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  • Closure

    LOW-BRIDGE CLOSURE: Continues today

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    DOUGHNUT COMEBACK: West Seattle return

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    WS GARAGE SALE DAY 5/11: Register by Thursday 4/25!

Hero rescues West Seattle 11-year-old from surf-log accident
September 1, 2011 11:10 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

A West Seattle 11-year-old is at Harborview Medical Center tonight, recovering from a terrifying close call out on the ocean coast. Peter Dyer was rescued from beneath a half-ton log in the surf in Pacific Beach, thanks to help from Issaquah resident John Atzbach, who was nearby when Peter got trapped under the log. KING 5 told the story tonight; see it here, with video. We contacted Peter’s mom Toddy Dyer by e-mail; she tells WSB, “He is going to be 100% fine because of the actions by John. He saved Peter’s life. … We hope Pete comes home sometime this weekend. … I feel lucky, loved, blessed, and fortunate to have this ending. Peter fought that log, John did what he did, and I smile that there are people like John in this world.”

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Video: Summer Concerts at Hiawatha wrap up with Star Anna
September 1, 2011 10:33 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

This year’s Summer Concerts at Hiawatha lineup was more star-studded than ever, including the closing act for the sixth and final concert of the summer tonight: Star Anna and the Laughing Dogs. Star Anna and most of her band live in West Seattle now, so they’re hometown musical heroes:

Admiral Neighborhood Association president Katy Walum put the call out for concertgoers to donate diapers for WestSide Baby, and we checked in on the early response:

Katy says she’s thrilled with the response this year and expects the series will continue next year:

P.S. No Conan O’Brien sightings this week. But we did spot a couple familiar faces:

On the left, you probably recognize City Councilmember Bruce Harrell. On the right, someone we’ve known since shortly after we arrived in West Seattle 20 years ago, Dr. Shepherd Siegel, director of school-to-work for Seattle Public Schools. You just never know who you’re going to see at the outdoor concerts and movies in summertime; we’re glad to have been able to co-sponsor the series again this year (the full list of 20+ sponsors is on the right side of this webpage – if you enjoyed the free concerts, let ’em know!).

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Weekend traffic advisory, and Labor Day transit notes
September 1, 2011 7:42 pm
|    Comments Off on Weekend traffic advisory, and Labor Day transit notes
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

SDOT‘s traditional weekend traffic advisory is out – and it’s a good time to mention two other things: Metro Transit and the West Seattle Water Taxi (along with its shuttle buses) will be on a SUNDAY schedule next Monday, Labor Day (while on that day, the Vashon Island Water Taxi will not be running at all). Now, the official city roundup for the next four days (p.s. for a longer-range look, go here):Read More

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West Seattle High School staff back to work: ‘Incredible things are possible
September 1, 2011 5:51 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools


(Photo courtesy WSHS; click for larger image)
Classes don’t start at Seattle Public Schools till next Wednesday, but staff are on the job today – including the staff at West Seattle High School, from which Jennifer Hall shared the photos and this update:

West Seattle High School teachers, administrators and support staff were back on the job for a full day today, after being furloughed on August 31. We had a wonderful, collegial day to work with each other, and plan the best possible start for our 2011-2012 school year. We are excited to welcome new and returning students back to school on September 7!

Last year was a good year for West Seattle High School. Under new administrative leadership, we added new programs including a student lounge, new intensive Algebra classes, a school composting program, and several others. Our Drama and Music departments out did themselves, capping the school year with a superlative production of the musical, “Oklahoma!” Our athletes and cheer teams excelled! Our Science and Math departments brought out our students creativity with hands-on projects and field trips. Test scores improved for students served by the Special Education and English Language Learner departments. All in all, staff members worked with our students and with each other to create a world class school. We are glad to be back to continue that work.

This year, we are rolling out our new “Link Crew” program. Some of our returning students have been training to be Link Crew members. They will be providing support and advocacy to new students. More support for our students will come from the City Year program. West Seattle High School will have nine dedicated City Year volunteers supporting our students’ academically, and helping some to stay in school.

We are going to have a great year! With our awesome students, and the commitment of our dedicated staff and community partners, incredible things are possible!

ADDED THURSDAY NIGHT: This was Freshman Family Night at WSHS, so we stopped by for a few photos – starting with the PTSA team:

(This photo and next, by Patrick Sand for WSB)
And an overview in the halls:

We’ll also be there in the morning to check out one of this year’s new programs, aimed at helping 9th graders’ transition to high school.

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Congrats to the Seattle.gov team, including West Seattleites!
September 1, 2011 3:32 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle online


If we had to count how many times a day we turn to Seattle.gov while working on WSB stories/event listings/etc., we would run out of fingers, toes, and probably grains of sand on Alki. The place to go for everything from police/fire updates to development-site status reports to historic city photos (and way beyond) has just won a big national award: “Best City Portal” in the 2011 Best of the Web Awards from the Center for Digital Government. Those you’ll want to high-five, at least virtually, include at least two West Seattleites – city tech kahuna Bill Schrier and Seattle.gov web manager Bruce Blood, who commented on the WSB Facebook page, “Pleased as punch can’t begin to describe our glee! Seattle.gov has hundreds of contributors (web managers, content creators, server and network admins, to name a few) throughout the City. Every last one of them shares in the award!”

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Need heating oil? SC Fuels, new West Seattle Blog sponsor
September 1, 2011 2:15 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

It’s the first day of September, and there’s a bit of chill in the air. Time to think about heating oil, if you use it, and that’s the business of a new WSB sponsor, SC Fuels. Here’s what they would like you to know:

Customers rest assured that SC Fuels will deliver the best prices on home heating oil. We pride ourselves on having the highest level of service that is possible, from the time someone picks up the phone and places their heating oil order with one of our customer-services representatives, till the time our delivery drivers step on the property to deliver the oil, our unwavering commitment to customer service is unmatched. Customers also rest assured that we have the highest level of integrity of any heating-oil-delivery company and we always look out for our customers’ needs and family first. After all, without our customers, who would we be? No one.

Customers come to SC Fuels because they know that they will find the best possible price for their oil. They know that we have a price-match guarantee, and we always beat our competitors’ prices. Home heating oil is the most efficient way to heat your home and we ensure that you can do that at the most affordable prices possible!

Customers continually come back to us because of the peace of mind we have developed with our customers. When you call to place an delivery order to your home, you want to know the delivery personnel are not going to do anything shady. Customers tell us all the time that they know, when SC Fuels delivers their oil, they can rest assured that they will receive their delivery with no problems.

SC Fuels‘ community/advocacy involvement includes organizations such as the Pacific Northwest Oil Heat Council and the National Biodiesel Board (for development of sustainable energy resources), and sponsorship of the Washington State Special Olympics. You can call them at 253-475-7600; they’re online at scfuelsnorthwest.com.

We thank SC Fuels 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.

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Another traffic alert: Next partial Spokane St. Viaduct closures
September 1, 2011 12:20 pm
|    Comments Off on Another traffic alert: Next partial Spokane St. Viaduct closures
 |   Spokane St. Viaduct project | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

Another traffic alert for your calendar – the next westbound shutdowns of the Spokane Street Viaduct (the West Seattle Bridge between 99 and I-5). Just in from SDOT:

The contractor working to widen the Spokane Street Viaduct will close the structure’s westbound lanes just west of I-5 for three nights: September 7, 8 and 9. To complete necessary work, crews will also close First Avenue S at S Spokane Street overnight from September 6 through 10. Details are as follows:

• Westbound Spokane Street Viaduct closed September 7, 8 and 9
10 p.m. each night until 5 a.m. the next morning

• First Avenue S at S Spokane Street closed September 6 – 10
9 p.m. each night until 5 a.m. the next morning – September 6 & 10
11 p.m. each night until 5 a.m. the next morning – September 7-9

During the viaduct work, southbound I-5 traffic will be directed to the S Forest Street exit to access surface streets. Northbound I-5 traffic and westbound traffic from Columbian Way will be detoured to surface streets at 6th Avenue South. Motorists can still use southbound SR-99 to access West Seattle.

As we reported on Monday, the new 1st Avenue South on/off ramp, which is part of this project, will not be open before the 9-day Alaskan Way Viaduct shutdown Oct. 21-31, but SDOT says it should be open “by the end of the year.”

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Update: Fire call in High Point – no fire
September 1, 2011 11:20 am
|    Comments Off on Update: Fire call in High Point – no fire
 |   West Seattle news | WS breaking news

(Thanks to Amanda for sharing photo taken by Kelby)
11:20 AM: Big response to Bridge Park in 3200 block of SW Morgan, but scanner indicates it’s an air conditioning problem. On our way to doublecheck.

11:30 AM: All’s well – last fire truck left as we arrived.

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Alaskan Way Viaduct traffic alert: Lane closures Saturday
September 1, 2011 11:04 am
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Alaskan Way Viaduct | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

This could cause some backups, even on a Saturday, so here’s the heads-up from SDOT:

On Saturday, September 3, the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) will be removing and repairing expansion joints on the Alaskan Way Viaduct southbound. They will be working from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Alaskan Way Viaduct Extension where the roadway increases from two to three lanes near S Hanford Street. In order to accomplish the work, the SDOT crew will move from left to right closing two of the three lanes at a time. Motorists should expect to slow down and be prepared to shift lanes as they pass by the work zone.

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Reminder: Star Anna @ Hiawatha tonight, and bring diapers!
September 1, 2011 10:51 am
|    Comments Off on Reminder: Star Anna @ Hiawatha tonight, and bring diapers!
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

That’s a look at the crowd from last Thursday’s Summer Concerts at Hiawatha show (Caspar Babypants, with concertgoers including Conan O’Brien) – tonight’s the final show of the season, the hot-and-getting-hotter Star Anna and the Laughing Dogs, and we recommend getting there early to stake out your (free!) spot on the grass. One more reminder: BRING DIAPERS for WestSide Baby – give them to the series-presenting Admiral Neighborhood Association, and you’ll get a Popsicle treat in return! Showtime is 6:30 pm; don’t miss your final chance to be part of the summer’s biggest concert series, with a West Seattle-based rising star ready to play for you. Walk/bus/bicycle if you can (joined West Seattle In Motion yet?); parking alongside the lawn (which borders Walnut) can be tough. There’s usually room in the West Seattle High School lot next door, but they’re having an event tonight too (for freshmen).

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Video: White Center murder suspect pleads not guilty
September 1, 2011 9:27 am
|      19 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | White Center

We’re at the King County Courthouse, where Anthony Haroldlee Smith has just appeared for arraignment in the August 16th murder of 23-year-old Sweetheart Failautusi, shot early that morning at 15th/Roxbury (original White Center Now coverage here). Our video above (shot through the glass that separates the gallery from the judge/lawyer areas of this particular courtroom) shows the brief hearing in its entirety, after Judge Ronald Kessler denied Smith’s lawyer’s request to keep the media from photographing his face, ending before witness names were mentioned in terms of a no-contact order. Smith only spoke to acknowledge his identity; his lawyer formally entered the plea of “not guilty.” Media reps (TV and radio were also here) were asked by an advocate not to photograph the two members of Sweetheart’s family who came to watch the hearing. Smith remains in jail in lieu of one million dollars bail.

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West Seattle Thursday: Welcome to September!
September 1, 2011 8:51 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Added 10 am: Photo booth at Chief Sealth IHS, taking student photos during orientations today)
A few highlights for today/tonight, from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

ORIENTATION AT CHIEF SEALTH INTERNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL: 9-noon today, 10th-12th graders have drop-in orientation; 1-4 pm, 9th graders.

FRESHMAN FAMILY NIGHT AT WEST SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL: 5:30-7:30 pm in the WSHS Commons.

MS. AND MR. FIX-ITS WELCOME: The Fixers’ Collective @ the West Seattle Tool Library (east side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, 4408 Delridge Way SW), 6 – 8 pm. A Fixers’ Collective is a group of folks who love to fix and mend things, which could be any old thing from broken blenders to ripped sweaters to antique dentist drills. Take it apart, put it back together, figure out how it works, refuse to throw it away, and get to know others who do the same! Join us if you are interested in prolonging the life of the things you own, learning how things work, saving a few resources, or if you just love to tinker.

JEWELRY RECEPTION AT CLICK! At Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor), Sarah Loertscher jewelry, 6-9 pm opening reception for prints, drawings and installation pieces.

FINAL ‘SUMMER CONCERTS AT HIAWATHA’ SHOW: 6:30 pm, east lawn at Hiawatha, Star Anna and the Laughing Dogs, bring diapers for WestSide Baby and get a Popsicle treat in return, courtesy of the series-presenting Admiral Neighborhood Association! Concert’s free, bring your own blanket/chair.

WINE DINNER: Bin 41 wine shop from The Junction presents a wine dinner at Via Tribunali at 7 pm. Join Italian winemaker Antonio Sanguinetti for a 5-course meal with wine pairings at Via Tribunali in Georgetown, all for $55 per person not including tax and gratuity. To RSVP for this special wine dinner, contact the restaurant at faith@viatribunali.com or contact Bin 41.

PLANT LECTURE: West Seattle naturalist Stewart Wechsler speaks at the UW Center for Urban Horticulture at 7 tonight, . Full details here.

TONIGHT AT KENYON HALL: New York bassist Jay Leonhart performs at 7:30 pmtonight. KH says, “His signature act ‘It’s Impossible to Sing and Play the Bass’ will leave you marveling at his wit, his honesty, and his ability to lampoon those public figures whose hypocrisy begs to be skewered.” Reserved table seats are $14. Row seating is $12 general and $10 seniors. With a reservation, row seating is only $10 general and $8 seniors. Elementary, middle, & high school students are $5. Preschool children are free, and Root Beer Floats are still only a buck. To make a reservation, e-mail kenyonhall@earthlink.net.

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Video: Visiting artist Bosshiko ‘live-painting’ at Alki
August 31, 2011 10:43 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Under a tree west of Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza, in the evening sunlight, he began …

The painter is Bosshiko, one of the visiting artists from Japan whose informal Alki performance tonight was noted here in this morning’s “West Seattle Wednesday” preview. Allan, who tipped us to all this, explained that Bosshiko is renowned on the other side of the Pacific for his live-painting. With a canvas of Japanese washi paper, and black sumi ink, he painted with an audience:

He progressed:

And we rolled video on his brushstrokes as he approached the finish (his specialty is 30-minute “live-paintings,” but unfortunately we didn’t clock him):

His next stop is New York, for an exhibition, according to his Facebook page.

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Yes, the Viaduct is serious business. Till Mario Kart drives up…
August 31, 2011 9:27 pm
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   Alaskan Way Viaduct | Transportation | West Seattle news

The Alaskan Way Viaduct – its past, present, future – is serious business. And yet sometimes, with the votes, the closures, the traffic, the killer-quake simulation … you might have to laugh, or else you’d cry. So in case you haven’t already seen this on the WSB Facebook page, we’re sharing it here too:

Recent West Seattle arrival Mike S. (from the UK) made the mini-mashup, explaining, “I was really impressed with the video produced by WSDOT showing how the commute into Seattle would look after the nine-day closure. However, I still felt it could be improved – with the addition of Super Mario, in his Mario Kart – so I made some modifications.” (The original is linked from our Monday coverage of the WSDOT announcement about the October 21-31 construction closure.)

ADDED 12:54 PM THURSDAY: Mike wondered what WSDOT would think. They don’t seem to mind – according to this tweet!

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Back-to-school help, thanks to Pencil Me In For Kids
August 31, 2011 8:39 pm
|    Comments Off on Back-to-school help, thanks to Pencil Me In For Kids
 |   How to help | Rotary Club of West Seattle | West Seattle news

One week till the first day of school for Seattle Public Schools (some independent schools start earlier), and this gathering in Westwood tonight was good news for local students whose families can’t afford school supplies – it was the annual Pencil Me In For Kids sorting party.

Rotary Club of West Seattle president Sue Lindblom, Illusions Hair Design (WSB sponsor) owner and longtime PMIFK ringleader, says “Rotarians and friends who signed up to help us sort out those school supplies” planned a potluck barbecue after the work was done. Tomorrow, the supplies get delivered to a pickup site, and this year, PMIFK got extra help, Sue says: “West Seattle Helpline donated money and 100 extra backpacks they had!” PMIFK also will benefit from raffles at the upcoming West Seattle Junction Car Show on September 18th, organizer Michael Hoffman of Liberty Bell Print and Design has announced.

P.S. One more note from Sue: “There have been many shifts in Family Support Workers over the years and this year we were not able to get responses from two schools that usually receive some of these supplies. We are hoping if they still are in need they will contact us. Those two schools are Alki and Concord.” PMIFK contact info can be found here.

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Junction updates: VAIN salon/boutique on the way; new paint; ‘Experience Junction Love’ campaign
August 31, 2011 4:52 pm
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Three updates from The Junction this afternoon:

NEW PAINT: Thanks to Brian Presser from TouchTech Systems for the photo of a crew applying new paint to the long-beige building where he and several other businesses are headquartered – the one with the breezeway, south of the old liquor store. Speaking of which:

VAIN MOVING INTO OLD LIQUOR STORE: We’ve already reported that The Beer Junction is taking part of the old state liquor store space in the 4500 block of California SW (open since the liquor store’s new location is now in business). This afternoon, we know who else is moving in – VAIN salon/boutique will open its third Seattle location there (it’s already downtown and in Ballard). Its news release says this is a homecoming for VAIN founder Victoria Ptak, who lives in West Seattle. Read the news release in full, with more details, here. Victoria also sent a note, saying, “The building will be undergoing a major rehab in the next few weeks. We will be starting work on our portion of the building starting October 1st with the goal of being open winter-ish. As a resident and huge fan of West Seattle I am excited for the opportunity to join such an active community! There are so many great businesses, community activists and fun neighborhood happenings, I look forward to bringing what we can to the mix.”

‘EXPERIENCE JUNCTION LOVE’: Just because our abbreviated summer is ending, don’t retreat into your shell – “experience Junction love”! It’s the new campaign just announced by the West Seattle Junction Association, whose website mentions some of the things just waiting for your love (and patronage). The campaign will spotlight a new theme each month – read on for a sneak peek:Read More

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Village Green foreclosure fight: Bank of America announces a decision
August 31, 2011 3:12 pm
|      23 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | White Center

(Photo added 7:17 pm: Vera and daughter Johanna)>
3:12 PM: Looks like tonight’s support rally may turn into a victory party. Just received from Bank of America, and confirmed by someone who answered the phone at Village Green Perennial Nursery (Vera was not available):

I wanted to make you aware of a final decision in regards to Vera Johnson’s mortgage modification.

As soon as we learned of Vera Johnson’s concerns, Bank of America employees at our Seattle Customer Assistance Center began working closely with her to understand her financial situation and collect the necessary paperwork. Based on the financial documents she provided and some last minute issues we identified and were able to help her resolve, Fannie Mae extended to Ms. Johnson a permanent modification.

We are pleased to be able to offer her this permanent modification that should allow her to stay in her home and keep her business.

Britney W. Sheehan
Media Relations

Again, as previewed here this morning, the 5-9 pm event tonight is at Big Al Brewing, 9832 14th SW

5:32 PM UPDATE: Just talked with Vera at the event. She says that B of A announced this so quickly after calling her, she hasn’t seen paperwork yet, and nothing’s final till it’s final.

ADDED 7:20 PM: Here’s our brief chat with her, on video:

And the party/rally at Big Al’s continues – with more signs of community generosity – In addition to the list mentioned in our morning preview, Delgado’s Upholstery donated a chair:

The event continues till 9 pm.

THURSDAY MORNING NOTE: A detailed story on the party is on our partner site, White Center Now.

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Beach Drive slide fight: ‘Potential solutions’ being explored
August 31, 2011 12:39 pm
|      22 COMMENTS
 |   Safety | Transportation | West Seattle news

(Photo taken this morning by WSB’s Patrick Sand)
With the next rainy season right around the corner, a drilling crew was sighted in the Beach Drive slide zone last week, and several people e-mailed WSB to ask if we knew what they were up to. You’ll recall that the fight over who’s to blame for the slides and the resulting road damage and home dangers is now part of two lawsuits – one filed by the city in 2009 against an upslope homeowner, and a newer one filed by nearby homeowners earlier this year (here’s our May report). Online files on the latter suit reveal a counter-claim recently filed by the upslope homeowner; we checked with the city on the overall status of the case, and here’s the response received from the City Attorney’s Office:

While neither lawsuit has been resolved to date, the parties have agreed that additional information is needed to determine next steps and develop an appropriate fix. The work that occurred last week involved drilling in several locations on the hillside to allow engineering analyses of potential solutions.

That’s all they can say since the matter is still “in litigation.” Meantime, we have an inquiry out to SDOT to ask if any road work is planned before winter, given that whomever is to blame, it’s indisputable that the road alongside the slide remains in bad shape (and wintry conditions like ice – remember this? – compound the problem).

ADDED 5:48 PM: SDOT’s Rick Sheridan answered our inquiry (the short answer is “no”):

In mid-July SDOT crews completed asphalt resurfacing on Beach Drive SW between SW Snoqualmie Street and SW Jacobsen Road (the 4600 block), just beyond the slide area. That work was made possible by the mayor and city council directing property sale funds to spot paving.

The roadway to the south, by the slide area, is in need of full pavement reconstruction. However, repairs in that area will need to wait until the slope is stabilized around the 6300 to 6500 blocks.

In addition, that section of Beach Drive must compete with busier streets in West Seattle and elsewhere for scarce paving dollars. Two examples of other streets that carry much heavier traffic volumes and are competing for the same paving funds are Delridge Way SW, which is scheduled for paving in 2014, and the south end of California Avenue SW, for which there is no funding available at this time.

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10th anniversary of 9/11: Another West Seattle event announced
August 31, 2011 10:57 am
|    Comments Off on 10th anniversary of 9/11: Another West Seattle event announced
 |   Alki Statue of Liberty | West Seattle history | West Seattle news

Less than 2 weeks until the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, which will bring many more commemorations and remembrances around the country than usual. Last week, we published first word of the Log House Museum‘s tribute plans, focused on the role the Alki Statue of Liberty played as a touchstone in the days after 9/11; Marcy Johnsen from LHM/Southwest Seattle Historical Society sends word the event is now finalized, with Parks‘ permission – full details in our original preview here, which also mentions the tribute during the Holy Family Community Street Fair in White Center (20th/Roxbury) that day. And just added, Providence Mount St. Vincent (4831 35th SW) plans a 1 pm remembrance service in its chapel on Sept. 11th, all welcome; folks at The Mount are making paper cranes in hopes of having 1,000 by then. (Photo by Alki photographer David Hutchinson, taken September 12, 2001)

P.S. WSB Forums members are sharing their 9/11/2001 memories in this thread, if you’re interested in contributing.

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West Seattle Wednesday: River tour; new store; art on Alki…
August 31, 2011 10:03 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Wednesday: River tour; new store; art on Alki…
 |   South Park | West Seattle news | White Center | WS miscellaneous

That’s Alki Kayak Tours‘ Greg Whittaker in the hat, coaching would-be paddlers at last weekend’s Duwamish River Festival. Your chance to explore the river, from that same starting point, is tonight – one of the highlights from the WSB Events calendar:

2ND-TO-LAST COMMUNITY KAYAK TOUR OF THE DUWAMISH: Every two weeks, all summer, Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition has presented the tours, in partnership with Alki Kayak Tours – meets 5:30 pm at Duwamish Waterway Park, 7900 10th Avenue S. in South Park; RSVP to (206) 953-0237. Tours cost $45 per person; $5 donation per person to DRCC also requested. All equipment, instructions, and guiding are provided. More info.

(Photo by WSB’s Patrick Sand, added 10:47 am)
NEW STATE LIQUOR STORE NOW OPEN: As of minutes ago, it’s the first day of operation for the new Junction liquor store, on the northwest corner of 41st/Alaska (here’s our video-tour preview from yesterday).

VILLAGE GREEN PERENNIAL NURSERY SUPPORT/FORECLOSURE-AWARENESS RALLY: As previewed here earlier this morning, the event is 5-9 pm at Big Al Brewing, 9832 14th SW in White Center (full details here).

METROPOLITAN MARKET WINE TASTING: 5:30-7:30 pm at the Admiral store, taste wines to complement the fruit offered at Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor) during the ongoing Peach-O-Rama.

JAPANESE ARTISTS PERFORM ON ALKI: Word of this came in late last night – note the weather caveat:

4 very talented artists and entertainers will be performing at Alki Beach, August 31 6:00pm near the Statue of Liberty.

They said they would like as many people to view their performances since they are here for only a short period of time.

1. Bosshiko is a high-profile artist in Asia winning various awards. He will be performing a live painting using black sumi ink on Japanese washi paper. The painting will be enourmous and will be done in 30 minutes.

2. Sayoko Hirano is an artist from Kyoto learning under Bosshiko. She will also be performing a live painting.

3. Chiaki is a professional dancer and will perform a powerful martial arts inspired contemporary dance.

4. Gon is one of the few traditional Japanese storytellers left even in Japan. His storytelling always gets the crowd laughing even if you don’t understand Japanese.

They will cancel the performance if it rains.

BUY IT WHERE THEY GROW IT: High Point Market Garden farm stand, 4-7 pm, 32nd Ave SW and SW Juneau. This is a weekly Farm Stand selling seasonal fresh organically grown produce right in the garden where the produce is grown.

BUDGET-CUT CLOSURES: Seattle Public Schools is on a systemwide furlough day, and district employees aren’t even supposed to answer e-mails … Seattle Public Library‘s now-annual budget-cut closure continues today (the system reopens next Tuesday, after the Labor Day holiday following the closure week).

SEASON EBBING AT COLMAN POOL: Colman Pool continues its 7-day-a-week summer operations through Monday, and then, after one last “post-season weekend,” it’s closed till next year. Pool schedule/other info here.

EARLY REGISTRATION DEADLINE FOR CAR SHOW: If you want the early-registration $15 fee for the West Seattle Junction Car Show (co-sponsored by WSB) on September 18th, you have to get your registration in by tomorrow – details here.

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Village Green foreclosure-fight rally/party/benefit tonight
August 31, 2011 6:30 am
|    Comments Off on Village Green foreclosure-fight rally/party/benefit tonight
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | White Center

Tonight’s the night for the benefit rally/party/auction on behalf of Village Green Perennial Nursery owner Vera Johnson‘s foreclosure fight (first reported here last month). Organizers from Friends of Village Green and White Center Business Owners of Sustainable Support have put together quite the lineup for the event, 5-9 pm at Big Al Brewing (9832 14th SW). WC-BOSS founder Aileen Sison describes it as “a fun-filled evening of community solidarity with live music, ice cream and refreshments provided by Full Tilt Ice Cream and more for your enjoyment. We will also be showing a entertaining and informative short film as well as having guest speakers addressing the housing crisis to raise foreclosure prevention awareness. Stick around for the super silent auction for killer local items and cool out to tunes by Del Rey and WC’s home grown musical talents like Rats in the Grass, Graves 33, and The GNU Deal! … Come show your support and toast to homeowner advocacy, local businesses, and be seen wearing the night’s color of support and go GREEN!” Sison shared the list of silent-auction items – read on to see the list (and a few photos):Read More

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Arbor Heights crime-prevention meeting brings new info on helping Saturday’s fire victims
August 31, 2011 2:37 am
|    Comments Off on Arbor Heights crime-prevention meeting brings new info on helping Saturday’s fire victims
 |   Arbor Heights | How to help | West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

Arbor Heights is among the few areas of West Seattle not represented by a community council – but Arbor Heights Community Church leaders say they’re trying to step up and help with neighborhood organizing. Tuesday night’s community meeting at the church was announced 2+ weeks ago as a chance to get information about crime prevention, and that certainly was discussed, with the help of Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Mark Solomon. He presented information including how to set up Block Watches. But last Saturday’s house fire, less than a block from the church, was a big topic too.

As first reported here Sunday night, AHCC is coordinating donations for the family who lost everything in the fire, and we got an update on that from Pastor Ken Ross, who says he has met with the fire victims and describes them as still in a state of shock:

*Red Cross has provided them with lodging for 2 weeks; they are still looking for a rental, preferably in the Arbor Heights area, since they have two kids about to go back to school (12-year-old girl and 15-year-old boy, according to family members’ comments).

*Fundraising has totaled $3,000 so far (donation info is here)

*Want to offer clothing or other types of non-monetary donations? The church doesn’t have storage but asks that you e-mail ahfiredonations@yahoo.com to coordinate, or, as previously requested, call 206-935-5714 between 10 am-2 pm today or Thursday (after that the office won’t be staffed again till the following Tuesday)

The pastor also says he plans to meet with a Seattle Fire Department representative regarding the complications of Saturday evening’s firefighting operation – including response time and water pressure. (Here’s our Monday night report on the city’s review plan.)

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West Seattle Crime Watch: ‘Roaming’ burglar; car theft; more
August 30, 2011 10:07 pm
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 |   Crime | Gatewood | Genesee Hill | West Seattle news

Three West Seattle Crime Watch reports to share tonight, from the WSB inbox, including a break-in attempt late today whose victims say police told them about a “roaming” burglar, plus another burglary and a car theft – read on (**added Wed. morning, an additional burglary report):Read More

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