There’ll be live music tomorrow night in a Junction venue where you wouldn’t expect it: Singer-songwriter Tyson Meade, former frontman for ’90s glam-punk band Chainsaw Kittens, will be at VAIN for an acoustic performance and to talk about his plans to record an album in China. It will be his first album in almost ten years, a collaboration with high school and university students in Shanghai, where he has taught for the last five years, and he says friends in the U.S. music industry have agreed to contribute too.

Meade will soon head back to Asia, but he is making one last stop in Seattle. We are told he chose VAIN as the venue for his performance due to his friendship with general manager Lisa Matson and several VAIN employees, and because it provides an intimate space to talk about his work in China. More details are on the VAIN website. Meade also launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise money for his project in China; check out this video on that site. Tomorrow’s free show starts at 7 pm at 4513 California SW. (June 2012 photo; credit: Davrollins, licensed through Creative Commons)

The Mount’s concert series opens on a night fit for a King

August 3, 2012 7:45 pm

| Comments Off on The Mount’s concert series opens on a night fit for a King

| Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Big crowd in the courtyard tonight as the Providence Mount St. Vincent (WSB sponsor) four-Fridays series of summer concerts began with acclaimed Elvis tribute artist Danny Vernon. Tributes to The King even extended to The Mount’s food offerings for the night:

Inspired by Elvis Presley’s legendary love for bananas and peanut butter, the dessert offered with dinner ($10 for entree – fried chicken tonight – sides, dessert and drink) was banana pound cake with peanut-butter frosting. Also available, burger/veggie burger/hot dog dinner with side and drink for $6, beer or wine for $5, and even popcorn/snow cones on the other side of the courtyard. But back to the show:

The stage is set up on the south side of The Mount’s campus. Lots of room to dance:

Here’s the full series lineup; next week’s performers are The Haggis Brothers; food and beverages go on sale by 5:30 pm, music starts at 6.

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Election 2012: Ballot dropoff van’s debut day in West Seattle

August 3, 2012 4:45 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

West Seattle hasn’t had a ballot-dropoff box since 2009, but the county is trying something new this election season by bringing a ballot-dropoff van here. We first mentioned the plan a month ago, and today was the first of four days you can use it to vote without a postage stamp. Richard, Kaleigh, and Ted staffed the van near the entrance to the West Seattle Stadium parking lot starting at 10 am today; they’re there till 5 pm, then the van’s back 10-5 tomorrow, 10-5 Monday, and 7 am-8 pm on Tuesday (which is Election Day, and therefore your deadline to get the ballot to a dropoff spot or a mailbox).

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Watch next week for firefighters looking to ‘Fill the Boot’

August 3, 2012 2:48 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| Health | How to help | West Seattle news

(WSB photo of SFD Lt. Sue Stangl with Engine 29 during July 2011 “Fill the Boot”)
The annual firefighters’ fundraiser for the Muscular Dystrophy Association starts with teams at intersections around the city 2-6 pm next Tuesday-Wednesday (and again during two days in September). The planned intersections in West Seattle are:

*Delridge Way SW/ SW Orchard St
*California/Admiral
*California/Alaska
*Harbor/Spokane
*California/Fauntleroy

More background info from today’s announcement, ahead:Read More

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Seafair update: Blue Angels’ Friday show, in the bluest of skies

August 3, 2012 1:37 pm

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| Blue Angels | West Seattle news

(Photo by Nick Adams for WSB)
1:37 PM: As of 1:35 pm, the Blue Angels are finally in the air – a jet similar to theirs, an FA-18 Super Hornet, performed in the Seafair airshow at 1 pm, so if you thought you heard them earlier, that’s what it was. Updates to come.

2:25 PM UPDATE: They landed a few minutes ago. Great viewing today from Boeing Field – the full “high show,” which includes more than a few maneuvers you can see from this side of the ridge.

(Photo by Nick Adams for WSB)
(Added) Here’s video of the takeoff view, from the mid-crowd perspective)

The shows tomorrow and Sunday should be around the same time – 1:30-ish takeoff. Almost anyplace you plan to view, though, get there early. Even here in the parking lot, most spaces were full by 12:30 pm.

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Missed Wednesday pickups during Waste Management strike? Put everything out tomorrow

August 3, 2012 12:04 pm

| 12 COMMENTS

| Utilities | Waste Management strike | West Seattle news

Waste Management hinted at this yesterday, and now we have official word: Wednesday customers, many of whom have missed TWO pickups because of the now-settled strike, can expect catch-up pickups TOMORROW (Saturday). Here’s the announcement from Seattle Public Utilities:

Waste Management garbage, recycling and food/yard waste drivers are working to catch up in Seattle today after Thursday’s settlement of the week-long Teamsters Union strike.

Wednesday customers who were missed for collection this week should put their carts out until 6 p.m. Saturday, August 4 to allow time for collection. Customers will not be charged extra for any additional items placed at the curb.

If your collection is missed, please report it.

Instructions for other customers, includes the following:

Friday Customers:

All carts should be collected today. If not, Leave carts out until 6 p.m. Saturday.

Thursday Customers:

Most recycling pickup was missed yesterday, August 2. Put out all recyclables next Thursday, August 9.

Customers who have been affected by the strike may drop off up to 6 bags of either garbage or yard waste in any combination at either of Seattle’s transfer stations for free, through this weekend. Yard waste should not be in plastic bags. Recycling drop off is always free.

Hours have been extended through Friday at the South Transfer Station: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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

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Video: Blue Angels pilot, crew member visit South Seattle Community College

August 3, 2012 10:41 am

| 10 COMMENTS

| Blue Angels | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

What do the Blue Angels do before their afternoon airshows on Seafair Weekend? Here’s one answer: Community visits for Q/A and military-recruiting outreach (which after all is the team’s stated purpose). This morning, South Seattle Community College got a visit from the officer who flies Blue Angels jet #3 this year, U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Brandon Cordill, and an airframer from the enlisted support team, Sgt. Doug Green. Among the college delegation there to greet and hear from them, in a presentation that was open only to students and staff, was SSCC math teacher Heidi Lyman, who flew a ridealong during Seafair Week last year:

Cockpit video of Lyman’s flight was shown during this morning’s presentation. That’s part of the video we’re adding shortly – including Capt. Cordill’s humorous-at-times story of how he got to be a Blue Angel, as well as Sgt. Green’s story, potential inspiration for the aviation students at SSCC.

ADDED 11:20 AM: Capt. Cordill’s recounting of how he went from a not-exceptional high-school student (“I didn’t know what I wanted to do in life”) with a low SAT school, to elite Blue Angels aviator inspired by 9/11 to join the military:

Capt. Cordill, by the way, is one of two Marine Corps pilots flying the Blue Angels demonstrations this year, which is rare – they usually have one. (Plus the team that flies the support C-130 “Fat Albert” is USMC, too.) Meantime, here’s the video of Heidi Lyman’s 2011 flight, as shown today:

We’ll add video of Sgt. Green’s story and the Q/A later this afternoon – heading out to Boeing Field now to see the Blue Angels take off. (Capt. Cordill says takeoff is scheduled for 1:30 pm, just in case you were wondering.)

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West Seattle Friday: Blue Angels, ballots, indoor/outdoor music & theater …

August 3, 2012 8:34 am

| 7 COMMENTS

| Blue Angels | West Seattle news

Seafair weekend means more Blue Angels (and hydros and ship tours) in the city today – and much more you can check out without even leaving West Seattle tonight, including outdoor music and indoor theater. All that and a few more news notes:

TRAFFIC ADVISORIES: From the day-by-day/night-by-night closure list here: I-90 is closed for the Blue Angels’ practice show 12:45 pm-2:40 pm. Tonight, the Spokane Street Viaduct is closed EASTBOUND east of the 1st Avenue South exit, 10 pm, continuing till 5 tomorrow morning.

WASTE MANAGEMENT STRIKE AFTERMATH: No “recovery” pickups are scheduled in our area today, according to WM (but watch for possible word of some in the days ahead); those who have Friday pickup are asked to have everything out today, including extra for what was missed. And the city says it’ll be free to drop off up to six bags of trash/yard waste at transfer stations through Sunday (recycling is always free).

BALLOT DROPOFF VAN: Look for it in the southwest corner of the West Seattle Stadium parking lot, 10 am-5 pm today (and tomorrow and Monday, as well as 7 am-8 pm Tuesday), if you’d like to drop off your ballot for Tuesday’s primary election rather than pay for postage.

SEAFAIR – BLUE ANGELS, NAVY SHIP TOURS, HYDROS: All the schedule info is linked in our preview from last night, and we’ll be covering events throughout the day. (Toplines: The Blue Angels go up for one “practice show” today, with takeoff scheduled from Boeing Field (we say it all the time – go watch from the Museum of Flight, which has special programs throughout the weekend too!) after 1 pm. But there’s a full schedule of hydro testing and other aerial demonstrations today. And along the Seattle waterfront from Pier 46 in the south to Pier 90 in the north, you can tour any of the three ships that sailed past West Seattle on Wednesday.

SUMMER CONCERT SERIES AT THE MOUNT: First of four free Friday night concerts! Elvis stylist Danny Vernon performs tonight at 6. Dinner and drinks are available for purchase starting at 5:30. Just bring your chair/blanket to the south side of The Mount (4831 35th SW).

THE REPTILE MAN @ ALKI CC: You never know what will happen – or who will appear – at one of his shows, and tonight, he’s in West Seattle to amaze an all-ages crowd at Alki Community Center (5817 SW Stevens). 6:15 pm; details here.

SECOND ‘CORNER BAR’ AT HPIC: The Highland Park Improvement Club‘s new once-a-month incarnation happens at 6:30 tonight for the second time:

Draft beer, wine and non-alcoholic refreshments will be available at our pop-up neighborhood bar. A casual and friendly way to meet new friends and hang out with people you know. $3 gets you a beer or glass of wine, $1 for non-alcoholic beverages. We will have snacks like peanuts and pretzels – if you want more, bring your own or something to share. Special this month: Sangria. Also special: live music from the Drew Medak Trio. Classic jazz standards, fusion, modern jazz and originals on piano, bass and drums. Free admission – donations for the musicians accepted!

FREE SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK: The Bard among the trees! GreenStage‘s “Henry VIII” is at Lincoln Park tonight, 7 pm.

OPENING NIGHT FOR ‘ANYTHING GOES’: Twelfth Night Productions (WSB sponsor) presents its summer production at West Seattle High School Theater (3000 California SW), Cole Porter‘s classic musical, 7:30 pm tonight and tomorrow, then running Fridays-Sundays the next two weekends. Tickets are available online; also, bring a nonperishable-food donation for the West Seattle Food Bank!

‘SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK LIVE JR.’ CONTINUES: Tonight at 7:30 pm at ArtsWest (4711 California SW).

FERRIS WHEEL’S LIGHT SHOW: If you want to see the Seattle Great Wheel‘s flashy colored lights (first shown here when they were tested in June), you have another chance each remaining night of Seafair, at 10 pm.

Even more on the calendar!

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Spokane Street Viaduct: Next week’s plan; date set for Harbor Island ramp to reopen

August 3, 2012 7:00 am

| 6 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

The newest list of upcoming traffic impacts from the Spokane Street Viaduct Widening Project is out – and it includes two major points:

*Starting next Monday, First Avenue South will be one lane each way between S. Horton and S. Spokane for about eight weeks, around the clock.

*Early August 17th, the onramp from Harbor Island to the eastbound Spokane Street Viaduct will reopen.

Here’s what else you can expect, starting with an eastbound SSV closure overnight Friday night (10 AM NOTE: 2 partial closures have been cancelled since this was published here – updated below):Read More

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