West Seattle, Washington
05 Tuesday
We stopped by the Madison Middle School field this afternoon once the sun was out full strength for an event that showcased … well, full strength, and then some. Female competitors were about to lift at the 4th annual Pipehitters Classic, presented by Morgan Junction Crossfit, benefiting (as reported here last night) the family of Seattle Police Officer Tim Brenton. The MJCF Facebook page features some of the day’s highlights.
Much yet to come this summer – including Sustainable West Seattle‘s annual picnic on the Lincoln Park shore, just announced:
Join Sustainable West Seattle on Monday, August 19th for our fun and beautiful Annual Community Harvest Celebration and Picnic!
We will be gathering at Shelter #3 at Lincoln Park, the large shelter with a barbecue grill, on the southern end of the park near the Fauntleroy Ferry Terminal dock. The picnic begins around 4:30 pm with the preparation of the grill. We should have everything ready for celebrating by 5:00 pm. Members, guests, and new folks who want to check out this group are asked to bring a potluck item to share — side dish OR dessert would be great. SWS will provide the protein for the BBQ + condiments. Bring your own dishes/utensils, if possible. The picnic continues through sunset on the beach and usually concludes around 9:00 pm with shelter-area cleanup.
We’ll honor a few of the amazing people in our local community, too – Sustainability Champion and Volunteer of the Year. Also, consider bringing your acoustic instrument to share a song or two with our creative & playful group…maybe a community jam will happen?! We’d love to hear about the “green” things you’ve been up to in the last year! Come on out and connect with an inspring community of people, ideas, and practice!
Though some points to the east are seeing early thunderstorm activity, it does NOT appear that’ll happen over here in the next few hours, so tonight’s West Seattle Outdoor Movies presentation of “The Avengers” (2012) is on. The courtyard’s open, some moviegoers are there already, raffle tickets and concessions are on sale (benefiting nonprofits), and the movie should start around 8:45 pm on the big-screen wall in the courtyard next to Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (4410 California SW; WSB sponsor).
This is a big day for business anniversaries in West Seattle! Thanks to Marcia Ingerslev for sharing a photo from the 75th anniversary party at the Chelan Café, whose restaurant and Ebb Tide Room bar are favorites by the west end of the low bridge. In the photo, that’s Chelan proprietor Mary Manning-Smith, smiling bright during the celebration at the family-owned café.
As mentioned in today’s “West Seattle Saturday” highlights list, at least four West Seattle businesses are celebrating anniversaries today/tonight, and here’s another one – Cherry Consignment. While in The Junction this afternoon, we dashed in for a photo of proprietor Nyla Bittermann. She opened her store at 4142 California SW in mid-August 2009 and is celebrating today with treats for shoppers as well as by donating 20 percent of the day’s sales to the breast-cancer-fighting fundraisers extraordinaire of Team Tracy; in true independent-local-community-business style, she often gives to nonprofits (we recall the Ruby Room is a favorite). You still have a little more than an hour to stop by before Cherry closes at 6 pm.
Keep watch for this light-blue 1992 Subaru Legacy, license plate 062ZXW. Its owner sent the photo and reports, “Our beloved Subaru was stolen from the 4100 block of SW Rose today. Please keep your eyes open.” Call 911 if you have seen it or have any information about it.
(P.S. We hope you never have to deal with vehicle theft – but just in case, be sure you have a photo of your car, pickup, bicycle, scooter, whatever, handy – take one with your phone right now and save it. This car’s owners happened to have one and perhaps it will help in the search.)
It’s the deal of the century – the 20th century – if you buy a 60-cent hot-dog-and-drink deal from the West Seattle Lions Club outside Junction True Value (WSB sponsor) during the store’s 60th-anniversary celebration today. It opened – in a different Junction location, as noted in our preview story on Thursday – on August 10th, 1953, and has remained an independent family-owned business ever since; owner Bruce Davis is the third generation of ownership, and there’s fourth-generation representation on staff, including his daughter Ahna Davis. Today’s festivities include hourly drawings – enter near the front door, where you’ll find team members in their special anniversary T-shirt:
Back outside, free balloon animals:
And free face-painting – here, the anniversary cupcake is modeled:
The hot-dog-and-drink deal is on until 3; the rest of the party continues throughout the day – Junction True Value is open until 7 pm tonight – and tomorrow (open 9 am-6 pm), too.
After the rain accompanying the overnight thunderstorm cleared the air, more than 600 people participating in this morning’s Breathe Deep Seattle could truly do just that. They ran and walked to raise money for the lung-cancer-fighting LUNGevity Foundation – after warming up in the slightly chilly morning air:
This is the third year for BDS – which had a $15,000 fundraising goal for year one, a goal of five times that this year, and has already exceeded that new goal, passing $88,000 so far for 2013, according to the official website (look for the gauge on the lower-right side of the page).
P.S. For those who ran the race as a timed 5K – results are here.
(WSB photo added 9:56 am: Yes, the HPIC sale is on – details below!)
Welcome to a soggy Saturday morning following that wild lightning show overnight! Forecasters say we’ll probably see more, so if the weather leads to any cancellations or changes, we’ll add event updates here (please let us know via e-mail, editor@westseattleblog.com, or by phone, 206-293-6302 text/voice, if YOU have any event changes!), but for now, here are highlights for today/tonight…
JUNCTION TRUE VALUE’S 60TH ANNIVERSARY: Today’s the biggest day of the weeklong celebration, as noted in our story from Thursday. Free popcorn, balloons, face-painting, hourly drawings, and from 10 am-3 pm, hot dogs and soda at mid-century prices, with the help of the West Seattle Lions Club. Plus the ongoing anniversary sale! And check out the WSB discount coupon. (4747 44th SW)
CROSSFIT COMPETITION: Under way at Madison Middle School until 5 pm, with entry fees (and voluntary donations by spectators) benefiting the family of Seattle Police Officer Timothy Brenton. Details in our preview from last night. (45th/Spokane)
HIGHLAND PARK IMPROVEMENT CLUB’S BIG SALE: 9 am-3 pm, it’s the giant annual rummage sale at HPIC – details on their website. (12th/Holden)
BREATHE DEEP SEATTLE: Starts in upper Lincoln Park, 9:30 am, with last-minute registration under way now; timed 5K and fun run/walk to benefit the LUNGevity Foundation, fighting lung cancer. Details in our Friday reminder.
ARTS & CRAFTS FAIR AT C&P: Browse and buy local artists and craftspersons’ offerings during this fair at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) today, 9 am-3 pm. (5612 California SW)
STEM SUMMER PLAY DATE: Incoming or continuing student at West Seattle’s K-5 STEM Elementary? 10 am-noon at Lincoln Park – details here.
ARTS IN NATURE FESTIVAL: Day one of the Nature Consortium‘s big festival at West Seattle’s wonderful wooded Camp Long, starting at 11 am, continuing until about 9:15 tonight (and then there’s the second day tomorrow)! The schedule of performers, artists, and more is all on the official festival website. (5200 35th SW)
SOUTHWEST COMMUNITY CENTER FAMILY FEST AND CAR SHOW: 11 am-5 pm, details in our calendar listing – including a free Southwest Pool swim at 1 pm! (2801 SW Thistle)
GARDEN CENTER: 11 am-3 pm, it’s your monthly chance to shop Puget Ridge Garden Center on the north side of the South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor) campus, as explained in our calendar listing. (6000 16th SW)
CHERRY’S 4TH ANNIVERSARY: The consignment store on the north edge of The Junction celebrates its 4th anniversary today with “sips and sweets,” as noted here, 11 am-6 pm. (4142 California SW)
COASTAL’S 10TH ANNIVERSARY: Coastal Boutique on Alki turns 10 with a party including discounted clothing and accessories from visiting vendors, custom T-shirts printed on-site (“bring your own or buy blanks here”), and then a beach barbecue at 7. (2532 Alki SW)
BARNES AND NOBLE STORY TIME: 11 am at the Westwood Village store. Melissa says it’s all about donuts: “We’ll be reading ‘If You Give a Dog a Donut’ and ‘The Case of the Missing Donut.’ We will also be eating doughnuts, of course, and I’ll be breaking out the Play-Doh to play with!”
SHERWIN-WILLIAMS GRAND OPENING: It’s been open for about a month, but this week the paint store on Delridge is celebrating today, after an official ribbon-cutting with the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce on Thursday:
That’s WSCofC board chair Dave Montoure at right, with S-W staff. The store’s located behind the Arco station at Delridge/Orchard.
WEST SEATTLE OUTDOOR MOVIES: If the rain returns this afternoon, check back here for updates, but for now, tonight’s edition of WS Outdoor Movies is on – “The Avengers” is the movie, preshow music, nonprofit-benefit raffles, and more, as noted in our preview here, gates open at 6:30 pm at the courtyard next to Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor), movie at dusk, 8:45-ish. (4410 California SW)
‘GUYS AND DOLLS’: 7:30 pm, second weekend for Twelfth Night Productions‘ “Guys and Dolls” at the West Seattle High School Theater; details in the listing. (3000 California SW)
OUTWEST TURNS TWO: If you’ve been to or driven by OutWest Bar recently, you’ve seen “2” on signs in the windows. Yes, that means the second anniversary for West Seattle’s only LGBTQ bar, which will celebrate tonight, per its calendar. (California/Brandon)
ROBIN TROWER TRIBUTE: 9:30 pm at Feedback Lounge (6451 California SW; WSB sponsor) – another of the nightlife listings you’ll find on the calendar!
(SCROLL DOWN for lightning photos, some added Saturday)
11:52 PM: Thanks to Christi for the Friday night sunset shot, as clouds just started to wander this way. Right now, some areas of Western Washington are seeing lightning and thunder, and the National Weather Service has a short-term alert in place, suggesting it might head in this direction. WSB commenter “MetPatrick” noted in e-mail hours ago that this might happen (especially 2-5 am) – potentially again Saturday night, maybe even Sunday night. So don’t be surprised if you hear rumbles and/or see flashes.
12:38 AM: And there it is – rain, lightning, and some thunder.
2:48 AM: Added the lightning photo, which is by Chris Clark (thanks!). All’s quiet now, but that was quite a show!
ADDED MIDMORNING SATURDAY: Another photo! The one immediately above is by Mike Russell.
ADDED SATURDAY AFTERNOON: Two more photos just in! This one is courtesy of Max – looking east past the bridge:
And from John Brunt –
Thanks again! Still a chance it’ll be stormy again tonight, but right now, the sun’s back, and a welcome sight for the afternoon.
ADDED SATURDAY EVENING: SP from Arbor Heights had a great view, pointed toward Vashon/Maury:
Right now the southeast and east are seeing/hearing lightning again – late tonight we might too.
From King County online court documents, two followups of note tonight:
MURDER CHARGE REDUCED: A year and a half after 35-year-old Travis Hood was shot and killed just outside Morgan Junction Park, the charge faced by his suspected killer was reduced today to second-degree murder. Lovett Chambers, arrested at his Gatewood home shortly after the shooting in January 2012, originally was charged with first-degree murder. (Details of the alleged circumstances are in our original report published when that charge was filed.) Changes in charges often accompany plea bargains, but in this case, court documents indicate plans for a trial are still moving forward, though its start date was pushed back again, and is now penciled in as November 5th. The document noting the delay says more time is needed because, among other reasons, the defense is calling a witness specializing in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and self-defense, and prosecutors are preparing a response. The only reason given in documents for the reduced charge is that it “more accurately reflects the defendant’s conduct.” As soon as we found these documents, we put in a request for comment from the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, but it was late in the day and we did not hear back, so we’ll ask again Monday.
CAR-RAMMING CASE: As first reported here Thursday night, the 23-year-old man suspected of stealing a pickup truck on Alki Tuesday and then ramming two other occupied cars – one, a Seattle Police car – was set free the day after his arrest. The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office told us Thursday a judge (whom we have since confirmed through documents was District Court Judge Johanna Bender) did not find “probable cause” to keep him in custody until a decision on charges could be made. However, District Court files we found online today show that a $10,000 arrest warrant was issued for him that same day, because he hadn’t shown up for a court hearing on Monday related to a case involving an arrest July 13th in Seatac, with allegations of reckless driving and failure to comply with police. On July 15th, documents show, he was released on his own recognizance, despite a substantial criminal history.
Tomorrow, Morgan Junction Crossfit is hosting the 4th Annual Pipehitters Classic – a Crossfit-training competition with men and women from all around the region – from 8 am to 5 pm at Madison Middle School (3429 45th Ave SW). Participants compete in a variety of strength events, like weightlifting and dragging tires. (See here for a preview video.)
According to the event’s Facebook page, 
, proceeds from registration fees will benefit a fund for the family of Seattle Police Officer Tim Brenton, the West Seattle High School graduate murdered in 2009. It’s free to watch Saturday’s event; there will be a collection jar for spectators who wish to donate.
Morgan Junction Crossfit says it’s made donations in memory of Officer Brenton in the past, but this will be the first year that all proceeds from the Pipehitters Classic will go to the fund benefiting his children. Other local Crossfit gyms have also honored Officer Brenton since his death.
(Thanks to WSB reader Eric for the tip on this.)
Friends of 62-year-old Larry Keller, killed in a motorcycle/car collision in The Junction two weeks ago and remembered in this WSB obituary, are planning a party to celebrate his life. Here’s the announcement from Guy Olson:
Our friend Lawrence “Larry” Keller passed away on July 26th doing what he loved; he passed away riding one of his motorcycles. Larry’s friends and I are having a party in his honor on August 14 at 6:00, at The Yen Wor Village. If you knew Larry, or you are a motorcycle rider, etc, please attend and say hi or share a story or two. I’m sure Larry would have wanted a fun little party in his memory. Thank you and we hope to see you.
Mr. Keller’s family has not announced their memorial plans yet, but do have an online guestbook here.
Superheroes set out to save the planet! And you can do a good deed here at home, if you bring a few $ for benefit concessions/raffle at tomorrow night’s West Seattle Outdoor Movies screening. This week’s movie is “The Avengers”; the gate opens at 6:30 pm at the courtyard next to Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor), so BYO chair/blanket and stake out your spot(s). The movie’s free; popcorn, candy, soda, and water will be available for purchase (donated by PB&J Textiles [WSB sponsor]), as a nonprofit benefit. And this week’s charity-raffle proceeds will go to the Breastfeeding Coalition of Washington, as World Breastfeeding Week (first week in August) wraps up. Tracy Corey from Nurturing Expressions (WSB sponsor) is donating adorable stuffed bears (see them in a photo in our coverage of last week’s WSOM) for the raffle. There’s preshow entertainment this week, too – singer/songwriter Jeremy Serwer. The movie’s on at dusk, which will be around 8:45 pm this time. WSB is proud to be the WS Outdoor Movies media sponsor again this year; see you there!
Thanks to WSB’er “Smokeycretin9” for photos of, and an update on, the road work that’s been under way since Thursday on SW Roxbury in the 23rd-24th vicinity (mentioned again today in our daily traffic/transit tracker). He says it appears this work, described by SDOT only as replacement of a concrete panel in the road, will take care of the notorious “bump” in the area. But in the meantime, the work’s scheduled to continue until 5 or so, and he says “Roxbury is down to one lane for both directions with flaggers directing traffic. Traffic is backing up into White Center going West and past Safeway going East.” So if you’re heading that way, you might consider an alternate route.
(May WSB photo of 48th/Charlestown site)
The Seattle City Council’s Parks and Neighborhoods Committee, chaired by Councilmember Sally Bagshaw, has just OK’d the plan for the city to buy the greenspace at 48th/Charlestown with money including part of the second round of spending from the Parks and Green Spaces Levy‘s Opportunity Fund. We first reported the proposal back in May; here’s the project list that went to the committee today, with a full-council vote next. No final price tags are attached, but $400,000 was mentioned for this site back in May, and Parks staffers told councilmembers today that matching funds will be available to help with final purchase prices for this and other Opportunity Fund acquisitions.
Two weeks after the incident reported here in which a loose dog bit a man and dog in the North Delridge area, we have some followup information.
First, the bitten dog’s owner, Chandra, says her dog Katie (photo at right is from before the attack) has required more surgery for problems including nerve damage to her face. Chandra’s dad has recovered, although hand-swelling persisted. He and Katie were out for a walk when they spotted the loose dog, Chandra said, and while he tried to get home to avoid it, the dog followed them up the stairs to Katie’s house.
The dog’s owner wasn’t known when we published our first story, but has since been located; Chandra says the owner turned out to live fairly close by. So now, the question is, what happens to the owner and the dog? We’ve continued talking with Seattle Animal Shelter‘s Ann Graves. She says the owner will be cited for the bites – a $269 fine – and for a leash-law violation, a $54 fine.
The dog was quarantined for 10 days at SAS but is no longer at the shelter, Graves told WSB. She does not know its current whereabouts, but stresses that the investigation is continuing, and any other potential sanctions or decisions would depend on factors such as any history involving the dog, the incident’s circumstances, and the owner’s wishes.
Continuing to spotlight some of what’s ahead, while also tracking what’s happening today – The Seattle Chinese Garden on Puget Ridge wants to make sure you know about its Kite Festival tomorrow (Saturday, August 10), 2-6 pm:
Come fly a kite at the Garden’s ridge-top site! Bring your own or buy one at the festival for a fun afternoon with family or friends. Activities for all ages include kite flying demonstrations, competitions, and kite painting. Put your own creative stamp on one you paint yourself — materials provided.
The festival also includes music and dance performances and a demonstration of eagle painting by artist George Yiqiao of Luoyang, China. Everyone will find something to enjoy at the festival, including refreshments such as Chinese bakery treats and tea.
The garden is on the north side of the South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor) campus at 6000 16th SW.
Out of the WSB inbox, from a reader who doesn’t want to be identified – word of an apparent burglary attempt interrupted at 47th and Charlestown:
My 7 year old son was sitting on the couch and happened to look up to see 3 men staring in our living room window. Here is the description via my son: All three men had “tanned” skin, but not super dark and were wearing blue jean shorts. The oldest, possibly in his late 20s wore a blue shirt. The other two were late teens, one in an orange shirt and the other in a green shirt with a muscular build. When they saw my son, they looked very surprised and fled down our driveway. This all happened while I was in the shower downstairs on basement level. All I heard was our two dogs going nuts – which is pretty normal . I had a look around outside and it appears that they were attempting to break into my outbuilding, adjacent to our house. We presume there was a 4th person doing this. Police have been notified and are supposed to come take a report. Just wanted to make area neighbors aware and to be on the lookout.
(WSB photo from May 1st collision investigation on East Marginal Way)
Early warning of an important event, in light of not just the deadly May 1st bicycle/truck collision, but ongoing concerns: Both West Seattle Bike Connections and the Port of Seattle have shared this announcement of a Bike/Truck Safety Fair four weeks from today:
Friday, September 6
6:30 am to 8:30 amTerminal 25 | Map
3225 East Marginal WayShare the road safely! Join the Port of Seattle and our partners for an opportunity to learn about truck blind spots and the challenges bicyclists and truck drivers face each day as they share Seattle’s busy roads.
Featuring
Bike – truck “blind spot” simulation
Truck ride-along
Helpful safety information
Free continental breakfast
More information from WSBC, here.
Meantime, following up on the two-bicycle collision earlier this week, we’re working to get an update from SDOT on the status of planned improvements in the area.
(Thanks to Craig Young for the eagle photo, from the Admiral District on Wednesday)
Unlike last Friday – we have the sun with us for today/tonight – and these highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
ALKI FUN FEST: Games, prizes, more family fun at Alki Community Center, 5-7 pm (with a charge for wristbands) – details on the Special Events page of the summer brochure for local parks/community centers. (5817 SW Stevens)
SUMMER CONCERTS AT THE MOUNT: The series opener moved indoors last week – tonight, the regular outdoor venue on the south side of the Providence Mount St. Vincent (WSB sponsor) campus should be the perfect spot for the second of four free Friday night concerts! Convergence Zone Bluegrass Band performs at 6 pm; free snow cones and popcorn; and if you’re interested in dinner (optional, on sale at 5:30 pm), see tonight’s menu here. (4831 35th SW)
‘GUYS AND DOLLS’: 7:30 pm, second weekend begins for Twelfth Night Productions‘ “Guys and Dolls” at the West Seattle High School Theater; details in the listing. (3000 California SW)
‘ONCE UPON A MATTRESS’: Cheer for the young performers in this summer’s ArtsWest conservatory production, 7:30 pm, details in our calendar listing. (4711 California SW)
LEO GUNN: Performing at The Cask, 8 pm. (2350 California SW)
FLAT 5: Billed as the “all-time most-requested band” at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), they’re there tonight starting at 9:30 pm. (6451 California SW)
And as always, you’ll find even more listed on the calendar!
(WSB photo from last year’s Breathe Deep Seattle 5K)
Last reminder – tomorrow’s the next benefit 5K run/walk in our area, Breathe Deep Seattle, benefiting the LUNGevity Foundation, which fights lung cancer. It’s in Lincoln Park, with check-in/last-minute registration starting at 8:30 am Saturday, a program with guest speakers at 9 am, the timed 5K and untimed walk/fun run at 9:30, closing ceremony at 11. If you are already registered and want to pick up your race T-shirt early, you can do that at West Seattle Runner (California/Charlestown; WSB sponsor) between 5-7:30 pm tonight. (P.S. If you missed our recent look ahead to all the 5K’s in West Seattle scheduled before year’s end – five of them including BDS – see it here.)
(Live view from the west-facing WS Bridge camera; other cameras are on the WSB Traffic page)
Happy Friday! The SDOT Construction Lookahead says the work on Roxbury between 23rd and 24th – replacing a concrete panel – is expected to continue all day today, 9 am-5 pm. Looking ahead to the weekend – here’s the citywide lineup of events that might affect traffic.
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