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West Seattle weekend scene: Polar Plunge fundraising
February 2, 2013 3:36 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle weekend scene: Polar Plunge fundraising
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

Though the Special Olympics of Washington-benefiting Polar Plunge is being held at Lake Union this year, West Seattleites are participating, and one team from West Seattle High School is at Husky Deli in The Junction till about 4 pm to ask you to dive in with some support. If you don’t see this till later, you can donate online by going here. (Or, there’s still time to register to participate in the Polar Plunge, which is happening one week from tomorrow.)

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West Seattle High School’s 1st annual Big Band Dance
February 2, 2013 2:41 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS culture/arts

Another highlight in West Seattle High School‘s year of musical milestones: The first-ever Big Band Dance, last night in the WSHS Commons. Thanks to Anne Weglin for sharing photos; above, that’s the WSHS Jazz Ensemble, directed by Ethan Thomas; below, the West Seattle Big Band, directed by Donn Weaver:

Before the bands played, the night began with a round of swing-dancing lessons!

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More youth-sports signups: West Seattle Soccer Club spring season
February 2, 2013 1:18 pm
|    Comments Off on More youth-sports signups: West Seattle Soccer Club spring season
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Today’s the second day of registration for West Seattle Soccer Club‘s spring season, and board member Bill Fry contacted WSB to ask that we help get the word out. It’s an 8-game season on Sunday afternoons, starting April 7th (no games on Mother’s Day or Memorial Day weekend), at fields around West Seattle. Details (including age requirements) are on this page of the WSSC website; if you’re ready to register, here’s how.

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West Seattle traffic alert: City Light work on Roxbury
February 2, 2013 10:29 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle traffic alert: City Light work on Roxbury
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

Our tipster from the recent hit-run that took out a utility pole by 21st/Roxbury (map) reports that one westbound lane is closed there right now while it’s replaced.

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Summer’s in view, and West Seattle Hi-Yu needs you!
February 2, 2013 9:33 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival | West Seattle news

As decided in November, starting with the sketch above, “Alki Deep, An Undersea Adventure” is this year’s West Seattle Hi-Yu Summer Festival theme. Now that it’s February, summer’s in view – and there are two ways you can help with Hi-Yu this year. From Regina Arceo-Schulz:

West Seattle Hi-Yu is looking for your button design. This year’s theme is Alki Deep, An Undersea Adventure. If your design wins, you’ll be participating in this summer’s American Legion Parade (7/20) with the West Seattle Hi-Yu Court. Please bring your button drawings (2″ diameter) to the General Meeting, Monday night (6:30 PM), February 4th at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church, 3050 California Avenue SW. We will make a decision on the winning design later in the week.

Also, we are desperately short of volunteers for this year’s festival! It is time to begin float construction, enlisting business sponsors for the souvenir book , and procuring items for this year’s coronation and auction night. We have a great Junior Court, with their families, and a small group of diehard volunteers, but we will not be able to continue preparation for the Summer Festival, if we don’t have more help. This is a great opportunity to fill some of our dreary winter nights & weekends working with other interesting & fun West Seattlelites. Please check out our website westseattlehiyu.com or our Facebook page if you are able to help.

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West Seattle Saturday: Calendar highlights as the weekend begins
February 2, 2013 8:50 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Thanks to Mark Wangerin for sharing the photo of a red-breasted sapsucker, seen in the Camp Long/West Seattle Golf Course area. Mark explains, “Sapsuckers drill neat horizontal rows of holes into tree trunks and then return to feed on the sap. They also eat insects.” How industrious are YOU feeling today? Check out the highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (where you will find many other options too, for today/tonight and way beyond):

SHREDDING FUNDRAISER: As previewed here last night – 9 to noon, benefiting a local team in the Big Climb, 3703 California SW.

FRIENDS OF LINCOLN PARK: Help clear the park of invasives – it’s a big job but volunteers tackle it one work party at a time, and your help means a lot. 9 am start BUT if you get there late, there’s info on a kiosk where to find the group – as explained in the calendar listing.

ALKI COMMUNITY CENTER PRESCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: 10 am-noon, come find out more about the preschool at ACC – details here.

‘ICE CREAM FOR BREAKFAST DAY’ AT FULL TILT: It’s International Ice Cream for Breakfast Day. Really! And Full Tilt Ice Cream (9629 16th SW) will celebrate by offering free waffles – provided you buy the ice cream. Opening early for the occasion, 10:30 am.

JERRY CEIS MEMORIAL: While his friends and admirers have already had tribute gatherings, today is the official memorial for Jerry Ceis, a former Seafair Pirate and larger-than-life West Seattleite who passed away earlier this month, 1:30 pm at Alki Bathhouse.

SOUND YOGA’S 15TH ANNIVERSARY: At 2 pm today, a celebration and blessing will mark 15 years in West Seattle for longtime WSB sponsor Sound Yoga (5639 California SW).

MOVIE SERIES: “The Finger” from Argentina is the featured Global Lens Film Screening at Delridge Library, 2 pm – details here.

MOVIE PREMIERE: Local rock movie “Bent Richard” premieres at 7 pm tonight at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor; 6451 California SW), one of the locations where it was shot.

‘ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW’ AT MIDNIGHT: The monthly Admiral Theater midnight show of what’s become an audience-participation classic is tonight.

MORE NIGHTLIFE … local music, local venues, on the calendar!

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Followup: City’s new surveillance cameras not just on Alki
February 1, 2013 10:38 pm
|      87 COMMENTS
 |   Seattle Police surveillance cameras | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

Three days ago, thanks to sightings reported by WSB readers, we were first to report on a story that since has been picked up by multiple citywide news organizations – cameras and wireless equipment that appeared on utility and streetlight poles along Harbor/Alki Avenues and Beach Drive.

Inquiries and research subsequently brought information – reported here Thursday – that it’s all part of a Seattle Police-led project funded by a federal Homeland Security grant.

This afternoon, SPD offered news organizations covering the story – including WSB – the chance to talk with Assistant Chief Paul McDonagh, who as the commander of the Special Operations Bureau is heading up the project. We talked with him late today, and while a detailed story will follow, there are a couple points we wanted to report tonight:

Biggest one: The cameras are not just along Alki. Nine are up now, and SPD says there will be 30 in all, from Shoreline to Fauntleroy, by the time they’re turned on, likely this spring:

The lines represent fiber connections – the dots, the camera locations. In West Seattle, in addition to the six we counted along Alki/Harbor/Beach, locations you see on the map include Alki Point, the West Seattle Bridge vicinity, Harbor Island, and one in Fauntleroy, which we found right over the southbound RapidRide bus stop at the ferry terminal:

(This one is installed on the inland side of the pole – a problem that Asst. Chief McDonagh confirmed had been fixed for some of the Alki cameras when it came to light in the past day or two.)

Another point of note: While the cameras’ primary mission is homeland security, McDonagh confirmed they can and will be deployed for many other things, including criminal investigations. He also said that there are no plans for community meetings or briefings about them, though he expected to update City Councilmembers at some point.

We recorded our conversation at SPD HQ downtown on video and will have that with the full story this weekend.

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Saturday morning shredding in West Seattle, for a cause
February 1, 2013 9:19 pm
|    Comments Off on Saturday morning shredding in West Seattle, for a cause
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

Got stuff stacked up to shred? Tomorrow morning, you have a chance to get it done and do a good deed. A local team for the upcoming blood-cancer-fighting Big Climb is having a shredding event, $10 donation per box (cash/check), at 3703 California SW, 9 am-noon tomorrow. Here’s the calendar listing with details.

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First weekend closure set for Delridge repaving project
February 1, 2013 5:55 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

SDOT warned that there would be an occasional all-weekend-long intersection closure as part of the Delridge repaving project – and they’ve just announced the first one, Delridge/Henderson, starting one week from tonight:

To reduce impacts to the community, intersection construction will be done on weekends, working around the clock. The first intersection closure is at Southwest Henderson Street from 7 pm Friday, Feb. 8, until, at the latest, 6 am on Monday, Feb. 11. Look for final detour information early next week.

To expedite construction, evening work under the conditions of a noise variance, including pavement removal using impact breakers, may be performed until 10 pm.

Reminder: for traffic safety, the intersection of 25th Avenue Southwest and Southwest Barton Street is temporarily a four-way stop.

This is a five-phase project. At the completion of the first phase, between Southwest Henderson and Southwest Trenton streets, the construction activity will move to the section of Delridge Way Southwest between Southwest Trenton and Southwest Thistle streets.

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West Seattle estate-sale robbery followup: Police seek home-security video/photos
February 1, 2013 2:29 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

Seattle Police Detective Mike Magan says he has never seen anything quite like Thursday afternoon’s Belvidere estate-sale robbery (WSB coverage here) in his 26-year career – and he and his colleagues are working hard to catch the robber. They are hoping someone who lives nearby might have security-camera video or photos that will help them find him, and Detective Magan asked if we would put out that request. He says police combed the area thoroughly and as a result of their search (which included the K-9 team in our photo at right), they think that anyone in the area with camera(s) running 3:15 pm-4:15 pm yesterday might have something that will help, particularly along what they believe was the robber’s escape route:

*Westbound on Hinds from Belvidere
*Southbound on 38th to Manning
*Eastbound on Manning to 35th
*Southbound on 35th

He says they believe the robber eventually got away in a car, likely parked near 38th and Hinds. If you have any kind of imagery from that time frame on Thursday, you can get it to police and remain “completely anonymous,” he says. Det. Magan can be reached at 206-684-5540 or 206-786-4744.

(If you live in this area, please help get this word out – you can use the “Share This” link below to share this update via Facebook, Twitter, e-mail, dozens of other ways.)

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Alki Party Treasures: Welcoming a new WSB sponsor
February 1, 2013 2:01 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Today we’re welcoming one of our newest WSB sponsors – Alki Party Treasures. Here’s what proprietor Jackie Clough, shown below with daughter Elissa, would like you to know about her new business:

Alki Party Treasures isn’t Party City or Birthday Express. There’s nothing wrong with large party-supply chains, but we strive to have the ultimate customer-service experience. We have heart and take great care with each product order. Our mission is to help people celebrate the special moments in their lives. You don’t have to travel all over Seattle to find party supplies or overspend with your event. Relax and let us take care of things for you. We’ve partnered with fantastic vendors to be able to offer the best prices. We also decided to purchase our inventory. We don’t rely on other companies for drop ship, and because we’re local, we ship next day to West Seattle families. Don’t stress if you’re behind the power curve with getting things ready for your celebration.

Alki Party Treasures is a family-run business. My brother Mike Kresek and I came up with the idea of party supplies. We are lifetime West Seattleites. We were discussing special times and celebrating even the small moments that mean so much and realized it was something we felt strongly about. As a mom, I know firsthand how hard it is to find party supplies in West Seattle and got tired of driving all around the city and over to the Eastside. We wanted to have great products here in West Seattle. My two kids are 7 and 10 years old and help us with what characters are popular and help us test products. The whole family is involved with the handmade products. Customers love that we have created party kits and make it easy for people to purchase everything they need at a low cost. We have boutique-style products and spend time looking over the hundreds of party styles and trends to bring the freshest themes with affordable prices. We believe in “going green” and have a nice selection of Eco-Friendly products, including plates, utensils, recycle bins, garlands, and art supplies made out of edible ingredients. We also hand-make banners, cupcake toppers, and food tents. We can match themes and colors for your event.

Alki Party Treasures is also involved with the community – including Jackie’s role as the new co-leader of the Admiral 4th of July Kids Parade, and also as a backer of Team Tracy. You can find Alki Party Treasures online at alkipartytreasures.com, or call 855-263-3892.

We thank Alki Party Treasures for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.

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5 highlights on tap for your West Seattle Friday night
February 1, 2013 1:32 pm
|    Comments Off on 5 highlights on tap for your West Seattle Friday night
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Quick look at highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar for tonight (follow that link to the calendar for even more!):

‘THE STAGES OF HOMELESSNESS’: Think you know how and why people become homeless and stay that way? What you don’t know might surprise you – and might lead to solutions Be part of a community forum tonight, St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church, 6 pm, details here.

IMMIGRANT/REFUGEE YOUTH RIGHTS: That’s the central topic of High Point Neighborhood Night, 6 pm at High Point Neighborhood Center, 6400 Sylvan Way, details here.

‘CORNER BAR’ NIGHT IN HIGHLAND PARK: The monthly edition of Seattle’s one and only “pop-up bar” – all ages! – is tonight, starting at 6 pm, Highland Park Improvement Club, 12th/Holden. See what it’s all about!

NORTHWEST WINES: Bin 41 in The Junction has “Northwest Medley” for its Friday night tasting theme tonight, 6-7:30 pm, including “a new Albarino and Tempranillo from WA, a Syrah from two collaborating Walla Walla winemakers, a delicious Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from Oregon…(and) a Zinfandel from CA.”

WEST SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL BIG BAND DANCE: 7 pm in the WSHS commons, with the WSHS Band and the West Seattle Big Band, 3000 California SW. Details here.

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Artist needed for retrofit project at Delridge CSO facility
February 1, 2013 1:00 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Utilities | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

One of the lesser-discussed combined-sewer-overflow (CSO) facility projects in the works for West Seattle – a retrofit for the city’s facility in Delridge – will also include a “1% for Art” project. That’s the fund created by the Public Art Ordinance more than a quarter-century ago. The announcement of this comes by way of this call for applications from interested artists:

The Seattle Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs, in partnership with Seattle Public Utilities (SPU), seeks an artist or artist team to develop a permanent, site-integrated artwork for the North Delridge Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Retrofit Project. The project is located in West Seattle’s Delridge neighborhood. The call is open to established professional artists residing and eligible to work in the United States. Applications are due 11 p.m., Monday, March 18, 2013 (Pacific Daylight Time). Go to www.seattle.gov/arts for a link to the online application.

Beginning in late 2014, SPU will install new hydraulic controls and active-control technology at the facility, with gates, pumps and sensors that monitor and control the amount of flow that is allowed to enter the downstream sewer system. Based on SPU’s work to retrofit the CSO tank, the selected artist will work with the CSO project design team, SPU staff and community members to design, fabricate and install an artwork at the CSO Tank 168 facility at 2106 S.W. Orchard St. The artwork should focus on the agency’s system-wide stormwater infrastructure and solutions designed to protect local water quality. The artwork should also address stormwater management as it relates to SPU’s work, the local community and natural elements of the nearby Longfellow Creek watershed. The artwork can include a variety of media including light, stone, steel, glass, sound and passive water features.

The Delridge CSO control and storage facilities were constructed in 1982 and were among the first CSO facilities built by the city. They are the city’s largest existing CSO storage facilities, with each tank providing 1.6 million gallons of sewer and stormwater overflow storage. Despite being sized to store a 10-year flood event, sewer overflows into local waterways from each facility have continued to exceed a long-term average of one overflow per year. The retrofit project’s improvements will optimize the performance of the facilities and reduce the frequency and volume of untreated stormwater and raw sewage overflows into Longfellow Creek.

The CSO project is currently in design through mid-2014 and construction is expected to begin in late 2014. Project completion is expected in late 2015. The artist will work with SPU and its consultants to develop an artwork that will be constructed within the project schedule.

The total budget for the artwork project is $200,000 inclusive of all costs to design, fabricate and install the artwork. The artwork is funded by SPU 1% for Art funds and administered by the Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Bicycle thief on cam; motorcycle rolled away; stolen truck found
February 1, 2013 10:39 am
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

When the Belvidere armed robbery happened on Thursday – no updates so far today – that coverage postponed our semi-daily West Seattle Crime Watch reader-report roundup. Here’s what was in queue:

Victims and police are trying to identify that bicycle thief caught in the act on a private security camera at an East Alki condo building. He is believed to have stolen one bike on January 18th while also trying to break into storage units; the image is from an early-morning return on January 27th. Call police if you have any tips on his identity.

Meantime, be on the lookout for this motorcycle:

It was stolen this week from a yard near 20th/Barton; its owner says the thief “left a Novarra mountain bike in exchange.” The motorcycle didn’t even have fuel in the tank, so it was rolled away, down an alley. If you see it, let police know.

One car-prowl reader report: Katherine says it happened Wednesday night in the 8000 block of 36th Ave SW: “Primary object stolen was a Champion Generator. If you have any information regarding this theft please contact the Seattle Police Department.”

Meantime, Chris tells us his neighbor’s stolen pickup – reported here Wednesday – has been found, “near the Tug Inn” by Delridge/Orchard.

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Ticket time for Alki Elementary’s ‘Annie Jr.’ – one week away
February 1, 2013 10:01 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS culture/arts

Next weekend, you have two chances to support young performers and their school – parents from Alki Elementary want you to know that second- through fifth-graders have been working hard on their production of “Annie Jr.,” which will take the stage in the West Seattle High School Theater at 7 pm Friday, February 8th, and 2 pm Saturday, February 9th. It’s the third year that Alki students have worked with a director from Youth Theatre Northwest in an intensive six-week after-school program – and the results of their work (along with all the parent volunteers who are helping) will be all the more sweet if they’re performing to a packed house of West Seattle supporters. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for kids, and you can order them via e-mail – contact Nikki Eisenhut at nicolelee916@yahoo.com or Davina Dilley at thedgreen@yahoo.com.

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5K not enough? This Sunday: WSFA 25K/50K
February 1, 2013 9:34 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

If you are a hardcore runner and haven’t heard of this somewhat informal tradition yet – it has tended to fly below the radar, but this year we’ve received multiple requests for a mention (and it even has a Facebook page), so here goes: This Sunday, before the Super Bowl, dozens of people will be running either 25K or 50K, starting at 8 am at the south end of Lincoln Park. It’s not a race – in fact, the website describes it as “a no fee, no shirt, no aid, no whining type event” – but registration is suggested, and you can do that here.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: First February Friday
February 1, 2013 6:03 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: First February Friday
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Live view from the east-facing WS Bridge camera; see other cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
Some traffic-affecting notes as the day begins:
-No classes today for Seattle Public Schools.
-No I-5 / Spokane St. Intersection Bridge Repair closures this weekend.
-If you use the Highway 520 bridge across Lake Washington, note that it has a closure this weekend – 11 pm tonight till 5 am Sunday.
-As of late last night, the southbound 35th SW sinkhole near SW Juneau was still blocked off (we’re asking today about repair ETA).

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Cometa Playschool joins classroom-food-drive challenge!
January 31, 2013 11:52 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

And we have word of another school joining the Arbor Heights Elementary Room 16 100th Day of School food-drive challenge. Room 16’s announcement came on Monday; then this afternoon, Alki Elementary announced it’s joining; and late tonight, we heard from Cometa Playschool‘s Manuela Slye:

Cometa Playschool students and teachers are excited to take the challenge and participate in the 100th day of school food donation for the West Seattle Food Bank. In the past we have organized food drives during the holiday season for Northwest Harvest, and we are thrilled this time we will be supporting our local food bank.

The 100th day of school is February 20th. Anybody else joined/joining? Let us know!

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Why helicopters were off Beach Drive: ‘Sailing’ sea lion
January 31, 2013 6:26 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Wildlife

(Example of “sailing” sea lion; photo by Robin Lindsey)
6:26 PM: No, it was NOT related to the search for the Belvidere estate-sale robber – there was a short-lived report of a possible dead whale off Constellation Park. Turned out to be a resting sea lion, per what Robin Lindsey from Seal Sitters told us and others at the scene a little while ago – but not before at least one TV chopper detoured over there to take a look.

P.S. The sea lion was “sailing,” Robin explained – behavior that has previously sparked erroneous reports of a marine mammal in trouble; here’s a 2010 report on Blubberblog that explains sailing, including a photo.

ADDED 8:49 PM: Robin has since provided a photo for us to use – added above – and has also updated the Seal Sitters’ website with an account of what happened tonight, plus the basics on “sailing.”

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Police search after ‘takeover robbery’ at estate sale in Belvidere
January 31, 2013 3:51 pm
|      149 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

(Added: Photos by Mike Scharer)
3:51 PM: A police search is under way right now in the Admiral area after a report of a “takeover-style” robbery inside a home – with masked robber/s ordering people to get on the ground, and then fleeing on foot. A K-9 team is on the way. We have a crew headed to the area.

3:56 PM: The suspect description just broadcast is “white male, 20s, 5’10”, husky build, black handgun,” dressed in dark clothing, including a ski mask. This is unfolding in the Belvidere area – the scene is near Belvidere and Hinds (map).

4:12 PM: Co-publisher Patrick Sand has talked to police in the area; they confirm nobody hurt, a K-9 team is searching the area so if you’re in that vicinity, stay off the sidewalk/street to avoid possibly interrupting the trail.

4:26 PM: If you’re seeing/hearing a helicopter, it’s TV. Police are still very actively searching and following on a couple of leads – but there is no one in custody yet. According to multiple reports (including Diane in comments), the house where this happened has been having an estate sale.

4:33 PM: We do NOT have confirmation that this is the suspect – but per scanner, police have pulled over a car that was seen in the area with someone resembling the description, and they have one person in custody. More to come – still avoid the area as it will be up to police to determine if they have the person they’ve been seeking.

4:41 PM: Apparently that was NOT the person they were seeking. Search continues.

4:53 PM: Adding photos by Mike Scharer, taken as police made their initial guns-drawn entry to the robbery scene and started searching the area. The search, with the help of K-9, is still under way. That indicates there is a strong possibility they believe the robber is in the area – so please call 911 if you see ANYTHING suspicious.

5:20 PM: Still no luck finding the robber. There are indications that people who have been kept from their homes will be allowed back in shortly.

5:35 PM: A couple notes from the SPD Blotter report about this – “jewelry and cash” was taken from victims who were at the estate sale when this happened, plus it’s a confirmation of one robber.

11:21 PM NOTE: Just in case you’re wondering, yes, we’re still tracking this, but there’s no word of an arrest.

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Avalon/Genesee signal timing: SDOT says they’re working on it
January 31, 2013 3:37 pm
|      18 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | Transportation | West Seattle news

(January 23 WSB photo)
Since the new traffic signal at Avalon and Genesee went into official operation last week, its timing has caused backups and drawn complaints. North Delridge resident Nancy Folsom has been corresponding with SDOT about it, and forwarded this update to the ND e-mail list today; we’re republishing with her permission. It’s from Dianne Thomas at SDOT:

We’re receiving a high volume of emails expressing various concerns about the new traffic signal at Avalon & Genesee. …

Whenever a new signal is installed, we monitor the operation closely and generally expect there can be a need for a few adjustments. We’re unable to be on-site 24 hours a day, so we do appreciate receiving feedback. The most helpful feedback will include the time of day and the day of the week a problem is experienced along with the details of the concern.

E-mails can be best directed to traffic.signals@seattle.gov, or anyone may access the [Customer Service Response] system directly (by going here) and choosing General Inquiry – Transportation as the service type.

SDOT also told Nancy:

One thing worth mentioning is that the uphill (westbound) approach on Genesee uses video detection, and when (an engineer) was at the site earlier this week he did notice drivers pulling forward, well past the stop bar markings. That area is not within the detection zone, so the drivers who’ve complained about waiting forever for the light to change are most likely pulling too far forward.

The eastbound approach uses in-pavement detection, and we do not use detection on main streets (in this case, Avalon).

An engineer was reported to be back at the site as of a couple hours ago.

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Alki Elementary joins Arbor Heights in food-drive challenge
January 31, 2013 1:54 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Back on Monday, Arbor Heights Elementary teacher Marcia Ingerslev shared the news that her class was collecting 100 items for the West Seattle Food Bank in honor of the upcoming 100th day of the school year – and challenged any and all other elementary classrooms in WS to join them. Today, we have word that Alki Elementary has accepted the challenge – fourth-grade teacher Anna Coghill sends word that notes will go home with students on Monday (there are no classes in the district tomorrow) to tell families that EVERY Alki classroom is hoping to collect 100 cans (or other non-perishable food items) by February 20th! (Anybody else? Let us know!)

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Followup: More about city-installed Alki surveillance cameras
January 31, 2013 11:42 am
|      53 COMMENTS
 |   Seattle Police surveillance cameras | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Since our first report Tuesday on the surveillance cameras that have turned up from Harbor Avenue to Beach Drive – we’ve learned more information about them, while other questions remain.

To recap, if you missed our first story:

WSB readers started noticing the cameras last weekend. We have counted six installed on utility and streetlight poles, with wireless transmitting equipment above them: On the inland side of Harbor Avenue near Salty’s and Seacrest, on the water side at Duwamish Head, on the inland side of Alki Avenue by the Shoremont Apartments (photo above), on the water side by the Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza, and on the water side at the end of Constellation Park/Richey Viewpoint, at 63rd SW and Beach Drive.

The cameras are part of a Seattle Police-led, federally funded project approved by the City Council last spring, though the discussion at City Hall mentioned only “port security,” not specific locations or numbers, and questions are circulating now regarding an online mention that the project is likely to expand far beyond “port security.”

Last spring’s discussion of the project was at the May 2, 2012, meeting of the Public Safety, Civil Rights, and Technology Committee, with its chair, Councilmember Bruce Harrell, and member Councilmember Mike O’Brien present.

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