day : 24/07/2019 10 results

FOWL FRIENDSHIP: The West Seattle Turkey’s chicken chum

Three months have now passed since WSB readers first reported spotting what we simply call The West Seattle Turkey – which quickly made its way from southwest West Seattle to the Admiral area, and has been there ever since. Tonight, the best pic yet – texted by someone who says The Turkey showed up at their home near Hiawatha and made friends with their chicken. Video too:

The Turkey’s origins remain a mystery. It appeared three years after another never-explained turkey made local rounds.

SATURDAY: Southwest Seattle Historical Society invites you to tour historic Colman House

(Photos courtesy Southwest Seattle Historical Society)

Yet another big event this Saturday – the historic Colman House in Fauntleroy is featured on this year’s Southwest Seattle Historical Society-presented “If These Walls Could Talk” tour. The details from SWSHS:

This historic Colman House tour will bring history alive with stories about Arthur Loveless and the Colman family. James M. Colman, a Scottish immigrant, moved to Seattle in the 1860s and brought the rest of his family over in the 1870s. James made a fortune investing in many enterprises such as Yesler’s mill and the Walla Walla Railroad.

The family bought property in Fauntleroy in 1905 and James’s son Laurence Colman recruited his
friend Arthur Loveless to design a new home for him and his family in 1922.

The Colman family is known today through their impact of their philanthropy. The family donated the land for Camp Colman, Colman Pool, and financially supported the Fauntleroy church, their local YMCA, as well as countless contributions to their community.

The VIP tour is an intimate, behind the scenes look at the history of the Colman home. Enjoy refreshments while taking in the beauty of the home’s immaculately landscaped gardens. The VIP tour includes a talk about the work of Arthur Loveless presented by his great grand-niece, Susan Shorett. Southwest Seattle Historical Society’s curator, Tasia Williams, will show and talk about artifacts from the historical society’s collection which illustrate the history of the Colman family.

General admission participants will get to wander through this amazing house with volunteers that are able to answer questions and give a brief overview.

To purchase tickets and learn more about this tour, please click on this link.

The VIP tour is 12-2 pm, $100/person; general admission 2-4 pm, $10 SWSHS members, $15 nonmembers.

BIZNOTES: Thaitan closing; Red Cup selling

Two biznotes from the food-and-drink department:

THAITAN CLOSING: After a tip (thank you!), we confirmed that The Thaitan at 5258 California SW is closing. We were told at the restaurant that Saturday (July 27) will be their last day. They plan to reopen elsewhere, location TBA. We reported back in January 2018 that a 9-townhouse proposal was on file for the site (with townhouses also planned on the two commercial sites north of it) and the city website indicates that the project continued to proceed, though the newest document is dated this past February. The restaurant has been The Thaitan for almost a decade.

RED CUP ESPRESSO FOR SALE: Multiple readers have asked about the “for sale” sign at the drive-up coffee shop at 4451 California SW:

The shop IS still open. A close-up look at the sign reveals the signage points you to redcup4sale.com. We sent an inquiry and received the reply: “Alex has decided to go back to school to become an EMT, so he’s put the Red Cup up for sale. The owner of the property is hoping it will stay a drive-through coffee shop, or something along those lines.”

Delridge DAV chapter to host Pacific Northwest Black Veterans Appreciation/Celebration on Saturday

(File photo)

Disabled American Veterans Chapter 23, based at 4857 Delridge Way SW, will host a first-of-its-kind all-day event this Saturday. In case you haven’t already seen it in our event calendar, here’s the announcement:

The West Seattle Chapter of Disabled American Veterans will be hosting its inaugural Pacific Northwest Black Veterans Appreciation and Celebration July 27, 11 am-5 pm, at its headquarters, located at 4857 Delridge Way SW.

DAV created the event to honor the unique sacrifices and contributions made by our nation’s nearly three million Black Veterans – sacrifices that have often either been completely minimized, or have gone completely overlooked.

The event will include presentations from organizations that serve area veterans, a storytelling block featuring narratives of Black Veterans past and present, and panel discussions focusing on how to best help Black Veterans struggling with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, and the role arts and creativity play in the healing of trauma.

During the Celebration, Chapter 23 will also present its first Distinguished Veterans Service Award to Mrs. Frankie Manning, former Chief of Nursing at VA Puget Sound Health Care System, and founder of the first minority veterans program launched at the hospital.

“The Pacific Northwest Black Veterans Appreciation and Celebration is the result of our yearly lobbying efforts in Washington, D.C., and is emblematic of what DAV means when we say we’re all about ‘serving the men and women who’ve served’,” said Ron Bryant, Commander, DAV Chapter 23.

He continued, “With support from our local Congressman, Adam Smith – a man with a proven track record of supporting our military, and of supporting our veterans – we wanted to use our platform as the most diverse DAV chapter in Washington State to help shine a light on those who feel their service to this country remains unappreciated.”

Commander Bryant concluded, “It is an honor to be able to do this for them.”

Entertainment will be provided by DJ TopSpin. A catered lunch – free of charge – will be provided by Chef Tarik Abdullah.

The event is free, and is open to the public.

The chapter’s adjutant Kameko Thomas says the day will start with a welcome and opening remarks from Chapter 23 Commander Ron Bryant at 11 am. U.S. Rep. Adam Smith will speak about “The Importance of Honoring Our Black Veterans.” Then at 11:15 am, the award presentation for Frankie Manning; at 11:30, a short documentary about Chapter 23; open-mic storytelling at 1 pm, “Narratives from the Past: The Black Veteran Through the Years” at 2:30, panel discussions starting at 3:30 pm.

Trouble paying property taxes? Income threshold going up for tax-relief eligibility

From the King County Assessor’s Office:

King County Assessor John Wilson announced today that low-income senior citizens, individuals with disabilities, and disabled veterans, with 2019 annual incomes below $58,423 may be eligible for property tax relief in 2020 under guidelines published today by the state Department of Revenue. The previous threshold had been $40,000.

Applications for the expanded programs will be available in January 2020.

The change is the result of passage of ESSB 5160, sponsored by Senator Manka Dhingra (D-45th LD), during the 2019 legislative session. The bill significantly expands the number of people eligible for the existing property tax exemption and deferral programs by replacing the statewide $40,000 threshold with an income level equal to 65% of the county median income. In King County that threshold is $58,423.

“This legislation is literally going to help people stay in their homes,” said Assessor Wilson. “Beginning with next year’s taxes, tens of thousands of our neighbors will get the help they need.”

ESSB 5160 expands the qualifying income thresholds for the property tax exemption and deferral programs for low-income senior citizens, individuals with disabilities, and disabled veterans, beginning with taxes levied for collection in 2020. It also lowers the disability rating necessary to qualify as a disabled veteran for exemption program from a 100 percent rating to an 80 percent rating.

The Assessor’s website includes the latest information on implementation of these programs.

CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUP: Warrant out for Gabriel Putnam, suspected knife-wielding would-be burglar

(Screen capture from security video)

Early today we made a periodic check of the files in court cases we’ve been following. One discovery of note: An arrest warrant for Gabriel C. Putnam, sought and granted just yesterday. Putnam is the 39-year-old man arrested and charged after this video-recorded Beach Drive burglary attempt last month. Police found him on another Beach Drive property further south, and also found a knife that appeared to be the one shown in the video. As we reported two weeks ago, he was released from jail into the CCAP program, which requires daily check-ins. Court documents say he stopped making those check-ins last week, so an arrest warrant was issued. If he is found and arrested, the warrant sets bail at $25,000.

5 for your West Seattle Wednesday!

(Pacific Slope Flycatcher, photographed by Mark Wangerin)

What’s ahead for your Wednesday:

WADING POOLS & SPRAYPARK OPEN TODAY: The city says it’s another “open” day for the pools: Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) is open 11 am-8 pm, EC Hughes (2805 SW Holden) is open noon-6:30 pm, Hiawatha (Walnut/Lander) is open noon-6:30 pm, South Park (738 S. Sullivan) is open noon-7 pm. And the Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale) is open 11 am-8 pm.

GIZMOS & GADGETS: 1 pm-3 pm, drop-in activity at Delridge Library. (5423 Delridge Way SW)

HIGH POINT MARKET GARDEN FARM STAND: Third of this year’s weekly farm-stand sessions, selling fresh produce and flowers, all grown by nearby residents, at the mini-farm steps away from the stand. 4 pm-7 pm. (32nd SW/SW Juneau)

GROUP RUN: Don’t run alone! Join the free Wednesday group run from West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor). Meet at the shop. (2743 California SW)

FUNK JAZZ WITH PETER DANIEL: Saxes and more, 9 pm at Parliament Tavern. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

MANY MORE OPTIONS … on our complete calendar!

SEEN OFF WEST SEATTLE: USS Nimitz, inbound

(Added Wednesday afternoon – photo courtesy Greg)

Thanks to Kevin for the tip. That’s the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68), inbound, in view off Alki. It’s returning to Bremerton after a month at sea.

COUNTDOWN: 3 days until Alki Art Fair – here’s the music lineup!

July 24, 2019 9:54 am
|    Comments Off on COUNTDOWN: 3 days until Alki Art Fair – here’s the music lineup!
 |   West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Saturday and Sunday, you can enjoy more than “just” the sun and sea at Alki Beach – the annual Alki Art Fair is happening both days! We’re among the community co-sponsors again this year. From festival organizers explain that you’ll find more than at=rt:

What’s better than music, beer, wine and the beach on a summer weekend in West Seattle? Join the festivities at the Main Bathhouse Stage (sponsored by Canna West Culture Shop), featuring live music and performances throughout the weekend from 10 am – 9 pm on Saturday, July 27 and 10 am – 6 pm on Sunday, July 28. Rock, blues, jazz, folk, theatrical performances, yoga – with 18 performances, there’s a little something for everyone! Catch acts like Tobias the Owl (the award-winning musical collective), Angela Soffe Band, Payge Turner, Tiger Rider, The Odd Kids, Steel Beans, Annie O’Neill Band, and Sam Cobra. Come down to the beach Sunday morning for FREE yoga with Limber Yoga. Plus head down the promenade to the Community Stage hosted by West Seattle Blog for additional acoustic performances and more. See the full Bathhouse stage music lineup and schedule here (and above).

While you enjoy the views and performances, the beer & wine garden (a new addition to the fair) will serve up tasty local sips from Two Beers Brewing, Georgetown Brewing, Seattle Cider and Charles Smith Wines. All proceeds support the fair and keeping it free for the community.

In addition to the music lineup, the fair has a lot to offer—an expanded artist lineup, larger kids zone (hosted by Outer Space Seattle), more interactive art activities and the new beer and wine garden. Best of all, it’s on the beach, free and easy to get to with free shuttles (sponsored by Therapeutic Associates – West Seattle) running a loop between the Admiral Junction and the Park n’ Ride under the West Seattle Bridge.

The shuttle stop in Admiral is on the northwest corner of California/Admiral, by the Chevron station.

TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Wednesday watch

(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)

7:15 AM: Good morning! No alerts or incidents in our area, so far.

ROADSIDE WORK: In at least two parts of West Seattle (we saw the signs along parts of California and Harbor Avenues), parking is prohibited today and tomorrow so SDOT urban-forestry crews can work..

STADIUM ZONE: The Mariners have a day game today, 12:40 pm vs. the Rangers.