West Seattle, Washington
08 Friday
(Surf scoter we saw off Me-Kwa-Mooks during a walk on Friday afternoon)
17 highlights from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:
COMMUNITY SCHOOL OF WEST SEATTLE OPEN HOUSE: Come visit Community School of West Seattle (WSB sponsor), 22nd/Roxbury, 10 am-2 pm
(updated) NEIGHBORHOOD APPRECIATION DAY AT 3 FIRE STATIONS: Open house 11 am-1 pm at Seattle Fire Department‘s Station 11 (Highland Park, 16th/Holden) and Station 37 (Sunrise Heights, 35th/Holden). Added: We doublechecked the list distributed by SFD yesterday – it ALSO includes Station 32 (The Junction, 38th/Alaska), so that’s THREE stations open for tours in West Seattle (among others citywide).
STORYTIME: 11 am, storytime at Westwood Village Barnes and Noble, all ages welcome, treats for younger readers.
NEIGHBORHOOD APPRECIATION DAY AT SOUTHWEST POOL: Noon- 2 pm, including free refreshments and a free public swim at 1 pm (2801 SW Thistle).
TOUR THE VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER: On SW Orchard north of Home Depot, open to the public every Saturday noon-3 pm.
MORNING GLORY BRUNCH: Skylark Café and Club hosts the Morning Glory Drag Queen Brunch on the second Saturday of each month. From the announcement: “The fun starts at noon. Tickets are available … at the door. Jeffrey Robert starts the show with some stand-up comedy, then Magnolia Crawford and guest performers do a fabulous show while diners enjoy their brunch and drinks! It is a pretty unique and fun way to start a weekend.”
PERFUME PARTY: 1st annual Valentine’s Tea Party hosted by Sweet Anthem Handmade Perfumes from 12-4 PM, promising perfume, candy, and flowers, with local vendors/creators including Sweet Anthem’s Meredith Smith. RSVP for the event on Facebook (6021-B California SW)
SICHUAN SATURDAY AT SEATTLE CHINESE GARDEN: 6000 16Th SW, 1-4 pm, north side of South Seattle Community College campus: “The Cultures and Landscapes of Western Sichuan.” See photos and learn about the people and culture of China’s southwest province and Washington’s sister state. Learn about NW efforts to help the area recover from the 2008 earthquake. UW Professors Stevan Harrell & Daniel Abramson will speak. Suggested donations: $7 Adults, $5 SCG Members and Students
LEARN ABOUT BEES AT BARTON ST. P-PATCH: Barton Street P-Patch invites gardeners to a buzzworthy event this Saturday: a “master gardener lecture on keeping mason bees (pollinators, not honeybees), 2-4 pm. Bring your own seating!” The garden’s at 34th/Barton.
SECOND MEETING FOR ‘OCCUPY WEST SEATTLE’: 2-6 pm, Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation Church, 7141 California SW.
VIGIL FOR JIM SWEENEY: The longtime community supporter/Alki Lumber owner will be remembered with a vigil tonight at 7 pm at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church (35th/Myrtle), followed by his memorial service at 2 pm Sunday, also at OLG. (Here’s our story with Mr. Sweeney’s obituary and 40 tribute comments from readers.)
SOUL JAMBALAYA: Denny International Middle School and Chief Sealth International High School present “Soul Jambalaya” – a musical celebration of gospel, blues, jazz, funk and reggae. The Total Experience Gospel Choir, Clinton Fearon, Septimus and others will take the stage at Chief Sealth High School Auditorium (2600 SW Thistle) at 7 pm. Admission is free – donations (going to the schools’ music programs) will be accepted.
DEBUSSY FESTIVAL: Music Northwest Concert Series 2011/12 – Debussy Anniversary Festival I: The Piano Music, 7:30 PM. Pianists Natalya Ageyeva, Duane Hulbert, Jane Harty. Preludes Books I and II (selected), Suite pour le piano, Estampes, Images, L’isle Joyeuse. Held at Olympic Recital Hall on the south side of the South Seattle Community College campus. See website for tickets and more information.
2ND TO LAST PERFORMANCE OF ‘ALL THROUGH THE NIGHT’: 7:30 pm at ArtsWest.
JAZZ: Elizabeth Dawson will perform jazz music at Salty’s on Alki from 8 to 10 pm with pianist Edward Weber, in the Cafe Bar. There is no cover.
DANCE PARTY: Monthly Candylandia dance party with DJ Cotton Candy at the Benbow Room inside Heartland Café in the Admiral District, 9 pm. More info on the Facebook invite
AT ALKI TAVERN TONIGHT: Burley Mountain, local alt country/alt rock band, sends word they’re playing the Alki Tavern (every second Saturday). $3 cover and drink specials. Hear them at myspace.com/burleymountainband
LIVE AT SKYLARK: ’80s Invasion (80s new wave tribute band) sent word they’re on tonight’s slate at Skylark Café and Club, 9 pm.
It’s not on the online calendar, but we got word tonight from King County Wastewater Treatment Division that the Design Advisory Group for the Murray (Lowman Beach) combined-sewer-overflow (CSO) control facility will meet Monday night. The rendering you see above is one of the preliminary design sketches discussed when they met last month (we covered a subsequent briefing given to the Morgan Community Association). At this meeting, according to Doug Marsano from the county, “The group will be reviewing refined design concepts and discussing the public art process.” The main feature of the project is a million-gallon underground storage tank to be built across from Lowman Beach Park on what are currently residential properties that the county is in the process of buying. All are welcome to the advisory group meeting at 6:30 pm, Fauntleroy Church, 9140 California SW.
2 unique West Seattle gardens are having special events on Saturday:
(Photo courtesy Terri Lindow)
BARTON STREET P-PATCH – “BEE” THERE! The new P-Patch in Westwood is taking shape in a big way – and tomorrow the gardeners are inviting you over, not for a work party, but for a chance to learn! A Master Gardener is coming to the P-Patch at 34th/Barton 2-4 pm Saturday “to educate people about mason bees,” says Terri Lindow, adding: “This is a great opportunity to learn about pollinating bees and to see the P-Patch. Our crushed gravel pathways are in and the construction is entering the last phase. We’d love to show it off!” Bring your own seating – all they’ll have is a few “pop-up shelters.”
SEATTLE CHINESE GARDEN: 1-4 pm Saturday, the Seattle Chinese Garden on the north end of the South Seattle Community College campus is presenting a talk about “The Cultures and Landscapes of Western Sichuan,” 1-4 pm. Julia Freimund says, “Two UW professors will be talking about the ethnic groups, the landscapes (so lots of photos!), and the earthquake recovery efforts in Sichuan province.” Here’s a flyer with details, including admission info.
Just received from the Gatewood Elementary PTA‘s 2011-2012 Board – that photo, and this explanation:
We are proud to show off our two new signs at Gatewood Elementary. They are located at the corners of Myrtle and Frontenac along Fauntleroy Way SW. This is the final piece of our Operation Imagination project that included a new big toy on the playground, construction of an amphitheater, and of course the goats, who helped us with our ivy problem. This has been many years in the making and many parents who started on the project have sense moved onto middle and high school. Big thank you to them and everybody still at Gatewood who have been so instrumental in this fabulous project. Welcome to Gatewood.
Many years indeed! Checking our archives, WSB coverage of those milestones stretches back to 2007 – including the goats’ visit in 2007 and the new “big toy” in 2008.
Duane Starkenburg, the Gatewood man charged a year ago with attacking women joggers and then charged last fall in a years-old child rape case, was back in court today. The “omnibus hearing” this morning was to determine whether his case was ready to go to trial. Ian Goodhew from the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office tells WSB that it was agreed Starkenburg will stand trial starting March 7th for the jogger attacks, but the child-rape case won’t go to trial till after that.
(Jason Rudolph with the inner workings of “Dook Larue,” the animatronic drummer of “Rock-afire Explosion“)
Story and photos by Katie Meyer
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
If you’ve noticed recent activity inside the former Petco space in the Junction – Doug did, and tipped us off – here’s what we have found out:
Local resident and West Seattle business owner Jason Rudolph is currently renting the space for an indefinite amount of time to add additional staff for his technology company, Sound Advertising Group. It also gives him the room to work on “a little project that we’re doing just for fun – and if the community enjoys them, that makes it so much better!”
The project is the restoration of a 1980s animatronic band called the Rock-afire Explosion, formerly installed in a Showbiz Pizza restaurant.
Another apparent case of crime prevention via vigilant residents/neighbors. We just heard from one who doesn’t want to be identified but does want to tell the tale of what just happened in his North Admiral neighborhood about an hour ago – read on for that plus a Beach Drive burglary:Read More
Just got word from Donna Sandstrom of The Whale Trail – one day after orcas were spotted headed north, but closer to the other side of Puget Sound, today they’re headed south and visible from west-facing West Seattle (try Me-Kwa-Mooks, we’re told).
Today we welcome West Seattle dental-care provider Dr. Kathleen Saturay as a new WSB sponsor. Here’s her message for you:
(Dr. Kathleen Saturay at center, with Reshvin at left and Angie at right)
“I am extremely excited to be part of your community. I’m Dr. Kathleen Saturay and I have just opened my practice in the West Seattle Dental Center at 3255 California SW. I have been providing dental care in the Seattle area for the last three years and received my DDS from Loma Linda University. I offer comprehensive dental care and treatment for the whole family, especially for children & young adults. Angie, Reshvin, Glenda and I are focused on our passion for dentistry and allow each patient the time necessary for a comfortable and productive visit. This ensures my young patients understand that having a healthy smile is a good thing, and pretty easy, too. I have been a West Seattle resident for many years and wanted to base my first practice in my ‘hometown,’ so when the opportunity presented itself, it was one I was not going to pass up. Because of my firm belief in children’s oral health, I am currently accepting DSHS, all insurance plans, and will customize financial arrangements for those families in need.
“Currently I am accepting new patients, and my office hours are Monday and Friday from 8 am to 5 pm, Saturdays from 8 am to 2 pm. Let me show your children how easily a healthy smile can be part of their lives through brushing and flossing, and of course, regular visits to my office. Oral hygiene visits can be fun, full of great tips and an excellent way to establish positive homecare. We’ll be waiting for you! Find us online at drsaturaysmiles.com or call to make an appointment at 206-935-0100. Keep smiling!!”
We thank Dr. Kathleen Saturay 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.
>(Fauntleroy Expressway at top of page; aerial photo by Long B. Nguyen; expanded view here)
Just in from SDOT – they need to close the Fauntleroy Expressway, the southwest end of the West Seattle Bridge, for a full day on Sunday, February 19th, as the earthquake-safety project continues. The closure actually will start Saturday night, February 18th, and run as late as midnight Sunday night. Here’s the announcement, just in:
Fauntleroy Expressway and SW Avalon Way Closures, Feb. 13-19
Full closure from Saturday night through Sunday nightThe Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) will close the Fauntleroy Expressway (from 35th SW to the Delridge ramps at the west end of the West Seattle Bridge) during the night next week, February 13-17, as previously announced, and also during the weekend beginning Saturday, February 18, at 9:00 p.m. until 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, February 19.
During these closures the following detours will be in effect:
· Westbound motorists traveling to West Seattle via the West Seattle Bridge will be directed to use the Delridge Way SW off-ramp.
· Eastbound motorists on Fauntleroy Way SW will be detoured at 35th Avenue SW and will be directed to the West Seattle Bridge via SW Genesee Street and Delridge Way SW.
Additionally, northbound traffic on SW Avalon Way will be restricted February 13-19 during these dates and times:
· Monday, February 13, through Friday, February 17, from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
· Saturday, February 18, starting at 6:00 p.m. until Sunday, February 19, at 11:59 p.m.During these times the following detour for SW Avalon Way will be in place:
· Northbound motorists traveling on SW Avalon Way will be detoured to eastbound SW Spokane Street. They will then be directed to perform a U-turn at 26th Avenue SW onto westbound SW Spokane Street and then north on Harbor Avenue SW. Northbound trucks and Metro buses traveling on SW Avalon Way will be flagged through the work zone.
These closures are required as part of the seismic retrofit of the Fauntleroy Expressway in order to make it more likely to withstand the force of a major earthquake. The work is funded by the “Bridging the Gap” transportation levy approved by Seattle voters in November 2006.
For more information and a map of the detour, visit SDOT’s project website.
North Delridge neighborhood leaders have long been pushing for a traffic signal at Avalon Way and SW Genesee – and now if all goes according to SDOT‘s schedule, it’s just months away. In comments following our report on a contradictory-but-brief discussion of its status at the Southwest District Council meeting, two commenters said that signal is actually planned for installation this year. So we asked SDOT for official confirmation. Communications director Rick Sheridan‘s reply:
SDOT will install a full traffic signal at Avalon Way & Genesee, which will cover all legs of the intersection. We will additionally install new curb ramps to improve access for pedestrians and the disabled. The work is tentatively scheduled for the third quarter of 2012.
The status of another signal long sought by West Seattle neighborhood activists, at 47th/Admiral, has NOT changed, however. We asked Sheridan about that too:
We did reevaluate all signal requests in December 2011. Given limited funding for signal improvements, this location did not rate high enough compared to other locations where a signal would be beneficial.
SDOT has implemented several enhancements at 47th and Admiral to improve safety. These include curb bulbs on SW Admiral Way to shorten the crossing distance, high-visibility signage overhead and roadside to warn drivers, and flashing beacons. We also installed “stop lines” and signs to direct motorists where to stop if a pedestrian is using the crosswalk. We have also measured vehicle speeds approaching the crosswalk from the east, and the data shows good compliance with the posted speed limit on Admiral. This corridor is also equipped with radar speed signs at each end to educate drivers and enhance compliance with the posted speed limit.
The fifth anniversary of the deadly crash at 47th/Admiral was marked in November by a rally (WSB coverage here) organized by the Admiral Neighborhood Association, which continues to lobby to get a light.
Chief Sealth International High School‘s boys-varsity basketball team has another post-season game tomorrow night, after a victory last night at home. Our summary and photos, ahead:Read More
(Photo by Doug Branch, from the WSB Flickr group pool)
Before we get too much further into the day – highlights from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:
SSCC VALENTINE WINE RELEASE AND SALE: At the Northwest Wine Academy on the South Seattle Community College campus, 1-5 pm today and tomorrow, featuring the pouring and releasing of “a limited edition 2009 Syrah Clone 4 pack.” Also, chocolates made by the SSCC pastry department.
WINE AND CHOCOLATES: Tonight’s tasting at Bin 41 Wine in The Junction is a pairing with Theo’s Chocolates. Details here.
TASTING EVENT AT METROPOLITAN MARKET: From Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor): “Celebrate the week of Valentine’s Day by raising a glass and toasting the occasion with all of the romantics in your neighborhood. Join us for a complimentary Sparkling Wine and Champagne tasting paired with either Hama Hama Oysters or Crab Cakes served with spicy pink aioli. Dessert tasting includes Chocolate Covered Strawberries, French Macaroons that will give you the sweet taste of Paris, and Crème Brûlée topped with Theo’s Chocolate.” 5-7 PM, 2320 42nd Ave SW.
‘ONCE UPON A MATTRESS’: “Once Upon a Mattress,” presented by West Seattle Montessori (WSB sponsor), Chief Sealth International High School auditorium, 7 pm
‘SEUSSICAL’ SOLD OUT! We’re told the Alki Elementary musical featured on WSB yesterday is now sold out, both shows, but in case you happen by West Seattle High School tonight and wonder what’s up – the show’s in the WSHS Theater at 7 pm.
BLUEGRASS AT KENYON HALL: Convergence Zone Bluegrass Band, 7:30 pm, details on the Kenyon Hall website.
(Photo courtesy ArtsWest)
FINAL WEEKEND FOR ‘ALL THROUGH THE NIGHT’: Tonight is the third-to-last performance of the current production at ArtsWest, which describes “All Through the Night” as “Shirley Lauro’s explosive and highly theatrical World War drama about German gentile women fighting for survival from inside the Third Reich.” 7:30 pm tonight – tickets available online at artswest.org or via phone at 206-938-0339.
Glass-art “babycakes” like that one, created and donated by Avalon Glassworks, will be part of the fundraising fun on Sunday, when WestSide Baby takes its annual Benefit Tea to the Hilton Seattle Airport & Conference Center for the first time. WS Baby executive director Nancy Woodland confirms there’s still some room left if you haven’t already procured your ticket – but she also says the expected turnout so far already has made history – more than 500! Want to join them, 2-4:30 pm Sunday, for tea, treats, auction fun, and guest speaker Kathy LeMay? The WestSide Baby website has ticket info. (Never been before? Here’s our coverage, with photos and video, from last year.)
(Photos by Christopher Boffoli for WSB)
35th SW is open again in the 4800 block, near Providence Mount St. Vincent, after being closed for a while because of an overnight crash. Christopher Boffoli covered it for WSB. He says a Prius going southbound hit a light pole – bringing it down, along with wires, which required City Light attention:
Police told Christopher the driver wasn’t hurt, but was under investigation for suspected DUI.
The crash happened just before 3 am.
Wednesday night, Seattle Lutheran High School celebrated its senior basketball players – and senior cheerleader Valerie Reid, above – while closing out their regular season at home against Rainier Christian‘s teams. Ahead, our summary of the games – Lutheran won both – and photos of the senior athletes:Read More
Two weeks ago, we reported that QFC was the first to seek licenses to sell hard liquor in West Seattle, once Initiative 1183 takes effect, privatizing liquor retailing in our state. We’re continuing to watch the liquor-license applications, and there are a few more stores seeking spirits (hard liquor) retail-sales permits: All three Safeway stores in West Seattle have now applied (Jefferson Square, Admiral, Roxbury); so has West Seattle Thriftway. June 1st is the day that the state is supposed to be out of the booze-selling business.
Till 9 pm, it’s this month’s edition of the West Seattle Art Walk, and Young At Art (next to The Beer Junction on 42nd south of Alaska) is one place where you can be an artist too – proprietor Theresa Anderson shared the photo, because Starheadboy is back this time around, “painting the wall with the kids tonight … adults are welcome to grab a brush as well…” We’re checking on some other venues and will add photos later. (If you’re heading out, the walking map/venue list is linked in our morning preview.)
FRIDAY MORNING UPDATE: A few photos from our Thursday night stops:
Harpist Johanna – daughter of Village Green Perennial Nursery proprietor Vera Johnson – played at Windermere in The Junction, where we also admired wildlife photos by Robin Lindsey (whose work makes the Seal Sitters’ “blubberblog” site both highly informative and wonderful to review). Also in The Junction, Shawn Foote is one of the artists in the group show “Constructed Geographies” at ArtsWest:
At Twilight Artist Collective, co-proprietor Mary Enslow and daughter Margaux, now 3 months old, were on hand as the “Form and Fancy” show opened:
We also traveled up to the Admiral District to stop in Mind Unwind, a new gallery (among other things), so new it’s not on the official Art Walk map yet. Cathy Woo is showing her work there now:
Didn’t make it to Art Walk last night? Many venues show the work all month long, so take an extra look around next time you step into one of the participating businesses. And clear March 8 for the next WSAW!
One week ago, we published a story that captured hearts and imaginations around the region, as it was shared by many, and picked up by a few citywide news organizations. A West Seattle teenager named Gabriella wrote that she found a “mystery gift” on a waterfront bench – shown in the photo above; it included a letter from someone saying it was a tribute to the sister she lost. We just noticed that the story picked up a few more comments this week – one from “Lainey,” who says she left the gift. Since few would otherwise see a new comment on a days-old story, we’re publishing Lainey’s message here:
Dear Gabriella,
For the last 10 years, I’ve left a birthday gift and card to honor my sister Karen, who died in 2001. She delighted in giving and receiving presents. I’ve spent hours wondering who finds these gifts and what their reactions might be. For the first time, I now have some answers to those questions.
Gabriella–you are an absolutely amazing “finder of the gift”. Your life-affirming actions of opening & receiving the gift(s) honors my sister Karen–more than anything I could have hoped for or imagined. Thank you for being the source of such a beautiful gift coming back to me and others. Your youthful and wise spirit discerned the power represented in this memorial. Your words inspired and blessed. My story is now part of your story. Your story is part now part of mine.
Please keep looking for and opening the gifts that life presents to us.
With much gratitude,
Lainey
2:24 PM: Big police search under way right now for armed robbers: Southwest Precinct Lt. Pierre Davis confirms a “jewelry/pawn shop” in the 9400 block of 16th SW (map) was held up by four robbers wearing masks. He says officers are currently “conducting a search for evidence and suspects.” We also heard some potential description information on the scanner – a Crown Victoria car that “looks like an old green-over-red taxi” might be associated with the robbers. As always, call 911 if you think you see or hear something related.
2:37 PM UPDATE: There’s a sizable police presence off Roxbury that we are told is related to the search for the robbers and ‘evidence.’ And this is indeed why there was at least one TV helicopter over the area.
3:21 PM UPDATE: Police are still searching – right now we’re seeing some in Roxhill Park. We stopped by nearby Roxhill Elementary, too, after hearing it mentioned as part of scanner discussion; the staff told us the school “sheltered in place” for a short time.
4:15 PM UPDATE: Per scanner traffic, three vehicles, including a Crown Victoria, were being searched in connection with this investigation. But Lt. Davis says nobody’s been arrested yet.
8:33 PM UPDATE: From SPD Blotter, more details and descriptions:Read More
Two reader reports to share this afternoon. First, from Kevin:
I’m writing to let you know that my 1996 Honda Accord was stolen off the street from in front of my house last night between midnight and 7 AM. I live in the 6000 block of 46th AVE SW between SW Graham and SW Raymond streets. It’s a four door Accord LX model. Maroon/Burgandy color. WA license plate 865 TZD. If you see it or have any information, please call the Seattle Police Dept.
(SPD suggests 911 if you see a stolen car.) Meantime, Jenni – who is a Block Watch captain in Highland Park – says they’re not taking car prowlers lightly in her neighborhood. This happened early Wednesday:
I went to check why my dog was barking& noted white male late 40s with graying facial hair trying to break into my neighbors SUV. I asked what he was doing and he fled via silver/gray 2 door sedan possibly ford no plate number obtained. I called 911 and some of our block watch went out on foot to patrol the surrounding streets. So, just another note about neighborhood block watch and calling police immediately.
She hasn’t heard whether an arrest was made, but notes that police arrived within five minutes of the 911 call. Meantime, Highland Park and other south West Seattle neighborhoods might be interested in this White Center event tonight: In case you missed the notice in our morning preview or on White Center Now, gang-activity trends, Metro Transit safety, and other topics are all on the agenda for the first in a series of Public Safety Forums presented by the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council, all welcome, 7 pm tonight at North Highline Fire District headquarters (1243 SW 112th – here’s a map).
12:20 PM: The “for sale” sign is now up at the former Fire Station 37 (35th/Othello). The city process of putting it on the market – since it’s been replaced by a bigger new station a few blocks south – has been under way for a long time (here’s the 47-page city analysis); last month, the city announced it had chosen Colliers to handle the listing. What the new owner can do with the ex-station and its 9440-square-foot lot will be limited, since – as the sign points out – it’s in a single-family zone, plus, the building is an official city landmark. We haven’t found the listing online yet, but have messages out to the brokers whose names are on the sign.
12:59 PM UPDATE: Arvin Vander Veen from Colliers replied to our question about the asking price among other things:
We are gathering all of the pertinent materials … now and will be ready in about one week to blast it out. There is no asking price, only a minimum bid of $250,000. We are going to have two open houses coming up, and then in April we will call for offers from all of the people that fill out the Confidentiality Agreement needed to receive all of the due diligence materials. All offers must be noncontingent, all cash with proof of funds attached, from which we will pick the buyer and close escrow immediately.
10:58 AM: Thanks to the Orca Network and The Whale Trail for the tip: Orcas have been reported off Vashon, headed toward West Seattle. (If you missed last Sunday’s sightings, here are our reports with photos and with video, both thanks to Rick Rasmussen.) Let us know if you see ’em – we’re off to look too.
11:38 AM UPDATE: We couldn’t see anything from Me-Kwa-Mooks or Constellation Park, but The Whale Trail’s Donna Sandstrom says if you have good binoculars – they’re still closer to north Vashon (ferry dock area), so watching from West Seattle’s west-facing beaches in the Lincoln/Lowman area is probably your best bet right now.
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