day : 22/09/2013 10 results

A new West Seattle-wide effort to preserve and advocate for open space – as a balance to “high-density development” – is in its formative stage, we learned from Genesee-Schmitz Neighborhood Council reps tabling outside the Farmers’ Market today.

The spark is the current Seattle City Light process to decide the fate of former substation sites, including six West Seattle properties. GSNC is advocating in particular for the open-space prospects of the one at 49th and Dakota. But they believe the entire multi-site process should be put on hold until the community has a chance to try to rally resources to keep at least some of the sites as open space. Today, they were collecting signatures on a petition asking City Light and the City Council to delay decisions until at least 2015. And they’re forming the West Seattle Green Space Coalition to advance this cause and related issues – here’s how it was explained atop the petition sheets:

There are two dates coming up soon that you’ll want to make note of, if you’re interested in fighting for green space:

-Next Saturday (September 28th), a formation meeting for the Green Space Coalition, 4:30 pm. (We’re verifying the location and will update the story with final word – update, High Point Branch Library, 35th/Raymond.)

-October 2nd, 6:30 pm at High Point Community Center, the official city public hearing on the ex-substation sites’ fate. (Here’s what GSNC wrote about this earlier.)

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Update: Weather clears in time for Alice’s equinox sunset watch

September 22, 2013 6:27 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

6:27 PM: Alice says the weather is good enough, she’s changed her mind and fall equinox sunset watch is back on! Get over to Solstice Park (uphill behind the tennis courts across from the gas station north of Lincoln Park).

7:42 PM: We got there right around sunset – clouds obscured the sun, but a bit of color still splashed the sky. Alice’s daughter (with mom, below) had the whole world in her hands:

This was her 18th solstice/equinox-sunset watch at the park, where particular stones are set to mark the spots that should be in line with the equinox/solstice sunsets. In case you lost track – fall officially arrived at 1:44 pm our time, and up on the hillside, the chilly breeze was quite seasonal.

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In search of … Fauntleroy Elementary School Class of 1963

September 22, 2013 5:20 pm

| 9 COMMENTS

| Fauntleroy | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Got word today that the Class of 1963 from Fauntleroy Elementary School – that’s the historic schoolhouse that is now a community center – is planning a 50-year class reunion. Organizers want to hear from interested alums; if that’s you, contact claudinelytle@yahoo.com or linda@seanet.com.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Stolen car; found knife; road rage

September 22, 2013 5:05 pm

| 26 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Extra edition of West Seattle Crime Watch this afternoon, since we try to get auto-theft reports out relatively quickly. From Josh:

My 1997 Honda Accord was stolen from 2000 block of SW Trenton ST right behind Staples between the hours of 830 pm last night (9/21/13) and this afternoon (9/22/13). It is a forest green Accord and the passenger side door handle is half broken off and there is a green Mesa Verde National Park parking sticker that’s about 1.5×1.5 inches on the left bottom front windshield. License plate ALC6772.

Call 911 if you see it.

Ahead, a road-rage incident reported to police, and a knife found in The Junction (stolen? lost? maybe you know):

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Happening now: Seattle Police Mounted Patrol’s first Open House

September 22, 2013 3:35 pm

| 6 COMMENTS

| Highland Park | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

(Officer Wollberg on Jet)
After the Seattle Police Mounted Patrol found itself in danger of being put out to budget-cut pasture a few years back – rescued with community support rounded up by the Seattle Police Foundation – they realized that for some in the city, their existence was a too-well-kept secret. They’re based here in West Seattle, and even here, many didn’t know about them. So today’s first-ever open house, presented by the foundation, is an attempt to change that – with riding demonstrations and some behind-the-scenes views:

And it was clear even before we saw the elbow-to-elbow crowd in the arena, the event is a hit:

It’s not only the horses and humans who are the attraction –

A different kind of horsepower is also on view –

That’s the famous classic SPD 1970 Plymouth Satellite, often seen at events – read all about it here. But back to the horses – as the SPF website rallying support for them points out, SPD has had a Mounted Patrol for more than a century. Get a firsthand look until 5 pm today – their HQ is just inside the 8600 8th SW entrance to Westcrest Park (look for the Mounted Patrol-labeled police car marking the entrance).

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West Seattle weekend scenes: Another look at the orcas

September 22, 2013 2:37 pm

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| Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Wildlife

Here on this rainy Sunday afternoon, we have a few more views from the sunny Saturday afternoon whale-watching that so many were able to do – Top, Betsy Bertiaux shares her view from a kayak; next, Trileigh Tucker caught several whales and the research vessel that was checking them out:

Next, shared via the Orca Network‘s Facebook page, Alisa Lemire Brooks‘ video of the whales before they got here – when they were still to the north – she says they’re from K and L pods:

And one more of our photos showing the whale watchers at Emma Schmitz Memorial Overlook on Beach Drive:

If you missed the photos we published yesterday, along with running updates on the whales’ whereabouts – see them here.

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Teen volunteers show up to join Walking on Logs cleanup

September 22, 2013 12:59 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| How to help | West Seattle news

Jake George and Jasper Wyman, Chief Sealth International High School students, showed up to help out with one of Saturday’s community-powered cleanups, at and around the Walking on Logs sculptures at the Fauntleroy end of the West Seattle Bridge. “They did a serious amount of weed-whacking,” says Nancy Driver, who shared the photos:

Nancy says she and the Walking On Logs Landscape Restoration Group – who comprised the rest of the volunteer turnout – REALLY appreciated their help, and want to say a big, public THANKS!

Something you might notice next time you drive past the site – the WOL sign “got a good scrubbing yesterday and is now much brighter and more readable, thanks to Sharonn Meeks,” Nancy adds:

That’s Sharonn at left, and Deb Barker in the background pulling invasive morning-glory vines. Overall, Nancy summarizes, “We filled one bag with trash and around 15 bags of plant waste. Others at the cleanup were Jim and Dee Dean and Steven Butts.” The WOL area is volunteer-maintained and can use a lot more help, especially from those who use it for promotions; to get involved with the restoration/maintenance effort, contact Nancy at nldriver@q.com.

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Funeral Mass on Wednesday for Deacon Ted Wiese, 1929-2013

September 22, 2013 12:21 pm

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| Obituaries | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

A funeral Mass is planned at Holy Family this Wednesday morning for 84-year-old Theodore (Ted) John Wiese:

Ted went home to the Lord 9-19-13 at the age of 84. Born in Woodburn, OR in 1929, he married Doris Marie Prinslow on October 2, 1954, after being honorably discharged as a corporal from the Marine Corps and attending OSU. He retired from The Boeing Company after 26 years and was ordained to the Diaconate, serving the Archdiocese of Seattle for the past 24 years at Holy Family Parish, White Center.

He is survived by his wife Doris, sister Jeanette Moore, his children Connie (Richard) Sanders, Larry Wiese, Greg Wiese, Julie (Bruce) Hanson, Lisa (Karl) Hansen, Tom (Wendy) Wiese, Margaret (Jeff Haack) Wiese, and Paul Wiese, 10 grandchildren, and 1 great grandchild. Mass of the Christian Burial will be at Holy Family Church, Seattle at 11:00 am September 25. To leave an online condolence, please visit Yaringtons.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ted’s memory to Catholic Community Services or Holy Family Parish.

(WSB publishes obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Stolen stroller; where the burglars are

September 22, 2013 10:44 am

| 11 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

In this West Seattle Crime Watch roundup: First, we mentioned this on our partner site White Center Now last night, but in case the stolen stroller turns up on this side of the line:

(Saturday night) around 7:15-7:30 pm, our family was eating at Proletariat Pizza in White Center. Our orange and brown BOB single stroller was stolen. Our family is sad, as we use it every day. If found please return to Proletariat Pizza; they know how to contact us.

-Highland Park Family

Next – Anne e-mailed this report last night:

Our neighbors on 8300 block of 39th ave SW were broken into (Friday). Their computers were stolen, hence my post as their neighbor. Police were called and fingerprints were taken. It was during daylight hours. We must all be aware of our surroundings. These break-ins are happening much too frequently.

According to the police-reports map – screen grab at left – that’s one of eight West Seattle burglaries in the past week, through yesterday (the “2” icon denotes a location when the burglary was one of two crimes). That’s West Seattle’s general average (you’ll hear more about crime trends in a story coming up here later today). The other seven burglary locations you see on the map are:

4500 block West Marginal Way SW (Sunday 9/15)

8500 block 37th SW (Sunday 9/15)

8600 block 17th SW (Monday 9/17)

7900 block 32nd SW (Tuesday 9/18)

400 block SW Cloverdale (Thursday 9/19)

6700 block 12th SW (Friday 9/20)

3900 block SW 107th (Friday 9/20)

One more reader report: And Deborah sent this short report: “Car burglary Jack Block Park, Thurs. 3:30 pm, of a teal GMC truck. Any witnesses?” (If so, call 911.)

PREVENTING CRIME: Our area’s next crime-prevention meetings are the West Seattle Block Watch Captains’ Network (Tuesday, 6:30 pm, Southwest Precinct) with a presentation about Smart911, and Thursday’s special Fauntleroy Community Association-organized crime-prevention meeting, 6:30 pm ice-cream social, 7 pm meeting (as previewed here), at The Hall at Fauntleroy.

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West Seattle Sunday: Recycle Roundup; SPD Mounted Patrol open house; poker, bingo benefits; Autumn Equinox…

September 22, 2013 9:00 am

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| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Added 10:23 am: Rainbow over Alki, shared by Donna Riddick – thanks!)
Latest forecast still includes an alert for blustery conditions later. But in the meantime … from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

(WSB photo added 10 am: 1 Green Planet crew setting up for Recycle Roundup; info below)
RECYCLE ROUNDUP: Fauntleroy Church‘s twice-a-year Recycle Roundup is on, until 3 pm. 1 Green Planet is there to fill trucks with the recyclables you can’t just leave at the curb; see the list of what they’re accepting on the church website. (9140 California SW)

SALES! 9 am-5 pm, one more full day for the tent sale at Pacific Plumbing Supply (WSB sponsor) in Highland Park continues its annual tent sale (7115 W. Marginal Way SW) … Then 10 am-2 pm today, it’s “Sale Day” at the year-round West Seattle Farmers’ Market. (44th and Alaska)

MOUNTED PATROL OPEN HOUSE: Come meet the Seattle Police Mounted Patrol horses and humans at their first-ever open house. Their HQ is on the east side of Westcrest Park in Highland Park, and you’re welcome to visit between 1-5 pm, demonstrations at 2 & 4 (follow that link for driving/parking instructions, too). Rain or shine – it’ll be happening at their COVERED facility. (Entrance at 8600 8th SW)

CARDS FOR THE KIDS: West Seattle Junior Football‘s benefit Texas Hold-Em poker tournament at the Heartland Café/Benbow Room in The Admiral District, 3 pm – cash prizes, no-host bar. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

WEST SEATTLE COOKING CLUB: This time, the theme is Greek – cook up some Greek food and bring it to Beveridge Place Pub to share during the WSCC‘s meeting starting at 3 pm. (6419 California SW)

MUSIC AND COFFEE: Erika Lundahl performs this afternoon at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 3-5 pm. (5612 California SW)

BINGO BENEFIT: At the Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) starting at 5 pm, it’s a new round of “Booze, Balls, and Bingo,” drag bingo raising money for nonprofits, this time including animal advocates who will have adoptable dogs outside the Feedback during the event – full details in our calendar listing.

UPDATE: The following event is canceled, per Alice, because of the soggy weather.

EQUINOX SUNSET: Fall officially begins at 1:44 pm with the autumnal equinox, which means that – unless the weather is REALLY bad (which it might be – watch here for updates) – Alice Enevoldsen of Alice’s Astro Info (and monthly Skies Over West Seattle reports here), will meet you at Solstice Park east of north Lincoln Park for the sunset – as explained here – starting around 6:30 pm. (7400 Fauntleroy Way SW)

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