West Seattle, Washington
30 Thursday
(WSB photo)
Police are looking for the driver suspected in a hit-and-run that allegedly started with a suspected car prowl. They tell us the victim saw what appeared to be a car prowl in progress in the area (39th SW and SW Oregon), tried to stop it, and then was hit by the suspect making a getaway in his own car. The victim’s injuries are not life-threatening – he’s on the way to the hospital in a private ambulance. We heard only a fragment of a description of the suspect’s car – silver – but will be following up. (Added: Silver or gold older Camaro.)
(Map from July 2015 slide deck about 35th SW plan)
The long-promised meeting about what’s next for 35th Avenue SW has finally been set by SDOT. We’ve been checking the project webpage for word of the next community meeting, and today it’s been updated. So if you are interested in what’s happened with the 35th SW changes so far, and what’s ahead, get it in your calendar now – here’s the date and place:
7-9 pm Thursday, August 4th
Neighborhood House’s High Point Center (6400 Sylvan Way SW)
That’s the same place SDOT held meetings a year ago to announce Phase 1 of the rechannelization (“road diet”) plan for 35th, south of Morgan. At the time, SDOT project manager Jim Curtin said plans for north of Morgan would be discussed this year; when we most recently checked in with him a month ago, he expected the first meeting would be set for the middle of this month, but it’s been clear that plan slid again. He told WSB then that the discussion of Phase 2 would be in tandem with early discussions of the next neighborhood greenway in West Seattle, but right now the webpage just says the August 4th meeting will be “to learn more about our plans to further enhance safety on 35th Avenue SW.” More to come.
Early today, a reader tip led to our report about a gunfire arrest in the 4100 block of 25th SW late last night. This afternoon, new details, including this Seattle Police photo of the gun that officers say was involved:
Here’s what SPD’s Jonah Spangenthal-Lee just published via SPD Blotter:
Seattle police arrested a 29-year-old felon late last night after the man reportedly conducted his own 4th of July celebration by firing an assault rifle into the air in West Seattle.
Officers were patrolling near the 4100 block of 25th Avenue Southwest around 11:30 PM when they heard the sounds of gunfire. They began driving through the neighborhood and were soon flagged down by several people …
Witnesses told police a group of men had emerged from home on the block and fired a rifle into the air before going back inside the house.
Officers went to the home, contacted 10 people inside, and arrested the 29-year-old resident. He admitted he had fired his AK-47-style assault rifle in the air following a celebratory round of fireworks at his home.
Police found the gun stashed behind a washing machine in the home and booked the man – who is a convicted felon and unable to legally possess firearms – into the King County Jail for unlawful possession of a firearm. No one was injured in the incident.
Thanks to Kay and Jissy for the tip: If you’re going to a local Seattle Public Library branch, be aware the West Seattle-area branches (Delridge, High Point, Southwest, Admiral, South Park) have been having computer trouble today. We just confirmed this with SPL spokesperson Andra Addison. It’s blamed on a fire affecting fiber optic lines, and while we don’t have specifics, apparently it was last night’s fire in the 4800 block of Delridge – not near the library, but the initial burst of flame was so huge (see the reader photo added to our story) that it may well have affected utilities. We’re trying to find out more; Addison says repairs are in progress.
Our area’s biggest party of the year is just three days away! West Seattle Summer Fest starts Friday. Here’s what you need to know right now:
*Streets close to motorized-vehicle traffic starting Thursday night at 6 pm for setup and Summer Fest Eve festivities, and stay closed until breakdown and cleanup are concluded late Sunday night
*Closure zone is California SW, from just south of Genesee to just north of Edmunds, with SW Oregon open for east-west through traffic, and SW Alaska between 44th and 42nd
*Festival hours are 10 am-6 pm on Friday and Saturday, with music running later those nights, then 11 am-5 pm on Sunday
*One main stage for music, the California Stage – the lineup’s here
*You’ll also find some music among the events at GreenLife, on the west side of California just north of the south end of the festival zone – details are on the Sustainable West Seattle website
*The kids’ zone is back, with both free activities and buy-tickets/bracelets rides
*Who’s in the vendor booths this year? See the list here
*Who’s selling food and where? The list has both visiting vendors and Junction eateries with sidewalk plans
*In the heart of the festival, California/Alaska, you’ll find the Information Tent, where Team WSB is joined again by community-group volunteers to answer your Summer Fest questions, and local nonprofits helping you learn more about what they do
Our next preview, later today, will have more details about Summer Fest Eve on Thursday night!
(Bald eagle visiting Luna Park on the 4th, photographed by LS)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
LOW-LOW TIDE, WITH A GUIDE: 10:30 am-2:15 pm, Seattle Aquarium’s volunteer beach naturalists are at Constellation and Lincoln Parks again to answer your questions about what you’re seeing and how to explore the shore with care, during another low-low tide – which hits its lowest point, -2.7 feet, at 12:07 pm.
PARENTING CLASS BEGINS: Check to see if there’s still room in the discounted six-Tuesday-night “Parenting with Positive Discipline” series starting tonight at Fauntleroy Church, 6-8 pm Tuesdays.
WEST SEATTLE BIKE CONNECTIONS: 6:30 pm, monthly meeting at HomeStreet Bank (WSB sponsor) in The Junction. (41st SW/SW Alaska)
FREE OUTDOOR CONCERT: The new “Music Under the Stars” series in the park outside Delridge Community Center begins tonight. At 7:15 pm, a chamber ensemble will perform live; then at 8, the Seattle Chamber Music Society‘s Benaroya Hall concert will be streamed live. The series continues for the next three Mondays. Free and family-friendly! (4501 Delridge Way SW)
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
7:05 AM: Some are continuing their holiday weekend today, and traffic volumes are reported to be lighter than the usual weekend around the region. No incidents this morning in/from West Seattle, so far.
LOOKING AHEAD: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday bring West Seattle Summer Fest to the heart of The Junction – filling California SW between Edmunds and Genesee, SW Alaska between 44th and 42nd. Our previews resume today. Metro’s festival-related reroutes aren’t up yet but we’ll spotlight them as soon as they are.
7:15 AM – BUS CANCELLATION: Just texted and tweeted by Metro, a few minutes after the fact:
Transit Alert – The last Route 37 to downtown Seattle due to leave SW Alaska St & 35 Av SW at 7:13 AM has been canceled this morning.
— King County Metro (@kcmetrobus) July 5, 2016
ADDED: In case you wondered – SDOT confirms to WSB that the remaining Fauntleroy Expressway work is on hold because of last Friday’s incident that left one worker dead and another hurt. So no bridge closures until further notice.
(WSB photos)
2:11 AM: If you’ve heard yet another round of sirens – this time it’s a “heavy rescue” response sent to a reported rollover crash in High Point, near 30th and Graham. Scanner indicates the response is already being scaled down.
2:26 AM: The car is upside down on a block of Graham lined with townhouses. It damaged at least two parked cars, according to one car’s owner, who says two people were in the car that flipped. One person can be heard loudly sobbing that they were going home and trying to get away from someone. No life-threatening injuries apparent.
Thanks to Nicholas for the tip: Police arrested a man in North Delridge after he was reported to have been “seen firing numerous rounds from a rifle up into the air,” in the 4100 block of 25th SW, Southwest Precinct Lt. Alan Williams confirms. He says officers found the rifle and “spent shell casings … in the front yard.” No damage or injury reported; the suspect was expected to be booked into jail.
One more Independence Day event to mention before we get too far past the holiday:
Thanks to Clay Eals at the Southwest Seattle Historical Society for sharing a photo and video from the SWSHS’s 4th of July picnic at the Log House Museum. This year’s special highlight: Music from the West Seattle Community Orchestras‘ Brass Sextet. You’ll hear some of it in the clip, as well as the orchestras’ founder Toni Reineke talking about their interest in new members.
WSCO signups resume next month.
11:56 PM: Another fire call – four units are headed for what’s initially listed as a “dumpster fire with exposure” (meaning possible risk to a building nearby) in the 1800 block of SW Roxbury, city side. We’re monitoring.
12:02 AM: The call’s been scaled down.
(Added: Photo by Christopher Zeigler)
ORIGINAL REPORT, 9:54 PM: SFD is sending a full ‘fire in building’ response to the 4800 block of Delridge Way. More to come.
(WSB photos from here)
10:12 PM: Info via scanner was impossible to get, so we’re finally at the scene to see what’s going on. Delridge is blocked off at Hudson.
10:22 PM: The fire was at a house across from Pearls coffee/tea shop. It was caused by a propane BBQ, SFD tells us, NOT fireworks related.
A woman and child got out safely. No injuries.
11:03 PM: Back at HQ and adding photos. The fire damage was largely confined to the front of the house. We won’t be able to go back and check on the road but should be open again, since SFD has closed this call completely, meaning no engines left on scene.
(REPORT #1, published during the parade, is here)
With the anthem by Aine …
And the countdown featuring new parade coordinator Emily Williams (with son Nash) alongside King County Executive Dow Constantine (with toddler daughter Sabrina) and Mayor Ed Murray …
.. after the elected officials’ amazingly abbreviated speeches:
Shortest speech by an elected official ever! @MayorEdMurray before Admiral parade: pic.twitter.com/JbJBlyOeG1
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) July 4, 2016
… this morning’s West Seattle 4th of July Kids’ Parade was on, with the familiar blue pickup and West Seattle Hi-Yu Junior Court in the lead:
Everybody left from 44th/Sunset as usual, just south of the mini-stage used for the pre-parade speeches and song, and the crowd stretched for blocks:
This year we didn’t get the entire parade on video … but here’s a spirited stretch toward the California crossing:
So much creativity went into the decorations and costumes:
Plenty of variety in the parade participants’ modes of transportation:
Also on two wheels – these members of the Seattle Police parade-escort contingent:
Yet more bicycling paraders in this added bit of video:
Once the parade arrived at Hamilton Viewpoint Park, it was sack-race time:
Also concession time – while the Admiral Neighborhood Association‘s popsicles and bottles of water were mostly sold from a booth, they had roamers too, including ANA past president David Whiting:
And community businesses who sponsored the parade had booths for families to visit – we caught up with three WSB sponsors, A Kids’ Place Too Dentistry:
Mode Music Studios (which offered an art activity at the post-parade festival):
And Second Gear Sports (where you can buy and consign gently used gear):
Also seen at the park – shoutout to the Hinsley Family:
Also seen at the parade: an elected official who didn’t take the stage – King County Council Chair and congressional candidate Joe McDermott:
That’s Betsy Hoffmeister with him. After the parade, he was headed to the new-citizen ceremony downtown – another patriotic 4th of July tradition.
Last but not least, Hamilton Viewpoint sightings that reminded us of what’s yet to come this summer:
That’s West Seattle-based Seafair Clown “Officer Lumpy,” who, with his fellow clowns, has many more parades ahead, including the West Seattle Grand Parade on July 23rd, where you’ll also see this bus that was on display at the park too:
WestSide Baby’s trademark diaper-drive bus was there to collect donations and to remind you this is their big month – culminating in Stuff the Bus day at HomeStreet Bank (WSB sponsor) in The Junction on July 24th. In the meantime – stand by for even more West Seattle summer fun!
Hate to have to remind you, but if you’re driving somewhere to watch fireworks tonight … don’t leave anything in your car. Not even while it’s just parked in front of your house. If you still haven’t gotten that message, we have two more car prowl reports:
FROM FAUNTLEROY: “Seattle Sparkle” posted this in the WSB Forums – a break-in last night in the 9100 block of 45th SW [map], and “they took a quilt gifted to us by a friend and our granddaughter’s favorite Hello Kitty sequin jacket. If you see either of these things tossed please contact me.- the tag on the blanket said Sew Sew Ginger and my granddaughter’s jacket was a 3T. They also took prescription glasses, a Peek 2-4 year green hoodie, a butterfly umbrella, a dry cleaning receipt, and a Boots London canvas bag (presumably to carry everything in). Keep your belongings out of your car and stay safe!”
FROM EAST ADMIRAL: Early Sunday, writes a texter from the 3700 block of Belvidere [map], “there were numerous cars and people enjoying the holiday and the beautiful outside weather. Amongst the noise, around 1 am, we heard a car door opening. Unbeknownst to us, it was our car door and someone was going through our things. Later that morning on our way out, we saw all the items typically in the middle console, haphazardly thrown throughout the car. We accidentally left our car door open, and a very opportunistic criminal went through our car. Please let everyone know to be careful.” The “only thing of value” they’re missing is a checkbook.
WSB crime coverage is archived here. We also keep a link list under the aggregated local Tweets by Beat on our Crime Watch page.
Just under three weeks before you see the West Seattle Hi-Yu float in the WS Grand Parade on July 23rd, here’s a sneak peek, as Seattle’s last traveling neighborhood float carried Hi-Yu royalty in this afternoon’s Burien 4th of July Parade. Thanks to Jim Edwards (longtime co-coordinator of the West Seattle parade and director of the WS Big Band) for the photo!
Minus the float, Hi-Yu also participated in this morning’s Admiral 4th of July Kids’ Parade (here’s our brief first report published during the parade; we’re putting together video and many more photos right now for report #2 later this evening), and you’ll see them at West Seattle Summer Fest next weekend, including the crowning of new Senior Court Queen Haley Beebe on the main stage at 11:30 am Saturday (July 9th).
After many previews, today was finally the day to party:
(WSB photos by Torin Record-Sand)
Colman Pool on the shore at Lincoln Park is now three-quarters of a century old. Opening day was July 4th, 1941. Among those who gathered to celebrate the milestone, members of the Sears family, with a third-generation pool operator now on board:
The story is told in detail by Judy Pickens in the newest Fauntleroy Community Association newsletter: Mark Sears is retiring from 43 years at Colman Pool, most of them in the operator/grounds caretaker role previously held by his dad Norm Sears. And his successor is daughter Maya Sears:
She has already been with Seattle Parks for a decade, including as the manager of its wading-pool system (which includes a pool just a short stroll uphill from Colman). This morning’s party celebrated the pool’s present and future, as well as its past, in many ways. More of its history was presented by speakers including Jean Carroll, one of the first two people to swim in Colman Pool, practicing on July 3rd, 1941, to be part of the celebration the next day:
Last weekend, we featured Southwest Seattle Historical Society executive director Clay Eals‘s video of her memories.
Also today, a diving demonstration:
A demonstration of “fancy diving” also was part of the 1941 opening celebration, according to a clipping in this KUOW story; another 1941 participant listed in the clipping was Gary Gaffner, that year’s “King Neptune” (and a descendant of a member of the Denny Party), who spoke today as well:
Back in the water, members of the lifeguard staff demonstrated the rescue skills they all have but hope never to have to use:
A lifelong aquatics professional who knows those skills well, Coy Jones, was today’s emcee:
Two “mermaids,” Essie and Cyanea, took a turn performing:
At noon, the party made way for the first swim session of the day, after former lifeguards and current and former pool staffers shared their memories open-microphone style.
There’s so much more to the history of Colman Pool – you can read a bit in Lori Hinton‘s West Seattle 101 essay, and more in HistoryLink.org‘s page about Kenneth Colman, who presented the pool to the city in memory of his father Laurence Colman. Colman Pool is only open part of the year, for obvious reasons – its preseason weekends start before Memorial Day, and by late June it’s operating 7 days a week, until Labor Day, which will be followed by one post-season weekend this year, according to the official brochure. If you’ve never been … don’t miss it.
12:57 PM: One surprise so far today: A GoodYear Blimp flyby:
(Photo by Scott Borton)
Thanks to everybody who texted and sent photos! We were at Hamilton Viewpoint Park, covering post-West Seattle 4th of July Kids’ Parade festivities, when someone texted that the blimp had flown over Burien and was headed this way; minutes later, we spotted it over Elliott Bay. While the GoodYear Blimp website includes a comprehensive schedule, it doesn’t mention a Seattle stop during its current Northwest visit – via Twitter, we see it was in Chehalis last night.
(Photo by Don Brubeck)
GoodYear actually has more than one blimp – this one is the semi-recently-moved-to-California Spirit of Innovation, 10 years old and due to be retired next year.
P.S. If you want to check on its whereabouts, use your favorite flight tracker and look for N4A. We’re seeing it near Whidbey Island right now.
ADDED 1:51 PM: One more photo – while reviewing our photographer’s images from the Colman Pool 75th-anniversary party, we noticed the blimp was overhead while members of the Sears family – longtime pool operators – were at centerstage:
(WSB photo by Torin Record-Sand)
(A separate story about the pool celebration is coming up.)
10:20 AM: The parade is on! Just started, heading west from 44th and Sunset. The route turns east on Atlantic, which is where SPD will stop traffic so the parade can cross to Hamilton Viewpoint Park.
10:51 AM: The parade has finished crossing California and is headed into the park for sack races.
11:25 AM: The races just started. And the Admiral Neighborhood Association’s concession sales:
Seattle Fire Engine 29, which was part of the parade, is here for tours:
More photos, and some video, later!
(West Seattle Corporate Center flag at Delridge/Andover, photographed by Shmelvin)
As usual, your “what’s happening in West Seattle on Independence Day” is all in one place – our one-page guide, here.
(Bald eagle, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
The slate starts with the West Seattle 4th of July Kids’ Parade in Admiral at 10 am (bring diapers for WestSide Baby!). That’s also when Seattle Aquarium beach naturalists will be out at Constellation and Lincoln Parks, until 1 pm, for today’s low-low tide:
(Octopus at Constellation Park, photographed by Vincent Della Pella)
You can also visit Colman Pool without getting in the water.
(WSB photo from Sunday)
The 75th anniversary celebration starts at 10:15 am. (It’s open for swimming at noon as usual.) And it’s a bonus day for tours of historic Alki Point Lighthouse:
(June photo by Melanie)
Tours start at 1 pm. Again, these are just part of what’s in our guide, which includes today’s transit changes, fireworks-viewing suggestions, and more. We’ll be out covering the holiday happenings, so check back for updates, and have a great 4th!
(WSB photos)
11:15 PM: Several Seattle Fire crews are responding to the 9200 block of 9th SW, where multiple reports are coming in about an apparent brush fire. The first crews arriving say it’s close to a fence but not to a house, and they suspect fireworks, so they’re calling for SPD. We’re en route to check it out.
11:35 PM: Fire charred a yard. Out now, no one hurt. SPD officers are here investigating, as is SFD’s marshal.
11:48 PM: So far, fire investigators tell us, they believe this was indeed fireworks-related. Damage was limited to the yard; a nearby car is covered in ash. One neighbor told us she has a 9-month-old baby who couldn’t sleep because of the noise. Crews are packing up to leave.
With this year’s West Seattle Grand Parade less than three weeks away – July 23rd – the Grand Marshals have just been announced – the Schmitz Family:
The West Seattle Grand Parade organization has selected the Schmitz Family as the 2016 Grand Marshals of the parade for their generations of public service and generosity to the West Seattle community.
Dietrich and Vicki Schmitz (WSB photo above) will represent the extended family in the parade, which steps off on July 23rd at 11:00 am on California Ave SW from Lander to Edmunds. Dietrich is a great-grandson of Ferdinand and Emma Schmitz and the son of Alan (deceased) and Vicki Schmitz.
German immigrants Ferdinand Schmitz and Emma Althof married in Seattle just after the Great Fire of 1889. They spent their honeymoon sleeping in a tent, like other Seattleites made homeless by the fire. Ferdinand became a successful businessman. He acquired choice shore and timber properties in West Seattle, which contributed to a large, multi-acre family homestead. He served on the City Council and on the Park Commission Board.
From their homestead, Ferdinand and Emma donated most of the acreage for Schmitz Preserve Park, which lies east of Alki Point. The park contains one of the last stands of old-growth forest in the city and will remain in its natural state forever.
After Ferdinand’s death, Emma donated 17 acres at 4503 Beach Drive SW for the Emma Schmitz Overlook, offering stunning views of the Olympic Mountains.
The four Schmitz children continued their parents’ legacy of public service and generosity to the West Seattle community. After Emma’s death, together the children donated 7 acres adjacent to Schmitz Preserve Park upon which Schmitz Park Elementary School was built.
Individually the children continued their parents’ legacy as well.
Dr. Henry Schmitz was dean of Minnesota’s School of Agriculture, Forestry, Home Economics, and Veterinary Medicine and became the 24th President of the University of Washington. The university’s administration building, Schmitz Hall, was named in his honor. Ferdinand Schmitz Jr. was an executive of PACCAR, President of Smith Berger Industries and a longtime supporter of Lighthouse for the Blind. Emma Schmitz Hartman was a board member of United Way and the Salvation Army and National President of the Camp Fire Girls. Dietrich G. Schmitz, a lifelong West Seattle resident, was president of Washington Mutual Savings Bank for 33 years and sat on the boards of the Boeing Company for 30 years and the Seattle School Board for 33 years, the longest tenure in school-board history. Alan Schmitz, Dietrich’s son, also a lifelong resident of West Seattle, was an Eagle Scout, Scoutmaster, banker, small businessman, 30-year Rotarian, and, later in life, a fitness instructor for senior citizens.
For generations, the Schmitz Family has acted in large and small ways to make the West Seattle community a better place in which to live, an example of public service to which we may all aspire.
You can cheer for the Grand Marshals, and Orville Rummel Trophy recipient Clay Eals, from any spot you choose along the parade route on July 23rd. More previews as parade day gets closer!
A memorial service for Rick Herzog, 67, is planned Wednesday at Hope Lutheran. Here’s the remembrance his family is sharing with the community:
Born January 28, 1949 in San Jose, California, Rick left us June 13, 2016, after suffering a sudden heart attack at West Seattle Golf Course.
A proud graduate of West Seattle High School (’67), Rick earned his BA from Concordia University, in Seward, Nebraska. His career began with the Washington State Ferries, before later retiring from the University of Washington.
It was while working a Seattle-Winslow ferry run that he would meet his wife of 30 years, Diane; they were married August 15, 1974, and later moved to Lake Forest Park in 1981. An avid golfer throughout his life, Rick was surrounded by many lifelong friends, in the neighborhood where he grew up, and playing the game that he loved. He will be missed.
Preceded in death by his parents Fred and Jan, and wife Diane, Rick is survived by his son Nate, son Morgan & daughter-in-law Allison, sister Deborah Bessette & brother-in-law Steven, brothers-in-law Dave Drain, Dennis Drain & sister-in-law Marsha, Dale Drain & sister-in-law Tina, and many nieces and nephews.
Memorial services to be held Wednesday, July 6, 2 pm at Hope Lutheran Church in West Seattle.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)
As we’ve been reporting, Colman Pool in Lincoln Park marks its 75th anniversary tomorrow, having opened on July 4th, 1941. On Saturday, we shared a video with the story of the first two people to swim in the pool. Tonight: Local author and documentarian Lee O’Connor e-mailed WSB to announce he’s just released a short film about an ugly side of Colman Pool’s earliest years, and how it moved “from segregation to integration.”
Among the sources he cites is Shelley Sang-Hee Lee‘s book “Claiming the Oriental Gateway: Prewar Seattle and Japanese America,” excerpted here (click on the second passage to read more). O’Connor, a Seattle resident, is author of “Take Cover, Spokane: A History of Backyard Bunkers, Basement Hideaways, and Public Fallout Shelters of the Cold War.” He is currently working on a documentary based on it, while writing another book he says is “about abandoned underground missile silos in the Columbia Basin.” As mentioned in his video, Seattle Parks now maintain a non-discrimination policy; it’s on page 4 of this year’s brochure. The city’s overall policy, and how to file a complaint if you experience a violation, is here.
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