West Seattle, Washington

15 Monday

46℉

day : 30/04/2011 18 results

Happening now: Happy 2nd birthday, Feedback Lounge!
April 30, 2011 11:53 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Morgan Junction’s own rock ‘n’ roll lounge/restaurant is rocking harder than usual tonight, since the Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor; 6451 California SW) is celebrating its second birthday. We dropped in looking to get a celebratory shot of proprietors Jeff Gilbert and Matt Johnson and … well, next thing you know, half the party was in the picture. As their latest newsletter explains, the “calendar birthday” was actually this past Monday, but they moved the bash to Saturday. Jeff tells us much excitement is ahead in Year 3 – details soon. In the meantime, Matt is previewing a cocktail dubbed the “Thousand-Yard Stare” tonight; a new drink menu is in the works, and The Feedback just launched a new lunch/dinner menu this past week (from Banh Mi to Bourbon Walnut Chicken – see the new menu here [PDF]). Still time to join the party – or drop in some other time (the newsletter lists a long roster of upcoming events, from Cinco de Mayo to Mother’s Day to a Sinatra tribute).

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Drug ‘take-back’ leaves West Seattle medicine cabinets a bit emptier
April 30, 2011 11:02 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Health | Safety | West Seattle news

(Collection boxes at the Admiral Way Viewpoint dropoff station)
Story and photos by Katie Meyer
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

Two West Seattle drop-off locations were part of National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day today, a chance to get unused/unneeded/expired drugs out of your home for safe disposal, no questions asked.

First up, the Admiral Way Viewpoint, where Washington Poison Center staffer Jan Binks said that, pending final numbers, it appears that they were collecting more unused prescriptions than last year. Staff from the Seattle field division of the Drug Enforcement Agency were on hand to collect the bottles, bags and blister packs from the steady stream of cars that rolled through the ‘drive-through’ station. Also on hand, Mr. Yuk:

Drivers honked and waved at the mascot as they drove by, and goggled at the bright blue HumVee from the Drug Enforcement Agency – a vehicle formerly owned by a drug dealer who saw it seized before he “went away for a loooong time.”

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Update: Driver cited, motorcyclist hospitalized after Avalon crash
April 30, 2011 9:06 pm
|      15 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

9:06 PM: Avoid Avalon Way in the Luna Park area for a while – police are investigating a crash that, according to the scanner, involves a car and motorcycle. Scanner traffic indicates the motorcyclist has injuries including broken bones. We’re on our way to the scene to find out more.

9:11 PM: Traffic is blocked on Avalon at Yancy, south of the crash scene.

9:20 PM: The crash happened right by Luna Park Café. We don’t know the circumstances (who hit who and why), but there’s further indication the motorcyclist is expected to recover – the Traffic Collision Investigation Squad, which investigates major crashes, is NOT being called out, and police at the scene tell us that once tow crews get the scene cleared, the street will reopen.

9:48 PM: Police have just announced (via scanner) that Avalon is reopened through the crash scene.

11:31 PM UPDATE: According to Lt. Alan Williams from the Southwest Precinct, the man who was driving the car was cited; Lt. Williams says he “made a left turn in front of the motorcyclist.” He adds there is no indication that alcohol or drugs played any role in the crash.

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At Alki this afternoon: The sun, the sea, the sand, the flash mob
April 30, 2011 8:57 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Seen around town | West Seattle news

(Photos by Ellen Cedergreen for WSB)
Whether they heard about it via Facebook (which is where we got and shared the word, after a WSB’er tip), or just happened to be on the boardwalk at the time, a delighted crowd paused to watch a dancing ‘flash mob’ this afternoon – at 4:30 pm on 4/30. Its organizers Stephanie Gaebel and Karen Klebs had explained it, amid laughter, on YouTube:

(The choreography was shared via that same YouTube channel too.) Ahead, photos of the dance as it happened this afternoon:Read More

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Champagne brunch fundraiser draws a crowd to The Kenney
April 30, 2011 8:10 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | The Kenney | West Seattle news

(Photos by Ellen Cedergreen for WSB)
From the annual spring champagne brunch/auction fundraiser at The Kenney today: Former Mayor Greg Nickels keynoted, and posed with (from left) State Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon, Kenney CEO Kevin McFeely, and City Councilmember Sally Clark. More after the jump:Read More

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West Seattle restaurants: Final night for Ho-Win
April 30, 2011 5:04 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

Almost two months ago, we reported on Ho-Win Chinese Restaurant‘s decision not to renew their lease after 12 years at 5905 California SW. They hadn’t set a closing date at the time – but last night, we got a tip via Twitter, and today its proprietors (who had to be coaxed to pause ever so briefly for a photo!) confirmed to WSB contributor Bill “Hutch” Hutchison that TONIGHT is their final night. Unless business is very slow (call first if you’re considering going in mid- to late evening), they expect to be serving until 10:30 pm. First on the agenda post-shutdown – a well-deserved vacation, including a visit to China. Then maybe – a new restaurant, back here in West Seattle! But not in this space; it reportedly has been rented (we’re checking on that). Their message to you: Thanks for your years of support.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: BB break-in; prowler; motorcycle theft
April 30, 2011 4:37 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Three West Seattle Crime Watch reports today – one is a break-in via an unusual method, with the victim wondering if anyone else has ever heard of it; another, a prowler scared off early today; the third, another motorcycle theft. Read on for all three:Read More

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‘Ira Finkelstein’s Christmas’ star visits West Seattle’s Avalon
April 30, 2011 3:50 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Luna Park | West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

A postscript to the West Seattle shoots for “Ira Finkelstein’s Christmas” – Alki last weekend and Beach Drive yesterday – two photos just came in from Avalon proprietor Mary Palmer, who says: “We thought we would share a couple of photos with you. David DeLuise came into our restaurant to relax after a day of filming ‘Ira Finkelstein’s Christmas’ and to celebrate a crew member’s birthday.” That’s Mary at right, with Avalon partner Deborah Breuler at left. If the name sounds familiar, yes, he’s the 39-year-old son of the late comic legend Dom DeLuise, and couldn’t resist a bit of clowning at Avalon:

Avalon’s been open four months now, in the Luna Park business district. (Driving by this afternoon, we noticed it looks like their patio’s open – a few tables of diners were out in the sunshine!)

ADDED 1 AM SUNDAY: Avalon sends word another of the movie’s stars, Elliott Gould, came in Saturday night:

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Reservations now open for first Chief Sealth Athletics golf tourney
April 30, 2011 3:17 pm
|    Comments Off on Reservations now open for first Chief Sealth Athletics golf tourney
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Maybe the sunshine has you in the mood for golf. Here’s a chance to play in a month for a local cause – reservations have just gone on sale. From the Chief Sealth International High School Athletics Department, the official announcement:

– Rainier Golf and Country Club will host the first Chief Sealth Athletics Golf Tournament on June 3, 2011 with all proceeds benefiting the student-athletes at Chief Sealth International High School. Reservations for foursomes and individuals are now on sale and can be purchased here.

More after the jump:Read More

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Sun appears just in time for Myrtle Reservoir Park dedication
April 30, 2011 2:40 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

The sun came out late this morning just in time for the Myrtle Reservoir Park dedication! Above, the ribbon was cut by an all-ages group – with acting Parks Superintendent Christopher Williams looking on from background/left, and the scissor-wielders including, at right, Terry Holme from the Seattle Parks Board, Pete Spalding (who chairs the Parks and Green Spaces Levy Oversight Committee – a different levy, Pro Parks, funded Myrtle), and Cindi Barker from the Morgan Community Association. Music was courtesy of the Jacob Lakatua Quartet – check the park’s city-skyline view in their background:

They’ll be playing tomorrow night at 8 at Locöl, a little ways south on 35th, not far from new Fire Station 37 (which itself was dedicated just last December), which sent Engine 37 to the event:

The park actually opened last October. Its creation was made possible when the once-open-air Myrtle Reservoir was covered, also includes a playground and viewpoint with interpretive features – the reservoir is near the highest spot in Seattle, 520 feet above sea level, so markers in the park point out Seattle’s other highest hills.

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Happening now: Rock show, trunk show, school cleanup
April 30, 2011 2:08 pm
|    Comments Off on Happening now: Rock show, trunk show, school cleanup
 |   Arbor Heights | Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS culture/arts

More of what’s happening around West Seattle this afternoon:

Inside the Alki Masonic Hall, you can pan for gold during the West Seattle Rock Club‘s annual Rock and Gem Show, admission free, continuing till 5 today and running again 10-5 tomorrow. The hall’s at 40th/Edmunds on the east edge of The Junction. Not far away, at 4540 California SW just steps north of Walk-All-Ways –

That’s metal artist Erica Gordon, presiding over a trunk show of her wearable art – handmade belts and buckles — at Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor) in The Junction till 5 pm. It’s also a benefit for Lettuce Link – Click! is donating 10 percent of proceeds from sales during the trunk show, in honor of the “Urban Farming” theme from Gordon’s new line.

And if you just have to be completely outside – amble over to Arbor Heights Elementary School:

An AH parent volunteer sent us that photo from their Spring Cleanup, under way right now, and says you’re still welcome to come join the folks who are working to make their campus sparkle.

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Rebuilding Together volunteers fix up Highland Park home
April 30, 2011 1:21 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Highland Park | How to help | West Seattle news

Around the metro area today, Rebuilding Together Seattle has more than 1,000 volunteers out restoring and repairing more than two dozen homes whose owners are unable to do the work, or hire someone to do it, themselves. And one of the worksites is in West Seattle’s Highland Park neighborhood.

RTS’s Margie Thirlby explains that today is “National Rebuilding Day,” with hundreds of other RT affiliates around the country joining forces to fix up more than 3,000 homes in all. The volunteers at this site were so busy, they couldn’t stop to share specifics of the homeowner’s situation, but RT’s mission is to help more people stay in their own homes longer than they’d be able to do if repairs and maintenance went undone. Look at everything they’ve cleaned out at this particular site:

Thirlby says they would love to see more people apply for help from, or be referred to, RTS – their website explains how. (And if you would like to volunteer – here’s how to do that.)

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West Seattle Whale Watch: Orcas in Elliott Bay
April 30, 2011 11:02 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Wildlife

11:02 AM: Per the Orca Network‘s e-mail and Facebook alerts, several orcas have been seen this past hour in Elliott Bay – the sighting reports are closer to downtown, but that still means you might spot them from Alki/Harbor Avenues. Let us know if you do! Since the residents don’t usually come this far south this time of year, it’s believed these would be the “transients” that have been in the area.

1:25 PM UPDATE: Sounds like they have headed back out of the bay, according to comments on the Orca Network FB page.

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West Seattle restaurants: Meander’s to expand – and to sell books!
April 30, 2011 10:25 am
|      16 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

Story and photos by Keri DeTore
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

Meander’s owner and chef Miranda Krone is expanding her tiny, but increasingly popular, breakfast/lunch café into the vacant former law office next door.

“Waits (for a seat) are getting longer even on Tuesdays and Wednesdays!” said Miranda, who started considering expansion plans shortly after opening Meander’s three months ago (WSB coverage here) in the former Jade West Café space at 6032 California SW.

Her plan is to cut an eight-foot doorway in the wall separating the two spaces so that it will “feel like a dining room off of the kitchen.” The additional space will add 26 chairs to the current nine stools and one table in the café.

Books are another passion of Miranda’s and with the expansion, she’s planning to install bookshelves along the walls and sell used books.

While the permitting process will take a while, she says “the drawings have been submitted!” and she’s hoping to get started sometime this summer.

P.S. Meander’s is now on Facebook – “like” the page here.

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West Seattle Saturday: More than one dozen highlights!
April 30, 2011 7:59 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Steller’s Jay vs. immature Bald Eagle at Alki Point madrona snag, by Danny McMillin)
Here’s hoping the sky will be blue again later today! From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar (where you’ll find even more of what’s up today):

WEST SEATTLE ROCK AND GEM SHOW: 47th annual show by the West Seattle Rock Club (WSB sponsor), Alki Masonic Hall, 40th/Edmunds, 10-5 today and tomorrow, lots of activities for all ages, full details here – this year’s theme is “Gold Rush”; come pan for gold!

CELEBRATE MYRTLE RESERVOIR PARK: Myrtle Reservoir Park dedication, 10:30 am, including live music and more, 35th and Myrtle.

NEW PARK IN WESTWOOD? 1 pm today, come to Southwest Community Center to talk about the possibility of a new park site, with the use of Parks and Green Spaces Levy money. Suggest a site, and/or what you would like to see in a site. (Meeting preview here.)

BARTON P-PATCH MEET-AND-GREET: Barton Street P-Patch is hosting a meet-n-greet at the future P-Patch site from 10 am – 2 pm. Anyone interested in the development of the garden, volunteer and garden opportunities is welcome to stop by (34th/Barton) for information.

2 DRUG TAKE-BACK DROPOFF SPOTS IN WEST SEATTLE: National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day has two locations in West Seattle, drive-through at Admiral Way Viewpoint and Southwest Precinct, 10 am-2 pm. No questions asked, no ID required, take your old prescription drugs and drop them off. (More details here.)

HAPPY 2ND BIRTHDAY, FEEDBACK LOUNGE! Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor, 6451 California Ave SW) is holding a “We’re Turning Two” party, 6 pm until closing. Food and drink specials and “the balloons of mystery.”

KENNEY BRUNCH: 10:30 am, it’s The Kenney Foundation‘s spring fundraiser brunch/auction, which raises money to help residents stay at The Kenney after outliving their financial resources. Champagne bar and silent auction in the lobby, brunch in the community rooms, with guest speaker, former mayor Greg Nickels.

TOTAL EXPERIENCE GOSPEL CHOIR AT MERRILL GARDENS The famed choir performs at 2 pm at Merrill Gardens at Admiral Heights (WSB sponsor; 2326 California Ave SW). RSVP to 206-938-3964 to see if there’s still room.

FREE YOGA: Free yoga at Sound Yoga (WSB sponsor), 10:30 am (details from the WSB Forums)

NEW YEAR CELEBRATION: Cambodian New Year celebration in White Center all day; SW 98th will be closed east of 16th SW. Details here.

TRUNK SHOW AT CLICK! Seattle blacksmith artist Erica Gordon of Steel Toe Studios will show you how to keep your pants on with her handmade belts and buckles during her trunk show at Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor, 4540 California Ave SW), 11 am — 5 pm.

WSHS BASEBALL AT THE SAFE: West Seattle Wildcats baseball vs. Highline Pirates at Safeco Field – free! 4 pm. Enter on the home-plate side

COME HELP RESTORE THE FOREST: Green Seattle Partnership project at Schmitz Park. See complete event info here.

READY TO GET OUT ON THE WATER? Alki Kayak Tours says they’re “so stoked the weather is finally getting warmer,” they’re offering 2-for-1 kayak tours and Stand-Up Paddleboarding classes this weekend.> (Tell them you saw it on WSB.)

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Zippy’s Giant Burgers update: Potentially reopening midweek
April 30, 2011 2:16 am
|      19 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle restaurants | White Center

As first reported here last Monday, Zippy’s Giant Burgers had to push back their plans of opening their new White Center location that day – but they may have just a few days left to go. Their exterior signs finally went up Friday, and West Seattle Blog/White Center Now contributor Deanie Schwarz was there.

Deanie says Zippy’s is expecting two key inspections on Monday and (probably) Tuesday, and whenever they get word they’ve passed, they’ll get ready to open the doors. She says they’ve also received their temporary liquor license, so they’ll have “classic, old-school canned and bottled beers, as well as wine” when they open at 9614 14th SW. Here are new interior photos:

Deanie adds, “The big booth is a refurbished 1970’s booth with attached slide-away table.”

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Community Orchard of West Seattle gets Explorer West help
April 30, 2011 1:46 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(Photos by Ellen Cedergreen for WSB)
A few hours of work, with potentially centuries of benefits. That’s what Explorer West Middle School students contributed on Friday at the Community Orchard of West Seattle site on the northeast side of the South Seattle Community College campus. COWS’s Laura Sweeney told them the orchard will be around for 200 years – so their grandkids, and their grandkids’ grandkids, will be able to come to it.

Students worked on the orchard’s blueberry bog, as well as planting apple trees from varieties including Elstar, Jonagold, Liberty, Williams Pride, and Hudson’s Golden Gem. The orchard also eventually will grow pears and may bear fruit as son as next year, with a ton and a half of fruit expected as soon as three to five years from now.

The orchard site was one of several stops for Explorer West students on Friday morning; other groups worked in the Seola greenbelt on the south end of West Seattle (with Roxhill Elementary students joining them), and at the White Center Food Bank.

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ProjectProm at High Point: Fancy-dress giveaway for girls
April 30, 2011 12:43 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   High Point | West Seattle news

Story and photos by Wendy Hughes-Jelen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

Girls were giggling and having fun Friday night trying on fancy dresses, dreaming about prom and other events where a formal gown is needed.

Neighborhood House High Point Center‘s YELS program (Youth Empowerment Leadership Strengths) held a prom dress donation drive this last month in an effort to gather together dresses for girls middle and high school age living in the High Point neighborhood. A donation solicitation here on WSB helped bring in a total of more than 100 dresses in West Seattle.

A dressing room was set up in the corner using rolling white boards. Dresses were pre-sorted for appropriateness, and some have been set aside to donate to the Ruby Room, which holds boutique days for girls to come in and work with a Personal Shopper to get ready for a special event, like prom. This is a chance for girls getting ready for prom to pick up a free dress and some accessories.  

Aparna Rae, the YELS coordinator, said it started with just a couple of dresses being donated by someone. Somehow it then flowered into this huge room being filled with silk and taffeta and lace. Since many of the youth in High Point lack transportation, the YELS program essentially brought a dress boutique to them. 

Anything leftover from the giveaway will be given to the nonprofit Ruby Room for its collection. And don’t worry, ladies, there’s still a chance for you to find something fancy for yourself! Ruby Room is holding a Dresses for Divas (D4D) $10 dress sale at Cherry Consignment as part of West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day. Dresses that were too mature or too casual for prom-age girls are available, first come first served, 9 am to 3 pm May 14th, cash or check only. (It’ll be on the map, which will be available in a week – giving you seven days lead time to plan shopping!)

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