West Seattle, Washington
14 Saturday
(10/24/11 photo taken, and shared with WSB, by Mark)
Two months ago, WSB traffic updates on the first weekday of the Alaskan Way Viaduct closure nicknamed “Viadoom” included breaking news about a West Seattle man hit by a semi-truck while jogging to work east of the low bridge. Tim Nelson wound up in the hospital for more than a week with serious injuries, including broken bones, a collapsed lung, and lacerated kidney and spleen; friends raised money to help with his expenses.
Tonight, a new twist in the incident. Police are reviewing a video/audio recording showing the crash scene through the windshield of a Seattle Police car while insulting remarks are heard off-camera, apparently made by two people inside the car including a Southwest Precinct officer who responded to the scene. Nelson obtained the in-car “dash cam” video and posted an edited version on YouTube, adding music, captions, and his observations:Read More
This West Seattle Crime Watch reader report carries a warning that sadly needs to be repeated this time of year. From Kaela:
Just want to let people know that a package was stolen from my doorstep this afternoon, so be careful sending/receiving gifts and keep an eye out for your neighbors. I live in a townhouse on California just south of Morgan Junction. While I was at work, my neighbor saw a car with three women in it following a UPS truck. After the UPS driver dropped off my package, my neighbor saw a woman get out of the car, grab the package, and drive off, so called the police. The police found the car, which was apparently stolen, just down the street at the Subway across the street from Thriftway.
Two Christmas-lights updates tonight – first, this evening’s featured display:
Not only does the Campbells’ home at 7915 31st SW have plenty of lights – it has a dozen snowmen, too! That’s a cheery sight given this snowless and relatively rainless almost-winter. Thanks to Paul Campbell for sending word of his home’s bright display, which is now added to the others on the WSB West Seattle Christmas Lights map (which you can also find on the Holidays page).
Second – Tim McConnell at West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) says they’re leading a Christmas-lights run tomorrow night, based on some of the displays highlighted here. The run will leave WS Runner (California and Charlestown) at 6 pm tomorrow (Tuesday) and finish up at the Helmstetler Family Spectacular display (just a few blocks east of WSR). Tim says, “It’s a 3.5 mile course, we are going to go slow so everyone can see the lights … should be about 45 minutes or so. Holiday attire is encouraged, having some way of seeing and being seen is mandatory. All are welcome. Pets included.” (Not related to lights, Tim says WSR also is launching another “Get Fit West Seattle” series that’ll get you to the Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon, first info night at WSR 7 pm Wednesday.)
Just east of Alki Point, a section of Alki Avenue SW – from about 63rd SW to the point – is closed so crews can fix a water-main break. Thanks to Kenna Klosterman for the tip, and the photo above. We just went over to check it out; crews aren’t sure yet how long it’ll take to fix, but they say it was a relatively small plastic water pipe, and it’s affecting service to the homes on the water side of the street (north).
7:02 PM: That’s our photo from the repair site; on the WSB Facebook page, you can see a video Kenna shot earlier, while the crew was pumping water out of that section of the street.
It was just as good as – maybe better than! – Santa Claus driving his sleigh up to the West Seattle Food Bank. In this case, a bus borrowed from the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor), whose Josh Sutton was at the wheel, brought Nucor Steel Seattle‘s 2,100-pound food donation to the WS Food Bank this afternoon. From left are Beth Roush, Jim Peterson, Kate Johnson, WS Food Bank’s Fran Yeatts and Mike Tinker, Clifton Eskridge. Nucor employees also contributed more than $20,000 cash!
The boxes and barrels brought via bus included pet food as well as people food – both are welcome at your local food bank. This is the second big delivery by Nucor this week; we were also at Southwest Youth and Family Services last Thursday when Nucor employees distributed holiday food packages for more than 400 people!
SIDE NOTE: If you know of any last-minute holiday-help needs, please let us know so we can help get the word out – lots of folks are still looking for ways to help!
Procrastinating on that Christmas tree? West Seattle Nursery just cut its prices by a third, per this tweet. And according to a streetside sign, West Seattle Produce has discounted theirs by 25%. Any other discounts offers? Let us know and we’ll add ’em. The full list of local sellers, along with other Christmas/Hanukkah/Solstice/New Year’s info, is on our West Seattle Holidays page, where we also have noted that two lots are already closed (Holy Rosary and Son-In-Law).
2:07 PM: Click the “play” button and you’ll see the live video stream of this afternoon’s Seattle City Council meeting, which has just begun, with two items of particular note on the agenda: West Seattle Triangle rezoning (approved by the council’s Committee on the Built Environment three weeks ago) and the plastic-bag ban. We’ll add updates here if and when the public-comment period at the meeting’s start includes Triangle comments, as well as when the Triangle and bag-ban items come up.
2:22 PM: The public-comment period ended with no one stepping up to the podium to talk about Triangle rezoning, which is a few items away on the agenda. Most of the commenters talked about the plastic-bag ban, including, as seen in our framegrab above, the “Bagmonster Singers,” who serenaded councilmembers with a song to the tune of “Baby, It’s Cold Outside.”
2:31 PM: And here’s the Triangle item, which is actually two items – rezoning/changing development standards, and recommending a parking study for the area. Councilmember Sally Clark opens by saying it all dates back to the closure of the Huling Brothers auto properties (briefly Gee Automotive after Huling) and concern over what would happen to the area with so much vacant land. She hands the microphone to Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, who as she said has been closely involved in planning for the area’s future. He says RapidRide (scheduled to start in 2012) also was a spark to get the process going, beginning with an “urban-design framework.” He notes that it included a plan for The Triangle’s “streetscapes,” including the Fauntleroy Way “boulevard” concept (the new city budget includes planning money) and SW Snoqualmie as a “festival” street. And of course, it includes rezoning – “neighborhood commercial” that “encourages pedestrian-friendly development” for much of the heart of The Triangle, which he says will also strengthen the pedestrian connection between The Junction and The Triangle. The latter was not recommended for more height, he explains, so as not to put “more pressure” for sales/development of existing commercial properties – but the Fauntleroy/Alaska/Edmunds area includes more than 2 blocks that will be rezoned to 85 feet (20 feet higher than the current zoning).
2:40 PM: Council President Richard Conlin says “congratulations” and notes the importance of the legislation to West Seattle’s future, before Rasmussen reads the list of Triangle Advisory Committee members and also acknowledges DPD and Council staffers for their work. No comments from other councilmembers. The rezoning/development standards bill (read it here) passes unanimously 9-0, as does the recommendation for a parking study. No other councilmembers comment.
2:45 PM: Now Councilmember Mike O’Brien is explaining the plastic-bag ban. You can still use plastic bags for meat and produce in grocery stores, he notes. For this too, no councilmembers are commenting or asking questions, except for Council President Conlin, who thanks O’Brien, who in turn thanks “partners” for help with the bill (including WSB sponsors PCC Natural Markets and Metropolitan Market). The bill passes unanimously; there’s applause in council chambers.
3:15 PM: The official news releases from council staff: West Seattle Triangle rezoning, here; plastic-bag ban, here. The bag ban takes effect next July 1st.
Just in from South Seattle Community College (P.S. Added post-publication – longtime journalist Margaret Larson will emcee!):
Fifteen of the region’s top chefs will participate in South’s 2012 Gifts from the Earth gala, the annual event that celebrates the hospitality industry and raises funds for college programs and student scholarships. The singular event provides food and wine aficionados, donors, and sponsors a unique opportunity to interact with celebrity chefs and South students while enjoying innovative cuisine and the finest Washington wines.
The festivities, sponsored by Food Services of America, take place Saturday, January 28, 2012, at South Seattle Community College beginning at 5 pm. The evening features hors d’oeuvres, wine tasting and a silent auction, followed by dinner and a live auction that includes unique wine and dining packages.
It’s the can’t-miss event of the year, as the region’s celebrity chefs create their own menus and prepare a multi-course gourmet feast for two tables (10 guests per table) each. All the courses are paired with fine wine from Washington wineries, poured by student sommeliers from South’s own Northwest Wine Academy.
Gifts from the Earth is more than a unique fundraising event; it also provides invaluable, hands-on learning and professional networking opportunities for South Seattle Community College students Hospitality Management bachelor’s degree program students manage guest relations, Culinary Arts students prepare meals alongside celebrity chefs, and students in the Wine Technology program pour wine with winemakers.
2012 Celebrity Chefs (* denotes South Seattle Community College alumni):
Ron Arbour – Royal Argosy; Jay DeLong – Canapé & Northwest Wine Academy instructor; Eric Floyd – Washington Athletic Club; Chris Frantela – Bellevue Harbor Club; Mark Guth* and Carly Duke* – Emerald Cove Catering; Kraig Hansen – Palisade Restaurant; John Hart – Sheraton Seattle; Jeff Maxfield* – Sky City; Renatto Medranda – The Westin Bellevue; Brent Novotny – Cactus Restaurant; Cody Reaves – Flat Iron Grill; Sean Rogers – Broadmoor Golf Club; Robert Scribner – South Seattle Community College; Kenneth Slack* – Sullivan’s Steakhouse Seattle; and Travis Chase – The Tin Table.2012 Featured Wineries
Antonville Winery, Barnard Griffin, Brian Carter Cellars, Chateau Ste. Michelle, Chatter Creek, Columbia Winery, Covington Cellars, DeLille Cellars, Elsom, Eroica, Gecko Cellars, Hollywood Hill, Isenhower Cellars, Kestrel Vintners, Martedi Wines, Michael Florentino Cellars, Northwest Wine Academy, Nota Bene Cellars, O.S. Winery, Palouse Winery, Pleasant Hill Cellars, Soos Creek Winery, Stomani Cellars, Waterbrook, and Willis Hall.Additional chefs and wineries may be announced.
Title sponsor Food Services of America (FSA) is one of the nation’s largest foodservice distributors, serving customers in 15 western and mid-western states. This is the fifth consecutive year that FSA, a long-time supporter of South’s award-winning culinary and hospitality industry programs, has participated as the Gifts from the Earth title sponsor. The cocktail hour and silent auction reception is sponsored by Union Bank. Additional sponsors include Boeing, Charlie’s Produce, Interbay Food Company, Tony’s Coffee, Rebar & Associates PLLC, Odom Distribution, and Ferguson Construction.
Tickets for Gifts from the Earth may be purchased for $175 per person. Corporate and table sponsorships ranging from $1,750 to $5,000 are also available. More information on ticket purchase and sponsorship opportunities may be obtained by contacting the South Seattle Community College Foundation at (206) 934-5809, email to ssccfoundation@seattlecolleges.edu, or on the web at www.southseattle.edu/foundation/giftsfromtheearth/index.html.
Celebrity Chef Profile – Carly Duke & Mark Guth, Emerald Cove Catering
VOTED 2010 BEST CATERER OF WESTERN WASHINGTON on King 5’s “Best of”
Emerald Cove Catering Company Operations Director Carly Duke and Chef Mark Guth are seasoned Gifts from the Earth veterans. They participated in the event as Culinary Arts Program students and are returning for the second consecutive year as guest chefs. Both graduated from South in 2006 with certificates in Restaurant Production and Banquet & Catering Operations, and share a unique perspective on the student/chef connection that distinguishes Gifts from the Earth.“We have so many things on our plate, but being part of the school and remembering the experience we had, we thought it would be really fun to do,” said Carly of their decision to participate as guest chefs the first time. “It makes me feel kind of old, but it’s really fun to see the students and remember where you were then.”
Adds Mark, “I think it’s really good for students to interact with people who are actually in the industry. It’s also great exposure, because the guest chefs bring out all sorts of ingredients and methods that students don’t normally see. There’s lots of variety.”
The dynamic duo is bringing along another South alumn, Brandon LaVielle, to help them prepare their special 5-course menu for the evening. All the guest chefs take full advantage of the opportunity to cook foods of their own choosing, and Gifts from the Earth diners are always treated to imaginative, inspired meals.
(WSB photo from 11/26/11 ‘opening night,’ with all the lights turned on between shows)
If you’ll be out looking at lights this Christmas Eve/Day or New Year’s Eve, Helmstetler Family Spectacular mastermind Jim Winder says you’re invited to stop by the famous music-synched show for free hot cocoa 6-9 pm – and on Christmas Eve, they’ll also have free mini-cupcakes donated by Diva Espresso (while they last). The show itself is free, but they’ve been collecting donations for local causes – here’s a Facebook photo of their first delivery to the West Seattle Food Bank; bring nonperishable food when you stop by and look for the bin right in front of the house, which is at 3908 SW Charlestown, across from the water tower. It’s of course also on the WSB West Seattle Christmas Lights map, which we’re updating with new additions nightly. Find out more about the show on its official website, which includes videos from the past two years (we have a couple clips from this year’s opening night, November 26th, in our coverage).
Just in from SDOT:
Crews from the Seattle Department of Transportation will repair a concrete panel in the 6500 block of 48th Avenue SW [map] between December 21 and 29, with a pause for the holiday weekend. The crews will work from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. from Wednesday to Friday, December 21 to 23, and will continue during the same hours from Tuesday to Thursday, December 27 to 29.
The roadway will be reduced to one lane except during the holiday weekend when both lanes will be open for traffic. While the road is restricted to one lane, traffic flaggers will assist drivers through the area from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. When the crew is not working, flashing stop signs will be located at either end of the construction area from 3 p.m. to 8 a.m. to warn drivers of the roadway restriction and to travel through the area one car at a time.
The date is set for the third annual Preschool Fair hosted by the West Seattle Preschool Association, 5:30-7:30 pm Monday, January 9th. Admission is free for families, and you’re welcome to bring children along. Schools interested in being part of it have to sign up by January 3rd (206-923-2683 or info@westseattlepreschoolassociation.com); here’s who’s signed up so far. It’ll be at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church, 3050 California SW.
(Photo taken last Tuesday, shared via the WSB Flickr group pool by Nicole)
The week ahead includes (in order) Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, and Christmas. But first, here’s what’s on the docket for today/tonight, from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar and West Seattle Holidays page:
FAUNTLEROY EXPRESSWAY CLOSURE TONIGHT: Rescheduled from last week, tonight’s the first 9 pm-5 am closure for the work to lift the bridge deck (slightly) to add quake-resistant features. This means the West Seattle Bridge will be closed west of Delridge – see the city website for detour information if you’ll be driving that section during those hours.
MORE REPAVING: Three scheduled days of repaving start 9 am-5 pm today on 35th SW between Myrtle and Othello – details here.
NO SCHOOL: First day of winter break for Seattle Public Schools (and most others).
TRIANGLE REZONING VOTE: Seattle City Council final vote on Triangle rezoning, 2 pm meeting at City Hall downtown (preceded by open public comment), more details here.
STIR IT UP: West Seattle Cooking Club, 2:30 pm, Beveridge Place Pub. This week’s theme is “Soul Food.” More info at westseattlecookingclub.org
SEE SANTA CLAUS: At West Seattle Thriftway 3:30-7:30 pm, as well as Westwood Village, 10 am-8 pm
‘EVERY CHRISTMAS STORY …’: Final week – ArtsWest presents the Seattle premiere of “Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!)” by Michael Carleton, James FitzGerald and John K. Alvarez. 7:30 pm tonight through Friday, 5 pm on Christmas Eve; ticket info here.
That’s a scene from “It’s a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie,” which you can see on the big screen at West Seattle’s only moviehouse tomorrow (Tuesday) night – historic Admiral Theater‘s free Christmas movie. Dinah from The Admiral shares this reminder, with new details about the event:
The movie starts promptly at 7 PM and doors open at 6:15 PM. Guests are advised to come early as we will probably pack out. During the movie, adults can enjoy a liquid libation up in the Crow’s Nest Lounge.
Prior to the movie, Santa will be on hand for a photo op and will be serving up Xmas Cookies and Hot Chocolate.
This year the movie is co-presented by the newly formed Admiral Business District. The movie is graciously donated by the Admiral District Blockbuster.
Don’t forget to bring some much-needed animal provisions; high end pet food, crates, collars, toys, beds, etc., which will be donated to the Humane Society.
The Admiral is at 2343 California SW. If you are planning ahead for this weekend – Dinah adds that both matinees will be shown on Christmas Eve, then the theater will close for the night, reopening for the 4 pm show on Christmas Day, with both evening shows on the screen that night.
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