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Followup: South Park cottage off the riverbank, onto a barge
April 21, 2014 9:49 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   South Park | West Seattle news

9:49 AM: Over the weekend, we reported on a South Park cottage being moved off a little slice of Duwamish River shoreline to make way for a pocket park, pointing out that you might notice the 95-year-old house floating past West Seattle shores (on the river or the bay) as it’s taken to a new site in the San Juans. Crews from Nickel Bros. started work early this morning and already have the cottage on a barge, as our photo shows. We don’t yet know the timetable from here, but if you see it pass, now you know!

9:54 AM UPDATE: And literally two minutes after we published the first take of this story, the barge and house passed Duwamish Waterway Park, where we had been working in hopes of catching it as it goes by:

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West Seattle development: Community-petitioned meeting set for 4439 41st SW
April 21, 2014 8:15 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

Announced this morning: The city has set the date for a public-comment meeting on 4439 41st SW, the 40-apartment, five-parking-space project that has drawn opposition from neighbors including nearby schools and churches. Today’s Land Use Information Bulletin includes the official notice of the meeting – 7 pm Thursday, May 8th, at the Senior Center of West Seattle (California/Oregon). The project did not require a meeting, as it’s not subject to Design Review, but the community can request one on a project by collecting at least 50 petition signatures. Petitions were circulated after an organizational meeting three weeks ago (WSB coverage here). This is the same type of meeting held in recent months for projects including 6536 24th SW in March, 3210 California SW in February, and 4535 44th SW in November.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Monday updates, notes
April 21, 2014 6:30 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Latest bridge and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Monday traffic watch begins. Note the earlier crash on Sylvan Way; we won’t be able to check back for a while, so please let us know (206-293-6302) if you drive through the area and it’s still blocked. Meantime, transportation-news notes:

SPRING BREAK, PART 2: While Seattle Public Schools had last week off, this week is spring break for local parochial schools, so you’ll still see different traffic patterns and more kids out and about than you usually do on weekdays.

SW GENESEE IS OPEN AGAIN: Just in case you hadn’t been by SW Genesee east of Avalon Way since last week’s concrete-panel-replacement work, we doublechecked on Sunday and it’s all done; the hill is reopened.

HIGHWAY 99 LANE CLOSURES: Just north of downtown, tonight and tomorrow night, as explained here.

2 DAYS LEFT TO VOTE ON PROP 1: Tuesday night is the deadline. This morning, bus riders in The Junction will see some campaigning; our Sunday night story explains.

10:07 AM UPDATE: County Executive Dow Constantine, talking with bus riders before catching RapidRide downtown:

Separate Election Eve update to come later.

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Update: Car flips in High Point, 1 person to hospital
April 21, 2014 4:06 am
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   High Point | West Seattle news | WS breaking news

(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)
FIRST REPORT, 4:06 AM: Seattle Fire crews have just started arriving at Sylvan Way/SW Holly (map) after a “heavy rescue” dispatch. The first unit on the scene, Engine 11, reported via radio that there’s a rolled-over car at the scene. Three people were reported to have gotten out of the vehicle. More to come.

4:29 AM: Our crew at the scene says this is just east of Forest Lawn Cemetery (WSB sponsor), near Sylvan Ridge Townhomes. The vehicle was believed to have been westbound. One person has been taken to the hospital by private ambulance. A tow truck is already on scene so while Sylvan is blocked now, probably won’t be closed much longer.

4:50 AM: Just added photos. The car took out a streetlight pole; police were notifying SDOT.

1:25 PM: One bit of followup information – police tell us there were actually two people in the car, not three, both in their 20s. Though only one went to the hospital, both reported minor injuries.

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Update: Boston Marathon this morning, with at least FIVE West Seattleites; solidarity run here tonight
April 21, 2014 1:13 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

ORIGINAL REPORT, 1:13 AM: People coast to coast (and beyond) will no doubt be watching the Boston Marathon more closely than ever this morning, because of what happened a year ago. But it of course has long been an inspiring event all its own. More than 170 of this year’s runners list Seattle as their hometown. The youngest among them is from West Seattle – 20-year-old Matthew Haggerty – and this isn’t even his first time running the Boston Marathon; we reported on his previous run in 2012, when he was a senior at Seattle Lutheran High School (our story also noted his community-service projects). That year, he finished 227th out of more than 27,000 runners! Today, he’ll wear bib 363, according to info on the Boston Marathon website, and will be in the group starting at 7 am our time. You can track the race and runners online; the race website promises video streaming too. (Any other West Seattleites there? Please let us know!)

REMINDER – SOLIDARITY RUN IN WEST SEATTLE TONIGHT: 6:30 pm, from West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) at California/Charlestown – here’s our preview.

ADDED 4:41 AM: Thanks to Sybil for the tip that there’s at least one more West Seattleite, 28-year-old Danielle Villarreal, who also will be in the 7 am “wave” of runners, with bib 8329.

ADDED 8:45 AM: Thanks to Mike for tweeting that 35-year-old Kirsten Garner is running today too (bib 18480)!

ADDED 10:15 AM: And via Facebook, we get word that 43-year-old West Seattleite Sharman McAllister is running too! We’ll be checking on everybody in a bit. If you get word – please comment, or e-mail us – editor@westseattleblog.com – photos from Boston welcome too!

ADDED 10:49 AM: From Michael Copeland via e-mail: “West Seattle is also being represented in Boston today by Julie Granahan … she’s a fellow Keller Williams agent.”

1:28 PM UPDATE: We’ve found out that Matt Haggerty had an injury and did not run today after all. But there is another West Seattleite – Martin deVrieze – we’ll have an update soon on how he and the other runners did. And there’s still time to tell us if we’re missing anyone else! editor@westseattleblog.com

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Update: Police search in Alki area after home hit by BBs
April 20, 2014 10:52 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

10:52 PM: Police are out in the 3000 block of Alki after what was first reported as a possible drive-by shooting. No injuries are reported, but some damage was apparently done by someone firing what radio communication indicates was likely a BB gun.

MONDAY 1:27 PM UPDATE: Police confirm BBs were what hit the residence on Alki, “two holes,” they say. No vehicle or suspect seen; no injuries.

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Last-minute campaigning with 2 more days to vote on Proposition 1
April 20, 2014 9:08 pm
|      27 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

IF you haven’t yet marked and returned your ballot – just one issue, Proposition 1 for Metro and roads money – you have two more days; it’s due Tuesday night (April 22nd). Last-minute campaigning continues – dozens of “No on Prop 1” signs turned up along West Seattle arterials overnight; Prop 1 supporters say King County Executive Dow Constantine plans to campaign for it tomorrow morning at the California/Alaska RapidRide stop in The Junction before catching the bus to downtown, where he and Mayor Ed Murray plan a 9:30 am rally in the Benaroya Hall lobby.

Whichever way you’re voting, you can either put a stamp on your ballot and drop it in the mail, or you can drop it off – no stamp required – at the West Seattle or White Center ballot vans 10 am-5 pm tomorrow, 10 am-8 pm Tuesday. (There are dropoff locations elsewhere – maybe one close to someplace else you’ll be – locations are listed here.)

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Free shredding, recycling events in West Seattle next weekend
April 20, 2014 4:58 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | West Seattle news

In honor of both Earth Day and spring cleaning, you might be interested in two events next weekend:

(Watch your docs get shredded! WSB photo from April 2013 event)
FREE SHREDDING ON SATURDAY: Next Saturday (April 26th) at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW), 9 am-noon, Roger Steiner of IHeartWestSeattle.com co-sponsors a free shredding event. Here’s a page full of information on what to shred and what not to shred. (C&P and IHWS are both WSB sponsors.)

FREE RECYCLING ON SUNDAY: Then on Sunday (April 27th), it’s the next Fauntleroy UCC Church (9130 California SW) Recycle Roundup, 9 am-3 pm, with a long, long list of items accepted by 1 Green Planet at no charge (the church’s Green Committee, which organizes this popular event twice a year, will accept free-will donations). See the list here.

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Think summer: Signup time for 2014 Westside Basketball Camp for Girls
April 20, 2014 4:45 pm
|    Comments Off on Think summer: Signup time for 2014 Westside Basketball Camp for Girls
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Third- through eighth-grade girls are invited to sign up for this year’s Westside Basketball Camp for Girls, led by the West Seattle High School division-champion girls-basketball coaches, head coach Sonya Elliott and assistant coaches Ashley Iaone and Jackie Breding. It’s July 14-17, 9 am-1 pm, $95 for the entire four-day session. Get the registration form here; find out more at westseattlegirlsbasketball.wordpress.com.

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West Seattle scene: Is this where the Easter Bunny hides?
April 20, 2014 2:04 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

“Can you see the petrified Easter Bunny in the photo from Schmitz Park?” asked the photographer who sent us the image. (Closer look here.)

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Congratulations! Three West Seattle schools win Washington Achievement Awards
April 20, 2014 11:42 am
|    Comments Off on Congratulations! Three West Seattle schools win Washington Achievement Awards
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Chief Sealth International High School, West Seattle High School, and Denny International Middle School have just received Washington Achievement Awards for academic improvement/growth, according to our area’s Seattle Public Schools Board rep, Marty McLaren. They are among 29 in the district. McLaren announced, “West Seattle High School and Chief Seattle International High Schools were both recognized for High Progress. Denny International Middle School received special recognition for Math Growth.” A few hours after McLaren’s announcement, Sealth’s first-year principal Aida Fraser-Hammer sent one, noting, “This is an extraordinary accomplishment and is a direct reflection of the hard work and the dedication of our teachers and students, and the support of our parents.” Overall, McLaren added, “It’s also important to recognize the tireless commitment and enthusiasm of all of our staff members throughout the district. Congratulations and thanks to all for bringing our students so far.” An award ceremony is set for Thursday in Lacey.

(SPS is on spring break until tomorrow; if any other winning principals send announcements when classes resume, we’ll add them to the story.)

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West Seattle Sunday: Easter 2014, and other highlights
April 20, 2014 5:04 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Today is Easter Sunday, and the sixth day of Passover. And it’s the time of year when – as shown in Danny McMillin‘s photo – the geese known as brant are in our area fueling up for their northward migration. Enjoy watching them while they’re here. And enjoy your day, which includes these highlights:

EASTER SERVICES: West Seattle churches that sent requests to be listed for today are on this list (starting with the UCC churches’ combined sunrise service at Alki). Several also are featuring egg hunts after/between services.

SALVATION ARMY EGG HUNT: 9:45 am in the gym at their White Center/West Seattle facility. (9050 16th SW)

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Yes, it’s on, 10 am-2 pm. Special extra today: Blue Geisha Tattoo will be back for a second Easter Sunday with free facepainting and temp tattoos for kids. (44th/Alaska)

WEST SEATTLE ULTIMATE FAMILY FRISBEE: Late start for Easter Sunday, noon, Walt Hundley Playfield @ High Point. (31st/Myrtle)

GARDENING PRESENTATION AT WEST SEATTLE BRANCH LIBRARY: Yes, Seattle Public Library branches ARE open today, and at the Admiral branch, you’ll find a special 2 pm presentation about cool-season gardening – details in our calendar listing. (2326 42nd SW)

ALL-AGES LIVE MUSIC: The Feelgood Band of the Year performs at Skylark Café and Club, 4 pm. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

SING FOR OSO: As previewed here earlier in the weekend, the Vietnamese Cultural Center in West Seattle is hosting a karaoke fundraiser for mudslide victims today, 3-7 pm, donations to the American Red Cross. (2234 SW Orchard)

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Why this house will soon be floating past West Seattle’s shore
April 19, 2014 9:50 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   South Park | West Seattle news

Tonight, that 980-square-foot cottage is on the South Park riverfront site where it’s sat for 95 years, at 12th Avenue South and South Elmgrove. In a few days, you might notice it as it floats past West Seattle’s eastern/northeastern shore. It’s up on blocks and wheels, preparing for a move that’s scheduled to start early Monday. The house will be loaded onto a barge by the house-moving specialists at Nickel Bros. (which had listed it here), and taken to its new home on Orcas Island in the San Juans. While the house’s new owner is paying for that, Seattle Public Utilities is the agency clearing the site for future use as a street-end pocket park. The park will fulfill SPU’s obligation to provide something in exchange for taking over a street end elsewhere in South Park to build a new pump station. County records show the city paid $180,000 six months ago for the house and its 2,000-square-foot riverside lot.

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West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day countdown: 3 weeks!
April 19, 2014 7:31 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Community Garage Sale Day | West Seattle news

If you love to shop garage/yard sales, only three weeks until the big day – the 10th annual West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day, 9 am-3 pm Saturday, May 10th. 180 sales are registered – individual, block, group, business, even entire apartment/condo complexes, all over the peninsula! If you’re having a sale but haven’t signed up yet, 4 more days to do that by going here; deadline is Wednesday night, April 23rd, so we can make the maps/guides available a week in advance (you’ll find them here and at westseattlegaragesale.com).

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Happening now: Junction Tax-Free Day; Record Store Day
April 19, 2014 4:41 pm
|    Comments Off on Happening now: Junction Tax-Free Day; Record Store Day
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

The rain stopped! (For now.) So if it kept you home – get out and go shop The Junction in the final hours of “Tax-Free” Sale Day ’14. Above, that’s Courtney Sievertsen of Wallflower Custom Framing (WSB sponsor) on 42nd SW north of SW Edmunds – a reminder that Junction shopping stretches beyond California SW. Red balloons mark the participating stores/restaurants; today’s participant list is here. Another reason to visit The Junction, the Record Store Day celebration/sale (lineup here) that’s continuing into the evening at Easy Street Records, with special guests:

West Seattle’s own Caspar Babypants isn’t performing but he’s been deejaying and signing. And the grand finale at ESR is still a few hours away – Rose Windows, live in-store at 7 pm.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Lincoln Park robbery arrest; more
April 19, 2014 4:10 pm
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

A brand-new update on SPD Blotter answers some questions we’d been looking into involving police presence at and near Lincoln Park late last night. Police responding to a report of some kind of fight in the park around 11 pm found a teenager who said another teen had stolen his phone. They found and arrested a suspect – and recovered the stolen phone – on a bus south of the park. Read the full summary on SPD Blotter.

One other Crime Watch report in queue: Another North Admiral car prowl this week; the victim, who didn’t want her name to be published, said, “Our vehicle’s window was broken (Wednesday night). We heard a loud sound around 9:30 pm and saw a white commercial van with blue lettering driving away. We didn’t think anything of it and then discovered the broken window (in the) morning. Nothing was stolen.” (One more reminder: Even if nothing’s taken, even if there’s no damage, police say, please report car prowls! You can even do that online.)

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Video: About the Ospreys’ flyover …
April 19, 2014 2:03 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Seen around town | West Seattle news

Did you see/hear the V-22 Ospreys flying over the city a bit earlier? We were downtown when we saw them, but a couple notes say they passed over West Seattle too. We and others had been searching for info for a while – and then, the video above turned up. It was tweeted from Snohomish County by Tyler Brunkhorst, who described it as the Presidential helicopter fleet preparing for President Obama‘s scheduled visit to the Oso mudslide zone on Tuesday. This CNN.com story suggests the Ospreys just joined the Presidential fleet last year.

P.S. In what so far as we know is just a coincidence, an Osprey flyby was reported here exactly three years ago, on April 19, 2011 – Anne and Doug dug up the WSB link.

P.P.S. While trying to find info about today’s sightings, we noted that NEXT Saturday (April 26th) is the Mariners’ Salute to Armed Forces Night. In years past, that’s brought flyovers. The pre-game events next Saturday are scheduled for 5:30 pm.

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Duwamish Alive! volunteer cleanup, on the river and off
April 19, 2014 1:50 pm
|    Comments Off on Duwamish Alive! volunteer cleanup, on the river and off
 |   Environment | South Park | West Seattle news

It’s just about wrapup time for the spring edition of Duwamish Alive! – a twice-yearly day of volunteer cleanup/restoration work to help the Duwamish River and its watershed/feeder waterways. One of the busiest sites this morning was on the South Park shoreline, at Duwamish Waterway Park. With the help of Puget Soundkeeper Alliance and Alki Kayak Tours, volunteers were launching kayaks to head out and pick up shoreline debris. Park habitat and raingarden work was being done at the park, too. (Update: Via Facebook, Soundkeeper says volunteers removed 260 pounds of debris from the river.)

This was one of 11 Duwamish Alive! sites from West Seattle to Georgetown to South Park to Tukwila; the fall edition will be in October. (Any photos from other sites today? We’d love to add more to this story – editor@westseattleblog.com – and thanks to all who volunteered!)

ADDED 6:01 PM: From Rory Denovan:

Roxhill Bog had a dozen hardy volunteers for Duwamish Alive. We filled a dumpster full of non-native invasive plants and picked up almost as much litter.

Plans are in the works to head back out in a month or so for more weeding and mulching. We’re determined to get the Park in shape so people can see how really beautiful and diverse the native bog plants are.

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Just in time! West Seattle’s community-center egg hunts beat the rain
April 19, 2014 1:08 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news

The rain held off until JUST after the simultaneous egg hunts at West Seattle-area city-run community centers – above and below, our photos from High Point CC:

Next two are from Hiawatha CC, shared by Jason Grotelueschen:

We also went to South Park CC:

And (added late Saturday night) thanks to Tom from the Southwest Advisory Council for sharing photos from their egg hunt and April Pools Day events:

Alki and Delridge CC’s had egg-hunt events too.

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West Seattle weekend scene: Earth Day Run on Alki
April 19, 2014 11:23 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Thanks to David Hutchinson for sharing his view of the start of this morning’s Earth Day Run on Alki – second year for the event, first time on Alki.

Next big run at the beach is the West Seattle 5K on Sunday, May 18th (four weeks from tomorrow), benefiting the WSHS PTSA.

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West Seattle Thriftway’s 2014 egg hunt: Aisles of smiles
April 19, 2014 9:42 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Fun stuff to do | Holidays | West Seattle news

9:42 AM: Our first photo in from the first egg hunt of the day – West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor), popular as ever – this little egg-seeker just wanted to stop down and enjoy his finds!

ADDED 11:02 AM: Thanks to Mike Katz for sharing this photo:

Eleanore and Mimi meet the Easter Bunny! Many thanks to Thriftway for their 27th annual Easter Egg Hunt! We had such a great time. We’d like to thank all the staff for putting in such a wonderful community event.

ADDED 3:24 PM: More WSB photos, starting with a different “Easter bunny” encounter in the store:

Egg hunters and families just kept streaming in:

Treasure even turned up by the coffee bar …

… and we spotted a basket at a checkstand …

… and a chance to recycle the plastic eggs on the way out!

Thriftway has dozens of its own photos from today on the store’s Facebook page.

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West Seattle Saturday: Egg hunts; Duwamish Alive!; Junction Tax-Free Day; Record Store Day; Earth Day Run; more
April 19, 2014 6:03 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Saturday: Egg hunts; Duwamish Alive!; Junction Tax-Free Day; Record Store Day; Earth Day Run; more
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by Mark Bauschke, shared via the WSB Flickr group)
So much happening today! From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, highlights from morning until night, starting with an event that includes a traffic alert:

ALKI TRAFFIC ALERT FOR EARTH DAY RUN: Traffic/parking restrictions will be in effect along Alki Avenue in the 9-11 am vicinity because of the second annual Earth Day Run, first time on Alki. Start time is listed as 9:30 am, with post-race events continuing until noon.

EGG HUNTS TODAY

9 am – West Seattle Thriftway (California/Fauntleroy/Morgan; WSB sponsor) egg hunt – get there early, there’s always a line!

10 am – Seattle Parks & Rec community-center egg hunt of your choice:
*********Alki – 5817 SW Stevens – billed as for ages 11 and under
*********Delridge – 4501 Delridge Way SW – for ages 3-11
*********Hiawatha – 2700 California SW – for 3-11
*********High Point – 6920 34th SW – for 3-11
*********South Park – 8319 8th Ave. S. – for ages 1-10

11 am – Eastridge Church community egg hunt on the south side of Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) – bring donations for the diaper drive for WestSide Baby

Noon – Barnes & Noble/Westwood Village egg hunt (2600 SW Barton), right after 11 am seasonally themed story-time

WHAT ELSE IS UP

(WSB photo: Record Store Day art greeting on Easy Street marquee, spotted on Friday)
RECORD STORE DAY: From early morning on into the evening, Easy Street Records is the celebration epicenter – see the full lineup here; doors open at 7 am, signings throughout the day include West Seattle’s own Caspar Babypants signing and spinning 3-4 pm, and Rose Windows performing live in-store at 7 pm. (NW corner of California/Alaska)

DUWAMISH ALIVE! 10 am-2 pm, hundreds of volunteers are bringing TLC to sites along the Duwamish River and in its watershed. If you haven’t already signed up, pick a site and go join in – see the map here.

WEST SEATTLE JUNCTION ‘TAX-FREE SHOPPING DAY’: Look for the red balloons to see who’s participating – shops and restaurants that are will pick up your sales-tax cost for whatever you buy today. You can also see more than three dozen participants listed online.

APRIL POOL’S DAY: Free family event to promote water safety, with activities in and out of the water at Southwest Pool, 10:30 am-noon. (2801 SW Thistle)

ANTIQUE TYPEWRITERS: Last weekend we showed you one of the stops for “Ribbon and Rhyme,” in which antique typewriters are provided for YOU to tap out some art – poetry, perhaps.

Today, they’re at Southwest Branch Library, 1:30-4:30 pm. (35th/Henderson)

‘COLLAGE CURE’ ART SHOW: 2-6 pm installation at Highland Park Improvement Club – details here. (12th/Holden)

NATURE HIKE: “Owls and Other Organisms” evening hike with naturalist Stewart Wechsler in Lincoln Park, 6:30 pm – details here, including where to meet & suggested donation.

MUSIC OF OUR TIME: Piano, cello, soprano performing “Music of Our Time” concert at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor)’s Olympic Hall, 7:30 pm. (6000 16th SW)

ROCK ‘N’ ROLL REUNION: Widow, 30 years later! Tonight at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), 9:30 pm. (6451 California SW)

See the calendar for even more ...

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You can help! ‘Sing for Oso’ karaoke fundraiser on Sunday
April 19, 2014 5:31 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

Another chance to help the mudslide recovery up in Oso – a karaoke benefit in West Seattle on Sunday. Lee Bui from the Vietnamese Cultural Center invites you to come sing and donate, 3-7 pm Sunday at the center. He says an American Red Cross representative will be there to accept checks. The center is just north of Home Depot, at 2234 SW Orchard.

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