West Seattle, Washington

16 Wednesday

51℉

month : 09/2007 210 results

“Parking to the glory of God on Alki”
September 12, 2007 7:33 am
|      19 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle religion

That’s the headline for the latest Mars Hill-WS blog post about this Friday’s Alki mass baptism (which we told you about last week). 2:10 PM UPDATE: They’ve posted about it again, with an attempt at humor suggesting that lightning might strike any MH’er who ignores the “don’t park at Alki, take the shuttle from WSHS” pleas.

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“She’s back!”
September 11, 2007 6:51 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Alki Statue of Liberty | West Seattle video

… as of about quarter past 6 tonight, she is indeed. 11 PM UPDATE – More below, including the first-ever WSB video clips:

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It was a short but glorious rededication, before a hearteningly sized crowd, serenaded by patriotic favorites from the West Seattle Big Band, regaled with blessedly short (the sound system wasn’t projecting very well) speeches by Mayor Nickels and Councilmember Rasmussen. But just before the gala unveiling — came the reveiling, or should we say the preveiling — thanks to Dan for these pre-ceremony photos:

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Tonight’s ceremony managed to mix joy and solemnity without ever striking the wrong note: the joy of the recast statue’s unveiling, the solemnity of the 9/11 anniversary. The mayor led the crowd in a moment of silence, and noted the presence of more than a few Seattle police and firefighters — including a city fireboat’s spray of salute offshore — as well as Boy Scouts on hand in honor of the fact that the original statue was a gift from their organization more than half a century ago. Maybe we’re just mushy at heart, but when the mayor read from the Declaration of Independence, we got all teary. It was just one of those nights … another crystal-clear sky and blazing September sun, just like the original 9/11, but this time, the focus lingered on who had arrived, rather than who had gone.

ADDENDUM: The video camera we purchased from the proceeds of WSB Pledge Day two weeks ago arrived via FedEx barely an hour before our crew headed for Alki tonight. We promise future endeavors will be of much better quality, but despite its amateurishness we want to share some of tonight’s video anyway — bear with us — first the unveiling and the mayor’s Declaration reading; check back for a couple more …


Next clip features Jen VanOrnum talking to our videographer about the Alki Elementary kids’ art project shown off at Lady Liberty’s base tonight:

Last addition — Bob Bollen sent a few pix (thank you!!!!) — first an excellent closeup of the guest dignitaries; then, the beautiful offshore sight during the dedication:

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Open-and-shut case
September 11, 2007 4:25 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | West Seattle businesses | WS beverages

Stopped by the new Pacino’s Coffee on Delridge to check out an e-mail tip from a Pacino’s customer who stopped by two days running, found it closed, and wondered what was going on. There’s now a printed sign on all of its windows saying CLOSED FOR FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS/SORRY FOR THE INCONVENIENCE/THANKS FOR YOUR BUSINESS/SEE YOU SOON.

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3-Day Walk: What it was like
September 11, 2007 1:24 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle online

The breast-cancer-fighting 3-Day Walkers who traveled WS shores on Sunday are posting their stories online. Among those we’ve found: Two bloggers from our Other Blogs in WS page (Courtney and Kristina), and another blogger with WS ties. Good job, all.

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The homecoming begins
September 11, 2007 11:29 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Alki Statue of Liberty

Jo Ofsthus from “Bring Miss Liberty Home NOW!” says the recast statue is being installed right now, in advance of tonight’s event. Congratulations to her group for achieving its goal, even as “what happens with the statue NEXT?” remains up for discussion and decision. Jo says it’s essential for everyone interested in what happens next to be at the 7 pm Thursday meeting @ Alki Bathhouse — in the comment section following this post last Friday, she wrote that the agenda is expected to include:

-Holly Santos from Northwest Programs for the Arts with details on moneys raised/spent/remaining.
-Past history of statue and its sentimental value to the community/city.
-Future plans for the new plaza
It’s an important meeting and a chance to make your voice heard.

Two big events for everyone who cares about this half-century-old West Seattle icon — 6 pm tonight; 7 pm Thursday. Be there. 12:30 PM UPDATE: Jo shared with us a letter she was asked to write by West Seattle’s State Rep. Joe McDermott last month. It includes history, background information, and thoughts about the statue’s future:Read More

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Also happening today/tonight
September 11, 2007 9:13 am
|    Comments Off on Also happening today/tonight
 |   WS miscellaneous

flagforicon.jpgThe Alki Statue of Liberty celebration is not the only notable event happening in WS today/tonight. Here are 3 other highlights, only one directly related to the fact today is the 9/11 anniversary:

1 PM: Interfaith Service for Peace in the World @ Providence Mount St. Vincent Chapel.

DINNERTIME: Support next month’s Fauntleroy Fall Festival by dining tonight at Guadalajara Mexican Restaurant (which survived a scare the other night).

6 PM: Midway State performs live in-store at Easy Street in The Junction.

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Alki Statue of Liberty: Tonight’s the night
September 11, 2007 1:15 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Alki Statue of Liberty

6 pm tonight, the new statue (below) will be unveiled on the old base, with Mayor Nickels, Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, statue .jpgthe West Seattle Big Band, and many others on hand. This won’t be the end of the saga; a new pedestal and plaza for Ms. Liberty are still on the drawing board, and the Alki Bathhouse meeting @ 7 pm Thursday will dig into that. But first, let’s recap the intense past few months that brought us to this day (after years of lead-up):

EXACTLY TWO MONTHS AGO: The first public meeting called by Paul and Libby Carr to explain their new committee and the renewed push for a plaza. A few dozen people gathered by the statue base in the blazingly hot evening sun; one man wondered wistfully if at least a flag could be placed at the statue base in time for 9/11 — hope he will be able to watch the ceremony tonight!

ONE WEEK AFTER THAT: The Carrs and their team (and their new logo) appeared before the Alki Community Council. So did Parks Department point person Pamela Kliment, who announced the Bathhouse meeting that’s finally coming up this Thursday.

THE FOLLOWING WEEK: In a WS Herald letter to the editor, former Alki fixture Cindi Laws declares the statue “deserves to be set free.”

A FEW DAYS LATER: The “Bring Miss Liberty Home NOW!” faction goes public.

artistsketch.jpgNOW ON TO EARLY AUGUST: The Carrs intensified their support for bringing the recast statue to the Bathhouse while the plaza plan (architect-provided art at right) proceeded.

TWO DAYS LATER: They announced the city had agreed to do just that.

FIVE DAYS AFTER THAT: Parks Department leaders announced the statue would arrive on 9/11.

AUGUST 12-SEPTEMBER 4: Things got very quiet. We routinely nagged various city folks for details of the 9/11 “homecoming,” but none were available. Finally a week ago, Councilmember Tom Rasmussen’s team sent word that the statue would be placed on the old base, rather than in the Bathhouse, and that the city would chip in new $ for the plaza project.

LAST FRIDAY: We found out more about tonight’s ceremony — the West Seattle Big Band announced its participation and (in the comments on this post) other participants were revealed.

LATER THAT DAY: The “new” statue got a test run on the “old” base, and a WSB reader sent us the photographic proof.

LAST SUNDAY: The Carrs announced the plaza group has its official nonprofit sponsor.

TONIGHT: Finally, the “where’s the statue?” signs can come down. 6 pm.

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While we’re talking pets …
September 10, 2007 9:05 pm
|    Comments Off on While we’re talking pets …
 |   Pets | West Seattle businesses

Finally heard from Lady Di-Pet Chaperone regarding her plans as her current Admiral location (site of the 2310 Cali project) gets closer to demolition. She says she’s expecting to be able to stay there at least another 9 months, but is actively looking for someplace new.

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Have you seen Hugo?
September 10, 2007 7:58 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Fauntleroy | Pets

Haven’t run a lost-pet post in a while, but Hugo’s disappearance is an unusual case. His owners say housekeepers accidentally let him out today at their Upper Fauntleroy home, but he’s a fast runner and could be anywhere by now. No collar. He’s a “big whippet that looks like a greyhound,” as his heartbroken owners describe him, and they say he’s under treatment for cancer. If you see him, call April at 206-351-9756 or John at 206-954-2694. 8:42 PM UPDATE: Note in the comments says Hugo’s been found.

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Reader recommendation requests: 2 new ones
September 10, 2007 6:09 pm
|      44 COMMENTS
 |   Reader recommendations

FOOD: A simple question from a WSB reader — “is there ANY PLACE to get a GREAT sandwich around here?”

HOUSECLEANING: Another reader would love your recommendations for “good, reasonably priced” maid or housecleaning service in WS.

Don’t forget, you can check out all previous “reader recommendation” posts and replies here (reachable any time from the CATEGORIES list on the right side of the page.) We’re expanding that category by adding some popular past posts such as the now-famous “WS dishes to die for.”

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Fauntleroy fire follow-up
September 10, 2007 2:11 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Fauntleroy | West Seattle fires

A preliminary Fire Department report confirms the fire last night at the Endolyne Garden building in Fauntleroy started in the garage. That’s where most of the damage is confined so far as we could tell from stopping by for a look this morning (that’s ceiling material dangling down onto the cars):

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The west-side entrance canopy for Guadalajara Mexican Restaurant also burned:

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5:42 PM UPDATE: We have just been forwarded e-mail about the restaurant’s status — it was not damaged by the flames but was closed for today “to clear out the smell of smoke”; owners were considering opening on a limited basis tonight, but DEFINITELY plan to be fully open tomorrow so Guadalajara can participate as planned in the fundraiser for the Fauntleroy Fall Festival — as a sandwich board sign across the street from the restaurant reminds passers-by, a portion of tomorrow night’s proceeds from Guadalajara are to go toward next month’s festival.

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Fine day for flying
September 10, 2007 12:27 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | Seen around town

Spotted from Delridge by Mike Dady (thanks for sending us the photo!) — this paraglider headed in the Camp Long/WS Golf Course direction this morning:

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Anyone know where in WS they take off from? Web searching yielded nothing obvious.

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Art at the firehouse
September 10, 2007 11:20 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Development | WS culture/arts

While working on last week’s update about preparations to build the new Fire Station 37 at 35th/Holden, we found out a Portland artist has been commissioned for a “public art project” at the new station. firesta37.jpgWe asked the artist, Pete Beeman, what that project will entail. He told us, “The selection was based on my past work and an interview, rather than on a specific proposal. So as yet there is no design. … It will probably be a freestanding iconic sculpture, separate from the fire station itself.” He added that once the contract is finalized, he will “come to Seattle and meet with the design team, hopefully spend some time at the existing station [our photo above], and possibly visit with some other interested parties. Those meetings will provide the parameters within which I will design the sculpture. That should be early October.” His site has photos of other projects he’s done.

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At the scene of the last big WS fire
September 10, 2007 9:29 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Development | West Seattle fires

garrettphoto1.jpg… permit filings are now in to rebuild the “live-work units” project that went up in flames three weeks ago (4132 Cali; here’s the original plan), and to repair one of the damaged buildings next door (4138 Cali). The arsonist or arsonists, meanwhile, are still running free out there somewhere.

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More Fauntleroy fire scene photos
September 10, 2007 2:06 am
|    Comments Off on More Fauntleroy fire scene photos
 |   Fauntleroy | West Seattle fires | WS breaking news

These photographs just in from Christopher Boffoli show you more of what it was like at 45th/Wildwood at the height of the Fire Department response a short time ago:

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Fire in Fauntleroy apartment/condo/restaurant building
September 10, 2007 1:07 am
|    Comments Off on Fire in Fauntleroy apartment/condo/restaurant building
 |   Fauntleroy | West Seattle fires | WS breaking news

All those sirens were for a fire at Endolyne Garden, the bright blue apt/condo building kitty-corner from the Original Bakery/Endolyne Joe’s business block — same building with Guadalajara Mexican Restaurant on the ground floor.

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No, those aren’t flames in the center, just fire-truck lights — which lit up the night (along with the huge floodlight atop one of the biggest trucks) for blocks around. Witnesses we talked to say they saw flames, but fire crews got it out fast. The scanner report we heard earlier about a possible car fire being involved seemed borne out by this:

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What you see there is smoke curling from some sort of smoldering wreckage just behind what’s left of the wall in front of the ground-floor garage, adjacent to the restaurant — we will check on its status first thing tomorrow. No ambulance/aid car activity while we were at the fire scene, so here’s hoping nobody got hurt.

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Big fire callout
September 10, 2007 12:35 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Fauntleroy | West Seattle fires | WS breaking news

Sirens are piercing the early early morning air here on the south side of WS: it’s a call to a building at 9212 45th SW. Not sure yet how serious; one scanner report said there’s a possible car fire at the address. More to come.

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Alki animals
September 9, 2007 11:35 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Pets | Wildlife

First — Bob Bollen sent us this pic of true dogpaddling off Alki today:

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Also from the inbox — word that one of the Alki baby seals got tv time today.

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New York by-and-by
September 9, 2007 6:33 pm
|      16 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle housing

Some parts of Alki edge closer to something resembling the area’s original name: While we were on Alki Ave this morning watching the 3-Day walkers, we noticed the under-construction condos @ 1350 Alki promoting their “New York-style direct entry elevators.” And from the “soon to be history” file, take another look at a doomed classic brick building; nobody commented when we posted a couple weeks ago about the teardown-to-townhomes plan for the Shoremont Apartments @ 57th & Alki – will it really go without a fuss?

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3-Day walkers in West Seattle: Seen and heard
September 9, 2007 11:23 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | Seen around town | West Seattle people

The goal is the same — momentum toward a breast-cancer cure — but the Race for the Cure and the 3-Day Walk are very different, even to watch. The former is an intense, relatively brief crowd event; the latter, we learned along Lincoln Park and Beach Drive and Alki Ave this morning, is no giant throng with the hundreds of walkers passing at once, but instead a steady stream, sometimes one by one:

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Emotions run high — watching the 3-Dayers while shadowing them for a few miles from the other side of the street brought us to tears at times, perhaps intensified by the fact we both lost our moms to cancer — but that includes joyful emotions; the 3-Day clearly is boisterous and celebratory, as were the people who could be found all along the route this morning, cheering the walkers from the sidewalk (or honking from the street):

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Along Alki Ave’s Condo Row, signs and pink ribbons cropped up on balconies:

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And all along the shore, the walkers streamed on by:

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By 10 am, while the fastest/earliest walkers were out of West Seattle and headed for this afternoon’s ceremonies at Seattle Center, the last group members were still walking along Beach Drive, just past the whimsically decorated rest stop set up at Me-Kwa-Mooks:

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Before a few final pictures … a reminder why this matters.

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They labored, and their store was born
September 9, 2007 10:29 am
|    Comments Off on They labored, and their store was born
 |   West Seattle businesses

Less than a week after we spotted their store-in-progress during a Labor Day afternoon walk along Cali, the folks at On The Way Maternity e-mailed us to say they’re now open:

Thanks to all that gave us such a warm welcome at this year’s street fair. Also, we would like to thank our wonderful neighbors at C&P Coffee House, which is one block south of us, for all of their help. We carry designer maternity wear, nursing wear, Medela breast pumps/accessories, maternity pillows, feeding accessories, Phil and Teds strollers, and many more items.

The store will be open 7 days a week
10 am-6 pm
5446 Cali Ave. 938-2229 (938-BABY)

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3-Day walkers: Their walk through WS begins
September 9, 2007 8:14 am
|    Comments Off on 3-Day walkers: Their walk through WS begins
 |   Seen around town

The breast-cancer-fighting 3-Day Walk participants continue streaming northbound alongside Lincoln Park and down Lincoln Park Way toward Beach Drive. First photo below shows an unofficial “cheering station” at Fauntleroy/LP Way, across from the 76 station, with two women greeting the walkers (one seated, left, the other standing in bright blue shirt; they had a music player blasting the inspirational theme from “Rocky”!)

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Two items from Alki
September 9, 2007 2:32 am
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Alki Statue of Liberty | West Seattle news

P-I ON PRODUCE: Eric’s produce stand by the Homestead is featured in this P-I article.

STATUE OF LIBERTY GROUP GETS TO START RECEIVING $: With days to go till the Tuesday unveiling and Thursday public meeting (7 pm @ the Bathhouse), Paul Carr announced in e-mail:

Seattle Statue of Liberty Committee—Phase II is happy to report we finally have our sponsoring 501(c)(3) organization, Urban Sparks. Urban Sparks began here in Seattle when they saw the need for community groups to have a Fiscal Sponsor. They have sponsored several other local groups doing local parks projects.

We can now begin, in earnest, to complete the Alki Statue of Liberty Project by accepting donations. Our thanks particularly to Pam Kliment of the Seattle Parks Department, who suggested this organization to us recently.

Paul says they’ll have more information up on their sealady.org website later this week. Meantime, if anyone spots Lady Liberty making the big move before for Tuesday night — we would love to get another photo like this one.

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