TEDxRainier to stream live Sunday at West Seattle’s Hotwire Coffee
(Promotional video for TEDxRainier – nothing about the speakers, but lots of scenery!)
Heard of the TED talks? Tomorrow, there’s an independently organized Seattle version called TEDxRainier, described by organizers as featuring “Seattle’s guiding lights in global health, environmentalism, high tech, literary arts, and culture, delivering brief lectures about their remarkable work.” TEDxRainier is happening in Benaroya Hall downtown, 10 am-6 pm, but because that only holds about 500 people (admission: $50), organizers arranged for a few locations around the region to stream the conference live. One of them is Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor), 4410 California SW, specifically sought out by TEDxRainier organizers. You’re welcome to drop by, according to Hotwire’s Lora Lewis – she’ll have it set up on one of the Hotwire computers. You can see the schedule of speakers (though it’s not broken down minute-by-minute) in the official program here.
West Seattle food/drink notes: Marination, Heartland, ‘Bacon Day’
Four West Seattle food and/or drink notes:
MARINATION MOBILE LOCATION UPDATE: As reported here earlier this summer, the 35th/Graham location that’s been home to the Marination Mobile food truck on Saturdays is about to get dug up for a cleanup, and they have to move. Kamala from Marination Mobile just e-mailed us to say that they WILL be at the same site this Saturday, 11-2 as usual – and then they’re hoping they will be across SW Graham at Hans VW Repair‘s lot on subsequent Saturdays. “WE LOVE WEST SEATTLE!” she adds.
HEARTLAND CAFE CHANGES: Heartland Café‘s proprietor Jay Wergin shared this photo with news of an expansion:
Wergin says the bar space has expanded “to include natural light and gaming. … This is a soft opening to what will eventually be a full-service bar offering live entertainment, draft beers, pull tabs, sports on multiple TVs, and a great gathering place.” It’s got pool and darts, as you see in the photo – but no worries, The Benbow Room is still “plenty dark and pirate-ship-like,” he reassures its fans. And it’s now open Mondays 3 pm-2 am; they’re offering a $1 discount on any drink to restaurant-industry employees on both Sunday and Monday nights.
INTERNATIONAL BACON DAY COMING TO THE SWINERY: If you don’t frequent the WSB Forums, you may have missed our mention there on Tuesday of the news release sent by The Swinery – they’re planning to throw quite the party in honor of International Bacon Day (we checked, there really is such a thing) on Saturday, September 4th. Here’s the announcement, promising, among other things, free bacon-chocolate-chip cookies.
YOSHIO’S TERIYAKI CLOSES: This is a couple weeks old but we hadn’t noted it before, so in case you wondered, yes, Yoshio’s Teriyaki on the northeast corner of Delridge and Andover is out of business. We pulled over today for a closer look at the note on the door, and that’s what it says. It had been for sale for more than a year; we reported on the listing in February of last year.
West Seattle Art Walk Thursday: The Cask opening; buskers wanted
Before we get to West Seattle Summer Fest this Friday-Saturday-Sunday, there’s one more Big Event – the next West Seattle Art Walk on Thursday night, “from Alki to Endolyne,” as the official postcard art proclaims – 43 venues (here’s the list/map). We mentioned one venue’s big plans last week. Today, two more highlights – First, as noted on the official Art Walk website, The Cask in Admiral plans its grand opening that night. (We brought you first word of this “Old World ale and wine house,” 2350 California SW, in this story last April.) (added 1:15 pm – we just dropped by The Cask and got these indoor/outdoor pix)
(back to original 11:02 am story) Second, for the venues in The Junction, the streets will already be closed for Summer Fest, and the theme is “Art Walk ‘Alive'” – with street performers (“buskers”) welcome to be part of it – Art Walk organizer Lora Lewis from Hotwire Coffee (WSB sponsor) has even put out a citywide call. So if you know a busker, let them know they’re welcome to be in The Junction this Thursday night, 6-9 pm – as is everybody – we know the weather will be summery, the art will be awesome, so here’s another look at the map (again, not just The Junction, there are venues all over the peninsula) – as well as venue highlights on the WSAW site (many offer free refreshments too). See you there (and of course, at West Seattle Summer Fest the following three days).
Update: The Beer Junction is open for business
(Photos by Christopher Boffoli)
As proprietor Morgan Herzog (in the green shirt) promised, as of 11 am today, his brand-new Junction business The Beer Junction is open. The glassware in the foreground of the top photo is part of what he’s selling in addition to 640 different beers and more than 50 wines.
When we talked to Herzog for our story yesterday, he also mentioned other beverages including sake, mead, champagne and soda. Just back from the store (4707 42nd SW), Christopher Boffoli notes, “Customers may notice that they have blackout curtains up front and that the lights are out in all of the beer cases. The folks at The Beer Junction tell me that, much like the way beer bottles are usually a dark color of brown or green, the low light is to protect the quality of the beer.”
There’s more info about The Beer Junction’s hours in our Friday story. (Yes, they WILL be open tomorrow.)
Bin 41, your Junction wine shop: Welcome, new WSB sponsor
We haven’t yet formally welcomed one of our newest WSB sponsors – so, as is customary, today they get the chance to share information about their business with you: Bin 41, “your Junction wine shop.” Bin 41 co-proprietor T. Frick McNamara explains, “Jon and I are casual West Seattleites who just love wine. Our goal is to provide a welcoming, open atmosphere to discover. Based on a quote we once saw, we believe a meal or get-together without good wine and friends is like a day without sunshine. We want wine to be approachable and affordable so it can find a special place in everyday experiences.” She sees a parallel between this business and the work she has done as an urban designer: “I used to design socially sustainable places with a focus on community. Now we get to be a part firsthand in our community fabric. The most rewarding aspect of our new lives at bin 41 is meeting new faces from the community and getting to share and learn more about the world of wine with them. We love it when customers come back to provide feedback on the last bottle of wine we recommended to help us hand select wines to match their palate, their dinner menu or assist in finding the perfect gift item.” Their current community involvement includes being part of the West Seattle Junction Association and participating in the monthly West Seattle Art Walk (stop by to see them next time, July 8, night before West Seattle Summer Fest). And there are special occasions just about every week – with tastings at the shop – the schedule is here. Bin 41 is in The Junction at 4707 California SW, and online at bin41wine.com.
We thank bin 41 for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news on WSB; find our sponsor team, and info on joining, all here.
More liquor store news: West Seattle Junction location might move
Checking out rumors is one of the best parts of our job. Often they’re unfounded, so we don’t publish anything here – just replying directly to whomever contacted us about the rumor. But sometimes, it’s a case of “where there’s smoke, there’s fire.” Michelle e-mailed this morning to ask about a rumor that the Junction liquor store might move. Our call to the Washington Liquor Control Board media-relations team yielded this info from spokesperson Anne Radford: “The lease (in The Junction) is coming to an end in February 2011, so we are considering other locations, along with the possibility of renewing our lease there. So at this point, we’re still looking at our options.” You’ll recall that West Seattle’s other state liquor store closed in Morgan Junction when its lease ended in fall 2008, leaving WS drinkers with one store until the replacement location opened at Westwood Village this past March.
Update: Getting ready for tonight’s Taste of West Seattle
Online ticket sales are closed but a few tickets remain to be bought at the door for tonight’s Taste of West Seattle, 6-8:30 pm at The Hall at Fauntleroy, raising money for West Seattle Helpline, co-sponsored by local businesses including WSB – and best of all, featuring 30+ local food/beverage purveyors, including Skylark Café and Club (WSB sponsor), whose bartender Roger and proprietors Jessie and Charlie are shown above, photographed about 45 minutes ago during setup, with (at left) ToWS promoter Brooks. Skylark’s “taste” tonight is toasted ravioli, by the way. And remember that it’s not just a chance to eat and drink – there’s also a silent auction – lots of cool stuff to bid on:
We’ll be heading back down after it starts at 6, for coverage of the event as it happens. And if you want to know more about the nonprofit you’re supporting – West Seattle Helpline’s mission is explained here.
West Seattle business news: Feedback Lounge’s 1st birthday
(L-R, Feedback Lounge co-owner Jeff Gilbert, general manager Bradi Jones, co-owner Matt Johnson)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
If you can make it to the Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) sometime today/tonight, go ahead and break out in song: “Happy Birthday,” or better yet, “Birthday,” would be appropriate. Today’s the 1st anniversary of Opening Night for Morgan Junction’s rock ‘n’ roll bar/restaurant.
The Feedback’s proprietors have already published a wry-laughter-inducing list of the Top 20 Lessons from their first year – you can read it on the Feedback site. But there’s of course more to the story, so co-owners Jeff Gilbert and Matt Johnson agreed to clear some time for us earlier this week to sit down and look back, while also looking ahead.Read More
West Seattle Earth Day: New meaning to “green beer”
(Photos by Christopher Boffoli)
No, “green beer” isn’t just the coloring-added stuff served up on St. Patrick’s Day. It’s a double meaning today for the keg of Elliott Bay Brewery‘s Demolition Ale that an entourage including owner Todd Carden (photo above, left) and chief brewer Doug Hindman (right) delivered by bicycle to the Latona Pub in Green Lake (6423 Latona Ave NE, ) today. The keg got its own helmet and T-shirt:
Covering the departure for WSB, Christopher Boffoli reports, “Latona Pub has been doing events all week in recognition and celebration of Earth Week. All of the beers they have been serving are delivered by human power. And today Elliott Bay delivered theirs via pedal power. Todd Carden of EBB says that people should check out the EBB’s blog and Twitter feed today as they will be offering a special coupon for Earth Day and organic beer.” (You can show the coupon at EBB on your smartphone.)
6:18 PM ADDITION: That’s Carden’s co-owner Brent Norton joining him and Hindman just before they pedaled away. And we’ve found what looks like an arrival photo on the Latona Pub website. And there’s more backstory on the West Seattle-based Washington Beer Blog.
West Seattle business news: The Cask coming to Admiral
Story and photo by Keri DeTore
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
If you’ve noticed activity in the storefront where Dante’s closed a year ago, between the Admiral/California Wells Fargo and Zatz A Better Bagel, here’s what’s coming: The Cask.
The Cask is described by co-owner Shon MacDughlas as an “Old World ale and wine house” which will offer local, independent-label wines and 150 imported beers. MacDughlas notes that the venue, which he co-owns with his wife Dedria Pope, a West Seattle-based Windermere real-estate agent, has applied for a “multi-faceted license” allowing them to offer beverages for retail sale as well as serving them.
The Cask will provide a “cozy” atmosphere with wood features (including the bar top, made from a fallen old-growth fir), lamplight, and music, including a lounge with space to accommodate solo musicians.
Read More
Redline Music and Sports: Welcoming a new WSB sponsor
This morning we welcome a new WSB sponsor, REDLINE Music and Sports. New sponsors are offered the chance to introduce you to their business, and here’s what proprietor Scott Goerig (right) wants you to know: “REDLINE Music and Sports is more than just a ‘bar.’ I say this confidently, as everyday somebody new still comes in the door and immediately becomes a repeat customer. We are still somewhat of a hidden gem in West Seattle; a delicate mix of a welcoming staff, 70+ menu items (we love homemade and fresh!), diverse nightly events, and a non-pretentious atmosphere where you can relax next to the fire and dine on Chef Joshua’s Hand-tossed NY-Style Pizzas. When the weather’s right you can even hang out and relax on our outdoor patio, the largest of any night spot in West Seattle. Perhaps that’s why in just over 2 years we have won ‘Best New Business‘ 2007, ‘Best Food under $10‘ and ‘Best Bartender‘ 2008, and runner-up ‘Best Bar/Pub‘ and ‘Best Happy Hour‘ 2009 (Best of the Westside), as well as many other accolades. Our energy and dedication are simply unmatched, as we knew it wouldn’t be easy to change West Seattle’s perception of the former businesses that have resided at 4439 35th Ave SW [map] over the past decades. When writing this I couldn’t decide which old adage fits REDLINE best — ‘don’t knock it ‘til you’ve tried it’ or ‘don’t judge a book by its cover.’ Especially with all the amazingly unique businesses in West Seattle, I truly believe it is what’s inside that counts. It wasn’t easy, but shaking the negative connotation associated with our old red building was only made possible by giving customers GREAT food, AFFORDABLE prices, and a FUN atmosphere. If you haven’t visited us yet, please come say hi and learn what hundreds of other West Seattleites already have; a wonderful experience is located just off 35th near KFC and kitty-corner to the West Seattle Golf Course.” You’ll also find REDLINE online at redlinemusicsports.com.
We thank REDLINE Music and Sports for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news on WSB; find our sponsor team, and info on joining, all here.
Why West Seattle’s Hotwire Coffee is doubling as a TV studio today
Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor) proprietor Lora Lewis is pulling an all-nighter right now – not because she, oh, say, drank too much of her own product, but because she’s got a shop full of special guests:
Those are a few members of the video crew that chose Hotwire as the backdrop for what’s known as a “satellite media tour” – here’s the uplink truck parked in the Hotwire courtyard to facilitate the “satellite” part of the phrase:
So what’s the occasion? On behalf of Norton from Symantec, Los Angeles-based “Internet safety advocate” Marian Merritt will be doing three dozen live interviews with TV stations around the country – including Q13 here in Seattle – to talk about the “Top 10 Riskiest Online Cities” list the company just released. Just so happens, Seattle tops the list. So why do the interviews from Hotwire? A producer explained, “We found them online!” (Of course.) Anyway, they’ve got interviews booked starting at 3:10 am our time and continuing up till 9 am, overlapping with Hotwire operating hours (which start at 6:30 am) – so when you drop by for coffee this morning (maybe a Peeps beverage?) don’t mind the TV crew. And be kind to Lora; she’s been at the shop just after midnight, when the crew needed to start setting up – even on the patio:
(next photo added 9:40 am – the producer with the info sheet as they prepared for the Q13 interview)
P.S. As of this writing, we can’t find Symantec’s “riskiest cities” list online … but the producer gave us a printout, so read on if you’re interested (PLUS, added 11:36 am, our video interview with Lora as this all wrapped up):Read More
Another new West Seattle business: The Beer Junction
Thanks to Alison for spotting the liquor-license notice at 4707 42nd SW, across from the north end of Jefferson Square, between Limber Yoga/Seattle Integrated Martial Arts (WSB sponsor) and AAA Travel. We subsequently tracked down and spoke with Morgan Herzog, who plans to turn the space into The Beer Junction: “This will be a specialty beer store. We’ll be focusing on beers all around the world, with an extra focus on beers of the Northwest, local beers … we’ll also probably have a small selection of wine and cigars, but that’s not really our big focus.” Read on for more of what’s planned at The Beer Junction, and a request for your suggestions:Read More
West Seattle’s Hotwire Coffee brews up text ordering – plus Peeps
That sign on the door at Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor) is for a new first-of-its-kind service launched by Hotwire proprietor Lora Lewis – it’s Textwire; text Hotwire your beverage order and the time you’re arriving, and the drink will be ready when you get there. You have to pre-register so they have your name and, if you want, prepayment info on file – then, there’s a special text-only number you’ll be able to use to send the info. Sign up at hotwirecoffee.com or at Hotwire, and while you’re there – with three weeks till Easter, drinkable Peeps are in the house. 
Lora sent the photo at left and explained, “Our much anticipated Peeps drinks are back along with the ‘peep hunt’ for a third year in a row. This year we added a salted caramel lavender Peep beverage. Our Peep hunt is for the kids but let’s face it, who doesn’t like a treasure hunt? so all ages welcome. Find all the pictures of the Peeps at Hotwire and win, well, a Peep.” Four flavors are available – besides the salted caramel (etc.) there’s honey-vanilla, peppermint and strawberry-white chocolate.
New Junction wine shop Bin 41 sets Tuesday for “soft open”
(Photo courtesy Ben Shaevitz)
Six weeks after we first heard from Bin 41 proprietors T. Frick and Jon McNamara, their Junction wine shop is right on track with the plan they outlined at the time. They sent an update late last night – they’re getting ready for “soft opening” at 11 am Tuesday: “This will be a casual opening to allow us to interact with our customers and to work through any hiccups that will inevitably occur. We wanted to note that we are not opening with our full anticipated portfolio. This is intentional because we want to get to know our customers to allow us to evolve based upon their input and palates.” They expect the “portfolio” to keep growing as they work toward an April 1st grand opening: “This is a special day, as it is the 15-year anniversary for West Seattle Cellars and the first day for our shop. We are planning some fun tasting events for the grand opening which is scheduled for Thursday, April 1st through Sunday, April 4th.” They promise to keep the updates coming on the Web at bin41wine.com, as well as on Facebook and Twitter. If you’ve been through The Junction lately, you’ve no doubt noticed their signage; they’re adjacent to KeyBank on California just south of Alaska.
Just got word from 
If you walk the streets of certain other neighborhoods – oh, say, Capitol Hill – you’ll notice almost as many teahouses as coffee shops.
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