(cameraphone photo added 11:23 pm)
ORIGINAL 11:10 PM REPORT: We’re on our way to check out the fire in building call at California/Juneau. According to the scanner, California’s about to be closed in both directions there (map).

11:15 PM: In comments, Colleen says it’s the minimart building at the southwest corner of California/Juneau. Police are closing traffic a block north and a block south of that intersection. Update – co-publisher Patrick is there now and confirms that’s the building, lots of smoke. Photo in a moment. Raining heavily, by the way.

11:21 PM: From the scene – Fire Department is focused on the second floor and has just busted through a door. According to scanner, they’re sending a public-info officer out (which is just mostly an acknowledgment it’s a big deal and there’s media interest). There are also traffic closures on side streets, so stay FAR away from that area.

11:23 PM: Via scanner, firefighters report “tapped fire on 2nd floor” – that doesn’t mean OUT but it’s progress. Update from Patrick: They’ve also busted in through the Ho-Win next door to the mini-mart. Less smoke coming through the roof. (We’ve just added a cameraphone photo.) Scanner confirms crews had to make “forced entry” to both the store and the restaurant.

11:28 PM: Scanner confirms fire was largely centered on the building’s residential second floor, “with some extension into the attic. No word of any injuries at this point. But more engines are being called in.

11:32 PM: From the scene – the smoke has largely subsided. From the scanner – no sign of fire in the attic. Also from the scene – there’s a medic unit there but no sign that they are using it for anyone, which is a good sign of no injuries, so far.

11:39 PM UPDATE: Thanks to Evan for this photo:

They’ve just dismissed a couple of units from the scene, so this is beginning to wind down a little bit. (The rain’s subsiding too.)

11:58 PM UPDATE: Police are going to open up NORTHBOUND traffic on California through the fire scene “in about 15-20 minutes” per the scanner. Meantime, we’re still on the scene monitoring things to see if there’s any new info about how this started. We of course also will be finding out what we can about how market and restaurant operations in the building will be affected.

12:05 AM: From the incident commander at the scene: 2 people in the apartment, both OK. Officially no injuries in the fire, period. Apartment’s extensively damaged, but no word yet on fire cause.

12:34 AM: Uploading some video. This is from the wind-down phase, as one set of firefighters were up on a ladder on the north side of the building, and another team took a ladder over toward Ho-Win to set it up:

12:47 AM: This clip starts with smoke pouring from the north side of the second story, then focuses on the firefighters trying to get into Juneau Street Market:

1:00 AM: We’re not expecting to get information on the fire’s cause till later today, but will keep checking and will publish it here when that info’s available. Meantime, one more photo to share, this one from Colleen, who provided important eyewitness information via comments – just an interesting sight; note all the reflective stripes from some of the many firefighters who rushed to the scene:

Some of the firefighters from this incident had to rush right off to a call on Harbor Island – a 38-year-old man was pulled out of the water near Todd Shipyard; no official word at this hour why he was in the water (scanner talk suggests a crime investigation of some sort was under way at the scene too), but it was a big rescue callout for a while including units from this side of the bridge. (He’s on the way to the hospital right now; per the scanner, he was in the water for about 20 minutes, and seems to be OK aside from “shivering violently.”)

Share This

Seattle Lutheran vs. Darrington: Final WS prep-football opener

September 5, 2009 9:32 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

(video added 1:33 am Sunday – Lucas Driscoll 33-yard pass to Conner Mullan)
All three high schools in West Seattle have now had their season-opening games – two last night (WSB coverage here) and one tonight – Seattle Lutheran High School hosted Darrington at West Seattle Stadium. Final score – Loggers 18, Saints 6. Our correspondent’s just back and we’ll add more here in a bit.

1:44 AM: Added video atop this report; meantime, more on the game, as promised: The Saints played penalty-free, but failed to overcome the Darrington running game. Darrington kept the ball on the ground for the better part of the night, controlling the clock, and the score. The Saints’ only score came on a four-play drive that saw starting quarterback Lucas Driscoll, a senior, replaced by freshman quarterback Trevor Forsell. Forsell handed off to senior Jake Lovely, who ran it 35 yards for the score. On the night, Lovely had seven carries for 62 yards and was the offensive stand out for he Saints. Next week, a road game — the Saints travel to Ocean Shores to play North Beach at 2 pm Saturday (9/12).

Share This

Happening now: Sunrise Heights neighborhood street dance

September 5, 2009 7:52 pm

| Comments Off on Happening now: Sunrise Heights neighborhood street dance

| Fun stuff to do | Sunrise Heights | West Seattle news

Emily sent that photo of the musicians at the Sunrise Heights dance, continuing till 9 pm, and reports a fun time’s being had by all:

Super fun and great turnout despite the weather! Live music and BBQ. 30th between Myrtle and Othello.

Here’s a map; here’s more info. If you’re in Sunrise Heights – between Westwood/Gatewood and High Point – you can find out more neighborhood happenings on the Sunrise Heights Neighborhood Association website.

Share This

West Seattle Weather Watch: “Special statement” rain alert

September 5, 2009 6:13 pm

| Comments Off on West Seattle Weather Watch: “Special statement” rain alert

| West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

If you haven’t heard this already – the National Weather Service has put out a “special weather statement” for most areas around Puget Sound, including ours, warning of “significant precipitation and unseasonably cool temperatures.” Time to check the storm drains! See the NWS “statement” here.

Share This

Considering an addition to the household? Cat Adopt-A-Thon ahead

September 5, 2009 5:22 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| Pets | West Seattle news | Westwood

Thanks to Janell for pointing out that the Seattle Animal Shelter is planning a Cat Adopt-A-Thon in West Seattle next Saturday — noon-3 pm September 12, Southwest Community Center (2801 SW Thistle; map). And if you have room for two, they’ll offer a two-for-one deal, plus discounted fees for seniors and people with disabilities. Most if not all of the cats at this Adopt-A-Thon are currently in foster care – a volunteer service which enables many more animals to have a chance at finding their “forever homes” since space at shelter facilities is limited. The official WSB feline mascots (left) wholeheartedly endorse events like this, as both were adopted from shelters as adults, one of them from a city-sponsored foster-cat Adopt-A-Thon just like this one. Here’s the flyer (which also lists events in other Seattle neighborhoods later this fall).

Share This

“Rain delay” for West Seattle Farmers’ Market tomato tasting

September 5, 2009 2:24 pm

| Comments Off on “Rain delay” for West Seattle Farmers’ Market tomato tasting

| West Seattle Farmers' Market | West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

The special event scheduled for tomorrow’s West Seattle Farmers’ Market – tomato tasting – has been rescheduled because of expected stormy weather, according to a note from Chris Curtis at the Neighborhood Farmers’ Market Alliance. It’s now scheduled to happen Sunday, September 20th.

Share This

What’s in a name? Potential misinterpretation, if city terminology

September 5, 2009 1:00 pm

| 5 COMMENTS

| West Seattle history | West Seattle news

A couple of non-neighborhood news sources inadvertently raised a little alarm by publishing a West Seattle land-use notice verbatim without any background explanation or context, and since several people e-mailed us to ask about it, here’s clarification. The events venue The Sanctuary at Admiral, which became a city landmark one month ago today (WSB coverage here) in its original identity as the former Sixth Church of Christ, Scientist, has applied for the official land-use permit to allow its business to continue. As explained in a profile of the facility and owner Dahli Bennett last month (story and photos here), they didn’t have all the permits they needed before, so in addition to seeking the landmark designation, they were applying to get them. The official classification in city land-use code for an events facility like this – “the only one the city could think of,” as Sanctuary “events mistress” Jennifer confirmed when we called to doublecheck on this – is “theater and spectator sports facility.” So that’s what the land-use application says and that’s what the official city signs outside the facility (42nd and Lander, immediately east of the back end of Admiral Safeway) say, and that’s what headlines like this one in the Daily Journal of Commerce said. But no, Jennifer assured us, they’re not planning any change in what they’ve been doing – “weddings, food events, that type of thing.” They’ll probably post a letter to add to the city signs outside to explain that, too. Here’s the official land-use application notice (which includes information on how to comment on it and how to contact city planners about it).

Share This

Another aerial view of West Seattle: Admiral, Duwamish Head…

September 5, 2009 9:00 am

| 5 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

That’s another spectacular view of West Seattle from the sky (note Seacrest and Don Armeni toward right-center), shared by Gatewood pilot Long Nguyen, who took the two we published here. He actually sent three recent photos, and we’re planning to showcase one each day through Labor Day. Click here for a larger version of this one.

Share This

Twelfth Night Productions sets auditions for its fall production

September 5, 2009 7:02 am

| Comments Off on Twelfth Night Productions sets auditions for its fall production

| How to help | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

One week from today, West Seattle’s Twelfth Night Productions will hold auditions for six roles – all male, but ranging in age from teens to 60s – in its fall production “The Diviners.” They sent us the audition notice to share with you; read on for details:Read More

Share This

Delridge Neighborhoods District Council to meet September 16

September 5, 2009 2:59 am

| Comments Off on Delridge Neighborhoods District Council to meet September 16

| Announcements

Ron Angeles, who handles the Delridge district for the city’s Department of Neighborhoods, has sent around the reminder for the next Delridge Neighborhoods District Council meeting – everybody’s invited:

Reminder:
Delridge Neighborhoods District Council
Wednesday, Sept. 16th
7-9pm
Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, 4408 Delridge Way SW

On the agenda:

Neighborhood Plan Status Reports and Update Process
Climate Action Now
Friends of Seattle Public Libraries
Neighborhood Project Fund Awardees

And…

Updates from the Neighborhoods and Community Activities New Issues and Concerns

The District Council is made up of representatives from community and neighborhood-based organizations, business and merchant groups, schools, and non-profit human services agencies. They meet 9-10 times a year to network, support each other’s efforts, and advise the City on budgetary matters related to transportation, parks, the Neighborhood Matching Fund, Neighborhood Project Fund (street and parks improvements), and other city-sponsored programs and services. Individual citizens are also encouraged to attend and participate in open discussions.

Share This

King County Executive forum October 12 on environmental issues

September 5, 2009 2:24 am

| Comments Off on King County Executive forum October 12 on environmental issues

| Announcements

Just announced:

The Washington Foundation for the Environment presents a candidate forum:

What: The two candidates for King County Executive answer questions on environmental issues facing the county

Who: Dow Constantine and Susan Hutchison

Where: The Seattle Aquarium, 1483 Alaskan Way

Moderated by Ross Reynolds, host of “The Conversation” on KUOW-FM
Televised on King County TV Cable Channel 22

When: Monday, October 12, 2009, doors open at 6:30 for refreshments and informal discussion, candidate forum starts at 7pm and is scheduled to conclude at 8pm

Why: The King County Executive plays an important role in setting the direction on local and regional environmental issues including growth and land use planning, transportation decisions, management of our water resources, farmland preservation and more. Come and ask the candidates questions and learn more about their positions.

This is a free event, donations welcome. For questions or to RSVP, please email info@wffe.org.

Co-sponsors: People For Puget Sound, National Wildlife Federation, Washington Environmental Council, Cascade Land Conservancy, Futurewise, Seattle Aquarium Society, Transportation Choices Coalition, Washington Toxics Coalition, Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition, and Climate Solutions

Share This