West Seattle, Washington

23 Tuesday

53℉

month : 02/2012 311 results

West Seattle Tuesday: Car-theft prevention; benefit Zumba; more
February 28, 2012 9:05 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(This morning’s sunrise, from Debra Salazar Herbst)
Highlights for Tuesday afternoon/evening, from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

ORCHARD TOUR: Tuesday’s the day for Health and Harvest Tours at Community Orchard of West Seattle (north side of South Seattle Community College campus), 2-4 pm on Tuesdays, details here

FREE SWIMMING LESSONS: Southwest Pool and Southwest Teen Life Center start a new session of FREE lessons for ages 11-19. Every Tuesday, 3-4 pm. Call 206-684-4115 to check if there’s still room.

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS NETWORK: The West Seattle Chamber of Commerce launches a new type of mixer tonight, 5 pm at West 5, with a scotch tasting as part of the event – details in our original preview.

FUNDRAISING ZUMBA: Presented by West Seattle High School ASB, a fundraiser for the class of 2012 – two more Zumba classes, 5-6 pm tonight and Thursday night in the WSHS gym. The classes cost $7 each or 2 for $10.

WEST SEATTLE COMMUNITY ORCHESTRAS: Back in action after last week’s midwinter school break – new musicians welcome too; rehearsals at Chief Sealth International High School (2600 SW Thistle) – find out more at wsorchestras.org.

HOW TO THWART AUTO THIEVES: Learn about fighting auto theft! That’s the new agenda for tonight’s West Seattle Blockwatch Captains Network, 6:30 pm, Southwest Precinct, details here

NIGHTLIFE: Skylark Café and Club acoustic open mic night, starts 7 pm … Rock music/pop culture trivia at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), 8 pm … “Geeks Who Drink” pub quiz at The Wing Dome in The Junction, 8 pm … Trivia at The Bridge, $2 registration beginning at 8 pm and play starting at 8:30 pm. … Free pool at Beveridge Place Pub, plus discounts on bottled Belgian beer … Starlight songwriter showcase at Shadowland, 9 pm.

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West Seattle traffic alert: Fire response blocks 17th SW
February 28, 2012 8:01 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle traffic alert: Fire response blocks 17th SW
 |   West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

(Photo by WSB’s Patrick Sand, added 8:27 am)
What Seattle Fire crews are handling in the 9200 block of 17th SW right now isn’t a big fire – so far, it’s described as a chimney problem that’s mostly just filled a residence with smoke – but the scanner says 17th SW is blocked between Barton and Cambridge, so if you’re in the South Delridge area, that’s a traffic alert. We’re en route to check it out.

8:27 AM UPDATE: After checking to make sure the problem hadn’t spread, crews wrapped up, and things should be getting back to normal in the area. No injuries reported.

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3 West Seattle Spokespeople events for local bicyclists
February 28, 2012 7:59 am
|    Comments Off on 3 West Seattle Spokespeople events for local bicyclists
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

3 dates in the next 2 weeks if you’re on 2 wheels – from Stu Hennessey and West Seattle Spokespeople. This Thursday, the West Seattle Tool Library launches a “fixer collective” for bicycles, first Thursday every month, more here; on Sunday, the monthly WS Spokespeople ride, described as a “leisurely” 20 miles, will travel from West Seattle to the Portage Bay Grange – here’s more on that. A week after that, if you’re in White Center, south West Seattle, or South Park, DubSea Bikes is back with free bicycle repair at the White Center Food Bank (8th and 108th), 2-4 pm on March 11th.

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Followup: Will Water Taxi keep a spot at state dock downtown?
February 27, 2012 11:02 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   King County Water Taxi | Transportation | West Seattle news

(Photo by Travis Tyler, t_ravtyler on Flickr, via the WSB Flickr group pool)
Two weeks ago, West Seattle’s County Councilmember Joe McDermott sounded the alarm about the state’s proposal for renovating the main ferry terminal downtown, Colman Dock, without a spot for passenger ferries, including the West Seattle and Vashon Water Taxis that now dock on its south side, at Pier 50.

Tonight there’s an update: Word from 34th District State House Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon is that the House has a “proviso” in its supplemental transportation budget – other news organizations had pointed out this was in the works – requiring WSDOT to continue to accommodate passenger-only ferries at its dock. That language is NOT in the State Senate’s budget, so, talks are under way between Senators, House members, and WSDOT to work something out before it all gets to the governor. Rep. Fitzgibbon says he worked on the “proviso” as a member of the House Transportation Committee. Fitzgibbon says it’s not just a matter of making sure the passenger ferries have someplace to dock – it’s a matter of making sure “that our state’s most important ferry terminal continues to connect with our passenger ferries and King County Metro buses.” Whatever winds up in the final plan, Colman Dock renovations are expected to start in about two years.

You have two more weeks to tell the state what you think about its future – as explained here.

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West Seattle wildlife: Fish-skeleton finder asks about ID
February 27, 2012 8:50 pm
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Wildlife

The occasional “can you identify this …” reader photos we publish tend to be birds. Tonight, we have … bones. Jana and her kids found them while out on the beach south of Alki Point in the sunshine. Guesses?

P.S. Jana also shared a sunset photo from tonight – not one of those wild color-splashed scenes, yet beautiful in its own right:

Side note: Daylight Saving Time is less than two weeks away – we “spring forward” an hour at 2 am Sunday, March 11th.

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Sale season soon! Tibbetts, West Side coming up (WSCGS Day too)
February 27, 2012 5:54 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news

Today’s sunshine was a tantalizing taste of approaching spring – which also means sale season! Yard sale, rummage sale, garage sale, etc. The two concurrent West Seattle church sales with a friendly rivalry are less than two weeks away – Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor) on March 9th (9 am-4 pm) and 10th (9 am-3 pm), and West Side Presbyterian Church also on March 9th (9 am-5 pm) and 10th (9 am-2 pm). From West Side, Kristin Pimblett e-mailed to say, “I wanted to let folks know that we also have a Bake Sale area inside the church .It’s like a community coffee shop! We sell lots of wonderful home baked goods; cookies, cakes, bars, you name it.” (Kristin is bake-sale coordinator.) And looking further down the road, West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day, coordinated again this year by WSB, is now just two and a half months away – it’s always the second Saturday in May, which this year is May 12th, 9 am-3 pm, and we’ll announce registration details next month. P.S. If you have your own sale, any time of year, you are invited to post it for free in the WSB Forums‘ Freebies/Deals/Sales section – just go here. (2011 WSPC sale photo by Ellen Cedergreen for WSB)

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West Seattle Bridge traffic alert: Offramp closure this weekend
February 27, 2012 5:39 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Spokane St. Viaduct project | West Seattle news

WEDNESDAY NOTE: Since publication, this work has been canceled.

ORIGINAL STORY: Just in from SDOT – this will affect eastbound drivers this weekend:

The contractor working for the Seattle Department of Transportation on the Spokane Street Viaduct Widening project will be closing the intersection of First Avenue S at S Spokane Street this coming weekend in order to repave the southern half of the intersection.

The intersection will be closed to all traffic beginning Friday, March 2 at 8 p.m. and will reopen on Monday, March 5, at 5 a.m. The eastbound First Avenue off-ramp from the West Seattle Freeway will also be closed. Motorists wishing to exit to SODO can still use the Fourth Avenue off-ramp, which provides motorists the option of then driving either north or south on Fourth Avenue S.

Southbound traffic on First Avenue S will be detoured west at S Hanford Street. Northbound traffic on First Avenue S will be detoured east at S Dawson Street, and then north on Fourth Avenue S.

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West Seattle Weather Watch: Winter may not be done yet
February 27, 2012 3:12 pm
|      16 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

Thanks to Bob A for the glorious view of the Olympic Mountains, Puget Sound, and a state ferry, photographed today from North Admiral. Though we escaped the snow that hit some Western Washington areas over the weekend, the National Weather Service suggests another chance is heading this way – see the latest “forecast discussion” here. P.S. The spring equinox is just three weeks away – 10:14 pm our time on March 19th.

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More West Seattle food news: Proletariat Pizza trying delivery
February 27, 2012 2:37 pm
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | White Center

Though they are in White Center, their experimental delivery zone includes part of West Seattle, so here’s what Proletariat Pizza just announced (via e-mail to us, as well as a note on Facebook):

We’re taking a leap of faith and will be trying out delivery tonight. Monday through Wednesday only, rough boundaries are 35th to the west, 4th to the east, Trenton Thistle to the north and 112th to the south (Arbor Heights, just call first, we’ll likely make an exception if you’re just outside the boundaries.) $2 delivery fee. Whole pizzas only (no halves), drinks, salad and dessert, but sadly, no beer and wine delivery. And all this is subject to change as we get it all figured out, which will likely take some time.

The FB version from Proletariat co-proprietor Stefanie mentioned a slightly-further-north border (Thistle), so we have a followup question back out to clarify.

2:55 PM UPDATE: Thistle it is.

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New in West Seattle: Alki Juice and Java in ex-Bubbles spot
February 27, 2012 12:28 pm
|      26 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS beverages

That’s Tammy, who, with husband Pete, has just opened Alki Juice and Java across from Seacrest. (The space they have taken over was longtime home to Bubbles.) Tammy e-mailed us to share the news about their new business (she shared the photo too), and says:

The menu consists of fresh organic juice options, as well as smoothies made with frozen fruit and juice, and espresso. We already have an amazing mix of customers, residents nearby, scuba divers, Coast Guard employees, water taxi commuters, and people out for a stroll along the water.

No website yet, but Tammy says it’ll be up soon. Alki Juice and Java is open 7 am-4 pm weekdays, 8 am-4 pm weekends.

ADDED 2:09 PM: For commenter “Coffee” and anyone else who wondered – Tammy says they’re using coffee from Zoka.

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West Seattle Monday: Schools; stories; parks; recipes…
February 27, 2012 8:23 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

As a new workweek begins, that demolition project in North Delridge is down mostly to the cleanup stage; over the weekend, we photographed what’s left of the old industrial site on the southeast corner of 28th/Yancy (we reported its impending demolition here on Valentine’s Day). Meantime, from the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar:

OPEN ENROLLMENT FOR SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS: As school resumes following the district’s last weeklong mid-winter break, it’s also the start of open enrollment, today through March 9th – information here.

TODDLER/PRESCHOOLER ART CLASS: Daily “Coffee Break” class for ages 3-5 at Mind Unwind, whose announcement explains: “While kids do art, moms or dads have the opportunity to take a coffee break next door at Caffe Fioré, grocery shop at Metro Market, run errands or just use our free wi-fi, for two hours each morning (Mondays through Fridays), we have fun, interactive music and art that engages children’s natural ability to use their creative imagination. All projects are created from recycled household items. Class starts at 9:30 am and goes until 11:30 am. Only potty-trained children, text or email saying you are coming as late as day of. Texting number is 206-849-7222 … e-mail is create@mindunwind.org.” $25/class or 5-class punch card for $100, “art-supply donations welcome!”

WEST TURNS MIDWEST: West Seattle Cooking Club meets today, 3 pm at Beveridge Place Pub, and the theme is “Midwestern.”

FAMILY STORY TIME: At High Point Library, 7 pm.

DAKOTA PLACE PARK DISCUSSION: The Parks and Green Spaces Levy Oversight Committee meets at 7 pm tonight, Seattle Parks HQ downtown. Agenda includes the project to finish the historic substation building at Dakota Place Park, as well as the timeline for the next round of Opportunity Fund grants (for which individuals and groups can apply).

NIGHTLIFE: Trivia with Brian Calvert at Christo’s on Alki, 7 pm … Karaoke with Kelli at Skylark Café and Club, 9 pm … Also at 9 pm, the “Flat Earth Society” weekly vinyl DJ’ing at West 5 features Dawndra Budd … Talarico’s has karaoke @ 9:30 pm.

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2 years into its new life, old Fauntleroy Schoolhouse adds new tenants, with room for more
February 27, 2012 4:26 am
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   Fauntleroy | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Story and photos by Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Exactly two years after the Fauntleroy Community Service Agency completed the deal to buy it from Seattle Public Schools, the old schoolhouse at 9131 California SW is full of new life, and new opportunities – for example, want to host your next meeting in a conference room with a bonafide old-school (literally) blackboard?

Even before the multi-year effort that secured the Fauntleroy Schoolhouse’s longterm future as a community-owned facility, it was already home to an eclectic, if small, assortment of established businesses/organizations – Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes Catering, Fauntleroy Children’s Center, Seattle Civic Dance Theatre/Dance! West Seattle among them. Now they’ve been joined by others, with room still for more.

Education is obviously a natural fit; last year, looking for a new home, Lincoln Park Cooperative Preschool – which is an educational program for parents as well as preschoolers – landed at the schoolhouse.

But you might be surprised by what, and who, else you find if you tour the Fauntleroy Schoolhouse, as we did one day recently. Such as – an international game business!

Read More

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West Seattle Weather Watch: Might be an icy morning
February 26, 2012 10:10 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Weather Watch: Might be an icy morning
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

10:10 PM: The National Weather Service has just issued a “special weather statement” to underscore its concern about subfreezing temperatures overnight and potentially icy roads tomorrow morning. See the alert here. SDOT says its night crews will be out to treat roads/bridges “as needed.”

4:34 AM: Iced-over windows on street-parked cars … looks like a scraper morning. Latest official temp reading from Sea-Tac – 30.

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West Seattle wildlife: Face-to-face with a bald eagle
February 26, 2012 8:39 pm
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks | White Center

So many eagle sightings – and yet, each sighting, each photo, brings something new to notice. From photographer/writer Trileigh Tucker, the photo above – taken this morning – and her explanation:

Lots of eagle activity in Lincoln Park these days: calling back and forth, challenging to and by juvenile eagles, the husband eagle bringing food to impress his wife. Pretty exciting times as the courtship season ramps up!

Trileigh keeps a website with more pictures/words about some of her wildlife sightings, and says it includes a new update on the snowy owls that have been delighting birdwatchers in Western Washington (West Seattle included – remember this November photo?).

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West Seattle Crime Watch followups: Trailer, SUV both found
February 26, 2012 8:01 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Updates tonight on two recent theft reports: A trailer and SUV reported stolen in separate West Seattle incidents have both been found. First – it’s been a month since Ron reported his cargo trailer taken from Gatewood; this past Thursday, he picked it up from the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office after getting word it was found in Arlington, “in nearly the same shape as I remember,” and that arrests were made. He says he was told the suspects have a connection to Gatewood, and might be responsible for more than this theft.

Last Thursday was also when an SUV was stolen near Delridge/Holden; Shane told us about it on Friday, noting it belonged to a friend who is an amateur-radio operator and “gives a lot to the community.” The next morning, as he wrote in comments, word came from SPD that it had been found – with the electronics still in it, and only minor damage.

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Seal Sitters volunteer training next Saturday, and a sad reminder of why the mission matters
February 26, 2012 6:21 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | Wildlife

(Photo by Robin Lindsey)
Being a Seal Sitters volunteer can have its joyful moments – in the photo above, without binoculars, are volunteers Eilene and David Hutchinson, helping people see and learn about marine mammals. But there are also the sorrows – Seal Sitters’ Robin Lindsey told us today about a way-too-thin pup that died, though they tried to rescue him. The full story’s on Blubberblog, including a reminder that protecting pups on beaches is vital, as they need to be able to rest up between food runs. The protection requires a sizable volunteer corps, and if you would like to be part of it, this Saturday, you are invited to a training session, 10 am till about 12:30 pm, at Camp Long (5200 35th SW).

This will be a special session for those wanting to respond to and protect marine mammals on the beaches of West Seattle and along the Duwamish River.

A multi-media presentation by SS lead investigator Robin Lindsey will illustrate the unique challenges of protecting seals and marine mammals in an urban environment, as well as highlighting our educational work in the community. Zoologist and SS education and science advisor Buzz Shaw will discuss the biology and behavior of seals and other pinnipeds of Puget Sound. A companion followup “on-the-beach” training will be scheduled in the weeks to come. Space permitting, we encourage current volunteers to feel free to come on the 3rd for a “tune-up.”

There will be no training sessions during the summer or height of pupping season (mid-August thru October) due to time and staff constraints. However, there will be a new volunteer training in late May if you can’t make this date. Please contact us if you have any questions. Please RSVP as seating is limited to 60. We look forward to seeing you there!

You can do that by e-mailing sealsitters (at) me (dot) com.

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West Seattle weekend scene: Pancake breakfast raises $2,300
February 26, 2012 3:11 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Highland Park | How to help | Nickelsville encampment | West Seattle news

Thanks to Kevin McClintic for that photo from the “Nickelsville” encampment’s pancake-breakfast fundraiser Saturday morning at West Seattle Church of the Nazarene. The fundraising total is in: $1,800 plus a $500 pledge, wrote Peggy Hotes on Facebook, saying about 20 people from the encampment pitched in to make it happen. She also writes that’s two-thirds of their monthly expenses. If you’re interested in helping, ongoing requests for encampment needs are often posted by WSB Forum members who volunteer there.

The encampment has now been at a city-owned site in Highland Park for more than nine months, in a sort of legal limbo – it didn’t ask permission, but the city has said it won’t evict them, nor will it provide utility hookups. The Highland Park Action Committee community council has been pressing the city to take a stand one way or the other, with Nickelsville on the agenda for its last several meetings (including presentations by camp residents); HPAC’s next meeting is this Wednesday, 7 pm, at Highland Park Improvement Club HQ (12th/Holden).

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Happening today: West Seattle Farmers’ Market and more
February 26, 2012 12:13 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle Farmers' Market | West Seattle news

We missed today’s window for the daily events preview – you can always check the WSB West Seattle Events calendar on the rare occasions we skip a daily list – but just back from the West Seattle Farmers’ Market and vicinity. Eric Freeman is playing on the west side of the market today; while we photographed him, a man came up and informed us that he’s “the best busker in West Seattle.” As always, the market otherwise is brimming with everything – literally) from soup to nuts; we came home with a giant purple cabbage, $3 any size, from Alm Hill Gardens in the southwest corner, where they’re also selling tulips:

As always, the Farmers’ Market is open till 2. Nearby, it’s the second Sunday at California/Edmunds for a new food truck operated by two West Seattleites, Erik Gust and David Rodriguez, Contigo, which offers “modern Mexican”:

The Contigo owners’ announcement also mentioned that their food is gluten-free.

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Seen from West Seattle: 2 hurt in Bainbridge Island fire
February 26, 2012 8:09 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Not WS but we're mentioning it anyway | West Seattle news

(Photo by Danny McMillin)
Thanks to everyone who sent photos of that startling sight – a fire on Bainbridge Island, clearly visible from west-facing West Seattle this morning. According to the Kitsap Sun, the fire was in the 12000 block of Country Club Road (map), and one person was taken to Harborview Medical Center for treatment of smoke inhalation.

8:16 AM UPDATE: KING 5 Morning News just talked live (by phone) with Bainbridge’s fire chief, who says a Seattle fireboat responded to the scene. The fire is under control, he said; five people were in the “large 2-story waterfront home,” all got themselves out, and one, as mentioned, was airlifted. The fire chief told KING 5 that one of the 20 firefighters who responded suffered a minor burn injury. Too soon to say what caused the fire.

(Photo by Julie Williams)
9:04 AM: Adding two more photos – above, Julie’s view from Wing Point, looking south; below, DLC in West Seattle, with a wider view from this side of the Sound.

(Photo by DLC)
This is an area of spectacular multi-million-dollar waterfront homes; we found one listed online in a different block (we do NOT know the exact address of the home involved in this morning’s fire) for more than $8 million.

9:31 AM UPDATE: New information just added to the Kitsap Sun story – the house is a century-old vacation home and was to be the scene of a wedding later this year; the engaged couple were among those who escaped the fire.

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West Seattle restaurants: Sign’s up for Fiddlehead Fine Foods
February 25, 2012 9:40 pm
|      21 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

Thanks to BJ, proprietor of Brunette Mix (WSB sponsor) in The Junction, for sharing the photo of her new neighbors from Fiddlehead Fine Foods and Café, putting up their sign today. We had noticed just yesterday that one of their doors was topped with a rendering of their namesake fern:

Fiddlehead is the coming-soon breakfast/lunch café that’s taken over the former Blue Willow Catering/Luncheonette spot at 4310 SW Oregon, just steps west of California SW. We’re still working to get key Fiddlehead details such as target opening date, and we’ll report ’em when we get ’em. Blue Willow, you might recall, moved out four months ago, saying it would continue its catering operations from a commercial kitchen elsewhere.

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Just in case you wondered: Highland Park fire call
February 25, 2012 7:50 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Highland Park | West Seattle news | WS breaking news

The big fire response to the 8100 block of 15th SW this past half-hour was for a problem that turned out NOT to be a fire – we went to the scene just to verify, and fire crews told us it was a smoldering electrical wire. They’re canceling the rest of the units now.

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Election 2012: One week till Republican caucuses
February 25, 2012 7:04 pm
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

Since the Republican presidential-nomination race seems far from settled, expect a lot of national-media attention on our state in the coming week, with the party’s precinct caucuses set for one week from today – 10 am to noon, Saturday, March 3. To get your Republican caucus location online, you have to use the “caucus locator” lookup; we tried a sampling of precinct numbers (using this map) and so far it looks like north West Seattle goes to West Seattle High School, south West Seattle to the Evergreen Campus in White Center (let us know if your precinct comes up with someplace different). Though in 2008, both parties caucused on the same day, this year they’re more than a month apart; Democratic precinct caucuses are on April 15th, also 10 am-noon, location list and times to come. And in case you’ve forgotten, there’s no presidential primary; it was called off to save an estimated $10 million.

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West Seattle Weather Watch: Ice from the sky; celestial show
February 25, 2012 3:06 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

(ADDED SUNDAY: Another photo of the sky show; scroll down!)

3:06 PM: No snow so far, and the wind advisory has been called off, but a bit of wild weather just moved through – an ice-pellet shower, which we caught on video in case the experts want to offer the proper ID (we still haven’t sorted out hail vs. sleet vs. graupel, etc.). According to the newest forecast, there’s still a chance of snow showers between now and Monday.

6:24 PM NOTE: The sky show mentioned in our morning preview – the moon and Mercury, Venus, and Jupiter – is clearly visible right now in the twilight sky – look west, and up. (Here’s info from Space.com.)

6:43 PM UPDATE: Thanks to Melissa for the photo. Jupiter is in the far upper left; Venus is below the moon.

SUNDAY MORNING ADDITION: Thanks to David Hutchinson for the view from Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza!

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