West Seattle, Washington
10 Friday
Two months after cancer claimed the life of longtime Seattle Lutheran High School teacher and athletic director Bob Dowding, the school gave him its ultimate tribute last night – induction into the SLHS Ring of Honor. That came during a dinner event in which many memories were shared.
That’s head of school Dave Meyer, who talked about arriving in 1995 to be Hope Lutheran‘s PE teacher, and meeting Bob, joking that he wanted the SLHS AD job that Bob held. He came to realize that Bob’s real job was creating and building communities – including at athletic organizations including the Washington Interscholastic Athletics Association. And, Meyer said, he still aspires to Bob’s “real job” – mentoring and encouraging kids, and building community. One of those Bob had mentored also spoke:
Holy Names Academy athletic director Lacey London, a 2000 SLHS graduate, talked about how Bob was such a big influence in her decision to go into teaching and athletics. Her first coaching job was when he asked her to help with Lutheran’s girls-basketball team while she was transitioning between colleges. Among the many others there to pay tribute to Bob – his family, receiving the plaque honoring him:
There was even a cake in his honor:
Bob Dowding was 67 years old.
ORIGINAL REPORT, 4:39 PM: Thanks to Don Brubeck for these photos showing some of what was up and who was out along West Seattle shores this afternoon.
P.S. At least one more sunny day is in store, according to the forecast – and if you have the chance to be out at the beach in the early afternoon, it’s the lowest tide of the month, -1.7 feet at 12:47 pm on Monday.
ADDED 5:13 PM: Speaking of low tide – an incident at Alki today is a reminder for boaters:
Low tide, bad luck from Avenue Collection on Vimeo.
Mark just shared that video of a small boat getting some help to get un-stuck during this morning’s low tide.
3:31 PM: Guy sent us that photo of a burning RV even before we saw the “car fire” callout for 1st/Olson. Via scanner, we’re hearing a traffic alert for the east end of Roxbury. We’re also hearing the fire’s out but foam was used to fight it and so the hill needs some cleanup before it’s safe for traffic. No word yet on any injuries. Avoid the area for a while.
3:41 PM: Police report that SDOT has arrived on scene.
4:11 PM: SDOT tells us via Twitter that its dispatch reports the area now clear.
ADDED TUESDAY: We finally got some information from SFD. Spokesperson Kyle Moore says the carburetor caught fire while the RV’s owner was driving it; he pulled over and apparently left to get help, so when SFD arrived, no one was there, and they were worried someone was trapped inside, but they found it empty. But the RV caught fire again while it was being towed away – which explains a later “car fire” call nearby. No injuries.
A memorial service and celebration of life are planned May 15th for James D. Finnie, 68, whose family is sharing this remembrance:
The family of Jim Finnie is sad to announce his passing on March 30, 2015, after a long journey with early-onset Alzheimer’s. Jim was born in West Seattle on April 19, 1946, to Walt and Millie Finnie, the youngest of their five children.
After graduation from West Seattle High School in 1964, Jim married Marge in 1965 while they were attending Western Washington State College, only to have the military decide they needed him a short time later. He served in the US Army from 1966-69, most of that time in Germany, where he and Marge enjoyed many adventures together.
In 1975, Jim began his career as a Seattle firefighter, and always felt fortunate to be paid to do something he loved so much. The majority of his career was served at local Station 32.
Outside of work, Jim had many interests and skills- woodworking, golf, competitive shooting, and countless hours out on the Sound, with a fishing pole in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other (his idea of heaven!). He had a top-notch “Mr Fix-It” ability that led us all to believe there was nothing he couldn’t do. To all that he did, he brought his quirky sense of humor, and a smile, to those around him.
He was a loving and supportive husband and father, which led him to spend many years working with the Boy Scouts and driving the Kennedy High School band bus to assorted parades and retreats. He was enormously proud of his children.
He leaves behind his beloved wife Marge, and children Dave (Christy) Finnie and Krista (David) Hume. Six grandchildren: Alexa, Jessica, Sienna, Elijah, Rebecca, and Joshua. Predeceased by his parents and sister, Delores, and survived by brothers Bob (Durlyn) and Walt (Sharon) and sister Linda (Norm) Nelson.
Services to be held May 15, 1:00 pm, at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, followed by a celebration of life at the West Seattle Golf Course clubhouse, 2:30 pm. Suggested memorials to Medic One or West Seattle High School Alumni Association Scholarship fund.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)
On a sunny spring day – two organizations have signups under way. First, from the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor):
YOUTH BASEBALL/T-BALL: For ages 3-10. Practices start the week of May 4th at Roxhill or Alki Playfields; games are on Saturdays, May 16-June 27, at EC Hughes. You can sign up online here or in person at the Y’s Member Services desk (open to non-members too). Questions? Y sports director Mike Bober, mbober@seattleymca.org
YOUTH VOLLEYBALL: Teams are 4th/5th graders and 6th-to-8th graders. Weekly practices at the Y on Wednesday nights start this week (April 22nd); game locations rotate among four Y’s in the region, including WS. Sign up online here or in person. Questions? Y’s Mary Sanderson – msanderson@seattleymca.org
YOUTH RUGBY CLINIC: New partnership with Serevi Rugby – special 8-week clinic for ages 4 to 12, exploring the fundamnetals. Tuesdays, May 5th to June 23rd, 4:30-5:30 or 5:30-6:30, at Roxhill Playfields. Register online here, or in person. Questions? Mike Bober (info above)
Again, all of the above are via the West Seattle YMCA.
Now to a separate organization, registering youth interested in premier-soccer tryouts:
HIGHLINE PREMIER FC: Registration is open for tryouts starting this week, for players ages 7-19 who want “to develop their soccer playing skills at a higher competitive level than recreational soccer. Tryout registration is now open for existing and new Girls U8 – U19 & Boys U8 – U14 who are interested in premier soccer development and team play. Tryouts are scheduled in late April and May, depending on age group. Tryout fees are $15.00 and payable online via the registration link.” Questions? e-mail tryouts@highlinepremier.com
(Last Friday’s sunrise, photographed by Lynn Hall)
Happy Sunday! From the calendar:
POSSIBLE FLYOVER ALERT: The Mariners-Rangers game at 1:10 pm at Safeco Field is the annual Salute to the Armed Forces. That often means a flyover/flyby, which often goes over West Seattle before and/or after. So now you know. The pre-game ceremony starts around 12:20 pm.
Also today/tonight:
WEST SEATTLE AMATEUR RADIO CLUB BREAKFAST: Already an amateur-radio operator? Or, interested? 9:30 am, you’re invited to the monthly breakfast meeting of the West Seattle Amateur Radio Club. New location – Young’s Restaurant. (9413 16th SW)
ALKI STAIRWAY WALK! Beautiful day to get out on foot. Join West Seattleites Cathy and Jake Jaramillo of “Seattle Stairway Walks” for a FREE Alki-area stairway walk from the Log House Museum, 10 am. (61st/Stevens)
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: More new arrivals every week. 10 am-2 pm. (44th/Alaska)
SDOT @ FARMERS’ MARKET: Want to talk to SDOT about the draft Transportation Levy – or something else? The city says SDOT reps will be at the WSFM 10 am-2 pm.
GREYHOUND ‘MEET AND GREET’: 11 am-1 pm at Mud Bay in Admiral – details here. (2611 California SW)
GET A DEAL ON WEST SEATTLE 5K REGISTRATION: 1-5 pm at West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor), sign up for the May 17th West Seattle 5K at the lowest rate available. (2743 California SW)
FREE SHREDDING: 1-4 pm at High Point Branch Library – please see the listing for info on how much you can bring. (35th/Raymond)
MUSIC X 2 AT C & P: Two acts on the calendar today at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) – Jamtime, 1-4 pm, and Gary Benson, 5-7 pm. (5612 California SW)
‘PICASSO AT THE LAPIN AGILE’: Third performance for Twelfth Night Productions‘ new production “Picasso at the Lapin Agile” by Steve Martin. Matinee today – 3 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. Tickets are available online. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
CLASSICAL ELEGANCE AT KENYON HALL: 7:30 pm, Kenyon Hall is where you’ll find an elegant program of classical music – details here. (7904 35th SW)
EVEN MORE … on our calendar.
It was another chapter for Easy Street Records in The Junction in the rock ‘n’ roll history books: A raucous conclusion to Record Store Day 2015, with legendary, regrouped The Sonics performing a benefit show announced only a day and a half earlier:
If you don’t know their backstory – which spans half a century, and then some – this might help.
The benefit was for KEXP’s new HQ, with tickets at $100 each – and it was promised that surprise guests would make the price more than worth it. We couldn’t stay past the first few songs and are excruciatingly regretful to have missed said guests, who turned out to include Eddie Vedder (photo, photo) and Mike McCready from Pearl Jam, Chris Ballew (photo) from The Presidents, Matt Lukin (photo) from Mudhoney and The Melvins, Emily Nokes (photo) from Tacocat … and more. Video of the guest performances will certainly surface – KEXP was shooting, as were countless phone-hoisting showgoers. The Sonics, meantime, are touring to support their first record in half a century, “This Is The Sonics,” which brought them to ESR just last month for a signing party.
ADDED 11:34 AM: No one else had uploaded to YouTube by the time we went off duty this morning, but that’s changed since then. Thanks to those who pointed this out to us – the upload is by @marnankev2:
ADDED 1:48 PM: Another perspective – during the show, outside Easy Street. Artist Joshua Boulet says he was in The Junction to catch the Route 50 bus when he drew the crowd:
He also made a quick drawing of Junction-based Seattle Fire Engine 32, which was outside for a while (it left the same time we did) on safety patrol:
(You might recall his drawing of SFD firefighters at work in our coverage of a Beach Drive fire last fall.)
ADDED SUNDAY NIGHT: Charles R. Cross‘s review of the “magic night” is up at SeattleTimes.com.
A commenter mentioned this earlier – and now details are on SPD Blotter:
Officers responded to calls of street racing in West Seattle Saturday and arrested three teens for auto theft.
A witness called police at 7:45 Saturday morning and reported street racing followed by suspicious behavior around a car in the 5400 block of 34 Ave. SW. Officers quickly arrived and saw three teen boys run from a car in the area. An officer checked the car and found the steering column, instrument panel, and other parts of the car either damaged or removed. Other officers flooded the area and located the teenagers a few blocks away. While talking to and searching the boys, an officer found a shaved key, used for stealing cars, on one of the teens.
A fourth teen, who stayed at the original scene in another car, allowed officers to search his vehicle. Officers found several car parts from the damaged vehicle inside the trunk of the teen’s car.
The owner of the damaged car called police and confirmed that his car had just been stolen.
Officers arrested and booked the three teens who ran into the King County Youth Service Center, while the fourth teen who stayed behind was released to his parents.
The Relay for Life-West Seattle team Smiles for Miles is offering “Grab and Go” dinners as a fundraiser again, on two upcoming dates:
*Next Tuesday, April 21st, they’re offering ravioli (with marinara), Caesar salad, green beans, and garlic bread. $10 adult dinner, $5 child-size. Pickup (cash, or check made to American Cancer Society) is 5-6 pm Tuesday at the Fauntleroy Children’s Center kitchen (north side of Fauntleroy Schoolhouse). E-mail your order by Monday (April 20th) to fauntleroychildrenscenter@yahoo.com.
*On Wednesday, May 13th, they’re fixing Grab-and-Go spaghetti dinners (meat sauce or marinara), Caesar salad, corn, garlic bread, Same prices, payment options, pickup time/place, e-mail address; order by May 12th.
Questions before you place an order? Call Lauri Cunningham @ 206-932-9590, extension 302, or ask via the same e-mail address.
Tonight, the photo’s by Jamie Kinney, from the second consecutive night with a pink/red-ball sunset whose cause is no longer a mystery – the National Weather Service pointed out a NASA update showing the plume of smoke crossing the Pacific from fires in Siberia.
Grocery shopping is a popular thing to do on Saturday mornings. Not quite the way Bart Eldredge and son Chase Eldredge did it today, though. They won the West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) benefit raffle for a shopping spree of as many Western Family-brand products they could grab in that time. Chase was an ace:
Thriftway’s Michele Grasso checked the Eldredges out, tallying a grand total of $728 in merchandise:
Not only did the raffle-ticket sales raise $3,179 for the West Seattle Food Bank, the Eldredges donated more than half their haul to WSFB, whose executive director Fran Yeatts was there to say thanks:
The Thriftway fundraiser was just one of their ongoing community projects, and was also in celebration of the locally owned grocery store’s 27th anniversary this spring. Another popular annual fundraiser is their series of Saturday benefit lunchtime barbecues, and Michele tells us the first one is just two weeks away, on May 2nd.
7:15 PM: No serious injuries so far as we’ve heard, but a three-car crash is blocking Sylvan Way at Sylvan Heights (map), west of Delridge, east of High Point, so if you were heading that way, you’ll need to use another east-west route between Delridge and 35th (SW Holden, perhaps). No estimate yet how long this will last.
8:08 PM: Via the scanner, we learn the road has just reopened.
The biggest day of the year at Easy Street Records in The Junction started around sunrise, and it’s not over yet. It’s Record Store Day around the world, and that means specials and surprises at Easy Street, which is staying open well into the night for the occasion. Part of the fun – guest DJ’s, including one of West Seattle’s resident rock stars:
Chris Ballew of The Presidents of the United States of America and Caspar Babypants fame was the guest DJ at mid-afternoon. If you drop by between now and 8 pm, Troy Nelson of The Young Evils and KEXP is scheduled to be DJ’ing, followed by Kevin Cole (also of KEXP) until about 9. Then at 10 pm – a benefit for KEXP as announced on Friday – The Sonics, live (maybe you recognized them in the photo behind Chris B, above?). Online tickets have sold out, according to the KEXP website, which suggests calling ESR to see if there’s room. (Surprise guests are promised; ESR’s Facebook page says Mark Pickerel will be among them.)
Thanks to Lindsay for sharing the video – without much notice, two killer whales headed south along Vashon Island shores earlier today, around 1 pm. She says the sighting was a surprise, while she was giving a tour of the area to two friends visiting from Colorado. Also, a texter told us of a sighting near Brown’s Point in Tacoma, so if you’re by the water, keep watch – they’ll have to come back this way sooner or later.
ORIGINAL REPORT: Last night, we published reports of two cars stolen in West Seattle. Today – an F350 Harley pickup truck stolen this morning from Upper Fauntleroy:
It was taken sometime between 12:30 am and 11:00 am this morning from the 9000 block of 36th Ave SW. This isn’t an exact photo of the truck, but it’s close. The stolen truck does not have the outside chrome roll-bar rack, and the tires are different but otherwise, it’s a very close match.
Plate is B49938V. Call 911 if you see it.
UPDATED: Photo of actual pickup now included above.
Ready to take a break from the yard, the beach, the dog park, wherever, and go shopping? As mentioned earlier, 30 West Seattle Junction stores are part of “Tax-Free Day” – basically an almost-10-percent discount so that they’re in effect picking up the sales tax. It’s become a tradition over the years, to boost shoppers’ spirits right around federal-tax-deadline time. Above, that’s Mary Ehlert at the AAA storefront on the interior east side of Jefferson Square – it’s a retail shop as well as a place to buy insurance and book travel (among other things). We also peeked in on Curious Kidstuff (4740 California SW), The Junction’s local independent toy shop – with, as you can see in our photo, a festive selection of gift wrap:
(Both aforementioned stores are WSB sponsors.) Today’s full list of participants is here – get out and explore what’s in store in “downtown West Seattle”!
(UPDATE: It’s a memorial procession – scroll down)
ORIGINAL REPORT, 12:38 PM: Don’t know yet what exactly this is about, but a major motorcycle ride has just traveled through West Seattle – these photos came in via Twitter, as the ride headed westbound, then northbound, then eastbound:
Police stopped traffic on 15th ave sw & Roxbury to let THE longest line of motorcycles I've ever seen go by. pic.twitter.com/dwsRgzBPtq
— Kassidy (@kassidyv) April 18, 2015
@westseattleblog hundreds of bikes just drove down Alki pic.twitter.com/b93KbCi7xp
— Cami MacNamara (@webcami) April 18, 2015
We’re still researching – if you know the reason/occasion, please clue us all in – thanks!
12:45 PM: Just found it via websearch. Memorial procession – here’s the link with details – in honor of 59-year-old Dennis Costello, who died of leukemia in February. His funeral is in Tacoma later today.
(Photos courtesy Fleurt)
If you’re going to The Junction for Tax-Free Day, stop by Fleurt (4536 California SW) and wish Sam Crowley and daughter Keonii (who runs both this shop and the expansion branch in Pioneer Square) a happy 5th anniversary! The party started yesterday, as Fleurt opened in West Seattle on April 17, 2010 (you might recall its first two years were on the NW corner of California/Oregon, where Funky Jane’s is now). Sam writes:
We reflect back on 5 wonderful years in our West Seattle community we call home. Fleurt has enjoyed 5 years of growth offering daily flower deliveries throughout Seattle, special events, weddings, and 2 gift shops filled with goodies ranging from candles to custom terrariums. … We want to thank everyone who are “Fleurt Fans” and we look forward to the years ahead.
During the five years, Fleurt has been featured on the cover of, and inside, numerous magazines, including winning two “best of” votes via Seattle magazine. Sam says they pride themselves on using local, sustainable flowers – this was created for a delivery yesterday and most of the flowers were grown in her West Seattle garden!
Stop in for snacks during today’s Tax-Free Day sale (and birthday celebration) and also note that Fleurt is again celebrating Earth Day (next Wednesday, April 22nd) by inviting you to drop off unwanted vases, pots, or jars – “We will repurpose at Fleurt or pass along to the West Seattle Senior Center. With each dropoff we hand over a free mini-plant.”
One more hour to deliver children’s-book donations to Taryn Smith, West Seattle High School senior and Miss Seattle, at Merryweather Books in The Junction – 4527 California SW. Today’s book drive is on until 1 pm. (The store’s one of the 30+ participating in today’s Tax-Free Sale Day, too – more on that shortly.)
Headed for the water? The baby Canada Goose photo and reminder are from David Hutchinson:
Three goslings were hatched recently on the pilings north of Salty’s. A couple years ago, their father was taken to PAWS by Seal Sitters. He had been attacked by a dog and suffered a severe bite while trying to protect his goslings near the Don Armeni boat ramp.
It would be thoughtful if you come across them while walking your dog (which is hopefully on a leash) to keep at a distance. If approached, they will panic and try to scramble over the rocks to escape to the water. Often, the small goslings will fall into the crevices and become trapped. People have been pretty considerate in the past while driving on Harbor Ave by stopping and allowing them to cross the road – the grass is always greener on the other side.
This is the eighth year David has shared at least one gosling photo via WSB. From the archives:
*2014
*First 2013 photo
*First 2012 photo
*First 2011 photo
*First 2010 photo
*First 2009 photo
*2008
(WS5K start three years ago, photographed by David Hutchinson)
We’re now less than a month away from the 2015 West Seattle 5K – set for Sunday, May 17th, with co-sponsors including WSB. The WS5K is always the first major 5K fundraising run/walk of the year along Alki Beach, organized by and raising money for the West Seattle High School PTSA. While you can sign up online 24/7, you’re also invited to get one last chance at the discounted early-registration fee by visiting West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) at its new location (2743 California SW) tomorrow, Sunday, April 19th – race reps will be ready to sun you up on Sunday afternoon, 1-5 pm.
(Photo by Trileigh Tucker – two eagles in flight over Lincoln Park)
Happy Saturday! It is a day of “Days,” as you’ll see in these highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
RECORD STORE DAY: Under way now at Easy Street Records – lots of special events, continuing through the 10 pm show by The Sonics – check the ESR website for who’s there and what’s up. (California/Alaska)
TAX-FREE DAY IN THE JUNCTION: All-day sales at 30 participating businesses – listed on the West Seattle Junction Association website – including WSB sponsors AAA, Click! Design That Fits, Curious Kidstuff, Emerald Water Anglers, Hotwire Online Coffeehouse, Vain, Wallflower Custom Framing.
BOOK DRIVE: 9 am-1 pm, as previewed here, Miss Seattle, Taryn Smith, is at Merryweather Books in The Junction to collect donated children’s books for families being helped by Mary’s Place. (4537 California SW)
AQUARIUM SOCIETY AUCTION: 9 am preview, 10 am bidding, continuing until 1 pm at the West Seattle Christian Church Activity Center, it’s the annual Greater Seattle Aquarium Society Auction – details here. (4400 42nd SW)
DUWAMISH ALIVE: 10 am-2 pm, work parties at 11 sites on the Duwamish River and/or in its watershed. Preregistration was requested, but we suspect they wouldn’t mind if you showed up somewhere to help.
SHOPPING SPREE: 10 am, be at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) to cheer on the winner of a drawing as part of a West Seattle Food Bank fundraiser – the prize, a time-limit shopping spree in the store. (California/Fauntleroy/Morgan)
APRIL POOL’S DAY: Free safety event at Southwest Pool (and fun, too!), 10:30 am – details here. (2801 SW Thistle)
DONNA PARKER @ KENYON HALL: 2 pm, internationally recognized organist plays The Mighty Wurlitzer at Kenyon Hall. (7904 35th SW)
BABYWEARING INTERNATIONAL: 2:30-4:30 pm, the Seattle chapter meets at High Point Branch Library – details here. (35th/Raymond)
‘RING OF HONOR’ FOR BOB DOWDING: 6 pm, a special tribute for the longtime Seattle Lutheran High School teacher/athletic director who passed away earlier this year.
ROO FORREST AND FRIENDS: Live at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. (5612 California SW)
‘PICASSO AT THE LAPIN AGILE’: Night two for Twelfth Night Productions‘ new production “Picasso at the Lapin Agile” by Steve Martin, billed as an “Off-Broadway absurdist comedy.” Curtain time is 7:30 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. Tickets are available online. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
If you thought you heard gunfire overnight in Admiral – there’s finally confirmation. When this came up in another thread earlier today, we checked the police-call log on Twitter (as shown on the WSB Crime Watch page) and couldn’t find any confirmed gunfire (if shell casings and/or damage is found, the official designation will usually follow). Then tonight we heard from a resident in the 3000 block of 45th SW (map), where neighbors had just found bullet holes in two cars:
They think they heard at least three shots and are hoping neighbors in the area might have surveillance video to help solve the case. If you have any information, the case number provided by the resident is 15-124892. There may be more than one case in the area, as we’re also seeing a property damage case in the same block, 15-125827.
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