day : 05/06/2012 11 results

(Photo by WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand)
34th District State Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon had ample reason to smile tonight. Not only did other local political leaders including King County Executive Dow Constantine turn out for his re-election campaign kickoff at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center tonight, Rep. Fitzgibbon, a Burien Democrat, is running unopposed, since no one else filed for the position. (Our area’s senior State Rep. Eileen Cody does have an opponent this time around, Vashon Democrat William Giammarese; the primary this year is August 7th, and the general election is November 6th.)

Update: Fireworks blamed for Ercolini Park ‘boom’

June 5, 2012 10:55 pm

| 18 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS breaking news

10:55 PM: We’ve received a few reports of a loud explosion-type sound within the past hour; fire crews went to the Ercolini Park area but cleared out fairly quickly, and now they’re in that area again. (minutes later) The second crew has not found any signs of a fire or other problem, so they’re clearing out too.

11:13 PM: Our crew went to the areas that fire crews responded to – no fire, no police, nothing going on. (added) We’re checking with the precinct, but in the meantime, commenters here and on Facebook say it appears to have been something set off in the Ercolini Park porta-potty.

11:31 AM WEDNESDAY: Confirmed by SFD spokesperson Kyle Moore – “At 9:48 p.m. Engine Company 32 responded to reports of port a potty fire in the alley near the park at 48th Avenue SW/ SW Alaska Street. The firefighters did not find a fire but discovered fireworks set off inside the port a potty. At 10:50 p.m. Engine Company 32 responded to 4500 block of 48th Avenue SW to reports of an explosion at the park near the port a potty. A caller said it sounded like an M80. There was no fire at this scene. The Fire Investigators were notified of both incidents.”

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West Seattle low-tide sights: Catching a bit of lunch

June 5, 2012 6:42 pm

| 37 COMMENTS

| West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news | Wildlife

Today’s low-low tide brought some great noontime sights – we’ve received some excellent photos and took a few ourselves (plus we have a few awesome WSB’er-contributed holdovers from yesterday). We’ll be adding to these a little later in the evening but are starting with three from Gary Jones – wildlife catching, or seeking, lunch!

Today’s tide was the lowest, but tomorrow will still be fairly low, at -3.4 just before 1 pm.

More photos to come – and thanks again to everyone who has shared. ADDED 7:42 PM: The next two photos are by WSB’s Patrick Sand – we were out on the beach by Luna/Anchor Park:

The pilings beneath the park overlook – where the former Luna Park amusement park’s swimming pool used to be:

Laurie shared a photo of the Seattle Aquarium volunteer beach naturalists mustering by Constellation Park:

(They’ll be out at Constellation and Lincoln Parks again tomorrow, 11 am-2:30 pm.) And from Jim Clark, taken on Monday – a mystery creature (do YOU know what it is?):

As noted in comments, Jim has a gallery here. And more of others’ low-tide photos are in the WSB Flickr group pool (tidepool?) – see them here. (

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Design Review set for 30 apartments at 3829 California SW

June 5, 2012 4:17 pm

| 25 COMMENTS

| Development | West Seattle news

More proof that apartments are the hot building trend right now. We just learned the Southwest Design Review Board is scheduled to meet June 28th to review a proposed 3-story, 30-unit apartment building at 3829 California (map). The site now holds the two one-story brick multiplexes you see in our photo above; last summer, it was sold for $1,000,000. The design-review meeting is set for 6:30 pm Thursday, June 28th, at the Senior Center of West Seattle (California/Oregon).

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West Seattle traffic alert: 1-car crash in Highland Park

June 5, 2012 2:45 pm

| 7 COMMENTS

| Highland Park | West Seattle news | WS breaking news

2:45 PM, FIRST REPORT: We’re en route to a crash scene in Highland Park – a vehicle rollover reported at 15th/Holden, just east of the central HP commercial zone at 16th/Holden. No injuries reported so far. More to come.

2:56 PM UPDATE: As you can see from the photo we added, it’s actually on its side, on the sidewalk, along the eastbound side of SW Holden, closer to 14th SW. The driver was not seriously hurt, we are told. It’s a bit of a traffic distraction, eastbound, but a tow truck should be there soon.

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Duwamish Tribe: 2 benefit events ahead, and an award!

June 5, 2012 1:38 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Several news notes about the Duwamish Tribe, whose Longhouse is in West Seattle – It’s announced two upcoming benefits, one this Sunday afternoon (June 10) for its participation in this year’s “Paddle from Seattle” (details here), and a big dinner/art auction gala on June 30th (details here). Plus, a performance group of Duwamish youth, TilibSedeb (Singing Feet), is one of the 10 recipients of the 2012 Mayor’s Arts Awards, announced today. The full news release about that – also featuring the other nine recipients – is ahead:Read More

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Update: Crash by ‘Walking on Logs’ takes out streetlight

June 5, 2012 12:01 pm

| 6 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

12:01 PM: Thanks to the WSB’er who just called to let us know about this crash – a car off the road, and pole knocked down, by Walking on Logs along the west end of the westbound West Seattle Bridge. Fire units have responded; we don’t know yet about injuries, but this is likely to cause some backup on the bridge, so if you are just about to leave downtown or other points east, heading this way, use the Admiral exit instead.

1:48 PM NOTE: The SDOT camera was frozen at 12:12 pm so we can’t tell what’s up at the scene right now – but traffic was getting by, albeit slowly, when we were in the area shortly afterward – here’s the view from the pedestrian overpass, looking north toward the scene:

Information isn’t available yet on whether anyone was hurt.

4:11 PM UPDATE: After hearing a report that the pole knockdown could affect streetlights beyond the one at the pullout, we checked with Seattle City Light. Spokesperson Scott Thomsen says crews won’t know for sure till after dark tonight, so they will be out looking. Meantime, members of the volunteer group that recently installed landscaping at Walking on Logs will be investigating to see if the crash damaged any of their work.

ADDED TUESDAY NIGHT: SFD spokesperson Kyle Moore tells WSB that firefighters checked out two women “who were out of the car by the time firefighters arrived … they declined treatment or transport.”

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RN Patient Advocates of the Pacific Northwest: New WSB sponsor

June 5, 2012 11:54 am

| 1 COMMENT

| Health | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Today WSB welcomes a new sponsor, RN Patient Advocates of the Pacific Northwest.

The health-care system has become a difficult place to navigate and few know that better than nurses. Debra Nicholls, RN, has been providing expert nursing care and advocacy in hospitals, home care and hospice throughout the Seattle area for more than 25 years and with her new business would like to empower you and your family with the knowledge and resources you need. Locally owned and founded by this Westwood area resident, RN Patient Advocates of the PNW is a affiliated member of RN Patient Advocates, your health-care safety net™, the dynamic national network of independent trained clinical nurse advocates. A skilled RN advocate can act as a vital instrument in the optimal delivery of safe, patient centered care. Advocates provide crisis intervention, timely support and resources when and where you need them for yourself or a family member. Whether you are caring for an elderly family member, dealing with an acute or chronic illness, planning a surgery, or various other medical situations, you may benefit from the services of an RN Advocate. An advocate can protect your rights and safety, research and educate you about all your treatment options and advocate in your behalf with all your medical providers, making sure they all have the same, complete and timely information they need.

Debra has a broad clinical background, from her early years in neonatal, pediatric and adult intensive care, but found her most favorite roles in home health and hospice due to the more patient and family focused care. She is passionate about informed choice and empowerment, health care should not be one size fits all. She can serve clients at all walks of life, from children to seniors. As a mother and a caregiver for her parent, she knows well the health-care system from both sides. To round out her years of bedside advocacy, she completed RN Patient Advocate training to develop her own independent practice. Debra is also actively seeking to partner with other members of the health-care community dedicated to wellness and holistic care.

RN Patient Advocates of the Pacific Northwest, PLLC serves the greater Seattle area. The first step is a free phone consultation to see if the service would be a fit for you – call 206-429-5243. RN Patient Advocates of the PNW is a member of the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce, an affiliated member of the National Network of RN Patient Advocates, and a member of Advoconnection.

We thank RN Patient Advocates of the Pacific Northwest for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via 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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West Seattle Junction Car Show: 2012 info, application now online

June 5, 2012 11:37 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

(WSB photo of last year’s ‘Best in Show’ at the West Seattle Junction Car Show)
An update from Liberty Bell Print and Design‘s Michael Hoffman, organizer of the West Seattle Junction Car Show (co-sponsored by WSB) – this year’s information is now online, along with the application for those who would like to be part of it. Remember that, as reported here back in April, this year the eligibility expands – including the addition of motorcycles! The show is set for 8 am-4 pm on Sunday, September 16th; find the application and other information on the official WSJCS website.

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West Seattle wildlife: Fauntleroy Creek salmon-release season wraps up

June 5, 2012 10:51 am

| 4 COMMENTS

| Fauntleroy | West Seattle news | Wildlife

Fauntleroy Creek‘s 2012 salmon-fry-release season is over – already! (Seems like just yesterday we were there for the first one of the season.) The photo is courtesy of Tara Slinden, forwarded by creek steward Judy Pickens, who explains:

West Seattle Elementary fifth-grader Eqra Mahamed took great delight in feeling the coho fry in her cup during a field trip to Fauntleroy Creek in May. She helped rear the fish, from eggs to fry, through the Salmon in the School program. Volunteers with the Fauntleroy Watershed Council led 16 field trips during which 560 students, preschool through seventh grade, released 2,500 fry to cap their study of salmon, habitat, and stewardship.

Each spring, volunteers also track the outbound salmon smolt, and expect to have this year’s final report soon. Then in the fall, the salmon are welcomed home – most years, with a special ceremony (here’s our 2011 coverage).

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West Seattle Tuesday: Delridge Produce Coop Trivia Night; tide; transit; schools …

June 5, 2012 9:28 am

| 6 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Though the weather is gray, local gardens are bright – so here’s the orange peony blooming in Paul Francis‘s West Seattle backyard, which he and his wife found so striking, they wanted to share the photo. (Thank you!) On with the rain-or-shine daily highlights – after one more photo:

LOW-LOW-LOW TIDE: Even lower than yesterday (which is when Monty photographed those mussels – thanks!) – today, it’s down to -3.8 at 12:05 pm; beach naturalists will be out at Constellation and Lincoln Parks starting at 10 this morning.

TRANSIT OF VENUS VIEWING: If the sun gives a hint of appearing, so that we’d be able to see Venus crossing (but don’t look AT the sun!) you should be able to find NASA Solar System Ambassador Alice Enevoldsen at Solstice Park – details are on her website.

TUESDAY NIGHT VOLUNTEER FRENZY @ WESTSIDE BABY: 5:30-7:30 pm tonight – our recent story on WS Baby’s added volunteer opportunities includes info on how to pitch in.

LIVE ART BASH: At Mind Unwind in the Admiral District. 6-9 pm – don’t work on your project/idea alone, come collaborate/co-conspire!

DELRIDGE PRODUCE COOPERATIVE TRIVIA NIGHT @ SKYLARK: $5 suggested donation to help DPC work toward a healthy-food store on Delridge. And of course, the trivia topic is … food! 6:30 pm at Skylark Café and Club (3803 Delridge Way SW).

WEST SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL PTSA: Last meeting of the year for the WSHS PTSA; join them for a look back and ahead, 7 pm, school library.

MADISON MIDDLE SCHOOL CONCERT: Madison has two concerts this week – first up, the band performs tonight in the school commons (45th/Spokane), 7 pm.

Even more (for today/tonight, and beyond!) on the calendar.

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