month : 08/2011 341 results

The next big step for Delridge Produce Cooperative, working for more than two years to get a reliable source of fresh produce to Delridge, is this Sunday! DPC board member Galena White sends this update:

We are testing a produce stand by selling a few select, very inexpensive fruits and vegetables outside of the West Seattle Tool Library at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center this Sunday, from about 12:30pm to 3pm. We will have fresh organic peaches, apricots, heirloom tomatoes, hyperlocal red-leaf lettuce, and baby carrot bunches, as well as a few *berry nice* extras. Anyone who wants to show us that a produce stand for Delridge is truly sustainable should show up early, before we run out! We will also be offering a limited-time free membership to those who wish to sign up to get even better prices on our next order.

That’s a reference to the Buyers’ Club they launched two months ago. DPC tested a “mobile market” back in 2009.

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Update from court: Steve Bushaw murder trial goes to the jury

August 24, 2011 3:43 pm

| Comments Off on Update from court: Steve Bushaw murder trial goes to the jury

| Crime | West Seattle news

At 3:38 pm, the lawyers in the Steve Bushaw murder trial finished their closing arguments (including the final rebuttal from prosecutor Jeff Baird), and the jury has gone off to start deliberating. We’ll summarize the gist of the arguments in a story later.

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Hit-run crash followup: Teen cited for DUI, no license

August 24, 2011 1:44 pm

| 54 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

(Photo by Katie Meyer for WSB)
We have more information today on last night’s 44th/Stevens hit-run crash that sent four people to the hospital, including two children, who we now know are 5 and 9 years old. Police say the driver reported to have run from the scene is a juvenile – 16 years old – and that his breath test was over the legal drunkenness level. Read on for more details:Read More

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Stolen vehicle to watch for

August 24, 2011 12:53 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Hope you never need to report a stolen vehicle – but if you do, we’re committed to helping get the word out as part of West Seattle Crime Watch. Jeff just e-mailed to report:

My 2005 white Landcruiser was stolen Monday evening from the Admiral district. Plate number 208SWW. Please call Jeff At 206-390-5919 if you see it.

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Fauntleroy YMCA closed today, expected to reopen tomorrow

August 24, 2011 11:58 am

| 1 COMMENT

| Fauntleroy | West Seattle news

Note from Samantha Bowes at the West Seattle/Fauntleroy YMCA (WSB sponsor):

The Fauntleroy YMCA (9140 California Ave SW) will be closed for the rest of the day today due to a major water issue; we anticipate being able to open on time tomorrow morning. Fauntleroy members are welcome to use our West Seattle facility (4515 36th Ave SW) in the meantime.

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Highland Park spraypark: 3 design concepts unveiled

August 24, 2011 11:42 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| Highland Park | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(UPDATED WEDNESDAY NIGHT with clearer images of the concepts, plus PDFs of graphics/info from the meeting)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Along the edge of the three-seasons-closed Highland Park wading pool, more than two dozen people gathered last night to get their first look at ideas for the spraypark that will replace it.

~~They also learned that the spraypark won’t be open next summer – because the scope of the project keeps expanding, so 2012 is now when it’ll be built, 2013 is when it’ll be open.~~ (POST-MEETING UPDATE: The spraypark itself *will* be open for 2012; it’s the rest of the expanded project, such as building renovations, that wouldn’t be done till 2013.)

The big question the project team asked those who gathered in the park by the pool last night: Which of three proposed themes (see them full-size here) do you like, and what do you want to see around the spraypark – places to sit, places to hangout, art, etc.?

This will be West Seattle’s first and only spraypark, so it’s of potential interest to families all over the area, not just in Highland Park.

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Update: Comcast speed problems in West Seattle

August 24, 2011 9:13 am

| 55 COMMENTS

| Utilities | West Seattle news

9:13 AM: In case you’ve noticed this – it’s not just you. Via Twitter and e-mail, we’ve gotten reports of Comcast Internet speed problems – and experienced it ourselves in the 7 am hour at WSB HQ in Upper Fauntleroy. Comcast confirms it’s having problems – apparently not just West Seattle – and is working on them. They’re hoping to have it fixed by mid-afternoon.

12:56 PM: Multiple reports say this has been fixed as of less than an hour ago – let us know if you are still having trouble (but of course first make sure Comcast knows!).

THURSDAY UPDATE FROM COMCAST: Just out of the inbox, from Comcast communications VP Steve Kipp –

On behalf of Comcast, I want to apologize to our West Seattle customers and respond to the people who have commented here as well as my friends and neighbors who contacted me yesterday asking why their Internet speeds were so slow yesterday morning. The short answer is that we were doing some maintenance work overnight on a small portion of our network serving West Seattle. Normally, this type of work, which takes place nearly every night of the week on some portion of our network across the state, results in little or no disruption to our customers and is completed well before people wake to go to work. However, in this case, our network technicians ran into an unforeseen problem that resulted in the work continuing well into the morning and resulting in slower speeds for some of our West Seattle customers. If you have any questions about your service or would like to contact us directly you can call us at 800-COMCAST or reach us at We_Can_Help@cable.comcast.com or @ComcastCares on Twitter.

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West Seattle Wednesday: Bikes, barbecuing, free kickboxing…

August 24, 2011 7:28 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(High Point Market Garden, photographed last month)
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

HEART SCREENINGS: Free heart screenings at Chief Sealth International High School for ANY West Seattle youth 14-24. Appointments between 7:30 am-3 pm. Full details here – pre-registration by e-mail was requested, but you could drop by to see if they still have room (we’ll be checking on that this morning too).

GENTLE YOGA: Drop-in at Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon), Wednesdays 9:15 am – 10:30 am. Chair and standing postures (no floor-sitting). Improve breathing, posture, flexibility, balance and peace of mind. Postures can be adapted to your abilities or limitations. Wear loose and comfortable clothing.

GET IT WHILE IT’S FRESH: Weekly availability of the High Point Market Garden Farm Stand, 4-7 pm, 32nd SW and SW Juneau. This is a weekly Farm Stand selling seasonal fresh organically grown produce right next to the garden where the produce is grown.

TUNES AND TUNE-UPS: Special event at White Center’s Greenbridge Plaza, bike tune-ups plus an outdoor concert, 4 – 6 pm (more info here), with demos of everything from Metro bus bike racks to “healthy smoothies.” Co-sponsors include Sustainable West Seattle.

FREE BARBECUE: Seattle Parks and Recreation will do all the cooking while you have all the fun listening to music, jumping on the BIG Bounce House, playing games, and chowing down on grilled hot dogs, veggie dogs, chips, fruit, veggies, and juice, Southwest Community Center, 5:30-7 pm.

OPEN HOUSE: Sweet Pea Cottage Preschool of the Arts, 7141 California SW, is holding an Open House 6-7 pm.

FREE KICKBOXING: SIMA Martial Arts presents FREE Women’s Introduction to Kickboxing class 6:15 – 7:15 pm! Any fitness level welcome. Call for details and to reserve a spot. 206-935-4531.

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Need your car washed? Benefit car wash Saturday for Nickelsville

August 24, 2011 12:08 am

| 4 COMMENTS

| How to help | Nickelsville encampment | West Seattle news

In case you haven’t already seen this in the WSB Forums: The encampment that’s been on a city-owned site in easternmost West Seattle since mid-May, Nickelsville, hopes to raise some operating funds this Saturday with a benefit car wash. As posted by longtime WSB’er and current Nickelsville resident Mike (miws) in the Forums, it’ll be at Les Schwab Tires in SODO, 6111 4th Avenue South, 8 am-5 pm Saturday (August 27th). Cash donations accepted; they’ll use the money to cover ongoing operating expenses, particularly portable restrooms and trash service.

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Update: Four people hurt in South Admiral crash

August 23, 2011 8:17 pm

| 43 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS breaking news

(Photo by Katie Meyer for WSB)
8:17 PM: At least four people are going to the hospital from the scene of a “heavy rescue” callout at 44th and Stevens, according to WSB contributor Katie Meyer. She says original scanner traffic suggested this might be a hit-run – with at least two vehicles involved. Katie says it appears that two children and two adults are being transported to the hospital. The scene is just west of PCC (here’s a map). More to come.

8:37 PM: ~~Adding a photo – will have clearer ones shortly.~~ Firefighters at the scene confirm four people were taken to the hospital, all by private ambulance, no life-threatening injuries. (photo added)

(Photo courtesy Juliette)
Trying to find out if the driver who reportedly bolted one of the vehicles has been found; police at the scene aren’t commenting.

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West Seattle scenes: ‘Rainbow House’ no longer a rainbow house

August 23, 2011 6:23 pm

| 21 COMMENTS

| West Seattle history | West Seattle news

WSB contributor Keri DeTore checked out tipster Jen‘s report that the “Rainbow House” in the Admiral District is a “rainbow house” no more – and discovered it’s true:

From Keri (who also took the photos): Though the rainbow roof is still visible, the paint job that graced West Seattle’s “Rainbow House” for 40 years is no more.

According to Windermere Realtor Maria Quinteiro, who just facilitated the sale of the home, the wife of the original home painter kept the paint job in memory of her husband. The family’s estate has now chosen to sell the house and, says Quinteiro, rainbow colors just aren’t what the new owner wanted. The exterior is being painted blue, and in time the colorful pattern on the roof will also be replaced.

The realtor also insists that rumors of the house being haunted “aren’t true!” (P.S. A “before” photo can be seen on this page. And thanks again to Jen for the tip – here are multiple ways to reach WSB, 24/7.)

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West Seattle Crime Watch: More details on pellet-gun arrests

August 23, 2011 3:50 pm

| 23 COMMENTS

| Arbor Heights | Crime | West Seattle news

We’ve finally obtained the report on the drive-by pellet-gun-shooting arrests first reported here last week, when police arrested three 17-year-old boys after two people reported getting hit in Arbor Heights. Read on for the narrative, including one suspect allegedly admitting to police they had done this before:Read More

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Nurturing Expressions: Welcoming a new West Seattle Blog sponsor

August 23, 2011 3:03 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

One of the newest stores in The Junction, Nurturing Expressions, is one of our newest WSB sponsors, and today is their turn to share what they would like you to know about their business: Nurturing Expressions has been nurturing mothers and their babies in Washington State since 2004 and recently expanded by opening a new boutique store in West Seattle. Whether mothers choose to breastfeed, pump, bottle feed or do a combination, Nurturing Expressions‘ team of board-certified lactation consultants will support mothers and their babies through all stages of feeding. The store offers a private breastfeeding room where consultants can personally support mothers and their babies, and they offer free baby-weight checks. They also provide in-home lactation consultations, classes and support groups – find the schedules here – and specialize in selling breastfeeding supplies, breast pumps, nursing bras (with personalized fittings), and more. Owner Tracy Corey (left) has lived and worked in West Seattle for more than 16 years. Tracy and her husband, Mike, have two children that attend Madison Middle School & Arbor Heights Elementary School.

Nurturing Expressions offers some extras, too. If you’re in The Junction with your baby and need a quiet place to nurse, you can stop by. Their store carries compression stockings, as well (read more about the store here) – and if you’re looking for babywearing accessories, Nurturing Expressions is also the place to go. Tracy wants to hear from the community – what else would you like to see a store like hers carry; what services would you like to see them offer? They’re in the Junction Tower building at 4746 44th SW, second floor, across from Junction True Value; online at nurturingexpressions.com and on Facebook, here.

We thank Nurturing Expressions for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news on WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.

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Changes this year in Seattle Public Schools’ transportation plan

August 23, 2011 1:19 pm

| 22 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Just because your child had school-bus service last year, doesn’t mean s/he will have it this year, according to Seattle Public Schools‘ new transportation plan. The district has just issued a news release with details about that and what else is changing this year – read on:Read More

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‘Alki Overlook Stairway Walk Adventure’: Are you up for it?

August 23, 2011 12:18 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news

(1937 city photo of Schmitz Park Bridge, one of the sights planned for the “adventure’)
Turns out there are two Alki events this Sunday potentially involving you and your feet (etc.): Along with the Alki Beach 5K benefit run/walk, there’s also the “Alki Overlook Stairway Walk Adventure“:

This Sunday at 10 AM, everyone’s invited to the first of three West Seattle stairway walks happening between now and mid-October. Jake and Cathy Jaramillo, authors of a blog and an upcoming book on Seattle stairway walks, will take you on a scenic byway loop along four major stairways between Schmitz Park and Alki Beach. The walk features vistas over Alki, a stroll next to Alki Beach, and a meander through shaded, old-growth Schmitz Park. It will cover 3.4 miles and take about two hours. There will be an elevation gain and loss of 300 feet, with some short but moderately steep sections near the end. For all the details, go to the Feet First website.

Bonus – it’s free! P.S. Jake and Cathy’s website Seattle Stairway Walks is here.

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Bushaw murder trial update: Testimony over; closing arguments tomorrow

August 23, 2011 11:26 am

| 17 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

We’re at the King County Courthouse, where the jury in the Steve Bushaw murder trial has already been sent home for the day, and closing arguments are expected to start first thing tomorrow morning. The final testimony included a brief appearance by defendant Brandon Chaney‘s girlfriend, asked only about a phone call from him the night of the murder, a “rebuttal” appearance by the main Seattle Police detective on the case, James Cooper, asked about interviewing Chaney again in January of this year, and a brief reappearance by Chaney himself. Defendant Bryce Huber‘s lawyer did not call any witnesses. This afternoon, the lawyers and King County Superior Court Judge Joan DuBuque will reconvene to discuss the wording of jury instructions (for those following closely, please note, we’re not planning to cover that), and then everyone’s expected back at 9 am tomorrow for closing arguments, after which the case will go to the jury.

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West Seattle Tuesday: Highland Park spraypark; Schmitz Park movie

August 23, 2011 9:47 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Trailer for “Gnomeo and Juliet,” benefit outdoor movie tonight at Schmitz Park Elementary)
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK: Tonight’s the second public meeting about this project, to create West Seattle’s first spraypark – still time to join in and have a say on its design. 6:30 pm at the site, which is the current (closed) wading pool. The official Seattle Parks announcement is here.

SCHMITZ PARK OUTDOOR MOVIE: Everyone’s invited to an outdoor movie tonight at Schmitz Park Elementary School Playground, 5000 SW Spokane! Movie: Gnomeo & Juliet (Rated G). Doors open at 6:30 PM. Movie will start at dusk (around 8:15 PM). Cost: $3/person, children 3 and under are free. Concessions: Pizza will be available for purchase by the slice, along with drinks, popcorn and other snacks. All items will cost $2 or less.Seating: Please bring your own blankets, chairs, sleeping bags, pillows, whatever it is that you’d like to sit on for the movie. All proceeds benefit the annual Schmitz Park Elementary 4th grade trip to Islandwood.

ULTIMATE FRISBEE: West Seattle Ultimate Frisbee, 6:30-8:30 PM at Fairmount Playfield (also on Sundays, 11 am-1 pm).

FAMILY STORY TIME: At Seattle Public Library’s Delridge branch, 7 pm.

TRIVIA TIME: Rock music trivia every Tuesday night at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), 8 pm.

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1 more reminder: Free heart screenings for students tomorrow

August 23, 2011 6:03 am

| 1 COMMENT

| Health | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(Video showing and explaining what a heart-screening event by Nick of Time Foundation is like)
Tomorrow (Wednesday) is the day for free heart screenings at Chief Sealth International High School – offered to area teens/young adults 14-24, no matter where they go to school, and particularly recommended for those who are involved with sports. The free screenings can detect life-threatening “hidden defects” that don’t announce themselves until it’s too late, as told in the story behind the sponsoring Nick of Time Foundation. The one-day-only screenings are offered by appointment between 7:30 am-3 pm; more information here, including how to get an appointment.

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Steve Bushaw murder trial: Defendant’s day on the stand

August 23, 2011 3:34 am

| 9 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Unless something dramatic happens in the next day or two, Brandon Chaney will be the only one of the two defendants testifying in the ongoing Steve Bushaw murder trial.

Chaney (shown at left in January 2011 WSB photo) was on the stand all day Monday, beginning the fourth week of testimony before a jury in King County Superior Court Judge Joan DuBuque‘s courtroom, which is likely to be the last – as few as two more witnesses remain, and the lawyers and judge are already talking extensively about how to craft jury instructions.

Monday began with prosecutor Jeff Baird formally resting his case, before jurors entered, so that a motion could be argued. It highlighted some tension that’s perhaps inherent in the double-defendant, single-case format.

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Free Tai Chi class series started at High Point

August 23, 2011 3:21 am

| Comments Off on Free Tai Chi class series started at High Point

| Announcements

We received a note from High Point resident Wendy Hughes-Jelen (green Realtor and of the dog-finding-electrified-street-light fame), that she received a grant from the High Point Neighborhood Association to hire Lao-Shi Caylen Storm (Alki beach tai chi) to offer a class free of charge to High Point residents – and they are opening the doors to others who might like to participate, also for free, on a space allowed basis (not a problem so far).

They’ve been meeting outdoors but also have access to class space inside Neighborhood House for when it rains (like it did Monday night). She describes the class as “Tai Chi 099”, the so-basic level of tai chi instruction that they haven’t really made it to Tai Chi 101 yet.

Here is the announcement running on the Events page for Monday nights…

MONDAYS at 7 pm Tao Jin: Foundations of a Tai Chi Lifestyle
A free class at High Point, 7 pm, outdoors on the Plaza (Commons Park Amphitheater) or indoors when wet at Neighborhood House (6400 Sylvan Way SW). Those attending the class so far have no previous experience so are getting lots of explanation with their practice – if you’ve always been curious about tai chi but felt intimidated, this is the group for you.

The class was made possible at no charge through a grant from the High Point Neighborhood Association. The community brought in Lao-Shi Caylen Storm, a longtime martial arts instructor currently teaching for The Wushu/Tai-chi Center on California Ave. SW, (and also known for Sunday morning tai chi on the beach on Alki). Storm introduces basic concepts and movements of Tai Chi, as well as information on diet, mind-set, tools to facilitate a healthy lifestyle based on Tai Chi philosophy, energy regeneration, and the motivation in making positive life changes.

Questions? Contact: caylen_storm@yahoo.com

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New Yoga Class Series Starts at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse

August 23, 2011 3:06 am

| 1 COMMENT

| Announcements

An email from Nicole at Blooming Wild Yoga announces a brand new yoga series starting up at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse that is intended to be an ongoing situation…

I wanted to let you know that yoga classes are starting at the Fauntleroy Schoolhouse Community Center next week.

There are two series:

Mornings: 9:15 – 10:15 am, Thursdays, a seven week series running September 1 to October 13 – $105 for entire series

Evenings: 5:30 – 6:30 pm, Mondays, a six week series running August 29 to October 10 (no class 9/5, Labor Day) – $90 for entire series

Register by sending email to Nicole@bloomingwildyoga.com
This will be the first in an on-going series of yoga classes to serve the community!

Thanks!
Nicole

“Root to Bloom”
www.bloomingwildyoga.com

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West Seattle wildlife: Just nuts about Steller’s Jays

August 22, 2011 9:49 pm

| 22 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | Wildlife

You usually hear them before you see them – the shack-shack-shack-shack call of bright-blue-with-black-crest Steller’s Jays, a call many can recognize even if you’re not an “I can identify that bird in two notes” expert. Two of the photographers who often contribute memorable West Seattle sightings have shared Steller’s Jays photos, just as we noticed them back in our backyard. Above, Machel Spence, best known for microphotography – bugs, fungi, etc. – captured the larger-than-life countenance of a jay. The next three photos are courtesy of Trileigh Tucker, who says the brash blue birds tipped her off that it’s “beaked hazelnut” season:

The nuts are a hit with the Steller’s Jays – though they have to go through some extraction efforts:

Trileigh explains, “Beaked hazelnuts are one of the traditional autumn delicacies enjoyed by native people in our area, and were traded up and down the coast — although it looks like this year, the jays have beaten us humans to the harvest! But interested folks can still find a few nuts and shell fragments; look on the ground under sturdy conifers near hazelnut shrubs, which are all through Lincoln Park.”

Trileigh’s also written about this on her website, Natural Presence. We thank her and Machel for sharing their photos – and everyone who shares theirs via WSB (e-mail editor@westseattleblog.com or use the WSB Flickr group).

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Admiral burglary

August 22, 2011 8:32 pm

| 7 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

From Len:

Our house (in the 3000 block of) 46th Ave [map] was burglarized today between 4.30 pm and 5.15 pm (when my wife went to pick up our kids). The thieves made off with an iPad, a laptop, a bottle of vodka, some clothing, and some of my wife’s jewelry. They attempted to unplug the flat-screen TV but gave up for whatever reason. Most of the jewelry has only sentimental value and has been passed down through generations. The thieves used a blue canvas bag with the words AHLA on it to haul away their loot.

The thieves appear to have entered through an open upstairs window facing the alley between 45th and 46th aves. None of our neighbors saw much of anything, despite being outside at the time. One neighbor reported seeing a dark, late-model Cadillac with two caucasian males in it driving erratically near at the entrance to the alley on Hanford around 4 pm. Not clear if this is related. They could have been on foot as they didn’t take anything big.

As of an hour ago, they were awaiting police, so they could file a report.

Meantime, if you do see anything even somewhat suspicious, police reiterate, call 911 – that’s what led to an arrest on Beach Drive last week, reported by Beach Drive Blog.

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