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  • The Kenney

    SEEKING STABILITY: The Kenney’s new status

  • Blue Angels

    BLUE ANGELS: They’ve arrived in Seattle

  • Box

    BOX WITH BACKSTORY: New tribute portrait

West Seattle Crime Watch: 3 more notes
January 1, 2009 10:12 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Alki Statue of Liberty | Crime | West Seattle news

ALKI TAGGING VANDALISM: We have chosen to subscribe to law enforcers’ belief that publishing photos of graffiti vandalism in its entirety does more harm than good, so the photo you see at left shows only the edges of two fluorescent-pink tags (picture’s left and bottom edges) scrawled on the new Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza pedestal last night. David Hutchinson from the Statue of Liberty Plaza Project has reported the vandalism to the Parks Department, saying, with hope, “This may be a good test of the anti-graffiti coating,” while adding, “This is just the latest incident in a recent outbreak of this type of activity at Alki.” He also included in his report to Parks four photos taken a few days ago showing even bigger tags painted on and around the Alki Bathhouse (on its siding, inside and outside restrooms, and on a utility box). We will follow up tomorrow on cleanup plans. By the way – here’s how to report graffiti/tag vandalism on public property.

1 WEST SEATTLE MURDER IN 2008: The statistic is official now that the year is over. 49-year-old Tracey Creamer, a Highland Park resident killed by her husband before he killed himself (first reported here May 5 though the Medical Examiner ultimately determined she was killed in mid-April), was the only West Seattle murder victim last year, among 28 citywide (each one catalogued in this P-I article today). In 2007, three murders happened in West Seattle; all three resulted in convictions, with the killers now serving time in prison (the last ’07 WS case was closed with a sentencing we covered just four weeks ago).

THEFT REPORT: The police report is of course the most important report you can make if crime happens to you, but we also publish reports here on WSB to help neighbors keep track of what’s happening where – and better to hear about it late than never – Scott in the 6000 block of 42nd SW (map) sent this note:

Week of December 8: Yakima bike rack with 3 bike trays, including an ATOC topper, was stolen off my Toyota Camry. The rack was 10 years old and probably worth less than $200. Unfortunately, the thieves also damaged the car’s rain gutters because two of the four rack towers were locked. Probably an $800 loss. Our first incident since moving to the neighborhood

Once we have posted crime reports here on the main page, we link them to the Crime Watch page, where you also will find the latest major Southwest Precinct reports posted on the Seattle Police SPDBlotter site, as well as some handy resource links about crime prevention and reporting. If a huge story is taking up the home page (as was the case during Snowmare ’08), you will see some crime reports appear on the CW page first.

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Reminders for Friday: From bridge to buses to trash to gov’t
January 1, 2009 8:18 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | Utilities | West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

BRIDGE RAMP CLOSURES: This is more like tonight/tomorrow: The high-bridge ramp closures for drain cleaning start at midnight tonight, continuing up till 8 am tomorrow (at the latest; one sign says 6 am but the city has repeated “8 am” so 6 may just be a typo). Here’s our original story, including a list of what’s closed/open during this work.

BUS SCHEDULES: Metro is on the “partial holiday” schedule one more day.

TRASH COLLECTION: Here’s the Seattle Public Utilities explainer. If you’re usually Thursdays, they’re getting you picked up tomorrow. If you’re usually Fridays, they’ll get you on Saturday. If you were missed again Mon-Wed this week, call.

COUNTY OFFICES/FACILITIES: Most are closed tomorrow – it’s a “furlough day.”

CITY OFFICES/FACILITIES: Open tomorrow.

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From the WSB Forums: Restaurants open for New Year’s dinner
January 1, 2009 5:49 pm
|    Comments Off on From the WSB Forums: Restaurants open for New Year’s dinner
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

Thinking about going out to dinner? We just finished a quick drive-by tour of most West Seattle restaurant zones and can confirm the ones that are open greatly outnumber the ones that are closed. It started with this WSB Forums thread; we posted “open” sightings on Twitter (you can see them here) from the roadside, and WSBF members are adding what they’ve seen, too – if you know of one that’s not mentioned, please add it there! For pizza delivery, by the way, looks like everybody’s open (big pizza holiday, what with the bowl games on TV, as Pagliacci‘s home page notes).

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West Seattle Christmas tree recycling options
January 1, 2009 2:33 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | Holidays | Utilities | West Seattle news

Thanks to Courtney for e-mail that reminded us, we haven’t provided much information about Christmas tree recycling so far this year. We’re almost out of the post-snow-coverage daze, and heavens, we don’t want to let the scene above happen in YOUR house (or ours), so we’re rounding up the scoop. First, here’s the official city info:

Between December 26 and January 11, Seattle residents can recycle their trees and greens for free. All residents can recycle up to three trees at Seattle’s Recycling and Disposal stations. The tree sections must be cut to eight feet or less in length, and the trunk must be four inches or smaller in diameter. Only trees without flocking or decoration may be disposed of free of charge.

Seattle food and yard waste subscribers can also recycle trees and greens for free. Trees should be cut into sections, six feet long or shorter, with branches trimmed to less than four feet to fit into the collection trucks. Bind with string or twine (non-plastic). Trunks should not exceed four inches in diameter. Flocked, plastic, or trees with tinsel will be collected as extra garbage at a rate of $6.00 per item.

Your next question, we know, will be “When will the yard waste get picked up, after all the Snowmare ’09 trouble?” From the latest city update: “Yard waste service — including Christmas tree pickup — will be resumed next week for residential customers. Check your schedule for your next yard waste pickup date. Extra yard waste will be collected at no additional charge, through Friday, Jan. 16.” If you prefer the less-cutting option and go to the Recycling/Disposal Station, the nearest one is in South Park. The city has a map here but it doesn’t address getting there from WS, so here’s a map you can use (choose the “get directions” option). Meantime, we know of one group offering tree recycling as a fundraiser – from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

The West Seattle Rainbow Girls will hold their second annual Christmas tree recycle fundraiser Saturday, January 3, 2009 at the Alki Masonic Hall, 4736 40th Ave. SW (map) from 11:00 – 3:00. Suggested donation $5.00. No flocked trees please. For more information, please contact Jan Hunter at 206-849-7906. Check out the Rainbow Girls by going to www.gorainbow.org

If you know of another tree-recycling fundraiser in West Seattle (or White Center), please let us know so we can help spread the word – editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!

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A different way to “chill out”: 2009 Polar Bear Swim at Alki
January 1, 2009 1:39 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news | West Seattle video

(video no longer available due to blip.tv shutdown)

Really, this needs no explaining. Just listen to the whoops and hollers as West Seattle Polar Bear Swim participants emerged back onto the sands of Alki from the chilly shallows of Puget Sound at midmorning today. (It’s a tradition; here’s our report from last year.)

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New Year’s Day notes: Lost/found pets; food foam; bike theft
January 1, 2009 10:53 am
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Bag fee battle | Crime | Environment | Pets

LOST/FOUND PETS: If you are among the many people who found WSB for the first time during the recent snowstorm coverage — you may not be completely familiar with how the site works and everything that can be found here besides the news and features on the main page. So we wanted to remind you in particular about our Pets page — which for more than a year has been the only West Seattle-specific place to find information about (and photos of, when provided) lost and found pets. There’s been an uptick in activity these past few days, unfortunately, with about half a dozen people currently working hard to find either lost pets (even a missing goat!) or the owners of pets they found. The Pets page is here. We post the information and photos – same address as everything else – editor@westseattleblog.com

FOOD FOAM BAN YES, BAG FEE NO (FOR NOW): A note we just received suggests there may be a bit of confusion out there somewhere, even in some areas of the old-media world, about what took effect today regarding what was originally a two-part city ordinance passed last year — banning foam containers for takeout food/drink, and adding a fee for people who wanted disposable plastic shopping bags. Because enough signatures were gathered for a referendum vote, as reported last September, the bag fee is on hold till a vote later this year (expected to be during the August primary), but the foam ban takes effect today – read more about it at this page of the Seattle Public Utilities website. To see some of the “commercially approved” alternatives you might be getting with your food/drinks, go here.

STOLEN BIKE WITH “SENTIMENTAL VALUE”: DP’s had this bike since the ’60s — and now it’s gone — per this note sent to report …

… a stolen bike at corner of SW Trenton St & 32nd Ave on Monday morning 12/29. A thief took my 41 year old 10-speed (sentimental value = high) right next to two much finer bikes, which are now triple locked. Description: 10 speed with drop handlebar, bad silver paint, parcel carriers front and rear, old Huret Allvit deraillier, broken generator, new gumwall tires.

If you spot that bicycle, please alert police. EARLY FRIDAY UPDATE: In comments, Maria posted a POSSIBLE sighting not far from the theft location – DP went to check, and indeed, it was the stolen bike!

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Whole lotta lava: West Seattle’s hottest webcam wins an honor
January 1, 2009 10:03 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle people | WS culture/arts | WS miscellaneous

Jerry Whiting from West Seattle-based JetCityOrange created that clip of his Lava Lamp Webcam, suggesting that’s how a Lava Lamp might look “on espresso” (java lava?) – and now the camera itself has won an international honor: It made EarthCam’s list of the 25 Most Interesting Webcams of 2008. The camera focuses on two Lava Lites — with one in action at all times — and updates its image every 10 seconds; you can see it on this JetCityOrange page anytime (optimal viewing 8-8:30 pm, when Jerry says both are usually on). The full EarthCam Top 25 list is here (with cams from an Australian station in Antartica to the National Corvette Museum).

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Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza: ’09 wishes from ’08 newsmakers
January 1, 2009 7:33 am
|    Comments Off on Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza: ’09 wishes from ’08 newsmakers
 |   Alki Statue of Liberty | Holidays | West Seattle parks

From Alki photographer extraordinaire David Hutchinson, a photo of the Statue of Liberty Plaza‘s first New Year’s Eve — though we never got around to drawing up the traditional “Top Stories of ’08” list (too busy covering NEW news!), certainly the plaza’s construction and September 2008 dedication (WSB coverage here) would have been on it. With the photo came this message from the Plaza Project Committee:

New Year’s has arrived and the “Final Sale” of inscribed bricks for the new
Plaza is over. The Seattle Statue of Liberty Plaza Project would like to thank all of you who have made this great addition to Alki Beach possible. The order for the new bricks will be sent to the engraving company by the end of this month and we will notify donors when their bricks will be installed as soon as Seattle Parks and Recreation sets a firm date.

We wish all a Happy New Year!
Seattle Statue of Liberty Plaza Project

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Happy 2009!
January 1, 2009 1:18 am
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle people

There’s still time to change the road you’re on — Led Zeppelin (“Stairway to Heaven”)

A good line for this day of renewal, of starting fresh. We heard it while driving back from going downtown to see the Space Needle fireworks up close ‘n’ personal (viewing spot, 6th/Denny, shown at left in ’08’s final moments) after a decade-plus of watching them on TV after stepping out the front door to holler HAPPY NEW YEAR! while half the neighborhood did the same). Took the long way home; amazed to see eastbound traffic on Harbor/Alki backed up all the way to Duwamish Head, still, at quarter till 1 — having cocooned for so many years, didn’t realize that many people watch the Needle fireworks from West Seattle shores. Anyway, before the New Year gets too old, and the Old Year gets too far in the rear-view mirror, we want to thank you for being part of WSB in 2008, and for being here to start what we truly believe cannot help but be — for so many reasons — the best year yet.

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The latest mysterious case of vanishing pedestrian flags
December 31, 2008 6:03 pm
|      37 COMMENTS
 |   Safety | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

That’s 13-year-old Liam Etheridge. His dad Mark Etheridge, an Admiral resident, sent the photo with this note:

After seeing how effective the crosswalk flags are at some of the crosswalks in West Seattle, my son Liam and I decided to try and make the very dangerous crosswalk at California Ave SW and SW College St in the Admiral District safer. This is a busy traffic area and also a heavily used pedestrian crossing.

We investigated the local website for pedestrian news, bought the safety flags ourselves, designed a mounting system and bought the hardware.

On Sunday, 12/28, we mounted the holders and installed the flags. Within an hour we watched people using the flags and showing obvious approval of the new addition.

On Monday, 12/29 two of the eight flags were already missing. My son and I had learned from the pedestrian website to expect some attrition of the flags so we weren’t too concerned. By Tuesday, 12/30, all of the flags were gone except for one that we found thrown in the Blockbuster parking lot across the street.

I have to say I expected far better of the West Seattle community. This was supposed to be, among other things, a lesson for my 13 year old son on the benefits of community service. Instead, it became a lesson on the less fortunate aspects of human nature.

Liam and I have resolved to try again with one more stocking of the crossing flags. I cannot afford to continue to buy flags just so a few idiots can steal them and spoil things for the rest of the community.

And what possible use would anyone have for seven small orange flags? Are they practicing semaphore signals at home?

We received Mark’s note this morning; before we could publish it tonight, he sent this followup:

In a strange update to the story, two of the eight flags have returned, and highly decorated. One has a pretty good sketch of a bus almost running a guy down, complete with the “55” on the bus (correct route) and the caption “Don’t be this guy.” The other has a really messy green painted peace sign. Now my son and I are intrigued with what may happen next.

Here’s a map of the intersection in question. The city supplies flags for several crossings in West Seattle (including Yancy/Avalon, California/Dakota, and California/Dawson), and this is now one of several more where flags have been privately supplied by citizens trying to do a good deed.

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Fauntleroy Way “rechannelization” decision postponed
December 31, 2008 3:58 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

(city graphic from 12/1 open house on the Fauntleroy Way proposal)
Another “we’ll decide by 12/31/08” delay: First it was the Alaskan Way Viaduct – now, on a smaller scale, we just got word from SDOT spokesperson Marybeth Turner that the Fauntleroy Way “rechannelization” decision isn’t going to be made by year’s end (as in, tonight) either:

Due to the recent severe weather, SDOT has shifted resources to focus on assessing impacts and clean-up after the storm. Because of this, SDOT is delaying making a final recommendation on the traffic lane configuration on Fauntleroy Way SW until the end of January. We appreciate the community interest in this project and we will send out another notice as soon as a decision has been reached.

Previous coverage includes:
Dec. 14: city posts Q-A on project’s webpage
Dec. 1: city “open house” about the proposal
November 15: In-depth WSB followup with a city engineer
November 13: First word that the restriping was being proposed

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WSB video: The mayor’s entire post-storm briefing today
December 31, 2008 3:50 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle video

Followup to our report from the mayor’s post-storm briefing this morning: Just in case you wanted to watch for yourself – we uploaded the mayor’s entire 16-minute briefing, in two parts. We were sitting in the front row in the briefing room, and acoustics were decent, so you can hear reporters’ questions clearly, too. While our video just shows him, two other city officials flanked him at the briefing, though neither spoke at the podium – Grace Crunican, director of Seattle Department of Transportation, and Timothy Croll, director of solid waste for Seattle Public Utilities. First part above, 10 minutes long, includes his opening statement plus some questions; second part below, 6 minutes long, continues with questions – click ahead for that and also a bullet-point list recapping what was announced today:Read More

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West Seattle snow aftermath: Two notes re: roads and buses
December 31, 2008 3:32 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

POTHOLES: As reported here, the city has crews out fixing those, and we asked for word of any West Seattle sightings. Brian just e-mailed, “I saw a crew of 3-4 working on fixing potholes on 35th by the fire station around 2 pm this afternoon.”

BUS SCHEDULES: In previous discussions of the challenges Metro and its riders faced during the snow, talk turned to the “partial-holiday schedule” that is in effect for this entire week (except tomorrow, which is a Sunday schedule). We first called attention to it on Christmas Eve after Metro’s Linda Thielke, who had been sending WSB info and answering our questions (as well as dealing with a host of other media outlets), e-mailed to say that she was concerned local riders didn’t fully realize this schedule change was ahead. Subsequently, some have been asking, when was that schedule change decided, and how was it communicated? We sought clarification, and here’s Linda’s reply:

Metro began communicating about the partial holiday schedules for Nov.
28, Dec. 26, Jan. 2 and Jan. 19 in September, when the new timetables came out for Sept 2008-Feb. 2009 service.

We had also identified an additional 8 days in 2009 when we wanted to run that kind of a schedule, if it seemed to work on these first four days. All were identified as historically low-ridership days; and will include the week between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve in 2009. The specific notification about those days will occur when the timetables for those periods are published.

Once the snowstorm began hammering our buses that were on the road, our vehicle maintenance staff said they would be very hard-pressed to run full service this week. They needed time for repairs and backlogged maintenance. We were already scheduled to run Sunday service on Thursday, Jan. 1 and partial holiday on Friday, Jan. 2, so the decision was made early last week to operate partial holiday schedule on Dec. 29, 30, and 31.

Agree it was short notice, and last week most people were more focused on the holidays and the actual snow on the ground than on what their bus would be doing the next week. Here’s what we did to get the word out:

–News release went out Tuesday, Dec. 23 and was also posted on county home page (it was mentioned in PI story on Wednesday, Dec. 24);

–Posted on the Regional Public Information Network (RPIN) on Dec. 23 and sent out via email/text msg to all RPIN subscribers;

–Mentioned as much as possible in live radio/TV interviews Tuesday through Sunday;

–Called out in e-mail to West Seattle Blog at 12:49 pm on Wednesday, Dec. 24;

–Audio announcements made on buses Dec. 26, 27 & 28;

–Rider Alerts posted Dec. 26 at the bus stops most impacted and all the buses;

–Updated information on Metro Online starting Dec. 26 (had to wait to see if we would be past the snow routing by Dec. 29);

–Another news release and phone calls to dailies and broadcast outlets on Sunday, Dec. 28.

We’d suggest that if there is a more helpful way that the information could have been delivered to you as a bus rider, this is probably a great time to suggest it. Here’s the form for sending feedback (the left-side menu on that page includes other options for contacting them); you will also want to let your King County Councilmember, Dow Constantine (who also chairs the Transportation Committee and has participated in earlier comment threads about this), know what you think – his contact info is here.

P.S.: One last county note, not bus-specific (except for the fact that the Customer Information hotline will be out of service because of it): This Friday is the first of 10 “furlough days” that King County government is implementing to help deal with its budget trouble. That means most county offices/facilities will be closed. Here are full details.

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Welcoming a new WSB sponsor: Fusion Studio
December 31, 2008 2:27 pm
|    Comments Off on Welcoming a new WSB sponsor: Fusion Studio
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle online

With 2009 just hours away, you may have your New Year’s resolution(s) ready to go; for many people, every year, the top of the list tends to involve getting your body moving. Today we welcome a new WSB sponsor who can help you with that: Jackie at Fusion Studio. As with all new WSB sponsors, we offered Jackie the chance to share details about her business – here’s what she wants to share: Flexibility and strength go hand in hand. At Fusion Studio, these principles are tailored to fit each client’s needs. Jackie works with a variety of individuals, with goals such as weight loss, post-rehab, core strengthening, and flexibility. She explains, “My training style is a mixture of resistance and yoga, which I find complement each other. Being in touch with our bodies can be hard work, but it should also be fun. Achieving a balance in our bodies directly translates to our lives.”

Jackie has worked as a Personal Trainer and Yoga Instructor for 5 years. At Fusion Studio, she is committed to teaching people how to tap into their inner and outer strengths and push beyond their normal limitations. “Shocking your body in a positive way is how you bring about change,” she says. Jackie has donated her services to fundraising events for ArtsWest and Schmitz Park Elementary as she believes strongly in giving back to the community. Contact Jackie today at 206-257-9640 to set up your FREE fitness assessment. This gives you the opportunity to learn about her training style and see if she can help you with your fitness goals.

WSB welcomes Fusion Studio to our sponsor team, which you’ll find listed on this page along with information on how to become part of it – growing your business while supporting West Seattle’s 24/7 community connection for news, information, and discussion!

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Robbery video released
December 31, 2008 1:14 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Crime Watch: Robbery video released
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle video

Last night we mentioned a TV report on photos and video made public from several recent armed robberies at stores in Highland Park, White Center, and South Delridge, as well as South Seattle. Today we have the video and photos so we can share them with you here as well – this is a high-priority series of robberies that law enforcers are working to solve as fast as they can. The video above (which WSB uploaded to YouTube to post here, after receiving the clip directly from Seattle Police) is from the Gas Depot robbery (South Delridge) on December 11th, one of two stickups that night blamed on the same robbers; the other was at the Lucky Seven in White Center. Note how quickly it all happens – in the span of less than 30 seconds. Also believed to be the work of these robbers, about half a dozen other heists including the one five days later at Country Deli in Highland Park. To see a flyer with photos from the two December 11th robberies, go here. If you have any idea who these robbers are, there’s now a CrimeStoppers reward – 800-222-TIPS.

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Mayor’s post-storm briefing: Salt policy changing; trash rebates
December 31, 2008 10:57 am
|      30 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

ORIGINAL 10:57 AM POST: We’re in the mayoral briefing room, 7th floor, City Hall downtown. The mayor promises a post-storm update, starting any time now. The trash-collection maps that have just gone up on easels near the podium are a hint at some of what will be discussed. You may find this on live TV somewhere, as all the stations are here (KOMO does a newscast at 11 am and its crews in particular have been doing more stringent equipment checks). If any stunning revelations emerge, we’ll add updates here – otherwise, stand by for a summary afterward.

11:05 UPDATE: The media packet just handed out pre-briefing says the city’s changing its salt policy and will use it in the future under certain circumstances. It also says “additional private contractors” will be hired for snow removal. They’re also speeding up the sand clearing from city streets.

11:23 AM UPDATE: After about 15 minutes, the mayor ended the briefing even though the questions hadn’t ended – including declining to answer a question about the Alaskan Way Viaduct. One of the last things he said was that those who have missed two weeks of trash pickup (including many in West Seattle who had Monday and Friday pickup dates) will get a rebate. He didn’t say exactly how much – so we are going to try to chase down a Seattle Public Utilities representative to ask for details. One striking thing he did say: The policy for priorities of street-clearing during snowstorms will not change – side streets will be on a “as we can get to them” basis – he reiterated that you have to be able to get to a primary arterial in order to get somewhere.

11:33 AM UPDATE: Just talked to Andy Ryan of SPU, before leaving City Hall – he says the details of that rebate have NOT yet been worked out – we’ll let you know as soon as they are. He also reiterates that if you have Monday-Wednesday pickup and they do NOT get to you by the end of today, be SURE to report it to the city because the special catch-up runs are still happening tomorrow (New Year’s Day) and they will be responding to those “you missed me” reports.

12:09 PM UPDATE: Sorry the “no comment” option was briefly on for this story – sometimes when working via Wi-Fi (as we were, at City Hall) that happens if an update “times out.” Fixed now, commenting is re-enabled. Also adding some of the collateral from the news conference – first, here is a city graphic of how trash collection will unfold over the next few days – click it for the full-size version:


We also are processing our video – look for a separate wrapup post with that – first, here’s the full text of the news release (not linked online so we’re cutting and pasting from what we got in e-mail):Read More

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What those West Seattle Bridge “ramp closed” signs are for
December 31, 2008 9:46 am
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

We saw them last night, and more than a few WSB’ers e-mailed after seeing them this morning: Lighted signboards at various spots around the West Seattle Bridge saying RAMPS CLOSED 12 AM-8 AM 1/2/09. We just checked with Marybeth Turner at SDOT to get the details: She explains, “Seattle Public Utilities is closing the ramps so they can clean the drains on the bridge. This is important to avoid potential hazards that could occur from ponding.” We’re still seeking more specifics on exactly where the closures will happen, in case you have to use The Bridge during those hours (in the short run, planning to use the low bridge may be your best bet), and will add whatever else we find out. 1:24 PM UPDATE: An official news release has just come out, and it has the specifics:

The Seattle Public Utilities will close many of the on- and
off-ramps on the West Seattle Bridge for drain cleaning, from midnight
on Thursday, January 1, to no later than 8 a.m. on Friday, January 2.

Drivers will still be able to access the bridge eastbound from
Fauntleroy Way SW and Harbor Avenue SW, and westbound from I-5, but
should plan their route considering exits from the bridge that will be
closed.

Metro Transit buses and emergency vehicles will be let through closed
ramps, but other drivers are advised to use the low-level Spokane Street
Bridge.

Seattle Public Utility crews will clean the drains on the bridge to
reduce the potential for hazards due to ponding.

Closed on- and off-ramps:

Eastbound:
The Delridge Way SW on- ramp
SR99 northbound exit
First Avenue S exit

Westbound:
First Avenue S on-ramp
Harbor Ave SW off- ramp
SR 99 southbound to West Seattle Bridge
Delridge Way SW exit
Avalon Way SW exit
Admiral Way SW exit

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West Seattle New Year’s Eve 2008: Some highlights
December 31, 2008 7:02 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Fun stuff to do | Holidays

-The liquor store closes at 8 pm. Closing time is 7 pm at West Seattle Cellars.

-Several West Seattle restaurant/bar parties are listed on the WSB Holidays page, as is the Emerald City Wanderers‘ New Year’s Eve walk through West Seattle – start and finish at your own pace..

-Across the bay, Space Needle fireworks are planned, as usual, unless really bad weather gets in the way. (The day after Thanksgiving, it was too breezy for the downtown fireworks that accompany the lighting of the Macy’s star, so here’s hoping the weather doesn’t get in the way of tonight’s show too – per the TV preview, the Fire Department makes the call. Last year, a computer glitch threw things off a bit.)

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West Seattle Weather Watch: The wind finally showed up
December 31, 2008 2:00 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

Just for the record. The National Weather Service crafted its late-night forecast to say it was expecting the strong wind to start around midnight; we’re just noticing it now, at 2 am. (Reference link which hopefully won’t be needed: Seattle City Light power outages are usually listed here.) 3:02 AM NOTE: 3 am NWS observation at Alki Point – gusting to 43 mph.

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More non-weather news: West Seattle real estate/land-use notes
December 31, 2008 12:22 am
|    Comments Off on More non-weather news: West Seattle real estate/land-use notes
 |   Development | The Kenney | West Seattle news | West Seattle religion

Mostly land use and real estate notes that we want to share now that storm-related news is ebbing:

EASTRIDGE CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLY BUILDING FOR SALE/LEASE: This is a recent appearance on the list of major West Seattle commercial properties on the market: Eastside is offering its Triangle location (39th/Oregon, across from West Seattle Bowl) for $2.6 million, or a $10,000/month lease. Here’s the listing; here’s the flyer.

LOCATION SET FOR KENNEY/4502 42ND DESIGN REVIEW MEETING: In one of our earlier non-snow news items, we mentioned that the Design Review Board meeting for The Kenney‘s redevelopment project and 4502 42nd SW, first set for 12/18 but canceled by snow, has been rescheduled for January 8th. The location’s been set now too — the city couldn’t book any of its usual West Seattle venues and asked if we had suggestions; West Seattle Christian Church (WSB sponsor), barely a block from one of the projects on the agenda, has come through and will be the venue. As mentioned in our earlier coverage, you can preview the presentations that will be given about those projects on 1/8, since they’re both on the city website: The newest proposal for 4502 42nd, which will be reviewed at 6:30 pm, can be seen here; the one for The Kenney, which follows at 8 pm, is here.

ANOTHER DESIGN REVIEW MEETING SET: Also from the city’s “Design Review/Upcoming” page, the next meeting for 2743 California SW (a medical/office building on the narrow site immediately north of PCC) has been set for 8 pm January 22. Here’s our report on the previous review last April; here’s the official project page on the city website.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Robbery suspects caught on video
December 30, 2008 11:34 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

(added Wednesday afternoon, surveillance photo from Gas Depot robbery earlier this month)
This story posted online tonight by KING features both surveillance video of robbery suspects and an interview with a man identified as a West Seattle convenience store owner who chased them out of his shop. The story is a little meanderingly told and we can’t tell which store (perhaps you recognize the owner who was interviewed?), but these seem to be the same suspects sought in the Highland Park/White Center robberies earlier this month (and a South Seattle stickup reported earlier this week on SPDBlotter). We had asked Seattle Police and King County Sheriff’s Office previously for any visuals that could be shared to help solve the crimes; if any of the images from tonight’s TV story are obtainable through police, we’ll get them and share them here. WEDNESDAY LATE-MORNING UPDATE: We have received those items and will be adding them soon.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: 2 theft reports
December 30, 2008 9:04 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Not that the cold weather completely stopped crime in its tracks – certainly seemed to slow it a bit, though. Now, the reports are starting to roll back in – read on for word of two thefts in recent days:Read More

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West Seattle snow aftermath: City hearing dates set
December 30, 2008 6:12 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather


(“Snowmare” scenes: December 23 video by WSB contributing photojournalist Christopher Boffoli)
Just a few hours ago, we had the chance to join neighborhood-preparedness advocate Cindi Barker of Morgan Junction in an impromptu City Hall conversation with City Council President Richard Conlin regarding Snowmare ’08, particularly the communications challenges and shortcomings. But we also talked about an incredible example of communication that worked: During the conversation, we were able to show him a few examples of how WSB’ers shared information with each other (in comments following coverage like this), when detailed, official information was difficult or impossible to find. Previously, Councilmember Conlin had told WSB yesterday that hearings and reviews were in the works, and we promised you we’d share the detailed list of those events as soon as it was available. It just hit the inbox; read on:Read More

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