West Seattle, Washington
29 Tuesday
Story and photos by Jonathan Stumpf
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Last night, at a special West Seattle joint meeting of the CIty Council’s Energy/Technology/Civil Rights, and Public Utilities/Neighborhoods Committees at the Chief Sealth/Boren campus, it was brought to the attention of councilmembers 
Mike O’Brien, Bruce Harrell, and Richard Conlin, that there’s a large disconnect between the discount utility, emergency shut-off, and home improvement services available to the community and those qualified that actually use them.
Presenting this info to the councilmembers and the audience of about 60 were various staff from Seattle City Light, Seattle Public Utilities, Mayor’s Office for Senior Citizens, Seattle Human Services, Seattle Office of Housing, St. Vincent De Paul, Central Area Motivation Program, and Council central staff.
Councilmember O’Brien opened the meeting with a call to the community. Read More
The “survivors’ lap” about an hour ago marked the traditional start of Relay for Life of West Seattle – the 10th annual all-night cancer-fighting fundraiser at West Seattle Stadium. This year, 22 teams with a total of 177 members are circling the track – one by one, or maybe more – till noon tomorrow, with $35,000 pledged so far, and high hopes that it’ll be more by the time Saturday afternoon arrives. You are welcome to drop in and cheer them on – one of the most memorable moments is just a few hours away, the luminaria ceremony to honor memories of those who didn’t win the fight; that’s scheduled for about 10 pm, and again, all are welcome.
This evening, the participants got a pep talk from King County Executive Dow Constantine, who has been on hand for past relays – including the first one in 2001.
ADDED: From the late-night luminaria ceremony – we walked along the luminarias along the south side of the stadium. You can hear, like murmuring in the background, names being read, for those who were being remembered:
After the luminarias (using battery-powered lights this year rather than candles) were lit, those on hand were asked to walk quietly along the track, to remember, and pay tribute. ADDED: One of the final events of the relay – the Kids’ Lap!
(Video still to come from the big announcement at the end.)
You don’t have to be a dad to have fun this weekend, but special events are definitely targeting fathers, and families overall – from a Sunday family Ultimate Frisbee pickup event just announced, to the car show at The Mount, Guys’ Night Out on Father’s Day Eve at WestSide Baby … Other big events include Relay for Life of West Seattle tonight through tomorrow morning … plus magic, music and more. Lots going on, just click ahead:Read More
From the WSB inbox, two West Seattle Crime Watch reports from incidents apparently thwarted today along separate sections of 35th SW – first, a burglary attempt at Red Star Pizza; second, a metal theft attempt – read on for both:Read More
One year after celebrating its centennial, the owner of the Villa Heidelberg Bed and Breakfast has put it up for sale. Several WSB’ers noticed a sign go up yesterday; one even posted about it in the WSB Forums. We checked with Villa Heidelberg owner Judith Burbrink, who marked 10 years of owning it at the same time as last year’s centennial celebration. She said that the sign has come down – she actually didn’t want one, though the property is indeed for sale, “I didn’t want to deter people from making reservations as I am still taking reservations and plan to continue to do so as the sale would be for a turn-key sale of the business.” She reiterates that it’s for sale *as* a B&B. It’s listed for $1.3 million. (If you’re not familiar with Villa Heidelberg, it’s at 4845 45th SW [map].) ADDED 11:25 PM: In a followup note, we asked the B&B’s operator about her decision to sell – click ahead to see what she told us:Read More
Just in case you see them and wonder – we just received word from the Port of Seattle that two Royal New Zealand Navy ships will be sailing into Elliott Bay tomorrow to dock at Pier 66: the frigate Te Kaha and fleet-replenishment tanker Endeavour. An open day for public viewing of Te Kaha is planned 10 am-3 pm on Wednesday (June 23); the ships then will leave on Thursday, bound for San Francisco. 2:56 PM UPDATE: Peter McGraw from the Port checked on the arrival time for us – around 6 pm, so you might see them in the bay starting around 4:30 pm tomorrow.
Three weeks ago, we pointed to a Seattle Times (WSB partner) story about a newly published collection of former ST humor columnist Steve Johnston‘s essays. Today we get the news that Mr. Johnston lost his fight with throat cancer – which he’d been battling along with multiple sclerosis – yesterday, at age 63. He had been living in West Seattle, at Park West Skilled Nursing Center. The Times’ obituary says Mr. Johnston’s memorial will be private. (Thanks to Diane for pointing out today’s story.)
We’re piecing together an incident that led to a brief lockdown at Madison Middle School within the past hour – the Madison office confirms that it’s over now and only lasted 15 minutes or so. They say West Seattle High School may also have been in lockdown. What happened, according to Det. Mark Jamieson at the Seattle Police unit, is still being sorted out, but he says a call about 12:38 pm reported “a young male with an ax or hatchet near a bus stop” in the area. No injuries reported but a “juvenile male” was taken into custody at 48th/Spokane. That’s all we know so far. Will add to this if/when we learn anything else. (Thanks to those who called and tweeted with the lockdown news.)
The Morgan Community Association just got word from project manager Virginia Hassinger: Construction of Myrtle Reservoir Park starts Monday, and should be done by mid-September.
(Photo by, and used with permission of, Paul Gordon)
Speaking on KUOW Radio half an hour ago, South Park Neighborhood Association president Dagmar Cronn revealed she’d just gotten word of a 3 pm Wednesday event at the South Park Bridge with news of funding for a new one and high-ranking elected officials in attendance. That day will mark exactly one week prior to its permanent shutdown. Cronn told KUOW she’d gotten word from the county, so we checked with King County Executive Dow Constantine‘s office, which confirms they’re working on a “progress report” event tentatively planned for Wednesday – though not confirming any details of what’ll be said, or who will be there. (As noted in our report on Seattle City Councilmember Sally Clark‘s appearance at the Delridge Neighborhoods District Council this past Wednesday, she said she expected news of a “double digit” state contribution soon; she was questioned about the council’s announcement this week that they would pledge $15 million. The total cost of a new bridge is estimated at more than $120 million.) 2:01 PM P.S.: County Councilmember Jan Drago‘s office points out that the proposal to raise $31 million for the bridge through bond sales is up for a full King County Council vote on Monday.
P.S. Not only is Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) planning a “South Park Bridge Memorial” on shutdown day, June 30th – now they’re selling T-shirts to benefit South Park’s Providence Regina House Clothing/Food Bank; the image is a little too raw to show here but click to see it on the Feedback’s home page.
Ever since our first report 3 weeks ago about Jones Barbeque planning a West Seattle location, we’ve been chasing down more details. Finally just got them, in a phone chat with Andreque Jones, as more signage continues going up at the storefront. He tells WSB they’re hoping to open as soon as next week in their new location at 4417 Fauntleroy (between Aikido of West Seattle and Tervo’s Mini-Mart, and previously, briefly home to OK Corral), if “the rest of the permits come through.” At the very least, he says, “we’re looking to have a grand opening on the 1st week of July.” We asked him about hours – and learned about plans for “curbside service” – read on:Read More
Story and photos by Christopher Boffoli
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
We’re riding on the back of a 200-ton blue whale, skimming the surface of the Pacific Ocean somewhere off the coast of California. There is a faint collective gasp as the whale dives below the surface of the water and everyone reflexively holds their breath.
Facing forward from around the dorsal area, we can see the mottled skin of the whale as it undulates below us, gaining speed as its negative buoyancy takes over below 20 feet, pulling the huge mammal into deep, cold water. It is suddenly too dark to see, but gradually it grows lighter as the whale swims straight up into a cloud of krill. The crowd emits a delighted “ahhh” as the whale opens its mouth incredibly wide, seeming to disarticulate its jaw to engulf a huge amount of prey before coming to a stop near the surface to force out the water and strain the krill with its baleen. Everyone in the room is rapt.
“We’ve got hours of this footage,” said John Calambokidis, chuckling at the reaction of the dazzled audience. Few in the room seem as though they’d mind if he showed every minute of it.
The stunning clip — video footage from a remote camera mounted to the back of a whale — was just one of the fascinating bits of research shared last night with a packed house at the Duwamish Longhouse by Calambokidis, a research biologist with the Cascadia Research Collective.
Hosted by West Seattleite Donna Sandstrom of The Whale Trail, with opening remarks by Kathy Fletcher of People for Puget Sound, the lecture by Calambokidis touched on his ongoing research of blue, humpback and gray whales in Puget Sound and in the broader waters of the Pacific Coast.
In her brief welcoming remarks, Sandstrom reiterated the goal of The Whale Trail — to someday see orcas come off the endangered list, and for the Sound to be restored. She said she also thought that seeing orcas in the wild is a life-changing experience that provides an understanding that something else lives here that has been here a lot longer than we have.
By Karen Berge
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
The King County Water Taxi‘s West Seattle service was the heart of the agenda as an engaged group of 20-25 people gathered Thursday evening at Alki UCC for the Alki Community Council‘s monthly meeting.
The main speaker was Scott Davis, director of the Marine Division of the King County Department of Transportation was the main guest speaker. Michael Heavey attended on behalf of County Councilmember Jan Drago, who chairs the King County Ferry District Board.
Davis began with some personal background. (That, plus Q/A, and more ACC notes, after the jump)Read More
(Photo taken this week by Cheryl – shared via the West Seattle Blog Flickr group)
Even if you’re not walking in it – between 6 tonight and noon tomorrow, stop by West Seattle Stadium to cheer the participants in Relay for Life of West Seattle. It’s an all-night fundraiser for the fight against cancer, and its memorable moments include the survivors’ lap at the start, and the memorial with luminarias later this evening. Whether or not you can be there, you can pledge by going here … Speaking of health, men’s-health issues will be discussed in a special, free presentation at 6 tonight at Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy (WSB sponsor) in The Junction … That’s also the start time for “Race to Nowhere,” a documentary screening at West Seattle High School, 6 pm, followed by 7:30 pm discussion with director, full details here … Another 6 pm event: All-Access Showcase at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center – drop by any time up till 9 and sample amazing performances/art creations and more – here’s our preview … If you got a collection bag for the Windermere Real Estate door-to-door food drive, please remember to fill it and leave it for them to pick up – donations go to the West Seattle Food Bank & White Center Food Bank. … Even more ahead – check the West Seattle Events calendar!
(Photos and video by Randall G. Hauk)
The ceremony last night at South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor) honored what was by far the largest graduating class in West Seattle – 721 students earning degrees and certificates! SSCC’s breakdown says that included 318 in academic transfer, 272 in professional/technical studies, 26 students in the college’s 4-year bachelor of applied science Hospitality Management degree program, 105 students earning high-school diplomas or GEDs. The school is of course well-known for its culinary programs, among others – listen to the list of degrees being read for this group of graduates:
Once the diplomas were presented, with so many graduates, it was quite the sight – and south – as they turned their tassels:
A few more scenes from a night of smiles:
And more smiles:
Other highlights of this year’s graduating class: the Hospitality bachelor’s degree recipients were the second graduating class; and SSCC also graduated the first recipient of its new associate of arts in Elementary Education (AEE) degree, “which prepares students to enter a four-year university to pursue bachelor’s degrees in elementary education,” according to the school’s graduation-preview news release. Dianne Dizon is that degree’s recipient. Congratulations to all! ADDED 8:20 AM: One more graduation photo – West Seattleite Stacey Fuda and sister Jamie Malek are “extra super proud” of their mom Kathy Malek, who graduated last night with a certificate in accounting. From left, Jamie, Kathy and Stacey:
(Stacey had mentioned on the WSB Facebook page that her mom would be among the grads, so we asked if she’d share a photo!)
(Photo by Jeff Siamas)
We’ve been covering the high-school and college (next story up!) graduations in West Seattle this past week – but hundreds of other students have been celebrating too – with ceremonies to mark transitions out of milestone years, such as kindergarten, fifth grade, and eighth grade. Katie shared the above photo taken Thursday at Tilden School; she reports, “Each graduate read their own original poem about their first day at Tilden School. Also, joined by the 4th graders, they sang ‘a farewell in song’ to the audience, singing ‘Where’er You Walk’ by Handel.” Tilden is a K-5 school just north of The Junction. Meantime, it’s the last few days for Seattle Public Schools students, and as Arbor Heights Elementary third-grade teacher Mark Ahlness writes, “the wheels on the bus are a little loose right now” – so it’s time to bring in some attention-getters:
One of Ahlness’s focuses, as a tech pioneer in the education world, has been to get his students writing and publishing online – and so he was thrilled to bring in Jeff Utecht, of whom he writes: “World class ed/tech blogger Jeff Utecht visited my classroom (Thursday) … He has just released a wonderful book on web 2.0 for educators. Jeff teaches in Bangkok, and spends summers in Seattle. He and his wife have Washington roots.”
(More end-of-year school news? Share it! And have a great summer!)
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