day : 05/10/2012 13 results

All three of our area’s high-school-football varsity teams played tonight. West Seattle High School had the lone win, visiting Ingraham in North Seattle and defeating the Rams 44-13, per our partners at The Seattle Times; it was homecoming night for Chief Sealth International High School, which had a big 4th-quarter comeback but not enough to avoid losing to visiting Nathan Hale, 43-23 (full report with photos coming up later); and on the road, Seattle Lutheran High School was blanked by La Conner, 45-0 (thanks to David DeSiga for the updates).

West Seattle weather: Sunny weekend; maybe rain NEXT weekend

October 5, 2012 9:31 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

Thanks to Marty Westerman for the beautiful sunset view from Fauntleroy tonight. The National Weather Service says the sunshine will continue through the weekend and into the start of the week – but MAYBE by next weekend, some rain, says tonight’s “forecast discussion“: “By later [next] Friday into Saturday, there is a chance that Western Washington will see some light rain, ending our recent dry streak.”

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Weekend transportation reminders: Viaduct closure; Water Taxi

October 5, 2012 9:02 pm

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| Alaskan Way Viaduct | King County Water Taxi | West Seattle news

99/ALASKAN WAY VIADUCT CLOSURE REMINDER: In case you’ve somehow missed it – one last reminder before tomorrow, Highway 99/Alaskan Way Viaduct between the Battery Street Tunnel and West Seattle Bridge will be closed in BOTH DIRECTIONS for most of the weekend. The closure for the twice-yearly inspection (and ongoing maintenance work) is scheduled to start at 6 am Saturday and end no later than 4 pm Sunday. Bus riders, note there is a reroute associated with this too:

From Saturday morning, October 6 at 6:00 AM, until Sunday afternoon, October 7 at 4:00 PM, Metro bus routes 120, 125, & the RapidRide C Line will be rerouted off the Alaskan Way Viaduct to accommodate work being performed by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT).

Viaduct bus routes will use alternate surface streets instead to and from the West Seattle Bridge. The only bus stops that will be missed are westbound on Columbia St at 2nd Av when leaving downtown to West Seattle, and eastbound on Seneca St between 2nd and 3rd avenues when arriving downtown. Heading to West Seattle, board buses southbound on 3rd Av between Seneca and Spring streets, or just south of Columbia St. There are not stops after Columbia St.

SPOKANE ST. VIADUCT RAMP CLOSURE SATURDAY MORNING: Also, a reminder that the 1st Avenue South OFFRAMP on the westbound Spokane Street Viaduct is scheduled to be closed 3 am-9 am Saturday.

WEST SEATTLE WATER TAXI RUNS FOR SOUNDERS FANS: This Sunday, and again October 21st, the county will add West Seattle Water Taxi runs for Sunday night Sounders games. See the shaded times on the schedule. (And remember that the WT will change to its offseason schedule at the end of this month – starting Monday, October 29th.)

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Twelfth Night Productions announces ‘Miracle on 34th’ auditions

October 5, 2012 8:41 pm

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| West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

From Twelfth Night Productions, a West Seattle-based community-theater company:

Twelfth Night Productions announces open auditions for Miracle on 34th Street: a Live Radio Play. The radio play is based on the holiday movie favorite of the same name and will be presented as a live 1940’s radio broadcast. Miracle on 34th Street tells the timeless story of an old man who calls himself Kris Kringle, is hired as the Macy’s department store Santa. His claim to be the real Santa Claus becomes a court case and a young child’s belief could make all the difference.

Rehearsals begin October 23rd with shows running December 7 – 16 in West Seattle.

Audition Information
Please contact tnpauditions@gmail.com to request an audition time.

Please prepare to read a 1-2 minute monologue. We will also have you read a variety of sides from the script.

Audition/Interview Dates:
October 13 1 – 4 PM

Callbacks or second audition/interview?
October 14 1 – 4 PM

Audition Requirements:
Please prepare to read a 1-2 minute monologue. We will also have you read a variety of sides from the script.

Casting info:
We are casting 1 young girl (age 10 – 16,) 4 women, and 7 men to play multiple roles.
Project website: www.twelfthnightproductions.org

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West Seattle restaurants: Seattle’s Hog Heaven, ex-Jones Barbecue, reopens in The Triangle

October 5, 2012 4:40 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

Seattle’s Hog Heaven – formerly Jones Barbecue, as first reported here 3 weeks ago, though the new signage isn’t up yet – is now officially open again at 4417 Fauntleroy Way SW. WSB’s Katie Meyer spoke with Kimberly Jones, who says the menu is still the same Jones Barbecue menu, and the establishment still is — and will be — owned and run by Jones family members (Kimberly, in our photo below, and her husband William A. Jones).

Days/hours: Wednesday through Saturday, noon to 7 pm. Lunch specials run from noon to 3 pm. They take call-in orders (any call-in orders over $30 require a card number). There is, as always, parking in the back lot at the corner of the block (behind the under construction West Seattle Brewing Company).

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Stolen motorcycle, bicycle

October 5, 2012 2:02 pm

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| Crime | West Seattle news

Two theft reports in West Seattle Crime Watch this afternoon. First, Ryan‘s motorcycle was taken:

Stolen near 16th and Henderson SW: Honda CBR 600 F3 1995 Sportsbike

IT IS VERY NOTICEABLE, it’s a Purple, Black, Neon Yellow, with a “yellow windshield” and a Custom Exhaust, last known location was going East on Henderson street sw, it was taken by a white guy about 6 feet, wearing blue jeans, white sweatshirt and a black backpack, in his early 30s. This happened yesterday around 3 pm. LP is 9B6727

Andrew‘s bicycle was stolen from the 2400 block of 54th Place SW:

I found my bike stolen from my apartment complex this morning. It was locked up in the complex’s bike rack in the back parking lot. The bike lock was cut and left behind.

The bike is a Kona Ute, brown in color, with large orange bags. It’s the extended cargo-bike frame. The grips have been replaced with rubber grips that look like cork. There is a bottle holder on the handlebars along with a Kona bell. The kickstand is missing both it’s rubber feet and there’s some chain wear on the right kickstand leg. It has Continental CityContact tires, front disc brakes, and a wood deck on the cargo area. Unfortunately I never wrote down the serial number from it, but it’s pretty distinctive and wasn’t produced in large numbers.

If you see either one, call 911.

Side note: This month’s West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting will be Tuesday, October 16th, 7 pm, at Southwest Precinct, and president Richard Miller says they’ll have a guest from the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.

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2 galas ahead: SW Seattle Historical Society; West Seattle Helpline

October 5, 2012 1:32 pm

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| How to help | West Seattle news

Your favorite neighborhood nonprofits are thrilled to get donations any time – but they’re also happy to have you join in on gala celebrations, too, in the fun-draising mode, and two more are coming up:

(Space Needle from an airplane, 1962 – explained in this WSB story)
SOUTHWEST SEATTLE HISTORICAL SOCIETY: The SWSHS “Stand Tall for History” Gala Champagne Luncheon is just a week away, Saturday, October 13th, 11:30 am-1:30 pm, at Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor). From the announcement:

With the Seattle skyline and Elliott Bay as the backdrop, the historical society will celebrate the Gala theme by enjoying a stimulating audio-visual program by Alan Stein and Paula Becker, authors of “The Future Remembered: The 1962 Seattle World’s Fair and Its Legacy.”

From the construction of the 604-foot-tall Space Needle to the antics of Elvis Presley, this presentation by Stein and Becker just two days shy of the 50th anniversary of the close of the 1962 fair is designed to entertain and inform. As a bonus, copies of their acclaimed coffee-table book will be available for sale and inscription.

In line with the theme, attendees will be able to write their own memories of the 1962 fair, for placement in a time capsule to be maintained by the historical society.

Besides the World’s Fair theme, those who attend will enjoy a silent auction of unique items with a historical flair, as well as the eagerly awaited tradition called the Dessert Dash. It all will be topped off with champagne.

Tickets for the Gala are $75 apiece ($25 for children age 4 to 12) and are available at the historical society’s Log House Museum, 3003 61st Ave. S.W., open noon to 4 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, or by calling 206-938-5293.

WEST SEATTLE HELPLINE: From executive director Tara Byrne:

The West Seattle Helpline is having its annual fall fundraiser dinner with the theme “Give the Gift of Warmth and Light” at the Duwamish Longhouse on Saturday, November 10th from 6:30 to 9:00 pm. Tickets are on sale now for $95 at wshelpline.org. A delicious dinner will be provided and there will be a silent auction and a video about who we serve and what we do. All proceeds will benefit families facing emergencies in West Seattle. This fundraiser will help us work towards empowering our neighbors to gain back self-sufficiency after facing an emergency by providing warm clothes for families, rent and utility assistance, school supplies, and bus tickets. The need is the greatest in the fall and winter months.

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Can West Seattle’s past save its future? Southwest District Council continues preservation conversation

October 5, 2012 12:08 pm

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| Southwest District Council | West Seattle news

(Image by Christopher Boffoli, meshing present and past along California SW north of SW Alaska in The Junction – click for larger view)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

As we continue to cover big new development projects like 4755 Fauntleroy Way (in-depth coverage here), some wonder if there’s still time to preserve some of what Southwest District Council leaders call West Seattle’s “Main Street character.”

Grappling with the topic over the past few months, a core group of the council’s members has been exploring whether historic-preservation options exist to serve that goal. Wednesday night’s monthly SWDC meeting continued the conversation, with special guest Karen Gordon, the City of Seattle’s Historic Preservation Officer.

Details on the discussion, what might happen next, and other toplines from the meeting – ahead:

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Door-to-door alert: No, WSB is NOT doing a survey

October 5, 2012 9:59 am

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| Door-to-door alert | West Seattle news

First time we’ve had a door-to-door alert in which it seems someone may be out there pretending to be affiliated with us. Just got a call from a manager of a Junction apartment building who says a man was there claiming to be doing a survey about Junction parking, and she said he claimed to be affiliated with West Seattle Blog. (Before we finished writing this, she called back and said he had tried to go to another nearby building, too.)

We would NEVER do a door-to-door survey OR a telephone survey OR a “stand on a streetcorner and ask people questions” survey. If we have questions for you (as we did a year and a half ago), we’ll ask them online.

The caller said the man had no ID but identified himself as “Mitch.” She described him as 60-ish, 6 feet tall, heavy-set, sports jacket and blue jeans.

Please let us know if you have had anybody claiming to be with WSB turn up at your door – or if you know this is some OTHER survey (the city had been doing another parking survey not so long ago, but we don’t believe they ever go door-to-door) – editor@westseattleblog.com or 206-293-6302 if you don’t want to comment here. Thanks!

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West Seattle Friday: Chief Sealth homecoming; Rotary food drive; Dance! West Seattle family-fun night; ‘Love Free or Die’ screening…

October 5, 2012 9:47 am

| Comments Off on West Seattle Friday: Chief Sealth homecoming; Rotary food drive; Dance! West Seattle family-fun night; ‘Love Free or Die’ screening…

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Lots going on as always! From the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar, some of the highlights for today/tonight:

TRAFFIC ALERTS – VIADUCT CLOSURE REMINDER: In addition to the projects that have been under way in West Seattle this week (see our day-by-day list), remember that Highway 99/Alaskan Way Viaduct between the Battery Street Tunnel and West Seattle Bridge will be CLOSED BOTH WAYS starting at 6 am Saturday for the twice-yearly inspection (and other work). It’s scheduled to last till 4 pm Sunday, but these closures do sometimes end early, so we’ll update you if that happens this time.

WEST SIDE MOPS STARTS A NEW YEAR: Happening right now at West Side Presbyterian Church, till 11:15 am – Mothers Of Preschoolers (MOPS). If you don’t see this in time, check it out for future meetings, first and third Fridays – contact info is in our calendar listing.

ROTARY FOOD DRIVE AT THE CASK: Drop by The Cask in The Admiral District tonight 5-7 pm, meet West Seattle Rotarians, and drop off a donation for the West Seattle Food Bank. More info in our preview story from this past Monday.

FAMILY FUN NIGHT: From Dance! West Seattle, which is on the north side of the Fauntleroy Schoolhouse at 9131 California SW:

Family Fun Night, 6 -9 pm at the Dance! West Seattle studio!

DJ Paul Thompson from Star 101.5 will provide great dancing music! Games, Contests, Prizes and more. Pizza and pop available for purchase. A silent auction and raffle fundraiser will be held to benefit our 501(c) (3) non-profit charitable organization, Seattle Civic Dance Theatre, Tax ID #91-1288035.

DWS has been training dancers in Seattle for 30 years and the Seattle Civic Dance Theatre provides free performances throughout the year to promote the arts in our community.
Our staff and students show a serious commitment to our dance program and the arts in our community.

CHIEF SEALTH INTERNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL HOMECOMING GAME: Varsity football, 7 pm vs. Nathan Hale at Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle); gates open at 5:45 pm.

WEST SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: Varsity game vs. Ingraham at Northwest Athletic Complex, 7 pm.

‘LOVE FREE OR DIE’: Marriage-equality film screens tonight at Westside Unitarian Universalists Congregation‘s church at 7141 California SW, 7 pm. Details here. Also note that WSUU will be rallying for the same cause 5-6:30 pm at The Junction (as noted here) and community members are invited to join in.

LIVE MUSIC TONIGHT: The Castaways at C & P Coffee (WSB sponsor), 6-8 pm … Bettman and Halpin at Kenyon Hall, 7:30 pm … Barbie Anaka at Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor), 8 pm … Jim Marcotte at The Cask, 8 pm … The Bend at Feedback Lounge, 9 pm … Jangle Wagon at the Benbow Room, 9 pm.

‘BLOODY BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON’ CONTINUES: 7:30 pm at ArtsWest.

More on the calendar!

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Update: 2 to hospital after 2 pickup trucks collide in Arbor Heights

October 5, 2012 8:31 am

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| Arbor Heights | West Seattle news | WS breaking news

8:31 AM: Police and firefighters are on the scene of a two-vehicle crash on 41st near 102nd in Arbor Heights. SPD confirms it’s a crash; firefighters had to extricate a 57-year-old man from one of the vehicles and will be sending him to Harborview Medical Center, while a second person may go to the hospital via private ambulance. We’re en route to the scene, but scanner traffic in the meantime described the situation as a “T-bone” crash.

8:40 AM UPDATE: Our crew at the scene says the vehicle from which a man has been extricated is a Seattle Parks and Recreation truck, and has gone into a yard – stopping just feet from the house. The second victim, meantime, was indeed taken to the hospital. Neither was described as having life-threatening injuries.

9:03 AM UPDATE: Some of the crews have been cleared from the scene. A co-worker of the second victim told us the man is a construction worker who had been working on a project up the street. His red pickup truck is in the foreground of the photo we added above this update paragraph.

12:49 PM UPDATE: Seattle Parks tells us that the worker who was hurt was on his way to Lincoln Park, where he works out of the ground-maintenance facility. He is in stable condition.

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Metro bus changes, weekday #5: Rider updates; RR buses to be added next week

October 5, 2012 7:19 am

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| Transportation | West Seattle news

7:19 AM: As the first week of RapidRide C Line and other Metro changes wraps up, we’re tracking the bus commute again today – comments are open on this story for bus riders’ experiences, and we will add to the story during the day if there’s any bus-related news. Yesterday afternoon, Metro spokesperson Jeff Switzer told WSB that two standby buses would be available again today with a transit coordinator tracking whether they’re needed. Here’s our coverage from the past week:

Thursday rider reports
Wednesday rider reports
Tuesday night: Updates from Metro
Tuesday rider reports
Monday pm reports
Monday am reports
Saturday informational event
Saturday morning: 1st RR bus

There was some slow going earlier this hour on 99, because of a stalled vehicle blocking a lane (thanks to those who messaged us about it!), but before we could even mention it here, we saw live video of WSDOT’s incident-response truck pushing it out of the way.

ADDED 10:32 AM: Councilmember Tom Rasmussen rode RapidRide on Thursday and writes about the experience, and his recommendations, here.

ADDED 11:21 AM: Metro is adding buses to RapidRide C Line. Just received the announcement:

Starting Monday, Oct. 8, King County Metro Transit is adding two morning and two afternoon peak commute bus trips to the new RapidRide C Line – a move intended to ease overcrowding and meet rising demand for the popular new service between West Seattle and downtown Seattle.

As a result, riders will see more RapidRide C Line peak service with trips running every 8 to 9 minutes, increased from every 10 minutes, during the highest ridership commute times – about 7 to 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 to 6 p.m.

It’s clear that adding two bus trips in the morning and afternoon schedule will help ease crowding, said Kevin Desmond, Metro Transit general manager.

“We understand that it was a challenging and frustrating first week for some commuters who rode overcrowded buses, or watched as full buses passed them at bus stops,” Desmond said. “As the week progressed we learned where to use standby coaches to best address these high ridership demands. The results support our decision to make those additions part of the regular schedule.

“We have heard customer feedback, and we appreciate everyone’s patience as we continue to make sure the C and D lines operate as smoothly as possible,” Desmond said.

Metro launched RapidRide C Line service Sept. 29 with buses scheduled to travel between West Seattle and downtown Seattle every 10 minutes during the morning commute.

Higher than expected ridership demand emerged this week during the peak commute times. Customer reports, early ridership data, and field observations helped to confirm that there was strong transit demand to justify adding two morning and two afternoon commute trips to the RapidRide C Line.

Metro noted hundreds of additional commuters on RapidRide and other bus routes from West Seattle compared to tallies from this spring. Metro transit planners and service coordinators will continue to actively monitor ridership, transit operations and performance and make adjustments to service as needed.

“This transit service is still very new and daily ridership can fluctuate and evolve, however we were seeing full buses passing riders at bus stops at about the same time each day,” Desmond said. “By adjusting the frequency of service to this emerging pattern we will ease overcrowding and reduce delays.”

As part of the Sept. 29 transit service change, Metro has a contingency budget to pay for the additional RapidRide C Line trips and will continue to operate two standby buses for the RapidRide C and D lines. The red and yellow RapidRide buses needed for the additional trips are available in Metro’s reserve fleet, which is set aside in case of mechanical problems. Metro will continue to assess the maximum fleet use that can be sustained on an ongoing basis.

Metro also is taking steps to maximize and fine-tune transit signal priority and other transit priority measures, as well as operator training and customer communications about transit conditions and commute options.

We will keep the daily comment centers going again Monday to get your take on how it affects the service.

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Memorial this Saturday for Jackie Joan Luther Benefiel, 1925-2012

October 5, 2012 3:01 am

| 5 COMMENTS

| Obituaries | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

A memorial service is planned at West Side Presbyterian Church this Saturday for Jacqueline (Jackie) Joan Luther Benefiel, whose family shares this remembrance:

Aug 26, 1925- Aug 26, 2012, born in Seattle, passed away on her 87th birthday surrounded by her loving family at Providence Hospital in Everett, of kidney failure. Preceded in death by her brothers, Jerry & Richard Luther.

Jackie Joan Luther grew up in West Seattle and went to West Seattle High School and graduated with the Class of 1943. She was involved in Rainbow, she was a violinist, and played in the Jr. Symphony. She was married at Westside Presbyterian Church to her high school sweetheart, Ralph (Bud) Benefiel.

Jackie and Bud were very active in the West Seattle area and had many friends that she kept in touch with over the years.