day : 10/08/2010 11 results

We’ve received several notes asking about this in recent days – so in case you were wondering too: The project that is starting to resembling a ramp to connect The Bridge and Highway 99 southbound in this area is something entirely different: It’s the East Marginal Way Grade Separation Project, which is being handled by the Port of Seattle and hasn’t gotten nearly as much publicity as the Alaskan Way and Spokane Street Viaducts. (We mentioned the start of construction back in January.) Here’s a fact sheet explaining it, rendering included, and a little more info here. It’s supposed to be done in about a year.

Rotary totem-pole rededication, report #1: ‘Story of community’

August 10, 2010 7:20 pm

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| Rotary Club of West Seattle | West Seattle news

As Rotary Club of West Seattle past president Amy Lee Derenthal spoke tonight to the 100-plus people who gathered at Rotary Viewpoint Park to celebrate the stolen-then-returned-and-restored totem pole, she invoked the memory of longtime Rotarian Ken Wise, who helped sleuth the case. Mr. Wise, who died of cancer a little over a week ago, wanted to see the pole reinstalled before he died – “We made it!” Derenthal said proudly (referring to the pole’s July 28th reinstallation), while lamenting he couldn’t have been there for tonight’s ceremony – and among the crowd, voices rippled, “He’s here, he’s here.” As were members of his family:

(From left, granddaughters Amy Bentrott and Kelly Bentrott, daughter MaryAnn Bentrott, and widow Anne Wise.) Past president Derenthal also explained how the totem-pole thief had given Rotarians a chance to practice their “four-way test” of integrity and justice. Even those disappointed by how the case turned out, with a settlement rather than prosecution, might want to hear that explained on video in our second report; right now, the celebration is continuing at the West Seattle Golf Course just beneath the viewpoint:

At the start of tonight’s ceremony, Haida master carver Ralph Bennett drummed, and spoke of the pole’s mainstays, the thunderbird and whale – representing, he said, “the story of community.”

Before he drummed, he asked permission from Duwamish Tribe chair Cecile Hansen, who was in attendance:

Returning to West Seattle for the ceremony was Robin Young, the Native American carver who created the pole more than three decades ago:

He was at its dedication too – here’s the 1976 photo his family shared with us for a December story:

(Photo provided by carver Robin Young(third from left) ‘s daughter Tracy Zimmerman)
At the time, he told WSB he hoped to be at the park for the totem pole’s rededication – and that wish came true. The event, by the way, began with a greeting from West Seattle Rotary president Steve Fuller:

Meantime, our video from tonight’s event is coming up in a separate story.

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Looking ahead: Big events from Wednesday through Sunday

August 10, 2010 6:10 pm

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| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

This is by no means a complete list of everything happening over the next five days – but some highlights to mention in advance:

‘SEUSSICAL JR.’ OPENS WEDNESDAY: The junior theater students at ArtsWest are putting on the show – and you’re invited. More information here, including a link to buy tickets.

WEST SEATTLE ART WALK THURSDAY: Artists and venues are on the official WSAW website; 6-9 pm, all over the peninsula. WSB sponsors participating include Bin 41 wine shop, where Washington winemaker Brian Carter will be pouring for a tasting concurrent with Art Walk, and for the first time, the Barton Street Lofts in Westwood are joining the Art Walk, with a multi-artist show.

SUMMER CONCERTS AT HIAWATHA THURSDAY: Pearl Django featuring guest vocalist Greta Matassa, free, 6:30 pm, east lawn at Hiawatha Community Center.

34TH DISTRICT DEMOCRATS’ GARDEN PARTY FRIDAY: State Sen. Joe McDermott is confirmed as the MC for the buffet and auction at West Seattle Nursery, and organizer Chris Porter says one of the popular auction items will be “a cocktail party hosted by the elected state leaders of the 34th LD, for which there are only 50 tickets available and they go fast.”

WEST SEATTLE OUTDOOR MOVIES IN THE JUNCTION SATURDAY: “Wayne’s World” is on screen at dusk in the courtyard by Hotwire Coffee (WSB sponsor) and it doesn’t look like a rainout THIS week. Full details here.

OUTDOOR MOVIE ON ALKI SATURDAY: At Coastal, the movie is “Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle.”

C & P COFFEE ARTS/CRAFTS FAIR ON SATURDAY: 9 am-3 pm. The announcement just came in today:

This will be a one day, free event featuring unique, local arts and crafts for sale at the coffee shop. Jewelry, toys, clothing, prints, paintings, furniture, and more. If you have any questions or you are interested in selling your work, please contact Cameron at: candpco@comcast.net

CITYDOG MAGAZINE ‘COVER DOG’ SEARCH ON SUNDAY: Starts at noon, West Seattle Thriftway. Details here.

More on the WSB West Seattle Events calendar!

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Kenney redevelopment plans, 2 years later: ‘Retooling mode’

August 10, 2010 2:27 pm

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| Development | The Kenney | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

It’s been almost exactly two years since a WSB’er’s e-mail about redevelopment plans at The Kenney – the century-old retirement complex north of Lincoln Park – led us to sit down with CEO Kevin McFeely for a conversation that resulted in the first news story about the project.

It’s an understatement to say a lot has changed as the proposal – which stirred intense emotions, from neighbors, other community members, and from those with ties to The Kenney – has evolved over those two years. And now it’s evolving again – with the goal to have a new, smaller plan for consideration at community meetings in the next few months, according to McFeely, with whom we talked on Monday, along with the local architect/developer who joined the project team earlier this year, Euclid Development‘s T.J. Lehman, who describes it as in “retooling mode.”

This summer, Legos have even played a part in that “retooling – read on to see why, and hear what else McFeely and Lehman say is happening now:Read More

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Story behind smashed-up car, and more

August 10, 2010 11:32 am

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| Crime | West Seattle news

In West Seattle Crime Watch this morning: Got two tips on the car you see at left, from Meredith (who sent the phone photo at left) and Cheryl, both wondering why a smashed-up car was just sitting alongside California SW at SW Manning (map), no police, no fire unit … The 911 log showed the crash happened around 7:30 am, and a call to the Seattle Police media unit revealed the backstory: Det. Mark Jamieson says a car hit a parked vehicle, and its driver walked away. Witnesses gave police a description, and officers arrested a suspect shortly afterward. They subsequently confirmed the car he was driving had been stolen earlier in the morning. This car (we’re not 100 percent sure whether it was the stolen car or the hit car) has been sitting alongside the road awaiting a tow truck. Meantime, two other Crime Watch reports, both involving car prowls – read on:Read More

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Police converge on West Seattle store – for ‘Shop with a Cop’

August 10, 2010 10:27 am

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| How to help | West Seattle news | Westwood

Quite the show of force from Seattle Police and King County Sheriff’s Office leaders inside Westwood Village Target a couple hours ago. Many in the lineup came all the way from downtown! No crime, though – instead, they were there for the annual “Shop with a Cop” school-supplies spree, in partnership with the Salvation Army, which donated tens of thousands of dollars of Target gift cards for the occasion. Outside, the young shoppers lined up:

Once inside the store, the law enforcers chaperoned the young shoppers, each of whom was given an $80 gift card, according to the news release on the SPD Blotter site.

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Followup: West Seattle house fire sparks a reminder for everybody

August 10, 2010 9:26 am

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| West Seattle fires | West Seattle news | Westwood

(Monday night photo by Tony Bradley)
New information this morning about last night’s fire in the 9000 block of 22nd SW, southeast of Westwood Village (WSB coverage here). We checked with Seattle Fire Department spokesperson Dana Vander Houwen to see why rotating fire crews had kept watch on the scene overnight – not the case with most fires – when this one had been extinguished fairly quickly. She explained that there was some concern this might reignite, because of what investigators now know about its origins: As the incident commander told us at the scene last night, it started as a small kitchen fire – but that was hours earlier. SFD was not called; the resident thought the kitchen fire was completely out, no problem. Instead, it reached up into the attic through a light fixture, where it smoldered for hours until the big burst of smoke and flame that led to the fire call just after 7 pm. And as a result, Vander Houwen says, it did a lot more damage than might have been the case if firefighters had been called to help with that first, small fire: “No matter what, even if you think it’s a small fire – call us, we’ll send a crew, and they can take a look. Fire can get to places where you can’t necessarily see it.” Damage from the attic fire that ignited last night because of that first kitchen fire is estimated this morning at $70,000.

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West Seattle Tuesday: From pup to pole, and more

August 10, 2010 8:41 am

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| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

The first baby seal sighted on West Seattle shores this season may or may not be part of today’s happenings – but David Hutchinson sent that too-cute-not-to-publish photo, with this info, so we’re starting with it:

Primo, the seal pup, spent some time around noon today at Alki Beach resting on a sand bar at low tide. If you see him, keep a respectful distance and be sure to contact Seal Sitters at 206-905-SEAL. (Photo taken with a telephoto lens)

Meantime, from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar: Almost two weeks after the reinstallation of the West Seattle Rotary Viewpoint Park totem pole (WSB video coverage here), you’re invited to its rededication at 5 pm. Those expected to be on hand include its carver, Robin Young (who we interviewed last December, not long after the pole was stolen). The park’s at 35th/Alaska … One neighborhood meeting scheduled tonight: Fauntleroy Community Association‘s board, 7 pm, at the schoolhouse (9131 Fauntleroy SW) … Looking for something to do with your toddler? Camp Long‘s Tot Trek goes tidepooling at Me-Kwa-Mooks at 10:30 am (registration’s required so call 206-684-7434 to see if there’s room) … Tonight, it’s trivia at Feedback Lounge, 8 pm, and open turntables at Skylark Café and Club, 6 pm (both WSB sponsors) – and remember Skylark has live music on Tuesdays now too (tonight: 9 pm, Rachel Goodrich; 10 pm, Timmy Sunshine and the Conductors) … And there’s more, on the calendar.

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West Seattle businesses: ‘Lady Di’ seeking a successor

August 10, 2010 3:14 am

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| Pets | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

If she’s not the original West Seattle pet walker/day-care provider, she’s gotta be close. But now, “Lady Di, Pet Chaperone” is looking for a successor, somebody to take over her business. (She’s been a WSB sponsor for a while, but we’ve been familiar with her work for years longer — “Lady Di” took care of our cats during more than a few vacations we took pre-WSB.) She’s dealing with some health challenges, and, after 15 years, is ready to sell the business to the right person. Read on for more:Read More

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North Delridge Neighborhood Council elects 2 new officers

August 10, 2010 2:45 am

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| Delridge | West Seattle news

A low-key meeting Monday night for the North Delridge Neighborhood Council, one of the few neighborhood groups NOT skipping a meeting in August. NDNC had 2 unanimous votes (with about half a dozen members present to vote), finalizing Karrie Kohlhaas as new co-chair and Patrick Baer as the new treasurer. The group also discussed features for its in-the-works website – being built by a student volunteer – and brainstormed ways to participate in the ongoing Delridge Fresh Food Spot community events at Super 24, including potentially tabling at the next Delridge Night Market (September 11th). NDNC co-chair Jay Mirro also recapped the Brandon Street Natural Area work party on Saturday, which included volunteers from Seattle Works and Rat City Rollergirls, as well as a visit from Mayor McGinn (during his North Delridge walking tour – WSB coverage here and here). No other major news from the meeting; NDNC now meets the second Monday of each month, 6:30 pm, at Delridge Library, so the next meeting will be Sept. 13.

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Seattle Chinese Garden’s visiting artisans tour West Seattle

August 10, 2010 12:10 am

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| Gardening | Puget Ridge | West Seattle news

The Seattle Chinese Garden Society – working to complete the garden here in West Seattle, the only one like it that’s not in China itself – are thrilled about the arrival of master Chinese artisans who will be working on its Knowing the Spring Courtyard. But it can’t be all work and no play if you’ve traveled thousands of miles to West Seattle – so, Sandy Marvinney of the SCGS explains (while also sharing two photos) how the artisans’ visit began:

The eighteen master Chinese artisans who arrived in town this past weekend didn’t expect to chat with a fisherman in their native language on their first sightseeing adventure, but that encounter got their Sunday tour off to a great start. At Jack Block Park, West Seattle resident Kin Kau Cheung caught a dogfish just as the group arrived, and after an animated exchange about his fishing skill, let them pose with his catch [top photo]. On their later stroll of the Alki boardwalk, the group met a Chinese family who spoke their regional Chinese dialect. They feel right at home in West Seattle!

The artisans will be here till late November to complete construction of the Seattle Chinese Garden’s first major courtyard. A free community welcome party is scheduled for Sunday, August 22, 1–4 pm at the Garden, with lion dance, entertainment, family activities, and site tours. The public also can watch the artisans at work and keep tabs on construction progress on docent-led tours. The Seattle Chinese Garden is at the north end of the South Seattle Community College campus.

For more information on events and courtyard construction, visit: www.seattlechinesegarden.org and the Garden blog at: blog.seattlechinesegarden.org

The garden is on the South Seattle Community College campus on Puget Ridge.

9:04 AM UPDATE: One more photo from the artisans’ first West Seattle tour on Saturday – Patrick Dunn from the West Seattle Tool Library says they stopped there too (it’s also on the SSCC campus), and shares this photo:

He says they’ll be using tools from the Sustainable West Seattle-launched library as part of the project. (You can rent tools from the library too – check here for hours and details.)

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