West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
(SCROLL DOWN for lightning photos, some added Saturday)
11:52 PM: Thanks to Christi for the Friday night sunset shot, as clouds just started to wander this way. Right now, some areas of Western Washington are seeing lightning and thunder, and the National Weather Service has a short-term alert in place, suggesting it might head in this direction. WSB commenter “MetPatrick” noted in e-mail hours ago that this might happen (especially 2-5 am) – potentially again Saturday night, maybe even Sunday night. So don’t be surprised if you hear rumbles and/or see flashes.
12:38 AM: And there it is – rain, lightning, and some thunder.
2:48 AM: Added the lightning photo, which is by Chris Clark (thanks!). All’s quiet now, but that was quite a show!
ADDED MIDMORNING SATURDAY: Another photo! The one immediately above is by Mike Russell.
ADDED SATURDAY AFTERNOON: Two more photos just in! This one is courtesy of Max – looking east past the bridge:
And from John Brunt –
Thanks again! Still a chance it’ll be stormy again tonight, but right now, the sun’s back, and a welcome sight for the afternoon.
ADDED SATURDAY EVENING: SP from Arbor Heights had a great view, pointed toward Vashon/Maury:
Right now the southeast and east are seeing/hearing lightning again – late tonight we might too.
From King County online court documents, two followups of note tonight:
MURDER CHARGE REDUCED: A year and a half after 35-year-old Travis Hood was shot and killed just outside Morgan Junction Park, the charge faced by his suspected killer was reduced today to second-degree murder. Lovett Chambers, arrested at his Gatewood home shortly after the shooting in January 2012, originally was charged with first-degree murder. (Details of the alleged circumstances are in our original report published when that charge was filed.) Changes in charges often accompany plea bargains, but in this case, court documents indicate plans for a trial are still moving forward, though its start date was pushed back again, and is now penciled in as November 5th. The document noting the delay says more time is needed because, among other reasons, the defense is calling a witness specializing in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and self-defense, and prosecutors are preparing a response. The only reason given in documents for the reduced charge is that it “more accurately reflects the defendant’s conduct.” As soon as we found these documents, we put in a request for comment from the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, but it was late in the day and we did not hear back, so we’ll ask again Monday.
CAR-RAMMING CASE: As first reported here Thursday night, the 23-year-old man suspected of stealing a pickup truck on Alki Tuesday and then ramming two other occupied cars – one, a Seattle Police car – was set free the day after his arrest. The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office told us Thursday a judge (whom we have since confirmed through documents was District Court Judge Johanna Bender) did not find “probable cause” to keep him in custody until a decision on charges could be made. However, District Court files we found online today show that a $10,000 arrest warrant was issued for him that same day, because he hadn’t shown up for a court hearing on Monday related to a case involving an arrest July 13th in Seatac, with allegations of reckless driving and failure to comply with police. On July 15th, documents show, he was released on his own recognizance, despite a substantial criminal history.
Tomorrow, Morgan Junction Crossfit is hosting the 4th Annual Pipehitters Classic – a Crossfit-training competition with men and women from all around the region – from 8 am to 5 pm at Madison Middle School (3429 45th Ave SW). Participants compete in a variety of strength events, like weightlifting and dragging tires. (See here for a preview video.)
According to the event’s Facebook page, 
, proceeds from registration fees will benefit a fund for the family of Seattle Police Officer Tim Brenton, the West Seattle High School graduate murdered in 2009. It’s free to watch Saturday’s event; there will be a collection jar for spectators who wish to donate.
Morgan Junction Crossfit says it’s made donations in memory of Officer Brenton in the past, but this will be the first year that all proceeds from the Pipehitters Classic will go to the fund benefiting his children. Other local Crossfit gyms have also honored Officer Brenton since his death.
(Thanks to WSB reader Eric for the tip on this.)
Friends of 62-year-old Larry Keller, killed in a motorcycle/car collision in The Junction two weeks ago and remembered in this WSB obituary, are planning a party to celebrate his life. Here’s the announcement from Guy Olson:
Our friend Lawrence “Larry” Keller passed away on July 26th doing what he loved; he passed away riding one of his motorcycles. Larry’s friends and I are having a party in his honor on August 14 at 6:00, at The Yen Wor Village. If you knew Larry, or you are a motorcycle rider, etc, please attend and say hi or share a story or two. I’m sure Larry would have wanted a fun little party in his memory. Thank you and we hope to see you.
Mr. Keller’s family has not announced their memorial plans yet, but do have an online guestbook here.
Superheroes set out to save the planet! And you can do a good deed here at home, if you bring a few $ for benefit concessions/raffle at tomorrow night’s West Seattle Outdoor Movies screening. This week’s movie is “The Avengers”; the gate opens at 6:30 pm at the courtyard next to Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor), so BYO chair/blanket and stake out your spot(s). The movie’s free; popcorn, candy, soda, and water will be available for purchase (donated by PB&J Textiles [WSB sponsor]), as a nonprofit benefit. And this week’s charity-raffle proceeds will go to the Breastfeeding Coalition of Washington, as World Breastfeeding Week (first week in August) wraps up. Tracy Corey from Nurturing Expressions (WSB sponsor) is donating adorable stuffed bears (see them in a photo in our coverage of last week’s WSOM) for the raffle. There’s preshow entertainment this week, too – singer/songwriter Jeremy Serwer. The movie’s on at dusk, which will be around 8:45 pm this time. WSB is proud to be the WS Outdoor Movies media sponsor again this year; see you there!
Thanks to WSB’er “Smokeycretin9” for photos of, and an update on, the road work that’s been under way since Thursday on SW Roxbury in the 23rd-24th vicinity (mentioned again today in our daily traffic/transit tracker). He says it appears this work, described by SDOT only as replacement of a concrete panel in the road, will take care of the notorious “bump” in the area. But in the meantime, the work’s scheduled to continue until 5 or so, and he says “Roxbury is down to one lane for both directions with flaggers directing traffic. Traffic is backing up into White Center going West and past Safeway going East.” So if you’re heading that way, you might consider an alternate route.
(May WSB photo of 48th/Charlestown site)
The Seattle City Council’s Parks and Neighborhoods Committee, chaired by Councilmember Sally Bagshaw, has just OK’d the plan for the city to buy the greenspace at 48th/Charlestown with money including part of the second round of spending from the Parks and Green Spaces Levy‘s Opportunity Fund. We first reported the proposal back in May; here’s the project list that went to the committee today, with a full-council vote next. No final price tags are attached, but $400,000 was mentioned for this site back in May, and Parks staffers told councilmembers today that matching funds will be available to help with final purchase prices for this and other Opportunity Fund acquisitions.
Two weeks after the incident reported here in which a loose dog bit a man and dog in the North Delridge area, we have some followup information.
First, the bitten dog’s owner, Chandra, says her dog Katie (photo at right is from before the attack) has required more surgery for problems including nerve damage to her face. Chandra’s dad has recovered, although hand-swelling persisted. He and Katie were out for a walk when they spotted the loose dog, Chandra said, and while he tried to get home to avoid it, the dog followed them up the stairs to Katie’s house.
The dog’s owner wasn’t known when we published our first story, but has since been located; Chandra says the owner turned out to live fairly close by. So now, the question is, what happens to the owner and the dog? We’ve continued talking with Seattle Animal Shelter‘s Ann Graves. She says the owner will be cited for the bites – a $269 fine – and for a leash-law violation, a $54 fine.
The dog was quarantined for 10 days at SAS but is no longer at the shelter, Graves told WSB. She does not know its current whereabouts, but stresses that the investigation is continuing, and any other potential sanctions or decisions would depend on factors such as any history involving the dog, the incident’s circumstances, and the owner’s wishes.
Continuing to spotlight some of what’s ahead, while also tracking what’s happening today – The Seattle Chinese Garden on Puget Ridge wants to make sure you know about its Kite Festival tomorrow (Saturday, August 10), 2-6 pm:
Come fly a kite at the Garden’s ridge-top site! Bring your own or buy one at the festival for a fun afternoon with family or friends. Activities for all ages include kite flying demonstrations, competitions, and kite painting. Put your own creative stamp on one you paint yourself — materials provided.
The festival also includes music and dance performances and a demonstration of eagle painting by artist George Yiqiao of Luoyang, China. Everyone will find something to enjoy at the festival, including refreshments such as Chinese bakery treats and tea.
The garden is on the north side of the South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor) campus at 6000 16th SW.
Out of the WSB inbox, from a reader who doesn’t want to be identified – word of an apparent burglary attempt interrupted at 47th and Charlestown:
My 7 year old son was sitting on the couch and happened to look up to see 3 men staring in our living room window. Here is the description via my son: All three men had “tanned” skin, but not super dark and were wearing blue jean shorts. The oldest, possibly in his late 20s wore a blue shirt. The other two were late teens, one in an orange shirt and the other in a green shirt with a muscular build. When they saw my son, they looked very surprised and fled down our driveway. This all happened while I was in the shower downstairs on basement level. All I heard was our two dogs going nuts – which is pretty normal . I had a look around outside and it appears that they were attempting to break into my outbuilding, adjacent to our house. We presume there was a 4th person doing this. Police have been notified and are supposed to come take a report. Just wanted to make area neighbors aware and to be on the lookout.
(WSB photo from May 1st collision investigation on East Marginal Way)
Early warning of an important event, in light of not just the deadly May 1st bicycle/truck collision, but ongoing concerns: Both West Seattle Bike Connections and the Port of Seattle have shared this announcement of a Bike/Truck Safety Fair four weeks from today:
Friday, September 6
6:30 am to 8:30 amTerminal 25 | Map
3225 East Marginal WayShare the road safely! Join the Port of Seattle and our partners for an opportunity to learn about truck blind spots and the challenges bicyclists and truck drivers face each day as they share Seattle’s busy roads.
Featuring
Bike – truck “blind spot” simulation
Truck ride-along
Helpful safety information
Free continental breakfast
More information from WSBC, here.
Meantime, following up on the two-bicycle collision earlier this week, we’re working to get an update from SDOT on the status of planned improvements in the area.
(Thanks to Craig Young for the eagle photo, from the Admiral District on Wednesday)
Unlike last Friday – we have the sun with us for today/tonight – and these highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
ALKI FUN FEST: Games, prizes, more family fun at Alki Community Center, 5-7 pm (with a charge for wristbands) – details on the Special Events page of the summer brochure for local parks/community centers. (5817 SW Stevens)
SUMMER CONCERTS AT THE MOUNT: The series opener moved indoors last week – tonight, the regular outdoor venue on the south side of the Providence Mount St. Vincent (WSB sponsor) campus should be the perfect spot for the second of four free Friday night concerts! Convergence Zone Bluegrass Band performs at 6 pm; free snow cones and popcorn; and if you’re interested in dinner (optional, on sale at 5:30 pm), see tonight’s menu here. (4831 35th SW)
‘GUYS AND DOLLS’: 7:30 pm, second weekend begins for Twelfth Night Productions‘ “Guys and Dolls” at the West Seattle High School Theater; details in the listing. (3000 California SW)
‘ONCE UPON A MATTRESS’: Cheer for the young performers in this summer’s ArtsWest conservatory production, 7:30 pm, details in our calendar listing. (4711 California SW)
LEO GUNN: Performing at The Cask, 8 pm. (2350 California SW)
FLAT 5: Billed as the “all-time most-requested band” at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), they’re there tonight starting at 9:30 pm. (6451 California SW)
And as always, you’ll find even more listed on the calendar!
(WSB photo from last year’s Breathe Deep Seattle 5K)
Last reminder – tomorrow’s the next benefit 5K run/walk in our area, Breathe Deep Seattle, benefiting the LUNGevity Foundation, which fights lung cancer. It’s in Lincoln Park, with check-in/last-minute registration starting at 8:30 am Saturday, a program with guest speakers at 9 am, the timed 5K and untimed walk/fun run at 9:30, closing ceremony at 11. If you are already registered and want to pick up your race T-shirt early, you can do that at West Seattle Runner (California/Charlestown; WSB sponsor) between 5-7:30 pm tonight. (P.S. If you missed our recent look ahead to all the 5K’s in West Seattle scheduled before year’s end – five of them including BDS – see it here.)
(Live view from the west-facing WS Bridge camera; other cameras are on the WSB Traffic page)
Happy Friday! The SDOT Construction Lookahead says the work on Roxbury between 23rd and 24th – replacing a concrete panel – is expected to continue all day today, 9 am-5 pm. Looking ahead to the weekend – here’s the citywide lineup of events that might affect traffic.
We received this earlier this week from Kent and Parris Sadow, proprietors of Atomic Boys in the Admiral District. They wondered if we might share the vignette about what happened to their son Monday:
Our 16 year old was skateboarding home when he fell hard. Just by chance, a Seattle police officer happened to see him fall. The officer took the time to stop his car and check on our son, checking for any real injuries, and even asking concussion related questions. Once he determined that nothing more serious than a banged-up elbow resulted, the officer still then insisted on giving our son a ride back to his friend’s house nearby to clean up his elbow.
I wish we knew the officer’s name, but unfortunately our son did not notice. Maybe if he sees this on the West Seattle Blog he will get our thanks. We always hear of typical police activity, but this was to us above and beyond the normal, and just genuinely really nice.
Glad to start Friday with some “nice.”
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