West Seattle, Washington

08 Friday

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month : 05/2011 388 results

West Seattle Crime Watch: And another car break-in…
May 29, 2011 4:47 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

In addition to the two car crimes noted here earlier, Derek has since sent that photo along with news of what happened to his car – in hopes his neighbors will be hereby warned: “Just wanted to connect with you and say that my car was broken into Saturday night. It happened after midnight and my passenger side window was smashed. I am on the corner of Fauntleroy and Dawson. Very frustrating and I hope everyone in the area can be aware this happened.”

If you wonder “what good does a warning do?” there are two things we can mention for starters: #1, the perennial reminder not to keep anything in your car; #2, if you hear a noise outside, especially late at night or very early, do look if you can do so safely – spotting someone in the act and calling police with as much descriptive information as you can muster might just lead to an arrest.

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West Seattle weekend scene: ‘Aluminum Overcast’ overhead
May 29, 2011 2:01 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle history | West Seattle news

The photo was shared by Gary Jones, who adds, “Over the skies of West Seattle this Memorial Day weekend – ‘Aluminum Overcast’ – a B-17G Flying Fortress. Fitting tribute, since so many of these important aircraft for the WWII effort were built not far from here.” Aluminum Overcast is visiting Seattle through tomorrow, according to the schedule on its website (a flight will cost you about $400, but there are ground tours too). For more on the B-17’s background, here’s the HistoryLink.org page, which notes it’s been 76 years since its prototype that made its first flight from Boeing Field.

ADDED 2:59 PM: We are reminded that WSB contibutor Christopher Boffoli documented a ride aboard a different B-17, “Liberty Belle,” two years ago – with video – see it here.

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Happening now: West Seattle Farmers’ Market sights
May 29, 2011 11:51 am
|    Comments Off on Happening now: West Seattle Farmers’ Market sights
 |   West Seattle Farmers' Market | West Seattle news

Sights and sounds, we should say – Pourquoi Pas is playing at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market today. Warm melodies for a day that’s warmer than it looks, if you haven’t been out yet. And to get into an even-more-tropical mood, notice the parrots atop the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle tent:

However, Mike LaFranchi is pouring coffee beneath the tent, not piña coladas. (You can find granitas at the Rockridge Orchards booth, though.) More colorful sights – plants that don’t need blossoms to show color:

But of course flowers are available too. Even tulips, at this relatively late date:

As for today’s veggies – if there’s still some left, we highly recommend the giant romaine heads ($3) at Willie Green’s! The market’s open till 2 pm, as always on Sundays, 44th/Alaska in The Junction.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: 2 more car incidents
May 29, 2011 11:44 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Two West Seattle Crime Watch reports to share this morning – both involving car crimes, which local police acknowledge are the most common ones they deal with. Read More

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West Seattle Sunday: Farmers’ Market, Colman Pool, more…
May 29, 2011 9:46 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Thanks go out to Luckie for this morning’s feature photo, Laverne and Shirley, the West Seattle Nursery chickens. That makes us think of farming … which leads to item one on today’s event list:

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: The market takes no holidays, so you’ll find it in session, 10 am-2 pm, The Junction (44th/Alaska). Food, beverages, flowers, plants … (And looking 3 weeks ahead, check out what the market is doing on Father’s Day!)

COLMAN POOL’S OPENING DAY: Opening day for West Seattle’s only city-run outdoor pool, Colman Pool in Lincoln Park, is today, delayed a day from original schedule, details here – and the city warns it’s likely to be chilly. “Wet suits welcome,” their announcement notes. The swimming begins at noon with a lap swim; first non-lap public swim is at 3 pm. (Same schedule tomorrow, at which time the water’s likely to be a bit warmer …)

THE PLAYS (ARE) THE THING: Annual Showcase of New Plays at ArtsWest. 7 pm. Five more local playwrights (including West Seattle’s Jeff Mandels) give you a preview of their newest work, either one-acts or excerpts of longer plays. Our update from last night includes the ticket-buying link.

IT’S IN THE CARDS: Free Texas Hold ‘Em poker @ Heartland Café, 1:30 & 3:30pm. More info at www.winyourwayin.com.

More on the WSB West Seattle Events calendar!

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Video: Seattle Lutheran welcomes the champions home
May 29, 2011 2:10 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

Two years in a row, and it starts to feel like a tradition: A late-night triumphant homecoming for the Seattle Lutheran High School baseball team, hours after winning a state-championship game. After the bus rolled up to the north-of-The-Junction school late Saturday night, it was time to gather in the gym for a prayer of thanks:

As reported here earlier, the Saints beat Warden High School in Yakima, 7-1, for the state 2B championship, which they brought home to West Seattle last year too.

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West Seattle scene: Saturday sunset, with ‘sun pillar’
May 28, 2011 10:29 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

Alki photographer David Hutchinson shares that view of tonight’s sunset, with the explanation: “At sunset this evening, you could see a faint ‘sun pillar‘. This is an atmospheric phenomenon caused by light reflecting from ice crystals.” (Good news in the forecast, by the way – mostly sunny tomorrow, partly sunny Memorial Day.)

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Another construction fence in West Seattle’s Triangle: Les Schwab
May 28, 2011 10:17 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Triangle | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Just a few days after the fence went up on the future West Seattle Trader Joe’s site – once the Huling Brothers Buick showroom – another former Huling-operated (though not owned) property just got a construction fence. This time, it’s the future home of Les Schwab Tires on the southwest corner of SW Alaska/38th SW. Thanks to Dan and Celeste for the tips this evening (just in time for us to grab a photo before nightfall).

We reported here two weeks ago that the permits had been granted for Les Schwab to start work on the site. As with the Trader Joe’s project less than a block north, this one will not involve structural demolition or new construction – more like, extensive remodeling. It’s been four months since we reported that Les Schwab was planning a West Seattle operation at this site; though we confirmed the project by viewing the city’s hard-copy file downtown, the company has not spoken publicly about it except to confirm to WSB they had applied for permits for “a West Seattle site.”

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1 more night for playwrights’ showcase at ArtsWest
May 28, 2011 9:50 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(Photo by Patrick Sand for WSB)
From left, Judy Jacobs, Scot Bastian, and Jeff Mandels are three of the four West Seattle playwrights (with Suzanne Bailie) involved with this weekend’s Seattle Playwrights Studio 9th Annual Showcase of New Works at ArtsWest in The Junction. The showcase features five one-act, or excerpts if longer, new works each night (10 total); the plays by Judy, Scot, and Suzanne were part of tonight’s event, while Jeff’s play will be one of the five presented tomorrow night (showtime 7 pm Sunday; tickets available online). As explained by ArtsWest, the Playwrights Studio “provides playwrights the opportunity to hear plays in-progress read aloud and to receive moderated feedback from fellow writers in a supportive environment.”

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When to see the West Seattle Big Band at Hiawatha this year
May 28, 2011 7:30 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(West Seattle Big Band @ Hi-Yu Concert in the Park, July 2010)
Since Memorial Day, sun or no, kicks off the summer, it’s time to start thinking about summertime traditions. One musical tradition involves getting to see/hear the West Seattle Big Band outdoors on the east lawn at Hiawatha Community Center. Their manager wanted to clear up a bit of confusion – so here’s his open letter explaining when you WILL be able to enjoy this unique musical group there this summer:

The West Seattle Big Band has received some questions lately about not playing at Hiawatha. I can only assume that this comes about because we are not on the (Admiral Neighborhood Association) music series schedule this year. The West Seattle Hi-Yu Concert in the Park at Hiawatha is of course a separate event.

The first two years of the ANA series we were requested to play the last week of the series. We were happy to oblige this request, and in so doing help establish this new music series. This year we were not asked to play, but we were given the opportunity to apply for a slot, just like all the rest of the bands. When the applications were made available, we were already booked up through October, and since we play the week before the series at the same location, we chose not to apply.

The West Seattle Big Band has been playing the past 14 years at the Hi-Yu Concert in the Park. The original concept of this concert was just a simple band concert, to fill the one open day left in a very busy 12 day Hi-Yu event schedule. Think of it as a Judy Garland, Mickey Rooney movie. I know a band, Al has a park, Steve has a stage, lets have a concert, and we will invite a few hundred of our close friends.

The Band does not collect a fee from Hi-Yu for this annual performance. We consider it a donation to Hi-Yu, and it’s our way of saying thanks to the West Seattle Community. The 2011 Concert in the Park is scheduled for Tuesday July 19th at 7:00 PM.

Jim Edwards
Manager
West Seattle Big Band

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Saints win! Seattle Lutheran repeats as state baseball champions
May 28, 2011 5:54 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

(Photo added 7:02 pm, courtesy SLHS)
The score’s just in from Yakima, via Twitter: Seattle Lutheran 7, Warden 1, and the Saints win their second consecutive state baseball championship! SLHS jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning and were ahead the rest of the way.

9:59 PM UPDATE: The team is expected to arrive back at the school (on the north side of SW Genesee between 42nd and 41st) between 10:30 and 11, and you’re invited to be there to cheer the champs on arrival.

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West Seattle High School Class of 1971 reunion announced
May 28, 2011 5:29 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Got the news today from Jim Biava – announcing the West Seattle High School Class of ’71 reunion plan. First, a potluck picnic is set for 3 pm-10 pm August 13th at Lincoln Park Picnic Shelter 5 (north end of the park). Then, the 40th reunion dinner will be on October 1st at Salty’s on Alki. Get in the loop by calling Jim at 206-387-2683 or e-mailing him at jim@jimbiava.com, so you’ll be on the list as further details are finalized.

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West Seattle scene: European Cup party @ Corner Pocket
May 28, 2011 2:30 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

(Photos by Ellen Cedergreen for WSB)
If we told you local fans gathered in a West Seattle pub to watch a professional-sports championship game today – you might guess we were talking about the Stanley Cup. (After all, Vancouver’s in the finals.) Nope. That’s next week; this was a different cup. Soccer’s European Cup, pitting Manchester United against Barcelona, filled the Corner Pocket in The Junction at midday. The CP has for years been a hot spot for watching soccer – particularly if you are a Manchester United fan. WSB contributor Ellen Cedergreen stopped by early in the game.

Fans explained to Ellen that while you can watch soccer at other Seattle pubs, for more than three years, Corner Pocket has become the headquarters for Manchester United loyalists – who sing, cheer, and otherwise raucously root for their team. Things were tied 1-1 while Ellen was there, but Barcelona eventually won, 3-1. It was a party just the same – Ellen reports one fan even brought in Manchester United cupcakes for all to enjoy, complete with individual players’ pictures:

If you want to read a UK take on how the game unfolded – here’s one we found.Manchester has won the European Cup three times previously, by the way. And their upcoming U.S. tour includes a Seattle stop – on July 20th, they’re playing the Seattle Sounders FC at Qwest Field.

(P.S. Thanks to Selena for putting this on our radar via Twitter – one of many ways to share info on what’s going on or coming up!)

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Reader reports: Two ‘suspicious’ West Seattle encounters
May 28, 2011 12:27 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Genesee Hill | Highland Park | West Seattle news

Sometimes reports like the following two will yield “yeah, me too,” or “actually, here’s what that was about” – so toward that end, here are two notes that arrived in the WSB inbox late last night, one from the Genesee area, one from Highland Park:Read More

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Love our orcas? Be a steward! Sign up now for West Seattle training
May 28, 2011 10:52 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | Wildlife

(Photo by Mark Sears, one of the experts leading the June 11th Orca Steward training session)
Can you imagine Puget Sound without that amazing sight? We can’t. So, in case you haven’t already seen this on the WSB West Seattle Events calendar, here’s a reminder: Two weeks from today, if you can spare a few hours to help make sure our area’s threatened orcas (fewer than 100 left!) get a better chance of survival, you can join an Orca Steward training session. 10 am-2:30 pm on Saturday, June 11th, at Alki Community Center, as announced by Donna Sandstrom of The Whale Trail:

Topics/presenters include:

Orca ABCs – Cindy Hansen, Whale Museum
Killer Whale Management and Recovery – Lynne Barre, NOAA Fisheries
West Seattle Orca Sightings – Mark Sears, Orca Researcher
What We Can Do To Help the Orcas – Franziska McKay, People for Puget Sound.

The event is free, and open to all ages. … Lunch will be provided.

Though there’s no charge – thanks in part to a Seattle Department of Neighborhoods matching-fund grant – you need to SIGN UP NOW – since space is limited. And you can do it online, right this very moment – just go here. Need to know more first? Check out The Whale Trail’s website and/or Facebook page. Or – e-mail info@thewhaletrail.org.

SUNDAY AFTERNOON UPDATE: Donna sends word the session is now full! But e-mail that same address to get on the waiting list for the next one (date etc. TBA).

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West Seattle Saturday: New plays @ ArtsWest; 2 grand openings …
May 28, 2011 8:57 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by Cheryl, from the West Seattle Blog Flickr group pool)
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar, happening today/tonight:

THE SNEAKERY ‘GRAND OPENING’: Though it’s been open a few weeks, today is the official “grand opening” celebration for The Sneakery, the new shoes/socks store in The Junction, starting at 11 am with discounts, giveaways, and a 7 pm acoustic set by two members of The Young Evils.

CAIRDEAS WINERY TASTING ROOM OPENS: Today and tomorrow, a new tasting room opens its doors at ActivSpace on Harbor Avenue just north of the West Seattle Bridge, noon-5 pm (details here).

SHOWCASE OF NEW PLAYS: Annual Showcase of New Plays at ArtsWest – 5 new plays by 5 playwrights tonight (and 5 more tomorrow), 7 pm. More details here; three West Seattle playwrights are on tonight’s slate – Judy Jacobs, Suzanne Bailie, and Scot Bastian.

SIFF AT THE ADMIRAL: The Seattle International Film Festival continues, with screenings at the Admiral Theater in West Seattle among the venues. Today at The Admiral, the films are “Fathers and Sons” at 1 pm, “Littlerock” at 3:30 pm, “Young Goethe in Love” at 6 pm, “On Tour” at 9 pm. Tickets are available online through the SIFF site.

GET OUT AND GET GREEN: Three West Seattle work parties are listed today on the Green Seattle Partnership page; find them here.

GOT A HOLIDAY WEEKEND PROJECT? But not sure you have what you need to make it happen? Check out the West Seattle Tool Library in its new Youngstown Cultural Arts Center space (east side of main building), 9 am-2 pm today (and every Saturday).

SEATTLE LUTHERAN’S CHAMPIONSHIP GAME: As noted here last night, the Seattle Lutheran High School baseball team is in the state 2B finals. The game’s in Yakima at 4 pm, but you can get in-progress reports via Twitter (@seattlelutheran).

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Seattle Lutheran HS baseball to play for state championship
May 27, 2011 11:30 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

Saturday afternoon in Yakima, defending state 2B baseball champs Seattle Lutheran High School will play for the title again. In the semifinals tonight, the Saints beat DeSales, 12-7, which means they’ll face the other semifinal winner, Warden, tomorrow at 4 pm. (Last year, SLHS beat Colfax to take the title.)

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No, he’s not a pony: Life with West Seattle miniature horse Jeb
May 27, 2011 7:16 pm
|      46 COMMENTS
 |   Pets | West Seattle news

Story and photos by Katie Meyer
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

You might already have met this unique fellow during his walks around West Seattle, or at public events including last Sunday’s Summer Streets party on Alki, but we wanted to find out his backstory – so, meet Jeb: He enjoys long walks in Schmitz Park, gallops through the snow, and getting his back scratched. He’s a vegetarian who loves granola and the occasional tortilla chip. He stands 38 inches tall (at the shoulder) and has been known to show a marked preference for blondes.

(“How YOU doin’?” Jeb puts Zoolander’s look to shame)
Some of Jeb’s family members, local artist Mimi Miles and her teenage daughters Celeste and Hope, met us in the big back yard of their home to give us the scoop.

“He’s definitely got attitude,” Hope quips, as Mimi scratched Jeb’s ear, then elaborated on Jeb’s idiosyncrasies: “We’ve had him for 5 1/2 years; he’s 8 years old now. He’s devious. He’s very much a boy. He’s got that thing – he can be really sweet, then he can turn around and be a total brat. Jeb likes for everything to be done the same, he likes routine. He knows I give him his vitamins at 9 o’clock; if it’s five after nine, he starts to whinny – and he knows when the girls are supposed to come home from school.”

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55 mph on Admiral Way, and other SPD tickets today
May 27, 2011 4:52 pm
|      21 COMMENTS
 |   Safety | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

After something of a lull, the Seattle Police SPD Blotter has resumed updates on the Aggressive Drivers Response Team, and the latest update published minutes ago has some stats from today – read on:Read More

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Poster debuts: 6 weeks till West Seattle Summer Fest 2011!
May 27, 2011 4:05 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

Starting six weeks from today, West Seattle Summer Fest takes over The Junction for the three hottest days (regardless of the weather!) of summer – July 8, 9, 10. Today, the West Seattle Junction Association has gone public with the official 2011 West Seattle Summer Fest poster. For the design, they turned to one of West Seattle’s most artistically inclined entrepreneurs, Jeff Gilbert of the Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) – who routinely designs grabby graphics for his own business’s online and offline promotions. In a news release, WSJA quotes Jeff as saying, “Being asked to design the poster for Summer Fest is the West Seattle equivalent of winning an Academy Award. I’ve been such a huge fan of the festival, every since I was a kid. More so now that I’m old enough to get in the beer garden! It’s an absolute honor to be asked to contribute to the West Seattle community.”

Also as part of the Summer Fest preps, this call for participation:

… we’re gathering performance ideas from the community. Calling all artists, dancers, and performers who’d like to showcase their talents in the heart of the festival. Performers will have a dedicated area (but not a stage) and a sound system. This a great opportunity for school groups, clubs, teams and specialized schools. Email info@westseattlefestival.com to express your interest in performing.

WSB is proud to be among the festival’s co-sponsors again this year! P.S. Trying to remember what last year’s poster looked like? We published it here.

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What the police search on California SW was about
May 27, 2011 3:19 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news

We’ve received a few notes about a police search on California SW between The Junction and Morgan Junction. Scanner traffic indicates there was a report a man had assaulted a woman in an apartment in the 5600 block of California SW and taken off possibly with a BB gun or some kind of rifle in his possession. At one point, police boarded a bus at California/Juneau to check if the suspect was on board. No report of an arrest so far, and we don’t know anything more yet about the condition of the victim or the circumstances of the assault; there’s no medic/aid call on the 911 log for that area.

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West Seattle business: WS Smoke Company open; sign next door
May 27, 2011 2:12 pm
|      20 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

(Photos by Katie Meyer for WSB)
West Seattle Smoke Company is open for business in The Junction, albeit in “soft open” mode. Thanks to Brian Presser at TouchTech Systems in The Junction for the original tip late yesterday; WSB contributor Katie Meyer was finally able to confirm this afternoon that the store’s open for business. That’s owner Umar Kahn behind the counter, above. Katie reports that he decided to do a “soft open” with the store, he says, despite the cigars having been held up until next week when the tempered glass for the humidor cabinets near the front door arrives. (He joked that he and the other new business owners on that side of the block have all been able to commiserate with each other about contractor delays, licensing/permit turnaround times, etc.) Asked what the hours will be, Umar wrote down his initial plan for us and said that he’ll see how things go for a while and modify hours if need be to what the neighborhood seems to want: Monday-Thursday, 10 am-9 pm; Friday-Saturday, 10 am-10 pm; Sunday, 10 am-6 pm.

Once the tempered glass is installed in the cabinets up front, the custom humidity control can be put into place and the cabinets are expected to store more than 100 boxes of quality cigars from the Dominican Republic and Brazil, among other countries. The West Seattle Smoke Company website says they’ll have a grand opening concurrent with neighboring A Terrible Beauty, whose sign went up this week:

…but no opening date announced THERE yet.

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Renton students join Alki Council/Seal Sitters for beach cleanup
May 27, 2011 1:14 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

Beach cleanups aren’t just a matter of aesthetics – it could be a matter of life and death for wildlife. That’s why the Alki Community Council and Seal Sitters have a series of volunteer cleanups under way, and David Hutchinson shares photos as well as a report on the latest one, just hours ago:

The second beach clean-up of the season, sponsored by the Alki Community Council and Seal Sitters, took place this morning. Twenty-one volunteers from the Renton High School Choir, led by choir director Lizabeth Diaz, removed litter from the area around the picnic tables in Alki Park, along the beach, and by the fire rings.

These events also provide an educational opportunity for the volunteers. Robin Lindsey, one of the founders of Seal Sitters, briefed the students on local marine mammals and the negative impact of litter and pollutants when they get into the marine environment.

These activities are coordinated through Colleen Hackett of Seattle Parks & Recreation. If you want additional information on how you can become involved, contact Larry Carpenter, of the Alki Community Council, at 206-938-0887.

And of course, it should go without saying .. don’t leave beach trash behind in the first place. Just in case the cans fill up on a long weekend like this, if you’re going to the beach, bring a bag so you can “pack (trash) out” if you need to.

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