West Seattle, Washington
09 Friday
(WSB photo from 2014 Seattle Chinese Garden Kite Festival)
The Blue Angels and other Seafair Air Show participants won’t be alone in the sky this Saturday – as you might already have seen in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, it’s also the third annual Kite Festival at the Seattle Chinese Garden on Puget Ridge. More than 500 people visited the garden on the north end of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus for last year’s festival; it’s happening 2-6 pm Saturday (plenty of time to arrive AFTER the Blue Angels’ 1:40 pm-ish show if that’s already in your plans). Bring your own kite OR buy one at the festival; enjoy kite-flying demos, kite-painting for kids, courtyard entertainment, and refreshments. 17 and under get in free; $3 suggested donation for adults.
This is already under discussion in the WSB Forums, but in case you haven’t heard about it yet: The city is running a survey for dog owners that could lead to more official off-leash space.
West Seattle, for example, has one off-leash area, at Westcrest Park in Highland Park, and there’s a growing clamor citywide for more such areas within walking distance of more neighbors. Take the survey here and have an early say as the city works “to develop a Strategic Plan which will help set a policy for future dog parks as our city grows – and the number of dog owners grows with it,” according to the group Citizens for Off-Leash Areas, which says, “Seattle has opened a mere 2.3 acres of off-leash areas in the last 14 years, while the number of dog parks in America’s largest cities went up 20 percent in the last five years, according to an April report from the Trust for Public Land.” Find out more about the off-leash-area Strategic Plan via the city website.
Thanks to Nikki for one more update on the Seattle United B98 Copa team’s run at the U.S. Youth Soccer National Championships, a regional U16 team featuring three players from West Seattle – (left to right in photos above) Akili Kasim (goalkeeper from WSHS) and Abel Kidane & Miguel Macias Garibay (field players from Chief Sealth IHS)
An update on the US National Championship Game:
The boys from Seattle played hard but lost to Baltimore 2-1 in the final yesterday in Tulsa. The team had an Epic run this year and will have a lifetime of memories.
The three players from West Seattle played outstanding – Miguel had a wonderful goal, Abel with his great passing, and Akili going the week with shutouts during his half of play.
All three boys said they are so grateful for the support they received, they couldn’t believe all the tweets, texts, Facebook posts, Instagram posts, even phone calls, and everyone who was up watching us play all week at 5:30, 6:30 in the morning.
From AKili, Abel, & Miguel, THANK YOU, WEST SEATTLE!
A memorial is planned Tuesday, August 4th, for Bob Kacel, who died earlier this month at 66. Here’s the remembrance his family is sharing:
Robert (Bob) Ernest Kacel, 66, passed away at home on July 10, 2015 after a long illness. Bob was born in Detroit, Michigan on September 18, 1948.
He graduated in 1966 from Osborn High School and continued on to receive a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Michigan in 1971.
Bob was married to Rebecca Kleen on August 12, 1972. They were married 42 years. Bob worked as an architect for the University of Michigan and then the State of Washington over a career of 44 years. He enjoyed a lifelong hobby of creative model-making and creating dioramas for which he won many awards. Bob was also actively involved in the Lutheran and Episcopal churches, and was a member of the Alpha Rho Chi Fraternity.
Bob is survived by wife Rebecca Kleen Kacel, daughters Melissa Kacel and Julia Kacel, grandchildren Adelle and Dane Leatherwood, brother Richard J. Kacel Jr., sisters Patricia Fischer, Nancy VerWest, and Cheryl Ahlborn, as well as other family and friends. Bob was preceded in death by his parents Richard J. Kacel and Gladys E. Kacel.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Swedish Cancer Institute and sent to Swedish Medical Foundation, 747 Broadway, Seattle, WA, 98122.
The memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm on August 4 at St John the Baptist Episcopal Church, 3050 California Ave SW, Seattle.
Please go here to see more pictures and to sign the online guest book.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)
(WSB photo from Thursday)
As first reported here on Thursday, SWAT officers served a drug warrant at 9200 16th SW, which had a business license through last December as an auto-repair business. “Drug warrant” is all police would tell us about the raid – until now:
Police began investigating a West Seattle auto body shop after receiving dozens of complaints of blatant drug-trafficking. What they found was more than 15 rifles, 6 shotguns, 20 handguns, over $60,000 in cash, and almost 3 pounds of marijuana.
Narcotics detectives could tell the extent of the operation after counting 400 customers a day in and out of the auto body shop — very few with car trouble, it seemed. Detectives conducted an extensive investigation including surveillance of the business and undercover buys confirming the illegal sale of marijuana inside a cargo container around the back of the property.
Detectives developed probable cause for several suspects in the operation and obtained search warrants for the auto body shop, as well as the body shop owner’s residence, and the owner’s father’s residence.
(SPD photo)
At the auto body shop in the 9200 block of 16 Ave SW, police seized 1276 grams of marijuana, 459 marijuana edibles, 18 grams of Shatter (solid hash oil), 5 handguns, and $7325.00.
(SPD photo)
Police seized 15 rifles, 6 shotguns, 5 handguns, and $1576.00 at the owner’s residence in the 8600 block of 35 Ave SW. Two of the seized guns were reported stolen.
The owner’s father, who is allegedly the second in charge of the drug operation, lives in Burien and had 10 firearms and $54,000 in cash seized from his residence.
Four arrests were made on Thursday and the suspects were all interviewed and released from the scene.
The photos were published with an update on SPD Blotter. We’ll be following up to check on whether charges are filed.
(Rendering by Ryan Applegate)
The Department of Neighborhoods has just officially announced its latest list of “Small and Simple” grants, and one will give a boost to a group working toward building an indoor-tennis center on the former Denny International Middle School site west of Southwest Pool. First, the list of West Seattle projects receiving grants from among 28 citywide getting a total of $467,562 in matching funds:
… These awards are part of the Small and Simple Projects Fund, one of three funds offered by Seattle Department of Neighborhoods. It provides cash awards of up to $25,000 in matching funds to community organizations committed to fostering and building a better community. The 2015 June awards range from $4,000 to $25,000, and the organizations pledge to match the City’s $467,562 investment with $600,132 of locally raised money, donated materials and volunteer labor. …
West Seattle Projects
· $24,400 to Chief Sealth Indoor Tennis to conduct a feasibility study and develop a conceptual plan for an indoor tennis center at the former Denny Middle School site. (Community match: $14,720)
· $25,000 to South Park Area Redevelopment Committee to create a design with public input, construction documents, and cost estimates to improve Duwamish Waterway Park. (Community match: $45,575)
· $21,395 to the West Seattle Time Bank to host 20 community events and workshops to promote timebanking and increase participation in West Seattle. (Community match: $22,840)
· $15,000 to Circulo de Mamas Seattle to convene 20 Latina mothers and community members to further develop their community leadership through culturally relevant training. (Community match: $25,550)
… The Small and Simple Projects Fund opens again for applications in September with a deadline of October 5. To learn more visit seattle.gov/neighborhoods/nmf/smallandsimple.htm.
Back to the proposed indoor-tennis center: The project has a Facebook page, with this note related to the grant: “This grant will pay for a feasibility study and concept design plan for the proposed Indoor Tennis Center. We’ll be selecting a design firm through a competitive process. Much research needs to be done on permitting requirements. When the design review is complete, we will be holding community meetings for input this fall.” A rendering on the page suggests it would be built in the area where outdoor tennis courts were built after the old school was demolished.
Just in from SDOT:
Crews from the Seattle Department of Transportation will close the left southbound lane on Klickitat Way Southwest between Spokane Street and 11th Avenue Southwest for landscape maintenance. The left lane will be closed from 7 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. each day from Tuesday, July 28 until Thursday, July 30. Some delays are possible; drive carefully.
Not sure about that location? Here’s a map.
(WSB file photo)
Get out on the water and experience Seattle’s “river for all” firsthand – this summer’s series of Duwamish River community kayak tours is about to start. First one is at 6 pm this Wednesday night (July 29th), focusing on the river’s birds, fish, and other wildlife. Here’s how to RSVP – when you do, you’ll get details including whether they’re launching from West Seattle or South Park.
One week from tomorrow, it’s the last day to vote in the first-ever primary for the newly reconfigured Seattle City Council – seven people elected by district, two at-large (right now all nine are elected at-large). If you’re not registered to vote in this state, TODAY is your last chance to sign up in time to be part of it – and you have to do it in person, by 4:30 pm. Two options:
*King County Administration building downtown, 500 4th Avenue (note they close for 1-2 pm break)
*King County Elections HQ, 919 Grady Way, Renton
Whether you’re a new voter or not, if you’re in West Seattle, your ballot features seven decisions to make, including Council District 1. They are:
*King County Elections Director (3 candidates)
*Seattle Port Commission Position 2 (3 candidates)
*Seattle Port Commission Position 5 (9 candidates)
*Seattle City Council District 1 (West Seattle/South Park; 9 candidates)
*Seattle City Council Position 8 (citywide; 4 candidates)
*Seattle City Council Position 9 (citywide; 6 candidates)
*Seattle School Board Position 6 (West Seattle/South Park; 3 candidates)
Voting deadline is next Tuesday night – get your ballot in the mail (you pay the postage) so that it’s postmarked by August 4th, or get it to a dropbox (open now) or ballot van (next Sat., Mon., Tues.) by 8 pm that night (no postage needed).
STILL MAKING UP YOUR MIND ON COUNCIL DISTRICT 1? Check out our nine “Last Look” interviews/stories (first published last Friday), one for each candidate, even if just to verify you’re voting for the one you think is best!
(Young male Anna’s Hummingbird, photographed over the weekend by Mark Wangerin)
Happy Monday! Highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
ROUSTABOUT CIRCUS: 10:30-11:30 am performance at West Seattle (Admiral) Library “featuring juggling, clowning, acrobatics, music and magic. Audience participation encouraged! Ages 5 and up.” Free, as is always the case for library programs. (2306 42nd SW)
FAMILY STORYTIME: 6:30 tonight at High Point Library, bring kids of all ages. (35th/Raymond)
PRAYER FOR THE DUWAMISH TRIBE: In the wake of the federal-recognition denial, a series of prayer events continues. Tonight, 6-7:30 pm at the Duwamish Tribe Longhouse, the community is invited to a gathering featuring Zenpeacemakers. (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)
SUMMER CABARET AT ARTSWEST: Monday nights this summer, join ArtsWest artistic director Mathew Wright for one-night-only performances featuring some of Seattle’s leading ladies. Tonight, 7:30 pm, Jessica Skerritt performs. Check here to see if tickets are still available. (4711 California SW)
MORE … on our calendar!
| Comments Off on SATURDAY: 3rd annual Kite Festival to soar over Seattle Chinese Garden on Puget Ridge