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Spotlight Stories


  • Electric

    ELECTRIC WATER TAXIS? Voyage begins with $

  • Admiral

    BRIDGE HALF-CLOSURE: Ahead for Admiral

  • Trailblazer

    TRAILBLAZER TEEN: Local student’s huge hike

West Seattle last-minute gift idea (add yours!)
December 24, 2007 7:02 am
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   Admiral Theater | Holidays

Out of the WSB inbox, from Annie:

Just thought I’d give a shout-out for a last-minute gift idea that is a win-win for all. I just visited the Admiral Theater and contributed to their adopt-a-seat campaign. It’s the perfect gift for many folks — especially movie lovers, but also the person who has everything. For a $40 donation, my gift recipient will have a name plate on a new seat and will also receive two movie passes and a VIP invitation to a private show once the new seats are installed.

The Admiral’s open for matinees today (2 & 4 pm) and evening shows tomorrow (7 & 9 pm). Got another last-minute gift suggestion that’s unique to West Seattle? Leave a comment here.

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West Seattle Christmas lights, 12/23/07
December 23, 2007 11:59 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Christmas lights, 12/23/07
 |   Holidays | West Seattle Christmas lights

Not one of the brightest displays in West Seattle but on this Christmas Eve-Eve, we’re going for whimsy:

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That’s a snowman on the roof, and a JackoLantern headed scarecrow-ish character in the yard to the right, northwest corner of 49th/Alaska. Now it’s on the clickable West Seattle Christmas Lights map that you can find on the WSB Holidays page (along with lots of other info including Christmas coffee, Christmas Eve/Day church services, and events through New Year’s); the photo features are all archived here. Bonus link: Pam at Nerd’s Eye View toured West Seattle displays, some of which we have featured here and some of which we have not; her post with a Flickr gallery link is here.

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Christmas what’s open/what’s closed update
December 23, 2007 5:41 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news

Finally finished surveying almost all the West Seattle coffee shops – so far, we’ve found six that will be open on Christmas; johnny_automatic_christmas_wreath.jpgthe list is on the Holidays page, as is our list of West Seattle Christmas Eve/Christmas Day church services (still a few more phone calls to make but even at this point we have Christmas Eve services for 15 WS churches), as well as our supermarket survey. And in the new WSB Forums, we’re still looking for West Seattle restaurants that will be open Christmas Day; jump in on the topic if you’ve found one.

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The forecast said breezy, not blustery
December 23, 2007 5:10 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle weather

The forecast only called for 10-20 mph wind (at least as of this writing). But it sounds a lot stronger than that out here in west-facing south West Seattle, and indeed, according to this real-time Beach Drive station, it’s in the 30s right now, with gusts into the 40s.

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A gift you can give someone without spending a cent
December 23, 2007 12:45 pm
|    Comments Off on A gift you can give someone without spending a cent
 |   How to help | West Seattle people

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Beautiful scenes like that remind us what a wonderful place West Seattle is — but it’s not just the scenery, it’s the wonderful people too … which is why, in collaboration with Julie Mireille Anderson from Divina (subject of a P-I profile this weekend), and as many West Seattleites who want to be part of this, we are announcing a way for you to give the gift of recognition:Read More

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2 famous names moving to West Seattle
December 23, 2007 7:56 am
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle people

Just found this in an Indianapolis newspaper, of all places: Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation CEO Patty Stonesifer and her husband, nationally renowned writer Michael Kinsley, are moving to West Seattle (from Madison Park); in that article, Stonesifer lauds WS as having “some of the best views on the West Coast.” (They may be here already, since the article says the interview with Stonesifer happened last month.) Welcome!

(P.S. Gates Foundation assistance has helped with some good work in West Seattle, including a big grant that assisted with the transformation of the old Cooper Elementary on Delridge into the Youngstown Cultural Arts Center.)

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What’s fresh today at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market
December 23, 2007 7:33 am
|    Comments Off on What’s fresh today at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market
 |   West Seattle Farmers' Market

Another reminder – the Farmers’ Market is still happening EVERY Sunday in The Junction — 10 am-2 pm, then 11 am-2 pm in January & February. Here’s the bulletin for today:Read More

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West Seattle Christmas lights, 12/22/07
December 22, 2007 11:50 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Christmas lights, 12/22/07
 |   Holidays | West Seattle Christmas lights

Jumping it off the top page so the amazing car story stays high up:Read More

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Fauntleroy car crash update: Photos, video
December 22, 2007 7:56 pm
|      30 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle video | WS breaking news

From WSB contributing photographer Christopher Boffoli, three photos of tonight’s amazing car mishap on 47th south of Wildwood, between the ferry dock and the Fauntleroy business district:

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The woman driving the car was taken to the hospital. ADDED 8:15 PM: Here’s WSB video of a tow crew pulling the car off the cable:.

Video thumbnail. Click to play
Click To Play

No definitive word yet on exactly what happened here, except for neighbors’ speculation that the driver had trouble negotiating a nearby curve.

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Update: Fauntleroy car crash
December 22, 2007 6:30 pm
|    Comments Off on Update: Fauntleroy car crash
 |   WS breaking news

Big “heavy rescue” fire callout right now to 9260 47th SW, which is between the ferry dock and the Fauntleroy business district. Heard some scanner communication from just-arrived crews talking about the stability of a car – we’re en route to check it out. 6:36 PM UPDATE: Sounds like some streets might be closed off in the area (this is near Wildwood/47th) because of possible danger that might involve power lines. 6:41 PM UPDATE: First word from the scene — a car is at a 45-degree angle to a power pole — medic crews are working on at least one person. Pix and video to come. Definitely avoid that area – here’s a map of where it’s happening:


View Larger Map

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Probably not a West Seattle white Christmas …
December 22, 2007 6:25 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle weather

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… unless you count seaspray, such as that seen in the pictures above and below, taken by Jason Parker (thanks!) at Constellation Park. Forecast looks cool and showery. But you never know.

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Update on the new WSB Forums: Topics, fixes
December 22, 2007 5:32 pm
|    Comments Off on Update on the new WSB Forums: Topics, fixes
 |   West Seattle online

First of all – “Cruiser” opened a potentially lively topic a little while ago – top holiday peeves. (His rant about Southcenter reminds us of what we saw passing through Westwood Village before sundown.) Check out the forum topic here. Also, if you haven’t checked into the comments below our original post announcing the forums, we’ve made some tweaks, most notably: Now if you register and sign in to the forums, until and unless you log out, that same log-in/screen name will show for any comments you want to leave in posts on the main WSB pages. (If you want to leave a comment without your forum screen name, just be sure to log out before you try that. But registration is NOT mandatory for reading the forums without posting/replying, or for reading/commenting on the rest of the site.) Besides letting us know how the forums are working, please also let us know if you are interested in adding more subforums – for now, we are starting simple, with Reader Recommendations and Open Discussion, but possibilities are limitless – so if there’s something you’d like to see that doesn’t fit under either of those areas, let us know and we’ll add it. Thanks!

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Christmas tree tip, and more holiday notes
December 22, 2007 12:58 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Holidays | How to help

First, the tree tip, from Steve in Highland Park:

McLendon’s (at least the one in White Center) is selling ALL trees at $10. Charlie Brown ones are $5! Good news for procrastinators like us.

We had mentioned somewhere that when we checked out West Seattle Nursery a couple days ago, they had some Douglas Firs as low as $11. We’ll be out checking around WS a little later but please let us know what you are seeing and hearing, too.

CHRISTMAS EVE/DAY CHURCH SERVICES: Forgot to mention in the earlier post about supermarkets and coffee shops, we also have been building a list of Christmas Eve/Day services in West Seattle, also on the WSB Holidays page, under the Dec. 24-25 events-by-day listings. We haven’t yet called the churches we couldn’t find online, but will be working on that today.

holidaypresent.jpgCHRISTMAS EVE/DAY MOVIES: We asked Steve Garrett @ Admiral Theater about holiday showtimes – here’s what he has planned: Christmas Eve 2:00 & 4:00 showtimes (matinee only); Christmas Day 7 & 9 pm showtimes (evening only). (Find the theater website here.)

BUSINESSES IN THE GIVING SPIRIT: So many West Seattle businesses have found ways to give this holiday season — food drives, donations, volunteering, etc. And here’s another one, just out of the inbox from the folks at smallclothes (3236 California):

smallclothes is offering 2 ways to help WestSide Baby [their site here], a non-profit organization that collects previously owned items for children and babies and distributes them free of charge to families in need.

Please consider one or both of the following ways you can help out:

1* Choose an outfit or two for someone in need. Receive 10% off resale items and we will deliver your donation to WestSide Baby.

2* Purchase a hand-made blanket from us, and both the profit and the blanket will be donated. smallclothes owner Ruth has made many fleece blankets in festive colors for $15 (toddler size) or $10 (crib size).

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Two holiday notes: Gumbo today, groceries next week
December 22, 2007 10:49 am
|    Comments Off on Two holiday notes: Gumbo today, groceries next week
 |   Fun stuff to do | Holidays | West Seattle businesses

johnny_automatic_christmas_wreath.jpgGUMBO: Just heard from Lakema Bell @ Delridge Community Center, who advises there’s still room to join in one of today’s West Seattle holiday events — the Santa Sleigh Ride and Holiday Gumbo Feast at DCC, noon-3 pm today, $5/bowl for gumbo ($3 refills).

GROCERIES: Finished our survey of grocery stores’ Christmas plans — the full list is on the WSB Holidays page — all three Safeways (Admiral, Jefferson, Roxbury) plan to be open 9 am-3 pm on Christmas Day; some West Seattle supermarkets are closing at 7 pm Christmas Eve, some at 6. We are still surveying coffee shops for their Christmas Day plans; that in-progress list is on the Holidays page too. And if you know of any West Seattle restaurants open on Christmas, you can help answer a question posted in the new WSB Forums (explained here).

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December 3 Deluge: New help for flood victims
December 22, 2007 10:16 am
|    Comments Off on December 3 Deluge: New help for flood victims
 |   December 2007 flooding | Delridge | West Seattle news

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(Dec. 3 photo along Longfellow Creek was taken by Tim, originally featured here.)
For those of us who made it through the December 3 Deluge without much if any damage, it’s just a soggy memory (albeit one reopened easily by new rounds of rain like the one we’re having right now). But some people in areas including right here in West Seattle are still working to clean up and fix up, like Gary in North Delridge, who e-mailed WSB to ask us to share with you that individual property owners in King County are now able to apply for federal assistance (governor’s press release is here — instructions on how to apply are here).

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West Seattle Christmas lights, 12/21/07
December 21, 2007 11:54 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle Christmas lights

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Thanks to daPuffin for tipping us off to the Santa hat, on Roxbury at 36th. It’s now on the West Seattle Christmas lights map that you’ll find on the WSB Holidays page, and it’s in the light-display archive here.

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Coyote alert: Lincoln Park
December 21, 2007 9:04 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Coyotes | West Seattle parks | Wildlife

Ted sent this to WSB last weekend and we missed the chance to post it then, but he advises us he’s still hearing the howls, so it’s not too late to issue the alert. Not to evoke anti-coyote hysteria – just a reminder to be careful:

Just wanted to let you know – saw a brazen Coyote in Lincoln Park during the day on Sat. We had our dog on a leash but another couple that was approx 100 ft away from us did not. No sooner did we pass the couple but we saw what appeared to be a very alert and scoping Coyote. I am thinking he may have been checking out the little lap dog the couple had off-leash. We were on an interior trail – near the chin-up bars. Please keep the parks (and coyotes) safe – keep your dogs on a leash !!

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Buy an ornament, help a family
December 21, 2007 6:43 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   How to help

Adding this to the Holidays and Events pages as well as the West Seattle Weekend Lineup, but also wanted to make note of it here: alissaandmimi.jpgTomorrow at the new Tillicum Village Gift Gallery on Avalon, Northwest Coastal carver Alissa Bellah-Pierson will be handcarving ornaments to sell to raise money for the medical expenses of her 9-month-old baby Mimi’s liver transplant — the baby (shown with Alissa in photo at left from TV website) had to be rushed from Alaska to Seattle last month, and got a new liver two days before Thanksgiving. You can read more about them on this webpage (scroll down to “Help for a Family in Need”). Mimi’s mom will be carving at the Tillicum Village Gift Gallery 10 am-4 pm tomorrow.

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Testing 2 new WSB features; need your feedback!
December 21, 2007 4:33 pm
|      21 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Safety | West Seattle online | West Seattle police

As of right now, we’re testing two new features – both in hopes of better fulfilling the WSB mission of serving you with West Seattle news, information, and discussion, 24/7/365.

MORE DISCUSSION: We have finally launched “forums” — another HUGE thanks to the fabulous STUART MAXWELL for making this happen (same guy who got WSB onto a better server earlier this morth) — but before we build them out with a slew of categories and other enhancements, we would like you to try them and then let us know how you would want to use them. You will find them by clicking the FORUM tab at the right side of the row of navigation tabs under the sunset header (or click here). We’ve started with two general areas — we’d like to see if forums are the best, well, forum for Reader Recommendation Requests — start a new topic when you have one, and see what happens — this means RRRs won’t have to wait for us to get to them amid all the other West Seattle news of the day. Also, there’s an OPEN DISCUSSION area where you can post a topic you’d like to talk about. Sometimes the main page is the right place for that — like the “walk all ways” opinion sent to us that resulted in this well-discussed post — but again, maybe there’s something you just want to say NOW – go to the forums and say it. One note, you will have to register to post in the forums (but anyone can read them). And right now, since we’re considering this a “beta” test before possibly tying it into more of the site, that registration does NOT link to the comment feature on WSB posts, so you will still have to enter your name and e-mail address separately if you want to comment on those. Try out the forums, let us know what you think, with comments on this post OR by e-mailing WSB. Thanks!

MORE NEWS/INFORMATION: With the help of the fine folks at the Southwest Precinct, we are now able to bring you lots more information about West Seattle crime reports, safety concerns, and crime-prevention advice. Starting right now – with police-report highlights from the past several days:Read More

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Alki Urban Market sign sighting
December 21, 2007 1:59 pm
|      17 COMMENTS
 |   Seen around town | West Seattle businesses

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Just up on the future store’s door in the past 24 hours or so. The fine print is an e-mail address at the domain “seattleurbanmarket.com.” The website at that address doesn’t mention the Alki location right now but lists 9 others around the area and describes the parent company as “a company dedicated to the development of ‘high end’ delicatessen stores in the Seattle & Eastside Metropolitan Areas to serve the particular neighborhood they are located in with high quality products and services. Utilizing well known quality products such as Boar Head meats and cheeses, Appasionato Coffees, quality groceries, health foods and fine Washington Wines.”

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Commute alert: Bus tunnel update
December 21, 2007 1:49 pm
|    Comments Off on Commute alert: Bus tunnel update
 |   Transportation

Now closed until at least Wednesday, says an rpin.org e-mail bulletin (not online yet).

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West Seattle Weekend Lineup: Winter Solstice edition
December 21, 2007 12:24 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Fun stuff to do | Holidays | WS Weekend Lineup

10:08 pm tonight, in case you were wondering. Meantime, we have 28 listings of West Seattle events, happening now through Sunday, that you might want to check out as we celebrate the promise of more daylight to come (among other things):Read More

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Ornamental “what ever happened to …” question
December 21, 2007 11:28 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Holidays

wsxorn2001.jpgwsxorn2003.jpg

Since we’re decorating our tree bit by bit between waves of typing, this note from MargeC (with the photos shown above, ’01 ornament left, ’03 right) resonated:

Just finished decorating our tree and was wondering what happened to the annual “Junction Holiday Ornament”s? We moved here in Nov 2001 and that was the first one of what was-to-be a series – it was a fund raiser for decorating the Junction with the summer flower baskets. We purchased ours at the Town Hall on California Ave. AFAIK there wasn’t one in 2002, but there was one for 2003. Does anyone know if there ever was a 2002, or any post-2003? Wish they had continued – they’re beautifully made, unique collectibles.

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