West Seattle, Washington
03 Sunday
This article finally explains the wild sight some saw on WS streets at midday last Saturday. The officers’ persistence reminds us of the bank robber/signholder caper.
If you haven’t checked in with the West Seattle Birdcam for a while, you have missed a lot. We are purple with envy over their wonderful sightings, but glad they’re posting and sharing pix. Note the difference between the Birdcam blog and the actual Birdcam live feed.
Less than a week since this whole sad thing happened. But two more things to note: #1, the location of Saturday’s service has been clarified, as Burien Free Methodist Church; #2, one of the anticipated fundraisers for his family is detailed here (update: this is an unofficial individual gesture by that performer and doesn’t necessarily apply to anyone else on the bill that night).
For those who use Morgan/Sylvan to get between east and west WS, there’s word from the city’s Neighborhood District Coordinator that the construction company is now targeting mid-June for the upcoming summertime road closure — two weeks later than the most recent plan.
Too bad we didn’t get this note before a van almost broadsided us coming off a side street onto a south-WS arterial this morning: A reader notes that if you see a driver doing something heinous, you can post the plate at Platewire.com, which is celebrating its first anniversary today. The reader writes, “Having nearly been hit in the croswalk (with stroller) up at Admiral and 41st, being constantly subjected to delirious speeders up Admiral, and having neighbors who have been hit while legally crossing at crosswalks, I’ve had it. There’s only so much that posted signs and occasional enforcement can do.”
Apparently there’s trouble on the ramp to I-5 from the east end of the bridge (the Spokane Street Viaduct section) – a truck is blocking it.
Yes, the weekend’s over so the sun is back; gotta love Seattle in May. Besides the simple pleasures, like beach-walking when you get home from work, here are a couple happenings of note this week:
-The Taste of West Seattle is tomorrow night, with more than a dozen WS restaurants and caterers participating. Proceeds benefit Helpline; you can buy advance tickets from the Helpline home page (look for the PayPal button on the left side) for $5 less than the cost at the door.
-ArtsWest opens its world premiere “commedia dell’arte style” adaptation of “Pinocchio” on Thursday.
P-I just posted that Mayor Nickels’ father, Robert Charles Nickels, died today at his WS home, at age 81.
Two noteworthy articles just posted at the P-I site:
–First official online account we’ve seen of Charlie Chong’s funeral. Also, CharlieChong.com is updated with the funeral program that he wrote himself.
-For our fellow Blue Angels fans: Seafair says they’re definitely in.
If you see this before the Farmers’ Market closes @ 2 pm: the produce/plants booth at the SE corner has organic purple green onions, $2/bunch. And if you’re looking for a present for a mom who gardens, more booths than ever have plants today — though our fave remains Langley Fine Gardens and its often-unusual offerings.
Cheapest posted regular is now Charlestown/Cali 7/11 @ $3.36. Highest posted regular is now a tie — Lincoln Park 76 has matched 35th/Holden Chevron @ $3.49.
It’s Our First Marquee Mention Ever, courtesy of the salubrious Java Bean! Spotted it while riding the Water Taxi Shuttle down Avalon yesterday; tried to take a photo last night; our cranky old camera ate it. Before we could try again today, a kind reader snapped it and sent it. We are most honored because as we’ve written before, Java Bean is a true West Seattle classic – we got morning lattes from Tony and family at their cart in front of the pre-fire Thriftway back in the ’90s, and have rooted for their success ever since. Thanks, guys!
Many people have dropped by here to read and/or post about John Hartley, the popular JaK’s and Skylark waiter who died suddenly last week, at a ridiculously young age. Tonight we have word from Jessie @ Skylark that services for John are set for a week from today (Saturday, May 19), 10 am at Burien Methodist Church. (Jessie also notes that Skylark will not open till 3 pm that day.)
Nine months after the landmark Painted Lady of Beach Drive (aka the Satterlee House) went up for sale again, we just noticed a change in signage outside the house and its front lawn. 
Now, with a change in listing companies, it’s offered as one “estate” again, though the blurb goes on to say, “this property is actually two parcels … the one the house sits on and the front parcel which has been short platted for three homes. Buy one or both!” Hadn’t realized the short-plat had gotten final approval but it seems that happened right before Christmas, on a day most of us had something else (like this) on our minds. So then how come somebody hasn’t snapped up the land already? (P.S. Dear John L. Scott, the new blurb is kind of over the top. “Coyly awaits restoration”? And it’s not “near Alki Point.” 1.5 miles, to be precise. Plus “flair” is the word you’re looking for, not “flare.” /nitpick)
Our activity du jour was mass transit, including the Water Taxi, to the Maritime Festival. Got more than we bargained for on both ends of the WT ride. First, as we waited to board at Seacrest, two tugboat race participants from Global Diving & Salvage arrived to pick up their passengers (plus supplies for barbecuing and general revelry). Probably the busiest we’ve ever seen that slender little strip of wooden dock @ Seacrest (here’s a view as the WT pulled out):
On our way back, it became obvious that the 3:30 pm run on Maritime Festival day is THE time to get as close to the tugboat races as you can (without being a participant). Our captain warned direly that the largest class of racing tug would be heading our way as we left the dock, and implied we’d need surfing skills to survive the looming wake. Didn’t happen that way, thanks to our captain’s skills, but did get a great view of the racing tugs, justice not really done by the following photo:
If you want to try the Water Taxi tomorrow, waterfront highlights include a Mother’s Day Buffet Brunch at Ivar’s — maybe you can get the fry-scarfing-seagull-view table we enjoyed while lunching there today. (The restaurant’s not in WS but Ivar’s roots here were deep.)
In case you missed it in our weekend roundup … three particularly interesting events today/tonight worth one more shoutout: Megawatt’s WS Community Garage Sale Day till 3 pm (map/guide here), Seattle Majestics women’s football @ Sealth field @ 7 pm, and bellydancing at ArtsWest “afterhours” @ 10 pm. Have a great day, whatever you do. (And don’t forget to put out the bag o’food.)
Six months after the crash that killed Tatsuo Nakata at 47th/Admiral, a reader tells us the flashing lights/crosswalk sign have FINALLY gone up.
What has been the lowest posted regular gas in WS for at least a week or so jumped six cents in the past day: Delridge Arco is now up to $3.37/gallon regular. Let us know if you’ve seen cheaper. The statewide average is just a few cents higher. If you’re trying to save $/fuel, good news is, you can probably walk to your nearest yard sale tomorrow.
From the Southwest Precinct Public Safety Newsletter sent out this week. Ever wonder about whether to give a buck to one of those people holding cardboard signs along offramps? Check out the saga of one of them, quoted verbatim from the newsletter (after the click since it’s a bit long). Way to go, Officer Wilson!Read More
There’s a new development in Land Use Land regarding one of the first unique local buildings whose impending demise we lamented, 4532 42nd SW (original post from last August). An application is now filed (with less than two weeks for public comment) with some more specifics on what’s proposed there: Six stories, mixed-use, 35 residential units over 3,000-plus SF of “commercial space.”
From 130-plus yard sales in 1 day, to a wild hour to try the Water Taxi, to women’s tackle football, to bellydancing, there is so much to do this weekend, you’ll wish you could just skip sleep. Full list is one click away:Read More
No update for a few days because not much has changed. Lowest posted price  we’ve seen in WS is now $3.31 at the Arco on Delridge near Home Depot. Highest posted price (for regular) remains $3.49 @ 35th/Holden Chevron, which hasn’t gone up since one week ago.
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