West Seattle, Washington

09 Saturday

46℉

month : 06/2009 442 results

West Seattle Summer Movies on the Wall: One unearthly change
June 8, 2009 2:20 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news | West Seattle Outdoor Movies

That’s the semi-cheesy (in retrospect) original trailer for “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” which is now on the final/final West Seattle Summer Outdoor Movies on the Wall slate (replacing the previously announced “National Treasure“), as just announced by Lora Lewis of Hotwire Coffee (WSB sponsor). So the amended final slate for the Saturday night movie series (free but bring $ for concessions and raffles benefiting nonprofits) is:

July 18 – “The Princess Bride”
July 25 – “King Kong” (1933 version)
Aug. 1 – “Footloose”
Aug. 8 – “Close Encounters of the Third Kind”
Aug. 15 – “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl”
Aug. 22 – “Cars”

Remember no rainouts this year – if the weather turns bad, there’s a backup indoor location just steps away in the West Seattle Christian Church activity center!

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Registration open for West Seattle Soccer Club’s fall (!) season
June 8, 2009 1:25 pm
|    Comments Off on Registration open for West Seattle Soccer Club’s fall (!) season
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

From Tim McMonigle with the West Seattle Soccer Club:

Thanks to all who participated in our spring soccer season. We were blessed with sunny and 70+ degree weather on each of our Sunday game days. Join us for another exciting season this fall. The WSSC serves players from 5-18 years old. The open registration period for the West Seattle Soccer Club is through June 30th.

Returning players that register by June 30th will be given priority placement on their former teams. Players that register after that date will be placed in the general pool and assigned to a team on a space available basis. Coed U7 registration will close on August 15th. To register, go to www.westseattlesoccer.org and click on the Register link on the left, then follow the instructions.

A new option this year is to order WSSC hoodies with your registration. Attached is a picture of the new hoodie [photo below], or you can view another sample on our website. The cost of the hoodie is $25 and will be added to your registration total. If you don’t have a child playing in the WSSC but would still like to order a hoodie, please send an email to the WSSC at wsscboard@gmail.com with your size. Represent WSSC proudly!

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Music notes: WS wins KEXP Hood-to-Hood; Easy Street on Twitter
June 8, 2009 12:37 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle online | WS culture/arts

WEST SEATTLE WINS KEXP HOOD-TO-HOOD: Thanks to a note from Beth, we were able to share the news here last week about the KEXP radio pledge-drive Hood-to-Hood Challenge, offering a special event to whichever neighborhood had the most pledgers by the end of the drive last Friday night. Today we get word (thanks to David for the first word, confirmed on the KEXP home page) that West Seattle won! Working now to find out (a) by how much (not sure if this is the final tally), (b) who came in second, and (c) when/where that event will happen. 4:21 PM UPDATE: (a and b) answer, $70,000+ with Ballard in second at $65K+, (c) answer, sometime in the first quarter of next year, though many details remain to be worked out.

EASY STREET RECORDS ON TWITTER: The latest West Seattle business to hop onto Twitter is the legendary music store that started in the heart of The Junction. You’ll find them at twitter.com/easystrecords. (If you “follow” us at twitter.com/westseattleblog, you know we also send word when we spot any other West Seattle business/institution turning up – over the weekend, for example, Westwood Village restaurant Eats Market Cafe got on board – twitter.com/eatsmarketcafe – other West Seattle eateries on Twitter include WSB sponsors @skylarkcafe and @caferevo.) In addition to our human-powered, interactive account at @westseattleblog, if you just want links to WSB stories, follow us at twitter.com/westseattlenews. You can also see our “tweets” and others mentioning West Seattle on the WSB Twitter page.

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Followup: What’s planned for The Porterhouse in West Seattle
June 8, 2009 11:53 am
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

(2008 photo by Christopher Boffoli)
As first reported here last Friday, the team behind The Porterhouse – a popular alehouse/restaurant in Mount Vernon – is going to take over the Admiral District restaurant space vacated by Blackbird Bistro last fall. After our first report, we spoke with Porterhouse proprietor Silas Reynolds – turns out he’s a West Seattle native! – to find out full details of what they’re planning — read on for details:Read More

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Picking up someone at Sea-Tac? Cell-phone lot temporarily closing
June 8, 2009 11:23 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Not WS but we're mentioning it anyway | Transportation

An alert today from Sea-Tac Airport: Starting tomorrow, the “cell-phone lot” — the lot where you can wait for someone to call you when they’re ready to be picked up — is closing for a month. During that time, it’ll move to a new location, slightly north of the current one, with double the room. What to do in the meantime? Parking-options info is linked from this Port of Seattle news release about the change.

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West Seattle Summer Fest: Want to show off? Step up now!
June 8, 2009 9:28 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

3o2t9977.jpgWest Seattle’s biggest summer festival is now just a month away — West Seattle Summer Fest in The Junction, Friday 7/10 through Sunday 7/12. It’s more like a three-and-a-half-day festival, since Thursday 7/9 is the monthly Art Walk and the streets will be closed that night for setup (as well as for some pre-festival fun – we hear the Bubbleman will be out by Elliott Bay Brewery that night as he was last year – he’ll be at this Saturday’s Morgan Junction Festival too). This year’s festival will have some new elements and a different configuration; perhaps the biggest, the southernmost music stage will move to SW Alaska east of California, and the south end of the festival zone on California will be the family-fun zone, right in the section of the shopping district that most West Seattle families already know well as home to Curious Kidstuff (WSB sponsor). Besides ticketed attractions (bouncy house, slide, etc.), this area also will feature more free family fun and performances this year, according to Susan Melrose from the West Seattle Junction Association. With so many great school and youth performance groups and clubs around West Seattle, liondancetrio.jpgshe wanted to put out the call to any who might be interested in showing their stuff during Summer Fest, so it’ll have even more West Seattle flavor. If you’re involved with a school or youth group that might like a turn in the Summer Fest spotlight, contact Susan at the WSJA office (susan@wsjunction.com or 206-935-0904). Meantime, keep an eye on the Summer Fest website; as reported here last week, the full music schedule is now published there (that relocated stage by the Junction Plaza Park site – where you will find a beer garden, too – is the Alaska stage, while the one on the north end of the festival zone is the California stage). And remember Twilight Artist Collective has put out a call for Art Dive participants too – see it here. (Photos from Summer Fest 2008 – crowd shot by Christopher Boffoli, Lion Dance by TR)

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Today/tonight: RPZ vote, Pigeon Point Council, Alki Art Fair signups
June 8, 2009 6:30 am
|    Comments Off on Today/tonight: RPZ vote, Pigeon Point Council, Alki Art Fair signups
 |   Pigeon Point | Transportation | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

RESTRICTED PARKING ZONE VOTE: The proposed changes in Restricted Parking Zones come before the City Council for a vote during its meeting at 2 this afternoon; if you have anything to say, there’s a public comment period as the meeting begins.

PIGEON POINT NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL: 7 pm, Cooper School cafeteria. Not sure if you’re in Pigeon Point? Boundaries are described here.

ALKI ART FAIR VENDOR SIGN-UPS: Last registration/site-selection event for next month’s popular artist showcase at the beach – 6:30-8 pm tonight at Alki Community Center.

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Alki event for The Whale Trail: “It’s not too late” for orcas
June 8, 2009 2:57 am
|    Comments Off on Alki event for The Whale Trail: “It’s not too late” for orcas
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle video | Wildlife

A grand vision to mark 15 key whale-watching spots on our state’s inland and seacoast shores — The Whale Trail — is coming closer to reality. At one spot set for a marker, Alki, a who’s-who of marine mammal/ecology advocates gathered last night for an open house to show off the plan, including Whale Trail director Donna Sandstrom (seated in the photo below) and Kathy Fletcher from People for Puget Sound:

Sandstrom said orca extinction “will not happen on our watch … it’s not too late.” Fletcher said awareness-raising efforts like The Whale Trail are “part of the overall effort to restore Puget Sound … as an ecosystem.” She also urged people not to be fooled by the Sound’s “extraordinary beauty” — “Puget Sound is in trouble,” all the way down the food chain, which is topped by the orcas.
One of their major sources of food is salmon – Mark Sears, longtime researcher as well as resident operator of West Seattle’s Colman Pool, discussed what’s being learned about the specific salmon they prefer, and why it matters:

The importance of protecting local waterways was hammered home by Duwamish Tribe chair Cecile Hansen, who also digressed into mentioning the status of her tribe’s bid for restoration of its short-lived federal recognition:

The unifying message: It takes not just a village, but a region, to protect its whales. Sandstrom suggested “a clear vision for everyone in the room, that by 2020, we have a thriving orca population here in Puget Sound – The Whale Trail is one way we’re going to do that.” It’s not just a private effort: A state Fish and Wildlife Department rep was there, showing off the designs for new wildlife maps you’ll be able to get starting next month, and also talking with us about the WildWatch Cams (check it out – coolest link we got all weekend). So how can you help The Whale Trail get all 15 markers up by 2013 as hoped? Sandstrom mentioned a $14K state grant has just come in, but it’s matching funds, so they need contributions (including volunteer help). Contact info is on their website, which she told us will have a “donate” link soon too.

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A few more scenes from Race for the Cure 2009 in Seattle
June 7, 2009 11:24 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Alaskan Way Viaduct | Health | West Seattle people

That was the welcome sight and sound this morning at the end of the breast-cancer-fighting Puget Sound Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure 5K Walk, which filled the Alaskan Way Viaduct with walkers of all ages. As we’d noted in this story, West Seattle middle-schooler Adam Westerman, 12, was Grand Marshal of the Kids’ Run an hour before the 5K Walk — we missed his moment in the spotlight but you can see him and his mom Eddie interviewed in this KING5 story; there’s also video of Adam with KING5’s Jean Enersen in the second half of this “raw video” from the station’s site. On her website, Eddie wrote earlier this week that their team raised $16,000 (Monday morning update – Eddie says more than $17,600). We took cameraphone photos during the walk for as-it-happened coverage via Twitter (scroll down to Sunday morning “tweets” with photo links), but our favorite shot every year is the one taken as the thousands of walkers enter The Viaduct heading northbound from the stadium zone:

Last year, we wondered if that would be the last time The Viaduct was open to walkers – because of uncertainty over its fate – now we know that it’s likely to remain standing till 2015, but much construction is already happening around it – one view from today:

Congratulations to everyone who walked and ran today, and to all the survivors, those there in spirit as well as those there in person. Many walk in celebration and/or memory of special people; for us, it’s the mother-in-law I never met, the grandmother my son never met, Mildred Hickman Sand, lost to breast cancer in 1972. May the cure be near — TR

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West Seattle Garden Tour: Get a sneak peek online
June 7, 2009 10:38 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Fun stuff to do | Gardening | West Seattle news

Just found out via one of the spotlighted households that the gardens in next month’s West Seattle Garden Tour are all now described online, with photos. July 19 is the date for the self-guided WSGT; this year’s guest speaker is gardening star Ciscoe Morris, whose presentation at The Kenney at noon on tour day is included in the ticket price.

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West Seattle weekend scenes: Farewell parties @ SSCC, Cooper
June 7, 2009 9:14 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Pigeon Point | Puget Ridge | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

You can’t have a farewell party without a cake. That’s one of two we saw this afternoon while stopping by two celebrations we had previewed – first, the one for Ingrid Olsen-Young, the popular veteran preschool teacher at South Seattle Community College Co-Op Preschool who’s leaving for Walla Walla. “Teacher Ingrid” agreed to take a quick break from mingling with well-wishers to pose with friend Janet Ko (thanks again to Janet for help with our preview story):

The party was, of course, at SSCC, Brockey Center to be precise; photos were shown on the big screen, and albums were out for perusal:

Now a bit northwest to Pigeon Point, where Cooper School‘s “closure celebration” opened the school to visitors this afternoon, 4 months after the School Board vote to end the Cooper Elementary “program”:

Outside, kids got the chance to bounce:

Cooper Elementary classes continue until Seattle Public Schools‘ last day of the year on June 19; between now and then, the legal challenge brought by closure opponents (first WSB story here, followup here) gets a hearing next Friday.

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West Seattle wildlife: Caught playing (o)possum
June 7, 2009 7:28 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Wildlife

Quick break between news stories – more in the works, but first we wanted to share that photo e-mailed by Kristina with this explanation:

My dogs and I were walking on the green area off of Bonair and we came upon a possum playing dead. It’s North America’s only marsupial! After we gave it some space it perked up and sauntered off into the trees.

Everything you could ever possibly want to know about opossums – including what “playing possum” is all about and how they got to our area in the first place – is on this helpful state-created webpage.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Two cars targeted
June 7, 2009 7:06 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

(Updated from first publication with 10:35 pm addition of second incident) Just out of the WSB inbox:

FYI for the neighborhood.

Left the car parked outside my house last night, instead of the carport (32nd & Henderson area). This morning, found the keyhole damaged and the framing between the window and door was pried up. No other damage and they didn’t get in the car….Nothing fancy, just a 15 year old car with a fork in the front seat. Asked around and no one saw or heard anything.

Wendy B

Also note that in comments on our previous story about possible stolen items dumped in Pigeon Point, one commenter mentioned a keying spree in that area last night. ADDED 10:35 PM: From Todd in Westwood:

My wife’s 08 Subaru Impreza has been vandalized. Sometime in the last two weeks, someone has poured paint remover on the hood, doors and roof of the car. The substance was clear and sticky, we thought it might be tree sap, as we park it under two large horse chestnut trees. Once I started to wash the car, the paint came right off, just like automotive paint remover.

We have been in contact with an officer at the SW Precinct who thinks it might be random or a real amateur job. We have contacted Benjamin Kinlow at the SW Precinct a few weeks back to start the process of getting the block watch back in order.

If you’re interested in Block Watch, here’s the Crime Prevention page on the Southwest Precinct website.

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Dumped items: “Did somebody have their car stolen last night?”
June 7, 2009 3:55 pm
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   Pigeon Point | West Seattle news

So asked Rich in the note he sent with the photo you see above:

This new looking “Bugaboo Gecko” stroller is sitting just off the road near the 4400 block of 21st Ave SW, right by the radio tower. There are various cloth grocery bags and an umbrella. This is not the usual trash that gets dumped in this field… I tried calling the police non emergency number, 206-625-5011, but was advised to call back later by an automated voice due to a large number calls.

I hate the fact that car thieves might be using my neighborhood as safe place to ransack stolen cars.

If the stroller is yours, Rich can reunite you with it – contact us and we’ll put you in touch with him – editor@westseattleblog.com. (P.S. A note if you live in Pigeon Point – tomorrow night’s the next meeting of the Pigeon Point Neighborhood Council, 7 pm at Cooper School.)

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Followup: Alki gun-violation suspect out of jail
June 7, 2009 1:30 pm
|    Comments Off on Followup: Alki gun-violation suspect out of jail
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

We’ve been following the story of the 25-year-old Army sergeant arrested and jailed Friday night after an incident on Alki – original Friday night coverage here, Saturday followup here. Just checked the King County Jail Register — he posted bail (which had been set at $1,000) and got out around 9:30 this morning. The allegation against him is listed in Seattle Municipal Court records as “carrying firearm with intent to intimidate” (which is in this section of the Municipal Code). We’ll check with city attorneys tomorrow to see what happens next.

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Celebrating West Seattle volunteers: Nominated anyone yet?
June 7, 2009 12:05 pm
|    Comments Off on Celebrating West Seattle volunteers: Nominated anyone yet?
 |   Delridge District Council | How to help | Southwest District Council

Not sure how many were from West Seattle, but kudos to the MANY volunteers (like the green-shirted cheerleaders above) who made the Race for the Cure an incredible event again this year (our photos later, and if you have one of you and/or other West Seattleites in the event, please share – editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!) Anyway, seeing them reminded us that we want to update you on the GREAT response so far to the brand-new effort to celebrate West Seattle volunteers, just launched by the Southwest and Delridge District Councils and WSB. We know the peninsula’s home to HUNDREDS of people who really rock the volunteer world to make this a better place, so while we’ve got some fab nominees now, let’s get more — take a second and send in the name(s) of the one(s) you appreciate the most! Here’s the quick ‘n’ easy online nomination form – deadline is June 17th; a community panel will review the entries and choose three for recognition during one of the summer’s big events, the July 14th Hi-Yu Concert in the Park.

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Today: Viaduct closure for R4TC, bike ride, Cooper, orcas …
June 7, 2009 6:03 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts | WS miscellaneous

VIADUCT CLOSURE AND RACE FOR THE CURE: Different agencies have offered different times but suffice it to say — the Alaskan Way Viaduct will be closed from early this morning (7-ish) till 11 am, for the Race for the Cure. You can register at Qwest Field if you haven’t pre-registered; that’s what your procrastinating editor here will be doing — we’ll also be there to catch West Seattle middle schooler Adam Westerman (left with mom Eddie Westerman, a breast-cancer survivor) serving as Kids’ Run Grand Marshal. If you’re interested in a few updates from R4TC as it happens, check our Twitter feed (twitter.com/westseattleblog) – possibly Facebook too (where you’ll find us as WS Blog). One more Viaduct note: Remember the open house at Madison Middle School this Wednesday, 6-8 pm (see ad in WSB sidebar), for you to get info about the tunnel plan and offer comments on what should be studied for official reports.

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm as always; here’s the “fresh sheet.”

TIDE GUIDES: It’s not a mega-low-tide today but low enough for the Seattle Aquarium to have uniformed Beach Naturalists at Constellation Park and Lincoln Park (south of Colman Pool), 10 am-1 pm

PLANT SALE/PET ADOPTION: Furry Faces Foundation‘s plant sale is 10 am-4 pm today, 3809 46th SW, with pet adoption on-site noon-4 pm.

NO SKILLET: Skillet Street Food will NOT be in West Seattle today – they’re taking their Airstream to the Mariners’ game instead.

HOLY ROSARY CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION BEGINS: First major event – 11:15 Homecoming Mass followed by a special luncheon (full details here).

BIKE RIDE: Tour West Seattle’s historical spots on two wheels with the Southwest Seattle Historical Society; meet at the Log House Museum at 12:30 pm.

INGRID OLSEN-YOUNG CELEBRATION: 2 pm at South Seattle Community College‘s Brockey Center, as the beloved preschool teacher says goodbye to SSCC; see our story about her here.

COOPER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FAREWELL: 2 pm, looking ahead to the scheduled closure of the school “program” later this month. Full details here.

“ORCA TRAIL” OPEN HOUSE: 4-7 pm at Alki Bathhouse – details here.

Even more events — including Day 3 of SIFF at the Admiral Theater — in the West Seattle Weekend Lineup.

11:22 AM UPDATE: The Viaduct did reopen before 11, in case you were wondering.

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Seattle Aquarium beach naturalists in West Seattle this summer
June 7, 2009 2:31 am
|    Comments Off on Seattle Aquarium beach naturalists in West Seattle this summer
 |   Announcements

When low tides reveal more of West Seattle’s shore, you don’t have to figure it out for yourself – you can take advantage of this free service – here’s the official announcement we received:

The Seattle Aquarium will have uniformed Beach Naturalists at Constellation Park Marine Reserve (63rd SW and Beach Drive SW) and Lincoln Park (south of the pool) on the following low tide dates:

June 7, 10 am – 1:30 pm
June 20, 9am – 12pm; June 21, 10am – 1pm
June 22, 10am – 1pm & June 23, 10am – 2pm
July 5, 10am – 1pm
July 19, 9am – 11am; July 20, 9:30am -12:30pm; July 21, 10am – 1:30pm

They can answer questions about marine life on these two West Seattle beaches. For more information visit The Seattle Aquarium website:
www.seattleaquarium.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=267

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Blood drive at West Seattle PCC store on July 3rd
June 7, 2009 2:07 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Announcements

July 3, there’s a blood drive at West Seattle’s PCC. Here’s the official announcement:

Did you know that nearly 38,000 transfusions are performed daily in the
United States? Volunteer donors are the only source of this precious
gift which can mean life for pre-mature babies, cancer and surgery
patients, accident victims and other ill and injured people.

Each day the Puget Sound Blood Center must collect nearly 900 pints of
blood to support patients within our community. Donors must be 18 or
older (16 or 17 with parental permission), weigh at least 110 pounds and
be in good general health. Because blood is separated into and
transfused as components, just one donation can help up to three people.

Hydrating well prior to donation and eating a small meal can help the
donation process if you have never donated before. And remember, you
can donate every 8 weeks -that’s up to 6 times per year! If you have
questions about medical criteria or potential deferrals, please contact
1-800-398-7888 or email our Clinical Support Specialists,
clinicalsupport@psbc.org.

Please help support the PCC Natural Market-West Seattle blood drive!
Walk-ins are welcome!

Date: Friday, July 3, 2009

Where: PCC Natural Market, West Seattle

Address: 2749 California Ave SW

Hours: 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm (lunch break from 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm)

Thank you for your support!

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Joe Crookston performs at Youngstown on August 8
June 7, 2009 1:33 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Announcements

Got this from Paul Fischburg:

Our beloved Joe Crookston will make a rare appearance at Youngstown on August 8th – doors open at 7:30, show starts at 8:30.

Tickets are already on sale and this concert will almost certainly sell out. Seats are limited but the magic and creativity are not! You can pick up tickets at for $15 at Fremont Place Books: 621 N. 35th St Seattle, WA (206-547-5970) e-mail: info@FremontPlaceBooks.com for info.

Or Tickets can be purchased online at: brownpapertickets.com

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West Seattle wildlife: A fine tern of events
June 6, 2009 11:41 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle online | Wildlife

Well, that’s all we could think of for a headline, given that Beach Drive Blog already took “Tern, Tern, Tern” (here’s the soundtrack). Great pix on BDB: Terns over West Seattle waters.

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Monitoring the “Whole Foods hole”: Citizen Q, city A
June 6, 2009 10:56 pm
|      36 COMMENTS
 |   Development | Safety | West Seattle news

While much of the attention regarding the stalled Whole Foods development at Fauntleroy/Alaska/39th has focused on what will happen to, and in, the huge hole – one WSBer has been worrying about the road alongside the hole. She contacted the city to express her concerns and wanted to share the e-mail she received, regarding how it’s being monitored — read on:Read More

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From the Seal Sitters: Harbor seal dies after West Seattle rescue
June 6, 2009 7:17 pm
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Wildlife

If you’ve been following the story of the Alki gun incident last night, you know that it included the report (starting with this comment on our original report) that a seal was being harassed by the man arrested for an alleged weapons violation. It’s believed now that it’s the same seal whose death has just been reported by Robin Lindsey of West Seattle-based Seal Sitters, a harbor seal that died today after being rescued from the Harbor Ave waterfront – read on for her full report, including what to do if you encounter a marine mammal in any kind of trouble or being threatened: (Monday update: the Seal Sitters have updated their website – see the update here – their original Saturday night report is what follows)Read More

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