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Video: 9/11 anniversary vigil at Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza

September 11, 2011 7:13 pm
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 |   Alki Statue of Liberty | West Seattle history | West Seattle news

ORIGINAL 7:13 PM REPORT: Hundreds have gathered at Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza as the day ends and the 9/11 10th anniversary vigil begins, at the site of so many vigils in the first few weeks after the attacks. Though it’s not dark yet, candles are being lit:

At right, looking at the tributes and memorials that have accumulated at the statue’s base during the day (our earlier report is here), is Vicki Schmitz-Block from Fauntleroy. We’re told there is no formal program – you can just come down to remember and look back, as this solemn anniversary makes way to night. At least two TV stations are here too.

7:24 PM: A round of “America the Beautiful” has broken out – and then applause. This event was organized by the Southwest Seattle Historical Society/Log House Museum, whose Clay Eals has been showing their 9/11 memory album to visitors:

And now, they’re singing the national anthem, loudly, proudly. Some are waving small flags. One woman is wrapped in a flag-pattern sweater. … “Amazing Grace” followed, as did other songs, including “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee” (update: here’s the video):

7:48 PM: It’s getting dark enough for the candlelight to stand out, ringing the base of the statue (which was recast four years ago and unveiled here on September 11, 2007; the plaza was built around it the following year, and dedicated in September 2008). Rev. Randy Leskovar of West Seattle’s Calvary Chapel offered a prayer. Absent a formal program, people are coming and going, and probably will for a while.

8:10 PM: Still at least 60 or 70 people gathered. More candles, and quiet tributes, and a luminaria bearing a wish:

ADDED LATE SUNDAY NIGHT: More photos:Read More

9/11 + 10: Providence Mount St. Vincent service

September 11, 2011 6:47 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle religion

Some of the 1,000 paper cranes lovingly hand-made by residents, staff, and other community members at Providence Mount St. Vincent in recent days graced The Mount’s chapel for its 9/11 anniversary service this afternoon. The service featured prayers and readings from faith traditions including Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Jewish, and Hindu, and lots of music:

Mary Fierke and Ellen McClain led the music, including congregational renditions of songs from “Amazing Grace” to “America the Beautiful.” The service was followed by a dessert reception in The Mount’s café.

Before tonight’s vigil, a look at Alki, exactly 10 years ago

These first two photos are from September 11th, 2001, when the first night after the 9/11 attacks brought the first gathering at Alki’s Statue of Liberty, and they are by John Loftus. He thinks he might have been the only person to take photos that night.

John tells WSB, “I had an early (2 megapixel) digital camera and was able to shoot discreetly without using flash. The objects left at the Statue of Liberty have been extensively photographed, but I don’t know that there are other photos capturing the images and mood of the people at the shrine that same night it happened. When the Log House Museum did a show on the 1st anniversary, one of my photos was blown up 6 feet long, I recall.” Today, John placed a framed poster at Liberty Plaza, with a collage of his photos. WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand captured an image of it this morning, even before we heard from him about it; we published a wide shot this morning, but here’s a closer view:

He says he visited the Log House Museum 9/11 display this afternoon and that his photos were indeed the only ones in the album from that first night. Meantime, tonight’s vigil, organized by the museum, is coming up at the top of the hour (7 pm).

West Side Presbyterian Church dedicates Centennial Courtyard

Much of the celebrating was done six months ago, but West Side Presbyterian Church‘s centennial will leave a lasting memory – the Centennial Courtyard, dedicated this afternoon.

Speaking to those gathered to dedicate the new courtyard, Laurinda O’Connell and WSPC’s pastor, Rev. Paul Smith:

Rev. Smith marks a milestone of his own this year – 30 years since he became pastor of WSPC.

West Seattle Crime Watch: Restaurant patio vandalized

Just out of the WSB inbox, from Deb Breuler, co-owner of the Luna Park-area restaurant Avalon:

During the early morning hours our patio at Avalon restaurant was
vandalized. Two large planters were knocked over. Plants were pulled up, chairs were broken and thrown to the sidewalk out front. It must have happened quite late we were here until 1 am and back at 8 am. It has since been cleaned up and none of our diners had to miss a beautiful day on our patio. It was disheartening to know this happened in our community. If anyone saw anything?? I have reported this to the police.

No way to tell if it’s related, but while we were taking photos early this morning today at Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza, we were told that shrubs had been torn out by vandals overnight; Alki Community Council‘s David Hutchinson had replanted them and was cleaning up before the 9/11 anniversary events began.

Video: 9/11 tribute at Holy Family, with Firefighters’ Prayer

September 11, 2011 1:28 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | White Center

As he did while helping search the 9/11 rubble in New York a decade ago, retired fire captain Rudy Alvarado wore a red/white/blue bandanna this morning, leading the day’s first formal 9/11 tribute in the West Seattle/White Center area. As the Holy Family Community Street Fair began for the day, he read the Firefighters’ Prayer:

Alvarado’s memories were featured in this Redmond Reporter story last week. Our longer version of this story on partner site White Center Now includes another video clip, with Alvarado leading the Pledge of Allegiance today, and Holy Family School (WSB sponsor) assistant principal Anca Wilson singing the national anthem. The Holy Family fair continues until 4 pm, at 20th/Roxbury, on the south side of the school/church campus; meantime, our list of other 9/11 tributes today/tonight is here.

West Seattle Crime Watch: Man & pickup to watch out for

Two West Seattle Crime Watch reports this morning, starting with 2 women out for a walk, approached by a pickup-truck driver who they say was engaging in lewd behavior, and intent on them seeing it. Details, plus a car-part theft, ahead:Read More

West Seattle Whale Watch: Fauntleroy/Vashon orca report

10:30 AM: First the Orca Network reported that Washington State Ferries called in a sighting of three or four orcas between Fauntleroy and Vashon just before 10 pm; then we just got a text about orcas in the “Vashon ferry lane.” So be on the lookout today!

11:07 AM: Another update via Orca Network – they’ve been spotted just off Vashon’s eastern shore at Dilworth, which Google Maps shows as directly across the Sound from Seahurst. But perhaps they’ll head back north later – on our side!

West Seattle Sunday: The rest of today’s highlights

In all its ruffled glory, standing on the beach, the bald eagle photographed by Melanie Dixon seems just as fierce and regal as when soaring above. Our 9/11 anniversary events list is here (and our morning visit to Alki’s Lady Liberty is here); what follows is the rest of today’s highlights, from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

HOLY FAMILY COMMUNITY STREET FAIR: Second day of the festivities at 20th/Roxbury, with pony rides, karaoke, salsa cookoff, vendors, live music, food, more. The official flyer is here.

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Today’s update (and a look ahead) from market management:

Wine Tasting at Wilridge Vineyards & Winery
Fresh Roasted Peppers from River Farm
NEXT WEEK [9/18]: Sas-Squash Fest!! Chef Demo, sampling, music, ugly squash contest and the long-awaited Zucchini 500 Races hosted by the Kiwanis Club! C’mon down!

Every Sunday, you’ll find the market at 44th/Alaska in The Junction, 10 am-2 pm.

LOOKING FOR A HOME: Friends of the Animals Foundation is at Next to Nature in The Junction with local rescue kittens (“and a few nice cats”) looking for permanent and loving homes, 11 am-3 pm.

COLMAN POOL’S LAST DAY OF THE YEAR: We took that photo on July 4th, the day the outdoor pool at Lincoln Park marked its 70th anniversary, and the weather today is just as beautiful. Swimming starts at noon; note that next year’s opening is scheduled to be later than usual because of work in the offseason. Today’s schedule is here.

AFTERNOON TUNES: Why Ask Why, described on the C & P Coffee (WSB sponsor) calendar as an “eclectic acoustic duo.” 1-3 pm, 5612 California SW.

TOX-ICK’S WEAK SPOTS, REVEALED! Sustainable West Seattle presents “Don’t Feed the Tox-Ick Monster,” first edition of this educational event, 2 pm – 3 pm, West Seattle Christian Church, 4400 42nd SW. (Audience members will be eligible to win up to $1,000 in prizes like water cisterns, landscape consulting, car-wash gift certificates, oil changes, bus passes, and more.).

ARTSWEST MATINEE: “Amy’s View” continues its first weekend at ArtsWest Playhouse in The Junction, 3 pm matinee.

9/11 anniversary dawns with Alki Statue of Liberty tributes

Tonight, the Alki Statue of Liberty will again be a gathering place, to remember, and to hope, as it was a decade ago. This morning, tributes are already there – including this poem:

As shown here earlier this week, Alki’s Lady Liberty is holding a flag for the occasion. Across the street, a large flag went up this morning:

Tonight’s vigil is at 7 pm, sponsored by the Southwest Seattle Historical Society/Log House Museum, whose 9/11 exhibit is viewable today from noon till 7, just a block south at 61st/Stevens. (photo added 1:48 pm)

Other West Seattle/White Center commemorations are on this list.

Video: Vivid reasons to learn – today! – how to fight Tox-Ick

Local diver Laura James is documenting what we’ve been warned about but can’t see … what’s pouring into Puget Sound, beneath the surface, carrying debris and toxicity from what’s on the surface, ashore. The video above was shot near Alki, part of Laura’s project to document all the runoff-carrying pipelines around West Seattle. She shares the video just as Sustainable West Seattle is kicking off its campaign against the Tox-Ick Monster, starting with a presentation – with prizes! – today, 2 pm, West Seattle Christian Church in The Junction (southeast corner of 42nd/Genesee). And if you’re still not convinced it’s a battle you need to join, here’s a different look at Laura’s work – part of an upcoming documentary with a broader look at threats to Puget Sound:

P.S. If you just can’t get to today’s presentation about fighting Tox-Ick … you have other chances this fall, all listed here.

West Seattle coyotes: More sightings, including 2 together

Two more coyote reports to share – including one instance of two seen together. Read ahead for both:Read More

West Seattle scenes: WS Soccer Club gets the ball rolling

September 10, 2011 9:03 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

On a September Saturday that felt more like July, hundreds of West Seattle Soccer Club players took to fields around the peninsula. For the U8 to U11 teams, it was the annual WSSC Jamboree; regular play started for older teams. Above, Amanda Parkhurst photographed Lucy Parkhurst and Eva Flanagan, in blue, during the Blues Sisters vs. Crashing Waves game; below, Deanie Schwarz caught a wider scene at Highland Park:

This season, WSSC has signed up more than 1,600 players – a record – and 275 coaches. The U8-U11 teams start regular play next weekend, while U6 and U7 start on September 25th.

West Seattle/White Center events tomorrow for 9/11 + 10

(September 2001 photo by David Hutchinson)
If you were here in September 2001, it is an indelible memory – the gatherings, the tributes, the luminaria at the Alki Statue of Liberty. Right around this time tomorrow, on the 10th anniversary of the attacks, a candlelight vigil (organized by the Southwest Seattle Historical Society/Log House Museum) will again bring people together to pay tribute, to remember, and to look ahead. But that is not the only West Seattle/White Center event tomorrow commemorating the anniversary; in case you haven’t seen it yet, we wanted to call your attention one more time to the running list we’ve been keeping of all the events we know of, tomorrow morning, afternoon and evening. See the list here; please let us know if you notice something missing, so that we can add it before it’s too late (editor@westseattleblog.com) – thank you.

Countdown to Delridge Day: Cleanup crew, & bake-sale request

September 10, 2011 4:17 pm
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 |   Delridge | West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

One week till the Delridge Day festival and skatepark opening (11 am-3 pm Sept. 17th) – two notes today:

ADOPT-A-STREET CLEANUP: We caught up with the North Delridge Neighborhood Council Adopt-A-Street volunteers as they were getting ready for one last pre-Delridge Day cleanup this morning; if you noticed any yellow bags in the area, that’ s their handiwork!

BAKE SALE NEEDS GOODIES: Delridge Community Center Advisory Board member Francesca Annis sends word that the community bake sale that’ll be part of next Saturday’s festival needs community donations! Can you donate something – homemade or store-bought? It’ll help raise money for a youth-scholarship fund. Francesca says that whatever you can donate, you’ll be in good company:

Great Start Preschool, School Age Care and the Teen Program housed within the center are all making items to contribute. NDNC, Bakery Nouveau, Zatz a Better Bagel, C&P Coffee Co., The Original Bakery, Great Harvest Baking Co., Sugar Rush Baking Co./Coffee to a Tea, Manderin Cookie Co., Starbucks, Safeway, Metropolitan Market, QFC and PCC have also committed to our efforts and we hope to receive word from other West Seattle bakeries and grocery stores.

Please join us by donating your favorite home-made or store-bought goods. We will also accept non traditional bake sale items such as individual size fruit snacks, chips/crackers or candy. If possible, please wrap your home-made items individually. You may drop off your contribution at Delridge Community Center, located at 4501 Delridge Way SW. We will also accept monetary donations in lieu of baked items. For more information please contact Francesca Annis via e-mail at keekai@comcast.net. You may also call the center at 206-684-7423 and ask for Ryan Spencer or Alice Greer.

West Seattle Crime Watch: Anybody missing a safe?

Just out of the WSB inbox, from a West Seattleite who asked not to be identified:

At about 1 pm this afternoon there were at least two suspicious people pounding and trying to open a safe in North end of Riverview Park (the corner of Holly & 12th Ave SW). One of the men looked to be a Caucasian male. There were two vehicles, one gray X-Terra and the other looked to be a gray sedan. The police were called and before they got there (only a few minutes) the cars were gone. They did retrieve the safe, it was medium sized and gray. They asked if anyone has any information to please contact the Seattle Police Department.

The non-emergency number is 206-625-5011.

Happening now: Holy Family Community Street Fair

A bouncy house, pony rides, and other activities for kids – as well as food, entertainment, and vendors, for all ages – are part of what you’ll find at the Holy Family Community Street Fair, outside the church/school at 20th/Roxbury till 6 tonight and 9 am-4 pm tomorrow. (Sunday activities include a salsa cookoff – more info on the official flyer.)

West Seattle Crime Watch: The case of the boosted blooms

Things have been fairly quiet lately (and WSBeat fans should know, Megan Sheppard‘s weekly feature returns next week). Today, just out of the WSB inbox, from Mike B, a report:

We live on Fauntleroy Way near the Fairmount Playfield. I have a garden of mostly zinnias, gladiolas, and marigolds. Last night (Friday) at about 8:30pm my wife alerted me that there was someone in our yard picking my flowers. When confronted the young men said, “Sorry, they’re for my dead bro, man. Call the Cops.” They quickly walked away heading south. I did call and the police responded quickly. They did not find the young men. They were young white guys in their late teens or early twenties. One had a knit hat on. Both were dressed in baggy dark clothing. I know they were only flowers, but I put a lot of time into my garden and they were important to me.

Reminder, the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council resumes its meetings a week from Tuesday – at 7 pm September 20th, Southwest Precinct. Special guest this month – discussing identity theft.

West Seattle Saturday: Sales, schools, swimming, soccer…

September 10, 2011 9:02 am
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 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Late-summer swim at Alki, by LikeOnATree, from the WSB Flickr group pool)
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar, as our late summer rolls on:

WEST SEATTLE SOCCER CLUB SEASON STARTS: WSSC sends word that their games begin today, at fields around West Seattle. They have record registration – more than 1,600 players – so that means a LOT of games!

MORE THAN A RUMMAGE SALE: This sale also has a bouncy house for kids and free hot dogs/burgers for all. Now till 4 pm. 3210 SW 106th Street in Arbor Heights. Benefiting community charities; hosted by the New Apostolic Church.

MORE YARD SALES: Check the Freebies/Deals/Sales section of the WSB Forums, where 10+ sales are listed for today (and you can list yours, free, any time).

STREET FAIR! Holy Family Community Street Fair, 9-6 on Saturday, 9-4 on Sunday, with pony rides, karaoke, salsa cookoff, vendors, live music, food, more (and a 9/11 remembrance on Sunday) – official flyer here.

PITCH IN AND CLEAN UP: Adopt-A-Street cleanup with the North Delridge Neighborhood Council, with one week to go till Delridge Day and the skatepark grand opening! 10 am-noon, meet at Delridge Community Center.

GOOD FOOD, GOOD FUN: Free family-nutrition class at PCC Natural Markets (WSB sponsor) in West Seattle, 10 am-noon.

GOT SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS QUESTIONS/CONCERNS? Community conversation with School Board president Steve Sundquist, High Point Library (35th/Raymond), 11 am-12:30 pm.

A WALK IN THE PARK: West Seattle naturalist Stewart Wechsler will lead a walk in Lincoln Park beginning at 11:00 a.m. Stewart is known for his passion for preserving our unique, native biodiversity — butterflies are a specialty! All are welcome. Meet at the north parking lot bulletin board.

FALL’S GREAT FOR GARDENING: The Garden Center is open at South Seattle Community College, second-to-last scheduled “second Saturday” of the year. 11 am-3 pm. 6000 16th SW, north side of campus.

CELEBRATE OUR ELDERS: Grandparents Day Celebration at Life Care Center of West Seattle, 4700 SW Admiral Way, 11 am-2 pm. “A fun-filled afternoon with entertainment, refreshments, and activities for all ages.”

LAST CHANCE FOR COLMAN POOL: At Lincoln Park, it’s Colman Pool’s last weekend of 2011; pool schedule/other info here. Swimming starts at noon.

SKATING: Seattle Lutheran High School Cheerleading back-to-school skating party at Southgate Roller Rink, 5-7 pm. Come win prizes for ’80s wear!! Glow sticks, snacks and an Ipod give away!!! $10 at the door includes skates and one iPod raffle ticket.

SEALTH’S HALF-CENTURY REUNION: Chief Sealth‘s Class of 1961 continues its reunion weekend with dinner tonight at South Seattle Community College’s Brockey Center; details here.

SHAKE IT: At the Heartland Café’s Benbow Room: Dance party! Candylandia is a monthly night of sweet sounds, liberal libations, and shakin’ good times brought to you by DJ Cotton Candy every second Saturday of the month. 9 pm.

West Seattle weather: Hottest September week on record?

Thanks to Bill Bacon for the post-sunset view of the Olympics and the Sound on yet another warm late-summer night (with smoke from the “Big Hump” fire, now up to 800 acres). Get ready for an even-warmer weekend, according to most forecasts (you’ll see a couple options on our experimental WSB Weather page). Today and tomorrow might approach 90, according to the National Weather Service, which says that might make for a record-setting week, before things cool down several days from now:

The warmest week on record in September in Seattle (including the Federal Building records, which go back to 1891) in terms of high temperatures is the 7-day stretch from September 18th through the 24th, 1974, when the average high temperature was 84.0 degrees (78…80…88…88…84…81…89). There is a chance this could be surpassed with the two warm days coming up over the weekend.

Still lots of outdoor options – before we get to today’s official preview, two that come to mind are the final weekend at Colman Pool (swimming resumes today at noon), and the all-weekend Holy Family Community Street Fair (9 am-6 pm today, 9-4 tomorrow).

West Seattle scene: SW Youth and Family Services fundraiser

Southwest Youth and Family Services is a West Seattle-based nonprofit that does a lot of hard work, fairly quietly … but once a year, it’s time to have fun. In our photo are State Sen. Sharon Nelson and SWYFS executive director Steve Daschle, snapped at The Hall at Fauntleroy Friday night, during the agency’s annual gala dinner/auction. Not just the standard auction fare – check this array from Seattle’s popular Pop Cap Games:

The night also featured a dessert dash for treats from the quite-dashworthy Bakery Nouveau:

As explained on the SWYFS website, their main areas of emphasis are counseling, education, and family support (high-school classes are even taught on site, for high-risk students trying to get back into the groove).

Tonight’s high-school football: WSHS, SLHS wins; Sealth loss

First high-school-football score in for the night – Close game at Southwest Athletic Complex; West Seattle High School beats Nathan Hale, 21-20. That’s our featured game tonight; video and summary to come. According to our partners at the Seattle Times, Seattle Lutheran won at North Beach (in Ocean Shores), 35-0, while Sealth lost at Ingraham, 39-6.

ADDED 11:59 PM: Summary/video from WSHS game:Read More

West Seattle CSO projects: Barton field work; Murray offers

Both of King County’s West Seattle projects to reduce combined-sewer overflows (CSO) are proceeding, and we have updates tonight.

In the area of Sunrise Heights/Westwood where the map above is shaded – part of the “basin” feeding the Barton pump station north of the Fauntleroy ferry dock – the plan is to install “green stormwater infrastructure” including rain gardens, and another round of field work is imminent, according to spokesperson Annie Kolb-Nelson. She says residents in the affected area have been sent a letter (see it here), and will get more notification whenever something is happening on their block, but they wanted to get wider word out too. This is what will be happening, according to an online update about the project:

• Project team members conducting land and utility surveys, and looking at topography, stormwater and groundwater patterns, existing parking strip uses, trees, driveways, accessibility for residents with disabilities, and other physical features of the project area
• Geotechnical borings to better understand soil and groundwater conditions
• Infiltration testing to see how long it takes water to soak into the ground
• Parking and traffic pattern survey
• Potential installation of additional groundwater monitoring wells
• Examination of roof downspout connections/disconnections to the existing combined sewer system

All that will start over the next few weeks, Kolb-Nelson tells WSB. There’s also a map showing specific properties in the project area – you can see that here. The county says construction won’t start until 2013.

We also asked what’s new in the neighborhood that is going to be affected by the plan for the basin feeding the Murray pump station at Lowman Beach Park, where a separate pump-station maintenance project is under way right now. For Murray, you may recall, the county has decided to build a huge underground storage tank across the street from the park, which requires buying and demolishing the residential properties that are there now. Kolb-Nelson says, “We’re in contact with property owners and have begun making offers. We’re also notifying people about eligibility for relocation benefits.” She adds that community meetings are planned next month, but the dates aren’t set yet. This project also is set for construction in 2013; an aerial view is here.