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In memory: 2 West Seattle notes
March 22, 2010 5:08 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

ADMIRAL CRASH VICTIM OFFICIALLY IDENTIFIED: The man killed early Sunday in the 2-car Admiral/37th crash was identified by the King County Medical Examiner’s Office this afternoon as 29-year-old Daniel G. Ramirez. Commenters who identified themselves as relatives posted in the thread following Sunday morning’s coverage, saying he was a father of two and had just bought the silver SUV that day. No final announcement of the crash’s cause is likely for weeks, if not months; the short summary from police on Sunday said only that “speed and alcohol may have been” factors.

FEEDBACK LOUNGE LOSES A FAMILY MEMBER: Around 7 last night, Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) announced via Twitter that they were closing for the rest of the night because of a death in the family. They are back open today, explaining on the FL website, “We are sad to announce that we lost a member of our staff. MIKE BLAKEMORE was only 27 and a new employee, but he was an instant and welcome addition to our Feedback family. We will post details for a memorial service shortly. Thank all of your for your calls, e-mails and support.”

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3 Elements Property Management: Welcoming a new WSB sponsor
March 22, 2010 4:12 pm
|    Comments Off on 3 Elements Property Management: Welcoming a new WSB sponsor
 |   West Seattle housing | West Seattle news | West Seattle online

This afternoon we welcome one of our newest sponsors, 3 Elements Property Management, and as with all new sponsors, this is their chance to tell you about their business: 3 Elements Property Management is a local company with an intimate knowledge of West Seattle. Since half of the office staff (photo, from left, Patricia Shiras, Lisa Merz, Pamela Dundas, Tom O’Boyle) lives in West Seattle , we have a vast network of resources to pull from. With more than 80 years of combined property-management/real estate experience, we can provide accurate and detailed information regarding the area. Our customer service and commitment to serving our clients are our #1 priorities. We go above and beyond to reach our clients’ goals. They seek us out because we rent quality units and are great property managers. Once we have moved a tenant in, we ensure the smooth transition, and we are very timely regarding service requests or needed items. We strive to maintain excellent relations for our tenants and owners. This is a key to successful property management. This is why we have repeat clients. We try to make things move smoothly for tenants and meet business goals of property owners. One client said, “As a landlord, I found 3 Elements to be professional, detail-oriented and able to meet my criteria and goals. I appreciated the time they took to obtain quality tenants and keep me informed of market conditions. My units have remained full and rents are never late because of their thorough screening. My bottom line is strong. Thanks, 3 Elements.” You’ll find 3 Elements Property Management online at 3eam.com, or call 206-619-6630.

We thank 3 Elements Property Management for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news on WSB; find our sponsor team, and info on joining, all here.

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West Seattle Whale Watch: Another orca sighting
March 22, 2010 2:39 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Wildlife

The fabulous folks at Orca Network had passed along news of a few orcas spotted off Carkeek Park in North Seattle earlier today – and now we’ve just heard from Vanessa at Alki that it looks like they’re off Alki Point/Lighthouse as of a few minutes ago, “heading toward the islands.” Let us know if you see them!

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Another egg attack
March 22, 2010 1:51 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

One week after our last report, here’s another one – Kate got hit:

Just wanted to let you know my car was hit with eggs last night – near the corner of 35th and Elmgrove [map]. Looks like I was the only one, but not sure if anyone else was targeted. It made a huge mess and after washing it all off, you can see where the egg shells exploded and scratched the paint. Fun!

This falls squarely in the corner of the type of incident police want to make sure you report, even if you think it’s “minor” … as “KBear” wrote in the 20-comment discussion that followed last Monday’s report, “Just because petty crime may be commonplace doesn’t mean we should put up with it in our community.” There’ve been some reports of items thrown at moving vehicles, for example, which can startle a driver and cause a crash. The non-emergency number (which would be appropriate unless you come across someone in the act of throwing something) is 206-625-5011.

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Update: Latest aerial views of Denny/Sealth construction
March 22, 2010 11:04 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Denny-Sealth | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Exactly three months from today, June 22 will be the last day of school for Chief Sealth High School in its temporary quarters at the former Boren Junior High on Delridge. In September, after two years away, Sealth moves back into its permanent location – while the new adjacent Denny International Middle School is built. The project team has just provided the latest site aerial:

Compare that shot (taken last week) to a similar view seven months earlier:

Denny isn’t scheduled to move to its new site (the lower left of those photos) till 2011, so Sealth students will still have the campus to themselves when school starts this fall. The project’s official website is here; it includes a webcam, looking currently at the Galleria that both schools will share – see that here.

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Now joining the 34th District State House 2 race: Joe Fitzgibbon
March 22, 2010 10:21 am
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   34th District State House 2 | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

Sometimes, legislative races in this area feature only one candidate. But this year, in the August primary, the 34th District State House Position 2 race is shaping up to be quite the fight. Joe Fitzgibbon (D) of Burien has just joined Mike Heavey (D), “Mac” McElroy (I) Sabra Schneider (D), and Marcee Stone (D) in the race for the seat that Rep. Sharon Nelson – for whom Fitzgibbon has been working – will leave to run for State Senate. They’ve all been invited to the candidates’ forum at this Wednesday night’s Highland Park Action Committee meeting; meantime, read on for Fitzgibbon’s official announcement:Read More

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3 West Seattle schools in the city’s Global Reading Challenge finals
March 22, 2010 9:56 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Three West Seattle schools have teams at the citywide Global Reading Challenge finals tomorrow night – and everyone’s invited to go cheer them on – Arbor Heights, Highland Park and Lafayette Elementary Schools are all in the running (as is Concord International School from nearby South Park). Read on for the announcement we just received from the Seattle Public Library:Read More

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West Seattle Monday: Traffic; puppies; parks; conversation …
March 22, 2010 8:43 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Monday: Traffic; puppies; parks; conversation …
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

LANE-REDUCTION REMINDER: As part of ongoing construction in the area, today’s the day the 1st Avenue South eastbound exit from the Spokane Street Viaduct is scheduled to be reduced to one lane for about five months (details here) (P.S. Remember THIS is the weekend the Alaskan Way Viaduct closes, 6 am-6 pm Saturday and Sunday.)

RAISE A PUPPY, CHANGE A LIFE: Can you spend a year raising a puppy that will then move on to guide dog training? Check out West Seattle See Dogs‘ meeting, Merrill Gardens-Admiral Heights (WSB sponsor), 7 pm – details here

PARKS LEVY COMMITTEE: This happens downtown, but many of the projects affect West Seattle, so in case you’re interested, note that the Parks and Green Spaces Levy Oversight Committee meets at Parks HQ downtown, 7 pm.

CONVERSATIONS THAT MATTER: It’s not small talk – you might call it big talk. Tonight’s topic, 6:45-9 pm at C & P Coffee “How to creatively improve the quality of life for ourselves, our loved ones and our community?” Register, and preview the “questions for reflection,” online.

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Why West Seattle’s Hotwire Coffee is doubling as a TV studio today
March 22, 2010 3:05 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle online | WS beverages

Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor) proprietor Lora Lewis is pulling an all-nighter right now – not because she, oh, say, drank too much of her own product, but because she’s got a shop full of special guests:

Those are a few members of the video crew that chose Hotwire as the backdrop for what’s known as a “satellite media tour” – here’s the uplink truck parked in the Hotwire courtyard to facilitate the “satellite” part of the phrase:

So what’s the occasion? On behalf of Norton from Symantec, Los Angeles-based “Internet safety advocate” Marian Merritt will be doing three dozen live interviews with TV stations around the country – including Q13 here in Seattle – to talk about the “Top 10 Riskiest Online Cities” list the company just released. Just so happens, Seattle tops the list. So why do the interviews from Hotwire? A producer explained, “We found them online!” (Of course.) Anyway, they’ve got interviews booked starting at 3:10 am our time and continuing up till 9 am, overlapping with Hotwire operating hours (which start at 6:30 am) – so when you drop by for coffee this morning (maybe a Peeps beverage?) don’t mind the TV crew. And be kind to Lora; she’s been at the shop just after midnight, when the crew needed to start setting up – even on the patio:

(next photo added 9:40 am – the producer with the info sheet as they prepared for the Q13 interview)

P.S. As of this writing, we can’t find Symantec’s “riskiest cities” list online … but the producer gave us a printout, so read on if you’re interested (PLUS, added 11:36 am, our video interview with Lora as this all wrapped up):Read More

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From the public-notices file: Missing some money?
March 21, 2010 11:43 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Wandering through the public notices that the Daily Journal of Commerce doesn’t have behind a paywall, we spotted this one: Police want to hear from whomever lost something described only as “CASH” that turned up in the 2700 block of 49th SW (map) three months ago. No hint as to how much.

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Tuesday’s your chance to stand up for a West Seattle “gateway”
March 21, 2010 9:18 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

This weekend, like most, West Seattleites have stood up, bent over, dug up, pitched in to pull weeds, pluck trash, plant trees – including the special events in Delridge (WSB coverage here) and Highland Park (WSB coverage here). So tonight we’re reminding you about a chance Tuesday to stand up and say you can help take care of one of the peninsula’s “gateway” areas – the one along the southwest end of kimberleeearl.jpgThe Bridge. You’ll be helping pick up the baton from a West Seattle hero – Earl Cruzen, shown at right with Kimberlee Archie as he was honored a year and a half ago, the day of the big “Gateway Cleanup” (proclaimed “Earl Cruzen Day” by the city). The “Walking on Logs” sculpture and Welcome to West Seattle sign area was part of that cleanup, but that was just one, albeit big, event; Cruzen has put in countless hours taking care of the area himself. As Nancy Driver wrote in the announcement we published last month, “The statues and surround have been maintained for the past decade or more by local hero Earl Cruzen. Earl is 89 now and it’s time for others to take over upkeep of the statues and the grounds directly surrounding them.” First step toward getting involved is the Tuesday meeting at High Point Library (35th/Raymond) – 5:30 pm. Even if you’re not 100% sure you want to commit, be there to find out what needs to be done and how to be part of it.

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West Seattle Weather Watch: 1st rainbow of spring
March 21, 2010 6:01 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

Typical Seattle spring weather – sun, rain, sun, rain … ice pellets? We were off the peninsula for a little while this afternoon but got word from JayDee about (at least some part of) West Seattle getting pelted. Then, the rainbow, as photographed by Leaf from the north end of California SW. The forecast says things will be unsettled through tomorrow – then a steadier dose of sunshine is due in.

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Sunday midafternoon miscellany: Buoy basking, and more
March 21, 2010 3:01 pm
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Saturday photo by JanS)
FROM THE WSB FORUMS: Ready for some good news? There’s a heartwarming “rave” in the WSB Forums’ Rants & Raves section – someone thankful for the people who helped an injured dog find its way home. Read it here.

YET MORE HELPFULNESS: Last weekend, Greg Hatcher shared the story of the booth he and his Madison Middle School student artists planned to have at Emerald City Comicon downtown. Today – his mega-report on the convention and the generosity of folks who chipped in to help them raise money to keep the program going (it relies in part on Partners With Youth, for which the West Seattle YMCA [WSB sponsor] is raising money right now). Read his story here.

“NEIGHBORHOOD OF THE WEEK”: Our citywide-news partners at the Seattle Times are featuring Genesee Hill as “Neighborhood of the Week” today. They’ve featured West Seattle areas before but we’re noting this (a) because Dale e-mailed us about it and (b) since it’s home to the newly formed Genesee-Schmitz Neighborhood Council (WSB coverage here).

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Happening now: Highland Park Improvement Club Spring Clean
March 21, 2010 12:53 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Fun stuff to do | Highland Park | How to help | West Seattle news

In 1988, the Talking Heads sang, in “(Nothing But) Flowers,” about blacktop turned back into flowers and fields. A little bit of that is going on outside Highland Park Improvement Club right now, as its Spring Clean event continues till 5 pm. Becca Fong (above) and other volunteers are pulling away asphalt put over parking strips long ago, so they can plant trees (a few of which you can see at the left of this next picture):

Inside, Monica Cavagnaro and others are cleaning and sprucing up the historic HPIC building itself (just celebrated its 90th anniversary last November).

And a variety of other tasks are under way – including litter pickup in nearby greenbelt areas. Need incentive to drop by and help? Somebody mentioned “banana bread” while we were shooting pictures. Just show up any time before 5 pm, when this is scheduled to wrap up, at 1116 SW Holden (map). (And note that HPIC has some other cool events coming up too – like Wine For Our Times on April 24; the building’s also the scene of Highland Park Action Committee meetings, next one this Wednesday, March 24, 7 pm, including a candidates’ forum with those running for 34th District State House Position 2.)

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West Seattle Sunday: HPIC Spring Clean; Hi-Yu tea; orchard meeting
March 21, 2010 7:33 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Sunday: HPIC Spring Clean; Hi-Yu tea; orchard meeting
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Friday photo by JayDee)
HIGHLAND PARK SPRING CLEAN: 10 am to 5 pm, help Highland Park Improvement Club spring into the new season:

We will be planting street trees, building a new kiosk/sign, cleaning tables and chairs and walls and more, plus we will have equipment and bags for picking up litter in the neighborhood. Please join us! Bring gloves and whatever gear might be appropriate. Refreshments and snacks will be provided.

WSB SPONSOR EVENTS: Both start at 11 – SoundYoga offers free Sunday yoga, 11 am-12:15 pm, and there’s a gold-buying event at Wyatt’s Jewelers (WSB sponsor) in Westwood Village in partnership with Northwest Gold Exchange/206.938.GOLD, 11 am-5 pm

LOOKING FOR A NEW FURRY COMPANION? A Seattle Humane Society Maxmobile pet adoption event is on the calendar for Next-to-Nature in The Junction, 11 am-3 pm.

WEST SEATTLE HI-YU SPRING TEA AND SILENT AUCTION: The Hall at Fauntleroy, 2 pm (more details here).

COMMUNITY ORCHARD MEETING TONIGHT: From Community Harvest of Southwest Seattle:

Planning is continuing on a Community Orchard for West Seattle, and it’s time to get more input from you – the West Seattle Community. We have found a site for our first orchard, have identified a potential funding source, and now we would like to hear your ideas – in person.

Come to a Community Orchard IDEAS meeting:
Sunday, March 21
7-8:30 PM
Duwamish Co-housing Common House, 6000 17th SW

This is an opportunity to learn more about the project (short term and long term) and share your ideas of what sorts of things to include in our plans. We welcome everyone to this meeting.join in the blossoming of ideas for growing an even greater abundance of local fruit.

Even more in the West Seattle Weekend Lineup.

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Update: 1 dead, 2 hurt in 2-vehicle head-on crash at 37th/Admiral
March 21, 2010 2:13 am
|      120 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS breaking news

(cameraphone photo added 2:40 am)
ORIGINAL 2:13 AM REPORT: Thanks to the person who called to be sure we’d seen this on the 911 log – minutes after it appeared: Fire and police crews are working a “heavy rescue” call at 37th/Admiral (map), a crash with two vehicles involved, according to the scanner, with extrication(s) under way. We’re off to the scene to see what we can find out; Admiral is closed at that spot, so stay away.

2:34 AM UPDATE: Co-publisher Patrick is at the scene and describes it as a “huge” response of police and fire. Meantime, via the scanner here at HQ, we have just heard the first medical report on 2 victims – a 29-year-old man who got out of one of the vehicles on his own, injuries include a fracture. And authorities also have reported one person killed.

2:52 AM UPDATE: Police at the scene confirm that the total is 1 dead, 2 hurt, both going to the hospital. They tell us that it appears so far that the pickup truck was coming up the Admiral Way hill (northbound) while the SUV was going down the hill (southbound), at least one of the vehicles speeding, when the SUV crossed into the truck’s path, and they collided. Admiral is closed from Belvidere to Olga, and since this is a deadly crash, it’s likely to be closed for hours. (The last deadly crash in West Seattle was less than 2 weeks ago, a 1-car crash the night of March 9th on 16th SW.)

3:03 AM UPDATE: Authorities at the scene aren’t saying (and we’re not even certain if they yet know) anything about the gender or age of the person who was killed. Scanner information indicated the 2nd survivor, who like the 1st has been rushed to Harborview Medical Center, was a “middle-aged” man, whose injuries included fractures.

4 AM UPDATE: Adding our clip from the scene – same angle as the photo above, but gives you more context on exactly where it happened. This was shot from behind the yellow-tape line (the only other media photographer there while we were, from KING 5, was immediately to our left):

We’ll check back on Admiral’s status in a few hours; police will likely have an official writeup by then too.

9:40 AM UPDATE: The short item at SPDBlotter has two additional bits of information: The person who died was the SUV’s driver, while the two survivors were the driver and passenger in the pickup; also, police say alcohol may have been a factor as well as speed. No further information has been released about any of the three.

(Photo by David Rosen from SlickPix Photography, as rescuers worked to get one of the survivors out of the pickup)

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West Seattle weekend scenes: Delridge Playground cleanup
March 21, 2010 1:26 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle weekend scenes: Delridge Playground cleanup
 |   Delridge | How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(Photo by Savanna Nichols)
Thanks to North Delridge Neighborhood Council co-secretary Holli Margell for sharing these photos from Saturday’s Delridge Community Center Playground (and vicinity) cleanup by adding them to the West Seattle Blog photo group on Flickr. As that first photo shows – teamwork spanned the generations. 8 months have passed since the huge volunteer effort that built the playground; volunteer help will keep it in good shape, too, and here are more of the folks who joined forces Saturday morning to pitch in:

(Photo by Savanna Nichols)
You have more chances to help brighten West Seattle neighborhoods, today and both days next weekend (here’s our roundup with details).

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Help future guide dogs get started! West Seattle meeting Monday
March 20, 2010 11:55 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   How to help | Pets | West Seattle news

Got room in your home, heart and life to help raise puppies to become guide dogs? This Monday night, there’s a chance for you to find out what’s involved and whether you can help. West Seattle See Dogs, a puppy-raising club for Guide Dogs for the Blind, “needs volunteers to spend a year or so teaching puppies good house manners and introducing them to the world,” according to organizer Ruth Oldham. As the Guide Dogs for the Blind website puts it, “As a puppy raiser, not only will you discover the delight of a four-footed, wet-nosed companion, you will join a community of like-minded people all working toward improving the quality of life for people who are blind.” The meeting’s at 7 pm Monday, Merrill Gardens-Admiral Heights (WSB sponsor) at 2326 California SW (map), and you’ll get to meet some of the “puppies in training.” If you can’t make the meeting but would like to find out about getting involved anyway, e-mail seedogs@comcast.net or call Ruth at 206-953-0268.

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West Seattle wildlife: Caution, coyotes crossing
March 20, 2010 8:23 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Coyotes | West Seattle news | Wildlife

From Jodi, by the southwest end of The Bridge:

I just wanted to let you know that coyotes have been very active in our neighborhood the last two nights. This morning at 4 am there was one in front our house yelping and running up and down the street (4000 block of Fauntleroy Way SW) along the West Seattle Bridge between the pedestrian overpass and the light at 35th. It was having a fit because there was another coyote on the road (West Seattle bridge) running back and forth between the east and west bond lanes trying to figure out how to get over the chain link fence to join it companion. We watched them for over 10 minutes before they both headed towards the pedestrian overpass. There wasn’t much traffic at that time of the morning on a Saturday, but it could be deadly other days of the week.

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Watch for USS Nimitz off West Seattle shores tomorrow
March 20, 2010 7:32 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news

Thanks to Trina for mentioning this on our Facebook wall: The USS Nimitz (CVN 68) is coming to Bremerton tomorrow – just a quick stop to pick up friends/family for a “Tiger Cruise” down to its homeport in San Diego, after a half-year-plus deployment, but this December, it’ll be back for maintenance at Naval Base Kitsap. We haven’t yet nailed down the best time range you’re likely to see the carrier off West Seattle shores, but so far it looks like early-to-mid-morning. (U.S. Navy photo, from Nimitz’s recent visit to Thailand)

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West Seattle drummer Matt Chamberlain honored for his groove
March 20, 2010 5:08 pm
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people | WS culture/arts

(Photo by Ronn Dunnett, provided by Matt Chamberlain)
Matt Chamberlain may be the most famous West Seattle musician you haven’t heard of – or haven’t heard much about. But there’s a strong likelihood you’ve heard his work, given everyone with whom he’s played/recorded. And now he’s e-mailed WSB with news that DRUM! Magazine has included him in its list “15 Greatest Groove Drummers of All Time.” Here’s an excerpt he shared from the writeup by Sam Pryor:

By creating a singular groove, Chamberlain became the first-call L.A. session drummer (sorry, Josh Freese). The diverse artists he has recorded with mirror his enormous ability to fit into any situation. Majorly pliable, Chamberlain’s skills (both physically delivered and occasionally programmed) have appeared on more than 200 albums, including those by Fiona Apple, The Wallflowers, Stevie Nicks, Dave Navarro, Master Musicians Of Jajouka, Garbage, David Bowie, Keith Urban, William Shatner, Shakira, Sean Lennon, Sarah McLaughlin, and Dido.

If you noted the L.A. reference – he spends a lot of time there working, but lives here. He explained in his note to us, “My wife and I have been residents of West Seattle for over 15 years … I live here and travel quite a bit but this is always home to me.” The “Top 15” list is in the April issue of DRUM! – which isn’t online yet (though Chamberlain has posted the full text on his website), where we also found word (scroll below the DRUM! mention in the text box on the home page) that he’s playing with Pigeonhed in a benefit at Seattle club Neumos tomorrow.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Two suspicion-stirring sightings
March 20, 2010 2:02 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

First – the case of the electronics-laden shopping cart; second, the case of the “cleaning lady” who wasn’t – read on:Read More

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West Seattle scene: Spring colors “blooming” on the shore
March 20, 2010 12:12 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news | Wildlife

Low tides this time of year aren’t mega-low (here’s the chart) – but low enough to happen onto sights like that one, photographed by Eve at Lincoln Park on Friday. In the note accompanying the photo, she wondered why there’s such a wide color variation among the common sea stars, as demonstrated in these two. We did find at least one scientific paper that suggested an explanation – but perhaps someone with a little more user-friendly marine-biology knowhow has a simpler answer!

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