day : 10/09/2013 10 results

West Seattle books: Christopher Boffoli’s ‘Big Appetites’ now published; signing at Click! this Thursday

| West Seattle books | West Seattle news | West Seattle people | WS culture/arts

It’s a big autumn for West Seattle writers/artists publishing books – and we are particularly proud of the one whose book officially went on sale today: Longtime WSB contributing photojournalist Christopher Boffoli, whose “tiny people in a world of big food” photographs and wry captions now comprise a book titled “Big Appetites.” The first published photo in the series – more than five years ago! – was the one atop this story Christopher wrote for WSB. Since then, the “Big Appetites” series have been showcased in galleries and publications from coast to coast and around the world. And in case you missed the CBS TV feature last weekend:

That’s just one of many stories about Christopher and the new book – and how he creates the photos; several WSB’ers also sent us the link to this NPR story. He’ll be signing “Big Appetites” right here in West Seattle on Thursday night: During the September edition of the West Seattle Art Walk, Christopher will be at Click! Design That Fits (4540 California SW; WSB sponsor). Before then – read about the photo series here – and, in his own words below, what Christopher told us about how this all began, and snowballed:

The original genesis of Big Appetites was in a lot of the media I watched as a child. The concept of scale juxtaposition – with tiny figures in a normal-sized world – seemed to be employed everywhere, in films like The Incredible Shrinking Woman and Honey I Shrunk to Kids, to TV shows like Dr. Shrinker and in endless commercials from the Keebler Elves to the Pillsbury Doughboy to the tiny Ralston Purina chuck wagon that would get chased into the kitchen by a dog. When I was a child I was an avid collector of Matchbox cars, I was constantly building scale models and I also loved electric race car sets and model railroading. In a more contemporary sense, an exhibit I saw at the Saatchi Gallery in London in December 2002 (by the Chapman Brothers) which used tiny figures in large dioramas reignited the idea. I was also inspired by a work called The Travelers by Walter Martin and Paloma Munoz that used similar figures inside snow globes.

The first images I made in this series were done at the end of 2002 and in early 2003 when I still lived in New York City.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Plea bargain for Alan Polevia; 6-month sentence recommended

September 10, 2013 8:28 pm

| 33 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

(June 2013 photo by WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand)
Checking in on our “watch list” of ongoing criminal cases, we discovered that Alan Polevia has pleaded guilty in two cases, as part of a plea agreement. If you don’t recognize the name immediately – Polevia, 32, has made news here a few times this year. After he escaped from police custody at Harborview Medical Center in February – while handcuffed – he was spotted in Shorewood on March 5th, leading to hours of helicopter-augmented searching. He was finally taken into custody three weeks later. He spent only three days in jail; shortly afterward, he was charged in a West Seattle burglary case from six months earlier, but didn’t appear for arraignment, so a warrant was issued for his arrest. On June 11th, he was arrested in Arbor Heights – and released less than two weeks later, after his bail was reduced. Less than 24 hours after that, he was arrested yet again, in a case that led to a charge of second-degree burglary, involving a house on 28th SW, just south of the city limits, that was vacant because of fire damage several weeks earlier. His plea bargain includes both that burglary, to which he pleaded guilty to the original charge, and the West Seattle case from last September, in which the burglary charge was reduced to 2nd-degree theft, with Polevia pleading guilty to that and the original 3rd-degree theft charge accompanying it.

For each of those two cases, according to documents in the online file, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office is recommending a sentence of six months – with the two sentences to be served concurrently. Polevia is scheduled to be sentenced by Superior Court Judge Ken Schubert on September 27th, by which time he will already have served three months in jail – his fifth, and by far longest, stay in jail since last December.

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West Seattle food: New Morgan Junction taco truck Taqueria El Antojo

September 10, 2013 6:38 pm

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| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Joining others from The Triangle to Alki to mid-Delridge, Morgan Junction is the newest West Seattle neighborhood to get a daily taco truck. Multiple WSB’ers spotted it, and we’ve since received official word from proprietor Katherine Brambila:

We would like to let people know about the opening of our taco truck – Taqueria El Antojo. We are located at (6317) California Avenue SW in the parking lot of the Short Stop Cleaners. We sell tacos, burritos, tortas, and much more. We are open daily from 10 am to 10 pm.

The other semi-permanently located West Seattle taco trucks include Beloved Mexico outside West Seattle Produce on Fauntleroy Way south of SW Alaska, El Rey del Taco at 7184 Sylvan Way SW just north of Home Depot, and Taqueria La Monarca outside Alki Auto Repair.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Stolen red Volvo

September 10, 2013 4:48 pm

| 9 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news

Chas‘s car is distinctive – and missing:

Left car at Westwood Village this morning at 10:30 to help with a Longfellow Creek walk – came back after walk at 3:00 pm to find car stolen.

license plate ABJ7681
model S70 1999 red 4-door Volvo
has dent in left rear quarter panel

Call 911 if you see it.

9:18 PM UPDATE: Added a photo. (Reminder … we hope you never have to deal with a stolen car, bike, scooter, etc., but make sure you have a photo for police & us in case you ever do.)

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Followup: More details on police search for flasher seen near Holy Rosary

September 10, 2013 2:25 pm

| 33 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

(UPDATED 3:04 PM with new text of police update)

Just in – new information from police about the flasher incident reported here on Monday afternoon after Holy Rosary School sent an alert to parents, who forwarded it to us. From SPD Blotter:

Officers continue to look for a man who exposed himself to children outside Holy Rosary School. On September 9th at approximately 1:15 p.m. three 9-year-old girls were sitting on the edge of the playground when they noticed the suspect sitting in his vehicle, a large white SUV parked the wrong way on 41st Avenue SW, facing northbound on the west side of the street next to the playground.

The suspect summoned the girls over to his truck. As the girls got closer they saw that the suspect, who was sitting in the reclined driver’s seat, was not wearing any pants or underwear. All three girls turned around and walked back toward the school building and went back to class where the incident was reported.

There was no attempted or actual physical contact between the suspect and the three girls nor is there any indication that the suspect ever exited the truck.

The suspect drove off before the arrival of responding officers. Officers conducted an area search; however, the suspect remains at large.

The suspect is described as a white male in his mid to late 20′s with short dark hair and a heavy build.
Officers notified school staff of the incident and disseminated the details of the incident and the suspect/vehicle description to all patrol officers working in the West Seattle area.

Anyone with information about this incident or who may know the identity or whereabouts of the suspect or his vehicle is asked to call 911 or the Seattle Police Sexual Assault Unit at 206-684-5575 and refer to this incident. Anonymous tips are welcome.

Sexual Assault Unit detectives are actively investigating the incident.

EDITOR’S NOTE, 3:04 PM: We have updated the text above to reflect SPD’s updated blotter post, with a few more details.

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West Seattle biznotes: Thunder Road Guitars; Second Gear Sports; Harry’s Chicken Joint; JC’s Deli; future Panda Express…

September 10, 2013 12:23 pm

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| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

Updates on four West Seattle businesses and one in the works:

THUNDER ROAD GUITARS: West Seattle’s only guitar shop, Thunder Road Guitars (WSB sponsor) at 3916 California SW, is making changes so you have more opportunities to come in. From proprietor Frank Gross:

We are expanding our hours! Since we opened our storefront in November it has been quite clear our hours are a bit limited and I have heard from many customers that we are closed when they come by. That said, we want to make sure everyone who wants to come see the store and makes the trip can! Our new hours are as follows:

Monday: By Appointment
Tuesday – Saturday: 10 am – 6 pm
Sunday: Closed

SECOND GEAR SPORTS: The new consignment (etc.) shop in Morgan Junction, first noted here August 6th, is now officially open, after a while in “soft open” mode. We stopped by the 6529 California SW storefront for a photo of owners Mark and Ellen Bremen:

They have just decided on their permanent hours, Ellen says – 10 am-6 pm, Tuesdays-Saturdays, 11 am-5 pm Sundays, closed Mondays. They don’t have a website yet but you can find them on Facebook, here.

HARRY’S CHICKEN JOINT: The restaurant’s six-months-in-business celebration this past weekend was a hit; we stopped in while they were cooking more chicken for the party:

And now we’re sharing the news that Harry’s Chicken Joint (WSB sponsor) is changing its hours for fall – Tuesdays-Saturdays, 4 pm-8 pm. Find Harry’s at 6032 California SW.

JC’S DELI: New hours here too, as the deli at 9007 35th SW approaches its first anniversary – Fridays through Tuesdays, 11 am-7:30 pm, with the caveat from proprietor Jeanette Cummings that they might close early on slow Sundays.

UPDATE – PANDA EXPRESS IN WESTWOOD VILLAGE: Seven months have passed since we reported that the national Asian-food chain appeared to be headed to part of the former Hollywood Video space on the south side of Westwood Village, and with no activity in the space since then, we’ve received some questions recently about whether it’s still in the works. Today, we found new proof that it is – the interior work is out for bids, which are to be opened this Thursday, so it looks like work will start soon.

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West Seattle Tuesday: Get involved in your ‘hood! 4 councils meet

September 10, 2013 10:52 am

| 4 COMMENTS

| Neighborhoods | West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by Mark Bauschke, shared via the WSB Flickr group)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar – a big night for neighborhood-council meetings!

HIGH POINT NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: 6 pm at Neighborhood House’s High Point Center. President Deborah Vandermar shares agenda highlights:

Our main focus will be organizing volunteers for High Point Night Out on September 15. This year we are hosting six picnics in six parks, all at once. Focus will be on kids.

All welcome; the center is at 6400 Sylvan Way.

WESTWOOD-ROXHILL-ARBOR HEIGHTS COMMUNITY COUNCIL: 6:15 pm, upstairs at Southwest Branch Library. Agenda on the WWRHAH site – including discussion of forming a West Seattle Transit Coalition. All welcome! (35th/Henderson)

ADMIRAL NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL: 7 pm, lower level of Admiral Congregational Church, all welcome. Agenda highlights from president David Whiting:

Our special guest this month will be Jake and Cathy Jaramillo, authors of the guide book on the stairway walks in Seattle. We’ll also debrief our concert series and prepare for our this Saturday’s Adopt-A-Street cleanup.

The church is at California/Hill.

FAUNTLEROY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: Board meets 7 pm (public welcome!), Fauntleroy Schoolhouse conference room. (9131 California SW)

Also today/tonight:

RAISE A GUIDE PUPPY! West Seattle See Dogs needs puppy raisers. Come see what it’s all about at tonight’s meeting at The Kenney (WSB sponsor), 6:30 pm. (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW)

FAMILY STORY TIME: Tonight it’s at 7 pm at Delridge Branch Library. (5423 Delridge Way SW)

Nightlife too – see the listings and more of today’s happenings on our calendar.

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West Seattle pre-holiday sales: Sign-up time for two events

September 10, 2013 9:45 am

| Comments Off on West Seattle pre-holiday sales: Sign-up time for two events

| Holidays | West Seattle news

So it’s going into the 80s again today and that’s hardly conducive to a “Jingle Bells” mood. Nonetheless, holiday planning is under way in some quarters, especially for the pre-holiday sale season. Two notes to share, first from Sue Gibbs on behalf of West Gate Court #21, Order of the Amaranth:

Holiday Bazaar – October 12th – 10-4
Alki Masonic Hall, 4736 40th Ave SW
Tables available

To get one, contact Sue, 206-650 5491, westgateevents21@gmail.com.

And from Judy Pickens on behalf of Fauntleroy Church:

If you’re an artist/artistic crafter living in West Seattle and haven’t yet applied for the Fauntleroy Fine Art & Holiday Gift Show November 15-17, time is a’wasting. The deadline is September 30. The show, hosted by Fauntleroy Church, is always well-attended, the percentage to participate is low, and you’ll likely go home with contacts for after-show sales. Look for details and the application form at fauntleroyucc.org or call the church office at 206-932-5600.

P.S. If you’re in the buying mood, the church is having its Second-Time Sale this weekend – details here.

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Final phase of Delridge repaving to start September 23rd

September 10, 2013 8:28 am

| 11 COMMENTS

| Delridge | Transportation | West Seattle news

(Updated map sent by SDOT)
After eight months of work, the date is set for the final phase of the Delridge Way Repaving Project to begin: September 23rd. That’s when crews plan to start on the southernmost stretch. Here’s the announcement sent this morning by SDOT:

The Seattle Department of Transportation’s Delridge Way SW Paving Project enters its fifth and final phase on September 23, 2013. The project rebuilds much of the roadway from SW Henderson to SW Roxbury streets, installing new storm water detention pipes, upgrading curb ramps to ADA standards and adding bike facilities on the northern end. The project began January 10 and is expected to wrap up by the end of the year.

To ensure the safety of drivers and pedestrians and to allow enough space for the crews to complete the work on Phase 5, between SW Henderson and Roxbury streets, on-street parking will be inaccessible. Also, southbound traffic will be detoured at SW Henderson St to 16th Avenue SW.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Tuesday updates

September 10, 2013 7:08 am

| 10 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Live view from the east-facing WS Bridge camera; other cameras are on the WSB Traffic page)
7:08 AM: More fog this morning, but it looks to be mostly on the water – the Vashon Water Taxi, for example, is running late. Also, one road-work project is scheduled to start today: Repaving on SW Thistle between 35th and 37th, closing the westbound lanes today and tomorrow, the eastbound lanes Thursday and Friday.

9:39 AM UPDATE: Problem reported on northbound I-5 before the I-90 exit – take 99 if you can.

2:30 PM NOTE: WSDOT has just gone public with a long list of closures planned this weekend. None in the immediate West Seattle area – but many involve I-5, so check it out:

Northbound I-5

9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13, to 4:30 a.m. Monday, Sept. 16 – Two of four left lanes on northbound I-5 will be closed between Olive Way and Lakeview Boulevard for expansion joint replacement.

11:59 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13, to 4:30 a.m. Saturday – Three of four lanes on northbound I-5 will be closed between Mercer Street and Lakeview Boulevard while crews place a protective concrete barrier around the work zone.

5:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, and 5:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15 – WSDOT bridge maintenance crews will extend the double-left lane closures on northbound I-5 from Lakeview Boulevard to the north end of the Ship Canal Bridge for bridge deck repair work.

11:59 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15, to 4:30 a.m. Monday, Sept. 16 – Three of four lanes on northbound I-5 will be closed between Mercer Street and Lakeview Boulevard to remove barrier and restore all four travel lanes.

SR 520

11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13, to 9 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 15 – All lanes of SR 520 from I-405 to Montlake Boulevard will be closed. Eastside Transit and HOV Project crews will use the closure to implement westbound traffic lane shifts from 108th Avenue Northeast to Evergreen Point Road, while other workers continue pouring concrete foundations for the new West Connection Bridge.

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