West Seattle, Washington
08 Wednesday
Saturday, May 11th is the ninth annual edition of West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day – one day, hundreds of sales around the peninsula, fun times meeting neighbors and new friends and engaging in the timeless practice of person-to-person recycling (for a modest price). In case you missed the earlier announcements, registration will open next Monday, April 1st – some people like to sign up early and commit themselves to that first big garage/yard sale of spring. Never too soon to start sorting your stuff for your sale if you’re planning one – then, watch our channels Monday for the announcement that we’re ready to start registration: the official WSCGSD website, the WSCGSD Facebook page, the WSB FB page, the WSB Twitter feed, and of course, here!
(Live view from the east-facing WS Bridge camera; see other cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
6:51 AM: Reminder of two downtown alerts first mentioned in yesterday’s roundup: A crowd at KeyArena 9 am-2:30 pm for “We Day,” morning, and a funeral procession for a Seattle firefighter from Fremont into downtown, 11:30-1 pm.
7:36 AM: No West Seattle Water Taxi effects that we know of, but if you’re among our Vashon-commuter readership, the VASHON WT run at 8:15 is canceled (along with the 7:40 am run from Seattle) – repairs needed.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
“A lot of this is policy” – and not policy made by Seattle Police.
That was a caveat tonight from Southwest Precinct commander Capt. Joe Kessler, when asked about the “Nickelsville” encampment’s status, following Mayor McGinn‘s new directive for more patrols (WSB Monday report), in the wake of the encampment declaring itself “overrun” with “meth dealers and violent, barred former campers” (WSB Sunday report).
Capt. Kessler was at the West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network meeting primarily for a get-acquainted event; the group was created in the time between his unprecedented two tours of duty at one precinct, something he says no SPD commander has done before. But in light of our coverage the past few days, WSBWCN co-founder Deb Greer asked him what he could tell the group.
First, he noted that the encampment was founded at the same 7116 West Marginal Way SW site during his first year as precinct commander.
As for now – he says behind-the-scenes city leadership strategizing is going on as well as police action. He said he “was in a meeting with the mayor’s senior staff and (Deputy) Chief (Nick) Metz” on Monday afternoon, and that his second-in-command Lt. Pierre Davis had met with the Southwest/South Precincts’ city-attorney liaison Melissa Chin, and that “we’re working through this process right now,” though the “process,” he said, “isn’t necessarily right now within (police’s) bailiwick.”
What is, Kessler said, “is to enforce the laws and (promote) safety.” He refuted allegations that police had not adequately responded to calls from the encampment: “Every call that’s been made, from everyone (there), has been responded to by the Southwest Precinct.”
But again, he said, major decisions on next steps won’t be made at the precinct level: “We’re in active discussions right now with the mayor’s office and city attorney’s office to figure out where they want to go … our role will be as part of the team, but we’re not the decisionmakers.”
Officers are “patrolling around” the encampment, Capt. Kessler confirmed, adding that “the mayor is accurate in saying we are making it one of our priority spots to make sure we are having a visible presence as much as we can – but that doesn’t mean we’re not going to patrol the (other) areas where we have emerging crime problems.”
To the Nickelsville Central Committee open letter last weekend accusing police of thwarting camp attempts at self-policing by not supporting “eviction” decisions, as reported in our Sunday story: “That is public property; it’s owned by the City of Seattle. There is no legal ability for anyone who is staying there – they are not landlords, so there is no legal ability for their (people) or for my officers to go there and actually evict somebody from public property, it’s not the same as if someone is at your house – so whatever rules are in place (at the encampment) are not legal rules. We still operate under the rule of law and we still have all the things that officers are well versed in their legal responsibilities and what they can and can’t do. … In all our discussions with the mayor and the city attorney’s office, everyone is on the same page.”
Another trouble spot came up at tonight’s meeting – 15th and Holden in Highland Park. That report is coming up later. Meantime, Nickelsville is scheduled to be discussed during Wednesday night’s Highland Park Action Committee meeting (7 pm, HP Improvement Club, 12th/Holden); HPAC has previously told the city that other communities should take turns hosting the encampment, and also has surveyed community members for their thoughts.
(Gina Baleto-Ferguson and Sage Marts at Talarico’s during past Dining Out For Life)
Want to help people have a good time for a good cause? Lifelong AIDS Alliance is recruiting restaurant ambassadors for the 20th year of Dining Out For Life on April 25th:
Dining Out For Life is an annual event in which more than 150 Seattle-area restaurants donate a portion of your bill to support Lifelong AIDS Alliance and the fight against illness and hunger in our community. Ambassadors welcome guests, answer questions about Dining Out For Life , and collect donations.
The top five reasons why you should volunteer are:
1. See your peeps. Packing the restaurant with friends, family, and co-workers is a great way to maximize your volunteer experience. Request that your shift is held at one of your favorite restaurants from the list of those participating (pending availability).
2. Be inspired. Often patrons will share touching stories as to why they chose to participate in Dining Out For Life. Learning about how HIV/AIDS has affected so many of us is powerful — and makes your volunteer experience that much more rewarding.
3. Giving back was never this easy (or fun). What other volunteer opportunity has you meeting new people, visiting with friends, and talking about a great cause all while hanging out in some of Seattle’s coolest restaurants and bars?
4. We could not do it without you. The ambassador’s role is vital to the success of this event. One-third of the total dollars raised at Dining Out For Life come from additional cash donations resulting from conversations between patrons and their ambassadors.
5. Be a part of something big. The funds raised on April 25th support Lifelong’s work empowering people living with HIV/AIDS and other chronic conditions to lead healthier lives. As an ambassador at Dining Out For Life, you are helping save lives!
Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night shifts are available in restaurants all over Seattle/King County. An average shift takes anywhere from 3-6 hours. Visit DiningOutForLife.com/Seattle for the list of participating restaurants.
**Register online at wllaa.org/DOFLvolunteer to fill out the volunteer ambassador application**
Are you a restaurant interested in participating? We need you, too!
Participating in Dining Out is more than just good philanthropy; it’s good business. Lifelong is committed to hosting a successful event, helping fill your restaurant with loyal patrons, and creating a mutually beneficial partnership. Contact Eleazar Juarez-Diaz for more information or sign-up online here.
So far, according to the DOFL website, four West Seattle/White Center restaurants are participating – Buddha Ruksa, Skylark Café, Proletariat Pizza, and Talarico’s, all planning to participate during the dinner hour that night.
West Seattleite Marley Blonsky sends word of a big rally downtown tomorrow for which she is lead organizer – a rally supporting nationwide marriage equality, on the day the U.S. Supreme Court is hearing arguments in two cases. It’s at noon tomorrow (Wednesday, March 27) outside the federal courthouse at 700 Stewart Street (map) – here’s the Facebook event page with full details. (P.S. If Marley’s name sounds familiar – we published the announcement of her wedding last September, and then photographed her and wife Whitney Young in the marriage-license line at the King County Courthouse during that historic December night/morning.)
If you see/hear a helicopter in southeast West Seattle tonight – it’s probably just a drill. We have advance notice just in from Seattle Fire Department spokesperson Kyle Moore:
Tonight the Seattle Fire Department along with the King County Sheriff’s Office will be conducting a Night Time Hoist Helicopter Training Drill at the City of Seattle Joint Training Facility. The purpose of the exercise will be for firefighters to practice rescuing patients at night from a high rise building.
The drill is part of an All Hazards Regional Aviation Response Partnership which includes the King County Sheriff’s Office, Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office, the Seattle Fire Department and other regional agencies.
Beginning at 6 p.m. neighbors of the City of Seattle Joint Training Facility located at 9401 Myers Way South [map] will notice an increase in activity and noise until 9 p.m. The drill will involve the takeoff and landing of the King County Sheriff’s Guardian 2 Helicopter.
And our second West Seattle Food Bank update this afternoon:
That’s John Moore of Morgan Junction-headquartered Northwest Insurance Group (longtime WSB sponsor) in our photo with Fran Yeatts, executive director of the West Seattle Food Bank. John went to the food bank Monday afternoon with a check for $1,000 – explained in his latest newsletter:
It’s time to give back. I want to thank our wonderful clients and friends that have been so generous in their support of our business. Throughout the year, as we receive valuable referrals from our clients and friends, we will match the $10 referral-reward gift toward a contribution to a local charity. This year, the lucky gift of $1,000 goes to our own West Seattle Food Bank!
And in case you forgot – this month and next, gifts to local food banks are good for more than face value, because of the Feinstein Challenge – explained here by WS and White Center Food Bank – so if you can give, now’s a great time to do it.
Two West Seattle Food Bank updates to share this afternoon. This story is the first one:
(Photos courtesy King County Executive’s Office)
County Executive Dow Constantine visited the WS Food Bank this morning as part of his participation in the United Way of King County‘s Hunger Action Week, calling attention to the fact that 1 in 7 people in King County deal with hunger – 1 in 6, nationwide. Via his Facebook page, he wrote:
The helpful volunteers and staff showed me the real challenges people face to get access to nutritious food. Working families, kids, and seniors rely on this valuable community asset, and I am thankful for their good work.
Today’s breakfast as part of the Food Stamp Challenge – three meals on just $7/day:
1/2 cup cereal: 20¢
2 oz soy milk: 22¢
Banana: 19¢
Coffee: 38¢
Total: 99¢
Here’s more information on the Food Stamp Challenge.
West Seattle Crime Watch (and related) reader reports to share:
STOLEN CAR: Pam reports her husband’s car was taken from outside their home in the 5600 block of 25th SW on Monday afternoon – green 1994 Nissan Altima, four-door, Washington plate AAJ8298. Just two weeks ago, she says, their cars were hit by prowling and siphoning. Speaking of car prowls …
CAR BREAK-INS: From a 31st SW resident:
Just wanted to let you know that on 31st Ave SW between Thistle and Elmgrove, we experienced 3 car prowls (Sunday) night. Two of the cars were locked and armed- those folks are thinking that somehow the thieves have keys to their cars. My car, stupidly, was unlocked. Thankfully nothing of HUGE value was taken, but I wanted to get this out there to remind people to take their valuables inside at night.
POSSIBLY DISCARDED LOOT: Received this note:
I found a guitar in the alley by my garage Sunday morning (March 24th) in the North Admiral area. I assume it was ditched by some car prowlers early that morning since the neighbors’ car was broken into. Call me to identify it. 206 935-4063
One more quick reminder of a crime-prevention, neighborhood-empowerment meeting TONIGHT – the West Seattle Block Watch Captains’ Network, 6:30 pm, SW Precinct – you don’t have to be a captain, or even a Block Watch participant, to come be part of it.
This week, the daily preview seems to be taking an unplanned brief break from bird photos. These pals turned up in the WSB inbox, courtesy of Eric Shalit from Box Turtle Design – that’s his little Piggy with poodle friend Django, who belongs to Eric’s friend, West Seattle author Conrad Wesselhoeft. Now on to the calendar highlights:
SANISLO ELEMENTARY PRINCIPAL SEARCH: As reported here Monday, a community meeting is planned after school today, 3:40-4:40 pm, so that parents and other interested parties can participate in the search for a principal to succeed Ernie Seevers (who is retiring after this year).
CAREGIVER FOR AGING FAMILY MEMBER? Come to Merrill Gardens-Admiral Heights (WSB sponsor) at 6 tonight for the next open forum on aging, caregiving, and family dynamics – get support and guidance, and share your story/advice if you choose to. 2326 California SW.
WEST SEATTLE BLOCK WATCH CAPTAINS NETWORK: 6:30 pm at the Southwest Precinct meeting room (Webster/Delridge), WSBWCN is scheduled to hear from precinct commander Capt. Joe Kessler, from Community Police Team Officer Jon Kiehn with CPTED (crime prevention through environmental design, around your home) advice, and a victims’-advocacy program rep.
DESC ADVISORY COMMITTEE: The community advisory committee focused on issues relating to the DESC Supportive Housing project under construction in North Delridge meets tonight at 6:30 pm, room 106 at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW). Site/vicinity issues including the alley and drainage are on the agenda.
WEST SEATTLE COMMUNITY ORCHESTRAS’ CONCERT: Rescheduled from last week, WSCO’s second spring concert, “Songs of America,” 7 pm at Chief Sealth International High School auditorium (2600 SW Thistle), free but donations appreciated.
Those are just a few highlights – find MANY more listings on our calendar!
If you didn’t stay up to watch national grocery-bagging champ Andrew Borracchini‘s appearance on “The Late Show With David Letterman” around 12:20 am, the video is now available courtesy of the CBS website (thanks to WSB contributing photojournalist Christopher Boffoli for spotting it first!). The appearance was rumored to be a possibility ever since Andrew, who has worked at Metropolitan Market-Admiral (WSB sponsor) for more than three years, won the title at the National Grocers Association‘s Las Vegas convention last month (by the way, video from the championship is now online too).
(Live view from the east-facing WS Bridge camera; see other cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
No traffic alerts as we start today – but there’s early warning of a possible downtown tie-up TOMORROW morning, because of the “We Day” event at KeyArena 9 am-2:30 pm Wednesday.
ADDED 11:55 AM: Another advisory for tomorrow, just in from SDOT:
In addition to potential traffic congestion associated with the We Day Seattle event at the Key Arena from 8:30 – 2:30 p.m. tomorrow, March 27, there will also be a funeral procession for a fallen Seattle Firefighter which could impact traffic. The procession, honoring Firefighter Jess Hernandez, will begin at 12:20 p.m. at the Fourth Avenue and Bell Street Fire Station and move west on Bell to Second Avenue; then south on Second to the Christ Our Hope Catholic Church at Stewart Street. The 500 participants will be escorted by Seattle Police. There will be a rolling slowdown as the procession makes its way to the church where they are expected to arrive at about 12:45 p.m. There will be no street closures, except along the route as the procession moves by. Motorists should allow extra time driving through Belltown during the noon hour or take an alternate route.
2:17 AM: Almost a year and a half after former West Seattleite Amanda Knox‘s return home – an Italian court has just revived the case, by throwing out the verdict. Here’s the latest from the AP via our partners at The Seattle Times. This all comes a month before her book “Waiting to be Heard” is due out, and with it at least one network TV interview.
3:08 AM: Knox has issued a statement, the AP reports (added to the same link as above), in which she declares this development “painful.” (added) ITV has published her statement in full.
A Monday win for the West Seattle High School boys-varsity baseball team – 3-2, reports parent Greg Slader, who also shared the photos:
Sam Hellinger pitched a complete game with 7 strikeouts, one walk, and only three hits. Tim Adams supplied the Big Blast with a two-out, two-RBI single ripped down the right-field line.
West Seattle is now 2-0 in League play and heads to Ingraham on Wednesday for a 4 pm game.
Monday’s game was played at Steve Cox Memorial Park in White Center.
“The current situation raises serious concerns about Nickelsville’s ability to protect the health and safety of its residents.”
That was part of Mayor McGinn‘s response to WSB today, after we requested comment on the situation reported here on Sunday – centering on the encampment’s Central Committee declaring that it was having trouble “preventing the overrun of our community by meth dealers and barred, violent former campers,” blaming police for not supporting camp decisions to evict such people. Our story, meantime, included an incident one week ago in which the SPD report indeed quoted police saying that people on public land had no right to tell others to get off that public land – while also including a would-be evictee claiming they were getting booted for going to police about an alleged crime.
The mayor, meantime, says more police help is in order; the second and final sentence of his reply to us was, “The immediate next step is to increase our police presence through the use of directed patrols from the Southwest Precinct.” We hope to hear something about that when precinct commander Capt. Joe Kessler speaks to the West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network on Tuesday night (6:30 pm, SW Precinct, Delridge/Webster); then on Wednesday night, the Highland Park Action Committee, the neighborhood council closest to the encampment, plans a Nickelsville update during its regular monthly meeting (7 pm, HP Improvement Club, 12th/Holden).
It happened on Friday, but word is just now getting around: A federal ruling has in effect given the West Seattle-headquartered Duwamish Tribe another chance at federal recognition, something they have been seeking for more than 35 years. As reported today by Indianz.com, 
federal Judge John Coughenour has told the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs to re-evaluate the Duwamish petition. The tribe was on the brink of gaining recognition in the final days of the Clinton Administration in early 2001, but the incoming (George W.) Bush Administration reversed the decision. Our partners at The Seattle Times quote Duwamish Tribe chair Cecile Hansen as saying, “I’m in a delighted state of shock” about Friday’s decision. Case documents are linked here. (File photo of Cecile Hansen by Christopher Boffoli)
(Photo courtesy Coach Colin Slingsby)
It’s more than a sports camp – and it’s back for the 16th year. You can sign up now for the Sealth Basketball and Life Skills Camp, as announced by Chief Sealth International High School‘s Coach Colin Slingsby:
We are excited to host our 16th annual summer of Sealth Basketball and Life Skills camp at Chief Sealth International High School and Denny International Middle School this summer. Last year, we hosted more than 350 campers in our multiple sessions. The emphasis of our program is to teach the fundamentals of the game in part of a fun and competitive basketball experience, but also to emphasize the Life Skills necessary to be successful in school and life, both intellectually, and socially.
The camp is run by the coaching staff at Sealth with the help of many high school and college students who are put through a lengthy mentorship training in order to be prepared to work with our many campers. While we enjoy teaching the game of basketball and providing a positive week on the court, we pride ourselves on our Life Skills curriculum, which includes a classroom session daily, emphasizing the values of our program.
Camp runs from 9 am-4 pm each day, and each camper will receive a camp t-shirt and Camper Handbook which will include hand-outs and topics from our Life Skills classroom sessions. In addition, we are excited to offer an ‘Advanced Concepts’ session this year (August 19th-23rd). This session is geared toward campers 6th grade and up.
Brochure with further information and registration forms are available on the Chief Sealth International High School website link here. Contact Coach Colin Slingsby at caslingsby@seattleschools.org with any questions about the program.
That’s an award-winning photo titled “Withered Lotus,” the work of West Seattle High School photography student Hao Cheng. WSHS Art Department head Michelle Sloan shares the news that Hao received an Outstanding Achievement in Photography award at the Puget Sound Educational Service District’s Regional High School Art Show:
Hao accepted the award at a reception on Sunday. Congratulations!
P.S. You can see the entire art show online – photographs representing 96 entries – just go here.
Remember Alan Polevia, subject of an air and land manhunt centered in Shorewood on March 5th, resulting in school lockdowns, days after he escaped from custody while being taken to Harborview Medical Center – in handcuffs? He is back behind bars today, according to the King County Jail Register. Before his escape, he had been arrested on warrants related to theft allegations, and our research showed that in November 2006, he was found guilty of third-degree assault for a West Seattle incident involving him and his father getting kicked out of Poggie’s in The Junction, then going across the street and attacking a man outside Talarico’s with a beer bottle and a tire iron. Meantime, as for how he was caught this time around, Sgt. Cindi West from the King County Sheriff’s Office tells WSB this afternoon that last Friday night he was found “rummaging through a dumpster behind a building” in Burien. He at first told deputies his name was Alex Polevia; they used a photo and tattoo descriptions to identify him as Alan, at which time, deputies report, he “apologized for lying about his name.”
Bizarre arrest early this morning inside Yen Wor Village in The Admiral District, according to an SPD Blotter story by Jonah Spangenthal-Lee that you just have to read to believe – you can do that here.
(Monday morning submarine sighting with the Olympic Mountains as a backdrop, by Don Brubeck)
Relatively quiet day on the calendar. A few notes:
PASSOVER BEGINS: Tonight is the first night of the Jewish festival of freedom, Passover, which concludes April 2nd.
LEARN/PRACTICE SPANISH: Drop-in conversation class at the Senior Center of West Seattle (California/Oregon), 1 pm. Details here.
FAMILY STORY TIME: 7 pm at High Point Library (35th/Raymond). (Watch our calendar for other library story times around West Seattle throughout the week.)
TRIVIA/QUIZ: Three West Seattle venues offer it tonight – all listed on the calendar (mouse over and click the “plus” sign on the right side of any calendar line to see more information and the link to the full listing).
‘BANKERS CARE’ FOOD DRIVE: Through April 5th, drop off nonperishable food donations at Washington Federal, Dakota/California north of The Junction or California/Fauntleroy in Morgan Junction, which is part of the Bankers Care food drive for Northwest Harvest, which supplies local food banks.
ADDED: ANDREW’S LETTERMAN SPOTLIGHT *TONIGHT*: Update from the Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor) PR team – CBS made a mistake when they announced over the weekend that national bagging champ Andrew Borracchini‘s appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman had been moved, so it’s now back to TONIGHT (Monday).
With the Seattle School Board approving the architect contract for the new Arbor Heights Elementary earlier this month, and opening set for fall 2016, it’s time for a community Design Advisory Team to be formed – and the call for applications has just gone out on the school website. The open letter from principal Christy Collins says in part:
The Design Advisory Team will be composed of current Arbor Heights staff and families as well as neighborhood residents. Our goal is to form a working team of 10-12 individuals who can commit to six formal meetings over the course of April and May and two additional future meetings.
The meeting schedule is part of her letter; the application is here, and needs to be in by April 2nd.
Since its new school is being built on the same site as the deteriorating old one, Arbor Heights is expected to move to the Boren building on Delridge starting in fall 2014, SPS spokesperson Tom Redman tells WSB, remaining there for the two school years prior to the opening of the new building. The new K-5 STEM school is there now, with no timeline for a decision on its permanent home, but the Boren campus has room for hundreds more students, and improvements are planned this summer. The school board’s Executive Committee was briefed on those improvements last week; Redman says they would include:
1) seismic strengthening in the form of shear walls and roof-to-wall braces;
2) completion of the upgrades to finishes in the north wing;
3) selective demolition and “tenant improvements” for two child care rooms and Arbor Heights;
4) replacement of all exterior doors and hardware
P.S. If you’d like to know more about how a school Design Team is supposed to work – its part of the in-depth district manual.
Just announced by the Sanislo Elementary PTA:
Our Principal, Ernie Seevers, will be retiring at the end of this year, and the school community has begun a transition process for transitioning to new leadership. There are hiring committees meeting in the next few weeks to recommend a candidate to Superintendent Banda for hiring. Carmela Dellino, our West Seattle executive director for schools, has met with our staff to hear their ideas about the skills and strengths that they believe the new leader at Sanislo will need, and she would like to do the same with families. She has scheduled a meeting at Sanislo Tuesday (TOMORROW) at 3:40 to talk with you. Please make a point to come in and meet with other families and share in a conversation with Ms Dellino. Your thoughts are important and valuable in this process. Children are, of course very welcome to attend with you, and we’ll also have supervised play for the children that don’t like meetings.
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