West Seattle, Washington
13 Saturday
(SCROLL DOWN – or jump, if viewing from WSB home page – for Monday update)
5:53 PM SUNDAY: Police are investigating a report of bullying turned violent at a local school. The victim’s mother told them it happened at Roxhill Elementary on October 30th; it was not reported to police until she went to the Southwest Precinct desk on November 5th, according to the detailed report that was added to SPD’s publicly viewable online files this weekend. Here’s what the report says:
Seen at 35th/Holden in Gatewood (by us on Saturday, though we couldn’t stop for a photo, and then today by our Arbor Heights-based anonymous correspondent, who DID stop to snap it and shared the photo). Hope the sale went well.
Meantime, this gives us a chance to point out that today happens to be the exact midpoint between last West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day and the next one! Six months from today, on May 9, 2015, shoppers and sellers will swarm the peninsula for the 11th annual WSCGSD, organized and presented by WSB. (New to West Seattle? Here’s our coverage from last year.) As usual, we’ll open registration in early April.
Sarah at Brunette Mix (longtime WSB sponsor) in The Junction e-mailed to let us, and you, know about two ways you can help them help a West Seattle native who is now fighting for her life:
We are currently trying to raise money for a friend of ours, Jasmin Egan. She is a former West Seattleite that now resides in Kent. She grew up here and went to Chief Sealth High School. Her maiden name is Jasmin Glover. She has just been diagnosed with ALL – Acute Lympholastic Leukemia. She will not not be able to work for a long time, and her husband can’t either right now, as she needs around-the-clock care. She has three beautiful children, and we just want to take the stress of money and bills away, so she can concentrate on treatment and healing. So Brunette Mix is offering deep conditioning treatments with any service for free with any donation. The conditioner is a $20 value.
Also, we are organizing a silent auction for her at the Feedback Lounge on Thursday, December 4th, from 6:30- 9:30 and are still looking for donations.
If you can offer a donation for the silent auction, e-mail Sarah at swillanger@hotmail.com. To make an appointment at Brunette Mix (4306 SW Oregon), so you can donate there and get the special reward, you can book online, or by e-mail, or by phone – 206-932-2401.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
West Seattle rocks.
You already knew that.
The hundreds who gathered at Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor) Saturday for the Southwest Seattle Historical Society‘s annual Champagne Gala Brunch were served many reminders of why it’s true, and gave big in response.
For the gala’s centerpiece, they were the live audience for an on-location half-hour-long Marty Riemer podcast, co-hosted by his once-and-future radio partner Jodi Brothers, about West Seattle’s role in Seattle’s rock scene, with guests including a rock star, a record-label exec, and the owner of the city’s most-famous record store. Here’s the video (toplines later in this story, if you don’t have time to watch/listen):
The Marty Reimer Show at Salty’s on Alki from Avenue Collection on Vimeo.
Wait – you might think – didn’t you say “Historical Society”? Doesn’t that conjure an image of great-grandmas, tea, cookies, and lectures about the distant, misty past, more than rock ‘n’ roll?
Certainly, a few great-grandmas and great-grandpas were in the audience somewhere. And the family in the spotlight brought a multi-generational group – all 27 of whom gathered in front of the trademark Salty’s view windows; that would be the Schmitz Family, right after three members spoke movingly about the living legacy that traces back to one Schmitz’s emigration from Germany and eventual arrival in Seattle.
(WSB photos by Torin Record-Sand unless otherwise credited)
But when SWSHS executive director Clay Eals (above right, with Vicki Schmitz-Block and Dietrich Schmitz) spoke of “rebirth,” he made it clear the organization is looking ahead even as it celebrates the past. Especially what he said about this year’s biggest SWSHS event, the unveiling of the restored Admiral Way Viewpoint totem pole on June 6th, at its new home on the east side of SWSHS’s Log House Museum. He showed this five-minute video capturing the essence of the unveiling ceremony:
(Lincoln Park photo by Jeremiah Holt)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Year-round, rain or shine. 10 am-2 pm. (44th/Alaska)
OPEN HOUSE: Five holistic-health practitioners are having an open house in their newly open clinic, 10 am-2 pm, details here. (5400 California SW)
OPEN EARLY FOR GAME DAY: 11:30 am, Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) opens early with a Game Day menu for the Seahawks-Giants game, which will be on the big screen at 1:25 pm. (6451 California SW)
FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS: Not in WS but – two teams from the West Seattle-based SWAC Cougars are playing regional championship games – Pee Wees at 1 pm, 89ers at 3 pm, both vs. teams from the CD Panthers, both at French Field in Kent. Good luck! (10200 SE 256th, Kent)
FREE ORGAN CONCERT … also featuring flute, oboe, trumpet, piano and choir. 2 pm at Hope Lutheran Church. (42nd/Oregon)
‘SURVIVING THE HOLIDAYS’: Lost a loved one this year and dreading the approaching holidays? This GriefShare seminar at Grace Church might be able to help. Details in our calendar listing. 2 pm.
FREE CLASSICAL CONCERT: 3 pm, Ladies’ Musical Club at West Seattle (Admiral) Branch Library, featuring music of Mozart and Donizetti for soprano and piano, and music of Faure for violin and piano.” (2306 42nd SW)
SUNDAY AFTERNOON THEATER: See a matinee performance of “Dogfight“ at ArtsWest (WSB sponsor), 3 pm. Tickets available online. (4711 California SW)
‘THANK YOU’ DINNER FOR THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED/ARE SERVING: 5-8 pm, American Legion Post 160 and Auxiliary Unit 160 invite veterans, active duty, reservists, and their families to a FREE Italian dinner. No RSVP needed – just show up. Here’s our preview. (3618 SW Alaska)
SUNDAY NIGHTLIFE: Seven nights a week, something fun’s happening somewhere. Tonight – trivia and karaoke! See the listings here.
2:53 AM: A big callout for a potential house fire in the 4800 block of Beach Drive. First crew on scene sees “light smoke.” More to come.
2:56 AM: Most of the units are being canceled – this turned out to be, according to communications between fire crews and dispatch, “small kitchen fire, (extinguished) by occupant.”
Today (Sunday) will be the first day King County Elections has *not* released updated results since Tuesday night. That night’s ballot count was followed by two daily Wednesday-Friday and one more Saturday evening. Here are three notes following the latter:
TRANSIT FUNDING (Transportation Benefit District Prop 1):
Yes 61.14% – 109,139 votes
No 38.86% – 69,380 votes
What’s next? Since Wednesday’s media briefing (WSB coverage here) with the mayor and county executive, Metro general manager Kevin Desmond has sent an e-mail message to bus-alert subscriber lists, including this:
… We’re working with the city now to flesh out the agreement, including the exact route improvements. It will be submitted to the city and county councils in December for adoption early next year.
The need is clear. Seattle voters, like transit riders across the county, undoubtedly have experienced the packed buses that have come with growing ridership. Metro is on track to deliver 120 million rides countywide this year—a record high—and our financial situation has not allowed us to expand to meet the demand.
Our just-released 2014 Service Guidelines Report, which analyzes the performance of our transit system and identifies investment needs, found that Metro should be providing 15 percent more service to meet current demand countywide. …
(That report does not appear to be online yet; it wasn’t linked, and we could only find the 2013 version. We’ll check on Monday.)
PRESCHOOL (Seattle Propositions 1A/1B):
Prop 1A – 31.29% – 49,393 votes
Prop 1B – 68.71% – 108,477 votes
What’s next? Thanks to Diane for forwarding e-mail about meetings to discuss how the resulting Seattle Preschool Program will be planned and implemented. Two meetings, both on December 6th, are in West Seattle, at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, the first focused on curriculum, the second on teacher training/coaching. They and others around the city, starting later this month, are listed on this flyer.
SMALLER CLASS SIZE (Statewide Initiative 1351):
Yes 50.49% 945,851 votes
No 49.51% 927,356 votes
What’s next? This trailed on election night, but now supporters have declared victory. How this will be made to happen, the Legislature has to work out, as the text says.
SEE FULL, UPDATED LOCAL AND STATE RESULTS: If there’s something else you want to check on, King County’s results are all linked here; statewide races and measures are all linked here.
Three days before Veterans Day, a West Seattle man who served in World War II got an early gift.
Rebuilding Together Seattle, with help from Renewal by Andersen, worked on the Beach Drive home of World War II veteran Elvino Naccarato. Along with fencing, the volunteers worked to build safer stairs and a porch.
They also worked to clean and organize the home, hauling away what they cleaned up as well as debris from work they did.
Kerianne Halpin, a spokesperson for the project, explained, “We want to help someone who helped us through their dedicated service. By making improvements to his home, we will make it safer and more comfortable for Elvino.”
P.S. RTS accepts applications from qualifying homeowners in need. It welcomes volunteers, too.
Hope you saw it! If not, from the past half-hour …
5:19 PM: That’s from Christopher Frankovich, and the next is from Ghazal Sharifi:
Before sunset, it was a little unsettling to see the Olympic Mountains devoid of snow, as we head into mid-November. Perhaps that will change – next week, the forecast warns of a cooldown, with daytime highs in the 40s.
ADDED 9:40 PM: Two more photos – moonrise from Carolyn Newman:
And one more look at the sunset colors, from JayDee in Upper Alki:
Thanks to everyone who shares photos, from sunset sights to breaking news (and more along the way)!
During today’s Green Seattle Day, Orchard Street Ravine got the TLC it was looking for. Cindi Barker shared photos and reports, “Over 30 people came, including 3 full families. All the plants got in the ground and are now well protected for the winter ahead.”
Cindi says that’s the youngest worker who showed up today, 6-year-old Evan, with his mom Jane. Here are the pots that held the plants now in the ground:
Thanks to everyone who volunteered somewhere today!
1:16 PM: Just in case you saw the big fire callout in the 5200 block of SW Andover (map) this past half-hour and wondered about it – our crew reports it was a kitchen problem, generally described by firefighters as “food on the stove,” and is wrapping up.
4:25 PM: Commenters say it actually turned out to be electrical. We won’t be able to get a final report from SFD until Monday.
MONDAY UPDATE: SFD spokesperson Kyle Moore confirms that while it was a kitchen problem, as commenters noted, it did not turn out to be a cooking problem. He also says the smoke detector made a big difference:
We were dispatched at 12:59 p.m. to 5227 SW Andover St for reports of a fire in the kitchen. It turned out it was a dishwasher fire that extended to the kitchen cabinets. The occupant was home alone asleep and woke to to the smoke detectors going off and evacuated. Firefighters contained the fire to the kitchen. Minor fire damage but there was smoke damage inside the house. There were no injuries.
You can help the West Seattle Food Bank make sure families in need have turkeys this holiday – by buying one and dropping it off (or a $15 donation so they can buy one) at HomeStreet Bank (WSB sponsor) in The Junction until 2 pm. Above, one of the turkey donations that happened while we stopped by. HomeStreet is at 41st/Alaska – just look for the WS Food Bank van by the bank:
Also look for the friendly people, including Melodie VanHouten from HomeStreet and Jim Dean from the Food Bank board:
If you miss today’s drive, check the WSFB site to find the many ways you can donate, during the holiday season and the rest of the year.
One of the first events on our big list today is at the midway point – the mega-consignment sale benefiting West Seattle Cooperative Preschools. It continues until 1 pm at the VFW Hall in The Triangle, and organizers say they’ve had a steady stream of shoppers. If there’s a wee one on your shopping list, you might even find her/him a new pal:
The VFW Hall is at 3601 SW Alaska.
This is not quite the standard case of lost-and-found … Emily‘s wedding ring was lost because of a delivery mistake, and it might be on your doorstep, or somewhere else a parcel would be left:
West Seattle, I need your HELP. Thursday afternoon my wedding ring was supposed to be delivered to our home at 46th/Admiral (we had it remade for our ten year anniversary) and it was delivered to the wrong house (the package required a signature yet the driver left the package anyway) and it is currently missing. Knowing how small West Seattle is, and that everyone knows everyone, I’m asking you all to PLEASE SHARE this, in the hopes that someone will come forward. We are offering a reward, no questions asked. This is obviously heartbreaking and the sentimental value is something that can never be replaced. Thank you for your help!
You can reach Emily at 503.784.0079.
(Killdeer, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
You might need wings to get to ALL the cool stuff in today’s highlights. Or at least a really good plan. So here we go – from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
KID-STUFF CONSIGNMENT SALE: 9 am-1 pm at the VFW Hall, it’s the return of a huge sale with all kinds of stuff for kids – sneak peeks here – benefiting West Seattle Cooperative Preschools. Details in Four local work parties but the one that needs help the most is at Orchard Street Ravine in Gatewood/Morgan, as previewed here on Friday, 9 am-1 pm. Even if you can only be there for part of that time! (Follow that link for directions)
‘PINK BELT’ TOURNAMENT: 9 am-noon at Evergreen Tang Soo Do in The Admiral District, martial-arts students from age 4 through adulthood are having their first ever breast-cancer-benefit tournament – details in our calendar listing. (2707 California SW_
THREE BAZAARS: And yet more pre-holiday shopping – 10 am-4 pm at Providence Mount St. Vincent (4831 35th SW) … 10 am-4 pm at Shorewood Elementary (2725 SW 116th) … and 11 am-4 pm at White Center Library (11220 16th SW)
BRING A TURKEY (OR $) TO HELP THE WEST SEATTLE FOOD BANK: It’s Turkey Drive day at HomeStreet Bank (WSB sponsor) in The Junction, 11 am-2 pm. Bring a 10-to-12-pound turkey, or $15 so the Food Bank can buy one, and help make sure local families in need have a great Thanksgiving too. (41st/Alaska)
OPEN HOUSE … at West Seattle Nursery, 11 am-2 pm; details in our calendar listing. (California/Brandon)
SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS-RELATED CONCERN? Bring it to West Seattle’s representative on the School Board, Marty McLaren, during her community-conversation meeting (just drop in) 11 am-12:30 pm at High Point Branch Library. (35th/Raymond)
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM CLOSED ... because today’s the gala champagne brunch raising money for the Southwest Seattle Historical Society. (Hope you got your tickets – the brunch, at Salty’s on Alki [WSB sponsor], is sold out!) The museum will reopen Sunday, regular noon-4 pm hours. (61st/Stevens)
CAT ADOPTION EVENT: Noon-3 pm at High Point Community Center, come meet cats in the Seattle Animal Shelter foster-cat program … waiting for their forever homes. Details here. (6920 34th SW)
FALL ART OPENING AT ‘THE BUILDING’: 20 local artists, live music, more, as detailed here. 5-10 pm. (4316 SW Othello)
NEIL YOUNG TUNES … by Melanie and David, performing at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. (5612 California SW)
UMPTEENTH SOUSA BIRTHDAY BASH: 7:30 pm, an annual tradition at Kenyon Hall. (7904 35th SW)
‘ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD’: Third night for the West Seattle High School Drama Club production – more here. 7:30 pm, WSHS Theater. (3000 California SW)
‘DOGFIGHT’ 7:30 pm curtain time for tonight’s performance of this musical-based-on-a-movie, at ArtsWest in The Junction. (4711 California SW)
OVERNIGHT TRAFFIC ALERT: 9 pm tonight until 8 am Sunday, on Highway 99 downtown, the Battery Street Tunnel is scheduled to be closed in both directions for fire-system testing, as noted here.
BUT … WHY LEAVE THE PENINSULA ANYWAY? Besides the highlights mentioned above, there’s MORE nightlife (among other things) – see the listings here.
(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)
Chief Sealth International High School junior Daron Camacho (#11) scored the Seahawks’ lone touchdown in their final game of the season Friday night, a 28-6 loss to visiting White River (from Pierce County). That was in the second quarter, which is also when senior Alloney Burris (#5) intercepted a pass:
Sealth took momentum into the second half but White River stuck to a ground game that wore down the clock and helped them stay on top.
Highlights of Simon Iniguez‘s first season as head coach (3-7) included the third consecutive Huling Bowl victory over West Seattle HS and the homecoming victory over Franklin.
The ex-Terrible Beauty space at California/Edmunds will open Monday in its new incarnation as the sports bar Westside Public House (first reported here in September). 4 pm Monday, to be specific, according to its Friday night announcement on Facebook, which also mentions that it will be 21+ only.
2 car MVA at Pigeon Point 22nd Av Sw/21st Av Sw 1 pt declined treatment 2nd driver fled scene pic.twitter.com/Bvh7De0Gva
— Seattle Fire Dept (@SeattleFire) November 8, 2014
If you heard/saw the big callout to the 4700 block of 21st SW (map) – that’s what it’s all about – a two-car crash with one driver reported to be on the run, according to the Seattle Fire tweet. The road’s blocked in the area, so stay away if you have to head out.
(Added: WSB photo by Christopher Boffoli)
11:45 PM: Tow crews are already at the scene, so it should clear before long.
Want to be inspired and informed? Check out a great slate of speakers without crossing the bridge. Just announced by Kol HaNeshamah, their first “FRED Talk”:
Listen to what Harborview Medical Center Medical Director, J. Richard Goss M.D., has to say about Ebola, Obamacare and other hot topics which impact our community Sunday, Nov. 23, from 3-5 PM at Alki UCC/Kol HaNeshamah, 6115 SW Hinds, as part of West Seattle’s first FRED Talk.
If you are familiar with Ted Talks, you will understand FRED Talks. FRED, which stands for Fresh, Relevant, Educational & Dynamic Talks are a way for community members to come together to hear from those who are on the front lines working hard in our community each day.
“We see one another at the grocery store, ride busses together, attend our children’s’ games or performances and say hello,” says Kol HaNeshamah Rabbi Zari Weiss, “but we seldom take time to really learn about the challenges and the joys we face on a daily basis at work. FRED Talks are designed to give us the opportunity to hear more from one another about why we do what we do each day.”
Other speakers, November 23, include Scott Schill, producer of Frank vs. God, a full-length feature comedy currently making a splash at film festivals around the country, Danielle Eidenberg-Noppe, education ombudsman at the Washington State Office of Education, and Alice Braverman, the development director at Navos Mental Health Solutions.
FRED Talk speakers will share stories of gumption, grit and gratitude and allow time for questions. Attendees will hear from all four speakers with a short intermission along the way. Suggested admission is $18 for adults and $12 for seniors and students. Children’s activities will be available, ages 3-11, for $5 a session.
“We are excited to invite community members from West Seattle and beyond to join us for this interesting and engaging afternoon,” Weiss says.
Proceeds from this event will go toward KHN, West Seattle’s progressive synagogue community.
From last night’s traffic/transportation forum organized by the Fauntleroy Community Association: Residents voiced frustration at what they saw as a history of all talk/no action, leaving them bringing up the same problems year in, year out. So here’s what was talked about, in that context:
(Photo courtesy Cindi Barker: Some of the plants that await you!)
Four West Seattle sites are part of the citywide Green Seattle Day workparty-a-thon tomorrow – but just one comes with the added notation “Needs some love” on the signup list: Orchard Street Ravine in the Gatewood/Morgan area. Organizers say it’s “a big effort (that) can use lots of willing hands”:
We are finishing some clearing and have 150 plants that need to get into the ground. After planting we will be laying burlap and bark down in preparation for the winter. So there are tasks of all kinds, please come for some or all of the time, tools will be provided, just bring your own gloves.
They’ll be working 9 am-1 pm, but even if you can only be there for part of that time, that would still be a BIG help. Directions are on this page, which is where you also can RSVP right now, to let organizers know help is on the way!
2:13 PM: Police are checking out a report of a man seen in the Roxhill Park vicinity “with a handgun,” and that has led to Denny, Chief Sealth, and Roxhill “sheltering in place.” No injuries, no gunfire reported, but it’s a precaution.
2:24 PM UPDATE: Seattle Public Schools has just tweeted that the “shelter in place” has been lifted, and schools are dismissing at normal times.
Every year, the West Seattle Helpline is a lifeline for people in need of short-term emergency help, and the community’s generosity is what enables that to happen. One week from tonight, you’re invited to help the Helpline and have a good time at its annual dinner/auction, 6:30-9 pm Friday, November 14th, at the Duwamish Longhouse in West Seattle (4705 W. Marginal Way SW). Getting your tickets is quick and easy – go here.
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