West Seattle, Washington
01 Friday
(Photos by Ellen Cedergreen for WSB)
Sure, it was an excuse to drink a brand-new beer. But tonight’s Löwman Bräu launch was about fundraising, too. With so many venues participating, and donating part of the proceeds from this new West Seattle brew, we had two crews out checking in with the events – here’s the first round of photos, from WSB contributor Ellen Cedergreen. Top photo, that’s The Bridge co-owner Trevor Garand with dog rescuer Ginger and crew – The Bridge’s beneficiaries are canine charities including hers. Heading south from there, Locöl chose Roxhill Elementary, which had a contingent in a booth:
Behind the bar at Locöl was Shane, who said, “Come to Locöl, drink for kids!”
On Ellen went to White Center, where Big Al Brewing brewed Löwman Bräu – and is donating to the White Center Food Bank, which had a team out on Big Al’s patio (executive director Rick Jump included):
Full Tilt Ice Cream also is benefiting WC Food Bank with its Löwman Bräu sales – and with matching donations from its 3rd-birthday ice-cream sales next Monday, as noted here. One more WC stop – we found Jesse and Aaron at Company, which chose WestSide Baby (as did Shadowland in West Seattle):
Our north/center crew will check in later, including the scoop from Löwman Bräu central at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor). The venues listed here all got an initial shipment of the new brew, so even if you didn’t make it out tonight, ask for it tomorrow and beyond!
Long before the budget battles of fall arrive, the city is trying to gather comments on the future of its community centers. This year, you’ll recall, saw some drastic changes – here in West Seattle, Alki Community Center was the hardest hit, losing operating hours and staff, running as a “limited operation” center. Should that continue? Should more go that way? Or should hours be restored? The city is mulling 9 options, detailed here; you can speak out on them at a meeting tomorrow (Thursday) night at 7 at Jefferson Community Center on Beacon Hill (closest meeting to West Seattle), or by taking this online survey before the month is out.
Once again today, via Twitter, we heard police were focusing on West Seattle Bridge bus lane violators. Here’s the results, from SPD Blotter:
On June 15th, the Aggressive Drivers Response Team (ADRT) conducted a “Bus Only” lane emphasis patrol on the West Seattle Bridge at the request of West Seattle residents.
The following citations were issued:
West Seattle Bridge – 45 mph zone
1 at 59 mph
19 Bus Lane violationsAdditionally, an ADRT officer issued the following citations today:
3100 block SW Admiral Way – 30 mph zone:
1 at 52 mph
1 at 49 mph
1 at 48 mph
2 at 47 mph
3 at 46 mph
1 at 44 mph1 Seat Belt
Big news for West Seattle’s biggest elementary school: Lafayette Elementary in the Admiral District is getting a new principal. After seven years as Lafayette principal, Virginia Turner is moving to Coe Elementary in the north end. Here’s her announcement in the school newsletter, shared with us by a parent:
I wanted to let you know that I have made the decision not to return to Lafayette next year. I feel it is time for new leadership at the school, and I am looking forward to the challenge of leading a new school. I will be the Principal at Coe Elementary on Queen Anne Hill next year.
I am so grateful for the kindness and support you have given me during my tenure at Lafayette. Lafayette is a remarkable school, and I am very fortunate to have been able to work with you the past 7 years. Thank you for allowing me to work with your children. It has been so rewarding to be a part of their learning, development, and growth.
The new principal for Lafayette is an experienced principal named Jo (Lute-Ervin) who is currently the Principal at Tops K-8. Previous to that position she was principal for 9 years at Leschi Elementary. I know you will welcome her as she becomes a part of the Lafayette community.
Lute-Ervin has been principal at TOPS for two years. Lafayette’s student population has grown dramatically in the past few years, well past 500 students; a double-size portable was moved onto school grounds last winter to house some of the overflow.
(From left, photographed at Tram’s Salon, are Lan, Tram, and Mary)
Today we welcome a new WSB sponsor, Tram’s Salon, which recently opened at 4110 California, just north of The Junction. New sponsors are offered a chance to tell you about themselves, and here’s what salon owner Tram wants you to know: She has been styling hair in West Seattle for about eight years. She says she opened her own salon because she believes being able to both work and live in West Seattle is a joy.
Tram’s Salon offers men’s, women’s, and children’s cuts, as well as coloring and perms. She also has a line of products that includes Paul Mitchell, Nioxin, and American Crew. Tram says that at her salon, she strives for perfection and believes everyone should get a great cut at a reasonable price.
Tram’s Salon welcomes walk-ins – here’s a map to the location – but you can also call in advance, 206-935-2970. The salon is open 9 am-9 pm, Mondays through Fridays, and 9 am-7 pm on the weekends.
We thank Tram’s Salon for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news on WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.
From a longtime WSB’er – who begins her note, “My family was almost killed today on the WS bridge” – a road-rage report. Read on:Read More
WSB/White Center Now contributor Deanie Schwarz, who broke the story that B & D Aquarium in WC had to find a new home fast, reports it’s official – the store has a place to go. It’s a site owned by the White Center Eagles; she first reported the possibility last Saturday. Deanie’s working on more details for a longer followup on WCN later today.
After months of extensive renovation work, West Seattle’s only motel – now known as The Grove, West Seattle Inn – is about to unveil its new look. Its owners have just announced an open house for 4 pm Monday, June 27th. They’re already taking reservations, too, for dates in July and beyond. We’ve been chronicling the transformation since the new ownership was announced in December; the motel has been closed since early April.
From the WSB inbox:
SEATTLE HAM RADIO ENTHUSIASTS COMPETE IN NATIONAL AMATEUR RADIO CONTEST & PUBLIC DEMONSTRATION OF EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS
Event Date: Saturday and Sunday, June 25th & 26th, 11 am Saturday until 12 pm Sunday.
Location: South Seattle Community College, SE field near Olympic Hall.National Ham Radio Emergency communications exercise draws together five regional amateur radio groups forming one local City team competing with thousands of Amateur Radio operators making radio contacts throughout North America, showing off their emergency capabilities with a public demonstration this weekend hosted by South Seattle Community College, at the West Seattle Campus June 25th and 26th.
Erecting Ham Radio stations in community parks, campground, schools and emergency centers through out the country, radio teams operating their radios off the power grid will join over 35,000 amateur radio enthusiasts demonstrating their emergency wireless communications skills while having fun talking to friend all over the continent with their radios, participating in the national event called “Field Day” that is the climax of the week long “Amateur Radio Week” sponsored by the ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio.
This year’s Seattle combined team is comprised from members of the “Auxiliary Communications Service” and “Medical Service Team” that serve the City’s Office of Emergency Management, plus the “West Seattle Amateur Radio Club”. Also participating are members of the Seattle Chapter of the American Red Cross Emergency Radio Unit and colleagues from the Puget Sound Repeater Group.
Seattle’s team will be showing off the newest digital and satellite capabilities, voice communications and even historical Morse code as they compete in the contest making as many Radio Contacts as possible to other teams through out North America to gather points, operating Ham Radio equipment powered only by batteries, generators, wind turbines and solar arrays.
Field Coordinator for the Seattle site, Tammy Zoch said, “The Public is invited to the site where they can try their hand at Ham Radio with a special radio station set up just to see how much fun it is to operate an amateur radio. During the two day event there will be demonstrations for Satellite Communications, a digital communications workshop and a Ham Licensing Examination Session. This is a chance to see what Ham Radio Emergency Communication is all about”.
Major sponsor for this years Seattle event is the “Seattle Office of Emergency Management” that provides support and training for the Ham Radio “Auxiliary Communication Service” Program that serves the City’s Emergency Operations Center Ham Radio Station W7ACS in times of emergency communications and community needs when all other means of radio and telephone systems fail.
The staging area for the Seattle City Ham Radio Event is provided by South Seattle Community College and is located in a large grass field in the South East Sector of the Campus near Olympic Hall. On-Air operations will start at 11 am Saturday and continue till 12 pm Sunday.
In the past months, the news has had many reports of ham radio operators providing critical communications in emergencies world-wide. During fires earthquakes, tornadoes and other crises, Amateur Radio was often the only way by which people could communicate. Amateur Radio operators are often the first to provide critical early information and observations to responders in crisis situations.
If you have any questions, contact Dave Mann, ACS PIO at 206 365-9700 or Mark Sheppard, ACS Director, Cell Phone 206 510-7118
For more information about preparedness and amateur radio – please visit:
(CLICK FOR FULL-SIZE VERSION: Top of the rendering is west, left is south, right is north)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
For nearby residents, a meeting last night was a chance to voice concerns and ask questions about what will happen over the next six months of demolition and construction, imminent now that Denny International Middle School‘s new building adjacent to nearby Chief Sealth International High School is almost done.
But for a few others at last night’s meeting with members of the project team for the forthcoming transformation of the current Denny site into sports facilities and park space, it was a chance to be sure that the work they had done two years earlier hadn’t somehow changed in the meantime.
Through months of meetings in 2008 and 2009, the original Design Team for the Denny site – including community members as well as school staffers and other stakeholders – had brainstormed, analyzed, and planned. What emerged in 2009, was the final “preferred plan” – see it in our story from its debut.
As you can see if you compare it to the newest graphic, atop this story, what was shown at last night’s meeting was fairly close in its details. But Mary Quackenbush and Sandra Melo, who had been there through the Design Team process, noticed a difference or two.
By Jason Grotelueschen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
It’s shaping up to be an action-packed summer schedule for the Admiral Neighborhood Association, based on the full agenda and lively discussions at the group’s meeting Tuesday night at Admiral Congregational Church.
Meeting highlights included a recap of plans for the Summer Concerts at Hiawatha series (lineup here) and Admiral 4th of July Kids’ Parade (latest update here), a “summer activity” preview from SPD, and discussion about ANA’s new website (latest update here).
Ahead, toplines including what police had to say about the reported child-luring attempt in Admiral, as well as information about events that will interest even those who live outside Admiral:Read More
(From this month’s first low-low tide, by Stephen Elser)
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:
LOWEST TIDE OF THE ‘SUMMER’: Yes, we use that last word loosely … But the tide is out, no matter what the weather. 11:10 this morning, -3.1 (here’s the chart). On the flip side, the high tide is way up there too – 12.1 at 6:46 pm. Planning on exploring the revealed beach this midday? Volunteer Seattle Aquarium naturalists are on the Lincoln Park and south-of-Alki-Point Beaches 10 am-2 pm.
BENEFITS FOR VETERANS/SURVIVING SPOUSES: See how veterans or surviving spouses can qualify for a tax-free pension; Sean Sullivan and Kevin Sullivan will give a presentation covering long-term-care benefits. Free; RSVP to (206) 938-3964. 3-4 pm, Merrill Gardens at Admiral Heights (WSB sponsor; 2326 California SW).
SUMMER COUNTDOWN PARTY FOR TEENS: Celebrate the last days of school before summer with an outdoor BBQ at Hiawatha Community Center (2700 California SW). Music, dodgeball competition, food, prizes, starts at 2:30 pm.
FAREWELL, MR. WHALEN: Schmitz Park Elementary School families past and present are invited to the SP cafeteria 5:30 p.m. until 7:00 pm to bid teacher Japhy Whalen farewell (here’s our original coverage).
JUNCTION DEVELOPMENT: Community meeting about Oregon 42 development changes (latest WSB coverage here), 6 pm, Senior Center of West Seattle (California/Oregon).
FREE WORKSHOP: Savvy Seattle Women workshop on hiring a pro, 6 pm, Prudential NW Realty offices at Jefferson Square, details here.
SEATTLE SCHOOL BOARD: Not in West Seattle but of interest citywide, 6 pm at district HQ in SODO (here’s the agenda).
LOWMAN BRAU’S DEBUT: Premiere parties for Löwman Bräu, “West Seattle’s beer,” multiple venues, starting at 7 pm – full list of venues here, and which nonprofits are benefiting, here.
TONIGHT’S GRADUATION: Middle College High School commencement ceremony at South Seattle Community College‘s Brockey Center, 7 pm
DELRIDGE DISTRICT COUNCIL: The council meets at Youngstown Arts Center, 6 pm strategic discussion, 7 pm meeting, with topics including an Alaskan Way Viaduct construction briefing and the just-announced proposal for a 75-unit complex to provide permanent housing for mentally ill homeless people (WSB coverage here).
(Photo by Deanie Schwarz for WSB/WCN)
Not only is it the brewery behind the West Seattle-centric Löwman Bräu, launching tonight at venues around the area (here’s our Tuesday update), Big Al Brewing in White Center is also about to make a big change – activating a solar hot-water-heating system that will not only change its carbon footprint, but will also enable it to boost production. Get the full story on our partner site White Center Now.
Katie Parker, gone at just 31, was a longtime West Seattleite, says Matt, who shared her obituary and photo:
Katie Parker, 31, of Arlington, WA, passed away Thursday, June 9, 2011. Katie was born September 22, 1979, the daughter of James and Mary Margaret Parker, in Seattle.
Katie had a warm heart and generous spirit. Katie was an accomplished Irish Step Dancer and won international awards. She loved books, and when not reading, she enjoyed spending time outdoors and visiting with friends and family.
Katie graduated from Our Lady of Guadalupe in West Seattle and went on to graduate from Holy Names Academy in Seattle. She also attended WWU at Bellingham. Katie had an eye for beauty and style, and when she graduated from Gene Juarez Academy, she found her calling.
Katie is preceded in death by her brother Neil Parker, cousin Kevin Monahan, uncles Terry Monahan, John Parker and George Parker, grandparents, George and Victoria Parker, Jack and Veronica Monahan.
Katie is survived by her parents, James and Mary Margaret Parker, her sister Nora Parker and her nephew Riley Parker. Numerous aunts, uncles and cousins survive Katie as well.
Viewing will precede the saying of a Rosary. The Rosary will be on Friday, June 17, 2011, at 10:00 am at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Arlington, WA. A funeral Mass will follow at 10:30 with internment at Eden’s Cemetery on Guemes Island, WA.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to www.nami.org or Catholic Community Services.
(WSB publishes obituaries by request, free of charge. E-mail the text, and a photo if available/desired, to editor@westseattleblog.com)
As West Seattle Little League families look toward the end-of-season barbecue and Snack Shack dedication this Saturday (3 pm, Bar-S Playfield – bring a donation for the West Seattle Food Bank), they also have just been through the excitement of the championships. Sharon Eldredge shares the top photo with the news that the Blue Jays won the WSLL Minors championship last Sunday and will represent West Seattle this weekend at the Tournament of Champions in Normandy Park. (That’s particularly big news around her house, since she’s mom to two of the players!) “They had a pretty young team with amazing positive energy and team spirit,” she says, with words of congratulations for first-year minors coach Stan Debiec. Congratulations to all the WSLL players, and good luck to the Blue Jays as well as everyone else going on to TOC!
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