day : 28/01/2012 10 results

West Seattle businesses: Mind Unwind debuts with soup class

January 28, 2012 9:28 pm

| Comments Off on West Seattle businesses: Mind Unwind debuts with soup class

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

New Admiral District business Mind Unwind – “a playground for the creative imagination” – is hosting its first class tomorrow, and there’s room left, proprietor Krystal Kelley tells us tonight. The class is “The Art of Soup”; the teacher, one of West Seattle’s best-known soup purveyors, Amber Bennett of Freshy’s Coffee. Five spots are left for the 4-7 pm class; registration info is here.

Share This

One week later, a memorial to Morgan Junction shooting victim

January 28, 2012 8:08 pm

| 21 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

One week after three shots were fired by Morgan Junction Park, taking the life of 35-year-old Travis Hood hours later, a small memorial is there in his honor. A few dozen people gathered as it was placed there late this afternoon; we received a few calls about the gathering and went over to see what was happening. The memorial includes the logo for the Jacksonville Jaguars, a nod to the hometown Travis left a few months ago in hopes, friends say, of a safer life here. The man charged with murdering him, Lovett Chambers, remains in the King County Jail in lieu of $5 million bail, awaiting arraignment on February 8th.

Share This

From the ‘we heard it too’ file: Fauntleroy-area boom

January 28, 2012 7:32 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| Fauntleroy | West Seattle news

7:32 PM: We apparently aren’t the only ones who heard a loud boom a few minutes ago here in the Upper Fauntleroy area – at least two others have mentioned it on the WSB Facebook page. We’re monitoring the scanner and police and fire crews have been sent to “look around” and check out one caller’s report, same general area, of a “flash” seen about that time.

7:51 PM: No indication so far that they’ve found anything, and the engine’s been canceled.

Share This

Video: Year of the Dragon welcomed at Vietnamese Cultural Center

January 28, 2012 7:05 pm

| 7 COMMENTS

| Holidays | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

The Vietnamese Cultural Center in West Seattle welcomes visitors every Saturday afternoon (noon-3 pm), but this afternoon was special – a New Year celebration, with lion dance and firecrackers, as you can see (and hear!) in our video, welcoming the Year of the Dragon. Before their fiery performance, members of the Au Lac Vovinam Lion Dance Team – based in High Point, not far from the Vietnamese Cultural Center – gathered to prepare:

This was a busy day for the team; they also performed at a shop in White Center (as reported on our partner site White Center Now). Awaiting their appearance in West Seattle were spectators including veterans who fought for Vietnam’s freedom and are fixtures at the center’s events:

Two weeks ago, the Cultural Center dedicated a new monument to fallen heroes. And in the background of this photo taken during the dance, you can see both the statue of 13th-century hero General Tran Hung Dao, and the new structure built nearby to complement the statue.

It was under construction when we covered last year’s New Year celebration. You’re invited to visit the center next (or any) Saturday, noon-3 pm, 2236 SW Orchard.

Share This

Followup: Missing Vashon man with Alzheimer’s found alive

January 28, 2012 3:42 pm

| 13 COMMENTS

| Not WS but we're mentioning it anyway | West Seattle news

Also just in via Twitter – King County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Sgt. Cindi West says the Vashon man who’s been missing since Wednesday (reported widely on Thursday) has “been found alive.” The Vashon/Maury Island Beachcomber has details, reporting 83-year-old Jack Randles was found at a home in the Luana Beach area (map).

4:42 PM UPDATE: From the Voice of Vashon Facebook page, a few more details, ahead:Read More

Share This

Followup: Eastbound West Seattle Bridge/Spokane St. Viaduct reopens

January 28, 2012 3:08 pm

| 21 COMMENTS

| Spokane St. Viaduct project | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

3:08 PM: After hours of weekday-magnitude backups (discussed here) on the eastbound West Seattle Bridge because of what was supposed to be a weekend-long closure of the EB Spokane Street Viaduct section – it’s done early, SDOT just announced. They say that section of the bridge is now reopening for full use. There will be one more closure before the weekend is out – 12:01 am to 5 am Monday morning.

3:58 PM: SDOT’s news release, e-mailed, confirming the reopening:

Completing required work early, a contractor for the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) has now reopened the eastbound lanes of the Spokane Street Viaduct.

The next eastbound Spokane Street Viaduct full closure will occur Monday, January 30, from approximately 12:01 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. Motorists heading eastbound will be detoured off the viaduct at either the First Ave S or Fourth Ave S exits, and will be able to use the lower Spokane Street roadway to reach I-5.

Share This

West Seattle Crime Watch: Seen this stolen car?

January 28, 2012 2:16 pm

| 5 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Out of the WSB inbox, from Kris:

My 94 Honda Del Sol, license plate # 848YQR (tabs expire 01/31/12) was stolen from our driveway on Wednesday January 25th, 2012, between 4 and 6:30 am. It was taken from the 10200 block of 1st Ave S. in Top Hat. It has been reported stolen to the police. It is a 2 door, Royal blue. cute little thing! It has a missing lens on the driver-side turn signal and is missing the Honda emblem on the rear trunk. It is NOT the one driving around West Seattle with red rims. If you see it please call it in or drop me an e-mail. Thank you very much for your time. kris.hopkins@live.com

Seattle Police still tweet plates/descriptions of stolen vehicles, but since this is just outside the city limits, you won’t find us there. We’re happy to publish stolen-vehicle reports in Crime Watch coverage; often the thieves dump them fairly close to where they were taken, and several published reports have led to “reunions.”

Share This

West Seattle Saturday: Strings; skates; memories; music…

January 28, 2012 9:18 am

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Friday photo at Seacrest, by Paul Swortz, from the WSB Flickr group pool)
Happy weekend! From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar, here are some of the special events happening today/tonight (and if you’re leaving WS, remember the bridge closure):

MIDDLE-SCHOOL MUSIC-MAKING: Super String Saturday event for middle-school-age instrumental musicians, happening at Chief Sealth International High School, 10 am-1 pm – details here.

EARTHCORPS AT ME-KWA-MOOKS: EarthCorps is hosting an environmental-restoration event at Me-Kwa-Mooks Park, 10 am-2 pm, including invasive-species removal, restoration-site maintenance, and mulching.

CITY HALL OPEN HOUSE: It’s a party for the whole city, 10 am-2 pm today at Seattle City Hall, 5th/Cherry downtown. You’ll find some West Seattleites participating/representing, including reps from local community groups. See the schedule here.

FREE YOGA: Free yoga at WSB sponsor SoundYoga, 10:30-11:45 am.

MENCHIE’S GRAND-OPENING CELEBRATION: Menchie’s Admiral (WSB sponsor; 2620 California SW) is throwing a party all weekend, and donating part of the proceeds to West Seattle Helpline and the West Seattle Food Bank. Freebies today include free T-shirts at 11 am, free frozen yogurt from 11 am–1 pm, free balloon artist 2-4 pm, free waffle bowls 6 pm-9 pm.

RIVERSIDE PLAZA CELEBRATION: Historic West Seattle fishing community celebrates the dedication of a memorial plaza at noon – see this story; all welcome, but you’re advised to carpool, since there’s limited parking.

YES, THAT’S A YACHT RACE: Part of Three Tree Point Yacht Club‘s annual Blake Island Race will be visible from West Seattle shores around midday.

LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION: Join the celebration at the Vietnamese Cultural Center in West Seattle (on SW Orchard north of Home Depot), 1 pm, with lion dance and firecrackers. Public invited! (The center is open noon-3 pm every Saturday.)

CAMP FIRE CANDY SALES: The annual three-week fundraising sale is under way, and the regional council sends word that a Camp Fire middle-school group from Westside School (WSB sponsor) will be selling candy at QFC in Westwood Village 2 pm-8 pm today. (You can also order candy online through the Camp Fire USA website.)

DERBY BRATS AT SOUTHGATE: The Seattle Derby Brats competition-level team (Galaxy Girls) is bouting Kitsap’s Derby Brats 5-7 pm at Southgate Roller Rink in White Center, 5-7 pm. The league includes girls 8 to 17 years old, competing at various levels. The Galaxy Girls are named after their coach, Betty Ford Galaxy, who is a Rat City Rollergirl skater. In addition to a “nominal fee” for admission, per organizers, there’s also a bake sale so the girls can raise money to travel to California for competition.

SOUTH SEATTLE COMMUNITY COLLEGE GALA: The annual “Gifts from the Earth” event is tonight at SSCC, emceed by veteran journalist and TV host Margaret Larson – more details here.

CD RELEASE PARTY: West Seattle musician Philip Mariconda celebrates the release of his double CD “Dream Chasers,” 7-9 PM, at the main social hall at WSUU, 7141 California SW. Free admission, and half the CD-sales proceeds will be donated to the White Center Food Bank. Samples of the music can be heard at www.philipmariconda.com.

Share This

West Seattle Bridge traffic alert: Eastbound Spokane St. Viaduct closure all weekend

January 28, 2012 8:17 am

| 102 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Refresh for latest “live” view of the eastbound WS Bridge looking toward the closure zone)
8:17 AM: If you’re heading out of West Seattle this weekend – remember that the eastbound Spokane Street Viaduct section of the West Seattle Bridge is closed all weekend, scheduled to reopen by 5 am Monday. While the recent overnight closures have left the 1st Avenue South offramp open, this one is different – the city alert says,”During the weekend closure, either the First Avenue S off-ramp or the Fourth Avenue Loop ramp will remain open, permitting motorists to use the eastbound S Spokane Street lower roadway to reach either the I-5 ramps or Columbian Way S.”

(Added – midday backup, photo courtesy Lauren via Twitter)
11:17 AM UPDATE: We contacted SDOT about the lack of signage for this – and did get a reply that they’re aware of the situation and working to see what can be done. (added) Barry sent us this sign photo just after noon:

2:28 PM UPDATE: We included City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen on the e-mail thread too, since he is the chair of the Transportation Committee (not to mention, a West Seattleite). He is looking into it too and agrees the city “must do a better job.” Alternatives to suggest: Bus riders say they have gotten across the bridge in reasonable time; we had to go downtown earlier this afternoon and took Highland Park Way to the 1st Avenue South Bridge (go across West Marginal and follow the signs) to get to 99 without taking the WS Bridge, and that route was moving well.

3:09 PM UPDATE: We’ve just published a separate story – SDOT now says the work is done early and the bridge is reopening “for full use.” That eastbound section will close again midnight-5 am Monday morning for a little more work.

Share This