West Seattle, Washington
27 Wednesday
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 recent Monday, around 8 p.m., a citizen yelled at some suspicious teens who were lurking in bushes near 30th and Roxbury. The three boys began cursing at her, but only one remained after she revealed that cops were on the way. He squared off against the 62-year-old and took a swing, landing a glancing blow on her chest. In return, she — quoting the police report — “jabbed him in the chest with a left, on the nose with a right, and then kneed him in the groin.” After running away, the underage, drunk, and combative trio tried to hide in some blackberry bushes. Stumbling and tripping, they were transported to the Southwest Precinct, where one vomited in the holding cell. Released to their parents, they face investigation of obstruction and minor-in-possession of alcohol. The third will also face questions about his failure at fisticuffs and might be charged with assault.
*Feeling that his tile saw was heavy enough to stymie any would-be thieves, a citizen left it in the bed of his pickup truck, which was parked in his driveway in the 3400 block of 41st SW. Overnight on the 30th, someone managed to lug it away without being detected.
Eight more summaries ahead:Read More
Still have room in your summer-camp program? Let us know – we’re putting together a list this week. For starters, here’s an update from Chief Sealth International High School basketball coach Colin Slingsby:
Sealth Basketball and Life Skills Camp is hosting three sessions this summer, and registration is still open for all sessions! The dates are as follows:
Session 1- June 25th to June 29th (about 20 spots left!)
Session 2- July 9th to July 13th
Session 3- August 6th to August 10thHere is a direct link to the camp brochure and registration info.
Notice the new “furniture” in Junction Plaza Park – tables and chairs for sitting outside with food, drink, friends, etc.? We got a tip the other day (thanks!) wondering if it was something “official” or if someone unofficially just set it out. This afternoon, Susan Melrose of the West Seattle Junction Association confirms it was placed there by WSJA – just in time for summer.
For the second time in a little more than a month, Tony’s Market at 35th/Barton has been broken into. This time, the report comes from SPD Blotter, which says that once police found the intruders, they also found evidence of what writer Jonah Spangenthal-Lee calls a “food fight”:
As the officer pulled up to the market, he found fruit and vegetables strewn in and around the business, and in the middle of the street.
Officers searched inside the market, found two men hiding under tables, and arrested them.
SPD Blotter says a third man was arrested for “obstruction.” We reported in early May on another break-in at the market, but one that didn’t involve the kind of damage reported here.
WSDOT just sent this alert: “On I-5 southbound just south of West Seattle Bridge (MP 162) there is a collision blocking the 3 left lanes.” If you’re about to head in that direction, you might consider an alternate route.
4:16 PM UPDATE: This won’t be a problem for the evening commute – it was moved to the shoulder, per a WSDOT tweet last hour.
If an ad that just appeared on Craigslist in Seattle is for real, someone appears to be planning a political protest of sorts during this year’s Seafair Pirates Landing, coming up July 7th on Alki. Thanks to Diane for spotting the ad; it offers T-shirts (“sure to be a collectors item”) and $20 to each of up to 125 people who will be hired for: “Holding a sign and/or passing out info sheets requesting that the laws of the state of Washington and the City of Seattle should apply to all.” The ad also says organizers are “expecting national TV coverage.” We’ve sent a note to the blind-box address in the ad, which also includes an ad for a mail drop in Lake City. While we continue poking around for clues and awaiting a possible reply, thought we would throw it out to you – know what this is about? If you don’t want to leave a comment, you’re also welcome to e-mail editor@westseattleblog.com.
Josh Sutton from the West Seattle Y (WSB sponsor) caught this view of an unusual sight at the development site across the street from the Y’s HQ in The Triangle – a spiral staircase being hoisted into place. The 62-apartment development at 36th/Snoqualmie is Harbor/Urban‘s Nova, one of three major developments under construction in West Seattle right now, along with Youngstown Flats (26th/Dakota in North Delridge) and Oregon 42 (where the recent 3-home demolition is over and excavation is beginning) at 42nd/Oregon in The Junction.
Out and about the past few hours, here’s some of what we saw: Above, a group of parking spaces at Don Armeni marked as “no parking” for noon-5 pm today started filling up with shiny new Ford Focus electric cars – all bearing Michigan plates – so as two more were driven up, we asked the driver, “Commercial?” and he nodded. Right about that time, we found out via Twitter (hat tip, SeattleFoodTruck.com) that yet another food truck is testing the West Seattle waters:
That’s co-owner Kryse with the Happy Grillmore truck, parking in the Midas lot (4457 Fauntleroy Way SW) Mondays 11 am-2 pm starting today, specializing in burgers and fries, with two teriyaki burgers as today’s specials (veggie and salmon). Last but by no means least, a view from “Anchor Park” (the Duwamish Head lookout at the former site of Luna Park):
Couldn’t zoom in any further without a lens the size of the future Highway 99 tunnel – but even at a distance, you can’t mistake a bald eagle, this one with a great perch atop the navigational signage.
(Seagull and scenery, courtesy of Susan on Beach Drive)
Four neighborhood councils meet over the next two nights, and one of them is starting the second year of its “meet outside in the summer” tradition … that’s part of what’s on the Monday docket from the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar:
TONIGHT’S TRAFFIC ALERT: The southbound stretch of Highway 99/Alaskan Way Viaduct between the Battery Street Tunnel and West Seattle Bridge will close 9 pm-5 am, first of four consecutive overnight closures. We’ve put together a full day-by-day/night-by-night list of this week’s 99 *and* Spokane Street Viaduct closures – see it here (the list continues through next weekend’s all-weekend-long-both-ways AWV/99 shutdown).
STUDENT CONCERTS: School-concert season is wrapping up with 1:30 and 6:30 pm performances scheduled at Roxhill Elementary (30th/Roxbury).
GOT A CLASSIC FAMILY RECIPE? Make it and bring it to the West Seattle Cooking Club, 3 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW).
LADIES’ NIGHT ON THE BOARDS: Should be a great night for stand-up paddleboarding, and Alki Kayak Tours has another edition of its “Ladies’ Night” set for 6 pm (1660 Harbor Avenue SW).
BOOK GROUPS: Tired of having nobody to talk to about the book you’re reading? Two library branches have book-group gatherings tonight – both on the Seattle Public Library calendar – both at 6:45 pm – the Southwest Branch (35th/Henderson) is reading “The Name of the Rose” by Umberto Eco, and the West Seattle Branch (2306 42nd SW) is reading “Let’s Take the Long Way Home” by Gail Caldwell.
NORTH DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL: Join NDNC in Cottage Grove Park (5206 26th SW) tonight at 6:30 pm as their “meet outdoors on nice summer nights” series resumes. The full agenda’s linked from their website.
PIGEON POINT NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL: 7 pm at the Pathfinder K-8 cafeteria (19th SW and SW Genesee). Agenda details are in our calendar listing.
PUB QUIZ AT SHADOWLAND: Every Monday, go get your quiz on at Shadowland, 8 pm (4458 California SW).
FLAT EARTH SOCIETY AT WEST 5: The weekly vinyl-DJ’ing extravaganza, 9 pm Mondays at West 5 (4539 California SW). Tonight, featuring Johnny Horn of KEXP.
(UPDATED 6/12 with city’s changes to Spokane Street Viaduct schedule)
The westbound Spokane Street Viaduct closure this weekend ended earlier than projected, as noted here this morning, but the coming week brings more closures, both for the SSV and for the Alaskan Way Viaduct/Highway 99 stretch between the Battery Street Tunnel and the West Seattle Bridge. On 2 nights, the closures will overlap. Since the SSV is a city project and the AWV is a state project, the closures have been announced separately, but we’ve put the main points together here in one night-by-night/day-by-day guide:
MONDAY NIGHT (JUNE 11):
Southbound Alaskan Way Viaduct/Highway 99 closing 9 pm-5 am
No Spokane Street Viaduct closures scheduled
TUESDAY NIGHT (JUNE 12):
Southbound Alaskan Way Viaduct/Highway 99 closing 9 pm-5 am
No Spokane Street Viaduct closures scheduled
WEDNESDAY NIGHT (JUNE 13):
Southbound Alaskan Way Viaduct/Highway 99 closing 9 pm-5 am
*UPDATE: Spokane Street Viaduct closures canceled*
THURSDAY NIGHT (JUNE 14):
Southbound Alaskan Way Viaduct/Highway 99 closing 9 pm-5 am
*UPDATE: Spokane Street Viaduct closures canceled*
FRIDAY NIGHT AND THIS WEEKEND (JUNE 15-18)
Alaskan Way Viaduct/Highway 99 closed BOTH ways from 11 pm Friday till 5 am Monday
No Spokane Street Viaduct closures scheduled
All of the above – and other construction-related closures around the city – are listed on the “lookahead” that is sent out every Thursday – see the latest version here.
Notice the reddish water along some local beaches this weekend? Since we first reported on it Saturday morning, it’s spread. The photo above was tweeted by Russ Walker, who photographed it on Alki Point late today; next photo is from Chris Johnson, who saw it at Burien’s Seahurst Park.
Again, if you missed our Saturday story (and last year’s coverage), this is caused by single-cell organisms known as noctiluca. It’s NOT “red tide,” not toxic at all; it is described as common in Puget Sound, though last year was the first time in three years that its bloom drew a lot of attention (here’s what the state Ecology Department wrote about it in 2011; we’ll be following up with them about this year’s sightings).
As the plan for West Seattle’s new public school K-5 STEM at Boren continues to take shape, its Design Team is meeting to discuss details big and small. One potentially big item came up at the May 29th meeting: Principal Dr. Shannon McKinney‘s suggestion that the school should require uniforms, or have a uniform-like dress code. (Our coverage of that meeting reports the rationale, as well as the opinions voiced that night.) Though no decision was made at that meeting, as planned, the discussion continued at the most recent meeting this week – and Design Team member Robin Graham tells us the team decided to support the recommendation:
With understanding and appreciation of the community’s thoughts on both sides, the design team supports Dr. McKinney with our vision that STEM is a place kids should know they are doing something very important – this is their uniform for learning.
The uniform will go far to increase safety, reduce distractions; communicate to the students, staff, and the community that we are serious about learning at K-5 STEM; increase equality between sexes; reduce teasing between boys and girls; enable teachers to truly “see” the student as a student; encourage students to see beyond external attributes and get to know his/her classmates on the basis of who they are; along with many other reasons.
The uniform to be decided upon will not be something akin to “ties for the boys and only skirts for the girls.” On the contrary, students will be able to wear khaki-colored pants, shorts and/or skirts of appropriate length, along with initially, perhaps a navy blue polo shirt. After the student body and staff have together chosen school colors, a mascot and a name, then more choices will be added to the uniform. All the logistics and the support to families are details that will be addressed.
The Design Team, which includes community, school, and district representatives, is scheduled to meet again at 6:15 pm June 21st at Madison Middle School‘s library. The school’s PTA is in formation, too, and its charter membership meeting is set for 6:30 pm June 27th at the West Seattle (Admiral) branch of the Seattle Public Library (2306 42nd SW). Meantime, the Yahoo! discussion group for enrolled and interested families continues going strong – find it here.
3 updates in Crime Watch tonight, starting with these neighborhood crimefighters:
NEW SIGN: The 13th Avenue SW Block Watch in Highland Park is making its presence known with this new sign at SW Henderson. The photo is by Dina Johnson; from left in the photo are Blair, Randy, Art, Brian, & Brian. (If you’re interested in a Block Watch, here’s SPD info on how to get one going.)
SPEAKING OF BLOCK WATCHES: If you are a Block Watch captain or in an “acting BW captain” role, have you RSVP’d for the first-ever West Seattle Block Watch Captains’ Appreciation Party yet? It’s coming up in less than two weeks and it’s FREE for captains/acting captains and their guests, but the WS BW Captains’ Network needs you to hurry up and RSVP – all the details are here.
NOW, TWO THEFT REPORTS: Both involve bicycles. First, GI reports, “A good friend had his rare beach cruiser stolen from his garage on Alki. He’s retired and this is his toy and favorite mode of transportation. There is a reward. … If you could put the word out please. Again it’s a tan 1998 Felt Military Police beach cruiser.”
Second, this report comes from SODO, but since so many West Seattleites work (and play) there, maybe you can be on the lookout for this:
Jann e-mailed to say:
Our delivery bike was stolen last night from the sidewalk @ SODO Deli ( 3228 1st Ave S. ) It is a VERY unique vehicle, so we’re trying to get this photo in front of as many people as we can so we can try to bring it back home. It’s a 3 wheel, recumbent, with a hand made wooden seat on the back. It was recently repainted red, but it still has many touches of purple still on it, ’cause I bought it from Purple Perry Pedicabs. When it was stolen, it had the “SODO Deli” sidewalk sign in the back, which is red & white & black.
We’re a small family business with no $$ to spare, so having our marketing/delivery vehicle stolen is a huge blow.
We would greatly appreciate it if you could ask people to call 911 and let them know (if they see it). Incident # 12-180485. Thanks for any help you can give in this!
ORIGINAL 3:21 PM REPORT: Thanks to Michael for sharing the photo of the Marlins. They’re the winners of the West Seattle Little League end-of-season tournament minor-league championship after beating the Nationals 13-4 on Saturday.
ADDED 6:05 PM: And congratulations to the Cubs, who won the WSLL EOS major-league championship this afternoon, per this report, winning 10-1 over the Cardinals.
Till 4 pm, you are welcome to check out the Paddle From Seattle support event at the Duwamish Longhouse, co-sponsored by CARW, whose members posed for us when we stopped by just before the event began. Donations welcome, including traditional Longhouse treats such as frybread and Indian tacos, so the kitchen is busy:
More info on the event here; the Longhouse is at 4705 West Marginal Way SW, and its calendar of upcoming events is here – including the gala on June 30th.
Thanks to the tipster who texted us (206-293-6302 any time!) to say it appeared the westbound Spokane Street Viaduct had reopened early. Just drove the bridge to verify it, since SDOT hasn’t sent an announcement, and yes, it has reopened. More closures ahead this week – including some on Highway 99 – and we’re putting together a comprehensive list to publish here later.
ADDED 2:16 PM: SDOT’s Marybeth Turner confirms via e-mail that crews are totally done with the work for which this weekend closure was planned, so that’s the last closure until a partial eastbound closure this Wednesday night (explained here).
(Mallard in a field of wild mini-daisies at Lincoln Park, photographed by Machel Spence)
Some of what’s up today/tonight, from the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar:
PLAYDATE FOR K-5 STEM AT BOREN FAMILIES: Whether you’re already enrolled in West Seattle’s new public school, or you’re on the waitlist, or you’re just thinking about it, you’re welcome – 10 am at Lincoln Park, meet by the zipline that’s just north of the park’s south parking lot off Fauntleroy Way SW.
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, 44th/Alaska – strawberries, cherries, and other summer fruit continue to arrive!
SHOE DRIVE: As previewed here last night, Clementine (4447 California SW) is launching its weeklong shoe drive for Jubilee Women’s Center – bring gently used women’s shoes to donate, and you’re eligible for discounts on new shoes.
LOVING DAY CELEBRATION: At Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW), noon-4 pm, the annual celebration of the court decision that ended laws against interracial marriage. Details here.
PB&J TEXTILES OPEN HOUSE: 1-4 pm at their headquarters next to Skylark in North Delridge, 3805 Delridge Way SW – details here.
TOUR THE LIGHTHOUSE: Alki Point Lighthouse is open for tours 1-4 pm Saturdays and Sundays, June through August.
‘PADDLE FROM SEATTLE’ SUPPORT @ DUWAMISH LONGHOUSE: Native American canoe culture is reviving, and the Duwamish Longhouse in West Seattle is celebrating it with a benefit event this afternoon, 2-4 pm. Details here. (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)
NATURE WALK: West Seattle naturalist Stewart Wechsler is leading a nature walk at Camp Long (5200 35th SW) that’ll focus on butterflies or salamanders, depending on the weather! Starts at 2:30 pm; more info here.
BENEFIT CLASS AT BIKRAM YOGA SEATTLE: As previewed here last night, proceeds from the 5 pm class at Bikram Yoga Seattle (WSB sponsor; 4747 California SW) benefit Run of Hope, raising money for childhood-brain-tumor research.
CHOIR CONCERT: South Seattle Community College Community Choir‘s concert “Beauty and Bounty” is tonight at 7, and you are welcome! They will perform in Olympic Hall, which is the building at the southeastern end of campus (6000 16th SW, use the south entrance to SSCC).
BENEFIT YOGA CLASS: 5 pm on Sunday, Bikram Yoga Seattle (WSB sponsor) invites you to a special class to benefit Run of Hope, fighting childhood brain tumors. (4747 California SW)
SHOE DRIVE: Sunday is day 1 of a week-long shoe drive at Clementine (4447 California SW). Bring in “gently used” women’s shoes to donate to Jubilee Women’s Center. Here’s the Facebook event page. Donors get a discount on new shoes if interested, as pointed out in this update on the Clementine website.
Photos and story by Patrick Sand and Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog co-publishers
Curving over 1st Avenue South, that’s the ramp West Seattleites have been waiting for since SDOT closed and demolished its predecessor two years ago, as part of the Spokane Street Viaduct Widening Project. The new combination on-and-off-ramp for the westbound SSV isn’t expected to be ready for you to use until summer’s end – one year longer than estimated back in 2010 – but it’s getting closer:
That’s the view we had from halfway up the ramp during a tour with the project team on Friday afternoon. We saw what’s happening now and talked about what’s happening next – including the reason why the westbound SSV is now (as of 6 pm Saturday 6/9) CLOSED for the remainder of the weekend. Read on for details, including 18 more photos from our tour:
Sister the cat is helping greet visitors at the Cooper Artist Housing loft of Liv Browning, during the open house that continues till 9 tonight. We met Sister and Liv during a quick mid-afternoon visit. The artists really are opening their homes, as well as showing their work. Liv and Sister are on the third floor, as is the stairwell where music and spoken-word performances are scheduled throughout the event:
You’ll see art in many media lining the old Cooper School’s hallways:
And you can visit the nonprofits on the ground floor (like Nature Consortium) or check out demonstrations in the Movement Studio. It’s all happening inside Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, 4408 Delridge Way SW.
Out of the WSB inbox, from Chris:
We had a delivered package containing some hard-to-replace valuables taken from our front porch on the corner of 27th and Holden at some point between 2 and 9 pm yesterday. Wrapping material (which I’m assuming is) from the package were strewn down the hill from our house.
He’s wondering if anyone saw someone in the area “carrying a big, 15-20 pound box during that time.”
Almost four weeks after an early-morning dumpster fire that spread to the exterior of Poggie Tavern in The Junction – here’s our coverage from May 14th – the Poggie is finally open again, as of about an hour ago. In our photograph, that’s bartender Amy, who explains that in addition to repairs required by smoke damage, they also took the opportunity to do some other work inside. (Thanks to Deborra for the tip!)
A productive morning around West Seattle so far – here’s just a few reasons why:
Thanks to Admiral Neighborhood Association vice president Karl de Jong for the photo of ANA president Katy Walum and children Olivia and Henry at this morning’s Adopt-A-Street cleanup (as previewed here). They were among the volunteers who spent three hours out cleaning up Admiral District streets – just one of ANA’s community-enhancing activities; if you live in the area, check out their next monthly meeting, this Tuesday, June 12, 7 pm, at Admiral Congregational Church (California/Hill).
Not far away, at Alki Bathhouse:
Thanks to Anita Lavine for sharing that photo from the Junior Carpenters’ Workshop presented by Niederberger Contracting this morning. Anita says the kids built birdhouses for chickadees to nest in! Anita explains, “The guys are doing it as a way to say ‘thank you’ to the supportive community here in the neighborhood, and provide all the materials and instruction free of charge.”
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