West Seattle, Washington
08 Friday
(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.
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.”
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.
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.
(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.
(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!
(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.
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.
(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.
TUESDAY: Thanks for the tip. A texter reported a “major police presence” at Tony’s Market (35th/Barton) so we went over to check. The police had just left as we arrived, but proprietor Joey told us it was a break-in attempt. He interrupted the would-be burglars; they took off, and he called 911. We’ll be checking tomorrow on the potential security video (and the police report).
ADDED WEDNESDAY: No updates. We did talk again with Joey, who explained that he happened to have eyes on his business while pumping gas at the 7-11 across the street when he saw the break-in attempt.
That’s one of the signs at 5401 California SW, where OutWest Bar closed two nights ago after 8 years. Also in the window:
OutWest proprietor Bob Lunke had promised a fixtures and furnishings sale, so that’s what’s set for 9 am-3 pm the next three days. The sign lists two commercial refrigerators, an ice machine, sink, TV and electronics, and booths/tables. As for what the building’s owner plans for the site – that’s not clear yet. Nothing on public view (listing/filing) so far; the site is zoned for potential mixed-use development up to 4 stories.
Though the opening show of this year’s Summer Concerts at Hiawatha series was rained out, this week’s forecast looks much more summery, so we feel safe in reminding you that The Not-Its are scheduled to take the stage at 6:30 pm Thursday. This bouncy bunch had two big West Seattle shows last year – at the Sub Pop Records 30th-anniversary party on Alki (photo above) and the Hometown Holidays Night Market/Tree Lighting in The Junction – so you might already know something about their “kindie rock” style. Bring your own chair/blanket/dancing shoes to the east lawn at Hiawatha Community Center (along Walnut south of Lander). The Admiral Neighborhood Association presents Summer Concerts at Hiawatha, with the support of community sponsors (including WSB) – see you there!
Two biznotes from the health-care world:
NOW OPEN: ATI Physical Therapy has opened a second West Seattle location. First one is in Westwood Village; second one, on the east side of outer Jefferson Square, at 41st and Alaska. Their announcement says they offer physical therapy “for sports and orthopedic injuries” as well as “vestibular therapy.”
NOW CLOSED: We checked on the status of Glo Dental Studio, which opened at 3295 SW Avalon Way two years ago, after hearing from two patients who had shown up for appointments only to find the door locked and the voicemail full. The practice’s website is no longer working. Further searching turned up a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing by proprietor Dr. Ronald Winn, who sought to have the case dismissed because, a document says:
Despite exploring every option available, cash flow has become insufficient to continue operating the dental practice. As of June 25, 2019, the practice has closed.
The case docket indicates the dismissal was granted a week and a half ago.
(SDOT map – see it in PDF here – with streets to be slurry-sealed marked in red)
In our coverage of last month’s Westwood-Roxhill-Arbor Heights Community Coalition meeting, we mentioned SDOT was planning to slurry seal those streets this summer. Now, Adonis Ducksworth from SDOT sends word the work is about to start:
Starting as soon as next week, we will be slurry sealing streets in the Highland Park, South Park, RoxHill, and South Delridge neighborhoods. This is maintenance work we do every summer. It is not road repair work.
Earlier this spring and summer, we sent 2 mailers to impacted neighborhoods. Last week, we did our first initial round of door-to-door outreach. Later this week, impacted streets will see the NO PARKING signs go up. The impacted residences will also receive a more detailed schedule for their street.
For more information about the project, please visit our website.
Slurry seal is a protective seal coat which extends the life of pavement. It is a thin, tough layer of asphalt emulsion blended with finely crushed stone for traction.
This is a cost-effective method to renew the road surface and seal minor cracks and other irregularities. This preventive maintenance process protects the pavement from moisture penetration and oxidation.
Similar to painting a house, slurry seal creates a protective layer which preserves the underlying structure and prevents the need for more expensive repairs in the future.
Two weeks from tonight – on Tuesday, August 6 – the voting ends and the vote-counting begins. You should have your ballot by now. (If not, here’s what you can do.) Not registered yet? Here’s how. Haven’t looked at your ballot yet? Though you’ve likely heard the most about the City Council race, you have six other decisions to make:
SEATTLE SCHOOL BOARD DISTRICT 6: Incumbent Leslie Harris is running for a second 4-year term.
(WSB photo from West Seattle Grand Parade 2019)
Harris, the current board president, represents Seattle and South Park, and has two opponents on the primary ballot, Crystal Liston and Molly Mitchell.
KING COUNTY COUNCIL DISTRICT 8: Incumbent Joe McDermott is running for re-election.
(WSB photo from West Seattle Grand Parade 2019)
He also has two opponents, Goodspaceguy and Michael Neher.
SEATTLE PORT COMMISSION: Two positions, elected countywide, are on this ballot. 7 candidates are running for Position 2 (which incumbent Courtney Gregoire is leaving) – Dominic Barrera, Kelly Charlton, Sam Cho, Grant Degginger, Nina Martinez, Ali Scego, and Preeti Shridhar. For Position 5, incumbent Fred Felleman is running for re-election, challenged by Garth Jacobson and Jordan Lemmon.
TWO LEVIES: You’ll be voting to approve or reject two levies on this ballot – the King County Parks and Open Space levy and the Seattle library levy.
AND OF COURSE: As mentioned and as amply covered here, the City Council District 1 field of three will be trimmed to two. If you want one more side-by-side look at the candidates – incumbent Lisa Herbold, Brendan Kolding, and Phil Tavel – the League of Women Voters forum is next Monday (July 29th), 6 pm at West Seattle (Admiral) Library (2306 42nd SW).
READY TO VOTE? Remember that postage is no longer required, so you can just drop your ballot envelope in any mailbox. The county also has secure dropboxes, including two in West Seattle – The Junction and High Point – and one in White Center; the full countywide list/map is here.
Recognize that burglar? The nonprofit Senior Center of West Seattle says he broke into the center’s Stop ‘n’ Shop Thrift Shop around 3:30 am Sunday. Among other things, the burglar stole “some expensive items” that were being researched. They observed that the burglar “seemed to know his way around the center.” If you have any information, the SPD incident number is 19-268996.
(Today’s spotlight bird is The West Seattle Turkey, photographed by Monica Zaborac last Thursday)
Half a dozen highlights for the rest of your Tuesday:
WADING POOLS & SPRAYPARK OPEN TODAY: Though it’s overcast now, sun’s expected later, so the city says they WILL be open: Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) is open 11 am-8 pm, Delridge (4501 Delridge Way SW) 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.
BASEBALL: It’s Kids’ Day with the Highline Bears summer semi-pro team, playing the Hawai’i Rockies at 12:05 pm at Steve Cox Memorial Park in White Center. (1321 SW 102nd)
SONGS INSPIRED BY OUR COMMUNITY: 1:30 pm at Delridge Library:
Write and perform a song inspired by your community. Here’s your chance to learn more about your community and how the environment has changed the world in which we live. We will present a story from someone in your neighborhood, and how the world has changed for them. Then you have the chance to hear music inspired by that story and to co-create a song yourself, with teaching artists from STYLE: Songwriting Through Youth Literature Education. For all ages.
(5423 Delridge Way SW)
‘VEGAN JUNK FOOD POP-UP’: Look for Cycle Dogs at 4-9 pm outside Best of Hands Barrelhouse – Kaya explained via email:
I’m a West Seattleite who works in a vegan food truck in Ballard. We’re usually at the Peddler Brewing Company, Wednesday thru Sunday, and the truck rarely moves far. But we recently tuned her up and I pushed for our first pop-up on a normally off day to be in West Seattle! We do classic trashy fast food burgers & creative hot dogs, with the twist that everything we serve is 100% vegan! We’ll have a special burger today that has fried mac & cheese on a Beyond Meat patty!
It’d be great to get a large WS turnout and to reach our vegan friends.
(35th/Webster)
DISTRICT 1 COMMUNITY NETWORK: 7 pm at the Duwamish Longhouse, join community advocates from around West Seattle and South Park to work on issues of interest. (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)
OPEN MIC: 9 pm at Parliament Tavern, hosted by Joey Vargas. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
Chief Sealth alums, Friday’s the big day! Here’s the reminder from organizers:
Only 3 days until the 4th annual Chief Sealth All-Class Reunion! Take this opportunity to catch up with old friends and make some new ones on Friday, July 26 at Lincoln Park, 5 pm-9 pm. Food will be available from Dante’s Inferno Dogs for $10 per person, which includes a gourmet hot dog or burger, chips, and a drink.
Look for the event at the picnic tables on the south end of the beach.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
6:57 AM: Good morning! No alerts or incidents reported in our area, so far.
BUS STOP CLOSURE: In case you missed yesterday’s alert, the 35th/Avalon road work has closed the southbound bus stop on 35th south of Avalon TFN.
STADIUM ZONE: The Mariners are home again tonight, 7:10 pm vs. the Rangers. So that means the West Seattle Water Taxi is running later tonight.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
One day after we reported that Larry’s Tavern was in the works for 3405 California SW, we know more about what its proprietors are planning.
We spoke today by phone with Joel Stedman, who along with wife Margo Beaver bought the building after West City Sardine Kitchen‘s owners put it up for sale.
Joel says he and Margo live in West Seattle – she grew up here – and have long wanted an establishment here. They also own the Magnolia Village Pub, Targy’s Tavern (Queen Anne), the Duvall Tavern, and Pint Defiance in Ruston, which he describes as a “Beer Junction-type place.”
He says the plan for Larry’s Tavern – named for his dad (“we always wanted to do an homage to him”) – is to be “comfortable and casual.”
It will be 21+ only, and beverages will be the focus, though they’ll offer some food; they’re still working on the plan for that, “discussing with our chefs” from their other venues. Joel says their other venues are known for a “very good beer program,” so Larry’s Tavern is likely to be the same.
He expects it’ll be “a place you could go watch a game,” or play one – Larry’s will have pool tables, and likely some game machines too, perhaps pinball, perhaps Pac-Man. Hours are likely going to be 4 pm-2 am, 7 days a week.
But first, a “light renovation” to the building – “paint, floors, decor, bar top,” and of course signage. With the city still in the throes of a permit backlog, it’s hard to say how long it’ll take them to get ready to open. They’re hoping by mid-September. In the meantime, they will be working “diligently” with the excitement of being able to serve their West Seattle neighbors: “We’re really pumped.”
(WSB photos from Saturday’s West Seattle Grand Parade. Above, All-City Band)
It’s your chance to see marching bands without going to a parade, and a chance to see them perform entire routines instead of just the fragment paradegoers get as they pass: Band Jam is returning to West Seattle this year, after moving downtown last year because of work at Southwest Athletic Complex. This year, the field is finished and Band Jam’s back!
Four of the marching bands from this past Saturday’s West Seattle Grand Parade will be part of it, according to the announcement today from All-City Band director Marcus Pimpleton:
All-City Band wanted to make sure all of our friends in West Seattle are aware of our Band Jam event this Friday at the Southwest Athletic Complex – 2801 SW Thistle St. – across the street from Chief Sealth International High School. This free event will run from 6:30-9:00 pm and feature musical performances by the:
Junior All-City Band
Seismic Sound Drumline
Kennedy Catholic High School Marching Band
Rainbow City Marching Band and Spinout Color Guard
Sumner High School Marching Band
Seattle Seahawks Blue Thunder Drumline
Seattle Sounders FC Soundwave Marching Band
Seattle Schools All-City Marching Band
Dr. Pimpleton launched Band Jam back in 2009 as a tuneup event for bands on the eve of the Seafair Torchlight Parade (which is downtown this Saturday night).
6:15 PM: Thanks to everyone who has sent tips about this: The outside One lane of uphill Admiral Way is blocked between the Bridge and City View, because of a hole in the road. SDOT’s Incident Response Team is reported to be on scene.
7:33 PM: Photo added. A short stretch of the uphill inside lane is coned off just north of 34th. We’ll ask SDOT about repair plans tomorrow.
4:51 PM: An SFD full response is just arriving in the 6500 block of Delridge. Avoid the area – road’s mostly blocked. Initial report was “smoke from the basement.” More…
5 PM: We were nearby and have just gotten an update at the scene: Dryer fire. Damage limited to dryer. Most units should be leaving soon; SPD is directing traffic in the meantime.
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