day : 20/08/2016 11 results

10:37 PM: Seattle Fire dispatched a full response to a possible house fire in the 2100 block of 47th SW (map). Checking on it.

10:57 PM: Finally got here. Nothing on the scanner in the interim so clearly not anything major, but Ladder 11 is still here.

11:04 PM: Finally got to talk with the crew, which is leaving. Smoke in the house was determined to be from an electrical circuit. No fire.

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West Seattle weekend scene: Smoky sunset, as temperature tumbles

| West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

Thanks to James Bratsanos for the smoky sunset photo – as noted here last night, four wildfires are burning on the Olympic Peninsula, all ignited weeks ago (here’s the newest information). Here in the city, conditions are improving – as of minutes ago, the “excessive heat warning” is officially over as scheduled, and tomorrow’s forecast is still for a high in the 70s, much closer to normal for this part of the summer.

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UPDATE: Southbound Beach Drive crash scene clears

August 20, 2016 7:57 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

ORIGINAL REPORT, 7:59 PM: Thanks for the tips – just got a call and a text about this, though it apparently happened an hour ago, according to the Seattle Fire 911 log: A crash is blocking southbound Beach Drive in the 5400 block (map). People headed that way are being turned around at Shore Place, according to the texter. The 911 log shows a low-level one-engine callout to the crash at 6:50 pm, and it’s long since closed, so apparently no serious injuries, but there are no outlets in that area, so it doesn’t take much to block traffic. The texter says northbound traffic is being allowed through.

8:35 PM UPDATE: As noted in a comment, and as we just discovered firsthand, the scene is now clear.

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PHOTOS: West Seattle Outdoor Movies has moved!

August 20, 2016 7:10 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle Outdoor Movies

7:10 PM: As of tonight, West Seattle Outdoor Movies has officially moved to its new location – SW Snoqualmie between 36th SW and 37th SW, aka the “festival street” on the south side of the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor). In case you were wondering about the setup before heading to tonight’s movie (“Princess Bride“), we stopped by a short time ago for photos. Lots of shade, and lots of room – the seating area has a gentle upslope into the parking area south of the street, so it’s almost an amphitheater feel. On the left in our top photo, that’s the concession stand operated by, and benefiting, the Southwest Seattle Historical Society – everything’s $1 as usual, popcorn, candy, soda, bottled water. The movie’s at dusk – should be around 8:30 tonight – and this is the last one of this season; next year will be the first full season for WSOM in the spacious new digs.

(Added photo) Above, that’s your new host, the Y’s Josh Sutton, setting up the projection equipment with wife Susan Sutton. We also spotted Lora Swift, now movie host emeritus after 11 years of WSOM at Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor). We’ve been the proud media sponsor for nine seasons and hope to continue!

9:24 PM: We couldn’t stay for the movie, but Kevin Freitas is in the crowd and tweeted this photo to us:

We’ll of course let you know when next year’s dates are announced (you can also check in on our West Seattle Outdoor Movies coverage archive).

P.S. One more photo from Kevin:

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CONTINUING SUNDAY: Arts In Nature Festival 2016 @ Camp Long

August 20, 2016 5:45 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Want to be outdoors – and be cool? The meadow at Camp Long is the perfect place right now. We just arrived at the Arts In Nature Festival, presented by Nature Consortium, which is sponsoring WSB right now to promote the annual festival. It’s on until 9 tonight, and again 11 am-6 pm Sunday – you still have lots of time to get here to see this evening’s headliners in the meadow at 7 pm, Big World Breaks, playing on the Nancy Stage [named for NC founder Nancy Whitlock, who’s here right now, as is former NC leader Merica Whitehall and David Bestock of DNDA, with which NC is merging – photo below].

Big World Breaks is in fact doing a sound check right now, before Etienne Cakpo (video added below) takes the stage around 6 pm.

West African drumming with Etienne Cakpo at @naturec Arts In Nature Festival pic.twitter.com/jcrriqJFui

— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) August 21, 2016

And this is just the main stage – one of four major spots around the park that you’ll find music, dance/performance, or activities. Most of the latter two are done for the day, but music continues until 9, as does the Beer Garden (top photo), where you can also buy and drink Ethiopian coffee:

Camp Long’s famous cabins have artists in residence throughout the weekend, with “installations that mix sound, auditory arts, music, and visual arts.” (Added) That includes poetry, and you can write your own:

Lots more to explore:

On the south end of the meadow, YAMS (Yesler Art Mobile Studio) is here with all-ages activities.

Festival ticket info is here; the park is at 5200 35th SW, with the main entrance off northbound 35th at Dawson.

P.S. One more addition from Saturday evening – the installation inside the Camp Long Lodge that managed to make its subject (“Dust Motes”) seem magical:

A video posted by West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) on Aug 20, 2016 at 6:33pm PDT

(Mouse over the image to reveal the “play” button so you can click it.)

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TRAFFIC ALERT: Crash blocking WB Roxbury at 25th

August 20, 2016 5:14 pm

| Comments Off on TRAFFIC ALERT: Crash blocking WB Roxbury at 25th

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

No major injuries reported but if you are heading out, you should know a crash involving at least two vehicles is blocking westbound Roxbury east of 26th. SPD, SFD, and KCSO were on scene when we went by.

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YOU CAN HELP! Back-to-school benefit at Talarico’s tonight

August 20, 2016 4:47 pm

| Comments Off on YOU CAN HELP! Back-to-school benefit at Talarico’s tonight

| How to help | West Seattle news

Late addition to the lineup – just got word that Talarico’s Pizzeria in The Junction is hosting a back-to-school benefit tonight, collecting supplies and $ donations for the foster kids helped by Treehouse. From the sponsoring group Chive On Seattle‘s event announcement:

Remember your first day of school? The feeling of invincibility in your new sneakers, creased jeans, and fresh t-shirt. You were nervous, but at least you knew you looked good.
Treehouse wants every kid to have that reassurance and we are here to help! This year we will be supplying foster kids of Washington state with clothes for the new school year to help give them the confidence they need to succeed!

We are keeping with tradition and having giant pizza slices and cold beers because Talaricos Pizzeria is generous enough to host us yet again! There will be prizes for our donors, karaoke at 10 pm, and drink specials tbd.

We are shopping for all school-aged children (age 5-18) of all shapes and sizes! They will need

-New outfit head to toe (socks and underwear)
-Jeans/pants
-Long and/or short sleeved shirt
-Hooded sweatshirt
-Shoes
-Durable backpack

Bring any of those items to donate, and/or $ for other needs with which benefit organizers are hoping to help. And if you can’t make it to the event, you can donate online here.

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VIDEO: Duwamish River Festival 2016

August 20, 2016 1:41 pm

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| Fun stuff to do | South Park | West Seattle news

Folklore Guatemala at Duwamish River Festival. Performances, boat rides, info booths, until 6 – Duwamish Wtwy Park pic.twitter.com/4AuY4nitV7

— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) August 20, 2016

Looking for a waterside spot to stay cool today? The Duwamish River Festival is on until 6 pm at South Park’s waterside Duwamish Waterway Park. Full slate of performances, as mentioned in our list of highlights for today/tonight – above, Folklore Guatemala; below, a Somali youth group that was a late addition to the schedule:

Also at Duwamish River Festival – Somali youth group performance: pic.twitter.com/0o06EZDmJC

— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) August 20, 2016

They were followed by this Khmer group:

Performances continue through the lively Banda Vagos (we’ve seen them in West Seattle before) at 5 pm. You can browse a variety of booths representing nonprofits as well as government agencies. At the RainWise booth, you can meet up for a 3 pm tour of local raingardens:

At the King County Wastewater Treatment booth, find out about the big project in Georgetown, near the entrance to the 1st Avenue South Bridge – meant to help the Duwamish River be cleaner. Not far away, Metro is ready to answer your questions:

Kids’ activities are folded into informational booths:

And free boat and kayak tours are promised on the Duwamish River itself, in part thanks to West Seattle-based Alki Kayak Tours – none in sight during our stop, but the view of the river is cooling:

To talk about the Duwamish River itself, you can check in with Duwamish Alive! among others – and we even saw the West Seattle-based The Whale Trail. Duwamish Waterway Park is just over the hill from West Seattle, 7900 10th Avenue S.

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PHOTOS: Kids’ Day with Puget Sound Beekeepers @ West Seattle Bee Garden

August 20, 2016 11:30 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| Fun stuff to do | High Point | West Seattle news

11:30 AM: While the West Seattle Bee Garden is here to see at High Point Commons Park any time, it’s only once a year that you can enjoy it with the Puget Sound Beekeepers Association offering a variety of activities and demonstrations – and that’s happening right now: PSBA Kids’ Day at the WSBG. If you’re worried about the weather – there’s shade, as well as canopied booths with activities, crafts, and coloring, plus a garden full of gorgeous flowers.

This is all free and all happening at 31st SW/SW Graham until 1 pm.

Above, Bee Garden founder Lauren Englund in her “bee suit” for a hive demonstration; next one, by the way, is 12:15 pm, so you have time to get here!

12:20 PM: Back at HQ, we’ve added a few more photos, including Chris Porter (below) with pollination information:

Christine Deppe and Marco Deppe had a coloring quiz for older kids – whether you can identify parts of a bee’s anatomy:

The PS Beekeepers, by the way, are the people with whom you check if you discover a honey-bee swarm and don’t happen to be a hive-keeper – information about that is here.

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VIDEO: Admiral Way Safety Project ‘Walk & Talks’

August 20, 2016 10:25 am

| 13 COMMENTS

| Safety | Transportation | West Seattle news

10:25 AM: We are at 49th and Admiral with about 20 residents and SDOT reps Dawn Schellenberg and Sam Woods for this morning’s first of two ‘Walk & Talk’ gatherings to talk about the upcoming Admiral Way Safety Project changes. No walking yet – all talking. (Added: Here’s our video of the first 14 minutes:)

The second session is supposed to start at the entrance to Schmitz Park on Admiral at 11:15. Main focus here: Pedestrian safety and what can be done to enhance it.

In general, those here are concerned about speeding. “This intersection is critical,” one person said.

10:42 AM: One group has gone on to Schmitz Park, while one that trailed, with Woods taking notes, is now at 53rd and Admiral, where Lander cuts off to Alki.

Woods is explaining that all three lanes here will narrow to 10 feet.

We are breaking off to move on with other events. SDOT says comments will be taken until September 2nd (contact info is at the end of their project webpage); restriping on Admiral will start a few weeks later.

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West Seattle Saturday: Arts In Nature, Duwamish River festivals; new location for WS Outdoor Movies; Kids’ Day @ Bee Garden; more

August 20, 2016 8:46 am

| Comments Off on West Seattle Saturday: Arts In Nature, Duwamish River festivals; new location for WS Outdoor Movies; Kids’ Day @ Bee Garden; more

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Black turnstone, back from the Arctic – photographed on West Seattle’s shore by Mark Wangerin)

Lots of ways to enjoy and/or explore, on this very summery day – fill up your water bottle and get going:

GARAGE/YARD SALES: Many for today, listed in this section of the WSB Forums.

POWERLIFTING: All-day competition at Alki Beach, starting at 9 am. (60th SW/Alki SW)

WALK-AND-TALK ADMIRAL WAY PROJECT ZONE: As previewed here last night and announced by SDOT last month, two “Walk and Talk” events are planned this morning along the SW Admiral Way Safety Project zone, at 10 am and 11:15 am. Details and locations here.

PUGET SOUND BEEKEEPERS KIDS’ DAY: 10 am-1 pm at the West Seattle Bee Garden, north end of High Point Commons Park. Fun activities and demonstrations. Free! (31st SW/SW Graham)

FABULOUS GEMS TRUNK SHOW: 10 am-4 pm, one-day jewelry trunk show at the Admiral Theater. (2343 California SW)

ARTS IN NATURE FESTIVAL: From performances to participation, it’s Day 1 at Camp Long, 11 am-9 pm, presented by the Nature Consortium, with event schedule, admission info, and more on the official website. (5200 35th SW)

DUWAMISH RIVER FESTIVAL: Noon-6 pm at Duwamish Waterway Park in South Park. Here’s the performance lineup:

12:15 – Duwamish Tribe
12:40 – Folklore Guatemala-Seattle
1:00 – University of Washington Khmer Student Association UW KHSA
1:20 – SANCA SeattleYouth Performers
1:55 – Ballet Folkloríco Angeles de Mexico
2:20 – Get active with ZUMBA and Mixed Fit
2:30 – Kalpulli Tlaloktecuhtli Aztec Dance
3:30 – Somali Youth Performance Group
3:50 – Trio Performance by Vietnamese Community
4:20 – Bootcamp by Fuerza y Poder
4:30 – BandaVagos
5:30 – DJ Rich Brown closing the evening

Free boat and kayak tours, food, raffles, more. (7900 10th Ave. S.)

LAST DAY OF THE SEASON FOR HIAWATHA WADING POOL: Noon-6 pm. (Walnut/Lander)

ALKI LIGHTHOUSE TOURS: 1-4 pm, visit West Seattle’s historic lighthouse – the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary‘s summer tours only have three more weekends left this year, including this one! (Alki SW/Beach Drive SW)

2 CHANCES TO SEE ‘HAIRSPRAY’: 3 pm matinee and 7:30 pm evening performance of Twelfth Night Productions’ musical @ West Seattle High School Theater.

WSHS CLASS OF 1971 REUNION: 4-10 pm at West Seattle Golf Course, the West Seattle Class of 1971 reunites to celebrate 45 years – info in our calendar listing. (4600 35th SW)

NEW LOCATION FOR WEST SEATTLE OUTDOOR MOVIES: Last movie of the season, “Princess Bride,” is the first one at the new location, the “festival street” by the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) – SW Snoqualmie between 36th SW and 37th SW. BYO chair/blanket. Free – with concessions and raffles benefiting the Southwest Seattle Historical Society.

‘MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG’: Last weekend for ArtsWest‘s musical-theater student performance, 7:30 pm. (4711 California SW)

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