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Spotlight Stories

Big day Saturday for WestSide Baby – and you can be part of it
February 4, 2011 10:16 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Fun stuff to do | How to help | West Seattle news

Tomorrow is WestSide Baby‘s annual fundraising tea – and while the tea itself is sold out, two adjacent events are not, according to late word from WS Baby’s Nancy Woodland. First: The Little Gym of West Seattle is holding a Rainy Day Playdate Camp from 2-4:30 pm tomorrow for children age 3-10 (potty-trained). The cost is $25 with a $15 sibling discount. Nancy explains, “The camp was created as a possible child care option for WestSide Baby supporters attending the 10th Annual Benefit Tea but it’s open to anyone who wants a great place to leave their children for a few hours of fun tomorrow!” You can save a space by calling 206-937-0311 right now and leaving a message. Then tomorrow night, tickets are still available for the first-ever WestSide Baby benefit Cocktail Party – 7-9 pm at The Hall at Fauntleroy. $30 per ticket, available right now online at WestSideBaby.org, or at the door. Nancy says, “The evening promises great appetizers, fun drinks, cool drawings, a program to share WestSide Baby, and a lively opportunity to give.”

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Milestone nears for Avalon Glassworks ‘Feed the Core’ fundraiser
February 4, 2011 9:35 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(Courtesy Aguero Photo)
This is the third year of Avalon Glassworks‘ “Feed the Core” fundraiser for White Center Food Bank, and it’s getting close to a milestone, according to a news release we received today – 34 more apples to sell till the amount of money donated hits $10,000. The apples sell for $80, with half of that covering the production costs and the other half – $40 per apple – going to WC Food Bank, which can buy up to 200 pounds of food for that sum. So far, they have sold 216 apples! Once they hit 250, and therefore the $10,000 mark, AGW owners Shannon and Jon Felix are planning a celebration – and hoping that’ll be possible by early summer. P.S. If you can’t get to Avalon Glassworks in person (2914 SW Avalon Way), the apples are available online.

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Newest state ferry Salish to be visible from West Seattle shores
February 4, 2011 6:41 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

(WSDOT photo, December 2010)
The state’s next Kwa-di Tabil Class ferry, the Salish, will be visible off West Seattle shores on Monday, according to an announcement from Washington State Ferries. Under tow, the Salish will make its first trip out of Todd Pacific Shipyards starting around 8 am Monday, headed for Everett Shipyard, “for final outfitting and system testing prior to conducting dock and sea trials,” according to WSF. When it’s ready, the Salish will join the 1st ferry built in its class, the Chetzemoka, in serving the Port Townsend-Whidbey Island run.
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In case you wondered too: Concrete re-do on 1st Avenue ramp
February 4, 2011 4:50 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Spokane St. Viaduct project | West Seattle news

4:50 PM: In the WSB Forums, via a comment, and a phone call, we’ve been asked about what looks like a re-do of some concrete work on the new 1st Avenue South onramp/offramp to the Spokane Street Viaduct section of the West Seattle Bridge. SDOT‘s Marybeth Turner confirms that’s what it is: “Yes, the contractor is taking out a piece of the barricade on the First Avenue S Ramp and will redo it. One end was off by five inches. It’s at no cost to the city and it won’t affect the project schedule.”

ADDED 8:41 PM: Thanks to Scott for pointing out in comments that the Seattle Times (WSB partner) has just put up a story with additional details.

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AlkiMoves: Welcoming a new West Seattle Blog sponsor
February 4, 2011 3:47 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Health | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Today we welcome a new WSB sponsor, Erik LaSeur of AlkiMoves, the only practicing Feldenkrais teacher in West Seattle. New sponsors get the chance to tell you about themselves: Erik’s wellness work at AlkiMoves is based upon the work of Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais, a Russian-born Israeli scientist and judo master. Erik says what differentiates the Feldenkrais method from most of the health/wellness field is that this isn’t a therapy — rather, it’s a method of learning: “We use movement as a means of learning because it’s easier to measure movement as opposed to thinking, feeling, and sensing. This is the same kind of organic learning we all did when we were infants.” From his work at the Senior Center of West Seattle, he says he’s been able to help people dealing with balance problems and neurological challenges:”I’ve had great success working with people who live with Fibromyalgia, spinal stenosis. What keeps people coming back is their curiosity about learning to be their own best healers.” He says he gets referrals from massage therapists, naturopaths, and acupuncturists: “People usually seek me out after they’ve tried everything else and are still in pain, or something physically bothers them.”

The other members of the AlkiMoves staff are Anna Oeste and Mary Morrison. Sessions are held for groups of seven at a time. Erik also works with small companies to help them lower health-care costs by teaching more-efficient, less-painful ways to work, whether it’s lifting heavy weights or sitting at a keyboard. Erik is a member of the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce and a member of the West Seattle Champions BNI group, is treasurer of the Northwest Region of the Feldenkrais Guild of North America, and is a member of Feldenkrais Teachers in Seattle.

We thank AlkiMoves for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news on WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.

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Potential plea bargain for 2nd suspect in Highland Park attack
February 4, 2011 2:57 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Highland Park | West Seattle news

gavel.jpgTwo weeks after the sentencing of one defendant in the Highland Park hate-crime attack (WSB courthouse coverage here), there’s word the second suspect might also enter a plea instead of going to trial. A hearing scheduled today for 21-year-old Jonathan Baquiring was instead postponed till next Friday, and a new document in the online court files explains the delay as: “Parties likely have reached a plea bargain.” A hearing is now tentatively set for next Friday morning; Baquiring’s trial had been set for February 22nd. He is charged with robbery and malicious harassment in the May 2010 attack on Shane McClellan, the teenager beaten and tortured for hours on a Highland Park staircase. The other defendant, 23-year-old Ahmed Mohamed, admitted with his guilty plea that he “maliciously and intentionally … caused physical injury” to the victim because of his race; Mohamed was sentenced to almost six years in prison.

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West Seattle school news: Westside, HP Elementary, WSC Preschool
February 4, 2011 2:05 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Three notes about local schools – starting with video from Westside School (WSB sponsor), where the Garfield High School Lion Dance Team performed at a Lunar New Year assembly this morning, introduced by Westside’s Chinese-language teacher Steven Whiting. (Westside has an open house coming up next week for its new middle school – 6 pm February 9th).

Second, special visitors at Highland Park Elementary School:

(Highland Park Elementary event photos by Deanie Schwarz for WSB)
Cinnamon, a six-week-old dairy calf from Monroe, was the surprise guest on Thursday as part of Harvest to Table education in Seattle Public Schools. Health Intervention Specialist Helen Walsh told WSB, “This month we are highlighting dairy and how important it is for our bodies. Next month, we will be doing potatoes, and who knows what we will be doing for that!” Also visiting along with Cinnamon, Kelsey Schubach, a Dairy Ambassador for the Dairy Farmers of Washington:

She talked to students about what cows eat and how they are milked, and widened some eyes by explaining that cows have four stomachs.

Last but not least – a student art display in The Junction:

Art from West Seattle Christian Preschool is now hanging at Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor) in The Junction, where proprietor Lora noted that Hotwire’s newly repainted walls are an even-better backdrop for art. Hotwire is one of the stops on the monthly West Seattle Art Walk – next week’s edition is less than a week away, next Thursday night (February 10th), 6-9 pm.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Stolen car, hit-run sightings sought
February 4, 2011 11:17 am
|      15 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Several West Seattle Crime Watch reports from the WSB inbox – a stolen car to watch for, a stolen car apparently found, and two hit-and run cases, one unsolved – (update: a newly reported roof-rack theft added) – after the jump:Read More

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West Seattle Friday: Theater x 3; ‘Birds + Bees + Kids’; more
February 4, 2011 9:21 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by Little Red Wheelbarrow, from the WSB Flickr group pool)
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar: A benefit for the Phan/Harm family, survivors of last September’s shootings, happening tonight in Tacoma: “TacSea! TacSea! A Celebration of Music, Art, and Life,” full details on the official flyer (PDF) … The Pathfinder K-8 PTSA presents its second special talk about puberty, with Amy Lang of Birds and Bees and Kids, 6-8 pm at the school, RSVP to lashannaw@gmail.com … Friday Night Skating rolls on at Alki Community Center, $3/person, bring your own skates or borrow theirs, 6:45 pm-8:45 pm … At Senior Center of West Seattle this morning, it’s a drop-in Chair Yoga class, 11 am-12:15 pm, $5 members/$7 nonmembers … Three theater productions tonight: “Emilie” @ ArtsWest, 7:30 pm (get tickets online here); “A Little Murder Never Hurt Anybody” @ West Seattle High School, 7:30 pm (update – got a call from WSHS that prices on their website are wrong and tickets are now just $5!); “The Real Inspector Hound” @ Chief Sealth International High School Little Theater, 7 pm (free).

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Skylark Café: Bigscreen Super Bowl; burlesque Valentine dinner
February 4, 2011 8:35 am
|    Comments Off on Skylark Café: Bigscreen Super Bowl; burlesque Valentine dinner
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

Two notes this morning from Skylark Café and Club (WSB sponsor): First, they’re planning to show Sunday’s Super Bowl game on the big projection screen in the club (and will move the first band of the night back to 7:30 pm so there’s no conflict if the game runs long) – so go for brunch, stay for the game! Second, it’s not too late to get tickets for their “Mambo Italiano” three-course Valentine dinner and burlesque show, 7:30 pm Monday, Feb. 14th. (Get tickets online here.) P.S. Burlesque is now back at Skylark, last Thursday of each month.

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WSBeat: ‘Their word against mine’; ‘Watch this!’; ‘Want a war?’
February 3, 2011 11:56 pm
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police | WSBeat

Twelve summaries this week – click ahead:Read More

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Zippy’s Giant Burgers moving from Highland Park to White Center
February 3, 2011 6:45 pm
|      127 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants | White Center

(Photos by Deanie Schwarz for WSB/WCN)
Earlier this week, Zippy’s Giant Burgers said it would likely have news of a new location by the end of the week, since the foreclosure mess at its original Highland Park location didn’t seem likely to result in a continued lease, or purchase, of the building – and tonight, West Seattle Blog/White Center Now contributor Deanie Schwarz has just confirmed with Zippy’s ownership that the new location is final: A long-empty restaurant spot on the northern edge of White Center. 9614 14th Avenue SW (map), right behind the Roxbury Bartell Drugs, about a block and a half north of Big Al Brewing.

Blaine Cook from Zippy’s explains that among other things, staying at the current location would have meant triple the current rent. As for other possibilities around West Seattle and White Center, it would have cost too much for the “buildout” at other locations they explored. Staying in this area was important, since of their 11 employees, all but two live in West Seattle or White Center. The new location – with previous names including the Cookbook Café – is now inked for a three-year lease with two options for five-year extensions, he says. It’s a lot bigger than the current location – 1,600 square feet, with room for up to 60 people to sit down. That means they might eventually expand their menu – breakfast is a possibility.

This also means:

–They can accept credit cards
–They’ll cut their own fries
–They’ll seek a license to offer beer

They’re hoping to open in late April or early May, with minimal downtime for a moveout from Highland Park before their lease expires on April 19th. The White Center site is truly turnkey, Cook says – some floor work and “kitchen tweaks” are needed, plus permits. But overall, he says, “We are stoked!” They’re looking forward to being part of White Center’s ongoing renaissance. And remember the term SoRo – South of Roxbury – if it catches on, he’s the one who made it up!

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Happy Lunar New Year! Lafayette first-graders’ parade
February 3, 2011 6:35 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Thanks to Luckie for sharing photos from a Lafayette Elementary tradition – the first graders’ Lunar New Year parade. She reports, “Children from the other grades lined the halls to watch, cheer, and sound their noisemakers. Included in the parade was a dragon, musicians playing drums, and lots of rabbits, as the Year of the Rabbit has just begun. The first graders also enjoyed Chinese noodles, oranges, and sweets.”

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Update: Lumpia World announces West Seattle location
February 3, 2011 6:14 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

Followup to our mention earlier this week that the Lumpia World food truck will start coming to West Seattle on Saturdays: They just announced the location, via Facebook: Rite Aid south of The Junction, 5217 California SW. 11 am-2 pm Saturdays, starting this weekend.

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‘The Hole’ court fight: $ value; a push to ‘develop & stabilize’
February 3, 2011 4:48 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

(WSB photo of The Hole, taken last month)
You probably won’t be surprised to hear that a court challenge has been filed to stop the scheduled foreclosure sale of the stalled West Seattle development site known widely as “The Hole” – but the documents contain a few interesting points.

The sale was ordered in December (as first reported here) by Judge Susan Craighead, and scheduled for February 25th, after her November ruling in the first trial spawned by the legal fight over the site. The goal was to pay off the entities that she ruled had lien priority – including construction companies Aero and Ledcor.

Her ruling has been challenged in the state Court of Appeals, so the entity that has been trying to get control of the site, 3922 SW Alaska LLC, is asking the judge to put the foreclosure sale on hold until that appeal is settled. They say they have an appraisal putting The Hole’s value at $5.16 million, and since the primary liens (and interest) total an estimated $7.7 million, The Hole itself could be “security” in the matter, they argue, with a $2.6 million bond thrown in.

But they’re not proposing that the site stay idle if they get that sale put on hold: As part of its motion, 3922 SW Alaska (the street address of The Hole) is asking the judge for permission to do a foreclosure of its own, so it could “begin efforts to stabilize and develop the subject property,” saying that at the very least, that work would enhance the interests of the other lienholders, in case the lienholders win the appeal. You can read the motion in its entirety here; a hearing before Judge Craighead is scheduled for one week from tomorrow.

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Beach Drive dilemma: What to do with a beached cow?
February 3, 2011 1:55 pm
|      48 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

Pam lives on the water in the 5900 block of Beach Drive (map) and says, “It’s the wild kingdom out here – we get seals, whales, birds …” But never anything like this.

Late last night, she posted in the WSB Forums, “My husband was out walking our dog on the beach and found a dead cow hog-tied on our beach … We’ve contacted the police, who are on their way.”

Today, the cow’s still on the beach (as also noted by Beach Drive Blog), and Pam and her husband are trying to figure out how to get rid of it.

The police did check it out, confirms Southwest Precinct Lt. Ron Smith: “A third watch supervisor responded and did indeed locate a carcass which appeared to be used for bait for crab pots. Complainant was advised to call animal control if the carcass was still there after 0900 hours.”

Pam says they did just that. Responding to a note from WSB this morning, she replied, “Animal Control can’t help. The cow is on private property, so they suggested we call a rendering company. I think my husband is going to try to send him out to sea when the tide comes in.”

We asked if we could come over for a photo – from a respectful distance – and she agreed. (If you want to see it, you’ll have to click here.) As we walked out onto the bulkhead, she noted that even if pushing it into the high tide temporarily solves their problem, she realizes that may just end with the cow washing up on somebody else’s beach later.

So, she, and we, are wondering: Any other (serious) suggestions for how to dispose of the carcass, or someone who might be interested in taking it away? First time we’ve heard of a cow on or near the beach since the famous one found afloat last March.

8:20 AM UPDATE: In comments, Pam reports: “UPDATE: Mother nature has taken care of it. High tide and strong current. Hopefully it won’t become one of (the) neighbors to the north’s problem.”

9:39 AM UPDATE: And in a newer comment, Lura reports: “UPDATE: Cow is on beach in 5400 block.”

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Krieger Aesthetic and Reconstructive Dentistry: New WSB sponsor
February 3, 2011 12:51 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Health | West Seattle news

Today we’re welcoming one of our newest sponsors, Krieger Aesthetic and Reconstructive Dentistry. New WSB sponsors get the chance to tell you about their business, and here’s what they’d like you to know: “Dr. Krieger, Dr. Pavlovich, and our staff have an unwavering passion for meeting the needs of every individual in a unique and personalized way. Patients often remark that our office is the only office they have been to where the dentistry is taken so seriously, but the patients, doctors and staff all have fun during the process. Our mission is to treat every patient with the same compassion and kindness as we would a family member or friend. There is, however, one thing that sets Krieger Aesthetic and Reconstructive Dentistry apart from every office in Seattle. We are one of the very few utilizing the process of ‘Digital Co-Diagnosis,’ in which the patient becomes a vital part of the diagnostic process using cutting edge digital technology. Our office actually was one of the pioneers in developing this technique which is now used all over the world. We would love to show any potential patient how this process works because it is revolutionary. Anyone who is interested should simply call our office and set up a new patient exam. Because of our commitment to care, many other dentists in the area recognize us as one of the the leading dental offices in the Greater Seattle area. When 3500 dentists were polled, our office was twice voted as a ‘Top Seattle Dental Office’.”

Krieger Aesthetic and Reconstructive Dentistry is at 4150 California SW; call 206-935-1855. They’re online at kriegerdental.com. Through their WSB ad, they’re offering a special to new patients this month – contact them for an appointment.

We thank Krieger Aesthetic and Reconstructive Dentistry for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news on WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.

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West Seattle Whale Watch: Orcas reported heading this way
February 3, 2011 12:06 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Wildlife

Second day in a row for orca sightings in this part of the Sound – they were seen off Maury Island earlier, headed south, but now we got a text from our whale-expert tipsters saying they’re headed back this way, just sighted off Point Robinson.

1:51 PM UPDATE: As Donna Sandstrom from The Whale Trail notes in comments, her fellow West Seattle-based whale expert Jeff Hogan from Killer Whale Tales reports that the whales split into two groups, one headed north, one headed south. (Thanks also to Orca Network for its alerts via various channels.)

THURSDAY NIGHT P.S.: Right before dusk, the whales were seen in the Fauntleroy area, putting on quite a show. They had passed Maury/Vashon again on the way back north, and one viewer posted this incredible photo on Facebook.

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Police nab alleged 55 mph driver on Admiral Way – and more
February 3, 2011 11:30 am
|      161 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police

Just in from the Seattle Police Department‘s SPDBlotter:

On February 2nd, Seattle Police Department Aggressive Driving Response Team conducted an operation in the 3300 block of SW Admiral … Six officers in Dodge Chargers were deployed in the area. Although the daily ticket count will not be provided, the most productive hour yielded 44 tickets. Many cars were travelling at speeds exceeding 50 mph – the posted speed is 30 mph. The most egregious driver was travelling 55 MPH!

That block number checks out to the hill just north of The Bridge.

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Theater tonight: “Age Only Matters …” in Fauntleroy; WSHS play
February 3, 2011 11:23 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(Video and photo by Ellen Cedergreen for WSB)
Three more stage productions in our area this weekend (in addition to ArtsWest‘s ongoing “Emilie“) – and two of them open tonight. “Age Only Matters if You’re Cheese” – the romance/musical co-created by 90-year-old Yvonne Belshaw, featured here earlier this week – starts a three-show run at Fauntleroy Church, and the Saturday matinee is already sold out. We dropped in on last night’s dress rehearsal; that’s Shellie Moomey and Jenny Mandt in the video above – they star along with Kevin Finney:

As of last night, some tickets remained for the performances at 7:30 pm tonight and Saturday – call 932-5600 – any tickets that remain will be sold at the door, but there’s no guarantees. (1:44 PM UPDATE: Tonight’s show is now sold out, but call to ask about Saturday night.)

HIGH-SCHOOL PLAYS: Two schools have crime comedies on deck. Tonight West Seattle High School‘s Drama Club opens a three-night run of the student-directed “A Little Murder Never Hurt Anybody,” 7:30 pm, tickets $7 with reservations (call 206-252-8834) or $12 at the door … Tomorrow night the Chief Sealth International High School After-School Drama Club presents “The Real Inspector Hound,” 7 pm in the Little Theater, admission free.

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Registration is off and running for this year’s West Seattle 5K
February 3, 2011 9:10 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(WSB photo from May 2010 West Seattle 5K)
One more sign of spring! The West Seattle High School PTSA has announced that online registration is open for this year’s West Seattle 5K – third year that runners of all ages will hit the road on Alki Avenue SW. This year’s date is Sunday, May 22nd. You can sign up, and find out more about the 5K, by going here. According to the WSHS January newsletter, this also will be an all-day “Seattle Summer Streets” event again, with Alki Avenue SW shut down to traffic for the afternoon after the race (we’re doublechecking this with SDOT).

8:37 PM NOTE: SDOT’s Rick Sheridan did confirm to WSB that this WILL be a Seattle Summer Streets today – so Alki Avenue SW will close to traffic for the whole day on May 22nd, continuing after the race is over, as it has previously.

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Happy anniversary! West Seattle businesses mark milestones
February 3, 2011 7:44 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

(Mission photos by Ellen Cedergreen for WSB)
Happy anniversary to several West Seattle businesses who have just begun another year! First: In a business where many don’t survive the first year, Mission in the Admiral District just celebrated another milestone last night – its sixth anniversary. Owners Eric Cozens and Peter Morse joined their patrons in celebrating. They reminisced about how its distinctive decor came to be – including the brick wall they built themselves, and hanging lights imported from Mexico year before last.

Entertainment for last night’s Mission bash included the local band Spoils. Last weekend, a band known for a much-different genre headlined the Merrill Gardens-Admiral Heights (WSB sponsor) anniversary party:

That’s the West Seattle Big Band, there to help mark 10 years in operation for the retirement center that’s right across from the Admiral Theater. Other anniversaries:

AVALON GLASSWORKS: In the Luna Park business district, Avalon Glassworks turned 18 this past Tuesday.

FITNESS TOGETHER-WEST SEATTLE: The Junction-based fitness studio (a longtime WSB sponsor) celebrated 4 years in business recently.

PHOENECIA: As of last weekend, it’s been one full year since the reborn Alki restaurant reopened. (They’re offering a prix-fixe dinner for Valentine’s Day, by the way.)

WEST 5: As noted here last week, the iconic Junction restaurant/bar is planning its 8th-anniversary party next Tuesday.

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High-school basketball: West Seattle girls @ Chief Sealth
February 3, 2011 7:04 am
|    Comments Off on High-school basketball: West Seattle girls @ Chief Sealth
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

Last night was the final scheduled home game of the season for Chief Sealth International High School‘s girls-varsity basketball team, so that meant special honors for the seniors on the team, which went on to defeat West Seattle High School, 65-50. Details and a video clip after the jump:Read More

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