West Seattle, Washington

18 Thursday

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month : 07/2012 308 results

Alki Art Fair, day 2: Busy day at the beach
July 29, 2012 3:31 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Even bigger crowd at the Alki Art Fair during the early afternoon today, by our comparison – good reason to try the shuttle from WSHS if you’re driving. It runs till 6, which is how long the vendors are supposed to be open, but music continues till about 8 (six more acts to go, including at 5:45 pm, “Elvis rock/punk review” Graceland Five). The main stage was briefly idle during our visit, but the small “acoustic stage” toward the west end of the fair wasn’t:

That’s Choro Tocando, often seen and heard around West Seattle. If you’ve never been to the fair and are still pondering whether to go before day’s end, note that it features art that’s wearable and otherwise functional, not just great paintings and prints and photos for decorating your home. We even found checkbook covers:

The cat and dog images are creations of Phoenix Chiu. And if you take along your real-life pet, the Seal Sitters booth has water that’s “under guard”:

(We checked in with Seal Sitters volunteers, who say no pup has turned up since “Georgie” earlier in the week – here’s their Art Fair report! If you see a seal on the shore, call them at 206-905-SEAL.)

P.S. This is the second year the Alki Art Fair has been an all-volunteer production, since city budget cuts took away the staff support it used to get from Alki Community Center.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: More hit-run damage; car prowls
July 29, 2012 12:40 pm
|      16 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Four West Seattle Crime Watch reports so far this weekend, starting with a hit-run that left the above-shown damage on Kami and Martin‘s car:

Someone hit our car early (Saturday) morning and drove off. The sound of the crash woke me, but by the time I looked out the window they were gone. It happened about 2:15 am. Our car is parked in High Point at 29th & Raymond. Their car must be pretty damaged, as we cannot even drive ours. They left some blue paint on our car and mirror and glass on the road. Their car (probably a blue color) would have damage to the driver’s side from the headlight down the side, damaged side mirror and headlight and probably some black paint on it from our car. It is just disturbing that someone leaves the scene like this and costs a family a $1,000 deductible, rental car and towing expense.

Ahead, three notes including two cases of car prowling, both spotted in progress overnight:

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West Seattle Sunday: Alki Art Fair continues; all-ages open mike debuts @ Skylark; more
July 29, 2012 9:59 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

A few more notes before we get too far into our sun-is-trying-to-break-through Sunday:

OVERLAPPING 99 CLOSURES: Northbound Highway 99 between the West Seattle Bridge and Royal Brougham Way remains closed till 5 am tomorrow. And that will overlap with a southbound closure between the Battery Street Tunnel and WS Bridge from 9 pm tonight till 5 am tomorrow. (Our melded day-by-day version of the closure list for the week ahead, with info for both 99 and the Spokane Street Viaduct, will be published later today.)

TODAY’S YARD/RUMMAGE SALES: Check the listings (free to post!) in the WSB Forums‘ Freebies/Deals/Sales section – some of this weekend’s sales are on for today, too, including the Community School of West Seattle yard/bake sale (till 4 pm)

ALKI ART FAIR, DAY 2: Here are our reports from Day 1, and from Night 1. Hours are 10 am-6 pm today along the boardwalk, and that’s when you can catch the shuttle from the West Seattle High School parking lot (3000 California SW); music runs 10 am-8 pm (here’s the schedule).

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm at 44th/Alaska as always – peak time for some summer produce!

WING-EATING CONTEST: At West Seattle’s Wing Dome today – but it’s not an “everybody sit down and compete all at once” event – it’s ongoing from 11 am to 9 pm; info here.

PRESCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: 1-4 pm today at Little Rascals Preschool of West Seattle (WSB sponsor); map here.

FIRST ALL-AGES OPEN MIKE AT SKYLARK: Sign up at 3 pm, three songs each between 4 and 7 pm, at Skylark Café and Club (3803 Delridge Way SW). We have it on good word that musician India Spence (recently seen at Summer Fest) will be among the performers. Note that the bar IS open for those with 21+ up ID.

WEST SEATTLE COOKING CLUB: They usually meet on Mondays, but this is one of those special weekend gatherings just for those who are busy weekdays. 3 pm at Beveridge Place Pub – the theme is “Southwestern.”

MORE SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK: Today Greenstage presents “Taming of the Shrew” at 3 pm in Lincoln Park, free.

SUNDAY NIGHT SINGING: At The Bridge with Karaoke Kelli, 9 pm.

More on the calendar!

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Alki Art Fair: Day 2 today; plus, Saturday night scenes
July 29, 2012 8:55 am
|    Comments Off on Alki Art Fair: Day 2 today; plus, Saturday night scenes
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

The Alki Art Fair continues today – 10 am to 6 pm for vendors, same as Saturday, with the shuttle from West Seattle High School‘s parking lot running those hours too; music continues till about 8 pm. Our 1st Saturday report is here, but there’s more…

Yet another beautiful sunset last night as people gathered for Saturday’s final musical act, Matt the Hoopla:

MTH is a West Seattle band specializing in ’70s-rock covers, with a focus on “glam rock.” The song on the clip is “One of the Boys,” by the band that inspired their name, Mott the Hoople. We met one of the band’s members, Don Bazemore (screen left), while he was volunteering at the West Seattle Summer Fest Info Booth (our festival HQ), and resolved to check out their AAF performance. Today’s full music lineup, from MoZo at 10 am to Burley Mountain at 7 pm, is here.

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Video: West Seattle Hi-Yu (and more) at Seafair Torchlight Parade 2012
July 28, 2012 11:07 pm
|    Comments Off on Video: West Seattle Hi-Yu (and more) at Seafair Torchlight Parade 2012
 |   West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival | West Seattle news

In case you were watching the Seafair Torchlight Parade on TV and missed the West Seattle Hi-Yu float because, we’re told, they went to a commercial break – here you go. This year, they were fairly close to the top of the running order, so it wasn’t even dark yet when Queen Kayli, Junior Queen Thea, and Junior Princesses Elena and Amanda passed by our spot in the photography zone close to the TV cameras and bleachers at Westlake.

West Seattle’s neighbor South Park was represented too:

Ahead – the West Seattleite-led All-City Band, for starters:

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Update: Local student soccer players win rematch in Colorado
July 28, 2012 6:25 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

(Photo tweeted by Special Olympics Washington – @SO_Washington)
FIRST REPORT, 6:25 PM: In a few hours, after the Sounders–Rapids soccer match in Colorado, West Seattle-area student players and coaches, many from the Seattle Schools Unified Soccer League, will take the field for their own match. Chief Sealth International High School athletic director Sam Reed shared the news that they’re traveling with the Sounders and Special Olympics of Washington. The SO Sounders headed out on Friday. Three weeks ago, a similar delegation came here when the Rapids visited the Sounders; the Seattle team won that game, and is now in the Rockies for the rematch against the Colorado team. Reed explains that “more than half of the SO Sounders team (in) Colorado come from Chief Sealth International and West Seattle High Schools. Chief Sealth Head Coach Andrew Saldana is on the coaching staff, while players Morgan Hegge, Cameron O’Donnell, Christian Freitas, Ben Lee, Sydney Proctor, Karina Silva, Eric Swenson and Xahil McDonald all represent the Seahawks as either athletes or partners. Christian Estaban is on the team representing West Seattle.” Traveling with them is Angie Bounds, who’s been publishing updates at sosounders.blogspot.com; she tells WSB the game at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, CO, is around 9:30 Colorado time tonight. We’ll update this story after the game (you can check out the SO-WA Twitter feed, too).

11:16 PM UPDATE: SO Sounders win, 2-0, according to Twitter updates. And someone recorded the entire match on phone video – you can see and hear it here.

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Alki Art Fair 2012, day 1: Sand, sea, creativity…
July 28, 2012 2:15 pm
|    Comments Off on Alki Art Fair 2012, day 1: Sand, sea, creativity…
 |   West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

We’re into the second half of day 1 of the 2012 Alki Art Fair – with a growing patch of blue sky overhead, and pale blue water as the backdrop. It’s particularly interesting to see artists who focus on the sea, holding court at booths right on the water:

Patri O’Connor, whose work can be found at nearby Alki Arts (and often on the WSB Facebook page!), has a booth just steps away from where Art Fair volunteers are showing this year’s official T-shirt ($18), featuring her design:

That’s Susan Madrid, who’s in the booth right next to the Bathhouse’s waterfront doors, with all the info you need if you’re looking for something or someone. (Inside the Bathhouse, silent auctions are under way – one just ended, and another one is continuing at least till 5 today.) Back to the vendors: Andy Hill is showing and selling sea creatures in handcrafted metal sculpture:

From North Delridge, “Holli with an I” (Margell) is here with her photography:

And kids will find something to do even if they’re not art lovers yet – there was a big crowd around the Seal Sitters‘ table:

And just west of the Bathhouse, Young at Art is here from The Junction (they are moving soon to Fairmount Springs, at Fauntleroy and Raymond) with activities, too.

On the east side of the Bathhouse, you’ll find the main stage, with music till about 9 tonight (here’s the full schedule). If you come before the vendors close for the day at 6 (and again 10-6 tomorrow), you can take the free shuttle from the West Seattle High School parking lot – we’ve already heard from one rider who says it’s NOT crowded.

One other frequent question – what about food? Besides the numerous year-round beach businesses, we’ve seen two booths – frozen custard (focused on sundaes) from Peak’s, west side of the Bathhouse, and T-CE’s Barbecue further west, toward the picnic shelters.

ADDED 3:55 PM: Earlier this afternoon, the Log House Museum presented a show of vintage bathing fashions; the models posed just before taking the stage:

The museum itself, by the way, is open noon-4 pm Thursdays-Sundays. And while you’re at Alki tomorrow, the Alki Point Lighthouse is open for tours 1-4 pm (Saturdays and Sundays, through August).

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2012 Olympics: West Seattle woman there to cheer for grandson, swimmer Nick Thoman
July 28, 2012 10:53 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people | WS & Sports

(MONDAY UPDATE: A medal for Ginger’s grandson! Scroll down …)

26-year-old Olympic athlete Nick Thoman is from Ohio – but you can call him an honorary West Seattleite if you’re looking for specific people to cheer during the 2012 Summer Olympics, since his grandmother Ginger Brewer lives on Alki. She headed to London a few days ago to join other family members there. We’ve heard from Ginger before regarding Nick’s swimming success; a neighbor of hers told us he made it to the Olympics, so we e-mailed her, and heard back from daughter-in-law Lauri, who says Nick’s in the 100m backstroke “and may also swim in the 4x100m medley relay.” Lauri says those competition dates are:

July 29 – 100 m prelims
July 30 – 100 m finals
Aug 3 – 4x100m medley relay prelims
Aug 4 – 4x100m medley relay finals

She adds, “He has the third fastest Olympic qualifying time in the world for the 100m backstroke, so he is definitely in the running to bring home some hardware, although we are just super excited that he is even going! He currently holds the world record in the 100m short-course backstroke. The Olympics is a long-course pool. Short course is a 25 meter pool, long course is a 50 meter pool.” Nick is 26 and has been swimming since he was 4, Lauri says, adding, “Go Team USA!!” (P.S. Nick of course has an official “fan page” on Facebook. Here’s the lineup for his preliminary competition at 11 am Sunday, London time.)

SUNDAY MORNING UPDATE: Nick finished first in his heat very early this morning (results here), and is in the second heat at the semifinals tonight, 8:28 pm London time.

SUNDAY AFTERNOON UPDATE: And … he’s in Monday’s finals!

MONDAY AFTERNOON UPDATE: Nick scored silver today – here are the results (thanks to Ben for sharing the link in the comment section). He is also scheduled to be part of the USA relay team in competition later this week.

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West Seattle Saturday: Alki Art Fair; ‘Young Frankenstein’ outdoors; Delridge Library’s 10th; Torchlight Parade
July 28, 2012 6:07 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Seattle sunrise July 12th

(Recent sunrise, from Flickr member t_ravtyler, via the WSB group pool)
The summer fun continues – even before the start of the Alki Art Fair this morning, and even beyond the final credit roll for West Seattle Outdoor Movies‘ showing late tonight. Here’s today’s list:

NORTHBOUND VIADUCT CLOSURE STARTS TONIGHT: 5:30 tonight through 5 am Monday, the northbound Alaskan Way Viaduct is closed from the West Seattle Bridge northward. However, after the Seafair Torchlight Run tonight, it will reopen from Royal Brougham Way northward. Still means no access from the eastbound WS Bridge, but you’ll be able to get onto northbound 99 from SODO.

COMMUNITY SCHOOL OF WEST SEATTLE RUMMAGE/BAKE SALE: 8 am to 6 pm today, thousands of items are on sale (including the ones “under wraps” in the photo above). Treats too – including cinnamon rolls and scones, starting first thing in the morning. Map’s in our calendar listing.

EVEN MORE RUMMAGE/GARAGE/YARD SALES: This must be the peak of the season – the WSB Forums‘ Freebies/Deals/Sales section is full of listings for this weekend. Including the “best yard sale ever.” See the listings here (and if you’re having one, make sure you’ve posted it too – free!).

WSHS CHEERLEADERS’ CAR WASH: The new school year is five and a half weeks away, and the West Seattle High School Cheerleaders are busy fundraising – today, with a car wash at West Seattle Autoworks (WSB sponsor; 35th and Webster), 10 am-3 pm.

ALKI ART FAIR – WITH LOTS OF LIVE MUSIC – AND A SHUTTLE! Art/music/shuttle are the three points you’ll want to remember for the two-day Alki Art Fair, for starters. Of course you’ll find art to enjoy, browse, and purchase (dozens of booths and tents along the boardwalk and by the Bathhouse) – but the live-music lineup is more extensive than ever, and stretches beyond the official Art Fair hours of 10 am-6 pm. Here’s the updated music schedule, starting with Kyle Hough at 10:30 this morning and continuing through Matt the Hoopla at 8 tonight. The free shuttle, meantime, is a yellow school bus running every 15 minutes or so from the West Seattle High School parking lot (3000 California SW) to the Art Fair, between 10 am and 6 pm, both days – great option if you are driving your own vehicle, since Alki parking can get crazy. (No road closures for the street fair, so regular buses serving Alki can get you there too.)

SWAT FOOTBALL AND CHEER BARBECUE: Come enjoy a barbecue and sign up for SWAC Football and Cheer‘s new season, 11 am-2 pm at Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle). Barbecue also welcomes new and returning players. Registration also continues online at SWACcougars.org.

DELRIDGE LIBRARY: A TALE OF TEN YEARS: Celebrate the Delridge Library‘s 10th anniversary 1:30 pm-4 pm today – details here.

‘YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN’ AT WEST SEATTLE OUTDOOR MOVIES: Week two for the free Saturday night movies (co-sponsored by WSB) in the courtyard by Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor; 4410 California SW). The movie, “Young Frankenstein,” is at dusk (9-something); pre-show entertainment is by jump-rope champ Rene Bibaud, 7:30 pm start; tonight’s raffle benefits Seattle Lutheran High School, with the SLHS Key Club providing concessions, cupcakes by Sugar Rush Baking Company, and PB&J Textiles (WSB sponsor) handling the popcorn machine. Come early, BYO chair/blanket, and stake out your spot(s).

GARDEN CONCERT: You’ve heard of house concerts; this one’s billed as a garden concert at a West Seattle home, with three acts – Rebecca Cohen, Matt Price, Robin McGillveray – starting at 7 pm; lineup and map here.

SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK: 7 pm at Camp Long (5200 35th SW), Greenstage presents “Henry VIII.” Free!

SEAFAIR TORCHLIGHT PARADE: Downtown, but featuring West Seattleites – our calendar listing includes the full parade running order, according to what Seafair made public earlier this week. (The West Seattle Hi-Yu float and volunteers appear 28th, according to that lineup. Other entries with West Seattle ties include the Seattle All-City Marching Band, led by Denny/Sealth’s Marcus Pimpleton and featuring numerous local student musicians, and King County Executive Dow Constantine. Plus, when the Seafair Scholarship Program for Women contestants go by, you’ll see Hi-Yu representative Kelsey Bills – she’s one of the contenders up for Queen/Princess honors in the pre-parade coronation. And Mayor McGinn will be driven by West Seattleite Craig Vinton in his electric roadster.) Parade starts from just south of Seattle Center at 7:30 pm and proceeds down 4th Avenue to the International District. If you want to get in the mood earlier, there’s a “Torchlight Spectacular” event at Seattle Center starting at 2 pm, with your chance to preview parade floats, among other things. And before the parade, there’s the Torchlight Run.

NIGHTLIFE: Three bands at Skylark Café and Club at 8 pm … Hondo II plays the Feedback Lounge, 9 pm, with special guest Gypsy Thieves … Three bands at the Benbow Room, 9 pm.

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4 days left to donate to Alki Mail and Dispatch pet-food drive
July 28, 2012 4:00 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   How to help | Pets | West Seattle news

With four days left, you can still bring dog or cat food to Alki Mail and Dispatch for their July pet-food drive. The staff tells WSB they’ve collected more than 150 pounds of pet food so far (some of it is shown above in the photo they shared), but are hoping for more. As we mentioned at the beginning of the drive, they are accepting dry or canned food and treats. All cat food will go to Kitty Harbor and all dog food to Dogs Deserve Better, an organization raising awareness for dogs who live chained or tethered outdoors.

The drive goes through Tuesday (July 31st). Check Alki Mail’s hours and location here. And by the way, they’re already thinking about doing it again next year!

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3rd world martial-arts championship for West Seattle’s Tamela Thomas
July 28, 2012 2:32 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people | WS & Sports

Evergreen Tang Soo Do Academy student Tamela Thomas has won her third world championship, reports the academy’s Master Steve Elmore (with her in the photo above). Thomas, 52, is one of nine students who went with Elmore to the World Tang Soo Do Association‘s world championships in Greensboro, North Carolina, last weekend, an every-two-years event at which more than 1,600 people from 34 countries competed. He says Thomas became Senior Female Black Belt World Champion “by winning gold medals in weapons, forms, and free fighting. This was her 3rd consecutive world title but her first in the black belt division.” (Back in 2008, we mentioned this Seattle Weekly story about her first world title.) He also reports that the recent death of the association’s founder, Grandmaster Jae C. Shin (reported here), loomed large over the event, with a memorial service following the ribbon-cutting for a new WTSDA in nearby Burlington, N.C.

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West Seattle scene: ‘He’s 60, for Pete’s sake’
July 28, 2012 2:30 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Pigeon Point | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

That’s what it said on longtime community activist/volunteer Pete Spalding‘s birthday cake last night at the Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), where wife Kerry Hughes organized a surprise party:

Back in their home neighborhood of Pigeon Point, one of the trademark signposts held a tribute:

Pete has led the Pigeon Point Neighborhood Council multiple times, as well as chairing the citywide Parks and Green Spaces Levy OVersight Committee, serving on the board of the West Seattle Food Bank, and countless other councils/groups/projects. His awards include being honored as this year’s “Westsider of the Year” by the WS Chamber of Commerce.

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West Seattle ‘bikeability’ tour: Pedaling around the peninsula
July 27, 2012 8:25 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

(Photos by Nick Adams for WSB)
If you saw a group of more than 40 bicyclists riding by in the Thursday evening sunshine, here’s what it was all about: A “bikeability tour” of West Seattle, presented by groups including the Cascade Bicycle Club, Seattle Greenways, and the city Bicycle Advisory Board, whose co-chair Max Hepp-Buchanan spoke before the group pedaled away from the starting point by Chelan Café:

He said, “This is a great way for people to bike through communities, meet their neighbors, and help inform the recommendations we are going to be making to the council, Mayor’s office, and SDOT.” The route is mapped here (with descriptions of various points along the way).

More views from along the 10.5-mile ride, ahead:Read More

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Community School of West Seattle plans new focus, while 2 teachers plan new K-5
July 27, 2012 5:51 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Two big headlines in the news shared by Community School of West Seattle founder/director Sarah Airhart: Starting in fall of next year – not this fall – her school will focus on what it considers its sweet spot. And two of its teachers, Terry Garrido and Michelle Taylor (shown above with Sarah at center) are venturing out to form a new independent school. Here’s how Sarah tells the story:

The Community School of West Seattle (CSWS) has been working on creating its Strategic Plan for the next 3 years.

CSWS currently has 3 preschool classrooms for 3 to 5 year olds and 1 classroom for Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade.

The preschool program has grown over the years and most recently participated in the WA State pilot study of the new Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS). CSWS was instrumental in getting the language of an emergent and project approach curriculum imbedded as an ‘approved’ curriculum model.

And during the pilot process we received some of the highest ratings in the country on the CLASS assessment. The CLASS looks at what we believe is one of the most critical components of any program – teacher/child interaction. The WA State Department of Early Learning (DEL) recently received $60 million to implement the QRIS (now called Early Achievers) across the State and CSWS is among the first programs to participate. You can read all about Early Achievers and the Race to the Top grant here.

(We) have also been recognized by DEL as an Early Achievers Peer Mentor. This opportunity is offered to only 14 programs in King County who served in the pilot study. The Peer Mentor’s role is to provide advice and support to other Early learning programs who choose to go through the rating process.

Part of the Strategic Planning process was to really look at our strengths and passions.

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West Seattle development: ‘The Hole’ now ‘Spruce West Seattle’
July 27, 2012 2:05 pm
|      76 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

(June aerial photo of “The Hole” by Long Bach Nguyen)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

“The Hole” has a new name, according to plans filed with the city Department of Planning and Development: Spruce West Seattle.

Nine and a half months have passed since the project/site formerly known as Fauntleroy Place was auctioned off to an entity of Madison Development Group (WSB coverage here), and many West Seattleites have been waiting and watching to see what, if anything, will happen with the long-idle site. Work stopped in fall 2008 after site excavation; a lawsuit ensued; and once that was finally settled (in June of last year), foreclosure and auction led to the sale.

Back in May, we finally got a short response from Madison owner Tom Lee, who said they expected to have an update “soon.”

No word since then – but a revised plan was filed at the DPD this week, making it a matter of public record.

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West Seattle restaurants: Chaco Canyon, Meander’s, Talarico’s updates
July 27, 2012 12:45 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

Three updates on West Seattle restaurants:

CHACO CANYON’S SIDEWALK CAFE: The city has granted a sidewalk-café permit to Chaco Canyon Organic Café (WSB sponsor; 3770 SW Alaska) in The Triangle, and owner Chris Maykut shared the sketch above. It’s not just any “sidewalk café” space – he says it “is being fabricated by a local artist out of cedar and steel whose studio is under the WS bridge (on the downtown side of it) – James Reinhardt, who also did our gorgeous lighting. … He’s shooting for installation around August 15th.”

DINNER AT MEANDER’S: The cozy café north of Morgan Junction (6032 California SW) has announced via Facebook that it’s about to add dinner service, starting next Thursday (August 2nd), 5-10 pm Thursdays-Saturdays, 5-9:30 pm Sundays. They’re promising “meat loaf and mashed potatoes,” among other “exciting and delicious bits.”

NEW HOURS AT TALARICO’S: General manager Daniel Cardinal e-mailed to share the news that Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW) has new hours – opening for lunch at 11 am six days a week. Their hours are now 3 pm-2 am on Mondays, 11 am-2 am Tuesdays-Sundays (with lunch served 11 am-3 pm). They’re also showing the Olympics live during lunch, Cardinal says.

We’re adding these changes to the WSB West Seattle Restaurant Guide – and in the process of adding a few more pages, too. If you’d like to add your short reviews of favorite local restaurants – not just “hated it” or “loved it,” but recommendations for other diners – just find the page and write your review in the “comments” section! The index is here.

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West Seattle Crime Watch followup: Stolen SUV found
July 27, 2012 11:37 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

11:37 AM: Thanks to Jackie for the tip – the stolen Ford Explorer that police were looking for has been found. We published their request for help last night – they said the SUV was linked to a burglary/car prowl case and, while they had arrested a suspect, they needed to find the vehicle, and figured it would still be in north West Seattle somewhere. Indeed – it turned up on an off-the-beaten-track street near Schmitz Park, Jackie told us. Bruce, who spotted it and called it in last night, shared the photo of the vehicle getting towed away. We’re checking with police to see if there’s anything more to say about the case.

12:31 PM UPDATE: Sgt. Joe Bauer says regarding the suspect in this case, “the guy was pretty busy yesterday. He was caught due to the great descriptions and help from the community. Our hats are off to our West Seattle residents!”

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Followup: District will replace Sanislo Elementary’s blown-up slide
July 27, 2012 9:45 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(WSB photo from July 5th)
Three weeks ago, on the day after the 4th of July, we followed up a tip about that slide on the Sanislo Elementary playground, rendered unusable because someone had blown up something right in the middle of it. We’ve been checking with Seattle Public Schools and the Sanislo PTA since then, to find out what would be done about it. First, we learned that the district had removed the blown-up slide, for safety’s sake; whether it would be replaced wasn’t clear – but now, Lynette Jeung from the PTA tells us they have good news:

(Thursday) afternoon, the PTA received an email from our principal, Ernie Seevers, who shared with us that the “district metal shop will fabricate a new slide for us at no cost to the school.” Needless to say, we were thrilled to hear this news! We don’t know yet when the slide would be completed. Of course, we’d love for it to be completed in time for the start of the new school year. That is the next bit of info to find out, but certainly this news was very welcome.

Lynette says they appreciate the community’s support – for a while there, it looked like they might have to consider fundraising to replace the slide, but now it looks like that won’t be necessary.

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West Seattle Friday: Health, camp, bands, more Shakespeare…
July 27, 2012 8:50 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Bird’s nest fungi, photographed at Lincoln Park by Machel Spence)
From the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar (got something coming up? please send us the info!):

COLMAN POOL REOPENS: The restroom problem that closed the outdoor pool yesterday was fixed by evening and Parks says it’ll reopen at noon today, as per the regular schedule.

FREE SKIN CANCER SCREENING: Look for the Skin Cancer Foundation‘s RV in the lot at Rite Aid at 5217 California Ave SW – that’s where you’ll find West Seattle dermatologist Dr. Susanne L. Gee (WSB sponsor), who will be screening from 1- 4 pm as part of the foundation’s Road to Healthy Skin Tour.

PLAYGROUND PARTY: This month marks the third anniversary of the Delridge (Community Center) Playground’s community build and grand opening! Come celebrate 4:30-6 pm.

CAMP COLMAN CELEBRATION IN FAUNTLEROY: 5:30-8:30 pm at The Hall at Fauntleroy, celebrate the camp’s history and future with a bean-feed dinner and screening of the Camp Colman Centennial film.

WINE TASTING: “Fabulous French Finds” is the theme for tonight’s weekly tasting at Bin 41 in The Junction, 6-7:30 pm.

MARCHING BANDS ‘JAM’ TONIGHT! Not in West Seattle, but lots of young West Seattle musicians participating, notes Seattle All-City Marching Band director/Denny International Middle School/Chief Sealth International High School music leader Marcus Pimpleton:

The students and staff of the Seattle Schools All-City Marching Band cordially invite you to join us for the 2012 Band Jam (tonight) at 6:30 pm at Memorial Stadium – 401 5th Ave N. The evening will feature musical performances by the:

Ten Man Brass Band
Junior All-City Marching Band (presented by Denny International Middle School, Chief Sealth International H.S., and the All-City Band)
Sumner High School Marching Band
Seattle Seahawks Blue Thunder Drumline
Seattle Sounders Soundwave FC Band
Seattle Schools All-City Marching Band

It will be a fun night celebrating the best part of any parade – the marching bands.

HAITI FUNDRAISER: Artist Leah Ingram is raising money to spend three months teaching kids in Haiti, and tonight Mind Unwind in the Admiral District is hosting a drop-in fundraiser, starting at 7 – details here.

SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK: “Taming of the Shrew,” tonight at 7 pm, presented free by Greenstage at Camp Long.

NIGHTLIFE: Barbie Anaka at Salty’s, 8 pm … Three bands at Skylark, starting at 8 … Two bands at the Benbow Room, starting at 9 … The Brian & Janie Show at The Bridge, 9:30 pm …

More on the calendar!

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Waste Management drivers’ strike: Friday update – still no pickups
July 27, 2012 7:32 am
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   Utilities | Waste Management strike | West Seattle news

FIRST REPORT, 7:32 AM: As promised, we’ll publish a new story each day for whatever developments happen that day during the course of the strike by Teamsters-represented drivers who collect recycling, yard waste, and garbage for Waste Management. The walkout started at midday Wednesday. This morning, the city has announced no pickup today either:

The strike by Teamster Union Local 117 recycling drivers continues, and Teamsters 174 garbage and yard drivers continue to honor the picket lines. Garbage, yard waste and recycling will not be collected from most Waste Management Friday customers today.

Waste Management is expected to increase limited collection service today, focusing on those accounts critical to public health and the environment.

Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) asks customers who are missed for collection today to put out their garbage, recycling and yard waste next Friday, Aug. 3. There will be no charge for additional items placed at the curb. Monday customers should put out their materials as normal.

The strike is affecting about 60 percent of the city, in Northwest and South Seattle. Teamster Local 117’s contract with Waste Management expired May 31. In Seattle, Local 117 represents only recycling drivers, and other drivers are covered by separate labor agreements.

Collections by CleanScapes, which covers about 40 percent of the city are not impacted by the strike.

SPU continues to urge Waste Management and the Teamsters to engage in good faith negotiations toward a speedy and successful outcome.

Under its contract with the city, Waste Management is required to continue services in the event of any disruption. Specifically, any missed collections due to any labor complications must be collected later in the week, or the following week. Waste Management will not be paid for any non-service.

The contract allows the city to deduct approximately $4,500 per day in payments to Waste Management for any services that are not completed the next day. For any interruptions that continue more than a week, contractors can also be fined substantially for service failure, up to $250,000 per day.

Protecting public health and safety continues to be the city’s top priority throughout this collection disruption.

SPU will provide updates as needed. Customers with solid waste service issues or concerns may call the Call Center at (206) 684-3000.

Customers with labor/union questions or concerns should contact Waste Management or Teamsters Local 117.

No new negotiations so far. The union says it offered to stop picketing Monday if WM would meet with them tomorrow; WM issued a statement yesterday saying that it would meet with the union if drivers went back to work first.

Meantime, the latest story on this will always be atop our BIG STORIES list on the sidebar for the duration of the strike. We also have created a coverage category with which all our stories will be tagged, so you can always find the newest information, and archived coverage, via this link.

ADDED 11:31 AM: An update from our partners at The Seattle Times – WM has brought in some “replacement workers.” Their coverage also includes some background on the dispute itself.

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Video: The Local Strangers open Summer Concerts at Hiawatha 2012
July 27, 2012 2:14 am
|    Comments Off on Video: The Local Strangers open Summer Concerts at Hiawatha 2012
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

The fourth season of Summer Concerts at Hiawatha is under way! The Admiral Neighborhood Association-presented series began Thursday night with The Local Strangers (video above), emcee Marty Riemer, and outdoor music fans young and old:

Scenes from the sidelines, and a look ahead to next week, after the jump:Read More

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The WSBeat: When arrests are warrant-ed, and other cases
July 26, 2012 10:37 pm
|      16 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police | WSBeat

By Megan Sheppard
On the WSBeat, for West Seattle Blog

As always, the WSBeat summaries are from reports on cases handled recently by Southwest Precinct officers, incidents of note that (usually) have not already appeared here in breaking-news coverage or West Seattle Crime Watch reports, but that might at least answer the question “what WERE all those police doing on my block (whenever)?”:

*A 40-year-old south Seattle man was drunk, disorderly, and yelling at dogs behind a fence in the 3700 block of SW Grayson on around noon on July 20th. It turns out he was wanted on a felony warrant from the California Department of Corrections. He was booked into King County Jail.

More warrants, a concern-sparking customer, and more, ahead:Read More

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Photographed by Murray’s Studio? They’re looking for you…
July 26, 2012 9:00 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Longtime West Seattle photographer Joanne Murray mentioned this on the WSB Facebook page, and we asked if it would be OK to share here too:

Murray’s Studio, since 1965 … How many of you were photographed by Jay Murray & Joanne Murray for senior portraits, weddings, and church directory or school pictures? The negatives are for sale, including the previews or slides if there are any in the files; contact us soon if you want them before they are history. 206-932-6064

Many parents’, grandparents’, and siblings’ portraits are archived with the wedding files.

Murray’s Studio started on SW Oregon St., then moved to California Ave. SW from 1981 until 2010. Pass the word to friends & relatives before it’s too late.

She says they just can’t keep all these files any more: “It would be a real shame to destroy all of these historical photos, but we just have to. I hope we can pass them on to the families.”

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