West Seattle, Washington
23 Thursday
(Male Anna’s Hummingbird, photographed by Danny McMillin, shared via WSB Flickr group)
If you haven’t checked the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar yet today – you’re missing a double-digit list of things to do in the hours ahead. Venues with live music this afternoon and evening include C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) and Skylark Café and Club; health-care reform is the topic of a 2 pm community forum at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church; wellness author/practitioner Tierney Salter signs her new book at Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor). And that’s not even half the list – see it all (and peek at the days/weeks ahead) by going here.
2:47 AM: Police are investigating a stabbing in the Delridge/22nd SW area (map) right now. According to radio traffic between medics and Harborview Medical Center, the victim is a 27-year-old man described as having a “single stab wound to the left flank.” He is being taken to HMC; no other details so far.
3:28 AM UPDATE: Southwest Precinct Lt. Alan Williams says officers “are currently attempting to gather information as to exactly what occurred” – so far they know that the victim himself called 911 to report that he had been stabbed by someone he didn’t know, but didn’t make the call until about 15 minutes after it happened. They found him near Delridge and Graham. Early information from medics, Lt. Williams says, is that the stab wound was not life-threatening.
11:13 AM UPDATE: A few more details this morning via SPD Blotter – but what happened remains a mystery. (For the commenter who asked, police clarify the wound location as “lower left back.”)
If you look closely, you’ll see another dimension to our frosty, foggy weather. Jason Gift Enevoldsen shares his photo, and this explanation:
A result of the recent slow freezes in WS this week, thin ice crystals (needle ice) lift up small rocks, dirt, and plants in unusual arrangements. It has been fascinating looking for these miniature landscapes and watching how they change from day to day.
And in a larger context, Jason adds:
My wife, Alice (alicesastroinfo.com), and I disagree about whether this should be properly called frost heave, needle ice, or soil creep. But in any case, she found that there’s evidence for a similar process (soil being moved by ice formation and thaw) on Mars:
(NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS)
The origin of this feature is not known for certain, but it resembles Arctic features on Earth called pingos. A pingo develops when ice lifts part of the ground, making a giant frost heave. This image, about 4 km wide, is part of image P15_007033_1915_XI_11N045W taken by the Context Imager (CTX) on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter.
The orbiter’s website, by the way, is showing even more wintry imagery right now.
The first competition for the first Westside School (WSB sponsor) middle-school robotics team went well, says adviser Erik Christensen, sharing this report:
Way to go, Monkey Wrench Gang!
Westside’s inaugural Middle School FLL Robotics team, The Monkey Wrench Gang, participated in the State Qualifying Competition for the Seattle region. Final standings haven’t been posted, but the team placed in the top third out of 35 teams.
In addition, the team took home the “Programming Award” for developing the best program to run their specific robot design – quite a coup considering it’s the team’s first year of competition.
Congratulations, Blake, Grant, David, Luke, Emilio, Coach Erik Christensen, and Team Manager Julie Jetland.
Teachers at a second elementary school in our area are voicing their support for others around the district who are declining to give the Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) tests. As with Sanislo Elementary School‘s teachers (see their letter here), Schmitz Park Elementary teachers are sending a letter voicing support without going so far as to say they won’t give the tests. We received this tonight:
Dear Superintendent Banda,
The staff of Schmitz Park, by a nearly unanimous vote, joins in its support of Garfield High and all other schools and individuals around the district that boycott the MAP test. We agree with Garfield’s position about the harmful, ineffective, and wasteful nature of the MAP test and its deleterious impact on instructional time and consequently student achievement. We join SEA in asking you to not discipline our colleagues for standing up and speaking the truth.
We also agree with the Sanislo Elementary letter of support, which points out a deep concern around MAP. Apparently, district officials told Garfield staff the test was “not valid” because the margin of error can exceed the expected growth score. Given this information, it seems unthinkable that these scores would be used to determine the “effectiveness” of teachers. The teacher’s collective bargaining agreement allows the use of low scores to impact the placement of teachers into more comprehensive evaluations, en route to performance improvement plans and termination. The threatening of teachers with invalid data simply is not right.
There is a similar problem brewing in the elementary schools. Not only are our teachers concerned about the time taken away from instruction to administer the test, but the current version of the MAP test is aligned with the old state standards and it is clearly an unsuitable vehicle for evaluating students currently being taught the new required Common Core Standards. So not only are the results of little instructional value, but this discrepancy between what is taught and what is measured will yield falsely low scores making the MAP test invalid for the purpose of measuring student growth/teacher effectiveness.
The idea of using MAP scores as a component of teacher evaluations is disconcerting and needs to be addressed. As such, in response to Superintendent Banda’s e-mail of January 14, we recommend suspending the MAP requirement until the promised review has been completed.
We hope you will interpret the “boycotts” around the district not as disrespect but as a sign of deep concern and needed change.
Sincerely,
Schmitz Park Elementary School Staff
Here again is Superintendent José Banda‘s published message about the MAP revolt from earlier this week, saying the district will review it, but needs right now to proceed with it.
ADDED 11:25 AM MONDAY: The Schmitz Park teachers have revised their letter to add the word “nearly” before “unanimous,” and at their request, we have also added that word (toward the start of the letter) to reflect the change.
(January 19, 2012, photo by Meredith, taken from North Admiral)
Mired in the fog as we are, some WSB’ers have suggested a trip back in time … to the snow/ice that hit one year ago. James wrote today, “We are one year removed from Snowpocalypse 2012!!! Quite a difference a year makes. Might be fun to look back … ?” Kathleen e-mailed the same suggestion last night. Back on Tuesday, we asked “Think we’ll see snow this year?” (consensus: “no”) on the WSB Facebook page, while revisiting January 15, 2012; but an archive check reminds us the snowy, icy weather lasted for several days, with stories including these:
1/16/12: Photo roundup
1/18/12: Downhill skiing, Gatewood to Lowman Beach
1/19/12: Ice-storm warning
1/19/12: “Snow bird” photo gallery
But fog is the only “white stuff” we’ve dealt with this week, and it’s not expected to go away before Tuesday. Snow fans, don’t lose hope yet – the record for latest snowfall in Seattle is April 17, 1972, and that’s still three months away.
Close call in Sunrise Heights earlier this afternoon, 7100 block of 31st SW – “food left on the stove” caused enough smoke for a house-fire response, but it was caught in time to avert a full-on fire, and nobody was hurt. Thanks to Tony Bradley for sharing the photo!
Concord Elementary in South Park is part of the West Seattle region for Seattle Public Schools, and one of its fourth-grade classes is asking for your help in getting a $1,000 grant for technology: Marina Pita‘s class made a video to enter in the online vote at changemyschool.com – a quick, no-strings-attached, no-registration-required type of vote: Just go here (and take a minute to watch the video too)!
Just out of the WSB inbox – you’re invited to come talk about a topic that many say isn’t discussed often (and openly) enough:
This Tuesday, January 22, 2013, at 7:00 PM in the Sanctuary of Hope Lutheran Church of West Seattle, the Hope Stephen Ministry group is hosting a discussion on community problems and opportunities related to current mental health legislation and issues, including those related to recent shootings and violence in the U.S.
Ann Christian, CEO of the Washington Community Mental Health Council, will respond to questions and present ways in which each of us can identify and help individuals in need and advocate for social change around this vital and ever-changing topic. This is a community-type meeting with no charge and all interested persons are welcome to attend.
Hope Lutheran Church is at 4456 42nd SW, just north of SW Oregon.
The family of longtime educator Manvel “Schauff” Schauffler, a founding board member of Explorer West Middle School among many other achievements, shares this remembrance:
Manvel Schauffler, who taught hundreds of Seattle-area kids history, sailing, camping, cooperation, and the joys of classroom and outdoor learning for more than a decade, passed away on January 8, 2013.
Known to all simply as “Schauff”, he taught at The Bush School in Seattle and also helped found two middle-schools, The Hyla School on Bainbridge island and Explorer West in West Seattle.
He was born in New York City in 1924, and grew up in New Rochelle, New York. His pastimes there were sailing on Long Island Sound, playing ice hockey and other sports, and rooting for the New York Yankees. He once shook hands with Lou Gehrig.
He served with the U.S. Navy during World War II and met his wife, Verna, at Black Mountain College in North Carolina after the war.
As the three-day holiday weekend begins, live music bookends the day – there’s still time to get the family to High Point Community Center for Caspar Babypants at 10:30 am, and then tonight, last thing on the list is Aaron Daniel‘s “One Man Banned” performance, 9:30 pm, Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), with happenings along the way including a sunset nature walk. See the full list on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar – just go there and expand any calendar line of interest via the right-side plus sign.
Photojournalist Erika Schultz of The Seattle Times (WSB partner) has published a gallery of Friday night images from the final hours of Easy Street Records‘ Queen Anne store – see them here. The West Seattle store remains OPEN, but Queen Anne is now shut down, as announced by proprietor Matt Vaughan earlier this month. Its final hurrah will be an auction on Sunday; if you’re interested in some of the fixtures/memorabilia – even a banner signed by West Seattleite/rock icon Eddie Vedder – there’s an auction preview at the site 4-7 pm today (Saturday), and again 9 am Sunday until the live auction’s start at 11 am. (See lots of auction-item previews on the Easy Street website.)
The West Seattle High School cheer squad and their young protégés had a lot to cheer for last night, as both WSHS varsity teams won their home games against Ingraham.
It was a runaway win for the girls – West Seattle 61, Ingraham 26, game stats here, with four Wildcats in double-digit scoring – Lydia Giomi had 16 points, and 11 each are on the books for Charli Elliott, Lexi Ioane, and Gabby Sarver.
After a few intense days, crime reports have calmed a bit, so far as we can tell from the inbox and 911 map. But we do have two burglaries and two car prowls to report:
Stephen discovered Thursday night that his home in the 6000 block of Fauntleroy Way had been broken into while he was away at work – and that burglars had struck elsewhere on their block, leaving (besides fingerprints) a footprint that police told him resembled one found at the other scene. He says the burglar/s entered by tearing a basement window out of its frame; they stole jewelry and an iPad, but left other electronics behind. He also says police mentioned “a band of about 5 people” are believed to be responsible for many of the West Seattle burglaries happening right now.
Car prowls: Betsy says her car was broken into early Thursday morning in the 6400 block of 36th SW, but “nothing of value in the car, so nothing stolen.” Then Friday between 9:30 am and 1 pm, Beth‘s Civic was broken into near 35th and 100th in Arbor Heights. She’s hoping her brown-leather purse was dumped somewhere by the thief/thieves – let police know if you spot one.
Last but not least – if you have a “nuisance property” in your neighborhood, the newest newsletter sent by Crime Prevention Coordinator Mark Solomon includes LOTS of information on what you can do about it, compiled, he writes, with the assistance of precinct liaison Melissa Chin from the City Attorney’s Office. See it here.
P.S. As noted here earlier, the next crimefighting meeting is the West Seattle Block Watch Captains’ Network, 6:30 pm Tuesday at the precinct (Webster/Delridge).
The first of two West Seattle elementary schools to be built/rebuilt if Seattle Public Schools‘ BEX IV levy passes next month is already in the design phase. That’s because the new Schmitz Park Elementary at Genesee Hill (not its official name; that’s not decided yet) is expected to open in fall 2015. The project team has design concepts/options ready to show the community, and they along with SP principal Gerrit Kischner are inviting you to a presentation next Tuesday (January 22), 7 pm, at SP Elementary’s cafeteria (5000 SW Spokane). Meantime, ballots are expected to be mailed within days for the 2-levy vote on February 12th. (The rebuild to be funded by BEX IV, Arbor Heights Elementary, is slated to open in fall 2018 but the district is hoping to use “bridge funding” to move that up.)
The visibility might not be much in our foggy weather – but if you’re down at eye level with the flora and fauna, as photographer Machel Spence so often is, that’s not a problem. She reports that the freezing fog did not keep the Duwamish Greenbelt bunnies from emerging – and shared the photo as proof.
That crosscountry-via-iPad musical collaboration between Admiral Theater manager/entertainment director Dinah Brein and South Carolina resident Jon Michaels has made the list of three finalists in the nationwide TV contest for a Today Show “jingle.” Brein is a veteran songwriter/producer whose work has been recorded for TV and film use as well as by recording artists, and while working in Nashville years ago, collaborated previously with Michaels, who called her during the holidays to ask if she wanted to work on the jingle. “He lives in South Carolina and I’m up here in Seattle so we got together on Face time on our iPads and churned it out,” she explained, adding: “Being able to use an ipad was great plus he got to meet my husband and 3 dogs, one of which was always trying to get me to use the word dog in the song.” The rules called for an original song, less than 2 minutes long, and if possible, mentions of the anchors’ names. Brein says they decided to take a “historic perpective in presenting (the show’s) longevity of 60 years and (its) family-like approach to the news.” Michaels will sing the song live with the other two finalists on January 29th. Brein’s not sure what they get if the jingle wins, “but as they say at the Oscars, it’s an honor to be nominated.”
The off-and-on burn ban is BACK ON as of 4 pm today: Stage 1 burn ban for King County (see for yourself here). That means:
No burning is allowed in fireplaces or uncertified wood stoves. Residents should rely instead on their home’s other, cleaner source of heat (such as their furnace or electric baseboard heaters) for a few days until air quality improves, the public health risk diminishes and the ban is cancelled.
No outdoor fires are allowed. This includes recreational fires such as bonfires, campfires and the use of fire pits and chimineas.
Burn ban violations are subject to a $1,000 penalty.
It is OK to use natural gas, propane, pellet and EPA certified wood stoves or inserts during a Stage 1 burn ban.
(West Seattle 5K 2012 photo by Debra Salazar Herbst)
Just four months from tomorrow – the morning of May 19th – the fifth annual West Seattle 5K will hit the street on Alki Avenue Southwest. Organizers are already signing up both runners/walkers and sponsors. (WSB has been a sponsor each year since the start, and we’re proud to be signing on again this year.) For runners/walkers, there are two incentives to sign up early: First, there’s a discount. Second, the first 100 people to register will qualify for a drawing to win a new pair of running shoes. The West Seattle 5K is a benefit for the West Seattle High School PTSA; registration and sponsorship information is all online at WestSeattle5K.com.
Traffic has been decidedly difficult at times since the Barton Pump Station upgrade project started north of the Fauntleroy ferry terminal, with closures including one toll booth and a dock lane at times. But north of the dock, the usual rules still apply, as Washington State Ferries reminded drivers with this advisory:
Customers lining up at Fauntleroy should note that the ferry queue continues along Fauntleroy Way at the gas station at the north end of Lincoln Park; it does not go down 47th Ave. SW toward the beach. Please also note that line cutting is against state law and subject to a fine of up to $124. We ask that customers be respectful of others waiting in the queue. You can report line-cutters by calling 877-764-HERO. All violators are logged and receive a warning letter. Multiple violations result in further action.
Interested in surveillance cameras to deter crime or record it if it happens? That’s a major topic of next Tuesday’s West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network meeting – and you don’t have to be a BW captain (or even part of a BW) to attend. Also on the agenda, new Southwest Precinct commander Capt. Joe Kessler is expected to drop in for a (re-)introduction (here’s our recent story on his return to the precinct). The meeting’s at 6:30 pm Tuesday (January 22nd) in the precinct meeting room, which is right off the parking lot on SW Webster at Delridge – full details on the Blockwatch Captains Network website.
Gary Jones‘ Alki Point photos (see two more in the series, further down in this report) remind us there is a sun out there somewhere. Might reappear later – or tomorrow. Meantime, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (where you’ll find even more of what’s up today/tonight):
SCANNING YOUR PHOTOS: 9 am class at Senior Center of West Seattle (California/Oregon) this morning – call 206-932-4044 to see if there’s still room.
WEST SIDE MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers): The group in its 25th year meets 1st and 3rd Fridays at West Side Presbyterian Church, 9:30 pm; details in our calendar listing.
INFORMAL GATHERING TO REMEMBER JERRY CEIS: First of at least three gatherings planned by friends – this one’s at 5:30 pm at Christo’s on Alki. (The other two, so far, are at 3 pm January 27th at the Chelan Café and then another at Christo’s at 6:30 pm February 5th.)
‘BOBCAT BOB’ AT C & P: Tonight’s live music around West Seattle starts with Bob “Bobcat Bob” Rice, 6-8 pm at C & P Coffee (WSB sponsor; 5612 California SW).
RESTORATIVE YOGA: Milo Minnis leads Restorative Yoga at 6:30 pm to get you ready for the weekend (and you don’t have to be a yoga expert, Milo notes), Sound Yoga (WSB sponsor; 5639 California SW).
SKATE NIGHT AT ALKI COMMUNITY CENTER: 6:45 pm, the weekly tradition continues. Details here.
BAD YEAR FOR TOMATOES: Last night for the student-directed production at West Seattle High School, 7:30 pm (details here).
(Thanks again to Gary Jones for the three wonderful eagle-vs.-the-world photos from Alki Point)
(Live view from the east-facing WS Bridge camera; see other cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
Another day starts with fog and freezing temperatures – this time with a “dense fog advisory” in effect until noon.
WEEKEND TRAFFIC ALERT: The I-5/Spokane St. Interchange Bridge Repair project closure tonight through Monday morning only affects traffic from Beacon Hill – you won’t be able to use the Columbian Way ramps to the West Seattle Bridge, 6th Avenue, and I-5 southbound.
7:51 AM: Via Twitter, Stacey reports what looks like a crash affecting traffic on northbound Delridge Way near Youngstown and Delridge Community Center. Nothing on SFD 911 so far.
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