The triangular area on the southeastern corner, where the fence will now be the backdrop, is actually a publicly owned mini-mini-park, and part of the complaint about the chain-link fencing around The Hole was that it had made that site inaccessible. For perspective, here’s a wider shot looking eastward at the back of the fencing from the other side of The Hole (that’s the 76 station in the background at right, and the Link construction site with the yellow wrap):
Meantime, as for the site’s status, the legal wrangling continues – the online file for the case that combines multiple lawsuits is now up to 300 separate actions in the past 14 months. If the case isn’t resolved sooner, the trial is still set for this October. The prospective new owners of the site have not publicly discussed their plan, should they gain ownership; Whole Foods had told us a few weeks ago that there might be some news right about now regarding the status of the lease they had for what was supposed to be a new store by now, but they haven’t yet answered our messages left earlier this week.
Nine days ago, we brought you the nautical tale of woe – Seafair Pirates facing the possibility of having to personally bankroll their popular July 10th Alki landing, because sponsors had pulled out. Duke’s Chowder House boss Duke Moscrip put out a call for donations. And now, the Pirates announce, they’ve found a sponsor – TOP Food and Drug. Read on:Read More
(Photo added 3:34 pm)
Big fire response for an “automobile rescue” call at 8th and Roxbury (map). We’re on our way to find out more at the scene. Just heard on the scanner that three people were hurt. More to come. 3:18 PM: At the scene – the crash includes at least 2 vehicles, a truck and passenger car (as seen in photo since added) – someone has just been extricated from the car. Still trying to gauge the traffic effects, but for starters, 8th SW is inaccessible starting about a block north of Roxbury; westbound Roxbury is blocked off at 8th.
3:37 PM: We’re now told three people have been taken to the hospital and a fourth soon will be – two transported in medic units, two by private ambulance. Yellow tape is going up to facilitate the investigation, so this intersection will have traffic trouble for at least a few more hours. 3:47 PM: One lane is open in each direction. But the investigation team has just arrived and, as is the case with major investigations, will be busy for a while. We’re working now to see what more we can find out about the victims. EARLY SATURDAY NOTE: That information still hasn’t been made available. The investigation, meantime, continued into the 7 pm hour.
(Swinery staffers photographed today by Christopher Boffoli: Head Butcher Joseph Brewer, Head Cook Garrett Doherty)
Another twist for the much-lauded West Seattle meat mecca The Swinery: Its founder, Gabriel Claycamp, announced via Facebook that he’s moved on, just one week after its “grand reopening.” He says he’s looking for work. But he also says he leaves it in “good hands” – it’s not closing. As we write, we’ve just heard from Christopher Boffoli, who has covered The Swinery extensively – he is there now and says this happened abruptly, adding that he’s been told the primary investor is at the bank now, changing ownership papers, and, “Employees here say the Swinery will continue and that this is a positive thing. Claycamp was not meeting payroll.” 4:05 PM UPDATE: Christopher has just spoken with Claycamp – read on for some of what he said:Read More
2 notes about Hiawatha Playfield: First, the lights will be on for a few hours Sunday night to discourage people from setting off fireworks on the synthetic (and relatively new) turf – part of a citywide program, as Seattle Parks explains here; then on Monday, Parks’ Garrett Farrell confirms, the plan is still on to close the Hiawatha track/field to apply the finishing touches – rubberized track. Farrell explains, “Cold, wet weather last year did not allow us to put the new rubber track surface in place. Contractors will fence off the track July 5th and apply the new surface. There will be no access across the track to the field for two weeks.”
The super-secret-surprise act that people have been wondering about, next Friday night at West Seattle Summer Fest, is finally public, according to Jason Fitzgerald of The Workshop – it’s Satchel:
Satchel is playing a surprise set at West Seattle Summer Fest on Friday July 9th on the Alaska Stage from 8:30pm – 9:30 PM. Of course, this show, like all West Seattle Summer Fest music, is ALL AGES and absolutely FREE.
The rest of the West Seattle Summer Fest music lineup is online, here.
4th of July info/events have a WSB page of their own (see it here), but that day’s only a third of the weekend (maybe a fourth of yours if you’re taking the “official” Monday holiday off). Still plenty going on if you’re not leaving town – just click ahead for this week’s West Seattle Weekend Lineup:Read More
Second story in a row about something turning up in a local yard – this, however, is no mystery: The Admiral Congregational Church Youth Group is the latest local organization to engage in the festive practice of flamingo-flocking … and today, their “target” is The Kenney, who shared the photo. (CEO Kevin McFeely tells WSB that the birds are in honor of a resident who’s an Admiral UCC congregation member.) WSB contributor Keri DeTore also spotted the flock last week outside a home on California SW in Gatewood:
P.S. If you’re interested in flamingo flocking, the cost and details are now on the Admiral Church website – you can even order online – go here. You can also call the church office at 206-932-2928.
Recognize either of these bikes, a maroon Nishikiand orange Gary Fisher? If so, get in touch with Seattle Police – they’d planned to pick the bikes up, after a phone call from the WSB’er who says the bikes turned up in her yard near 46th and Brandon (map). And they’re not the first bikes to materialize in the area – in mid-June, she says, a black mountain bike was left by a street sign nearby, and remained there for a week. “I can’t imagine why someone would go to the trouble to steal a bike and then just leave it,” she says (although we suspect it’s similar to those who steal cars and “just leave” them). Again, police were picking these up, but we hear from time to time about stolen/lost bikes, so thought it would be worth publishing the photo – call the non-emergency number at 206/625-5011 if one’s yours.
This is part of the info on the WSB 4th of July page (see the JULY 4TH tab under the header), but in case you haven’t seen it there yet – police are NOT planning any traffic/parking changes on Alki. The only major traffic effect you’ll notice Sunday is that if you happen to be heading northbound on California SW in North Admiral during the Admiral 4th of July Kids’ Parade (which starts at 10 am), you’ll have to stop for a while as the parade crosses from the neighborhood west of California to Hamilton Viewpoint. (9:21 am addendum: 61st SW also will be closed 12:30-3 pm Sunday between SW Stevens and Alki SW for the Alki Homestead rally/photo – we’re told that it’ll be reopened sooner if the crowd clears before 3.)
Just got word from 
4th of July info/events have a WSB page of their own (
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