day : 17/08/2009 15 results

Followup: Stolen gorilla comes home to Youngstown

August 17, 2009 11:45 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Crime | West Seattle news

Eight days after we brought you first word of the gorilla-napping (involving an animatronic creation using the suit shown in the photo above) from Youngstown Arts Center (original WSB report here), the gorilla is back, according to a note tonight from Gina, who first reported its disappearance:

Thanks for your help in spreading the word! Our gorilla was safely returned to us today thanks to the good work of SPD. … We’re not pressing charges but would like to invite the kidnapper to wear the gorilla suit to attract attention at our next event.

West Seattle Weather Watch: Get ready for a warmup

August 17, 2009 11:16 pm

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| Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

Thanks to Jim Clark for that sunset photo taken from Lincoln Park tonight. Forecast says we’re looking at 80s tomorrow, maybe 90s Wednesday, 80s Thursday (when the Admiral Neighborhood Association‘s Summer Concerts at Hiawatha — co-sponsored by West Seattle-based businesses and organizations including WSB — continue with the Brian Waite Band).

West Seattle Crime Watch: Rock thrown through window

August 17, 2009 8:10 pm

| 8 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

That’s Nicole‘s window, near 37th/Edmunds, south of The Mount. And this is what did the damage:

Nicole shared those photos along with the story of what happened:

I have a frightening and very disappointing incident to inform you about. Last night around 10 pm, I was sitting in my front living room when a rock was thrown through my front window. Unfortunately I was not able to see the suspects, it was too dark. I’m thankful I was not struck by the rock or the glass that was littered across the living room but it certainly could have been a lot worse. Whoever threw the rock did it from 100-150 feet away, as our house sits high up off the street. It was clearly deliberate and not an accident. The rock was the size of a baseball and shattered the big window which is quite large, 12’x5′.

The police combed the area but came up with nothing. I’m not sure how something like this can be prevented but it certainly has my attention. I’m going to add additional motion sensor lights on that side of the house and possibly add a video camera and surveillance sign, we have had a lot of car break-ins and burglaries in the area.

West Seattle Junction KeyBank robber strikes AGAIN (in Renton)

August 17, 2009 6:40 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Got that photo this afternoon from the FBI, taken during a robbery today at the Alaska USA Credit Union on 3rd in Renton. Looked a lot like the robber from the KeyBank holdup in The Junction on August 5th (note he’s even wearing the same T-shirt):

The same robber was linked to at least one of two robberies in North Seattle a week ago Saturday. So we pinged the FBI to ask if this is believed to be the same guy. Agent Frederick Gutt says, “Yes, the suspect today is believed to be associated with each of these robberies.” Here’s the description from today:

The suspect is described as a black male, mid 30’s, approximately 6′ tall, mustache, wearing a tan baseball cap and blue jeans, and departed on foot. The suspect displayed a handgun and should be considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information regarding the suspect is asked to call the FBI at (206) 622-0460

Happening now: Last day of 1st “week” for Delridge Produce Coop

August 17, 2009 6:15 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| Delridge | Health | West Seattle news

Till 7:30 tonight, you’ll find the Delridge Produce Cooperative “Mobile Market” – free produce as part of a four-week test – on the lawn south of Youngstown Arts Center (4408 Delridge; map) – that’s where we took the photo a bit earlier. The project’s been getting lots of buzz and an increasing number of visits – even a line when they opened this afternoon! Here’s an update DPC sent before starting up for the day:

Today we have peaches from an organic farm in California, courtesy of Madison Market, and multi-colors of carrots from Full Circle Farm. We expect to get at least fifty visitors today, which is what we’re aiming for. We still need volunteers to fill up the schedules for the next three weeks, and we’re on the lookout for local organic farmers who would like to donate.

We have gotten a lot of calls and personal referrals from people who want the produce from the ‘Mobile Market’ to supplement thier limited food budgets, so we are definitely confirming our suspicions that there is a real need for inexpensive fresh food on Delridge. If things keep going the way they are, we can prove that not only is there a need for produce on Delridge, but also that people can show up at certain locations and times to get it – and that they want it that badly. This demonstrates that a *real* mobile market (in particular) is likely to succeed in Delridge. We’ve also gotten calls from other places than Delridge, asking if you have to show identification that says you’re a Delridge resident to get free produce. I think that this illustrates that if we had the kind of produce co-op that we want, it would bring business into Delridge from other parts of Seattle and therefore be more likely to succeed. There is not a lot of inexpensive organic produce in Seattle in general, so we may become a magnet for those who desire it.

Next week, the tote bags will be ready, and we will have the mulit-language information pamphlets about free and low-cost healthy programs. The tote bags are beautiful, sturdy, washable green polyester that packs down into a key fob the size, shape and color of a big strawberry. They are being silk-screened by local company Heart On My Sleeve with an inspirational logo that was created by a local artist for our ‘Tote Bag Art Contest’ a few months ago. I believe that she found out about the contest by reading about it on the West Seattle Blog.

You’ll remember Heart On My Sleeve – they’re the fashion/art/music team based in Pigeon Point, profiled here earlier this year. Meantime, if you don’t make it to the “Mobile Market” at Youngstown by 7:30 tonight, they’ll repeat the same sequence of four locations next Friday through Monday – all listed here.
ADDED 7:20 PM: Thanks to Dina Johnson for this photo of the multiple colors of carrots available at the stand today:

West Seattle business news: Little Gym coming to Morgan Junction

August 17, 2009 3:29 pm

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| Health | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

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The former Alki Mortgage building at California/Myrtle (map), a few steps south of Caffe Ladro, will soon house The Little Gym of West Seattle. Owner Birgit Obrietan tells WSB, “We can’t wait to become part of the West Seattle community!” She and her husband own The Little Gym operations in Bellevue and Issaquah, and Birgit says that “having a gym in West Seattle has been a dream of ours for many years.” They are hoping to open in early November for regular classes and birthday parties; ultimately, she says, “We will have parent/child classes, preschool gymnastics, grade school gymnastics, birthday parties and summer camps.” Their classes are for ages 4 months to 12 years, and you can find more about what they offer at thelittlegym.com. (They’re also reachable at 206-937-0311.) We asked if they’ll be occupying the entirety of the building; Birgit says no, “there is some back office space that will be rented to another tenant.” Side note — The Bellevue branch that Birgit and her husband own was the very first The Little Gym, opened in 1973; they’ve run it for nine years. (By the way – and thanks to Robert for spotting this – they’re advertising for a director.)

Election 2009, by the (money) numbers: West Seattle spending

August 17, 2009 2:13 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

30 hours to go till the vote-counting begins. We have profiled candidates, covered forums and endorsement meetings, and now it’s in your hands – if you haven’t voted already, get your ballot in the mail or into a dropbox (no stamp needed for that option!) – there’s still time to prove the “low turnout” predictions wrong. Our pre-election coverage is all archived here, with contributors including veteran West Seattle-based journalists Kathy Mulady and Jack Mayne. Kathy looked into the latest campaign-spending information, with a West Seattle hook, to bring you this report:

By Kathy Mulady
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

West Seattle residents have already contributed nearly $121,000 to an election season that is shaping up to be one of the most expensive ever.

So far, candidates for mayor, city council, and city attorney have raised $2.4 million and spent $1.9 million.

Mayor Greg Nickels and challengers for his office have already spent more than $1 million, according to the Seattle Ethics and Elections website.

Mid-rise and high-rise codes to be discussed at Tuesday meeting

August 17, 2009 1:41 pm

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| Announcements

A reminder from the Seattle City Council:

The Seattle City Council’s Planning, Land Use and Neighborhoods Committee will hold a special meeting Tuesday, Aug. 18, 5:30 p.m. at Blanche Lavisso Park located at East Yesler Way and 22nd Avenue South.

It will discuss proposed changes to the mid- and high-rise sections of the multifamily code. The updates are designed to provide more affordable housing and open space, along with greater flexibility in building design.

The meeting is open for public comment following a committee briefing and discussion. The public is encouraged to arrive early as free ice cream* will be served starting at 5 p.m.

Who: Seattle City Council’s Planning, Land Use and Neighborhoods Committee

What: Special meeting to discuss proposed mid- and high-rise building codes

When: Tuesday, Aug. 18 – ice cream served at 5 p.m., meeting begins at 5:30 p.m.

Where: Blanche Lavizzo Park, E. Yesler Way and 22nd Avenue South, Central Area

*Ice cream purchased with Sally Clark’s personal fund.

From White Center Now: County may mothball 30+ parks

August 17, 2009 12:55 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| Not WS but we're mentioning it anyway | White Center

Published at partner site White Center Now — County Executive Kurt Triplett has proposed “mothballing” 39 King County parks — 6 in the North Highline (including White Center) area — to save $. It’s a developing story; we’ll continue posting reaction/details there.

Followups: Admiral power outage; Weather Watch Park work

August 17, 2009 12:33 pm

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| Utilities | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Here’s followup information from the city on two things we’d inquired about: First, yesterday’s power outage in the Admiral area (thanks to Jamie for the photo above and for one of the first reports when it happened): Seattle City Light‘s Scott Thomsen says it was caused when a utility pole’s crossarm broke (that may explain the “loud noise” reported yesterday), and affected almost 200 homes and businesses (including Admiral Safeway and West Seattle PCC). Repairs were complete about three hours after the outage started just before 2. Now, to Beach Drive:

We took that photo a few days ago after receiving a note from a concerned neighbor who saw extensive vegetation removal at Weather Watch Park (map), which he described as “clearcutting,” wondering if it had been authorized and, if so, by whom. First we checked with Seattle Parks, which reminded us that Weather Watch Park is SDOT property since it’s a “street end.” Here’s the information we received from Marybeth Turner at SDOT today:

A contractor hired by SDOT cleared away invasive weeds and dead plants and removed litter. The only tree-related work was the removal of suckers from a sweetgum tree. This maintenance work at the street-end area was done at the request of neighbors. Although this turned out to be legitimate activity,we appreciate the vigilance of residents who report what might be illegal activity. For more information about the street end, residents may call Patti Quirk, SDOT Street Use office, (206) 684-8501.

West Seattle Crime Watch: Break-in victims with advice for you

August 17, 2009 11:58 am

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| Crime | West Seattle news

We’ve received two West Seattle Crime Watch reports this morning to share with you – one vehicle break-in, one home break-in. Both victims have advice for you based on what they’ve learned about what happened to them – read on:Read More

West Seattle scenes: Lowest August tides, this week

August 17, 2009 11:13 am

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| Seen at sea | West Seattle news

Thanks to Chas Redmond for that photo from Seacrest Pier. It’s a reminder that this week includes August’s lowest tides – not nearly as low as the ones enjoyed earlier this summer, but still good enough for shore appreciation. Tomorrow and Wednesday mornings have the lowest tides (here’s the chart), around -2.0, 9:44 am Tuesday and 10:34 am Wednesday. Chas also sent this sunrise photo from Seacrest:

Happening today/tonight: Traffic alert; produce; potluck; paddling

August 17, 2009 6:30 am

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| Delridge | Environment | Sustainable West Seattle | West Seattle news

TRAFFIC ALERT: The southbound 1st Avenue South lane closures announced (then revised) by SDOT last week start today; details here.

DELRIDGE PRODUCE CO-OP “MOBILE MARKET,” DAY 4: Today’s the finale for the first of four 4-day, 4-stop weeks in the Mobile Market trial period — 3:30-7 pm at Youngstown Arts Center (4408 Delridge; map), 3:30-7:30 pm. Go get free fruits/vegetables and help shape the future of fresh food in Delridge. (Here’s our Friday story; here’s seattletimes.com coverage today.)

SUSTAINABLE WEST SEATTLE BARBECUE/POTLUCK: Bring something to share and/or grill, and join SWS in celebrating summer at the shelter behind Camp Long Lodge (5200 35th SW; map), 7 pm.

COMMUNITY KAYAK TOUR ON THE DUWAMISH: Should be a beautiful night on the river. The semiweekly tours only have a few more sessions before summer’s end – to see if there’s room tonight (leaving from South Park at 6 pm), go here for RSVP info.

Election 2009 closeup coverage: Council candidate Bobby Forch

August 17, 2009 4:21 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

With 8 pm tomorrow your deadline for voting in King County’s first-ever all-mail primary, we have been wrapping up our close-up looks at candidates in races including the three Seattle City Council contests you’ll find on the primary ballot. Bobby Forch is the final council candidate in this series. Previous stories are in the WSB Politics archive.

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Bobby Forch is running for Seattle City Council Position 4 with knowledge of city government from the other side – as a manager for the City of Seattle, specifically a strategic adviser in SDOT.

Forch, a 53-year-old Central District resident, says, “I am running because I believe the Seattle City Council can do more to turn around our economy while supporting the values we believe in as a city.”

He’s one of six candidates running for Position 8, held for more than a decade by Councilmember Richard McIver, who decided not to run again.

Video: 100+ volunteers clean up Alki Beach

August 17, 2009 2:52 am

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| Environment | West Seattle news | West Seattle video

(Photo by Robert Sorbo)
Thanks to Barefoot Wine‘s PR folks for sharing that photo from Saturday’s Alki Beach cleanup. They say more than 100 volunteers showed up for the “Beach Rescue Project” held as part of Barefoot’s partnership with the Surfrider Foundation. We found their video highlights on the Barefoot website, too (ending with a group photo at the Statue of Liberty):

Looking for another chance to help clean up Alki? The Alki Volleyball Association has a cleanup scheduled for September 12th – here’s the event’s page on Facebook (where we hope you’ve already “friended” WSB, at facebook.com/westseattleblog).