West Seattle, Washington
25 Tuesday
Three reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:
THEFT SUSPECT SOUGHT: From Jason at Bellevue Rare Coins in The Junction:
This suspect ran with high value item (over $4,000) from the West Seattle location of Bellevue Rare Coins at 5:22 pm today (Saturday, 5/18). There is a $500 reward for any information leading to the suspect’s arrest.
The SPD incident # is 2019-179175.
CONDO BUILDING BREAK-INS: The video was sent by Barbara:
The break-in is one of two that happened at her condo building at California/Juneau May 9th and 11th; suspect photos are at this link. If you have any info, the SPD incident # is 2019-166843.
MORE CONDO BUILDING BREAK-INS: This alert was circulated by Mark Jaroslaw of Alki Blockwatch:
It has come to our attention that three Alki BlockWatch condos – two along Harbor Ave and a third along Alki Ave – had their front-entry KnoxBox broken into between the end of April and the beginning of May. In two of the cases, the small locked box that holds master keys or fobs for fire and police personnel, was literally pried or broken off the exterior wall between midnight and 4 a.m.
In the third case, the thief penetrated the box and stole the master key.
It was further reported that within days of the break-ins, thieves at two locations returned to the scene of the crime with the master key. But by that time, the condos had already replaced the box and re-keyed the building. Apparently deterred, one thief attempted to break into the condo by prying off the faceplate of the front-entry intercom.
In one of the three break-ins, two thieves wearing gloves – a woman in her 20s with long blonde hair, and her boyfriend – somehow managed to get into the building, steal some lobby mail, and broke into a car downstairs. In the second occurrence, the thief broke into downstairs storage lockers and main storage room.
One of the condo surveillance cameras videotaped the thief in the act of breaking into the KnoxBox,
and police they know his identity. Apparently this is his MO.There are more than 4,000 KnoxBoxes on condos and commercial buildings throughout Seattle. The
recent West Seattle break-ins aren’t the first time these crimes have been reported. In the summer of
2016, KIRO-TV reported that thieves struck KnoxBoxes throughout city, and it occurred again – on a
smaller scale – two years ago this month.
P.S. If you have concerns/questions for police, the next West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting is Tuesday (May 21st), 7 pm at the Southwest Precinct (2300 SW Webster).
The namesake blossoms were on full display for day 1 of the Peony and Bamboo Festival at the Seattle Chinese Garden on Puget Ridge. Thanks to David Hutchinson for sharing photos, including the lion dance:
And the Tai Chi demonstration:
The festival continues on Sunday, 10 am-4 pm; the garden entrance is on the north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus.
Big weekend for celebrating wine in West Seattle. Here’s how it began – with the Spring Wine Walk in The Junction. 15 non-food-and-drink businesses hosted wineries; tickets – sold out in advance! – got you 10 tastings and some swag. We stopped by the WSB sponsors that were hosting wineries – above, Menashe and Sons Jewelers; below, Click! Design That Fits:
And at VAIN, the winery was also a WSB sponsor, Welcome Road Winery (whose own wine room is just up the street at 3804 California SW):
See the full list of wineries and venues here. Next month, The Junction hosts what you might call a “beer walk” – or run – June 15th, tickets still available.
Second orca alert of the day! This time from Jeff Hogan of Killer Whale Tales, reporting northbound orcas in the Fauntleroy ferry lanes. Let us know if you see them!
By Judy Pickens
Special to West Seattle Blog
West Seattle and the east African nation of Uganda were first connected by books and are now also connected by vanilla and a premium ice cream just introduced by Husky Deli.
In 2017, Alina Guyon’s Libraries 4 All project took her to a refugee camp on the outskirts of Kampala, Uganda, where she and her mother, Sheryl, built a small library
Sheryl also brought back a few kilos of premium vanilla beans and an intriguing question: Could vanilla raise area farmers out of abject poverty and help educate their children?
She has a trained eye for such potential. Sheryl was an entrepreneur from an early age and is working with Seattle’s All the Sky Foundation to aid under-represented populations, with a particular interest in gender equity.
“Jobs in Uganda are few and far between and we were on alert for a way we might help refugees support their families,” she said. “After reading that the climate In the Kampala area is perfect for growing vanilla, I had to learn more.”
Bakers and other vanilla users know that a worldwide shortage of the flavoring has caused the price to soar. Extract from beans grown in Madagascar (the world’s principal supplier) retail for as much as $8/oz. Because each bean is so precious, growers keep field locations a secret and employ armed guards to protect their crop.
Uganda’s tropical climate and fertile soil are perfect for growing the Vanilla planifolia orchid. Uganda farmers plant a species of short tree as scaffolding for their vanilla vines and pollinate the flowers by hand. As the beans mature, they pick each by hand just as it begins to turn brown.
Through a chain of connections, Sheryl was able to learn that a wholesaler typically buys a farmer’s entire crop, then cures the beans and sells the best ones on the whole-bean market and the rest to a processor to refine into extract. She became even more convinced that she could develop the product into a “social” business that benefits those who labor the most.
“The vanilla fields are very near the refugee camp, so refugees can get beans directly from the farmers and do the packaging and paperwork needed to export them here where I can get them to a premium market,” Sheryl explained. “The farmers and refugees will profit from bulk sales and retail profits will go back to a Ugandan non-profit to pay school fees for refugee children.”
This spring, Husky Deli owner Jack Miller agreed to give “Mukono Super Vanilla” ice cream its world premiere. (The name comes from the district where the most flavorful vanilla is grown.) He’s making just 15 half-gallons at a time using Sheryl’s extract and seeds from 15 beans. If West Seattleites like what they taste, Mukono Super Vanilla will continue in the ice-cream case as the market for these “super” beans widens.
This home in North Delridge is one of 40 around the region getting new ramps today in the Master Builders of King and Snohomish Counties’ annual Rampathon. The crew installing the ramp is from Potter Construction (WSB sponsor), which has been participating for more than a decade, with volunteer crews planning and building ramps.
The resident benefiting today, Tammie, uses a wheelchair because of a bilateral amputation, according to the MBAKS, and had to access her home via a temporary ramp until now.
Potter Construction adds, “We are also thankful to Pacific Rim Equipment rental for donating the use of post hole auger and Dunn Lumber for donating the supplies.”
Less than one week until your chance to support the West Seattle Helpline by enjoying a night of sampling local food and beverages at the Taste of West Seattle. It’s a perennial sellout, so the Helpline is circulating this reminder not to miss out:
The 14th annual Taste of West Seattle is next Thursday, May 23rd at the Hall at Fauntleroy (6:00 VIP admission, 6:30 general admission).
Enjoy food and drink from local restaurants, bakeries, breweries, wineries, and more – all while supporting the West Seattle Helpline’s homelessness prevention services!
Besides delicious bites and sips there will be live music, fun games, and an exciting raffle! Raffle prizes include two round-trip tickets on Alaska Airlines, four one-way tickets on Southwest Airlines, $1000 gift certificate to Canlis, and a Sports package!
Tickets are still on sale but going fast!
GA: $95
VIP: $125 (only 15 VIP tickets left!)
Door: $120 (not guaranteed)We can’t wait to see you there!
First performance of the day at@westseattlebee pic.twitter.com/BUXtifvyuH
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) May 18, 2019
10:33 AM: “Hi, bumblebee!” Just heard a young West Seattle Bee Festival-goer greet one of the guests of honor. The festival is under way until 2 pm in and around High Point Commons Park; Lanham Place SW is closed between Sylvan and Graham for the vendor fair, which is just part of the fun. Ella-Bella Bee and The Pollinators are performing in the amphitheater behind Neighborhood House:
First performance of the day at@westseattlebee pic.twitter.com/BUXtifvyuH
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) May 18, 2019
Interactive music and comedy until about 11! And if you’re here at 11:30, be part of the parade! Meantime, many all-ages activities, from the Urban Skills Survival Fair on the north side of the park…
… to facepainting toward the south end of the vendor fair on Lanham (which is closed to motorized traffic for the festival) …
“Vendor fair” doesn’t fully describe everyone who’s here. A few people are “vending” – you’ll find beekeepers selling honey by the Bee Garden, too – but many community organizations too …
(Community advocate Mat McBride, who is offering info to prospective “do-gooders”)
SFD and SPD as well. And us … stop by for a free WSB refrigerator magnet while they last:
(It’s our first freebie since the ice scrapers many years ago.)
11:07 AM: Second hour of the festival! As beautiful as the weather is, do take a minute to peek indoors at Neighborhood House – lots going on in there too!
Woodland Park Zoo is visiting with “animal ambassadors.” And the parade starts soon! Back up by the Bee Garden, student jazz:
Student jazz from Mountlake Terrace playing the @WS_BeeFestival pic.twitter.com/4hTnvXffjX
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) May 18, 2019
11:48 AM: After a bit of parading …
Bee Festival parade around High Point Commons Park. pic.twitter.com/a2Aysu7nHi
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) May 18, 2019
… it’s on to the festival’s second half. At noon, at the Bee Garden on the north end of the park, see its founder Lauren Englund do a beehive demonstration! And at the amphitheater on the south end, Laura Love performs with Terry Hunt.
Laura Love now performing at @WS_BeeFestival pic.twitter.com/rJydsfCOOB
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) May 18, 2019
12:46 PM: That’s Laura onstage. And here’s the crowd Lauren drew:
The bees:
You still have time to get here – it’s on until 2 pm; the map for getting here is on the official festival webpage. Lots more visitors than we remember from years past; thanks to everyone who’s stopped by to say hi!
1:19 PM: Less than an hour left! If you’re here, don’t miss the Urban Survival Skills Fair:
This includes very specific preparedness topics – all the way to how to set up an emergency toilet.
If you couldn’t check it out today, the Urban Survival Skills Fair will make an encore appearance at Delridge Day in August (and a scaled-down version during Field Day at South Seattle College [WSB sponsor] next month).
1:50 PM: We were seconds away from tweeting to observe that no candidates had been sighted at the festival, when District 1 City Council contender Brendan Kolding stopped by.
Our longstanding policy “if candidates stop by our booth, we’ll take their picture” continues this year (our next tabling gig is the Morgan Junction Community Festival on June 22nd).
Add to the list of things you can do today – go look for orcas! Kersti Muul sends word there are whales just north of Elliott Bay, headed southbound. Let us know if you see them!
(Canada Goose and gosling, photographed along Harbor SW by David Hutchinson)
Welcome to the weekend!
TAI CHI AT THE BEACH: It’s now the second month of the season for weekly Tai Chi at Alki, 9 am, with Caylen Storm, by Statue of Liberty Plaza. More info here. (2701 Alki SW)
WEST SEATTLE BEE FESTIVAL: Start as early as 9 am self-led Honey Run around High Point Commons Park, 10 am vendor fair, Urban Survival Skills Fair, activities, more, including 11:30 am participatory parade. Full schedule here. Free and fun until 2 pm. In and around the park, Lanham Place SW, High Point Neighborhood House. Check back for our as-it-happens coverage. (6400 Sylvan Way SW)
PEONY AND BAMBOO FESTIVAL: 10 am-4 pm at Seattle Chinese Garden today and tomorrow. 11 am today, a highlight – the “thundering drums and energetic lion dancers of Northwest Wushu and Martial Arts.”
More info here. The garden is on the north end of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus. (6000 16th SW)
LOW-LOW TIDE: Beach-walking opportunity! It’s out to -1.7 feet at 11:23 am.
WEST SEATTLE 5K REGISTRATION/PACKET PICKUP: Noon-6 pm at West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor), you can register for Sunday’s West Seattle 5K (co-sponsored by WSB) if you’re not already signed up; if you are, you can pick up your packet – bib, T-shirt, chip. (2743 California SW)
BE AN EAGLE FOR THE DAY! The West Seattle Eagles are opening their Junction HQ for the day, starting at noon, so you can see what it’s like to be an Eagle for the day. No cost, no membership required, just stop in. (4426 California SW)
COLMAN POOL’S 2ND PRESEASON WEEKEND: Noon-7 pm, go swimming in West Seattle’s only outdoor saltwater at-the-beach pool! On the shore at Lincoln Park. See the schedule here. (8603 Fauntleroy Way SW)
NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY SPRING RELEASE: 1-7 pm, second day of the spring-release tastings and sales at Northwest Wine Academy on the north side of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus. More info here.. (6000 16th SW)
KENYON HALL IN THE AFTERNOON: This is at 4 pm:
Recently Kenyon Hall received a gift of a beautiful 1929 Steinway grand piano, and word of its quality has reached the classical community. This Saturday afternoon performance features selections by Beethoven, Schubert, Poulenc, Copland, Debussy, and Sondheim, performed by flutist Libby Gray, soprano Lin Chen, and pianist Lucy Wenger.
Our calendar listing has info on how to get tickets/reservations. (7904 35th SW)
PAELLA AND BEER: Special event at Ounces! 5-7 pm. (3809 Delridge Way SW)
HIGHLAND PARK UNCORKED: The Highland Park Improvement Club centennial celebration continues, and tonight’s wine celebration Uncorked is sold out! So we’re just mentioning it as a reminder if you DO have tickets. 5:30 pm happy hour starts it off. (1116 SW Holden)
‘MAD HATTER’ RAINBOW BINGO: Dinner and bingo at the South Park Senior Center, $20 in advance online, $25 at the door. 7 pm. 21+. Bring cash for cards and drinks. (8201 10th Ave. S.)
‘OFFICE HOUR’ AT ARTSWEST: 7:30 pm curtain for Julia Cho‘s drama at ArtsWest; tickets available online here. (4711 California SW)
THE ESOTERICS IN CONCERT: 8 pm, “Inclusivity” is the theme, at Holy Rosary. Tickets available online. (42nd/Genesee)
‘GARAGE ROCK AND PSYCHEDELIA’: That’s what you’ll get at Parliament Tavern tonight starting at 9, with The Sinister Six, The Vashon Seed, Low Hums. $8 cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
MORE! See the full lineup for today/tonight/beyond on our complete calendar.
If you’re headed toward downtown, you won’t be able to take NB 99 for a whlle – it’s blocked north of the West Seattle Bridge by a rollover crash. At least one person is being taken to the hospital.
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