West Seattle, Washington
15 Thursday
West Seattle Crime Watch notes:
TROUBLE AT SEA: Thanks to Wendy (who sent that photo), Erin, and Lynn for mentioning police activity on the water and on land off the Don Armeni/Anchor (Luna) Park area around sunset tonight. After hearing via the scanner that police were going to tow a boat downtown, we headed over in hopes of asking shoreside officers what was going on, but we just missed them. Via e-mail, we did get some information from Southwest Precinct Lt. Paul Leung, who says it involved “a disturbance between a male and a female. Officers boarded the boat. The female retracted her story but the male was arrested for several outstanding DV [domestic violence] warrants.”
MISSING FIRE PIT: James, near Lincoln Park, says the fire pit used for neighborhood gatherings all summer is suddenly missing.
(Saturday), my family and I went to Alki for lunch and then ran some errands. We’re sure the fire pit was out front when we left, but now it’s not. It was close to the street, but didn’t have a ‘Free’ sign or anything on it. I’d like to see if a nearby neighbor picked it up wondering if it was indeed abandoned. We live on a block with very light traffic (46th Ave SW between Kenyon & Austin) and don’t see many cars that don’t live close. It disappeared between noon and 4:30 on Saturday (yesterday).
The fire pit is black iron. The base is up on legs, and the fire is in a tray surrounded by an iron lattice. It’s probably 3 feet long on its longer side, and 2 feet wide. Can you see if anyone in the neighborhood took it thinking we were giving it away? No harm no foul if we get it back.
It has been reported to police just in case it WASN’T a mistake.
ADDED 1 AM – SUNDAY BURGLARY: Just missed a phone call from someone who reported being burglarized in Belvidere Sunday, coming home to find their home on 37th SW “trashed,” including jewelry left behind that didn’t belong to them.
P.S. No West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting this month, but WSCPC says it will reconvene in October (10/21, 7 pm, at the precinct).
ORIGINAL REPORT, 9:47 PM: We haven’t found anything official about this yet, but we know at least one person it’s happened to, and Twitter is abuzz with reports – Chase Bank is apparently having some trouble that’s reported to be leading to card declines even for those whose accounts are in fine shape. We’re just mentioning this so that if you’re planning a late-night run to the store, you don’t just take that one particular card.
3:23 PM UPDATE: Since it’s early-early morning across the country, hard to tell yet if this is resolved. We did send an inquiry to Chase’s consumer-banking media-relations rep, asking for information on what happened, and will add anything we find out.
11:38 AM UPDATE: Mike Fusco from Chase just called, answering e-mail we sent early this morning to their media-relations division: “Last night, we experienced a small technical glitch that declined some transactions for a short period of time around (9 pm Pacific) … the issue was resolved … we apologize for the inconvenience.” He stressed that it was a “technical glitch,” not any sort of hacking, nor was it scheduled-but-unannounced maintenance.
Earlier this summer, the Southwest Seattle Historical Society went public with some details of this year’s Champagne Gala Brunch on November 8th. Now, not only are more details available, tickets are too – go here to get yours at the “early bird” rate (available until October 8th). Here are the newest details from SWSHS:
With a program featuring West Seattle deejay Marty Riemer, a half-dozen West Seattle-based music luminaries and the mother-son-daughter combination of Vicki Schmitz-Block, Dietrich Schmitz and Julie Schmitz Broker, this year’s Gala promises to be rousing and memorable.
Just in case you’re wondering – streets in The Junction are open to traffic and parking again; the West Seattle Car Show load-out and cleanup is wrapped up. Our as-it-happened coverage is here; we’ll be adding the winners list/photos this evening. Next street-closing event in The Junction will be the Harvest Festival, six weeks from today, on Sunday, October 26th.
(SCROLL DOWN for the newest photos/updates as the show continues)
(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)
10:14 AM: The seventh annual West Seattle Car Show is officially on – ~220 cars already, and it’s looking like the biggest one yet. That means the show is using the full street-closure footprint – same as Summer Fest – California midblock between Genesee and Oregon, to Edmunds; Alaska between 42nd and 44th, and there are cars along every stretch of street in those boundaries. Come buy a 50/50 raffle ticket at California/Alaska – the prize pot goes half to the winning ticket holder, half to charity. And get here before 3, which is when the awards ceremony is scheduled – participants will start departing after that.
10:26 AM: Yes, we know the game’s just a few hours away:
Lots of spirit, not just the Seahawks variety!
On the south end of the show zone on California, there’s a car Alice Cooper fans won’t want to miss:
And of course, it wouldn’t be a car show without an Elvis sighting:
(You thought we meant Elvis the SINGER?) Meantime, some of the participants are indeed taking advantage of the fact all years are allowed for the first time – this is a 2012 Aston Martin V12 Vantage:
And on the other side of the timespan, here’s a car from 1933:
Whatever year an entry’s from, you just might see an extra touch:
This might also be the best weather we’ve ever seen for the show – clear from the very start of the day – so even if you’re not a big car fan, come out and enjoy the sun. It’s a great tribute to the man who founded the show in 2008 and shepherded it every year, Michael Hoffman – gone too soon earlier this year, at age 47. You’ll recall that two local businesses – West Seattle Autoworks and Swedish Automotive (both WSB sponsors) – stepped up and asked if the community wanted the show to go on. Consensus was “yes”; they and a core group have been working on it ever since, including some changes, and the result of a beautiful day with big participation. Don’t miss the chance to help vote for the “People’s Choice” Award before 2 pm – come get a ballot at the booth next to our table alongside KeyBank.
11:44 AM: This is likely the biggest entry:
Not far east of there is one of the overflow zones – you haven’t seen everything until you’ve walked Alaska all the way between 42nd (where we took the photo) and 44th, and California between Genesee and Edmunds:
Along Alaska on the west end of the show, by 44th and the Farmers’ Market, the Zucchini Races are on (until 1 pm) and Pagliacci is tossing dough.
And while you’re on the north end of the show, pop over to 44th and Genesee for a fundraising lemonade stand:
Jen sent the photo – her kids are donating half their proceeds to the South Seattle College Co-op Preschools.
12:30 PM: Lots of families here:
Someone asked us if there’s a food court. Nope – lots of local restaurants to visit, both sit-down and take-out. We also hear the West Seattleites who run the Cookie Counter vegan-ice-cream-sandwiches truck are up by Greentree on California north of Oregon for the duration of the show – their vehicle, a classic VW bus, could be an entry even minus the treats! And of course, there are vendors at the Farmers’ Market – we’re told the empanadas are especially popular today. Meantime, a multimodal sighting:
1:30 PM: Half an hour to vote for the People’s Choice Awards. Meantime, we’re well aware the Seahawks game is on, so we’re posting updates at our table, just in case you’re here and without another quick way to keep updated (Twitter, etc.). And if you’ve seen a drone over the show, nope, not ours (we don’t even have one). Meantime, on the ground:
Meet the Hell’s Belles, who joined the West Seattle Car Show team as hosts this year.
2:07 PM: Just under an hour to get here and be able to see everything.
The judging is wrapping up, and the amazingly cool trophies (designed by Mindi Katzman, fabricated by Brian Walker) will be awarded at 3 pm.
If you’re here at the show, they’re on display on a table right behind ours (SW corner of California/Alaska). *Update*: People’s Choice Award voting has been extended to 2:30 – ballots are on the SW corner of California/Alaska.
2:58 PM: Right across from us – motorcycles next to the truck dubbed “The Kenworth.” Including a 1971 BSA:
Almost awards time!
3:23 PM: The awards have been announced – we have the list and photos and will be adding it when we’re back at HQ in a while.
8:38 PM & BEYOND: That process has been interrupted by a few things, but here we go. First – Best in Show, the Michael Hoffman Memorial Trophy, this 1955 Packard:
“Best Import,” this Opel Kadett:
“Best Antique,” this DeSoto:
“Best Muscle Car,” this Hemi ‘Cuda:
“Best Classic,” this Nova II:
People’s Choice winner – this Studebaker:
“Best Motorcycle” was the BSA shown higher up in our coverage.
“Best Modern/Future Classic,” this 2007 Shelby:
Still a few more to add, but we have to consult with our photographer again later in the morning, and we hope to get a few more infobits from the show team!
Two restaurant notes:
HARRY’S CHICKEN JOINT NOW OPEN SUNDAYS: North of Morgan Junction, Harry’s Chicken Joint (WSB sponsor) is open Sundays, starting today. Same hours as Tuesdays-Saturdays, 4-8 pm. Menu updates are on Harry’s Facebook page. (6032 California SW)
MARINATION MA KAI FALL HOURS START MONDAY: On the water at Seacrest, restaurant/bar Marination ma kai (also a WSB sponsor) changes to fall/winter hours, starting tomorrow (Monday, September 15th). General manager Shawn Findley says they WILL continue to be open seven days a week; starting tomorrow, it’s 9 am-8 pm Sundays-Thursdays, 9 am-9 pm Fridays and Saturdays. (1660 Harbor SW)
The streets are closed in the heart of The Junction for the 7th annual West Seattle Car Show – that’s the live SDOT cam view looking north on California from Alaska. And that’s how we start today’s lineup:
WEST SEATTLE CAR SHOW: Officially opens at 10 am along California SW in The Junction. This year’s show is presented by Swedish Automotive and West Seattle Autoworks (both WSB sponsors), in memory of car-show founder Michael Hoffman; the Hell’s Belles club is hosting, with sponsors including Don Swanson Insurance, Les Schwab Tires, WebCami, Courtesy Tire, plus WSB sponsors Ventana Construction, and Tom’s Automotive. For the first time, the show is “open class” – all years/makes/models of cars/trucks/motorcycles. Here’s a 1993 vehicle spotted already!
Trophies will be awarded at 3 pm, so although the posted hours are until 4 pm, come before 3 to be sure you see them all! We’re the media sponsor again this year and we’ll be there all day covering it live. (California between Oregon and Edmunds)
PANCAKE BREAKFAST: 10 am-1 pm at the Alki Masonic Center, pancakes and more to raise money for the Westside Wildcats Junior Football and Cheer program. Details in our calendar listing. (40th/Edmunds)
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: On as always, with a bonus today: The annual Zucchini Races! Kids get to make and race zucchini vehicles, 10 am-1 pm, and the market continues until 2 as usual. (44th/Alaska)
CAMP LONG MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL … including a celebration of Schurman Rock‘s 75th anniversary. Activities for all ages, and it’s not just about climbing – see the schedule of what’s up by going here. Among the highlights, mountaineering legend and West Seattle native Jim Whittaker speaks at 2 pm. Festival runs 11 am-5 pm. (5200 35th SW)
WEST SEATTLE ULTIMATE FAMILY FRISBEE: 11 am at Fairmount Playfield, and then starting next week, moving to Walt Hundley Playfield at High Point. Details in our calendar listing. (5400 Fauntleroy Way SW)
LUNA PARK STREET MARKET: Local vendors are back with fashion, fun, and more in the lot outside Ola Salon in the Luna Park business district, noon-3 pm. (2942 SW Avalon Way)
DIY BIKES: Free bicycle repairs with DIY Bikes at the West Seattle Tool Library, noon-4 pm. Northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
YMCA EXPANSION Q/A MEETING: One week after the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) announced its expansion plan, the first of three Q/A meetings open to the community at large as well as members is 2-3 pm today, at the Y’s “Studio 5.” (4518 Fauntleroy Way SW)
‘DON GIOVANNI’ PREVIEW: 2 pm at West Seattle Branch Library in Admiral, get ready for the Seattle Opera production of “Don Giovanni” with a free preview lecture. (2306 42nd SW)
SHAUN PEACE BAND: Live music for your Sunday afternoon at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 3-5 pm. (5612 California SW)
CHAT WITH CHAS: City Council candidate Chas Redmond is launching a series of open-format community conversations – all listed on his website – and will start it off by being at Caffé Fiore in The Admiral District 4-6 pm today. (2206 California SW)
NIGHTLIFE? Yes, even on Sunday! See the listings on our calendar.
One week after we brought you first word of the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) expansion plans, the first public Q/A meeting is this afternoon. Anyone interested in hearing/talking about the proposal is welcome – 2-3 pm at the Y’s “Studio 5” annex, 4518 Fauntleroy Way SW. Two more public meetings are planned, in different dayparts – 6-7 pm Tuesday, 7-8 am Wednesday. The Y has more project info online here.
12:59 AM: Police are in The Junction right now after a brazen act of vandalism – a witness tells us someone walking by smashed a window at Talarico’s. No reports of injuries, so far. Radio communication says staff ran after the vandal to try to catch him. We’re hearing about a possible suspect stopped on the west side of The Junction but not sure yet if it’s the same incident. You’ll recall that other business windows have been smashed in the area recently, most notably the nonprofit Discovery Shop, so that potentially raised the profile on this call. We’ll update with whatever else we find out.
1:11 AM: Added photos from WSB’s Katie Meyer, who was told at the scene by a staffer that the vandalism apparently resulted from a disgruntled patron so upset at being “cut off” that he picked up a nearby “no parking” sign and smashed it against the window. The staffer also confirmed someone was in custody.
| 5 COMMENTS