Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza construction, 3 weeks to go
More new photos from David Hutchinson with the Seattle (Alki) Statue of Liberty Plaza Project, as construction of the plaza enters its final weeks leading up to the September 6th dedication.
The pace has been picking up this past week … The bronze bench and landscape plaques arrived at the beginning of the week and the final pouring of cement took place. Three of the fifteen bench plaques were embedded in the newly poured apron around the front of the seat walls. Work also began on the first three wooden bench tops. The middle of the week saw continued work on the bench tops, work began on the new irrigation system, and holes were bored in the concrete for the step railing supports. The end of the week highlight was the arrival and installation of benches 13, 14, and 15 which were fabricated offsite as a single unit.
This coming week should see continued work on the benches and the arrival of the inscribed pavers which are scheduled to be installed over the next couple of weeks. At this time the new pedestal which is being cast offsite is scheduled to be put in place around the beginning of September with the Statue to be in installed in time for the September 6th dedication ceremony.
Here’s how the site looked Saturday:
You can catch up on this entire project and what led up to it over the past year-plus, in our Alki Statue of Liberty archive.
One year later, West Seattle construction arson still unsolved
(8/17/2007 photo by Garrett Burke)
That was the scene at 4132 California SW, on the northernmost edge of The Junction, as a huge fire burned in the early-morning hours of August 17, 2007, exactly one year ago today. The next day, investigators announced the fire had been ruled arson. In the ensuing months, we have received occasional e-mail questions wondering if the case was ever solved; a few days ago, we checked back with Seattle Police to see if any progress had been made in the investigation; Officer Jeff Kappel in the Media Unit told WSB by phone that they cannot comment on specifics, except to say it is an “open investigation.” The arson burned an under-construction live/work-unit building, but Knoll Development did not let the fire stop its plans — shortly afterward, as we showed you in this report last December, rebuilding resumed, and today the building is almost done:
We took that photo today. Meantime, if you have any information that might help investigators close this case, you can call Seattle Police (non-emergency line is 206/625-5011) or the national Arson Hotline, 800-55-ARSON.
Video, more photos: Picnic at the (Southwest) Precinct
We showed you a couple photos while Picnic at the Precinct was in full swing Saturday afternoon – but that was just in-progress coverage, for anyone checking here who hadn’t been yet. Today, the full report.
First – you see his name here all the time – but we don’t recall having shown you a photo before – that’s Southwest Precinct Lt. Steve Paulsen at right, with Segway-riding traffic-enforcement officer L. James, who explained the two-wheelers are not just used because they’re cool:
Her face-painting, by the way (which was offered free to picnicgoers), said ‘Beep-Beep.’ Of course.
The event really was all about people – and your chance to meet the ones who work hard to keep you safe – better to meet them, oh, say, handing out free ice cream, than showing up in your neighborhood chasing baddies:
That’s Officer Brian Ballew from the Community Police Team. It was a perfect day for ice cream, but the nearby hot dogs tasted pretty good too (or so the Junior Member of the Team tells us). More pictures, including the Arson Bomb Squad robot unit, ahead:Read More
Happening now: 3Day fundraiser, pet adopt-a-thon, plus …
You can’t miss that big white tent, with balloons and bright-pink signs, set up right now outside West 5 in The Junction. Till 6 pm, West Seattleite Tracy Dart – 33 years old and fighting breast cancer – is there raising money (goal: $1200) with her teammates in the upcoming Breast Cancer 3Day (September 12-14), which she’d registered for, even before her diagnosis. Check out Tracy’s custom T-shirt:
The slogan refers to breast self-exams, which is how Tracy caught her problem in time to be diagnosed in Stage 1. In addition to taking donations (from southbound drive-by traffic behind their tent too!), they’re having a small silent auction in nearby Coffee to a Tea with Sugar tonight, 7-9 pm. We got a quick video interview with Tracy about how her fight’s going and the fact this isn’t the first 3Day for her and her crew:
Now, on to Morgan Junction:
The bright yellow Seattle Humane Society Maxmobile is in the West Seattle Thriftway parking lot till 3 pm, your chance to adopt a new pet. (Remember, everybody loves puppies and kittens, but the adult pets are tougher to adopt, yet can offer a whole lot of love … we have two cats adopted as adults from shelters.) One more sighting, back in The Junction:
Lisa Corbin with the West Seattle-based Nature Consortium is tabling at the Farmers’ Market (continuing till 2 pm today) to remind everyone about the Arts in Nature Festival that NC is presenting at Camp Long next weekend. We’ll take a closer look in the days to come; you can get a sneak peek right now online — the full schedule is posted here.
Video: High Point Neighborhood Center groundbreaking
That’s the $13 million High Point Neighborhood Center that should be up and running by fall of next year; an unconventional “groundbreaking” ceremony and community celebration on Saturday moved the project to its next stage, even as fundraising continues (leaders from the parent agency, Neighborhood House, revealed that $10.6 million of that money already is in hand). One speaker had a slip of the tongue and almost called the event a “groundbaking,” appropriate enough given the sizzling midday heat at the Commons Park Amphitheater, where ceremony attendees were summoned with the rhythms of African group Naby Camara:
(video no longer available because of blip.tv shutdown)
The actual groundbreaking itself didn’t involve the traditional dignitaries with shovels; instead, it involved stones, handed out to attendees beforehand, with pens, for them to inscribe the stones with their hope/dream for Neighborhood Center. See how that worked – and hear short highlights from many of the speakers — just ahead:Read More
Bag-fee battle: Supporters launch their counter-offensive
One week after WSB broke the news of signature-gathering for a city referendum to cancel the disposable-bag fee (see last Sunday’s report here), we have word of a counter-offensive: The sustainability-oriented moms’ group CoolMom.org 
is planning pro-bag-fee demonstrations citywide, including one at West Seattle Thriftway in Morgan Junction – same place where we found that paid signature-gatherer with referendum petitions last weekend – on Monday, 3-5 pm. West Seattle CoolMom leader Abby Suplizio says anyone who backs the bag fee is welcome to participate; CoolMom is being joined in the citywide pro-bag-fee effort by groups including BYOB (Bring Your Own Bag), Foam Free Seattle, People for Puget Sound, Sierra Club, Surfrider Foundation, Washington Toxics Coalition, Earth Ministry, Seattle Audubon Society, Seattle Rainforest Action Group, Sustainable West Seattle, WASHPIRG, Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility, and King County Conservation Voters. CoolMom also is suggesting its members show support by talking to management at independent grocers (whose advocacy group Washington Food Industry is partly behind the anti-bag-fee drive) such as Thriftway and Metropolitan Market, to reiterate support for the fee and the emphasis on using reusable bags. Meantime, WSB’er Diane Vincent noticed new disclosure text at the bottom of the anti-bag-fee website StopTheSeattleBagTax.com (which we mentioned here and here): It now says:
Paid for by the Coalition to Stop the Seattle Bag Tax.
Coalition Members:
Washington Food Industry
7-Eleven Inc.
Progressive Bag Affiliates of the American Chemistry Council
Do 7-Eleven customers really use that many bags?
Reader reports: Strange lights in the sky?
OK, a little spooky to get these after coming home from “Ghostbusters” (see previous post). On the other hand, it’s the full moon, so who knows. But we’ve received two notes about this already, so we’re throwing it out for discussion (and also looking around to see if there are similar reports from any other neighborhoods, or any other explanation, such as meteors, or fireworks, or …) – here’s one of the notes:
Around 9:30 this evening many neighbors between 55th and 57th Ave SW (close to the beach) noticed numerous orange glowing lights in the sky. There were at least 8 – 10 of them, all perfectly round and perfectly spaced apart and in the form of an arc. They didn’t move very much from the formation they made, but others said they saw one or two appeared to cool slightly and then fall out of the sky. We were worried about where they fell and whether they might start a fire. I walked a 4 square block radius trying to find someone shooting off flares or perhaps they were might be embers from a house fire or something similar that would explain the glowing lights. Nothing. By the time I got back to my home they had disappeared. Any ideas on what they could be? One neighbor’s theory is that they might have been some type of paper lantern with candles that were released into the sky as some type of memorial…
The second note was similar, though shorter. (By the way, speaking of lights in the sky, there’s a fireworks show scheduled on Elliott Bay next Thursday night in connection with a sailing race; we saw it on the routine Coast Guard “local notice for mariners,” and have messages out to try to find out exactly where on the bay.)
Movies on the Wall: “Ghostbusters” under the full moon
The sizable crowd was all aglow just before tonight’s West Seattle Movies on the Wall presentation of “Ghostbusters” in the courtyard next to Hotwire Coffee (WSB sponsor): One of tonight’s movie co-sponsors, Curious KidStuff, provided glow sticks for all, and the crowd waved them for the WSB camera. A more natural source of light appeared right before intermission, as the full moon rose over the building to the left of the movie screen, within view of all. Another of tonight’s co-sponsors, Square 1 Books, announced it’s planning a 21-percent-off sale in November, during its 21st-anniversary celebration, and Garlic Jim’s Pizza (WSB sponsor) provided free slices for moviegoers. Proceeds from this week’s raffle (tickets are sold pre-movie, drawing at intermission) benefited WestSide Baby (we won one of the prizes, an adorable sock toy for cats, created by Teri Ensley from Furry Faces Foundation; our cats have a couple already so we’ll be giving it to one of our best pals’ ailing senior kitty). You’ve got two chances to enjoy Movies on the Wall, powered by Sidewalk Cinema, in the next week – “Finding Nemo,” rained out last Saturday, is rescheduled for this Thursday, and then the season finale, “Galaxy Quest,” is planned for next Saturday night.
Reader report: Bike ride commemorating the WSHS Class of ’78
Thirty years since 1978? “Baker Street” and “FM” and all that? Gulp. Anyway, 1978 is in the news here tonight because we have a link to pix and info from the “Tour de West Seattle,” a group bike ride today in honor of the West Seattle High School Class of ’78’s 30th reunion. ’78 grad Brian Dirks, the organizer, sent the link to his photo gallery, including the pic you see above, and this description:
Eight riders took to the streets of West Seattle Saturday for the 30-mile, “Tour de West Seattle” bicycle ride … Riders included ’78 grads Brian Dirks (ride coordinator), Cecelia Bellcross and Rosalie Aikin with husband Marc; Ron Badley and Tamara Crawford (who finished at other schools but attended earlier grades with the class); Bryan Clarke, son of ’78 grad Laura Christopherson; and Britt Tinglum of Seattle. The ride took in some of the best scenery of West Seattle, passing by most of the feeder elementary schools, James Madison Jr. High (or Middle School if you prefer), as well as Alki, Hamilton Viewpoint, Sunset Ave. Beach Drive, and many other points north and south.
You can see Brian’s full gallery here.
Reader report: Odd place to … park?
Nathan sent photos from an odd incident near his house, 39th/Raymond vicinity (map):
At 4:45 PM I came upstairs after hearing some voices on the street only to see a brown Chevy Blazer had been driven into the roundabout near my house. The police had just arrived and indicated that the car was in park, so it appears that someone had driven the Blazer into the roundabout, put it in park and then locked it. No word on whether it was out of gas. The Blazer has Indiana plates. The car was blocking part of the intersection so the police have towed the car.
So if that was your car … the police will know how you can get it back (non-emergency number: 206/625-5011.)
Sanislo sidewalk: A sight for sore feet
We got the tip from Jen Cole of FeetFirst while talking with her at today’s Picnic at the Precinct (first report here, more to come later tonight) this afternoon — the sidewalk improvements for West Seattle’s Sanislo Elementary, funded as part of Safe Routes to School (January report here), are almost done, just in time for the start of school (two weeks from Wednesday). In addition to the sidewalk work you see above (mostly stretching eastward from the campus), Cole says improvements for the Delridge/Myrtle stairway are also under way, and that will complete a safer walking connection between Delridge and 16th. Unfortunately, she says, the 16th/Myrtle crossing guard position (a couple blocks east of Sanislo) apparently will not be filled; we reported last spring that a serious illness had taken the previous guard off the job, and the city had not replaced her – nor, according to Cole, will a replacement be forthcoming for the new school year.
More of what’s happening now: Precinct Picnic; frosty freebies
You see them sometimes at Alki – and they’re headquartered right here in West Seattle, at Westcrest Park – today, two members of the Seattle Police Mounted Patrol are at the Picnic at the (Southwest) Precinct, continuing through 4 pm. We have LOTS more photos and video to share with you in a separate report later, but in case you check in online before then and you haven’t been – there are also free treats (hot dogs, ice cream) in the precinct parking lot, which is off-camera to the right of this shot showing the setup running along Webster westbound from Delridge:
Cool robots, a Segway, and lots more – Delridge and Webster, park in Home Depot and walk over. While heading home, we passed the intersection of 16th SW/Holden and had to pull over when we saw these folks handing out free samples:
That’s Jodi Robbins, Pinky the dog mostly hiding behind the sample tray, Darlene, and Jodi’s husband from JoJo’s Fine Espresso at 16th/Holden. They just put their blended-iced-drink setup into action, so they’ve got a tropical setup at the corner and trays of free samples. Not sure how long they’ll be out – we were there around 2:30.
Happening now: Celebration; arts/crafts fair; pro volleyball
(top photo added 1:07 pm)
If you see this before 2 pm, it’s not too late to go join in the High Point celebration of the Neighborhood Center groundbreaking. We took that photo a short time ago, as a buffet of multicultural cuisine opened up following an hourlong ceremony involving a variety of local leaders, from High Point Neighborhood Association president Andrew Mead to Congressman Jim McDermott. We have video that we’ll post in a separate report later, but back at the scene at High Point’s Commons Park, food and entertainment continue for another hour or so. Meantime, some of what else is happening today (the rest was originally posted this morning):
That’s some of what you’ll find on sale/display at the Arts/Crafts Fair under way till 3 pm today at C and P Coffee Company. Meantime, 3 pm is when the finals begin at the daylong EVP Pro Volleyball Tour event happening right now on Alki – we stopped by the beach earlier this morning to survey the scene:
WSB is the “media sponsor” for today’s event (ergo the signs you see in that shot) — only the second year this popular pro tour has stopped at Alki, and as we mentioned last night, the players include local stars. Comcast will televise the finals, and you’re invited to be in the official TV section of the audience — women’s finals start around 3, men’s finals at 4:30.
West Seattle wildlife watch: “Unexpected” coyote
From Stephanie, southeast of The Junction:
So I was taking my dog out to do her business about midnight tonight and was waiting for a while. Then looked across the street and saw something moving in the dark. Looked a little closer and saw that it was a Coyote walking up the sidewalk. Knowing that my 4 lb. Yorkie was no match I quietly whispered for her let’s go. As I hurried up the stairs it took off. I was relieved it was not aggressive. Seemed to be spooked by us. I am located at 41st and Dawson. (map) I had seen the pictures on the blog before and it looked identical. Went back inside to get my camera and waited for a while but he was gone.
Just thought I would share it since I did not think anyone saw them in my neighborhood. But it seemed more scared of me then I was of it. I don’t think he was out to harm anyone. Clearly not hostile.
This post was officially the tipping point … we just went back and created a category for all posts about coyotes (which required adding the label to each previous one) … maybe someday we’ll finally get to that West Seattle coyote map! Find the coyote archive here.
West Seattle scenes: Friday night fun
That’s the crowd from one of at least two Breast Cancer 3Day fundraisers in West Seattle this weekend — left to right, the grownups in the photo are Kyle Minaglia, Jennifer Carlson, Amanda Armstrong, and Kristi Keithly. Kristi had e-mailed WSB to let us know about her fundraising barbecue at 62nd/Admiral tonight; she’s working to get to her fundraising goal. She’ll be in the 3Day (which reportedly will travel through West Seattle again this year; here’s our coverage from last year) in honor of a dear old friend, diagnosed with breast cancer and not even 40 yet. The story’s a lot like that of 33-year-old West Seattleite Tracy Dart, who is blogging here about her breast-cancer battle — and getting ready for the 3Day with a fundraiser outside West 5 this coming Sunday, 11 am-6 pm. Meantime, back in the Alki area, the Community Center‘s advisory council was barbecuing tonight too:
The council helps keep things humming at this community hub, and put on the event as a community thank-you (and an opportunity to get the word out about the ongoing need for volunteer help). Now we head south to The Mount, where tonight’s outdoor concert drew a sizable crowd to enjoy the always-fabulous West Seattle Big Band:
Providence Mount St. Vincent (WSB sponsor) has one more Friday night concert to go – next week it’s Steve Rice and Big Squeezy. To go with our video clip from tonight, here’s a photo just sent to us by Karen:
And one more photo from WSB-land — it wouldn’t be a REAL West Seattle summer night without a spectacular sunset:
Thanks to Relaena Sindelar for sharing that incredible view.
Beach volleyball: Olympics tonight, Alki tomorrow
In the green top, that’s Alki resident Bri Murray, one of the winners at last summer’s first-ever EVP Pro Beach Volleyball tour stop on her home beach – and she (with teammate Wendy Stammer from Oregon) will try to do it again when the tour returns tomorrow. (Great timing, with beach volleyball in the spotlight at the Beijing Games!) WSB is a co-sponsor of the daylong event — and the finals are being recorded by Comcast again this year, so if you’re there by 3, you’re welcome to be in the official TV audience – the women’s finals are expected around 3, the men’s finals around 4:30 (last year’s winning men’s team also featured a local star, Alki resident Chris Hannemann, and he’ll be playing tomorrow too). Here’s the official news release with full details about tomorrow’s event, which starts bright and early:Read More
Sunday morning means of course 
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