West Seattle, Washington

14 Wednesday

67℉

month : 10/2008 370 results

Opening day for Snap Fitness in Jefferson Square
October 13, 2008 11:12 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

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That photo is courtesy Jim Flynn, taken before he and wife M.J. Benavente opened the doors to Snap Fitness in Jefferson Square (next to Subway, on the 42nd SW street side) just moments ago. We told you about their enterprise back in August (Jim’s a longtime WSB’er). From hereon out, he says, they’re open 24/7 to members; you can drop by for a tour 11 am-1 pm or 4-7 pm Monday-Thursday, 11 am-2 pm Friday, 10 am-3 pm Saturdays, or call 206/299-1597 if you want to arrange a tour for some other time. This is a “soft opening”; they’re planning an official “grand opening” celebration next month.

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How to help your ‘hood: For starters — just show up!
October 13, 2008 10:53 am
|    Comments Off on How to help your ‘hood: For starters — just show up!
 |   How to help | Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

Four major neighborhood/community group meetings this week, and really, it’s a huge first step to helping your neighborhood when you just show up. We go to as many of these meetings as we can every month and that’s what the groups’ leaders are dying to see (they’re all volunteers, by the way) … the more people the merrier. And you’d be surprised what you find out. Here’s your chances this week: TONIGHT – The Pigeon Point Neighborhood Council is having what’s been billed as its “most important meeting of the year,” 6:30 pm, Cooper Elementary (map). TOMORROW (TUESDAY): Admiral Neighborhood Association, 7 pm, Admiral Church basement meeting room (map); Fauntleroy Community Association, 7 pm, The Hall @ Fauntleroy (in the old schoolhouse, which itself is on the agenda, after last week’s big news). WEDNESDAY: Morgan Community Association‘s quarterly meeting, 7 pm, The Kenney; Delridge District Council (wireps from eastern West Seattle’s community groups and other organizations), 7 pm, Southwest Precinct meeting room. See our right sidebar, under WEST SEATTLE COMMUNITY GROUPS, for a list of other neighborhood associations who’d be thrilled to see/hear from you. MONDAY AFTERNOON ADDENDUM: One more neighborhood event this week where you would be more than welcome – the Junction Neighborhood Organization‘s quarterly cleanup (free treats!) is this Saturday morning. Help get the streets in shape before winter barrels into us. E-mail JuNO prez Erica Karlovits – erica@wsjuno.com – if you can help (or have a Q). TUESDAY AFTERNOON ADDENDUM: JuNO’s cleanup has been postponed – but e-mail Erica to get you on the list for helping when it’s rescheduled!

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Columbus Day observance today: What you need to know
October 13, 2008 6:21 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays

BANKS: Most if not all closed
MAIL: Regular delivery, no; Express Mail, yes.
SCHOOLS: Open (public schools had Friday off for a “professional development day”)
STATE GOVERNMENT: Open
LOCAL GOVERNMENT: Open (including courts)
PARKING: Regular weekday rates/hours
TRANSIT: Regular
LIBRARIES: Open

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West Seattle Gas Price Watch: Down ~$1 from the peak
October 13, 2008 4:32 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Gas prices | West Seattle news

gas-pump.jpgThough we’ve posted the occasional spot price check here and there in the last several weeks, it’s been 2 1/2 months since our last Sunday night drive-by survey of posted regular and premium prices at all West Seattle stations. As prices start to fall faster, we thought this would be a good time to get back in the game; discovered in the process that many WS stations are now down about a buck from their June peak — and one station’s currently out of the gas biz. The full price list, lowest to highest, ahead:Read More

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Got something to get off your chest (or elsewhere)?
October 13, 2008 12:52 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle online

A new online sideline for WSB’s inaugural sponsor Hotwire Coffee … a place to confess a secret, completely anonymously … or read others’ confessions even if you don’t have one of your own, yet. Check it out here. (And if you need to find it again later, it’s linked from CONFESS in the Hotwire ad on the WSB sidebar.)

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For a West Seattle entrepreneur, everything’s just ducky
October 12, 2008 8:54 pm
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

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If you’ve ever walked to or from Lincoln Park via the south end of Beach Drive, you’ve probably seen a festively decorated garden featuring rubber ducks. Its owner contacted WSB some time back to let us know his legendary decorations were taking wing into a business. Sounded like a fun story rather than just a business blurb – so we asked the University of Washington News Lab, which offers help to small news organizations such as ours, whether one of its student journalists might be interested. Read on to see the results – the story behind the ducks, plus a message you can probably appreciate in these nerve-jangling times:Read More

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Update: West Seattle contender’s in 2nd in “hero” vote
October 12, 2008 7:26 pm
|    Comments Off on Update: West Seattle contender’s in 2nd in “hero” vote
 |   Environment | Fauntleroy | How to help | West Seattle people

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Have you voted yet in the “Cox Conserves Heroes” competition? Fauntleroy’s Judy Pickens is now in second, and there are just a few days left to vote — if she wins, EarthCorps (which works on greenspace restoration in West Seattle and elsewhere) gets a $5,000 donation. Judy is shown at left in the photo above with some of the many visitors young and old who come to Fauntleroy Creek, for which she has worked tirelessly (we won’t soon forget spending some time with her by the creek in March, when a few tiny salmon fry were clearly visible, fighting the current). Take a minute – go here to vote – tell your friends. Two weeks from today, by the way, you can join Judy and other friends of Fauntleroy Creek, drumming to call the salmon home, 5 pm 10/26 at the overlook across from the ferry dock. P.S. There’s a new creek update on fauntleroy.net – a grant application to restore “the last degraded reach of the creek” – read about it here.

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Reminder for NEXT weekend: Viaduct inspection shutdown
October 12, 2008 5:04 pm
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 |   Alaskan Way Viaduct | West Seattle traffic alerts

SCENIC_Alaskan_Way_AWV1.jpgAs this weekend winds down, another reminder about next weekend: The Alaskan Way Viaduct will be closed 6 am Saturday-6 pm Sunday (10/18-10/19) for its semiannual inspection. (And if that in turns detours you to the 1st Avenue South exit for the first time in a while, remember that as of a month ago, you have to turn left – north – there.)

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Design Review updates: High Point details; board member’s hiatus
October 12, 2008 3:51 pm
|    Comments Off on Design Review updates: High Point details; board member’s hiatus
 |   Development | High Point | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Every little detail of the development process may not be your cup of tea; we chronicle it so the information’s there when you do want to find it (you never know when one of those big city signs might go up in your ‘hood). As you may know, for big projects in our city, the Design Review stage of the process is often the only time there’s a public meeting about a project (usually at least two) where you can show up and have a say. Each area of the city has its own board; the Southwest Design Review Board looks at West Seattle projects, usually the second and fourth Thursdays of the month, if there are projects requiring review (no meeting if there aren’t; this is usually decided several weeks in advance, and you can watch this page for word of upcoming meetings). Next SWDRB meeting is October 23rd at Madison Middle School, with 4106 Delridge reviewed at 6:30 pm, The Kenney‘s “reinvention” project (previous WSB coverage here and here) reviewed at 8 pm. Following up on the SWDRB’s last meeting this past Thursday, we have two things to report: first, details on a prominent board member’s hiatus; second, details on what led up to the decision to advance the 35th/Graham High Point project on to the next stage. Read on!Read More

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Next steps in privatizing West Seattle Stadium operation
October 12, 2008 11:34 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks | WS & Sports

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We first reported September 30th that the city Parks Department is seeking proposals from private concerns that would be willing to make renovations at West Seattle Stadium — renovations the city estimates would cost at least $4 million and doesn’t have the money for — in exchange for an agreement to “operate and maintain the Stadium including the track and field areas, but not the parking areas … a multi-year contract that allows (the operator) to recoup its capital investment and support its own business.” Following up on that – this is scheduled for discussion at the Delridge District Council meeting this Wednesday, according to district neighborhood coordinator Ron Angeles (7 pm, Southwest Precinct meeting room, public invited). He also forwarded updates on how to formally comment on the stadium’s future and the forthcoming “request for proposals,” including the previously mentioned public hearing before the city Board of Park Commissioners on October 23rd, the board’s November vote, and various ways to send comments right now. Read on for full details, including a recap of the repairs the city wants the future stadium operator to make:Read More

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Reader report: Alki no-parking signs may not tell the whole story
October 12, 2008 10:17 am
|    Comments Off on Reader report: Alki no-parking signs may not tell the whole story
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

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We told you a few days ago about the no-parking signs up along a long stretch of Alki and Harbor Aves, all the way to the heart of the beach, to facilitate painting crews (sharrows and the lane lines to the right of them) this weekend. Just got this note of caution that Andrew wanted to share from the Alki/Bonair (map) vicinity:

I just wanted to give a heads up that the no parking signage is a bit misleading. Be very careful where you park on Alki today as I saw the Seattle Police patroling for cars parked in areas where the new parking lines hadn’t been painted yet. Looks like some of the signage is incorrect and says Monday – Friday when it actually applies today on Sunday. I checked with one of the Officers and he said I was ok, but just beware!

This may include the area that’s been off-limits to parking because of the pump-station work. How to know? Look to see if the lane near the curb has been painted already. If it has, you’re probably OK. If it hasn’t, don’t park there before late afternoon.

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Wild times at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market
October 12, 2008 6:34 am
|    Comments Off on Wild times at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market
 |   West Seattle Farmers' Market

Wild mushrooms are among the new items on the Ripe ‘n’ Ready “fresh sheet” for today’s West Seattle Farmers’ Market, 10 am-2 pm 44th/Juneau; you can see the full list here.

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Orchard Street Ravine dedication: A day years in the making
October 11, 2008 10:51 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Gatewood | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

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(left to right, Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, Carol Schultz, Cindi Barker, Kay Thode, Parks Superintendent Tim Gallagher and Mayor Nickels)
With a snip of the giant ceremonial scissors, Orchard Street Ravine in Gatewood was officially dedicated this afternoon. But this was no ordinary park dedication — it came after years of volunteer work and controversy, among other things — and just a week after Parks Department managers unveiled a new plan for a controversial connection through the ravine (WSB coverage here). All photos/video in the in-depth report ahead are by its author, WSB contributor Christopher Boffoli:Read More

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Road notes: “Dumb detour”; more Alki/Harbor painting tomorrow
October 11, 2008 8:54 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | Triangle | West Seattle news

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Two road notes tonight: First, Ian (who has an excellent Internet-marketing blog here, also included on the WSB Blogs page), sent us the link to that photo of a sign he spotted earlier today and wondered, “What genius put up this detour sign at the intersection of 35th and Fauntleroy, on the north side? 1. It sends you over the West Seattle Bridge. 2. It blocks people trying to get to Dakota, which IS open. 3. There’s a proper detour sign right after Dakota. If they don’t take it down soon I’m going to move it myself …” Meantime, today’s round of sharrow-and-stripe-painting is over on part of Alki/Harbor Aves; more is ahead for tomorrow (make sure you read those no-parking signs carefully – some were marked for 5 am-3 pm today, some for 5 am-3 pm tomorrow), so if you’re driving to Alki elsewhere, best to seek side-street parking during those hours.

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Congratulations to Officer Adrian Diaz
October 11, 2008 6:28 pm
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 |   West Seattle people | West Seattle schools

It’s been in the citywide-media digest on the More page, but we wanted to add a home-page shoutout: Seattle Police Officer Adrian Diaz, who also has ties to the Chief Sealth High School community including serving as assistant wrestling coach, is being honored tonight with the city’s Latino Heritage Award. Here’s a Times story with photo; the award’s being presented tonight at the Seattle Aquarium.

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West Seattle weekend scenes: From the ravine to the field
October 11, 2008 4:48 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle weekend scenes: From the ravine to the field
 |   Gatewood | West Seattle parks | WS & Sports

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(Photo by Scott C.)
From the Orchard Street Ravine dedication this afternoon: The mayor and Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, looking on as Cindi Barker of the Morgan Community Association (which has its quarterly meeting this Wednesday) says a few words. More coverage a bit later. Meantime, it was a great day for sports on fields all over West Seattle:

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State Sen. Joe McDermott, a proud uncle, sends that photo of his nephew Aidan playing Holy Rosary first-grade soccer, while noting, “They don’t keep score, but they play hard and have a great time!”

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Good reason to leave work early next Friday: WSHS rally
October 11, 2008 2:58 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

scorebd.jpgAs noted in comments on last night’s report about the West Seattle High School Wildcats‘ sixth-straight football win (photo left), their next game is Homecoming. This afternoon, we received an invitation to share with you, to come celebrate not just Homecoming, but also the great season WSHS is having so far: 4:30-5:30 pm Friday at the WSHS Commons, a good old-fashioned pep rally, free, community invited, hot dogs and hamburgers. See you there! (The actual game is 7 pm, SW Athletic Complex, vs. Rainier Beach.)

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1 week till you can have fun while helping White Center Food Bank
October 11, 2008 1:25 pm
|    Comments Off on 1 week till you can have fun while helping White Center Food Bank
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

One week from tonight, at Brockey Center at South Seattle Community College, you can multitask in the best of ways: Have fun, and help a West Seattle/White Center nonprofit that’s busier than ever these days: wcfblogo.jpgThe White Center Food Bank. Despite its name, it’s important to note, the White Center Food Bank serves a big chunk of West Seattle as well – food banks have service boundaries; if somebody shows up at a food bank but lives outside its service area, they’ll get some one-time emergency help and directions to the appropriate location. So to help fight hunger in West Seattle, it’s important to help the White Center Food Bank as well as the West Seattle Food Bank. Earlier this year, WSFB had great success with its “Instruments of Change” event, and now it’s the WCFB’s turn — the fourth annual Harvest Dinner and Auction starts with a silent auction at 5:30 pm next Saturday (10/18) and dinner at 7:15 pm. WCFB has taken out space on WSB this week to thank its major sponsors and remind you about the event. See the invitation here; for $60/person, you can enjoy a steak/salmon entree or pasta option; call or e-mail for reservations ASAP since the event is only a week away — 206/762-2848, or rick@whitecenterfoodbank.org.

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West Seattle 101: A different reason to “slow down”
October 11, 2008 10:03 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle 101 | West Seattle people

bookcover1.jpgAfter a bit of a hiatus, we’re starting to adding new chapters to the West Seattle 101 (note the “tab” link on our header) section here on WSB. WS 101 lorimugshot.jpgis the all-things-West-Seattle book written by Lori Hinton, who’s been sharing selected chapters here on WSB since this past spring. Today, we add Lori’s story about Take Back Your Time Day, a national movement with strong West Seattle support, and the official observance is less than two weeks away – though the philosophy is something you can start applying immediately. The full WS 101 on WSB archive is here. Watch for more additions.

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Happening today/tonight: Four Saturday highlights
October 11, 2008 6:30 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Admiral Theater | West Seattle parks | West Seattle traffic alerts

Lots more in the West Seattle Weekend Lineup, but wanted to hit these again: ROAD WORK — Three spots on California will see crews today; details and a map here. DELRIDGE NATURAL AREA WORK PARTY — Not too late to join; show up across from Boren/Sealth at 10 am — see our preview here. MAYOR @ ORCHARD STREET RAVINE — One week after neighbors got word of a new plan for the “connector” through this greenspace, the big dedication/celebration happens noon-2 pm today. ADMIRAL CONCERT — Tonight’s show headlined by local up-n-coming Brent Amaker and The Rodeo launches a new era for entertainment at the historic theater; read our preview here.

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Mourning Monte: A plea to slow down
October 11, 2008 12:43 am
|      29 COMMENTS
 |   Pets | Safety | West Seattle news

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Days after people of all ages gathered along 35th to call attention to safety concerns including speeding drivers, a fast-moving car took a furry friend from his Junction-area family. Fiori C posted her story in the West Seattle Blog Forums, and we asked her to send a photo so we could feature it here on the home page, including her plea:

Tragedy struck my family (Thursday) when our family dog escaped from our fenced yard close to the Alaska Junction, ran into the street and was immediately struck by a car traveling way too fast for the area. The car didn’t even stop. I’m not sure they even saw or felt what had happened.

All I can say is that it was an absolutely devastating experience for me and for our family that was visiting here from Des Moines, IA. We had had a perfectly lovely visit and our parents were packing the car, getting ready to head back home when Monte darted out the gate and was struck by a car coming up Edmunds by the True Value at about 40 miles per hour.

Monte was a Wire Fox Terrier that was more like a child to my Mother & Father-in-law than a dog. He was very special to all of us and will be greatly missed by the entire family.

I know the traffic police are doing their best right now to make people aware of certain areas (like 35th) that we need to slow down on but there are other areas of great concern like this corner of 44th & Edmunds. This has always been a bad intersection but lately, things have gotten completely out of hand. On the weekends, there is a constant stream of cars that don’t seem to be able to read the “DEAD END” sign on Rutan and come flying down that street only to find it end, then they back up at unsafe speed to get out. My fence has been knocked over, my cars have been scratched by those that turn around in our driveway. All things just completely inconsiderate of the fact that families are living here.

When we find ourselves complaining about the growth here in West Seattle, we should be thinking about what our contribution to that is. If we are driving fast, on our phone or just generally not aware, WE make that growth unpleasant. West Seattle is a wonderful place to raise a family. Let’s keep it that way and be considerate of our neighbors and SLOW DOWN A BIT FOR THE LOVE OF OUR FAMILIES!

~ IN MEMORY OF MONTE GRUVER ~
Loving Fox Terrier & Loyal Companion
Your life was taken too soon but our love for you will last forever….

During our e-mail exchange, Fiori added, “If you know of any community group that could use some help in organizing an effort to become more aware of this problem, please let me know as I would be willing to help/organize.” If you have any suggestions along that line, please leave a comment here, or e-mail us and we will put you in touch with Fiori.

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West Seattle Weather Watch: Have that ice scraper handy
October 10, 2008 10:37 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Weather Watch: Have that ice scraper handy
 |   West Seattle weather

On the offhand chance you haven’t already heard this (TV’s in Frost Freakout mode) — “frost advisory” in effect for tomorrow morning, first one of the season.

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School-levy idea session tonight: Meeting? What meeting?
October 10, 2008 10:15 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics | West Seattle schools

As we mentioned this morning, Seattle Public Schools reps have spent the week touring the city to invite members of the public to come offer ideas for projects to put in the next capital levy that’ll go before voters, likely February 2010. We got first word almost three weeks ago and mentioned it here; it was publicized many other ways, too. Certainly, Friday is a less-than-optimal night for a public meeting; even considering that, the turnout was absymal — just 4 people were on hand for the meeting: 2 members of the public (both teachers), the official SPS presenter, and the reporter we assigned to cover it. Here’s her story:Read More

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