West Seattle, Washington
10 Friday
Today we welcome a new WSB sponsor, The Gatewood Bed and Breakfast. Here’s what its proprietors want you to know about this beautiful century-old West Seattle home, now open as guest lodging:
(The Gatewood‘s main room, with proprietors Margaret and Mary)
In 1910, British-born Francis Harper built The Gatewood for his wife Pontine and six children. The home holds more than 100 years of stories and history of the families who have lived here and after whom our guestrooms are named: the Harpers, Clarks, Frosts, and Odekirks.
Although only a short drive to downtown or the airport, the home is tucked away in a peaceful greenbelt with beautiful grounds and picturesque views. It is also a very walkable distance to Lincoln Park. To Margaret, Lincoln Park is an integral part of the experience of The Gatewood.
The Hayes family purchased the house in 1987 to raise their children and provide a place for her large, extended family to gather and bond. With the intent to restore the property with consideration of its era, they feel very fortunate to be the latest keepers of this wonderful place in West Seattle. The Hayes’s, as well as lots of aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents, created many fond memories at this extraordinary place. At Thanksgiving it became a tradition for everyone to take a leisurely walk together down to Lincoln Park and back to walk off the large meal … and avoid the dishes.
Margaret Hayes (current owner) and her daughter Mary are also in contact with the four previous owners’ families in order to capture their stories and extend the welcome back to their family home. The response has been remarkable. Some have even stayed at the house since its conversion to a B&B and expressed their deep appreciation for the loving care taken in the restoration.
In the desire to share this gem of a house, Margaret converted the residence into a Bed & Breakfast. We are confident that the environment will provide a restful, calming experience for everyone who visits. West Seattle is a unique place – the residents here genuinely care about their neighbors, local businesses, and the community as a whole. We feel we can be that home-away-from-home for those who are visiting West Seattle and extend that community and connection to them. Whether it’s the interaction with the hosts, the grounds, or the home itself, we provide guests an intimate experience. We are proud to be here in West Seattle and value greatly the support provided by the community.
We do provide recommendations to West Seattle restaurants and services for our guests. We also have partnered with several local Seattle artists to display their works throughout the house.
The Gatewood Bed and Breakfast is at 7446 Gatewood Road SW; you can see photos and book a reservation online at gatewoodwestseattle.com. Or, call 206-938-3482.
We thank The Gatewood Bed & Breakfast for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.
When the crew we photographed at work on SW Oregon west of California SW today is done, The Junction will have seven fewer trees. But West Seattle Junction Association director Susan Melrose tells WSB they will all be replaced. We had seen the tree-removal notices on two SW Oregon trees last week, noting “poor health” and “poor form”:
Then came a tip today from Eddie, who noticed the removal work in progress. There’s also a tree in front of West 5 that’s being taken out, and pear trees that – as mentioned in our coverage of September’s Southwest District Council meeting, which was attended by Seattle’s city arborist – weren’t thriving either. Melrose says the crew will grind down the stumps both for these trees and others that have fallen down recently, and will mulch the tree wells; replacements will arrive next spring, though the species hasn’t been finalized yet.
While Election Day is almost three weeks away, the voting begins at your home as soon as tomorrow – since King County Elections has announced that ballots for the November 5th election are going out in the mail today. Once again, they’ll have drop vans in West Seattle and White Center, this time on November 2nd, 4th, and 5th. More information here on how to get your ballot back to the county – remember that if you mail it, it needs a stamp.
It was a staple, almost a cliché, decades ago .. the Tupperware party. You might not have heard much about it lately – but it’s never really gone away. Proof: There’s a big fun one this Friday night at the Senior Center of West Seattle (WSB sponsor). Tickets are free; the Tupperware benefits local seniors. The announcement:
Senior Center of West Seattle announced plans today to host a first of its kind Tupperware party to raise funds for Seattle seniors. The event is scheduled to take place on Friday, October 18th, at the Senior Center, located at 4217 SW Oregon Street, in The Junction.
Entertainment for the event will be provided by Seattle’s very own Sylvia O’ Stayformore & LaTrina Bidet, who will also be acting as the mistresses of ceremony and co-hosts for this landmark charity event.
“We are very excited to be hosting such a groundbreaking and unconventional event to raise funds and create awareness about the various services offered by our organization to the community,” said Karen Sisson, the Executive Director at The Senior Center of West Seattle.
According to Sisson, Tupperware products will be available for purchase throughout the evening, with up to 40% of all the proceeds being donated to The Senior Center. She added that the event is open to all age groups, and promises to be a memorable night full of good food, fun, and laughter, for all the guests.
Among the supporters of this spectacular event are Trader Joe’s, Nerium Skin Care, and the nonprofit organization, Gays for Good/Seattle. Event guests will be able to sample delectable offerings from a menu of 1950’s retrothemed cuisine, prepared specially for this occasion.
A limited number of tickets for this free event are available via The Senior Center website at www.sc-ws.org or by calling (206) 932-4044. All donations are accepted and greatly appreciated.
Thanks to Lynn Hall for sharing last night’s colorful sunset view from Luna/Anchor Park. By the time we get to tonight’s sunset, a busy night will be under way, as evidenced by these highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
BOUNDARIES INTRODUCED AT SCHOOL BOARD: The Seattle School Board‘s meeting starts at 4:15 pm, but the introduction of the second draft of the “Growth Boundaries” (here’s WSB coverage from last Friday; here’s the district page with details) is not scheduled until after 6 pm; public comment – for which the list is already locked in (see the revised agenda) – begins at 5 pm. (3rd and Lander)
EXPLORER WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: 6:30-8:00 pm, come visit Explorer West (longtime WSB sponsor):
Explorer West welcomes prospective parents and students to drop by at 6:30pm to begin an interactive school tour including art and drama demonstrations. Meet faculty and current parents/students as well as try out some classroom activities. If you cannot make it this week, additional Open Houses will be held on Saturday, November 16th, 10-11:30 am & Tuesday, December 10th, 6:30-8 pm.
More information is available at explorer-west.org
(Explorer West is at 10015 28th SW)
MORGAN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: MoCA’s quarterly meeting, 7 pm in the lower-level meeting room at The Kenney (WSB sponsor). Busy agenda including City Council candidates Kshama Sawant and Sam Bellomio, as well as speakers on behalf of the West Seattle Transportation Coalition, the West Seattle Green Space Coalition, Getting It Right-West Seattle, and more. See the full agenda on the MoCA home page. (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW)
CHIEF SEALTH PTSA: 7 pm in the library at Chief Sealth International High School, the Sealth PTSA will hear from new principal Aida Fraser-Hammer with an overview of the school year, ASB treasurer Randi Rankin with an update on what’s going on with the student body (including this year’s Grad Night), and community partners including the Y will provide updates too, according to PTSA president Ted Reed. (2600 SW Thistle)
HARBOR SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: The first fall open house for Harbor School (WSB sponsor), a Vashon Island independent school for 4th-8th graders, 7 pm. (15920 Vashon Highway SW)
DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOODS DISTRICT COUNCIL: Reps from community groups/organizations around eastern West Seattle meet tonight at 7 at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. The agenda includes Pierce Murphy, the director of the city Office of Professional Accountability, as well as an update on the Barton combined-sewer-overflow-control project. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
LAUGH IT OFF: The next comedy night at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) is tonight, 8 pm, hosted by West Seattle’s own Mona Concepcion – see the lineup in our calendar listing. (6451 California SW)
Local nonprofits run with a lot of help from volunteer power. Sometimes it’s thankless – but sometimes, stellar volunteers get some recognition, as happened last night for the volunteer shown above with her family in a photo shared by Josh Sutton from the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor). He explains:
Last night, about 200 Y volunteers and leaders from around King County gathered to recognize our amazing volunteers who give so much to others through the Y.
Andrea Escame Hedger (in photo with her family) was recognized for her volunteer leadership through the West Seattle & Fauntleroy Y.
From the Y program:
“Andrea has been a Y member since she was a small child in the Fauntleroy community. The Y was a big part of her formative years; from playing in youth sports to working as a counselor at YMCA Camp Colman, Andrea progressed from participant to leader.
“Andrea says her involvement with youth programs at the Y inspired her to become a school teacher. She continues to give back – coaching her sons’ teams in Y youth sports for the last six years.
“Andrea is a knowledgeable resource for the Y sports programs and is happy to help new volunteers. Her family is also involved in Adventure Guides, camps, and she somehow finds time to fundraise for Y program support.
“Thank you, Andrea, for all that you do!”
(East-facing camera on the West Seattle Bridge; see other cams on the WSB Traffic page)
7:33 AM: Nothing unusual reported so far this morning commute. If you drive to/past our area’s two public high schools, you’ll notice different traffic flows today – it’s a two-hours-early-release day for WSHS, while some Chief Sealth students are starting late because it’s a testing day for two grades. Weather-wise, as you can see from the bridge camera if you haven’t been outside yet, it’s clearer than the past few mornings; forecasters expect sun later.
9:38 AM: Big response heading onto northbound I-5 for a reported rollover crash on the offramp to Highway 520.
5:37 PM: Scanner report – trouble at 8th and Roxbury again, either a crash or a stalled/broken-down vehicle in the westbound lanes.
(Photos by WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand)
A crosstown rematch for West Seattle High School and Chief Sealth International High School girls-varsity soccer on Thursday afternoon at Hiawatha Playfield – and the division-leading Wildcats took the match. Sealth started strong and kept the pressure on, but couldn’t get a goal past WSHS keeper Sarah DuLong.
The Wildcats’ scoring came from Annie Murphy with two goals and Tess Beck, Lindsay Hage, and Kate Veenhuizen with one each.
Next opponents: WSHS hosts Franklin at 3:30 pm Thursday, Walt Hundley Playfield in High Point; Sealth hosts Blanchet at 4 pm Friday, Southwest Athletic Complex.
This Saturday, family and friends of former West Seattle and White Center resident Bette Nelson, gone too soon at 59, will gather at Highland Park United Methodist Church to celebrate her life. Here’s the remembrance we were asked to share:
Elizabeth (Bette) Ann Nelson * 6-25-1954 to 10-4-2013
Bette died suddenly on October 4th at her beloved residence in Burien. A remarkable presence in the lives of many, she leaves a lasting impression with all. She always had a positive outlook through the most difficult times and never complained. She loved to laugh and brought joy to all with her stories. Above all, she had boundless Faith to guide her life.
Bette was born on June 25, 1954 in Stanley, North Dakota. Her father Tollef worked in the oil fields and her mother Bonita was a school teacher. Bette was the 3rd of four children, along with Byron (Teri), Stuart (Maureen), and Dan (Jeanette). She also left behind her nieces: Michelle (John), Jaimi, and Meghan and nephews Kristopher and Mitchell, stepchildren Alicia and David, and grand-nephews Jacob and Joshua.
The family lived in northern Minnesota during the early years near Bette’s mother’s parents, who were a strong presence in the family.
In 1957 Tollef relocated to Seattle in search of employment – soon followed by the remainder of the family.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
“There are no quick fixes, no silver bullets,” said Mike Squire-Graham from Neighborhood House, as he opened what was described as an “urgent community meeting” about teen alcohol and drug abuse.
The meeting Thursday was sparked by concerns in the Hiawatha Park/West Seattle High School area, but Squire-Graham stressed that these types of concerns are and should be addressed as a community-wide challenge, not as a problem for a particular school or park.
A strong turnout for the meeting in the WSHS library indicated many were up to that challenge – or at least, up for finding out more about it: We noted a rough count of more than 40 people – from parents, to Seattle Public Schools reps including the principals of WSHS and Madison Middle School, to Seattle Parks, business, and neighborhood-group reps.
Front and center as it began, and helping lead the discussion, was a mom with firsthand experience:
While out this afternoon checking out something else, we happened onto that SDOT pothole crew working on SW Barton near 31st, and tweeted that photo. Sharing it here, we’re adding some info in case you don’t know how to report one:
*Phone (voice) – 206-684-ROAD
*Web – fill out this form
*App – Find out about the city’s smartphone app for reporting potholes, among other things, here
*Map – See if somebody’s already reported it, by checking the map
Hear about the Philippines earthquake, and sizable aftershocks? 7.1 magnitude, dozens of people killed. And even in a big city, this is what the aftermath can look like, for those trying to stay safe, facing aftershocks – taking refuge or camping in open areas, not knowing if buildings are safe to beinside:
So get going on your “Go Bag” if you’re not already proceeding along with our monthlong effort honoring Washington State Disaster Preparedness Month. If we’re lucky, none of us will ever need to use ours. But there is just no way to tell.
From West Seattle Be Prepared, the next thing to get into your bag:
Time to think about your medications. Often you will be able to set aside 2 or 3 pills and just renew a tiny bit early. So do not throw away your prescription bottles/containers this month; hold onto them and start putting your 3-day stash of pills in them, and then add to your kit. At a minimum, list your medications and put that in your bag. And don’t forget your children’s, seniors’, or pet’s medications.
Catch up with previous installments by going here. The most recent installment will always be linked atop the BIG STORIES list in the sidebar on the right side of WSB pages, through the end of this month.
(2011 WSB photo)
Another West Seattle holiday bazaar has opened signups for arts and crafts vendors. Just in:
Artists and crafters needed for the 4th Annual Schmitz Park Elementary Holiday Craft Fair!!
Saturday, December 7th, 10 am-3 pmWe are looking for local artists and craftspeople to participate as vendors at our 4th annual fair. There is a small table fee and we are asking for an item donation to our raffle in addition to the fee. No other commission will be involved. All proceeds will go to the Schmitz Park Elementary PTA General Fund. If you are an artist or craftsperson yourself, or know someone that is and may be interested in being a vendor, please contact Deb Cibene at dcibene@gmail.com for more details.
Back in July, West Seattleite Jake Vanderplas wrote a letter to Seattle Bike Blog reporting a driver deliberately hitting him as he bicycled on 26th SW in North Delridge – ironically, a street transforming into a greenway thanks to efforts led by Vanderplas. Today, we learned (hat tip SeattlePI.com and WSB readers who pointed us there) that a criminal charge has been filed against the driver – second-degree assault with a deadly weapon. We’ve subsequently obtained the court documents:
(More Delridge fall colors, this time from Flickr member alextutu1821 via the WSB Flickr group)
Busy news day already, but we’re taking a minute to call out four things happening later today/tonight:
WSHS VS. SEALTH SOCCER: The girls-varsity soccer rematch is this afternoon, 3:30 pm at Hiawatha Playfield – division-leading West Seattle High School taking on crosstown rivals Chief Sealth International High School. (2700 California SW)
WEST SEATTLE COMMUNITY ORCHESTRAS: Music-maker in your family, young or not-that-young? The WSCOs welcome new members – just come to a weekly rehearsal; tonight marks week 2 for the current season. 5:30 pm at Chief Sealth IHS – see the WSCO website for full details. (2600 SW Thistle)
WEST SEATTLE CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL: How does King County Drug Court work? Find out from tonight’s featured guests. Also hear about crime trends from, and bring up your neighborhood concerns with, local police leadership. Meeting’s at 7 pm, Southwest Precinct meeting room. (Off Webster west of Delridge)
PUBLIC HEALTH CAFE: Come talk about GMOs and I-522 before the ballots arrive – details in our calendar listing. 7 pm at Chaco Canyon Café in The Triangle. (38th/Alaska)
See the rest of what’s up today/tonight/beyond by browsing the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar!
West Seattle’s Engine 11 (in our photo) and Battalion 7 have just cleared the scene of a major house fire in White Center this morning, for which the Seattle Fire Department provided “mutual aid.” The fire caused major damage to a home in the 10000 block of 11th SW (map); full coverage including video is on our partner site White Center Now.
A West Seattle break-in last night has two young suspects in custody today. Here’s the report just published on SPD Blotter:
Two 13-year-old boys are in the Youth Services Center this morning following a burglary last night to a South Delridge apartment.
Last night, at about 11:30 pm, a man called 911 stating that he had just confronted two teenage burglars inside his residence in the 7900 Block of Delridge Way Southwest. After the confrontation, the suspects fled south out of the apartment.
A few minutes later, a Southwest Precinct officer arrived in the area and saw two teenage suspects matching the description provided by the victim get on a bus in front of the apartment complex. The officer detained the two while other officers contacted the victim.
(East-facing camera on the West Seattle Bridge; see other cams on the WSB Traffic page)
7:36 AM: Another foggy fall morning, with sun expected to take over later. Just checked around; nothing out of the ordinary reported on nearby routes so far.
8:52 AM: If you’re checking in from out of town and wondering how foggy is it – we tweeted this photo taken looking west at the 35th/Thistle stoplight, uphill stretch of Thistle out of sight:
Can't see the hill. http://t.co/QukI43ZDqx
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) October 15, 2013
East (behind us at the time), visibility was even lower in the Delridge vicinity. Drive slowly in these conditions – you can’t even see crosswalks (or people waiting to use them) until you’re just yards away.
9:15 AM: Stalled vehicle on northbound 99 near the stadiums, according to 911 log and scanner.
10:32 PM: Thanks for the tips/questions regarding a sizable police/fire presence on the south side of Roxhill Park, near the Westwood Heights building on Roxbury. Police on the scene told us they are still trying to sort out who did what to who; according to radio communications monitored before we got there, a man in his mid-20s was found unconscious and was believed to have been repeatedly kicked in the head. Medics planned to take him to Harborview Medical Center. We’ll be following up to find out more about the circumstances and whether anyone was arrested.
UPDATE, 11:11 AM TUESDAY: Just received the report on this, after requesting it from SPD. It says police were called by someone who reported they had heard “there was possibly an assault, and the victim was possibly dead.” On arrival, officers found the victim on his back in the parking lot west of Westwood Heights, bleeding, going in and out of consciousness. Witnesses told conflicting stories of what had happened – one said they saw a group of teens kicking the victim, another said they heard “sounds of fighting” and saw three adults. Police weren’t able to find any potential suspects in the area. The victim is described in the report as having been in critical condition when taken to the hospital.
We’re approaching the midpoint of Washington State Disaster Preparedness Month – there’s a big statewide quake drill on Thursday, if you’re looking for something to reignite your inspiration for participation in our ongoing one-item-at-a-time “Go Bag” creation project with West Seattle Be Prepared.
Or – read up on Typhoon Phailin. Weather disasters can happen too (remember the 2006 windstorm? the 2007 rainstorm? archived coverage of both is in the “categories” list toward the bottom of our sidebar).
Next item for your “Go Bag”:
Either put a gas utility shut-off wrench in your bag or attach it to your outside meter near the valve. They cost less than $5 at hardware stores. But be aware that you should only shut off your gas if you smell gas, which would indicate a leak or ruptured line, or have been instructed to turn off the gas by emergency personnel. Once you turn off gas to your house, only a trained technician utility person can reactive the line; you cannot do it yourself. Imagine being in line for that service if you turn off the gas and didn’t really need to during a disaster.
While you are thinking about the gas line, you should also know where your water-shutoff valve is and have a tool nearby to do emergency shut off should the water lines rupture as well. A brochure from the Seattle Neighbors Actively Prepare (SNAP) program shows how to shut off the gas, water and electrical power. SNAP groups receive training on how to utility shut off and more, consider starting a SNAP group in your neighborhood! Here’s the brochure.
P.S. Enjoy tests? If you’re really confident about your preparedness skills, take this one on the San Francisco Office Of Emergency Preparedness site.
Catch up with previous installments by going here. The most recent installment is always linked atop the BIG STORIES list in the sidebar on the right side of WSB pages.
Their new album isn’t officially out until tomorrow – but today, you could buy The Head & The Heart‘s new album “Let’s Be Still” in advance at just one place: West Seattle’s own Easy Street Records. And those who did, were guaranteed a spot inside the store for tonight’s announced-at-the-last-minute live performance. Big spillover outside:
It’s not easy running a record store -slash- café -slash- live-music venue – ESR proprietor Matt Vaughan was seen minutes before the show, coming down from his crow’s nest by the café’s front door; he had been moving some audio equipment:
After tonight’s Easy Street performance, The Head & The Heart (profiled in The Seattle Times [WSB partner] today) was off to a sold-out show at the Columbia City Theater, and heading east on tour after that; as for ESR, there’s more excitement at the store later tonight – Pearl Jam‘s new album will be playing and on sale in less than an hour, when the release party starts at 9 pm.
(Click image for larger view)
What could be the final Southwest Design Review Board meeting for 3210 California SW now has a (technically tentative) date: November 21st, 6:30 pm, Senior Center of West Seattle. The 5-story, ~150-apartment, ~168-parking-space project reappeared today on the city Department of Planning and Development schedule. The proposal made it through the Early Design Guidance stage of the process in two meetings, April 11th and June 27th. At least a week before the meeting, developers Intracorp and architects Nicholson Kovalchick will go public with a proposed final draft of the building’s design; we’ll publish an update when it’s available. The drawing above is from the building “massing” taken to the second EDG meeting, which the developers told WSB is similar to what they would be including in their permit application afterward.
Four West Seattle food notes to share:
FATBURGER’S TIMELINE: Lots of questions about when the first Fatburger within the Seattle city limits is opening; as first reported here in August, it’s in the heart of Alki, in the former Bada Bistro/Beachside Café/Alki Bakery spot at 61st and Alki. Today, an answer from its owners: The restaurant is expected to open in two to four weeks. Hours are likely to be 11 am-9 pm for starters, but given that it’s the offseason at the beach, that might evolve once they’re open and see how it goes. If you’ve been to a Fatburger on the Eastside, note that this one will come with something extra – two things extra, actually – wings and a full-service bar. (Photo: Illuminated sign visible through Alki window.)
(Photo added 7:41 pm – sign’s up at the new West Seattle location)
ZAW PREVIEW FREEBIES: As noted here two months ago, Zaw Artisan Pizza – which is a take-and-bake shop – is opening a West Seattle store in the for-sale strip mall on the northwest corner of 35th and Fauntleroy. Via its Facebook page, it’s offering “sneak preview” freebies this Wednesday-Friday, by advance reservation.
TERRA COLE BUTCHERY OPENS IN THE JUNCTION: The new meat-and-more shop in the former Coffee to a Tea spot in The Junction, featured here last month, has soft-opened. (Don’t go today, though – they’re closed Mondays.)
COPPER COIN’S ANNIVERSARY: Proprietor Aaron Shepherd says they’re celebrating the Admiral District restaurant’s first anniversary tomorrow (Tuesday, October 15th) with a special that incorporates a taste of political advocacy as the November election approaches:
Four seasons and Seven menu designs ago we opened the doors of The Copper Coin to our friends and neighbors in West Seattle. It’s been your standard first year for a restaurant. That’s to say, it’s been exhilaratingly bonkers. At the one year mark it’s a good time to take a moment to both celebrate and to remember why we come to work every day. In fact, we’ve decided to combine the two. Our menu states ‘our food is not grown, harvested, or cooked in a factory. We work with farmers who say yes to grass and no to drugs, and with fishermen who believe in being sustainably wild,’ and within those words you’ll find our opinion on Initiative 522. This Tuesday, October 15th, in support of I-522 and in celebration of the support we’ve received from our neighborhood over the last year, we are running our Deluxe Burger paired with an exclusive 1-year anniversary “Two Coins” Double Copper Ale by Two Beers Brewery for $5.22. Hopefully the $5.22 price for a burger and beer can serve as a thank you to our friends and as a catalyst for healthy conversation about an important topic for our community.
REMINDER: WSB maintains the West Seattle Restaurant Guide as a quick, basic reference to info on local eateries; we check from time to time to see if hours (etc.) have changed, but if you happen onto outdated information, please let us know – editor@westseattleblog.com any time – so we can fix it. Thanks!
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