day : 20/06/2019 13 results

Four weeks from today, your ballot will be in the mail, and it’ll be almost time to vote in the primary. Highest-profile race in our area is of course City Council District 1, to decide which two of the three candidates will move on to the November general election. Last night, the Delridge Neighborhoods District Council hosted two candidates for conversation-style appearances. Last month, Phil Tavel talked with the DNDC (WSB video coverage here), so this month, it was time to hear from and talk with Brendan Kolding and Lisa Herbold. About 25 people were there; each candidate spoke for 43 minutes, including Q&A. We again recorded it all.

If you don’t have time to watch – our toplines are below:

‘Not your typical self-defense seminar’: Sign up for Saturday

June 20, 2019 9:58 pm

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| Delridge | Safety | West Seattle news

Delridge-headquartered Combat Arts Academy (WSB sponsor) is offering two women’s-self-defense seminars this Saturday, particularly timely given some of this week’s news stories. Here’s the announcement:

When you think of self-defense, what’s the first thing you think of?

For us at Combat Arts Academy, it’s about awareness, empowerment, setting boundaries, having confidence. It’s about finding your voice and believing in yourself. Join us on for a two hour clinic, where our goal is to leave you with more knowledge, feeling more empowered, and understanding of what self-defense really means (both mentally and physically).

We’re going to show you a wide range of practical techniques and more importantly, the concepts that are critical to learning how to avoid becoming a victim of violence. We’ll be going over basic, EFFECTIVE, self-defense movements and techniques, capitalizing on leverage and momentum. This event will be specifically teaching techniques when your back is on the ground.

Event: Women’s Self Defense Seminar
Date: 6/22/19
Session 1: 10 am – 12 pm (CAA Burien: 115 SW 153rd St)

Session 2: 1 pm – 3 pm (CAA Seattle: 5050 Delridge Way SW)

Who: No experience necessary, open to all, ages 13+

Registration Link: tinyurl.com/5050caa

Cost: Suggested Donation $30 or gift cards for New Beginnings (women’s shelter)

This seminar isn’t your typical self-defense seminar, so make sure to reserve your spot, bring some friends… and get ready to learn.

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‘Slightly ahead of schedule’: Updates on Avalon/35th project

June 20, 2019 8:13 pm

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| Luna Park | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

That’s the newest map for the 35th/Avalon project, accompaying an update with some good news: SDOT says “At this time, construction is slightly ahead of schedule.” As for what’s next and where, here’s the weekly update, including some changes starting as soon as tomorrow:

Crews have completed paving on the northern portion of SW Avalon Way by SW Orleans St (Zone A). Next week crews will continue to work in the following locations:

Zone A: Work continues on SW Avalon Way between SW Manning St and SW Andover St on the east and west sides

We are conducting water utility work at SW Charlestown St

Beginning as early as the end of this week and early next week, we will be demolishing the west side of SW Avalon Way south of SW Charlestown St to SW Andover St. Driveway access will be maintained at this time.

We are working on sidewalk repairs on the east side of SW Avalon Way from SW Harbor St to SW Orleans St. People walking can cross at our new curb ramp at SW Orleans St. After work hours, a protected pedestrian path will route pedestrians around construction on the west side of SW Avalon Way.

SW Bradford St will close to SW Avalon Way as soon as Friday, June 21 for excavation work to rebuild the road base

Zone E: Work continues on the new water main on 35th Ave SW from SW Avalon Way to SW Alaska St. Crews are currently testing the new water main.

We are continuing utility work at SW Snoqualmie St

As early as next week, we will be demolishing the west side of 35th Ave SW from SW Avalon Way to SW Alaska St. Driveway access will be maintained at this time.

Businesses are open! Please continue to visit businesses on 35th Ave SW and SW Avalon Way during construction. Follow signs for temporary parking for the Avalon Business District near the West Seattle Bridge. Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times – please follow signed pedestrian detours.

The work is now in its third month.

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CRIME WATCH: Former West Seattle High School coach charged with ‘inappropriate sexual communication’ with student-athlete

June 20, 2019 5:36 pm

| 28 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

5:36 PM: A former JV girls-basketball coach at West Seattle High School is charged with “communicating with a minor for immoral purposes” via online messaging. Seattle Public Schools tells WSB the former coach, 28-year-old Michael D. Gutierrez, was fired in February, 10 days after the school learned about the allegations. Here’s what the charging document alleges:

The defendant engaged a student-athlete he coached in (in)appropriate sexual communication in electronic communication and in person. The defendant kissed the girl and also grabbed, or spanked her bottom on a number of occasions.

The probable-cause document on file says an assistant principal discovered two students, now both 17, having been “inappropriately contacted” via social media. One victim said Gutierrez had been contacting her via Snapchat since 2017, with remarks including saying he wanted to stay in a hotel with her and wanted to have kids with her. Then, she told police, he invited her to come practice at the gym several times last summer, saying other students would be there, but she turned out to be the only one. This past January, she said, he asked her to come into an office for a “grade review” but instead touched her and tried to get her to kiss him.

Here’s the statement we obtained late today from Seattle Public Schools spokesperson Tim Robinson:

When SPS learned of the allegations of inappropriate comments and behavior by an adult hourly coach, we immediately contacted Seattle Police on Feb. 15, 2019.

That same day, SPS released the adult from all coaching responsibilities until the outcome of an internal investigation was completed.

On February 25, 2019 (the Monday after mid-winter break), SPS terminated the individual’s employment. The individual was a part-time coach. The individual was not a teacher, counselor, etc.

Court records show the charge was filed against Gutierrez this past Monday. It was first reported by KIRO TV this afternoon (thanks to the reader who pointed that out via the WSB Community Forum so we could research and confirm). The court documents also say Gutierrez has no criminal record. He is not in custody but the charging documents say that if he does not appear for arraignment, scheduled for July 1st, an arrest warrant will be issued.

ADDED 7:43 PM: WSHS principal Brian Vance has just sent email to families about this, and a parent forwarded it to us. Here’s what he wrote:

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen green Accord wagon; car prowler on video

June 20, 2019 4:38 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Two West Seattle Crime Watch reader reports:

STOLEN GREEN ACCORD WAGON: From a reader:

My friend’s 1994 Honda Accord wagon was stolen sometime yesterday evening Wednesday, June 19th between 7pm and early this morning before noon at Alki Beach off 60th Avenue SW. The Honda is dark green with several stickers on it.

Plate is AWA 9854. If you see it, call 911.

CAR PROWLER ON VIDEO: From Jennifer in Fauntlee Hills:

(Tuesday) night multiple cars on our block (Fauntlee Crest SW) were rifled through. At least a couple people had items stolen. Two neighbors recorded footage of the thief. [Editor’s note: Here’s the clearest one:]

A sad reminder to lock your doors each night. We forgot and lost our belongings…a stolen gift card to Mud Bay, Sunglasses, etc. Filing a police report in hopes that someone recognizes him. Wanted to let others in the neighborhood know.

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Another Desmond Hansen signal-box portrait, this time in Admiral

June 20, 2019 3:57 pm

| 6 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Thanks to Andy for the photo – Desmond Hansen‘s newest signal-box portrait is at California/Stevens, just outside the West Seattle High School campus. This one depicts Mia Zapata, the rising Seattle singer murdered in 1993. And yes, for those who have asked, the artist is still crowdfunding to cover expenses. We first reported on Hansen’s project – which started with a Jimi Hendrix portrait in Morgan Junction – in March 2018.

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COUNTDOWN: The food you’ll find at Morgan Junction Community Festival on Saturday

June 20, 2019 2:39 pm

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| West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

(WSB June 2018 photo, Thriftway barbecue on festival day)

Now just two days until this year’s Morgan Junction Community Festival, 10 am-4 pm Saturday (June 22nd) in and around Morgan Junction Park (6413 California SW). Today’s preview – the food! From festival organizers:

Food vendors will be located in the Beveridge Place Pub parking lot, on Beveridge Place, and in the vendor area from 10:00 to 4:00.

Very exciting and first time for the festival, four local Food Innovation Network (FIN) entrepreneurs will offer their diverse menus. FIN runs a business “incubator” which enables these entrepreneurs by launching and growing their businesses through its outreach efforts – e.g., placing them at area farmers markets and other venues such as community events and neighborhood festivals. Visit FIN’s website at https://foodinnovationnetwork.org to find out more about the full scope of its activities.

The four vendors participating in the festival are East&West Catering, providing African-inspired samosas, kabobs, and spicy red rice; Boujee Food&Things, featuring soul-food desserts and sandwiches; Mama Tila, preparing authentic Mexican dishes; and Monique’s Hot Kitchen, whose items may include Kenyan roasted corn, fried potatoes, and mendazi (African donuts). Each of these food vendors are highlighted at FIN’s news-stories site at https://foodinnovationnetwork.org/news-stories/

Two food trucks will be at the festival. Tabassum features authentic Central Asian street food, including savory meat and vegetarian hand pies and two types of salads, and popular West Seattle truck Thai-U-Up offers its full complement of Thai dishes.

If you’re looking for that special dessert, Blue Bird Ice Cream, Unsweetened Tooth, and Dolcetta Sweets will have booths in the vendor area behind Zeeks and Whisky West.

And last but not least, West Seattle Thriftway will be grilling burgers from 11:00 am to approximately 3:00 pm in front of the store as a fundraiser to benefit the festival (suggested donation $7 for burger, chips, and a soft drink) as they have so generously done year after year.

The festival schedule and other info can all be found in our calendar listing. WSB is a community co-sponsor again this year – see you there!

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Nola’s Events, Catering & Soirees: Welcome, new West Seattle Blog sponsor!

June 20, 2019 1:07 pm

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| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Today we welcome a new sponsor – Nola’s Events, Catering & Soirees!

(Nola Nevers, center, with Kitchen Lead Lisa Methven and Lead Event Coordinator Tarrahan Swanson)

Nola Nevers, owner of Nola’s Events, Catering & Soirees, has been a West Seattle resident and business owner for almost 30 years. As a single mom to her son Blaze, she spent many years raising her son in this community and growing her business. She has become one of Seattle’s top Caterers and Event Planners with a flair for food, floral design, and decor. You will often see her at the Farmers’ Market, picking out locally sourced organic foods for her dishes or enjoying local fare at one of our many fabulous eateries. Cooking has been her passion since she was a small girl and she still has her first cookbook that she got from sending in cereal-box tops. After graduating from Le Cordon Bleu in New York, she was hooked for life.

Nola’s Events is a woman-owned-and-operated Boutique Catering Business with the goal of elevating the catered experience by providing our clients with fabulous organic, local and seasonal foods, personalized menus, and friendly and professional service. Her clients often comment that they feel like guests at their own event which keeps them coming back again and again!

Nola is very active in the West Seattle Community and loves the opportunity to give back to organizations she supports, such as the Southwest Seattle Historical Society, the West Seattle Garden Tour, and the West Seattle Food Bank. Her recent WSFB live auction donation for a Tapas Party for 10 guests at her home recently raised over $1,000 for families in need!

Some of Nola’s Events‘ favorite parties are Private Affairs, Fundraising Events, Intimate or Lavish Weddings, Corporate Events, Graduation Parties, Milestone Birthdays, and, as she’s soon to be a Grandma for the first time, Baby Showers!

Visit our website to read testimonials, see photos and our blog at NolasEvents.com.

“We look forward to assisting you with your next event and making it truly memorable.” -Bon Appetit, Nola

We thank Nola’s Events, Catering & Soirees for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.

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6 for your West Seattle Thursday

June 20, 2019 11:46 am

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Anna’s Hummingbird tending to babies, photographed near Alki by Mark Wangerin)

Before we get any further into the last day of spring, a quick look at six calendar highlights:

CRIME/POLICING FOCUS GROUP: If you live/work in Fauntleroy, your focus group is tonight, as previewed here, 6 pm at Southwest Library. (9010 35th SW)

INTRODUCTION TO CALLIGRAPHY: Calligrapher Claire Braby teaches a two-hour workshop at West Seattle Art Nest tonight at 6 pm. Register here. (4138 California SW)

ALKI COMMUNITY COUNCIL: 7 pm at Alki UCC, with agenda items including the status of an attempt to save the Harbor Avenue “Stone House.”

(WSB file photo)

The ACC is also scheduled to talk about the Alki Community Center‘s future and to hear from City Council District 1 candidate Brendan Kolding. (6115 SW Hinds)

‘THE LAST WORLD OCTOPUS WRESTLING CHAMPION’: 7:30 pm, opening night for the musical at ArtsWest Playhouse. Ticket info here; a few were left when we checked. (4711 California SW)

STUDENT CONCERT: Denny International Middle School Band and Orchestra, 7 pm at Chief Sealth International High School Auditorium. (2600 SW Thistle)

SUPER KREWE: 9 pm at Parliament Tavern, “Seattle’s best New Orleans-style brass band.” $8 cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

MUCH, MORE MORE TODAY/TONIGHT … just take a quick look at our full calendar!

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Seen off West Seattle: USS Nimitz, northbound

June 20, 2019 11:13 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| Seen at sea | West Seattle news

Thanks to Garrett Brown for the photo of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), headed outbound earlier this morning. Less than a month ago, it left Bremerton for several days of training. MarineTraffic.com shows it is currently still northbound, at the east end of the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

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West Seattle scene: WordsWest Literary Series sails into the sunset

June 20, 2019 10:21 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle books | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Congratulations to Susan Rich, Harold Taw, and Katy E. Ellis, the local writers who founded WordsWest Literary Series, for its successful five-year run, which ended last night with a celebration at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor).

Among the accomplished authors and poets who joined them one last time for readings, West Seattle-residing Claudia Castro Luna, our state’s Poet Laureate:

As the three co-founders told WSB just before season 4, the idea behind WordsWest was to be able to go to readings without having to cross the bridge. But this year, various life changes led Ellis, Rich, and Taw to decide it was time to close the book on a good run.

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FRIDAY: First-ever Rainbow Party at Sanislo Elementary. More performers welcome, too

June 20, 2019 9:04 am

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| Puget Ridge | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Sanislo Elementary PTA invites you to the first-ever Rainbow Party on the Playground tomorrow in celebration of Pride Month. “It’s free and open to ALL!” says PTA president Ebony Lee, sharing this announcement:

We’re excited to get the party started w/local celebrity, DJ MZ ARTIZ from the historical Seattle Re-bar, and encourage everyone to dawn their Pride colors to join us in parading around the playground for what we like to dub as a mini-Pride parade. We’d like to start having everyone parade around the playground starting at 5:30pm-ish. Bring a blanket, chairs or just find a comfy spot on the grass and let’s PARTY!

We’ll have donation-collection containers should anyone be inclined to help us raise funds toward our Race & Equity and Diversity & Inclusion PTA initiatives, which includes bringing in speakers, holding workshops, professional development, and adding anti-bias library materials along the subject matters of RACE, EQUITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION to empower our students, their families, and our community.

We are still looking for acoustic musical/entertainment performers and LGBTQ agencies whom are willing to donate their talent, time, and information on the playground to entertain our families, friends, neighbors, et. al. Please contact Ebony Lee or Janay Destello at pta@sanislo.org if you can help.