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Spotlight Stories


  • Parking

    PARKING CHANGE: Restrictions expand

  • Stops

    BUS-STOP CHANGES: After 1 1/2 years, a plan

  • Pride

    BEING SEEN: Alki Beach Pride nears

Sustainable West Seattle film series casts off with fish focus, Mashiko’s chef
January 2, 2011 6:30 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Sustainable West Seattle | West Seattle news

Stopping by the Sustainable West Seattle table at West Seattle Farmers’ Market today, we got the word on the program that will start the group’s new film series: “The End of the Line” (trailer above), exploring the effects of overfishing, with a bonus guest speaker: Chef Hajime Sato, proprietor of Mashiko, the West Seattle restaurant that now serves only sustainably caught seafood. The screening is set for 7 pm March 21st at the Admiral Theater. SWS’s Chas Redmond says they’re hoping to offer film screenings quarterly. Before then, you can catch up with SWS at its January and February community forums – at 7 pm January 18th, it’s an update on the West Seattle Wildlife Habitat Project, a local tourism initiative, and volunteer opportunities; at 7 pm February 22nd, the focus is on an ever-hot topic, “West Seattle’s Transportation Future.” (Those two community forums will be at the Senior Center of West Seattle, California/Oregon.)

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West Seattle youth sports: Pee Wee Baseball signups start
January 2, 2011 5:31 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

From West Seattle Association of Pee Wee Baseball president Eric Olson:

Registration for Spring Baseball through the West Seattle Association of Pee Wee Baseball opened January 2nd and will continue through February 17th.

You can register today or find more information at www.westseattlepeewee.com. This season marks our 54th year servicing the greater West Seattle region, providing baseball for children between the ages of 5 and 10 through our Shetland (t-ball), Pinto and Mustang Divisions. WSAPWB is a member of PONY Baseball and operates under their rules and guidelines. All WSAPWB games are played at our four diamond field adjacent to Riverview Playfield in the Highland Park area.

Last season we had over 350 kids playing in our 3 divisions. As part of the PONY organization, our goal is to teach fundamentals of baseball, instill the values of good sportsmanship and fair play, and build a sense of community amongst all those that participate in the League. Our practices start the first week of March and the season ends in mid-June.

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Happening now: Alki Arts celebrates half a year in business
January 2, 2011 4:56 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Six months after Diane Venti and artist husband Tom Wyrick took over the space vacated by All the Best Pet Care, between Alki Urban Market and Cactus, their business Alki Arts is celebrating its first half-year right now: 10 percent off everything, till 7 tonight. Refreshments, mingling, and art admiration free:

As reported here when they opened in July, the gallery rents space to artists, as well as selling some pieces on commission. They also rent the gallery as an event space (not just arts events – a snippet of a Journalism That Matters gathering there this fall wound up on YouTube, with Diane explaining how WSB coverage and social media helped her get the word out when her business started [we weren’t at the meeting; the clip was posted by a JTM member]). Right now, they continue to sublet the space from All the Best, whose owner Susan Moss is praised by Diane for her support, including affordable rent.

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Seen Machel’s mushroom photos? On display starting today
January 2, 2011 2:55 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle Art Walk | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

If you have looked at – and/or participated in – the WSB photo pool on Flickr, you have likely admired the work of Machel Spence, whose favored subject is mushrooms, and other fungi. She e-mailed us today to share the news that her photos are now on display at Coffee to a Tea with Sugar in The Junction, today through the end of the month, and she’ll be there on January 13 to meet anyone interested in talking about them. She also says her photos are under consideration for a book, too! By the way, January 13 happens to be the first West Seattle Art Walk of the year – 6-9 pm; we’ll have the full list of venues (which changes quarter-by-quarter, and this WSAW starts a new quarter) as soon as it’s available.

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West Seattle Weather Watch: Beware of persistent road ice
January 2, 2011 12:30 pm
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   Safety | West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

People who live in the 6000-6200 block of Beach Drive (map), by the slope that’s seen two slides in the past year, put out the alert on this; we went by for a photo, and it truly is the worst icy patch we’ve seen so far – it stretches a ways, and there’s a bend to its south, so you might come hurtling along without knowing you’re about to hit a long icy patch covering the entire road. This spot is shady all day long, too, because of the slope on one side and trees on the other, so until the air warms in a big way, it may not melt much. Wherever you go, beware ice – especially on the roadsides – almost anywhere in the shade. Rain and temperatures in the 40s may return Tuesday, per the newest forecast. P.S. (added 2:45 pm) Weather-related reminder: There’s a Stage 1 burn ban right now, which means no fires in your fireplace or wood stove unless you have no other way to keep warm, and also means no outdoor fires (beach, or otherwise).

ADDED 10:34 PM: We don’t know yet if it’s been blamed on the ice, but there’s been a crash within the past half-hour on that exact stretch of Beach Drive – reported as 5900 block, with scanner traffic discussing the significant ice on the road. No serious injuries reported.

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West Seattle Sunday: Ferry schedule; Farmers’ Market; Alki Arts…
January 2, 2011 8:33 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Male Anna’s hummingbird; photo by Danny McMillin via the WSB Flickr group pool)
Happy second day of 2011! A few notes for today – Washington State Ferries‘ winter schedule starts today, which means, among other changes, fewer weekend runs for Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth; the new schedule is available in various formats here – note that fares just went up too … West Seattle Farmers’ Market is open as always, 10 am-2 pm … At the beach, Alki Arts (2820 Alki SW) celebrates its half-year “anniversary” with a storewide 10%-off sale, noon-7 pm. … Two WSB sponsors have live music today/tonight: At C & P Coffee (5612 California SW), it’s Bremerton songwriter Umber Mishra, 3-5 pm, and at Skylark Café and Club (3803 Delridge Way), it’s all-ages night, with Petros, Canby, and Elliott G. Knapp, starting at 7 … P.S. (added 9 am) A Tweet reminds us that the West Seattle Tool Library is open today too, 1-5 pm (see its inventory here).

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Papa John’s robbed again
January 1, 2011 9:45 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

It happened shortly after midnight last night, but the scanner was so busy, we heard no followup; tonight, police confirm that Papa John’s Pizza in West Seattle was indeed robbed again. Southwest Precinct Lt. Alan Williams says, “One male suspect entered, displayed a handgun, and demanded money. The suspect was wearing all black clothing with a black beanie cap and a black mask.” He got cash and took off. No one was hurt; no injuries reported. The restaurant at 5252 California SW was also robbed three months ago (WSB coverage here).

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West Seattle scenes: First sunset of 2011; last seal pup of 2010
January 1, 2011 9:37 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Wildlife

Thanks to our first photo-sharers of 2011. First, from JJ, an image of tonight’s spectacular sunset – taken from Alki, but we can attest to the fact it was gorgeous further south, too. And then, a while after sunset, “Jopuget” got this shot of Mount Rainier’s silhouette:

That was taken from High Point. Next, Brian Fenske reports, “My father-in-law from Arizona has been “enjoying” our frosty, sunny days,” and that includes this image – which he credits to Ralph Hergenrader:

Last but not least, from David Hutchinson:

David explains, “This is one of two West Seattle seal pups that Seal Sitters responded to on the last day of 2010. This one was taking advantage of the sunny weather and a convenient log to work on his tan.” (Full story at Seal Sitters’ blubberblog.org site.)

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Looking for West Seattle Christmas-tree-recycling info? 2 reminders
January 1, 2011 4:11 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | Holidays | West Seattle news

We noticed “West Seattle Christmas tree recycling” is the most popular Google query pointing people to WSB this afternoon, so we’ll repeat the information we published last weekend: If you’re deciding what to do with your tree now that the holiday season is ending (yes, we know, the Epiphany is yet to come), you have three main options here. First, curbside pickup continues through January 9th, as long as you follow the city rules (and if you live in a multifamily building, your rules may vary). Second, you can take it to the transfer station, slightly different rules. Third, you can take it to the Rainbow Girls‘ fundraising tree dropoff event one week from today, 9 am-2 pm Saturday, January 8, in The Junction – details here, along with one bonus: How to recycle your old holiday lights, working or not!

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Video: West Seattle/White Center Polar Bear Swim 2011 at Alki
January 1, 2011 10:33 am
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

That scene requires a slight amendment to a classic line, so let’s just say: “Elvis has left the water.” The King was part of the sizable crowd – more than 100 – who dove right into 2011 with the West Seattle/White Center Polar Bear Swim about half an hour ago at Alki. Most were in and out in a matter of seconds, as our video shows:

For some, it was a party:

And for some, a victory:

The water was warmer than the air, which was still just before freezing when the “swimmers” took the plunge at 10 am.

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West Seattle New Year’s Day 2011: The basics
January 1, 2011 6:03 am
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Hello again, and happy 2011. Some of the basics for this holiday Saturday – Metro‘s on a Sunday schedule. No mail; banks are closed; no trash pickup, and the transfer station’s closed; city libraries are closed; these parks facilities are closed. As for coffee/grocery stores/restaurants: Please note that what follows is NOT the same type of list we published for Thanksgiving and Christmas – for this holiday, rather than call every establishment in West Seattle to find out their plans, we tried an online experiment, checking businesses’ websites, Facebook pages, and/or Twitter accounts (and any other online sources). Many did not have easily findable “holiday hours” info online, but here’s what we did turn up (certainly others are open, and if you know of any firsthand, please comment or let us know and we’ll add):Read More

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Happy 2011! Space Needle fireworks view from West Seattle
January 1, 2011 2:00 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

Driving along Harbor Avenue just before the Space Needle fireworks at midnight, we noticed how many photographers were interspersed with spectators – and we have a few of their views to share. Above, a time-lapse from David Rosen of SlickPix Photography; next, one of the views provided by Cheryl Nellis of Cnellis Photography:

Last but not least, this is just for fun … Junior Member of the Team wielded the camera for the first five minutes of 2011 at Seacrest, while we idled the car in Harbor Avenue traffic (note to self, if deciding to watch fireworks from Seacrest, go get spot early). Some fireworks, some revelry, some cheering, shaky but if you like slice of life, here you go:

Happy 2011!

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Video: West Seattle’s one-and-only New Year’s Eve parade
December 31, 2010 10:03 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Highland Park | Holidays | West Seattle news

“We’re gonna let the neighbors know it’s New Year’s Eve!” With that promise from Highland Park Action Committee chair Dan Mullins, this year’s Not-So-Silent-Night Parade strolled across SW Holden and onto a winding mile-long loop route. Not quite the same route as the first-ever version last year – not the same weather as last year, either; it was rainy then, but this time, clear and cold, with ice patches like this one in the street (luckily everybody kept to the sidewalks):

Neighbors along the way called out “Happy New Year!” to greet the parade:

And at the end, like 2009 – after Mullins exhorted everyone to “give yourselves a hand!” – a brief fire ceremony offered a chance to tell the old year goodbye:

What burned? Neighborhood greenery, predominantly rosemary like last year, “maybe some thyme,” we heard somebody say. And then, the 60-plus participants were invited inside for cookies, cider, and a jovial 4-plus-hour start on 2011.

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Mourning Matt Durham – West Seattle photojournalist, firefighter, dad
December 31, 2010 6:34 pm
|      29 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

If you knew Matt Durham at all – even a bit – he seemed like the last guy who could be felled by a terminal illness. Strong, active, positive outlook …

But cancer plays no favorites.

The West Seattle photojournalist (whose work in the past few years included WSB contributions), whose main job was as a Woodinville firefighter, is dead of melanoma, at just 45 years old.

Matt died yesterday. While his wife Elaine Durham announced it on their Facebook pages last night, they are not public, and we wanted to wait until she gave her approval, which she did late today, to share the news. She and their sons, 9 and 11, had just spent Christmas Eve/Day with Matt at Swedish Medical Center. If you were among their Facebook friends, you have probably followed along with their brave story for the past few months, since Matt himself announced the diagnosis on his page in September.

As it was a private matter, we hadn’t written about it before, but earlier this week, with Elaine’s permission, we had a story in the works regarding a benefit planned by Matt’s fellow firefighters in the Woodinville Fire and Life Safety District (which gave us permission to use their photo of Matt) on January 13th, after this Woodinville Weekly article appeared, and after a flyer about it started circulating in West Seattle.

We never got to publish that story before Matt lost his fight against the metastatized melanoma discovered less than four months ago. He will be missed by many throughout West Seattle, Woodinville, and beyond. You can see some of his photos on his photography site at mattdurhamphotography.com. Once we have word on memorial-service plans, we will publish an update.

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ADDED EARLY SATURDAY: The Woodinville department says it is classifying Matt’s death as line-of-duty; that drew regional media attention, including this KING 5 report late Friday night.

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‘Lunging’ dog shot by police officer in Fauntleroy
December 31, 2010 6:19 pm
|      98 COMMENTS
 |   Fauntleroy | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

Tonight we have details from police about an incident in Fauntleroy this morning (thanks to the two WSB’ers who e-mailed us to ask about it): Police were called about trouble involving two dogs, and shot one of them, according to Southwest Precinct Lt. Ron Smith. He says officers were called to the 9600 block of 48th SW (map) just before 7:30 this morning. The caller said two “aggressive pit bull dogs not known to (the) complainant” were on the porch. According to Lt. Smith, here’s what happened when officers arrived:

The dogs quickly approached a responding officer who was standing on the street. The officer backed away and attempted to place a garbage can as a barrier between him and the dogs, but one of the dogs lunged at him. The officer discharged his duty handgun, striking the dog in the face/head area. The dog fell back, rolled on the ground, then both dogs fled northbound on 48th Av SW. Officers were unable to locate either dog.

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West Seattle New Year’s Eve: It’s already 2011 at The Mount
December 31, 2010 5:36 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

(Photos by Ellen Cedergreen for WSB)
On New Year’s Eve, every new hour brings the new year somewhere in the world. At Providence Mount St. Vincent this afternoon, residents, staffers, and volunteers were probably the first in West Seattle to ring in 2011; they did it on Parisian time – 3 pm Seattle time. The party included a prize wheel, and the winners included resident Melly (top photo). Another big feature – karaoke, with volunteer Mike Fox belting out a lively version of the French song “Louise“:

Other popular numbers included “Dust in the Wind” and “Hallelujah“:

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Looking back at West Seattle’s 2010, #2: The offbeat stories
December 31, 2010 3:33 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

While continuing to put together the WSB take on 2010’s top 10 stories (coming up later), we came across three that seemed to deserve a retrospective all their own – the three offbeat stories covered here in 2010. Read More

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In case you’re wondering: 35th/Avalon-area fire call
December 31, 2010 2:50 pm
|    Comments Off on In case you’re wondering: 35th/Avalon-area fire call
 |   West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

It went out as “fire in building,” which means a big response for starters; then arriving crews determined it was a “food on stove” fire, and most units were canceled. However, one building resident tells us via Facebook that the sprinklers activated by the fire have caused some water woes, which means the trucks will be there for a while.

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Admiral Theater: Double feature for New Year’s Eve, high hopes for the New Year
December 31, 2010 1:42 pm
|      31 COMMENTS
 |   Admiral Theater | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

This autumn’s been a tough one for operators of historic local theaters, and their fans.

In Seattle alone, two shutdowns were announced last month – first the Uptown on Queen Anne, then the Neptune in the U-District.

That made us wonder how West Seattle’s historic Admiral Theater is doing, two and a half years after its last management change. So we arranged a chat with the woman who runs it, Dinah Brein. She was on duty last night, helping run the night’s films, and getting ready for a special New Year’s Eve-themed holiday double bill tonight: “Holiday” at 7, “When Harry Met Sally” at 9.

Just as we headed her way, Dinah sent a link to another theater-closure story that had just appeared online, this time the Orchard Theater in Port Orchard. And with a close-to-home twist – it’s part of the Far Away Entertainment theater group run by her brother Jeff Brein, which also includes The Admiral.

No, they’re NOT throwing in the towel here too. But some of what was on that theater’s wish list remains on The Admiral’s wish list too.

Read More

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West Seattle New Year’s Eve scenes: Cold beauty
December 31, 2010 12:39 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle New Year’s Eve scenes: Cold beauty
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

Two images to remember this chilly last day of 2010 by … Robin Lindsey of Seal Sitters was out early this morning as always, checking the beaches, and caught the top image of paddleboarders, with the Olympic Mountains’ famous peaks The Brothers as a backdrop. Robin says it was so cold her fingers almost fell off! Next, Max shares a unique view, explaining, “We woke up to this delightful window decoration.”

The noon temperature at Sea-Tac and Boeing Field, by the way, was 32 degrees – up from the early 20s in both locations at 6 this morning.

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Looking back at West Seattle’s 2010, #1: Christopher’s photos
December 31, 2010 10:21 am
|      16 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Over the course of today/tonight, we’re looking back at West Seattle’s 2010 in a few ways. Here’s the first. Christopher Boffoli photographed dozens of notable stories for WSB again this year; he went through his archives via Flickr and created this montage of memorable scenes. It’s not in order of importance – you’ll see a number of breaking-news scenes since Christopher is often first to arrive, but also wildlife, parade participants, sights at sea and in the sky … a great visual retrospective. Just click the “play” button and the images will automatically advance as you watch. Coming up later, our “top stories of the year” list, as well as year-end thanks. (But we’ll be here as usual covering today’s news all day, too!)

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16th/Holden update: JoJo’s closed, Zippy’s exploring options
December 31, 2010 9:22 am
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Highland Park | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

A few more updates this morning from the in-foreclosure commercial building at 16th/Holden: One day after confirming she would close once her current inventory ran out, which she thought might be early next week, JoJo’s Fine Espresso owner Jodi Robbins has closed the stand. This morning, reader Erik had sent a photo of a “pay rent or vacate” note he saw on the stand this morning; WSB contributor Deanie Schwarz says it’s gone now. Robbins confirmed the back-rent notice in a note to us and also just added a comment to our story from yesterday, noting the closure, saying she’s “being forced to shut the doors,” and concluding with well-wishes for Zippy’s Giant Burgers – now the last business open at what until one week ago was a three-business spot.

Deanie, meantime, has spoken again with Zippy’s owners, who say they are continuing to explore the possibility of financing to purchase the site. Yesterday, Deanie reports, reps from UniBank* including an assistant vice president, Alex Ko, were at the now-shuttered SeaMart – whose owners had also owned the building pre-foreclosure – and they put up this note on the store’s door:

The bank told Deanie they’ve already had bidders and that the building was appraised for $825,000 this fall.

*FRIDAY NIGHT UPDATE: We have corrected the name of the bank in the story – it’s UniBank, not Union.

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More West Seattle New Year’s Eve notes: Government services
December 31, 2010 8:28 am
|    Comments Off on More West Seattle New Year’s Eve notes: Government services
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

Most government offices are closed today; city libraries close at 6 pm. Metro remains on a “reduced weekday” schedule. Trash (etc.) pickup is on a regular schedule today, but not tomorrow. Mail is delivered today but not tomorrow. Banks are open today but not tomorrow.

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