West Seattle, Washington
23 Thursday
(Photo courtesy Bureau of Fearless Ideas)
It’s a world now where many if not most of us write more than we speak. That makes writing skills more valuable than ever – so if you can help local students improve theirs, this is for you:
The Greater Seattle Bureau of Fearless Ideas is the world-famous, volunteer-powered, Greenwood-based nonprofit writing and tutoring center that’s been serving kids across the Puget Sound area for the past decade. Our next mission: establishing a satellite bureau in White Center — a move that has us looking to build our volunteer ranks in the West Seattle and White Center areas. This winter and spring bring a number of volunteer opportunities at West Seattle schools, with bureau agents conducting writing workshops with students at Big Picture Middle School, Denny International Middle School, and Chief Sealth International High School. Have a few hours a week for 6-8 weeks to help the younger generation become better writers and communicators? Email David Schmader at david@fearlessideas.org. (And check out all things bureau-related at fearlessideas.org.)
Thanks to Lynn Ogdon-Perrine for the update on the Chief Sealth International High School wrestlers who went to the state tournament in Tacoma this weekend: Daron Camacho (left) placed third in the 195 class, Joe Kereti (right) placed eighth in the 220 class. With them in the photo (by Buiford Martin) is Coach Maurice Dolberry. Full results are here.
While on the other side of the bay earlier this afternoon, we detoured to Ballard for a look at the city’s first of two “safe lots” for people living in RVs or other vehicles, since the other one is set for our area.
It opened this past Friday at 24th NW and Shilshole, north of the old Yankee Diner restaurant, east of a shipyard. Like the future “safe lot” in Highland Park (W. Marginal Way SW and Highland Park Way), it is ringed in canvas-covered fencing. A padlocked chain held the fencing closed on the south side, off a parking lot that’s not part of the “safe lot.”
Four RVs were visible; the lot is supposed to be able to hold at least 30. Two portable toilets were in view on the east side of the lot, along with two tents (regional-media coverage says one is a kitchen tent). No one was in view outside the RVs or anywhere else when we looked around the periphery, so there was no one to ask about how things are going.
Last projected opening date for the Highland Park lot, with room for about a dozen RVs, is still at least about two weeks away, per discussion at last Wednesday’s Delridge District Council meeting. We went by the HP site again at midday today; nothing changed except that the fallen-down fence has been picked up and bolstered with sandbags.
After two reports about this, we’re wondering if it’s happening anywhere else – first DG reported that on Friday, along California SW in Gatewood, they “came home to nails placed at the end of our driveway. They appear purposely placed there, and luckily we saw it before we entered the driveway. They were on the left side (right where the tire would drive in on the left side).” We don’t know their block number, but then today, also from Gatewood, Heather e-mailed to say, “I’ve been finding piles of big tacks/nails scattered in the alley that runs parallel to California between maybe Elmgrove and Rose. Who knows if it’s an accident or malicious, but they’re new and shiny and easy to see. I thought maybe drivers and dog-walkers should be warned.”
Historian Rob Ketcherside recently shared that 1937 photo from tax-assessor files via the WSB Flickr group. It might look familiar even if you weren’t around in the ’30s – it’s the subject of the mural behind the commercial building on the southwest corner of California and Fauntleroy in Morgan Junction. It shows the Morgan Street Drive-In Market; Ketcherside will be speaking about the market (on the site where West Seattle Thriftway [WSB sponsor] is now) at the kickoff event for the SouthWest Stories series just announced by the Southwest Seattle Historical Society. If you want a sneak peek, read his story about the city’s drive-in markets, including this one, and see his photo roundup.
Ketcherside’s presentation is four weeks away – 2 pm Sunday, March 20th, at High Point Library; it’ll be followed by five more presentations on the third Sunday of each month, scheduled out through August, rotating among WS and South Park branches of the Seattle Public Library (which is co-sponsoring SouthWest Stories) – see the list on the official flyer. All free!
(Seagull sentinels atop the Alki Bathhouse – Saturday photo by Marc Milrod)
Relatively quiet Sunday, with a handful of highlights on our calendar:
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm in the street – here’s what’s fresh this week. (California SW between SW Oregon and SW Alaska)
MEET THE GREYHOUNDS: 11 am-1 pm, Greyhound Pets Inc. will be at Mud Bay in The Admiral District. (2611 California SW)
WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: Regular Sunday hours are 11 am-4 pm, on the northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
NATIVE AMERICAN FLUTE-MAKING WORKSHOP: 1-5 pm at the Duwamish Longhouse – online registration is over but contact the longhouse to see if there’s still room. (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)
JAMTIME AT C & P: Bluegrass and old-time music with Jamtime, live at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 1-4 pm. (5612 California SW)
GREAT SEATTLE SEED SWAP: As previewed here last night – 2-3:30 pm at West Seattle (Admiral) Library, free chance to swap or pick up some seeds for this year’s planters/gardens. (2306 42nd SW)
ALL-AGES PUNK AT SKYLARK: Party Shark, The Beautiful Freaks, Lubedo, all ages, $5 cover. 6 pm at The Skylark. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
ORIGINAL STORY: Two weeks ago, chef Miranda Krone announced she was returning to West Seattle for a fourth incarnation of Meander’s Kitchen, 
this time at 6400 California SW, where the proprietors of Kokoras Greek Grill had decided to retire (their restaurant had long been listed for sale). Early today, she announced via Facebook that the official Meander’s opening will be Thursday (February 25th). Read full details here, including cuisine and hours.
(Side note: Multiple readers pointed out that the building/lot at 6400 California SW, also home to The Wash Dog, has just been put up for sale for $1.1 million. The flyer notes both tenants have recently signed 5-year leases, with a provision for 6 months’ notice if a redevelopment plan emerges. The site is zoned for 3-story mixed-use. Online files do *not* show any proposals.)
UPDATED FEBRUARY 25: Via Facebook, Meander’s says it’s now planning to open Friday morning at 8.
Two late-night West Seattle Crime Watch reports:
CAR-PROWL ATTEMPT: From S in Admiral:
Just reported (around midnight) to the police a black male about 6’0 6’1 with a Hispanic accent with an Afro, he was trying to break into a car off 42nd and lander in the admiral area wearing all black near the mail center. He punched the car window twice. I was walking near the Safeway and park and immediately left to go back home to call it in because I did not have my phone on me. All of sudden he was behind me trying to speak to me and asked to talk for a moment and I said no I needed to go. I know it is late, but just wanted to give a heads up to neighbors and people close by.
DUMPED BIKES: Christine spotted them by the cleaners at 35th/Morgan in southeast Gatewood:
Or if you’re looking for a blue bicycle – we haven’t heard yet if this one’s been claimed.
(Photo by Mike Jensen – both teams during the pre-game anthem)
11:56 PM SATURDAY: The two schools that played for the Tri-District boys-basketball championship tonight are less than 5 miles apart, but they played on a court more than 110 miles from home. Shorewood Christian from just east of Arbor Heights goes home with the win over Seattle Lutheran from just north of The Junction, 65-57, at Lummi Nation High School in Bellingham. Both will play in the 1B regional round, opponents/locations TBA, Friday or Saturday.
10:30 PM SUNDAY: The bracket for regional games is set – Seattle Lutheran will play Columbia Adventist at 8 pm Saturday (February 27th) at Renton High School (400 S. 2nd); same location for Shorewood Christian’s 2 pm game Saturday vs. Naselle. All regional games are winner to state, loser out.
We are exactly one month away from spring and four months away from summer. No better way to celebrate the approaching longer days than to get ready to garden. Whether you’ll be growing in a planter on a deck or a stoop, or a patch in a yard, or some other venue, if you plan to grow something from seed, you might want to be at the West Seattle (Admiral) Library (2306 42nd SW) tomorrow afternoon, 2-3:30 pm, for the second annual Great Seattle Seed Swap. It’s free, whether you have seeds to swap or not. Find out more on the Seattle Farm School website (if you haven’t already seen the listing on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar).
Thanks to everyone who called/texted (206-293-6302 any time) about the big police response outside the burned-out auto shop on the northeast corner of Delridge/Henderson. We just came back from going over to find out what was happening. According to officers at the scene, they were called because of a loud argument/fight between two men, which apparently started up the street and drew attention as the altercation moved toward the arterial. As they arrived, they determined the two knew each other, and that neither was seriously hurt so police were focused mostly on trying to break it up. Some of the SPD cars, and SFD Engine 11, were already leaving as we pulled up.
(UPDATED SUNDAY with details of WSHS’s next game)
(WSB photos: WSHS #20 Grace Sarver)
4:58 PM: As we left the Bellevue College gym following the West Seattle High School girls’ 48-44 loss to Mercer Island this afternoon, WSHS principal Ruth Medsker pointed something out:
The team is exactly where it was at this point last year – taking fourth place in the district playoffs.
The next game, in the “regional round” to winnow the field for the 3A state tournament, is must-win. The Wildcats have at least six days to rest up for it, after the grueling past two weeks of tournament play, which have been rocky, with their only three losses of the year, following an undefeated regular season and a long list of Metro League honors.
Today’s game ended in nerve-wracking fashion for WSHS fans. Things looked a little gloomy at the end of the first quarter, down 20-7. They got within two points and then went into the locker room at the half down 28-24.
Midway through the third quarter, they pulled even at 28-28. But shooting trouble and multiple traveling violations didn’t help their case and they were down four points again at the end of the third. They stepped up the defense to keep the Islanders from pulling away, but even the foul shots weren’t going in. Nonetheless, the battle continued, and within 18 seconds left they were just one basket down, 46-44. Mercer Island took the ball from there, and to keep them from running the clock out, there was nothing to do but foul, and both shots went in. WSHS couldn’t convert after that, and the game ended 48-44.
Today’s top scorers: #32 Lydia Giomi with 22, #30 Lexi Ioane with 10, #20 Gabby Sarver with 5, #21 Grace Sarver with 4, #3 Izzy Turk with 3.
The Wildcats’ next game will be listed here when the regional field is set.
12:16 AM UPDATE: According to the bracket, WSHS will play the defending 3A state champions, undefeated Lynnwood, at regionals, time/location still TBA.
4:49 PM SUNDAY UPDATE: Time and place now set – WSHS will face Lynnwood at 2 pm NOON next Saturday (February 27th) at Mountlake Terrace HS EVERETT COMMUNITY COLLEGE (2000 Tower).
In honor of Parent Education Month, the South Seattle College Cooperative Preschools program is working with the Northwest Wine Academy to host an event with complimentary wine tasting and appetizers plus a parenting seminar, “Tell Me What to Say,” this Wednesday (February 24), 6:30 pm. Here’s what it’s about:
You talk … and talk …to your children, but are your words teaching your children what you want them to learn? Join us in exploring more effective ways to talk to your children and spend a fun, lively evening practicing “what to say” in real life situations.
It’s free, at the NWWA building on the north side of the SSC campus (6000 16th SW), and all are welcome. If you’re interested, register ASAP by e-mailing wscoopevents@gmail.com.
Great win for the SeaLu girls! #gosaints #ontostate @westseattleblog pic.twitter.com/9hzcNfJr5g
— Mike Jensen (@mjtwit) February 20, 2016
12:11 PM: First of today’s three district-playoff games involving local high-school basketball teams is over: The Seattle Lutheran girls finished fifth in the Tri-District playoffs with a 51-42 victory over Mount Rainier Lutheran. The Saints are now off to regional competition, the last step before the state tournament, next game TBA, next Friday or Saturday – we’ll update when we have that info.
12:50 PM: Photo added – shared by Mike Jensen via Twitter.
ADDED SUNDAY NIGHT: As Mike reported in comments, the girls will play Mount Vernon Christian in Mount Vernon on Saturday (February 27th) at noon.
Thanks to Madison Middle School music director Clark Bathum for the photo and report:
On February 13th, Lily Bertucci, 8th grader violinist at Madison Middle School, performed with the 2016 Junior All-State Orchestra in Yakima, at the Washington Music Educators Association annual convention. She was one of 48 violinists from Washington state middle schools who were selected to perform in this concert for music educators from around the state. The ensemble performed Capriol Suite, Battalia, Directions North, and Moondance under the guidance of conductor Charles Schooler, director of the South Puget Sound College Orchestra.
Lily had this to say about her experience playing with the all-state orchestra: “All-State was a great experience, even though I was initially nervous about auditioning. The music was challenging, but I’m happy that I learned new playing skills. One of the best parts was playing with an ensemble of highly gifted musicians that could prepare for a concert after just a few hours of rehearsal. And, I learned about the group dynamics and essentials needed to put the music together for a concert.“
Lily is the fourth Madison musician to be selected to all-state in the past five years. The Madison Middle School community could not be prouder of Lily’s accomplishment and the way that she represented Madison at the state level.
(Bald eagle photographed by Gary Jones at Alki Point during Wednesday’s sunset)
Happy weekend! Here are highlights for today/tonight from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
REPUBLICANS’ PRECINCT CAUCUSES: 9 am at West Seattle High School (3000 California SW) or the Evergreen Campus in White Center (830 SW 116th), depending on whether you live north or south of Cloverdale, according to the information we reported after this week’s 34th District Republicans meeting.
FREE SELF-DEFENSE WORKSHOP: 10 am at Straight Blast Gym (WSB sponsor), as previewed here earlier this week, for girls and women 10+ – check ASAP to see if there’s still room! No charge, but items are being collected for New Beginnings‘ domestic-violence shelter. (5050 Delridge Way SW)
FREE TAX HELP: 10 am-2 pm at the West Seattle Food Bank, it’s the next session of free drop-in tax help with United Way volunteers. Details here. (35th SW/SW Morgan)
BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS: The Seattle Lutheran High School girls’ next district-playoffs game is vs. (corrected) Mount Rainier Lutheran at 10 am today, at Evergreen Lutheran in Tacoma … The West Seattle High School girls’ next game is at 1:15 pm today, vs. Mercer Island at Bellevue College … The SLHS boys play for the district championship vs. Shorewood Christian at 7:15 pm, Lummi Nation HS in Bellingham.
TALK TO YOUR SCHOOL-BOARD REP: 3-4:30 pm, it’s the second community-conversation meeting with the Seattle School Board director for West Seattle/South Park, Leslie Harris. Just drop in when you can. High Point Library. (35th SW/SW Raymond)
CHIEF SEALTH ‘PASSPORT TO EXCELLENCE’ DINNER/AUCTION: 5-9 pm at the Brockey Center at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor), this year’s big fundraiser – details here. (6000 16th SW)
KIDS’ NIGHT IN: 6:30 pm sleepover at West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) – details here – call/visit the Y ASAP to see if there’s still room. (4515 36th SW)
TX TRUMBO: Live music at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm – preview here. (5612 California SW)
SOUL TRIP WITH DJ CHRISTIAN SCIENCE: “A mix of vintage soul and psych sounds and other rarities,” 8 pm at Parliament Tavern. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
OF COURSE THERE’S MORE … browse our complete calendar for all the listings, including days and weeks into the future.
Three Seattle Public Schools-related notes tonight:
COMMUNITY CONVERSATION WITH YOUR SCHOOL BOARD REP: Leslie Harris, elected Seattle School Board rep for West Seattle and South Park, heard about a lot of hot topics during her first community conversation gathering last month (here’s our coverage). If you have something education- and/or district-related on your mind, you’re invited to her next one, tomorrow (Saturday) afternoon, 3-4:30, at High Point Library (35th SW and SW Raymond).
CHIEF SEALTH IHS SHOWCASE: It’s not the typical open house – Chief Sealth International High School is showing off its programs 6-7 pm next Tuesday (February 23rd). From principal Aida Fraser-Hammer:
The strong academics offerings – the IB Diploma, IB Career Program, Academies of Finance and Hospitality & Tourism, Spanish Immersion, UW in the High School, Running Start, etc. – and robust athletics opportunities – Football, Basketball, Volleyball, Baseball, Swimming, Golf, etc. – will be spotlighted. There will also be a showcase of special project opportunities for students such as ecology projects, career apprenticeships, international travel, and much more.
All are welcome.
FINAL LEVY RESULTS: King County Elections certified the February 9th election results today. Both SPS levies were approved with 72 percent of the vote. The final turnout in Seattle – 30 percent.
(WSB photo, Thursday afternoon)
The Highland Park man arrested after a short standoff on Thursday is out of jail. And we’ve found out what he told police was his reason for firing a single shot outside his house: The 39-year-old suspect told officers he did it because he was tired of cars going by his house on 16th SW and revving their engines.
That’s according to the police document submitted for the 39-year-old man’s bail hearing today. As a convicted felon – with a “taking a motor vehicle without permission” conviction on his record – he wasn’t supposed to have a gun, so he’s under investigation for unlawful firearm possession. The document says he gave police permission to search his house, where they found a silver .357 revolver under his pillow, a rifle and bulletproof vest in his closet, and a .22 revolver in a cabinet. He eventually admitted the .357 is the one he fired into the ground, and officers found the bullet.
At today’s hearing, the judge allowed him to go free on personal recognizance, but he’s expected back in court next Tuesday. By then, prosecutors might have decided whether to charge him.
FIRST REPORT, 5:53 PM: SW Genesee is blocked from 42nd SW east because of what Seattle Public Utilities tells us is a “collapsed sewer main.” Crews are on scene investigating, to figure out the problem and how to repair it. More to come – in the meantime, avoid the area.
6:21 PM UPDATE: We’ve just talked with crew chiefs at the scene. The problem actually originated atop the bluff where 41st dead-ends on the east side of Seattle Lutheran High School. This board covers a “void” (aka sinkhole) there:
It was discovered after one house on the dead-end had a sewer-backup problem, the crew says. They are working at the bottom of the slope, on Genesee, to stop the flow that apparently had some wastewater coming up through a manhole.
Then, they told us, they have to use a camera to look into the lines to figure out how extensive the problem is before bringing in a contractor for repairs, likely on Monday – if the problem extends through the slope, it’ll be a major repair job.
As for the road closures – the crew is likely to be there another few hours. Updates as we get them.
4:31 PM: The buzzer has just sounded in the gym at Bellevue College, and it brought an end to the West Seattle High School boys’ season, with an 71-40 loss to Rainier Beach. The Wildcats’ season under head coach Keffrey Fazio will be remembered for highlights including its early 8-game winning streak (see the season schedule/results here).
7:51 PM: Photos added. #22 Yusuf Mohamed led WSHS scoring with 13 points, followed by #5 Abdullahi Mohamed with 7, #24 Carter Golgart and #4 Chaaka Trahan with 6 each, and #2 Kendall Green with 5. WSHS brought a spirited cheering section:
You might notice some familiar faces – from the WSHS girls’ basketball team, which plays Mercer Island tomorrow for third place in the district playoffs, 1:15 pm at Bellevue College.
Two West Seattle Crime Watch reports this afternoon:
(WSB photo – we’ve blurred the tag but you can still see how large it is)
MURAL VANDALIZED: One of West Seattle’s award-winning murals has been vandalized. While in The Junction at lunchtime, we noticed the tagging, in black paint, on the “First Duwamish Bridge” mural that covers the north side of the building south of the parking lot behind Northwest Art and Frame. While tagging/graffiti vandalism is rampant here and elsewhere, this is the first time we can recall seeing it actually done to one of the quarter-century-old murals around The Junction. We called Susan Melrose at the West Seattle Junction Association; she said that other murals have been tagged and the WSJA picks up the cost of paintovers – she’s contacting their preferred firm Goodbye Graffiti right now.
STOLEN BACKPACK SOUGHT: Ethan‘s car was hit by thieves overnight:
Ethan lives near Juneau/Fauntleroy and says, “The only thing that was taken was my school backpack. It’s a white and blue Dakine. My school work was only valuable to me and I’m hoping the folks that stole it may have thrown it out their window. Hoping West Seattle can help me track it down.”
(WSB photo)
Avoid 12th/Thistle in Highland Park for a while – a big contingent of Seattle Public Utilities repair/water crews is here, along with police, after a driver took out the hydrant in our photo, on the northeast corner. Police tell us the driver was distracted – reported to have been arguing with someone else in the car. No injuries. (Thanks to Eric for the tip!)
(WSB photo, looking south from center turn lane @ 35th/Kenyon)
During the transportation discussion at this week’s Delridge Neighborhoods District Council meeting, SDOT reps made a point of confirming that a crosswalk will be installed soon at 35th and Kenyon. This was requested by local businesses as part of the 35th SW Safety Corridor Project. Notably, it’s a spot where there used to be a crosswalk – one of the West Seattle crosswalks removed in 2007 for what the city cited at the time as safety concerns.
So, after this week’s confirmation of the crosswalk comeback, we followed up with SDOT’s Jim Curtin, 35th SW project manager, to ask what has changed, besides the lane striping, that now makes it feasible to bring back the crosswalk. His reply in its entirety:
SDOT revised our crosswalk policy back in the mid-2000s after national studies found that uncontrolled (no signal or stop sign) marked crosswalks across four or more lanes of traffic did not provide a sufficient level of safety due to the multiple threat collision (where a driver in one lane stops for a pedestrian in the crosswalk but vehicles in other lanes do not – this was illustrated in most of our presentations for the 35th Ave SW Safety Corridor). Now that we have one lane in each direction on the southern segment of 35th, we can consider adding new marked crossings at intersections.
We heard repeatedly that a marked crossing was needed at Kenyon during outreach for the 35th project. A crossing here would provide better access to the existing transit stops on either side of 35th and connect the neighborhoods on the east and west side of the corridor. The crossing will also help pedestrians reach the popular businesses at Kenyon and provide a potential school crossing if the E.C. Hughes building is reopened by Seattle Public Schools. After a thorough evaluation of the intersection, including numerous site visits and pedestrian counts (to gauge demand), a new marked crosswalk has been approved for 35th Avenue SW and SW Kenyon Street.
Design was started quite a while ago and we’re poised to install the new crosswalk with rapid flashing beacons in late spring or summer (weather permitting, of course).
Those are the types of beacons added in recent months at several West Seattle crosswalks, in neighborhoods including The Junction, Highland Park, Delridge, and Puget Ridge.
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