West Seattle, Washington
12 Friday
(2019 London Marathon)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Sunday morning, Eddie Martin will be one of 1,300 people running the Orca Half in West Seattle.
The 16-year West Seattle resident is also on the brink of joining an elite group of runners with a unique status: Running all six of the World Marathon Majors.
This accomplishment has spanned more than a decade – Eddie has run the 2006 Chicago Marathon, 2007 Boston Marathon, 2012 Berlin Marathon, 2015 Tokyo Marathon, and 2019 London Marathon.
This November, he will run the New York City Marathon. That’s a story all its own – but let’s go back to the starting line.
This weekend began with a fun way to give to the West Seattle Food Bank. The report and photos were sent by WSFB development director Judi Yazzolino:
The West Seattle Food Bank wants to thank all those that joined us last night at our 4th annual ‘A Grand Affair’ benefit at The Sanctuary at Admiral. We had so much fun raising funds for the 12,700 individuals we serve here in our West Seattle community. Results will be in on Monday but we want to thank the generosity of our incredible West Seattle community.
Picture above is of our staff – Judi Yazzolino, Development Director; Tray Olds, Community Connector; Dick Haggart, Food Rescue; our illustrious Executive Director (with the fake cigar) Fran Yeatts; Lester Yuh, Operations Director; & Karla Marifjeren, Operations Manager.
Second picture – Dan Austin, Peel & Press; Rita Dixson, The Bridge; Heather Scott, Shadowland; Lora Radford, WS Junction Association, with WSFB’s Judi.
The annual Grand Affair is a Roaring Twenties-themed cocktail party, with casino-style gaming. Other community co-sponsors included WSB.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
The meeting room at the Southwest Precinct was full almost to overflowing this morning as more than 50 people, accompanied by their very patient dogs, showed up for the Paws on Patrol launch.
The precinct’s Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Danner observed that she hadn’t seen the room that full in a long time. Assisted by her North Precinct counterpart Mary Amberg, Danner revealed to attendees what Paws on Patrol is all about.
It’s essentially a riff on Block Watch … Bark Watch, if you will. It’s based on a national program called Dog Walker Watch. The premise is simple: If you have a dog, you’re out walking it daily, no matter what the weather. So you might be first to spot neighborhood crime in progress. Pay attention while you’re out with your pup – don’t be head-down staring on your phone: “When you are walking, we really want you to be aware.”
Much of the presentation – which was accompanied by an outdoor resource fair involving local pet-related providers – involved training on how to deduce what’s suspicious (“you know your neighborhood best (and know) “what’s not normal”), and when to call 911.
“95 percent of all police arrests are the direct result of a citizen 911 call,” Danner noted. As has been repeated over and over and over at community meetings we’ve covered in the past 12 years, if it’s happening now, CALL 911. Don’t call the non-emergency number. You’re not “bothering” police. If the calltaker answering 911 determines what you’re calling about is not an emergency, they’ll transfer you. And if what you’re calling out turns out not to be a crime, “it’s OK to be wrong.”
Not only can you be a crime spotter, you can be a crime preventer, Danner said – the program is intended to let criminals know, “dog walkers DO REPORT suspicious activity.”
As the dogs continued patiently keeping watch, their people heard other advice and reminders, such as judging people by their behavior, not their appearance – and go with your “gut feelings”; if you think something is wrong, it may well be. Keep watch for suspicious situations involving vehicles as well as people – parked in an unusual location, full of what might be stolen property, etc.
If you feel safe doing it, you can speak to suspicious-seeming people, attendees were advised – say hello. And if they’re at your door and you don’t want them there, added Community Police Team Officer Nic Plemel. tell them to leave your property; if they don’t, call police, because then they’re trespassing.
A few more 911 tips – be succinct, calm, and clear; let the operator ask the questions; if you want to talk to the officer, tell them proactively you want contact. (That’s not required; you can also be anonymous.) If you are out and don’t know the exact address of something/somewhere you’re calling about, just look for the nearest street number as a reference. And don’t hang up until they tell you it’s OK too – they are dispatching officers even as they speak with callers, and might need to ask you more questions.
(Side note – 911 is the topic at the precinct next Tuesday, at the West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network meeting – 6:30 pm September 24th.)
Those in attendance today got special SPD-logo tags for their dogs.
If you couldn’t be there, Danner tells us, you’ll have another chance; another meeting will be scheduled at a TBA date. Questions? jennifer.danner@seattle.gov is how to reach her.
The security-camera image is from Cheryl in High Point, who says the person “tried our door and a lock box on our house. He only ran away when we talked to him through the camera.” it happened shortly after 5:11 am near the north end of Walt Hundley Playfield.
Thanks to Trileigh Tucker for the report: A humpback whale is in view from Lowman Beach, north of the north end of Blake Island across the Sound. Let us know if you see it!
(WSB photos)
Even if cosplay (cos = costume) isn’t part of your life, you’ve probably seen cosplayers downtown during big events like SakuraCon. Today, West Seattle has its own cosplayer gathering – the first-ever Dinky Con, happening until 10 pm at Alki Masonic Hall. It’s drawn devoted cosplayers like Mark, cosplaying as Mermaid Man from the longrunning animated series “SpongeBob SquarePants“:
He’s one of the judges for the cosplay contest that should have just begun, continuing until about 4. Dinky Con’s director is Carolyn Monk:
She explained in the Dinky Con program, “I made this convention to be an excuse for people to cosplay and i some people come and get to dress up and hang out, I will consider it a success.” Some of that hanging out includes gaming:
Artist Alley is open until 6 pm, with local artists selling “prints, jewelry, keychains, stickers, accessories, and more”:
Also in the hours ahead: A podcast from 4:30 to 5:30, a Smash tournament 5-7 pm, Dungeons and Dragons 5:30-7 pm, closing ceremonies 7-8 pm followed by the Con-closing Dinky Dance 8-10 pm. Tickets are available online or at the door of the hall, which is at 4736 40th SW on the east side of The Junction.
Until 10 pm tonight, it’s the biggest day of the WestFest “carnival of community” at Holy Rosary School (along 42nd SW north of Genesee). You’ll find rides outdoors …
Face-painting and games indoors …
The games include bingo, if you’re looking for something a bit more grown-up. Back outside, food, drinks, and more…
You never know who you’ll see …
West Seattle’s own “Officer Lumpy” from the Seafair Clowns was first on today’s entertainment schedule. The rest of the lineup for today/tonight is in our preview, wrapping up with the West Seattle Big Band!
Along with everything on our highlight list, it’s also the second-to-last day for Dog Days swim sessions in Arbor Heights – until 1 pm today, and again 11 am-1 pm Sunday. (Thanks to Cori from Arbor Heights Swim and Tennis Club for sharing the photo by Brandon of Fetch It Media.) No humans in the pool, just dogs, as a fundraiser for AHSTC swim teams before the pool gets cleaned in the offseason. $10 donation per dog. The pool’s at 11003 31st Ave SW.
(Black Turnstone, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
The final weekend of summer is here. First, a transit note:
METRO’S SERVICE CHANGE: Today is the first day of Metro‘s service change. Our preview has details on the West Seattle routes that are affected.
Now, the 15 highlights:
KHMER HEALTH FAIR: The first-ever Khmer Health Fair is happening 8 am-1 pm at the White Center Community Center – details on our partner site WCN. (1321 SW 102nd)
‘PAWS ON PATROL’ LAUNCH: 10 am-noon at the Southwest Precinct, bring your well-behaved furry friend and find out about a new program to enlist dogs and their people in crime prevention. We’re told there’ll be a presentation around 10:30 am. (2300 SW Webster)
SOLSTICE P-PATCH PLANT SALE: 10 am-2 pm, visit the Solstice Park P-Patch to buy plants and/or treats! (7400 Fauntleroy Way SW)
WESTFEST DAY 2: 10 am-10 pm at Holy Rosary School, the second and final day of the “carnival of community.” Games, food, beer garden, entertainment – see the schedule here. (42nd/Genesee)
LEARN ABOUT ROXHILL BOG: 10 am-noon, meet at Southwest Library to learn about Roxhill Park/Bog, and move on to a walking tour to see it. (9010 35th SW)
DINKY CON: 11 am-10 pm, cosplay and more at the first-ever Dinky Con, at Alki Masonic Hall in The Junction. See our preview for more info including ticketing details. All ages! (4736 40th SW)
COLMAN POOL’S LAST WEEKEND: Noon-7 pm today (and tomorrow) – here’s the schedule. (8603 Fauntleroy Way SW)
BREWS WITH THE CREW: 2-5 pm at Ounces, “Come welcome Row House to West Seattle! Take the 10 stroke Challenge for a chance to win a $25 Ounces Gift Card and a 1 Month Membership to Row House! Plus, $1 off pints!” (3809 Delridge Way SW)
PIZZA AT THE P-PATCH: 4-7 pm, a neighborhood gathering, pizza party, nonprofit fundraiser all in one at the Barton Street P-Patch – details in our calendar listing. (34th/Barton)
RAT CITY RECON: Music festival at Southgate Roller Rink, 6 pm-1:30 am, with eight bands including West Seattleite Brent Amaker and his new Deathsquad (who provided the photo):
Ticket info here. (9646 17th SW)
AT C & P COFFEE COMPANY: Roo and the Few perform 7-9 pm. No cover. All ages. (5612 California SW)
‘NOTHING EVER GOES ON HERE’: 7:30 pm, you can see Ellen Newhouse portray dozens of characters in her solo show at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse. Ticket info and more details are in our calendar listing. (9131 California SW)
AT KENYON HALL: 7:30 pm, national touring singer/songwriter and master guitarist Jack Williams returns to Kenyon Hall.
Ticket info’s in our calendar listing. (7904 35th SW)
‘TWO DEGREES’: 8 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, your second-to-last chance to see Blue Hour Theatre Group‘s production: “A scientist grappling with personal loss is called upon to testify in Washington D.C. for climate change legislation.” (4408 Delridge Way SW)
AT PARLIAMENT TAVERN: Deadgrass is back! 9 pm. $8 cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
WOULD YOU BELIEVE, THERE’S MORE? Check our full calendar here.
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