West Seattle, Washington
03 Wednesday
(Photos by Ellen Cedergreen for WSB)
Houston Wong was the first one back to the start of the course for this morning’s Walk & Roll for Ataxia, an annual fundraiser on Alki. He told WSB contributor Ellen Cedergreen that he was there on behalf of a friend who has ataxia, a nervous-system disorder (explained here). Ellen also caught up with Tony Lewendon, an ataxia patient who “rolled” on the course with his recumbent bicycle:
Two more photos after the jump:Read More
(Photos by Ellen Cedergreen for WSB)
Continuing our coverage of a very busy day around West Seattle: Dozens of volunteers hit the beach this morning at Alki for a cleanup sponsored by JACK-FM radio. Here’s the Kazen family, doing their part:
This was one of many cleanups today around the region/state/world – in honor of International Coastal Cleanup Day.
(Updated 8:10 pm with video clips from the skatepark dedication ceremony)
(Photos by Ellen Cedergreen for WSB)
At the Delridge Day/Delridge Skatepark grand-opening celebration dual festivities till 3 pm, fun is in the bag (sack) – or, in the bowl!
The official dedication is coming up at 1 pm, followed by pro skaters’ demonstrations, but skating’s been under way since this morning, including lessons provided by Skate Like A Girl. Delridge Day vendors include Delridge Produce Cooperative:
And of course there’s the big fundraising bake sale we’ve been mentioning, too. The festival was organized for the first time by the North Delridge Neighborhood Council.
More photos later!
ADDED 8:10 PM: First, the video! The Delridge Skatepark ribboncutting (followed by skaters launching themselves immediately afterward):
And the speakers:
And pro skater Sky Siljeg:
We also wanted to say thanks to Karen Berge and Deb Greer from the West Seattle Blockwatch Captains Network and West Seattle Be Prepared, who posed with Southwest Precinct commander Capt. Steve Paulsen:
They loaned us tent space at Delridge Day when things got a bit soggy.
(Photos by Ellen Cedergreen for WSB)
A 5K run/walk was one of the activities kicking off today’s centennial celebration at Hiawatha, the city’s first community center. It continues till 5 pm – with opportunities to learn more about its history as an “Olmsted park”:
(Sue Nicol, VP of Friends of Seattle’s Olmsted Parks, giving a presentation)
..and also to enjoy games and entertainment – here’s the schedule. (We’ll add more photos later!)
Today’s biggest rummage-saling opportunity in West Seattle: The 16th annual 2nd-Time Sale at Fauntleroy UCC Church (9140 California SW), continuing till 3 pm. Big turnout in the early going. Donated items include a pile of pillows we’re told are courtesy of a West Seattleite who does decor aboard yachts!
P.S. If you’re looking for more rummage/yard/garage sales, check the (free!) listings in the WSB Forums’ Freebies/Deals/Sales section.
(Photo added 10:57: Kathleen Steele & David Haggerty @ Fauntleroy breakfast)
FAUNTLEROY BREAKFAST, SALE: This day of big events starts with the Fauntleroy Fall Festival fundraising pancake breakfast, 9-11 am at The Hall at Fauntleroy, and the 2nd-Time Sale across the street at Fauntleroy Church, 9 am-3 pm.
WALK ‘N’ ROLL FOR ATAXIA: Join a unique walk/roll-a-thon on Alki today to help fight ataxia, 3 miles or smaller loops. Register at 9 am, get going at 10. Details here.
STORYTELLING: At Kol HaNeshamah (WSB sponsor), 6115 SW Hinds, 9:30 am: The PJ Library welcomes Erik Lawson as our guest musician, with PJ Library manager Amy Paquette as our storyteller. We will be reading the book “A Holiday for Noah” as we practice the art of braiding challah.
WESTFEST, DAY TWO: Our photo is from the kickoff last night, but this is the big day for Holy Rosary’s WestFest festival, 10 am-10 pm . Local music, kids’ talent show, food, rides, games, beer garden, bingo, raffle prizes. Fun for all ages. The live-entertainment schedule is here.
WESTSIDE BABY NEEDS YOU AND/OR YOUR CAR SEAT(S): Car-seat recycling – for ALL car seats! at WestSide Baby, 10032 15th SW, 10 am-2 pm, kickoff of new expanded car-seat-recycling campaign, more details here. Even if you don’t have one to donate, they could use volunteer help today, same time/place.
HAPPY 5TH, CLEMENTINE! Fifth anniversary celebration at Clementine in The Junction, 10 am-6 pm, cake and mimosas and “mystery discounts.”
HELP CLEAN UP ALKI: Beach cleanup on Alki, 10 am-1 pm – info here.
HOW TO FIND MISSING PETS: Missing Pet Partnership Community Social, 10:00am – 11:30am. West Seattle Christian Social Hall, 4400 42nd Ave SW. Missing Pet Partnership, Furry Faces Foundation and West Seattle Christian Church are excited to bring our Greater West Seattle Animal Lovers a 90-minute Community Social and Discussion on how to find missing pets. Enjoy complimentary morning nibbles and beverages while hearing about success stories, talking with like-hearted people, and learning new skills.
REPTILE MAN! Reptile Man at High Point Community Center, 10:30 am (details here).
(Friday morning, the skatepark got some last-minute cleanup)
DELRIDGE DAY AND SKATEPARK GRAND OPENING: These are two big events adjacent to each other – the Delridge Day festival, with vendors (including Delridge Produce Cooperative selling fresh fruits/vegetables), activities, a mega-bake sale, Seattle Police Mounted Patrol horses, entertainment, more. 11 am-3 pm, at and around Delridge Community Center. Immediately north, those are the hours for festivities at the new skatepark, starting with skating lessons at 11, then the ribboncutting at 1 pm, followed by pro skaters’ demo and live music.
HIAWATHA CENTENNIAL: 11 am-5 pm, the historic Hiawatha Community Center/Park celebrates its 100th birthday, inviting you to the party. A 5K run-walk is one of the first events; see the event schedule here.
PARADE IN SOUTH PARK: It’s at 11 am, part of the Fiestas Patrias celebration – full details here.
POOCHES IN THE POOL ONE LAST TIME: Final Dog Days of Summer swimming fundraiser continue – dogs only, pool is closed for people until next year! – noon-2 pm at Arbor Heights Swim and Tennis Club, fundraiser for water-polo team, details here.
AUTHENTIC OKTOBERFEST:: Take part in W. Wash. most authentic Oktoberfest, sponsored by the Austria Club of Washington. Wear your Dirndl or Lederhose as you dance to Happy Hans and watch Enzian Schuhplattler perform. Schnitzel with all trimmings, plus Kirschtorte, and Bavarian beer! Just like in Munich: Oans, zwoa, G’suffa!
Location: Alki Masonic Hall, 4736 40th Avenue SW. $25 includes dinner; beverages extra – check to see if there’s still room: 425-745-0645 or a.maine@comcast.net.
HIGH-SCHOOL FOOTBALL: High-school football – Seattle Lutheran HS vs. Northwest Christian at West Seattle Stadium, 7 pm.
(Photo courtesy WestSide Baby)
Today’s the big kickoff drive for WestSide Baby‘s expanded car-seat-recycling effort – and to get ready for that, an army of volunteers descended on their HQ on Friday, according to executive director Nancy Woodland:
WestSide Baby had an amazing crew from Microsoft Office Product Marketing Group here through the United Way Day of Caring. Twenty men and women showed up (Friday) morning and worked like crazy to sort clothes, match bottle pieces, bundle diapers and dismantle car seats for recycling. This is just in time for our big Re-Ride Car Seat Reuse and Recycling event (today), 10 am-2 pm in WestSide Baby’s back yard @ 10032 15th Ave. SW. The “wrecking crew” separated all the car seat parts so that out of about 100 seats, we will send only 1 garbage bag to the landfill. Amazing impact from a great group of people. We can use more volunteers (today) Saturday from 10-2 for all kinds of similar projects if folks have extra time.
Or at least, bring your car seat – no matter what condition – to be recycled. (Here’s our preview from earlier this week.)
(Updated 8:07 pm Saturday with more information from fire investigators)
ORIGINAL 12:16 AM REPORT: A big Seattle Fire response is at 4445 California SW, which maps indicate is home to JF Henry and Company. Scanner traffic says there’s a fire on the exterior of the building but it does not appear to have spread inside. We’re on our way – more to come.
(Photo by WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand)
12:26 AM: The fire is reported “tapped,” with light smoke inside but no sign of interior flames. Some of the fire units have been dismissed from the scene, but several remain, and investigators are on the way.
(Photo courtesy Brad)
No report of any injuries.
12:44 AM: Business owner Tom Henry is at the scene, talking with firefighters. Hard to tell for sure in the dark, but the damage does not appear major – some charring on the back of the building. Firefighters think the “light smoke” they originally detected inside had probably drifted in from the exterior. No word on a cause yet, though.
(Photo by WSB contributor Katie Meyer, damage on southwest [rear] corner of the building)
12:54 AM: WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand has just spoken with Tom Henry, who confirms the interior of the store is OK and he will be open for business as usual today (Saturday). He says he feels “lucky” that the fire was spotted so soon – he isn’t sure yet who called it in, but there were still people at nearby businesses Pagliacci Pizza and Spring Hill. Besides charring on the building, his recycling container was burned.
(Photo by WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand)
He says he found out about it because when firefighters busted through the back door to check for fire “extension,” that set off the burglar alarm, which triggered an instant notification to him.
1:43 AM UPDATE: We just got a call from Tom Henry, after he learned the identity of the hero who caught the fire so fast – Spring Hill chef/co-owner Mark Fuller. Tom says Mark used two extinguishers on the fire before SFD arrived; he wanted to say a public thanks to Mark for being such a good neighbor.
8:07 PM UPDATE: SFD spokesperson Kyle Moore says investigators have determined that the fire started in the recycling bin, but have not determined yet what sparked it. Damage is estimated at $10,000.
West Seattle High School and Chief Sealth International High School both played varsity football games on the peninsula tonight – though technically, WSHS was the “visitor” at West Seattle Stadium, facing O’Dea, which plays its home games there. O’Dea defeated WSHS 52-8; at Southwest Athletic Complex, Sealth lost a nailbiter to Cleveland, 20-19. Seattle Lutheran plays Northwest Christian at WS Stadium tomorrow night, 7 pm.
ADDED: Details from the Friday night games:Read More
From Liberty Bell Print and Design‘s Michael Hoffman, organizer of the West Seattle Junction Car Show, which is coming up this Sunday, a change in plan:
Hi there, We will NOT be having cast members from the Deadliest Catch present at the show. We had members from the Time Bandit scheduled. However, they had to replace both engines on the boat and are having complications. They need to have the boat up and running to go out crabbing on the 26th. Therefore, they are unable to make it.
The cars will be there, though – along California SW, which will be closed from Oregon to Edmunds for the occasion, 8 am-4 pm Sunday (and note the parking restrictions – for which signs are up – kick in sooner).
Tomorrow’s Delridge Day and Delridge Skatepark Grand Opening festivities are free – but if you can, be ready to spend some $ on what promises to be one heck of a pro/am bake sale as part of the festival. Among the rookie bakers – the children of Great Start Preschool, whom we photographed this morning as they helped make cookies to contribute to the sale. (Above, that’s Spencer watching Matthew as they do prep work; below, parent volunteer Susan supervises.)
Organizer Francesca Ennis says they’ll take cash, checks made out to the City of Seattle, and credit cards. Here’s a partial list of the specific treats they expect to have available:
• Bakery Nouveau: classic chocolate cake
• Sugar Rush Baking Co: cupcakes
• Eats Market Cafe: cornbread
• Zatz a Better Bagel: assorted bagels
• C&P Coffee Co: coffeeThe youth programs:
• Great Start Preschool: snickerdoodles
• School Age Care Program: Rice Krispie Treats (includes Froot Loops & Cocoa Krispies)
• Teen Program: Bacon Chocolate Chip Cookies
Other donors include The Original Bakery, Great Harvest, Manderin Cookie Company, Starbucks, Safeway, Metropolitan Market, QFC and PCC. Francesca adds, “If someone is interested in a specific item (such as the chocolate cake) they can contact me to make arrangements ahead of the bake sale.” She can be reached at at keekai@comcast.net. Proceeds of the bake sale are going to youth-scholarship funds.
Again, Delridge Day – organized by the North Delridge Neighborhood Council this year! – is 11 am-3 pm, at and around Delridge Community Center (on Delridge Way SW just south of SW Genesee), and there’s entertainment, vendors, games, all sorts of fun on tap.
The photo is from Mark, who’s asking you to be on the lookout for his kayak, stolen early this morning:
Sometime after midnight (early today), my sea kayak was stolen from the roof rack of my Audi, parked in front of my home on the west end of Alki Ave. In the process of taking the kayak they also scratched my car’s roof and hood as they dragged the kayak off toward the street instead of lifting it off, which would have been far easier, unless they were really weak.
The kayak is a composite Necky Chatham 18 with a blue deck and white hull joined at a yellow stripe. It also has a navigation compass built into the bow. The thief took my blue & yellow tie down straps too so it may be tied down to some other car roof or pickup bed now. If anybody sees an 18 foot kayak show up in a new place in the area, or for sale on some bulletin board, please let me know. There are very few 18′ Chatham’s around so this one should be pretty obvious when they try to sell it. … My contact phone # is 206-937-6308.
And yes, Mark says he has alerted Mountain 2 Sound Outfitters (WSB sponsor) to be on the lookout too. Another reminder: the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council resumes monthly meetings next Tuesday, 7 pm, Southwest Precinct (Delridge/Webster), all welcome.
Missed our window for the standard morning preview again, but there are a few things tonight you might want to know about if you hadn’t heard yet (and there’s even more on the WSB West Seattle Events calendar page):
OUTDOOR MOVIE: The 4th grade class at Schmitz Park Elementary is hosting an outdoor movie night, featuring the movie “Rio” (trailer above), to benefit their trip to Islandwood. On the playground (unless it rains, in which case it’s in the cafeteria) at 5000 SW Spokane, doors at 5:30, movie at dusk around 7:30 pm, $3/person, kids 3/under free. Pizza will be available for purchase by the slice, along with drinks, popcorn and other snacks. All items will cost $2 or less. Bring a blanket, sleeping bag, pillow or something comfortable to sit on and plan to join us for dinner and a movie!
WESTFEST AT HOLY ROSARY: The 2-day festival kicks off with fun 6-10 pm more info here – food, beer garden, bingo, kids’ bouncy rides, entertainment (see the schedule here). 42nd/Genesee.
WINE, WOMEN, AND BIN: Weekly wine tasting at Bin 41 wine shop in The Junction with Mary Tuuri Derby from DaMa Wines, 6-7:30 pm, described by Bin 41 as one of Walla Walla’s “premiere female winemakers.”
GEEK GIRL CON IMPROV: Support Seattle’s upcoming Geek Girl Con with a night of improv theater at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, 8 pm – full details here.
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: Two 7 pm games scheduled, West Seattle HS vs. O’Dea at West Seattle Stadium , Chief Sealth IHS hosting Cleveland at Southwest Athletic Complex.
LIVE MUSIC AT THE FEEDBACK: One of those rare nights for live music at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) in Morgan Junction, 9 pm.
P.S. ALL WEEKEND – CHEERING THE 3-DAY WALKERS: The Susan G. Komen breast-cancer-fighting 3-Day Walk isn’t going through West Seattle this year, but many West Seattle women are walking, and if you’d like to go to an official “cheering station” to root for them – here’s the list of times and locations.
Several proud members of the West Seattle Community Orchestras e-mailed to share the news that WSCO is featured in a current show on Seattle Channel – and we just got the code for the specific story, so you don’t have to watch the entire program to get to their spotlight. Check it out above (or, here’s a direct link to the entire show). As noted here a few days ago, WSCO’s new season starts next Tuesday – but we just received word of a few changes to the schedule/locations, so if you are a new or returning member, or planning on checking it out for prospective membership, PLEASE click ahead for the new information:Read More
Three rounds of congratulations are in order:
KIWANIS HONORS ‘EVERYDAY HERO’: The Kiwanis Club of West Seattle has given its “Everyday Hero” award to Husky Deli proprietor Jack Miller, noting his “significant ongoing support of the West Seattle Community,” including “slicing the ham for the annual Kiwanis Community Pancake Breakfast, set for Saturday, December 3rd, 2011.” (Mark your calendar!) You can read the complete award announcement here.
ANOTHER AWARD FOR DENNY’S CHANDA OATIS: Last February, we shared the news that Denny International Middle School assistant principal Chanda Oatis was honored by the Principals Association of Seattle Schools as Middle School/K-8 Assistant Principal of the Year. Today, there’s word that she’s won a statewide award – the Association of Washington Middle Level Principals has chosen her as the Washington State Assistant Principal of the Year.
ROXHILL’S “HERO IN THE CLASSROOM”: Roxhill Elementary principal Carmela Dellino sent word that 4th-grade teacher Teresa Klein has been chosen as a Symetra Hero in the Classroom. Prizes include 2 tickets to a Seahawks game, and a celebratory visit to the school, plus classroom supplies. The principal included the nomination letter she sent – read on:Read More
Bryce Huber, found guilty of first-degree murder in the 2009 West Seattle shooting death of 26-year-old Steve Bushaw (right), was sentenced this morning. Our partners at the Seattle Times report that King County Superior Court Judge Joan DuBuque ordered a 31-year sentence – the high end of the sentencing range – for Huber, who testimony indicated had coordinated the plan to get Bushaw to Talarico’s that night and to lure him outside, where two other men shot him. Those men, John Sylve and Danny O’Neal, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and are to be sentenced on September 30th. The jury that found Huber guilty in a trial that took most of last month (our coverage archive is here) were not able to reach a verdict for Brandon Chaney, the alleged getaway driver; the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has not announced yet whether it plans to seek a new trial for Chaney. The murder motive involved a belief that Bushaw had planned a home-invasion robbery targeting a friend of Huber’s, but neither he (nor anyone else) was ever arrested, charged, or publicly described as a suspect.
If you have driven by the South Transfer Station project just southeast of West Seattle, and wondered why it looks like it’s being taken apart – you’re not seeing things. After tips via e-mail and Twitter, we checked this morning with Seattle Public Utilities, and spokesperson Susan Stoltzfus acknowledges, yes, “there is some disassembly.” She explains that a more-durable paint was found during construction – after some of the framework had already been painted – and, “once we found we could save $3 million in maintenance costs over the life of the structure, we decided it was worth the upgrade.” She says the overall project will still be finished on time and within its budget, and they are “using three different paint shops” to accelerate the process of sandblasting off the original paint and applying the new paint. The reason paint matters so much, she says, is because the transfer station is considered a “wet environment.” (Our photo at right is from this July story; we plan to go by this morning to see how much “disassembly” is visible.)
It’s been years in the making … and is now just a day away from opening. A drive by Delridge Skatepark very early this morning revealed that the fences are down (except for a section on the south side). We got a quick tour the other day, as crews continued to put finishing touches on areas including the viewing zone to the east (above, with art by youth from the Service Board) and rolled out the sod, getting ready for the 11 am-3 pm grand-opening celebration on Saturday (concurrent with the Delridge Day festival). Click ahead for not just a closer look before the skaters permanently move in, but also, if you don’t skate, a bit of a primer as to what you’re looking at:Read More
More details to come on all of these, but some quick notes before the night’s out:
NEW COFFEE SHOP IN ADMIRAL: Looks like North Seattle-headquartered Caffé Fiore is indeed the coffee shop that’s been rumored to be on the way to the new live/work/townhouse building just north of West Seattle Fabric Company (WSB sponsor) in the 2200 block of California SW. We saw the business name in DPD records a couple weeks ago and have been seeking comment ever since; haven’t received the requested comment – but tipster Jeff says a sign has gone up. (We’re heading out for a photo shortly Late-late-night photo added.)
LUMPIA WORLD COMING TO HIGHLAND PARK: They had a short-lived stint in the south-of-Junction Rite Aid parking lot, and now Lumpia World is headed back to West Seattle – not just for the already-announced appearance at Mobile Chowdown in The Junction on October 2nd. According to the LW Facebook page announcement tonight, they’ll be setting up regularly in the Highland Park Improvement Club parking lot (12th/Holden) starting on October 8th.
PAN AFRICA GRILL OPENING DATE: WSB contributor Bill “Hutch” Hutchison has been working on another followup regarding the restaurant moving into the former Ho-Win Chinese Restaurant spot at California/Juneau (here’s his original story from May). They had told him they were hoping to open next week. Extra confirmation of that apparent plan came today when an online “deal” circulated for Pan Africa, listing September 20th as the expected West Seattle opening date. They’ve just painted the front of the restaurant, too, with patterns over the distinctive “rock” siding.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
A new development late today, related to allegations made last night by the 34th District Democrats, who passed a motion asking for city and state investigations into a purported youth-arts publication that they alleged was instead political-attack literature – funded by a $1,000 city grant.
The city says that today it asked for, and got, the money back.
Here’s our story, as it developed late last night and into the morning, including a scanned copy of the “2011 Youth Arts Compendium” publication, created with a grant received by West Seattle-based Unified Outreach, whose director David Toledo is campaign manager for King County Council candidate Diana Toledo, who was promoted in several of the publication’s articles.
Answering our request for comment right after the 34th DDs’ vote, Unified Outreach sent a statement saying in part “… We at Unified Outreach are confused by the allegations. As all stories were written by youth with no intentional biases or promotion of one candidate over another. There was NO input from ANY campaigns or political figures and no copies of the paper were released prior to printing..”
This morning, we sent several questions to the city Department of Neighborhoods, which issued the Small Sparks grant to Unified Outreach.
Another followup today on the water-pressure/access problems that hampered firefighters in the early going on August 27th, when flames gutted an Arbor Heights home, sending black smoke so high into the sky that it could be seen for miles around. We have reported that Seattle Public Utilities, which is accountable for hydrants and water service, plans an “after-action review” with the Seattle Fire Department. And today, we just got word that SPU plans to take two steps for starters:
First, SPU spokesperson Susan Stoltzfus tells WSB, eleven hydrants in the area will be replaced with larger hydrants – she says those hydrants are attached to some of the area’s larger water mains, and could be upgraded to provide better water pressure. (Those 11 do not include the two hydrants that firefighters first tried to use on August 27, she says, because they are connected to smaller mains and just enlarging the hydrants wouldn’t do any good.) Second, she says SPU and SFD will decide on a way to make it obvious to firefighters which are the lower-pressure hydrants and which are the higher-pressure hydrants. These are not the only steps they’re going to take – that review is still ahead – but she says this is something they can do relatively quickly (within three months) to help.
(The family who rented the home, you may recall, was out of town when the fire happened; as we reported last week, they are continuing to get back on their feet.)
Congratulations to Chief Sealth International High School student Brian Griffith – he is one of just 32 students in Seattle Public Schools who have made it into the semifinals for this year’s National Merit Scholarship Program. Nationwide, 16,000 students are in the running, with high scores on last year’s Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. He’s the only one this year from schools in our area. Next spring, more than half of them will get scholarships with a total value of about $34 million.
If you missed the last deadline to get in on the city’s new “opt-out” program for stopping phone-book deliveries, Seattle Public Utilities reminds you today that another deadline looms – September 23rd is the last day to “opt-out” before the next major round of deliveries. SPU’s “At Your Service” site explains how you can do that, online or by phone.
| Comments Off on Also on Alki today: Walk & Roll for Ataxia