day : 27/10/2012 12 results

9:49 PM: There’s a lot of conflicting information circulating right now so just in case you are confused or worried – yes, there WAS a 7.7 magnitude earthquake in B.C. but NO, there is NO tsunami warning for our state, anywhere. Here is the actual warning, ONLY for areas from the northern tip of Vancouver Island northward – Vancouver itself is not even affected. The warnings unfortunately are confusingly written – but “information only” for our area means nothing more than “we thought you might want to know that this warning is in effect SOMEPLACE ELSE.” Also, note that while “tsunami” no doubt conjures images of the terrifying events in Japan, much more often, it is barely a ripple. That said, *IF* there is ever a tsunami alert for someplace you are, do NOT wait around to see if it’s a ripple – get inland! – but once again, NO WARNING AFFECTING OUR STATE TONIGHT. We will of course keep watch. And this is always a great reminder for preparedness. (More on that in a separate story later!)

10:04 PM: To illustrate the above point, Canadian sources report a 44-centimeter-high wave at Langara Island in the ~~Queen Charlottes~~ Haida Gwaii area. Here’s how far away that is from us (and Vancouver):

The newest version of the tsunami alert now includes an ADVISORY for the rest of the B.C. coast – still nothing for our state. Read it here, and watch for updates at tsunami.gov. (We will add that link to the WSB Weather page tonight so it’ll always be there for reference.)

11:12 PM UPDATE: A few more notes – while there is an *advisory* for Southern Oregon and Northern California (here’s the latest update, from half an hour ago), still nothing for any part of Washington. In B.C., they still haven’t seen anything higher than 50 centimeters (not even 2 feet high). As noted in comments, there’s an alert for Hawaii – here’s live coverage from a TV station there.

11:27 PM UPDATE: The alert for parts of B.C. and Alaska is downgraded to an advisory.

12:24 AM UPDATE: We’re continuing to listen to the Honolulu TV stream referenced above. Whatever they are going to get is expected to arrive in about an hour.

1:43 AM UPDATE: Still nothing of note in Hawaii, according to that TV stream. The warning is still in effect; the advisory for Alaska/BC has been canceled.

3:14 AM UPDATE: Hawaii still OK but no “all-clear” yet. No definitive word on how the remote areas near the epicenter fared, but we did hear via the Hawaii live stream a phone interview with a woman who was at a wedding in the area when the quake hit.

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West Seattle coyote sightings: Another reader-report roundup

October 27, 2012 7:11 pm

| 25 COMMENTS

| Coyotes | West Seattle news | Wildlife

Mark Wangerin thinks that might be the same coyote he’s photographed before in the West Seattle Golf Course/lower Camp Long area. This photo is from Thursday. And it leads off the latest list of sightings reported by WSB’ers – read on:

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For Veterans Day this year, say ‘thank you’ with a card

October 27, 2012 5:43 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| Holidays | How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Veterans Day is two weeks away – and this year, it can be more meaningful than ever … if you choose to join in an organized effort to say “thank you” to those who have served. From Andrea Geraghty of West Seattle American Legion Auxiliary Unit 160 – and note that you can visit the Auxiliary at the Harvest Festival tomorrow:

Have you wondered how to show your support for Veterans Day?
Veterans Day is November 11th and honors the men and women who have served in the United States armed services.

Who is a Veteran?
Veterans are people who served in the military (U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard) in times of war or peace.

Who do you know who is a veteran?
Maybe it is your mother, father, sister, brother, aunt, uncle, grandfather, grandmother, cousin, neighbor, or teacher. You can be very proud of them. Many have given much to keep us safe and free.

Have you thanked a veteran today?
This year, considered writing a thank-you card to a Veteran thanking them for their service to our country.

The West Seattle American Legion Auxiliary Unit 160 invites children (and adults) to make a card for a Veteran for Veterans Day. Cards can be dropped off at the American Legion Hall 3618 SW Alaska St (through the mail slot at the front of the building) or if your school is interested in doing it as a school project, we would be happy to pick them up.

**We will also be at the Harvest Festival on October 28th; look for the dark blue canopy, cards can be dropped off there any time between 10:00-2:00 and join us for fun activities.**

Please drop off cards no later than Thursday, November 8, 2012. Contact Andrea Geraghty at alaunit160@gmail.com to make arrangements for pickup from schools by November 1, 2012.

The thank-you cards will be distributed to Veterans currently living in the West Seattle area and Veterans at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

(Cards: Please do not include personal address/contact information; this will not be a pen-pal. Cards should be no larger than one 8 ½ x 12 sheet of paper folded in half (cards may be folded smaller). No envelopes.

Thank you, West Seattle; if you’re interested in learning more about the American Legion Auxiliary, please contact us at alaunit160@gmail.com.

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5 things you need to know about Sunday’s Junction Harvest Festival

October 27, 2012 3:10 pm

| Comments Off on 5 things you need to know about Sunday’s Junction Harvest Festival

| Holidays | West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

In case it still hasn’t hit your radar – the first-ever West Seattle Junction Harvest Festival tomorrow, 10 am-2 pm, is for EVERYONE – it’s not just kid stuff. And even if you are not planning to go, #1 may affect you:

1. The streets will be closed (similar to the Summer Fest/Car Show footprint), which also means bus reroutes (explained here).

2. Farmers’ Market vendors will be set up in the middle of California SW.

3. The costume parade starts at Junction Plaza Park (42nd/Alaska) at 11:30 am.

4. Trick-or-treating is noon-2 pm.

5. Free activities are for the duration, 10 am-2 pm.

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Delridge Neighborhood Greenway: City sets open-house dates

October 27, 2012 2:16 pm

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| Delridge | Transportation | West Seattle news

Earlier this month, SDOT reps told the North Delridge Neighborhood Council (WSB coverage here) that the process of creating a “neighborhood greenway” – a walking/biking-safe zone, proposed for 26th SW – was slowing down a bit, and that community open houses would be the next step. Today, the West Seattle Greenways group shared the news that the dates have been set for those open houses. As outlined on this SDOT webpage, the first one is at 6:30 pm November 14th at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW), to look at these questions:

How is the experience of walking and biking in North Delridge?
What locations are the most challenging for people when they walk or bike?
Where do people want to walk and bike?
What should be the goals of a Delridge Neighborhood Greenway?

There *will* be a presentation (6:45 pm) as part of the open house. The second one will be on January 15th, featuring city recommendations and information on what happens next.

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West Seattle Hallo-weekend scenes: Monster Dash; Thriftway party

October 27, 2012 1:57 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Fun stuff to do | Holidays | West Seattle news

On a day/night full of fun events around West Seattle, we stopped by two this morning:

MONSTER DASH: And they’re off! The first-ever West Seattle Monster Dash to raise money for local Parent Cooperative Preschools was a spirited sprint (or stroll) along the trails of upper Lincoln Park. We didn’t quite catch them running by, but many took up the invitation to be in costume:

Watch the official Monster Dash website for results/recap.

THRIFTWAY PARTY: Ever wonder what Michele, whose many roles at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) include being your summer benefit-barbecue host, does in the offseason?

Today, we found Michele and friend over at the in-store dining area for the annual Halloween party, a crafty event:

Next big event at WST: A holiday tasting event next Thursday (November 1st), 4-7 pm.

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West Seattle traffic alert: Crash on westbound bridge

October 27, 2012 12:20 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

Thanks to those who have tweeted and texted – there’s a 3-car crash reported on the westbound high bridge, a short distance before the Delridge exit. The “live” camera view is currently showing the fire engines that have responded.

ADDED 12:40 PM: Part of the bridge still blocked. Val sent this photo of the backup a short time ago:

1:08 PM: Cleared.

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Admiral Treats and Treasures 2012, report #2: Boo-tiful people

October 27, 2012 10:34 am

| 8 COMMENTS

| Holidays | Seen around town | West Seattle news

(Photos by Nick Adams for WSB)
Rain can’t stop Halloween – nor did it stop Admiral Treats and Treasures, the Admiral merchants’ annual trick-or-treat event. We brought you a few early photos as it happened; now, here’s a gallery of some of the people WSB contributing photojournalist Nick Adams found along the way. Above, two Elvii (Kai Medina, 9, and Flora Medina, 11) wait to cross the street, along with “voting machine” Lauren Howe. Next: Olivia St. Germain as The White Rabbit:

The older “kids” enjoyed it too – check out the smile on Aida Gutierrez‘s face as she helps with candy handing-out at Merrill Gardens-Admiral Heights (WSB sponsor):

16 more photos ahead!
Read More

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West Seattle ‘Hum’ update: CalPortland says offloading’s over

October 27, 2012 9:27 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

If you have been following the saga of “The Hum” – a widely heard sound most recently traced to periodic vacuum-offloading operations at the CalPortland terminal on the Duwamish River – we have an update this morning. CP’s Pete Stoltz e-mailed WSB to say that they’re done with the ship whose arrival apparently triggered the most recent round of reports:

CalPortland completed ship offloading around 12:30 AM this morning. Fabrication of the second silencer is currently on schedule to leave the factory on November 9. This schedule allows time for its arrival and installation before the next ship arrives and begins offloading during the first week of December. We’ll update you on our progress next month.

(The “silencer” is basically a muffler – as explained in this story from a visit to CalPortland as they explained what they had been doing to address the situation, just before the most recent ship arrival.)

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West Seattle Saturday: What’s up as Hallo-weekend continues

October 27, 2012 8:06 am

| 8 COMMENTS

| Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by Christopher Boffoli)
From the WSB Halloween 2012 page and our year-round West Seattle Events Calendar:

PANCAKE BREAKFAST FOR CLEAN WATER: Pancakes, bacon, fruit, orange juice, and coffee for $4/person – and the money goes to a good cause, clean drinking water in Kenya. You can be part of it by going to breakfast 8:30 am-11:30 am at West Side Presbyterian Church (3601 California SW).

WEST SEATTLE BIKE CONNECTIONS: Ride a bike? Help advocate for West Seattle improvements! Following up on the Thursday meet-and-greet (WSB coverage here), the first WSBC meeting is at 8:30 am at C & P Coffee (WSB sponsor), 5612 California SW.

WEST SEATTLE MONSTER DASH: The first-ever run/walk fundraiser for West Seattle’s Cooperative Preschools starts at 9 am, using the upper trails of Lincoln Park, with a kids’ dash following at 10 am. You can sign up at the park if you’re not registered there. Latest details here.

CULINARY ARTS OPEN HOUSE: South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor) invites you to come learn about its acclaimed program – 9:30 am; details here.

LEARN ABOUT LANDSLIDES: The season of highest risk starts in October, and that’s why the city is presenting free landslide-awareness-and-prevention sessions – starting with one at 10 am today at SSCC; more info here.

UNDERWATER PUMPKIN CARVING: Scheduled for Alki, 10 am – participants from local dive clubs have an hour to carve, with public judging at 11 am. Here’s our recent preview.

GRETCHEN’S GRAINS DEMO – DON’T FORGET THE COUPON! West Seattleite Gretchen Williamson-Evans will demonstrate recipes with her Gretchen’s Grains 11 am-3 pm at PCC Natural Markets-West Seattle (California/Stevens; WSB sponsor), and you still have a few more days to use the WSB coupon for GG – get it here.

WEST SEATTLE THRIFTWAY HALLOWEEN PARTY: 11 am-1 pm, kids 2-10 are invited to come decorate a mini-pumpkin and get a goodie bag – costumes encouraged. (California/Fauntleroy)

HALLOWEEN STORYTELLING: Storytime at Barnes & Noble at Westwood Village is going ghostly and ghoulish! In honor of the holiday, they’ll be doing Halloween stories at 11 am. Costumes welcome.

HALLOWEEN DOG PHOTOS: Halloween photos of the dog(s) in your life, at The Wash Dog (WSB sponsor). Since almost everyone has a camera, this year YOU are the photographer. We have the set-up: Hay bales, pumpkins, dog costumes to borrow (or bring your own) and of course, treats. Free!

LEGENDS OF LINCOLN PARK WALKING TOUR: Starts at 1 pm from the Lincoln Park parking lot across from Fauntleroy/Rose, rain or shine, with Peder Nelson as your guide, presented by the Log House Museum.

FULL TILT PUMPKIN FEST: 4 pm, pumpkin beers paired with floats and milk shakes, plus live music, at Full Tilt Ice Cream in White Center – more info here.

OKTOBERFEST DINNER: With the West Seattle Lions Club, 5:30 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle (California/Oregon).

LONGHOUSE HALLOWEEN PARTY: Kids of all ages are invited to the Duwamish Longhouse Halloween Party, 6-8 pm; details and map here.

‘COME AS YOU AREN’T’ HALLOWEEN BATTLE OF THE BANDS: It’s the biggest party of the year at Skylark Café and Club (3803 Delridge Way SW) – bands masquerading as other bands. Starts at 7 pm – no cover.

REILLY & MALONEY: The fabled folk duo, who you might have seen at Summer Concerts at Hiawatha just a few months ago, is at Kenyon Hall tonight, 8 pm (ticket info here).

MORE PARTIES/MUSIC/NIGHTLIFE: See the WSB Halloween page for details on parties at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), A Terrible Beauty, OutWest Bar, plus live music at even more venues, plus more of what’s up today/tonight!

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High-school postseason: Saturday schedule; Friday night’s results

October 27, 2012 4:08 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

More high-school postseason sports today – both West Seattle HS and Chief Sealth International High School are in the volleyball tournament that continues starting at 11 am today at Sealth, and WSHS is at Memorial Stadium at 5 tonight for football.

Friday night, there was soccer, volleyball, and football. In soccer, Sealth lost to Seattle Prep, 4-0 (here are the stats, via WSB partner The Seattle Times). That game was played up north at Ingraham, as was WSHS vs. Holy Names – (update) a 5-1 loss for the Wildcats. In volleyball, Seattle Lutheran High School defeated Chief Leschi, 3-0 (Times game stats here).

At Memorial Stadium downtown, the Sealth football team faced Seattle Prep.

Final score: Prep 51, Sealth 8. Game notes ahead:Read More

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Hallo-weekend: Hundreds celebrate at Southwest Teen Life Center, Pool

October 27, 2012 2:52 am

| Comments Off on Hallo-weekend: Hundreds celebrate at Southwest Teen Life Center, Pool

| Holidays | West Seattle news

Volunteers joining forces with Southwest Teen Life Center and Pool staffers made for a fun Friday night. Tom Foley from the SW Advisory Council shares photos:

The volunteers made the games from scratch “with materials they scrounged up and applied their imagination to develop,” he reports:

He estimates more than 300 people came – and the pool was filled to its 125-person capacity for a special free Halloween-theme family swim:

Some of the lifeguards dressed in costume, too. Tom adds, “A big thank you is due to all who helped out, and in particular Kiesha and Matt for all their organizing efforts.” Other Seattle Parks facilities around West Seattle had Friday night carnivals and festivals too, including Hiawatha, Delridge, and High Point.

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