West Seattle, Washington

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month : 09/2013 320 results

West Seattle Sunday: Recycle Roundup; SPD Mounted Patrol open house; poker, bingo benefits; Autumn Equinox…
September 22, 2013 9:00 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Sunday: Recycle Roundup; SPD Mounted Patrol open house; poker, bingo benefits; Autumn Equinox…
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Added 10:23 am: Rainbow over Alki, shared by Donna Riddick – thanks!)
Latest forecast still includes an alert for blustery conditions later. But in the meantime … from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

(WSB photo added 10 am: 1 Green Planet crew setting up for Recycle Roundup; info below)
RECYCLE ROUNDUP: Fauntleroy Church‘s twice-a-year Recycle Roundup is on, until 3 pm. 1 Green Planet is there to fill trucks with the recyclables you can’t just leave at the curb; see the list of what they’re accepting on the church website. (9140 California SW)

SALES! 9 am-5 pm, one more full day for the tent sale at Pacific Plumbing Supply (WSB sponsor) in Highland Park continues its annual tent sale (7115 W. Marginal Way SW) … Then 10 am-2 pm today, it’s “Sale Day” at the year-round West Seattle Farmers’ Market. (44th and Alaska)

MOUNTED PATROL OPEN HOUSE: Come meet the Seattle Police Mounted Patrol horses and humans at their first-ever open house. Their HQ is on the east side of Westcrest Park in Highland Park, and you’re welcome to visit between 1-5 pm, demonstrations at 2 & 4 (follow that link for driving/parking instructions, too). Rain or shine – it’ll be happening at their COVERED facility. (Entrance at 8600 8th SW)

CARDS FOR THE KIDS: West Seattle Junior Football‘s benefit Texas Hold-Em poker tournament at the Heartland Café/Benbow Room in The Admiral District, 3 pm – cash prizes, no-host bar. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

WEST SEATTLE COOKING CLUB: This time, the theme is Greek – cook up some Greek food and bring it to Beveridge Place Pub to share during the WSCC‘s meeting starting at 3 pm. (6419 California SW)

MUSIC AND COFFEE: Erika Lundahl performs this afternoon at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 3-5 pm. (5612 California SW)

BINGO BENEFIT: At the Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) starting at 5 pm, it’s a new round of “Booze, Balls, and Bingo,” drag bingo raising money for nonprofits, this time including animal advocates who will have adoptable dogs outside the Feedback during the event – full details in our calendar listing.

UPDATE: The following event is canceled, per Alice, because of the soggy weather.

EQUINOX SUNSET: Fall officially begins at 1:44 pm with the autumnal equinox, which means that – unless the weather is REALLY bad (which it might be – watch here for updates) – Alice Enevoldsen of Alice’s Astro Info (and monthly Skies Over West Seattle reports here), will meet you at Solstice Park east of north Lincoln Park for the sunset – as explained here – starting around 6:30 pm. (7400 Fauntleroy Way SW)

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West Seattle books: ‘Daily connection’ with in-city wildlife inspires Lyanda Lynn Haupt’s ‘The Urban Bestiary’
September 21, 2013 9:46 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle books | West Seattle news | Wildlife

What an autumn for West Seattle authors! This week, Gatewood nature writer Lyanda Lynn Haupt‘s fourth book “The Urban Bestiary: Encountering the Everyday Wild” hit the market – a topic very close to our hearts here at WSB, and to our pixels, since we publish photos of and stories about urban wildlife so often.

You might recall Lyanda’s 2009 book “Crow Planet,” or you might have read one or more of her previous books. With “The Urban Bestiary,” she goes wider, and wilder, into the world of who and what we encounter outside our homes (and sometimes inside, as happened while she was working on the book). Her publicist describes it as “a field guide of sorts infused with popular mythology, surprising facts, and anecdotes from her life … Lyanda discusses urban creatures — squirrels, rats, birds — as well as some more suburban dwellers, such as raccoons and coyotes.”

Announcing the then-impending book back in May, Lyanda wrote:

It is my passionate belief that daily connection with the natural, wild world matters. It makes us more creative, responsive, responsible, imaginative, wild, and happy inhabitants of our home communities. It also allows these communities – made up of humans and myriad other animals—to flourish. The Urban Bestiary is a song — a symphony, really — in support of this belief.

We asked her for a comment on the book’s West Seattle roots, aside from the fact she lives here and wrote it here; the WSB mention refers to a conversation she had with your editor here as part of her research:

Though this book has a national audience, it was born in West Seattle. I decided to write as much of this book as I could outdoors, and much of the work was done in my backyard in a neighborhood above Lincoln Park. Since I started work in autumn, this involved fires in a backyard fire bowl (which meant, alas, s’mores for lunch), hats, fingerless gloves, and even umbrellas. The Urban Bestiary was shaped by this unusual writing studio, and this gorgeous, unique place (where) we live.

Tracy Record at the West Seattle Blog helped me to flesh out my ideas about the relationship between social media and wildlife perceptions — thank you, WSB, for being a voice of calm and wisdom on these subjects!

I hope everyone will join me at my official book launch at Elliott Bay Book Company on Wednesday, September 25th at 7 pm. Bring everyone. There will be cake!

And urban-wildlife photos from an online contest she conducted; read more about the launch event on her website. If you haven’t been to Elliott Bay lately, remember that it is now on Capitol Hill, 1521 10th Avenue (map).

P.S. Looking way ahead, Lyanda is on the stellar lineup of local authors booked for the new “Words, Wine, & West Seattle” series of monthly readings to be presented by South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor) and the Southwest Seattle Historical Society; her appearance is set for February 7th, 2014 – details are in the official announcement.

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4 Sunday reminders: Recycling; police horses; equinox; weather
September 21, 2013 8:29 pm
|    Comments Off on 4 Sunday reminders: Recycling; police horses; equinox; weather
 |   Environment | West Seattle news | West Seattle police | West Seattle weather

Four things we didn’t want to wait until tomorrow morning to mention again:

RECYCLE ROUNDUP: The fall edition of Fauntleroy Church‘s twice-yearly “drop off your not-curbside-friendly recyclables for free” event with 1 Green Planet, 9 am-3 pm Sunday, 9140 California SW – see the list of what they’ll take by going here.

POLICE HORSES: Tomorrow afternoon brings the first-ever open house at the Seattle Police Mounted Patrol HQ on the east side of Westcrest Park in Highland Park (8600 8th SW), 1-5 pm, demonstrations at 2 & 4. Sgt. Jim Scott wants to make sure you know that this is INDOORS – so even if the rain starts early (more on that below), don’t worry, they’ve got you covered. Literally.

EQUINOX SUNSET WATCH: Tomorrow afternoon, fall arrives with the Autumn Equinox. That means sunset tomorrow night is a special event with Alice Enevoldsen of Alice’s Astro Info (and monthly Skies Over West Seattle reports here on WSB), gather at 6:30 pm at Solstice Park east of north Lincoln Park – details here. (Cloudy or sprinkly, be there anyway. If it’s raining hard, Alice says it’s off. Which brings us to …)

WEATHER ALERT: The National Weather Service has tweaked its “special weather statement” for tomorrow – for this area, about half an inch of rain is likely, and it’s expected to get windy, with gusts up to 45 mph. That’s all supposed to pick up in the afternoon – likely while the Seahawks are playing. (Sound familiar?) No lightning in the forecast right now, though.

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Happening now: See what – and who’s – up, at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center
September 21, 2013 4:43 pm
|    Comments Off on Happening now: See what – and who’s – up, at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center
 |   Delridge | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

For the rest of the day and into tonight, Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW) invites you to stop by and see what’s up – art, music, more. You might have driven by the historic brick ex-schoolhouse many times without ever stopping in, and this is your chance, since it’s been ramping up activities and community engagement under new management. The arts at Youngstown include performing arts as well as visual arts – above, aerialists with The Cabiri are getting ready for this year’s “Ghost Game” shows (starting October 25th); below, Mary Springer from Twelfth Night Productions:

It’s an open house at Youngstown until 6, then performances commence, all free and open to the public – whether you’ve been there before or not, even if you only have a little time to spare, stop in and see for yourself!

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Update: Police search in The Junction after reported assault
September 21, 2013 2:53 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police

(Photo tweeted by @synergy3k)
2:53 PM: Police are in the 5000 block of California after a report of a possible shooting victim. So far, they haven’t found the victim; there was a report the victim was in an apartment, but a search hasn’t turned up anything; then there was word the victim might have headed north into The Junction. Updates as we get them.

3:01 PM: The possible victim they’re looking for, per the scanner, was described as a white man, around 40, with long blond curly hair, shirtless when last seen, with a tattooed chest. He might have some kind of weapon, police were told, so call 911 if you see him – they’re still looking in the California/Alaska vicinity.

3:13 PM: Also from the scanner: This is now reported to have been an assault, not a shooting, and the victim, possibly hit over the head with a piece of furniture, is headed downtown. Police are still working to sort out what did or didn’t happen and where the victim is – there are still a few SPD cars near the building south of The Junction where the report originated.

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West Seattle weekend scene: Pacific Plumbing Supply sale
September 21, 2013 12:58 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Highland Park | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

At the Pacific Plumbing Supply (WSB sponsor) tent sale in Highland Park, we asked PPS’s Dan Sherman if he would show us one of the most notable items not yet snapped up. That’s him in it – a $13,000+ walk-in jetted bathtub on sale for about a third that price. Same footprint as a standard bathtub. If you’re doing bathroom/kitchen remodeling/adding/etc., lots of other discounted items to browse too; sale’s on until 5 pm today, 9-5 tomorrow and, if anything’s left, 9-noon Monday, at 7115 West Marginal Way SW, on the southwest corner at the bottom of the Highland Park Way hill.

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West Seattle Whale Watch update: Orcas in the distance
September 21, 2013 10:12 am
|      21 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Wildlife

(WSB PHOTO ADDED 4:30 PM: Caught 2 in the distance!)

10:12 AM: Just got a text (206-293-6302 any time!) that orcas are heading southbound from the Edmonds area, so you’ll want to keep an eye on our waters. Let us know if you see them – we’ll be on the lookout too.

10:31 AM: Text update says this group has about 20 orcas! Mid-channel.

12:15 PM: They’re not moving all that fast, apparently – newest text has them off Port Madison in north Kitsap County (map). But still southbound.

(PHOTO ADDED SATURDAY EVENING: Trileigh Tucker‘s photo shows orca & freight, research, WSF vessels)
1:52 PM: Finally coming into range, according to our text update – Bainbridge ferry lane. Let us know if/when you actually see them from here!

(WSB PHOTO ADDED 4:30 PM: Whale watchers at Emma Schmitz Overlook)
2:58 PM UPDATE: The orcas are now visible with binoculars looking north in that direction from Alki and Beach Drive, per commenters.

(PHOTO ADDED SATURDAY EVENING: Susan Coles‘ photo shows Donna Sandstrom, next to TWT sign)
4:24 PM UPDATE: We’ve just heard from Donna Sandstrom of The Whale Trail, who’s watching from south of Alki Point and says the orcas appear to be turning northbound, between Blake and Vashon. Doesn’t mean they won’t change direction again, she warns. Still far from this side, so bring binoculars.

SATURDAY EVENING NOTE: We’ve added photos. As for the whales – we got to go back and watch them as they headed northbound, and last saw them after 5 pm just going past Alki Point, though still close enough to the other side to require binoculars.

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West Seattle Saturday: Youngstown open house; WestFest day 2; Solar Tour; sales; WSHS-benefit car wash; more…
September 21, 2013 9:09 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Saturday: Youngstown open house; WestFest day 2; Solar Tour; sales; WSHS-benefit car wash; more…
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(WSB photo added: WSHS athletes’ car-wash crew)
Happy Saturday! Here are highlights from the list of what’s up today, via the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

ROAD-WORK ALERTS: Two reminders for the weekend – ramps from northbound I-5 to the West Seattle Bridge and Beacon Hill are closed until Monday morning, and pavement repair is scheduled today and tomorrow on East Marginal Way near Hanford.

SALES! 9 am-5 pm today (and again tomorrow), Pacific Plumbing Supply in Highland Park continues its annual tent sale, which it’s been advertising here on the WSB Event Calendar page to get the word out. Discounted fixtures include bathtubs, jetted tubs, kitchen sinks, toilets, more. (7115 W. Marginal Way SW) … Also, garage/yard-sale season isn’t quite over yet – there are a few listings in the Sales/Freebies section of the WSB Forums.

COMMUNITY CLEANUPS: Reminder that there are two today – Junction Plaza Park with the Junction Neighborhood Organization just started at 9 am, Walking on Logs (alongside the Fauntleroy end of the bridge) also a 9 am start – here’s our Friday reminder about both; every single participant (and all ages are welcome) makes a difference, including late arrivals!

BENEFIT CAR WASH: The West Seattle High School Girls’ Basketball and Volleyball Teams are raising money by washing cars at West Seattle Autoworks (WSB sponsor) this weekend. Today’s hours: 10 am-1 pm. They’re raising money for new uniforms. (35th and Webster)

WESTFEST, DAY 2: Holy Rosary School‘s annual fall festival continues today, 10 am-10 pm. Ride, food, entertainment info is in our preview; here’s the story from our visit last night. (42nd/Genesee)

WEST SEATTLE SOLAR TOUR: Visit the tour stops 11 am-2 pm, including, as featured here, Bob Huppe‘s home, with a solar installation in tribute to his son Ben, who designed it before his untimely death. The West Seattle map is here.

THRIFTWAY BARBECUE: 11 am-~4 pm, the final benefit barbecue of the season at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) – go have lunch and help local nonprofits! Look for the tent outside the store. (California/Fauntleroy/Morgan)

STORYTIME: At Barnes & Noble at Westwood Village; here’s Melissa‘s update on today’s 11 am storytime:

We have an awesome Curious George storytime planned for Saturday! We’re going to read the original story introducing Curious George, and we have some fun activities planned, as well as some great stuff for kids to take home! Wearing red shirts in honor of our favorite monkey is optional, but highly encouraged!

YOUNGSTOWN CULTURAL ARTS CENTER OPEN HOUSE: Go find out what happens inside the historic schoolhouse that is now the re-activated Youngstown Cultural Arts Center – open house 1-6 pm, performances 6-9 pm, food trucks in the parking lot all day; here’s the event page on Facebook. P.S. And there’s a dance party at 9:30 pm. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

CHILD-CARE CONCERNS? Organize! Public meeting at 1:30 pm at Delridge Library – details in our calendar listing. (5423 Delridge Way SW)

SWYFS GALA: Southwest Youth and Family Services‘ gala fundraiser starts at 5:30 pm at The Hall at Fauntleroy, with guest speaker former Sen. Tom Daschle; details in our calendar listing. (9131 California SW)

THE HOLLANDS @ KENYON HALL: “Merrymaking nomads” stop for the night at West Seattle’s historic Kenyon Hall, with a 7:30 pm performance – details in our calendar listing. (7904 35th SW)

SPOKEN WORD/PHOTOGRAPHY AT TWILIGHT: apertureSTOP! at 8 pm at Twilight Gallery – details in our calendar listing. (Alaska just west of California)

OKTOBERFEST: Elliott Bay Brewery Pub in The Junction celebrates it today/tonight (including live music 6-9 pm), as reported in our West Seattle Food Notes roundup earlier this week. (4720 California SW)

Even more nightlife on our calendar …

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High-school football: West Seattle over Franklin, 26-12
September 21, 2013 1:44 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

Photos and summary by Lawrence Kane
Special to West Seattle Blog

At Memorial Stadium downtown, the West Seattle High School Wildcats defeated the Franklin Quakers 26-12 Friday night to begin league play on a high note.

The grueling, three-hours-and-20-minutes game was marred by eight injury timeouts and countless penalties, yet the team persevered to earn their first win of the season.

Read More

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High-school football: Chief Sealth over Rainier Beach, 30-20
September 20, 2013 9:51 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

9:51 PM: Final score’s just in from Southwest Athletic Complex in Westwood – Chief Sealth International High School 30, Rainier Beach HS 20.

11:54 PM: Adding photos and toplines from WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand, who covered the game @ SWAC:

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Getting married? 1st West Seattle Wedding Showcase coming up
September 20, 2013 9:13 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Getting married? Want your celebration to be full of local flavor? Put a ring around your calendar for Sunday, October 13th, 1-4 pm, when the first-ever West Seattle Wedding Showcase is set for Dakota Place Park north of The Junction (California/Dakota). Free event, which, says Seattle Parks‘ Tiffani Melake, “is featuring all West Seattle vendors; will have door prizes; and is the perfect opportunity to find all your wedding/special-event vendors.” Read on for the vendor list:

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Happening now: Indoor/outdoor WestFest 2013 at Holy Rosary
September 20, 2013 7:44 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

We visited Holy Rosary School‘s WestFest shortly after it got under way tonight – right before a little fall weather swept through the fall festival. Full-Life Crisis (above) was first band up; down in the food court, Dave and Tim were grilling:

So then the rain came in for a while, and we checked out the inside fun – games in the gym:

Food’s on sale indoors too – like pizza and corn on the cob. And elsewhere on campus, the bingo hall was getting ready for action:

WestFest continues until 10 pm tonight, then a big day is ahead tomorrow, 10 am-10 pm. Bouncy rides are set up on the playground, too – info about rides and food, as well as the entertainment schedule, can all be found in our festival preview.

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West Seattle Weather Watch: Special alert for stormy Sunday
September 20, 2013 5:22 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

Thanks to Stefanie for sharing that cool view of this week’s spectacular moon – not likely to see it tonight, with clouds taking over and the breeze kicking up. Some rain might be on the way but the serious stuff is due on Sunday, according to a “special weather statement” issued this afternoon by the National Weather Service (read the full text here).

6:58 PM: And just in case you’re reading this in a windowless room, tonight’s wave of rain has arrived. In the thick of it right now, per KING 5‘s radar, but looks like some potential breaks later.

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West Seattle Junction Association: New website; construction confirmation
September 20, 2013 3:02 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Just received the West Seattle Junction Association‘s periodic newsletter and there are two things of note:


NEW WEBSITE: The Junction has overhauled its website and expanded its business directory – check it out at wsjunction.org (where you will also find information about next month’s Harvest Festival).

CONSTRUCTION CONFIRMATION: Back on Tuesday, we reported that the long-delayed Equity Residential seven-story, two-building apartment/retail project at California/Alaska/42nd is finally on the verge of starting major work. That’s confirmed in the Junction newsletter, which says the project will officially start the week of September 30th – one week from Monday – adding that Andersen Construction is the general contractor.

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You can help! Volunteer cleanups tomorrow – Junction Plaza Park, Walking on Logs
September 20, 2013 2:16 pm
|    Comments Off on You can help! Volunteer cleanups tomorrow – Junction Plaza Park, Walking on Logs
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

Two community-group cleanups tomorrow are asking for your help – first, one we haven’t mentioned before, the Junction Neighborhood Organization‘s first monthly cleanup since its recent relaunch. They’ll gather just outside Junction QFC at 42nd/Alaska and go across the street to clean up Junction Plaza Park 9 am-noon. Equipment provided! JuNO’s René Commons says, “We are joining forces to support Molly Connelly, a neighborhood volunteer who regularly helps maintain the park.” Drain-stenciling kits will be available too; kids welcome to come help out.

Also tomorrow, 9 am-1 pm, it’s the volunteer-powered cleanup at Walking on Logs and vicinity along the southwest end of the West Seattle Bridge – full details are in the announcement we published last week. Organizer Nancy Driver says today that “significant rain” will cancel, but if there’s only light rain, it’s still on; whatever the weather conditions, please wear footwear suitable for mud.

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Happening now: PARKing Day – come play in the ‘park for a day’
September 20, 2013 11:53 am
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news

First temporary “park” we found set up for PARKing Day in West Seattle is this one in front of Wyatt’s Jewelers (WSB sponsor) at Westwood Village – you can sit down and relax, or play bean-bag toss:

Things were a little delayed for a couple of parks, including Mind Unwind in the Admiral District, which had a delay, ironic as it was, because someone had parked right in front of the no-parking signs. However, they’ve now tweeted they’re up and running – go hang out and make art!

Mind Unwind is at 2206 California SW. More to come!

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High-school sports: Another win for West Seattle HS soccer
September 20, 2013 10:03 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

Thanks to Karin Beck for the photo and update on the West Seattle High School girls-varsity soccer team, with a big win on Thursday: “Coming from behind 0-2, the Wildcats scored three goals in the second half to beat Nathan Hale 3-2! Exciting game, with goals scored by [corrected] Katie DuLong (1) and Olivia Williams (2).” The Wildcats are now 2-0 in conference play. Next up for WSHS, a crosstown-rivalry match against Chief Sealth International High School, 4 pm Tuesday (September 24th) at Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle).

P.S. Sports updates appreciated for any and all teams – even just the score! – editor@westseattleblog.com, or text 206-293-6302 – thank you!

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West Seattle Friday: PARKing Day; cheese/wine tasting; WestFest; free movie; more…
September 20, 2013 9:19 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Mushroom season is back – thanks to Machel Spence for sharing that photo of a Lepiota colony at Schmitz Park! Might be a great day to take a walk in a local park if you can … and/or check out one of these events from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS SYMPOSIUM: Under way now until noon, first-ever event to help out local business organizations around the city, organized by City Council President Sally Clark; not happening in West Seattle, but local participants/sponsors include the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce and West Seattle Junction Association, and your editor here is a speaker on the media panel at 10:50 am. (City Hall, Bertha Knight Landes Room)

PACIFIC PLUMBING SUPPLY SALE: Until 4 pm today, then all weekend, Pacific Plumbing Supply in Highland Park has its annual tent sale, which it’s been advertising here on WSB to get the word out. Big discounts; bathtubs, jetted tubs, kitchen sinks, toilets, more. (7115 W. Marginal Way SW)

PARKing DAY: Worldwide, this is a day for temporary mini-parks to be set up, mostly in parking spaces, to show alternate uses of public areas. As noted here on Thursday, four parks are planned here in West Seattle, 9 am-3 pm, from The Admiral District to Westwood Village – see the map and info here.

UNITED WAY DAY OF CARING: Volunteers’ efforts include work in the West Duwamish Greenbelt, 10 am-2 pm.

WINE AND CHEESE TASTING: Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor) in Admiral invites you to stop by 4-7 pm for a big event that’s part of the For the Love of Cheese: “We will be featuring artisan cheeses such as Mt. Townsend Seastack and Cirrus, Mifroma Gruyere, Le Chatelain Brie and Camembert, and Somerdale Shropshire, paired with our wine offerings.” (41st/42nd/Admiral)

LAST ONE IN THE POOL IS A … DOG (FIRST ONE, TOO): Day 4 of the “dogs in the pool, without people” post-season fundraiser at Arbor Heights Swim and Tennis Club, 5-7 pm. Get more info in our original preview. (11003 31st SW)

WESTFEST BEGINS: Holy Rosary School‘s annual fall festival starts tonight, 6-10 pm (and continues tomorrow). Ride and entertainment info is in our preview. (42nd/Genesee)

MOVIE NIGHT AT HPIC: Tonight’s Highland Park Improvement Club movie hint: A 1964 classic, rated G, featuring a “supernanny” who flies in … Doors open at 6:30, movie’s at 7. It’s free, but bring some $ for concessions. (12th/Holden)

FOOD BANK BENEFIT AT EASY STREET: Branden Daniel and The Chics, 7 pm in-store, bring a nonperishable food item for the West Seattle Food Bank, as previewed here yesterday. (California/Alaska)

HIGH-SCHOOL SPORTS: Chief Sealth International High School has varsity football at home at 7, hosting Rainier Beach across the street at SW Athletic Complex … For West Seattle High School, the varsity football team is playing Franklin at Memorial Stadium downtown, 7:45 pm.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Friday on the move
September 20, 2013 6:07 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Friday on the move
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Live view from the east-facing WS Bridge camera; other cameras are on the WSB Traffic page)
Happy Friday! As we keep an eye on today’s traffic, here’s the citywide roundup of potential traffic-affecting events for the next three days. Also: Starting at 7 pm tonight, northbound I-5 ramps to the West Seattle Bridge and Beacon Hill are closed all weekend.

1:28 PM: Crash on the westbound bridge, closer to WS side.

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West Seattle scenes: Last moonrise/sunset views of summer?
September 20, 2013 4:12 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

With clouds in the forecast the next few nights, it was widely opined that last night might have been the last best viewing of the sunset and moonrise until after autumn’s arrival on Sunday. So thank you to the photographers who shared their shots – Karen Derby‘s moonrise above; JayDee‘s sunset from Upper Alki, next:

Greg‘s view is from just east of Weather Watch Park:

And a bonus view – Keith‘s moonset scene from early Thursday:

Thanks again for the photos! P.S. Fall equinox sunset watch is this Sunday night, 6:30 pm, with Alice Enevoldsen at Solstice Park!

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Video: Four days before classes start, ‘Salute to South’ (Seattle Community College)
September 20, 2013 1:16 am
|    Comments Off on Video: Four days before classes start, ‘Salute to South’ (Seattle Community College)
 |   Puget Ridge | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor) might be one of the few schools in the country that can toast its own successes and milestones with its own wine. SSCC’s award-winning Northwest Wine Academy was the setting for Thursday afternoon’s “Salute to South” community reception, looking ahead to the start of the new school year on Monday. As usual, president Gary Oertli was there to oversee the party, at right in our photo below with professor Mike Hickey:

Oertli spoke about the renovation of the building that’s now home to the wine academy:

He mentioned many school and community leaders in attendance; among those we saw was Southwest Seattle Historical Society executive director Clay Eals, at center below:

He was there circulating news of the “Words, Wine, and West Seattle” author-readings series that will bring local writers to SSCC every month for the year ahead, 4-6 pm on first Fridays, starting with Stephanie Guerra on October 4th – you guessed it, at the Wine Academy HQ on the north side of campus.

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West Seattle food notes: Wanna, Marination, OutWest, Feedback, Elliott Bay, Matador…
September 19, 2013 9:52 pm
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

Updates from the West Seattle food and drink world:

WANNA TERIYAKI/BURGER OPENS TOMORROW: That’s what they told us late today when we stopped by the new place that, as first mentioned here last Friday, is taking over the former Athena’s/former Zippy’s spot at 1513 SW Holden: They’re planning to open at 10 am Friday. And, as Erik tipped us via the WSB Facebook page last night, they fixed the sign.

MARINATION MA KAI: New general manager Shawn Findley says Marination ma kai (WSB sponsor) at Seacrest is changing back to fall/winter hours as of next Monday (September 23rd):

Mondays: Closed
Tuesdays: 9 am-8 pm
Wednesdays: 9 am-8 pm
Thursdays: 9 am-8 pm
Fridays: 9 am-9 pm
Saturdays: 9 am-9 pm
Sundays: 9 am-8 pm

SUNDAY BRUNCH AND FOOTBALL AT OUTWEST: From OutWest Bar:

In our 3rd year, we’re opening up for Sunday Brunch! We will be showing every Sunday Seahawks game and opening by 9:30 for 10 am game days! All other Sundays we’ll open at noon and serve Brunch until 3! We’ve got Waffles & Sausage on the menu and a plethora of Bloody Marys to choose from, all starting at $6. Go Hawks!!

SUNDAY BREAKFAST AND FOOTBALL AT FEEDBACK: You can watch the games at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) too, according to manager Gia Griffitts:

At Feedback Lounge We will be showing all of the Seahawks games up on our big screen and opening early (9 am) for the Sunday 10 am games. Chef Wade will also be serving up a breakfast special on those early game days!

ELLIOTT BAY OKTOBERFEST: Elliott Bay Brewery Pub in The Junction isn’t waiting until October to celebrate Oktoberfest. It’s this Saturday (September 21st), and the pub/restaurant will be serving German fare along with the regular menu all day, as well as featuring “traditional German music by the Bonnie Birch Band” 6-9 pm.

MATADOR MENU: Also in The Junction, Matador West Seattle manager Andrew Ruggles has sent word of “a redesigned menu, with several recipe changes and the addition of a few new items.” New items they’ve announced include Nachos Mariscos – “a Northwest spin on our traditional Nachos, with dungeness crab and shrimp” – and Olympic Mountain Fried Ice Cream.

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West Seattle-raised star Frances Farmer’s 100th birthday today
September 19, 2013 9:07 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle history | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Thanks to local historian Peder Nelson for pointing this out: Today is the 100th anniversary of movie star Frances Farmer‘s birth. Her family lived on Capitol Hill when she was born on September 19, 1913, but moved to West Seattle in the early ’20s, and she went on to attend West Seattle High School, gaining her first round of fame for an award-winning essay titled “God Dies.” She died in 1970, but her legend lives on, as much because of her tragic later years as her silver-screen career – even her HistoryLink.org biography, published 10 years ago, spends far more time on the former than the latter. That’s a big reason why five years ago, Nelson organized an Admiral Theater mini-festival that was about “celebrating Frances Farmer for her life and what she did, away from all the tragedy,” as he told us in our interview for this 2008 WSB story previewing the event. She is most definitely not forgotten – Shadowland in The Junction, for example, carries the same name as a biography of Farmer. In 2011, Nelson led walking tours about “The Life and Times of Frances Farmer,” passing spots including the home where her family lived in the 2600 block of 47th SW. She was just 56 when she died of cancer in Indiana.

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