West Seattle, Washington

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month : 04/2015 327 results

West Seattle Sunday: Free shredding; free stairway walk; WS5K registration deal; meet the greyhounds; music; theater; more!
April 19, 2015 6:34 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Last Friday’s sunrise, photographed by Lynn Hall)

Happy Sunday! From the calendar:

POSSIBLE FLYOVER ALERT: The Mariners-Rangers game at 1:10 pm at Safeco Field is the annual Salute to the Armed Forces. That often means a flyover/flyby, which often goes over West Seattle before and/or after. So now you know. The pre-game ceremony starts around 12:20 pm.

Also today/tonight:

WEST SEATTLE AMATEUR RADIO CLUB BREAKFAST: Already an amateur-radio operator? Or, interested? 9:30 am, you’re invited to the monthly breakfast meeting of the West Seattle Amateur Radio Club. New location – Young’s Restaurant. (9413 16th SW)

ALKI STAIRWAY WALK! Beautiful day to get out on foot. Join West Seattleites Cathy and Jake Jaramillo of “Seattle Stairway Walks” for a FREE Alki-area stairway walk from the Log House Museum, 10 am. (61st/Stevens)

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: More new arrivals every week. 10 am-2 pm. (44th/Alaska)

SDOT @ FARMERS’ MARKET: Want to talk to SDOT about the draft Transportation Levy – or something else? The city says SDOT reps will be at the WSFM 10 am-2 pm.

GREYHOUND ‘MEET AND GREET’: 11 am-1 pm at Mud Bay in Admiral – details here. (2611 California SW)

GET A DEAL ON WEST SEATTLE 5K REGISTRATION: 1-5 pm at West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor), sign up for the May 17th West Seattle 5K at the lowest rate available. (2743 California SW)

FREE SHREDDING: 1-4 pm at High Point Branch Library – please see the listing for info on how much you can bring. (35th/Raymond)

MUSIC X 2 AT C & P: Two acts on the calendar today at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) – Jamtime, 1-4 pm, and Gary Benson, 5-7 pm. (5612 California SW)

‘PICASSO AT THE LAPIN AGILE’: Third performance for Twelfth Night Productions‘ new production “Picasso at the Lapin Agile” by Steve Martin. Matinee today – 3 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. Tickets are available online. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

CLASSICAL ELEGANCE AT KENYON HALL: 7:30 pm, Kenyon Hall is where you’ll find an elegant program of classical music – details here. (7904 35th SW)

EVEN MORE … on our calendar.

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VIDEO: The Sonics rock Record Store Day to its final moments @ Easy Street
April 19, 2015 4:07 am
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

It was another chapter for Easy Street Records in The Junction in the rock ‘n’ roll history books: A raucous conclusion to Record Store Day 2015, with legendary, regrouped The Sonics performing a benefit show announced only a day and a half earlier:

If you don’t know their backstory – which spans half a century, and then some – this might help.

The benefit was for KEXP’s new HQ, with tickets at $100 each – and it was promised that surprise guests would make the price more than worth it. We couldn’t stay past the first few songs and are excruciatingly regretful to have missed said guests, who turned out to include Eddie Vedder (photo, photo) and Mike McCready from Pearl Jam, Chris Ballew (photo) from The Presidents, Matt Lukin (photo) from Mudhoney and The Melvins, Emily Nokes (photo) from Tacocat … and more. Video of the guest performances will certainly surface – KEXP was shooting, as were countless phone-hoisting showgoers. The Sonics, meantime, are touring to support their first record in half a century, “This Is The Sonics,” which brought them to ESR just last month for a signing party.

ADDED 11:34 AM: No one else had uploaded to YouTube by the time we went off duty this morning, but that’s changed since then. Thanks to those who pointed this out to us – the upload is by @marnankev2:

ADDED 1:48 PM: Another perspective – during the show, outside Easy Street. Artist Joshua Boulet says he was in The Junction to catch the Route 50 bus when he drew the crowd:


He also made a quick drawing of Junction-based Seattle Fire Engine 32, which was outside for a while (it left the same time we did) on safety patrol:

(You might recall his drawing of SFD firefighters at work in our coverage of a Beach Drive fire last fall.)

ADDED SUNDAY NIGHT: Charles R. Cross‘s review of the “magic night” is up at SeattleTimes.com.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Stolen car found, 3 teens arrested
April 18, 2015 9:46 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

A commenter mentioned this earlier – and now details are on SPD Blotter:

Officers responded to calls of street racing in West Seattle Saturday and arrested three teens for auto theft.

A witness called police at 7:45 Saturday morning and reported street racing followed by suspicious behavior around a car in the 5400 block of 34 Ave. SW. Officers quickly arrived and saw three teen boys run from a car in the area. An officer checked the car and found the steering column, instrument panel, and other parts of the car either damaged or removed. Other officers flooded the area and located the teenagers a few blocks away. While talking to and searching the boys, an officer found a shaved key, used for stealing cars, on one of the teens.

A fourth teen, who stayed at the original scene in another car, allowed officers to search his vehicle. Officers found several car parts from the damaged vehicle inside the trunk of the teen’s car.

The owner of the damaged car called police and confirmed that his car had just been stolen.

Officers arrested and booked the three teens who ran into the King County Youth Service Center, while the fourth teen who stayed behind was released to his parents.

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You can help! Relay for Life team offering Grab-and-Go dinners
April 18, 2015 9:22 pm
|    Comments Off on You can help! Relay for Life team offering Grab-and-Go dinners
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

The Relay for Life-West Seattle team Smiles for Miles is offering “Grab and Go” dinners as a fundraiser again, on two upcoming dates:

*Next Tuesday, April 21st, they’re offering ravioli (with marinara), Caesar salad, green beans, and garlic bread. $10 adult dinner, $5 child-size. Pickup (cash, or check made to American Cancer Society) is 5-6 pm Tuesday at the Fauntleroy Children’s Center kitchen (north side of Fauntleroy Schoolhouse). E-mail your order by Monday (April 20th) to fauntleroychildrenscenter@yahoo.com.

*On Wednesday, May 13th, they’re fixing Grab-and-Go spaghetti dinners (meat sauce or marinara), Caesar salad, corn, garlic bread, Same prices, payment options, pickup time/place, e-mail address; order by May 12th.

Questions before you place an order? Call Lauri Cunningham @ 206-932-9590, extension 302, or ask via the same e-mail address.

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Second night of Siberian-smoke sunsets, seen from West Seattle
April 18, 2015 8:38 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

Tonight, the photo’s by Jamie Kinney, from the second consecutive night with a pink/red-ball sunset whose cause is no longer a mystery – the National Weather Service pointed out a NASA update showing the plume of smoke crossing the Pacific from fires in Siberia.

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West Seattle Thriftway shopping spree: WS Food Bank wins twice!
April 18, 2015 8:10 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

Grocery shopping is a popular thing to do on Saturday mornings. Not quite the way Bart Eldredge and son Chase Eldredge did it today, though. They won the West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) benefit raffle for a shopping spree of as many Western Family-brand products they could grab in that time. Chase was an ace:

Thriftway’s Michele Grasso checked the Eldredges out, tallying a grand total of $728 in merchandise:

Not only did the raffle-ticket sales raise $3,179 for the West Seattle Food Bank, the Eldredges donated more than half their haul to WSFB, whose executive director Fran Yeatts was there to say thanks:

The Thriftway fundraiser was just one of their ongoing community projects, and was also in celebration of the locally owned grocery store’s 27th anniversary this spring. Another popular annual fundraiser is their series of Saturday benefit lunchtime barbecues, and Michele tells us the first one is just two weeks away, on May 2nd.

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TRAFFIC ALERT: Sylvan reopens after three-vehicle crash
April 18, 2015 7:15 pm
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC ALERT: Sylvan reopens after three-vehicle crash
 |   High Point | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

7:15 PM: No serious injuries so far as we’ve heard, but a three-car crash is blocking Sylvan Way at Sylvan Heights (map), west of Delridge, east of High Point, so if you were heading that way, you’ll need to use another east-west route between Delridge and 35th (SW Holden, perhaps). No estimate yet how long this will last.

8:08 PM: Via the scanner, we learn the road has just reopened.

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HAPPENING NOW: Record Store Day 2015 rocks on into the night at Easy Street
April 18, 2015 6:16 pm
|    Comments Off on HAPPENING NOW: Record Store Day 2015 rocks on into the night at Easy Street
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

The biggest day of the year at Easy Street Records in The Junction started around sunrise, and it’s not over yet. It’s Record Store Day around the world, and that means specials and surprises at Easy Street, which is staying open well into the night for the occasion. Part of the fun – guest DJ’s, including one of West Seattle’s resident rock stars:

Chris Ballew of The Presidents of the United States of America and Caspar Babypants fame was the guest DJ at mid-afternoon. If you drop by between now and 8 pm, Troy Nelson of The Young Evils and KEXP is scheduled to be DJ’ing, followed by Kevin Cole (also of KEXP) until about 9. Then at 10 pm – a benefit for KEXP as announced on Friday – The Sonics, live (maybe you recognized them in the photo behind Chris B, above?). Online tickets have sold out, according to the KEXP website, which suggests calling ESR to see if there’s room. (Surprise guests are promised; ESR’s Facebook page says Mark Pickerel will be among them.)

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VIDEO: Orcas in the area again, caught on video by Vashon Island
April 18, 2015 4:30 pm
|    Comments Off on VIDEO: Orcas in the area again, caught on video by Vashon Island
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Wildlife

Thanks to Lindsay for sharing the video – without much notice, two killer whales headed south along Vashon Island shores earlier today, around 1 pm. She says the sighting was a surprise, while she was giving a tour of the area to two friends visiting from Colorado. Also, a texter told us of a sighting near Brown’s Point in Tacoma, so if you’re by the water, keep watch – they’ll have to come back this way sooner or later.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Stolen pickup truck
April 18, 2015 4:00 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

ORIGINAL REPORT: Last night, we published reports of two cars stolen in West Seattle. Today – an F350 Harley pickup truck stolen this morning from Upper Fauntleroy:

It was taken sometime between 12:30 am and 11:00 am this morning from the 9000 block of 36th Ave SW. This isn’t an exact photo of the truck, but it’s close. The stolen truck does not have the outside chrome roll-bar rack, and the tires are different but otherwise, it’s a very close match.

Plate is B49938V. Call 911 if you see it.

UPDATED: Photo of actual pickup now included above.

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HAPPENING NOW: Tax-Free Day deals in The Junction
April 18, 2015 2:23 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Ready to take a break from the yard, the beach, the dog park, wherever, and go shopping? As mentioned earlier, 30 West Seattle Junction stores are part of “Tax-Free Day” – basically an almost-10-percent discount so that they’re in effect picking up the sales tax. It’s become a tradition over the years, to boost shoppers’ spirits right around federal-tax-deadline time. Above, that’s Mary Ehlert at the AAA storefront on the interior east side of Jefferson Square – it’s a retail shop as well as a place to buy insurance and book travel (among other things). We also peeked in on Curious Kidstuff (4740 California SW), The Junction’s local independent toy shop – with, as you can see in our photo, a festive selection of gift wrap:

(Both aforementioned stores are WSB sponsors.) Today’s full list of participants is here – get out and explore what’s in store in “downtown West Seattle”!

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West Seattle weekend scene: Motorcycles’ memorial procession
April 18, 2015 12:38 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Seen around town | West Seattle news

(UPDATE: It’s a memorial procession – scroll down)

ORIGINAL REPORT, 12:38 PM: Don’t know yet what exactly this is about, but a major motorcycle ride has just traveled through West Seattle – these photos came in via Twitter, as the ride headed westbound, then northbound, then eastbound:

We’re still researching – if you know the reason/occasion, please clue us all in – thanks!

12:45 PM: Just found it via websearch. Memorial procession – here’s the link with details – in honor of 59-year-old Dennis Costello, who died of leukemia in February. His funeral is in Tacoma later today.

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West Seattle biznote: Congratulations! Fleurt turns 5 years old
April 18, 2015 12:31 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

(Photos courtesy Fleurt)
If you’re going to The Junction for Tax-Free Day, stop by Fleurt (4536 California SW) and wish Sam Crowley and daughter Keonii (who runs both this shop and the expansion branch in Pioneer Square) a happy 5th anniversary! The party started yesterday, as Fleurt opened in West Seattle on April 17, 2010 (you might recall its first two years were on the NW corner of California/Oregon, where Funky Jane’s is now). Sam writes:

We reflect back on 5 wonderful years in our West Seattle community we call home. Fleurt has enjoyed 5 years of growth offering daily flower deliveries throughout Seattle, special events, weddings, and 2 gift shops filled with goodies ranging from candles to custom terrariums. … We want to thank everyone who are “Fleurt Fans” and we look forward to the years ahead.

During the five years, Fleurt has been featured on the cover of, and inside, numerous magazines, including winning two “best of” votes via Seattle magazine. Sam says they pride themselves on using local, sustainable flowers – this was created for a delivery yesterday and most of the flowers were grown in her West Seattle garden!

Stop in for snacks during today’s Tax-Free Day sale (and birthday celebration) and also note that Fleurt is again celebrating Earth Day (next Wednesday, April 22nd) by inviting you to drop off unwanted vases, pots, or jars – “We will repurpose at Fleurt or pass along to the West Seattle Senior Center. With each dropoff we hand over a free mini-plant.”

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HAPPENING NOW: Miss Seattle’s book drive in The Junction
April 18, 2015 12:01 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

One more hour to deliver children’s-book donations to Taryn Smith, West Seattle High School senior and Miss Seattle, at Merryweather Books in The Junction – 4527 California SW. Today’s book drive is on until 1 pm. (The store’s one of the 30+ participating in today’s Tax-Free Sale Day, too – more on that shortly.)

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West Seattle wildlife: It’s ‘watch out for goslings’ season
April 18, 2015 11:42 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle wildlife: It’s ‘watch out for goslings’ season
 |   West Seattle news | Wildlife

Headed for the water? The baby Canada Goose photo and reminder are from David Hutchinson:

Three goslings were hatched recently on the pilings north of Salty’s. A couple years ago, their father was taken to PAWS by Seal Sitters. He had been attacked by a dog and suffered a severe bite while trying to protect his goslings near the Don Armeni boat ramp.

It would be thoughtful if you come across them while walking your dog (which is hopefully on a leash) to keep at a distance. If approached, they will panic and try to scramble over the rocks to escape to the water. Often, the small goslings will fall into the crevices and become trapped. People have been pretty considerate in the past while driving on Harbor Ave by stopping and allowing them to cross the road – the grass is always greener on the other side.

This is the eighth year David has shared at least one gosling photo via WSB. From the archives:

*2014
*First 2013 photo
*First 2012 photo
*First 2011 photo
*First 2010 photo
*First 2009 photo
*2008

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West Seattle 5K less than a month away; registration party Sunday
April 18, 2015 10:21 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle 5K less than a month away; registration party Sunday
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | WS & Sports

(WS5K start three years ago, photographed by David Hutchinson)
We’re now less than a month away from the 2015 West Seattle 5K – set for Sunday, May 17th, with co-sponsors including WSB. The WS5K is always the first major 5K fundraising run/walk of the year along Alki Beach, organized by and raising money for the West Seattle High School PTSA. While you can sign up online 24/7, you’re also invited to get one last chance at the discounted early-registration fee by visiting West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) at its new location (2743 California SW) tomorrow, Sunday, April 19th – race reps will be ready to sun you up on Sunday afternoon, 1-5 pm.

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West Seattle Saturday: ‘Tax-Free Day’ in The Junction, Duwamish Alive! volunteering, Record Store Day, April Pool’s Day …
April 18, 2015 8:28 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Saturday: ‘Tax-Free Day’ in The Junction, Duwamish Alive! volunteering, Record Store Day, April Pool’s Day …
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by Trileigh Tucker – two eagles in flight over Lincoln Park)

Happy Saturday! It is a day of “Days,” as you’ll see in these highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

RECORD STORE DAY: Under way now at Easy Street Records – lots of special events, continuing through the 10 pm show by The Sonics – check the ESR website for who’s there and what’s up. (California/Alaska)

TAX-FREE DAY IN THE JUNCTION: All-day sales at 30 participating businesses – listed on the West Seattle Junction Association website – including WSB sponsors AAA, Click! Design That Fits, Curious Kidstuff, Emerald Water Anglers, Hotwire Online Coffeehouse, Vain, Wallflower Custom Framing.

BOOK DRIVE: 9 am-1 pm, as previewed here, Miss Seattle, Taryn Smith, is at Merryweather Books in The Junction to collect donated children’s books for families being helped by Mary’s Place. (4537 California SW)

AQUARIUM SOCIETY AUCTION: 9 am preview, 10 am bidding, continuing until 1 pm at the West Seattle Christian Church Activity Center, it’s the annual Greater Seattle Aquarium Society Auction – details here. (4400 42nd SW)

DUWAMISH ALIVE: 10 am-2 pm, work parties at 11 sites on the Duwamish River and/or in its watershed. Preregistration was requested, but we suspect they wouldn’t mind if you showed up somewhere to help.

SHOPPING SPREE: 10 am, be at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) to cheer on the winner of a drawing as part of a West Seattle Food Bank fundraiser – the prize, a time-limit shopping spree in the store. (California/Fauntleroy/Morgan)

APRIL POOL’S DAY: Free safety event at Southwest Pool (and fun, too!), 10:30 am – details here. (2801 SW Thistle)

DONNA PARKER @ KENYON HALL: 2 pm, internationally recognized organist plays The Mighty Wurlitzer at Kenyon Hall. (7904 35th SW)

BABYWEARING INTERNATIONAL: 2:30-4:30 pm, the Seattle chapter meets at High Point Branch Library – details here. (35th/Raymond)

‘RING OF HONOR’ FOR BOB DOWDING: 6 pm, a special tribute for the longtime Seattle Lutheran High School teacher/athletic director who passed away earlier this year.

ROO FORREST AND FRIENDS: Live at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. (5612 California SW)

‘PICASSO AT THE LAPIN AGILE’: Night two for Twelfth Night Productions‘ new production “Picasso at the Lapin Agile” by Steve Martin, billed as an “Off-Broadway absurdist comedy.” Curtain time is 7:30 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. Tickets are available online. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Bullet holes found in Admiral cars
April 17, 2015 10:40 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

If you thought you heard gunfire overnight in Admiral – there’s finally confirmation. When this came up in another thread earlier today, we checked the police-call log on Twitter (as shown on the WSB Crime Watch page) and couldn’t find any confirmed gunfire (if shell casings and/or damage is found, the official designation will usually follow). Then tonight we heard from a resident in the 3000 block of 45th SW (map), where neighbors had just found bullet holes in two cars:

They think they heard at least three shots and are hoping neighbors in the area might have surveillance video to help solve the case. If you have any information, the case number provided by the resident is 15-124892. There may be more than one case in the area, as we’re also seeing a property damage case in the same block, 15-125827.

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West Seattle pre-weekend scene: Friday night’s setting sun
April 17, 2015 8:33 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

(WSB photo by Patrick Sand)
8:33 PM: So many beautiful sunsets – but seldom one quite like tonight, with the sun seemingly suspended high in the sky, intensifying pink against a backdrop of gray, as it slowly slid toward the Olympics.

9:22 PM: Thanks for sharing photos! Laura‘s view from over Beach Drive included the reflection of the sun’s color from high in the sky:

From Don Brubeck, what it looked like a bit further down:

ADDED 10:12 PM: From Neal Chism, another view of the sun at its most-intense color:

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UPDATE: Seattle Fire response at apartments on 35th near Alaska
April 17, 2015 8:00 pm
|    Comments Off on UPDATE: Seattle Fire response at apartments on 35th near Alaska
 |   West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

8 PM: Seattle Fire is just arriving at an apartment building in the 4500 block of 35th SW, near Alaska, to check out a possible fire. They’re reporting light smoke from one side of the building.

8:16 PM: The response was scaled back after determination that it seemed to be an electrical problem, and the last unit we saw at the site is wrapping up.

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Alki Community Council: From new signs at Don Armeni, to new info about the Homestead renovation
April 17, 2015 4:54 pm
|      23 COMMENTS
 |   Neighborhoods | West Seattle history | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

(Photo courtesy Paul)
New parking signs are up at Don Armeni Boat Ramp – not new rules, but new signs (though a related rule change is under consideration). Thanks to a tip, we were already working on a story about the new signs before police explained them at last night’s Alki Community Council meeting. The signs, and other ACC toplines, including the SPD plan for Alki this summer, and Homestead/Fir Lodge updates from the Southwest Seattle Historical Society, ahead …

Read More

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West Seattle Crime Watch: 2 stolen cars to watch for
April 17, 2015 3:17 pm
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Both stolen in West Seattle within the past few days:

STOLEN CAR #1: 1996 dark green Acura, plate AGC7998, taken last night in Highland Park.

STOLEN CAR #2: 1998 teal Honda Civic, plate 201-VGJ, taken Wednesday morning or afternoon. This car’s owner tells us police told her of a rash of stolen Civics and Camrys this month.

If you see either car, please call 911.

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Record Store Day in West Seattle at Easy Street: The Sonics, live!
April 17, 2015 2:26 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

(WSB photo, March 31)
Less than three weeks after their signing appearance at Easy Street Records in The Junction (WSB coverage here) … The Sonics will be back tomorrow night for a performance during Record Store Day. Just announced:

THE SONICS (& Guests) Live At Easy Street On Record Store Day 2015!

We’re thrilled to welcome Northwest Rock Legends The Sonics to Easy Street for a very special Record Store Day live performance at 10 pm! Our heroes will be joined by an amazing array of special guests personally invited by the band throughout the night – and believe us when we say you will NOT be disappointed!! The Sonics performance is a ticketed event with proceeds going to KEXP’s New Home Campaign. A limited number of tickets, priced at $100, are on sale RIGHT NOW at Easy Street. Another small allotment of tickets will be on sale from KEXP.org starting at 3 pm today. Check their home page for link at that time.

Limit of two tickets per person, CASH ONLY.

PLEASE NOTE: EASY STREET WILL NOT BE SELLING TICKETS TO THIS EVENT ON RECORD STORE DAY. Remaining tickets still available on Record Store Day must be purchased through KEXP.org. Ticket buyers will also receive this super-sweet event lithograph by Independence Printage, as well as a retro-style ticket for the event!

That’s not the only thing Easy Street has in store for Record Store Day … it’s opening at 7 am, staying open well into the night, and featuring guest DJs including Chris Ballew – read the updates on the ESR website.

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