(August 2012 Blue Angels view from Alki, photographed by Les Crimmins)
This morning, Seafair says it’s official – no Blue Angels this year, because of federal budget cuts. Here’s the announcement the festival posted minutes ago on Facebook:
Today we were officially informed by the US Navy Blue Angels that their season has been cancelled, including the Seafair performance, due to Federal Budget Cuts resulting from sequestration. The Blue Angels have flown at Seafair for over 40 years and are an important part of our history. The team will be deeply missed by Seattleites, however Seafair will continue in its traditional fashion. The Patriots Jet Team, which we previously announced, will now assume the lead spot in our world-class air show. The six-ship aerobatic team electrifies spectators with fast-paced formation flying, choreographed four-ship diamond formation aerobatic maneuvers and are highlighted by a computerized red, white and blue smoke system. Many of the pilots include past experience with the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, U.S.A.F. Thunderbirds and Royal Canadian Air Force.
(Live view from the east-facing WS Bridge camera; see other cameras on the WSB Traffic page) 7:19 AM: Via Twitter, SDOT reports a crash on northbound 99 at the Battery Street Tunnel. Updates as we get them.
7:30 AM: The crash has cleared. If you’re waiting for a state ferry at Fauntleroy, note that there’s a spot of trouble there – as WSF deals with a stalled vehicle aboard the Salish.
8:22 AM: Multiple-vehicle crash on Delridge between Delridge and Dakota.(Thanks to Sybil for pointing this out via Twitter.) *added* Blocking southbound lanes, according to a tweet from Lauren.
Next, reader reports. On Saturday afternoon, we tweeted a scanner call about an attempted auto theft. The next day, we heard from the car’s owner, Al:
Just wanted to let readers know that (Saturday) at 1430 hrs. in the 5900 block of Admiral Way, my car was broken into and they attempted to steal it. The 2 male suspects fled in a black 4-door car or crossover type vehicle with a bumper sticker northbound in the alley between 59th and 60th Ave SW (it was too far away to get a really good description as I ran into the alley). My car’s door was busted and the ignition/steering column lock was trashed. All of this, with a car alarm going off (ignition disabled). This was broad daylight on a Sat. The only thing they got away with was my radio faceplate, but damage is estimated at $800-1000. It has been reported to police, but in the meantime keep a lookout for suspicious activity. Summer’s coming, and with it is the increased activity of scum.
Be aware of your surroundings. Report suspicious activity. And, above all, make sure you and your family are safe.
And a holdover from Friday – a package-theft report from Kay:
I live on 29th Ave SW between Kenyon and Elmgrove and a package was delivered to my front porch at 4:15 (per tracking info); shortly thereafter my next-door neighbor emailed me saying she found packaging in her yard and saw “an empty box on my porch.” So someone must have spotted the UPS truck and tore through the package after he left (I checked mail at 3:45 then ran errands and was home by 6:30.
Of the 4 sizable Junction apartment developments ready for construction, The Blake (5020 California SW) is the first to get off the ground. It’s been in the development-preparation process for almost six years, with the site’s former buildings cleared away a year and a half ago – and now, the heavy equipment has arrived (thanks to the WSB’ers who tipped us this afternoon, so we could get a photo before dark). This site has a relatively long history – it was once part of an ambitious West Seattle portfolio that was being amassed by BlueStar, the original developers of “The Hole” (which now, under different ownership and a different name, is one of the other 3 could-start-soon Junction developments). It became bank-owned, then sold to a Burien company, and then three months ago, its new name was announced – though the plan is essentially what was approved in 2008 via the Design Review process:
It’s now planned for six stories with 101 apartments. Right now, the next Junction development to start might be 4724 California SW, just a few blocks north, also on the east side of the street – as reported here last week, the DPD has issued a decision approving its Land Use Permit, and development-team spokesperson Rob O’Dea told WSB they hope to get the project under way at the start of June.
Another win for the West Seattle High School Wildcats! Greg Slader shares photos and toplines (thank you!) from this afternoon’s victory:
Timely hitting and outstanding pitching keeps West Seattle top of the Metro Sound Division with a 6-4 win over O’Dea.
Sam Hellinger (#20, above) pitched a complete game – 7 innings, 9 strikeouts, five hits, and four runs earned. Bobby Swamy (#23, top photo) had two hits, two runs scored, and Tim Adams (#24) hit a two-run homer as the offense outpaced O’Dea. Next game is Wednesday, 3:30 pm, @ Rainier Beach.
From a distance, you might think those are birds on pilings, photographed at Constellation Park‘s north end, right by the Alki Avenue/Beach Drive bend. But take a closer look:
“Awesome feats of balance” is how Chas Redmond, who sent the close-up photo, put it; just minutes after his photo came in, Kate Harris sent the wider view, describing the rock creations as “cairns.” Not sure how the tide will treat them, but thanks to Chas and Kate for sharing photos!
ADDED 5:07 PM: Just after we published this, Michelle Laraux sent photos – including this one with the rock artist in the background:
West Seattle resident Kendall Jones sends word from Olympia that he is reporting live today for his site Washington Beer Blog, as the Legislature looks at Gov. Inslee‘s proposal to raise education money by extending a tax on brewers, and applying it to small breweries as well as large ones. He says there are two West Seattle angles to this – one, tax opponents are asking 34th District Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon for help; two, one of the small breweries leading the fight in Olympia today is West Seattleite-owned Schooner Exact. You can read Kendall’s ongoing report here.
1:26 PM: We’re at Sanislo Elementary with a variety of other media crews, as Caroline Kennedy‘s visit as a poetry advocate has drawn quite the crowd. That’s Sanislo librarian Craig Seasholes with her in our cameraphone photo. The students have recited poems for her, as some Sanislo students will be doing during an event she is headlining downtown tonight.
She asked them why they like the library; one boy replied enthusiastically, “Reading makes me happy, and makes my brain work better!” She was asked how she became involved with poetry, and she mentioned her mom shared poetry with her when she was very little.
1:42 PM UPDATE: The visit is wrapping up, but some of the children are crowding around Kennedy to talk with her for a few more minutes. Sitting quietly, smiling, in the back of the library is Sanislo’s principal Ernie Seevers, who is retiring after his school year (he says this is the first celebrity visit they’ve had during his tenure, aside from a pro-football player!). Also here, West Seattle’s school-board rep, Marty McLaren. More to come, including video.
ADDED MONDAY EVENING: The video includes Q/A with students and their visitor, as well as a song.
Arlene Wade, instrumental in the creation of the Log House Museum and Duwamish Longhouse, has died at age 69. Here’s the remembrance we’ve received to share with you:
Arlene Hinderlie Wade (1943-2013) passed away on March 25 after a 13-year battle with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma.
Arlene grew up in Port Orchard. She was the 1963 Seafair Queen during the ‘Century 21’ Seattle World’s Fair.
As President of the Southwest Seattle Historical Society in the 1990s, Arlene led the campaign to create the Log House Museum. She insisted on telling the story of the American settlers alongside that the Duwamish people, whose cause she championed for two decades. She shaped “The Spirit Returns” exhibit at the new Log House in 2000, which was the first time the story of the Duwamish and the American settlers was told side by side under one roof.
(Screengrab from Seattle Channel substituted when briefing ended; we’ll replace later with archived video) 10:49 AM: The formal announcement is expected within a few hours, but now several citywide news sources are reporting that Seattle Police Chief John Diaz is stepping down after almost four years (as interim and then permanent chief). Our partners at The Seattle Timesquote City Councilmember Bruce Harrell as the source, as does KING 5; Diaz’s departure was first reported on Twitter by KIRO TV. All say that Assistant Chief Jim Pugel(at left in WSB file photo by Christopher Boffoli) will serve as interim chief.
11:15 AM: The mayor and police chief are planning an 11:30 a.m. briefing. (added) You’ll be able to watch the live webcast above.
11:49 AM: The briefing has begun – click “play” on the video window above to see it live.
12:00 PM: Chief Diaz recounted department accomplishments during his tenure and offered words of thanks. Now the mayor is speaking, and doing the same. Some of the major incidents mentioned as happening during the chief’s tenure included the murder of West Seattle High School graduate Officer Timothy Brenton and the Café Racer/downtown murders that ended with the killer’s West Seattle suicide last May.
12:08 PM: Assistant Chief Jim Pugel says he “promise(s) to continue to work … with everyone who has an interest in seeing Seattle as an even better and even safer city” while serving as interim chief. He also thanks SPD officers and community members for their role in that. After brief remarks, the mayor is asked “Why now?” and he punts the question to Chief Diaz, saying it was his decision. Diaz subsequently says that he evaluated issues such as innovation and reform, and he felt they are under control, and that things are “going extremely well,” so he decided “It was time” for him to retire. So why not wait till after this fall’s mayoral election? McGinn is asked. He replied that the search process will take so long, he doubts “any final decisions” would be made until after November.
12:28 PM: The briefing is over. Chief Diaz’s retirement is scheduled for the end of May. We’re taking down the video window but will re-add the archived version when it’s available on the city website. Meantime, the official news release has arrived via e-mail – click ahead to read it:Read More
(Sunday night’s sunset deserves one more look! Thanks to Don Brubeck for the photo)
Four highlights for today/tonight from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
TODDLER INDOOR GYM: Weather’s still dicey; got a little one who needs to run around someplace besides the living room? 1-4 pm, it’s drop-in time at the Delridge Community Center “indoor gym” – details in our calendar listing.
HIGH-SCHOOL SPORTS: Three ballgames are scheduled today – from our calendar listing of this week’s high-school highlights:
3:30 pm: Baseball – West Seattle HS Boys Varsity vs. O’Dea, at Hiawatha
4:00 pm: Baseball – Chief Sealth IHS Boys Varsity vs. Lakeside, at Southwest Athletic Complex, baseball field.
4:00 pm: Softball – West Seattle HS Girls Varsity vs. Holy Names Academy, at Alki Playfield
NORTH DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL: 6:30 tonight at Delridge Library (Brandon/Delridge), join this neighborhood council talking about topics including the future of Delridge Way itself, plus a presentation about the DIY Bikes program.
BADA BISTRO ADDS LUNCH: Co-owner Sharon Bang sends word that the 61st/Alki restaurant/bar is adding lunch starting today, open at 11 am weekdays and 10 am weekends.
SEATTLE RESTAURANT WEEK: This is actually a two-week promotion, Sundays through Thursdays this week and next, with “3 courses for $28” offerings at restaurants around the region, and two WSB sponsors are among the participants – La Romanza Bistro Italiano in The Junction (here’s its SRW page – note that LR is closed Mondays) and Salty’s on Alki (here’s its SRW page).
PHOENECIA ‘WHIMSICAL’ WINE DINNER: Food, wine, and – fairy tales? Phoenecia on Alki is accepting reservations for a special 6-course, $75 wine dinner tomorrow night – read about it here and then call to check if there’s room.
Beginning Tuesday, Apr. 9, the 64-car Salish will service the F/V/SW route while the 90-car Sealth returns to the San Juan Islands to temporarily replace the Yakima. The three-boat weekday schedule will continue to be in effect. Please plan for additional wait times during the morning and afternoon commutes due to the decrease in vessel capacity.
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 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?”:
*On the morning of Monday the 1st, a 59-year-old Admiral resident was booked into King County Jail after he pointed a handgun at three construction workers at the home next door and ordered them to “Get the “F(&*” out of there!” When questioned by an officer, he repeatedly denied having pointed a weapon. Interestingly, when he admitted he had a gun and told the officers where to retrieve it, it matched the victims’ descriptions perfectly. The police report noted that the gun had one round in the chamber and 13 rounds in the magazine. He will be investigated for harassment.
Reminder that the West Seattle Water Taxi starts its spring/summer/fall schedule tomorrow, which means not only 7-day-a-week operation, but also the return of midday runs, since the winter schedule only handles the morning and afternoon commutes. You can see the new schedule here. But don’t expect to see the newly acquired vessel Spirit of Kingston tomorrow; county reps told WSB earlier this week that crew members are training and other work is under way before they put it into service to replace Rachel Marie (shown above in a WSB file photo).
More than 70 sales are now on the list for the ninth annual West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day, just under five weeks away, Saturday, May 11th. Thanks to everyone who’s registered so far to help make sure it’s a big, fun day of selling and shopping, finding new treasures and meeting neighbors you never knew you had – sales all over the peninsula, usually more than 200, from Admiral to The Arroyos, Pigeon Point to Highland Park, and sometimes beyond! If you have signed up, please be sure you have a receipt from PayPal as well as the confirmation from us – our records so far show a few people have made it through the first part of the process but not the rest of the way – e-mail garagesale@westseattleblog.com if you’re not sure. Ready to sign up? Here’s the link!
If you want to participate but don’t have room for a sale or just don’t have that much stuff, the two traditional group sites (both WSB sponsors) are doing it again. The courtyard/parking lot area between Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (4410 California SW) and Ginomai art center is open for registration, reports Hotwire’s Lora Swift – e-mail her at info@hotwirecoffee.com to reserve a free space! Lora will then follow up as the date gets closer with a PDF map of the courtyard/lot showing where you’ll be. Meantime, C & P Coffee Company also is participating again – we don’t have details of their signup process yet, but we’d suggest inquiring at the shop. Whether you’ll be selling or shopping (or both), watch for updates on the official website and the official Facebook page., as well as here on WSB.
(Photos by Nick Adams for WSB)
With the Jumbo Fairpartnerfinally docking on Saturday – four days after its much-watched arrival in Elliott Bay – its cargo, the Highway 99 tunnel machine dubbed “Bertha,” is now coming ashore in its 41 pieces. Today, the most recognizable one – its “face,” aka cutterhead – was offloaded. WSDOT invited media onto the site for a quick look, and WSB contributing photojournalist Nick Adams was there.
The media opportunity ended before the machine’s 886-ton cutterhead was moved off the dock – but there were interesting views of the launch pit too, ahead:
Silent auctions are a bit like shopping at sales – though you’re never sure if you’re going to have the winning bid – with a bonus payoff: You know your money’s going to do good work. In the case of “Catsino,” under way at Beveridge Place Pub in Morgan Junction until 6 pm, it’s going to help those who can’t speak or fight for themselves – animals. There are so many circumstances in which the organizations behind the event – presented by Furry Faces Foundation – step in. If furry friends like Nora could say thanks, we’re sure they would:
In addition to the beneficiaries, Catsino also involves local businesses and groups who are sponsoring – and staffing! – the just-for-fun game tables, like Ventana Construction (WSB sponsor), whose Anne Higuera is at right in our next photo:
Ventana’s offering a “Carpenter for a Day” item in the silent auction, we noticed, so go bid! The fun’s not even half over. The pub’s at 6413 California SW.
Though their playing season is still a ways off, Chief Sealth International High School‘s football team is keeping busy. They’re joining in Seattle’s Walk MS next weekend and asking you to support the cause on their behalf. Here’s the message Sealth head football coach Luther Carr asked us to share:
This annual walk is a community service event organized throughout the country to increase awareness and fundraise for the research of Multiple Sclerosis. Multiple Sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that affects the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system). This condition affects millions worldwide. Some of the symptoms of those with this condition experience periods of numbness, loss of sensitivity, muscle spasms, loss of speech, fatigue, and blindness. Episodes can occur without warning and without any inciting factors lasting days, weeks or months. I personally decided to get involved because a friend lost his sight in one eye as a result of MS. Early and ongoing treatment with an FDA-approved therapy can make a difference for many people with Multiple Sclerosis. To learn more about MS go to nationalmssociety.org. To learn more about WALK MS Seattle 2013, go (here).
Walk MS 2013 is a great opportunity for Chief Sealth High School football players. They are fundraising for a worldwide condition that affects millions, and has no cure. They are also learning the act of service! As an added benefit, each player will also earn community service credit hours needed to graduate from Seattle Public Schools.
No donation is too small or too large, says Coach Carr – you can donate through the CSI team page by going here.
10:56 AM: California Way is blocked by a downed tree. We are here checking it out. Police are on scene turning traffic back. SDOT is here cutting up the tree.
11:26 AM: Please comment or otherwise let us know if you go through the area and it’s clear – there are no official updates on things like this and we won’t be going back to check for a while. Thanks!
3:10 PM: Commenters say it’s still closed and might not open for hours to come.
7:51 PM: Thanks to everyone who has reported the road has reopened.
10:25 AM: Rain or shine, the games must go on! Thanks to Tim McMonigle for the reminder that today is the start of West Seattle Soccer Club‘s spring Champions League – and it’s a record-setting season even at the start, with more than 1,400 players and 260+ coaches participating. As Tim explains, the league is so named because the U6-U13 players are organized into “teams representing the current participants in the UEFA Champions League over in Europe.” It’s an eight-game season of Sunday afternoon matches, through June 9th (no games on Mother’s Day and Memorial Day weekends).
3:42 PM: Added photos after stopping by High Point’s Walt Hundley Playfield – one of many fields where play kicked off today.
MASTER GARDENERS AT WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: You know it’s growing season when the Master Gardeners return to the Farmers’ Market to answer your questions! 10 am-1:45 pm most Sundays till fall – details here. (44th/Alaska)
BACKYARD COTTAGE OPEN HOUSE: Not in WS, but not too far – West Seattle’s Ncompass Cottage Company (WSB sponsor) is showing off its newest project in Seward Park, and that’s potentially of interest to anyone looking at building a backyard cottage. 1-4 pm open house. (6335 Wilson Avenue S.)
CATSINO: A silent auction and just-for-fun casino-style games are the hallmarks of this annual fun(draiser) for animal advocacy organizations – 2-6 pm at Beveridge Place Pub; details here. (6451 California SW)
MUSIC AT C & P COFFEE: Singer-songwriter Alan Ehrlich performs 3-5 pm – details here. (5612 California SW)
CANCER’S A DRAG: 5-7 pm at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), Booze, Balls & Bingo presents a drag-bingo benefit for cancer-fighting Team Tracy – details here. (6413 California SW)
8:53 AM: We missed it, but at least a few people in West Seattle didn’t, judging by the morning inbox: There was a 3.5 earthquake in the South Sound (centered west of Key Center) just before 2 am. Here’s its infopage. Not major by any measure, but also, on the stronger side of “small” earthquakes. No reports of damage (that we can find). Those who e-mailed us about feeling it here described it as a short, sharp shake.
3:06 PM: As the day goes on, people are talking about preparedness, since a quake is always a jolting reminder – here’s a great place to start: westseattlebeprepared.org.
Arlene Hinderlie Wade (1943-2013) passed away on March 25 after a 13-year battle with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma.
quote City Councilmember Bruce Harrell
As always, the WSBeat summaries are from reports on cases handled recently by 
More than 70 sales are now on the list for the ninth annual 
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