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    ADMIRAL MUSIC IN PARKS: Final concert tonight

Followup: Mike Gain takes the Prudential NW reins with optimism
March 1, 2009 11:18 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

(photo at left, Mike Gain in his West Seattle office, next to framed drawings of Cayce and Gain’s past headquarters)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

“Personally, I think the market’s bottomed out.”

Longtime West Seattle real-estate/development leader Mike Gain was careful to include the term “personally.” But it’s emblematic of his optimistic nature, which he is using to fuel what he calls the “run” to get up to speed as he takes over Prudential Northwest Realty, which he ran for two years after he and Roger Cayce sold their West Seattle-iconic Cayce and Gain real-estate firm to Prudential in 2002.

That “run” hasn’t stopped since at least Tuesday, when he prepared to tell the PNW areawide team he was coming back to run the company (as first reported here Thursday morning, once Gain confirmed it).

Even as I sat in Gain’s 3210 California SW office this afternoon – where I’d last visited in December 2007 to talk with Gain and Cayce about their rezoning proposal for the blocks surrounding it (more on that proposal’s status later) – signs of that “run” persisted.

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Seattle City Council re-election races: Jan Drago says she’s out too
March 1, 2009 10:28 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle politics

The Times reports tonight that City Councilmember Jan Drago has decided not to run for re-election this fall, after 15 years on the council. She was one of four whose slots are up this year: Councilmember Richard McIver already has said he’s out; Council President Richard Conlin has said he WILL run again; Councilmember Nick Licata hasn’t finalized his intentions yet. The list of others who’ve filed so far can be found here.

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Update: Fire in South Delridge; prayer hall closed
March 1, 2009 6:16 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle fires | West Seattle news | West Seattle people | WS breaking news

(added 7:14 pm, photo by Tony Bradley, replacing our original iPhone photo)
ORIGINAL 6:16 PM REPORT: 9428 Delridge, commercial building. Here’s a map. Scanner says smoke from the second floor. Off to check it out.

6:31 PM UPDATE: (From TR at the scene) No visible flames, but smoke coming from roof of the Ty Ty Market building that is just to the north of the Cafe Rozella (etc.) building on the alley (which veers southeast from a driveway opening on Delridge). Flames were seen on the second floor, but seems to be out now. The fire engines have traffic blocked around the Delridge and Roxbury Triangle.

UPDATE 6:43 PM: No one was hurt and fire crews are mopping up.

UPDATE: 6:51 PM: Traffic is also blocked along 17th SW between Roxbury and Delridge as crews are still packing up.

7:02 PM UPDATE: The incident commander told us at the scene that fire investigators have just gone in to figure out what started the fire and how much damage was done. SFD spokesperson Dana Vander Houwen says nobody was inside when the fire started. Photographer Tony Bradley got to the scene shortly after firefighters and saw some flames behind a 2nd-story window; we’ll add his photo when we get it (7:13 pm, we subbed it out for the iPhone photo originally on top of this – and here’s a second one from Tony, beneath this update).

10:07 PM: Just in case you’re wondering, we’re still awaiting official word from SFD on the fire’s cause.

8:49 AM MONDAY: Our fellow White Center Now contributor Ricardo Guarnero at neighboring Cafe Rozella says the fire actually was in a Muslim prayer hall in this building. We are still awaiting word from Seattle Fire investigators regarding cause/damage. Ricardo adds that there’s a note on the door saying “MASJID is closed indefinitely,” and adds, “The sign is on the door where Muslims gathered to pray five times a day. Next door is the ‘Hope Academic Enrichment Center.’ Both were there for the Muslim community in White Center – mostly African immigrants from the horn of Africa.”

12:39 PM MONDAY: SFD tells WSB that “improperly discarded smoking materials … in a vinyl couch” were to blame for the fire, which has been ruled accidental. Damage is estimated at $25,000. A photo we took at the scene this morning shows a burned couch:

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Traffic alert: Serious crash on West Marginal Way South
March 1, 2009 6:00 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Not WS but we're mentioning it anyway

In case you are planning on heading east, you should know there is a serious two-vehicle crash not too far away — West Marginal South and South Holden (map) – at least three people reported to have major injuries, including a baby, per scanner traffic from medics rushing them to the hospital. Don’t know the circumstances yet; will add links as we find them, to anyone covering in person. 7:32 PM UPDATE: The P-I has published a short item that says West Marginal has reopened to traffic.

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West Seattle traffic alert: Seaview sinkhole at 48th and Graham
March 1, 2009 4:50 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Safety | Seaview | Transportation | West Seattle traffic alerts

Thanks to Nick for e-mailing to share the news that this sinkhole has opened in the middle of the Seaview straightaway section of 48th SW, at Graham (map). As you can see, it’s been blocked off, but this is right smack in the middle of a 2-lane, 2-way arterial, so best to be forewarned to slow down if you use that road.

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Feedback Lounge update: A sign and a countdown clock
March 1, 2009 3:30 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS beverages

Just noticed that new sign in front of the future Feedback Lounge in Morgan Junction. The sign says “opening soon-ish,” but JenV e-mailed to point out an online countdown clock – which is not on the MySpace site that’s been the main source of FL info, but on this new website, which details FL’s forthcoming attributes:

West Seattle’s new place featuring full-service cocktails, food, music videos, in-house programmed music, the Tune-O-Matic Library, The Whammy Bar, the 40-foot outdoor Sunndeck (no, that’s not a typo), Harmonic Happy Hour, Rok Box, Front of House music videos/live concerts…and LOTS more!

The date the clock is currently counting down to is Saturday, April 4. Meanwhile, back at the MySpace site, you can see photos from the work that’s been going on inside to transform the former Beveridge Place Pub (also once known as the Full Moon Saloon) – which is between the new BPP location and the future Zeeks Pizza/ex-Corner Inn – into Feedback Lounge. (Want to be the first on your block with their T-shirt, featuring the slogan “We deal in volume?” Those are on sale on the MySpace site.) Morgan Junction side note — more big progress at the park just east of FL and BPP – tree installation and more benches:

The latest update on the park-naming process is here.

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Checking on the Steve Bushaw murder investigation, 1 month later
March 1, 2009 12:41 pm
|      17 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

(February 1 photo by WSB contributing photojournalist Christopher Boffoli)
One month ago tonight – Super Bowl night – the southern block of the heart of the West Seattle Junction business district, Alaska to Edmunds, swarmed with police collecting evidence in a sudden, shocking shooting. Though the victim, 26-year-old Steve Bushaw (shown at right in a family photo from last summer, holding his niece Ava), originally was described as having non-life-threatening injuries, he died within hours at Harborview Medical Center, and the search was on to find the two men suspected of West Seattle’s first 2009 murder. Police have had little to say since the shooting that night — they say both men opened fire, both were described by witnesses as black, and their getaway car was said to be a “white sedan,” last seen heading south from The Junction. We checked again with SPD’s media unit late Friday, and Detective Mark Jamieson told WSB there is ZERO new information to make public – no additional description, no hint at whether arrests are any closer than they were after it happened. Jamieson reiterated that the moment homicide detectives — who continue to call this “an active investigation” — have something new to release publicly, we’ll hear it.

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Parades! Scholarships! Apply for West Seattle Hi-Yu Senior Court
March 1, 2009 12:15 pm
|    Comments Off on Parades! Scholarships! Apply for West Seattle Hi-Yu Senior Court
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival | West Seattle news

(WSB video of West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival’s award-winning appearance in 2008 Seafair Torchlight Parade)
Riding on a float, waving at hundreds of thousands of people during the Seafair Torchlight Parade – and tens of thousands during other parades in communities from West Seattle to Sequim – is just one of the side benefits of being West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival royalty. Scholarship money is another big attraction. To be considered for the Hi-Yu Senior Court to be chosen this summer, candidates need to apply by the end of this month – here’s the announcement one more time:

Miss West Seattle Hi-Yu Scholarship Competition: Applications due
3/30/09

Young women who live, work or attend school in West Seattle are invited to apply for the Miss West Seattle Hi-Yu scholarship competition. There are several scholarship awards given out at the pageant, including, but again, not limited to: Athletic, Media Career, Community Service, Academic, Miss Congeniality, Creative Expression, and Hi-Yu Involvement. There are three titles awarded: Queen and two Princesses.

Each title winner receives a scholarship (Princesses- $1,000 each, Queen- $2,000), crown, and sash. The Queen will receive $1,250 at the end of her reign and $750 after completing the Miss Seafair competition. She will represent the community during the 2009-2010 festival year and travel to several Northwest parades with the Hi-Yu float. The Senior Court members must be available to participate in the Hi-Yu Summer Festival activities.

While there is some work involved, West Seattle royalty will have a lot of fun serving your community, making new friends, increasing confidence, and developing leadership. New this year, all candidates will have the opportunity to work with a local businesswoman as a professional mentor and spend a day with professional health & beauty professionals receiving advice on hair, make-up, and dress. Hi-Yu serves the West Seattle Community by providing fun and affordable entertainment for adults and children alike.

The application, found at www.hiyu.com, must be postmarked by March 30, 2009. Mail your completed application to Candidate Coordinator, West Seattle Hi-Yu, PO Box 16130, Seattle, WA 98116. If you have questions, call Shirley at 206-935-5224.

Again, here’s the direct link to the application. And another Hi-Yu reminder, from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar: Three weeks from today, it’s the Hi-Yu Spring Tea and Silent Auction at The Hall at Fauntleroy, 2-4:30 pm March 22nd, $25/person. Make a reservation – 206-935-6517 or info@hiyu.com.

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3rd review Thursday for Conner Junction project “alley vacation”
March 1, 2009 10:03 am
|    Comments Off on 3rd review Thursday for Conner Junction project “alley vacation”
 |   Development | West Seattle news

(January 2009 rendering of Conner project alley area, courtesy Weber Thompson)
Will the third time be the charm for Conner Homes as it takes the “alley vacation” portion of its West Seattle Junction megaproject back to the Seattle Design Commission? That group has to sign off on such requests (as do SDOT and the City Council) and already has seen two presentations by Conner’s architects, each time asking for an encore (WSB coverage: January 2009 and November 2008). Now, they’re set to make another presentation at 2 pm this Thursday during the commissioners’ all-day meeting in the Boards and Commissions room at City Hall downtown (map). In this case, the “alley vacation” isn’t the classic case of a developer wanting the actual alley, but instead, requesting the right to use land UNDER the alley, to connect what otherwise would be two separate underground garages for the two buildings at California/Alaska/42nd. (Meantime, as mentioned here last month, the entire two-building project also is set to return to the Southwest Design Review Board on March 12 – 6:30 pm, High Point Library.)

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Happening today: Farmers’ Market; produce co-op; get a pet
March 1, 2009 6:21 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   How to help | Pets | West Seattle Farmers' Market

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm today in The Junction, 44th/Alaska; you can see the newest “fresh sheet” here – with greens, prawns, and mutton, among the newer offerings.

DELRIDGE PRODUCE CO-OP INFO AT THE MARKET: Galena White‘s been working hard to find and organize volunteers to make the co-op dream happen, and today she’s planning a booth at the Farmers’ Market, so look for her there. She’s also set up a new online site for co-op-related communication; find it here, and if you’re on Facebook, be sure to friend her there too.

GOT ROOM IN YOUR HOME/HEART FOR ANOTHER PET? Bernadette Cassidy of The Wash Dog in Morgan Junction e-mailed (editor@westseattleblog.com) to share the news that the King County Animal Shelter will be there today, noon-4 pm, with adoptable dogs and cats. And if you adopt one, Bernadette’s got a bonus for you – a free self-serve wash.

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1st step in West Seattle Junction parking study: Today’s tour
February 28, 2009 11:59 pm
|    Comments Off on 1st step in West Seattle Junction parking study: Today’s tour
 |   Junction parking review | Transportation | West Seattle news

That’s Dante Taylor from SDOT, project manager for the city’s West Seattle Junction parking study, announced almost exactly a year ago (here’s our 2/21/08 story) but not really launched in earnest till a walking tour this afternoon. The open invitation was accepted by fewer than a dozen people:

Taylor and a fellow SDOT manager, Mary Catherine Snyder, say what was seen and said today will help their department prioritize which blocks of The Junction will be studied most closely before any proposals for possible changes (new restrictions? pay stations? or?) can be made – read on for more details of today’s tour, and what happens next:Read More

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Request for help: Anyone see a Beach Drive bicycle accident?
February 28, 2009 9:37 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news

Jane is looking for anyone with information that can help her friend, who’s just come home from the hospital:

Yesterday afternoon (Friday 2/27), my friend had a bike accident … on Beach Drive. He flipped over his handlebars, hit pavement, cracked his helmet, and, fortunately (given what could’ve resulted), is escaping with a broken collarbone and a concussion that has given him a headache but will eventually go away. Because of the concussion he doesn’t really remember what happened before or during (or for that matter, immediately after) the accident. In the process of calling through my friend’s cell phone contacts, paramedics called my house and spoke to my husband, and it seems someone must have called 911 for my friend, and paramedics or ER docs told both him and my husband that witnesses said he was biking fast but hit a patch of gravel or something on the road. At any rate, on the off-chance any readers on here witnessed the accident or called it in (a thanks from him, by the way!), he is wondering what exactly happened, what you saw, etc. He wants to better piece together what took place.

There was a 3 pm call for medical help in the 4100 block of Beach Drive (map) on Friday afternoon and Jane says that was likely the one. If you have any information on the bicycle accident, please e-mail: pitysings@yahoo.com

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Homeless shelter staying at West Seattle church 1 more week
February 28, 2009 4:54 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle religion

nazarene.jpgFellow neighborhood-news site My Ballard has been covering the controversy since a neighborhood there was told that a church-owned building would become the new site of the homeless shelter that’s spent the past year at West Seattle’s Church of the Nazarene (2008 photo at left; here’s our update from a week ago; here’s our story from 3/08). A short time ago, My Ballard published breaking news of a new development – the shelter’s overseers at SHARE are holding off on the potential Ballard move for at least 4 weeks, while saying they’re being allowed to stay in West Seattle another week. (As for what would happen during the interim three weeks, My Ballard is working to find out.)

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Update: 2 hurt in crash at Delridge and Henderson
February 28, 2009 3:22 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | West Seattle news | WS breaking news

FIRST 3:22 PM REPORT WITH IPHONE PHOTO: A car’s flipped at Delridge and Henderson. Traffic is closed to northbound traffic.

(photo added 4:29 pm – the other car involved in the crash is the one at left with front-end damage)
3:42 PM UPDATE: The scene should be cleared soon. The crash happened feet away from Stan’s Mt. View Towing on the southeast corner of the intersection – one truck quickly towed the white car that suffered front-end damage in the crash, and another has already righted the overturned burgundy-colored car. Two people were being treated for what did not appear to be life-threatening injuries, and one ambulance arrived for each one. A witness told us that the burgundy car apparently ran the light, and went airborne after hitting the white car. More visuals shortly.

ADDED 4:35 PM: Here’s the unedited video of the flipped car being turned back over. It happened in two stages: Seconds into this clip, the tow truck pulled it onto its side; then after a bit more repositioning and tinkering, toward the end of the clip, the job was finished:

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Happening now: Two sales – Pigeon Point glass, Rat City Rummage
February 28, 2009 11:39 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | White Center | WS culture/arts

Thanks to Sally for the tip that the Lagarto Glass studio in Pigeon Point (1904 SW Dawson; map) is having a sale today to clear out the garage studio and switch to work-at-home mode. Get there as soon as you can – they’re just going till it’s gone. Meantime, we’ve also stopped by the first-ever Rat City Rummage at the old White Center skating rink – good turnout of sellers and shoppers:

This one’s going till 6 tonight and you can see a few more pix as well as an artist/seller interview at our partner site White Center Now.

ADDED 9:52 PM: Thanks to Highland Park’s Dina Johnson for sharing this page full of photos of other artists and craftspeople who were on hand at Rat City Rummage.

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Keeping kids moving: Girls on the Run; West Seattle Little League
February 28, 2009 11:16 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Two updates today on programs to get kids moving – the first one is new to West Seattle, according to Rebecca Evans, who e-mailed us to announce:

Starting in mid-March, Hiawatha Community Center will be a program site for Girls on the Run!

This exciting, non-competitive program combines training for a 3.1 mile walking/running event with self-esteem enhancing, uplifting workouts. The goals of the program are to encourage positive emotional, social, mental and physical development for girls. The program is for 3rd through 5th grade girls of ALL fitness levels. The only requirement is to believe in GIRL POWER!

Where: Hiawatha Community Center – 2700 California Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116
Dates: March 17th – June 7th, 2009 (New Balance Girls on the Run 5k)
Days: Tuesdays & Thursdays
Times: 3:15-4:45pm
Cost: Fees based on a sliding scale. Click here to view the sliding scale.

Registration deadline is this Friday; you can register online (go here), or by postal mail – here’s the form; send it to GOTRPS, 8757 15th Ave NW, Seattle 98117. You can also find Girls on the Run on Facebook.

Meantime, we also have just received word of West Seattle Little League tryouts/drafts tomorrow:

***TRY-OUTS AND DRAFT FOR MAJORS AND MINORS DIVISIONS THIS SUNDAY, MARCH 1ST AT BAR-S PLAYFIELD****

MAJORS: 9:30 – 11:30 A.M. PLEASE ARRIVE NO LATER THAN 9:00 A.M. TO CHECK IN AND WARM UP.
MINORS: BECAUSE OF THE LARGE GROUP SIZE, WE WILL HAVE TWO SESSIONS BROKEN UP ALPHABETICALLY BY LAST NAME.

LAST NAME “A-K”: 1:00 – 2:15 P.M. PLEASE ARRIVE NO LATER THAN 12:45 P.M.
LAST NAME “L-Z”: 2:30 – 3:45 P.M. PLEASE ARRIVE NO LATER THAN 2:15 P.M.

PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR BALL PLAYER IS PROPERLY DRESSED FOR THE WEATHER. ALL PLAYERS SHOULD WEAR THEIR GLOVE, CLEATS, HAT (AND PROTECTIVE CUP FOR BOYS)

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Update: Harbor Island tugboat fire ruled accidental
February 28, 2009 8:49 am
|    Comments Off on Update: Harbor Island tugboat fire ruled accidental
 |   West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

While checking on the 48th SW fire (see below), we also got an update on the Harbor Island tugboat fire we covered last night: An “accidental electrical fire,” say investigators; damage to the Corbin Foss – whose size they have corrected to 140 feet – totals half a million dollars.

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Update: 2 people hurt in early morning fire near Lowman Beach
February 28, 2009 8:23 am
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Seaview | West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

(photo added 8:44 am)
A man and woman were taken to the hospital from the scene of a duplex fire that happened around 4:30 am in the 6700 block of 48th SW (map). No word yet on its cause; Fire Department spokesperson Dana Vander Houwen says firefighters had it out within about 20 minutes of the first report. As of 8:30 am, investigators are still on the scene; the front of the duplex is heavily damaged. Vander Houwen says the two who went to the hospital got out through a window. No update on their condition so far.

ADDED 10:53 AM: One other photo from this morning, looking southwest toward Lowman Beach, to show even more clearly where this is – barely a block uphill from that waterfront park (which itself is just north of Lincoln Park):

SATURDAY AFTERNOON UPDATE: LD reports in comments:

The couple have been released from the hospital and are doing ok. They are receiving help from friends and the American Red Cross and doing as best they can under the circumstances.

9:24 PM UPDATE: SFD says the fire was accidental – caused by “combustible material too close to a baseboard heater” – with damage totaling $150,000.

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Happening today: Rummage sale, book sale, Junction parking …
February 28, 2009 6:03 am
|    Comments Off on Happening today: Rummage sale, book sale, Junction parking …
 |   How to help | Junction parking review | West Seattle schools | White Center

More highlights from the current edition of the West Seattle Weekend Lineup (jump here to the full Saturday list):

RAT CITY RUMMAGE: In White Center, the first-ever Rat City Rummage takes over the old skating rink, 10 am-6 pm, and we’re told vendor spaces are sold out, should be lots to browse and buy.

SANISLO USED-BOOK SALE: The 4th graders at Sanislo Elementary are having a Used Book Sale, 10 am-3 pm, to raise money to go to camp on Vashon. Never been to the school? Here’s a map.

JUNCTION PARKING REVIEW WALKING TOUR: Even if you didn’t RSVP, you’ll still be welcome to join in. Noon-2 pm, meet at Cupcake Royale (California/Alaska). Archived coverage of the parking review is here; by the way, the results of the Fremont parking review are being installed as we speak.

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Two visual souvenirs of West Seattle’s fabulous Friday
February 27, 2009 11:52 pm
|      21 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle video | West Seattle weather

Ever wish you had the perfect video to send to friends/family out of state who haven’t been here on a sunny day and can’t understand why you love West Seattle so much? We suggest this could be THE clip to share. WSB contributing photojournalist Christopher Boffoli went out for a drive, with his camera riding high in the back, and that video is the result. (See if you recognize ALL the streets!)

Meantime — it was still a lovely day as the clouds rolled in later; Dan in Sunrise Heights sent this photo from the ferry Kitsap:

Tomorrow’s forecast: Cloudy. At least we have the memories!

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West Seattle high-school sports: Saints to state!
February 27, 2009 11:37 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

Just in from Seattle Lutheran High School‘s Bil Hood:

The Seattle Lutheran High School Saints Are Going to State

Both the boys and girls basketball teams secured an invitation to the State Basketball Tournament with wins at Chief Leschi Friday night.

The boys beat a tough Mount Vernon Christian team and the girls won a nailbiter over Tacoma Baptist.

Both teams are now back-to-back state qualifiers with trips to Spokane last year. They will play again Saturday afternoon at Chief Leschi for seeding. Watch the SLHS website www.SeattleLutheran.org for information about next weekend’s state tournament.

We’ll update you here too. Sports and other school updates ALWAYS welcome – editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!

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A literary night at Twilight in The Junction: XVIII zine launch
February 27, 2009 10:23 pm
|    Comments Off on A literary night at Twilight in The Junction: XVIII zine launch
 |   West Seattle video | WS culture/arts

It’s the size of a greeting card … full of writing and art, 36 pages worth: A new zine, born into the literary world, resolutely on paper instead of in pixels. Jonathan VeraKat, who presided tonight at the Twilight Artist Collective party in The Junction launching his zine, says each issue will focus on a single topic. The first one — “ghetto,” including answers to the question “Is there a ghetto in Seattle, and if so, where?” (seven answers – 4 no, 3 variations on yes). Jonathan explained to us how the topic was arrived at, as well as – why a zine?

If you want to get a copy, or have a question or idea for Jonathan (who’s based on Capitol Hill), the first edition of XVIII ends with his e-mail address: JVKXVIII@gmail.com

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Update: Fire aboard tugboat Corbin Foss off Harbor Island
February 27, 2009 7:23 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle fires | West Seattle news | WS breaking news

ORIGINAL 7:23 PM REPORT: If you’re on the east side of West Seattle and have heard a lot of sirens – there’s a big “ship fire, 50′, on shore/pier” call on Harbor Island, 1700 block of 13th SW (map). Apparently at or near Todd Shipyard. Whatever’s on fire, it was attached to a barge, according to scanner traffic. More as we get it. 7:48 PM UPDATE: We’re along Harbor Ave to see if we can get a vantage point. Can still see smoke rising from the Todd vicinity, but it’s on the other side of the docks that are visible from here. Monitoring the scanner as well, and it’s clear that many firefighters are being used in what is still an intense firefight. No official word that we’ve gotten yet on exactly what (or what kind of) boat caught fire. 8:01 PM UPDATE: The fire’s just been reported under control; also from the scanner, one person who was on the boat is undergoing medical evaluation. Can’t see smoke any more from this side of the water (we’re now looking from Seacrest). 8:14 PM UPDATE: Just got the first official update from Seattle Fire Department spokesperson Dana Vander Houwen: The fire is aboard a 120-foot tugboat, and one person does have a “minor injury.” This is officially a “two-alarm fire”; no word yet on how it started. 9:25 PM UPDATE: Vander Houwen says the fire is now out. She says the tug is the Corbin Foss. She says 75 firefighters have been working at the scene, as well as the fire investigators who are waiting to be able to get onto the tug to figure out how the fire started. Here’s a link to a photo of the Corbin Foss in 2003, towing the USS Midway.

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