(WSDOT photo from Flickr: South-end Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement-construction zone)
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:
LIBRARY CLOSURE WEEK: Today is the start of the week-plus budget-cut closure of Seattle Public Library branches. More info here; they reopen the day after Labor Day.
FAUNTLEROY YOGA CLASSES: New yoga classes start at the Fauntleroy Schoolhouse Community Center at 6:30 tonight, a six-week series of Mondays. E-mail Nicole@bloomingwildyoga.com.
HIGH POINT TAI CHI CLASSES: Tao Jin: Foundations of a Tai Chi Lifestyle – a free class in High Point, 7 pm, outdoors on the Plaza (Commons Park Amphitheater) or indoors when wet at Neighborhood House (6400 Sylvan Way SW). The class was made possible at no charge through a grant from the High Point Neighborhood Association.
NEWS NOTES: The jury in the two-defendant Steve Bushaw murder trial has resumed deliberations this morning – if they don’t reach a verdict (or come to any other resolution) today, it will be their third full day; WSDOT announces at 10:30 am which dates it has chosen for the Viaduct’s nine-day shutdown in October.
Arbor Heights Community Church, less than a block away from the home destroyed by fire Saturday evening, is organizing efforts to help the family who lived there. They were out of town when the 2-alarm fire, blamed on “spontaneous combustion,” happened. Church volunteer Jerri Anne Forehand tells WSB they returned to West Seattle today and are “trying to sort everything out,” dealing with the fact they “lost everything.” First, the Red Cross found them a place to stay tonight, but for the longer run, they are looking for a house to rent, preferably in the Arbor Heights area, because their kids start school next week. Second, the church is collecting monetary donations for them. Jerri Anne says you can drop a check off at the church or mail it in – make the check out to the church, designated for the fire victims’ fund, and they “will cut one big check for them” later this week, she says. Arbor Heights Community Church is on the corner of SW 102nd/41st SW (mailing address is 4113 SW 102nd, zip 98146), 206-935-5714; if you want to stop in or call with a check and/or information on a potential rental, someone will be there 10 am-2 pm Monday-Thursday this week.
Story and photos by Jason Grotelueschen Reporting for West Seattle Blog
“Just a man and a van.”
That’s the tagline from the website ILiveInMyVan.com, published by writer and “motivational speaker” Jay Pfaffman, who is in West Seattle this weekend as the guest of Seaview resident Alison Keith (both are pictured above).
Pfaffman departed Knoxville, Tennessee, in early May, and has been driving westward ever since. Keith had never met Pfaffman prior to this weekend but was an early fan of his site — “he’s a great writer, and the blog is really fun,” she says — and she invited him to come to West Seattle during his journey, which he did. Keith and about 20 of her neighbors threw a party for Pfaffman tonight, and we stopped by to chat and to get a look at “Walden,” his trusty Volkswagen Westfalia van.
Westwood Village Barnes & Noble says it’s the only author appearance they have each year – and it’s a biggie: Saturday afternoon brought the annual visit of multi-million-selling West Seattle-based author Terry Brooks, and another standing-room-only crowd, more than 50 fans. As has been the case with his past visits, Brooks touted his newest book – in this case, “Legends of Shannara: The Measure of the Magic” – and read from a work in progress. But this time, he revealed, he’s breaking with tradition. Instead of just releasing one book next year, as is his usual pace, he’s publishing three in the span of a year, in honor of his 35th anniversary as an author. Brooks says they will be released in August 2012, March 2012, and August 2013, and will deal with “the future of Shannara.” “If you don’t buy these books, I’ll never do it again,” joked Brooks, who is 67, but said later he hopes to write for another 35 years: “I always thought I’d live forever.”
Next year also might bring some other big news for Brooks fans: He says a “new (movie) studio has taken an option” on his Magic Kingdom series, and there should be word in about a year if that, unlike some past movie options on his work, will really result in a film. Meantime, there are more photos from Brooks’ hometown appearance in this update on his website.
Now that Mobile Chowdown is confirmed for The Junction on October 2nd – two dozen food trucks in the street on California SW between Oregon and Edmunds – one of the organizers, Michi Suzuki, has shared a partial list of who’s participating: Marination Mobile (which of course is a West Seattle fave each Saturday at 35th/Graham), Where Ya at Matt, Skillet, Maximus Minimus, Veraci Pizza, Parfait Ice Cream, Lumpia World (a West Seattle regular for a while), Andrae’s Kitchen (Walla Walla), Raney Brothers BBQ, Street Donuts, Big Food Mobile, Pretzelwagen, Snout & Co., A Lunch in Hand. Unlike some past “gated” Mobile Chowdowns, organizers say this one will be open to all ages, no admission fee. More details are promised as it gets closer; you can also watch the official website.
(one more added)Four Five photos taken before this morning’s fog burned off show the beauty the low clouds can bring. Above, Joan O says that view of the the clouds looked like “big fluffy waves”; other photographers’ views, from the forest to the ferries to the Needle, ahead:Read More
*Around 3 pm Monday, a rude patron kept bothering other customers at a Junction bar and was asked to leave. He declined, threw a glass, and then launched a chair through a $2,000 flat-screen TV. He was taken to the ground, held for officers and was later booked into King County Jail for investigation of aggravated assault.
The files were a little threadbare (up until the past few days, too late for this roundup), so just three more summaries are ahead:Read More
(Photo courtesy Aaron Bocchetti)
A “portable fire pit” in the garage is blamed for the fire that destroyed an Arbor Heights home on Saturday (WSB as-it-happened coverage here). That’s just in from the Seattle Fire Department, which also says the injured firefighter is out of the hospital. SFD says “old charcoal or wood in the fire pit spontaneously combusted” and sparked the fire, with damage estimated at $430,000. Today’s update says SFD and Seattle Public Utilities will investigate the hydrant problem that kept crews from having the necessary water supply for immediate firefighting. Meantime, for those who have asked if the family – which was out of town when this happened – needs help, we’re told that efforts are being organized right now; as soon as details are available, we’ll publish an update.
We’re on Alki, still socked in with fog, but spirits are bright as runners and walkers finish the 2011 edition of the Alki Beach 5K, raising money for Northwest Hope and Healing. NWHH executive director Shari Sewell estimates almost 1,200 came to the beach for this year’s fundraiser. The first finishers, by gender, were identified as (male) Brett Winegar and (female) Kelsey Lenzie:
(Photo courtesy Cami MacNamara)
Kelsey is 10 years old, according to race emcee Eric Radovich; she finished in 20:48! Pre-5K warmups were courtesy of Lori and Tim McConnell of West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor):
Pep talk was courtesy of “Warrior Marathon Runner” and breast-cancer survivor Carolyn Dellinger :
And Spud Fish and Chips is handing out clam chowder.
ADDED 11:07 AM: A dynamic duo we met before the 5K:
Elizabeth Crouch and Kim Schaaf are with CheckYourBoobies.org – a nonprofit that will send a breast-health educator if you organize a party – it can be a party just for breast-health education, or, says their brochure, an event coupled with some other kind of gathering you’re already having.
P.S. Alki has a few more 5K (and similar events) coming up in the next few months – on September 17th, the Walk and Roll for ataxia awareness, and a new event, Beat the Burn, on October 16th.
Two traffic alerts for today: Alki SW, from the Bathhouse to Anchor/Luna Park, will be closed until about 11 am for the Alki Beach 5K, which starts at 9 am, raising money for Northwest Hope and Healing to help breast-cancer patients (last-minute signups just started by Alki Bathhouse). And SDOT is doing paving work on the eastbound side of the 2600 block of SW Spokane – the detours are explained here.
(Lafayette photos by Luckie)
Volunteers spent much of Saturday working on playground projects at two West Seattle schools – as the first day of school gets ever-closer. Top photo is the mountain of wood chips that volunteers at Lafayette Elementary took on; next, the play structure that volunteers at Our Lady of Guadalupe worked on:
(OLG photos by Ellen Cedergreen for WSB)
More on both, ahead – as well as indoor improvements at both schools:Read More
(Photo courtesy Restita DeJesus)
Third from left, that’s Restita DeJesus from the Seattle Wushu Center north of Morgan Junction, inducted into the martial-arts Masters Hall of Fame in Southern California on Saturday night. DeJesus says she has explored martial arts for more than 30 years, including Tai Chi, Wushu, Karate, Kajukenbo-Wun Hop Kuen Do, Eskrima, Spanish knife fighting, Japanese archery, and Japanese swordsmanship, and is a two-time National Champion and 2001 International Tai Chi champion. That’s not all – she also is an aficionado of bullwhip artistry, sport target blowgunning, and slingshots, and she offers free lessons in these activities.
ORIGINAL 10:11 PM REPORT: Police are closing the eastbound West Seattle Bridge, from 35th, Avalon, Delridge, as they deal with what is reported to be a possibly suicidal person on the bridge. We are monitoring the situation and as always, will update. Westbound remains open for now.
11 PM UPDATE: Police are still working to resolve the situation; eastbound bridge still closed, plus the inside westbound lane.
12:37 AM UPDATE: Eastbound bridge closed 2 1/2 hours now. Thanks to everyone for the updates. No change in the situation, in terms of what’s publicly monitorable.
2:10 AM: Four hours. Richard’s report in comments verifies something we’d heard on the scanner, that the SPD “mobile precinct” unit is out there.
2:57 AM: Despite four and a half hours of effort, including the work of at least one SPD negotiator who was dispatched, it appears the person has jumped/fallen. Police are now talking (scanner traffic) about calling the Medical Examiner, and impounding the motorcycle. They also are contacting train operators about not going through the area beneath the bridge for a while. This is the second bridge death in less than two months. Experts stress that suicide is a deadly symptom of mental illness; if you or someone you know needs help, Crisis Clinic has a 24-hour hotline: 206.461.3222.
3:19 AM: It’s just been announced the bridge is fully open again.
MONDAY EVENING NOTE: The KCME’s media hotline says the suicide victim was a 49-year-old woman.
They are walking/running to raise money for Northwest Hope and Healing‘s work, helping breast-cancer patients.
Carol knows what that’s like. She is not your average marathon runner. Completing more than 250 marathons is a feat in and of itself, but the 49-year-old Spokane resident has an even bigger claim to fame: She’s a breast-cancer survivor, and she completed her 235th marathon just 9 weeks after undergoing a mastectomy. Since then, she’s completed 8 more, bringing her grand total to 253, 254 after next weekend. We talked with her at West Seattle Runner(WSB sponsor), shortly after she arrived in Seattle this afternoon for the Alki Beach 5K (9 am Sunday morning – and you can still register in person at the Bathhouse, starting at 8).
Dellinger lost her mom to breast cancer 25 years ago and has other family members who’ve battled the disease. She’s a firm believer in early detection and has been getting annual mammograms since the age of 35. According to her cancer treatment center, many age-eligible women do not get mammograms, often due to fear, but Dellinger wants to remind women that breast cancer can be100% curable if discovered early.
Dellinger chose not to have reconstructive surgery after learning her cancer had not spread to the lymph nodes.
(EDITOR’S NOTE: SFD has now announced the cause. New story here.)
(WSB photo by Tracy Record) ORIGINAL 5:35 PM REPORT: On our way to house-fire call in the 10200 block of 41st SW. Black smoke can be seen from more than a mile away. (added 5:43 pm) Near the scene. Police and fire are blocking 102nd near Arbor Heights Community Church. More shortly.
(Video added 6:16 pm) 5:50 PM UPDATE: We’re right next to the house with spectators. It is fully engulfed in flames. A neighbor says she does not believe the residents were home.
5:58 PM UPDATE: Still burning. A tree between the house and its neighboring home caught fire and the people next door are fighting desperately to make sure their home doesn’t catch fire too.
Dozens of neighbors are watching and at times cheering the firefighters. The neighbor who believes the homeowners weren’t here when it started says that she got a knock on the door, telling her the neighbors’ home was burning. No word of any injuries so far. Neighbors say it appears the hydrants might have been having problems initially – we’ll be checking on that with SFD.
6:16 PM: We’ve just heard a firefighter’s radio crackle with the word the fire is under control. No word on the cause yet, they’re still actively fighting it. But it is more smoke and charred wood now, still some flames visible inside. We just added video from the height of the fire, and will add a newer photo in a moment.
6:26 PM: They’re still pouring water on the fire. Other media just now arriving. The sun’s rays are making an eerie pattern through the trees that surround this house.
7:05 PM: Fire Chief Gregory Dean has just briefed the media. He says a firefighter suffered burns and was taken to Harborview. He confirms that there was a problem with hydrants and with water pressure; also, fire units took longer to get here than they normally would have, because primary responding companies were tied up with aid calls.
(Photo by Tony Bradley)
The first truck to arrive was a ladder truck, which doesn’t carry water. Subsequent companies used their water, and finally a line was laid to 35th SW to get water at full pressure. This was officially a two-alarm fire. We have the fire chief’s full briefing on video and will upload it as soon as we can. (added – here it is:)
Absolutely no indication yet what caused the fire; investigators can’t even get into what’s left of it, yet. still many, many firefighters still on scene. As for other hydrants in the area – we asked SFD spokesperson Kyle Moore; he says Seattle Public Utilities is responsible for hydrants, so we will have to ask them about what they plan to do to make sure that other hydrants in the area are OK. Thanks also to everyone who has sent photos and video – we will be reviewing them when we get back to HQ shortly.
ADDED EARLY SUNDAY: Some of the other scenes, from both the fire location and from far away, as people noticed black smoke rising high into the air – pictures ahead:Read More
On 8/26/11, at approximately 11:30 p.m., an officer was working at the late-night basketball tournament, at the Southwest Community Center. Minor fights were breaking out inside the gymnasium, and the officer requested several patrol units to assist with clearing the community center when the game ended.
Before the game ended, there were several reports of firearms being seen in the crowd, and a large-scale melee erupted inside the gym. Several people were struck with chairs, and reports continued of guns being present, although officers did not see any. Officers worked to move the hostile crowd of approximately 200 people out of the building and disperse them. South precinct and SWAT units responded to assist.
Fights continued in the parking lot for approximately 20 minutes. The crowd was eventually brought under control, some leaving in vehicles, others dispersing eastbound on Thistle toward Delridge. No officers were injured during the incident, although many were grabbed and pushed by the crowd.
No arrests are reported; we’re doublechecking on that.
(Photos courtesy Juan Alonso)
Students and staff returning to Chief Sealth International High School in a week and a half – and people passing by, from hereon out – will notice something new in front of the auditorium: Award-winning Seattle artist Juan Alonso‘s six “Sentinels,” just installed Friday:
The work, commissioned by the Washington State Arts Commission and Seattle Public Schools, is crafted from stainless steel. Alonso explains it here (and on the explanatory plaque on site):
This is a tribute to our ancestors, to those who have passed down information to us so that we may do the same; to our teachers, those who inspire us, our heroes, our protectors, and those who create a legacy. To Chief Sealth, father figure of our city; and to my own father, whose designs inspired these sculptures and whose kindness has always been my biggest source of strength.
In the same post, Alonso shows a photo of his father with the designs to which he refers, ironwork at a home his family built in Cuba, where Alonso was born and lived till age 10. His other public work, as shown here, includes several pieces installed at White Center’s Greenbridge development. Alonso tells WSB “Sentinels” will have a public dedication during an open house at Chief Sealth the evening of October 13th.
(April 2011 photo by Long Bach Nguyen, over Alki Lighthouse)
As noted in our “West Seattle Saturday” daily events preview, this weekend brings your last chances to tour the historic Alki Lighthouse this season, 1-4 pm both days. Here’s some of what you’ll see. But if you already have reminiscences – or if you or someone you know does – there’s work under way now to put together its history, as its centennial approaches. Here’s how you can help! Ann Benoit writes:
In 1913 the Alki Lighthouse was constructed here in West Seattle. It has provided wayfinding light, sound for fog navigation, radio beacons for way finding and the calibration of vessels’ own radio-beacon equipment. It is on a point of land and commands beautiful views of the Sound.
In preparation for its centennial. we are researching the Alki Lighthouse history, from the first light hung on the point by a farmer named Hansen (1870), to the present day. Data is fine and good, but insights, events, personal reminiscences will help to round out the story of this lighthouse.
The Alki Lighthouse is one of West Seattle’s enduring historical sites and deserves more extensive documentation. If you can help in any way, please contact me at annually@msn.com.
(Trailer for “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” tonight’s season-ending West Seattle Outdoor Movies feature)
Here are highlights from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar for this final Saturday in August:
NICKELSVILLE FUNDRAISER: Fundraising car wash for Nickelsville, the encampment in southeastern West Seattle, to help it stay self-sustaining, with proceeds going to necessities such as portable restrooms and trash pickup. New location: Krispy Kreme on 1st Avenue South in SODO, under way now till 5 pm.
KIDS RAISE MONEY FOR FAMINE VICTIMS: Three West Seattle kids are raising money today to donate to a collection for Somalia famine victims at their church. They’re having a used book sale to raise money to give and have come up with about 200 books. The sale starts at 9 am in High Point, off 35th and Juneau, in front of the retention pond. Paperbacks are 50 cents and hardbacks a dollar. (Their mom says they’ll accept larger donations!)
GIVE THE RECOVERY GARDEN SOME TLC: 10 am-2 pm, community volunteer help appreciated, 26th/Brandon in North Delridge; here’s our preview from last night.
PICK UP PACKETS FOR ALKI BEACH 5K: 10 am-2 pm at West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor), California/Charlestown. (And it’s not too late to sign up for the fundraising walk-run to help breast-cancer patients through Northwest Hope and Healing – the 5K is tomorrow, 9 am, starting at Alki Bathhouse, more details here.)
HELP PLANT RAIN GARDENS: Volunteer help needed to plant the Sustainable Rain rain gardens in two local sites excavated in the last month, including 5902 California SW and, in White Center, Big Al Brewing (9832 14th SW). 10 am-noon, free refreshments for volunteers.
FIGHT IVY IN SCHMITZ PARK: Schmitz Preserve Park Work Party, 9 am – 12 pm. Join the resistance against the invasive threat of ivy in Schmitz Park. All ages welcome. Snacks provided. Sturdy shoes and long pants are a must. 5380 Stevens SW, just off Admiral Way.
CARE FOR THE CREEK: Longfellow Creek – Thistle Street Work Party, 10 am – 2 pm. Join EarthCorps and other community volunteers at our monthly work party along the riparian zone of Longfellow Creek. This greenspace is a three acre site located just to the east of Chief Sealth International High School. Once hugely overgrown with blackberries and garbage, walkers can now enjoy forested wetlands, winding trail, great views of the creek, a community garden and seating area beside a sensory garden. SW Thistle Street and 26th Avenue SW to find the greenspace.
EUROPAKIDS INTERNATIONAL PRESCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: Ni hao! Hola! Guten Tag! EuropaKids International Preschool (WSB sponsor) is celebrating its 6th year in West Seattle and we are having a Fall Open House at 10:30 am to introduce our new Mandarin Chinese program. The EuropaKids half-day program is a multilingual language PRESCHOOL dedicated to preparing your child(ren) for the upcoming elementary school years by using the gift of foreign language as our focus. Please RSVP for the Open House at the SW Community Center in West Seattle; call Nicole at (206) 708-5784.
DUWAMISH RIVER FESTIVAL: Celebrate the river, with free entertainment, education, and more. Noon-6 pm, right on the river’s shore at 7900 10th Avenue South in South Park, with West Seattle participants including Alki Kayak Tours, details here. And a few more: Mariachis, Duwamish Tribal dancers, an eclectic lineup of live music, free tamales and BBQ, environmental and health education booths, and children’s activities. More announced highlights:
· *Jaime Méndez, *from UNIVISION, and *Paulina López, *South Park community member*,* bilingual (Spanish/English) Masters of Ceremonies;
· *Supersones*, Son – the acoustic dance music of the Cuban countryside that inspired modern Salsa;
· Also* Mariachi Guadalajara, The African ConeXion Project *and others.
LIGHTHOUSE TOURS: Last weekend this year to tour the Alki Point Lighthouse, 1-4 pm.
TERRY BROOKS’ ANNUAL HOMETOWN READING: West Seattle-residing bestselling author Terry Brooks makes his annual appearance at Westwood Village Barnes & Noble, 2 pm (more on his website,, including info on his just-published “Legends of Shannara: Measure of the Magic”).
SEASON FINALE FOR WEST SEATTLE OUTDOOR MOVIES: Rescheduled from July 16 rainout, West Seattle Outdoor Movies presents “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” at dusk, courtyard next to Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor), 4410 California SW. Movie’s free; bring your own chair/blanket, and money for fundraising raffle/concessions.
SEASON FINALE FOR MOVIES ON THE LAWN: Unique Families of Seattle presents “Nim’s Island,” free outdoor movie at 9246 36th Ave SW, arrival time: 8 pm (donations welcome), film starts around 9 pm. Private residence so space is limited, must RSVP to attend. E-mail joanna@uniquefamiliesofseattle.org
Have an event for the calendar? Send info as early as possible – so more people find out about it! Don’t worry about waiting till you have flyers, photos, logos, attachments – don’t need ’em! – just write up who/what/when/where, right in your e-mail, and send to editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!
(Photos by Katie Meyer for WSB)
A neighbor heard this crash and called 911, not even knowing exactly where it had happened. Soon enough, police found this car up against a garage in the 4800 block of SW Lander (map) in the Admiral District – nobody hurt, unless injuries were suffered by one or both of the two men who reportedly got out of the car after it crashed and ran. WSB contributor Katie Meyer checked out the scene about half an hour ago and says it appears the car, a Toyota Corolla with Alabama plates, ” came up Admiral eastbound, did not make the curve for some reason. Sailed through a sign bolted on the sidewalk, then continued up that side street and rammed into/alongside the garage.”
Katie reports that photo was taken right after a tow-truck operator pulled the trash/recycling container out from under the car. No word of arrests.
11:16 PM FRIDAY: Lots of sirens in the past half-hour in south West Seattle – ultimately not a big incident but since it sounded like one, some are asking about it. According to scanner traffic, there was some kind of clash at Southwest Community Center (2800 SW Thistle), and police were called to help get it under control. Many units rushed that way. They cleared the center, staff closed it, and then for a while they were monitoring groups of people dispersing eastbound on Thistle and southbound on Delridge. No injuries reported.
SATURDAY UPDATE: Police have now released more information; we have that and a brief clip of reader video (most notable for its audio) in this followup report.
Following up on the amazing morning of whale-watching during “transient” orcas’ travels off West Seattle shores (here’s our previous report with photos from multiple sources), we have more photos tonight. The orca pictures are courtesy of Jeff Hogan from Killer Whale Tales, who says, “I followed them from Alki to Lincoln Park, to Brace Point and left them heading south at 3 Tree Point. Last I heard they had headed south through the [Tacoma] Narrows, with a pair possibly northbound around 6 pm today.”
Be on the lookout again tomorrow! By the way, if you’re new to orca-watching, the ones with the taller dorsal fins – as in this next photo – are the males:
She explains that ” when there was a pause in orca viewing, during which I finally noticed these gorgeous sea lions (given their size, I believe they’re sea lions and not seals) resting on a float near a ship off the WS shore. We don’t want to overlook all of our “normal” West Seattle marine life just because those transient orcas came through! And I thought those folks in the Water Taxi were sure having one beautiful morning. (And I also want to say a “public” thank you to my Good Samaritan of the morning, a Beacon Hill resident named Ray, who was taking photos next to me along Harbor Avenue, and then spent much of his morning rescuing me from a dead car battery!)”
An update tonight from Tasha Mosher about tomorrow’s work party at the Recovery Garden in North Delridge: She says that staff from the Downtown Emergency Service Center, including its executive director Bill Hobson, are expected to join in; Tasha says she invited DESC to participate after hearing that they wanted to get more involved with the community, since they are proposing building a 75-unit apartment building here for chronically homeless people dealing with issues including substance abuse and/or mental illness, and she says it’s a chance for community members to come chat with them one on one – while of course working in the garden: “We will be spreading mulch over the areas we didn’t cover at the last cleanup. We might also spread burlap and wood chips. And of course, we will be doing some light weeding where little tenacious plants have popped back up.” 10 am-2 pm. The garden is at 26th/Brandon (here’s a map). Tasha says gloves and tools will be provided, but if you have a last-minute question, e-mail her: t.m.mosher@hotmail.com.
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12:37 AM UPDATE: Eastbound bridge closed 2 1/2 hours now. Thanks to everyone for the updates. No change in the situation, in terms of what’s publicly monitorable.
Tomorrow morning, “
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