month : 06/2013 329 results

Pride postscript: Why Nichole marched in memory of Lois

One of the West Seattle-related photos we received from today’s Seattle Pride Parade is a story all its own:

Nichole Casado e-mailed the photo and an explanation of why she marched in memory of Lois Baldwin:

I’m the former active living director of Merrill Gardens-Admiral Heights. While there, I had a resident Lois Baldwin; you ran her obituary after her passing.

Lois lived her life with her partner Beatrice as an out-and-proud lesbian, but after Beatrice died, Lois moved to Admiral Heights and went back in the closet. This is very common. Gay seniors often feel they will not be accepted in traditional assisted-living and skilled-nursing facilities. There is a documentary about this called “Gen Silent.”

Because of Lois, I felt inspired as a medical professional to find a way to make our senior health care facilities more welcoming. In this search I was connected to the local chapter of SAGE and the NW GBLTQ Providers Network, which strive to educate medical professionals about aging issues for the gay community. I have learned so much from them and was proud to march with them today.

It was so fitting to march in honor of the memory of Lois, the first patient/ resident I had who made me start to think about these issues, A big thank you to her nieces, local West Seattle women Judy and Vicki, who gave me their blessing to march in memory of Lois Baldwin and also share her story as a learning tool for other health professionals.

Thanks to Nichole for sharing the story! Our earlier Pride coverage is here.

West Seattle traffic alert: Early-morning moving operation tomorrow

June 30, 2013 9:27 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

By the time we get to tomorrow’s daily traffic/transit tracker, this will probably be over, so we’re mentioning it now: Seattle Public Schools has announced the route for delivery of a double portable classroom early tomorrow (Monday) to Chief Sealth International High School. According to district spokesperson Tom Redman, the double portable is scheduled to be delivered between 5 and 6 am via the Kenyon St. entrance to the campus. To get there, it’s traveling this route set by transportation authorities: Highway 509 and 1st Avenue South to Olson Place SW and SW Roxbury, north on Delridge Way, to Holden, to 28th, and on to 2600 SW Kenyon, entering the campus from the Denny side. So if you’ll be traveling that area very early, or if live along it, be forewarned.

Congratulations to Ventana Construction and Weitzel Construction: 2013 REX Award winners

With the changes in home values over the past several years, more homeowners than ever have chosen to remodel rather than sell/buy. And that’s been good news for many construction companies here in West Seattle. Two of them, in fact, were winners in the recently announced 2013 REX Awards (REX = Remodeling Excellence): Ventana Construction (longtime WSB sponsor) and Weitzel Construction.

Ventana’s REX Award was in the category “Major Remodel Excellence: Residential Partial House/Addition $100,000 to $200,000.” They turned their client’s 200-foot sauna/hot tub/shower space into a powder room, laundry room, sitting room, and desk area – see the project here – the top photo is a wide “after” shot; next is a closeup of the “desk area”:

(P.S. If you missed it on TV, Ventana was featured on Channel 4 News a few nights ago – a wider followup on something noted here last month, newspapers found in the walls of a project in Ballard – see the story here, and see Ventana’s online story that featured not only the newspaper, but other unusual finds at some of their project sites.)

Weitzel’s REX Award was in the category “Rebuild Excellence: Residential Whole House/Rebuild – less than $300,000.”

Owner Dave Weitzel says, “I am very proud of my crew that turns out great work year after year. This was a challenging site (150 steps, 100’ drop in elevation on a 400=foot path) where much of the material was handled by a tug and barge at the start of the job, but there was just the one trip with that. Everything else went up and down the hill:

Despite the challenges, the project was a lot of fun because our great clients. One of them is a former interior designer, and they did a wonderful job in their selections and personal touches.”

Congratulations to Ventana and Weitzel (both of whom provided the photos shown in this story)!

West Seattle home gets a visit from ‘Ask This Old House’

“I did my best to represent West Seattle,” Patrick King says, after a visit to his Gatewood home this past week by the show “Ask This Old House.” Patrick and wife Chelsea – in the photo above with the show’s crew and a local subcontractor and lighting tech – bought the mid-20th-century-built house on SW Elmgrove in 2011. He says they contacted “Ask This Old House” to seek help with their kitchen floor last November. Then, two months ago, they were contacted when the show started looking for projects in this area. For the show, they learned how to install crown molding, which Patrick says “really looks great.” Contractor Tom Silva hosted the show filmed here, he says, flying in from Boston this past Tuesday with associate producer Heath Racela; Patrick took them to lunch at Cactus on Alki, and he says they “used the Seattle founding monument on Alki as the opening scene for their show” – here’s a photo he took of Silva and the crew by the water:

Racela tweeted this photo of the project in progress at the Kings’ home:


The episode will stream online first, possibly as soon as this September, in a Seattle episode that also included two homes from Issaquah: “I’m proud I was able to influence the show with a little West Seattle flavor,” Patrick told WSB. “It was an exhausting couple of days but it was really fun.”

West Seattle Weather Watch update: ‘Excessive heat warning’

5:04 PM: The ongoing “it’s hot” alert from the National Weather Service is now a “heat advisory” in effect through 11 pm Monday. Right now, the temperature has just registered 91 degrees at Sea-Tac and Boeing Field – hottest temp we’ve noticed in the area all day. And a reader asked us to remind you again – don’t leave your pet in your vehicle, even for “just a moment.”

6:02 PM: Sea-Tac’s 6 pm temp is 92. We’re considering a ferry ride (always cooler on the water!).

11:52 PM: Today’s high was 93 at Sea-Tac. Meantime, the alert has now become an “excessive heat warning” in effect through 11 pm Monday, with the high temperature maybe even in the mid-90s.

Update: House-fire callout in Highland Park, most units canceled

June 30, 2013 2:34 pm
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 |   Highland Park | West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

2:34 PM: If you saw all the Seattle Fire crews, they were responding to a possible house fire in the 7700 block of Highland Park Way SW – but most have just been canceled. We’re en route and will check at the scene to see what happened.

3:22 PM UPDATE: Couldn’t get anything definitive at the scene – just one engine left (photo) and not easy to pull over on the busy street – but whatever it was, it was being extinguished with a garden hose in the front yard.

West Seattleites celebrate Pride: Space Needle flag-raising; parade grand marshals

As Seattle’s annual Pride celebration crescendoes today, with the downtown parade under way right now, the marriage-equality flag is flying on the Space Needle, and West Seattleites were up there helping make it happen. The first two photos were shared by King County Councilmember Joe McDermott, who’s at center in the top photo, with four other West Seattleites – from left, County Executive Dow Constantine, Anne Levinson, Jane Abbott Lighty, and Pete-e Petersen. Yes, that photo is from atop the Needle – as is this one:

Meantime, as noted in our morning preview, Pete-e and Jane are among the grand marshals of today’s Pride Parade, as is West Seattleite Sarah Toce, who shares this photo of herself with the renowned couple:

Sarah founded the daily online news magazine The Seattle Lesbian just two years ago and has already grown a strong readership that stretches well beyond the city limits.

P.S. If you have photos of West Seattleites in today’s parade, please share! editor@westseattleblog.com or post to the WSB Facebook page and/or the WSB Flickr group – thank you!

ADDED: Thanks to Karen for this photo of OutWest Bar in the parade:

They were one of at least two West Seattle businesses participating, along with Stuffed Cakes, debuting its new truck.

Election 2013: Not registered to vote? Deadline’s a week away

June 30, 2013 11:55 am
|    Comments Off on Election 2013: Not registered to vote? Deadline’s a week away
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

If you have just moved to this state, or have just reached voting age, July 8th (one week from tomorrow) is the registration deadline if you want to vote in the August 6th primary, headlined by the vote that will winnow the field of Seattle mayoral candidates down to 2. If you’re ready to register, you can sign up right here, right now, via this link. If you need to register another way – or if you need to take some other action, such as changing your address – there’s lots of helpful info on this page of the King County Elections website.

Video: SPD sex offender/kidnap detectives’ briefing @ West Seattle Block Watch Captains’ Network

The myths and truths about sex offenders and how police deal with them were at the heart of a briefing this past week at the West Seattle Block Watch Captains’ Network meeting. With the detectives hailing from the SPD Sex Offender and Kidnap Detail, the discussion ranged far and wide, including concerns about the recent White Center kidnap attempt, though that was outside SPD’s jurisdiction (the King County Sheriff’s Office is responsible for the unincorporated area south of the city limits). Our video includes the entirety of the meeting, led primarily by SPD Detective Tim Fields, with information about everything from the law to what you tell your children if a sex offender is living nearby; the detectives advised showing your children the photo and telling them to stay away from the offender.

P.S. Though we do receive occasional notifications from police about offenders moving into the area, and we publish them when we get them – such as this recent one – such notifications are NOT sent for everyone who moves into the area, and the best way for you to find out if one or more are living nearby is to use this lookup. That link is also reachable via a page on the SPD website that includes some context on the notification laws, including a reminder that most convicted criminals classified as sex offenders are “Level 1” – the lowest-severity level – and NOT covered by the notification rules.

SIDE NOTE FOR THOSE OUTSIDE THE CITY LIMITS: Toward the end, the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council was mentioned; it’s had a strong focus on public-safety information for the communities it serves. Its meeting schedule currently varies, rather than being on a fixed date each and every month, but in addition to watching for notices on our partner site White Center Now (we’ve been mentioning their public-safety forums here too), you can also check its website at northhighlineuac.org.

Staying cool, and other options for your West Seattle Sunday

(Young belted kingfisher emerging from burrow to be fed; photo by Mark Wangerin)
Yes, yes, we know the 80s aren’t THAT broiling, but even those of us who spent many years in way hotter climes have a lower tolerance level … so again today, we’ll start with the “keeping cool” info.

KEEPING COOL

HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK: Day three! Hours 11 am-8 pm. (11th SW/SW Cloverdale)

TODAY’S WADING POOL SCHEDULE: Delridge and Lincoln Park wading pools are open – see the hours here.

COLMAN POOL OPEN: See the schedule here. (On the Lincoln Park waterfront – reachable via walking or biking)

SOUTHWEST POOL OPEN: See the schedule here. (2801 SW Thistle)

AIR-CONDITIONED LIBRARIES: Delridge, High Point, and South Park Libraries all have A/C, and all are open 1-5 pm today. For location and other info, check the Seattle Public Library website.

WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING:

In addition to some every-Sunday events you’ll find on our calendar, here are a few more highlights:

LITTLE LEAGUE TOURNAMENT CONTINUES: District 7 9-10 and 11-12 All-Star teams are in tournament play at Alki’s Bar-S Playfield all week, hosted by West Seattle Little League, and our tipster Teresa tells us the local teams are playing at 10 am and 4 pm again today. Details and links in our Saturday update. (6425 SW Admiral Way)

WEST SEATTLEITES IN PRIDE PARADE: The parade runs through downtown, starting at 4th and Union at 11 am and heading north, but it will have even more West Seattle flavor than ever, with its grand marshals including history-making couple Jane Abbott Lighty and Pete-e Petersen as well as The Seattle Lesbian founder Sarah Toce; the list of participants also includes OutWest Bar.

GRETCHEN’S GRAINS DEMO: Cooking demo today, 11 am-2 pm at Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor), for a West Seattleite’s line of frozen fully cooked grains. (42nd/Admiral)

SPUD/NEUTER FUNDRAISER FOR KITTY HARBOR: 5-8 pm at Ola Salon, a special event with live music, auction items, and a gourmet potato bar will raise money for Kitty Harbor, the West Seattle facility that finds homes for hundreds of cats and kittens every year. Details in our calendar listing. (2942 SW Avalon Way)

FEEDBACK GOES ACOUSTIC: A new series of charity-benefiting acoustic performances starts tonight at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), where by the way, they have “state-of-the-art” air conditioning. Details in our calendar listing; starts at 6 pm. (6451 California SW)

WOMEN’S SOCCER – LAST CHANCE TO SEE AC SEATTLE! According to the schedule, it’s the last West Seattle home game for AC Seattle, playing Issaquah Soccer Club at Southwest Athletic Complex tonight at 6 pm. (2801 SW Thistle)

West Seattle weekend scene: ‘Clutch’ premiere at The Admiral

Notice the gleaming classic cars outside the Admiral Theater tonight? The show of muscle (cars) was only fitting for the public premiere of a movie said to include more than 150 vehicles. The movie is “Clutch,” a years-in-the-making project for West Seattleite Jay Rowlands, as we reported two months ago. Tonight, he held court at the crowded premiere:

(This photo and next two, shared by Jennifer – thanks!)
The crowd that gathered for red-carpet arrivals filled the Admiral’s lobby:

And some of the cars remained outside the theater during the screening:

If you missed the premiere, you can get the film on DVD or BluRay – it was just released this week and can be ordered right from the “Clutch” website’s home page.

West Seattle Outdoor Movies: 3 weeks away! Can you volunteer?

June 29, 2013 10:20 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Outdoor Movies: 3 weeks away! Can you volunteer?
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle Outdoor Movies

Three weeks from tonight, the courtyard next to Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor) will fill with people, lawn chairs, and blankets, awaiting the kickoff of this year’s West Seattle Outdoor Movies series (co-sponsored by WSB). The movies are free and run on volunteer power – so this year we’re asking if you can help. There’s also a call out for pre-show musicians.

First, for volunteers, here are the prerequisites:

*Ideally available at least three of the six movie nights (consecutive Saturdays, 7/20-8/24); would need to be at the courtyard by 6:30 and stay until 11:30 or so

*Should have rudimentary knowledge of how to hook up professional audio equipment; you’ll need to help with some lifting and moving of the equipment

*Previous movie-theater experience? Big plus! But not required

*Training will be provided as the series begins

MUSICIANS:

*Need to have your own equipment and be ready to play an hour-long pre-show set.

Whether you can volunteer, or are an interested musician, or both – e-mail lora@hotwirecoffee.com to find out more.

No West Seattle Hi-Yu Junior Court coronation during Hiawatha Fun Fest this year

While the West Seattle Hi-Yu float is in Port Orchard tonight for the Fathoms O’Fun parade, Hi-Yu leaders have had to make another tough decision: They say the traditional Junior Court Coronation will NOT be happening during this year’s Hiawatha Fun Fest on July 19:

The 2013 Board has decided that we are not able to select a Junior Court for 2014 during this year’s Summer Festival. We have been unable to line up enough nominees for the 2014 Board. Without adequate leadership for the Hi-Yu Summer Festival, we can’t assure a great experience for Junior Court members in 2014. If we are able to fill the open 2014 Board positions, then the Junior Court Coronation will be rescheduled (likely in the Fall). … We are sorry for the girls that have been looking forward to the event and the possibility of serving on the Junior Court. If you would like information about open positions on the Board and their responsibilities, please contact us at info@westseattlehiyu.com.

You can also find out more about being part of Hi-Yu by going to the general meeting this Monday (July 1st), 6:30 pm at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church (California/Hanford).

Happening now: West Seattle Relay for Life 2013

At West Seattle Stadium, 200 people are in the early hours of an all-night annual tradition raising money to fight cancer – Relay for Life of West Seattle. It’s running a different schedule this year, but one thing didn’t change – the survivors’ lap (above) to start it off. One of the two-dozen-plus survivors there today was the highlighted speaker for the kickoff, Angela Hurst (in purple, below). It’s been a year since she was diagnosed with colon cancer at age 37 and 16 weeks of pregnancy … a baby she lost from side effects of as she was about to begin chemotherapy that she was assured would be OK:

(added) Here’s video of Angela telling her story:

The stories are everywhere at Relay for Life, without even having to be told aloud:

And while the event itself runs about 18 hours, the fundraising began weeks and months ago. You might remember this mother-daughter team:

We reported on Lauri and Gerry Cunningham‘s take-out spaghetti-dinner fundraiser a week ago. They told us proudly today that they brought in $800!

WHAT’S NEXT: This morning’s daily preview on WSB includes the schedule for this evening, with events open to the public including Bubbleman‘s performance right now and the popular kids-music band Recess Monkey at 6:30, and then the luminaria ceremony at 10 pm, as participants and visitors remember those they’ve lost as well as paying tribute to those who are fighting. The stadium gates will lock at 11, but people will remain on the track all night, with closing ceremonies planned at 7:30 tomorrow morning. If you want to donate, you can do so while visiting the stadium or online, here.

West Seattle Little League hosting District 7 tournament games

Big weekend for baseball! Thanks to Teresa for sharing the news that West Seattle Little League is an All-Star Tournament host for District 7, with 9/10 and 11/12 teams representing communities from South King County to North Seattle starting play today at Alki’s Bar-S Playfield, continuing till next Saturday. First-round games today included WSLL’s 11/12 this morning, and 9/10 coming up at 4 pm – when we stopped by Bar-S about an hour ago, Renton and Rainier were on the field. It’s a bustling scene off the field too:

You’re invited to stop by and watch; the schedules, and brackets, are linked from the WSLL home page.

13th Coast Guard District change of command = Alki change, too

(U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Katelyn Tyson)
Four weeks ago today, we talked with the 13th Coast Guard District‘s then-commander Rear Adm. Keith Taylor about his impending retirement. After Friday ceremonies at Seattle’s USCG station, he’s enjoying his first full day of retirement, and District 13 has a new commander, a role that usually includes residence on the grounds of the Alki Point Lighthouse. The new commander is Rear Adm. Richard T. Gromlich – he’s on the left in the photo above, with Rear Adm. (ret.) Taylor at right, and Vice Adm. Paul F. Zukunft, commander of Coast Guard Pacific Area and Defense Forces West, between them. Before coming to Seattle to lead the 13th District, Rear Adm. Gromlich, a Pennsylvania native, served as the Coast Guard’s first director of operational logistics, overseeing 13 bases and one base detachment (here’s his full bio). Read more about the change of command and Friday’s ceremony on the USCG website.

One year later, words of thanks from West Seattle family

(May 2012 WSB photo by Christopher Boffoli)
Last year, we reported on a house fire in the 8400 block of 20th SW. But in the days afterward, the story moved far beyond the fire itself, to become a story of neighbors helping neighbors. Today, we received a note from the home’s owners, Martha and Brian Mallett, who say they are finally back home, and wanted to share words of thanks:

We, Brian and Martha Mallett, victims of a house fire May 1, 2012, have returned home after being away for eleven months. We were cared for two days by the Red Cross, had a two-month stay in the West Seattle Motel (wonderful hospitality) and nine months in a big house on Orchard Street in Highland Park. Our home is brand new, some furniture is still missing but we have the essentials.

The community, our friends, and our family have given us so much to be grateful for. There have been phone calls, notes, cards with words of encouragement and gifts. There were so many good samaritans, we cannot name them all. Speaking of family, they have worked really hard to reach our intended goal. All these folks have given from the heart and we plan to pay forward. We credit Lisa and Randy Leininger and their followers, the Seattle Fire Department, and the Highland Park Improvement Club for contributing in a big way to our well-being. We love West Seattle and the people in it.

Lisa and Randy were the neighbors who organized a fundraiser days after the fire. They posed with Martha that day, and shared the photo with us:

Thanks to Martha and Brian for sharing the followup!

West Seattle Crime Watch: Seen this stolen Mustang?

Karen is hoping you can help her find her stolen car:

My black 2005 ford Mustang was stolen last night (6/28) around 11pm. It was parked outside my home on the street (in the 1700 block of) Alki Ave SW. The license plate is AGX1087. If you have seen anything suspicious or were taking photos in the area, please e-mail Karen at kkapsca@yahoo.com.

And to let police know, they request a call to 911.

West Seattle Saturday: Summer’s first ‘keep cool’ edition

Seattle - Summer 2013

(Photo by Mark/Sagebrush Photography via the WSB Flickr Group)
With warm weather expected again today, we’ve split the highlights into two sections, starting with one directly related to staying cool:

IN THE WATER

HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK: Day two! Hours 11 am-8 pm. (11th SW/SW Cloverdale)

TODAY’S WADING POOL SCHEDULE: Delridge, Hiawatha, and Lincoln Park wading pools are open – see the hours here.

COLMAN POOL CLOSED … for a swim meet. But:

SOUTHWEST POOL OPEN: Here’s the schedule. (2801 SW Thistle)

ALSO HAPPENING TODAY/TONIGHT

PICKUP SOCCER GAME: West Seattle Sunday Soccer continues also having Saturday morning pickup games, 8 am at Delridge Playfield (Delridge/26th/Alaska)

MEET THE AUTHOR: West Seattle writer Molly Ringle is introducing and signing her new book “Persephone’s Orchard” at Bird on a Wire Espresso (WSB sponsor) this morning, 9 am-11 am. (SW Henderson just west of 35th SW)

SHOW SCHMITZ PARK SOME LOVE: Join the Friends of Schmitz Park Preserve work party; meet at 9 am. (Admiral Way/Stevens)

GRAND OPENING: 9 am-3 pm, West Seattle Vision‘s official grand opening in Morgan Junction. (6505 California SW)

CAR WASH: 10 am-4 pm, the West Seattle High School Cheer Squad is ready to wash your vehicle at West Seattle Autoworks (WSB sponsor) – they’re coming up against a fundraising deadline and would love your support. (35th/Webster)

STEM SUMMER PLAYDATE: New or returning West Seattle STEM student(s) in the family? Join the playdate today, 10 am-noon at the Lincoln Park zipline playground. (North of the south parking lot)

SEATTLE WORLD CRUISER CHRISTENING: As previewed here earlier in the week (our story explains the West Seattle link), the public christening event is at 10 am, Museum of Flight. (9404 E. Marginal Way S.)

STORYTIME AT BARNES & NOBLE: At the Westwood Village bookstore, Melissa says, today’s 11 am plan is as follows: “In honor of our first heat wave of the summer, we’re going to stay cool with some watery stories. We’ll be reading ‘Clark the Shark’ and ‘Splish, Splash, Splat!’ We’ll also have some cool treats and a summery craft.”

THE ‘HOOD HUNT: Free, map-based scavenger hunt, in West Seattle this time – noon start at Junction Plaza Park; details here. (42nd/Alaska)

ALKI POINT LIGHTHOUSE: Take a free tour, 1-4 pm. (Alki Ave/Beach Drive)

RELAY FOR LIFE OF WEST SEATTLE: 2 pm today is the kickoff for this cancer-fighting fundraiser at West Seattle Stadium, with the event continuing overnight and into midday Sunday. It’s a different schedule this year, with entertainment that’s open to the public too – here’s the schedule for the first eight hours:

2 pm: Opening Ceremony
2:15 pm: Survivor Lap (we will have a lounge with snacks for our survivors!) followed by Teams Lap
3-3:45 pm: ACS Cancer Action Network presentation
4-4:45 pm: Hair Donations
5-8 pm: Contigo Food Truck will be onsite
5-6 pm: Bubble Man
6:30-7:30 pm: Recess Monkey concert for the kids!
7-10 pm: Massages by M3 Bodyworks
7:30 pm: Squirt Gun Game
10 pm: Luminaria Ceremony

The stadium’s off 35th SW, just south of SW Avalon Way.

‘DEADLIEST CATCH’ CAPTAIN: Captain Keith Coburn of the Wizard is at the Junction QFC today, 3-4:30 pm, details here. (42nd/Alaska)

DUWAMISH TRIBE GALA: Seventh annual fundraising dinner and auction, 4:30 pm, Duwamish Longhouse; details here. (4505 W. Marginal Way SW)

SALSA DANCING ON ALKI: Starts with free Zumba at 4:45 pm, Statue of Liberty Plaza; Facebook event page here. (61st/Alki)

‘CLUTCH’ PREMIERE: Local filmmaker Jay Rowlands‘ long-running project – featured in this WSB story – premieres tonight at 7 at The Admiral Theater. (2343 California SW)

apertureSTOP! Spoken word and photography at Twilight in The Junction, 8-10 pm. (4306 SW Alaska)

More on the calendar!

West Seattle author Molly Ringle celebrating book release @ Bird on a Wire this morning

June 29, 2013 2:53 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle author Molly Ringle celebrating book release @ Bird on a Wire this morning
 |   West Seattle books | West Seattle news

Today (Saturday), stop by Bird on a Wire Espresso (WSB sponsor) from 9-11 am to meet local author Molly Ringle and celebrate the release of her fifth book, Persephone’s Orchard. Along with the print edition of her book coming out, for the next two weeks, you can also get the ebook at any major online bookstore for a $0.99 discount. You can even read the prologue and first two chapters for free here.

Ringle says her new novel is a modern retelling of the Greek myth of Persephone and Hades, set in the Pacific Northwest. Here’s more from the press release:

“The ancient myths usually tend to agree that Hades kidnapped Persephone, completely against her will, traumatizing her and breaking her mother Demeter’s heart,” says Ringle, who grew up in Corvallis OR. “But ever since I was a teenager I wanted to see a version where Persephone loved Hades, and he loved her too. But in rewriting the myth that way, it became clear that if Hades wasn’t the villain in the triangle, someone else would have to be—or nearly so.”

You might remember that in 2010, Ringle won the Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest, a national contest for intentionally bad writing, and she’s also the author of several other novels. You can find out more about Ringle and her books at her website.

Skies Over West Seattle update: ‘Northern Lights’ alert right now

(Photo by Jason Ayres Gift Enevoldsen – click image for larger view)
11:30 PM: Just got word from Alice Enevoldsen, our Skies Over West Seattle correspondent, that aurora – aka “Northern Lights” – activity is happening out there right now. Alice’s advice: Look north. Let us know if you see it! Her recommended info source: softservenews.com.

12:35 AM: It faded fast, says Alice. We couldn’t see anything by the time we got to Alki to look. (But note that Alice says it’s possible again Saturday night.)

Get out on the river! Duwamish Rowing Club summer programs start tomorrow

June 28, 2013 6:55 pm
|    Comments Off on Get out on the river! Duwamish Rowing Club summer programs start tomorrow
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

(Photo courtesy Duwamish Rowing Club)
Another way to get out on the water! The Duwamish Rowing Club has an announcement for all ages:

Duwamish Rowing Club is pleased to announce that their summer rowing programs start this Saturday! The first program starts on this Saturday June 29th and runs for a full month, until the 31st of July, every Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday from 4-6 pm. We are looking for kids, ages 12-18, to come out and row on the beautiful Duwamish River with us! Our second program is also every Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday but we are looking for Masters rowers to come out and join us! No experience is required to become a Master; you must just be 21+! The Masters program runs with a flexible schedule so sign up even if you can’t make every single practice. Both programs will cost $80 and have the opportunity to compete at the Summer Rowing Extravaganza hosted by Greenlake Crew. If you wish to join, or have any questions, comments, or concerns, please email John Andersen at johnandersen185@gmail.com

Highland Park Spraypark, day 1: Back in action!

(PHOTO UPDATED 6:32 pm – early evening, day 1)
4:49 PM: We finally made it over to Highland Park Spraypark, on its first day of operations, and found out it’s hit a bit of trouble – the water quit working about half an hour ago. So if you were planning on going over this evening – be forewarned. We’ll be checking back in a bit to see if it’s been fixed, since we’re told Seattle Parks has already been notified.

5:09 PM UPDATE: Joelle Hammerstad from Parks confirms staff is on the way to try to fix it.

5:35 PM UPDATE: It’s working! And open till 8, at 11th/Cloverdale.