3 quick notes

–Sidewalk Cinema has finalized the list of what it’s showing during the West Seattle outdoor movie series in July and August.

–The Seattle Chinese Garden project near SSCC in east WS just got $1.2 million from one of Seattle’s sister cities (Chongqing, China).

–The P-I paid a visit to our gas-war intersection (Fauntleroy/Alaska, still both below $3 as of our last driveby a few hours ago).

Good luck, ’07 grads!

June 15, 2007 4:00 pm
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 |   West Seattle schools

Congrats to the grads from Seattle Lutheran HS who got their diplomas last night — to the grads from Chief Sealth HS, who will celebrate at SW Athletic Complex @ 1 pm tomorrow — and to the grads from West Seattle HS, whose ceremony is 8 pm Monday @ Benaroya Hall.

Low tide, dockside

How exciting was the “lowest tide of the summer” (11:39 am today)? So exciting, field trips even came to West Seattle from Mercer Island; saw the MI bus parked by Lowman Beach, as we headed to our chosen tide-wandering spot at Cove Park by the Fauntleroy ferry dock.

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You’re not supposed to walk under the dock … but during mega-low tides, you can … a few more photos, one click ahead: Read More

WS mid-June weekend roundup

June 15, 2007 10:13 am
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 |   Fun stuff to do | WS culture/arts

Click ahead to see what’s up:Read More

41st/42nd/Alaska megaproject update: Blame it on the monorail?

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After 2 1/4 hours in a room last night with the Southwest Design Review Board and a hearteningly sized group of onlookers, here’s what we can tell you about the big building that’s to go up on the east edge of The Junction, where Hollywood Video etc. once stood:Read More

Maximum exposure

June 15, 2007 4:00 am
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 |   West Seattle beaches

One final reminder for our fellow low-tide fans – if you can manage to get to the shoreline just before lunchtime today, you get to see a low tide that won’t be equaled until the Sunday after Thanksgiving.

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Lucky to be alive

June 15, 2007 2:02 am
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Earlier this week, we grumbled to ourselves there just wasn’t much WS news to share with you; but tonight, it just won’t stop. Looks like WS is home to at least two members of this local family who survived a scare while hiking in Canada.

Might as well go buy that generator if you haven’t already

The ’06 Windstorm (preceded by mega-deluge) smacked us exactly six months ago. And the scariest line in this report about another assessment of Seattle City Light’s troubles in its aftermath is the part where SCL boss Jorge Carrasco is quoted as saying “I don’t want our customers to believe we will be at optimal level” before next storm season. Candles! Batteries! Firewood! Start stocking up now!

WS Starbucks flavor drama

While we compose our epic forthcoming post about tonight’s meeting on the ex-Hollywood Video-etc. Junction project (could keep us up all night), please enjoy this amazing tale centering mostly on two of West Seattle’s many Starbucks.

Mayor’s son pleads not guilty

Jake Nickels faces a judge, as his lawyer confirms he’s indeed living at the family home here in WS, and therefore should be allowed to drink while awaiting trial (?); the judge is reported to have disagreed. (Perhaps he’d seen the motto on this cached version of the defendant’s MySpace.)

Reintroduced to the wild (side of WS)

June 14, 2007 5:53 pm
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 |   Seen around town | WS culture/arts

More NTG (or at least, his style) creations sighted on our side of the bay — this time, on the approach to the low bridge. Thanks to sneakyfreak‘s Nick for the pic:

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Happy Flag Day

From the north end of Delridge, West Seattle’s mega-flag:

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Thousands if by land, two if by sea

Lots of energy about to be put into two good causes:

-You have till noon tomorrow to sign up online for the Race for the Cure on The Viaduct this Saturday morning. (And even if you’re not going to join us and thousands of other runners/walkers, keep in mind The Viaduct will be closed for a few hours that morning because of this.)

-One week from Sunday, sometime between 3 and 4 pm, two Eastside men will arrive on the beach at Lincoln Park after swimming 3 1/2 miles from Vashon Island. It’s their 8th annual “Paddle for PAWS” to raise money for that animal-assistance group. They’re hoping to raise $10,000, and they’re accepting donations online right now.

Two for tonight

-The monthly West Seattle Art Walk, 6-9 pm in The Junction. Including shoe paintings!

-Less revelry, more revelatory: The city Design Review Board convenes @ 6:30 pm @ the SW Precinct, with just one project on the agenda — the first WS megaproject proposal that’s gone to demolition already (4100 Alaska/ex-Hollywood Video, photo below taken this week).

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WS in the “weeklies”

Seattle Weekly gets snarky about our lack of parking paystations, suggesting it’s ’cause Hizzoner lives here (but what is UP with the quote about “no kids with blue mohawks”?). Meantime, The Stranger includes two WS churches (#10 and #17) in this odd little roundup.

Suitable for framing

June 13, 2007 6:34 pm
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 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle festivals | WS culture/arts

… or, at least for posting on your fridge; just tack it up someplace handy — we happened onto this downloadable version of the cool West Seattle Summer Events poster you may have seen in store windows and on bulletin boards around town.

City Housing Authority buys apartments near Caffe Ladro

We recently mentioned the Riviera West building at 7100 Cali, south of Morgan Junction and kitty-corner from Caffe Ladro, was up for sale, and described as a potential condo conversion. Then in the past half-day or so, we received a couple tips/comments that it’s been bought — by the Seattle Housing Authority. This afternoon, SHA communications director Virginia Felton confirmed the purchase. She tells WSB it will be part of the Housing Authority’s “scattered sites” portfolio, explaining, “The Riviera is a good addition to this portfolio because it has six two bedroom and two three bedroom apartments, along with four 1 bedroom apartments. There is more need for these larger apartments.” As for the people who live at Riviera West now, she says they will be evaluated to see if they qualify for subsidized housing; if they don’t, she says they will have one year to “transition,” and she promises that current residents will be getting a letter about all this soon.

Back when street upkeep was so much simpler

Vintage Seattle today is featuring a century-old ad touting the joys of moving to WS — even “graded streets,” brags the ad! (Ah, if the ad-writer could see what’s happening with some of those streets now. FIVE YEARS?????)

WS Gas Price Watch bulletin: Down into the $2s

Just drove through Fauntleroy/Alaska and spotted both stations suddenly down below $3 for regular — $2.99 at 76, $2.98 at Shell (that’s more than a dime since our last driveby a few hours earlier). Will check the previous low-price leader, Admiral/Cali Chev, in a bit (sightings, anyone?).

Farewell to Fairmount Park Elementary

June 13, 2007 12:45 pm
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 |   West Seattle schools

Yet another event on the WS docket tonight: Fairmount Park Elementary‘s big goodbye bash. You may recall, it’s one of about half a dozen schools that Seattle Public Schools leaders decided to close after this school year. Tonight, 6:30-8 pm, Fairmount Park puts a brave face on the whole thing with a closure celebration featuring food, music, and a look back at the school’s history. (The official last day for most SPS schools, however, isn’t till next Friday.)

See what they stand for

donkey5.jpgWith our state’s earliest primary election ever (Aug. 21) just 10 weeks away, it’s not too soon to start figuring out who merits your vote. To that end, the 34th District Democrats welcome all to their candidate forum tonight, 7:15 pm at The Hall @ Fauntleroy (including nonpartisan offices such as school board). Here’s the list of who they’re expecting.

Job cuts in West Seattle

We must admit we didn’t know this manufacturing business was here in WS (in the business-but-not-retail zone east of The Junction) till this story just turned up about 90 people losing their jobs there.

Parade countdown begins

Lots of West Seattle summer fun between now and then, but our very favorite event, the Hi-Yu Parade, is now only 5 1/2 weeks away – and we just noticed there’s a photo of the 2007 official Hi-Yu Float (which appears in many other parades besides ours) at the festival site. Countdown’s on — lock up July 21 to join us in The Junction!