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Whole lotta lava: West Seattle’s hottest webcam wins an honor
January 1, 2009 10:03 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle people | WS culture/arts | WS miscellaneous

Jerry Whiting from West Seattle-based JetCityOrange created that clip of his Lava Lamp Webcam, suggesting that’s how a Lava Lamp might look “on espresso” (java lava?) – and now the camera itself has won an international honor: It made EarthCam’s list of the 25 Most Interesting Webcams of 2008. The camera focuses on two Lava Lites — with one in action at all times — and updates its image every 10 seconds; you can see it on this JetCityOrange page anytime (optimal viewing 8-8:30 pm, when Jerry says both are usually on). The full EarthCam Top 25 list is here (with cams from an Australian station in Antartica to the National Corvette Museum).

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Happy 2009!
January 1, 2009 1:18 am
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle people

There’s still time to change the road you’re on — Led Zeppelin (“Stairway to Heaven”)

A good line for this day of renewal, of starting fresh. We heard it while driving back from going downtown to see the Space Needle fireworks up close ‘n’ personal (viewing spot, 6th/Denny, shown at left in ’08’s final moments) after a decade-plus of watching them on TV after stepping out the front door to holler HAPPY NEW YEAR! while half the neighborhood did the same). Took the long way home; amazed to see eastbound traffic on Harbor/Alki backed up all the way to Duwamish Head, still, at quarter till 1 — having cocooned for so many years, didn’t realize that many people watch the Needle fireworks from West Seattle shores. Anyway, before the New Year gets too old, and the Old Year gets too far in the rear-view mirror, we want to thank you for being part of WSB in 2008, and for being here to start what we truly believe cannot help but be — for so many reasons — the best year yet.

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The latest mysterious case of vanishing pedestrian flags
December 31, 2008 6:03 pm
|      37 COMMENTS
 |   Safety | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

That’s 13-year-old Liam Etheridge. His dad Mark Etheridge, an Admiral resident, sent the photo with this note:

After seeing how effective the crosswalk flags are at some of the crosswalks in West Seattle, my son Liam and I decided to try and make the very dangerous crosswalk at California Ave SW and SW College St in the Admiral District safer. This is a busy traffic area and also a heavily used pedestrian crossing.

We investigated the local website for pedestrian news, bought the safety flags ourselves, designed a mounting system and bought the hardware.

On Sunday, 12/28, we mounted the holders and installed the flags. Within an hour we watched people using the flags and showing obvious approval of the new addition.

On Monday, 12/29 two of the eight flags were already missing. My son and I had learned from the pedestrian website to expect some attrition of the flags so we weren’t too concerned. By Tuesday, 12/30, all of the flags were gone except for one that we found thrown in the Blockbuster parking lot across the street.

I have to say I expected far better of the West Seattle community. This was supposed to be, among other things, a lesson for my 13 year old son on the benefits of community service. Instead, it became a lesson on the less fortunate aspects of human nature.

Liam and I have resolved to try again with one more stocking of the crossing flags. I cannot afford to continue to buy flags just so a few idiots can steal them and spoil things for the rest of the community.

And what possible use would anyone have for seven small orange flags? Are they practicing semaphore signals at home?

We received Mark’s note this morning; before we could publish it tonight, he sent this followup:

In a strange update to the story, two of the eight flags have returned, and highly decorated. One has a pretty good sketch of a bus almost running a guy down, complete with the “55” on the bus (correct route) and the caption “Don’t be this guy.” The other has a really messy green painted peace sign. Now my son and I are intrigued with what may happen next.

Here’s a map of the intersection in question. The city supplies flags for several crossings in West Seattle (including Yancy/Avalon, California/Dakota, and California/Dawson), and this is now one of several more where flags have been privately supplied by citizens trying to do a good deed.

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Got some time, or items, to donate? Stop-and-Shop needs you!
December 29, 2008 8:46 pm
|    Comments Off on Got some time, or items, to donate? Stop-and-Shop needs you!
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Just in time for the (snow-challenged) holiday-shopping season, the Senior Center of West Seattle reopened its renovated Stop and Shop thrift store. Now the shop’s hoping to get some volunteer help and donations as it heads into a new year – here’s an update from Cindy Gwinn:

We are looking for volunteers for all shifts. We are open from 10-4, 7 days a week. We work 3-hour shifts, 10 to 1, 1 to 4. They would be running the cash machine, setting up displays and meeting and greeting shoppers. Students looking for community hours for college, or needing retail experience. Would love all help.

All donations can be dropped off 7 days a week, and can be left in the back of the Center in the covered parking area. Please, no TV’s or stereos. For more information, call Cindy at 206 915-5595 or come by the Shop.

Never been there? SE corner of California/Oregon (map), street level.

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Shape the future of health care: West Seattle meeting today
December 28, 2008 10:45 am
|    Comments Off on Shape the future of health care: West Seattle meeting today
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

The best way to get events on a West Seattle-wide radar is to send info about them as soon as you finalize the plan (editor@westseattleblog.com) – we are happy to add your event weeks, even MONTHS in advance, to the WSB Events calendar (which is almost caught up from weather-related delay). This one didn’t make the calendar because it just came in – hosts Tas and Sarah Philp have posted it to the WSB Forum but the topic’s so important, we want to note it here too:

We are hosting a community meeting today to discuss health care reform. This is one of a number of such meetings being held all over the country at the request of the Obama transition team.

The meeting is being held Sunday (12/28) from 3:00 – 5:00 pm at our home at 3024 38th Ave SW (98126). Please RSVP to tasandsarah@gmail.com if you plan to attend. All are welcome (no small kids please).

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Have yourself a “Ducky Little Christmas”
December 25, 2008 3:01 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle people | West Seattle video

7 minutes of Lowman Beach snowy holiday duckiness, courtesy of Ron Sterling, whose “Duckies Rule!” sideline was featured in this WSB story in October.

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West Seattle snow and ice: A photo worth 1,000 … z’s
December 19, 2008 7:55 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle people | West Seattle weather

After an exhausting week of figuring out how to deal with the kind of weather we don’t often have to deal with — here’s a photo that says it all:

That’s the daughter of “Cruiser” and “Grrrltraveler” — tuckered out after a shopping trip in the snow. Everybody get some extra sleep tonight, just in case that next storm’s all it’s cracked up to be.

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They made things happen: Neighborhood $ winners’ Alki party
December 12, 2008 6:03 am
|    Comments Off on They made things happen: Neighborhood $ winners’ Alki party
 |   Neighborhoods | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

No shortage of big news last night – from the Alaskan Way Viaduct “scenarios” getting narrowed down to two, to Cooper Elementary parents and teachers meeting to plot strategy to save their school (our report’s coming up later this morning), to Snow Watch. But one event that some might have overlooked contained big news all its own – because of neighbors from all over West Seattle celebrating community projects that received city $. (And taking home reusable shopping bags, shown above!) The periodic Neighborhood Matching Fund celebration brought people from all over the city to Alki Elementary – and a WSB reporter was there too – story and photos ahead, along with information that can help you seek out this kind of grant for your own neighborhood project:Read More

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West Seattle scenes: Big night for holiday parties
December 11, 2008 2:19 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle Art Walk | West Seattle people

Salty’s on Alki is done up to the Christmas nines inside as well as out, as you can tell from that photo taken during Wednesday night’s West Seattle Chamber of Commerce holiday party (with WSCoC executive director Patti Mullen at center). That was the biggest party in West Seattle north; as for West Seattle south, 34th District Democrats gathered to celebrate both the holidays and recent victories — not just the presidential and governor elections:

Left to right, the three local state legislators who won their races – all unopposed – last month, 34th District Rep. Sharon Nelson, Sen. Joe McDermott, Rep. Eileen Cody. (By the way, Sen. McDermott is the new assistant floor leader; Rep. Cody leads the Health Care and Wellness committee). One more elected official on hand — long after we left the party, Pathfinder K-8 parent Leslie Harris sent this photo of Hizzoner buying a handmade wreath from PF parent Brent Morgan:

The Pathfinder community also is selling handmade gifts at a Craft Fair on campus tonight, and continuing to sell wreaths in The Junction on Hometown Holiday Sundays, as we showed you last weekend. Meanwhile: In The Junction and beyond, tonight’s biggest holiday event is one you can enjoy at more than 40 locations all over West Seattle: The holiday edition of the West Seattle Second Thursday Art Walk, 6-9 pm, venues and artists listed here – and you can see the map fullsize here. WSB sponsors that are participating (in order of their numbers on the map): Hotwire Coffee, Wellness at The Junction (you’ll see that as 8 Limbs Yoga on the map), Dream Dinners, Click! Design That Fits, West Seattle Nursery, M3 Bodyworks, Seattle Wellness Programs, Skylark, and Ama Ama Oyster Bar and Grill (where WSB contributing photographer Christopher Boffoli‘s fabulous images will be displayed on the flatscreens over the bar during the 6-9 Art Walk hours).

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Remembering longtime West Seattleite Josephine Mahon
December 10, 2008 11:39 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Though we don’t have an official “obituaries” section right now, once in a while somebody sends us one. In this case, James Mahon e-mailed WSB to say his mom died this week and “as a West Seattle resident for over 50 years, she should probably get a notice posted in your blog.” Services for 81-year-old Josephine Mahon are planned on Friday – read on for the obituary and photo sent by her son:Read More

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Congratulations, Cheetahs: West Seattle girls in state title match
December 8, 2008 3:54 pm
|      56 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people | WS & Sports

(West Seattle Cheetahs after a big win: Very back row left to right: Coach MacKenzie and Ali Campagnaro. Back row left to right: Anne Jorgenson, Tatum Dahl, Charli Ann Elliott, Sam Tanzer, Laura Jetland, Julia Nark, Abby Tuthill, Sami MacKenzie, and Annalisa Ursino. Front row left to right: Maddy Winter, Nicole Roed, Kelsey Klapperich, Gabby Rivera, and Danielle Nielsen. Not pictured: Julia Denison

Just before Thanksgiving, we reported on the West Seattle Cheetahs girls’ soccer team heading for the state playoffs (here’s that story). They played in Burlington this past weekend – and we’ve just received an update from John McKenzie that they have now advanced to the state championship game next weekend! Here’s his report:

After winning the District 3 Presidents Cup on Sunday, November 23rd, the Cheetahs traveled to the Skagit River Soccer Complex in Burlington for the state semi-finals in the GU-12 division. The team was well-prepared and rolled through their group play with a 3-game sweep, winning 3-0 in game 1, 3-1 in game 2, and 1-0 in game 3. The sweep gave the Cheetahs the number 1 seed in their group. They went on to win their semi-final match 3-0 and will now play in the state championship game Sunday, December 14, at 9:15 AM at Starfire Soccer Complex in Tukwila.

“It was tough playing 4 games in 2 days, but the well-conditioned girls rose to the challenge. They are a tireless bunch and they all know their roles on the team and none of them have ego or attitude issues,” said Coach MacKenzie. “We could tell the other teams were getting tired and we never let up.”

Congratulations again to the Cheetahs, and good luck in the title game! (Their opponent: The Tracyton Tornadoes from Kitsap County. The game’s open to the public; tickets $5, kids under 11 free, $5 parking at the soccer complex.)

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Video: West Seattle Rotary Christmas Shopping Spree
December 6, 2008 5:53 pm
|    Comments Off on Video: West Seattle Rotary Christmas Shopping Spree
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people | West Seattle video

Just a couple of clips to add to the coverage we published this morning of this morning’s Rotary Club of West Seattle Christmas Shopping Spree – with Rotary volunteers joining 90 West Seattle kids at Sears in Sodo this morning for breakfast, lunch, shopping, and holiday cheer — above, you see the arrival; next, it’s some Christmas caroling with Rotarian Irene Stewart once the shopping was done:

Video thumbnail. Click to play
Click to play

Find out more about the Rotary Club at its website, westseattlerotary.org.

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Happening now: Rotary shopping spree for West Seattle kids
December 6, 2008 9:07 am
|    Comments Off on Happening now: Rotary shopping spree for West Seattle kids
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Also up early and volunteering their time early this morning: The Rotary Club of West Seattle. This is the day for their annual Christmas Shopping Spree at Sears in Sodo – when Rotarians team with local kids to share breakfast and lunch, shop for clothing and shoes, take photos with Santa, and more. The kids will go home with the items they’ve chosen and tried on – items they desperately need this time of year, including coats and socks:

… but there’s holiday fun later this morning too, and we’ll have pictures of that later. Rotary volunteers were there just after 6 am; the kids arrived around 7. West Seattle Rotarians have been doing this since 1972, and this year, they’re shopping with 90 kids from six West Seattle elementary schools (more background is on the Rotary Club’s website, where you can also find out more about the group, which meets Tuesdays most weeks – meeting info is in the left sidebar on the club’s home page).

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Giving to the givers: West Seattle Food Bank honors volunteers
December 2, 2008 11:52 pm
|    Comments Off on Giving to the givers: West Seattle Food Bank honors volunteers
 |   Holidays | How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Those are two of the photos West Seattle Food Bank board member Keri Detore kindly sent us from tonight’s WSFB Volunteer Appreciation Dinner at The Hall at Fauntleroy. Read on for more on tonight’s event, and how you can help:Read More

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Random act of kindness in Lincoln Park
December 2, 2008 4:13 pm
|      17 COMMENTS
 |   Fauntleroy | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

This, we had to share the second we read it. Shelley sent it with the photo you see above:

I had to share this. Today my 13-month-old daughter and I were playing in Lincoln Park when she ran over to a bench that had a little toy sitting on it. She picked it up and under the toy said ‘A Gift: For You’. There was no one on the playground or in our vicinity and it wasn’t a lost toy. I was touched and thought it was an adorable sentiment. My daughter was appreciative too and tucked the little bicycling man under her arm and walked with him toward the swings. My heart is warm from the intentional random act of kindness and will work to pass it on.

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3 down, 10 to go: Update on West Seattle mega-marathoner
December 1, 2008 7:06 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle online | West Seattle people

We told you two weeks ago about Nic Plemel (left), when his wife Rachael e-mailed WSB to share the news that he’s planning to run 13 marathons in 12 weeks, to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Nic has just updated his “13 in 12” blog (as you may already have seen if you follow the automated updates on the WSB Blogs page, which picks up the feeds from 100 West Seattle-based blog writers) – now that he’s finished his first 3 marathons out of those 13, including yesterday’s big Seattle Marathon. He’s also more than a third of the way to his fundraising goal; you can make a donation via his site.

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Bacon-mania strikes WSB Forums
November 30, 2008 6:17 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle online | West Seattle people | WS miscellaneous

They’ve organized fundraisers … they’ve organized knitting and book clubs … and now .. WSB Forum members are joining forces to buy bacon. See why, here.

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Memorial service planned for community activist Larry Kingen
November 30, 2008 2:09 pm
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 |   Delridge | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

This online obituary published today announces the death of Larry Kingen, a longtime West Seattle community volunteer and activist, former president of the Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association board. According to the obituary, Kingen died in his sleep, on a trip to Maui, at age 57. A memorial celebration is planned at his brother’s restaurant, Salty’s on Alki, at 1 pm Friday. (Thanks to Parks Board vice chair Jackie Ramels of Alki for the tip; she notes that Kingen was also involved in the ’90s efforts of Greater Harbor 2000, which helped pave the way for some later improvements such as getting the Alki Bathhouse renovations onto the 2000 ProParks Levy.)

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4 West Seattle girls in Seattle’s legendary “Nutcracker”
November 28, 2008 8:07 pm
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle people

It’s the city’s best-known holiday show – and Lynn Ogdon just e-mailed WSB this photo to let us know about four West Seattle girls featured in the Pacific Northwest Ballet production of “The Nutcracker” (which opened tonight and is celebrating its 25th anniversary): Left to right, as Lynn lists them: Katie (“Chinese”), Flynn (“Small Servant”), Jelly (“Tall Servant”), and Lisel (“Prologue Nutcracker”).

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Services set for West Seattle musician John Spalding
November 28, 2008 7:10 am
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 |   West Seattle people

The Times reports today on the passing of West Seattle musician John Spalding, taken by cancer at just 33. Seattle Weekly told even more of his story in this report just a few weeks ago. There are tributes in the comments on his MySpace page, including one that says a series of benefit shows is being planned to raise money to help his family pay for his medical expenses, starting with one January 3 at Comet Tavern on Capitol Hill. Meantime, the Times says a Sunday night vigil and Monday morning memorial service are planned, both at Our Lady of Guadalupe.

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Another reason to be thankful: West Seattle’s water wonders
November 27, 2008 2:34 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle people

Fauntleroy’s Ron Richardson sent that Thanksgiving Eve photo, along with the next one and the story that follows:

Jason, a Fauntleroy resident, brings his paddle board to Fauntleroy Cove two or three times a week.

Wednesday is a perfect day for Jason to share the cove with the Washington State Ferries. Jason works for REI and is obviously very proficient with one of their new product lines. The board can be navigated and propelled by a single long paddle or it can be rigged with a sail to use as a wind surf outfit. Folks in Fauntleroy are used to seeing Jason aboard his rig in fair weather and foul. Look for him around Alki as well.

-submitted by Ron Richardson (who is continually rewarded by his walks through the Fauntleroy neighborhood)

We love to share photos, with or without stories, from all over West Seattle – send ’em to editor@westseattleblog.com any time! Ron also recently shared a story with our partner site White Center Now, a belated Veterans Day tribute to Al Skaret – you can read it here.

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Sharing the bounty: Free Thanksgiving dinners this afternoon
November 27, 2008 12:03 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Arbor Heights | Fauntleroy | Holidays | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

You probably don’t have to cook for a crowd the size of the one that Don is preparing for. We caught him with huge pots of gravy (etc.) in the kitchen at The Hall at Fauntleroy, where Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes Catering is again serving up the annual free Thanksgiving dinner, noon-3 pm (map). The tables are waiting, as sun dapples through the huge south-facing windows:

Those who come also will be able to take something home – donated clothing and other items are laid out:

Also offering a free Thanksgiving dinner in West Seattle today: Freedom Church (35th/Roxbury), 3-6 pm. Many people are spending part of their holiday volunteering to make these events possible – we are thankful to live in a community with so many who give so much.

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Thanksgiving Eve miscellany before you tune out for the holiday
November 26, 2008 11:48 pm
|    Comments Off on Thanksgiving Eve miscellany before you tune out for the holiday
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle jail sites | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

In no particular order, just various loose ends and other items we wanted to mention:

JAIL-SITES FIGHT: One thing we didn’t mention after Monday night’s Highland Park Action Committee meeting — HPAC is urging a big turnout at next Wednesday’s (12/3) City Hall hearing about the newly proposed downtown site for a new jail — they had been advocating downtown siting, and feel their research on the issue has helped put this site on the list (which still includes one West Seattle site, Highland Park Way/West Marginal Way). They want to show strength in numbers to back the potential downtown site. Doors open 6 pm Wednesday (program starts 6:30), City Hall downtown.

BIKE SHOP MOVE COMPLETE: We first reported three months ago that Aaron’s Bicycle Repair was moving into the now-former Morgan Junction state liquor store space. The move is complete and owner Aaron Goss sent this link with photos taken as the renovation work proceeded (and was finished).

TWO NOTABLE NEW SEVEN-FIGURE REAL-ESTATE LISTINGS: The multiplex at 2810 Alki SW, just east of the Alki Urban Market/All the Best Pet Care/Cactus building, is up for sale, $1,850,000. Last year, there was a development proposal for this site to be the new home of Pegasus Pizza, which of course has since gone into the ex-Coyotes on Alki (etc.) space further east. Also up for sale, a 9-unit apartment building on Ferry SW in North Admiral, $1,250,000 (here’s that listing).

WEST SEATTLEITES FEATURED IN TV HEALTH REPORT: Dr. Tami Meraglia and Seattle Civic Dance Theatre‘s Kim Dinsmoor are in this story examining concerns about the body-care-product ingredients called parabens.

WSB is 24/7/365 (this year, 366) so we’ll still be here on Thanksgiving Day, but not planning to publish as many items as usual (unless of course major news happens). First up, the “final” coffee/supermarket hours list in the early am (the info’s already on the Holiday Happenings page).

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