West Seattle, Washington
07 Tuesday
You have another hour to get over to Admiral’s Umpqua Bank (WSB sponsor) branch to see if Arnold (above) and Brinkley (below) have found forever homes yet.
They are two of the dogs Saving Great Animals brought to today’s adopt-a-thon, continuing at Umpqua till about 1:30 pm. The branch is on California SW immediately north of Admiral Safeway.
Once they were shiny, new, cause for excitement in somebody’s home … right now, TVs, computer monitors, and other no-longer-wanted/needed/operable electronics are filling a truck at the West Seattle Junction Association-presented recycling/shredding event happening right now. It’s free, as is the shredding service also being offered:
You have about an hour to get to the lot in the 4500 block of 42nd SW (between Oregon and Alaska).
A day or so after we showed you the plastering operation that was the final stage of major renovation work at Colman Pool, local photographer/pilot Long Bach Nguyen shared that image of the pool partly filled. It’s since been completed – fully filled, too! – and reopens today, which is just one of the highlights from the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar:
REMEMBER – SOUTHBOUND VIADUCT/99 IS CLOSED … and scheduled to remain that way till 9 am Sunday.
EX-WEST SEATTLEITE ASTRONAUT PILOTS SUPER GUPPY TO MoF: Today is the day the not-far-from-West-Seattle Museum of Flight celebrates the arrival of the crew cabin from the space-shuttle trainer it’ll house in a permanent exhibit. As reported here 2 weeks ago, it’s arriving in a Super Guppy cargo plane piloted by astronaut Greg Johnson, a West Seattle High School alum. The whole day’s schedule, starting at 9:30 am, is on this page of the MoF website.
FREE ELECTRONICS RECYCLING & SHREDDING: The West Seattle Junction Association-presented event is happening 10 am-1 pm today in The Junction’s parking lot along 42nd SW between Alaska and Oregon. More details here.
PET ADOPTION EVENT: Room in your heart and home for a new friend? Go to Umpqua Bank (WSB sponsor) in Admiral (just north of Admiral Safeway) 10 am-1:30 pm today. Details here.
EXPLORE RIVERSIDE: Southwest Seattle Historical Society walking tour, with Judy Bentley and Frank Zuvela, 10 am-noon, learning about the fishing community founded near the mouth of the Duwamish River. Details here.
‘INVENTORY BLOWOUT’ PLANT SALE AT SSCC: 11 am-3 pm at Puget Ridge Garden Center on the north side of the campus (6000 16th SW), 30 percent off all plants.
COLMAN POOL REOPENS: Noon today is the first session of 2012 for the outdoor pool at Lincoln Park, which has undergone major renovations – new plaster, mostly new deck, new piping and electrical work and boiler and more – in recent months. Here’s its webpage, including a schedule link. (And here’s our most recent story about the renovations.)
K-5 STEM PLAYDATE: Families enrolled in or interested in West Seattle’s new public school are invited to a playdate at the south Lincoln Park playground, 2-3 pm today (details here).
WEST SIDE MUSIC ACADEMY BANDS @ SKYLARK: Thanks to the tipster who let us know that West Side Music Academy‘s rock bands – Rhythm Jam, Beginning Rock Band and Beginning Girl Band – will be performing at 4 pm at Skylark Café and Club (3803 Delridge Way SW). Free, all ages.
DUWAMISH TRIBAL SERVICES’ GALA DINNER/AUCTION: Tonight at the Duwamish Longhouse (4705 W. Marginal Way SW), 4:30-8 pm, it’s the benefit gala – details here.
GRAND OPENING PARTY: Cycle U (3418 Harbor SW) is throwing a grand-opening party at 6 pm in honor of its recent move.
LIVE MUSIC TONIGHT: The Twitch plays “unplugged rock” at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 6-8 pm … Acoustic blues at Kenyon Hall, Orville Johnson with Grant Dermody and John Miller, 7:30 pm … Disco Cowboys, John Hammock and the Rooster Run Band at Skylark, 9 pm … West Side Sally at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), 9 pm … The Badlands, Local Dudes at The Benbow Room, 9 pm.
Way outside West Seattle, but of local note:
EMERALD DOWNS CELEBRATES ‘WEST SEATTLE BOY’: The 21-race-winning 13-year-old named West Seattle Boy is retiring at the South King County track, and special events galore are planned today – detailed here.
Laurie in Admiral is still remodeling, and still turning up pages from copies of The West Seattle Press, circa 1917, the year her house was built. This time it’s from a December edition. Above, a crime; below, a crash:
And a hero:
Plus, of course, ads:
The blacksmith’s address compares to the north side of Talarico’s; the shoe-repair shop, right around Admiral Safeway; Ida the real-estate lady, the north side of the Rite-Aid lot. Thanks, Laurie! (We have a few more clippings in reserve for sometime during the holiday week ahead.)
P.S. If you missed previous stories with some of her finds – see them here and here.
There’s still time to get down to the basement – or wherever – tonight, and round up your no-longer-needed electronics for tomorrow’s free recycling event in The Junction. Free shredding, too. 10 am-1 pm in the parking lot behind the east side of the 4500 block of California SW – access via 42nd SW between Oregon and Alaska. (The event flyer’s here.)
Proof all those otter sightings aren’t the same one! Kim O’Donnel shared that shot from west Alki this afternoon. Thanks to her and others who have shared photos/video, we’ve seen Alki’s river otters – previously, one at a time – in a variety of utterly photogenic activities, such as rolling on the sand (May 14), catching a bite of lunch (June 17), the sidewalk otter (June 17), and the condo otter just yesterday. And now – a trio. Please be careful when driving along Alki and other near-the-water roads (Beach Drive, even Fauntleroy in the Lincoln Park/ferry terminal area) – there just might be one crossing ahead of you.
While it’s shortened in most headlines to “plastic-bag ban,” remember that the other half of the city law taking effect Sunday is “paper-bag fee” – stores that offer paper shopping bags are required to charge at least a nickel for each one. That is not a “tax” – it’s a fee that is kept by the store (which of course pays to buy the bags in the first place) – but it will generate some tax revenue, since it’s counted as a taxable sale. Here is the city’s official informational page about the changes, if you’re still not clear on what’s happening. And here are a few interesting points as Sunday approaches:
*Canvas totes and cloth bags are not your only “reusable” options.
At Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor), for example, you can also buy what MM calls a “wave bag” – 20 cents each – made of thicker plastic that is not subject to the city ban.
*A different type of reusable shopping bag was brought to our attention earlier this month when we published a “two weeks away” story. West Seattle-based Luke Decker Consulting says they helped design the “Mercado,” which could help you reduce the usage of smaller plastic bags too:
The ultimate farmer’s market bag, with pockets to protect delicate fruits and veggies, loops to hold bottles in place, and compartments to keep everything organized. A wide adjustable strap lets you choose the right length for carrying, so that you’re as comfortable as your produce!
You can see it and buy it, online only.
*Seattle Safeway stores will give away 2,000 reusable bags at each store on Sunday (or until supplies run out – but not before Sunday). The city donated 1,000; the company is supposed to be providing at least another thousand per store. Note that, in our area, that affects only the Admiral and Jefferson Square Safeway stores; Roxbury Safeway is outside the city limits, so not affected by the plastic-bag ban/paper-bag fee.
We’re welcoming a new WSB sponsor today – and here’s what he’d like you to know:
Tim Cashman, Highly Qualified Instructor, giving lessons in West Seattle since 1986.
My Service
I offer private or small-group guitar lessons, from beginning to advanced level, all ages. Styles include Classical, Rock/Pop, Jazz, Blues, and Flamenco. Students learn the songs they wish to play. Electric bass and Drum lessons also available.
Instruction is tailored to the individual and may include: technique, repertoire, chord vocabulary, scales/improvising, music theory, note reading, and composing or song writing. Students may also play with a band in our big rehearsal room. Students have the opportunity to perform in public; performances have included a benefit and student performance at Youngstown, the Fauntleroy Fall Festival, the Holy Rosary Talent Show, and the West Seattle Art Walk at Windermere of West Seattle.
Other important information
*Parents are welcome to sit in on lessons. References are available on request.
*I also have low cost rental instruments available.
*Feel free to call and discuss lessons and rates. Tim: 206-225-0212, or e-mail timpcashman@gmail.com.
We thank West Seattle music instructor Tim Cashman for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.
Yet another business losing its current location because of the upcoming Equity Residential two-building development in The Junction (California/Alaska/42nd) has announced what it’s doing next: AAA is moving to a new location in Jefferson Square. Spokesperson Jennifer Cook tells WSB they’ve just signed a lease for the former AT&T storefront in the eastern row of businesses facing the inner parking lot. No exact date yet, but probably sometime in August. “We are working diligently so that there is no overlap between when we vacate the current location and open in Jefferson Square, but it’s difficult to determine if this will be accomplished.” Cook also says this is a “permanent move” – they’ve signed a long-term lease.
To recap and update, here’s what other businesses have done/will do, west to east on the development site (most of the links go to previous WSB coverage of the moves/closures):
*Classic Barber Shop moved a few blocks south in January, to the former Alki Style and Barber Shop
*Sound Advice moved in February – one block north on California SW to a storefront on the ground floor of the Senior Center building
*Super Supplements is moving from California/Alaska to the former Blockbuster site (6451 Fauntleroy Way SW) in Morgan Junction, as first reported here in January; SS says it will open at the new location on July 14th (after closing in The Junction on 7/7)
*Rocksport is closing, with its last day on the last day of West Seattle Summer Fest, July 15 (here’s our story from last month)
*The city’s Neighborhood Service Center closed one year ago and was not replaced (West Seattle now has one, which recently moved from Delridge/Brandon to the former Southwest Community Center at 2801 SW Thistle)
*The Beer Junction moved three months ago to 4511 California SW, adding new features including a sitdown bar
*Limber Yoga and SIMA Martial Arts, which had been co-housed on the 42nd SW side (where Young at Art is now), have separate new locations – Limber at 6019 California SW and SIMA at 4159 Fauntleroy.
As for the big question – when will demolition/construction begin? – we have been trying to reach Equity for an update, but our calls and e-mails have not yet been answered. In January, a corporate spokesperson in Chicago told WSB they planned to start construction before year’s end. The project already had its land-use permit before they bought the site from Conner Homes earlier this year; this month, there’s been construction-permit activity in the city permit files. (Photo courtesy Desiree)
One more reminder if you haven’t already seen it on our “This Week’s Closures” list: The southbound Alaskan Way Viaduct/99 stretch between the Battery Street Tunnel and the West Seattle Bridge is scheduled to close at 11 pm tonight and remain closed ALL DAY AND ALL NIGHT SATURDAY, reopening by 9 am Sunday. WSDOT is continuing to work on reinforcing the section of The Viaduct that’s right over where the tunnel will be bored.
West Seattle photographer Machel Spence shares the photo from Lincoln Park – a bird (ID, anyone?) that had just caught a flicker (which, Machel says, it’s standing on). Might be a good day to visit a park, as the calendar is quieting down with the holiday approaching. (Or walk through on your way to Colman Pool when it opens tomorrow!) A few highlights for today/tonight:
SID LAW AT C & P: The coffeehouse announces tonight’s musical guest: “One of our favorites … Sid Law from 6-8 pm at C & P Coffee. Covering a century of music from the 1920’s to the present, Sid Law has taken the art of the one man band off the streets and into a wide variety of venues. Equally at home in any style, Sid sparkles with beautiful original arrangements from the Great American Songbook, country, or rock and pop, as well as enchanting audiences with improvised soundscaping flourishes.” Check out this YouTube clip.
ROLLER SKATING AT ALKI COMMUNITY CENTER: The Friday night skates are back and you’re invited tonight, 6:45-8:45 pm, details here, including a map to the center if somehow you’ve never been!
LIVE MUSIC AT SKYLARK: Four acts on the calendar tonight – Friday Night Gumbo, Cassie Correlle, Quinn Deveaux, Dillon Warnek. 8 pm (3803 Delridge Way SW).
LIVE MUSIC AT FEEDBACK LOUNGE: Flat 5 is at The Feedback (WSB sponsor) tonight, described on the FL website: “If you missed ’em last time, this is your chance to catch THE FLAT 5 and their funked-up R&B grooves as they return to The Feedback Lounge by popular demand. We dare you not to shake that which needs shaking.” 9 pm (6451 California SW)
LIVE MUSIC AT THE BENBOW ROOM: Intisaar, Sweetlix, per the Heartland Café calendar, 9 pm. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
Oh, and then there’s the downtown thing you’ve been hearing a lot about:
SEATTLE GREAT WHEEL: Thanks to West Seattle-based Craig Harrold Photography for sharing the photo. It opens today. Craig says West Seattle architect Robin Murphy worked on some of the adjacent structures, so check ’em out while you’re there. Official SGW website here. If you take a ride, let us know – and on the first sunny day, we’d love to see a photo of West Seattle from 175 feet up!
We’re putting together the annual West Seattle 4th of July page today so we can link it from the tab line atop WSB pages through the holiday – so we wanted to issue an open call: If your business/group/etc. has anything special (and open to the public) planned for the holiday … different hours, a sale, an event, going to be closed, whatever … please let us know so it can be part of the page. editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!
(WSB photo of Ladder 13 and crew at scene of recent South Park fire)
The extra fire truck added to West Seattle in February of last year will be gone after this Sunday. So say multiple sources who called and e-mailed to tell us that Ladder 13, based at Highland Park’s Station 11, will be taken out of service as of Monday morning, leaving Engine 11 alone at the station.
Ladder 13’s primary purpose, as explained when it first arrived, was to make sure West Seattle would be adequately covered despite the fact Spokane Street Viaduct Widening Project work complicated WS Bridge access for the emergency units that come from the other side of the bay when there’s a major incident. Now, the new 1st Avenue South onramp is available for emergency vehicles – per a newly installed sign on the westbound SSV. (However, last year it was also explained that Ladder 13 would help cover South Park, which won’t have fast access from crews east of the Duwamish till the new SP Bridge opens more than a year from now.)
The eventual end of Ladder 13 – commissioned just for this task, not a pre-existing truck number moved from elsewhere – was mentioned here back in February, when it was a topic of conversation during our stop at Station 11 on Neighbor Appreciation Day. The fire station is supposed to get a seismic/safety upgrade soon – as explained here – and we were told in February that would happen after Ladder 13’s departure. The timetable is one of the things we’re asking SFD about for a followup, but in the meantime, if you see Ladder 13’s crew out and about in the next few days, you might consider taking the opportunity to say thanks for their West Seattle/South Park service.
ADDED FRIDAY AFTERNOON: We had asked SFD some followup questions. Spokesperson Kyle Moore notes that West Seattle’s “permanent ladder truck,” Ladder 11, will continue to be based at Station 32 in The Triangle, staffed by a four-person crew. Regarding South Park, he says:
South Park is served by Fire Station 26 located at 800 South Cloverdale Street. The station is staffed 24 hours a day with four firefighters and a fire engine.
The loss off Ladder 13 will have a nominal impact on the response times to the South Park area. The Seattle Fire Department looked at response times with the bridge closure in order to ensure the residents of South Park received the same level of medical and fire care. Our analysis shows that response times were not significantly affected by the bridge closure.
He also notes that the Station 11 work isn’t likely to start before early 2014.
(EDITOR’S NOTE: No 99 closures this week, so this stands as the official “this week’s closures” list for July 1st and beyond ** UPDATED 7/2 to add 7/6 bridge-exit closure)
SDOT has announced next week’s plan for Spokane Street Viaduct Widening Project-related closures – including a weekend-long westbound SSV closure scheduled for late night Friday, 7/6, till early morning Monday, 7/9. Full list ahead:Read More
(UPDATED SUNDAY AFTERNOON with opponents launching Facebook page)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Ziplining from treetop to treetop is a hot ticket for vacationers in various spots around the U.S., and elsewhere in the world.
Now it might be coming to a forested public park near you.
WSB has learned that the Seattle Parks Department is talking with a private company called Go Ape about installing a “Treetop Adventure Course,” including ziplining and “Tarzan swings,” at West Seattle’s Lincoln Park.
According to a PowerPoint presentation circulated by the company and shown to us by a source, Go Ape would charge around $55 a person ($35 for youth, its website says) for a 2+-hour turn, with sessions launching up to 14 people every half-hour.
The proposal has yet to be announced publicly, but the Parks Department has been considering it since at least March, according to e-mail chains last summer, according to documents also forwarded to us, and the first open public presentation is planned for a community-group meeting next month.
King County has formally applied for the land-use permit needed to build a million-gallon underground tank across the street from Lowman Beach Park to reduce combined-sewer overflows from nearby Murray Pump Station.
Six homes and small apartment buildings, all of which have been vacated, will be demolished to make way for the project. The application was announced in today’s Land Use Information Bulletin, and it triggers a new public-comment period – according to the notice, if you’re interested in commenting, you have until July 11th – here’s how. The bulletin also includes a notice of a different permit application related to the project, a “Shoreline Substantial Development” application; its comment deadline isn’t until 7/27, and you can comment here.
3 quick West Seattle Crime Watch notes this afternoon: First, Jeff‘s black Highlander with gray leather interior was stolen Sunday in the 8600 block of 36th SW and hasn’t been found yet – so if you see one that appears out of place in your neighborhood, please call police. Next, two car-prowl reports on opposite ends of West Seattle, this one from Lauren:
Just thought that this might help others in the area. My car window was broken and my purse, which was shoved under my seat and covered, was stolen from Westcrest dog park at approximately 1 pm today. The officers that responded to my call stated that there was another similar car break-in at the park last week at the same time.
And another car-prowl report was posted in the WSB Forum – member “WS Born” reported that her daughter was parked along Harbor Avenue near the 7-11 around 6 am Wednesday, went for a run, and came back to find a window smashed and “items stolen” from her car.
(8/14 note: To check whether a business is still a current WSB sponsor, please go here)
This morning we welcome West Seattle’s own Siren Song Wines as a new WSB sponsor. Here’s what winemaker Kevin Brown (at right, with Holly Brown) would like you to know about Siren Song – which is part of a special event at a local restaurant this Saturday:
Siren Song Wines is a boutique winery in West Seattle specializing in premium varietals and blends. We’ve won multiple awards including a gold medal for our 2009 “A Night in Madrid” at the 2012 Washington Wine Competition.
Our customers love the high quality and variety of wines that we make. For example, we made 7 wines in 2009, which is challenging for a small winery. They also love the advantages of our wine club.
We belong to the Seattle Urban Wineries group. We are partnered with many West Seattle restaurants including La Romanza, Phoenecia, Pizzeria 22, and Blackboard Bistro, as well as with Bin 41 and West Seattle Cellars.
Siren Song Wines is online at sirensongwines.com. They are also part of the Roast Pigapalooza event at Blackboard Bistro this Saturday:
This will be the party of the summer – one that you don’t want to miss! We will be roasting a whole pig, presenting various small plates, and sipping delicious wines. This will be very “West Seattle casual.” Chef Jacob Wiegner will be preparing this wonderful, imaginative dining experience. Kevin Brown of Siren Song Wines will be presenting a tasting of three wines from his 2009 vintage. Price: $30/person plus tax and gratuity. To purchase tickets, call (206) 257-4832.
We thank Siren Song Wines for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.
Though it’s based in Burien, Highline Medical Center has clinics in West Seattle – where it’s starting work in The Triangle on a new home for its Urgent Care Center – so its announcement this morning is of potential interest to local patients. Highline says it’s looking to join forces with another regional health-care organization:
Highline Medical Center in Burien and the Tacoma-based Franciscan Health System announced today they have agreed to explore a strategic affiliation.
You’ve probably heard already that the U.S. Supreme Court upheld most of of President Obama’s health-care law (here’s what it means for our state). The first West Seattle politician to comment is King County Executive Dow Constantine – his statement, ahead (10:25 AM UPDATE – we also have heard from West Seattle’s State Rep. Eileen Cody and County Councilmember Joe McDermott, and are adding their statements after Constantine’s):Read More
(An Alki Ave.-crossing river otter, in Alex‘s photo, shared via Guy – who’s photographed one too)
From the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar:
TRAFFIC ALERTS FOR TODAY/TONIGHT: From our day-by-day combined list of closures: The closure of eastbound surface Spokane St. between 4th and 6th continues all day today and all night. Southbound Alaskan Way Viaduct/99 will close again tonight, 9 pm-5 am. (And another reminder, it’s scheduled to close 11 pm Friday-9 am Sunday, too.) We don’t have word from SDOT whether the SW Alaska rechannelization work will continue today, but if you are Junction/Triangle-bound, be ready to possibly wade through a construction zone.
BENEFIT CHERRY SALE: As previewed here Tuesday, the parents of a Green Lake woman fighting a brain tumor plan to set up alongside Emma Schmitz Overlook (on Beach Drive across from Me-Kwa-Mooks) 11 am-1 pm today to sell cherries to raise money for her ongoing expenses. (Here’s an update on what type of cherries they’ll be selling.)
WADING POOL UPDATE: Depending on the weather, this is scheduled to be opening day for the Delridge wading pool. Check the hotline at (206) 684-7796 to see if the city will open its pools today (it did yesterday!).
FIREWORKS SALES IN UNINCORPORATED AREAS: They’re banned inside the Seattle city limits, but if you’re reading this in White Center or another part of unincorporated King County, personal fireworks go on sale at noon today, but can only be used – in the areas where they’re legal – on the 4th of July.
TEEN SKETCHBOOK/FAN ART: 12-18-year-olds are invited to bring their work to the Southwest Library today (35th/Henderson), 1-2 pm. Details here.
‘SHOP LATE THURSDAY’ IN THE JUNCTION: 6-9 pm – participant list here, including Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor) and Twilight Artist Collective teaming up on a T-shirt sale – promising lots of cool art-print designs, 20 percent off. Also: Sweetie Boutique is celebrating its 9th anniversary, 7-10 pm, with a sale and raffles.
DESIGN REVIEW MEETING FOR 3829 CALIFORNIA SW: A proposed 30-apartment building gets its Early Design Guidance review before the Southwest Design Review Board at 6:30 tonight, Senior Center of West Seattle (California/Oregon). Here’s our report from last week, including a link to the design “packet.”
WEST SEATTLE DEMOCRATIC WOMEN: This month’s WSDW meeting at the West Seattle Golf Course is Movie Night, with “Fair Game: My Life as a Spy,” the Valerie Plame Wilson story, at 6:30 pm, followed by a discussion, preceded by dinner/hors d’oeuvres. If interested, call ASAP to see if there’s still room – contact info and other details are here.
XANADU, NIGHT 2: ArtsWest‘s youth-apprenticeship musical based on the roller-disco movie skates across the stage for its second night, 7:30 pm.
BURLESQUE: 9 pm at Skylark Café and Club (3803 Delridge Way SW) – check for online ticket availability (or buy at the door).
In case you missed them … some of the Wednesday end-of-day cloud formations appeared to have been brushed across the sky. Thanks to Karen White for the top photo; Michele Smith took the next one from Shorewood:
End result at sunset time, from Debra Salazar Herbst:
As for today – the forecast suggests rain will return, though not before afternoon/evening.
(April 2008 WSB photo – the only coyote we’ve ever seen near our Upper Fauntleroy HQ)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
When we first reported two nights ago about an apparent federal coyote hunter/trapper appearing in the south West Seattle neighborhood of Seola Beach, after coyotes attacked pet dogs this spring, we promised a followup.
We’ve made a lot of phone calls. We’ve noticed others picking up this story and turning it into something different.
The story here isn’t the fact coyotes are in a West Seattle neighborhood. As you know if you’ve been here more than a few years, they’re in just about every neighborhood here – and elsewhere in the city, and many other cities in the country.
The story remains the revelation that you can hire a federal agency – the U.S. Department of Agriculture‘s Wildlife Services division – to come in and kill coyotes in your neighborhood. This may not be new, but it’s little-reported, so far as we have found through multiple exhaustive online-archive searches.
If you missed our previous story – a man we have since confirmed is indeed a Wildlife Services agent turned up in Seola Beach on Sunday night. Neighbor Garry e-mailed us about it, saying the man was asking about coyote sightings and saying he was from the federal government and, Garry went on, out to “find/hunt and probably dispose of at least one, perhaps two, coyotes that have been getting too close to humans.”
Some key information following Monday night’s story has come from commenters – especially Beth‘s reminder that she e-mailed us about the reported dog attacks two months ago. She also shared the letter that was being circulated in her neighborhood. We found it, unopened, in our e-mail archives; Beth had written at the time that her neighbor said it was OK for us to share. It read:
Most of you already know about the aggressive coyote problem that we are having. A couple of weeks ago your neighbor took her dog outside in front of her house at 11 pm for the last evening’s potty break and 2 coyotes attacked and killed the dog in front of her. This week another dog was attacked and killed while on a leash walking in the evening.
What you may not know, and what I did not know, is that no one is really responsible for controlling coyotes–even if they attack a human. The police will come if you call 911 during an immediate attack.
The US dept of agriculture and wildlife regional office in Mill Creek recommends we hire a government trapper/hunter for a fee of $1200. The trapper that specializes in West Seattle is Aaron Stevens, (phone # omitted). Aaron says that other communities have formed a co-op to fund the USDA coyote hunters.
This is what Aaron has informed me: Once the individual coyotes have learned humans are no threat, they become more and more bold/aggressive/frequent in their attacks. Our 2 coyotes probably have a litter of pups nearby that they are feeding and producing milk for; they will teach their young that humans are nothing to fear. They can attack anything under 25 lbs, including a child. He will hunt these two aggressive coyotes and remove them. Other coyotes may move into their place but will behave as normal fearful community coyotes, like we have always had. This is how he will manage the population. Once he is paid, he will continue to track the population as he gets reports from us, police, neighbors and nearby individuals.
Aaron is the name recalled by Seola Beach resident Garry, whose note to us on Sunday night is what led to our first story. While we didn’t have a name to check during our first conversation with Wildlife Services on Monday, we did when we called back this afternoon, and they confirmed that’s one of their agents.
Here’s what else we found out – not just from the federal agency, but also from the city:Read More
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