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    WS GRAND PARADE: Scroll our video, photos!

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    FLOAT DODGER 5K: See how Saturday began!

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    REAL-TIME CRIME CENTER: WS in future?

First day of school for WS Elementary principal Vicki Sacco
August 30, 2010 2:38 pm
|    Comments Off on First day of school for WS Elementary principal Vicki Sacco
 |   High Point | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

That’s new principal Vicki Sacco greeting parents and students this morning at West Seattle Elementary in High Point. Students were decked out in new school clothes as they lined up to gather their school supplies before sitting down for a barbecue lunch prepared for them by the smiling cafeteria staff.

Orientation continued afterward with a school walk-through. Students will return for the actual start of classes at 8:15 am tomorrow.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Stabbing suspect found ‘competent’
August 30, 2010 2:32 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

We’re checking on several West Seattle cases with court hearings today. First one happened this morning, involving Marcus Allen Combs, the man charged with stabbing a woman in what investigators called a random attack in High Point on April 23rd. After he was charged, as reported here in May, he was sent to Western State Hospital for a three-month evaluation to see if he was competent to stand trial, and a hearing was set for today to make the determination. King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office spokesperson Dan Donohoe tells WSB today’s hearing resulted in a ruling that Combs IS competent to stand trial, so Combs will be back in court Sept. 27 for “case-setting,” – the hearing that determines what happens next in the case and when.

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Mystery helicopters over Gatewood
August 30, 2010 2:04 pm
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   Gatewood | Helicopter | West Seattle news

Thanks to the tipsters who phoned in sightings of two unmarked helicopters in the Gatewood area in the last 30 minutes. We’re told they were not news helicopters and we have no word of police activity in that area. At the moment they have flown off as quickly as they appeared. We’ll post an update if we’re able to find out what it was related to. But it is likely unrelated to any kind of law enforcement or rescue activity.

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South Park Bridge update: Leaves stay, for today
August 30, 2010 1:25 pm
|    Comments Off on South Park Bridge update: Leaves stay, for today
 |   South Park | Transportation

(Photographed Saturday, August 28th by Christopher Boffoli)

We had reported last week that some of the leaves of the now-closed South Park Bridge might be removed this week, as the process of taking apart the bridge begins.

We asked Linda Thielke, spokesperson for the King County Department of Transportation, if that might be happening today, and the answer is “no.”

From Thielke:

They are still doing prep work. Looks like the earliest it could be dismantled is mid-afternoon on Tuesday, but that is still a bit tentative.

1:42 PM UPDATE: Another update from Thielke, with the caveat that this plan could certainly change by tomorrow:

Looks like the barge with the crane will move in tomorrow morning. Then, there’s the work to hook the crane with the leaf. So, the lift is looking more like happening late afternoon Tuesday.

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Sights in West Seattle: Bus lines, quiet libraries
August 30, 2010 10:47 am
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(Photos by Jason Grotelueschen)

With classes back in session for many West Seattle schools, you’re likely to see a school bus or two in your neighborhood very soon. The bus row in the photo above was spotted at Alki Elementary this morning, where the Alki and Lafayette bus drivers were meeting to discuss the official start of Seattle Public Schools’ schedule (September 8th).

Also, you’ll see signs at your local Seattle Public Library branch similar to the one below at High Point. While the libraries are typically nice and quiet, they will be completely quiet this week as the systemwide SPL closure begins today, as we’ve noted previously.

3:24 PM UPDATE: Added the correct start date for most SPS schools (Sept. 8th)

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West Seattle Monday: Back-to-school day for some!
August 30, 2010 6:30 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Monday: Back-to-school day for some!
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS miscellaneous

Topping our look ahead at what’s up in West Seattle today/tonight: It’s the first day of school for hundreds of West Seattle students – classes begin at Holy Rosary, Our Lady of Guadalupe, and Holy Family … If you’ve got a K-8 student who’s NOT going back till next week, you’re invited to “end the summer with a blast” with Sonics legend Slick Watts at West Seattle High School, today through Thursday – Hoop Camp registration info’s online at wattsbasketball.com … One more reminder that the week-plus systemwide Seattle Public Library closure starts today … And for those involved in the community work to help King County decide how to reduce combined-sewer overflows in Puget Sound, with the least amount of community impact, the next meeting of the Murray Basin Citizens Advisory Group is scheduled for tonight (full details here) … You’ll find even more for today/tonight if you check the WSB West Seattle Events calendar.

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Better walking in West Seattle? Feet First is working on it
August 29, 2010 10:32 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news

(left to right: Max Hepp-Buchanan, Chas Redmond, Paul Sorey and Lisa Quinn)

We checked-in with the folks from Feet First on Saturday morning, just before they headed out for their Rolling Community Meeting. The meet-up was designed as a tour of possible sites for a new set of eleven pedestrian wayfinding kiosks that are to be installed in West Seattle this fall. It was also the culmination of a series of community meetings that have taken place over the past year, through which the group has gathered input on where to put the kiosks and what should be displayed at each location.

Leading the tour was Feet First Director Lisa Quinn, Program Coordinator Max Hepp-Buchanan, and Chas Redmond, Southwest District Council Co-Chair and a tireless advocate for walkability in West Seattle.

Part of the day’s agenda was to look carefully at proposed kiosk locations, taking into consideration the most practical siting as they would relate to walking routes, pedestrian traffic, transit stops, sites of interest, etc. Redmond said, “We want to orient the kiosks to take into account pedestrian traffic flow, being clear of line-of-sight for vehicles turning corners, and also getting clearances from adjacent property owners. But above all it is a matter of what makes logical sense for pedestrians who are approaching an intersection looking for something.”

Also present was local artist Paul Sorey who has not only designed the new stainless steel kiosk frames but will also be fabricating them in his West Seattle shop. Sorey has designed public art sculptures that appear throughout Washington and in California, including his 2001 work Salmon Waves, permanently installed at the Chittenden Locks in Ballard.

He also designed and developed, along with the Pomegranate Center, similar kiosks that are installed along the Longfellow Creek Gateway. Sorey said that the new kiosks were meant to echo the design language of the existing installations. The first example of the 2010 kiosks has been installed on the west side of Delridge, near the intersection of SW Brandon:

Though the kiosk frames share a common design, the group has sought input on customization throughout the various locations. Information and artwork may vary throughout the locations. A newly updated, full-color West Seattle Trails map will be featured prominently on each kiosk. Redmond says that “Awesome, much more legible” paper maps, like the widely-available 2008 version (pictured below), will be made available too.

The project is funded through a $99,000 grant from the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods. The group hopes to complete the installation of the kiosks by October of this year.

A PDF document with information on the proposed kiosk locations, as well as photographs of the sites under consideration, may be downloaded here

For more information, to ask questions or to contribute feedback on the kiosks, contact Max Hepp-Buchanan, Program Coordinator at max@feetfirst.info or 206-652-2310

Feet First is also hosting a Walk & Talk in the Triangle with Seattle City Councilmember Tom Rasmusssen on Tuesday, August 31st from 6 to 8pm. The roughly 1.5 mile walk should take about 90 minutes and will be followed by an evening deck reception, overlooking Puget Sound, at a sustainable urban farm in West Seattle. Tickets are $10 for Feet First members, $15 for non-members.

The meeting point is Rotary Viewpoint Park at 35th Ave SW and SW Alaska. RSVP information is available here. Or you can direct e-mail and telephone inquiries to: Ayaka Haga at ayaka@feetfirst.info or 206.652.2310

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Three weeks till the West Seattle Junction Car Show!
August 29, 2010 10:03 pm
|    Comments Off on Three weeks till the West Seattle Junction Car Show!
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news

(2009 West Seattle Junction Car Show photo courtesy Michael Hoffman)
As this weekend wraps up – we look ahead to what’s still in store for late summer – and one big event is getting closer: Three weeks from today – between 8 am and 4 pm on Sunday, September 19th — California SW closes in the heart of The Junction so the streets can fill with people, music and (parked) cars for the third annual West Seattle Junction Car Show (with WSB among the sponsors). Organizer Michael Hoffman from Liberty Bell Printing told us earlier this summer they’re expecting to hit the full quota of 300 cars – application info’s here.

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Police recover stolen car near 19th & Brandon
August 29, 2010 7:01 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS breaking news

Thank you to all those who contacted us with word of a big police presence, including officers with weapons drawn, near the intersection of 19th Avenue SW & SW Brandon. Officers at the scene told us that it looked like a bigger situation than it actually was.

They say that a patrol officer identified a car that had been reported stolen. When he attempted to speak with the five people standing around in the driveway near the car they acted aggressively. So he called in backup, which responded quickly and helped to detain the suspects for questioning at the scene. The officers were still conducting their investigation when we left, but they say that apparently both the license plates and the car they were attached to were reported stolen. They also said that three of the people questioned will probably be released.

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Our Lady of Guadalupe starts fundraising campaign with big news
August 29, 2010 5:31 pm
|    Comments Off on Our Lady of Guadalupe starts fundraising campaign with big news
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle religion | West Seattle schools

Story and photos by Keri DeTore
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

On the eve of the first day of school for 2010-11, Our Lady of Guadalupe drew a crowd this afternoon to celebrate the kickoff of its major fundraising campaign to build a new Gathering Hall/Gym on parish property at 35th and Myrtle.

And it began with big news – OLG’s Father Jack Walmesley (above) announced to the crowd gathered outside that they had already raised $1.25 million toward their $4 million goal, thanks to a major benefactor: Former parishioner and West Seattle resident Mike Hession, who left $1 million to the parish in his will to be used toward the new building (you can see a rendering here).

Designed by Richard Glasman of M/G Architecture, the new building will be a community center, gym, full kitchen and meeting spaces that will be open to the community. Father Jack says the intention of the building is to be a community resource to assist social-action groups and functions; he mentioned Family Promise of Seattle, which helps homeless families find resources (but is currently going through a tough time itself, as first reported here).

Father Jack adds: “This is a step toward reaching the full potential for ourselves and our community. It’s fun to watch people utilize their talents—this is happening because of (their) talents.”

The fundraising campaign will last through Christmas, with the intention of beginning construction in June of 2011. There’s more info online here.

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Highland Park Sunday Market wraps it up
August 29, 2010 3:44 pm
|    Comments Off on Highland Park Sunday Market wraps it up
 |   Highland Park | West Seattle news

There was plenty of summer color today, amidst a whisper of autumn, as vendors brought out some cool handicrafts for the final Highland Park Sunday Market of 2010. Organizer Tiffany Silver-Brace was there with her daughter Ava and a table full of wonderful textiles:

Here’s Gina McCauley with her hand-crafted, felted wool Snooter Doots:

Jennifer Bay and Brian Scott were on hand from the super-talented team at Clone Press:

The folks from Party Dogs had their gourmet turkey and fennel dog treats. But the fresh onion bread they baked (for people) looked scrumptious too:

Just like what we spotted in South Park yesterday, artisan pickled vegetables seem to be popping up everywhere this season, like these from Bootleg Canning Company:

The mobile food truck from Street Treats also made an appearance, as did the sun.

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2010 Alki Beach 5K Walk/Run
August 29, 2010 11:30 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news

(Photos, Video and Story by Christopher Boffoli)

There may not have been any sunshine, but it was perfect weather for runners this morning for the Alki Beach 5K Walk/Run. Shari Sewell, Director of Northwest Hope and Healing, tells us that 1,160 participants registered for the race this year. She said that, though the number is about 10% less than average, they actually still managed to raise more money: in excess of $45,000.

The runners left the mark at 9am, just west of the Alki bath house, for a 5 kilometer (or roughly 3.1 mile) course east along Alki and then back to the finish line at the same point where they started.

Here’s a short video clip of the start of the race:

Bellingham’s Sean Messiter was the first of the men to finish with a time of 16 minutes and 23 seconds:

For the women, Nancy Ellis of Tacoma led the way in at 18 minutes and 42 seconds:

Complete race results are posted online here.

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Isle of Vashon: Vintage motorcycles head out from Fauntleroy
August 29, 2010 11:03 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Fauntleroy | Seen around town | West Seattle news

(Photos by Christopher Boffoli)
We mentioned this as a postscript to the morning preview – today’s the day for the date-never-published Isle of Vashon vintage-motorcycle rally – then Christopher Boffoli headed over to Fauntleroy and caught some of the motorcyclists ready to head over via ferry:.

More photos later if we receive some from the events on Vashon (here’s how to share!).

Adding a couple of reader-submitted images. These are from “Todd”:

And thanks to “Scott”for the cameraphone image of this canine motorcycle enthusiast:

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Memorial Tuesday for longtime West Seattle volunteer Helen Finnell
August 29, 2010 10:35 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Obituaries | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Daryl and Donna e-mailed to ask that we publish news of Helen Finnell‘s passing, explaining, “Helen was a resident of West Seattle from approximately 1948-2003 and volunteered for a number of years at both the West Seattle Senior Center and Food Bank.” Her memorial and burial are set for this Tuesday. Read ahead for the full announcement:Read More

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Last chance to visit a Seattle Public Library branch for a week-plus
August 29, 2010 8:57 am
|    Comments Off on Last chance to visit a Seattle Public Library branch for a week-plus
 |   West Seattle news | Westwood

One more reminder for today: The week-plus Seattle Public Library shutdown starts tomorrow. The only branch open in West Seattle on Sundays is the Southwest Branch at 35th/Henderson – if you need to visit a library today, they’re open 1-5 pm.

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West Seattle Sunday: Alki Beach 5K, Highland Park finale, more
August 29, 2010 7:10 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Sunday: Alki Beach 5K, Highland Park finale, more
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Reminder that Alki Avenue SW is closed this morning, approximately 8 am-11 am, for the Alki Beach 5K Walk/Run benefiting Northwest Hope and Healing. The race leaves Alki Bathhouse at 9 am. … Other highlights: The final edition of Highland Park Sunday Market @ 12th/Holden, 11 am-3 pm … West Seattle Farmers’ Market @ The Junction, 10 am-2 pm … A community celebration kicking off fundraising for Our Lady of Guadalupe‘s expansion project is set for noon (more info at olgfuture.org) … Go enjoy an Ice Cream Social at Village Green Perennial Nursery this afternoon, 2-4 pm, Full Tilt Ice Cream and Squirrel Butter music …Tthe Knit Night Celebration with Seattle Yarn (as mentioned in our recent story about their online expansion) and Artistic Framers, including a barbecue, starts at 5 pm (full details here) … More in the West Seattle Weekend Lineup!

ADDED 8:10 AM: If you happen to see a sizable number of motorcycles at/around the Fauntleroy ferry dock – we are told that today is the date for the Isle of Vashon vintage-motorcycle rally on the island – we can’t find info online but apparently that’s because it’s not published, on purpose. If you get a pic, please share!

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Update: Body found at 35th & SW Barton
August 28, 2010 10:04 pm
|      24 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS breaking news

Original post 10:04 PM: We’re getting preliminary word of an incident at the intersection of 35th & SW Barton that appears to involve a fatality. We have someone on the scene and will be updating with more information as it develops.

10:31 PM UPDATE: Seattle Police now tell us that around 9:30 tonight passersby reported a man on the ground near the bus stop at the northeast corner of 35th & Barton. Paramedics responded to the location and made attempts to revive him but they were unsuccessful. Police are still there waiting for investigators to process the scene. They said the man did not appear to be homeless and, though a quantity of alcohol was found with the body, it was too soon to make any determination as to what role drugs or alcohol may have played in the man’s death.

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Final night of 2010 West Seattle Outdoor Movies
August 28, 2010 9:17 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle Outdoor Movies

The weather was perfect tonight for Star Trek, the final movie of this year’s West Seattle Outdoor Movies. That’s Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor) proprietor Lora Lewis who modeled a chicken-themed bag from which she drew tonight’s winning raffle tickets before the movie unspooled:

After the raffle prizes (which included baked goods, music lessons and other gift certificates) were distributed, Lora told the crowd that this year’s raffles raised more than $1,000 for local non-profits; including West Seattle Helpline, WestSide Baby, The Nature Consortium and Family Promise of Seattle.

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South Park on Sale! Eclectic yard sales, music and more
August 28, 2010 7:15 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Fun stuff to do | South Park

(Photos and Story by Christopher Boffoli)

It seemed as though every street in South Park was having a garage or yard sale this afternoon. Hundreds of people were out selling their wares on a picture-perfect August day. And in true neighborhood fashion it was a festive, eclectic mix of not only household goods but also food, live music and curbside massage, as part of the community-wide South Park on Sale!

Organizer, Deborah Semer (above) explained that she conceived of the simultaneous garage/alley/yard sales to help South Park in the wake of the closure of its bridge, which many South Park residents regarded as a lifeline to the rest of the City. She said her goal today was about helping to encourage people to keep coming to South Park and exploring all it has to offer.

Out in front of Semer’s house we spoke with friends Tabitha Thomas-Gadzuk and Catherine Barrows who recently launched new food business TabbyCat Pickling Co. and who were selling their products, including a zucchini relish (below left), grown with vegetables from their farm in Kent:

We also found West Seattle resident Karina Macklin in South Park today offering massages for $1 a minute. The customer she was working on only managed to moan in approval:

And here’s Nathan Coleman presiding over his tables of merchandise:

In addition to the yard sales, Semer said visitors could also expect to see a Zumba flash mob, pirates, the Dead Babies Bicycle Club, mural artist Kenji Fullmer and musicians like Gnarlene, who was performing on his front lawn:

and Tukso Okey who we found playing several different instruments on the bank of the Duwamish river, with the South Park bridge as a backdrop:

This evening’s events include a free outdoor showing of the Pixar film “Up” at the South Park Outdoor Cinema (in the parking lot of Napoli Pizza at 8600 14th Avenue South). Some South Park restaurants are offering special movie night dinner specials too!

10:43 pm: Adding a bit of video from Tukso Okey’s performance in South Park this afternoon.

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Big crowd celebrates WS author Terry Brooks’ new book
August 28, 2010 4:30 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | Westwood | WS culture/arts

Story and photos by Jason Grotelueschen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

Best-selling West Seattle author Terry Brooks, a big name in the fantasy-fiction literature world, drew a crowd of more than 60 fans for his annual appearance to read and sign books at Barnes and Noble in Westwood Village today.

Brooks is promoting his latest book, Legends of Shannara: Bearers of the Black Staff. From his website:

Terry has finished writing both books in the Legends of Shannara duology, which take place five hundred years after the events in The Gypsy Morph. Bearers of the Black Staff, Book One, will be published August 24, 2010!

The book follows on the success of his previous novel, A Princess of Landover (which was “a continuation of the Landover series after the events in Witches’ Brew,” according to his website).

Brooks’ appearance at B&N is an annual tradition that his fans clearly appreciate, and is one of the few local events that we’ve covered five consecutive years since WSB’s launch in 2005. (Read our coverage of his 2009 appearance here). According to B&N assistant manager Sonja, who has also organized Brooks’ readings in recent years, today’s crowd is “one of the biggest we’ve had” for the author, who is “one of the few authors we do these events for. He’s local, and shops here all the time!” 

Brooks read excerpts of his work, shared stories, and treated his fans to a free bookmark with a list of his suggested reading order for his various books, which he joked have been “written out of order and confusing to everyone — but this should help.”

In addition to working on some continuations of his previous books, he promised fans “something new” in the next few years — “I’m getting burned out on Shannara and need to put some time into something different.”

When asked about the possibility of film adaptations of his work in the future, Brooks lamented the stop-and-go nature of past negotiations he’s been through. “Everyone talks a good game, but nothing happens,” he sighed.  He joked that “my kids always say ‘look what happened to Tolkien!'” in reference to the famous Lord of the Rings author J.R.R. Tolkien, whose works made theatrical millions long after his passing in 1973.

Brooks thanked those in attendance for their dedication, and sat down afterward to sign books and meet with his fans.

Brooks fans

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Car wash until 5 pm for Shorewood Christian School
August 28, 2010 3:26 pm
|    Comments Off on Car wash until 5 pm for Shorewood Christian School
 |   West Seattle news

Dirty automobile? You still have 90 minutes to take advantage of this, from WSB’er Trina:

Shorewood Christian School 10th and 11th graders are holding a carwash from 12:00-5:00 at Roxbury Lanes north parking lot. All proceeds will help the students fund an educational trip to Washington DC later this year. There is not a set price, we will be washing cars for donations.

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Update: Van fire on westbound West Seattle Bridge
August 28, 2010 11:42 am
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle fires | West Seattle traffic alerts | WS breaking news

(Photos by Christopher Boffoli)

Original report 11:42 am: Just checking on reports of a car fire in the westbound lanes of the West Seattle bridge. We’ll post more details as we have them.

Update 12:11 pm: SFD has the fire out. Westbound lanes of the bridge are now open, though moving slowly as the right lane is restricted at the West Seattle end of the bridge (just before the intersection of 35th) while police wait for removal of the burned vehicle. It appears the fire was in a commercial van which burned completely. There are no reports of injuries.

Update 2:46 pm: Thanks to those who e-mailed us earlier this afternoon to report that traffic was again moving smoothly. Also, thanks to WSB’er Chris for the cameraphone video of smoke billowing from the van:


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Saturday morning quick business notes: Costco, Marination Mobile
August 28, 2010 11:24 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news

If you delayed a trip to Costco this morning, after hearing that they had a power outage, we have just confirmed that the power is back on and it is business as usual.

We also checked in with the folks at the Marination Mobile as they were setting up at 35th & Graham (from which they’ll soon be moving across the street). They tell us that they are in the running to compete on the second season of the Food Network TV show The Great Food Truck Race. They’re asking their West Seattle fans to vote for them here, starting tomorrow.

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