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.

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.

After our first visit to the site yesterday afternoon to try to find out what was happening, our original tipster told us a “cease and desist” order had appeared. We went back to look; we didn’t find it but we did find evidence on the city Department of Planning and Development website that a complaint had been filed and was being investigated.

So we contacted DPD, whose spokesperson Bryan Stevens replied:

We sent an inspector out (Tuesday) after we received the complaint. It appears that four trees on site were removed. We posted a “stop work” order and required them to leave the remaining timber on site and provide us with an arborist report. At this point we haven’t determined whether the trees were considered exceptional, but we should know soon. On sites not undergoing redevelopment, exceptional trees cannot be removed unless they are deemed a hazard (via permit review process).

The city’s definition of “exceptional trees,” a six-page document, can be read here.

Homestead owner Tom Lin, with whom we spoke by phone late last night, says the trees that were cut were either dead or were in danger of falling into the building. He sent “before” photos. For context, we have a series of photos below, starting with two views from the apartment building across the street – the group photo organized by the aforementioned coalition of preservation groups in July 2010, with the Homestead’s then-existing trees clearly visible behind the posing group, and a photo we took from the same angle early Tuesday evening:

(WSB photo, July 4, 2010)

(WSB photo, May 22, 2012)
Here are photos provided by Lin, from right on the Homestead grounds, before he hired the tree crew:

Lin says a concern was raised in April by Clay Eals from the Southwest Seattle Historical Society, headquartered less than a block from the Homestead in its old carriage house, on behalf of the 4-group coalition concerned about the former Fir Lodge. We had spoken to Eals earlier in the evening; he shared the e-mail he had sent Lin on April 9:

On behalf of our coalition of four local heritage organizations, I am checking in to see if you are aware of the fallen tree and power lines on the south side of the front lawn of the Alki Homestead. Apparently, the tree fell about a week ago. We are concerned about the safety of the situation. Please let us know of any action that is under way on this front. Thanks.

Eals says Lin didn’t reply. But then, while he says he doesn’t pass the Homestead site every day, he did become aware of this round of tree-cutting. Eals believes that it may raise a larger issue: “The trees on the Homestead property obviously were part of what was to be protected in the 1996 city ordinance regarding controls and incentives for the Homestead. While trees are not specifically mentioned, the ordinance mentions ‘the site, excluding minor plantings’. … You will notice that the ordinance also states that ‘in-kind maintenance or repairs of the (protected) features” is allowed without the landmarks board’s approval. Whether the cutting of the trees falls under this provision is a matter of interpretation’. In part, that interpretation requires information about the condition of the trees that we do not have and have not been given.”

That’s the ordinance that officially made the Homestead/Fir Lodge a city landmark in 1996; you can read it in its entirety here.

And that ordinance is why Lin cannot proceed with restoration/reconstruction work at the Homestead without approval from the city Landmarks Board; any owner of a landmarked property needs approval to make changes to its landmarked features. The Homestead project has not been scheduled for a formal hearing or vote; Lin and the architects he hired for the project, Alloy Design Group, have done what most project teams do before officially going before the board – they have taken it to the board’s informal Architectural Review Committee, meeting with them four times last year to seek guidance on what the board ultimately would allow to be done, with key issues including how much, if any, of the original logs can be salvaged. Lin takes issue with the process, saying that and other issues have been gone over time and time again, and that even without rehash, there is not enough time to consult with the board, with a half-hour scheduled for any project on the agenda, even a complex one like this.

Their last voluntary review with the ARC was in July 2011 (WSB coverage here). But Lin says the project has not been idle; he told us that he had just talked again hours earlier with consultant Mark Fritch, a log-home expert whose great-grandfather helped build the Homestead, has continued to do research, including a trip to Sweden last year. Lin said he and Fritch had also looked at a timber parcel that might have yielded the logs they expect to need for the project, but that the price wasn’t right.

Back to the tree-cutting that the city is investigating now. Lin tells WSB he is done with that work and that no additional cutting is planned; he said the evergreen on the northeast corner of the property was only to have limbs removed, not being prepared for removal. The other trees, he said, died months after the fire – he says they all died during the same month, but were now posing a safety risk – one was on the ground, one was causing problems with utility wires, one was in danger of falling into the Homestead structure itself, as he says is shown by the photos he provided (above). At the time they were discovered to be dead, he said, he “didn’t want to chop them down” – but now, with one having come down and the others in danger of tipping into wires or the structure, he felt he had no choice.

And as for the ongoing process – he says he hasn’t given up, but adds that he doesn’t have “infinite” time or money to devote to it. Yet it is not for sale, he says, while mentioning getting three inquiries this week as to whether it might be.

Meantime, in communication regarding the treecutting, Eals expressed optimism regarding the Homestead’s future: “Our coalition maintains its confidence that the Homestead, including its site, can be preserved and restored and our optimism that it will be. We also maintain our long-stated offer to meet with the owner of the property to offer support and assistance in guiding the preservation and restoration project through the city landmarks process to a successful outcome.”

Lin summarizes, “It has become a very lengthy process, but the goal is to still to bring the Homestead back … I haven’t deviated from that point. … We need to bring it back, one way or another. All I can do is figure out how.”

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.

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.)

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.

From: Apostle, Paul A
Sent: Tuesday, May 22, 2012 12:45 PM
To: Enfield, Susan A
Subject: Lafayette Investigation Memorandum

MEMORANDUM

To: Susan Enfield
From: Paul Apostle
Date: May 22, 2012
Subject: Lafayette Investigation

Per your request, I have directed that an investigation be conducted into allegations that the Lafayette Principal, Jo Lute Ervin, did not properly address allegations of misconduct by a student and that the principal violated Board Policies 3207, Prohibition of Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying, and 3208, Sexual Harassment. The investigation is in response to a complaint filed on May 3, 2012, by two Lafayette parents.

The report of the District’s Employee and Labor Relations Investigator, Denise Williams-Saunders, is attached.

The report states that the student misconduct was promptly addressed by the classroom teachers and other staff involved. A parent of one of the students that witnessed one incident of inappropriate gestures on April 10, 2012 complained to the principal that the conduct had not been addressed and that his child had been subjected to sexual harassment.

In response the principal conducted an investigation, including interviewing the student and five student-witnesses on April 13, 2012. The principal then reported back to the complaining parents that her investigation confirmed the student had used inappropriate gestures, which had already been addressed by the classroom teacher, but did not confirm that the student had touched himself in a sexual manner. Ms. Williams-Saunder’s report states that the principal conducted the student interviews in private and asked the students to demonstrate the gestures used by the student. It was alleged that the principal had refused to allow a parent to sit in on the interview, but evidence indicates the principal was not aware the request was from the parent of the child being interviewed.

The report concludes that School Board Policies 3207 and 3208 were not violated.

Aurora Lora, Executive Director of Schools, met with the principal on April 25, 2012 and provided advice on ways to improve her response to sensitive allegations of student misconduct in the future. These include having another adult in the room whenever possible sensitive subjects are involved, not asking students to demonstrate the gestures used, informing parents before and after of such interviews, and providing better information to substitute teachers to inform them of problematic situations they may encounter.

You have asked that we take steps to assure a positive learning environment is maintained between now and the end of the school year. Deputy Superintendent Bob Boesche, Aurora Lora and I visited the school yesterday to assess that question. Aurora will meet with the entire staff today. We believe that staff is working hard and effectively to teach students. To assure this continues, we will provide additional support at the building as needed for the remaining four weeks of the school year.

Unrelated to this incident, the District announced in February that Ms. Lute Ervin would be leaving the school at the end of the school year. The hiring process for her replacement is nearly complete. No decision has been made for Ms. Lute Ervin’s new assignment next fall.

The District is planning mandatory training for school leaders for later this summer in identifying and investigating allegations of sexual misconduct, harassment and bullying.

The SSCF site reported that one of the parents involved had filed a report last week asking police to investigate. We were unable to get that report through the precinct but are seeking it through headquarters, to find out its status.

ADDED 8:20 AM: The Lafayette PTA e-mail we mentioned above, sent to a school-related list, alluded to a letter to Lafayette families from West Seattle executive director of schools Aurora Lora. PTA president Annie Higgins has provided WSB with a copy; she says a hard copy will go home with Lafayette students today. As you will read, it is similar in content to the district memo above:

May 22, 2012

Dear Lafayette families,

I want to let you know about an issue at Lafayette that has come to public attention and assure you that student safety and well-being is a top priority at Lafayette.

Issues of alleged student misconduct at Lafayette were raised in early April and addressed. The student was disciplined by the classroom teacher. After a complaint from two parents, the principal conducted an investigation and concluded that no further action was warranted.

Later, on May 3, two parents filed a formal complaint. In response, Dr. Susan Enfield asked Human Resources to conduct an investigation. The report states that student misconduct was promptly addressed by the classroom teachers and other staff involved. The report concludes that no Board policies were violated.

To ensure a positive learning environment is maintained between now and the end of the school year, on Monday, Interim Deputy Superintendent Bob Boesché, and Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Paul Apostle and I visited Lafayette and on Tuesday, we spoke to the entire staff. To help finish the school year, the school district is providing Principal Jo Lute-Ervin with additional administrative assistance.

With four weeks until the end of the school year, I want to thank the Lafayette staff and community for continuing to ensure strong teaching and learning, despite these distractions. I should have news about a principal appointment for the 2012-13 school year later this week.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Aurora Lora
Executive Director of Schools, West Seattle

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).

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?

(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.

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!

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).

(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: