West Seattle, Washington
07 Sunday
Thanks for the tips/questions about that big police response at 44th/Edmunds in The Junction. We went over to see what it was about. Person in crisis trying to block traffic, including a Metro bus, police say. The person is in custody and an ambulance was called to take him to the hospital for evaluation.
(WSB photo)
Back in June, we published Holy Rosary Church‘s announcement of work on its bell tower and street lighting. Spotting a crew up on the tower recently, we realized it was followup time. Holy Rosary’s reply to us notes, “The new light posts have been installed along 42nd in front of the school, Parish Center, Parish office, and Church by Bridge Electric, which has greatly improved safety for all walking by.”
(Holy Rosary photo)
They also added stained-glass-window repairs to the project: “There were several stained-glass windows that were missing glass, and/or had lost their integrity and water was seeping into our church. Willet Hauser is now checking all windows and has found more to repair. With their restoration work, our stained-glass windows will be intact for years to come for all to enjoy.” Here’s the rest of the update, including the bell tower:
(You can also read it here in PDF.)
(WSB file photo)
The Duwamish Tribe is a step closer to buying a site adjacent to its West Seattle Longhouse for parking expansion, thanks to a city grant. An announcement Friday of grants from the Equitable Development Initiative included $575,000 for the tribe “to purchase property adjacent to the existing Longhouse to support the continued viability of the cultural space (to) help visitors safely access the Longhouse.” As we reported earlier this year, including in this January report on the Longhouse’s 10-year anniversary, the tribe has been trying to get city help for a safe crossing on West Marginal Way. They’re still working toward that, Longhouse director Jolene Haas told WSB when we asked her about the new grant after last night’s candidate debate. She also says that while this city grant will enable them to buy the property to the south that currently holds an old house, it’s only part of the $800,000+ they applied for, so they will need to fundraise to cover the rest of the cost of converting the site.
West Seattle’s two international schools were among the dozens of entries in the annual Fiestas Patrias parade in South Park on Saturday.
The parade and accompanying festival are a celebration of Latin American heritage and culture. Many nations and traditions had representation:
Grand Marshal was Jorge Baron of the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project:
Some entries carried the theme of immigrants’ rights:
Local issues, too:
As usual, many 2-wheeled and 4-wheeled entries – no motorcycles this year, but the Toros BMX Club was there:
So were cars with hydraulic displays that had one child near us asking “How do they DO that?”
Horseback riders concluded the parade:
The parade is presented by Sea Mar Community Health Centers, which is headquartered in South Park.
(WSB photo from September 2018 Recycle Roundup)
Get your recyclables together – we’re now one week away from the next Recycle Roundup at Fauntleroy Church! You’ll be able to drive up/ride up/walk up and drop off recyclables for free with 1 Green Planet, 9 am-3 pm next Sunday (September 22nd). The latest list of what they will/won’t accept this time is here (PDF). The church is at 9140 California SW (map).
1:04 PM: No SDOT alert on this yet but via the scanner we’ve heard about West Seattle Bridge trouble from/to the Fauntleroy end – jersey barriers knocked out of place, affecting both directions. There’s also a backup reported toward the east end of the bridge after a crash near the exit to southbound I-5.
1:39 PM: Now SFD and SPD are responding to a one-vehicle crash reported on the westbound bridge at the Delridge exit.
Family and friends will gather next Saturday (September 21st) to celebrate the life of Henry J. Haba. Here’s the story of how his life unfolded:
Henry Joseph Haba passed away peacefully August 12, 2019 at Providence Mount St. Vincent, where he stayed for the past four months.
Born May 6, 1923, the ninth of 15 children to Martin and Agnes Haba in Carrington, ND. His parents were born in Poland. Survived by daughter, Charlene, West Seattle. Brother, Louis Martin (Lee) and sister, Lorraine Bell (all in California). Also survived by over 40 nieces and nephews, 55+ great and 20+ great, great nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by wife Clara in 2017, son Gene in 2014, his parents, and 12 siblings.
The Haba family migrated to Grandview, WA in 1936. Farming and taking care of the animals started at 4 am. They attended a one-room school house.
Faking his age, Henry joined the US Army in 1940. Corporal Haba spend three years in the jungles of Panama. He then attended Paratrooper School and was sent to Germany. He attended trade school in Yakima to become a carpenter. Henry married Clara Fitterer of Yakima on July 3, 1948. They were five months short of 69 wonderful years of marriage. They traveled by car to Anchorage, AK to work. They moved back to Yakima, where he built a duplex and house. The family moved to Seattle in 1958, where he built a house on Gatewood Hill. In 1962 they moved to AZ. Rented in Phoenix, then built a duplex in Tempe. Moved back to Seattle a year later. Rented an apartment by Green Lake, then purchased the brick Tudor in West Seattle. He then built three more houses before downsizing to a condo.
Henry was a retired 71-year member of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters (LU 30 Renton, previously LU 131 Seattle). He attended monthly meetings and always had some tool to give away to the apprentices. He worked many construction jobs through the years. Working for the Austin Co., SCI and John Sellen Construction. Some projects included Hanford, the Floating Bridge, NW Airlines Flight Kitchen, Tacoma News Tribune, UW Hall Health, Olympic Hotel, Colman Ferry Terminal, and before retiring, the Metro Tunnel.
In 1999, Henry was one of over 200,000 people marching to protest the World Trade Organization in downtown Seattle. His leisure was spent vacationing in the US, Mexico and abroad. He tried his hand at skin diving, Weekends were spent at Vasa Park with the ski boat, ice-skating and snow skiing. He mostly enjoyed his totally equipped workshop (never was a car in the garage)! Some creations were birdhouses, writing pens and carved walking canes.
He was able to go on the Honor Flight to Washington, DC and see the war memorials. His guardian for this was Mike Musterman, who became his best friend. All the guys met each morning for coffee, talk, and laughter at the Morgan St. McDonald’s.
Henry was a very practical man who expected you to do the job right. He was very grounded with staying power. Always thought “HIS” jokes were the funniest! You could call him “a collector” of anything and everything. Traveling the alleys and neighborhood wasn’t unusual. Knew a little about a lot of subjects. Read the newspaper from front to back every day.
Thank you to all the people who visited Henry in his last days of a very full life. Also to the care given to him by staff at Mt. St. Vincent.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 21 st from 4-7pm at the White Center Eagles. A military funeral be held at a later date at Tahoma Cemetery (Clara’s burial included).
For more information please go to Dignity at this link
.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)
(Great Blue Heron, photographed by Mark Wangerin)”’
Your Sunday highlights:
TLC FOR LINCOLN PARK: Rain or shine, Friends of Lincoln Park would love to see you at 9 am to help restore the urban forest. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Summer’s not over yet and summer produce isn’t gone yet – see for yourself at the market, 10 am-2 pm in the street in the heart of The Junction. (California SW between SW Oregon and SW Alaska)
2ND-TIME SALE, 2ND DAY: Fauntleroy Church‘s mega-sale concludes, 11:30 am-3 pm. More photos from Monika Lidman – toys and furniture!
And more! Cash/checks only.(9140 California SW)
COLMAN POOL: Third-to-last chance to swim in Lincoln Park‘s beachfront pool this season. Noon-7 pm; here’s the session schedule. (8603 Fauntleroy Way SW)
JAMTIME: Sunday afternoon bluegrass and old-time music at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) with Jamtime, 1-4 pm. No cover. All ages. (5612 California SW)
SEATTLE SWING DANCE CLUB: 4 pm-9:15 pm at Alki Masonic Center, workshops, lessons, social dancing – see the schedule here. (4736 40th SW)
BLACKHOTSUNDAY: At The Skylark, 6 pm, all ages. $10 cover. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
THEATER AT THE TAVERN: Parliament Tavern features Drunken Owl Theater, 7 pm. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
PEEK AT NEXT WEEK … and beyond, by browsing our complete calendar.
(WSB photos/video)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
The general-election campaign for Seattle City Council District 1 officially kicked into higher gear tonight, with the first of at least five post-primary forums/debates.
The District 1 Community Network organized this one, attended by more than 25 people at the Duwamish Tribe Longhouse. Phil Tavel and Lisa Herbold spent an hour and a half answering questions posed by Chris Porter, drawn up in advance by organizers.
It was a polite event, no major disagreements, no attacks. We didn’t transcribe the full responses – you can watch our video (update: added below):
If something is in quote marks, it’s a quote; otherwise it’s a summary/paraphrase and the words are those of your reporter. After 1-minute introductions that each candidate gave. here’s how it went:
1ST Q: South Delridge has become overwhelmed with nuisance houses. Councilmember Herbold has worked with the community but it’s still a problem. What more will you do?
LH: A new monitoring law has been passed but community help is needed to identify these buildings and report them to SDCI. (On followup, what more will she do?) Property owners can get monitoring fee waived if they allow the vacant building to be used as housing for a caretaker – work toward that being utilized.
PT: The city is moving in the right direction. (On followup, what more will he do?) Empowering community groups, having police talk with community members about reporting problems when they see them.
5:35 PM: Big SFD response at the Arrowhead Gardens senior-apartments complex at 9200 2nd SW. SFD says it’s a fire that was “contained by sprinkler system; one occupant found and safely evacuated.”
5:40 PM: SFD says that occupant is being treated by paramedics.
(WSB photos)
Cameron and Pete Moores host community events just about every day/night at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor) – but what’s happening right now, the We (Heart) West Seattle party, is a first. They’re raising money for three local nonprofits, WestSide Baby, the West Seattle Food Bank, and West Seattle Helpline. Even if you didn’t buy an advance ticket, there’s room – and food – you can pay at the door!
Silent auction items, too:
The party’s on until 7 pm.
The report and videos are from Michael in Arbor Heights:
Caught this guy on our Nest camera stealing a package from our neighbor’s porch (Friday) at 2:15 PM in a fancy newer-style gray Ford truck. I’ve attached two separate videos, one showing the truck drive into frame, one showing the theft take place. Neighbor has or will be reporting to police. This happened on 32nd Ave SW in between 106th and 105th in Arbor Heights.
Hopefully someone will recognize the truck. Perpetrator was a white male, stocky, bald.
MBL also says social-media discussion of his clips yielded an opinion that it could be the same person/truck shown in this video from last month, recorded by a witness as a woman tried to stop a truck after her purse had been stolen from her car outside Admiral Safeway.
This month’s meeting of our area’s largest political organization, the 34th District Democrats. That’s where our report on Wednesday night’s meeting begins:
LOW-INCOME HOUSING: Introducing the presenters, second vice chair Sofia Aragon said the inspiration for the presentation was that, to say the least, it’s a “hot topic.” State/local government is deeply involved – one example she cited, the Legislature has $175 million in the Housing Trust Fund – something many states don’t have – and local jurisdictions are allowed to “carve out” part of the already-charged sales tax to use for housing. (The city announced a plan in July.) Another key part of addressing the problem, she said, was expanding the amount of time renters are given to find somewhere new if they’re evicted – they used to have as little as three days; now they have 14. Aragon talked about her mom’s career as a nurse and said there’s almost nowhere her mom could live in King County on a nurse’s pay.
First presenter: Robin Koskey of the city Office of Housing:
As we reported Thursday, Sound Transit has gone public with “assessments” of potential light-rail options, including two for the West Seattle extension. It’ll be up to the Sound Transit Board to decide whether to include either or both in studies for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement, the next of 3 more steps before they finalize the route “alignment” in 2022. Before that board vote in October, they’re also taking public comment – you can do that (and review the new info) by going here. Deadline: October 4th.
P.S. If you have questions, you can also talk to ST reps in person at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market on September 29th.
Is someone in your household thinking about college? VFW Post 2713‘s annual competition is on! Here are the details.
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 2713, in West Seattle, announces this year’s VFW’s Voice of Democracy Scholarship competition. Students in grades 9-12 must write and record a three-to-five minute essay on “What Makes America Great” using an audio CD/flash drive and present their recording, typed essay, and completed entry form to the VFW Post by Oct. 31, 2019. Local Post winners compete at the District level, winners advance to the state. All state first-place winners receive a four day trip to Washington, D.C., and the chance for their share in scholarships. The first-place national winner receives a $30,000 college scholarship.
Patriot’s Pen
Grades 6-8. The national first-place winner wins $5,000 and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C.
The essay patriotic theme is also: “What Makes America Great” and between 300-400 words.
Both programs are approved by the National Association of Secondary School Principals.
Youth Essay
This is a VFW Washington State Department competition for students in Grades 3-5. The theme is: “How I would encourage respect to the Flag of the United States” and be 250 words or less. .
Students from the following participated in 2018: Our Lady of Guadalupe School, Madison Middle School, Holy Rosary School, Holy Names Academy, Chief Sealth High School, and home school.
VFW West Seattle Post 2713 increases awards to $1,725 for 2019/2020:
Voice of Democracy, grades 9-12, $500/$400/$250
Patriot’s Pen, grades 6-8, $150/$100/$75
Youth Essay, grades 3-5, $100/$75/$50
This program is completely voluntary, a student (including home schooled) does not have to go through their school to participate. Interested students and teachers should contact Bill Dwyer, wcajmg@gmail.com, telephone (206) 938- 5719 or Ben Skwiercz, bens@halcyon.com, telephone 425-941-4651.
All entries must be in to Farwell Roosevelt VFW Post 2713 by Oct. 31, 2019 at 3601 S.W. Alaska Street, Seattle, WA 98126.
(Ruddy Turnstone – rare in Seattle in September, says photographer Mark Wangerin)
Another big Saturday! From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
LEARN TO SAVE RAINWATER: 10 am, join West Seattleite Neal Chism in Burien for a free class, as previewed here. (14700 6th SW)
2ND-TIME SALE: 9 am-4 pm at Fauntleroy Church, day 1 of this huge sale, as previewed here.
(Photo by Monika Lidman)
Cash or check only. (9140 California SW)
LINCOLN PARK TREE WALK: Guided and free! Meet at 9:30 am at the north parking lot kiosk. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
WSHS MATTRESS FUNDRAISER: 10 am-5 pm, the gym at West Seattle High School becomes a temporary mattress showroom for you to shop this fundraiser – details in our preview. (3000 California SW)
FIESTAS PATRIAS PARADE AND FESTIVAL: 11 am, as previewed here, a big parade celebrating Latin American culture, with music, dance, motorcycles, cars, horses, more, proceeding to South Park Community Center for 1 pm festival. (12 Ave. S. south to Henderson, east to 14th, north to Cloverdale, west to 8th Ave. S.)
SALMON HOMECOMING CELEBRATION: At the Duwamish Tribe Longhouse, noon fundraising salmon-bake lunch, 1-3 pm naturalist program. (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)
COLMAN POOL’S 2ND-TO-LAST WEEKEND: Noon-7 pm – here’s the schedule. (8603 Fauntleroy Way SW)
FREE FITNESS CLASS: Try Oula Fitness for free at 2 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
FIND OUT ABOUT DELRIDGE GROCERY VOLUNTEERING: The lease for the store is signed and now it’s time to rally more volunteer help. Stop by Ounces 3-5 pm to find out how. (3809 Delridge Way SW)
WE (HEART) WEST SEATTLE PARTY: Party at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) with proceeds supporting three local nonprofits, as previewed here. (5612 California SW)
WHITE CENTER FOOD BANK DINNER/AUCTION: 6 pm, it’s the White Center Food Bank’s 15th annual Harvest Dinner & Auction fundraiser in the Brockey Center at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor). Email auction@whitecenterfoodbank.org to check on ticket availability. (6000 16th SW)
CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 1 DEBATE: 6:30 pm at the Duwamish Tribe Longhouse, you’re invited to the first debate with City Council District 1 candidates Lisa Herbold and Phil Tavel since the primary, as previewed here. (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)
AT KENYON HALL: 7:30 pm, the Silver-Tongued Devils perform – what a lineup! Details and ticket info in our calendar listing. (7904 35th SW)
AT PARLIAMENT TAVERN: 9 pm, Moon Darlings, Taleen Kali (L.A.), Biblioteka, Mind Beams. $8 cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
9:44 PM: At Southwest Athletic Complex, the Chief Sealth International High School Seahawks just scored their first football win of the year, 27-24 over the visiting Nathan Hale Raiders. CSIHS is now 1-1. Photos and details later!
ADDED 11:45 PM: Sealth’s #11 Bishop Jackson was a standout in the victory, running in two of the Seahawks’ touchdowns as well as making some key defensive moves in the fourth quarter, holding off Hale to secure the win.
First Sealth TD was scored with 5:56 to go in the first half by #3, Zach Cunningham:
Jackson’s first TD followed less than a minute and a half later, so the Seahawks went into the locker room at halftime with the lead, 12-8.
Two Hale touchdowns in the third quarter put the Raiders ahead 24-12, but Sealth mustered a comeback. The quarter ended with a huge TD run by #21 Talen Thomas.
Then Jackson’s second TD, with 8:34 to go in the game, and a 2-point conversion, gave Chief Sealth the lead for good, 27-24.
Next week, Head Coach Ted Rodriguez and the Seahawks will see if they can win the Huling Bowl trophy for a third consecutive year.
The annual crosstown clash vs. West Seattle High School (0-2) is set for 7 pm September 20th at SWAC.
After a few questions about door-to-door solicitors in recent weeks, and a report tonight, it’s time for a refresher course on the rules. First, the report sent by Nicholas:
Just wanted to give our neighbors a heads up that at about 6:00 pm tonight we had door to door solicitor come to our house on Alki and claim to be selling magazine subscriptions with an emphasis on making a commission if you buy multiple years’ worth of the product. He was a mid forties black man with glasses, button down dress shirt, slacks and white sneakers- his dress looked like he stepped out of the mid-nineties. He claimed to be part of an organization called Young Connections That Work and when we looked that up online while he was at the door the website came back with an Error 404 message. He said he was up from Tennessee and that he has been doing the magazine sales for about 3 months. He was carrying a binder with magazine offerings and prices as well as “receipt” booklets. He was pleasant and not aggressive, though he repeated himself often and deflected our questions about the organization. He also smelled of alcohol. When we finally told him we weren’t interested and didn’t feel comfortable with the level of information he had, he told us he would be back again soon.
After he left we did some more digging and found multiple businesses listed as operating out of the same address connected to Young Connections That Work – none of which seem legit. We’d caution anybody who is approached by this individual or anyone else with a similar story.
Nicholas says the solicitor did not display a license. While that’s not required for charity-donation soliciting, it is required for sales. from the Seattle Municipal Code:
*Door-to-door (residential) selling is allowed between 8 am-9 pm.
*The entity for whom the seller is working has to have a license, and the seller (agent) must have ID showing the license and the agent’s name: “All licensees and agents shall conspicuously display on their outer clothing their residential sales license or residential sales agent licenses when selling.” If you choose to open the door, ask to see it immediately: “Each residential seller or agent shall, immediately upon contacting the prospective buyer, disclose to the prospective buyer his/her name, company, and the product or service represented.”
*Solicitors are required to honor a “no soliciting” sign if you have one. Whether you do or don’t, they’re also required to honor this part of the code: “If requested to do so, (the agent) shall leave the premises immediately.”
The full set of rules is here. Also, the Better Business Bureau‘s advice is here.
Carrying the U.S. Army flag – second one in – is Fritz Schlesser, who just graduated from U.S. Coast Guard boot camp in Cape May, N.J., and is a USCG Seaman. His proud family, in West Seattle and on Bainbridge Island, asked us to share the news.
Before applying to service, he worked in Antarctica at The McMurdo Station, a United States Antarctic research station. It was here that he had his first exposure to the US Coast Guard and their vast capabilities. He returned this summer to mainland Washington knowing his destiny.
He successfully completed boot camp in Jersey and graduated this morning at 8 am EST from Cape May!
Fritz was encouraged by the West Seattle Coast Guard community to apply and he did. There is a well respected presence of the US Coast Guard in West Seattle. This not only provides security but also sends a positive message to young men and women like Fritz.
He will start his USCG service in Boston.
Busy volunteers at the check-in for tonight’s West Seattle Wine Walk (did you know the Junction Association runs on lots of volunteer power?). It was sold out in advance – so keep watch for next Wine Walk announcement and buy your ticket(s) early! Tonight’s participating wineries included West Seattle’s own Welcome Road Winery, pouring at VAIN:
Both of those businesses are WSB sponsors, as are participants Viscon Cellars (pouring at CAPERS), Click! Design That Fits, and Menashe & Sons Jewelers.
Tomorrow and Sunday, it’s one of fall’s biggest sales – the 2nd-Time Sale. The preview is from Judy Pickens, with photos by Mpnika Lidman:
The 25th annual 2nd Time Sale starting Saturday morning at Fauntleroy Church (9140 California Ave. SW) promises something for everyone, from that saucepan you’ve been needing to toys and books galore and even fine jewelry.
Volunteers have culled thousands of items for quality, cleaned and organized them, and put a bargain price on each. Proceeds will benefit church ministries, including responses to homelessness and immigration injustice.
Sale hours are 9 am – 4 pm Saturday and 11:30 am – 3 pm Sunday. Cash and check only. On Metro’s RapidRide C line; free delivery of major purchases.
That’s the newest map for the 35th/Avalon repaving-and-more project, accompanying the weekly update from SDOT:
Crews will be working on Saturday this weekend to prepare for concrete paving in Zone C on SW Avalon Way. Next week, crews will complete preparation work for final paving in Zones A – C (SW Avalon Way from SW Spokane St to 35th Ave SW). We encourage you to speak with our crews about when work will take place in your area.
Final paving for Zones A – C is scheduled to take place overnight on September 18 and 19. This work is weather dependent and subject to change.
Paving is expected to begin at 7 PM each night and continue through 6 AM the following morning
Driveways and side streets will be temporarily closed as we pave. Closures will last 3 to 4 hours to pave and allow the asphalt to cure.We will provide you with more information about what to expect during paving early next week!
(WSB photo from 2018 Fiestas Patrias parade)
You only have to head a short distance east tomorrow morning to enjoy South Park’s Fiestas Patrias parade, a celebration of Latin American cultures. It starts at 11 am Saturday southbound from Sea Mar HQ on 12th Avenue South north of Henderson, then east on Henderson to 14th Avenue South, north to South Cloverdale, west on Cloverdale to 8th Avenue South, north on 8th to the South Park Community Center, where a festival starts at 1 pm and continues all afternoon (here’s the schedule).
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