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Update: Crash at 17th/Roxbury clearing, no major injuries
July 13, 2012 1:45 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | White Center

1:48 PM: Big police and fire response in south West Seattle is headed to an “rescue/automobile” call in the 1700 block of SW Roxbury. We’ll be there shortly.

2:09 PM: Turns out the crash was not as serious as it looked – fire crews canceled fast – it was along the city/county line. King County Sheriff’s Office deputies at the scene told WSB contributor Christopher Boffoli (who sent the photo above) that nobody had to be taken to the hospital. Tow trucks are there already and traffic is getting back to normal.

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West Seattle development: Avalon Way project about to start
July 13, 2012 12:51 pm
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

Thanks to everybody who tipped us to this: Chain-link fencing has gone up around the now-vacated homes that will be demolished to make way for the 3261 Avalon Way residential project, six stories and 120 apartments. (That’s usually the first step toward demolition – second step, “no parking” signs out front, though no sign of them as of this morning.) Here’s our most report on the planned project, from January, when the land-use permit was granted.

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Live at West Seattle Summer Fest 2012: Friday afternoon
July 13, 2012 12:43 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news


12:43 PM: The weather is calmer and the crowd keeps growing at West Seattle Summer Fest, with day 1 well under way – and we’re live in the Information Booth again this year; drop by to say hi, pick up the festival flyer, a free West Seattle Art Walk button, a West Seattle Chamber of Commerce Resource Guide, postcards and mini-flyers for other summer fun (WS Outdoor Movies, Delridge Day, the WS Junction Car Show) … The info booth is on the southwest corner of California/Alaska this year, right outside KeyBank, front row to everything. LOTS of people here so far. Here again are the handy info-links:

Vendor list and map: 3 ways to browse – searchable list, PDF list, zoomable map
Music schedule: Here
Alaska Stage schedule: Here
GreenLife schedule: Here

On the Alaska Stage right now, first event of the day – a West Seattle Hi-Yu presentation, including royalty like Queen Kayli, who had her umbrella handy earlier just in case:

The number one question is always – where’s the kid stuff? Again this year, it’s on the west side of the festival zone, in the Wells Fargo parking lot, under the WF drive-thru (that’s where Pathfinder K-8 and Curious Kidstuff are sponsoring art activities and facepainting). The ticket booth for the kids’ rides is right next to one of them, the scrambler-type ride, on the west side of the western food zone along SW Alaska.

Another area you might miss if you’re not looking for it – GreenLife on the south end of the festival zone – where we found Stefan Hansmire of Ncompass (WSB sponsor) with Chas Redmond and Bill Reiswig of Sustainable West Seattle:

Oh, and this just in – beer gardens open at 2!

2:07 PM: Sun’s out and the activity zones are all in full swing. Some highlights coming up:
Bubbleman (who performed in the street last night) is at the Alaska Stage at 3:45 today; that’s also where you’ll find Caspar Babypants at 6:30 tonight.

3:12 PM: Along with the sidewalk sale outside year-round merchants, the vendor booths in the middle, you’ll also find lots of local nonprofit organizations – like Northwest Hope and Healing, promoting next month’s Alki Beach 5K:

And Seal Sitters:

And speaking of critters … we met Morgan‘s mohawk-sporting Pomeranian, Bogie:

You never know who you’ll see.

4 PM: This is the Summer Fest breakout treat so far (well, besides the deep-fried peanut-butter sandwiches) – coconuts:

Young coconuts, for sale on the north side of the California/Alaska intersection – $3 each or 2 for five bucks. (That’s Jarred Shelton in the photo.) They’ll cut them open for you here – and you can also find them, not cut, at QFC (whose booth they’re in. Steps away, at Cupcake Royale, their ice-cream cart is debuting:

Small scoop about $3, regular scoop about $4. For a more adult type of treat, head to one of the beer gardens – one by the Alaska stage, one up by the California stage:

Feedback Lounge is managing the one by the Alaska stage. Co-proprietor Jeff Gilbert stopped for a photo earlier with West Seattle Junction Association director Susan Melrose:

Summer Fest is on till 8 tonight (with bands and beer gardens running a few hours beyond that) – and of course continuing Saturday and Sunday. We’re in the info booth for the duration … thanks to everyone who’s stopped by to say hi so far – it’s always great to meet you.

7:20 PM NOTE: We have some evening coverage going in a separate story.

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West Seattle Weather Watch: Yes, that’s thunder
July 13, 2012 10:09 am
|      38 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

Last night’s version of the National Weather Service forecast did NOT include thunderstorms for today – but the 8:15 am update today added a “chance” for this afternoon. Seems to be a bit early, as thunder’s been quite audible for the past 15-plus minutes, and we hear it’s raining on the Eastside. None so far in West Seattle – but let us know what you’re seeing/hearing, because you know what they say about “microclimates”!

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1st open house July 19th for Fauntleroy Way ‘Green Boulevard’
July 13, 2012 10:05 am
|      35 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | Triangle | West Seattle news

(Rendering of potential Fauntleroy Way ‘green boulevard,’ from June 2011 Triangle open house)
FIRST REPORT, 10:05 AM: Thanks to Sharonn Meeks of the Fairmount Community Association for sharing a photo of a postcard she just received in postal mail at her home, so we can share the info with you – we have not seen any other mention of this yet, and it’s less than a week away: The city has scheduled its first open house on the Fauntleroy Way “Green Boulevard” concept – after including $250,000 in this year’s budget to study the idea of turning Fauntleroy Way into a “boulevard,” with a treed median, through The Triangle, between 35th SW and SW Alaska. Love the idea? Don’t like the idea? Want to know more? We’re asking SDOT when some kind of formal announcement is forthcoming, but the postcard Sharonn received says the open house is at 4 pm next Thursday (July 19th) at the Senior Center of West Seattle (California/Oregon). It also includes a city website address that as of this writing doesn’t appear to be working yet. We’ll update when we get more info from SDOT.

4:41 PM UPDATE: Some more info from SDOT re: the open house:

The open house will provide community members an opportunity to provide input on conceptual design alternatives for the Fauntleroy Way SW Green Boulevard Project. The project itself is between 35th Ave SW and SW Alaska Street on Fauntleroy Way SW and seeks to transform this section of the corridor into more of a gateway into West Seattle. The alternatives could include elements such as a landscaped boulevard, planted medians, better pedestrian zones, lighting and better crossing movements. This is all part of a larger plan that originates from the West Seattle Streetscapes Concept Plan.

We are inviting community members to come to the open house to review the alternatives, share their thoughts on the conceptual design plan and generally let us know what is most important to them about this section of the corridor.

SDOT’s Marybeth Turner also points out that “funding right now only allows for a conceptual design (10 percent) and a proposed alternative to be selected this year. Funding would still need to be secured to move this project into a design greater than 10 percent and then into physical construction.”

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Love Lincoln Park? Here’s your chance to show it
July 13, 2012 10:03 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

In discussion the past two weeks related to the now-scrapped proposal for a commercial zipline/tree-swing/etc. attraction in Lincoln Park (WSB coverage archived here), many said they would happily offer what they could, time and/or money, to help the park. So here’s your chance to volunteer some time – the next work party:

Get your green workout and help make West Seattle an even healthier place! Join Friends of Lincoln Park for a forest restoration and maintenance work party.

Sunday, July 15, 9 am to noon
Meet at the kiosk in the north parking lot (Fauntleroy Way SW and SW Rose St)

Long sleeves and pants, sturdy shoes or boots highly recommended. Bring your favorite work gloves or we have extras to share.

We’ve done an amazing amount of invasive plant removal in the park, so maintaining our gains by going back to areas we’ve worked previously is vital! And we get the satisfaction of seeing what great work we’ve done.

Please contact Lisa McGinty, Volunteer Forest Steward, with any questions: 248.506.7155 or lmcginty206@gmail.com.

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West Seattle Friday: Summer Fest, day 1, and other highlights
July 13, 2012 9:00 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

That’s the “live” city traffic cam at California and Alaska, which we’ll dub Summer Fest Cam for the next three days, in honor of West Seattle’s biggest party of the year, starting at 10 this morning. We’ll be reporting live throughout Summer Fest, while helping out at the central Information Booth (wave at us as you walk by, or stop to say hi!) right at that intersection. But first, to start the day, some handy Summer Fest links *and* other Friday highlights:

WEST SEATTLE SUMMER FEST LINKS: Today’s official hours are 10 am-8 pm, with the beer garden and music running later. Here’s the festival-zone map:

The main music stage is on California north of Oregon, with a few acts and other community performances/events on the “Alaska Stage” east of California. The kids’ zone is near Wells Fargo, north of Alaska and off 44th SW; GreenLife, with a focus on sustainability how-to’s (tons of demonstrations and presentations!), is west of California, north of Edmunds, on the south side.

Vendor list and map: 3 ways to browse – searchable list, PDF list, zoomable map
Music schedule: Here (first performance 12:45 pm)
Alaska Stage schedule: Here (first event 1 pm)
GreenLife schedule: Here (first event 12:45 pm)

Also today/tonight:

FINAL WEEKEND FOR XANADU: You’re already in The Junction for Summer Fest, why not go cheer the young performers who’ve spent the past few weeks singing and acting the hearts out? “Xanadu” at ArtsWest ends its run Sunday, and tonight it’s onstage at 7:30 pm.

BOBBY DARIN TRIBUTE: At Kenyon Hall tonight, 7:30 pm, Bob De Dea salutes Bobby Darin in Singin’ and Swingin’ with Bobby D. More details on the KH website.

SUMMER FEST AFTERPARTY: Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) in Morgan Junction has live music tonight and tomorrow, billing itself as “the official WSSF aftershow party” venue – tonight at 10, it’s Gunn and the Damage Done.

And that’s only part of what you’ll find on the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar.

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Furry Faces launching pet-tagging program @ Summer Fest
July 13, 2012 8:23 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Pets | West Seattle news

Starting today, at West Seattle Summer Fest, West Seattle-based animal-advocacy group Furry Faces Foundation will launch a new campaign called “Tag Your Pet…It Ain’t Graffiti!” to raise awareness about the importance of pet tags, providing tags for $5 to $8 each.

In their announcement, Furry Faces says pet tags are the #1 way lost pets are reunited with their owners. For pets without tags, however, Furry Faces says the statistics are bleak. And even though 80 percent of pet owners believe it is important for their pets to wear ID, only thirty-three percent of them have their animals tagged. So thanks to the donation of a new pet-tag engraver, Furry Faces hopes to improve these numbers. Through their new program, they will engrave and sell pet tags and collars to owners on the spot, with funds from the sales going to provide tags for financially-restricted pet owners. Interested? Then stop by one of their upcoming events – list ahead:Read More

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More West Seattle scenes: North Delridge to the Admiral District
July 13, 2012 2:29 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle Art Walk | West Seattle news

Besides roaming The Junction on West Seattle Summer Fest Eve/West Seattle Art Walk night, we also took a side trip north on Thursday night. First, to North Delridge, for a firsthand look at the West Seattle Tool Library‘s new mobile unit – a delivery/pickup trailer – as reported here; posing with the new trailer are the Ask-an-Expert/WSTL/Sustainable West Seattle crew who were on hand at the library’s Youngstown home when we visited. Next, over to the Admiral District for a few of its West Seattle Art Walk venues:

At Merrill Gardens-Admiral Heights (WSB sponsor), we met Chloe Cho (photo above), who makes and sells beach-glass jewelry. A bit further north, Mind Unwind brought together art and science, as proprietor Krystal Kelley put it – the former, from artist Walter Scheirer, who she explained “has rendered the natural abstracts in insects using mis-tinted latex house paint on salvaged hollow-core doors”:

And the science, from collector Don Ehlen with Insect Safari, who showed “more than 2,000 insect specimens from all over the world”:

Finally, we dropped in on State Farm agent Brent Amacher, who was being neighborly by hosting portrait photogapher Dawndra Budd – who also works at Mission next door:

The next Art Walk is August 9th, 6-9 pm.

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Another epic West Seattle sunset! Followed by lightning…
July 12, 2012 10:34 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

Laura “Diver Laura” James sent that first photo (by the way, you have a few more days to vote for her and help get a grant for Sustainable West Seattle) …Then, Annika got this view as the colors intensified further:

We got a text a few minutes ago saying lightning was visible from Alki. Then, we saw some in the northwest distance from here, just now – nothing in the forecast so far, but as we learned a few days ago, anything can happen, so let us know what you see/hear!

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Hot night! West Seattle Summer Fest eve & July Art Walk, report #1
July 12, 2012 6:44 pm
|    Comments Off on Hot night! West Seattle Summer Fest eve & July Art Walk, report #1
 |   West Seattle Art Walk | West Seattle news

6:44 PM: We’re starting the night in The Junction, where the party is on, as the streets are now closed on the eve of West Seattle Summer Fest. Above, Lora Swift celebrating the 10th anniversary of her Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (north end of The Junction, close to where the Summer Fest music stage will be set up shortly) – West Seattle-created Venom Vodka is here, with owner Mark Miceli:

Also at Hotwire, DJ Lunaglow is mixing on the patio – more details on the party here. We’re roaming both West Seattle Art Walk stops and Summer Fest prep, and in many places, like here, it overlaps. Summer’s also in full swing at Twilight Artist Collective:

The new West Seattle Art Walk buttons are here, and that’s made Erin smile! Come to the info booth at Summer Fest tomorrow (where you’ll find us, too) to get yours, free. Back to what’s up tonight – it’s bazaar time at Easy Street Records:

The Art Walk fun goes on till about 9 – it’s Shop Late Thursday in The Junction too (some of the sidewalk sales are already under way – at WSB sponsors J.F. Henry and Click! Design That Fits, to name two where we’ve seen merchandise outside the storefront).

And we’ve got a crew roaming elsewhere in WS too!

7:18 PM UPDATE: It is not Summer Fest Eve without the now-West Seattle-residing Bubbleman:

His traditional show filled the street with cheering kids – and now we’re a few steps away in the ex-Petco, current Sound Ad Group HQ pending the 4724 California development – the crew in here is working on another edition of the West Seattle Podcast, as we speak … and making sure those crazy animatronic creatures still work. (added) They do! Center of attention, lip-synching Justin Bieber‘s latest …

(There’s also AIR CONDITIONING in here, you should know.) Live music ahead in the street – Yada Yada Blues Band outside West 5, and there’s a troubadour outside the boutique zone on California south of Oregon. More to come.

9:15 PM: Your editor here wound up on the WS Podcast with Jason, Tao, and Celeste (and our son). Drop by sometime – they’d love to put lots of West Seattleites “on the air”! We then wandered out to check out the Yada Yada Blues Band outside West 5 (under the appropriately blue tent):

(added) A minute of video from their set:

West 5 is one of several Junction restaurants where you’ll find short-term sidewalk café setups during Summer Fest – sure, there are the standard street-fair food vendors, but you can also enjoy your year-round faves in new ways. Speaking of vendors, they are all working into the evening to get ready for tomorrow, when WSSF begins at 10 am:

We’ll add a few more photos… we also have a separate report from stops in North Delridge and the Admiral District. But tomorrow, all eyes are on the festival … we’ll start the day with some don’t-miss highlights,and you can browse music/community stage/vendors/everything at wsjunction.org/summerfest.

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West Seattle businesses: Suite Arrangements’ new home – and a domino move for WS Produce
July 12, 2012 3:39 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

We’re continuing to keep you updated on new homes for the businesses that have to leave the future Equity Residential development site at California/Alaska/42nd – and today, we have another move confirmed, plus a “domino effect” of that move:

The furniture-consignment store Suite Arrangements is moving to 4722 Fauntleroy Way SW, just south of Alaska, the former rental-outlet site where West Seattle Produce moved late last year (2011 WSB photo at right) – and in turn, WS Produce is moving into another part of the same building, just to the north. (The Beloved Mexico food truck is staying in the parking lot.)

West Seattle Produce is making its move this weekend, and plans to be open in its new space on Monday. Suite Arrangements says it’s having a sale right now to get ready for closing its Junction location on July 29th and reopening in the new Fauntleroy Way storefront on August 1st. (added) SA owner Geoff Abadian says in his formal announcement, “With all the development planned here in the next several years, the only way West Seattle can retain a good part of its distinctive charm going forward will be for existing small businesses to be more creative and more diligent about providing their distinct offerings, and for local residents to continue patronizing them, as many are committed to doing.”

Our most recent story with updates on all the other affected businesses is here, including reminders that Rocksport Bar and Grill and Rubato Records both shutting down after this Sunday (July 15th). Rocksport does not plan to reopen (and is having an auction July 24th); Rubato is still looking for a new location. Meantime, Super Supplements, which closed in The Junction last weekend, will reopen in its new Morgan Junction location tomorrow.

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West Seattle Crime Watch followup: Guilty plea in Alki gunfire case
July 12, 2012 2:28 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

While checking WSB archives in relation to this morning’s “automatic gunfire detection” story, we noticed we had lost track of the case of 26-year-old Nicholas J. Bowman, arrested for allegedly shooting at a man behind Cactus on Alki late one night in March (WSB coverage here), after pointing and waving his gun at others outside nearby Bamboo. No one was hit or hurt; witnesses called 911 and described Bowman and his vehicle, which was stopped by police on Harbor Avenue. Investigators at the gunfire scene found one 45-caliber shell casing in the area; Bowman was charged days later with one count of second-degree assault. Online records say he pleaded guilty to that charge two weeks ago and will be sentenced July 27th. As part of the plea agreement, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office recommends a sentence of 3 years, 3 months – with 3 years of that being the mandatory sentence “enhancement” for use of a deadly weapon. He has no felony criminal history, but five misdemeanors, including three drug charges, larceny, and a driving violation. Bowman’s been in jail since his arrest 3 1/2 months ago. (March WSB photo by Christopher Boffoli)

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‘Apparent low bidder’ for Roxhill skatepark: West Seattle’s Grindline
July 12, 2012 11:49 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Following up on our report from last month, we checked today with Seattle Parks‘ project manager Kelly Davidson, and she says that West Seattle-based Grindline is the “apparent low bidder” for the Roxhill Skatepark (skatespot)/play area project (the playground equipment itself will be installed by community volunteers after the site is prepped). There were three other bidders but in reviewing the proposals, the Contracting Department, Davidson says, deemed the other three “unresponsive.” Grindline (whose bid was $572K, about $30K over the estimate) designed and built Delridge Skatepark, which opened last September; construction at Roxhill is expected to start next month.

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Automated gunfire detector? Part of West Seattle on recommendation list
July 12, 2012 11:27 am
|      31 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Safety | West Seattle online | West Seattle politics

This afternoon at 2 pm, the City Council’s Public Safety, Civil Rights, and Technology Committee, chaired by Councilmember Bruce Harrell, looks at a high-tech solution to a recurring problem: How to tell when reports of gunshots are really gunshots – and how to find out about gunfire if no one reports it. The committee will see a presentation for a system called ShotSpotter, which involves acoustic sensors – a media advisory for today’s meeting summarizes it this way:

How will the Automated Gunfire Locating System work? When gunfire occurs outdoors, acoustic sensors will activate instantly and software will triangulate and identify the exact location of the gunfire. A gunfire and acoustic expert analyzes and validates the audio data and routes the alert to the police dispatch center. Within minutes, the police will receive critical information and arrive at the exact location of the gunfire knowing how many shots were fired, the original shooter’s position, speed and direction of travel (if shooter moved) and exact time of gunfire.

The company’s PowerPoint is online as part of the committee agenda, so we took a look, and noticed the map above – labeling part of West Seattle as an area recommended for the sensors, because it’s one of three areas in the city that together represent 55 percent of the shots/shootings/weapons calls (the West Seattle area mentioned is described as representing 8 percent of the calls), while only comprising 18 percent of the city’s acreage. Today’s meeting is a briefing – no specific proposal is up for a vote; too soon for that, and note that the slide deck says the cost of this is $40,000-$60,000/square mile annually – but if you’re interested in watching, Seattle Channel will have it live, on cable 21 and online at seattlechannel.org.

ADDED EARLY FRIDAY: Our partners at The Seattle Times covered the hearing; here’s their report.

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West Seattle Thursday: Summer Fest Eve; WS Art Walk; more…
July 12, 2012 10:30 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Thursday: Summer Fest Eve; WS Art Walk; more…
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Thanks to Don Brubeck for the photo! Forecast says the fog will clear away as it has the past few days – it’s peeking through even as we finish this roundup – and we should have sun for Summer Fest Eve/Art Walk/everything else happening tonight. Highlights:

JUNCTION STREETS CLOSE AT 6 PM: That’s when the West Seattle Summer Fest setup begins – since the peninsula’s biggest party of the year happens the next three days, it’s a big night of work to get ready. But also …

SUMMER FEST EVE IN THE STREETS: The setup is usually fairly low key, and that’s why fun stuff happens in the street on the night before Summer Fest, too. Bubbleman will be outside Elliott Bay, 6 pm; the Yada Yada Blues Band plays outside West 5 – as previewed here. AND …

SHOP LATE THURSDAY IN THE JUNCTION: Wander the streets AND the shops, till 9 pm, at participating merchants (listed here).

WEST SEATTLE ART WALK: In The Junction, in the Admiral District, on Alki, and other locations around West Seattle, tonight is the monthly Art Walk night, and even outside the Summer Fest zone, the spirit is more festive than ever on the July Art Walk night. Preview some of the venues and artists via the official Art Walk website; get your walking map/venue list here. Among the highlights: “Summer Lovin’,” themed John Travolta (!), group show opening at Twilight Artist Collective. 6-9 pm.

WINE CLUB AND LIVE MUSIC: At C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor; 5612 California SW):

Relax with a glass of wine and feel the warmth of Choro Tocando and the music of Brazil. Wine club meets on the 2nd Thursday of every month. Join us as we explore a new theme each month and feel free to bring an appetizer! $5.00 tasting fee or wines by the glass or bottle. 21 and older please.

BIG NIGHT AT THE WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: Ask an Expert, *plus* the Tool Library’s mobile-unit debut, and a visit from Spark Truck, all happening tonight, 6-8 pm, at the Tool Library’s Youngstown Cultural Arts Center headquarters (4408 Delridge Way SW)

WHITE CENTER (ETC.) ANNEXATION INFO MEETING: If you’re on the county side of the line and want to know more about the Burien annexation measure coming up on the November ballot, the next informational session is tonight at 6 pm, Dubsea Coffee in Greenbridge (8th SW, a block south of Roxbury).

DRUM CIRCLE ON ALKI: Second edition of this new weekly tradition. 6:30 pm, meet near the Alki Statue of Liberty. Details here.

DESC DELRIDGE PROJECT ADVISORY COMMITTEE: 6:30 pm at Youngstown – agenda details here.

34TH DISTRICT DEMOCRATS: Their agenda tonight includes a resolution related to the SODO arena proposal (read the text here). More meeting info at 34dems.org; meeting’s at 7 pm, The Hall at Fauntleroy (9131 California SW).

GENESEE-SCHMITZ NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL: Outdoor meeting tonight, on the upper playground of the Genesee Hill School campus, 7 pm.

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West Seattle traffic alert: Eastbound bridge STILL backed up
July 12, 2012 10:03 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

The northbound I-5 backup that’s caused trouble all morning is still not totally cleared out yet, and the eastbound West Seattle Bridge looks more like 7:30 am right now than 10 am. If you are used to getting out quickly this time of day or later, check the cameras first.

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Happy 70th wedding anniversary to Carroll and Connie Blackman!
July 12, 2012 2:22 am
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

A happy milestone today, shared by the couple’s family:

Today, the family and friends of West Seattle residents Carroll and Connie Blackman want to wish them a wonderful 70th wedding anniversary!

Out of this amazing marriage, the Blackmans produced three children, nine grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren (with another on the way), and two great-great-grandchildren.

Having lived most of their adult life in Arizona and California, Carroll and Connie moved to West Seattle in 2007 to be near family. Upon their arrival, they lived in the Diplomat condominiums in the Junction – making friends with their neighbors, Holy Rosary parishioners, and Husky Deli proprietors.

They recently moved to Merrill Gardens at Admiral Heights, where they are now making friends with the other residents and sharing their love with great-grandchildren who stop by unannounced for an ice cream bar or cookie. The West Seattle portion of their clan is thrilled to have the opportunity to share this wonderful milestone with them.

Congratulations, Grandma and Grandpa Blackman!

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Ncompass Construction: Video venture; Summer Fest spotlight
July 12, 2012 1:54 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Way back when so many West Seattle homes were built (WSB HQ dates to 1941), one bathroom was fairly standard. Somehow, the hectic life of today just isn’t too compatible, as longtime WSB sponsor Ncompass Construction‘s first-ever promo video illustrates. As Ncompass gets ready to participate in this weekend’s West Seattle Summer Fest, they’re also using that video – and two more on the way – to tell the world what they can do. Ncompass co-proprietor Stefan Hansmire says, “One of the things we are especially proud of is that several of the talent and many of the production staff are West Seattle residents including Westsider Meli Alexander, who will be moving back to LA this fall to pursue her professional acting career. Other WS talent includes Brian Gaynor, Reed Stannard, Kate Stannard and Erin Neal.” Right now, the vignette is showcased on this page of the Ncompass website, which also notes that their backyard-cottage workshop at Summer Fest is set for 1 pm Friday (July 13), in the GreenLife zone at the south end of the festival area.

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Advance warning of helicopter sightings Friday-Saturday!
July 11, 2012 10:28 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Helicopter | West Seattle news

If you see helicopters this Friday-Saturday, they are probably headed to the Museum of Flight for the American Heroes Airshow, “Courage at the Speed of Flight.” Twenty-two helicopters are scheduled to arrive: three on Friday, July 13th around 3 pm and the rest on Saturday morning. They will all start departing the museum around 3 pm on Saturday.

“Courage at the Speed of Flight,” Seattle’s only helicopter airshow, is a free event meant to celebrate public service. Here’s the Museum of Flight’s description:

Visitors can see how helicopters play an important role in law enforcement, fire service, public safety, communications, national defense and homeland security. The American Heroes Air Show features static displays, special presentations and entertainment. Representatives from many organizations including local flight schools, Border Patrol, Search and Rescue units, and the U.S. Coast Guard will be available to answer questions. See helicopters like the Blackhawk flown by the U.S. Army 16th Combat Aviation Brigade, as well as those flown by Airlift Northwest, KING 5 TV and many others.

Stop by the museum’s parking lot between 10 am and 3 pm to participate. You can even come early (starting at 7 am) just to watch the helicopters land and enjoy some free refreshments. This year, the airshow will also include a U.S. Citizen and Immigration Service naturalization ceremony for members of the military, first responders, and aviators who have applied for U.S. citizenship. The public is also welcome to this event.

Jen Boyer, the show’s director (who also provided the photo above), has been a West Seattleite for eight years. She is both a helicopter pilot and member of the Whirly-Girls, a female helicopter pilots association. The Whirly-Girls have volunteered their time as the event’s organizers since 2005, when the first show was held. Jen does it to teach the community, and especially younger generations, about the importance of the aircraft she loves:

When I was a little girl, I attended a small event like this where I sat in my first helicopter. I’d been interested in helicopters before, but seeing, touching and sitting in that helicopter did it for me. One day I reached my dream and became a pilot. I do this each year to inspire future generations, boys and girls alike, and to help the community on a whole learn about the value of helicopters in our community.

Find more info from the Museum of Flight here.

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Citywide traffic alerts for this weekend, including West Seattle Summer Fest
July 11, 2012 7:48 pm
|    Comments Off on Citywide traffic alerts for this weekend, including West Seattle Summer Fest
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

“Too many choices and not enough time,” is how SDOT headlines this weekend’s citywide traffic/event-alert list … which of course includes West Seattle Summer Fest. Since everything starts with the WSSF road closures tomorrow night, the list is out now – read on!Read More

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Happening now: 1st day for High Point Market Garden Farm Stand
July 11, 2012 5:32 pm
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 |   Gardening | High Point | West Seattle news

That’s the whiteboard for what’s available right now at the High Point Market Garden Farm Stand, open for the first time this year, Wednesdays 4-7 pm. The farmers took a quick break for our photo:

Their plots are literally next to the stand – so it’s as farm-fresh as you can get – 32nd and Juneau (map).

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Police-car-ramming suspect Sothany Sok charged with 5 crimes
July 11, 2012 4:24 pm
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 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Four counts of second-degree assault and one count of attempting to elude a pursuing police vehicle are the charges just filed against 37-year-old Sothany Sok of West Seattle. He’s the man arrested on the north end of Delridge Way SW (right) after police finally stopped him, following a pursuit that started at Don Armeni and proceeded west along Harbor/Alki Avenues, then east again, and under the bridge, with four police cars getting rammed along the way. We reported on the incident Sunday, and then followed up Monday on his bail getting set at $30,000; today, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office asked that it be raised to $100,000, and the judge granted that request. Sok is due in King County Superior Court for arraignment on July 25th.

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