month : 07/2012 308 results

A crash has drawn a crowd and blocked a major street in Highland Park. The car hit a pole, according to a witness, and came to a stop at Highland Park Way and SW Holden, and the emergency response is blocking Holden at the spot for now. One person was being taken to the hospital. The witness told us that the driver appeared impaired and tried to get out of the car and walk away after the impact, but bystanders kept her from doing that.

Also of note: The first Seattle Fire crew sent to the scene was Ladder 13, which, as reported here last Thursday, is scheduled to be taken out of service tomorrow morning. The crash scene is just a few blocks east of Station 11, where it had been based for almost a year and a half. Meantime, we’ll check with SPD later this morning regarding any investigation findings from the crash.

ADDED MONDAY NIGHT: SPD did confirm the driver was “processed for DUI.” However, we haven’t been able to find out anything else about her, either her condition or age, as she was not taken to a hospital by Seattle Fire’s medic crew, so it’s not on their records, according to spokesperson Kyle Moore. Meantime, Kay from Highland Park Improvement Club mentioned in comments that they’d lost a street tree when the driver veered off the road by their building, a couple blocks west of the crash scene on Holden. We went over to take a look today:

The utility pole that was hit didn’t look much the worse for wear, except for a field of small debris around it, and what appeared to be automotive fluid on the sidewalk:

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West Seattle restaurants: New owner for Jonny Bostons

July 1, 2012 8:47 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

Last December, we reported that the owner of Jonny Bostons, the burger/cheesesteak/etc. shop on the north end of The Junction, had decided to sell. Half a year later, the shop has a new owner. We talked this afternoon with Miguel Govela, who has taken over from original owner Dan Atherton. For now, Govela told WSB, the name and the menu will stay the same. In the weeks/months ahead, they will be working to make additions to the menu, such as salads and tacos, and eventually, the name will change (though, like this weekend’s other north-Junction restaurant story, it’s not finalized yet – he’s looking at Pica, as in “hot,” the name on the sign-permit application that tipped us to the ownership change). Jonny Bostons, by the way, will be closed on the 4th.

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West Seattle weekend scene: Sport-crab-fishing season, day 1

July 1, 2012 7:54 pm

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| Seen at sea | West Seattle news

April shared that photo on the WSB Facebook wall and wondered what all the small boats were up to. We admit we should keep better track of fishing seasons, to include that information in the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar – today, it turns out, was the start of sport-crab-fishing season, according to this report from the News-Tribune in Tacoma (which lists the rules, too).

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Happening now: Alki Arts celebrating second anniversary

July 1, 2012 6:33 pm

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| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

The doors opened at Alki Arts on July 10, 2010 – the 1st anniversary party was July 10, 2011 – this year, the party’s on July 1st. “That’s the day we got the keys,” reminisced co-owner Diane Venti, above with co-owner and husband, artist Tom Wyrick.

They’re celebrating till 8 tonight, with live music and refreshments, and a sunny attitude despite the relentless gray. Back in 2010, they told WSB they were just “trying the space out for the summer”; two years later, Diane says running an art gallery/events venue remains touch-and-go – some good months, some not-so-good months – but they defy patterns: She says they were told that February’s usually the worst month in the gallery business, and the first year, that turned out to be true, but this past year, February was their best month ever (with the help of a big order for a new development). She’s grateful for community support, and intent on giving back any way they can – lending space for school fundraisers, for example. It’s a bright, airy space, especially when the door’s rolled open; she says well-wishers have been stopping by all day. (They’ll be open on the 4th of July, too, and often have special drop-in events with art and music, including West Seattle Art Walk nights – watch the AA Facebook page for announcements.)

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West Seattle 4th of July: This year’s info, all in one place

July 1, 2012 4:35 pm

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| Holidays | West Seattle news

Fireworks shows, transportation schedules, the Admiral 4th of July Kids’ Parade … if you’re looking for West Seattle holiday info (and a bit of what’s happening nearby), our annual page is up. It has its own tab atop every WSB page – or, go here.

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Happening now: Float Dodger 5K signups at West Seattle Runner

July 1, 2012 3:10 pm

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| West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Just stopped by West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor; California/Charlestown) to say hi to (from left) co-proprietors Tim McConnell and Lori McConnell and Ilana Balint from Run for Good Racing Company, as they sign up participants for the first-ever Float Dodger 5K. Till 4 pm, you can get a $5 discount on registration, plus some of Lori’s birthday cake (raffles and giveaways too):

The run/walk will precede the West Seattle Grand Parade on July 21st, as a charity fundraiser (Leukemia/Lymphoma Society and Rotary Club of West Seattle) and a fun way to make the day even more fun, for participants and spectators. If you missed our earlier mentions and don’t see this till after 4, you can still sign up online – just go here – or by stopping by WS Runner.

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Countdown to West Seattle Garden Tour: 2 weeks from today

July 1, 2012 2:02 pm

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| Gardening | How to help | West Seattle news

Though we’re still short on golden sunlight, the other colors of summer are spilling forth in West Seattle gardens big and small as July arrives. As a returning co-sponsor of the West Seattle Garden Tour, we’re taking a moment to remind you it’s exactly 2 weeks away: 9 am-5 pm on Sunday, July 15th, you can wander 9 West Seattle gardens (preview them here) at your leisure. Your ticket also gets you into The Kenney at noontime to hear author Lorene Edwards Forkner talk about “The Handmade Garden.” And there tend to be other surprises in your $15 ticket book – which also helps the WSGT donate net proceeds to local nonprofits (here are this year’s 8 beneficiaries). You can buy yours now at 8 locations (including WSB sponsors Metropolitan Market and Village Green Perennial Nursery), or get a voucher online.

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Return of ‘West Seattle Art Attack’: Surprises in 3 P-Patches

July 1, 2012 11:48 am

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| Gardening | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Almost 5 years after the first known “West Seattle Art Attack,” the mysterious leaver-of-glass-gifts has “struck” again. We received photos this morning with word that they were from WSAA visits to three local P-Patch community gardens. So if you’re tending a plot today, keep an eye out!

The art isn’t ALL hidden among the stalks and leaves at the Barton, Genesee, and Charlestown P-Patches:

This is the first time we’ve heard from/about West Seattle Art Attack since a WSAA/YarnCore collaboration inside a local café more than a year ago.

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West Seattle Sunday: BYOB(ags); low-low tide; Float Dodger 5K signup party…

July 1, 2012 6:34 am

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| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Fairmount Ravine greenbelt, photographed by Long Bach Nguyen – note bridge toward upper right)
Happy July! Today’s forecast remains cloudy but the 4th is looking better … in the meantime, from the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar, highlights for today/tonight:

TRAFFIC ALERT: Southbound Alaskan Way Viaduct/Highway 99 is supposed to reopen by 9 am, after its two-night, one-day closure. No other closures/changes planned for today.

PLASTIC-BAG BAN, PAPER-BAG FEE: Today’s the day it starts. Again, in a nutshell, stores are not supposed to offer plastic shopping bags any more, unless they are sturdy, thick, reusable plastic; if you didn’t bring your own bag and want a paper bag, they’re supposed to charge you at least a nickel. Here’s the city’s infopage.

PET FOOD DRIVE: Alki Mail and Dispatch (47th/Admiral) is collecting pet food for two nonprofits all month long, starting today (they open at 9).

RETURN OF THE LOW-LOW TIDES: Today is the first of five days of low-low tides – 9:27 am, -2.5 feet, per our favorite chart (Tuesday will bring the lowest tide, -3.4 feet, along with the full moon.) And 9:30 am-12:30 pm, you will find Seattle Aquarium volunteer beach naturalists on the shore at Lincoln Park and south of Alki Point.

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm at 44th/Alaska as always.

REGISTRATION PARTY FOR FLOAT DODGER 5K: Noon-4 pm, stop by West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor; California/Charlestown) to sign up for the first-ever Float Dodger 5K before the West Seattle Grand Parade on July 21st – get $5 off the fee, shop the store at a discount, and a variety of other fun detailed here.

COLMAN POOL, DAY 2: Thanks to Venkat for this Instagram view of the pool on reopening day Saturday:

Today is day 2, and the schedule – starting with noon lap swimming – is here.

ALKI ARTS’ 2ND ANNIVERSARY: Noon-8 pm, the little-gallery-that-could throws a big party to celebrate 2 years at the beach. Music and more; details here.

‘XANADU’ MATINEE: 3 pm, it’s the first matinee, ending the first week, of the musical “Xanadu“‘s run at ArtsWest in The Junction.

LIVE MUSIC AT C & P: 3-5 pm, Heather O’Neill performs at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor; 5612 California SW).

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