We now know more about the man who died after falling from the drillship Kulluk at Vigor Shipyards on Harbor Island last Friday. The Kitsap Sun published a followup last night, identifying him as 39-year-old William “Bull” Ben Shelby of Bremerton. There’s a memorial service for him in Silverdale tomorrow. Though there was no name in our story published Friday, his sister in Iowa added comments on Saturday thanking other commenters for their well-wishes, and adding, “I want to thank the firemen, paramedics and everyone else who worked so hard to try to save my brother’s life. Thank you for trying.”

3:32 PM: A worker at Vigor Shipyards on Harbor Island died after a 100-foot fall this afternoon, according to this KING5.com report. The Seattle Fire 911 log shows a medic “7-per response,” generally an indication of a major injury or medical situation, to Vigor’s address on 16th SW at 12:19 pm. We’re seeking more information.

ADDED 3:53 PM: Our partners at the Seattle Times say workplace-safety investigators are on the scene.

ADDED 4:26 PM: Steve Hirsh, Vigor spokesperson, tells WSB: “A Vigor Shipyards employee was fatally injured shortly after noon today while at work on the drill rig ‘Kulluk.’ Vigor immediately instituted a safety stand-down at all of our facilities while we and safety officials thoroughly investigate the tragic accident.” The Kulluk has been at Vigor for work since midsummer.

New Admiral District business Mind Unwind – “a playground for the creative imagination” – is hosting its first class tomorrow, and there’s room left, proprietor Krystal Kelley tells us tonight. The class is “The Art of Soup”; the teacher, one of West Seattle’s best-known soup purveyors, Amber Bennett of Freshy’s Coffee. Five spots are left for the 4-7 pm class; registration info is here.

Inbetween regular meetings, West Seattle Chamber of Commerce members gather for “After-Hours” events at local businesses – and tonight, board member Kirk Mead (left, with president Dave Montoure) played host at the new Umpqua Bank branch of which he is general manager, next to Admiral Safeway. Here’s the smiling staff:

On the immediate horizon for the Chamber – next Tuesday is the deadline to get nominations in for this year’s Westside Awards. The nomination form and more info can be found on this page of the Chamber’s website.

Today, we’re welcoming a new WSB sponsor: Red 27 Engraving. Here’s what they would like you to know about their business:

Red 27 Engraving is a full-service laser-engraving company that can place any design, photograph, or text on plastic, acrylic, brass, stainless, aluminum, textiles, granite, marble, glass, wood and tile. They are usually able to turn around a product in a day – they have multiple laser machines that allow them to run many products at once. Red 27 Engraving owner Dana Perreault is based in Arbor Heights and says his family has been in the engraving business on the East Coast for the past 18 years. He works on projects ranging from pet tags and name badges, to industrial signage and custom gifts. Red 27 Engraving loves to work on new and interesting projects and is happy to talk with you about your ideas, and work with you to produce the perfect product. You’ll find Red 27 Engraving online at red27engraving.com; call 206-854-7328. The company is a member of the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce.

We thank Red 27 Engraving for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news on WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.

Another new business is on its way to the new live-work buildings on California SW just north of Morgan Junction – and for the two guys who lead Pink Gorilla Games, it’s a homecoming. Paublo Smith (pictured) lives just south of West Seattle – in North Highline – and his friend and colleague Nathan Paine lives in West Seattle. Next Monday, they expect to open the third Pink Gorilla Games store at 6051 California SW. That’ll be a soft open, because they have a big “grand opening” weekend scheduled for February 4th and 5th.

The first two Pink Gorilla stores are in the International District and University District. Haven’t been to one? Paublo explains what they do: “We sell video games and video-game supplies. We sell everything but specialize in retro and import games.”

They buy and trade, too – so if you have a still-usable copy of some old Atari, Sega, or Nintendo game, they just might be interested. Paublo says their goal is to have at least one of everything available – so “you can find anything you’re looking for.” (If you want to sell or trade, you’re welcome to bring the game/s in any time; one or two might be evaluated immediately, but if you have a bag or box full, you’ll have to leave it for evaluation.)

The West Seattle Pink Gorilla Games shop also will carry board games. Paublo sees that as a reflection of WS community spirit, since board games are a face-to-face community-building activity.

They’ll be open 11 am-7 pm seven days a week. Their inventory of new games will be weighted toward “all the big hits.”

Though the U-District Pink Gorilla Games store is known for its events, there’s not much room in the cozy West Seattle space for those, but Paublo says they’re hoping to talk with nearby venues (Beveridge Place Pub and Feedback Lounge [WSB sponsor] are just down the block, for example) about space for gatherings.

Once they open – again, likely next Monday – everybody who makes a purchase between that day and the grand-opening weekend February 4th/5th will get a raffle ticket, with drawings scheduled for Sunday of that big weekend – $100 gift card, T-shirts, and so on. You won’t have to be present to win, but those who ARE, will have a chance at something even more special, Paublo promises.

Just look for the store with pink and green inside – P and G, for Pink Gorilla.

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

“An exciting year” was recalled – and another one envisioned – as more than 60 people lunched at Neighborhood House’s High Point Neighborhood Center today for the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce‘s annual meeting.

The excitement included membership growth as well as intensive advocacy on key issues.

Reviewing 2011 accomplishments, Chamber board chair Dave Montoure (proprietor of West 5 in The Junction) detailed advocacy issues included working for passage of the pro-tunnel ballot measure, supporting West Seattle transportation priorities brought to the awareness of the citywide committee known as CTAC-3 – “this group was the only neighborhood to (develop) a list of priorities” and present it to the group – and lobbying the City Council to commit “resources to improve The Triangle.”

The rate of new members joining the Chamber was up more than 150 percent from 2010, and 80 percent of current members renewed during the year. “We have a healthy Chamber and we’re going to continue to grow,” Montoure declared.

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Again today, news of a new location for another one of the businesses that will be displaced when work begins on the California/Alaska/42nd site just bought by megadeveloper Equity Residential. Today, we have confirmed that Super Supplements has chosen its new West Seattle location – the Morgan Junction storefront that Blockbuster Video is vacating, at 6451 Fauntleroy Way SW. Super Supplements says it’s expecting to make the move this summer, probably in July. It’s been on the southeast corner of California/Alaska for more than five years (we reported its impending arrival in April 2006). Just yesterday, we confirmed that Sound Advice, a few doors south of Super Supplements, will move to a new home a block north. Equity hasn’t set a date yet for starting construction on the two-building, 190+-apartment project approved for the site, but told WSB on Wednesday that they expect work to begin this year.

Now that construction for the just-sold California/Alaska/42nd site seems inevitable, the business moves are coming fast and furious. Here’s the latest: mobile retailer Sound Advice is moving a block north next month. Thanks to Brian Presser from TouchTech Systems for spotting and photographing the flyer on the door. The listed street number listed for the new location didn’t look right, so we called Sound Advice, and though they’re checking on the new street number, they confirmed, it IS the space adjacent to (south of) West Seattle Coins, on the street level of the Senior Center of West Seattle building. As the sign says, they expect to open there next month. Just yesterday, we finally made contact with the California/Alaska/42nd site’s new owner, Chicago-based Equity Residential, whose spokesperson (as we reported here) said they expect to break ground before the year’s out on the same 190-plus-apartment project that previous owner Charlie Conner and partners got approved before selling the site (for $11.4 million, as we reported December 22nd). Other businesses that have recently moved from the site to new West Seattle locations include Classic Barber Shop, SIMA Martial Arts, and Limber Yoga (all of whom have new locations); The Beer Junction expects to move later this winter to its new spot in the California SW building where the liquor store and train store used to be, but remains open at its original location (4707 42nd SW) till then.

(Photo courtesy Mountain to Sound Outfitters)
FREEBIE #1 – FOR SKIERS AND SNOWBOARDERS: Mountain to Sound Outfitters in The Triangle is offering a free clinic this Sunday “to help you learn the basics of ski maintenance, as well as some of the finer points of waxing and in home tuning. Come down to learn about caring for your edges, creating a the best side and edge bevel, basics on structure, and how to hotwax your gear. Experienced ski and snowboard technicians will be providing this free workshop and will be on hand to answer specific questions after the presentation.” It’s at 5 pm at M2SO, 3602 SW Alaska, but you can’t just show up – space is limited, so they’re asking for an RSVP ASAP – e-mail info@m2soutfitters or call 206-935-7669.

FREEBIE #2 – YOGA: Longtime WSB sponsor SoundYoga (5639 California SW) has just announced the date for its next Free Yoga session. This time it’s on January 28th, 10:30 am.

NEW FARMERS’ MARKET VENDOR: Starting this Sunday, Honest Biscuits joins the lineup at West Seattle Farmers’ Market (yes, it’s back, 10 am-2 pm, 44th/Alaska, after Christmas/New Year’s off), after a stint at the Broadway Farmers’ Market on Capitol Hill.

(Photo courtesy Honest Biscuits)
Proprietor Art Stone has worked as a lawyer and judge but says his heart “belongs to biscuits now.” He says they’re “made fresh from local ingredients, the primary ingredient being Washington’s Shepherd’s Grain flour,” with added ingredients “such as Theo Chocolate, Beecher’s Cheese, and Tonnemaker apples.” More on his website.

SKIN BUTIK MOVES: Aesthetician Sara Lowe sent word that she has moved her business from Harbor Avenue to new digs at California/Graham – the one, she says with a “dazzling chandelier hanging in the entryway” – and is having an open house 5-7:30 pm on January 26th.

IN THE SAME BUILDING – NORTHWEST INSURANCE: That same new live/work building is also home now to longtime WSB sponsor John Moore‘s Northwest Insurance Group (6055 California SW), which represents more than a dozen insurance providers. Online, you’ll also now find NW Insurance Group on Facebook.

(WSB photo of Mountain to Sound Outfitters team @ April 2011 West Seattle Chamber awards event)
One year after honoring Mountain to Sound Outfitters (above) as Emerging Business of the Year, Salty’s as Business of the Year, White Center Food Bank executive director Rick Jump as Westsider of the Year, and the West Seattle Farmers’ Market as Nonprofit of the Year – it’s time for the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce to choose its next round of honorees. But they can’t do it without nominations from you! From Shannon Felix:

Who was outstanding on the Westside in 2011? Honor those in our community who make West Seattle a great place to live and work by nominating a business or individual for a Westside Award!

The West Seattle Chamber of Commerce sponsors this annual program to celebrate West Seattle’s entrepreneurial spirit and personal commitment to the Westside. Four categories include Westside Business of the Year, Westside Emerging Business, Westside Not-For-Profit Business of the Year, and Westsider of the Year. Award information and nomination forms are available online at WSChamber.com. You may e-mail nominations with your name and phone number to: info@wschamber.com or via fax: 206-938-7437.

Nominations are open to any West Seattle business or individual and due by January 31, 2012, at 5 pm to The West Seattle Chamber of Commerce, 3614-A California Ave SW. Seattle, WA 98116. Award recipients will be honored at the Westside Annual Awards Breakfast at Salty’s on Alki on April 18, 2012. For more information, contact the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce, 206-932-5685.

(Thanks to TouchTech Systems‘ Brian Presser for the photo!)
CLASSIC BARBER SHOP’S MOVE: If you’re in The Junction and notice that sign – it is actually related to two other stories we have covered in the past few weeks: Over the New Year’s holiday, Classic Barber Shop moved from 4704 California SW to 5040 California SW, where it seamlessly picked up the space occupied by Alki Style and Barber Shop until its proprietor John Burmaz retired following his workday on New Year’s Eve (WSB coverage here). Classic would have had to move eventually anyway, since its former space is part of the building that Charlie Conner and partners just sold (WSB coverage here), along with its long-in-the-works development plans, to Chicago-based Equity Residential (no response from ER yet to inquiries about its timetable for the site).

HEARTLAND CAFE CHANGES: Just got word from proprietor Jay Wergin that Heartland Café has made some changes in its hours: “First and most important is, our hours have changed. We are open for the first time on Mondays for breakfast and lunch but will close the café at 3 pm. The bar will be open serving limited food specials on Monday until 2 am.” We’ve updated the hours on the WSB West Seattle Restaurant Guide page for The Heartland (restaurant proprietors/managers are invited to send us changes any time – we will be checking periodically but we’d also like to announce your changes when they happen; here’s how to reach WSB).

NEW COCKTAIL MENU ABOUT TO DEBUT AT THE FEEDBACK: This isn’t just any cocktail menu – it’s the cocktail menu for the bar/lounge that won Best Cocktails in the Best of Western Washington vote for two consecutive years. Mixmaster Matt Johnson unveils his new lineup at 6 pm Thursday at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor); you can peruse some hints via the Feedback Cocktail Club‘s Facebook page.

NEW WEBSITE FOR GUITAR TEACHER RICHIE JENKIN: Got word over the holidays that West Seattle guitar teacher Richie Jenkin, the only music teacher on the current WSB sponsor team, has a new website, including audio and video of some of his music, if you’d like to not just read more about him but HEAR his work before inquiring. Address is the same: richiejenkin.com.

As first reported here Monday, both West Seattle Blockbuster stores are out of the rental business, selling off inventory and preparing to close. For anyone wondering how long the endstage is going to last, Admiral store manager Shannon shared some information tonight about what’s ahead at her location: She says the store at 2222 California SW will be “closing its doors to customers on February 15th,” and till then, “liquidating all inventory and assets. Additionally, inventory will be replenished and new sales will be added weekly.” If you have questions, she invites phone calls @ 206-938-8000.

As of about half an hour ago, both Blockbuster stores in West Seattle are closed. At least one of them – Admiral – is reopening tomorrow for a “liquidation sale,” but no more movie rentals at either one. We’d heard rumors about the Fauntleroy store closing (confirmed by the flyer for its “for lease” listing, though Blockbuster corporate PR did not answer our inquiries) but hadn’t heard Admiral was closing too till a note today from Martin sent us out to check in person. An employee at Fauntleroy told us around 3 pm that it was their last day of renting movies, but she wasn’t sure when the store was shutting down; we headed to Admiral, where at 3:55 pm, a note on the door said they would close at 4 pm and reopen for the liquidation sale at 11 am tomorrow.

Circled back to Fauntleroy after that – and a sign had appeared on the door between our visits: CLOSED. (No word of any reopening, but we’ll take a look tomorrow.) Note that the note at the Admiral location says the nearest still-open store is the one in White Center. That’s also the store to which people in Burien are being pointed, according to this report about Blockbuster’s impending shutdown there. The troubled video-rental chain was bought by Dish Network earlier this year. The two Blockbusters were the last standalone video-rental stores in West Seattle, though offline movie rentals are still available by other means, such as supermarket counters and Redbox machines. (P.S. Looks like other areas of the country are seeing closures too – Google News Search shows a multitude of recent stories.)

Today we’re welcoming Head to Toe Day Spa to the West Seattle Blog sponsor team. Here’s what Head to Toe would like you to know about what they do:

Head to Toe Day Spa is a little gem in the Admiral District. We’ve been here for more than 10 years, providing outstanding pedicures and manicures, expert massage and body treatments, and both classic and technical facial treatments. Whether you’re purchasing a gift for someone special, scheduling services for yourself, or need some help matching the perfect makeup, our gracious and knowledgeable receptionists can help you.

Head to Toe Day Spa‘s staff is truly interested in helping you feel and look great. We offer expert technical advice and services along with personal care and pampering. We’re open seven days a week, including evenings. We continue to hear regularly from guests how welcome and relaxed they feel from the moment they enter the spa. All of the little touches, from fresh flowers to heated neck rolls, mean a lot. Many clients mention that they’d like to linger on our massage/facial beds because they’re so comfortable.

Head to Toe owner Joni Buckner truly believes in helping the community where she lives and works. She adds, “We donate to fundraising for all the schools in West Seattle, Northwest Hope & Healing, the Susan G. Komen 3-Day For the Cure, Admiral Neighborhood Association‘s summer concerts, Admiral District Business Association, and West Seattle Chamber of Commerce.”

Head to Toe Day Spa is at 2328 California SW, 206-938-9300. Online, you’ll find Head to Toe at head2toedayspa.com.

We thank Head to Toe Day Spa for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news on WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.

After a few weeks in business, Nathan Panuco (left) and Antonio Cejudo are hosting a party tonight – celebrating not only the holidays, but also the official grand opening of their salon CoCo & Co.’s first storefront. It’s in the 35th/Henderson storefront previously occupied by West Seattle Community Clinic. The salon had been home-based for the past year or so, Nathan says, and after a few months of looking for a retail location, this one became available- next door to Stuffed Cakes (WSB Holiday Shopping Guide sponsor) on one side, with other businesses on the corner including Bird on a Wire Espresso, Beauty Bar, West Seattle Fish House, and Green Home Renovations. Tonight’s party continues till 8 pm, with live music from Sphinx Akashaa Duncan:

Neighbors Stuffed Cakes and Bird on a Wire are among the refreshment providers tonight. If you don’t catch up with CoCo & Co. tonight, find them online here.