(2009 Rampathon photo courtesy Potter Construction)
Tomorrow’s the annual “Rampathon” by the Master Builders Care Foundation in King and Snohomish Counties, and West Seattle’s Potter Construction (WSB sponsor) will be part of it again this year. Staff volunteers “will set one Highland Park grandmother free when they build a wheelchair-accessible ramp to her front door,” according to the announcement. The project is getting financial assistance from the Rotary Club of West Seattle, which donated $3,500 to support construction of the ramp. Across the region, Rampathon has resulted in almost 300 ramps built since 1993, supported by donations to the MBC Foundation; Potter’s Highland Park project is one of 20 scheduled in the region tomorrow.

“We give where we live” is the motto for RED (Renew, Energize, Donate) Day, a nationwide day of service today for Keller Williams Realty. The West Seattle crew is giving their time and talents to a project just blocks north of their Junction offices: They’re working on the West Seattle Baptist Church basement that’s been taken over by the Junction-based Skate Church. Pastors Rob and Serena Wastman from Skate Church say it’ll be a great place for activities including movie nights and afterschool programs – and they also say they’ll make it available to community groups looking for a meeting space.

From left, Rob and Serena, with Keller Williams event organizer Eric Slawson, and Skate Church’s Jovan Wiggins. The church plans a grand opening celebration for their share of the WSBC space in September.

We’ve been keeping an eye on Juneau Street Market (California/Juneau; map) since an apartment fire over the store closed the market eight months ago, watching for signs of reopening. Saw an open door about an hour and a half ago, and dropped in. Owner Binh Nguyen (photo left) was there and said they’re reopening tomorrow, might even “soft-open” tonight. Asked what he did during the long shutdown, he smiled, “Vacation” – adding that the reopening process took so long because of “insurance stuff.” (In a comment following our original coverage of the fire, they had posted that they hoped to reopen in “six to eight weeks.”) The fire in early September was blamed on an extension cord; nobody was hurt. Neighboring Ho-Win Chinese Restaurant was closed immediately after the fire too, but reopened relatively quickly.

We first talked with Ken Ahroni of Lucky Break Wishbone two years ago, when he notched a pivotal win in his fight against Sears and ad agency Young and Rubicam, over the plastic turkey bones they used in a promotion – which seemed a lot like the ones he had been making and selling. Today, Ahroni e-mailed to say, “After four years, we finally prevailed in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.” That federal court just rejected the challenge to the $1.7 million award he had won in a copyright case first filed in early 2006; the ad agency had talked to Ahroni’s company almost a year before that about possibly using his wishbones in a Thanksgiving promotion for Sears – procuring a sample, not striking a deal, then hiring another company to produce plastic wishbones in China. (Lucky Break Wishbones are manufactured in Auburn.) From the Lucky Break news release announcing the decision (you can read it in its entirety here):

“The Ninth Circuit’s decision reaffirms the validity of Lucky Break’s claims and originality in product design,” said (Ahroni’s lawyer). “As business becomes more globalized, it will be critical that U.S. courts uphold intellectual property rights in a manner that continues to encourage innovation and creativity. This case is an excellent example of the principle in action.”

After getting the news release about his court victory, we checked with Ahroni to ask if this is indeed the end of the legal line – he says, yes, case closed. And business is good, he tells WSB – sales of his wishbones were up 10 percent in 2009 over the previous year. If you’d like to read the appeals court’s decision, here it is in its entirety (Ahroni clarifies that “not for publication” does not mean what you’d think – it’s a term referring to the decision’s future uses).

(Photo by John Smersh)
Something different for your Saturday night – a jewelry trunk show and artist reception. It’s just getting under way at longtime WSB sponsor Click! Design That Fits in the Admiral District – above, that’s Click! co-owner Frances Smersh, a jewelry designer herself, with Dawn Benedetto of poppi jewelry, in the spotlight tonight. Benedetto describes her creations as “a line of jewelry that doesn’t take life too seriously.” She’s come all the way from the East Coast to meet West Seattle jewelry fans – she’ll be at Click! till 8 tonight (more about the event on their website).

First (if you haven’t already seen the mention on our FB page), happy anniversary to Zippy’s Giant Burgers in Highland Park. Zippy’s posted a note in the WSB Forums to commemorate the fact they opened their doors two years ago today, to an enthusiastic reception that we hear continues to this day. Second – Michele at West Seattle Thriftway says bacon cheeseburgers are on the menu for another benefit barbecue today, out in front of the store (and hey! the sun just came out!) – starting at 11 am, $7 for burger/chips/soda to benefit the breast-cancer-fighting Susan G. Komen Foundation.

Her business isn’t new, but the location is. Tomorrow is opening day for Donna Ryan Photography in the former Swee Swee Paperie (which now operates online) storefront in The Junction, just east of Cupcake Royale (WSB sponsor). Donna tells us the doors swing open at 11 am tomorrow (Saturday 5/1). The photo at left, which she provided, demonstrates not only her main stock in trade, but also her new sideline: As mentioned here last month, she will be selling children’s clothing from the Tea Collection. Along with selling apparel and scheduling in-studio photo shoots, Donna will continue to shoot on location – and is planning to offer in-house Portrait Parties, described in her grand-opening news release as “a combination of a fun get-together and photo shoot.” Donna, by the way, is also the official photographer for the West Seattle Junction Association – you may remember her from Santa shoots the past few seasons, and she’s also taken photos for some of the features on wsjunction.org. You can find out more about her business at donnaryanphotography.com; she’s opening with a Mother’s Day promotion – “All Moms who stop in and make a purchase of $50 or more will get a voucher for $20 off a future purchase.”

We stopped by West Seattle Produce at 4755 Fauntleroy to check out a WSB’er’s e-mail report that they were planning to soft-open tomorrow. Not only did we confirm that’s true, we also got a tour from co-owner Mike Cairns, working hard to put the finishing touches on the new business. Some changes since we brought you first word of their plans a month ago – at the time, they were going to use the name Pike Place Produce, but now it’s West Seattle Produce. Read on for the newest details about what they’re planning, and a look at some of the antique touches they’re using to add “fun” to the operation:Read More

The WSB inbox has brought questions lately about the status of two more of the new businesses we’ve previewed – so here are updates. HEAVENLY PASTRY: If you walk by their future storefront in the Admiral District – between Linda’s Flowers and Gifts and Alki Bike and Board – you’ve probably noticed the whimsical, oft-changing displays, like the Captain Kirk cutout above. Heavenly Pastry and Cake proprietors Allison Barnes and Michael Stein are working hard on the buildout and say they’re now hoping for a mid-May opening. Here’s our November story about their plans.

LOCOL: We mentioned in an early April comment thread that a followup was in the works regarding Locöl, the wine/beer bar planned for Westwood, between Sharon’s Westwood Florist and Kenyon Hall; then two people pointed out this week that it had never appeared! Oops. So we just checked back with co-proprietor Kyle Duce to see how things are going. He says they’re waiting on permits but still hoping to open “July-ish.” He adds:

So in the meantime we are putting together our wine and beer list and tasting options for our small food menu. We were able to talk with Tony’s Produce and are excited to get our fresh organic produce from the neighborhood.

Here’s our January story about what’s in the works for Locöl.

Two months ago, we brought you the story of Christen Cottam (photo left) and her new store Knows Perfume, on its way to The Junction at 4536 California SW. Tonight, Knows Perfume has announced via Facebook and Twitter that it’s set May 13th for its grand opening. That’ll be the next West Seattle Art Walk night, by the way, and Knows plans to participate. Here’s our original story on the perfume-store plan.

Also happening in The Junction today – the epicenter of Seattle’s celebration of the nationwide (maybe even worldwide) Record Store Day celebration of independent music stores – Easy Street Records. And if you’re talking records, how about a GOLD record? That’s Easy Street owner Matt Vaughan above, holding the one he received for his role in the success of Pearl Jam‘s Backspacer. And if you’re in the mood to pick up a few (or more) records yourself, music’s on sale at Easy Street all day, and the very browsable vinyl stacks are out front:

Here’s the Easy Street online writeup about today’s sale (which is happening at their Queen Anne location too). They’re open till 9 tonight in West Seattle, 11 in QA.

Brunette Mix (WSB sponsor), next to the newly opened Fleurt flower shop at Oregon/California, is one of the 30-plus businesses taking part in today’s big sale day in The Junction. Most will be open till at least 5 pm; the West Seattle Junction Association (WSB sponsor) website has a page of coupons for special deals today. Just like last year, you’ll see red balloons outside participants’ storefronts, so while you certainly can print out the list, you don’t have to have it – just get over to The Junction and get walking! ADDED 3:15 PM: A photo from inside Fleurt, celebrating its first day at the new Junction location:

HEARTLAND CAFE STARTS DAILY BREAKFAST TOMORROW: Nancy from the new Heartland Café sends word that they start daily breakfast tomorrow, opening at 8 am Tuesdays-Sundays (closed Mondays) Heartland owner Jay says their hours are now: 8 am-10 pm Tuesdays-Thursdays, 8 am-3:30 am Fridays and Saturdays, 8 am-3 pm and 5 pm-9 pm (supper) Sundays. The Benbow Room bar is open 11 am-2 am Tuesdays-Fridays, 8 am-2 am Saturdays-Sundays.

TWO TONS OF DONATED FOOD: You can’t quite read it in the photo at that size, but the folks at Curves West Seattle collected 1,939 pounds of food – almost a ton – in their recent food drive. However – their friendly rivals at Curves Westwood collected 2,087 and “won” the annual competition. Nonetheless, they point out in the announcement that accompanied the photo – the local food banks are the real winners.

SPECIAL MOTHER’S DAY CARD: West Seattle letterpress enterprise Myrtle Alley Press just announced it’s part of a fundraiser that you might consider as a Mother’s Day gift idea: If you donate to Jubilee Women’s Center “in honor of your mother or a special woman in your life,” the announcement says, “Jubilee will send a beautiful letterpress card – that truly captures a mother’s spirit of giving – to the honored recipient.” Myrtle Alley Press – which uses antique, hand-cranked printing presses – donated the printing of the card, shown above. Inside, it reads: “Thank you for all the small things you have done and continue to do, day after day. Happy Mother’s Day.” Jubilee provides transitional housing for homeless women; you can make a donation and arrange for a card by following this link. (Mother’s Day is May 9th – the day after West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day!)

(Photos by Christopher Boffoli)
Big contingent from Chief Sealth High School at this morning’s West Seattle Chamber of Commerce annual awards breakfast – there to celebrate the first-ever “Westsider of the Year” honoree, basketball coach Colin Slingsby. From left, it’s athletic director Sam Reed, student athletes Daniel Davis and Tre’von Lane, principal John Boyd, Coach Slingsby, and Mary Davis (Daniel’s mom), who nominated the coach:

In his acceptance speech, the coach said he was proud to be representing Chief Sealth, and the many improvements it’s made – not just in sports. He also won the Seattle Times Coach of the Year award this past season. And though basketball season is over, his work isn’t – Sealth is now looking ahead to their much-lauded Summer Basketball and Life Skills Camp this summer, the 14th annual edition, for 2nd through 9th graders – you can see the brochure here.

Presenting the awards this morning was State Sen. Joe McDermott, shown in the next photo with WestSide Baby board member Anne Higuera (from Ventana Construction [WSB sponsor]) accepting the Community Hero Award on behalf of WestSide Baby executive director Nancy Woodland, who was on a long-planned family vacation:

Anne read a letter from Nancy, talking about keeping the nonprofit’s ship steady – but it turned into a speedboat! She was also lauded for her “boundless energy and good humor” while building the nonprofit that helps thousands of local families in need. Meantime, your co-publishers were honored to represent thousands of WSB’ers in accepting the Business of the Year Award:

That’s us with (center) Chamber board president Jerome O. Cohen. (The Chamber explained the award choices in its original announcement last month, which we published here.) Cohen also paid tribute during the event to departing board members Dawn Leverett of Windermere, Rico Smith of Rico’s Auto Buff, and Bill Hibler of West Seattle Internet:

The awards breakfast was put together this year by First Mutual Bank‘s Dotty Spadoni Hughes, who stopped for a photo with City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen:

And though we don’t have her in a photo, a shoutout as well to always-working-behind-the-scenes Chamber president/CEO Patti Mullen. Except for the annual awards breakfast, the Chamber meetings are monthly lunches, and in May, the guest speaker will be West Seattle-based entrepreneur Sunny Kobe Cook.

WEST SEATTLE RUNNER SETS START DATE: When we last updated you on the much-awaited specialty-running store coming to Charlestown Center (NW corner of California/Charlestown), Lori and Tim McConnell were hoping for an April 10th opening date – and looks like they’ll make it happen, per their official announcement last night via Facebook. 10 am-7 pm Saturday, with chair massages plus a running coach and physical therapist on-site all day.

SHADOWLAND “SIDEWALK CAFE”: The latest West Seattle establishment to apply for a sidewalk-cafe permit is Shadowland; the notice (see it here) was part of the twice-weekly Land Use Information Bulletin just e-mailed by the city. According to the notice, you can comment on the application until April 19th.

One more note:

“REFRESHING”: Washington Federal Savings is “refreshing our brand,” explained Gypsie Gitane in sharing that photo recently, not long after we spotted the Morgan Junction branch’s new signage being hoisted into place one late-March morning. She adds, “Still one of the best capitalized banks in the nation.”