West Seattle, Washington
28 Thursday
It was a new-year celebration of sorts today for the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce, with a capacity crowd – we counted more than 65 people – for its annual meeting over lunch at High Point Neighborhood Center. For one, it marked the changing of the guard; at right, L-R, outgoing board chair Jerome O. Cohen joined CEO Patti Mullen in welcoming new board chair Dave Montoure (West 5). When Montoure asked the lunch crowd how many were attending their first Chamber lunch, more than a few hands rocketed up. The businesses represented in the room ranged from retail to real estate, banks to bars, media to mortuaries, and beyond; they convened small groups to brainstorm ideas for boosting West Seattle’s economic health. That, in fact, should be the Chamber’s number one mission, according to more than half the respondents in a survey the WSCC conducted recently. Comparing the 2010 survey responses to earlier years – 2003 and 2006 – it was clear to see how priorities have changed; strengthening the economy is way up, providing networking opportunities way down. The respondents’ assessment of the Chamber’s relevance to their businesses was dramatically higher, too – less than a fifth of the respondents in 2003 thought it was relevant; now, almost all respondents said its relevance is either high or medium. One big focus for this year is to expand efforts to get the word out, on and off the peninsula, about West Seattle’s businesses and other attributes. You’ll see that online, too, with a tourism-based website (experiencewestseattle.com – not up yet) in the works, and a new Facebook page for the Chamber (ready to be “liked” – just go here). Want to get involved in other ways as the Chamber keeps growing? Membership info’s here.
In its newest e-mail newsletter, Bird on a Wire Espresso confirms that Heavenly Pastry and Cake “has closed its doors completely” in the Admiral location where it had briefly operated the retail storefront that Bird recently took over. But never fear, Bird proprietor Heidi Herr writes, the brewing — and baking – will go on, along with a variety of culinary creations:
If you haven’t heard, Heavenly Pastry has closed its doors completely but has graciously gifted us their Heavenly Raspberry Scone recipe! You can get it at both shops, along with MORE “nest”-baked goods a’la our newly-certified baker, Kayla! Look for new scones, savory bites, bread puddings, quick breads, crepes (Bird Deux only), in addition to our home-cooked soups, sandwiches, quiches, strata, casseroles & more!
We had left a message seeking comment from Heavenly’s owners after getting a WSB’er tip about their closure earlier this week, but so far, no reply.
2 more milestones for the biggest development under construction in West Seattle right now, Harbor Properties‘ almost-finished Link in The Triangle. First, Emi McKittrick from Harbor tells WSB that they are close to locking down the third and final tenant for Link’s business space. Already unveiled are Chaco Canyon Organic CafĆ©, opening in April (read about it here) and Bright Horizons child care opening in May (with an info event coming up soon). Now, McKittrick says they are close to agreement with a third tenant – which she describes as a “hot yoga” studio.
(Photo added Thursday, courtesy Harbor Properties)
In the meantime, Link will be ready in March for the first of its almost 200 apartments to welcome their tenants, and pre-leasing starts this weekend. The pre-leasing office will draw some attention – it’s an Airstream “Twinkie,” and it’ll be set up at the Link site (map) later tonight. In the building itself, the model unit is in the final stages of setup for tours, and online, they’re finalizing a new website you’ll also see this weekend. According to McKittrick, Link – which has been under construction since September 2009 – is “a little bit ahead of schedule” and could be ready for move-in as soon as mid-March. (Here’s our last progress report, from early October.) Like Harbor Properties’ nearby Mural (WSB sponsor), Link will feature local art – Junction-based Twilight Artist Collective is in charge of that part of the project, which includes a mural that will be created in the next few weeks. (As reported here night before last, Harbor already is looking to its next West Seattle project, looking to develop land that’s currently a parking lot at 36th/Snoqualmie.)
Our slushy, soggy weather has caused trouble at one local school. According to Seattle Public Schools spokesperson Teresa Wippel, there were two roof leaks at city-landmark Gatewood Elementary this morning, and water affected five classrooms. Four of them are OK to use again, but the fifth – Room 18 – will require repairs, she says: “So children will be relocated from that room to another one (donāt know which one yet) for tomorrow.” The district estimates it’ll take a week to get Room 18 back in service. (Our archives reveal WSB visited that room on Inauguration Day two years ago.)
(UPDATED 8:43 PM with new information from police – scroll down)
We’re in the south Admiral District, where the call “shots fired” crackled across the scanner a short time ago, after police responded to a home in the 3400 block of 44th SW (map). WSB’s Christopher Boffoli has talked with police – the presence at the scene includes precinct commander Capt. Steve Paulsen. It appears to have been a call involving dogs and at least one dog has apparently been shot. No word of any people being injured. Police were talking to two people at the home, including a woman who was clearly distraught. We don’t know at this point what brought police to the house in the first place. This is breaking and we’re still working on details. SPD is sending a public-information officer to the scene. It’s the second time in less than 2 weeks that a dog has been shot in a call involving West Seattle police – the last one involved a pit bull in Fauntleroy on New Year’s Eve. We have not confirmed the breed of the shot dog but at least one of the dogs involved was described as a pitbull on scanner traffic that we heard.
2:57 PM: Yes, the helicopter is related to this incident – channel 7 chopper. Still awaiting police-briefing info.
3:03 PM: From Christopher Boffoli, one of two WSB newspeople at the briefing: Police got the call 1:17 pm as a domestic disturbance. When they arrived, they heard a woman screaming inside the house. The door was unlocked and police went inside. The dogs charged officer, according to Det. Jeff Kappel, who says one dog was killed, one injured. A woman was taken into custody, suspected of misdemeanor domestic assault. Second dog is being treated. No confirmation on breeds. We’ll add video of the briefing once it’s processed.
3:47 PM: A few more details: Police believe the man and woman at the house are brother and sister. She was determined to be the “primary aggressor” in the disturbance – though neither she nor her brother was hurt – and that made it a “mandatory arrest” in terms of the original call, Det. Kappel says; she is to be booked into jail. He said after the “two large dogs” charged officers, one officer shot both. (briefing video in its entirety, added)
4:33 PM: Christopher took photos of the dog that survived, before it was taken to a clinic, and has just processed them. An animal-control officer arrived, and the dog was walking as it was taken away. But because you can see blood on its leg – the only sign that it was injured – we are putting the photo after a jump:
(Fire and police units blocking the north end of California at California Lane)
If you saw/heard the sizable Seattle Fire Department response in North Admiral: WSB’s Christopher Boffoli says firefighters have tapped a garage fire in the 1000 block of California Lane (west of Hamilton Viewpoint – here’s a map). California is closed at that spot – the far north end – right now, but firefighters indicate it may not be closed much longer.
We’re continuing to follow the case of the four people charged with murdering 26-year-old Steve Bushaw in The Junction two years ago. On Monday, just as the trial was about to begin with pre-jury-selection proceedings, one of the two alleged triggermen, 29-year-old Danny O’Neal, pleaded guilty to a reduced charge, second-degree murder. The official document from Monday’s hearing is now available, and there’s an update to O’Neal’s potential sentence: After prosecutors recommend the low end of the 123-220-month “standard range,” whatever the judge decides will have 60 months added to it for the “firearm enhancement,” meaning he faces a minimum of 15 years.
Meantime, the remaining three defendants, Bryce Huber, John Sylve, and Brandon Chaney – all still charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder – returned to court this morning. No additional plea bargains so far, prosecutor James Konat told Judge Joan DuBuque, but they are still in negotiations, and the lawyers asked for a few more days to keep talking. The judge gave them until Tuesday morning, which is when the pretrial proceedings will resume if there is no resolution to the case this week (next Monday is a holiday). It’s alleged that O’Neal and Sylve shot Bushaw after talking with Huber, who met up with him at Talarico’s that night and went outside with him just before the shooting; Chaney is the alleged getaway-car driver. The motive: Huber allegedly suspected Bushaw of involvement in a home-invasion robbery targeting a friend; police have said there was no evidence linking Bushaw to that case.
The weather may be the talk of the town but there’s more on tap today. From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar: The free Seattle Symphony concert at South Seattle Community College, presented by the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle, is tonight at 7 pm, more details here … PCC Natural Markets‘ West Seattle store (WSB sponsor) is celebrating its remodeling project with a 2-6 pm open house this afternoon … The West Seattle Chamber of Commerce‘s annual meeting luncheon is at 11:30, High Point Neighborhood Center … And the 34th District Democrats elect new officers tonight, The Hall at Fauntleroy, 7 pm – here’s who’s running.
(LAST UPDATE, 9:28 AM: Metro just returned to regular routing. No major road problems – but lots of puddling where snow is blocking drains. Forecast warns of urban flooding. Many schools delayed 1 or 2 hours; we are updating the list frequently – see below)
(Refresh for newest pic from WS Bridge [looking eastbound] and Junction; more cams on WSB Traffic page)
The melt-off is well under way. But many will still be affected this morning by the aftermath of last night’s snow:
FORECAST: An urban flooding advisory is in effect because of the melting snow and puddling water as rain continues. Breezy too.
BUSES: **Update, 9:28 am** – Metro has returned buses to regular routing … Sound Transit says Route 560 remains on a “modified snow reroute.” … 8:19 am note: Andy points out the 54 was delayed 10 mins by the low bridge opening for marine traffic.
SCHOOLS: Seattle Public Schools are opening 2 hours late, with buses running on *regular* bus routes (per 5:10 am robocall; read full SPS message on schoolreport.org – and note this means a previously scheduled early release at Madison MS is ***canceled***) … South Seattle Community College in West Seattle is starting 2 hours late. … Holy Family School in White Center is starting 2 hours late. … Vashon public schools are 2 hours late. … Highline Public Schools, 1 hour late … Westside School starts at 9:30 am … Seattle Lutheran High School starts at 10 am … Hope Lutheran School is 2 hours late … Kennedy High School starts at 10:30 am … Shorewood Christian starts at 10 am … NO CHANGES at West Seattle Montessori (we just called) or OLG … Explorer West starts at 10 am … Community School of West Seattle is 1 hour late … Arbor Heights Co-op Preschool morning classes canceled … If you know of a school change we haven’t mentioned here yet, please let us know.
ROADS: Still no trouble reported (as of 6:28 am). Official report from SDOT at 4:43 am:
Two to six inches of wet snow accumulated on Seattle streets between 7 pm and 1:30 a.m. last night and this morning. This morning it is raining and the snow is mostly slush. The West Seattle Bridge and the Alaskan Way Viaduct as well as many arterial streets are bare and wet. Other streets have accumulations of slush and there is standing water in places. SDOT crews have been plowing major arterial streets in Seattle and continue to do so this morning, applying salt where needed to speed the melting of slush. …
More commute reports in the comments (thanks for sharing info!). (added) 9 am SDOT update:
Street Maintenance crews worked throughout the night clearing up to six inches of wet snow and slush from major arterial streets around the city. This morning crews are clearing slush that remains on some arterial streets, especially at the tops of hills. Also, more than 30 SDOT employees are clearing street corners in high priority areas such as around hospitals and in business districts.
SDOT asks drivers to use caution when driving where there is still slush on the roadway making the streets slippery, and to be on the lookout for standing water. Residents and businesspersons are asked to check the drains near their homes and businesses to make sure the drains are not blocked by debris so that water can enter easily. Also, residents and businesspersons are encouraged to clear slush from the sidewalks around their property to enable pedestrians to pass by safely.
TRASH/RECYCLING/YARD WASTE: E-mail from the city at 6:13 am says it’s on REGULAR SCHEDULE today, so if you have Wednesday pickup, put it out as usual. … Allied, though, has some changes.
WEST SEATTLE GOLF COURSE CLOSED: Per tweet from Seattle Parks, too much rain for golfing, too little snow for sledding.
More updates as we get them!
From Christopher Boffoli – Junction scenes comprising a West Seattle video souvenir of the short-lived Tuesday night (and a bit into Wednesday) snow.
Tuesday night’s snow started a little too late to affect the evening’s slate of community-group meetings. At the old Fauntleroy schoolhouse, the Fauntleroy Community Association looked back and looked ahead. More after the jump:Read More
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