day : 28/06/2011 14 results

Two and a half months after we first reported a medical-marijuana business was taking over the 35th/Roxbury ex-Payday Loans space, Northwest Patient Resource Center is open. WSB contributor Deanie Schwarz, who broke the original story, confirmed tonight that NPRC opened on Monday. It’s one of at least three medical-marijuana businesses in West Seattle (we get periodic reports there are a few other that keep a low-profile, but have yet to confirm any of those reports). Deanie talked with NPRC co-owner John Davis at the newly opened business; he says they are open 9-8 Mondays-Saturdays and 1-6 pm Sundays, and she reports that the proprietors “are quite thrilled they have been approved for credit cards.” As for the legal status of medical-marijuana businesses, they remains in that so-called “gray area” – examined by Deanie in this report earlier this month – with new state legislation looming next month that some say will make them clearly illegal – though a court challenge seeks to prevent that.

Gatewood fire, report #3: Co-owner jailed on suspicion of arson

June 28, 2011 10:42 pm

| 24 COMMENTS

| West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

(Photo courtesy Kathryn)
While searching for information on the home set afire this morning in Gatewood (first report here; second report here), we stumbled into the trail of a story we can now report, as jail records indicate an arrest has been made: Booked into King County Jail about an hour ago for investigation of arson is 40-year-old John Christian Siegel, listed on county records as co-owning the home in the 7900 block of 39th SW. Harborview Medical Center confirmed to WSB this morning that he was the man taken there with non-life-threatening injuries from the fire. (WSB does not routinely identify suspects who are not yet charged, but we evaluate each story on a case-by-case basis.)

Siegel is a lawyer. In April, he made citywide news for a case that put him in jail for two months. He was charged with felony domestic-violence stalking and domestic-violence witness tampering against his wife, who is also listed as an owner of the Gatewood home, and with harassment of a judge who was involved in the case. He made a plea bargain, with the felony charges reduced to misdemeanors, according to this Seattle Weekly report following his release from jail on May 20th. Court documents filed after his arrest earlier this year show a Mercer Island address for Siegel, and said his wife had been living in the Gatewood home, though we don’t know if that was still the case. Siegel is likely to have a bail hearing tomorrow; we will be checking with prosecutors in the morning.

9:54 AM UPDATE: There is indeed a bail hearing set for this afternoon.

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TV crew at Skylark Wednesday night – help fill up the crowd

June 28, 2011 10:11 pm

| 12 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

During open-mike time at Skylark Café and Club tomorrow (Wednesday) night, around 9 pm, Jason Brunet plans to rap. And, he says, an ABC News TV crew will be there to record him, so perhaps you’d like to be there for the crowd cutaways. Jason has gained media attention lately for an unusual reason: His mom is a “hoarder,” and his family was featured on the reality-TV show “Hoarders.” He also was recently on NBC‘s “Today” (here’s the video clip). Now, he says, ABC’s “20/20” is doing a segment about the children of hoarders, and wants to include video of him performing, so he’s hoping to have a TV-worthy audience at Skylark tomorrow (3803 Delridge Way SW). You can check out his music, by the way, at threeninjas.net.

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West Seattle 4th of July: Admiral Kids’ Parade update

June 28, 2011 9:40 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Holidays | West Seattle news

(WSB photo from 2010 Admiral 4th of July Kids’ Parade)
Just six days till the 4th of July, and as always, it starts off with West Seattle’s only holiday parade – the Admiral 4th of July Kids’ Parade. This is a parade to be part of, not to watch (though a few do) – check out our video from last year, including two clips that together show the entirety of the hundreds-and-hundreds-strong stream of people. Organizer Sherri Chun sent this update tonight:

Joe McDermott has been confirmed as our special guest this year. Joe is West Seattle’s King County Councilman, and is a 3rd-generation West Seattle resident. We welcome Councilman McDermott to the Admiral 4th of July Kids Parade. We also welcome a new sponsor, Verity Credit Union. Verity has offered local residents financial management resources since 1933. You are eligible to join Verity if youlive, work, worship or attend school in Washington State, or have a Verity member in your immediate family. Thank you, Verity, for your generous support of the kids parade! The weather forecast is for sunshine – we’ll see you all at the parade!

The starting point is 44th and Sunset, 10 am Monday; the ending point is Hamilton Viewpoint Park, where you will find fun games as well as the Admiral Neighborhood Association selling concessions (as well as its trademark T-shirts and window decals). What else is up on the 4th in West Seattle, you ask? Our special page is up – but please let us know if you see something missing (including special sales or hours at local businesses) – here’s how to share info.

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Update: Gatewood house fire ruled arson

June 28, 2011 5:55 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| Gatewood | West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

(Photo courtesy Kathryn)
Just in from the Seattle Fire Department – this morning’s fire in the 7100 block of 39th SW has been ruled arson. (Here’s our as-it-happened coverage from earlier.) We were just at the scene, where two SFD crews are keeping watch, and yellow tape remains across the south side of the property (the photo above shows the west side of the property):

(WSB photo by Patrick Sand)
SFD says damage to the structure totaled $75,000, damage to the contents totaled $30,000. Harborview Medical Center had confirmed to us earlier that the man brought there from the fire scene was in satisfactory condition; he is one of the people listed on county records as co-owners of the home. We talked to Detective Jeff Kappel in the Seattle Police media-response unit; he says no one is under arrest so far, since SFD had just made the arson determination, which means SPD’s investigation is just now getting under way. Meantime, tonight’s SFD news release says a firefighter also suffered “minor burns to his ear.” As reported earlier, crews found the fire burning in three separate rooms inside the home.

(WSB photo by Christopher Boffoli)
The fire was reported by neighbors who called 911 around 10:30 this morning; fire crews got it under control within 15 minutes of arrival.

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Is a free thing not necessarily a good thing? Roxhill Skatespot donation concern

June 28, 2011 5:14 pm

| 15 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle parks | WS & Sports

A rocky spot for the future skatespot in Roxhill Park: It had full funding from the Parks and Green Spaces Levy and a green light from the city – and then came a donation. Usually a cause for celebration, but in this case, the city Skate Park Advisory Committee wants the Parks Department to turn it down. They say the donation announced early last month is locking the city into a contract for the skateboarding facility to be built by a company that ranked low when the Request for Qualifications went out. Read on:Read More

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Bus-lane rule-breakers targeted again: 2 hours, 70 tickets

June 28, 2011 4:48 pm

| 44 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle police

On Twitter, it was mentioned that SPD was out in force watching the West Seattle Bridge bus lanes again today – so it’s no surprise another roundup is out on SPD Blotter (though it’s attributed to activities yesterday): In two hours on the bridge, they say their ticket total included 70 bus-lane violations, 7 “no proof of insurance,” and 2 “motorcycles passing cars on the shoulder of the roadway.”

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Burglars take distinctive loot

June 28, 2011 3:19 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| Crime | Fauntleroy | West Seattle news

Karen‘s report of a burglary last weekend will explain that photo (and two more ahead):

My sister and her family had their home broken into on Saturday, 6/25. They live in the 9200-block of Fauntleroy, south of the ferry terminal. The break-in occurred midday, around 12:30. The burglar(s) seemed brazen in that several neighbors were home at the time and noticed one of them. The burglar even asked a nonsensical question of one of the neighbors after she spotted him on their deck. Consequently, the police have a good description: white male, clean cut with brown hair, height approx 5’10” with slender build, 20-30 years old. Also, the “getaway car” was parked in such a way that a different neighbor had to maneuver around it to get out of her driveway.

Among the items that were stolen are some sentimental items, including some gifts from our relatives in Norway.

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West Seattle traffic alert: Delridge/Trenton crash

June 28, 2011 2:24 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| Delridge | West Seattle news | WS breaking news

Southbound Delridge is blocked at Trenton right now by a crash that appears to have involved three vehicles. As our photo shows, one of them wound up on the sidewalk. An ambulance has been called for one person. No other information on circumstances, but avoid the area for a while.

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Big bus cuts vs. $20 fee: County sets 3 public hearings

June 28, 2011 2:09 pm

| 24 COMMENTS

| Transportation | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

If you want to speak out on the choice King County Executive Dow Constantine says must be made – big cuts in Metro bus service, or a $20 car-tab fee to cover the budget gap (original WSB coverage and 76 comments here) – the County Council’s Transportation, Economy and Environment Committee has set three hearings. They’re all outside West Seattle, but if you’re interested, you might consider either the July 12th hearing at the Council Chambers in the County Courthouse downtown (516 Third Avenue), or the July 21st hearing in Burien City Council Chambers (400 SW 152nd); the other hearing is in Kirkland. All hearings start at 6 pm. West Seattle’s County Councilmember Joe McDermott is a member of the committee. For the $20 car-tab fee to kick in, either six county council members have to approve it, or a majority of the council has to send it to voters. (More background in the original county news release about Constantine’s announcement.)

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West Seattle restaurants: Meander’s now ‘all-breakfast’ & 7 days

June 28, 2011 1:33 pm

| 20 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

Another update from the tiny café that’s been a huge hit with West Seattleites – WSB contributor Keri DeTore has an update on Meander’s, north of Morgan Junction (6032 California SW):

If you haven’t been to Meander’s in a while, it may be time to go back — both to see chef Miranda Krone’s new Northwest-themed tattoo, and to check out the new menu! Meander’s is going all-breakfast, all the time, dropping all lunch items (except the popular Monte Cristo) from the menu and adding a few new breakfast items. “Chicken-fried steak will be available on a regular basis” says Miranda, as is a new creation, “Afton’s Hot Mess.” Made with chorizo, spinach, black beans, grits and poached eggs, one diner proclaimed it, “Delicious! So good it’s ridiculous!” Meander’s has even better news for regulars—the café will now be open seven days a week: 8 am-3 pm Monday through Saturday and 9 am to 3 pm Sundays. Miranda will also maintain the late-night hours from 10 pm to 4 am on Friday and Saturday, but will no longer be open late on Thursday.

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Update: ‘Suspicious’ house fire in Gatewood, 1 hurt

June 28, 2011 10:37 am

| 22 COMMENTS

| Gatewood | West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

(TUESDAY EVENING NOTE: This fire has now been ruled arson, and we have started a new story here.)

(Photo courtesy Kathryn, added at 1:02 pm)
10:37 AM: On our way to check out the house-fire call in Gatewood, 7100 block of 39th SW.

(WSB photo by Tracy Record)
11:03 AM: One man taken to hospital.

(Photo courtesy Ben, taken shortly after firefighters arrived)
11:08 AM: Back from the scene – we still have two people there. We talked to neighbors who called 911 and said that at one point, a corner of the house was fully engulfed in flames. They didn’t see anyone else brought out of the house – just the man who was taken to the hospital. (We saw him on the stretcher before he was taken away – he appeared to be alert.) This is in a very steep area near Orchard Street Ravine. And yes, this is why choppers are here – TV news. Police are there to help investigate as well as to keep traffic away from the area.

(Video by Christopher Boffoli)
11:13 AM: Fire Department spokesperson Kyle Moore has just briefed media at the scene (video added 12:51 pm). Crews arriving at the fire about half an hour ago found the fire burning in three different areas of the house. The man who was taken to the hospital was found out front, Moore says, suffering from burns.

(WSB photo by Christopher Boffoli)
12:13 PM: The address for the fire has been revised from the one that was originally on the 911 log. Research indicates that it may indeed have been vacant, as a commenter noted. Police are not confirming an arson investigation at this point. They have taped off the scene; SFD calls the fire “suspicious” since it was burning in three different spots – two bedrooms and the kitchen – when they arrived.

(WSB photo by Christopher Boffoli)
12:58 PM: We have confirmed the identity of the man who was taken to the hospital; he is listed in county records as a co-owner of the house. He is listed in satisfactory condition. We have also just gone back to the fire scene to check on the investigation; police and firefighters are still there – still no official cause, but we’re likely to find out within a few hours.

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West Seattle sports: Congratulations, Pee Wee 9U All-Stars!

June 28, 2011 10:26 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | WS & Sports

From proud coach Marc McCann, the photo and this report:

Congratulations to the West Seattle Peewee Baseball 9U All-Stars for their excellent performance on the diamond over the weekend of June 24 to 26. On their way to the Jr. Mustang Championship, the West Seattle “Snakes,” as they call themselves after their reptilian garter-snake friends at the field, won seven straight games, allowing less than five runs per game and scoring on average 19.7 runs per game. The team also executed many flawless innings in the field during their three days at the tournament. The “Snakes” will continue to play fierce on their quest toward the PONY Regional Championship to be held in Enumclaw, WA, in mid-July. The team is grateful for the support of their fans, and especially the family members who assisted in preparing and maintaining the fields, running the Snack Shack and cheering them on throughout the tournament.

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West Seattle Tuesday: Terrible Beauty; Drink 4 the Kids; White Rose

June 28, 2011 9:24 am

| Comments Off on West Seattle Tuesday: Terrible Beauty; Drink 4 the Kids; White Rose

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photographed from Jack Block Park: Alaska-bound barge, outbound last Friday)
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

OPENING DAY FOR A TERRIBLE BEAUTY: At Edmunds/California, the doors swing open to the public starting with lunch today, as this Irish restaurant/pub expands from its Renton roots to add a West Seattle location. Here’s our story from last night’s preview party.

NOTES FROM THE JOB SEARCH: Job search help and networking opportunity at C&P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor; 5612 California SW), 11 am. Whether your search for new employment is long-running, or brand new, this group – which has been meeting for two years – welcomes you to drop by and check it out.

ROTARY EXCHANGE PROGRAM: As mentioned here the other day, Rotary is recruiting non-Rotarians for the next round of its Group Study Exchange – a chance for professionals 25-40 to spend a month in Nepal, without the travel costs. Find out more when GSE participants from a different group speak to the Rotary Club of West Seattle weekly luncheon meeting today, noon at Salty’s on Alki.

SOMALI STORY TIME: Stories, rhymes, and fun, 1:30-2 pm at the High Point public library (3411 SW Raymond Street). Branch (35th/Raymond).

50+ SINGLES: Meet and mingle at Tully’s Coffee (2676 Alki Ave SW), 5 pm. Meet, then walk and talk along the Alki Beach pathway.

OPEN HOUSE: Sweet Pea Cottage Preschool of the Arts (7141 California SW inside the Unitarian Church) is hosting an open house at 5 pm. Snacks for all and art projects for the kids.

READY FOR YOUR NIGHT OUT PARTY? The night-of-a-thousand-block-parties Night Out isn’t till August 2nd, but registration is under way now, and tonight’s West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network meeting is Night Out 101, with the help of Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Mark Solomon. 6:30 pm at the precinct; you don’t have to be a captain or even in a Block Watch to attend.

A DRINK FOR THE KIDS: The citywide multi-location, multi-night fundraiser for youth arts venue The Vera Project is in West Seattle tonight – after 6 pm, certain beverages at West 5 benefit TVP (more details here).

SPOKE AND FOOD: Bike to dinner tonight at Chaco Canyon Organic Café (38th/Alaska) or Proletariat Pizza (downtown White Center) – both of which have ample bike parking! – where, as part of this citywide benefit, part of the proceeds benefit the Seattle Tilth Children’s Garden program.

WHITE ROSE RECEPTION: West Seattle Hi-Yu 2011 White Rose Reception at Fauntleroy UCC Church (9140 California Ave SW), 7 pm. This event is for women only and is a celebration of past and present Hi-Yu royalty and candidates. All are invited. Come and share Hi-Yu memories or learn about our community festival. Past royalty are encouraged to wear or bring their tiaras, and memory scrapbooks. Check for ticket availability: 206-935-6517, or wshiyu@yahoo.com.

NAVIGATING THE WATERS OF PARENTHOOD – AT THE BEACH: Parenting workshop with Bill Dean, 7 pm, Alki Arts, 2820 Alki Ave SW.

BOOK RELEASE PARTY:West Seattle author Caryl Sherpa reads from her debut memoir, “I TASTE FIRE, EARTH, RAIN: Elements of a Life with a Sherpa.” The book will be available for the first time at the party at The Kenney‘s Community Room (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW), doors open at 7 pm, the program begins at 7:30 pm, and a book signing and afterparty will follow.

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