West Seattle, Washington
13 Saturday
(Photos and video by Christopher Boffoli for WSB)
11:55 PM: We’re on our way to the 6400 block of 48th SW (map), where fire crews have just arrived at the scene of a “heavy rescue” call and are reporting a car has flipped.
12:09 AM: One person was pulled out of the car, a woman described on the scanner as alert and conscious.
12:19 AM: Tow truck just arrived at the scene, so 48th should be clear before too long. The driver was taken by Medic 32 to Harborview Medical Center. The Saturn sedan she was driving had flipped right in front of the bus stop on the west side of 48th, just at the top of the hill down toward Lowman Beach. A lieutenant at the scene tells WSB’s Christopher Boffoli that the driver’s injuries are not life-threatening. Police also say they suspect alcohol might have been involved.
12:44 AM: 48th SW has reopened to traffic.
2:07 AM: Added Christopher’s video of the car being turned right-side-up by the tow crew.
Admiral’s new wood-fired Pizzeria 22 had a full house tonight – but don’t worry, you didn’t miss opening night. This was an invitation-only preview party, with owner Cary Kemp getting the chance to give the oven a workout:
Since we don’t dine on the job, sorry, no review (if you were there, do leave yours as a comment!), but we CAN say it smelled wonderful – and looked good even before it went into the oven:
Also looking good – though we stopped by too early in the evening for a good photo – the new blue neon sign out front, stacked letters reading simply “PIZZERIA.” As reported here earlier this week, Pizzeria 22 officially opens on Monday; lots of menu info and other details can be found online.
(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
A long-closed West Seattle beach is open tonight, awash in colorful paddling boats and gear, and exhibitors’ tents, ready for the first-ever Northwest Paddling Festival this weekend. On the festival’s eve, the Port of Seattle‘s official opening of the once-industrial-pollution-tainted Jack Block Park shoreline was celebrated with, not a ribbon-cutting, but a ribbon-untying:
Among those participating, West Seattle paddlesports advocate Greg Whittaker at left, proprietor of Alki Kayak Tours and Mountain to Sound Outfitters and a driving force behind the festival, with Port of Seattle Commissioner Gael Tarleton to his left – with others including the park’s namesake, longtime commissioner Jack Block (Sr.), who was also one of the speakers before the dedication:
Block, who served on the commission 1974-2001, noted that it was a “20-year project” and that he had said a while back, “I hope I live long enough to see this project dedicated.” So tonight, he said triumphantly, “I made it!”
Friday night brings another list of what the Seattle Police Aggressive Drivers Response Team has been up to – three West Seattle spots listed this time in the report on SPD Blotter:
West Marginal Way SW – 40 mph zone
1 at 83 mph (with an open container of alcohol)
1 at 58 mph
1 at 57 mph
1 at 56 mph
2 at 55 mph
1 at 54 mph
3 at 51 mph
4 No Proof of Insurance3100 block SW Admiral Way – 30 mph zone
1 at 49 mph
2 at 47 mph
1 at 46 mph
2 at 45 mph
1 at 44 mph
1 Cell Phone
1 Stop SignHighland Park Way SW – 30 mph
1 at 49mph
1 Texting While Driving
If you missed it, your editor here had a “ridealong” with an ADRT officer recently – here’s the story, with video, published here last weekend.
The big move is on for Denny International Middle School. Those truck trailers we showed you the other night – when they were parked at Boren – are now busy helping move boxes, furniture, and more out of the old Denny and into destinations including the new. More photos after the jump:Read More
This afternoon, we welcome The West Seattle Fabric Company in the Admiral District as a new WSB sponsor. As per WSB tradition, new sponsors get to share information about what they do: The West Seattle Fabric Company is a shop with a fresh approach to sewing. We see ourselves as a creative sewing center where people of all skill levels and interests can find inspiration for any project. We carry cheerful, vibrant fabrics that are sometimes hard to find. Because we are a fabric boutique, we are constantly bringing in new fabrics, so there is always a reason to pop in and see us. Since opening the store 6 months ago, we have already expanded our space and significantly increased our inventory to better serve our community. We’ve created classes that help teach pattern reading, sewing projects, and we’ve just launched our first quilting series for beginners. 
Looking to the future, we want to bring in rotating craft supplies and projects for all ages and offer children’s sewing parties that would be perfect for birthday celebrations.
The West Seattle Fabric Company‘s Monica and Greg Skov were both raised in Spokane, but met in West Seattle where they now live with their daughter Olivia. In addition to being part of the community as business owners, they have become actively involved in melanoma and skin-cancer awareness. Greg and his twin brother Chris coordinate the annual Steve Casey Memorial Golf Tournament every August to raise money for melanoma awareness and research. In the future, Greg and Monica hope to establish the program “Casey’s Quilts,” which would donate quilts to people fighting melanoma in the Seattle area.
The West Seattle Fabric Company is at 2210 California SW, phone (206) 257-1083, online at westseattlefabriccompany.com and on Facebook here.
We thank The West Seattle Fabric Company 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.
Just in from the Morgan Community Association, the final stage lineup for tomorrow’s Morgan Junction Community Festival (co-sponsored by WSB), 10:30 am-7 pm in and around Morgan Junction Park (6413 California SW):
Along with the performances, there’s the walking “Bite of Morgan” (latest on that here), plus dozens of vendors/organizations (including WSB) with booths/tables in lots on both sides of California – Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor)/Zeeks Pizza on the west side, and Washington Federal Savings on the east side. Hope to see you there!
One year after Fairmount Park got a playground makeover with $170,000 from the Parks and Green Spaces Levy, more levy money may be in the pipeline to renovate its restrooms and playground fencing. That is, if the levy Oversight Committee wins final approval for its idea to channel $10 million of the levy’s $13 million “inflation” padding into maintenance projects that have gone unaddressed because of the city budget woes.
West Seattle’s Pete Spalding chairs the committee, which has a public hearing next Monday (Jefferson Community Center, Beacon Hill, 7 pm) on its proposal. He wrote this open letter explaining that while the inflation pad was built into the levy, it hasn’t been needed, since the economic climate has brought many projects in not just within budget, but often under budget. The full list of projects the committee is suggesting for this $10 million fund is in his letter. The Fairmount Park comfort station and fencing, totaling $325,000, are the only West Seattle items on the list. If you’re interested in commenting, be at the hearing, or send e-mail (there’s a contact address on the committee’s page).
(Remember the June 7th morning traffic backup? WSB photo from 35th south of Avalon)
If you stepped up and replied with a comment when we asked in April, on behalf of the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce, “what’s West Seattle’s biggest transportation problem?” – your answer is about to get a wider audience. The City Council Transportation Committee’s meeting next Tuesday will include a briefing on “West Seattle Transportation Priorities,” with presenters including the Chamber’s board chair Dave Montoure and CEO Patti Mullen.
We called Mullen this morning to ask about it; she says it’s a direct result of the process in which WSB’ers participated, as well as a Chamber-facilitated advisory group: “We sent the results of the survey to the co-chairs for (the city’s Citizens Transportation Advisory Council III) and we also sent it to (Councilmember) Tom Rasmussen’s office and to the mayor and (SDOT director) Peter Hahn. Rasmussen’s office was pleased that a community had actually gone through a thoughtful screening and prioritized what the neighborhood considered to be important, so they wanted to know how we did that.” (He chairs the committee.) The #1 priority area they’ll be discussing: 35th SW – as well as areas including stretches of California SW, Delridge Way, and the five-way intersection at the west end of the “low bridge.” The meeting’s at City Hall at 9:30 am Tuesday; it’ll also be live on cable and Web via Seattle Channel.
(WSB photo of Danny Vernon’s Illusion of Elvis at The Mount, summer 2010)
Tons of tunes in the works for West Seattle outdoor-concert fans. West Seattle Summer Fest is up first (haven’t seen the lineup yet? here it is) – then there’s the Hi-Yu Concert in the Park with the West Seattle Big Band on July 19 – the Admiral Neighborhood Association‘s Summer Concerts at Hiawatha start July 28th – and today we have the lineup for this year’s outdoor-concert series at Providence Mount St. Vincent (4831 35th SW):
August 5th-The Haggis Brothers “Rockin’, swingin’ fiddle driven string band”
August 12th-The Illusion of Elvis by Danny Vernon. Classic car show this night, too!
August 19th-Cheryl Serio “Vintage jazz, pop and cabaret”
August 26th-Selam Band “World music”(Each event runs) 5:00 to 7:30 pm – Live music from 6:00 to 7:30 pm
The music is free, as are snow cones and popcorn, and special kids’ activities; bring your own blanket/chair; dinner and beverages (beer/wine available) can be purchased. The Mount has a special-events hotline for questions – (206) 937-3701, ext. 28652.
(WSB photo from Hiawatha Playfield on Thursday: Serevi Rugby‘s 1st beginners’ camp)
A fairly low-key Friday – time to gear up for tomorrow (hope to see you at the Morgan Junction Community Festival!) – but you do have some options today/tonight. From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:
FREE PUBLIC SWIM: Southwest Pool invites you to the Summer Kickoff Swim, free for all ages, 4:30-5:30 pm – first 125 swimmers get into the pool (and note that kids under 6 must have an adult in the pool with them). Penny dive and races for prizes! 2801 SW Thistle.
BEACH REOPENS TO THE PUBLIC: After decades, the beach at what is now Jack Block Park reopens to the public – as a prelude to this weekend’s Northwest Paddling Festival, which will be held on and around the beach. Tonight’s dedication events start at 5 pm, ribbon cutting and tribal canoe launch at 6.
WINE TASTING IN THE JUNCTION: Friday night tasting at Bin 41, 6-7:30 pm, featuring Poppie Mantone from Syncline Winery in the Columbia Gorge area.
VAUDEVILLE AT KENYON HALL: From a silent-movie short to comedy juggling to musical memories, you’re invited to Kenyon Hall(7904 35th Ave SW) for tonight’s entertainment, which starts at 7:30 pm. Root-beer floats are $1! Admission is $12 row seating/$14 reserved table seating/discounts for seniors and kids, preschoolers free. E-mail kenyonhall@earthlink.net ASAP for a reservation.
FRIDAY NIGHT SKATE: Get your summer rolling at Alki Community Center – your skates or theirs, $3/person, 6:45-8:45 pm.
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