day : 26/10/2018 13 results

9:59 PM: Police are searching the Admiral District after a robbery was reported a short time ago at the Admiral Safeway gas station. Per police radio, the robber is described as white, male, about 50 years old, medium height/build, wearing a brown/camouflage ski mask, brown jacket, blue jeans. He is reported to have shown a gun in his waistband and is possibly headed southbound through the alley from there. If you have any information, call 911.

10:14 PM: Still searching. K-9 team too.

West Seattle scene: Lafayette Elementary’s 2018 Walk-A-Thon

October 26, 2018 9:56 pm

| Comments Off on West Seattle scene: Lafayette Elementary’s 2018 Walk-A-Thon

| How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)

It was a beautiful day in the neighborhood, as Big Bird‘s old friend Mister Rogers might have said, as Lafayette Elementary‘s 2018 Walk-A-Thon unfolded throughout the day.

Kids from all grades – preschool through 5th – took turns out in the schoolyard.

Pledges were collected and the PTA hoped to eventually reach a fundraising goal of $60,000. Bake sale too!

Want to help them reach the goal? You can still contribute online.

Fundraiser at YOUR school? Please let us know so we can include it on our calendar and in our coverage!

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West Seattle Hallo-week updates: Outdoor shows; Harvest Fest contest

October 26, 2018 9:15 pm

| Comments Off on West Seattle Hallo-week updates: Outdoor shows; Harvest Fest contest

| Holidays | West Seattle news

Four West Seattle Hallo-week notes tonight:

WEST SEATTLE YULETIDE’S HALLOWEEN SHOW RETURNS: Got late word from Ken and Cora Iverson that their light show east of The Junction, on the east side of 38th SW between Genesee and Dakota, is back:

We’ll have our singing pumpkin again with his three monster back-up singers, along with Zombies, Larry and Scully and the Wicked Witch of the West (if it’s not raining – she melts in water, you know).

The show just wrapped up its first night and is set to go continuously 6 to 9 again tomorrow (Saturday) – “later if there’s an audience” – and 6-10 pm on Halloween. Inbetween – possible shows Sunday, Monday, Tuesday. Adding to our Halloween Etc. Guide – where we’ve also added this second-year attraction:

‘WELCOME TO NIGHTFALL ORPHANAGE’: 2130 Alki SW is where you’ll find this spooky show next week:

It’s the second year of a special show in this Alki yard; you can read more about it at nightfall1031.wordpress.com. It’ll be open for your visit Monday-Wednesday (October 29th-31st) and the following Friday-Saturday (November 2-3), 7:30 pm-10:30 pm each night. Candy on Halloween and Nov. 2nd.

SKELETON THEATRE: The website is updated now for this south-of-Admiral animatronic extravaganza with word of an all-new show this year. Here’s the trailer:

6-9 pm Wednesday and Thursday (October 31-November 1) at 36th SW/SW Hanford. And see our guide for the trailer for one more animatronic show, Nightmare on 44th.

One other Hallo-week note tonight:

HARVEST FESTIVAL KIDS’ PIE-EATING CONTEST: We hear there’s still room for more participants in the new pie-eating contest during Sunday’s West Seattle Junction Harvest Festival. The announcement: “A la Mode Pies is sponsoring a kids’ (8-14) pie-eating contest. Sign up at their West Seattle cafe by 10 AM October 28; they will pick 10 random contestants.” Prizes for the top three finishers. A la Mode is on SW Alaska just east of California; the contest will be at Walk All Ways by the Info Booth at 1:30 pm Sunday.

Got a Halloween/fall/harvest event coming up but haven’t sent us the info? Hurry! westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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UPDATE: Why the Guardian One helicopter was over eastern West Seattle

October 26, 2018 8:24 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| Delridge | Helicopter | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

8:24 PM: In case you’re wondering about the Guardian One law-enforcement helicopter over eastern West Seattle – they’re helping police with a call about a person who is allegedly violating a court order near 24th/Thistle, according to the dispatch.

8:28 PM: Police say the situation is under control; G-1 is leaving.

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FOLLOWUP: Can Bar now open in South Delridge

October 26, 2018 6:12 pm

| 5 COMMENTS

| Delridge | West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)

It’s official grand-opening night for Can Bar in South Delridge. We caught up with its owners this afternoon, four months after reporting on what they had planned.

David Gradwohl and James Imonti (along with Joshua Baymiller, not shown) opened the bar/restaurant in what most recently was a bakery at 9427 17th SW.

Take a look at the menu here. The bar is half of the top deck of a 26-foot, half-century-plus-old Owens. Its old steering wheel is part of the decor, too.

Can Bar has hallway photos of what it took to get the old boat in place for the build-out.

Can Bar is adults only, open 3 to midnight Sundays-Thursdays, 3 pm to 2 am Fridays and Saturdays. They plan to add weekend brunch in a few weeks.

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Seattle Public Schools adds second service provider in hopes of lessening late-bus woes

October 26, 2018 5:45 pm

| 8 COMMENTS

| Transportation | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Many families with students who use yellow-bus service to get to and from Seattle Public Schools know it’s been a frustrating fall. The district says its contractor’s been short of drivers and that’s led to late service – for example, one week ago today, the district sent parents an update showing some routes were running up to two hours late. The parent who sent us that list noted that it’s not just a problem for families, but also for schools, as staffers have to be assigned to care for students awaiting their late buses. This afternoon, the district has just sent an update on the situation:

To improve reliable student transportation service for its students, Seattle Public Schools (SPS) has negotiated a supplemental contract to add 15 general education school buses to the fleet.

The additional buses are operated by Durham Bus Service. They will be put into service on Monday, Oct. 29. The buses are in addition to the current fleet operated by First Student. SPS contracts with First Student to provide yellow school bus service. SPS students and families have experienced transportation challenges this fall due to a lack of qualified drivers. Getting students safely to and from school in a predictable, timely manner is top of mind for SPS Superintendent Denise Juneau. “I am frustrated that the start of school hasn’t been smooth for all of our students and families. Our students deserve timely, predictable transportation to and from school,” she stated.

To help mitigate the problems, SPS initially sought as many bus drivers and buses as possible with the supplemental bus contract. Durham was able to supply 15.

Families and schools are being notified today.

The addition of Durham bus service should be seamless, with the same route stops, pick-up and arrival times that were scheduled with First Student.

In preparation for the change, Durham bus drivers have performed practice runs at least three times to ensure familiarity of the routes.

In addition, the following actions have been taken to improve bus service:

• The SPS transportation department continues to prioritize yellow bus service to Title I schools and for special education students.

• SPS has subcontracted with a special education transportation contractor to expand services.

• Additional ORCA cards have been provided to secondary students when requested by schools or families.

• The transportation department convened a Transportation Task Force that includes transportation and school professionals, parents and community members. Final recommendations from the Task Force to the Superintendent will be shared next week.

Background:

Seattle Public Schools contracts with First Student to provide student transportation. In February
2018, First Student and its drivers came to an agreement after an eight-day strike. This agreement
was supposed to ensure sufficient bus drivers. Although First Student had sufficient drivers at the
end of last school year, many drivers did not return this school year, and bus routes have been
inconsistent since the start of school.

Seattle Public Schools is a microcosm of our city. Finding great employees in a city with low
unemployment and competitive wages has been a challenge for First Student. First Student has
found filling the 411 positions they require to serve SPS challenging, and they have been 15 to
35 positions short since the start of school. When this happens, First Student “doubles up” on
routes to make sure every route is run daily, but this means that some routes are significantly
delayed. In September 2018, First Student agreed to provide a salary increase to all drivers.

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Don Armeni Boat Ramp replacement project finally ramping up

October 26, 2018 3:01 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

More than a year and a half after first word of a renovation project at Don Armeni Boat Ramp, it’s finally ramping up. The ramp’s floating docks are set to be replaced. Early this year, the city announced it had received a state grant to help pay for the project, and an update was promised by summer, but none followed. Then a related notice turned up in the newest city-circulated Land Use Information Bulletin, so we checked the project’s status with Seattle Parks, whose senior capital-projects coordinator Garrett Farrell replied with this update:

The City of Seattle Parks and Recreation Department is really happy to be getting the renovation of Don Armeni back underway.

The long delay is tied to the late state budget signing last year that held up our grants from the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO)

RCO project 16-2356D provides $374,950 in grant funds allowing Parks to move ahead with the $500,000 project to replace the aged floating docks at Don Armeni. We were happy to see a budget get passed at the state level but really had nothing to report until that grant agreement was signed this quarter.

With the agreement in place we are working to secure our permits and move the project through design. We immediately started with those efforts as they will dictate when we can bid and perform the work.

When permit approvals are in, Farrell adds, there will be a public meeting about the project. Too soon to estimate the start date, but once the work gets going, he says, it should last about three months, and during that time, “we will keep one ramp open while we work on the other.” He expects a website for the project to be up and running next month.

P.S. The new notice we mentioned above is a Determination of Non-Significance – saying that a full environmental-impact review is not needed. The publication of that notice opens a window for comment/appeal – this explains how.

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REMINDER: Alki house to be moved tonight

October 26, 2018 1:26 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| Development | West Seattle news

That’s the house at 1254 Alki SW, ready for its move late tonight. We first told you a week ago that this would be the second house moved off the future condominium-project site (here’s our coverage of the first one back in January) and we’ve just confirmed with site owners Vibrant Cities that the “house rescuers” of Nickel Bros are still on for the move after midnight. As with the January move, this house will be trucked a half-mile away to Don Armeni Boat Ramp and barged away to its new location. (We’re still awaiting info on that from Nickel Bros.) The other houses left on the site are set for demolition.

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FOLLOWUP: Teenage robbery suspects charged

October 26, 2018 12:29 pm

| 7 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Felony charges have been filed against the three teenage boys arrested after a 19-year-old was robbed of his phone and belt near Fauntleroy and Myrtle last week. The suspects – 14, 15, and 17 years old – are each charged with second-degree robbery. The charging documents lay out the same narrative we reported in our followup – that the defendants allegedly started hassling the victim on a C-Line bus headed northbound on Fauntleroy on the ferry terminal, and that when he got off to try to get away from them, they followed, eventually assaulting and robbing him. They were arrested shortly afterward. The three suspects are due back in court for case-setting hearings next month.

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Auto-theft spike, what happens to stolen cars, and more @ West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network

October 26, 2018 10:48 am

| 13 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

The only monthly meeting with coffee and home-baked treats (pumpkin crumble this time) is now on hiatus until the new year. Here’s what happened when the West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network met Tuesday night at the Southwest Precinct:

CRIME UPDATE: Precinct commander Capt. Pierre Davis said auto theft remains a big issue. We noticed that earlier in the day, looking at the slides from the most recent downtown SeaStat intradepartmental briefing (MVT = motor-vehicle theft):

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West Seattle Friday: Hallo-week continues with highlights from morning till night, and that’s not all …

October 26, 2018 9:40 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Male Anna’s Hummingbird, photographed by Mark Wangerin)

First, events from the WSB West Seattle Halloween Etc. Guide:

MORNING TRICK-OR-TREATING FOR LITTLE ONES: Holy Rosary School hosts Preschool Trick-or-Treat: “Come join us for our 3rd Annual Preschoolers Trick-or-Treat, open to kids age 5 and under. Trick-or-Treat at Holy Rosary School classrooms indoors! A mix of non-candy and candy items will be handed out. You do not need to be a Holy Rosary student to attend! Open to all preschoolers!! Free event.” 10:30 am-noon. (42nd SW/SW Genesee)

FALL FESTIVAL: 5:30-7:30 pm at High Point Community Center. “Join High Point Community Center staff and enjoy a family evening of fun. We will have Halloween games, booths, face painting, arts and crafts activities, and snacks. Fun for all ages. Come one, come all.” (6920 34th SW)

PUMPKIN PAINTING: 6-8 pm at Verity CU-West Seattle (WSB sponsor) in The Junction, free pumpkin painting and treats. (4505 California SW)

SPOOKY FEST: 6-8 pm carnival at Alki Community Center: “Enjoy spooky fun and carnival games for the whole family! Carnival games. The Scream Room is open from 6:30-7:30 p.m. for those that dare. Dress in costume and remember to bring a bag for your goodies.” Free admission, 25¢/game; 50¢ for popcorn; $6 for unlimited games and 1 popcorn . (5817 SW Stevens)

HALLOWEEN CARNIVAL: At Hiawatha Community Center, 6-8 pm. “Start your Halloween off with a frighteningly fun-filled evening for the family! Wear your costumes and enjoy carnival games, crafts, and spooktacular activities.” $5/child. (2700 California SW)

SOUND OF SPOOKINESS: Halloween Spooktacular Radio Show at Kenyon Hall, 7:30 pm:

The Radio Enthusiasts of Puget Sound (REPS) present classic radio dramas performed live on stage, in a family-friendly program filled with chills, laughs, music, and live sound effects. The program features everything from Inner Sanctum to Ozzie & Harriet.

Ticket info’s in our calendar listing. (7904 35th SW)

DOING THE TIME WARP AGAIN, #1: “Rocky Horror Picture Show” at Highland Park Improvement Club, 9 pm. Bar opens at 8. “21+ event. Free showing, although donations for the club are encouraged.” (1116 SW Holden)

DOING THE TIME WARP AGAIN, #2: “Rocky Horror Picture Show” (R) at the Historic Admiral Theater, 11:59 pm Friday night. Tickets available online:

It’s the weird and wonderful as newly engaged couple Brad and Janet encounter a problem when their car halts in the rain. They both look for contact, only to find themselves at the castle of Dr. Frank-N-Furter, a transvestite. A place to stay is offered, but will Brad and Janet want to remain there? Especially when a large group of Transylvanians dance to the ‘Time Warp’, Dr. Frank-N-Furter builds his own man and a whole host of participation for the audience to enjoy.

(2343 California SW)

And from the year-round WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

LAFAYETTE ELEMENTARY WALK-A-THON: As previewed here, it’s on until 1:30 pm (with community sponsors including WSB). Bake sale too – stop by the schoolyard and show your support for local students. (California/Lander)

MAMMOGRAM VAN: Until 4:30 pm, the SCCA Mammogram Van is at Roxbury Safeway. Check to see if they have appointments available. (28th/Roxbury)

WEST SEATTLE GARDEN CLUB MEETING: 10:30 am-2 pm. You’re invited to stop by for any part of the meeting at Daystar. Agenda info here. (2615 SW Barton)

TALK WITH YOUR CITY COUNCILMEMBER: 2-7 pm, Councilmember Lisa Herbold holds district office hours at Southwest Neighborhood Service Center – drop-ins welcome but note that final meeting will start at 6:30 pm. (2801 SW Thistle)

PAUL GERARD: At C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) 6-9 pm, “local singer-songwriter whose songs explore the spirit and soul of the Pacific Northwest.” (5612 California SW)

BENEFIT WITH MAGIC AND MUSIC: 8:30 pm at Parliament Tavern, a night of entertainment benefiting AIDNW (Advocates for Immigrants in Detention Northwest). $10 donation. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

MUCH MORE FOR TODAY/TONIGHT/BEYOND … in our frequently updated calendar and Halloween Etc. Guide!

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Friday watch; weekend notes

October 26, 2018 7:30 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)

7:30 AM: Good morning! No incidents of note reported in or from West Seattle right now.

WEEKEND NOTES: Sunday is the last day of the West Seattle Water Taxi‘s 7-day-a-week/all-day schedule until spring – as of Monday (October 29th) it goes to 5 days a week, commute times only … Also Sunday, the West Seattle Junction Harvest Festival will close California to motorized traffic between Oregon and Edmunds – as well as Alaska between 44th and 42nd, 10 am-2 pm. See the transit alerts here.

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Remembering Rodger E. Clement; memorial November 17th

October 26, 2018 5:08 am

| 14 COMMENTS

| Obituaries | West Seattle news

(ADDED OCTOBER 27: Memorial-service information)

Rodger E. Clement is being remembered by family and friends, including friend Marty Kiley, who wrote this remembrance:

This is my sweet friend, Rodger E. Clement. He died in his home October 17th. I was fortunate enough to have met him in Grief Group after his lovely wife, Mary, passed on and my husband decided to end our 45-year marriage.

He was in the Navy, worked at Boeing, was a devout Catholic and a very fine man. He was also in the Knights of Columbus. More than that he was my dear, dear friend. We went on cruises together and had a fabulous time in New York last year.

What I will miss the most about Rodger are the texts he sent me each and every morning laying out his day. I did the same, and in fact, he was the only person who knew where I was at all times. At night we exchanged texts again talking about how our day had gone. It was something special I could always count on without a missed text in all the years I knew him, which were not enough. Through his sorrow, he sang silly songs to me and told me dumb jokes. He held my hand when I needed it and we spent many hours together just talking.

He was a master wood turner but would never admit the total beauty of his work. Instead of selling his works of art, he would carefully stack them up one by one on a bookshelf in the basement. He spent a great deal of his talent contributing to his church by making a huge cross for the gym, benches, and things for the inside of the church as well. His beautiful art is scattered all over Our Lady of Guadalupe.

He and Mary were passionate about Square Dancing. He called the dances and she made the beautiful clothes. He had trouble adjusting to food after she died of breast cancer. She was a great cook and he struggled to eat much after she was gone. He always had his car radio tuned to the Fifties station. If you asked him how he was he would say he was full of the three V’s … Vigor, Vim, and Vitality. Sometimes he would just say ornery and laugh and give me a sweet smile and a little kiss.
.
He loved his home, his view of the sound, morning coffee with friends, time with his friend, Kathy and her dog, Lance. He was most proud of his family. His daughter, Diane, who only lived a Ferry Boat ride away and his son Mike, who lived in California. He knew every single one of his neighbors and loved having lunch at the Pub once or twice a week. He was a big Outlander Fan and read all the books before starting to watch the series with Kathy. He also was a huge AVATAR fan! He owned the DVD and watched it several times. He was a perfect gentleman at all times and told me more than once that his father told him to NEVER, EVER disrespect a woman.

Goodbye, my sweet friend, I will always, always miss you. You will be forever on my mind and in my heart. Tell Mary I said hello. She’s waited long enough for you. I love you, Rodger.

ADDED SATURDAY: Marty says Mr. Clement’s memorial service will be at Saint Elizabeth’s Church, 1005 SW 152nd Street in Burien, November 17 at 10 am. Please contact her for food head count:
martysuzannekiley3108 (at) comcast (dot) net

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

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