West Seattle, Washington
13 Saturday
ORIGINAL 11:06 PM REPORT: Traffic is getting by but slowly and no tow truck is here yet, police and fire on scene. Looks like at least one other vehicle involved. 11:10 PM: Police say 1 person was taken to the hospital but wasn’t seriously hurt. Tow truck just arrived. 11:30 PM: Tow crew has righted the truck. Traffic is light enough that it’s getting around. Debris on road so will take a while to clear here. 1:56 AM: Substituted above for what was a cameraphone photo, you can watch a 3-minute video sequence which includes our initial look at the scene followed by a condensed version of the three-step process needed to turn the truck back over – onto its side, then rotated, then back onto its wheels.
Tina e-mailed to report her silver 1991 Subaru Legacy LS Wagon stolen from outside their home on 44th SW near Hinds (map). But there’s more to the story – as her husband writes:
To the person who stole our family’s 1991 Subaru station wagon (license plate # DP 02112), I want you to know something about us. I depend on my wife to drive now because an aggressive brain tumor that was discovered a few months ago left me more than 50% blind. The prognosis for this tumor is a 50% survival rate for six months to one year. We’ve been relying on the Subbie for transportation to my radiation and other medical appointments, and now for transportation for my elderly mother who just had a stroke and needs 24 hour custodial care. We can’t afford to buy a replacement because I’ve been 100% disabled since 1987 and my wife can’t work while providing 24 hour care for my mother. If you truly feel that you deserve and/or need our car more than we do, I’m so very sorry indeed.
The theft has been reported to police. MIDNIGHT UPDATE: KING 5 News picked up this story and talked with Tina, as well as one of the commenters – see their story here.
Here’s hoping Alki isn’t trashed by tomorrow morning the way it was this morning, by several accounts. First, Kristina posted it about it on the WSB Facebook wall; then we discovered Seal Sitters‘ Robin Lindsey had written about it on Blubberblog (with a call for volunteer help) – and before we could get down to Alki to check it out ourselves, David Hutchinson had sent three photos along with this writeup:
Alki Beach, as usual, is a popular destination on sunny weekends like this. It’s a great place for a picnic, a walk, or to just sit on the sand and take in the view. A reoccurring problem during these busy times is the overflow of garbage that tarnishes the experience for visitors and residents alike. Saturday was one of those days and by evening, the garbage cans were overflowing.
David continues:
Throw a few hungry gulls and crows into the mix and you end up with a less than ideal situation. The photos were taken just east of the Alki Bathhouse at about 8:45 Sunday morning. This was despite the fact that there are 2 dumpsters nearby. Unfortunately, people seem unwilling to walk the extra distance to these as both were virtually empty. Seattle Parks & Recreation has installed a number of large, new style garbage containers along the promenade between 59th Ave SW and 64th Ave SW, but these get little use. They have a small “porthole” opening with a stiff rubber hinge that discourages people from using them. Similar scenes were noted at a number of locations up and down the beach.
With the ongoing budget crisis at Parks, there is probably little hope that this situation will dramatically improve in the short term. When you go to the beach for a picnic, it would be a good idea to come prepared by bringing a plastic garbage bag from home. There are 2 green dumpsters just east of the Bathhouse for garbage and 1 blue dumpster west of the Bathhouse for recyclables.
A Parks employee arrived shortly after 9:00 to empty the cans and suggested that if anyone has concerns or suggestions, please send them to Seattle Parks & Recreation. Contact information can be found at www.seattle.gov/parks/contact/default.htm
This also happens to be a weekend between furlough days for Parks, as explained here – but that’s no excuse for people who won’t walk a few extra feet to a trash container, or pack out their own trash if they don’t find anywhere to throw it.
ORIGINAL 3:16 PM REPORT: It’s not on the City Light hotline, but there’s an outage in parts of eastern West Seattle. We’re driving 35th, and lights are out north and south of Morgan, though Morgan itself is on. 3:26 PM: We are on Delridge, and lights are out Juneau to Trenton. 3:42 PM: Beware while driving – we saw a near-crash at Delridge/Orchard when someone didn’t stop. 3:53 PM: Some commenters say they are back on. City Light media just called us back, saying 6559 customers are/were affected, and tree trouble is blamed.
8:46 PM POSTSCRIPT: Just added a photo we took while stopped at Orchard/Delridge, covering the outage. City Light has a brief item on its Power Lines site, confirming the outage lasted about an hour, blaming it on a tree, and upping the total number of homes/businesses (“customers”) affected to almost 7,000. Thanks to everyone who tipped us off about this, and everyone who added info here via comments; first note was from Al at 30th/Thistle – many followed, via e-mail, text, Twitter and Facebook – we’re here for breaking news 24/7; all the ways to reach WSB are listed here.
West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day was a banner day for the West Seattle Tool Library – Patrick Dunn from Sustainable West Seattle reports they more than doubled their tool stock, with 72 donations and 67 tools purchased by the roving “scavenger teams” (spotlighted in our WSCGSD coverage), for a grand total of 139 tools added to the previous stock of 100, for 239 total (as of this morning). The sewing machine and circular saw in the photo above were part of the haul – and here’s more:
At day’s end, they took everything over to the Tool Library’s headquarters at South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor) – that’s Patrick Dunn putting stuff away:
Here are the “essentials” they still need:
Electric Pressure Washer
Electric Chipper
Canning Supplies
Bike Repair Stand
Portable Table Saw
Food Dehydrator
Chisels
Large Push Brooms
If you can donate any of the above, contact info is here (note they’re still seeking volunteer help too). Upcoming chances to donate include EVERY Sunday TFN at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market – 10 am to 2 pm – and the Sustainable West Seattle Festival/Delridge Day event at Delridge Community Center on June 5th. One week after that, the lending library will have its Grand Opening – June 12.
That’s Athena Frederick of Stroller Strides-West Seattle with Jakson and Taylor – first to arrive for Mother’s Day photos on the newly covered patio at Hotwire Coffee (WSB sponsor) in The Junction. That’s not the official backdrop – after Athena stopped for a WSB photo op, she, the kids, and dad Paul moved on to the “studio” on the patio, with photographer Wyn Bielaska:
That group included others who started to arrive as Athena and family were getting ready for their pic. Part of the proceeds from today’s sessions – available till 4 pm – go to WestSide Baby. (P.S. Photographer Wyn will be showing at Bakery Nouveau starting with this Thursday’s West Seattle Art Walk – more info on his show here; more Art Walk info here.)
Two late additions to the WSB West Seattle Events calendar are coming up tomorrow, so in case you hadn’t heard previously, here’s a look ahead:
DREAM A SOUND FUTURE: Seattle Parks’ Environmental Learning Centers (which include Camp Long) and Sustainable Seattle are co-sponsoring a regional competition to envision our area’s future – read all about it here. If you’re interested in entering “Dream a Sound Future,” you’ll want to be at the next West Seattle workshop for prospective entrants – Monday night, 6-8:30 p.m., at Southwest Community Center, 2801 SW Thistle. (Elementary/middle/high-school students interested in participating have their own version of the challenge, with a showcase planned at the upcoming Sustainable West Seattle Festival/Delridge Day on June 5th – entry deadline is May 25; read more here.)
SEE DOGS: “It takes a community to raise a guide dog,” as Ruth Oldham says, and your next chance to join this community is 6:30 tomorrow night at Merrill Gardens-Admiral Heights (WSB sponsor), 2326 California SW.
We will be joined by volunteers and young puppies from our Phinney Ridge group, Guide Puppies of Seattle. There is bound to be lots of fun and energy! The West Seattle See Dogs club is actively looking for volunteers to spend a year or so teaching puppies good house manners and introducing them to the world. Come and meet our raisers and greet puppies in training. We also are always in need of folks who can support our various activities and events.
Want to know more? Here’s a Facebook event listing with contact info.
First: Thanks to Chris for sharing this link: Three of the four teachers honored recently with the Alliance for Education‘s Swain Excellence in Teaching Award are from West Seattle schools – Denny’s Marcus Pimpleton and Madison’s Stephanie Poole and Alisha Taylor. More info, plus a photo from the recent ceremony, can be found here.
Second: Jeanne Merritt from Madison Middle School shares news of a memorable visitor:
Madison Middle School eighth graders had a special treat recently when a former teacher came for a visit.
That teacher was Jesse Hagopian. He, his wife and their one-year-old son arrived in Port-au-Prince, Haiti two days before the big earthquake hit. Mr. Hagopian had taken a one year leave of absence from Seattle Public Schools to care for his baby. He accompanied his wife, an HIV educator who was working with health professionals there.
The family escaped safely from the earthquake, although half of the hotel was in ruins. Mr. Hagopian and a guest doctor treated wounded people who arrived throughout the night, and his wife translated for the doctor. At Madison he shared photos of the devastation, a brief history of Haiti, and ideas of how students could continue to help rebuilding efforts.
Students were visibly moved by his personal account.
After a week in Haiti Mr. Hagopian and his family caught an evacuation flight home.
Our regional-news partners at the Seattle Times told the Hagopians’ Haiti story here.
The forecast suggests an encore for the sunny weather that preceded last night’s super sunset (photographed by Alki’s David Hutchinson) – perfect for Mother’s Day activities including professionally photographed pics on the patio at Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor), noon-4 pm, part of the proceeds benefiting WestSide Baby; glass-blowing demonstrations at Avalon Glassworks – meet and talk with the artists as they create art glass! – 10 am-4 pm; shopping at West Seattle Farmers’ Market (here’s this week’s fresh sheet), 10 am-2 pm; and two special events at Skylark Café and Club (WSB sponsor), the Girls Rock benefit 3-6 pm and Team Tracy benefit 7-10 pm (both all ages, which is Skylark’s usual Sunday mode) – they’re both explained here – or you could just stay at Skylark all day if you start with brunch (9 am-3 pm). P.S. If you’re thinking Mom’s Day dinner also/instead, Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) has the wildly popular Sunday ribs on the menu at 5, Mother’s Day music at 6.
Two quick notes to share in West Seattle Crime Watch news this morning. Turns out these two latest reports are from the same area. First, from Emily:
Just wanted to get the word out that the car prowlers are back in my neighborhood. I live around 37th and Graham [map] and it’s the third time in the past few months my car has been broken into. The first time they broke in, they got some coffee-soaked change, the second and third time, nada! (Car owner learned her lesson of leaving spare change in car).
And from Vanessa, about two blocks north:
Just noticed over the last couple of days, someone has cut what they can off of the utility poles for the copper. Our alley is between Findlay SW and Juneau SW and between 36th SW and 37 SW. [map]
Side note – The West Seattle Crime Prevention Council has announced its guest speaker for the next meeting (7 pm May 18, Southwest Precinct) – Lt. Woodrow Perkins of the Liquor Control Board.
West Seattle’s Croft Place Townhomes (map) was one of three hubs on Saturday for the first-ever “Spring Into Bed” – a citywide one-day volunteer work party to build new food gardens all around the city. With Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association leading the charge, the plan was to build 10 gardens – here are the raised beds going up early Saturday afternoon at Croft Place:
After five hours of garden-building, volunteers were invited to South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor) for a celebration with food and music. Highlights elsewhere in the city included, according to a news release from Mayor McGinn’s office, an expansion of a container garden on City Hall’s 7th-floor balcony, where 60 pounds of donated tomatoes were grown last year.
From Carol Johnston at the Senior Center of West Seattle:
Rainbow Bingo “Fiesta” on Friday, May 14 and “Woodstock” on Friday, June 25
Participants encouraged to dress with the theme.
Sylivia O’Stayfor more, Bingo caller assisted by Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.
Both events start:
5:30 p.m. doors open and assorted food and beverages sold
7:00 p.m. Bingo starts and entertainment
SPONSORS Life Care Center, Dignity Memorial, Park West Care Center
$15 if prepaid; $20 at the door; $10 for members prepaid and $15 at door. Large
parties can have reserved table.
Reservations 206-932-4044. Space limited.Dance Time with Lauren Petrie
Wednesday May 5 sponsored by Park West Care Center
Wednesday June 2 sponsored by Merrill Gardens West Seattle with a Prom theme –
encouraging dress up attire.
Each dance is from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Donation $5 mem./$7 non-mem. All ages welcome
Bring your own snacks, beverages, etc.Salute to Veterans Luncheon
Tuesday, May 11 at 11:45 a.m.
FREE to all veterans
Suggested Donation $5 for all others
Reservations by everyone 206-932-4044Senior Housing & Resource Fair FREE to the community
Tuesday, June 29
10:00 am to 1:00 p.m.
Co-sponsored by Daystar Retirement Village, Merrill Gardens Admiral Heights and
Merrill Gardens West Seattle
Free lunch – reservations requested 206-932-4044 ext. 1
Where will you live as you age? Visit many vendors and learn you options of where to
live , services available i..e. Assisted Living, Retirement Communities, Adult
Family Homes, In Home Care, Downsize & Moving Companies, Chore Services, Independent
Living, Senior Housing organizations, Insurance and Financial plans, and much more.Upcoming Casino trip with bus transportation
Register with Flo – 206-938-1700
Snoqualmie Casino
THURS. MAY 6
$5/$7Tulalip Casino
Tuesdays, MAY 18 & JUNE 15
$5/$7Lucky Eagle in Rochester
Thursday, MAY 27 & JUNE 24
$5/$7Clearwater Casino
Thursday, JUNE 10
$5/$7Laura Neville will teach the following Basic Computer classes for 8 hours total for
$10 Center members or $15 for non-members:
May 11, 13, 18 and 20 or
Vince Ferrios teaches
June 15, 17, 22 and 24
All classes will be from 9:30 am to 11:30 am.Defensive Driving Workshops
Friday, May 14 and May 21 from 9:00 am to 1:00 p.m. Or
Fridays, June and 18 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
$!4 to AARP
Register – 206-932-4044Defensive Driving workshops NEED Volunteers to teach 8 hour class once a month – at
least 3 times a year.
*Must be AARP member
* Teach 8 hours a series – can be 4 hour sessions two different times
* Learn the curriculum by taking a class; practice teaching of one unit
* Attend a PAID Overnight Training in Everett or Gig Harbor (held 2-3 months)
Register with Marge Lutton – 206-322-0490Strawberry Belgian Waffles with sausage and coffee on
4th MONDAYS MAY 24 and JUNE 28
5:30 p.m.
Cost $6 mem./$8 non-mem.
Register – 206-932-4044 drop ins welcome tooBook Discussion Group –
4th Wednesday at 1:00 p.m.
May 26 “What’s the Matter with Kansas? By Thomas Frank
June 23 “$20 per gallon (how the inevitable rise in the price of gasoline will
change our lives for the better by Christopher Steiner..Friday, June
“Murder Mystery”
Another FUNDRAISER by John Ellis benefiting the Senior Center West Seattle.Want to play Scrabble? Call Marge Hansen at 206-935-8621. dominoes call
Cribbage call Frankie Cline at 206-935-3118Take a FREE ride on the Hyde shuttle
Call 206-727-6262 Mon-Fri. 9 am to 4 pm
* Free door-to-door service throughout West Seattle for seniors and people with
disabilities of all ages living in West Seattle
* * Shuttle service two days per week to First Hill
* * Call up to 30 days in advance.
* * Rides on first come, first served basis
* Provided by Senior Services in partnership with King County MetroSmiles for Life Oral Hygiene Program (Teeth Cleaning Program)
Fridays, May 28 and June 25 with appointments
Free Oral cancer screenings, evaluation of teeth and gums, etc.
LOW COST Routine and therapeutic cleaning starting at $80, Periodontal cleanings
starting at $97, etc.
Appointments and more info call 206-498-4023.
Sound Steps Spring Training for Walkers Free
It may still be winter, but now is the time to start ‘spring training’ to prepare
for Sound Steps’ spring walking events! Get in the best walking shape of your life
as you work toward a 3.1 mile, 6.2 mile or 13.1 mile Half Marathon walk goal. Learn
all about the training program, get walking tips and shoe discounts, and enjoy
healthy snacks at our kick-off events in North or South Seattle. RSVP for a kick-off
event by calling Mari at 206-684-4664. If you can’t attend, request a Training Info
Packet. Weekly Saturday training walks for both beginning and experienced walkers
will begin thereafter from Ravenna-Eckstein CC and Jefferson CC. If you don’t
already walk regularly and want to start training early, try the Rainier Beach CC
indoor walking group 10 a.m. every Mon/Wed for a gentle introduction to walking at
your own pace. Make 2010 your healthiest year yet!
SOUND STEPS HIKES
Enjoy the great outdoors! Join us the first Monday of every month. Beginners
welcome—you can walk as far as feels comfortable. Pick-up at 8:45 a.m. from SE
Seattle Senior Center at 4655 S Holly St, or 9 a.m. from Jefferson Community Center.
To register for hikes, call Mari at 206-684-4664. Bring a lunch; dessert provided.
Mon, Mar 1 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. **New for West Seattle:**
Lincoln Park SoundSteps Free Walk through the woods or along the beach. Meet at the
south end of North parking lot. Mondays 10-11:15 a.m. Lincoln
Park
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