month : 08/2014 293 results

Thanks for the sunset photos, concluding a day that started with a “sun-derstorm”! Top, from Greg; next, from David Schneider.

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Tomorrow: West Seattle girls’ benefit bake sale – 2nd year in a row!

| How to help | Pets | West Seattle news

After great community support for their first benefit bake sale last year, these two local girls are doing it again tomorrow and hope you’ll stop by. We received this announcement with the photo:

Gwen and Muriel, Schmitz Park 5th graders, are putting their love for animals to work again through their second annual Humane Society bake sale! Delicious cupcakes, cookies, brownies, and more! They’ll be back at the corner of 36th and Dakota this Sunday, August 3rd, from 10-3. The girls are also sponsoring a barrel from the Humane Society to collect cat or dog food (wet or dry), animal toys, or new scratching posts. Cash and check donations are very welcome; all proceeds go to Seattle Humane Society.

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West Seattle summer: One week until the Delridge Day festival!

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| Delridge | West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

One week from today (on August 9th), it’s West Seattle’s next big summer festival – Delridge Day, in the park next to Delridge Community Center (Delridge/Genesee). Here’s the schedule for the day, just made public by organizers:

And remember the free outdoor screening of “The Lego Movie” in the park the night before (9 pm Friday, August 8th) – here’s our preview of that.

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Local runner Clark Gilbert joins coast-to-coast MS-fighting relay

August 2, 2014 12:33 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| How to help | West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Clark Gilbert, a local runner and coach, has headed east to be part of a coast-to-coast relay raising money to fight MS. He left Friday for Brooksville, Pennsylvania, where he will start running the 17th segment of the annual MS Run the US Relay. He shared this info:

This relay started in April from LA with 17 different runners running various segments across the United States to finish in New York City. Each runner basically runs a marathon (26.2 miles) per day for 5 to 7 days as part of their segment. The Relay is a 3,000-mile relay run across America to help raise awareness and funds to help CURE multiple sclerosis (MS).

After finishing the 17th Segment, from Brooksville, PA to Sunbury, PA, Clark will continue running the Relay route along with Segment 18 runner, Valerie Olberding (from Bozeman, MT), to Fort Lee, NJ. At Fort Lee, they will be joined with other relay runners and supporters for the final 14-mile leg into New York City on August 16. August will be the final event, ending this year’s Relay.

In 2013 (photo at left), Clark ran two segments, #6 from Vernal, UT and then 18 from Mahoney City, PA, to New York City. Clark and his wife Shelly live and run in West Seattle. Besides running, Clark works at West Seattle Runner and is a running coach working with P3|Running. For information on donating, please visit: coachclarkruns.com/ms-run-the-us-relay.html

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Update: 1 hurt in SUV/motorcycle collision at 35th/Trenton

August 2, 2014 10:50 am

| 4 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS breaking news

10:50 AM: 35th northbound is blocked at SW Trenton right now because of a collision; scanner indicates it involves a car and motorcycle. Details as we get them.

11:12 AM: One person was taken to the hospital via medic unit, which was just leaving as we got to the scene. One lane of traffic was moving in each direction.

11:17 AM: And now they’re fully opening northbound. We don’t have any info on the condition of the person who was hurt, but the fact that traffic is reopening suggests it wasn’t life-threatening, or else they would be calling out the Traffic Collision Investigation Squad.

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West Seattle Saturday: WS Outdoor Movies get ‘Sleepless’; outdoor Shakespeare; indoor music; Seafair airshow with Blue Angels…

August 2, 2014 9:13 am

| 4 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by Tiffani Rivera, taken from the Water Taxi on Friday)
After a startling start to the morning, with what you could call “sun-dershowers,” the weather is supposed to make way eventually for a sunny, warm afternoon. First, the Seafair info:

SEAFAIR, INCLUDING BLUE ANGELS AND SHIP TOURS: The Blue Angels are expected to fly around 1:30 pm (could be earlier, though, the airshow times are approximate), with the I-90 closure scheduled for 12:15 pm-2:40 pm. If you are planning to watch their takeoff/landing from the Museum of Flight at Boeing Field, which has other special activities scheduled too as part of its “Need for Speed” festival, note that its adjacent parking lot is closed today and tomorrow – this page on the MoF site has parking info. Interested in touring the ships seen in the “parade” back on Wednesday? Here’s that info.

Also from the calendar:

RIPS BREWERS YOUTH BASEBALL RECRUITING SHOWCASES: All day today and tomorrow, and again next weekend, at Southwest Athletic Complex – see the flyer for age breakout; open to players 10u through 18u. (2801 SW Thistle)

BALLOT DROPOFF VAN: Voted yet? It’s not just a sleepy primary – Proposition 1, asking if you want to create a permanent Park District for extra Seattle Parks funding, is a major issue. Tuesday is the deadline to get your ballots in; there are dropoff vans at West Seattle Stadium and in Greenbridge 10 am-5 pm today, as well as 24-hour dropboxes elsewhere in the county – see the list here.

VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION: 11 am-1 pm at the Log House Museum, it’s your next chance to find out about volunteering with the Southwest Seattle Historical Society, which appreciates help in a wide variety of specialties – read about it here. (61st/Stevens)

WEST SEATTLE OUTDOOR MOVIES: The SW Seattle Historical Society is involved with this too! They’re tonight’s spotlight sponsor for “Sleepless in Seattle.” Movie’s free. We hear Quadrato is bringing pizza. Gates open 6:30 pm – bring your own chair/blanket to stake out early (there’s preshow music, too) and money for nonprofit-benefiting raffles/concessions – also for West Seattle Bridge 30th anniversary T-shirts and commemorative coffee, as SWSHS’s bridge-i-versary celebration concludes. Show starts at dusk, 9-ish depending on how clear the sky is by then. Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor) courtyard. (4410 California SW)

LIVE MUSIC AT C & P: Alan Ehrlich performs, 7 pm. (5612 California SW)

SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK: “Othello,” presented by GreenStage, free! At Camp Long, 7 pm. (5200 35th SW)

WEST SEATTLE MEANINGFUL MOVIES: “The Economics of Happiness” screens at 7 pm at Neighborhood House‘s High Point Center – details here. (6400 Sylvan Way SW)

LIVE MUSIC AT THE CASK: Jude performs, 9 pm. (2350 California SW)

LIVE MUSIC AT POGGIE TAVERN: Pick a song from the hat as Mad Hatterz perform, 9 pm. (4717 California SW)

AND MORE … on our calendar.

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West Seattle weather alert: Thunderstorm moves through

August 2, 2014 8:02 am

| 21 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

8:02 AM: If you didn’t hear the thunder just now – forecasters are warning that despite the sunshine, a thunderstorm is about to move through, bringing heavy rain. Past that, though, the forecast says sunny and 80s for the afternoon.

8:15 AM: It’s been raining for going on 10 minutes now. Still partly sunny out there, and more thunder in the distance. (added) Commenter DTK offers the real-time radar link.

9:11 AM: More thunder – so it’s not over yet (as the radar suggested) …

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Saturday with SW Seattle Historical Society: Volunteer orientation in the a.m., WS Outdoor Movies in the p.m.

August 1, 2014 10:10 pm

| Comments Off on Saturday with SW Seattle Historical Society: Volunteer orientation in the a.m., WS Outdoor Movies in the p.m.

| West Seattle history | West Seattle news | West Seattle Outdoor Movies

Make it a historic Saturday:

VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION: 11 am-1 pm tomorrow (Saturday, August 2nd) at the Log House Museum, it’s the next orientation for prospective Southwest Seattle Historical Society volunteers. No, you don’t have to know all about WS history to help – learn some along the way, and put a variety of skills into action. Read about it here, then show up at the LHM, 61st/Stevens.

WEST SEATTLE OUTDOOR MOVIES: SWSHS is sponsoring tomorrow night’s West Seattle Outdoor Movies presentation of “Sleepless in Seattle,” which you probably know includes a famous – and contextually infamous – West Seattle scene. It’s also a wrapup event for this summer’s celebration of the West Seattle Bridge’s 30th anniversary; Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor), adjacent to the WSOM screen/courtyard, still has anniversary T-shirts and commemorative coffee on sale. Gate opens 6:30 pm, movie at dusk (9-ish), free but bring $ for benefit raffle tickets/concessions.

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West Seattle day care’s license suspended after baby’s death

August 1, 2014 7:24 pm

| 26 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | Westwood

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

The state Department of Early Learning (DEL) has temporarily suspended the license of a West Seattle in-home day care after the death of a baby this week.

We have been looking into this since a reader asked about a major medical response at a home in Westwood at midday this past Monday; later, two other readers e-mailed to ask about rumors they had heard of a death at a local day care. This afternoon, we confirmed with three local and state agencies that an investigation is under way.

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Why the street trees by Fairmount Playfield are being cut down

August 1, 2014 4:42 pm

| 21 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

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The trees in the planting strip along Fauntleroy Way by Fairmount Playfield have caused some trouble in recent years – we can think of at least two cases of branches falling on the sidewalk/cars, like this one last September.

Still, some were concerned to see that all but a few have been removed this week. It’s partly related to the impending reopening of Fairmount Park Elementary, according to the response we received from Seattle Parks, and partly in advance of an impending sidewalk project:

The trees were removed for hazard. The species and growth of the tree (have) made them unreliable. They were pruned to mitigate hazards and slated for removal as part of the sidewalk replacement program in 2015 in cooperation with SDOT. We are removing the current trees to assure that the new grade-school-bus loading zone is safe this year. A plan is in development to replace similar-size trees in a manner that will not disrupt the new sidewalk.

Two trees had been taken down previously. Parks also recently put in a path along the south side of the park, leading from the sidewalk to the school.

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If you notice someone taking pictures in your neighborhood …

August 1, 2014 3:25 pm

| 21 COMMENTS

| Seen around town | West Seattle news

… it MIGHT be the real-estate site Zillow. We got a note from Michael in Gatewood this afternoon, saying someone suspicious was taking photos of houses along his street. A neighbor, he told us, asked the person what they were doing; they said they were with Zillow. After we tried contacting the company via Twitter just to ask, they called us to confirm yes, it’s a project they’re working on, to “improve the images on (their website)” comparable to what you might see on Google Street View. However, the spokesperson assured us, they aren’t taking photos with people in them, and if you tell the photographer not to take a picture of your house, they’ll honor the request. Just thought we’d share what we found out.

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Video: Blue Angels’ Friday practice for Seafair airshows

August 1, 2014 2:38 pm

| 9 COMMENTS

| Blue Angels | West Seattle news

Thanks to Doug B. for the video of the Blue Angels‘ takeoff from Boeing Field this afternoon. Their practice performance – in advance of this weekend’s Seafair airshows – is over as of just before 2:30 pm. That means Sea-Tac Airport jet routing is back to normal, too. If you were outdoors during the practice, you might have seen/heard a Blue Angel or two – Fox saw the diamond formation in the distance from Hiawatha and sent this photo:

I-90 will be closed 12:15-2:40 pm each of the next two days – the Blue Angels’ show will be during that window, likely the back hour, but it could start sooner.

ADDED 3:55 PM: Two more views from today!

Thanks to Jim Clark for the photo above, and Chris Clark for the photo below.

Thanks to all!

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ArtsWest announces Mathew Wright as its new artistic director

August 1, 2014 12:57 pm

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| West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Just announced by ArtsWest: A new artistic director, Mathew Wright (AW-provided photo at right). According to the news release – which you can read in full here – “Mathew is familiar to ArtsWest’s audiences as both the Director of ‘Little Women’ and the Music Director of ‘HAIR,’ two of the most loved and successful shows of the 2013-2014 season. … Mathew will begin his tenure at ArtsWest on September 1, following the departure of Annie Lareau, ArtsWest’s Interim Artistic Director. ” Wright has been working full time as education-programs coordinator at The 5th Avenue Theatre downtown. He’s joining ArtsWest one year after the departure of Christopher Zinovitch, whose thirteen years with the organization concluded with two as its artistic director.

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From the ‘yes, they’re working on it’ file: 35th SW kickoff date

August 1, 2014 11:20 am

| 11 COMMENTS

| Safety | Transportation | West Seattle news

One more note from last night’s meeting about SW Roxbury – a stack of cards casually announced the launch date for the other major “road-safety corridor project” in the works: 35th SW. You have almost three months’ warning for this one – 6:30 pm October 22nd at Neighborhood House‘s High Point Center. Meantime, browse the background links on the left side of the project page.

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West Seattle Friday: Music, Shakespeare, books, produce, more … and Seafair!

August 1, 2014 9:49 am

| 4 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Denise Bradshaw shared that sunrise photo, as seen earlier this week from Seacrest, where the sun was right behind Seattle’s tallest building. Now, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, what’s up for the rest of the day/night:

SEAFAIR NOTES: The ships that sailed by on Wednesday are open for tours again today – see the schedule here. Then, of course, as mentioned again in today’s traffic watch, the Blue Angels go up for their “practice” performance, closing the I-90 bridge 12:15-2:40 pm.

(Blue Angels at Boeing Field – photo by Frank Smith)
As mentioned here more than once over the years, you can watch their takeoff from Boeing Field following the ceremonial “walkdown” just south of the Museum of Flight.

And here on the peninsula:

PENCIL ME IN FOR KIDS DONATION DRIVE: Rotary Club of West Seattle volunteers are back at QFC in The Junction today, 3-6 pm, collecting school supplies for kids whose families can’t afford them – details in our calendar listing. (42nd/Alaska)

FRIDAY FARMSTAND: Delridge Grocery‘s third weekly farmstand is happening 4:30-7:30 pm today (here’s our coverage of the launch two weeks ago). (5435 Delridge Way SW)

WORDS, WRITERS, WEST SEATTLE: Dan Raley is the featured author at tonight’s edition of the Southwest Seattle Historical Society-presented first-Friday series at Barnes and Noble/Westwood Village. He’ll talk about his books ‘The Brandon Roy Story,’ ‘Pitchers of Beer,’ and ‘Tideflats to Tomorrow.’ 5-7 pm. (2600 SW Barton)

OUTDOOR CONCERT SERIES AT THE MOUNT: First of four Friday night concerts at Providence Mount St. Vincent, outdoors and free, with dinner/drinks available for purchase starting at 5:30 pm, show at 6. Tonight, it’s Danny Vernon‘s acclaimed tribute to Elvis Presley. (4831 35th SW)

TANGO DANCING ON ALKI: 5:30 pm lessons, floor open starting at 6:15, wristband required, as explained in the calendar listing.

CORNER BAR: The pop-up monthly bar/lounge/entertainment event at Highland Park Improvement Club is tonight, doors open at 6, music with The Backporch Apostles at 7, details in our calendar listing. (12th/Holden)

‘LOVE’S LABOUR’S LOST’: Free outdoor Shakespeare in West Seattle again tonight, 7 pm at Camp Long, courtesy of GreenStage. (5200 35th SW)

‘CHASING ICE’: Documentary about the vanishing ice sheet, screened at Admiral Congregational Church at 7 pm, plus discussion – details in our calendar listing. (California/Hill)

‘FROZEN’ FRIDAY AT B&N: 7 pm, a celebration of the movie “Frozen,” with, according to Barnes & Noble/Westwood Village, “a singalong, reading stories, and doing some super fun (and edible!) crafts. C’mon in, dress up (if you want to), and sing ‘Let It Go’ as loud as you can!” (2600 SW Barton)

EVEN MORE LIVE MUSIC: Dave Holo Trio at Salty’s (5 pm), “Bobcat Bob” at C & P Coffee (7 pm), Scott MK Turner at The Cask (9 pm), The Take Downs (formerly the Flat 5, 9:30 pm) at Feedback Lounge – all four of those venues, WSB sponsors – plus The Benbow Room and Skylark Café and Club – you’ll find all those listings by going to our calendar.

AND THAT’S STILL NOT ALL … see other listings on the WSB calendar.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Friday updates & big summer weekend

August 1, 2014 6:16 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(WS bridge and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Happy Friday! We’re keeping watch on the commute as usual. It’s Seafair Friday, with the Blue Angels‘ practice show leading to an I-90 closure 12:15-2:40 pm (same times both days this weekend). Lots of other events around the city through Sunday, and this city-provided roundup covers them. One bit of transportation news, if you missed it last night:

ROXBURY RECHANNELIZATION? SDOT unveiled its proposals for SW Roxbury safety improvements, and the biggest (but far from only) one would narrow part of it to one lane each way plus a turn lane and shoulders. Here’s our full report; another info meeting is in Greenbridge at 6 pm Monday night.

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Reader report: Launch day for the ‘Candy Unicorn Mini Mart’

August 1, 2014 5:04 am

| 14 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle people

The latest tale of West Seattle kids’ summer creativity is courtesy of Meighan. When she e-mailed to let us know about this, we were in the middle of covering breaking news – but we suggested perhaps a wrap-up report could be made available later. She obliged:

Who doesn’t like a tall glass of lemonade on a hot day? Combine that with a Unicorn and what could be better?

Four budding, local entrepreneurs, Brendan, Cashen, Catie, and Sabin, hit the streets Thursday at the corner of Stevens and 45th to realize their vision of the next generation of lemonade stands. The Mini Mart. The Candy Unicorn Mini Mart, no less.

They strategized about the venture for days. They took out a small business loan from Brendan and Catie’s nanny for $11, and convinced her to take them to the local Safeway to procure materials.

They scoped out a location a few block from both of their houses. They meticulously planned each detail. Pricing, signage, and unique combo meals of pretzels, cookies and lemonade. The night before the opening, they confided to their parents, that if all went as planned they would end up on the West Seattle Blog. These kids dream big.

They opened up shop and thirsty west-siders flocked to the stand, many of which were on the way to the hot Caspar Babypants concert at Hiawatha. Their hard work paid off with a 10x return on investment.

When we asked the young entrepreneurs about whether this was a one-time gig, they responded, “No, definitely not, we will open shop again on random days, at random times at the same location.” So keep a look out for the Candy Unicorn Mini Mart.

Moral of the story? A lemonade stand is never “just” a lemonade stand.

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