West Seattle, Washington
08 Monday
Tomorrow morning, the jurors in the trial of Lovett “Cid” Chambers will resume their deliberations – to decide whether he’s guilty of second-degree murder as charged, manslaughter, or assault – any of which would require a unanimous verdict – or not guilty of anything at all, for shooting Travis Hood by Morgan Junction Park on January 21, 2012. After listening to testimony for six weeks, jurors met for one full day Friday before going home for the weekend; King County Superior Court Judge Theresa B. Doyle officially turned the case over to them at the end of the day Thursday, but there was no time to deliberate before court went into recess for the end of the day. Our final report on courtroom presentations is here, and it includes links to our 22 previous detailed reports on what happened each day in court.
Much of the major development happening now is the result of zoning decisions made more than a decade ago. Changes, Mayor Murray suggested in his recent WSB interview and again at the Westside Awards breakfast last Thursday, are most likely to be made as a result of the Seattle 2035 comprehensive-plan-review process that’s just begun. While the first official West Seattle open house/meeting is Wednesday night, the Southwest District Council got a preview this past week. The SWDC also took further steps toward forming a West Seattle-wide Land Use Committee to seek early, public looks at major development proposals, as happens in other Seattle neighborhoods. Details ahead:
Off the field, the Chief Sealth International High School football team is looking for a win right now – in the fight against multiple sclerosis. From head coach Luther Carr:
Chief Sealth International Football is again participating in WALK MS this year on April 13, 2014. Please donate to MS (Multiple Sclerosis) society on behalf of CSI SEAHAWKS FOOTBALL. Last year we raised more than $1,300 dollars for MS. Our goal this year, $2,500.00!!!
This annual walk is a community-service event organized throughout the country to increase awareness and fundraise for the research into Multiple Sclerosis. Multiple Sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that affects the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system). This condition affects millions worldwide. Some of the symptoms of those with this condition experience periods of numbness, loss of sensitivity, muscle spasms, loss of speech, fatigue, and blindness. Episodes can occur without warning and without any inciting factors lasting days, weeks or months. I personally decided to get involved because a friend lost his sight in one eye as a result of MS. Early and ongoing treatment with an FDA-approved therapy can make a difference for many people with Multiple Sclerosis. To learn more about MS, go to nationalmssociety.org To learn more about WALK MS Seattle 2014, go to nationalmssociety.org/Chapters/WAS.
Walk MS Seattle 2014 is a great opportunity for Chief Sealth High School football players. They are fundraising for a worldwide condition that affects millions, and has no cure. They are also learning the act of service! As an added benefit, each player will also earn community service credit hours needed to graduate from Seattle Public Schools.
If you would like to donate to MS Society (no donation too large or too small) on behalf of CSI Seahawks Football, please go to http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR?pg=entry&fr_id=22696. Once on the main site: 1. Click on TEAM INFO 2. Click on Team List 3. Scroll down to Seattle, Washington April 13, 2014 and click on TEAM LIST 4. Find our team, CSI Seahawks Football, and donate. Thank you very much and Go Seahawks.
Sincerely,
Luther J. Carr III
Head Football Coach
Chief Sealth Interantional HS
You can’t have a “Catsino” without cats. So there you go. Little fluffballs, inspiration for a fun afternoon of Furry Faces Foundation fundraising:
Vegas-style games – just for fun – give the benefit its name; there’s a silent auction, too:
And people! Longtime WSB’er Mike (aka “miws”) is volunteering:
Running one of the tables, you’ll find, of Washington Beer Blog and Beer Church fame, Kendall Jones and Kim Sharpe Jones:
Also with a table, Ventana Construction (WSB sponsor) – that’s co-proprietor Anne Higuera with the chips:
Catsino is on until 6 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW).
A celebration of life is planned next Saturday for Greg Riddle, 59. His fight against cancer made news here two months ago when his family’s home near Roxhill Elementary caught fire, forcing them to find somewhere else to live, which they did, thanks in part to suggestions from WSB’ers when Mr. Riddle’s daughter Kristine Elliott asked here for ideas and assistance. Now, she shares this remembrance of her dad:
Family and friends will gather Saturday, April 12th, at 11:30 a.m. at Boulevard Park Place Retirement Community, 2805 S. 125th St. in Burien, for a Celebration of Life.
William Gregory Riddle passed away March 27, 2014. Greg was born October 24, 1954, to William (Bill) Cecil & Flo (Sue) Riddle, the 6th of 7 children, in Redding, California. He met the love of his life, Eileen Turgeon, in 1978 and they were married in 1982. Together, they raised their 3 children.
He was a highly skilled carpenter who had a unique bond with animals and loved to fish for salmon in the Hoh, Sol Duc & Bogachiel Rivers in Forks, Washington. Greg also loved the outdoors and spending time with his family. Some of his happiest times were coaching Little League Baseball. He knew how to bring out the players’ full potential, taught them to play as a team, and how to win or lose with pride.
Greg is survived by his wife Eileen, daughter Kristine and son-in-law Ryan Elliott, son Trevor Riddle, daughter Catherine Riddle, and daughter Jessica Riddle; four grandchildren Luke, Reese, Blake, and Chase Elliott; brothers Derryl Riddle and Tim Riddle; sisters Pat Henk and Mary Riddle. He was preceded in death by his father Bill, mother Sue, brothers Chuck Riddle and Kenny Riddle.
You will always be loved and forever missed…
(WSB publishes obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)
On the heels of this past week’s Westside Awards breakfast event (WSB coverage, with video, here), the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce has its monthly luncheon coming up next Thursday, and it’s a timelier-than-ever topic: King County Metro Transit. Ballots are arriving now (we received ours Saturday) for the April 22nd special election including Proposition 1, asking you to approve a vehicle-license fee and sales-tax increase to raise money for transit and road work. Still have questions? The Chamber invites advance suggestions for Q/A – send yours to info@wschamber.com. As Chamber CEO Lynn Dennis notes, “This is our opportunity to speak with Metro face to face.” The lunch-and-Q/A event is Thursday (April 10th), 11:30 am at The Kenney (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW; WSB sponsor); you can register online here.
“Make a Difference … Volunteer!” So exhorts the home page for the President’s Volunteer Service Award program. 
Someone who did – Reis Pearson (photo left) from the Rotary Club of West Seattle – has been honored with the award, according to an announcement from ShelterBox USA. Pearson is one of three WS Rotarians who work with ShelterBox, which we’ve featured here before – as described in the announcement, “an international disaster-relief organization that delivers emergency tented shelter and other lifesaving supplies to survivors of disasters and other humanitarian crises.” Last year alone, Pearson’s fund- and awareness-raising work for ShelterBox helped it “respond to more than 25 disasters in 19 countries last year, providing families with disaster relief tents, cook stoves, water filters, blankets, mosquito nets, children’s packs and other essential equipment.” Pearson is a local entrepreneur as well, proprietor of Inside Out Building Inspection.
Thanks to West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) Dolphins swim-team parent Brent Lindblom for sharing the photo, and congratulations to those in it – Coach Kyle Homad and swimmers Michael Stewart and Karen Woodworth – for representing the WSY at the YMCA Short Course National Championships in Greensboro, North Carolina, this past week. Checking the detailed meet info – Michael (a Chief Sealth International High School student) competed in the 50 and 100 freestyle and 100 butterfly; Karen (a Vashon Island HS student) competed in the 100 and 200 breaststroke and 200 individual medley.
(Common finch, photographed Friday by Ryan O’Keven)
An eclectic lineup of possibilities for your Sunday – including, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
‘BIG BLUE SUNDAY’: This is not just any old Sunday for Northwest Center’s Big Blue Truck donation dropoffs in The Junction. It’s “Big Blue Sunday,” with a focus on clothing donations (though they’ll take everything else they usually accept, too) and some special incentives 10 am-2 pm as part of a regional drive. More here. (44th/Edmunds)
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: The further we get into spring, the more vendors return, and you’ll find more “new” offerings today. Produce, meat, fish, cheese, cider, baked goods, wine, nuts, flowers, more, 10 am-2 pm. (44th/Alaska)
‘RIBBON AND RHYME’ TYPEWRITER ART: 1:30-4:30 in the Delridge Branch Library meeting room, it’s your first of five local chances this month to “try out vintage typewriters and create a bit of spontaneous art,” as a friend of writer/artist Lauren Ziemski explains (she has deployed them in open-air installations like this one photographed by The Seattle Times [WSB partner]). More info here. (5423 Delridge Way SW)
CATSINO: 2-6 pm at Beveridge Place Pub, join Furry Faces Foundation and friends for Vegas-style games and other fun(draising) – details in our calendar listing. (6413 California SW)
‘MIDSUMMER/JERSEY’: Another chance to see the Seattle Lutheran High School Drama Club production, 2:30 pm at the school gym – details here. (4100 SW Genesee)
SARAH BURGESS, LIVE: Singer/songwriter serenades you while you enjoy an afternoon at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 3-5 pm. (5612 California SW)
‘MOVING PARTY’ AT SKYLARK: No, Skylark Café and Club is not moving, but ER Piano Studios is, with a new name and new location to be announced at a 3-6 pm event that you can enjoy too – details in our calendar listing. No cover. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
WEST SEATTLE GREEN SPACE COALITION: Their work toward community determination of the publicly owned ex-substation sites continues, and you’re invited to their next meeting, 3:15 pm at West Seattle (Admiral) Branch Library – agenda details in our calendar listing; more about the group at westseattlegreenspace.org. (2326 42nd SW)
‘A … MY NAME IS ALICE’: Musical/comedy revue by Twelfth Night Productions at Kenyon Hall, 5 pm curtain time today. (7904 35th SW)
OSO BENEFIT AT ENDOLYNE JOE’S: Tonight through April 17th, Endolyne Joe’s (WSB sponsor) donates $5 to slide relief from every “Chow Chompin'” three-course meal (described on this page – click to expand the info box). 5 pm to close, each night. (9261 45th SW)
OSO BENEFIT IN WHITE CENTER: Company Bar (which you probably know is a restaurant too) is hosting a benefit bash tonight, asking a $5 donation at the door, with live music 8-11 pm (though you’re welcome to show up sooner!) and more. Details on this Facebook event page.
What happens to the medical-marijuana industry when recreational-marijuana stores start opening? Our area’s largest political organization, the 34th District Democrats, invite you to come hear from an expert panel – and ask questions – this Wednesday. 34th DDs chair Marcee Stone-Vekich – who elaborates on the subject here – says the panel will include Rep. Eileen Cody, King County Councilmember Joe McDermott, Seattle City Attorney Pete Holmes, and Liquor Control Board chair Sharon Foster.
Another topic of import – Seattle Parks funding, and whether voters will be asked to approve creation of a Metropolitan Parks District; City Councilmember Sally Bagshaw is scheduled to talk about that. Also on the agenda, members are expected to vote on endorsing the re-election of Rep. Cody and her fellow 34th District legislators, Sen. Sharon Nelson and Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon. The meeting’s at 7 pm Wednesday (April 9th), The Hall at Fauntleroy (9131 California SW).
We’re five weeks away from the 10th annual West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day on Saturday, May 10th, 2014 – that one day of the year when sales of all sizes, all around West Seattle, draw shoppers from as close as next door and as far away as Eastern Washington (really!). Registration opened up earlier this week and more than 60 sales are signed up already, including the group site in the courtyard at Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor) in The Junction e-mail info@hotwirecoffee.com if you don’t have room or stuff enough for your own sale and you want a spot in the courtyard). Registration will continue a few more weeks (we haven’t set the ending date yet), and then we close it to make the map, online and printable versions, so it’ll be available at least a week ahead of time. Want to have a sale and be part of a one-day, one-peninsula festival of person-to-person recycling? Here’s the registration form. Sale hours on May 10th, by the way, are 9 am-3 am – if you want to start early and/or end late, you’re welcome to, but we ask that every sale at least be open for that six-hour window. a href=”http://www.formstack.com/forms/?1716531-ST42Cqi4qx” target=”_blank”>Here’s the form!
The most recent West Seattle Crime Watch reports that community members wanted to get the word out about:
CAR BREAK-IN: Another car prowl at Lincoln Park – but it was followed by a gesture of kindness. From Rebecca:
I know that this is pretty routine, but I had my blue Nissan Versa broken into (Friday) morning between 10:30 and 11:30 in the south parking lot of Lincoln Park. My front passenger-side window was smashed and my purse was stolen. I had shoved my purse under the passenger seat but they must have spotted it. It is a light tan and black Nine West “mom” purse, if anyone spots it on the street.
My four-year-old son and I live in West Seattle but my mom is visiting from NY. I was trying to show her how beautiful Lincoln Park is. She was able to see how kind and sweet my neighbors are when strangers stopped and offered condolences. One little girl even urged her mom to give us ten dollars. My son is going to use it to buy a toy.
(Thanks also to Kurt for a tip on this, just before we received Rebecca’s note.)
Four more reports ahead and a nearby FYI: Read More
Thanks to Keith Schieron for sharing the photos and report:
This morning we held an event to cut ivy and other invasive species in the Fairmount Ravine.
This event was held as a followup to last month’s Fairmount Ravine cleanup event. While last month we focused on garbage, this weekend we focused on getting the ivy and other invasive species under control. The Seattle Parks Department supplied tools and hand outs about the value of the native trees and forests here in our lovely city.
We had nine volunteers out to help, including two of our longest-serving volunteers, John Lang and Blair Constantine, who have been part of the Fairmount Ravine yearly project for twenty-one years!
The group cleared ivy from the base of nearly thirty trees and we built the spirit of community that makes living in West Seattle so special.
Thanks to all of the volunteers for sharing their Saturday morning with us!
The memorial service for Fauntleroy legend Morest “Morey” Skaret, 100, is set for 10 am this Monday (April 7th) at Forest Lawn (6701 30th SW). As noted in his obituary, 
as published in The Seattle Times, Mr. Skaret had been a West Seattleite since childhood. He also served with the Seattle Police Department for more than 40 years; our photo at right is from 2012, when he was honored by the Seattle Police Relief Association. Mr. Skaret was known by many as a storyteller; some of his stories are on HistoryLink.org, like this one. Fauntleroy writer/editor/community advocate Judy Pickens edited Mr. Skaret’s book of life stories, “Morey’s Bench“; we asked her for a few words in his memory:
“Nothing reveals the grain of a life and the time of its living quite like personal stories. And to loved ones, friends, and neighbors, no one can tell a story better than Morey Skaret.”
I wrote those words in 2003, when Morey and I culminated publication of “Morey’s Bench,” a collection of his stories spanning his early years on a homestead in Alberta, through his settling in Fauntleroy in 1937, to his long retirement overlooking the ferry terminal. Throughout the process, I could never convince him that people would want to buy the book. When the dust settled, however, we had reprinted it three times to satisfy demand.
With Morey’s passing on March 27, loved ones, friends, and neighbors have those stories and many “Did I ever tell you about…” moments with him as fond memories. Those not fortunate enough to have a copy of the book may find a sampling of his stories at www.historylink.org/?keyword=Skaret&DisplayPage=results.cfm&Submit=Go.
If you have a story to share, Mr. Skaret’s online guestbook is here.
The announcement just in from Clay Swidler of the West Seattle Garden Tour:
The West Seattle Garden Tour is thrilled to announce Sue Madill as the winning artist chosen for the WSGT’s 20th Anniversary Poster! The original painting will also be for sale at one of the nine gardens featured on this year’s July 20th garden tour. (Location to be announced.) Congratulations, Sue!
This year’s tour is on July 20th – more info here.
(Photos by WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand)
FIRST REPORT, 9:14 AM: We’re just arriving at Seattle Center to check out the Neighborhood Summit (agenda here) that’s a fulfillment of one of Mayor Ed Murray‘s campaign promises – under way at the Exhibition Hall (3rd/Mercer) until 1 pm.
(Video feed no longer active but keeping box as a placeholder for archived video Monday)
We’ll be adding some photos and updates, but for starters, clicking the “play” button above should take you to live coverage from Seattle Channel, including remarks from the mayor before 9:30 or so. If you’re there and posting to social-media channels, #SNS2014 is the hashtag. More to come.
10:03 AM UPDATE: We’ve been here for about 45 minutes. The mayor has spoken, stressing that this isn’t a self-contained event, but meant to be “the beginning of the conversation.” Here’s a 15-second Instagram video clip we took, panning the space here at the Exhibition Hall, as he spoke:
We’ve seen West Seattleites from Admiral, Arbor Heights, Fairmount, Genesee, Morgan, North Delridge, Pigeon Point, Westwood; we’ve seen South Park’ers. We’ll have a photo gallery later; we’ve put up cameraphone pix on our Twitter feed at twitter.com/westseattleblog (you should be able to see it even if you don’t use Twitter – that’s the web address). There IS password-free wi-fi here, and it seems to work pretty well.
10:32 AM UPDATE: Former City Councilmember Jim Street (above, at podium on the stage, with the mayor at left) is speaking and taking Q/A; most of those who’ve spoken seem to have issues more for current councilmembers – including land use – microhousing and rowhouses have come up. Now, a question about crime/public safety, which Street again can’t answer as he’s not a current councilmember. (Maybe the council should have been here. If they are, we haven’t seen them yet.)
11:34 AM UPDATE: We had to leave midway through, but coverage continues in the video window above (currently, it’s a discussion about the search for a new SDOT director) and on Twitter. Re: council presence, the mayor subsequently mentioned Councilmember Sally Bagshaw was there – not surprising since she chairs the Seattle Public Utilities and Neighborhoods Committee – and there was a Twitter mention of Councilmember Tom Rasmussen.
The first declared candidate for the West Seattle-specific City Council seat in next year’s elections (District 1), Chas Redmond, was there too (above right, with North Delridge’s Dorsol Plants at left).
12:23 PM UPDATE: Mayor is giving closing remarks (it’s open another half-hour, but speeches/discussions are ending onstage) and says more than 600 people participated in person, in addition to others online or watching the stream. He also gives a shoutout to Kathy Nyland, who put it together.
5:26 PM: Finally getting a chance to add our photos – interspersed above and below.
Above, Amanda Leonard and Holli Margell from North Delridge. Next, Sharonn Meeks from Fairmount and Cindi Barker from Morgan:
Cindi was also there for official “peer networking” regarding preparedness. Next, SPD’s crime-prevention coordinator for the Southwest (and South) Precinct, Mark Solomon:
Next, Jim Cavin from Admiral and Mary Fleck from the West Seattle Green Space Coalition:
Below, from left, Amanda Kay Helmick and Joe Szilagyi from WWRHAH and the West Seattle Transportation Coalition, with Deb Barker from Morgan:
Pete Spalding from Pigeon Point:
She’s not from West Seattle but much WS-related information has been shared over the years on the Seattle Schools Community Forum website by Melissa Westbrook:
(A few more to add – stand by)
Meantime, here are a few links potentially of interest:
–“Live blog” coverage by city staff, with notes, curated tweets (including a couple of ours) and photos
-Coalition for an Affordable Living Seattle was handing out flyers outside, headed “Developer impact fees now! Growth controls now!” with a URL that isn’t working, but we found them online here
(No such thing as too many eagle photos. Thanks to Ryan O’Keven for this view of two!)
Happy Saturday! From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, some of what’s up now through nighttime:
BIRD WALK IN LINCOLN PARK … with Audubon. Starts at 8 am; details in our listing. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
FOOD DRIVE: The Kiwanis ONE food drive is today – watch for Kiwanians, Key Club members, and Scouts at local grocery stores, as previewed here, 9 am-3 pm.
SEATTLE NEIGHBORHOOD SUMMIT: Not IN West Seattle, but EVERYONE is invited to the Neighborhood Summit happening 9 am-1 pm today at the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall downtown; here’s the agenda. We’ll see you there for at least part of it – text us if you’re going! 206-293-6302. (3rd/Mercer)
ARBOR HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY CLEANUP: 9 am-noon at the school:
It is that time of year again to give the face of the school grounds at Arbor Heights a little love. This is a great time to gather for a working playdate, have some coffee and baked goods, and work together to clean the grounds, entry, walkways, flowerbeds, etc. as we enjoy our last few months before construction begins. Bring your gardening gloves and tools or use what’s provided and come and join us!
(37th SW/SW 104th)
FRIENDS OF LINCOLN PARK … would love to have you help them rescue part of the park from invasive plants/weeds, starting at 9 am. Details here. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
FAIRMOUNT RAVINE IVY-FIGHTING FOLLOWUP: Starting at 9 am, Fairmount Ravine needs your help to get free of some of the tree-choking ivy in this beautiful ravine that also frames a road used by many to get between Admiral and Alki. Details in our preview. (Fairmount/Forest)
SANISLO BOOK SALE: 10 am-2 pm, the big annual book sale benefiting the 4th grade camping trip at Sanislo Elementary – a major outdoor-educational opportunity. Books for all ages will be on sale. (1812 SW Myrtle)
TALK WITH YOUR SCHOOL BOARD REP: West Seattle’s school-board rep Marty McLaren invites anyone who wants to talk with her about Seattle Public Schools issues to come to the common house of Puget Ridge Cohousing 10 am-noon today. (7020 18th SW)
INTERNATIONAL TABLETOP GAMES DAY, #1: Uptown Espresso in Delridge is now also a “Gameporium “and is celebrating ITGD 10 am-midnight, with game-playing and game-learning. (Delridge/Andover)
WEST SEATTLE RUNNER’S 4TH ANNIVERSARY SALE & DISCOUNT WEST SEATTLE 5K REGISTRATION: Come help West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) celebrate its 4th anniversary with a big sale and other special events, including – today only – one last chance for the discount registration price for the May 18th West Seattle 5K (benefiting and organized by the WSHS PTSA). More in our calendar listing. (California/Charlestown)
VOLUNTEER AT THE LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: The next orientation for prospective volunteers at the home of West Seattle’s history is today, 11 am-1 pm, and there’s lots for you to help with! See for yourself, here. (61st/Stevens)
INTERNATIONAL TABLETOP GAMES DAY, #2: Meeples Games isn’t open yet but will be presenting a free, public event in honor of the occasion, at Alki Bathhouse. Details here. 1-5 pm. (61st/Alki)
WEST SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL SPAGHETTI DINNER/AUCTION: The night after the team’s win over Rainier Beach:
… you can support them at a spaghetti dinner tonight, 5-8 pm at West Side Presbyterian Church, $10 donation per person. Photo by Greg Slader, above, shows Spencer Elder pitching in Friday’s game. (3601 California SW)
HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL DINNER/AUCTION: 5-9 pm, you’re invited to help Holy Family Bilingual Catholic School celebrate this special night – details in our calendar listing. (20th/Roxbury)
WEST SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL ‘TASTE OF THE ARTS’: Visual, performing, and culinary arts combine for this unique benefit – here’s our preview. 6-10 pm, starting at St. John’s Episcopal Church and moving next door to the WSHS Theater. (California/Hanford/Stevens)
‘TAKING ROOT’: For Earth Month, West Seattle Meaningful Movies presents the story of Wangari Maathai (who came to West Seattle several years ago to plant trees with students). Neighborhood House’s High Point Center – come meet your neighbors at 6:30, film at 7. Details here. (6900 Sylvan Way)
‘A … MY NAME IS ALICE’: Another performance tonight at 7:30 pm for Twelfth Night Productions‘ show at Kenyon Hall; details here. (7904 35th SW)
This is just part of the list – check out the calendar for more, including music tonight.
Making summer plans? The 2014 edition of Sealth Basketball and Life Skills Camp is in registration mode, for students going into grades 2 through 9 next fall. From Coach Colin Slingsby:
We are excited to host our 17th annual summer of Sealth Basketball and Life Skills camp at Chief Sealth International High School and Denny International Middle School this summer.
Last year, we hosted more than 400 campers in our multiple sessions. The emphasis of our program is to teach the fundamentals of the game in part of a fun and competitive basketball experience, but also to emphasize the Life Skills necessary to be successful in school and life, both intellectually, and socially.
The camp is run by camp directors Colin Slingsby (Chief Sealth IHS Boys Head Coach) and Diallo Jackson (Denny IMS Boys Head Coach) with the help of many high school and college students/athletes who are put through a lengthy mentorship training in order to be prepared to work with our many campers.
While we enjoy teaching the game of basketball and providing a positive week on the court, we pride ourselves on our Life Skills curriculum which includes a classroom session daily, emphasizing the values of our program. Camp runs from 9 am-4 pm each day, and each camper will receive a camp T-shirt.
In addition, we are excited to offer an ‘Advanced Concepts’ session again this year (this session is geared toward campers 6th grade and up). A brochure with further information and registration forms are available on the Chief Sealth International High School website.
Questions? Contact Coach Slingsby at basketballandlifeskillscamp@gmail.com.
New Southwest Precinct commander Capt. Steve Wilske told the Westwood-Roxhill-Arbor Heights Community Council meeting earlier this week (WSB coverage here) that he hoped to get the SPD Mounted Patrol out and about more in West Seattle – they’re based here, after all. And today, we’re getting reports and photos of sightings – above, south on 49th SW between Spokane and Charlestown, with the photo shared by Dawn F (whose child is seen, watching); next, headed toward Alki Beach on 59th SW, photographed by Emily and shared via Instagram:
Let us know if and when you see them around!
We’re in King County Superior Court again this afternoon – this time in the courtroom of Judge Laura Inveen, who has just sentenced 23-year-old Donald Plute of Top Hat to a 10-year, 9-month sentence. Plute pleaded guilty in February to charges stemming from a morning-long rampage last August – he stole a vehicle on Alki, then reverse-rammed it into a pursuing vehicle containing its owner, and later reverse-rammed a police car trying to pull him over in Morgan Junction. He subsequently sped off into Gatewood, abandoned the vehicle and ran. This is a “huge sentence,” as Judge Inveen put it, compared to what he had been given for so many crimes before. The only person in the courtroom besides your WSB team, the lawyers, and the judge, was Plute’s father, who spoke briefly, as did Plute. More details in a bit – we’re off to breaking news. (Courthouse-hallway photo taken today by Katie Meyer for WSB)
ADDED 5:40 PM: Deputy prosecuting attorney Alex Voorhees described Plute’s spree as “a really dangerous situation for almost the entire neighborhood of West Seattle,” considering not only the vehicles he rammed but also pedestrians and others along the roads across the peninsula he used between stealing and running.”
Representing Plute, defense attorney Eric Spencer said Plute “acknowledges he has a very serious problem with substance abuse and needs some time off the streets in order to (address it) … he does understand the gravity of what he’s done and how much more serious it could have been.”
Plute’s father spoke, saying he would rather see his son get treatment than a long prison sentence, and saying Plute’s mother had just gone through two surgical procedures and he just hopes she’s still alive when he gets out.
“You’re familiar with your son’s criminal history?” asked Judge Inveen.
“I know he’s got a lot of points but … last time he was (in) he got degrees in welding and fiber-optics but (after getting out) he got back into drugs and alcohol.”
The judge noted that Plute had been given a chance with DOSA, Drug Offender Sentencing Alternative – less prison time if you go through treatment and stay clean – in 2010.
Plute spoke on his own behalf for a moment or two, too quietly for us to hear from the gallery. The judge said his record appeared to have something similar, including eluding, in 2008. She pointed out that the sentencing before his had been in a wrenching case involving a hit-run death and a drug-addicted suspect – “she’s going to prison and has nowhere near the background you do.” Judge Inveen continued, “I see a lot of people with drug problems. It’s a terrible thing, it’s a disease, but it’s not an excuse for stealing cars and doing the stuff you did. … You’ve been given opportunities … this is a huge sentence, (but) it’s the low end of the range. I don’t have the discretion to go lower than that. Under these circumstances, I hope you will grow up, and do some good things.”
With that, she decreed the recommended 129-month sentence (counting other sentences running concurrently – he had pleaded guilty to first-degree robbery, two counts of second-degree assault, and attempting to elude a pursuing police vehicle), with credit for the 7 months he has been in jail so far, plus restitution to be finalized later (the judge noted he already has some piled up from earlier cases on his record, which stretches back to age 15), and 18 months of community custody (probation) when he gets out.
“This has the potential to be a really, really good project,” Southwest Design Review Board chair Laird Bennion told the architects of 1307 Harbor SW, as the board approved its Early Design Guidance proposal on first look during the second part of last night’s SWDRB doubleheader at the Senior Center of West Seattle.
Keep in mind, Early Design Guidance is just for the project’s “massing” – size and shape – and that’s what’s reflected above. Meeting details ahead:
12:23 PM: Police and fire are responding to a potential “heavy rescue” in the 5900 block of 44th SW in Seaview (map).
(Photo by Christopher Boffoli for WSB)
12:35 PM: Added a photo. No word yet on injuries – waiting to hear from our crew at the scene.
(Photo by Patrick Sand for WSB)
12:47 PM: Here’s what police tell us – the vehicle that’s on its side spun, flipped, and wound up sideways against the parked vehicle in our photo after colliding with a third car at 44th and Raymond. The sideways vehicle’s driver was headed north at the time but the vehicle ended up facing south. The driver went to the hospital by private ambulance to be checked out, but is not believed to have serious injuries. No one else needed to go to the hospital.
7:11 PM: The other vehicle involved is shown in this photo by Christopher – its driver had been heading westbound on Raymond, and was not hurt:
A friend of the driver of the vehicle that ended up sideways says she’s out of the hospital.
(FRIDAY EVENING NOTE: The jury has gone home for the weekend, no verdict yet; back Monday)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
“OK, jurors, I am going to pass the case to you.”
With those words from King County Superior Court Judge Theresa B. Doyle, the matter of whether Lovett “Cid” Chambers did or did not commit a crime went into the hands of 12 women and men.
Their actual deliberations did not start until this morning, since they did not receive the case until Thursday’s court session was almost over. The rest of the day had been taken up with closing arguments by prosecutor Maggie Nave and defense attorney Ben Goldsmith, after a tense disagreement over the objections he had started to raise toward the end of Wednesday.
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