silent is fuck West Seattle Blog… | 2011 | October

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month : 10/2011 367 results

Video: Roxhill Skatespot ‘basic street plaza’ design draft shown
October 13, 2011 9:20 am
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks | WS & Sports

(Click for full-size view, as a PDF – upper right of rendering is 29th/Barton)
Back in August, the first community design meeting for the soon-to-be-built Roxhill Park Skatespot included discussion of the adjacent playground renovations (WSB coverage here). And when the final design plan is presented next month, the two projects will share the stage again. But last night at Southwest Library, the “schematic” (draft) design that California Skateparks has come up with for West Seattle’s second skatepark was alone in the spotlight.

CS’s lead designer Colby Carter explained the design as a “basic street plaza,” albeit one with more transitional elements than his company usually builds. A lively discussion followed, including specific critiques from youth and adult skaters who were in attendance, as you’ll see in our video:

A couple quick points in case you couldn’t watch the video: Carter said that while there’s still “flexibility” to tweak this design, the “major breakthrough” came in fitting the concept onto the challenging site, because of its size, grades, and trees (5 will go, 18 will be planted, said Seattle Parks‘ Shwu-jen Hwang), not to mention the budget. Still no lights, Parks’ project manager Kelly Davidson reiterated; she says there’s just no money in the budget for them. (Lights had been a request at the August meeting, along with perhaps a bowl feature; that’s not in the schematic design, either, but there are multiple bowls at the open-a-month-now Delridge Skatepark.)

Among those on hand was Matthew Lee Johnston of the city’s all-volunteer Skatepark Advisory Committee, which has reviewed the project with California Skateparks since the August community meeting, and he thanked Carter for taking into account feedback they had provided. SPAC had concerns earlier about the project, having not been kept in the loop when donations from the Rob Dyrdek Foundation were announced for the project while that skating star was in town last May (WSB coverage here), which led to a “no-cost” design contract with California Skateparks.

Next step: The final design is due to be unveiled November 14th, 6 pm, Southwest Library, along with the final playground design – though that project gets its own “schematic design” unveiling at the library next week, 6 pm Monday (October 17th). And there’s still time to take a look at the design and tell Parks what you think, if you weren’t there last night – check the project’s official city page for info on how to send in your comment(s).

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West Seattle Thursday: Art Walk; Firefighter Story Time; more
October 13, 2011 8:32 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Wednesday morning almost-moonset photo by mriggen, from the WSB Flickr group pool)
Highlights from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

FIREFIGHTER STORY TIME: Bring your kids to get read to by firefighters! Today’s edition is at the Southwest branch of the Seattle Public Library (9010 35th Ave SW), 11 am.

LEARN TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE! Free civic-skills-training class in West Seattle, presented by Seattle Free School, full details here including how to register, 4:30 pm at the High Point Library (35th/Raymond).

WEST SEATTLE ART WALK! Dozens of venues around West Seattle are waiting to welcome you with art and in some cases music and treats – check out previews on the official site. 6 – 9 pm; walking map/venue list is here.

BAZAAR AT THE KENNEY: During the Art Walk, The Kenney (WSB sponsor) is also hosting a bazaar, with proceeds going toward the Resident Life Care Fund for residents whose financial resources fall short. The Kenney says items on sale include “arts and crafts made by our residents and family members … greeting cards, pressed flower bookmarks, snowman kits, lavender sachets, scarves, afghans, jewelry, super yummy baked goods and more including a rummage sale table and a funny game involving a mustache.” (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW)

HIGH-SCHOOL OPEN HOUSES: These are open houses for students’ families to come meet their teachers and learn about this year’s curriculum. Chief Sealth International HIgh School‘s open house starts at 6 pm with a gathering in the auditorium; West Seattle High School open house starts with a gathering in the gym at 6:30 pm; more details in this preview from earlier today.

M3 OPEN HOUSE: M3 Bodyworks (WSB sponsor) catered open house (including ginger-snap cookies with pumpkin-chiffon dip, says proprietor Michael Mandell) featuring artist Sarah Barrick, 6-9 pm.

SOUTHWEST SEATTLE BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL WOMEN: Linda Mitchell, president of the National Women’s Political Caucus of Washington (State), is the guest. This group includes West Seattleites but meets tonight in Burien, 6 pm, Angelo’s Italian Restaurant, 601 SW 153rd, all welcome.

PARKS BUDGET: Tonight the city Parks Board gets a briefing on the department’s budget proposal, including service reductions at some community centers, 7 pm at Parks HQ downtown.

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High-school open houses tonight at Chief Sealth, West Seattle
October 13, 2011 5:04 am
|    Comments Off on High-school open houses tonight at Chief Sealth, West Seattle
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(Photos courtesy Juan Alonso)
It’s a big night for thousands of local families, those of students and/or staff at the two biggest high schools on the peninsula: It’s Open House night for both West Seattle High School and Chief Sealth International High School – where the new public art shown above, Juan Alonso‘s “Sentinels” (read about it in our August story) will be dedicated as part of the event.

At Seattle Public Schools campuses, “open house” usually means the time for families to come meet their kids’ teachers and find out how things are going so far in the new school year (as opposed to independent schools, which often have “open houses” for prospective families to come learn more about the school). Both schools are hoping for big turnouts:

WEST SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL: Families are invited to gather in the gym for a brief program at 6:30 pm, and then they’ll be dispersed to classrooms, to find out about curriculum and meet teachers. The event is scheduled to continue till 8:30 pm. (Note that it’s Homecoming Week at WSHS and you’ll see signs of school spirit – also note that there’s a barbecue at the school on Saturday afternoon, before the big game – details on the WSB Events calendar.)

CHIEF SEALTH INTERNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL: The night begins with a 9th-grade parent social at 5 pm in the Galleria; the all-school general program begins at 6 pm, after a welcome starting at 5:30 pm, with the night’s schedule and progress reports handed out in the Commons. The main program begins at 6 pm in the auditorium, with presentations plus the official dedication of “Sentinels.” Rotation through classrooms will start at 6:30 and last for six ten-minute periods, with five-minute transitions inbetween.

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Decorate a cake for Sunday’s Fall Festival! and other Fauntleroy Community Association notes
October 13, 2011 2:28 am
|    Comments Off on Decorate a cake for Sunday’s Fall Festival! and other Fauntleroy Community Association notes
 |   Fauntleroy | West Seattle news

Sunday’s the Fauntleroy Fall Festival – and that was one major topic of Tuesday night’s Fauntleroy Community Association meeting. Kim Petram was there with a reminder about a contest you’ll need to plan for in advance: Everyone’s welcome to enter the cake-decorating contest! Any kind of cake, Kim says, any shape, just bake it, decorate it, bring it down and maybe you’ll win a prize. They’re planning categories for competitors from kids to pros. The festival runs 2-5:30 pm at Fauntleroy Church/YMCA/Schoolhouse, but you can bring your cake entry over as early as noon. Entering or not, you’ll want to be there for the cake walk! Full details on this flyer. More festival details ahead, and other FCA business:Read More

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New business coming to the West Seattle Junction: Young at Art
October 12, 2011 10:10 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Story and photo by Keri DeTore
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

Walls are being painted bright red, orange, and purple inside the storefront at 4709 42nd Ave SW (vacated by SIMA Martial Arts, which moved to The Triangle), and some walls can be drawn on with multi-colored chalk. This space is becoming home to Young at Art, an art workshop that will be open to kids and adults to learn and play with arts and crafts.

Owner Theresa Anderson tells WSB that the space will be a combination workshop and artist’s studio, with art wor kstations positioned around the space and focusing on particular mediums.

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Cabaret for a cause! Twelfth Night Productions’ invitation
October 12, 2011 9:41 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(Photo courtesy Twelfth Night Productions)
“Life is a cabaret, old chums … come to the cabaret!” You can do exactly that this Saturday night, while enjoying not only exceptional entertainment, but also a dessert buffet, and the sweet knowledge you’re helping a local nonprofit performing-arts troupe. Here’s their invitation:

Please join Twelfth Night Productions for our annual Cabaret Fundraiser!

The investment in Twelfth Night Productions from our tremendous donors keeps this volunteer-driven organization alive, enriching the greater community with the gift of the performing arts. Each year we raise nearly a quarter of our annual budget at the Cabaret Fundraiser. We look forward to seeing you there!

The evening will feature light appetizers, a dessert buffet, raffle prizes (including getaways to Lake Chelan and Victoria, B.C.), and fabulous entertainment from Twelfth Night Productions’ seasoned players.

Saturday, October 15th, 2011
The doors open at 7 PM

Seattle Lutheran High School Gym
4141 41st Ave SW (enter at Genesee and 41st)
Tickets are $50 per person, or $450 for a table of 10
Purchase your tickets at Brown Paper Tickets or RSVP to Cronin.Anna@gmail.com

Please join us and support your local theater troupe! For questions, please call Anna at 206.937.1394.

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Phone-scam alert: West Seattleite gets the ‘Windows’ call
October 12, 2011 7:55 pm
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle online

Not a new scam, but in case you or someone you know hasn’t heard about it – Maria wants to make sure you’re aware the scammers/”phishers” are out there again right now, trying to get you on the line. Read ahead for her report:Read More

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From White Center Now: New storefront deputy announced
October 12, 2011 6:12 pm
|    Comments Off on From White Center Now: New storefront deputy announced
 |   West Seattle news | White Center

From our partner site White Center Now – King County Sheriff’s Office has made the decision about who will fill the newly restored position of storefront deputy. It’s not the deputy who used to have the job, though he was reported to be a candidate for the position. Details here.

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Another new food-truck pod in West Seattle starts Friday
October 12, 2011 3:03 pm
|      18 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Rendering courtesy Stewart Chung)
First came the 35th/Graham spot where Marination Mobile has spent Saturdays for more than a year, occasionally with another truck joining in. Then, as of last Saturday, came the Highland Park Improvement Club parking lot, where Lumpia World and Curry Now are expected back this Saturday. And now, we’ve just received this word from Stewart Chung of the burger truck BUNS:

BUNS and other premier food trucks will start coming to W Seattle on a regular basis. We will be serving from the Uptown Espresso lot at the junction. While the scheduling is in progress, three food trucks: Fusion on the Run, Big Food Mobile, and Raney Brothers BBQ will be there on Fridays starting this coming Friday. BUNS will debut Saturday night 10/22.

Stewart says the way-beyond-expectations success of the October 2nd Mobile Chowdown in The Junction was an inspiration for this. Meantime, the new pod has a website, at wseattleeats.com. Note that this will NOT be a conflict with the trucks that have been coming to West Seattle on Saturdays, under the schedule they’re envisioning now.

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Video: Questions, concerns about homeless-housing project abound at first Delridge Community Forum
October 12, 2011 2:41 pm
|      31 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | DESC Delridge project | West Seattle housing | West Seattle news

(Photo courtesy Holli Margell)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Three and a half months after first word of a proposed apartment project meant to house 75 homeless people living with mental illness and possibly substance abuse, questions and concerns still abound in Delridge.

That was the bottom line of last night’s first Delridge Community Forum, launching a new volunteer-organized series of mediated conversations on major topics of local interest. The DCF organizing group spun off from the North Delridge Neighborhood Council, after a June community meeting about the Downtown Emergency Service Center‘s proposal left a lot of dissatisfaction, particularly the fact it was in a tiny venue that led to a lot of turnaway.

For last night’s forum, which brought an estimated 150 people to the theater at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, organizers went to extensive lengths to try to ensure the event would not lean too heavily toward either the pro or con direction, and that it would not dissolve into an angry brouhaha. The only real flash of the latter potential happened when the meeting was already running overtime – and resulted in a quick adjournment.

Ahead – the key points of information and concern, including video of the presentations that preceded the Q/A:Read More

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Update: Police/fire response north of Fauntleroy ferry dock
October 12, 2011 12:19 pm
|      61 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police

(Photo by Christopher Boffoli for WSB)
12:19 PM: There’s an assault-with-weapons response at Lincoln Park right now, and you’re probably hearing a helicopter (TV, we believe) too. Scanner says it’s believed to be a shooting suicide in a car in the south end of Lincoln Park. That’s all we know about the circumstances right now – more to come.

12:38 PM UPDATE: Our crew at the scene says this actually happened just north of the Fauntleroy ferry dock. The dock itself is still accessible. The car with the suspected-suicide victim inside is at Cove Park, the tiny park north of the ferry terminal.

1:02 PM UPDATE: Added a photo from the scene. The car is behind the canvas put up to shield it from view.

(Our customary note: Authorities explain suicide as a deadly symptom of mental illness. If you or anyone you know needs help in preventing it, there’s a 24-hour hotline – 206-461-3222. A discussion about suicide prevention also is scheduled on October 23rd, during Fauntleroy Church’s “Family Matters” week – information here.)

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West Seattle schools: A little time makes a big difference
October 12, 2011 12:16 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle schools: A little time makes a big difference
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

EDITOR’S NOTE: We often publish requests for volunteer help – and over the years, some have asked, what about a regular feature listing such needs? Fauntleroy resident Judy Pickens (right), who volunteers her time and talent to a variety of endeavors including local schools, offered to gather and report information on volunteer needs at the schools where the need is greatest. Here’s her second contribution, with more to come!

By Judy Pickens
Special to West Seattle Blog

Volunteers at any area school with a multi-cultural student body bring more than an extra pair of hands. They bring a perspective on contemporary American culture that can help smooth a difficult transition for recent immigrants.

I experience this value most often when helping a student read. Being in a regular classroom doesn’t mean recent English speakers have a firm grasp on this new language. Many words and concepts are still unfamiliar. What is a “mural”? What is “landscaping”? What does being “perplexed” feel like?

Whether working one-on-one or monitoring a group activity, school volunteers are available to immigrant students in ways that busy staff cannot be – listening, reacting, affirming, reassuring. Give it a try. You’ll be rewarded by knowing you’ve helped new Americans feel more at home.

To inquire about any of the following opportunities to enrich our public schools, contact the volunteer coordinator noted under the name of each school. Expect to complete a standard security-clearance process – and to know that you have made a difference in the lives of students.

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Traffic advisory if you’ll be driving south on I-5
October 12, 2011 11:55 am
|    Comments Off on Traffic advisory if you’ll be driving south on I-5
 |   Not WS but we're mentioning it anyway | Transportation | West Seattle news

This reminder just in from WSDOT regarding southbound I-5 work starting tonight in Tukwila – not far from here, so if you drive that stretch of the freeway, read on:Read More

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Video: What’s missing in the Triangle plan? Councilmembers get an earful in West Seattle
October 12, 2011 10:27 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Development | Triangle | West Seattle news

As was pointed out in the walking tour/casual chat preceding last night’s official City Council Committee on the Built Environment public hearing, the current plan for the West Seattle Triangle’s future has been more than three years in the making. But, as you’ll hear in our video of the hearing, some feel it’s still missing major components.

Fall 2008 was when the Triangle’s potential burst into the spotlight, with three meetings in West Seattle. Of particular note – as a reminder of how things can change – is a September 2008 West Seattle Chamber of Commerce-convened meeting to review eight key Triangle and Junction developments that were in the pipeline then (see the story here, for a trip back in the time machine). Three mixed-use projects have since been completed – Harbor Properties‘ Link and Mural (WSB sponsors) and Leon Capelouto‘s Capco Plaza; the plan for two sites have changed (what was going to be BlueStar’s Gateway Center is now becoming Trader Joe’s, and Harbor is developing Nova on a smaller 36th/Alaska parcel); while three other sites’ futures are still in play (“The Hole,” sold last Friday at auction; the property Conner Homes is selling at California/Alaska/42nd; and “Spring Hill” at 5020 California).

Even earlier that year – before a pivotal November 2008 meeting to semi-officially start a city-involved process – the area had been under discussion as the “West Seattle gateway,” as noted here. And that’s the point it’s not addressing well enough, councilmembers were told.

West Seattle-residing Councilmember Tom Rasmussen has been involved along much of the way, and last night he was one of the four councilmembers listening to public testimony (along with Sally Clark, who chairs Built Environment, vice chair Tim Burgess, and Sally Bagshaw) at the Senior Center of West Seattle. What is in the works now involves an “urban design” vision that the city may codify – and some zoning changes, including “neighborhood commercial” for much of The Triangle itself, and an area mostly on its west side that may be upzoned to 85-foot buildings (which, the way the rules really work, could be even taller).

What’s next with the Triangle proposals? Councilmember Clark said it was too soon to say whether a final vote might come by year’s end; it’s expected to come up again at a November 16th meeting downtown. Last night’s presentation graphics/documents, by the way, are linked from the meeting’s online agenda.

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West Seattle Wednesday: Port; politics; skatespot; Garden Tour…
October 12, 2011 7:56 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Wednesday: Port; politics; skatespot; Garden Tour…
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(From the WSB Flickr group pool, by smohundro)
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

CHAMBER TALKS PORT: The Port of Seattle, celebrating its centennial this year, is the highlighted topic as the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce meets for its monthly luncheon at Salty’s, 11:30 am.

KIWANIS TALKS COUNCIL CAMPAIGN: Seattle City Council Candidate for Position 1, Bobby Forch, will have lunch with the West Seattle Kiwanis. The public is invited to meet Bobby and hear his views; the club recently heard from his opponent, incumbent Jean Godden. Lunch is at noon at Be’s Restaurant in The Junction, 4509 California SW, $8. Contact Warren Lawless with your rsvp ASAP, ewl@westseattle.com or 206-938-8032.

FIREFIGHTER STORY TIME: In honor of Fire Prevention Month, it’s the first of three appearances at West Seattle libraries by local firefighters – today, 1:30 pm, High Point Library (35th/Raymond).

DESIGNING WEST SEATTLE’S NEXT SKATESPOT: See the “schematic design” for Roxhill Skatespot, 6 pm tonight at Southwest Library, 35th/Henderson (more info here).

LIVE MUSIC: Jim Page in concert at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 6–8 pm (5612 California Avenue SW

GREEN HALLOWEEN: That’s the topic, including a costume swap, as West Seattle CoolMom meets, also at C & P, 7 pm.

NEW AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM: Alki Community Center is hosting an Open House for the new Enrichment on Alki after-school program, 6:30-7:30 pm. Meet instructors and find out more information about the program; coffee and cookies too!

HELP TEND THE GARDEN TOUR: West Seattle Garden Tour Committee meeting and potluck, 6:30 pm. The West Seattle Garden Tour Committee is actively seeking new volunteers to join. The WSGT Committee meets once a month at an appointed member’s home to review the steady, building progress of the tour. We also engage in a potluck feast at each meeting. If you are interested in learning more about the WSGT and becoming a volunteer, please e-mail westseattlegt@gmail.com for an agenda and directions to the meeting location.

LAST MEETING PRE-ELECTION: 34th District Democrats‘ monthly meeting, 7 pm at The Hall at Fauntleroy, 9131 California SW (agenda here).

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Followup: How to help the family of Dr. Ed Kingston
October 11, 2011 10:10 pm
|      21 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Last weekend, we reported on the tragic sudden death of a volunteer soccer coach during a soccer game at Riverview Playfield. On Monday, we added some information to that original story – but not until tonight did we receive information on how the community can help his wife and kids. From a family friend:

On Saturday, October 8, Dr. Ed Kingston (38) died suddenly doing what he loved: spending time with his young son on a soccer field. The West Seattle community is reeling from the loss. Ed lived in West Seattle with his wife and two young children. They are parishioners at Holy Rosary. He was a great husband, father, friend, teacher, and coach.

Many of you have been asking how you can help support his wife, Laura, and their children during this time. A memorial fund for the family has been set up at Sound Community Bank. The Kingstons will be able to use the fund for all immediate and future expenses. You can contribute online at edkingston.comYou can also contribute to the fund at any of the SCB branch locations or through the mail at the bank’s main location:

Sound Community Bank
Attn: Ed Kingston Memorial Fund
2005 5th Ave, Suite 200 Seattle, WA 98121

Details about Ed’s service will be shared soon. Thank you.

ADDED EARLY WEDNESDAY: The West Seattle Soccer Club has a memorial page on its website.

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West Seattle weather: Beauty after the downpour
October 11, 2011 9:59 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

After at least two rainbow sightings late today/early this evening .. it got even better, with amazing colors in the clouds. Thanks to Debra for the top photo, and JayDee for this one:

And Elaine shares a somewhat whimsical view, with the help of the Lowman Beach/Lincoln Park geese:

Tomorrow, says the forecast, we’ll see some sun. (Keep watch via the WSB Weather page – which has moon/sun/tides, too.)

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Help the Helpline: West Seattle benefit just announced
October 11, 2011 7:11 pm
|    Comments Off on Help the Helpline: West Seattle benefit just announced
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

From West Seattle Helpline executive director Tara Byrne:

Give the gift of warmth and light this year! We are holding our 14th annual fall fundraiser dinner event for West Seattle families that are facing a one-time emergency. Proceeds will be used to help families that have faced emergency situations with rent and utilities so that they may remain in their homes with heat and water. This mission becomes even more vital as the weather turns colder and the need is especially great this year. Please join us in supporting our fellow West Seattle neighbors that are facing hard times. Our fall fundraiser dinner will be held at the Duwamish Longhouse on Thursday, November 3rd, from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Tickets are $100 and may be purchased by calling 206-932-2746.

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WS restaurants: West Seattle Fish House now open on 35th
October 11, 2011 6:45 pm
|      36 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

From WSB contributor Bill “Hutch” Hutchison:

The “OPEN” sign is on at West Seattle Fish House (9005 35th SW). We first told you about the new eatery a month ago; sisters and co-owners Muzit Evans and Senait Beyene are now up and running, with Chef Anthony Mohammed, former owner of Tacoma Fish House Café:

They say their hours, for starters, will be 11 am-8 pm, seven days a week. The menu (for the next month or so) will consist of fish and chips only, with four types of fish available (Pacific Cod, Snow Cod, Tilapia and Salmon). (For you “a-fish-ianados,” Snow Cod is also known as Alaska Pollock or Walleye Pollock in the fishery world.) Prices range from $6.99 for two pieces of Pacific cod to $9.99 for the same portion of salmon. There are also three- and five-piece selections of each fish available ($15.99 the highest price, for 5 pieces of salmon) all served with fries. French fries can also be ordered as a side dish for $1.99. Future plans include salad, clam chowder and deep-fried shrimp. Choices for beverages are sodas or bottled water. You can eat in (12 seats) or call your order in and take it to go. Sometime in the future they may offer delivery to a limited area. The phone number is 206-457-8643. Cash only for now (they will take credit cards as soon as they get it set up). For the next week, there is a “$1 off” introductory price for everyone, which will continue for students and seniors beyond that time.

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West Seattle development: Groundbreaking soon for Nova
October 11, 2011 5:04 pm
|      15 COMMENTS
 |   Development | Triangle | West Seattle news

A rainbow appeared over The Triangle just as a walking tour preceding tonight’s zoning-change public hearing began.

Also as the tour began, Harbor Properties‘ Denny Onslow revealed that groundbreaking will happen soon for their new development, all-residential Nova, at 36th/Snoqualmie (if our rainbow photo atop this story were wider, Nova’s site would be on the left, north of The Grove). According to Onslow, if all goes as planned, construction will start around Halloween. Here’s the design shown at its second and final Design Review meeting last summer:

Nova is planned as 62 apartments, no retail. Right now, City Councilmembers Sally Clark and Sally Bagshaw are at another Harbor building, the 5-month-old mixed-use building Link (WSB sponsor), in a casual conversation with community/business reps preceding the hearing.

More notes to come – with full coverage of that hearing later. If you have something to say about the Triangle’s future – should some areas be upzoned to 85-foot buildings? for example – be at the Senior Center of West Seattle, 6 pm.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Police sketch of serial exposer
October 11, 2011 3:18 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Seattle Police have just gone public with that sketch of a man they say has exposed himself to children in at least five incidents – one in West Seattle two weeks ago. Here’s the full story on SPD Blotter. The West Seattle incident was reported here the day it happened – as a flasher who targeted kids in Alki’s Whale Tail Park area.

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See how Les Schwab Tires overhauled a West Seattle eyesore
October 11, 2011 2:22 pm
|      29 COMMENTS
 |   Triangle | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

(Photos by WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

If all goes as planned, the empty shelves in the photo above will be filled with tires by this time next Tuesday – the day Les Schwab Tires hopes to open its new West Seattle store in The Triangle.

The shelves are in the basement of the one-time Huling Brothers (and briefly Gee) building on the southwest corner of 38th/Alaska, and will hold most of the 2,200-plus tires to be offloaded early opening-day morning by dozens of Les Schwab managers from around the region, after two tractor-trailer trucks roll up from the company’s distribution center in the central Oregon town of Prineville, right onto the new concrete:

The initial-stocking operation is “an amazing thing to witness,” smiles Rich Baalman, area manager for 43 stores including this one, from Federal Way to Port Angeles to the Canadian border. (He himself is based in Monroe, where he also manages that store.)

Though Rich calls the West Seattle location – the plan for which was first reported here, back in January – a “paint-and-go” shop, much more than paint has gone into it over the past four months of construction. It’s spruced up what was a neighborhood eyestore with major remodeling – which even extends out onto the sidewalk and beyond. See for yourself:

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They did it – and Saturday, for Duwamish Alive!, you can too
October 11, 2011 1:17 pm
|    Comments Off on They did it – and Saturday, for Duwamish Alive!, you can too
 |   Environment | How to help | West Seattle news

(Photo by Adam Pieratt)
Last Sunday, the Nature Consortium work party at Pigeon Point Park in the West Duwamish Greenbelt got a surprise visit from volunteers aboard the “Do-Good Bus,” which has been along for the ride during the nationwide tour of Foster the People (which subsequently performed at the Showbox downtown). The volunteers pitched in to help the ongoing forest restoration. While the NC – and other groups – have work parties all the time, only twice a year do you get to be part of a mega-work party, multiple sites and hundreds of people. This Saturday is the fall edition of that big event, Duwamish Alive! – and you can sign up to help out at sites including these, listed on the DA! site:

South Park:
Duwamish Waterway Park
River trash cleanup by kayak and canoe

Georgetown:
Gateway Park/8th Avenue South

West Seattle:
Alki: Seacrest Park
Roxhill Bog
Westcrest Park
Brandon Street Natural Area
Puget Creek Natural Area
West Duwamish Greenbelt/ Pigeon Point
Herring House Park/T-107

Tukwila:
Cecil Moses/NorthWind’s Weir
Duwamish Hill Preserve
Codiga Farm

Many of the sites are mapped here. Interested? Here’s how to RSVP or ask questions – contact@duwamishalive.org / 206-923-0853.

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