West Seattle Blog…

Skies Over West Seattle, special edition: Asteroid & comet in range!

EDITOR’S NOTE: Two special sights in the sky have sparked this edition of our periodic feature by West Seattle’s own Solar System Ambassador Alice Enevoldsen, so get ready to find out what to look for, how, and where.

(Processed photograph of Comet Q2 Lovejoy by Jason Ayres Gift Enevoldsen taken January 16, 2015 from near The Junction)
By Alice Enevoldsen
Special to West Seattle Blog

Asteroid 2004 BL₈₆ is going to be flying past the Earth on Monday night, at a distance of only three times the distance to the Moon. It will not hit us, but it will be visible from West Seattle with a telescope or steady binoculars. Clear Sky Chart is still predicting clear enough skies to look for it.

At the same time, Comet 2014 Q2 Lovejoy is also a beautiful telescope object this week, and will be until the Moon gets too bright.

If you don’t have a telescope, attach a pair of binoculars to a tripod or other steady object. You’ll see some neat things, definitely the comet, and perhaps the asteroid if you have very sensitive eyes.

Finding Asteroid 2004 BL₈₆

Near-Earth asteroids move across our sky more slowly than shooting stars and satellites, but faster than the Moon. They are dim and tiny. This one will be visible in a decent backyard telescope for most of the night of January 26 to the morning of January 27.

Click to read the rest of Skies Over West Seattle, special edition: Asteroid & comet in range!…

Congratulations! Award shared by Highland Park Improvement Club, Nature Consortium, Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition

That’s historic Highland Park Improvement Club, honored along with two other local organizations, the Nature Consortium and Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition in the annual Sustainable Seattle Awards. The three organizations share this year’s “Transforming Spaces” award; HPIC has been adding sustainability features to its almost-a-century-old site at 12th/Holden, including “depaving” part of its parking lot, replacing it with a raingarden and permeable pavement. The Nature Consortium, also West Seattle-based, continues to restore the West Duwamish Greenbelt; and DRCC continues to advocate for the river running along much of West Seattle’s eastern edge to be restored and used as “A River for All.” DRCC founder BJ Cummings also was honored as this year’s Sustainable Hero. The full list of awards, announced at a Friday night event at MOHAI on South Lake Union, is here.

P.S. If you’ve never been to HPIC, it has big events ahead in the next few weeks including a Super Bowl tailgate potluck next Sunday and the WSB-presented District 1 First Look candidates’ forum on February 5th. Nature Consortium, meantime, has at least two volunteer events you can check out every week. And DRCC is currently focused on helping people learn about the EPA’s Record of Decision about cleaning the river, and what more can be done – check out two events coming up, including one in West Seattle.

West Seattle weekend scenes: Spring-y Sunday, near-historic high

The National Weather Service says today was the second-warmest January day in Seattle history – high of 63 (warmest on record, 64 on January 20, 1981). If you were anywhere near Alki Beach today, you too might have observed that it looked and felt a lot like spring. Above, JayDee caught the beach scene – including volleyball! Below, a sunset scene from the west-facing shore:

Tomorrow’s forecast suggests a sunny afternoon and high near 60.

@ Morgan Community Association: Books, bike racks, development…

From a new Little Free Library, to bike racks, to development updates, and more – here are our toplines from the Morgan Community Association‘s quarterly meeting:

Click to read the rest of @ Morgan Community Association: Books, bike racks, development……

You can help! Volunteer as a Girls on the Run coach this spring

(Photo courtesy Girls on the Run)
So sunny and warm today that we’ve seen people out running, walking, bicycling everywhere around West Seattle. Great time to think about community involvement like this: Girls on the Run is recruiting coaches for spring 2015, and needs volunteers for the program at three West Seattle schools: WS Elementary, Alki Elementary, and Westside School (WSB sponsor). Here’s the announcement:

Girls on the Run of Puget Sound is a non-profit organization whose mission is to inspire girls to be joyful, healthy, and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum which creatively integrates running. Empower 3rd-5th grade girls to celebrate their bodies, honor their voices, recognize their gifts, and activate their power to make healthy choices for years to come!

As a coach, you’ll work with 1-2 other coaches to guide a group of girls through an established, easy-to-follow curriculum that uses running games to teach healthy living lessons that develop the whole girl – her social, emotional and physical self. Together, you will explore issues like media awareness, nutrition, emotional health, positive communication, and community service. Help empower the next generation of women by volunteering to coach this spring! For more information, please visit http://girlsrun.org/get-involved/coach/ or contact Jen John, Program Manager, at jen@girlsrun.org or 206-528-2118.

Update: Luna Park coffee shop The Shack hit, damaged

11:27 AM: Nobody hurt, but some damage at The Shack coffee shop in Luna Park, after a car crashed into the building this past hour. We’re heading over to find out more. Thanks to Eleanor for tweeting photos.

(Photo courtesy The Shack)
11:53 AM: Just back from The Shack. Owner tells us they’re still open for business – the damage wasn’t that serious – and also shared another photo from right after the crash, added above (note the T-shirt). Someone is already on the way to board up the damaged window.

12:17 PM: And their sense of humor was certainly left undamaged:

West Seattle weekend scene: Sweating for the Seahawks

From the “in case you wondered” file: Here’s what the Seahawks-spirit crowd, with cameras and sound equipment, was doing at Don Armeni Boat Ramp a little while ago. We checked it out after someone texted this photo, wondering if it was some kind of video shoot.

Turns out it was local Zumba instructor Jennifer Cepeda and friends, dancing in Hawks fan gear (and recording it on video, link to follow).

(WSB photo)
With warm-ish temps and dry weather, perfect morning.

West Seattle Crime Watch: Junction 7-11 store robbery

Thanks to the person who called to say they had heard about this from an employee at the Junction 7-11 (California/Erskine). We have since obtained some information from police: They confirm the store was held up about 1:30 am Saturday. The robber was described “as a white male about 25 years of age, wearing a dark blue or black puffy coat, and had a red scarf wrapped around his face.” He showed the clerk a handgun. Police called in a K-9 to help search but they didn’t find the robber. Checking Tweets by Beat, that’s the only robbery call in the Southwest Precinct coverage area, West Seattle and South Park, so far this weekend. (Side note: If you routinely check the tweets and haven’t noticed this, each confirmed incident generates two tweets – the second one, when a report is filed, so the time will be different. The first tweet describes what was reported – so the second one might classify the incident differently, depending on what’s confirmed. The telltale sign that two or more tweets are about the same case is the incident # in the tweet.)

West Seattle Sunday: Food drives; knitting; performing; more…

One week until The Big Game! Look closely at Lynn Hall‘s photo of always-scenic Alki Point Lighthouse, taken Saturday, and you’ll see the “12.” Here are some ways to keep yourself busy today, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

FOOD DRIVE #1: 9 am-1 pm today at Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor), you can drop off food for the United in Blue coast-to-coast church food drive tied to the Super Bowl. Details in our preview from earlier this week. Help Seattle beat New England even BEFORE the teams take the field; in this contest, everyone wins! (3940 41st SW)

FOOD DRIVE #2: And if you’re closer to the south end, Peace Lutheran Church Pastor Erik Kindem e-mailed to say his church in Gatewood has a Seahawks-spirit food drive going too:

Food donations may be dropped off at Peace Lutheran on Sunday, January 25 from 8:30 am to 3 pm, or Sunday, February 1 from 8:30 am to 3 pm. OR they may also be left at any time under the vestibule by the THISTLE STREET DOORS at any time. GO HAWKS!!

(39th/Thistle)

OLG SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE/SCIENCE FAIR: 9 am until 1 pm, you’re invited to visit Our Lady of Guadalupe School, where you’ll be able to meet teachers, parents, and students. (34th/Myrtle)

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm as always. By the way, the Seattle farmers’ markets have made a bet with their Boston counterparts. (44th/Alaska)

FREE DROP-OFF TAX HELP: 1-4 pm at High Point Branch Library, the United Way of King County‘s offering free “drop-off” help with tax returns, as explained here. (35th/Raymond)

BIOCHAR CLASS: 1 pm, learn how to make it, at West Seattle Nursery ($10 fee). (California/Brandon)

OPERA-PREVIEW LECTURE: 2-3:30 pm, free lecture at the West Seattle (Admiral) Branch Library previewing the Seattle Opera‘s upcoming production of “Semele.” (2306 42nd SW)

MATINEE OF ’4000 MILES’: First Sunday matinée for the new ArtsWest (WSB sponsor) production, the Pulitzer-nominated dramatic comedy “4000 Miles.” 3 pm. (4711 California SW)

OPEN MICROPHONE: 4 pm, it’s the monthly all-ages open-microphone event at Skylark – details here. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

KNITTERS’ MEETUP: 5:30 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) – bring whatever you’re working on! (5612 California SW)

SUNDAY NIGHTLIFE: Trivia, karaoke, live music … listings here!

South Seattle College ‘Gifts from the Earth’ fundraiser sets record

(Photos/video courtesy South Seattle College)
A student’s inspiring story keynoted tonight’s recordsetting “Gifts from the Earth” fundraiser at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor). Above, David Yama spoke to the sold-out crowd of 300. Here’s the full recap by SSC’s communications director Kevin Maloney:

South Seattle College announced tonight that the annual Gifts from the Earth fundraising event raised nearly $215,000, a new record in its 12-year history. Proceeds from the event benefit South’s Foundation in its mission to support South students and programs with scholarships, internships, emergency funding, tutoring, and more.

“Gifts from the Earth is an inspiring event where philanthropists and our sponsors come together for the common goal of supporting South students in their pursuit of a higher education and a fulfilling career,” South Seattle College President Gary Oertli said. “Their support has an enormous impact on our students’ ability to realize their dreams.”

South’s supporters started their night with a silent auction accompanied by appetizers and wines crafted by South’s Culinary Arts, Pastry and Baking Arts, and Northwest Wine Academy students and alumni. Next, the sold-out event moved to the Jerry M. Brockey Center, where guests enjoyed a multi-course meal created by 15 celebrity Northwest chefs (including South alumni). Students from the college’s culinary, wine and Hospitality Management B.A.S. programs helped the chefs prep, cook and serve.

A highlight of the evening came after dinner and a live auction, when South student David Michael Patrick Yama shared his story of emerging from poverty to succeeding in college with the help of a Foundation scholarship:

“I sought out a Foundation scholarship because I needed more money, but money was the smallest thing it gave me,” said Yama, who hopes to obtain a doctorate in biomedical engineering. “The greatest thing it gave to me was validation. Validation that I belong here, that I could succeed in school.”

Gifts from the Earth is made possible by the support of the following sponsors: Food Services of America (title sponsor), Boeing, Union Bank, Rebar and Associates, McGranahan Architects, GM Nameplate, QBSI, Interbay Food Company, WSECU, Vigor Industrial, The Gene Colin and Susan Janus Charitable Fund, Pedersen’s and Ferguson Construction.

(Watch SSC’s Facebook page for a photo gallery next week.) The college is headquartered on West Seattle’s Puget Ridge.

West Seattle brothers join in youth-led ‘State of the Planet’ event

(Photos by Andy Clark, courtesy 350 Seattle)
Last year they sang downtown at a rally of concern about exploding oil trains; today, West Seattle brothers Aji and Adonis Piper were part of the “State of the Planet” event at City Hall. Though City Councilmember Mike O’Brien was on hand, this event was led by young sustainability ambassadors, campaigning for two initiatives – first, the Billion-Tree Challenge:

According to the young advocates supported by 350 Seattle, if each person in our state planted 150 trees, that would add up to a billion new ones, creating, advocates say, a “carbon bank” to get through the rest of this century. The other proposal discussed today: Climate-change-warning labels on gas-pump nozzles in Seattle, something like this:

The Northern California city of Berkeley passed an ordinance last November approving that type of label; San Francisco is reported to be considering it. Those who attended today’s event heard from Rob Shirkey, who has been campaigning for the pump labels in Canada. There is no formal proposal pending in Seattle yet.

The WSBeat: Seven more cases from the precinct files

em>By Megan Sheppard
On the WSBeat, for West Seattle Blog

This edition of our periodic feature The WSBeat contains summaries written from reports on cases handled recently by Southwest Precinct officers – generally cases that (usually) have not already appeared here in breaking-news coverage or West Seattle Crime Watch reports, but that might at least answer the question “what WERE all those police doing on my block?” Or on the bridge, or the beach, or …

*Early on the morning of the 17th, a man heard a bang outside his home in the 2700 block of 46th SW. He contacted three males who were standing around his car. (The car door was open.) The three walked away and the victim followed them to a grocery on California Avenue. Officers found the three hiding in the rooftop parking lot. One, a 15-year-old who lives in another part of Seattle, was booked into the Youth Service Center for investigation of vehicle prowling. A second, a 12-year old who does live in West Seattle, was a missing person, and already had two juvenile warrants; one for burglary and one for theft. He was booked for these warrants and for investigation of vehicle prowling. The third, a 14-year-old from downtown, was also a missing person with two juvenile warrants – one for burglary, one for possession of a stolen vehicle. He was booked for the warrants and for investigation of vehicle prowling.

*On the morning of the 20th, a 14-year-old Kent resident with a history of disruptive and intimidating behavior was arrested and booked into the Youth Service Center after striking and threatening to “cut” an Admiral-area store employee who had told him to leave the premises.

Five more summaries ahead: Click to read the rest of The WSBeat: Seven more cases from the precinct files…

West Seattle biznote: Happy anniversary, Fitness Together!

Happy 8th anniversary to Fitness Together-West Seattle (longtime WSB sponsor)! In the photo above, that’s FT-WS proprietor Bonnie Katz Sailors (center) and her team, based in a personal-training studio at 4546 California SW in The Junction. Announcing the anniversary on the FT-WS Facebook page, Bonnie and team said, “We started with a boom in 2007 and it’s been an incredible journey ever since. We always strive for an awesome team of trainers, and we are very proud of all the clients who make the big leap to come through our doors. We know it’s not easy!! A huge THANK YOU to all the clients and trainers who have made this studio a place to be proud of!!”

West Seattle music: Another ‘Tiny Desk Concerts’ contender

Two weeks ago, we featured video of the West Seattle band Woodland recording a song on the Water Taxi for a contest offering an appearance on NPR’s “Tiny Desk Concerts” series. Today, another West Seattle entry:

That’s Margaux LeSourd performing “The Piper.” Her husband Tom sent the link to her video of “The Piper,” explaining it’s her entry in the “Tiny Desk Concerts” contest and also her first video! As noted on the YT page for the clip, she explains:

I love the intimacy of Tiny Desk Concerts… as a musician it is something that both terrifies and touches me. That’s why I chose this song for the submission – I feel that in light of recent and ongoing national events, I have a responsibility to say something meaningful in this small, vulnerable space where people are truly listening.

Margaux teaches music in West Seattle and Georgetown. According to the NPR website, the winner will be announced on February 12th.

West Seattle weekend scene: Puget Ridge neighbors’ cleanup

More than two dozen Puget Ridge neighbors of all ages hit the streets this morning for a community cleanup. Thanks to Amy Hallmon for sharing photos.

Something cool happening in YOUR ‘hood? Please let us know so we can share the news peninsula-wide!

West Seattle traffic alert: Junction 47 tower-crane takedown day

9:10 AM: Thanks to Kyle for the tip: 42nd SW is closed from the main Jefferson Square entrance north to Alaska as the contractor for Equity Residential takes down the tower crane for its two-building Junction 47 project after almost 11 months. More to come.

10:03 AM: Photos added. The crew on scene told us they expect to finish sometime this afternoon – it’s gone a little faster than expected because of the size of the portable crane that was available to lift the sections over the eastern building and down onto 42nd so they can be trucked away.

This leaves two West Seattle projects with tower cranes right now – 4435 35th SW and 4745 40th SW. The next tower-crane installation will likely be at The Whittaker (4755 Fauntleroy Way SW), whose project team told us at the November groundbreaking that it will have two cranes, arriving sometime this quarter.

14 ways to spend your West Seattle Saturday, morning to night

Good morning and happy weekend! Some of what’s up today/tonight:

LIONS CLUB PANCAKE BREAKFAST: Until 11 am, the West Seattle Lions invite you to their pancake breakfast at the Senior Center of West Seattle – just $6. (Oregon/California)

‘HEADBANGER’S BALL – MEET THE WOODPECKERS’: Get to Camp Long Environmental Learning Center by 9 am (early events are a good reason to browse our calendar well in advance!) for this free event – details in our calendar listing. (5200 35th SW)

THEN STAY AT CAMP LONG FOR … a 10 am-2 pm forest-restoration work party. Details here. (5200 35th SW)

RAINGARDEN PARTY: 10 am-noon, go to Southwest Branch Library to learn more about raingardens, cisterns, and other ways your garden can help keep Puget Sound clean. Treats too. Details in our calendar listing. (35th/Henderson)

LINCOLN PARK BIRDWATCHING: Another Seattle Parks environmental-learning program. 10:30 am, ages 8 and up. Bring your binoculars; meet the naturalist at the park’s south parking lot. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)

DUWAMISH LONGHOUSE ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION: See our calendar listing for the full schedule of events as the Duwamish Tribe Longhouse celebrates its 6th anniversary, starting at 10 am. (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)

EQ FITNESS OPEN HOUSE: 1-3 pm, visit EQ Fitness (WSB sponsor) for “an open house with food, drinks and demos of TRX, aerial yoga, and the new booty barre.” (3270 California SW)

WEST SEATTLE MONTESSORI OPEN HOUSE: 1-3 pm, West Seattle Montessori (WSB sponsor) invites you to come tour the school and meet the staff. (11215 15th SW)

HEALTH-CARE ENROLLMENT HELP: As previewed here last night, you can get help enrolling for health insurance, as well as other resources, at a free regional, multilingual event 2-6 pm at the South Park Neighborhood Center. (8201 10th Ave. S.)

LIVE MUSIC: Dave Holo Trio at Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor; no cover), 5 pm; Gary Benson at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor; no cover), 7 pm; Groove Surfers at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor; no cover), 9 pm; Mott the Hoopla & more at the Benbow Room (cover), 9 pm.

WEST SIDE GLORY: “West Seattle’s Somewhat Queer Variety Show” returns to the Skylark, 9 pm – details in our calendar listing. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

AND OF COURSE, THERE’S MORE … on our calendar.

(added) P.S. If you’ve noticed sailboats off western West Seattle shores, it’s the Three Tree Point Yacht Club‘s Blake Island Race.

Friday night basketball, report #2: West Seattle HS hosts Ballard

Ballard visited West Seattle High School on Friday night:

The Wildcat girls’ sizzling season (13-2) continued with another win, 57-33. Leading scorer (top photo), Emily Fiso with 16. Lydia Giomi was next with 12, then 10 from Izzy Turk (updated photo below):

Lexi Ioane had to sit out the second half with an iced ankle after a pileup toward the end of the first half, but head coach Sonya Elliott expects she’ll be OK for next week.

The WSHS boys-varsity team closed out the night with a victory, too – 47-35:

Another huge night (noted here) for the Wildcats’ Nate Pryor:

Head coach Keffrey Fazio‘s varsity team is now at 9-7 on the year.

For their first games next week, the Wildcat varsity teams will be at Bishop Blanchet – 7:30 pm Tuesday for the boys, 7:30 pm Wednesday for the girls.

Friday night basketball, report #1: Chief Sealth IHS hosts Lakeside

West Seattle’s two biggest high schools had full slates of basketball home games Friday night. At Chief Sealth International High School, the Seahawks hosted Lakeside. First, the girls-varsity game:

Lakeside went away with the win 78-46, over head coach Katie Jo Maris‘s Seahawks:

Allison Hadaway and Sydney Thomas had 12 points each as top Sealth scorers.

In the nightcap, the Sealth boys stayed close for the first quarter and then Lakeside started to widen the gap.

(At right, Sealth’s Khaleef Griffin)
Final score, Lakeside 74, Sealth 57, for head coach Colin Slingsby and the boys’ squad. LJ Burns led Sealth scoring with 14. They play at Ingraham on Tuesday night, 7:30 pm; the girls will be at the same school, same time, on Wednesday night.

Another early-morning power outage: 81 customers affected

Thanks to the person who texted to let us know about this: Another early-morning power outage. This one is affecting 81 customers, according to Seattle City Light‘s outage map (desktop version here, mobile version here), in three spots – Roxhill and south of northeast Arbor Heights. SCL’s map says the cause is under investigation and estimates restoration time by 6 am, though we always caution, that’s a guess – could be sooner or later.

Need help enrolling for health insurance? Area event tomorrow offers that help and more in 7 languages

This event is happening tomorrow afternoon in South Park but organizers, including UW nursing students, are extending the invitation to West Seattle, White Center, and vicinity too:

FREE Affordable Care Act Health Insurance Enrollment Event

When: Saturday, January 24th, 2:00 to 6:00 PM
Where: South Park Neighborhood Center, 8201 10th Ave S.
What: Information about and assistance to enroll in health insurance programs, free health screenings, diabetes education, free tax information, information about nursing as a career

**Safe environment for all**

**Assistance offered in Spanish/Vietnamese/Amharic/Tagalog/Russian/English/Somali**

What to bring: questions, social security numbers, job employment information, proof of citizenship

Partners: Public Health Seattle & King County, SPIARC, Consulate of Mexico, Consulate of Peru, Consulate of El Salvador, SeaMar, WithinReach, Denise Louie, Western WA National Hispanic Nurses Association, & UW School of Nursing

A map is linked from the announcement on this King County webpage.

UPDATE: Police arrest 2 after in-progress burglary west of Junction

(WSB photo by Katie Meyer, police response north of burglary scene)
4:12 PM: Busy afternoon for police, again. And also for the tipsters who are quick to let us know when they see police cars going by with lights on – thank you. Here’s the latest: Police have taken two people into custody after an in-progress burglary was reported near 47th and Alaska, west of The Junction.

That’s all the details we have after talking to a sergeant at the scene; if we find out anything more, we’ll add it.

ADDED 4:54 PM: A reader texted the photo of the suspects being arrested outside the a nearby house. (Added: WSB photo of one suspect being walked to police vehicle:)

Scanner traffic indicated some stolen property was recovered.

ADDED 5:17 PM: And here are even more details, just published on SPD Blotter:

A woman called 911 around 3:30 P.M. when she heard the sounds of someone breaking into her home in the 4500 block of 47th Ave Southwest. The woman hid in an upstairs closet as officers arrived on scene.

Officers began searching the neighborhood and found both suspects hiding inside a shed about a block away. Police arrested both suspects and found they were carrying a backpack full of stolen property. Officers will book both 20-year-old suspects into King County Jail on investigation of burglary.

Early registration begins for 2015 West Seattle 5K Run/Walk

(2013 photo by Debra Salazar Herbst)
The signs of spring are starting to show up – like this one: If you know you’re going to participate in the West Seattle 5K Run/Walk this year, there’s an incentive to early registration, as announced by race director Jeff Mensing:

Early Registration is open for the West Seattle 5K Run/Walk. Join us with your friends and family on May 17th at beautiful Alki Beach for the 7th annual West Seattle 5K Run/Walk! This community event is a fund raiser for West Seattle High School. The first 100 registrations are automatically entered in a drawing to win a new pair of running shoes from West Seattle Runner. Help support West Seattle students and take advantage of early registration discount fees.

You can register online at westseattle5k.com.

West Seattle traffic-alert update: Roxbury-blocking truck moves on

(WSB photo)
2:03 PM: Thanks to Bradi for the tip: A semi-truck that’s in trouble on SW Roxbury near 31st is blocking most of the road, she says. We’re off to check.

2:58 PM UPDATE: Adding a photo taken while the truck was blocking most of the road. We just went through a second time and noted the truck just got going again and was slowly headed from Roxbury southbound onto 35th. Traffic is back to normal on Roxbury.

West Seattle Crime Watch: Delridge search; twice-stolen car

In West Seattle Crime Watch – a police search right now in North Delridge. According to the scanner, a 911 caller reported a man with a handgun firing one shot into the air and then heading northbound in the alley between Delridge/25th, near the library. The description that’s being broadcast is black male, 14-15, 6′, thin, dark heavy jacket, dark pants. He was said to be in the company of someone described only as a black female in a purple sweatshirt. They might also be associated with a gold or green vehicle headed southbound. No injuries reported; police are checking for property damage. If you see anyone/anything possibly related, call 911.

(ADDED 3:06 PM: We were in the area around 2:30 pm checking on the search; no lights-flashing police still at the scene but cars were visible patroling several nearby blocks.)

(back to original report) Also in Crime Watch:

TWICE-STOLEN CAR: Amanda‘s car has been stolen for the second time in less than a month, sometime between midnight and 11 this morning. Gold 1994 Honda Accord, stolen from the 900 block of SW Holden. Let police know if you find it.

West Seattle politics: Councilmember Tom Rasmussen not running, elaborates on ‘very difficult’ decision

10:18 AM: West Seattle-residing City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen has just announced he’s changed his mind about running to stay on the council. Here’s his statement. The field of candidates for West Seattle’s City Council District 1 seat is now down to three, with the first forum less than 2 weeks away. More to come.

10:29 AM: Rasmussen has been on the council since 2004 (here’s his bio), and currently chairs the Transportation Committee. His statement (linked above) says in part, “This wasn’t an easy decision but, it is the right one. It is now time to direct my efforts toward the same causes I have always been most passionate about — in exciting new ways.” He is the second councilmember to announce this week that he’s not running to stay on the council, which has all nine seats going to voters this fall, seven for the new districts, two at large. Nick Licata made his not-running announcement on Wednesday.

11:04 AM: Mayor Murray‘s statement:

Councilmember Rasmussen has been deeply engaged in public life as long as I can remember. As an advocate for seniors, human services, parks and innovative transportation solutions, Tom demonstrates active and effective leadership for our City. He was instrumental in our successful campaign last year to expand bus transit – for which I’m very grateful. I am especially thankful for his partnership in our effort to secure civil rights and marriage equality for the LGBT community. Seattle is losing a major champion on the council, but we know his community activism will find new outlets as he writes his next chapter.

11:14 AM: We contacted Councilmember Rasmussen to ask about his decision. In a phone interview a short time ago, he told us it was “very difficult – I love my job, I love working with the community and in the community, but I was torn” between spending the next year doing that job AND campaigning, or focusing on the work. He points out he still has almost a full year left in office, and he vows that he won’t be “slacking off” – most days, he says, he’s “out of the house by 5, back after 6″ (back on Wednesday night, he was at the Delridge District Council meeting, which ran until 9) and after his final year, he looks forward to a “more balanced” life.

He says he felt the need to announce this early because he was receiving donations and offers of volunteering, endorsements, and other campaign help already, and because “other folks who might be interested can step up.” No, he’s not endorsing a candidate yet, but says he’ll be looking for one who also will be out in the community – “you can’t just sit in your office, you have to be a problem-solver.” As quoted above, he said he hopes to focus more on the causes for which he has long worked; we asked which might be his major focus in post-council life, and he said that “working on issues relating to seniors and people with disabilities is really fundamental.”

UPDATE: Police arrest suspect in Admiral robbery attempt

Update this morning from Southwest Precinct commander Capt. Steve Wilske, in a message sent to multiple community groups:

I wanted to update you all that we made an arrest in one of the 5 robberies that occurred here in the last week. We are continuing to work the others.

We’re following up to find out more and will add here. If you’re looking for background – here’s our most recent followup, with links to our coverage of all five of the recent street robberies.

ADDED 10:41 AM: A bit more information: We’ve just confirmed which robbery the arrest was made in relation to – it’s the attempted robbery that happened Tuesday afternoon but wasn’t reported to police until Wednesday, a 13-year-old boy who was asked about his phone at Admiral Safeway and then followed across California SW, where two would-be robbers tried to take it from him. Details were in the followup mentioned above, same link.

ADDED 4:37 PM: Even more information, according to SPD: The suspect’s probation officer happened to spot him in the area and knew there was a warrant out for him, related to a theft case, and contacted police. They arrested the suspect on that and for probable cause in the Tuesday robbery attempt, and he was booked into the King County Youth Services Center, since he’s a juvenile. We will check with prosecutors next week regarding charge(s).