day : 27/02/2014 11 results

(Empty artifact case post-removal; 2013 photo courtesy Duwamish Longhouse)
The Duwamish Tribe says it’s still trying to get its artifacts back. Last August, news emerged that the Port of Seattle was deciding the fate of artifacts found on historic tribal land that it now controls. Today, according to this news release sent by the tribe tonight, they received official confirmation their artifacts will be given to a tribe that unlike the Duwamish has federal recognition (something the Duwamish have long fought for). The news release is followed by the text of the letter to which it refers.

The Duwamish Tribe would like its cultural artifacts back. Last July, the Burke Museum was paid by the Port of Seattle to confiscate $800 worth of Duwamish cultural artifacts on display at the Duwamish Longhouse & Center. The artifacts were from the Duwamish #1 Archeological Site, an old Duwamish camp and village site across the street from the Duwamish Longhouse & Cultural Center.

The tribe received a call from the Burke Museum today that the artifacts will be given to the Muckleshoot Tribe in Auburn.

Unknown to the Duwamish Tribe, 2 years ago the Port of Seattle declared that it wanted to surplus its archeological artifacts including those from the Duwamish Archeological Site #1 bordered by the Duwamish River and W Marginal Way SW.

How did the Port come to own the archeological artifacts? In the early 60’s, the Port declared eminent domain, and bought out the interests of area residents to make way for the building of Terminal 107. Because of environmental issues, the terminal was never built. The area was also the site of the last original shoreline of the Duwamish River. As the land was being cleared, the Duwamish #1 Archeological Site was discovered and dug in the 1970’s. The archeological site is on the National Register of Historic Places and has been set aside as a public park. The Port retains ownership of the site.

The Duwamish Tribe has sent a letter to the Port proposing to buy back its culture artifacts for display at the Duwamish Longhouse & Cultural Center.

“It would seem that best public good & cultural value would be to continue to display the artifacts from this site at the Seattle location where they were found.“

Ahead, the text of the letter mentioned above, included in tonight’s e-mail to us from the tribe, carrying today’s date:

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Video: TV showcase for West Seattle’s ‘dueling’ Little Free Libraries

February 27, 2014 9:03 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle people

One month ago, we published the saga of two Little Free Libraries turning up almost simultaneously on Rutan Place SW. Tonight, West Seattleite Jim Dever told their tale on Evening Magazine – it’s the first story on the show, embedded above if you missed it on TV. Thanks to Kerry, who e-mailed to mention it, pronouncing the story “pretty cute.”

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West Seattle weather: Another alert for possible snow chance

February 27, 2014 6:25 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

Last one didn’t pan out – the one before that did – so hey, who knows what’ll happen this time! The National Weather Service has another Special Weather Statement in effect; see the entire alert here. The scenario is similar to last weekend, when the North Sound got a big blast of snow (and we didn’t), but there’s also a chance the cold air and moisture could push this far south. Stay tuned.

SIDE NOTE: Only one more week until we “spring forward” into Daylight Saving Time – Saturday night/Sunday morning, March 8-9.

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Steps at Stevens: Designing a safe path to the west side of ‘Westside’

February 27, 2014 3:56 pm

| 11 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

West Seattle High School is also fondly known as “Westside,” but it’s not easy to get safely to the west side of Westside on foot. A new project called Steps at Stevens will fix that – thanks to a city matching-fund grant. Here’s the official overview:

The Steps at Stevens project proposes a safe non-vehicular route from 3000 California Avenue SW, at SW Stevens Street, to West Seattle High School. Stairs, an accessible pathway, and a walkway to the school building’s primary entrance will promote everyday safe transit. Landscape and wayfinding will further enhance West Seattle High School’s primary entrance and strengthen community connections.

The first major step toward Steps at Stevens is happening right now – the West Seattle High School PTSA, one of the project sponsors, has issued a Request for Qualifications, seeking those interested in design/consultant work for the project, made possible by the $20,000 matching-fund grant. The deadline to get in on this is March 24th,and you can read all about it here.

ADDED 9:51 PM: If you’re interested in even more information, project organizers forwarded text of a story that is in a recent edition of the WSHS student news publication but is not otherwise available online. It’s republished with its writer’s permission.

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Kid stuff to spare? WS Coop Preschools’ big sale ahead

February 27, 2014 2:30 pm

| 17 COMMENTS

| How to help | West Seattle news

No-longer-needed kid stuff around the house? West Seattle Co-Op Preschools are taking signups right now for a Kids’ Consignment Sale to help raise money scholarships for families in need. From the announcement:

We invite anyone to consign at our sale. As a consignor, you can set your own prices, and you will make 65% of the asking price, while the host will make 35%. You will be paid for your sold items when you pick up your unsold items at end of the sale on March 29th.

The Kids’ Consignment Sale will be a great event for everyone involved:

· Helping families earn extra cash selling gently used baby and kids’ gear, clothes and toys
· Offering low-cost, quality baby and kids’ items for sale
· Enabling West Seattle Co-Op Preschools to provide scholarships for families in need
· Bringing our community together!

For more information, visit our website: www.westseattlepreschool.org</blockquote>
You can sign up now – and the earlier the better, so there’s time to tag and price items – but the sale itself is on Saturday, March 29th, from 9 am-1 pm at the West Seattle VFW Hall (3601 SW Alaska). Sneak peeks are planned at facebook.com/WSCPkidsale and they’re on Twitter at @WestSeaKidsSale. (Dropoff for tagged items will be 5-7 pm March 28th at the sale site.)

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What’s cooking? New classes at Delridge Community Center

February 27, 2014 12:28 pm

| Comments Off on What’s cooking? New classes at Delridge Community Center

| Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news

(Past students @ DCC cooking class)
Want to expand your repertoire in the kitchen? Delridge Community Center is highlighting two upcoming classes: Make your own hummus and pita bread, this Saturday (March 1st) 11 am-1:30 pm, $25/person, info/registration here – and on March 18th, learn how “to make some staples of a Indian food such as dahl soup, samosas, cauliflower with potatoes, and chicken in a sweet red pepper sauce,” 5:30-8 pm class, $27/person, info/registration here. (Or sign up by calling 206-684-7423.)

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Followup: New details about Áegis Living’s West Seattle plans

February 27, 2014 10:57 am

| 5 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

(WSB file photo of future site)
New details just in from Áegis Living about its plan for the former Life Care Center site at 47th/Admiral. We first reported the purchase last November; we also talked that month with Áegis Living CEO Dwayne Clark; and in December, we reported the land deal had closed for $3,650,000. Today, a formal announcement from Áegis, including a projected completion date and specific number of units:

Áegis Living, a national leader in assisted living and memory care communities, is pleased to announce the recent purchase of a property in West Seattle.

The West Seattle location is the latest addition for the company, which has implemented a growth plan to serve the increasing need for senior housing throughout the West Coast. Set to open in 2017, the new community will offer assisted living and memory care for seniors.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Another Civic stolen; another Lincoln Park car prowl

February 27, 2014 10:12 am

| 17 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Two West Seattle Crime Watch notes this morning. From Dave:

Sometime last night between 10 pm and 6 am, our car was stolen. It was parked directly in front of our apartment complex near the intersection of 61st and Beach Drive. We had just purchased the car about a month ago. It is a silver 1996 Honda Civic hatchback. There are stickers on the back in the shape of the states NJ and CA and also a blue W sticker on the back window. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

We also have a report of a car break-in in the south lot at Lincoln Park – a window shattered, items taken from the trunk, including a Toshiba laptop computer in a maroon slipcover and a bag with cards, phone, etc. The victim got the bag back – it turned up “stuffed in my mailbox with a police officer’s business card attached” – but the laptop remains out there somewhere. Let police know if you find one.

SIDE NOTE: Car prowls were described as Lincoln Park’s most-common crime problem when the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council sponsored a safety walk at the park last year.

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West Seattle Thursday: Blue Angels jet visits; Whale Trail talks salmon; parenting seminars; more

February 27, 2014 8:50 am

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Walk-ons boarding M/V Klahowya @ Fauntleroy ferry terminal

(Walk-ons boarding M/V Klahowya – photo by LB Bryce, via the WSB Flickr group)
Just some of what’s up today/tonight, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

ARBOR HEIGHTS TOUR: Any family interested in attending Arbor Heights Elementary is welcome to tour the school 9 am-10 am today. (37th & 104th)

WEST SEATTLE DEMOCRATIC WOMEN: Today’s meeting looks at Initiative 1329 and more – details in our listing. 11:30 am, West Seattle Golf Course. You would have had to RSVP for lunch (watch our calendar and the WSDW website for advance notice of future meetings), but you’re still welcome to sit in. (4470 35th SW)

BLUE ANGEL VISITING: Yes, the Blue Angels really are returning to Seafair this year. Latest proof: The #7 jet visits Seattle today for Seafair’s winter meetings. It’s scheduled to arrive at Boeing Field between 1 and 1:30 pm. This year’s air show, Seafair reminds us, is scheduled for August 1st-3rd.

RETURN OF THE WIENERMOBILE: 2-5 pm, the iconic Oscar Mayer Wienermobile is back at Roxbury Safeway, where it was last seen back in December. Photo op!!!! (28th/Roxbury)

THE FRATELLIS, RESCHEDULED: 6 pm at Easy Street Records, The Fratellis perform the show that was rescheduled from last November. Free, all ages; details here. (California/Alaska)

THE WHALE TRAIL: Saving salmon is key to saving the orcas. Find out how salmon are doing, at tonight’s talk presented by The Whale Trail, C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7 pm. (5612 California SW)

PARENTING SEMINAR #1 – PARENTING WITH PAUSE, LETTING GO: Free parenting seminar presented by Renée Metty at The Cove School, 6:30 pm. Free child care if you RSVP – use this form, ASAP. (3430 California SW)

PARENTING SEMINAR #2 – GOODBYE, DIAPERS! Free parenting seminar for parents of kids who are making, or about to make, the big transition. Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor), 7 pm – details in our listing. (3940 41st SW)

DELRIDGE GROCERY BENEFIT AT SKYLARK: Every Thursday, Skylark Café and Club has a benefit for a local nonprofit, and from here on out, the fourth Thursday will benefit the Delridge Grocery cooperative – details here. 7-11 pm, with music starting at 8. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Thursday updates; weekend 99 closure(s) reminder

February 27, 2014 6:39 am

| 8 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(More cams, and other info, on the WSB Traffic Cameras page)
Good morning! The day again begins without major trouble, so far. So here are today’s transportation notes/reminders:

HIGHWAY 99/ALASKAN WAY VIADUCT WEEKEND CLOSURES: Saturday and Sunday, 6 am-6 pm both days, Highway 99/Alaskan Way Viaduct north of the West Seattle Bridge will close for its twice-yearly inspection. From Friday night until Sunday noontime, other stretches of 99 from the Battery Street Tunnel north will close for other reasons – all explained by WSDOT here.

ROXBURY SAFETY-MEETING REPORT: Couldn’t be there last night? We were. See the story for your next chances to say what you’d like to see on Roxbury.

WATER-TAXI FARE REMINDER: In case you missed it – Water Taxi fares go up as of March 1st (but since that’s a Saturday, and the WT routes don’t run weekends this time of year, technically the increase kicks in on Monday, March 3rd).

7:16 AM: Andrew reports in comments, “Just now, stalled VW Vanagon east bound bridge at bottom of hill adjacent to Nucor.”

8:08 AM: Crash reported on NB 99 near Seneca. Your editor here is on a RR bus waiting to get onto 99 and indeed we are all but stopped. But moving in fits and spurts.

8:28 AM: By the time our bus got off 99 at Seneca, looked like flashing lights beyond – we had continued moving with few delays.

9:04 AM: If you are leaving late, note that a crash is reported on I-5 northbound at Denny – so that might cause some trouble here in the late going.

FOOTNOTE: Continuing our “temporary commuter” exploration, we took RapidRide in, and took the Water Taxi home. First time on the Spirit of Kingston, we realized. It is FAST – listed as a 10-minute crossing but really seemed like about five minutes sailing, five minutes docking and undocking. Compared to the $16 we’ve been paying (tax included) for an earlybird all-day parking spot near the courthouse, $2.50 bus fare in and $4 boat fare out combined for a bargain. Lots of room for more people on the boat; we were dropped off by the 35th/Avalon bus stop and had to stand, but we’re blessed with good health and didn’t mind, especially facing a full day of courtroom-bench-sitting.

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Morgan Junction murder trial: Victim’s friend tells his story, gets grilled

February 27, 2014 6:25 am

| 22 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

“Quit talkin’ to me – talk to Jesus.”

That’s what Jonathan “Jamie” Vause testified he told his dying friend Travis Hood as he drove frantically away from where Hood had just been shot, toward what he thought was a hospital a mile and a half away.

Vause was the only witness to testify Wednesday at the trial of the man who shot Hood, Lovett Chambers, and he will be back on the stand today.

The fact that Chambers fired the fatal shots is not disputed – but the reason for the shooting is, as is Vause’s behavior preceding it. As laid out in opening statements last Wednesday, the prosecution contends he was a shocked witness who has no idea why Chambers, who had been drinking at the same Morgan Junction bar as he and Hood moments earlier, opened fire, while the defense contends Vause and Hood, both white, taunted Chambers, who is black, with racist insults and provoked a confrontation that led him to act in self-defense.

Yesterday, after prosecutor Margaret Nave led Vause through the story of his longtime friendship with Hood and the night he was killed – January 21, 2012 – defense lawyer Ben Goldsmith began the most intense cross-examination of the trial, first asking Vause: “You are a fugitive felon from North Carolina, is that correct?”

But first:

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