West Seattle, Washington

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day : 29/05/2015 11 results

West Seattle development: Ex-Charlestown Café site work expected to start Monday
May 29, 2015 10:53 pm
|      18 COMMENTS
 |   Charlestown Cafe | Development | West Seattle news

ORIGINAL REPORT, FRIDAY NIGHT: Four years after the end of its run as a restaurant, the much-vandalized ex-Charlestown Café building is in its final days. Dan Swallow from development firm Intracorp told WSB late tonight that they plan to “break ground” on the site Monday; city records show the demolition permit was issued a week and a half ago. 14 townhouses and 13 live-work units are planned for the site; the Southwest Design Review Board OK’d the plan six months ago. (WSB file photo)

MONDAY UPDATE: The actual building demolition is not planned until next week, we’ve confirmed on followup.

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Today’s other West Seattle broadcast: Listen online to KUOW’s ‘Week In Review’ from Youngstown
May 29, 2015 8:13 pm
|    Comments Off on Today’s other West Seattle broadcast: Listen online to KUOW’s ‘Week In Review’ from Youngstown
 |   Delridge | West Seattle news

Before KEXP‘s six-hour live West Seattle Junction broadcast got going at noon, another public-radio station had spent an hour live on location in Delridge – KUOW‘s “Week In Review,” starting a seven-week tour of Seattle’s new City Council districts, was live 10 am-11 am today from Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. In addition to host Bill Radke and panelists Joni Balter and CR Douglas, West Seattleite and former mayor Greg Nickels was a guest panelist; community advocate Amanda Kay Helmick was a guest, interviewed about her attempt to run for City Council entirely via signature power. If you weren’t in the studio audience or didn’t get to listen at 10 am or the just-concluded 7 pm playback, you can hear the show via the online archive – just go here.

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West Seattle High School softball season ends in Lacey
May 29, 2015 6:16 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

Two losses today in Lacey mean the West Seattle High School softball team’s trip to the state tournament is over; according to the WIAA bracket page, they lost their first game this morning to North Central (from Spokane) 5-1 and then lost this afternoon to Enumclaw, 19-2. Congratulations to the team on a great season that concluded with many honors and achievements, including a second-place finish in the Metro League.

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PHOTOS: KEXP’s 2015 West Seattle ‘Hood-To-Hood’ party
May 29, 2015 12:58 pm
|      16 COMMENTS
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(SCROLL DOWN for updates; event schedule is here)

12:58 PM: KEXP DJ Cheryl Waters is on the air live from The Junction, just north of the Walk-All-Ways intersection, as the Hood-To-Hood “West Seattle Day” street party gets going. Quiet now but likely to be a much-different scene by mid-to-late afternoon. 1st live music is John Darnielle of The Mountain Goats, starting in a few minutes (1 pm) – rest of the schedule is here. If you can, it’s a good time to come down and meet some of your neighbors – organizations here in the early going include West Seattle Bike Connections, with a bike rodeo and safety-check zone …

Meet cool people like Kathy from WSBC …

… and Kristina from the White Center Food Bank.

Speaking of bikes, Seattle Police officers are patroling on 2 wheels.

We’ll be checking back later in the afternoon.

2:05 PM: Looks like the crowd started showing up in time for John Darnielle’s set:

We’re heading back soon to The Junction, where the street party is on until 6, with Miami Horror up next, live at 3 pm; then at 6 pm, nine West Seattle venues are “taken over” by KEXP DJs, and the event wraps with 9 pm live-music showcases at Feedback Lounge (6451 California SW) and The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW).

4:10 PM: Just starting, an acoustic set by Telekinesis.

(WSB photo, substituted for previously published KEXP tweet)
Among the fans during that set:

The crowd in The Junction has picked up as the day’s gone on. On the air right now, West Seattleite Kevin Cole, who got a visit from Matt Vaughan, proprietor of steps-away Easy Street Records.

We got back here in time for part of Miami Horror’s set last hour – some of the showgoers danced in the sunshine, and Daniel Whitechurch left the stage to dance with them:

Still adding more photos.

6:23 PM: Street party’s over; we’ll check on the street’s status a bit later.

7:46 PM: Tweeted from one of the KEXP DJ “takeover” venues:

8:21 PM: And from another:

9:09 PM: California SW has just reopened between Alaska and Oregon.

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BIZNOTE: West Seattleite brewing Realfine Coffee for The Triangle
May 29, 2015 12:55 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS beverages

Caffe Vita was originally announced as opening adjacent to Rudy’s Barbershop (WSB sponsor) in The Triangle. Then Rudy’s confirmed that’s not happening. But there WILL be coffee – per this announcement we received today:

West Seattlelite Julie Mierzwiak has officially announced plans to open Realfine Coffee late summer, 2015. After many years of skillfully crafting coffee each day in a popular West Seattle café, the local barista has signed a lease for the space at 4480 Fauntleroy Ave. (adjacent to the brand new Rudy’s Barbershop). She is collaborating with friend and fellow Northwest entrepreneur Dani Cone (Fuel Coffee, High 5 Pie, Cone & Steiner General).

Mierzwiak and Cone are excited to serve the community in which Mierzwiak has lived and worked for over 14 years, and Cone has family ties. The business partners look forward to creating a great place for folks to gather, meet, and connect.

“West Seattle is a special place, and also a state of mind,” said Mierzwiak. “With the amount of growth underway in our ‘small town’, it is important for us to maintain the sense of community and connectedness that West Seattle was built on. I am beyond excited to reconnect with my West Seattle customers and neighbors.”

The shop will be open daily from 6 am – 7 pm, and serve superior coffee, local baked goods, beer and wine, and grab ‘n go snacks.

The announcement didn’t say what coffee they’ll use; we’re asking that as a followup.

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WEEKEND TRAFFIC ALERT: Bridge ramp changes Sunday
May 29, 2015 11:44 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

Maybe you saw the portable sign while outbound today, saying SPOKANE RAMP CLOSED MAY 31st. It’s more than that – there are changes Sunday for both directions of the bridge. SDOT just sent the details:

Roadway Structures crews from the Seattle Department of Transportation will perform maintenance work near the western end of the West Seattle Bridge on Sunday (May 31) between 5:30 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Traffic flaggers will assist large trucks and buses through the eastbound on-ramp from SW Avalon Way/ Harbor Avenue SW at Spokane Street, but general traffic will be detoured at several locations as follows:

· The SW Admiral Way off-ramp from the high-level West Seattle Bridge will be closed. Westbound traffic can continue to Harbor Avenue SW/SW Avalon Street and use SW Manning Street to access SW Admiral Way, or continue on SW Avalon Way to Fauntleroy Way SW.

· Traffic intending to travel eastbound to SW Spokane Street will be detoured at SW Genesee Street to northbound Delridge Way SW. From Delridge, depending on their destinations, drivers can access the eastbound lanes of the West Seattle Bridge or turn left at SW Spokane Street.

· If drivers northbound on SW Avalon Way miss the detour on SW Genesee Street, they can continue to SW Manning Street to access SW Admiral Way.

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West Seattle Hi-Yu Junior Queen Emily Cain wins statewide art contest; her work will likely land in your mailbox
May 29, 2015 11:28 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Thanks to Kevin Plough for sharing the news that the creator of the statewide-contest-winning art above – announced as “Burien 4th grader” Emily Cain – also happens to be West Seattle Hi-Yu‘s reigning Junior Queen.

From left, that’s Kevin – Emily’s teacher at Cedarhurst Elementary – with Emily, her mom Amanda Cain, and Secretary of State Kim Wyman. Kevin also happens to be a West Seattle resident, so he kindly pointed out the local connection, so we could share the news with you and congratulate Emily. As Wyman’s office explains here, you’ll see Emily’s work in the state Voters’ Pamphlet this fall, and the original will be displayed in the Lieutenant Governor’s office in Olympia.

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VIDEO: 64 ‘Laps With Lou’ for Make-A-Wish @ Pathfinder K-8
May 29, 2015 9:26 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | Pigeon Point | West Seattle news

(Lou’s first lap – everybody takes off, then he finally joins)
Hundreds of people are running and walking the Pathfinder K-8 playfield right now with PE teacher Lou Cutler to raise money for Make-A-Wish.

(Lou starts 2nd lap, as volunteer marks it on the official easel)
It’s been a remarkable event every year – this is Lou’s 12th annual birthday run, one lap for every year he’s been alive, 64 laps this year – but it’s more emotional than ever right now, because this is the last one before Lou retires. Here’s what he said right before it all began at 9 am:

To help him celebrate, former students are here too – and it’s extra-festive because it’s “Fandom Day” at Pathfinder, with many kids wearing costumes or accessories in tribute to characters they’re fans of – superheroes, manga, you name it.

Today’s superhero, however, is Lou, who just finished lap #6 as we write, and got lots of warm greetings before the run:

You can donate in his honor to Make-A-Wish – an organization for which he volunteers aside from the annual run, too – by going here.

NOON UPDATE: Stopped by for a few minutes to see how it’s going:

Lou’s still going strong. As is everybody along for the run – including his longtime head cheerleader, Pathfinder teacher Andy Darring:

(That photo was from the early going.)

1:37 PM: He did it!

As of a short time ago, 64 laps, with most of the school coming back out to the playfield to join him for the last two, and everyone chanting (as you can hear in the video), “Lou! Lou! Lou!”

Run’s over but you can still donate.

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West Seattle Friday: Last ‘Laps With Lou’; KEXP & KUOW visit; WS Community Orchestras’ season finale; more…
May 29, 2015 8:32 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(WSB photo: New message spotted this morning)

Yes, we do! Today is proof of that, and it starts early:

LAST ‘LAPS WITH LOU’: If you’re not already planning to be on the field at Pathfinder K-8 on Pigeon Point for PE teacher Lou Cutler‘s last pre-retirement birthday run to help Make-A-Wish – stop by if you can to cheer for him (and his students), or at least consider making a donation (Make-A-Wish helps dreams come true for kids facing life-threatening illnesses) – here’s his page. This will be the 12th year that Lou has run a lap for each year he’s celebrating on his birthday – so that means a 64-lap goal. (1901 SW Genesee)

WSHS SOFTBALL TEAM @ STATE: 9 am is the first game today in Lacey (Thurston County) for the West Seattle High School fastpitch softball team, only the second WSHS team to make it to the state tournament. Their first opponent: North Central High School from Spokane. No matter what happens in that game, they’ll play another opponent this afternoon.

KUOW ‘WEEK IN REVIEW’ HERE, LIVE: 9 am, doors open, no ticket necessary to be in the live audience as KUOW’s “Week in Review“ starts its summer tour of the seven new Seattle City Council districts. The 10 am-11 am broadcast is live from Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. The West Seattle guests we’ve heard of so far are former mayor Greg Nickels and community advocate/former City Council candidate Amanda Kay Helmick. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

KEXP ‘HOOD-TO-HOOD’ VICTORY PARTY: California SW between Alaska and Oregon is already off-limits to vehicles as preps are under way for the street party that kicks off the celebration. This is a party thrown by KEXP radio in honor of West Seattleites donating more $ during a fundraising drive last year than residents of other neighborhoods. The station will broadcast live from The Junction noon-6 pm, including live performances listed on the KEXP website; then in the evening, KEXP DJs will be at nine local venues 6-9 pm, and the event wraps with music showcases at two venues starting at 9.

BIKE RODEO AT HOOD-TO-HOOD: At the north end of the block, you’ll find West Seattle Bike Connections, noon-4 pm:

Noon-4 pm, West Seattle Bike Connections will put on a bike rodeo for young riders to have fun learning skills and road safety, during the KEXP Block Party at the West Seattle Junction. Kids, bring your bike! Fun and prizes. Helmet-fitting. Bike checks by West Seattle Cyclery. Support from Cascade Bicycle Club. On California Ave SW at SW Oregon St.

SEASON FINALE WSCO CONCERT: West Seattle Community Orchestras present their season-finale concert at the Chief Sealth International High School Auditorium, doors open 7 pm, music at 7:30, details in our calendar listing. (2600 SW Thistle)

BOEING EMPLOYEES CHOIR IN WEST SEATTLE: 7:30 pm, free concert by the Boeing Employees’ Choir at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church – more info here. (3050 California SW)

‘ANGRY HOUSEWIVES’: Haven’t seen the hit ArtsWest (WSB sponsor) musical yet? Again tonight – as of our last check – seats are available! Buy yours online here. 7:30 pm curtain; extended run ends Sunday. (4711 California SW)

YES, THERE’S MORE … on our calendar!

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Friday updates; Junction street closure
May 29, 2015 6:52 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Friday updates; Junction street closure
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
6:52 AM: Good morning and happy Friday. No outbound problems reported so far. One big alert for today: One block of California SW in The Junction, between Alaska and Oregon, will be closed to vehicles all day for the KEXP Hood-To-Hood Challenge street party – here’s our latest preview, including information on the closure and one Metro reroute. The closure was scheduled to start as early as 6 am; the traffic camera in that area is turned south instead of north, so we’re headed that way shortly to check on its status.

7:03 AM: Local transportation-related news – the West Seattle Transportation Coalition, an all-volunteer community group, elected new board members last night; here are the results. WSTC meets on the fourth Thursday of the month, 6:30 pm, Neighborhood House’s High Point Center; next meeting, June 25th.

7:34 AM: We’ve confirmed, the aforementioned block of California IS closed for street-party setup and will remain so into the evening (possibly as late as 9 pm, depending on how long breakdown takes):

On both ends of the party zone, though, Alaska and Oregon ARE open.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Stolen bicycle; overnight helicopter
May 29, 2015 6:44 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Crime Watch: Stolen bicycle; overnight helicopter
 |   Crime | Helicopter | West Seattle news

Two West Seattle Crime Watch notes this morning:

STOLEN BICYCLE: From JC:

My 12-year-old son’s bike was stolen from the Seattle Public Library on 35th and Henderson. The bike is a Silver Fuji Absolute. It has an aftermarket rack on the back and a new gel seat. The bike was stolen May 28th before 4:30 pm. We are offering a $100 reward.

This has been reported to police via the online system, but the incident # isn’t available yet; you can reach JC at 206-261-2410.

OVERNIGHT HELICOPTER: Guardian One was in West Seattle briefly around 1:15 am; the crew tweeted later that they were helping SPD with a car-prowling incident “off Delridge Way,” no block specified.

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