West Seattle, Washington
24 Wednesday
You’ve seen her photos here on WSB and elsewhere (including her own site), and last night Trileigh Tucker contributed some of her work (with her in the photo, an image of Snoqualmie Falls) to the gala/auction for West Seattle Community Orchestras. This was the second year WSCO held a gala, and the first time at Highland Park Improvement Club, where of course, there was music – including Elliot Reid‘s guitar performance:
WSCO’s fundraising helps make sure more young musicians can participate in their programs. They’re usually looking for new members, and their groups practice on Tuesdays – check out their website at wscorchestras.org for the latest info. From their Facebook page, we’ve gathered listings for upcoming appearances – the Symphony Orchestra at 7 pm March 20th at Bridge Park, the Debut and Intermediate Orchestras at 6:30 pm March 27 at Highland Park Elementary and at 6:30 pm May 8th at Chief Sealth International High School, and the Symphony Orchestra at 7 pm May 15th, also at CSIHS.
One more West Seattle school fundraising auction to be sure you know about – the 18th annual Pathfinder K-8 auction, at South Seattle Community College‘s Brockey Center, next Saturday (March 17th). The theme: “On this side of the rainbow, we make dreams come true!” The price of making dreams come true? $35 a ticket, and you can buy yours online by going here. From organizers:
Parents love supporting businesses that help support our school. We have an incredible lineup of donations from AWESOME local businesses including Cactus, Breathe Yoga, West 5, West Seattle Junction Association, Farmers’ Market, West Seattle Thriftway, Sound Physical Therapy, Hotwire Online Coffeehouse, and Southgate Roller Rink, just to name a few.
Whether you’re going or not, there’s a twist this year: An online auction is under way, and you can bid right now.
(Click for larger image)
The date is finally set for the Seattle Design Commission to hear from the developers of Youngstown Flats (the almost-200-unit project under construction at 26th/Dakota in North Delridge). But when they make their presentation to the SDC at 9 am this Thursday (in the Boards and Commissions Room at City Hall downtown), it won’t be about the building – it’s about the greenspace across 26th SW, which is actually a city-owned “street end.” The rendering above is what they hope to do to change it from a grassy lot, which you might not realize leads to a stairway down to Longfellow Creek, into a “green, inviting space,” as they explained earlier in the project. They are seeking a street-use permit to enable that, and that’s why the project is going before the Design Commission, which is required to review proposals for using city right-of-way as something other than traditional streets/sidewalks. P.S. The public is welcome at commission meetings, and is offered a chance to comment, too.
Today marks one year since the earthquake/tsunami disaster in Japan. To commemorate that, we are reminding you about West Seattle Be Prepared‘s neighborhood Emergency Communication Hubs – places to find information and to gather if disaster ever hits here. Look for the “hub” nearest to you on the map above; and explore West Seattle Be Prepared‘s other online resources. Meantime, here are today’s highlights, from the still-undergoing-renovations WSB West Seattle Events calendar:
MEET THE COFFEE VENDORS: If ever there was a morning calling for coffee, it’s the morning after the night you lose an hour of sleep.
SEATTLE BIKE EXPO CONTINUES: Not in West Seattle, but Cascade Bicycle Club is sponsoring WSB through today to invite West Seattle bicyclists to the Seattle Bike Expo – 9 am to 4 pm at Pier 91 in Magnolia (Smith Cove Cruise Terminal). See the schedule of speakers/events here.
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm at 44th/Alaska. New at the market: Pampeana Empanadas with sweet or savory empanadas “that combine the traditional flavors of Argentina with the freshest northwest ingredients.”
DAY OF REMEMBRANCE AND PREPAREDNESS: No Japan-earthquake/tsunami anniversary events in West Seattle that we have heard of (it was one year ago today), but Seattle Center downtown is hosting a day of remembrance and preparedness starting at 10 am. All the information is here.
WINTER’S NOT OVER YET … NOR IS M2SO’S WINTER GEAR SALE: 11 am-5 pm, Mountain to Sound Outfitters (WSB sponsor) is open at 3602 SW Alaska with its extended sale on winter gear – which it’s not too late to use, given how the season’s been going in the mountains!
TOXIC-FREE KIDS FAIR: Bring the family to find out how to reduce the toxics in your kids’ (and your!) lives. Learn how to select toxic free toys and care products for growing bodies. Bring a toy or product for instant analysis. Fauntleroy Church (9140 California SW) invites you to today’s free, fun event, 11 am-1 pm. Here’s our preview.
WINERY’S GRAND REOPENING CONTINUES: Cairdeas Winery celebrates its new wines and tasting-room reopening at 3400 Harbor Ave SW (street level of ActivSpace), noon to 5 pm.
CELEBRATE GIRL SCOUTS’ 100TH ANNIVERSARY: CAPERS in The Junction will be serving tea and Trefoils (the original Girl Scout Cookie) 1-3 pm, and Scouts from The French-American School of Puget Sound will be selling cookies. (One more week to go for the cookie sale in this region, by the way.)
LAST DAY OF THE BEER JUNCTION’S MOVING SALE: After today, The Beer Junction closes its original store at 4707 42nd SW, and gets ready to open (within the next two weeks or so) its new one – but first, a clearance sale, 10 percent off everything. Here’s our report from yesterday.
BARTON STREET P-PATCH: 1 pm-3 pm today, the gardeners are celebrating as they start official planting – peas in the P-Patch! 34th/Barton.
SAVE-THE-SALMON BENEFIT: Environmental advocates fighting against a mining project in Alaska are having a silent auction 1-6 pm at Beveridge Place Pub. Our friends at the West Seattle-based Washington Beer Blog wrote about it here.
BIKE-REPAIR EVENT IN WHITE CENTER: West Seattle and White Center bicycling experts team up once a month for DubSea Bikes, a chance to get minor bike repairs done for free – 2-4 pm at the White Center Food Bank‘s HQ, 8th and 108th, details here.
FIRST MATINEE FOR ‘LITTLE VOICE’: It’s the first Sunday matinee for ArtsWest‘s new production “The Rise and Fall of Little Voice,” 3 pm in The Junction.
ZUMBATHON AT THE Y: West Seattle Y (WSB sponsor) hosts a Zumbathon benefiting the Y’s Partners with Youth: 5 – 7 pm. $20/person, must have photo ID, no child care. From the announcement: “Every year the West Seattle Y Partners with Youth campaign raises over $400,000 to put into programs for West Seattle kids, youth and families. It’s our way of bringing the Y experience to all who want it. This year anyone can help by coming to our Zumbathon event, non-stop shaking for two full hours in the West Seattle Y gym. Come get your party on!”
Another ravine got some TLC on Saturday – Orchard Street Ravine in Gatewood. Cindi Barker shared the photos, and she reports, “We were planting bare root plants in a huge, just cleared area, and also filling in some gaps in previously planted areas. The weather held off until the end, it was a very productive day.”
Don’t know where Orchard Street Ravine is? Here’s a map.
(Screenshot from 3/7/12 school-board meeting video)
Gatewood Elementary visual-arts specialist Julie Trout was in the spotlight at this week’s Seattle School Board meeting, honored as Teacher of the Year for the Puget Sound Educational Service District, which includes 35 districts. Here’s the clip – forward to about 2 minutes in:
Julie is now a contender for state Teacher of the Year. We had hoped to catch up with her at Gatewood’s “Bids for Kids” auction last night, after a fellow teacher told us she had “planned and designed all the student art projects” that were featured. We didn’t cross paths, but did see her students’ work, including these creations:
As is the case at most of the school galas, participants really get into the spirit. Gatewood had a Hollywood theme; Tracy Chantorn was channeling Audrey Hepburn as she handled drawing tickets:
Prime time for school auctions – which have become indispensable for raising money to supplement the basics, in an era of public-funding challenges – continues at other local schools throughout this month.
(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)
The 20th annual community cleanup of Fairmount Ravine got going a bit later than planned this morning – the weather wasn’t too friendly, but that wasn’t going to stop the Fairmount Ravine Preservation Group. They have a lot of history, as noted in the preview we published this past week. So off they went, up onto the slopes that line the road that travels beneath the 85-year-old Admiral Way Bridge:
You wouldn’t notice while driving or riding through, but those who live, walk, and run there are acutely aware of what builds up from people who hang out around the bridge’s base, maybe to camp, maybe to party. So bags were filled by the intrepid volunteers:
In the end, they were amassing a sizable pile, as usual. What was unusual this year? we asked. You can’t tell from this photo, but a fair number of … DVDs.
(added 10:13 pm) John Lang shares his recap:
It was nice to see younger families be involved especially when climbing the steep slopes under the bridge. Today’s event brought together a total of 21 neighbors spanning 4 generations. Granted, the six-month-old baby slept most of the time.
The number of bags tripled after Patrick took his photos because there was considerably more trash on the west side than anticipated. We have a new problem this year. People are throwing their old “tube-type” TVs, VCRs (including one with the Dukes of Hazzard tape!) over the bridge resulting in considerable broken glass. If you have ever moved a 32″ TV, you know how heavy they are. There were several TVs shattered under the bridge. This made the cleanup very tedious, slow and more dangerous this year. Also strange were the 20+ well used bicycle tires left under the bridge. Now why would they be there?
We will have to get the police back to start checking under the bridge periodically as there was evidence of considerable party activity. re: 200+ beer cans/bottles. Another interesting twist to the day was when I left the site and drove down to remove temporary signs we put up for the event; 5 minutes later, a pickup truck was stopped to pick up all the scrap metal and bagged recyclables. An interesting sign of our economic times.
This year’s vintage find was a ~50-year-old 7Up bottle in perfect condition.
By the way, Fairmount Ravine has gained a little more fame since last year’s cleanup – this music video featured here last summer, by Cause and Effect, included one sequence (see it from 1:15 to 1:45) in the ravine:
Our coverage of previous Fairmount Ravine cleanups:
2011
2010
2009
2008
Joey Genzale is excited about all the improvements at his Westwood produce megastand, Tony’s Market, which just reopened at 35th/Barton a few hours ago after its traditional post-Christmas break. It’s a later reopening than usual, and here’s why:
That’s just part of the new 24-foot refrigerated produce case lining the north wall – which means the produce stays fresher longer – “Perfect lettuce! Perfect mushrooms!” enthuses Joey – and that’s good for customers as well as for the store’s bottom line. There’s also a brand-new cooler up front by the checkout stand, for non-produce merchandise. And even on the south side, the non-refrigerated items – such as tree fruit – is arranged up against the wall, improving traffic flow inside the store.
Something else new:
Joey says he’s been working on improving his hand-lettering sills for the signs that have long been a trademark of the produce market, run by his dad Tony Genzale till his untimely passing in December 2010. He had some ready to go last night – and then the rain swept in and undid his work. “My dad’s getting even with me,” he laughed.
When we were there in the 1 o’clock hour, they were still finishing setup, but almost done, and definitely open – and Joey is asking everyone what they think of the improvements (which include some fresh interior paint): “After 16 years, it was time.”
The big move is finally almost here for Morgan Herzog‘s beverage shop The Beer Junction – moving from its original location at 4707 42nd SW in The Junction (which is on the site of the future Equity Residential development) to a big new space less than 2 blocks away (4511 California SW). We first told you about the plan last July; now, the move is at hand, and Morgan is having a sale this weekend to try to clear out inventory before closing the old store. Tomorrow (Sunday) is the LAST DAY at the old store – everything is 10 percent off today and tomorrow. Morgan added in his announcement, “If you have boxes or cloth bags you can bring to package up your purchases, it will be a great help (with the moving process we’re currently running low on extra boxes).” After close of business tomorrow, TBJ will be closed for up to two weeks, Morgan says, to get everything switched over – no hard-and-fast reopening date just yet.
The Fauntleroy Church Green Committee – known far beyond Fauntleroy for popular events such as the twice-yearly Recycle Roundups (another one’s coming up in late April, by the way) – is inviting you to come learn tomorrow about how to live a more non-toxic life. Judy Pickens shares the photo and this preview:
Finding out what toxins may be in the care products used by children or in the toys they are given will be easy at Sunday’s Toxic-Free Kids Fair for the community hosted by Fauntleroy Church (9140 California SW; map). Members of the church’s green committee, as well as staff from the Washington Toxics Coalition, Lullaby Organics, and Earth Ministry will be on hand 11 AM – 1 PM in Fellowship Hall to help you determine toxicity (even by smartphone while you’re in the store!) and provide practical advice about the harm that certain toxins can do to growing bodies.
It’s free and all are welcome. (That’s Green Committee chair Liann Sundquist in the photo, getting ready for tomorrow’s event.)
This weekend, members of the Dolphins swim team from the West Seattle Y (WSB sponsor) are likely still savoring their successes from last weekend’s Northwest Regional YMCA meet in Boise. One team member even qualified for nationals, according to the swim-team parent who shares the photo (from the pre-meet team dinner) and report. And if someone in your family is interested in competitive swimming, there’s contact info in the story too. Dive in!Read More
11:21 AM: We’ve been watching the National Weather Service outlooks since the local NWS first issued a “special weather statement” on Friday; the newest version technically includes our area, but if you read the fine print, the strong winds discussed for tomorrow are mostly expected out on the ocean coast. However, this morning’s regional “forecast discussion” says that as the approaching “cold front” gets closer – “This looks like the sort of system that will actually give something more like … a genuinely blustery day for all of Western Washington Monday.” If that holds through the next few forecast updates (three to four times daily), they’ll issue a wind advisory, so be on the lookout.
5:38 PM UPDATE: The “special weather statement” has been dropped because, for now, NWS says that our area doesn’t look to be in for much more than typical March bluster. So far.
(Photo by Karen, aka “Old Desolate” on Flickr, via the WSB Flickr group pool)
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar (please “pardon our dust” on the calendar page – the software changeover should be complete by weekend’s end):
HELP CLEAN FAIRMOUNT RAVINE: 8:30 am, come help in the 20th annual event to take care of a ravine used by many more people than just those who live nearby: “We meet at the intersection of SW Forest St and Fairmount Ave, just east of Hiawatha Park. Everyone is welcome to participate. Community awareness keeps the ravine cleaner than past years and our focus this year will be on removal of invasive plants as well as general cleanup. Coffee, hot cocoa and donuts are provided. Please dress for the weather, wear boots and gloves as well as bring large cutters, saws if interested in plant removal. Your two hours can make a huge difference.” Here’s our preview from earlier this week.
TIBBETTS, WESTSIDE RUMMAGE SALES CONTINUE: The two big semi-annual church rummage sales are in their second and final day today. It’s 9 am-3 pm at Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor; 3940 41st SW), and 9 am-2 pm at West Side Presbyterian Church (3601 California SW). We visited both on Friday.
ARBOR HEIGHTS PTSA FUNDRAISER: 9-6 am today and tomorrow, a “family photo event” at the school – check ASAP to see if appointments are still available (Amanda, 206-902-6324 or maxnokes@comcast.net. (More details in the preview we published.)
SEATTLE BIKE EXPO: Not in West Seattle, but Cascade Bicycle Club is sponsoring WSB through tomorrow to make sure you know about the Seattle Bike Expo – 9 am to 6 pm at Pier 91 in Magnolia (Smith Cove Cruise Terminal). Full schedule of speakers/events online.
KNITTING CLASS: For both beginners and project help, 9:30 – 11:30 at C&P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor).
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ATOMIC BOYS: 10 am-6 pm, the Admiral District store specializing in retro toys and candy is celebrating its 4th anniversary – stop by! Here’s the preview we published a few days ago.
‘WRITING THE WORLD THROUGH FOOD’: Author Crescent Dragonwagon presents this all-day workshop for food writers at Camp Long, full details here.
OLD FIRE STATION 37 – OPEN HOUSE: Open house at former Fire Station 37, which is up for sale, 10 am-2 pm at 35th/Othello. Here’s our previous report.
FREE YOGA! The quarterly free class (all levels, no registration necessary) at SoundYoga (WSB sponsor) is this morning, 10:30-11:45 am, 5639 California SW.
WINERY’S GRAND REOPENING: Cairdeas Winery will release its new wines and reopen its tasting room at 3400 Harbor Ave SW today (street level of ActivSpace), noon to 5 pm.
MORNING GLORY DRAG BRUNCH: Second Saturday means the fun starts at noon at Skylark Café. Jeffrey Robert starts the show with stand-up comedy, then Magnolia Crawford and guest performers do a fabulous show while diners enjoy their brunch and drinks!
BAKE ‘N’ BOWL: 1 pm at West Seattle Bowl. From the announcement: “Come out for a “Bake n’ Bowl” event like NUN-OTHER!! We are bringing in the spring with a Bowling event and Bake Sale. We’ll have an array of different delicious treats while you are knocking down the pins, working to score that perfect 300! We’ll also be having a bowling competition with fabulous prizes! Come out and support for an afternoon for a fundraiser for Rise n Shine! $15 per player or $25 per pair. This is an all-ages event.” (Facebook event page here.)
WOMEN’S SELF-DEFENSE CLASS: Special class, 1 pm, Seattle Integrated Martial Arts. From the announcement: “Participants will be given their own special Kubotan Keychain as part of the class fee! These are very simple, non-lethal, yet effective tools for personal protection! Call 206-935-4531 for details and to register.” (ASAP, to be sure there’s still room.)
FREE WORKSHOP: 1:30 pm today, an event presented by WSB sponsors Ventana Construction: “Join us for an informative workshop about remodeling and custom home construction. Learn from experienced professionals about how to get started, what to expect, and the steps you can take to make your project successful. This 1½ hour event is free and takes place monthly at Ventana Construction’s West Seattle offices at 5458 California Ave SW. Call 206-932-3009 to reserve your space.”
MADISON MIDDLE SCHOOL AUCTION: The Madison community celebrates each other and raises money during its annual “Class Act” auction/dinner, 5 pm at The Hall at Fauntleroy. Here’s our preview.
RAISE MONEY TO FIGHT CANCER: West Seattle Eagles 2643 cordially invites you to our third annual Art Erhmann Cancer Gala Dinner and Auction – in honor of Linda Crank; all proceeds to the Art Erhmann Cancer charity! 5:30-11:30 pm. Dinner: Pulled Pork Sandwiches w/fries and cole slaw, $6; jello shots/beer special with all proceeds to the cause; live/silent auction, door prizes, music/dancing. 4426 California SW.
PARTY WITH WSCO: West Seattle Community Orchestras‘ second annual gala, 6:30-9 pm @ Highland Park Improvement Club (details here).
MAKING MUSIC: At Kenyon Hall, at 7:30 – Kern at Kenyon, with the Cornucopia Concert Band. From the announcement: “A program to appeal to the heart, mind, and foot, showcasing romantic songs by Jerome Kern, including a selection from Show Boat. The sublime will be interspersed with other frolicsome fare, the usual eclectic collection of tunes from the vast Cornucopia archive, some only recently exhumed.” Please visit cornband.org for more information.
CHRISTOPHER WILLIAMS, LIVE IN CONCERT: From the announcement: “Songwriter, storyteller, and entertainer – offering songs that are honest and confessional, yet never overbearing; and performances that engage audiences with an appealing mix of intense passion and humor.” All proceeds go to benefit clean drinking water around the world. 7:30 pm. WSCC Activity Center, 4400 42nd SW. $15, kids under 13 are free with paying adult. Go to cwseattle.eventbrite.com for full details.
BENEFIT FOR ‘IT GETS BETTER’ PROJECT: Cynthia Reid e-mailed to note that tonight “there will be a reunion of the one and only Annie Rose & The Thrillers! They are playing the Feedback Lounge along with West Side Sally. This will be a benefit for The It Gets Better Project and also a birthday celebration for the illustrious Cynthia Reid (yeah, that’s me…since I’m coordinating the event I get to celebrate!!) Annie Rose was the very first band I ever worked for back in the early ’80s, and this will be a very rare appearance they’re making just for me!!! I am a lucky girl!!”
SPRING FORWARD! And in case you haven’t heard enough reminders – 2 am Sunday (as in “overnight tonight”) is when clocks/watches/etc. “spring forward” an hour to Daylight Saving Time.
That was the most serious of two overnight crashes, so far, in this area. Around 12:40 am, that car crashed into a railroad signpole at 11th SW/SW Spokane, just east of the “low bridge,” which was blocked off for a while because of the investigation. Before we got there, firefighters spent at least 15 minutes extricating the driver from the wreckage, according to scanner traffic. He was reported to be unconscious when rushed to Harborview Medical Center, and that’s all the information we have so far. The other crash happened an hour earlier at 40th/Morgan, and led police to block off Morgan for a while, according to nearby residents; early scanner reports on that one said that a parked car had been hit by another vehicle, whose occupant(s) then left the scene. We have a message out to police to see if they were ever found.
SATURDAY NIGHT UPDATE: Southwest Precinct Lt. Alan Williams says of the 40th/Morgan crash, “The two males that fled the scene did not return, but officers were able to track them down and verify who was involved. The driver, a 16-year-old, was cited. He also received some medical attention for minor injuries he sustained in the crash.”
Just in from the state Ecology Department:
Clumps of what may appear to be jellyfish may be visible on Elliott Bay Saturday morning resulting from a spill of a petroleum distillate product earlier today at Terminal 18 in the Port of Seattle.
The Washington Department of Ecology, Port of Seattle and U.S. Coast Guard responded to the spill earlier today which occurred after a container was punctured during loading onto a ship at the terminal operated by Stevedoring Services of America (SSA).
An unknown quantity of the distillate spilled into the hold of the ship and then into the Duwamish River.
The distillate emulsifies in water and may appear to be jellyfish in the water. The distillate is not recoverable and clumps of it may make their way into Elliott Bay.
Ecology is monitoring the cleanup work by a contractor hired by SSA at the pier where the spill occurred.
Ecology is still assessing the environmental damage caused by the spill.
This webpage for Terminal 18 includes an aerial photo showing its location on Harbor Island.
VENTANA CONSTRUCTION: RapidRide stop construction continues just outside longtime WSB sponsor Ventana Construction‘s California/Findlay HQ – and now, Ventana proprietor Anne Higuera says, a banner explaining the work is finally up – but the path is still clear from the east to get there for tomorrow’s FREE remodeling/custom homebuilding workshop. Still some room left – it’s at 1:30 pm Saturday: “The basics about remodeling and custom homebuilding: Where to start, how to hire, what to expect. An informative hour and a half with a general contractor and an architect.” RSVP ASAP to 206-932-3009.
Also this weekend:
MOUNTAIN TO SOUND OUTFITTERS EXTENDS SALE: Mountain to Sound Outfitters (also a WSB sponsor) is in clearance mode, says proprietor Greg Whittaker, who says they’re extending their clearance sale through Sunday “for all the procrastinators. We still have a good selection of the best ski and snowboard gear in the region, so stop by if you need the right gear to enjoy the late season snow in the Cascades.” M2SO is in The Triangle, at 3602 SW Alaska.
Also in The Triangle:
ANOTHER WEST SEATTLE TRADER JOE’S SIGN: In case you missed our photo yesterday:
A second sign went up today (top left).
NEW BUSINESS: Carol from Pediatric Speech & Language Therapy says her business, which already had offices in Wallingford and Bellevue, recently opened a West Seattle location in The Junction, 4520 44th SW. She explains that her business “provides a full spectrum of speech therapy services for children ages 0-18, including evaluation and ongoing treatment. Free screenings, and speaking engagements regarding communication development or related topics can also be arranged. In the near future we hope to offer social groups, language enrichment groups, and parent education services.”
The Spokane Street Viaduct Widening Project will require two overnight closures next week – westbound this time – according to
(Scroll down for newest info on big outage – mostly OUTSIDE WS – and its effects)
(Photo added 2:24 pm – Spokane/Chelan light, apparently the west edge of the outage)
FIRST REPORT, 1:37 PM: WSB’ers are telling us of a power outage stretching from Georgetown to SODO – but the City Light system-status map isn’t showing anything yet. We’re going to see what we can find out via other methods. Just got a note mentioning Harbor Island’s out, too.
1:43 PM UPDATE: Just talked to Scott Thomsen at Seattle City Light. Their “outage management system” is not letting people in for updates and that’s why the map hasn’t updated – but they apparently have TWO separate feeders out, totalling more than 6,300 customers (homes/businesses). No idea yet what caused it, but crews are being dispatched, Scott says.
1:51 PM UPDATE: WSB’ers are mentioning other areas in comments too, such as Beacon Hill. SDOT points out via Twitter that the signals in SODO are out along major streets such as 1st and 4th.
1:54 PM UPDATE: City Light just tweeted that 28,000 homes/businesses are affected:
City Light has suffered a significant outage affecting 28,000 customers.Problem has been ID’d and estimate restore by 5p.m.
— Seattle City Light (@SEACityLight) March 9, 2012
2:03 PM UPDATE: The City Light map is working now. Screengrab in a minute. It verifies Harbor Island is affected (we have a crew headed that way, too).
2:10 PM UPDATE: Our crew checking out Harbor Island says the intersection by Chelan Café is out, just west of the low bridge. Chelan Cafe itself has closed their restaurant, but the bar is still open. Meantime, if you have kids in schools in the outage zone – which does NOT include any of West Seattle, to our knowledge, beyond the Chelan Cafe area and Harbor Island – Seattle Public Schools has tweeted this:
after-school events cancelled at Mercer, Muir, Beacon H, Cleveland, Maple, Aki Kurose, Kimball, MLK, Dearborn, Franklin, Graham H, Hawthorne
— Seattle Schools (@seapubschools) March 9, 2012
Seattle City Light now says the problem is at the “South Substation” (3839 4th Ave. South, the big SCL facility right off the ramp from the eastbound West Seattle Bridge) and that some might not get their power back till 6 pm.
2:34 PM UPDATE: As many commenters are pointing out, the power’s come back on for most. Scott from City Light tells us about 600 homes/businesses are left to be restored. He says the problem happened when a power line that was being worked on at the South Station touched another piece of equipment and caused a short that led to the outage. Nobody was hurt.
3:01 PM UPDATE: And one last update from City Light via Twitter:
Power has been restored to all but 10 customers.Problem caused by awire tripping a relay at the south substation.
— Seattle City Light (@SEACityLight) March 9, 2012
When Metro went public last month with its revised proposal for West Seattle (and vicinity) route changes to take effect in September, in conjunction with the launch of RapidRide Line C, some of the loudest voices of concern came from South Seattle Community College and its Puget Ridge neighbors. They were concerned about service levels on the weekends. Today, Metro has published an online update that says they might at least reconfigure for Saturdays:
We are currently considering the possibility of providing some level of service on Saturday when SSCC is in session. However, continuing to provide Saturday Route 125 service would come as a trade-off for other service improvements. We are analyzing these trade-offs as we look to provide the highest quality transit service to the most people.
The Metro updates also reiterates that the next revised proposal – which goes to county leadership for consideration – will be out in mid-April.
Garage/rummage-sale fans converged on West Seattle’s two mega-sales as soon as the doors opened at nine this morning. Above, the wide view of just one of the rooms full of stuff on sale at Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor), 3940 41st SW – you’ll also find items like sports gear and furniture outside, including this eye-catching chair:
Tibbetts’ sale continues till 4 pm today, and will run again 9 am-3 pm tomorrow. (If you like to plan ahead, check out the Christmas-decorations table by the stage!)
Just a few blocks away, at 3601 California SW, West Side Presbyterian Church is in full sale swing too:
Theirs also spans multiple rooms – you will be offered a map as you step inside. And as is always the case with rummage/garage sales, you can find “they don’t make ’em like that” type finds – reel-to-reel, anyone?
WSPC’s sale continues till 5 today, and runs 9 am-2 pm tomorrow (it even has its own Facebook page). Be sure to look for the extensive bake-sale area inside the north side of the church.
Side note: Registration for this year’s West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day, presented and coordinated again this year by WSB, will start Monday, April 2nd … more to come. WS Garage Sale Day itself is Saturday, May 12th, 9 am-3 pm.
(Photo by WSB’s Patrick Sand)
More than 100 people joined in the “Bite of West Seattle” event – potluck dinner and cultural performances – presented by West Seattle High School‘s Diversity Club last night. So reports WSHS student Nathaniel Solis, who shared photos from the event – we stopped by in the early going and caught the locally based Au Lac Vovinam Lion Dance Team warming up; Nathaniel caught them in action:
(This and subsequent photos by Nathaniel Solis)
Three more of Nathaniel’s photos, ahead:Read More
(Salamander eggs at Camp Long, by Flickr member mriggen, from the WSB Flickr group pool)
LAST DAY OF OPEN ENROLLMENT FOR SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS: If you’ve been meaning to register but haven’t yet, last call – info here.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE NEARING FOR WEST SEATTLE GIRLS’ SOFTBALL: Sunday is the last day to register for WS Girls Softball (practices start the week of 3/26; the season opens 4/23). Sign up at westseattlegirlssoftball.com. The WSGS Board is looking for new volunteers, too – please contact president Shawn Herrera at wssshawnp@yahoo.com.
TIBBETTS RUMMAGE SALE, DAY 1: Big rummage sale at Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor), 9 am-4 pm today and 9 am-3 pm Saturday (preview here).
WEST SIDE RUMMAGE SALE: And it’s also time for the big rummage sale at West Side Presbyterian Church, 9 am-5 pm today and 9 am-2 pm tomorrow.
WINE TASTING AT METROPOLITAN MARKET: Washington wines at Metropolitan Market/Admiral (WSB sponsor), 5-7 pm
GATEWOOD ELEMENTARY AUCTION: Tonight is Gatewood Elementary‘s “Bid for Kids” at The Hall at Fauntleroy, 5:30-9 pm (here’s our preview).
LIVE MUSIC AT C & P COFFEE: Steve and Kristi Nebel perform tonight at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 6-8 pm.
LIVE MUSIC AT SALTY’S: Elizabeth Dawson and Victor Janusz perform at Salty’s on Alki, 7-10 pm (Facebook event here)
CONTINUING AT ARTSWEST: At ArtsWest in The Junction, “The Rise and Fall of Little Voice” by Jim Cartwright, directed by Christopher Zinovitch, 7:30 pm.
They showed up at Lee’s Martial Arts in West Seattle last night, not just to lend a hand to the soon-to-debut online comedy series “The Collectibles,” but to lend a leg too:
The occasion was “Girls’ Fight Night Out,” centered on martial-arts work with Lee’s co-owner Lisa Skvarla, who is a professional actor as well as a nationally renowned martial-arts expert – and a cast member (as superhero “Ultrafemme”) for “The Collectibles,” which premieres at Emerald City Comicon next month. Also involved with the production, our tipsters for this event, Raechelle Downing and Todd Downing – Todd is co-writer/co-director/producer, while Raechelle is a line producer:
If you want to help “The Collectibles” finish raising $ to complete its first round of 10 webisodes, you can donate through the button on the right sidebar of the show’s website.
Meantime, a side note: You might remember reading about Todd here when he asked two nights ago for WSB’ers to join in the push to save the Washington film industry’s incentive program. Citizen campaigning is credited with helping the bill get passed by the State House 92-6 last night (with “yes” votes including local Reps. Eileen Cody and Joe Fitzgibbon), not long before the Legislature’s regular session ended, and it now awaits Gov. Gregoire‘s signature.
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