West Seattle, Washington
28 Sunday
Hurry! You have until 7 pm to celebrate a Summer Solstice Happy Hour with Click! Design That Fits (4540 California SW; WSB sponsor) proprietors John Smersh and Frances Smersh, and their friend, cookbook author Kim O’Donnel:
They’re serving up chocolate beet bundt cake, rhubarb salsa, sangria, and more.
It’s also – as explained here – a benefit for the Alzheimer’s Association, a special cause for Click! because Frances is living with young-onset Alzheimer’s. She is an accomplished artist and at tonight’s happy hour, a donation of $25 or more gets you one of these “little pictures” she has created:
Whether you can or can’t get to tonight’s event, here’s how to donate.
(Added: Photo of containers, courtesy Clayton LaPlant)
Thanks for the inquiries about the helicopters over the north end of the Duwamish River. They were TV choppers checking out an incident about which we have just obtained information. A spokesperson for Matson tells WSB:
Two shipping containers – both empty – were knocked into the water this afternoon at Port of Seattle T-5 during discharge (unloading) of our vessel Mahimahi.
No injuries and no reports of damage. We’re working on recovering the containers now. Vessel operations/schedule were unaffected and apparently no impact on waterway navigation / harbor ops.
(WSB photo: Matson’s Mahimahi, photographed from westbound West Seattle “low bridge” this afternoon)
Matson moved its weekly Seattle calls to T-5 back in April as an interim tenant while the terminal modernization project gets going. (Speaking of which, tomorrow is the Jack Block Park open house for info about the project, 9:30-11:30 am Saturday.)
Thanks for the tips. We’ve obtained the police report on a street robbery Wednesday night just north of The Junction. The 48-year-old victim told police her purse had been stolen by robbers described as “3 males, 18-21, two black males and one mixed race, one with a gray hoodie,” who got away in a silver sedan. Within minutes, she had already gotten an alert from her bank that one of her cards had been used a a store for tw $400 transactions. She told police she was walking in the alley behind her apartment building near California and Dakota when the first robber walked up and asked her for the time. She replied and tried to keep walking – then the other two approached her, cut her off, grabbed her purse. A struggle ensued and she was dragged a few yards before they ran away with the purse then jumped in the car and drove off. Police went to the store where the cards had been used – to buy $800 in gift cards – and obtained surveillance video; they also found some of the victim’s cards, after a witness in the store told them the three suspects had thrown cards on the ground outside. The police report notes that one of the officers had responded to a shoplifting incident at the 35th/Barton 7-11 earlier that day “and received surveillance footage of similar suspects.”
Earlier this week, we reported on the arrest of a man who allegedly threatened to shoot someone at West Seattle High School. 30-year-old Rodney D. Kearney is now charged with two misdemeanors, harassment and criminal trespassing. We first learned of his arrest via a forwarded email announcement sent to WSHS families Tuesday night, and obtained the police report Wednesday. It alleged that Kearney tried to get into the locked school gym, claimed to be a student, then threatened to go get a gun and come back and shoot someone. Police found him, unarmed, a short distance south of the campus. Kearney remains in jail, in lieu of $10,000 bail. As we reported on Tuesday, he spent six months in jail last year for hitting a Metro driver in the face; looking further into his record, Kearney was charged in 2016 with threatening to shoot people at a downtown drugstore, though no gun was seen or found. He was sent to Western State Hospital while that case was making its way through the system. The charge eventually was dismissed. His next hearing in the current case is scheduled for July 1st.
(WSB photo, July 2015)
Last November, we reported that 9200 16th SW was listed for sale. It’s the site raided in 2015 because of an illegal marijuana-selling operation; the sale was ordered as part of a settlement. Though no sale is final yet – it’s listed publicly as “pending feasibility” – there’s an early-stage redevelopment proposal in city files. The roughed-out site plan for the 12,900-square-foot parcel proposes a 5-story mixed-use building with an unspecified number of apartments, plus 1,800 square feet of “retail” space and 24 offstreet parking spaces. Again, this is very early-stage, so no reviews or comment periods are scheduled yet.
Less than an hour after summer officially arrived this morning, Highland Park Elementary started celebrating with this year’s Field Day.
PE teacher Chellie LaFayette invited us to stop by and see the variety of activities students are enjoying.
The sun came out just in time. Field Day is in two sessions – this morning, the third- through fifth-graders; this afternoon, the younger students.
One request for people in the neighborhood – and maybe even beyond – see that big inflatable black-and-white ball in the photo above? Chellie also had a rainbow-striped version but it vanished this morning. Like this, only multicolored:
If you find the missing ball, please take it to the school office (1012 SW Trenton).
You can help give the West Seattle Art Walk a soundtrack – by donating to a new crowdfunding campaign. The announcement:
FUNDING MUSIC IN THE WEST SEATTLE JUNCTION.
The West Seattle Junction Association is planning a series of 5 musical performances — dubbed The Art of Music — that will take place in the West Seattle Junction on Second Thursday Art Walk evenings in the West Seattle Junction during August, September, October, November, and December. Efforts are underway to raise funds to make it possible for scheduled musicians to be paid for sharing their musical talents.
The Art of Music performances will complement the opportunity to view art on those evenings in addition to providing entertainment for those in the Junction for dining, shopping or just to be entertained. Individuals willing to help support this project with a donation are invited to visit the crowdfunding page set up here.
We’re told two of the performances would be outdoors, three indoors.
(Last sunset of spring, photographed by David Hutchinson)
Summer is officially here! Some options for what to do with the first afternoon/evening:
PRIDE MONTH PARTY AT SANISLO ELEMENTARY: 2:30-6:30 pm, the community’s invited to celebrate, with events including a parade around the playground! (1812 SW Myrtle)
SUMMER SOLSTICE HAPPY HOUR & MORE: 4-7 pm, stop by Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor) for a happy hour celebrating the start of summer and raising money to fight Alzheimer’s. Food – with cookbook author Kim O’Donnel – and beverages, and more – details here.(4540 California SW)
SOCCER TRAINING FUNDRAISER: Two sessions – train with Highline Premier FC players, including a team that’s headed to nationals, and help them raise money for the trip!
Come and train with some of the best young soccer players in the state and join the HPFC Eagles 02’s for one night of soccer fun! All proceeds support the team’s travel to National
Premier League Nationals in Colorado next month!Boys & girls ages 5-6: check-in at 5 pm, $15 per player, games and skill-building drills 5:15-6:15 pm
Girls 7+: check-in at 6:15 pm, $25 per player, training session 6:30-8 pm
At Walt Hundley Playfield. (34th/Myrtle)
COMMUNITY SQUARE DANCE: 7 pm at Fauntleroy Church. Admission includes dessert and beverage. (9140 California SW)
SIGGIE THE VINTAGE MAN: Live at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7 pm. No cover. All ages. (5612 California SW)
SUMMER SOLSTICE SUNSET WATCH: Join NASA Solar System Ambassador Alice Enevoldsen at Solstice Park for the quarterly change-of-seasons sunset watch! Sunset’s around 9 but Alice will be there starting at 8:30. Upslope from the tennis courts and P-Patch. (7400 Fauntleroy Way SW)
INDIE ROCK: 9 pm at Parliament Tavern – The Black Planes, Runaway Satellite, The Cells. $7 cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
THERE’S MORE! See it all on our complete calendar.
Though the next big transportation project in West Seattle is headlined as the RapidRide H Line, because of repaving, rechannelization, and other features, it’ll affect people who use Delridge even if they never ride the bus. So SDOT has a survey out as design continues – you can answer it starting here. The work is scheduled to be done in 2020-2021; Route 120 will become the H Line in September 2021; our recent in-depth look at the current stage of planning is here.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
7:06 AM: Good morning! So far, no incidents/alerts.
SYLVAN WAY: Readers reported paving work and lane restrictions yesterday so plan extra time if you’re using the road today.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR AVALON/35TH PROJECT: The newest update from SDOT is here.
STADIUM ZONE TONIGHT: Another 7:10 pm Mariners home game vs. the Orioles.
WEEKEND ROAD WORK ALERT: SDOT is scheduled to work on SW Roxbury just east of 35th again this weekend, with a westbound detour.
Four weeks from today, your ballot will be in the mail, and it’ll be almost time to vote in the primary. Highest-profile race in our area is of course City Council District 1, to decide which two of the three candidates will move on to the November general election. Last night, the Delridge Neighborhoods District Council hosted two candidates for conversation-style appearances. Last month, Phil Tavel talked with the DNDC (WSB video coverage here), so this month, it was time to hear from and talk with Brendan Kolding and Lisa Herbold. About 25 people were there; each candidate spoke for 43 minutes, including Q&A. We again recorded it all.
If you don’t have time to watch – our toplines are below:
Delridge-headquartered Combat Arts Academy (WSB sponsor) is offering two women’s-self-defense seminars this Saturday, particularly timely given some of this week’s news stories. Here’s the announcement:
When you think of self-defense, what’s the first thing you think of?
For us at Combat Arts Academy, it’s about awareness, empowerment, setting boundaries, having confidence. It’s about finding your voice and believing in yourself. Join us on for a two hour clinic, where our goal is to leave you with more knowledge, feeling more empowered, and understanding of what self-defense really means (both mentally and physically).
We’re going to show you a wide range of practical techniques and more importantly, the concepts that are critical to learning how to avoid becoming a victim of violence. We’ll be going over basic, EFFECTIVE, self-defense movements and techniques, capitalizing on leverage and momentum. This event will be specifically teaching techniques when your back is on the ground.
Event: Women’s Self Defense Seminar
Date: 6/22/19
Session 1: 10 am – 12 pm (CAA Burien: 115 SW 153rd St)Session 2: 1 pm – 3 pm (CAA Seattle: 5050 Delridge Way SW)
Who: No experience necessary, open to all, ages 13+
Registration Link: tinyurl.com/5050caa
Cost: Suggested Donation $30 or gift cards for New Beginnings (women’s shelter)
This seminar isn’t your typical self-defense seminar, so make sure to reserve your spot, bring some friends… and get ready to learn.
That’s the newest map for the 35th/Avalon project, accompaying an update with some good news: SDOT says “At this time, construction is slightly ahead of schedule.” As for what’s next and where, here’s the weekly update, including some changes starting as soon as tomorrow:
Crews have completed paving on the northern portion of SW Avalon Way by SW Orleans St (Zone A). Next week crews will continue to work in the following locations:
Zone A: Work continues on SW Avalon Way between SW Manning St and SW Andover St on the east and west sides
We are conducting water utility work at SW Charlestown St
Beginning as early as the end of this week and early next week, we will be demolishing the west side of SW Avalon Way south of SW Charlestown St to SW Andover St. Driveway access will be maintained at this time.
We are working on sidewalk repairs on the east side of SW Avalon Way from SW Harbor St to SW Orleans St. People walking can cross at our new curb ramp at SW Orleans St. After work hours, a protected pedestrian path will route pedestrians around construction on the west side of SW Avalon Way.
SW Bradford St will close to SW Avalon Way as soon as Friday, June 21 for excavation work to rebuild the road base
Zone E: Work continues on the new water main on 35th Ave SW from SW Avalon Way to SW Alaska St. Crews are currently testing the new water main.
We are continuing utility work at SW Snoqualmie St
As early as next week, we will be demolishing the west side of 35th Ave SW from SW Avalon Way to SW Alaska St. Driveway access will be maintained at this time.
Businesses are open! Please continue to visit businesses on 35th Ave SW and SW Avalon Way during construction. Follow signs for temporary parking for the Avalon Business District near the West Seattle Bridge. Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times – please follow signed pedestrian detours.
The work is now in its third month.
5:36 PM: A former JV girls-basketball coach at West Seattle High School is charged with “communicating with a minor for immoral purposes” via online messaging. Seattle Public Schools tells WSB the former coach, 28-year-old Michael D. Gutierrez, was fired in February, 10 days after the school learned about the allegations. Here’s what the charging document alleges:
The defendant engaged a student-athlete he coached in (in)appropriate sexual communication in electronic communication and in person. The defendant kissed the girl and also grabbed, or spanked her bottom on a number of occasions.
The probable-cause document on file says an assistant principal discovered two students, now both 17, having been “inappropriately contacted” via social media. One victim said Gutierrez had been contacting her via Snapchat since 2017, with remarks including saying he wanted to stay in a hotel with her and wanted to have kids with her. Then, she told police, he invited her to come practice at the gym several times last summer, saying other students would be there, but she turned out to be the only one. This past January, she said, he asked her to come into an office for a “grade review” but instead touched her and tried to get her to kiss him.
Here’s the statement we obtained late today from Seattle Public Schools spokesperson Tim Robinson:
When SPS learned of the allegations of inappropriate comments and behavior by an adult hourly coach, we immediately contacted Seattle Police on Feb. 15, 2019.
That same day, SPS released the adult from all coaching responsibilities until the outcome of an internal investigation was completed.
On February 25, 2019 (the Monday after mid-winter break), SPS terminated the individual’s employment. The individual was a part-time coach. The individual was not a teacher, counselor, etc.
Court records show the charge was filed against Gutierrez this past Monday. It was first reported by KIRO TV this afternoon (thanks to the reader who pointed that out via the WSB Community Forum so we could research and confirm). The court documents also say Gutierrez has no criminal record. He is not in custody but the charging documents say that if he does not appear for arraignment, scheduled for July 1st, an arrest warrant will be issued.
ADDED 7:43 PM: WSHS principal Brian Vance has just sent email to families about this, and a parent forwarded it to us. Here’s what he wrote:
Two West Seattle Crime Watch reader reports:
STOLEN GREEN ACCORD WAGON: From a reader:
My friend’s 1994 Honda Accord wagon was stolen sometime yesterday evening Wednesday, June 19th between 7pm and early this morning before noon at Alki Beach off 60th Avenue SW. The Honda is dark green with several stickers on it.
Plate is AWA 9854. If you see it, call 911.
CAR PROWLER ON VIDEO: From Jennifer in Fauntlee Hills:
(Tuesday) night multiple cars on our block (Fauntlee Crest SW) were rifled through. At least a couple people had items stolen. Two neighbors recorded footage of the thief. [Editor’s note: Here’s the clearest one:]
A sad reminder to lock your doors each night. We forgot and lost our belongings…a stolen gift card to Mud Bay, Sunglasses, etc. Filing a police report in hopes that someone recognizes him. Wanted to let others in the neighborhood know.
Thanks to Andy for the photo – Desmond Hansen‘s newest signal-box portrait is at California/Stevens, just outside the West Seattle High School campus. This one depicts Mia Zapata, the rising Seattle singer murdered in 1993. And yes, for those who have asked, the artist is still crowdfunding to cover expenses. We first reported on Hansen’s project – which started with a Jimi Hendrix portrait in Morgan Junction – in March 2018.
(WSB June 2018 photo, Thriftway barbecue on festival day)
Now just two days until this year’s Morgan Junction Community Festival, 10 am-4 pm Saturday (June 22nd) in and around Morgan Junction Park (6413 California SW). Today’s preview – the food! From festival organizers:
Food vendors will be located in the Beveridge Place Pub parking lot, on Beveridge Place, and in the vendor area from 10:00 to 4:00.
Very exciting and first time for the festival, four local Food Innovation Network (FIN) entrepreneurs will offer their diverse menus. FIN runs a business “incubator” which enables these entrepreneurs by launching and growing their businesses through its outreach efforts – e.g., placing them at area farmers markets and other venues such as community events and neighborhood festivals. Visit FIN’s website at https://foodinnovationnetwork.org to find out more about the full scope of its activities.
The four vendors participating in the festival are East&West Catering, providing African-inspired samosas, kabobs, and spicy red rice; Boujee Food&Things, featuring soul-food desserts and sandwiches; Mama Tila, preparing authentic Mexican dishes; and Monique’s Hot Kitchen, whose items may include Kenyan roasted corn, fried potatoes, and mendazi (African donuts). Each of these food vendors are highlighted at FIN’s news-stories site at https://foodinnovationnetwork.org/news-stories/
Two food trucks will be at the festival. Tabassum features authentic Central Asian street food, including savory meat and vegetarian hand pies and two types of salads, and popular West Seattle truck Thai-U-Up offers its full complement of Thai dishes.
If you’re looking for that special dessert, Blue Bird Ice Cream, Unsweetened Tooth, and Dolcetta Sweets will have booths in the vendor area behind Zeeks and Whisky West.
And last but not least, West Seattle Thriftway will be grilling burgers from 11:00 am to approximately 3:00 pm in front of the store as a fundraiser to benefit the festival (suggested donation $7 for burger, chips, and a soft drink) as they have so generously done year after year.
The festival schedule and other info can all be found in our calendar listing. WSB is a community co-sponsor again this year – see you there!
Today we welcome a new sponsor – Nola’s Events, Catering & Soirees!
(Nola Nevers, center, with Kitchen Lead Lisa Methven and Lead Event Coordinator Tarrahan Swanson)
Nola Nevers, owner of Nola’s Events, Catering & Soirees, has been a West Seattle resident and business owner for almost 30 years. As a single mom to her son Blaze, she spent many years raising her son in this community and growing her business. She has become one of Seattle’s top Caterers and Event Planners with a flair for food, floral design, and decor. You will often see her at the Farmers’ Market, picking out locally sourced organic foods for her dishes or enjoying local fare at one of our many fabulous eateries. Cooking has been her passion since she was a small girl and she still has her first cookbook that she got from sending in cereal-box tops. After graduating from Le Cordon Bleu in New York, she was hooked for life.
Nola’s Events is a woman-owned-and-operated Boutique Catering Business with the goal of elevating the catered experience by providing our clients with fabulous organic, local and seasonal foods, personalized menus, and friendly and professional service. Her clients often comment that they feel like guests at their own event which keeps them coming back again and again!
Nola is very active in the West Seattle Community and loves the opportunity to give back to organizations she supports, such as the Southwest Seattle Historical Society, the West Seattle Garden Tour, and the West Seattle Food Bank. Her recent WSFB live auction donation for a Tapas Party for 10 guests at her home recently raised over $1,000 for families in need!
Some of Nola’s Events‘ favorite parties are Private Affairs, Fundraising Events, Intimate or Lavish Weddings, Corporate Events, Graduation Parties, Milestone Birthdays, and, as she’s soon to be a Grandma for the first time, Baby Showers!
Visit our website to read testimonials, see photos and our blog at NolasEvents.com.
“We look forward to assisting you with your next event and making it truly memorable.” -Bon Appetit, Nola
We thank Nola’s Events, Catering & Soirees 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.
(Anna’s Hummingbird tending to babies, photographed near Alki by Mark Wangerin)
Before we get any further into the last day of spring, a quick look at six calendar highlights:
CRIME/POLICING FOCUS GROUP: If you live/work in Fauntleroy, your focus group is tonight, as previewed here, 6 pm at Southwest Library. (9010 35th SW)
INTRODUCTION TO CALLIGRAPHY: Calligrapher Claire Braby teaches a two-hour workshop at West Seattle Art Nest tonight at 6 pm. Register here. (4138 California SW)
ALKI COMMUNITY COUNCIL: 7 pm at Alki UCC, with agenda items including the status of an attempt to save the Harbor Avenue “Stone House.”
(WSB file photo)
The ACC is also scheduled to talk about the Alki Community Center‘s future and to hear from City Council District 1 candidate Brendan Kolding. (6115 SW Hinds)
‘THE LAST WORLD OCTOPUS WRESTLING CHAMPION’: 7:30 pm, opening night for the musical at ArtsWest Playhouse. Ticket info here; a few were left when we checked. (4711 California SW)
STUDENT CONCERT: Denny International Middle School Band and Orchestra, 7 pm at Chief Sealth International High School Auditorium. (2600 SW Thistle)
SUPER KREWE: 9 pm at Parliament Tavern, “Seattle’s best New Orleans-style brass band.” $8 cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
MUCH, MORE MORE TODAY/TONIGHT … just take a quick look at our full calendar!
Thanks to Garrett Brown for the photo of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), headed outbound earlier this morning. Less than a month ago, it left Bremerton for several days of training. MarineTraffic.com shows it is currently still northbound, at the east end of the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
Congratulations to Susan Rich, Harold Taw, and Katy E. Ellis, the local writers who founded WordsWest Literary Series, for its successful five-year run, which ended last night with a celebration at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor).
Among the accomplished authors and poets who joined them one last time for readings, West Seattle-residing Claudia Castro Luna, our state’s Poet Laureate:
As the three co-founders told WSB just before season 4, the idea behind WordsWest was to be able to go to readings without having to cross the bridge. But this year, various life changes led Ellis, Rich, and Taw to decide it was time to close the book on a good run.
Sanislo Elementary PTA invites you to the first-ever Rainbow Party on the Playground tomorrow in celebration of Pride Month. “It’s free and open to ALL!” says PTA president Ebony Lee, sharing this announcement:
We’re excited to get the party started w/local celebrity, DJ MZ ARTIZ from the historical Seattle Re-bar, and encourage everyone to dawn their Pride colors to join us in parading around the playground for what we like to dub as a mini-Pride parade. We’d like to start having everyone parade around the playground starting at 5:30pm-ish. Bring a blanket, chairs or just find a comfy spot on the grass and let’s PARTY!
We’ll have donation-collection containers should anyone be inclined to help us raise funds toward our Race & Equity and Diversity & Inclusion PTA initiatives, which includes bringing in speakers, holding workshops, professional development, and adding anti-bias library materials along the subject matters of RACE, EQUITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION to empower our students, their families, and our community.
We are still looking for acoustic musical/entertainment performers and LGBTQ agencies whom are willing to donate their talent, time, and information on the playground to entertain our families, friends, neighbors, et. al. Please contact Ebony Lee or Janay Destello at pta@sanislo.org if you can help.
Sanislo is on Puget Ridge, at 1812 SW Myrtle.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
7:06 AM: Good morning! No incidents/alerts for our area so ar.
STADIUM ZONE TONIGHT: 7:10 pm Mariners home game vs. the Orioles, which means the Water Taxi runs later.
FERRY WORK AGAIN TONIGHT: Continued work at the Fauntleroy terminal tonight, so some late-night Triangle Route cancellations.
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