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    LOW-BRIDGE CLOSURE: Starts on Saturday

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    NEW BUSINESSES: Coffee and wine moving in

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

Public hearing set for city’s proposal to sell old Fire Station 37
July 16, 2011 10:39 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle history | West Seattle news

The next step in the city’s plan to sell historic ex-Fire Station 37 potentially involves you. Before it can be officially put up for sale, City Council approval is needed, and before that can happen, a public hearing is required. It’s scheduled for 9:30 am August 2nd at City Hall, before the council’s Finance and Budget Committee. Here’s the official city protocol:

For those who wish to testify, a sign-up sheet will be available outside the Council Chamber one-half hour before the public hearing. Questions concerning the public hearing may be directed to Monica Ghosh in Councilmember Godden’s office, by calling (206) 684-8807 or via e-mail at: monica.ghosh@seattle.gov

For those unable to attend the public hearing, comments will be accepted through Friday, August 12, 2011. Please mail your comments to: Councilmember Jean Godden, Chair; Finance & Budget Committee; Seattle City Council; P.O. Box 34025; Seattle, WA 98124-4025.

The ordinance that the council would have to approve to authorize the sale can be read here. Even more documentation about the property and the process is on the city’s Real Estate website. Back in April, when the city began the path toward this hearing and future vote, we reported on some of the proposals it had received; the city said at the time it expected the landmark would most likely be sold for use as a private residence. The site at 35th/Othello has been vacant since the new Station 37 at 35th/Holden was activated last fall.

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Update: Shooting in Arbor Heights sends man to hospital
July 16, 2011 5:24 pm
|      40 COMMENTS
 |   Arbor Heights | Crime | West Seattle news | WS breaking news

(8:23 PM TOPLINE: 1 man shot, not life-threatening, no arrests so far, new details just added from police)

5:24 PM: We’re at SW 97th and 33rd SW in Arbor Heights (map), where a shooting was reported in the 9700 block of 33rd a short time ago. Police are said to be looking for a male suspect who got away in a red vehicle – update, a maroon Bronco. Officers are searching for evidence and talking to possible witnesses.

They believe the victim and suspect may know each other. Scanner traffic indicates the victim was shot once, 40-caliber bullet, through the hip area.

ADDED 5:56 PM: Gang unit detectives are here, though that doesn’t always mean gang activity is suspected – and some of them already have left. Lt. Von Levandowski from the Southwest Precinct has just provided more information: The victim is a man, shot while standing on the sidewalk, with shots fired by somebody in a vehicle. They now think three people were in that vehicle, which they describe as a maroon SUV (not necessarily a Bronco). Investigators have been combing the block for shell casings, trying to determine exactly which direction the shot was fired from.

6:26 PM: Nothing new. SPD media-response Det. Mark Jamieson is expected to brief media at the scene shortly.

7:06 PM: Det. Jamieson was diverted elsewhere before arriving, but via Twitter, reports that the victim and suspect did know each other, that the victim’s injury is not life-threatening, and that “gang detectives are investigating.”

8:23 PM: New information from police via SPD Blotter:

On July 16th, at about 5:10 PM, Southwest Precinct officers responded to the 9700 Block of 33 Avenue Southwest on a report of a shooting. An adult male who had apparently befriended the suspects the night before, met the suspects, described as two black men and a white female, outside of a residence where he was planning on purchasing some items from one of the suspects. As the victim reached for his wallet, one of the suspects pulled out a gun. There was a struggle over the weapon, and the victim was shot once in the buttocks. The suspects fled in a maroon Ford Bronco. Police and Seattle Fire responded to the scene and SFD transported the victim to Harborview Medical Center. The injury is not considered life-threatening.

Gang detectives also responded and are following up on potential leads. This remains an active and ongoing investigation.

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Update: Pre-election slugfest at 34th Democrats’ picnic
July 16, 2011 5:13 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics | WS & Sports

(At left, Steve Sundquist, who hit a home run just before we left for breaking news, with Tom Rasmussen and Tim Burgess)
5:13 PM: Exactly one month till the primary election – but the challengers-vs.-incumbents match that just got under way here at Lincoln Park may be even more of a thriller – mostly because of the weather; it began just as the downpour hit (and now, a bit of sun).

(Video added, game’s start during the aforementioned downpour)
Back at their endorsements meeting, the 34th District Democrats publicly invited just about every politician in the room to come join in a softball game at their annual picnic – and most if not all of them accepted. Officeholders we’ve seen include five Seattle City Councilmembers (Tim Burgess, Sally Clark, Jean Godden, Bruce Harrell, Tom Rasmussen), two U.S. Reps. (governor candidate Jay Inslee and Jim McDermott), State Reps. Eileen Cody and Joe Fitzgibbon, King County Councilmember Joe McDermott, and School Board member Steve Sundquist; candidates include Diana Toledo from the King County Council Position 8 race; Maurice Classen, Bobby Forch, Michael Taylor-Judd, Brad Meacham from City Council races, and pro/anti Referendum 1 (tunnel) reps.

7:56 PM: Finally got a chance to add some of our photos – after the jump (PLUS – added 1:48 am Sunday – game recap courtesy of Michael Heavey):Read More

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Decision’s in: Tonight’s West Seattle Outdoor Movies CANCELLED
July 16, 2011 3:41 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle Outdoor Movies

Just in from Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor) and West Seattle Outdoor Movies mastermind Lora Swift: Tonight’s “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” showing is CANCELLED – rescheduled for August 27th – because even though the weather’s been OK for a few hours, radar shows another wave of rain headed this way. So here’s hoping for better weather NEXT week, when “Pee Wee’s Big Adventure” is scheduled (Saturday, July 23rd, dusk).

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Almost-here baby’s car seat stolen
July 16, 2011 1:45 pm
|      15 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Out of the WSB inbox from Kate, an expectant mom who is about to deliver:

I just wanted people to know that our car was stolen out of our alley driveway either late last night or early this morning (in the 5400 block of 35th Ave SW). The car was recovered after having been driven up onto someone’s yard (crashing into a picket fence of one house and ending up in the front yard of another) about a mile and a half from our house. The car was found on Holden near 37th Ave SW. The damage to the car is fairly minor, but the timing is horrible and the one major thing missing from the car is something that we could certainly use.

My husband and I had just gotten back from the hospital last night where I went into early labor. They sent me home to labor further and rest and the car was stolen while we were asleep. Though we are happy to have the car back (since we are getting ready to go back to the hospital), we are now without our infant car seat which, for some reason, was the one major thing they took out of the car. Without revealing too many details (the cops are pretty sure they know who did it and are tracking them down), we don’t know if they took the car seat to sell or use, or if they got rid of it because it cramped their style. If that is the case and anyone finds a Keyfit30 infant car seat with 3 dangling toys hanging from the canopy, we’d love to have it back . . . Preferably soon, since I am now a week past my due date.

Clearly this is also a reminder to keep valuables out of cars-even if you think you need them at any moment . . . They took the seat and the base, however, which seems to have required some amount of maneuvering on their part.

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Update: Olson Place reopened after crash that sent 2 to hospital
July 16, 2011 11:11 am
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Photo added 11:33 am; license plate blurred)
11:11 AM: A crash on Olson Place heading downhill to Highway 509 from the east end of Roxbury has traffic being diverted at Olson/4th (map) – you’ll have to go southbound on 4th, and we can tell you that’s fairly slow going at the moment (we’re behind a bus). One report says a car hit a pole.

11:20 AM UPDATE: We’re at the crash scene, which is close to the top of the hill. The Traffic Collision Investigation Squad’s vehicle just pulled up, which suggests that downhill (eastbound to 509) Olson will be closed for a while, usually a few hours. Southwest Precinct Lt. Ron Rasmussen tells us two people were taken to the hospital.

1:37 PM UPDATE: We won’t be able to check this out firsthand for a while but the scanner indicates police are “clearing the scene,” so if it’s not open yet, it should be shortly. City crews have been summoned to take care of the utility pole that was hit.

1:47 PM UPDATE: Just announced over the scanner – Olson Place now fully open again.

7:27 PM: In the summary on SPD Blotter, police say they still don’t know why the vehicle lost control and hit the pole.

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Happening now: West Seattle Hi-Yu Community Breakfast
July 16, 2011 11:06 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival | West Seattle news

They’ve had their crowns and sashes for less than 24 hours (here’s our coverage of Friday’s coronation), and it’s already time to get busy being royal and selling fundraising buttons for newly crowned West Seattle Hi-Yu Junior Court members Princess Elena, Queen Thea, and Princess Amanda. They don’t officially start their reign till fall, but you’ll find them joining all the Hi-Yu fun, along with the current courts:

From left, back row, the current Hi-Yu Junior Court – Queen Taylor, Princess Riley, Princess Kaitlin – front row, Queen Kelsey, Princess Victoria, and Princess Rosemarie. You can join them and other members of the Hi-Yu team for breakfast till noon (fundraiser, $6 adults/$3 kids) at Admiral Congregational Church Hall (California/Hill) – next event, Hi-Yu Concert in the Park at Hiawatha, Tuesday night at 7 with the West Seattle Big Band (free!), and you’ll see the Hi-Yu float in the West Seattle Grand Parade next Saturday, 11 am, California SW from Lander to Edmunds.

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West Seattle Saturday: Rain or no rain, lots going on
July 16, 2011 9:15 am
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Looking toward south Bainbridge Island from Alki around 10:20 am)
The forecast suggests the weather will improve this afternoon. Rain or no rain, in most cases, so far as we’ve heard, the show(s) must go on (but let us know if something’s been canceled – and we’ll let you know the outdoor movie’s status by mid-afternoon). Here are some highlights from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

HI-YU COMMUNITY BREAKFAST: Fundraising breakfast under way till noon, at Admiral Congregational Church Hall, 4320 SW Hill, $6/adults and $3/kids under 12. From Hi-Yu: “All money raised supports the Scholarship Program for Women. Please join us to learn more about West Seattle Hi-Yu and to meet this year’s royalty. West Seattle Hi-Yu will also be accepting donations for WestSide Baby and West Seattle Food Bank. We hope to see you there!”

WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: It’s an indoor facility, so this may be the perfect day to check out the West Seattle Tool Library at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center space (northeast side of main building), now till 2 pm (9-2 are the regular Saturday hours).

WALKER ROCK GARDEN SCHEDULED TO BE OPEN FOR AN HOUR: Yes, one hour. That’s what its website says. 9:30-10:30 am. 5407 37th SW; here’s our most recent story.

EUROPAKIDS INTERNATIONAL PRESCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: New WSB sponsor welcomes you to its open house, 10:30 am, introducing its new Mandarin Chinese program (as explained here). For location and to RSVP, call Nicole at (206) 708-5784.

‘STUFF THE BUS’ SCHOOL-SUPPLIES DRIVE: At PCC Natural Markets-West Seattle (WSB sponsor), 10 am-4 pm, look for the big school bus in the parking lot. Bring school supplies to donate!

‘TRACKING CRITTERS IN THE URBAN GARDEN’: Community Orchard of West Seattle FREE Event: “Managing Property Next to a Greenbelt – Tracking Critters in the Urban Garden.” 10 am – 12 noon. Animal trails are all around us and all it takes are careful eyes and a little practice to spot them. At this class, we’ll be looking at how common species interact with their local environment, including our gardens and orchards. You’ll learn how and where these animals move and how to identify their tracks and signs in your own backyard. The orchard is on the north side of the South Seattle Community College campus, 6000 16th SW.

WHITE CENTER JUBILEE DAYS STREET FAIR: 10 am – 11 pm along 17th SW between Roxbury and 100th SW. Festival info at JubileeDays.org

BELLY DANCING FESTIVAL: 24th annual Mediterranean Fantasy Festival, free! Non-stop music and entertainment with more than 275 dancers from all over the West Coast. The grounds of Hiawatha Community Center are covered with the bright tents of vendors selling a wide variety of crafts and goods, everything from jewelry to complete belly dance costumes. 11 am-8 pm. Performing schedule, and other info, here.

JULY SHOWERS BRING AUGUST FLOWERS: The South Seattle Community College Garden Center is open to sell plants (etc.) today, on the north end of campus, 6000 16th SW, 11 am-3 pm.

BEACH NATURALISTS OUT FOR LOW TIDE: Find them at South Alki and Lincoln Park (near Colman Pool), 11 am-2 pm. (Low tide is at quarter past noon, -1.8 feet)

FILM FESTIVAL: Remembering Chief Seattle Film Festival at Duwamish Longhouse (4705 W Marginal Way SW), free showings at 11 am, 12:30 pm, and 2 pm. “Chief Seattle” by BJ Bullert, and “Chief Seattle Speaks to Our Time: Interpreted in Lushootseed” by Vi Hilbert. Free admission/parking; Frybread For Justice sales support the Duwamish Legal Fund.

SWAC SIGNUPS: SWAC Football/Cheer (WSB sponsor) registration at Westwood Village Big 5, 11 am – 2 pm.

WALKING TOUR: Southwest Seattle Historical Society Log House Museum Riverside Walking Tour, 11 am – 2 pm. See Facebook Event page here

BOOKMAKING FOR KIDS: Free program at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), 1 pm.

ICE-CREAM SOCIAL: Peace Lutheran Church (8316 39th SW) will host an ice-cream social from 2 – 5 pm on the patio and sidewalk. Games for kids, ice cream for everyone, and a cupcake walk so you can have cake and ice cream.

POLITICAL SLUGFEST: During the 34th District Democrats‘ annual Summer Picnic/Barbecue, which starts at 4 at Lincoln Park, you’re invited to a “political celebrity softball game” – candidates vs. incumbents – details here.

WEST SEATTLE ARTIST IN WHITE CENTER: West Seattle artist Corianton Hale opens a show at Company in WC at 5 tonight, during the White Center Art Walk. Details on this Facebook event page.

STREET PARTY IN SUNRISE HEIGHTS: Sunrise Heights Neighborhood Association Street Party and Dance with the band Bottle Rocket and Moon Girl. The party starts at 5 pm on 30th SW between Othello and Myrtle. There will be live music, a bounce house for the kids, and lots of good times with neighbors! $10 for dinner.

WEST SEATTLE OUTDOOR MOVIES IN THE JUNCTION: First scheduled event tonight – organizers plan to check the weather again at mid-afternoon and we’ll bring you an update on WSB (plus Facebook and Twitter) on its status. Scheduled movie at dusk, “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” courtyard next to Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor), 4410 California SW, with pre-movie entertainment. Free but bring $ for concessions benefiting nonprofits. (If it’s rained out, “Bueller? Bueller?” will be rescheduled for late August.)

MOVIES ON THE LAWN: Presented by Unique Families of Seattle. Free outdoor movie at 9246 36th Ave SW, 9 pm (donations welcome). Private residence so space is limited, must RSVP to attend. Email joanna@uniquefamiliesofseattle.org. Scheduled movie: Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium. (We’ll check with organizers on their rain plans.)

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Wash House robbed; Gatewood search
July 16, 2011 1:59 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Gatewood | High Point | West Seattle news

Thanks to everyone who sent notes tonight wondering about sirens/police searching/etc. Sometimes, it’s nothing. In this case, we have information on two cases, after checking with police. First – the Wash House in the 6300 block of 35th SW (map) was robbed just after 9:30 pm. Southwest Precinct Lt. Alan Williams says the robbers were described as “four young-adult-age suspects, one of whom was armed with what appeared to be a semi-automatic handgun.” It was later found and turned out to be a pellet gun. It was used to hit the laundromat clerk in the head; Lt. Williams says Seattle Fire crews treated the clerk for a “laceration.” No arrests so far. We also asked about officers searching in the Gatewood area, around the 6700 block of 38th SW (map), in the 11 pm hour. He says a resident called 911 after hearing “noises outside her home”; officers searched but didn’t find anything.

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Police investigate explosion-type noise in Junction area
July 16, 2011 12:02 am
|      15 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS breaking news

12:02 AM: We’re receiving multiple reports of a very loud explosion-type sound in the Junction vicinity. “With car alarms,” according to @macjustice via Twitter. Fire crews are going were briefly sent to California/Edmunds to investigate – but can’t find anything and are being canceled. Police were checking too.

(WSB photo by Christopher Boffoli, added 12:53 am)
12:29 AM: Via the WSB Facebook page, one area resident reports being told by police that whatever exploded, was set off in a dumpster by the Chase drive-through. There also are reports of a few more booms a few minutes ago, possibly in the Jefferson Square Safeway vicinity, per FB discussion.

1:27 AM NOTE: Things seem to have quieted now – no further news on this.

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Followup: The Camp Long trouble before Delridge SWAT standoff
July 15, 2011 11:36 pm
|      26 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(Photo courtesy of Amanda)
The SWAT standoff that shut down three blocks of Delridge through the morning commute today started with an incident at Camp Long late Thursday night that raised additional questions today. Jena, who was camping in the park’s cabins with a group of 4-to-7-year-old children, voiced detailed concerns in this comment following our original coverage, so we followed up with the Parks Department.

First, we should note that the 20-year-old man police were seeking at the home in the 5000 block of Delridge – until he turned up instead at the Southwest Precinct – remains in jail as of last check, under investigation for two felonies, domestic-violence assault and domestic-violence harassment. Police say he threatened his girlfriend with a gun.

Now, to Camp Long. Parks spokesperson Joelle Hammerstad answered our inquiries about what commenter Jena reported, including, in part, “Around 11:30 pm a huge party broke out in cabin 8, loud music, drugs and alcohol, and a young man started punching out the windows of the North bathrooms, fifty feet from our cabins (9 & 10).” First – we asked about damage from the window-breaking report and whether the reported party had led to cabin damage. Hammerstad’s reply: “The cabins are fine and do not have any damage. Four windows are broken in the men’s bathroom, but that is not affecting their use. They are more like ventilation windows over six feet off the ground.” To the more complicated issues Jena raised regarding security and communication – read on:Read More

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Doing business in Admiral? Tomorrow’s the survey deadline
July 15, 2011 9:23 pm
|    Comments Off on Doing business in Admiral? Tomorrow’s the survey deadline
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

The Admiral Neighborhood Association is asking local businesses to answer a quick survey to help gauge the priorities and state of the local business community – as first reported here Tuesday – and they’re looking forward to having responses in by 5 pm tomorrow. If you have a question about the survey or need the link, which they are not publishing publicly but will provide by e-mail (it was in a letter sent to 120+ local businesses), send a note to info@admiralneighborhood.org.

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West Seattle wildlife: Birdwatchers’ double sightings
July 15, 2011 8:58 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Wildlife

Two wonderful bird photos to share this Friday night, thanks to WSB’ers – top, from Liz, who writes:

It’s fledgling time and we’ve been seeing lots of bird families at the feeders, but it was a special treat to see our pileated woodpecker bring her chick to the yard (near Schmitz Park). It’s a good time to remind people that the baby birds they find are still being cared for by their parents and are best left alone.

She included this link for more on that. Meantime, wildlife photographer/watcher Trileigh Tucker, who has shared so many rare sights, sent this scene:

Trileigh explains:

… I took some out-of-town friends on a walk to show them our amazing Lincoln Park, and was delighted to hear the Barred Owls’ typical “who-COOKS-for-you?” call. Then when we tiptoed into a sequoia grove, we found our two resident Lincoln Park lovers “sittin’ in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g” … I guess when there are no babies to worry about, they can get back to romance!

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West Seattle miscellany: Airstream art tonight, & what’s ahead
July 15, 2011 4:33 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

A few things we wanted to remind you about:

(Photo by Christopher Boffoli for WSB)
AIRSTREAM ART SHOW: Forgot to re-mention this one in the morning preview! Tonight’s the night for Brenda Scallon‘s “gallery in an Airstream trailer” show, 7-10 pm at 4815 46th SW. WSB’s Christopher Boffoli previewed it here.

(WSB photo from July 2010)
1ST WEST SEATTLE OUTDOOR MOVIE TOMORROW: “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” is the kickoff movie of the season for West Seattle Outdoor Movies in the courtyard by Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor), 4410 California SW, dusk Saturdays. Bring your own chair/blanket – we suggest staking your spot out earlier, it can get crowded! as our photo proves. Movie and preshow entertainment = FREE; bring a few dollars for raffle/concessions benefiting nonprofits.

(Photo from “Garden Tour Sneak Peek” on WSGT Facebook page)
WEST SEATTLE GARDEN TOUR ON SUNDAY: Got your WS Garden Tour ticket yet? 10 gardens, 1 lecture on Sunday all included, plus coupons that’ll save you money at local businesses. Here’s how to get tickets; proceeds benefit these local nonprofits.

TWO POLITICAL NOTES – SATURDAY BASEBALL, THURSDAY FORUM: Incumbents vs. challengers! The 34th District Democrats‘ big softball game happens at 4:30 tomorrow, as part of their annual picnic at Lincoln Park. Flyer here. And since we’re moderating next Thursday’s West Seattle Chamber of Commerce-organized forum on Seattle Referendum 1 (tunnel-related), we’ll be reminding you about it daily – 6 pm Thursday at West Seattle High School Theater, with two reps each from the “approve” and “reject” sides.

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Video: West Seattle Hi-Yu crowns its next Junior Court
July 15, 2011 2:39 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival | West Seattle news

(Coronation video, added 3:56 pm)
Hiawatha Kids’ Fun Fest continues till 3 pm – but a big event that’s always part of it wrapped up about an hour ago: The West Seattle Hi-Yu Summer Festival Junior Court Coronation. Congratulations to Queen Thea Pulido, Princess Amanda Elder, and Princess Elena Kline. Click ahead for photos!Read More

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‘Rechannelization’ for SW Alaska? Your chance to comment
July 15, 2011 1:10 pm
|      68 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | Triangle | West Seattle news

A proposal for “rechannelization” of SW Alaska between The Triangle and The Junction first came up back in February (we featured it in this story) – taking away some street parking, and cutting down on car-travel lanes, while adding a bike lane from Fauntleroy to west of 41st SW. It has only been discussed once in public since then – at a recent Southwest District Council meeting – but now SDOT is officially asking for public comment:

The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) has developed plans to re-channelize SW Alaska Street between California Avenue and 35th Avenue to support the planned RapidRide C Line which is scheduled to begin service in fall 2012. SDOT is proposing to make the following changes to SW Alaska Street:

· Install a westbound left turn pocket at California Avenue and SW Alaska Street
· Install an eastbound left turn pocket at 42nd Avenue SW and SW Alaska Street
· Install an eastbound business access and transit Lane (BAT) between 42nd Avenue SW and 40th Avenue SW
· Install a westbound BAT between Fauntleroy Avenue and 42nd Avenue SW
· Install a westbound bicycle lane between Fauntleroy Way and approximately 30 feet west of 41st Avenue SW
· Remove parking on the north side of SW Alaska Street between California Avenue SW and 41st Avenue SW

SDOT INVITES PUBLIC COMMENT UP TO JULY 31, 2011

Jonathan Dong
Email: jonathan.dong@seattle.gov
Phone: (206) 233-8564

The proposal is laid out on this city webpage, with some diagrams laid over aerial shots of the streets.

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High Point to finally get a new playground from KaBOOM!
July 15, 2011 12:34 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   High Point | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(WSB photo from May 2009, KaBOOM! Delridge design meeting)
Two years ago, Delridge got a new playground thanks to the nonprofit KaBOOM! Now, another West Seattle neighborhood is getting one – High Point. They’ve been trying for a while, and now Bataan Park has been chosen, according to news shared by High Point Neighborhood Association‘s Jennifer Cobb. The playground will be built on September 23rd – but first, it has to be designed, and as was the case with Delridge, there will be a “Design Day” for kids. It’s set for next Tuesday, July 19th, at the Neighborhood House-operated High Point Neighborhood Center. It’s estimated that this playground will serve more than 500 kids in the High Point area. The event will be ongoing from 4:30-7:30 pm on Tuesday; the center is at 6400 Sylvan Way SW. Partners in the playground project include the Windermere Foundation.

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Viaduct updates: ‘Multi-use trail’ opens Monday; July 30-Aug. 1 closure
July 15, 2011 12:04 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Alaskan Way Viaduct | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

Big day for transportation news. One more story in the pipe after this, but first, a couple Alaskan Way Viaduct notes: The new “multi-use trail” for bicycles/pedestrians/etc. officially opens Monday morning at 5 am. WSDOT’s announcement has an invitation for people who plan to use it: “Come celebrate with us on the north end of the trail near S. King Street during Monday’s morning and evening commute, 6:30 to 9 a.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. We’re looking forward to meeting you!” … Second note, the next scheduled closure is two weeks away, 5:30 pm July 30th through 5 am August 1st, starting with the Seafair Torchlight Run – details here.

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Fauntleroy ferry-terminal traffic: No more state troopers
July 15, 2011 11:14 am
|      26 COMMENTS
 |   Fauntleroy | Transportation | West Seattle news

Because of state budget cuts, state troopers/cadets will no longer be helping direct traffic at the Fauntleroy ferry terminal as of this Sunday, according to a news release that just arrived. Read on for the details:Read More

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West Seattle Friday: Diaper drive NOW! Plus, Hiawatha Fun Fest
July 15, 2011 10:49 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Diaper drive at C & P – photo courtesy WestSide Baby)
Delayed edition of the daily highlights because of this morning’s breaking news. From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

DIAPER DRIVE RIGHT NOW! Till noon, C & P Coffee (WSB sponsor) and Windermere West Seattle Realtors Desiree Loughlin, Sandra Merkin and Kelly Malloy are co-sponsoring a Special Diaper Drive and Coffee Break to benefit WestSide Baby! Free coffee/lemonade if you bring a package of diapers (5612 California SW). If you can’t make it to this one – here are other upcoming diaper drives, including Stuff The Bus day on July 24th.

KIDS’ FUN FEST: At Hiawatha Community Center (2700 California SW) – hours of fun at Fun Fest which will feature carnival games, bouncy toys, refreshments, a dunk tank, children’s entertainment, face painting, and more. Noon-3 pm, $5 for a bracelet or 25 cents a ticket.

WEST SEATTLE HI-YU JUNIOR COURT CORONATION: On the east lawn of Hiawatha during Kids’ Fun Fest, 1 pm.

STORY TELLING: At the White Center Cultural Center (9421 18th Avenue SW), 5:30 pm – open date for Somali storytelling by Mohamed Hassan.

RIVER CELEBRATION: Reiki Fellowship Barbecue Celebration of the Duwamish River at Duwamish Waterway Park from 6-7 pm. Bring something to throw on the grill and enjoy the community of like-minded friends as we come together to honor the river and all its life.

SKATING PARTY: White Center Jubilee Days Retro Roller Skating Party, 7:30 pm to 11 pm, Southgate Roller Rink (9646 17th SW). More atJubileeDays.org

MOVIE NIGHT: Movie Night at Highland Park Improvement Club (1116 SW Holden). Doors open at 6:30 pm, movie at 7pm, *Free admission* Movie hint: Hayley Mills plays twins in this 1961 summer camp classic.

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Update: SWAT standoff over, suspect in custody, Delridge reopens
July 15, 2011 5:48 am
|      110 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

(12:55 PM: Just followed up with police – the man they were seeking has been booked into jail).

(Photo substituted 9:30 am – courtesy of Amanda – not added till incident was announced as over)
5:48 AM: On our way to Delridge/Hudson (map), where multiple tips say SWAT/police situation has blocked the road.

6:03 AM: From the scene – Delridge is blocked between Hudson and Edmunds. Metro says the 120 is affected by this – use the stops at Delridge/Oregon or Delridge/Brandon. E-mails say police have been there for a while, using a bullhorn to get someone to come out.

6:25 AM: Per SPD Blotter, this is a domestic-violence situation – it traces back to a search at Camp Long that we had heard on the scanner for a while around midnight last night:

On July 14th at approximately 11:38 p.m. officers responded to a campground in the 5200 block of 35th Avenue SW for a report of a domestic disturbance between a boyfriend and girlfriend. The suspect, a 20-year-old male, threatened his girlfriend with a gun. The victim was not injured and no shots were fired. The suspect fled the scene prior to the arrival of responding officers.

Officers continued to search for the suspect and information developed during the course of their investigation led them to the suspect’s residence in the 5000 block of Delridge Way SW. Officers surrounded the residence and subsequently saw the suspect through a window in the house however, the suspect refused to come outside and surrender to officers.

The SWAT team and negotiators were called to the scene and thus far negotiators have been unable to get the suspect to come outside. Three other adult males believed to be roommates of the suspect have come out and were all interviewed and released. There may be one other roommate still inside the house with the suspect.

This incident is ongoing and we are trying to come to a peaceful resolution.

6:52 AM: If you are in the area and hearing what you think are gunshots – they are noisemaking devices police use at scenes like this. (Somebody who heard them reported them to police as “fireworks.”)

8:05 AM: No change. Delridge still blocked from Edmunds to Hudson. 120 bus detouring. All as mentioned above. We will have someone on scene till it’s over, so as soon as there’s a change, we’ll update here as well as via Facebook and Twitter. Also, as noted in comments, thanks to those who have sent photos – we honor the police’s request not to show SWAT officers’ positions during standoffs so the photos we’ve received so far (aside from ours, above, showing roadblock spots) will be held till this has safely ended.

8:45 AM: No change. We’re staked out with two TV crews. Photo added above, shot earlier. Traffic still detouring down 25th and 26th SW, and it’s a tight squeeze.

9:27 AM: Situation over. The suspect somehow got out of the house and turned himself in at the Southwest Precinct (roughly a mile south), at the behest of his mother, according to SPD Det. Mark Jamieson. Delridge will be reopening shortly. We’ll add video of briefing once we’re back at HQ.

9:50 AM: Delridge is now fully open again. Northbound reopened before southbound, but the roadblock at the latter JUST cleared.

10:35 AM: The briefing video from an hour ago:

Afterward, scanner traffic indicated police found at least two guns in the house. We will check back later with police to see if anyone related to all this was actually arrested – as Det. Jamieson mentioned, roommates were brought out for questioning.

12:55 PM: SPD’s Det. Jamieson says the man they were seeking has indeed been booked into jail, for investigation of felony domestic violence harassment and assault. He does not know yet if anyone else related to the case was placed under arrest.

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Village Green Perennial Nursery bank battle in Seattle Times
July 14, 2011 11:28 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Gardening | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

With a nod to the original WSB story, Seattle Times columnist Nicole Brodeur tells the tale of Village Green Perennial Nursery owner Vera Johnson‘s bank battle to fight off foreclosure. (Note that when Brodeur contacted Bank of America, she got the same kind of conflicting answers Vera reported.) Our story from Tuesday is here; you can sign Vera’s online petition here.

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Scenes from July 2011 West Seattle Art Walk: Mural to marimba
July 14, 2011 9:28 pm
|    Comments Off on Scenes from July 2011 West Seattle Art Walk: Mural to marimba
 |   West Seattle Art Walk | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(WSB photos and video by Patrick Sand)
During tonight’s West Seattle Art Walk, muralist Glenn Case started work on a mural, about murals, at Mural Apartments (WSB sponsor). He explains the project in this quick clip:

Some of the most vivid work we saw tonight was by Sheila Lengle, showing at Shoofly Pie Company:

Sheila’s art career is in resurgence – you might remember her as the owner of Critical Mass and ec’Collective art galleries. She says she’ll be the August artist at Brunette Mix (WSB sponsor), also in The Junction, and will have a September show at Alki Arts.

Our Junction adventure continued at Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor), which had a visit from the DRY Soda team, offering free samples:

Inside, artist Dawn Endean:

And then back up California at Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor), a little marimba music from NZIRA:

Hotwire, of course, is where you’ll find West Seattle Outdoor Movies for the next six Saturday nights, weather permitting, starting with “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” at dusk this Saturday (free, bring your own chair/blanket, and a few dollars for concessions/raffles that benefit local nonprofits). West Seattle Art Walk, meantime, is always the second Thursday of the month, 6-9 pm, and you can watch for updates at the Art Walk website.

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