West Seattle, Washington

24 Wednesday

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month : 07/2009 431 results

West Seattle author Lyanda Lynn Haupt lands on “Crow Planet”
July 30, 2009 7:02 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people | Wildlife

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

It’s a book about your back yard. And your front yard. And the greenbelt down the street.

And though Gatewood author Lyanda Lynn Haupt‘s new book — from which she will read at Elliott Bay Books tomorrow night — is titled “Crow Planet,” it’s not just about crows.

Coyotes are in there too, she says, as are many of the other wild things who are mixing it up with us mere humans, in West Seattle and elsewhere.

Chatting with Lyanda in the garden behind the 1920s-vintage home she shares with her husband and daughter, you might spot some of the wildness – a hummingbird hovering over a hedge, pondering whether to investigate the small bouquet of salvia that the author placed in a glass as a sort of feeder. (She wrote about the makeshift feeder last weekend on her website “The Tangled Nest: Cultivating an Urban-Earthen Household.”) Or you might hear her stories, like the one about the raccoon that woke her up during a backyard family campout:

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Today/tonight: Heat, Blue Angels, concerts, King County’s future
July 30, 2009 5:37 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Blue Angels | West Seattle weather | WS culture/arts

FORECAST: It’s improved a tiny bit. Today is now projected to reach into the 90s (previously, there was a projection we’d hit triple digits again).

(WSB photo from Angels’ arrival at Boeing Field Tuesday)
BLUE ANGELS: Today’s the first of two days that they’ll be practicing, before the two official shows Saturday-Sunday over Lake Washington. While tomorrow’s practice is the same show they’ll perform over the weekend, today is somewhat looser, with maneuvers and geography familiarization, and it also means the I-90 bridge will be closed twice today – 9:45 to noon, 1:15-2:30 pm.

(Photo by Christopher Boffoli, from last Tuesday’s concert-series kickoff)
ADMIRAL CONCERT: 2nd show in the free outdoor-concert series at Hiawatha, 6:30 pm, Tom Colwell and the Southbound Odyssey. See the preview here.

FAUNTLEROY CONCERT: “Sweet, Sweet Music” tonight at Fauntleroy Church – Sarah Ackers, Betsy Boyer and Bronwyn Edwards Cryer are in what’s promised to be a “cool” Fellowship Hall, 7:30 pm, music and desserts, $5 (more info here).

KING COUNTY’S FUTURE: Across the street from that church, you’ll find The Hall at Fauntleroy, where a 6:30 pm meeting is the last in a series of discussions around the county, about the county, and where it should go from here.

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Too hot in the house? West Seattle entertainment options ahead
July 29, 2009 11:17 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Admiral Theater | Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news | West Seattle Outdoor Movies

THURSDAY NIGHT TUNES: The second show in the Admiral Neighborhood Association’s Summer Concerts at Hiawatha series (co-sponsored by WSB) is tomorrow night, 6:30 pm, east lawn outside Hiawatha Community Center. That spot gets shady hours earlier because of the building and the trees. Tomorrow’s performers: Tom Colwell and the Southbound Odyssey, a smash hit during the Pete Seeger 90th birthday event at Admiral Theater earlier this year. Speaking of The Admiral:

AIR-CONDITIONED MUSIC FRIDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHT: Admiral Theater has live music both nights: Troupe de Ville with Steve Thoreson (“a voice more powerful than Pavarotti”), Eric Fridrich (“soulful”) and Segovia-trained Italian guitarist Andre Feriante at 9 pm Friday (tickets here), Billet-Deux “gypsy jazz” at 9 pm Saturday (tickets here). And outdoors, to the south, that very night, you can get “Footloose.”

SATURDAY NIGHT “MOVIE ON THE WALL”: Doesn’t seem right now like much chance that last Saturday night’s semi-freak rainburst will be replicated (although it’s great to have the backup indoor site nearby). So plan on being in the Hotwire Coffee (WSB sponsor) courtyard for the West Seattle Outdoor Movies on the Wall presentation of”Footloose” at dusk Saturday, with preshow activities (go-go dancers!) around 8:30 pm. Free, but bring a few dollars for concessions provided by West Seattle Christian and Coffee to a Tea with Sugar, and raffles for local merchant gift certificates, all benefiting local nonprofits. Gates open at 7:00 pm with pre-show fun starting at 8:30 pm. 4400 California Ave SW (map).

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Update: Helicopter mystery over The Junction solved!
July 29, 2009 9:35 pm
|      27 COMMENTS
 |   Helicopter | West Seattle news

helicopterwatch.pngChecking now to see if we can find out what it’s doing. Let us know if you’re seeing police on the ground anywhere. 9:46 PM UPDATE: This one might remain a mystery. Lt. Ron Smith at the Southwest Precinct says law enforcers don’t have anything going on that he or dispatch is aware of. As for news choppers, unless there’s a prescheduled evening event (like 4th of July fireworks), they’re usually in for the night long before dark. 9:55 PM UPDATE: Justin from Capitol Hill Seattle says via Twitter that a mystery chopper, not police, is buzzing THAT neighborhood right now. Hmm. 11:35 PM UPDATE: Lt. Smith says police have checked with FAA and learned that it’s a private company doing infrared photography. We may have more on this momentarily. ADDED 11:43 PM: Talked to the FAA. BCRA is the company that had permission for two flyover periods “around Seattle” tonight (the other one was before dark) – and the work apparently involves infrared photography regarding “air barriers”; found out a little more here. As the old saying goes, you learn something new every day. And night!

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West Seattle Little League 11-12s at state: 1st loss but still going
July 29, 2009 9:12 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Little League 11-12s at state: 1st loss but still going
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

From the West Seattle Little League Twitter feed: The 11-12 All-Stars lost for the first time in the state tournament tonight, 12-0 to Pasco in Port Orchard. However, they’re still going, because it’s not a single-elimination tournament; the online bracket says they’ll play Richmond at 5 pm tomorrow, also at Port Orchard’s Art Mikelson Fields.

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West Seattle scenes: Hot, hot, hot
July 29, 2009 8:59 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Seen around town | Seen at sea | West Seattle news

Bill Bacon caught that reading at the First Mutual Bank sign north of The Junction this afternoon. Meantime, Minette sent a beautiful shot of last night’s moonset behind Vashon, seen from Lowman Beach. She says it’s looked like this the last three nights and you might see something similar if you look that way around 10:30 tonight:

We’re mulling a ferry ride as a late-night cooldown measure. Meantime, the temperatures are slithering downward .. but still in the 90s as of the official 9 pm readings at Sea-Tac and Boeing Field (closest “official” to us).

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West Seattle Chamber to county: Don’t kill the Water Taxi
July 29, 2009 4:39 pm
|      23 COMMENTS
 |   King County Water Taxi | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

As ballots go out today, the King County Water Taxi has become more and more of a political football in the campaign for county executive, with at least three candidates saying they want to end funding for the King County Ferry District, which runs the West Seattle-Downtown and Seattle-Vashon routes, and a new proposal from County Executive Kurt Triplett last week to shelve funding for “demonstration routes.” The West Seattle Chamber of Commerce has just sent an open letter to county government, noting that anyone who wants to make sure the Water Taxi remains available to West Seattle might consider doing the same. Read on for the letter:Read More

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Memorial planned Sunday for Arbor Heights teacher Lynn Barnicle
July 29, 2009 3:00 pm
|      19 COMMENTS
 |   Arbor Heights | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Family, friends and the Arbor Heights Elementary School community are mourning teacher Lynn Barnicle, who has lost her fight with leukemia. Read on for the invitation to a community memorial:Read More

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Update: Boater overcome by the heat, treated near Seacrest
July 29, 2009 2:41 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news

(photo by Christopher Boffoli as scene was wrapping up)
ORIGINAL 2:41 PM REPORT: Just found out at the fire scene about a water rescue dispatch to 1600 Harbor SW – we’re on our way – no other details yet. 2:56 PM UPDATE: Co-publisher Patrick Sand is at the scene and tells us firefighters say a kayaker was “overcome by the heat,” is being checked out at the scene but will not likely be transported to the hospital – the “water rescue” response here is wrapping up.

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Updates: House fire @ 45th/Erskine; firefighters battle heat too
July 29, 2009 1:15 pm
|      44 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle fires | West Seattle news | WS breaking news

(scroll down for newest info; adding fire cause/damage, 4:54 pm update)

(photo substituted 2:06 pm – courtesy Tony Bradley)
ORIGINAL 1:15 PM REPORT: WSB photojournalist Christopher Boffoli is on the scene and reports lots of smoke. The callout’s in the 5200 block of 45th SW (map). 1:31 PM UPDATE: This fire isn’t out yet. It’s a single-family house, according to property records. Our second person has just arrived at the scene and is reporting lots of smoke, still. Police are stopping westbound traffic in that direction from California or 44th. Sounds like cross-street will be Dawson. 1:38 PM UPDATE: Big story at the scene – firefighters working in this record heat. Paramedics are checking them out; co-publisher Patrick Sand reports there’s ice and water everywhere, some firefighters are being hosed down as they rotate through the scene. House has a big hole in the roof now, cut by firefighters to ventilate the fire, and smoke is still coming out. Patrick just talked to one of the two people who were home at the time – the resident says nobody in the house was hurt, both got out OK, and they have no idea how the fire started. Meantime, here’s a photo sent to us by the folks at the Coast Guard station on the downtown waterfront – at one point you could see the smoke from all the way over there:

1:53 PM UPDATE: Crews on the scene tell us this is all part of the special hot-weather procedure, including extra crews brought in so the first crews on the scene can be relieved before working too long in the heavy suits and high temperatures. Also, the fire is not yet tapped – smoke still visible and firefighters are still in the house in full gear. Here’s a cameraphone photo of one getting checked out outside:

Listening to the scanner from WSB HQ, we can also hear the logistical planning that SFD leaders are doing to rotate crews in and out because of the weather. 2:07 PM UPDATE: Adding photos from Tony Bradley, who was on the scene moments after firefighters. We also have spoken with an incident commander who tells us that while a police officer and firefighter were both checked out for possible dehydration earlier, both are OK. The fire is still not completely “tapped.”

We’ve also talked again with one of the residents, who says they’re trying to figure out where they’re going to go, but they have to stay at the scene for now to wait to talk with fire investigators. 2:24 PM UPDATE: Adding photos from Christopher Boffoli, including the firefighters coping with the heat:

2:41 PM UPDATE: One update from Fire Department spokesperson Helen Fitzpatrick – one of the house’s occupants has decided to go to the hospital for treatment, after discovering some burns. Adding more of Christopher’s photos:

And also this video by co-publisher Patrick:

4:54 PM UPDATE: According to SFD’s Fitzpatrick, the fire was accidental – ashes from a barbecue ignited the deck, and spread to the house. Damage is estimated at $150,000. The resident who went to the hospital for burn treatment is the only official injury related to the fire.

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“This is huge”: West Seattle neighborhoods talk present, future
July 29, 2009 11:12 am
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   Development | Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

As a member of the citywide Neighborhood Plan Advisory Council, Sharonn Meeks facilitated several groups during the series of plan-status meetings that ended in Delridge last night.

The turnout along the way had been spotty. For First Hill’s discussion, for example, Meeks says she facilitated a table of one.

Last night, however, a different story. By the time late arrivals had found their seats in the air-conditioned Youngstown Arts Center auditorium — a last-minute substitution for the non-air-conditioned Delridge Community Center across the street — more than 100 people had arrived. Asked after the event how that compared to the others she’d facilitated, Meeks enthused, “This is huge!”

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West Seattle Weather Watch: “Hottest day ever” updates
July 29, 2009 10:33 am
|      33 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

Barring big news on the weather, we’ll keep this item for a while and add to it as needed – photos, vignettes, whatever comes up. First tidbit: WSB’er “D” says a truckload of fans just arrived at McLendon Hardware in White Center – but “almost sold out in minutes.” P.S. The WSB Forums‘ running thread on the heat and “where to stay cool” can be found here. 11:46 AM UPDATE: Youngstown Arts Center is having a “cooling-off activity” in the theater (where we covered that air-conditioned meeting last night), noon-4 pm. (Here’s the flyer.) 3:05 PM UPDATE: The official National Weather Service 3 pm readings are in. Boeing Field is at 102 degrees. Sea-Tac has hit 102 (though right now it shows 101). The previous all-time Seattle record was 100. 5 PM UPDATE: Added a photo shared by South Seattle Community College, showing what is now officially the coolest school in West Seattle, explaining: “Inventor and Campus Services staffer Murray Fye has setup a cooling station by the campus Clock Tower. It is a mist/fog type that uses very low flow misting heads. It’s being enjoyed by one and all!” Another note: Metro has issued an advisory to passengers, warning that it may be just too hot to ride buses. 6:09 PM UPDATE: Thanks to Diane for sharing a couple of updates. West Seattle (Admiral) library branch – NOT air-conditioned, nor is Southwest – closed at 5 pm. The Senior Center of West Seattle, which IS air-conditioned, is open till 8. Wading pool hours are extended – Delridge and Hiawatha to 7:30, EC Hughes to 8, Lincoln Park till 8:30. And there’s a mysterious stream of cool air coming from the Chase ATM at the north end of The Junction, according to this photo Keith Bacon sent of Corianton Hale:

ADDED EARLY THURSDAY: We’ll check this out later today – Tom A reports:

Rode my bicycle home from work downtown (more pleasant than riding Metro today) and noticed sidewalks buckled (pushed up more than 18 inches) in front of Salty’s on Alki and again along the Don Armeni parking lot. I don’t think we had an earthquake, so it must be due to the heat expanding the concrete.

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South Park murder: Prosecutor files aggravated-murder charge
July 29, 2009 10:07 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | South Park

Five days after the arrest of Isaiah Kalebu for the murder of Teresa Butz (right) in the South Park home she shared with her partner, who survived the stabbing attack, King County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Satterberg has just announced his decision on what charges to pursue: According to first word from seattletimes.com, the charges include aggravated murder, which could bring the death penalty. We will add the news release/charging-document info here when we get it. ADDED WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Kalebu is due in court August 12 to answer the charges. The court documents detail an especially brutal ordeal that lasted almost two hours. It also details what has been described as the action that Butz took, saving her partner’s life:

(Butz) eventually was able to kick the man off the bed, and she and (her partner) attempted to defend themselves. Enraged, the man punched (Butz) in the face with either his fist or the butt of the knife, knocking her across the room. He then began to stab her, striking her in the chest and upper arm. (Butz) was able to grab a nightstand and throw it through the bedroom window. She then dove out of the window herself. (Her partner) ran from the room and out the front door, where she saw that (Butz) had collapsed in the street. (Her partner) pounded on the door of neighbors across the street, screaming for help. The man apparently collected his clothes and fled out of the residence.

Butz died before aid crews arrived. The documents also detail the DNA and fingerprint evidence investigators used to identify Kalebu as the suspect, and note that he remains under suspicion in the fire earlier this year that killed two people including his aunt, as well as facing trial next month in a harassment/malicious mischief case in which the victim is his own mother.

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Today/tonight: What’s happening, from big heat to big game
July 29, 2009 6:43 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   South Park | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics | West Seattle weather | WS & Sports

NEWEST FORECAST: As usual, the National Weather Service issued a forecast update overnight – no reprieve, though, it still calls for a potential 100-plus-degree high today.

PROSECUTOR’S DECISION IN SOUTH PARK MURDER: At 10 this morning, King County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Satterberg is scheduled to announce his decision on charges against Isaiah Kalebu, jailed in connection with the attack that killed 39-year-old Teresa Butz at her South Park home a week and a half ago. After Kalebu’s arrest last Friday night, a deputy prosecutor had said they would consider seeking the death penalty.

BALLOTS IN THE MAIL: Also from your county government – today’s the day ballots will be mailed for the August 18 primary, the first major election King County is conducting entirely by mail. Who’s running – along with links to their websites and other info – is listed here; the city Voters’ Guide, including video links and information on Proposition 1 (the bag fee) as well as the mayor/council races, is here.

WEST SEATTLE LITTLE LEAGUE 11-12 ALL-STARS GO FOR WIN #3: The state tournament continues for the WSLL 11-12 All-Stars; tonight at 7:30, they face Pasco in their third game of the tourney, which is happening at Art Mikelson Field in Port Orchard (just a Fauntleroy-to-Southworth ferry ride away, and think of those cool breezes on the water!).

YOUTH OUTDOOR SOCCER REGISTRATION: Today is Day 2 of signups for the West Seattle Family YMCA (WSB sponsor)’s Youth Outdoor Soccer teams, for ages 3-10. Register – and find out more – online.

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West Seattle resident Arden Balyeat dies saving son from river
July 28, 2009 10:37 pm
|      43 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

You may have heard about this tragedy in regional media – a 48-year-old woman and her 7-year-old son were pulled from the Skykomish River yesterday; he survived, but she died at a Snohomish County hospital. Thanks to information that started with a note from a friend, we have learned the woman was from West Seattle: Arden Balyeat. As friend Cori Myka explained on Ms. Balyeat’s Facebook wall, she and her son “were crossing a river when he got pulled in an eddy. She rescued him, but was not able to save herself.” Friends are planning a wake this Saturday afternoon, likely at her home, though Cori told us the venue may change, and suggested watching this Facebook page (from which the photo at left was taken) for details; they also are working to set up a fund for Ms. Balyeat’s son. ADDED WEDNESDAY MORNING: This Everett article has a few more details on what authorities believe happened.

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West Seattle neighborhood-plan meeting topline: Big turnout
July 28, 2009 9:56 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

It’ll take us a few hours to do the story justice in long form so for now, we’ll just publish a quick topline: More than 100 people filled the air-conditioned Youngstown Arts Center auditorium for tonight’s long-awaited Neighborhood Plan Status Check meeting. The photo above doesn’t even show them all – the floor of the auditorium held the groups for Admiral, Delridge, Highland Park/Westwood and Morgan Junction (as well as Georgetown), while the stage held the biggest group of all (not pictured here), for The Junction. One thing you can do RIGHT NOW, whether you attended or not – take an online survey. Meeting organizers say the neighborhood that’s turned in the most so far is Ballard with about 150 – certainly West Seattle can beat that! Go here; deadline is August 11. And watch for our full report (focused on The Junction – the heart of WS – with scenes from the other tables too) later.

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City’s heat response: Extended wading-pool hours, more
July 28, 2009 5:40 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

From the city’s recap of the mayor’s heat-wave briefing today:

Case managers in the Human Services Department will begin calling senior citizen clients to check on their welfare. City workers, including police officers, are determining ways to keep the homeless hydrated. Seattle City Light is monitoring electrical demand. Although the utility has reached peak demand for July, the city still has adequate supplies. The utility is contacting its largest customers to request they limit their nonessential uses of electricity.

Libraries are open regular hours, and the city points out that Delridge, High Point and Southwest branches have A/C. Some wading pools will extend their hours – Lincoln Park, which would normally close at 8, will stay open till 8:30; E.C. Hughes, which would close at 7, will stay open till 8; Delridge and Hiawatha, which usually close at 7, will stay open till 7:30.

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2 door-to-door alerts: “Come outside” pitch; mystery cause
July 28, 2009 5:04 pm
|      24 COMMENTS
 |   Door-to-door alert | West Seattle news

Two door-to-door alerts to share this afternoon – read on:Read More

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West Seattle Weather Watch update: “Heat warning” extended
July 28, 2009 3:40 pm
|      21 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

The National Weather Service has just updated its forecast – and the “excessive heat warning” has now been extended till 6 pm Friday. (That air-conditioned 6 pm meeting at Youngstown re: West Seattle’s future is looking even better …)

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New AIR-CONDITIONED location for tonight’s big meeting
July 28, 2009 3:15 pm
|    Comments Off on New AIR-CONDITIONED location for tonight’s big meeting
 |   West Seattle news

Just in from Sharonn Meeks, one of the facilitators for the big meeting tonight that we’ve been writing about for weeks (Neighborhood Plan Status Check – here’s our latest preview): It’s moved across the street to AIR-CONDITIONED Youngstown Arts Center. Still at 6 pm. Please come to not only discuss West Seattle’s future – but also to get out of the heat!

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Followup: Stats on the California/Dawson “crosswalk sting”
July 28, 2009 2:00 pm
|      39 COMMENTS
 |   Safety | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

(Monday photo by Kevin McClintic)
Thanks to City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen and his staffer Brian Hawksford (both West Seattleites, incidentally) for sharing a report they received on the Seattle Police “crosswalk sting” at California/Dawson yesterday (here’s our original report). Turns out it was one of two conducted in the city yesterday afternoon – the other one was earlier, on lower Queen Anne. Neither spot had been “worked before,” according to the report they forwarded, which includes this excerpt:

From 3 PM to 4 PM, the squad worked the crosswalk at California & Dawson. Here we wrote 16 pedestrian right of way citations, plus 7 proof of insurance, 3 expired tabs, 1 seat belt, 1 no front plate, and 1 green arrow, for a total of 29 citations. Additionally, we issued a pedestrian right of way warning.

As noted in yesterday’s report, 92-year-old Rosemary MacCorkindale was killed crossing at that same spot last fall. Between the two locations worked yesterday, the forwarded report says, 221 crossings were made in all — 133 by officers and 88 by citizens — and 14.5% resulted in citations. SPD says the operation showed a “need” for such enforcement at both locations, so they’ll likely be back.

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Tuesday afternoon notes: Heat; USCGC Bertholf; Blue Angels late
July 28, 2009 1:46 pm
|    Comments Off on Tuesday afternoon notes: Heat; USCGC Bertholf; Blue Angels late
 |   Blue Angels | Seen at sea | West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

That photo just looks so cool and blue … thanks to Gary Jones for sharing his pic of the US Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf as it arrived in Elliott Bay for Seafair (as previewed here). ADDED 6:25 PM: Gary has video of the arrival too:

Meantime, this afternoon’s biggest Seafair arrival, the Blue Angels, are reportedly running late – latest estimate, 3-3:30 pm at Boeing Field. Now, as for the heat: The newest forecast is still calling for up to 100 today, even hotter tomorrow; we’re compiling a keep-cool list in the WSB Forums (read it and/or add your suggestion/s here). Meantime, the mayor’s having a media briefing about the city’s heat-wave response in about an hour.

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Metro cuts: You’re invited to city-county “brown bag” chat
July 28, 2009 1:03 pm
|    Comments Off on Metro cuts: You’re invited to city-county “brown bag” chat
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

Bus riders who work downtown or who can get away at midday will want to know about this one – not just listening to politicians, but also a chance for you to ask questions — read on:Read More

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