day : 09/06/2017 11 results

9:26 PM: First there was a small response looking for something or someone off Beach Drive – now, Seattle Fire is sending a full water-rescue response to the Seacrest vicinity. A fireboat is headed south off Alki Point, according to MarineTraffic.com. We’re headed over to find out more.

9:40 PM: We caught up with SFD just as they were leaving a spot across from Me-Kwa-Mooks, with a fireboat still offshore.

The item they were looking for turned out to be an inflatable that apparently fell off someone’s boat. No one in distress, no one to rescue, everything’s winding down.

10:06 PM: Photos added now that we’re back at HQ.

Share This

FOLLOWUP: See Jesse Link’s finished Admiral mural

June 9, 2017 7:39 pm

| 6 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

A post shared by jesse link (@jesselink50) on Jun 9, 2017 at 4:49pm PDT

Back on Wednesday, we showed you the mural that artist Jesse Link was in the middle of painting on the north side of the Lyman Building on the southwest corner of California/Lander. Via Instagram, he announced it’s complete as of a few hours ago. We’re showing his photo above, since his aerial view is better than ours would be from the ground! This is Link’s third West Seattle mural, after two painted in 2015 at Shack Coffee and at Lofts At The Junction. When we talked to him briefly on Wednesday, he said he’d probably call the new mural “Festoon,” since that’s what it depicts.

Share This

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Car-prowl arrest; theft from work truck; 2 burglaries

June 9, 2017 6:11 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

Four West Seattle Crime Watch reports, plus some crime-prevention advice:

CAR-PROWL SUSPECT ARRESTED: From SPD Blotter, word of an arrest in the Luna Park area late last night:

Officers responded to a report of a man breaking into a red SUV near SW Avalon Way and SW Spokane Street just after 11 p.m. Thursday. Officers arrived in the area and found the 35-year-old suspect sitting inside rummaging through a gym bag. Officers ordered the man out of the vehicle and verified the suspect had already pocketed a GPS unit before he was found sifting through the bag. Officers arrested the suspect and booked him into King County Jail for theft.

STOLEN FROM WORK TRUCK: From Liz:

Overnight between Tuesday 6/6 and Wednesday 6/7 multiple items were taken from the bed of our work truck. The truck was parked on the parking strip just south of our home on 42nd SW & SW 104th. Items missing included a portable air compressor, a sawsall, a Makita drill with impact driver, a set of step drill bits, Channel locks, and a few other misc hand tools. This is a business vehicle and items missing hindered work being done on 6/7 for one of our customers in West Seattle. We are a home based, sole proprietor business that can struggle just to make ends meet during the slower times, as much of our work is seasonal, and we are currently in the slower months.

We’ve requested the police-report number and will add it if/when we get it, in case anyone has found any of the stolen items.

Two burglaries are among a handful of West Seattle incidents with report narratives posted in SPD’s online files – both happened last Sunday:

BUSINESS BREAK-IN: Someone passing a business in the 6500 block of 35th SW around noon called to report its door was open, though the business was usually closed Sundays. Officers discovered the door glass had been pushed out and its frame damaged. They called the owner, who arrived, checked around, and reported that the only thing missing was some change.

HOME BREAK-IN: A resident in the 8400 block of Delridge Way SW told police that a noise awakened him around 10 pm Sunday night but he didn’t think much of it until he discovered in the morning that someone had pried open his basement door, gone into the basement, and used a hammer to try to break into the rest of the house. Police found hammers and a crowbar; the only thing that kept the intruder from getting into the main living area was something pushed up against the door to the basement.

DETERRING BURGLARS: Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Burbridge shares this “bulletin” with home-burglary-deterring advice:

She also invites you to contact her for a free home- or business-safety assessment – jennifer.burbridge@seattle.gov – That’s also the e-mail you can use to get on her mailing list to directly receive bulletins like this one, as well as her monthly newsletter.

Share This

After 31 years as West Seattle High School baseball coach, Velko Vitalich ends a home run of a career

June 9, 2017 2:57 pm

| 9 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

(WSB photo: Baseball coach and 1973 WSHS alum Velko Vitalich)

By Tracy Record and Patrick Sand
West Seattle Blog co-publishers

With a record of 398-256, West Seattle High School baseball coach Velko Vitalich has decided a 31-year career is long enough.

“I really enjoyed this year’s group of kids,” he told WSB in a conversation at WSHS this week. “It was a great way to end it.”

So why stop now?

“As much as I enjoy it …it’s getting harder to do – physically, there’s a lot to do, it’s draining.” He said he sees “good young coaches” at meetings and thinks there’s someone out there to take his place. “I probably do too many things too long,” he laughed, saying he “just had to decide” – and during the season, he did.

It’s only been four years since the most-successful of all those years – when WSHS finished #2 in the state in 2013:

(May 25, 2013, postgame photo by Greg Slader)

The coach keeps track of his alums. Read More

Share This

COUNTDOWN: 8 days to Morgan Junction Community Festival 2017!

June 9, 2017 1:01 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

(WSB photo: Bubbleman at 2015 Morgan Junction festival)

The first big neighborhood festival of summer is now only eight days away – the Morgan Junction Community Festival, in and around Morgan Junction Park, on the west side of California SW just north of Fauntleroy Way, 10 am-5 pm on Saturday, June 17th, presented by the Morgan Community Association. Here are some entertainment and food highlights, from Susan Madrid with the festival-organizing committee:

The music kicks off with the Endolyne Children’s Choir at 10 am. Soyaya, featuring exciting African rhythms, performs at 11:15, right after the Bubbleman (10:30). Gary Benson, local solo guitarist, plays at 12:30. The Brian and Janie Show, rocking out with top 40 dance/pop hits and classics, comes on at 2:15. The music wraps up with Yesod, a three-piece eastern/western string and percussion ensemble, from 4:00 to 5:00.

Food offerings are:

The Tamale Guy, who was very well received last year. They will offer three different fillings, served with their excellent Mexican slaw.

Das Brat Wagen will grill up a variety of German style gourmet dogs, including two kid-friendly items.

Mini the Dough-Nut will be serving cooked-to-order doughnuts with traditional or create-your-own toppings.

Sweet Bumpas Ice Cream, our local ice cream guys, offer 100% homemade ice creams and sorbets with a creative and creamy touch. Flavors are inspired by the seasons and always have a special twist.

West Seattle Thriftway will be grilling burgers in front of the store from around 11 until 3. Proceeds from sales go to funding next year’s festival.

An Italian Ice cart will be set up behind Zeeks Pizza in the vendor area. The rest of the food vendors and eating area will be in the Beveridge Place Pub parking lot.

That’s just part of what you’ll find at the festival – we’ll have more previews next week!

Share This

YOU CAN HELP: TLC for Fairmount Playfield greenbelt

June 9, 2017 12:01 pm

| Comments Off on YOU CAN HELP: TLC for Fairmount Playfield greenbelt

| How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

The photo is from Christine Deppe, volunteer Green Seattle Partnership forest steward for the greenbelt at Fairmount Playfield, where she’s hoping for a few others to join work parties today and tomorrow. They’re mostly working through the summer to remove invasive plants such as ivy and blackberry in the north end of the greenbelt, Christine says, “so the site is ready for the 450 native plants (lots of berries, ferns, flowers, trees, pollinator-friendly brushes) to be planted at work parties in October and November, which is actually the best planting season for Seattle.” She would love to see you there today, 4-6:30 pm (more info here) and/or tomorrow (Saturday), 3:30-6 pm (more info here).

Share This

West Seattle Friday: Dance, listen, tour, walk…

June 9, 2017 10:21 am

| Comments Off on West Seattle Friday: Dance, listen, tour, walk…

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Thanks to Lindsi Griggs for today’s featured photo, a barred owl photographed during a walk along Longfellow Creek last night, near the Louisa Boren STEM K-8 campus. Besides birdwatching, here’s what you can do in West Seattle today/tonight:

LOW TIDE WITH BEACH NATURALISTS: This morning’s low tide (-1.3 feet at 11:39 am) isn’t mega-low, but low enough for some good beach-walking, and the Seattle Aquarium volunteer beach naturalists are out at Constellation and Lincoln Parks, 10 am-1 pm.

WEST SIDE ARTISTS’ STUDIO TOUR: 4-10 pm, tour four local studios – here’s the map and list. (If you can’t do it today/tonight, the tour continues on Saturday!)

(added) VISCON CELLARS’ NEW WINES: Two new wines are being released by Viscon Cellars (WSB sponsor) tonight and tomorrow – “great summer wines, just in time for the sun!” says Ben Viscon. The wines are 2016 Perseverance Viognier and 2016 PORCH Rose’ of Syrah. Pouring 5-9 tonight and 2-7 Saturday. (5910 California SW)

CONCERT AND DANCE: Chief Sealth International High School Jazz Band, Denny International Middle School Jazz Band, and Jazz Underground are all on the bill for a concert and dance tonight in the Sealth Galleria, 6 pm dance lesson, 7 pm concert and open dance floor. Free; donations welcome. (2600 SW Thistle)

JOHN BRAZELL: 7-9 pm, singer/songwriter live at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), performing with Browder Sister. (5612 California SW)

METAL MEN, GUARDIAN ALIEN: 9 pm at Parliament Tavern – don’t miss the description. $5 cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

FOUR BANDS: See The Skylark‘s slate here. 9 pm. $7 cover. 21+. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

P.S. Last day of school for some in our area – see the list in our morning traffic-watch coverage!

Share This

CONGRATULATIONS! Friends of Sealth scholarships for 3 students

June 9, 2017 9:22 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Thanks to Debbie Taylor from the Friends of Sealth Scholarship Committee for the report and photo:

Friends of Sealth (a non-profit organization supporting the 5 A’s of Chief Sealth: Academics, Athletics, Arts, Activities, and Alumni) was privileged to award scholarships to three Chief Sealth International High School students at Senior Awards night last night held in the school auditorium.

Pictured left to right: Katherine Fry, Performing Arts recipient; Michelle Ly, Academic recipient; Laurel Glatzmayer, Athletic recipient. Friends of Sealth congratulates the dedication of these three individuals to their education and the disciplines for which they were awarded.

Share This

About last night’s mystery flash/boom

June 9, 2017 8:57 am

| 13 COMMENTS

| Utilities | West Seattle news

Stepping away from the scanner for a few minutes to run an errand late last night, we missed the news that many people had called in about a loud boom and flash, audible/visible from northeast West Seattle. The Seattle City Light map didn’t show any outages. But this morning via Twitter, SCL says it was indeed a power-line situation – across the Duwamish River – “a bird got into the wrong place” at East Marginal and Oregon. A one-customer outage resulted – not shown on the map, but SCL reminds us that a few areas of their service territory remain off-map – and was repaired within three hours.

Share This

TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Friday watch; last day of school for some

June 9, 2017 6:59 am

| Comments Off on TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Friday watch; last day of school for some

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)

6:59 AM: Good morning and happy Friday! No incidents in/from West Seattle so far. The biggest regional problem is a semi-truck that went sideways on southbound I-5 in Tacoma, so if you head south from here, beware of that.

SCHOOL’S OUT, OR ALMOST OUT: This is the first day of summer vacation for Seattle Lutheran High School (congrats to the Class of 2017, who graduated last night) … Today is the last day of school at Westside School (WSB sponsor), Holy Rosary, Hope Lutheran School, and Shorewood Christian … Next Tuesday, June 13th, is the last day of school for Our Lady of Guadalupe and Explorer West Middle School (both WSB sponsors) … One week from today, Friday, June 16th, is the last day for Tilden School (WSB sponsor) and Holy Family School … Seattle Public Schools‘ last day is June 26th.

Share This

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen Subaru wagon; mailbox break-ins

June 9, 2017 1:17 am

| 16 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Two West Seattle Crime Watch reader reports:

STOLEN CAR: Gabriel sent the photo and this report:

My car was stolen Wednesday night out of the Elliott Tire and Service parking lot while waiting to get work done… The car is a dark blue 98 Subaru Legacy Outback station wagon. Plates: ATC0410. It has a handful of stickers on the back windows including 2 Butchrd stickers and an ARMADA sticker.

I hope we can find it! I acquired this car on Monday from a friend who had to leave on a family emergency to Australia. He left it to me in trade for work (I make things out of carbon fiber). I wanted the car to give to my brother-in-law for his 16th birthday last Wednesday. We since told my brother-in-law we had him a car, but I wanted to get it inspected for safety… So much for that! They didn’t get around to servicing it on Wednesday and when they looked for it on Thursday, it was gone.

I hope by sharing this on the blog someone will help find the car and we can catch the people who did this. Police incident #17-205816

Call 911 if you see it.

MAIL THEFT: From an Arbor Heights neighbor:

Heads up for North Arbor Heights neighbors: (On Thursday) mail was stolen from locked metal security mailboxes, pried open and now damaged and unusable, along 43rd Place SW (one block extension west of 98th and California). Police have been notified.

Share This