day : 18/03/2012 11 results

Southbound 35th SW was blocked for a while at Cloverdale late tonight because of the latest case of a moving vehicle hitting a parked vehicle. Like the crash we covered two weeks ago and two blocks away, no injuries reported this time around – the Fire Department wasn’t even summoned. But two patrol cars and electronic “flares” were being used to block off the scene till it could be cleaned up.

Video: Beach Drive murder victim Greggette Guy’s father at vigil

March 18, 2012 8:22 pm

| 15 COMMENTS

| Beach Drive murder | Crime | West Seattle news

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

Against a heartbreakingly beautiful sunset – half the sky and water shimmering pink, the other half under dark storm clouds – more than 75 people gathered as a tribute to murder victim Greggette Guy, and a declaration that they would not be frightened away from one of West Seattle’s most beautiful places.

Seattle Police detectives were there too, low-key, in plainclothes, talking to people away from the crowd, still seeking anyone who might have seen something a week ago tonight.

And then there was someone no one expected – interrupting the moment of silence after participants had walked the length of Emma Schmitz Memorial Overlook and back, identifying himself as Ms. Guy’s father Gregg Smith:

The safety concerns he voiced were top of mind for those who organized tonight’s walk and vigil on just hours’ notice, as well as those who came to join in:

Organizers circulated a sign-up sheet so that residents could find people to walk with in the days and weeks ahead, so no one would have to take a risk alone. Here’s what organizers, starting with nearby resident Judy Bentley, told participants; our video continues for 3 minutes as the walk begins:

Police have said they believe that Ms. Guy came to the Beach Drive shore a week ago for a walk, perhaps that same stretch of shore. Last Monday morning, a Beach Drive resident saw her body in the water near Harbor West Condos, the complex built in pilings over the water, and called 911. With boats and divers, public-safety crews brought it to shore (WSB coverage here); within hours, they described the death as “suspicious,” but it was not publicly declared a case of murder until last Thursday (WSB coverage here).

As evidenced by their presence tonight – and the flyers on every utility pole – police remain eager to hear anything you think might be relevant to the case. Here’s a closer look, if you haven’t seen the flyers in person:

Though not much has been said about Ms. Guy, 51, online research indicates she had been married for 30 years, with a 21-year-old daughter, and had long been employed by a South King County aviation-industry firm as a credit manager.

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Followup: Sanislo book sale meets Rotary book drive!

March 18, 2012 6:27 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Rotary Club of West Seattle | West Seattle books | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Two of the events we covered on Saturday had a fortuitous meeting of the minds afterward .. thanks to Martha for the followup photo and report:

After its book sale yesterday, Sanislo Elementary generously donated its leftover books to the West Seattle Rotary Club’s “Books for the World” book drive. Photo is of Sanislo and Rotary volunteers. Both the sale and the book drive were successful thanks to the help of all the donors, shoppers, and volunteers (and WSB coverage)!

Martha Sidlo
West Seattle Rotary

If you haven’t caught up with yesterday – our report on the Rotary book drive was here, and the Sanislo sale here.

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West Seattle schools: Denny, Sealth in St. Patrick’s Day Parade

March 18, 2012 6:13 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| Denny-Sealth | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(Photo by Bruno Cross)
West Seattle had a big presence in the downtown St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday. Denny International Middle School principal Jeff Clark forwarded the photo and reports:

I am pleased to share that the Denny International Middle School marching band did a terrific job marching in the St. Patrick’s Day parade on Saturday. The crowd was very enthusiastic and supportive of our kids—it was great and we are proud of them!

Adjoining Chief Sealth International High School‘s band participated too, and can be seen in two photos in the Seattle Times (WSB partner) photo gallery, which features one more West Seattleite – Seafair Clown “Officer Lumpy,” aka Chris Henggeler.

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West Seattle weekend scenes: Cookie finale; Luna Park paint

March 18, 2012 6:10 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Last day for Girl Scout Cookie sales in West Seattle (and environs)! Ava and Sophie were at the Junction QFC earlier, photographed by Kristiana from WEdesign (WSB sponsor). Meantime, free face-painting just wrapped up as part of the Luna Park Café 23rd-anniversary celebration, and Frank shared this photo:

(Thanks for the photos! Here’s how to share yours, any time.)

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Looking ahead to summer: Sealth Basketball/Life Skills Camp

March 18, 2012 3:46 pm

| Comments Off on Looking ahead to summer: Sealth Basketball/Life Skills Camp

| West Seattle news | WS & Sports

(WSB photo from 2011 Basketball/Life Skills Camp @ Sealth)
Summer vacation is three months away – but those months will go fast, and families are making plans now (if they haven’t already!). So in that spirit, we’re sharing information today about the start of registration for the popular Sealth Basketball and Life Skills Camp. From Chief Sealth International High School‘s head basketball coach Colin Slingsby:

We are excited to host our 15th annual summer of Sealth Basketball and Life Skills camp at Chief Sealth International High School and Denny International Middle School this summer. Last year, we hosted more than 300 campers in our multiple sessions. The emphasis of our program is to teach the fundamentals of the game in part of a fun and competitive basketball experience, but also to emphasize the Life Skills necessary to be successful in school and life, both intellectually, and socially. The camp is run by the coaching staff at Sealth with the help of many high school and college students who are put through a lengthy mentorship training in order to be prepared to work with our many campers. While we enjoy teaching the game of basketball and providing a positive week on the court, we pride ourselves on our Life Skills curriculum which includes a classroom session daily, emphasizing the values of our program. Camp runs from 9am-4pm each day, and each camper will receive and camp t-shirt and Camper Handbook which will include hand-outs and topics from our Life Skills classroom sessions. Brochure with further information and registration forms are available on the Chief Sealth International High School website (here’s the link). Contact Coach Colin Slingsby at caslingsby@seattleschools.org with any questions about the program.

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Spring arrives tomorrow! West Seattle equinox-sunset event

March 18, 2012 2:49 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

(March 2011 WSB photo)
It happens four times a year and it wouldn’t be the same without NASA Solar System Ambassador Alice Enevoldsen … an equinox/solstice sunset watch. The spring equinox is late tomorrow night, so Alice is inviting everyone to watch tomorrow’s sunset at Solstice Park (uphill from the tennis courts at Fauntleroy/Webster; here’s a map):

It’s time for the 12th seasonal sunset watch (We’re at 3 years of these, folks)!!

When: March 19, 2011 at 7:05 pm (so come at 6:45 pm)

Actual sunset is supposed to be at 7:22, but at the summer solstice we noticed that the Sun set about 10 minutes earlier than the USNO says it does, so I’ve moved the time of our sunset watch up so we don’t miss it. I added another 5 minutes for the tall trees of Lincoln Park blocking our view. In Autumn the timing seemed to line up correctly – what will it do this time?

Where: Solstice Park – all the way up the hill from the tennis courts (or, if you’re not in Seattle, wherever you have a view of the western horizon!)

Who: Everyone welcome, as usual.

Come watch the spring equinox sunset at Solstice Park in West Seattle on Monday the 19th. We’ll see if the sunset lines up with the placed marker (it did for summer, but we weren’t sure in autumn or winter). I’ll be there even if it is cloudy because sometimes the Sun peeks through just as it begins to set, but if it is driving rain or sleet I’m staying home with some hot tea!

If you’re interested – here’s the timing of various celestial events from Seattle, courtesy of the U.S. Naval Observatory Astronomical Applications Department:

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Beach Drive murder: Neighbors invite you to vigil, walk tonight

March 18, 2012 10:30 am

| 20 COMMENTS

| Beach Drive murder | Crime | Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

Three days after police announced that 51-year-old Greggette Guy had been murdered (WSB coverage here), likely hours before her body was discovered in the water off north Beach Drive, neighbors are planning a vigil and walk. Just received from Judy Bentley:

Neighbors of Emma Schmitz Park and Me-Kwa-Mooks Park will gather at 7 p.m. tonight, Sunday, March 18, for a walk and vigil to remember Greggette Guy and to claim the park as a safe public space. Please join us at the north end of the park, on the waterfront side of Beach Drive at 7 p.m. Bring flashlights and candles although it will still be light at the beginning of the walk. We’ll walk the length of the park together. We’ll anyone who needs company walking home. Please join us.

We have been following up with police, but so far they have no new information to report, and continue to request any and all tips that might help them solve the mystery of who killed Ms. Guy, who is believed to have come to the area for a waterfront walk last Sunday evening. On Thursday, they published this photo of her car, found Monday at Emma Schmitz Overlook:

That’s close to where the vigil/walk will start tonight (here’s a map). In a report published Saturday, Beach Drive Blog shows why there have long been concerns in the area.

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Update: Harbor porpoise dies off Alki; biologists investigate

March 18, 2012 10:24 am

| 8 COMMENTS

| West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news | Wildlife

(Photos by WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand)
A sad procession on Alki less than an hour ago – but one that might ultimately yield some knowledge for the future: A dead harbor porpoise was taken away by biologist Dyanna Lambourn from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Marine Mammal Investigations unit and biologist/stranding coordinator Jessie Huggins from Cascadia Research Collective. Also on hand at the beach this morning, Seal Sitters first responder Robin Lindsey, who got word of the porpoise’s death at mid-afternoon Saturday (the organization is part of a stranding network for all marine mammals, not just seals), and Seal Sitters volunteers David and Eilene Hutchinson. So far we know the porpoise was an adult female, but the cause of her death was not obvious and will require further investigation.

As the biologists (in the photo with camera-wielding Robin) explained to curious passersby, harbor porpoises are not rare and not endangered (read more about them here), but the biologists say they seldom wash up like this – most often, they die at sea and “just disappear.” On the Seal Sitters’ “blubberblog” site, Robin tells the story of the elaborate operation carried out last night to secure the porpoise until it could be picked up this morning; as she writes, it died further east along the Alki shore, and was moved to the spot where we photographed her and the biologists this morning (near the 53rd Avenue Pump Station section of beach). The porpoise is now being taken to a facility in the South Sound.

3:47 PM UPDATE: Robin has updated her report, but the necropsy results aren’t in yet – look for another update (there and here) when they are.

11:03 PM UPDATE: Robin at Seal Sitters has updated her report again with those results. Biologists say the porpoise had a serious lung infection. Full details added at the bottom of her story.

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West Seattle Sunday: Bird walk; Greenways; Hi-Yu Tea …

March 18, 2012 8:51 am

| Comments Off on West Seattle Sunday: Bird walk; Greenways; Hi-Yu Tea …

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

At left, the first trillium photographer Karen (“Old Desolate” on Flickr) has seen this year, photographed at North Delridge’s Greg Davis Park and shared via the WSB Flickr group pool. Now, the calendar highlights for today:

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, 44th and Alaska as always.

GUIDED BIRD WALK: Deborah Dowd leads a free, guided bird walk at Alki, leaving from the Alki Bathhouse and walking around to Richey Viewpoint. Meet at 11 am. All levels of interest invited; sponsored by Seattle Audubon Society. Full details here.

‘FLASH SALE’ AT CLICK! From longtime WSB sponsor Click! Design That Fits in The Junction: One-day “flash” sale at Click!: 15% off everything in the store (except consigned artwork). Open 11 am – 5 pm.

WORK PARTY AT SEATTLE CHINESE GARDEN: From the announcement: “Calling all garden enthusiasts! Please join us for a work party from 12 to 2 pm at the Seattle Chinese Garden. We will be weeding, cleaning up and getting the Garden ready for spring! Bring gloves, hand tools and something to keep you hydrated! For questions/information, e-mail Amy Converse at gardenmanager@seattlechinesegarden.org or call 206-934-5219. (The garden’s on the north end of the South Seattle Community College campus, 6000 16th SW.)

WEST SEATTLE HI-YU SPRING TEA/AUCTION: At The Hall at Fauntleroy, 2 pm, including the coronation of this year’s Senior Court Queen, Kayli Schulz.

LOCAL COMPOSERS’ WORK AT BENAROYA: At 2 pm today, works by two West Seattle composers — Eric Goetz and Tim Huling — will be performed live at a world-premiere concert at Benaroya Hall, “Symphonic Stories,” conducted by Grammy award winner David Sabee. From the original announcement: “Goetz’s musical story focuses on the Dragonriders of Pern, a science fiction series by author Anne McCaffrey that he grew up reading, while Huling’s composition is a tone poem about the four seasons as told through the Greek myth of Demeter, Goddess of the Harvest, and her daughter Persephone.” More info, including a ticket link, here.

INTERESTED IN GREENWAYS? Next West Seattle Greenways meeting, 3 pm at Pearls Coffee and Tea on Delridge. More info here.

LUNA PARK CAFE ANNIVERSARY: Free face-painting for kids on the café’s 23rd anniversary, 3-6 pm. Here’s a preview.

LIVE MUSIC AND ART AT ALKI ARTS: Alki Arts presents Roy Kauffman‘s photography, while he plays acoustic music. Full details on the Facebook event page. 6-9 pm, 2820 Alki SW.

DEADLINE FOR NAMING THE NEXT WEST SEATTLE/WHITE CENTER CHARITY BEER: Here’s the original story. E-mail entries to feedbacklounge@gmail.com. Full rules etc. can be seen here.

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Services Tuesday for WWII veteran, businessman John W. Nitkey

March 18, 2012 1:28 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| Obituaries | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Family and friends will gather Tuesday to remember longtime West Seattleite John W. Nitkey. From his son Larry:

At the age of 91 on March 15, 2012, surrounded with the love and care of his family, John peacefully passed away.

He was born in Wallace, ID in 1921 and raised on a farm in Harrison, ID. His family lived in a log cabin his father built from trees felled on the farm. John was graduated from Gonzaga University with a degree in Business and Accounting. It was in Spokane where John met the love of his life, Frances Fagan, a nursing student from Sacred Heart (Spokane). After John’s graduation, he and Frances were married, and shortly thereafter in 1943 he shipped off to Army Basic Training in service to his country. He qualified as a Marksman with the M-1 rifle and received the American Theater Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Victory Medal, and European African Middle Eastern Service Medal. After WW II ended, John was stationed at Fort Lewis. He was honorably discharged from the Army in 1946. He and his young bride then decided to make their home on Alki Avenue in West Seattle.

After being honorably discharged from the Army, John began work for a nationally recognized accounting firm, but soon opened his own accounting office in White Center above the Roller Rink. It was through that business that he met his lifelong friend, mentor, and fellow Holy Family (Seattle) parishioner AJ, a real estate developer. John first did accounting work for AJ and then entered the building business himself. A recent card from AJ touched on their 60-year-long and devoted deep friendship for each other by stating, “the teacher learned from the student.”