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Spotlight Stories

Sad news from Seal Sitters: Frosty the pup didn’t make it
December 30, 2011 11:55 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | West Seattle news | Wildlife

(Photo by Robin Lindsey)
Our roundup of 2011’s top West Seattle wildlife news included the record year reported by Seal Sitters – more than 50 seal pups on area beaches. Seal Sitters‘ first responder Robin Lindsey has a sad update today about one that they had been watching recently, and what they discovered about his death:

At 9 pm Christmas Eve, the hotline received a report of a pup sleeping on the beach. Instead, it was a dead pup who was identified as our little seal nicknamed Frosty. Having entertained quite a number of onlookers on Saturday, Frosty returned to the sound around 6 pm and we fully expected to see him the following morning. He had been alert without any notable indication of health concerns. We were shocked and saddened to find him dead that night.

The necropsy revealed a parasitic infestation in his lungs and trachea complicated with pneumonia and bacterial infection – a common and often deadly combination that weaned pups face. Except for one coughing spell over the course of three days, Frosty did not give any reason to believe he was in such compromised health. There is a more in-depth blog post on blubberblog about the findings, as well as a discussion of why these “weaners” are so at risk. With only a 50% survival rate the first year, they desperately need safe haven on shore. The work that the marine mammal stranding network does is often challenging – with much heartbreak that is, thankfully, counterbalanced with much reward – as we help this newest generation of pups get the best chance they can, not only to survive, but to thrive under our community’s protective watch.

There is something you can do about the runoff problem mentioned in Robin’s full update – Sustainable West Seattle’s “Tox-Ick” website has some simple advice, for starters.

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2 days to go after 47 years: Barber John Burmaz says ‘thanks’
December 30, 2011 9:00 am
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

(Photo by Kevin McClintic: At right, John Burmaz with longtime client John Jardine)
The New Year will bring a big change for a West Seattle barber who’s heading out of the business after almost half a century. Today is the second-to-last day of barbering for John Burmaz, whose “significant other” Jeannette Eshom shares this announcement:

END OF AN ERA! John Burmaz of the Alki Style and Barber Shop at 5040 California Avenue SW (across from the Rite Aid drugstore) is retiring after 47 years of barbering in West Seattle. His last day of work is December 31, 2011.

John started barbering at George’s Barber Shop, across from the Admiral Theater, on August 25, 1964. One year later, George sold the barber shop and John worked for the new owners, Don Jahnke and Martin Picinich, for four years. On the 18th of March 1969, John bought a barber shop from Arthur Buffington, a retiring barber, on Alki Beach. He barbered in that location until the 12th of December 1989, when the building was sold to Pegasus Pizza. He relocated to his current location, barbering another 22 years.

John wishes to thank his customers, past and present, for all their support through the years. He will miss interacting with his customers. At 70 years of age, he plans to enjoy winters in Arizona and summers in Seattle, as well as traveling and enjoying visits with his children and grandchildren.

Customers won’t have to look far for another barber, as the Classic Barber Shop is taking over John’s shop on January 1, 2012.

Might be a hard act to follow; Kevin McClintic, who took the photo you see above while visiting John for one last haircut on Thursday, said the longtime barber told him that when things get busy, he can do five haircuts an hour!

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West Seattle Friday: Happy New Year’s Eve-Eve
December 30, 2011 6:30 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Friday: Happy New Year’s Eve-Eve
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Not much on our calendars, as another holiday weekend approaches. A few things:

ANOTHER OVERNIGHT BRIDGE CLOSURE: The Fauntleroy Expressway work continues tonight – here are the details from SDOT.

BARTON STREET P-PATCH WORK PARTY: Through the summer and into the fall, volunteers have kept working to develop West Seattle’s newest P-Patch (34th/Barton), and – “if the weather cooperates” – they’ll be out again at noon today.

‘TINY BUBBLES’ TASTING AND PET-DONATION DRIVE: At Bin 41 in The Junction, 4-6 pm. From the announcement: “Here’s your chance to sample and select the perfect sparkling wine to pop open as the clock strikes midnight for welcoming in 2012! We’ll be pouring everything from Champagne, Cava, Prosecco, Cremant d’Alsace to sparkling rose. Our domestic sparkling wine this year will be from Iron Horse in California.” The Bin also says it’s one last chance to donate to their donation drive for the Old Dog Haven – bring a donation (here’s the wish list) and they’ll waive the fee for tonight’s tasting.

LIVE MUSIC: 2 bands at Skylark Café and Club, 9 pm.

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Hope Lutheran group seeking support for ‘yucky challenge’
December 30, 2011 3:51 am
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

A team of teens and adults from Hope Lutheran has something to look forward to in the new year – a trip to help improve the health and safety of people in the mountains of Jamaica. But first, as Hope’s student ministry director Abaigh Vickers writes, they’re hoping to get you involved too, through community partnership:

This coming July, six high school students, and four adults (including myself) are leaving the cozy little town of West Seattle to take on a much yuckier challenge. Digging outhouses. But, that’s not even the kicker — we’re digging outhouses in Catadupa, Jamaica. A place with no electricity or running water. Our shower situation, one might wonder? A natural spring. It’s going to be gross, tiring, hard work — but definitely worth it.

As one might imagine, this trip is expensive, so we’re looking for local businesses and/or residents to help out. The biggest trip this church has ever done, previously, was to Mexico (which was great) but this is huge, comparatively. I’m excited, the students are excited and I’m hoping the other chaperones are as well! It’ll be an excellent experience for everyone. We will get to see how the poorest of the poor live. I’m proud of these kids for giving up basically six months of their lives to commit to bettering the life of someone more than 3,000 miles away.

The trip isn’t until July, but we’re starting the fundraising (epic) journey now. I’m easily contacted though this e-mail (avickers@hopeseattle.org) and any contributions people make are tax deductible, of course.

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Aggressive Driver Response Team busy on the bridges (etc.)
December 29, 2011 8:38 pm
|      31 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police

SPD Blotter is updated tonight with a couple more lists of warnings/citations from special patrols by the Aggressive Driver Response Team. This time, they were out on the newly opened lanes of the westbound Spokane Street Viaduct, where they say someone was doing 59 mph in the stretch where the speed limit is now 25 mph; on the West Seattle Bridge, where the list is topped by 72 mph in a 45 zone; and on Admiral Way. Those lists ahead:Read More

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$1 million bail for West Seattle man jailed in White Center shooting
December 29, 2011 4:50 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | White Center

Some new information in the deadly White Center shooting, after the first court appearance of the 25-year-old West Seattle man arrested less than 10 hours after it happened. We’ve just published the update on partner site White Center Now.

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2011 in review, installment three: West Seattle schools
December 29, 2011 4:25 pm
|    Comments Off on 2011 in review, installment three: West Seattle schools
 |   2011 in review | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Our series of topic-by-topic 2011 reviews started with one that was easy to quantify, since it was by-the-numbers – most-commented WSB stories of the year. Then came the review roundup for one of our favorite topics, wildlife. Now, we start getting into some of the more classic topics, starting with West Seattle schools. Going back through the archives, we discovered more than 200 stories over the course of the year. You can review them all, in reverse chronological order, here. From those stories, some of the MANY highlights:

SCHOOL CROWDING, AKA ‘CAPACITY MANAGEMENT’
Some public schools in West Seattle are already over capacity, and the quest for a solution will continue into the New Year, with the district scheduled to announce its official proposal for next school year at a media briefing next Wednesday. Early in the year, some local schools already were getting portables; this month, newly elected West Seattle school-board member (more on that in the 2011-politics-in-review report) Marty McLaren asked for your thoughts about short-term solutions.

FINAL PHASE OF 3-PHASE DENNY/SEALTH PROJECT
After more than three years of work, the Denny/Sealth project is almost done. A September dedication event opened the new Denny International Middle School (phase two) next door to the renovated Chief Sealth International High School (phase one); by the time that happened, demolition of the old Denny was complete, and construction of park/sports facilities on the site (phase three) is nearly done.

PRINCIPAL CHANGES
The most populous school in West Seattle, Chief Sealth International High School, is now led by interim principal Chris Kinsey, after longtime principal John Boyd took a new job in the Highline Public Schools district … This past spring, Ruth Medsker became permanent principal of West Seattle High School … Arbor Heights and Lafayette Elementary Schools began this fall with new principals – Christy Collins and Jo Lute-Evans, respectively – while a principal change was announced about a month into the new year at Alki Elementary, as award-winning Chanda Oatis took over.

COMMUNITY COLLABORATION – GETTING, AND GIVING
Lafayette Elementary‘s students have someplace new to play … The Roxhill Elementary “R” got a facelift thanks to community help … A West Seattle Montessori School (WSB sponsor) student’s blanket drive gets regional coverage … Holy Rosary reached out with a big gift for Holy Family … West Seattle Elementary‘s library gets an overhaul … Awareness-raising and money-raising were part of what happened during World Water Week at Sealth … Freshmen got a boost from upperclassmen as West Seattle HS debuted “Link Crew.” … Explorer West Middle School (WSB sponsor) students won arts honors.

ONE BIG PROMISE
Thousands of students in West Seattle will get the chance for college classes they might not have been able to afford, thanks to the South Seattle Community College 13th Year Promise expanding to Chief Sealth.

BIG ACHIEVEMENTS
So many of them! These are just a few … Chief Sealth’s Honor Choir sang at Carnegie Hall … FCCLA students from WSHS went to state, nationals…

(Sanislo GRC participants, photo courtesy of Craig Seasholes)
Sanislo Elementary and Concord International went to the Global Reading Challenge finals … Madison Middle School‘s “Project Citizen” crew went to state competition … Madison and Alki were chosen “Schools of Distinction” … Denny principal Jeff Clark got not only a new school but also, this year, the Foster Award … And Denny music director/Sealth band director Marcus Pimpleton got the Golden Apple Award.

VIDEO OF THE YEAR?
You’ll see several of the previously mentioned newsmakers in “Teach Me How to Study,” which went viral for Denny:

… and even brought a TV spotlight.

WEST SEATTLE’S NEWEST MIDDLE SCHOOL
Westside School (WSB sponsor) started adding middle-school classes this fall, introducing the school community to new faculty members before last school year ended.

PRESCHOOLS
The West Seattle Preschool Association was launched this year … After many years at Seaview Methodist Church, Lincoln Park Cooperative Preschool moved to a new home in the Fauntleroy Schoolhouse.

EVERY West Seattle school did amazing things this year … this is just part of the story. In the New Year, please let us know what’s going on with YOUR school, big and small – here’s how to share info, photos, or advance notice so we can come cover an event. More year-in-review reports still to come!

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City to study substation-turned-restaurant site for development
December 29, 2011 1:59 pm
|      22 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

(1st & 3rd photos from King County Assessor’s Office; 2nd, from Seattle Municipal Archives)
Did you know the site of Beni Hoshi (formerly Yasuko’s) Teriyaki, at the 35th/Fauntleroy entrance to the West Seattle Bridge, is a Seattle City Light-owned site that once housed this substation?

We didn’t, until a bit of research prompted by an online update from City Council President Richard Conlin, revealing that the city is eyeing this spot for possible development. He wrote, in part:

… the City is undertaking a pilot project to identify locations where city-owned properties and buildings would be suitable for joint development agreements. Such joint development could include leveraging multiple city funding sources to achieve community benefits, developing mixed-use urban infill on public parking lots, and identifying public/private development opportunities on public land. This could provide revenue for the City, but, more importantly, better utilize scarce resources of land and buildings, especially in denser urban neighborhoods where infill can be a major asset.

In his update (read it here in its entirety), he goes on to say that as part of the “Sustainable Community Development Pilot Program,” the city will “begin analyzing the feasibility of developments on five pilot sites” around the city. The list in his post included a “West Seattle Substation on Avalon Way.” We couldn’t find any records of a substation, past or present, on Avalon Way, so we asked Councilmember Conlin and his staff for location clarification. His staff is out but he replied – and pointed us to the Beni Hoshi site, which was known as the “Avalon Substation” with a long-ago address on SW Genesee:

County records reveal that City Light actually owns three parcels there, totaling about 17,000 square feet; the Beni Hoshi site is zoned for 65-foot mixed-use development, while two parcels to the east are zoned single-family. While this abuts The Triangle, it is not part of the rezoning the council just approved.

So what kind of possible development might be considered there? No specific proposals at this stage, but Councilmember Conlin’s writeup mentioned past examples of “joint developments” including the Delridge Library/Brandon Court site that includes a city-run Neighborhood Service Center, somewhat ironic since the new city budget is moving the NSC out of there and over to the about-to-be-former Southwest Community Center, and the Delridge NSC space is up for lease, as is the suite of offices formerly occupied in that building by the city’s partner in the project, Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association. Meantime, we’ll keep an eye on this study in the New Year.

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Countdown to West Seattle New Year’s Eve 2011-2012
December 29, 2011 12:22 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

(Photo by Jillian, from New Year’s Eve 2009-2010)
We’ve added more local New Year’s Eve restaurant dinners and bar/lounge parties to the list on the WSB West Seattle Holidays page (which also has a few outdoor special events for all ages to mark the turning of the calendar). Wanted to put out the call one last time for restaurants/bars/coffee shops to share not only “special” New Year’s plans but also hours for New Year’s Day if they’re going to be open – just e-mail us, editor@westseattleblog.com. (Some already have, and we’re continuing to pull that out of e-mail – thanks!)

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West Seattle scene: What it takes to investigate from all angles
December 29, 2011 11:49 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police

We took that photo about 3:30 am in the heart of The Junction, as Seattle Fire Department‘s Ladder 11 handled a call in the 4700 block of California that didn’t involve any of the usual problems they respond to – fire, medical, car crash. What we heard via the scanner went something like this: Police called for the truck’s help so they could get onto the roof on the east side of the block, looking for any evidence of a possible break-in. They had originally responded to a report of an alarm going off, and found an open door behind one of the businesses. Once Ladder 11 arrived, police cars briefly blocked off that stretch of California (no traffic effects at that hour); up went the ladder, up went police, down came police, down came the ladder, all in a relatively short span. We just checked with the precinct to see if any evidence of a break-in was ever found; bottom line – no. So this is just one from the “while you slept” file.

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West Seattle Thursday: History, technology, swimming, music…
December 29, 2011 6:07 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo courtesy Kate Endle – who says this is “Randall the Steller’s Jay”)
It’s the calm before the last winter-holiday weekend – but still a few things to share from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

BEEN TO THE LOG HOUSE MUSEUM LATELY? It’s open today noon-4 pm. (61st/Stevens, in Alki)

E-READER CLINIC: The Southwest Branch of the Seattle Public Library (35th/Henderson, in Westwood) has one more free clinic today for those with new e-readers who are interested in finding great e-books. 1-3 pm.

PUBLIC SWIM AT SOUTHWEST POOL: 2:35 pm-4 pm today (2801 SW Thistle).

BRIDGE/ROAD WORK CONTINUES: Another overnight Fauntleroy Expressway closure tonight … And the road repair work is scheduled to continue in the 6500 block of 48th SW – details here.

LIVE MUSIC: 6-8 pm at C & P Coffee (WSB sponsor; 5612 California SW), Jim Page; 10 pm at Skylark Café and Club, two live bands (3803 Delridge Way SW).

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Ready to read? Ideas, from authors with West Seattle ties, including a limited-time freebie
December 29, 2011 4:41 am
|    Comments Off on Ready to read? Ideas, from authors with West Seattle ties, including a limited-time freebie
 |   West Seattle books | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

A few more days left in this holiday season … maybe you’re looking for something new to read, whether hard copy or e-book … We’ve been stockpiling this news of authors who are either local, or appeared here, with tales to tell:

Earlier this month, Skylark Café and Club hosted an afternoon-long reading event featuring that quartet of writers – from left, Dave O’Leary, Cherry Tigris, Pam Summa, and Roberto Carlos Ascalon. O’Leary’s book is “Horse Bite,” a novel published this fall telling “the story of Dave and his efforts to find a bit of permanence in the balance of the things we create and the things we do to sustain ourselves” – read more, and excerpts, on his website (where you also can order the book). Tigris is a child-abuse survivor who has written a collection of short stories. Summa’s book is “Groping for Luna,” subtitled “Guerrilla Girl Meets Guitar God: A Comedy of Manners.” Ascalon is a poet you can find in various anthologies.

Also this month, The Beer Junction hosted a booksigning session for two photography books focused on West Seattle history – one titled “West Seattle,” the other “Luna Park,” both published by Arcadia Publishing. Reps of the Southwest Seattle Historical Society signed “West Seattle,” while AJ Naff signed “Luna Park”:

You can get the books through the links on each title.

Last but by no means least, here’s something you can get absolutely free – today, anyway (afterward, it’ll cost you 99 cents). Local author Jason Kirk has written a mini-e-book called “The Other Whites in South Africa” – which he describes as “an extended essay about sharks and race relations.” You can find it on Amazon by going here; Jason says, “It can be read on pretty much any screen you’ve got, including computers, iPods, phones, tablets, and Amazon’s Kindle e-reader.” Specific links:
For iphones and iPod touch
For Blackberry
For Android
For Windows 7 phone
For iPad
Jason adds, “If you happen to have a Kindle, you can order and read the essay directly from it. Just search for ‘jason kirk’.”

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West Seattle Blockbuster closures: 1 store’s shutdown date set
December 28, 2011 11:46 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

As first reported here Monday, both West Seattle Blockbuster stores are out of the rental business, selling off inventory and preparing to close. For anyone wondering how long the endstage is going to last, Admiral store manager Shannon shared some information tonight about what’s ahead at her location: She says the store at 2222 California SW will be “closing its doors to customers on February 15th,” and till then, “liquidating all inventory and assets. Additionally, inventory will be replenished and new sales will be added weekly.” If you have questions, she invites phone calls @ 206-938-8000.

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Giving the gift of hair: Local siblings give to Locks of Love
December 28, 2011 7:18 pm
|      24 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Perry told the story of the Locks of Love donations made by his kids, Sanislo Elementary students, in the WSB Forums. Above is his son Jesse‘s “after” photo. Here’s “before”:

Perry explains:

He was in first grade and I had read somewhere that reading things other then books to kids can help them see the importance of reading so I’d share a WSB article with him if I thought he might like it. One of the first articles I shared with him was this one about 3 boys in a higher grade at Sanislo that donated their hair. He asked me some questions about why they were donating their hair and why other kids need a wig and I explained it to him and he said he wanted to grow his hair to donate as well. The longer hair has been a challenge for him because of baseball, soccer, and swimming. Now that he’s done it, he’s talking about growing it back to donate again.

And, Perry says, Jesse inspired his sibling:

His sister’s name is Jennie and she is in K at Sanislo. The photo of her was from the beginning of the school year. When she was getting her hair cut we asked her if she wanted a trim or to donate her hair like her brother is doing and she opted to donate.

You can find out more about donating at locksoflove.org; some hair salons offer free cuts for donors – check with your favorite.

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Reader reports: Triangle car theft; Arbor Heights suspicions
December 28, 2011 6:08 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Arbor Heights | Crime | Safety | Triangle | West Seattle news

Two reader reports to share tonight – first, a stolen car resembling the one in the photo sent by Rob, who hopes his car will be found:

Stolen from my driveway near 37th and Alaska on Tuesday (12/27/2011) between 7:30 PM and 9:30 PM.

The car is a 1998 Subaru Legacy GT Sedan (not the ubiquitous wagon). It is a lovely dark-green color with some minor dents in the right-rear corner. It has Washington truck plates (so the license# begins with an “A” and ends with an “F”). It has a distinctive hood vent and a tasteful rear spoiler, as you can almost see in (the) photo. I have filed a report with the police.

Second, A shares the story of a car whose driver was taking an odd path early today:

Approximately 0530 Wednesday morning, my partner noticed a white Nissan with license plate number 200-Z(xx) pulling in and out of driveways along 35th avenue SW before the turn onto Marine View Drive SW. After being noticed, the car then drove back up 35th to 106th and made a right heading towards White Center. Police were notified, please be on the lookout and report further suspicious behavior.

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West Seattle Weather Watch: New Year’s Eve might be OK
December 28, 2011 2:20 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

“The extended models are trending toward a drier forecast for the weekend,” says the newest “forecast discussion” from the National Weather Service. In the meantime, though, soggy/breezy will prevail for the next few days, according to the “special weather statement” that is in effect. (Thanks to Craig Young for the photo, taken at Constellation Park this morning as gusty winds collided with the “king tide.” Tomorrow, it’s a bit lower – 12.5 feet just before 8:30 am.)

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Update: White Center shooting suspect arrested
December 28, 2011 1:14 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | White Center

New information just in from the King County Sheriff’s Office – a suspect is now in custody in this morning’s deadly shooting at Seattle Roll Bakery in White Center, and the motive was not robbery after all. Full details on White Center Now.

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Libraries, trees, bridge on next week’s Southwest District Council agenda
December 28, 2011 12:14 pm
|    Comments Off on Libraries, trees, bridge on next week’s Southwest District Council agenda
 |   Southwest District Council | West Seattle news

A new year of community meetings gets started one week from tonight with the 7 pm January 4th meeting of the Southwest District Council (which includes reps from organizations around western West Seattle). On the agenda circulated today: A presentation on the Seattle Public Library‘s future, an appearance by City Council President Richard Conlin (days before the council chooses its next president), an update on the Fauntleroy Expressway project that’s been closing part of the West Seattle Bridge on recent nights, and an update on plans for a “street tree ordinance” (a hot topic here recently). The meeting’s open to anyone interested in attending; just find the board room at South Seattle Community College (6000 16th SW), in the Robert Smith Building that’s literally front and center on campus.

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West Seattle Wednesday: Roads, tides, runners, writers…
December 28, 2011 6:07 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

BRIDGE/ROAD WORK: Another overnight Fauntleroy Expressway closure … Road repair work scheduled to continue in the 6500 block of 48th SW – details here.

ANOTHER ‘KING TIDE’: Just before 8 am today, the high tide will be 12.7 feet, almost as high as the past two days.

HEARING LOSS SUPPORT GROUP meets at the Senior Center of West Seattle (California/Oregon), 1-2 pm, free. From the announcement: “Explore with others the challenges of being hearing impaired. Give and receive support for solving problems. Education, special presenters and resources are options as we learn what the attendees are interested in. What this group becomes and achieves will depend on those who attend.” Facilitated by David Keitzke, Senior Center member, and D’vorah Kost, Social Worker.

PLANNING A CATERED EVENT? Tour The Hall at Fauntleroy with Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes Catering, 3-7 pm (details here).

RAMP UP TO RUN A HALF-MARATHON IN THE NEW YEAR! Tonight’s another Get Fit West Seattle info/intro night at West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) – 7 pm (California/Charlestown).

LISTEN UP, SPEAK UP: Poetry Bridge presents its 4th Wednesday Poems & Tales at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 5612 California SW, from 7-9 pm. Featured readers for December are Thaddeus Gunn and Leopoldo Seguel followed by open mike for poets and storytellers. FREE and open to all ages; beverages available at C & P. Visit poetrybridge.net for more details.

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Seattle officers help search for suspect in White Center shooting
December 28, 2011 12:47 am
|      25 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | White Center

12:47 AM: We’ve been covering a post-midnight shooting on partner site White Center Now, but we’re also hearing that Seattle Police are helping search, since the suspect was last seen headed this way, so we wanted to make sure you knew that ongoing coverage is here.

2:21 AM: We’ve updated the WCN story with video of King County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Sgt. Cindi West confirming the victim was killed, and that it apparently happened during a robbery at Seattle Roll Bakery. No arrest so far, but there were witnesses, so Sgt. West is hopeful there will be a description to share later this morning.

5:30 AM: Once that new information is out, we’ll have updates here and on WCN. TV crews are live in WC for the morning newscasts, but the reports we’ve seen so far haven’t had anything more than what we all learned from Sgt. West three-plus hours ago.

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West Seattle Weather Watch: Wind advisory in effect overnight
December 27, 2011 11:40 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

11:40 PM: Notice it’s gotten windy out there? The National Weather Service has a wind advisory in effect till 4 am – could gust up to 50 mph in some parts of Western Washington.

5:26 AM: The wind advisory expired at 4 and no new warnings are in effect so far, but it’s still very windy out there. Only one power outage in the city so far, though, with more than 100 customers still out in the Pioneer Square/stadium zone on the south end of downtown.

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Traffic alerts for West Seattle Bridge, Highway 99, and I-5
December 27, 2011 10:19 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

If you absolutely have to drive to or from West Seattle in the next few hours or so, here’s a few things you might need to know:

I-5 NORTHBOUND – is likely to be a mess for a while because a tanker overturned at Lakeview on the north side of downtown, and its 2,000 gallons of diesel fuel will have to be pumped out before it can be cleared. 10:57 PM UPDATE: Scanner traffic indicates they will be trying to right the truck WITHOUT emptying it.

HIGHWAY 99 SOUTHBOUND – a spinout crash is reported in the Battery Street Tunnel, and south of there, watch out for puddling in the right lanes, particularly the last stretch before Harbor Island (we experienced this firsthand on a quick run to/from downtown in the past hour).

WEST SEATTLE BRIDGE – the Fauntleroy Expressway closure planned for tonight hasn’t happened yet, if it’s going to happen at all (might be too rainy for crews) – you can keep an eye on the traffic camera above (the signage on 99 may not help; a lit sign on 99 just before the bridge said it WAS closed when we went through around 9:15 pm, but it most definitely wasn’t). 10:57 PM UPDATE: The westbound detour IS in place now, as you can see in the “live” camera view.

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West Seattle Crime Watch followup: Stolen decorations found
December 27, 2011 9:04 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Holidays | West Seattle news

Several WSB’ers reported decoration thefts this holiday season, but the one reported a week ago by Cyndi and Steve was an especially tough tale, as they’re in mourning and only put decorations out for the neighbors. Earlier this evening, they sent a happier postscript:

I just wanted to let everybody know that our Christmas decorations were returned to us this afternoon. They were found in a hedge in the Alki area and Bridget returned them to us after reading the blog. Once again the wonderful people of West Seattle came through to help their neighbors.

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