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Plastic-bag ban/paper-bag fee countdown: 2 days away
June 29, 2012 3:42 pm
|      44 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | West Seattle news

While it’s shortened in most headlines to “plastic-bag ban,” remember that the other half of the city law taking effect Sunday is “paper-bag fee” – stores that offer paper shopping bags are required to charge at least a nickel for each one. That is not a “tax” – it’s a fee that is kept by the store (which of course pays to buy the bags in the first place) – but it will generate some tax revenue, since it’s counted as a taxable sale. Here is the city’s official informational page about the changes, if you’re still not clear on what’s happening. And here are a few interesting points as Sunday approaches:

*Canvas totes and cloth bags are not your only “reusable” options.

At Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor), for example, you can also buy what MM calls a “wave bag” – 20 cents each – made of thicker plastic that is not subject to the city ban.

*A different type of reusable shopping bag was brought to our attention earlier this month when we published a “two weeks away” story. West Seattle-based Luke Decker Consulting says they helped design the “Mercado,” which could help you reduce the usage of smaller plastic bags too:

The ultimate farmer’s market bag, with pockets to protect delicate fruits and veggies, loops to hold bottles in place, and compartments to keep everything organized. A wide adjustable strap lets you choose the right length for carrying, so that you’re as comfortable as your produce!

You can see it and buy it, online only.

*Seattle Safeway stores will give away 2,000 reusable bags at each store on Sunday (or until supplies run out – but not before Sunday). The city donated 1,000; the company is supposed to be providing at least another thousand per store. Note that, in our area, that affects only the Admiral and Jefferson Square Safeway stores; Roxbury Safeway is outside the city limits, so not affected by the plastic-bag ban/paper-bag fee.

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West Seattle music instructor Tim Cashman: New WSB sponsor
June 29, 2012 2:53 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle music instructor Tim Cashman: New WSB sponsor
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

We’re welcoming a new WSB sponsor today – and here’s what he’d like you to know:

Tim Cashman, Highly Qualified Instructor, giving lessons in West Seattle since 1986.

My Service
I offer private or small-group guitar lessons, from beginning to advanced level, all ages. Styles include Classical, Rock/Pop, Jazz, Blues, and Flamenco. Students learn the songs they wish to play. Electric bass and Drum lessons also available.

Instruction is tailored to the individual and may include: technique, repertoire, chord vocabulary, scales/improvising, music theory, note reading, and composing or song writing. Students may also play with a band in our big rehearsal room. Students have the opportunity to perform in public; performances have included a benefit and student performance at Youngstown, the Fauntleroy Fall Festival, the Holy Rosary Talent Show, and the West Seattle Art Walk at Windermere of West Seattle.

Other important information
*Parents are welcome to sit in on lessons. References are available on request.
*I also have low cost rental instruments available.
*Feel free to call and discuss lessons and rates. Tim: 206-225-0212, or e-mail timpcashman@gmail.com.

We thank West Seattle music instructor Tim Cashman 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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West Seattle businesses: AAA moving to Jefferson Square (plus, nearby-business updates)
June 29, 2012 11:52 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Yet another business losing its current location because of the upcoming Equity Residential two-building development in The Junction (California/Alaska/42nd) has announced what it’s doing next: AAA is moving to a new location in Jefferson Square. Spokesperson Jennifer Cook tells WSB they’ve just signed a lease for the former AT&T storefront in the eastern row of businesses facing the inner parking lot. No exact date yet, but probably sometime in August. “We are working diligently so that there is no overlap between when we vacate the current location and open in Jefferson Square, but it’s difficult to determine if this will be accomplished.” Cook also says this is a “permanent move” – they’ve signed a long-term lease.

To recap and update, here’s what other businesses have done/will do, west to east on the development site (most of the links go to previous WSB coverage of the moves/closures):

*Classic Barber Shop moved a few blocks south in January, to the former Alki Style and Barber Shop

*Sound Advice moved in February – one block north on California SW to a storefront on the ground floor of the Senior Center building

*Super Supplements is moving from California/Alaska to the former Blockbuster site (6451 Fauntleroy Way SW) in Morgan Junction, as first reported here in January; SS says it will open at the new location on July 14th (after closing in The Junction on 7/7)

*Rocksport is closing, with its last day on the last day of West Seattle Summer Fest, July 15 (here’s our story from last month)

*The city’s Neighborhood Service Center closed one year ago and was not replaced (West Seattle now has one, which recently moved from Delridge/Brandon to the former Southwest Community Center at 2801 SW Thistle)

*The Beer Junction moved three months ago to 4511 California SW, adding new features including a sitdown bar

*Limber Yoga and SIMA Martial Arts, which had been co-housed on the 42nd SW side (where Young at Art is now), have separate new locations – Limber at 6019 California SW and SIMA at 4159 Fauntleroy.

As for the big question – when will demolition/construction begin? – we have been trying to reach Equity for an update, but our calls and e-mails have not yet been answered. In January, a corporate spokesperson in Chicago told WSB they planned to start construction before year’s end. The project already had its land-use permit before they bought the site from Conner Homes earlier this year; this month, there’s been construction-permit activity in the city permit files. (Photo courtesy Desiree)

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Reminder: SB Viaduct/99 closed late tonight till early Sunday
June 29, 2012 11:30 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Alaskan Way Viaduct | Transportation | West Seattle news

One more reminder if you haven’t already seen it on our “This Week’s Closures” list: The southbound Alaskan Way Viaduct/99 stretch between the Battery Street Tunnel and the West Seattle Bridge is scheduled to close at 11 pm tonight and remain closed ALL DAY AND ALL NIGHT SATURDAY, reopening by 9 am Sunday. WSDOT is continuing to work on reinforcing the section of The Viaduct that’s right over where the tunnel will be bored.

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West Seattle Friday: Welcome to the pre-holiday weekend
June 29, 2012 10:24 am
|      20 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

West Seattle photographer Machel Spence shares the photo from Lincoln Park – a bird (ID, anyone?) that had just caught a flicker (which, Machel says, it’s standing on). Might be a good day to visit a park, as the calendar is quieting down with the holiday approaching. (Or walk through on your way to Colman Pool when it opens tomorrow!) A few highlights for today/tonight:

SID LAW AT C & P: The coffeehouse announces tonight’s musical guest: “One of our favorites … Sid Law from 6-8 pm at C & P Coffee. Covering a century of music from the 1920’s to the present, Sid Law has taken the art of the one man band off the streets and into a wide variety of venues. Equally at home in any style, Sid sparkles with beautiful original arrangements from the Great American Songbook, country, or rock and pop, as well as enchanting audiences with improvised soundscaping flourishes.” Check out this YouTube clip.

ROLLER SKATING AT ALKI COMMUNITY CENTER: The Friday night skates are back and you’re invited tonight, 6:45-8:45 pm, details here, including a map to the center if somehow you’ve never been!

LIVE MUSIC AT SKYLARK: Four acts on the calendar tonight – Friday Night Gumbo, Cassie Correlle, Quinn Deveaux, Dillon Warnek. 8 pm (3803 Delridge Way SW).

LIVE MUSIC AT FEEDBACK LOUNGE: Flat 5 is at The Feedback (WSB sponsor) tonight, described on the FL website: “If you missed ’em last time, this is your chance to catch THE FLAT 5 and their funked-up R&B grooves as they return to The Feedback Lounge by popular demand. We dare you not to shake that which needs shaking.” 9 pm (6451 California SW)

LIVE MUSIC AT THE BENBOW ROOM: Intisaar, Sweetlix, per the Heartland Café calendar, 9 pm. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

Oh, and then there’s the downtown thing you’ve been hearing a lot about:

SEATTLE GREAT WHEEL: Thanks to West Seattle-based Craig Harrold Photography for sharing the photo. It opens today. Craig says West Seattle architect Robin Murphy worked on some of the adjacent structures, so check ’em out while you’re there. Official SGW website here. If you take a ride, let us know – and on the first sunny day, we’d love to see a photo of West Seattle from 175 feet up!

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4th of July next Wednesday: Anything special planned?
June 29, 2012 9:11 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

We’re putting together the annual West Seattle 4th of July page today so we can link it from the tab line atop WSB pages through the holiday – so we wanted to issue an open call: If your business/group/etc. has anything special (and open to the public) planned for the holiday … different hours, a sale, an event, going to be closed, whatever … please let us know so it can be part of the page. editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!

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One less fire truck based in West Seattle after Sunday
June 28, 2012 10:39 pm
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   Highland Park | Safety | West Seattle news

(WSB photo of Ladder 13 and crew at scene of recent South Park fire)
The extra fire truck added to West Seattle in February of last year will be gone after this Sunday. So say multiple sources who called and e-mailed to tell us that Ladder 13, based at Highland Park’s Station 11, will be taken out of service as of Monday morning, leaving Engine 11 alone at the station.

Ladder 13’s primary purpose, as explained when it first arrived, was to make sure West Seattle would be adequately covered despite the fact Spokane Street Viaduct Widening Project work complicated WS Bridge access for the emergency units that come from the other side of the bay when there’s a major incident. Now, the new 1st Avenue South onramp is available for emergency vehicles – per a newly installed sign on the westbound SSV. (However, last year it was also explained that Ladder 13 would help cover South Park, which won’t have fast access from crews east of the Duwamish till the new SP Bridge opens more than a year from now.)

The eventual end of Ladder 13 – commissioned just for this task, not a pre-existing truck number moved from elsewhere – was mentioned here back in February, when it was a topic of conversation during our stop at Station 11 on Neighbor Appreciation Day. The fire station is supposed to get a seismic/safety upgrade soon – as explained here – and we were told in February that would happen after Ladder 13’s departure. The timetable is one of the things we’re asking SFD about for a followup, but in the meantime, if you see Ladder 13’s crew out and about in the next few days, you might consider taking the opportunity to say thanks for their West Seattle/South Park service.

ADDED FRIDAY AFTERNOON: We had asked SFD some followup questions. Spokesperson Kyle Moore notes that West Seattle’s “permanent ladder truck,” Ladder 11, will continue to be based at Station 32 in The Triangle, staffed by a four-person crew. Regarding South Park, he says:

South Park is served by Fire Station 26 located at 800 South Cloverdale Street. The station is staffed 24 hours a day with four firefighters and a fire engine.

The loss off Ladder 13 will have a nominal impact on the response times to the South Park area. The Seattle Fire Department looked at response times with the bridge closure in order to ensure the residents of South Park received the same level of medical and fire care. Our analysis shows that response times were not significantly affected by the bridge closure.

He also notes that the Station 11 work isn’t likely to start before early 2014.

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Updated: Upcoming bridge (etc.) closures for the first week of July
June 28, 2012 7:40 pm
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(EDITOR’S NOTE: No 99 closures this week, so this stands as the official “this week’s closures” list for July 1st and beyond ** UPDATED 7/2 to add 7/6 bridge-exit closure)

SDOT has announced next week’s plan for Spokane Street Viaduct Widening Project-related closures – including a weekend-long westbound SSV closure scheduled for late night Friday, 7/6, till early morning Monday, 7/9. Full list ahead:Read More

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Treetop ziplining at Lincoln Park? City mulls commercial partnership
June 28, 2012 3:11 pm
|      256 COMMENTS
 |   Lincoln Park zipline proposal | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(UPDATED SUNDAY AFTERNOON with opponents launching Facebook page)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Ziplining from treetop to treetop is a hot ticket for vacationers in various spots around the U.S., and elsewhere in the world.

Now it might be coming to a forested public park near you.

WSB has learned that the Seattle Parks Department is talking with a private company called Go Ape about installing a “Treetop Adventure Course,” including ziplining and “Tarzan swings,” at West Seattle’s Lincoln Park.

According to a PowerPoint presentation circulated by the company and shown to us by a source, Go Ape would charge around $55 a person ($35 for youth, its website says) for a 2+-hour turn, with sessions launching up to 14 people every half-hour.

The proposal has yet to be announced publicly, but the Parks Department has been considering it since at least March, according to e-mail chains last summer, according to documents also forwarded to us, and the first open public presentation is planned for a community-group meeting next month.

Read More

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Lowman Beach sewer-overflow project: Permit-commenting time
June 28, 2012 1:17 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | Utilities | West Seattle news

King County has formally applied for the land-use permit needed to build a million-gallon underground tank across the street from Lowman Beach Park to reduce combined-sewer overflows from nearby Murray Pump Station.

Six homes and small apartment buildings, all of which have been vacated, will be demolished to make way for the project. The application was announced in today’s Land Use Information Bulletin, and it triggers a new public-comment period – according to the notice, if you’re interested in commenting, you have until July 11th – here’s how. The bulletin also includes a notice of a different permit application related to the project, a “Shoreline Substantial Development” application; its comment deadline isn’t until 7/27, and you can comment here.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Auto theft; 2 car prowls
June 28, 2012 12:47 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

3 quick West Seattle Crime Watch notes this afternoon: First, Jeff‘s black Highlander with gray leather interior was stolen Sunday in the 8600 block of 36th SW and hasn’t been found yet – so if you see one that appears out of place in your neighborhood, please call police. Next, two car-prowl reports on opposite ends of West Seattle, this one from Lauren:

Just thought that this might help others in the area. My car window was broken and my purse, which was shoved under my seat and covered, was stolen from Westcrest dog park at approximately 1 pm today. The officers that responded to my call stated that there was another similar car break-in at the park last week at the same time.

And another car-prowl report was posted in the WSB Forum – member “WS Born” reported that her daughter was parked along Harbor Avenue near the 7-11 around 6 am Wednesday, went for a run, and came back to find a window smashed and “items stolen” from her car.

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Siren Song Wines: Welcoming a new West Seattle Blog sponsor
June 28, 2012 11:20 am
|      18 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS beverages

(8/14 note: To check whether a business is still a current WSB sponsor, please go here)

This morning we welcome West Seattle’s own Siren Song Wines as a new WSB sponsor. Here’s what winemaker Kevin Brown (at right, with Holly Brown) would like you to know about Siren Song – which is part of a special event at a local restaurant this Saturday:

Siren Song Wines is a boutique winery in West Seattle specializing in premium varietals and blends. We’ve won multiple awards including a gold medal for our 2009 “A Night in Madrid” at the 2012 Washington Wine Competition.

Our customers love the high quality and variety of wines that we make. For example, we made 7 wines in 2009, which is challenging for a small winery. They also love the advantages of our wine club.

We belong to the Seattle Urban Wineries group. We are partnered with many West Seattle restaurants including La Romanza, Phoenecia, Pizzeria 22, and Blackboard Bistro, as well as with Bin 41 and West Seattle Cellars.

Siren Song Wines is online at sirensongwines.com. They are also part of the Roast Pigapalooza event at Blackboard Bistro this Saturday:

This will be the party of the summer – one that you don’t want to miss! We will be roasting a whole pig, presenting various small plates, and sipping delicious wines. This will be very “West Seattle casual.” Chef Jacob Wiegner will be preparing this wonderful, imaginative dining experience. Kevin Brown of Siren Song Wines will be presenting a tasting of three wines from his 2009 vintage. Price: $30/person plus tax and gratuity. To purchase tickets, call (206) 257-4832.

We thank Siren Song Wines 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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Highline Medical Center exploring ‘affiliation’ with Franciscan Health System
June 28, 2012 9:42 am
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Health | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Though it’s based in Burien, Highline Medical Center has clinics in West Seattle – where it’s starting work in The Triangle on a new home for its Urgent Care Center – so its announcement this morning is of potential interest to local patients. Highline says it’s looking to join forces with another regional health-care organization:

Highline Medical Center in Burien and the Tacoma-based Franciscan Health System announced today they have agreed to explore a strategic affiliation.

Read More

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Update: West Seattle’s Constantine, Cody, McDermott on health-care ruling
June 28, 2012 8:12 am
|      50 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

You’ve probably heard already that the U.S. Supreme Court upheld most of of President Obama’s health-care law (here’s what it means for our state). The first West Seattle politician to comment is King County Executive Dow Constantine – his statement, ahead (10:25 AM UPDATE – we also have heard from West Seattle’s State Rep. Eileen Cody and County Councilmember Joe McDermott, and are adding their statements after Constantine’s):Read More

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West Seattle Thursday: Fruit fundraiser; Design Review; ‘Shop Late’
June 28, 2012 6:57 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(An Alki Ave.-crossing river otter, in Alex‘s photo, shared via Guy – who’s photographed one too)
From the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar:

TRAFFIC ALERTS FOR TODAY/TONIGHT: From our day-by-day combined list of closures: The closure of eastbound surface Spokane St. between 4th and 6th continues all day today and all night. Southbound Alaskan Way Viaduct/99 will close again tonight, 9 pm-5 am. (And another reminder, it’s scheduled to close 11 pm Friday-9 am Sunday, too.) We don’t have word from SDOT whether the SW Alaska rechannelization work will continue today, but if you are Junction/Triangle-bound, be ready to possibly wade through a construction zone.

BENEFIT CHERRY SALE: As previewed here Tuesday, the parents of a Green Lake woman fighting a brain tumor plan to set up alongside Emma Schmitz Overlook (on Beach Drive across from Me-Kwa-Mooks) 11 am-1 pm today to sell cherries to raise money for her ongoing expenses. (Here’s an update on what type of cherries they’ll be selling.)

WADING POOL UPDATE: Depending on the weather, this is scheduled to be opening day for the Delridge wading pool. Check the hotline at (206) 684-7796 to see if the city will open its pools today (it did yesterday!).

FIREWORKS SALES IN UNINCORPORATED AREAS: They’re banned inside the Seattle city limits, but if you’re reading this in White Center or another part of unincorporated King County, personal fireworks go on sale at noon today, but can only be used – in the areas where they’re legal – on the 4th of July.

TEEN SKETCHBOOK/FAN ART: 12-18-year-olds are invited to bring their work to the Southwest Library today (35th/Henderson), 1-2 pm. Details here.

‘SHOP LATE THURSDAY’ IN THE JUNCTION: 6-9 pm – participant list here, including Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor) and Twilight Artist Collective teaming up on a T-shirt sale – promising lots of cool art-print designs, 20 percent off. Also: Sweetie Boutique is celebrating its 9th anniversary, 7-10 pm, with a sale and raffles.

DESIGN REVIEW MEETING FOR 3829 CALIFORNIA SW: A proposed 30-apartment building gets its Early Design Guidance review before the Southwest Design Review Board at 6:30 tonight, Senior Center of West Seattle (California/Oregon). Here’s our report from last week, including a link to the design “packet.”

WEST SEATTLE DEMOCRATIC WOMEN: This month’s WSDW meeting at the West Seattle Golf Course is Movie Night, with “Fair Game: My Life as a Spy,” the Valerie Plame Wilson story, at 6:30 pm, followed by a discussion, preceded by dinner/hors d’oeuvres. If interested, call ASAP to see if there’s still room – contact info and other details are here.

XANADU, NIGHT 2: ArtsWest‘s youth-apprenticeship musical based on the roller-disco movie skates across the stage for its second night, 7:30 pm.

BURLESQUE: 9 pm at Skylark Café and Club (3803 Delridge Way SW) – check for online ticket availability (or buy at the door).

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West Seattle weather: Sights in the sky, and what’s ahead
June 28, 2012 4:55 am
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

In case you missed them … some of the Wednesday end-of-day cloud formations appeared to have been brushed across the sky. Thanks to Karen White for the top photo; Michele Smith took the next one from Shorewood:

End result at sunset time, from Debra Salazar Herbst:

As for today – the forecast suggests rain will return, though not before afternoon/evening.

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Federal coyote hunter in West Seattle: ‘Fact-finding mission,’ says boss
June 27, 2012 9:19 pm
|      64 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Wildlife

coyote2.jpg

(April 2008 WSB photo – the only coyote we’ve ever seen near our Upper Fauntleroy HQ)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

When we first reported two nights ago about an apparent federal coyote hunter/trapper appearing in the south West Seattle neighborhood of Seola Beach, after coyotes attacked pet dogs this spring, we promised a followup.

We’ve made a lot of phone calls. We’ve noticed others picking up this story and turning it into something different.

The story here isn’t the fact coyotes are in a West Seattle neighborhood. As you know if you’ve been here more than a few years, they’re in just about every neighborhood here – and elsewhere in the city, and many other cities in the country.

The story remains the revelation that you can hire a federal agency – the U.S. Department of Agriculture‘s Wildlife Services division – to come in and kill coyotes in your neighborhood. This may not be new, but it’s little-reported, so far as we have found through multiple exhaustive online-archive searches.

If you missed our previous story – a man we have since confirmed is indeed a Wildlife Services agent turned up in Seola Beach on Sunday night. Neighbor Garry e-mailed us about it, saying the man was asking about coyote sightings and saying he was from the federal government and, Garry went on, out to “find/hunt and probably dispose of at least one, perhaps two, coyotes that have been getting too close to humans.”

Some key information following Monday night’s story has come from commenters – especially Beth‘s reminder that she e-mailed us about the reported dog attacks two months ago. She also shared the letter that was being circulated in her neighborhood. We found it, unopened, in our e-mail archives; Beth had written at the time that her neighbor said it was OK for us to share. It read:

Most of you already know about the aggressive coyote problem that we are having. A couple of weeks ago your neighbor took her dog outside in front of her house at 11 pm for the last evening’s potty break and 2 coyotes attacked and killed the dog in front of her. This week another dog was attacked and killed while on a leash walking in the evening.

What you may not know, and what I did not know, is that no one is really responsible for controlling coyotes–even if they attack a human. The police will come if you call 911 during an immediate attack.

The US dept of agriculture and wildlife regional office in Mill Creek recommends we hire a government trapper/hunter for a fee of $1200. The trapper that specializes in West Seattle is Aaron Stevens, (phone # omitted). Aaron says that other communities have formed a co-op to fund the USDA coyote hunters.

This is what Aaron has informed me: Once the individual coyotes have learned humans are no threat, they become more and more bold/aggressive/frequent in their attacks. Our 2 coyotes probably have a litter of pups nearby that they are feeding and producing milk for; they will teach their young that humans are nothing to fear. They can attack anything under 25 lbs, including a child. He will hunt these two aggressive coyotes and remove them. Other coyotes may move into their place but will behave as normal fearful community coyotes, like we have always had. This is how he will manage the population. Once he is paid, he will continue to track the population as he gets reports from us, police, neighbors and nearby individuals.

Aaron is the name recalled by Seola Beach resident Garry, whose note to us on Sunday night is what led to our first story. While we didn’t have a name to check during our first conversation with Wildlife Services on Monday, we did when we called back this afternoon, and they confirmed that’s one of their agents.

Here’s what else we found out – not just from the federal agency, but also from the city:Read More

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3 weeks till West Seattle Outdoor Movies 2012: Poster debuts!
June 27, 2012 7:45 pm
|    Comments Off on 3 weeks till West Seattle Outdoor Movies 2012: Poster debuts!
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle Outdoor Movies


This year’s West Seattle Outdoor Movies poster is out – one of the fun summer promotional posters you’ll see around town over the next few months. And it gives us a chance to remind you of the lineup. It starts with a special pre-season, adults-only Friday night benefit event on July 20th – “50/50,” admission with a suggested donation to support Thrive Through Cancer, a West Seattle-headquartered nonprofit. The following six movie nights are free, all ages, Saturday night showings, as always:

JULY 21: “Pretty in Pink“; preshow entertainment by “Bobcat Bob” Rice

JULY 28: “Young Frankenstein”; preshow entertainment by jump-rope ace Rene Bibaud

AUGUST 4: “Lion King“; preshow entertainment by Louie Foxx Magic Show (plus a free community barbecue)

AUGUST 11: “Iron Man“; preshow entertainment “secret musical guests” (!)

AUGUST 18: “Yellow Submarine“; preshow entertainment “Trivia With Jessie” (from Skylark Café and Club)

AUGUST 25: “Top Gun“; preshow entertainment “secret musical guests” (plus free pizza)

These events all happen in the courtyard between Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor) and the dental building that’s home to Dr. Heidi Horwitz, DDS (WSB sponsor) and Dr. Gerald Wolff. Movies start at dusk, with the gates opening a couple hours ahead of time – don’t show up at the last minute, it’s usually a hot ticket! (P.S. The poster is by Riverbed Design.)

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One week till 4th of July! Can you help with The Junction’s flags?
June 27, 2012 5:23 pm
|      18 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | How to help | West Seattle news

(WSB photo from July 4, 2011)
It wouldn’t be a patriotic holiday without the American flags lining California SW through The Junction. But a little help is needed this time around. From the just-circulated West Seattle Junction Association e-mail newsletter:

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO HELP PUT UP FLAGS IN THE JUNCTION!

The Junction Association puts up flags on all appropriate occasions. The Junction’s handy-man Don has been putting up flags for years, but health issues have made repeated trips up and down the stairs increasingly difficult for him.

So, who wants to help Don on the 4th of July?!

The volunteer job includes meeting him at 7:30am to put them out, and 6pm to put them away. The job includes lots of stair walking since the flags are stored in the basement of the Cupcake Royale building.

We are looking to create a list of interested people, so if you’d like to be called upon for this 4th of July or in the future, please e-mail Liz Schroeder at liz@wsjunction.org or call 935-0904.

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Tonight: ‘Xanadu’ at ArtsWest; Highland Park Action Committee
June 27, 2012 4:27 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Highland Park | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

This day got off to such a running start, we never published the daily preview. Here are two happenings of note:

(Photo courtesy ArtsWest)
XANADU OPENING NIGHT: ArtsWest‘s youth-apprenticeship program is ready to roll with tonight’s debut of “Xanadu,” 7:30 pm, first of more than a dozen performances between now and mid-July. Yes, it is indeed based on the roller-disco movie that starred Olivia Newton-John! Come cheer on an energetic cast of on-the-rise young performers. (Online ticket purchasing here – for tonight, just go to the box office.)

HIGHLAND PARK ACTION COMMITTEE: HPAC sent out this preview for its monthly meeting, which it dubbed “Sustainable Highland Park“:

Please join us (tonight) to hear about green home incentives, and how to get rebates for all kinds of fun stuff for your Highland Park property like rain gardens (using the water that falls on your own roof or driveway), cisterns, energy assessments, and energy upgrades. We’ll have a series of speakers from King County, Sustainable Seattle, Seattle Public Utilities and Community Power Works.

Meeting at 7 pm at the Highland Park Improvement Club on 12th and Holden, but come early to meet your awesome neighbors at the 6:30 potluck.

And a few other events are on the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar, which you can check any time.

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West Seattle businesses: Dress Barn closes at Westwood Village
June 27, 2012 2:52 pm
|      34 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | Westwood

Thanks to Colette for the tip: The women’s-clothing chain Dress Barn has closed its West Seattle location. The chain is owned by Ascena Retail Group, which made some recent acquisitions elsewhere in the women’s-clothing business and also announced it’s shutting down Fashion Bug (which is what Dress Barn used to be); we couldn’t find anyone at corporate HQ to discuss this closure, but Westwood Village management confirms that the store cleared out after deciding not to renew its lease. No one is locked in to take over the space yet, but they’ve had some interest.

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West Seattle traffic alert: SW Alaska rechannelization work
June 27, 2012 12:48 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

There’s been so much road work around West Seattle the past few months that you might not have even paid this much heed, but SW Alaska through The Triangle and Junction has extra work going on today – it’s the final phase of the work to rechannelize SW Alaska, linked to the RapidRide bus line starting in September. We already mentioned the parking removal that started taking effect earlier this month; now they’re working on the lane changes – our photo shows the crew that was installing overhead signage for the lane changes. Here are the toplines, from an SDOT news release published here in April:

· Install an eastbound business access and transit Lane (BAT) between 42nd Avenue SW and 40th Avenue SW

· Install a westbound BAT lane between Fauntleroy Way and 42nd Avenue SW

· Remove parking on the north side of SW Alaska Street between California Avenue SW and 42nd Avenue SW and north side of SW Alaska Street between 41st Avenue SW and Fauntleroy; remove parking on south side of SW Alaska Street between 42nd and Fauntleroy

· Install a westbound left turn pocket at California Avenue and SW Alaska Street

· Install an eastbound left turn pocket at 42nd Avenue SW and SW Alaska Street

· Install a westbound bicycle lane between Fauntleroy Way and approximately 30 feet west of 41st Avenue SW

This has all been in the works for more than a year; SDOT announced its decision last September.

3:32 PM UPDATE: WSB contributor Christopher Boffoli photographed some of the road-surface work that’s also going on:

We asked SDOT why there wasn’t a traffic-alert notice about today’s work, since they usually send alerts about something this significant. From spokesperson Peg Nielsen:

Work on the transit priority corridor in West Seattle is ongoing. Some work has been difficult to schedule in advance due to variable weather conditions. We expect the work will take another week or two before rechannelization changes are implemented, and are working on an update to send out tomorrow, including signage and pavement marking.

SDOT did send out an overall advisory when RapidRide work started weeks ago, but this round seems to be affecting traffic more than some of the other components, such as bus shelter and curb bulb installation.

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Junction development: Oregon 42 site aerial; 4515 41st for sale
June 27, 2012 11:25 am
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 |   Development | West Seattle news

Two notes this morning from the east side of The Junction:


(Click picture for larger image)
Thanks to West Seattle pilot/photographer Long Bach Nguyen for that new aerial of the Oregon 42 site at 42nd/Oregon, where excavation is now under way, following demolition of the remaining three homes on the site. It’s had development plans since 2008, but the first round stalled and a revised proposal was unveiled one year ago; nothing happened till last month, when a fence went up and we confirmed with the site’s San Diego owners/developers that they were about to begin. The homes were demolished in late May. The project is planned for 131 apartments.

Immediately east of that same block, a potential development site has just gone back on the market:

That’s 4515 41st SW, in a (newly added) photo by WSB contributor Christopher Boffoli. He also photographed the site in 2007, following development proposals including an idea for a park-and-(car)pool facility. (City files show a 7-story apartment-building proposal was canceled in 2010.) The 2007 $1.5 million listing apparently did not yield a sale, as county records currently show no changes since the current owners bought it for $925,000 in 2005. Today, a tipster points out its brand-new listing for $2.8 million, with the description: “Fantastic development site right in the heart of the West Seattle Junction. Zoned LR3 and in the West Seattle Junction Hub Urban Village and Frequent Transit Corridor. Possible 70+/- units …” (Before you comment on the price comparison, please note we haven’t verified whether it’s the exact same lot size as the previous proposal – just that it’s the same street address.)

P.S. Also in the 4500 block of 41st, a relatively small townhouse project is up for “streamlined administrative design review,” which means no board meeting, but its design packet is publicly available online.

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