West Seattle, Washington

15 Thursday

73℉

month : 08/2014 293 results

Update: House-fire call on 24th SW = ‘food on stove’
August 17, 2014 7:33 pm
|    Comments Off on Update: House-fire call on 24th SW = ‘food on stove’
 |   Delridge | West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

Seattle Fire has sent a sizable response to the 7500 block of 24th SW (map) for a possible house fire. First crews on scene are seeing “light smoke” from the second floor.

7:47 PM UPDATE: The fire call turned out to be “food on the stove.” Lots of smoke, though, so fans are being used to ventilate the residence right now. No injuries reported. Most units have been dismissed.

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One week away! Alki Beach 5K to help Northwest Hope and Healing help breast-cancer patients
August 17, 2014 6:46 pm
|    Comments Off on One week away! Alki Beach 5K to help Northwest Hope and Healing help breast-cancer patients
 |   Health | How to help | West Seattle news | WS & Sports

(Photo by David Hutchinson, from 2012 Alki Beach 5K)
Only one week till the summer’s next big benefit 5K in West Seattle, the Northwest Hope and Healing-presented Alki Beach 5K, 9 am next Sunday (August 24th). It’s a fundraiser for West Seattleite-founded-and-led NWHH’s work helping breast-cancer patients. You can run or walk; Alki SW will be closed for the run, so there’s plenty of room for you and the other hundreds of people who will be part of it. Sign up online right now, or in person this week at West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor), which also has an early-packet-pickup event set for Saturday (10 am-2 pm, California/Charlestown), if you want to get yours before 5K day. See you at the beach (start/finish line is by the Bathhouse, 61st/Alki) next Sunday!

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WSF side note: About the ferries at Vigor on Harbor Island
August 17, 2014 5:46 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news

With this weekend’s Washington State Ferries woes – Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth is still running two boats because the un-mothballed M/V Evergreen State remains out of service – some have wondered about the status of ferries in view at Vigor on Harbor Island. The one in the foreground of our photo above is the 130-car M/V Kitsap, a 34-year-old ferry that is at Vigor until late September for $5 million worth of scheduled work, including painting and galley modifications. In the background at right is the M/V Yakima, in for about $310,000 of maintenance scheduled to last another week. The third ferry you might glimpse at Vigor is still being built, the 144-car M/V Samish, expected to go into service next year.

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West Seattle businesses: Fleurt adds Pioneer Square location
August 17, 2014 1:39 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Another West Seattle retailer has just added a location downtown, but wants you to know it’s NOT leaving WS. >Fleurt (WSB sponsor) proprietor Sam Crowley explains:

Many have reached out to me after hearing Fleurt is closing in West Seattle and moving to Pioneer Square – as Clementine is doing. This is NOT true for Fleurt – Fleurt West Seattle is open and there are no plans to close this shop. Fleurt West Seattle is our “home” and flagship store. We are constantly growing our business in the areas of retail gifts, flower deliveries, full service flower shop, weddings and events. We are truly grateful to all our customers for their loyalty, love, and support for the past 4 years, and we look forward to many more years.

This Thursday (August 21st) is Fleurt Pioneer Square’s grand-opening party (112 S. Washington), from 5 pm to 7 pm.

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2-wheel tour: West Seattle Bike Connections ride with councilmember
August 17, 2014 12:09 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

(At new Junction ‘bike corral,’ last stop on the tour)
West Seattle Bike Connections members spent part of their weekend taking City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, who chairs the council’s Transportation Committee, on a tour “to get a first-hand look at some of the routes and intersections in the Seattle Bicycle Master Plan that we think are high priority for funding and implementation,” according to WSBC president Don Brubeck, who shares photos and this report from Saturday’s tour:

We started at Highland Park Improvement Club. First stop: The crosswalk at 11th Ave SW (a planned Greenway route) at SW Holden St, a busy arterial. We are supporting the Highland Park Action Committee’s application to SDOT for flashing beacons to help make this a safe crossing for kids going to schools and playgrounds in Highland Park and Riverview.

Then south on 10th Ave to SW Thistle at Highland Park Playfield. These are mapped as future Greenway routes, and seem ideal low traffic streets for walking and riding bikes. A set of public steps at 14th allows pedestrians to continue through on Thistle, but stops cars and bikes. We’d like to see a “runnel” gutter for bike wheels added to the steps, which are under construction now.

Then north on 17th Ave SW, which is a neighborhood Greenway route currently in the planning and design stage. The proposed route jogs over to 15th Ave on Kenyon, then back over to 17th at Webster. These jogs did not seem realistic to our group. Who would want to go 2 blocks east out of their way, and then 2 blocks west back to their route? And the intersections of Kenyon & 16th, 15th & Holden, and Webster & 16th would all need marked crosswalks and signals to be safe Greenway crossings. It looks much easier to just improve Holden for the short block from 17th to 16th, and then 16th to Webster, to get around the block that does not go through on 17th.

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West Seattle Sunday: Where to do a good deed; have a good time…
August 17, 2014 8:50 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Sunday: Where to do a good deed; have a good time…
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Delridge sunflowers, by Laura Goodrich, shared via the WSB Flickr group)
Notes from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar – after a transportation alert:

FERRY ALERT: The Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth run is still on a 2-boat schedule, and fog is complicating it further this morning. Keep an eye on which boat is where, “live,” via WSF VesselWatch.

WSHS MUSIC CAR WASH: 10 am-4 pm, get your car washed on a donation basis as a benefit for West Seattle High School‘s music program, raising money “for an upcoming trip to Disneyland next spring to march in the Disneyland parade and other music events.” West Seattle Autoworks (WSB sponsor). (35th/Webster)

SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE’S LAST DAY: Local Girl Scouts are collecting school supplies through today, with a dropoff box at Mind Unwind in The Admiral District – details in our original report. (2206 California SW)

LAST DAY FOR SHOOFLY, DIVA: This is the last day for two local businesses: Shoofly Pie Company in The Junction (as announced last month; per Facebook, they’re opening at 10 am today and going until they sell out) and Diva Espresso in The Triangle (our previous report is here, explaining why they’re out and who’s in).

LUNA PARK BLOCK PARTY: Noon-3 pm with music, fashion, accessories, and more; details in our calendar listing. (2942 Avalon Way SW)

CITYDOG MAGAZINE COVER-DOG SEARCH: Does your dog have star power? S/he might be CityDog Magazine cover material. Photo sessions at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) noon-2 pm today by donation – details in our calendar listing. (California/Morgan/Fauntleroy)

WHILE YOU’RE THERE … The Dog Days of Summer adoption drive also continues at WS Thriftway today, noon-3 pm – details here.

WADING POOL’S LAST DAY: Delridge Community Center wading pool’s last day of the season, 12-6:45 pm – see the citywide schedule here. (Delridge/Genesee)

BEERFEST AND PET-ADOPTION EVENT: 1-4 pm at West Seattle Nursery, come have beer, a hot dog, and a chance to add a new companion to your household. Four animal-advocacy/rescue groups are participating; live music too – details here. (California/Brandon)

GOLDEN HERON GAMELAN IN CONCERT: Traditional music of Indonesia at Village Green Perennial Nursery, 1 pm – details in our calendar listing. (10223 26th SW)

ALKI LIGHTHOUSE TOUR: Five chances left this summer to take a free tour of historic Alki Point Lighthouse with US Coast Guard Auxiliary volunteers – today (and the next two Saturdays/Sundays), 1-4 pm. (3201 Alki SW)

MUSICAL THEATER X 2: Again today, two local productions onstage, and both have 3 pm matinees – “Hello, Dolly!“ presented by Twelfth Night Productions, and “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” presented by the ArtsWest youth – click on either production’s name for details.

SUPPORT GROUP: New West Seattle miscarriage support group meets today, 3 pm – location information via RSVP; details in our calendar listing.

MUSIC THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT … see the calendar!

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Update: Driver hurt after flipping car across from Fairmount Playfield
August 17, 2014 12:42 am
|      15 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS breaking news

(WSB photo by Katie Meyer)
12:42 AM: Police are closing the southbound side of Fauntleroy Way SW right now in the Fairmount Playfield area, between Dawson and Brandon (map), because of what we’re told is a flipped-car crash. At least one person is hurt, described as a woman in her 30s.

12:59 AM: Adding photos. Police say the woman has been taken to the hospital; the car is on its side, and officers are awaiting a tow truck to clear it away. Witnesses tell us a parked car was also hit. (added) Second photo from WSB’s Katie Meyer actually shows at least two parked cars damaged.

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West Seattle scene: Eddie Vedder’s Ice Bucket Challenge video
August 16, 2014 10:22 pm
|      17 COMMENTS
 |   Health | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Thanks to Philip for pointing this out to us via Twitter – one of the newest celebrity videos in the Ice Bucket Challenge for ALS awareness, just published on YouTube today, stars West Seattleite and Pearl Jam leader Eddie Vedder, with the bucket wielded by bandmate Mike McCready. Looks like it was recorded on the West Seattle shoreline, too, as Philip noted in his tweet.

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Happening now: ‘Goonies’ night at West Seattle Outdoor Movies
August 16, 2014 7:20 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle Outdoor Movies

7:20 PM: Just as soon as the gates opened at 6:30 pm, the first of what looks to be another sizable West Seattle Outdoor Movies crowd started staking out spots in the courtyard next to Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor), where “The Goonies” will be onscreen at dusk. If you’re going, don’t procrastinate! This is the second-to-last movie of the season (already!) – WSOM wraps up 2014 next Saturday (August 23) with the blockbuster “Frozen.”

7:51 PM: Just added that updated crowd view.

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Straight Blast Gym in North Delridge aiming to kick it up a notch ‘to become a community center where adults and children thrive’
August 16, 2014 3:01 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Delridge | How to help | West Seattle news

(Video from Straight Blast Gym’s Indiegogo page)
Being in business isn’t easy anywhere. You take a chance, hope you’re offering something people want and need, in a place where they want it, need it, and will spend money for it, and then you take the leap.

Sonia Sillan knows how that goes. She and partner Jei took the leap two years ago with a big empty building in North Delridge. They put everything into it, even lived there when they opened in October 2012, found places to shower off-site, ate cheap pizza almost every night. Six months later, things weren’t going well – yet – they parted ways with a business partner and rebranded last year as Straight Blast Gym of Seattle (WSB sponsor). That’s when, Sonia says, things took a turn for the better. They started to grow, started to really fix up the building, added walls, equipment, a heater, a kids-after-school room, a gym-specific van for tournaments and their before/after school program … Now, they need to do more. And they’re looking to do it as a community partnership – mat expansions, showers, bathroom remodels (Sonia says the women’s restroom hadn’t been used in at least a decade when they moved in).

We feel that we are close to being the change that needs to happen in this neighborhood; however, we are not quite there. Most gyms are just a place where you go to sweat; our goal is to become a community center where adults and children thrive through various programs and activities.

To get this done, they’re crowdfunding. This week, Straight Blast Gym launched an Indiegogo campaign, and they’re already a third of the way to their goal. And they’re stressing that this isn’t just a request for contributions – they’ve come up with a list of perks, traditional to crowdfunding campaigns, to give back.

As explained on the campaign page, the projects they’re hoping to get funded are broken into three parts:

SPACE: $6,100 toward new mats and a platform extension
VISIBILITY: $8,400 toward new glass and insulation for the storefront, so it’ll be clear (literally!) when they’re open
EQUIPMENT: $5,840, with resulting expansion in programs including Warrior Woman and Growing Gorillas (kids)

They’re offering perks equal in some cases to discounted services, such as three private lessons for a $200 contribution (worth $300), and also ways to help the community even before the upgrades – a $1,500 donation sponsors a child through SBG-Seattle programs for a year. “We really want to make this about the community,” says Sonia.

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Ferry alert: Boat breakdown on Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route
August 16, 2014 1:55 pm
|      17 COMMENTS
 |   Fauntleroy | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(WSB PHOTO: M/V Evergreen State idled at Vashon)
1:55 PM: Traffic was already expected to be heavy on the Washington State Ferries Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth runs today, because of a big event on Vashon Island, and now there’s word of a complication – a boat breakdown (the un-mothballed M/V Evergreen State) has put it on a two-boat schedule. Check here for the latest alerts.

10:54 PM: Late night now, and it’s still a two-boat schedule. We’ve seen some of the results firsthand, having to go to Vashon for a family-related event this afternoon, and finally on the boat back home right now (the Issaquah departed Vashon for Fauntleroy via Southworth about 10 minutes ago). No word if there’s any chance this will be fixed tomorrow, so if you’re planning a trip on the “triangle” route Sunday, add extra time to your plan.

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Happening now: Tower-crane takedown day for 4730 California
August 16, 2014 11:46 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

Yes, even the Christmas lights have to come off the tower cranes once they’re taken down. After eleven months on the job, the tower crane for 4730 California is being dismantled today. We arrived in The Junction just in time to see its jib brought down – from California/Edmunds, you could see it had been harnessed:

Then it was lowered to the street:

Looking south down California, that made for an interesting pattern:

And the entire operation, as was the case when it went up last September, held a fascination for onlookers, especially some of the smaller ones:

4730 California is expected to open by year’s end, with three retail spaces, 88 apartments and 71 offstreet-parking spaces, according to its commercial-leasing flyer. We haven’t heard of any tenant signings yet.

SIDE NOTE: This will leave The Junction with “only” two cranes for now, at the Equity Residential two-building California/Alaska/42nd project and Spruce (formerly “The Hole”) at 39th/Alaska/Fauntleroy, but two more will arrive before long, with demolition over and site prep under way at 40th/Edmunds and 35th/Avalon.

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West Seattle Saturday: Ferry/traffic alerts plus 17 possibilities for the first half of your weekend
August 16, 2014 8:50 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Thanks to Bob Venezia for the photo of Lincoln Park’s famous birds (that’s sort of how we felt this morning, too). Before we get to the highlights for today/tonight from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, the ferry in the background is a cue for one of today’s traffic notes:

BIG VASHON ISLAND EVENT: The Washington State Ferries notes weekend traffic between Fauntleroy and Vashon is likely to be heavy because of the Raft Up kayak/canoe/music event expected to draw thousands.

JUNCTION CRANE COMING DOWN: We will be checking on this for an update shortly, but the block of California between Alaska and Edmunds was scheduled to be a little busier than usual this morning, through mid-afternoon, as the 4730 California project’s tower crane comes down.

CITYWIDE ALERTS FOR THIS WEEKEND … If you’re heading off-peninsula, check this SDOT-published roundup first.

Now, ways to spend at least part of your Saturday here at home:

MOBILE BLOOD DRIVES: Two of them today – follow each link for details: 9 am-3 pm at 42nd/Alaska in The Junction; 9:30 am-3:30 pm at Westwood Village.

RIVERSIDE WALKING TOUR: Join the Southwest Seattle Historical Society on a walk through a neighborhood full of stories to tell and sights to see, 10 am, details (and a map) in our calendar listing. (W. Marginal Way/Marginal Place SW)

POCKET PARK MEETING: Remember our story earlier this summer about the Gatewood home donated to Seattle Parks by a local family? 10 am this morning, at the house, neighbors are invited to the informational meeting about plans for demolition and restoration at the site. (3823 SW Willow)

ADOPT A SHELTER PET! Noon-3 pm at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) as part of its ongoing Dog Days of Summer. (California/Fauntleroy/Morgan)

ARBOR HEIGHTS BLOCK PARTY: Noon-4 pm at ARK Park, Arbor Heights Community Church throws its annual summertime party for neighbors! (4113 SW 102nd)

GET SCHOOL SUPPLIES! 2-5 pm at Delridge Skatepark, school-supplies giveaway plus food and fun, courtesy of The Way Church of God; details in our calendar listing. (Genesee/Delridge)

CHIEF SEALTH CLASS OF 1984 REUNION EVENTS … continue with dinner at Talarico’s in The Junction tonight, 6 pm, info here. (4718 California SW)

‘GOONIES’ AT WS OUTDOOR MOVIES: Every year, West Seattle Outdoor Movies asks for suggestions, and this year brought double-digit requests for “The Goonies,” so if you’re a fan, come see it TONIGHT on the big screen in the courtyard by Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor) tonight! Movie’s at dusk (8:30-ish, depending on how clear/cloudy it is by sunset), but gates open at 6:30 pm and you’ll want to come stake out your space early – bring your own chair/blanket. Free but bring $ for nonprofit-benefiting raffle/concessions if you can! (4410 California SW)

MUSICAL THEATER X 2: “Hello, Dolly!“ presented by Twelfth Night Productions; also at 7:30 pm, “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” presented by the ArtsWest youth – click on either production’s name for details.

LIVE MUSIC X 6: Five Buck Band at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7 pm; Tom Kell & Emiko Woods at Kenyon Hall, 7:30 pm; Travis Hart Trio at The Cask (WSB sponsor), 9 pm; Red House at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), 9 pm; hip-hop slate at Skylark, 9 pm; Tom Price Desert Classic (and more) at Benbow Room, 9 pm.

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Traffic-alert reminder: Viaduct/99 closure NEXT weekend
August 16, 2014 7:52 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Alaskan Way Viaduct | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts


While everything is status quo with the Alaskan Way Viaduct/Highway 99 north of the West Seattle Bridge THIS weekend, WSDOT reminds you that won’t be case by this time NEXT weekend. The map above shows the planned closure – for various reasons you can read about here – starting 10 pm next Friday night, August 22, with the exception of two access points for traffic exiting the Seahawks game until midnight. By Monday morning, August 25th, the WS Bridge-to-Battery St. Tunnel section should reopen, but the tunnel-to-Valley St. section will stay closed two more days:


Again, that all starts NEXT Friday night. And we’ll be reminding you daily in our regular WSB traffic coverage between now and then.

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4 for Saturday: Crane removal; Riverside walking tour; school-supplies giveaway; ‘Goonies’ at West Seattle Outdoor Movies
August 15, 2014 10:03 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Busy Saturday – you can get a sneak peek on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, and there are three things we wanted to mention quickly in advance:

CRANE-REMOVAL REMINDER: The tower crane for 4730 California, the midblock project between Alaska and Edmunds, is scheduled to come down, as noted here earlier this month, which means parking/traffic restrictions as the removal work continues through mid-afternoon.

RIVERSIDE WALKING TOUR: Right by the bridge, off West Marginal Way SW, a little neighborhood with a big history is the subject of a 10 am walking tour presented by the Southwest Seattle Historical Society.

Leaders include longtime local Frank Zuvela (above, WSB photo from January 2012 Riverside plaza dedication); details on its website.

NEED SCHOOL SUPPLIES? 2-5 pm at Delridge Skatepark (Delridge/Genesee), The Way Church of God is giving away school supplies during a special event which also promises food and fun – details in our calendar listing.

‘GOONIES’ AT WEST SEATTLE OUTDOOR MOVIES: Just in case you haven’t been counting the days since the much-requested classic “The Goonies” hits the West Seattle Outdoor Movies (co-sponsored by WSB) screen in the courtyard next to Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor), tomorrow’s the night, gates open at 6:30 pm, movie at dusk, more details in our preview.

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West Seattle businesses: Carmilia’s to close for 2 weeks of ‘freshening,’ WILL reopen
August 15, 2014 5:49 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Lately, we’ve reported on a few local businesses closing without warning. Tonight, we have advance notice from a local business that is planning a temporary closure for “freshening” and promises it WILL reopen. From Linda Sabee, proprietor of Carmilia’s in The Junction:

This November will be our twelve-year anniversary and over these many years, I’ve seen much change in our beloved West Seattle Junction. I’m a long-time West Seattle resident and opened Carmilia’s because I love this neighborhood and saw a need for a contemporary fashion resource in our shopping district.

When we opened, Carmilia’s was the only modern fashion offering in our ‘hood’. Shortly thereafter came Sweetie, followed by Edie’s and finally Clementine. It’s been a sad display of a contracting shopping district to watch these other shops close one by one and either quit the business entirely, or move on to more thriving shopping destinations in the Seattle area. As the pioneer for fashion in West Seattle, I am determined to stay in the business of dressing the women of West Seattle and anyone else who visits our wonderful neighborhood.

Carmilia’s will be closing and papering up our windows starting Sunday, August 17, to do some painting and general freshening up. Historically, the latter part of August is quite slow, so we’re clearing out as much of our summer and spring inventory this weekend to prepare for our projects. We will reopen the end of August, full of fall inventory and with a fresh look. I hope for the continued and hopefully re-energized support of this community of shoppers.

Linda is planning a September 4th party but expects the shop to reopen before then and promises to update us when there’s an idea of a date.

P.S. Of the shops she mentions, as covered here earlier: Sweetie shut down in 2013; Edie’s closed its WS shoe shop last winter but remains open on Capitol Hill; Clementine announced last month it’s moving to Pioneer Square by next month. (Photo: King County Assessor website)

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Port seeks to sell cranes at West Seattle’s closed, empty Terminal 5
August 15, 2014 2:54 pm
|      33 COMMENTS
 |   Port of Seattle | Seen at sea | West Seattle news

(Terminal 5, photographed today from SE Admiral area)
Three weeks after the last cargo ship called at now-closed Port of Seattle Terminal 5 in West Seattle, the resulting stretch of empty space continues to catch attention, and we’re still getting questions about why it’s empty. In short, if you missed previous stories: The port closed it and plans to “modernize” it to handle the huge new ships that are coming on line in the cargo industry, though it has not finalized plans for how to fund the full nine-digit price tag that project will cost.

Today, a new development – the Port Commission will be asked for approval next Tuesday to sell Terminal 5’s six cranes, which it says would have to be replaced anyway. The item on the agenda for next week’s commission meeting includes a memo that also surfaces a timeline for the modernization project, saying, “The objective of this effort is to design and build a facility capable of handling two EEE class vessels by mid-2018.” The cranes that Port management wants to sell were purchased in the 1980s, and appraised as worth up to $3.75 million, according to the memo, which adds, “With the direction to modernize Terminal 5, and as there are no other open Port terminals where the cranes could be utilized, it is desirable to sell the cranes while they are fully functional and have current certifications.” It also warns that the market for used cranes is “slow” and that if they don’t sell within six months, staff will come back to the commission to “obtain authorization to dispose of them in accordance with Port procedures, including paying to have the cranes dismantled and scrapped.”

The commission’s Tuesday meeting is at noon at Port headquarters (2711 Alaskan Way) and includes one other item related in part to modernization – authorization of $1.5 million to cover half the cost of a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers study on possibly deepening its west and east waterways to accommodate larger ships.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Store held up; police search for robbers
August 15, 2014 12:19 pm
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Delridge | West Seattle news

ORIGINAL REPORT, 12:19 PM: If you’re noticing the police response in the Delridge/Cambridge area, police are searching for at least one suspect in an armed robbery. The Guardian One helicopter is expected in the area shortly helping with the search.

ADDED 12:26 PM: Just talked to SPD spokesperson Det. Drew Fowler. The Tienda Super store in the 9400 block of Delridge was held up by two men who came in through its back door and stole cash at gunpoint. No one was hurt. Police are still searching for the robbers, both described as black men in their 20s, one 6’2″ with “facial scruff,” balding, gray hoodie, black pants, the other 5-6, thin, wearing a blue “do-rag,” white T-shirt, blue jeans. One robber was carrying a black backpack. If you have any information, call 911.

4:27 PM: Just checked again with SPD. Nobody in custody so far.

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West Seattle Friday: Please see the calendar for today/tonight
August 15, 2014 11:20 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Friday: Please see the calendar for today/tonight
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Because of breaking/developing stories, we won’t be publishing a separate “West Seattle Friday” calendar preview today, but there are cool happenings today/tonight as usual, so please take a moment to visit the WSB calendar page directly – every line is clickable and will show you more information on the specific event in question. Thanks!

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ONGOING COVERAGE: In West Seattle eviction fight, sheriff’s deputies remove Bartons again, arresting them for ‘criminal trespass’
August 15, 2014 8:23 am
|      193 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle housing | West Seattle news

(SCROLL DOWN FOR NEWEST UPDATE – 9:27 pm)

(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)
ORIGINAL REPORT, 8:23 AM: Jean and Byron Barton have been evicted from their former home in Morgan Junction again, according to King County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Sgt. DB Gates. We found her there after getting a telephone tip. This comes four days after a judge declined to order the city to enforce trespassing laws against them (WSB coverage here). They were already gone from the house when we got there; Sgt. Gates says people working for the company that bought the house at a foreclosure auction in April, Triangle Property Development, are in it now.

ADDED 8:37 AM: More information from Sgt. Gates: KCSO went in under auspices of a search warrant, not a new court order for eviction.

She says they “detained three adults for the crime of criminal trespassing,” including one of the Bartons’ grown sons, and that while Byron Barton was taken to the VA Hospital, Jean Barton and their son were taken to KCSO’s Southwest Precinct “for processing.” She did not expect they would be jailed. She said the search-warrant action happened “quickly” and that there were “no issues”; the three were the only people in the house, she said. No protesters (or other media) were there. Advocacy-group signage that had been outside the house for weeks has been removed, and the “no trespassing/video surveillance” sign shown in our photo above is in place. (added) This morning’s action comes one week after the court hearing on Triangle’s petition to force the city to take action, and four weeks after deputies first removed the Bartons from the house, which they re-occupied hours later. Triangle is not a party to the Bartons’ still-pending lawsuit (90-page PDF) against Chase Bank and two other entities, alleging the house was illegally foreclosed on.

ADDED 9:35 AM: The official KCSO news release has just arrived. In it, Sheriff John Urquhart alleges “politics (were) allowed to ride roughshod over the rule of law” prior to this morning’s action. Full text:
Read More

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Friday, with weekend alerts too
August 15, 2014 6:56 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Friday, with weekend alerts too
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(WS bridge and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Weather is this morning’s primary commute challenge so far – wet roads around the area. Looking ahead to tonight and beyond:

CITYWIDE ALERTS FOR TONIGHT/WEEKEND … here’s the SDOT roundup, beginning with Hempfest starting this afternoon and the Seahawks‘ preseason game vs. San Diego, 7 pm tonight.

VASHON EVENT THIS WEEKEND: Washington State Ferries notes weekend traffic to/from Vashon is likely to be heavy because of the Raft Up kayak/canoe/music event expected to draw thousands.

REMEMBER – HIGHWAY 99 CLOSURE, ONE WEEK AWAY! One week until Highway 99 closes from the West Seattle Bridge to Valley Street all weekend and then stays closed from the Battery St. Tunnel to Valley St. for two days beyond that.

ADDED 11:16 AM: ROXBURY RESCHEDULED – The repaving between 25th and 27th SW is now rescheduled for next Tuesday (August 19th) because dry weather is required.

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Part of ‘Corky Freedom Banner’ returning to Alki after 14 years
August 14, 2014 10:03 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | Wildlife

An advocate of freedom for captive orcas is on a journey from San Diego to Canada, stopping on Alki tomorrow evening with a historic display: Part of the “Corky Freedom Banner” that was displayed on Alki 14 years ago. We’ve just heard about this from Terri, who is organizing the event with Christine Caruso, the Seattle teacher who is on the West Coast journey. “Corky,” Terri explains, is an orca who has been captive longer than any other at SeaWorld San Diego, captured in British Columbia 45 years ago. In 1999, children around the world made pieces comprising a mile-long banner urging freedom for Corky; it was shown at various stops along a bus tour, including Alki, in 2000, as reported by The Seattle Times (WSB partner). Christine is traveling with pieces of that original banner; you can see them and talk with her 6:30-8 pm Friday at the west-end picnic area of Alki Beach.

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Video: Radio Raheem @ Summer Concerts at Hiawatha!
August 14, 2014 7:03 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

7:03 PM: Radio Raheem is raising the roof in the Hiawatha Community Center gym right now, during an indoor edition of the Admiral Neighborhood Association-presented Summer Concerts at Hiawatha series – moved inside because of the possibility of showers. They’re doing original songs and ’80s covers; band members include singer Josie Howell, known for her work with the Total Experience Gospel Choir, and West Seattle-based sax+ player Trevor Rasmussen:

The show started with guest emcee Brent Amaker – himself a musician as well as Admiral District business owner (in photo below with Katy Walum, ANA’s concert-series organizer) …

… and a demonstration by kids from The Little Gym of West Seattle, which has mats here in the back of the gym for any young audience members who want to play.

Also here, Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor), with free mini-cones of strawberry frozen custard. The show’s on until about 8.

8:28 PM: Show’s over – excellent mix of ’80s covers and original tunes. Next Thursday (August 21st), get your country on with Jessica Lynne, 6:30 pm as always.

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