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Spotlight Stories

West Seattle scene: One-person, one-dog cleanup crew
September 1, 2013 3:06 pm
|      15 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | West Seattle news

The photo was shared by Brenda, who reports:

Look what I found this morning! Local Admiral resident Danni and her dog Trinny sprucing up the pathway along Admiral Bridge! ” Good” is happening here in our community too!

It’s an important time of year to do anything you can to clean up walkways, storm drains, etc., because whatever’s not cleaned up will head into storm drains, and this video made last week by “Diver Laura” James reminds us what happens from there:

P.S. Several neighborhood councils will have community cleanups in the weeks ahead – watch here for the dates/times as we get them.

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Update: Visiting/revisiting sites new and old as ‘Nickelsville’ moves
September 1, 2013 11:56 am
|      90 COMMENTS
 |   Nickelsville encampment | West Seattle news

(UPDATED 9:04 PM with photos from our early-evening return visits to the four sites – scroll down)

11:56 AM: This is the date set by the City Council in June for closure of the West Seattle site that for more than two years has been home to the encampment that calls itself “Nickelsville.” As we’ve reported in ongoing coverage, the encampment announced it has three new sites. We’re checking in on the move as today proceeds, starting with a look at those three sites (mapped here) so we have “before and after” photos. At 11 am, an hour into the announced schedule for “moving day,” we stopped at 2020 S. Jackson:

Porta-potties were in view, as were “no parking” signs for today only. The only person in view was someone getting ready to do some weed-whacking. The site is owned by the Low-Income Housing Institute, per county records; it owns Ernestine Anderson Place next door, described as “60 units for homeless and low-income seniors.” From there, we headed north to the 1419 22nd Ave. site, photographed at 11:07 am, no one there yet:

That site is owned by the adjacent-to-the-south Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd. From there, via I-5, we got to the Skyway site at 11:25. It’s at 12914 Martin Luther King Jr. Way S., a busy freeway-like stretch between I-5 and Renton, which according to property records used to hold a tavern and motel; its ownership is listed as an LLC held by Pete Sikov, who gained fame in 2005 as owner of Jimi Hendrix‘s boyhood home. Photo shortly added:

It’s the largest site but also, as had been noted on the Nickelsville Works Facebook page, choked with overgrowth. No one on site as of 11:35 am, but two porta-potties are in view, as with the other two sites. Next, what’s happening at the West Seattle site right now; arriving in the area, we found ourselves behind a van containing the Nickelsville goats, whom we’re told are headed to munch on the Skyway overgrowth.

12:51 PM: The photo above is our overview from right about noon. Lots of work in view:

And belongings gathered up:

The view further into the camp:

We’ll revisit the sites late in the day for updates.

2:55 PM UPDATE: In our update last Thursday, we showed the encampment flyer that included a schedule for cleaning up the site over the next three days. Highland Park Action Committee co-chair Carolyn Stauffer says the city has sanctioned that: “I just heard from Jerry DeGrieck / Mayor’s office- with an update: They are going to allow access to the current Nickelsville site through Wednesday for time to move, clear and clean up the site; there will be added security at the site through that time, and a fence will go up on Thursday.”

8:55 PM UPDATE: As planned, we revisited the sites past and present early this evening, in the 6 pm hour. If you’re reading this from the home page, click ahead to see; otherwise, just keep scrolling:

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West Seattle Sunday: Last lighthouse tours; salsa dancing; more
September 1, 2013 10:10 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Sunday: Last lighthouse tours; salsa dancing; more
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Busy news day, so we are pointing you directly to the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar for info on happenings from the final day of Alki Point Lighthouse tours to salsa dancing on the beach tonight, and more.

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Update: Tentative agreement reported between Seattle Public Schools and its teachers union
September 1, 2013 7:10 am
|      16 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

7:10 AM: Per a statement sent to news media by Seattle Public Schools superintendent José Banda, negotiators for the district and its teachers union reached a tentative deal very early this morning:

I want to express my thanks to the Seattle Education Association and Seattle Public Schools bargaining teams for their efforts to craft a tentative contract agreement for the 2013-14 school year.

All of us at Seattle Public Schools value the contributions, skills and dedication that our educators bring to Seattle Public Schools every day, and their commitment to our students’ success.

SEA has informed us that the membership will vote on the tentative agreement on Tuesday, Sept. 3 at 4:30 pm.

We look forward to having an approved agreement and a successful start to the 2013 school year.

The Seattle Education Association‘s Facebook page says the agreement was reached at 12:18 am.

8:32 AM: For those who are asking – we are continuing to comb the Web, including Facebook/Twitter, and still haven’t found details of the deal – BUT SPS has just answered the question posed by a sharp-eyed commenter who wondered about the superintendent’s mention of only this school year: It’s a TWO-YEAR contract proposal, according to spokesperson Teresa Wippel. Also a point of discussion – the Tuesday afternoon union meeting is a date/time already set days ago, as we had previously noted here.

9:36 AM: West Seattle’s school-board rep Marty McLaren has sent e-mail to her public list making note of the agreement:

… The details will first be presented to the teachers, who are set to vote on it Tuesday. With the recommendation of union leaders to accept the agreement, I am optimistic that it will be ratified, and that YOUR CHILDREN CAN GO BACK TO SCHOOL ON WEDNESDAY AND OUR TEACHERS WILL BE EAGERLY AWAITING THEM!!!!! I’m incredibly grateful to, and proud of, all the people who participated in leading us to this agreement. More details will be coming, after the information is shared with our teachers. …

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Followup: Delridge Way’s signal-box artists – and Youngstown’s future mural plans
August 31, 2013 6:53 pm
|      23 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Meet the young artists whose mini-murals now adorn a dozen traffic-signal boxes/cabinets along Delridge Way SW, from SW Andover to SW Henderson (map). We mentioned the project Thursday night; on Friday afternoon, their three weeks of work concluded with a wrap party. While the celebration was inside Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, where the project was based, everyone took a field trip outside to the site where we photographed them – a painted box across from the south side of Youngstown. Also on hand (at left in the top photo, as well as seen below), artist Andrew Morrison and teacher Tess Gamez, who worked with the youth:

Morrison talked about how the work – for which the young artists were paid, as part of the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture’s Work Readiness Art Program and the Seattle Youth Violence Prevention Initiative – taught life skills, such as showing up on time and taking responsibility to get a job done. Tess talked about how the kids got to be known in the neighborhood while working along the three-mile stretch, and how near the end someone even stopped by with snacks for the kids. Half the mini-murals follow progression of the salmon life cycle, while the rest feature other sea-life themes. Meantime, more mural work is ahead for next year:

Youngstown director David Bestock says larger murals will be painted next summer along that wall facing Delridge, as well as retaining walls in the center’s parking lot, and he’ll be pursuing funding for that work in the meantime. Since Youngstown – the historic Cooper School – is a city landmark, he had to go to the Landmarks Board this month to get approval for those future murals, and he says it was a unanimous “yes” vote. Along with the programs noted above, he points out that this all began in partnership with Southwest Youth and Family Services, Seattle Police, and Seattle Public Utilities.

P.S. Youngstown’s planning a big public open house three weeks from today, Saturday, September 21st, 1-9 pm (including performances during those final three hours) – and would love to show you what’s happening inside the historic school’s walls at 4408 Delridge Way SW.

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Update: Police response in Westwood Village area
August 31, 2013 5:10 pm
|    Comments Off on Update: Police response in Westwood Village area
 |   West Seattle news | Westwood | WS breaking news

5:10 PM: If you’re wondering about the police response just east of Westwood Village – we’re heading over to check, but scanner traffic described it as an agitated man who had placed a crossbow on the hood of his car. The street on that side is, or was, blocked. No injuries reported.

5:35 PM UPDATE: Just back from checking it out. No details available at the scene but it was on the residential side of 25th SW east of Westwood, and the street was open; things were wrapping up. A private ambulance was there, but we don’t know who, if anyone, was transported.

SUNDAY MORNING UPDATE: Police have just summarized this in an SPD Blotter item:

… On 8/31/13, just shortly before 5:00 p.m., officers located the suspect with crossbow in hand. Rifle officers were able to convince him to place the weapon down and surrender. He had two arrows, one a plain metal tip and the other a razor steel hunting tip. An investigation revealed that the suspect was suffering from mental health issues. He was taken to Harborview Medical Center for an involuntary commitment. The 47-year-old suspect was verbally hostile and had to be placed in 4- point restraints to control him.

A witness confirmed to us that the man she saw in handcuffs was the man subsequently placed in the ambulance we mentioned seeing at the scene.

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Time to play! Kickball, dodgeball, volleyball for adults @ West Seattle community centers
August 31, 2013 4:47 pm
|    Comments Off on Time to play! Kickball, dodgeball, volleyball for adults @ West Seattle community centers
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

We mention youth-sports leagues often – but sports aren’t just for kids, and here’s a reminder: Three leagues at local community centers, with signups under way – read on for the details:

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Alki Point Lighthouse centennial: Season’s final tours; Southwest Seattle Historical Society gala ahead
August 31, 2013 1:30 pm
|    Comments Off on Alki Point Lighthouse centennial: Season’s final tours; Southwest Seattle Historical Society gala ahead
 |   West Seattle history | West Seattle news

This afternoon, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary volunteers are back at the historic Alki Point Lighthouse until 4 pm, for the first of this summer’s final two afternoons of free tours. The video above is a promotional reminder, courtesy of Mark Elliott and Avenue Productions – with a preview of what you’ll see when you go, though nothing compares to experiencing it firsthand.

The tour season began in June with a commemoration of the lighthouse’s centennial. The celebration won’t stop when the tour season ends around 4:01 pm tomorrow – the Southwest Seattle Historical Society has featured a special mini-exhibit at the Log House Museum, and the SWSHS’s Champagne Gala Lunch in November is themed “Tripping the Lighthouse Fantastic“:

That’s the official invitation cover, shown off at a gala-preview gathering Thursday night at The Pacific Institute on Harbor Avenue near Seacrest. SWSHS executive director Clay Eals spoke to a gathering of local civic/historic-preservation champions:

Among the many local luminaries present was (on the couch in our photo above) Earl Cruzen, about whom Eals said, “If there ever was a Mr. West Seattle …” Eals noted that not only did Cruzen lead the way in bringing West Seattle its history-depicting murals and the Walking on Logs sculptures, he also for many years (as also noted here, in 2010) singlehandedly maintained the landscaping around the latter.

Eals previewed a few details of the gala itself, which will include a silent auction – video previews of key items are coming up on the SWSHS/Log House Museum website, he promised – and dessert dash; go here to find out how to get your tickets! (WSB is proud to be a media sponsor for this year’s gala.)

But before then – make sure your calendar is marked for a week from tomorrow, 6:30 pm Sunday, September 8th, when Alki Arts (which remains open until the end of September) will host “The Earth Cried Out,” a one-night-only exhibit of the bags saved from luminarias placed around and near the Alki Statue of Liberty after 9/11. (We’ll feature a more-detailed preview later this weekend.)

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West Seattle Saturday: Quiet holiday weekend? Not here!
August 31, 2013 9:58 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Crowley tugs off Alki Point – photo added 10:33 am, just shared by Jim Kaiser – thanks!)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

RAMP-CLOSURE REMINDER: Until 3 pm Monday, the ramp from northbound I-5 to the West Seattle Bridge is closed for more expansion-joint work. (We’ll publish an update if it reopens early.)

DUWAMISH LONGHOUSE NATIVE MARKET/JUMBLE DAYS: Happening at the Duwamish Tribe‘s longhouse, the second of two days for this arts/crafts/rummage/more sale. 10 am-4 pm . (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)

BENEFIT CAR WASH: As previewed here on Friday, the WSHS girls’ soccer team is washing cars as a fundraiser at West Seattle Autoworks (WSB sponsor), 10 am-3 pm. (35th/Webster)

HONEY HARVEST: From Krista Conner at Seattle Bee Works, word of a “honey harvest” event today at West Seattle Produce: “Meet and chat with local West Seattle beekeepers! Watch and learn how honey is extracted from the comb. Sample local honey!” 10 am-2 pm. (4722 Fauntleroy Way SW)

LAFAYETTE WORK PARTY: Volunteers came out in the rain on Thursday, but there’s still more to be done at the Lafayette Elementary playground, so Sean Reynolds sends word, “We will hold another work party today from 10 am to noon. Sweeping and raking wood chips, weeding around the raised beds and building (there’s lots!) and planting some new flowers will be the target.” (California/Lander)

BARNES AND NOBLE STORYTIME: Melissa describes today’s 11 am storytime at the Westwood Village bookstore: “We’re going to be reading ‘Rocket Writes a Story’ and ‘Library Mouse’ … as well as a fun craft! We’ll be making our own books for budding little writers and artists to create their own stories. It should be a lot of fun, and a nice transition for back to school!” (2800 SW Barton)

LAST WEEKEND FOR ALKI LIGHTHOUSE TOURS: Today and tomorrow, 1-4 pm (look for a preview later this morning) are your final chances this year for a free tour of the historic Alki Point Lighthouse as it continues its centennial celebration. (Look for the parking lot where Alki Avenue and Beach Drive meet)

DAUGHTERS OF THE DEAD SEA FAREWELL SHOW/BENEFIT: As previewed here on Thursday, the West Seattle band is performing one final time, and admission is by donation to help member Jen cover her medical bills for a lifelong battle with cystic fibrosis. The show at Easy Street Records in The Junction includes Hobosexual and Whiskey Radio too. (California/Alaska)

SKYLARK BENEFIT FOR LOGAN WICKER: As noted in our Friday story about Skylark Café and Club changing hands as of tomorrow, this is a big night to benefit employee Logan Wicker, seriously injured when an allegedly drunk driver hit his car in June. 8 pm, three bands on the bill: Yevtushenko, Loyal Kites, Dunning Kruger Effect. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

HAIRSTORM ‘ROCK FOR BOOBIES’ BENEFIT: And the night’s final fundraising rock ‘n’ roll round is at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), 9:30 pm, featuring ’80s “hair rock” tribute band Hairstorm, and featuring a silent auction, all to benefit the breast-cancer-fighting 3-Day team Boulder Patrols. (6451 California SW)

And yes, there’s MORE on the calendar …

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West Seattle scenes: ‘Last weekend of summer’ begins
August 31, 2013 9:11 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle scenes: ‘Last weekend of summer’ begins
 |   Seen around town | Seen at sea | West Seattle news

While we get going on today’s news and events – four photos we ran out of time to publish last night, as the “last weekend of summer” begins (we know it’s not TECHNICALLY the end of summer, since the autumn equinox is still three weeks away). Above, Danny McMillin photographed a stand-up paddleboarder passing a rafting sea lion; next, Ryan captured the evening “parking” scene at Ercolini Park west of The Junction:

Back to the water – John Hinkey‘s view from Constellation Park:

And, also from the Beach Drive vicinity (east of Weather Watch Park), Greg snapped the sunset colors:

Thanks as always to community photo contributors – editor@westseattleblog.com is the best way to share yours! Now, on to the rest of the weekend – lots more to report, and share, as Saturday begins.

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‘Nickelsville’ closure countdown: New sites; pet-moving plan
August 30, 2013 10:28 pm
|      26 COMMENTS
 |   Nickelsville encampment | Pets | West Seattle news

(UPDATED SATURDAY MORNING with addresses of all three new sites, and the map below)


View Nickelsville sites, present and future in a larger map

With the deadline for vacating the “Nickelsville” encampment site in West Seattle coming up Sunday, plans to move to 3 new sites, as first announced two nights ago, are intensifying.

The two additional new sites were disclosed this afternoon, we’re told, but we have not found the addresses publicly posted. One TV report tonight says that in addition to the previously reported 20th/Jackson site in the Central District, there’s a second site in the Central District, and the third is in Skyway.

(SATURDAY MORNING UPDATE: The sites, with photos, are now posted/listed on the Nickelsville Works Facebook page.

*12914 Martin Luther King Jr. Way S., Skyway.
*Behind Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 1419 22nd Ave.
*The first site announced, 2020 South Jackson St.)

As noted here last night, there are public requests for help with the move on Sunday. The newest one involves the encampment’s pets. Teri Ensley with West Seattle-based Furry Faces Foundation is helping organize the efforts and tells WSB:

We have a solid, collective plan in place for the safekeeping of the pets during the move and transportation of them to the new sites with their people.

The Nickelsville Pet Coordinator has contacted us with the following requests for pets to help the move go more smoothly and safely for the animals:

1) Clean Cat Crates, in good working order.
2) Freshly washed used towels (for use in the crates)
3) Leashes
4) Collars – both cat and dog (especially cat collars/harnesses)

Items may be dropped:

· On the front porch of my house, located at 3809 46th Ave SW
· At Pet Elements, located in Morgan Junction
· At the Nickelsville Security Desk (7116 W. Marginal Way SW)

Ideally, we need items by Saturday, however, are happy to accept them any time.

This is all to facilitate keeping cats crated and dogs leashed at the soon-to-be-former site on moving day Sunday, where the pets will be watched throughout a day filled with “a lot of commotion,” as Ensley puts it. “In the evening, when the move is complete and tents/housing structures set up at the new sites, the animal companions will be transported to their new location.”

To facilitate that, each cat crate or dog leash will have a form with the owner’s name/contact info, pet’s name, and the site that pet/human will be moving to. F3 has been working on pet tagging lately and
“is also hoping to engrave new pet id tags for each of the animals which includes any new contact info,” according to Ensley.

She adds that Seattle Animal Shelter “has been very supportive with ideas and suggestions,” will accept any pets that have to be surrendered, and has spayed/neutered more than 40 Nickelsville pets.

Previous WSB coverage of Nickelsville is archived here, newest to oldest.

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West Seattle traffic alert: 35th reopening after crash
August 30, 2013 9:14 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

9:14 PM: Thanks to Andrea for the tip – she says southbound 35th SW is blocked right now at Raymond in the High Point area because of a crash. Per scanner, tow trucks are already being requested, so this might be cleared before too long, but if you’re heading that way, you might consider staying off 35th for now.

9:36 PM: 35th is reported to be reopening now.

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West Seattle businesses: Skylark Café and Club owners Jessie and Charlie say goodbye – and hello
August 30, 2013 6:55 pm
|      16 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

After seven years, Skylark Café and Club in North Delridge is changing hands.

Tomorrow (Saturday, August 31st) is the final night that wife-and-husband proprietors Jessie SK and Charlie Russo (above) will be there as owners; they expected to sign the final paperwork today.

Over the course of those six years – they took over Skylark’s space at 3803 Delridge Way SW in June 2006 – they took what had been a café with some live music and transformed it into a music-and-entertainment venue that also served food.

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City plans drop-in kids’ programs in case of teacher strike
August 30, 2013 5:54 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

5:54 PM: If Seattle Public Schools don’t open on time because the district and its teachers’ union haven’t reached a contract agreement, the city will offer a drop-in program at most of its community centers, for children who qualify for free and reduced-price lunches. Go here to read the full text of that announcement made this afternoon; the program would start on Thursday of next week and run at least through Friday, September 13th, unless school started before that date. The announcement says all of this area’s centers would offer the program – Alki, Delridge, Hiawatha, High Point, and South Park, along with 15 others around the city. Interested families who qualify would need to register starting this weekend – the announcement explains how.

P.S. No new updates in the teacher-contract situation so far; negotiations continued again today, according to the union’s Facebook page.

10:30 PM UPDATE: The union says there’s no agreement yet and that they’ll go into mediation tomorrow.

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Update: Search is on for White Center KeyBank robber
August 30, 2013 3:46 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | White Center

3:46 PM: This happened just over the city/county line, so we’re reporting it here as well as on partner site White Center Now: King County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Sgt. Cindi West says the White Center KeyBank branch in the 9600 block of 17th SW has just been robbed. She also sent a photo – if you see him, call 911.

4 PM UPDATE: KCSO has sent more information, including this description info to add to the photo above: The robber is described as white, in his 40s, wearing a blue shirt and jeans. KCSO says bank employees reported that he came into the bank just before 3 pm, gave them a note, implied he had a weapon (though they didn’t see it), and fled with an undisclosed amount of money, last seen eastbound on 98th SW.

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Benchview battle: City approving revised boundaries for three lots
August 30, 2013 3:39 pm
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle housing | West Seattle news

(WSB photo, July 25: Original house at right, under-construction house at left)
The city Department of Planning and Development has just announced that it is approving the revised boundaries for splitting what was once one home’s lot at 55th/Manning (map) into three. “Lot boundary adjustments” are not uncommon, but this one has been under a microscope since early this year, because of a challenge by residents who call their neighborhood Benchview. They appealed the city’s original approval of the lot split and went all the way to King County Superior Court, where they won a partial victory last month. They believed Judge Mariane Spearman‘s decision meant the site’s new owners could only build one new house on the lot. Shortly after the decision, the owners/developers filed documents for revised boundaries, and today, the DPD sent this letter saying those will be approved – read it here (or as a PDF here if you can’t see Scribd embeds):

Benchview decision


Benchview residents had contended the city could choose to “protect the neighborhood” rather than consider the revised boundaries; DPD director Diane Sugimura contended, in both a letter earlier this week and the letter today, that her department was required to review them for consideration. We will be checking with the Benchview neighbors to see if they plan to challenge this new decision.

ADDED 5:17 PM: Benchview spokesperson Dave Allen cc’d us on his reply to the city – an excerpt follows:

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Benefit car wash Saturday for West Seattle HS girls’ soccer team
August 30, 2013 2:46 pm
|    Comments Off on Benefit car wash Saturday for West Seattle HS girls’ soccer team
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Benefit-car-wash season is almost over – but not before at least a few more events. If you want to get your vehicle washed while helping out local youth, you can do it tomorrow at West Seattle Autoworks (WSB sponsor), where the West Seattle High School girls’ soccer team will be washing cars. 10 am-3 pm Saturday (August 31st), 7501 35th SW, according to Karin Beck, who shared the photo and announcement, with this invitation: “Please come by and show the girls your support! Special thanks to West Seattle Autoworks and West Seattle Booster Club!”

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Tango Card looking for new West Seattle headquarters
August 30, 2013 12:38 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

(Tango Card CEO Dave Leeds; WSB photo by Patrick Sand)
More jobs created in West Seattle = less traffic outbound in the mornings. And one growing company has done its part: Tango Card has created 27 jobs in the past three years, points out its founder and CEO, Dave Leeds, who’s lived in West Seattle almost a decade and chose to locate his business here.

It’s not your average small business – it helps companies around the globe integrate gift cards into their rewards for customers and employees, and investors have shown strong support, as noted in this GeekWire story from last spring, when Tango Card closed another funding round.

Leeds says he loves the building in which Tango Card is currently based, on the east edge of The Junction along 40th SW north of SW Edmunds. But he has to find someplace new, since the building will come down when the 4745 40th SW development goes up.

Leeds is of course watching the listings and talking to brokers. But he asked us if we could help get the word out about his search, in case the perfect spot is out there and not officially on the market.

What’s he looking for?

He wants to keep Tango Card HQ close to The Junction – within a few blocks of its business district. He and his two dozen employees love being close to great places for lunch, he says, and it’s a convenient location for many other reasons.

If you have a suggestion of someplace that’s available now or soon – they don’t have a deadline, but he expects that at the latest, they’ll need to be out early next year, so Tango Card could move this fall. They need about 3,000 square feet, according to Leeds, who says he wishes they could stay in their current digs, where they moved about a year ago. Got someplace to suggest or offer? He’s at david@tangocard.com.

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Update: Kitchen fire at home on 44th SW, no one hurt
August 30, 2013 10:33 am
|      32 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle fires | West Seattle news | WS breaking news

(WSB photo by Patrick Sand)
10:33 AM: Firefighters are reporting flames as they arrive at the scene of a house fire in the 3400 block of 44th SW (map). We’ll be there shortly.

10:44 AM UPDATE: No word of injuries so far. Firefighters have put out the call for investigative unit Marshal 5, which is standard operating procedure.

10:51 AM UPDATE: Firefighters tell our crew at the scene that this was a “small kitchen fire” and it’s now out. Nobody was home when it started. A neighbor saw the smoke and called 911.

12:48 PM UPDATE: One of the neighbors shares more in the comment section. Another one sent this photo of a dog that got out safely:

We’ll update here when there’s official information on the fire’s cause.

1:25 PM UPDATE: SFD says “overheated electrical wiring” caused the fire, and they’re “classifying (it) as an accidental fire.” Damage is estimated at $20,000; along with the dog shown above, another dog and a cat were rescued by firefighters, according to the SFD update on Fire Line.

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The WSBeat: Repo gone bad, and six other cases
August 30, 2013 10:05 am
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news

By Megan Sheppard
On the WSBeat, for West Seattle Blog

This edition of the WSBeat contains summaries written from reports on cases handled in the past several weeks by Southwest Precinct officers – generally cases that (usually) have not already appeared here in breaking-news coverage or West Seattle Crime Watch reports, but that might at least answer the question “what WERE all those police doing on my block?”

*Apparently unhappy at seeing a flatbed repo truck pull up in front of her house in the 3500 block of SW 98th, a woman ran outside, jumped into the car, started it up, gunned it, and drove straight into the repo-company employee. The victim landed on the hood of the car, which went another twenty feet before the driver braked abruptly, dumped the “passenger” to the cement, and drove off. Although she suffered abrasions, the victim declined medical attention.

*An alert officer at Westwood Village recognized a woman who matched someone wanted on a $100,000 felony hit and run warrant. He called for backup and monitored her activities (which included trying to claim freshly stolen items as “returns without receipts” at one store). A records check showed that the woman (under an alias) also had more than $3,000 in theft warrants and a $20,000 warrant (under a second alias) for trespassing. While police were processing her at the scene, another store reported a woman of her description had stolen items that afternoon. The 34-year-old suspect was booked into King County Jail on the warrants and for investigation of the other incidents.

Five other summaries ahead – including a call that came down to a single word:

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West Seattle Friday: The holiday weekend begins
August 30, 2013 8:41 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Woodpecker photographed at Lincoln Park last week by John Kamin – thanks for sharing!)
A quieter Friday as we head into Labor Day weekend – but you still have options for today/tonight (and we have a few reminders, too):

TENNIS-COURT CLOSURE: As the Solstice Park tennis courts’ renovation closure wraps up, the Hiawatha Community Center/Park courts’ renovation closure is scheduled to start today, as noted on the city’s Parkways site. (Fauntleroy/Lincoln Park Way SW)

DUWAMISH LONGHOUSE NATIVE MARKET/JUMBLE DAYS: Go shop at the Duwamish Tribe‘s longhouse, during the first of two days for this arts/crafts/rummage (and more) sale. 10 am-4 pm today and again on Saturday. (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)

SIGNAL-BOX MURAL CELEBRATION: As previewed here last night, you’re invited to Youngstown Cultural Arts Center at 2 this afternoon to help the artists celebrate the project that has painted sea-life-themed mini-murals on 12 traffic-signal boxes along Delridge between Andover and Henderson. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

‘FOOD FOR ART’ PARTY: A month-long benefit at The Bridge, on behalf of nearby Transitional Resources, culminates with a party starting at 3:30 pm today, and raffle tickets on sale until the drawing at 8 tonight. Details in this earlier story. (4439 35th SW)

‘BOBCAT BOB’: Ever-popular “Bobcat Bob” Rice performs tonight at C & P Coffee Company, 6-8 pm. (5612 California SW)

LIVE MUSIC AT MIND UNWIND: The Portrait Project plays live jazz music at Mind Unwind in The Admiral District, 8-10 pm tonight, no cover. (2206 California SW)

And a business note …

THE WASH DOG: Out of the WSB inbox this morning: “The Wash Dog [WSB sponsor] will be closed today (Friday, 8/30) for Employee Enrichment Day, to celebrate our outstanding, hard-working employees. We will re-open at 9 am tomorrow – Saturday, 8/31.” (6400 California SW)

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Friday notes; weekend preview
August 30, 2013 6:54 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Friday notes; weekend preview
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Live view from the east-facing WS Bridge camera; other cameras are on the WSB Traffic page)
The long holiday weekend is almost here – but first, one more workday of traffic to track. Looks like the rain has ended for now, so that won’t be a factor.

Another reminder of this weekend’s road work: The ramp from northbound I-5 to the WS Bridge and to lower Spokane St./6th will close 7 pm tonight-3 pm Monday for expansion-joint work. Get project details, detour info, future closures, and more by going here.

P.S. For the Labor Day holiday on Monday, Metro Transit and the West Seattle Water Taxi will be on Sunday schedules.

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West Seattle coyotes: Early-morning encounter
August 30, 2013 6:48 am
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   Coyotes | West Seattle news | Wildlife

Jenn says she and her dog were out before 5 am today when this happened:

I just got back from walking my dog, and coming across a coyote standing at Alaska and 46th SW, 2 blocks from the Junction. It was in the yard of the home on the SW corner of the intersection.

It crossed Alaska as we approached, and as I realized what it was, we turned around immediately and went back the way we had come. The coyote then reappeared and began following us right back down 46th. It was very brave. My dog, of course, then stops to poop….and the coyote is still coming. It was getting WAY too close for comfort. We crossed to the other side of 46th, and it didn’t follow us, but continued walking our direction. We scurried into our house quickly!

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