfer stations — for free. Yard waste should not be in plastic bags. This free service will last through this Sunday. Recycling drop off is always free.

Check SPU’s website for station hours, and webcam links. The South Transfer station will be open until will be open until 9 p.m., tonight and Friday.

SPU will provide updates as needed. Customers with solid waste service issues or concerns may call the Call Center at (206) 684-3000.

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During festival break, Nature Consortium invites you to ‘Wine in the Woods’

August 2, 2012 10:59 am

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| Fun stuff to do | How to help | West Seattle news

(Photo of 2011 ‘Wine in the Woods’ participants, courtesy Nature Consortium)
You can still join the Nature Consortium for fun at Camp Long this month, even though – as first announced at their annual brunch – the Arts in Nature Festival is skipping this year. At 7 pm August 10th – one week from tomorrow – you’re invited to “Wine in the Woods,” a fundraiser for future editions of the festival. The NC’s announcement explains:

In addition to wine tasting, Wine in the Woods will feature performances and installations by previous Arts in Nature Festival artists. There will also be an opportunity to donate directly to the Arts in Nature Festival and other NatureC programs. After sunset, follow luminaria on a trail through the forest to a campfire and desserts.

The full lineup for the night – including the musical acts and appetizers to accompany the wine – is described here. You can buy your $45 ticket online.

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West Seattle Thursday: Blue Angels practice; other traffic alerts; Hiawatha concert; more

August 2, 2012 8:44 am

| 4 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Great blue heron during low tide on Alki on Wednesday; photo by Patrick Linville)

Notes for the day/night ahead:

RECYCLE/YARD-WASTE DRIVERS’ STRIKE DEAL: As reported last night, Waste Management and its striking drivers reached a tentative deal, and the drivers have a ratification vote this morning. After that, we hope to find out more specifics for everyone who missed pickups during the weeklong strike. In the meantime, if you were supposed to have Wednesday pickup, you are urged to LEAVE YOUR CARTS OUT because the city is still taking inventory; if you have Thursday pickup, put your carts out – garbage-truck drivers, who had walked out in support of the recycle/yard-waste strike, are back on the job now, but the other pickups’ schedule isn’t firmed up yet.

BLUE ANGELS: Today’s the first of four days the Blue Angels will roar through Seattle skies for Seafair, with I-90 bridge closures as a result. Today’s the day with two closures: 9:45 am-noon and 1:15-2:30 pm. All four days’ closures are listed here. As for what exactly they’re doing during today’s practices, Seafair spokesperson Melissa Jurcan explains:

The U.S. Navy Blue Angels #s 1-4 will take off at 10 am … from Boeing Field near the Museum of Flight for circle and arrival maneuvers in preparation for the Boeing Air Show. They will be in the air over the city getting familiar with the area. At 11 am #s 5-6 will take off for a look at the South Lake Washington event site. The I-90 Bridge will be closed between 9:45 a.m. and noon.

All Blue Angels jets will return to Boeing Field and be on the ground for a short time. Following that #s 1-6 will take to the air for a practice performance over Lake Washington. Again, the I-90 Bridge will be closed between 1:15 pm and 2:30 pm for this practice.

OTHER TRAFFIC ADVISORIES: Tonight’s alerts are the same as the last three nights – 99/Alaskan Way Viaduct will be closed southbound 9 pm-5 am between the Battery St. Tunnel and West Seattle Bridge; the bridge’s eastbound offramp to 1st Avenue S. will again be closed 10 pm tonight to 5 am tomorrow. (See the day-by-day/night-by-night closure list here.)

LOW TIDE: Still low enough for good tidewalking – and you might see sights like the heron above. 11:35 am, -1.9 feet (here’s this month’s chart).

SUMMER CONCERTS AT HIAWATHA: Tonight you’re invited to the series’ second of six free Thursday night shows presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association – bluesy Mark DuFresne performs on Hiawatha Community Center‘s east lawn, 6:30 pm. KING 5‘s Jim Dever emcees. Bring your own chair(s)/blanket(s), picnic, etc. (Hiawatha is at 2700 California SW, but the east lawn faces Walnut.)

YOUNG WRITERS: A second night of readings at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor; 5612 California SW) 6:30-8 pm, more details here.

MAKE YOUR OWN MUSIC: Join the Thursday night drum circle at Alki’s Statue of Liberty, 6:30 pm.

‘SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK LIVE JR.’: The second show of this production starring summer students is at 7:30 pm at ArtsWest in The Junction.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Burglary, car break-in reports

August 2, 2012 7:20 am

| 5 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Two West Seattle Crime Watch reader reports: First, a resident who requested anonymity says her husband came home from work to discover their home in the 3000 block of 45th SW had been burglarized. Someone broke a window and locked their dogs outside while stealing various valuables. She says a neighbor saw a black SUV around 3 pm that might have been related to the break-in.

And Ryan on 46th between Dakota and Andover says his car was broken into either late Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning. He notes the prowler broke the street-side rear passenger window.

One more reminder that Night Out – a chance to close your (non-arterial) street and gather with neighbors to talk about looking out for each other – is next Tuesday, 6-9 pm, and Seattle Police hope to have all interested participants signed up by the end of the week – go here. (And if you’re having a block party, let us know too – editor@westseattleblog.com – we’ll have photographers making the rounds again to catch some of the West Seattle street scenes.)

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