day : 20/11/2015 10 results

1 more chance to try & buy Northwest Wine Academy fall releases

Shopping for wine to go with Thanksgiving dinner? You have one more chance tomorrow afternoon/evening to taste and buy the fall releases from the Northwest Wine Academy at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor). We stopped by tonight toward the end of the second of the three sessions. You have 6 wines to choose from – and handy order forms available to use at checkout:

Here’s the wine list:

2013 Cabernet Sauvignon – Columbia Valley
2014 Chardonnay – Yakima Valley
2014 Reserve Chardonnay – Yakima Valley
2013 Reserve Red – Red Mountain
2013 Merlot – Red Mountain
2014 Viognier – Yakima Valley

One fun feature of Northwest Wine Academy events, a behind-the-scenes view of the winemaking process – these barrels are steps away:

And there’s a “sensory” area where you can learn about details of the process at the only Western Washington college to teach winemaking. Tonight, as is a tradition for the second night of every NWA release, academy alums who have gone on to open their own wineries were offering tastes too – Kitzke Cellars among them:

Don’t miss the final day tomorrow (Saturday), 2-7 pm, with tasty appetizers offered along with the wine – you know SSC is famous for food-making as well as beverage-making. The NWA building is on the east side of the north lot on campus, 6000 16th SW on Puget Ridge – look for the sign by the lot entrance on 16th.

P.S. This is one of the many events featured in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide – where you’ll find many more events for tomorrow and beyond, including open houses and bazaars, and chances for holiday giving as well as buying, celebrating, etc.

From the ‘in case you wondered too’ file: Fighter jet’s West Seattle flyby

We’ve seen/heard a few mentions of a loud jet over West Seattle around 5 pm – turns out longtime WSB contributing photojournalist Christopher Boffoli got a photo of it. He says the jet hit the afterburners “as soon as it turned to the southeast,” adding, “It was too dark to see any markings but based on the longer, twin seat canopy and the wider wing leading edge it appeared to be an F/A-18F Super Hornet.” Some readers noticed something similar last Sunday, and we saw/heard one (which also struck us as F/A-18-esque) while walking along Duwamish Head on Veterans Day morning – tweeted about it for the record. With Boeing‘s presence here and multiple military bases, could be many explanations, but we don’t have a line on one currently.

West Seattle Crime Watch: Police investigating hit-and-runs

Thanks to everyone for the texts and other messages. Police have been out at several spots in north West Seattle, from Harbor Avenue up to Admiral, investigating hit-and-run damage done to parked cars. We don’t have all the exact locations; police theorize one driver might be to blame, but as of when we caught up with them, they hadn’t found a suspect yet. No injuries reported. But if you discover damage to your vehicle – be sure to report it. (Thanks to Katie for the photo above, taken around 5 pm at 46th/Admiral.)

YOU CAN HELP! What West Seattle, White Center Food Banks need for Thanksgiving

If you don’t know them already, above are Fran Yeatts and Rick Jump, executive directors of the West Seattle and White Center Food Banks, photographed at last night’s WS Chamber of Commerce “After Hours” event at Wyatt’s Jewelers (WSB sponsor) in Westwood Village. We’ve checked with both organizations about Thanksgiving turkey needs and here’s where they stand:

WSFB – OK on turkeys thanks to some unexpected deliveries/donations – but they will of course welcome any that you can drop off at their HQ (SE corner of 35th and Morgan, donations through the garage entrance off Morgan) 9 am-3 pm weekdays. This weekend, you can also donate nonperishable food via the food drives at the Junction True Value (4747 44th SW; WSB sponsor) open house on Saturday, 10 am-2 pm, and the Beer Church Turkey Bowl at WS Bowl (39th/Oregon) on Saturday night, 6:30-8:30 pm.

WCFB – Bring turkeys!!!! As mentioned previously, special turkey drive at Fauntleroy Church (9140 California SW) this Sunday, 10 am-noon – look for the truck outside – or at their HQ (10829 8th SW) 9 am- 5 pm weekdays.

Both also can always use cash donations, as in many cases – though NOT the case with turkeys! – they have special agreements and can make donated dollars go further. For WSFB – donate online here; for WCFB (which serves WS south of SW Myrtle) – donate online here.

ELECTION UPDATE: New count – Herbold 32 votes ahead of Braddock

November 20, 2015 4:07 pm
|    Comments Off on ELECTION UPDATE: New count – Herbold 32 votes ahead of Braddock
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

Two more weekdays until the election is certified, and a recount is expected to follow. As of today’s ballot count, Lisa Herbold is now 32 votes ahead of Shannon Braddock for the new Seattle City Council District 1 seat:

Lisa Herbold – 12,445 – 49.74%
Shannon Braddock – 12,413 – 49.61%

It’s the only not-yet-settled race left in this election. The full results list shows 27,733 ballots counted, of 60,991 sent out. (Almost 300 additional ballots came in but have problems such as unverified signatures.) After the initial count on Election Night (November 3rd), Braddock had a 733-vote lead.

BIZNOTES: Discovery Shop turns 25; The Westy turns 1; two closings and an opening…

A busy round of biznotes, starting with a throwback photo and the reason for it:

DISCOVERY SHOP TURNS 25: The nonprofit shop at 4535 California SW in The Junction, which is a WSB sponsor, is having its quarter-century birthday tomorrow:

The Discovery Shop, a resale store benefiting The American Cancer Society, will celebrate 25 years in business on Saturday, November 21 with refreshments and special sales throughout the store. While you won’t find any acid wash jeans or MC Hammer pants so popular when the store first opened, you will find quality, gently used men and women’s contemporary clothing from retailers such as Nordstrom, Chico’s as well as antiques, collectibles and housewares.

In the same West Seattle location since opening November 1990, the Discovery Shop is a story of retail success and longevity, quite an accomplishment for a store run entirely by volunteers! And thanks to their dedication throughout the years, this one store has generated over 2 million dollars for cancer research and patient treatment programs. The volunteers, who do everything from sorting and cleaning donations, merchandising and pricing to ringing sales and bookkeeping, are the heart and soul of the store. Currently, more than 70 volunteers help staff the store seven days a week, including a few who have been volunteering since the early days.

How long ago was it that the store rang up its first sale? Well, it’s the same year Microsoft released Windows 3.0, Mariners pitcher Randy Johnson threw a no-hitter in the Kingdome where the Seahawks also played and the cult hit Twin Peaks premiered on TV. It was also the year in which smoking was first banned on all domestic flights. “With the continued support of the West Seattle community, we are looking forward to another 25 years selling quality, unique donated items. But most importantly, providing hope for a cure,” says Board Chair Winni Field. “Thanks in part to the Discovery Shop and American Cancer Society, 14 million cancer survivors are celebrating birthdays this year!”

THE WESTY TURNS 1: The sports bar in Westwood is also having an anniversary party tomorrow:

We want to take this time to thank the West Seattle Community for the overwhelming support throughout our first year here at The Westy. We want to invite everyone to come help us celebrate our first year this Saturday, November 21st.

To celebrate we will be offering our Happy Hour drink specials all day long. We are continuing our tap takeover featuring Reuben’s Brews and in addition will be tapping a few limited kegs that we have acquired for a special occasion. We will also be releasing our first limited batch of two barrel-aged cocktails. One such cocktail features two spirits with recipes created by us, and will be available as a component flight to try both spirits on their own, a mini-unaged variation, and the barrel-aged version. Available while supplies last. Beginning at 7 pm we will begin hosting Skee Ball tournaments, which are free to enter and will have some great prizes. Everyone in attendance will be entered in a raffle for prizes being given away throughout the day.

We wouldn’t be here today without all of your support and can’t begin to thank you all enough. We look forward to this Saturday and many future anniversaries to come.

The Westy is at 7908 35th SW.

OUR SECRET GARDEN … is a new flower/antique shop having its grand opening at Junction 47 tomorrow, 3 pm-7 pm. The building announcement via Facebook says: “You can find them located on the south side of the East Building, overlooking the pathway from California Ave to 42nd Ave.”

WEST SEATTLE LANDSCAPING … is closing its bricks-and-mortar store, say owners Jeff Detweiler and Andrew Rupp, who sent this announcement that their last day will be Sunday, and a closing sale is under way now:

West Seattle Landscape and Stone Supply (aka egreen landscaping and materials ) will be closing the store at 9010 Delridge Way on November 22nd. “After 12 years of selling and delivering landscape supplies and stone to all our many friends and customers in West Seattle, we’ve lost our battle to create a good outcome with a property with multiple issues and are closing the store. We’ll be having our closing sale Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Friday 12 – 5, Saturday and Sunday 10-4. I have a lot of bagged decorative gravels, and pebbles, tons of Basalt rockery rock, paver samples, etc. etc. all at big discounts! The GOOD news is that while the store is closing we’ll still be in business as a web and phone-based delivery-only service. You’ll still be able to get all the products we’ve been selling for 12 years, along with some new ones we never stocked at the store! Our new website should be up and running at www.westseattlestone.com by January 1. Until then, you can still find us at egreenlandscaping.com, and our phone will remain 206-763-7625 as well. I really want to thank all of our loyal customers who have supported us for 12 years, and hope you’ll continue to do so in our new venture going forward.

MEANDER’S KITCHEN … is apparently closed for good – “in (the White Center) locale,” per its Facebook page, three months after the “closing or not?” kerfuffle. Thanks to the reader who e-mailed to point this out.

P.S. Go browse the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide to preview which businesses are having holiday open houses this weekend (and to find tons of other holiday-season events and info)!

From our West Seattle Holiday Guide and regular calendar, here’s what’s up for the rest of your Friday

(Thursday night sunset near Alki Point – photo by David Hutchinson)

From the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide (browse it before the weekend – so much happening!) and our regular year-round calendar:

WINE RELEASE: 2-7 pm, it’s fall release time at Northwest Wine Academy on the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus. Info here. (6000 16th SW)

FREE MOVIE NIGHT AT HPIC: At Highland Park Improvement Club – “doors open at 6 pm, with a children’s short at 6:15 and the main movie at 7 pm. Free admission. Volunteers will be selling popcorn, candy and other movie fare. Bring blankets and pillows or sit in our chairs. This is an all-ages event. Bring your friends, family, and neighbors.” See our listing for movie hints. (12th SW & SW Holden)

‘THE EMPOWERMENT PROJECT’: Free movie! This documentary tells the story of inspirational women, geared for middle-school age and up. The showing’s at Fauntleroy Church Fellowship Hall. No admission charge but you need to save your seat(s), and you can do that here. (9140 California SW)

LIVE MUSIC: Tonight’s listings include Timothy Michaels, 6:30 pm at Admiral Bird (California SW & SW Admiral Way), and Beth & Friends, 7 pm at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor).

PARENTS’ NIGHT OUT AT STRAIGHT BLAST GYM: 7 pm tonight! “3 hours of epic fun and pizza” at Straight Blast Gym of Seattle, plus a movie and … dodgeball! 7 pm. Ages 5-13. Go here or call the gym at 206.420.1834 ASAP to see if there’s room left. (5050 Delridge Way SW)

‘THE DEAD GUY’: 7:30 pm, final performance of West Seattle High School Drama Club‘s student production, in the WSHS Theater. (3000 California SW)

FREE WEST COAST SWING DANCE: 8:30 pm lesson, 9 pm-1 am dance with the Seattle West Coast Swing Dance Club at Alki Masonic Center – free! More info in our calendar listing. (40th/Edmunds)

Baby killer whales! And other updates, at The Whale Trail’s next Orca Talk

(Photo of J-53 by Mark Sears – NOAA research permit 16163-01)

The baby boom among Puget Sound’s orcas has given new hope to the humans who love them. You’ll hear more about them – and the Southern Resident Killer Whale adults – at The Whale Trail‘s next Orca Talk event, just announced for 7:30 pm December 3rd at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor):

Over the past year, six new calves have been born to the Southern Resident Killer Whales (J, K and L pods). What does that mean for this endangered population – how healthy are they overall? What have we learned over the past year, and what are the most pressing questions still to be addressed?

Join us to hear the latest findings and future research directions, presented by Dr. Brad Hanson, NWFSC lead killer whale researcher.

This is the second in the 2015/2016 Orca Talk series hosted by The Whale Trail in West Seattle. The event also features updates from Robin Lindsey (Seal Sitters), and “Diver Laura” James (tox-ick.org). Come early and share some holiday cheer!

Buy tickets now to reserve your seat. And hurry – this will likely sell out.

Haven’t heard of The Whale Trail before? At the heart of it, as executive director Donna Sandstrom describes it, it’s “a series of sites where the public may view orcas and other marine mammals from shore. Our mission is to inspire appreciation and stewardship of whales and our marine environment. Through our current sites and signs, including two on every Washington State ferry, we reach more than 30 million people each year. The Whale Trail is currently adding new sites along the North American west coast, from BC to California. The Whale Trail is led by a core team of partners including NOAA Fisheries, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Seattle Aquarium, the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary, and the Whale Museum.”

Back to tickets for the event – $5 suggested donation; kids free. Go to this Brown Paper Tickets page.

Remembering longtime West Seattleite Richard Allen Whitney

The family of longtime West Seattleite Richard A. Whitney is sharing this remembrance:

Our Hero, Richard Allen Whitney, passed away a True Veteran this past Veterans Day, 11/11/15.

He was born in Seattle, where he attended Highland Park Elementary, Denny Middle School, and Chief Sealth High School.

He was drafted into the Army and sent to Vietnam in 1967 and served two years. During his tour, he was exposed to Agent Orange and became very ill. He has since then had a liver and kidney transplant and lived beyond the years the doctors expected. He overcame many medical obstacles throughout his life and will be forever a medical miracle.

Whitney met his lovely wife, Liz Whitney, at Marv’s Broiler in White Center in 1981, and they have been happily married ever since!

He is survived by his wife Liz; mother Marie Clay; brother Ron Whitney; daughter and son Shannon and Patrick (PJ) Whitney. He also had the opportunity to meet his five grandkids as well who all adored him! Whitney coached Shannon in softball for more than 10 years as well as coaching SWAC football for PJ. He was very well known around our neighborhood, as all the kids loved to come to his house to play. He was a produce manager for QFC and retired from the Westwood Village store in West Seattle.

He loved his family, camping and the outdoors. He will forever be in our hearts and will be truly missed. There will be a memorial in the spring and his family will have the details posted when available.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Frosty Friday alerts and updates

(Five WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
7:13 AM: Good morning! Still no high-bridge cameras working, but from all the other info sources, no incidents so far.

FROST ALERT: If you will be heading out via a car you park outdoors – you’ll need to do some ice-scraping:

7:59 AM: Traffic alert for tomorrow:

Crews from the Seattle Department of Transportation plan to close one southbound lane on the Alaskan Way Viaduct, SR99, at the south end of the Battery Street Tunnel on Saturday, Nov. 21. The on- and off-ramps will remain open. The crews will repair a guardrail starting at 3:30 a.m. and complete the work before 5 p.m.

BUS STOP CHANGES DOWNTOWN STARTING MONDAY: In case you haven’t already seen Metro’s alerts about Third Avenue – here’s what’s changing and what’s not.