day : 20/05/2018 8 results

West Seattle weekend scene: Highland Park Uncorked’s 10th anniversary

May 20, 2018 10:22 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle weekend scene: Highland Park Uncorked’s 10th anniversary
 |   Highland Park | West Seattle news

(WSB photos)

Historic Highland Park Improvement Club had a full house Saturday night for the 10th anniversary of their fun and festive fundraiser Uncorked. It’s evolved from its origins as a sort of DIY wine-tasting event, where the partygoers brought the wine, to an event with 10 participating wineries! Along with beverages, appetizers, and good company, an art auction was part of the festivities – here’s some of what we noticed:

Proceeds help keep HPIC in good shape – it’s almost a century old, and hosts numerous events, classes, and meetings. P.S. This year’s Uncorked co-sponsors included WSB.

CONGRATULATIONS! Alki Masonic Lodge honors local high-school students

Alki Masonic Lodge #152 honored 16 public-high-school scholars from around West Seattle this past week. It was the lodge’s 40th annual School Awards Night. Thanks to the parents who shared the news and photos!

The faculty of Chief Sealth International and West Seattle High Schools nominated four junior boys and four junior girls to receive recognition and a gift for outstanding achievement. Chief Sealth student nominees were Thu La, Asata Golash, Olivia Palmer, Isabella Ramsell, Asher Didier, Nollen Paltrep, Kai Bretl, and Grayson Hoffman.

West Seattle student nominees were Reuben Gut, Jackson Espeut, Marlee Bennett, Emma Foulk, Ariana Guerra, Grace Sarver, Jake Jonson, Colin Roman.

One boy and one girl from each high school was also selected by the Masons to be awarded an additional recognition and gift. The winners were Olivia Palmer and Asher Didier from Chief Sealth and Marlee Bennett and Jake Jonson from West Seattle.

Last year’s junior winners from each high school were invited to return to this year’s award ceremony. Those students were Tony Tran and Chandra Burnham from Chief Sealth, and Noe Leon and Rachel Hay from West Seattle. Tony Tran was presented the Alki Lodge Community Scholarship Award.

Also from the event, here is a photo of five Gatewood Elementary alumni, including Worshipful Brother Martin Monk, who led the night’s award ceremony.

From left are Reuben Gut, Jackson Espeut, Martin Monk, Marlee Bennett, Asher Didier. Mr. Monk was one of the first students to be recognized by the Alki Lodge 40 years ago.

In response to our followup question, he explained that, “The Masons of West Seattle are assisted by the principals and counselors of Sealth International High School and West Seattle High School in selecting 8 outstanding students of each Junior class. All of the students are presented with a small monetary token of appreciation, with a larger sum being presented to the Top Boy and Top Girl of each school. In addition, the 4 Top Juniors of 2017 were invited to speak about their aspirations, and one of these students was awarded a Community Service Scholarship. Alki Lodge is very pleased to continue this tradition of support for the public education of our local students.”

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Mini-mart hit again; repeat offender back in jail

Two items in West Seattle Crime Watch tonight:

MINI-MART HIT AGAIN: The police Twitter log shows a commercial burglary early this morning in the 4000 block of California SW, and Casey says neighbors report it was the gas station/mini-mart at California/Andover, again, just two weeks after the last break-in. Items stolen reportedly included thousands of dollars in cigarettes.

REPEAT OFFENDER BACK IN JAIL: Last week, repeat offender Bryan Tiedeman posted bond and got out of jail after five months; he is awaiting trial on four counts of possessing stolen vehicles. Today, according to scanner traffic, he was caught back at or near his former residence in Fauntleroy, and he turned up on the jail register a few hours later, held for alleged criminal trespass. Court documents for the case on which Tiedeman is awaiting trial call him a “prolific auto thief” and say he is a “serial reckless driver when being sought by the police,” adding that police once asked him why, and he told them that “he didn’t like being in stolen vehicles.” The December arrest that put him in jail was in South Delridge; the four stolen vehicles involved in the charges were taken from Admiral, Highland Park, The Junction, and Renton.

P.S. Got neighborhood crime/safety concerns? Your next chance to hear from and talk with local police is Tuesday, 6:30 pm, when the West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network meets at the Southwest Precinct (2300 SW Webster).

BIZNOTE: Stuffed Cakes’ founder says she will close her shop in mid-summer

(WSB photo: Donna Lawson during her shop’s 1st-anniversary party in 2012)

One of West Seattle’s most beloved bakers has announced she will be shutting down her shop. Here’s what Stuffed Cakes proprietor Donna Lawson posted online today:

It’s hard for me to write this, but the time has come for me to make a big ol’ change in my life. When I started Stuffed Cakes in 2010, I was excited to start sharing my love of making deliciously creative cakes with more than just my friends and family. My first year of business was a steep learning curve, but I was able to take my tiny investment, build my customer base and open my first shop a year later – a lifelong dream come true.

I opened my shop a couple of blocks from my house, MY neighborhood, MY shop; a way to really be part of this wonderful West Seattle community I call home. The neighbors that pop in to my shop quickly became regulars that became friends I look forward to see annually, monthly, weekly, or sometimes even more often. I really couldn’t ask for better customers! We’ve laughed together, cried together, shared hugs, stories, and mostly just our lives while nibbling on tasty treats. I’ve watched babies grow into fantastic big kids, and teens grow up to be amazing young adults. I’ve made engagement cakes, wedding cakes, baby shower cakes, baby’s 1st birthday smash cakes, and birthday cakes from then on for families. We’ve made thousands of custom cupcakes for businesses like Google and Amazon, and even more for anyone walking in for that special treat. I have made cakes on national television and even for celebrities as big as Billy Joel! We’ve won award after award, and stood our ground against some of the best pastry chefs in town. We’ve been part of the best days of your life, and even part of your saddest times – and I’m beyond honored that you have counted on us and trusted us to be part of your big moments. I’ve caught myself tear up more than once, realizing I created exactly what I dreamt of – that little neighborhood shop that brings joy to others lives and creates memories that might even last a lifetime.

It’s time I take Stuffed Cakes in a different direction. Some of you know (and most of you don’t) that I suffer from Fibromyalgia and Arthritis – both of which do not do well with long days and body-taxing work. Unfortunately, Seattle is making it harder and harder for micro businesses to flourish. Business owners either end up taking on more and more work, or we have to expand into a kind of business model we don’t want. I need to re-prioritize: more time with family and friends; and most-importantly, more time taking care of my physical self.

What does this mean for Stuffed Cakes? Well, the honest answer is I’m not entirely sure. I know I want to teach and share my art with you. I will be growing my online presence – with videos, more photos on a regular basis and hopefully even in-person classes. Who knows, maybe I’ll even write a book!

I’ve gone round and round, over all of my options, and I’ve decided it’s time to close my shop. This has been an incredibly hard decision to make – one I have not taken lightly. I have never been for lack of customers and for that I am truly grateful!

July 28th, 2018 will be Stuffed Cakes Grand Closing party! We had the MOST amazing, supportive Grand Opening in the fall of 2011, and now it’s time to go out with a BANG!, Mostly I just want to have a great time with all of you and give back to my community. More info to come…

So, if you need a cake, get your order in! The last date we’re taking custom orders for is Saturday, July 21st so we can focus on walk-in customers and prepare for our party on July 28th. Starting today there will be a $150 minimum order with a preference given to more elaborate cakes. Most of June is booking up quickly, we’ll be closed the week of 4th of July, and we’re only taking orders for Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from now on so don’t wait to place your order.

If you know anyone looking to buy a turn-key bakery/catering spot, please have them email bakeryforsale98126@gmail.com for more information.

Thank you EVERYONE!
I LOVE YOU!

(Thanks to Sandy for the tip.)

SEEN OFF WEST SEATTLE: Kayak/canoe flotilla protesting pipeline expansion

(First 2 photos by WSB’s Patrick Sand)

A Canadian pipeline controversy drew protesters to the waters off West Seattle today. The flotilla was part of a day of sea and land demonstrations against Kinder Morgan, which has a terminal on Harbor Island. The company plans to expand its Trans Mountain Pipeline, from the Alberta tar sands to British Columbia, and opponents say that would mean a dramatic increase in oil tankers traveling in waters that are home to the endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales, among other concerns.

Along with the kayak and canoe protesters, who ended up launching from east of Seacrest Pier, there were rallies and marching on land, including at Jack Perry Park along East Marginal, where a participant texted us this photo:

Here’s some backstory on the pipeline expansion, first proposed 4 1/2 years ago, and the controversy.

ADDED SUNDAY NIGHT: Two more West Seattle photos, shared by David Hutchinson:

UPDATE: West Seattle 5K 2018!

(Photo by David Hutchinson)

9:25 AM: Almost 1,000 runners and walkers (per announcer Eric Radovich) just headed out for the 10th annual West Seattle 5K, a fundraiser for the West Seattle High School PTSA. Our video, via Twitter:

They’re headed to Luna/Anchor Park and back, and Alki/Harbor is closed for the duration; the Water Taxi shuttle is also rerouted.

More updates and photos to come. (WSB is a co-sponsor again this year, as we’ve been every year since the WS5K was launched in 2009.)

10:15 AM: The race is now almost an hour in. We have the top finishers: First in, 31-year-old Evan Williams, at 16:11:

A little over two minutes later, the second finisher crossed the line, 22-year-old Johanna Erickson, at 18:24:

Johanna is a West Seattle Runner employee, WSR’s Lori McConnell tells us. The rest of the top three finishers by M/F:

Males – Ryan Bjornstal, 22, 18:36

Owen Fisher, 27, 18:45

Females – Second, Olivia Willett, 18, 19:20

Third, Regina Joyce, 61, 21:19

10:44 AM: It’s over, and Alki/Harbor are reopening to vehicle traffic. We’ll be adding more photos when back at HQ!

1:12 PM: As promised. Besides top finishers, there was also a prize for first WSHS teacher across the line, and that happened to be Jeff Ursino:

Second was David Bergman.

Many families in the race – strollers abounded:

Dogs too, although it could certainly be tiring:

And banner-bearers reminding everyone what it’s all about:

Linda Rackner was race director for a second year; Amy Doll coordinated volunteers.

ADDED 2:04 PM: Just received this time lapse of the entire event, from John Saalwaechter:

You can see the results online here.

READER REPORT: Driver hits tree on 35th SW

In case you see/saw this on 35th SW in Gatewood, thanks to Camille for the photo and report:

A head on collision with a tree at 35th and Southern. The guy was stunned for a sec then took off. Nobody else in the car so no one was hurt.

At last report, Camille says, police hadn’t found the driver. She says it happened around 6:30 am.

West Seattle 5K, costumed bike parade, and much more for your Sunday!

May 20, 2018 6:07 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle 5K, costumed bike parade, and much more for your Sunday!
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Welcome to Sunday!

WEST SEATTLE 5K: Just after 9 am, the run/walk to raise money for the West Seattle High School PTSA will take off from just west of the Alki Bathhouse. Alki and Harbor will be closed until the course (to Anchor/Luna Park and back) is cleared, and the Water Taxi shuttle will be rerouted. You can still register to be part of the WS5K, starting at 8 am. (61st SW/Alki SW)

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Spring bounty shows up in ever-greater numbers every week. See what’s fresh, 10 am-2 pm. (California SW between SW Alaska and SW Oregon

FORUM ON INITIATIVE 1631: 11:30 am at Fauntleroy Church, find out about the ballot initiative also known as the Protect Washington Act. (9140 California SW)

PROTESTERS AT DON ARMENI: As noted on Saturday, seagoing protesters are expected to launch kayaks and canoes from Don Armeni Boat Ramp for a 12:30 pm protest on Harbor Island. (1220 Harbor SW)

CHAMPIONS BASEBALL LEAGUE: 1 pm Sunday at the Pee Wee fields, this league for kids with special-needs has its first practice – sign up and show up! Details in our preview. (7226 12th SW)

JAMTIME: Music at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 1-4 pm. (5612 California SW)

ORGAN RECITAL: 1:30 pm at Admiral Church. (4320 SW Hill)

ALKI DAZE COSTUMED BIKE PARADE: 2 pm, all welcome to join as the parade heads eastbound along the beach! (63rd SW/Alki SW)

SOUTHWEST STORIES: 2 pm at West Seattle (Admiral) Library, you’re invited to find out about architect Arthur Loveless, a century after his heyday, and post-talk, you’ll be invited to visit a nearby house he designed. Presented by the Southwest Seattle Historical Society and Seattle Public Library. (2306 42nd SW)

BYSTANDER INTERVENTION WORKSHOP: Learn how to help your neighborhood be hate-free. 2 pm at Admiral Church, walk-ins welcome. (4320 SW Hill)

GUITAR CONCERT: 4 pm at Peace Lutheran Church, classical guitarist Naeim Rahmani performs. All welcome; free-will offering. (8316 39th SW)

SQUARE DANCE AND POTLUCK: New monthly event at South Park Hall! 5 pm-8 pm, all ages. (1253 S. Cloverdale)

SEE WHAT ELSE IS UP, AND CHECK OUT THE WEEK AHEAD … via our complete calendar (and if you have a West Seattle/White Center/South Park item to list, please send it – as early as possible – to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!)