Just seven months after Sean Goff and wife Sofia Zadra Goff finally brought their dream of an Italian restaurant to fruition with Café Revò in the Luna Park business district, family and friends are in mourning — Sean has died, at the age of 43. (He is shown at left with Sofia in a photo we took in June 2008 while profiling them for a story about their restaurant plans.) The restaurant, a WSB sponsor, opened this past February – at least a 15-year dream for the couple. But a few months ago he became seriously ill, and early today his illness turned fatal. Here is the obituary just sent out on the Cafe Revo mailing list:

West Seattle Restaurateur Sean Goff fell asleep in the Lord September 17 at age 43. His death followed an illness of several months. While initially there was hope for his recovery, in the end, Sean was stricken with a fatal cerebral hemorrhage. Since February, many West Seattle residents had gotten to know Sean as the tall, genial chef of one of the area’s newest restaurants, Café Revò.

Previously, Sean served as a master chef at such area restaurants as Grazie and Anthony’s on the Waterfront. But Sean always hoped to open a restaurant of his own. The idea began to crystallize on one of his several trips to Northern Italy with his wife, Sofia Zadra Goff. Specifically, they both enjoyed the cuisine of the village of Revò in the Italian alps, home of Sofia’s ancestors.

Fascinated by the local cuisine, Sean found himself cooking alongside the locals, learning their centuries-old methods of producing unique flavors. One day, thinking about his dream restaurant, Sean came up with the “perfect” name, Café Revò.

Sofia and Sean were both long-time residents of West Seattle, so what better place to realize their dream? This past year, with the help of a number of friends in the restaurant business, Sean and Sofia were able to open Café Revò, right near Spokane Street, on Avalon Way SW.

Although very active in developing the restaurant site, Sean began experiencing symptoms of fatigue and other complications in April and May. Through the summer, Sean could only be active part-time with the restaurant. Still he was able to hire and train an outstanding staff of servers and chefs, as the restaurant’s many customers can attest.

During Sean’s illness, the actual running of the restaurant has been handled by his wife Sofia and the general manager, Milo Goodrich. Both feel confident that in spite of suffering the loss of Sean, they can continue Café Revò as a West Seattle landmark, maintaining Sean’s legacy of fine dining and customer service.

Sean is survived by Sofia, his two children Forrest and Maya, his father Michael Goff of Idaho and his brother Dan Goff of Colorado, plus a host of loving family and friends.

Sean’s passing is being mourned not only in the Seattle area but also in Revò, Italy, where the entire town has been proud and somewhat amazed that the ambiance and cuisine of their region was now present in a faraway place called West Seattle

Funeral services for Sean are set for September 21 at 1:00 p.m., at Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption, 1804 13th Avenue on Capitol Hill. Viewing will begin at noon. Interment will follow at Evergreen-Washelli.

Since July, Sean’s treatment has involved many days of hospitalization. And even with medical insurance, the family is responsible for covering 20 percent of the costs. Not surprisingly, much of their financial assets are already tied up in opening the restaurant.

In lieu of flowers, contributions are welcome to the Sean Goff Medical Fund at any U.S. Bank branch. Checks should be made out to Sofia Goff and can be mailed to Café Revò, 2940 SW Avalon Way, Seattle, WA 98126 or to U.S. Bank, 4200 SW Edmunds St., Seattle, WA 98116.

And here’s the funeral information we have received from the family.

Funeral Schedule For Sean Chano Goff
Monday, September 21st
Noon – Viewing
1 pm – Funeral Service
Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption – 1804 13th Avenue
Burial at Evergreen Washelli – Procession from church to cemetery
11111 Aurora Ave. North – Seattle, WA 98133

Cafe Revo will be closed that day, for a private party for friends and family, but Sofia stresses that the restaurant will go on. Here are the photos sent out atop the mailing-list obituary tonight:

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Arrowhead Gardens: Grand opening for new WSB sponsor

September 17, 2009 7:27 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle housing | West Seattle news

One of our newest sponsors is Arrowhead Gardens, the senior-living community that’s celebrating its grand opening in West Seattle this weekend; here’s a map to its location, and here’s the official announcement:

The Senior Housing Assistance Group (SHAG) is pleased to announce the opening of Arrowhead Gardens, its newest affordable senior living community. Residents have been able to take occupancy of the first of three (3) residential buildings about two weeks ahead of the originally scheduled opening date.

Arrowhead Gardens will be hosting its official Grand Opening event over the upcoming weekend of September 18-20, 2009. The festivities will begin at 10:30 am on Friday, September 18th, with a special Grand Opening ceremony by invitation only. The general public is invited to a Grand Opening celebration on both Saturday, September 19th and Sunday, September 20th, with food, refreshments and live music. Prospective senior residents and their families can tour the community during the Grand Opening event weekend, or at anytime by appointment. Visit Arrowhead Gardens today, where the lifestyle is rich and the rents are affordable. And don’t miss the Grand Opening event! See what all the fuss is about.

Located in the Highland Park neighborhood of West Seattle, Arrowhead Gardens is the latest of 27 affordable senior living communities operated by SHAG, the largest senior housing provider in the Puget Sound region. Certain age and income restrictions apply. Arrowhead Gardens provides affordable independent living opportunities designed specifically for active seniors, age 61 years or older, or disabled seniors, age 55 or older.

Arrowhead Gardens will contain an aggregate of 449 dwelling units in three (3) unique and architecturally distinctive residential apartment buildings situated on a lushly landscaped four (4) acre campus and configured in a village-like setting around a fourth building, the Village Center, a community building which contains leasing and management offices and most of the community’s special amenities and facilities. All buildings are access-controlled, elevator-serviced and fully sprinklered. Secure underground parking is also available. In addition to the affordable rents and the large selection of one- and two-bedroom apartment homes to choose from, it’s the beautifully landscaped gardens and courtyards, soothing water features and a wealth of other amazing amenities and facilities that have most new and prospective residents excited. ³We¹ve heard from seniors who have visited and toured Arrowhead Gardens that have said it has a ‘resort’ feel to it,” said Bill Fenner, SHAG¹s Executive Director.

Lots more information about the grand opening, and Arrowhead Gardens, can be found here.

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“A business is finally going into one of the Huling Bros. locations”

September 17, 2009 5:18 pm

| 5 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

View Larger Map

The headline is in quotes because it’s one of the first lines in an e-mail we received today from Craig Undem of Cycle University. As he notes, Cycle U has been offering “spin-type classes the last 2 winters at the Senior Center in The Junction” (here’s a 9/07 WSB item) and now they’re moving into the old Huling (and briefly Gee) Chrysler showroom at 4550 Fauntleroy (Google Street View above; map). He adds, “We will be having fitness classes and selling bikes and offering bicycle repair.” We’re working to find out more about their plans, and will bring you details in a followup.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: 2 burglaries, one followup

September 17, 2009 3:58 pm

| 16 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

First, the followup: The Gatewood resident we all know only as “burglarbustindad” will be on TV sometime tonight; KING5 wanted to get in touch with him after reading his story here – we sent him their e-mail address (we never divulge contact or ID info) and he said in this comment that they were over interviewing him earlier today. (Added early Friday – Here’s the story link.) He also sent us the photo at left – he jokes that Cookie is “fired” as his guard dog – 15 years old, by the way. Meantime, the suspected burglar remains jailed. Now, to two burglaries that to our knowledge have NOT yet been solved – both, like “burglarbustindad,” with stolen items including sizable quantities of coins — read on:Read More

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Kay Rood, Framer: Welcoming a new West Seattle Blog sponsor

September 17, 2009 2:19 pm

| Comments Off on Kay Rood, Framer: Welcoming a new West Seattle Blog sponsor

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

We’re welcoming one of our newest sponsors today: Kay Rood, Framer. Kay Rood is dedicated to making every frame aesthetically exceptional and structurally sound. Now in West Seattle, her shop, KR,F Custom Picture Framing, has provided quality design and personal service in Seattle since 1979. Kay’s professional fine-arts background as well as her skill as an artisan contributes to her trustworthiness as a designer/consultant. Each piece comes to the shop with a story or special memory to share and keep — whether it’s an old family photograph, a contemporary oil painting, an etching, a textile, a diploma, or a drawing for a gallery exhibition. At KR,F the challenge and enjoyment of designing each art work is met with creative energy and care, as designer and client work together to find the right design solution in a personable, informal shop ambience. Because protection is as important as presentation, only conservation-quality neutral-pH mat board is used. A wide range of quality mouldings is offered, as well as ultraviolet-filtering and reflection-free glass. A handsome selection of linens and silks is available for wrapped mats or backings. KR,F collaborates with specialized art conservators for referral when restoration or conservation is needed. Kay comes to West Seattle from Capitol Hill, where her community activism led her to become deeply involved in the creation of Cal Anderson Park. She’s excited to live and work in the new High Point community, and looks forward to contributing as it grows and evolves. Experience, imagination and sound advice have kept a loyal clientele returning to KR,F Custom Picture Framing for thirty years. Learn more online at www.kayroodframer.com. The shop is open by appointment at your convenience. Phone 206-324-9118.

Thanks to Kay Rood, Framer for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news, information and discussion at WSB! Our sponsors are listed here, with info on how to join them!

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Car over Avalon embankment, nobody hurt

September 17, 2009 2:18 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | WS breaking news

WSB photojournalist Christopher Boffoli checked out the “heavy rescue” call in the 3200 block of Avalon; the call closed fairly quickly, meaning it wasn’t as serious as first feared – Christopher sent that photo and says nobody was hurt, adding this account of what happened: “A man drove his Ford Bronco off the back of the parking lot of an apartment complex at the corner of Avalon and Genesee. No one was injured. SPD told me that the man didn’t want them to call a tow truck but they insisted because the truck is on a very steep hill and they were not going to take the chance of having it roll over and slide down the hill farther.”

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Got an old carseat to recycle? WestSide Baby will take it TONIGHT

September 17, 2009 1:39 pm

| Comments Off on Got an old carseat to recycle? WestSide Baby will take it TONIGHT

| Environment | How to help | West Seattle news

Just in from WestSide Baby, which helps West Seattle, White Center and vicinity families in need – a call for volunteers tonight AND a chance to recycle old carseats:

WestSide Baby After Hours and Carseat Recycling Tonight

WestSide Baby is open tonight, Thursday September 17th from 7-9, for our monthly third Thursday “After Hours” sorting frenzy. Grab a friend and join us for an evening of sorting donations, socializing and making a difference in the community.

Reusing and Recycling Carseats

From now until September 25, WestSide Baby is collecting seats that cannot be reused. We will dismantle them (with volunteer help) and send them to Portland, the nearest facility. You can also bring carseats to donate or recycle during the “After Hours” frenzy tonight. Tonight is your one “after hours” opportunity to donate seats that we can’t use because they are more than 6 years old or have been in a car accident. We will be collecting carseats through September 24 for the Safe Kids of South King County’s car seat recycling event at IKEA on September 30th.

We are open Mondays & Wednesdays from 9-1pm and Saturdays from 10-1pm.

Please bring the unusable carseats directly to us instead of our drop-off locations. (Again, tonight’s hours are 7-9 pm.)

We are located in White Center next to the Dollar Store and on the back side of White Center Chiropractic at 10032 15th Ave. SW.

Here’s a map.
4:23 PM UPDATE: Laura Elfline from CoolMom sends word that they are partnering with WestSide Baby and Safe Kids of South King County in the car-seat-recycling drive. Here’s more information – including word that they’re having another carseat-dismantling session next week if you can’t help out tonight.

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Free trees available for four West Seattle neighborhoods

September 17, 2009 1:01 pm

| 5 COMMENTS

| Environment | West Seattle news

(photo added 5:40 pm – looking east on Alaska, across the street from Ercolini Park west of The Junction)
West Seattleite Lina Rose from EarthCorps is getting the word out about the Community ReLeaf Pilot Project – which is trying to help restore Seattle’s “tree canopy,” particularly in city areas that are relatively tree-deficient:

EarthCorps is partnering with the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability and the Environment to manage a pilot program designed to distribute free trees to individual residents to plant in their private property and parking strips in front of their houses in neighborhoods with low tree canopy coverage. There are a few different trees that residents can choose from and an option of selecting cherry trees too.

In West Seattle, free trees are available for residents in Genesee, The Junction, Westwood and Roxhill – applications are being taken now, and you can get all the details by going here.

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Fauntleroy/California traffic-signal timing: It WILL be fixed

September 17, 2009 9:36 am

| 21 COMMENTS

| Transportation | West Seattle news

(Photo added 6:30 pm, looking south on California from just north of Fauntleroy)
As a followup to our Monday report about the Fauntleroy Way repaving/reconstruction/reconfiguration, we asked SDOT‘s project manager Jessica Murphy a question that many have been wondering about: What’s up with the signal at Fauntleroy/California? (For those who don’t drive through it much if at all, things used to flow well, but since the road work, the timing has seemed “off,” often in a way that leads to major backups.) Murphy’s reply this morning:

The signal at California and Fauntleroy is still in pre-timed mode. Crews have to come out to switch it back to normal operation where the traffic loops detect each vehicle and cycle through the signal accordingly. We had hoped to consolidate this with other signal work at Edmunds and Alaska but due to complications at Edmunds, that hasn’t happened yet. So….. I’m having the crews come out next week to get the California signal up and running as it was before the project.

The project overall will be deemed “substantially complete” this week, Murphy says, while explaining that doesn’t mean it’s completely done: “Several notable things still outstanding are the traffic curb on the east side at California (to prevent left turn out of the Thriftway parking lot), the median island at the new crossing at Juneau, and a few other odds and ends.”

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Tonight: Homestead future; library lace; coffee cinema; TR dinner

September 17, 2009 9:16 am

| 3 COMMENTS

| Fun stuff to do | How to help | West Seattle news

ALKI HOMESTEAD’S FUTURE: The landmark’s owner, Tom Lin, is scheduled to be the guest at tonight’s Alki Community Council meeting, to discuss his plans for the historic building, heavily damaged by fire in January. 7 pm, Alki Community Center.

SOUTHWEST LIBRARY LACE: Before Seattle author Heather Barbieri reads from her novel, “The Lace Makers of Glenmara” at the Southwest Branch of the Seattle Public Library at 6:30 p.m., Julie Enevoldsen from Friends of Southwest Branch Library will be demonstrating bobbin lace, starting around 5 pm: She’s a member of Lacemakers of Puget Sound and invites you to stop by and see how lace is made by hand, as it is in the book. Also at the reading, Square One Books (WSB sponsor) will be selling books.

COFFEE CINEMA: The documentary “1000 Journals,” about people whose lives are touched by 1000 traveling journals, will be shown at Freshy’s Coffee tonight at 7.

TRANSITIONAL RESOURCES DINNER: “An Evening of Inspiration,” benefiting West Seattle-based Transitional Resources, starts at 6 tonight with a silent auction/reception, The Hall at Fauntleroy, $25 for three-course meal, wine/cash bar available, silent auction, entertainment by Garfield Jazz Combo.

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Help the West Seattle Soccer Club round out its rosters

September 17, 2009 6:07 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | WS & Sports

From Tim McMonigle of the West Seattle Soccer Club‘s board:

Even though registration ended a while ago, we are still looking for a few players in selected age groups to fill out some teams in those divisions. We had a few games this past weekend, but the season starts in earnest this coming Saturday and Sunday.

We are looking for players in the following age groups:

* Boys U8 – 1-2 players
* Boys U9 – 1-2 players
* Girls U11 – 2-3 players
* Girls U15 – 3-4 players (desperate need)
* Girls U16 – 1-2 players
* Girls U17 – 1-2 players

The players have to be under the age above by August 1 of this year (eg, U8 players need to be under 8 on August 1 [2009] to be eligible). We have a record 1425 players and over 250 coaches on 142 teams in our league this fall and are continuing to grow every season. Please visit our website (www.westseattlesoccer.org) or contact the league at wsscboard@gmail.com with any questions.

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Junction QFC opening side notes: The T-shirt, the owner, the door

September 17, 2009 1:43 am

| 11 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle video

(Our main story about the QFC opening, with a store tour and the ribbon-cutting ceremony, is here)

Just before the ribbon-cutting on Wednesday morning, that video shows a little side moment regarding the new West Seattle Junction QFC store and the building it’s in: You see QFC’s Kristin Maas acknowledging a woman showing off her “Ask Me About The New QFC” T-shirt. We thought she was one of the many employees gathered outside for the ribboncutting — until later, when she introduced herself via Facebook chat as nearby resident Adree-Rose, saying, “I’m the QFC T-shirt girl … just happy that all the construction is gonna be gone.” She had the T-shirt made about a month ago. A few minutes after her cameo during the ceremony, store manager Jeff Brown acknowledged the long-suffering neighbors in his remarks:

As for that “long time coming” — nobody knows that like Leon Capelouto, the longtime Junction entrepreneur who owns and developed the building for which the new QFC is the “anchor tenant.” He was acknowledged by QFC president Donna Giordano in her brief remarks at the ceremony:

Then he joined the crowd streaming into the store, pausing for a few words with her and others along the way (you’ll also see Adree-Rose “the T-shirt girl” in the video again):

We caught up with him just inside the store’s entrance, by the Starbucks kiosk. How does it feel to see the store – the building – finally open? “Unbelievably good,” he grinned.

We weren’t covering West Seattle news when this project began. The first serious mentions in WSB archives are from early 2007, just before demolition began at the site (which housed buildings including a Hollywood Video store – this item includes a demolition photo). Then there was a Design Review meeting in summer of 2007 (read it here, and see what you think about how it turned out, compared to the concerns voiced back then). As you see in that story, the project’s design was in part shaped by the fact that the once-planned monorail was going to whiz right by on Alaska. As for one of the concerns at that meeting, about an entrance on Alaska – here, photographed inside the store during our pre-opening preview tour, is the result:

As for the Office Depot that’s also supposed to be going into this building, Capelouto told us in our most recent sit-down interview that it’s still in the works (though the space does not appear to have progressed much); we have been leaving messages at company HQ for their perspective and have yet to receive a reply. The only other tenant Capelouto has announced is Desert Sun Tanning. Meantime, the Altamira Apartments over the store plan to start move-ins the first week of October, according to this tweet.

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New evening “care clinic” at My Family Doctor in West Seattle

September 16, 2009 9:49 pm

| 23 COMMENTS

| Health | West Seattle news

A new service from Dr. Terrill Harrington of My Family Doctor (WSB sponsor) – he’s trying the concept of an evening “care clinic” to see if there’s a demand for it. After regular office hours end at 4:30 pm, he’s reopening 6-9 pm for the care clinic. As Dr. Harrington explains it, it’s for people who don’t feel well and want to see a doctor but are having a hard time getting an appointment with their regular doctor or can’t take time off work in the middle of the day. His clinic is a bridge between you and your regular provider – after you see him, he can get in touch with your regular doctor for a full report on what happened, and he’ll check to make sure you connected with your regular provider. For now, he’s staffing the clinic himself, till it’s clear how much need there is; he was inspired to try it after looking at stats regarding why people visit the ER – many, he said, do so not because it’s truly an emergency but because they’re not feeling well and couldn’t get a timely appointment to see their provider, or because they have a sick child who seems to need immediate attention. He stresses this isn’t meant to replace an ER for major problems, and he’ll send you there if it seems more appropriate. His clinic’s at 3623 SW Alaska (map); phone (206) 362-8671 (that’s 206-DOCTOR-1).

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Update: West Seattle-based Seal Sitters report more pups

September 16, 2009 6:27 pm

| 8 COMMENTS

| Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Wildlife

(Video courtesy Seal Sitters)
By Brenda Peterson, Seal Sitters
Special to West Seattle Blog

In the past two weeks we have had 5 pups on the beaches in West Seattle. Please be on alert as you walk the beaches (with binoculars!). If you see a pup please let our Seal Sitter hotline know. Call to report a seal pup on the beach at: 206 905-7324 (SEAL).

One vital thing you can do, even if you do not see a pup, is to let dog people know to leash their dogs because dogs and seal pups can pass diseases back and forth. We don’t want ANY of our pups to get hurt. These seal pups are being weaned and really need rest from their first fishing attempts. This is a critical time for weaning pups; they are often thin and exhausted from their first fishing forays without their mothers.

Though WA State has a healthy seal population, 50% of pups do not survive their first year. The main predators are dogs off-leash and people crowding them. NOAA advises that people please stay the 100 yards back from any resting pup and call Seal Sitters hotline for our trained volunteers. If you see a seal being harassed, please call NOAA’s enforcement hotline at: 1-800-853-1964 or NOAA local stranding hotline at: 206-526-6733.

We cannot cover every beach especially during this busy pup season, so those of you who regularly walk the beach, please be on alert for napping pups.

Last week a new Seal Sitter volunteer named a pup “Justice” after her grandson who was born after 9.11. “Justice” hauled out on a beach on 09.09.09 and was healthy and alert. He lifted his head at every passing school bus and garbage truck. He woke from a deep sleep every time a cell phone or loud voice startled him. Scientists have discovered that seal experience R.E.M. sleep just as humans do! Imagine trying to nap in the middle of an intersection – that’s how our beaches must seem to a seal pup. Thanks for your awareness and please help spread the word. Our Seal Sitter kids have been doing a wonderful job in their schools:

Atop this story is a video of “Justice,” who returned to the waves at 3:00 after hauling out at 8 a.m. It is normal to see seal pups on our beaches. Please educate everyone you know that West Seattle shores are a sanctuary for seal pups. Visit our website at www.sealsitters.org for more information, kids’ activities, and brochures you can print out to distribute on your walks. We hope that seal pups will realize they are among friends here on our West Seattle beaches!

On Tuesday 9.15 we had a pup actually on the sidewalk across from Cactus Restaurant on Alki Beach. Some new Seal Sitters were thrilled to take their first turn watching over this pup, who went back into the water at 7:30 p.m.

What We Need Now:

1. A Twitter person who can do quick, up-to-date blogs for those who want to follow Seal Sitters
2. Schedulers who can make calls so we do not tie up the dispatch line when a pup is on the beach
3. Computer-savvy volunteers who can help us with coordinating updates to volunteers
4. Donations of money or time to help us organize our all-volunteer organization
5. Grant writers so we can get some funding

You can reach Seal Sitters through their website – sealsitters.org.

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