(WSB photo by Patrick Sand)
From left, Karina, Mike, and Nicholas were among the more than 50 all-ages participants in this morning’s Alki cleanup organized by Seal Sitters in honor of “The Year of the Seal.” The trash take wasn’t quite as big as it might have been if Friday hadn’t brought the first rain in more than a month, but Seal Sitters’ Robin Lindsey told us enthusiasm was running high – she shared this photo from the briefing that began the day, as Puget Soundkeeper’s Kathryn Davis spoke to volunteers “about the dangers of marine pollution and how we can help,” as Robin described it:

(Photo courtesy Seal Sitters)
Robin says Seal Sitters extend their thanks to the volunteers who came to help “from all over Seattle.” She’s published more about the cleanup on Blubberblog – including the startling number of discarded cigarette remnants they found!

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Update: Police investigate stabbing in Morgan Junction; 1 in custody

August 3, 2013 9:19 pm

| 10 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle police

9:19 PM: Police are searching for a suspect in a reported stabbing in the 6300 block of 42nd SW in Morgan Junction. According to scanner, traffic, the suspect is reported to have left northbound on 42nd in a red car. The dispatch is “assault with weapons/aid,” which suggests the injuries might not be major. More as we get it.

9:21 PM UPDATE: Police now report catching up with the/a suspect. Meantime, the 911 log has added more units and upgraded this to a “7 per” call, which suggests the injury could be worse than first reported. We have learned that the call originally was dispatched for a 21-year-old pregnant female victim possibly stabbed in the arm.

9:32 PM UPDATE: Our crew on the scene says police are describing this as a case of domestic violence, and is also being told there are NO major injuries involved. Investigators are still trying to sort out exactly what happened.

10:50 PM UPDATE: SPD confirms via Twitter that the victim was not seriously injured (“superficial wounds”) and that a suspect is in custody.

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Happening now: Preshow fun @ West Seattle Outdoor Movies

August 3, 2013 7:59 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle Outdoor Movies

Showtime at West Seattle Outdoor Movies is still about an hour away – with “The Muppets” as the main event – but there’s already a courtyard-filling crowd; our photo was taken about half an hour ago – so if you’re planning to go, don’t wait any longer! Tonight’s early attractions included free grilled hot dogs and burgers provided by West Seattle Christian Church. Other businesses from the WSOM sponsor list who are featured tonight include Nurturing Expressions:

From left, Kay Gordon with kids Asher and Alia, and Nurturing Expressions owner Tracy Corey with daughter Kayleigh, and some of the raffle prizes they’re donating tonight to raise money for WestSide Baby. For moms with babies, they’re handing out reminders of the breastfeeding support group that meets weekly at NE (which is at 4746 44th SW, Suite 201, across from Junction True Value), 1 pm Tuesdays. Also meeting weekly at NE, noon-2 pm Wednesdays, is the Early Days support group for parents with babies up to a year old, led by Meg Gluckman, who’s at WSOM tonight too, sharing information about all kinds of resources for parents:

And if you’re there, you can also find out about Dream Dinners from Carol, who shared a smile with Paul from PB&J Textiles, which donates the concessions to raise money for nonprofits each week:

Paul and PB&J co-proprietor Dave run the old-fashioned popcorn machine, too, always stationed near the gate to the movie courtyard alongside Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (4410 California SW). If you don’t make it to the movies next week – see the full lineup at wsmovies.org; three more Saturday-night screenings after tonight, starting with “The Avengers” next time (August 10th)!

Our standard disclosure: WSB sponsors mentioned in this story are Nurturing Expressions, Junction True Value, Dream Dinners, PB&J Textiles, and Hotwire Coffee. WSB, meantime, is the media sponsor for West Seattle Outdoor Movies again this year.

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West Seattle weekend scene: Proof that safety can be fun!

August 3, 2013 7:00 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| Safety | West Seattle news

Thanks to a mini-festival hosted this morning by Roxbury Spine and Wellness Clinic (WSB sponsor), more local kids will be riding their bicycles more safely. Along with face-painting, food, and a bouncy house, RS&W was providing free bicycle helmets. And speaking of safety, that’s also a big theme for the Seattle Fire Department, represented at the event by Highland Park-headquartered Engine 11:

Some parts of the event were strictly for fun, like the music – and when the DJ hit “Gangnam Style,” a couple of young dancers stole the show:

P.S. Somebody who passed by the clinic today asked us about a sign they glimpsed from the corner of their eye – featuring a famous face – check it out.

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Election 2013: Mayor McGinn’s West Seattle coffee-shop stop

August 3, 2013 6:06 pm

| 23 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

Nine candidates are in the running for Seattle Mayor, going into Tuesday’s primary election, and another one made a final-days campaign stop in West Seattle this afternoon – the incumbent himself, Mike McGinn. His campaign sent word at 1 pm that he would be at C & P Coffee (WSB sponsor) around 3 for an informal coffee-hour chat. Several people asked the mayor questions about topics from transportation to development to the 4755 Fauntleroy Way development; he said he understands West Seattle’s undergoing growing pains and – as he had said in this interview we reported on two months ago – needs more transit, which he says he’s working for. We asked how he thinks the effort to clear the “Nickelsville” encampment by next month is going; he said that while he didn’t have specific numbers handy, it didn’t seem as if the City Council-approved efforts to help find housing for campers was making much of a dent in their numbers yet.

Elsewhere on the mayoral campaign front, State Sen. Ed Murray was in West Seattle this past Wednesday night, and we learned this afternoon that Peter Steinbrueck plans to campaign at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market around 11 tomorrow morning. Any other mayoral candidates campaigning here before voting ends Tuesday night? Let us know – editor@westseattleblog.com.

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Happening now: Ardbeg Rocket visiting Capco Beverages

August 3, 2013 5:31 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | WS beverages

One of the more unusual promotional tours crossing the nation right now is this one, on behalf of Ardbeg scotch whisky – a rocket on a semi-truck. Right now, the Ardbeg Rocket is in West Seattle, parked on SW Alaska at 41st SW in The Junction, outside Capco Beverages (WSB sponsor), where it’ll be until at least 7 pm. So what do rockets and spirits have to do with each other, you ask? Ardbeg actually sent some of its malt to the International Space Station for two years of experiments (here’s a BBC story about it).

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Happening now: 1st of 3 pre-primary days for West Seattle ballot-dropoff van

August 3, 2013 2:07 pm

| 6 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

Anthony is one of the friendly King County Elections reps you’ll find at the official ballot-dropoff van in West Seattle, open until 5 pm today, 10 am-5 pm Monday, and 10 am-8 pm Tuesday. As with previous visits, the van is parked along the driveway into the West Seattle Stadium parking lot (from the northbound side of 35th SW, just south of SW Avalon Way). This year, there’s a White Center dropoff van too, same hours, at 9720 8th SW by the Greenbridge Library. If you’re looking for a fixed-location 24-hour box (until 8 pm Tuesday), the nearest ones are downtown and in Burien – all listed here. No stamp needed if you drop off your ballot at a van or box BUT if you mail it – do be sure it’s stamped.

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Alki Arts’ beach location to close after 3 ‘temporary’ years

August 3, 2013 10:07 am

| 34 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

(Alki Arts co-proprietors Tom Wyrick and Diane Venti, photographed on AA’s 2nd anniversary last year)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

After three years of brightening up the beach with art and music, gallery/event venue Alki Arts has been notified that its “temporary lease” will end September 30th.

That’s according to proprietors Diane Venti and Tom Wyrick, who took over the space at 2820 Alki SW in July 2010, after a pet shop closed with time left on its lease.

In those ensuing three years, not only have they shown and sold a wide variety of art, they also have hosted a wide range of events – ones they planned themselves, such as musical performers on days/nights both quiet and not (Art Walk, Pirates Landing, Summer Streets) and privately booked events (even weddings).

Via e-mail, Diane tells WSB, “We have HIRED (I don’t believe in free music) 90+ musicians, sponsored at least 40 donated events for schools, and local nonprofits, and made friends in this community for the rest of our lives. We have shown art for over 100 local ‘working artists’ and sold over 1/2 a million dollars of original art during a recession! Who knew!!!”

She also reflected:

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West Seattle Saturday: Cleanups; canoes; ‘Muppets’ & diaper drive & free BBQ at WS Outdoor Movies; more…

August 3, 2013 7:58 am

| Comments Off on West Seattle Saturday: Cleanups; canoes; ‘Muppets’ & diaper drive & free BBQ at WS Outdoor Movies; more…

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Rufous hummingbird photographed in July by Trileigh Tucker)
Happy weekend! Newest forecast suggests we might see some clearing as the day goes on. Our look ahead to today/tonight starts with two FYIs:

TRAFFIC ALERT: The I-90 bridge is scheduled to close again 1:15-2:40 pm today for the Patriots Jet Team’s performance during the Seafair airshow.

NO LIGHTHOUSE TOURS: The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary will NOT be opening Alki Point Lighthouse for tours today or Sunday, because everyone’s busy for Seafair. Tours will resume next weekend (1-4 pm both days).

Now, what’s happening:

OUTRIGGER CANOE RACES: The annual DaGrind outrigger-canoe races are scheduled to launch from Alki today, with registration at 8:30 am and the first race scheduled at 10 am. Details in our calendar listing.

CLEAN UP ALKI WITH SEAL SITTERS: It’s the Year of the Seal, and this morning, Seal Sitters invite you to join them for a big cleanup on Alki, 9 am-noon (details here).

BICYCLE HELMETS AND FAMILY FUN: Roxbury Spine and Wellness Clinic (WSB sponsor) invites families to stop by 10 am-12:30 pm for free bicycle helmets, a barbecue, kids’ games, face-painting, and bouncy toys. (2656 SW Roxbury)

CLEAN UP DELRIDGE COMMUNITY CENTER WITH NDNC: Looking ahead to the Delridge Day festival in two weeks, the North Delridge Neighborhood Council invites you to join them 10-noon in a cleanup at and around the festival site, Delridge Community Center/Park – details here.

TALK WITH YOUR SCHOOL-BOARD REP: 10 am-noon today at Southwest Branch Library is the first of two informal meetings scheduled by West Seattle’s elected representative on the Seattle Public Schools Board of Directors, Marty McLaren, to talk about the “Growth Boundaries” process that’s under way. (35th/Henderson)

DROP OFF YOUR BALLOT: Haven’t mailed your ballot yet? Tuesday night is the deadline. Today, Monday, and Tuesday are the days you can drop it off at the official county dropoff vans – one at West Seattle Stadium, one at Greenbridge in White Center. Both vans will be set up and accepting ballots 10 am-5 pm today; details here. (4432 35th SW & 9720 8th SW)

WEST SEATTLE ADOPTIVE FAMILIES PICNIC: Just received this message last night: “WSAF, West Seattle Adoptive Families, is having a Potluck Picnic from 11 am – 2 pm at the south end of Lincoln Park. We will be situated near the swing set by the beach. We encourage families who have adopted or foster children to attend this small and friendly get-together.”

BECOME A LOG HOUSE MUSEUM VOLUNTEER: 11 am-1 pm today, the Log House Museum, home of West Seattle history, welcomes you to its volunteer-information session. All the info is on the LHM website. (61st/Stevens)

(added) MAYOR’S COFFEE-HOUR CAMPAIGN STOP: If we find out about any candidate’s West Seattle campaign stop in these final days of the mayoral campaign, we’ll mention it – and we just found out that Mayor McGinn will be at C & P Coffee (WSB sponsor) at 3 pm to talk with anybody interested in stopping by. (5612 California SW)

(added) ARDBEG ROCKET AT CAPCO BEVERAGES: A one-of-a-kind promotional vehicle is due to stop outside Capco Beverages (WSB sponsor) in The Junction late this afternoon/early this evening (should be there by 5) – the Ardbeg (Scotch) Rocket! See video of another tour appearance here. (41st/Alaska)

WEST SEATTLE OUTDOOR MOVIES – WITH A DIAPER DRIVE: WestSide Baby is the nonprofit beneficiary for tonight’s edition of West Seattle Outdoor Movies, and while the movie – “The Muppets” (2011) tonight – is FREE as always, WS Baby is hoping you’ll bring diapers to the Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor) courtyard before the movie (“The Muppets“), whether you’re staying or not! Here’s why. The movie’s at dusk, which should be around 9 pm, and there’ll be concessions (also a fundraiser) too. BYO chair/blanket. ***One more reminder, FREE hot dog/hamburger barbecue courtesy of West Seattle Christian Church!*** The weather’s supposed to clear, but if it looks iffy by late afternoon, we’ll have updates here as well as on Facebook and via Twitter. (4410 California SW)

MUSIC WITHOUT A NET: Ragtime pianist David Parker and friends perform at Kenyon Hall, 7:30 pm – details in the calendar listing. (7904 35th SW)

‘GUYS AND DOLLS’: 7:30 pm, Twelfth Night Productions presents its second performance of “Guys and Dolls” at the West Seattle High School Theater; details in the listing. (3000 California SW)

DO THE TIME WARP AGAIN: First Saturday night of the month means “Rocky Horror Picture Show” at Admiral Theater, midnight tonight. (2343 California SW)

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