West Seattle, Washington
12 Monday
The magnitude-7.8 earthquake in Nepal is now reported to have killed almost 2,000 people. And a difficult, dangerous time is ahead for the survivors who now must figure out how to get through its aftermath and aftershocks. So tonight, a reminder about local preparedness:
You need to know where your nearest Emergency Communication Hub is – and that map will help. West Seattle volunteers have led the way in organizing hubs around the peninsula. The hubs are places you can go in the aftermath of a disaster that shuts down usual communications, places to find information and help, as explained on this page of westseattlebeprepared.org – and on a citywide level, they’re explained in this video:
The video mentions the drills that hub volunteers stage every so often to make sure plans and procedures will be fresh if and when disaster strikes. Just so happens that the next drill is two weeks from today, Saturday, May 9th – an evening drill this time, 5-10 pm around the city. The drill scenario will be “a major earthquake followed by aftershocks and worsening weather conditions. The exercise will test operations, procedures and equipment, offer opportunities to learn and to get to know fellow volunteers.” West Seattle Be Prepared‘s Cindi Barker shares this flyer showing that two WS hubs are participating, Ercolini and Hiawatha, and explaining how you can help, even if you haven’t been involved with a hub before:
Hub volunteers and radio operators with the Seattle Auxiliary Communications Service will be among those participating.
In the meantime, here’s one more *very important* thing you can do even if you are not involved with a hub: A new website has launched in an attempt to get various community safety and preparedness-related groups communicating and coordinating – Hubs plus SNAP, CERT, and Block Watch groups. If you’re involved with any of the above, go to seattleemergencyhubs.org, find the Emergency NeighborLink Map on the home page, and get signed up so your group will show up.
P.S. If you haven’t even taken the basic preparedness steps – emergency food/water supplies – don’t feel overwhelmed. The Seattle Neighborhoods Actively Prepare (SNAP) website has some advice – see this page.
Thanks to Barry for the report and photo:
Friends of Morgan Junction Parks held their first event of the year on a beautiful Saturday afternoon at Morgan Junction Park. A nice turnout of volunteers performed pruning and transplanting projects, and weeding and mulching of all the plant beds. The park’s in great shape and ready for summer. Thanks to everyone who lent a hand from the Morgan Community Association, The Bridge and Beveridge Place Pub, and to the volunteers who work in all seasons to keep the park clean and vibrant.
The biggest event of the year at the park is just under two months away – the 10th annual Morgan Junction Community Festival, set for Saturday, June 20th.
Let somebody else do the cooking tomorrow morning: West Seattle Baseball‘s first-ever Pancake Breakfast benefit is happening 9 am-noon Sunday at the West Seattle Eagles‘ HQ in The Junction (4426 California SW): “Everyone is welcome to join in the fun as we raffle items, eat pancakes, and raise funds to help maintain our fields. … We look forward to a successful start of a tradition that will support WS Baseball for decades.” Full details are on the flyer embedded above (or viewable as a PDF here).
7:27 PM: Quick West Seattle Crime Watch reader report – somebody just stole a statue of Buddha out of a front yard in Upper Fauntleroy, put it in a car and drove away. The statue’s owner has already called police and says it was a blonde-haired man in his 20s, driving a blue Subaru Legacy or Outback, last seen headed southbound on 40th SW.
7:54 PM: Statue photo added.
Love wine? Love sidewalks? Love solar power? Support all of the above – and then some – by attending and/or sponsoring Highland Park Uncorked. It’s happening three weeks from tonight (Saturday, May 16th) at Highland Park Improvement Club. Here’s how it works:
Each person brings a bottle of their favorite wine, priced at $15 or less. You are assigned a table. The bottle is placed in a brown paper bag, given a number and eventually placed somewhere on your assigned table. You don’t worry about that, as you relax with the wines from the award-winning Northwest Wine Academy, mingle with your neighbors, and munch on a wonderful spread of food prepared by our talented gastronomes.
When the tasting starts, you will go to your assigned table and your table captain will walk you through the process. Everybody tastes the wines that each person at their table brought and end up voting for the best. The winning wine from your table progresses to the finals where they are all tasted and the top three are chosen. There is still lots of wine at your table to further “examine” and enjoy with your tablemates.
Raffles too, and something new – the “Wine Aroma Challenge“! Find more details about Highland Park Uncorked here. Oh, and about the sidewalks? HPIC is raising money not just to support its ongoing operations as a community hub and event venue, but also to help with grounds improvements for its almost-century-old site at 12th/Holden. It’s received grants and donations for raingardens, a cistern, a courtyard, and future solar panels – but it’s also (as explained and shown here) had to spend more than $15,000 to fix broken sections of sidewalk and to replace part of its roof. Every bit of fundraising helps, HPIC says. So:
*Want to be a sponsor? (WSB is signed up to co-sponsor again this year.) Go here.
*Just want to save a spot at the table? Go here – HP Uncorked has sold out in advance in previous years, so don’t gamble on just showing up at the door.
Interested in golf? The West Seattle Women’s Golf Club is getting the word out that they “welcome women of all abilities for fun, camaraderie, and friendly competition.” The photo above is from earlier this month, when a team from the club traveled (with club pro Colin Gants) to Bellevue Golf Course for a competition, described as “a fun day and a close match.” If you’re interested in joining the club, e-mail Corinne Burr at CBurr@johnlscott.com to find out more.
We can just about guarantee that the West Seattle Rock and Gem Show is the only place in town you’ll find working clothespins made from rocks. Another unique feature: If you’ve already checked out some of the earlier events and are looking for something continuing into the late afternoon, here you go, free and fun until 5 pm (and again tomorrow, 10 till 5). Along with displays, you’ll find demonstrations, and people happy to explain what they do:
Lots of parking, too, if you’re driving – the West Seattle Rock Club (WSB sponsor) is presenting the show at the Alki Masonic Center at 40th and Edmunds.
(UPDATED SUNDAY NIGHT with confirmation car was stolen)
Three reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch today:
BEE GARDEN VANDALISM: When volunteers arrived for today’s work party at the West Seattle Bee Garden, they discovered that mosaic sign made by students at West Seattle Elementary had been vandalized overnight. Christine sent the photo and says someone threw a brick into the sign; it’s been reported to police, and, “We hope someone saw something or heard something.” They also are hoping someone will offer to help repair it. We’ll be following up on this; if you can help with repairs, westseattlebeegarden@gmail.com
STOLEN CAR? A resident who e-mailed recently about ongoing problems in the (updated) 8600 block of 25th SW has a new report today – a suspected stolen car left nearby this morning, after two stolen cars were recovered there recently.
“Police were called and agree it’s probably stolen but not reported yet. … Plate AQC4102, 4-door light blue older model Honda with a red disabled plaque hanging from mirror.” Also, the resident reports, a battery was stolen out of a neighbor’s van. (Sunday night update – we found SPD tweet from an hour after we published this, confirming this was a stolen car. Also added photo sent Sunday by resident who spotted it.)
BURGLARY ATTEMPT: From an Arbor Heights resident:
My home (located on 35th SW, near 100th) got broken into on Wed, 4/22. I came home from work to find the glass of the patio sliding door shuttered and the security alarm going off. I called 911 and the police officers came and searched the premises. Looked like nothing had been stolen. I am pretty certain that the sound of the alarm scared off the would be intruder and they fled without taking anything.
Getting the home security system installed turned out to be the best investment I have made to the house!
Not having a door overnight and then dealing with the subsequent repair work the next day to install a brand new set of sliding doors (it turned out, the doors were not standard size so lots of adjustments had to be made around the opening) in pouring rain was pretty annoying but my house was okay and so was I.
The place to go if you’re looking for kid stuff today – the West Seattle Co-op Preschools‘ benefit consignment sale, raising money for the schools’ scholarship fund. If you haven’t already been, you have until 1 pm, at the VFW Hall (3601 SW Alaska), to find clothes, toys, and more, big and small:
Find out more about the Co-op Preschools program, which serves kids from infancy through kindergarten, by going here.
The West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) is looking to its future, with the upcoming expansion, so it’s no surprise we found an “astronaut” there as Healthy Kids Day got going this morning. Even the dunk tank has gone high tech:
That’s Josh Sutton from the Y, who’s wearing a GoPro camera to capture the dunk-tank action this time around. Healthy Kids Day is on for another hour, until 1 pm, and along with a long list of free, fun activities, you can meet some local business folks like the West Seattle School of Rock (also a WSB sponsor):
The Y’s at 36th SW and SW Snoqualmie in The Triangle.
(Photo by Yuri Levchenko, shared via the WSB Flickr group)
So much happening today/tonight!
POST-EARTH DAY CLEANUP AT HIGHLAND PARK ELEMENTARY: 9 am-noon, come help Highland Park Elementary School in honor of Earth Day. Meet on the blacktop behind the school; coffee and treats provided. (1012 SW Trenton)
HEALTHY KIDS’ DAY: 10 am-1 pm, the annual fun fest at the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) – see the list of activities here – all free. (36th/Snoqualmie)
WESTSIDE SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: 10 am-noon, come find out more about Westside School (WSB sponsor) *at its current campus* (but questions about its new one are welcome). More info on the school website. (7740 34th SW)
HELP OUT AT THE BEE GARDEN: Just three weeks until this year’s West Seattle Bee Festival. At the WS Bee Garden at High Point Commons Park today:
Lavender, Lilies, Currants and more! Come help us put them in the ground at the Bee Garden Work Party!! 10 am-2 pm. Snacks, drinks, tools, and gloves provided! Go Bees!
(31st/Graham)
ROCK AND GEM SHOW: First of two days for the annual show presented by the West Seattle Rock Club (WSB sponsor) – 10 am-5 pm at the Alki Masonic Center, free admission/parking, displays, activities, more! (40th/Edmunds)
KID-STUFF CONSIGNMENT SALE: 9 am-1 pm, big benefit sale for the West Seattle Co-op Preschools‘ scholarship fund – as previewed here on Friday, more than 4,529 items are up for grabs at the VFW Hall – admission is a $1 donation to the scholarship fund. (3601 SW Alaska)
FAMILY SCAVENGER HUNT/FOREST HIKE: 10 am-noon, presented by the Nature Consortium, at Pigeon Point Park – explained here. (1901 SW Genesee)
PEONY AND BAMBOO FESTIVAL: 10 am-4 pm today and tomorrow at the Seattle Chinese Garden – you’re advised to get there early! (6000 16th SW)
CAMBODIAN NEW YEAR STREET FESTIVAL: 10:30 am-5 pm in White Center – music, dance, other performances, games, contests, free fun. (SW 98th between 15th and 16th SW)
EARTH MONTH BAKE SALE: 11 am-3 pm today and tomorrow at Shanti Salon and Spa in North Admiral. (2138 California SW)
BUY MARINERS TICKETS, HELP WSHS BASEBALL: Noon until ?, West Seattle High School baseball players will be at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) selling tickets for the June 22nd Mariners-Royals game – it’s linked to their annual appearance in the High School Baseball Classic at Safeco Field, as explained here. (California/Fauntleroy/Morgan/42nd)
CONVERSATIONS ABOUT AGING/DEMENTIA: 2-3:30 pm at West Seattle (Admiral) Library – caring for an aging loved one? Get guidance on important topics, as explained in our calendar listing. Free. (2306 42nd SW)
‘CINDERELLA’: Seattle Lutheran High School presents the musical “Cinderella,” in the Menashe Family Gym, 7:30 pm – more info on the school website; tickets at the door. (41st/Genesee)
OWL HOOT: 7:30 pm at Camp Long Environmental Learning Center – but you need to pre-register, so do that ASAP! (5200 35th SW)
‘ANGRY HOUSEWIVES,’ NIGHT 3: 7:30 pm at ArtsWest (WSB sponsor); tickets available online – just a few as of early this am, so hurry! (4711 California SW)
‘PICASSO AT THE LAPIN AGILE’: Twelfth Night Productions presents “Picasso at the Lapin Agile” by Steve Martin, an “Off-Broadway absurdist comedy,” 7:30 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. Tickets are available online. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
WEST SIDE GLORY: 8 pm doors, 9 pm show at the Skylark – West Seattle’s queer variety show is back! 21+ only. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
FEEDBACK LOUNGE TURNS 6: Happy anniversary, Feedback Lounge! 9 pm, Unplugged Led Zeppelin tribute as part of the festivities. (6451 California SW)
EVEN MORE HAPPENING TODAY/TONIGHT … see for yourself on our calendar.
2:12 AM: If you’ve heard all the sirens – a car is reported to have flipped under the bridge at Klickitat and Spokane, and that brought out a “heavy rescue” response, though it’s now reported that everyone got out of the car after all.
2:20 AM: One person is being taken to the hospital – by private ambulance, so the injuries are not life-threatening. The car is reported to be on a set of tracks, so they’re contacting BNSF to make sure no train traffic comes through the area while this is being handled.
Baseball rematch at Hiawatha on Friday afternoon for West Seattle High School and Bainbridge Island High School. Thanks to Caryn Johnson for the photos and report:
Friday afternoon was the rematch of the two teams that met on Wednesday, West Seattle vs Bainbridge Island,. Freshman Anthony Coats [top photo] started on the mound for WS. The Bainbridge Island bats came out firing and in the first inning had three hits including a three-run home run, but West Seattle would answer back in the bottom of the 1st with an RBI single by senior Jordan Sagmoen. After the first inning, Anthony would settle down and pitch another two innings, only giving up one more run.
In the bottom of the 5th inning, West Seattle would get two more runs off a deep home run hit by Morgan McCullough [photo above]. This would put the score at the end of the 5th inning at 4-3, Bainbridge up. But that would be as close as it would get. Bainbridge Island (ranked #9 in Washington State) would open it up and end up winning 16-3.
Next game is the matchup of the local schools, West Seattle vs Chief Sealth, Monday at 4:00 at Southwest Athletic Complex.
P.S. Around noon today (Saturday), you’ll find some of the WSHS players at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) selling tickets for the June 22nd Mariners-Royals game – it’s related to their annual appearance in the High School Baseball Classic at Safeco Field, as explained here. If you want tickets but can’t make it to the store, e-mail wshsmarinerstickets@gmail.com and they’ll make it happen.
Taking a late-night look at the official city webpage listing who’s campaigning and who’s not … we see another candidate has left the District 1 City Council race: David Ishii. No public statement that we’ve seen, so we don’t know why. Ishii, a West Seattle resident, filed last fall for an intended District 1 run, then moved to an at-large race, then moved over to District 1 (West Seattle/South Park) in March, but didn’t participate in either of the two candidate forums held since then.
Three weeks remain for anyone interested in filing to be on the August primary ballot – May 15th is the deadline. With the departures of Ishii on Friday and Tom Koch on Thursday, the current slate of candidates:
CURRENT D-1 CANDIDATES: Pavel Goberman (declared 3/5/2015), , Lisa Herbold (declared 2/11/15), Shannon Braddock (declared 2/11/15), Brianna Thomas (declared 2/11/15), Phillip Tavel (declared 2/4/15), George Capestany (declared 11/11/14), Amanda Kay Helmick (declared 10/20/14), Chas Redmond (declared 12/20/13). Filing deadline is May 15th; primary election is August 4th. Along with voting on the D-1 position, West Seattle/South Park also will vote on the two “at-large” spots, Positions 8 and 9.
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