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High-school postseason: Sealth, WSHS volleyball finales
November 3, 2012 4:52 pm
|    Comments Off on High-school postseason: Sealth, WSHS volleyball finales
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

The postseason has come to an end for West Seattle’s two biggest high schools, after one last round of play.

Both Chief Sealth International High School (above) and West Seattle High School (top) played their final games of this postseason Thursday night in Bellevue. Neither won, but both had seasons to be proud of. WSB contributing photojournalist Nick Adams was at the games at Sammamish High School, and we have a few last looks at the hard-hitting athletes:

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Election 2012: Another view of the ballot-dropoff van team
November 3, 2012 4:12 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

We’re going to nag you – or, at least, gently remind you – every day: Dropped off (or mailed) your ballot yet? Today’s image of the dropoff-van team at West Seattle Stadium is courtesy of Admiral photographer David Perry. You can catch them there – drive up, ride up, walk up – till 5 pm today, then again 10 am-5 pm Sunday and Monday, and 7 am-8 pm Tuesday (at which time the voting ends and ballot-tallying begins).

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West Seattle business milestones: Cloud City Skateboard Shop; Stuffed Cakes; Treehouse Lounge
November 3, 2012 2:11 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

CLOUD CITY SKATEBOARD SHOP OPENS: It’s grand-opening day for (from left) Tony Kappo and Michael Lenoir, who have just opened their store at 3270 California SW. The merchandise includes skateboards, T-shirts, footwear, and stickers – you’ll see some of it on the shop’s Facebook page. They’ll be open till 9 tonight.

STUFFED CAKES CELEBRATES: Till 3 pm, you’re invited to the birthday party for Stuffed Cakes at 9003 35th SW – including mini-cakes and face-painting, which even proprietor Donna Lawson indulged in:

It’s a double birthday – 2 years for her business, 1 year in the storefront.

TREEHOUSE LOUNGE’S FIRST WEEKEND: We actually stopped in Halloween night to check it out:

It’s the new beer/wine lounge at Mind Unwind, 2206 California SW in The Admiral District, created by Zach, Jason, and Krystal. They’re open 5-midnight Wednesdays-Sundays.

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Happening now: Roxhill Castle playground construction, day 2
November 3, 2012 12:44 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Thanks to Joe Szilagyi for sending video and photos showing what’s happening today at the Roxhill Castle volunteer-powered construction site at Roxhill Park in Westwood. It’s day 2 of the project – with volunteers working all day (in shifts), rain or shine, for five days, to put up the play structure that replaced its also-community-built predecessor. Still lots of opportunities for YOU to help – this page on the Roxhill Castle website explains how, or just drop by the park (29th SW at Barton) and get going.

5:35 PM UPDATE: Just received photos from Lisa Stencel, who says, “It’s looking great!” as day 2 of (projected) 5 wraps up:

Every volunteer makes a difference!

In case you weren’t keeping track – a skatespot is being built right next to the Roxhill playground (though that one is NOT a volunteer operation), so this is going to be a recreation hotspot more than ever before.

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Election 2012: Governor candidate Inslee’s brief West Seattle stop
November 3, 2012 11:57 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

At midmorning, we were at Uptown Espresso in The Junction for an informal meeting that had nothing to do with politics, when suddenly we heard a group at the big central table break out in applause, as a voice loudly thanked them. Turning around, we saw Democratic candidate for governor Jay Inslee standing by the table as he began a short speech to those gathered. From what he said, as well as the campaign signs on the table, it was clear the group was getting ready to go out and doorbell. He only stayed a few minutes, but told them he thinks it’ll be a close election – “maybe 150 votes” – and answered a couple questions, one about job creation, one about disaster preparedness in the wake of Superstorm Sandy (in his view, earthquake preparedness matters most here). (Without a camera handy, we rolled iPhone video, and will check it later to see if there’s anything to add here.) Then, Inslee said, he was off to Tacoma and Olympia.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Car-prowl suspects arrested
November 3, 2012 10:08 am
|      21 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

Just in via SPD Blotter – two arrests early this morning:

The efforts of officers working an auto theft/car prowl emphasis patrol paid off early this morning when they responded to a report of a car prowl in progress and took into custody the two suspects.

At about 2:20 this morning radio broadcast a car prowl in progress in the 3800 Block of 45th Avenue SW. Several William Sector officers were in the area already on an assigned auto theft/car prowl emphasis patrol. Two officers located the described suspect vehicle one minute later, and stopped it at SW Spokane St. and 46th Avenue SW. The vehicle and one suspect were positively identified by a witness, and a large quantity of apparently stolen property, including at least 8 car stereos, was visible inside the car. These suspects are also likely responsible for a car prowl from earlier tonight, in which the suspects were seen leaving in a dark 2-door Honda.

Both suspects, a 26-year-old male and a 32-year-old female, were booked into the King County Jail for Car Prowl and the suspect vehicle, a green 1998 Honda Accord, was towed to the processing room, pending a warrant. Detectives will now handle the follow up investigation.

We’ll be checking to see if the helicopter reported briefly over The Junction a few hours earlier was related.

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West Seattle Saturday: Before you ‘fall back,’ what’s up today/tonight
November 3, 2012 8:59 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Thanks to Karen Richter, one of two people who shared photos of that new artwork spotted on the beach at Lincoln Park)
Tonight’s the night; an extra hour of sleep, as 2 am becomes 1 am, with Daylight Saving Time coming to an end. In the meantime, here are some of the options for your Saturday morning, noon, and/or night:

ROXHILL CASTLE-BUILDING CONTINUES: At Roxhill Park, volunteers are working again today, into the evening, to build the new Roxhill Castle play structure. You are invited to drop by to join them; info’s at roxhillcastle.wordpress.com.

‘WHERE THE JOBS ARE’: Today’s the day for the workshop event – not a job fair – for veterans and older workers looking ahead in their careers, 9 am-1 pm at South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor; 6000 16th SW).

BALLOT-DROPOFF VAN, DAY 2: Still have your ballot for Tuesday’s election? Fill it out and drop it off – no stamp needed! – at the King County Elections ballot-dropoff van, stationed again today 10 am-5 pm at West Seattle Stadium. (See our Friday story.)

LOG HOUSE MUSEUM BOOK SALE: 10 am-3 pm, go check out the treasures on sale, and help the museum, which is a treasure itself. 61st/Stevens in Alki.

GREEN SEATTLE DAY: Two of West Seattle’s three sites for today’s mega-work-party still have room for help during the 10 am-2 pm volunteer-a-palooza to help some of the city’s greenspaces. Check the list here.

BUSINESS OPENING: Cloud City Skateboard Shop opens south of The Admiral District, 3270 California SW, in the former Island Tan space. Grand opening 11 am-9 pm.

BUSINESS BIRTHDAY: Stuffed Cakes is celebrating its first anniversary at 9003 35th SW, noon-3 pm, and you’re invited.

HIGH POINT NEIGHBORHOOD WALK: Head out with Feet First to see what’s behind the scenes in the design of the redeveloped High Point neighborhood – meet at 1 pm at the High Point Library (35th/Raymond).

WEST SEATTLE BASKETBALL FUNDRAISER: Poker, dinner, more! As previewed on WSB this week; starts at 4 pm at St. John the Baptist Church (next to WSHS).

‘EVENING TO DIE FOR’: Benefit for the Senior Center of West Seattle, 7 pm, Forest Lawn-Dignity Memorial (WSB sponsor; 6701 30th SW) – details here.

ANNUAL SOUSA BIRTHDAY BASH: A Kenyon Hall tradition – 7:30 pm tonight; info on the KH site.

‘LEND ME A TENOR’: 7:30 pm tonight, the third performance of West Seattle High School‘s fall production – details on the Westside Drama website. In the school theater (3000 California SW).

LIVE MUSIC: Various venues tonight – see the calendar (but please make note of the following, too) …

CALENDAR NOTE: Because of a software bug relating to tonight’s time change and the many time zones served by the software’s creators, a few calendar listings for tonight **only** are showing the wrong time – but we’ve put the CORRECT time in the headline (and in the text if you click through to the full listing). Please accept our apologies; all the other listings are just fine.

FALL BACK TONIGHT: As mentioned atop this roundup – 2 am will become 1 am, early Sunday morning. Early morning March 10, 2013, is when Daylight Saving Time will be back.

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Warm response to West Seattle Rotary one-night coat drive; next up, Purse Gala
November 3, 2012 8:07 am
|    Comments Off on Warm response to West Seattle Rotary one-night coat drive; next up, Purse Gala
 |   Rotary Club of West Seattle | West Seattle news

Followup to last night’s “First Friday” Rotary Club of West Seattle event, gathering coats and other warm clothing for West Seattle Helpline – a quick report from the club’s publicity chair Dave Nichols:

We had a successful evening; four couples who saw our event in the West Seattle Blog came in to The Cask with coats to donate; at the end of the evening, we loaded 10 bags of coats into our president’s truck for delivery to the West Seattle Helpline. Thank you to everyone who participated.

You can help Helpline any time, of course – here’s how. Meantime, another benefit event is on the Rotary calendar – and you’re invited to this one, too, the 2nd annual Purse Gala Champagne Brunch, coming up 11:30 am November 18th at Merrill Gardens-Admiral Heights (WSB sponsor). Register through the Rotary website.

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West Seattle art: Christopher Boffoli brings his images to Alki Elementary, ArtsWest
November 2, 2012 11:56 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(Photo courtesy Karen Hinkey)
Longtime WSB contributing photojournalist Christopher Boffoli continues to make an international splash with his acclaimed “big food/little people” art-photography series “Big Appetites.” Just back from a huge art expo in Toronto, Christopher is talking to audiences here at home in West Seattle, too. Today Christopher visited Alki Elementary for “Master Artist” presentations to two groups of students, and says he had a great time: “I guess some of the classes are going to be making their own photographs with tiny figures and food so some of the kids were really excited about it and had great ideas about what to shoot.” He also reports some of the youngest students found some of his images most humorous. Artists volunteering for presentations like this are helping make up for arts-funding shortages at school.

And as of a few days ago, Christopher is displaying work in a West Seattle gallery for the first time, with images including this one:

ArtsWest is showcasing Christopher’s work and that of two other artists in “A Feast for the Eyes: Food in Art,” a group show running through December 15th, with a reception next Thursday, November 8th (West Seattle Art Walk night) and an informal “artists’ talk” on December 13th – both events are 6-7:30 pm.

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Election 2012: Not old enough to vote, but they hope you will
November 2, 2012 9:46 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Gatewood | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

A message for you from Gatewood Elementary students, forwarded on their behalf by teacher Darren Radu (who also shared the photo):

We are 4th grade students of Team Mt. Si at Gatewood Elementary. Our big goal is to have a positive effect on the systems in our world. We’ve been studying the electoral system and watching the election. Did you know that many people who can vote forget to or choose not to? Today we did some service to encourage people who think that it’s not important to vote. What happens in elections affects all of us because the people who are elected make big decisions and create our laws.

We walked from Gatewood to Morgan Junction while we were holding up our signs. We did a bunch of chants like, “when I say vote, you say ‘for America’!’. We chanted: “Vote! For America!” A lot of people honked and waved at us as we marched and chanted. People were interested in what we were doing. Many people told us that they already voted and we cheered for them.

We made signs and showed people that we kids care about the election. We can’t vote because we’re all little, but we’re encouraging our elders to vote. We think it’s a shame that not everybody votes who can. If we could vote, we definitely would!

We hope that you can help us spread the word about why voting is important.

Thanks!

The 4th Grade Students of Team Mt. Si
Gatewood Elementary

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Beloved but unprotected: Octopus ‘harvest’ at Seacrest brings calls for protection
November 2, 2012 4:21 pm
|      103 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | Seen at sea | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

They are mysterious, majestic – and largely unprotected. Now the status of the Giant Pacific Octopus has come to light – harsh light – because of an incident here in West Seattle, but it’s a light that might also lead the way to overdue protection.

WSB Forums members have been talking about it for a day, divers’ discussion boards have been spreading it like wildfire, and citywide media has picked it up too – an outrage-sparking saga from the popular diving area off Seacrest – known as Cove 2 – involving someone “harvesting” an octopus that was originally reported to be a female guarding eggs.

If you haven’t heard about this yet – here’s a basic version of the original report, on a personal website. The citywide media reports include one from our partners at The Seattle Times today, and a story by KING5.com last night.

While some of the discussion has centered on the alleged braggadocio of the diver who took the octopus – and someone claiming to be him has been posting in the WSB Forums thread, denying that it was a female – others have focused on this question: How can this be made illegal, so that it can’t happen – legally – again? That’s what we looked into

Right now, state Department of Fish and Wildlife rules say it’s legal to “harvest” an octopus (if licensed, and per a daily limit) just about anywhere – except for Marine Protected Areas (here’s a map). As the map shows, there are some in West Seattle – Schmitz and Richey Viewpoints off Beach Drive. The state law regulating protected areas is here.

The first person from whom we heard about this, award-winning environmental advocate and diver Laura James, expected a petition drive to be started to designate the popular diving area off Seacrest as a protected area.

And that’s one way to make it happen, we found out when we called WDFW to ask what is required to get an area designated as a protected area. Spokesperson Craig Bartlett provided a raft of information – and told us that the department is also looking into the issue. Bartlett noted that in his 13 years with the department, he didn’t realize till this came up that the octopus is unprotected.

According to Bartlett, “There are two ways citizens can petition the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife for a change in fishing rules: 1) fill out a petition form at http://www.ofm.wa.gov/reports/petition.pdf and send it to the commission or 2) attend a commission meeting and testify during a public comment period.” There’s a meeting coming up next Thursday and Friday, he notes – the calendar is here, and the agendas for both mornings show public-input periods. (You would have to go to Olympia, however.)

We also have asked Seattle Parks for comment on the possibility of protecting the waters at Seacrest; since it’s a city park, it seems as if they might have some jurisdiction. We’ll add that reply when we get it.

4:50 PM P.S. On the Northwest Dive Club discussion boards, where this first came to light, there is now a separate discussion about pursuing protection – see it here.

10:07 PM UPDATE: As Diver Laura (James) has pointed out in comments, a petition is now up and running online – find it here.

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South Park Bridge construction delay: Not done until 2014
November 2, 2012 1:58 pm
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   South Park | West Seattle news

New information this afternoon, following up on a story we published last night on our partner site The South Park News: Construction of the new South Park Bridge has hit a snag, and completion will be delayed at least several months.

First word came from King County Roads’ Jay Osborne at last night’s North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meeting, which we were covering for our other partner site, White Center Now; asked by NHUAC president Barbara Dobkin for an update on the bridge’s timeline, he said there had been some trouble with its foundation, and that “conversations” were under way to figure out how that would affect the schedule.

This afternoon, we talked with King County Department of Transportation spokesperson Jeff Switzer, who says the foundation work did indeed take longer than the contractor expected – particularly the sinking of the caissons through the hardest layer of riverbed – and that means instead of a fall 2013 completion, the bridge won’t be ready until sometime in 2014. The county is awaiting a revised construction schedule, and in the meantime is discussing how to financially help businesses and others affected by the extended period of bridgelessness. It’s already been two and a half years since the old bridge was taken out of service. In the meantime, Switzer says, demolition will start soon on what’s left of the old bridge.

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Happening now: West Seattle ballot-dropoff van’s first day
November 2, 2012 1:30 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

In the first two hours of the first of five West Seattle days for a King County ballot-dropoff van, about 60 ballots already had come in, according to the team at the van today – Skyler, Cindi, and Kayleigh. They are in the same spot as last time – along the West Seattle Stadium driveway (enter off northbound 35th, shortly before Avalon) – and will be there till 5 today and again 10 am-5 pm tomorrow through Monday, then 7 am-8 pm on Election Day (Tuesday). You can drive up and hand them your ballot, or park, walk up, and put it in the box yourself. They say the pace so far today was much busier than the first day they were here before the August primary. If you want to drop off a ballot somewhere else – close to where you work, for example – here’s the full list countywide.

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City park across from big project: What do YOU think?
November 2, 2012 11:58 am
|      46 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Earlier this year, we noted that a vacant lot at 4731 40th SW (map), toward the east edge of The Junction, was up for sale. We’ve just learned that the city is planning to buy it as potential parkland, with levy money specifically targeted for securing more open space in urban areas before it’s all gone. And, it so happens that the site is directly across the street from the future west side of the 4755 Fauntleroy Way megaproject. The city is wondering whether you think this site makes sense as a park. First, background from Chip Nevins of Seattle Parks:

The 2008 Parks and Green Spaces Levy allocated $24M to the acquisition of neighborhood parks in areas of the City that were experiencing significant growth and had a lack of park space; West Seattle Junction was one of the 18 urban villages identified in the Levy. Partly in response to DPD’s West Seattle Triangle UDF [Urban Design Framework], Parks has been looking for a property close to the Fauntleroy/Alaska junction to serve the new and proposed developments in that area. We recently got the vacant property at 4731 40th Ave SW under contract and are in the process of doing our due diligence on the property. One aspect of the due diligence is to make sure that the property makes sense as a park as it relates to the people, properties and projects around it.

This is the time for the city to take a close look at that, as the project goes to its second Early Design Guidance public review next Thursday (here’s our most recent report, with updated renderings). Nevins would like to hear what you think, along these lines:

I am looking for thoughts about whether this site makes sense. And if it does make sense, comments about how the design of the project at 4755 Fauntleroy SW could be changed to improve the functionality of a park at that location (which ideally would be mentioned at the EDG meeting).

Three ways to offer your thoughts on this: 1. Comment on this story. 2. E-mail Nevins directly – chip.nevins@seattle.gov. 3. Talk with him before or after the 4755 Fauntleroy Design Review Board meeting next Thursday (it starts at 8 pm, at the Senior Center of West Seattle, California/Oregon).

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Happening now: Volunteers start building Roxhill Castle
November 2, 2012 10:15 am
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

It takes a peninsula to build a playground. That’s Mike Shilley from Highland Park, one of the first volunteers getting to work in Westwood’s Roxhill Park this morning, as the “community build” of the new Roxhill Castle play structure begins.

Over the next several days, hundreds of volunteers will work in shifts – but even if you haven’t signed up yet, it’s not too late to join them.

You can just show up at the site (across Barton from Westwood Village), or you can check out the newest information at the community site for the project, roxhillcastle.wordpress.com.

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West Seattle Friday: Roxhill Castle; ballot-dropoff van; Corner Bar; Sweet, Sweet Music…
November 2, 2012 9:20 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Friday: Roxhill Castle; ballot-dropoff van; Corner Bar; Sweet, Sweet Music…
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Today’s sunrise; photo by Don Brubeck)
What a beautiful start to the day! Lots going on – here’s just part of it:

ROXHILL CASTLE: Time to build a playground! The rain has stopped in time for Roxhill Castle volunteers to get going at Roxhill Park. See the latest message for volunteers, here. They’re planning to work till 8 pm tonight – and then continuing tomorrow; you can show up and join in, too!

BALLOT-DROPOFF VAN: Haven’t sent in your ballot yet? Today is the first of five days with the King County Elections ballot-dropoff van staked out at West Seattle Stadium. Schedule’s in our calendar listing.

WINE TASTING #1: The Northwest Wine Academy at South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor) invites you to its tasting room 1-4 pm today (details here).

‘FIRST FRIDAY’ – HELP THE HELPLINE: The Rotary Club of West Seattle invites you to come hang out at The Cask in The Admiral District 5-7 pm and bring gently used coats, gloves, scarves to donate to the West Seattle Helpline – details here.

CORNER BAR AT HIGHLAND PARK IMPROVEMENT CLUB: It’s the hottest ticket in town … first Friday of the month, 6 pm, HPIC turns into The Corner Bar. Dia de los Muertos is this month’s theme. 12th/Holden; be there!

BUTCHER-SHOP BASH, TO HELP WHITE CENTER FOOD BANK: ‘Meat the Live Butcher’ opens soon in South Delridge, and will cater a pre-grand-opening party tonight at the White Center Eagles’ HQ, as a benefit for White Center Food Bank. 6 pm; details here.

WINE TASTING #2: Bin 41 in The Junction, 6-7:30 pm, “Fall Favorites with Joelle.”

SIP AND SEW: A creative way to spend Friday night – with this class (21+ only) at West Seattle Fabric Company‘s new Stitch and Sew Studio north of Morgan Junction, 6 pm (more info here).

‘SWEET, SWEET MUSIC’: Tunes from stage and screen, tonight at Fauntleroy Church, 7:30 pm. Get the details here.

‘LEND ME A TENOR’ AT WSHS: Second show for the West Seattle High School Drama production of “Lend Me a Tenor,” 7:30 pm. Ticket information and more, here.

REMINDER ABOUT TOMORROW NIGHT’S TIME CHANGE: Saturday night/Sunday morning is “fall back” time – one hour. So when it’s 2 am Sunday, it’ll be 1 am Sunday.

But before then … more for today/tonight, on our calendar!

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Friday updates
November 2, 2012 6:05 am
|      19 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(SDOT camera looking at northbound 99 @ Lander; West Seattle Bridge cams not working currently)
6:05 AM: An early-morning crash at 1st and Seneca involving a Seattle Police vehicle is blocking the northbound Alaskan Way Viaduct‘s Seneca offramp, so among other things, that means a bus reroute, says Metro:

Metro’s Friday AM commute is underway and starts off with Routes 21E, 55, 56E, 57 & RapidRide C & D Lines temporarily rerouted and using 4 Av S into Downtown Seattle due to blockage at the Alaskan Way Viaduct off ramp.

6:42 AM UPDATE: The ramp has now reopened – and Metro says buses are back to their normal routing.

9:47 AM UPDATE: We can of course share your photos from the commute, too, any time – just got this West Seattle Water Taxi view with today’s wonderful sunrise, from Jennifer:

From sunrise/sunset colors, to crowded/uncrowded buses, to weather/traffic scenes, share a photo any time.

3:43 PM UPDATE: There’s a backup on the southbound Viaduct – a truck didn’t make clearance under the lid, according to a photo sent to us by Riley:

5:26 PM: Metro just tweeted that more RapidRide C Line evening runs are coming:

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Fauntleroy Creek salmon update: Almost 100 so far!
November 1, 2012 10:15 pm
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   Fauntleroy | West Seattle news | Wildlife

The coho spawners returning to Fauntleroy Creek might make this “the biggest year since the fish ladder opened in 1998,” creek steward Judy Pickens tells WSB – as she reports that volunteer creek watchers have “documented 98 coho spawners in the creek. 98!!!” Her exuberance is understandable, given that just last Sunday, as three dozen people gathered for the drum-to-call-the-salmon-home ceremony, the tally was 7 spawners, all intercepted by otter(s). Then came news 10 had made it. And now suddenly, 10 times that. Judy adds, “We don’t have a good fix yet on the percentage of hatchery-release fish vs. wild, but whatever the source, all have sensed good habitat in Fauntleroy Creek.” Every spring she works with local schoolchildren who raise salmon fry in their classrooms (or hallways!) and then come to the creek to release them. (Photo courtesy “Jim of Fauntleroy“)

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Roxhill Castle build tomorrow: Special alert for volunteers
November 1, 2012 8:03 pm
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Hours from now, the new Roxhill Castle play area starts to go up at Roxhill Park. Tonight, Amanda asked us to share this message to voluneers who have signed up – and to anyone considering joining in at the last minute:

Attention Builders of Roxhill Park!

Tomorrow, November 2, at 8:00 am is go time.
Please dress for the elements, and bring your own drill if you want! We also need extension cords as well as tape measures. Just label everything with your name on it.
Didn’t officially sign up? That’s okay! Come anyway. Build dates are November 2 – 6 from 8:00 am – 8:00 pm.
Project Website: roxhillcastle.wordpress.com
Project Email: roxhillcastle@gmail.com

Amanda adds: “We have a week-long food drive for West Seattle Food Bank and White Center Food Bank as well! We will have containers on site that people can bring nonperishable goods for donation.”

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Update: North Admiral standoff over; man OK
November 1, 2012 4:58 pm
|      31 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police

(Photo added 5:53 pm, courtesy Ted)
ORIGINAL REPORT, 4:58 PM: If you’ve seen the sizable police response near 42nd/Walker in North Admiral, here’s what’s going on, according to SPD: A man is inside his home, threatening self-harm, possibly armed with a gun, and police are trying to talk him out. Just to be on the safe side, they are trying to keep people away from the area. More as we get it.

(Photo courtesy David Perry)
7:01 PM UPDATE: We’ve been monitoring this via the scanner and on scene. It appears that the man is OK and has come out – or is coming out – of the house with police. Nearby streets are reopening.

7:30 PM NOTE: Again, this has ended with everyone OK. We need to make one more note – if you or someone you know is considering suicide, or in another life-crisis situation, call this 24-hour hotline to reach the Crisis Clinic: 206.461.3222.

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Equity Residential’s West Seattle project: December demolition
November 1, 2012 4:16 pm
|      62 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

(Looking toward the California/Alaska corner of Equity Residential’s project)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

More than a dozen empty storefronts have sat at the Junction’s most prominent intersection for three months now, vacating by July 31st as ordered by their final landlord, the site’s future developer.

At the time, owner/developer Equity Residential said demolition to make way for their two-building apartments-over-retail project at California/Alaska could start as soon as mid-August.

Now it’s November, and nothing’s happened yet. So what’s the holdup, you might wonder? We wondered too and had been asking for information for a while. Today, we finally obtained it, meeting for the first time with executives from the Chicago-based corporation’s Puget Sound team to get the answer – and other project updates.

First, the answer to the biggest question: They expect to start demolition at the end of December, after Christmas. The permits were granted just last week, so they could start sooner if they wanted to, but they say they don’t want to have construction starting amid holiday shopping and festivities.

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West Seattle scene: ‘First Mike’ reads to Roxhill scholars
November 1, 2012 3:25 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(Photo by WSB’s Patrick Sand)
The husband of Governor Chris Gregoire was in West Seattle today for a literacy program at Roxhill Elementary School, reading “Duck for President“ to Roxhill scholars and donating books as part of a Reading Is Fundamental initiative involving governors’ spouses.

Mike Gregoire has always asked to be called “First Mike” instead of “First Gentleman” – and he’ll only have that title a little while longer, since his wife is not running for re-election. But “First Mike” pointed out that they have another big change ahead in their lives – their first grandchild is about to be born (as noted by our partners at The Seattle Times back in June). P.S. You’ll see in his bio that he’s the son of a public-school teacher.

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Followup: SPD activates automated speed camera by Gatewood Elementary
November 1, 2012 2:33 pm
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 |   Gatewood | Safety | West Seattle news

Back in August, we brought you first word that Seattle Police planned to place the city’s first fixed automated speed-detection cameras in school zones including Fauntleroy Way SW by Gatewood Elementary. SPD has just announced that camera and three others around the city are officially in operation as of today – read about it on SPD Blotter. There’s been a speed-camera-equipped van in the area for the past four years – and it’s the subject of this hot topic on the WSB Forums – but no fixed cameras till now. SPD says violations caught on the new camera will be “warnings only” until November 26th, when school reopens following the Thanksgiving break. That’s when ticketing – $189 per – will kick in.

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