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Spotlight Stories

You can help! Gatewood Elementary students hope you will join them in giving to typhoon survivors
November 24, 2013 8:19 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Typhoon survivors in the Philippines have a long recovery ahead – and your help can make a big difference. Young West Seattleites are helping too, including students at Gatewood Elementary, whose message to us – which is a message to you, too – was shared (along with the photo) by teacher Darren Radu:

We are 4th and 5th grade students of Team Mt. Si at Gatewood Elementary. We know that a lot of people in West Seattle are already helping people displaced in the Philippines, and we wanted to do something to help too. We held a drive for first aid kits, personal hygiene products, and nonperishable food, and were able to deliver a couple hundred items to the Filipino Center of Seattle on Saturday.

When our teacher dropped off our items, the rep there said that they’re still in need of more donations in order to completely fill a shipping container before they can send it (there’s currently enough for about half the container). We’re hoping you can help us get the word out to West Seattle families who haven’t had a chance to contribute yet. There’s a link below for how to donate, and what kind of items will help.

Thank you!
Team Mt. Si

From the Filipino Community of Seattle:

Immediate need for personal hygiene products, nonperishable food items, and first-aid kits.

· Cash donations can be mailed or dropped off at the center: 5740 MLK Way, Seattle 98118
· At Wells Fargo – Account #5612975465 RTN#125008547
· Click here to donate online
· FCS will arrange for a 20’ container to ship collected relief goods

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Video: Sea stars (starfish) die-off seen in West Seattle waters
November 24, 2013 3:07 pm
|      41 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Wildlife

Dead/Dying seastars in West Seattle from Laura James on Vimeo.

You have probably heard of the die-off of sea stars – aka starfish – all along the West Coast, and in some East Coast spots too. Regional and national news organizations are paying attention – the Washington Post covered the die-off just this week. But nothing brings it home like seeing what “Diver Laura” James observed in West Seattle waters this weekend. She recorded video off Seacrest on Saturday and uploaded the clip (go here if you can’t see/play the embedded version above) early today, two weeks after she documented dead stars on the beach (as reported here). Discussing her video early today via e-mail, she told us, “I knew it was bad, but I hadn’t seen it in a couple weeks, and it was crushing to see bodies piled on top of bodies and the pilings bare.”

This epidemic is fast-growing; this KING 5 report from a month ago features Seattle Aquarium investigators saying only sunflower stars were affected, yet now it’s moved to other species, as Laura’s video shows so vividly. Researchers continue to say they haven’t figured it out, except for the fact that it’s happening in many places – we found this tracking map as well as media coverage including Sonoma County north of San Francisco, Half Moon Bay south of San Francisco, Southern California, and the earliest reports this fall, from British Columbia.

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Update: West Seattle power outage in Upper Alki
November 24, 2013 1:19 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Utilities | West Seattle news | WS breaking news

1:19 PM: Getting multiple reports that the electricity is out in the Upper Alki area, just after a loud noise. Some of the reports mention 53rd SW. Nothing official from Seattle City Light yet – be sure to call them if you’re out, at 206-684-7400; they might not know otherwise.

1:43 PM UPDATE: The outage is now on the SCL map (screengrab above), which says 187 customers (one residence or business is considered a “customer”) are affected. One of them, Michael, tells us SCL told him by phone that a crew’s on the way and they’re estimating two to four hours for restoration (keep in mind early estimates can be wildly wrong since the official cause isn’t even known yet).

2:38 PM UPDATE: The cause is now described on the outage map as “bird/animal.”

4:25 PM UPDATE: The outage no longer shows on the SCL map. Let us know if you DON’T have your power back!

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West Seattle Weather Watch: Stage 1 burn ban for King County
November 24, 2013 11:17 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Environment | West Seattle news

You’ve probably noticed, maybe even felt the effects of, the stagnant, murky air. It’s just led the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency to announce a Stage 1 burn ban for King County as of 2 pm today. Here’s how the agency explains that type of burn ban:

*No burning is allowed in fireplaces or uncertified wood stoves. Residents should rely instead on their home’s other, cleaner source of heat (such as their furnace or electric baseboard heaters) for a few days until air quality improves, the public health risk diminishes and the ban is cancelled. The only exception is if a wood stove is a home’s only adequate source of heat.

*No outdoor fires are allowed. This includes recreational fires such as bonfires, campfires, and the use of fire pits and chimineas.

*Burn ban violations are subject to a $1,000 penalty.

It is OK to use natural gas, propane, pellet and EPA-certified wood stoves or inserts during a Stage 1 burn ban.

Want to know more? Go here. As for the weather – the long-range forecast doesn’t include rain until POSSIBLY Friday night.

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Happening now: Fair-Trade Sale at Our Lady of Guadalupe
November 24, 2013 11:09 am
|    Comments Off on Happening now: Fair-Trade Sale at Our Lady of Guadalupe
 |   Holidays | How to help | West Seattle news

A one-of-a-kind holiday-gift sale is under way right now in the Our Lady of Guadalupe gym – devoted entirely to fair-trade items (as explained in our West Seattle Sunday preview) – and there’s a benefit bake sale, too. Above, Daphney is there with scarves; below, Kaitlyn, Hudson, and Andrew, with the 3rd-graders’ bake sale:

The bake-sale beneficiary is WestSide Baby. You can check this all out at the OLG gym – northeast corner of 35th/Myrtle – until 1:30 this afternoon.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Clerk ‘outguns’ would-be robbers; car prowlers hit convertibles…
November 24, 2013 10:12 am
|      16 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Two West Seattle Crime Watch reports to share. The first one was just published on SPD Blotter:

A store clerk chased away would-be robbers last night in West Seattle. On 11/23/13, at approximately 10:00 pm, two unknown masked males went into a store in the 8800 block of 9th Av. SW and pointed a gun at the clerk, demanding money.

The clerk recognized that the gun the suspects were using was a fake, so he reached down and brought his own gun up, telling the would-be robbers that his gun was “bigger.” The suspects ran out of the store, and quickly left in their getaway car. An area check for the suspects was negative.

And this reader report is from Jay:

Car prowls … in the 6100 block of Admiral. Two hardtops stolen from convertibles. Both were Mazda Miatas … Windows (were) busted to get in, but no attempt to take the cars themselves.

He says it happened overnight Thursday into Friday. We checked police reports and Tweets by Beat for other car-prowl reports in the past week:

*2 reported yesterday in Arbor Heights, one in the 10000 block of California SW, another in the 10000 block of 41st SW
*One Friday in the 9000 block of Fauntleroy Way SW
*One Tuesday in the 5400 block of 23rd SW
*One Monday in the 6900 block of Delridge Way SW
*One Monday at Fauntleroy/Cloverdale
*One last Sunday in the 7200 block of 12th SW.

If someone breaks into your vehicle – or tries – be sure to report it, even if nothing is taken. (Here’s how to file online reports about car prowls and certain other types of crime.)

ADDED 2:43 PM: One more car prowl to add – Dustin reported via Facebook message: “Car prowl 46th and SW Raymond St last night. Nothing in car to steal, but some damage.”

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West Seattle Sunday: Traffic alerts; Fair-Trade Sale; live music…
November 24, 2013 6:43 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Sunday: Traffic alerts; Fair-Trade Sale; live music…
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

First Brants of Fall 2013

(The brant are back! Photo by Danny McMillin, shared via the WSB Flickr group)
Looking ahead to your West Seattle (and a bit beyond) Sunday, we start with two traffic notes:

JUNCTION TRAFFIC ALERT: Again today, one block of SW Alaska is scheduled to be closed to vehicle traffic, 7 am-10 pm, for utility work related to the construction project between California and 42nd. The sidewalk on the north side of the street remains open.

PRESIDENTIAL SCHEDULE: If you are headed eastward this afternoon/evening, take note of President Obama‘s visit. This time, he is scheduled to fly into Sea-Tac instead of Boeing Field, arriving after 4 pm, going to fundraisers in North Seattle and Medina, staying downtown overnight, then flying out Monday morning after 8 am. We’ll keep watch on traffic during those arrival/departure windows. Added: SPD has tweeted details of specific downtown traffic effects during the President’s overnight stay.

Now, events from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide and our regular year-round calendar:

OLG FAIR-TRADE SALE: Catholic Relief Services Fair Trade Sale in the Our Lady of Guadalupe Gym, 9:30 am-1:30 pm:

This Christmas season, intentionally use your purchasing power to support Fair Trade efforts around the globe. (Today) OLG will be hosting a Catholic Relief Services Fair Trade Sale in the stage area of the gym from 9:30 am-1:30 pm. You’ll find fabulous Fair Trade gift items, including chocolate, Advent calendars, jewelry, holiday and home décor, silk scarves, bags, ornaments, instruments, and baskets. By buying Fair Trade, you support the efforts of skilled farmers and artisans who are working to break the cycle of poverty and build stronger communities. CRS and SERRV develop relationships with producers and assist them in becoming self-sufficient through training, fair wages, and market access. The 3rd grade will also be holding a Bake Sale to benefit WestSide Baby, their service project site for the year. WestSide Baby serves low-income families with clothing, diapers and supplies for children up to age 12. Finally, you can buy your holiday cards to support Noel House, a Catholic Community Services shelter for homeless women.

(OLG is at 35th/Myrtle)

OPEN HOUSE: Holiday Open House continues at JF Henry Cooking and Dining (WSB sponsor) in The Junction. 10 am-5 pm. Deals, demonstrations, treats, more – details here. (4445 California SW)

VOLUNTEER AT CAMP LONG: Your big chance to pitch in today – volunteer work at Camp Long, 9 am to 3 pm each day, to help with an Eagle Project, described as “restoring a staircase along the Glacier Climbing wall by removing the existing deteriorating stairs, grading the ground, and setting in new granite slabs. Additionally, we will clear vegetation to the right of the staircase for a trail to reduce the grade.” It’s day 2 of this work – Suzanne, who shares the announcement, sent this photo from Day 1:

Volunteers get food after the work party. (5200 35th SW)

NATIVES RISING STORYTELLING TOUR: At the Duwamish Longhouse, 1:30-3:30 pm, hear “stories that have not been told in public in more than a century,” featuring traditional storytellers Solana Rose Booth and Ravenspeaker. More info in our calendar listing. (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)

LIVE MUSIC AT C & P: Coffeehouse-concert veterans David Grixoni & Paul Luczak play C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 3-5 pm. (5612 California SW)

OPEN MIKE AT SKYLARK: 4 pm at Skylark Café and Club, all ages (signups start at 3). We have word a new youth band plans to debut:

India Spence has performed at Skylark multiple times, and now brings her brand-new band. See who else takes the stage. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

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Beer Church Turkey Bowl 2013: Mission, Elliott Bay take trophies
November 24, 2013 3:01 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people | WS beverages

Lots of winners in the 15th annual Beer Church Turkey Bowl, one of our area’s most boisterous benefits, Saturday night at West Seattle Bowl. We got there just in time to hear Beer Church director Kendall Jones announce that the Mission team (above, with Kendall at left) won the bowling part of the night, and that the “Battle of the Brewers” trophy would go to Elliott Bay Brewing Co. (team below with Kendall and, at left, Kim Sharpe Jones):

Also winners: The clients of the West Seattle Food Bank, the beneficiary of Turkey Bowl proceeds – as well as cash and food donations, which this WSFB team was on hand to handle:

The night’s festivities also included raffle items donated by local businesses and breweries (see the list on the Turkey Bowl page). As Kendall is quoted on the Beer Church home page as saying, “We encourage beer lovers everywhere to get involved in their communities and work to make the world a better place. Donate, volunteer, participate.” (P.S. He also runs the Washington Beer Blog, where you can tap into beer news from all over the state.)

10:42 AM UPDATE: New info from Kim, in comments – more than $4,400 raised for the WS Food Bank, in addition to the donated food itself.

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Friends of Morgan Junction Parks wraps up ‘productive 1st year’
November 23, 2013 10:06 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Environment | Fairmount Springs | West Seattle news

The photo and report are from Friends of Morgan Junction Parks‘ Barry White:

Friends of Morgan Junction Parks concluded a productive first year this morning with the first phase of a restoration project at the Juneau/Fauntleroy triangle. [map] Volunteers dug out some weedy and deeply buried street trees and applied fresh mulch. A considerable understory of ivy that ran throughout the land was removed, and a maze of dead, low-hanging branches was pruned out to bring much needed light into the interior.

We wish to thank the many volunteers who turned out this year at Morgan Junction Park, the triangle park next to Thriftway, and the Juneau triangle. We’ll start up again in spring with some planting parties at all three sites. Thanks to Morgan Community Association for their backing and to the folks at Seattle Parks and SDOT for the tools, mulch, and plants. It’s been a great year.

You’ll find more photos – and other info about FoMJP – on the group’s Facebook page.

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West Seattle traffic alert: Water break closes 30th SW
November 23, 2013 9:09 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | High Point | Utilities | West Seattle news

Thanks to Lawrence for the tip: 30th SW between North Delridge and High Point is closed about a block south of the turn at SW Brandon (update: 30th/Findlay, to be specific – here’s a map) while Seattle Public Utilities works on a water break. The crew at the scene told us a few minutes ago that they will likely be out there for a few more hours. No word on what caused the problem, but one possible effect to be aware of overnight and tomorrow morning: The road’s wet in spots and could ice over. (The SPU crew was in fact throwing some salt onto the road when we were there.)

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West Seattle sunset: Saturday night ‘fire in the sky’
November 23, 2013 7:51 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

“Fire in the sky” is how Chris Frankovich described the view of tonight’s sunset he shared (top photo) – one of three we’ve received so far. Next, Monty focused on Mount Rainier in the sunset glow:

And more colorful beauty from Michael Copeland:

Michael says he was surprised: “I thought the awesome sunsets were over!” (Maybe more to come – rain/major cloudiness isn’t expected for up to a week.)

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West Seattle weekend scene: WS Bike Connections cleanup
November 23, 2013 7:32 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Environment | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Thanks to Don Brubeck from West Seattle Bike Connections for sharing the photo from their work party at the East Duwamish Waterway Fishing Pier, along the bike trail to/from downtown. He says some new volunteers showed up and they “got a lot done. Hoping to keep it going. Shared some donuts with the people fishing.” You can keep up with WSBC’s activities – from volunteerism to advocacy and beyond – via westseattlebikeconnections.org.

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Second ‘Battle of West Seattle’: Madison keeps the trophy
November 23, 2013 4:05 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

The weather at Southwest Athletic Complex was clear and cool as the girls-soccer teams from Denny International Middle School and Madison Middle School took the field Friday for the second “Battle of West Seattle.” Madison won again this year, 2-0.

The West Seattle Soccer Club sponsors the “Battle” – as you might guess from that brightly striped scarf beneath the trophy:

It’s a “perpetual” trophy, engraved with each year’s winner, who gets to keep it until the other team takes the title!

P.S. We dropped by for just a few photos, but you can see dozens in this gallery by goalWA.

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Happening now (and tomorrow): Holiday Open House at JF Henry
November 23, 2013 2:34 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Tom Henry is all smiles – and sporting seasonal style – as day 1 of the Holiday Open House at his Junction store JF Henry Cooking and Dining (WSB sponsor) goes into mid-afternoon. As always, it’s two floors of fun and shopping:

Upstairs, you’ll find the treats, and special events such as author appearances today – West Seattle cookbook author Erin Coopey is there right now, until 3:30 – and then tomorrow, five demonstrations and clinics from knives to coffee and beyond, all listed here. If you come with a little one, don’t miss the model train running in the window; we grabbed a quick Instagram clip:

And you know it’s prime shopping if there’s a Santa sighting:

“Santa Al” was just making a cameo today, but will return for photos 10 am-1 pm on December 7th, two weeks from today. Meantime, the JF Henry open house is on until 6 today, 10 am-5 tomorrow with those aforementioned demonstrations, at 4445 California SW.

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West Seattle weekend scenes: Bazaar at Seattle Lutheran; benefit at West Seattle Runner
November 23, 2013 12:45 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle weekend scenes: Bazaar at Seattle Lutheran; benefit at West Seattle Runner
 |   Holidays | How to help | West Seattle news

As listed in our West Seattle Saturday highlights, it’s a day full of great start-of-the-holiday-season events, many of which offer the chance to do good – help nonprofits and small businessfolk, for starters. Bazaars are often excellent places for that – like the one under way until 4 pm at Seattle Lutheran High School‘s gym (4100 SW Genesee). Above, scarves on sale with 100 percent of the proceeds benefiting the SLHS student council. And $10 holiday pies!

Also happening right now – an extra-special reason to stop in and see Lori and Tim McConnell at West Seattle Runner (NW corner of California/Charlestown, upstairs; WSB sponsor):

Mega-fundraiser Tracy Dart is the beneficiary – here’s why. Stop in and do some early holiday shopping at WS Runner, from apparel to gear like Garmin wristband GPS – snacks, silent auction, and a raffle too, open until 7 pm tonight.

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West Seattle scene: Eastridge Church’s annual turkey giveaway
November 23, 2013 10:32 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle religion

Just outside Eastridge Church at 39th/Oregon, it was the busiest morning of the year – volunteers and church staffers offering turkeys, groceries, coats, gloves, and Bibles to hundreds of people. The line stretched down 39th to Fauntleroy and eastward down the sidewalk in front of Trader Joe’s by the time the distribution began at 9 am. Eastridge does the same thing at the same time outside its Issaquah campus, and this year announced it planned to distribute 1,500 turkey/groceries/etc. bags between the two sites.

SIDE NOTE: At least two places in West Seattle are serving a free community Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday – The Hall at Fauntleroy (noon-3 pm) and the West Seattle Eagles‘ aerie (2-5 pm); more information in the Thanksgiving section atop the WSB West Seattle Holiday Events and Info Guide.

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Milestone for the Highway 99 tunnel project: Barging begins
November 23, 2013 9:53 am
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   Alaskan Way Viaduct | Transportation | West Seattle news

Milestone in the Highway 99 tunnel project this morning, according to this update just sent to news media by WSDOT‘s KaDeena Yerkan:

… Seattle Tunnel Partners (STP) started using barges to remove excavated soil from the SR 99 tunnel dig site this morning. The barges will take the excavated soil to Mats Mats, a quarry near Port Ludlow.

Prior to today, STP was using trucks to remove soil and dispose of it at facilities in the Puget Sound region. Moving forward, STP will use a combination of barges and trucks.

The labor issue that arose earlier in the tunnel drive has been resolved. Discussions between WSDOT and STP are ongoing. Details will be available upon the conclusion of those discussions.

By the way, a project-related closure of the Alaskan Way Viaduct is still looming, once the tunneling machine gets to the spot immediately beneath the existing structure, as first reported here back in April. We had asked Yerkan for an update and received this reply late Friday: “We still don’t have a date for when we will tunnel under the viaduct and thus close the structure to traffic for up to two weeks.”

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West Seattle Saturday: Where to shop, sip, give, and much more
November 23, 2013 7:56 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Male harlequin duck, photographed by Mark Wangerin, who says they’re common here in winter)
First big weekend of holiday events! Please check our Holiday Guide and regular year-round Event Calendar for full details of everything happening today and beyond, but for starters, some highlights:

TRAFFIC REMINDER: SW Alaska is scheduled to be closed for construction/utility work between California and 42nd, until 10 tonight and again 7 am-10 pm Sunday. California and 42nd themselves will still go through. Added, after a trip to The Junction for a firsthand look: The sidewalk remains open on the north side of Alaska, so you can get to ALL the businesses there:

And Junction Plaza Park remains open/accessible too.

TURKEY/GROCERIES GIVEAWAY: Eastridge Church will give away hundreds of turkeys and bags of groceries starting at 9 am, no questions asked nor proof of need required. (39th/Oregon)

WEST SEATTLE BIKE CONNECTIONS CLEANUP: As noted here last night, West Seattle Bike Connections would be happy to have your company for their cleanup along the trail east of the low bridge, particularly focusing on the East Duwamish Waterway Fishing Pier. 9 am-noon, with those interested gathering for lunch at Chelan Café afterward.

DO SOMETHING GOOD FOR A DO-GOODER: 10 am-7 pm at West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor), it’s an all-day benefit for fabled fundraiser/inspirational leader Tracy Dart, whose own medical bills and living expenses have stacked up. WSR is donating a percentage of sales, hosting a silent auction, and more, as detailed on the Facebook event page. (California/Charlestown)

JF HENRY OPEN HOUSE: Holiday Open House at JF Henry Cooking and Dining (WSB sponsor) in The Junction. 10 am-6 pm today (and 10 am-5 pm Sunday). Deals, demonstrations, treats, more – details here. (4445 California SW)

‘SANTA AL’ SIGHTING: During the JF Henry open house, we just found out this morning, “Santa Al” will make a brief appearance, Santa is making a brief stop today, 11:30 am-12:30 pm, during which he says he plans to “announce his holiday schedule for this December.”

(When we get it, Santa Al’s schedule will be added to the WSB Holiday Guide, in the Santa Photos section.)

SLHS BAZAAR: Seattle Lutheran High School Holiday Bazaar, in the gym, 10 am-4 pm; details here. (4100 SW Genesee)

FOOD DRIVE @ TRUE VALUE OPEN HOUSE: Holiday Open House and Food Drive at Junction True Value, 10 am-2 pm, featuring a food drive for the West Seattle Food Bank – bring nonperishable food to fill the bin! (4747 44th SW)

OPEN HOUSE AT CAPERS: Holiday Open House and Susan Goodwin Trunk Show at CAPERS in The Junction, 10 am-5 pm. (4525 California SW)

OPEN HOUSE AT NW ART/FRAME: Holiday Open House at Northwest Art & Frame in The Junction. 10 am-5:30 pm. (4733 California SW)

HANUKKAH TASTING EVENT: Metropolitan Market-Admiral (WSB sponsor) presents a tasting of food/beverages for you to consider for upcoming Hanukkah celebrations, 11 am-2 pm. (41st/Admiral/42nd)

THREAD OVER HEALS CLOTHING DRIVE: Clean out your closet and donate to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association! Event noon-3 pm at Alki Bathhouse is much more than a dropoff – our calendar listing has all the details. (60th/Alki)

COLLEGE ADMISSION WORKSHOP: 12th grader in the house? (We can relate.) Get help with college applications at Southwest Library, 1-6 pm. (35th/Henderson)

ROWHOUSE OPEN HOUSE: The Morgan 5.1 rowhouse townhomes have their first open house this afternoon, with pizza and coffee for attendees. Five-star Built Green, per broker Paul Poirier of Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Northwest Real Estate (WSB sponsor). 1-4 pm. (California/Myrtle)

FALL WINE RELEASE: Pre-Thanksgiving wine tasting and sale, Northwest Wine Academy at South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor), 2-7 pm. (6000 16th SW, north side of SSCC campus)

TOY LIBRARY: The second of two organizational meetings for a possible West Seattle Toy Library happens 3-4 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor). If you’re interested but can’t make the meeting, check the discussion in comments following the story we published with the original announcement. (5612 California SW)

BEER CHURCH TURKEY BOWL: Beer Church‘s annual Turkey Bowl, 6-9 pm at West Seattle Bowl. Even if you’re not signed up to bowl, you’re invited to come by and bring a donation for the West Seattle Food Bank, try the Beer Church-branded ales, buy a raffle ticket, have a good time! (39th/Oregon)

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West Seattle (and vicinity) food and drink news: 5 notes
November 22, 2013 9:00 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants | WS beverages

Five West Seattle food and drink notes to share tonight:

LUNCH RETURNS TO SKYLARK: After the new owners of Skylark Café and Club took over, they said they planned to bring back lunch. And they have done just that. Co-proprietor Matt Larson says they’re open for lunch daily at 11:30 “and have our new menu in effect as well. It features our house cured bacon and pastrami, house ground beef, and a good selection of salads and sammies. Looking forward to giving our neighbors a new lunch option.” The A-board photo is courtesy of Skylark neighbor PB&J Textiles (WSB sponsor).

In The Junction:

PAGLIACCI REMODELING: Noticing the work under way at Pagliacci Pizza‘s West Seattle delivery kitchen, we took the question to their company HQ and co-proprietor Matt Galvin replied that they are “siding the building, putting up a new sign, new awning, new flower pots, windows, bar-height seating inside, additional entrance that can access outside seating, and interior painting. We are excited about the long-overdue improvements to the building. We are hoping the work will be finished by Thanksgiving.”

NEW SPECIALS AT MARINATION MA KAI: At Seacrest Pier, Marination ma kai (WSB sponsor) has launched a new round of bar specials – listed on this flyer, which also points out the MMK happy hours, Tuesdays-Fridays, 3-6 pm.

TAP STATION NOW OPEN: The beer/wine store at 35th/Kenyon is now serving customers, reports West Seattle-headquartered Washington Beer Blog. We featured the then-in-the-works Tap Station here back in June.

MUDHONEY ICE-CREAM-LAUNCH PARTY: Full Tilt Ice Cream‘s flagship location in White Center (9629 16th SW) has announced a launch party for its ice-cream flavor named after Seattle’s legendary band Mudhoney. At 6:30 pm December 11th – a Wednesday, which is usually FT’s “Bring Your Own Vinyl Night” – they’re planning to spin Mudhoney’s greatest hits while scooping Mudhoney ice cream, described in FT’s news release as “Mudhoney ice cream mixes satisfying riffs of in-your-face cinnamon with a mellow backbeat of honey and fudge, all rounded out with Full Tilt’s creamy hand-made texture . . . Like all Full Tilt ice cream, Mudhoney is crafted in small batches, so it’s always extra smooth and luscious.” Its local ingredients include West Seattle’s own Shipwreck Honey.

P.S. If you’ll be looking for food/drink on Thanksgiving – check the restaurant/coffee lists in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide.

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You can help! Join West Seattle Bike Connections’ cleanup
November 22, 2013 8:12 pm
|    Comments Off on You can help! Join West Seattle Bike Connections’ cleanup
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

Another sunny day on the way. Here’s a potentially productive way to spend the first few hours of your Saturday: Join West Seattle Bike Connections‘ work party along the Alki Trail in the East Duwamish Waterway Fishing Pier vicinity, 9 am-noon. Bring gloves, a weeding tool, a trash bag or two, and help with “light landscape maintenance and trash pickup” near the planter boxes/planting areas at the pier as well as eastward along the fence of the T-25 truck-parking lot. More info here.

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Sunday traffic alert: President Obama headed to Seattle
November 22, 2013 6:08 pm
|      26 COMMENTS
 |   Not WS but we're mentioning it anyway | West Seattle news

ORIGINAL FRIDAY REPORT: In case you hadn’t heard yet – President Obama is coming to Seattle on Sunday for political fundraisers, report citywide outlets including The Seattle Times (WSB partner), and that generally means two things for our area: Possible Air Force One sightings, and potential traffic effects when I-5 is closed for the motorcade. We don’t have specific times so far, but his first event will be in North Seattle, second one in Medina, and there’s at least one indication he’s staying downtown until Monday morning. Whatever we know by Sunday morning, we’ll include in our daily preview.

ADDED SATURDAY AFTERNOON: We now know that the President is due to arrive after 4 pm, and is indeed staying overnight, leaving Monday morning for San Francisco. Interestingly, Air Force One will not be at Boeing Field as usual – the official Presidential schedule says he is flying into and out of Sea-Tac.

ADDED SUNDAY MORNING: SPD has published details of closures/detours downtown while the President is staying overnight.

SUNDAY AFTERNOON: The President arrived on schedule and as of this update – 4:30 pm – is or will shortly be in transit to North Seattle for the first of the two private Democratic Party fundraisers he’s headlining (the second one is in Medina).

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Who’s staying, who’s going: Mayor-elect Murray’s 1st list
November 22, 2013 3:11 pm
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

(WSB photo from November 2012 Spokane St. Viaduct celebration; SDOT’s Peter Hahn is at right)
As Mayor-elect Ed Murray continues his first transition team meeting, the media has received a first list of which city department heads are staying (for now) and which are going. Among those leaving: The head of SDOT, Peter Hahn. Here’s the full announcement:

Mayor-Elect Murray began meeting individually with the heads of city departments to discuss his plans and priorities for when he takes office in January. These are ongoing meetings that will continue through December.

“I mentioned earlier in the week that there would be some changes in personnel, as can be expected with any transition to a new administration. I wanted (to) share where things stand in that regard at the present time,” Murray said.

The following department heads will be not be returning once the new administration takes office:

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Light rail for West Seattle? Take the survey before it ends
November 22, 2013 2:51 pm
|      26 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

The online survey for Sound Transit‘s Long-Range Plan Update includes a section where you can indicate support for extending light rail to serve West Seattle. We linked to the survey in our traffic coverage (where else?) multiple times last month and are mentioning it again now because Monday is the deadline to take the survey – so if you haven’t participated, take a few minutes and do it now. The signboard above shows Sound Transit’s current “corridor” studies, including our area, as displayed at an ST public hearing yesterday, photographed by Joe Szilagyi of the West Seattle Transportation Coalition (see the gallery on Facebook, here). But a study doesn’t guarantee a plan, so far, without support and, later, funding. First step: You can take the survey here.

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