day : 13/09/2012 12 results

The King County Sheriff‘s race is a countywide vote, so when your ballot arrives next month, in advance of the November 6th election, you’ll have to choose between current Sheriff Steve Strachan – appointed when Sue Rahr resigned for a new job – and challenger John Urquhart. Their first joint appearance in this area was tonight in White Center, during the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council‘s quarterly Public Safety Forum, and it was an energetic hour-plus faceoff – all on video above. (That’s NHUAC’s Richard Miller introducing them, with Sheriff Strachan speaking first.)

West Seattle scenes: Sunset on the pond & on the Sound

September 13, 2012 9:27 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

Two lovely sunset photos shared by WSB’ers tonight. Top, Lise‘s photo from High Point Pond. Next, Susan shares a Puget Sound view:

Aside from some morning low clouds on Saturday, looks like sunshine all the way through the weekend!

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September 23 memorial for West Seattle native Joe Miller

September 13, 2012 8:40 pm

| 12 COMMENTS

| Obituaries | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

A memorial is planned on September 23rd for Joe Miller, who died a week ago, just a few weeks short of what would be his 57th birthday. We received this tribute to share with you:

Joseph Brian Miller
September 24, 1955~September 5, 2012

Joe was born September 24, 1955 at the West Seattle Hospital to August “Gus” and Kathleen Miller. He was the 4th of 6 children and easily the most charming from birth. He was considered by some to be a local celebrity, everyone knew and loved Joe Miller. Words fall short to describe the good feelings everyone had for Joe Miller.

He was a graduate of Chief Sealth High School. He worked in sales and marketing for more than 30 years and lived many places, but his heart always remained in West Seattle where he was raised. Joe spent the last 20 with Trendwest Resorts, now Wyndham Resorts, frequently earning awards for his top performance. It was a natural fit for a man who truly loved people.

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More road relief: Delridge repaving goes out to bid

September 13, 2012 5:05 pm

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| Delridge | Transportation | West Seattle news

(Bumpy section of Delridge near Kenyon)
For the “I won’t believe it till I see it” contingent – the city is officially calling for bids on its plan to resurface Delridge Way SW south of Orchard. (See here and here.) As had been noted in our original reports, it’s a three-part proposal – they’re guaranteeing the resurfacing from Orchard to Henderson, no matter what; then if there’s money, they’ll go from Henderson to Roxbury on Delridge and that same stretch on 16th. The estimated “base bid” for the guaranteed part is $5.9 million to $6.5 million; for the extra work on Delridge, $1 million to $1.2 million more; for the extra work on 16th, $900,000 to $1.1 million more. Bids are due to be opened October 2nd. This plan was first mentioned during Mayor McGinn‘s May town hall in West Seattle; then in June, the city revealed at a Delridge Neighborhoods District Council meeting that it intends to “rechannelize” that section too (see the plan here).

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West Seattle restaurants: Firefly Café and Creperie winging toward October

September 13, 2012 3:28 pm

| 12 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

Quick update on the Firefly Café and Creperie, soon to take wing on the northeast corner of California and Genesee at the north edge of The Junction, as reported here in June: Proprietor Charell Estby says she is penciling in October 26th-October 28th as the grand-opening weekend. This week, she’s been busy with inspections; the plum-colored paint job you see in our photo went up a month ago. (She told Facebook fans it’s “caramel” inside.)

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Photo tour, time-lapse video: Atop Highway 99’s new section

September 13, 2012 1:52 pm

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| Alaskan Way Viaduct | West Seattle news

(Through the windshield, as WSDOT drove media onto the new bridge)
Nine months ahead of schedule and under budget, the elevated section of northbound Highway 99/Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement near the stadiums will be open by Monday (as announced last week). This morning, WSDOT executives led a quick news-media tour of the about-to-open section, and WSB was there.

(WSDOT executive Matt Preedy talking with notebook-holding Mike Lindblom of The Seattle Times [WSB partner])
They also have gone public with this time-lapse video of what’s transpired since that section of the AWV started coming down less than a year ago:

More photos ahead – plus a WSDOT graphic of how you’ll get through the area:

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Scooter rally Sunday, post-West Seattle Junction Car Show

September 13, 2012 1:00 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news

(WSB photo from June 30th, scooters outside Skylark)
Even if your scooter isn’t “vintage” enough to show in the West Seattle Junction Car Show this Sunday (8 am-4 pm, with cars and motorcycles too; register here), you’re invited to join a scooter rally afterward. The West is co-sponsoring. The official announcement:

After the car show, The West is sponsoring a scooter rally which will meander through West Seattle stopping at landmarks, going along Alki Beach and other cool spots. It’s going to be hosted by two WS business owners, Lora Swift of Hotwire Coffee and Jessie Russo of Skylark Café and Club. The rally will start at Hotwire Coffee and end at Skylark Café. You can register (FREE!) for the rally now until 4 pm on Sunday, either via email with your name or at Hotwire.

Here’s a map:

View Let’s Ride This in a larger map

Then 5-7 pm, live music and food/drink specials at Skylark ($5 cover), followed by, at 8 pm, the “Quadrophenia” screening at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), free.

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West Seattle Art Walk, and what else is up for your Thursday

September 13, 2012 10:56 am

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| West Seattle Art Walk | West Seattle news

(Painting by Ann Duffy, featured at Click! Design That Fits during WS Art Walk tonight)
Much going on tonight – with the monthly West Seattle Art Walk at the top of the list. From the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar (thank you to everyone who shares announcements!):

TRAFFIC ALERTS: If you’re downtown, remember the Microsoft meeting today (noted here on Wednesday); tonight, from our day-by-day/night-by-night list, two overnight road closures, same as last night: Southbound 99/Alaskan Way Viaduct 9 pm-5 am, and eastbound Spokane Street Viaduct 10 pm-5 am – so if you get on the eastbound high bridge during the closure, you’ll have to exit to northbound 99.

SCHOLARSHIP FUND BENEFIT: 5 pm at Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor) – details here.

ALKI ELEMENTARY BACK-TO-SCHOOL BARBECUE AND PTA MEETING: The school’s families are invited to a barbecue at 5:30 pm, followed by the first PTA meeting of the year at 7 pm. Details via Facebook.

OPEN HOUSE AT ALKI COMMUNITY CENTER: Come find out about classes, facilities, and everything you might not already know about Alki CC, 5:30-7 pm (more info here), 5817 SW Stevens.

LAST COMMUNITY KAYAK TOUR OF THE DUWAMISH THIS SEASON: Join the Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition and Alki Kayak Tours for a kayak tour of the Duwamish, 6 pm, leaving from T-107 Park in West Seattle. Details via Facebook.

WEST SEATTLE ART WALK: Dozens of venues around the peninsula, from Alki to Admiral to The Junction (and beyond), 6-9 pm tonight – meet artists, admire their work, and in many cases, enjoy a bite or sip compliments of the hosting venues. Here’s the walking map/list; here’s the official website with previews. (And a few specific previews shared with us follow …)

ART WALK AT CLICK! DESIGN THAT FITS: Ann Duffy will be on hand at WSB sponsor Click! in The Junction with paintings, including the one at the top of this report. Here’s the info from Click!’s own website.

WINE TASTING AT C & P COFFEE:

It’s our monthly neighborhood party! Bring a friend, bring an appetizer and listen to Brazilian music with Choro Tocando. $5.00 tasting fee or wines by the glass or bottle. (21 and older please.)

C & P, a WSB sponsor, is at 5612 California SW.

MORGAN JUNCTION COMMERCIAL PROPERTY TO BECOME PARKLAND? Join the community conversation tonight; meet at 6 pm at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), 6451 California SW. Details are in our previous report.

ASK AN EXPERT AT WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: Second Thursday is also a chance to visit the West Seattle Tool Library at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW), 6-8 pm, and talk with experts about home-improvement/construction/sustainability projects – this month’s lineup is here.

ART WALK AT ALKI ARTS: Pop art by Daniel Rey and live guitar music by Jeff Krause, 6-9 pm, 2820 Alki Avenue SW. Here’s the Facebook event page.

DESIGN REVIEW MEETING: 3078 SW Avalon Way, proposed for 114 apartments, is on the agenda tonight 6:30 pm, Senior Center of West Seattle (California/Oregon, upstairs). The format includes a chance for public comment. Here’s our preview from last night, including links with more information on the project and on a neighborhood group’s concerns.

SHERIFF CANDIDATES’ FORUM (AND PUBLIC SAFETY UPDATES): No West Seattle forums in this race scheduled that we know of, so to hear from the two candidates for King County Sheriff, be at tonight’s quarterly Public Safety Forum presented by the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council. It’s at 7 pm in the meeting room in the NH Fire District headquarters, 1243 SW 112th.

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West Seattle development: Official Design Review notice for 4755 Fauntleroy SW

September 13, 2012 10:41 am

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| 4755 Fauntleroy | Development | West Seattle news

The city has just sent the official notice for the first Design Review meeting for the 4755 Fauntleroy Way SW development proposal – which will span three properties on SW Alaska west of Fauntleroy, as well as stretching to SW Edmunds along the west side of Fauntleroy. As reported here last Friday (along with new information on the proposed 350-plus-apartments, 55,000-sf-retail project itself), it’ll be at 6:30 pm September 27th (two weeks from tonight), Senior Center of West Seattle.

P.S. In case you saw it and wondered – newly added text on the DPD page for the project includes some erroneous details, according to our followup conversation with the project team after we noticed it. The current apartment count remains at “more than 350 units,” and the retail remains “around 55,000 square feet” (with the caveat “possibly more, possibly less”), with parking projection remaining around 530. The packet for the Design Review meeting should be out at least a week in advance – by next Thursday – and the numbers will be refined by then.

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Be instrumental in your community! Orchestras’ season to start

September 13, 2012 9:34 am

| Comments Off on Be instrumental in your community! Orchestras’ season to start

| West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

The West Seattle Community Orchestras‘ season is about to start – and along with some changes and additions, they are once again ready to welcome you to join their ranks! Here’s the official announcement:

WSCO welcomes Rachel Nevis as she takes over the conducting duties for the Debut Orchestra. This group will expand to include woodwinds and brass, providing a full orchestra experience for those musicians new to playing.

Leading the Intermediate Orchestra is WSCO’s founding conductor Toni Reineke, Ph.D. The Intermediate Orchestra provides musical opportunities for midrange musicians, whether students moving up in their skills, or adults who are coming back to music after time away; mentoring is a key aspect of this group along with additional learning opportunities from SYSO coaches.

Kim Roy, who led the group in a rousing rendition of Aaron Copland’s “Hoedown,” will be conducting the Symphony Orchestra. Ms. Roy is a well-known Seattle musician who also conducts the Seattle Rock Orchestra. She will lead the Symphony Orchestras in tackling the most challenging works of our three groups, providing members with a chance to stretch themselves and provide audiences with great performances right here in West Seattle. The schedule for the Symphony Orchestra has been expanded this season to include three ten-week sessions.

A brand new addition to WSCO this fall is an Adult Beginning Winds and Percussion Class, taught by Toni Reineke. And due to the popularity of the Adult Beginning Strings Class last spring, a new Adult Beginning Strings Class is offered this fall, taught by Kriszti Bunica, candidate for Masters in Teaching. Both classes will meet at 7:00 to 8:00 PM on Tuesday evenings, at Chief Sealth International High School. Class sizes will be limited. Information and registration information is available on the website.

Registration is now open; rehearsals begin September 25, at Chief Sealth (2600 SW Thistle). For more information please visit our website, www.wscorchestras.org.

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99 years young, Morey Skaret honored by retired officers’ group

September 13, 2012 2:35 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Thanks to Brenda Donner for sharing the news that Fauntleroy’s legendary Capt. (ret.) Morey Skaret, 99 years young, was among the honorees at last night’s Seattle Police Relief and Retired Seattle Police Officers Association banquet. Capt. Skaret also served in the Seattle Police Department, and Brenda says, “The banquet honored SPD officers who have retired since last year’s banquet. Then they honored those previously retired who were in attendance; thus Morey’s honor … He was the ‘lowest serial number’ of all retired Seattle Police Officers in attendance; his SPD serial number was 406!”

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Services set for former West Seattleite Gerald Lutz, killed in crash

September 13, 2012 2:07 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle people

One of the brothers killed in a motorcycle crash earlier this week had West Seattle ties, as a former WS resident and parent of a student at Alki Elementary. Services are planned this weekend for 39-year-old Gerald Lutz, who along with brother Eldon Lutz died after their motorcycle crashed in Kirkland Saturday night. His online obituary published by Bonney-Watson on Capitol Hill includes details on Mr. Lutz’s viewing/Rosary on Friday night and celebration of life on Saturday.

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