West Seattle, Washington
19 Saturday
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
When last we checked in with “The West,” it was a concept galloping around a mixer upstairs at Mission three months ago.
Tomorrow night, The West rides out of the stable and into the spotlight. Or might we say, instead of the classic “riding into the sunset” Western metaphor, rides into the sunrise.
If you hang out on Facebook or Twitter, you might have seen the mysterious hints…
What’s been said publicly so far is that tomorrow night’s invitation-only event is at the West Seattle Eagles Aerie in The Junction, and will feature live music. But what’s The West about? We managed to cajole an advance interview out of two people from the core group – Lora Swift from Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor) and Swift Media Solutions, and Oliver Little from The Workshop. Lora’s had a high profile not just for her businesses but for organizing popular events such as West Seattle Outdoor Movies and leading the West Seattle Art Walk behind-the-scenes group for quite some time (recently handed over to Twilight Artist Collective). As for Oliver – some of West Seattle’s biggest events wouldn’t have happened without him behind the scenes. Summer Fest, for example.
So if these are representatives of The West, you start to get the idea the group is ready to make things happen. Indeed, that’s where this is going.Read More
Late today – keep in mind that we’re going into an official three-day weekend – SDOT published its update on NEXT WEEK’S bridge closures. With closures tonight, and the all-day Fauntleroy Expressway closure on Sunday, still to come, it might be a little tough to digest this too .. but buried in the update, we discovered a ray of hope: SDOT says the Fauntleroy Expressway project is AHEAD OF SCHEDULE, and nighttime bridge closures will probably NOT be needed beyond next week. Read for yourself (including next week’s bridge plan) here.
Just in from Seattle Parks:
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Landscape Structures Inc., announced a voluntary recall of the Slalom Glider slide. This slide is located in two Seattle parks. Landscape Structures Inc. will be working at Ross Playground and Myrtle Reservoir Park on Monday, February 20, 2012 to remove the recalled slide.
Landscape Structures is requesting consumers to immediately stop children from using the recalled gliders.
The slide is a playground slide that lacks a transition platform on the top and sides of the chute. The Slalom Glider is a distinctive 6-foot high slide that is curved in shape and made from molded plastic. It includes an arched, tubular steel access ladder. The recalled product comes as a stand-alone slide or as an attachment to other playground equipment.
Ross Playground is located at 4320 4th Ave. NW in the Fremont neighborhood and Myrtle Reservoir Park is located at 6900 35th Ave SW in West Seattle. Seattle Parks and Recreation is working with Landscape Structure Inc. to select and install an appropriate replace play element as soon as possible.
ADDED 7:26 PM: The recall was announced nationally yesterday, with at least 16 injuries blamed on the slide, according to this Associated Press story published by our partners at the Seattle Times.
A fireplace in a fire station! Somehow, you might think it would be the last thing firefighters would want to look at when they’re not out at a burning home – but on the other hand, everybody has to stay warm. The fireplace is inside ex-Fire Station 37, which as reported here last week, is now officially up for sale. We joined broker Arvin Vander Veen from Colliers International there (35th/Othello) this afternoon for a quick peek inside- and the latest information on how you can get a closer look, too.
(That’s the kitchen.) The open-house dates are now set, Vander Veer told us: March 10th and April 7th, 10 am-2 pm. The deadline for offers will be April 20th (as noted before, $250,000 minimum, cash, no contingencies). Since the former fire station is an official city landmark, you can’t change the outside without city permission, but there’s a lot you can do with the inside:
Vander Veer says he’s fielded about 100 inquiries so far, and many have been from people who think this would be the ultimate “man-cave” – and whatever the gender, imagine having a cavernous garage like this for your vehicles, or maybe some creative project you’re working on, or both!
Sizable basement, as well:
In case you’re just coming in on this story – the city built a new fire station a few blocks south, and is selling this because it’s considered surplus property not needed for any other city purposes.
P.S. Two years ago, a student journalist on assignment for WSB toured the now-ex-station before it closed; this report includes a video tour.
(Jared the cat with firefighter Jeff Blevins; 1/9/2012 photo by WSB’s Patrick Sand)
Remember Jared, the foster cat rescued from animal advocate Teri Ensley‘s house during a fire last month? He is one of the cats and kittens who will be looking for “forever homes” during a special adopt-a-thon this weekend at West Seattle’s Kitty Harbor (3422 Harbor SW). As posted in the WSB Forums, Kitty Harbor will be open noon-6 pm Saturday and Sunday with more than 70 other cats/kittens, including some Siamese cats rescued from a recent hoarding situation – among those nicknamed the “camper cats.” More info (and photos!) on Kitty Harbor’s Facebook page.
The man charged with second-degree murder in last August’s White Center murder of 23-year-old Sweetheart Failautusi has struck a plea bargain. The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office tells WSB that Anthony Haroldlee Smith pleaded guilty this morning to that same charge, acknowledging he is to blame for the deadly shooting at 15th and Roxbury in the early-morning hours of August 16th. Sentencing range is 134-234 months; KCPAO spokesperson Ian Goodhew says the “agreed recommendation” for sentencing will be 15 years. He adds, “Sweetheart’s family felt the agreement was the right thing to do to assure a conviction and have the certainty of the mid-range recommendation as opposed to him possibly receiving a lower sentence.” Smith is to be sentenced March 23rd at 1:45 pm by King County Superior Court Mary Yu.
(Harbor Properties’ year-old Link, 38th between Alaska and Fauntleroy)
One of the highest-profile development companies to build in West Seattle in recent years is merging with another company. Harbor Properties‘ merger with Los Angeles-headquartered Urban Partners was first reported this morning by the Puget Sound Business Journal, and we just spoke with Harbor executive Denny Onslow to find out what this means for the company’s West Seattle properties, mixed-use (apartment/retail) Link in The Triangle and Mural in The Junction (both WSB sponsors), plus all-apartment under-construction Nova (4600 37th SW).
Just announced: Mayor McGinn will be back in West Seattle during his next round of “Town Hall” meetings. March 13th is the date, Youngstown Cultural Arts Center at 4408 Delridge Way SW is the place – where he held one in December 2010 (photo above) – and the schedule, according to the city’s e-mailed announcement, is as follows:
5:30 to 6:30 pm: Community information fair
6:30 to 6:40 pm: Performance by local artists
6:40 to 8:00 pm: Open Q&A with Mayor McGinn and City staff
Here’s the official flyer for the event.
Besides the roads/bridge update (below), something that certainly could be on this list daily is the ongoing work at Colman Pool on the shore in Lincoln Park. As reported here last month, the outdoor saltwater pool will open later than usual this year (June 30), because of renovation work. Last weekend, Gatewood pilot/photographer Long B. Nguyen flew over the park, and shares the view. (Click the photo for a larger image; and for a bonus image – a wider shot of the pool, the beach, and the forest behind it – go here.) Now, today’s highlights:
BRIDGE CLOSURES AND OTHER ROAD WORK, YET AGAIN TODAY/TONIGHT: Same reminders as all week: In the Morgan Junction/Lincoln Park area on Fauntleroy Way SW and part of California SW north of M-Junction, Day 5 of work on the “transit corridor” project to facilitate this fall’s launch of RapidRide bus service. Details in our on-scene report from Monday. … Restrictions/detours are planned for Avalon Way again today, 9 am-4 pm, explained here … Two overnight West Seattle Bridge closures: Eastbound Spokane Street Viaduct, east of the 1st Avenue South offramp, 9 pm-5 am (details here), which is the same time period for which the Fauntleroy Expressway (southwest end of the bridge) has an overnight closure, detailed here. DON’T FORGET – THIS SUNDAY is the all-day Fauntleroy Expressway closure, 9 pm Saturday through as late as midnight Sunday night).
CHIEF SEALTH INTERNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETES IN STATE COMPETITION: From an announcement by Sealth athletic director Sam Reed: Sophomores Michael Stewart and Carlos Morgan Montemayor will be representing the Seahawks at the 3A State Swim and Dive championships taking place at the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way,” starting this morning, and “wrestlers Jordan Armstrong and Christopher Rios will be competing in Mat Classic XXIV, held at the Tacoma Dome.”
WEST SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETES ALSO IN STATE COMPETITION: From the WSHS Daily Bulletin, Katie Fleming and Della Norton are competing in the state gymnastics tournament, while Nick Marek is competing in the state wrestling tournament, also in Tacoma. Luke Asatainti is in the state swimming championships.
HOPE LUTHERAN AT LEST IN PORTLAND: West Seattle’s Hope Lutheran School has a sizable contingent at the annual Lutheran Elementary Schools Tournament in Portland right now, with more games/performances/etc. scheduled today, and is sharing the highlights via Twitter and via Facebook.
ATHENA’S IN HIGHLAND PARK: Athena’s truck debuts @ 16th/Holden, 1-8 pm (here’s our report from yesterday).
BIN 41 TASTING: 6-7:30 pm, they’re presenting a winery from Woodinville, Januik | Novelty Hill, whose tasting-room manager Diane LaCroix-Ball will be on hand with some Bin 41 favorites (including a red, a Chardonnay, and a Grenache).
MOVIE NIGHT IN HIGHLAND PARK: It’s movie night at Highland Park Improvement Club (12th and Holden). From their newsletter: “Doors open at 6:30 pm, movie at 7 pm. Free admission. We will be selling popcorn, candy and other movie fare. Bring blankets and pillows or sit in our chairs. Movie hint: The first movie of J.K. Rowling’s classic tale of the Hogwarts kids.”
MUSIC TONIGHT: The ever-busier lineup of West Seattle live music includes The Slags w/ Red the Dead, 9:30 pm at The Shipwreck Tavern (with Slags EPs on site, the band tells WSB) … Chad Knight, Hi-Fi Reset, Urban Seeds at Skylark Café and Club, 9 pm …
We stopped by Madison Middle School on Thursday afternoon for orchestra members’ quick command performance of the Beatles classic “Eleanor Rigby,” after hearing from Madison music director Clark Bathum, who had big news about two of his musicians:
Congratulations to Lauren Estep (viola) and Caroline May (violin), who will perform with the Washington Junior All-State Orchestra at the Washington Music Educators Conference in Yakima this weekend. After a highly competitive audition in the fall, both were selected to join other top musicians from around the state. This is Caroline’s first selection to the group. Lauren was selected to the All-Northwest orchestra last year. Both girls are looking forward to the performance this weekend and are really excited about getting to travel and play together. The staff and students at Madison are really proud of Lauren and Caroline and wish them the best of luck.
In our video, Caroline is at left, Lauren at center, with Samantha Bushman , violin (2nd from left), Annabel Foucault, bass (2nd from right), and Madelyn Hollister, cello (right).
Tickets are now on sale for the second annual gala benefiting the West Seattle Community Orchestras. This year, it’ll be at Highland Park Improvement Club, 6:30-9 pm on March 10th. Musicians from all three of WSCO’s orchestras (“all ages and abilities”) will perform, and a silent auction is planned, along with a “smorgasbord dinner.” You can buy tickets online now; they’re $20 till March 1st, when the price goes up to $25. Go here to buy yours (that link is also where you’ll find the form to donate an item to the silent auction).
Grow Plant Starts for The Community Orchard of West Seattle (COWS)!
We will happily provide the seeds!
If you have a sunny window sill, cold frame or green house, and would like to consider growing plants for us we would love to hear from you!
Starts needed:
Broccoli, kales, cabbages, lettuces, squash varieties, tomatoes, Asian eggplant, onions, flowers, mustards and herbs.The Community Orchard of West Seattle (COWS) provides a home-scale model that demonstrates how much food can be grown on a city-sized lot. Our produce goes to our volunteers, neighbors and local food security programs while we provide a venue for public agricultural education and community gathering.
Contact: info@fruitinwestseattle.org
The Orchard is located at South Seattle Community College North Entrance, 6000 16th Ave SW
(WSB photo of Sherri Chun speaking to participants before last year’s 4th of July parade)
The longtime coordinator of the 4th of July Kids’ Parade, which has grown far beyond its origins as a fun little North Admiral event, is asking the Admiral Neighborhood Association to consider taking it over. At Wednesday night’s ANA meeting (a day later than usual, to avoid a Valentine-night conflict), Sherri Chun came to talk about the parade’s past, present and future. That, and other toplines from the meeting, ahead:Read More
The classic Steve Miller song came to mind as we looked at these photos shared tonight by Gary Jones, from Alki.
Finally, a close encounter with the lighthouse:
Bald-eagle factoid: They can live up to 40 years.
Story and photos by Keri DeTore
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Leapin’ Lizards — it’s the winning team from Sanislo!
This morning at Sanislo Elementary, 4th and 5th graders filed into the library and took their small chairs, grouped into teams of six. The instructions were given: A question about a book they read will be asked aloud; they’ll have 30 seconds to put their heads together and quietly discuss the answer. When they have an answer, they are to write it down and bring it to the front of the room for judging.
Of the seven teams, one emerged victorious.
This is the “Global Reading Challenge†— a partnership between Seattle Public Schools and the Seattle Public Library to encourage reading among Seattle students.
After the Saturday debacle a few weeks ago, SDOT promised to improve its communication about closures (and other things affecting traffic). Toward that end, they have just sent an advisory summarizing everything happening this weekend in “the West Seattle Bridge corridor,” including the all-day-Sunday closure of the Fauntleroy Expressway. We’ve mentioned them all already, but one more read-through probably can’t hurt:Read More
Seattle Fire Department spokesperson Kyle Moore tells WSB a crane operator from Vigor Shipyard on Harbor Island is in serious condition at Harborview Medical Center after the crane collapsed into the water. You can see an aerial view in this story on KING5.com. This comes 13 days after a Kitsap County man working at Vigor was killed in a fall. We’re checking with the shipyard to see if they have additional information; thanks to PT for tipping us to this by asking why there were two helicopters over Harbor Island.
3:51 PM UPDATE: The Department of Ecology now says this has led to a spill, too:
The Washington Department of Ecology, the U.S. Coast Guard and Vigor Industrial are responding to an oil spill from a crane accident at the company’s facility on Harbor Island in Seattle today. The company has placed oil spill cleanup and containment materials on the water around the accident scene.
4:27 PM: SFD has published more information about the rescue, and says the crane operator’s injuries are not life-threatening. Here’s their report.
5:08 PM: From Steve Hirsh at Vigor, responding to our inquiry about comment from the company:
We are working with the proper authorities to try to determine what happened. We understand and are thankful that the worker operating the crane is said to be alert and in good spirits. He wants people to know he’s OK.
We have been are working with the Washington Department of Ecology and the U.S. Coast Guard to contain any spill; our initial estimate is that approximately 10 gallons of lubricating oil may have leaked into the water off Harbor Island.
And an update from Ecology:
Oil from a crane accident today at the Vigor Industrial shipyard in Seattle left a coating on the water that was too thin for successful cleanup. Spill response crews deployed floating containment boom to prevent oil from drifting out of the immediate area.
The Washington Department of Ecology and U.S. Coast Guard are overseeing the spill cleanup and response. The containment boom will remain in place during upcoming operations to remove the crane from the water. Crews will be prepared to begin cleanup work if more oil is released.
Following up on her report from Tuesday (see it here) that Nick Parisi will open Athena’s in the former Zippy’s space at 16th/Holden, WSB contributor Deanie Schwarz photographed him and the newly painted truck today (the rolling mural is by Glenn Case). As Deanie’s story noted, Parisi plans to serve up Greek-themed food from the truck while the space is being readied – and she confirmed today that he’s planning to start tomorrow, serving 1-8 pm. She also reports that while the Athena’s truck usually will be closed Mondays, it will be OPEN on President’s Day.
(October 2011 photo of Amanda Knox and mom Edda Mellas, by STEVE RINGMAN/Seattle Times, used with permission)
Four months after her West Seattle family and friends welcomed her back from four years in prison in Italy, the number four seems to have resurfaced in the saga of Amanda Knox. The long-expected announcement of her book deal is out; here’s the Associated Press story published by our partners at the Seattle Times. It quotes an unidentified source as saying the book deal is worth $4 million. The book is expected to be published by HarperCollins early next year. While local media has kept their promise to keep their distance since her return after the Italian courts overturned her murder conviction, national/international tabloids have been publishing sightings and gossip, and (in case you wondered) most would seem to indicate she is not living in West Seattle.
(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)
Last night was a big night for West Seattle Cub Scout Pack 793, families, and friends – the annual Blue and Gold Dinner at Holy Rosary. Enhancing the night, a high-profile guest: Former Cub Scout Dow Constantine, better known these days as King County Executive.
Not only did he talk about his Scouting past while at Schmitz Park Elementary, he also mentioned that his family goes way back with Scouting – his grandpa was a Scout leader and his uncle was an Eagle Scout. He talked about leadership and civic participation, something the Scouts are learning early:
(Thanks to Pack 793’s Jon Gerhardt for letting us drop by on the big night!)
(Aerial of Alki – note the Bathhouse – by Long B. Nguyen)
Alki’s got two events on the calendar for tonight – a school open house and neighborhood-council meeting. Here’s what else, and where else, are on the list from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:
BRIDGE CLOSURES AND OTHER ROAD WORK, AGAIN TODAY/TONIGHT: Same reminders as the past three days: In the Morgan Junction/Lincoln Park area on Fauntleroy Way SW and part of California SW north of M-Junction, Day 4 of work on the “transit corridor” project to facilitate this fall’s launch of RapidRide bus service. Details in our on-scene report from Monday. … Avalon Way again is scheduled for restrictions/detours today, 9 am-4 pm, explained here … Two overnight West Seattle Bridge closures: Eastbound Spokane Street Viaduct, east of the 1st Avenue South offramp, 9 pm-5 am (details here); the Fauntleroy Expressway (southwest end of the bridge) has an overnight closure those same hours, detailed here. Reminder, THIS SUNDAY is the all-day Fauntleroy Expressway closure, 9 pm Saturday till as late as midnight Sunday night).
LIBRARY STORY TIMES: There’s Toddler Story Time at Southwest Library at 11 am and at High Point Library at 11:30 am, and Delridge Library has Preschool Story Time at 11:15 am. More info on the Seattle Public Library Calendar of Events.
COLMAN DOCK’S FUTURE – WITHOUT A PASSENGER DOCK? As reported here on Tuesday, Washington State Ferries is having a downtown hearing (Sound Transit board room, 401 S. Jackson, 3:30-6 pm) to talk about Colman Dock’s future, which might not include a passenger-ferry dock, though it’s where the King County Water Taxi and other foot-ferry services dock now. Public testimony welcome.
CHINESE LANGUAGE/CULTURE INTRODUCTION – FREE! We previewed it here yesterday; today’s the debut of Chinese Corner at the Seattle Chinese Garden, 6000 16Th AVE SW. 4-6 pm. Eight sessions every other Thursday; learn basic Mandarin Chinese conversation words, learn about Chinese culture, join easy all-ages games and activities.
ZUMBA FUNDRAISER AT WSHS and other dates: West Seattle High School ASB is raising money for the Class of 2012 with a 5 pm Zumba class in the WSHS gym, today, Feb. 28, and March 1st. $7 each class or 2 for $10, public welcome.
METRO ROUTE-RESTRUCTURING OPEN HOUSE: 6-8 pm at Chief Sealth International High School, open-house format (no presentation), ask questions and offer comments about the latest version of the Metro route-restructuring proposal scheduled to take effect this September.
WSHS INFORMATION NIGHT: At West Seattle High School: Information Night, 6:30-8 pm
ROXHILL OPEN HOUSE: Roxhill Elementary open house, 6:30 pm
ALKI ELEMENTARY TOUR: Alki Elementary tour, 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm
ARBOR HEIGHTS PTA MEETING AND CHARTER-SCHOOLS FORUM: Arbor Heights Elementary PTA meeting at 6:30 pm, followed by a forum on charter schools at 6:45 pm.
WORKSHOP FOR PARENTS WITH BABIES: “Good Eater 4 Life,” 6:30 pm, Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, south classroom, from the announcement: “Good Eater 4 Life is a workshop for parents of babies who are about to begin eating solid food. All the basics will be covered regarding how and when to start feeding baby solids, but special emphasis will be put on how to raise a baby and then toddler to become a good eater. Appropriate not only for first-time parents, but also for those with older fussy eaters and a new baby.”
ALKI COMMUNITY COUNCIL: Alki Community Council, 7 pm, Alki UCC.
That’s only about 2/3 of the overflow crowd that filled the Schmitz Park Elementary cafetorium – and the hallway outside, and even the stage and its stairs – for tonight’s first meeting about K-5 STEM at Boren, the new “option” elementary that Seattle Public Schools plans to open in West Seattle this fall. The district officials who led the meeting, executive director of West Seattle schools Aurora Lora and head of planning and enrollment Dr. Tracy Libros, repeatedly expressed surprise at the turnout. Many questions were asked, many suggestions offered, and additional details emerged. We are heading to HQ, where we will write the full story and also upload video of the entire hour-and-a-half meeting. Lora promised that there will be another meeting soon, “someplace bigger.”
ADDED 11:31 PM: Here’s our video of the entire hour and a half meeting, which began with a short PowerPoint, followed by Q/A:
ADDED 2:57 AM: Now, the key points:
First, one more mention of the crowd. Every seat was full, and more chairs were brought in. People stood against the walls, sat on the stairs to the cafetorium stage, even sat on the floor. From the reactions of Lora and Libros, you might have thought they expected to see about 50; instead, our rough estimate would surpass 300.
6:05 PM: The first of three Metro meetings/presentations in West Seattle this week, to provide information/answer questions/accept comments about the revised September route-restructuring plan, is under way. It’s at Madison Middle School (45th/Spokane), and our understanding is that it’s open-house format, so drop by any time, no presentation scheduled. We’ll be there shortly and will doublecheck.
6:40 PM UPDATE: At Madison now. Metro reps confirm it’s open-house format, so just drop in. You have the opportunity to ask questions at a variety of “stations” in the commons area (parking in the south lot, walking into the south entrance and walking down the stairs is how we generally get in), have your comments written on butcher paper = just a handful of comments so far, but two of them are about the concern that South Seattle Community College will be left without direct service to downtown on weekends – or write them on a sheet of paper you can leave behind as you go. They’ll be here till about 8. If you miss this – there’s another one tomorrow, also 6-8 pm and also open-house format, at Chief Sealth International High School (in the Galleria).
| 9 COMMENTS