West Seattle, Washington
03 Tuesday
(Screen capture from security video last June)
Three months ago, we reported that a warrant was out for Gabriel Putnam, the 39-year-old man arrested and charged after this video-recorded Beach Drive burglary attempt in June. Tonight, in a routine check of the King County Jail register, we noticed he’s back in custody. Two and a half weeks after his June arrest, Putnam was released into the CCAP program, but stopped making the mandatory check-ins, so a warrant was issued. The jail register and court documents show he was arrested in Idaho and was extradited here, booked into jail last Thursday and held in lieu of $25,000 bail.
The voting ends and vote-counting begins one week from today. So far, as of tonight’s count, 8,530 of the 68,521 ballots sent out in City Council District 1 have been turned in; that’s a little over 12 percent. It’s the third-highest total by district, while D-1 has the fourth-highest number of voters. If you’re still not sure how to turn your ballot in and/or track it, that info’s here.
FINAL FORUM: The D-1 race is not all you’re deciding (as we noted here). But it’s certainly the highest-profile race.If you haven’t decided who to vote for yet, here’s one more chance to hear the candidates side by side. We recorded this forum last week at Arrowhead Gardens, the senior-living complex in southeast West Seattle. This was an open-mic Q&A event – described by organizers as “town hall” format. The questions were asked either directly by attendees or by moderator Diane Radischat from cards some had filled out.
No opening statements – after the introduction, it was on to Q&A, one and a quarter hours of it, all summarized below:
(2018 trick-or-treating at WSB sponsor A Kids Place Dentistry for Children)
New date this year, so we’re reminding you again tonight that tomorrow (Wednesday, October 30th) is when Admiral District businesses will be welcoming trick-or-treaters, 3-6 pm. Not only will businesses around the Admiral/California junction be participating, don’t miss the businesses on 42nd SW, such as WSB sponsors Metropolitan Market (north of Admiral) and West Seattle Realty (south of Admiral, on the east side of the Admiral Safeway building). Also, the West Seattle High School ASB will host “trunk or treating” along the road between Hiawatha and the school’s front entrance, 3-5 pm, so wander up that way too!
(WSHS #8, Christian Halter)
6:28 PM: This past half-hour at Southwest Athletic Complex, West Seattle High School and Sammamish finished the game interrupted by lightning last Friday night. WSHS was ahead going into the remaining 8:46, but Sammamish is going home with the win, 20-13.
(WSHS #2, Tom Nguyen)
8:01 PM: Photos added. Sammamish scored on the first play of the game and got a two-point conversion; a few minutes later, their second TD, with a failed point-after attempt, completing the scoring. Overall, Sammamish controlled the ball, keeping it on the ground and using up the clock. Chilly night at SWAC but these WSHS cheerleaders turned out to support the team:
WSHS plays at Fort Vancouver next Saturday afternoon, 2 pm.
That photo texted by a reader on Gatewood Hill shows a reading below 30 degrees early this morning. Just south of the Gatewood line, our birdbath froze over. Tomorrow morning will be even colder – possibly into the mid-20s. Any pre-winter prep you haven’t done yet, might be a good time to get it done. The dry weather will continue through Halloween – still cold Thursday night but probably about 10 degrees up from tonight.
(WSB photo, September 2017)
Two years after the murder of 25-year-old Edixon Velasquez outside his home in Westwood, his accused killers are on trial. The victim’s former girlfriend, 23-year-old Anna Kasparova, and 21-year-old Abel Linares-Montejo are charged with murder in the deadly shooting. He is accused of pulling the trigger, after she allegedly lured him outside his house. Kasparova was arrested less than a week after the murder; Linares-Montejo was arrested the following month. Recently revised charging documents accuse the two of first-degree murder committed in the course of attempted robbery. The trial is currently in the first phase, jury selection.
West Seattle High School principal Brian Vance has disclosed that students have been disciplined for use of “racist language and symbols.” Multiple recipients forwarded us this letter he sent to families last night:
Recently, there has been a couple of incidents where students have used racist language and symbols with and against each other. Religious bigotry, racism, and discrimination go against every core belief held by the school and district and will not be tolerated. As West Seattle High School’s principal, I take the responsibility to create a safe, welcoming, and inclusive learning environment very seriously.
While these individual incidents were addressed immediately, I want to share with the broader school community what has been done and my expectations moving forward.
Discipline:
Disciplinary procedures were followed for students who used the racial slurs or shared inappropriate imagery. We worked with Central Office and handled discipline in accordance with the student code of conduct.
Restoration:
In these situations, it is important to address the harm caused and promote healing. In our Advisory periods, we showed a video message from me denouncing these acts and putting out a call to come together as a community. In addition, students viewed a student produced video on micro-aggressions and students participated in restorative circles to share experiences and mend relationships.
Ongoing Training:
As Principal, I am committed to ensuring that every student at WSHS thrives, and as educators, we must continue our own professional growth and be intentional in our racial equity work. In response to these incidents, WSHS staff are taking the following actions.
All staff participated in staff circles to discuss issues on race and bias.
All staff will participate in continued training on bias and interrupting hate speech this coming Wednesday, October 30.
I will work in partnership with the SPS Department of Racial Equity and Advancement to create and implement a professional growth plan for WSHS staff for the rest of the school year. We will also use guidance from the Department of Racial Equity and Advancement and work with our school’s Race and Equity team to develop student-focused resources and ongoing training for our young people to understand hate speech, stereotypes, and biases.
We will be implementing a school wide positive response that will allow us to set clear expectations and a collective response in bringing our community together. More details on this will come out once we finalize the program.
I also want to remind our broader community that high school students are learning and developing during these formative years.
I encourage you to use this situation as an opportunity to talk with your student about the perpetuation of hate, racism, and anti-Semitism and the consequences – now and into the future – that may result. Teaching Tolerance has a parent guide for addressing these topics with young people.
As a community, we will not tolerate bullying, discrimination, or harassment. I continue to be proud to be part of a community that is supportive and welcoming and ask for your partnership in making sure WSHS students always embody these values. Please feel free to contact me with any questions.
We requested followup details through Seattle Public Schools spokesperson Tim Robinson. He said this refers to “verbal” incidents: “Three completely separate incidents since the start of school.” We also requested the video mentioned in the principal’s letter; our request was turned down; Robinson said, “He prefers not to disseminate it further, but he points out that it is largely a reiteration of the points in the letter. It was about a minute long.” The Code of Conduct to which the letter refers has a disciplinary matrix you can see here.
The Pacific Room on Alki Beach is more than a restaurant and bar. That’s their message as they join the WSB sponsor team:
The Pacific Room, which opened in June, is offering a big slate of live music. Not just “come for the food/drinks, stay for the music,” but also ticketed performances like Seattle’s legendary jazz singer Greta Matassa this Saturday (November 2nd). The Seattle jazz scene recently lost Tula’s; the Pacific Room intends to help fill the void.
You can watch the Pacific Room‘s calendar for not just music but other types of performances too, 
both ticketed and free; among the offerings on the way are spoken-word performances and a singer-songwriter contest. As the holidays near, watch for word of a New Year’s Eve celebration and a night of “A Charlie Brown Christmas” music performed live.
The Pacific Room is also offering other reasons to come to the beach – such as the food! Not just the regular menus, but also a special “comfort food” menu on Monday nights is one. Special culinary events have already included a three-course meal that benefited Fare Start.
The Pacific Room is at 2808 Alki SW. The restaurant is open for dinner 7 nights a week; see the music calendar here.
We thank the Pacific Room for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.
(Horned Grebe, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
Nothing in the WSB West Seattle Halloween Etc. Guide for today/tonight – so here are highlights from the year-round WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
UNDERSTANDING MEDICARE: 1-2 pm at West Seattle (Admiral) Library: “A no-charge presentation of Medicare Basics, your options, and what you need to consider when choosing your Medicare Plan for 2020.” Facilitated by Patrice Lewis of We Speak Medicare. All are welcome. (2306 42nd SW)
HIRING EVENT: Early-childhood employment and volunteering opportunities at Neighborhood House High Point – apply at this event, 4-6 pm. (6400 Sylvan Way SW)
‘TALES FROM THE HEARTH’: You’re invited to this special autumn-inspired-storytelling event with West Seattle Toastmasters 832, 6:30 pm at The Kenney (WSB sponsor). More info here. (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW)
TRACK WORKOUT: Free track workout with West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor); meet at the shop at 6:30 pm. (2743 California SW)
WEST SEATTLE ANTI-RACIST BOOK CLUB: First meeting of this new 5th-Tuesdays group at Admiral Congregational Church. 7 pm. (4320 SW Hill)
MORE … browse our complete calendar for all the listings for today/tonight/beyond!
With Halloween two nights away, we’re previewing the spookiest shows in town – starting with “Nightfall Orphanage”:
That’s a new video preview for the “garage haunt experience” and West Seattle Food Bank donation drive happening in an Alki yard – you might have already been to the pre-Halloween presentations, and/or seen it in the WSB West Seattle Halloween Guide, but if not, the official news release:
Now in its 3rd year, Nightfall Orphanage (located at 2130 Alki Ave SW) is quickly becoming West Seattle’s premier Home Haunt attraction, collecting non-perishable food donations for West Seattle Food Bank through its entire run (continuing Oct. 31, Nov.1, November 2, 7:30 pm -10:30 pm). On Halloween, October 31, Nightfall Orphanage will feature special guest and scaracter ChesterJester!
Mr. Black invites you to step back into the Bad Place, a gateway into the phantasmagoric realm of the Dark Reach that exists in the shadows between worlds. The radiant abyss where spectral echoes of what once was, and what should not be, materialize and take shape.
Admission is free to all, and guests are strongly encouraged to bring non-perishable food donations to help struggling neighborhood families. More information is available on the website.
“Scaring is caring!” says Mr. Black, the chief architect of Nightfall Orphanage. “Halloween is always about community, because the best Halloween traditions start right here in the neighborhood. There are more than 10,000 families in West Seattle alone that live below the poverty level, and West Seattle Food Bank is committed to providing food security and community connections to neighbors in need. ‘We’ is the most important part of ‘Halloween,’ and when we act locally, we can inspire change globally.”
For over 20 years ChesterJester has been scaring guests at high-tier haunts such as Six Flags Magic Mountains Fright Fest. He has been featured on news programs where he developed a special “taste” for newscasters, (https://youtu.be/QxlegGohjX4) and loves to teach his own unique approach to painting (https://youtu.be/-brLAeiNW5I). He will be haunting Nightfall Orphanage on Halloween to provide screams, and collect food donations for those in need.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
6:59 AM: Good morning. Two alerts if you use NB 99:
-Crash just north of the West Seattle Bridge.
-SDOT says the signal at Alaskan Way/Dearborn is in flashing-red mode.
7:18 AM: SDOT says the crash has cleared.
7:54 AM: The Dearborn signal is fixed.
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