UPDATE: House fire in 5900 block 47th SW; started in kitchen, SFD says
(WSB photo)
10:24 PM: Seattle Fire has sent a “full response” to a house in the 5900 block of 47th SW [map]. They are describing it as a “kitchen fire” and also saying there’s heavy smoke from the front door. More to come.
(Added: SFD photo)
10:31 PM: Firefighters are still searching the house to make sure everyone got out OK. The fire has been declared “under control” and they’re checking to be sure it hasn’t spread.
(Added: SFD photo)
10:39 PM: Firefighters believe the fire is confined to the main floor of the house – they’ve checked the basement and attic to be sure.
10:56 PM: At the scene, we are told the fire’s out and under investigation. No one hurt; everyone got out OK.
SATURDAY, 11:14 AM: SFD spokesperson Kristin Tinsley tells WSB that the fire was caused by “unattended food on the stove, ruled accidental … estimated loss is $150,000 to structure and $50,000 to contents.”
REAL-ESTATE ROUNDUP: Five notes from Alki to Morgan
From commercial-real-estate listings/records and the WSB inbox:
WEST RIDGE PARK SOLD: New ownership for this sprawling rental complex that made news a decade ago for a canceled condo conversion. We received a news release today saying that Canadian-based real-estate trust RISE Properties Trust and Boston-based real-estate investment firm Intercontinental Real Estate Corporation have bought the 239-unit complex at 7901 Delridge Way SW. County records show the complex was sold by Grosvenor USA for $72.2 million. The announcement says West Ridge Park “features an average unit size of 987 sq. ft. and includes a mix of one- and two-bedroom units, as well as two-bedroom townhome-style units with accompanying garages in select units” and promises that, “Upon the execution of our business plan, residents will benefit from an upgraded living experience with premier access to nearby retail, leisure and recreational amenities.”
SALE PENDING FOR JUNCTION BUILDING: From a broker’s website, we learned that one of The Junction’s newer apartment buildings, 4400 SW Alaska, has a sale pending. (It also has its own website and a promotional video – see it here.)
ALKI PARCELS FOR SALE: We found that information while researching what is currently West Seattle’s highest-priced real-estate listing, $10.8 million for a package of Alki parcels that of course have their own website, alkidevelopment.com, where you can watch a marketing video consisting largely of lush aerials as well as enthusiastic descriptions of the rest of the peninsula, including the “ultra-hip Junction” (the same adjective is used on the listing website in reference to Admiral). The parcels, 1356-1370 Alki SW, currently hold a mix of small buildings.
NORTH MORGAN BUILDING FOR SALE: Another new listing in West Seattle is 6041 California SW, a mixed-use building with 24 apartments (described as “averaging 900 square feet”) and 34 offstreet-parking spaces, asking $8.6 million. (This too has a promotional video, describing West Seattle as “dynamic.”)
C & P SALE CLOSES: And one final note – the C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) sale has officially closed, three weeks after it was announced. County records show the sale price was $1,265,000, slightly over the original $1,250,000 asking price. We asked proprietors Cameron and Pete Moores if they had any further comment now that the deal is final; the reply, “The most important story we want to keep telling is our gratitude to the community for coming together and helping save this special place.”
SATURDAY: Spaghetti dinner, silent auction to benefit West Seattle High School baseball
It’s high-school baseball season – but not everything is happening on the field. Saturday night at West Side Presbyterian Church (3601 California SW), you’re invited to dine – and bid! – to help West Seattle High School’s team. From Porter Hammer:
The West Seattle High School Baseball Team is having a fundraiser. It will be a spaghetti dinner and silent auction. The auction will include many items of interest including:
Mexico Vacation
Weekend a beach house
Washington Husky opener tickets
Mariners tickets
Lots of donations from great West Seattle businesses
Much more
Many West Seattle businesses have generously stepped up to donate items – now we just need buyers for the auction. The West Seattle High Baseball team needs to raise money to cover aspects of the baseball program that already-stretched public school funds simply cannot cover for the team. The baseball team has expenses that include:
Replacing old uniforms that have been in use every year since 2002. These uniforms need replacing badly.
Maintaining and updating the practice equipment the team has.
Covering travel costs when the team travels to state tournaments
Money raised will be given to the West Seattle High School Booster Club with an earmark to go to the baseball team.
The West Seattle High School Baseball team has a historical legacy of excellence in Seattle Metro League play. Out of all the public schools in the Metro League, West Seattle has been by a long measure the most successful public school baseball program. It has the best post season record of any Metro League public program. It has players past and present who have been drafted and played professionally. Many players in top level college programs from Community College teams to top tier D1 universities.
With the hiring of new Varsity Head Coach Brian Tupper, the program has a fresh shot of energy and enthusiasm. Coach Brian and his coaching staff are helping West Seattle High School athletes reach a new level on the baseball field. This year’s freshman class is strong, and there are strong returning players. There are a lot of reasons to have optimism for West Seattle Wildcat Baseball. These are the kids you’ve seen growing up in the community over the years, little kids playing wiffleball at the park, on Little League and Pony teams, and now they have reached the very competitive Metro League high school level.
However, there are some costs to the program, so the team is reaching out to the community for help in raising money to fund some critical and basic items the team needs. Please consider attending this fund raiser and helping out the students in bringing some Westside Pride to community.
The auction is 5-7 pm Saturday, with dinner 5-9 pm. Buy your ticket at the door – $10/person, kids under 3 free. And you’re invited to come see the team play – no charge for spectators – here’s the schedule (next game 4 pm Monday at Hiawatha).
MARCH FOR OUR LIVES: What you need to know if you’re going – including that a West Seattleite is co-organizing
4:34 PM: That’s Emilia Allard. We photographed her at Chief Sealth International High School the night Mayor Jenny Durkan visited for a gun-law-reform Town Hall. She wasn’t an onstage participant that night but will be at centerstage tomorrow in a much-bigger event – as a co-organizer of the Seattle “March For Our Lives.” She is a resident of West Seattle, but you might not have heard that before as she goes to school at Ballard High. She and co-organizer Rhiannon Rasaretnam of Tahoma High School will be front and center leading the pre-march rally at Cal Anderson Park on Capitol Hill at 10 am tomorrow, then leading the march to Seattle Center. MFOL was sparked by the high-school massacre in Parkland, Florida, and is described in a reminder announcement we received today:
Students from throughout Washington State have worked to create this event as a call-to-action for elected officials to enact common sense gun safety legislation. Specifically they are asking for action on banning assault rifles, banning bump stocks nationally, raising the age for gun purchases from 18 to 21, ensuring school safety without use of firearms and calling on members of Congress and corporations to stop accepting support from or providing support for the NRA.
“We hope that what our fellow students take away from this event is that they have ignited a movement,” said Rhiannon Rasaretnam. “We will no longer wait for adults to act while children are killed every single day in their schools and in their communities. First we march, then we vote, and soon many of us will be ready to run for office to replace those members of congress who are not serving the youth, their constituents or our country.”
The coalition of student organizers continues to fundraise to pay the costs of the march. Donations can be made at: www.gofundme.com/march-for-our-lives-seattle. Any funds collected over the cost of the march will be donated to the Stoneman Douglas Victims Fund and will also be used for future March for Our Lives Seattle activities. On Saturday, march participants can also send a message to Parkland students at the fundraising tent which will be located at Seattle Center. Messages of solidarity will be gathered and shared with Parkland students.
While school shootings make headlines, 46 kids are shot due to gun violence every single day in America, the majority of these, in marginalized communities. March for Our Lives Seattle students recognize and stand in solidarity with organizations that are at the forefront of the issue of gun violence in communities of color.
If you’re going to participate, volunteer publicist Maggie has this to add:
Additionally, the organizing team would like to suggest to people to be mindful of transportation to event, as the viaduct is closed:
*Take public transportation
*Shuttles are available free back from Seattle Center to Cal Anderson
*Light rail has a stop right at Cal Anderson
*If you take Uber or Lyft, please be dropped off a few blocks from Cal Anderson to avoid adding to traffic
And if you’re participating, send a photo – editor@westseattleblog.com – thank you.
6:17 PM: Via e-mail, we’re told that a West Seattleite meet-up spot is being organized pre-march “at the playground area (SE corner) of Cal Anderson Park.”
Another Alki closure: Marée Bistro announces it’ll close at month’s end
After a little over two years, Marée Bistro and Bar (2820 Alki SW) says it’s closing in eight days. Thanks to Travis, a patron who is saddened by the news, for forwarding the restaurant’s e-mail announcement:
With heavy hearts, we are announcing the closure of Marée Bistro. Our last night of service will be March 31st. We want to thank everyone for all their support over the last 2+ years. West Seattle is truly an amazing community!! Please come in and see us off in the next week. Enjoy some food and libations and say goodbye to Marée with all of us!
As a few of you know, we cook all our dishes on induction and do not have a hood. Through growth of the business, we feel that we cannot sustain, expand or elevate the quality of Chef Andy’s cuisine. We hope to serve and see all of you again in another venture.
Andy & Megan
Marée opened in February 2016 in the space that had been vacated two months earlier by Cassis, where Marée co-proprietor Andy Dekle had been executive chef. Before the two restaurants, the space had housed the Alki Arts gallery/event venue for three years.
FOLLOWUP: Eviction lawsuit filed in Tully’s Alki closure
Not a surprise, given what we reported last weekend, but if you’ve been waiting for something official – here it is. 2+ weeks after the sudden shutdown of Tully’s Coffee at 2676 Alki SW – and other remaining Tully’s stores – an eviction lawsuit (unlawful detainer) has been filed.
As was alleged in the notice posted last week, the landlord says Tully’s parent company Global Baristas hasn’t paid the March rent. The overdue sum of $5,103 is broken down as $4,860 rent plus a $243 late fee. The court documents say Global Baristas has until next Thursday to pay up or show otherwise why it shouldn’t be evicted from the shuttered shop. This is the fifth unlawful-detainer suit filed against Global Baristas in King County Superior Court since February 1st. (Side note: Documents in the online court file include the lease terms going back to when the original Tully’s ownership took over the former Alki Taco Time in fall 1999; the initial rent was $4,050, so it’s only gone up 20 percent in 18+ years.)
5 for the rest of your West Seattle Friday
(Dark-eyed Juncos, photographed by Robin Sinner, shared via WSB Flickr group)>
Before we get too much further into this soggy/snowy Friday, five calendar highlights:
WEST SEATTLE GARDEN CLUB: If you’re not already at the meeting, you’re welcome to join them at Daystar for the 12:45 pm presentation, “Early Blooming Plants” by David Clausen, head gardener at Seattle University. (2615 SW Barton)
COMMUNITY POW-WOW: All are welcome at this annual celebration at Highland Park Elementary, 6-10 pm, with the grand entrance, featuring HPES students as Young Head Man and Young Head Woman, scheduled at 7 pm. (1012 SW Trenton)
FINAL FISH FRIDAY: The final Fish Friday dinner of the season at Our Lady of Guadalupe is tonight, 6-8 pm at Walmesley Center. Fish, mac and cheese, cole slaw, fries – prices in our calendar listing. (35th SW/SW Myrtle)
INTERSECTIONS FESTIVAL: This comedy festival “focused on equity, inclusion, and representation” continues through Sunday at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center in North Delridge, with shows tonight at 7 pm (hosted by Lu Smith) and 9 pm (hosted by Justin Huertas) – lineups and ticket info here. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
RAGTIME AT KENYON HALL: Ragtime master Bob Milne is at Kenyon Hall tonight, 7:30 pm – ticket info is in our calendar listing. (7904 35th SW)
AS ALWAYS, THERE’S MORE … for today, tonight, and beyond, on our complete WSB West Seattle Event Calendar. Also see the WSB Easter Etc. page for egg hunts, church services, etc., starting this weekend!
WEST SEATTLE WEATHER: Seeing some spring snow!
(Added: Photo texted from Westwood – thank you!)
10:02 AM: Thanks for the texts – we’re seeing it too: Some snow here on the hills. Today’s colder weather has been anticipated for some days, though the official forecast doesn’t mention flakes – it does mention a chance of thunderstorms, and accompanying hail, starting later.
10:34 AM: Continuing to snow off and on – turned to rain for a few minutes, now back to flakes. Not too photogenic so far.
11:11 AM: And in case you’re off-peninsula and wondering … no, it’s not sticking. Too warm. (“Warm” being a relative term here …)
CAMP TIME! Mode Music and Performing Arts signups for spring break and summer
(Photo by Kaija Rae Photography)
Only two weeks until Spring Break for Seattle Public Schools and those who follow its schedule. If you’re still looking for a spring-break camp for a second-, third-, fourth-, fifth-, or sixth-grader in your household – this is the first spring season ever for nonprofit Mode Music and Performing Arts in West Seattle, and listen to this plan to get your kid(s) singing, dancing, and acting:
We’re putting on a one-act musical in one week. We’ll pick the right musical to fit our group of performers. Titles under consideration include Willy Wonka Jr. and The Big Bad Musical. We’ll cast on Monday and rehearsal our songs, scenes, and movement throughout the week. On Friday we’ll perform our show complete with costumes and props for our family and friends in the Mode Music and Performing Arts space. Register here!
Follow that same link to check out Mode MPA’s summer camp offerings – if you sign up for any of those before March 31st, you’ll get a 10 percent discount.
UPDATE: Stabbing at Cottage Grove Commons in North Delridge
12:45 AM: SFD has sent an “assault with weapons” response to Cottage Grove Commons (5444 Delridge Way SW) and police are arriving too. Someone is reported to have been stabbed.
12:50 AM: All but one SFD crew has been dismissed, so the victim’s injuries are apparently not major. The suspect was reported to be still on the scene when police arrived.
ADDED FRIDAY AFTERNOON: We checked with SPD media relations to see how the final report turned out. It was a case of domestic violence, and both people involved are now in jail, Det. Mark Jamieson tells WSB:
Staff at the Cottage Grove Commons called 911 to report that an adult female had stabbed an adult male with a knife. The male was standing outside the building, and he was bleeding from the head and neck. Staff was able to retrieve the knife from the female, who then retreated back into her apartment.
Officers arrived and made contact with all parties. It was determined that a domestic relationship existed, and that the male had initially brandished the knife towards the female while inside her apartment. He then also apparently struck her in the face, causing visible injury. The female disarmed the male and chased him out of the apartment and into the hallway, where she then swung the knife at him several times as staff attempted to separate the two. The female then followed the male downstairs into the lobby, where she then cut him several times. The female suffered cuts to her right hand and fingers as well as a swollen lip. The male suffered cuts to his face and neck area.
None of the injuries were life-threatening. SFD was called to the scene to treat both parties. The male was transported to HMC via AMR for additional treatment. A 3″ folding knife was recovered from staff. Both parties were arrested for felony DV Assault.
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