West Seattle, Washington

25 Thursday

47℉

day : 10/08/2012 11 results

Love them tender, love them true: Elvis tributes @ Feedback El-Fest
August 10, 2012 10:52 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

The Feedback Lounge is a hunk-a-hunk-a-burnin’ musical love for The King tonight, including Roger Anderson – in our video clip above – all the way from Bonney Lake. It’s the second annual El-Fest at The Feedback, organized by Hellon Wheels, who’s in the photo below with Feedback co-proprietor Jeff Gilbert AND her Elvis memorabilia, including an essay she wrote about him in 5th grade!

Not only is The Feedback hosting tribute singers tonight, but they’re also offering Elvis-inspired food and drink specials. This time of year is prime time for Presley tributes, of course, because the anniversary of his death in 1977 at the early age of 42 is coming up – August 16th.

ADDED: From WSB contributing journalist Nick Adams, two views of Bret Wiggins‘ performance, the fan …

… and the spangles:

Wiggins – a West Seattleite – won this year’s Elvis Invitationals.

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Video: The Haggis Brothers get down (home) at The Mount
August 10, 2012 10:44 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Another fine Friday night of music at Providence Mount St. Vincent (WSB sponsor) – The Haggis Brothers were this year’s second act in the four-show summer outdoor concert series at The Mount, bringing along their down-home tunes. Two more Friday night shows remain in the series – the 85th Street Big Band next week (August 17th) with a classic-car show that night too; and Rainbow of Hawaii on August 24th. Music starts at 6 pm (free), with dinner on sale at 5:30 – either the full-meal deal (tacos next time, jerk-chicken sandwiches on 8/24) or hamburgers/hot dogs.

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1 more reminder: Recycling catchup promised tomorrow for many
August 10, 2012 9:58 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Waste Management strike | West Seattle news

If you missed the announcement yesterday … or forgot … here’s a reminder before it’s too late: The city says residential recycling that was missed Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday LAST week because of the Waste Management strike will be caught up TOMORROW (Saturday), so be sure your cart is at the curb (along with any overflow). And yes, they say, even with that, if your regular pickup is then coming up this M/T/Th, they will be back again on the regular day.

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Psychic Barber now Moving Barber, displaced by development
August 10, 2012 6:33 pm
|      23 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

By Keri DeTore
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

Rick Cook, aka the “Psychic Barber” (per the iconic neon in the window of his shop, featured here in 2009), is moving operations – another West Seattle business displaced by development.

Rick says he recently received 30 days notice to vacate the 19-year home of his Rick’s Barber Shop at 5251 California, to make way for a future project.

His landlord Hasan Ocak, who also owns the adjacent restaurant Ephesus, told WSB he isn’t yet ready to discuss his plans for the new development (a preliminary city filing mentions a 3-story mixed-use building, which is the height limit for the zoning on that site).

But Rick already knows where he’s going – someplace that’s both new and old:

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West Seattle Water Taxi trouble side note: New boats in 2014
August 10, 2012 1:55 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   King County Water Taxi | Transportation | West Seattle news

(Photo of Rachel Marie and firefighters during this morning’s smoke incident, by Christopher Boffoli for WSB)
1:55 PM: This morning’s West Seattle Water Taxi trouble (WSB coverage here) led us to ask about the status of the new boats that have long been in the pipeline. West Seattle’s County Councilmember, and Ferry District Board chair, Joe McDermott replied that the money for replacement boats is in this year’s budget: “80 percent of the funds are federal grant monies, and the required 20 percent match is from ferry district funds. Total cost for two boats is estimated to be $10 million to $13 million.” He says the Marine Division of the county Transportation Department is “taking the lead,” with a project-management firm hired and a request for proposals/qualifications under development, to go public by early next year, with “the new boats in service probably 2014.”

3:41 PM: The county subsequently has sent a news release on the same topic – see it here.

4:06 PM: Rachel Marie, by the way, has just been cleared to return to service, says the county, and will be back on the West Seattle run as of the 4:15 pm departure from downtown. Councilmember McDermott says, ” Some excellent work all day by the Marine Division. My appreciation to them and all of our riders for their understanding and cooperation.”

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Also from SDOT: Alki Avenue, SW Barton in line for road repairs
August 10, 2012 1:42 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

From Marybeth Turner at SDOT: City crews are about to start work to seal cracks on 13 stretches of roadway through the city, and two West Seattle streets are on the list: Alki Avenue between 59th and 63rd, and SW Barton between California and 35th. The work, Turner says, “will reduce the amount of water that seeps under the pavement during the year causing potholes and other roadway damage.” No exact dates – the crew will start in North Seattle next Tuesday and move south. No street closures are planned, but SDOT expects some lane closures and parking restrictions.

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Light at end of the tunnel – rather, bridge – for new 1st Av. S. ramp
August 10, 2012 1:20 pm
|      24 COMMENTS
 |   Spokane St. Viaduct project | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

The Spokane Street Viaduct Widening Project is unmistakably into its end stage – and “it may look done to the public” – but it’s not done, and there’s still a lot going on, according to the project team.

We heard from them at noontime today during the final meeting of a community task force set up to address communications challenges after the February closure that caught many by surprise.

So there’s still no date for the opening of the new 1st Avenue South on-/offramp, but project manager Stuart Goldsmith told the task force he expects they’ll be able to establish one “in 10 days or so.” Once they know the date the ramp will be ready, they’ll plan a ribboncutting for that date and get it open to the public ASAP, promises SDOT.

So why is this opening so much later than originally estimated? We asked that question, and Goldsmith gave a detailed reply. Believe it or not, the project is under budget and the contractor is still within the amount of “working days” in the contract – the explanation, ahead:

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In the wild with The West: Scenes from Art Walk August afterparty
August 10, 2012 11:54 am
|    Comments Off on In the wild with The West: Scenes from Art Walk August afterparty
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(Photos by Nick Adams for WSB)
Nine months ago, they saddled up in the loft at Mission. Three months later, they put on a launch party that soared through the West Seattle Eagles‘ HQ. And last night, the ringleaders of the arts-advocacy posse The West presided over its first fully public event, a West Seattle Art Walk afterparty:

Photojournalist Nick Adams was there for WSB, under the lights and amid the fog of the Heartland Café‘s legendary Benbow Room. Hobosexual was the headliner (top photo); 11 more scenes ahead:

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West Seattle Friday: 20 options, including movies and music
August 10, 2012 9:45 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Friday: 20 options, including movies and music
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news

Might be the busiest summer Friday yet. Because of this morning’s breaking news, we’re sending you to the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar for full information on TWENTY options for your Friday – including The Haggis Brothers at The Mount, THREE outdoor movies (including the rescheduled Thrive benefit), E-Fest at The Feedback, Rockypalooza at The Admiral … On the calendar page, click the “plus” on the right side of any line to expand the entry. For full details from there, including a map, click “read more” at lower right. Have fun!

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Update: West Seattle Water Taxi evacuated after engine-room smoke; service resumed late morning
August 10, 2012 7:38 am
|      21 COMMENTS
 |   King County Water Taxi | West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

(TOPLINE: Water Taxi evacuated 7:30 am after smoke led captain to return it to dock. Service resuming at 11:30 from Pier 50 with Melissa Ann)

(Added, photo by Christopher Boffoli for WSB – firefighters on board Rachel Marie)
FIRST REPORT, 7:38 AM: Just got an alert that the West Seattle Water Taxi is having mechanical trouble and has returned to Seacrest. Jana, who was on the sailing, tweeted that a “strong smell (was) emanating from the engine room.”

And now the Fire Department is headed there as a fire response. More to come.

(Photo by Christopher Boffoli for WSB)
7:45 AM UPDATE: About half the units have been canceled, as they have determined it’s not a major fire after all, but what’s there is still causing a traffic jam-up at Seacrest in addition to having interrupted Water Taxi service.

7:50 AM UPDATE: And yes, if you’ve heard a helicopter, it’s related – at least one media chopper was checking out the situation. Per scanner, we’re hearing that they have not found flames – just some “burned wires” so far. Updated a few minutes later – apparent “burned-out alternator.” A city fireboat is at Seacrest too – just added photo from WSB contributing photojournalist Christopher Boffoli.

8:05 AM UPDATE: Harbor Avenue remains blocked around Seacrest. Thanks to Toni for this overview:

No indication of injuries at this point. Update regarding service, from Christopher:

Rachel Marie captain Tara Rochester tells me that they had just departed Seacrest for downtown when the Rachel Marie started to fill with smoke. They returned to the dock. Everyone got off OK. One of the engines was on fire. Rochester says no replacement vessel available now but they’ll probably have something worked out for the afternoon.

8:20 AM UPDATE: April, who’s on board the 37 after having been evacuated from the Water Taxi when it returned, says she and others then had to wait to get through on Harbor. In comments, Paul says the road has just reopened, and WSB’s Patrick Sand at the scene has just confirmed that.

8:27 AM UPDATE: SFD spokesperson Kyle Moore has briefed the media at the scene. He says captain Rochester did all the right things in getting Rachel Marie back to the dock so everyone could get out safely. The fire was confined to the engine room. TRAFFIC UPDATE – Patrick reports that while traffic is being allowed to use Harbor going TOWARD the bridge, the westbound direction toward Seacrest is still blocked at Fairmount.

9:03 AM UPDATE: Harbor Avenue has reopened, according to police. Here’s our video of the briefing by SFD’s Moore:

Water Taxi management says via a text alert, “Plans for repairs and resuming service are under way.”

(Photo by Christopher Boffoli for WSB)
10:38 AM UPDATE: Forwarded by County Councilmember Joe McDermott, who chairs the board that oversees the King County Ferry District, including Water Taxi matters, an update from Paul Brodeur, county Marine Division director:

This morning’s incident on the RM was a failed alternation on the port generator.

This is a small (one gallon milk jug size) 12 volt electrical unit that charges the batteries which start the prime mover. Just to put it in perspective, your car has one of these alternators which also charges your cars battery. This failure caused smoke -NO FIRE – When the captain was notified of the smoke, she took appropriate action and the trained crew responded by securing fuel and air to the engineroom.She secured the vessel at the dock and the crew debarked the passengers with no injuries. The Us Coast Guard and the Seattle fire department responded and Seattle fire provided assistance.

The USCG is currently aboard and taking crew statements. We are awaiting their investigation and permission to move the vessel back to pier 50 at which time service can resume using the Melissa Ann.

11:14 AM UPDATE: The Rachel Marie has headed downtown (per MarineTraffic.com and a sighting from Sunny near the pier). We’ll update when we see/hear Melissa Ann taking its place. (A few minutes later) From Councilmember McDermott: “We are notifying passengers that we will resume West Seattle service with the 11:30 a.m. Pier 50 sailing. Our current plan is to repair the Rachel Marie this afternoon in time for the afternoon/evening sailings.”

4:10 PM UPDATE: Jeff Switzer with King County DOT confirms that Rachel Marie has been fixed and cleared to return to service, and should be leaving downtown around 4:15 pm.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: 4 reports; precinct picnic reminder
August 10, 2012 6:53 am
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

So far, a relatively quiet week in West Seattle Crime Watch reports … four reports to share, and a reminder about your chance to meet local police at the Southwest Precinct tomorrow. Read on:Read More

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