West Seattle, Washington
18 Monday
Some diners/drinkers in West 5 on Thursday afternoon might have wondered what was up – as they happened to be sharing the popular Junction establishment with a film crew. Local director Jamie Burton Chamberlin is wrapping up shooting on the rock-n-roll feature film “Duff McKagan’s Loaded.” We dropped by and talked briefly with a band member from Loaded, Jeff Rouse:
We first reported on the movie almost a year ago, when Chamberlin put out a casting call for some other local scenes – you can read the synopsis in that report. Here’s an all-music trailer from earlier this year:
The band’s about to tour the UK – and the tour has its own trailer.
(September 17th photo by Ellen Cedergreen for WSB)
That’s Stu Hennessey from Alki Bike and Board – we photographed him at last Saturday’s Delridge Day/Skatepark Grand Opening festivities, and there’s another big event on his docket this Saturday: leading a ride to the Moving Planet rally downtown:
Spokespeople West Seattle will be riding to South Lake Union Park, participating in a 350.org event striving to move our planet beyond fossil fuel.
The ride leaves Alki Bike and Board at 10:30 am this Saturday for a 16.5-mile round-trip ride. We will ride at a easy pace as we stay together in a group riding some alternative bicycle-friendly routes to South Lake Union. As usual, there will be some hills.
Map and more information @ alkibikeandboard.com/spokespeople
moving-planet.org/events/us/seattle/1809This is a Cascade Bicycle Club ride. Helmets are required.
Another ride is leaving Jack Block Park to head to Moving Planet, led by Marge Evans; that listing is here.
Story and photo by Bill “Hutch” Hutchison
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Another change is in the works for what was the On Safari Foods storefront in Westwood, divided into three spaces after that business moved to SODO.
Stuffed Cakes owner Donna Lawson confirms that she will be setting up shop in the third and final vacant space at 9003 35th Ave SW (the northernmost space, where Hebert’s Den was briefly open). Donna, a former graphic designer, began her cake/cupcake business in 2010, working from a shared space in The Triangle.
She’s been looking for a solo space since March and finally landed here. “I’m also a West Seattle resident since 1997 and want to stay local with my business.”
One high-school-football game tonight: Playing at Memorial Stadium downtown, West Seattle High School lost to Franklin, 28-12. (We tweeted the game live at @wsblive.)
ADDED: Game details and video, ahead:Read More
Gene sent word of a new group he’s forming in West Seattle, starting this Sunday:
This is a new group, which I hope will meet twice monthly. We play primarily “European” strategy board games, such as Settlers of Catan, Carcassonne, and Dominion. These games are more complex than many typical board games, but new players who don’t mind some complexity and strategic thinking are welcome.
Date: Sunday, September 25, 2011
Location: Uptown Espresso, 4301 SW Edmunds St (California and Edmunds)
Start time: 1:00 PM. There is no set end time, but Uptown Espresso closes at 10 PM.I will be bringing around 15 games myself, but the more options we have the better, so bring what you are interested in playing if you can. If possible, most of the group should purchase at least a coffee, as we are using their space. Contact Gene at egene1@yahoo.com with any questions.
There’s also a Yahoo! group he’s suggesting you join if you’re coming on Sunday or interested in future meetings – check it out here.
If you are attending or interested in future meetings please join this Yahoo group:
Classes start Monday at South Seattle Community College, and today was a day to celebrate the about-to-start school year. This afternoon, college leaders gathered to celebrate their community partnerships with the second annual “Salute to South” reception. SSCC president Gary Oertli is starting his second year on the job, and gave a short speech with shoutouts to some of the people and programs strengthening the West Seattle college known in short as “South”:
As Oertli explained, hundreds of college staffers and new students had gathered for an even-bigger look ahead to the new year, during the annual convocation. SSCC had more than 7,500 students last year, according to online stats.
Just so your radar’s up for sonic booms, traffic effects, Air Force One sightings … President Obama comes to Seattle this Sunday. This time around, according to seattlepi.com, he’s raising money for his re-election campaign, with two fundraisers on the schedule – breakfast/brunch on the Eastside, then a lunch event at the Paramount downtown (with a demonstration planned outside). No exact arrival time announced so far. (Photo by David DeSiga, from August 2010 presidential visit)
As promised, we followed up on our report early yesterday about the latest arrest of 33-year-old Ryan Cox, 
who gained regional notoriety two years ago after a wave of homophobic-graffiti vandalism (2009 SPD-distributed photo at right). First: The arrest at Thriftway on Tuesday night was sparked by a report from the person he pleaded guilty to stalking in August. Municipal Court documents from that case do not include details of what the “stalking” involved. But Cox was under court order to stay away from the victim – and, according to Seattle Police, on Tuesday night, she called 911 to say she had spotted him close to her Morgan Junction-area home. Police responding to the call searched the area and found him in the nearby grocery store. They also discovered he had a $7,500 warrant for “failure to appear” related to the stalking case, and their report says they found a knife on him. He is charged with harassment, for the alleged no-contact-order violation, and possession of a concealed weapon. Online court records say he has pleaded not guilty to both, and that his next court date is set for October 6th. He is still being held in King County Jail, where the register indicates his bail has been raised to $25,000 total, for the warrant and the new charges.
Side note: In the comment section following yesterday’s story, we mentioned having met Cox’s mother in the past, and hoping she would contact us again. She saw the comment, and e-mailed us. We have asked her several questions about his case; a few of them, she is still mulling, but one answer for starters: “Ryan has had court-ordered treatment in the past, just for a few weeks at a time. When he takes the medications, he is nearly normal and we can have a conversation. When he is released with prescriptions and a medical card to pay for the prescriptions, he chooses to not take them. Then it’s impossible to communicate with him.” According to court records for the new charges, he has been referred to Mental Health Court, which has handled some of his previous cases.
Today’s clouds belie the fact that it’s still technically summer … until very early tomorrow morning (just after 2 am our time). And since tomorrow is the autumnal equinox, that means it’s another sunset-watching event at Solstice Park in West Seattle, with NASA Solar System Ambassador Alice Enevoldsen (whose husband Jason Gift Enevoldsen took the photo at left, a silhouette at the park this past Monday). Sunset will be around 6:50 pm, so you’re invited to arrive around 6:30. Solstice Park is uphill behind the Lincoln Park Annex tennis courts, across from the gas station where Fauntleroy Way meets Lincoln Park Way (Alice’s website has an excellent map, if you need further instructions). In all the time she’s been leading solstice/equinox sunset watches at the park, this past summer-solstice event (WSB coverage here) was the first one during which the sun was actually visible – so if that’s a repeat tomorrow (hard to tell from the forecast), it will provide the chance to see if the equinox sunset lines up with the park marker placed at what should be the spot.
Two updates on safety near West Seattle schools:
NEW CROSSING GUARDS: WSB contributor Deanie Schwarz reports that Highland Park Elementary now has three crossing guards helping students, after years of just one. From left to right in the photos above, Lemike Taumoepeau is at 9th/Trenton; Ray Covello, at 11th/Henderson; Theresa Straga-Propst at 16th/Trenton. They’re out on school days from 8:15-9 am and 2:45-3:30 pm.
LATEST SCHOOL-ZONE SPEEDER ROUNDUP: Seattle Police were out in school zones again today, and the latest citation roundup they’ve posted on SPD Blotter mentions three local schools, including 36-mph citations near Roxhill Elementary, 28-mph citations near Arbor Heights Elementary, and a 37-mph citation near Holy Family School. (Plus a 78-mph driver on the West Seattle Bridge.)
Second of four expected reports from last night’s Delridge Neighborhoods District Council meeting: The group heard from the acting executive director of Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association, who declared that rumors of its death are greatly exaggerated.
It’s no secret that DNDA has had money struggles; the organization sent out a fundraising plea last December (here’s our story, including an explanation of what DNDA does). Since then, it’s cut staff and vacated its Brandon Court offices, consolidating into space at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. Acting executive director Patty Grossman came to DNDC to provide a general update, starting with, “DNDA is not dead, and Youngstown is not closing its doors,” in response to rumors apparently in circulation. However, that’s not to say everything is rosy.
For everybody who commutes through/to SODO, take note of this alert from SDOT:
Annual Microsoft Employee Meeting at Safeco Field tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 23, from 10 a.m. – 3:30 or 4 p.m. Gates open at 9 a.m. 200 buses, 4,000 cars expected to arrive with 18,000-20,000 attendees between 8:30 and 10 a.m. Most will depart by 5 p.m.
Cars will park in the Safeco Field Garage and the CenturyLink Garage, with some using nearby lots and garages. Buses will unload and load riders at the following locations:
(1) 3rd Ave S between Royal Brougham and Holgate
(2) Occidental from Royal Brougham north to Railroad Ave in front of the CenturyLink Event Ctr
(3) Occidental between Edgar Martinez Dr and Massachusetts St at the Safeco Field Garage Plaza
(4) 1st Ave S west curb from Royal Brougham north to end of sidewalk where SR99 ramps block the sidewalk.
Buses will arrive via the I-90 HOV exit to 5th Ave S or I-90 mainline exit to 4th Ave S. Seattle Police will provide traffic controls similar to ball games.
(USPS trucks in The Junction, by Flickr member smohundro, from the WSB group pool)
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:
BACK TO SCHOOL! If you go to West Seattle’s institution of higher learning, South Seattle Community College, you’re back in class on Monday – and today the community’s invited to celebrate the new year at the Salute to South community reception, 3-5 pm at the University Center.
CRIME & SAFETY: South Delridge/White Center Community Safety Coalition meets, 6 pm, 9421 18th SW.
COMMUNITY CENTER CHANGES: The next group to discuss the proposed changes unveiled in West Seattle last week is the city Parks Board, 7 pm, Parks HQ downtown.
FALL FASHION AFFAIR: Special shopping event at four Junction boutiques, 7-10 pm – full details here.
HIGH-SCHOOL FOOTBALL: West Seattle High School vs. Franklin at Memorial Stadium downtown, 7 pm.
Last year, the Village Bicycle Project – which sends no-longer-needed bicycles to people who need them – collected bikes in West Seattle. This year, WSB’er Linda says, they’re collecting in Georgetown, but still hoping West Seattleites can help out. She shared this announcement:
Round up those unused bikes and support a good cause!!! The Village Bicycle Project, which ships bikes to Africa where for many it is their only mode of transportation, will be doing a bike loading on Saturday, September 24th in Georgetown and is looking for help. You can drop off bikes at Total Reclaim (also known now as Ecolight – 1915 South Corgiat Drive). Help is also needed with loading the bikes headed to Ghana, starting at 9 AM til we are done, hopefully by 5PM. This event is happening, rain or shine! As always, we offer good wholesome hard work and lots of fun. Packing bikes tight and closing the big double doors is always cause for celebration! Bike prepping will be inside. Munchies will be provided. Bring a water bottle, and a friend. Bring closed toe shoes and bike tools if you have them. RSVP’s and/or questions to meg@villagebicycleproject.org or phone 206-853-7813.
Finally got the bottom line on heavy police presence in the 51st/Waite (map) area. After a few calls/texts, we went over to check it out – more than half a dozen SPD cars along a couple of blocks, but no lights or sirens, no visible-from-street sense of urgency, no police tape, no one visible to approach with a question. The mystery was solved by Southwest Precinct Lt. Alan Williams‘ reply to our inquiry: He says they arrested a misdemeanor domestic-violence suspect: “We needed some time to talk the adult male suspect out. He’s in custody.”
First of at least three reports we’ll be publishing about tonight’s Delridge Neighborhoods District Council meeting:
The acronym CSO – combined-sewer overflow – has loomed large over some western West Seattle neighborhoods in the past couple years, and tonight we learned that the state mandate to reduce CSOs will affect eastern West Seattle too, since the existing storage systems for the overflows “just aren’t enough.”
Was it part of what some fear is a “war” between drivers and bicyclists? An isolated incident? Or? A commuter who bicycles to his West Seattle workplace says he was almost killed by a truck driver this morning, just before the final leg of his trip, and he believes it was deliberate. He has since written and sent a letter to the mayor, published in its entirety below:
Dear Mayor McGinn,
My name is Kit Newman and I am writing you to inform you about a most outrageous incident I experienced on my bike commute this morning. I have been a resident of the City of Seattle for 21 years now and nothing like this has ever happened to me.
I live in the Central District at 22nd avenue and Yesler Way. I work at a small architecture firm on California Ave. SW in West Seattle. I have been commuting by bike between the CD and West Seattle most days for the past 4 years. My normal route takes me down Jackson street to the water front and then south along East Marginal way to reach Spokane street and thus over the little bridge to West Seattle. This incident happened along the southbound lane of East Marginal way very near the Coast Guard port facility and the US Customs warehouse. Having just crossed the intersection of S. Holgate St. and E. Marginal right in front of the entrance to the Hanjin container port terminal, I proceeded south in the southbound lane of East Marginal. There were many bike commuters from West Seattle coming the northbound direction in the temporary bike lane along the west side of the street. Seeing the southbound lane ahead was clear of any vehicle traffic, I elected to ride in that lane rather than against the opposing bike lane traffic coming northbound. The long line of opposing vehicle traffic in the northbound lane of E. Marginal was stopped at that time because a freight train was using the rail crossing at S. Holgate behind me.
As I proceeded in the clear southbound lane ahead, to my utter astonishment, one of the several 18 wheeler container trucks that were stopped in the traffic of the northbound lane, pulled out of that lane, crossed the double yellow center line between lanes and proceeded to accelerate coming northbound head on to me in the southbound lane!
Two West Seattle Crime Watch reports to share tonight. First, the story of a stolen car found – engine still running! – before its owner knew it was gone; second, a young pickpocket victim fights back. Both ahead:Read More
Almost two years after we first heard the Joy D. Smith Wildlife Raft‘s story from its namesake’s husband, Guy Smith, he sent this update last night (the “today” references mean Tuesday):
Bird and seal watchers may be interested to know that after a 7-month absence, the Joy D. Smith Wildlife Raft is back on its anchor by the Alki Lighthouse. After its initial launch in November 2008, the little 24-square-foot refuge has been a lot like the cat with 9 lives. Four times it broke loose and 4 times it was found and retrieved through people finding it, reading the ID tag and then calling with the location. The 4th time it broke loose was caused by the big February storm this year when the anchor line, buoy, and raft all ended up on a rocky stretch of beach about half way to Lincoln Park. Unfortunately, rough water precluded retrieval by sea and steep banks precluded retrieval by land. The frame was cut up and abandoned, but the buoy and flotation were salvaged.
After what seems like too long a delay, the raft was reframed yesterday and launched today. The anchor line was rebuilt with stainless steel cable and hopefully will better withstand the forces of Mother Nature. But we know from experience that something will break loose again; the question is not “if” but “when”. The thing about a raft is that while it’s unmistakably a raft on the water, when it breaks loose and ends up on a rocky beach, it blends in and is not easy to spot. We really appreciate the efforts of those who have spotted our wayward raft in the past and have phoned us with its location.
Today our neighbors helped with the re-launch and now we are all awaiting sea life visitors. A seagull was quick to check it out, but we’re looking for more interesting visitors; visitors like seals with pups, the rare otter during daylight but probably more at night, cormorants that always fish alone but which rest in groups, and the harlequin ducks which always appear in pairs. It’s noteworthy that other diving ducks that winter at Alki Point, like buffleheads, goldeneyes, grebes, guillemots, mergansers and surf scoters, always fish together in groups, diving together and surfacing together, but they never get on the raft.
The wildlife protectors at West Seattle-founded Seal Sitters have said they wish more people would set up rafts like this one – as they are the least-dangerous resting places for seal pups and other marine mammals.
West Seattle is about to get its second perfume shop. Sweet Anthem Handmade Perfumes will open next month in a Morgan Junction live-work storefront at 6021-B California SW, according to an announcement we just received. The owner and perfumer is Meredith Smith, whose “handmade, ethical (and) vegan” Sweet Anthem line has been available online since 2007. The announcement adds:
Meredith uses natural and synthetic ingredients that are local and sustainable, working with a local, carbon neutral energy company to find petrol-free alternatives to synthetic notes. The Sweet Anthem line includes pure parfum oils, eau de parfums, solid perfumes, soaps, ambient room sprays and bath oils. Meredith produces these products in the shop.
The announcement also says Sweet Anthem will carry “other local indie fragrance lines culled by Meredith,” will have a “custom fragrance bar (where) DIYers can create their own fragrance from a menu of 200+ fragrance notes,” and will offer Perfume Making 101 classes. The grand opening is set for 11 am-8 pm daily, October 12-15, after which the regular hours will be 11 am-6 pm.
EDITOR’S NOTE: We often publish requests for volunteer help – and over the years, some have asked, what about a regular feature listing such needs? Here’s a start: Fauntleroy resident Judy Pickens (right), who volunteers her time and talent to a variety of endeavors, offered to gather and report information on volunteer needs at local schools where the need is greatest. Here’s her first contribution, with more to come. So – go back to school, as a volunteer!
By Judy Pickens
Special to West Seattle Blog
With the school year now under way, teachers and support staff are beginning to identify volunteer needs. Those needs are especially acute at area schools where work schedules, child-care responsibilities, and/or language factors greatly affect parents’ availability to help.
Two such schools kick off this occasional column, compiled in cooperation with volunteer coordinators for selected West Seattle and White Center schools. Listings will be for one-time events a few weeks out and for ongoing needs.
To inquire about any of the following opportunities to enrich our public schools, contact the volunteer coordinator noted under the name of each school. Expect to complete a standard security-clearance process – and to know that you have made a difference in the lives of students.
An owner of the Beach Drive-area home where firefighters put out a deck fire (WSB coverage here) yesterday afternoon sent the following e-mail to both warn others, and thank the heroic neighbors who spotted the fire:
I am one of the homeowners who deeply appreciates the help of our neighbors who called 911 yesterday. Here is what appears to have happened: Our deck was being refinished. After the worker (who doesn’t smoke) left, it appears that the rags and cans of deck stain were heated by the sun, burst into flame and ignited the siding and the deck. The firefighters arrived and extinguished the fire just as the flames broke through the windows and began to reach inside! Now, we are dealing with repair and lots of cleanup. Thanks to our neighbors and our very fast and professional fire department!
The homeowner says it’s worth taking a look around your home/condo/apartment to be sure you don’t have any unattended cans at risk of doing the same thing. If you do – but they’re not in active use, so you just want to get rid of them – here’s how/where to do that.
WSB has been on Facebook and Twitter for nearly four years – long before most other news organizations (among others) hopped on. We’ve rolled through their changes, and hey, the services are free; they have the right to experiment. We made one big mistake ourselves, starting out on FB as “WS Blog” with a personal profile and maxing out on “friends” before realizing several months ago we really were supposed to be “West Seattle Blog” with a no-“fan”-limit page.
But Facebook’s latest change seems to be putting a roadblock in front of people who are just trying to find out “hey, what’s the latest?” …
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