While much of the attention regarding the stalled Whole Foods development at Fauntleroy/Alaska/39th has focused on what will happen to, and in, the huge hole – one WSBer has been worrying about the road alongside the hole. She contacted the city to express her concerns and wanted to share the e-mail she received, regarding how it’s being monitored — read on:Read More
If you’ve been following the story of the Alki gun incident last night, you know that it included the report (starting with this comment on our original report) that a seal was being harassed by the man arrested for an alleged weapons violation. It’s believed now that it’s the same seal whose death has just been reported by Robin Lindsey of West Seattle-based Seal Sitters, a harbor seal that died today after being rescued from the Harbor Ave waterfront – read on for her full report, including what to do if you encounter a marine mammal in any kind of trouble or being threatened: (Monday update: the Seal Sitters have updated their website – see the update here – their original Saturday night report is what follows)Read More
Suddenly she stopped and smiled. The little tummies were already stamped — each with a simple “thank you.”
Sunday, the “thank you” will be a little more elaborate as 20 years of preschool students gather to honor Ingrid with a farewell reunion at the Jerry M. Brockey Center on campus from 2 to 5 p.m.
“Losing Ingrid is kind of devastating,” said Margaret Pyfer. “She personally cares about each family. She truly cares about each child.”Read More
(photo by Christopher Boffoli)
The party’s over but more than 20 screenings are yet to come, as West Seattle makes its Seattle International Film Festivaldebut — this is day 2, and many are no doubt still recovering from day 1:
Shortly after cutting a ceremonial ribbon last night during the open house/party celebrating the Admiral Theater‘s debut as a SIFF venue, SIFF director Carl Spence (with Admiral entertainment director Dinah Brein-McClellan at the start of the clip) was ceremonially “kidnapped” by the Seafair Pirates. But that was just the conclusion of their visit – as always, they made an entrance that could be heard for miles around:
(They’ll be landing on Alki on July 11th, by the way.) And while at the theater, they helped cut the cake in pirate style:
That photo’s also by WSB photojournalist Christopher Boffoli, as are all the others you’ll see just ahead – more scenes from the party, and information on the rest of SIFF’s run at The Admiral:Read More
More work today at the new P-Patch in The Junction: Aaron Hernandez from the Friends of Genesee P-Patch sent that photo from Thursday – a city crew has been by to help clear the garden site, which as we recently reported, is one of four new P-Patch sites in line for city funding from the Parks and Green Spaces Levy (the P-Patch also has received a Small and Simple Grant, according to Aaron). Site volunteers are doing some more work there today; if you’re interested in future involvement with the P-Patch, you can reach Aaron here. No matter what kind of gardening you’re doing, you need something to grow. You’ve got myriad plant-buying options this weekend – for one, Village Green Perennial Nursery has just rejoined us as a WSB sponsor – they’re only open for the season till June 28 – and then there’s the Furry Faces Foundation fundraising plant sale:
Lora Lewis from F3 and Hotwire Coffee (WSB sponsor) sent that petunia photo. The sale — with most plants from $1 to $5, Lora notes — continues till 4 pm, and again 10 am-4 pm tomorrow, at 3809 46th SW (tomorrow adoptable pets will be there too, noon-4 pm). Back in The Junction, till 2 pm today, you can enjoy free treats and get a tour at Mural Apartments(WSB sponsor), which has thrown open the doors to show off in its first month of renting brand-new units in “Downtown West Seattle.” 42nd SW, right across from Jefferson Square. Say hi to manager Rose (posing with some of the aforementioned free snacks):
Thursday July 2 Peace Lutheran 3816 39th Ave. SW [39th/Thistle] will host a Potluck/Presentation Block Party from 6-8 pm featuring the Tour de Revs, a trio of Lutheran Pastors travelling cross country on a bamboo bicycle built for three to raise awareness and funds to end Hunger. This will be stop 39 of 65 in their 13,000 mile journey traveling on their custom bamboo bicycle created by Craig Calfee from a design originally created for local production in the developing world.
The cycling Revs will share about their trip, the bike, and their mission to end Hunger. Cycling youth from Peace Lutheran, St. Luke’s in Bellevue, and Our Savior’s in Issaquah will be cycling in that evening from a local cycling and service trip and will also share about their experience.
West Seattle and White Center Food Banks along with other local charities and community agencies will be represented, the grills will be grilling and the people chilling.
Bring a non perishable food item for the West Seattle and White Center Food Banks and something to share.
Ride your bike and end the evening with a sunset ride in beautiful West Seattle with the Revs.
(February 2008 photo courtesy Jeff Hogan)
Just got word of this (with an eVite) — too late for the original publication of the latest West Seattle Weekend Lineup but we love orcas so wanted to call special attention to it:
The Whale Trail Open House/Fundraiser
Sunday, June 7th, from 4 – 7 p.m. at the Alki Beach Bathhouse
June is orca month in Washington! Help us celebrate by attending an Open House and Fundraiser for The Whale Trail (www.thewhaletrail.org) at the Alki Beach Bathhouse in Seattle.
Learn more about whales in the Seattle area, and what you can do to help protect them. Mingle with our core team including representatives from NOAA, Washington Dept of Fish and Wildlife, People for Puget Sound, the Seattle Aquarium, the Whale Museum and Coast Watch Society. Celebrate the start of orca month, and support a great cause, too!
The event is open to the public, and will feature light refreshments, educational displays, and a short program. There is no charge but donations to support The Whale Trail are welcome. Please stop by – looking forward to seeing you there!
What’s “The Whale Trail,” you ask? From its website:
Our mission is to inspire appreciation and stewardship of whales and our marine environment by establishing a network of viewing sites along the whales’ trails through Puget Sound and the coastal waters of the Pacific Northwest.
P.S. Sounds like some great speakers at the event too, from a phone conversation we just had, including an opening by Duwamish Tribe chair Cecile Hansen and a presentation by local orca researcher Mark Sears.
(Friday night WSB photo, taken on 63rd just south of 63rd)
Last night, we happened to be driving in Alki when police passed us, rushing to the scene of a report that someone had “brandished” a weapon; here’s what we reported at the time. This morning, in addition to commenters providing more detail following our first report, we now have full details from police via SPDBlotter, which identifies the suspect as a 25-year-old man and tells the story:
On 06/05/09, at approximately 7:00 p.m., a suspect was at 60th AV SW and Alki Av SW with a female friend, when he got into a confrontation with a group of juveniles (young teenagers — middle school students). The suspect hurled profanities at the teens and pulled up his shirt to display a holstered handgun, frightening the juveniles and many onlookers. Officers arrived on scene and quickly located the suspect at Alki & 63rd SW. Officers recovered a .357 magnum revolver from the suspect’s waistband. He appeared to be under the influence of alcohol, and was also carrying a flask of whiskey. The suspect, produced a US Army ID, identifying him as an active duty sergeant, and a CCW permit issued by the state of Ohio.
After interviewing victims and witnesses, it was determined that the display of the handgun did not appear reasonable in response to any real or perceived threats from the juveniles. The suspect was arrested without incident and transported the Southwest Precinct. The suspect’s immediate commanding officer was contacted and made aware of the situation. The suspect was booked into King County Jail for unlawful carrying/display of a weapon. The revolver and Ohio CCW card were placed into evidence.
Washington does honor Ohio concealed-weapons permits, by the way, according to data we found online. As for the suspect’s status, while we don’t have his name, the jail register does show one man booked into jail last night on this type of charge, and he’s still in custody right now in lieu of $950 bail.
We’ve been publishing summer-camp invitations on the new Announced page – including West Seattle High School Volleyball Camp for middle- and high-schoolers (read about it here) and martial-arts camps at Lee’s Martial Arts (read about them here). This morning, Jane Harty from Music Northwest e-mailed to say, “We still have room in our Chamber Music Camp for one more group of students, ages 8-18. The dates are Aug. 18-22, and our coaches are Marcus Tsutakawa from the Garfield Orchestra, Leonid Keylin from the Seattle Symphony and several other outstanding coaches.” The camp’s at First Lutheran Church of West Seattle; the registration form and other info can be found online.
(photo added 10:08 am)
The homeless camp that started at Highland Park Way/West Marginal Way (map) – the site that is still under consideration for future jail construction – says it’s back in West Seattle. “Nickelsville” organizers sent a news release last night saying they would be moving from the Southeast Seattle church property where they spent the past three months; then this morning they sent an update saying they’re at 2nd SW and Highland Park Way SW, “… approximate to the original location where they set-up the first Nickelsville in September of 2008.” We’ll be heading out shortly to have a look. 8:55 AM UPDATE: Just stopped by, and got chased off the site shortly afterward by two “Nickelodeons.” It is almost immediately east of the site where they were rousted for alleged trespassing (charges that were dropped recently); we’ll add a few photos shortly. 10:28 AM UPDATE: The Nickelsville spokesperson who sent the original e-mail apologized for us getting rousted, and confirms this is state land, as we noted with the presence of this sign:
As you can see in the top photo, they are still setting up – in addition to tents, tarps, structures, we saw an electrical generator being brought in – as also shown in this video:
As for how the state will deal with this, the spokesperson’s comment was, “That parcel is state land and Nickelsville plans to stay. At this time I’m not privy to any agreements or negotiations.” We’ll be trying to figure out if there’s an appropriate state spokesperson to reach for comment over the weekend. 11:53 PM UPDATE: From the Nickelsville website:
Nickelodeons need your support! This is State land. Ask the State to negotiate not to arrest the Nickelodeons. Please contact Governor Christine Gregoire and State Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond immediately and voice your support for the Nickelodeons. …
Be prepared to stand with us should the State choose to arrest rather than negotiate.
While much of the attention regarding the stalled 
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