West Seattle, Washington
29 Friday
(WSB photo from 1/16/2011)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
It’s come up before, and now it’s come up again:
To reopen the city-landmarked Alki Homestead (originally the Fir Lodge), will it take restoration, reconstruction, rehabilitation, or some combination of all of the above? The scope of the proposal came up this morning downtown as owner Tom Lin and his architect team from Alloy Design Group returned to the Architectural Review Committee of the city Landmarks Preservation Board for a third review, with historic-preservation advocates watching from the sidelines.
The same question arose when Lin and a different architect brought a different proposal to the committee a year and a half ago, as reported here. Back then, they were proposing adding “other uses” to the site – a bar, maybe a bed-and-breakfast – but that plan was scrapped, and the new plan is all about bringing the Homestead back as a restaurant and banquet facility.
But how can it be done, when it needs a new foundation and a new roof – and some degree of replacement inbetween? “Tricky” is one word that was used.
A little more relief from the relentless gray: “Bright little birds,” as Trileigh Tucker describes them. She shared the photos while reporting:
The first Rufous Hummingbird of the season showed up at my feeder on Monday! These gorgeous little aerial jewels show up in early spring after migrating an incredibly long distance – all the way from Texas and Mexico. If readers are interested, there’s a migration map available … along with a link you can click to animate the migration. Such a tiny bird flying such a long way to come visit us during the spring and summer!
I’m also attaching a photo of one of our resident birds, only slightly larger than a hummingbird – a golden-crowned kinglet. They stay with us all winter long and provide a bright spot in the rainy woods!
Five West Seattle grocery stores, six hours, one day of service for the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle – tomorrow, 9 am-3 pm, Kiwanis and Key Club members will be collecting nonperishable food donations for the West Seattle Food Bank, outside Metropolitan Market and PCC West Seattle (both WSB sponsors) as well as West Seattle Thriftway, Junction QFC, and Jefferson Square Safeway. (And this is still that time of spring when donations to food banks count extra – as explained here.)
Just in from Seattle Lutheran High School principal Mark Henderson: A new football coach is on board for SLHS. Jim Wright most recently was on the coaching staff at Eastside Catholic High School. Read on for Seattle Lutheran’s full announcement:Read More
(WSB photo of ‘The Hole,’ taken in February)
How much time, how much money, and how much work do you put into court fights over a complicated (as most parties describe it) case, before just saying, “Can we sit down and talk this out?” This afternoon — after the end of yet another court hearing in the ongoing legal fight over issues related to the stalled project that has left The Hole in the heart of West Seattle instead of the once-envisioned apartments/Whole Foods/Hancock Fabrics project — King County Superior Court Judge Susan Craighead asked the question: “Have you (lawyers) started talking about mediation yet?” Not really, they said, but it might not be a bad idea, several of them allowed – unofficially, of course, since they have to consult their clients. (And the parties who were not represented in court today, since the afternoon’s proceedings didn’t involve everyone in the case.)
Two notes in West Seattle Crime Watch this afternoon. First, from Jeff:
For the 2nd time in the past 3 months we have had packages stolen off our front door that were delivered by UPS (w/online confirmation of delivery). We live (in the 900 block of) SW Austin Street [map] and the our front door can only be seen if someone is coming from the East of SW Austin (i.e. someone coming from the apartments on the corner of Holden & Highland Park). I spoke to a UPS driver the other day and mentioned that there have been reports of packages stolen from previous posting on the blog but, he wasn’t aware of any recent incidents.
Meantime, a followup on Wednesday’s SWAT standoff at the Seattle West Inn (which will temporarily close as of Monday, as reported here yesterday) on Wednesday.
Police responded to our request for more information with the narrative from their report. It includes new information, including a mention of something we had heard on the scanner but not had confirmed till now – that the man has a record. Read on:Read More
(WSB photo from 7/18/2010, biggest opening-night crowd ever for WS Outdoor Movies)
Drippy, murky weather, and just one easy antidote (unless you have a private plane you can take to the tropics at a moment’s notice) – dream of summer. Here’s one way to do it: Suggest a movie for this summer’s West Seattle Outdoor Movies (with WSB again among the sponsors)! If you are a new arrival, here’s the backstory: Every summer, the parking courtyard alongside Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor) in The Junction turns into an outdoor moviehouse for six consecutive Saturday nights – concessions are sold as fundraisers, there’s always some kind of wacky pre-movie entertainment, you bring the chairs and blankets. And when spring arrives, you suggest the movies! Every year there are some licensing-terms constraints, so even if something seems like the absolute popular choice hands-down, there might be an obstacle, but don’t let that get in your way – if there’s something you would love to enjoy under the stars (and one night last year, hardy souls even stayed through some rain), suggest it now! (If you’re worried about being redundant, here’s last year’s lineup.)
P.S. Two more Hotwire notes, while we’re at it – the Peeps drinks are back (there’s another way to beat the gray-sky blues) – read more about them in the latest Hotwire newsletter – and Hotwire is offering table space for West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day (May 14th, 9 am-3 pm, sales all over West Seattle – 200 last year! – registration opens Monday). If you don’t have room for your own sale, e-mail Lora to reserve a free courtyard spot: info@hotwirecoffee.com. (And if you use Facebook, you can “like” the WSCGSD page for updates and for the chance to post wall info about your own sale when May 14th gets closer!)
The earthquake/tsunami victims and survivors of Japan include pets – and a West Seattle entrepreneur has just announced he’s leading a “mass dog-walk” at Alki tomorrow. Anthony Hardt of Left Coast Dog Services invites “all people and dogs” to join him at noon at Anchor (Luna) Park, from which they’ll head west toward the Alki business district. Hardt tells WSB they’ll accept donations if participants want to participate, but they also will “have a big banner showing a secure website with PayPal so folks can donate online” to this Japanese animal-advocacy organization.
The doors are open, the kitchen is in action, and the display case is stocked at Chaco Canyon Organic Café, which opened at 7 am this morning on the south side of the brand-new Link (WSB sponsor) building at 38th/Alaska. Here’s another view:
The wall in that photo is where the future retail items will be set up; as owner Chris Maykut had noted recently, that would follow Opening Day by a few weeks; the Kid Zone also has some elements yet to be added, and the beer/wine license is still in the works. But they’re open and serving vegetarian/vegan food, till 9 tonight; hours, menu, and other info can be found on the Chaco Canyon website.
First it was set for last Saturday … then, because of soggy weather, this Saturday … and now West Seattle Little League president Mark Terao just sent word that the WSLL Jamboree is off again, with the league’s focus turning to trying “to get the fields ready for the first game of the regular season on Monday, April 4th.” He adds, “We will redesign the Jamboree and give all of the kids an opportunity to be announced and run out on the field during the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the new concession and storage building. Once that day is determined, we will make the announcement.”
Those are before and after photos from Day 1 of Community School of West Seattle‘s bake sale to raise money for Japan relief – Day 2 is today. Director Sarah Airhart reports:
The Community School of West Seattle has been busy baking for the last 2 days for their bake sale and (Thursday) they raised $570 in ONE HOUR of selling. All funds will be donated to the Red Cross to aid the Japan relief efforts on behalf of a former preschool teacher from Japan, Mayuko. The bake sale will be refreshed (today) with more goodies so please stop by from 12 to 1pm.
CSWS is at 9450 22nd SW (here’s a map). Speaking of goodies:
CHACO CANYON CAFE OPENING DAY: When you check out Chaco Canyon Café at Link (WSB sponsor), 38th/Alaska – which opens at 7 am today – take a look over the door to the “community room” on the restaurant’s north side. Owner Chris Maykut surprised us with a West Seattle Blog-inscribed “brick” (lower left of the photo), on behalf of WSB’ers’ support for his WS expansion – which started when we published the question of whether you were interested in a vegetarian/vegan organic café (results: big “yes”). If you want to say you were there on Day 1, they’re open till 9 pm.
CHIEF SEALTH BASEBALL AUCTION/DINNER: Spaghetti dinner and three types of auctions (live, silent, dessert) – starts at 5:30 pm in the school Galleria; full details here.
‘RUMORS’ RESUMES AT YOUNGSTOWN: APRIL 1-3: Neil Simon’s “Rumors,” presented by Twelfth Night Productions (WSB sponsor) at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, third-to-final show is at 7:30 tonight – schedule and tickets here.
FREE LAWN CARE CLASS: Elementary Lawn Care at West Seattle Nursery, 6-7 pm tonight, free, with WSN owner Mark Smith leading the class.
BIN 41 CELEBRATES YEAR ONE: First anniversary celebration, 5:30-7:30 pm, at Bin 41 wine shop in The Junction: Darby Winery and Gorman Winery featured; savory snacks; surprises, 5:30-7:30 pm, raising money for Japan earthquake relief by donating 100 percent of the $5 tasting fee.
BEER CHURCH ALE RELEASE: Also in The Junction: Celebrate the release of Beer Church Pale Ale. Join Beer Church at West 5, 6-9 pm. One dollar for every pint sold will be donated to Pints for Prostates, a non-profit organization that works to increase prostate cancer awareness. Prize raffle included.
YOUTH MEDIA INSTITUTE SILENT AUCTION: Youth Media Institute “No Fooling” Silent Auction takes place at Dubsea Coffee (9910 8th Avenue SW), 6 pm – 8 pm.
TERESA TUDURY AT KENYON HALL: Bay Area vocal artist Teresa Tudury returns to Kenyon Hall (7904 35th Ave SW), 7:30 pm. Reserved table seats are $14. Row seating is $12 general and $10 seniors. With a reservation, row seating is $10 general and $8 seniors. Elementary, middle, high school students are $5. Pre-school children are free. To make a reservation, please e-mail kenyonhall@earthlink.net.
PUGET RIDGE MEANINGFUL MOVIE: “I Bring What I Love” by Youssou N’Dour. At Puget Ridge Cohousing Common House, 7020 18th Ave. SW (at Myrtle), 7:15 pm. Discussion to follow. “I Bring What I Love” is a musical journey about the power of one voice to inspire millions. Youssou N’Dour won a Grammy for his album Egypt. Watch trailer here.
HYPNOSTERIA AT SENIOR CENTER OF WEST SEATTLE: Hypnosteria comedy show with Kevin Colllins, hypnotist. Evening schedule:
5:00 pm Happy Hour with Hooter Girls serving
6:30 pm Chicken dinner
7:30 pm Hypnosis Show
9:00 pm Live DJ Dance Music
Donation $20 members/$25 non-members for fundraiser by Senior Center of West Seattle. Reservations, please — call 206.932.4044.
TRAFFIC ALERT: 1st Avenue closes at Spokane northbound again overnight tonight, 8 pm-5 am, which means reroutes for buses 21, 22, 56, 85 night owl.
BARTON STREET P-PATCH, FINAL DESIGN MEETING: Tomorrow (Saturday, April 2nd) is the final community design meeting for the new P-Patch at 34th/Barton, and as organizers say, “It’s not too late to get involved.” Though the big decision about the big birch tree has been made (here’s our most recent story), it’s now time to settle the garden’s look, feel, number of spaces, etc. You’re invited to Southwest Community Center, 1:30-3:30 pm Saturday.
Then on Sunday, not far away at Roxhill Elementary School …
ROXHILL GARDEN WORK PARTY: Joshua Medaris‘s drawing gives a hint at what Roxhill’s garden will look like when it’s done. We covered some early work last summer; now, your help is needed Sunday morning for “phase 1 of the garden renovation – moving the new garden beds over to the original garden area.” Advice from organizers: “Bring clothes that can get dirty, work gloves if you have them, a water bottle, and a friend.” The garden’s on the northwest side of the school, 9430 30th SW. The party is 9 am-noon Sunday; if you have questions, call Ariana Taylor-Stanley at 206-660-8958 or e-mail ariana.taylor-stanley@kingcounty.gov.
The forecast calls for some sunshine this weekend, but before you go rushing off to the beach, maybe even to walk barefoot in the sand – consider the story of Mike Daigle‘s disturbing discovery on Alki last weekend, which led him to share what is both a reminder and a warning:
Just as a reminder to everyone who loves to play on and enjoy Alki Beach. Beach fires are required to be confined to the metal “rings” on the west end of the beach. Starting a fire outside of the rings is a violation of Parks Department rules but has much deeper consequences then a fine. (Last Saturday) I checked out a few black spots in the sand where fires had been started outside the rings. I found about 100 rusty nails in a 2’x2’ area where someone had been burning scrap wood. We got most of them up but I’m sure more remain. I have a message in to the Parks Department and I am awaiting a reply.
Besides rusty nails in the sand, fires outside the rings usually result in hot coals being buried just below the surface. These hot coals smolder for hours and days awaiting a poor soul to step into it and burn their foot. Another likely scenario is a child digging in the sand and burning a hand. Even in the rings, as per Seattle Fire Code, you are not allowed to burn anything other than clean cord wood. No scrap wood, no garbage, no melting glass bottles in the hot coals. The Seattle Fire Department has publications with more information. Here is the link.
*Keep it in the rings
*Keep it clean wood
*Keep a bucket of water nearby
Here’s even more information – via the city Parks Department’s page about Alki Beach fire pits.
By Megan Sheppard
On the WSBeat, for West Seattle Blog
From reports on cases handled recently by Southwest Precinct officers:
*Around 3:30 Tuesday morning, an officer was on patrol near 12th and SW Holden when he startled two males who were in the middle of removing the wheels and tires from a parked vehicle. The suspects ran through the yards of some neighboring houses and weren’t caught, but their apparent illicit activities might have been curbed just the same: The officer helped himself to the assortment of tools they left behind — a floor jack, lug wrench, crowbar and pry bar — and deposited them in the evidence room.
*An Alki-area man didn’t take a breakup too well. Despite his ex’s demand that he cease contact, he repeatedly called her in the middle of the night. When she didn’t answer, he decided to call 911 early Tuesday and report that she was outside HIS residence, threatening to “kill me and bust in my windows.” What he didn’t know was that an officer was at the woman’s house at that very time, taking her harassment report. The ex-boyfriend ended up being booked into King County Jail for investigation of domestic-violence harassment and false reporting.
Six more summaries after the jump:Read More
Story and photos by Jen Boyer
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
More than 50 people gathered at West Seattle’s family-owned Alki Tavern to meet stars from the reality TV show Deadliest Catch tonight.
Deckhands Scott Hillstrand of the F/V Time Bandit and Jake Anderson of the F/V Northwestern dropped by to meet fans, sign autographs and promote the upcoming season of the show, which premieres on Discovery Channel April 12.
“We’re really excited that these guys chose our little tavern to start their tour of appearances in promotion of the new season,” said Gill McLynne, manager of the Alki Tavern. “It was all kind of a stroke of luck for us. …”
(EDITOR’S NOTE: After the main story, we have a side note from someone whose life might be saved by a donor found this way. This isn’t someone Marnie pointed out, but someone who was sharing news about it on Facebook. Please be sure to read past the jump for her story.)
By Keri DeTore
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
As she nears her 25th birthday, Marnie Devlin has been thinking about ways to make a difference. “My friends seem to have these ‘quarter-life’ crises where they wonder about their (life) directions, and I’ve always laughed and thought they were being silly. But now (turning 25) I think maybe I should do something I can point to as an accomplishment.”
Coming from a family of blood donors, and being an EMT, Marnie is well aware of the need for bone marrow donors, and the importance of getting people signed up with the National Marrow Donor Program. She says, “I realized it how easy it is and I thought if my friends knew how easy it is, most of them would sign up. My original idea was to get 25 people signed up for my 25th birthday. I posted my idea on Facebook and Twitter, where the (Puget Sound) Blood Center saw it and wanted to help.”
Thanks to the collaboration with the Puget Sound Blood Center and a number of local businesses, Marnie is hosting a full-on marrow donor registration event this Sunday (April 3rd) at Alki Arts (2820 Alki Avenue SW.) Owner Diane Venti is donating the space and from 2-6 pm, Marnie will be serving champagne and goodies baked by her family while PSBC registers potential marrow donors for the Be The Match program.
Marnie explains that because people think the registration procedure involves something painful and invasive, they won’t do it. Turns out, that’s wrong.
Till 7 pm, you can go taste “Pan-Seared Halibut with Spicy Tomato Chutney” – and polenta on the side – at Seattle Fish Company in The Junction, with West Seattle chef Erin Coopey (online at culinary-artist.com). The recipe is on the chef’s website; tonight, there’s wine tasting to accompany the fish, too. Then from 7-10 pm in The Junction, Carmilia’s, Clementine, Edie’s, and Sweetie are open for the Spring Fashion Fling – explained here.
Daily update from West Seattle for Japan organizer Dave Montoure of West 5: “$7936.45. Only a couple of checks left to collect! Amazing.”
If somehow you missed it, almost 30 West Seattle businesses participated in last Sunday’s fund-raise-a-thon – which Montoure had announced just a little more than a week earlier – with special items, percentages of proceeds, donation jars, and more. (And $-raising continues – there’s a raffle during a tweetup at West 5 starting tonight at 5:30 pm.)
Today, we welcome one of our newest WSB sponsors, H.D. Robinson, LLC. New sponsors are offered the chance to tell you about their business, and here’s what H.D. Robinson wants you to know:
H.D. Robinson is a small family-owned construction company that specializes in custom new homes and remodels throughout the greater Seattle area with a solid dedication to quality and strong service during your project and after completion. We pride ourselves on working with homeowners and architects to create exceptional homes.
One of our most recent projects includes a cutting-edge modern design by an outstanding local architect, Peter Bocek, with a crisp ability to create exceptional lineal design atop Fauntleroy Hills with a panoramic view from Mt. Rainier to the Northern Olympics. The house and pool are heated by an efficient geothermal system, with an exterior rain-screen system with exceptional interior finishes. The best way to see our projects is to take a look at our website and give us a call to talk about your future project: www.hdrbuilders.com.
We thank H.D. Robinson 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.
It’s a West Seattle High School tradition to have a safe/sober “Grad Night” celebration – and this year Chief Sealth International High School is having a “Grad Night” too. Tickets are on sale, $50 through April 15th, then $60 after spring break, but the school notes that the actual cost is more like $150 per student. All the same, in recognition that $50 is still steep for some, the Chief Sealth PTSA has set up a way to “sponsor a senior” by donating all or part of the cost of a ticket through an online purchase. If you’d like to be a sponsor, here’s where to go.
(Wednesday morning photo by Patrick Sand for WSB)
When yesterday’s SWAT-involved situation at West Seattle’s only motel – the Seattle West Inn and Suites – happened, we already had been working on an update about the renovation plans the motel’s new owners have been working on (here are our previous stories – last December 15th and December 21st). The motel owners’ spokesperson, Lynn Sweeney, tells WSB they have changed their plan (which originally was to stay open during renovations):
Effective Monday, April 4, 2011 the Seattle West Inn and Suites will temporarily close all motel operations.
When we purchased the motel in October, the intent was – and has been – to renovate the space to offer West Seattle a clean, safe and family-friendly place to stay in our community. My family has lived in West Seattle for many, many years, so it’s easy to attest to the fact that the existing site has had a negative aura for quite some time.
Our hope was to be able to keep operations going as the renewal took place, but given unfortunate events such as the S.W.A.T incident from this past Wednesday, we’ve decided to close the doors and reopen once the transformation is in full swing.
When reopened, the site will offer our community a clean, friendly, safe, welcoming and convenient lodging option, somewhat similar (although not exact) to what was done with the former Travel Lodge in Boise, which is now a well-regarded and popular destination, The Modern Hotel (themodernhotel.com). …
We aim to have model guest rooms complete in the next three to four weeks and exterior paint with some landscaping in the same general time frame, weather permitting. In addition to a new guest room product (which includes soundproofing, carpet, paint, tile, counters, window treatments, bed, and fixtures and furniture) a few of the enhancements include a new central security and door lock system, a credit-card-only policy, a non-smoking environment, and complimentary breakfast and WiFi in the lobby.
While we don’t have a soft opening date set as of yet, we anticipate it will be prior to the first of June and in time for the summer season.
A separate followup is in the works regarding the aftermath of yesterday’s incident.
In case you don’t regularly check our partner site White Center Now (whose latest headlines also can be found on the WHITE CENTER tab atop WSB pages), a couple links of note today: First, WCN/WSB contributor Deanie Schwarz has just confirmed what’s believed to be White Center’s first planned medical-marijuana dispensary; also, Seattle City Councilmembers continue to comment after the decision earlier this week to delay WC (etc.) annexation-vote decisionmaking until next year – the two newest stories are atop the WCN annexation archive (as is reaction from the mayor of Burien).
Thanks to the WSB’ers whose texts and calls brought news of this picketing at the Admiral Safeway construction site. You’ve seen similar protests at other project sites (we recall at least three in West Seattle in the past few years) – this time, it’s the Pacific Northwest Regional Council of Carpenters claiming site subcontractor Marquise Drywall is not paying “area standard” wages, according to their signs and according to what one of the protesters told WSB.
Then we found there was more to the story than the picketing itself: The drums, whistles, and bullhorns the protesters were using had drawn a different kind of protest: Lafayette Elementary, across the street, had called the police. Principal Virginia Turner explained they are not opposed to the protest – but the protesters had been using drums and other noisemakers, and that was disrupting classwork. Much louder than the ongoing construction work, she and office manager Connie Wicklund explained. While we were talking with them in the Lafayette office, SPD Officer Barnes came in to explain that the protesters had agreed to stop using the drums, but, he said, there wasn’t much more police could do than talk to them, which they had done. Turner said she had gone over to talk with the protesters too. If the drums started up again, the officer advised the school administrators, give them a call. (In our video, shot from the Lafayette side of the street, you will see and hear the protesters, minus the drums, and you also see the police who responded to the California/Lander corner.)
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