West Seattle, Washington
05 Sunday
Two West Seattle Cooper’s Hawk tales: First, Tom Furtwangler shares the top photo of a juvenile hawk spotted outside his Gatewood home – sighted by his wife, who happens to be urban-nature author Lyanda Lynn Haupt. Tom says it was there just a few minutes, and quotes Lyanda as saying, “I think it’s a male because it’s small for a Cooper’s, but that’s just speculation. It’s a hard time of year for newly fledged birds because they are just learning to hunt. I hope he makes it!” This provides the perfect lead-in to two other Cooper’s Hawk photos shared this week by nature photographer/writer Trileigh Tucker:
Trileigh explains:
The first photo shows a young Cooper’s Hawk practicing her landing skills on a snag in Lincoln Park, and although the second photo (a different young female) looks like she’s showing off her new jewelry, she’s actually just getting ready to scratch her nose.
She continues:
The bands they’re wearing were put on as part of an eight-year study being conducted to learn about Cooper’s Hawks’ nesting ecology and winter site fidelity. So readers should look carefully and see if they can find banded hawks in West Seattle! Sightings can be reported to the Washington Ornithological Society’s research page at wos.org/research — look for the instructions for “Accipiters and Merlins” at the top of the page.
Trileigh is now writing about her sightings, and celebrating “the beauty and power of next-door nature,” online here. She says her site “focuses on local natural history (especially Lincoln Park, of course!), and what we can learn both about nature and about ourselves from being attentive to the natural world in our backyards and beyond. Come take a look!”
(Photo courtesy Pokémon World Championships)
6:42 PM: This’ll be a great “what I did on my summer vacation” story: We mentioned last night that David Cohen, a 16-year-old student at Seattle Lutheran High School in West Seattle, was in the final 16 at the Pokémon card-game world championships in San Diego. This afternoon, he won the title in the Masters’ division (click the tab for that division to see his progress). Here’s a photo from the official website.
ADDED 11:03 PM: We are reminded in the comment section that West Seattle was home to a world champ four years ago too – Jeremy Scharff-Kim.
Hope your vehicle never gets stolen. If it does, we’re happy to help get the word out to folks to be on the lookout (of course, report it to police first!). Samantha says her car was taken from the 8800 block of 24th SW, near Westwood Village, late last night/early this morning:
It’s a gray 4-door Toyota Camry hybrid, 2007, with WA license plate 725VOA. Identifying marks: There’s an obvious, medium-sized dent in the rear bumper on the driver’s side. There’s also a scratch near the bottom of the back passenger side window that’s a few inches long. There was a brown Britax car seat in the back seat, but that’s probably gone by now.
At West Seattle Nursery, the Dog Days of Summer started with Furry Faces Foundation‘s Teri Ensley and King County’s Rebecca Cleveland-Diel tapping a donated keg of Manny’s. Till 4 pm, it’s a beerfest, with hot dogs, but it’s also a pet-adoption-fest:
That’s volunteer Kory with two dogs hoping their new forever homes might be found today – the little white one he’s holding is a “special needs” pet, with eye trouble. Or if you’re looking to add a kitty to the family, here’s one in classic nonchalant cat mode:
West Seattle Nursery is having a sale, too. Meantime, your dog (leashed) and/or cat (carrier) are welcome to join you at Lien Animal Clinic till 2 pm, for the 60th anniversary open house – we found a few visitors there this morning:
And of course, there’s anniversary cake!
Lien is on SW Alaska between 37th and 38th, in The Triangle.
Two reasons to get to The Junction if you’re not there already:
Outside and inside West 5 till 4 pm, it’s “Brunch for Boobies” fundraiser day for the 3-Day for the Cure walkers who comprise Team Tracy – including namesake Tracy Dart, fourth from left. These women are so busy raising money (and awareness!) before the big event, tirelessly, you might wonder if the inspirational-and-intense walk itself (September 16-18) will feel in comparison a tiny bit like a stroll in the park. Anyway, if you can’t make it to West 5 today, you can donate here.
If you’re not up for three days on your feet, but maybe a little more foot-powered exploring around West Seattle, go to the WS Farmers’ Market before 2 pm:
That’s Chas Redmond at the Sustainable West Seattle booth, where you can get the new West Seattle Walking Trails map.
(Side note: Make your walks, bike rides, bus trips, etc., count even more by signing up for West Seattle In Motion!)
In case you spotted some new boxes atop poles/light fixtures in The Junction: WSB contributor Katie Meyer spotted a crew installing this one near California/Alaska – SDOT crew but, one crew member told her, related to GPS for Metro buses. We checked with Metro to see if this means the long-awaited GPS-for-buses system is closer to reality, to enable even more accurate bus arrival-time reports than the current means of measurement. From Rochelle Ogershok at Metro, it was:
… installation of the fiber infrastructure and traffic signal upgrades along the RapidRide C Line. (As you know, we are adding service to the Route 54 starting in October, as part of the mitigation for the Alaskan Way Viaduct construction.) There will be 8 Transit Signal Priority (TSP) signals installed along the Route 54 and 6 TSP signals on First Ave S. As soon as regular Route 54 buses are equipped with GPS equipment, they can begin using the signal priority feature. We anticipate that will be in early 2012.
Route 54 is what the RapidRide “C” Line is scheduled to replace, in fall of next year.
From history to theater, lots to do on a mid-August Sunday. From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:
HAPPY 60TH, LIEN: Open house at Lien Animal Clinic to celebrate 60 years of operation. 10 am-2 pm, 3710 SW Alaska. Dogs on leashes and cats in carriers are welcome as well as people. Here’s what’s in store:
– Tours of the clinic
– A teddy bear clinic (bring in your broken teddy bear and we’ll stitch’em up)
– Photo of your pet
– Teeth Brushing/Dentistry Demonstrations
– Ultrasound Demonstrations
– How-To’s for Pet Parents
– Free refreshments
– Prizes and giveaways
For more information visit www.lienanimal.com.
TEAM TRACY FUNDRAISER: “Brunch for Boobies” at West 5, 10 am-4 pm, part of the proceeds fight breast cancer through the Team Tracy 3Day Walk-ers. Full details on this Facebook event page.
FARMERS’ MARKET: West Seattle Farmers’ Market, today and every Sunday, 10 am-2 pm, The Junction (44th/Alaska).
DOG DAYS OF SUMMER BEERFEST: At West Seattle Nursery, noon-4 pm, fundraiser and adoption event for Furry Faces Foundation. Details in this WSB Forums post.
(WSB photo from Alki on Saturday)
FESTIVAL CONTINUES: Festival of India at Alki, noon-8 pm both days, schedule here
GONE SWIMMING OUTDOORS YET? Open at noon, Colman Pool continues its 7-day-a-week summer operations – but only a few weeks to go! (Pool schedule/other info here.)
LONGFELLOW CREEK WALK: 1 pm, meet at Greg Davis Park, corner of Brandon Street and 26th SW for a neighbor-led walk along Longfellow Creek. Organizers say, “Everyone can attend, bring your kids, your dogs, your neighbors or visiting relatives. We’ll be walking for about 45 minutes, so please dress appropriately and bring yourself a bottle of water.”
ICE-CREAM CELEBRATION: Celebrate Husky Deli‘s 79 years with an Ice Cream Social at the Log House Museum (61st/Stevens) 1-3 pm – Jack Miller himself will scoop Husky Deli ice cream for just $2/scoop. Plus music!
Two theater matinees today:
(Tyler Webster in “Starmites.” Photo by Michael Brunk, courtesy ArtsWest)
FINAL PERFORMANCE: “Starmites,” put on by the ArtsWest Summer Musical Apprenticeship Program, concludes its run with a 3 pm matinee today (details and ticket-buying link here).
(Photo courtesy Twelfth Night Productions)
BRING SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR ‘OLIVER!’: Twelfth Night Productions presentation of “Oliver!” with a school-supplies drive for Treehouse (which helps foster kids). 3 pm at West Seattle High School Theater. More details here.
(August 2010 photo by Christopher Boffoli)
Two weeks from today, Alki Avenue SW will fill with runners and walkers – more than 1,100 last year – for the Alki Beach 5K, raising money for Northwest Hope and Healing‘s work to help breast-cancer patients. Starting at 9 am Sunday, August 28, participants will head east from the Alki Bathhouse vicinity to Anchor Park on Duwamish Head, and back, as detailed on the official website. Something special this year: NWHH director Shari Sewell says participants will hear from “Warrior Marathon Runner” Carol Dellinger, who’s finished 253 marathons – 19 since being diagnosed with breast cancer, including one less than three months after a mastectomy (scroll down this page for her story). You can register for the Alki Beach 5K now – at West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) or CAPERS, or online by going here. Click ahead for the official news release with even more info:Read More
Actually “West Seattle and vicinity” scene – the annual 40-mile Water and Spirit Bike Ride starts and finishes in West Seattle, but riders ferry over to Kitsap County along the way, and take the Southworth-to-Fauntleroy ferry back. Krista Livingston shared the photo of one group on Saturday’s ride; she says, “It turned out to be a wonderful day for the 4th Annual Water and Spirit Ride! We had a great showing, beautiful views and a lot of fun. Thank you to all of the volunteers and riders that made this a fantastic event.” It raised money for Scholastic Journey and Family Promise of Seattle (whose next major fundraiser is the Justin Roberts concert on Friday!).
16-year-old Seattle Lutheran High School student David Cohen has made it to the final 16 in the masters’ bracket of the Pokémon trading-card-game world championships. That word from SLHS’s Bil Hood; here’s the bracket. The final matches are tomorrow.
Big weekend in North Delridge. Tomorrow, you’re invited on a walk along Longfellow Creek – more on that in a moment. First: A KCTS 9 TV crew was on 25th SW this morning during a neighborhood-wide work party, the final phase of the installation of 10 rain gardens:
According to North Delridge Neighborhood Council chair Karrie Kohlhaas, the crew’s working on a story about community-building. That was certainly in action as neighbors worked in the Saturday sunshine to put plants in the new rain gardens.
They’re building ten of them in connection with Stewardship Partners, which has launched a program aimed at adding 12,000 of them to neighborhoods around Puget Sound. The rain gardens are meant to keep potentially toxic runoff out of nearby Longfellow Creek – one of West Seattle’s green treasures, and the centerpiece of a walk that you can join in tomorrow: A neighbor-led walk along the creek, everyone welcome – including kids and dogs – starting at 1 pm from Greg Davis Park at 26th/Brandon (map), lasting about 45 minutes. No need to RSVP, just show up. (That’s not far from the 25th/Findlay raingarden neighborhood, if you want to take a side trip afterward and have a look!)
Two events continuing till 8 pm: At Endolyne Joe’s in Fauntleroy – the pig roast is under way (and if you don’t like pork, they’re offering chicken too – live music there, and at another event continuing till 8:
At Alki, it’s the Festival of India, which continues tomorrow, noon-8 pm, if you don’t see this till later tonight.
By Megan Sheppard
On the WSBeat, for West Seattle Blog
From reports on cases handled recently by Southwest Precinct officers:
*A Genesee citizen heard sirens and then saw a man climb a tree in a nearby yard. Concerned that he might be trying to elude officers, she called 911. Though it turned out that the sirens were associated with a fire a mile away, the officers were still happy to collect the man from the tree and book him into King County Jail on a $20,000 felony burglary warrant.
*On Wednesday afternoon, an officer was approached by an intoxicated man walking with an open container in the 2500 block of Walnut SW. For safety purposes, the officer confiscated several weapons from him, including a folding knife with a longer-than-legal blade, a straight razor, and small black stun gun. He was also carrying a variety of tools commonly used in car prowls but told the officer he had been using them in a carpentry job. After being transported to the precinct, a check of his backpack showed additional hand tools, flashlights, a lock pick, dark clothing, and a toy smoke grenade. He was booked into King County Jail for investigation of weapons possession.
Seven more summaries ahead:Read More
One of the reasons that Vera Johnson‘s foreclosure fight has made news is that it goes beyond the story of someone trying to save their home and business – her Village Green Perennial Nursery is also a community gathering place, home of myriad events, like an ice-cream social this afternoon. The ice cream was from Full Tilt, whose Justin Cline is shown above with Vera. Those in attendance had other palate pleasers to try – courtesy of a cooking demonstration by Cinnamon Berg ((herbed polenta bites with grilled tomato salsa or fresh figs; sweet onion and fig jam on grilled bread with chevre):
Her Cinnful Creations also has been offering cooking classes at West Seattle Produce. This afternoon’s music, meantime, was courtesy of Squirrel Butter:
Coming up in 2 weeks at Village Green – a house concert by Del Rey (2 pm August 28).
Shared by Karen:
Longtime West Seattle resident David Brachtenbach passed away on August 9th in Federal Heights, Colorado.
Those who knew David best will remember him for his kind heart, irreverent sense of humor, creative intellect and love for his dogs. He will be missed by his family and friends and those who saw him on his regular walks around West Seattle. Born in 1962 in Selah, Washington, David lived most of his life in Seattle. He was loved and will be missed. Donations in his name to the Seattle Humane Society are appreciated.
(WSB publishes obituaries at no charge; send text and photos to editor@westseattleblog.com)
The arts/crafts fair at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) till 3 pm today has a story at every table. Just walking through the front yard, you’ll find it – like Sydni Smith and “Charlie the Monster”:
Sydni’s buddy has had some hefty medical bills. So she’s raising money to get them handled. And she’s getting help from her friends – like Helen Johnson, who’s selling her crocheted creations in public for the first time:
You might also know Helen from the new West Seattle Coffee House at 35th and Graham (which opened a month and a half ago). Take a close look at her crocheted items – which she says she’s never sold publicly before! – like the “infinity scarf” (no end) or the kids’ scarf that has magnetic fasteners. Her Yoda cap was sported by artist Barbara Noonan:
Barbara lives in Madison Park now but says she’ll always consider West Seattle home – “it gets in your blood.” And that goes for the trio of best friends who wanted to tell us their story:
Sitting in the sun on the C & P front porch were, from left, Nancy Biggs Lind, Nancy Capelouto Ridden, and Marilyn Brandon Moy. They have been best friends since 8th grade at Denny Middle School – the old building, where demolition is just wrapping up – and went on to Chief Sealth, where they were all Class of 1965. Their kids all grew up here too. But perhaps the best story of all in the front yard is that of Sheila Lengle:
Besides showing and selling her own work, Sheila will show you a book of photos including one that shows the Craftsman house that is home to C & P – when it was her ecCollective Gallery (she lived there, too). But go find out for yourself. Till 3 pm, 5612 California SW, just south of SW Findlay (and yes, there are artists/craftspeople inside too!).
10:24 AM: After event chair Amy May congratulated the crowd for raising more than $35,000, King County Council candidate Diana Toledo fired the starter’s pistol, and hundreds of runners/walkers were off on the first-ever Breathe Deep Seattle 5K. They’re all in our starting-line video. As explained at the official website, this is a fundraiser for the LUNGevity Foundation, trying to find a cure for lung cancer. (Missed the event? You can still donate! Pre-event fundraising, by the way, even included one of the sales during this year’s West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day.)
4:34 PM UPDATE: For those who opted to be timed, the race results are now posted online.
(By Machel Spence)
Busy midsummer Saturday! From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:
BREATHE DEEP SEATTLE 5K: First-ever edition of this lung-cancer-fighting walk/run. Last-minute registration at 8:30, 5K starts at 9:30. Details here.
ARTS AND CRAFTS AT C&P: Arts & Crafts Fair, 9 am-3 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 5612 California SW. Unique, local arts and crafts for sale. Featured artists include photographer Machel Spence, with new work including the image shown above.
CRAFTS FOR CHARLIE: Sydni Smith‘s fundraiser “Crafts for Charlie” is part of the aforementioned C&P Crafts Fair, 9 am-3 pm, raising money to help with her pet’s medical expenses – details here.
RAIN GARDEN PLANTING PARTY: 10 rain gardens are in the works in North Delridge on 25th Ave. SW between Brandon and Findlay. Today, the plants go in, 9 am-2 pm. You can help plant, or just stop by and learn about rain gardens.
DOG TREAT BAKE SALE: The Westcresters PAWSwalk team is having a dog treat bakesale this Saturday, August 13th, 9:30-noon, at the Westcrest off-leash park (North parking lot, off SW Cloverdale). All proceeds benefit PAWS. Some human treats too!
WALKING TOUR: Walking tour of rainwater solutions in Longfellow Creek Legacy Trail/Delridge/High Point Area, 10 am – 1 pm. The tour will meet at Home Depot at 7345 Delridge Way SW (between Orchard St & S Sylvan Way). People for Puget Sound, a non-profit group working to protect and restore the health of Puget Sound and the Northwest Straits through education and action, has organized a rainwater tour in the West Delridge and High Point neighborhoods. An optional discussion will conclude the event.
NOT IN WEST SEATTLE, BUT FEATURING WEST SEATTLEITES: Canning Across America events at Pike Place Market, including a demonstration by West Seattle’s Shibaguyz; details here.
SSCC GARDEN CENTER: Plants! Garden Center open at South Seattle Community College, second Saturdays through October. 11 am-3 pm. 6000 16th SW, north side of campus.
LEMONADE STAND/BACK TO SCHOOL DONATION DRIVE FOR TREEHOUSE: West Seattle kids are putting on this fundraiser at 53rd/Genesee noon-2 pm to help kids in foster care, through Treehouse. Besides buying lemonade, you can drop off new or like new clothes, backpacks or school supplies, and the girls will get them to Treehouse.
FESTIVAL OF INDIA: Festival of India at Alki, noon-8 pm both days, schedule here.
ICE CREAM SOCIAL: Village Green Perennial Nursery Ice Cream Social, featuring Full Tilt Ice Cream and a cooking demonstration by Cinnful Creations, 1-4 pm (more info on this Facebook event page).
30 YEARS ALREADY? West Seattle High School Class of 1981’s 30th Reunion is today at Emerald Downs in Auburn. Festivities include: Horse racing starting at 2 pm and a non-host cocktail hour from 7 pm to 8 pm. Buffet dinner and dancing.
40 YEARS ALREADY? West Seattle High School Class of ’71 potluck picnic at Lincoln Park Shelter 5 at the North end from 3 pm to 10 pm.
STARMITES AT ARTSWEST: Through Sunday, it’s this year’s production by the teens and tweens in the ArtsWest Summer Musical Apprenticeship Program – today, 3 pm and 7:30 pm. (Details and ticket-buying link here.)
DINO-MANIA AT WEST SEATTLE OUTDOOR MOVIES: West Seattle Outdoor Movies‘ presentation tonight is the original “Jurassic Park” (trailer above). Movie starts at dusk, courtyard next to Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor), 4410 California SW. Free, bring your own blanket/chair (and money for concessions/raffle benefiting nonprofits). Gates open 6:30 pm.
OLIVER! Twelfth Night Productions presentation of “Oliver!” (portion of proceeds to benefit Treehouse), at West Seattle High School Theater, 7:30 pm. Full details here.
CANDYLANDIA DANCE PARTY: At the Heartland Café‘s Benbow Room, starting at 9 pm: Dance party! Candylandia is a monthly night of sweet sounds, liberal libations, and shakin’ good times brought to you by DJ Cotton Candy every second Saturday of the month. (Above, a new promotional video for Candylandia!)
NEPAL BENEFIT: The Bo M. Karlsson Foundation (BMKF) annual Mahilaa night at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW). There will be dinner, wine, live entertainment and an auction featuring many wonderful one-of-a-kind items. Please join us for an exciting night celebrating and benefitting Nepal! Please contact Bipasana Sakya Joshee at (206) 455-0652 or visit their website to reserve your spot. BMKF, a non-profit organization, awards scholarships to universities and trade schools to underprivileged young women in Nepal.
OINK: Endolyne Joe’s pig roast, 5-8 pm, details here.
MOVIES ON THE LAWN: presented by Unique Families of Seattle. Free outdoor movie at 9246 36th Ave SW, arrival time: 8 pm (donations welcome), film starts around 9 pm. Put the kids in jammies and come on down! Private residence so space is limited, must RSVP to attend. Email joanna@uniquefamiliesofseattle.org. Tonight’s movie is “Ponyo.”
Just out of the inbox from Nick, who says this happened less than two hours ago, about 10:30 pm:
Hey, just wanted to let people know that I was jogging Friday night in Seaview on 48th Ave SW between SW Findlay St & SW Brandon St [map] when I got hit about 20 times by some punks with what I’m pretty sure were fully automatic pellet guns. Luckily I was wearing long shorts and a baggy sweatshirt so I only got hit 3 times on my body, but they left some decent-sized marks, including a raised welt on my wrist. Didn’t get the plates at the time as I didn’t think of it until about 15 seconds after they were gone, but it was an average-sized sedan with either a black or dark colored paint job. Multiple people inside, they were heading north. I believe this is similar to a story I read on here not too long ago if I’m not mistaken. I reported it when I got home. Let’s get these cowards off our streets, people. They can really hurt you if you were to get hit in the eye or something.
Nick may be referring to this Crime Watch roundup, which included a report of pellets/BBs fired at a West Seattle home.
An update from the Seal Sitters’ “Blubberblog” – West Seattle’s first seal pup of the year, whom they nicknamed “Tiny” because it was a very small newborn, has died. But there probably wasn’t anything anyone could have done – seems an adult female seal found dead on a West Seattle beach this week was likely Tiny’s mom. Full story here.
(WSB photo of ‘The Hole,’ May 2011)
When we first reported back in June about a settlement ending the legal battle over “The Hole” — the excavated-then-stalled development site at 39th/Alaska, once known as Fauntleroy Place — we noted that the court case was technically kept open for one last matter to be overseen by Superior Court Judge Susan Craighead — the foreclosure sale of the property.
Today, court documents were filed to officially order that sale.
No date yet. Earlier this year, a sale date was briefly in place, till the entity that has hoped to take over the site – 3922 SW Alaska LLC, a spinoff of Madison Development – got the sale postponed by putting up a bond. In the meantime, the judge suggested mediation and that finally led to a settlement. Full details of that settlement have yet to publicly surface, but bits and pieces of it keep turning up in the online files. Here’s what we reported in June; since then, nothing much except an “order to disburse funds” in late July. We have been watching the files closely, and now we’ll be watching for a sale date. Results of that sale will determine what happens next with the site, once slated for a mixed-use development including residential units and a Whole Foods Market and Hancock Fabrics store.
Next Tuesday will mark 34 years since the death of “The King” – music and movie legend Elvis Presley. But Danny Vernon came to West Seattle’s Providence Mount St. Vincent (WSB sponsor) tonight not to mourn Elvis, but to celebrate him – which he’s been doing professionally for more than a few years. As you can see in the video, he enchanted the crowd. (added) He performs as later-stage Elvis, too, as Bill Bacon‘s photo (thank you!) shows:
Tonight was the second of this summer’s four free Friday night concerts at The Mount, and it was accompanied by a display of gas-powered nostalgia:
That’s Michael Emmick‘s Caddy, part of a classic car show that augmented tonight’s entertainment. For even more of a flashback – check out this Corvair:
And this ’56 Chevy:
Next Friday night, it’s Cheryl Serio – same schedule, food/drink available for purchase (optional) by 5:30, music starting at 6; details on the full series are here.
Almost forgot to share this weekend’s SDOT citywide traffic advisory, which includes two West Seattle events – the two-day Festival of India at Alki, and the Holy Rosary parish picnic. Read on for the full rundown:Read More
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