day : 31/08/2011 10 results

Under a tree west of Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza, in the evening sunlight, he began …

The painter is Bosshiko, one of the visiting artists from Japan whose informal Alki performance tonight was noted here in this morning’s “West Seattle Wednesday” preview. Allan, who tipped us to all this, explained that Bosshiko is renowned on the other side of the Pacific for his live-painting. With a canvas of Japanese washi paper, and black sumi ink, he painted with an audience:

He progressed:

And we rolled video on his brushstrokes as he approached the finish (his specialty is 30-minute “live-paintings,” but unfortunately we didn’t clock him):

His next stop is New York, for an exhibition, according to his Facebook page.

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Yes, the Viaduct is serious business. Till Mario Kart drives up…

August 31, 2011 9:27 pm

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| Alaskan Way Viaduct | Transportation | West Seattle news

The Alaskan Way Viaduct – its past, present, future – is serious business. And yet sometimes, with the votes, the closures, the traffic, the killer-quake simulation … you might have to laugh, or else you’d cry. So in case you haven’t already seen this on the WSB Facebook page, we’re sharing it here too:

Recent West Seattle arrival Mike S. (from the UK) made the mini-mashup, explaining, “I was really impressed with the video produced by WSDOT showing how the commute into Seattle would look after the nine-day closure. However, I still felt it could be improved – with the addition of Super Mario, in his Mario Kart – so I made some modifications.” (The original is linked from our Monday coverage of the WSDOT announcement about the October 21-31 construction closure.)

ADDED 12:54 PM THURSDAY: Mike wondered what WSDOT would think. They don’t seem to mind – according to this tweet!

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Back-to-school help, thanks to Pencil Me In For Kids

August 31, 2011 8:39 pm

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| How to help | Rotary Club of West Seattle | West Seattle news

One week till the first day of school for Seattle Public Schools (some independent schools start earlier), and this gathering in Westwood tonight was good news for local students whose families can’t afford school supplies – it was the annual Pencil Me In For Kids sorting party.

Rotary Club of West Seattle president Sue Lindblom, Illusions Hair Design (WSB sponsor) owner and longtime PMIFK ringleader, says “Rotarians and friends who signed up to help us sort out those school supplies” planned a potluck barbecue after the work was done. Tomorrow, the supplies get delivered to a pickup site, and this year, PMIFK got extra help, Sue says: “West Seattle Helpline donated money and 100 extra backpacks they had!” PMIFK also will benefit from raffles at the upcoming West Seattle Junction Car Show on September 18th, organizer Michael Hoffman of Liberty Bell Print and Design has announced.

P.S. One more note from Sue: “There have been many shifts in Family Support Workers over the years and this year we were not able to get responses from two schools that usually receive some of these supplies. We are hoping if they still are in need they will contact us. Those two schools are Alki and Concord.” PMIFK contact info can be found here.

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Junction updates: VAIN salon/boutique on the way; new paint; ‘Experience Junction Love’ campaign

August 31, 2011 4:52 pm

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| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Three updates from The Junction this afternoon:

NEW PAINT: Thanks to Brian Presser from TouchTech Systems for the photo of a crew applying new paint to the long-beige building where he and several other businesses are headquartered – the one with the breezeway, south of the old liquor store. Speaking of which:

VAIN MOVING INTO OLD LIQUOR STORE: We’ve already reported that The Beer Junction is taking part of the old state liquor store space in the 4500 block of California SW (open since the liquor store’s new location is now in business). This afternoon, we know who else is moving in – VAIN salon/boutique will open its third Seattle location there (it’s already downtown and in Ballard). Its news release says this is a homecoming for VAIN founder Victoria Ptak, who lives in West Seattle. Read the news release in full, with more details, here. Victoria also sent a note, saying, “The building will be undergoing a major rehab in the next few weeks. We will be starting work on our portion of the building starting October 1st with the goal of being open winter-ish. As a resident and huge fan of West Seattle I am excited for the opportunity to join such an active community! There are so many great businesses, community activists and fun neighborhood happenings, I look forward to bringing what we can to the mix.”

‘EXPERIENCE JUNCTION LOVE’: Just because our abbreviated summer is ending, don’t retreat into your shell – “experience Junction love”! It’s the new campaign just announced by the West Seattle Junction Association, whose website mentions some of the things just waiting for your love (and patronage). The campaign will spotlight a new theme each month – read on for a sneak peek:Read More

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Village Green foreclosure fight: Bank of America announces a decision

August 31, 2011 3:12 pm

| 23 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | White Center

(Photo added 7:17 pm: Vera and daughter Johanna)>
3:12 PM: Looks like tonight’s support rally may turn into a victory party. Just received from Bank of America, and confirmed by someone who answered the phone at Village Green Perennial Nursery (Vera was not available):

I wanted to make you aware of a final decision in regards to Vera Johnson’s mortgage modification.

As soon as we learned of Vera Johnson’s concerns, Bank of America employees at our Seattle Customer Assistance Center began working closely with her to understand her financial situation and collect the necessary paperwork. Based on the financial documents she provided and some last minute issues we identified and were able to help her resolve, Fannie Mae extended to Ms. Johnson a permanent modification.

We are pleased to be able to offer her this permanent modification that should allow her to stay in her home and keep her business.

Britney W. Sheehan
Media Relations

Again, as previewed here this morning, the 5-9 pm event tonight is at Big Al Brewing, 9832 14th SW

5:32 PM UPDATE: Just talked with Vera at the event. She says that B of A announced this so quickly after calling her, she hasn’t seen paperwork yet, and nothing’s final till it’s final.

ADDED 7:20 PM: Here’s our brief chat with her, on video:

And the party/rally at Big Al’s continues – with more signs of community generosity – In addition to the list mentioned in our morning preview, Delgado’s Upholstery donated a chair:

The event continues till 9 pm.

THURSDAY MORNING NOTE: A detailed story on the party is on our partner site, White Center Now.

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Beach Drive slide fight: ‘Potential solutions’ being explored

August 31, 2011 12:39 pm

| 22 COMMENTS

| Safety | Transportation | West Seattle news

(Photo taken this morning by WSB’s Patrick Sand)
With the next rainy season right around the corner, a drilling crew was sighted in the Beach Drive slide zone last week, and several people e-mailed WSB to ask if we knew what they were up to. You’ll recall that the fight over who’s to blame for the slides and the resulting road damage and home dangers is now part of two lawsuits – one filed by the city in 2009 against an upslope homeowner, and a newer one filed by nearby homeowners earlier this year (here’s our May report). Online files on the latter suit reveal a counter-claim recently filed by the upslope homeowner; we checked with the city on the overall status of the case, and here’s the response received from the City Attorney’s Office:

While neither lawsuit has been resolved to date, the parties have agreed that additional information is needed to determine next steps and develop an appropriate fix. The work that occurred last week involved drilling in several locations on the hillside to allow engineering analyses of potential solutions.

That’s all they can say since the matter is still “in litigation.” Meantime, we have an inquiry out to SDOT to ask if any road work is planned before winter, given that whomever is to blame, it’s indisputable that the road alongside the slide remains in bad shape (and wintry conditions like ice – remember this? – compound the problem).

ADDED 5:48 PM: SDOT’s Rick Sheridan answered our inquiry (the short answer is “no”):

In mid-July SDOT crews completed asphalt resurfacing on Beach Drive SW between SW Snoqualmie Street and SW Jacobsen Road (the 4600 block), just beyond the slide area. That work was made possible by the mayor and city council directing property sale funds to spot paving.

The roadway to the south, by the slide area, is in need of full pavement reconstruction. However, repairs in that area will need to wait until the slope is stabilized around the 6300 to 6500 blocks.

In addition, that section of Beach Drive must compete with busier streets in West Seattle and elsewhere for scarce paving dollars. Two examples of other streets that carry much heavier traffic volumes and are competing for the same paving funds are Delridge Way SW, which is scheduled for paving in 2014, and the south end of California Avenue SW, for which there is no funding available at this time.

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10th anniversary of 9/11: Another West Seattle event announced

August 31, 2011 10:57 am

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| Alki Statue of Liberty | West Seattle history | West Seattle news

Less than 2 weeks until the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, which will bring many more commemorations and remembrances around the country than usual. Last week, we published first word of the Log House Museum‘s tribute plans, focused on the role the Alki Statue of Liberty played as a touchstone in the days after 9/11; Marcy Johnsen from LHM/Southwest Seattle Historical Society sends word the event is now finalized, with Parks‘ permission – full details in our original preview here, which also mentions the tribute during the Holy Family Community Street Fair in White Center (20th/Roxbury) that day. And just added, Providence Mount St. Vincent (4831 35th SW) plans a 1 pm remembrance service in its chapel on Sept. 11th, all welcome; folks at The Mount are making paper cranes in hopes of having 1,000 by then. (Photo by Alki photographer David Hutchinson, taken September 12, 2001)

P.S. WSB Forums members are sharing their 9/11/2001 memories in this thread, if you’re interested in contributing.

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West Seattle Wednesday: River tour; new store; art on Alki…

August 31, 2011 10:03 am

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| South Park | West Seattle news | White Center | WS miscellaneous

That’s Alki Kayak Tours‘ Greg Whittaker in the hat, coaching would-be paddlers at last weekend’s Duwamish River Festival. Your chance to explore the river, from that same starting point, is tonight – one of the highlights from the WSB Events calendar:

2ND-TO-LAST COMMUNITY KAYAK TOUR OF THE DUWAMISH: Every two weeks, all summer, Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition has presented the tours, in partnership with Alki Kayak Tours – meets 5:30 pm at Duwamish Waterway Park, 7900 10th Avenue S. in South Park; RSVP to (206) 953-0237. Tours cost $45 per person; $5 donation per person to DRCC also requested. All equipment, instructions, and guiding are provided. More info.

(Photo by WSB’s Patrick Sand, added 10:47 am)
NEW STATE LIQUOR STORE NOW OPEN: As of minutes ago, it’s the first day of operation for the new Junction liquor store, on the northwest corner of 41st/Alaska (here’s our video-tour preview from yesterday).

VILLAGE GREEN PERENNIAL NURSERY SUPPORT/FORECLOSURE-AWARENESS RALLY: As previewed here earlier this morning, the event is 5-9 pm at Big Al Brewing, 9832 14th SW in White Center (full details here).

METROPOLITAN MARKET WINE TASTING: 5:30-7:30 pm at the Admiral store, taste wines to complement the fruit offered at Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor) during the ongoing Peach-O-Rama.

JAPANESE ARTISTS PERFORM ON ALKI: Word of this came in late last night – note the weather caveat:

4 very talented artists and entertainers will be performing at Alki Beach, August 31 6:00pm near the Statue of Liberty.

They said they would like as many people to view their performances since they are here for only a short period of time.

1. Bosshiko is a high-profile artist in Asia winning various awards. He will be performing a live painting using black sumi ink on Japanese washi paper. The painting will be enourmous and will be done in 30 minutes.

2. Sayoko Hirano is an artist from Kyoto learning under Bosshiko. She will also be performing a live painting.

3. Chiaki is a professional dancer and will perform a powerful martial arts inspired contemporary dance.

4. Gon is one of the few traditional Japanese storytellers left even in Japan. His storytelling always gets the crowd laughing even if you don’t understand Japanese.

They will cancel the performance if it rains.

BUY IT WHERE THEY GROW IT: High Point Market Garden farm stand, 4-7 pm, 32nd Ave SW and SW Juneau. This is a weekly Farm Stand selling seasonal fresh organically grown produce right in the garden where the produce is grown.

BUDGET-CUT CLOSURES: Seattle Public Schools is on a systemwide furlough day, and district employees aren’t even supposed to answer e-mails … Seattle Public Library‘s now-annual budget-cut closure continues today (the system reopens next Tuesday, after the Labor Day holiday following the closure week).

SEASON EBBING AT COLMAN POOL: Colman Pool continues its 7-day-a-week summer operations through Monday, and then, after one last “post-season weekend,” it’s closed till next year. Pool schedule/other info here.

EARLY REGISTRATION DEADLINE FOR CAR SHOW: If you want the early-registration $15 fee for the West Seattle Junction Car Show (co-sponsored by WSB) on September 18th, you have to get your registration in by tomorrow – details here.

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Village Green foreclosure-fight rally/party/benefit tonight

August 31, 2011 6:30 am

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| How to help | West Seattle news | White Center

Tonight’s the night for the benefit rally/party/auction on behalf of Village Green Perennial Nursery owner Vera Johnson‘s foreclosure fight (first reported here last month). Organizers from Friends of Village Green and White Center Business Owners of Sustainable Support have put together quite the lineup for the event, 5-9 pm at Big Al Brewing (9832 14th SW). WC-BOSS founder Aileen Sison describes it as “a fun-filled evening of community solidarity with live music, ice cream and refreshments provided by Full Tilt Ice Cream and more for your enjoyment. We will also be showing a entertaining and informative short film as well as having guest speakers addressing the housing crisis to raise foreclosure prevention awareness. Stick around for the super silent auction for killer local items and cool out to tunes by Del Rey and WC’s home grown musical talents like Rats in the Grass, Graves 33, and The GNU Deal! … Come show your support and toast to homeowner advocacy, local businesses, and be seen wearing the night’s color of support and go GREEN!” Sison shared the list of silent-auction items – read on to see the list (and a few photos):Read More

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Arbor Heights crime-prevention meeting brings new info on helping Saturday’s fire victims

August 31, 2011 2:37 am

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| Arbor Heights | How to help | West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

Arbor Heights is among the few areas of West Seattle not represented by a community council – but Arbor Heights Community Church leaders say they’re trying to step up and help with neighborhood organizing. Tuesday night’s community meeting at the church was announced 2+ weeks ago as a chance to get information about crime prevention, and that certainly was discussed, with the help of Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Mark Solomon. He presented information including how to set up Block Watches. But last Saturday’s house fire, less than a block from the church, was a big topic too.

As first reported here Sunday night, AHCC is coordinating donations for the family who lost everything in the fire, and we got an update on that from Pastor Ken Ross, who says he has met with the fire victims and describes them as still in a state of shock:

*Red Cross has provided them with lodging for 2 weeks; they are still looking for a rental, preferably in the Arbor Heights area, since they have two kids about to go back to school (12-year-old girl and 15-year-old boy, according to family members’ comments).

*Fundraising has totaled $3,000 so far (donation info is here)

*Want to offer clothing or other types of non-monetary donations? The church doesn’t have storage but asks that you e-mail ahfiredonations@yahoo.com to coordinate, or, as previously requested, call 206-935-5714 between 10 am-2 pm today or Thursday (after that the office won’t be staffed again till the following Tuesday)

The pastor also says he plans to meet with a Seattle Fire Department representative regarding the complications of Saturday evening’s firefighting operation – including response time and water pressure. (Here’s our Monday night report on the city’s review plan.)

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