West Seattle, Washington
02 Thursday
Southbound 35th SW was blocked for a while at Cloverdale late tonight because of the latest case of a moving vehicle hitting a parked vehicle. Like the crash we covered two weeks ago and two blocks away, no injuries reported this time around – the Fire Department wasn’t even summoned. But two patrol cars and electronic “flares” were being used to block off the scene till it could be cleaned up.
(Photos and video by WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Against a heartbreakingly beautiful sunset – half the sky and water shimmering pink, the other half under dark storm clouds – more than 75 people gathered as a tribute to murder victim Greggette Guy, and a declaration that they would not be frightened away from one of West Seattle’s most beautiful places.
Seattle Police detectives were there too, low-key, in plainclothes, talking to people away from the crowd, still seeking anyone who might have seen something a week ago tonight.
And then there was someone no one expected – interrupting the moment of silence after participants had walked the length of Emma Schmitz Memorial Overlook and back, identifying himself as Ms. Guy’s father Gregg Smith:
The safety concerns he voiced were top of mind for those who organized tonight’s walk and vigil on just hours’ notice, as well as those who came to join in:
Organizers circulated a sign-up sheet so that residents could find people to walk with in the days and weeks ahead, so no one would have to take a risk alone. Here’s what organizers, starting with nearby resident Judy Bentley, told participants; our video continues for 3 minutes as the walk begins:
Police have said they believe that Ms. Guy came to the Beach Drive shore a week ago for a walk, perhaps that same stretch of shore. Last Monday morning, a Beach Drive resident saw her body in the water near Harbor West Condos, the complex built in pilings over the water, and called 911. With boats and divers, public-safety crews brought it to shore (WSB coverage here); within hours, they described the death as “suspicious,” but it was not publicly declared a case of murder until last Thursday (WSB coverage here).
As evidenced by their presence tonight – and the flyers on every utility pole – police remain eager to hear anything you think might be relevant to the case. Here’s a closer look, if you haven’t seen the flyers in person:
Though not much has been said about Ms. Guy, 51, online research indicates she had been married for 30 years, with a 21-year-old daughter, and had long been employed by a South King County aviation-industry firm as a credit manager.
Two of the events we covered on Saturday had a fortuitous meeting of the minds afterward .. thanks to Martha for the followup photo and report:
After its book sale yesterday, Sanislo Elementary generously donated its leftover books to the West Seattle Rotary Club’s “Books for the World” book drive. Photo is of Sanislo and Rotary volunteers. Both the sale and the book drive were successful thanks to the help of all the donors, shoppers, and volunteers (and WSB coverage)!
Martha Sidlo
West Seattle Rotary
If you haven’t caught up with yesterday – our report on the Rotary book drive was here, and the Sanislo sale here.
(Photo by Bruno Cross)
West Seattle had a big presence in the downtown St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday. Denny International Middle School principal Jeff Clark forwarded the photo and reports:
I am pleased to share that the Denny International Middle School marching band did a terrific job marching in the St. Patrick’s Day parade on Saturday. The crowd was very enthusiastic and supportive of our kids—it was great and we are proud of them!
Adjoining Chief Sealth International High School‘s band participated too, and can be seen in two photos in the Seattle Times (WSB partner) photo gallery, which features one more West Seattleite – Seafair Clown “Officer Lumpy,” aka Chris Henggeler.
Last day for Girl Scout Cookie sales in West Seattle (and environs)! Ava and Sophie were at the Junction QFC earlier, photographed by Kristiana from WEdesign (WSB sponsor). Meantime, free face-painting just wrapped up as part of the Luna Park Café 23rd-anniversary celebration, and Frank shared this photo:
(Thanks for the photos! Here’s how to share yours, any time.)
(WSB photo from 2011 Basketball/Life Skills Camp @ Sealth)
Summer vacation is three months away – but those months will go fast, and families are making plans now (if they haven’t already!). So in that spirit, we’re sharing information today about the start of registration for the popular Sealth Basketball and Life Skills Camp. From Chief Sealth International High School‘s head basketball coach Colin Slingsby:
We are excited to host our 15th 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 300 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 9am-4pm each day, and each camper will receive and camp t-shirt and Camper Handbook which will include hand-outs and topics from our Life Skills classroom sessions. Brochure with further information and registration forms are available on the Chief Sealth International High School website (here’s the link). Contact Coach Colin Slingsby at caslingsby@seattleschools.org with any questions about the program.
(March 2011 WSB photo)
It happens four times a year and it wouldn’t be the same without NASA Solar System Ambassador Alice Enevoldsen … an equinox/solstice sunset watch. The spring equinox is late tomorrow night, so Alice is inviting everyone to watch tomorrow’s sunset at Solstice Park (uphill from the tennis courts at Fauntleroy/Webster; here’s a map):
It’s time for the 12th seasonal sunset watch (We’re at 3 years of these, folks)!!
When: March 19, 2011 at 7:05 pm (so come at 6:45 pm)
Actual sunset is supposed to be at 7:22, but at the summer solstice we noticed that the Sun set about 10 minutes earlier than the USNO says it does, so I’ve moved the time of our sunset watch up so we don’t miss it. I added another 5 minutes for the tall trees of Lincoln Park blocking our view. In Autumn the timing seemed to line up correctly – what will it do this time?
Where: Solstice Park – all the way up the hill from the tennis courts (or, if you’re not in Seattle, wherever you have a view of the western horizon!)
Who: Everyone welcome, as usual.
Come watch the spring equinox sunset at Solstice Park in West Seattle on Monday the 19th. We’ll see if the sunset lines up with the placed marker (it did for summer, but we weren’t sure in autumn or winter). I’ll be there even if it is cloudy because sometimes the Sun peeks through just as it begins to set, but if it is driving rain or sleet I’m staying home with some hot tea!
If you’re interested – here’s the timing of various celestial events from Seattle, courtesy of the U.S. Naval Observatory Astronomical Applications Department:
Three days after police announced that 51-year-old Greggette Guy had been murdered (WSB coverage here), likely hours before her body was discovered in the water off north Beach Drive, neighbors are planning a vigil and walk. Just received from Judy Bentley:
Neighbors of Emma Schmitz Park and Me-Kwa-Mooks Park will gather at 7 p.m. tonight, Sunday, March 18, for a walk and vigil to remember Greggette Guy and to claim the park as a safe public space. Please join us at the north end of the park, on the waterfront side of Beach Drive at 7 p.m. Bring flashlights and candles although it will still be light at the beginning of the walk. We’ll walk the length of the park together. We’ll anyone who needs company walking home. Please join us.
We have been following up with police, but so far they have no new information to report, and continue to request any and all tips that might help them solve the mystery of who killed Ms. Guy, who is believed to have come to the area for a waterfront walk last Sunday evening. On Thursday, they published this photo of her car, found Monday at Emma Schmitz Overlook:
That’s close to where the vigil/walk will start tonight (here’s a map). In a report published Saturday, Beach Drive Blog shows why there have long been concerns in the area.
(Photos by WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand)
A sad procession on Alki less than an hour ago – but one that might ultimately yield some knowledge for the future: A dead harbor porpoise was taken away by biologist Dyanna Lambourn from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Marine Mammal Investigations unit and biologist/stranding coordinator Jessie Huggins from Cascadia Research Collective. Also on hand at the beach this morning, Seal Sitters first responder Robin Lindsey, who got word of the porpoise’s death at mid-afternoon Saturday (the organization is part of a stranding network for all marine mammals, not just seals), and Seal Sitters volunteers David and Eilene Hutchinson. So far we know the porpoise was an adult female, but the cause of her death was not obvious and will require further investigation.
As the biologists (in the photo with camera-wielding Robin) explained to curious passersby, harbor porpoises are not rare and not endangered (read more about them here), but the biologists say they seldom wash up like this – most often, they die at sea and “just disappear.” On the Seal Sitters’ “blubberblog” site, Robin tells the story of the elaborate operation carried out last night to secure the porpoise until it could be picked up this morning; as she writes, it died further east along the Alki shore, and was moved to the spot where we photographed her and the biologists this morning (near the 53rd Avenue Pump Station section of beach). The porpoise is now being taken to a facility in the South Sound.
3:47 PM UPDATE: Robin has updated her report, but the necropsy results aren’t in yet – look for another update (there and here) when they are.
11:03 PM UPDATE: Robin at Seal Sitters has updated her report again with those results. Biologists say the porpoise had a serious lung infection. Full details added at the bottom of her story.
At left, the first trillium photographer Karen (“Old Desolate” on Flickr) has seen this year, photographed at North Delridge’s Greg Davis Park and shared via the WSB Flickr group pool. Now, the calendar highlights for today:
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, 44th and Alaska as always.
GUIDED BIRD WALK: Deborah Dowd leads a free, guided bird walk at Alki, leaving from the Alki Bathhouse and walking around to Richey Viewpoint. Meet at 11 am. All levels of interest invited; sponsored by Seattle Audubon Society. Full details here.
‘FLASH SALE’ AT CLICK! From longtime WSB sponsor Click! Design That Fits in The Junction: One-day “flash” sale at Click!: 15% off everything in the store (except consigned artwork). Open 11 am – 5 pm.
WORK PARTY AT SEATTLE CHINESE GARDEN: From the announcement: “Calling all garden enthusiasts! Please join us for a work party from 12 to 2 pm at the Seattle Chinese Garden. We will be weeding, cleaning up and getting the Garden ready for spring! Bring gloves, hand tools and something to keep you hydrated! For questions/information, e-mail Amy Converse at gardenmanager@seattlechinesegarden.org or call 206-934-5219. (The garden’s on the north end of the South Seattle Community College campus, 6000 16th SW.)
WEST SEATTLE HI-YU SPRING TEA/AUCTION: At The Hall at Fauntleroy, 2 pm, including the coronation of this year’s Senior Court Queen, Kayli Schulz.
LOCAL COMPOSERS’ WORK AT BENAROYA: At 2 pm today, works by two West Seattle composers — Eric Goetz and Tim Huling — will be performed live at a world-premiere concert at Benaroya Hall, “Symphonic Stories,” conducted by Grammy award winner David Sabee. From the original announcement: “Goetz’s musical story focuses on the Dragonriders of Pern, a science fiction series by author Anne McCaffrey that he grew up reading, while Huling’s composition is a tone poem about the four seasons as told through the Greek myth of Demeter, Goddess of the Harvest, and her daughter Persephone.” More info, including a ticket link, here.
INTERESTED IN GREENWAYS? Next West Seattle Greenways meeting, 3 pm at Pearls Coffee and Tea on Delridge. More info here.
LUNA PARK CAFE ANNIVERSARY: Free face-painting for kids on the café’s 23rd anniversary, 3-6 pm. Here’s a preview.
LIVE MUSIC AND ART AT ALKI ARTS: Alki Arts presents Roy Kauffman‘s photography, while he plays acoustic music. Full details on the Facebook event page. 6-9 pm, 2820 Alki SW.
DEADLINE FOR NAMING THE NEXT WEST SEATTLE/WHITE CENTER CHARITY BEER: Here’s the original story. E-mail entries to feedbacklounge@gmail.com. Full rules etc. can be seen here.
Family and friends will gather Tuesday to remember longtime West Seattleite John W. Nitkey. From his son Larry:
At the age of 91 on March 15, 2012, surrounded with the love and care of his family, John peacefully passed away.
He was born in Wallace, ID in 1921 and raised on a farm in Harrison, ID. His family lived in a log cabin his father built from trees felled on the farm. John was graduated from Gonzaga University with a degree in Business and Accounting. It was in Spokane where John met the love of his life, Frances Fagan, a nursing student from Sacred Heart (Spokane). After John’s graduation, he and Frances were married, and shortly thereafter in 1943 he shipped off to Army Basic Training in service to his country. He qualified as a Marksman with the M-1 rifle and received the American Theater Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Victory Medal, and European African Middle Eastern Service Medal. After WW II ended, John was stationed at Fort Lewis. He was honorably discharged from the Army in 1946. He and his young bride then decided to make their home on Alki Avenue in West Seattle.
After being honorably discharged from the Army, John began work for a nationally recognized accounting firm, but soon opened his own accounting office in White Center above the Roller Rink. It was through that business that he met his lifelong friend, mentor, and fellow Holy Family (Seattle) parishioner AJ, a real estate developer. John first did accounting work for AJ and then entered the building business himself. A recent card from AJ touched on their 60-year-long and devoted deep friendship for each other by stating, “the teacher learned from the student.”
By Keri DeTore
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
The journey into homelessness is one that most of us can’t imagine taking. Insecurity, no basic services, no resources, no food, no promises — homelessness is comprised of a laundry list of what there isn’t enough of.
West Seattleites have become even more acutely aware of this since the homeless encampment that calls itself Nickelsville moved back to this area. Through West Seattleites working with Nickelsville – including many volunteers who know each other through the WSB Forums – this group of homeless individuals now has faces and names; they are our neighbors.
One person who has been living at Nickelsville has been our neighbor for years, even before he moved into the encampment. Mike Stahl has been a West Seattle resident his entire life: many locals know him from his work as a cashier at McLendon Hardware and from his WSB comments and Forum posts using the screen name “miws.”
Mike was a Morgan Junction resident until May of 2011, when he became a Nickelsville resident. WSB readers have been following Mike’s journey into homelessness beginning with Mike’s move into Nickelsville, chronicled in a story here last May.
Now, we’re re-visiting Mike to get more of his story, and to share his progress through this phase of his life – with help from friends, and more on the way.
One more photo from this morning’s snow – Mike Gerber shares what he describes as “a photo of snow falling on the last remains of the oldest fruit orchard in Seattle. The building in the foreground is the original farmhouse, built in the 1880s, and stands as a reminder of the thousands of Eastern European immigrants that tended these vast orchards that once stretched from Pigeon Point all the way past Burien.
The site is on Puget Ridge, as described on a website Mike has for a house he’s selling nearby.
It’s a West Seattle kind of weekend for Miss Seafair 2011, Veronica Quintero. This morning, we photographed her at West Seattle Bowl with (from left) Paul Davis, Bruce Bentley, and Kathryn Bohot, during the Seattle Seafair Commodores‘ 20th annual Bowl-a-Thon. Tomorrow, she will crown the new West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival Senior Court Queen, Kayli Schulz, during the Hi-Yu Spring Tea and Auction 2-4:30 pm at The Hall at Fauntleroy. Hi-Yu president James Kline notes: “We are planning a great event … catered by Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes. With over 150 items to choose from, auction items range from manicures to a Mexican condo vacation. It will be the perfect opportunity for you and your friends and daughters to enjoy the spectacle of a royal event.” To see if tickets are still available, e-mail info@westseattlehiyu.com.
Four West Seattle Crime Watch notes today – burglars spotted by a neighbor, a possible case of casing, a stolen car that’s been found, and the latest Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention advice (focused on burglary trends and prevention). Read on:Read More
The Community Orchard of West Seattle continues to grow – in more ways than one – on the northeast side of the South Seattle Community College campus (6000 16th SW). And SSCC’s horticulture zone is where you’ll find the COWS seed sale till 3 pm today – with more than seeds:
Strawberry and chive plants were on sale too, just $1 each. Look for the canopy and the signs leading you into one of the Landscaping/Horticulture buildings, where you’ll find the sale, just north of the north parking lot. For a closer look at the orchard site itself, they’re offering Health and Harvest Tours every Tuesday afternoon, 2-4 pm.
That’s barely the half of it – literally – at the Sanislo Elementary book sale and bake sale, happening till 2 pm at 1812 SW Myrtle, raising money for the 4th graders’ annual overnight camping trip. Hardbacks and paperbacks for kids and adults – we even found some vintage-1940s hardbacks about topics including American history and the news business. Browse the hallway, and don’t miss the bake sale:
Before our whirlwind visit ended, we also got a pitch for a special drawing they’re having – $5/ticket for a homemade New Mexican dinner for six, delivered to your home. Never been to Sanislo? Lovely forested campus, and don’t miss the portrait of its namesake inside the entrance.
Just look for the truck in the 40th/Alaska parking lot – and the banner! Volunteers from the Rotary Club of West Seattle has been out in the morning’s mercurial weather (still slushing when we stopped for our photo), collecting Books for the World. Here are details of what they’re collecting, in our preview from earlier this week. They’re scheduled to be there till 1:30 pm.
We were greeted by a Lincoln Park P-Patch volunteer who sighed, “I’m afraid we picked the wrong weekend.” But suddenly – the snow has stopped, and the sky is brightening. Go celebrate daffodils, admire the P-Patch, drop off a food donation, just uphill from the Lincoln Park tennis courts (the ones right on Fauntleroy Way SW across from the gas station, and next to the newly accessorized RapidRide stop). Till 1 pm.
(Added 9:58 am, our snow-shower clip with a different background for once …)
A few highlights, just as a snow shower hits (not SUPPOSED to last long …):
BOWL-A-THON: Seattle Seafair Commodores’ 20th Annual Bowl-A-Thon, 9:30 am-11:30 am, West Seattle Bowl (Facebook event here)
LINCOLN PARK P-PATCH DAFFODIL FESTIVAL/FOOD DRIVE: 10 am-1 pm, at the P-Patch just past the Solstice Park tennis courts, daffodils for sale, food donations being collected, more – full details here.
SANISLO BOOK SALE: At Sanislo Elementary – Annual book sale to benefit our 4th grade overnight camp trip.Very low prices 50 cents- $2. Cash and check only, 10 am-2 pm, 1812 SW Myrtle.
RECESS MONKEY AT HIGH POINT: Recess Monkey performs for Fabulous Family Fun series at High Point Community Center, 10:30 am (see winter brochure)
BOOKS FOR THE WORLD DONATION COLLECTION: 11 am-1:30 pm, the Rotary Club of West Seattle‘s book-collection drive, at 40th/Alaska. Full details here.
SEED SALE: The Community Orchard of West Seattle Vegetable Seed Sale is at South Seattle Community College, 6000 16th Ave SW, LHO Building-Rm.2, 11 am-3 pm:
Large variety of Small Seed packets.
Perfect size for the urban gardener!
All seeds are organic or sustainably grown. $1.00 / packet.
We also have ever bearing strawberry plants. $1.00 ea in pots.
We will have experienced gardeners on hand to answer your gardening questions.
Free Seed Exchange!! Bring your out- of- date seeds to share with others and take home some free seeds!
OCCUPY WEST SEATTLE: General Assembly at 3 pm at Alki UCC.
LAFAYETTE AUCTION: Lafayette Elementary “Raisin’ the Green” auction, The Hall at Fauntleroy, 5:30 pm (full details here).
WSUU FUNDRAISING DINNER: The annual fund-raising gala for the Partner Church Ministry of West Seattle’s Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation and Bellevue’s East Shore Unitarian Church starts at 6 pm at WSUU, 7141 California SW, Seattle. A four-course traditional Hungarian dinner will be served, and we’ll enjoy entertainment from the brightly costumed Kisbetyárok Family Dancers, a local group sponsored by the Hungarian American Association of Washington. Proceeds benefit the groups’ partner villages in Romania and India. Check to see if reservations are still available – call Barbara at 206-330-7358.
TERESA TUDURY PERFORMS: At Kenyon Hall, at 7:30 – Teresa Tudury. From the Hall: “Our favorite comedy singer/songwriter returns to the hall for another evening of songs and stories. She’s sultry, sexy, and very funny. Press reviews liken her to Bette Midler, Bonnie Raitt, Tracey Ullman, Sophie Tucker, and Willie Nelson!”
ST. PATRICK’S DAY: Special menu items at West 5 in The Junction, detailed here … Special dinner at Senior Center of West Seattle … Special St. Patrick’s Day menu offerings at Luna Park Café …
Again this year, “Scouting for Food” might bring Boy Scouts to your neighborhood the next two Saturdays. We got the alert from Troop 282; they are dropping off door tags this morning till about 10:30 am, and then will return 9 am-1:30 pm a week from today (March 24) to collect what you donate for the West Seattle Food Bank. If you would like to donate and don’t get a visit, call 206-890-2237.
One week from Sunday, family and friends will gather at the West Seattle Eagles‘ aerie to remember a longtime member, Geraldine “Pat” Haddenham. Her family shares this remembrance:
Geraldine Patricia Haddenham (81) passed away peacefully February 27, 2012, at the Washington Veterans Home in Retsil. Pat was born in Seattle on November 20, 1930, to Laura (Evans) and Walter Everts. She grew up in West Seattle, and stayed in West Seattle until 1990, when she moved to Bremerton.
She married Edward Haddenham on November 8, 1951. She was preceded in death by her daughter Penny and her stepson Larry, her parents, sisters Mary and Jessi, and brothers Walter and George. Pat loved to play bingo and loved to “WIN,” and hated to lose! Pat belonged to West Seattle Eagles for over 40 years. She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Edward; children Linda (Lester) Dent, Terry (Susie) Haddenham, Ray (Barbara) Haddenham, Wayne (Tina) Haddenham, Lyle (Kay) Haddenham, Cathy Haddenham; ten grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; and her sister Adele (Everts) Taylor.
A memorial will be held at the West Seattle Eagles, March 25th at 2 pm, with a private internment at Forest Lawn Cemetery in West Seattle. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the charity of your choice.
(WSB publishes obituaries at no charge; send text and photo to editor@westseattleblog.com)
Staci at Luna Park Café shared the photo of their sign – which is up in advance of the restaurant’s 23rd anniversary this Sunday (March 18th). She says they’re celebrating by offering kids free face-painting from 3-6 pm that day (Sunday). The café’s history – including a photo of what the building held, long ago – is on this page of the LPC website. Staci also mentioned they’re also celebrating St. Patrick’s Day tomorrow (Saturday) with a corned-beef-and-cabbage special and green beers. (We’ve received word of a few other St. P’s day specials we’ll be offering, and they’ll be in the Saturday daily preview – e-mail us yours if you haven’t already!)
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