West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
(WSB photo & video)
Friday night, you can enjoy beautiful music for free without leaving the peninsula. The West Seattle Community Orchestras‘ Symphony Orchestra is getting ready for its “Spring Celebration” concert; we stopped by last night’s rehearsal to record a bit of video with internationally acclaimed guest violinist Quinton Morris:
Dr. Morris will be performing Mozart‘s “Violin Concerto No. 3 in G Major” with the Symphony Orchestra, conducted by James Pham, in the auditorium at Chief Sealth International High School (2600 SW Thistle). Showtime Friday night (March 10th) is 7:30 pm. No admission charge, no tickets required, but as always, donations “will be gratefully accepted,” WSCO says.
Four biznotes to share:
RESTAURANT UPDATE: From our watchlist of future West Seattle restaurant openings, Vine & Spoon at 4706 California SW says it’s close to setting an opening date. Executive Chef Larkin Young‘s “farm-to-table-inspired” restaurant/bar is currently looking at mid-May, according to a spokesperson. We first told you last May about Vine & Spoon; today’s update says:
The menu will feature seasonal ingredients, many of which Chef Young, an avid outdoorsman and forager, quite literally picks for himself in the wilderness. Guests will be treated to signature dishes such as green juniper cured salmon lox (fresh cheese, pickled mustard seed, marbled rye crisps); crispy herbed gnocchi (caramelized parsnips, hedgehog mushroom, smoked cipollini onion, butternut squash puree); grilled Snake River Farm wagyu hanger steak (roasted baby carrots, crimini mushroom, potato gratin, jus); and much more. Paired to elevate and complement the overall experience, the beverage program will feature an array of local wines and craft beers. ,,, Vine & Spoon will feature indoor and outdoor seating complete with an open kitchen, 18-seat bar, raw bar, and large garden patio.
The hours will be 11 am-midnight daily.
EVERGREEN TANG SOO DO ACADEMY MOVES: The martial-arts studio has moved two doors down, to the north, in the former Westside Gymnastics space at 2701 California SW. You’re invited to an open house to celebrate, 10 am-2 pm on Sunday, March 19th, with three free events:
10:15 am – Women’s Self-Defense
11:15 am – Kids Anti-Bullying
1:15 pm – Parents as Coaches Class
The grand-opening event also will feature free food provided by Dinners by Dao, LLC.
SECOND GEAR SPORTS CLEAT-EXCHANGE UPDATE: This Sunday (March 12th) is the second and final Cleat Exchange date at Second Gear Sports (6529 California SW; WSB sponsor) in Morgan Junction, 9 am-noon (that’s two hours earlier than SGS usually opens on Sundays). Before then, youth baseball/softball players and their families are welcome to drop off their used cleats at SGS. Details are in our original preview, here.
MY THREE LITTLE BIRDS KINDERMUSIK: My Three Little Birds (6959 California SW; WSB sponsor) proprietor Jennifer Young has announced that free kindermusik is returning, starting this Saturday and every Saturday, 12:30 pm at the shop. It’s targeted to babies/toddlers, she says, but all kids are welcome.
(July 2016 photo of what is now officially the last West Seattle Hi-Yu float – photo by Jim Edwards)
After months of working to figure out if West Seattle Hi-Yu – an 80+-year-old community organization – could be reorganized and saved, the decision is in. We asked Hi-Yu Secretary Gloria Teves about the results of this past Monday night’s meeting, and received this statement:
Dear West Seattle,
After much consideration and sadness, the West Seattle Hi-Yu announces it will be ceasing operation effective May 1. After 80+ years of service to the West Seattle community, this decision was not an easy one, but the right one to make at this time.
West Seattle Hi-Yu is an all-volunteer 501(c) 4 organization, originally established by the West Seattle Service Clubs to produce a community summer festival. Over the years, various aspects of the Hi-Yu Summer Festival have been transitioned to other groups. The largest of those activities, the West Seattle Parade, is now hosted by the West Seattle Rotary Club. Hi Yu has not hosted the parade for more than a decade.
Prior to the hiatus that Hi Yu began last fall to consider options regarding reorganization, Hi-Yu’s program consisted of the West Seattle Hi Yu Royalty Scholarship Programs and the West Seattle Parade float.
For several years the Hi-Yu organization has struggled to attract royalty candidates for both its junior and senior courts, dwindling numbers of volunteers and inconsistent financial support. On Monday, March 6, 2017, at its monthly general membership meeting, discussion was held on how the organization would move forward. After direct invitations and notice on the West Seattle Blog of the meeting date, time, and agenda, there were no attendees to the meeting. Compounding the lack of participation, West Seattle Hi-Yu organization is financially insolvent. Faced with these issues, the officers agreed to cease operations.
It is with great appreciation that we recognize the support and participation of the West Seattle community over the last 80+ years. While the Hi-Yu organization may have run its course, the nostalgia of the wonderful courts that were for years the mainstay of Hi-Yu, and represented West Seattle in wonderful summer festivals around the region, will live on.
From now until May 1, we will focus on the following activities:
*Confirm participation in the 2017 Seafair Women’s Scholarship Program.
*Pay existing scholarship commitments.
*Donation or disposal of the float.
*Miscellaneous business closing activities.For additional information, please email info@westseattlehiyu.com
Our archive of Hi-Yu coverage over the past decade is here.
Thanks to @westseawx for the alert: The National Weather Service is out with a Special Weather Statement warning that it could be extra-windy on Friday morning – sustained wind 20 to 30 mph, gusts to 50 mph. Most likely timeframe – 3 to 9 am.
(WSB photo)
1:03 PM: Thanks for the tips. We are at Hamilton Viewpoint Park, as are at least eight SPD cars. We are told this started with someone thinking they saw someone with a gun, but so far police aren’t finding any evidence of that.
1:10 PM We have since found SW Precinct Capt. Pierre Davis at the scene. He says police are working to get a search warrant for a car that might be connected to the alleged weapon sighting.
(WSB photos)
11:16 AM: Thanks for the tips: A tree-cutting crew is preparing to take down the “exceptional tree” at 3036 39th SW that had been at the heart of a neighborhood battle – it’s the ~100-foot Ponderosa Pine growing in the middle of a lot where the new owner intends to build a house. Here’s how the tree looked when we first reported on it nine months ago, interviewing a young neighbor who wanted to save it:
(WSB photo, June 2016)
Our most-recent update was three weeks ago, when nearby resident Lisa Parriott announced she was taking the fight to court, after the city Hearing Examiner ruled in favor of property owner Cliff Low in January. Court records show Parriott’s Land Use Petition in the case is scheduled for a hearing on March 31st – more than three weeks away. But the tree that neighbors dubbed the “Silent Giant” will apparently be long gone by then. Crews from Ballard Tree Service first cut a smaller tree on the lot this morning and are getting ready to take down the pine tree, with an offduty police officer hired to provide security on site.
The building permit for the house was issued more than a month ago. The tree crew says they expect to have the Ponderosa pine down by mid-to-late afternoon. We’ll check back at the site later.
1:32 PM: Stopped by about half an hour ago, before being diverted to breaking news. Limbs are being removed before they tackle the trunk.
The tree neighbors tried to save is being cut down today. https://t.co/HWRO5IsD6n pic.twitter.com/SBT8BmLRzJ
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) March 8, 2017
4:48 PM: The tree was completely de-limbed when we went back over a little while ago:
Not long before our arrival, Craig Young took the next photo, as the tree’s top was removed:
ADDED WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Thanks to the texter who sent this photo from the end:
Two West Seattle Crime Watch reader reports this morning:
STOLEN CAR: From Michael near 42nd SW/SW Bradford – “Our silver 1997 Acura 2-door was discovered stolen this morning. License AOL6520 in case anyone sees it parked in their neighborhood.”
CAR PROWL: From Sara:
Just wanted to let you know that our car was rifled through on 35th and Dakota last night between midnight and 5 AM. They took the change they could find, cheap sunglasses, makeup, and some cheap jewelry. The only thing of value that they were able to get was a Kate Spade wallet that only had rewards cards and receipts in it. I would love to get the wallet back if anyone sees it dumped anywhere.
(Tuesday evening photo by Don Brubeck)
Six events for the rest of today/tonight, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
WOMEN’S BUSINESS NETWORKING MEETUP: 10 am-11 am at Endolyne Joe’s (WSB sponsor), free meetup hosted by West Seattle Office Junction (WSB sponsor) co-proprietor Christine. (9261 45th SW)
LOCAL BIZ MEETUP: Then at noon at WS Office Junction, any and all local businesspeople are invited to the weekly meetup at West Seattle’s only coworking center. (6040 California SW)
‘DAY WITHOUT WOMEN’: So far, we have heard of only one West Seattle event – staffers from Genesee Hill Elementary School planning to rally across the street after school gets out. (If you are involved with, or know of, anything else, please let us know – 206-293-6302 text or voice, editor@westseattleblog.com e-mail. Thank you!)
STUDENT FUNDRAISER: 6-8 pm at Marination Ma Kai, part of the proceeds go to the Junior ASB at West Seattle High School. (1660 Harbor SW)
34TH DISTRICT DEMOCRATS: Our area’s largest political organization meets at 7 pm at The Hall at Fauntleroy. See the agenda on the 34th Dems’ website. (9131 California SW)
THE BILLY JOE SHOW: Live music at Parliament Tavern, 8-11 pm. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
(ARBOR HEIGHTS HOUSE FIRE COVERAGE: Continuing here)
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
7:45 AM: We’re continuing to cover the aftermath of this morning’s Arbor Heights fire, which is continuing to affect transportation on SW 100th, including Metro Routes 21 and 22, because of lines run to hydrants on 100th. Meantime, here are some advance alerts of importance, for today and beyond:
ADVANCE ALERTS: Rallies/marches are planned downtown at midday today and this evening, as well as Friday afternoon/evening. See the SDOT weekly alert for full details. … Also, remember that Metro’s next service change starts Saturday; here’s our preview of West Seattle changes.
7:53 AM: Metro has just sent an alert saying Routes 21 and 22 are back to normal in Arbor Heights.
(UPDATED THURSDAY AFTERNOON with identification of victim)
(WSB photos unless otherwise credited)
4:55 AM: A full Seattle Fire response is arriving at a house fire in the 9800 block of 44th SW [map]. More to come.
(Added: Photo sent by Trista)
5 AM: The house is described as “fully involved” (in flames) with wires down.
5:05 AM: Per scanner, SFD says everyone is out of the house and they are fighting the fire in a “defensive mode.” They’re calling for more crews.
5:14 AM: We’ve added the first photos from our crew. SFD is now not certain everyone is out after all.
5:24 AM: They’ve called for the Red Cross to come help three people described as adults. Meantime, if you’re hearing a helicopter, it’s TV.
5:49 AM: Fire crews report continued progress on what’s left of the fire. They’ve called for the investigator as well as the chaplain. Media has just been briefed by SFD spokesperson Alice Kim, who confirms three people got out OK – one with minor injuries – and that there are as-yet-unconfirmed reports someone might still be in the house; they’re searching.
5:55 AM: Our crew says hoses were run to 45th and 100th, which explains why Metro says Routes 21 and 22 are rerouted from 44th and 100th, a block-plus south of the fire.
6:22 AM: Media at the scene is being kept back from the house. Per scanner, firefighters are trying to search from outside; hotspots are reported to be flaring up on one side. Wires were reported down in the early going; the City Light map says six homes are without power in the area.
6:55 AM: Seattle Fire now confirms that one person has been found dead, described as a “middle-aged woman.”
7:15 AM: Still a large SFD deployment on the scene, two and a half hours after the first report. Here are new photos from our crew:
SFD says the woman was found dead in a bathroom on the first floor of the house and that firefighters had to cut through two walls to reach her.
8:26 AM: More units are leaving the scene. Here’s what’s visible from the alley behind the house:
We’re uploading video from the most-recent briefing at the scene by SFD spokesperson Kim. (added:)
We’ll be checking back at the scene later this morning.
11:59 AM: We asked the local Red Cross about help for the family. Colin Downey replied, “Red Cross volunteers did respond to this morning’s tragic fire. They provided assistance for three people to help meet immediate needs, which can include emergency lodging, food and clothing. Our caseworkers will continue to follow-up in the coming days.”
5 PM: We went back over a while ago. A Seattle Fire engine was still on “fire watch” – after most major fires, at least one unit is usually kept at the scene for some time in case of a flare up. SFD, meantime, says it has not yet been able to determine what started the fire, “pending further information” – but estimates damage as worth $400,000. The woman found dead in a bathroom has yet to be publicly identified.
ADDED THURSDAY AFTERNOON: The victim is identified by the King County Medical Examiner’s Office as 51-year-old Lori Ann Stapleton. The KCME says she died of smoke inhalation.
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