Scam alert: Another variation of the utility-bill phone calls

At least for this area, it’s a new spin on the recurring telephone scam in which someone calls a business and claims its electricity is about to be cut off unless it makes a payment right now. Over the weekend, Donna Burns from Giannoni’s Pizzeria in Westwood Village – which had received the power-bill-scam call at least twice – reported a caller, claiming to be with Puget Sound Energy, making demands: “After I received the ‘we’re turning off your gas in 30 minutes if you don’t pay $500’ call, I immediately called PSE myself (their emergency number) and confirmed that it was in fact, a fraudulent call.” She was due to follow up with the Seattle Police fraud unit today. Bottom line is that if anyone calls you – business or personal line – claiming you need to make a payment now or face disconnection, DON’T DO IT – even if you are worried you might have bonafide bill trouble, hang up and contact the utility directly yourself to find out your status. (Searching the Web before publishing this, we see reports of this in some other parts of PSE’s service territory, but it doesn’t seem to have been as widely reported in Seattle as the electric-bill scam.)

Update: Police investigate shooting at 16th/Henderson; victim says it was accidental

(Added: WSB photos by Christopher Boffoli)
5:56 PM: The big emergency response – police and fire – is for a shooting at 16th and Henderson. 16th is being closed to traffic for now, between Barton and Henderson, because police are looking for shell casings in the street. One person is reported to have been shot in the foot, per scanner discussion, in which the suspect was described as a medium-complexion black man in his 20s, 150 pounds, 5-8, not a stranger to the victim, (added: dressed in black plus a white shirt/T-shirt), last seen walking northbound.

6:04 PM UPDATE: The victim is described as a 25-year-old man, shot in the right foot.

6:30 PM UPDATE: Per scanner – again, with the caveat that it’s still early in the investigation – the victim is reported to have confirmed what police say a witness told them, that this was self-inflicted/accidental.

6:47 PM: And now from SPD via Twitter – same thing we’d heard via scanner:

7:27 PM: 16th is open both ways.

One more note for tonight: Memorial for Karen Sykes

July 14, 2014 4:00 pm
|    Comments Off on One more note for tonight: Memorial for Karen Sykes
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Forgot to mention this in the daily-preview list – as announced three weeks ago, the public memorial for Karen Sykes, the West Seattle writer/photographer/hiking expert who died on Mount Rainier last month, is happening tonight. Here’s the most-recent reminder we received:

A public memorial service for outdoors writer Karen Sykes will be held on the evening of July 14 at the Mountaineers Seattle Program Center in Magnuson Park.

As Mountaineers Books Publisher Helen Cherullo reflected, “Washington’s hikers and climbers were Karen’s community. She paid tribute to those who came before her and became a leader in her own right,” adding, “this will be the hiking community’s opportunity to pay tribute to her indomitable strength and joyful spirit.”

Cherullo, who worked with Sykes on the guidebooks Best Wildflower Hikes – Washington and Hidden Hikes in Western Washington, will give remarks at the memorial service. Attendees are invited to share their stories and experiences with each other starting at 6:30 p.m., with the formal program beginning at 7 p.m.

Sykes died from hypothermia while hiking in Mount Rainier National Park in late June. By sharing advice and hidden hikes through her work with Mountaineers Books, The Mountaineers, Seattle Times, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, and more, Sykes inspired thousands of people to experience the beauty found in wilderness.

The Seattle Program Center is located at 7700 Sand Point Way NE. The Mountaineers (also) invite those who knew Sykes to share their memories on the Mountaineers website.

Ms. Sykes was 70 years old. She had shared nature photos on WSB, usually via our Flickr group, from time to time, and we published more than three dozen here on the website in the past few years.

West Seattle Cup aftermath: Organizer Terry Kegel up for MLS Community MVP award; plus, see the highlight reel!

During the early going of the World Cup, our area had its own celebration of soccer and community – the West Seattle Cup. Announced back in January and played over a weekend in June, the West Seattle Cup was dreamed up and brought to reality by local teacher Terry Kegel, who shared the highlight reel above, showing what it was all about – not just family soccer games and international learning (teams represented various countries), but also the importance of “conversations for understanding” – those were as much a part of the “final score” as the soccer goals. We stopped by during the WSC – our story included this photo of Terry:

Terry is now a finalist for the special Community MVP award given out by Major League Soccer – with the prize including a $10,000 charity donation and a trip to the MLS All-Star Game. Voting is under way and continues until July 25th. And you can vote with *no strings attached* – no requirement that you sign up for something or “like”/”follow” something – just go here and click on the Sounders logo on the map, so that Terry’s info and “vote now” button will appear below.

WestSide Baby expands, adding Capitol Hill agency in merger

(Photo added: WestSide Baby and St. Joseph’s board members)
Days before one of its biggest donation events of the year – the Stuff the Bus diaper drive, coming up next Sunday (July 20th) – WestSide Baby has big news: It’s expanding, merging with a similar Capitol Hill-based agency. Here’s the announcement:

Thousands of children living in King County will benefit from a new collaboration between WestSide Baby and St. Joseph’s Baby Corner, located on Capitol Hill. The Boards of Directors from both agencies unanimously voted to merge the organizations, effective July 11, 2014. This exciting development comes as WestSide Baby is preparing for its largest ever outreach event: the 14th annual Stuff the Bus Diaper Drive July 20th.

(WSB file photo from past WestSide Baby ‘Stuff the Bus’ event)
WestSide Baby will continue to operate from its headquarters in White Center, and St. Joseph’s Baby Corner facility in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood will remain open under the leadership of WestSide Baby. Baby Corner will operate under the WestSide Baby name while continuing to honor the Baby Corner legacy.

The merger of St. Joseph’s Baby Corner, established in 1988, and WestSide Baby, established in 2001, capitalizes on the strengths of each organization: the St. Joseph’s Baby Corner community’s longevity and loyalty, and WestSide Baby’s operating systems and deep-rooted support. The organizations have very compatible missions serving local children in need by collecting and distributing diapers, clothing and safety equipment, such as car seats and cribs. Both agencies have operated in partnership with established social service agencies, such as public health and food banks. Combining operations will immediately improve the service delivery to families. More diapers, clothing and safety equipment will reach more local families in need.

The announcement continues ahead, along with more information on how you can help with Sunday’s Stuff the Bus event:

Read More

Four highlights for your West Seattle Monday afternoon/evening

(Anchor/Luna Park photo by Daniel Casey)
Busy Monday … on the way to another summer-event-filled weekend … but there are a few calendar highlights we wanted to mention before we get too much further into this day:

LOW-LOW TIDE: Until 2:30 pm, volunteer beach naturalists are out again at Constellation and Lincoln Parks, with the tide out to -2.6 at 12:54 pm.

TEEN RUNNING GROUP: High-school or college-age runner? 5 pm Mondays at West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor), meet up with others and get going! Free. Details here; there’s a Facebook group too. (California/Charlestown)

WEST SEATTLE BRIDGE’S 30TH ANNIVERSARY: On this date in 1984, the high-level bridge was dedicated. At 6:30 tonight, an all-star panel will share memories and thoughts in a special (free!) event in the courtyard of Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor) – details on the Southwest Seattle Historical Society website; panelists include former mayor Charles Royer, former port commissioner Jack Block, city councilmember Tom Rasmussen (who worked as an assistant to the bridge’s honorary namesake Councilmember Jeanette Williams), engineers who worked on the bridge project, and more. Here’s the program, topic-wise, per SWSHS’s Clay Eals, who will emcee/moderate:

OVERVIEW

ATTEMPTS BY CITY TO FUND A NEW BRIDGE PRE-1978

ATTITUDE OF WEST SEATTLE TOWARD BRIDGE PRE-1978

LAUNCH OF SECESSION CAMPAIGN: MARCH 29, 1978

THE SHIP HITS THE SPAN: JUNE 11, 1978

QUICK REACTION TO OBTAIN FUNDS FOR NEW BRIDGE

DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, DETOURS 1980-1984

THE FATE OF ROLF NESLUND

OPENING OF NEW BRIDGE 1983-1984

IMPACT OF THE BRIDGE 30 YEARS LATER

(4410 California SW)

NORTH DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL – IN THE PARK: Summertime and the NDNC takes its meetings on the road. Tonight – find them at Dragonfly Pavilion, 6:30 pm. (26th/Dakota)

Appeal hearing set for school project on Genesee Hill

Today’s Land Use Information Bulletin from the city brings the formal notice of an appeal hearing for the new school to be built on the five-years-closed Genesee Hill Elementary site. The appellants, including district watchdog Chris Jackins and more than half a dozen local residents, are not challenging the entire project; they object to aspects including the zoning exception for the school’s height, where the bulk of its building will be placed on the site, plans for on-street school-bus loading, and the amount of parking (71 spaces might not be enough, they say). The appeal hearing is set for 9 am August 5th in the Hearing Examiner‘s chambers on the 40th floor of the Municipal Tower downtown; it’s open to the public (for observation but not comment). Some preparation work already has been done on the site, but demolition is still to come.

West Seattle development: Former Admiralty House Antiques building ‘unveiled’

(WSB photo taken Sunday morning)
Thanks to Martin for the tip that the construction cover finally came off 2141 California SW this weekend. The 1920s-era former home of Admiralty House Antiques – closed when its owner, the late Fred Dau, retired a year ago, and sold a few months later – has been undergoing renovations for about six months. It’s been under a white canvas/tarp for most of that time; according to the city’s online files, most of the renovations have involved window replacement/repair. Workers had also said early on that the space was being divided; no public word yet on tenants – city files mention “office” as the expected use. Plans to build townhouse/live-work units behind it, fronting SW Walker, are still going through the city permit process.

Congratulations! Another regional championship for West Seattle Baseball – 9U off to California

More youth-sports success! West Seattle Baseball president Eric Olson reports that the league’s 9U All Stars won the PONY Northwest Region Championship over the weekend:

The 9U all-stars followed in the footsteps of their 8U counterparts and beat Maltby Pony Baseball to become the PONY Northwest Region Champions. After going down 5-4 in the first, the Niners put on another hit parade, scoring 8 over the last 5 innings to win 13-7. The team really played great team baseball behind a stellar pitching performance by Chase Clifton, who pitched 5 2/3 innings.

The team leaves Thursday to Walnut, California, for the 9U PONY West Zone Championship, with an opportunity to advance to the 9U World Series.

Front: Cooper Hall, Brody Olson
Back: Joel Clark, Brendan Johnson, Jack Cahill, Patrick Galvin, Chase Clifton, Payton Kyle, Kai Perala, Tyler Eisenhut, Wyatt Trujillo, Ethan Wyatt
Coaches: John Cahill, Eric Olson, Vic Hall

Congratulations and good luck!

TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Monday updates

July 14, 2014 7:56 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Monday updates
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(WS bridge and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Good morning! No problems of note so far this morning on the main routes from West Seattle. On the preview front, no major road work announced for this week, and the next closure will be for Saturday’s West Seattle Grand Parade – more on that as the week goes by.

BRIDGE ANNIVERSARY EVENT TONIGHT: The Southwest Seattle Historical Society-led celebration of the high-level West Seattle Bridge’s 30th anniversary continues with a high-level event tonight – free and open to the public in the courtyard at Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor), same place the West Seattle Outdoor Movies series starts this Saturday. 6:30 pm, people who were part of the events that paved the way for the bridge will be part of a panel discussion – with a group described by SWSHS’s Clay Eals as “a great group, not likely to be in one place for a public forum ever again.” More in today’s daily preview in the 9 am hour. P.S. Today is the 30th anniversary of the bridge’s dedication.

West Seattle sunset: Vivid end to wonderful weekend

(Photo by Don Brubeck)
Hope you were able to see the colors firsthand … after some drizzle and lightning, one of the most intensely colorful sunsets we’ve seen in a long time.

(Photo provided by Gary Smith with permission of anonymous photographer)
It’s only now ebbing with a line of deep pink in the northwest.

(Photo by Greg)
What a way to end West Seattle Summer Fest weekend!

(Photo by James Bratsanos)
Thanks to everyone who’s sharing photos – more:

(Photo by Jissy)
The colors were visible from the stands during the Sounders game, and back across the bay, from the sands of Alki:

(Photo by Eilene Hutchinson)
Might be another two or three to add – still reviewing the mail – again, thank you.

West Seattle Little League 11-12 All-Stars’ state-tournament update: Loss today, next game tomorrow

July 13, 2014 8:44 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Little League 11-12 All-Stars’ state-tournament update: Loss today, next game tomorrow
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Thanks again to Cami MacNamara for updates on the West Seattle Little League 11-12 All Stars’ team’s progress in the state tournament WSLL is hosting at Bar-S on Alki Point. After a Saturday victory, the team lost to Federal Way today, 8-4, but gets to play again tomorrow – 3 pm vs. Burlington-Edison. Here’s the updated bracket/schedule.

West Seattle weekend scene: Local ‘STP’ bike ride

(Photos by Don Brubeck)
While thousands finished the legendary Seattle to Portland (STP) bicycle ride today, dozens of West Seattle riders showed solidarity with their own version. West Seattle Bike Connections president Don Brubeck shares the report:

We had about 30 riders of all ages on the West Seattle STP bike ride today. A beautiful day for a fun ride from SW Seattle Street to SW Portland Street in about an hour, then back to the Junction for West Seattle Summer Fest.

The group included a three-generation family and several “family bikes” or bikes with trail-a-bikes. Ride leader was Stu Hennessey, with help from Al Jackson, Jeff Hallman, and Eric and Michael from Stu’s shop.

See a few more of Don’s photos in the WSB Flickr group pool.

West Seattle Summer Fest 2014: Sunday report #2 – final hours

4:23 PM: Final hours of West Seattle Summer Fest 2014 – official end time is 8 pm, but some vendors will close starting around 6 pm, so don’t wait too much longer to come on down. The final few hours tend to involve major mingling – friends and family just hanging around. Our top photo is from GreenLife on the west side of California just north of SW Edmunds, where The Whale Trail has had an interactive art installation going – visitors helping create “West Seattle’s Orca Pod.” Also at GreenLife, Stu Hennessey from Alki Bike and Board has been leading DIY Bikes all afternoon:

Up at the stage, on California north of SW Oregon, The Darci Carlson Band started at 4; we caught part of STAG, the 3 pm band:

And they drew at least one tiny dancer:

Final band of the day will be Billy Dwayne and The Creepers at 6.

Also sighted at Summer Fest … Warren Buffett. Sort of.

Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Northwest (WSB sponsor), the newest name for a longtime local company, is part of WB’s family of companies. And its booth is traditionally a place for community giving during Summer Fest – kids can knock over cans, and however many cans get knocked over, they contribute to the West Seattle Food Bank – the tally on the sign is from just a little while ago.

Another number: Almost 400 Seattle Police Foundation tote bags given out by the West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network on the west side of the info booth. That’s Deb from WSBWCN at right in our impromptu info-booth pic:

Apparently free tote bags were a somewhat scarce commodity at Summer Fest this year! P.S. We’re here in the Info Booth until about 7 pm.

4:56 PM: Art everywhere at the festival – including impromptu chalk art:

And like the “orca pod” above, there are myriad kids’ art projects that have been under way throughout the festival – the Southwest Seattle Historical Society/Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor) booth, celebrating the high bridge’s 30th anniversary, has made one each day:

Next event in honor of the bridge anniversary is tomorrow (Monday, July 14th) night in the Hotwire courtyard (4410 California SW) – a panel discussion at 6:30 pm.

Back here at Summer Fest, on Alaska east of California, not far past the SWSHS booth, you’ll find the West Seattle Hi-Yu booth, and the float that you’ll see in next Saturday’s West Seattle Grand Parade (and White Center Jubilee Days Parade later that day). Hi-Yu royalty has also been walking around selling the $1 buttons that raise money for the all-volunteer group to keep taking the float to parades.

Missed the chance to get yours? The Hi-Yu Concert in the Park this Tuesday night (July 15th) on the east lawn at Hiawatha – West Seattle Big Band onstage, free, 7 pm! – is your next chance.

5:59 PM: Booths have the go-ahead to start breaking down, and some are – we’ve been looking north at QFC, selling fruit kabobs, water, and soda all weekend, and they are first to go; YMCA (WSB sponsor) next door, which has had hula hoops and bouncy pads and a stationary cycle for kids to try throughout the weekend, is taking down their sign. More Summer Fest trivia: A vendor that sold bamboo sheets in years past, but wasn’t here this year, has been the #1 most-asked-about vendor here at the Info Booth.

6:43 PM: Here they are, final band of the festival – Billy Dwayne and the Creepers:

Thanks to “Super Dave” for that photo and others of some of this weekend’s performers. Now, one last look at the live cam at California and Alaska:

With vendors’ vehicles to be allowed in at 8 pm, and asked to be done by 10 pm, the roads aren’t likely to reopen before 11 – the permit allows them to stay closed until midnight. If you have to go to/through The Junction late tonight, watch this camera (which you’ll usually find on the WSB Traffic page) to see if it’s open again – we’ll update when we know for sure.

Update: Tanker-truck engine catches fire on Harbor Island

1:03 PM: If you’ve seen smoke and/or the big Seattle Fire response – a tanker truck caught fire in the 2500 block of 11th SW on Harbor Island. SFD says the fire was in the truck’s engine and did NOT spread to its tank(s). Smoke was visible for some distance for a while – thanks to Creighton for the photo.

2:12 PM: From SFD via Twitter:

3:05 PM: And an update:

MONDAY AFTERNOON POSTSCRIPT: Noted in the comment discussion – the firefighting wasn’t over yet when we published the first paragraph – the fire spread to tanks later, explains SFD spokesperson Kyle Moore: “When the first engine arrived the flames had not spread to the tanker. By the time we extinguished the fire the tank did burn. The tanks were empty and there wasn’t any fuel in them.”

West Seattle Summer Fest 2014: Sunday live coverage, 1st report

July 13, 2014 11:38 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Summer Fest 2014: Sunday live coverage, 1st report
 |   West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

(NEED FESTIVAL INFO QUICKLINKS? They’re in our daily West Seattle highlights list)

Haven’t been to West Seattle Summer Fest yet? This is the third and final day, but you still have lots of time to c’mon down. Never know who you will meet:

Skaters from the new Southside Revolution Junior Roller Derby are in the Summer Fest Community Tent until 1:30 pm.

Find them and the following groups under the two white canopies along the south-facing side of Easy Street Records (SW Alaska west of California SW – top left in our photo, above):

10 am-1:30 pm
Environmental Science Center
Southside Revolution Roller Derby
Morgan Community Association
Furry Faces Foundation

(Deb Barker from MoCA)
1:30 pm-5 pm
Twelfth Night Productions
34th District Democrats
Furry Faces Foundation

Another area you’ll want to visit while you’re here is the sustainability/environment-focused GreenLife, with a slate of demonstrations/performances today – canning/preservation is on right now, and here’s what’s ahead:

Noon – Bikes & Greenways
1 pm – Invasive Seeds Prevention
2 pm – City Herb & Medicinal Gardens
3 pm – Solar Energy Systems
4 pm -Illuminatio Dance

GreenLife also has exhibitors and displays to see. And there’s more music at the festival today, too, starting at 2 pm with Carrie Akre – rest of the schedule is here. More festival coverage to come!

12:29 PM: Not EVERYTHING is on a schedule – so if you come to the festival, you’re likely to find something unexpected. Just learned there’s a Zumba demonstration that’s about to start on the main stage. (added – video snippet; Jennifer Cepeda is the instructor)

Photo too!

And if you’ve been worried about the heat, today’s your day – some thin cloud cover is moving in and it’s definitely cooler, especially with the breeze through the intersection here at California and Alaska, where you’ll find us in the Info Booth along with volunteers from the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce and, on the west side of the booth, the West Seattle Block Watch Captains’ Network with tote bags and other items courtesy of the Seattle Police Foundation.

It’s lunch/snack time and we have some notes – there’s cotton candy in the Kids’ Zone just to the west of California on Alaska – and an eclectic array of fair food (with some local vendors’ satellite spots – such as Pizzeria 22 from Admiral) to the east on Alaska.

1:30 PM: If you’re looking for a community group that’s not in the Community Tent, you might find its reps at GreenLife – Seal Sitters and The Whale Trail are both there today. And your furry friends are welcome at Pet Junction, north of Oregon:

(WSB photo by Katie Meyer)
Violet is one of the dogs we’ve spotted here at Summer Fest.

3:01 PM: Common question this afternoon – how much longer does the festival run? Answer: Vendors can start closing at 6 pm if they want to, but vehicles won’t be allowed onto the street to start breakdown until 8 pm. So you have at least three hours to come down – or to come back down! If you haven’t been, we’ll mention it again – it’s not all visiting vendors – local businesses are in many of the booths, like Nurturing Expressions (WSB sponsor) between Alaska and Oregon, where Tracy Corey and staff have offered a quiet place for parents of babies/toddlers to nurse and change:

There’s also a parents’ rest stop at City Mouse Studio, 4218 SW Alaska. Meantime, for the first time during the festival, a lost child turned up here at the Information Booth – quickly reunited with her parents. Moving on to our final as-it-happens festival report next!

Sailboat on the sand: Beached on Alki

(Photo received via text message – thank you!)
We’re receiving notes pointing out/asking about a sailboat that’s up on the sand on Alki Beach this morning, not far east of the Bathhouse. We don’t know anything but the circumstances but we do know that authorities are aware – there was scanner talk about it earlier this morning, including the acknowledgment that it’s probably going to be there for some hours, as the tide is very low this morning and high tide isn’t until about quarter past 7 tonight.

West Seattle Sunday: Summer Fest, ‘STP’ ride, Little League, low-low tide, World Cup, car wash, more

July 13, 2014 8:48 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Sunday: Summer Fest, ‘STP’ ride, Little League, low-low tide, World Cup, car wash, more
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Another aerial view of the festival zone – see one here – by Long B. Nguyen)
The third and final day of West Seattle Summer Fest starts our Sunday highlights:

FESTIVAL OPENS: 11 am today (that’s when our live coverage starts)
SUMMER FEST MUSIC:here (starts at 2 pm with Carrie Akre, ends with last band Billy Dwayne & The Creepers at 6 pm)
SUMMER FEST VENDOR LISThere
SUMMER FEST VENDOR MAPhere (by number, per the list)
SUMMER FEST GREENLIFE SCHEDULEhere (first presentation, at 11 am, is about home preservation/canning)
SUMMER FEST COMMUNITY TENT SCHEDULEhere (scroll down)
SUMMER FEST BUS REROUTEShere (same as Saturday)
SUMMER FEST COVERAGE: Our four “as it happened” reports from Friday/Saturday are linked in the right sidebar

Also today:

MINI-‘STP’ RIDE: Again this year, West Seattle Bike Connections is leading a ride from Seattle (Street) to Portland (Street) and on to Summer Fest. Meet at 9:45 am. Details in our calendar listing.

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Yes, it’s on, along with Summer Fest, as usual! 10 am-2 pm. (44th/Alaska)

BENEFIT CAR WASH: 10 am-2 pm, the West Seattle High School softball team is washing cars at West Seattle Autoworks (WSB sponsor) 10 am-3 pm, by donation, to raise money for travel. (35th/Webster)

LOW-LOW TIDE WITH BEACH NATURALISTS: 10 am-2 pm, you’ll again find Seattle Aquarium volunteer beach naturalists back on Constellation Park and Lincoln Park (near Colman Pool) beaches, for another low-low tide – 12:07 pm, -3.1.

LITTLE LEAGUE TOURNAMENT: Second day of the West Seattle Little League-hosted state tournament for 11-12 teams, at Bar-S Playfields on Alki Point. The WSLL team won on Saturday and plays Federal Way at noon today. General tournament info is in this WSB story from earlier this week. (6425 SW Admiral Way)

WATCH THE WORLD CUP, WITH AIR CONDITIONING: That’s the invitation from the High Point Branch Library. Doors open at 11:30, game starts noon. (35th/Raymond)

GREYHOUND MEET-AND-GREET: Share your life with a greyhound? You’re invited to a meet-and-greet 2-4 pm today at West Seattle Petco. (41st/Alaska)

AUTHOR READING: Not in West Seattle, but WS author Arleen Williams invites friends, fans, all readers to her 3 pm event at Elliott Bay Books on Capitol Hill, reading from “Running Uphill,” second book in her Alki trilogy. Details here. (1521 10th Ave.)

EXTENDED WATER TAXI SERVICE TONIGHT: Sounders play tonight and the West Seattle Water Taxi is on an extended schedule. See the schedule here.

Update: Rooftop fire in 3700 block of California SW

10:50 PM: Big fire call to the 3700 block of California SW – but it’s being scaled back because it’s now believed to be a fire pit on a building roof.

10:53 PM: Now they’re raising the call back to a full response after all. And they’re calling for police to block northbound traffic.

(Reader photo)
It’s described as a rooftop fire, about a 12 x 12 section of wooden deck, and under control.

(This photo and next two, by Christopher Boffoli for WSB)
11:13 PM: Our crews at the scene say the four-story mixed-use building – residential over ground-floor commercial – was evacuated.

But firefighters are reiterating via radio that the fire was confined to wooden decking over a section of roof and is tapped.

11:18 PM: We just talked to the incident commander, who said the residents will be allowed back in within the hour.

West Seattle weekend scene: ‘Supermoon’ on the rise

July 12, 2014 10:44 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle weekend scene: ‘Supermoon’ on the rise
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

You’ve probably heard that tonight’s moon is not only the full moon, but is also the “supermoon,” brighter because the moon is closer to the earth. Space.com says the next two full moons also will qualify. Above, the dusk-ish view from Brian Fenske; below, the moonrise earlier, from Kayla Fenske.

If you’re going to be up early, look for the moonset just before 6 am, per the WSB Weather page.

Another weekly produce stand launching in West Seattle: Delridge Grocery’s Friday Farmstand

Starting next Friday, another farmstand plans weekly sales of fresh produce in West Seattle – this one, announced today by the future Delridge Grocery:

Exciting news! Our Friday Farmstand launches this week! Finally – fresh, local, sustainable fruits and vegetables in Delridge!

Come by every Friday all summer:
4:30-7:30
5435 Delridge Way SW
Two doors south of the library, across the street from our future full-service grocery location

Celebrate our launch this Friday, July 18th, with free lemonade at the farmstand, and a fun comedy event afterward from 8-12 at the Skylark!

Want to be more involved?

Volunteer and take home free produce! Help run the produce stand and take home some leftovers! It’s easy and fun, and we’ll provide training. Sign up for volunteer shifts online.

Join the Canning Club!
Do you like canning pickles and jams to save for the winter? Join Friday Farmstand Canning Club and get first crack and discount prices on bulk quantities of leftover produce! To sign up, e-mail Farmstand Manager Ariana at taylorstanley@gmail.com with your name and phone number. You must be available to pickup produce after the farmstand, at 7:30 on Fridays.

Delridge Grocery, which has its roots in the Delridge Produce Cooperative effort launched five years ago, is working toward opening a co-op grocery store in the commercial space of the Cottage Grove Commons building at 5444 Delridge Way SW.

West Seattle Little League Majors All-Stars win 1st state-tournament game at Bar-S

Thanks to Cami for the updates via Twitter from the West Seattle Little League Majors (11-12) All-Stars’ first game in the state tournament WSLL is hosting at Bar-S on Alki Point – and congratulations to the team for its win:

The tournament continues through next Saturday; the WSLL team’s next game is at noon tomorrow vs. Federal Way (here’s the full bracket/schedule, updated with the scores for games played so far).

West Seattle Summer Fest 2014: Saturday report #2

(EARLIER COVERAGE: Saturday report #1 here; Friday #1 here, #2 here)

(WSB photo by Katie Meyer)
That’s Fysah and The Soul Acoustic, performing a bit earlier this afternoon onstage at West Seattle Summer Fest 2014. Here’s the music schedule for the rest of today/tonight, including the festival headliners:

Sweet Jesus (started at 3 pm)
Charms, 4:00 pm
The Fabulous Downey Brothers, 5:00 pm
Spinning Whips, 6:00 pm
Dude York, 7:00 pm
Vox Mod, 7:40 pm
The Moondoggies, 8:00 pm
Vox Mod, 9:00 pm
The Helio Sequence, 9:30 pm

Next up on the stage at GreenLife – the sustainability-focused zone off the west side of California just north of Edmunds – instead of the previously scheduled beermaking workshop at 4 pm, which was canceled at the last minute, Sustainable West Seattle‘s Chas Redmond tells us there’ll be an environmental poetry slam. Meantime, good news – it’s not (so far) as hot as feared – though the 80s aren’t exactly a cold spell, so you might want to know about yet another booth ready to cool you off – WestSide Baby:

So what else can you do at Summer Fest? Get your face painted …

Get a caricature of yourself:

Shop for something you can’t find anywhere else …

By the way – in case you need a reminder – the festival zone will be part of the West Seattle Grand Parade one week from today (11 am start at California/Lander, heading south on California to Edmunds). P.S. Tomorrow – the West Seattle Farmers’ Market IS ON, as always, 10 am-2 pm, at 44th/Alaska, integral part of Summer Fest.

4:45 PM UPDATE: Dinnertime approaches. Yes, you can get fair food – deep-fried PB&J sandwiches, a Krispy Kreme burger, elephant ears, big tangle of french fries – and you’ll also find some local restaurants offering items in the food-stand area, along Alaska from California to 42nd. But what’s even more fun is to experience a favorite restaurant in a new way – with the temporary patios lining both blocks of California – while you’re here.

5:14 PM: Just seen headed eastbound on Alaska:

5:37 PM: Quick clip of The Fabulous Downey Brothers, onstage right now:

And a photo:

(According to their website, you’ll see them in next Saturday’s West Seattle Grand Parade, too.) Back in the booths, many have games and other reasons for you to stop and say hi – including Explorer West Middle School (WSB sponsor):

6:25 PM: Summer Fest from the air! Courtesy of Long B. Nguyen:

It’s been fun again today talking to so many people who’ve stopped by to say hi – thank you! We’ll be in the Info Booth until just past 7; the Summer Fest focus then moves on to the stage and beer garden in the north part of the festival zone (here’s the music schedule again). If you’re planning to come tomorrow, remember that it starts an hour later than Friday/Saturday – everything revs up around 11 am on Sunday.

7:24 PM: Thanks to Diane for the reminder – there’s also live music at Elliott Bay Brewery tonight, until 10 pm with The Back Porch Apostles, celebrating EBB’s 17th anniversary.

ADDED: Thanks to Dave for the photo from Dude York‘s performance:

That’s Claire. According to the Dude York Facebook page, their upcoming gigs include the Capitol Hill Block Party later this month. And Saturday night’s last act was headliner The Helio Sequence – thanks to Leroy for this photo:

They’re due back in Seattle in August for a Tractor Tavern gig while touring with Liam Finn. Sunday music at Summer Fest starts with Carrie Akre at 2 pm.