day : 26/03/2012 10 results

(1st two photos by Patrick Sand for WSB)
ORIGINAL 9:52 PM REPORT: Rescue crews are converging on the Fauntleroy ferry dock after what was reported, according to scanner traffic, as a possible person in the water, reported to have fallen out of a dinghy. Our crew’s on the way; updates when we find out more.

10 PM UPDATE: The location where the person is believed to be in the water is actually off the south Lincoln Park beach, so that’s where rescuers are converging now.

They are still on the ferry dock too – with a fire-truck ladder extended (thanks to Maggie for pointing out it’s visible on the webcam):

10:10 PM UPDATE: Rescuers are headquartered by the first picnic shelter on the south stretch of Lincoln Park beach, where divers have been suiting up. Our crews on the scene say the Coast Guard has done a flyover and divers are about to go in.

(Photos from hereon out by Christopher Boffoli for WSB, except dinghy photo)
10:16 PM UPDATE: The ferry that was coming in has stopped a few hundred yards offshore.

(added) According to Southwest Precinct Lt. Alan Williams at the scene, here’s what they believe happened: Two men in two small vessels were going back out to a sailboat anchored offshore. One apparently fell out. He’s believed to be in his mid-20s.

10:35 PM UPDATE: Divers are still in the water – but no rescue yet. No word of an active sighting, either. Adding a photo showing the light from the SFD ladder in the background (substituted later, actual ladder photo).

10:46 PM UPDATE: Seattle Fire spokesperson Kyle Moore is on scene. He says there were actually three men taking supplies out to the sailboat, when it was discovered one was missing. (added – photo of one of the dinghies/rafts)

Divers are still searching but if they are not able to find the missing person soon, Moore says the operation will officially change to “recovery” mode.

10:49 PM UPDATE: Our crews at the beach say the victim is reported to have been found and is receiving CPR, has been taken to med unit. Moore says he’s been told the man is still alive and getting “cold water resuscitation.” He is reported to have been not very far offshore – 20 feet maybe.

10:56 PM UPDATE: Back here at HQ, we’re hearing scanner traffic about rescued man – believed to have been in the water an hour. CPR and “slow rewarming” under way as they prepare to rush him to Harborview Medical Center.

11:16 PM UPDATE: SFD’s Moore says the man was found about 25 yards offshore. Don’t know when we’ll find out if resuscitation efforts were successful, but of course we will update the story whenever there is info.

You may recall, this is the second time in five weeks that rescue divers have handled a call off West Seattle shores – last month, diver Tareq Saade died off Seacrest; his body was recovered about eight hours later.

ADDED 11:46 PM: Here is WSB contributor Christopher Boffoli‘s video of Moore’s media briefing right after the man was rescued:

6:38 AM UPDATE: Multiple citywide news orgs are reporting that the man didn’t make it. We don’t have independent confirmation so far, but the odds did seem very much against the possibility of surviving that much time underwater.

8:08 AM UPDATE: We also have spoken with Harborview Medical Center, where a spokesperson confirms the man died.

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No sex offenders in Delridge Supportive Housing project, says DESC

March 26, 2012 8:17 pm

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| DESC Delridge project | West Seattle news

One longrunning point of contention related to the 66-unit DESC Delridge Supportive Housing project is finally settled.

Not long after DESC went public last June with news of its proposal to build the project to house formerly homeless people, many living with challenges such as mental illness and/or substance abuse, the question was asked: Will sex offenders be among the residents? As we reported on June 27th, DESC executive director Bill Hobson said they would not be allowed in the building’s population “if that’s what the neighborhood wants.” The request had not been formally made by any group representing the population, however, and the issue’s status came up in a mail-group discussion over the past week. That discussion concluded with Vonetta Mangaoang of the Delridge Alliance, a member of the project’s Advisory Committee, reporting late today:

Just this morning, Bill Hobson, in response to my request to have the issue of sex offender exclusion placed on tomorrow’s neighborhood advisory committee agenda, resolved the issue by simply stating that DESC will exclude sex offenders from their Delridge supportive housing facility. His quick and decisive action hopefully resolves neighbors’ concerns.

Thank you to each of you who pointed out the importance of this issue. I encourage neighbors to continue to actively communicate with your neighborhood representatives on DESC’s community advisory committee (e-mail alliance@ndnc.org).

That committee meets again tomorrow night, 6:30 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center; the agenda is here.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Alki gunfire suspect update; school vandalism; pastries pilfered

March 26, 2012 4:39 pm

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| Crime | West Seattle news

Two West Seattle Crime Watch notes this afternoon. First, an update from the Alki gunfire incident we covered early Sunday:

(Sunday morning photo by Christopher Boffoli for WSB)
If you missed our story – nobody was hurt, but police arrested a 26-year-old Central District man who they say fired at another man in the alley behind Cactus (they say the suspect was thrown out of Bamboo earlier). After getting a clear description of his vehicle, officers pulled him over shortly afterward, on Harbor Avenue near Salty’s. He’s been in jail since about 3:30 Sunday morning – no charges yet, but he’s listed as “bail denied,” and we’re checking with prosecutors on his status and will add any additional info here. 5:05 PM UPDATE: His bail was set this afternoon at $100,000; deadline for filing charges is Wednesday. The court documents say police found a shell casing as well as a bullet at the scene, both .45 caliber, as was the handgun found in the suspect’s possession.

Meantime, we received a reader report of vandalism at a school playground:

Thanks to Carrie for sending that photo from the playground at Lafayette Elementary, West Seattle’s most populous grade school. We’ve blurred the graffiti – which was a phrase suggesting drug use, rather than a “tag” – as per our usual policy. We checked with Lafayette and are told they’ve reported it to administration, as they’re required to, but that “spot painting” is likely in order too. Meanwhile, keep an eye out for graffiti vandals, since police say their best chance is to get a call so quick they can catch them in the act.

Last but not least:

Stopping by Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor) late this morning, we remarked that the pastry case was so empty, it must have been a busy morning. No, the baristas informed us, the “pastry bandit” was to blame. Investigating further with Hotwire proprietor Lora Swift, we found out they’ve had their pastry/donut deliveries stolen three times in the past week or so, and a table was taken from the Hotwire patio too. Other businesses with doorstep deliveries, be forewarned.

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Almost-West Seattle scene: Inside Elliott Bay’s Lake City pub

March 26, 2012 4:09 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

When Kerry from Elliott Bay Brewing Company sent a reminder that EBB was opening its new Public House in Lake City today, we asked for a photo, since we’re not expecting to be up that way any time soon. And here it is! “Our first lunch!” notes Kerry. Find info about the new location here.

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Thinking about a park project? Opportunity Fund, round 2

March 26, 2012 2:24 pm

| Comments Off on Thinking about a park project? Opportunity Fund, round 2

| West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

When Seattle voters said “yes” to the Parks and Green Spaces Levy in 2008, part of the money was for creation of the Opportunity Fund, to pay for projects proposed by citizens and community organizations. In West Seattle, for example, an Opportunity Fund grant is pivotal to the plan to transform the Highland Park wading pool into a spraypark, under a plan first proposed by Carolyn Stauffer (even before she became co-chair of Highland Park Action Committee). If you’re interested in trying for a share of the second round – the process is about to begin, and workshops have just been scheduled to help would-be grant seekers figure out how to make it happen. We just found the list on the city website; “technical assistance” for would-be proposal letter-writers is at 6 pm April 25th at West Seattle Golf Course, while another workshop for applications is set for 6 pm June 27th at High Point Community Center. Project proposers will pitch the levy Oversight Committee this fall (by the way, that group’s next meeting is tonight at 7 at Parks HQ downtown).

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Poetry spanning generations: Gatewood students visit The Kenney

March 26, 2012 12:59 pm

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| Gatewood | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Thanks to Michelle Riggen-Ransom for the photo taken at The Kenney (WSB sponsor), where she helped chaperone two 3rd-grade classes from nearby Gatewood Elementary this morning as they read their poetry to residents:

The poems were great, ranging in topics from soccer, writing, nature and the elusive Seattle sun. Third-grade teacher Amy Griffin did an amazing job organizing the event – the kids were very well-behaved and The Kenney residents were all smiles during and after the performance.

After the reading, children presented hand-written, original poems to their new friends. Attached is a photo I took of some of the kids, with teacher Ms.Griffin on the left. And here’s a quote from The Kenney’s Activities Director Amy Seebeck that she just sent over to Ms. Griffin: “Just wanted to thank you so much for coming today. Our residents absolutely loved having the kids here. Also wanted to extend a special thanks to those who went to our memory care unit. That was so special for them. You made our day!”

Very proud of our third-graders and a big thank you to Amy Griffin for putting together this lovely event!

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Soon to be seen off West Seattle shores: Cruise-ship changes

March 26, 2012 12:26 pm

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| Seen at sea | West Seattle news

Water-watcher alert: You might have seen this recent story about Disney Cruise Lines bringing a ship to Seattle this year. Today, the Port of Seattle just announced some additions for next year. Oceania Cruises’ Regatta will sail from Pier 66 downtown in 2013, and Celebrity Cruises’ Solstice will sail from Magnolia’s Terminal 91. Neither has sailed from Seattle before; Solstice, according to the port announcement, “will be one of the largest cruise ships to berth in Seattle, with an overall length of 1041 feet and a capacity of 2850 passengers.” This year’s cruise season runs May 6th-September 30th, with Holland America’s Oosterdam the first one in and last one out, and 202 stops are scheduled over the spring and summer; the schedule is online – download the PDF here, linked from the port’s new cruise-related website here.

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West Seattle Women’s Golf Club tees up an invitation

March 26, 2012 11:17 am

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| West Seattle news | WS & Sports

The sun is trying mightily to get the upper hand on this morning’s clouds. Might just make you think about … golf. This morning, the West Seattle Women’s Golf Club is helping you daydream with its annual call for new members – Ruthi Winter shares the photo and the invitation to join them:

Women have been golfing with the West Seattle Women’s Golf Club (WSWGC) for decades and many lasting friendships have been formed over the years as a result of the camaraderie of golf. Several social events occur during the year, but the main objective of the WSWGC is to provide a friendly atmosphere in which to learn about golf, to play golf, and the chance for some fun competition.

Annual dues are $70.00 plus a $5.00 initiation fee for new members. Dues pay for your GHIN number and handicap, reserved tee-times on
Tuesdays and Saturdays, weekly competition fees, most WSWGC tournament fees and operating expenses, as well as providing a great opportunity to meet and play golf with other women golfers. Please join us for our Season Opening “Spring Kick Off” Social on
Sunday, April 29, at the West Seattle Golf Course. RSVP to Kay Whelan at mkwhelan@comcast.net – Here are some of (the other) events on our calendar:
May 22nd – Spring Field Day
June 19th – Field Day
July 24th – Tournament
Aug 13, 14 – Club Championship
Sept 18 – Fall Field Day

Interested in membership? Send inquiry to Ruthi Winter at ruthi.winter@gmail.com – Hope to see you at the West Seattle Golf Course!

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West Seattle Monday: Cooking; cards; closures; plus, a drill

March 26, 2012 9:04 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(On the beach at Cove Park, by Karen/”old desolate” via WSB Flickr group pool)
From the remodeled WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

VIADUCT’S OPEN AGAIN: As noted earlier this morning, the weekend inspection/maintenance closure ended on schedule (half an hour early, to be precise). Remember that another weekend closure is coming up in early April, from Friday night 4/6 through Monday morning 4/9, so work can be done to reinforce the structure in advance of work on the 99 tunnel.

CLOSURES TONIGHT: As part of the ongoing Spokane Street Viaduct Widening Project, the 1st Avenue South offramp will be closed from the eastbound West Seattle Bridge, and the 1st/Spokane intersection will be closed too, both 9 pm tonight till 5 am Tuesday.

REMINDER, SOUTHWEST POOL IS CLOSED: Details in our Sunday story. The pool reopens April 16th, and will celebrate an official “grand opening” with special events on April 17th.

ELLIOTT BAY OPENS LAKE CITY LOCATION: 11 am today, 12537 Lake City Way NE, the West Seattle-founded company opens its third location (#2 is in Burien). Want a peek, even if you’re not going to be up that way any time soon? The West Seattle-headquartered Washington Beer Blog has a preview.

RESCUE DRILL THAT YOU MIGHT SEE FROM HERE: We mentioned it last week, and if everything’s still on schedule, today’s the day, noon’s the time, Blakely Rock off south Bainbridge is the place, and you just might see this all from West Seattle shores. Details in the listing page on our calendar.

WEST SEATTLE COOKING CLUB: This time around, the West Seattle Cooking Club meets at Big Al Brewing in White Center – with “pub food” as the theme. 4 pm.

FREE POKER & KARAOKE AT SKYLARK: Doubleheader on Monday nights – free poker at 6:30 pm, Karaoke with Kelli at 9 pm – more details are linked from the Skylark Café and Club events calendar (3803 Delridge Way SW).

FLAT EARTH SOCIETY AT WEST 5: It’s a Monday night tradition at West 5 in The Junction, with guest DJs “spinning the rarest and fairest vinyl from deep within their respective LP collections.” Tonight at 9, it’s an all-jazz set by former KTUH disc jockey Dick Walker.

ONE WEEK TILL WEST SEATTLE COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE DAY REGISTRATION: It’s that one day of the year when West Seattle turns into Garage Sale Paradise. We didn’t invent it but this is our fifth year running it and we are excited as always – May 12th is sale day, sales around West Seattle big and small, depending on who decides to join in! Watch for more details here and at westseattlegaragesale.com as this week unfolds – registration starts next Monday, April 2nd (no exact time yet, gotta make sure all online systems are go).

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