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Port of Seattle’s ‘West Seattle Working Waterfront’ tour postponed
March 13, 2015 10:36 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Port of Seattle | Seen at sea | West Seattle news

Quick FYI in case you had blocked out the date for the Port of Seattle‘s free “West Seattle Working Waterfront” boat tour next month, promoted by port reps at several community-council meetings recently and mentioned in our subsequent reports: We got word today that it’s been postponed. Port events manager Mary Jean Stephens says it’s been rescheduled for the morning of September 19th; registration information will recirculate during the summer.

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Alki Homestead sold. What’s next? Southwest Seattle Historical Society plans ‘major announcement’ tomorrow morning
March 13, 2015 7:20 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Alki Homestead | West Seattle history | West Seattle news

The city-landmark Alki Homestead officially has a new owner, according to documents filed with the county, dated today: Fir Lodge LLC has purchased it for $1,250,000. Fir Lodge, of course, is the historic name of the log building at 2717 61st SW. And the LLC is in the name of Dennis Schilling, with whom we talked back in January about his prospective purchase of the Homestead, closed since a fire damaged its interior six years ago.

Schilling is a Mercer Island-based investor who already has a success story in Alki, having purchased and fixed up the once-threatened-with-demolition Shoremont Apartments, just blocks east of the Homestead. His interest in the historic lodge came more than three years after former owner Tom Lin‘s proposed renovation plan went idle following multiple reviews with members of the city’s Landmarks Board, which has jurisdiction over changes to buildings and sites that are under city landmark protection, as this one has been since 1996. Schilling has been talking with the Landmarks Board and other city reps about his hopes of renovating the building and possibly building a few apartments on part of its current parking lot; we were there as he talked with the board’s Architectural Review Committee in late January.

New ownership is only a first step into the Homestead’s future, but we expect to find out much more about what’s next for it tomorrow morning, as the Southwest Seattle Historical Society – which has been working for years to save the Homestead – has announced a media briefing with “a major announcement” at 9 am, and we’ll be there. SWSHS has many ties to the Homestead/Fir Lodge, not the least of which is the fact that its headquarters building, the Log House Museum a half block away, was its carriage house decades ago.

ADDED SATURDAY MORNING: The official news release is on the Log House Museum site; we’re at the LHM news conference where the sale and restoration plan are being officially announced.

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Congrats! Madison student Jack Crowley heads to state Geo Bee
March 13, 2015 6:37 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people | West Seattle schools

(Photo courtesy Sam Crowley)
Congratulations to Madison Middle School seventh grader Jack Crowley, who is headed to the Washington State Geographic Bee! It’s the geography version of a spelling bee, and Jack’s trip is hard-won, after months of competition at school, according to his mom Sam Crowley. The state-level competition happens two weeks from today (Friday, March 27) at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma. Competitors are in grades four through eight; each state and U.S. territory will send its winner to the national competition in May at National Geographic Society headquarters in Washington, D.C. Good luck, Jack!

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West Seattle food notes: Pagliacci expands delivery zone; Top Pot opens; St. Patrick’s Day specials
March 13, 2015 4:20 pm
|      26 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

Dig into these West Seattle food notes/updates:

PAGLIACCI EXPANDS DELIVERY ZONE, GETS READY TO START JUNCTION EXPANSION: Next year marks 20 years since Pagliacci Pizza added a “delivery kitchen” in West Seattle. But it’s never delivered to all of WS. If you’ve been reading WSB since before we became a news publication, you might remember a vigorous discussion of Pagliacci’s delivery zone dating back to early 2007. With the issue still out there, when we reported back in December on their plan to expand the Junction location, adding seating and slices, we asked about delivery-zone expansion. They weren’t sure at the time, but now they have announced they’re heading further into the south and northeast areas of WS. Pagliacci’s Rebekah Wolf sent this to us:

We’re happy to announce that our delivery zone coverage has expanded. We are now delivering to SW Thistle Street, from 28th Avenue SW to Fauntleroy Way SW. Also, we are now delivering to the Pigeon Point neighborhood, which goes as far east as 19th Avenue SW, between SW Charlestown Street and SW Genesee Street.

The note also said the expansion into the space next door will start April 1st and should be complete by mid-June; the delivery kitchen will stay open during the work. Meantime, Lika Love, the boutique that’s temporarily been in the space next door since Clementine’s moved to Pioneer Square, is having a farewell party/sale 5-8 pm on March 28th.

TOP POT DOUGHNUTS NOW OPEN: As reported here earlier in the week, today is grand-opening day for Top Pot Doughnuts on Alki, at 2758 Alki SW in a space that was completed three-plus years ago but hasn’t had a tenant until now. We stopped by and found a crowd:

Hours and menu notes are in our report from Wednesday.

ST. PATRICK’S DAY: Jenny at The Bridge sends word they’re having specials: “Tuesday night, we are celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with Jon the Bagpiper coming by at 7 pm to play for us as well as an Irish themed fresh sheet throughout the month of March featuring Beet Salad, Irish Stew and Reubens!” Any other local restaurants with special menus for the wearin’ of the green? Let us know and we’ll add them – editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!

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Arbor Heights Elementary School project update: Winning bidder; restart date
March 13, 2015 2:30 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Arbor Heights | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(WSB photo, taken this week, looking southwest across the AHES site)
Someone asked us why the Arbor Heights Elementary rebuild site is idle. That’s by design – as reported several times before, this was intended to be a two-phase project, with demolition/site prep in the first phase, and then a stopdown while the full construction project went out to bid. We checked in with Seattle Public Schools today and confirmed that Bayley Construction is the winning bidder, for $25.4 million; the contract is expected to be awarded within a few weeks, likely going to the School Board on April 1st. If all goes as planned, work at the site is expected to (re)start in early May, though the district tells us neighbors might see some activity – such as “trailer mobilization” – before then. The new school is expected to open in fall of 2016; AH continues using part of the Boren Building as its temporary site until then.

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The General Store Seattle: New WSB sponsor; sale this weekend!
March 13, 2015 12:59 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Today we’re welcoming The General Store Seattle as a new WSB sponsor. New local sponsors get the chance to let you know what they’re all about:

The General Store Seattle focuses exclusively on US-made, locally produced items that are unique and hand-picked with an eye for quality, says proprietor Claire E. Jones (at right). “Our customers continually praise the high quality of our products and they love that their money is going directly back into their communities. They seek us out because they know they can find one-of-a-kind items that more than replace the lower-quality products found at big box retail chains.”

Claire says The General Store Seattle is inspired by the traditional general stores – some clothes, some household goods, some food-related items, all locally sourced, with her suppliers at most a few hours away from Seattle. Sourcing locally can get expensive sometimes, but Claire works to do the research necessary for you to be able to shop with The General Store Seattle and find merchandise at fair prices.

This weekend, The General Store Seattle has a special sale – 5% of your purchase will be donated to the charity of your choice. Go here to get full details.

The General Store Seattle is open Wednesdays-Sundays, 10 am-7 pm, on the street level at 3400 Harbor SW (map) – and you can shop any time via the store’s website, at thegeneralstoreseattle.com.

We thank The General Store Seattle for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.

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Terminal 5 lease fight: 1st court hearing on environmental coalition’s lawsuit; no ruling today
March 13, 2015 11:48 am
|    Comments Off on Terminal 5 lease fight: 1st court hearing on environmental coalition’s lawsuit; no ruling today
 |   Environment | West Seattle news

Just concluded in the courtroom of King County Superior Court Judge Mariane Spearman: The first hearing related to the environmental coalition lawsuit challenging the Port of Seattle‘s lease with Foss Maritime for part of West Seattle’s Terminal 5, with the expectation that some of the activity there will involve Shell’s Arctic-drilling fleet. Bottom line: Judge Spearman did not make a ruling today, saying she wants to read some of the case-law cited. The port’s major argument is that they’re not the ones that should be challenged relating to the Shoreline Management Act – that the city is the enforcer of that act on shoreline within city limits, and it’s the one that the port should be taking to court. The coalition contends that while the port has a permit to use Terminal 5 as a cargo terminal, that’s not really the kind of use that will be involved in the Foss/Shell use, and so a new environmental use is warranted. They also had hoped today to have the court order Foss to say when it expects Shell vessels to start arriving; Foss has not yet released any such information.

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Five options for the rest of your West Seattle Friday
March 13, 2015 10:48 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by James Bratsanos, from Thursday morning)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

WEST SIDE PRESBYTERIAN RUMMAGE SALE: On now until 5 pm, it’s day one of the mega-sale at West Side Presbyterian Church. Go shop! (3601 California SW)

WSHS BIG BAND DINNER DANCE: 6 pm in the West Seattle High School Commons, dine and dance to raise money for student programs – details here, including ticket info. (3000 California SW)

MUSIC AND DANCE: Free (donations welcome) – West Seattle Community Orchestras‘ Symphony Orchestra performs, with dancers from DANCE! West Seattle featured, 7:30 pm at Chief Sealth International High School auditorium, details here. (2600 SW Thistle)

‘CHINGLISH’ CONTINUES AT ARTSWEST: 7:30 pm curtain time for the new production at ArtsWest Playhouse (WSB sponsor). “Chinglish” is billed as a “laugh-out-loud comedy.” Tickets available online, here. (4711 California SW)

SLAGS AT POGGIE: 9 pm, rock with The Slags at Poggie Tavern in The Junction. (4717 California SW)

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Here’s what happened at 35th SW safety-options meeting #2
March 13, 2015 9:40 am
|      46 COMMENTS
 |   Safety | Transportation | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Two days after SDOT debuted the 35th SW safety-design options (WSB coverage here), an afternoon encore presentation filled the upstairs meeting room at Southwest Branch Library.

While the information presented by SDOT’s Jim Curtin on Thursday afternoon was the same – most of it in this slide deck – the reaction and questions were not. And that wasn’t surprising, since Curtin asked for a show of hands by those who had already heard something about the proposals.

As we listened to the presentation a second time, different facts jumped out, beyond the big ones (five people killed and more than 1,000 crashes in a decade):

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2 more days to get nominations in for this year’s Westside Awards
March 13, 2015 8:59 am
|    Comments Off on 2 more days to get nominations in for this year’s Westside Awards
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Sunday (March 15th) is the deadline for you to get nominations in for this year’s Westside Awards, to be presented by the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce on April 2nd. You do NOT have to be a Chamber member to make a nomination or to be nominated. From the announcement first published here last month:

Westside Business of the Year – This nominee has been in business at least 3 years and demonstrated business excellence and success.

Westside Emerging Business – This nominee has been in business for less than 3 years but is meeting the challenges of a growing business through leadership.

Westside Not-For-Profit of the Year – This nominee Not-for-Profit is making our community a better place to live while contributing to community benefit through their mission.

Westsider of the Year – This nominee is making a lasting impact on our community and the lives of or is an up-and-coming community role model.

Make a nomination online through the Westside Awards Nomination Form – a different one for each category – and again, Sunday’s the deadline, so do it before the weekend’s out! Here’s our coverage of last year’s ceremony. You can buy your ticket(s) for this year’s event online – use the “register now” link on this page.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Friday on the roads & trails
March 13, 2015 7:09 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
All’s well on the roads and trails so far as we’re seeing and hearing. And the forecast still says this will be even more spring-like than Thursday.

Two notes:

DELRIDGE/ORCHARD/DUMAR SPU WORK: Seattle Public Utilities says the “intermittent 15-minute full closures on SW Orchard St. will be wrapping up this week as planned. Moving forward, traffic will occasionally be stopped momentarily to let trucks in and out, but we do not anticipate significant delays.” The westbound lane on Orchard east of Delridge will stay closed 7:30 am-4 pm seven days a week through the end of April, with a flagger to help you get around that.

UPCOMING SOUTH PARK BRIDGE, ALASKAN WAY VIADUCT CLOSURES: If you missed this update published Thursday – two weeks of early-early-morning closures are ahead for the South Park Bridge, and we have more details of the late-March Highway 99 closure.

8:03 AM: Port-truck traffic is backing up on Marginal again today, according to Helga in comments, plus what we’re hearing via the scanner.

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Congratulations! Straight Blast Gym of Seattle team triumphs at The Revolution
March 12, 2015 11:24 pm
|    Comments Off on Congratulations! Straight Blast Gym of Seattle team triumphs at The Revolution
 |   Delridge | West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Big congratulations are in order for local contenders who just scored big in a regional competition.

Coach Sonia Sillan from Straight Blast Gym of Seattle (WSB sponsor) shares the photos and the news:

On Saturday, March 7th, Straight Blast Gym of Seattle took a small team of 12 kids and 5 adults to a local Brazilian Jiujitsu competition, The Revolution, in Tacoma. 17 competitors finished out the day with 18 medals!

Every competitor from the SBG Seattle team has been training hard for this competition and it showed – every single individual from kids to adults put their best effort forth when it was required. In the end, that is all that counts.

We couldn’t be prouder of every person who stepped out on the mats.

To find out more about the results (and see more photos), check out this post on the SBG website. SBG (which is at 5050 Delridge Way SW) has a web special for kids’ martial arts right now, by the way – check it out here.

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You can help! ‘Music Night Out’ with/for Denny & Sealth students
March 12, 2015 9:23 pm
|    Comments Off on You can help! ‘Music Night Out’ with/for Denny & Sealth students
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

If you missed that clip of Chief Sealth International High School musicians at the Lionel Hampton Festival in Idaho the first time we featured it a week and a half ago – take a listen; call it a sneak peek of the “Music Night Out, Great Gatsby Style!” benefit coming up 5:30-10 pm Friday, March 27th. Early-bird pricing is available through tomorrow – here’s the event announcement:

Support Denny Int’l Middle School and Chief Sealth Int’l High School Performing Arts programs by celebrating a night of dinner, dancing and great music at The Hall at Fauntleroy (9131 California Ave SW, West Seattle). The evening will feature the orchestras and jazz bands from Denny and Sealth. Come dressed Great Gatsby style (1920’s) and be ready to dance! There will be a small silent auction, raffle, raise-the-paddle and our traditional dessert dash. We’d love to have you attend!

Tickets are available now here – Please click the “Buy Tickets” button. Donations can also be made through this button. Earlybird-price tickets are $45 per person through March 13th, and $50 per person after that until March 25th (last day of ticket sales). There is a limited number of VIP tables to purchase for $600 a table. VIP tables will be the best stage-view tables, include 10 guests and a bottle each of red wine and white wine for enjoyment during dinner.

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Happening now: West Seattle Art Walk, almost-spring edition
March 12, 2015 7:46 pm
|    Comments Off on Happening now: West Seattle Art Walk, almost-spring edition
 |   West Seattle Art Walk | West Seattle news

Until 9 pm, get out and enjoy the West Seattle Art Walk – we’ve made a few stops in The Junction:

That’s Michael Doyle, an illustrator who’s at VAIN (4513 California SW; WSB sponsor) for the opening reception of “32 Teacups,” described as “a show about secrets, dreams, and time travel.” Along with his illustrations … you’ll see these teacups:

He explains the inspiration: A friend of his had a dream about him, his art, and teacups. So he built the show around her dream – including the teacups. If you miss it tonight, don’t worry, his show is there through April.

At Wallflower Custom Framing (4735 42nd SW; WSB sponsor), oil painter/photographer Taylor Reed is showing her work:

The description of her show notes, “Most recently she has been inspired by gold, silver and copper leafing combined with oils, sometimes using it as a mere accent, and others to fill the canvas with the warmth that it brings.”

More to come … and if you missed the map/venue list earlier, find it in our West Seattle Thursday highlights.

8:01 PM: At Emerald Water Anglers (4502 42nd SW: WSB sponsor), this Art Walk night brings not only art, but another edition of Writers on the Fly:

Martha Silano is reading from her book of poetry “Reckless Lovely.” Video when we’re back at HQ. You’ll also find the art of Leah Hemberry Ricketts at EWA.

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Door-to-door alerts: Two today from Arbor Heights; plus, read the rules
March 12, 2015 6:46 pm
|      32 COMMENTS
 |   Arbor Heights | Door-to-door alert | West Seattle news

With warmer weather and later light, solicitor reports are picking up – including these two reports from Arbor Heights today, which are followed by information on city rules and what you can do if someone you don’t know comes to your door, soliciting or not:

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Who killed Greggette Guy? Still unanswered, 3 years later
March 12, 2015 3:06 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

(Family photo of Greggette Guy during a hike, 2004)
Admiring the beauty of Puget Sound from Beach Drive the other night, it occurred to us that a sad and unsettling anniversary was near, and indeed, an archive check confirmed that today marks exactly three years since 51-year-old Greggette Guy was found dead in the water near Cormorant Cove Park. Police believed she was killed sometime the night before, after traveling here to take a walk at/near Emma Schmitz Overlook, where her car was found:


Mrs. Guy was a Kent resident and a former West Seattleite, remembered for her devotion to Girl Scouting; one year after her murder, she was remembered at a ceremony dedicating a memorial plaque by a totem pole at a Girl Scout camp in east King County. Three days after her body was found, she was officially declared a victim of homicide; the cause of her death was not immediately revealed, but eventually was described as “severe wounds to her neck.”

We checked today with SPD to ask if they had anything new to say about the case – no details have emerged since our six-months-later followup in September 2012; in October 2014, Chief Kathleen O’Toole’s first official report to the City Council mentioned unsolved murders including this one, saying:

The Criminal Investigations Bureau Chief and Violent Crimes Captain have conducted a thorough review of all unsolved homicides twice during 2014. While I cannot discuss specifics of those open investigations in this report, I can tell you that the cases that remain unsolved have either problems with the integrity of evidence or a lack of cooperation from witnesses. I hope that we can develop greater trust and communication with our community so that individuals with information about these cases or other unsolved crimes will come forward.

That hope is echoed today in the response to our inquiry; Det. Patrick Michaud said, “The case is still open, active and ongoing. However, we still need the public’s help. If (you) know anything, call (206) 233-5000.”

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Plan ahead! South Park Bridge overnight closures ahead; plus, details of upcoming Alaskan Way Viaduct inspection closure
March 12, 2015 1:47 pm
|    Comments Off on Plan ahead! South Park Bridge overnight closures ahead; plus, details of upcoming Alaskan Way Viaduct inspection closure
 |   South Park | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

From SDOT‘s weekly “lookahead,” just out:

SOUTH PARK BRIDGE OVERNIGHT SURFACE-TRAFFIC CLOSURES: Thanks to the tipster who let us know this morning that a mobile sign had gone up on the South Park Bridge with news of upcoming overnight closures. That put us on the lookout for the details that are in the “lookahead” – Monday through Friday nights (technically Tuesday-Saturday mornings, March 17-21) next week, the bridge will be closed to surface traffic 12:01 am-5 am. The closures are scheduled to repeat a week later, same times, March 24-28. (added) As explained by the county: “The closure will be confined to the overnight hours and will allow the contractor to complete bridge painting and finishing work in areas accessible only when the bridge is partially open. While work is underway, the waterway will remain open to recreational vessels that don’t require full openings to clear the bridge. Because the work will be performed overnight, traffic impacts should be minimal.”

ALASKAN WAY VIADUCT INSPECTION CLOSURE: When first word of the March 28-29 closure emerged last Monday, WSDOT wasn’t able to tell us whether it would be a full weekend closure or “all day Saturday plus all day Sunday.” Looks like it’s the latter; the “lookahead” lists the closure as 6 am-6 pm each day, Saturday 3/28 and Sunday 3/29, at least for the stretch between the West Seattle Bridge and the south end of the Battery Street Tunnel. However, it also mentions that both directions of 99 will be closed between the north end of the tunnel and Valley Street from 10 pm Friday 3/27 to 5 am Monday 3/30 for utility work.

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Excited to hear about newest orca baby? The Whale Trail presents researcher who ‘found’ it, with tales from recent trip
March 12, 2015 1:12 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | Wildlife

(Photo by Candice Emmons, NWFSC, NOAA Research Permit #16163)
That’s the newest calf found (as reported here two weeks ago) with Puget Sound’s Southern Resident Killer Whales – L121 and mother L94, with NOAA research ship Bell M. Shimada in the background. The researcher who leads the NOAA program, Brad Hanson of the Northwest Fisheries Science Center, is coming to West Seattle later this month to talk about what they saw while observing the whales and what it means for their recovery. It’s the first Orca Talk of 2015, presented by The Whale Trail at 7 pm March 26th at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor). Here’s the official announcement, just received:

Researchers recently spent 21 days aboard the NOAA ship Bell M. Shimada, tracking endangered Southern Resident killer whales (SRKWs) off the coasts of Washington and Oregon. Good weather and ocean conditions allowed researchers exceptional access to the whales, including the first sighting of new calf L121, during their winter foraging period.

The winter survey addressed a high research priority to fill a major gap in our understanding of SRKWs life history—where these whales go during the winter, what they do, and what they eat.

Join us for this special presentation by Dr. Brad Hanson, NWFSC lead killer whale researcher. Be the first to hear what researchers observed, and how data collected on this cruise will help recover J, K and L pods.

This is the first in the 2015 series Orca Talks hosted by The Whale Trail in West Seattle. The event also features updates from Robin Lindsey (Seal Sitters), and “Diver Laura” James (tox-ick.org).

Buy tickets early to reserve your seat. And hurry! This will likely sell out.

More about the speaker and TWT ahead:

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March Art Walk, 35th SW meeting #2, more for the rest of your West Seattle Thursday
March 12, 2015 11:56 am
|    Comments Off on March Art Walk, 35th SW meeting #2, more for the rest of your West Seattle Thursday
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Topping our highlights list for your Thursday afternoon/evening – it’s West Seattle Art Walk night! 6-9 pm, here’s where you can go to see art and (at most stops) meet the artists:

You’ll find venue/artist previews on the official Art Walk website, to help you plan where to visit. One special note tonight – it’s the WS Art Walk debut of VAIN (WSB sponsor) in The Junction (4513 California SW), where you’ll find the opening reception for West Seattle-based artist Michael Doyle‘s new illustration series “13 Teacups.” See you on the Art Walk tonight!

Also happening in the next 9 hours:

SECOND MEETING ON 35TH SW PROPOSALS: 3:15 pm at Southwest Branch Library, it’s the second of 2 meetings on the “design alternatives” SDOT is proposing to increase safety on 35th SW. Here’s the quick-glance overview:

Questions? Comments? Want to hear the details (intersection-by-intersection, as it was rolled out Tuesday night) firsthand? Be there if you can. Comment to jim.curtin@seattle.gov even if you can’t. The final design proposal will be out in June and is being shaped by reaction to what’s proposed now. (35th/Henderson)

GEORGETOWN BREWING NIGHT: The popular local brewery is up next at The Beer Junction‘s series of tasting nights, 5-8 pm. Details in our listing. (4511 California SW)

INDIAN FOOD CLASS: 5:30-8 pm at Delridge Community Center, learn to make some staples! $30. Call 206-684-7423 to register, if there’s still room. (4501 Delridge Way SW)

‘OPT OUT’ OF TESTING? 6 pm at Southwest Branch Library, find out about the controversial Smarter Balanced testing and parents’ rights to opt their child/ren out if they choose – details in our listing. (35th/Henderson)

TELEPHONE TOWN HALL WITH LEGISLATORS: From the 34th District Democrats‘ website – tonight’s your chance to join in a “telephone town hall” with your state Reps. Eileen Cody and Joe Fitzgibbon: “This will be a chance to ask us questions and hear about what they are up to in Olympia. To participate on March 12th, please dial 1-877-229-8493 and use the PIN 18646 at 6:00 pm.”

SECOND THURSDAY OUT! 6 pm, monthly event at Senior Center of West Seattle. “Join the LGBTQ community, their friends and neighbors for happy hour, followed by a light meal, and game night!” (Oregon/California)

OF COURSE, THERE’S MORE … on our calendar.

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MISSING PERSON: Search for Mark Sponseller
March 12, 2015 10:04 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

FRIDAY UPDATE: Mr. Sponseller’s family says he has been found, deceased.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Thursday notes
March 12, 2015 8:01 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
It’s been another routine commute so far. Two notes:

47TH/ADMIRAL WORK CONTINUES: The photo is from Wednesday morning, as work ramped up on the north side of the intersection. More details on the project page.

35TH SW CHANGES: Missed the meeting Tuesday night at which SDOT revealed two “design alternatives” plus the plan to lower the speed limit? A daytime edition of the presentation is set for today, 3:15 pm in the upstairs meeting room at Southwest Branch Library (35th/Henderson). Bring your questions. If you can’t go to this one either, feedback goes to jim.curtin@seattle.gov.

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VIDEO: Two overnight incidents with Guardian One responses
March 12, 2015 1:05 am
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Helicopter | West Seattle news

(ADDED: KCSO aerial video from search that followed Delridge/Trenton incident)
1:05 AM: The Guardian One law-enforcement helicopter was just over eastern West Seattle for a bit, and now we know why. They tweeted that they were helping Seattle Police look for suspects who ran from a stolen car. The search was focused near 18th and Graham. A K-9 team has been helping on the ground, but no luck finding the suspects so far.

2:18 AM: Guardian One is back because of a separate incident, this one at Delridge/Trenton. It drew a large police/fire response because of an apparently false report of “three people stabbed.” So far, they have found one person with a “small laceration” on a finger. Police had been called to the same area for a similar report earlier tonight.

8:05 AM: We’ve added, above, the aerial video from the second incident, Delridge/Trenton, that’s since been posted on the KCSO Air Support YouTube channel. (What you hear over it is the same audio we heard via scanner at the time, SPD on the ground and the helicopter deputy.)

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VIDEO: Mayor Murray Q/A at 34th District Democrats’ meeting
March 11, 2015 11:21 pm
|    Comments Off on VIDEO: Mayor Murray Q/A at 34th District Democrats’ meeting
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Big attention for West Seattle tonight from city leaders – while Seattle Police Chief Kathleen O’Toole answered questions in The Junction, Mayor Ed Murray answered a few in Fauntleroy. He was a semi-late addition to the 34th District Democrats‘ agenda, with growth, development, homelessness, and even architecture among the topics on which he was questioned in his 13-minute appearance – all on video above. Homelessness, Murray pointed out, is a national crisis, and Seattle can’t solve it alone – state and federal assistance is necessary. He opened with what sounded a bit like a campaign speech, quick hits on points such as the increase in the city’s minimum wage on April 1st (this city page explains who goes to $10 and who goes to $11 then).

Also there, City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen:

He brought up city leaders’ concern about a bill moving through the Legislature, asking people to pressure state legislators not to approve two bills that would change the rules for payday loans. While the 34th District’s legislators are solidly against it – State Sen. Sharon Nelson led the charge to tighten payday-loan rules in 2009 – that’s not a universal position for the party in this area, he said.

Next month’s highlight: A full candidate forum for the District 1 City Council race.

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