West Seattle, Washington

16 Wednesday

56℉

month : 05/2010 347 results

Keller Williams ‘RED Day’ sprucing up expanded Skate Church digs
May 13, 2010 1:38 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

“We give where we live” is the motto for RED (Renew, Energize, Donate) Day, a nationwide day of service today for Keller Williams Realty. The West Seattle crew is giving their time and talents to a project just blocks north of their Junction offices: They’re working on the West Seattle Baptist Church basement that’s been taken over by the Junction-based Skate Church. Pastors Rob and Serena Wastman from Skate Church say it’ll be a great place for activities including movie nights and afterschool programs – and they also say they’ll make it available to community groups looking for a meeting space.

From left, Rob and Serena, with Keller Williams event organizer Eric Slawson, and Skate Church’s Jovan Wiggins. The church plans a grand opening celebration for their share of the WSBC space in September.

Share This

Great weather + low tides = West Seattle beachwalkers’ paradise
May 13, 2010 12:46 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

Great tidewalking conditions along Alki at midday today – and the tide will get lower still for the next four days, from a -1.4 today going down to -2.6 on Sunday (per this tide chart).

Share This

Ramp-closure countdown: SDOT to tweet “low bridge” openings
May 13, 2010 10:50 am
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Spokane St. Viaduct project | West Seattle news

Wednesday afternoon, SDOT used its Twitter account to say the Spokane Street Swing (“low”) Bridge was “closing” – as in, closing to vehicle traffic so marine traffic could get through. We asked if that was a preview of things to come after the 1st Avenue South ramp to the westbound West Seattle (“high”) Bridge closes as of next Monday (part of the Spokane Street Viaduct Widening Project) – and indeed, per an announcement this morning, it is. Though the U.S. Coast Guard said no to officially restricting bridge openings during rush hour, this is part of the “voluntary notification” process worked out – read on to see how you can be sure to get these advance warnings:Read More

Share This

BULLETIN: No new jail; county to extend contract; site search ends
May 13, 2010 9:18 am
|      18 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle jail sites | West Seattle news

FIRST REPORT, 9:13 AM: As mentioned last night, a “significant development in the regional jail-planning process” is promised this morning. It’s been two years since Seattle announced it needed new jail space, and started looking at sites that currently include one in West Seattle (West Marginal/Highland Park Way) as part of what’s become a regional effort. We’re at King County’s Chinook Building downtown, expecting to see a group any moment that we’re told will include County Executive Dow Constantine and Mayor Mike McGinn. As soon as the “development” is announced, we’ll add it here.

9:20 AM ANNOUNCEMENT: The headline on the news release reads, “Proposal to extend jail contract clears way for cities to consider shelving plans.” Jail contract may be extended thru 2020, Constantine announces. Mayor Mike McGinn says that means an end to the jail-siting process. “This is good news, Seattle,” the mayor said, after Executive Constantine announced the proposal to extend the agreement. “Today as a region we will work together to do this.” Shoreline’s mayor has also spoken; that city was under consideration as a jail site. Details of the proposal, from a news release handed out here: King County is offering the cities 150 jail beds through 2020. In addition, they are proposing creation of “a regional jail planning and management group.” Negotiation of this proposed agreement will start next year. Councilmember Nick Licata says “We have pulled the plug on the jail-siting process – and I can almost hear the cheers.” (As we read further into the news release, however, it warns that if there is an indication for new capacity after 2020, the jail-planning process may have to resume as soon as 2013.)

9:34 AM: They’re taking questions now. We asked Constantine, what do you tell the people of Highland Park (and elsewhere) who went through two years of anguish – not to mention the time and money spent by the governments – was it all for naught? We have his entire answer on video and will add it later, but bottom line, he said, he wished it hadn’t played out that way, but it did, and it’s time to move on. (added 9:57 am, here’s his entire answer on video)

Regarding the possibility of needing new space in the future, he notably mentioned the possibility of adding on to the regional county jail complex in Kent. He also said that part of this regional jail process would involve figuring out who has space where so that it could be used more efficiently – including the new jail that is being built by the south end SCORE group. Constantine also said that a future process would be conducted more “rationally” – saying this one seemed to have been “sudden” (regarding the 2008 disclosure that more space was needed and planning for a new site would commence immediately).

10:35 AM UPDATE: We talked with two key behind-the-scenes people after the room cleared, and will include their perspective in a followup story – what’s next, and what’s to keep this all from revving up again in a few years? Meantime, the county has published the full news release about today’s announcement on its website – you can read it here.

Share This

3 ways to help: Tech donations; bike donations; jazz & wine night
May 13, 2010 9:04 am
|    Comments Off on 3 ways to help: Tech donations; bike donations; jazz & wine night
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

LAPTOPS AND MONITORS NEEDED: Bob Huppe, one of two West Seattleites on the board of the nonprofit Technology Services Corps, is looking for flat-panel monitors and laptops for a special trip this summer: TSC works with high-school students who go overseas to install computer labs for their counterparts to learn in. This summer, they’re working with Garfield High School students going to Ometepe Island, Nicaragua, to install 30 computers. They have computers but need flat-panel monitors (which use less power) to go with them, and 12 laptops for the students’ teachers, most of whom commute by bicycle or bus to their school and need something portable. If you have anything to donate – take note, the laptops would be wiped by local recycler InterConnection – e-mail Catherine Berner, one of the students planning the trip: ch.berner@comcast.net – Bob says, “Someone would be delighted to pick up monitors or laptops, and all donations are tax-deductible.”

BICYCLES FOR HUMANITY: Holy Rosary Church will be collecting bicycles 8:30 am-2:30 pm May 23 for the “Bicycles for Humanity” drive; they’re destined for the KwaZulu-Natal province in South Africa, which among other challenges has 50 percent unemployment. Here’s the official flyer.

AN EVENING OF JAZZ AND WINE TASTING FOR CHIEF SEALTH: The EB Foote Winery in Burien is the site of an event just announced as a fundraiser for the Chief Sealth International High School Jazz Band, 6 pm June 11th. Here’s the official flyer with information on how to get tickets, which includes snacks, tickets and of course, the wine.

Share This

Tonight: 41 venues will welcome you during West Seattle Art Walk
May 13, 2010 6:43 am
|    Comments Off on Tonight: 41 venues will welcome you during West Seattle Art Walk
 |   West Seattle Art Walk | West Seattle news

Second Thursday of the month is here already – West Seattle Art Walk night, all over the peninsula, from Alki Bathhouse in the north, to Fauntleroy’s Gail Ann Photography in the south, to ActivSpace on Harbor Avenue in the east, and beyond, with perfect weather expected. Here’s the map of all 41 venues – which include knows perfume, the Junction shop opening for the first time, plus the new Junction wine shop Bin 41, as well as WSB sponsors ArtsWest, Brunette Mix, Click! Design That Fits, Cupcake Royale, 8 Limbs Yoga, Hotwire Online Coffeehouse, and Mural Apartments. You’ll also find photographer Wyn Bielaska, who took Mother’s Day shots at Hotwire last Sunday, exhibiting his work at Bakery Nouveau; treats at locations such as The Kenney (whose catering team will be on the job) and Blue Willow/Emma’s Cakes (wedding cake samples!). Scroll through the official Art Walk website, wsartwalk.com, for a sample of the artists whose work will be on display tonight – and sample the images on the West Seattle Art Walk Facebook page. 6-9 pm tonight – here’s that map again – see you out and about.

Share This

High-school baseball: West Seattle HS to state tournament
May 13, 2010 12:30 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

From our partners at the Seattle Times, word of the West Seattle High School baseball team’s win over Eastside Catholic on Wednesday, 9-6, sending them to the state tournament – but first, the Metro League title game vs. Bishop Blanchet at 2 pm Saturday. More details to come!

Share This

It’s all downhill (in a good way) for West Seattle Snowsports Council
May 12, 2010 11:08 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | WS & Sports

By Randall G. Hauk
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

The West Seattle Snowsports Council got its official start as an organization tonight with a meeting at Mountain to Sound Outfitters.

The group is the brainchild of Mountain to Sound owner Greg Whittaker, who hopes to provide better access to local skiing and snowboarding areas for area youth by arranging group transportation to the Cascades from West Seattle.

Whitaker introduced himself to about a dozen attendees by saying that his participation in a similar program was a formative experience and that he wanted to assure local youth the same opportunities he had. “I’m pretty passionate about it.”

Read More

Share This

West Seattle Crime Watch: Stabbing suspect to be evaluated
May 12, 2010 10:30 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Crime | High Point | West Seattle news

Following up on the High Point stabbing almost three weeks ago: The man who’s been in jail since then, in lieu of $1 million bail, 22-year-old Marcus Combs, was supposed to be in court this morning to enter a plea to the charge of first-degree assault, but instead, his arraignment was postponed until May 26th. According to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, “Combs will undergo a 15-day mental evaluation to determine his competency to stand trial.” The victim, a 40-year-old woman whom investigators say was attacked randomly while walking with her 9-year-old, has been recovering at home since the day after the attack.

Share This

Heads up, Highland Park (etc.): Jail-related news tomorrow
May 12, 2010 9:54 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle jail sites | West Seattle news

Not all media events are worth mentioning ahead of time. But given the history of the jail-site fight in West Seattle, particularly Highland Park, dating back 2 full years now – we thought some would want to know about a media event announced for tomorrow morning. Here’s the exact wording of the advisory sent to us and other news outlets:

On Thursday, King County Executive Dow Constantine will announce a significant development in the regional jail planning process.

He will be joined by Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn, Shoreline Mayor Keith McGlashan, King County Council Chair Bob Ferguson and Seattle City Councilmember Nick Licata.

Shoreline is one of the “North/East” King County cities that banded together a year and a half ago. It’s also home to one of the six sites that the group has been looking at – three are in Seattle (including Highland Park Way/West Marginal Way SW in West Seattle), one in Bellevue, and one in unincorporated King County – though the need for new jail space recently moved further into the future). The announcement is scheduled for 9:15 tomorrow morning at the County Executive’s HQ downtown; it is NOT a public event, but we’ll be there and will bring you details of the announcement immediately.

Share This

Updates: 34th Democrats – McDermott kickoff; Stone endorsed
May 12, 2010 7:17 pm
|      18 COMMENTS
 |   34th District State House 2 | King Co. Council District 8 | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

(video highlights added to the end of this story early Thursday)
Right now at The Hall at Fauntleroy, our area’s biggest political group, the 34th District Democrats, have just started their regular meeting, after a special event – campaign kickoff for State Sen. Joe McDermott‘s King County Council run; he thanked the crowd for their support. He and his fellow 34th District legislators, Reps. Eileen Cody and Sharon Nelson, are scheduled to provide a legislative update during the meeting; the 34th DDs also are scheduled to make one or more endorsements from among the three Democrats running for Rep. Nelson’s seat (she’s running, unopposed so far, for McDermott’s Senate seat). We’ll provide in-progress updates as news happens.

7:25 PM UPDATE: News just happened. One of the three candidates, Mike Heavey, has just withdrawn from the race. The room was clearly shocked – our reporter there says there was an audible gasp. 7:42 PM UPDATE: We talked to Heavey for clarification. He is **NOT** dropping out of the race – but is withdrawing from the endorsement process that’s under way at the meeting right now.

(Photo by Dina Johnson, added Wednesday)
7:47 PM UPDATE: Results of the endorsement vote – Marcee Stone (above) gets the 34th DDs’ members’ endorsement, with 65% of the 120+ votes cast, double what Joe Fitzgibbon received. PCOs are taking a separate vote. 9:04 PM: The meeting’s over. Stone also won the PCO vote, which translates to the party’s official nomination. We’ll add a bit more about the meeting later, including video highlights. 1:37 AM THURSDAY: Those highlights are here, in video shot/edited for WSB by Edgar Riebe of Captive Eye Media:

The 34th Dems made other endorsements Wednesday night, and they are all listed on the group’s home page.

Share This

West Seattle Crime Watch: Arrest in The Junction
May 12, 2010 6:29 pm
|      15 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

Thanks to everyone who called/texted about police activity in The Junction just before 6 pm tonight – we happened to be en route to the Triangle Advisory Group meeting steps away and caught the end of it, just after police had cuffed a suspect (iPhone photo above). Southwest Precinct Lt. Norm James confirms the original call was about a shoplifter at the liquor store who was suspected of having a gun – that’s why police were in the area looking for him with their guns drawn – Lt. James says the suspect turned out not to be armed. Onlookers lined the sidewalk when we arrived in the area – business staffers as well as shoppers – and one bystander called out to this officer, who was putting away his rifle as he returned to his car, “Good work!”

ADDED 8:14 PM: A few more details from Lt. Ron Smith: “Officer responded to a call of a subject in the liquor store … placing a bottle in his pants pocket. Store employee confronted the subject and advised him that the police were called. The subject denied taking the bottle and was observed removing the bottle and returning the bottle to the shelf. The employee observed what she thought was a handgun in the front of his pants. The subject left the store and was contacted by patrol officers a short distance away. The subject was positively identified by store employees. No weapon was found on the subject, who appeared to be a transient with mental issues. He was transported downtown.”

Share This

2 Junction notes: Shadowland sidewalk café; park-planting signups
May 12, 2010 5:39 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Junction Plaza Park | West Seattle news

First Junction note – as the weather warms up even more, another sidewalk café is in progress – driving by Shadowland this afternoon, we noticed work proceeding on its outdoor area. We mentioned the application here in early April. Now, another outdoor project:

(Photo by Donna Ryan Photography)
Second note: Construction work at Junction Plaza Park (northwest corner of 42nd/Alaska) is proceeding full speed ahead – and it’s time to sign up to join the community planting party right after it’s done. According to Friends of Junction Plaza Park, volunteers are needed to plant almost 800 native plants on June 5th – 20 for each of two 4-hour shifts. “Training, materials and refreshments are provided,” says the FoJPP announcement – just bring yourself (and family/friends if available!). RSVP now to susan@wsjunction.org or 206-935-0904 – then after helping with the planting party on June 5, beam with pride at your handiwork as the park is dedicated at 5:30 pm June 29th.

Share This

Ramp-closure countdown: County warns of possible bus delays
May 12, 2010 3:37 pm
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   Spokane St. Viaduct project | West Seattle news

We’re counting down this week to the closure next Monday of the 1st Avenue South onramp to the westbound (high) West Seattle Bridge, which will route WS-bound traffic to the “low bridge” unless you get on from 99, I-5 or Beacon Hill, while a new ramp’s being built as part of the Spokane Street Viaduct Widening Project. We’ve reported Metro’s reroute plans before, but they’re out again today with a few routes added to the latest official “buses may be delayed” warning – so we’re publishing that in its entirety – read on:Read More

Share This

From West Seattle Kiwanis: “Calling all cars” for Saturday show
May 12, 2010 2:19 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Fun stuff to do | Triangle | West Seattle news

This Saturday, the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle is putting on its first Charity Motorcycle Poker Run and Bike & Classic Car Show – and they just sent word, they’ve still got room for more cars:

Calling All Cars!

Do you have a cool car, custom ride, monster truck or electric vehicle you want to show off? We have space available for you to join us on Saturday May 15th from 11am to 3pm, at the 1ST ANNUAL CHARITY MOTORCYCLE POKER RUN, BIKE & CLASSIC CAR SHOW.

On May 15, 2010, the Kiwanis of West Seattle will host its first annual Charity Motorcycle Poker Run & Classic Car Show. Proceeds from this event go to the non-profit 21st Century Scholarship Fund that provides education and leadership opportunities for the youth in our community.

Sign-in for the motorcycle poker run starts at 8:30 am at the former Huling Brothers Buick Dealership at 38th Ave SW & Fauntleroy Way SW in West Seattle. Following the Poker Run, riders, passengers, and the general public is welcome to join us for a BBQ and to view the Classic Cars on display. Poker Run day-of registration is $30 per rider, plus $5 per passenger. The cost of the BBQ for the general public is $10. There is no charge for participants of the Car Show.

Commemorating this special event, T-shirts will be available for sale. Contact the Kiwanis at westseattlekiwanis@yahoo.com with questions or to let us know you are bringing your car to display to the public.

Share This

West Seattle business news: Juneau St. Market reopens tomorrow
May 12, 2010 1:49 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

We’ve been keeping an eye on Juneau Street Market (California/Juneau; map) since an apartment fire over the store closed the market eight months ago, watching for signs of reopening. Saw an open door about an hour and a half ago, and dropped in. Owner Binh Nguyen (photo left) was there and said they’re reopening tomorrow, might even “soft-open” tonight. Asked what he did during the long shutdown, he smiled, “Vacation” – adding that the reopening process took so long because of “insurance stuff.” (In a comment following our original coverage of the fire, they had posted that they hoped to reopen in “six to eight weeks.”) The fire in early September was blamed on an extension cord; nobody was hurt. Neighboring Ho-Win Chinese Restaurant was closed immediately after the fire too, but reopened relatively quickly.

Share This

Update: Toppled truck by the West Seattle Bridge
May 12, 2010 12:40 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS breaking news

Thanks to Shane Marr for that photo of a toppled truck in the Delridge/Spokane/West Marginal SW area (also mentioned by @DAlbrightVideo via Twitter, and James via Facebook.). We’re checking on injuries/circumstances. Here’s another angle from WestSide Baby‘s Nancy Woodland:

12:46 PM: Helen Fitzpatrick of the Seattle Fire Department says nobody was hurt. The truck will have to be righted before it’s towed, so avoid that area of West Marginal TFN (map).

Share This

From the WSB Forums: Rough new sand at Alki – Parks will fix
May 12, 2010 11:38 am
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

First heard out about this in the WSB Forums – new sand added to Alki Beach by the Parks Department caused problems for beach users, particularly volleyball players. Parks’ Joelle Hammerstad tells WSB they did indeed get many complaints because the sand was “too rough,” so they will “screen” the sand – and will replace if that turns out to be necessary. Read the entire thread in the Forums here.

Share This

Fauntleroy Community Assoc.: CSO “proceed” letter, schoolhouse…
May 12, 2010 10:42 am
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | Fauntleroy | West Seattle news

From last night’s Fauntleroy Community Association meeting, the final of four WSB reports from last night’s neighborhood-council meetings around West Seattle (newly expanded Admiral report here; Junction report here; North Delridge here): FCA has weighed in with its views on the Combined Sewer Overflow control controversy. While much of the recent attention has focused on the proposals for controlling overflows from the Murray Pump Station at Lowman Beach, north of Lincoln Park, three alternatives for CSO control also are on the table for the basin feeding the Barton Pump Station (county photo above) by the Fauntleroy ferry terminal south of the park, and FCA went public last night with the draft of the letter they want to send the county – including their hope that the Murray controversy will not delay the Barton project. Read ahead for the full text as well as other meeting toplines:Read More

Share This

North Delridge Neighborhood Council: ReFRESH Southwest; more
May 12, 2010 8:59 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

As just forwarded by Delridge’s Neighborhood District Coordinator Ron Angeles, that’s the official poster for ReFRESH Southwest, the umbrella name for the combined Delridge Day/Sustainable West Seattle Festival event set for June 5 at Delridge Community Center. It was an agenda item for the North Delridge Neighborhood Council‘s monthly meeting last night; Angeles asked the group for ideas on where to focus cleanup efforts for the Clean and Green event that’s also part of the day. Suggestions included spots where blackberry and ivy vines have overgrown sidewalks, particularly in front of vacant homes; Angeles plans to scout locations with fellow city employee Ron Harris-White. One other NDNC update: Nancy Folsom said the group’s ongoing Adopt-A-Street efforts will soon be recognized with a street sign, location TBA.

North Delridge Neighborhood Council meets the 2nd Tuesday of the month, Youngstown Arts Center, 6:30 pm.

Share This

West Seattle Wednesday: Triangle, 34th Democrats, Snowsports…
May 12, 2010 7:28 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

TRIANGLE: The city-convened advisory group looking at possibilities for the future of The Triangle meets again tonight, 6 pm, Senior Center of West Seattle (California/Oregon). Topics, according to the agenda on the city website, include Fauntleroy Way SW, “existing land uses … and possible future directions,” and RapidRide. And there’s time set aside for public comment.

34TH DISTRICT DEMOCRATS: Tonight’s regular meeting will be preceded by a kickoff event for Sen. Joe McDermott‘s King County Council campaign, 6 pm at The Hall at Fauntleroy (9131 California SW); then at 7, the 34th DDs’ agenda includes a State Legislature update from Sen. McDermott and Reps. Eileen Cody and Sharon Nelson, plus an endorsement vote in the race to succeed Rep. Nelson in State House Position 2.

WEST SEATTLE SNOWSPORTS COUNCIL: As previewed here Monday, this is the inaugural community meeting to launch a campaign to get West Seattle youth access to the slopes – and more. 6 pm, Mountain to Sound Outfitters (3602 SW Alaska).

ALSO: Alki Bathhouse painting, high-school softball playoffs, Ladies Night at ArtsWest (WSB sponsor), and more … in the WSB West Seattle Events calendar.

Share This

Junction Neighborhood Organization: Crime concerns, closeup
May 11, 2010 11:41 pm
|      31 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Story and photos by Christopher Boffoli
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

About a dozen Junction-area residents turned out at Ginomai tonight for an information-packed meeting of the Junction Neighborhood Organization. Much of the meeting centered around the guest speaker, SPD Officer Tom Burns, who talked about neighborhood crime trends and a range of issues relating to SPD activity in the Junction retail district and surrounding neighborhoods. In particular, Burns touched on some growing gang activity, homeless people living in cars on neighborhood streets, recent bank robberies, and ongoing challenges SPD officers face in dealing with crime.

JuNO President Erica Karlovits opened the meeting and introduced Officer Burns, who told the group that he grew up in West Seattle and knows its neighborhoods very well. He began by assuring the attendees that the community is safe. He said that most of the crimes SPD deals with in the Junction area are non-violent property crimes, though he admitted that lately there has been a group of about troubled teens that the SPD has been watching. They are roughly a dozen members who have been promoting themselves as the “Junction Bloods.” The group is led by a couple of young men who are actually gang members, and the rest are just aspirational teens who aren’t in school. Burns said their activity has largely been a nuisance thus far but that their activity has been escalating from petty crime and vandalism to dealing an increasing amount of marijuana and, lately, organized street robberies where the gang members work in concert by creating distractions.

Read More

Share This

Seattle Police Chief search committee announces 3 finalists
May 11, 2010 10:10 pm
|    Comments Off on Seattle Police Chief search committee announces 3 finalists
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police

Seattle Interim Police Chief John Diaz is the only local candidate among the 3 finalists for the permanent job, as chosen tonight by the search committee (whose members include Southwest Precinct commander Capt. Joe Kessler). In addition to Chief Diaz, the police chiefs of Sacramento and East Palo Alto are on the short list. Read on for the announcement from the mayor’s office:Read More

Share This