day : 10/11/2013 10 results

That video was just shared by West Seattle environmental advocate/photographer “Diver Laura” James, who reports counting more than 100 dead sea stars in the Brace Point area near Fauntleroy this weekend. We also received a called-in report late yesterday of dead sea stars (starfish) seen near Colman Pool on the Lincoln Park shoreline, but had not been able to get there at low tide to verify. There have been numerous reports of starfish die-offs in recent weeks, from this KING 5 story to a national report via NBC News. But there’s no way to know, so far, if this is connected, nor have scientists definitively linked other die-offs to any sort of common condition.

P.S. Laura will be at The Whale Trail‘s orca talk at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) this Tuesday night, on behalf of Tox-Ick.org; if you haven’t already bought a ticket, though, please note that TWT’s Donna Sandstrom has announced the event is sold out, so no tickets at the door.

West Seattle traffic alert: Highway 99/Viaduct reopens early

November 10, 2013 9:23 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

Just in from WSDOT: Highway 99/Alaskan Way Viaduct is open again, after a weekend of work on the new S. Atlantic Street overpass. The reopening was eight hours earlier than projected.

1:15 AM NOTE: As of 1 am, the “Viaduct Closed When Flashing” lights on signs in West Seattle and on the bridge were still flashing. But we drove 99 and it really is open.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Burglar(s) steal wedding gifts

November 10, 2013 9:00 pm

| 12 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

According to the Seattle Police crime map, 13 burglaries have been reported in West Seattle in the past week. Tonight, we’ve heard from a victim in one of the two most recent – newlywed Kathryn, who lives near 35th and 100th in Arbor Heights:

On Friday night between 4 pm and 10:30 pm, our house was broken into and burglarized. The door was kicked in; they didn’t touch anything in the living room and went straight for the bedroom. They found our safe and took $1500 cash that we had received from friends and family at our recent wedding (Sept. 29th) plus more in gift cards. They also stole my 17″ Toshiba laptop and my white iPad 4, 3 bottles of wine, and that’s it.

The police that came to the scene said they felt like it was someone who knew us, because they knew right where to look and left (other valuables). So we feel fortunate for that. We thought the West Seattle Blog should be notified, and if anyone hears of someone trying to sell the laptop or iPad, to contact the police ! I have serial number for both if that’s helpful.

Arbor Heights was not a hot spot this past week; in addition to this, only one other break-in is shown on the map – Monday near California/100th.

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Happening now: Dinner @ West Seattle Veterans Center

November 10, 2013 6:21 pm

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| Holidays | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

The renovated main hall was already candlelit when we took that photo just before the doors opened for tonight’s free dinner for veterans (and active-duty, reserve, retired servicepeople) and their families at the West Seattle Veterans’ Center. American Legion Post 160 and Auxiliary members are cooking up the gourmet Italian dinner and took a quick photo-op break at our request:

As part of tonight’s dinner, a conference room at the Veterans’ Center/Post 160 is being dedicated in honor of Doris Gross, a World War II U.S. Navy veteran and trailblazing Legion leader, first woman to be a statewide commander among other achievements (here’s a 2010 story about her). This portrait of her was unveiled tonight:

Dinner is being served at the WSVC (3618 SW Alaska) until 8 pm – just show up!

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2nd ‘West Seattle: We Have That!’ report: We have change; what about its effects?

November 10, 2013 3:58 pm

| 21 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle housing | West Seattle news

EDITOR’S NOTE: Earlier this year, WSB started a series of stories about independent local businesses and why they matter more to a community like ours than you might realize. Then, the “West Seattle: We Have That” campaign launched at midsummer. Now, we’re continuing to publish stories as part of the series – and inviting you into the conversation. Many of the reports, including this one and the one we published four weeks ago, are being underwritten by the West Seattle Junction Association, but not as ads – it’s their contribution to an issue of importance from Alki to Westwood, Fauntleroy to Highland Park, and all over WS.

By Keith Creighton
Special to West Seattle Blog

This past month, my wife and I moved from a hill atop Morgan to that same hill a mile south in Gatewood. One of the biggest considerations we faced was trading more space for less view and giving up the easy walk to the Morgan and Alaska Junctions.

We’re not the only family facing big changes in West Seattle.

How will the surge of demolition and construction (California/Alaska, above), store closures/moves (Sweetie, Coffee to a Tea, Alki Arts) and chain introductions (including Fatburger on Alki and plans for Whole Foods Market, LA Fitness) affect the values of your home and the quality of your life? I asked several Junction-area residents and real estate pros to share their expertise:

√ Dawn Leverett of Windermere Real Estate
√ Katie Hildebrand and Kirsten Donovan of The Usonia Group/Keller Williams Realty
√ Jill Campbell of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Northwest Real Estate

Can you put a price tag on the concept of walkability? What will happen if the big chains push mom and pop shops out of West Seattle? Is White Center becoming the new West Seattle? Read what the pros have to say and weigh in with your comments.

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West Seattle Veterans Day: Scouts to retire flag on Alki

November 10, 2013 2:59 pm

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| Holidays | West Seattle news

Another Veterans Day event in West Seattle, and you are invited. From Troop 375 Scoutmaster Mark Ufkes:

Boy Scout Troop 375, chartered by Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, will be holding an American flag retirement ceremony on Monday, Veterans Day, November 11, at 4 pm on Alki Beach in West Seattle (across from Duke’s restaurant).

We will provide a final color guard to an American flag that requires respectful retirement. Scouts will read statements about the history of our flag, honor attending veterans, play taps, and respectfully incinerate the flag in a proper and affirming manner. The public is welcome to attend. The ceremony will last about 15 minutes.

West Seattle, White Center and Burien families who have old American flags that need respectful retirement, are encouraged to bring their flags to the event and our scouts will collect them, and arrange a second ceremony later this winter to retire the collected flags. Families who bring worn or torn flags are asked to consider contributing $20 to our troop’s Scout Jamboree travel fund, but it is not mandatory. Respectfully retiring old and tattered flags is our priority.

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West Seattle biznotes: Updates, changes, winners!

November 10, 2013 1:31 pm

| 7 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

HOTWIRE HISTORY, THE FOLLOWUP: Banish the gloom with the history-making “light bar” at Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor) – now up and running. As first reported here last month, and shown in several citywide-media reports since then, Hotwire has installed full-spectrum lights, to set up the city’s first “light bar.” See them – and bask in the glow – next time you’re at the coffeehouse next to The Junction’s post office, 4410 California SW.

BANK CHANGEOVER DATE SET: Also in The Junction, the date is set for the official transition of AmericanWest Bank (4022 SW Alaska) to HomeStreet Bank. We reported back in July that the change was on the way; a company spokesperson tells us the bank’s first day as HomeStreet will be December 9th, and the signage will be changed a day or two beforehand.

EQUILIBRIUM FITNESS MOVE: This business is leaving The Junction; November 14 is the date that the fitness studio expects to open its new location at 3270 California. Signs are already up; the storefront was previously Cloud City Skateboard Shop, which closed quietly a few months ago.

CARTER’S COMING TO WESTWOOD? According to city-permit records, the Carter’s chain of children’s-clothing shops is planning a location at Westwood Village. No date or other information; we have an inquiry out to the company.

TONY’S PRODUCE CLOSED FOR THE SEASON: Also in Westwood, in case you hadn’t already noticed from passing by – Tony’s produce stand at 35th/Barton is closed for its fall break before reopening with Christmas trees later this month.

SPEAKING OF CHRISTMAS TREES: Son-in-Law Tree Farm, most recently in the former Charlestown Café parking lot, plans a new West Seattle location this year – on Alki Beach, on the lot that holds Wheel Fun Rentals during the summer season, 2532 Alki SW, opening the day after Thanksgiving, November 29th. (Any other new tree lots/locations? Let us know for the WSB Holiday Guide, which is in the works right now.)

AND THE WINNERS ARE … Congratulations to local winners and runners-up in KING 5’s Best of Western Washington. The 200-plus-categories winners’ list is now online; reviewing it for locals, we see Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor) as Best Gourmet Grocery, Salty’s (WSB sponsor) for Best Seafood, Best Brunch, and Best Outdoor Dining, Easy Street Records for Best Records/CDs, Bakery Nouveau as Best Bakery, and WSB, fourth year in a row – we never ask for votes, so we are especially grateful to get them. Congrats to all! P.S. West Seattle had one non-business winner too … Alki Beach was voted Best Pickup Place.

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Prizes! Middle-schooler reading marathon next Saturday

November 10, 2013 12:18 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news

All 6th, 7th, and 8th graders – whether in public school, private school, or homeschooled/unschooled – are invited to join in a Reading Marathon next Saturday. It’s happening at six Seattle Public Library branches around the city, including the Southwest Branch here in West Seattle. Teen-services librarian Cheresse Thoeny shares the announcement:

What is the Reading Marathon? Your chance to read for six straight hours at a Seattle Public Library branch.

Why would I want to do that?

· For every hour you read, you’ll receive a prize. Read all six hours and you might win a fabulous grand prize!

· If students from your school read the most total hours, your school receives the Reading Marathon Champions banner—and bragging rights.

· There will be plenty of free snacks and pizza will be served.

· You can bring a pillow, bean bag, or anything else to make things comfy.

· You can read anything you want (book, e-book, magazine, comic, etc.) as long as you read it silently. (What about audiobooks? Check with a librarian ahead of time.)

To join in, just show up at the Southwest Branch Library (35th and Henderson) between 11 am and 5 pm next Saturday (November 16th).

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West Seattle Sunday: Dinner for veterans; bingo benefit for Food Bank; ‘Medicine Songs’; more

November 10, 2013 9:40 am

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| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Hawk and crow in Lincoln Park, photographed recently by Trileigh Tucker)

ROXHILL BOG: Get over to the bog on the south side of Roxhill Park right now (Sunday morning) and join the work party; details in our calendar.

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm as always, Sundays year-round – if you haven’t been lately, check out the ever-expanding variety. (44th/Alaska)

WEST SEATTLE ULTIMATE FAMILY FRISBEE: On the playfield at High Point, 11 am, just show up. (31st/Myrtle)

‘MEDICINE SONGS FROM THE TIME OF CHIEF SEATTLE’: Join native storyteller Johnny Moses at the Duwamish Longhouse, 1 pm; details in our calendar listing. (4705 West Marginal Way SW)

WEST SEATTLE BOARD GAMES: Drop by the meetup 1-7 pm at Uptown Espresso in The Junction for “Intro to Euro Games”; details in our calendar listing. (Edmunds/Erskine/California)

ART PICKUP AT SOUTHWEST LIBRARY: The Community Art Showcase at Southwest Branch Library has ended and artists who participated are reminded to pick up their art today or Tuesday (the libraries are closed tomorrow for Veterans Day). And the library says THANK YOU!

The collage above is from the reception last weekend. (35th/Henderson)

THREE SHORT PLAYS ABOUT SHAKESPEARE: Second and final presentation of three 1-acts by the Seattle Lutheran High School Drama Club, 2:30 pm in Menashe Gym on campus; details in our calendar listing. (4100 SW Genesee)

FREE CONCERT: Ladies Musical Club performs vocal and piano music at the West Seattle (Admiral) Branch Library, 3 pm, more info here. (2306 42nd SW)

VETERANS DAY DINNER: 5-8 pm, free gourmet Italian dinner for those who have served or are serving – veterans, active duty, retired, National Guard, reserve, as noted on the official flyer. West Seattle Veterans’ Center in the historic American Legion Post 160. (3618 SW Alaska)

BINGO BENEFIT FOR WEST SEATTLE FOOD BANK: “Booze, Balls, and Bingo” at the Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), 5:30-7:30 tonight, is more than a bawdy round of drag bingo – it’s a benefit for the WS Food Bank, which is now more in need of your help than ever, with federal cuts to food stamps. Bring money, bring non-perishable food donations, have fun. (6451 California SW)

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High-school sports: WSHS swimmer qualifies for state

November 10, 2013 1:21 am

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

Congratulations to West Seattle High School sophomore Gabby Carufel, who qualified Saturday night for 3A state competition in the 100-yard backstroke. The report and photo are from Gabby’s proud mom Danette Carufel. The girls’ championships begin Friday night with preliminaries at the King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way.

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