Want to join Seal Sitters? Volunteer-training session added

(Photo by Robin Lindsey)
That’s “Palmer” the seal pup, nicknamed by a volunteer for Seal Sitters, which kept watch over the pup while it rested “nestled in the logs at the tideline” at Lincoln Park, according to Robin Lindsey, who adds that, “Our season has officially begun with this, our third pup – and many, many more on the way in September and October (the height of our season in the Seattle area).” Read more about Palmer here – and if you would like to help with keeping other pups safe this season, Seal Sitters has just scheduled one more volunteer-training session on August 25th, a 2-part session, as Robin explains:

ORIENTATION SESSION: The “lecture” part of the training (9:30-11:30) will begin promptly at 9:30 at Alki UCC Church (front meeting room), 6115 SW Hinds. We will briefly discuss the protocol and structure of both Seal Sitters and NOAA’s NW Marine Mammal Stranding Network. In this A/V presentation, you’ll learn basic biology of harbor seals and sea lions (the most common mammals the networks respond to) and roles and responsibilities of volunteers.

ON-THE-BEACH SESSION: At 11:30 we will leisurely make our way down to Alki Beach and the Statue of Liberty plaza (approximately 3 blocks away) for an on-the-beach session. Here you will learn how to handle the many unpredictable challenges of protecting marine mammals in urban environments – seal pups on crowded beaches, stairwells to the beach, close to a sea wall and promenade, and lastly the regulations regarding private property. This hands-on session will begin at noon and will last for approximately an hour.

There will be no other formal session this year due to time constraints on volunteers during the busy pupping season. Our season has officially begun with our first three pups on the beach and we fully expect another very crazy and wonderful seal pupping season in West Seattle again this year. We will do our best to assimilate a volunteer here and there during the season.

We hope to see you there! We suggest you bring a sandwich or snack for this session as it will be a longer than usual day. If you cannot make both sessions on Saturday, we strongly recommend that you make one of them. If you can only make the on-the-beach training we suggest you be at Statue of Liberty at 11:45. Please rsvp – sealsitters@me.com – so that we know how many chairs to request.

West Seattle Sunday: Ways to do good – and to have a good time

August 19, 2012 6:30 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Sunday: Ways to do good – and to have a good time
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo from “Godspell,” courtesy ArtsWest)
Today’s highlights include opportunities to do good, as well as opportunities to have a good time. From the WSB calendar:

THROWING COMPETITION: Athletes 30 and up are competing in national-championship throwing sports at West Seattle Stadium for a second consecutive day, 8:30 am till about 3 pm. You can go watch for free.

GIVE LINCOLN PARK SOME TLC: 9 am-noon, help Friends of Lincoln Park get rid of invasives. Meet at Fauntleroy and Rose entrance to the park. More info here.

LEMONADE STAND TO HELP 7-YEAR-OLD CANCER PATIENT AND FAMILY: As reported here earlier this week, friends of 7-year-old West Seattle Montessori (WSB sponsor) student Sophia Thompson and her family will sell lemonade outside the WS Farmers’ Market today, 10 am-2 pm, to help with the costs of her fight against a rare cancer.

ALSO AT THE WEST SEATTLE FARMERS MARKET: Another way to help out – here’s our Friday story about River Farm Organic Produce losing a family home in the Central Washington fire; they will be at the market today, and your patronage can help them recover. Plus, there’s a special promotion today with Chipotle Mexican Grill – details here. 10 am-2 pm, 44th/Alaska in The Junction.

BRUNCH FOR BOOBIES’ BREAST-CANCER-FIGHTING FUNDRAISER: While you’re in The Junction, dine/drink at West 5 between 10 am and 4 pm, and part of the proceeds go to breast-cancer-fighting Team Tracy, as explained here.

FRESH VEGGIES FOR SALE: The Admiral family organic-veggie sale is back at 44th and Hill, west of Admiral Church, 11 am-1 pm, with part of the proceeds benefiting the West Seattle Food Bank.

PET ADOPTION AT WEST SEATTLE THRIFTWAY: Noon-3 pm, the Humane Society’s big yellow Maxmobile will be at Thriftway (California/Fauntleroy) with adoptable pets.

LOG HOUSE MUSEUM ICE CREAM SOCIAL: Come enjoy Husky Deli ice cream in the courtyard at the Log House Museum (61st/Stevens), 1-3 pm, ice cream $2/scoop and beverages $1, proceeds benefit the museum and Southwest Seattle Historical Society.

GATEWOOD ELEMENTARY PLAYDATE: 1-3 pm on the school playground for families of kids going to school at Gatewood this year.

DOG DAYS OF SUMMER BEERFEST AND PET TAGGING: At West Seattle Nursery from 1-4 pm, you can enjoy hot dogs and beer, benefiting Furry Faces Foundation, and check out adoptable pets – and/or get F3 to make a tag for yours. Details here.

YOUNG CHAMBER MUSICIANS FEATURED: 2 pm, Music Northwest presents this recital at South Seattle Community College’s Olympic Hall – details here.

‘ANYTHING GOES’ MATINEE: Twelfth Night Productions (WSB sponsor) continues its summer run of the classic “Anything Goes,” 3 pm at West Seattle High School Theater (part of the proceeds go to the West Seattle Food Bank, and they’re collecting extra donations – food and/or money – for the food bank, too).

‘GODSPELL’ FINALE: Last performance today, 3 pm, for the youth conservatory production of “Godspell” at ArtsWest in The Junction.

ALSO AT ARTSWEST TODAY – ‘BLOODY SUNDAY’: A special promotion:

Our box office will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and we’re giving you a sweet deal on tickets. All single tickets to any show will be on sale for just $20.12! And, the first 100 people in line will get awesome “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson” swag, and treats! Join us on August 19 as we kick off our great 2012-13 theater season!! 4711 California SW.

BENEFIT CLASS AT BIKRAM YOGA SEATTLE: 5 pm in The Junction, join Bikram Yoga Seattle (WSB sponsor) for a class to raise money for Plus One Foundation, which helps people with neurological injuries, disorders, or diseases. Details here.

Even more on the calendar!

Update: Police investigate Alki fight that left 2 hurt, 1 arrested

1:31 AM: Police are reported to be investigating an incident in the 2800 block of Alki SW – that’s where fire crews were dispatched to an “assault with weapons” call. According to scanner traffic, at least one suspect is in custody and a gun was found – we don’t know anything yet about any possible victim(s) – there’s a possibility someone else may have been involved. More as we get it.

1:58 AM UPDATE: Our crew is on scene but we haven’t sorted out yet exactly what happened – police are talking to a variety of people, and the activity seems to be concentrated in the alley behind the 2800 block, though multiple cars and a fire engine are visible on Alki SW itself. On the scanner, police have mentioned two “victims,” no indication of what type of injury nor how serious. We’ll update when we are able to get some information directly from police.

2:17 AM UPDATE: Police confirm one arrest and two victims taken to the hospital, but exactly what happened is still being sorted out.

3:16 AM UPDATE: As of right now, Southwest Precinct Lt. Alan Williams tells WSB that officers are still trying to “piece together” exactly what happened, but they do know, he says, that “2 people were injured as the result of a fight disturbance. They were both transported to the hospital for further evaluation and treatment. One suspect – an adult male – was arrested and a handgun was recovered. The investigation is ongoing and the cause of all of the victims’ injuries has not been determined at this time.”

4:18 AM UPDATE: Via radio, dispatch just told police investigating this case that the hospital reports “the stabbing victim has a gunshot wound to his chest.”

9:45 AM: Just posted on SPD Blotter:

A verbal argument led to a fist fight and shots fired. Just shortly after 1:00 a.m., the victims and suspects were very intoxicated and got into a verbal argument at the Bamboo Tavern at 2806 Alki Av SW. Soon it developed into a bloody fight. A gun was pulled and at least one shot was fired. One victim sustained a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. The second victim sustained a concussion and a possible broken rib.

The two suspects fled. Responding officers located and arrested one suspect and recovered the handgun.
Both victims were transported to Harborview Medical Center for treatment of their non-life threatening injuries. The victims’ conditions are unknown at this time. The second suspect is still at large. The arrested suspect was booked into King County Jail for Investigation of Assault.

West Seattle weekend scene: Just a KISS before you go

One hot ticket outside West Seattle/White Center on Saturday night did have a local connection: Before KISS headlined the White River Amphitheater (with Motley Crüe), three fans got custom KISS-style face paint at the Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), courtesy of FBL general manager Bradi Jones, who shared the photo – she’s the non-face-painted person in it, with, from left, Persia Saffele of the FBL (“Paul Stanley”), Pete Yore (“Ace Frehley”), and Nicholas Brown (“Peter Criss”).

Followup: Traffic-stopping West Seattle wedding-party photos

(Photos by Katie Meyer for WSB)
This morning, we mentioned a West Seattle couple’s plan to take their wedding-day photos in The Junction, by the Easy Street Records sign congratulating them. We of course couldn’t resist the photo op ourselves. Above, the Walk-All-Ways light changes and the wedding party dashes into the street. Next, a group pose:

Katie says it took a few cycles for a practice run, then several for the actual photos.

Now, here’s where we share the couple’s backstory, courtesy of Auburn Scallon, who was a bridesmaid (in a wedding party she described as 90 percent West Seattleites):

Sean Jolly, a West Seattle real estate agent, and Michelle Mierz, Miss West Seattle Hi-Yu 2000, originally met at Our Lady of Guadalupe school. Years later, they reconnected after running into each other in the West Seattle junction and within hours their friend Tiara Johnson asked them, “Why aren’t you two married?!” Three years later, the couple is taking that advice in a ceremony at Holy Names Academy.

Their official wedding photographer is Tara of Tara Leigh Photography, in the striped shirt:

Congratulations to Michelle and Sean!

Happening now: Sunrise Heights neighborhood block party

As sunset approaches, Sunrise Heights is just getting warmed up. Tonight’s their big neighborhood block party. And we have photos courtesy of a member of one of the bands that are playing – Rick Price from BottleRockit. Here’s the first band, MoonGirl:

You probably recognize Rick’s name – when not onstage, he’s onscreen, a longtime local TV journalist, working for KIRO (Channel 7). Where’s Sunrise Heights, you ask? Roughly – east of 35th between High Point and Westwood.

ADDED: And thanks to Tom for sharing this photo:

The party is a volunteer-powered annual event, part potluck, part contribution-funded, with proceeds benefiting the Sunrise Heights Neighborhood Association.

First-ever West Seattle Guitar Show coming to Feedback Lounge

Announced today by Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) co-proprietor Jeff Gilbert:

PICK AT IT: THE 1st ANNUAL WEST SEATTLE GUITAR AND GEAR TRADE SHOW with special live performance by AARON DANIEL

Saturday, September 15, 6 PM

Pick At It is a unique spin on guitar trade shows as it features ONLY West Seattle guitar makers, sellers and tradesmen showcasing their wares. Included event sponsors are…

THUNDER ROAD GUITARS

Owner Frank Gross, buys and sells vintage guitars and amps worldwide through his online store, and is one of the city’s top authorites on guitars.

TODD GUITARS & REPAIRS

Todd Baker is a highly trained and skilled luthier, not only repairing all aspects of guitars, but making custom acoustic basses as well.

GREEDTONE

Greg Williamson is widely known for his extremely popular and hand-crafted Greedtone guitar effects pedals (now carried nationally by Guitar Center) and hand-built amplifers. Greg is also the sound engineer for the annual West Seattle Summerfest.

FASTBACK GUITARS

Every Fastback guitar is exclusively designed and hand crafted for guitar players by guitar players. Fastback also has a line of popular custom made amplifers and is a recording studio as well.

KILLROOM STUDIOS

Owned and operated by Shadowland’s Ben Jenkins and Greg Williamson (Greedtone), this Georgetown studio is fast becoming one of the more in-demand rooms in Seattle to record in.

AARON DANIEL

A West Seattle resident and one of the more unique guitarists in Seattle, Aaron – who recently performed two sold-out shows at The Moore Theatre with the Seattle Rock Orchestra – will be doing a live showcase at the event.

Come buy and trade, try out amps and effects pedals, get a free tune-up on your guitar and hang out with tons of fellow musicians and guitar geeks and fans. There will also be a themed cocktail designed by the legendary Matt Johnson. (Wait ’til you see what it is!)

Delridge Day 2012: As-it-happened coverage, plus bonus photos

(Photo by Nick Adams for WSB, added post-festival: Giorvi Merca, 9, at 3-legged race finish line)
11:25 AM: It’s the biggest festival of the summer in eastern West Seattle – and Delridge Day 2012 has just begun, in and around Delridge Skatepark (Delridge/Genesee), which was dedicated at last year’s DD.

(As-it-happened photos, through 3:01 pm update, by WSB’s Patrick Sand)
All the info’s here – lots to watch, lots to do, lots to see. The festival is an all-volunteer production again this year – presented by the North Delridge Neighborhood Council:

At the NDNC booth, that’s Kirsten Smith and Parie Hines. (Parie also leads WSB sponsor LD Arch Design.)

11:40 AM UPDATE: It’s not a festival without RapidRide Man – who’s here along with the big red and yellow bus, previewing the service that will be launched in West Seattle next month, parked along 26th SW on the northwest side of the playfield:

That’s also where you’ll find a food truck, Athena’s from Highland Park. Meantime, here from across the street at Youngstown – it’s the West Seattle Tool Library’s new mobile unit:

That’s Stu Hennessey from Sustainable West Seattle and Alki Bike and Board – ABB is sponsoring the skate competitions that are under way till 2 pm (with free skate to follow) at the skatepark during today’s festival.

12:12 PM UPDATE: The sun has just emerged! When you come to the festival, say hi – we’re by the entrance along Genesee, west of the skatepark. We’re here not just to cover it but also as co-sponsors:

Face painting, bouncy house, balloon art, all part of the Kids’ Zone.

1:12 PM UPDATE: After looking over at the Evo booth near ours and noticing a regal little Shiba Inu, we went over for a photo:

That’s Ryu, sitting on the table in front of Hahn. Lots of dogs here – there’s plenty of space between booth rows, for them to walk comfortably with their people. Meantime, a Zumba performance, flash-mob style, erupted over by the stage a little while ago:

(Video to come.)

2:16 PM UPDATE: First politician sighting – just talked to City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, who was marveling at how well the skatepark is working out, especially considering, as he recalled, it was originally slated to be built up by Myrtle Reservoir – until neighbors opposed it so strenuously, alternate sites were sought; Delridge welcomed it.

Just about everyone we’ve talked with has described today’s festival, meantime, as “mellow,” “low-key.” The police are here – but it’s community outreach, not an emergency response:

The festival’s on till 3.

3:01 PM NOTE: And so soon, it’s over! Thanks to everybody who came by to say hello. We have more photos to add, from WSB contributing photojournalist Nick Adams, which we’ll add later – have to move on now to more of what’s happening today.

ADDED SATURDAY NIGHT: As promised, more photos! From here on out, they’re all by Nick Adams for WSB:

That’s Rafael Newman break dancing with groups Break Animal and Catch Them All.

Read More

West Seattle scenes: Sign of a wedding; plus, Doctor Who in Pigeon Point?

The sign’s up at Easy Street Records – and we’re told the newlyweds will be in the area for photos in a few hours – Auburn e-mailed to share the photo and the news of Sean Jolly and Michelle Mierz – who first met as schoolmates long ago, and much later reconnected and fell in love – getting married. More on that later today.

The other sighting is at the north end of Pigeon Point:

Mark sent that photo – and earlier, Jim sent us one from last night – and as far as we can tell, it just might be a sign that Doctor Who is wandering timelessly around Pigeon Point today. Not a Dr. Who fan? This might explain.

West Seattle weddings: Congratulations, Kristina and Kane!

Another West Seattle wedding announcement!

Kristina Graubins & Kane Jamison are happy to announce that they were married on August 11th at Lincoln Park. The happy couple moved to Seattle from Champaign, IL in 2008 and have lived in Arbor Heights for just over a year. When they’re not walking their dog Ben or tending to their new flock of chickens, they can be found chiseling away at their endless list of urban homestead projects. Please send your happy vibes to the new couple!

West Seattle Saturday: More than 30 ways to spend the day (and night)

August 18, 2012 9:40 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Saturday: More than 30 ways to spend the day (and night)
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news

Another one of those days with so much going on, that instead of replicating the WSB calendar list here, we’re pointing you there – more than 30 events from morning till night, including the Delridge Day festival 11 am-3 pm (here’s the full schedule/vendor list – we’ll be reporting live). Find the list here – click on the right side of any line to expand it for a preview, then the “read more” at lower right of that preview to go to the full listing page, including times, address, and map. Have a great day!

West Seattle scenes: 34th District Democrats’ Garden Party 2012

(Photos by Nick Adams for WSB)
Today, you’ll find volunteers from the 34th District Democrats in a booth at the Delridge Day festival – just hours after the organization’s biggest fundraiser of the year, the Garden Party. Last night, partygoers basked in evening sunshine at West Seattle Nursery, with the theme “All-American Barbecue,” and with this area’s highest-ranking politician serving as auctioneer/emcee:

With King County Executive Dow Constantine, that’s the 34th DDs’ chair Tim Nuse at left, and the ubiquitous reminders that this is a presidential election year. The event’s theme even inspired some costuming – Chris Porter was in the red-white-and-blue spirit:

More of WSB contributing photojournalist Nick Adams‘ scenes from the Garden Party, ahead:

Read More

The WSBeat: Trail attack; park problems; tenant’s trouble

By Megan Sheppard
On the WSBeat, for West Seattle Blog

As always, the WSBeat summaries are from reports on cases handled recently by Southwest Precinct officers, incidents of note 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 (whenever)?”:

*Around 7:30 a.m. on a recent Thursday, a 15-year-old was assaulted on the bike trail near the steel mill by two men who told him to empty his pockets. He was punched and knocked to the ground (and also struck back, bloodying one suspect’s nose). The suspects — considered to be possibly homeless because they were described as “both pretty dirty” — were described as black men: One in his twenties, about 6 feet tall, wearing a white short-sleeved T shirt; the other in his forties, about 5’8”, wearing a black beanie, black shirt, and brown baggy pants. They remain at large.

Ahead, five more summaries, including the case of the arrested landlord, and trouble at/near Lincoln Park:Read More

Saturday previews: Delridge Day reminder; ‘Yellow Submarine’ at West Seattle Outdoor Movies

August 17, 2012 11:52 pm
|    Comments Off on Saturday previews: Delridge Day reminder; ‘Yellow Submarine’ at West Seattle Outdoor Movies
 |   Delridge | West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news | West Seattle Outdoor Movies

BIG Saturday ahead. You can preview it all right now on the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar. And here are a few details on two of the biggies:

(Click to see map full size in Delridge Day brochure, with vendor list)
DELRIDGE DAY: Tons of fun packed into a four-hour festival, 11 am-3 pm Saturday in the park between Delridge Community Center and Delridge Skatepark. We’re sponsoring the Kids’ Zone, with a bouncy house, face-painting, picnic games, and balloon art. You’ll also find live music (the schedule’s in the official brochure), dozens of booths (come say hi!), two food trucks, the Alki Bike and Board skate competitions, and more.

WEST SEATTLE OUTDOOR MOVIES: Second-to-last Saturday for the year (!) … The Beatles’ animated “Yellow Submarine” is the movie; trivia with Jessie from Skylark Café and Club is the preshow fun; the courtyard next to Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor) is the place. You’ll also find Furry Faces Foundation there selling/making pet tags (read about the program here) starting around 6 pm. Movie’s at dusk – it’s free, but bring $ for pet tags and nonprofit-benefiting raffles and concessions!

TLC ahead for Lincoln Park, in Parks Department ‘jamboree’

August 17, 2012 5:57 pm
|    Comments Off on TLC ahead for Lincoln Park, in Parks Department ‘jamboree’
 |   Fauntleroy | West Seattle news

Every so often, a Seattle Parks property gets extra attention via what the department calls a “jamboree” – with staffers from all over the city deploying to the chosen park. The next one is Lincoln Park, as discussed at the Fauntleroy Community Association‘s board meeting this week. Parks manager Carol Baker came to the meeting to share some early details:

Read More

West Seattle Farmers’ Market vendor suffers Taylor Bridge Fire loss

(Photo by Mike Siegel/The Seattle Times – republished with permission)
This Sunday, when you see River Farm Organic Produce at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market, you might consider buying something extra – we’ve just learned that their family has lost a home in the big Taylor Bridge Fire in Central Washington. An anonymous family friend e-mailed to let us know about this, and to say that River Farm does plan to be at the WSFM this Sunday. We have since confirmed this with market management, which explained that the family farm itself was spared, as was the home of the farm family’s patriarch, but the fire destroyed the home of his daughter and her husband. In addition to supporting them directly, we’re told they also will benefit from the Neighborhood Farmers’ Market Alliance “Good Farmer Fund,” which helps with emergency relief for vendors hit by crises like this. (You can donate to that fund online here.)

West Seattle air conditioning! Restaurant suggestions (add yours!)

A message sent to the WSB Facebook page requested a list of air-conditioned restaurants. So we asked for suggestions – here’s what we have so far (sorry we haven’t linked them all, but the WSB Restaurant Guide is a shortcut to info):

Melissa, Micki, Anmari, Lucretia: Circa
Julia, Dorothy, Jenny: Zeek’s Pizza (A/C *and* a patio, Julia notes)
Betsy, Molly, Jaime: Spiro’s
Katie, Sara: Freshy’s
Kristin, Tessa: Fresh Bistro
Teresa: Puerto Vallarta
Andy: Wing Dome
Guy: Yen Wor
Susan: Angelina’s
Aimee: “La Romanza Bistro is air conditioned and our cocktails with put a nice chill on you :)” (Editor’s note, La Romanza is a WSB sponsor)
Julie: Talarico’s
Jaime: Admiral Pub and Spiro’s
Tessa: Fresh Bistro

Our notes: Both Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) and The Bridge have pointed out they have A/C. (The Bridge is now open for lunch, by the way.)

P.S. Food/beverage spot suggestions that aren’t restaurants:

Donna: ‎Stuffed Cakes

Ronda: Full Tilt Ice Cream

CeeCee: “Have dessert for dinner and go to Baskin-Robbins? Jamoca Almond Fudge sundae with whipped cream! You’ll be cool inside and out – just have to exercise a bit more when it cools down.”

Lindsey: “Beveridge Place AND they are having the cider revival. Nice and crisp!”

Wendy: Beer Junction

P.P.S. A few non-food/beverage (more or less) suggestions that were shared:

Nyla: “Sorry no food, but Cherry Consignment will be nice n cool & we have a great “toy box” for your kiddos.”

Kambra: “It’s not a restaurant, but the Bartell’s at Jefferson square has INSANE AC… i nearly cried.”

Erik: “The Highland Park Improvement Club is ALWAYS nice and cool & tomorrow night at 6:30 is FREE FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT!!!It’s the 3rd Friday of every month! The have popcorn, candy, drinks and all of the concessions are delicious & affordable, so bring a pillow, blanket, etc. and come on down!!!” (Editor’s note: This is also part of today’s “West Seattle Friday” preview.)

Amanda: “The bowling alley for the win!! Awesome happy hour AC blasting the whole building was nice and cool.”

Elissa: “The Seattle Children’s Museum has AC :)”

Donna: “Try getting out on the water! (Thursday) was a perfect day for kayaking!”

And a question:

Rachel: “Any newborn-friendly places? I’ve got two very hot little kiddos at my place!”

Thanks for the suggestions, questions, etc.!

West Seattle Crime Watch: Stolen Blazer; window-smashing car prowl

Two West Seattle Crime Watch reader reports this morning, starting with Barb‘s stolen Blazer:

Sometime between 5:30 am on Thursday 8/16/12 and 5:30 am on Friday 8/17/12 my green (but dirty) 4-door Chevy Blazer was stolen from where it was parked on Belvidere. It was at the corner of Grayson and Belvidere in the Admiral area. The license plate is ____-NNJ.

Call 911 if you find it.

(3:15 PM UPDATE: See the thread in comments – turns out Barb’s vehicle was impounded. But SPD apparently didn’t know that – they even tweeted it as stolen.)

Report #2, a car prowl in Upper Alki, reported by Syd:

I live on 59th Ave SW (near Charlestown) and wanted to alert people that last night someone tried to break into my car, attempting twice to break my passenger window. Thankfully they were unsuccessful, but they smashed the window and damaged the door frame. This is the second time in the past few months that my car has been targeted.

If you have a Crime Watch report to share with your neighbors via WSB, editor@westseattleblog.com – but please report it to police first!

Followup: Duff McKagan’s partly-shot-in-West-Seattle film almost complete

West Seattle filmmaker Jamie Burton Chamberlin has big news – his feature film featuring Duff McKagan’s Loaded is almost done. The video above is from an interview in which the project is discussed by McKagan himself, whose most recent star turn was as Seafair Torchlight Parade Grand Marshal. Before that, the film was shot in a variety of places around the area, including West Seattle venues such as Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) and West 5 (where we covered the wrap of filming last September – here’s that story), along with scenic spots like Alki.

Chamberlin says the film, “The Taking,” will “be released in episodes; a total of 10 vignettes/music videos that will tell a tale of totally bizarre adventures, imprisoned band members, and kids’ size ice cream cones. The series begins Fall 2012. There are numerous cameos in the film including: Jerry Cantrell and Sean Kinney of Alice in Chains, former Guns ‘n’ Roses guitarist Gilby Clarke, Steve Jones of Sex Pistols, and Lemmy Kilmister from Motorhead.” Chamberlin is producer and director for “The Taking,” and promises more news soon on exactly where you’ll find the vignettes when they start rolling out.

West Seattle Friday: Music, movie, dancing, theater, more

August 17, 2012 9:58 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Friday: Music, movie, dancing, theater, more
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Don Brubeck‘s photo shows one place to beat the heat – a shaded field! Thursday photo from Alki Playfield)
You probably have your heat-beating strategy fine-tuned by now … after today, the forecast says, it’ll get back to something resembling normal. Lots of great ways to spend your Friday night, and a few things during the day, in our highlights from the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar:

DONATE TO WESTSIDE BABY: There’s a donation drive at the soccer camp that West Seattle Soccer Club is having at Riverview Playfield today – “Pack the Goal with PJs and Pants.” They’re collecting those items in sizes 4-12, till noon, and offering a chance at prizes including Sounders tickets.

BALLROOM DANCING: It’s the monthly event with Lauren Petrie at Delridge Community Center, 1:30 pm – details here.

SUMMER CONCERTS AT THE MOUNT: 85th Street Big Band plays tonight – optional dinner/drinks available for sale at 5:30 pm, music (free!) at 6, south side of the Providence Mount St. Vincent campus (4831 35th SW), more info (including the menu) here.

GARDEN PARTY: The 34th District Democrats‘ fundraising auction, with live music, food from The Swinery, ice cream from Full Tilt, and guest auctioneer County Executive Dow Constantine, starts at 6 at West Seattle Nursery (California/Brandon); more info here.

THE NOISE GUY! He’s at Alki Community Center at 6:15 tonight – details here.

MOVIE NIGHT AT HIGHLAND PARK IMPROVEMENT CLUB: “Ratatouille” is on the screen – bring the family! 6:30 pm at HPIC (12th/Holden), details here.

‘ANYTHING GOES’ AT WEST SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL THEATER: It’s the second weekend for Twelfth Night Productions ‘ (WSB sponsor) version of the Cole Porter classic – don’t forget to bring nonperishable food for the West Seattle Food Bank! – 7:30 pm (ticket info and more on the TNP website; 3000 California SW).

‘GODSPELL’ AT ARTSWEST: Three more chances to see the youth performers put on this show! 7:30 pm.

MORE LIVE MUSIC: Bob “Bobcat Bob” Rice at C & P Coffee (WSB sponsor), 6 pm … Barbie Anaka at Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor), 8 pm … Panama Gold, Western Medicine, Loyal Kites at Skylark, 8 pm … Fiasco plays Feedback Lounge at 9:30 pm.

Throwers’ national championships in West Seattle this weekend

West Seattle Stadium will be the site of national-championship competition this weekend, as dozens of throwers come from around the country, as explained in this news release we just received:

Men and women ages 30 and over will be contesting the United States Track and Field Association’s (USATF) National Masters Throws and Ultra Weight Pentathlon Saturday and Sunday at West Seattle Stadium. Events begin at 8 am each day.

The throws pentathlon is a Masters (age 30-105+) event consisting of 5 events – the hammer, shot put, discus throw, javelin throw, and weight throw. They must be contested in order. Weight of implement goes down in 10-year increments after age 50 as age increases. Athletes compete in 5 years age groups, 50-54, 55-59 etc. Each distance, for each event, has a point score based on its relationship to the world records for the events. The athlete with the highest number of points wins.

The First Masters National Championship was held at Husky Stadium in 1992. It was organized by West Seattle residents Ken Weinbel and George Mathews (former WS resident and meet director of this year’s event), with the help of West Seattle resident Leon Joslin. That first meet was conducted by the Seattle Masters Athletic Club, who is also responsible for building the area’s only hammer cage 18 years ago at West Seattle Stadium. The ultra weight pentathlon was also created by Weinbel and Mathews and will be contested on Sunday.

Three-time Olympic hammer thrower and flag bearer at the LA Olympics, Ed Burke, 72, of Los Gatos, Ca. will be competing and looking to break world records in the Throws Pentathlon and Super Weight Throw in the meet this weekend. Meet Director and five-time Masters World champion in the weight and hammer throw, George Mathews, will be looking to break his American record in the age 65-69 Super Weight (44lb.) throw. Over 60 athletes have entered the meet and come from all over the United States.

The Kenney’s new CEO Ed Mawe debuts at annual barbecue

August 16, 2012 9:51 pm
|    Comments Off on The Kenney’s new CEO Ed Mawe debuts at annual barbecue
 |   The Kenney | West Seattle news

Residents and staff at The Kenney (WSB sponsor) have been getting to know new CEO Ed Mawe over the past few weeks, but tonight was the first big public event at which he appeared – the continuing-care retirement center’s annual barbecue.

Mawe joined The Kenney last month, not long after the departure of previous CEO Kevin McFeely. That’s according to information provided tonight by Moraine Byrne, president of Ontrac Management Services, part of Covenant Retirement Services, an Illinois-based firm also recently hired by The Kenney, to help with management and positioning. Byrne tells WSB that Mawe has “many years of serving senior adults in the Tacoma and Portland areas.” Online research shows Mawe’s past leadership roles include tenures at Franke Tobey Jones in Tacoma and Mary’s Woods in Portland.

Back to the barbecue – The Kenney’s park-like northwest lawn provided shade, both trees and tents, and a chance for residents, relatives, and neighbors to enjoy each other’s company.

The barbecue is an annual August tradition.

West Seattle outdoor music: Braxmatics tonight, 85th Street Big Band tomorrow

The two hottest nights of the week are coinciding with the nights for West Seattle’s ongoing weekly summer outdoor concerts. First, tonight at Alki, The Braxmatics:

They boogied at the beach, during the annual Alki stop for the Summer Concerts at Hiawatha series presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association.

(Video added)

Next Thursday, it’s back to Hiawatha, with Caspar Babypants, 6:30 pm, free as always.

But first – another free outdoor concert in West Seattle tomorrow! The Summer Concerts at The Mount series will feature the 85th Street Big Band at 6 pm Friday, south side of the Providence Mount St. Vincent (WSB sponsor) campus, which is usually shady by showtime. Bring a chair/blanket – and some $ if you’re interested in dinner (tacos with toppings bar – available starting at 5:30 pm), hot dogs/hamburgers, or other treats.