West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
We were at Boeing Field, north of the tower this time, to watch the Blue Angels‘ takeoffs/landings (and occasional other glimpses) for today’s afternoon practices; this morning, we could hear them from WSB HQ in Upper Fauntleroy, and WSB’ers reported some peninsula flyovers.
(#5 and #6, photographed Thursday by WSB Flickr group member LikeOnATree – click for large version)
There were some anomalies to today’s practice – in the afternoon, only four went up, #1 and #4, followed by #5 and #6, and #5 wasn’t up long before returning; officials changed the story about why two didn’t fly, according to this report on KIRO (which is the “official Seafair station,” by contract).
(Thursday practice photo by Tracy White)
Here’s what to expect the next three days: The full airshow. Technically, Friday is a practice, and it’s free to watch from Lake Washington (while Saturday/Sunday, you’ll be charged admission), but every year we’ve been covering/watching it, Friday also brings the full-on show, from the ceremonial “walkdown” at the Museum of Flight before they board the jets, through the aerial maneuvers, to the walkdown in reverse when the pilots return.
If you decide to go to the Museum of Flight for the bone-rattling takeoff experience, go early; the takeoff will be somewhere in the 12:30-1 pm vicinity, but viewing points along the fences fill up hours in advance, as does the MoF parking lot (and there’s less overflow parking on Friday). So much to see before and after, though! You can also check out areas along Boeing Field; we are partial to the lots north and south of the tower off East Marginal, though the south was roped off today, and it has less space than previous years because of construction. Our preferred way to get there (since the South Park Bridge closed more than a year ago) is Highland Park Way to 1st Avenue South Bridge north, get off at Michigan, turn right on East Marginal, head south (here’s a map of that route).
A coyote tale different from the type we usually hear, from Lizzie Jackson at Nature Consortium:
Nature Consortium staff and volunteers saw two little coyote pups today during our work party in the West Duwamish Greenbelt. They were very curious about us and after we all looked at each other for a little while we remembered that we should try to scare them off so we clapped our hands and yelled and they turned around and trotted back in the forest. Unfortunately we didn’t get any pictures but thought we would share anyway.
That’s EXACTLY what is advised in the “coexisting with coyotes” literature – to keep people, pets, and coyotes all separated, they have to maintain a wariness of humans. The advice is all here. (WSB coyote coverage, including photos now and then, is all archived here, newest to oldest.)
Another perfect night on the east lawn of Hiawatha Community Center, with at least 250 people here – by our estimate – to enjoy the music of Massy Ferguson, for the second week of this year’s Summer Concerts at Hiawatha series, presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association.
If you see this shortly after it’s published, still time to drop by and catch a little music; there’s a balloon-twister for the kids, and the Hiawatha Tae-Kwon-Do Club putting on an intermission demonstration as we speak. (photos added)
Hip-hop dancers showed their moves, too, and we’ll add video later. For the last number, all the kids were invited onto the stage:
Next week – the concert will be on Alki instead of at Hiawatha (only location change this year), featuring Yogoman Burning Band, 6:30 pm Thursday (August 11th).
SIDE NOTE: More outdoor music in West Seattle tomorrow night – first of four summer outdoor concerts at Providence Mount St. Vincent (WSB sponsor), with The Haggis Brothers performing at 6 pm. Also free, also BYO chair/blanket.
Owners of The Cask in the Admiral District have changed their mind after three months – they are NOT going to sell it and move away, after all – Shon MacDughlas and Dee Pope say they’re staying. They sent us this announcement late today:
As many of you may know, we were in the process of moving to Florida and therefore have had the The Cask up for sale.
Circumstances have recently changed which have allowed us to stay in Sea and keep The Cask!!! Now that we are staying, we will officially celebrate our one-year anniversary in September. More details to come later this month. Thank you all for your support and your continued patronage. See you soon!
For the second consecutive day, we have an update on a West Seattle multifamily-unit project that appears to be reviving after a few years dormancy – a different one – this one’s in North Delridge at 26th/Dakota (map), last mentioned here in fall 2008 (here’s that story). Back then, it had appeared to be restarting as what was initiated around 2005 as a 154-unit building. But after a bit of activity, like so many sites when the boom went bust that year … it stalled TFN.
Today, there’s news that Legacy Partners Residential, Inc., is hoping to build an apartment building there – soon. First public word came from North Delridge Neighborhood Council chair Karrie Kohlhaas on the NDNC e-mail list this afternoon; we also have spoken to representatives for the prospective developers, who stress their plan is NOT finalized yet.
Assuming it is, Legacy says it will include 179 apartments and “eight, at-grade live/work units,” as well as 221 parking spaces, and will be five stories tall with a “partial sixth story.” The units would range in size from studio to 2 bedrooms/2 1/2 full baths/den; the building originally was planned for condos, so the units are larger than many typical current-day apartments. There also is some retail space fronting 26th SW, Legacy says.
The site still has a Master Use Permit from previous plans, plus a “nearly final set of drawings and specifications,” which would enable construction to start soon if the deal is finalized. Legacy is contracting with Barrientos LLC for development services; they say that firm is known for “developing boutique buildings in Seattle’s niche neighborhoods.”
ADDED 6:21 PM: From Legacy executive Kerry Nicholson: ““Legacy Partners has wanted to develop in West Seattle for some time and we think this site is very unique. Assuming the financing is finalized, we plan to develop under the existing building permit with some design revisions that are more sensitive to the neighborhood. Because we still don’t own the site, we are just beginning to meet with community members. So far everything we have heard is really positive. Hopefully the site will become ours and we can really roll up our sleeves and work with the neighborhood.”
We’re putting together more details about the project – look for a longer story tonight or tomorrow morning.
Got a band? Want to play for thousands? Safeway‘s Sara Osborne says they’re looking for a group to play at the Admiral Safeway grand opening one week from today, 4-7 pm. Yes, they’re expecting thousands to come see the store that day. If your band is interested – or if you want to make a suggestion! – please comment here and/or e-mail her at sara.osborne@safeway.com.
Just published at our partner site White Center Now: Seattle filmmaker Megan Griffiths‘ next movie “Eden” is set to film in WC later this month. Details here.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
A key word for Hope Lutheran‘s new pastor Peter Mueller is “connection.”
He’s thrilled to discover West Seattle’s community connections, including the new neighbors who have welcomed him and his family – he got to meet even more of them at a Night Out block party on Tuesday.
But he’s also clearly no stranger to online connection. Though his office at the church is still full of storage boxes that just arrived from his previous home in Southern California, it’s topped with one essential element – a laptop. And when we ask for specifics on a Biblical verse he paraphrases during our conversation, he pulls out not a well-worn leather-bound book, but … his iPod.
He’s even enthusiastic about the church’s website address.
Four reader reports to share – three are West Seattle Crime Watch reports (burglary, theft, hit-run), and one is a “creepy” encounter that a runner wants others to be aware of:Read More
(Photo courtesy Twelfth Night Productions)
It’s not just Seafair weekend – it’s “Oliver!” weekend! Twelfth Night Productions (WSB sponsor) will present Lionel Bart‘s musical version of Charles Dickens‘ famous tale for the next three weekends, Friday and Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons, at the West Seattle High School theater (3000 California SW). TNP’s official announcement notes, “This year’s cast and crew of more than 80 people includes children and adults from all over the Seattle area.” Twelfth Night is donating a portion of the proceeds to Treehouse, which it notes “helps fill the gaps for kids in foster care by providing services overlooked by other agencies. Among other services, they provide money for extra-curricular activities and summer camps, professional educational support services, and clothing and supplies to help kids fit in at school.” If you go, bring along school supplies, backpacks, and new/gently used clothing to donate to Treehouse. Shows are 7:30 pm the next three Fridays/Saturdays, and 3 pm Sundays; tickets are $15 students/seniors, $18 adults, available online or at the WSHS box office on performance nights/days.
(WSB photo from first Summer Concerts at Hiawatha last Thursday)
More music in the park, one of the highlights from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:
PUMP STATION PROJECT: Seattle Design Commission looks at the Barton Street Pump Station expansion (south of the Fauntleroy ferry dock), 9:30 am at City Hall (agenda and more info here).
BACK IN TIME: Noon-4 pm, tour the Log House Museum (61st/Stevens, Alki) and learn about West Seattle-area history!
BLUE ANGELS’ FIRST PRACTICE DAY, AND TRAFFIC ALERTS: This is the first of four days that the U.S. Navy’s visiting aerial demonstration team goes airborne for Seafair in a big way, with two rounds of practice maneuvers that also result in two rounds of I-90 bridge closures, and you know how any closure tends to have a domino effect. The traffic alerts are part of the citywide four-day advisory published here last night; for Blue Angels viewing, the Museum of Flight is the best place to be – they take off from and land at adjacent Boeing Field, and park in a fenced-off (but you can see through the fence) area south of the museum.
SHOP LATE THURSDAYS: Shop Late Thursdays in The Junction, till 9 pm; participants’ list here, including WSB sponsor Click! Design That Fits, which (as mentioned here yesterday) is hosting a meatless-recipes tasting with cookbook author Kim O’Donnel starting at 6 pm.
WINE AND CHOCOLATE FUNDRAISER: First-ever Rotary Club of West Seattle Washington Premium Wine/Chocolate Tasting, at Salty’s on Alki (1936 Harbor Avenue SW), 5:30-8:30 pm. Profit from the event will support local youth scholarships, 38th annual children’s shopping spree, and other Rotary Club of West Seattle community and international humanitarianism outreach efforts. Event will include: local Washington premium wine tasting, hors d’oeuvres, live and silent auction, fellowship, and jazz and blues with local musician Randall O’Dowd. Check to see if tickets are still available.
Info here.
ARE YOU A MS. OR MR. FIX-IT? The Fixers’ Collective @ The West Seattle Tool Library (Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, 4408 Delridge Way SW), 6 – 8 pm. A Fixers’ Collective is a group of folks who love to fix and mend things, which could be any old thing from broken blenders to ripped sweaters to antique dentist drills. Take it apart, put it back together, figure out how it works, refuse to throw it away, and get to know others who do the same! Join us if you are interested in prolonging the life of the things you own, learning how things work, saving a few resources, or if you just love to tinker. All are welcome and encouraged to develop an addiction to creative fixing and mending!
MASSY FERGUSON PLAYS HIAWATHA: Second week tonight for the Summer Concerts at Hiawatha series, 6:30 pm, east lawn of Hiawatha Community Center, free, presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association, with co-sponsors (all listed on the right side of this page). Haven’t seen Massy Ferguson before? Find out more about their music here. Also at Hiawatha for the occasion: The Beloved Mexico food truck (cancelled), the PCC Natural Markets (WSB sponsor) Kid Picks truck, and Full Tilt Ice Cream.
DANCE, DANCE, DANCE: Dance Time with Lauren Petrie (at Bridge Park, 3204 SW Morgan St), 7 pm – 9 pm. Theme: Tropical, Hot, Hot, Hot. Reservations Requested: 206.932.4044, seating after 6:30 pm. $5-$7 donation.
SUNRISE HEIGHTS, UNITE: The Sunrise Heights Neighborhood Association Summer Quarterly Meeting! 7 pm, Southwest Precinct on Webster (next to Home Depot).
Agenda:
1) Emergency Preparedness Grant Project
2) Fall yard sale/harvest swap?
3) What is SHNA about? What are our goals and priorities?
4) Your questions and suggestions.
Sunday is the big community benefit party that friends are throwing at The Bridge (4439 35th SW) for Tracy Dart, the West Seattleite who is on her third round of fighting breast cancer 
and has raised tens of thousands of dollars to help researchers make progress that could benefit millions. Tracy has never asked for help for herself – but friends and supporters decided it was time to step in and get her some. Here are the event details (7-10 pm, live music, donation at the door). We checked in with one of the organizers, Lisa Dawson, to ask about last-minute needs; Lisa says they’re still accepting donations for the drawing, and “could also use a few more volunteers to help out that night.” If you can help on either front, e-mail info@wehearttracydart.com. And even if you can’t go, you can donate to help Tracy (who wrote on her own site about the challenges of dealing with everyday life while in a fight for your life) – use the PayPal button on the right side of the We Heart Tracy Dart site.
By Katie Meyer
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
The second day of testimony in the murder trial of Brandon Chaney and Bryce Huber began with the questioning of “Tony”, who witnessed the shooting of Steve Bushaw the night of February 1, 2009.
Following him on the witness stand Wednesday were the first two Seattle Police officers to arrive at that scene: Officer Edward Anderson answered questions, as did Officer Curtis Woo. In the afternoon, a West Seattleite named Marie testified as to what she witnessed from her location in the Junction that evening — and the day finished with Crime Scene Investigation Unit Detective Kevin O’Keefe explaining what his responsibilities were at the crime scene, what duties he and his team performed; from the stand he also explained numerous crime scene photos showing the jury what the Junction area looked like along California Avenue, and what evidence was discovered and where.
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