West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
Almost two years after 35-year-old Travis Hood (left) was shot and killed outside Morgan Junction Park, his accused killer, 
69-year-old Lovett Chambers (right), is about to go on trial. Tomorrow (Monday, January 6th) is the official start date, though opening statements might not happen for more than a week. According to the official assignment made this past Friday, King County Superior Court Judge Theresa Doyle will preside over the trial, starting Monday morning with motions.
As reported here last August, the charge against Chambers has been reduced to second-degree murder; the original charge filed days after the shooting was first-degree murder. We have been following the case as it proceeded through the system for these many months. Court documents say Chambers contends he acted in self-defense, saying that Hood and his friend, who had been at the nearby Feedback Lounge at the same time he was, were making racial slurs, and that Hood tried to get into his car. Chambers was arrested at his Gatewood home one hour after the shooting; police were given his name quickly because he was a regular at the bar.
Chambers’ case also is described in numerous documents as pursuing a “post-traumatic stress disorder” defense. Some of the most recent court filings involve arguments over whether statements that Chambers made to police the night of the shooting can be admitted as evidence. The court calendar has set aside a month for the trial. Prosecuting Attorney’s Office spokesperson Dan Donohoe tells WSB that jury selection is expected to begin after a few days of motion hearings, and an estimated two weeks of testimony will follow that.
(Photo by Luke Garlock)
Two students from Chief Sealth International High School were among students from around the city honored at a Seattle Center ceremony today, according to Sealth PTSA president Ted Reed:
Every year, Chief Sealth participates in the national Reflections Program, a National PTA and WSPTA cultural arts competition.
The purpose is to provide an opportunity for students to use their creative talents by expressing themselves through their own original works.
Believe, Dream, Inspire, is the 2013-14 Reflections program theme.
Nine students from CSIHS submitted photographs and for the first time ever, a Sealth student has advanced to the state level of competition.
Congratulations to Lucas Garlock for placing as a finalist with ‘Geographic Girl.’ (top photo)
Also: Allison Steele has been recognized with an honorable mention for her photograph, ‘Reflecting on Reflections.’ (below)
Congrats to Lucas, Allison, and all the students who participated.
Heartfelt thanks to Sarah Martin, Art/CTE Teacher and Lori Douglas, Dean of Students, for promoting and advocating for our students.
It’s made headlines, but are you wondering about details of how the health-care-reform rollout is going in our state? It’s on the agenda for the first 2014 meeting of our area’s largest political group, the 34th District Democrats, this Wednesday. From the group’s chair Marcee Stone-Vekich:
Our program focuses on the rollout of the Affordable Care Act in Washington state. Our panelists will give us a progress report on the rollout: how we’re doing compared to other states, website issues, who’s joining, and the future ahead. Moderated by Lisa Plymate, M.D., Washington State Director, Doctors for America; Copello Fellow, National Physicians Alliance, and State Committeewoman for the 34th LD Democrats. With panelists: Emily Brice, J.D., Senior Health Policy Advisor at the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner; Janet Varon, J.D., Executive Director of Northwest Health Law Advocates (NoHLA,); non-profit consumer health-advocacy organization, and coordinator of Healthy Washington Coalition’s Low-Income Populations Workgroup; and Representative Eileen Cody, Chair of the Healthcare and Wellness Committee in the State Legislature.
Rep. Cody will also join 34th District State Sen. Sharon Nelson, now the Senate’s Democratic leader, for a legislative update, and the 34th DDs will present their annual awards to Bill Schrier (Lifetime Achievement Award) and Cecilia Palao Vargas (PCO of the Year). The meeting starts at 7 pm at The Hall @ Fauntleroy (9131 California SW).
The revised design proposal is now public for the first of seven projects going before the Southwest Design Review Board in the next month and a half — 3078 SW Avalon Way, 102 apartments and 60 parking spaces (in a zone that does not require any), scheduled for review on January 16th. The neighbors north/northeast of the project, in the single-family neighborhood mostly along 32nd SW, have been intensely involved in the process of vetting this building, with big turnouts at both preceding meetings, in September 2012 (WSB coverage here) and in November 2013 (WSB coverage here), and forming an advocacy group. The new “packet” – which you can see in its entirety here – says 3078 Avalon is now proposed to be three feet shorter than previously proposed, and: “The courtyard has been redesigned and increased privacy and interest have been added at the street level, as well as facing the single-family neighbors.” The 3078 Avalon review is first up in another doubleheader, 6:30 pm January 16th, at the Senior Center of West Seattle (California/Oregon).
12:18 PM: Whale-watching alert on this sunny Sunday: Orcas are back in central Puget Sound and headed southbound past West Seattle – Trileigh Tucker just called from Lincoln Park, where she has them in view.
12:33 PM: Donna Sandstrom from The Whale Trail just called with an update; she’s also watching the orcas from Lincoln Park and says they are headed “slowly south” – they’re now south of the Fauntleroy-Vashon ferry lane.
ADDED EARLY MONDAY: Alisa Lemire Brooks, expert whale-watcher and photographer, shared this video via the Orca Network Facebook page, from the Sunday visit:
Until the fate of Seattle City Light‘s surplus ex-substations is decided, tree-cutting in the name of “cleanups” must stop, says the West Seattle Green Space Coalition.
Two weeks ago, a reader tip led us to report on tree-cutting at one of those sites, the former Andover substation at 21st/Andover. Reader comments also revealed something similar at the Dumar ex-substation, 16th/Holden. The WSGSC has put together before/after views of both sites. First, Pigeon Point:
Then, Dumar:
City Light told us the tree-cutting had to do with cleaning up contamination and that at least three other sites were slated for cleanup work. The Pigeon Point specifics are in our December story; regarding Dumar, SCL’s Lynn Best told us, “This is similar to the other site, Andover. The pesticides dieldrin and DDT were found at levels above (Model Toxics Control Act) cleanup levels. PCB levels below MTCA cleanup levels were found around the concrete pad. The vegetation removal was done in preparation for the cleanup.”
Here’s the news release from the WSGSC:
Ignoring neighborhood and West Seattle Green Space Coalition requests, and apparently without a directive from the Seattle City Council, in mid-December, Seattle City Light chopped down all the trees at the Pigeon Point former substation site and the Dumar former substation site.
West Seattle Green Space Coalition is demanding that Seattle City Light halt removal of plants and trees at its former substations in West Seattle. These sites contain mature vegetation, including significant trees, which are important to healthy neighborhoods. Established, green spaces are being destroyed with no plan to balance out the loss of these green spaces. Although these are only a few small parcels in West Seattle, they have been open, green habitat. The destruction of these longstanding spaces is detrimental to West Seattle. These sites are providing a small but significant balance to major high density development which is taking place in West Seattle.
(Photo courtesy Erik Nachtrieb)
A new chapter in the saga of West Seattle’s “Archer Addy,” the young champion whose story we brought you back in August. She’s now the subject of an in-the-works series of books, and the team is seeking a young artist to add images to the words:
West Seattleite and author/producer Erik Nachtrieb is looking for a youth illustrator, 8-17 years old, to illustrate for the Archer Addy chapter book series. The first book in the series is completed, in text form, and with the editor.
“The real-life adventures of the Archer Addy book series follow Addison (Archer Addy), a 9-year-old girl determined to enter a man’s sport and become a World Champion target archer in the midst of balancing homework, friends, her sister, and parents. Written on the positive themes of dreams, determination and self reliance, Archer Addy, in her own voice, brings the 8-12 year-old reader into her experiences and inspires them to think differently, try new things, and never give up.”
The Archer Addy series is written from the voice and experiences of Addy, who is a real-life West Seattleite and competitive target archer. We, the Archer Addy Book Team, feel utilizing a child from greater Seattle to illustrate the book would keep within tone and message of the book. We are hoping to find a young person with the same passion and drive for art as the character Archer Addy has for archery.
If you are between 8-18 years old, please have your parents contact us at: 1iOpenProductions@gmail.com. We will then deliver you a few excerpts from the book along with illustration titles from which you can derive inspiration for your drawings.
Further details ahead:
Read More
(Male bufflehead near Alki Point at sunset, photo by Danny McMillin, shared via WSB Flickr group)
One last day before everything gets back up to full post-holiday speed, with classes resuming Monday at Seattle Public Schools (and most independent schools). So we hope you will have a restful Sunday. If you’re looking for something to do – some options:
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: New vendors today, market managers say – Farmbox Greens, Eaglemount Cider, Terra Fleurs, and Palmera Naturals (headed by West Seattle entrepreneur Maria Esztergalyos). 10 am-2 pm. (44th/Admiral)
WEST SEATTLE ULTIMATE FAMILY FRISBEE: 11 am at Walt Hundley Playfield in High Point – should be a sunny if chilly morning to get out and play! Find out more about the league via its Facebook page. (31st/Myrtle)
PROBIOTICS SAMPLING: 11 am-2 pm at Metropolitan Market-Admiral (WSB sponsor) – details in our calendar listing. (41st/42nd/Admiral Way)
REMODELING EXPO: If you’re going to this big event that’s in its third and final day today at the Convention Center downtown, 11 am-5:30 pm, look for West Seattle firms including three WSB sponsors – Ventana Construction (booth 313), Potter Construction (booth 518), and NCompass Construction (booth 811).
LIVE MUSIC AT C & P: Roo and the Few perform at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 3-5 pm. (5612 California SW)
ROLLER DERBY – FOR SKATERS, NOT SPECTATORS: New program starting at Southwest Teen Life Center, Sundays and Tuesdays – details here. (2801 SW Thistle)
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