West Seattle, Washington

22 Wednesday

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month : 03/2015 331 results

Five options for the rest of your West Seattle Friday
March 13, 2015 10:48 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by James Bratsanos, from Thursday morning)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

WEST SIDE PRESBYTERIAN RUMMAGE SALE: On now until 5 pm, it’s day one of the mega-sale at West Side Presbyterian Church. Go shop! (3601 California SW)

WSHS BIG BAND DINNER DANCE: 6 pm in the West Seattle High School Commons, dine and dance to raise money for student programs – details here, including ticket info. (3000 California SW)

MUSIC AND DANCE: Free (donations welcome) – West Seattle Community Orchestras‘ Symphony Orchestra performs, with dancers from DANCE! West Seattle featured, 7:30 pm at Chief Sealth International High School auditorium, details here. (2600 SW Thistle)

‘CHINGLISH’ CONTINUES AT ARTSWEST: 7:30 pm curtain time for the new production at ArtsWest Playhouse (WSB sponsor). “Chinglish” is billed as a “laugh-out-loud comedy.” Tickets available online, here. (4711 California SW)

SLAGS AT POGGIE: 9 pm, rock with The Slags at Poggie Tavern in The Junction. (4717 California SW)

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Here’s what happened at 35th SW safety-options meeting #2
March 13, 2015 9:40 am
|      46 COMMENTS
 |   Safety | Transportation | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Two days after SDOT debuted the 35th SW safety-design options (WSB coverage here), an afternoon encore presentation filled the upstairs meeting room at Southwest Branch Library.

While the information presented by SDOT’s Jim Curtin on Thursday afternoon was the same – most of it in this slide deck – the reaction and questions were not. And that wasn’t surprising, since Curtin asked for a show of hands by those who had already heard something about the proposals.

As we listened to the presentation a second time, different facts jumped out, beyond the big ones (five people killed and more than 1,000 crashes in a decade):

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2 more days to get nominations in for this year’s Westside Awards
March 13, 2015 8:59 am
|    Comments Off on 2 more days to get nominations in for this year’s Westside Awards
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Sunday (March 15th) is the deadline for you to get nominations in for this year’s Westside Awards, to be presented by the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce on April 2nd. You do NOT have to be a Chamber member to make a nomination or to be nominated. From the announcement first published here last month:

Westside Business of the Year – This nominee has been in business at least 3 years and demonstrated business excellence and success.

Westside Emerging Business – This nominee has been in business for less than 3 years but is meeting the challenges of a growing business through leadership.

Westside Not-For-Profit of the Year – This nominee Not-for-Profit is making our community a better place to live while contributing to community benefit through their mission.

Westsider of the Year – This nominee is making a lasting impact on our community and the lives of or is an up-and-coming community role model.

Make a nomination online through the Westside Awards Nomination Form – a different one for each category – and again, Sunday’s the deadline, so do it before the weekend’s out! Here’s our coverage of last year’s ceremony. You can buy your ticket(s) for this year’s event online – use the “register now” link on this page.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Friday on the roads & trails
March 13, 2015 7:09 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
All’s well on the roads and trails so far as we’re seeing and hearing. And the forecast still says this will be even more spring-like than Thursday.

Two notes:

DELRIDGE/ORCHARD/DUMAR SPU WORK: Seattle Public Utilities says the “intermittent 15-minute full closures on SW Orchard St. will be wrapping up this week as planned. Moving forward, traffic will occasionally be stopped momentarily to let trucks in and out, but we do not anticipate significant delays.” The westbound lane on Orchard east of Delridge will stay closed 7:30 am-4 pm seven days a week through the end of April, with a flagger to help you get around that.

UPCOMING SOUTH PARK BRIDGE, ALASKAN WAY VIADUCT CLOSURES: If you missed this update published Thursday – two weeks of early-early-morning closures are ahead for the South Park Bridge, and we have more details of the late-March Highway 99 closure.

8:03 AM: Port-truck traffic is backing up on Marginal again today, according to Helga in comments, plus what we’re hearing via the scanner.

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Congratulations! Straight Blast Gym of Seattle team triumphs at The Revolution
March 12, 2015 11:24 pm
|    Comments Off on Congratulations! Straight Blast Gym of Seattle team triumphs at The Revolution
 |   Delridge | West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Big congratulations are in order for local contenders who just scored big in a regional competition.

Coach Sonia Sillan from Straight Blast Gym of Seattle (WSB sponsor) shares the photos and the news:

On Saturday, March 7th, Straight Blast Gym of Seattle took a small team of 12 kids and 5 adults to a local Brazilian Jiujitsu competition, The Revolution, in Tacoma. 17 competitors finished out the day with 18 medals!

Every competitor from the SBG Seattle team has been training hard for this competition and it showed – every single individual from kids to adults put their best effort forth when it was required. In the end, that is all that counts.

We couldn’t be prouder of every person who stepped out on the mats.

To find out more about the results (and see more photos), check out this post on the SBG website. SBG (which is at 5050 Delridge Way SW) has a web special for kids’ martial arts right now, by the way – check it out here.

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You can help! ‘Music Night Out’ with/for Denny & Sealth students
March 12, 2015 9:23 pm
|    Comments Off on You can help! ‘Music Night Out’ with/for Denny & Sealth students
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

If you missed that clip of Chief Sealth International High School musicians at the Lionel Hampton Festival in Idaho the first time we featured it a week and a half ago – take a listen; call it a sneak peek of the “Music Night Out, Great Gatsby Style!” benefit coming up 5:30-10 pm Friday, March 27th. Early-bird pricing is available through tomorrow – here’s the event announcement:

Support Denny Int’l Middle School and Chief Sealth Int’l High School Performing Arts programs by celebrating a night of dinner, dancing and great music at The Hall at Fauntleroy (9131 California Ave SW, West Seattle). The evening will feature the orchestras and jazz bands from Denny and Sealth. Come dressed Great Gatsby style (1920’s) and be ready to dance! There will be a small silent auction, raffle, raise-the-paddle and our traditional dessert dash. We’d love to have you attend!

Tickets are available now here – Please click the “Buy Tickets” button. Donations can also be made through this button. Earlybird-price tickets are $45 per person through March 13th, and $50 per person after that until March 25th (last day of ticket sales). There is a limited number of VIP tables to purchase for $600 a table. VIP tables will be the best stage-view tables, include 10 guests and a bottle each of red wine and white wine for enjoyment during dinner.

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Happening now: West Seattle Art Walk, almost-spring edition
March 12, 2015 7:46 pm
|    Comments Off on Happening now: West Seattle Art Walk, almost-spring edition
 |   West Seattle Art Walk | West Seattle news

Until 9 pm, get out and enjoy the West Seattle Art Walk – we’ve made a few stops in The Junction:

That’s Michael Doyle, an illustrator who’s at VAIN (4513 California SW; WSB sponsor) for the opening reception of “32 Teacups,” described as “a show about secrets, dreams, and time travel.” Along with his illustrations … you’ll see these teacups:

He explains the inspiration: A friend of his had a dream about him, his art, and teacups. So he built the show around her dream – including the teacups. If you miss it tonight, don’t worry, his show is there through April.

At Wallflower Custom Framing (4735 42nd SW; WSB sponsor), oil painter/photographer Taylor Reed is showing her work:

The description of her show notes, “Most recently she has been inspired by gold, silver and copper leafing combined with oils, sometimes using it as a mere accent, and others to fill the canvas with the warmth that it brings.”

More to come … and if you missed the map/venue list earlier, find it in our West Seattle Thursday highlights.

8:01 PM: At Emerald Water Anglers (4502 42nd SW: WSB sponsor), this Art Walk night brings not only art, but another edition of Writers on the Fly:

Martha Silano is reading from her book of poetry “Reckless Lovely.” Video when we’re back at HQ. You’ll also find the art of Leah Hemberry Ricketts at EWA.

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Door-to-door alerts: Two today from Arbor Heights; plus, read the rules
March 12, 2015 6:46 pm
|      32 COMMENTS
 |   Arbor Heights | Door-to-door alert | West Seattle news

With warmer weather and later light, solicitor reports are picking up – including these two reports from Arbor Heights today, which are followed by information on city rules and what you can do if someone you don’t know comes to your door, soliciting or not:

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Who killed Greggette Guy? Still unanswered, 3 years later
March 12, 2015 3:06 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

(Family photo of Greggette Guy during a hike, 2004)
Admiring the beauty of Puget Sound from Beach Drive the other night, it occurred to us that a sad and unsettling anniversary was near, and indeed, an archive check confirmed that today marks exactly three years since 51-year-old Greggette Guy was found dead in the water near Cormorant Cove Park. Police believed she was killed sometime the night before, after traveling here to take a walk at/near Emma Schmitz Overlook, where her car was found:


Mrs. Guy was a Kent resident and a former West Seattleite, remembered for her devotion to Girl Scouting; one year after her murder, she was remembered at a ceremony dedicating a memorial plaque by a totem pole at a Girl Scout camp in east King County. Three days after her body was found, she was officially declared a victim of homicide; the cause of her death was not immediately revealed, but eventually was described as “severe wounds to her neck.”

We checked today with SPD to ask if they had anything new to say about the case – no details have emerged since our six-months-later followup in September 2012; in October 2014, Chief Kathleen O’Toole’s first official report to the City Council mentioned unsolved murders including this one, saying:

The Criminal Investigations Bureau Chief and Violent Crimes Captain have conducted a thorough review of all unsolved homicides twice during 2014. While I cannot discuss specifics of those open investigations in this report, I can tell you that the cases that remain unsolved have either problems with the integrity of evidence or a lack of cooperation from witnesses. I hope that we can develop greater trust and communication with our community so that individuals with information about these cases or other unsolved crimes will come forward.

That hope is echoed today in the response to our inquiry; Det. Patrick Michaud said, “The case is still open, active and ongoing. However, we still need the public’s help. If (you) know anything, call (206) 233-5000.”

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Plan ahead! South Park Bridge overnight closures ahead; plus, details of upcoming Alaskan Way Viaduct inspection closure
March 12, 2015 1:47 pm
|    Comments Off on Plan ahead! South Park Bridge overnight closures ahead; plus, details of upcoming Alaskan Way Viaduct inspection closure
 |   South Park | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

From SDOT‘s weekly “lookahead,” just out:

SOUTH PARK BRIDGE OVERNIGHT SURFACE-TRAFFIC CLOSURES: Thanks to the tipster who let us know this morning that a mobile sign had gone up on the South Park Bridge with news of upcoming overnight closures. That put us on the lookout for the details that are in the “lookahead” – Monday through Friday nights (technically Tuesday-Saturday mornings, March 17-21) next week, the bridge will be closed to surface traffic 12:01 am-5 am. The closures are scheduled to repeat a week later, same times, March 24-28. (added) As explained by the county: “The closure will be confined to the overnight hours and will allow the contractor to complete bridge painting and finishing work in areas accessible only when the bridge is partially open. While work is underway, the waterway will remain open to recreational vessels that don’t require full openings to clear the bridge. Because the work will be performed overnight, traffic impacts should be minimal.”

ALASKAN WAY VIADUCT INSPECTION CLOSURE: When first word of the March 28-29 closure emerged last Monday, WSDOT wasn’t able to tell us whether it would be a full weekend closure or “all day Saturday plus all day Sunday.” Looks like it’s the latter; the “lookahead” lists the closure as 6 am-6 pm each day, Saturday 3/28 and Sunday 3/29, at least for the stretch between the West Seattle Bridge and the south end of the Battery Street Tunnel. However, it also mentions that both directions of 99 will be closed between the north end of the tunnel and Valley Street from 10 pm Friday 3/27 to 5 am Monday 3/30 for utility work.

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Excited to hear about newest orca baby? The Whale Trail presents researcher who ‘found’ it, with tales from recent trip
March 12, 2015 1:12 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | Wildlife

(Photo by Candice Emmons, NWFSC, NOAA Research Permit #16163)
That’s the newest calf found (as reported here two weeks ago) with Puget Sound’s Southern Resident Killer Whales – L121 and mother L94, with NOAA research ship Bell M. Shimada in the background. The researcher who leads the NOAA program, Brad Hanson of the Northwest Fisheries Science Center, is coming to West Seattle later this month to talk about what they saw while observing the whales and what it means for their recovery. It’s the first Orca Talk of 2015, presented by The Whale Trail at 7 pm March 26th at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor). Here’s the official announcement, just received:

Researchers recently spent 21 days aboard the NOAA ship Bell M. Shimada, tracking endangered Southern Resident killer whales (SRKWs) off the coasts of Washington and Oregon. Good weather and ocean conditions allowed researchers exceptional access to the whales, including the first sighting of new calf L121, during their winter foraging period.

The winter survey addressed a high research priority to fill a major gap in our understanding of SRKWs life history—where these whales go during the winter, what they do, and what they eat.

Join us for this special presentation by Dr. Brad Hanson, NWFSC lead killer whale researcher. Be the first to hear what researchers observed, and how data collected on this cruise will help recover J, K and L pods.

This is the first in the 2015 series Orca Talks hosted by The Whale Trail in West Seattle. The event also features updates from Robin Lindsey (Seal Sitters), and “Diver Laura” James (tox-ick.org).

Buy tickets early to reserve your seat. And hurry! This will likely sell out.

More about the speaker and TWT ahead:

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March Art Walk, 35th SW meeting #2, more for the rest of your West Seattle Thursday
March 12, 2015 11:56 am
|    Comments Off on March Art Walk, 35th SW meeting #2, more for the rest of your West Seattle Thursday
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Topping our highlights list for your Thursday afternoon/evening – it’s West Seattle Art Walk night! 6-9 pm, here’s where you can go to see art and (at most stops) meet the artists:

You’ll find venue/artist previews on the official Art Walk website, to help you plan where to visit. One special note tonight – it’s the WS Art Walk debut of VAIN (WSB sponsor) in The Junction (4513 California SW), where you’ll find the opening reception for West Seattle-based artist Michael Doyle‘s new illustration series “13 Teacups.” See you on the Art Walk tonight!

Also happening in the next 9 hours:

SECOND MEETING ON 35TH SW PROPOSALS: 3:15 pm at Southwest Branch Library, it’s the second of 2 meetings on the “design alternatives” SDOT is proposing to increase safety on 35th SW. Here’s the quick-glance overview:

Questions? Comments? Want to hear the details (intersection-by-intersection, as it was rolled out Tuesday night) firsthand? Be there if you can. Comment to jim.curtin@seattle.gov even if you can’t. The final design proposal will be out in June and is being shaped by reaction to what’s proposed now. (35th/Henderson)

GEORGETOWN BREWING NIGHT: The popular local brewery is up next at The Beer Junction‘s series of tasting nights, 5-8 pm. Details in our listing. (4511 California SW)

INDIAN FOOD CLASS: 5:30-8 pm at Delridge Community Center, learn to make some staples! $30. Call 206-684-7423 to register, if there’s still room. (4501 Delridge Way SW)

‘OPT OUT’ OF TESTING? 6 pm at Southwest Branch Library, find out about the controversial Smarter Balanced testing and parents’ rights to opt their child/ren out if they choose – details in our listing. (35th/Henderson)

TELEPHONE TOWN HALL WITH LEGISLATORS: From the 34th District Democrats‘ website – tonight’s your chance to join in a “telephone town hall” with your state Reps. Eileen Cody and Joe Fitzgibbon: “This will be a chance to ask us questions and hear about what they are up to in Olympia. To participate on March 12th, please dial 1-877-229-8493 and use the PIN 18646 at 6:00 pm.”

SECOND THURSDAY OUT! 6 pm, monthly event at Senior Center of West Seattle. “Join the LGBTQ community, their friends and neighbors for happy hour, followed by a light meal, and game night!” (Oregon/California)

OF COURSE, THERE’S MORE … on our calendar.

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MISSING PERSON: Search for Mark Sponseller
March 12, 2015 10:04 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

FRIDAY UPDATE: Mr. Sponseller’s family says he has been found, deceased.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Thursday notes
March 12, 2015 8:01 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
It’s been another routine commute so far. Two notes:

47TH/ADMIRAL WORK CONTINUES: The photo is from Wednesday morning, as work ramped up on the north side of the intersection. More details on the project page.

35TH SW CHANGES: Missed the meeting Tuesday night at which SDOT revealed two “design alternatives” plus the plan to lower the speed limit? A daytime edition of the presentation is set for today, 3:15 pm in the upstairs meeting room at Southwest Branch Library (35th/Henderson). Bring your questions. If you can’t go to this one either, feedback goes to jim.curtin@seattle.gov.

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VIDEO: Two overnight incidents with Guardian One responses
March 12, 2015 1:05 am
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Helicopter | West Seattle news

(ADDED: KCSO aerial video from search that followed Delridge/Trenton incident)
1:05 AM: The Guardian One law-enforcement helicopter was just over eastern West Seattle for a bit, and now we know why. They tweeted that they were helping Seattle Police look for suspects who ran from a stolen car. The search was focused near 18th and Graham. A K-9 team has been helping on the ground, but no luck finding the suspects so far.

2:18 AM: Guardian One is back because of a separate incident, this one at Delridge/Trenton. It drew a large police/fire response because of an apparently false report of “three people stabbed.” So far, they have found one person with a “small laceration” on a finger. Police had been called to the same area for a similar report earlier tonight.

8:05 AM: We’ve added, above, the aerial video from the second incident, Delridge/Trenton, that’s since been posted on the KCSO Air Support YouTube channel. (What you hear over it is the same audio we heard via scanner at the time, SPD on the ground and the helicopter deputy.)

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VIDEO: Mayor Murray Q/A at 34th District Democrats’ meeting
March 11, 2015 11:21 pm
|    Comments Off on VIDEO: Mayor Murray Q/A at 34th District Democrats’ meeting
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Big attention for West Seattle tonight from city leaders – while Seattle Police Chief Kathleen O’Toole answered questions in The Junction, Mayor Ed Murray answered a few in Fauntleroy. He was a semi-late addition to the 34th District Democrats‘ agenda, with growth, development, homelessness, and even architecture among the topics on which he was questioned in his 13-minute appearance – all on video above. Homelessness, Murray pointed out, is a national crisis, and Seattle can’t solve it alone – state and federal assistance is necessary. He opened with what sounded a bit like a campaign speech, quick hits on points such as the increase in the city’s minimum wage on April 1st (this city page explains who goes to $10 and who goes to $11 then).

Also there, City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen:

He brought up city leaders’ concern about a bill moving through the Legislature, asking people to pressure state legislators not to approve two bills that would change the rules for payday loans. While the 34th District’s legislators are solidly against it – State Sen. Sharon Nelson led the charge to tighten payday-loan rules in 2009 – that’s not a universal position for the party in this area, he said.

Next month’s highlight: A full candidate forum for the District 1 City Council race.

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UPDATE: House fire on 35th SW, no one hurt
March 11, 2015 8:04 pm
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle fires | West Seattle news


(WSB photos)
8:04 PM: Big response for possible house fire in 8600 block 35th SW. More to come.

8:14 PM: 35th is blocked at Trenton. Smoke visible. Firefighters are ventilating the roof. No word on any injuries. Avoid the area for a while.

8:24 PM: SFD confirms that everyone got out of the house safely.

8:31 PM: Firefighters are still dealing with residual hotspots in the roof.

8:37 PM: Our crew has spoken with the incident commander, who says 1 person was home and got out unhurt. This apparently began as a fire in the fireplace, and got out of control. Some of the units are being dismissed.

9:28 PM: SFD confirms the fire is out. We’ve added three more photos.

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VIDEO: Police Chief O’Toole ‘continues the conversation’ in West Seattle
March 11, 2015 6:58 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police

(UPDATED THURSDAY MORNING with our full video of event)

6:58 PM: About 70 people are at the Senior Center for SPD Chief Kathleen O’Toole‘s encore appearance. We can’t live-chronicle it due to chairlessness but we are recording video and also tweeting (you can view without being a Twitter user) at @westseattleblog. (Added: Some of what we tweeted during the meeting, focusing on the WS-specific questions/answers)

*Note, the exchange above with Deb Barker and Chief O’Toole, regarding 911 responses to non-major incidents and whether SPD needs more officers, starts at about 42 minutes into the video. She had said earlier in the meeting that while her former city, Boston, has a comparable population, its police force is more than 800 officers larger. She also discusses an ongoing study that will result in a report to the mayor on what would be the appropriate size of the SPD force, and says that’ll be out in the summer.

The meeting continued:

(Added … From the final half-hour of the meeting:)


Herbold also asked O’Toole if she’s considering using civilian community-service officers; the chief said she “loved that idea.” And she said she had met earlier with Somali families in High Point who told her that they would like SPD to have a community liaison for their community; O’Toole mentioned they are still reviewing candidates for the East African community liaison. Co-moderator Pete Spalding then read an audience question on the same subject, to which O’Toole added that the East African Advisory Committee is being re-established as well.

Another City Council candidate was at the microphone as well:

Helmick elaborated regarding the Westwood-area problems on which the community council she chairs has dealt with Wilske and the precinct. She then asked a question about a friend of hers whom she said had applied to become an officer but had been told she didn’t appropriately answer a question about how to handle a difficult situation. O’Toole suggested that Helmick’s friend contact her so SPD could “talk to her and figure out what went awry there.”

8:26 PM: The meeting’s over. Uneventful – no disruptions, lots of questions, lots of answers. People are lingering to talk not only with the chief but also with now-Assistant Chief Steve Wilske, who will be “hand-pick(ing)” his successor as Southwest Precinct commander, though no timetable has been mentioned.

THURSDAY MORNING NOTE: Update – here’s the video. Update 2 – as of 10:29 am, it’s embedded atop this story, too. Update 3 – as of 12:18 pm, we have added highlights from the final half-hour of the meeting.

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West Seattle Summer Fest 2015 set for July 10-12 – vendors invited to apply now!
March 11, 2015 4:30 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Summer Fest 2015 set for July 10-12 – vendors invited to apply now!
 |   West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

(2014 West Seattle Summer Fest photo by WSB’s Katie Meyer)
The West Seattle Junction Association has set the dates for this year’s West Seattle Summer Fest – July 10-12. Four months away, but if you’re interested in being a vendor, the time to apply is now, and the deadline is April 1st! A brand-new Vendor Information Page is the place to start – westseattlefestival.com/vendors.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: 6 incidents, 3 reminders
March 11, 2015 2:46 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

West Seattle Crime Watch incidents to report, plus related reminders:

STREET ROBBERY SEARCH: The search is happening right now near Delridge/Juneau – a woman told police that she was “jumped” a short time ago and robbed by a female attacker who was on a northbound bus with her and followed her off in that area. She’s getting medical treatment for injuries; the robber is described, so far as we’ve heard via scanner, as black, with black/brown braided hair, pink sweatshirt, whitewashed skinny jeans. If you have any info, call 911.

INDECENT EXPOSURE VIA PHOTO: Via e-mail – this happened Monday: “My teenage daughter was on the 128 in the early evening, going down 16th, and a man seated next to her, late 20s-early 30s, Caucasian, dark hair, dark rectangular glasses, exposed her to an explicit, full-frontal nude photograph of himself. She told us when she got home and we contacted the police and filed a report.”

Relevant to that, and recent incidents:

STUDENT SAFETY INFO: One week from tonight, the Madison Middle School PTSA is presenting a student-safety program during its PTSA meeting – 7 pm March 18th – with police, Parks, and school reps; full details on the PTSA website. (45th/Spokane)

STOLEN CAR: Maria‘s car was last seen Saturday night near 42nd/Graham. It’s a 1991 red/maroon Honda Accord, plate ALM0283. Maria says, “The car is pretty run down, but I have had it for almost ten years and is my daily commuter!” She’s reported it to police; please let them know if you see it. (And remember that sometimes plates are swapped or removed, so if you see what looks like an abandoned red/maroon Accord, even without that #, could be it.)

EITHER OF THESE CARS YOURS? Mindi noticed two cars Monday night near California/Spokane, both with broken windows. Police told her reports had to be filed by the victims; she knocked on nearby doors to look for the cars’ owners but couldn’t find anyone. Here’s hoping the damage has been reported by now; if not, and if you have a car parked there (red Ford, gray Subaru), check it out. (Photos of the cars also were tweeted – here and here.)

CARS PROWLED IN ARBOR HEIGHTS, HOUSE VANDALIZED: Twice in the past five days, near 42nd/100th, nothing stolen, happened around 6 in the morning. Someone also broke a window on a nearby house, though there’s no sign of entry beyond that.

PACKAGE THEFT: Just out of the inbox, “3800 block of 20th Ave SW – UPS package delivered Tuesday 03/10/2015 at 3:20 pm and by 6 pm was gone.”

TAX-SEASON SCAM REMINDERS: First – This WSB Forums post is a reminder that scam calls are still being made. Second – We have also obtained two police reports from February – one in which an Admiral woman was bilked for almost $5,000 because of an elaborate series of realistic-sounding demands from callers who said they were from the IRS and SPD. The demands included wiring money and purchasing reloadable cash cards. Meantime, the second case involved a surprise check for almost $10,000 received by a Genesee couple, supposedly a tax refund check – but the couple had not filed their taxes yet and were expecting to owe money, not to get any back. The issuing bank said they sent the check because there was a problem with electronic-funds transfer. The victim told police they were trying to sort it out with SPD. Here’s the IRS’s official page about all the different kinds of fraud and scams to watch out for, especially at this time of year.

ONE MORE REMINDER … Seattle Police Chief Kathleen O’Toole returns to West Seattle tonight to “continue the conversation,” 6:30 pm at the Senior Center of WS (Oregon/California). We expect to hear more about what’s next for Southwest Precinct leadership after this morning’s announcement that Capt. Steve Wilske is now headed downtown as an assistant chief (updated WSB coverage here).

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Also tonight: Mayor, council candidates at 34th District Democrats
March 11, 2015 2:06 pm
|    Comments Off on Also tonight: Mayor, council candidates at 34th District Democrats
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

Another one of those days where the news started early and we haven’t published the usual daily list of calendar highlights. From everything you’ll find on our Event Calendar page (continuously updated, so check any time), there are two big things happening tonight. One, the Police Chief’s visit, already mentioned in our just-updated-again coverage of today’s big SPD news. The other: Mayor Ed Murray is expected at tonight’s 34th District Democrats‘ meeting, which also will include “quick-draw questions” for District 1 City Council candidates. Here’s the agenda; the meeting’s at 7 pm, The Hall at Fauntleroy (9131 California SW).

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West Seattle food: Top Pot Doughnuts’ Alki shop will open Friday
March 11, 2015 11:48 am
|      22 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

It’s a question we’ve been asked often in recent weeks: When will Top Pot Doughnuts open its Alki store? This morning, the answer is in: This Friday (March 13th). It’s been almost nine months since we broke the news that Top Pot would be the long-awaited first tenant in the east space at 2758 Alki SW. This morning, the Alki store passed its final inspections, and co-founder Mark Klebeck told WSB shortly afterward that it will open for business at 6 am Friday. Hours for starters will be 6 am-8 pm weekdays, 7 am-8 pm weekends; Klebeck says they will re-evaluate as spring/summer proceed, for possible later closing times. In addition to 42 varieties of doughnuts, he says, the store will offer soft-serve ice cream, sandwiches, pastries, and coffee/espresso from beans that Top Pot roasts at its flagship location.

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Scouting For Food: Door-to-door food drive in West Seattle
March 11, 2015 11:13 am
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 |   How to help | West Seattle news

West Seattle’s Boy Scout Troop 282 and other Scouts are doing it again – “Scouting for Food,” a door-to-door food drive. They will be dropping off door tags to homes in the West Seattle area this Saturday, March 14th between 8:30-10:30 am. They will come back the following Saturday, March 21st to collect food for the West Seattle Food Bank between 9 am 10 am. If you would like to donate and need a pickup, contact R. Schulz, 206-890-2237. At right, last year’s collection by Troop 282, which says, “could we do more this year? Yes, we can!”

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