day : 01/05/2011 12 results

If you’re still up, you’re probably watching cable news or checking national/world news sites for updates on the stunning announcement tonight that U.S. troops have killed Osama bin Laden, less than half a year short of the 10th anniversary of 9/11. (If you missed it somehow, the official White House recording of the president’s late-night statement – late Eastern time, anyway – is embedded above.)

Remembering the gatherings at Alki’s Statue of Liberty after the 2001 attacks, we went by a little while ago to see if anything spontaneous had broken out. At least at the time we went by, only a few people were by the statue – but a TV crew had broken out a large light to illuminate the statue as a backdrop for a live report, no doubt on “local reaction.” (Just down the street a block, the usual spring/summer-night Alki crowds watched as a car took off too fast, burning rubber.)

We haven’t seen official comments from local leaders yet, though King County Executive Dow Constantine observed via Twitter, “Good to have @BarackObama – Doesn’t bluster ‘Bring it On” or crow “Mission Accomplished” but patiently, wisely, competently gets the job done.” Also on Twitter, City Councilmember Tim Burgess said, “This is wonderful news for the whole world!”

A thread in the WSB Forums, headed simply “Bin Laden is DEAD,” has drawn a few comments.

Your editor here was working in Seattle TV news when 9/11 happened, executive-producing a morning newscast, in the control booth as the horrifying pictures from back east came in. Relatively quickly, we handed over most of our airtime to the network, as there was little to say locally, for a while. Feels that way tonight, so we’re going back to writing a few stories still left to tell from the weekend – but if there is a related West Seattle story you think should be told, please leave a comment, or let us know some other way.

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Update: House fire on 3rd SW, nobody hurt

May 1, 2011 7:13 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

7:13 PM: Big response to a house fire in the 9200 block of 3rd SW. We’ll be there shortly.

7:32 PM UPDATE: The fire is off Olson Place, as it heads downhill toward 509. Massive Seattle Fire presence visible in the right uphill (southwest) lane of Olson.

7:42 PM UPDATE: Fire Department spokesperson Lt. Sue Stangl is at the scene and tells us the fire started in the kitchen, and most of the fire damage is there, but a water pipe in the house has broken as well, so there’s water damage, and crews are working to pump out the water from the break. Nobody is hurt. But Lt. Stangl says the residents had just moved into the house today.

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3 weeks till West Seattle 5K and Seattle Summer Streets on Alki!

May 1, 2011 7:11 pm

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| Fun stuff to do | West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

(WSB photo from Seattle Summer Streets on Alki two years ago)
3 weeks from today, we can only hope for this same great weather as Alki’s summer kicks off in a big way – Sunday, May 22nd, starts with the West Seattle 5K, and then segues into Seattle Summer Streets (formerly known as “Car-Free Day”), with Alki Avenue SW closed till 5 pm.

For the 5K (organized by the West Seattle High School PTSA, with co-sponsors including WSB), you have till Thursday to register at the early-bird rate – you can sign up online here; after May 5, the price goes up. For Summer Streets, the Alki Community Council is co-hosting a big slate of entertainment, activities, vendors and community groups (along with SDOT, Children’s Hospital, and Cascade Bicycle Club), primarily between 56th and 63rd SW. We mentioned some of it in our coverage of the ACC’s last meeting, and this weekend, ACC secretary Sandy Payne shared more info:

Plans include live music, a talent show, kids’ games with prizes, face painting, a petting zoo, ultimate frisbee and other demostrations such as magic tricks, dog massage, dance, stand-up paddle board and skating demos, custom T-shirt screening, electric-bike test rides, a surf machine and skate ramp.

There will be opportunities to meet with members of many local community groups such as Seal Sitters, Whale Trail, Sustainable West Seattle, West Seattle Be Prepared, Alki Community Council, Alki Arts Fair, Skate Church, Breathe Deep Seattle …

They’ll have a full list of participants once the registration process is closer to complete – but wanted you to know that the street party will be even more like a party this year than in years past. And of course, all that fun doesn’t happen without a lot of volunteers – if you can pitch in, or participate some other way, here’s an update from the ACC website with information on what they’re still looking for to make the big day happen.

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Another West Seattle rescue: Injured gull on Alki

May 1, 2011 5:06 pm

| 16 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle people | Wildlife

Second story of kindness that we’ve been privileged to receive and share this afternoon. This one’s from Zibby:

This morning I was walking on Alki around 11:30 when I noticed a large, adult glaucous -winged gull sitting in the middle of Alki Avenue, just in front of Pioneer Coffee. Traffic was crazy so I ran into the street and tried to shoo it out of the way – it was obviously injured, so I picked it up and took it down to the water where I watched it wobble and fall over quite a few times before deciding to get it away from the crowds.

I carried it over to Pioneer Coffee where a sweet employee found me a box and a neighbor gave me some material to cover the box with. …

I ended up taking the gull to PAWS wildlife rehabilitation center in Lynnwood. It made it through the long ride in traffic and they said it looked like he/she had likely been hit by a car or injured in some other manner. Anyhow, here’s to hoping the little one makes it and an update for everyone who helped out and was concerned.

From the PAWS website, here’s information on what to do if you encounter injured wildlife.

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Happening now: Super Deli Mart’s birthday barbecue bash

May 1, 2011 3:15 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

(Photo by Deanie Schwarz for WSB)
If you drove through 35th/Barton and wondered what the party’s for – West Seattle’s most famous convenience store (better known for connoisseur-level beer than for mini-mart staples like Beer Nuts) is throwing a barbecue/birthday bash today. WSB contributor Deanie Schwarz just stopped by, and reports that Super Deli Mart owner Min Chung is hosting a second-anniversary party to thank friends, customers, and vendors. It’s scheduled to last till 5 pm at 9051 35th SW.

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West Seattle story: ‘Just saw the BEST … act of kindness’

May 1, 2011 3:04 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Sarah posted this on our recently relocated West Seattle Blog Facebook page. With her permission, we’re republishing here:

Just saw the BEST good Samaritan act of kindness! A blind man was lost in the middle of California Ave at the bottom of Gatewood Hill. Walking back and forth between all lanes of traffic.

And a man on the side of the road tried to help but accidentally scared the man. So the woman in the car that had stopped opposite of me got out of her car, realized he was scared, put her foot in front of his cane, and helped him to the sidewalk. It was so awesome to see. I just wanted to share. If she happens to see this- thank you!

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West Seattle Crime Watch: ‘Pretty strange’; seeking witnesses

May 1, 2011 2:54 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Hannah acknowledges that the circumstances of her story regarding an acquaintance victimized by a thief are “pretty strange,” but she’s sharing it to ask if any witnesses are out there. Read on:Read More

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Speeder roundup: Police hit West Seattle’s Highland Park Way

May 1, 2011 11:01 am

| 11 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle police

Results of yet another speeder roundup are on the Seattle Police SPD Blotter this morning – and the Saturday roundup is of note for two reasons: First, it’s not just West Seattle. Second, in West Seattle, the patrols included Highland Park Way, which some WSB commenters have suggested needs attention – details ahead:Read More

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Happening now: West Seattle High School baseball car wash

May 1, 2011 10:52 am

| Comments Off on Happening now: West Seattle High School baseball car wash

| How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Thanks to Meredith for the photo confirming that the West Seattle High School baseball team’s benefit car wash is up and running on this spectacular day. They’re scheduled to be at Swedish Automotive (WSB sponsor; 7901 35th SW) till 3 pm – and as previewed here, a $10 donation gets you a ticket to next Thursday’s M’s game!

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Update: ‘Low bridge’ closed for detective work

May 1, 2011 9:01 am

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| Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police | West Seattle traffic alerts

9:01 AM: We’re receiving multiple reports that the “low bridge” is closed to car traffic, with police presence. We don’t yet know why but are on the way to find out. (Thanks to Bill for the original tip – he says he did get through via bicycle.)

9:23 AM UPDATE: We’re at the low bridge and can confirm, it’s closed to cars. One officer says it should reopen within the next 45 minutes or so. If you approach from the West Seattle side, you’ll be detoured onto Harbor Island. Police at the scene will only say this is “part of an ongoing investigation” – they are clearly looking for evidence of some kind; we’ll keep checking for details.

3:29 PM UPDATE: Still no additional information available, except that it was indeed the CSI team, following up on “an investigation,” and no one can say so far whether the investigation even relates to a West Seattle case. (And yes, the bridge has long since reopened.)

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West Seattle Sunday: What’s up, in addition to the sun…

May 1, 2011 8:40 am

| Comments Off on West Seattle Sunday: What’s up, in addition to the sun…

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Goslings! Photo by Robin Lindsey)
The schedule today’s nothing like yesterday (we published 19 stories in 24 hours here on WSB, scroll through when you get a chance!) – here are the highlights from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar; have a great day!

FERRY FARE CHANGES: Peak season begins for Washington State Ferries (which means fare changes)

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: West Seattle Farmers’ Market, 10 am-2 pm, The Junction (44th/Alaska). Returning vendors today: Langley Fine Gardens (plants) and Skagit River Ranch (meat).

GET YOUR CAR WASHED: West Seattle High School baseball car wash at Swedish Automotive (WSB sponsor), 7901 35th SW, 10 am-3 pm, ticket to 5/5 M’s game for every $10 donated (more details here)

WEST SEATTLE ROCK AND GEM SHOW, DAY 2: Panned for gold yet? Or spun the wheel (photo above)? Those are among the all-ages activities as the West Seattle Rock Club (WSB sponsor) presents the second and final day of its annual show and invites you in for free, 10 am-5 pm at the Masonic Hall (40th/Edmunds), again today. full details here.

FOOD DRIVE STARTS AT PCC: Food drive to feed needy kids during the summer months at all area PCC Natural Markets (WSB sponsor). Full details here.

DIAPER DRIVE STARTS AT C & P: During the month of May, bring a package of diapers to C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor; 5612 California SW) to donate to WestSide Baby and get a free coffee drink.

FINAL PERFORMANCE FOR ‘FOOLS’: Seattle Lutheran High School presents *Fools* by Neil Simon, 2nd and final time, 2:30 pm, SLHS gym, 4100 SW Genesee.

WEST SEATTLE BIG BAND @ JAZZ SUNDAY: West Seattle Big Band – celebrating its 15th anniversary (read its history, published here Friday night, courtesy of Jim Edwards) – is scheduled for Jazz Sunday at Admiral UCC Church (California/Hill), 7 pm. Free.

SUPER DELI MART’S 2ND ANNIVERSARY: The popular convenience store/beer shop at 35th/Barton is celebrating its second anniversary with a “barbecue/kegger,” according to their announcement on Twitter, 11 am-5 pm.

CERAMIC ART SALE: Mutablefire Studios is having a Mother’s Day sale from 10 am – 4 pm. There will be work from 5 different local ceramic artists available for sale. The studio is located at the corner of Othello SW & 44th Ave SW, one block west of California SW.

STORE’S GRAND OPENING: Hebert’s Den gift shop is scheduled to open at 35th/Henderson, 1-5 pm Full details here – store’s website here.

PICTURE YOUR PET: Professional pet photography shoot, 9-5:30 pm at Stella Ruffington’s Doggy Playcare, with Kathryn Sauber.

TREVOR RAS AT SKYLARK: Trevor Ras at Skylark Café and Club (WSB sponsor), 7 pm, $5 cover. Check out Trevor’s video!

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West Seattle weekend scenes: New ‘yarn bomb’; BMXers on Alki

May 1, 2011 12:50 am

| 3 COMMENTS

| Seen around town | West Seattle news

Looks like West Seattle’s YarnCore “yarn-bombing” guerrilla-art collective has struck again, just in time for May Day. Melissa was passing by tonight and spotted them in action (above – she says they made her promise, no faces); then we received an anonymous photo from someone else with a closer-up look at some of the work at the Admiral Way Viewpoint: