West Seattle, Washington
04 Friday
5:20 PM: If your phone rings at 6 pm, tonight or Thursday – here’s what it might be about:
Join us for the Mayor’s telephone town hall to talk about the Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda, or HALA for short. We will be calling over 50,000 people in their homes today and Thursday, but if you want to make sure you are on the call, just call the number below. You will have a chance to ask questions and learn more about the HALA recommendations.
Tuesday, February 2nd: (855) 756-7520 Ext. 31029# at 6 p.m.
Thursday, February 4th: (855) 756-7520 Ext. 31028# at 6 p.m.
City info about HALA is here. The Morgan Community Association hosted a West Seattle-focused briefing two weeks ago; our video of that is here.
5:35 PM: In related news, the mayor’s office just announced that details of the Housing Levy renewal will be out at a noon event tomorrow. Considering that the first official community discussion of the levy is at 6:30 pm tomorrow here in West Seattle, seemed the announcement was going to have to be made by Wednesday afternoon.
By Randall Hauk
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Tonight, Seattle Lutheran High School will hold a post-game ceremony to recognize its 35-season women’s-basketball coach at his final scheduled home game.
“But first we need to win a game,” says Bruce Carlson, tonight’s honoree.
A victory for Seattle Lutheran (6-1 conference, 11-6 overall) over visiting Crosspoint (1-6, 1-14) would keep the Saints within a game of first-place Evergreen Lutheran (7-0, 12-1), who will host SLHS in the season finale on Friday with a share of the SeaTac League title in play for the winners.
While the crowd in the gym tonight will certainly enjoy the elevated stakes in the basketball game itself, the stands will be filled with people there to pay tribute to a man who has led multiple generations of West Seattle athletes: “I’ve coached players who are children of some of my former players or of players I watched playing for the men’s team,” says Carlson. “That’s one way to know you’re getting old!”
In addition to coaching former players’ children, Carlson has “been blessed” to have had had players return to help with summer scrimmaging, with a few even serving as assistant coaches.
The West Seattle native decided a few years ago that he would depart with his current senior class:
(WSB photo)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Looking north down the sidewalk in front of Sleepers in Seattle, you wouldn’t notice the spot unless it was pointed out to you.
This morning, the owners of the shop at 4741 California SW used graffiti remover to get rid of a swastika written onto the sidewalk.
“We get tagged all the time, but not like this,” Max Alcabes, son of owners Carlos and Meryl Alcabes, said as we stood on the sidewalk, looking at the spot.
Here’s a photo provided by the Alcabes, taken before they removed it. (Our policy is generally not to fully show this type of vandalism unless requested by police for investigative purposes.) It wasn’t huge or bold. That’s not the point. It would have had the same effect even if it were tiny:
“We’re a Jewish family.”
Meryl had made note of that, calling us after reporting it to police and the regional Anti-Defamation League office. We happened to be in The Junction at the time, and went over to talk to her husband and son at the shop.
They say this is the second time it’s happened in less than half a year. The Alcabes didn’t report it the first time, but, Max says, “Twice in a year, it’s not random.”
He said he walked The Junction looking to see if the same kind of symbol had been marked anywhere else. He didn’t see anything – just what was marked outside the shop that serves as a showroom for their business, which they’ve owned for 25 years.
Here are the city and county codes for malicious harassment – the terminology used for a hate crime. If you have any information, contact Seattle Police.
ADDED TUESDAY NIGHT: Meryl Alcabes tells us that after seeing this story, people stopped in all day to offer support; she comments below, “Thank you so much for the support we are getting from all of you, our West Seattle neighbors.”
10:44 AM: Just went to Roxhill Park to check on the work to ready the “castle” play structure for the return of its turret – and discovered the turret had just been brought in and set in place! It was a handcrafted add-on to the community project but was removed in 2014 for fear the 2013-built “castle” couldn’t support it. After reinforcement work, it’s back, and a Seattle Parks manager at the site told us the play area could reopen later today.
3:22 PM: Just went back to check. It’s open!
(Photo by Danny McMillin, from the WSB Flickr group – click image for larger view)
Scanning the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar for today/tonight, we see:
DRINKING LIBERALLY: Want to talk Iowa caucuses? New Hampshire primary? Upcoming Washington caucuses? Or? First Tuesday of the month, 6 pm, is the regular night for this sip-and-talk group to meet at Pizzeria 22. (4213 SW College)
WESTWOOD-ROXHILL-ARBOR HEIGHTS COMMUNITY COUNCIL: 6:15 pm in the upstairs meeting room at Southwest Library, WWRHAH talks about the future, both of the Westwood/Highland Park Urban Village and potential White Center annexation. More in our preview. (35th SW/SW Henderson)
HIGHLAND PARK ELEMENTARY KINDERGARTEN TOUR: Tonight between 6:30 and 8:30 pm, Highland Park Elementary principal Chris Cronas hosts tours for prospective kindergarten families. (1012 SW Trenton)
LINCOLN PARK NORTH PLAY AREA RENOVATION: 6:30 pm, be at Gatewood Elementary see the schematic designs and talk about what’s next for the project. (4320 SW Myrtle)
WEST SEATTLE BIKE CONNECTIONS: Topics for the monthly meeting at 6:30 pm at HomeStreet Bank (WSB sponsor) include the Delridge-Highland Park Neighborhood Greenway‘s status – find out more on the WSBC website. (41st SW/SW Alaska)
HIGH-SCHOOL BASKETBALL: All three local schools have home games tonight – Seattle Lutheran hosts Crosspoint, girls at 6 – with a special tribute to longtime coach Bruce Carlson expected around 7 pm – and boys at 7:30 pm (4100 SW Genesee); the West Seattle boys host Seattle Prep at 7:30 pm (3000 California SW); the Chief Sealth boys host O’Dea at 7:30 pm (2600 SW Thistle).
WEST SEATTLE CROCHET AND KNIT SOCIAL CIRCLE: This group asked to be added to our ongoing calendar to make sure you know about it, if you don’t already – all are welcome, 7-9 pm at Uptown Espresso in The Junction, whether you’re new or experienced enough to help others or somewhere inbetween. (California/Edmunds/Erskine)
OF COURSE THERE’S MORE … if you take a few minutes to browse the calendar.
First you have to get in … then you have to pay up. It’s the time of year when college plans are top of mind for many, whether you’re awaiting acceptance or finding financing. No matter where you – or your family member – will be going, South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) sends a reminder of an event tomorrow aimed at helping: “College Goal Washington,” 10 am-7 pm Wednesday, February 3rd, in rooms 217 and 219 at the SSC Library. Drop in for one-on-one help from SSC’s Financial Aid staff “to answer questions about scholarships, how to fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), the WAFSA (Washington State Application for State Financial Aid) and more, in a one-on-one setting.” No charge, all welcome; more here. SSC is on Puget Ridge, at 6000 16th SW.
(Click any view for a close-up)
6:58 AM: Good morning – no incidents in/from West Seattle reported so far.
7:36 AM: If you take NB 509, note there’s a stalled semitruck blocking a lane at Cloverdale.
8:43 AM: That’s finally clear.
8:58 AM: The overnight work that’s scheduled to close SW Alaska at Fauntleroy again nightly in the 8 pm-6 am vicinity for a week or so has been delayed, we just found out; it was expected to start last night. We’ll update when we get word it’s going to begin.
Police have been searching in the California/Charlestown area after a reported armed robbery at an address that checks to the 7-11. According to scanner traffic, this is reported to have happened around 2:30 am. A K-9 unit was called to help search. The robber, last seen westbound on Charlestown, is reported to have had a dark bandana over his face, 5’8″, black jacket, blue jeans, sawed-off shotgun that may have been fired during the holdup. No injury reported.
Last night, we reported on vandalism in Gatewood, a car window apparently shot out by BBs. Since then, via comments and e-mail, we’ve heard of more window vandalism. For one, Aaron sent the photo at right, from the 4000 block of 21st SW on Pigeon Point:
He said, “Sometime between 8 and 10 (Sunday) three windows on the driver’s side of my truck (including canopy) were shot out by a BB gun. They also did quite a bit of body and paint damage to the side of the truck, I think they hit it about 15 times. Just wanted people to be on the lookout for idiots driving around with a BB gun wrecking other people’s stuff.”
Commenters reported incidents in areas including:
-7700 block 32nd SW
-Genesee (house window)
-4000 block 26th SW
-5600 block 26th SW
Via e-mail, Joellie reported that the rear glass was broken out of her purple PT Cruiser between 2 pm and 7 pm today in the 7300 block of 35th SW [map]. She says it’s the second time in a year it’s happened to her vehicle.
And just as we were finishing this, Sean left a comment on last night’s story, saying someone shot at their window in Seaview, 45th and Findlay, about two hours ago. If you see or hear anything potentially related, please call 911 right away – and get as good a description as you can.
(Click image for larger view)
That’s one rendering (by the architecture firm GGLO) from the new 42-page “packet” for this Thursday’s review of 4700 SW Admiral Way, the assisted-living center that Aegis Living plans to build where the old Life Care Center of West Seattle awaits teardown, three years after its closure, two years after Aegis bought the site.
The project is currently described as a 3-story, 80-unit complex with 36 offstreet vehicle-parking spaces and 20 bicycle spaces; 48 of the units are expected to offer assisted living, with the remaining 32 providing memory care. The packet notes, “The proposed project aims to use a stucco facade in keeping with the client’s vision of a Mediterranean oasis.” At 6:30 pm Thursday, the Southwest Design Review Board will take its second and possibly final look at the project, with the meeting including a public-comment period. The project’s first review was last July; here’s the official city report. This Thursday, it’s the only project the board will review, 6:30 pm upstairs at the Sisson Building (West Seattle Senior Center), California/Oregon.
(WSB photo from 2015 Neighbor Appreciation Day open house @ Station 37)
Announced today by the Seattle Fire Department – Station 37 in Sunrise Heights will have an open house again this year for Neighbor Appreciation Day. Set your calendar for 11 am-1 pm Saturday, February 13th. It’s the only West Seattle fire station participating this year. Station 37 is at 35th SW and SW Holden and is only five years old; it’s currently home to Engine 37 and Medic 32, the only SFD medic unit based in West Seattle fulltime.
(WSB photo, 35th SW between Graham and Morgan)
5:03 PM: Two traffic alerts as the heart of the evening commute approaches – one, a crash reported at 35th and Morgan; second (thanks to Roxy for the tip), police activity has closed 4th Avenue South by the I-90 ramp. More as we get it.
5:24 PM: The crash on 35th is blocking southbound lanes just south of Graham, which is where police are diverting traffic westbound on Graham – 36th SW, south of Graham, southbound, is jammed as a result. No serious injuries in the crash, SPD tells us. Meantime, the 4th Ave. S. situation continues – not a crash, but some kind of police activity – and is backing up alternate routes including 2nd, says SDOT.
5:47 PM: And here’s what SPD says the 4th Avenue S. situation is about:
Three teenaged suspects in custody near 4th Ave S in connection with 1/26 greenbelt homicides and shootings. More details to come.
— Seattle Police Dept. (@SeattlePD) February 2, 2016
SPD says they’re 13, 16, and 17 years old.
5:49 PM: And now there’s a crash at Highland Park Way and Holden. (added) Reported to be “3 or 4 vehicles.”
6:04 PM: Texter says the crash is stopping traffic headed uphill; SPD says Holden is subject to closure until it’s cleared.
6:22 PM: We are at the HP scene.
(photo added) 2 people have been taken to the hospital, police tell us. Uphill traffic has to go right onto westbound Holden.
6:48 PM: On our way back from HP Way, we doublechecked 35th/Graham; that scene is clear, and SDOT says two lanes have reopened on 4th Avenue S. at the earlier arrest scene. As for the current West Seattle incident – please let us know if you go through HP Way/Holden and it’s clear, as we won’t be able to get back there to check any time soon – thank you.
7:28 AM: Thanks to Sage K. for reporting in comments that HP Way is now clear too.
(UPDATED 8:01 PM with information about 2011 personal-expenses benefit)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
The Puget Sound Susan G. Komen Foundation says it is confident that all the money raised for its breast-cancer-fighting efforts in the name of West Seattleite Tracy Dart and her local associates went to the foundation.
We inquired with Komen today after receiving numerous inquiries over the weekend about this report by the West Seattle Herald quoting an unidentified source as saying Dart may have fabricated some part or all of her reported three-time, seven-plus-year cancer fight.
Senior public-relations manager Christi Ball Loso told WSB via e-mail:
Komen was notified of the situation last week and has been in contact with Tracy’s family. We have not been contacted by law enforcement.
Our records show that Tracy personally raised $28,541 for Komen starting in 2006, and that her Seattle and California teams raised more than $414,000 since 2006. This money has been used as intended – for Komen’s research and community health programs. And, we can assure the community that Tracy did not receive any funds from Komen. The organizations that receive Komen funding go through significant vetting to assess their program impact.
The biggest question people asked us: Is the fabrication allegation true?
As we told those who contacted us in various messaging channels this weekend, that question so far has not been answered on the record by anyone. But today, the Komen Foundation discussed the fundraising questions on the record.
(WSB photo)
1:18 PM: Police are converging on Westwood to look for a black 4-door Mercedes sedan reported to possibly have an armed person inside making threats about shooting someone. There is no report of anyone having been hurt, or actual gunfire, so far, but if you are seeing an increased police presence in the area, that’s what it’s about. The car may have up to six people inside; the person with a gun was described as a black man in his late teens or early 20s, and was last reported to have been seen near 26th SW and SW Barton. We’ll update with anything more we find out about.
1:37 PM: We’ve talked to police at the scene. So far, their investigation indicates this started as a dispute in the McDonald’s parking lot, with the threat stemming over jealousy related to a romantic relationship. They’re still looking for the car and suspect(s).
If you need a haircut soon – heads up:
Next week brings the 23rd annual “Have a Heart Day” at Illusions Hair Design (WSB sponsor) – Saturday, February 13th.
This is the annual day when Illusions opens for haircuts – at reduced prices for women’s and men’s cuts (teens/kids at full price) – with every cent of the proceeds benefiting local nonprofits.
Proprietor Sue Lindblom (left) says this year’s edition will help the West Seattle Helpline – which provides emergency assistance to people in need – and Pencil Me In For Kids, which provides school supplies to local public-elementary-school students in need.
“Everyone donates their time,” Sue explained when we sat down for a quick chat in Illusions’ lobby at 5619 California SW. She had already been in business for 16 years when she came up with the idea in 1994. “We thought, gosh, we wanted to give something back to the community, so we’ve been doing this (and other community-benefit campaigns) ever since, because that’s what makes you part of the community.”
Sue is part of the West Seattle community through and through – even “born in The Junction,” half a mile from her salon, she points out.
“Have a Heart Day” isn’t just a chance to do a good deed while getting a good haircut. It’s also something of a party. “We’ll have some treats for the customers who come in, and it’s just kind of fun – several of us will be hanging around.” You’ll get a chance to learn about the beneficiary nonprofits, too, and “you just walk away with a real good feeling,” as Sue puts it. It’s fun for them too – “we meet a lot of nice people we’ve never met before.”
But they have a limited number of appointments that day, so call Illusions ASAP – 206-938-3675 – if you want to “Have a Heart” on this special day.
Next school year is seven months away but decision time is now, and more school tours are ahead this week, including:
TUESDAY – HIGHLAND PARK ELEMENTARY KINDERGARTEN TOUR: Tomorrow night, Highland Park Elementary principal Chris Cronas hosts tours for prospective kindergarten families. (1012 SW Trenton)
WEDNESDAY – ARBOR HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY TOUR: 9 am, with principal Christy Collins. Please RSVP – our calendar listing explains how. While AHES moves into a new building on its permanent location this fall, the tour will be at its current location at the Boren Building. (5950 Delridge Way SW)
WEDNESDAY – WEST SEATTLE ELEMENTARY TOUR: 9 am – please RSVP – the school website explains how. (6760 34th SW)
WEDNESDAY – SANISLO TOURS: 10 am and 6 pm tours of Sanislo Elementary with principal Bruce Rhodes. (1812 SW Myrtle)
THURSDAY – MADISON TOUR FOR STUDENTS/PARENTS: 8:30-10 am, prospective students and families are welcome to tour Madison Middle School, no RSVP required. (45th SW/SW Spokane)
THURSDAY – LAFAYETTE KINDERGARTEN TOUR: 1:15 pm, for prospective Lafayette Elementary parents. (California SW/SW Lander)
THURSDAY – DENNY OPEN HOUSE: 6:30 pm, prospective families are welcome to come find out more about Denny International Middle School. (2601 SW Kenyon)
Find more tours/open houses on our calendar – and if yours isn’t there, please send info ASAP (editor@westseattleblog.com) so we can add it – thank you!
(Great Blue Heron, photographed by Mark Wangerin – click image for larger view)
Happy February! From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar for today/tonight:
FAMILY STORY TIME: 6:30 pm, bring the kids to High Point Library for a fun way to wrap up the day. (35th SW/SW Raymond)
WEST SEATTLE HI-YU: Get involved with the volunteers behind the city’s last traveling community parade float and other events – come to this month’s West Seattle Hi-Yu meeting, 7 pm at Admiral Congregational Church. Also note applications are being accepted now for the Youth Ambassador program and Senior Court! (California SW/SW Hill)
TRIVIA NIGHT: 7:15 pm on Mondays is trivia night, with prizes, at Christo’s on Alki, hosted by Emerson. (2508 Alki SW)
ALL-AGES QUIZ NIGHT: Monday nights at The Skylark, it’s all-ages quiz night, free, with cash prizes. 7:30 pm. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
PUB QUIZ NIGHT: Monday is also quiz night at Shadowland, starting at 8 pm. (California SW/SW Oregon)
LOOK INTO THE FUTURE … via our complete calendar, with events listed days, weeks, even months ahead. Something to list? Please e-mail the info – editor@westseattleblog.com – the earlier the better so we have time to get it into the calendar, and it has time to be seen – thank you!
(Click any view for a close-up)
6:25 AM: Welcome to February! We start with a road-work note looking ahead to tonight:
NIGHTTIME CLOSURE IN THE JUNCTION: If you’re driving in The Junction tonight or any night this week, approximately 8 pm to 6 am, be aware that road work related to the new crossing coming in with The Whittaker will close a block of SW Alaska west of Fauntleroy Way, same thing that happened multiple nights last month.
8:01 AM: WSDOT says a shortlived stall that was backing things up on the ramp to NB I-5 has cleared.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
The West Seattle Transportation Coalition issued a “call for action,” and the call was answered.
Its January meeting focused primarily on sorting out what people here want to see in Sound Transit‘s upcoming ST3 ballot measure – with the “candidate projects” being reviewed for a draft plan that’s expected in March, followed by a final plan in June and a regional vote in November.
They’re planning to organize the feedback – and collect even more soon, via an online poll.
After gathering that feedback, the meeting took one side trip, into an update on the Fauntleroy Boulevard project, and another call for opinions.
But first, about light rail:
7:20 PM: Reader report from Ron:
Sunday afternoon 1/31. someone had target practice with my back window of our car. We heard the car alarm sound and when we checked our car, there were BB-sized dents around the window. Unfortunately the back window was gravely shot and is not expected to recover. Amazing that this took place in broad daylight. That takes a special kind of person. We are located on the 6700 block of 37th Ave SW in Gatewood [map]. Hopefully we are the only ones who were victimized by this type of idiocy.
10:37 PM: In comments, Ryan reports a similar incident, 7700 block of 32nd Avenue SW.
MIDDAY MONDAY: And more reports in comments. We’re working on a followup.
(Reminder – most WSB photos now can be clicked to open larger views)
Congratulations to the ten Chief Sealth International High School students who participated in the third annual Washington State High School Ethics Bowl at the University of Washington on Saturday. Teacher Noah Zeichner shares the photos and report:
The two Chief Sealth teams went undefeated (6-0) during the first three rounds. They matched up against teams from Seattle Academy, Bush School, Lake Washington High School, Nova, and Rainier Beach. Only Chief Sealth, Seattle Academy, and Lakeside made it to the semifinals. One of the Chief Sealth teams took third place.
On February 23rd, the top three teams (including Chief Sealth) will get to spend the day in Olympia, which will include attendance at oral arguments and a private reception with the justices of the Washington Supreme Court, a private tour of the Governor’s Mansion and meeting with senior staff members, and a visit to the state legislature and private tour and meetings with various legislators.
If you follow the link to the Ethics Bowl site, you’ll find a link to the 13 cases that were prepared for this year’s competition – covering topics including voting, breastfeeding, and the Ice Bucket Challenge.
A celebration of life is planned on February 13th for Gary Elliott, whose family is sharing this remembrance:
Gary “G-Man” Lee Elliott, 54, of West Seattle, passed away unexpectedly and much too young, Saturday, January 16, 2016 at his vacation home in Sunset Beach, CA.
Gary is survived by his wife and best friend of 37 years, Camille, daughter Tanya Gardiner, son Terry Elliott, son-in-law Hamilton Gardiner, sister Dee Strecker, brother Steve Elliott, mother/father in-law Jean and Don Duncan, and many loving nephews, nieces and extended family. Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Willis and Marie Elliott, and brother, Kevin Elliott. Gary was a loving father, husband, and best friend to all he met.
Gary provided inspirational adventures while working to check items off his bucket list: captaining his Chris Craft yacht, retro motor home trips, leading the Tahuya Parade with his fire truck, riding his Harley at Sturgis, homes at Sunset Beach, Hood Canal and Lake Washington, owning a tractor, the West Seattle Junction Court art piece, and daily hot tub-coffee-walks around the island with Camille.
Gary loved remodeling and fixing his homes (and the homes of his many friends and family) and worked as a painter for his entire life after being given a paintbrush by his father at an early age. He also enjoyed managing the EPM apartments with his kids, traveling, and trying anything once because “Life is full of experiences and they all can’t be good!” Gary was a fun-loving and immensely creative individual, one of the most generous persons you would ever meet, always willing to pick up a tab, and always there to help friends with house projects or whatever else they needed. Gary was most proud of his kids, who will miss him and carry on his inspirational legacy.
A celebration of life will be held at Rainier Golf & Country Club, 2:00 PM on Saturday, February 13, 2016. Gary’s ashes will be laid to rest at two of his favorite homes, Lake Washington and Sunset Beach. Donations in memory of Gary can be made to the West Seattle Fraternal Order of Eagles (Auxiliary #2643), where he was proud to be a long-standing member.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)
A new month is about to begin – and with it a new lineup of literary events, starting with Southwest Seattle Historical Society-presented Words, Writers, and West Seattle:
Shorewood-on-the-Sound author Sonja Anderson is the star next Friday night (February 5th) at Westwood Village Barnes & Noble, 5-7 pm. Her book is “Sophie’s Quest,” for ages 8-12, in which a mouse and an owl find themselves together aboard a ship headed for the Holy Land. Drop in this Friday night to meet Sonja and see and hear her read from “Sophie’s Quest.” (Purchases made that night, and for five days after, will see part of the proceeds going to SWSHS.)
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