West Seattle, Washington
01 Tuesday
This happened just before 5 pm Friday but the report just appeared on SPDBlotter late tonight: A man, his adult daughter, and her nine-year-old son were parking their van at their home in the 8400 block of 20th SW (map) when 2 men jumped out from behind a nearby dumpster and tried to carjack them. The man fought back; one of the would-be carjackers pulled out what police describe as “a large knife with a 10-inch blade” and tried to stab him – but the other would-be carjacker “convinced suspect #1 to flee the scene” and the two ran off. Police found them a few blocks away, in the 8600 block of Delridge, and caught them after “a brief pursuit.” The two were arrested and booked into King County Jail, facing possible charges of robbery, attempted kidnapping and investigation of assault. SPD says one suspect is 21, the other 19; read the SPDBlotter account of the incident here. 3:51 AM UPDATE: A little more information – the two suspects are still in jail, with bail set at $75,000 for the 21-year-old and $50,000 for the 19-year-old, each of whom spent time behind bars twice earlier this year, according to the jail register.
Thanks to Shannon for sharing that photo from a walk today in Lincoln Park. It goes well with a couple of Lincoln Park-related notes we wanted to pass along tonight: First, if you haven’t seen the announcement in the WSB Forums – one week from today, a big bicycle race will affect park access/usage in a big way. It’s a cyclocross event, explained by promoter Zac this way: “Cyclocross is a bicycle race, mostly on grass, some dirt, a little pavement, and there are some places the riders must dismount, pick up the bike and run (all in one fluid motion). Anyone can race, and there’s a category for just about everyone. All you need is bike that you can ride on grass and dirt, and a helmet.” More info at mfgcyclocross.com; also, Zac shared a flyer and accompanying park map you can see here, for details on which trails will be affected next Saturday, and exactly when. Another Lincoln Park note – two weeks from today, on Saturday 11/7, it’s Green Seattle Day in parks and greenspaces all over the city, and many groups of volunteers will be working to make our city a little greener – like Friends of Lincoln Park, whose monthly work party will happen that day, per this announcement we received:
Celebrate Green Seattle Day at Lincoln Park! There are so many good reasons to “green up” Seattle. Restoring native plants improves water and air quality, provides habitat for native creatures, increases property values and soothes your soul. Join the Friends of Lincoln Park on Saturday, Nov 7th from 9 am to noon to plant natives in an area in which we recently removed invasive plants. Dress for weather with sturdy shoes. Bring your favorite tools, or we’ll provide tools. Meet in the north parking lot at the kiosk across from Rose St. Contact: Sharon Baker (206) 464-1068 or sbaker@u.washington.edu
More on Green Seattle Day here.
Thanks to Rev. Peg Morgan from the Westside Unitarian Universalists for sharing photos from this afternoon’s Habitat for Humanity dedication at 32nd and Morgan in High Point. Top photo shows Rev. Morgan leading a House Blessing; bottom photo, WSUU members including, from left, Gary Gertig, Viv Monahan, Arlene Borella, President Paula vanHaagen, John Monahan, Fifie Marie, Lynn Williams; Rev. Morgan explains they are shown “receiving a thank you from Habitat for Humanity for a year’s worth of construction volunteers and funds.”
Speaking of WSUU, they invite visitors to enjoy special music during tomorrow’s service – nationally known singer and songwriter Ellis will perform, and will sign CDs following the service. WSUU meets at 10:30 at the Masonic Hall, 4736 40th Ave SW (map).
The new community edible garden behind C & P Coffee – built today by CoolMom– and Sustainable West Seattle-organized volunteers as part of the worldwide 350 Day of Action – was taking shape in a big way when we stopped by around noon – four raised beds behind the coffeehouse. And lots of help, including the very young:
If you see this before 3 pm or so, there’s still time for you to get to Seattle Center and be in the big “350” photo by the International Fountain. A SWS contingent planned to bicycle there; here’s the bicycle that SWS president Bill Reiswig was going to ride:
If you don’t know what the “350” is about – it’s explained here. ADDED 7:02 PM: We got to Seattle Center just as those gathered for the photo finished counting down to 3:50 pm — here’s the group finishing the countdown and cheering/waving:
Here’s how it looked from above (the people we video’d were at the bottom of the photo, just before the big blue banner on the ground). ADDED EARLY SUNDAY: We’ve received one of the aerial photos, and permission to use it, from Terri Glaberson of CoolMom (who was among the speakers at, and organizers of, Saturday’s big event):
Organizers say about 500 people participated.
First, we have received two more reports of the serial vandalism in the Morgan Junction/Lincoln Park area that’s widely known as “the homophobic graffiti” – invariably the same profane three-word slur. CJ writes today that it “reappeared on a garage door overnight – 6000 block of Cal Ave. Same ugly phrase as last time. Police were there taking a report with the homeowner.” And Jen e-mailed yesterday about another sighting; as we reported a week and a half ago, police have been looking to talk with the man who was arrested last spring (charges were dropped because he was found not competent to stand trial) – we’ll continue following up. Ahead – two theft cases – one from a parent warning about what could happen to a teen, another from a couple who hopes you’ll be on the lookout for their stolen car:Read More
From our partners at the Seattle Times, an update on what was decided this morning regarding the next steps in the high-school football postseason, since West Seattle High School‘s win last night (WSB coverage here) has WSHS in a three-way tie for the division lead with Rainier Beach and Nathan Hale: The tiebreaker games (which are short matches) are at Memorial Stadium downtown Monday night, with Westside playing RB at 6 pm. The winner advances to a 7 pm game against NH, and whomever wins that one goes into the league championship game. We’ll be there Monday to cover it all (including live tweets at @wsblive).
The 18th annual Southwest Community Art Showcase starts Monday at the Southwest Branch Library – but it’s not too late to be part of it – just call 206-684-7455 or stop by the branch (35th/Henderson; map), but do it before the library closes today (6 pm). The reminder comes from Julie Enevoldsen of Friends of the Southwest Branch Library; she adds, “Artists of any age and artwork of any medium are welcome.” The show will run through Nov. 15, with a meet-the-artists reception at 2 pm Nov. 7.
VIADUCT CLOSURE: Right about now, the Alaskan Way Viaduct is scheduled to close for the first of two days of inspections, as routinely happens twice a year. Today’s closure is scheduled to end at 5:30 pm to accommodate Sounders traffic; tomorrow’s shutdown is slated for 6 am-6 pm. (A few hours into the closure, the mayor and governor are scheduled to gather alongside The Viaduct for the ceremonial signing of the tunnel deal validated by the City Council this week.)
350 DAY: It’s the International Day for Climate Action. Big event in West Seattle: CoolMom and Sustainable West Seattle are is creating an edible garden on a plot donated by C & P Coffee (who answered this). You can join in – starting at 10 am. Then at 12:30, SWS leads a bike ride from Seacrest to Seattle Center, where events will culminate in the formation of the numbers 3, 5, 0 at 3:50 pm. Read more on the SWS website.
LESBIAN & GAY FILM FESTIVAL IN WEST SEATTLE: For the second year, the festival has screenings in West Seattle, at Admiral Theater starting at noon today and tomorrow – five films today and two tomorrow.
HELP SAMOAN DISASTER VICTIMS: 9 am to 1 pm, you can take donations to an event at Evergreen High School in White Center (map). See what’s needed, and find out more about the event, by going here.
WEST SEATTLE EAGLES’ OKTOBERFEST NOTE: They sent word yesterday they had trouble getting the right permits, so they’ve canceled the beer/sausage event, but are still doing breakfast and flag football.
Lots more! See the West Seattle Weekend Lineup.
That’s the West Seattle High School varsity football team accepting the Huling Bowl trophy – again – on Homecoming Night, after a 26-8 victory over Chief Sealth High School at West Seattle Stadium. The win put West Seattle in a three-way tie with Rainier Beach and Nathan Hale for first place in the Metro League’s Sound Division. Since that was the last regular-season game, this morning there’ll be a coin flip to determine how everything will shake out in the playoff picture. At this point West Seattle could play as early as Monday night or as late as next Friday. The Wildcats managed to pull off the win despite losing quarterback Ellison Tran early in the second half. Running back Isaiah Jenkins stepped into the QB role and kept the team moving down the field. Tran came back in the fourth quarter and was part of a flea-flicker that led to a West Seattle touchdown. While Tran sat out most of the half, Jenkins and teammate Markeem Adams split the play-calling. Coach Davis Lura talked about it afterward:
Chief Sealth scored with only five seconds left in the game. The Seahawks’ Tracy Manley caught a pass and quarterback Daniel Davis was successful on the two-point conversion. Meantime, the crosstown rivalry made way for good-spirited cheerleader and band action on the field at halftime:
Before the game, a barbecue and rally – with Tom and Steve Huling at the grill, dishing up free hot dogs:
This is the 92nd WSHS homecoming; the school’s Homecoming Dance is tomorrow night at Club One 3 One downtown.
Hundreds of students, staffers and parent/community volunteers teamed up in Friday’s soggy, blustery weather for another successful Lafayette Elementary Walk-a-Thon. This is a big year for the school in Admiral, as it’s added two classes and is now the most populous elementary in West Seattle, with more than 500 students. The PTA organizes the Walk-a-Thon to raise tens of thousands of dollars each year to fill school needs that the regular budget just doesn’t cover. Classes take turns throughout the day making the rounds on the playground, with peppy music:
Volunteers rounded up more than 100 business sponsors this year, including WSB. (Disclosure, we have a Lafayette alum in the house, but we’re always pleased to receive sponsorship solicitations from any local school fundraiser or other community event.)
This morning, we resume our city-candidate closeups; we took a look at them all before the primary election, and with the general election nearing, we’re checking back in with the finalists in five city races – mayor and council. We’ve already looked at mayor (Mike McGinn here, Joe Mallahan here) and City Council Position 6 (Nick Licata here, Jessie Israel here); this morning, it’s City Council Position 8..
By Jack Mayne
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Mike O’Brien says he wants a Seattle City Council seat for reasons including opposition to the deep-bore tunnel plan for replacing part of The Viaduct and consideration of tolling major thoroughfares in the city to discourage car usage and raise money for projects like creating a transportation-and-people corridor along the city’s waterfront.
O’Brien is a former chair of the Cascade Chapter of the Sierra Club and spent a decade as chief financial officer at the Stokes Lawrence law firm. He shares opposition of the deep-bore tunnel plan with fellow ex-Sierra Club chair Mike McGinn, who’s running for mayor. O’Brien faces Robert Rosencrantz in the Position 8 race.
He has said tolls could be used “everywhere” but moderates that a bit under questioning.
This morning, we resume our city-candidate closeups; we took a look at them all before the primary election, and with the general election nearing, we’re checking back in with the finalists in five city races – mayor and council. We’ve already looked at mayor (Joe Mallahan here, Mike McGinn here) and City Council Position 6 (Jessie Israel here, Nick Licata here); this morning, it’s City Council Position 8..
By Jack Mayne
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Robert Rosencrantz has run for City Council twice before and lost. He says it is either the third time is the charm of it is three strikes and you’re out.
He is a commercial property manager and is running for Position 8 against Mike O’Brien.
Rosencrantz believes local issues should be controlled by the neighborhoods. Rewriting the now 10-year old neighborhood plans should not be done in City Hall, but in West Seattle and other urban centers. He said that while he served as president of the Montlake Community Council, he felt estranged from City Hall.
Great photo from David Clarke, taken from Beach Drive this afternoon. So far, the forecast suggests tomorrow will be rain-free – lots to do if you don’t already have your plans locked in – check the West Seattle Weekend Lineup.
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