day : 21/07/2009 13 results

We took out the pocket Flip video camera for a quick pan of the beach at Alki, where we stopped to check out the exact moment this morning (about quarter till 11) that the tide hit its lowest point of the month. (As you can see in the video, no major crowds, lots of room to explore.) Tomorrow will be almost as low, in case you have a chance to get out during the late morning — it bottoms out just after 11:30 am. And tonight’s “forecast discussion” from the National Weather Service mentions a “minor cooling trend” for the next day or two, before a bigger blast of hot air comes this way over the weekend (just in time for the Alki Art Fair Saturday and Sunday, and the next West Seattle Junction Outdoor Movies on the Wall presentation Saturday night – the original “King Kong”).

Fundraising begins for West Seattle High School Grad Night 2010

July 21, 2009 8:06 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Summer vacation’s not even half over and West Seattle High School parents and students are already looking ahead to the end of next school year and another successful Grad Night event. Last weekend, they washed cars to kick off the fundraising campaign, and Carol Viger shares this update and the accompanying photos:

Thanks to our loyal community, and our fabulous sponsor Hotwire Online Coffeehouse [WSB sponsor], WSHS students washed more than 40 cars Saturday 7-18 at our kick-off fundraiser for Grad Night 2010.

What is Grad Night at West Seattle High School?
Grad Night is a celebration on graduation night that is safe for seniors, and the location and activities are mysteries. All attendees are searched, no cell phones are allowed, and the venues remain a mystery until arrival. Grad Night was started by a young man who as a high school junior himself, lost his best friend (a then senior) on graduation night due to an alcohol involved accident. The next year, the student as a senior organized a safe and secret celebration for his classmates. It was so successful that it grew to his company.

Why support Grad Night?
Because everyone makes mistakes – even the smartest, most athletic kids. Accidents happen. (We heard stories of grad-night accidents from some patrons at our most recent car wash fundraiser.)

…and West Seattle High has the largest Alumni Association in the United States at 17,000 members. Grad Night is a good segue to that end. We want to keep our kids connected to our community, and coming back to give back and keep West Side the Best Side…and we have great kids. Last year’s graduating class had the highest attendance of any Seattle Public School, and 48% of the graduates were on the honor roll or above.

You as a parent of a senior will be glad you did support Grad Night. When your student comes home (and you have slept well, knowing they were safe all night) and grins that it was “so fun, I’m glad I went” even though they are exhausted, you will be glad. As a community member, maybe even one without kids, know that you may have saved a life, or at least given memories to last a lifetime in the community called “home” to these kids.

How much support is needed?
As a public high school, our goal is to raise $50 for every student who attends in order to keep the cost as low as possible at about $100 per student. We offer as many scholarships as we can. Additional funds at the end of the year will go to the next year’s class Grad Night. The kids get so much – security, camaraderie, food and beverage, entertainment, myriad activities, transportation, even some prizes! The last Big Yellow School Bus Ride ever!

How can I support Grad Night? Thank you for your consideration!
Cash of course is our greatest need. Donations can be sent to WSHS PTSA, attn: David Broadstoane, 2600 California Avenue SW, Seattle, WA 98116, “for Grad Night 2010”; you will be sent a tax-deductible receipt. We are a 501(3)c. You can specify your desire (for scholarship, for general fund). Fund raising ideas, support: cviger@comcast.net, cathasue@comcast.net, Carol Viger 938-4204, Catha Elder 937-6119.

Here’s the car-wash team shot:

(Top row, left to right: Catha Elder, Cindy McComish, Joe Lam, Mark Viger, Christopher Tyler, Carl Swenson, TJ McComish. Bottom row, left to right: Helene Viger, Anna Rosen, Kaitlin Elder, Lori Tyler, Carol Viger, Kam Leng Lam.)

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Happening now: City Council candidates’ forum in The Junction

July 21, 2009 5:32 pm

| 5 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

From left, candidate Sally Bagshaw, Admiral resident Dennis Ross, and candidates David Ginsberg and David Miller are among those on hand for the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce-presented City Council candidates’ forum at ArtsWest in The Junction – starting shortly (but feel free to drop in “late” – it’s in the theater, and there’ll likely be seats left). We’ll be publishing in-progress updates via Twitter at @wsblive and will add a wrapup here later. 6:58 PM UPDATE: The forum just concluded on time. By the time it was over, 14 candidates had participated – Nick Licata showed up about half an hour after it started. Lots of lively banter and questions/answers about serious neighborhood issues. Will write up the wrapup as soon as we can.

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West Marginal Way firm fined by the state Ecology Department

July 21, 2009 4:53 pm

| Comments Off on West Marginal Way firm fined by the state Ecology Department

| Announcements

Announced today by the state:

The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) has fined Fog Tite Inc. $18,000 for illegally discharging industrial wastewater into a storm drain and for failing to properly monitor discharges of industrial stormwater into city storm drains.

Seattle storm drains serving the manufacturer of concrete meter boxes and catch basins – located at 4819 West Marginal Way S.W. – flow to the Duwamish Waterway.

Fog Tite connected drain lines to a city storm drain outside the facility without permits or approvals several years ago. The company discharges caustic water and sediment from its production process areas and its outdoor work yard into the drain line.

“Ignoring the city’s permit process inevitably resulted in Fog Tite connecting its drain line to the storm drain instead of the sewer,” said Kevin Fitzpatrick, Ecology’s regional water-quality supervisor. “They’ve been discharging poorly-treated industrial stormwater and process wastewater directly to the Duwamish for years. An industrial facility in this day and age has a duty to know where its industrial discharges are going.”

Businesses can arrange to discharge industrial wastewater into the sanitary sewer but must have authorization from King County to do so, and may need to provide pre-treatment. Fog Tite has begun applying to the city and county for a legal sewer connection for its process wastewater and contaminated stormwater.

Fog Tite also failed to submit quarterly monitoring reports to Ecology on stormwater discharges, as required by the state industrial stormwater general permit.

“The self-reporting permit system reduces costs for companies and for the state,” Fitzpatrick explained, “and permitted facilities must do the required monitoring and reporting. Truthful and accurate self-reporting is fundamental in keeping our waterways clean and safe.”

Inspectors from Ecology and the city of Seattle uncovered the drain line violation earlier this year.

Ecology had first visited Fog Tite in March 2009 as part of a Duwamish Urban Waters Initiative program to visit businesses that are likely pollution sources to storm drains or sanitary sewers, lack environmental permits, or are potential generators of hazardous waste. A technical specialist helps each company identify whether it needs permits or can make voluntary improvements to its environmental practices.

Ecology and the city of Seattle made a follow-up inspection in May. A city dye test showed that all of Fog Tite’s production area and outdoor drains went to the city storm-drain system, and not the sanitary sewer as the company had claimed.

Fog Tite may seek an Ecology review of the penalty or file an appeal with the Washington State Pollution Control Hearings Board within 30 days.

The Urban Waters Initiative is a cooperative program aimed at controlling sources of pollution to the Duwamish Waterway. The 2007 Legislature established the Initiative, which also operates along Tacoma’s Commencement Bay and the Spokane River in Spokane.

The Initiative supports Ecology’s work as a co-manager with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency of the Lower Duwamish Waterway cleanup site, a 5.5-mile stretch of the Duwamish upstream from Harbor Island. The Initiative also aids in Ecology’s priorities of reducing toxic threats and supporting the Puget Sound Initiative, a comprehensive effort by local, tribal, state and federal governments, business, agricultural and environmental interests, scientists, and the public to restore and protect the Sound.

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Memorial planned Thursday for South Park stabbing victim

July 21, 2009 4:49 pm

| 15 COMMENTS

| Crime | South Park

We received this announcement from Beth Yockey Jones, a West Seattleite who used to live next door to Teresa Butz, the South Park woman killed by a man who broke into her home and attacked her and her partner early Sunday. (Ms. Butz is shown at left in a photo from Facebook.) From Beth:

The South Park Community Center has graciously volunteered to host a candlelight memorial vigil so that friends and neighbors can gather and celebrate Teresa’s memory.

We will gather at 7.30pm on Thursday July 23rd, on the South Park Community Center ball fields and share memories and celebrate Teresa’s life. If you would like to say a few words, there will be an opportunity to do so.

I also created a Facebook event page here –
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=107364352557

If you need more information, you can e-mail Beth: bethyockeyjones@gmail.com Meantime, no new information on the case today – aside from police adding one note to the description of the killer – saying he had “blotchy skin.” Get the latest here. NOTE: Beth added in comments that the gathering will be in the “grassy area between the parking lot and softball fields” because of a prescheduled event on the field.

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WS Crime Watch: Police manhunt for Morgan Junction-area burglar

July 21, 2009 3:34 pm

| 7 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Just off the phone with Southwest Precinct Lt. Steve Paulsen, who we called to verify a few reports of a break-in early today in the Morgan Junction-area and questions about whether that case might be related to the South Park attacks. First of all – While there are rumors that the description of the burglar was close to that of the South Park killer, Lt. Paulsen stresses THEY ARE 98% CERTAIN IT’S NOT THE SAME MAN. That said, they are putting extra priority on finding the Morgan Junction burglar because he “doesn’t match any patterns.” They are working on a sketch to put out. Lt. Paulsen says the man broke into an apartment in the 6000 block of California around 6 am. “He fled after the occupant screamed.” He was not “hostile” toward the occupant – he didn’t indicate any violent intentions, according to Lt. Paulsen – and he didn’t take anything. But since they don’t know exactly what his motive was, they’re particularly eager to catch him. They know the man got on a Metro bus and headed toward downtown; they have collected “trace evidence” and have some good leads as well as witness accounts. The man is described as a “thin black male in his 20s,” 6 feet tall, shaved head, wearing a red shirt and dark pants, and he has a wound on his head – he apparently got cut while running away. (No one in the apartment was hurt.) He broke in through a ground-floor bathroom window, according to Lt. Paulsen. He promised to let us know as soon as the sketch is available, so we’ll bring it to you when we get it. Meantime, he stresses all the advice you’ve heard before – keep your doors and windows secure, and if you see anybody suspicious, call 911. (Meantime, as for the South Park case, no new major developments today.)

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Traffic alert: Highway 99 lane closures; Viaduct closure Sat. night

July 21, 2009 2:53 pm

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| Alaskan Way Viaduct | Transportation | West Seattle traffic alerts

Just got this note from the folks working on the various Alaskan Way Viaduct-related projects:

On Wednesday (July 22) crews will close the far right lane of northbound SR 99 between the West Seattle Bridge and the Railroad Way S. ramps from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. On Thursday (July 23) crews will close the far right lane of southbound SR 99 between the Railroad Way S. ramps and the West Seattle Bridge from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m.

This is related to the South End Replacement work – more info here.

ADDED 4:14 PM: And we’ve received two reminders that the northbound lanes of The Viaduct are closed for two hours Saturday night because of the Seafair Torchlight Run – 5:45-7:45 pm.

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Where to find free air conditioning tonight, 5-7 pm

July 21, 2009 12:49 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

(Evening sunshine along Beach Drive, photo by Chas Redmond)
BEFORE you go for your evening walk – one place to cool off in the early evening heat (temperatures peak around 5-6 pm!): ArtsWest in The Junction, where, tonight between 5-7 pm, the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce‘s City Council Candidates’ Forum takes the stage. You don’t have to be there right at 5 – the first half-hour is for mingling and/or one-on-one questions/answers – then the forum starts around 5:30. Candidates who are confirmed so far include West Seattleites David Ginsberg (Position 2) and Dorsol Plants (Position 4) as well as Sally Bagshaw and David Bloom (Position 4), Marty Kaplan (Position 6), David Miller, Mike O’Brien, Robert Rosencrantz, Jordan Royer and Rusty Williams (Position 8). #4 and #8 are the spots where the incumbents aren’t running again, so the primary vote (August 18, but it’s all by mail and your ballot will arrive by the end of next week) is particularly huge. CR Douglas moderates, no admission charge, and since it’s done by 7ish there’s still time to go enjoy the beach, a walk, whatever. ADDED 3:35 PM: One more name on the confirmation list – City Council President Richard Conlin, who’s being challenged by Ginsberg for Pos. 2.

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Delridge’s new playground: The “last sprint” before it opens

July 21, 2009 11:39 am

| Comments Off on Delridge’s new playground: The “last sprint” before it opens

| Delridge | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

That’s just part of the exhausted yet exhilarated crowd of volunteers that gathered for photos last Friday afternoon after building Delridge Community Center‘s new playground. Among them, North Delridge Neighborhood Council co-vice-chair Betsy Hoffmeister, who wanted to share a bit more news today:

As we approach the Grand Opening Ceremony for the new Delridge Community Center playground on July 23rd at 6:30 pm, the North Delridge Neighborhood Council is taking stock. We are immensely grateful to the community at large for supporting this amazing project. We have a few announcements to make.

· Only 14 Delridge tshirts are left. Made in White Center! Folks can buy one of the last 14 silk screened shirts left, Adult sizes: $15, Kids sizes: $10. Email your order to delridgetshirt@gmail.com .

· We have a donation of cupcakes for the grand opening, but, in order to make this a stylin’ event, we are looking for more food and drink donations. (We spent more than we anticipated on food for the build because we had nearly 270 people show up!)

· Every person or business who donated funds, goods, or services to the project is recognized on the 1X1 foot tiles attached to the fence around the playground (although the volunteers missed one). There are about ten more spaces for dedications. If you would like to add your message to the playground wall, please contact betsy@hoffmeisters.com with your contribution and message by Thursday. Minimum suggested donation is $25.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Burglary encore in Admiral

July 21, 2009 9:56 am

| 34 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Pauline e-mailed to say that while she’s relatively new to the neighborhood, she has had an overly warm welcome from the criminal element – read on:Read More

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Lowest tide of the month today – and naturalists’ last day

July 21, 2009 6:30 am

| 4 COMMENTS

| Environment | Seen at sea | West Seattle news

(photo via Twitter from @andreajwalker, taken Monday at Alki)
Lowest tide of the month today, and John Smersh – co-proprietor of Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor) and volunteer beach naturalist – says it’s the naturalists’ last day of the summer. So if you want to low-tide-walk and learn as you go – get out this morning. John will be at Constellation Park; other beach naturalists will be at Lincoln Park. They’re out 10 am-1:30 pm but John notes that the lowest tide is 10:47 am, minus 3.5 feet – it’s still low-ish again tomorrow but not as low as today.

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Hiawatha haps: Concerts debut Thursday; wading pool now open

July 21, 2009 4:00 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Thanks to Erik Walum for that photo – his spouse Katy Walum is organizer of the first-ever Admiral Neighborhood Association Summer Concerts at Hiawatha series (with WSB among the co-sponsors), and the banner sign just went up at the park as a reminder that the series is about to kick off: This Thursday night, 6:30 pm, east lawn at Hiawatha, Alma Villegas serenades you for free! Just bring your own blanket and/or chair. It’s the first of six consecutive Thursday nights with these free concerts – the lineup ranges all over the musical map, from jazz to Cajun to folk to rock and even Big Band; see the list of performers here.

SECOND NOTE: Hiawatha’s wading pool opened Monday as promised by the city, according to Holly. That means West Seattle now has three wading pools open, including Lincoln Park and Delridge; E.C. Hughes is scheduled to open next Monday, and Highland Park is not scheduled to be open this year at all because of federally mandated drain-safety upgrades the city needs to install (because of that work, it’s opening 14 wading pools citywide this summer instead of the usual 25).

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Election 2009 close-up coverage: Council candidate Sally Bagshaw

July 21, 2009 3:01 am

| 4 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

Primary Election Day is coming up on August 18; your ballot will arrive in less than two weeks. WSB is offering close-up looks — with West Seattle-specific questions — at hot races including the three Seattle City Council contests you’ll find on the primary ballot. So far in the past week, we’ve looked at three of the Position 8 candidates; now we’re jumping over to Position 4, the seat being given up by Jan Drago for her mayoral run, and starting with one of the 2 candidates dual-endorsed by the 34th District Democrats: Sally Bagshaw.

By Kathy Mulady
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

City Council candidate Sally Bagshaw was at the Luna Park Café for breakfast Saturday, working on a plate of eggs, a fruit bowl and bottomless cups of decaf coffee.

Breakfast could be her only meal of the day as she dashes to neighborhood events, meetings, interviews and fundraisers.

“The single most exciting thing about this campaign is what I have learned,” she said.

That’s saying a lot coming from an attorney who earned her pilot’s license when she was 47 and recently returned from an adventure to Bora Bora aboard a 39-foot sailboat that she called “eight months of the hardest work I ever did.”

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