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West Seattle scenes: The Kenney’s annual barbecue
August 6, 2009 6:22 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Fauntleroy | The Kenney | West Seattle news

Later this month, The Kenney‘s century-old Seaview Building will be considered by the city Landmarks Preservation Board for designation as a city landmark – but tonight, it’s a stately backdrop for the retirement center’s annual barbecue. What’s for dinner, you ask? Salmon and hot dogs, among other things:

And though “green” may not be a color you associate with sizzling barbecue, The Kenney’s been making headlines for its Green Team (as reported here last year), and that led to some showcasing tonight as well:

Tonight’s music is being provided by the Duwamish Dixieland Jazz Band, who you can catch tomorrow night at Providence Mount St. Vincent‘s first show in this year’s Summer Concerts at The Mount (WSB sponsor) series (6 pm, free):

The Kenney’s guest list for tonight included hundreds of residents, neighbors, family and friends, and they’re scheduled to continue the celebration till about 7 pm.

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West Seattle man charged with child-pornography possession
August 6, 2009 6:05 pm
|      22 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

A Westwood man is charged with possessing and dealing in child pornography, according to King County Superior Court documents. The charges filed within the past week against 23-year-old Chas Voelckel result from a search of his home last October, in an investigation that began in June 2008, when police received a complaint about child-pornography images uploaded to a photo-sharing site. Investigators found 1,600 photos and more than 50 videos on computer equipment linked to Voelckel, according to court documents, which say he did not deny possessing child pornography. Some of the children in the photos are described in the court documents as “known victims” as young as 8 years old, though there is no indication that Voelckel took any of the photos himself. In addition to possession, he also is charged with dealing in child pornography, because of records showing that he transferred files to other people. Prosecutors asked that his bail be set at $25,000, saying investigators found online chat records in which Voelckel expressed a desire to sexually abuse a 10-year-old, and noted that:

“While the defendant may wish to be released to the custody of his mother, it’s important to note that his mother was fully aware that he was downloading and viewing child pornography and saw no problem with it because she believed that the children who were being sexually abused were from other countries.”

The mother’s address is listed as the same as the suspect’s. Meantime, in addition to the charges, court documents also indicate authorities were seeking a warrant for his arrest as of a week ago; there is no indication that he has been booked into King County Jail, so we will be checking tomorrow on his status. (Note: This story was first reported earlier this afternoon at seattlepi.com; we subsequently obtained the court documents, from which we gathered all the information reported in our story.) ADDED FRIDAY MORNING: King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office spokesperson Dan Donohoe tells WSB that Voelckel is scheduled for arraignment next Thursday, though he has not yet been booked.

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Followup: Guilty verdict in Stewart Manor stabbing
August 6, 2009 5:05 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

wardpic.jpgYou might remember the mugshot at left from last October, when police asked everyone to be on the lookout for Daniel P. Ward, wanted for stabbing his girlfriend multiple times with a box cutter at the Stewart Manor building at 34th/Morgan. He was arrested in November, and a tipster told us this afternoon that his trial just ended. King County Prosecuting Attorney‘s Office spokesperson Dan Donohoe confirms that Ward was found guilty on all charges: Attempted first-degree murder, first-degree assault, second-degree assault and felony harassment. Donohoe says the sentencing range is 20-30 years in prison, and Judge Michael Hayden is scheduled to sentence Ward on September 4th.

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Party like it’s 1999: West Seattle High School 10-year reunion
August 6, 2009 3:04 pm
|    Comments Off on Party like it’s 1999: West Seattle High School 10-year reunion
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people | West Seattle schools

Were you in one of those photos? An entire decade has passed since the year that sounded so far in the future when Prince sang about it in the ’80s … but passed, it has, and now West Seattle High School Class of 1999 reunion organizers are trying to get word out to their classmates. Jessica Seeley shared the photos, along with the invite:

West Seattle High School Class of 1999 Reunion
Location: Alki Beach Bathhouse
When: Saturday, September 26, 5:00 PM
Cost: $52 per person

Join us in celebrating the West Seattle High School Class of 1999 10-year reunion at the Alki Bathhouse in West Seattle.

Tickets are $52 via PayPal. Prices include:
-Appetizers
-Non-Alcoholic Berverages
-Beer and Wine
-Desserts
-Entertainment
-Spending time with the Class of ’99

Act quickly as ticket prices will go up if you buy them at the door!

We’re trying to get the word out to everyone any way we can, but we are still missing e-mails and mailing addresses. If you know of someone who … hasn’t heard about the reunion, please forward this to them! We want everyone to be included.

Thanks,
Jessica Seeley

You can use the Share This link below to e-mail this item, or to share it via Facebook or Twitter, among other services. And you can make your reservation by e-mailing the organizers directly: wshs1999@gmail.com

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Followups: 2 West Seattle fires might remain mysteries forever
August 6, 2009 1:40 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

Some fire and police investigations wrap up fast – some don’t. For the ones that don’t, we check back with the investigating agency from time to time. Here’s what we found on two such checks:

That was the aftermath of the fire that tore through an Arbor Heights house near 35th/108th on May 25 (original WSB coverage here), seriously injuring one man. Information on his condition was never been made available to media; privacy laws were invoked while he was in the hospital. We asked Seattle Fire Department spokesperson Dana Vander Houwen if the fire’s cause was ever found – short answer, no. It will remain on the books as “undetermined.” That’s also the result of the investigation into this one, another fire in May:

A neighbor shared that startling photo from the May 3rd early-morning house fire in the 1700 block of 44th SW (original WSB coverage here). The house was empty and listed for sale; no one was inside; no injuries were reported. Vander Houwen says investigators ultimately could not find the cause of this one either, and it will remain on the books as “undetermined.”

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West Seattle notes: “Dog Days”; outdoor shows; pie war; more
August 6, 2009 10:56 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Fun stuff to do | Pets | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

cohen.jpg“DOG DAYS OF SUMMER”: Michele at West Seattle Thriftway just sent word that CityDog Magazine is coming back for its next cover-dog search, Sunday, August 16th – last year, the winner was one of the dogs “discovered” at WST, Cohen (left)! This is part of the store’s “Dog Days of Summer” promotion, including barbecues the next four Saturdays to raise money for local animal-advocacy groups. Plus, on cover-dog-search day 8/16, as well as the following Sunday 8/23, the Humane Society’s MaxMobile will be at Thriftway with adoptable pets.

HIAWATHA CONCERT TONIGHT: One more reminder, two acts for the price of one – actually there’s no price, because it’s free! – at tonight’s Admiral Neighborhood Association-presented Summer Concerts at Hiawatha show: Neil Young tribute band Ragged Glory and Cajun/Zydeco band Swamp Soul. It’ll be chillier than last week but the forecast still calls for the sun coming out before showtime, 6:30 pm, east lawn of Hiawatha.

AND MORE OUTDOOR ENTERTAINMENT FRIDAY/SATURDAY: Same basic forecast – cooler than usual – for those nights, but don’t let that keep you inside: Friday night is the first Summer Concerts at The Mount (WSB sponsor) show (also free), with the Duwamish Dixieland Jazz Band (gates open at 5, music at 6) and Saturday night is the next West Seattle Outdoor Movies on the Wall screening, with the ’70s classic “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” (so many scenes in that one are perfect for the big screen), ALSO free, gates open at 7, movie at dusk, courtyard by Hotwire Coffee (WSB sponsor).

CROSS-BAY PIE WAR: Our friends at fellow independent neighborhood-news site Magnolia Voice are thinking a Magnolia-vs.-West Seattle pie war might just be in the works. Here’s why.

COOKING WITH CLASS: (added shortly after we first posted this roundup) Just got the news that registration is open for Cooking With Class, the annual event at Salty’s on Alki that’s a nonprofit fundraiser, a cooking class and a gourmet food/wine dinner all in one. It’s set for September 15. Full details here.

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West Seattle scenes: TP explained: 1 more Night Out; beach ball
August 6, 2009 5:11 am
|      16 COMMENTS
 |   Neighborhoods | Seen around town | West Seattle news

“Ca” sent that photo, describing this house only as being on Admiral Way, and noting it’s not a prank, but rather a celebration:

Everyone keeps asking us why our house was TPed the other day. My son qualified for All City Swim with Arbor Heights pool.

And here’s the proud qualifier himself:

Congratulations! We drove past a TP’ed house in the early moments of Night Out on Tuesday but seem to recall it was in a neighborhood south of Admiral; funny, hadn’t seen that phenomenon in years. Speaking of Night Out:

P and C McCormick shared photos of the Ocean View neighborhood Night Out party, pointing out it’s sponsored by Dot Beard (right, by the sign):

Over forty neighbors showed up to enjoy refreshments and the summer evening. A long-time activist and member of the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council, Dot has kept all of us neighbors in line for years. Just in case, Capt Joe Kessler and Lt. Steve Paulsen from the SW Precinct came by to make sure our new Block Watch signs were installed to specifications (!) and to schmooze Ocean View Community Beach Club presidential candidate “Murphy” (in the striped red sweater). Our quiet neighborhood, bound by Marine View Drive, 35th Ave SW and SW 112th St [map], has annual events including an Easter Egg Hunt, Summer Picnic and Christmas Caroling/Hot Buttered Rum parties.

Here’s Capt. Kessler with Murphy.

(We published three previous photo reports on Night Out block parties around West Seattle – see them here, here and here.) Last but by no means least, Chas Redmond caught the early-evening sun in all its glory, shining on the Sound off Alki last night:

Thanks as always to everyone who shares photos and info with their West Seattle neighbors via WSB – e-mail editor@westseattleblog.com – or share your photos with the West Seattle Blog Flickr group (where we just noticed some great recent additions, including this spectacular Lincoln Park sunset).

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North Delridge Neighborhood Council: Elections ahead, and more
August 6, 2009 3:49 am
|    Comments Off on North Delridge Neighborhood Council: Elections ahead, and more
 |   Delridge | West Seattle housing | West Seattle news

Toplines from last night’s North Delridge Neighborhood Council meeting:

ndncsign.jpg*Officer elections are coming up in October. But first – nominations will be sought; look for that announcement on the NDNC e-mail group.

*Adopt-A-Street cleanup: You’re invited to pitch in and help out on August 29th. As usual, volunteers will meet up that morning at Delridge Community Center and take off after coffee/snacks. Watch for more details. Separate cleanups may be scheduled for area traffic circles.

*Future meeting speakers: When this topic came up, a popular suggestion was Al Poole, the city’s director of “homelessness intervention” – group members have been talking about the seasonal return of makeshift homeless mini-camps in the greenbelt along 26th SW, and this type of speaker might help educate everyone on how to handle such situations, as well as dealing with the chronic problem that the NDNC has fought in recent months (notably including the tour given to city leaders four months ago) – rundown, vacant houses, often taken over by squatters.

*Location change for next month’s meeting: Watch for an announcement – the library isn’t available that night (September 2) – suggestions included Olympia Pizza, but nothing’s final yet.

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Another festival for your calendar: Holy Family School street fair
August 6, 2009 1:17 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news | White Center


View Larger Map

Add another festival to the August calendar, which already has the Duwamish River Festival this Saturday and Arts in Nature Festival at Camp Long (August 22-23). From just south of the city/county line, we received this invitation to share with all WSB’ers – we’ve of course published it on partner site White Center Now, too, but West Seattleites get a special shoutout:

Hello Friends of the West Seattle Blog:

My name is Frank Cantwell, and I am the Principal of Holy Family Parish School located at the intersection of 20th and Roxbury in White Center. I would like to invite you to “El Carnaval” that we are holding on August 29 (10 a.m. to 10 p.m.) and August 30 (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) 2009. We are planning to close 20th Street from Roxbury for one block between the Parish and the School, and open this area to the entire community for an opportunity to meet our neighbors. We plan to have bands, a variety of food, and a beer garden. We will have our school open to everyone. We are also planning to have lots of fun and games for the children.

Holy Family Parish School has a rich history, having served the White Center community for over 80 years. We are a very diverse community and we are welcoming everyone to come together to have a lot of fun. We would love to see the entire West Seattle community come together to meet each other and have fun.

Thank You, Frank Cantwell

It’s on the WSB West Seattle Events calendar now too.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: 2 break-ins – 1 “alarmed,” 1 not
August 5, 2009 10:27 pm
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Two reports to share tonight – one from someone who’s seeking an alarm as the result of another burglary, one from someone whose alarm was triggered but got burglarized anyway – read on:Read More

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Double bill tomorrow night for Summer Concerts at Hiawatha
August 5, 2009 7:42 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Looks like late-in-the-day sunshine tomorrow for the third of six Summer Concerts at Hiawatha, presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association (with more than 20 sponsors – all listed here – including WSB). The group in the clip above Neil Young tribute band Ragged Glory, is on a double bill with Cajun/Zydeco musicians Swamp Soul (shown in the 2007 clip above). Special feature tomorrow night: Face-painting for kids! 6:30 pm on the Hiawatha east lawn, b/y/o chairs/blankets.

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Junction KeyBank robbery update: Photos just in from the FBI
August 5, 2009 5:16 pm
|      15 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Under the heading “ARMED AND DANGEROUS, WEAPON DISPLAYED” the FBI has just sent a bulletin with this photo of this afternoon’s Junction KeyBank robber (here’s our original report):

Also on the bulletin:

The above-pictured suspect robbed the KeyBank, 4701 California Way SW, Seattle, about 1308 hrs today. He presented a demand note and told the teller he was armed. The suspect displayed a handgun tucked into his waistband. The suspect fled in the described vehicle.

Suspect: B/M
30-40 yrs
6 (feet tall), heavy-set
Eyeglasses

And here’s a photo of the getaway-car type; the FBI says the car may be in Seatac or Burien:

Any info? Call 911, or, also per the FBI:

Anyone with information regarding the suspect is asked to call the FBI Task Force Detective Len Carver III at (206)262-2526 (office) or (206)786-4746 (cell).

ADDED: Here’s the flyer as distributed by the FBI.

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West Seattle’s newest city landmark: The Sanctuary at Admiral
August 5, 2009 4:40 pm
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle history | West Seattle news

We’re at the Municipal Tower downtown, where the city Landmarks Preservation Board has just voted unanimously to designate the former Sixth Church of Christ, Scientist — now known as the events venue The Sanctuary at Admiral — as an official Seattle city landmark. Its site, exterior (described as “Art Deco”), and 1st-floor-foyer interior are the features specifically landmarked, which means any change proposed to any of those features would require approval from this board. Just before the vote, board chair Stephen Lee called it “an amazing little gem of a building that certainly deserves to be a Seattle landmark.” It was used as a church for more than half a century before the congregation merged with counterparts in Fauntleroy after the turn of the millennium; Dahli Bennett has owned it since 2003. Her restoration of the building – including, as we reported in this story yesterday, reuse of materials from some of its elements including pews — won praise from the board today as well; board member Marie Strong cited Bennett’s “sensitivity” in the reuses. After the vote was complete, Bennett and her “venue mistress” Jennifer applauded briefly and thanked the board. P.S. Here’s the list of West Seattle-area sites/buildings that already have city-landmark status. And we should note, for those who watch these proceedings closely, the board agreed with staff that The Sanctuary met designation criteria D, E and F. At the board’s next meeting August 19, they’ll decide whether to give landmark status to The Kenney‘s Seaview Building.

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West Seattle’s newest park: Dakota Place is officially done
August 5, 2009 4:04 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

As that shiny new sign says, work on West Seattle’s newest park is complete. Dakota Place Park is on the grounds of the city-landmark former substation at California/Dakota, north of The Junction. While you may have noticed building-renovation work if you simply drove by, walk up now, and the full park will be in view:

Jennifer Cargal from Friends of Dakota Place Park has sent us the official announcement of its completion, and what’s next:

If you live near the Alaska Junction, you should take a stroll up to the corner of California and Dakota. Though the opening celebration won¹t happen until the fall after the art installation, neighbors are finding some new open space in the recently completed Dakota Place Park. Nestled behind the old City Light Substation, this pearl of a park offers a little shade, a little room to stretch, and some much needed open space for those traveling just north of the Alaska Junction.

Tremendous thanks goes to the Friends of Dakota Place Park, Kelly Gould of Seattle Parks and Recreation, Seattle Department of Neighborhoods and the Neighborhood Matching Fund, King County Wild Place Grant, Mark Sindell and the staff of GGLO, the West Seattle Garden Tour, First Mutual Bank, King County Council Chair Dow Constantine, and the many community donors, and the sixty plus volunteers who planted the park in June.

Note: The substation is a separate project. For information about the status of building renovation or about the park, please contact Kelly Goold at 206-684-0586 or Kelly.Goold@Seattle.Gov.

We visited Dakota Place Park today to take photos, and noted the nicely gardened patches around the park’s periphery, as well as the bench:

Jennifer shared photos from the planting parties — here’s one with a young volunteer:

According to the city project page, Dakota Place Park’s budget was $587,000+. If you’re not familiar with the site, here’s a map.

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Updates: KeyBank robbery in The Junction
August 5, 2009 1:33 pm
|      17 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

ORIGINAL 1:33 PM REPORT: Seattle Police spokesperson Detective Jeff Kappel confirms there’s been a bank robbery (he says it’s in the 4700 block of California SW – we’re on our way to verify which bank). We found out when we called to check with him about a sizable police presence at several Junction spots, after getting passed by several cars with lights and sirens. Heading back toward the bank now to see what else we can find out. Description of the robber, according to Det. Kappel: Black man, 30s-40s, about 6-1, blue jacket, green T-shirt, black handgun. More as we get it. 1:46 PM UPDATE: Per the scanner, there’s a vehicle associated with this robbery – early ’90s police-style Chevrolet Caprice, all white, with the chrome “spotlight” police-style light attached. Two black male suspects believed to be in the vehicle. Meantime, we have just verified at the scene, it’s the KeyBank at California/Alaska. 2:29 PM UPDATE: Changed the photo at the top of the story, now that our non-cameraphone photos are back in house. No other new info – police are still looking for the suspect. This is West Seattle’s third bank robbery in less than a month, after the Westwood Village Alaska USA robbery on July 10 and the Junction US Bank robbery on July 15.

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West Seattle’s Night Out 2009 block parties: Even more pix
August 5, 2009 12:34 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | Pigeon Point | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

(Our other two Night Out 2009 photo roundups are here and here)

(Pigeon Point Night Out party photos by Chris Wells)
The firefighters who visited Pigeon Point’s big Night Out party last night really sparked some fun. They even got into the spirit of one popular feature that neighbors had set up the party, which Pete Spalding explains in this update:

We had a visit from a fire engine from station 36 that is right by the bridge. We also had visits from Interim Police Chief John Diaz, Doug Carey from the Mayor’s office, a contingent from the Dept of Neighborhoods, our CPT officer Kevin McDaniel and then later we were visited by Capt Joe Kessler and Lt. Steve Paulsen from the SW Precinct.

We had 100+ neighbors that gathered with us at the corner of 20th Ave SW and SW Dakota [map]. One of the highlights was we brought in a bale of hay and then hid small toys, quarters and nickels in the hay and then the kids got to do a scavenger hunt to find all of the hidden gems.

Darkness (and bedtime for the kids) was the only reason folks went back home. It was a great turnout and we saw several new faces to our Pigeon Point neighborhood who came out to meet their neighbors.

Three more Pigeon Point pix – including one with the full fray over the straw, and one with a delighted Engine 26 visitor:

We’ve also received photos today from Shell Marr, whose party in the 2400 block of SW Holden (map) offered a game too – beanbag toss:

Canine participants were crowdpleasers as well:

Thanks again to everyone who shared photos and/or gave us clearance to drop by. Night Out is traditionally held on the first Tuesday in August, so you can just mark your calendar right now for August 3, 2010!

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Pencil Me In For Kids: Can they pencil YOU in for support?
August 5, 2009 11:35 am
|    Comments Off on Pencil Me In For Kids: Can they pencil YOU in for support?
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

Though school doesn’t start for a month, it’s time to make sure that every student has the supplies needed for educational success. One of the local efforts working hard to make sure that happens is Pencil Me In For Kids — you may even have seen promotion in last month’s West Seattle Grand Parade (banner at left). One of the local businesses leading the charge to help local kids by supporting PMIFK is Illusions Hair Design (WSB sponsor), whose proprietor Sue Lindblom sends this update:

Pencil Me In For Kids is winding up their yearly drive. The bulk of the supplies they will donate to local public grade schools will be purchased from Westwood Staples this week. If anyone has any school supplies (pens, paper, glue sticks, washable markers) they would like to donate drop them off at 5619 California Ave. SW [map]. Also, if anyone would like to make a cash donation, make checks payable to Rotary Club of West Seattle and in the memo line write ‘Pencil Me In For Kids’. Staples gives a great discount for this yearly drive. This is the 15th year PMIFK has been supplying basics to kids in our area. All the volunteers want to say ‘thanks’ for past, present, and future help! And the kids thank you too!!

We’ve also received word that you can drop off supplies at the office of local Edward Jones financial adviser Jon Gerhardt, who’s at 7354 35th SW (just north of the northeastern corner of 35th and Webster; map).

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Today/tonight: Sanctuary; North Delridge; “Frog and Toad”
August 5, 2009 11:02 am
|    Comments Off on Today/tonight: Sanctuary; North Delridge; “Frog and Toad”
 |   Delridge | West Seattle history | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

LANDMARKS BOARD HEARING FOR THE SANCTUARY AT ADMIRAL: As previewed here yesterday, the city Landmarks Preservation Board will consider today whether to designate the former Sixth Church of Christ, Scientist, at 42nd/Lander — now The Sanctuary at Admiral — as a city landmark. The hearing will include a chance for public comment; it’s during the board’s 3:30 pm meeting on the 40th floor of the Municipal Tower downtown.

NORTH DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL: The regular NDNC monthly meeting is at 6:30 tonight, Delridge Library, with agenda items including officer elections, the next Adopt-A-Street cleanup, and traffic-circle maintenance.

“A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD”: The kids’ edition of this musical opens its run at ArtsWest tonight, with two different troupes from the ArtsWest summer camps alternating in the performances. Shows are at 7:30 tonight through Saturday, with 3 pm matinees Saturday and Sunday; buy tickets online here.

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Fire followup: Local band Bend affected; benefit events planned
August 5, 2009 8:32 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

That Night Out party southwest of The Junction last night included a show of support for neighbors who have just been through a tough time: The victims of the house fire one week ago today near 45th/Erskine (map).

(July 29 photo by Tony Bradley)
The day the fire happened, the main headlines included firefighters following special procedures because of the historic 103-degree heat, one resident going to the hospital with burns, and investigators saying the fire was started by embers from a barbecue igniting a deck and spreading to the house. We’ve since learned there’s another story: A well-known local band, Bend, recorded at the house, and members’ friends and co-workers are organizing benefits to help. One of the fire survivors told us at last night’s block party that the items lost in the fire included some of the studio equipment and computers; his housemate who suffered burns is out of the hospital and staying with relatives on the Eastside. Meantime, benefit organizers haven’t locked down the details yet, but several tell us they’re talking about an event in the next few weeks at Feedback Lounge and possibly one at Skylark (both WSB sponsors), so organizers asked us to share the word that they’ll announce it as soon as details are settled. They’re reaching out to help in other ways too, such as a collection at Shadow Land, workplace for one band member, and donations were being collected at last night’s Night Out party — the only one to our knowledge with this distinctive type of “street closed” alert signal!

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West Seattle’s Night Out 2009 block parties: Report #2
August 5, 2009 1:43 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle’s Night Out 2009 block parties: Report #2
 |   Fun stuff to do | Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

Thanks to Dina Johnson for sharing that Night Out photo from the 9000 block of 12th SW – she says some 13th SW neighbors joined in, too, and that the party had live music – piano and drums – adding:

The singer/piano player’s name is Danny (in gray tee), we’re posing in front of his house. Red-haired guy in green shirt is the drummer. Thanks for the entertainment! Samantha Updegrave (at left) is holding her 8 week old baby, Blair Johnson is to her left, I’m at lower right in African print shirt. Marie Figgins, blonde at lower left is holding her blonde son Lincoln. The older gentleman at upper right is a good dancer. In the purple tee is a UW student majoring in bioengineering.

We had two people roaming West Seattle to drop in on some of the peninsula’s 250+ Night Out block parties; our first report included photos and video primarily from the north half of the peninsula, where we published notes as the night unfolded; now, here are pix from our other stops. Like Fauntleroy, where Gary Dawson invited us to the SW Henderson celebration just east of Fauntleroy Way:

Near Gatewood Elementary, we met the neighbors of quiet Sylvan Lane (thanks to Hilary for the invite here):

Uphill in Gatewood, Engine 37 made a post-dusk visit to the 39th/Elmgrove vicinity:

Thanks to Mark Ahlness for sharing that photo. In nearby Westwood, there were games aplenty at 32nd/Thistle, like bean-bag toss:

Kelly had alerted us her block party would have “a lawn/street game triathlon (croquet, bean-bag toss, and ladder golf), chalkboard pictionary, and a potluck (serving Ube and Mexican chocolate ice cream from Full Tilt).” Enticing eats in many places on Night Out – even sushi on 26th SW in North Delridge:

Thanks to Gary for telling us about that party, which he explained was either the first-ever two-block party in that area, or the first in a long while! Side note: Night Out celebrated its 25th anniversary this year, according to this online history. If you want to get a jump on next year, and help keep your neighborhood safer all year round, one thing you can do now is make sure you have a Block Watch – here’s more info on the program.

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West Seattle’s Night Out 2009 block parties: Report #1
August 4, 2009 6:35 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

(added more photos inline @ 9:30 pm)

(47th/Admiral-area barricades)
ORIGINAL 6:35 PM REPORT: So far, we’ve seen more barricades than people gathered in the streets beyond them – but we know, everyone’s just getting home to work. Just stopped at 44th/Hill, where neighbors are gathered in a triangle between streets, rather than closing off the road; they’re getting ready to barbecue.

It’s their first-ever Night Out party; thanks to Kim for the note. More to come – we’ve got two people roving, one north, one south.

6:48 PM: Just stopped in the Sunset/48th vicinity – they’ve got a long table, beautifully decorated, with homemade desserts planned later after their barbecue (and lights strung in the trees to enjoy when the sun goes down).

Thanks to Deborah for welcoming us there.

7:02 PM: 47th/Admiral, where Charla (at left) gave us the party tip:

They’re hoping for a candidate visit before the night’s out. We expect to see at least one ourselves – we’ve got word of where the mayor will wind up his rounds tonight.

7:20 PM: We’ve been to two stops south of Admiral, including the Hinds/45th party, where the Block Watch reins have just turned over after a quarter-century; we found Eric in charge of the hot dogs:

Then, Al‘s party near 42nd/Hinds:

Al had a luau last year (went with the theme for his 60th birthday party just before Night Out), and this year it’s a Mexican beach fiesta (we said hi just as he was preparing the fajitas), including this decorated tent-side:

7:31 PM: About to check out Howie‘s party near 32nd/Andover, over the Luna Park business district. First, just got this photo from Desiree in Gatewood:

7:44 PM: The party up here (on the other side of the Fauntleroy end of The Bridge) is the biggest one we’ve been to so far. Here’s the long shot before you finish walking up the Andover dead end:

Howie invited us, but turns out, it’s Dave’s house – and he counted 70 people! (Sorry this crowd shot’s a bit blurry.)

Meantime, the other half of the team is in Highland Park and spotted our first SPD sighting of the night – Officer Adonis Topacio, near 12th/Trenton.

And we’ve received a photo from Daniel at the big party near 31st/Othello:

Next, we’re heading to Junction-area stops, including one that reportedly has a live band!

8:10 PM: Live band indeed – and a live young musician, 9-year-old Connor, in the 4400 block of 40th SW.

We’ll add a bit of video later (here’s the video, added 10:43 pm)

Just passed Ercolini Park, where Engine 32 is visiting block-partiers.

And now we’re headed south of The Junction. Sunset’s getting close – fiery pink-red again tonight.

8:22 PM: Just checked in with Cheryl, Rosina and dozens of neighbors on 48th in the Erskine/Dawson vicinity. They were kind enough to gather for a group shot:

Ladder 11 just wrapped up its stop here as we walked up (one thing about Night Out – you can’t just pull up, hop out, shoot a photo and go – you’ve got to park near the barricade and walk to where the people are), and two parties in adjoining blocks have agreed to combine forces next year.

8:53 PM: We’re folding up the Night Out caravan. Lots more pix to add from these stops and others – tried to catch up with the mayor here in his North Admiral neighborhood and we seem to have missed him. Reminder, if you have pix from your party, we’d be happy to publish some of those too – editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks! (Once we’re done filling in the pictorial blanks in this report, we’ll start on a second report from our travels on the south half of the peninsula.)

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West Seattle wildlife: Skate? Ray? Help ID this sea creature
August 4, 2009 4:19 pm
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Wildlife

Jill sends this photo and explains, “Out walking the dog on the beach at low tide and saw this dead Manta Ray, or so I think. found south of the Arroyos during low tide. Anyone know, is this common for Puget Sound?” We know “skates” can be found in cold waters – “manta rays” tend to be tropical – any thoughts on Jill’s discovery? Here’s another photo, for scale:

One possibility we’ve come across so far: A “big skate.”

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Happening now: High Point resource fair (BBQ/Night Out later!)
August 4, 2009 4:12 pm
|    Comments Off on Happening now: High Point resource fair (BBQ/Night Out later!)
 |   Fun stuff to do | High Point | West Seattle news

Thanks to Tony for sharing the news of a big event happening at High Point’s Commons Park right now – hundreds of people gathered for a resource fair and family fun (note the bouncy house!), to be followed at 6 pm by a community barbecue and Night Out celebration – beautiful afternoon to be out in the not-too-hot-now sunshine. (And remember the High Point Market Garden opens shortly, 4:30-7 pm at 32nd/Juneau.)

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