West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
Thanks to West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) Dolphins swim-team parent Brent Lindblom for sharing the photo, and congratulations to those in it – Coach Kyle Homad and swimmers Michael Stewart and Karen Woodworth – for representing the WSY at the YMCA Short Course National Championships in Greensboro, North Carolina, this past week. Checking the detailed meet info – Michael (a Chief Sealth International High School student) competed in the 50 and 100 freestyle and 100 butterfly; Karen (a Vashon Island HS student) competed in the 100 and 200 breaststroke and 200 individual medley.
(Common finch, photographed Friday by Ryan O’Keven)
An eclectic lineup of possibilities for your Sunday – including, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
‘BIG BLUE SUNDAY’: This is not just any old Sunday for Northwest Center’s Big Blue Truck donation dropoffs in The Junction. It’s “Big Blue Sunday,” with a focus on clothing donations (though they’ll take everything else they usually accept, too) and some special incentives 10 am-2 pm as part of a regional drive. More here. (44th/Edmunds)
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: The further we get into spring, the more vendors return, and you’ll find more “new” offerings today. Produce, meat, fish, cheese, cider, baked goods, wine, nuts, flowers, more, 10 am-2 pm. (44th/Alaska)
‘RIBBON AND RHYME’ TYPEWRITER ART: 1:30-4:30 in the Delridge Branch Library meeting room, it’s your first of five local chances this month to “try out vintage typewriters and create a bit of spontaneous art,” as a friend of writer/artist Lauren Ziemski explains (she has deployed them in open-air installations like this one photographed by The Seattle Times [WSB partner]). More info here. (5423 Delridge Way SW)
CATSINO: 2-6 pm at Beveridge Place Pub, join Furry Faces Foundation and friends for Vegas-style games and other fun(draising) – details in our calendar listing. (6413 California SW)
‘MIDSUMMER/JERSEY’: Another chance to see the Seattle Lutheran High School Drama Club production, 2:30 pm at the school gym – details here. (4100 SW Genesee)
SARAH BURGESS, LIVE: Singer/songwriter serenades you while you enjoy an afternoon at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 3-5 pm. (5612 California SW)
‘MOVING PARTY’ AT SKYLARK: No, Skylark Café and Club is not moving, but ER Piano Studios is, with a new name and new location to be announced at a 3-6 pm event that you can enjoy too – details in our calendar listing. No cover. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
WEST SEATTLE GREEN SPACE COALITION: Their work toward community determination of the publicly owned ex-substation sites continues, and you’re invited to their next meeting, 3:15 pm at West Seattle (Admiral) Branch Library – agenda details in our calendar listing; more about the group at westseattlegreenspace.org. (2326 42nd SW)
‘A … MY NAME IS ALICE’: Musical/comedy revue by Twelfth Night Productions at Kenyon Hall, 5 pm curtain time today. (7904 35th SW)
OSO BENEFIT AT ENDOLYNE JOE’S: Tonight through April 17th, Endolyne Joe’s (WSB sponsor) donates $5 to slide relief from every “Chow Chompin'” three-course meal (described on this page – click to expand the info box). 5 pm to close, each night. (9261 45th SW)
OSO BENEFIT IN WHITE CENTER: Company Bar (which you probably know is a restaurant too) is hosting a benefit bash tonight, asking a $5 donation at the door, with live music 8-11 pm (though you’re welcome to show up sooner!) and more. Details on this Facebook event page.
What happens to the medical-marijuana industry when recreational-marijuana stores start opening? Our area’s largest political organization, the 34th District Democrats, invite you to come hear from an expert panel – and ask questions – this Wednesday. 34th DDs chair Marcee Stone-Vekich – who elaborates on the subject here – says the panel will include Rep. Eileen Cody, King County Councilmember Joe McDermott, Seattle City Attorney Pete Holmes, and Liquor Control Board chair Sharon Foster.
Another topic of import – Seattle Parks funding, and whether voters will be asked to approve creation of a Metropolitan Parks District; City Councilmember Sally Bagshaw is scheduled to talk about that. Also on the agenda, members are expected to vote on endorsing the re-election of Rep. Cody and her fellow 34th District legislators, Sen. Sharon Nelson and Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon. The meeting’s at 7 pm Wednesday (April 9th), The Hall at Fauntleroy (9131 California SW).
We’re five weeks away from the 10th annual West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day on Saturday, May 10th, 2014 – that one day of the year when sales of all sizes, all around West Seattle, draw shoppers from as close as next door and as far away as Eastern Washington (really!). Registration opened up earlier this week and more than 60 sales are signed up already, including the group site in the courtyard at Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor) in The Junction e-mail info@hotwirecoffee.com if you don’t have room or stuff enough for your own sale and you want a spot in the courtyard). Registration will continue a few more weeks (we haven’t set the ending date yet), and then we close it to make the map, online and printable versions, so it’ll be available at least a week ahead of time. Want to have a sale and be part of a one-day, one-peninsula festival of person-to-person recycling? Here’s the registration form. Sale hours on May 10th, by the way, are 9 am-3 am – if you want to start early and/or end late, you’re welcome to, but we ask that every sale at least be open for that six-hour window. a href=”http://www.formstack.com/forms/?1716531-ST42Cqi4qx” target=”_blank”>Here’s the form!
The most recent West Seattle Crime Watch reports that community members wanted to get the word out about:
CAR BREAK-IN: Another car prowl at Lincoln Park – but it was followed by a gesture of kindness. From Rebecca:
I know that this is pretty routine, but I had my blue Nissan Versa broken into (Friday) morning between 10:30 and 11:30 in the south parking lot of Lincoln Park. My front passenger-side window was smashed and my purse was stolen. I had shoved my purse under the passenger seat but they must have spotted it. It is a light tan and black Nine West “mom” purse, if anyone spots it on the street.
My four-year-old son and I live in West Seattle but my mom is visiting from NY. I was trying to show her how beautiful Lincoln Park is. She was able to see how kind and sweet my neighbors are when strangers stopped and offered condolences. One little girl even urged her mom to give us ten dollars. My son is going to use it to buy a toy.
(Thanks also to Kurt for a tip on this, just before we received Rebecca’s note.)
Four more reports ahead and a nearby FYI: Read More
Thanks to Keith Schieron for sharing the photos and report:
This morning we held an event to cut ivy and other invasive species in the Fairmount Ravine.
This event was held as a followup to last month’s Fairmount Ravine cleanup event. While last month we focused on garbage, this weekend we focused on getting the ivy and other invasive species under control. The Seattle Parks Department supplied tools and hand outs about the value of the native trees and forests here in our lovely city.
We had nine volunteers out to help, including two of our longest-serving volunteers, John Lang and Blair Constantine, who have been part of the Fairmount Ravine yearly project for twenty-one years!
The group cleared ivy from the base of nearly thirty trees and we built the spirit of community that makes living in West Seattle so special.
Thanks to all of the volunteers for sharing their Saturday morning with us!
The memorial service for Fauntleroy legend Morest “Morey” Skaret, 100, is set for 10 am this Monday (April 7th) at Forest Lawn (6701 30th SW). As noted in his obituary, 
as published in The Seattle Times, Mr. Skaret had been a West Seattleite since childhood. He also served with the Seattle Police Department for more than 40 years; our photo at right is from 2012, when he was honored by the Seattle Police Relief Association. Mr. Skaret was known by many as a storyteller; some of his stories are on HistoryLink.org, like this one. Fauntleroy writer/editor/community advocate Judy Pickens edited Mr. Skaret’s book of life stories, “Morey’s Bench“; we asked her for a few words in his memory:
“Nothing reveals the grain of a life and the time of its living quite like personal stories. And to loved ones, friends, and neighbors, no one can tell a story better than Morey Skaret.”
I wrote those words in 2003, when Morey and I culminated publication of “Morey’s Bench,” a collection of his stories spanning his early years on a homestead in Alberta, through his settling in Fauntleroy in 1937, to his long retirement overlooking the ferry terminal. Throughout the process, I could never convince him that people would want to buy the book. When the dust settled, however, we had reprinted it three times to satisfy demand.
With Morey’s passing on March 27, loved ones, friends, and neighbors have those stories and many “Did I ever tell you about…” moments with him as fond memories. Those not fortunate enough to have a copy of the book may find a sampling of his stories at www.historylink.org/?keyword=Skaret&DisplayPage=results.cfm&Submit=Go.
If you have a story to share, Mr. Skaret’s online guestbook is here.
The announcement just in from Clay Swidler of the West Seattle Garden Tour:
The West Seattle Garden Tour is thrilled to announce Sue Madill as the winning artist chosen for the WSGT’s 20th Anniversary Poster! The original painting will also be for sale at one of the nine gardens featured on this year’s July 20th garden tour. (Location to be announced.) Congratulations, Sue!
This year’s tour is on July 20th – more info here.
(Photos by WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand)
FIRST REPORT, 9:14 AM: We’re just arriving at Seattle Center to check out the Neighborhood Summit (agenda here) that’s a fulfillment of one of Mayor Ed Murray‘s campaign promises – under way at the Exhibition Hall (3rd/Mercer) until 1 pm.
(Video feed no longer active but keeping box as a placeholder for archived video Monday)
We’ll be adding some photos and updates, but for starters, clicking the “play” button above should take you to live coverage from Seattle Channel, including remarks from the mayor before 9:30 or so. If you’re there and posting to social-media channels, #SNS2014 is the hashtag. More to come.
10:03 AM UPDATE: We’ve been here for about 45 minutes. The mayor has spoken, stressing that this isn’t a self-contained event, but meant to be “the beginning of the conversation.” Here’s a 15-second Instagram video clip we took, panning the space here at the Exhibition Hall, as he spoke:
We’ve seen West Seattleites from Admiral, Arbor Heights, Fairmount, Genesee, Morgan, North Delridge, Pigeon Point, Westwood; we’ve seen South Park’ers. We’ll have a photo gallery later; we’ve put up cameraphone pix on our Twitter feed at twitter.com/westseattleblog (you should be able to see it even if you don’t use Twitter – that’s the web address). There IS password-free wi-fi here, and it seems to work pretty well.
10:32 AM UPDATE: Former City Councilmember Jim Street (above, at podium on the stage, with the mayor at left) is speaking and taking Q/A; most of those who’ve spoken seem to have issues more for current councilmembers – including land use – microhousing and rowhouses have come up. Now, a question about crime/public safety, which Street again can’t answer as he’s not a current councilmember. (Maybe the council should have been here. If they are, we haven’t seen them yet.)
11:34 AM UPDATE: We had to leave midway through, but coverage continues in the video window above (currently, it’s a discussion about the search for a new SDOT director) and on Twitter. Re: council presence, the mayor subsequently mentioned Councilmember Sally Bagshaw was there – not surprising since she chairs the Seattle Public Utilities and Neighborhoods Committee – and there was a Twitter mention of Councilmember Tom Rasmussen.
The first declared candidate for the West Seattle-specific City Council seat in next year’s elections (District 1), Chas Redmond, was there too (above right, with North Delridge’s Dorsol Plants at left).
12:23 PM UPDATE: Mayor is giving closing remarks (it’s open another half-hour, but speeches/discussions are ending onstage) and says more than 600 people participated in person, in addition to others online or watching the stream. He also gives a shoutout to Kathy Nyland, who put it together.
5:26 PM: Finally getting a chance to add our photos – interspersed above and below.
Above, Amanda Leonard and Holli Margell from North Delridge. Next, Sharonn Meeks from Fairmount and Cindi Barker from Morgan:
Cindi was also there for official “peer networking” regarding preparedness. Next, SPD’s crime-prevention coordinator for the Southwest (and South) Precinct, Mark Solomon:
Next, Jim Cavin from Admiral and Mary Fleck from the West Seattle Green Space Coalition:
Below, from left, Amanda Kay Helmick and Joe Szilagyi from WWRHAH and the West Seattle Transportation Coalition, with Deb Barker from Morgan:
Pete Spalding from Pigeon Point:
She’s not from West Seattle but much WS-related information has been shared over the years on the Seattle Schools Community Forum website by Melissa Westbrook:
(A few more to add – stand by)
Meantime, here are a few links potentially of interest:
–“Live blog” coverage by city staff, with notes, curated tweets (including a couple of ours) and photos
-Coalition for an Affordable Living Seattle was handing out flyers outside, headed “Developer impact fees now! Growth controls now!” with a URL that isn’t working, but we found them online here
(No such thing as too many eagle photos. Thanks to Ryan O’Keven for this view of two!)
Happy Saturday! From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, some of what’s up now through nighttime:
BIRD WALK IN LINCOLN PARK … with Audubon. Starts at 8 am; details in our listing. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
FOOD DRIVE: The Kiwanis ONE food drive is today – watch for Kiwanians, Key Club members, and Scouts at local grocery stores, as previewed here, 9 am-3 pm.
SEATTLE NEIGHBORHOOD SUMMIT: Not IN West Seattle, but EVERYONE is invited to the Neighborhood Summit happening 9 am-1 pm today at the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall downtown; here’s the agenda. We’ll see you there for at least part of it – text us if you’re going! 206-293-6302. (3rd/Mercer)
ARBOR HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY CLEANUP: 9 am-noon at the school:
It is that time of year again to give the face of the school grounds at Arbor Heights a little love. This is a great time to gather for a working playdate, have some coffee and baked goods, and work together to clean the grounds, entry, walkways, flowerbeds, etc. as we enjoy our last few months before construction begins. Bring your gardening gloves and tools or use what’s provided and come and join us!
(37th SW/SW 104th)
FRIENDS OF LINCOLN PARK … would love to have you help them rescue part of the park from invasive plants/weeds, starting at 9 am. Details here. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
FAIRMOUNT RAVINE IVY-FIGHTING FOLLOWUP: Starting at 9 am, Fairmount Ravine needs your help to get free of some of the tree-choking ivy in this beautiful ravine that also frames a road used by many to get between Admiral and Alki. Details in our preview. (Fairmount/Forest)
SANISLO BOOK SALE: 10 am-2 pm, the big annual book sale benefiting the 4th grade camping trip at Sanislo Elementary – a major outdoor-educational opportunity. Books for all ages will be on sale. (1812 SW Myrtle)
TALK WITH YOUR SCHOOL BOARD REP: West Seattle’s school-board rep Marty McLaren invites anyone who wants to talk with her about Seattle Public Schools issues to come to the common house of Puget Ridge Cohousing 10 am-noon today. (7020 18th SW)
INTERNATIONAL TABLETOP GAMES DAY, #1: Uptown Espresso in Delridge is now also a “Gameporium “and is celebrating ITGD 10 am-midnight, with game-playing and game-learning. (Delridge/Andover)
WEST SEATTLE RUNNER’S 4TH ANNIVERSARY SALE & DISCOUNT WEST SEATTLE 5K REGISTRATION: Come help West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) celebrate its 4th anniversary with a big sale and other special events, including – today only – one last chance for the discount registration price for the May 18th West Seattle 5K (benefiting and organized by the WSHS PTSA). More in our calendar listing. (California/Charlestown)
VOLUNTEER AT THE LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: The next orientation for prospective volunteers at the home of West Seattle’s history is today, 11 am-1 pm, and there’s lots for you to help with! See for yourself, here. (61st/Stevens)
INTERNATIONAL TABLETOP GAMES DAY, #2: Meeples Games isn’t open yet but will be presenting a free, public event in honor of the occasion, at Alki Bathhouse. Details here. 1-5 pm. (61st/Alki)
WEST SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL SPAGHETTI DINNER/AUCTION: The night after the team’s win over Rainier Beach:
… you can support them at a spaghetti dinner tonight, 5-8 pm at West Side Presbyterian Church, $10 donation per person. Photo by Greg Slader, above, shows Spencer Elder pitching in Friday’s game. (3601 California SW)
HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL DINNER/AUCTION: 5-9 pm, you’re invited to help Holy Family Bilingual Catholic School celebrate this special night – details in our calendar listing. (20th/Roxbury)
WEST SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL ‘TASTE OF THE ARTS’: Visual, performing, and culinary arts combine for this unique benefit – here’s our preview. 6-10 pm, starting at St. John’s Episcopal Church and moving next door to the WSHS Theater. (California/Hanford/Stevens)
‘TAKING ROOT’: For Earth Month, West Seattle Meaningful Movies presents the story of Wangari Maathai (who came to West Seattle several years ago to plant trees with students). Neighborhood House’s High Point Center – come meet your neighbors at 6:30, film at 7. Details here. (6900 Sylvan Way)
‘A … MY NAME IS ALICE’: Another performance tonight at 7:30 pm for Twelfth Night Productions‘ show at Kenyon Hall; details here. (7904 35th SW)
This is just part of the list – check out the calendar for more, including music tonight.
Making summer plans? The 2014 edition of Sealth Basketball and Life Skills Camp is in registration mode, for students going into grades 2 through 9 next fall. From Coach Colin Slingsby:
We are excited to host our 17th annual summer of Sealth Basketball and Life Skills camp at Chief Sealth International High School and Denny International Middle School this summer.
Last year, we hosted more than 400 campers in our multiple sessions. The emphasis of our program is to teach the fundamentals of the game in part of a fun and competitive basketball experience, but also to emphasize the Life Skills necessary to be successful in school and life, both intellectually, and socially.
The camp is run by camp directors Colin Slingsby (Chief Sealth IHS Boys Head Coach) and Diallo Jackson (Denny IMS Boys Head Coach) with the help of many high school and college students/athletes who are put through a lengthy mentorship training in order to be prepared to work with our many campers.
While we enjoy teaching the game of basketball and providing a positive week on the court, we pride ourselves on our Life Skills curriculum which includes a classroom session daily, emphasizing the values of our program. Camp runs from 9 am-4 pm each day, and each camper will receive a camp T-shirt.
In addition, we are excited to offer an ‘Advanced Concepts’ session again this year (this session is geared toward campers 6th grade and up). A brochure with further information and registration forms are available on the Chief Sealth International High School website.
Questions? Contact Coach Slingsby at basketballandlifeskillscamp@gmail.com.
New Southwest Precinct commander Capt. Steve Wilske told the Westwood-Roxhill-Arbor Heights Community Council meeting earlier this week (WSB coverage here) that he hoped to get the SPD Mounted Patrol out and about more in West Seattle – they’re based here, after all. And today, we’re getting reports and photos of sightings – above, south on 49th SW between Spokane and Charlestown, with the photo shared by Dawn F (whose child is seen, watching); next, headed toward Alki Beach on 59th SW, photographed by Emily and shared via Instagram:
Let us know if and when you see them around!
We’re in King County Superior Court again this afternoon – this time in the courtroom of Judge Laura Inveen, who has just sentenced 23-year-old Donald Plute of Top Hat to a 10-year, 9-month sentence. Plute pleaded guilty in February to charges stemming from a morning-long rampage last August – he stole a vehicle on Alki, then reverse-rammed it into a pursuing vehicle containing its owner, and later reverse-rammed a police car trying to pull him over in Morgan Junction. He subsequently sped off into Gatewood, abandoned the vehicle and ran. This is a “huge sentence,” as Judge Inveen put it, compared to what he had been given for so many crimes before. The only person in the courtroom besides your WSB team, the lawyers, and the judge, was Plute’s father, who spoke briefly, as did Plute. More details in a bit – we’re off to breaking news. (Courthouse-hallway photo taken today by Katie Meyer for WSB)
ADDED 5:40 PM: Deputy prosecuting attorney Alex Voorhees described Plute’s spree as “a really dangerous situation for almost the entire neighborhood of West Seattle,” considering not only the vehicles he rammed but also pedestrians and others along the roads across the peninsula he used between stealing and running.”
Representing Plute, defense attorney Eric Spencer said Plute “acknowledges he has a very serious problem with substance abuse and needs some time off the streets in order to (address it) … he does understand the gravity of what he’s done and how much more serious it could have been.”
Plute’s father spoke, saying he would rather see his son get treatment than a long prison sentence, and saying Plute’s mother had just gone through two surgical procedures and he just hopes she’s still alive when he gets out.
“You’re familiar with your son’s criminal history?” asked Judge Inveen.
“I know he’s got a lot of points but … last time he was (in) he got degrees in welding and fiber-optics but (after getting out) he got back into drugs and alcohol.”
The judge noted that Plute had been given a chance with DOSA, Drug Offender Sentencing Alternative – less prison time if you go through treatment and stay clean – in 2010.
Plute spoke on his own behalf for a moment or two, too quietly for us to hear from the gallery. The judge said his record appeared to have something similar, including eluding, in 2008. She pointed out that the sentencing before his had been in a wrenching case involving a hit-run death and a drug-addicted suspect – “she’s going to prison and has nowhere near the background you do.” Judge Inveen continued, “I see a lot of people with drug problems. It’s a terrible thing, it’s a disease, but it’s not an excuse for stealing cars and doing the stuff you did. … You’ve been given opportunities … this is a huge sentence, (but) it’s the low end of the range. I don’t have the discretion to go lower than that. Under these circumstances, I hope you will grow up, and do some good things.”
With that, she decreed the recommended 129-month sentence (counting other sentences running concurrently – he had pleaded guilty to first-degree robbery, two counts of second-degree assault, and attempting to elude a pursuing police vehicle), with credit for the 7 months he has been in jail so far, plus restitution to be finalized later (the judge noted he already has some piled up from earlier cases on his record, which stretches back to age 15), and 18 months of community custody (probation) when he gets out.
“This has the potential to be a really, really good project,” Southwest Design Review Board chair Laird Bennion told the architects of 1307 Harbor SW, as the board approved its Early Design Guidance proposal on first look during the second part of last night’s SWDRB doubleheader at the Senior Center of West Seattle.
Keep in mind, Early Design Guidance is just for the project’s “massing” – size and shape – and that’s what’s reflected above. Meeting details ahead:
12:23 PM: Police and fire are responding to a potential “heavy rescue” in the 5900 block of 44th SW in Seaview (map).
(Photo by Christopher Boffoli for WSB)
12:35 PM: Added a photo. No word yet on injuries – waiting to hear from our crew at the scene.
(Photo by Patrick Sand for WSB)
12:47 PM: Here’s what police tell us – the vehicle that’s on its side spun, flipped, and wound up sideways against the parked vehicle in our photo after colliding with a third car at 44th and Raymond. The sideways vehicle’s driver was headed north at the time but the vehicle ended up facing south. The driver went to the hospital by private ambulance to be checked out, but is not believed to have serious injuries. No one else needed to go to the hospital.
7:11 PM: The other vehicle involved is shown in this photo by Christopher – its driver had been heading westbound on Raymond, and was not hurt:
A friend of the driver of the vehicle that ended up sideways says she’s out of the hospital.
(FRIDAY EVENING NOTE: The jury has gone home for the weekend, no verdict yet; back Monday)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
“OK, jurors, I am going to pass the case to you.”
With those words from King County Superior Court Judge Theresa B. Doyle, the matter of whether Lovett “Cid” Chambers did or did not commit a crime went into the hands of 12 women and men.
Their actual deliberations did not start until this morning, since they did not receive the case until Thursday’s court session was almost over. The rest of the day had been taken up with closing arguments by prosecutor Maggie Nave and defense attorney Ben Goldsmith, after a tense disagreement over the objections he had started to raise toward the end of Wednesday.
(Photo added 2:30 pm, by Maris Avots)
ORIGINAL REPORT, 11:53 AM: Just got a call from Donna Sandstrom of The Whale Trail – and she says orcas are passing Beach Drive right now, heading “slowly south” – she’s watching from the Me-Kwa-Mooks area and says they are VERY close to this side. Please let us know if you see them! Photos appreciated too (we’ve assigned someone to go look, but whales seem to put on their cloaking devices when we are in the vicinity).
6:28 PM: In addition to the photo added above at midafternoon, this one is courtesy of Christine:
She and her toddler watched from Lincoln Park’s Colman Pool vicinity. Thanks again for sharing photos, comments, and other updates!
We tweeted that photo from the Westside Awards breakfast (WSB coverage here) on Thursday morning and can’t resist using it here too. Now, on to some of what’s up today/tonight, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (where you’ll find the full list of possibilities):
WEST SEATTLE RUNNER’S 4TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION: Today through Sunday, there’s a sale and all sorts of special events at West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor), celebrating its 4th anniversary. Find out more in our calendar listing. (California/Charlestown)
BIN 41’S 4TH ANNIVERSARY: 6 pm tonight at Bin 41 in The Junction:
It’s the year of the 4’s … celebrating 4 years on 4/4! Friday marks our annual tasting celebration, featuring our friend and the local West Seattle winemaker that kicked us off back in 2010, Darby English. Darby will be sharing a variety of new releases from the winery including a single vineyard Marsanne, the Dark Side, Mourvedre, the Swagger and more. We’ll have some special snacks to nibble on to celebrate 4 great years of sharing great wine with each of you here in the hood. We look forward to seeing you at the tasting!
(4707 California SW)
JUDY BENTLEY AT WORDS, WRITERS, WEST SEATTLE: The Southwest Seattle Historical Society-co-presented series of West Seattle author appearances at Barnes & Noble/Westwood Village continues 4-6 pm today with Judy Bentley – here’s her video invitation:
Full details on the SWHS website. (2800 SW Barton)
‘PETER PAN’: Arbor Heights Elementary invites you to come see the production – second and final night! 7 pm; details in this Facebook event. (3704 SW 102nd)
‘YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN’: 7:30 pm, the student production at West Seattle High School; details here. (3000 California SW)
‘A … MY NAME IS ALICE’: 7:30 pm, Twelfth Night Productions‘ show at Kenyon Hall; details here. (7904 35th SW)
‘MIDSUMMER/JERSEY’: 7:30 pm, Seattle Lutheran High School production at the school gym; details here. (4100 SW Genesee)
Do you enjoy Lincoln Park – its views, its wildlife? It can’t be taken for granted; it’s at risk due to human carelessness – but human caring can help make up for it, as you’ll see if you take a few minutes to watch the video. Thanks to Donna Sandstrom from The Whale Trail for sharing the video Barry White produced of last weekend’s TWT cleanup at the park – in the rain! – organized by Judy Lane. Donna has also written about it on the Whale Trail website.
Good morning and happy Friday! The “live” view above is the eastbound West Seattle Bridge; below, northbound 99 at the south end of the remaining elevated Alaskan Way Viaduct:
Any time of day/night, you can find more cameras, and other info, on the WSB Traffic page.
SEACREST PARKING: Carolyn tips us to “No Parking” signs in effect for 2-6 pm today immediately north and south of Seacrest on Harbor Avenue, affecting what she estimates as about a dozen spaces, apparently for a film crew working on something related to the Water Taxi.
CHARLESTOWN WORK STARTING TUESDAY: In case you missed the announcement published here Thursday, SW Charlestown will be closed for a week starting Tuesday between 46th SW and 47th SW for concrete-panel replacement, according to SDOT.
TUNNEL-MACHINE REPAIR UPDATE: New info from the state on Thursday, including a wall that will soon be visible to Alaskan Way Viaduct drivers/riders.
Photos/video by Patrick Sand
Story by Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog co-publishers
“All businesses need a voice,” said West Seattle Chamber of Commerce board chair Nancy Woodland, toward the start of this morning’s Westside Awards breakfast at Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor). “We get so much more done, coming together, and that is the value of your Chamber of Commerce … where your voice can join other voices and be heard throughout the city.”
One proof of the citywide audience – the keynote speaker was Mayor Ed Murray, who lived in West Seattle in childhood:
Later in this story, you’ll see our video of what he had to say, and how he answered questions from those in attendance – but this story is about the Westside Award winners, first announced one week ago.
Being part of the Chamber means visibility, Woodland added, and that’s certainly one benefit of the annual Westside Awards. The video atop this story features the entirety of today’s presentations, so you can hear for yourself what they said. We took photos, too:
Westside Business of the Year, for General Biodiesel, was accepted by founder Yale Wong:
He and team members posed out on the Salty’s deck afterward:
Wong said GB now recycles oil from 3,000 restaurants around the Northwest.
Westside Emerging Business of the Year, for Second Gear Sports, a consignment shop for sports, exercise, and fitness gear, was accepted by proprietor Mark Bremen:
Bremen said that in just 7 months of operation, they’ve already had 400 consigners and thousands of items.
Westside Non-Profit of the Year, the West Seattle Food Bank – here’s their team picture:
The Food Bank helped more than 37,000 families last year alone.
And the Westsider of the Year, Josh Sutton of the West Seattle and Fauntleroy Y (WSB sponsor) and Rotary Club of West Seattle, with wife Susan and son Guthrie, who introduced him:
This was the first awards breakfast since Lynn Dennis became CEO.
Now, to the keynoter: Mayor Murray touched on several of the topics we discussed with him in our recent interview – especially transportation. This morning, he declared that West Seattle’s mobility issue was the city’s top transportation problem. Hear for yourself in our video of his remarks; he was introduced by the Chamber’s past chair, Dave Montoure:
He touted this Saturday’s Neighborhood Summit, 9 am-1 pm at Seattle Center, as an opportunity “to decide how we want to reinvent our city’s relationships with our neighborhoods.” He mentioned 500 people had RSVP’d as of this morning, and given the Northwest proclivity for procrastination, “we expect that number to grow.”
Regarding transportation, and the infrastructure needed to support growth, Murray got in a plug for Proposition 1, the buses-and-roads ballot measure, saying, “First of all, we have to preserve the transit we have … it’s incredibly important.” If Prop 1 doesn’t pass on April 22nd, he declared, “not only will people suffer in this city, people will suffer in the county.” He also promoted his outreach for opinions on the search for a new city transportation director and what people “are looking for from SDOT.” That’s when he said the “tough decisions going forward” included “how are we going to fund a rapid transit system from West Seattle into the rest of the city? While Sound Transit has plans, they are decades away. I don’t believe we can wait decades. It might be a grade-separated bus route that eventually (becomes) a light rail route. We need to look at how we manage the West Seattle (Bridge).”
And after declaring this the city’s #1 transportation problem, he mentioned the Highway 99 tunnel trouble, saying he thinks it’ll take at least nine months to get going: “While I wish this hadn’t happened, I’m glad it happened earlier on.”
He went through other issues – Seattle Police, which, he mentioned has “the most diverse police command staff in the history of the city” right now.
Taking a few questions from those in attendance, he was asked about density without much parking – also an issue we discussed in our recent interview – and, as he said to us, he said the comprehensive-plan review (Seattle 2035) is one way to look for a balance, though, he said, “I absolutely believe we should have fewer parking spaces.”
In a non-WS question, he was asked about people openly smoking marijuana in Pioneer Square. He said openly smoking pot or drinking alcohol are both illegal and they are working on being able to arrest those who do it.
NEXT CHAMBER EVENT: Even if you are not a Chamber member, you are welcome at their events – next up, a briefing by King County Metro during the monthly lunch, 11:30 am next Thursday, April 10th, at The Kenney (WSB sponsor) – register here.
(South residential, street level)
The 134-unit, 152-parking-space, ~450-foot-long building at 3210 California SW was presented to the Southwest Design Review Board tonight for the fifth time – and this time, the board voted to recommend approval. Here’s how it unfolded:
PROJECT TEAM PRESENTATION: Boyd Pickrell from Nicholson Kovalchick Architects said he wanted to “laser in” on the points that were brought up at the fourth meeting, and the architects’ response. He showed off, first, the massing changes – height/bulk/scale. “The big move here is that we have eliminated the top floor of the north building,” he said. That “creates stairstepping of roof lines along California,” he added.
This Sunday, April 6th, 10 am – 2 pm at Northwest Center‘s Big Blue Truck in The Junction, there’s an extra incentive to donate on what they’re calling Big Blue Sunday – free coffee, a gift-card drawing, even free “Little Blue Bin” coin banks. It’s the local kickoff to a month-long clothing drive, so clothing donations are especially welcome, along with accessories, shoes, and small household items.
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