Along with everything else going on tonight, we were at ArtsWest for a special event announcing the six productions that will comprise its 2010-2011 season – and celebrating what’s under way in this season (the clip above is from its next show, “Tell Me on a Sunday,” with Danielle Barnum singing and Kim Dare on piano for tonight’s mini-preview). We published the 2010-2011 announcements on Twitter as they happened – but if you weren’t following along, here’s the quick list:
ArtsWest leader Alan Harrison told the theater full of fans that it’s going to be a “rollercoaster” season – in a good way. More on that, on the shows, and on special ticket deals, ahead (added early Tuesday am).Read More
7:31 PM: We’re covering two events right now – first one up, the West Seattle workshop for Mayor McGinn‘s Youth and Families Initiative, which started at 7 pm at Denny International Middle School. The Seattle Schools All-City Band (photo above) – led by Denny/Sealth maestro Marcus Pimpleton – has made an appearance, too. We’re adding photos, and will have a report on the workshop later. 8:32 PM UPDATE: A member of the mayor’s staff estimates the turnout at about 300 – which would make it the biggest one of these meetings held so far. Among those on hand, School Board members including West Seattle’s Steve Sundquist, in our photo with Denny principal Jeff Clark:
Thanks to food correspondent (as well as photojournalist par excellence) Christopher Boffoli for pointing this out: Swinery proprietor Gabriel Claycamp just announced on Facebook that his West Seattle store is reopening April 1st. It’s been closed about four weeks for remodeling that involved required electrical work.
(Photo by Doug B, added 7:43 pm) 6:38 PM: Thanks to our friends at Illusions Hair Design (WSB sponsor) for the tip – a water break at 49th/Brandon in Seaview is affecting traffic and neighbors. Brandon westbound is closed at 48th, and 49th southbound is one lane at Brandon, where crews are working. Not sure how many homes are without water, but we just got a note from Steve at 49th and Findlay who says it’s out at his house (that’s a block south of the break). 7:41 PM UPDATE: There’s also a gas leak in the area (49th/Canada), and one commenter says it is related to the water-line repair work. So if you don’t have to go through this area – stay away TFN. (Thanks to the neighbors who are posting on-the-scene updates in the comment section.) 9:39 PM UPDATE: We’re at the scene – it’s a 16-inch water line that’s broken. At least one TV crew (KING5) is there too. Working to get the latest info. 9:51 PM UPDATE: SFD says the gas line work should be wrapped up in an hour. Here’s one of the pieces of heavy equipment that just arrived:
10:25 PM UPDATE: We’re heading back out there to check again, but while there a short time ago, SFD stressed that while the smell is bad, the gas that leaked is NOT at anything approaching a dangerous level. 10:42 PM UPDATE: From the scene – the gas line is fixed. Now the water work resumes, and that’s expected to take all night. Water is out from Brandon south to Graham, though we don’t have a count of how many homes are affected. We do know seven homes lost gas service, according to SFD Captain Mike Milam:
5:30 AM: As Wsguy also confirms in the comments, the water is back on – we just went down to check on the situation; one crew is left, filling in the hole:
What you see here on WSB isn’t always everything we spend the days and nights doing … there’s also our content streams on Facebook and Twitter … and we are blessed with plenty of phone calls and e-mail to answer. Often we handle questions that don’t ever turn into stories, because that’s just part of the job. But when more than a few people e-mail or call with the same question, that tends to be a hint it’s time to share the answer on the site too. So — We’ve heard from several people in the past week wondering what’s up (or not) with the Whole Foods (and Hancock Fabrics, and residential, etc.) development site at Fauntleroy/Alaska. Here’s what we know: Whole Foods’ regional spokesperson Vicki Foley told us recently that they will not have news any sooner than June, which is when she said their lease on this site expires. So at least until then, their official line is still, they remain committed, etc. Meantime, the big legal battle over the site itself is not yet resolved. (It’s been a year since we broke the news that the first suit had been filed – months after work at the site halted in late 2008.) There have been a few small rulings along the way – mostly involving whose claim has preference over whose, so there have been some “partial summary judgment” decisions, but the consolidated case is not yet resolved and has not yet gone to trial. We check the online file for the lawsuit almost every day, just in case something big happens; there are so many parties to the case, requiring multiple notifications every time any action is taken, that the file is REALLY big. As we wrote in September of last year, the note to the site is now held by 3922 SW Alaska LLC, which had moved at that time for “judicial foreclosure”; we haven’t found any evidence it’s happened yet.
This afternoon we’re welcoming Freedom Systems as the new sponsor of the WSB Crime Watch page. Freedom Systems isn’t just a security-system company, though – take a look at their website and you’ll quickly see the other services they offer. As per WSB tradition, new sponsors get the chance to tell you about themselves and their business. Freedom Systems’ Jimmie Beem and Keith Sawka are both West Seattle homeowners. Their main goal: To provide customers with a sense of freedom and security. Jimmie says, “We’re excited to be a part of the West Seattle Blog and are dedicated to making our community a safer place. Both Keith and I own homes here in West Seattle and believe it’s important to do business locally in order to keep our community strong and growing. With over 5 years in business, we are very knowledgeable and passionate about security and electrical. We offer the latest in security technology, competitive pricing and provide exceptional customer service for our customers. Our customers consistently tell us that we are knowledgeable, fair, economical, and provide quality work. Our customers also appreciate that they can come to us for all of their electrical because we’re licensed Commercial and Residential Electricians.” Find Freedom Systems online at freedomsystemsinc.com – or call 206-274-9946.
We thank Freedom Systems for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news on WSB; find our sponsor team, and info on joining, all here.
My son, Ian, is currently on the ferry from Fauntleroy to Southworth right now (10:40 a.m.) and is watching at least 3 orcas. He says they seem to be just kind of hanging out again between Vashon & Lincoln Park. They’re rather surface active. He saw quite a bit of tail slapping. He estimated them to be about 200 yards from the boat.
That follows the Friday and Saturday sightings (KING 5’s helicopter caught them on Friday – the video is included in our update). 11:28 AM: We’re on the south LP waterfront – no luck, aside from a sea lion sighting. 12:25 PM UPDATE: Finally gave up to head back to HQ – but we ran into Donna Sandstrom from The Whale Trail, who was on the phone with a contact on Vashon who had clear view of them off the north end of the island – perhaps a little too close to the Southworth side for viewing from here. Updates as we get them. 1:18 PM: Donna called – she can see them now from Lincoln Park, south side. 2:26 PM:KING5‘s helicopter got video again today – and we’ve embedded it atop this story. 5:10 PM: Rode the Fauntleroy-Southworth ferry round-trip at mid-afternoon in hopes of whale sightings – saw spouts in the distance off the Arroyos – but now we have word from Facebook friend Krista that they are heading north “toward Alki Point,” as of a few minutes ago.
A news release this morning brings word of a new business at 42nd/Oregon (map) in The Junction. Dr. Catherine Sparks has opened Bella Nouveau European Day and Medi-Spa in the stucco cottage where her clinic used to be (the Sparks Chiropractic Health and Wellness Center is now in a remodeled space next door. The announcement says Bella Nouveau “offers European and anti-aging facials, acne and rosacea therapies, brow and lash tinting, full-body waxing, acupuncture face toning, massage therapies, and specialized skin care therapies, along with a full complement of medi-spa services. ‘From Botox and Dysport injections, to Restylane, Radiesse, Juvaderm and more,’ (Sparks) said.” According to Dr. Sparks, the staff includes estheticians, medical doctors, massage therapists, and acupuncturists. She’s also started a new line of anti-aging skin products, Novelle Health and Beauty, which won Best-in-Show at the recent Northwest Women’s Show; you can read about the products here.
ARTSWEST’S NEW SEASON: Also in The Junction – since Monday is an off-night for the current ArtsWest (WSB sponsor) production “Sunlight,” it’s the perfect time to unveil the 2010-2011 season – 7:30 pm in the theater. Free, but call (206) 938-0339 to RSVP.
SUMMER FEST DEADLINE: Less than four months now till West Seattle Summer Fest, and TODAY is the deadline for local businesses to sign up if they want to get special West Seattle priority as the festival is planned. Application forms are linked on the Summer Fest home page; here’s our original announcement about the special application period – be sure to write “West Seattle Local” on the form.
SCHOOL VISITS:Seattle Public Schools‘ “open enrollment” period continues till the end of the month. Most schools have scheduled “visits” (tours) continuing till then; this morning at 8:40 am, Pathfinder K-8 in Pigeon Point welcomes prospective K-5 parents. Here’s the full list of scheduled school visits districtwide.
This afternoon we’re welcoming 
Freedom Systems’ Jimmie Beem and Keith Sawka are both West Seattle homeowners. Their main goal: To provide customers with a sense of freedom and security. Jimmie says, “We’re excited to be a part of the West Seattle Blog and are dedicated to making our community a safer place. Both Keith and I own homes here in West Seattle and believe it’s important to do business locally in order to keep our community strong and growing. With over 5 years in business, we are very knowledgeable and passionate about security and electrical. We offer the latest in security technology, competitive pricing and provide exceptional customer service for our customers. Our customers consistently tell us that we are knowledgeable, fair, economical, and provide quality work. Our customers also appreciate that they can come to us for all of their electrical because we’re licensed Commercial and Residential Electricians.” Find Freedom Systems online at 
A news release this morning brings word of a new business at 42nd/Oregon (map) in The Junction. Dr. Catherine Sparks has opened Bella Nouveau European Day and Medi-Spa in the stucco cottage where her clinic used to be (the Sparks Chiropractic Health and Wellness Center is now in a remodeled space next door. The announcement says Bella Nouveau “offers European and anti-aging facials, acne and rosacea therapies, brow and lash tinting, full-body waxing, acupuncture face toning, massage therapies, and specialized skin care therapies, along with a full complement of medi-spa services. ‘From Botox and Dysport injections, to Restylane, Radiesse, Juvaderm and more,’ (Sparks) said.” According to Dr. Sparks, the staff includes estheticians, medical doctors, massage therapists, and acupuncturists. She’s also started a new line of anti-aging skin products, 
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