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  • Closure

    LOW-BRIDGE CLOSURE: Continues today

  • Comeback

    DOUGHNUT COMEBACK: West Seattle return

  • Sale day

    WS GARAGE SALE DAY 5/11: Register by Thursday 4/25!

That explains it
October 15, 2008 2:47 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Delridge | Gas prices | West Seattle news

In our first-in-a-while West Seattle-wide gas-price check published Monday morning, we noted that the Delridge Exxon was, at least temporarily, out of the gas business – its pumps removed, a construction fence around the service islands. A just-issued city permit explains what’s going on: like the Exxon at Andover/California did a few months back, this one is switching to 76.

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Another West Seattle traffic alert: North side of Westwood Village
October 15, 2008 1:53 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle traffic alerts

In case you missed it in the comment thread on the Thistle crash – Aim reports that Trenton is closed on the north side of Westwood Village (map) because of construction work, and traffic was a “mess” when she went through a bit earlier. Don’t know how long this will last but we’ll check back on it later. Many projects affecting traffic are NOT pre-announced, so we appreciate hearing from you whenever you spot a problem, so we can in turn pass the information along. 3:19 PM UPDATE: Passed through the area moments ago, Trenton’s open again. Steel plates in place on the road, so drive slow!

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Update: Thistle reopened after crash between 39th & 40th
October 15, 2008 12:21 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Gatewood | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

Thistle’s closed in both directions between 39th and 40th due to a two-car accident. Traffic is being routed down the side streets while police are still investigating. One of the cars is still in the street along with some debris.

thistlecar.jpg

UPDATE 1 PM: Thistle is open again. One car was able to leave the scene under its own power. The other car has been towed.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Egg vandals strike again
October 15, 2008 12:18 pm
|      23 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Out of the WSB inbox, from Deb:

Our house (near the intersection of 38th Ave SW & SW Dakota St; map) has no off-street parking, so we park on the street. Sometime last night my car was egged, and I’m curious about whether anyone else’s cars were egged last night. I took a quick look at my neighbors’ cars and didn’t see any obvious evidence of egging, but I didn’t look too closely because I was running late after trying (unsuccessfully!) to clean the dried, cold egg off of my car. I hope no one else’s cars or houses were egged, but I’d be curious to hear about it if they were. I’m not sure if I should report this to the police. On one hand, I don’t want to waste their time and resources on something that’s relatively minor (albeit annoying and frustrating). On the other hand, I haven’t been able to get all of the egg off of my car, so I don’t know yet whether there’s any actual property damage. Now I’m off to search the interwebs for information about how to get dried egg off of my car without causing (more?) damage to the paint.

Yes, report it to the police. Coincidentally, the P-I’s 911 blog just took up this topic.

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A trivial matter (but fun): Skylark’s 1st Trivia Night tonight
October 15, 2008 11:52 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Fun stuff to do | WS culture/arts

We mentioned it when Skylark Cafe and Club joined the WSB sponsor team a few weeks back – but tonight’s the night so we’re mentioning it again: The first Trivia Night at Skylark. Proprietor Jessie Summa-Kusiak is your host; she’s presenting a four-round trivia contest every Wednesday night , 7 pm to 9 pm, sign up your team starting at 6:30. Jessie adds: “There is no minimum team size. $3 per person entry fee, cash prizes and more for the winning!” Skylark’s on the west side of Delridge, just south of The Bridge (map). (Skylark’s also doing “Come As You Aren’t” Halloween again this year – read about it on the Skylark calendar page.)

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West Seattle scenes: “Bon voyage” to ’08 cruise season
October 15, 2008 11:08 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Seen at sea

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Taken this morning at Don Armeni: That’s Celebrity Cruises‘ Mercury in the background, making the last scheduled cruise-ship call of the year, so when you see Mercury sail past West Seattle’s north-facing waterfront this afternoon, that’s it till next spring. The Port of Seattle has already posted the 2009 cruise schedule; ship visits are scheduled April 24-October 15, so far.

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35th SW safety: Speeder scorecard
October 15, 2008 9:04 am
|      21 COMMENTS
 |   High Point | Safety | West Seattle news

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A follow-up to last week’s pedestrian-safety rally at 35th/Juneau in High Point (WSB coverage here and here): One of the organizers, Denise Sharify from Neighborhood House, got word from SDOT about results of extra police patrols on 35th that day (photo above) and the following two days: 30 tickets were issued during the 10/7 rally, and 61 more – 45 of them for speeding – on 10/8 and 10/9, by four officers working 35th between Willow and Juneau, with the top ticketed speed listed as 55 in a 35 zone. As the precinct has reminded us before, this is a regular spot for patrols, too.

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Tonight: Morgan Junction, Delridge District meetings
October 15, 2008 7:52 am
|    Comments Off on Tonight: Morgan Junction, Delridge District meetings
 |   Delridge | Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

This month’s biggest week of community-group meetings continues tonight: The Morgan Community Association‘s quarterly meeting is at The Kenney at 7 pm; same time, different place (Southwest Precinct meeting room) for the Delridge District Council. A variety of items on both agendas, notably including local parks/rec projects — MoCA will get updates on the parks-in-progress at Myrtle Reservoir and next to Beveridge Place; the Delridge District Council includes a briefing on the West Seattle Stadium private-operation proposal (here’s our most recent report).

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The vote with $5,000 at stake for West Seattle: Final hours
October 15, 2008 12:45 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | Fauntleroy | West Seattle people

The folks running the “Cox Conserves Heroes” competition say voting ends at 8 o’clock this morning our time – so this is the last chance to get out the vote for Fauntleroy’s Judy Pickens, who’s being honored in the contest (along with four other regional conservation volunteers) for her work at and for Fauntleroy Creek. Note that the results page was misbehaving for much of last night, so don’t assume anything – just vote if you haven’t already. What’s at stake: The winner gets $5,000 to donate to her/his chosen nonprofit – and Judy has chosen the restoration heroes of EarthCorps.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Alerts from car-burglary victims
October 14, 2008 11:33 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Two more car-burglary reports came in tonight, this time from car owners who want you to know what happened to them in the Beach Drive and Admiral areas:Read More

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Admiral Neighborhood Association: Park update, and more
October 14, 2008 11:11 pm
|      29 COMMENTS
 |   California Place Park | Development | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Heartening to see new faces at both neighborhood-group meetings covered tonight by Team WSB, after our exhortation-let as the week admiralogo.jpgbegan … Our first report: The Admiral Neighborhood Association‘s monthly meeting, at Admiral Congregational Church. Turnout was about double the average crowd – up to about 20 in the room at one point – most there to hear the latest on a proposal for improvements at California Place, the mini-park adjacent to the church – and new developments were revealed, as well as other agenda items, all ahead:Read More

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Crime Watch alert: Scam targeting owners of missing pets
October 14, 2008 7:19 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Pets | West Seattle news

Got a call tonight from Southwest Precinct Community Police Team Officer Kevin McDaniel suggesting an alert about a scam that is particularly cruel in its choice of targets: Owners of missing pets. Some of those who have posted e-mail addresses online have received notes from people claiming they have the missing pet and are demanding ransom. Some are particularly obvious, not just because of the text – they sound like a spam e-mail – but also because if you put an excerpt of the text into Google or another favorite search engine, you’ll turn up other warnings that it’s a scam. If you do think you have gotten a note or call that might be a legitimate claim of pet-napping and/or ransom, of course, McDaniel stresses, call police (the non-emergency number is 206/625-5011).

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Holiday spirit, anyone? West Seattle Eagles’ invitation
October 14, 2008 4:23 pm
|    Comments Off on Holiday spirit, anyone? West Seattle Eagles’ invitation
 |   Fun stuff to do | Holidays | West Seattle news

holidaypresent.jpgWe’re still putting the finishing touches on our Holidays page (Halloween through New Year’s; but all the events we know about are already on the WSB Events page, if you can’t wait for a sneak peek) – and we have word that the West Seattle Eagles still have room for vendors at their holiday bazaar THIS Saturday – and at a turkey dinner afterward!

The West Seattle Eagles are having a holiday bazaar Saturday, October 18th, from 10 AM-5 PM. The Eagles are located at 4426 California Ave SW.

We are currently looking for vendors. Cost for a table is $15. We would like to keep the bazaar for arts, crafts, gift items, and baked goods for the holiday season. There will be no “White Elephant” or “Garage Sale” tables allowed. If interested in a table rental, or for general questions about the event, please contact Mary Lou Wilkerson at (206) 938-4426.

The Children’s Orthopedic Guild will be preparing a wonderful turkey dinner with all the trimmings to follow the bazaar at 5:30 PM. Both the bazaar and dinner are open to the public.

You can find the Eagles online at westseattleeagles.org.

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Election ’08: Door-to-door senators; signup deadline; I-1000 forum
October 14, 2008 3:05 pm
|    Comments Off on Election ’08: Door-to-door senators; signup deadline; I-1000 forum
 |   Fauntleroy | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

Early door-to-door alert: You might find a senator on your doorstep this Saturday. With ballots arriving in mailboxes this week, a major get-out-the-vote Democratic door-knocking effort starts with a rally at The Hall at Fauntleroy at 9:45 am Saturday, checkbox.jpgand our state’s U.S. Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell are scheduled to join them. More info here (it’s also on the 34th District Democrats‘ website; disclosure, they’re a WSB sponsor this month to get out the word about their “sample ballot” with 34th DD endorsements). By the way, if you are not currently registered to vote in WA, you can still register if you do it in person at county elections HQ in Renton – here’s a map – and this page has info on extended hours on deadline day next Monday. ONE MORE NOTE: Statewide Initiative 1000, “Death With Dignity,” will be the topic of a West Seattle forum Thursday 10/23; local churches opposed to I-1000 are sponsoring it but have invited advocates from both sides and are inviting you too — 7:30 pm 10/23 at West Seattle High School. More info on I-1000 and other races/ballot measures on the WSB Election page.

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Interested in diving into a West Seattle (van)pool?
October 14, 2008 2:02 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

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We’ve heard lately from more than a few people newly inspired to explore alternate forms of commuting. In one case, a West Seattle woman is arranging a get-together later this month to talk about new vanpooling options opening for people who head toward the Eastgate Park-and-Ride area in Bellevue.

*Thinking about how much you are spending on gas lately?
*Tired of driving in traffic but not sure of your options?
*Not ready to commit to anything yet, but willing to find out more?
*Looking to meet more of your West Seattle Neighbors?
*Wanting to talk to some people that are vanpooling now?

Come meet at Uptown Espresso in The Junction (Edmunds/Erskine/California; map):
Sunday, October 26th, 4:30-5:30 PM

This will be an informal gathering to meet and greet other West Seattleites and hear about the joys of vanpooling!

Metro provided the vanpool-vehicle photo, by the way, but wants to be clear it’s not sponsoring/presenting this gathering – it’s a 100% grassroots effort to get more people involved in West Seattle carpooling. (If you know you can’t make it on 10/26 but are interested in finding out more, e-mail get-together organizer Lisa, l.rough@comcast.net)

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West Seattle meals that matter: Chow down, lift up
October 14, 2008 12:46 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle meals that matter: Chow down, lift up
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Six chances ahead for you to dine while helping, and/or finding out about, more of the people who make West Seattle a better place – and there’s a deadline TODAY to sign up for one:

RESERVATION DEADLINE IS 5 PM TODAY, EVENT IS SATURDAY: The White Center Food Bank‘s Harvest Dinner and Auction is Saturday night – starting with the silent auction @ 5:30 pm, SSCC’s Brockey Center. Full details here; $60/person, 206/762-2848, or rick@whitecenterfoodbank.org. We just talked with Audrey at WCFB and she says they need reservations by 5 PM TODAY so they can get the catering order in. (Remember, as we often mention, WCFB serves a sizable chunk of West Seattle too.)

THURSDAY: Got an hour to spare before you go to work? Safe Futures invites you to a free breakfast to find out more about how they help local kids. It’s at their HQ, 6337 35th SW (map), 8 am. RSVP: 206/235-8892.

NOVEMBER 1: Hope Lutheran School Dinner and Auction, 5:30 pm, The Hall at Fauntleroy. $50/person for early-bird bookings through tomorrow; full details here.

NOVEMBER 4: Endolyne Joe’s is donating part of today’s proceeds to Arbor Heights Elementary‘s fundraising efforts for replacing basketball hoops that had to be removed because of lead levels.

NOVEMBER 7: Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association‘s annual “Links to the Community” fundraising dinner, starts with 6 pm happy hour, SSCC’s Brockey Center. By donation, suggested $100/person.

NOVEMBER 22: Log House Museum: Preserving Heritage Gala and Silent Auction, SSCC’s Brockey Center, 5-9 pm: Live jazz trio with wine, appetizers, jewelry appraising, gourmet dinner, $75/person, call 206/938-5293 or e-mail loghousemuseum@comcast.net

And browse the WSB Events calendar to see what else is coming up – all the way through next spring; if you have something to add, please e-mail us!

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Lowman Beach temporarily a less-swinging place
October 14, 2008 11:02 am
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

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While visiting Lowman Beach a few days ago to get photos for this ducky little WSB story, we were surprised to see its swing set had vanished, nothing left but the sand square. It’s the only piece of official play equipment at that park, and it’s been a favorite of ours for years of walking down to Lowman with Junior Member of the Team. So we asked the Parks Department what’s up, and heard back this morning from Carol Baker, who manages park maintenance for this section of the city. She says it’s an upgrade, and that a sign will be posted at the site to advise park users as follows: “The swing set has been removed. It will be replaced with a new swing set, curb, and new safety surfacing. The new swings will be open by November 2008, weather permitting.”

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Alki development: Shoremont future in flux again?
October 14, 2008 9:32 am
|    Comments Off on Alki development: Shoremont future in flux again?
 |   Development | West Seattle history | West Seattle news

shoremontdoomed.jpgWhen we reported September 21st that demolition and construction permits had been issued for the site of the Shoremont Apartments at 57th/Alki, we heard in comments from James Ellison of Modern Dwelling, a division of the site’s new owner/developer Pb Elemental), who said new renderings were in the works for the project, described on the city project page as five townhouses and one single-family residence. Nothing’s happened on the site yet; then yesterday, Slog reported that Pb Elemental laid off a third of its staff. Though that report said Pb wasn’t commenting on the fate of specific projects, we e-mailed Ellison late last night to see if he could say anything about the Shoremont plan. Despite the hour, his response was fairly quick, albeit brief: “We are exploring options with the site but will be moving forward shortly.” (P.S. The Shoremont is featured in the latest post on Vintage Seattle, whose author lives in West Seattle.)

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Looking for work? Safeco Field job fair today
October 14, 2008 9:02 am
|    Comments Off on Looking for work? Safeco Field job fair today
 |   Not WS but we're mentioning it anyway

Not far away, so we’re mentioning it here: 10 am-3 pm. Read more here. (Meantime, if you do business in West Seattle and have a job opening for which you are recruiting candidates right now, remember you can post it free in the West Seattle Jobs Offered section of the WSB Forums.)

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Of politics, and pumpkins (yours)
October 14, 2008 7:02 am
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle politics

obamapumkn.jpgOur first WSB’er jack-o-lantern photo of 2008 – and appropriately enough, it’s a political pumpkin. Thanks to HunterG and family, who report this is their way of combining their excitement about Halloween and the election. Yes, if you send a Palin or McCain pumpkin, we’ll show that too, not to mention pumpkins that have nothing to do with politics. We featured West Seattle jack-o-lanterns this time last year, both the photos you sent and the ones we picked up around town, and we’re doing it again this year, so if you’ve got a pic to share or a location to report, please e-mail us. Meantime, back to politics — first-time events listing so it’s a special shoutout: The West Seattle Democratic Women invite all to their October 23 lunch, 11:15 am at the West Seattle Golf Course, with a program including King County Democrats Chair Susan Sheary speaking on I-26/Non-Partisan Elections (perhaps the most complicated measure on the November ballot, and we’ll be writing separately about it later this week), as well as West Seattle school-board rep Steve Sundquist and the Democrat running for state treasurer, Jim McIntire. To make a lunch reservation, e-mail wsdwomen@yahoo.com or call (206) 935-3216 before 10/22. More election info later today (and here, anytime) – if you vote by mail, start watching your mailbox, because ballots are going out this week.

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Details: Satterlee House court hearing
October 14, 2008 1:50 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle history | West Seattle news

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As promised, here are the details of Monday afternoon’s oral arguments in the case of Conner vs. Seattle — that’s William Conner, who founded Conner Homes and is now retired, challenging the city Hearing Examiner‘s decision upholding the city Landmarks Board‘s rejection of his proposal to build three 3,000-or-so-square-foot homes on the big lawn fronting the Satterlee House (4866 Beach Drive; map). That board has to turn thumbs up or down on changes proposed to official city landmarks, which require a “certificate of approval” before such changes can proceed to the next step in any development process. This case is unusual and potentially precedent-setting because, as was noted during the HE hearings we covered in the spring, Landmarks Board rulings are seldom appealed, and this one not only went to appeal, the ruling on that appeal is now being challenged in court. Here’s what happened in court Monday (expanding on our brief initial report published Monday afternoon):Read More

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Pigeon Point Council: News you can use, wherever you live
October 13, 2008 10:36 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | Pigeon Point | West Seattle jail sites | West Seattle news

The news from tonight’s Pigeon Point Neighborhood Council meeting wasn’t just about/for Pigeon Point. For starters – a plaintive reminder, especially apropos on a rainy night early enough in fall that the leaves are still not all off the trees – KEEP YOUR DRAINS CLEAR! You want them to look more like this:

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Even if a clogged drain doesn’t cause trouble for your home or street – it can divert water somewhere that trouble WILL be caused. Meantime, other topics at PPNC tonight included a jail-site update, Delridge Community Center/skatepark-project updates, Cooper Elementary School update, library funding, and the reason why PPNC suddenly needs a new leader – all ahead:Read More

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Be careful out there
October 13, 2008 8:54 pm
|    Comments Off on Be careful out there
 |   Gatewood | Transportation | West Seattle news

Video thumbnail. Click to play
Click pic to play video

Back from checking out a 4-car fender-bender at 35th/Kenyon (map). Fire/medics were able to pull out fairly quickly (no serious injuries reported) but police were trying to sort out exactly how it all happened.

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