West Seattle Blog…

West Seattle coyotes: Pup photos, and a map

Kimberly shared photos this afternoon of three coyote pups “playing in the landscaping in the back of our community.” That’s the City Lights Condos on Harbor Avenue SW (map).

These are the first coyote photos we’ve received in a long time; we’ve been planning to relaunch our coyote-report coverage with an extra element:

The markers on that map represent every coyote sighting published on WSB in the past five years – including the ones that came up in the comment section. WSB contributor Katie Meyer went through every story in our coyote-report archive, and the comments, to make the map. We intend to keep adding to it, and this one from Kimberly will be added soon. As the coyote reports have come in over the years, someone would suggest every now and then that we make a map, so there would be more of an overview look to underscore the point that they have been seen just about everywhere in West Seattle (not just near greenbelts), and here it is. Updates to come.

City posts ‘stop work’ order after tree-cutting at Alki Homestead

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

After four public reviews in six months, there’ve been none in the past 10 months for the plan to fix/rebuild the city-landmarked Alki Homestead. But the site is back under scrutiny because of tree-cutting that has drawn a complaint to the city, which subsequently posted a “stop work” order so it could investigate.

We learned about this Tuesday afternoon, when a nearby resident called to tell us a tree crew was at the Homestead site (2717 61st SW). She wondered why, asking whether work was finally beginning on the rehabilitation/reconstruction of the site. We went over to investigate; the crew was gone, but in subsequent hours, running late into the night, we obtained information from the city, from a representative of the coalition of historical-preservation groups that’s been watching the site, and from Homestead owner Tom Lin, who also provided photos of the trees before they were cut, and spoke with us about where the project stands, 3 years and 4 months after the electrical fire that closed the Homestead, a historic lodge open for decades as a popular restaurant.

Click to read the rest of City posts ‘stop work’ order after tree-cutting at Alki Homestead…

Electronics recycling Saturday at Metropolitan Market in Admiral

Just got word of this – Friendly Earth will be at Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor) in the Admiral District this Saturday, 10 am-3 pm, for dropoff electronics recycling. Here’s their basic guidelines:

This may include but is not limited to; appliances, metals, computer equipment and components, home and business electronics, batteries, machinery and electronic accessories. Speakers, light bulbs, alkaline batteries, vacuums, paints, wood based products and small miscellaneous plastics will not be accepted at this time. Fluids must be emptied from all machinery before they can be accepted.

… Friendly Earth is a non-profit electronic recycling organization based out of Seattle. Our commitment to providing alternative ways to dispose of electronic waste helps us to protect the environment and effectively recycle and reuse electronics to sustain communities and other organizations in need. One hundred percent of the items we receive are reused, recycled, refurbished or salvaged for parts.

Metropolitan Market is at 2320 42nd SW. Questions about what Friendly Earth will take? www.Friendlyearth.org, or 206.367.4111.

Leon Capelouto’s plan for Premier Liquor Store in The Junction

Just spoke with Leon Capelouto, the longtime Junction entrepreneur/property owner, who confirms he will run the soon-to-be-former state liquor store in his Capco Plaza, without much change – for starters – from its current operations. The state branded it Premier Liquor Store before opening it nine months ago, and that’s the signage/name that Capelouto tells WSB he is keeping for now. He says it’s “still going to be a premium liquor store, going to carry a lot of items that people can’t find elsewhere – it’s one of the most complete liquor stores in the state of Washington.” He says he is “hiring all the people who worked there, so the personnel will be the same.”

We followed up with Capelouto after reporting the state’s announcement yesterday that it would close most stores one or more days before the official transition to privatization next Friday. The last day for both West Seattle liquor stores will be next Tuesday, May 29th. Capelouto says he is one of a handful of new liquor-store owners who then will be opening their stores the first day possible, Friday, June 1st – as building owner, he said, he was able to “get a jump on” the process. (The state’s auction – in which Capelouto bid $225K for licensing rights – did not guarantee all bidders the right to the locations; they had to negotiate with property owners.)

He has plenty of retail experience, after all – as owner of the Shafrans clothing store in The Junction for more than 40 years, just steps away from Capco Plaza, which also is home to QFC and Petco stores and Altamira Apartments, as well as smaller storefronts on the building’s east side. He also was high bidder for a state liquor store he will operate in Issaquah.

Bottom line for the Junction location, he says, “West Seattle needs a fine liquor store. … I know the community wants to keep that store.” Though it will be open June 1st with, for starters, the same hours as the state has kept, he says it’ll be a work in progress and that there will be an official “grand opening” somewhere down the line.

Other West Seattle retailers planning to sell liquor include eight of the nine grocery stores (PCC Natural Markets [WSB sponsor] still hasn’t decided) and all four drugstores. (We’re checking on the Westwood state-store site.)

West Seattle schools: Sealth announces assistant principal

A West Seattle High School teacher/administrative intern is crossing town to become an assistant principal at Chief Sealth International High School. The hiring of Andra Maughan was announced by Sealth principal Chris Kinsey, who made the announcement in e-mail to the school community. He tells WSB that she will succeed Bob Hunt, who has worked this year as substitute assistant principal. Maughan’s background also includes work as a special-education consulting teacher for the district and as a special-education coordinator for a school on the Eastside. He says they’re working now on a transition plan so she can “begin to acclimate herself to our community” before officially starting work for next school year.

West Seattle Wednesday: ‘One Less Truck’ at HPAC, and more

The list of scheduled events is thinning out as the holiday weekend approaches, but there are a few to note, from the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar and elsewhere:

SPOKANE STREET VIADUCT CONSTRUCTION: *No* bridge closure scheduled tonight, but some surface closures/changes continue – here’s the SDOT rundown.

STUDENT WRITERS READ AT THE CENTRAL LIBRARY: Again tonight, student writers from Seattle Public Schools are reading their work at the downtown library HQ (6-8 pm) and we are told that one of tonight’s readers is Chief Sealth International High School student Emily Sjostrom.

‘ONE LESS TRUCK’ AT HPAC: Tonight’s monthly meeting of the Highland Park Action Committee will include information on the city’s upcoming every-2-weeks-trash-pickup pilot project, which – as reported here a week ago – will include 200 HP households. HPAC meets at 7 pm at Highland Park Improvement Club, 12th/Holden.

DOUBLEHEADER AT SKYLARK: Trivia at 7 pm, open mike at 9 pm at Skylark Café and Club (3803 Delridge Way SW).

POOL AT ROCKSPORT: Wednesday nights are pool tournament nights, 8 pm at Rocksport in The Junction.

Seattle Public Schools releases report on Lafayette investigation

One Lafayette Elementary parent e-mailed us, puzzled about a PTA e-mail that arrived last night, addressing a situation that, as the note said, some had been following closely, and some knew nothing about. We hadn’t heard about it before the Seattle Schools Community Forum website published a report last week headlined “The Lafayette story.” As that site’s main writer Melissa Westbrook reported, it started with an accusation that a student had sexually harassed other students, and escalated into an accusation that the principal had mishandled the investigation. Now, the reason more are talking about it – including a Seattle Times [WSB partner] story published last night – is that the district has concluded its investigation, and says it found no evidence of wrongdoing. The resulting memo was provided to news organizations including WSB. It is the first independent corroboration we have had of this investigation. For those who would like to see it in its entirety, read on: Click to read the rest of Seattle Public Schools releases report on Lafayette investigation…

Avalon Way changes afoot: Deal, development, & listings

The long-languishing, almost-complete building on the southeast corner of 35th and Avalon not only has a new contractor, as the banner says, it has a new owner.

The Daily Journal of Commerce reported today (thanks to Diane for the tip) – and online records confirm – that it was purchased a month ago by an entity of Chicago-headquartered Randolph Street Realty Capital, whose website touts its expertise in buying “distressed,” “unfinished,” and otherwise-challenged sites.

Four and a half years have passed since work started at the site that was once to be part of the eventually killed Seattle Monorail route. It was owned at the time by fugitive developer Michael Mastro; the project stalled in 2009, as Mastro’s money troubles mounted. Two years ago, a Bellevue company bought it for $4 million and announced it would finish the mixed-use building; the new owners are paying almost $7.3 million. According to a webpage for the project set up by its previous owner, the building has 60 apartments and 122 parking spaces.

It’s the second Chicago-based firm to recently buy into West Seattle development in a big way, after Equity Residential bought the former Conner site on the southeast corner of California/Alaska, and in fact, both of Randolph Street’s principals are former Equity Residential managers. Meantime, the potential completion of that building isn’t the only change ahead for that area; there are signs of work starting soon on the 120-unit 3261 Avalon Way project, and right across the street, three apartment buildings are for sale: Terrace Villa (36 units for $5.3 million), Westridge (26 units for just under $4 million), and Avalon West (same size/price as Westridge).

Weekend sunshine ahead: WSHS Grad Night car wash on Saturday

Another school fundraiser to mention tonight – a car wash to raise money for those who need scholarships to join in West Seattle High School‘s Grad Night celebration (less than a month away!) is coming up on Saturday. The announcement we received via e-mail notes, “With several graduation ceremonies occurring in the area on June 16, the Grad Night committee believes that it is extremely important to offer as many WSHS students as possible, a safe and chaperoned event to celebrate their HS accomplishments.” The car wash is planned for 10:30 am-3 pm this sun-forecast Saturday (May 26) at West Seattle Autoworks (WSB sponsor), 7501 35th SW.

From the ‘what’s that wildlife?’ file: Leaping fish off Alki

Tom Wyrick from Alki Arts caught those jumping silver fish on cameraphone video this evening and is wondering what they are. We have googled like crazy (and checked WSB archives) and we don’t know either. Do you?

Hit the links and help the kids: Sealth golf tournament

(WSB photo from 2011 tournament)
With a week and a half to go till the second annual Chief Sealth Athletics Golf Tournament, organizers are ready to see the final spots fill up so it’s a full lineup when everybody tees up. June 1st is the day, Rainier Golf and Country Club the place. Sealth athletic director Sam Reed explains, “The goal of the Chief Sealth Athletics Golf Tournament is to become the prime method of fundraising for our student-athletes. The inaugural event in 2011 raised over $5,000 which went directly toward supporting athletic efforts including transportation, uniforms and equipment, and building quality lower level programs (JV and C-teams).” There are also some specific needs, from buying banners to celebrate past championships – previous banners were lost in the remodel – to funding a certified strength coach who can design programs to help the students best utilize Sealth’s state-of-the-art weight room. If you can swing it, it’s a great excuse to take that Friday afternoon off – and you can register online right now, with the fees including food and beverages as well as golf.

West Seattle Outdoor Movies 2012: Here’s the lineup!

Only two months till you can bring your glowstick, picnic, whatever, to West Seattle Outdoor Movies in the courtyard by Hotwire Online Coffeehouse – and we have first word of this year’s planned movie lineup, just decided at a WSOM planning meeting:

7/21 – Pretty in Pink

7/28 – Young Frankenstein

8/4 – Lion King

8/11 – Iron Man

8/18 – Yellow Submarine

8/25 – Top Gun

Thanks to everybody who offered suggestions, both here on WSB – we’re a co-sponsor again this year – and on the WSOM and WSB Facebook pages. The movies are always free, and they start at dusk; there’s still a lot to be determined, including pre-movie activities, and other fun stuff – updates to come!

West Seattle businesses: Martin’s Way stocking Tony’s produce

Recognize the lettering on that sign – the first sign ever to be displayed in the windows at Martin’s Way, the recently opened shop at Delridge and Findlay? If you do, you’re likely a customer of Tony’s Market, the produce stand at 35th and Barton. Three months after opening (here’s our January story), Martin’s Way is stocking fresh produce from Tony’s – right now, 8 kinds of vegetables and 17 kinds of fruit (a few of which are in this photo):

And with Penny’s chips in stock, you can even buy the makings for chips and guacamole, as the Memorial Day weekend approaches:

MW proprietors Vik and Nikhi also are stocking the items with which they started operations – an extensive selection of bulk spices, specialty salts and sugars, and some grains. Meantime, back to the Tony’s partnership – Vik says he first met Tony’s founder/namesake Tony Genzale in 2004 and was impressed with him as an entrepreneur and community member; since Tony’s death a year and a half ago, his son Joey Genzale has been running the business, so Vik says he spoke with Joey and his mom and they liked the idea of Vik stocking some of their produce – which he hopes to dub “Tony’s Market at Martin’s Way,” with a portrait of Tony hanging in the store. (Stand by for updates on that.) Martin’s Way is open noon till 7 Tuesdays through Saturdays, noon till 3 on Sundays (northeast corner of Delridge/Findlay).

West Seattle’s two state liquor stores are closing two days early

Just announced by the state Liquor Control Board, they’re closing the remaining state liquor stores in phases, with many shutting down BEFORE May 31st – meaning that since the private sellers aren’t supposed to start until June 1st, you might have a few days without availability. Here are the local stores affected, according to the WSLCB’s list: May 29th (next Tuesday) is the final day for West Seattle’s two state stores, in The Junction and at Westwood Village, while May 28th is the final day for the store in White Center. Meantime, several of the local grocery stores that will be selling hard liquor already have stocks on hand, though selling isn’t legal until June 1st.

Update: Amber Alert ends, children found safe

(4:41 PM UPDATE: Amber Alert canceled, children found safe)

(Photo of car, provided by King County Sheriff’s Office, added 2:59 pm)
1:26 PM: Not far from here so we’re repeating the alert – King County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Sgt. Cindi West says they’re “working on an Amber Alert” – a man named Michael Riley III left the Burien Library, she says, with his 7-month-old and a 2-year-old who’s not his, “violating an order.” He’s said to be in a four-door 1994 green Lexus, WA 299UOM; call 911 if you see it.

2:33 PM UPDATE: Here’s the full Amber Alert, including descriptions. And KING 5′s Elisa Hahn has tweeted this link to a photo of the man and the children:

4:42 PM UPDATE: The Amber Alert is canceled; the children were found safe, according to the King County Sheriff’s Office. Awaiting more info.

5:13 PM UPDATE: Sgt. West has this postscript via Twitter:

West Seattle businesses: The Artistic Framers ‘going mobile’

Just announced today by The Artistic Framers shop at – they’re closing their 5631 California SW storefront as of the end of this month, after 19 years there, but they’re NOT going out of business, they’re “going mobile.” Their announcement says business is particularly booming in one of their non-framing sidelines, real-estate staging. They’ll still offer framing too – by appointment.

Traditional Memorial Day service next Monday at Forest Lawn

(WSB photo from 2011 Memorial Day service)
Forest Lawn Cemetery (WSB sponsor), which just hosted the annual Seattle Police Memorial ceremony last Friday, will again be the scene of a solemn event next Monday – the annual traditional Memorial Day service. It’s set for 2 pm (across from the funeral home at 6701 30th SW). If you haven’t been but wonder what it’s like, here’s our coverage from last year.

P.S. We’re working to make sure the WSB calendar has everything special, changed, etc., for the holiday, so if your business or organization has something going on, please let us know!

18 West Seattle parks to be part of water-saving experiment

Seattle Parks just announced a pilot project to reduce, or eliminate, irrigation – watering – in certain parks this June through September, and they warn that means you might see “brown grass” in those parks, among other effects. Here’s the news release with details. After receiving it, we asked which West Seattle parks would be involved, and have just received the 18-park list from Karen O’Connor at Parks: Click to read the rest of 18 West Seattle parks to be part of water-saving experiment…

My Garden Coach: Welcoming a new WSB sponsor

Considering a yard makeover as summer approaches? Today we welcome one of our newest WSB sponsors, My Garden Coach, with this message for you:

Yard makeovers can be very intimidating for homeowners. People usually have an idea of what they want their yard to look like but don’t know how to get started.

That’s why hiring a Garden Coach is such a great idea! In just one visit, you get a landscape designer to look at your yard and help you see not just what it CAN be, but also help you make a plan for how to get there.

You may want to do the work yourself but you need a designer’s eye to help you see your yard’s potential. Or, you just don’t like your yard and you want someone to help you create a whole, new design. Some people need motivation to start, some need a vision, and others just need a list of priorities of what to do next. That’s where a garden coach can be a perfect fit. A 2-hour walk-through of your yard is really all it takes to get started.

After their yard makeovers, My Garden Coach customers can’t believe how little it took to transform their dull or overgrown yard into an impressive garden. They also say they spend more time in their yards, take more pride in showing it and know their investment has improved their property’s value. Let’s take a walk, talk about your goals and create a design that transforms your plain old yard into a beautiful garden!

Find My Garden Coach online at mygardencoach.net, or call 206-550-5501.

We thank My Garden Coach for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.

West Seattle Tuesday: Summer signups; stand-up paddleboarding; schools…

From the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar:

TRAFFIC ALERT – BRIDGE AND VICINITY TONIGHT: Again tonight, the westbound Spokane Street Viaduct is scheduled to close from I-5 to Highway 99 – meaning no West Seattle Bridge access from I-5 or Beacon Hill – 10 pm-5 am. (Please note that the closures don’t always start at the exact minute advertised – last night we crossed the bridge eastbound at 10:15, noted westbound was still open, but upon return maybe 15 minutes later, it was closed.) Some surface-street closures too – full details from SDOT, here.

FERRY NOTE: Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth is back to three boats a day earlier than expected (the live Vessel Watch confirms this), as promised by Washington State Ferries.

REGISTRATION STARTS FOR COMMUNITY CENTERS’ SUMMER PROGRAMS: Thanks to our friends at Ravenna Blog for the reminder on this one – at noon today, you can start registering for this summer’s programs at city-run community centers, pools (including Southwest and Colman Pools here in West Seattle) and environmental-learning centers (including Camp Long). Link and details are on the Parks home page.

WRITERS IN THE SCHOOLS: Today and tomorrow, readings at the Seattle Public Library downtown feature students from all over the region, and today’s lineup includes Jessada Brown and Adrianne Hall of Sanislo Elementary School.

MUSIC IN THE SCHOOLS: As mentioned in our story about the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestras’ coaching for orchestral music in local elementary (and other) schools, Highland Park Elementary has orchestra concerts at 1:30 and 6:30 pm today.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT HEARING FOR SCHOOL LEVY PROPOSAL: Though the levy plan isn’t finalized yet, Seattle Public Schools is having hearings on the draft environmental impact statement for its next BEX (Building Excellence, construction-focused) levy, and there’s one 5-6 pm tonight at Roxhill Elementary (30th/Roxbury) – here’s our original preview.

SUP RACE NIGHT: A seasonal weekly tradition – starting at 6 pm at Alki Kayak Tours at Seacrest (1660 Harbor Avenue SW) – details here.

FREE MOVIE NIGHT AT SKYLARK: It’s a new feature – and tonight “Shaun of the Dead” and “Zombieland” will be screened at Skylark Club and Café, starting at 7 pm (3803 Delridge Way SW).

NO BLOCKWATCH CAPTAINS’ NETWORK MEETING – BUT RSVP FOR THE PARTY! The West Seattle Blockwatch Captains’ Network has decided *not* to have its regular monthly meeting tonight after all, but DOES renew its invitation to local captains to RSVP for the *free* celebration coming up exactly one month from tonight – register online ASAP, here.

Sustainable West Seattle: Energy Fair; tea fundraiser with CoolMom

A busy few days for Sustainable West Seattle – with two events in three days. Monday night, the group brought a powerful lineup of energy education and experts to the monthly SWS Community Forum at the Senior Center of West Seattle. Above, Craig Jones from Sustainable Works, which specializes in energy audits and retrofits. Energy audits are also big for Community Power Works, whose Greta Hutchinson was on hand:

Now that winter’s finally past – just might be the right time to evaluate how to make your home more energy-efficient for next year. Or even do something more dramatic – go solar!

Eric Thomas from West Seattle-based Solar Epiphany was there to talk sun power in the form of the EcoLEAP program – with multiple options for going solar either big or small.

Ahead, our photos from the SWS/CoolMom tea party on Saturday: Click to read the rest of Sustainable West Seattle: Energy Fair; tea fundraiser with CoolMom…

West Seattle Crime Watch: North Admiral car break-ins

Just got a phone call from someone in North Admiral – 51st/Waite vicinity – who said that hers is one of two cars that had just been broken into and gone through, and she wanted to get the word out. She said it appeared they were using a spark plug or something similar to break the windows (a tactic that’s been going around for a few years) though last time car prowlers had hit the neighborhood, they only went through the unlocked cars. (Yes, the car-prowl victim said, it’s been reported to police.)

‘Harbor Island People for the Environment’: Workers with a mission

From 13th and Florida on Harbor Island, a dramatic set of before and after photos – first, the “before”:

And the “after” – though the story’s not entirely over yet:

Here’s the news release we received, explaining what’s going on:

A small group of Harbor Island employees joined forces to improve the neighborhood by creating a green space in their industrial environment. Naming themselves “Harbor Island People for the Environment” (HIPE), they arranged for a non-profit youth organization to paint murals for a warehouse and they built planter boxes for foliage to brighten and clean the air.

Festivities to celebrate installation of the murals and garden spot will be held June 1 at 4 PM at the north end of Harbor Island, 1731 13th Avenue SW. Sponsoring companies: Crowley, PCC Logistics, Rolls-Royce Commercial Marine, Vigor Industrial LLC.

Urban ArtWorks is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering at-risk youth through professional opportunities in the arts, to learn a variety of skills, and to use their creative talents in a positive way. Seven young artists and their mentors created eight mural panels for display on the side of a warehouse facing 13th Avenue SW. The maritime theme of the murals begins with a depiction of the land some hundred years ago, when it was inhabited by the Duwamish people, evolving gradually to the industrial era of today.

The garden design was developed by Spirit Garden Design owner, Lucinda O’Halloran. The planter boxes were donated and built by employees of PCC Logistics. Volunteers from the four sponsoring companies held a work party on May 18 to plant flowering trees and shrubs in the planter boxes. Company volunteers also participated for the fifth year in City of Seattle’s annual “Spring Clean” by picking up litter in the area.

Harbor Island is a busy work environment with shipping, shipbuilding and repair, railroads, trucking, engineering firms, and more, all squeezed onto a narrow manmade island co-existing with the Port of Seattle’s cranes, which constantly load and unload container cargo. The HIPE committee has plans for continued focus on developing green spots for a sustainable environment.

The murals mentioned in the announcement will be arriving later this week, and we’ll check back. Thanks to HIPE for the before/after photos included above!