Statue of Liberty Plaza morphed into a dance floor tonight on Alki, as a long-awaited salsa-dancing celebration finally arrived, to unbelievably perfect weather. Thanks to Debra Herbst for sharing a photo of the fun. (If you missed it, mark your calendar for two weeks from tonight, the second of four Salsa on Alki events scheduled this summer – here’s the Facebook event page.) Earlier, the beach itself grew more crowded as the day moved on toward an eventual high temperature just two degrees short of 80:

That photo is courtesy of David Hutchinson, who also reports that Harbor and Alki Avenues took on the traditional summertime backup, too – he says he was stuck in traffic for 20 minutes just getting between the West Seattle Bridge and Seacrest Pier, so from there, he detoured up to the Admiral District to make it home to Alki without too much further delay. Tomorrow is expected to be a lot like today – sunny, 70s.

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Arbor Heights school-zone speeding in the latest SPD roundup

June 4, 2011 10:19 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle police

Seattle Police have published another roundup of speeding (mostly) citations on their SPD Blotter site – Admiral Way, West Seattle Bridge, and a new wrinkle: the Arbor Heights Elementary school zone. (Numbers aren’t mentioned, just “five speeding citations” for that area.) See the details here.

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Nickelsville security, part 2: Who’s in charge, anyway?

June 4, 2011 7:21 pm

| 26 COMMENTS

| Nickelsville encampment | Safety | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

(EDITOR’S NOTE: Part 1 of this two-part report, detailing a recent security incident at the Highland Park Way/W. Marginal Way camp, can be found here.)

Story by Joanne Brayden
Photos by Kevin McClintic
Special to West Seattle Blog

Nickelsville is a self-managed homeless encampment that recently moved back to vacant city-owned land in the industrial area on the southeastern fringe of West Seattle. It is easy to dismiss it as just another collection of tents harboring those who opt out of a more structured life. But the portable toilets and dumpster in the parking lot, along with the security tent just inside the camp, tell a different story.

Obviously someone is in charge here – but it’s not any one particular person.

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South Park fire sends one person to the hospital

June 4, 2011 5:01 pm

| 5 COMMENTS

| South Park | West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

(Photo courtesy Erik Walum)
A business fire in South Park this afternoon sent one person to the hospital with burns (not believed to be life-threatening). We checked it out after notes from several people who either saw the smoke – visible from east West Seattle – or heard the sirens (responding crews included some from West Seattle stations). The business address, in the 7900 block of 2nd South (map) – between Highways 509 and 99 – is listed as a recycling firm. The fire was mostly out when we got there – a pile of charred debris was visible outside the building:

Investigators had just arrived; fire crews told us they were still sorting out the circumstances, including how it started, and how the victim was burned – they say he had been in a motorhome on the business’s property.

ADDED MONDAY: The fire was declared accidental – SFD Lt. Sue Stangl says it actually started in the engine compartment of that RV, spreading to the adjacent warehouse area, and that the victim was not seriously hurt – burned fingertips.

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West Seattle weekend scene: Awaiting Arbor Heights’ carnival

June 4, 2011 2:45 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| Arbor Heights | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Yes, there’s a carnival in town today. It’s a fundraiser on the sun-splashed playground at Arbor Heights Elementary, 3-6 pm, and the bouncy “rides” are all set up and ready to go, according to the photo we just received from AH teacher Mark Ahlness. From the carnival announcement on the AH PTSA site: “… lots of fun bouncy rides and slides, games, prizes, face painting, dunk tank, cotton candy, good food and a huge amount of fun. Wristbands are $15 and include unlimited rides and 5 game coupons. You can also purchase single 50-cent tickets for rides (takes 2-4 tickets each) and games (1 ticket each). Cash, Check, Visa or Mastercard accepted.” Arbor Heights is at 3701 SW 104th (map).

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Also in action today: Admiral Neighborhood Association volunteers

June 4, 2011 2:36 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| Environment | Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

Yet another of the many groups out doing great things in great weather today – this morning was the quarterly Adopt-a-Street event for the Admiral Neighborhood Association, whose president Katy Walum shared the photo, explaining: “Big smiles from some of our younger volunteers as they set out to clean up in the sunshine! 13 showed up today. We thank all of our volunteers for their commitment to keeping Admiral beautiful.” ANA has another big summer ahead – the free Summer Concerts at Hiawatha (with WSB among the sponsors) run Thursday nights July 28-September 1 (here’s the lineup, if you missed our story on the announcement last month).

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Happening now: WSHS students’ car wash, food drive

June 4, 2011 12:29 pm

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

Kicking back on a sunny summery Saturday? Not these two groups of West Seattle High School students – they’re hard at work. Top, it’s the WSHS volleyball team’s car wash at West Seattle Produce (Fauntleroy Way, just south of SW Alaska, just west of the Beloved Mexico food truck). They’re planning to keep washing till 2 pm. Further north, we spotted two more WSHS students, collecting food for the West Seattle Food Bank outside PCC Natural Markets‘ West Seattle store (WSB sponsor):

It’s the WSHS National Honor Society food drive, and the students on duty at PCC are Haley and Rojine.

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Happening now: Free electronics recycling, paper shredding

June 4, 2011 10:36 am

| 1 COMMENT

| Environment | West Seattle news

The soundtrack of a sunny West Seattle Saturday … kids, lawn/garden power tools, commercial shredder … Well, on THIS sunny Saturday, sound from the latter is filling the air (see the truck on the right in our photo?) in the Junction parking lot behind the Oregon-to-Alaska block. Windermere Real Estate‘s free shredding event is coupled with free electronics recycling (just a few minutes in, a pile was already building, and trucks are standing by to haul away the dropped-off computers, TVs, phones, etc.). Enter the lot from 42nd SW; it’s scheduled to continue till 1 pm.

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Happening now: Boren mural painting, non-artists welcome

June 4, 2011 10:13 am

| 20 COMMENTS

| Delridge | How to help | West Seattle news

Pablo Lambinicio is one of the volunteers painting murals right now at shuttered Boren School (5950 Delridge Way SW). But you don’t have to be an artist to join in – volunteers are painting the backs of the murals, so the wood will last longer once they’re up. The murals’ fronts were painted by Starbucks volunteers on their April 30th day of service; leftover paint is being used today to weatherize the other sides:

That’s Pete Spalding, who organized the work party, to get more of the boarded-up surfaces around Boren – which Seattle Public Schools is keeping in reserve for emergency use – covered with something less tempting to tagging/graffiti vandals.

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WSB notes, including last call to answer our ‘4 Questions for You’

June 4, 2011 9:08 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle online

Before the day gets crazy: First, thanks to the 500+ people who have already answered our “4 Questions for You.” In case you didn’t have time during the week but might have a few minutes now, here’s the last call, before we close the “survey” at weekend’s end. The questions are here.

Second, we’re honored that WSB has received another award: WSB is the city’s “Best News Website,” according to this year’s Seattle Weekly Web Awards (reader votes were factored in, with a panel of judges having the final say; WSB was a 2010 winner as well, though the categories differed).

Third, if you use Facebook, a warning that they seem to have reset the news feeds again – without having initiated any changes ourselves, we just wound up with the “only see pages you interact with” setting again, and had to fix it so we can see ALL the WS/related pages we have “liked.” To make sure this hasn’t happened to you, scroll down your news-feed updates to “edit options.” If you don’t have “updates from all your friends and pages” chosen, you might not see updates from pages like ours that are more frequently viewed than discussed. (What? Didn’t know WSB was on FB too? facebook.com/westseattleblog Also on Twitter – twitter.com/westseattleblog. If you don’t use the service but want to see what we’re tweeting about – an eclectic mix of observations, bulletins, and conversations – scroll to the bottom of our sidebar, which always shows the latest WSB tweets.) Have a great Saturday!

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West Seattle Saturday: Two dozen-plus possibilities

June 4, 2011 7:11 am

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| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(From the WSB Flickr group pool: Nakean‘s photograph of rope-jumping champ Rene Bibaud – click to see larger size)
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar – the highlights for today/tonight include an amazing array of options:

MASTERS’ TRACK AND FIELD MEET: Designed for those especially 30 years old and older. Grab your track shoes and stretch out your hamstrings! 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at West Seattle Stadium (4432 35th Ave. SW). Meet includes, but is not limited to, the 100 meter, 200 meter, 400 meter, 4 x 400 meter relay, 5,000 meter, pole vault, long jump, shot put and much, much more! Last year’s event attracted more than 70 participants. The cost is $5 per event, and event participation is unlimited. Sign up for as many events as you like, starting at 8:30 am.

HELP FEND OFF TAGGING AT BOREN: Mural work party to help make Boren School more graffiti-vandalism-resistant. 9-11 am 5950 Delridge Way. Details here.

ADMIRAL ADOPT-A-STREET: The Admiral Neighborhood Association‘s quarterly Adopt-A-Street cleanup welcomes volunteer help – meet at Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor) in Admiral by 9 am, with free treats beforehand and a sack lunch afterward. Tools/bags provided.

HELP LINCOLN PARK: Forest restoration at Lincoln Park, 9 am – 2 pm. Join Friends of Lincoln Park, EarthCorps and Green Seattle Partnership to make the forests and shoreline of Lincoln Park healthy! Projects include invasive plant removal, preparing areas for and then planting native plants. Meet at the kiosk in the north parking lot (Fauntleroy Way SW and SW Rose St). Bring garden gloves and hand clippers if you can (they’ll have some extras).

CLASS AT THE TOOL LIBRARY: Power Tools 101 & Advanced Tool Use Classes at the West Seattle Tool Library. Today, it’s Power Tools 101 ($20), taught by Amy Ecklund, is a really friendly introduction to use of smaller power tools such as circular saws, jigsaws, impact drivers, and nail guns. This class is great for those who would love to use power tools but have perhaps been a little intimidated in the past. It’s also great as a general brush up on safe tool practices.9 am-11 am, Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. (Check with library@sustainablewestseattle.org regarding future classes!)

‘WHERE THE ART IS’ EVENT: “Where the Art Is,” presented by Arts Leadership Lab Seattle at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW), 9 am – 4 pm, lunch provided. Part provocative short talks from an eclectic mix of leading Seattle artists, organizers, and producers, part head-to-head dialogue, and part participant-driven workshops and discussions, this is a forum for candid insight into the current state of art in our city; tickets are $25.

PREVENT LEAKS, PROTECT OUR WATERWAYS: Free “Bert’s Auto Leaks Class” at South Seattle Community College Help Bert the Salmon keep oil and other fluid leaks from your car from harming our local waterways and wildlife. Join the experts at South Seattle Community College’s Automotive Technology Program to learn where most leaks occur and how to fix them. 9 am to 1 pm today – also July 9, August 13, and September 24 (If you’re not signed up for today, register for an upcoming class – e-mail anthony.matlock@seattle.gov or call 206-386-9746.)

COFFEE FOR A CAUSE: Betsy sends word of a fundraiser at Bird on a Wire today, with a percentage of proceeds between 9 am and 1 pm going to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

FREE SHREDDING AND ELECTRONICS RECYCLING: FREE shredding/e-cycling presented by Windermere Real Estate in The Junction. High-speed shredding truck on hand, and/or bring your computers, monitors, cell phones, TVs for recycling. 10 am-1 pm, in the parking lot behind the office, off 42nd between Oregon and Alaska.

ONLINE ‘COMMUNITY TOOL’ DEMONSTRATION: West Seattle Blockwatch Captains Network got a chance to meet with Code for America fellows earlier this year to talk about online tools that would help with community work – and they’re inviting you to a demonstration this morning to see what C4A has come up with. 10 am, West Seattle (Admiral) Library. Details in first two posts on WSBWCN website.

BENEFIT PLANT SALE AND ANIMAL ADOPTION: Furry Faces Foundation plant sale with animal adoption opportunities too! 3809 46th SW. Sale is 10 am-4 pm both days, flyer with full details and location at furryfaces.org

FREE YOGA AT SOUNDYOGA: Longtime WSB sponsor SoundYoga offers one of its periodic free classes, 10:30 am, 5639 California SW, details in this WSB Forums post.

INTERACTIVE THEATER FOR KIDS: Theater for Young Children Presents: The Bremen Town Musicians & The Golden Goose! An interactive theater experience with performing, singing, dancing, take-home art projects, and more. 10:30-11:30 a.m. in West Seattle at Westside Unitarian Universalists Church (7141 California SW) $5 per person (including babes in arms). Bring snacks (nut-free) and blankets for an indoor picnic. Brought to you by Sweet Pea Cottage Preschool of the Arts.

WSHS CLASS OF ’86 BEACH PARTY: West Seattle High School Class of 1986 family-friendly potluck at Alki Beach from 10 am to 2 pm on Saturday. We encourage all members of the Class of ’86 to attend, and we welcome our fellow classmates from throughout the 80s. See the Facebook event page.

BENEFIT CAR WASH: Get your car washed by the West Seattle High School Girls Volleyball Team at the West Seattle Produce Parking Lot (Alaska & Fauntleroy), 10:30 am-2 pm. Team’s raising money to pay for new gear and fees for the upcoming season. Donations are welcome and encouraged.

COLMAN POOL’S 2ND PRE-SEASON WEEKEND: The outdoor pool in Lincoln Park opens at noon for a lap-swim session, for its second pre-season weekend of 2011.

SIFF AT THE ADMIRAL: More screenings today/tonight for the Seattle International Film Festival (WSB sponsor) – four films are on the schedule, starting at 1 pm, find out about them (with ticket info too) here.

LOW TIDE: 1:16 pm, -2 feet. Here’s the monthly chart (the full moon at midmonth has even-lower tides).

KITTY HARBOR OPENS FOR THE SEASON: West Seattle’s only animal shelter, Kitty Harbor (3422 Harbor Ave SW) has its opening weekend June 4th and 5th. New shelter hours this year are Saturday from 12 – 6pm and Sunday from 2 – 6 pm. More than 60 kittens available for adoption on opening day.

FANTABULOUS FIFTIES: Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon) presents “Those Fantabulous Fifties: A Musical Revue” conceived and directed by Kent Johnson. The musical will showcase more than 35 popular ’50s songs and a hula-hoop challenge. All ages are welcome. 2 pm matinee.

ARBOR HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY CARNIVAL: 3-6 pm, bouncy rides/slides, games, prizes, face painting, dunk tank, and more. Wristbands $15 (unlimited rides, 5 game coupons), single tickets available too.

BENEFIT DOG WASH: 3:30-6 pm at the Southwest Athletic Complex (next to Southwest Community Center), the Chief Sealth International High School Yoga Club has a benefit dog wash. $5 minimum donation requested.

SKYLARK – SCRABBLE TODAY, MUSIC TONIGHT: Skylark Café and Club (WSB sponsor) starts its sixth year with two things on tap today – charity Scrabble at 3:30 pm, live music starting at 10 (Christina Orbe and the White Guilt, followed at 11 by Trip Like Animals, $5 cover)

SKATE FOR A CURE TONIGHT AT SOUTHGATE: Put on your roller skates and “Skate for a Cure.” Help West Seattleites Amiko Imori and Ashley Vincent raise $4,600 to be able to participate in the 2011 Susan G. Komen 3-Day walk! 5-7 pm at Southgate Roller Rink in White Center. Rink entry fee $10 (includes skate rental), any donations over that “will be greatly appreciated.” You’re invited to “come dressed in your craziest pink clothes” – prizes planned for best dressed, racing, limbo, more. Facebook event page here.

SALSA ON ALKI: 6 – 10 pm. Sponsored by Belltown Dance Studio & Century Ballroom. Facebook event page here

HELP A FALLEN HERO’S FAMILY: Benefit for the children of Cpl. Brandon Hocking, VFW Post 2713, 7-11 pm (details here in our announcement published earlier this week).

ROCKY HORROR AT THE ADMIRAL: It’s the first Saturday night of the month, which means the midnight presentation of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” complete with shadow casting, at The Admiral Theater.

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Class of ’61 in golden spotlight at WSHS All-School Reunion

June 4, 2011 6:33 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

It is truly a “golden moment” each year when the annual West Seattle High School All-School Reunion spotlights the class that’s having its 50th reunion. Last night in the WSHS Theater, the curtain was opened to reveal all the 1961 alums you see above. Their celebration – which continues tonight at the Rainier Golf/Country Club – was onstage after the school’s principal had wrapped up her remarks expressing admiration for “the nation’s largest alumni association,” and before a round of honors including scholarships and new inductees to the WSHS Hall of Fame – details ahead:Read More

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On the WSBeat: Park problem; glove-box ‘surprise’…

June 4, 2011 5:41 am

| 5 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle police | WSBeat

By Megan Sheppard
On the WSBeat, for West Seattle Blog

From reports on cases handled recently by Southwest Precinct officers:

*After being approached by a concerned citizen on Wednesday afternoon, officers spoke with a transient man who apparently has been sleeping in the dugout at a Lincoln Park baseball field. For several weeks, he had allegedly been leering at women and harassing the kids who try to use the facility. He was cooperative with officers and has been told not to return to the park to camp or sleep. Officers also confiscated an illegal 3.5 inch fixed-blade knife and are taking official steps to have the man trespassed from the park – meaning, formally told that he is not allowed there at all.

Seven more summaries ahead:Read More

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Congratulations to the Bronze Award Scouts of Troop 41504!

June 4, 2011 12:04 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle people

A happy scene Friday night inside the parish hall at Our Lady of Guadalupe – with seven Girl Scouts from West Seattle’s Troop 41504 receiving the Bronze Award. We visited Camp Long two weeks ago (WSB coverage here) as the Scouts hosted younger Brownie and Daisy Scouts in a day of mentorship, games, and activities; that was one of the final steps on their journey to earning the Bronze Award, which is explained here. Tonight’s event included Bridging Ceremonies as well. Congratulations to Scouts Penny Dierich, Corinne Manley, Jane Miller, Kaitlin Morgan, Regan Nagle, Haley Pyscher and Hana Kurahara Sisk, and their troop leader Patricia Hahler!