Brandon Roy returns to Delridge to dedicate renovated court
Just back from the Delridge Community Center basketball courts south of the Southwest Youth and Family Services building, where a refurbished court with that colorful center was just dedicated by its namesake Brandon Roy (WSB preview here). The 24-year-old former West Seattleite, now Portland Trail Blazer, returned to his old neighborhood to pose for photos galore with family — including his toddler son “BJ” (Brandon Junior) — friends, and sponsors, signing some autographs along the way. It wasn’t quite the Kodak, er, Facebook moment when somebody asked him to try a shot:
In fairness, he may be a bit rusty – he’s recovering from knee surgery that happened just last month (full details on his official “B Roy” website). And in addition to looking ahead to the new NBA season next month — he and fiancee Tiana Bardwell also are expecting their second child, a baby girl due in January. Here’s what he had to say during the ceremonial portion of today’s event:
“Fantastic news” for walking/biking commuters: Signs on the way
Just out of the WSB inbox, from walkability activist Chas Redmond:
I’m a member of Grace Crunican’s ad hoc committee on pedestrian/bicycle/freight mode improvements and earlier this year the group (comprised of equal members from the freight community, the pedestrian community and the bicycle community) recommended some easy fixes to some sticky wicket issues – navigation for peds and bikes across the Ballard Bridge and via Spokane Street to the West Seattle low bridge. We discussed improvements in signage for both peds and cyclists and today Grace indicated that the signs, significant numbers of direction and wayfinding signs, will be installed on both the north and south approaches to the Ballard Bridge and on the east and west connections via Spokane Street and across Harbor Island for the WS low bridge by the end of this November. This is fantastic news and will go a long way toward improving the bike and pedestrian connections for anyone living in WS or further south and in Ballard or further north.
Speaking of signs, we’d be remiss not to take this moment to remind you again that another effort Chas is involved with, West Seattle Walking Trails, has a couple new chances for you to get involved; read about ’em here and here.
Wednesday midday miscellany: 5 quick notes
WEST SEATTLEITES ON THE RADIO THIS AFTERNOON: On KUOW during its 2 pm show, an interview with local author/historian Clay Eals about the history of West Seattle’s transportation woes (94.9 FM or listen online). Meantime, though it’s not listed on their webpage right now, we heard a promo for KIRO Radio‘s Ron and Don talking with West Seattle barista/former “Project Runway” contestant Blayne during their 3-6 pm show today (will update when we get a specific hour).
FIRST OF TWO KENNEY MEETINGS TONIGHT: As we first reported a month ago, The Kenney is launching a $150 million redevelopment project, including tearing down old buildings and putting up new ones to double its capacity. Tonight is the first of two meetings to show the plans and answer questions; it’s geared to area residents, 6 pm, Fauntleroy Church. Tomorrow, a meeting geared to local community groups and organizations, 6 pm at The Kenney.
ADMIRAL SAFEWAY MEETING TOMORROW NIGHT: Second-to-last reminder, Safeway unveils its plans for the major Admiral redevelopment at a community meeting tomorrow, 7 pm at Hiawatha Community Center, one week before its first Design Review Board session. Safeway declined our request for a pre-meeting peek at the plans, preferring you to see it at the meeting first; tomorrow’s format will be a presentation followed by Q/A, *not* a drop-in open house – be there at the start. (Forest points out in e-mail that a Tacoma Safeway project evolved with significant neighborhood input, another reminder that your participation can make a difference.)
PARK-ING DAY LOCATIONS: We’ve told you before about PARKing Day, a nationwide event this Friday meant to call attention to the need to make sure urban areas have greenspaces. Its centerpiece: Community groups converting parking spaces into mini-parks for the day. The official Seattle map is out (see it here), and there are two area locations: One in the heart of The Junction, the other on 16th SW in White Center (in front of Full Tilt).
BUSINESS BIRTHDAY: We like to mention local businesses’ anniversaries, and here’s the next one – M3 Bodyworks (WSB sponsor) is celebrating its third anniversary with a discount on its prepaid massage package – you pay for four, the fifth one is free. It’s an online-only special, available till midnight Saturday night; go here to check it out.
Bulletin: Blackbird Bistro announces it’s closing
Just out of the WSB e-box: After less than 3 years in business, Blackbird Bistro in the Admiral District will shut down this Friday. Will see what we can find out about what’s happening in the space next. Here’s the full text of the e-mail:
With mixed emotions we are announcing that Blackbird Bistro has been sold, and the last day of operation will be this Friday, September 19th. We are excited for the new (currently confidential) concept to step in with fresh legs and take the space and the neighborhood to the next level. We are also looking forward to concentrating on building the brand and expansion of our other restaurant Mission-Latin Restaurant & Lounge www.missionbar.com.
Thank you to all of our wonderful customers, and our dedicated employees past and present. It has been an amazing 3 years, and we are looking forward to continuing to help build the Admiral business district with the help of our soon to be neighbors. Please contact us at blackbirdbistro@gmail.com with any specific questions or comments.
One of the hardest things about selling a restaurant is laying off dedicated and talented employees. Blackbird would like to help in anyway to find the right place for these staff members to work… if any restaurants would like resumes / references from these employees please contact us at the email above.
If you have outstanding giftcards, please email us the 19 digit code on the back, with your name and address, and we will replace it with a card of the same amount for Mission.
Thank you again for your support,
Eric Cozens & Peter Morse
You may recall, various “blind” ads for a “West Seattle bistro” were rumored to involve Blackbird, going back more than a year ago; here’s one such discussion (comments included) from August 2007, and a followup from later that month.
West Seattle Crime Watch: The case of the located laptops
Southwest Precinct Sgt. Jeff Durden shared this story at last night’s West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting: The burglary unit investigated a case back in late July in which uninvited guests showed up for a party, and “three laptops and some purses” disappeared as a result. One month later, investigators got a call from a B.C.-based company called Absolute Software, described by Sgt. Durden as “a LoJack device you can purchase, software to track your laptop” in case of theft. Seems at least one of the stolen laptops had been tracked to Mitchell, South Dakota, 1,470 miles away:
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The address first traced to a computer-repair shop, but instead, the laptops turned out to be in an apartment above that shop – where a new tenant happened to be from Seattle. A search warrant was obtained and stolen laptops were recovered. “I’m not necessarily recommending (Absolute),” Sgt. Durden concluded, “but in this case it sure worked.” And as he pointed out (borne out by our West Seattle Crime Watch archives too), laptops are an extremely popular target for burglars and other thieves. (Still more to come from last night’s meeting, including the Gang Unit sergeant’s briefing.)
Happening tonight: Learn to be safer online
The city’s Department of Information Technology is coming to High Point Library tonight to offer you a free “Home Computer and Internet Security Workshop” – here’s the official description:
Tired of viruses, email & money scams, spies and thieves? Join your neighbors as you learn tips and tricks for keeping your home computer safe while on the Internet by the City of Seattle Office of Information Security Chief Michael Hamilton. One of his most important responsibilities is keeping the City’s computers and networks safe and secure, and he can show you how to do the same at home.
The workshop’s 5:30-7:30 pm – first-come, first-served, so check for space: call Vicky at 206.233.7877 or e-mail vicky.yuki@seattle.gov.
Thrill the World/West Seattle: New venue – and a question
That’s a bit of video from last week’s practice for the Thrill the World West Seattle team – second time they got together to work on the “Thriller” moves they’re going to do as part of the Thrill the World world-record attempt on October 25th. Starting tomorrow night, the weekly 8 pm Wednesday practices are in a new location: a bigger room at West Seattle Christian Church (SE corner of 42nd/Genesee, across the street from the previous location). And mastermind Lora Lewis of Hotwire Coffee (WSB sponsor) has a question for you: If you were going to pick someplace “West Seattle iconic” for the big zombie dance that day, where would you pick? Someplace obviously with room for a few dozen dancers, but otherwise … she’s interested in what you would suggest. Meantime, keep up with the Thrill the World West Seattle exploits on the official blog.
Crime Watch followup: Details on Alki shots-fired arrests
You might remember the Alki incident Sunday night — shots fired, nobody hit, somebody nabbed shortly thereafter. Tonight at the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council‘s monthly meeting at the Southwest Precinct, Sgt. Jeff Durden shared a few more details — Two suspects were arrested, “white males in their 20s” in a silver Lexus with Oregon plates, armed with a Glock; Sgt. Durden added that “five shell casings” were found near Spud, but reiterated nobody hit, no property damage either. (Two more reports still to come from tonight’s meeting – the amazing tale of how a laptop theft got solved, plus Gang Unit Sgt. Jim Dyment’s guest appearance.)
Have a cupcake, to help 4-year-old Cora fight cancer
Starting preschool is enough of a milestone — but Cora, a West Seattle 4-year-old, happens to be doing it while undergoing chemotherapy. Shortly after her birthday this past June, she was diagnosed with a Wilms’ tumor (explained here) in one of her kidneys. Friends and family say this is very rare – eight in a million US kids. One day after Cora was diagnosed, the tumor and kidney were taken out in a seven-hour operation. Her immune system is compromised because of the chemo but her family and friends are “praying for a healthy fall and winter so she can continue to attend (preschool).” To help in Cora’s fight, they are inviting you to join them anytime between 2:30-5:30 pm this Sunday at the Seattle Lutheran High School gym (4141 41st SW; here’s a map) for cupcakes, a silent auction, and a chance to buy Team Cora T-shirts. (If you can’t go, you can still help: Cora’s aunt Lori says, “Checks are payable to Ron and Chrissy Cardenas at any Wells Fargo branch to acct# 9713630631; if they would like to donate electronically they can use the Routing and transmittal #125008547.”
Another record for the West Seattle Art Walk
The list of participants has just been finalized for the next three West Seattle Art Walks — and organizer Lora Lewis from Hotwire Coffee (WSB sponsor) sent the roster, which totals a record-high 43 businesses/venues, from Delridge to Alki to The Junction (where the Art Walk originated) and points south. Have a look. Next Art Walk: October 9, 6-9 pm.
Reminder: Gang Unit sergeant at Crime Prevention Council tonight
The West Seattle Crime Prevention Council is always on our list of must-attend meetings. We strongly urge you to be there too, if you have any kind of crime/safety concern in your neighborhood (that includes “nuisance properties”), since Southwest Precinct police leaders are always in attendance and you get the chance to bring up questions/concerns – and tonight features a special guest of timely interest, from the Seattle Police Gang Unit. See you at the SW Precinct meeting room, 7 pm (off Webster, just west of Delridge, parking lot’s on the south side of the building, steps away from the meeting room).
Tom Daschle at today’s SWYFS breakfast
If you can spare two minutes, listen to former U.S. Senator Tom Daschle tell that story. At its heart, it’s about the work done by Southwest Youth and Family Services, the West Seattle-based nonprofit that’s headed by his brother Steve Daschle – but it’s also a reminder that problems can be solved creatively and sometimes more easily than we expect. Daschle spoke this morning at Salty’s on Alki, site of the annual SWYFS fundraising breakfast/silent auction. This has been a big month for SWYFS — just last week, Mayor Nickels announced it would play a key role in a new initiative to prevent youth violence in our area (and two other parts of the city, where two other agencies will lead the way).
Update: Jet flyover mystery solved
ORIGINAL POST THIS MORNING: We’ve now received about half a dozen notes on this and we’re stymied, so we’re throwing it out in hopes someone can solve the mystery: A blue-and-white private jet that flew over West Seattle, repeatedly, yesterday (we saw it once while covering the boat collision) is back this morning. Any clues? Please post a comment (or e-mail us). UPDATE AT 12:32 PM WITH MYSTERY SOLVED: Thanks to Jerry for e-mailing us with the suggestion it might be an FAA test, based on something he recalled from years back. We called the regional FAA public-affairs office, where Mike Fergus made a quick inquiry and just got back to us with confirmation: That’s an FAA plane, doing testing that he says includes instrument-landing-system testing and flight procedure testing for runways including Sea-Tac’s new third runway. He says the jet will be up again in about two hours, and that the FAA has several jets like this – all based out of Oklahoma City – that go to airports around the country for testing like this.
Traffic alert: Truck wreck causes low bridge (etc.) mess
(photo added 9:20 am, thanks to David)
ORIGINAL REPORT: Trying to get to a “heavy rescue” 911 call at 11th/Spokane (map), Harbor Island vicinity, we are stuck in a mess near the Delridge approach to the low bridge, and we see police on the low bridge. Stay away at all costs, it’s gridblock, even to try to turn west back onto W Marginal. UPDATE: Just heard it’s an overturned semi (photo above, added 9:20 am), so that’s why the low bridge is blocked before you get to the scene. Trying to get west onto West Marginal or SW Spokane back toward the rest of WS – the problem is a huge amount of diverted semitruck traffic trying to get up onto the high bridge the other way. Gridlock as a result. This city camera has a partial view of the backup west of the crash, Marginal/Chelan. ADDED 9:31 AM: Two of our pics taken as we came off Delridge into the jammed intersection at Delridge/Marginal/Spokane – police officer at blocked west end of low bridge, followed by the truck-dominated traffic viewed facing north.
Odd irony that today is the start of the Spokane Street work we’ve been reminding you about – and in fact we were about to head to check out the start of the detour, just as we got word of this – but that’s happening about a mile east, and this crash had NOTHING to do with it. Just heard on the radio that this may not be cleared until about 10:15; we’ll post updates as we get them. (Admiral and Fauntleroy approaches are obviously your better bet to get on the high bridge but with the low bridge out of commission, they’re likely slower too.) 9:45 AM UPDATE: Got a note from Hawk, who’s on a Route 21 Metro bus “that was re-routed all the way down to the 1st avenue bridge” – a reminder that this is affecting buses too. 9:52 AM UPDATE: Bike commuter Simon sent the following photo looking back westward toward the wreck scene, and notes that bicyclists/pedestrians are being allowed across the low bridge.
10:13 AM UPDATE: In comments, another West Seattle bike commuter, Aaron, says he saw the truck topple: “I watched this all go down, it was surreal. Not sure what caused the truck to lose balance, but as I was coming over the lower level bridge on my bike, the truck appeared to drop down off the curb, sway, and then ease over on its side. Driver was able to climb out and appeared unharmed.” 10:36 AM UPDATE: Just confirmed this with a drive through the area – the low bridge has reopened and the gridlock near the West Seattle-side approach has cleared.
Update: 8 people escape house fire on 15th SW; candle blamed
Just back from the scene of a house fire in the 6700 block of 15th SW (here’s a map; that’s just a few blocks from South Seattle Community College). The Fire Department says all 8 people in the house got out safely even before firefighters arrived; the flames started in a back bedroom and spread a bit further into the house before it was “quickly extinguished.” Firefighters were already in mopup mode when we arrived; they’re not sure yet what started the fire, but they confirm nobody is hurt. This video shows some scorching on the front of the house and some smoke damage visible through the front door:
The Red Cross was reported to be on the way to help the family. We’ll add an update here later when the Fire Department has information on what started the fire. 10:05 AM UPDATE: According to Seattle Fire Department spokesperson Dana Vander Houwen, investigators say an “unattended candle” caused the fire. Damage to the house totals $150,000.
West Seattle scenes: Monday night miscellany
A week or so ago, we spotted the predecessor to that sign at West Seattle Nursery – it simply said “Under New Management,” which brought us a couple of notes from folks who wanted to know if that meant the nursery had been sold. Never got to check in person, but this amusing new sign appears to be proof it hasn’t. Meantime, a sign in The Junction proclaims a new development’s name; exactly one month after the teardown of an old house at 41st/Edmunds, south of Jefferson Square, a sign in front of the steeply sloped lot declares the future cluster “The Incline on Edmunds”:
The web address on the sign, by the way, takes you to a page with (currently) only renderings of the future definitely-not-cookie-cutter townhomes. Last but by no means least, tonight’s the official full moon; on the other side of the moonrise we shot last night, Scott C sent us this photo of the moonset early this morning:
Can’t guarantee a similar sight Tuesday morning, but the moon’s high in a cloudless sky right now, so if you’re up early, look toward the Olympics, just in case.
Bag-fee battle: Opponents officially get it on the ballot
We told you three weeks ago that bag-fee opponents said they had 20,000 petition signatures – about a third more than they needed for a referendum vote; tonight two newspaper stories (PI here, Times here) say the county Elections Department has verified enough of those names are valid for the anti-bag-fee campaign to get what it wants. What’s next: The City Council decides whether the vote will wait for next August’s primary, or a special-election ballot sooner, and the bag fee/foam ban will be on hold pending referendum results. Side note per the P-I story – the plastics lobbying group American Chemistry Council paid almost $200,000 to help fund the petition drive. MONDAY MORNING UPDATE: Hizzoner is talking about this right now (9:37 am) on KIRO 710 radio (which streams online).
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