West Seattle, Washington
16 Saturday
Thanks to Mike for pointing us to this story on The Seattle Times (WSB partner) site: After more than a year on the run, Michael Mastro has been arrested. His numerous property holdings – before he was forced into Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 2009 – had included two West Seattle development sites, one on Harbor Avenue which remains undeveloped, and one that was sold and is finally almost complete, under its new ownership, as The Residences at 3295 (southeast corner of 35th and Avalon). He also held a company involved in a canceled condo conversion south of Morgan Junction. The Times’ story says Mastro and his wife were arrested in France.
(THURSDAY UPDATE: The first preview day has been changed to Saturday 10/27, 8 am)
Story and photos by Keri DeTore
Reporting for West Seattle Blog/White Center Now
About Meander’s in White Center (opening the next two weekends for sneak previews):
First things first: the ventilation is AMAZING. See for yourself:
(Miranda even turned on the vent so I could feel the rush of air into the hood.)
With her forthcoming opening in the former Papa’s Pub in White Center (here’s our original report from 6 weeks ago), owner and chef Miranda Krone continues the evolution of what has become a favorite diner of people on our fair peninsula and beyond: Meander’s — with breakfast served all the time except weekend nights, when it turns into a gourmet bistro.
With evolution comes change, and the first change you’ll notice is all the space:
Read More
(2011 photo from Fauntleroy Creek, courtesy Dennis Hinton)
This Sunday is the day set for the annual Fauntleroy Creek community drumming session to call the salmon home. (5 pm, creek overlook at Fauntleroy/Director, across and uphill from the ferry dock) But they don’t seem to be waiting for an invitation – they’re approaching, and we just got word that volunteer creek-watchers are needed:
With the spotting of two coho spawners in the tidepool at the mouth of Fauntleroy Creek, Salmon Watch 2012 is getting under way a few days ahead of schedule. If you’ve thought about being a salmon watcher, this could be the year to see a lot of action. Volunteers schedule themselves for half-hour shifts when spawners are most likely to be present at the fish ladder (SW Director and upper Fauntleroy Way SW). Training on your first shift for adults and youth; children welcome with a parent. Sign up on the porch at 4539 SW Director Place; more information from Judy Pickens at 938-4203 or judy_pickens@msn.com.
(Thanks to Lise for this morning’s view from Seacrest – fuzzy but we also like the Needle ‘halo’ she points out!)
From the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar:
DROP-IN SUPPORT GROUP FOR NEW PARENTS: Early Days meets at Nurturing Expressions (WSB sponsor) in The Junction every Wednesday, noon-2 pm. Details here.
BEX IV PUBLIC COMMENT: This is the last scheduled chance for public comment on the BEX IV levy before it goes to the School Board for a final vote Nov. 7th. Board members will listen (but not respond) to public comment, 4-5 pm at district HQ in SODO – sign up before the meeting (but they’ll take a finite number of speakers, at least 20). Here’s our preview story.
GRAND OPENING: The Technology Access Foundation‘s Bethaday Community Learning Space in White Center’s Lakewood Park is celebrating its grand opening, and you are invited to visit 5-8 pm tonight. Details here.
ART LENDING LIBRARY RETURNS! Tonight is one of its periodic checkout nights, and it’s back in West Seattle! 6 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW) – details here.
POETRY AND STORYTELLING: Larry Crist and Christine Marie Clarke are the featured readers tonight at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 6-8 pm, for the monthly stories/poems event, which includes open-mike time.
HIGHLAND PARK ACTION COMMITTEE: Monthly meeting at 7 pm, Highland Park Improvement Club at 12th and Holden.
More for today/tonight (and far beyond) on our ongoing calendar – and preview Halloween events for the next week-plus on the WSB Halloween page!
Today we welcome a new WSB sponsor, Kelli Corrado, who teaches guitar, voice, and songwriting. Here’s what she’d like you to know: Her band Kelli’s Starlight Wishes released an album on Aphonia Recordings, a Pacific Northwest label. She says this experience is why people come to her for music lessons: “Again and again, my clients tell me that they seek me out because I am a working and active musician who has been successful as a songwriter and performer. The reason families stay with me is not only do I teach music theory and aural skills but also encourage the students to be creative and find their own original voice.”
Kelli says of her approach to teaching: “What makes me unique from other teachers is that I create a specific lesson plan for each student based on achieving two goals- a creative one and a technique-based one. I believe that art and music knows no age. Everyone is creative, everyone has a voice. I have taught 4-year-olds and I have taught 50-year-olds. I have a student right now whom I have taught for four years. She is getting ready to record her first EP of original songs. When I met her, she had never played the guitar, let alone sing or write a song. Also, I am told I have a special knack for working with young people. I think that’s because I make sure kids learn, but I also make sure they have fun while they learn. That’s why I am a longtime member of the Rock Camp faculty and am often asked to run workshops for young people throughout the Seattle region.”
In addition to touring and recording, Kelli teaches at the Rock School/ArtsCorps at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, Musika (a nationwide teaching association), and at Ballard Music Academy. In the summer, she teaches at various camps; this past summer, she was the artist in residence at Camp Sealth on Vashon Island. More information about Kelli is on her website at kellicorrado.blogspot.com, and you can contact her by e-mail: kellifrancescorrado@gmail.com. Also see her coupon on the WSB Coupons page.
We thank music instructor Kelli Corrado for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.
(Live view from the only WS Bridge camera currently in operation; see other cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
6:40 AM: So far, “wet roads” are the only warning regarding traffic as the day gets going. If you ride the 120 or 55 buses, there was big news late yesterday – Metro says it’s adding capacity starting Monday.
8:03 AM UPDATE: Trouble on Highway 99 south of the 1st Avenue S. Bridge, according to WSDOT, which tweeted: “A lane in each direction blocked due to a collision on SR 99 south of the 1st Ave S. Bridge.”
9:01 AM UPDATE: If you follow the online 911 log, note that it’s down for maintenance all day. So we are listening to the scanner even more intently than ever. Right now, there’s a report of another southbound Battery St. Tunnel crash – second one this morning – so if you are heading toward WS from north of there, get over to I-5!
5:25 PM UPDATE: If you are encountering any slow-going in mid-downtown or north of there on southbound I-5, the 911 log lists a crash at Yesler as of about half an hour ago. Can’t quite tell from the camera if it’s still a factor.
For the second time since voters passed the Parks and Green Spaces Levy in 2008, a share of its Opportunity Fund is awaiting allotment to community-proposed projects. This round of the process – with $8 million to be spent – started a year ago (here’s the timeline) with draft criteria, and is now starting the review phase for the 53 formal applications submitted from around the city. We’ve obtained the application-summary list from Pete Spalding, the West Seattleite who chairs the levy’s Oversight Committee; seven of the 53 proposals (full list here) are from West Seattle. From the list, their names, locations, proposed price tags, and summary descriptions, ahead:Read More
Tonight’s West Seattle Crime Watch roundup starts with another stolen car getting found – 
Carissa reported her Audi was stolen in early October; she e-mailed again to say it was found last Thursday night at Sea-Tac Airport. One odd detail from Carissa: “There were tools in the back with paperwork for Queen City Sheet Metal Company.” (Just to see what’s trending now, we checked the police-report map for the most recently reported car thefts in West Seattle: A truck was stolen late last night from the 3400 block of 40th SW; a car was stolen early yesterday from the 5200 block of 19th SW; and one was taken late Sunday night from the 6700 block of 12th SW. That’s the entirety of the detail available – which is why we welcome reader reports with more info.)
Ahead, six more reader reports – including a neighborhood where burglars seem to strike on a certain day of the week:Read More
Though Halloween is eight days away, the biggest events are this weekend (as you can tell if you check the WSB West Seattle Halloween page). And the first-ever West Seattle Junction Association-presented Harvest Festival this Sunday (October 28th, 10 am-2 pm) just keeps getting bigger. Note the brand-new map/poster above (printable PDF here) – in addition to helping you figure out where to find your favorite Farmers’ Market booths along California SW (the streets are closing, so they’re moving out into the street), it also lists events beyond the costume parade (11:30 am from Junction Plaza Park), trick-or-treating (noon-2 pm) and ongoing activities (entire 10-2 duration) already announced. West Seattle Eagles invite you to a pumpkin-spiced-pancake breakfast at their HQ near the Junction Post Office, and ReMAX invites you to a “gently haunted house” at their HQ on 44th, noon-2 pm. We’re among the businesses/organizations presenting one of the activities (look for WSB X 3 – us, WestSide Baby and West Seattle Bowl with pumpkin bowling!), so we’ll see you there!
As we continue daily transit/traffic updates – including reader reports – crowded buses have continued to be a concern, particularly Route 120. Just in from Metro, word that more buses are on the way:
King County Metro Transit is adding buses to meet increased ridership demand between West Seattle, Burien and downtown Seattle.
Starting Oct. 29, eight additional commute time buses will be added to routes 55 and 120. Two more trips will be added to each route during the morning and evening weekday commutes.
“We’re seeing double-digit demand over last year on this corridor, and demand increases even in the face of tight budgets,” said Kevin Desmond, Metro Transit general manager.
Thanks to everyone who has shared photos of the rainbow sightings to the north a short time ago – Stacy sent the double rainbow from Seacrest, and we’ll add others shortly. As mentioned in our morning preview, the forecast says thunderstorms with ice pellets are possible. (But een as we write that – some blue sky is headed this way along with more clouds …)
ADDED 3:42 PM: More rainbow photos! (Plus, a final batch added in early evening, from the ones tweeted to us…)Read More
Whenever you can spare five minutes, watch that video shown last Friday night at the Seattle Police Awards banquet, sponsored by the Seattle Police Foundation. It tells a story never before told publicly – what happened before Café Racer killer Ian Stawicki‘s murderous day came to an end in West Seattle on May 30th (here’s our as-it-unfolded coverage from that day). It explains the Medal of Courage awarded to Southwest Precinct Officer Scott Luckie and to Detective Scotty Bach for what they did in West Seattle on May 30th – and includes their firsthand stories as well as some (not graphic) in-car-camera video from that day. Officer Luckie, we learned, was the first uniformed officer on the scene where Stawicki was found – and he moved in, as the video explains, without backup. Your WSB co-publishers were among the journalists in attendance last Friday night and requested a copy of the video; now it’s been uploaded for public view. Officer Luckie was not able to attend Friday’s banquet to accept his medal in person (it was explained that he had something else major going on in his life – a wedding!).
(Photo by Patrick Sand for WSB)
1:23 PM: Big response right now to the 2300 block of Halleck, which is in Upper Alki (map), for a reported house fire. Police are headed that way too, to help with traffic control. More to come.
1:33 PM UPDATE: First crews on scene reported (via scanner) “light smoke” and a suspicion that this is an electrical fire. They say it is under control.
(Photo by Christopher Boffoli for WSB)
1:53 PM UPDATE: Some crews have been canceled. We’ve added a photo from WSB’s Christopher Boffoli. There’s word of one possible injury – WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand, who also went to the scene, says medics are checking out someone with a possible knee injury (neighborhood person, not firefighter), but we don’t know the circumstances.
1:59 PM UPDATE: The injury is now reported not to be related to the fire. Have added another photo, this time from Patrick, showing the actual structure where the fire happened – construction has been under way there.
(Leathers and Associates rendering of new Roxhill Park play area)
Some volunteers have stepped up since the last announcement seeking volunteers for the “community build” that is required to get Roxhill Park‘s new Castle in place November 2nd through 6th – but there’s still room on the roster, says organizer Mat McBride:
Hey do-gooder, the Roxhill Park Needs You. This park may go unrealized for the lack of a few more folks willing to give just a little more. There are currently about 68,000 people over the age of 18 in West Seattle. To date, this project has about 140 volunteers. A lot, but not nearly enough. If you are one of the 67,860 adults in West Seattle who hasn’t yet signed up, don’t assume someone else will do the good work for you. Trust me, I do a lot of volunteering, I’ve run the numbers, and That isn’t happening.
I am asking you for 4 hours. If you care about parks, kids, social justice and equity, community, or crime – I’m asking you for 4 hours. Give this project 4 hours of your life and you will have made a difference. Sound like a stretch? It isn’t. This park has a direct link to all of these things. This place matters. In return, you’ll get fed by a local joint you love. You’ll get some great exercise (oh, hello calorie-rich holiday season, I wasn’t expecting you so soon). You will get the immense satisfaction of having joined in something larger than yourself and making a difference (I am not exaggerating this).
I’m asking for just 4 hours. Claim your place here: http://doodle.com/gusyyykv9zzrdksy
Can’t do 4 hours, but still want a part of the action? This project has partnered with the West Seattle Tool Library, who will provide some of the tools and supplies that will build this park. We don’t have enough of either right now, and your gift or donation to the Tool Library will help the build the park and the library at the same time (our greatest needs are: ladders, air compressors, sliding compound miter saws, cordless impact drivers, and electric impact wrenches). To make a gift or donation to the West Seattle Library, contact Micah Summers, the Tool Library director – micah@wstools.org.
The community website for the project is here. P.S. Please note that volunteers must be at least 18 years old.
(Remodeling under way inside Bamboo, which provided the photo)
After a rocky summer, Alki’s Bamboo Bar and Grill is closed most of this week, to reopen Friday, and is announcing new, local ownership. Two months ago, after a shooting outside, its management – then-ownership wasn’t present – called a community meeting to answer questions and make promises (WSB coverage here). Today, they’ve sent a news release saying they’re keeping the promises they made.
(Photographed on Alki by Machel Spence)
Weather could get wacky later – the forecast currently warns of possible thunderstorms with ice pellets. Meantime, some of the highlights for the rest of today/tonight, from the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar:
FREE LUNCH! The Rotary Club of West Seattle invites you to lunch at noon at Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor):
Robert Walker is the President of the Population Institute, where he directs the organization’s advocacy and public education activities, including its work on issues related to health, economic development, sustainability and the environment. He also serves as the chief spokesperson for the Population Institute, including frequent interviews on radio and television. He is a regular contributor to the Huffington Post, and lectures frequently on the subject of world population. Join us at noon for lunch and to meet members of our club, then listen to a great presentation by our speaker and out by 1:30. And the best thing is lunch is on us.
NEW PARENT, OR EXPECTING: It’s the monthly orientation today for those interested in joining West Seattle PEPS (Program for Early Parenting Support). 1:30 pm, Bright Horizons (4530 38th SW).
DROP-IN CHESS FOR KIDS/TEENS: 4-5:30 pm at High Point Library (details here).
ONLINE CRIME REPORTING: Tonight the West Seattle Blockwatch Captains’ Network invites you to come hear about the Seattle Police program that enables you to use an online form to report certain types of crime. 6:30 pm, Southwest Precinct (Delridge/Webster), everyone welcome – you don’t have to be a blockwatch captain or even member.
FIND OUT ABOUT RAISING A GUIDE PUPPY: West Seattle See Dogs invite you to drop by their twice-monthly meeting, 6:30 pm at The Kenney (WSB sponsor).
NIGHTLIFE: Karaoke at Skylark; trivia at The Feedback; live music at Locol; singer/songwriters at Shadowland … go to the calendar and click on any of those individual listings to get times and more info.
In The Junction, several storefronts on the west side of California between Alaska and Edmunds have been awning-less for a few days. We took this photo the other day but before we collected followup information, Breezygirl asked about them in a comment last night, and JWWS helpfully pointed her to this item on Bakery Nouveau‘s website, which explains it’s a round of fall cleaning, with new awnings to follow.
(Live view from the only WS Bridge camera currently in operation; see other cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
Good morning – no incidents reported so far. During am/pm commute or the rest of the day, if you see/hear about something that others should know, this is as usual the place to comment (when you can do so safely, of course – no texting and driving).
ADDED TUESDAY PM: Just to make sure you don’t miss it – Metro has announced it’s adding buses to the 120 and 55 as of next Monday.
Congratulations to all the high-school athletes in West Seattle who have just completed the regular season of fall play. Now, many move on into the postseason – and here’s the schedule information we have for this week so far, compiled via school reps and the Metro League website. In most cases, this is division competition to determine how the district playoffs will go:
VOLLEYBALL
Chief Sealth International High School (Metro Sound Division #2) plays Thursday at 7:30 pm (opponent TBA)
West Seattle High School (Metro Sound Division champs) plays Saturday at 11 am (opponent TBA)
FOOTBALL
Sealth plays Seattle Prep 5 pm Friday @ Memorial Stadium
WSHS plays Bainbridge 5 pm Saturday @ Memorial Stadium
SOCCER
Sealth hosts Blanchet at 6 pm this Wednesday
(updated) WSHS plays Holy Names at 7 pm Friday at Ingraham
CROSS-COUNTRY
Both Sealth teams qualified for the district meet, this Thursday at Lower Woodland
SWIMMING
WSHS and Sealth in qualifying meet 3:30 pm Friday at Helene Madison Pool
Please let us know about changes/additions! Our coverage so far this season (and preceding seasons) is archived here.
10:35 PM: In South Delridge, crews are at a house fire in the 9000 block of 21st SW, just reported as under control and almost out.
10:39 PM: According to SFD, the fire started “in a wall,” according to the first report they got. They’re still checking on some possible hot spots in the attic. SFD says no injuries have been reported.
TUESDAY MORNING UPDATE: SFD public-information officer Kyle Moore says they’ve determined the fire was accidental:
The occupant of the home was working on plumbing when the heat from the plumbing work ignited the wall and extended into the attic space.
At 10:10 p.m., a call came in the Fire Alarm Center reporting flames coming from the wall of a home in the 9000 block of 21st Avenue SW. Engine Company 11 arrived to find smoke coming from the roof of the two-story home. The firefighters used an attack hose line to knock down the flames while the first in Ladder Company searched the residence for occupants and then headed to the roof to cut holes in order to vent the smoke and heat.
Firefighters discovered the fire inside the walls of the home. The flames extended up the walls into the attic. Crews removed two walls and brought down ceilings in order to completely extinguish the flames. It took approximately 30 minutes to completely knock down this fire.
Three occupants safely evacuated the home and there were no reported injuries. The damage estimate is $65,000 to the structure and $5,000 to the contents.
Two months ago, we heard from West Seattle filmmaker Jamie Burton Chamberlin as his film with Duff McKagan’s Loaded, “The Taking,” neared completion. Tonight, its first episode has debuted online- see the 8-minute clip above. As explained in the description on its YouTube page, “the series explores the lyrical content of Loaded’s studio album of the same title, which was released last year. The project will be released telling a tale of totally bizarre adventures, imprisoned band members, and kids’-size ice cream cones.” Nine more episodes – including West Seattle-filmed scenes – are promised in the weeks ahead (Chamberlin hinted at their content in our August story); watch for announcements here (among other places).
Soup weather has arrived. And so has news of a chance to show your soupiest stuff. Just out of the WSB inbox:
The 3rd Annual Great Soup-Off of West Seattle
Saturday, November 3rd at 6 pm
Big Al Brewing
9832 14th Ave SWPrepare your finest soup for a friendly competition with friends, family & neighbors!
Please bring:
…a soup to serve 10
…your own serving and eating ware
…and a friendChildren/youth are welcome! RSVP to mikhaila.gonzales@gmail.com
SCHMITZ PARK ELEMENTARY MENTIONED IN BOSTON GLOBE: One of the East Coast’s best-known news organizations has published a story looking at Seattle Public Schools in comparison to Boston’s system, and one of the Seattle schools featured is Schmitz Park Elementary. Read the story here. (Thanks to Jameson for the tip!)
FRUITFUL YEAR: City Fruit harvested trees in West Seattle this year as well as elsewhere – and reports the West Seattle harvest alone totaled more than 6,700 pounds of fruit, going to dozens of organizations helping fight hunger. City Fruit is raising money for its 2013 harvesting work with a hard-cider tasting 5-8 pm November 1st at Olson Kundig Architects, 406 Occidental Ave. in Pioneer Square (a central location since besides WS, City Fruit also serves South Seattle and Phinney Ridge). Tickets are available online.
SPACE NEEDLE GOING GREEN – well, the top is, anyway. The online voting is over and a tree design is the winner to replace the “Galaxy Gold” (looks orange to us) that’s been atop the Space Needle, visible from here.
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