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Video: Porterhouse is open for business in the Admiral District
August 12, 2009 5:51 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants | West Seattle video

Things are likely hopping by now; we dropped in just before the new Porterhouse (north of Admiral Theater) opened its doors at mid-afternoon today. That video takes you on a tour of the interior, which we last saw when it was in the final throes of remodeling. Note the art (future participants in the ever-expanding West Seattle Art Walk, they say) and those bound-to-be-legendary 25 taps. The owners have said they’ll serve food 11 am-11 pm (with the bar open beyond that) for starters, considering adding brunch later. ADDED 6:26 PM: If you can’t get over there just yet but want a steadier look at the taps, here’s a pic:

Many of the offerings also are listed in this Washington Beer Blog post to which we linked earlier.

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Video: First night for Summer Concerts at The Mount
August 7, 2009 8:01 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle video | WS culture/arts

As with the rest of West Seattle’s outdoor entertainment slate this summer – Providence Mount St. Vincent‘s Summer Concerts at The Mount (WSB sponsor) series offers more than music. In that clip from tonight’s 2009-debut event on the south grounds of the Fairmount-area retirement center, you see Carol Johnston leading a Charleston dance lesson while her Duwamish Dixieland Jazz Band-mates play in the background. And then there was Chuckalou the Clown:

Chuckalou’s balloon stylings captivated the younger members of the audience. The Mount’s concerts are free, 6 pm the next three Fridays, with the grounds opening at 5 pm for food/beverage sales; Maia Santell and House Blend are scheduled next Friday night, and you can see the full-season lineup here.

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West Seattle food: Meet Mashiko’s proprietor, sushi trailblazer
August 3, 2009 11:17 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants | West Seattle video

West Seattle’s Mashiko is drawing regional attention and accolades for the recent revelation it’s about to focus on “sustainable sushi.” WSB photojournalist Christopher Boffoli had previously interviewed Mashiko proprietor Hajime Sato for this closeup look we’re sharing now:

Story, photos and video by Christopher Boffoli
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

About one in four restaurants will close or change ownership within their first year of business, according to a study cited in a 2007 issue of BusinessWeek. Over three years, that number rises to three in five. Even in the best economic times, opening a restaurant can be a risky venture.

But while the recession has taken its toll on West Seattle restaurants, cited in closures such as Ama Ama and Beato, many others continue to thrive.

This September, Mashiko will celebrate its 15th anniversary in The Junction. But ask Chef/owner Hajime Sato the secret to his success in the restaurant business, and he’s likely just to shrug his shoulders and smile. “I wish I knew the secret,” he told me recently. “Sometimes I wish I had a retail shop selling clothing. It keeps longer than sushi items.”

Watch and listen to Sato tell part of his story:

When Sato opened Mashiko in the heart of the Junction on September 1, 1994, he chose the location not as part of some artful business plan, but rather:

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Video: Band Jam in West Seattle, on Torchlight Parade eve
July 25, 2009 6:03 am
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people | West Seattle video

That’s the Seattle Schools All-City Band – students from all over the city, including more than a few from West Seattle (which is also home base to ACB director Marcus Pimpleton, leader of the Denny Middle School music program) – performing Friday night at Southwest Athletic Complex during the first-ever Band Jam. You could say they were warming up for tonight’s Seafair Torchlight Parade downtown, and two of the other groups joining them last night are on the parade lineup too (which we just found here) – the Rainbow City Band and the Cranbrook (BC) Girls’ Bugle Band. (For more on tonight’s parade, beyond the lineup, go here; West Seattle will have plenty of representation in addition to ACB members – there’s also the mayor, the West Seattle Hi-Yu float/royalty, West Seattle members in parade staples like the Seafair Pirates, Seafair Commodores and Seafair Clowns, and 2 princesses in the running for Miss Seafair right before the parade … if you can’t be there in person, KIRO shows it live on channel 7 and online at kirotv.com … if you are going, remember there’s an extra King County Water Taxi run at 11:30.)

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Video: Georgia Mitchell crowned as new Miss West Seattle Hi-Yu
July 20, 2009 9:52 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival | West Seattle news | West Seattle video

The coronation just ended at West Seattle High School’s theater – big crowd – lively production – and the new Miss West Seattle Hi-Yu is Georgia Mitchell (center). Princesses are Veronica Pupava (left) and Kelly Nealson.

ADDED 11:50 PM: Video as the Queen announcement was made at the end of the 2 1/2-hour event – the voices off-camera are first, previous Queen Margo Femiano, and then emcee Elisa Jaffe from KOMO TV – as you’ll hear/see, the new queen had quite the cheering section:

Other candidates competing tonight were Kelsey Bills and Julia Hodges. Yet more to be added, including touching tributes to JB Webster, the Hi-Yu volunteer, Seafair Commodore and West Seattle real-estate agent whose sudden death shocked the community earlier this year. ADDED 3:51 AM: Read on for the rest of the story, including more video clips:Read More

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“Stuff the Bus” diaper-drive update: And the results are …
July 19, 2009 2:15 pm
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 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle video

That’s WestSide Baby executive director Nancy Woodland announcing the results of today’s “Stuff the Bus” diaper drive (with WSB among this year’s co-sponsors) just moments ago at West Seattle Farmers’ Market – she’d spent the first half of the four-hour event at the newly added Burien Chevrolet location (which brought in more than 10,000 of those nearly 30,000 diapers). You can still donate to WestSide Baby any time – diapers and/or money – see westsidebaby.org for info. ADDED 3:33 PM: The total beats last year, which had about 25,000 by 2 pm (WSB 2008 coverage here). And here’s a photo we took inside the West Seattle bus right as today’s drive ended at 2 pm:

The work’s not over for WestSide Baby volunteers – now they get to sort through all those diapers! ADDED 10:12 PM: KC passes along one more tidbit regarding ongoing donations to WestSide Baby:

Did you know that you can drop off partial packs of diapers/training pants to WestSide Baby? It’s true! So go through your closets, the old diaper bag, the car, and get the spares that your kids no longer need. Check at grandma’s house and even in your purse/backpack, too– you can find old spares all over! WestSide Baby will happily take the leftover diapers/training pants.

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West Seattle Grand Parade wrapup #5: The politicians
July 19, 2009 3:11 am
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 |   West Seattle Grand Parade | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics | West Seattle video

That’s video of Dow Constantine, King County Council Chair, King County Executive candidate and West Seattleite, marching with supporters in Saturday’s West Seattle Grand Parade (and giving WSB a shoutout after spotting us on the sidelines). With by-mail voting about two weeks away for the August primary, you’ll even find non-West Seattle-dwelling politicians almost anywhere a crowd gathers – the City Council‘s president (who’s up for re-election this year) was in the parade too – Richard Conlin and supporters were seen here in the staging area south of Lafayette Elementary:

Other sightings included Conlin’s opponent, High Point resident David Ginsberg, later down the parade route:

And we saw two other council candidates pre-parade, Dorsol Plants and Rusty Williams. Not in the parade but seen working the sidelines, two mayoral candidates – James Donaldson and Mike McGinn, who talked to spectators and handed out “Mike Bikes” stickers:

No sighting of Mayor Nickels himself – though we know that earlier in the day, he helped open the new Sound Transit Light Rail line. Speaking of transportation, Ron Richardson shares this photo of Port Commission hopeful Max Vekich‘s parade visit:

Meantime, King County Assessor candidate Lloyd Hara and supporters stopped to pose:

Acting assessor Rich Medved was scheduled to march in the parade but suffered a stroke last Tuesday and remains in the hospital. Meanwhile, not all politicians in the parade were running for something – both of West Seattle’s State House reps were spotted – here’s Rep. Eileen Cody:

Keep an eye on the WSB Politics archive for all the latest; we also have an archive for the West Seattle Grand Parade, where you’ll find all our other stories on Saturday’s extravaganza. And we’re not done with Saturday reports yet …

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West Seattle Grand Parade wrapup #4: The crowd-pleasers
July 18, 2009 5:49 pm
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 |   West Seattle Grand Parade | West Seattle news | West Seattle video

As our West Seattle Grand Parade coverage continues – that’s the West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival contingent, from the award-winning “How Sweet It Is” float to this year’s Senior Court candidates (coronation 7 pm Monday at West Seattle High School, be there) to this year’s button designer. Other crowd-pleasers – of course, the Seafair Pirates (cover your ears!):

Perhaps the warmest welcome of the day was showered onto J.P. Patches, the beloved clown/TV host who returned to the West Seattle Grand Parade (courtesy of Bill and Cynthia Reid of John L. Scott in Westwood) after a year away, now that he’s feeling up to it:

That photo is by WSB photojournalist Christopher Boffoli, as is this one of comedian/broadcaster Pat Cashman, who as King Neptune presides over all the Seafair festivities this year (and was just here in West Seattle last weekend for the Seafair Pirates’ Landing at Alki):

We mentioned the Seafair Clowns earlier, in our sidelines/behind the scenes report – we have video of them too:

More later – including more of the West Seattle community groups that turned out in force to strut their stuff, as well as the politicians who represented both in the parade and on the sidelines, and a closer look at paradegoers. And again, we have two photo galleries you can check out via Flickr – Christopher’s photo set here, and the West Seattle Blog group here (if you have parade photos, please consider joining the group to share some of ’em)!

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West Seattle Grand Parade wrapup report #2: The protectors
July 18, 2009 5:05 pm
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 |   West Seattle Grand Parade | West Seattle news | West Seattle video

(Photo by Christopher Boffoli)
The U.S. Coast Guard helicopter flyover (the chopper is based at Port Angeles) provided a memorable moment early in today’s West Seattle Grand Parade. There was military presence on the ground as well – with the color guard from Fort Lewis:

(Photo by Christopher Boffoli)
Two police motorcycle drill teams opened the parade, as usual, and we have video of both – first, Seattle Police:

Then, their counterparts from Vancouver, B.C.:

Representing the Seattle Fire Department, West Seattle’s own Engine 29:

(Photo by Christopher Boffoli)
You can see more of Christopher’s photos in his Flickr stream here; we’ve also got photos in the West Seattle Blog Flickr group here. And more parade reports to come – including within minutes, the list of winners.

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Video: West Seattle Rotary Kiddies’ Parade 2009
July 18, 2009 4:09 pm
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 |   West Seattle Grand Parade | West Seattle news | West Seattle video

(Grand Parade report #1 is here)

This one’s a parade all its own, so we’re presented a video clip and will add some photos as pix continue coming in. Right before the West Seattle Grand Parade, the Rotary Club of West Seattle presents the Kiddies’ Parade, open to whomever wants to participate – as you can see in the video, Hi-Yu Junior Royalty and the Denny Middle School Marching Band were among today’s participants. (The Kiddies’ Parade runs from California/Genesee just north of The Junction to the same ending point as the Grand Parade, California/Edmunds, so it wasn’t seen by those who watched from points farther north.) ADDED: Two photos from before and after the Kiddies’ Parade:

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Video: 3 concerts in 1 at tonight’s Westsidewalk in Fauntleroy
July 16, 2009 10:27 pm
|    Comments Off on Video: 3 concerts in 1 at tonight’s Westsidewalk in Fauntleroy
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle video | WS culture/arts

(video unavailable due to blip.tv shutdown)

Rev. Pat Wright and the Total Experience Gospel Choir – which practices at West Seattle’s Kenyon Hall — co-headlined tonight’s first-ever Westsidewalk three-act concert: At three venues in Fauntleroy Church and the old Fauntleroy Schoolhouse across the street, each group played half-hour sets simultaneously – punctuated by breaks so audience members could rotate to the next group/venue. While Total Experience played inside the church sanctuary, the Ballard Sedentary Sousa Band performed outdoors:

(video unavailable due to blip.tv shutdown)

And Sambatuque‘s sleek samba jazzed up The Hall at Fauntleroy:

(video unavailable due to blip.tv shutdown)

Tonight’s proceeds benefit Seattle Artists, which operates Kenyon Hall and its programs (including Kindermusik with Lou Magor). Lots more summer music ahead – in addition to live indoor shows like those at Skylark Cafe and Club (WSB sponsor) Thursdays-Sundays (schedule here), two outdoor series are still to come: the Admiral Neighborhood Association’s Summer Concerts at Hiawatha (co-sponsored by WSB) start Thursday night with Alma Villegas (full series details here), and Providence Mount St. Vincent will present its Friday night concert series starting August 7.

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West Seattle Volunteer Recognition at Hi-Yu Concert in the Park
July 15, 2009 6:32 am
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival | West Seattle news | West Seattle video

This group gathered at Hiawatha last night includes the first-ever West Seattle Volunteer Recognition recipients — Tim and Carol Winston of West Seattle Hi-Yu, youth mentor Marcus Stubblefield, co-chair Mike Dady of the North Delridge Neighborhood Council, presenters Erica Karlovits and Cindi Barker from the Southwest District Council (which co-sponsors WSVR with Delridge District Council and WSB), White Center Food Bank (among other organizations) volunteer Beth Grieser, Sustainable West Seattle‘s Bill Reiswig, and WestSide Baby‘s Nancy McDonnell. They received framed certificates and spirited applause during the announcement, made while the West Seattle Big Band took a quick break at the annual Hi-Yu Concert in the Park. From hereon out, Volunteer Recognition will happen twice a year – there are so many amazing people out there (these six were chosen from among 40 entries) that the supply of nominees we’ll never run low! More information about the recipients shortly – first, moments from the concert, starting with video of WSBB music (and the crowd):

We estimated the crowd at more than 200:

Fittingly for a family-friendly event, WestSide Baby was on hand – with reminders that this Sunday is the day to “Stuff the Bus” with diaper donations (10 am-2 pm at West Seattle Farmers’ Market)

And during another break in the music, the crowd heard from Hi-Yu royalty – the current Junior and Senior Court members, and Senior Court candidates (next Monday is the night you can watch to see who becomes the next Miss West Seattle Hi-Yu; the Junior Court is chosen this Friday; schedule here):

Now back to the Volunteer Recognition recipients. Read on for photos of each and the excerpts from the nominations that were read at last night’s event:Read More

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Video: Seafair Pirates’ Landing at Alki (with King Pat Cashman)
July 11, 2009 3:39 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle video

Just after 1 pm, with a bigger-than-ever crowd awaiting them, the Seafair Pirates landed at Alki Beach – actually, as you see in our video, a bit offshore since the tide was low and their Army craft stopped short of the sand. Also a highlight of today’s event – Seafair’s “King Neptune” this year is longtime TV-radio personality Pat Cashman, who presided at special ceremonies:

We’ll add more video as the afternoon goes on. We’re told the Pirates were last seen absconding with West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival royalty! 4:04 PM: Here’s the video proof:

By the way, two big occasions are ahead in the process of choosing and celebrating new Hi-Yu royalty: This week, Friday at 12:45, the Junior Court Coronation happens during the Hiawatha Fun Festival — and there’s still time to apply to participate – this Tuesday’s the deadline; more info here. Then the Senior Court Coronation is coming up on July 20th, 7 pm at West Seattle High School — tickets will be available at the door, $10 adult/$5 student. ADDED 8:28 PM: Beautiful photo of the Lady Washington at Alki today, courtesy of David Hutchinson:

We also have a link from Joe Follansbee – with a different take on the Pirates’ Landing and the Lady Washington’s role in it. ADDED EARLY SUNDAY: First, video of “King Neptune” and the young pirate with whom he engaged pre-landing:

Next, Shelly shared this pirate closeup:

And another shot from David Hutchinson – viewing the battle from behind the Alki Statue of Liberty:

You’ll see the Seafair Pirates back in West Seattle next Saturday, during the American Legion Grand Parade (which we’ll be talking about all week – we’re walking in it again this year in celebration of West Seattle volunteers, including those who will be honored at Tuesday’s Hi-Yu Concert in the Park – 7 pm @ Hiawatha’s east lawn – in the new Volunteer Recognition program).

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Video: Mudhoney at West Seattle Summer Fest
July 10, 2009 10:54 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle video | WS culture/arts

That’s our video of Mudhoney‘s first song at West Seattle Summer Fest tonight – “The Money Will Roll Right In” – following the introduction by the West Seattleite who’s running for the biggest job on this year’s ballot, and is backed by many members of the music community, King County Executive candidate (and County Council chair) Dow Constantine. Mudhoney played more than an hour on the Alaska Stage (in the street by Junction Plaza Park). Thanks to Babs (one of many awesome WSBers we were honored to chat with during the festival today – we’re there Sat/Sun too) for sharing photos including this one:

Tomorrow’s Summer Fest live music slate starts at 12:30 pm – see the full schedule here – with highlights including Supersonic Soul Pimps on the California Stage (north end of the festival) at 8:15 pm.

ADDED MONDAY MORNING: Lots of buzz about “bodypassing,” “moshing,” “crowd surfing,” whatever you want to call it, during Mudhoney’s set. Found someone else’s video on YouTube that actually caught it on camera during the later song “Touch Me I’m Sick”- about 40 seconds in:

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34th District Democrats’ endorsements, the shorter version
July 9, 2009 5:50 am
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics | West Seattle video

That’s one of the results getting all the citywide coverage in the wake of last night’s 5-hour 34th District Democrats endorsement meeting at The Hall at Fauntleroy: While West Seattle-residing Mayor Greg Nickels got the most votes, it wasn’t the two-thirds needed for an endorsement, not even on the 2nd ballot when it was Nickels vs. Michael McGinn, who was in second place after the first ballot. So the group then voted for a “dual endorsement” (other option on Ballot 3 would have been “no endorsement”). Anyway, if you want a taste of the moment-by-moment drama, see our as-it-happened account from last night. Right here, it’s our wrapup with just the basics, plus a few more photos and video clips interspersed:

SEATTLE MAYOR
Dual endorsement: Greg Nickels, Michael McGinn (mayor photographed early in the meeting, back of the room)

SEATTLE CITY ATTORNEY
Sole endorsement: Tom Carr (shown in this next clip after fellow West Seattleite, Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, introduced him – our clips are lo-fi, shot on Flip)

SEATTLE REFERENDUM 1 (BAG FEE)
No position

SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL, POSITION 2
Dual endorsement: David Ginsberg, Richard Conlin – captured in the same frame during a lull in the action – after the photo, you’ll see how Ginsberg pitched for the vote:

SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL, POSITION 4
Dual endorsement: Dorsol Plants, Sally Bagshaw

SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL, POSITION 6
Dual endorsement: Nick Licata, Jessie Israel – got them both on video:

SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL, POSITION 8
Dual endorsement: David Miller, Robert Rosencrantz (here’s Miller pre-vote)

NORTH HIGHLINE SOUTH ANNEXATION (an area including part of White Center voting whether to be annexed by Burien)
Support

SEATTLE PORT COMMISSION POSITION 1
No endorsement

SEATTLE PORT COMMISSION POSITION 3
Rob Holland

SEATTLE PORT COMMISSION POSITION 4
Max Vekich

Official account online at 34dems.org. Wondering why so many “dual endorsements”? A two-thirds majority was required for a sole endorsement, so most key races went to three ballots – first with all the candidates, then the top two, then “dual endorsement or no endorsement.” Made vote-counting intense for the groups working on the elevated stage – at tables or even on the floor:

Meantime, remember that this group made an earlier endorsement of King County Council Chair Dow Constantine for King County Executive – he was at last night’s meeting too, introduced with cheers and whoops:

Added later Thursday morning: As noted in our running coverage from last night, some additional endorsement proposals were brought before the group at the end of the meeting, though they weren’t on the original agenda. Results of those proposals: The 34th DDs support the “Decline to Sign” campaign (asking people not to sign petitions being circulated that would set up a public vote on the domestic-partnership-rights measure passed by the Legislature), and also endorsed state Court of Appeal Judge Anne Ellington.

What happens next: The primary election is August 18. It’s all-mail, however, and your ballot could arrive before July is over, since the county plans to start sending them on July 29.

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West Seattle 4th of July evening scenes, High Point to Alki
July 4, 2009 9:35 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news | West Seattle video

We happened onto that playground-side performance during a quick visit to the High Point Diversity Festival earlier this evening. The fun and food stretched across five hours at Commons Park, which officially opened one year ago today. Right after that, around 6 pm, we drove along Harbor Ave to see what the no-fireworks-on-Elliott-Bay crowd looked like this year. As this video from our passenger-held Flip shows, not too different from years gone by (except that, unlike last year, the road was open to all) – still plenty of RVs and tents – hope there aren’t too many who missed the no-fireworks news (and you CAN see parts of the Lake Union fireworks from there):

If you see this before 10 pm, note that KING5 is broadcasting the Lake Union fireworks live as usual, on the air and online at king5.com.

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Video, photos: West Seattle’s Admiral 4th of July Kids’ Parade
July 4, 2009 7:21 pm
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 |   Holidays | West Seattle news | West Seattle video

Video thumbnail. Click to play
Click To Play

(If you’d rather watch that on YouTube – slightly shorter because of YT upload limits – click here)
From the pickup truck and medic unit leading the way, right ahead of the West Seattle Hi-Yu Junior Court carrying the banner, that 11-minute video clip shows the entirety of this morning’s Admiral 4th of July Parade, after the traditional kickoff speech by Mayor Nickels, who lives a few blocks from the parade route, as you’re about to hear parade organizer Sherri Chun note while introducing him:

When we spoke with Sherri just before the parade, she wondered if the crowd would be as big as last year, given that the 4th fell on a Saturday and more people seemed to be out of town. By our unofficial estimate, it might actually have been larger – though we didn’t take a head count, we can tell you that it took longer this year for the entire parade to go by! It was preceded by the national anthem, sung this year by Jonathan Rosoff. Sherri also offered a special thanks to folks including Dave Weitzel from Weitzel Construction (WSB sponsor), who underwrote the cost of the porta-potties at Hamilton Viewpoint Park, where fun contests and games follow the parade. Thanks to Luckie for sharing a photo of today’s wheelbarrow races:

(added 8:32 pm) Almost forgot – Lisa sent us this photo via Twitter. TOTALLY made our day – we didn’t see her during the parade, as we got our video/photos from in front of the participants:

Next West Seattle parade is a doubleheader – the Rotary Club Kiddies Parade (all welcome!) and American Legion Post 160-presented West Seattle Grand Parade, both on Saturday, July 18 (two weeks from today!); the Kiddies’ Parade leaves California/Genesee at 10:30 am, the Grand Parade leaves California/Lander at 11 – with both concluding at the southern end of The Junction (California/Edmunds).

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Video: “Tour de Revs” visits Peace Lutheran Church in Gatewood
July 2, 2009 7:36 pm
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 |   Gatewood | West Seattle news | West Seattle religion | West Seattle video

Three Lutheran ministers on one bamboo bicycle, traveling cross-country to fight hunger: They’re the Tour de Revs, receiving an enthusiastic welcome tonight as they rolled up to Peace Lutheran Church in Gatewood (with PLC’s Pastor Erik Kindem leading them in), midway through a 100-day tour. Yes, we said “bamboo” bicycle:

They’re bicycling to fight hunger around the globe, and reps from our area’s hunger-fighting agencies were on hand, including Pete Spalding from the West Seattle Food Bank board of directors and Audrey Zemke (below) from the White Center Food Bank:

One of the Revs, the Rev. Dr. Fred Soltow from Shepherdstown, West Virginia (here are the bios of all three), talked about where they’ve been and where they’re going:

After tonight’s block party (till 8 pm if you see this before then), the Revs and others planned to head downhill from Peace Lutheran toward Lincoln Park for a sunset ride.

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Video: Inside one of West Seattle’s new restaurants, Café Revò
June 30, 2009 5:02 pm
|      18 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants | West Seattle video

Whether it’s here in the news section or in the WSB Forums, food never fails to cook up a lively discussion. With that in mind, and his own interest in the subject, WSB contributing journalist Christopher Boffoli has been taking a behind-the-scenes look at some local restaurants, including the Luna Park business district’s 4-months-old Café Revò (WSB sponsor), and with a holiday weekend ahead, we wanted to share the video he put together – as well as the article that begins below. Before we get to that: Knowing we would be running this, we also checked with Café Revò’s Sofia Zadra Goff to see what’s in store for the 4th of July – she says they’ll be open at 11 am as usual, breakfast and frittata menu till 3, then dinner; planning to stay open till 11 unless it gets “really slow.” She says they’re suggesting also to customers that “people can come get food to go from Cafe Revo to take to the beach or picnic, or buy their favorite wines from us for their 4th of July events since we have our retail wine license.” Now, as a companion to the video story above, here’s Christopher’s report in text:

By Christopher Boffoli
WSB contributing journalist

The longer I live in the Pacific Northwest, the more it reinforces the extent to which I count myself fortunate to be living in one of the most interesting regions for food in the country. Still, as an East Coaster of Southern Italian descent, it is not always so easy to find many of the familiar foods and flavors of my childhood. The Italians and their “soul food” are here. Somewhere. You just have to work harder to find them. Their presence is not as well-defined as, say, the Nordic or Asian communities in Seattle. For every bright star like Salumi or Via Tribunali, it seems there are many more watered-down red-sauce joints that pass themselves off as Italian but are just a copy of something that wasn’t very authentic to begin with.

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Why citywide media converged on a Highland Park home today
June 30, 2009 1:37 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | Highland Park | West Seattle news | West Seattle video

That house in the 8600 block of 9th SW in Highland Park – a few houses north of SW Trenton – was the scene of a big made-for-media announcement this morning that brought out a swarm of TV and radio crews as well as your friendly neighborhood local online news source. Congressmember Jay Inslee (whose district is mostly to the north and west of Seattle), State Rep. Bob Hasegawa (from the 11th District south of West Seattle/White Center) and leaders/workers from the Laborers International Union of North America were there to announce the first home in the Northwest to be weatherized as part of LIUNA’s program involving federal “stimulus funding.”

The home that’s being weatherized first belongs to Carolyn Ostrom, who’s in the UFCW T-shirt in that photo, standing with a group including Rep. Inslee (right), Rep. Hasegawa (left), and LiUNA’s regional vice president Mano Frey (center), who’s based in Alaska. Within his first minute and a half of remarks, as you’ll hear in our video, Rep. Inslee tied this event into the energy bill passed in the U.S. House last week and bringing troops home from Middle East wars:

The union’s big talking point today was a training program to credential workers for weatherization jobs, and some of the trainees were in the crowd watching the announcement:

Inside the house, the weatherization work was under way:

And the homeowner said she’s looking forward to the results:

Now the big question: How to apply for either the training or the weatherization. We circled back with contacts and, for the training, were pointed here; for the weatherization, check with the Moontown Foundation (we still have a few inquiries out and will add anything more we learn).

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Video: Kitten adopt-a-thon happening now on Alki
June 28, 2009 1:39 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Pets | West Seattle news | West Seattle video

Quick Flip clip of a few of the 11 kittens who were up for adoption when we stopped by All the Best Pet Care (next to Cactus) on Alki a little while ago. (We shot through a tent net – a few others are in a cage with quite the Puget Sound view.) The adopt-a-thon in connection with Feral Care continues till 5 pm. (Animal communicator Joy Turner is there too, as per the original announcement – her fees today are benefiting Feral Care.)

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Westwood Village Street Fair, report #2: Showtime
June 27, 2009 3:54 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news | West Seattle video

That’s the magician who drew a crowd of kids here at the Westwood Village Street Fair with tricks including that bit of doll levitation earlier this afternoon – live entertainment is about to rev up in a big way with Theatre Sports comedy improv onstage at 4 (a taste of what they’re doing at the Admiral Theater tonight at 9) followed by three bands: Nekkid Frankie, Reckon Yard, Morris Can Fly. If you haven’t been here yet, the stage is right in front of Bed Bath Beyond – booths are in the same parking lot as well as down the Wyatt’s Jewelers (WSB sponsor – and giving away a gold/diamond pendant at 6:15 pm if you enter the center-wide drawing) and 24 Hour Fitness breezeway, as well as over in front of QFC and the neighboring restaurants. The fair continues till 7 pm; more photos/video to come – and you can see our first report here.

4:17 PM UPDATE: Here’s that Clifford the Big Red Dog photo we promised earlier:

Nekkid Frankie – a teen-girl band – is on stage right now (video added 5:36 pm) – turns out they swapped spots with TheatreSports, which will do its improv comedy afterward, followed by more bands.

5:03 PM UPDATE: The bouncy houses are being deflated – so looks like the kids’ activities are done for the day. Music continues, with band #2 playing now.

5:46 PM UPDATE: More of the other booths are folding up. Just got a chance to talk to someone else who dropped by the WSB table (we’ll be here till at least 6:15) – guide dog-trainer Ruth, whose event last Tuesday was publicized here on WSB. She visited with puppy-in-training Amos, whose photo we will add later – he even has his own training card. They’re working to get the word out that Guide Dogs for the Blind are provided free of charge to the visually impaired, but they don’t have guaranteed funding forever, so they need support, as well as volunteers. ADDED 8:01 PM: A snippet of Morris Can Fly, the third and final band of the night:

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Video: The West Seattle benches that inspired a change in city law
June 27, 2009 11:26 am
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle video

That’s Admiral resident Clay Eals, City Councilmember Jean Godden, and neighborhood kids helping unveil one of four benches this morning outside a new loft-townhouse development in the 1700 block of California SW. (Also seen briefly toward the end of the clip, another neighborhood advocate who worked to make this happen, Dennis Ross.) As we reported yesterday, these benches are more than they may seem to passersby who don’t take a closer look: They represent the culmination of years of neighborhood advocacy to be sure an open-space easement would be part of the deal when the property, which includes a onetime Seattle City Light substation site, was sold. (added 8:50 pm) Here’s Eals explaining that:

And as Councilmember Godden added during the brief unveiling ceremony, the process also led to a change in city law:

That city law has figured into more than a few stories we have covered in the past few years too – like the public-notification process that helped bring the 34th/Barton site into view as a possible P-Patch community garden. (Added Sunday: Here’s the page where you can find out city property that’s currently “under review.”) Back to the ceremony: The bench unveiling was repeated three more times and then of course, it wasn’t official till somebody actually used the bench:

A reception followed, with guests including executives from Soleil Development, who also got kudos as the site’s most recent owners for finalizing the easement deal.

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