month : 01/2018 308 results

“Jeff Ament is known for being the bassist for Pearl Jam, but his story goes much deeper than that. He doesn’t do many interviews, and none go this deep.” That’s how podcaster Mike Powell introduces his brand-new audio interview with fellow West Seattleite Ament. As noted when we featured Powell’s podcast with another well-known West Seattleite last Labor Day, he usually focuses on action sports, but on occasion there’s synergy with people best known as leaders in other industries, and so it went in this case – though their conversation turned to skiing and snowboarding among other things. You can listen via the embedded player above, or by going to this page on Powell’s website.

2018 NEW YEAR’S SUPERMOON: Views from West Seattle

January 1, 2018 7:11 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

7:11 PM: Passing Don Armeni Boat Ramp just before sunset tonight, on our way back from the Alki kitchen fire, we noticed many photographers awaiting the rise of the “supermoon,” aka the Wolf Moon. Thanks to those who have shared the images that resulted – above, from David Hutchinson; below, from Chris Frankovich:

The next full moon also will be a “supermoon” – moonrise that night will be at 5:42 pm. In the meantime, this moon is scheduled to set after 8 am tomorrow – could be a good show if the western sky isn’t cloudy.

ADDED 8:32 PM: Thanks to Susan Numbers for this later view:

And to Jamie Kinney for a close-up look at the star of the show:

ADDED 9:36 PM: Just received this from Jon Shields, who photographed the supermoon from Anchor Park:

As West Seattle’s expert skywatcher Alice Enevoldsen points out, January 31st also will bring a lunar eclipse – partial in our area.

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Funeral Mass on Thursday for Janis D. Logan, 1940-2017

January 1, 2018 5:17 pm

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| Obituaries | West Seattle news

Family and friends will gather Thursday in memory of Janis D. Logan. Here’s the remembrance being shared with the community:

Longtime West Seattle resident Janis Darlene Logan passed away in her home on December 27, 2017, after a long illness. She was born in St. Louis, Missouri on February 23, 1940, and moved to Washington after WWII. She met and married the love of her life, Mead Logan, and they recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. She was blessed to have 3 children who all survive her: Kevin, Derek (Pam), and Erin Guffey (Mike). Additionally, she had 5 grand-children – Nicole (JR), Johanna, Aidan, Ally, and Annabel – along with 2 great-grandchildren, RJ and Logan.

Janis was a parishioner at Holy Rosary in West Seattle for many years and filled many volunteer roles, the most special one as a Eucharistic Minister. She served those parishioners who were homebound and in her last couple of years, participated in the sacrament in her own home thanks to other visiting Eucharistic Ministers.

Janis spent many years volunteering at Holy Rosary School as 4 of her grandchildren attended. She also ran “Granny’s” day care, providing day-to-day caregiving to her grandchildren. She was giving of herself in so many ways and has created many lasting memories for her family.

Janis was often the life of the party and loved to host gatherings in her home. She loved to celebrate all holidays and events with gusto, often embracing the décor of the season. She always had matching paper plates, napkins, and table décor. Most special are the family get-togethers she hosted over the years. There was lots of love and laughter shared as bets were placed on how late Janis would actually be to start the party.

Please join her family and friends at Holy Rosary Church for her funeral mass on Thursday, January 4th, at 9:00 am. A reception will follow in the parish reception room.

In lieu of flowers, her family asks that you donate to your favorite charity. They would like to thank Father Oakland and Howden-Kennedy, who have been most helpful during this time.

(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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UPDATE: ‘Full response’ downsized for South Alki fire

January 1, 2018 3:52 pm

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| West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

3:52 PM: Seattle Fire has a “full response” on the way to a possible house fire in the 3400 block of 60th SW [map]. More to come.

3:57 PM: SFD units on the scene report that it’s a kitchen fire, and they’re dismissing most of the responders.

4:12 PM: Just arrived and verified, kitchen fire, out, and remaining crews are getting ready to leave. No injuries reported.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Have you seen Kathy’s stolen bicycle?

January 1, 2018 3:33 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Crime | West Seattle news

3:33 PM: Often, bicycles are stolen to get between two crime scenes. So maybe Kathy‘s bicycle has been abandoned by now, and you might even have seen it:

I’d like to report a bike stolen from outside our third-floor apartment sometime yesterday/overnight. We live on the 2400 block of 54th Pl SW, off Alki. We had two bikes chained up outside the apartment; one was missing this morning. It is a white women’s lux sport Diamondback 29’er with bright green accents. We had detached the seat. Attached is a photo. If we are lucky, someone has spotted it.

We’re checking with Kathy for the police report #.

8:40 PM: The SPD incident number is 2018-900013.

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VIDEO: See the sea of people who swarmed Alki Beach for New Year’s Day 2018 Polar Bear Plunge

January 1, 2018 12:31 pm

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| Holidays | West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

(WSB video/photos unless otherwise credited)

The air was 38 degrees, the water was 46 degrees, and the politics were intermittent at this year’s Alki Beach Polar Bear Plunge.

This was just the west end of the swim. Stretched for blocks! pic.twitter.com/uBY89zwpzD

— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) January 1, 2018

We mention politics because in case you missed the original announcement, which almost made it onto the WSB Most-Commented-On Stories of 2017 list, longtime organizer Mark Ufkes included a statement that he planned to wear pink into the water in support of, among other things, electing women.

In the ensuing triple-digit comment thread, Mark also made the point that the swim was of course open to all, as always, whatever your politics. But at this morning’s swim, no speeches – just the traditional countdown, followed by a quick en-masse, shrieking run into the water and, for most, a quick run out. Swimmers wore a variety of outfits, from pink, to red-white-and-blue, to sports-fan gear, and more – here’s a sample:

Side note – Organizer Mark also brought corkscrews, free to anybody who wanted one – he explained that he had bid on a batch of unclaimed corkscrews confiscated by the TSA – he thought he was getting 100 but instead received 1,000. (He also bid on Swiss Army-type knives that he obtained and gave to Boy Scouts – he’s a longtime Scoutmaster and parent of Eagle Scouts.) Here’s his pre-swim photo of the corkscrews:

Other sightings at the Polar Bear Swim – offshore spectators:

And just as we got ready to publish this report – two photos from Bob Spears (the second, showing someone who really did plunge rather than run):

(Added) From Bailey – The spirit of Christmas (and more) lingered into New Year’s for this trio:

(Added) Turns out that Alki open-water swimmer Andrew Malinak was in the boat shown a few photos up. We thought we heard sea-lion barking when we arrived at the beach, and one of his photos caught two of the five sea lions he reports counting:

Here are two of his photos from just before, and during, the plunge:

ADDED TUESDAY: From Erik Bell:

Any favorite photos/video to share? editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!

P.S. Past years’ WSB coverage:
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2008

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WEST SEATTLE WHALE WATCHING: Northbound orcas nearby

January 1, 2018 10:25 am

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| Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Wildlife

10:25 AM: Thanks to Alisa and Kersti for the tip – if you look westward across the Sound, you might see orcas. Orca Network had a report of northbound whales headed toward Blake Island, along the west side of Vashon, as of an hour ago. We are at Constellation Park but without binocs. Let us know if you see orcas!

11:15 AM: Update – they were most recently seen passing Restoration Point on Bainbridge Island [map], which means they might be in view looking north from the west end of Alki.

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What you should know for West Seattle New Year’s Day 2018

January 1, 2018 7:35 am

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| Holidays | West Seattle news

(Yellow-rumped Warbler, photographed by Mark Wangerin)

Happy 2018! Here’s information you might find helpful on this New Year’s Day:

NEW YEAR’S DAY COFFEE: We don’t usually have a list on this final holiday but if you’re looking for a guaranteed-to-be-open coffee shop, official WSB coffee sponsor C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW) will be open 8 am-1 pm.

NEW YEAR’S DAY WALKS: Emerald City Wanderers is hosting 5- and 10-kilometer walks today, sanctioned by the American Volkssport Association, different routes from last night, non-competitive and no fee, again with “hot soup and snacks to chase away the chills.” Start any time between 9 am and noon from St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church. (3050 California SW)

NEW YEAR’S DAY ALKI POLAR BEAR PLUNGE: 10 am sharp on the beach across from Duke’s, as announced in mid-December. (57th SW/Alki SW)

NEW YEAR’S DAY NIA CLASS: From the new Move2Center Studio:

A group of Nia teachers from what was formerly known as The Center for Movement & Healing are hosting a New Year’s Day class in our new space, Move2Center Studio, located at 3618 SW Alaska St in the lower level of the West Seattle Veterans building. That’s the red building with the cannon out front on Alaska Street. The entrance to the studio is on 37th Ave. SW. Our celebration begins at 10 am and offers a terrific way to dance in the New Year with plenty of positive energy.

Drop-in fee $10 plus tax.

RESTAURANTS THAT TOLD US THEY WOULD BE OPEN TODAY: Here’s our list – with the annual caveat that some establishments may have changed their plan since we did the research, so if you notice a discrepancy, please let us know – thank you!

TRANSIT/TRANSPORTATION: Sunday schedule for Metro … Water Taxi is not in service … Sound Transit Route 560 is also not in service … Washington State Ferries‘ Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth run is on a regular weekday schedule … Street parking is free in neighborhoods where the city has pay stations/

TRASH/RECYCLING: No pickup today, and everyone’s schedule slides a day again this week, like last week.

SEATTLE PARKS FACILITIES: Here’s the what’s-closed-what’s-open list.

LIBRARIES: Seattle Public Library and King County Library System facilities are closed today.

HOLIDAY LIGHTS AND OTHER INFO FOR TODAY/TONIGHT … find it in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide.

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WELCOME, 2018! Space Needle fireworks, seen from West Seattle

January 1, 2018 1:01 am

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| Holidays | West Seattle news

1:01 AM: Welcome, 2018! And big thanks to David Hutchinson for the first photo of the Space Needle fireworks as seen from West Seattle – Alki, to be specific.

7:42 AM: And thanks to Robert Spears for sharing two views in the WSB Flickr group.

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