day : 09/08/2015 9 results

Three West Seattle Crime Watch notes tonight:

(WSB photo, April 2013)

VERDICT IN CHARLESTOWN/AVALON SHOOTING: More than two years after two men were shot in an exchange of gunfire during a robbery attempt at Charlestown and Avalon, the would-be robber has been found guilty of two charges, first-degree assault and first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm, according to King County Superior Court documents. Juan Garcia-Mendez was 19 years old when he shot, and was shot by, then-27-year-old Rick Powell, who he targeted while Powell was taking a break during a driving-for-hire shift. Garcia-Mendez had gotten out of prison in Yakima just four days earlier, and that fact represented “special circumstances” in the verdict. Powell was a musician as well as a driver, and friends and fans organized multiple benefits during and after the two-plus weeks he spent in the hospital. Garcia-Mendez is scheduled for sentencing on September 11th; he’s been in jail since the day after the shooting in April 2013. (Thanks to the tipster who let us know about the verdict; the case had so many delays over the two-plus years, it had fallen off our watch list.)

BREAK-IN ATTEMPT: Photo and report received via text (206-293-5302 any time) today:

As we were walking back in to our apartment building this morning, we noticed that the doorknob had been damaged and that there were fresh scratches on the metal guard. It looks like someone tried to pry their way into our building overnight. People in the area should make sure they’re keeping their doors/cars locked up! We are at Andover and California.

Yes, they reported it to police.

MISSING A BICYCLE? Photo and report e-mailed tonight by David:

Is this your bike? Abandoned on sidewalk in front of my property near the intersection of Frontenac and 47th…still there. Dropped off this morning by a sketchy looking individual.

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COUNTDOWN: 2 weeks until Alki Beach 5K run/walk to help cancer patients

August 9, 2015 10:38 pm

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| Health | How to help | West Seattle news

(WSB photo from 2014 Alki Beach 5K)

Now just two weeks to go until you can spend a little time doing a lot of good by being part of the Alki Beach 5K on Sunday morning, August 23rd. It’s presented by West Seattleite-founded Northwest Hope and Healing. NWH&H deals with the fact that everyday life and its expenses go on even as patients deal with the shock and challenges of being diagnosed with and treated for cancer:

Your dollars support the NW Hope & Healing Patient Assistance Fund! Proceeds support the Healing Programs of NW Hope & Healing Foundation and help women who are fighting breast and gynecologic cancer in the Puget Sound area. For that reason we encourage all participants to set a $100 minimum fundraising goal. Although fundraising is not required, we hope you will join us in providing basic needs to women who are battling cancer. $25 provides a Healing Basket, $50 can buy groceries, $100 can keep the lights on and the phone connected, $250 may ensure childcare during treatment and recovery, and $500 can help prevent an eviction.

The Alki Beach 5K starts from the Alki Bathhouse vicinity (60th/Alki) at 9 am on the 23rd (and closes the road for a few hours); you can register online right now by going here. (Note that kids under 6 are free, and NWH&H adds, “Strollers and friendly dogs on leash are welcome.”)

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West Seattle scene: City Serve spruces up Sanislo Elementary

August 9, 2015 8:05 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle religion | West Seattle schools

More community-volunteer TLC for Sanislo Elementary. Principal Bruce Rhodes shares the photos and report:

City Serve West Seattle, a group of West Seattle churches, partnered to beautify Sanislo Elementary School. The churches came Saturday, August 1st, and painted the kindergarten areas, the hallways, and the gym in bright yellow.

Additionally, the group completed cleaning up the grounds work!

Bruce Rhodes, Principal, and the Staff and Students at Sanislo are appreciative of the gift that City Serve has given to make our school a more pleasant place to learn.

This was one of four locations around West Seattle visited by church volunteers from the City Serve group that day. (We would be happy to add information crediting the full list of participating churches if someone directly involved e-mails us – editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!)

ADDED TUESDAY: Thanks to Kathie for adding that list in comments:

Over 200 people volunteered from 10 West Seattle area churches at Roxhill and Sanislo Elementary Schools, White Center Food Bank and the West Duwamish Greenbelt Trail. Faith Communities involved were: All Souls, Bethany West Seattle, Grace Church, Hope Lutheran, New City Church, Skate Church, Trinity West Seattle, Union Gospel Mission, West Side Presbyterian, and Young Life West Seattle.

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Celebration of life next Sunday for Robert Markley, 1918-2015

August 9, 2015 6:39 pm

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| Obituaries | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

A celebration of life is planned one week from today for Bob Markley, whose family is sharing this remembrance:

Robert “Bob” Markley, born in Montrose, Colorado, on March 2, 1918, passed away peacefully on July 30, 2015 – a full 97 years of life.

Bob grew up in the Richmond Highlands, graduated from Lincoln High School in 1936, and rose to Chief Petty Officer in the U.S. Navy during World War II. After serving as the cook at the Perry Institute in Yakima, he settled in West Seattle, where he was an over-the-counter butcher, real-estate agent, tugboat cook, and public-health inspector. His passion was remodeling old homes, including the three he provided for his family. His diligence, tenacity, and enthusiasm conquered every challenge (including a midlife paralysis), making lifelong friends and acquaintances along the way.

Bob is survived by Bette, his wife of 72 years; his daughter Shannon, his sons Scott (Sally) and David (Jeanne), and his grandson Galen.

A celebration of his life will be held at The Kenney (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW) on Sunday, August 16, 2015, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts to The Kenney Foundation for the Resident Care Fund, 7125 Fauntleroy Way SW, Seattle, WA 98136-2008.

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

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12 days until 34th District Democrats’ Garden Party dinner/auction

August 9, 2015 4:36 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

Our area’s biggest political organization is returning to the lakeside TAF Bethaday Community Space for its biggest fundraiser. The 34th District Democrats are advertising their annual Garden Party dinner/auction on WSB to help get the word out – it’s set for 6 pm Friday, August 21st, and since it’s the 20th annual Garden Party, the theme is “Roaring Twenties,” complete with costume contest. The latest list of items donated for the silent and live auctions includes a football bearing Seahawks star Russell Wilson‘s autograph, a wine-country retreat in Napa, a train trip to Portland with weekend lodging, and one year of having West 5‘s legendary mac and cheese once a month. Garden Party’ers will be entertained by the Casey MacGill Duo. If you haven’t been to the Bethaday Community Learning Space, it’s in White Center’s wooded Lakewood Park, which is home to Hicklin Lake. Garden Party tickets are on sale now online – find the link here.

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Reader report: Reason for discolored water in Arbor Heights, and what to do if it happens in your area

August 9, 2015 1:58 pm

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| Utilities | West Seattle news

Thanks to the texter who wanted to share what they’ve found out about brown water at their home near 40th SW and SW 106th in Arbor Heights: Seattle Fire’s been out testing hydrants, according to what a Seattle Public Utilities rep told the resident when they called to ask. Also: “They said the problem will resolve itself in three to eight hours. They said, don’t attempt to flush your own pipes for a few hours, as that will make the problem worse.” Every so often, someone asks us about a situation like this, and if they haven’t already checked with SPU, we point them to this excellent link that explains possible causes and what to/what not to do – worth saving in case this happens in your area.

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West Seattle weekend scene: Obliteride 150-milers riding through

August 9, 2015 1:18 pm

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| Seen around town | West Seattle news

If you’ve noticed bicyclists with numbered bibs riding northbound and eastbound along the West Seattle shoreline today – they’re finishing the longest route of the cancer-research-fundraising Obliteride, its two-day, 150-mile route. Many are pausing at a rest stop at the Marshall Reserve greenspace on Duwamish Head:

Obliteride also offered 10-, 25-, 50-, and 100-mile routes, all starting from Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (which presents and benefits from Obliteride) and finishing at Gas Works Park. The 150-mile route was the only one going through this area. In all, organizers say more than 1,000 people are participating in Obliteride this year.

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Five ways to spend part of the rest of your West Seattle Sunday

August 9, 2015 10:11 am

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| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Black-throated gray warbler, photographed by Mark Wangerin)

Good morning! Five highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: On until 2 pm, today and every Sunday! In the middle of California SW, between Oregon and Alaska.

ALKI POINT LIGHTHOUSE TOURS: If you haven’t taken a tour yet this summer … maybe today’s the day, with just a few weekends left. 1 pm-4 pm, with last tour starting at 3:40 pm. No admission charge; US Coast Guard Auxiliary volunteers are your guides. (3201 Alki SW)

SAVING LOG STRUCTURES: As previewed here last night, log-structure preservationist David Rogers will be at the Southwest Seattle Historical Society’s Log House Museum – for which he led the restoration – for a 2 pm demonstration (61st & Stevens), and will speak at a no-host dinner fundraiser at West 5 (4539 California SW).

‘INTO THE WOODS’: 3 pm matinee for Twelfth Night Productions‘ musical “Into the Woods“. At the West Seattle High School Theater. (3000 California SW)

GREEN SPACES COALITION: The group that started in West Seattle and went citywide, to advocate for more greenspace/open-space preservation as the city grows, meets at 3 pm at Southwest Library. (35th & Henderson)

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PHOTOS/VIDEO: Art in the air over the river with Tanya Brno’s stunning show for Duwamish Revealed

August 9, 2015 3:03 am

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| West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

The multi-site art exploration Duwamish Revealed took its interpretation of the intersection of nature and industry to new heights Saturday night:

(WSB photos/video)
It began with a man-made moonrise over the Duwamish River after Saturday’s sunset – a moon created by Yuri Kinoshita, raised from the deck of a barge, suspended from a crane donated by Pacific Pile and Marine. From within the moon emerged West Seattle aerialist Tanya Brno:

On the river’s muddy eastern shore, where some audience members sat, below others on logs and rocks, Coast Salish flutist and storyteller Paul “Che oke ten” Wagner played the haunting music to which Brno flew and spun:

You can hear him play in our phone video recorded toward the start of the show:

Before long, Brno was lowered to the river’s surface, where the accomplished aerial artist appeared to walk on water:

Her mesmerizing movement continued until she was lifted back into the moon, which then “set” onto the barge deck:

The aerial performance titled “Tangyo“ followed songs performed by the Duwamish Riverside People’s Chorus, open to anyone who answered the call to join musician Anne Mathews for a rehearsal by the river earlier in the day:

The venue for all this was what Duwamish Revealed has dubbed The Estuary (4651 Diagonal Ave. S.) While this was a one-time performance, more music and dance are ahead next weekend during the Water Festival at Duwamish Waterway Park in South Park, plus dragon-boat racing and Mexican masked wrestling by Lucha Libre Volcanica – the schedule is here. And the Duwamish Revealed installations are there for you to see any time – explore them via this map, and see our previous coverage here and here. Duwamish Revealed, a project of ECOSS (the Environmental Coalition of South Seattle) led by artistic directors Sarah Kavage and Nicole Kistler, continues through September.