Anne from Ventana Construction (WSB sponsor) first saw them walking along California SW in Gatewood and called to let us know: Teens from Shorewood Foursquare Church are in the midst of a big walk right now, as part of World Vision‘s 30-Hour Famine awareness-raising event. We caught up with them at the top of the hill, and they explained they’re walking to a store to buy water – “because in Africa, people often have to walk 6 miles to get water.” We had published an item about the 30-Hour Famine on our partner site White Center Now earlier today – Shorewood is inviting you to bring clothing and food donations to the church tomorrow morning – but it didn’t mention the teens’ big hike, so thanks again to Anne for the tip. At least two dozen are walking, carrying signs, so if you see them in southern West Seattle over the next few hours, you’ll know what it’s about.
Next step for the Delridge Skatepark project, scheduled to start construction this summer now that funding’s been finalized – the Seattle Design Commissionwill take a look at the plan next Thursday, according to the agenda just published. SDC meetings are in the Boards and Commissions Room at City Hall downtown and are open to the public; Delridge Skatepark is on the agenda at 1 pm Thursday.
That’s one of the new “no parking” signs just put up along eastbound Admiral Way, in front of the businesses on both sides of the Admiral/California intersection. The city was “considering” parking removal as of last fall, back when we had repeated reports/discussions here about traffic troubles at the intersection. Then today, via Twitter, Revolution Coffee and Art reported, “The parking on Admiral in front of Revolution is officially gone now – please don’t park there.” The signs went up today, Revolution confirms.
First, we’ll start by saying that WSB’s usual policy is not to identify suspects until/unless they are charged, but every story is evaluated on a case-by-case basis – as it was when we worked in “big media” – so sometimes we may digress from that policy. This is one such case: Ryan J. Cox is in jail again, as of about an hour and a half ago. He is the man arrested twice in the past 10 months in connection with serial graffiti vandalism around West Seattle that usually involved a three-word profane, anti-gay slur. Both times, the charges were dismissed because he was found incompetent to stand trial, and he was sent to Western State Hospital for evaluation for possible civil commitment. (We went toMental Health Courtfor the most recent hearing on January 20th – here’s our report.) Exactly what happened at Western State in both cases is not a matter of public record because of privacy laws; we had heard recently that Cox indeed might have gotten out fairly quickly after that January hearing, but could not confirm it. Then we received this reader Crime Watch report via e-mail this morning:
I want to remain anonymous, but my tire was slashed this morning by a mentally unstable male this morning on the 4200 block/Raymond St. at 6:40 this morning. The police collected the knife and the male after I did an ID of him. According to police he has a “record” here in West Seattle for malicious acts and graffiti. I had a brief encounter with him in my alley yesterday morning, and this morning at the same time he slashed my tire (he saw me get in my truck yesterday)…I am very concerned for the safety of myself and others. Am glad I wasn’t “on time” this morning. It is only considered and misdemeanor, and is circumstantial as I hear my tire go and looked out to see him walking away, but did not “see” him slash my tire, although it is completely flat, there is a slash and the knife was 10′ away in tall grass.
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Everything he wears is baggy, white jacket with blue stripes on sleeves, haven’t seen him with his hood down, gray baseball cap, blue jeans, tennis shoes, a backpack, dark blue, and what looks to be a medium-sized shoulder bag black. Blue umbrella..I would keep my eye on him. For everyone’s safety. he looks to be in his late 30’s and of Hispanic ethnicity. (medium colored skin, graying hair, short) about 5’9″.
I just wanted to let you know as I feel I should let someone know as I appreciate West Seattle, have lived here for a long time and feel our safety can only be helped in numbers and watching out for each other. I consider this person dangerous given the circumstances that I see him for the first time yesterday morning and the very next morning at the same time my tire is violently flattened…
Though the description didn’t sound exactly like Cox, the rest of the circumstances sounded similar enough that we started checking around – and have now verified, he was indeed arrested; the King County Jail Register shows him booked on a property-damage charge as of 9:11 this morning. What happens now? We will be checking with the City Attorney’s Office, with whom we spoke extensively in connection with the previous cases, and will add to this story as we find out more. (Side note: The challenges authorities face under current law in cases like this were well-detailed in this report last weekend from our citywide-news partners at the Seattle Times.)
Imagine driving through one of West Seattle’s gateway areas and thinking “Looks great, and I was part of it.” If you can spare a little time tomorrow morning, you get the right to feel that way about the Admiral District, by joining in the next Adopt-A-Street cleanup with the Admiral Neighborhood Association. No equipment or special clothing needed – just show up outside Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor) at 9 am tomorrow (Saturday) – you’ll get city-supplied grabbers, bags, gloves and vests. ANA president Katy Walum says, “We will be covering the Admiral Junction business area on California Avenue SW, south to about Hanford and north to about Walker; and SW Admiral Way, east to about the Admiral viewpoint and west to about 47th SW.” Not a small-child-friendly event, she adds, given the traffic along those streets, “but older kids and teenagers are welcome.” You can also mark your calendar for the next 3 quarterly Adopt-A-Streets: June 5, August 28, December 4.
After a first-round bye, the Chief Sealth High School boys’ varsity basketball team (14-8) begins district-tournament play today. 4:45 pm at Bellevue College, they face Sammamish (15-9). Here’s a map if you can go cheer them on in person (this campus map shows the gym location); we’ll be there to cover the game, including in-progress updates at our live-events Twitter account, @wsblive. 6:16 PM UPDATE: Game’s over – Sammamish defeated Sealth, 46-39. But Sealth has one more chance. Full story, with video, coming up.
Christopher Boffoli captured the beauty of downtown Seattle mirrored on the calm waters of Elliott Bay – maybe not for long, as rain is expected back soon.
After school today at Lafayette Elementary, students got to jump not only for joy, but also to help others – it was the annual Jump Rope for Heart event, which happens around the country as a fundraiser for the American Heart Association. Not just jumping – a little careful balancing, too:
Just a few days left to sign up for the spring season of West Seattle Soccer Club. Tim McMonigle shares the basics:
The 6-Game season will begin on Sunday, April 11 and conclude on Sunday, May 23. (No games will be played on Mother’s Day, May 9.). All Games will be played on Sunday afternoons with game start times beginning at 1pm, 2:30pm, 4pm, and (if necessary) 5:15pm.
Registration is open to players from 5-11 years old (Coed U-6 to U-12). (This year, we have separated the Coed U-7 division into Coed U-6 and Coed U-7 divisions.) The cost is $45/player and includes a “World Cup” jersey.
With a little over five weeks to go till the new season starts for the King County Water Taxi‘s West Seattle-Downtown Seattle run, construction of its new dock at Seacrest has entered the second phase. After the new pilings were finished earlier this month, the site was quiet for a while, but now the concrete dock itself is going in – the photo above is from about an hour ago. The first day of the new season is scheduled for Monday, April 5th; last Friday, we brought you a close-up sneak peek on board the boat King County has leased for the run, the Rachel Marie (see our story =here). It’s currently at a Ballard shipyard getting freshened up, with the county branding outside, and new seats (among other things) inside – this shot from our Friday tour looks toward the bow on the main deck:
You’re likely to see West Seattle’s new Water Taxi out on training runs starting in a week or two. Meantime, here’s a little more background about the new dock; other changes for the new season include fares and the downtown dock location, which moves south to Pier 50 (which the other county run, Vashon-Downtown, already uses). ADDED THURSDAY NIGHT: Thanks to Brenda C for photos taken as the concrete dock floated in, earlier in the day:
I’m UNHAPPY to report that a car parked on California Avenue SW in front of the Lutheran Church at Dakota (map) had its back window COMPLETELY smashed. This happened yesterday (2/24) between noon & 6pm. The back window didn’t have a shred of glass left in the frame and the shattered glass was inside the car but sprayed out into the street leaving us to believe the window was intentionally hit (and hard) from the sidewalk. Nothing was stolen. I hope this hasn’t happened to anyone else as it’s a complete pain in the patoot & expensive for the owner.
(Sign at Lowman Beach after Murray Pump Station overflow in 2007)
There wasn’t much turnout last fall when we covered two meetings about upcoming “CSO” – Combined Sewer Overflow – projects that King County is pursuing in connection with two pump stations on West Seattle shores, Barton (by the Fauntleroy ferry dock) and Murray (by Lowman Beach). One recent commenter wondered if perhaps the longer-than-expected 2-year duration of the 53rd Avenue Pump Station expansion project on Alki might lead to more interest in projects like these. With that in mind – here are two meeting dates just announced by King County: 6 pm March 18 for the Barton project, 6 pm March 29 for the Murray project, both at Southwest Community Center. The CSO projects are meant to come up with ways to keep stormwater and sewage from flowing into Puget Sound during storms that overload the system; the county is looking for opinions on the various ways of making that happen – which could even involve building big storage tanks near the existing pump stations (both of which are underground), to store the excess water until the weather eases. Read more about the CSO-control program here.
This one’s gone around before, andSeattle City Light says it’s going around again – people getting phone calls from someone claiming to be an SCL employee and demanding a credit-card number, even in some cases a Social Security number, to prevent allegedly imminent disconnection of service. This item on SCL’s Power Lines site explains how to tell who’s legit and who’s not.
And now, there are three declared candidates for 34th District State House Representative, Position 2, which Rep. Sharon Nelson says she’ll leave to run for State Senate (since Sen. Joe McDermott is running for County Council): Arbor Heights-residing Democrat Sabra Schneider has just announced she’s running; previous announcements have come from Democrat Marcee Stone and independent “Mac” McElroy. Read on for the news release sent by Schneider’s campaign:Read More
(Wednesday afternoon photo from west end of The Bridge)
This morning, we direct you to the WSB Events calendar for the rundown on what’s up today and tonight – including morning events such as two library branches with story times, City Councilmember Sally Bagshaw @ West Seattle Democratic Women, and tonight’s South Delridge/White Center Community Safety Coalition meeting, plus a special boutique event in The Junction. More here!
At 8th/Roxbury, on the north side of Greenbridge, you can stand on the edge of White Center and look across the street at a “Welcome to Highland Park” sign. So HP has reason to pay close attention to the prospect of a November vote on whether Seattle should annex White Center and most of the rest of the unincorporated area that will remain when Burien completes its North Highline South annexation this spring. That’s why WC residents who support Seattle annexation addressed the Highland Park Action Committee meeting Wednesday night, briefly drawing audience reaction that hinted at some of the strong opinions over the area’s future. That was just part of a very busy HPAC agenda – read on for the toplines, starting with the community crime report:Read More
Walter Maenhout e-mailed to say Wednesday night’s first “Set Apart” poetry/storytelling event at C & P Coffee “was a great success.” Above, some of the audience; below, featured poet Leopoldo Seguel. Walter says the next one’s already set for March 24, with more details to come.
If you drive past Walking on Logs at the Fauntleroy end of the West Seattle Bridge over the next week or two, you’ll see the sculptures dressed in Girl Scoutgarb, thanks to Troop 43141, fifth-grades who are second-year junior Scouts. We rolled a bit of video this afternoon as they embarked on what’s become an annual tradition just before cookie sales begin – decorating Walking on Logs, then picking up trash around the sculptures.
Troop 43141 is one of 25 West Seattle troops selling cookies this year – more than 30,000 boxes for starters between them, as we showed you in our story about the troops’ cookie pickup at a local loading dock last Saturday. Cookie sales start Friday and continue through March 14. Troop 43141’s leader Cynthia Voth and assistant leader Barb McGlothlin were at bridgeside with most of their 10 Scouts this afternoon, slogging through the muddy slopeside as traffic zoomed by – and gathering them for a group photo before they wrapped up:
Official permission to decorate Walking on Logs goes through the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce, in case you wondered. And sometimes, items get left behind; Voth noticed a hobby-horse bearing the name “Roller Bull” was still at Walking on Logs, possibly from the Rat City Rollergirls‘ most recent stint decorating the site. She’s going to hold onto it for a week or so in case anyone wants to claim it (we’ll put you in touch with her if it’s yours, or if you’re interested). Meantime, look for Troop 43141 and others at locations around West Seattle starting Friday – the parent organization promises a Cookie Locator search box will be on their website once sales start, so you know where to find them and when.
That’s one of our photos from last year’s Fairmount Ravine cleanup – just part of what neighborhood volunteers picked up and took out of the ravine during several hours of work. They could have done more, with more help – and here’s the advance alert in hopes that you will join them for this year’s cleanup, just a week and a half away. From John Lang:
Fairmount Ravine Preservation Group will sponsor the 18th Annual Spring Cleanup and Reforestation of Fairmount Ravine, Saturday March 6th at 8:30. Meet at top of ravine (Forest St. and Fairmount Ave.). Wear boots and gloves. Bring a pruning saw if interested in removing ivy from trees. Delicious Tully’s coffee and hot cocoa along with donuts will be served. We extend a special invitation to those who use the ravine to access the waterfront; please donate an hour of your time to keep this greenbelt healthy and pristine. More info – call John at 932-5151.
Thanks for the rainbow photos! Anne from Ventana Construction (WSB sponsor) and Mary from Service Dog Academy snapped this afternoon’s rainbow too – but, even with the window bar in the middle, the one above, from Frank Rutledge at Prudential NW Realty in Jefferson Square, came out the best – note “Hole Foods” and the Link crane also under/through the rainbow.
(Photos republished with permission of Rick Miner)
Thanks to Creighton for spotting this one in the real-estate listings. The house next to the Alki Point Lighthouse (on the northeast side) is for sale, asking $1,300,000. The 2-bedroom, 1-bath house at 3221 Point Place is 92 years old, according to the listing information, which pronounces it a teardown. We dug around to find out more of the backstory – read on to see what we found out:Read More
Yes, we know, you’re thinking, “They don’t look a day over 94.” But seriously – the Scouts of Troop 284 are part of West Seattle history, and Diane shares the photo and invitation for you to help them celebrate – and to help them pay tribute, if you have memories to share:
Boy Scout Troop 284 celebrates its 95th Anniversary! Troop 284 (originally chartered as Troop 4 in 1915) is one of the oldest continuously chartered troops in the state of Washington. This year we are celebrating our 95th Anniversary as a troop at the same time Scouting turns 100! You are cordially invited to attend our celebration on Saturday, March 13, from 2-4pm. It will be held in the Parish Hall at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, on the corner of 34th Ave SW and SW Myrtle in West Seattle.
Please help us spread the word to Troop alumni, Eagle Scouts and Scoutmasters. Join us in celebrating this great program called Scouting that has been growing leaders for 100 years. Send us your memories of the troop to 95th@troop284.org to be added to the troop history book. RSVPs can also be sent to 95th@troop284.org. For a look at what the troop is doing now, visit our website at www.troop284.org.
Next step for the 
First, we’ll start by saying that WSB’s usual policy is not to identify suspects until/unless they are charged, but every story is evaluated on a case-by-case basis – as it was when we worked in “big media” – so sometimes we may digress from that policy. This is one such case: Ryan J. Cox is in jail again, as of about an hour and a half ago. He is the man 
Imagine driving through one of West Seattle’s gateway areas and thinking “Looks great, and I was part of it.” If you can spare a little time tomorrow morning, you get the right to feel that way about the Admiral District, by joining in the next Adopt-A-Street cleanup with the 
And now, there are three declared candidates for 34th District State House Representative, Position 2, which Rep. Sharon Nelson says she’ll leave to run for State Senate (since Sen. Joe McDermott is running for County Council): Arbor Heights-residing Democrat Sabra Schneider has just announced she’s running; previous announcements have come from Democrat Marcee Stone and independent “Mac” McElroy. Read on for the news release sent by Schneider’s campaign:
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