Presidential visit update: Off to the Eastside for the night
(Air Force One at Boeing Field, right after sunset)
5:54 PM: President Obama is now in Seattle and will soon be leaving Boeing Field, bound for Hunts Point on Lake Washington. Live TV pictures show that traffic is now stopped awaiting his motorcade. He has two fundraising events on the Eastside tonight, and then will be staying overnight (in Bellevue, according to KING 5) before Air Force One flies out tomorrow morning.
6:11 PM: Motorcade’s on the way to the Eastside, so any traffic effects here shouldn’t last much longer.
Update: 3 arrested after West Seattle police help Renton PD
(WSB photo by Patrick Sand)
4:55 PM: Thanks to everyone who’s been texting us about police activity in Highland Park, 18th and Myrtle vicinity. Lt. Pierre Davis explains that “SPD units assisted Renton PD with a stolen vehicle that ended up in our jurisdiction. A high-risk stop was conducted. 3 are in custody.” High-risk stop is when you see police with guns drawn.
5:35 PM: Just added photos. This is barely a block east of Sanislo Elementary, in case you’re trying to place the location:
West Seattle development: ‘Early’ proposal for ex-Huling site
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
The most conspicuously vacant site of the ex-Huling Auto (briefly Gee) properties in West Seattle may not be vacant much longer: 
A development proposal and sale are being explored.
A mixed-use (apartments and retail) project is on the drawing board. The city Department of Planning and Development website has an early-in-the-process entry for a potential project with “five floors of residential over 55,000 SF retail” and “Parking for 534 cars (underground)” at 4755 Fauntleroy Way SW.
That’s the site stretching along the west side of Fauntleroy from Edmunds almost to Alaska, including the former Chevrolet showroom and lot.
Here’s what we have found out from John Wunder of Associates West Real Estate, longtime representative for the Huling properties:
Read More
West Seattle scene: Yes, you can still see the canoes on Alki
Some have asked if the Paddle to Squaxin tribal canoes are still on Alki, where they landed Monday afternoon as a stop along the journey to the big annual gathering, to be held in the Olympia area this year. We went back over to Alki to be sure we had the correct answer: Yes. Departures aren’t planned until tomorrow morning, when they will head to the next stop, hosted by the Puyallup Tribe; the Muckleshoots are the hosts here – all the stops are on this map. (Our coverage from Monday is here and here.)
ADDED: Stately sunset view with a canoe’s bow in silhouette, from David Hutchinson:
Jerry Howard of John L. Scott West Seattle: New WSB sponsor
Today we welcome one of our newest WSB sponsors, Jerry Howard from John L. Scott West Seattle at 5242 California. Here’s what he’d like you to know about what he does:
If you’ve been thinking about a career change, Jerry is currently offering classes on becoming a real-estate agent. He’s an award-winning trainer and coach. Jerry has been mentoring, coaching, and training real-estate agents for more than 15 years. He has conducted hundreds of classes on various Real Estate subjects and personally coached and trained many new and experienced agents that have built and maintained a successful real-estate business; in fact, he has trained three agents that went on to become John L. Scott Rookie of the Year, and two more that were runners-up. If you have ever thought about a career in real estate, John L. Scott West Seattle would be the place to start. If you’re interested in finding out whether selling real estate is something you’d like to do, you can fill out Jerry’s online survey, here.
And if you are buying or selling a home, Jerry adds that the sales team at John L. Scott has been in business here in West Seattle since 1968. He joined the John L. Scott family in 1992. Jerry adds, “With the best marketing programs available in the industry, John L. Scott is widely recognized as one of the nation’s largest and most productive real-estate companies and is a consistent leader and innovator in real-estate technology. We are committed to providing the highest level of service to buyers and sellers in the Puget Sound area. We pride ourselves on our professional, ethical, and effective approach to real estate.”
Contact Jerry by going here – and get on the road to your successful real-estate career here.
We thank Jerry Howard of John L. Scott for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.
Update: Broken booze bottle closes Hiawatha wading pool, 1 hurt
1:37 PM: The Hiawatha wading pool is opening late today because of somebody’s dangerous, inconsiderate act. Christine sent a note, saying that while it’s not big news, it is “sad for kids” that somebody got broken glass in the pool, requiring a cleanup operation before it could be filled on this sunny, warm afternoon. We checked with Seattle Parks spokesperson Dewey Potter, who confirmed, “it is closed and the staff are working on it. They discovered a vodka bottle broken in the pool when they arrived at work this morning. They hope to be finished cleaning by around 2 p.m. and then start filling.” (updated) In the meantime, Lincoln Park is open today, as is South Park (location here).
2:30 PM UPDATE: Cleanup done and the pool’s open again.
3:08 PM UPDATE: Parks’ Potter just sent another update:
There was apparently still some glass in the pool even after going over it with a shop vac, and someone cut her foot. The pool is closed again, this time for the day, and the staff will continue to go over it square inch by square inch until they have every grain picked up.
WEDNESDAY UPDATE: Still causing problems – another update from Dewey Potter @ Parks this morning:
The crew has swept the pool with a sweeper and still don’t think they have all the glass. A power washer is arriving there right about now, and they will power wash the pool. It will continue to be closed for at least two more hours, and the staff will update the hotline when the work is complete and the pool is filling. The hotline number is 206-684-7796.
Lincoln, 8600 Fauntleroy Way SW, is open from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
EC Hughes, 2805 SW Holden St., is open from noon – 7 p.m.
West Seattle Tuesday: Presidential visit; 99 closures continue
(WSDOT aerial from last Friday, shared via Flickr: Highway 99 work zone south of the Alaskan Way Viaduct)
Quick look at what’s happening today/tonight before the morning gets much older:
SOUTHBOUND VIADUCT/99 CLOSURE AGAIN TONIGHT: 9 pm-5 am, Battery Street Tunnel to West Seattle Bridge. In case you’ve missed earlier advisories, this will be the pattern, WSDOT says, five nights every week (Sun.-Thurs., weather permitting) until fall, as they continue reinforcing the section of the Alaskan Way Viaduct under which the tunnel-boring machine will pass. P.S.
PRESIDENTIAL VISIT: It’s almost local, since Boeing Field is so close. As noted here last night, President Obama is due to arrive there sometime in the 5 pm hour, and is headed for two fundraisers at a private home on Lake Washington. The airport advisory says he’ll leave in the 9 am hour tomorrow.
NIGHTLIFE: Tonight’s lineup includes Trivia That Rocks at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), 8 pm; there’s also trivia at The Bridge, 8:30 pm; Shadowland hosts the weekly Starlight songwriters’ showcase, 9 pm; and Baby Ketten Karaoke at Skylark Café and Club, 9 pm.
More on the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar!
Sing like The King @ Feedback Lounge’s 2nd annual Elvis festival
The date is set and the call is out for Elvis Presley-tribute performers: “Get your King on” at the second annual West Seattle El-Fest: E Meets West! coming up 8 pm August 10th at the Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), whose Jeff Gilbert shares the official announcement:
Calling all Elvis tribute singers/performers – we’re paying tribute to the King of Rock & Roll and we want YOU to take part. 
We’re looking for guys and gals, 21 & older – to put on your Elvis gear and belt it out during our annual Elvis tribute show on Friday, August 10th, 8 PM at the Feedback Lounge.
Created by Jeff Gilbert (co-owner of the Feedback) and Helen Anne Gately (Elvis tribute singer/collector/die-hard fan), our 2nd Annual El-Fest puts you on stage with backing music tracks by Saraoke for a chance to win a custom handmade cape and crown worthy of the King himself (courtesy of the famed costume designer K.D. Schill).
All performers will get an Elvis gift bag and a Feedback Lounge gift certificate. Elvis fans will get a chance to vote for their favorite tribute singer and get their pictures taken with a number of Kings!
To sign up to perform, contact Helen at hag68@yahoo.com to reserve your spot in the spotlight.
We’ll also have a vintage Elvis memorabilia display (courtesy of the lovely Ms. Gately), Elvis food and drink specials, party favors, music and more for El-Fest: E Meets West. The event is free to participate or just watch. Come get your King on!
West Seattle Crime Watch: Stolen car crashes, suspect arrested
Busy night on the scanner so far. Big calls have included a briefly major response to a reported possible shooting in Admiral, which turned out to be a complete false alarm (the caller apparently was actually just asking about a shooting investigation from last year). 
But the biggest so far has netted one arrest during an intensive search in the Riverview area: Police arrested a suspect after a hit-run crash near 12th and Orchard (map) involving a reported stolen car. According to scanner traffic and reader reports, it unfolded this way: First police noticed the car driving erratically along various streets in eastern West Seattle. That came to a stop when the car hit a parked truck. The driver and two passengers were reported to have fled the scene. Police, including a K-9 team, started searching. A man in his early 20s, believed to be the driver, was arrested; Southwest Precinct Lt. Alan Williams tells WSB he will be “booked for investigation of auto theft and outstanding warrants.” The passengers, at least one of whom was female, are still at large as of this writing.
Seal Sitters’ seal-pup season officially begins with ‘Georgie’
(Photo by Robin Lindsey)
Seal Sitters will be on the lookout today for another sighting of the first pup of harbor-seal-pupping season. First responder Robin Lindsey says the pup showed up on West Seattle shores Monday – and she says that brings important reminders for beachgoers:
We received a report of a pup about 1 pm, and our responders arrived within minutes of the call. We found a newborn seal resting in the rocks and dozing peacefully. However, we were told that before we arrived someone had tried to put the pup back into the water. Marine mammals are protected by Federal law (the Marine Mammal Protection Act) and it is illegal to touch, feed, move or disturb a marine mammal.
The pup was nicknamed Georgie by 10-year-old Bob, visiting from LA, who found the pup. His relatives called the hotline. Georgie is very young, possibly only a day or so old. The photo (above) of the pup yawning enabled us to get an idea of the age of the pup. The pup only has two very tiny front teeth and later we did see the umbilicus cord still attached. It is essential that people stay as far away as possible if they see a seal pup. If the pup’s mom sees too many people, dogs or disruption around her pup, she may very well abandon him – a certain death sentence.
Harbor-seal-pupping season is now upon us! We will be integrating new volunteers throughout the season. If folks are interested in volunteering, they should contact us through the website or blog. And if anyone spies a pup, please keep people and dogs away and call our hotline asap @ 206-905-7325 (SEAL).
You can see another photo of Georgie in Robin’s report, here.
West Seattle Women in Charge: ‘Great group’ shows up
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
More than two dozen women who own/run businesses in West Seattle made a slew of new friends Monday morning.
They gathered at Mind Unwind in the Admiral District for the first major meeting of West Seattle Women in Charge.
We reported on the new group last month; it’s the brainchild of Alki Arts‘ Diane Venti (below left), now collaborating with Mind Unwind‘s Krystal Kelley (below right):
After a pilot organizational meeting, they launched a Facebook page, set the date for this meeting, and got more than three dozen RSVP’s. Twenty-six women showed up Monday to talk and nosh and listen, to admire, maybe even to conspire.
Though many didn’t know each other before, in many cases, they knew of each other. As each in turn introduced herself and talked about her business, there were oohs and aahs.
“What a great group of gals!” someone exclaimed after the introductions ended, and shortly before another round of conversation began.
Read More
Anybody seen this bunny? Lost during the West Seattle Grand Parade
Here’s a lost bunny who doesn’t really qualify for the WSB Pets page … so we’re showing it here. Markus explains:
We went to the West Seattle Parade this weekend and unfortunately lost our daughter’s beloved stuffed animal bunny. I thought the bunny made it home in my backpack, but others saw her take it out while I wasn’t looking. :( We posted some flyers around Hinds & California where we sat for the parade. … If there is any way to help spread the word, our little one is still asking where she is…
If you have any ideas about the bunny’s whereabouts, e-mail the bunny’s companion’s dad at Markus@rocketgraphicsinc.com.
Update: Mayor McGinn joins tribal-canoe welcoming at Alki
(Photos by Nick Adams for WSB)
An unannounced Alki visit for Mayor Mike McGinn this afternoon on Alki Beach, as the tribal canoes participating in Paddle to Squaxin continued to arrive (our first report is here). He joined tribal leaders on the beach. (The mayor is scheduled to be back on Alki this Wednesday afternoon, to talk with Southwest Precinct commander Capt. Steve Paulsen about summer “hot spots.”) WSB contributing photojournalist Nick Adams was at the beach to continue covering the arrivals, as even more canoes continued to land:
Each one was hoisted and carried up to the beach:
That meant one more job for the crews who had spent hours paddling from points north:
The canoes are from all over the region. The OS-Chuck-A-Bick canoe family is from the Quileute Nation, based at LaPush on the northwestern Washington seacoast:
Some brought smaller canoes, some larger:
But all were large in spirit and unity:
There are gatherings and celebrations tonight, hosted by the Muckleshoot Tribe, while the canoes remain, guarded, on Alki. This map shows where the participants have come from, and when they left; some from British Columbia have been on the journey for more than a month. The multi-tribe canoe journey is a relatively new tradition, started in 1989 as the “Paddle to Seattle,” with Alki the final destination that year; this year it is a stop along the way to the potlatch hosted by the Squaxin Island Tribe (who no longer live on their namesake island, but will first welcome the arrivals on the shore in Olympia).
‘People helping people’: West Seattle Eagles’ gift for Team Tracy
West Seattle’s most prolific breast-cancer-fighting fundraiser, Tracy Dart – who as you probably know also is a 3-time survivor – just accepted a big donation from the West Seattle Eagles Auxiliary, as her Team Tracy gets ready for this year’s strong>Breast Cancer 3-Day – the sixth one for her. The Eagles’ Madame Trustee Kristina Todd shared the news, with the photos we’re publishing here: Tracy got a check for $500, she says, explaining: “As part of their charity fundraising efforts, the ladies’ auxiliary had raised the money through benefit dinners and various fundraising activities over the past year. This is a perfect example of the Eagle motto of ‘people helping people’ – in particular, within our neighborhood of West Seattle.”
The Seattle-area 3-Day is less than two months away, September 14-16. If you’d like to donate to it via Team Tracy, just go here.)
Update: Truck rolls into parked car in Fairmount neighborhood
3:54 PM: It was initially called out as a “heavy rescue” – usually meaning someone might have to be cut out of wreckage – but most of the units have just been canceled for a crash in the 4700 block of 37th SW, in the Fairmount neighborhood south of The Triangle. We’re en route to check.
4:09 PM: Just added (first) photo by WSB contributor Christopher Boffoli, who was told at the scene that a truck rolled downhill and into a parked car.
4:17 PM: More from Christopher – no one was inside the gardening truck when it either lost its parking brake or slipped out of gear and rolled down the hill, hitting a parked car in a driveway and ending up in the front yard of the house next door.
Again, nobody hurt.
6:27 PM: Added three more photos from Christopher – including two showing just how steep the street is.
Update: Tribal canoes landing at Alki during Paddle to Squaxin 2012
Canoes participating in the annual Pacific Northwest tribes’ journey are landing at Alki Beach this afternoon – the first arrivals are already here. Alki is a stop along the way to Squaxin Island in the South Sound, which this year is the site of the gathering to which, according to the official announcement, as many as 130 canoes in all are headed (starting with a landing in Olympia next Sunday). Here are the many stops along the way, including Alki. More to come.
2:15 PM UPDATE: More canoes continue to approach the shore, many of their crews chanting and singing. There’s a big crowd all along the seawall and on the beach to greet and to watch. At least half a dozen more are visible offshore; many of these canoes left Suquamish on the North Kitsap Peninsula this morning.
3:05 PM UPDATE: The group of canoes that all arrived together have finished coming ashore; there are now two more in the distance, possibly having launched from Tulalip in Snohomish County. The Muckleshoot Tribe hosts the Alki stop, including support from uniformed security, with a vehicle patroling the boardwalk. The Duwamish Tribe is part of this year’s journey too – Linda Dombrowski tells us that the Duwamish Canoe Family is participating in the Duwamish Raven Canoe. She adds, “Raven Canoe skipper is Justine Finkbonner. Support crew on the beach today include Cecile Hansen, the Duwamish Tribal Chairperson and great-great-great-great-grandniece of Chief Seattle, and Ken Workman, Duwamish Tribal Councilman and great-great-great-great-grandson of Chief Seattle. This year’s Raven Canoe Paddlers include Duwamish youth leaders.”
West Seattle Crime Watch: Segway at the scene of the crime
We’ve received more than a few reports of bicycles left behind at crime scenes – but this is the first time we recalling hearing a Segway left behind! The photo is from Jennifer, who explained that she found it near where two neighbors’ cars were broken into overnight in the 6600 block of Holly Place SW. Moments after her first note, before we even started writing this story, she sent a second note to say that the owner of a local rental business – contacted by a friend of hers – came to get it, and said, she wrote, “it was stolen from his carport and that it didn’t even run. He said they had to push or pull it over here. He said it was probably pretty difficult since there is resistance in the wheels.”
Meantime, while we’re not sure it’s from a theft, we’re also taking the occasion to mention a mystery bicycle that’s shown up – not too far (likely coincidentally, but you never know) from the above discovery:
Patty sent the photo and reports: “I found this bike in my boulevard strip this morning. It has a rear wheel lock on it, so it is not ridable unless you have the key for that. It is a 6-speed, with brown leather seat, front luggage rack & a headlamp. Obviously somebody’s commuter bike. I don’t know why it is here but figure it may be stolen and just dumped in front of my house. If the rightful owner wants to come by, I left it propped against my recycle bins by the sidewalk. 39th Ave SW between Othello and Webster.”
12:51 PM UPDATE: Patty says they’ve found the bike’s owner, who lives nearby. It was apparently stolen just last night.
| 17 COMMENTS