West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
(Photo taken tonight, added 8:37 pm)
Just sent by Friends and Company proprietor Doris Goulet, via her e-mail list – she’s closing her craft store (primarily rubber-stamping) in The Junction, to focus on her newer branch on the Eastside:
Although it has been a very difficult decision to make for many reasons, I have decided, along with some family and friends, to close our West Seattle location and merge into our Issaquah location. Ironically for me, this is becoming more of a celebration. I just know that it will open yet another chapter for us. I’m confident that you will celebrate with us as this new chapter unfolds. Remember, I am closing a location but NOT closing the business.
Our West Seattle doors will be open until 24 August making this date our last day of operation. …
The e-mail goes on to mention some special deals/sales that are described as especially for the list, so we’re not republishing those, but you can certainly inquire at the store. The Friends and Company location in Issaquah opened a year and a half ago; according to the F&C website, the West Seattle store was to celebrate its 13th anniversary in mid-September.
(Photo by Tony Bradley, substituted at 8:52 pm for our earlier cameraphone photo)
ORIGINAL 7:12 PM REPORT: On our way to check on this “fire in single family residence” call (here’s a map of the location, which is southeast of Westwood Village). Via Facebook, Charmaine reports “lots of smoke, firetrucks and roof on fire!” And via Twitter, we have a second report of “lots of smoke.” 7:31 PM UPDATE: From the scene: Incident commander says this was a “smoky kitchen fire,” nobody hurt, out now, and many of the units are pulling out. Till they clear, though, avoid Delridge/Barton, where Barton was blocked off because of the response. ADDED 8:11 PM: Video from the scene:
With less than 2 weeks now till Admiral Safeway shuts down August 21 for almost a year of construction, we’ve been looking at some of the side notes – including what happens to the BECU ATM (here’s our story from last Thursday) and pre-demolition recycling from the 42nd/Lander house on the site (here’s that story, also from Thursday). Tonight – followups on both!
BECU ATM CLOSING EARLIER THAN REPORTED: BECU’s Todd Pietzsch first told us the store’s existing ATM (there are plans to add one outside the new store) would stay open till the August 21st closing day, but he says there’s been a change: It is scheduled to be shut down “midday on the 19th” – so if you use that machine frequently, take note.
HOUSE RECYCLING – THE FINAL TALLY: James Klicpera, acquisitions manager at Earthwise and West Seattle resident, sent us some followup details today about the fate of what his company has removed from the 84-year-old 42nd/Lander house:
Earthwise was very fortunate to get the opportunity to salvage reusable materials from the project…..as forward-thinking as Seattle is in general, it is all too often the case that many of our older structures do not get salvaged. In this case, 3.75 tons of re-usable building material were removed as part of the salvage effort last week. 4,975 pounds of brick were removed with an additional 2,570 pounds removed from the interior/exterior combined. Of particular note, the original (c. 1926) entry columns, front door and eyebrow windows from the South (front) facade were removed. Many of the fireplace tiles (which one reader commented on) were saved as well….they are somewhat rare (Batchelder tile of California) and extremely difficult to remove intact. We hope that all the salvaged materials find a new, local home.
(Inset photo is from the King County Assessor‘s site.) P.S. Thanks again to the WSB’ers whose questions sparked both of the above stories – multiple commenters for asking about BECU’s plans, and Forest for spotting signs of activity at the 42nd/Lander site. We’re thrilled to hear from you (options here) any time!
Just in case you hadn’t heard it already – City Councilmembers voted unanimously today (8-0, with council president Richard Conlin absent) to confirm John Diaz as Seattle’s new Police Chief. Here’s Chief Diaz’s statement, as published on SPD Blotter. He had been interim chief for a year and a half, after ex-chief Gil Kerlikowske left to become federal “drug czar.” More details here from our partners at the Seattle Times.
(SDOT aerial photo of new ramp, July 31st)
Since the final touches are in progress – namely, concrete curing – on the new 4th Avenue South offramp from the eastbound Spokane Street Viaduct (aka the West Seattle Bridge between 99 and I-5), we checked today with SDOT to see if they have an opening date for the ramp, which in turn would be reopening day for the eastbound lane that’s been closed for 3 weeks. SDOT’s Marybeth Turner confirms the big day “may” be next week – but the exact date isn’t set yet. (If it does happen next week, that’s one-third shorter than the “up to 6 weeks” lane-closure timetable first projected.) P.S. A reminder that we have area traffic cameras – including the closest ones to that area – “live” on the WSB Traffic page, including the city’s semi-new Junction and Lincoln Park-area cams, along with links to traffic alerts from a variety of sources.
This afternoon we welcome new WSB sponsors, Dr. Paul Smits, DDS, and Dr. Kyle Smits, DDS, who own and operate a dental practice in West Seattle, at 5647 California SW (map). 
Dr. Paul Smits has operated his practice in this location for many years, and the office has made a couple of new enhancements this summer. Dr. Paul Smits‘ son, Kyle, joined the practice after graduating from the University of Maryland Baltimore College of Dental Surgery. They are currently installing a new computer system and digital X-ray equipment; this will lead to paperless charts and will help make each visit more efficient. In addition, the doctors say digital X-rays will reduce the amount of radiation exposure and help improve the doctors’ ability to diagnose dental conditions.
Acknowledging that most people don’t count going to the dentist as one of their favorite activities, Dr. Paul Smits and Dr. Kyle Smits say they try to make visits more enjoyable. They strive to create a personal relationship with each patient by learning about their lifestyle, their concerns, and their budget. Dr. Paul Smits says he and his son will continue to provide an efficient, gentle approach to dental health that also respects the patient’s time. The doctors are members of the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce, long-time sponsors of the West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival, and regularly participate in several study groups with local dentists. They also belong to Seattle-King County Dental Society, Washington State Dental Association, and the American Dental Association. Both doctors have appointments available for both adults and children and can be reached at 206-935-4611.
We thank Dr. Paul Smits, DDS, and Dr. Kyle Smits, DDS, for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news on WSB; find our sponsor team, and info on joining, all here.
Quick reminder this afternoon: If you are not currently registered to vote in the state of Washington, you still have a few hours left to register if you want to vote in the August 17th primary. The King County Elections page explains where to go – you have to do it in person before they close at 4:30. Meantime, Election Day is one week from tomorrow. You have till that day – Tuesday, August 17 – to mail your ballot or drop it off at one of the two remaining dropboxes; more info here. (As of Friday night, the county says, about 10 percent of all voters had returned their ballots.)
ORIGINAL 12:13 PM REPORT: Ryan Cox, the 32-year-old man with multiple vandalism arrests in West Seattle in the past year and a half, is in jail again, and due in court today. We discovered this while checking the King County Jail Register for an unrelated case. Police confirm he was arrested for graffiti vandalism in the 7100 block of Fauntleroy SW (map) just after 10 am Saturday. He is scheduled for arraignment this afternoon in the Mental Health Court program of Seattle Municipal Court. 
What is most notable here is that after his last arrest in February, for a tire-slashing incident, he pleaded guilty and was given a suspended sentence of nearly a year in jail. John McGoodwin from the City Attorney’s Office later told the Morgan Community Association (covered in this WSB report) that if Cox got into trouble again anytime “soon,” that sentence could be reinstated. After his previous arrests, for multiple incidents of graffiti vandalism (often involving a profane slur linking homosexuality with pedophilia, and police say this case involved “homophobic” graffiti as well), Cox was twice found incompetent to stand trial, with charges dismissed as a result, and sent to Western State Hospital for evaluation both times, but not committed. (The above photo was released by police while Cox was being sought in the cases for which he was arrested last December; we’ll let you know what happens today in court.)
2:03 PM UPDATE: We’re at the downtown city courthouse, where Cox’s brief hearing has just concluded. Read on for details:Read More
For the second morning in a row, an Admiral District business has been hit by a smash-and-grab burglary. Early Sunday, as reported here, it was Luciano’s Pizza; around 2:40 am today, it was Admiral Shoe Repair (on the south side of Admiral just east of California), where the covered-over door was a telltale sign. Southwest Precinct Lt. Norm James confirms that both are the type of break-in that has hit West Seattle now at least 10 times in less than a month (plus areas to the south handled by the King County Sheriff’s Office); he says detectives are out right now “looking at video” and checking on other evidence. (Thanks to Katie for the tip.)
The Blue Angels took off from Boeing Field minutes ago – gone till next Seafair. The takeoff was same format as the airshows – the 4 from the “diamond” first, the 2 solos following and splitting west/east right over the runway, and it’s one of those you see in our iPhone photo. The two-seater #7 followed, with support C-130 “Fat Albert” a few minutes afterward. Thanks to WSB’er Lori for the tip – she went to the Museum of Flight to find out their departure plans firsthand. She checked their schedule and it appears they’re headed back to home base in Pensacola, Florida. ADDED 11:29 AM: One last photo from their Seafair shows – David Rosen of SlickPix Photography took this one, which shows why the I-90 bridge is always closed for the Lake Washington shows:
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar: This morning at 11 am, Holy Family Catholic Church (9622 20th SW) is the site of the memorial for U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Jarod Newlove, the West Seattle sailor held captive and killed last month in Afghanistan. As noted here last week, the family’s announcement invites the public to attend the service as well as the events that will follow – including a procession from Holy Family to Tahoma National Cemetery, where he will be buried at 2 pm with full military honors. (Details and map links here; also, here’s his obituary as it appeared in Sunday’s Seattle Times [WSB partner].)
Also today: West Seattle’s two city Neighborhood Services Offices are closed for a furlough day (Junction and Delridge), as are the others around the city; and tonight, the North Delridge Neighborhood Council meets, 6:30 pm, Delridge Library (Delridge/Brandon).
(added 8:23 am) For Blue Angels fans – we have word from WSB’er Lori, who went to the Museum of Flight to find out if they’re leaving today, that they’re heading out this morning. Fat Albert, she says, is scheduled to go wheels-up at 9 am.
Chief Sealth International High School principal John Boyd is moving his school back to its renovated campus at 2600 SW Thistle after two years, and shares word of a sneak-preview event more than a week before the first day of school. It’s a fundraiser for the Friends of Sealth scholarship fund:
Friends of Sealth and Chief Sealth International High School cordially invite you to a:
Sneak Preview PartySeptember 1st, 2010
6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Special Guest: Ross Parker, Bassetti ArchitectsJoin us at 6:00 p.m. at the Chief Sealth Main Building entrance for the inside story on the renovation.
At 6:30 p.m. a private tour will be given of the newly renovated main building, gymnasium and the New Galleria. Be the first to tour the completed site!
RESERVATIONS ARE RESPECTFULLY REQUIRED: $50 donation per person.
Proceeds from the Chief Sealth Sneak Preview will benefit the Friends of Sealth Scholarship program.
For Reservations please contact Dick Lee at (206) 252-0476 or email at rjlee@seattleschools.org
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