In the spirit of “it’s not over until it’s over,” we usually wait until the last day of the year to look back on what’s happened. So, with hours remaining in 2017, here are the top 10 (11 again this year because of a tie) most-commented-on WSB stories of the year:

#10 – MAYOR MURRAY’S STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS
February 21, 2017 – 127 comments
This was more than a month before first word of sex-abuse allegations against the then-mayor; the uproar was over taxes, especially a $55 million property tax proposed to fight homelessness. (He dropped the idea a month and a half later.)

#9 – FE-BRRRRR-UARY SNOWSTORM
February 6, 2017 – 133 comments
This was no mere snowstorm. Though just a few inches fell, the storm also included a big power outage and school closures, so there was lots of info for commenters to share with each other.

#8 – GREAT AMERICAN DINER & BAR COMING TO WEST SEATTLE
May 7, 2017 – 139 comments
Four months after Shelby’s Bistro and Ice Creamery closed at 4752 California SW, we learned the Great American Diner & Bar would become the sixth establishment in 10 years to inhabit the space. We had few details when we published this – a few days later, we interviewed the co-proprietors.

#7 (tie) – ADMIRAL STABBING SUSPECT CHARGED, BAIL QUADRUPLED
October 12, 2017 – 141 comments
The second half of 2017 brought two particularly shocking street attacks, including the one involved in this case. Kierra Ward, who had been living on the streets in Admiral, was charged with stabbing a woman out for a walk with her baby, and also charged with a second crime for threatening a man who tried to intervene. (Ward remains in the King County Jail, in lieu of $400,000 bail, as the case proceeds through the system, with her next case-scheduling hearing set for January 4th.)

#7 (tie) – BICYCLIST ESCAPES ATTACKER ALONG PATH; CITY PLANS ACTION
March 24, 2017 – 141 comments
Campers underneath the western half of the West Seattle Bridge escaped much official notice until this incident, in which a bicyclist riding home from work escaped someone who tried to grab her on the path under/alongside the bridge. The incident brought light to problems including non-functioning lighting, and various city departments sprang into action.

#6 – RYAN COX ARRESTED AGAIN, AFTER GATEWOOD STABBING
August 8, 2017 – 151 comments
Ryan Cox, a repeat offender who had been something of a fixture in recent years in the Morgan Junction, Fauntleroy, and Gatewood areas, was arrested and charged with stabbing a man. He remains in jail in lieu of $150,000, awaiting trial; we published this update on his case December 22nd.

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SEEKING AN ‘ANGEL’: Another search for someone who helped Christmas crash victims

December 31, 2017 3:54 pm

| Comments Off on SEEKING AN ‘ANGEL’: Another search for someone who helped Christmas crash victims

| West Seattle news | West Seattle people

From the WSB inbox, another case of someone seeking the person who helped them after a crash during our snowy Christmas. From Mercedes:

On December 25th, we were in an accident. It was around 10:00 pm and we were crossing the intersection between SW Morgan St and 41st. I would like to find the Good Samaritan that helped us. I remember a young man going to my side and checking on us. Please, if anyone saw or knows this angel, let me know, I would like to thank him personally. If anyone else who was there reads this, please feel free to contact me so we can thank you.

If you’re the person Mercedes is looking for – or if you know him – please e-mail us at editor@westseattleblog.com so we can connect you.

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BIZNOTES: Click! break, Merryweather Books update, West Seattle Produce, Domino’s…

December 31, 2017 12:46 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

West Seattle biznotes for your New Year’s Eve afternoon:

CLICK! BREAK: If you need to get something at Click! Design That Fits (4540 California SW; WSB sponsor), do it before 4 pm today, when they’re closing early to “spruce up the shop” over the next two-plus weeks – reopening January 19th.

MERRYWEATHER BOOKS UPDATE: In early December, we reported via a reader tip that this used-books shop in The Junction (4537 California SW) is closing. Today, Mary Clark sent us the full announcement they want to share with the community:

After more than 20 years, Merryweather (Leisure) Books is sadly going to have to close our retail location. We need to focus on our families and are not able to put the time into the store that would enable us to keep it open. We will be open reduced hours during January and the books will be on sale as we clear out. We will continue selling online. Come in and leave us your email it you would like to get announcements of online stock and specials and check our facebook page for an easy link to our store.

It has been an honor and joy to be part of your community over the years. We always had a nook and chair for people to curl up in and rest, read, and browse. We have watched people explore the world of books, plundering our shelves and finding treasures, connecting to stories that opened up vistas in their imaginations. We have watched families bringing in children for their first book, grandparents sharing their favorite stores, and the children grow up and share stories, and connect ideas with others who love books. That is what independent bookstores do. So now as we close our doors, we say thank you so much for making us a part of your life! We will miss everyone very much. We will have a going-away party during the Art Walk in January.

We know many people have trade credit with our store. Come in and take advantage of our storewide sale to use your credit. If you have books on consignment with us, please come in and pick them up. We will be selling some of the cases and fixtures so if you are interested let us know.

Again thank you to all our loyal customers from Mary, Manya, Ron, and all of our family.

WEST SEATTLE PRODUCE: When we reported a month ago on the longtime produce stand’s plan to close because of redevelopment at their site (4722 Fauntleroy Way SW), the plan was “at the end of this year” – but don’t expect to find New Year’s Eve fruit and vegetables there; their last day was Christmas Eve. A dumpster is already on the site, Kevin Freitas found out, and tweeted this photo:

No word yet on a new location.

SECOND DOMINO’S PIZZA NOW OPEN: Back in May, we discovered the plan for Domino’s to open a second West Seattle location at Springline (3220 California SW). The store‘s manager confirms it’s now officially open.

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READER REPORT: Car seats found – maybe stolen and dumped?

December 31, 2017 11:59 am

| 5 COMMENTS

| Crime | Delridge | West Seattle news

The photo is from Jacob, who found those car seats while out walking his dog this morning.

Found these 2 car seats in the ditch on Brandon street behind the 7th hole of West Seattle golf course. They are both in excellent shape. Do not know why someone would throw them in the ditch but guess is a car was stolen and these were thrown out.

Please post if you see worthy as I am a parent and have paid a lot of money for car seats for my children and would want them back.

If yours, please e-mail us – editor@westseattleblog.com – and we can forward your contact info.

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West Seattle Sunday: Your 2017 New Year’s Eve, morning through night

December 31, 2017 7:51 am

| 5 COMMENTS

| Holidays | West Seattle news

(Varied thrush, photographed in Fauntleroy Park by Mark Wangerin)

Happy last day of 2017! From the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide and year-round Event Calendar, here’s what’s happening:

FREE RIDES ON METRO: One more reminder that Metro buses are FREE through 4 am Monday. (So is the Seattle Streetcar downtown, which runs until 1 am.) Info here.

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Yes, it’s open today! 10 am-2 pm in the street in The Junction, as always. (California SW between SW Oregon and SW Alaska)

NEW YEAR’S EVE SERVICES: Featured in the Holiday Guide, from churches that sent us their winter-holiday schedules.

GO TO THE LIBRARY: Your local Seattle Public Library branches are open regular Sunday hours today, but closed tomorrow.

NEW YEAR’S EVE WALKS: Emerald City Wanderers are hosting 5- and 10-kilometer walks on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, “different routes each day. And there’ll be hot soup and snacks to chase away the chills. Walks start on New Year’s Eve, anytime between 4 and 7 PM, at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church (3050 California SW). No fee for the walks, which are noncompetitive. The New Year’s Eve 5-kilometer route winds through the holiday lights in the Admiral neighborhood and Junction. The 10-kilometer route also enjoys neighborhood holiday lights, heads down to Alki and features the lights on and around Puget Sound, Elliott Bay, and downtown Seattle. Flashlights will be helpful.” Sanctioned by the American Volkssport Association. Information about volkssports will be available.

LAST NIGHT FOR WEST SEATTLE LIGHTS: The lights-and-music show across from the SW Charlestown water tank runs 5 pm-midnight tonight to conclude its 2017 run. Show your appreciation by bringing nonperishable food for the West Seattle Food Bank – the bin’s out front – and/or donating money to WSL’s chosen causes, including WSFB, online. (3908 SW Charlestown)

NOT-SO-SILENT-NIGHT PARADE AND CORNER BAR: Highland Park Improvement Club‘s all-ages celebration starts at 6 pm, when you can assemble outside HPIC for the Not-So-Silent-Night Parade – bring drums, noisemakers, musical instruments, bells, etc., for the walk through surrounding neighborhoods, and then back at HPIC it’s the New Year’s Eve edition of the monthly pop-up bar, with DJ Dr. Lehl & DJ Evan, the HPIC Hot Dog Stand in the courtyard, and starting around 9, music by
McTuff. RL Carroll will be there again for keepsake photos! (1116 SW Holden)

KID PARTY @ SOUTH PARK HALL: 7-9 pm, the proprietors of Admiral Bird have a big new venue for this year’s New Year’s Eve party tailored to kids (and their families) – their newly renovated and historic South Park Hall. Details in our preview. (1253 S. Cloverdale)

OTHER VENUES WITH NEW YEAR’S EVE SHOWS AND/OR MEALS … are listed in the Holiday Guide.

WATCH THE FIREWORKS: Yes, even with the remodeling project, the Space Needle will have a midnight fireworks show tonight, and many north-facing West Seattle spots will have a good view. Don’t wait until the last minute to go look for a spot because roads to the viewpoints tend to get jammed with everybody else who had the same idea!

Thanks for another awesome year of community collaboration! Got a calendar event for 2018? E-mail us the info – the earlier the better – editor@westseattleblog.com – thank you.

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