day : 04/05/2013 10 results

West Seattle Crime Watch: Slashed; stolen; found

This West Seattle Crime Watch roundup begins with a vandalism spree in Gatewood – two people have contacted us to report more than half a dozen cars’ tires were slashed sometime overnight near the California/Webster intersection.

In North Delridge, Angela found what seemed to be dumped loot:

She says it wasn’t even all from West Seattle (she’s already spoken with one victim who says her car was broken into yesterday at the Arboretum!):

This morning I found a pile of stuff on the side of the road that appeared to be dumped after a theft. Possibly multiple thefts, as my very minimal poking around turned up at least four different possible owners based on business cards (multiple of the same card), insurance card, registration, and other papers. I didn’t dig very deep; only looked at what was visible & on top when I found it.

About an hour after she reported it to police, who she says “indicated that they’d pick it up and place it into evidence,” it was gone.

Also found: this bicycle. Scott from Seattle Parks sent the photo:

He says, “This bike was found hidden in the shrubs at Hiawatha Playfield. We have it stored at SW Parks District Shop at Lincoln Park; hopefully the owner can get this expensive bike back. Our office phone is 684-7457.”

In case you are missing a bike and haven’t seen two notices posted within the past few days in the WSB Forums – here’s one for a yellow 10-speed, and another one for a blue girls’ bike.

Last but not least, James reports a double theft of 2-wheelers: his “2007 CRF450 motorcycle and Specialized Allez bicycle. These were stolen from my garage on (56th & Dakota) earlier this week.” His report came in via the WSB Facebook page – check out the “posts by others” section there for his photos.

Also ahead: West Seattle 5K and ‘Summer Streets’ May 19th

Another big, fun event is getting close: Be like Jennifer and Zorro in our 2012 photo above, and get your feet/paws into the West Seattle 5K! The fifth annual fundraising run presented by the West Seattle High School PTSA is just two weeks from tomorrow, with more than a thousand runners expected to fill Alki Avenue again this year, starting just after 9 am on Sunday, May 19th. WSB is proud to be a West Seattle 5K co-sponsor, as we’ve been every year since the first one in 2009 – hope to see you out in the street again this year! You have until May 16th to sign up online, if you haven’t registered already – do it right now by going here (kids 6 and under, by the way, are free).

P.S. – a reminder that once the West Seattle 5K’s wrapped up by 11 am, it’s the sixth annual “Alki car-free day,” aka Seattle Summer Streets, with more activities than ever promised this year – including the Alki Beach Creeps’ Costumed Bike Parade at 1 pm.

West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day update: The online map!

One week till the 9th annual West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day, with 281 sale sites all over the peninsula. In case you haven’t seen it yet, we wanted to quickly mention that the online version of the map is now live – until Sale Day (next Saturday, May 11th, 9 am-3 pm) is over, it has its own tab on the WSB navigation bar, below the right side of the sunset-photo header. We’re still tweaking the printable version – the online version usually debuts first, and if sellers spot any address anomalies, for example (the mapping program has had one so far, quickly fixed), we can get those handled before publishing the link to the printable map. (E-mail garagesale@westseattleblog.com.) Text atop the map’s WSB page explains how to use the map (same format as the last 2 years) and also how it works with your smartphone.

P.S. Registration closed a week and a half ago BUT if you’re still hoping to sell some stuff next Saturday, you can check with the group sites directly to see if they have room left – WSB sponsors Hotwire Online Coffeehouse and C & P Coffee Company, as well as the VFW Hall in The Triangle and, in The Admiral District, Mind Unwind.

7 years of work and public service culminate in Eagle Scout rank for 18-year-old West Seattleite Todd Lehman

(L to R: Joey Donahue, Brendan Good, Dylan Moorleghen, John Roach, Chad Lehman, Jason Getts, Todd Lehman)
Congratulations to 18-year-old Todd Lehman, the first member of West Seattle’s Troop 282 to earn his Eagle Scout rank – Scouting’s highest honor – this year. Part of that involved a project for Camp Long, explained by his dad Rick Lehman – who shared the photos and information – as involving “designing and constructing a staging area for one of the new ‘challenge courses,’ called ‘Pacific Crest.’ The project included installing 70 feet of cedar split-rail fencing, gravel walkway, log benches, and landscaping.” Here’s Todd, center, with his Eagle Board of Review, all also West Seattleites:

(L to R, Pete Hogan, mom Nancy Lehman, Mike Grueter, Todd Lehman, Dave Haines, dad Rick Lehman, Paul Von Brockhorst)
Dad Rick Lehman adds that Todd’s Eagle rank “represents over 7 years of scouting leadership, adventure, activities, achievement and community service. While in Troop 282, Todd compiled 82 nights of camping, hiked 147 miles, paddled by canoe 82 miles on the Bowron Provincial Park in Canada, earned 24 merit badges, and provided 115 hours of community service to West Seattle.” He also is a three-year letterman in varsity golf and baseball at Kennedy High School, where he is a senior and president of the Men’s Club; an active member of West Side Presbyterian Church; and plans to attend Washington State University starting this fall.

North Delridge Neighborhood Council Beautification Committee does it again!

Lisa Taylor-Whitley heads up the North Delridge Neighborhood Council Beautification Committee, and every month, whether 3 people show up or 30, she and helpers are out cleaning up another corner of the neighborhood. This morning, it was the walking/biking path that leads from the Skylark Café and Club parking lot down to the bus stop at SW Spokane St. (where buses and other vehicles are detoured today and tomorrow because of repaving, remember). Before we caught up with Lisa on the path, we found other members of today’s cleanup crew wrapping up outside Skylark – Tom, Oliver, Nancy, and Jackson the dog:

They all explained that the path was in pretty good shape this time, so they only needed to work for a little more than an hour, half of the time allotted. Keep an eye on the NDNC’s website for info on upcoming cleanups – and/or send Lisa a note if you have a site to suggest (lisataylorwhitley@gmail.com).

Happening now: Get RainWise – and get connected – at the 2013 Gathering of Neighbors

This year’s Gathering of Neighbors is an indoor-and-outdoor event – right outside the Chief Sealth International High School Galleria, on the walkway/plaza leading from the school parking lot to its south-side doors, you can find out all about RainWise.

It’s a program to get more homes off the rainwater/runoff grid, and more areas of West Seattle are eligible for rebates to cover at least part of the cost of installing “green stormwater infrastructure” such as cisterns. Inside the Galleria, get “wise” in another way – meet local volunteers such as Eldon Olson from the Morgan Community Association and Cindi Barker from West Seattle Be Prepared/Emergency Communication Hubs

There’s a preparedness drill next Saturday, in fact, and they’re still signing up prospective “actors.” Others you might meet at the Gathering of Neighbors include Yun Pitre and Ed Pottharst:

They’re neighborhood coordinators for the city’s Department of Neighborhoods, and work with many of the groups that keep things clicking around here. Plus – how often do you get to have a say in the future of a major local arterial? You can share your vision for the north half of Delridge Way – look for the map spanning a table, with neighborhood advocate Pete Spalding (below right) behind it:

There’s also entertainment and refreshments; as first published here last night, here’s the official program listing more of whom you might meet and see if you get on over to Sealth by 3.

Happening now: West Seattle Thriftway’s 1st benefit barbecue of the season

May 4, 2013 1:28 pm
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 |   How to help | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Benefit-barbecue season is off and sizzling at West Seattle Thriftway (California/Fauntleroy; WSB sponsor) – we caught Michele at the grill between burger batches this afternoon; the barbecues are a Thriftway tradition, benefiting local nonprofits, and today the proceeds are going to West Seattle Helpline. You have until 4 or so to stop by for yours, if you haven’t been there already!

Happening now: Jewelry debut at Click! Design That Fits

May 4, 2013 1:10 pm
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 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Getting engaged? Married? Or, just looking for new jewelry art to wear? Award-winning designer Karen Konzuk has you covered, and until 5 pm today, you can meet her, as we did, at Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor) in The Junction, where her engagement and wedding rings are debuting, with her line of concrete jewelry. (Click! is at 4540 California SW.)

West Seattle weekend scene: All those boats on the bay

May 4, 2013 1:03 pm
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 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news

Busy, busy day on Elliott Bay and at Don Armeni Boat Ramp!

We checked it out after getting an e-mail question wondering about all the boats. Here’s the occasion: 7 am-3 pm today, it’s open to recreational spot-shrimp fishing – and there’ll be a rerun next Wednesday (May 8th), same hours.

West Seattle Saturday: Gathering of Neighbors; cleanups; barbecue; rummage sale; jewelry launch; more

Thanks to John Hinkey for sharing that photo taken shortly after sunrise on this sunny Saturday – lots on the calendar, including these highlights:

TRAFFIC/TRANSIT ALERTS: Spokane Street repaving under the bridge till 7 tonight (which means bus reroutes, too), and the bridge ramp to southbound I-5 is closed all weekend.

GATHERING OF NEIGHBORS: After a morning of presentations and discussions, it’s an afternoon resource fair, including community advocates and volunteers with information about programs and organizations that enhance life in West Seattle and White Center – plus entertainment! 9 am-3 pm at the Chief Sealth International High School Galleria; we published the full program last night. (2600 SW Thistle)

HELP LINCOLN PARK: It’s the first Saturday of the month and that means the Friends of Lincoln Park are out removing invasives – your help can make a big difference. Details in our calendar listing. (Meet @ Fauntleroy/Rose, or if late, check kiosk for info)

EXPLORE THE JUNCTION AND TRIANGLE ON FOOT: Meet at 10 am at the Admiral area’s water tower for a Feet First-presented walk exploring the neighborhoods’ character and new development – details on this page (Charlestown/39th SW)

WSUU RUMMAGE SALE: Big sale this weekend at the Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation‘s church in Gatewood; today’s hours are 9 am-3 pm. (7141 California SW)

HELP CLEAN UP NORTH DELRIDGE: Meet at Skylark at 10 am to join the North Delridge Neighborhood Council cleanup of the walking path to Spokane Street- details on the NDNC website. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

RUN FOR LIGHTS 5K: First fundraising run of the season, 10 am at Lincoln Park, presented by Orphans to Ambassadorsdetails here.

FAMILY HIKE AT CAMP LONG: Join the “Family Matters” event organized by Fauntleroy Church, at Camp Long, 10 am – details in the calendar listing. (5200 California SW)

CLOTHES DONATION: Got clothing you don’t want/need? Today’s the day a local Brownie Troop is collecting it for charity – drop it off 11 am-1 pm at Gatewood Elementary. (Back lot on Frontenac just west of California)

JEWELRY LAUNCH AT CLICK! 11 am-5 pm at Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor) in The Junction, it’s a two-part, one-artist jewelry event – “the introduction of Click!’s comprehensive collection of Konzuk engagement rings and wedding bands and the launch of Orbis, Karen Konzuk‘s new line of concrete and gold jewelry” – and you’ll get to meet the artist, too! (4540 California SW)

THRIFTWAY BARBECUE SEASON BEGINS: First fundraising barbecue of the season at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor), 11 am-4 pm, burgers to benefit West Seattle Helpline! (4201 SW Morgan, intersection of California/Fauntleroy)

HAIRSTORM AT THE FEEDBACK: ’80s “hair metal” tribute band Hairstorm is back at the Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), 9:30 pm. (6451 California SW)