West Seattle, Washington
18 Monday
HELP GET THE WORD OUT IN DELRIDGE: At 10 am Sunday, volunteers are needed to help distribute 1,600 flyers in the Delridge area, letting people know about the October 11th Delridge Community Forum, focused on the DESC proposal to build a 75-apartment complex for homeless people living with mental illness. If you can help, be at Delridge Library (Brandon/Delridge) at 10 o’clock Sunday morning (rain or shine).
DONATE FOOD: 10 am-2 pm Saturday, Prudential NW Realty team members are collecting food-bank donations – money and/or food – at stores including PCC Natural Markets (WSB sponsor), West Seattle Thriftway, Jefferson Square Safeway, and White Center Albertsons.
HELP WEST SEATTLE’S NEWEST P-PATCH:
From the Barton Street P-Patch (34th/Barton) crew, that photo and this request:
The Barton Street PPatch is seeking community volunteers to help build retaining walls this weekend. No experience necessary- you need only bring your enthusiasm. These walls use mortar over reclaimed materials, chain link and tiles, shells, pottery shards and other found objects. Shifts are available Saturday 10-3 and Sunday 11-3. We are also seeking muscular folks to help mix mortar and do other digging, weeding and wheelbarrow activities. Please let us know if you are interested in participating in this community garden. KFarleyLandscapeDesign@gmail.com or Randeef@Comcast.net
9:13 PM: At Southwest Athletic Complex, Chief Sealth International High School‘s homecoming game just wrapped up – and it was a shutout, Eastside Catholic 46, Sealth 0. Most of the scoring came in the first half, which concluded at 39-0; then Eastside ran the ball in from the second-half kickoff, and that (plus the extra point) ended the night’s scoring.
ADDED 10:34 PM: Another score in: Seattle Lutheran High School lost at Concrete, 42-13, per its Twitter feed, which notes that it’s SLHS’s homecoming next weekend.
ADDED 11:25 PM: Per our partners at the Seattle Times, West Seattle High School shut out Cleveland at Southeast Athletic Complex, 35-0.
One more reminder if you are, or are heading, downtown or beyond – tonight’s westbound Spokane Street Viaduct closure is scheduled to last longer than previous ones – this time, it’s set to start at 10 pm and continue all day and all night Saturday, until 10 am Sunday. (We’ll publish an update, of course, if it reopens early.) That means the only high-bridge access westbound during that time will be from Highway 99/Alaskan Way Viaduct – the I-5 and Beacon Hill ramps will be closed.
On Monday morning, West Seattle will again be the backdrop for another citywide-initiative announcement. This time, Mayor McGinn and Seattle Public Schools interim Superintendent Dr. Susan Enfield will be at the new Denny International Middle School to announce “Be Here, Get There,” described as an effort to “incentivize kids to get to school and remind them that every day in school matters.” The announcement is scheduled for 11:30 am. (It’s part of a national campaign, as this MSNBC.com story – spotlighting schools including Chief Sealth International High School – points out.)
(Ron and Meg Bushaw, Steve’s parents)
Story and photos by Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
“I want you to know, you have put a hole in our hearts that will always be there,” murder victim Steve Bushaw‘s mother told one of her son’s killers in court this afternoon.
Meg Bushaw was speaking directly to Danny O’Neal, one of two men who fired their guns at her son outside Talarico’s in The Junction on Super Bowl Sunday night in 2009.
She was one of more than a dozen members of Steve Bushaw’s family who were in the courtroom of Superior Court Judge Joan DuBuque, for what was supposed to be the sentencing of both “triggermen” who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder – O’Neal and John Sylve. This comes one month after a jury found the killing’s so-called mastermind, Bryce Huber, guilty of first-degree murder; he has already been sentenced to almost 32 years in prison.
The two triggermen were to be sentenced separately, explained as being necessary because there weren’t enough court deputies to bring them into, and guard them in, the courtroom at the same time – but after Sylve was brought in, his lawyer asked for a continuance, because for reasons unknown, Sylve’s family had not shown up. The prosecutor, judge, and family all agreed to the delay.
(From left, prosecutor Jeff Baird, defense lawyer Walter Peale, confessed killer Danny O’Neal)
Before that, Judge DuBuque sentenced O’Neal to the 183 months recommended by prosecutor Jeff Baird – including 60 months (five years) because a gun was involved.
O’Neal’s mother Alfreda Mitchell was among those speaking on his behalf. She turned to address the Bushaw family, crying as she said that her son had previously “always been a person that has made wise choices … I don’t even know if he understands what happened. I don’t expect you to forgive him, because I know what I would feel if I was sitting in your position.” His wife and older sister also turned to face the Bushaw family and apologize, expressing hope they could find forgiveness someday. Then, O’Neal himself did the same, following it with an apology to his own family, including his daughter. And he insisted, “I didn’t go (to West Seattle) that night planning to kill your son in the middle of the street in front of no less than 30 people.”
As she announced the sentence, Judge DuBuque called the case overall “tragic,” without easy answers as to why the killing happened. (O’Neal said in court that he didn’t believe Steve Bushaw was responsible for the home-invasion robbery that was described as the motive.)
Sylve’s sentencing is now scheduled for November 4th. November is also when another hearing is scheduled in the matter of whether the fourth defendant in the case, Brandon Chaney, will be retried – the jury that found Huber guilty could not agree on Chaney’s innocence or guilt.
We will add more details of the hearing, and photos, shortly.
Click the image (or here) to see the full PDF version of that map, which is the first one out from WSDOT to help people get around during the impending October 21-31 Alaskan Way Viaduct closure. WSDOT spokesperson Travis Phelps says that within the next week or so they will have smaller, more detailed maps targeted at specific parts of the area – such as West Seattle – but this one is meant as a reminder that the closure does have a few time/day exceptions – the striped northbound side of The Viaduct, for example, from Royal Brougham north, will be open during certain times. The entire southbound stretch will be continuously closed, as will the northbound stretch from the West Seattle Bridge to Royal Brougham. Phelps says another key feature of this map shows which way downtown streets flow – in case you’re not familiar with that part of the area. (Also another reminder that city/county/state reps will be at a West Seattle-specific open-house-style meeting the evening of October 10th at West Seattle High School – time to be announced Monday – to answer your questions.)
Two updates this morning from West Seattle schools:
GATEWOOD IN THE WOODS: Gatewood Elementary principal Rhonda Claytor shares that photo, from before the weather turned cloudy – she says her school “is hosting its first 4th /5th Grade Fall Leadership Camp today at Lincoln Park. In the attached picture, the students are participating in a writing celebration, sharing their first piece of writing this fall with their classmates.”
MADISON READING PROGRAM NEEDS YOU! Not volunteer help – but rather, donations! Stacia the librarian explains:
Greetings, West Seattle community members! My name is Stacia Bell and I am the new librarian at Madison Middle School. I want to let you know about a great new reading program at Madison and how you can help. This year, we are starting up the Bulldogs Read program (modeled after Whitman Middle School’s successful Wildcats Read program), an incentive reading program with the goal being to get more and more kids reading for pleasure. The Bulldogs Read program is made up of 50 new books that students are challenged to read each year that are chosen because they are new publications, they are a diverse mix of books, and they were all nominated for some sort of literary award. Our hope is that each student and staff member at Madison will read at least one of the Bulldogs Read books and will, in the process, increase their love of reading and, in turn, their reading skills.
**Here is how you can help:
Each time a student completes a Bulldogs Read book, they are entered into a drawing for weekly small prizes and monthly grand prizes. I am looking for local businesses or donors who would like to partner with Madison by donating items for our weekly and monthly prize drawings. It could be gift certificates or actual prize items from your store/business. No donation is too small…or too large! You and/or your business would receive publicity on our school web site, you’d be featured on our photo wall of monthly winners, and you’d receive great thank you notes from our monthly winners. If you are a business owner and would be interested in finding out more about how you can support this reading program (or know a business owner that might be interested in donating something), please read the attached letter that explains the program in more detail. Please call (206.252.9152) or e-mail me, Stacia Bell (smbell@seattleschools.org), to discuss your possible donation. Thank you so much for considering partnering with Madison in this special program.
School news? Here’s how to share!
Just in case you missed previous mentions – tomorrow is the “service change” day for Metro, with a variety of changes affecting West Seattle bus riders, including added service on Route 54. You can read the details – and check your route – at the Metro website.
A family member of Bradly Gilmore, the 53-year-old motorcyclist who died after crashing Tuesday morning on the West Seattle Bridge, has posted a thank-you comment that you probably haven’t seen, so we’re sharing it here. Ally writes:
Thank you to everyone for your kind posts about Brad. Our family appreciates your condolences. If you knew him, please share your memories on havenrest.com under the Online tab on the Online Obituaries in the Guestbook for Bradly Gilmore. [Obituary here; guestbook here] Thank you to those who stayed with him through the accident and thank you to all of his fellow riders for your kind words. Please keep riding – that’s what he would have wanted. I can’t say it enough to everyone else regardless of fault LOOK TWICE. You NEVER know who is going to be where and when whether it’s a motorcycle, cyclist, pedestrian, etc. Thank you again for your kind words and support.
Mr. Gilmore’s obituary (we added direct links in Ally’s comment above) says the family is hosting an event to remember him at their home in Olalla (Kitsap County) tomorrow. For those who want to make memorial donations, Ally’s followup comment, and the obituary, suggest supporting High Country News.
Jill from Seattle Swappers just sent word that her group’s Fall Food Swap will be in West Seattle, 2-4 pm at High Point Neighborhood Center (6400 Sylvan Way). It’s free, but you’ll need a ticket, and there’s a limited number available. Full announcement (and ticket link) ahead:Read More
(Stand-up paddleboarding at sunset earlier this week; photo by Paul Swortz from the WSB Flickr group pool)
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:
TRAFFIC ALERT – PARTIAL BRIDGE CLOSURE: Westbound Spokane Street Viaduct closes at 10 pm and is scheduled to stay closed through 10 am Sunday. This means the exits to the West Seattle Bridge from I-5 and Beacon Hill are closed.
SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES TALK MATH/SCIENCE EDUCATION: 6-8 pm at Puget Ridge Cohousing Association, a “happy-hour fundraiser” for school-board candidates Sharon Peaslee and Marty McLaren with guests Cliff Mass, Ted Nutting (Ballard math teacher) & Dr. Dave Myerson (Mercer Island School Board). Puget Ridge Cohousing Association, 7020 18th SW (north of SW Myrtle), $50 donation requested, all are invited.
From organizers: “We have a huge achievement gap in math and science that continues to grow. Marty McLaren and Sharon Peaslee will address this head on if they’re elected to the School Board.”
PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP: 2-weekend workshop starts at the Seattle Chinese Garden in West Seattle, 6:30 pm – full details here.
ADMIRAL CHURCH FUNDRAISER: Admiral Church‘s diinner/auction fundraiser is tonight at South Seattle Community College, 6000 16th SW. Vacation accommodations in South Africa, Kona, Tucson and Ocean Shores will highlight the live auction, and there are many gift baskets and silent auction items. Call 206-932-8662 to see if there’s still room.
HIGH-SCHOOL FOOTBALL: Chief Sealth homecoming game, hosting Eastside Catholic at Southwest Athletic Complex, 7 pm; West Seattle HS plays at Franklin (Southeast Athletic Complex), 7 pm; Seattle Lutheran HS at Concrete, 7 pm.
ART/GIFT SHOW DEADLINE: A reminder that the holiday season is not that far away: Deadline for West Seattle artists to apply to participate in the 2011 Fauntleroy Fine Art & Holiday Gift Fair in November. See Fauntleroy Church website for more details.
We received two reports about this tonight, the most detailed one from Greg:
Wanted to share this for the benefit of parents and children in the Alki neighborhood. This afternoon a neighbor’s 5th grader and friend of the same age were followed as they walked home from Whale Tail Park along Lander to get something to bring back to the park. The child’s home is about 3 blocks from the park. The stalker was 30ish with a hoodie and stubbly beard. He lingered across the street from the house for a few minutes. When he was gone, the kids headed back to Whale Tail Park to join my wife, who was waiting there for them. On the way back to the park they were confronted by the same man along Lander in the block just east of the park in some bushes along the sidewalk. The man was exposing himself. The kids ran to the park and told my wife who was their waiting for them. She looked for the man but he was gone. She found somebody at the park to call the police who later came to our neighbor’s house and interviewed the child.
We just checked with police to see if they have any more on this; Southwest Precinct Lt. Alan Williams says officers searched the area after answering a 911 call around 4 pm about the flasher, but couldn’t find the suspect, who is described in the police report as “about 30-years-old, possibly with a mustache and closely-shaved beard, and wearing a black hoodie and pale blue jeans.”
Story and photo by Keri DeTore
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
While many of us have emergency plans in place for our families, most of us probably don’t have specific plans for our pets beyond grabbing them and running if disaster should strike. 
Members of the Washington State Animal Response Team (WASART), which focuses on animal safety and rescue, gave a presentation at the West Seattle Senior Center last night, sponsored by West Seattle Be Prepared, to provide information and resource sites for getting your pets as prepared for an emergency as the rest of the family.
WASART co-founder/president Gretchen McCallum, along with volunteer Ginger Dixon (R-L in photo), noted that the human/animal bond is never more important than in times of extreme stress, and WASART was created after stories of animals abandoned during Katrina were publicized. McCallum points out, “If it’s not safe for you to stay in your house, it’s not safe for your pets.”
Besides having enough food, water and medical supplies for your pet, McCallum focused on being able to identify your pet.
Just talked with a woman who reports a sad scam story similar to ones we’ve heard before: She says she was approached by two women at Westwood Village, outside the QFC store, who asked her for help. The web of what they needed/wanted her to do kept spinning – and now she is very sadly out $6,000, she says. The story had something to do with Africa, an impending airplane flight, and needing to show trust. She says that police can’t do much because she willingly gave them the $6,000, not realizing till afterward that she had been scammed, after an hour and a half of various stops and various people, including a visit to the Walgreens at 15th and Roxbury. The tale was reminiscent of this one, which also originated at Westwood Village, this time last year. Yes, we know YOU might not fall for this, but if you have particularly kindhearted friends/relatives, you might make sure they’re warned that this is out there. Sorry we don’t have descriptions on the suspects, but just the concept of being approached for a large sum of money should be enough to raise suspicion.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
It was truly a matter of life and death on and around the West Seattle Bridge Tuesday morning.
While thousands will remember it for an incredibly long commute – two families were changed forever.
As reported here yesterday, one of those is the family of Bradly Gilmore, the 53-year-old motorcyclist who died after crashing while swerving to avoid a car in the eastbound lanes of the bridge just before 7 am.
Today, we finally have the rest of the story behind the other situation that briefly complicated the commute, as we had mentioned in our Twitter feed that morning:
(To be specific, the original call on the scanner was about a woman in an SUV whose “water broke” for her second baby.) Commenters later asked what happened with the woman in labor. We found out from Seattle Fire Department that morning that she had been taken to Group Health; we asked their media-relations team if they could tell us what happened, and they said simply that they had given her our phone number.
This afternoon, we finally got to talk by phone with Desirée, the mom who gave birth that morning. She tells WSB that her new son Brayden was born 8 minutes after they got to the hospital – at 8:18 am Tuesday. She agreed to share a photo:
Desirée says her mom was driving her to the hospital when they encountered the traffic jams that had gripped just about every road leading to the West Seattle Bridge that morning. When necessary, Desirée says, she told her mom, “get in the middle lane and drive.” Then they got to the light at Delridge and Genesee. “Mom, just drive!” she urged.
Then – “a big contraction” – and “I said, ‘Mom, the baby’s coming,’ and we pulled over.”
The October 10th evening meeting we mentioned the other day is still in the process of being finalized, the city tells us – your chance to find out more about the Alaskan Way Viaduct closure and the post-closure, long-term Highway 99 picture – for those worried it’s too early, we’re also told that it will be open-house-style, and the short presentation won’t be before 6:30 or so. And it will definitely be in the commons at West Seattle High School. But if you can’t wait till then or can’t make it that night, next week’s Southwest District Council agenda is out, and AWV deputy project director Matt Preedy will be talking about it, and taking questions, shortly after the meeting’s start at 7 pm Wednesday, October 5th, board room at South Seattle Community College, everybody welcome. (Immediately after that, the SWDC will talk about the SW Alaska rechannelization plan – reported here two weeks ago.)
The big line outside West Seattle’s Target store this morning was the result of an invitation sent out three weeks ago (here’s our version) – in honor of National Preparedness Month, Seattle Police and Target were teaming up to offer 100 families $100 each to put together their disaster kits.
All 100 slots filled up fast – and this morning, the people who got in on the offer got to go shop! Among them was the WSB’er who provided these photos. She adds: “I try to keep several days’ worth of food and water on hand for emergencies, and we have sleeping bags, but but there is no way I would have bought lantern/lamps and spare batteries without this program. Thank you, Target!” – and SPD, which explained the program in this SPD Blotter update published yesterday.
P.S. You’re not prepared till you know where your nearest Emergency Communications Hub is – find out (and access tons of other great info) via West Seattle Be Prepared. (We covered their special presentation about “pet preparedness” last night, and the story will be up soon.)
Thursday means that SDOT is out with its citywide weekend traffic advisory – till event season ends later in fall – and the Mobile Chowdown that’ll fill the heart (and bellies) of The Junction on Sunday is among the biggies on the list. Also please note – as linked atop our BIG STORIES list under traffic/weather in the WSB sidebar – the westbound Spokane Street Viaduct (the bridge between I-5 and Highway 99) is scheduled to be closed 10 pm Friday to 10 am Sunday, and that includes the I-5 exits to West Seattle. Other weekend traffic details ahead:Read More
You often hear about writers’ residencies at schools – but West Seattle’s Roxhill Elementary is about to get a singer/songwriter in residency, and students will be writing a song with her. The clip above is a song by Chicago-based hip-hop artist Psalm One, who is coming to Roxhill next Monday and Tuesday to write the song, which will then be recorded on Wednesday. Psalm One’s song in the clip above (PG-rated), “Woman at Work,” includes echoes of the fact that her resumé includes work as a chemist (explained in her bio)! This is part of the ASCAP Songwriter Residency @ America SCORES, a program whose organizers explain as combining literacy and athletics in an afterschool program for elementary-school students in underserved communities. The Roxhill song will be featured on an album that “includes Psalm One’s original songs with other SCORES teams throughout the nation,” according to one of three separate announcements we’ve received about this big event.
The photos are shared by Diane Vincent, who says she was headed home from running errands when, “I saw these adorable entrepreneurs Faye (6) and Owen (5) on corner of 41st & Hinds, selling fresh eggs from their chickens, for 25 cents each.” Diane not only bought three, she got a tour of the new chicken coop from Faye, Owen, and proud mom Anita, who told her they had raised their five hens from chickhood, and that they just started laying eggs a few weeks ago.
Wednesday happened to be the first day for their corner egg stand – check it out today (after school, of course); Diane said they were hoping to be back, and she promised them she’d spread the word. Oh, and Diane added in her note last night, “I just fried up the eggs for dinner; super yummy!”
(Great blue heron in a West Seattle tree; photo shared by Morgan)
After 7 am and it’s in the 40s; fall chill has arrived (check the latest temp/forecast/tides/etc. here). From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:
ROSH HASHANAH MORNING SERVICES: The Jewish High Holy Days are here, and West Seattle’s Kol HaNeshamah (WSB sponsor) has morning Rosh Hashanah services/events (at First Presbyterian downtown) followed by a picnic – details here.
AT THE LIBRARY: 11:30 am, it’s Preschool Story Time at the Delridge branch (Brandon/Delridge) and Toddler Story Time at the High Point branch (35th/Raymond).
ASSESSOR SPEAKS TO LIONS: County Assessor Lloyd Hara is the featured speaker at today’s meeting of the West Seattle Lions Club, noon, Senior Center. (We spoke with him recently about WS property values and questions such as “why do my property taxes not go down when my property value does?” – story coming up this morning.)
BICYCLE DEMO: The Felt Bicycles Demo Truck will be at the West Seattle Cycle University location 4:30 pm to 7 pm.
HOW DO UNIONS WORK? West Seattle Democratic Women meet in the evening at the West Seattle Golf Course. Karen Hart, President of SEIU Local #925, will speak on how the union works to achieve its goal and what is being done to improve job opportunities and obtain equal pay for women. No-host bar and registration at 6:30 pm. Dinner at 7 pm, program at 7:15 pm. Cost is $12 for members; $15 nonmembers; or the minimum fee of $5, which includes coffee/tea and dessert. Check (206) 935-3216 or wsdwomen@yahoo.com to see if there’s still room.
LITTLE LEAGUE MEETING: West Seattle Little League general membership meeting at 6:30 pm at Heartland Café. All members interested in joining the WSLL board are encouraged to attend.
BURLESQUE AT SKYLARK: Westside Burlesque Revue at Skylark Café and Club, 9 pm, $7 cover charge
SECOND-TO-LAST DAY: Seattle Parks and Recreation “Try It for $2” program runs through month’s end. Try something new for only $2! Attend a program or class session once for $2 at one of the city’s many community centers. If you like it, register for the remainder of the class for a prorated amount. More info at tryitfor2.com
Richard Stannard shares this tribute to his late wife Elaine, who was a trailblazer in so many ways:
Elaine Viola Stannard, who died Sept. 16, 2011, was a graduate of the University of Chicago and the University of Washington, where she got her teaching degree.
She was a Quaker peace worker and civil rights worker in the mid-1940s in the Chicago area, when no one ever heard of such a thing. She was an activist member of CORE (Congress of Racial Equality) and knew many of the people who rose to prominence in the movement in the Sixties. At that time, she was married to a fellow graduate of the University of Chicago, the late Robert Davenport, the father of her daughters. They moved to the Seattle area in 1956.
She is survived by five daughters: Carolyn Benjamin, Elizabeth (Sherry) Davenport-Sanchez; Virginia (Ginger) Van Boven (husband Alan); Susan Moore and Roberta (Birdie) Davenport (husband Steve). Her grandchildren are Eric Benjamin, Thalia Ryer, Leslie Benjamin; Paula Wilson, Amber Kent; Leaf Van Boven, Lana Van Boven Hughes; Drew Moore, Brinn Moore and Rita Moore. Great-grandchildren: Phoenix and Griffin; Elena; Caleb and Anna, Elliot.
For seven years, she taught elementary school in Renton, a job that was plainly her first love. At that time, she was a resident of the pioneering housing cooperative, May Valley Co-op Community, and owned property there for many years after she moved away. She was one of the founding members of a food cooperative there which became Puget Consumers Cooperative (PCC), one of the leading retail food co-ops in the nation.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Just as Seattle Public Schools gets ready to discuss its “capacity management” plan with district families, yet another school has hit capacity – and then some.
Speaking to his school’s PTSA for the first time, new Chief Sealth International High School interim principal Chris Kinsey said the school has 1,247 students (as of just before his appearance last night), while its estimated capacity is about 50 below that.
Because of the extra enrollment, Sealth is scheduled to get up to five more teachers, Kinsey said, but he has to figure out where they would work – since the classrooms are maxed out; he said it may mean teachers must give up their classrooms during prep time. And since now-adjacent Denny International Middle School has almost 800 students, Kinsey noted, the newly colocated campus is school-day home to more than 2,000 students.
His comments, and some Q/A, were part of a wide-ranging meeting on the Sealth side of the campus Galleria last night, as Kinsey revealed that he’s even been doing some teaching as part of his new job, because of the overflow.
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