West Seattle, Washington

19 Friday

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day : 01/07/2011 15 results

Video: Pipes, drums, flag for A Terrible Beauty’s Junction parade
July 1, 2011 9:08 pm
|      20 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

It was a short parade, but memorable – A Terrible Beauty‘s co-owner Jenna Shannon Garvey O’Brien led the way, carrying the Irish flag, as members of the Eastside Firefighters Pipes and Drums and Seattle Firefighters Pipes and Drums paraded on a Junction sidewalk tonight, from California/Alaska to California/Edmunds, where the flag was taken up a ladder for ceremonial placement on the roof by Jenna’s son Mick:

(added) Thanks to Aaron Bocchetti for this view from behind the pipers/drummers – with their detailed outfits, head to toe:

Though A Terrible Beauty has been open since Tuesday, tonight is the official “grand opening” night, and the pipes and drums were scheduled to play inside again right about now. It was a full house as the parade arrived at 7 – and as we drove along West Seattle thoroughfares from California SW to Alki SW, we noticed most places were jumping on this wonderful clear night kicking off the holiday weekend.

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Old Denny school site: Move’s over, demolition prep has begun
July 1, 2011 6:35 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Denny-Sealth | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

The construction fence is up around the original Denny International Middle School, which will be demolished before summer’s end, to be replaced by tennis courts, a softball field, play equipment, and a big open field where another school might be built someday – Denny reopens in its new building adjacent to nearby Chief Sealth International High School this fall. The old-Denny site’s contractor BNBuilders has sent a newsletter to share with the community – detailing which buildings will go first, with a site map included; you can see it here (PDF).

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Gatewood fire suspect John Siegel charged with arson, domestic violence
July 1, 2011 3:28 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Gatewood | West Seattle news

Just in from the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office: Charges are now filed against 40-year-old John C. Siegel, the man arrested Tuesday night in connection with the fire that investigators say was set that morning at the Gatewood home he co-owns. The charges are 1st-degree arson/domestic violence and domestic violence/violation of a court order. Siegel remains in jail, awaiting arraignment on July 14th; he was arrested after being treated at Harborview Medical Center for a wrist injury that has been described as self-inflicted. Prosecutors have asked that his bail be set at $1 million. More after the jump:Read More

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West Seattle traffic alerts: Spokane St. Viaduct, bridge lane closures
July 1, 2011 3:26 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Spokane St. Viaduct project | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

SDOT has sent word of upcoming closures small and large – from a lane on the West Seattle Bridge, to overnight closures of the westbound Spokane Street Viaduct (the bridge between Highway 99 and I-5). The SSV closures are set for the nights of July 12th-14th; details here, along with word of some 1st Avenue South closures, all part of the ongoing Spokane Street Viaduct Widening Project. Then, next Tuesday, you’ll see a lane closure near the Fauntleroy end of the bridge; details here, along with some Harbor Island work next week.

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Verdict in South Park murder/rapes case: Guilty
July 1, 2011 3:26 pm
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | South Park | West Seattle news

From our partners at the Seattle Times: Isaiah Kalebu has been found guilty in the 2009 South Park murder/rapes case. The woman he killed, Teresa Butz (right), had heroically taken action that saved her partner’s life, before losing her own. His sentencing in August is a formality, as the aggravated-murder conviction automatically means life in prison with no chance of parole, since the death penalty was not sought because of his mental-illness history. Details in the Times report here.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Fairmount Springs attack arrest
July 1, 2011 1:53 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Fairmount Springs | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

Just got word from Southwest Precinct that there has been an arrest in connection with the May 8th attack that left a Fairmount Springs woman badly hurt. The case raised so much concern, there was a special neighborhood meeting about it a few days later, with precinct commander Capt. Steve Paulsen and City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen in attendance (here’s our coverage). Precinct operations Lt. Pierre Davis tells WSB an arrest was made just before 5 pm yesterday: “Our detectives did a fantastic job with this case. The arrest warrant was served on the suspect without incident.” We are working to get more details about the arrest, the suspect, and the circumstances of the case, which were all something of a mystery back in May.

ADDED SATURDAY MORNING: Inquiries with police and prosecutors on Friday afternoon didn’t yield much, but overnight we did get a bit of extra information from SW Precinct Lt. Alan Williams, who says the information he could access shows that the suspect (whose name we still don’t know, so we can’t check his/her status through the jail register, and there are way too many people booked for assault/burglary type charges for anyone to stand out as the likely arrestee) “was located in the 1000 block of 4th (Avenue) South and taken into custody without incident.” Because of government closures for the Monday holiday, we don’t expect to be able to get more information before Tuesday.

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Highline Medical Group’s West Seattle Family Medicine: New sponsor
July 1, 2011 1:48 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Health | West Seattle news

Today, we welcome one of the newest WSB sponsors, Highline Medical Group‘s West Seattle Family Medicine.

As is a tradition, new sponsors get the chance to share what they would like you to know: First, you donʼt have to go downtown to get high-quality medical care – it is right here in West Seattle, as demonstrated by the fact that In 2010, Highline Medical Group was the only Family Medicine practice in the city of Seattle to earn the Premera Blue Cross Healthcare Quality Award for exceptional clinical performance on a variety of measures. Second, and perhaps even more important, weʼll treat you the way weʼd want to be treated. Weʼre committed to an open and relationship-focused approach that engages you in your own health. Finally, West Seattle Family Medicine is conveniently located in the Alaska Junction business district of West Seattle, open Saturday — and we accept walk-ins — all of which are helpful for working families. Some of what we have heard from patients: “I like that you take time to get to know me and our family.” … “You are really easy to talk to.” The number-one referral source for our practice is existing patients.

West Seattle Family Medicine is a member of the West Seattle Junction Association, and we support local events and organizations like the West Seattle Food Bank, the West Seattle Garden Tour, and West Seattle Summer Fest. West Seattle Family Medicine is at 4744 41st SW, east of Jefferson Square, 206-933-1041; its hours are online, here.

We thank West Seattle Family Medicine for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news on WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.

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Leadership change for Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association: Derek Birnie leaving
July 1, 2011 1:40 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

(WSB video of Derek Birnie presenting a DNDA primer to Delridge Neighborhoods District Council last November)
After four years leading Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association, executive director Derek Birnie is leaving, taking the same role at Washington CASH (Community Alliance for Self Help). An interim executive director already has been announced for DNDA – which helms a wide variety of projects, from community-building to housing development and beyond – consultant Jan Glick. More in the DNDA news release ahead:Read More

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Also tonight: Junction pipe/drum parade for A Terrible Beauty
July 1, 2011 12:12 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants | WS culture/arts

If you’re in The Junction around 7 pm tonight, be on the lookout for a parade. WSB contributor Katie Meyer reports that A Terrible Beauty‘s new West Seattle location is celebrating its official grand opening (though it’s been open since Tuesday) with a pipes-and-drums parade – the firefighter groups from Seattle and the Eastside will start at Alaska/California and march down the block to the new restaurant/pub, where the Irish flag will be planted. Spectators welcome!

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Me-Kwa-Mooks portable restroom destroyed by ‘set fire’
July 1, 2011 12:00 pm
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle fires | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Thanks to Rod for sharing the photo via Twitter and wondering about the fire that took out the portable restroom on Beach Drive at Me-Kwa-Mooks Park overnight. Seattle Fire Department spokesperson Kyle Moore tells WSB, “Our fire investigator determined it was a set fire. Unknown suspect or suspects set combustibles on fire inside the port-a potty. Damage estimate is $2000.” We’re checking with Seattle Parks regarding replacement plans.

ADDED 12:52 PM: Joelle Hammerstad with Parks says the Southwest maintenance/management crew is already on the case: “They’ve already called and are trying to get another one to replace it before the weekend. We’re not sure if we can get it replaced, being as it’s the Friday before the Fourth of July weekend, and our contractor is slammed busy getting port-a-potties out all over the city. If they don’t get a new one installed today, they’ll get one there ASAP — but it could be early next week. We’ve called the folks who have picnics scheduled there and told them the potty is gone.”

3:04 PM UPDATE: Original tipster Rod reports, also via Twitter, that a new one HAS arrived – but it’s in a different spot.

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Video: West Seattleite takes Delridge sidewalk trouble to YouTube
July 1, 2011 11:52 am
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

Late last night, Keith Ramsey sent us that link via Twitter.

If you can’t watch the video, here’s what it shows: He had noticed the sidewalk along the east side of Delridge, near the Southwest Precinct and Home Depot, so overgrown that it couldn’t be used. This is the same kind of overgrowth that can get the average homeowner a citation from city inspectors; Keith looked up the ownership and discovered at least some of the land is owned by SDOT. We asked if he had called to report it – he had – on Tuesday; no action yet. Good news this morning, though – SDOT spokesperson Marybeth Turner tells us, “SDOT’s Street Maintenance crews have it scheduled for next week.” And Keith just confirmed he’d been told that too. P.S. If you see a road or sidewalk obstruction, the hotline number is 206-684-ROAD.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Another stolen truck; car-prowl catch
July 1, 2011 10:45 am
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Two West Seattle Crime Watch reports out of the WSB inbox. First, another stolen pickup to keep an eye out for – from Rachel:

Stolen 1994 4X4 Nissan pickup, dark gray, turquoise line detail on sides. License Plate: B66561E. American flag sticker in back driver window. Stolen from North Admiral neighborhood 6/30. Call Seattle Police with any information: 206.625.5011

After the jump – a car-prowl case that led to arrests, and the odd item the suspects left behind:Read More

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West Seattle Friday: Long 4th of July holiday weekend begins!
July 1, 2011 10:24 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Friday: Long 4th of July holiday weekend begins!
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Sunshine! A few notes for today/tonight from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar (reminder, the 4th of July has its own page):

WALKER ROCK GARDEN OPEN: As noted here earlier this week, we found rare advance notice of two dates with the Walker Rock Garden – whose owners put it up for sale earlier this year – open to the public, and one is today. Now till noon, 5407 37th SW.

SWIM! Colman Pool continues its 7-day-a-week summer operations (pool schedule/other info here); looks like a wading pool day too – today’s pools would be Lincoln Park 11 am-8 pm, Delridge noon-6:45 pm

FREE HEALTH TESTS: The AARP | Walgreens Wellness Tour at High Point Walgreens (6330 35th Ave SW), noon-6 pm, offers free tests for cholesterol, blood pressure, glucose, bone density, body mass, and more.

ICE CREAM AT THE BEACH: Coastal on Alki had announced last week that the Molly Moon’s Ice Cream truck would be visiting on Fridays – but not a consistent time window; today, it’s noon-2 pm.

STORIES FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WORLD: Crooked Trails Live presents a night of music, food, wine, photos and stories from the wild side at Alki Arts (2820 Alki SW), 7-9 pm. Join Maasai warrior Kakuta Ole Maimai on a journey to Maasailand! This is a personal story of a man who grew up in a village at the base of Mt. Kilimanjaro, southern Kenya, and with community support came to the U.S. to finish college – then went home and started schools, a health center, and a clean-water pipeline.

LOCAL TEENS PERFORM: Not in West Seattle, but with young performers from West Seattle (as explained in this Hollow Earth Radio report): The band 80 or Free plays The Lab, behind the Seattle Drum School, 15th NE and NE 125th, 7 pm tonight, all ages, $5.

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West Seattle 4th of July: Another Admiral Kids’ Parade update
July 1, 2011 5:14 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle 4th of July: Another Admiral Kids’ Parade update
 |   Fun stuff to do | Holidays | West Seattle news

Now that the latest forecast update is in … the 4th of July outlook is promising (70s!). So, here’s another reminder about the day’s biggest pre-fireworks event in West Seattle – the Admiral 4th of July Kids’ Parade.

It’s not just for Admiral residents – hundreds of kids from all over West Seattle (and their families) are part of it every year. It’s scheduled to start at 10 am Monday at 44th and Sunset (note, don’t expect to park too close), and after a few words from special guest King County Councilmember Joe McDermott, it’s off on a relatively flat trek winding through a few blocks of North Admiral till the conclusion at Hamilton Viewpoint Park (paraders cross with police help – and even if you’re not in the parade, note there will be some traffic delay on the north end of California that morning as a result). At the park, there are games (free, but parade organizers appreciate a small donation to help cover the costs of putting this on), and concessions. We have a concession update from Admiral Neighborhood Association president Katy Walum: Mini-cupcakes from Coffee to a Tea with Sugar, cookies from Little Rae’s Bakery, and – debuting this year – Manderin Cookie Company, plus popsicles, juices, chips, and bottled water. ANA will be selling its stylin’ Admiral-logo T-shirts and jackets, too. Get your 4th off to a fun start long before the fireworks. P.S. Our “all things Fourth of July” page is up and updated – see it here.

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The WSBeat: Purse chase; gun misplaced; business break-ins…
July 1, 2011 4:15 am
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police | WSBeat

By Megan Sheppard
On the WSBeat, for West Seattle Blog

From reports on cases handled recently by Southwest Precinct officers:

*Around 6:30 Friday night, a man entered a Junction business, grabbed a purse from a display, tucked it under his jacket and ran down the street. An employee gave chase, yelling at the suspect and finally catching him near California and Alaska. She was able to grab the purse back while the man kept traveling southbound. He was white, aged 30-49, approximately 5’8” and 140 pounds. Several teeth were missing; he wore a black t-shirt, and appeared to be under the influence of drugs.

*After visiting Alki a couple of weeks ago, a Kent resident packed up his beach gear and headed for home. One piece of gear inadvertently left behind was his gun: He assumes it fell from the edge of the truck bed where he had absentmindedly placed it.

10 more summaries (including a string of business break-ins, and the saga of how a dog helped a man get home) ahead:Read More

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