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day : 18/06/2015 12 results

Remembering longtime Alki resident Harry Newman, 1929-2015
June 18, 2015 9:18 pm
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 |   Obituaries | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Family and friends are remembering Harry Newman, who died two weeks ago at 85. Here’s the tribute his family is sharing with the community:

Harry Newman
June 18, 1929 ~ June 4, 2015

Harry, an affable, competent, hard-working family man, was born June 18, 1929. He was liked by all and loved by those closest to him.

Born in Seattle, Harry spent his youth in Lynden working in the family movie theater.

He served in Korea with the US Army as a radio operator. After returning from war he worked at Boeing where he met and married the love of his life, Joy McLean. In 1955 the newlyweds moved to Diablo, WA, where he began a 33-year career working at Seattle City Light. In 1967 the Newman Family moved back to Alki.

Harry retired at 60 and never looked back. Joy and Harry traveled extensively. They lived in Lake Tahoe on and off for 20 years and spent weeks in the summer at the family house in Chelan, where Harry built the Taj Mahal of outhouses. They traveled across the country multiple times by train, plane and automobile. But they always returned to their pink house by Alki.

Everywhere Harry went he fixed things, both for himself and others. Harry led an active life. In his 50s he climbed Mount Rainier. In his 60s he hiked the north rim to the floor of the Grand Canyon and back in one day. In his 70s he skied over 100 days in a year. He rode his bike uphill to the Y in his 80s and exercised at the Y up until a few months before his death. For the last years of his life, coffee with the guys was the high point of his week. Harry and Joy were married 59 years, she died 18 months before him, and he missed her terribly. We trust they are together again.

Harry is survived by children Carolyn Newman (Kate Giannaros), Alec Newman (Margot), Annette Newman (Bill Montague); grandchildren Maclean and Lilli Newman, Daniel and Julia Montague. Harry and Joy were great parents and excellent grandparents.

Right to the end, Harry conducted his life with great dignity. His family would like to thank those who allowed him to stay in his home: Michele Abel, Brooke, Maclean, and Group Health Hospice.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

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July 18th celebration planned at Westcrest Park Off-Leash Area
June 18, 2015 8:25 pm
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 |   Pets | West Seattle news

Share your life with one or more dogs? You might want to put this first-of-its-kind celebration on your calendar. We received the announcement this afternoon:

Join the Westcrest Off-Leash Area community as we celebrate our favorite (and only) West Seattle Dog Park!

Saturday July 18th, 10 am – 2 pm, Westcrest Off-Leash Area, 9000 8th Ave SW

Free gift bags for the first 250 attendees
$10 off pet licensing for 15 dogs – first come, first served

Each visitor will receive a free raffle ticket for a chance to win:
A dog-friendly vacation to the coast
An Invisible Fence
Dog food for a year
A pet adoption from Seattle Animal Shelter plus a pet store gift card
Professional pet photography session
Veterinarian care
Grooming
…and more!

Free family-friendly events include:
A frisbee competition starting at 11 am
Costume contest starting at 12 pm
A talent show at 1 pm
Private photo sessions on site throughout the day!

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BIZNOTES: Thunder Road Guitars move update, why new Junction Starbucks is seeking a liquor license, and more
June 18, 2015 4:44 pm
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 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Four West Seattle biznotes this afternoon:

THUNDER ROAD GUITARS SETS THE DATE: Last month, Thunder Road Guitars (WSB sponsor) announced its plan to move to 4736 California SW in The Junction. Today, Michael shared that photo of the signage being painted on the new storefront, and TRG proprietor Frank Gross confirms they now have the moving schedule:

We will be open at our current location (3916 California) through this Saturday. We will be closed next Monday – Friday as we will be moving and we will be open for business at the new location on Saturday, June 27th, at 10 am. Also, our hours will change slightly. Our new hours will be Tuesday – Saturday 10 am – 6 pm, Sunday 11 am – 4 pm, and closed Monday.

The storefront became available when The Sneakery decided to consolidate back into its original Ballard location. Even before then, TRG had put out the call for help finding bigger digs.

STARBOOZE? Several people pointed out the liquor-license application posted at Junction 47, where, as we’ve reported, Starbucks is opening a shop. Company spokesperson Haley Nieman answered our inquiry by saying, “The liquor license application is the first of many steps we take in considering if the Starbucks Evenings menu is the right fit for any market, including West Seattle. We’re so excited that the Junction store is being considered for the Starbucks Evenings menu, though we don’t have any details to share on when that may happen. If you’re not familiar, the Starbucks Evenings program offers customers a new occasion to gather with each other over an expanded menu of shareable, warm and savory small plates that are paired with our coffee, tea and a selection of craft beer and wines.” Here’s where the company does that now.

IAN FITNESS EXPANDING TO WEST SEATTLE: Noticed activity at the former Morgan Junction Crossfit at California/Juneau? Following the weblink on a banner hung outside the building, we discovered it will be home to the fifth location of Ian Fitness, which offers boot camps in Magnolia, Capitol Hill, Queen Anne, and Laurelhurst.

THE GENERAL STORE SEATTLE’S FATHER’S DAY EVENT: Claire E. Jones of The General Store Seattle (3400 Harbor SW; WSB sponsor) is giving away a Father’s Day T-shirt to the 10th customer this weekend (the counter starts ticking both in the store and online 10 am Saturday). Never been? Stop by!

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ROAD-WORK ALERT: 42nd SW closed north of Alaska next 2 days
June 18, 2015 3:29 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

42nd SW will be closed to through traffic north of SW Alaska for the next two days, SDOT just announced:

Crews from the Seattle Department of Transportation will restore pavement at 42th Avenue SW and SW Alaska Street following work on underground utilities at that location. They plan to start work at 9 a.m. tomorrow (Friday) and to complete the work by 4 p.m. on Saturday.

During this work the crews will close 42nd Avenue SW north of SW Alaska Street. Local access will be permitted on the north end 42nd at SW Oregon Street. Also, the bus lane will be closed westbound on SW Alaska Street approaching 42nd Ave Southwest and just through the Intersection.

That “local” access will be primarily so you can get to businesses, including QFC, we verified with SDOT.

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Morgan Junction Park expansion update: Demolition not likely before 2016, city says
June 18, 2015 3:14 pm
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

When you go to the Morgan Junction Community Festival this weekend, you might wonder about the status of the Morgan Junction Park expansion. It’s been a year since the city bought the quarter-acre parcel to the north for $1.9 million in Parks and Green Spaces Levy Acquisition Fund money, after two years of negotiations. And at the last quarterly meeting of the Morgan Community Association, it was reported that the businesses on the site might be vacating this spring. No sign of that so when we noticed a demolition-permit application in city files, we asked the Parks Department about the status. Spokesperson Karen O’Connor tells WSB they’re not likely to be demolishing the commercial building that’s on the site until next year, because the current tenants are looking for new locations:

The businesses are involved in a relocation process which will involve identifying new space that will possibly undergo tenant improvements. The process will take several months. The timetable is based on landlord negotiations at the new site, the scope of the tenant improvements, permitting, etc. In the meantime, tenants are continuing their operations at the Morgan Junction site.

Once the building’s gone, remediation will have to be done, including, according to O’Connor, “soil removal and disposal, importation of clean soil.” Before the city purchase, the site had been up for sale as a potential redevelopment site.

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VIDEO: ‘Delridge, all the way!’ Neighborhood-focused forum for Seattle City Council District 1, feedback clickers & all
June 18, 2015 12:57 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Last night’s Seattle City Council District 1 candidate forum at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center was a first even in this election year of many firsts – first one with audience-feedback clickers, first one specifically and pointedly insisting that candidates explain how they would outline and take action on particular priorities for Delridge, aka eastern West Seattle.

The forum was organized by, and held in the regular monthly meeting slot for, the Delridge Neighborhoods District Council, whose chair Mat McBride energetically emceed it over the course of almost two hours at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center.

There to answer the questions and goodnaturedly endure the feedback were seven of the nine D-1 candidates you’ll see on your August 4th ballot – left to right across the stage, Phillip Tavel, Shannon Braddock, Arturo Robles, Lisa Herbold, Jody Rushmer, Karl Wirsing, Chas Redmond. McBride explained that Brianna Thomas had RSVPd to participate as well but had to cancel at the last minute because of a family-health emergency.

Each person in attendance was offered a clicker-type device to be used after each candidate’s reply to a question, with four options for rating the reply, with the results then shown on the big screen behind the candidates. Here’s what the clicker (borrowed from the city Department of Neighborhoods, which uses them at certain types of meetings, according to district coordinator Kerry Wade) looked like:

Each of the seven participating candidates had randomly drawn a specific Delridge-priority question to answer in the first round, then got to choose which one of the priorities to address in round two, and finally, it was “talk about whatever you want” for round three. Our first clip has the introduction to the event plus the first round:

Ahead, highlights of the replies from our as-it-happened notes, plus video of the second and third rounds:
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West Seattle Crime Watch: Recognize (what’s left of) this car? Plus, keyed & insulted
June 18, 2015 12:03 pm
|      17 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Two quick West Seattle Crime Watch reader reports:

DUMPED? The photo was texted to us from 38th and Juneau, where that trashed BMW turned up about an hour and a half ago. The texter says no plate or VIN were in view. Police have been notified.

KEYED AND TAUNTED: From Andrew:

Our car was keyed (last) night near the West Seattle Health Club between 5:50 & 7:30 pm. It was parked on the right side of SW Yancy St. on the opposite side of the street from the club. To make this incident worse, this person left a printed card with the slogan “Hey… You parked like a total a–hole, stop doing that.” Hope this doesn’t happen to anyone else as it is super sad that people waste their time with acts like this.

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City-run community centers’ future: Two ways to have your say
June 18, 2015 11:13 am
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Seattle’s city-run community centers have gone through a lot of changes in recent years – particularly dating back to major cuts announced here in 2011. Now, Seattle Parks and Recreation is taking a big-picture look at what’s next, and asking for your thoughts as the department works on a Community Center Strategic Plan. This Saturday, they’re having a citywide community meeting, 10 am-noon at Seattle Center. Since that’s a busy day (two festivals here in West Seattle alone), we asked if this event would be followed up by neighborhood-specific conversations; answer, no. But if you can’t make it to the downtown event (or even if you can!), Parks’ policy manager Susan Golub tells WSB, you can have your say via an online survey that’s open right now – just go here. Its goal, says Golub: To “collect information on what services/ programs people would like to see at community centers, what barriers there are to using centers and much more.”

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West Seattle Thursday: Junction art; global sustainability; business networking; music & dance via Duwamish Revealed …
June 18, 2015 10:25 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

One more look at that showstopper sunset from Wednesday night – courtesy of David Hutchinson. (Here’s our gallery of photos shared last night – thank you again to everyone who shares photos, from sunsets to breaking news and more!) Between now and tonight’s sunset, whatever it brings, here are the spotlight events from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

TODDLER STORY TIME: 11:30 am at High Point Library – stories, rhymes, songs, and fun! (35th/Raymond)

BUSINESS NETWORKING: Join the West Seattle chapter of I Take The Lead for a networking event tonight at 6 pm at Pizzeria 22 – details in our calendar listing. (4213 SW College)

JUNCTION NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATION: This month’s rescheduled meeting is tonight at 6:30 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle. From JuNO director René Commons:

Lezlie Jane, West Seattle artist, will engage our community with a presentation for two art installations she is creating for Junction 47 – the new building on California & Alaska, kitty-corner from Easy Street Records. There are 11 small glass sculptures and 10 historical bronze panels planned for exterior niches around the building. JuNO has been involved with the WS Community group working with the City behind the scenes for five years to seek amenities like wider sidewalks, underground utilities and artwork for our community. We will discuss concepts for 10 historical panels and glass sculptures.

Please join us if you can to provide community input!

All are welcome. (Oregon/California)

SEATTLE FOLLOWUP TO POPE’S ENVIRONMENTAL ENCYCLICAL: Pope Francis has declared climate change to be “one of the principal challenges facing humanity.” Now what? As previewed here, all are welcome at Our Lady of Guadalupe tonight at 7 pm for an event reacting to and exploring the Pope’s declaration and how to live more sustainably. (35th/Myrtle)

OPEN MICROPHONE AT C & P: Monthly “Unplugged!” open-microphone event at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7 pm; details in our calendar listing. (5612 California SW)

DUWAMISH REVEALED: Just across the river tonight at 7, it’s the next event in this all-along-the-river ongoing art project:

An evening of folkloric song and dance along the river, at The Estuary:

The Lonely Coast (Valerie Holt & Anne Mathews) perform close-harmony duets of folk and traditional music from Europe and the Americas.

Ballet Folklorico Angeles de Mexico shares Mexican culture in a welcoming environment where people from 5 to 105 can have fun and experience traditions from all over Mexico. Founder and director Aurelia Ramos has over 30 years of folkloric dancing experience. As part of Duwamish Revealed, she and her dance partner Jose Antonio Malagon Garcia “Pepe” will be teaching a 12-week series of free folkloric dance workshops, ending with a performance at the Duwamish Water Festival on Sunday, Aug. 16th. All are welcome. Workshops May 16 – August 8 on Saturdays, 2-6 pm at the South Park Neighborhood Center (8201 10th Ave S); and Tuesdays, 6:30-10 pm at Holy Family School (9622 20th Ave SW).

The address for tonight’s event is 4651 Diagonal Ave. S. (just off East Marginal Way)

BEYOND WHAT YOU SEE ABOVE … browse our calendar, right now or any time.

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Morgan Junction Community Festival countdown: The music!
June 18, 2015 9:40 am
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 |   West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

Two days away from the Morgan Junction Community Festival (presented by the Morgan Community Association, with co-sponsors including WSB), this Saturday in and around Morgan Junction Park, 10:30 am-6 pm. In this preview – the music lineup, as announced by festival organizers:

10 am – Allison Preisinger – Folk Rock, Singer/Songwriter

10:45 am – Baker James – Acoustic Folk and a bit of Rock

(11:30 am, music breaks for the Bubbleman performance)

1 pm – Ellis Brothers – Jazz Trio

2 pm – McKenzie’s Folly – Celtic Music Group

3 pm – Tongan Choir – Pacific Islander Songs and Dances

4:15 pm – Alan Ehrlich – Varied Song Genres

5:15 pm – Acoustic set

6 pm – Festival ends

The stage is in Morgan Junction Park; the festival is on both sides of California SW north of Fauntleroy Way SW – in the park, behind Zeeks Pizza (WSB sponsor) / Feedback Lounge, and alongside Washington Federal. Previous previews:

*Kids’ activities
*Pet parade & contests
*Meet local authors
*Food

See you there on Saturday!

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Thursday watch; weekend preview
June 18, 2015 7:40 am
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Nothing unusual reported so far in today’s outbound commute.

CITYWIDE WEEKEND ROUNDUP: Now that we’re moving into summer-event season, SDOT takes its weekly look at what’s ahead around the city; this edition includes Saturday’s Morgan Junction Community Festival, though no street closures are involved. If you’ve been away or mega-busy, by the way, remember on Sunday that the West Seattle Farmers’ Market is now on California SW between Alaska and Oregon and that block is off-limits to vehicles 7 am-4 pm Sundays. (The debut drew more than three times as many people as usually attend, market management says!)

5 PM: Alki traffic alert – thanks to Suzanne for info on the crash, and the photo:

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What’s up (there)? Skies Over West Seattle, June-July 2015 edition
June 18, 2015 2:34 am
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 |   Skies Over West Seattle | West Seattle news

By Alice Enevoldsen
Special to West Seattle Blog

Venus. Venus, Venus, Venus, Venus, Venus. Oh, and also Jupiter and then Regulus, but mostly Venus. That’s what we’ve been seeing every night gleaming in the West, so bright I keep thinking it must be an airplane.


(Click image to see it full-size: Looking west from West Seattle at 10:30 pm in mid-June 2015)

Venus will continue to brighten until July 12th before slowly beginning to get dimmer. I highly recommend the article about the difference between Venus’s greatest elongation, greatest illuminated extent, and maximum brightness by Guy Ottewell. As with many things in astronomy and observing there are a number of “best” or “most” moments, and his article clearly illustrates the ones applicable to Venus this month. It continues to be a wonderful observing target for the rest of the month and next month.

EVENTS

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