day : 02/07/2009 12 results

One week from tonight: New venues join West Seattle Art Walk

July 2, 2009 10:30 pm

| Comments Off on One week from tonight: New venues join West Seattle Art Walk

| West Seattle Art Walk | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Before West Seattle’s biggest summertime celebration – the three-day West Seattle Summer Fest (sponsoring, and co-sponsored by, WSB) – takes over The Junction, Friday-Sunday (7/10-7/12), the night before is a celebration all its own: New venues have joined the West Seattle Art Walk this summer – and now there are FIFTY-EIGHT participants all over West Seattle! New venues include WSB sponsors Ventana Construction (between Alaska and Morgan Junctions), Coffee at the Heights (in Sunrise Heights), and Endolyne Joe’s (in Fauntleroy). As you can see from the section of the map shown above (click here to download the entire map, which also includes a list of venues and their addresses), it’s all over West Seattle, from Alki to Fauntleroy, but there’s a special feature for The Junction this time around – since it’s the night before Summer Fest, California will be closed, and you can wander in the street (The Bubbleman will be outside Elliott Bay around 7 pm, like last year). Drop by the other spots too – you will often find snacks and beverages, and meet great people, both entrepreneurs and artists. The official Art Walk website continues to add more info about the specific exhibits (and venues’ own sites have info too, like the big three-show extravaganza at Twilight) – keep an eye on it at westseattleartwalk.blogspot.com.

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Video: “Tour de Revs” visits Peace Lutheran Church in Gatewood

July 2, 2009 7:36 pm

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| Gatewood | West Seattle news | West Seattle religion | West Seattle video

Three Lutheran ministers on one bamboo bicycle, traveling cross-country to fight hunger: They’re the Tour de Revs, receiving an enthusiastic welcome tonight as they rolled up to Peace Lutheran Church in Gatewood (with PLC’s Pastor Erik Kindem leading them in), midway through a 100-day tour. Yes, we said “bamboo” bicycle:

They’re bicycling to fight hunger around the globe, and reps from our area’s hunger-fighting agencies were on hand, including Pete Spalding from the West Seattle Food Bank board of directors and Audrey Zemke (below) from the White Center Food Bank:

One of the Revs, the Rev. Dr. Fred Soltow from Shepherdstown, West Virginia (here are the bios of all three), talked about where they’ve been and where they’re going:

After tonight’s block party (till 8 pm if you see this before then), the Revs and others planned to head downhill from Peace Lutheran toward Lincoln Park for a sunset ride.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Rude awakening

July 2, 2009 4:57 pm

| 6 COMMENTS

| Crime | High Point | West Seattle news

Marco and Tony both e-mailed to report an overnight car break-in at 32nd/Raymond (map) overnight and sent photos; the one above is from Tony, who notes that broken glass and a card from an investigating officer is not what you want to wake up to find in your car. Tony explains that he “called 911 @ 2 am, for shirtless man wandering the traffic circle yelling at apparently no one. … Police arrived, cuffed the individual, and investigated a car break-in. Not sure if both are connected but, car was 20′ from where they caught him … And the kicker – the car has Army plates. Way to support Vets on The 4th.”

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First solar panels going up at High Point Neighborhood Center

July 2, 2009 4:36 pm

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| Environment | High Point | West Seattle news

Alex from Neighborhood House, the organization that’s building the new Neighborhood Center at High Point, shared that photo – the first solar panels are going up. NH says the HPNC will have the largest solar array in the state, and it’ll be the largest solar array atop a social-services building anywhere in the U.S. (They’ve got a sponsorship drive under way, as we reported last month.)

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Seeking a Samaritan: Recognize this truck driver?

July 2, 2009 3:33 pm

| 13 COMMENTS

| Luna Park | West Seattle news

Nicole survived a close call on Wednesday, but would like to find the person who helped her afterward. Here’s her story:

I have lived in West Seattle for four years. I have worked at Luna Park Cafe for a little over two years. I bike to work on a regular basis. I use the Alki Bike Trail to get there. Yesterday morning I had a traumatizing incident happen and I was hoping someone out there in West Seattle could help me find the good samaritan who came to assist.

Yesterday morning, Wednesday, July 1, 2009 around 6:30 am I was biking south on the Alki Bike Trail. I was about 1 block North of the ActivSpace Building. A driver of a Honey Bucket truck was traveling North on Harbor Ave. (the street that runs next to the bike trail) The driver of the Honey Bucket truck did not see me on my bike coming straight towards him. The driver of the truck proceeded to make a right turn into a driveway. I was on my bike traveling anywhere from 15-20 miles an hour realized that the driver did not see me and put on my brakes right away. I started screaming “HEY HEY HEY” to make sure that he would noticed me.

Before I knew it my bike and I were sliding on the pavement toward the truck that was still turning into the driveway. I must have slid about 2 feet still on my bike until the lower part of my body were under the front bumper of the Honey Bucket truck. Thank goodness the driver of truck did see me and stoped the vehicle. I was able to jump right up and grab my bike. The driver asked me if I was okay and I said yes, just scraped up. I asked him “How could you not see me? He replied “It was because the sunlight was in his eyes.” At this time another truck driver stopped his vehicle and came to help out. This other driver was already in the driveway near a gate. He helped me get back on my bike and made sure I was okay.

I am looking for this friendly, helpful man. He was wearing a cap and had glasses (from what I recall). He was somewhere around 6 ft. tall, slender, and perhaps in his 50s. He had grayish color hair, beard scruff on his face and lighter colored eyes. He said that he had been a truck driver in the area for the last 10 years and always stops to look for bikers on the bike trail before he turns into the driveway. I did not get this man’s information.

Nicole says she’s doing OK, by the way, though upset about missing work. If you have any idea who the man is, leave a comment or e-mail her at nicolevela@hotmail.com.

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Update: Cooper School closure lawsuit ruling – motion denied

July 2, 2009 2:03 pm

| 10 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle school closure

Just received from King County Superior Court Judge Gregory Canova – the “motion for summary judgment” filed by opponents to the closure of Cooper Elementary School has been denied, three weeks after the hearing, two weeks after the emotional last day of classes. That does NOT mean the end of the case. More in a moment, and we’ll upload the document too. ADDED 2:16 PM: Here’s the two-page ruling. Excerpt:

The Court finds that there are genuine issues of material fact as to the issues presented for summary judgment which precludes the Court from concluding that plaintiffs are entitled to summary judgment as a matter of law …

In addition to this lawsuit, closure opponents also had filed federal civil-rights complaints, which as we reported the same day as the King County Superior Court hearing, have been consolidated into a “federal compliance review.” We have requests out for comment and will add whatever we receive. 4:32 PM UPDATE: Just talked with district lawyer Shannon McMinimee, who says, “We are pleased with the outcome of the summary judgment proceedings. We intend to proceed to defend this case and the other cases that were filed related to closure, which could include filing motions to dismiss all the cases over the course of the summer.” 11:19 PM UPDATE: Heard briefly from plaintiff Joy Anderson, who says, “This just means we have to go to court in the fall” – but also says she’ll likely have more to say tomorrow.

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King County Water Taxi sets another ridership record

July 2, 2009 1:58 pm

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| King County Water Taxi | West Seattle news

(Photo taken on a low-tide day during the Water Taxi’s recordsetting June)
Just in from King County Council Chair Dow Constantine‘s office:

The King County Water Taxi had another record month in June, with a total of 33,865 riders carried by the popular West Seattle-to-downtown passenger-only ferry.

The ridership represents an increase of 12.7 percent over June 2008, in which 30,046 passengers rode the Water Taxi. The year-to-date Water Taxi ridership is 85,784, as compared with 59,386 at the end of June 2008.

The Water Taxi also continued its MVP role for Mariners baseball fans returning home after games—a total of 410 people rode the four boats from Pier 55 to West Seattle’s Seacrest Park following the Mariners’ matinee (1:40 p.m. start time) win over the San Diego Padres.

“Mariners fans are a big part of our loyal Water Taxi ridership and we are happy to give them the opportunity to skip the traffic jams and take a relaxing ride home after the game,” said County Council Chair Dow Constantine, who also serves as chair of the King County Ferry District Board. “We will work to replicate the success of our West Seattle route as the King County Ferry District adds demonstration service on other routes on Puget Sound and Lake Washington.”

The King County Water Taxi will be running on a Saturday schedule on both Friday, July 3, and Saturday, July 4. This means the first sailing from Pier 55 will be at 8:30 a.m. both days and the first sailing from West Seattle at 9:00 a.m. The last boat will leave Pier 55 at 10:30 p.m. and West Seattle at 11:00 p.m. For a complete sailing schedule, visit www.kingcounty.gov/transportation/kcdot/Marine/WaterTaxi/WestSeattle-DowntownSeattle/Schedule.aspx

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“The eagles have landed”: Seen at Alki, with extra symbolism

July 2, 2009 1:07 pm

| 8 COMMENTS

| Seen around town | Wildlife

Alki photographer Pete Rowen sent photos of our majestic national emblem, seen not only on the near-eve of our national celebration, but with a double shot of symbolism since July 20th is coming up. He writes “… the moon shot took me forever to line up; the upper eagle’s beak is pointing to the location on the moon where the Eagle landed, 40 years ago this month.”

Thanks to everyone who shares photos and info – editor@westseattleblog.com (or if you have a news tip or question to call about, 206-293-6302) any time!

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Wyatt’s Jewelers: New WSB sponsor, with a new location soon

July 2, 2009 12:06 pm

| 6 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | Westwood

Today, we’re welcoming one of our newest sponsors, Wyatt’s Jewelers. It’s WSB tradition to offer new sponsors the chance to share information about their business: Wyatt’s Jewelers is a full-service custom jeweler, located in Westwood Village. Wyatt’s specializes in affordable custom jewelry. They also carry fine jewelry in all price ranges and if you don’t see what you want they can make it. Wyatt’s carries a large selection of natural gemstones and diamonds; as well as offering a full range of repairs and services. Joni and Kirk Keppler say they want to create a comfortable shopping experience where people can expect personalized service. As Kirk says, “Jewelry is such a personal expression: Everyone has a story. We help people preserve memories and create new ones.” The Kepplers and their two sons live in West Seattle. Wanting to support the community, they donate all money from watch-battery replacements to local charities, like the White Center Food Bank. Wyatt’s is located in Westwood Village, in the courtyard, next to Bed Bath & Beyond – but has just announced that it’s moving to a new storefront, next to Chico’s, in September — with a larger showroom, “stylish new look,” and a larger selection of jewelry. Wyatt’s Jewelers is online at wyattsjewelers.com; we welcome them to the WSB sponsor team, listed in full on this page along with info on how to become part of it!

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More West Seattle food news: Fresh Bistro adding brunch

July 2, 2009 10:02 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

Confirmed via Twitter (@freshbistro): As of July 11-12 – same weekend as West Seattle Summer Fest – The Junction’s newest restaurant, now in its second month of operation, adds brunch.

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“Street food” update: Marination Mobile headed for High Point

July 2, 2009 9:15 am

| 7 COMMENTS

| High Point | West Seattle news

Wendy Hughes-Jelen from High Point forwards word that Steve Barham of the High Point Neighborhood Association announced via mailing list that another of the city’s much-buzzed street-food vendors, Marination Mobile – described here – is coming to HP on Saturdays, starting on the Fourth of July:

Marination will be stationed at the empty lot on 35th and Graham on Saturdays from 11:00 am until 2:00 pm, starting this Saturday, July 4. That means you can [leave your car at home], walk down, get cheap food and hang out street-food-style, before going to the Diversity Festival (which will also have food but not until 3:00 PM when it starts). Hmm…if you want to get real-time updates on this like they do in LA, follow @curb_cuisine or marinationmobile.com.

Steve’s note also includes a reminder about the festival, which includes free food: “Yes, there will be tons of free food, barbecue, Somali food, and of course marinated kalbi tacos, ginger chicken tacos, and tofu tacos …” The Diversity Festival on Saturday is 3-8 pm, Commons Park in High Point. As for Marination confirmation, we’re working on that – nothing on their various sites yet but we’d read previously they were looking for a chance to visit West Seattle. 5:03 PM UPDATE: The Marination Mobile website now confirms the Saturday plan at 35th/Graham.

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Onetime $4.8 million Sunset listing now $3 million foreclosure

July 2, 2009 6:03 am

| 37 COMMENTS

| West Seattle housing | West Seattle news

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Google Street View caught that blufftop home at 1114 Sunset when a for-sale sign was still out front. We mentioned it here in May of last year, when Robert called our attention to its then-$4.8 million for-sale listing. We lost track of what happened to it — till it turned up in the Trustee Sales (foreclosures) section of the Daily Journal of Commerce this week. It’s scheduled to be put up for auction next week, 10 am July 10th at the county courthouse. The notice says $3.1 million principal is due along with almost $300,000 more in interest and other charges/fees; as recently as last weekend, it was listed as a “short sale” for $3.4 million; you can still get a hint of the original $4.8 million listing on the builders’ website.

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