West Seattle, Washington
27 Saturday
By Megan Sheppard
On the WSBeat, for West Seattle Blog
As always, the WSBeat summaries are from reports on cases handled recently by Southwest Precinct officers, incidents of note that (usually) have not already appeared here in breaking-news coverage or West Seattle Crime Watch reports, but that might at least answer the question “what WERE all those police doing on my block (whenever)?”:
*A resident received two odd phone messages on his cell regarding a woman he doesn’t know: The first said, “I don’t know who you are, but if you’re looking for Ms. XXXX, she doesn’t own a phone anymore. She just got shot in the chest. Hope she’ll survive.” The second message relayed that the woman had died. The recipient called the number back, said he didn’t know the woman, and the calls stopped. He decided to contact police to provide information in case a woman actually had been assaulted.
*On Friday the 18th, a citizen reported a potential hazard in the 5200 block of 44th SW. A property owner had dug a 20-foot-deep hole but hadn’t shored up the walls. The caller was afraid the walls would collapse. The property owner/digger told officers he was working with an architect and a seismic expert and had permits. Looking up the permit, the officer found one that had expired in April. The man kept digging, saying, “If it collapses, it collapses on my property.” The officer planned to follow up with the Department of Planning and Development. He also noted that the location was not fenced off and could be easily accessed by children.
Seven more summaries ahead:Read More
In the Admiral District, Laurie is remodeling her 1917 home … and, after pulling up the old floors, found them lined with 1917 newspapers, with plenty of clues as to the state of the 1917 housing market. Yes, those prices above are the actual full listing prices. 4556 California, the office advertising above, is the address of Cupcake Royale today; the address in this next item currently would place you at California/Dawson, north side of the Rite-Aid parking lot:
Laurie also found the Olympus Theater‘s weekly promotional pages:
The “Olympus Weekly” places the theater at California and Lander in the Admiral District. This December 1917 page touts silent movies starring Mary Pickford, Maxine Elliott, Ann Pennington, and Dustin Farnum:
(Click for a larger view)
The bottom of the “Olympus Weekly” page carried ads for other businesses, including one that tells us which newspaper Laurie found beneath the floorboards:
A check of the 1987-published West Seattle history book “West Side Story” reveals “The West Seattle Press” was published 1908-1918, known by a few other names along the way, including “The West Side Press.” Thanks to Laurie for sharing what she found!
The annual Memorial Day service at West Seattle’s Forest Lawn Cemetery (WSB sponsor) spanned the years in more ways than one. Cub Scouts from Pack 793 placed the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown as the service began; just before it started, we photographed American Legion Post 160 Commander Chris Shea, speaking for a 7th year, with the man who will succeed him at the post, Kyle Geraghty:
The service itself was as always relatively short but stirring; Shea read “In Flanders Fields” as part of his reflections, while Seattle Opera mezzo-soprano Lucy Weber, a West Seattleite, sang the national anthem and “America the Beautiful.” Here’s the entire 37-minute service as we recorded it:
Shea paid tribute to the past, and its lessons for the present and future, reading the poem “In Flanders Fields” and also recounting the story of Gen. Douglas MacArthur and his successes following failure. As the service began, we counted more than 50 people – including some standing:
The veterans buried at Forest Lawn include some who served as far back as the Civil War.
Stopped by Seacrest this morning just for a quick bit of sunshine and view … The West Seattle Water Taxi was getting ready to take off, and kids out on the open deck were shouting about jellyfish. Took a closer look, and what you see above is what we saw … the water, on closer look, thick with jellies.
Like snowflakes, no two are exactly alike … not in shape nor in size … but they’re beautiful to watch. As is the Water Taxi, in its own way … Sunday schedule today:
Melissa Ann – usually serving Vashon (which has no WT service today) – is on the WS route for the holiday.
In comparison to OTHER parts of the city – where yesterday, for example, brought six shooting reports in the span of about 18 hours (all chronicled on SPD Blotter) – it’s been a relatively quiet holiday weekend in West Seattle. But not devoid of incidents; beyond a few we’ve already covered, we’ve received miscellaneous reader reports, including two break-ins with loot that you’re asked to be on the lookout for – read on:Read More
(Photo by Eric Larse)
WEST SEATTLE MEMORIAL DAY SERVICE: 2 pm today at Forest Lawn Cemetery (WSB sponsor) east of High Point, presented by American Legion Post 160 and Forest Lawn, everyone welcome. More Memorial Day notes:
BUS/FERRY SCHEDULES: Sunday schedule today for Metro, the West Seattle Water Taxi and its shuttles (but no Vashon Water Taxi today), and Sound Transit Express buses (including Route 560). For Washington State Ferries, the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route is on a regular weekday schedule.
TRASH/RECYCLING (ETC.) PICKUP: If Monday is your pickup day, Seattle Public Utilities says everything’s on the normal schedule.
LIBRARIES: Seattle branches closed, King County branches closed.
COMMUNITY CENTERS: City-run centers are closed.
LIQUOR STORES: The state says the Junction store (41st/Alaska) is open, 10 am-7 pm.
U.S. POSTAL SERVICE: No mail delivery, and post offices are closed.
BANKS: Closed.
SCHOOLS: Seattle Public Schools are closed, as is South Seattle Community College.
‘FREE PARKING DAY’ FOR CITY PAY STATIONS/METERS: If you’re heading toward a neighborhood with paid street parking, no worries, it’s free today, according to this city webpage.
One big event is in the books, and another one ahead, for the Rotary Club of West Seattle. First, what’s ahead: Advance orders are now being taken for the annual berry sale – deliveries are expected in July, but the sooner you order, the better. As usual, it’s a three-round sale – strawberries first, then raspberries, then blueberries; prices and projected pickup dates are listed here; you can place an order online by going to this page. It’s another of their major fundraisers for activities such as the annual Children’s Holiday Shopping Spree. Earlier this week, they gathered for the annual breakfast – photos ahead:Read More
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