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Spotlight Stories

West Seattle traffic alert: California/Fauntleroy asphalt work
July 5, 2012 12:31 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle traffic alert: California/Fauntleroy asphalt work
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

Thanks to Tim for the note – we noticed this a little while ago, too, and he suggested it was alert-worthy: California/Fauntleroy has been a work zone for a while, with lane restrictions many days, but it’s worse today because asphalt work is being done, so you may find it even slower going – if you have to pass through that area (especially between west and east) you might consider a detour. (Also regarding alerts – remember the Admiral Way bridge exit closure tomorrow, and the westbound Spokane St. Viaduct closure over the weekend.)

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Countdown time: One week till West Seattle Summer Fest Eve!
July 5, 2012 11:57 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

That’s not the official name for the night before West Seattle Summer Fest begins – in other words, next Thursday night, July 12th – but it might as well be. The streets will close in the festival zone (California SW between Oregon and Edmunds, plus half the block north of Oregon, and SW Alaska between 44th and 42nd) in early evening, and the fun starts shortly thereafter (along with the festival setup). Including:

(The band outside West 5 on ‘Summer Fest Eve’ in 2010 – there’s video in our story from that night)
*West 5 brings back the Yada Yada Blues Band, “live in the street,” right outside. West 5’s Dave Montoure says, “California Ave closes promptly at 6:00, we’ll have our outdoor cafe set up and operational as soon as humanly possible. Come see Milky, Steb, Don, John, and maybe a special guest or two. 8 pm.”

*The also-legendary Bubbleman, last seen BEFORE a downpour shortened last month’s Morgan Junction Community Festival, will be as bubbly as ever in the street outside Elliott Bay Brewing at 6 pm (per his own event calendar)

*It’s the July edition of the West Seattle Art Walk that night, 6-9 pm, and while WSAW is *not* a Junction-only event, you’ll find lots of participating venues there – watch wsartwalk.com for the map/list.

Summer Fest itself (co-sponsored by WSB) runs 10 am-8 pm on Friday 7/13, 10 am-8 pm Saturday 7/14, 11 am-5 pm Sunday 7/15 (with beer garden and live music continuing past the vendor-closure times Friday/Saturday). The music lineup is here, vendor lineup/map here – and remember that many of your year-round Junction merchants have sidewalk sales during Summer Fest, too, so stroll the sidewalks as well as the festival pathways.

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West Seattle Thursday: What’s happening, post-holiday
July 5, 2012 10:04 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Sand pattern from Wednesday’s low tide, by “old desolate” via the WSB Flickr group pool)
From the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar:

LIBRARY STORY TIMES: Three this morning at local libraries – the systemwide events calendar lists them all.

ONE LAST LOW-LOW TIDE: Today’s low tide is -2.7 feet at 12:35 pm, still low enough that the Seattle Aquarium volunteer beach naturalists are out too (11 am-2:30 pm, locations here).

COLMAN POOL SCHEDULE CHANGE: Because of a swim meet, the schedule is different for the next three days; today, the pool won’t open to the public till 3 pm. Changes detailed here.

SHOP LATE THURSDAY IN THE JUNCTION: It’s weekly all summer long, 6-9 pm. See the list of participating stores/restaurants by going here.

NEW DRUM CIRCLE: Should be a beautiful night for this – a Thursday night drum circle is forming at Alki, starting at 6:30 pm. Details are in the calendar listing.

NIGHTLIFE: Free poker and live music at The Bridge (4439 35th SW) starts at 6 pm … Jim Page plays C & P Coffee (WSB sponsor; 5612 California SW), 6-8 pm … At Skylark Café and Club, it’s In Cahoots and The Goddamn Devil, 8 pm …

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West Seattle nightlife: Poggie Tavern dance-contest benefit
July 5, 2012 8:40 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

(WSB photo from May 14)
Four weeks ago, Poggie Tavern in The Junction reopened after damage from a fire in May kept it closed almost a month. A local band sends word of this benefit tomorrow (Friday) night:

The Poggie Tavern caught fire and had to close for a while. My band VikingRaider.com is hosting a Dance Contest there July 6th to help get them going again. It’s from 9 pm to 11 pm. Music goes till 1 am.

We are giving away prizes from the local West Seattle merchants, many have been donated. Zamboanga, Twilight Artist Collective, Husky Deli, and C&P Coffee are among the merchants participating. We got some rocking rhythm and blues featuring Dr. Harp and Ron Bronstom on Harmonica backed by the VikingRaider.com band. Grand Prize at 11 pm; also, prizes after The House Is A-Rocking, Jumping Jack Flash, and Stray Cat Strut.

The Poggie’s at 4717 California SW.

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West Seattle 4th of July: Fireworks viewing from Admiral; other notes
July 5, 2012 12:27 am
|      30 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

Thanks to Jamie Kinney for sharing the view from the Admiral Bridge over Fairmount Ravine. Jamie says about 40 people watched from the bridge, and has a gallery with more images here.

Overall, so far, no major trouble. We roamed the busiest West Seattle spots in the hour and a half or so pre-fireworks, and during. Police were out on Alki in a big way – every half block or so, vehicles and officers were standing guard, including a few vans and even a small SPD bus. We don’t know yet if they had to make any arrests. 911 suggests no callouts for injuries.

Since the weather was so clear, multiple fireworks shows were visible from West Seattle – Bainbridge, from Alki Beach Park; Vashon, from Constellation Park, and a few others further south (not sure if the southernmost one was Des Moines or Tacoma).

ADDED 8:55 AM: While personal fireworks remain illegal in Seattle, as commenters have noted (particularly following our report on the small Admiral fire from last night), they proliferated. WSB contributor Nick Adams noticed this at Hamilton Viewpoint Park:

We’ll be checking around this morning on day-after cleanups at local parks/fields. Nick also photographed people who were at Hamilton to watch the Lake Union fireworks:

(If you find this story in subsequent years and wonder how early to get there – we stopped by around 8:45, an hour-plus before fireworks, and the park was jammed with cars, so unless you come really early, you have to plan alternate transportation, or park some distance away and walk.)

ADDED 10:09 AM: One more fireworks view – from Ilona Berzups, with the new Seattle Great Wheel showing its colors too:

Here’s another of her views, on Flickr.

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Update: Fireworks blamed for small fire in North Admiral
July 4, 2012 10:01 pm
|      30 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

10:01 PM: We’re in the 2200 block of California SW, where fire crews are checking out a “fire in building” call. More shortly.

10:03 PM UPDATE: It’s NOT a “fire in building” as per the original call – a bush/tree caught fire near Mind Unwind, the gallery/event venue a couple buildings north of the ex-Blockbuster.

10:14 PM UPDATE: WSB contributor Christopher Boffoli sent the photo above after also checking out the scene; he says a witness saw the small fire sparked by fireworks.

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West Seattle wildlife: In the trees and on the beach
July 4, 2012 6:15 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Wildlife

While walking in Lincoln Park yesterday afternoon in relation to this story, the group we were covering stopped to check out a baby eagle in a nest high above. We couldn’t get a photo – but today, Gay did, along with the photo below, and tells the tale:

We got some great directions to the nest from our friend Tami and then good guidance from a kind stranger. Amazing chance to see one of the juveniles quite literally “out on a limb” waiting for lunch. The adult dropped off a big fish in the nest, rested a bit on the same limb and then went right back out to the Sound for more fish. It was glorious…enjoy!

Speaking of the beach, we mentioned today’s low tide in the morning preview. Jim Clark shared some sights on the beach, including this one:

Check out his gallery here.

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Video/photos: West Seattle 4th of July Kids’ Parade 2012
July 4, 2012 3:38 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

(Photos by Nick Adams for WSB, unless otherwise credited)
Today’s West Seattle 4th of July Kids’ Parade was truly super. And not just because of superheroes-for-the-day Jake Haupert and 4-year-old son Quinn. The weather was super. So was the turnout.

We of course caught the entire parade on video – about 16 minutes for all participants to pass our camera at the start of the route in North Admiral – but unscientifically, we’d agree with someone who declared the crowd “denser” this year:

(Video by WSB editor Tracy Record)
We noticed more spectators too, like Jeff Kusowski and canine companion Dewey:

The West Seattle Hi-Yu contingent, as always, led the parade, right after a Seattle Police motorcycle officer and Seattle Fire Engine 29:

From there, a steady stream of red-white-and-blue – from streamers to ribbons to balloons like the ones flying high as Gretchen Evans pushed, from left, Thomas, Jackson, and Waylon:

Patriotic face-painting, even:

That’s Tessa Gates, 10, watching as Cheryl Jones painted a flag on daughter Katy, also 10. Once the parade finished crossing California SW at Atlantic, it was game time at Hamilton Viewpoint Park – here’s 7-year-old Aidan Schreck jumping ahead of his fellow sack racers:

Wheelbarrow races, too:

Now, a few more scenes from the pre-parade festivities as well as the games afterward:

Read More

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West Seattle 4th of July scenes: 32nd SW parade; Avalon sale
July 4, 2012 1:16 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

More photos from this holiday – a new tradition and a not-so-new tradition:

Turns out there were TWO parades at 10 o’clock this morning! The 4000 and 4100 blocks of 32nd SW (west of Avalon Way – map) gathered for their first-ever 4th of July Bike Parade; thanks to Vince for the photo – he says it was “well-attended” plus – “there was food.”

Not far away, a West Seattle business’s traditional 4th of July sale has less than 2 hours to go:

At Avalon Glassworks (on Avalon Way just south of the West Seattle Bridge), the holiday has become a traditional day for a “seconds” sale. Co-proprietor Shannon Felix (photo right) says a line of shoppers was waiting when they opened up at 9 this morning; the sale continues – while the glass lasts! – till 3 pm.

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West Seattle 4th of July Parade traffic alert: California’s open again
July 4, 2012 10:56 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle 4th of July Parade traffic alert: California’s open again
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

That little guy was the very last West Seattle 4th of July Kids’ Parade participant to cross California SW at Atlantic, and with that, the road reopened a few minutes ago. The post-parade festivities are still in full swing at Hamilton Viewpoint Park. We’ll have a full parade report with video and photos a bit later!

P.S. Till our full coverage of the parade is done – here’s the video of the entire parade (which we’ll transfer over to the in-progress story when it’s ready):

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West Seattle 4th of July: Police help raise The Junction’s flags
July 4, 2012 9:53 am
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

If you were up early – and in The Junction – you might have wondered what brought four police cars to 42nd/Alaska. Nope, nothing bad …

Those are the four Southwest Precinct officers who, along with one other citizen, answered the West Seattle Junction Association‘s call to help their all-around guy Don Smathers (center) with the task of placing flags along the heart of The Junction for the holiday. We followed along – photos ahead:Read More

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West Seattle 4th of July 2012: Today’s toplines
July 4, 2012 8:43 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

(Thanks to Don Brubeck for the photo of a holiday-ready cargo bike parked during a ride along Alki)
Welcome to the holiday! Our FULL list of Independence Day events and notes for West Seattle is on the WSB 4th of July page – including a few business notes, fireworks-watching, and more. Of particular note otherwise:

WEST SEATTLE 4TH OF JULY KIDS’ PARADE: The only holiday parade in West Seattle starts at 10 am at 44th/Sunset in North Admiral, all kids, of all ages, invited. Here’s our most recent preview, including the route map (organizers ask that you NOT park along it, particularly Atlantic St.). Even if you’re not participating, please note that at one point California SW is blocked both ways at Atlantic for the parade to cross, and it takes a while.

LOW-LOW TIDE: Been waiting for sunshine AND a day off to walk the beach during an extra-low tide? Today it’s -3.2 at 11:50 am.

COLMAN POOL: The newly reopened, newly renovated outdoor pool at Lincoln Park *is* open regular hours today (though indoor Southwest Pool is closed). Schedule’s here.

WADING POOLS: Doublecheck the hotline after 9 am, but today’s forecast looks promising for them to be open today. Lincoln Park, E.C. Hughes, and Hiawatha would be the ones open on Wednesdays when the weather criteria are met – here’s the schedule.

Again – lots more on the West Seattle 4th of July page.

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West Seattle wildlife: Hummingbird at rest, in nest
July 4, 2012 3:59 am
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks | Wildlife

Mark shares the photo of a Rufous Hummingbird he spotted in a nest recently in a maple tree. He’s in the Fauntleroy Park area.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: 3 thefts – painting, iPhone, scooter
July 3, 2012 9:32 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Three West Seattle Crime Watch reader reports tonight. First – have you seen the painting at right? If so, police need to know. Its artist, Mariel, says it was on display at the Admiral Theater – until someone stole it:

Recently, I put up a few paintings inside the Admiral Theater. They’ve been up now for a few months. Last week however, I went to the theater to watch a movie. I looked at my art as I walked by, and everything appeared in place. Upon exiting, I started chatting with Dinah, the manager. She mentioned how much people love the paintings, etc. She mentioned one of them.

As I looked over, my boyfriend & I both noticed it was missing.

Mariel’s report continues – along with two other reported West Seattle thefts – ahead:Read More

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West Seattle 4th of July Kids’ Parade tomorrow, & parking reminder
July 3, 2012 7:25 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Fun stuff to do | Holidays | West Seattle news

(WSB photo from 2010 4th of July Kids’ Parade)
All systems are go for tomorrow morning’s West Seattle 4th of July Kids’ Parade through North Admiral streets, according to coordinator Sherri Chun. And she has one big reminder for people who are either coming to the parade in the morning or going to be in the area for some other reason:

I was just down along the parade route and I was asked by a resident to get the word out – please do not park on Atlantic Street between Sunset and California. This is along the parade route, and if you park there you will actually be obstructing the parade. The parade route runs south on Sunset to Atlantic, east on Atlantic, across California, then north again on Palm, ending at Hamilton Viewpoint Park. The police do not enforce parking. They are there to manage traffic during the parade.

Here’s the route on a map:


View West Seattle 4th of July Kids’ Parade in a larger map

It starts at 44th and Sunset at 10 am tomorrow – kids of all ages welcome, whether walking, riding a bike or scooter, being pulled in a wagon, as long as it’s non-motorized; the fire engine and pickup truck at the head of the parade are usually the only motorized vehicles involved. And if you can, please bring a dollar or two for the donation boxes at the start of the parade route and the end (Hamilton Viewpoint, where there’ll be games on the green as long as the weather’s OK – the parade is rain or shine, the games are weather-dependent) – there’ll be concessions, too, offered by the Admiral Neighborhood Association. For even more parade info – all the way down to the anthem singer! – check our preview from 2 weeks ago.

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West Seattle traffic alert: Pre-holiday getaway time
July 3, 2012 5:17 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

Thanks to @pockrat for tweeting that photo of a traffic backup on Fauntleroy SW north of Lincoln Park a little while ago. Fauntleroy is likely to be busy as the holiday getaway traffic adds to the usual evening-commute ferry lines – plus the RapidRide-related construction continues in the dock vicinity. If you’re heading out, whether by ferry or bridge, we have a variety of relevant local cameras on the WSB Traffic page.

P.S. Speaking of traffic alerts – if you saw our story earlier about Friday’s Admiral offramp closure on the westbound West Seattle Bridge – please note, the story’s been updated; the time frame has changed to a window between 9 am-3 pm.

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West Seattle police: ‘All hands on deck’ for patrols this summer
July 3, 2012 2:42 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police

A comment discussion following our story on Sunday night’s Highland Park crash included a discussion of why there’s not always someone on duty at the Southwest Precinct front desk. Today, precinct commander Capt. Steve Paulsen explains that and other temporary changes are part of a citywide summer emphasis on maximizing patrols:

To our West Seattle Community Members,

The summer months are historically very busy for us due to numerous special events as well an increase in emergency calls for service. We have noticed that City-wide, our response times for priority 1 calls have edged into our 7 minute expectations. This increase is due to several factors which includes staffing, summer 911 call loads as well as an increase in crimes of violence which the Department has responded with Safety Emphasis patrols in many parts of the City. The emphasis patrols are gleaned from each precinct and centralized for City-Wide deployments.

Given these recent demands, we have put “all hands on deck” and reassigned our Community Police Team officers and other precinct staff into patrol cars for 911 response.

This decision was difficult and has caused us a great amount of dissonance because we firmly believe that keeping our precinct open and available to our community is very important in maintaining that partnership we value.

We will make every attempt to staff a precinct desk officer so folks can personally stop by for questions as well as get needed assistance. I would like to apologize in advance that our hours of availability will be limited and sporadic at best. Most likely if the precinct is actually open, it will be weekdays between 8am and 2pm. Outside of those hours, there is a telephone next to the main entrance where folks will be directed to our Communications Dispatch Center who can assess individual calls and send an officer for assistance.

I am anticipating that we will be back to normal operations this September…Your men and women police officers of the Southwest Precinct wish everyone in West Seattle a fun and safe summer. Again, thank you for understanding as well as helping us make West Seattle one of the safest communities in the City.

Sincerely,

Captain Steven Paulsen
Commander, Southwest Precinct

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Followup: Go Ape zipline/swing proposal for Lincoln Park – where it stands, and more
July 3, 2012 11:59 am
|      137 COMMENTS
 |   Lincoln Park zipline proposal | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(Start of GoApe course in Great Britain’s Delamere Forest. Photo copyright Jonathan Kington; licensed for reuse via Creative Commons)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

The Go Ape proposal to build and operate a commercial zipline/rope-swing attraction across six-plus acres of 135-acre Lincoln Park‘s treetops did not just swoop in out of the blue.

We’ve been gathering more information in the four days since we broke the news about the proposal – which had not previously been brought to general public attention, though the city and the UK-based company have been working together for almost a year. Our original report is now the third-most-commented-on non-snow story in WSB’s five years of covering West Seattle news, with 235 comments as of this morning.

The comments so far are mostly expressions of concern or opposition. Last weekend, opponents launched a Facebook page – “Stop GoApe Zipline in Lincoln Park.” So far, we have not heard of any corresponding effort by supporters (if there is, please let us know).

In research so far, we found that two other urban-park-based proposals in the U.S., where it has three locations in addition to its two-dozen-plus in Europe, were dropped after opposition similar to what’s being voiced here, while one potential location, on land owned by a California airport, appeared to have been welcomed by the community. Ahead – more on that as well as new information about how the Lincoln Park proposal emerged, and what happens next:

Read More

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Fauntlee Hills woman’s 2011 death now classified as homicide
July 3, 2012 9:44 am
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

When Seattle Police launched an upgraded version of their SPD Blotter website yesterday, it included a new feature: This list of unsolved murders. The list of victims of course includes Greggette Guy, found dead off Beach Drive in March. But there’s another West Seattle victim on the list, one we didn’t notice, till SeattlePI.com crime reporter Casey McNerthney (whose report is here) did: Kaari Higgins, who died after being found seriously injured in a home on SW Concord in Fauntlee Hills in January 2011. There had been rumors her death might have been homicide, but when we checked with police in early 2011, it was not classified as such, and that’s the last we heard of the case, until now. The brief summary on the new SPD “Catch a Killer” page:

Kaari Higgins was a loving mother to her two children, 10-year-old Ryan, and 13-year-old Lindsey. Kaari was found injured and unconscious inside her home on 44th Avenue SW and SW Concord Street on January 8, 2011. Medics rushed Kaari to Harborview, where she died from her injuries. The King County Medical Examiner determined Kaari’s injuries were not caused by an accident or a fall, and this case is being investigated as a homicide.

If you have any information on this or other unsolved homicide cases, the SPD Tip Line is (206) 233-5000. Ms. Higgins and Ms. Guy are the only West Seattle victims on the list, which SPD says dates back to January 2010.

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Think … snow? West Seattle Bridge temperature-sensor installation
July 3, 2012 9:23 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

(EDITOR’S NOTE: It has changed twice but as of Thursday afternoon, the Friday ramp closure is now scheduled for 6-9 am, per SDOT)

ORIGINAL 9:23 AM REPORT: A few people have asked about the portable sign around the merge point from 99 to the westbound highrise West Seattle Bridge, warning the Admiral exit will be closed 6-9 am on Friday (July 6th). That didn’t match any of the advisories we usually get, so we asked SDOT what it’s about. Spokesperson Peg Nielsen says it’s a short closure for installation of a temperature sensor. You might recall that sensors for bridges around the city were mentioned in Mayor McGinn’s budget speech last fall; they’re expected to help improve the response to wintertime trouble, especially when conditions change quickly, and outside forecast parameters.

4:54 PM UPDATE: SDOT has just sent an official advisory, and the closure times have changed to a window between 9 am and 3 pm Friday:

West Seattle Bridge, Admiral Way Exit
Friday, July 6, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (expected to be approximately three hours during this period)
*The off-ramp to Admiral Way from the West Seattle Bridge will be closed and traffic will be detoured to harbor Avenue, Avalon Way, SW Manning Street, and back to Admiral Way.

ADDED: A little more info about the sensors, from SDOT’s Marybeth Turner:

They will be installed on a total of 8 elevated structures around the city.

After installing the sensors, we will have to get them connected properly and get any bugs worked out before they will be ready to use

Once they are operating, they will tell us the surface and ambient temperatures.

This info will give real time info to SDOT’s snow/ice responders to help them determine when to apply anti icing liquid or granular salt. The info will also be used for the U of W for the Snow Watch program.

UPDATED 3:17 PM THURSDAY: The closure time is now BACK to 6 am-9 am.

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West Seattle Tuesday: What’s up as the holiday approaches
July 3, 2012 8:50 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(That’s Schmitz Park in the center of pilot/photographer Long Bach Nguyen‘s image)
Happy day-before-the-4th! If you’re looking for holiday info, find it on the WSB West Seattle 4th of July page; as for today, here are a few notes:

NO BRIDGE CLOSURES TILL THE WEEKEND: Since we usually start the daily preview with an update on what’s closed today/tonight – we’ll note here that everything’s open. No 99 closures are scheduled for the rest of the week; the Spokane Street Viaduct has nothing planned until a Thursday night lane closure and then the full-weekend westbound closure (both detailed here).

LIBRARY STORY TIMES: There are three in West Seattle on the Seattle Public Library calendar today – see the list here.

LOWEST TIDE OF THE MONTH: It’s down to -3.4 feet at 11:03 am today, and the Seattle Aquarium volunteer beach naturalists are out too – 10 am-2 pm at Constellation Park south of Alki Point and at Lincoln Park (usually near Colman Pool).

FUNDRAISER FOR FIRE-AFFECTED PETS: Tonight at Beveridge Place Pub, a special beer offering, to raise money for pets affected by the Colorado fires, 6-9 pm, details here.

STAND-UP PADDLEBOARDING: Haven’t had time to check out the Tuesday night races before? Maybe tonight! 6 pm from Alki Kayak Tours‘ HQ at Seacrest.

NIGHTLIFE: Jason Sees performs at Löcöl tonight, 7 pm … Trivia That Rocks at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), 8 pm … Baby Ketten Karaoke at Skylark Café and Club, 9 pm …

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Video: West Seattle’s weekend wildlife – underwater, off Alki
July 2, 2012 10:47 pm
|      16 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Wildlife

Sure, things can get wild on the beach at Alki. But here’s the true meaning of the word – what you find underwater. Diver/environmental advocate Laura James shares this video, from what she and friends found off 64th/Alki this past weekend. (P.S. Voted for Laura in the Cox Conserves Heroes competition yet? No? Then, go here!)

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West Seattle scene: Ladder 13’s last crew
July 2, 2012 10:29 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

Over the past several days, we’ve mentioned the Seattle Fire Department setting today as the date for taking Ladder 13 out of service – the truck added to West Seattle more than a year ago to make up for the fact that extra crews from points east couldn’t get to big incidents over here so easily while there was no SODO access to the westbound West Seattle Bridge. That problem’s over now that the new onramp is OK for emergency use. So last night, we covered what turned out to be L13’s final call, a crash a few blocks away; this morning we stopped by the station right before 8 am, when we had heard the truck officially would go out of service. Indeed, the 8 am tone and roll-call announcement sounded over a speaker, and with that, the crew said, they were done. From left in our photo, Ladder 13’s final crew – Mike McDonald, Lt. Jim Dallas, Scott Marcus, Matt Reilly, and Babe Witter.

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