West Seattle, Washington

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Spotlight Stories


  • 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!

WS Community Garage Sale Day postscript: The winners are …
May 12, 2008 10:46 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Community Garage Sale Day

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As you might recall, for our first year as organizers of West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day (the 4th-annual edition was this past Saturday), we added a couple contests to the mix, asking entrants to e-mail us photo entries by mid-afternoon today. That big bag of duck decoys shown above is the “Most Unusual Item” winner (open to shoppers as well as sellers) — Pam (who writes Nerd’s Eye View) reports she found it at the alley sale near 37th/Holden. Pam gets a Hotwire Coffee (WSB sponsor) card. Meanwhile, we promised two prizes in the contest with the most entries, and that was “Best Sign” — our winners are:

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Cheryl gets the Illusions Hair Design (WSB sponsor) gift certificate for that sign promoting the sale that raised money for her upcoming participation in the Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk (Sept. 12-14; her fundraising page is here; you’ll recall the 3-Day came thru West Seattle last year – WSB coverage here). (P.S. Cheryl says teammate and garage=sale-mate Jana Sorsen made the sign; here’s Jana’s 3-Day page.) And the other “Best Sign” winner:

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That’s Val, who proudly reports about her sign, “Please note: all materials used were recycled from a party a couple of years ago, nothing was purchased!” Val gets a gift certificate from the new Body Bar dayspa. And we have one more bonus prize:

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Ashley, who joined other sellers in the Hotwire courtyard, was the only person to enter BOTH contests; we have a Hotwire coffee card for her too. The photo shows her beautifully lettered sign (her candidate for “Most Unusual Item” was betta-fish tanks she offered for sale). Congratulations to all (we’ll e-mail the winners to make arrangements for delivering prizes); thanks to Hotwire, Illusions, and Body Bar for donating the prizes; thanks to everyone who was part of West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day; stand by for an online survey we’ll be setting up within a few days, and mark your calendar for the 5th annual WSCGSD on May 9, 2009!

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Parks program to get more kids outside is on the upswing
May 12, 2008 10:17 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks | West Seattle people

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We are always thrilled to get contributions — stories, photos, tips, suggestions — that help WSB become a place where together we all tell and share even more of the ongoing story of West Seattle and its people. Tonight, Camp Long‘s Sheila Brown wanted to share an article and photos (including the one above) about a new grant that will help Camp Long and other Seattle city park/recreation facilities provide more outdoor opportunities for young people (such as climbing) — read on:Read More

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Design Review encores set: California/Alaska/42nd, 3811 California
May 12, 2008 8:12 pm
|      28 COMMENTS
 |   Development | Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

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Now that the brick fourplex at 3811 California is officially deemed unqualified for city-landmark status, the project to replace it with a 4-story apartment/retail building is proceeding. Next step, a Design Review Board meeting just set for June 12, 8 pm, Madison Middle School (following the 6:30 pm meeting, same place, same date, for 4532 42nd SW, as reported here last week). A much bigger West Seattle project has also just reappeared on the city’s “upcoming Design Review meetings” page — the 6- and 7-story Conner Homes buildings at California/Alaska/42nd in The Junction, which drew a lot of constructive criticism at their first DRB meeting exactly one month ago (WSB coverage here) — this project is now tentatively set to return before design reviewers at 6:30 pm May 29 in the Southwest Precinct meeting room. (As mentioned here earlier today, Conner Homes reps are scheduled to speak to the Junction Neighborhood Organization, along with reps from BlueStar — developing Fauntleroy Place (Whole Foods project) and Gateway Center (old Huling showroom) — tomorrow night, 6:30 pm in the community room @ Ginomai, southwest corner of 42nd/Genesee.)

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Another heads-up about upcoming door-to-door activity
May 12, 2008 6:22 pm
|    Comments Off on Another heads-up about upcoming door-to-door activity
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

This note from Sonja at Washington Reading Corps, a branch of Solid Ground, is not only a request for help, but also a heads-up about some door-to-door activity you may see tonight or tomorrow (if you haven’t already):

We are currently looking for businesses and neighborhoods in the West Seattle area to participate in a food drive on *Friday, May 16th, from 10-2pm*. The food donations are being distributed to *Solid Ground’s* *Hunger Action Center. *Household items that are gathered will be placed at our transitional houses and shelters, such as *The Bethlehem House, Family Shelter, and JourneyHome*.

Our service project will include a minimum of two members from our team setting up a table outside of local West Seattle businesses with pamphlets regarding Solid Ground and our purpose. We will encourage the purchase of household goods (such as cleaning products, toiletries, and non-perishable foods) and non-perishable foods for donations.

We will also have a crew collecting donations from households in the Delridge, Admiral and Junction neighborhoods. We will be distributing flyers door-to-door within the next 24 hours to inform the community of how they can assist those in need within their community by leaving donations for us on Friday, May 16th.

Sonja’s contact info is: 206-788-7484 or sonjaspinarski@gmail.com

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Got some business sense to share with young entrepreneurs?
May 12, 2008 3:52 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Alki Homestead | How to help | West Seattle businesses

Received this from Alki-area businessperson Tom Lin:

A group of local high-school students asked me to help them develop a viable summer business project. They have come up with a few propositions so far. Among them:

1. Shaved Ice (snowcone) at Alki.
2. Paid Parking at Alki during busy sunny days.
3. Alki Dog Walking Service
4. Car Washing

They are looking for help with all aspects of business development. If you have any suggestions or experience in the above fields,
please call Lucas at 206-226-9964 or send me an e=mail, Thomas Lin, at alkihomestead@yahoo.com.

There will be a meeting for all interested parties at Alki Homestead Restaurant 11:30AM Sunday May 18. If you are over age 16 and are interested in starting your own business, you are welcome to join the group.

This is a project for the youth to start a business venture that is profit driven. If you have a creative mind, please come and join
us. However, all the advisors are volunteers.

Please RSVP if you are interested in this project: alkihomestead@yahoo.com

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1 more Crime Watch update: Another burglary arrest
May 12, 2008 2:53 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

Busy day for the Southwest Precinct – another update just in from Lt. Steve Paulsen: “We just arrested another burglar who has been working the North Admiral neighborhood. That is a total of 8 burglary arrests in the last week.”

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Followup: Alki-neighborhood parking signs going up today
May 12, 2008 2:02 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Neighborhoods | Transportation | West Seattle news

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In the Alki neighborhood along and around Stevens near 59th, SDOT crews are out today putting up the parking-restriction signs we first told you about three weeks ago. These aren’t new restrictions, but rather official demarcation of the existing rules regarding parking within a certain distance of intersections, driveways, etc. (On a slightly related note, we’ll take this occasion to remind you that the neighborhood meeting about the 59th/Stevens development is a week from Thursday; previous WSB coverage here.)

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Purse-snatch suspect nabbed
May 12, 2008 12:48 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

Quick update from Lt. Steve Paulsen at the Southwest Precinct: A suspect is now in custody in connection with the purse-snatching attack that preceded the now-famous citizen pursuit involving local businesspeople from Husky Deli and Mashiko. (We talked to the victim, a local real-estate agent, a few days ago, and she’s doing OK.)

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You’re invited to a big party at “smallest certified organic garden”
May 12, 2008 12:16 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Gardening | How to help | West Seattle video

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Don’t let the tarp fool you — underneath it you’ll find part of the area’s “smallest certified organic garden,” which stretches across two plots, and into a greenhouse, on a site along SW Avalon (map).

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This is part of Transitional Resources, whose invitation to visit in advance of their “Garden Party” this Saturday provided us with another one of those “been in West Seattle 17 years but had NO IDEA this was here” moments. Growing food and herbs at this site is a sideline for an organization that provides residential and drop-in services for more than 100 people every month who are working on having productive lives while dealing with mental illness. (Read more about TR here.) It saves taxpayers big bucks — the cost for someone to live and work here is a fraction of state or hospital institutionalization — but operates on a shoestring. (As TR’s Karyn Mikkelsen explains, “Without TR, clients would have fewer options and more would remain incarcerated, hospitalized or homeless, all at a high expense to society in loss of creativity and productivity, not to mention the huge financial expense of incarceration and hospitalization. The average annual cost of providing outpatient case management services to a client is $4,657. One year in the hospital or jail costs $146,000.”) To raise awareness and $, they’re inviting community members to come spend the day helping in the garden — and enjoying food prepared by a well-known local chef — read on:Read More

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West Seattle development: What’s up this week
May 12, 2008 9:04 am
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

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For starters, that’s what was “up” over the weekend; WSB contributing photojournalist Matt Durham caught West Seattle resident Fred Cavazos, owner of “Above the Rest,” maneuvering his blimp-borne photographic equipment over Huling land in the Fauntleroy Triangle. (Matt reports: “The blimp is tethered without power and the camera is controlled remotely from the ground. A video camera sends an image from the camera viewfinder where the operator can view it from a small screen mounted on the controller. This type of aerial photography can be used to better understand the views before developing a condominium or other high-rise venture.”) Matt adds that Cavazos couldn’t discuss exactly what he was working on, but certainly there’s plenty of development proposals in the area (see our clickable map here). This week brings two chances in West Seattle for you to find out more about development and issues relating to it: First, at the Junction Neighborhood Organization (JuNO) meeting Tuesday night (6:30 pm, Ginomai @ SW corner of 42nd/Genesee), reps from major players in current Junction-area development are expected; read more at the JuNO site. Second, the Alki Community Council meeting on Thursday (7 pm, Alki Community Center) is expected to include an agenda item on the upcoming multifamily code revisions, according to member Karen Clegg; read on for information she wants you to know about it:Read More

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Hi-Yu float makes it to Sequim, but isn’t out of the woods yet
May 12, 2008 2:25 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival | West Seattle news

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Thanks to West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival president Tim Winston for sending photos, as promised, of the Hi-Yu float’s 2008 parade debut in Sequim this weekend — on Friday, you may recall, he put out an urgent call for driving help to get it there; drivers came through, but that wasn’t the end of the crisis, as you’ll see in the next round of photos — and there’s an “emergency meeting” tonight to figure out how to get through the season — read on:Read More

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Another coyote caught on cam, and a side benefit
May 11, 2008 10:30 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Coyotes | Environment | Wildlife

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Not quite as clear as the set of coyote photos published Friday night, but “Seacat,” who blogs at seacat.wordpress.com, added an interesting side note that made us want to share the pic:

This little coyote is a regular visitor in our yard; this picture was taken right outside my home office window. Since he’s been hanging around, we don’t have a problem with rats at the bird feeder–which also means the variety of birds has increased. That’s not just the coyote, of course, but he fills out a tiny eco-system in our backyard wildlife sanctuary and things are improved with his presence. We live over by Lincoln Park, and welcome our coyote co-habitants. It’s all good!

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Encampment cleanup aftermath: One more visit
May 11, 2008 8:51 pm
|    Comments Off on Encampment cleanup aftermath: One more visit
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

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This past Friday, one week after city crews cleared the trash-strewn homeless encampment at Camp Long that had been chronicled by WSB contributing photojournalist Matt Durham, he was there as city workers made one more sweep, and he reports:

Seattle Parks Department workers performed their final sweep through the dismantled encampment, on the north boundaries of Camp Long. The Park’s staff performed a final collection of large pieces of rubbish and looked for signs of activity along the camp sites. The area has been visited by hikers but encampment activity has ceased, for the time being.

Litter remains in an area covering more than an acre. The refuse is impregnated into the mud that evolved under vegetation that died off under layers of garbage and human waste.

The Seattle Parks Department does not have the resources to sift through soil and encourages the community to assist with the maintenance of the area by calling 206-684-8028 or e-mailing: ParksVolunteer@Seattle.Gov

Previous WSB coverage:
Original report, April 28
“Strategy visit,” April 30
Deadline set, May 1
Camp cleared, May 2
Matt’s commentary, with a suggestion re: park utilization, May 5

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Attention, Patches Pals: JP is West Seattle-bound
May 11, 2008 8:01 pm
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   Admiral Theater | Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

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(WSB photo of JP Patches in July 2007 West Seattle Grand Parade)
Seen on the Admiral Theater marquee and website: A morning with JP Patches, legendary TV clown, 11 am next Saturday, May 17; tickets available online. So we don’t have to wait till parade season to see him here in West Seattle! The campaign for a JP Patches statue continues, by the way; find out more at his site.

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Time and tide: Looking back, looking ahead
May 11, 2008 6:07 pm
|    Comments Off on Time and tide: Looking back, looking ahead
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle history

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One more look back, not just at this past week’s megalow tides, but into history … Susan Grossman of Singingpixel Photography sent that photo of the old Luna Park pilings during one of their low-low-tide appearances. This gives us an excuse to remind low-tide fans to mark the calendar for the first week of June (tide table here), when we will again see this type of low tide (and even lower, with two minus-4 tides, “bottoming out” just before noon on June 4th, with a -4.1).

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Online onboard: Rate changes for Washington State Ferries wi-fi
May 11, 2008 3:01 pm
|    Comments Off on Online onboard: Rate changes for Washington State Ferries wi-fi
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news | West Seattle online

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(Fauntleroy/Vashon ferry photo by Jessica Stewart of West Coast Image & Design)
Thought this was worth a mention since it doesn’t seem to have received wide exposure; we stumbled onto it while reading a news release about dockside wi-fi service in the North Sound. The company that provides wi-fi service for Washington State Ferries wi-fi routes, including Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth, recently unveiled “new pricing options” (follow the link on its website). We haven’t had occasion to use the service, but looking back into online archives, it appears the most significant change is in the short-term rates.

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2 WSCGSD followups: Sale today; playground meeting Friday
May 11, 2008 11:54 am
|    Comments Off on 2 WSCGSD followups: Sale today; playground meeting Friday
 |   Community Garage Sale Day | West Seattle parks | West Seattle schools

First, the Sunday sale: The folks at Community School of West Seattle want you to know their megasale (100+ families) is continuing today, till 4 pm. (And yes, they have tents, so don’t let the rain stop you! Address and Saturday picture are here.) Next, a sale report from the North Delridge Neighborhood Council, which sent this Saturday photo (we showed a pic of the NDNC bake sale yesterday):

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That sale raised money and volunteer hours (important for matching funds) to expand the play area at Cottage Grove Park (5206 26th SW; city info page here) with tot-size equipment, particularly in hopes of affording a fun setup similar to this:

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Next step is where you come in, if you can help: An organizational meeting Friday morning. Here’s the invitation from organizers:

Neighbors are planning to build a playground for babies and toddlers at the Cottage Grove Playground in Delridge. We need YOUR input – which playground design should we choose? Which equipment do we want? How can we best raise money? Come give your input at a playground meeting.

Friday, May 16, 10 am at Cottage Grove playground if the weather is good; or at the Delridge Community Center common area if the weather is bad. If the indoor play area is open we’ll meet there. Bring kids, blanket for the grass & snacks for your family.

Questions? Betsy(at)hoffmeisters(dot)com

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West Seattle Farmers’ Market: WS 101, plus the “fresh sheet”
May 11, 2008 6:07 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Farmers’ Market: WS 101, plus the “fresh sheet”
 |   West Seattle 101 | West Seattle Farmers' Market

bookcover1.jpgThe author behind one of our newest WSB sections — West Seattle 101 (note the “tab” link on our header) will be at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market today; you can meet Lori Hinton. lorimugshot.jpg and talk to her about the “West Seattle 101” book, which will also be available for purchase. In honor of this, we’re adding the West Seattle Farmers’ Market feature from Lori’s book to the list of “West Seattle 101” stories available on WSB; read it here, and see the full WS 101 on WSB archive here. And as always, we want to bring you this week’s Farmers’ Market fresh sheet — here you go:Read More

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West Seattle birthday bash of the year!
May 10, 2008 11:05 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle birthday bash of the year!
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

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E-mailed to WSB by Ruthie Winter, who explains:

We called our event: Sixty@Salty’s!

In the attached picture are 57 women classmates from the West Seattle High School graduating class of 1966, born in 1948 and celebrating their 60th birthday together. It was a girls-only event … sorry guys!

Most of these classmates had not seen each other in over 40 years, so it was a joyous celebration of old friendships. Classmates came from far away as Texas, Montana, Alaska, Arizona, California, Oregon etc etc. A joyous time was had by all.

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West Seattle Saturday scene: Pathfinder K-8 facelift
May 10, 2008 9:55 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Saturday scene: Pathfinder K-8 facelift
 |   Genesee Hill | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | West Seattle video

That’s just one tiny cross-section of the HUGE volunteer cleanup/beautification work at Pathfinder K-8 on Genesee Hill (map) today … the amphitheater on the lower field, cleared from under a serious case of overgrowth. Even more impressive, a huge painting project splashing brighter colors onto the portables up on the main grounds … our video of that, unfortunately, did not survive a serious case of user error, but the Pathfinder folks promised us before/after photos for a followup. They had more than 100 volunteers on hand (including dozens from Seattle Works and West Seattle school-board rep Steve Sundquist) and also were grateful for donations from local businesses (a Pathfinder parent gave them a shoutout in this thread in the WSB Forums). Pathfinder, you may recall, needs a better building but almost got moved to an arguably worse one in the recent round of school closures/consolidations; since no new building is likely any time soon, this was a case of the school community working to improve the livability of what they have.

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No need for speed: A Fauntleroy plea
May 10, 2008 7:51 pm
|      17 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

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It takes more than a sign like that one to “calm” traffic along Fauntleroy — this “open letter” sent to us asks drivers to just keep the pedal off the metal:

Residents of West Seattle, Vashon, and Fauntleroy Ferry users,

I write this letter as a respectful request. Please treat the neighborhoods that you pass through on your commute with the same respect that you would ask of someone traveling through your own neighborhood.

For example, Fauntleroy Way SW between SW Morgan St. and SW Alaska St. has a speed limit of 35 miles per hour. Thirty-five, not 45, not 65, and certainly not 75. Please share the road with your fellow drivers, bikers, and pedestrians. There are many of us who live along Fauntleroy and have to try and cross the street without the aid of marked crosswalks, dodge traffic to get to our buses, and walk and ride our bicycles along our neighborhood street. We choose to live here and acknowledge that this street is a major corridor, however dangerous, rude, and disrespectful driving is not an inherent right of anyone – even if it is a heavily traveled thoroughfare. This also applies if you are late for your ferry, dinner date or whatever reason you might have.

We have witnessed many examples of poor driving behavior ranging from reading in the car while driving, blatant disregard of other vehicles around them, excessive tailgating and late night racing, to honking horns at children and physically challenged people trying to cross the street at an intersection (this IS legal – look it up).

All we ask is that you treat our neighborhood as if it were your own. Someday the Seattle Police Department will start to live up to their responsibilities and do something about excessive speed and reckless driving. Until then I only hope that people remember, do unto others as you would want them to do unto you.

Sincerely,
A concerned West Seattle resident

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Sign sightings: 1 closure, 1 future opening
May 10, 2008 4:12 pm
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | High Point | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

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Thanks to Shell Marr for that photo and word that The Wash House laundromat on 35th (between Morgan and Graham) has abruptly closed. Shell adds, “It’s really too bad they did not make it, Vicki & Jim were just the nicest people and really made doing laundry somewhat enjoyable if that is possible. Thank you, Vicki & Jim …” Meantime, another sign just sighted, this one on Delridge:

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We first told you two months ago that Olympia Pizza and Pasta was taking over the short-lived Pacino’s Coffee spot; it’s had a temporary banner up for a while, but the official sign just appeared this week. We don’t have any info yet on a targeted opening date.

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WS Community Garage Sale Day aftermath: Open thread
May 10, 2008 3:01 pm
|      29 COMMENTS
 |   Community Garage Sale Day

garagesaledaysmalllog5.jpgDid you shop? Did you sell? Did you have fun? Since we filed so many separate updates, we thought we’d put up this “open thread” post specifically for comments wtih WSCGSD reports, if you care to share ’em. We’ll have an official survey within a few days seeking feedback for next year, but if you have something to suggest now, that’s welcome here too. (P.S., don’t forget the contests.) Thanks to EVERYONE who was part of the 4th annual West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day in some form or another; our first time organizing it has been intense but fun! (Now it’s off to round up the sandwich boards …)

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