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The WSBeat: Phone scare; hole fears; game interrupted…
May 28, 2012 11:41 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police | WSBeat

By Megan Sheppard
On the WSBeat, for West Seattle Blog

As always, the WSBeat summaries are from reports on cases handled recently by Southwest Precinct officers, incidents of note that (usually) have not already appeared here in breaking-news coverage or West Seattle Crime Watch reports, but that might at least answer the question “what WERE all those police doing on my block (whenever)?”:

*A resident received two odd phone messages on his cell regarding a woman he doesn’t know: The first said, “I don’t know who you are, but if you’re looking for Ms. XXXX, she doesn’t own a phone anymore. She just got shot in the chest. Hope she’ll survive.” The second message relayed that the woman had died. The recipient called the number back, said he didn’t know the woman, and the calls stopped. He decided to contact police to provide information in case a woman actually had been assaulted.

*On Friday the 18th, a citizen reported a potential hazard in the 5200 block of 44th SW. A property owner had dug a 20-foot-deep hole but hadn’t shored up the walls. The caller was afraid the walls would collapse. The property owner/digger told officers he was working with an architect and a seismic expert and had permits. Looking up the permit, the officer found one that had expired in April. The man kept digging, saying, “If it collapses, it collapses on my property.” The officer planned to follow up with the Department of Planning and Development. He also noted that the location was not fenced off and could be easily accessed by children.

Seven more summaries ahead:Read More

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West Seattle history: Homes for sale, less than $2,000!
May 28, 2012 8:27 pm
|      18 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle history | West Seattle news

In the Admiral District, Laurie is remodeling her 1917 home … and, after pulling up the old floors, found them lined with 1917 newspapers, with plenty of clues as to the state of the 1917 housing market. Yes, those prices above are the actual full listing prices. 4556 California, the office advertising above, is the address of Cupcake Royale today; the address in this next item currently would place you at California/Dawson, north side of the Rite-Aid parking lot:

Laurie also found the Olympus Theater‘s weekly promotional pages:

The “Olympus Weekly” places the theater at California and Lander in the Admiral District. This December 1917 page touts silent movies starring Mary Pickford, Maxine Elliott, Ann Pennington, and Dustin Farnum:


(Click for a larger view)
The bottom of the “Olympus Weekly” page carried ads for other businesses, including one that tells us which newspaper Laurie found beneath the floorboards:

A check of the 1987-published West Seattle history book “West Side Story” reveals “The West Seattle Press” was published 1908-1918, known by a few other names along the way, including “The West Side Press.” Thanks to Laurie for sharing what she found!

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Video: West Seattle’s 2012 Memorial Day service – ‘Because of them, our lives are free’
May 28, 2012 5:59 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

The annual Memorial Day service at West Seattle’s Forest Lawn Cemetery (WSB sponsor) spanned the years in more ways than one. Cub Scouts from Pack 793 placed the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown as the service began; just before it started, we photographed American Legion Post 160 Commander Chris Shea, speaking for a 7th year, with the man who will succeed him at the post, Kyle Geraghty:

The service itself was as always relatively short but stirring; Shea read “In Flanders Fields” as part of his reflections, while Seattle Opera mezzo-soprano Lucy Weber, a West Seattleite, sang the national anthem and “America the Beautiful.” Here’s the entire 37-minute service as we recorded it:

Shea paid tribute to the past, and its lessons for the present and future, reading the poem “In Flanders Fields” and also recounting the story of Gen. Douglas MacArthur and his successes following failure. As the service began, we counted more than 50 people – including some standing:

The veterans buried at Forest Lawn include some who served as far back as the Civil War.

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West Seattle wildlife: Jellies put on a Seacrest show
May 28, 2012 12:56 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Wildlife

Stopped by Seacrest this morning just for a quick bit of sunshine and view … The West Seattle Water Taxi was getting ready to take off, and kids out on the open deck were shouting about jellyfish. Took a closer look, and what you see above is what we saw … the water, on closer look, thick with jellies.

Like snowflakes, no two are exactly alike … not in shape nor in size … but they’re beautiful to watch. As is the Water Taxi, in its own way … Sunday schedule today:

Melissa Ann – usually serving Vashon (which has no WT service today) – is on the WS route for the holiday.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Stolen items to look for, and more
May 28, 2012 10:36 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

In comparison to OTHER parts of the city – where yesterday, for example, brought six shooting reports in the span of about 18 hours (all chronicled on SPD Blotter) – it’s been a relatively quiet holiday weekend in West Seattle. But not devoid of incidents; beyond a few we’ve already covered, we’ve received miscellaneous reader reports, including two break-ins with loot that you’re asked to be on the lookout for – read on:Read More

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West Seattle Memorial Day 2012: The basics
May 28, 2012 6:03 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Memorial Day 2012: The basics
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by Eric Larse)
WEST SEATTLE MEMORIAL DAY SERVICE: 2 pm today at Forest Lawn Cemetery (WSB sponsor) east of High Point, presented by American Legion Post 160 and Forest Lawn, everyone welcome. More Memorial Day notes:

BUS/FERRY SCHEDULES: Sunday schedule today for Metro, the West Seattle Water Taxi and its shuttles (but no Vashon Water Taxi today), and Sound Transit Express buses (including Route 560). For Washington State Ferries, the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route is on a regular weekday schedule.

TRASH/RECYCLING (ETC.) PICKUP: If Monday is your pickup day, Seattle Public Utilities says everything’s on the normal schedule.

LIBRARIES: Seattle branches closed, King County branches closed.

COMMUNITY CENTERS: City-run centers are closed.

LIQUOR STORES: The state says the Junction store (41st/Alaska) is open, 10 am-7 pm.

U.S. POSTAL SERVICE: No mail delivery, and post offices are closed.

BANKS: Closed.

SCHOOLS: Seattle Public Schools are closed, as is South Seattle Community College.

‘FREE PARKING DAY’ FOR CITY PAY STATIONS/METERS: If you’re heading toward a neighborhood with paid street parking, no worries, it’s free today, according to this city webpage.

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Rotary Club of West Seattle: Berry orders; annual breakfast
May 28, 2012 1:27 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Rotary Club of West Seattle | West Seattle news

One big event is in the books, and another one ahead, for the Rotary Club of West Seattle. First, what’s ahead: Advance orders are now being taken for the annual berry sale – deliveries are expected in July, but the sooner you order, the better. As usual, it’s a three-round sale – strawberries first, then raspberries, then blueberries; prices and projected pickup dates are listed here; you can place an order online by going to this page. It’s another of their major fundraisers for activities such as the annual Children’s Holiday Shopping Spree. Earlier this week, they gathered for the annual breakfast – photos ahead:Read More

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Retired Archbishop helps Our Lady of Guadalupe bless new building
May 27, 2012 7:02 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle religion

Faith and sports are both in the mix at Our Lady of Guadalupe‘s new building – which is why you see a soccer ball, basketball, and volleyball in that photo, as retired Seattle Archbishop Alex Brunett blessed OLG’s new gym, which is named after him, and Parish Center, both formally dedicated as part of an expanded 11 am Mass today.

Parishioners walked across SW Myrtle to the new 10,000-square-foot complex, led by OLG’s pastor, Father Jack Walmesley:

There, Archbishop Brunett gave a blessing at the doors:

Inside, the celebration continued:

This comes two weeks shy of a year after the groundbreaking, during which the pastor didn’t just wield a ceremonial shovel, but actually operated the construction equipment to dig right in (WSB coverage, with video, here).

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West Seattle Memorial Day: Poppies, in remembrance
May 27, 2012 4:50 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Thanks to Gay for sharing the photo of Shirley, taken today outside West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) in Morgan Junction. Gay explains that Shirley “has been making/selling poppies for The American Legion since she was a little girl in the 1940’s.” The American Legion Auxiliary Poppy Program, collecting donations for disabled/hospitalized veterans, dates back to 1921 and is explained here.

P.S. For a traditional way to commemorate Memorial Day, be at Forest Lawn Cemetery (6701 30th SW; WSB sponsor) at 2 pm tomorrow. It’s usually not long – 35 minutes last year – but it’s presented by West Seattle’s American Legion Post 160, and always stirring.

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Heartfelt message at WSHS, from athlete/survivor Kayla Burt
May 27, 2012 12:21 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Health | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

If it’s doing its job, your heart is out of sight and (mostly) out of mind – but that can change in an instant, as West Seattle resident Kayla Burt learned almost a decade ago. She was a UW basketball starter, hanging out with friends, when sudden cardiac arrest almost ended her life way too soon. As amply covered at the time and afterward, she survived – in no small part thanks to her friends, whose actions included calling 911, performing CPR, and making way for emergency personnel to get to Kayla. She visited West Seattle High School health classes this past week with a message that could save others’ lives – about heart-health awareness, about learning CPR, and more. Her host was health teacher Sarah Orton:

Kayla’s post-college achievements have included working as a coach at the University of Portland, serving as an EMT and a hospital staffer, and, now, as outreach coordinator for the Bellevue-based Hope Heart Institute, which her online bio explains she joined “after realizing her passion for heart disease awareness and prevention of cardiac arrest, especially in athletes, overcame her desire to do anything else.” Kayla, by the way, says that while experts never figured out why she went into cardiac arrest, she now lives “a completely normal life that involves daily exercise, basketball, biking, running, and anything else I set my mind to do!”

(SIDE NOTE: It’s not affiliated with Hope, but if you are interested in learning CPR – which we’ve evangelized here before, because of incidents like this one – here’s one of the places to check with.)

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West Seattle photographers’ views, from way up, and close up
May 27, 2012 10:45 am
|      18 COMMENTS
 |   Seen around town | West Seattle news

Two photos to share (click either/both for larger views):


From pilot/photographer Long Bach Nguyen, a view of the Admiral District, looking north to Elliott Bay, this Friday – note Hiawatha at lower right.

Meantime, Machel Spence, who often shares closeup looks at tiny marvels, wonders if you can guess what this is:


Her only clue: She took the photo Saturday at Village Green Perennial Nursery (WSB sponsor), where she says her photo cards will soon be sold.

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West Seattle Sunday: From Farmers’ Market to Cooking Club
May 27, 2012 9:30 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Sunday: From Farmers’ Market to Cooking Club
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Just a few notes from the calendar as the holiday weekend continues:

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: No holiday here! 10 am-2 pm at 44th/Alaska as always. Market managers are touting tomatoes as among the new arrivals this week.

VEGETABLE STAND: Organic gardener Marguerite Lynch and family are selling some of their harvest at 44th/Hill, 10:30 am-1 pm, with half the proceeds to benefit the West Seattle Food Bank.

BENEFIT BEERFEST: West Seattle Nursery is selling beer and hot dogs starting at 1 pm today to benefit team member Ingrid Nokes as she fights breast cancer.

MUSIC IN THE GARDEN: Village Green Perennial Nursery (WSB sponsor) is hosting Sawesome, live music including banjo, autoharp, and saws, 1 pm, 10223 26th SW.

WS COOKING CLUB, SUNDAY SESSION: Been meaning to check out the West Seattle Cooking Club, but unable to make their usual Monday afternoon meeting times? Here’s your chance. Today, they’re meeting 1-3 pm at Beveridge Place Pub, with the theme “Picnic Food”; you bring yours, and try theirs.

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Update: Rollover crash on bridge, victims found off bridge
May 27, 2012 1:13 am
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   Pigeon Point | West Seattle news | WS breaking news

1:13 AM: Very busy night for police in West Seattle, and they’re investigating another incident now – a rollover crash on the eastbound West Seattle Bridge. According to scanner traffic, police have found the crashed vehicle – but no one inside; two people may have taken off.

(Scene where victims were found, 23rd/Andover, photo via Twitter from @salishseagirl)
1:15 AM UPDATE: One “patient” is said to have been found near the bridge, in Pigeon Point.

1:24 AM UPDATE: One of the fire engines on this call is now asking for ambulances for TWO patients.

1:43 AM UPDATE: Via Twitter, Cheryl reports both patients on stretchers and going into the ambulances.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Suspect search after robbery report
May 26, 2012 10:33 pm
|      15 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Delridge | West Seattle news

(Police on 16th, north of Roxbury, south of the reported crime scene)
10:33 PM: Police are searching right now in South Delridge for a suspect in what was reported to be a robbery. We don’t have full details yet but we have gone to the scene and can confirm a heavy police presence, including K-9 teams. The scanner indicates one person is being detained and another being sought. More as we get it.

10:44 PM UPDATE: Police at the scene are not saying much but do confirm one person is being questioned and another being sought. They say two people went into a business in the 9400 block of 16th SW and one of them showed a gun; the details of the reported robbery are still being sorted out. No injuries reported; no description made available to us for the person who’s being sought.

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Memorial Day weekend at Forest Lawn: A time for tributes
May 26, 2012 8:38 pm
|    Comments Off on Memorial Day weekend at Forest Lawn: A time for tributes
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

At West Seattle’s only cemetery, Forest Lawn (WSB sponsor) east of High Point, Memorial Day weekend is a busy time, as people come to pay tribute to loved ones lost. Flags and crosses mark hundreds of veterans’ graves; some were still being set out while we were there this morning.

More-personal tributes mark others.

Throughout Memorial Day weekend, Forest Lawn has a tent not far from the Sylvan Way entrance, with maps so that visitors can get help finding specific gravesites if need be. It will also be the site of the traditional Memorial Day service on Monday, 2 pm, in conjunction with West Seattle’s American Legion Post 160.

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Busy debut day for Mountain to Sound Rentals on Alki Beach
May 26, 2012 5:51 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

When we caught up with Mountain to Sound Outfitters and Alki Kayak Tours proprietor Greg Whittaker at his new on-the-beach rental stand around 4 pm, he said it had been a busy day – so busy, all the stand-up paddleboards were out between his two waterfront locations, except the one with which he posed! Perfect day for a debut, given that both the weather and the crowd gave Alki a bit of a Venice Beach veneer. The M2S setup also includes other beachgoing supplies – sunscreen, water bottles, hats:

Other sports equipment will be phased in at the rental stand, on the sand at 55th SW.

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West Seattle Thriftway invites you to come cheer for a winner
May 26, 2012 2:50 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Thriftway invites you to come cheer for a winner
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Last month, during the West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) customer-appreciation celebration, the store raffled off a $500 Western Family shopping spree, with ticket sales benefiting the West Seattle Food Bank. Not only did that bring in $400 for the food bank, says Michele from Thriftway, there’s a winner, and she says they’re hoping for a cheering section – 10 am Tuesday (May 29), just show up at the store (California/Fauntleroy/Morgan).

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Happening now: OLG School Bookfair at Westwood Village
May 26, 2012 1:03 pm
|    Comments Off on Happening now: OLG School Bookfair at Westwood Village
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Tomorrow he dedicates a brand-new building – but today, Fr. Jack Walmesley from Our Lady of Guadalupe was in a hockey jersey at Barnes & Noble/Westwood, right after reading a hockey-themed story during the OLG School Bookfair. We just missed his turn reading, but we did catch another celebrity reader:

That’s Brian Callanan from Seattle Channel, also a familiar face at OLG. While today is the official Bookfair day, with events till 4 pm, purchases made with the special code #10749117 at any B&N, or online, benefit the school through May 30th (next Wednesday).

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Happening now: West Seattle HS Class of 2012 Grad Night car wash
May 26, 2012 11:56 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

It’s a beautiful day for that once-every-so-often car wash, and the only charity car wash we’ve heard of in West Seattle today is this one …the WSHS Class of 2012 raising money for Grad Night, the post-graduation all-night extravaganza meant to keep the new grads safe while they’re out celebrating. Because it’s extensively planned and managed, it costs $, and fundraisers like this one are paying for “scholarships” for those who might otherwise be shut out. The car wash continues till 3 pm at West Seattle Autoworks (WSB sponsor), 35th/Webster.

SIDE NOTE: The car wash is one of a long list of WSHS events and news notes that you can find on the comprehensive Westside Weekly newsletter, linked from the school website at the end of each week – see the latest edition here.

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West Seattle churches: ‘Resurrection Icon’ visiting St. John’s
May 26, 2012 10:30 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle religion

(Photo courtesy St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church)
St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church in West Seattle is playing host to a special “visitor” this weekend and invites you to come see it tomorrow:

St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church (3050 California Ave SW) will be blessed by the presence of a Resurrection Icon which is making a tour of churches of the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia. St. John’s is fortunate to be one of only 7 or 8 churches to welcome it. The icon was commissioned for the St. Petersburg Seattle Sister Church Program, was “written” by Russian iconographer Yakov Prokofiev, blessed by Metropolitan Vladimir, and brought to Seattle in August, 2011, by an Orthodox seminarian. The Icon represents Jesus standing over the broken gates of Hell, lifting Adam and Eve out of their graves with kings and prophets and patriarchs looking on. Jesus has bridged the boundary of time and space. God’s home is among mortals and nothing will keep God out of our presence or separate us from the love of God through Christ Jesus. It is a deep privilege to be able to spend some time with this icon, a window into the heart of God, especially on the Day of Pentecost. All are welcome to attend services (8 and 10:15 am) or to view the icon between services 9 – 10 or from 11:30 am – 12:30 pm.

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West Seattle liquor transition: Westwood store to reopen Friday
May 26, 2012 9:12 am
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS beverages

Just got an answer to one of tne of the last questions regarding privatized liquor sales in West Seattle. Our inquiry to Ankur Patel, who had won the auction for the right to get a license at the current state-run store location at Westwood Village, says he does indeed plan to operate the store and expects to open on Friday (the first day liquor privatization takes full effect). He tells WSB, “In the short term it will be business as usual. I hope to bring in a diverse array of products for our patrons over time.” The state announced last week it will close that store and West Seattle’s other state-run store, in The Junction, after Tuesday; as reported here earlier this week, building owner Leon Capelouto plans to reopen that one on Friday. (More on the liquor-sales transition later this weekend.)

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West Seattle Saturday: E-recycling; Bookfair; car wash …
May 26, 2012 8:44 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Another ‘Heron-zilla’ photo! This great blue heron was atop Marcia‘s garage near West Seattle Golf Course)
Happy holiday weekend! From the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar:

PADDLEBOARD RENTALS ON THE BEACH: Mountain to Sound Rentals soft-launches today with stand-up paddleboard rentals right on the beach at Alki, 55th/Alki SW, with other rental items to be added later. Details in our earlier report.

BUSINESS ANNIVERSARY: Tram’s Salon is marking one year at 4110 California SW, with discount haircuts, snacks, cake, and gifts, 9 am-7 pm today and tomorrow.

(Added photo, taken just as the e-cycling event was beginning, 10 am)
ELECTRONICS RECYCLING: 10 am-3 pm, Friendly Earth is at Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor) in Admiral – our preview points you to info on what they’ll take and what they won’t.

OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE SCHOOL BOOKFAIR AT B&N: At Westwood Village Barnes & Noble, 10 am-4 pm, it’s a Bookfair to benefit Our Lady of Guadalupe School. Make any purchase there – or online or at another B&N – through 5/30 and use the special code that’s in the event-calendar listing, and part of the proceeds benefit the school. Also during today’s Bookfair, “surprise readers from (the) school community” on the hour/half-hour.

WSHS GRAD NIGHT CAR WASH: 10:30 am-3 pm, go get your vehicle washed to benefit West Seattle High School‘s safe-graduation-night activities. Car wash is at West Seattle Autoworks (WSB sponsor), 7501 35th SW.

FILIPINO FOOD FESTIVAL: Alki Lodge invites you to their Filipino Food Festival tonight, 5-8 pm, with proceeds benefiting community outreach (4736 40th SW).

LIVE MUSIC: Tonight’s scheduled shows include Neil Young tunes by Melanie and David at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 6-8 pm … Those Guys with special guests Wrecking Yard, 9 pm, Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) …

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Chief Sealth 40-year reunion: Help find the ‘missing’
May 26, 2012 1:26 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

It’s reunion season! For the Chief Sealth High School Class of 1972, this year marks their milestone 40th class reunion, and while it’s not until September 22nd, they’re getting a jump on things by looking for classmates they haven’t heard from in a while – maybe you know what happened to one (or more) of them. First, the reunion details: Saturday, September 22nd, 2 pm school tour, then the reunion activities 5 pm-midnight at Rainier Golf and Country Club (11133 Des Moines Memorial Drive S.) You can join the Facebook group at facebook.com/groups/Seahawks1972. Click ahead for the list of missing classmates:Read More

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