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West Seattle Crime Watch: Plea bargain for Alki man shot by police
April 12, 2011 5:15 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

(9/3/2010 photo of the 61st/Admiral shooting scene by Christopher Boffoli, for WSB)
Just discovered this in a routine followup check of crime cases we’ve been watching: Thomas Qualls, the 59-year-old Alki man shot by police back in September after pointing an assault rifle at officers, has struck a plea bargain. Last Friday, according to court documents, he pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of attempted assault with use of a firearm (he originally faced three counts of second-degree assault with firearm enhancement). His statement in court documents:

… I took a substantial step toward intentionally placing (three Seattle Police officers) in immediate and reasonable fear of an assault with a deadly weapon when I came out of my home with a rifle and the rifle was lowered in the direction of (the three officers).

According to the original police narrative about the incident (transcribed in this WSB report), officers went to the home after a 911 call from a family member worried he had made suicidal statements. That narrative also said Qualls fired his rifle, though that is not reflected in his plea statement. He was shot in the abdomen and spent less than a week in the hospital.

Prosecutors will recommend a 2-year sentence (note that Qualls already has been in jail for seven months), which is the high end of the range – 6 months for attempted second-degree assault, plus 18 months for the firearm enhancement. He had no known criminal history. Shortly after the incident, police released this photo of the rifle they say Qualls pointed at the officers:

Their investigation reported that was one of three guns they found at the scene. Qualls’ sentencing is set for April 22nd.

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82 mph on the West Seattle Bridge – but wait, there’s more!
April 12, 2011 4:39 pm
|      16 COMMENTS
 |   Safety | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

For the first time in a while, Seattle Police have published a “speeder of the day” update on SPD Blotter. 82 mph on The Bridge this time – but that’s not the only thing they were cited for …

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West Seattle restaurants: Bang Bar puts up sign, takes out word
April 12, 2011 3:42 pm
|      43 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

After the weekend sign installation (we photographed the Western Neon crew on Saturday) for what is likely to be the next new restaurant to open in West Seattle, we checked in with the co-owner of Bang Bar Restaurant and Lounge (4750 California SW), Kay Fuengarom. She told WSB contributor Bill Hutchison they’ve had a change in plan for the restaurant’s focus. One hint: The word you don’t see on the sign. Details ahead:Read More

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West Seattle wildlife: Hummingbird nest-building, bit by bit
April 12, 2011 3:05 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Wildlife

First Katie Krause shared a view of a nesting hummingbird at The Kenney … then, this week, a peek at the new occupants of the nest .. and now, Trileigh Tucker gives us a window into the nestbuilding:

Ever wonder where those little mothers get their soft bedding for those marble-sized babies? The attached photo shows an Anna’s with nesting material in her beak, after she pulled it from the nearby fireweed in Lincoln Park.

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West Seattle schools: Visiting Sanislo’s librarian on ‘Snapshot’ day
April 12, 2011 1:14 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Craig Seasholes is not only the new (as of about two months ago) school librarian at West Seattle’s Sanislo Elementary, he is also president of the Washington Library Media Association. Seasholes invited WSB to stop by the Sanislo library today, since it’s not just any old day in the school library – it’s Washington Library Snapshot Day, meant to capture one day in the life of libraries around the state. (Participants in West Seattle also include the Denny International Middle School and Chief Sealth International High School libraries.) Sanislo is uniquely laid out as an “open-concept” school, so the library, for example, shares the same large, airy space as the computer lab, where more than two dozen fifth-graders were working on a project during our visit, while a class of second-graders trooped in to browse and check out books. What’s the biggest challenge for school libraries right now? we asked Seasholes. Reply: Finding creative ways to maintain and grow their collections. He would also like to see more people come check out their school libraries (regardless of whether there’s a student in your family): “It’s not just the ‘book lady’ any more,” as he puts it.

(P.S. Sanislo, like many schools, is full of young writers as well as young readers – you’ll recall that along with Roxhill and Concord, they had a team in the recent Global Reading Challenge finals – and the writers “have a gig,” as Seasholes puts it, at Elliott Bay Books on June 4th.)

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Admiral Safeway site tour, report #2: The inside look
April 12, 2011 11:43 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Last Friday afternoon, we published a quick first report shortly after taking a hard-hat tour of the Admiral Safeway construction site – focusing mostly on the news that the new California-fronting retail building on the site has its first signed tenant, Umpqua Bank. This morning: A closer look at what’s happening on the site. Safeway’s Sara Corn says it’s still on schedule – albeit a “tight” schedule – for the new store to open in exactly four months, on August 12th – which is 11 months after site demolition began. They are working for LEED environmental certification, which means extra steps in the process, like the duct-wrapping above. More ahead:Read More

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No space shuttle for Museum of Flight – but a trainer’s on the way
April 12, 2011 11:07 am
|      15 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news

(NASA archive photo of astronaut Eileen Collins in the trainer)
Though the Museum of Flight won’t get a space shuttle – they’re going to New York, California, D.C., and Florida, as NASA announced this past hour (and as our partners at the Seattle Times reported pre-announcement) — Governor Gregoire says there’s cause for excitement that a “full-fuselage trainer” is coming to the museum. From her statement:

(T)he full fuselage trainer, that every astronaut including Bonnie Dunbar has been trained on, will soon call the Museum of Flight home. The largest of the trainers, this addition will allow visitors to actually climb aboard the trainer and experience the hands-on training that astronauts get. Visitors will not be allowed in the other shuttles and this trainer is a true win for our dynamic museum. It will help inspire young people to the adventure of space and to the excitement of a career in science, technology, engineering and math.

(Dr. Bonnie Dunbar is the museum’s former director.) More details in the Times’ updated report.

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West Seattle Summer Fest updates: New website, and more
April 12, 2011 9:41 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Summer Fest updates: New website, and more
 |   West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

(WSB photo from 2010 West Seattle Summer Fest)
While we keep cheering for spring to really get its act together, it’s nonetheless time to plan for some of summer’s biggest events as well – particularly West Seattle Summer Fest in The Junction (co-sponsored by WSB again this year). It’s now less than three months away – July 8, 9, 10th – and we have updates this morning. First, the revamped Summer Fest website is up and running – see it here. Second, applications are available for two more of the festival’s features – the Art Dive, coordinated by Twilight Artist Collective (application available here), and GreenLife, coordinated by Sustainable West Seattle (application available here). There’s also still time to apply for other types of vendors, as well as performers (scroll down the left side of the new Summer Fest site to find the links) – and if you would like to be a Summer Fest sponsor, you have one more month to get in on that.

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West Seattle Tuesday: From neighborhoods to nightlife
April 12, 2011 8:28 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Charlestown water tower by smohundro from the WSB Flickr group pool)
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

NEIGHBORHOOD MEETINGS: Admiral Neighborhood Association meeting, Admiral Congregational Church basement meeting room (California/Hill), 7 pm, agenda including the recent labor protests at the Admiral Safeway construction site (with the union and the targeted subcontractor planning to send reps); also scheduled to be at the meeting, City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen … Fauntleroy Community Association board meeting, 7 pm, Fauntleroy Schoolhouse (9131 California SW).

STUDENT ART EXHIBIT: Opening reception for student art exhibit IDENTITY at South Seattle Community College Art Gallery (6000 16th Ave SW), 12 – 1:30 pm at Jerry Brockey Student Center. Click for gallery hours and information about future exhibits. – See full details here

PTA MEETING: Sanislo Elementary School PTA meeting, 6:30 pm

PERSONAL SAFETY NETS: Personal Safety Nets free lecture and workshop at Alki Arts (2820 Alki Ave SW), 7-8:30 pm. Led by Judy Pigott and Ben Kaufman (for info, call 206-659-0665).

POETRY CONSULTATIONS: At High Point Branch Library (35th/Raymond), 6:00-7:45 pm, members of poetrybridge will be present to comment on poems (works in progress.) Poets are asked to call the branch to register – 206-684-7454.

FAMILY STORY TIME: At the Seattle Public Library‘s Delridge Branch, it’s “Family Story Time” with Amy at 7 tonight (Delridge/Brandon).

NIGHTLIFE: Rock music trivia at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), 8 pm … singer-songwriter night at Skylark Cafe and Club (WSB sponsor), see the calendar here … Open-mike night at Mac’s Triangle Pub (drum kit provided!), 8 pm.

BENEFIT CD CO-PRODUCED BY WEST SEATTLEITE: “Every Mother Counts,” co-produced by David Legry of West Seattle, goes on sale today in participating Starbucks stores, with $8 from the sale of each CD going toward maternal-health programs in coffee-growing countries. Legry worked with Christy Turlington to create the multi-artist benefit effort, with a long list of stars participating, including Patti Scialfa (preview her song here). Turlington explains the effort here (companion to a forthcoming documentary she produced).

SPACE-SHUTTLE DECISION: With the Museum of Flight just over the ridge, we’re watching to see what NASA announces at 10 am our time – will Seattle get a shuttle?

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Three decades of music, two award winners, one awesome hip hop & break dancers reunion May 13th
April 12, 2011 3:14 am
|    Comments Off on Three decades of music, two award winners, one awesome hip hop & break dancers reunion May 13th
 |   Announcements

West Seattle Youth Arts Charity Unified Outreach is sponsoring the 2011 “Seattle City Breaker’s Reunion” and 30 year anniversary celebration featuring the return of the 1980’s premier break dancer “Ziggy Zig Zag”. Three decades of break dancers will celebrate 30 years of hip hop in Seattle. Legendary Seattle DJ (1250 Kfox & KCMU Rap Attack) Nasty Nes Rodriguez is flying in from California to co-host the event; along with current KUBE DJ and Mayor’s Award winner B-Mello, and legendary recording artist and also Mayor’s Award winner DJ Mr. Supreme.

This special ALL AGES and FREE event takes place Friday night, May 13, 2011 from 6 – 9 pm at West Seattle Christian Church Performance Hall (4400 42nd Ave SW). Doors open at 6 pm. General information is available at the Facebook Event page here where you can RSVP and talk about the upcoming event.

Guests of honor will include original Seattle Break Dance Crews (established 1981-1984) Seattle City Breakers, Seattle Circuit Breakers, Twilight Patrol, DeRoxy Crew, Breaking Mechanism, and more; many of which competed in the 1984 “Summer Break” television program hosted by Steve Pool. Additional guests are expected from “America’s Best Dance Crew” contestants Massive Monkeys, and “Dance This” artists The Vicious Puppies. Highlight of the evening will be an appearance by legendary BBoy Ziggy Zig Zag who is returning to Seattle after 25 years.

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High Point Community Center Open House Featuring Pre-School and School-Age Programs April 14th
April 12, 2011 2:36 am
|    Comments Off on High Point Community Center Open House Featuring Pre-School and School-Age Programs April 14th
 |   Announcements

My name is Brandee Paisano and I am the School-Age Care Director at High Point Community Center. We are going to be having an Open House on April 14th for our Pre-School Program as well as our School-Age Program. I would love to get the word out and give more children the chance to enjoy our programs.

High Point Community Center presents their 2011-2012 Pre-School and School-Age Care Open House.  We will be offering information about our school year programs as well as summer day camps. Please come and join us for a tour of our program spaces and light refreshments.

April 14th, 2011 from 6:30 – 7:30 pm
High Point Community Center (6920 34th Ave SW), 6:30 – 7:30 pm.
Call 206-684-7422 if you have any questions.

Programs that will be featured are described in detail below:

Ages 3-5
Small Scholars Academy strives to foster the development of the young child through the attention to their social, intellectual, and physical needs, integrating these aspects of learning throughout the program. We offer all of the necessary components for a positive experience for your child in a safe and structured environment to explore socialize and share.
The Small Scholars program is open from 9:30 am – 1:00 pm Mon-Fri.
Activity Fee:    5 Days   $315
                        3 Days $230

Ages 3-5
The Preschool Summer Camp is an exciting summer offering for children ages 3-5. With 7 fun-filled weeks of themed activities and learning, your child will truly enjoy his/her summer. We will learn new songs and dance moves, create exciting art and cooking projects, experiment with science and nature, and intergrate some field trips throughout the summer! The Preschool Summer Camp is open from 9:30 am – 1:00 pm Mon-Fri.
Activity Fee:    per week $78

Ages 5-12
The School-Age Care Program allows children to play and learn through recreation activities such as arts and culture, environmental stewardship, health and fitness, academic support and much more. We assure quality and consistent care with skilled staff. The Before and After School Programs are open from 7:00 am-9:00 am and 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm, respectively.
Before School Fee: 5 Days $185                                 After School Fee:  5 Days $285
                              4 Days $167                                                              4 Days $257
                              3Days  $158                                                              3 Days $243

Ages 5-12
Our Day Camp Program is a wonderful summer extension of the school-year.
The atmosphere emphasizes community relationships, and also recognizes individual achievement, creativity and original thinking. Our well-trained and energetic staff works daily to offer enrichment activities in such areas arts and culture, environmental stewardship, health and fitness, field trips, swimming and more.
Activity Fee: per week $160 ($150 2nd child Discount)

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How to pay for college without going broke! Information night at Chief Sealth Int’l HS April 28th
April 12, 2011 1:59 am
|    Comments Off on How to pay for college without going broke! Information night at Chief Sealth Int’l HS April 28th
 |   Announcements

The Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) at Chief Sealth Internaitonal High School is doing its part to help students prepare for the next phase of their education. This information session should be quite helpful to those wanted to go on to college.

The Chief Sealth PTSA invites you to How to Pay for College without Going Broke! on Thursday, April 28th from 7:00 – 8:30 at Chief Sealth International High School, Room 222 or the library.  Our presenter, Paula Bishop is a CPA and Certified College Planning Specialist.  She will walk us through the ins and outs of paying for college. This is the second in a series of information nights for parents and students.  If you have specific questions you would like her to address please send them to Leslie Menstell in advance at lmenstell@hotmail.com.  
 
Questions such as

  • How can we afford public or private colleges?
  • How can we get scholarships?
  • How does the financial aid system work?
  • Do we qualify for financial aid?
  • How do colleges determine aid?
  • How do 529 plans and the GET program work?
  • We haven’t saved enough, what do we do?

—will be answered during this session.
 
We look forward to seeing you!
 
Leslie Menstell
Chief Sealth PTSA

CSHS is located at 2600 SW Thistle Street. Map and directions here 
About the Presenter, Paula Bishop, CPA, CCPSMs. Bishop is a Certified Public Accountant and a Certified College Planning Specialist. Her expertise is working with families to develop strategies to find the best college for their student at the lowest cost to the family. Paula has been a practicing CPA for the past 20 years which allows her to combine her tax knowledge with the complexities of the financial aid system. Paula frequently conducts seminars to high school groups, sports groups, PTAs and professional organizations to include CPAs, Financial Advisors and Attorneys on “The Secrets of Financial Aid for College”.

Paula holds a BS from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania and a MBA from the University of California at Berkeley. She is a member of the Washington Society of CPAs, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the National Society of Tax Professionals. Paula is the Past President of the American Society of Women Accountants in Bellevue, WA. Paula holds the designation of Certified College Planning Specialist (CCPS) and has received extensive training and continuing education in college financial planning. There are fewer than 500 CCPS professionals in the country who have earned this designation from the National Institute of Certified College Planners (NICCP).

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Preparedness Month, tenth report: Don’t go thirsty!
April 12, 2011 1:56 am
|    Comments Off on Preparedness Month, tenth report: Don’t go thirsty!
 |   Preparedness | West Seattle news

Just two hours before we started writing this, local seismographs recorded a microquake near Mount Rainier (see the info here). During this Disaster Preparedness Month 2011, we’re focusing on quakes – and this time around, we have a simple one-minute video courtesy of 3 Days 3 Ways (which is sponsoring WSB this month). Their “preparedness challenge” (which starts here) includes 3 short videos, each demonstrating one of the “three ways” you can start getting prepared. The most important, in terms of survivability, is the one in this video clip: Store enough water for yourself and your family/household to get through three days – the minimum amount of time you can expect to fend for yourself. Radio host Dave Ross and city preparedness guru Debbie Goetz break it down fairly simply. So stock up on water ASAP. Here’s the accompanying flyer (including a reminder to rotate it every six months). Then go take the rest of the challenge! … REGULAR REMINDERS: Know your Emergency Communications Hub … and if you don’t have one nearby, volunteer to help create one! … Plus, browse around the rest of the West Seattle Be Prepared website.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Police searching for robber
April 11, 2011 11:23 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

11:23 PM: Just got a text inquiring about this, so here’s what we know: Police are searching north of California/Charlestown after a man reported being robbed at gunpoint. He said it happened around California/Manning (map). There’s a K-9 team helping in the search. More as we get it.

11:54 PM: No word of an arrest so far. Initial description, according to WSB contributor Katie Meyer, was “white male, 30, 5’10, beard, mustache, red jacket, reached in waistband and pulled out gun.”

1:17 PM TUESDAY: Checked back with police. No arrest.

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Scenes from Zippy’s Giant Burgers’ pre-move week: ‘We’ll miss you’
April 11, 2011 9:34 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

(Photos by Deanie Schwarz for West Seattle Blog/White Center Now)
The signs are up at Zippy’s Giant Burgers, reminding customers that this is the final week at the original Highland Park location, before the move to bigger new digs in White Center. WSB contributor Deanie Schwarz checked in as the countdown began. Even the “Burger of the Month” seems appropriately named:

WSB contributor Deanie Schwarz asked Zippy’s proprietor Blaine Cook how many burgers Zippy’s has served since opening day on May 1, 2008. He thinks more than 180,000 — based on the number of buns they purchased. “If we were McDonald’s, we would have sold that (first) million faster than he did.”

William, taking a phone order, is one of Zippy’s 11 employees, and is looking forward to not bumping into the other employees in the much larger new space. He also mentioned wanting to check out the newly renovated Southgate Roller Rink two blocks to the west with his daughter and cousins after work. Deanie also talked to customers – and for this one, another mile and a half or so will be no big deal:

If you missed the stories in January and February – Zippy’s is moving because foreclosure clouded the future of its current building; the former owner closed his store next door, and the other business on the lot, JoJo’s Espresso, shut down too. As the signs say, this Saturday is the last day at the current location; then a mad rush to reopen by 4/25 at 9614 14th SW in WC.

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City Council finalizes $1 million for turf at Walt Hundley Playfield
April 11, 2011 8:06 pm
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   High Point | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Seven months after the High Point playfield was named in honor of the late Walt Hundley, the first African-American Seattle Parks Superintendent, something else new is officially on the way: Synthetic turf. As reported here back in December, the Parks and Green Spaces Levy Oversight Committee (currently chaired by West Seattleite Pete Spalding) decided to allot $1 million for the project. That allocation won final City Council approval this afternoon. We’ll be checking with Parks on the project timetable.

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Fundraiser tonight for Swinery owner Joey Brewer’s funeral costs
April 11, 2011 6:08 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Just out of the WSB inbox – news of a fundraiser tonight to help with funeral expenses for the owner of The Swinery, Joseph (Joey) Brewer, whose death we reported here Saturday night.

Tonight, Monday, April 11, 7:00 PM
U-District Pizza Mart
5026 University Way NE

Fundraiser for funeral arrangements as well as an opportunity to share condolences with friends and family who will be in attendance.

Other memorial plans are still being made. (added later) This also is mentioned on the Swinery website; meantime, Mr. Brewer’s “last extensive … interview” was published online today – destined for a magazine later this spring, but shared sooner online, in his memory. Read it here.

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Another West Seattle for Japan update: Potentially $17,000+!
April 11, 2011 5:52 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   How to help | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Earlier today, we published the story of Pathfinder K-8 “Penny Harvest” participants deciding to donate $500 to West Seattle for Japan after a visit from its organizer, Dave Montoure of West 5. We asked Dave if there was an update on the community fundraising total; he said an announcement was in the works – and here it is:

Today I have submitted a request to an anonymous corporate donor to match the $8,591.45 raised by our businesses and our community during the West Seattle for Japan donation drive on Sunday, March 27th. If they agree to the full match our total raised will be $17,182.90.

This is an astonishing amount of money to be raised in such a short period of time. It speaks volumes about the caring nature of our businesses and our community. I couldn¹t be more proud to call West Seattle home.

In addition to the funds raised and matched through our donation drive, I have worked with several other donors and wish to recognize the efforts of Nancy McManus of QuallyQue for her efforts during the “tweetup” raffle for Japan relief.

I wish to also recognize the effort of a great group of kids at Pathfinder K-8. Through their ‘Penny Harvest’ program they are donating $500 to the WS4J relief effort and I have secured at least one corporate donor that will match that generous amount ­ I am pretty sure I can leverage several other corporate donors to match what the Pathfinder children have donated with a goal of turning their pennies into dimes (or dollars). If you are aware of any potential donors, and would like me to approach them, please forward contact information to me directly.

Moving forward I will wait for the donor¹s response and when those funds are deposited I will split the proceeds 50/50 and have one check delivered to Peace Winds America (so they can remit to their office in Tokyo) and will have one check transferred to the account of KnK International’s bank in Tokyo. No agency fees have been taken, no credit card percentages have been charged, no bank fees will accrue. This is real money, getting directly into the hands of people who need it the most.

Thank you

Dave Montoure
West 5

If you missed the big day of fundraising on March 27th involving almost 30 businesses, here are links to WSB morning-till-night as-it-happened coverage: Morning report here; afternoon report here; evening report here.

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West Seattle businesses: Medical-marijuana facility for 35th/Roxbury
April 11, 2011 5:18 pm
|      77 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

A new tenant is finally on the way to the former Payday Loans space at 35th and Roxbury. WSB contributor Deanie Schwarz has just confirmed that a “medical-marijuana facility” is moving in. The business owner, John Davis, co-owner of Northwest Patient Resource Center, says it’s not a dispensary, it’s a “facility.” The impending move also has been confirmed by property owner Ken Kim. Davis tells WSB he’s hoping to open in about a month. This would be the third medical-marijuana business in West Seattle; two are opening shortly in White Center. Legislation to legalize and regulate medical-marijuana dispensaries just passed the State House today (it already had passed the Senate), with both of West Seattle’s State House Reps (Eileen Cody and Joe Fitzgibbon) voting yes.

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West Seattle parks: Myrtle Reservoir Park dedication set – April 30
April 11, 2011 2:56 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(Photo shared December 2010 by Andy Silber)
Just got the announcement from Seattle Parks – the dedication ceremony for Myrtle Reservoir Park is now set for 10:30 am Saturday, April 30th – that will be five months to the day since it actually opened to the public. From the official flyer:

• Enjoy great jazz music by Jacob Lakatua Quartet

• ‘Ooh and ahh’ as Capoeira Malês demonstrates an amazing acrobatic capoeira performance at 11:30. Spectators will have a chance to learn some of the basic movements and sequences of this exciting Afro-Brazilian art form that incorporates martial arts, dance and music together in a fun and accessible manner!

• Create at the arts and crafts table sponsored by the ARC Summer Day Camp program from High Point and Delridge Community Centers.

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Update: Car crashes into California Nails in The Junction, 1 hurt
April 11, 2011 2:23 pm
|      42 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS breaking news

(5:22 PM NOTE: Still no info from police on cause/cited-or-not)

2:23 PM: We’re on our way to the 4800 block of California SW, where a car has reportedly crashed into a shop – east side of California, south of Edmunds, south end of The Junction. More in a moment.

(Photo added 3:06 pm – by Katie Meyer for WSB)
2:34 PM UPDATE: On scene now. The shop is California Nails. The car is all the way into the shop – “embedded,” as our crew puts it. Photo added. California is closed at the scene, south of Edmunds, at the moment. At least one person is hurt, and is on a stretcher.

2:43 PM UPDATE: We’re now told at least two people were hurt – a man has already been taken to the hospital, and a woman is being treated at the scene. (Update: The male driver was NOT hurt.) Fire crews tell us the injuries are NOT major. The shop owners tell WSB the woman was a customer “getting a fill” when they all heard a noise, and in came the car. Traffic south of the crash scene is being diverted westbound on Hudson. (Here’s scene video from WSB’er Kristina.) TV crews have arrived (and if you heard a chopper, that was KIRO).

(Video substituted 4:13 pm for original towing-out still photo)
2:57 PM UPDATE: That’s the car, which is being towed out of the shop.

(Photo by Katie Meyer for WSB)
3:18 PM UPDATE: It’s out now. Traffic still being diverted as of a few minutes ago. We’re continuing to add photos and video – as you can see from the angle immediately above, the crash did NOT take out the entirety of the storefront. But they’re closed at least for the rest of the day. A worker in a neighboring business told us the crash sounded and felt like an earthquake.

3:57 PM UPDATE: That photo shows the inside of the nail shop after the car was pulled out. We checked with Seattle Fire’s media team, and Lt. Sue Stangl tells us there actually was only one injury – the customer who ran out after the crash was barefoot and suffered some cuts. SPD’s official report is not in yet, so we don’t have details on cause/cited-or-not. They do tell us the scene has been opened back up to “routine traffic.”

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West Seattle wildlife: City Light’s osprey-protection test
April 11, 2011 1:32 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Utilities | West Seattle news | Wildlife

(Photos courtesy Seattle City Light)
If you had seen the crew in action, you might have considered it to be just another power crew at work. But Seattle City Light‘s new Harbor Island installation is about protecting wildlife. The utility sent photos as well as a news release explaining

Seattle City Light is testing a new device built by a local osprey expert to see whether it can protect the growing population of osprey along the Lower Duwamish River by keeping them away from hazardous high voltage power lines.

“We’re trying to keep osprey happy and off our structures, so we can coexist,” City Light Wildlife Biologist Ron Tressler said.

But last August, an osprey started building a nest on a Harbor Island utility pole and it caught fire.

“The fear is that if they came back and tried to nest, we could end up killing a bird,” Tressler said.

To prevent that from happening, the utility turned to osprey expert Jim Kaiser, a consulting wildlife biologist who owns Osprey Solutions. Kaiser and Ed Schulz, a retired electrical engineer from Everett, built a nest deterrent system by modifying and updating a design originally conceived for transmission towers by Idaho Wildlife Biologist Van Daele in the 1980s, and offered it to City Light for testing.

Read More

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West Seattle for Japan: Pathfinder’s ‘Penny Harvest’ donation
April 11, 2011 12:57 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle for Japan: Pathfinder’s ‘Penny Harvest’ donation
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Two weeks after almost 30 local businesses joined together for the West Seattle for Japan fundraiser, we’re still getting word of more donations. WS4Japan organizer Dave Montoure of West 5 was invited to visit Pathfinder K-8 last week, as its students decided how to “spend” the $1,000 netted in their Penny Harvest efforts.

(Photo courtesy Amy Daly-Donovan and Jennifer Giomi)
Pathfinder’s volunteer Penny Harvest coaches Amy Daly-Donovan and Jennifer Giomi report:

Dave was very gracious, providing an overview of his experience and friendships in Japan and the tremendous generosity shown by the West Seattle community in raising money to support the citizens of Japan. He outlined the work of Peace Winds and KnK, and the Penny Harvest team was especially interested in the work of KnK as they focus their efforts on supporting children affected by these terrible natural disasters.

After meeting with Dave and holding telephone interviews with two other organizations, the Pathfinder K-8 Penny Harvest team decided to grant $500 to West Seattle for Japan (which is being generously matched by an anonymous corporate sponsor). The remainder will go to the Seattle Humane Society ($300) and Children’s Hospital Foundation ($200).

Other schools participate in Penny Harvest as well, which the Pathfinder team describes as “a fantastic philanthropy curriculum/program.” It’s explained online at pennyharvest.org.

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