West Seattle, Washington

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month : 02/2011 317 results

WS Crime Watch: 41st/Edmunds drug suspect charged, sought
February 28, 2011 10:56 pm
|      33 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

(February 8th photo by Christopher Boffoli for WSB)
Ever since the police operation at 41st/Edmunds three weeks ago, we’ve been watching for charges to be filed against the man arrested that night, 40-year-old James Monroe Flowers, Jr. (At right is a photo of him that we obtained from the state Department of Corrections.) Those charges finally have been filed, and there’s a $100,000 warrant out for his arrest – he was out of jail within 24 hours of the bust. Prosecutors have filed two drug charges and one count of unlawful firearms possession. The first drug charge alleges that he “delivered [crack] cocaine” and the second alleges that he possessed cocaine with intent to manufacture or deliver it. The charging documents list a criminal history going back to 1990 and say he is a member of a known “street gang,” while also revealing more about what led up to the arrest and charges – read on:Read More

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West Seattle biznotes: From demolition, to moving, to changes, to new yoga studio
February 28, 2011 7:39 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Six West Seattle business notes to share this evening (and more in the works!) …

(Photo by Deanie Schwarz for WSB)
SOUTH DELRIDGE DEMOLITION: The former Circle K/gas-station property at 9061 Delridge Way (map), idle for several years, is undergoing digging/demolition work; the gas tanks will be taken out this Thursday, reports WSB contributor Deanie Schwarz, who spoke with the crew, apparently in preparation for potential sale. (County records show Circle K still owns the site.)

ON SAFARI MOVES ON: We’ve received a few notes from people who’ve noticed that catering company On Safari Foods has cleared out of its longtime kitchen location on 35th just south of Henderson. Our inquiry to its owner hasn’t been answered yet, but according to On Safari’s Facebook page, it’s just moved to a new HQ on 3rd Avenue South in SODO. That makes it the second catering company, after Herban Feast, to move to SODO from WS. (More on the former HF location later in this roundup … ) UPDATE: Minutes after we published this, On Safari’s Teresa Carew replied:

There were a few reasons for our move: we had outgrown our space, as our Google account and general business expanded; we also felt that for the sake of our customers and our business, we had to move before Hwy 99 came down.

I have been searching for a kitchen for a couple of years now, and this one became available. It is the old Organics to Go kitchen. We have moved from 2200 sq. ft. to 5000 sq. ft! Our cooks are in heaven.

At On Safari Foods, our main focus is on creating the type of experience that makes our customers come back time and time again. Our food is lovingly prepared, with fine, fresh, all natural and wherever possible, organic ingredients.

We are going to miss our old location. I really wanted to put a lovely gastro-pub in our location, but do not have the means to do so at the moment – there is not much in the way of a cool neighborhood pub in that area – any investors around?

May I brag on behalf of all our fabulous cooks? Every year Google does a survey of all its cafes to determine how the employees find their cafe operators. There are about 85 Google cafes around the world. Our cafe in Fremont ranked among the top four in the world for satisfaction with quality of food and service!

BIRD ON A WIRE CHANGE: On Safari’s now-former location included the original home of Bird on a Wire Espresso, whose Westwood location is currently around the corner on SW Henderson. Bird’s latest e-mail newsletter notes that they plan to cease beer/wine sales at that location, to focus on coffee. They also have a new initiative at the new-ish 2nd location in Admiral (2604 California SW) – “Bring a same-day receipt from any Admiral business and get a free sweet (with coffee purchase)!”

MEANDER’S: The cozy eatery that opened in the ex-Jade West space last month (6032 California SW) has received rave reviews and is starting to add lunch items, as well as looking at expanding into adjacent space – here’s the latest from its proprietor Miranda Krone.

COASTAL TO REOPEN: After closing for a winter hiatus, the boutique Coastal on Alki is reopening this weekend, first for weekend-only hours, then fulltime starting in April.

SPIRA POWER YOGA ON THE WAY: The former Herban Feast location across from Admiral Theater has a new tenant on the way – Spira Power Yoga. After a WSB’er noticed a sign in the empty storefront and pointed us to this website, we contacted proprietor Dora Gyarmati for more information. She tells WSB she’s hoping to open May 15th, and explains why she chose West Seattle for her studio:

I love the energy in West Seattle. It has a very loving, relaxed, vibe. Also, people tend to be very active, walking, biking. All of these make it a perfect audience for the type of yoga I will be offering. I have a lot of friends that live in West Seattle, and a lot of my students drive from West Seattle to Bellevue or downtown Seattle just to take my classes….They have been begging, it is time! West Seattle needs a Power Flow studio!

More on her new studio after the jump:Read More

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The other transportation agreement councilmembers voted on today: South Park Bridge $
February 28, 2011 4:37 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   South Park | Transportation | West Seattle news

(King County rendering of new South Park Bridge design)
You’ve heard a lot about the Highway 99 tunnel today (we’ve added more to our ongoing coverage, with still more to come). But that’s not all the City Council did today – they also finalized agreements related to the new South Park Bridge, for which they’re forking over $15 million. Here’s their announcement. As reported here last month, the bridge-replacement project has gone out to bid; one week from tomorrow, on March 8th, the resulting bids are to be opened – construction then could start as soon as May, per the county’s website for the project.

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Feedback meeting for West Seattle High School’s interim principal
February 28, 2011 2:46 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Courtesy of the West Seattle High School PTSA mailing list, a chance to offer feedback before the district decides whether to make WSHS’s interim principal permanent:

Parents and community members are invited to meet with Aurora Lora, Executive Director of West Seattle Schools, to provide feedback on how the school year is going under the leadership of interim principal, Ruth Medsker. Ms. Lora will use feedback from a variety of sources to make a recommendation to the superintendent about whether to make Ms. Medsker’s role as principal at West Seattle High School permanent.

The meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 2nd, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the West Seattle High School Library. If you are unable to attend this meeting, you may provide your feedback directly to Aurora Lora at aalora@seattleschools.org. Ms. Lora will be making her recommendation to the superintendent on Friday, March 4th.

As we reported when her appointment was announced last June, Medsker’s previous experience in Seattle Public Schools included working in central administration as middle-school director after serving as principal of Mercer Middle School. WSHS’s previous principal Bruce Bivins left after last school year for a job in California; the school’s two assistant principals departed as well, so WSHS has been running this year with all-new leadership at the top.

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Birth of a P-Patch: Last chance to have a say on 34th/Barton design
February 28, 2011 12:50 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Gardening | West Seattle news | Westwood

(WSB photo from February 13th)
Tomorrow (Tuesday) night is the second and final community meeting for the design of the new 34th/Barton P-Patch – the public meeting after that will unveil the design that results – so the volunteers who are working on the project are hoping to see you tomorrow night, regardless of whether you were at meeting #1 (which drew a sizable turnout, as we reported two weeks ago). 6:30 pm tomorrow, Southwest Community Center.

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Tunnel tussle: City Council votes 8-1 to override mayor’s veto
February 28, 2011 9:38 am
|      90 COMMENTS
 |   Alaskan Way Viaduct | West Seattle news

(EDITOR’S NOTE: Story now includes video of mayor’s reaction post-override, as well as other updates including the new referendum effort)

(Council meeting video from Seattle Channel updated 4:08 pm)
9:38 AM: Live now on the Seattle Channel (cable 21, online at www.seattlechannel.org), the City Council’s special meeting to consider overriding the mayor’s veto of tunnel-related bills. It’s starting with 30 minutes of public comments. First up: West Seattle Chamber of Commerce CEO Patti Mullen. The Chamber is on the record as supporting the tunnel, which she called “the best solution for Seattle … and for West Seattle.” Second up, also from West Seattle, Vlad Oustimovitch, presenting the letter you first read here 2 weeks ago, signed by him and other Stakeholders Advisory Group members from the original process that ended with the tunnel being announced as the “preferred alternative.” More to come; we’ll add notes of interest along the way, along with the vote when it happens.

9:49 AM: Council President Richard Conlin had noted that they had double the number of signups from tunnel opponents wanting to speak than from tunnel supporters, so supporters got 10 minutes, and tunnel opponents are now starting their 20 minutes. They include both elevated and surface supporters, as well as those who favor retrofitting the existing viaduct.

10:12 AM: Public comment’s over. Councilmembers are commenting, starting with President Conlin. “I understand some people don’t like the tunnel. It wasn’t my choice, for a long time,” he begins, going on to note that the contracts the mayor has vetoed “are in the best interest of the people of Seattle” and should be supported even by tunnel opponents because “they provide legal protections for the people of Seattle.” Councilmember Sally Clark says for her, it’s also about “protecting” the citizens, even as she acknowledges the city remains split on the subject of the tunnel itself. Councilmember Mike O’Brien is next to speak: “On this project, I am still baffled as to why all of you still support this.” He says the project itself will lead to increased “greenhouse-gas emissions,” even as a state law requires they be reduced in the years ahead. He then addresses the topic of jobs, which many speakers on both sides brought up: “This project isn’t the answer … 480 jobs for a $2 billion project.” He says money would be better spent on other projects including I-5 work. He then says he’s disturbed by a “lack of outrage” over “priorities on what we are spending our money on” and mentions state cuts in education and health-care funding. And he calls for a public vote, saying that it would cost $50,000-$100,000 to add a tunnel question onto the August ballot. He plans to introduce a measure later today asking for that vote and pleads for the five votes he says he needs for it to move on.

10:24 AM: Now, West Seattle-residing Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, who says he appreciates that Councilmember O’Brien has been against the tunnel from the start, and clear about it; he then pokes at the mayor for allegedly not being consistent. For some, it’s jobs, says Rasmussen, but “on this 10th anniversary of the earthquake, it’s about lives … we have a responsibility to protect people’s lives,” regarding replacing the viaduct. He mentions the new automated-closure gates on viaduct entries, saying, “This viaduct is fragile and we can only prop it up for so long.” After him, Councilmember Nick Licata, saying that those who support the surface option “don’t have any leaders” and accusing them of subterfuge for not being clear that’s what they’re backing. “Yeah, (the tunnel) may go over, we don’t know, but we do have $2.2 billion (for it) … but we have zero (state dollars) for the surface and transit option. … It’s easy to be against this. It’s hard to be FOR something.” (He is the most fiery speaker we’ve seen yet.) He concludes, “If you think cutting off our nose to spite our face is a good strategy … it is a stupid strategy!” (PHOTO CREDIT: Erika Schultz/Seattle Times) The gallery gets heated, and then Councilmember Bruce Harrell stands up and chides, “Look at us with our signs disrespecting one another … This is not Seattle at its best.” He insists the city “is not liable” for overruns. “I would never support anything that would put us on the hook for cost overruns.” Harrell restates that he respects those who oppose the tunnel, but hopes they will know that regarding the council’s vote, “We’re doing it with conviction, integrity, and a (belief) that long after we are dust, we’re leaving something better for our children and grandchildren.”

10:38 AM: Councilmember Jean Godden says, after noting the longrunning debate, “Now we have had the Seattle Process and it’s time to make a decision.” Council President Conlin follows with the stats on that “process” – 700 public meetings, 15,000 public comments (after showing photos of the collapsed elevated freeway from the 1989 Bay Area quake, and AWV damage after the 2001 Nisqually quake). “The region has been engaged in a passionate debate … for 10 years. … We have come to a common solution, and the (city) has crafted a set of agreements that protect our residents and work for our state and regional partners. … As the anniversary of the Nisqually quake reminds us, this is not just a transportation project, this is about safety. … We were elected to make decisions … as stewards (of the city).”

10:46 AM: Veto overridden, 8-1 (O’Brien the dissenter). To read the full legislation – go here.

3:11 PM: The mayor is speaking with reporters now – watch it live here. He insists the public should be able to vote on the tunnel – either through the proposal that Councilmember Mike O’Brien is introducing this afternoon, or through the referendum announced to gather signatures to put today’s council vote on the ballot. (We’ll add video of the mayor’s Q/A event here when it’s available for embedding. Added – here’s the video:)

3:48 PM: The new “Protect Seattle” coalition of anti-tunnel groups that wants to put the council-approved agreements on the ballot as a referendum have posted their announcement online, here.

4:54 PM: West Seattle tunnel supporters Vlad Oustimovitch, who was the 2nd speaker before the council this morning (as noted above), and Pete Spalding co-wrote a pro-override editorial in today’s Seattle Times (WSB partner) – here’s the link. Also, here’s a written copy of Oustimovitch’s testimony for the meeting.

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West Seattle Monday: Water Taxi schedule change, and more
February 28, 2011 6:00 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   King County Water Taxi | West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(WSB photo from last month)
Topping today’s lookahead: The West Seattle Water Taxi‘s schedule changes starting this morning, as announced last week. (And that means its shuttle buses change too.) Here’s the new schedule; you’ll note the first run from Seacrest to downtown is five minutes earlier, and the last run from downtown to Seacrest is five minutes later.

Also on the “getting around” front – tonight is another scheduled closure for the westbound Spokane Street Viaduct, 10 pm-5 am, the section of the West Seattle Bridge that’s between I-5 and Highway 99. More highlights:

50-SOMETHING SINGLES: 4-8 pm event at the Senior Center of West Seattle – free to drop in (live music at 5 pm with Band Jam), or have dinner for $8 (strawberry waffles and sausage at 5:30 pm). More singles info – call Lee 206-938-5017 or Mary 206-935-2162.

LAST MONDAY NIGHT SKYLARK SCRABBLE: Fundraising Scrabble at Skylark Café and Club (WSB sponsor), 7 pm registration, 7:15 pm game (details here) – $5 to play, benefiting charity. After tonight, it moves to 3:30 pm Saturdays (karaoke is moving in on Mondays).

PARENTS’ ROUNDTABLE: 6-7 PM at Fauntleroy Children’s Center, a roundtable discussion for parents to share their experiences, questions, comments regarding making the decision for kindergarten. Child care is available with advance notice, 206-932-9590.

WEST SEATTLE SEE DOGS: Find out about raising a guide dog puppy! 6:30 to 7:45 pm
Merrill Gardens-Admiral Heights (WSB sponsor) lobby. (Check out WSSD online via Facebook.)

FAMILY STORY TIME: High Point Library, 7 pm – songs, rhymes, games with children’s librarian Amy.

More on the WSB West Seattle Events calendar!

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Followup: West Seattle’s Walker Rock Garden has a buyer
February 28, 2011 12:44 am
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle history | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(Walker Rock Garden photo courtesy Lita Gill)
Just six weeks after first word it was going up for sale, West Seattle’s quirky Walker Rock Garden apparently has a buyer. We checked its website for word of upcoming “open” dates for the site, and discovered an undated “breaking news” item declaring: “The property is now under contract so do not wait to come and see the Walker Rock Garden. DO IT NOW!” No future “garden open” dates are listed as of right now, but the Walkers’ granddaughter Lita Gill had told us in a previous exchange that you can contact the listing agent directly to ask (Brad Cooper, 206-383-0197). She told WSB in January that while they hoped to find a buyer who would preserve her grandparents’ rock creations, they wouldn’t require it as a condition of sale. Earlier this month, the property, with a small home on a double lot, was listed for $392,000. We have an inquiry out to see if they’re commenting on the in-progress sale. Meantime, Michael tipped us this past weekend to a new online story with more details on exactly how the Walker Rock Garden’s stonework was crafted – you can read it here.

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Quake anniversary tomorrow: West Seattle Be Prepared on TV tonight
February 27, 2011 8:50 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Preparedness | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

In case you missed it earlier tonight — as part of their coverage of the Nisqually Earthquake’s 10th anniversary tomorrow, our friends at KING 5 News talked to the preparedness gurus behind West Seattle Be Prepared – Cindi Barker, Karen Berge, and Deb Greer (not pictured above, but if you click “play” you’ll see the story). As we often mention, it’s vital that you check out their website and know where your nearest Emergency Communication Hub is – in case of catastrophe, if all other channels of communication go down, you can go there to find out what’s going on and how to get help. Watch the KING 5 story above (and/or read the text here), then check out the Hubs page and the rest of West Seattle Be Prepared. (And if you can get involved in this all-volunteer effort that’s setting an example for the rest of the city as well as for our entire peninsula, please do – they would love more help.)

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Watching the Oscars? So is a WestSide Baby winner (& friends)!
February 27, 2011 8:02 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Fun stuff to do | How to help | West Seattle news

The WestSide Baby fundraising double-bill (WSB coverage here) gave birth to an Oscar party that’s being enjoyed right now – as WS Baby leader Nancy Woodland explained while sharing photos, “At this year’s Tea, one loyal WestSide Baby Tea Table Captain, Toddy Dyer, won a Oscars Party at Burien’s Tin Theater. She turned it into a diaper drive and a group of 40 women gathered to celebrate the awards and Toddy’s birthday!!” Some of the diaper donations, more priceless to WS Baby than any golden statuette:

WS Baby helps families in West Seattle, White Center, Burien, and elsewhere in south King County – here’s how you can help them, any time!

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Deadly disease kills 2 West Seattle dogs; 1 owner ‘on a mission’
February 27, 2011 5:38 pm
|      72 COMMENTS
 |   Health | Pets | West Seattle news

Peg Prideaux of West Seattle lost her dog Luis (above) this month to what she describes as a rat-borne disease – and says a neighbor’s dog died of the same thing just weeks earlier, so, she says, “I’m on a mission to warn others.”

She says the dogs had never had contact with each other, but both died of what was believed to be leptospirosis. Peg explained in a note to WSB, “Dogs usually contract the disease by coming in contact with rat urine, which can be found in still water such as a backyard rain puddle. In both cases the dogs threw up; then appeared to recover; then later became ill a second time. One of the dogs had killed a rat; the other dog is believed to have come in contact with rat urine in the yard. This disease can fool you. It first appears as a simple, 24-hour ‘doggie flu,’ after which the dog appears to be normal and well while the disease works in the background. Then the dog becomes ill a second time — in my dog’s case, about a week later. At that point he went from seemingly healthy to irrecoverable in just over a day.”

Her dog was euthanized ten days ago. “I’m on a mission to warn others, because when two healthy dogs die within 10 weeks of each other from the same rat-borne illness, it’s a cause for concern in the neighborhood. Also, leptospirosis is said to increase in spring, which is right around the corner.” Just this morning, she says, a dead rat turned up in the same area, near 38th and Graham [map], found by neighbors out walking their dogs.

She suggests pet owners “within a several-block radius of 37th and Juneau [map] to see a
veterinarian immediately if their dogs vomit a meal,” and make sure you point out that two nearby dogs have died of leptospirosis. “Earliest possible detection is essential to saving your pet. Please don’t hesitate about taking your dog in.”

She says leptospirosis can also affect humans and adds that there’s a vaccine against some strains – ask your vet about it. There’s more information about leptospirosis on the Centers for Disease Control website; here’s the page about pets, and here’s the page about humans. There’s even more information on the King County Public Health website, which notes

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Auto theft; car damage
February 27, 2011 1:03 pm
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   Arbor Heights | Crime | Gatewood

2 quick West Seattle Crime Watch reports this afternoon from Gatewood and Arbor Heights. First, from Justine:

We switched cars with our business partner last Friday night and thought they were driving our car to the airport, it turns out they took a cab and left our car on the street in front of their house at approximately 39th and Southern [map]. When we went back to pick it up tonight, it was gone, and it had not been towed. We’d love it if you could let the neighborhood know, and if anyone spots a black Nissan Maxima with black leather interior, license number 469 UNP, please let the police know.

From an Arbor Heights resident:

A neighbor just came to my door to report that several vehicles on the block of 35th Ave. SW south of SW 102nd St. [map] were car prowled last night. The rear windows were either shot or punched out with a tool, according to police. Unclear if anything was taken, or if this was vandalism.

P.S. As we finished editing this update, we heard the police-radio dispatch for the aforementioned stolen Maxima, which reminds us that Seattle Police continue to keep a list of stolen cars via the Twitter account they launched earlier this winter, @getyourcarback – it’s featured on our Crime Watch page, if you’re not a Twitter member and ever want to check the list.

SUNDAY NIGHT UPDATE: If you haven’t checked out the comment discussion – Justine found her car, thanks to Gary.

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West Seattle RapidRide: Luna Park businesses get bus-lane decision
February 27, 2011 11:48 am
|      19 COMMENTS
 |   Luna Park | Transportation | West Seattle news

As the RapidRide “C” Line bus service gets closer to its West Seattle debut, currently set for September of next year, Metro is locking in the details for stops, stations, bus lanes, and the rest of the accompanying “facilities,” working in tandem with SDOT, since the facilities are on city streets and sidewalks. We have been reporting here on the concerns that two business districts along the route have had regarding street parking that will be removed for bus lanes. While Triangle business owners along SW Alaska had most of their concerns quelled (as reported here), Luna Park business owners (whose concerns we first detailed last December) have just received final word of the plan for their area. It’s largely unchanged from the proposal that was discussed again at their most recent merchants’ meeting.

The plan is outlined in a letter sent to Luna Park businesses this week (read the 2-page PDF here), signed by Metro director Kevin Desmond and SDOT director Peter Hahn. It finalizes the plan for a bus lane that will mean no on-street parking along the east side of Avalon 6-10 am weekdays between the bridge and SW Bradford. That had drawn strongest objections from Luna Park Café owner John Bennett and Java Bean Coffee owner Tony Hoyt, both of whom do much of their business in the mornings. The letter notes that the restrictions “will affect 355 linear feet of curb space …” The county and city reps who had attended Luna Park merchants’ meetings had previously described the affected area as 15 parking spaces; by the city’s 15-to-19-feet-per-space measure, that’s between 19 and 23 spaces.

There is one potential change: Desmond and Hahn write that “… with this letter, we commit to reassessing whether an additional RapidRide stop at the existing northbound (bus) stop at SW Charlestown Street [map] would be warranted to meet the needs of more riders.” Luna Park business owners had taken the previous proposal as adding insult to injury, as there was no RapidRide stop planned in the business district, or anywhere north of SW Yancy, a few blocks uphill.

We’re checking on how soon the decision on that potential stop will be made; work along Avalon Way might start as soon as “late spring,” according to the letter (again, you can read it in its entirety here).

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Help West Seattle YMCA preschoolers help homeless kids
February 27, 2011 9:25 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

That one-minute video is the work of Bonnie Levin and 20 of her preschoolers at West Seattle Family YMCA (WSB sponsor). They have entered it in Verity Credit Union‘s “Cartwheel for a Cause” contest – and it just needs your vote, to have a chance to win – Bonnie explains:

It was a chance to teach my 3 year old students about service, community and those less fortunate. We made this video in honor of First Place School in the Central District. If you’re not familiar with First Place, it is a program for families living with, or at risk of, homelessness. They provide education and, in most cases, housing for the *entire *family. It’s a fantastic program that is in need of extra funding. If we win this contest, we plan on donating the entire sum to this organization. …

Here’s how to vote
1) go to http://www.veritymom.com/cartwheel-for-a-cause/
2) look at the right side of the page for the “ballot”
3) vote for video #20 (Bonnie Levin)

Only one vote per valid e-mail address is necessary.

PLEASE help! These little guys worked really hard on this project and it’d be so wonderful for them to see it through to the donation phase.

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West Seattle Sunday: Bridge closure; bridge passes; recital…
February 27, 2011 8:58 am
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Male Anna’s hummingbird, photographed by Danny McMillin through his Alki living-room window!)
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar for today/tonight: The westbound Spokane Street Viaduct (the bridge straightaway between I-5 and Highway 99) closes tonight (and tomorrow night), 10 pm-5 am, as part of the ongoing construction project … If you drive the 520 Bridge, you’re going to need a “Good to Go” electronic-tolling pass soon (or else you’ll pay higher tolls billed by mail), and you can buy one today at WSDOT’s booth at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market, 10 am-2 pm (44th/Alaska) … Enjoy organ music? A benefit recital is planned at 3 pm today at First Lutheran Church of West Seattle, 4105 California Ave SW, by Paul Richard Olson, organist/choirmaster at Grace Church in Brooklyn Heights, New York (suggested $15 donation for Lutheran World Relief) … West Seattle Rainbow Girls invite girls 9-13 to an afternoon of “royal treatment” – dressup, arts/crafts, and games – 2:30-4:30 pm at Alki Masonic Hall, 40th/Edmunds (more info? call Jan, 206-849-7906) … P.S. Haven’t heard of any big public Oscar parties in West Seattle but if you have, let us know!

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Followup: Joy D. Smith Wildlife Raft no longer missing
February 27, 2011 8:30 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news

(2009 photo of the Joy D. Smith Wildlife Raft hosting a visitor)
If you have a lost/found item, we’ll usually direct you to the WSB Forums (or to the WSB Pets page if it’s a pet). But then there are the occasional very unusual items that turn up or go missing … like the Joy D. Smith Wildlife Raft off west Alki. Joy’s husband Guy Smith sent word last night that, 2 days after he reported it missing, it’s been found, thanks to helpful Beach Drive residents Trish and Dawnie, who he wanted to thank publicly for being good neighbors: “They spotted the buoy and raft moving north, and when it got close enough they disconnected the buoy and anchor lines and hauled that part up to their bulkhead. They tried to drag the raft higher, but it is too heavy. We hauled away the easy part, but left the raft tethered to a rock until we get help to move it. Here’s hoping it stays in place.” Rafts like this – vulnerable to the elements no matter what their owners do – are considered valuable as a place for seals and other wildlife to rest, away from the potential dangers on shore.

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West Seattle wildlife: Coyote trio; br-r-r-d; octopus washes up
February 26, 2011 11:59 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Coyotes | West Seattle news | Wildlife

To close the night, more wildlife photos shared by WSB’ers. First, on the heels – or paws – of Linda‘s coyote closeups, Mike in Gatewood caught three on camera this morning (take a very close look at the second photo). He wrote:

WSB, we love our coyotes. My wife and daughters have been watching them frolic in our backyard for the last half hour. Our cats were really scared at first, but they too have joined the wildlife viewing. One will occasionally walk away, but return. While we have had an occasional sighting before, we have never seen two at once, much less three. Happy viewing.

And for the second time today, we are graced by a photo from Machel Spence – this time a robin on still-snow-dotted branches:

Finally, an unusual photo from Lincoln Park – an unlucky Pacific Giant Octopus that washed up. We’re putting it after the jump because, while it’s not gory, you might find it disturbing:Read More

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Followup: What WSHS will get from Foundation fundraiser
February 26, 2011 10:24 pm
|    Comments Off on Followup: What WSHS will get from Foundation fundraiser
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

The final tally’s in for the West Seattle High School Foundation-sponsored dinner/auction fundraiser nine days ago (WSB coverage here), and foundation president Christy Rowe says it was a success, with new sound equipment in the works for the school as a result:

The Second Annual WSHS Auction held on February 17th at The Hall at Fauntleroy looks to have net $17,000 from our event! Considering we had less people attend than last year, we feel very happy with these results. The WSHS gym and Commons areas will be getting new and upgraded sound systems for the benefit of students for assemblies and sporting events and this equipment will also benefit the Alumni Association when they hold their annual All-School Reunion. These improvements will also benefit the community at-large when these spaces are used for other events. Thank you to parents, staff, local businesses and community members for your continued support at WSHS!

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High-school basketball: Chief Sealth boys win again at state
February 26, 2011 4:56 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

From Auburn: In a hard-fought game, the Chief Sealth International High School boys beat Lincoln HS this afternoon as the state 3A basketball tournament continued. Final score: Sealth 63, Lincoln 56. The Seahawks are in the final 8, off to the Tacoma Dome next to play Bellevue at 7:15 pm Thursday. (Here’s a PDF with the brackets.) More to come.

ADDED 6:18 PM: After the jump, our game summary, and video reaction from Sealth principal John Boyd:Read More

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Will Seattle annex White Center? Mayor visits today for a tour
February 26, 2011 4:54 pm
|      24 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | White Center

(Photo by Deanie Schwarz for WSB/WCN)
Just published at partner site White Center Now: WCN/WSB contributor Deanie Schwarz reports that Mayor McGinn turned up in downtown WC today for a walking tour, even as his office has publicly reiterated he believes it’s too expensive for Seattle to annex WC (and environs) right now. The City Council will decide in the next few months whether to call for an annexation election this fall – next step is a committee meeting on Tuesday.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: About this morning’s Fauntleroy search
February 26, 2011 2:25 pm
|      21 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Via Facebook, Tracey wondered early this morning about what appeared to be an extensive police search in Fauntleroy’s Endolyne area (45th/Wildwood). We’ve been pursuing information ever since, and just received a reply from Southwest Precinct Lt. Ron Rasmussen:

Our officers were out in the area looking for car prowlers. They found one in this area who was in the process of breaking in to a car. The bad guy ran and other officers moved in to contain the area. Canine officers responded, tracked the suspect and we were able to arrest him. The stolen property was recovered as well. This was great proactive work on the part of our officers to help bring down crime in West Seattle and give the bad guys credit for all their hard work.

Southwest Precinct leadership has said time and again that car prowling is the toughest crime trend to get under control. P.S. Look for a followup later this weekend on a separate case – the status of the still-in-jail “active” car-prowl suspect whose arrest they recently announced.

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Followup: Twilight trio almost done decking the halls (etc.) at Link
February 26, 2011 2:07 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Triangle | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(Erin, Cheryl, and Mary from Twilight Artist Collective, powering along at Link)
So you’ve spent months working on curating, installing, and in some cases creating, ALL the art for an entire new block-long mixed-use development. Could be grounds for fatigue. Do the proprietors of Twilight Artist Collective look tired? On the contrary, they were positively perky when we revisited them the other day, checking on the progress of their work at Link (now about a month away from opening) in The Triangle. The Junction photo mural is one of the newest pieces; the stairwell mural is also finished (here are our previous photos while it was still a work-in-progress), featuring birds and bees, among other touches:

Other birds you’ll see in Link include seagulls on the 4th floor, courtesy of Mary:

Link’s lobby is showcasing art too, including this “bridge to nowhere”:

The Twilight team tells us their installation work should be done this week. Link continues pre-leasing, with move-ins to start next month; its three retail tenants are also preparing to open – Chaco Canyon Organic Café and Breathe Hot Yoga in April, Bright Horizons in May (we’re taking a closer look at them later this weekend, in advance of their next “parent information night” coming up this Thursday).

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West Seattle Weather Watch: A little more snow possible tonight
February 26, 2011 1:41 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Weather Watch: A little more snow possible tonight
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

(Photo by Machel Spence)
1:41 PM: Still some snow on the ground (at least where we are!) — and maybe a little more tonight, according to the newest forecast, which says up to an inch might fall “mainly over the higher hills and away from the water.”

2:46 PM: And in fact, it’s lightly flurrying here in Upper Fauntleroy (and elsewhere, judging by what we’re seeing on Twitter).

6:31 PM: A “winter weather advisory” is in effect 7 pm tonight to 9 am tomorrow, as part of that same alert about potential snow.

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