WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Gunfire reports
Multiple texters report gunfire heard less than an hour ago in east West Seattle, from Westwood to Highland Park. No gunshot victims reported anywhere, so far, and we haven’t heard any radio discussion of evidence found.
What’s next for the now world-famous Easy Street Records discoveries?
More than a few readers emailed in recent days to say they’d seen national/international coverage of Easy Street Records proprietor Matt Vaughan‘s discoveries of unique grunge-era souvenirs – a few items from the early days of legendary Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain, like this receipt:
Vaughan also found a $26 royalty check made out to Cobain (that Instagram link isn’t working, so we can’t show it to you too). After some days in social-media circulation, the finds made their way out to national/international news outlets, even CNN. We caught up with Vaughan over the weekend to ask what he’s going to do with the items. He said he doesn’t have a plan yet but thinks they ought to be displayed somewhere. He does plan to talk about the discoveries at this fall’s Southwest Seattle Historical Society brunch gala, as he’s a featured speaker. (Easy Street’s own history goes back 30+ years!)
SAVING RAINWATER: Learn how to harvest it!
(Photo by Jon Elliot)
With our recent rain comes rainbows…
(Photo by Mike Siddall)
… and thoughts of rainwater conservation. West Seattleite Neal Chism is leading a class on Saturday that will show you how to store rainwater, move it, and use it. Save on your utility bills, too! He’s teaching the class at the Burien Community Center (14700 6th SW). Free, with an optional field trip to see Neal’s system afterward. No RSVP required but appreciated – you can email gracestiller (at) comcast (dot) net. See the flyer here (PDF).
WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Seal Sitters’ alert about canister thefts
An urgent alert just in from Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network:
Seal Sitters is suspending its canister collection program immediately. There has been a rash of canister thefts this month; we believe that thieves are putting the canisters in other businesses and collecting the money for themselves. If your business currently has a Seal Sitters canister, please remove it from your counter and call our hotline at 206-905-SEAL.
Thank you to everyone who dropped a few coins (or many) into the canisters over the years. Seal Sitters depends on contributions to further our educational outreach and help protect marine life. The canisters may be gone, but you can still donate by going to sealsitters.org/you_can_help/donate.html
Seal Sitters also thanks these businesses that have sponsored our program: Coastal Surf Boutique, Easy Street Records, El Chupacabra, Elliott Bay Brewing, Fatburger, Husky Deli, M2S and Alki Kayak, Merryweather Books, Next to Nature, Pegasus Book Exchange, Pegasus Pizza & Pasta, Tiffany’s Hair Design, Tully’s Coffee, and Wild Birds Unlimited.
DEVELOPMENT: Townhouses proposed to replace apartments at 2330 Alki SW
(King County Assessor’s photo)
Just filed with the city today: An early-stage proposal to replace the 66-year-old single-story apartment complex at Alki SW/54th with a 16-townhouse complex. The site plan (PDF) shows 7 units facing Alki Avenue, 5 facing 54th, and 4 behind the Alki-facing units; 15 would have attached garages and 10 more parking spaces would be provided on-site (the Alki Parking Overlay requires 1 1/2 spaces per residence).
VIDEO: Governor visits Harbor Island to launch hybrid-electric ferry program at Vigor
(WSB photos/video)
2:01 PM: We are at the Vigor shipyard on Harbor Island, where Gov. Jay Inslee has just ceremonially launched the program that will build at least one hybrid-electric vessel for Washington State Ferries. There’s funding for one – $160 million – in the state transportation budget over the next 3 years, and the WSF Long-Range Plan recommends more. Construction of the first one starts in 2021. At least two WSF Jumbo Mark II vessels will be converted, too. More to come.
3:45 PM: Back at HQ. Video added – first, the governor; then, Vigor’s Frank Foti:
Also speaking, state Transportation Secretary Roger Millar:
WSF boss Amy Scarton was also there to unveil the ceremonial sign:
The diesel-electric Olympic-class ferry has the same price tag as the non-hybrid types, WSF says. The governor said their advantages include less noise, important for our region’s endangered orcas, for whom vessel noise is a critical problem.
Vigor already has built four ferries in the 144-car Olympic class.
WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Rock-throwing attack at restaurant
Another case of someone throwing rock(s) through a business window – but this one happened while the business was open and customers were inside. Andria sent the photo and report:
Our moms group met up at Whisky West last night around 7:15, and shortly after a young guy came up to the bar and started baseball pitching bricks and big rocks through the windows. We all had to crawl and shelter behind the bar until it stopped. He was then chased my samaritans across the street where he was pictured diving into an open window in the round apartments. Police came and surrounded the building until they finally found and arrested him. Everyone was ok inside the bar, except a girl who sprained her ankle jumping over a railing to take cover.
After getting her report, we requested the police narrative. It confirms that the suspect was arrested, found in the Cal-Mor Circle apartment into which he “dove.” We haven’t been able to find out more about his current status yet. The report says three rocks were thrown. The officer who wrote the report added, “Several witnesses were reportedly injured as a result of this incident. One such witness … advised that she thought somebody was firing a weapon into the restaurant when she tried to seek shelter by diving off of a platform and over a banister. … reported a right ankle injury and SFD was notified. She was treated and released at the scene. Additional witnesses were sitting near the window when it was shattered and reported having glass in their faces but those witnesses left the scene prior to me confirming which witness sustained what injury.”
ADDED TUESDAY: As noted in comments, the suspect is 18 years old and remains in jail.
BIZNOTE: Paper Boat Booksellers opening this week
Thanks to Laurie for the photo and tip – Paper Boat Booksellers is indeed opening its Morgan Junction store (6040 California SW) this week! We just confirmed it with co-proprietor Desirae, who explains that Wednesday will be the start of a “soft opening” while they “test the waters” for a few weeks. Hours starting Wednesday will be 10 am-7 pm Tuesdays-Saturdays, 11 am-5 pm Sundays, closed Mondays. They’ll then likely have an “official grand opening” in early October. They have been working on the space since May (here’s the story we published back then).
P.S. You’ll note on Paper Boat’s calendar that they’re hosting their first author reading just two nights after opening, 6 pm Friday (September 13). … (Added) And here’s a peek inside, the kids area, via Instagram:
BACK TO SCHOOL: Seafair Clowns back in West Seattle for 15th annual school-supplies giveaway
(WSB photos)
Students and staff at West Seattle Elementary just got another big boost as the first full week of classes begins – they were chosen as this year’s recipients of the annual Seattle Seafair Clowns School Supply Giveaway. The all-volunteer organization and its community partners have now provided supplies to 10,000 students. We were there as the event began this morning.
Along with backpacks and supplies for students, the giveaway also provides teachers with “supplies (e.g. antibacterial wipes, stickers, stamps, tissue, and antibacterial gel) that they would have personally purchased otherwise.” WSE’s principal Pamela McCowan-Conyers (center-right below) and assistant principal Sahnica Washington (center-left below) welcomed the visitors:
And the event brought Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best to the school for the second time in less than a week – we photographed her with the West Seattle-residing Seafair Clown known as “Officer Lumpy“:
This is the 15th year for the Seafair Clowns’ school-supply giveaway; past West Seattle recipients have included Highland Park Elementary and Roxhill Elementary.
| 19 COMMENTS