West Seattle, Washington
16 Friday
(December 27, 2022, photo by Deb Holbrook)
King tides have swamped Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza multiple times in recent years, and that’s just part of why many of the inscribed bricks that comprise much of the plaza have faded into illegibility. A suggestion for restoring them was brought to the Alki Community Council last night, from one of the community advocates who made the plaza happen 15 years ago. She wonders what you think of the idea.
Libby Carr doesn’t live in West Seattle now, but did in the mid-’00s, when she and husband Paul Carr fought bureaucracy and amassed serious fundraising to first recast the statue and then create a new base for it and a plaza befitting it. The statue was re-dedicated in 2007, the plaza a year later. A major part of the fundraising came from selling more than 3,000 inscribed bricks and plaques. Now, after almost 15 years of wind, waves, and sand, it’s all but impossible to go to the plaza and find “your” brick.
Libby Carr told the ACC that her research has turned up someone who says he could reinscribe the bricks with a method that would be much longer-lasting. He estimated the 3,003 bricks could be reinscribed for about $60,000. The cost of removing and replacing them would have to be determined, though. But Carr sees a way to cover much if not all the costs: She says the ramp down to the plaza, built some years later, could hold 29 inscribed plaques that could be sold for $5.000 each, raising $145,000 for starters, more than double what it would cost to fix the bricks.
In the years since the plaza was dedicated, a maintenance fund – left over from the $350,000 raised for the plaza and statue – has seen Parks and the ACC partner on keeping the plaza maintained, but they’ve tried many ways to protect and restore the inscribed bricks, without much success. But Carr had a key question: Does the community care? Are West Seattleites – both those who bought bricks/plaques and those who did not – interested? “Is there will and desire in the community to do this all over?” (If you have a thought either way, consider commenting below.) The ACC agreed to talk about this again at its next meeting. Carr said she’d be happy to come back.
Two other topics of note:
ALKI ART FAIR: Its longtime leader Giovannina Souers brought this year’s toplines. Three days again this year, July 21st through 23rd, 2 pm-8 pm Friday, 10 am-8 pm Saturday, 10 am-6 pm Sunday. They have more than 80 artists lined up for this year. The AAF is a nonprofit, and powered by volunteers – Souers says more are needed, as well as a vice president who will then step up to president (she has been president off and on for the festival’s quarter-century of existence and is about to have to step down again due to term limitation). You can find out how to get involved via the Alki Art Fair website.
ALKI BEACH PRIDE: Roger Starkweather was there with an early Alki Beach Pride preview. Biggest change this year – a street party on Alki Avenue SW. It will be closed from Harry’s Beach House to Blue Moon Burgers for activities noon-7 pm on August 20th; then there’ll be a movie at Alki Playfield at 8 pm. ABP will feature a beer garden, entertainment, kids’ activities, vendors, and more. They’re expecting about a thousand people to attend. “It’s not about a big show, it’s about community.” They’re still accepting vendor applications, too.
Alki Community Council meets at 7 pm on the third Thursday of most months, in person at Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds) and online via Zoom.
7:13 PM: Thanks for the tip. Almost 500 customers have lost power in The Junction – the City Light map shows it’s mostly along California between Genesee and Edmunds. No word yet on the cause.
7:39 PM: We are in the area looking around. California businesses south of Alaska appear to have power. 42nd/Alaska signal is out. A City Light truck is by Junction Plaza Park.
7:50 PM: The other businesses – and signals – on California have power too. Jefferson Square appears OK too. But the 42nd/Alaska signal is still dark. (4-way stop!)
8:14 PM: The SCL map now confirms what commenters have said – “bird/animal contact” is blamed for the outage.
8:25 PM: Morgan reports that some businesses are out in the south half of the east side of the block between Oregon and Alaska.
9:40 PM: A few customers have their power back – SCL shows 469 still out.
10:37 AM: The outage has vanished from the map. If you’re still out, though, be sure to call City Light and let them know (206-684-3000).
Thanks to Kay for the photo and tip from Highland Park Way/Holden. She reported that no-parking signs had gone up for “Monday through mid-July,” and wondered if this meant the start of improvements at the intersection including the permanent signal replacing the temporary one that went up days after the West Seattle Bridge closed. Not yet, says SDOT spokesperson Ethan Bergerson:
Crews are planning to visit the intersection this month to verify where underground utilities are located so that we can confirm the exact location to install the new traffic signal poles. This will involve digging and then re-filling some small holes in the ground so that we can get a better look at what’s underneath the pavement.
We’re still working out the timeline for the installation of both the art and the signal poles. The biggest unknown right now is the supply chain timeline for signal poles, as the delivery date is outside of our control and it often takes a while to obtain this part. Once the signal poles arrive and are installed in the ground, the final step will be to work with Seattle City Light to hook up power so that the new traffic signal can be turned on.
The art to which he referred is this – a giant Steller’s Jay.
4:04 PM: Thanks for the tips. Juneau is blocked between Delridge and 25th SW because of a standoff with someone in a unit at the Longfellow Creek Apartments. Police would only tell us that they’ve been trying to serve a warrant on someone who does not want to cooperate.
We don’t yet know what the warrant is for.
4:45 PM: If you’re in the area, note that officers have warned dispatch (in case of phone calls) that SWAT plans to use a device you might hear from a distance.
5:44 PM: The suspect is reported to be in custody.
6:07 PM: And here’s what SPD tells us about what led to this: “Police responded to a report of a suspicious circumstance in the 5900 block of Delridge WY SW around 11:15 a.m. It was reported a man attempted to take a child from a nearby business without authorization. Staff were able to intervene and the child was safely returned to his legal guardians. Afterwards, the 39-year-old male suspect barricaded himself within his residence. SWAT served a search warrant and took the man into custody. He will be booked into King County Jail for attempted kidnapping.”
SATURDAY UPDATE: Though we aren’t likely to be able to get the paperwork from prosecutors until Tuesday, the jail register shows the suspect had a bail hearing today and that his bail was set at $200,000.
3:02 PM: From John, who lives in Highland Park and (corrected) works at the KAVU store in South Delridge:
Our KAVU Company truck was stolen from outside an employee’s house last night in Burien. It is a 2013 Ford F-150 Pickup. License plate: KAVU
We’ll add the report number – which will be a KCSO/Burien PD case – when we get it.
5:42 PM: John says the truck’s been found – in Federal Way.
Starting next week, the building housing the community-staffed/funded Westside Neighbors Network Shelter, West Seattle Veteran Center, and American Legion Post 160 is getting a new roof – donated by area businesses. Adaptive Roofing is installing it in partnership with Malarkey Roofing Products, Stoneway Roofing Supply, Do It Right Roofing, and DTG Recycle. From the announcement (which you can read in full here):
… Recognizing the urgent need for a new roof at the Westside Neighbors Network Shelter, Sean Sternberg, the owner of Adaptive Roofing, felt compelled to utilize his resources and reach out to the community for support. Adaptive Roofing has taken the initiative to spearhead this project and ensure the shelter’s longevity and functionality.
Malarkey Roofing Products … has generously donated high-quality roofing materials for the project. With Malarkey Roofing Products’ expertise and dedication to sustainable roofing practices, the new roof will not only enhance the shelter’s resilience but also contribute to its energy efficiency and long-term cost savings.
Stoneway Roofing Supply has joined this noble cause by generously donating the remaining materials required for the renovation. … Do It Right Roofing, a local roofing contractor with a passion for community involvement, has stepped up by providing skilled labor for the installation of the new roof. … DTG Recycle … has come forward to support the project by donating the use of dumpsters.
Keith Hughes, who founded the shelter and leads the Veteran Center/Legion post, estimates this donation to be worth at least $90.000. The shelter/center’s current roof is at least 40 years old.
Thanks for the tips. The latest West Seattle business hit by crash-and-grab burglars is Tulip’s Nail Salon in Jefferson Square. According to archived police-radio audio, it happened just after 4 am, with the burglars using two vehicles to back into the storefront – a black SUV and tan pickup, last seen headed south on 42nd SW.
When we went over this morning after readers told us about seeing the damage, we found a police officer back for a followup, though store owner/staffers weren’t there. The officer said they’d been told the burglars stole “a small statue of Buddha” (its former spot is in our second photo) and a “small amount of cash.” If you have any information, the SPD case # is 23-167367.
(WSB photo, earlier this month)
A full year has now passed since we first told you that the burger chain Five Guys was taking over the ex-Payless spot on the south side of Westwood Village. Today, we have official info for the first time. We pinged the company again (past inquiries had gone unanswered) after WSB reader Rick noticed the website had finally been updated with a page for this location and the declaration that it would open in July. A company spokesperson confirms that, telling WSB, “We are hoping for an end-of-July opening. Hiring is underway. This store will have dine-in, delivery, and large-order program options.” Hours will be 11 am-10 pm, seven days a week.
(Photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
The last weekend of spring – summer officially arrives 7:57 am Wednesday (June 21) – is about to begin. To kick it off, here’s what’s on the schedule for today/tonight, mostly as featured on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
HOT BEVERAGE BENEFIT: Go to Hotwire Coffee (4410 California SW) today and mention you’re there for the Genesee Hill Elementary PTA, and they’ll get part of the proceeds.
GARDEN CENTER OPEN: Need more plants for your garden, containers, etc.? You can shop at the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) Garden Center, open with a wide variety of plants, until 3 pm. (North end of campus, 6000 16th SW)
JAPANESE STORY TIME: 10:30 am at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), Japanese-language story time led by Sayoko.
SPRAYPARK OPEN: 11 am-8 pm, whatever the weather, Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale) is open daily.
SCRABBLE CLUB: You’re invited to play 12:30-1:30 pm at Margie’s Café inside the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon).
VISCON CELLARS: Stop by Viscon Cellars (WSB sponsor) for wine by the glass or bottle, 5-9 pm (5910 California SW).
PAPA TONY’S POP-UP: 5-8 pm today and tomorrow at Mission Cantina</a> (2325 California SW), you can sample and/or buy the award-winning, made-in-West-Seattle sauce.
SINGER-SONGWRITER OPEN MIC: Monthly event at Kenyon Hall (7904 35th SW) – signups at 6 pm, music starts at 6:30 pm.
SILENT DISCO: At Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza (61st/Alki), 7-9:30 pm, dance like no one can hear you!
LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: Filthy Fifth, Altigi, Mydnyte, funk at The Skylark , doors at 7, music at 8 (3803 Delridge Way SW).
PRIDEFEST PREFUNK: 9 pm-midnight at Admiral Pub (2305 California SW), a night of fun to get you ready for tomorrow’s Pridefest.
Something to add to our calendar? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Family and friends are remembering Bill Schilling Sr. and sharing this with the community:
William R. “Bill” Schilling Sr. beloved son, husband, father, brother, son-in-law, cousin, and friend, passed on Oct. 25, 2022, in Brunswick, GA.
Bill was born July 30, 1956, in Seattle, to Albert A. and Rufina Migawa Schilling. He enjoyed the carefree life of growing up in Seattle – or as he called it, “The Great Northwest,” surrounded by family and friends. He always loved the outdoors, hiking, fishing, boating, camping, biking, skiing, golfing, running marathons, bowling, football, basketball at the field house, swimming being a PADI National approved skin diver and continued them throughout his life. Along with his interest in sports and the great outdoors, he enjoyed travel, especially cruising, NASCAR, learning news daily, making a big batch of his delicious homemade “Bill’s K.A. spaghetti” as he called it, chess, games, history, photography, gardening, and was a national online cribbage champion.
Upon graduation in 1974 from Evergreen High School, Bill began work and attended Highline Community College. A neighbor suggested he might enjoy working in the parking industry, and that he did. His chosen career spanned 48 years in parking transportation management, serving all segments of commercial parking for such nationally recognized companies as System Parking/Standard, Century, Park N’ Fly, AAA Parking, Compass Parking, Sea Island Co. and I&L FMS – FLETC/Department of Homeland Security. Having been promoted corporately, he resided in Seattle, Chicago, Atlanta, Los Angeles and on the Georgia coast.
As a “key man” executive Bill worked tirelessly, learning as he worked from the ground up throughout his storied career of six decades in the parking/transportation business. He originated business and performed corporate operations management involving corporate contracts and business transactions, oversight of personnel and developed corporate strategies while managing the day-to-day business of parking automobiles. He enjoyed longstanding business relationships with experienced professionals, commercial real estate managers, property owners and managers, vendors, boards of directors, international committees, sporting events, high-profile Hollywood production teams, corporate CEOs, local and state officials-even the Georgia Governor. Having hired, trained and promoted many executives he was affectionately called “The Parking Guru” and sincerely practiced a “team” approach in his management style; always being ready to roll up his shirt sleeves and pitch in to do whatever the job was with the team. He led by example. Bill was known for his top professionalism, dependability, quick wit, humor, loyalty, fairness, promoting employees from within, kindness, above all he enjoyed delivering the highest and best service for everyone. He practiced “Team” in his business and personal life.
A few celebrated career highlights – recipient of prestigious BOMA Award-CBRE L.A., opening of new highrise office towers, luxury hotels, off-site airport, office-retail malls, hospitals, universities, city wide and regional management; The Atlanta Olympic Games Committee Company representative; Pasadena Rose Parades, The Emmys, The Oscars, Super Bowl XXXIV Company rep Auto point person keys to players, Dodger Stadium, The Georgia Dome and Georgia World Congress Center and oversight of special and private events. He regaled us with stories of meeting famous celebrities, movie stars and musicians, U.S. Senators, and a cherished lifelong honor to meet and shake hands with Papa Bear George Halas, a founder of the NFL. Let’s just say, Bill knew Pro Football.
Bill loved people and led a life of service and care of others, not only in career pursuits. His hospitality knew no bounds, whether it be entertaining or opening our home to others -he gave of his heart, his time and talents to others, which is what his parents taught him – for service to God. He found great joy in volunteering in his early days as an unpaid volunteer firefighter in Seattle while attending college working full-time, founding an annual charitable corporate golf event, serving at Mount Bethel United Methodist Church, in Marietta, GA; a company United Way employee rep, a union employee rep, building Habitat for Humanity homes, sponsoring missionary teams, giving donations to others, rescuing animals, helping neighbors, coaching his son’s soccer, basketball, football, and Little League teams, as well as once saving a little girl, Bettina, from drowning at Hicks Lake.
Bill and the family loved and enjoyed family pets especially “Dylan the Wonder Dog”-who with his athleticism was a celebrity in the Seattle Times, “Rowdy,” who lived up to his name, “Missy” Miss Q who he couldn’t contain, would scale 10 ft walls in 10 sec flat and “Raider” the most lovable Lab”, “Twitter Bird” the rescue Mockingbird that fell from the nest and he trained to jump from one hand to the other before releasing. Together they shared fun times and adventures with family, friends and neighbors including cookouts, trips to visit grandparents and relatives, friends, sports, concerts, events, cruises and vacations across the U.S.A, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean, as well their lake cabin in the NC mountains. No matter where he roamed, his favorite place was Lincoln Park, hiking amongst the fern grotto, overlooking the ferries and sunsets. Bill was a proud American and he loved America and its great history. He encouraged Bren and Bill Jr. in their genealogical pursuits and together they attended many historic places and patriotic events, especially being a part of The 400th Anniversary of The Jamestowne Society Founding of America weekend in Williamsburg.
He is predeceased by his mother, Rufina Rose Migawa Schilling; and father, Albert Arthur Edward Schilling; a brother, Patrick Schilling, all of Seattle.
Left to cherish his memory are his beloved wife of 36 years, Brenda Kellam Schilling; son, William R. Schilling Jr. of Brunswick; brother, Dennis J. (Cathleen) Schilling of Burien; sister, Penny (David) Anderson-Gill; nieces, Ashley Anderson-Gill and Diana L. Schilling; and nephew, Kevin Schilling, cousin Arthur Schilling of Washington; mother-in-law, Zelma Ruth Burgan Kellam of Atlanta, as well as many family, friends, neighbors and business associates across the country.
Honorary pallbearers are Michael Gossler, Joseph Renner, Joel Wattum, Michael Wenderoth, Charles Stone, Anthony Clay, Oliver Howard, Samuel Howard, John Randall, Arthur Schilling, and Eric Schilling.
Bill was a Member of Mount Bethel United Methodist Church, in Marietta, Georgia and a Life Member of The National Parking Association.
The visitation, memorial service and celebration of life reception was held at noon on Saturday, June 10, 2023, at College Place Methodist Church, in Brunswick, Georgia with the Rev. Scott Stanfill officiating. Inurnment will be at Lee’s Chapel Cemetery, in Tunnel Hill, Georgia.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)
6:00 AM: Good morning. Welcome to Friday, June 16th!
WEATHER & SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Today’s forecast: Mostly cloudy, high near 70. Cool and damp weekend expected. Today’s sunrise was at 5:11 am; sunset will be at 9:09 pm.
SCHOOL YEAR ENDING
Here’s our list of when local schools get out for summer – today is the last day for pretty much everyone who isn’t out, except Seattle Public Schools, which have two more weeks (no school Monday for Juneteenth).
TRANSIT
Metro – Regular schedule, but trip cancellations and temporary route suspensions can and do happen at any time. (Monday, Metro is on a regular weekday schedule.)
Water Taxi – Continuing the spring/summer schedule, including late-evening runs on Friday and Saturday nights. (Monday, the WSWT will be on a Sunday schedule for Juneteenth.)
Washington State Ferries‘ Triangle Route continues on the 2-boat schedule; sailing cancellations remain possible on short notice, so check here for alerts/updates and see Vessel Watch for boats’ locations.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Henderson), cameras are also up at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Orchard, and Delridge/Oregon.
High Bridge – the main camera:
High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):
Low Bridge – east-end vicinity:
1st Ave. S. Bridge – alternate route across the river:
Highway 99: – northbound side at Lander.
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: See all working traffic cams citywide here, most with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.
BRIDGE INFO: Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed to see if the city’s movable bridges are opening for vessel traffic.
If you see trouble on the bridges/streets/paths/bay, please text or call us (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities). Thank you!
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