West Seattle, Washington

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month : 11/2013 309 results

West Seattle development: 4535 44th SW design packet; 6917 California SW meeting
November 25, 2013 10:44 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

Updates tonight on two no-parking apartment projects currently going through the city review system:

4535 44TH SW ‘DESIGN PACKET’: One week from Thursday, 4535 44th SW (map) returns to the Southwest Design Review Board, after having been the subject of another meeting last week (WSB coverage here) in which citizens spoke up about concerns related to the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) – primarily the five-story project’s no-on-site-parking plan. It’s proposed for 36 apartments and 2 live-work units. The “design packet” is now available via the city website. Above, Nicholson Kovalchick Architects‘ design of the side that would face 44th SW, across from The Junction’s northernmost parking lot for shoppers; below, the side that would face Glenn Way:

Features outlined in the packet include informal gathering space with a small table and chairs envisioned on each east-facing stair landing overlooking 44th. This is the first project up for the SW Design Review Board’s two-project meeting at 6:30 pm December 5th at the Senior Center of West Seattle; the 8 pm review that night is for 4745 40th SW, 135 units and 116 parking spaces – its packet is not yet online.

2 UPDATES ON 6917 CALIFORNIA SW – MEETING & DEADLINE: Also on December 5th, the Morgan Community Association plans a special meeting about the 30-apartment, no-parking project planned at 6917 California SW (map):

This will be a meeting for community and neighbors to get some preliminary background on this multi-family project, learn about the Urban Village strategy and Morgan Junction Neighborhood Plan, land use zoning and the City’s code changes that have taken place since that strategy was adopted. Plus, discussion about the issues and concerns prior to a future meeting with the developer (which is being scheduled).

This citizen-organized community meeting is set for 7 pm December 5th at The Kenney (WSB sponsor), 7125 Fauntleroy Way SW. This is the project first made public here in mid-October, and it’s drawn much attention since then. The public-comment period for the development was extended to this Wednesday; to comment, follow the link on the official notice. As reported here two weeks ago, neighbors also have gathered petition signatures in hopes of a SEPA-issues public meeting like the one last Tuesday about 4535 44th SW; their online petition has more than 500 signatures showing right now.

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Update: RapidRide passengers stop armed robber; suspect arrested
November 25, 2013 6:42 pm
|      105 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS breaking news

(UPDATED TUESDAY MORNING with more details from police report – scroll down)

(Photos by WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand, added 7:42 pm)
6:42 PM: Multiple Rapid Ride buses are stopped in Morgan Junction right now on California just north of Fauntleroy as part of a police investigation that’s led to an arrest. We’re still working to find out exactly what happened but avoid the area if you can. More to come.

6:50 PM UPDATE: Our crew at the scene says this is actually happening closer to California/Raymond, north of Graham.

7:00 PM UPDATE: While we have no official information yet, multiple people including commenters say this involved a man pulling a gun on a bus. We’ve reached the King County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson, who would speak for the Transit Police, but we’re told that Seattle Police are leading the investigation, so we’re working to get more comment from them.

7:15 PM UPDATE: Police have now confirmed at the scene that the man they arrested is suspected of trying to rob people at gunpoint aboard the bus. Multiple witnesses tell us he was stopped by riders who tackled him.

7:33 PM UPDATE: Just talked with a man who says he was among those who subdued the suspect. He said he mostly wanted to give “a big shoutout to a guy named Joshua” who was the first to “start bringing him down … he did an admirable thing.” He says the would-be robber had pantyhose over his face and a gun that “looked like a large black revolver” and was “putting the gun against people’s faces, grabbing their cell phones.” (Others we’ve heard from mentioned that cellphones appeared to be what the man was after.) How did Joshua try to stop the man with the gun? we asked. “First thing he did was grab the arm holding the revolver and managed to get his finger in” to where he could stop the trigger from being pulled. “We were sitting on (the armed man) trying to restrain him,” and it seemed like five minutes before police arrived, he said.

7:57 PM UPDATE: A few more details from police now, via SPD Blotter: The suspect is 19 years old and got on the bus at 3rd and Pike downtown, but “kept to himself” until the bus arrived in the 6000 block of California SW. After the arrest, police say, the suspect kicked out a squad car’s window, and was subsequently taken to jail in this van we photographed at the scene:

SPD says the suspect was booked for investigation of three counts of robbery.

ADDED 8:23 AM TUESDAY: Some have asked about the detail in the SPD Blotter report suggesting the suspect was seen wearing a mask long before the robberies. We’ve just obtained a copy of the police report this morning, and the officer did indeed write that one robbery victim “said he noticed (the suspect) because (the suspect) had a stocking covering part of his face.” Also from the report, here’s what police say that victim told them about how it unfolded:

(Victim) told me that the bus made it all the way from downtown to the 6000 block of California Av SW. About that time he saw (suspect) rob a female passenger … of her cell phone by sticking a black handgun into her face and demanding her phone.

(Suspect) then stepped across the aisle and pointed the gun into (victim’s) face and demanded his cell phone. (Victim) initially refused to give his cell phone to (suspect, who) then shoved the handgun into the back of (victim’s) head and said, “give me your phone, don’t make this harder.” (Victim) then gave (suspect) his phone. (Victim) told me that (suspect) then walked further down the aisle and shoved his gun into the face of another male passenger … and demanded his cell phone. (That passenger) grabbed the gun and shoved it away from him. (A passenger) then started hitting (suspect), with several passengers … shoving (suspect) to the floor of the bus. (Four passengers in all) held (suspect) down until officers arrived.

We are checking to see if the suspect will appear for a bail hearing this afternoon. The report also says that while he was described as “very agitated and belligerent toward officers and the other bus passengers after he was placed into custody,” the suspect “did not appear intoxicated on alcohol or narcotics.” So far as we can tell from court records, he does not have a criminal history, at least in this state, just a couple of traffic tickets from earlier this month.

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West Seattle Weather Watch: Might just, maybe, possibly, potentially, get wintry early next week
November 25, 2013 3:55 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

As forecasts around here go, one week out is usually too early to take much stock in anything. But – just in case you’ll be checking out soon to focus on holiday matters – you should be forewarned to keep a closer watch on the forecast than usual, especially if you’re heading out of town. The long-range forecast discussion from the local National Weather Service says models suggest low snow levels and a potential “modified Arctic blast” Sunday-Monday. We should note that frequent WSB forecast-providing commenter “MetPatrick” pointed this one out via Twitter one full day ago, also noting that Monday includes a nationally televised Seahawks home game, often a magnet for weather challenges … Stay tuned for updates.

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Council approves 2014 city budget with design $ for ‘Fauntleroy Green Boulevard,’ planning $ for Delridge
November 25, 2013 3:27 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics


That’s the design so far for the “Fauntleroy Way Green Boulevard” plan – two lanes each way, a partial cycle track, and a median if utilities allow, among other safety and beautification components. $1.3 million to finish the design is in the 2014 budget just finalized by the City Council (more backstory in our report from last Monday). SDOT told us earlier this month that they expect at least one community meeting about the design early next year; the last one was in 2012. Other budget changes include $100,000 for Delridge Way “multi-modal corridor development” planning, explained here. You can see the full list of council changes here; lots more budget documentation here.

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West Seattle holidays: Not too late for pre-Thanksgiving giving!
November 25, 2013 1:47 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle holidays: Not too late for pre-Thanksgiving giving!
 |   Holidays | How to help | West Seattle news

Donating to your local food banks is a cool thing to do. Just ask Michelle, who shared that photo when she and her son (holding a turkey) bumped into former Mayor Greg Nickels and wife Sharon Nickels at the West Seattle Food Bank as they dropped off turkey donations over the weekend. It’s not too late for you to donate turkeys, too:

*West Seattle Food Bank, southeast corner of 35th/Morgan, until 3 pm today, 9 am-3 pm tomorrow/Wednesday

*White Center Food Bank (which also serves part of WS), southwest corner of 8th SW/SW 108th, open at 8:30 am daily through Wednesday (update on closing times: 5:30 tonight, 6 Tuesday, 7 Wednesday)

*While turkeys are not needed, a few other things are when The Hall at Fauntleroy opens its doors Thanksgiving Day for the 15th annual free community meal catered by Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes, whose Carol Madaio says, “We will gladly accept donations for desserts. This year we are also asking for donations of gently used/clean or new warm clothing such as coats, jackets, scarves, gloves and hats. We are also asking for blankets or throw blankets to be given to our guests in need of them. Desserts and items can be dropped off at the Hall at Fauntleroy on Thanksgiving Day after 10 am.” (They’re on the south end of the historic Fauntleroy Schoolhouse, 9131 California SW.)

These are the only Thanksgiving-week-specific donation drives we know about – but if you have anything to add, please let us know ASAP! Other holiday-giving opportunities, from collection drives to fundraising events, are listed in our Holiday Guide.

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West Seattle weather: Countywide burn ban going up to Stage 2
November 25, 2013 12:03 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | Health | West Seattle news

As of 2 pm, King County will be under a Stage 2 burn ban, elevated from yesterday’s announcement. Here’s what the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency says that means:

*No burning is allowed in ANY wood-burning fireplaces, wood stoves or fireplace inserts (certified or uncertified) or pellet stoves. Residents should rely instead on their home’s other, cleaner source of heat (such as their furnace or electric baseboard heaters) for a few days until air quality improves, the public health risk diminishes and the ban is cancelled. The only exception is if a wood stove is a home’s only adequate source of heat.

*No outdoor fires are allowed. This includes recreational fires such as bonfires, campfires and the use of fire pits and chimineas.

*Burn ban violations are subject to a $1,000 penalty.

*It is OK to use natural gas and propane stoves or inserts during a Stage 2 burn ban.

This might not last too long – breezes up to 15 mph are in the forecast for tomorrow, and possible rain on Thursday night.

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Memorial Wednesday for David Windsor Thaddeus Batchelder, 22
November 25, 2013 11:20 am
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   Obituaries | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Family and friends will gather in memory of David “Thad” Batchelder at Our Lady of Guadalupe this Wednesday. Here is the remembrance announcement shared by his family:

David Windsor Thaddeus Batchelder, 22, died last Wednesday, 11/20/2013.

Thad was born to David and Kimberly Batchelder, July 3, 1991, in Seattle. Thad graduated from West Seattle High School in 2009 and spent his most recent days working alongside his father.

Our son’s passion was always skateboarding. He spent many, many days skating with friends in West Seattle’s skate parks and areas. He loved music, flag football, the Seahawks, the Boston Red Sox, and hanging out with his huge network of friends and family.

Thad is survived by his parents; Kimberly and Howard Chilcott, David and Michele Batchelder, siblings; Audrey Batchelder, Jackson Chilcott, Samuel Batchelder, Amy Batchelder, Benjamin Batchelder, and beloved niece Gracelyn Mae Pepper.

“We love him more than all the world can hold…”

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am this Wednesday at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church with reception afterward in the parish hall.

(WSB publishes obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

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West Seattle Monday: First big holiday week begins (and more)
November 25, 2013 9:58 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Tidepool Sunset

(Constellation Park photo from Sunday by Flickr member ChiDuong, shared via WSB Flickr group)
Welcome to the first big holiday week – three days until Thanksgiving, two and a half until the start of Hanukkah (at sunset Wednesday). When you get some time, browse the WSB West Seattle Holiday Events and Info Guide, which evolves throughout the season but currently features these lists, in this order:

*Thanksgiving (including which restaurants/coffee shops/grocery stores are open on the holiday itself)
*Hanukkah
*Holiday bazaars, business open houses/special events
*Photos with Santa
*Christmas tree lots
*Tree lightings
*Holiday lights (send us info on yours – or ones you see!)
*Junction Hometown Holidays (co-sponsored by WSB)
*Holiday concerts, singalongs
*Holiday plays/other performances
*Christmas Ship’s West Seattle visits
*Holiday miscellany
*Giving opportunities/donation drives/fundraisers
*Church schedules (except for Thanksgiving Eve/Day services, which are under the THANKSGIVING heading)
*New Year’s Eve and Day

We update the guide at least once a day, removing expired listings and adding new ones, all the way up until New Year’s Day – just keep letting us know what’s missing, what’s just been scheduled, what needs to be updated … editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!

Now, from both the Holiday Guide and our regular year-round West Seattle Event Calendar, a few highlights for tonight:

FAMILY STORY TIME: 6:30 pm at High Point Library; as always, free! (35th/Raymond)

PARENTING SEMINAR: Free advice for tired parents! 7-9 pm seminar at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse, hosted by SSCC Cooperative Preschools; details here. (9131 California SW)

TRIVIA TIME: During a quiet week like this, we can showcase more of the regular calendar items – like these: Monday is a big night for trivia/quizzes at local venues – 7 pm at Christo’s on Alki (2508 Alki SW); 7:30 pm with Lindsay at Outwest Bar (California/Brandon); 8 pm, pub-quiz night at Shadowland (4458 California SW).

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Need a business license? Need to pay city business tax? Seattle, Tacoma, Bellevue, Everett joining up for FileLocal.org
November 25, 2013 9:24 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Just in from the city, news of potential interest to our fellow small businesses:

Next fall when businesses in the region’s four largest cities want to get a local business license or need pay their local business and occupation taxes, they’ll be able to do it through FileLocal™. That’s the new name given to a multicity business license and tax portal that will provide cost savings for businesses, reduce administrative costs for cities and improve access to local license and tax information. Along with the new name there is a website, www.FileLocal.org, to provide businesses information about the upcoming portal.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Monday updates, including presidential departure; holiday previews
November 25, 2013 6:42 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(East-facing camera on the West Seattle Bridge; see other cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Give yourself extra time to get where you are going this morning. We say that for multiple reasons: First, it’s foggy and cold, so the roads are slick. Second, after President Obama’s overnight stay downtown, his motorcade will be back on the move to Sea-Tac after 8 am (if not sooner), which will mean some traffic effects, along with the overnight security closures, as tweeted by SDOT:

Other notes this morning:

DOWNTOWN BUS STOP: If you ride Metro between West Seattle and downtown, note that the stop on Columbia east of 2nd remains closed through Wednesday – here’s the advisory.

HOLIDAY TRANSIT CHANGES THURSDAY/FRIDAY: Early reminder, Metro will be on a Sunday schedule on Thanksgiving Day, and “reduced weekday/no UW” on Friday. The Water Taxi will not run at all either day. (And even if you don’t use transit, if you have to go downtown Friday morning, remember the holiday parade, which has some West Seattle participants – more on that later today.)

7:24 AM: The bridge was socked in earlier; not any more. Presidential-motorcade security is reported to be ready to go; we’re monitoring multiple channels including scanner, TV, and Twitter, and will make a note here when the motorcade leaves.

8:11 AM: KING 5 reports the motorcade-related road closures between downtown and Sea-Tac are kicking in, so the President will apparently be on the move shortly. From WSDOT: “Roadway closures starting: SB I-5 starting at Mercer including ramps, 405 near Southcenter to SB 5, I-90 to SB I-5, WB 518.”

8:31 AM: KING 5 is now showing the motorcade leaving.

8:51 AM: Per WSDOT via Twitter, the president is arriving at the airport (TV shows a fogged-in view of Air Force One):

8:55 PM: Via live KING 5 coverage, we’ve seen the President board Air Force One after the trademark wave. Will add one more note after we see the takeoff; he’s headed for San Francisco, and then Los Angeles tonight.

9:09 AM: Air Force One has taken off, to the south so no West Seattle flyby.

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Design Review doubleheader followup: 3210 California SW discussion details, petition drive
November 24, 2013 9:07 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

(EDITOR’S NOTE: Last Thursday night, in a four-and-a-half-hour meeting, the Southwest Design Review Board looked at two projects, and declined to recommend final approval for either one, meaning each needs at least one more review. We published short updates that night, promising full coverage to follow; this is the first of 2 long-form reports.)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Following the third Southwest Design Review Board meeting for the mixed-use 3210 California SW project, with at least one more ahead, the site’s neighbors are gathering petition signatures to do what two other West Seattle neighborhoods have done this year – demand a separate city hearing on the project’s potential effects.

The petition at moveon.org was started after Thursday night’s meeting, which drew more than 50 people. (That is also the minimum number of signatures needed to request a hearing outside the Design Review process.)

3210 California SW in its current proposed form would bring ~140 apartments, ~170 parking spaces, and more than 3,000 square feet of retail to much of the east side of the block-plus on California upzoned by City Council approval in 2010, three years after the proposal to change its zoning to NC2-40 was initiated.

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You can help! Gatewood Elementary students hope you will join them in giving to typhoon survivors
November 24, 2013 8:19 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Typhoon survivors in the Philippines have a long recovery ahead – and your help can make a big difference. Young West Seattleites are helping too, including students at Gatewood Elementary, whose message to us – which is a message to you, too – was shared (along with the photo) by teacher Darren Radu:

We are 4th and 5th grade students of Team Mt. Si at Gatewood Elementary. We know that a lot of people in West Seattle are already helping people displaced in the Philippines, and we wanted to do something to help too. We held a drive for first aid kits, personal hygiene products, and nonperishable food, and were able to deliver a couple hundred items to the Filipino Center of Seattle on Saturday.

When our teacher dropped off our items, the rep there said that they’re still in need of more donations in order to completely fill a shipping container before they can send it (there’s currently enough for about half the container). We’re hoping you can help us get the word out to West Seattle families who haven’t had a chance to contribute yet. There’s a link below for how to donate, and what kind of items will help.

Thank you!
Team Mt. Si

From the Filipino Community of Seattle:

Immediate need for personal hygiene products, nonperishable food items, and first-aid kits.

· Cash donations can be mailed or dropped off at the center: 5740 MLK Way, Seattle 98118
· At Wells Fargo – Account #5612975465 RTN#125008547
· Click here to donate online
· FCS will arrange for a 20’ container to ship collected relief goods

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Video: Sea stars (starfish) die-off seen in West Seattle waters
November 24, 2013 3:07 pm
|      41 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Wildlife

Dead/Dying seastars in West Seattle from Laura James on Vimeo.

You have probably heard of the die-off of sea stars – aka starfish – all along the West Coast, and in some East Coast spots too. Regional and national news organizations are paying attention – the Washington Post covered the die-off just this week. But nothing brings it home like seeing what “Diver Laura” James observed in West Seattle waters this weekend. She recorded video off Seacrest on Saturday and uploaded the clip (go here if you can’t see/play the embedded version above) early today, two weeks after she documented dead stars on the beach (as reported here). Discussing her video early today via e-mail, she told us, “I knew it was bad, but I hadn’t seen it in a couple weeks, and it was crushing to see bodies piled on top of bodies and the pilings bare.”

This epidemic is fast-growing; this KING 5 report from a month ago features Seattle Aquarium investigators saying only sunflower stars were affected, yet now it’s moved to other species, as Laura’s video shows so vividly. Researchers continue to say they haven’t figured it out, except for the fact that it’s happening in many places – we found this tracking map as well as media coverage including Sonoma County north of San Francisco, Half Moon Bay south of San Francisco, Southern California, and the earliest reports this fall, from British Columbia.

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Update: West Seattle power outage in Upper Alki
November 24, 2013 1:19 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Utilities | West Seattle news | WS breaking news

1:19 PM: Getting multiple reports that the electricity is out in the Upper Alki area, just after a loud noise. Some of the reports mention 53rd SW. Nothing official from Seattle City Light yet – be sure to call them if you’re out, at 206-684-7400; they might not know otherwise.

1:43 PM UPDATE: The outage is now on the SCL map (screengrab above), which says 187 customers (one residence or business is considered a “customer”) are affected. One of them, Michael, tells us SCL told him by phone that a crew’s on the way and they’re estimating two to four hours for restoration (keep in mind early estimates can be wildly wrong since the official cause isn’t even known yet).

2:38 PM UPDATE: The cause is now described on the outage map as “bird/animal.”

4:25 PM UPDATE: The outage no longer shows on the SCL map. Let us know if you DON’T have your power back!

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West Seattle Weather Watch: Stage 1 burn ban for King County
November 24, 2013 11:17 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Environment | West Seattle news

You’ve probably noticed, maybe even felt the effects of, the stagnant, murky air. It’s just led the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency to announce a Stage 1 burn ban for King County as of 2 pm today. Here’s how the agency explains that type of burn ban:

*No burning is allowed in fireplaces or uncertified wood stoves. Residents should rely instead on their home’s other, cleaner source of heat (such as their furnace or electric baseboard heaters) for a few days until air quality improves, the public health risk diminishes and the ban is cancelled. The only exception is if a wood stove is a home’s only adequate source of heat.

*No outdoor fires are allowed. This includes recreational fires such as bonfires, campfires, and the use of fire pits and chimineas.

*Burn ban violations are subject to a $1,000 penalty.

It is OK to use natural gas, propane, pellet and EPA-certified wood stoves or inserts during a Stage 1 burn ban.

Want to know more? Go here. As for the weather – the long-range forecast doesn’t include rain until POSSIBLY Friday night.

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Happening now: Fair-Trade Sale at Our Lady of Guadalupe
November 24, 2013 11:09 am
|    Comments Off on Happening now: Fair-Trade Sale at Our Lady of Guadalupe
 |   Holidays | How to help | West Seattle news

A one-of-a-kind holiday-gift sale is under way right now in the Our Lady of Guadalupe gym – devoted entirely to fair-trade items (as explained in our West Seattle Sunday preview) – and there’s a benefit bake sale, too. Above, Daphney is there with scarves; below, Kaitlyn, Hudson, and Andrew, with the 3rd-graders’ bake sale:

The bake-sale beneficiary is WestSide Baby. You can check this all out at the OLG gym – northeast corner of 35th/Myrtle – until 1:30 this afternoon.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Clerk ‘outguns’ would-be robbers; car prowlers hit convertibles…
November 24, 2013 10:12 am
|      16 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Two West Seattle Crime Watch reports to share. The first one was just published on SPD Blotter:

A store clerk chased away would-be robbers last night in West Seattle. On 11/23/13, at approximately 10:00 pm, two unknown masked males went into a store in the 8800 block of 9th Av. SW and pointed a gun at the clerk, demanding money.

The clerk recognized that the gun the suspects were using was a fake, so he reached down and brought his own gun up, telling the would-be robbers that his gun was “bigger.” The suspects ran out of the store, and quickly left in their getaway car. An area check for the suspects was negative.

And this reader report is from Jay:

Car prowls … in the 6100 block of Admiral. Two hardtops stolen from convertibles. Both were Mazda Miatas … Windows (were) busted to get in, but no attempt to take the cars themselves.

He says it happened overnight Thursday into Friday. We checked police reports and Tweets by Beat for other car-prowl reports in the past week:

*2 reported yesterday in Arbor Heights, one in the 10000 block of California SW, another in the 10000 block of 41st SW
*One Friday in the 9000 block of Fauntleroy Way SW
*One Tuesday in the 5400 block of 23rd SW
*One Monday in the 6900 block of Delridge Way SW
*One Monday at Fauntleroy/Cloverdale
*One last Sunday in the 7200 block of 12th SW.

If someone breaks into your vehicle – or tries – be sure to report it, even if nothing is taken. (Here’s how to file online reports about car prowls and certain other types of crime.)

ADDED 2:43 PM: One more car prowl to add – Dustin reported via Facebook message: “Car prowl 46th and SW Raymond St last night. Nothing in car to steal, but some damage.”

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West Seattle Sunday: Traffic alerts; Fair-Trade Sale; live music…
November 24, 2013 6:43 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Sunday: Traffic alerts; Fair-Trade Sale; live music…
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

First Brants of Fall 2013

(The brant are back! Photo by Danny McMillin, shared via the WSB Flickr group)
Looking ahead to your West Seattle (and a bit beyond) Sunday, we start with two traffic notes:

JUNCTION TRAFFIC ALERT: Again today, one block of SW Alaska is scheduled to be closed to vehicle traffic, 7 am-10 pm, for utility work related to the construction project between California and 42nd. The sidewalk on the north side of the street remains open.

PRESIDENTIAL SCHEDULE: If you are headed eastward this afternoon/evening, take note of President Obama‘s visit. This time, he is scheduled to fly into Sea-Tac instead of Boeing Field, arriving after 4 pm, going to fundraisers in North Seattle and Medina, staying downtown overnight, then flying out Monday morning after 8 am. We’ll keep watch on traffic during those arrival/departure windows. Added: SPD has tweeted details of specific downtown traffic effects during the President’s overnight stay.

Now, events from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide and our regular year-round calendar:

OLG FAIR-TRADE SALE: Catholic Relief Services Fair Trade Sale in the Our Lady of Guadalupe Gym, 9:30 am-1:30 pm:

This Christmas season, intentionally use your purchasing power to support Fair Trade efforts around the globe. (Today) OLG will be hosting a Catholic Relief Services Fair Trade Sale in the stage area of the gym from 9:30 am-1:30 pm. You’ll find fabulous Fair Trade gift items, including chocolate, Advent calendars, jewelry, holiday and home décor, silk scarves, bags, ornaments, instruments, and baskets. By buying Fair Trade, you support the efforts of skilled farmers and artisans who are working to break the cycle of poverty and build stronger communities. CRS and SERRV develop relationships with producers and assist them in becoming self-sufficient through training, fair wages, and market access. The 3rd grade will also be holding a Bake Sale to benefit WestSide Baby, their service project site for the year. WestSide Baby serves low-income families with clothing, diapers and supplies for children up to age 12. Finally, you can buy your holiday cards to support Noel House, a Catholic Community Services shelter for homeless women.

(OLG is at 35th/Myrtle)

OPEN HOUSE: Holiday Open House continues at JF Henry Cooking and Dining (WSB sponsor) in The Junction. 10 am-5 pm. Deals, demonstrations, treats, more – details here. (4445 California SW)

VOLUNTEER AT CAMP LONG: Your big chance to pitch in today – volunteer work at Camp Long, 9 am to 3 pm each day, to help with an Eagle Project, described as “restoring a staircase along the Glacier Climbing wall by removing the existing deteriorating stairs, grading the ground, and setting in new granite slabs. Additionally, we will clear vegetation to the right of the staircase for a trail to reduce the grade.” It’s day 2 of this work – Suzanne, who shares the announcement, sent this photo from Day 1:

Volunteers get food after the work party. (5200 35th SW)

NATIVES RISING STORYTELLING TOUR: At the Duwamish Longhouse, 1:30-3:30 pm, hear “stories that have not been told in public in more than a century,” featuring traditional storytellers Solana Rose Booth and Ravenspeaker. More info in our calendar listing. (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)

LIVE MUSIC AT C & P: Coffeehouse-concert veterans David Grixoni & Paul Luczak play C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 3-5 pm. (5612 California SW)

OPEN MIKE AT SKYLARK: 4 pm at Skylark Café and Club, all ages (signups start at 3). We have word a new youth band plans to debut:

India Spence has performed at Skylark multiple times, and now brings her brand-new band. See who else takes the stage. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

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Beer Church Turkey Bowl 2013: Mission, Elliott Bay take trophies
November 24, 2013 3:01 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people | WS beverages

Lots of winners in the 15th annual Beer Church Turkey Bowl, one of our area’s most boisterous benefits, Saturday night at West Seattle Bowl. We got there just in time to hear Beer Church director Kendall Jones announce that the Mission team (above, with Kendall at left) won the bowling part of the night, and that the “Battle of the Brewers” trophy would go to Elliott Bay Brewing Co. (team below with Kendall and, at left, Kim Sharpe Jones):

Also winners: The clients of the West Seattle Food Bank, the beneficiary of Turkey Bowl proceeds – as well as cash and food donations, which this WSFB team was on hand to handle:

The night’s festivities also included raffle items donated by local businesses and breweries (see the list on the Turkey Bowl page). As Kendall is quoted on the Beer Church home page as saying, “We encourage beer lovers everywhere to get involved in their communities and work to make the world a better place. Donate, volunteer, participate.” (P.S. He also runs the Washington Beer Blog, where you can tap into beer news from all over the state.)

10:42 AM UPDATE: New info from Kim, in comments – more than $4,400 raised for the WS Food Bank, in addition to the donated food itself.

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Friends of Morgan Junction Parks wraps up ‘productive 1st year’
November 23, 2013 10:06 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Environment | Fairmount Springs | West Seattle news

The photo and report are from Friends of Morgan Junction Parks‘ Barry White:

Friends of Morgan Junction Parks concluded a productive first year this morning with the first phase of a restoration project at the Juneau/Fauntleroy triangle. [map] Volunteers dug out some weedy and deeply buried street trees and applied fresh mulch. A considerable understory of ivy that ran throughout the land was removed, and a maze of dead, low-hanging branches was pruned out to bring much needed light into the interior.

We wish to thank the many volunteers who turned out this year at Morgan Junction Park, the triangle park next to Thriftway, and the Juneau triangle. We’ll start up again in spring with some planting parties at all three sites. Thanks to Morgan Community Association for their backing and to the folks at Seattle Parks and SDOT for the tools, mulch, and plants. It’s been a great year.

You’ll find more photos – and other info about FoMJP – on the group’s Facebook page.

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West Seattle traffic alert: Water break closes 30th SW
November 23, 2013 9:09 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | High Point | Utilities | West Seattle news

Thanks to Lawrence for the tip: 30th SW between North Delridge and High Point is closed about a block south of the turn at SW Brandon (update: 30th/Findlay, to be specific – here’s a map) while Seattle Public Utilities works on a water break. The crew at the scene told us a few minutes ago that they will likely be out there for a few more hours. No word on what caused the problem, but one possible effect to be aware of overnight and tomorrow morning: The road’s wet in spots and could ice over. (The SPU crew was in fact throwing some salt onto the road when we were there.)

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West Seattle sunset: Saturday night ‘fire in the sky’
November 23, 2013 7:51 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

“Fire in the sky” is how Chris Frankovich described the view of tonight’s sunset he shared (top photo) – one of three we’ve received so far. Next, Monty focused on Mount Rainier in the sunset glow:

And more colorful beauty from Michael Copeland:

Michael says he was surprised: “I thought the awesome sunsets were over!” (Maybe more to come – rain/major cloudiness isn’t expected for up to a week.)

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West Seattle weekend scene: WS Bike Connections cleanup
November 23, 2013 7:32 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Environment | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Thanks to Don Brubeck from West Seattle Bike Connections for sharing the photo from their work party at the East Duwamish Waterway Fishing Pier, along the bike trail to/from downtown. He says some new volunteers showed up and they “got a lot done. Hoping to keep it going. Shared some donuts with the people fishing.” You can keep up with WSBC’s activities – from volunteerism to advocacy and beyond – via westseattlebikeconnections.org.

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