West Seattle, Washington

24 Wednesday

55℉

month : 03/2012 337 results

This morning’s site outage: Please accept our apology
March 6, 2012 10:32 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle online

computer.jpgWe apologize to you for WSB having been all but inaccessible for more than an hour and a half this morning – the longest outage in years. Our server-management company, the usually impeccable WiredTree, had what they described as a “complex” problem that affected not only our site, but many others elsewhere. They say it’s fixed now. One reminder – Whenever anything goes awry, we step up our already intensive reporting on Facebook (here) and Twitter (here), so that we can continue keeping our 24/7 news-coverage commitment, so during this outage, we reported breaking news there – and we also had just started to post WS stories to our White Center site, whitecenternow.com, hosted by a different server company, so NOT affected if WSB’s host company has trouble. Again, sorry about that, and now on with the rest of the day …

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Police investigate shooting incident on 16th SW
March 6, 2012 10:25 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police

Just after 9 am, a sizable police/fire response rushed to a home in the 7000 block of 16th SW for a call listed on 911 as “assault with weapons.” Scanner traffic indicated a 77-year-old man was rushed to the hospital with a possible life-threatening gunshot wound. There was no indication at the scene or over the radio that a suspect was being sought, so we called SPD Media Relations Officer Renee Witt to ask about the nature of the initial call; she said all indications were that this was self-inflicted (though of course, investigators will have to verify). One neighbor also told WSB via e-mail that authorities at the scene told her that there was “no danger” to anyone in the area.

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What ‘visioning’ participants hope to see in Delridge’s ‘Brandon Node’
March 6, 2012 9:39 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

(Click to see larger image)
That’s the “3-D” look at the area of north/central Delridge known as the “Brandon Node” – which was centerstage at last Wednesday night’s “visioning” open house sponsored by the North Delridge Neighborhood Council and Delridge Neighborhoods District Council at Martin’s Way. We dropped by in the first hour; now NDNC co-chair Parie Hines has put together and published a thorough look at the entire event, its results, and next steps. You can see her report here, on the NDNC website. One key summary point: The desire voiced for new food-related businesses in the area was four times the desire voiced for other types of businesses. However, as another chart in Parie’s report shows, that doesn’t mean everyone’s clamoring for restaurants – the #1 type of food-related business that open-house-goers wanted to see was “farmers’ market/produce,” followed by “bakery.” The most-desired non-food business: “Children’s or clothing consignment store.” Outside the business realm, street trees and bike racks were atop wish lists.

North Delridge leaders plan to pursue ways to make this all happen, including city support; attendees last Wednesday included City Council President Sally Clark and Councilmembers Tom Rasmussen and Richard Conlin – Clark mentioned the Brandon Node event during what amounts to council “open mike” time at their weekly briefing session yesterday.

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West Seattle snow: ‘Winter weather advisory’; morning commute
March 6, 2012 6:40 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

(Refresh for latest pic from WS Bridge & 1st Ave. S. Bridge cams, more on the WSB Traffic page)
More snow showers are possible by mid-morning, according to the National Weather Service’s “Winter Weather Advisory.” So far, no major commute effects of the snowfall we covered overnight, though; no changes for area schools, either. We’ll keep tabs on conditions in the next few hours and update as needed.

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West Seattle Weather Watch: Early-early-morning snow
March 6, 2012 1:04 am
|      16 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

1:04 AM: A wave of it is moving through, headed north to south, west to east. Seeing it yet?

1:30 AM UPDATE: It’s been here for about 10 minutes – and as one commenter describes it, it’s more like snow-sleet – you can hear it. Just added video.

1:55 AM UPDATE: Going on an hour now, still snowing. The photo above shows a non-arterial street near WSB HQ, with the snow sticking – but it’s deceptive – without cars passing, you can hear meltwater going into the storm drains.

2:56 AM UPDATE: No longer snowing. Maybe half an inch accumulated (we’re at about 330 feet up) on the cars and the plants; the street-sticking snow didn’t stick around for long. We’ll see in a few hours what the morning commute’s like, though – we’ll be covering that in a separate story.

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Potentially life-saving reminder: Deaf or hard-of-hearing Seattleites can get free ‘strobe’ smoke alarms
March 5, 2012 11:19 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Safety | West Seattle news

The Southwest Precinct got this reminder from their colleagues at the Fire Department, and asked us to help get the word out: SFD continues to provide and install Gentex “strobe” plug-in smoke alarms, free, to Seattleites who are deaf or hard of hearing. SFD’s William Mace notes, “A working smoke alarm is known to reduce the risk of dying in a home fire by 50%. To qualify, a person must be Deaf or Hard of Hearing and live in Seattle. Renters need permission from landlords before we can install them. Any Seattle resident who might be interested in a free Deaf/HOH smoke alarm, should contact me.” He’s at william.mace@seattle.gov.

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West Seattle Elementary’s lesson: ‘B(ee)’ is for breakfast
March 5, 2012 11:17 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Elementary’s lesson: ‘B(ee)’ is for breakfast
 |   Health | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

You can’t just call them “lunch ladies” (or gentlemen), since a big part of the job for workers like these two at West Seattle Elementary and other schools is to provide a nutritious breakfast, too. And breakfast was in the spotlight in a big way at WSES this morning, as Seattle Public Schools launched a monthlong campaign to convince students (and their families) of its importance. Helping get the message out: A district worker in a bumblebee suit:

Her name is Katie Busby (perfect!), and she told media crews that she’s been appearing as “Buzz, the Bee Healthy bee” for a few years now. She works with the district’s Nutrition Services Department, which says, “Children who eat breakfast daily do better on standardized tests, get better grades, are able to concentrate in school, can more easily complete complex tasks and are more able to maintain a healthy weight.” The monthlong “Go for Gold” campaign will offer prize drawings and other celebrity appearances to participating schools.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Three court-case updates
March 5, 2012 8:24 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Notes tonight on three defendants whose cases we’re continuing to watch in the courts:

DUANE STARKENBURG: More than a year after this Gatewood resident was arrested and charged with attacking three women jogging in or near Lincoln Park, he is about to go on trial, but the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office tells WSB there’s likely to be a short delay. Starkenburg’s trial is on the books to start this Wednesday, but according to KCPAO spokesperson Dan Donohoe, the prosecutor assigned to the case is in another trial that may not be over till days after that. Starkenburg also is awaiting a separate trial in an unrelated, long-ago child-rape case.

LOVETT CHAMBERS: The Gatewood man charged with murdering (Michael) Travis Hood by Morgan Junction Park in January was scheduled to return to court last week; as is fairly typical at this stage of a murder case, a postponement was requested, as lawyers are still in the “discovery” process. His next hearing is now set for April 4th.

BRANDON CHANEY: The Prosecuting Attorney’s Office confirms they are planning to re-try Chaney, a South King County resident who is the only one of four men charged in the February 2009 Steve Bushaw murder whose case is not yet resolved. Last August, a King County Superior Court jury deadlocked on Chaney’s case, while convicting co-defendant Bryce Huber (the two “triggermen” in the case had already pleaded guilty). Chaney was back in court last Friday, at which time a tentative trial date of November 1st was set; he is expected back in court in three weeks, for a “status hearing.”

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West Seattle restaurants: Alki Crab and Fish has closed
March 5, 2012 5:43 pm
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

Found that sign on the door of Alki Crab and Fish at Seacrest this afternoon. We had actually gone there to check on a closing date, since the new concessionaires chosen by Seattle Parks, the owners of Marination Mobile, had told us the changeover was scheduled to happen by March 15th. As reported here last week, Marination plans to extensively remodel both the restaurant space and the watercraft-rental area run by Alki Kayak Tours will be next door; they hope to open Marination Marina (“working title”) by July.

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Highway 99 traffic alert: 6-week lane closure north of The Viaduct
March 5, 2012 4:00 pm
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

Hadn’t mentioned this before, since it’s not the section of 99 that WSB covers closely – but Michelle e-mailed us about it today, saying it will affect her commute and she thought other West Seattleites would want to know too: Starting tomorrow, 99 southbound will narrow from three lanes to two between Republican and John Streets, just north of the Battery Street Tunnel – all part of preparations for tunnel construction. The closure is expected to last about six weeks. WSDOT has full details here.

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More room for more restaurants to join Taste of West Seattle 2012
March 5, 2012 2:57 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

(Beverages from 2011 Taste of West Seattle – photobymike.com image provided by WS Helpline)
Good news for both participants and attendees at this year’s Taste of West Seattle, set for May 17th, benefiting West Seattle Helpline – executive director Tara Byrne says they’ll “have a tented area outside this year, and room for more restaurants.” So, while they’ve already invited past participants, they’re trying to get the word out to any and all area restaurants, if you want to participate, now’s the time to say so!

Calling all West Seattle restaurants: The 7th annual Taste of West Seattle is coming up Thursday, May 17th. Last year we had 40 West Seattle restaurants and more than 400 participants. If you are a West Seattle restaurant and would like to be a part of the action this year please e-mail Tara for more details at wshelpline@gmail.com.

Remember – Helpline needs to hear directly from the restaurateur(s), so if you have a suggestion, please make sure your favorite restaurant sees this! (If you need their contact info, consider checking our West Seattle Restaurant Guide.)

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Short-term host families needed for young visitors from China
March 5, 2012 12:46 pm
|    Comments Off on Short-term host families needed for young visitors from China
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Can you spare some room and time for a short-term houseguest this summer?

Once again West Seattle will be hosting students from Chengdu, China, and we are looking for host families! The students will be between the ages of 10 and 12 with a variety of English language proficiency. Students will be here for a total of 9 days and will arrive the last week in June. Last year our host families had a wonderful time with their students and enjoyed many Seattle activities. If you are interested or have questions about hosting a student, contact Pathfinder K-8 School’s assistant principal, Lisa Clayton, at lclayton@seattleschools.org.

Here’s a Google Map showing Chengdu and Seattle – more than 9,000 miles apart!

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West Seattle scene: Junction stump gets ‘yarn-bombed’
March 5, 2012 11:42 am
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   Seen around town | West Seattle news

The tree stump on the KeyBank corner of the California-Alaska intersection (aka “Walk All Ways”) in The Junction has a new decoration. A tipster e-mailed us early today to say it had been “yarn-bombed” overnight. First one of those we’ve heard of/seen in a while. The tipster’s photo was too small to use, so we stopped by while in The Junction a little while ago to get this one.

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Rummage sale countdown: Tibbetts UMC’s Friday-Saturday details
March 5, 2012 11:12 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news

(WSB photo from 2010 Tibbetts sale)
It’s rummage-sale mania this Friday and Saturday, as two local churches . In our previous preview, we included some early details West Side Presbyterian had shared; now we have some highlights from Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor):

“A” is for Appliances, “B” is for Baby stuff, “C” is for Cookware, “D” is for Dresses, “E” is for EVERYTHING … you get the idea – it’s time for the Tibbetts Spring Rummage Sale!! Everything you could possibly want or need, all at prices “not of this century.” This wice-yearly event is coming right up and will feature the usual bargains galore! Furniture, bikes, barbecues and garden items outside, plenty of clothing for all ages, jewelry, toys, games and other great stuff inside. Please join us on Friday March 9th from 9 am – 4 pm and Saturday, March 10th from 9 am – 3 pm. Tibbetts UMC is located at 3940 41st Avenue SW in West Seattle. See you there!

P.S. Note that we’re just four weeks away from opening registration for this year’s West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day (the big day is May 12th; signups will start April 2nd).

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West Seattle Monday: Art; schools; stories; nightlife …
March 5, 2012 9:23 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Skunk cabbage in Fauntleroy Park, by Karen (“Old Desolate”) from the WSB Flickr group pool)
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

TRAFFIC ALERT: Nighttime lane closures for the Spokane Street Viaduct Widening Project, as announced last week – if you’ll be driving the east stretch of the bridge late at night or early in the morning, check out the list.

2ND WEEK OF SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS’ OPEN ENROLLMENT: Friday is the last day – info here.

OPEN ART STUDIO: Theresa at Young At Art in The Junction says Mondays are “open studio” time 9:30-1:30 pm – kids 5 and up can be dropped off for up to 3 hours.

PRESCHOOL REGISTRATION: Lorrie at Little Pilgrim School in Fauntleroy says their fall registration opens today: “Completed application forms will be accepted in person or by mail, 9140 California SW. There are still spots available in most classes, am and pm, for children 2-5 years old. Questions? Contact (206) 932-5600 or lorrie@fauntleroyucc.org.”

FAMILY STORY TIME: High Point Library, 7 pm – details here.

MONDAY NIGHTLIFE: Trivia with Tom Hutyler at Christo’s on Alki, 7 pm … Karaoke with Kelli at Skylark Café and Club, 9 pm … Also at 9 pm, the “Flat Earth Society” weekly vinyl DJ’ing at West 5 … Talarico’s has karaoke @ 9:30 pm.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Bullets hit house, van
March 5, 2012 8:20 am
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | High Point | West Seattle news

Via SPD Blotter, police have just confirmed what Brittany reported last night on the WSB Facebook page – shots were indeed fired outside High Point Community Center, with one hitting a nearby house. The SPD report says in part:

Responding Southwest Precinct officers located evidence of a shooting in the north lot of the High Point Community Center. A van that was parked in the lot (unoccupied) had been struck, as well as the exterior wall of a house across the street in the 3400 Block of SW Willow Street. The residents of the house heard the shots and the bullet hit the house, but it did not penetrate to the interior of the house, and there were no reported injuries. Officers were able to recover shell casings from the parking lot, and the rounds that struck the van and the house.

The SPD report doesn’t mention the types of vehicles seen leaving the area after the gunfire, but Brittany described them as “black newer Jeep Cherokee and red Pontiac Firebird.”

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Writing the World Through Food: Cookbook author’s workshop
March 5, 2012 2:36 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle books | West Seattle news

Seems like almost everyone loves to talk about food. Many write about it – though it can be a challenge to summon descriptions beyond “delicious.” To help you tell your food stories, award-winning cookbook author Crescent Dragonwagon, who is also a novelist and children’s-book writer, is coming to West Seattle to lead a one-day food-writing workshop this Saturday. Its title – “Deep Feast: Writing the World Through Food,” and Dragonwagon promises it will include interactivity and writing as well as listening. It’s happening at Camp Long Lodge, starting at 10:30 Saturday morning, and there’s a huge helping of information, including how to register, on this page. This is the second annual edition of the workshop (Seattle cookbook author Greg Atkinson writes about last year’s version here) but this time around, Dragonwagon is in town with an extra mission, promoting her new book, titled “Bean By Bean: A Cookbook: More than 200 Recipes for Fresh Beans, Dried Beans, Cool Beans, Hot Beans, Savory Beans…Even Sweet Beans!”

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Update: Fire call in 5900 block of Delridge
March 4, 2012 11:08 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

11:08 PM: Second “fire in building” response of the day – this time, to apartments in the 5900 block of Delridge Way SW. Per the scanner, police are blocking off the street. We’re on the way to find out more.

(Photo courtesy S, shared by e-mail)
11:11 PM: “Fire’s out,” per scanner, and must have been small, since all but two units have just been canceled. We’re still en route.

11:38 PM NOTE: So small, the fire crews were gone when we got there.

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West Seattle real estate: Alki Tavern site part of $3.9 million listing
March 4, 2012 10:24 pm
|      30 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

Got $3,950,000? You can own a third of an acre at 1311-1325 Harbor SW, across from Don Armeni, described as “ASTONISHING views directly across Elliott Bay to Seattle. 6 contiguous lots with commercial, multifamily zoning. Unobstructed view corridor in perpetuity.” We spotted the listing online first, then noticed the sign when we went over today for a photo.

The six lots include the Alki Tavern, a vacant lot, a century-old house (photo right), and offices (photo left) used by Salty’s, which county records list as the land’s owner. Though this website describes the listing as new – and we can verify it wasn’t there, as recently as three days ago (the physical sign is new too) – the listing agent’s site says it’s been on the market for eight months. (Other versions of the listing online have a lower price, $3,595,000.) The site is zoned for commercial/multifamily development up to 65 feet.

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‘Arroyos Whale’ at Highline College’s MaST: West Seattle links
March 4, 2012 8:43 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Wildlife

As the skeleton of the ‘Arroyos Whale’ – the gray whale that died in West Seattle waters on April 14, 2010 – went on display this weekend at the Highline College Marine Science and Technology Center, the 15-mile distance between Redondo Beach and Arroyo Beach seemed to vanish. Not just because of where the whale was found; also, MaST’s executive director Dr. Kaddee Lawrence, beaming at a big turnout for Saturday’s whale debut, is a West Seattleite:

She told us another story of community ties: The West Seattle/White Center “charity beer” Whale Tail Ale was served at last weekend’s party for MaST volunteers who worked on the project, from a keg donated by Big Al Brewing. (The Arroyos Whale exhibit’s backstory was told by WSB contributor Keri DeTore in this story last month.)

The skeleton is suspended from the ceiling in the MaST building closest to Redondo Beach Drive (where, in another West Seattle echo, it is next door to the Redondo Salty’s). Look at it from the back, rather than front, and you will notice something that might startle you as it did us:

The bones from the whale’s fins are reminiscent of human hands, something not at all apparent when you view a whale either at sea or, in a sad circumstance such as this whale’s death, on land:

(April 2010 WSB photo by Tracy Record)
The Arroyos Whale is now on permanent display at MaST, which is open to the public, free, 10 am-2 pm every Saturday. But if you want to see the informational exhibit related to its death and the ensuing investigation – with not only wall displays but also a video loop of TV-news reports from April 2010 – you’ll want to get there this month or next, before another exhibit moves in. P.S. Further out on its pier, MaST also has an aquarium building, with Puget Sound sea life:

100 local species are represented in its 3,000 gallons of sea water, Dr. Lawrence told us (and unceremoniously resting on the pier outside the aquarium building, you’ll see the skull of a fin whale killed by a ship in 2004). MaST is at 28203 Redondo Beach Drive South (map).

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Hit-run; bizarre encounter
March 4, 2012 6:57 pm
|      15 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Two reports to share:

Early this morning, we tweeted three times about scanner traffic involving what was first reported as a truck that had driven over the 44th/Andover traffic circle and “high-centered” atop it. It was gone when police arrived minutes later, but they searched the area extensively after reports it was headed north; before long, they found the truck, but reported that its driver had fled. We don’t know whether they ever found the driver, but Hayla e-mailed us today about the incident, including the photo above:Read More

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Update: Weather alert canceled, no snow likely after all
March 4, 2012 3:19 pm
|      17 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

(Photo by Laura James, added 6:21 pm; click for larger image)
The last few warnings about possible metro-area snow didn’t lead to anything much for West Seattle – one or two quick bursts of flakes – but nonetheless, we need to tell you that our area is covered by a “Special Weather Statement“ that the National Weather Service issued this afternoon, regarding a “strong cold front” late tonight into tomorrow … maybe even some Tuesday morning icing before things warm up.

9:23 PM UPDATE: The “Special Weather Statement” is still in effect, but weather analyst Cliff Mass‘s latest assessment has led him to publish an update titled “Snow Threat Evaporates.”

10:06 PM UPDATE: The alert is now canceled. The NWS’s latest “forecast discussion” explains it, as does WS-residing meteorologist Patrick in comments – the cold temps and the moisture just aren’t synching up in the outlook any more.

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One more school auction ahead: Explorer West Middle School
March 4, 2012 2:54 pm
|    Comments Off on One more school auction ahead: Explorer West Middle School
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

As West Seattle’s school-auction season continues – here’s an invitation from Explorer West Middle School (WSB sponsor):

We are excited to announce the upcoming Explorer West Middle School auction ‘Rising Stars’ on Friday, March 23, 2012 at The Hall at Fauntleroy, 5:30 pm. This year’s theme celebrates the development of future leaders among our students and the evening will feature red carpet, old school Hollywood glamour and guaranteed fun. To learn more about the event and Explorer West, visit www.explorer-west.org. Tickets are available by contacting Debbie Ehri, Business Manager: debbie@explorer-west.org. Come find out what the Explorer West community is about!

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