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Spotlight Stories

Northern Lights over West Seattle tonight? Not likely. But – did you see the ‘meteor’?
September 13, 2014 9:39 pm
|      31 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

9:39 PM: Lots of questions about whether we have a chance of Northern Lights tonight, after their more-or-less no-show last night. Short answer seems to be “probably not.” We’re working late as usual and if that changes – we’ll update here.

But another sight in the sky has people abuzz from British Columbia to California – what’s believed to have been a meteor, streaking across the sky around 8:20 pm. We received one note even before noting the chatter on social media; Karen e-mailed to say, “Did you see that huge green meteor about five minutes ago? We just happened to be at the window as it came down.. have never seen one that big.” Anybody else? We’re looking around for images and info, and will update.

10:08 PM: We’ve put quotes around “meteor” since nobody is certain yet what it was – could also have been re-entering “space junk.” If you saw it, you can report it to the American Meteor Society (go here); its website shows the reports that have come in so far.

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Camp Long Mountain Fest tomorrow: See the schedule!
September 13, 2014 9:13 pm
|    Comments Off on Camp Long Mountain Fest tomorrow: See the schedule!
 |   West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

“The day is jam-packed with awesome.” So says Mat McBride from the advisory council for Camp Long, which – as previewed here last month – invites you to its Mountain Fest tomorrow. You don’t have to take his word for it – here’s the schedule he forwarded tonight, pointing out that there are activities for kids as well as adults:

If you can’t see it embedded above, here it is in PDF format. The festival is set for 11 am-5 pm tomorrow (Sunday); Camp Long’s entrance is at 5200 35th SW.

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West Seattle weekend scenes: North Delridge Tree Walk
September 13, 2014 6:58 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | Environment | West Seattle news

(Photos by Holli Margell of Holli With An I Photography)
Do you take the trees in your neighborhood for granted? One way to shake that ennui – organize a Tree Walk. That’s what Patrick Baer did in North Delridge today, and about 30 people joined him, including photographer Holli Margell, who shared these photos. Above, that’s Patrick with the Heritage Cully River Birch. The walk started at Greg Davis Park, and the group heard about the park’s origins.

From left in that photo are Lisa Taylor-Whitney, Patrick Baer, Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, and Tanya Baer. The route included part of the Longfellow Creek Trail:

And a stop under the canopy of a Lawson Cypress:

Find out more about tree walks around the city and how to be a Tree Ambassador, by going here.

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West Seattle Car Show tomorrow! Ready to show yours off?
September 13, 2014 2:46 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Car Show tomorrow! Ready to show yours off?
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news

Last we heard, there’s still room for you to be part of the first-ever “open class” edition of the West Seattle Car Show, which starts at 10 am tomorrow in The Junction. One of the vehicles already signed up is the antique Waste Management truck shown above, which we photographed at today’s Fiestas Patrias Parade in South Park (whole lot of amazing cars and motorcycles in it; maybe we will see some of them here on Sunday). The online registration form is still up, or you can make up your mind at the last minute and show up on southbound 42nd north of Alaska for a same-day sign up (bring $20 cash) – cars, trucks, motorcycles, any year, and yes, as shown here previously, there will be trophies! (The award ceremony is set to start at 3.) Though California will be closed in the heart of The Junction, the West Seattle Farmers’ Market is on at 44th/Alaska as always – including the annual Zucchini Races, 10 am-1 pm – and shops/restaurants/bars are open for breakfast, brunch, lunch, shopping, etc.

P.S. Since the Seahawks game isn’t on until 1 pm, you have plenty of time to come wander through the Car Show *before* then.

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Weekend scene: Denny International Middle School in Fiestas Patrias parade
September 13, 2014 1:01 pm
|    Comments Off on Weekend scene: Denny International Middle School in Fiestas Patrias parade
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

What an awesome morning for a parade! South Park’s annual Fiestas Patrias parade just wrapped up a little while ago and it included West Seattle sightings as well as South Park participants, visitors from around the region, and even two from downtown (Mayor Murray and Police Chief O’Toole). We’ll have lots of photos on our partner site The South Park News a bit later, but wanted to share this :15 Instagram clip of the Denny International Middle School delegation first. P.S. As noted in our Saturday preview lineup, the parade was followed by a festival that continues until 6 pm.

ADDED LATE SATURDAY NIGHT: To see dozens of photos, and several more video clips, from the parade, check out our gallery on TSPN.

ADDED MONDAY MORNING: A few words about the parade appearance, from Denny principal Jeff Clark:

The Denny Dolphins did an excellent job representing their school in the Fiestas Patrias parade on Saturday in South Park!

Eighth-grader Carmela Pedraza Sanchez did an outstanding job showing his positive leadership by leading the chants and demonstrating our school pride. Thank you to our terrific Proyecto Saber team, Ms. Olsen, Mr. Garcia, and Ms. Bowie for coordinating the event and to Ms. Rangel and Mr. Rodriguez for their help.

Additionally, it was an honor to march next to the Concord Cougars as they proclaimed that they were college-bound!

It was a great day for our school pathway and community — thank you to all of the scholars who participated!

Go Dolphins!

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Bridesmaid dress stolen – with car
September 13, 2014 10:28 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Highland Park | West Seattle news

Just out of the WSB inbox, from TW:

My girlfriend’s car, a red 1995 Subaru station wagon license plate 782 ZDF, was stolen sometime Fri night/Sat morning outside my apartment a block off of Westcrest Park in the Highland Park neighborhood. If anyone sees it, please call the Seattle Police. It’s bad timing; she’s part of a friend’s wedding this evening and her bridesmaid’s dress was in the car. If any of the readers of the West Seattle Blog can spot it, that would be a lifesaver. Thanks!

Call 911 if you see this or any other stolen vehicle, police say.

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More than a dozen ways to enjoy your West Seattle Saturday
September 13, 2014 6:21 am
|    Comments Off on More than a dozen ways to enjoy your West Seattle Saturday
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts | WS miscellaneous

(Friday’s sunset, by John Hinkey)

Happy weekend! Sunshine and options aplenty. From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

FREE LUNCH AND TREATS! ADMIRAL ADOPT-A-STREET: Grab the kids, the neighbor, everyone you can find, and go join the Admiral Neighborhood Association‘s quarterly cleanup. You get treats before hitting the street AND a sack lunch for afterward, courtesy of Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor), which is where you’ll meet – look for ANA outside the store, 9 am. You don’t have to bring ANYTHING but yourself – tools, bags, etc., all provided. (42nd/41st/Admiral Way)

SECOND-TIME SALE: 9 am-3 pm, you just don’t know (until you get there) what treasures you’ll find at Fauntleroy Church‘s famous sale. Maybe something Christmasy:

Bake sale too! (9140 California SW)

FAMILY PICNIC: Freedom Church of Seattle invites everybody to come join in their Family Picnic, 10 am-3 pm, including a food-bag giveaway as well as hamburgers, hot dogs, and beverages for everyone, and lots of fun. Details in our calendar listing. (35th/Roxbury)

TREE WALK: Meet your neighbors and learn about the trees in North Delridge during this morning’s Tree Walk – meet at 10:30 am at the Greg Davis Park boulders; details here. Free! (26th/Brandon)

LOUIE FOXX SHOW: Fabulous Family Fun Saturdays return to High Point Community Center starting today, 10:30 am, with Louie Foxx‘s “One Man Sideshow filled with tons of magic, comedy, cowboy tricks, juggling and more audience interaction than you can shake a stick at!” $7/person, $30 max for families. (6920 34th SW)

BENEFIT BARBECUE AT THRIFTWAY: Still barbecue season! West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) is cooking lunch again today, 11 am-4 pm, this time to benefit the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle. Kiwanian Linda Cox reminds us of some of how the Kiwanis has been working in and for the community for 80+ years:

Key Clubs for high school students at West Seattle Hi, Chief Sealth, and
Seattle Lutheran

*Circle K clubs for college students at Seattle University
*Boy Scout Troop 284, Crew 284, Venture Crew 760, Cub Scout Pack 136
*South Seattle College scholarships
*Hi-Yu Scholarships
*Seasonal support of West Seattle Farmers Market
*Food Bank collections
*WestSide Baby
*Northwest Hope and Healing Fashion Show and Alki Beach 5K Run/Walk
*Annual community Pancake Breakfast the first Friday in December
*Plus many, many other projects

More info at kiwaniswestseattle.org. Or come buy your lunch and chat with a Kiwanis member at the barbecue tent outside Thriftway! (California/Fauntleroy/42nd)

CAR WASH: 11 am-4 pm, fundraising car wash at West Seattle Autoworks (WSB sponsor) by, and benefiting, West Seattle High School‘s music program. (35th/Webster)

HOMEOWNERSHIP WORKSHOP: Interested in buying a home, but not sure if you can afford it? Come to a free workshop – with lunch and child care provided – 11 am-3 pm today at Neighborhood House’s High Point Center. (6400 Sylvan Way SW)

FIESTAS PATRIAS PARADE/FESTIVAL IN SOUTH PARK: 11 am, come enjoy the Fiestas Patrias parade in South Park, followed by a festival until 6 pm at Sea-Mar. Here’s the parade route, according to SDOT:

Starts at 12th Avenue South and South Henderson Street, proceeds east on Henderson to 14th Avenue South, then north on 14th to South Cloverdale Street, then west on Cloverdale to Eighth Avenue South, and north on Eighth to South Rose Street. Seattle Police will escort the parade. There will be a rolling slowdown in traffic as the parade moves along the route.

VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION PARTY: Nature Consortium hosts a party at Pigeon Point Park by Pathfinder K-8, honoring the volunteers who help with so much of what NC does. 11 am-1 pm. (1901 SW Genesee)

GOLF TOURNAMENT: Even if you didn’t pre-register for the Chuck Diesel Invitational, benefiting youth golf, you can still show up at West Seattle Golf Course at noon – here’s our recent preview. (4457 35th SW)

WATCH THE HUSKIES AT THE CASK: Not going to the game? UW Football will be on at The Cask (WSB sponsor) in The Admiral District. Get your gameday in gear at noon; game vs. Illinois starts at 1 pm. (2350 California SW)

LAST DANCE: Salsa on Alki‘s season finale gets going at Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza at 5:30 pm with a lesson that’s included in your $10 cover to dance all night (until 10-ish).

(Last Saturday’s Salsa on Alki; photo by Jonathan Vogel)
Details in our calendar listing. (61st/Alki)

NIGHT 3 FOR ‘THE MOUNTAINTOP’: 7:30 pm is curtain time for the new production at ArtsWest (WSB sponsor), the Seattle premiere of “The Mountaintop,” directed by Valerie Curtis-Newton. Buy your ticket(s) online, here. (4711 California SW)

MUSIC, MUSIC, MUSIC – so much live music tonight, we just have to point you to our calendar to see the venues and times!

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High-school football, week 2: 1st WSHS home game; Sealth on road
September 13, 2014 5:31 am
|    Comments Off on High-school football, week 2: 1st WSHS home game; Sealth on road
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

Both local high-school teams that played tonight wound up on the losing side. But of course, there’s always more to the story. We start at Southwest Athletic Complex, where West Seattle High School roared out of the gate against Washington, visiting from Tacoma.

The Wildcats held the lead through the first half and continued with momentum into the third. Senior Fynniecko Glover (#22) had two touchdowns:

But Washington’s QB Kody Martinez broke loose for long runs in the second half; his team also managed a couple of big interceptions and eventually broke away. West Seattle fought to the end, though, wrestling away the last possession of the game, though they didn’t convert. Final score: Washington 32, WSHS 22. Next week, the Wildcats play Garfield at Memorial Stadium downtown, 5 pm Friday (September 19th).

CHIEF SEALTH @ RAINIER BEACH: At Southeast Athletic Complex, the Vikings won, 34-8. The Seahawks’ lone touchdown was scored by Daron Camacho. They’ll be back home at SW Athletic Complex next Friday, 7 pm, hosting Nathan Hale.

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West Seattle sky-watch updates: ‘Northern Lights’ a local no-show
September 12, 2014 8:37 pm
|      63 COMMENTS
 |   Skies Over West Seattle | West Seattle news

(Embed removed for technical difficulties – see map here)

Our “Skies Over West Seattle” correspondent Alice Enevoldsen says tonight brings the best chance in years of aurorae – “Northern Lights” – in our area, so now that it’s dark, we’re starting a sky watch. Above, a map Alice made overnight with suggested West Seattle-area viewing spots, if you can’t just hit the road and drive away from the city.

9:04 PM: From Alice via Twitter:

9:30 PM: Tweeted by Patrick:

10:41 PM: Hope is fading, Alice tweets:

We’ll be watching for a while longer, just in case.

12:58 AM: No miraculous appearance, so far as we can tell, combing Twitter (and elsewhere) for reports, and checking comments. (Alice tweeted about an hour ago that she’d seen some meteors, though. A clear sky always has SOMETHING worth watching.)

5:32 AM: We’ve been up all night but no sign of major Northern Lights (as commenters from all over the region were saying, too). Maybe tonight? We’ll be watching, again.

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West Seattle traffic alert: Taxi fire at Olson/3rd
September 12, 2014 7:48 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle traffic alert: Taxi fire at Olson/3rd
 |   West Seattle fires | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Added: Photo, courtesy of Jason)
7:48 PM: Traffic alert for the east end of Roxbury – Seattle Fire crews are handling a “car fire” call at Olson/3rd (map) that’s described on the scanner as a “taxicab on fire.” Not sure how it’s affecting traffic yet, but we’re checking it out.

8:04 PM: Fire’s out. Affected the front end of a cab that’s in the outside lane of the uphill (southwestward) side of the Olson hill, so traffic headed toward White Center is affected more than downhill/outbound. No injuries reported.

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Ready to rummage? Second-Time Sale in Fauntleroy this weekend
September 12, 2014 7:33 pm
|    Comments Off on Ready to rummage? Second-Time Sale in Fauntleroy this weekend
 |   Fauntleroy | West Seattle news

Among the events on our calendar for Saturday that are so big, preparation had to start today – the Second-Time Sale at Fauntleroy Church. We stopped by while volunteers were getting everything in place today, including all those pillows (and more). The sale runs 9 am-3 pm Saturday (with a bake sale!), 11 am-1 pm Sunday, “in and around Fellowship Hall” at the church, 9140 California SW.

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Power outage along Roxbury, repairs under way
September 12, 2014 6:32 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Utilities | West Seattle news

6:32 PM: More than 50 homes/businesses in pockets along Roxbury, between 35th and 20th, are without power, but Seattle City Light crews tell us it shouldn’t last much longer. It’s affecting signals, though, including 30th/Roxbury, so be careful and treat any nonworking signal intersection as a four-way stop. The cause is listed as “equipment failure,” apparently in a vault.

7 PM: The map suggests the easternmost pockets have been restored.

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Traffic alert: Paving on East Marginal Way, north of the bridge, next week
September 12, 2014 4:00 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Transportation

A much-used West Seattle-downtown route, particularly for bicycle riders, is set for paving work next week, according to this announcement from SDOT:

Crews from the Seattle Department of Transportation will pave in the 3100 block of East Marginal Way South [map] on Wednesday, Sept. 17 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on Thursday, Sept. 18 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., weather permitting.

On Wednesday, bicycles may use the designated bike lane. On Thursday bicyclists may ride on the sidewalk, being cautious of pedestrians and giving pedestrians the right of way. For information on bus service, look for Rider Alert notices at bus stops.

This is an area where a deadly bicycle/truck collision last year led to city promises of safety improvements.

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Hot tub at Southwest Pool shut down for weeks of repairs
September 12, 2014 3:45 pm
|    Comments Off on Hot tub at Southwest Pool shut down for weeks of repairs
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

While the pool itself isn’t affected, the hot tub (spa) alongside city-owned Southwest Pool in Westwood has been shut down, Seattle Parks has announced:

Effective immediately, the spa at Southwest Pool will be closed for several weeks for the repair of the spa’s drain assembly.

To remain in compliance with federal law and Washington state health regulations, a temporary repair is not possible. A permanent repair requires replacement of the drain sump, patched cement, plumbing, tile work and more.

The spa will remain closed until this extensive work can be completed.

The entire Southwest Pool building was closed for a week of maintenance work recently, but apparently (we’re checking) this didn’t come up until after that.

ADDED 3:45 PM: The reply to our question: “The pool was closed in August so the gym floor could be refinished. There was no pool maintenance scheduled at that time. The spa maintenance is a new issue.”

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Seafair Clowns and friends visit West Seattle Elementary for school-supplies giveaway
September 12, 2014 1:49 pm
|    Comments Off on Seafair Clowns and friends visit West Seattle Elementary for school-supplies giveaway
 |   High Point | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)
For the 10th year, Seafair Clowns stopped at a local school for a big supplies giveaway. Today was the big day, and this time, the recipients were students at West Seattle Elementary in High Point. Seattle firefighters and police were there to help too:

That included Fire Chief Gregory Dean:

And West Seattle’s own “Officer Lumpy” got a big smile from West Seattle Elementary principal Vicki Sacco:

Also part of the event – Stoneway Concrete and Gary Merlino Construction.

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Weekend time! 6 highlights for the rest of your West Seattle Friday
September 12, 2014 1:26 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts | WS miscellaneous

(From upper Lincoln Park, by Mark Ahlness, via the WSB Flickr group)
Before we get much further into the afternoon – a quick look at half a dozen highlights ahead through tonight, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

HIGH-SCHOOL AEROSPACE-CAREER EXPO: New timespan for this event, 3-4:30 pm – otherwise, details are in our preview. Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

DELRIDGE GROCERY’S FRIDAY FARMSTAND: The fresh-produce stand just south of Delridge Library is open again, 4:30-7:30 pm, with farm-fresh fruit and vegetables. (5435 Delridge Way SW)

INSTAGRAM PICNIC ON ALKI: If you’re anywhere near Alki tonight, your chances of winding up in someone’s photo are greater than ever (or perhaps you’ll be taking the photos): Seattle Instagramers are invited to gather for a picnic near Statue of Liberty Plaza to celebrate the group’s 3rd anniversary, 6 pm. (61st/Alki)

‘KIWI MEETS THE SEA’ WINE, OYSTERS, MUSIC: That’s all in one event at Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor) tonight, with the wines of New Zealand’s much-honored Villa Maria and local Taylor Shellfish Farms oysters, 6:30-7:30 pm; plus music (6-9 pm) by The W Brothers, guitar and mandolin. (1936 Harbor SW)

HIGH-SCHOOL FOOTBALL: One game in town tonight – West Seattle High School hosts Washington at Southwest Athletic Complex (2601 SW Thistle), 7 pm. That’s also when Chief Sealth International High School visits Rainier Beach at Southeast Athletic Complex.

NIGHT 2 FOR ‘THE MOUNTAINTOP’: 7:30 pm is curtain time for the new production at ArtsWest (WSB sponsor), the Seattle premiere of “The Mountaintop,” directed by Valerie Curtis-Newton. Buy your ticket(s) online, here. (4711 California SW)

MORE TO SEE AND DO … just check our calendar.

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Video & as-it-happened coverage: Mayor Murray’s public-safety-spending plan, and how he’d address homelessness
September 12, 2014 12:08 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police | West Seattle politics

(Added – archived video of briefing)

TOPLINES:
-Mayor promises 50 more SPD officers will be on street by end of 2015
-100+ neighborhood “micropolicing” plans in the works
-Re: homeless encampment sweeps, he says policies haven’t changed since before he took office

(added) OFFICIAL NEWS RELEASE HERE

As-it-happened notes after the jump:

Read More

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Admiral Neighborhood Association toplines: Saturday’s Adopt-A-Street cleanup welcomes you! Plus, traffic-signal update, more…
September 12, 2014 11:11 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

Live/work in Admiral? Tomorrow you can join the Admiral Neighborhood Association‘s quarterly Adopt-A-Street cleanup, with rewards – treats before/after from the Admiral Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor). Meet your fellow volunteers outside the store at 9 am Saturday. Don’t worry about bringing bags or equipment – it’s all provided. Young volunteers welcome, too.

The Adopt-A-Street cleanup is part of what was on the agenda at this past Tuesday’s ANA meeting. Centerpiece item: The long-requested, soon-to-be-installed 47th/Admiral traffic signal.

Toplines from that discussion, and more, ahead:

Read More

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Followup: Your student-benefiting West Seattle wildlife calendar awaits, now in local stores!
September 12, 2014 9:54 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | Wildlife

The 2015 West Seattle wildlife-photo calendar featuring images by Mark Wangerin – a frequent WSB contributor (thank you!) – is now available. It’s been about four months since we shared the news that this 12″ x 12″ calendar was in the works, as a fundraiser for environmental programs at Chief Sealth International High School, where Mark taught from 2002 to 2012. Now the calendar is on sale at local stores including J.F. Henry, Merryweather Books, and Curious Kidstuff (WSB sponsor) in The Junction, and West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) in Morgan Junction. According to Mark House Publishing, if you’re interested in a bulk order of the $14.99 calendar, that “can be personalized with logos and/or contact information for no additional charge” (markhousepublishing.com or 206-660-6982).

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: 42nd/Dakota crash; other Friday notes; weekend preview
September 12, 2014 7:03 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: 42nd/Dakota crash; other Friday notes; weekend preview
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(WS bridge and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
No trouble on the major roads through/from West Seattle so far. But 42nd/Dakota has an unusual sight, until it’s towed:

See our coverage from the 6 am hour here (or if you’re reading this on the main page, scroll down to the previous story).

WEST SEATTLE CAR SHOW ON SUNDAY: The 7th annual West Seattle Car Show is two days away and will close California to traffic between Oregon and Edmunds starting early Sunday morning and continuing until late afternoon. That includes Metro bus re-routes.

OVERNIGHT CLOSURES ON/NEAR HIGHWAY 99 NEXT WEEK: Listed in the new “Construction Lookahead,” which says that, between the West Seattle Bridge and the stadium zone, Highway 99 will be closed northbound 10 pm Wednesday (September 17th) to 5 am Thursday (September 18th), and southbound 10 pm-5 am Thurs. night-Fri. morning (Sept. 18th-19th). The ramp from the eastbound bridge to NB 99 will be closed overnight Mon., Tues., Wed. (Sept. 15-16-17).

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Update: Driver to hospital after going sideways at 42nd/Dakota
September 12, 2014 6:14 am
|      17 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS breaking news

(Added: WSB photo)
6:14 AM: Emergency responders are arriving in the 4000 block of 42nd SW on a “heavy rescue” call that involves a flipped car, according to someone who called us (thank you).

6:19 AM: Some of the units have been canceled – the person in the vehicle, reported to be on its side, got out without having to be cut out. No word on injuries yet; our crew is en route.

6:34 AM: Just added a photo. The car – reported to be owned by a rental company – is up on the sidewalk, and police are trying to figure out how that happened. Its driver is being taken to the hospital by private ambulance. Police say he told them he was westbound and remembers hitting the traffic island just before the car landed on the sidewalk on the north side of Dakota, a few houses east of California. No traffic effects now but once a tow truck arrives, that will cause some 42nd/Dakota logistics challenges for a bit.

8:42 AM: Car’s gone, scene clear.

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Video: ‘Graduating’ before school starts! 13th Year Promise students @ South Seattle College
September 11, 2014 10:28 pm
|    Comments Off on Video: ‘Graduating’ before school starts! 13th Year Promise students @ South Seattle College
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Even before fall classes start at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor), some of its incoming students gathered today for a graduation – and, as you can see in the video above, something of a pep rally. (That’s Mathew Apelu, leading the “cheers.”) They’re coming to SSC on the 13th Year Promise Scholarship – one year of free tuition for graduates from Chief Sealth International High School and two public high schools from outside West Seattle, Cleveland and Rainier Beach. Today’s event marked the end of the three-day 13th Year Bridge orientation featuring workshops that covered topics “from college success strategies to financial literacy”:

13th Year Promise scholarships are available to graduates from those three schools regardless of grades or financial status, and SSC president Gary Oertli tells us they’re working on adding West Seattle High School to the 13th Year Promise roster soon. He is a Sealth graduate, as he reminded the new students this afternoon:

(Sorry about the camera instability – that clip works better as audio than video)
The event also included a panel discussion featuring past 13th Year Promise students. This year’s group, by the way, is more than 100 strong – the biggest one yet, says SSC. It started with the Cleveland class of 2008, added Sealth in 2011, and has now expanded to add Rainier Beach. You can get more information on the SSC website.

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Update: Aurora or no aurora? We’re checking with Alice – who’s made a ‘where to watch’ map
September 11, 2014 9:40 pm
|      17 COMMENTS
 |   Skies Over West Seattle | West Seattle news

You’ve probably heard about the big solar flare, and the possibility it’ll bring the “Northern Lights,” aka aurora. Since we are lucky to be able to work with expert skywatcher, Solar System Ambassador, and Skies Over West Seattle correspondent Alice Enevoldsen, we’re keeping in touch with her (and you can also find her on Twitter) – so far, the prospects aren’t clear, though the sky is. Her recommended info-source currently isn’t showing it getting this far south, but things can change, so keep checking (we will, too).

1:39 AM: If you’re interested, hope you were following along in comments – Alice will be checking again for tomorrow. And in the meantime, she’s come up with recommendations of best potential viewing spots in West Seattle, and mapped them

(embed removed for technical difficulties – follow that link to see the map)

(If you are a longtime WSB’er, you might remember Alice’s mapmaking back during the December 2008 “snowpocalypse,” years before the city finally started mapping plowed/not-plowed routes itself!)

FRIDAY AFTERNOON: Looking promising for tonight, according to some numbers Alice forwarded. We’ll take a separate, more extensive look when it gets closer to nightfall.

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