West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
Two quick updates in the ongoing saga of Village Green Perennial Nursery owner Vera Johnson‘s fight against foreclosure, after what she says has been months of getting the runaround from Bank of America: First, WSB commenters had suggested this story deserves national attention – and it looks like some is on the way: Vera tells WSB she has been asked to do a national cable-network interview, tomorrow morning around 8 am with MSNBC, from a downtown Seattle studio. We don’t have an exact time yet when this is likely to air, but we’re working to find out. Second, the date for a community benefit/rally on Vera’s behalf has just changed to August 31st, still at 5 pm at Big Al Brewing in White Center. (If you haven’t seen it yet, here’s our Tuesday story about her trip downtown to get a face-to-face meeting with B of A.)
A WSB commenter broke the news, and Safeway’s Sara Osborne confirms it: Steel-drum band The Toucans will play at tomorrow’s opening celebration for the new Admiral Safeway, likely outdoors, 4-7 pm. As reported previously, the store opens at noon, following a ribbon-cutting ceremony around 11:30 am (here’s our most recent report).
Tomorrow is also the next Summer Concerts at Hiawatha show – but it’s actually on Alki this time:
Yogoman Burning Band plays at 6:30 pm tomorrow (Thursday) – as with the regular location, bring your own blanket/chair to Alki for the concert. Same goes on Friday at Providence Mount St. Vincent (WSB sponsor), when the second of four Friday night concerts brings Danny Vernon with his Illusion of Elvis:
That’s our video of his show there last year. This Friday, it’s music at 6, dinner/beer/wine available for sale at 5:30 pm, free popcorn/snow cones, south side of The Mount (4831 35th SW). ADDED 4:41 PM: Susan Clark at The Mount sends details of something extra this Friday night – a classic-car show:
We’re having around 20 cars! Here’s a brief listing:
* Ford Model A
* 1957 Chevy
* 1965 Corvair
* 1965 Corvette Sting Ray
* Austin Healy
* Other Chevrolets and MustangsIt’s an informal car show-no judging. The show starts at 3:30 pm and ends at 7:30 pm. It’s just something we wanted to do for our residents and concertgoers.
2:57 PM: SFD sent a full house-fire response to the 5900 block of SW Genesee (map). WSB’s Christopher Boffoli is there and says no smoke or flames are visible. This is actually just east of Beach Drive. More as we get it.
(Photos by Christopher Boffoli for WSB)
3:10 PM: Christopher says it was a small fire on a deck; no injuries or major damage reported so far.
After getting a question about the tall ship docked downtown at Pier 66 – our friends at KING 5 mentioned it last night – we checked with the Port of Seattle to see how long it’ll be around, and they said they’ve just gotten a schedule for public tours. It’s the Russian ship Pallada, said to have at least at one time held a record as the “fastest sailing ship” in the world, owned by the Far Eastern State Technical Fishing University. It’s on a goodwill tour, carrying what this report from Russia describes as “an exhibition featuring the 50th anniversary of Yuri Gagarin’s space flight and the 270th anniversary of the discovery of Russian America by Russian seafarers.” According to port spokesperson Charla Skaggs, the Pallada is open for tours till 6 pm today, 10:30 am-4 pm tomorrow, and 10:30 am-3 pm on Friday. She says it’s scheduled to leave later Friday – no exact time yet; the Russian report says it’ll be bound for Japan, after having stopped here, in B.C., and in Alaska. Via the WSB Facebook page, Rob pointed out his photos of the Pallada visiting Puget Sound in 2005 for the Tall Ships Tacoma festival.
More Web research yielded another bit of local history with this ship: It was stuck in Seattle for a while almost exactly 20 years ago because of money troubles. Here’s a story from August 1991.
This arrived in the WSB inbox under the heading, “The Case of the Inadvertently Missing Punchbowl.” Admiral UCC Church hopes you can help solve the “case”:
Here are the facts as we know them:
1. A glass punchbowl set with punch cups and a glass ladle was loaned to the Admiral Congregational United Church of Christ for use during receptions a month or so ago.
2. At some point it was inadvertently placed in a stack of items to be sold at the annual yard sale.
3. On July 30th, at the annual yard sale, it was sold to a lady from West Seattle whom the cashier did not know.
4. There are a number of red faces around our church because this happened, and shouldn’t have.
5. The punchbowl set was sold in a box with the name “Verle Kramer” written on it.
6. While the owner admits that the set has no great monetary value, it belonged to his mother, and therefore has sentimental value.
7. If anyone has any knowledge of the whereabouts of the set, please contact the church at 206 932-2928.
8. The purchase price will be refunded, and there is a reward being offered.
If you haven’t already checked out the brochure for fall classes, programs, and events at West Seattle’s city-run community centers – it’s now available online, and registration is now available for the offerings that require it. The same brochure includes the fall schedule for Southwest Pool, from lessons to public swims.
Highlights from this week’s North Delridge Neighborhood Council meeting included a push for another community forum about the proposed Downtown Emergency Service Center 75-unit apartment building to house homeless people living with mental illness. NDNC leaders said that DESC was suggesting smaller gatherings, but discussion at the meeting solidified a sentiment that a big-group forum was important, as there hadn’t been one yet – given the June 27th meeting (WSB coverage here, with video) from which dozens were turned away given the small size of the venue. No meeting date yet. As reported here two weeks ago, the proposal is now in the city permit system.
NDNC attendees, meeting Monday night outdoors in the Delridge/Genesee park area, also heard a presentation about a new business headed to Delridge:
Stockbox Grocers‘ founders were in attendance to announce they plan to open its first West Seattle prototype on September 1st, in a parking lot at the Westhaven Apartments (24th/Holden).
Presenting the plan to NDNC, Stockbox’s Carrie Ferrence explained it’s a “miniature grocery,” meant to be permanently housed in a recycled cargo container, though the two-month West Seattle experiment will be in a 20 x 8 “portable office” structure. Stockbox is a for-profit startup that hopes to grow to multiple locations with mini-corner-store type operations, but for now, they’re planning to start in the Delridge and Skyway areas. They’re also trying to raise $15,000 more capital via a Kickstarter campaign. They’ll start by being open 3-8 pm (to catch people heading home) weekdays, 8 am-8 pm weekends.
Also at NDNC: A round of voting resulted in a choice for the organization’s new logo:
That was one of nine entries in the council’s open-to-the-public logo contest. Turns out, though, the artist isn’t from Delridge – but rather, from Edmonds, according to NDNC’s Patrick Baer, who spearheaded the contest.
NDNC also discussed plans for upcoming events including the Delridge Day festival, 11 am-3 pm on September 17th, which they’re organizing – vendor booths (still time to apply), food, and more, plus the centerpiece of the day, the skatepark dedication – the festival site will be in the adjacent park area. Asked if there will be live music, project lead Amanda Leonard said Parks is working on that. NDNC needs lots of volunteer help to make Delridge Day a success;
NDNC also reiterated the public invitation for this weekend’s Longfellow Creek walk: Meet at 26th/Brandon (Greg Davis Park) at 1 pm Sunday (August 14th) – kids and pets welcome.
You can find out more about the North Delridge Neighborhood Council at ndnc.org; meetings are first Mondays, 6:30 pm, Delridge Library unless otherwise announced – like this summer’s outdoor versions!
Today we’re welcoming one of our newest WSB sponsors, and per WSB tradition, here’s what the Community Acupuncture Project of West Sea would like you to know about who they are and what they do:
West Seattle finally has our very own full-time community acupuncture clinic. The Community Acupuncture Project of West Sea is now open 7 days a week, in the heart of the Junction. Acupuncture is now affordable in our neighborhood, every day, with no need to cross the bridge! Sonja Sivesind, a licensed acupuncturist and owner of the Project, is a Westwood resident who opened this second location after two years of running the Community Acupuncture Project of Columbia City. Sonja is also an acupuncturist at a methadone clinic downtown and loves offering acupuncture to so many members of the community. She is thrilled to be providing acupuncture to her neighbors and fellow West Seattleites while also offering jobs to Seattle acupuncturists.
The Community Acupuncture Project of West Sea, which opened for business on June 12, joins the ranks of 9 other community acupuncture clinics in Seattle and more than 200 sliding-scale clinics nationwide. “Community acupuncture surprises people. It is powerful to be treated with others and feel healing energy radiating off one another. Because acupuncture is most effective as a series of treatments, our sliding scale ($15-40) allows people to come in often and really get better,” explains Sivesind. “Patients come in for everything from back pain and allergies to insomnia and anxiety,” says Sivesind. “Most people feel more relaxed when they leave our clinic and are pleased with the calmness they feel as they re-emerge into their daily lives.” The Community Acupuncture Project of West Sea is located at 4545 44th Ave SW @ Alaska. You can reach us at 206.933.7891. To learn more about community acupuncture, check out: acupunctureforall.org
We thank Community Acupuncture Project of West Sea for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news on WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:
LOW TIDES: Another few days of minus tides begin (here’s the monthly chart), with this morning’s low tide just after 9 am, -1.1.
KIWANIS HOSTS COUNCILMEMBER: At Be’s in The Junction at noon ,the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle will hear from Seattle City Councilmember Jean Godden. Lunch is $8; RSVP to Warren Lawless, ewl@westseattle.com or 206-938-8032.
HEALTH-CARE TALK: “Health Care Reform and Seniors” at Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon St), 12:15 pm. Learn about Medicare changes, how health-care reform is closing the prescription drug “donut hole”, new long-term care and care transition initiatives, and free preventive visits for seniors. Drop-ins welcome.
FARM-STAND PRODUCE: The High Point Market Garden Farm Stand is open 4-7 pm, 32nd Ave SW and SW Juneau. You can buy produce that’s been just picked, yards away.
ROXHILL PARK PROJECTS: Community meeting about the Roxhill Park skatespot and playground renovation, 6 pm, Southwest Library (35th/Henderson); more details in our preview.
34TH DISTRICT DEMOCRATS: With six days to go till the primary election, our area’s largest political group has its monthly meeting, 7 pm at The Hall at Fauntleroy, 9131 California SW. (agenda here)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
At the Steve Bushaw murder trial, the third day on the witness stand was the final one – unless he’s called back later – for John Sylve, one of two men who confessed to the deadly February 2009 shooting.
On trial are two other men, Bryce Huber and Brandon Chaney, who are charged with first-degree murder though there’s no indication they ever fired a shot. Tuesday’s witnesses also included a woman who was at Talarico’s with Huber the night of the shooting – Super Bowl Sunday 2009 – and a woman who just happened to be at the restaurant/bar when the shooting happened outside and found herself helping tend to Bushaw’s wounds till help arrived.
(Photo courtesy Robin Lindsey)
Seal-pup season has officially begun on West Seattle beaches, with this little one’s visit to Lincoln Park today. Shelley first told us about it; we checked with Robin Lindsey of Seal Sitters, and they were of course all over the case (here’s the full story on the Seal Sitters “Blubberblog”). But Robin says the arrival of the pup they dubbed “Tiny” – so little, they believe it was a newborn – brings an urgent reminder: When you spot a pup on the beach, stay as far back as possible, and call Seal Sitters ASAP – 206-905-SEAL. A pup might be scared back into the water if people (or other animals) get too close, and that could be deadly, because its mom, who left it on the beach so she could go find food, might not find the pup again. (There’s already been a dead seal pup near Alki Point, and a dead adult seal along Beach Drive. Robin says Seal Sitters – whose mission has expanded – and NOAA want ALL reports of marine mammals, dead or alive, so whatever you spot, call that hotline, 206-905-SEAL – keep it handy.)
ADDED WEDNESDAY MORNING: Robin says another expert’s evaluation of the photo confirms the suspicion that the pup still had a bit of “umbilicus” attached – so it’s likely no more than a week and a half old, and she thinks it’ll probably turn up on the West Seattle shore again today. PLEASE call if you see it.
Village Green Perennial Nursery owner Vera Johnson is now awaiting her official answer from Bank of America, regarding a “loan modification” to prevent foreclosure, after a face-to-face meeting downtown today that she says took some twists and turns. Besides insisting on being told to her face where her case stands – after months of the runaround, as chronicled in our original story last month – she brought along more than 10,000 online petition signatures gathered through Change.org (now up past 11,000). And, a plant, as she explains in our video:
Inside the bank – where media wasn’t allowed into her meeting – Vera tells us tonight that first, she discovered the bank manager she met with last week, Michael Kuehner, suddenly doesn’t work for B of A any more, “no explanation, gone.” Instead, she found vice president/regional manager Dennis Day. “They reacted quite quickly to the camera that Joe from Change.org had with him, visibly annoyed, I gave Dennis the signatures, he barely looked at them, completely devoid from emotion, then telling me I cannot record the meeting, as it is against policy.” As for her case: “They expect to have an answer next week, and it’s entirely up to the servicer of the loan-FannieMae. No promises. They could not give me a date, they said the foreclosure is stopped as of now, and in the event that I get turned down, apparently there are other possible outcomes, and we will pursue them then…” And once the meeting was over, she says, “The security guards removed us from the building, then off the plaza, and to the sidewalk.” They even trailed her and a friend – also going through a similar process – to the restrooms, she says, “waiting outside and asking if we needed help finding something. We apparently were a threat, because they were all on high alert, it was creepy.” Also there downtown when Vera talked to the media before going in: KING 5 – their story’s here.
This one couldn’t wait till the next roundup. Maybe you’ll see the backpacks/bottles if the crooks dumped them after realizing there was nothing monetarily valuable inside. From Stephanie at Neighborhood Preschool:
I took my preschoolers to the High Point Playfield today, and a thief took 2 of our backpacks with our water bottles in them. One backpack is gray and white camouflage, the other is an orange backpacking pack. If found, please return to the High Point Community Center, or call 206-938-6368 and leave a message. These items have no resale value, but are important to these small children who don’t understand why someone would steal from them.
From SDOT:
SDOT paving crews will repair the roadway in the 4300 block of SW Edmunds Street between California Avenue SW and 44th Avenue SW on Thursday and Friday, August 11 and 12. Edmunds will be closed to both eastbound and westbound traffic on Thursday at 8 a.m. until Friday at 8 a.m., and closed to westbound traffic only on Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The bus stop for westbound buses will reopen Saturday morning once the new pavement has cured. Approximately one half block of pavement will be excavated and repaved.
(That’s the block on the north side of Uptown Espresso.)
Gordon Prinster shares that photo and this report:
My 11-year-old son, Callum Prinster, pedalled out of our Admiral driveway with me on July 5th. On Sunday, 1732 miles and 28 campsites later, we arrived at the Mexican border. When asked what he’s going to do when he gets home today, he said “Sit on the couch, make YouTube videos … and NOT ride my bike.”
We sent Gordon a few followup questions and will add to this story if/when we receive replies!
ADDED EARLY WEDNESDAY: Replies!
We’ve done shorter trips the last couple years – BC’s Gulf Islands and down to Portland – but nothing like this. We initially set off for San Francisco, and we did spend a couple days there, but then we sorta just did a Forrestt Gump and kept on going. It’s probably obvious what a proud dad I am.
This was really a selfish pleasure trip, but if anybody is at all compelled we encourage them to visit the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation at pbtfus.org and make a little pledge. If they do that, and let us know they did (gprinster@yahoo.com). We’ll send them a link to the dumbest videolog ever!
From WSBeat reporter Megan Sheppard: An 18-year-old West Seattleite, wanted for a series of occupied burglaries in the community, was spotted at the 44th SW/SW Alaska bus stop today by an officer from the Southwest Precinct. Though he had long been a suspect, it was only this morning that probable cause existed to bring him in. The officer knows the young man from previous contacts, and — without telling him he was wanted — she stopped to engage him in some casual chit-chat. When she brought out the cuffs for arrest, he was reported to be both surprised and disappointed and let loose with an, “Awww, man……” He will be booked into King County Jail later today for investigation of burglary.
(February 1, 2009, photo by Christopher Boffoli for WSB)
For those following our coverage of the first trial in 3 years involving a West Seattle murder case, the shooting death of Steve Bushaw on Super Bowl Sunday night 2009: Though the usual court schedule is 9 am-4 pm Mondays-Thursdays during what’s projected to be a month-or-so-long trial, the proceedings ended early today – Prosecutor Jeff Baird‘s next witness is expected to be on the stand a while, and Superior Court Judge Joan DuBuque gave him the option to either start with the witness, or end for the day; he took the latter. Earlier today, the questioning of John Sylve, one of the two confessed triggermen, ended. He was followed on the witness stand by a woman who, accompanied by a friend from out of town, went to Talarico’s the night of the shooting with Bryce Huber, one of the two defendants; the day concluded with testimony from another woman who just happened to be at Talarico’s that night, heard the gunshots, and wound up helping to tend to Bushaw’s wounds before medics arrived. The next witness is expected to be a Seattle Police detective. Today’s full story, coming up later.
New information – plus that old photo – from Safeway, as its new Admiral store gets ready to open this Thursday. First: Though the doors officially open at noon, there will be an outdoor ribboncutting ceremony at 11:30, and the public’s welcome – enter the parking lot from California SW. Safeway’s Sara Osborne points out that this marks Safeway’s 50th anniversary in the Admiral District, and that’s why the photo is significant – it’s from 1962, showing the original store when it was about one year old an old Safeway in West Seattle. Historic photos will play a role inside the new store as well; Admiral and Alki scenes will be displayed. And Safeway promises some freebies: The first 500 customers will get reusable grocery bags with “Admiral Safeway” written on them; the first three weeks post-opening will include tastings of various items offered at the store. And if you look for a “Yellow School Bus” tag on items, note that purchasing them will send 10 percent of the sales price to a local school of your choice. Note that the big changes at the site (where a retail and residential building are still under construction) include parking – there’s still some ground-level parking, but there’s also a ramp on the east side of the store that will take you up to new parking on the roof. (added 5:14 pm – video showing you a bird’s-eye view of where the parking is, and more):
P.S. Still awaiting word on what band will be playing (after suggestions were solicited here)!
ADDED 3:23 PM: More of the new signage is up:
To recap if you’ve missed earlier coverage, Umpqua Bank and Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt will open this fall in the retail building on the northwest side of the lot; the building on the southeast side is mostly apartments and scheduled to be available for leasing next year.
Two notes this noontime. First, police have investigated reports of possible gunfire heard NEAR South Seattle Community College, leading to what one WSB’er said via Facebook was a precautionary campus alert message. We checked with Southwest Precinct Lt. Ron Smith, and he says that officers did NOT find any evidence of actual gunfire. “Shots fired” reports are common enough – and often turn out to be fireworks – that we don’t usually write about them unless we get multiple inquiries; this time we did. So again, NO evidence of gunfire found. … Second, vandals hit the West Genesee P-Patch again:
A dog-walker who went by this morning spotted plants torn out and tossed in the street, and called us (206-293-6302 any time). We contacted Tiffany, who had reported the damage done 4 weeks ago, and West Seattle Christian Church, whose property the P-Patch is on – they called police. Tiffany checked out the damage and says it’s not as bad as last time: “Mostly just supportive stakes pulled up, but not much damage to the plants, thankfully. They pulled up a few plants from the border garden this time as well. Most of the damage was in the top four plots, however. That’s where they ripped up plants, stakes, stomped on things, and smashed plants. They also tossed one of the picnic benches on the roof of our garden shed and one in a plot, smashing her tomatoes. Although we aren’t allowed to lock the area up, we’re going to have a
meeting to discuss what we can do to help prevent future incidents.” Security cameras might not be out of the question. She says the food-bank plot was spared, and the only community help they’d like right now is to continue keeping an eye out: “I, for one, am frustrated and don’t see the point in spending time, effort, and money on this if it’s just going to be repeatedly destroyed, so I hope this stops!”
Just a week and a half after a kitchen fire forced them to close for repairs, Uncle Mike’s Superlicious BBQ at 9640 16th SW in White Center just sent word they’re open again. Via e-mail: “We have passed our fire inspection & we are back in business! Come on for some of that Smoked Goodness you’ve been craving!”
(WSB June 2011 photo looking at Conner site from QFC steps – it’s on Alaska’s south side, 42nd to California)
Eleven years after buying prime property in the heart of The Junction, currently planned for a two-building, 200-apartment development, Conner Homes president Charlie Conner says the site is going up for sale.
We just found this out, after asking Conner for a status report on the projects. Our request last week for comment was answered today by Conner, e-mailing us a letter he says was sent to “the Junction community” last week. The letter says he and his partners have chosen Turning Point Realty Advisors to put the site on the market, and says it’s not likely construction will start before summer 2012. The full text of Conner’s letter, ahead:Read More
Update from King County Wastewater Treatment Division: The wastewater spill in the West Seattle industrial area along the Duwamish River (reported here last night) has been stopped, but they don’t know yet how much spilled, describing it as “large yet currently undetermined.” Read on for the full news-release update:Read More
(Even flies can be lovely, as Machel Spence pointed out as she shared this photo)
Speaking of wings, it’s your last chance for a glimpse of the Blue Angels before they’re gone till next summer – plus other highlights from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:
BLUE ANGELS’ DEPARTURE: Scheduled from Boeing Field around 9:35 this morning. They’re off to Fargo, North Dakota.
JOB SEARCHERS, UNITE: The weekly “Notes From The Job Search” group meets for networking, advice, etc., at C & P Coffee (WSB sponsor; 5612 California SW), 11 am.
SOMALI STORY TIME: 1:30 pm at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond).
PUPPET SHOW: At the not-far-away South Park Community Center (8319 8th Avenue South), 1:30 pm: Thistle Theater presents: Brother Coyote, Sister Fox (Free, for ages 3 – 11). A delightful and humorous puppet adaptation of a beloved Mexican folktale. Brother Fox wants one thing and one thing only, to catch and eat one of Doña Conchita’s plump chickens. Quick-witted Sister Fox is always one step ahead of him, waiting to trick him with one of her clever schemes to keep all the chickens to herself! Spanish, English and yes…plenty of chickens!
FRISBEE FUN: West Seattle Ultimate Frisbee is now at Fairmount Playfield, Tuesday nights 6:30 – 8:30 pm (and Sundays 11-1).
TUESDAY TUNES: Live music at the Skylark Club and Cafe (3803 Delridge Way SW).
8 pm JAWSH ANDERSON
9 pm GRANT PEEPLES
10 pm MIKE MCGEENEY
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