West Seattle, Washington
30 Thursday
Friends of the Southwest Branch Library are getting the word out that it’s signup time for the 20th annual Southwest Community Art Showcase. Artists of all ages, working in any medium, can sign up by Saturday, October 15th – just a week and a half away; work will be displayed at the SW Library (35th/Henderson) October 16-November 12, with a meet-the-artists reception at 2 pm November 6. To sign up, just stop by the branch, or call 206-684-7455.
5:54 PM: You are likely to hear/see helicopters shortly – at least one news chopper is tracking Amanda Knox and her family as they drive from Sea-Tac to West Seattle. She spoke very briefly when her family met with the media at Sea-Tac a short time ago:
(Photo of Amanda Knox and mom Edda Mellas, by STEVE RINGMAN/Seattle Times, used with permission)
Video of her emotional minute-long remarks, courtesy of KING 5:
“Welcome home” signs are waiting in her family’s Arbor Heights neighborhood – here’s the sign that neighbor Jim and his family have up:
(added) And another sign, photographed by Jennifer:
TV trucks await as well (thanks to the anonymous WSB’er who shared the photo):
6:12 PM: They’ve just arrived home, according to live coverage we’re monitoring on KING.
6:39 PM: …family members arrived in Arbor Heights, anyway. Amanda herself is reported to be at an “undisclosed location.”
ADDED AT MIDNIGHT: A few final notes on the night: From our partners at the Times, Erik Lacitis takes a look at the international media-mania that briefly took over Sea-Tac. Speaking of the airport, WSB contributor Christopher Boffoli happened to catch Knox’s British Airways flight passing West Seattle on its way in:
Around mid-afternoon, we learned that Easy Street wasn’t the only marquee-bearing business with a “welcome” sign:
WEDNESDAY MORNING P.S. Thanks to Lisa for mentioning this in comments. Four regional-media organizations have agreed to honor the Knox family’s request to be left alone for now.
5:33 PM: Police/fire/tow crews are blocking eastbound Thistle at 30th, 2-car crash.
5:48 PM: Police actually were blocking eastbound Thistle at 31st, a block west of the scene, till the cars are towed. No serious injuries – one private ambulance responded. One tow truck was already there before we left a few minutes ago.
Today we welcome a new WSB sponsor, Radar Pest Management. Here’s what they’d like you to know about their business:
As summer transitions into fall and the weather continues to get colder, rodents and pests are looking for warmth and shelter – and they love our West Seattle neighborhood! Radar Pest Management is here now too – and their arrival couldn’t come at a better time.
Radar specializes in pest and rodent removal and regular treatment, and has many options to serve our locals and their various needs. As an added bonus, one of Radar’s top technicians, Angela Osbourne, is a local herself! “I live on a well-traveled road in West Seattle, so you will likely see my Radar truck in the neighborhood,” chuckles Angela. Full of energy and humor, her laugh will make you smile every time. “Angela is one of our most experienced technicians. Combine that with her wealth of knowledge and her engaging and bubbly personality, and you’ve got a real asset in Angela. We are happy to have her on board,” said Tim McCafferty, operations manager. Radar brings dedication to every task performed, quickly inspecting, identifying, and treating the home for a variety of pest infestations. The primary mission at Radar Pest Management is to be the #1 provider of services in the greater Seattle area, with an utmost commitment to customer satisfaction and service.
When you call Radar Pest Management, you can rest assured you will receive the very best extermination service in the area. They bring the strongest, most-effective pest-control methods in the industry to your home, while still trying to be as environmentally conscious as possible. Plus, with Radar you’ll receive on–time service, frequent communication with their service experts, and an excellent experience, every time.
Best of all, Radar Pest Management is offering all West Seattle Blog readers a FREE home inspection, for a limited time! With the rodents looking for somewhere to keep warm as the fall and winter approach, there’s never been a better time to take advantage of this $120 value. Customers praise this local company’s responsive, knowledgeable staff and around-the-clock emergency care. So give them a call, welcome them to the neighborhood, and ensure your home will be pest- and rodent-free all season long. For more information or to take advantage of the WSB Free Inspection Special, contact Radar Pest Management at 800-710-1567 or www.radarpest.com.
We thank Radar Pest Management for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news on WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.
As first reported here last month, the West Seattle Water Taxi will add runs, shuttle-bus capacity, and parking for the weekdays that fall during the October 21-31 Alaskan Way Viaduct closure. A news release with official final details is just in from the King County Ferry District – including the full WT schedule for the closure period – read on:Read More
Four West Seattle restaurants are participating this year in “Dine Out to Remember Our Fallen,” a benefit for Washington State COPS (Concerns Of Police Survivors), supporting families of law enforcers who lost their lives in the line of duty: Puerto Vallarta – where you’ll also find a silent auction – Rocksport, and Talarico’s in The Junction, and Duke’s on Alki. Have dinner at any of those restaurants this Thursday, and proceeds will go toward the cause. More info (and the full list of participants around the region) is online at dineouttoremember.org and on Facebook at facebook.com/rememberourfallen.
Just announced by Seattle Public Schools: After two years at Alki Elementary, its principal Clover Codd is taking a new job as director of the district’s Teacher Incentive Fund. Award-winning Denny International Middle School assistant principal Chanda Oatis (right) will become interim principal at Alki in about two weeks. The district is sending a letter home to families; read on for its full text – PLUS, ADDED 7:18 PM TUESDAY – Denny principal Jeff Clark sends word that teacher Artise Burton will be promoted to interim Assistant Principal for Literacy, the position Oatis holds; he too has sent home a letter to families, and it’s added beneath the letter to Alki families:Read More
Tonight is the first of two major public hearings for next year’s city budget proposal – and if you have something to say, you’re urged to participate, either by going to the hearing (5:30 pm at City Hall, with signups starting at 5) or by sharing your thoughts online. One coalition didn’t want to wait for tonight’s hearing; they planned to attend a special budget meeting this morning. They are a coalition of 11 groups from neighborhoods around the city – primarily business-focused – who together have issued a letter boiling down to this sentence near the start of a letter they have sent to city leaders: “While major crime is down citywide, street disorder persists and continues to negatively impact our neighborhoods.” They want to make sure the budget provides adequate resources to fight that disorder, and they have some suggestions. Among the signatories to their letter are reps from the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce and the White Center Community Development Association (whose office is in South Delridge). Here’s some of what the letter calls for:
*Increase police foot and bike patrols and dedicated anti-crime teams.
*Implement a pilot ‘Hot Spots’ program.
*Officer Distribution [in problem areas].
* Legislative Tools for Arrest/Diversion.
All of those points are elaborated on, in the full letter – we didn’t receive it in a cut-and-paste-friendly format, so we can’t include the full text here, but you can read it as a PDF.
9:43 AM: Startling sight on the sidewalk, just off the southeast corner of the Madison Middle School parking lot – an overturned van. Amy, who sent first word of the crash, says a woman and small child were inside, but both OK, and police at the scene confirmed that no one had to go to the hospital. No word how this happened; it’s the second West Seattle van flip in four days, after this one east of High Point on Saturday (no serious injuries in that one, either). Traffic is not affected, though you might want to avoid 45th/Spokane for a while, since a tow truck will have to get the van uprighted before taking it away.
5:09 PM UPDATE: Official info from police is finally in. Another driver is blamed for causing the rollover by “failing to yield the right of way at the intersection” – and that driver, NOT the driver of the van that rolled, was cited, police tell WSB.
(Easy Street Records marquee, predawn today)
Hours after the Italian court decision freeing her after four years, Amanda Knox is reported to be on a British Airways flight headed back to Seattle, expected to arrive between 4:30 and 5 pm, after flying from Rome to London. Video/photos of her departure are in this British news report. As for what happens after that – regional (and beyond) media crews were already camped out at the airport as of today’s morning newscasts, hoping for a glimpse after her arrival, hoping even that her family might decide to have a news conference. National media reports that she sent a letter to the Italy-US Foundation, thanking the Italians who supported her. Meantime, the prosecution in the case has announced it will appeal the ruling canceling the murder convictions of Knox and Raffaele Sollecito.
4:56 PM: The Knox family’s plane is expected to land at Sea-Tac shortly, and regional-media sources including KIRO TV say they are planning a news conference around 5:45 pm, but they’re not certain if that will include comments from Amanda Knox. We’ll include highlights from Web coverage later, but if you want to watch live, multiple TV stations and cable networks have been set up at the airport for hours, ready to go (see Twitter photo links in the comment section below this story).
(Thanks to Emily Austin for sharing the heron photo)
SCHOOL BOARD PRESIDENT @ ROTARY: The Rotary Club of West Seattle weekly luncheon meeting, noon at Salty’s on Alki, will hear from local school-board rep, and board president, Steve Sundquist.
HAS ALZHEIMER’S AFFECTED YOUR FAMILY? If so, they’re hoping to see you at the Alzheimer’s Association Town Hall meeting at Providence Mount St. Vincent (4831 35th SW), 2 pm, full details here.
SOMETHING TO SAY ABOUT THE CITY BUDGET? The first Seattle City Council public hearing on the city budget proposal for next year is at 5:30; signups at 5 pm. City Hall downtown.
WEST SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL PTSA: First general-membership meeting of the school year, 7 pm. Agenda includes an update from principal Ruth Medsker and briefings on upcoming projects/events such as the fall drama production, the WSHS Foundation auction to benefit WSHS Athletics, the West Seattle 5K, and more.
DISC-OVER THIS: West Seattle Ultimate Frisbee, 6:30 pm, Fairmount Playfield (Fauntleroy at Brandon).
SHERRY AT THE BIN: Sherry-seminar wine tasting at bin 41, 6-7:30 pm. Meet Drake McCarthy of the Lustau estate in Spain and discover the world of sherry. Drake will be sharing a broad spectrum of sherries, from the dry subtleties of Amontillado to the supple richness of Pedro Ximénez.
OPEN MIKE NIGHT: 7 pm at Skylark Café and Club, acoustic-only, poetry and comedy encouraged as well as all flavors of acoustic music! All ages till 9, then 21+.
‘TRIVIA THAT ROCKS’: 8 pm trivia at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), not just music – “the topics are all entertainment, from music and movies, to TV and pop culture!”
An all-star cast descended on Denny International Middle School in West Seattle at midday Monday to send out a citywide message: Come to school more often! Absences are a bigger problem than you might think – more than a third of all Seattle Public Schools students were absent more than 10 times in the 2009-10 school year, and that’s a number the district is trying to reduce – since it’s a slippery slope to academic failure, and then dropping out of schoolentirely. So interim superintendent Dr. Susan Enfield and Mayor Mike McGinn teamed up to announce “Be Here, Get There,” which will offer prizes in school- and classroom-level competitions to encourage better attendance. For example – as detailed here – there’s an elementary-school competition this month with a Pagliacci Pizza party at stake. We recorded today’s Denny kickoff event in two video clips – above, the formal announcements, introduced by Denny principal Jeff Clark; below, the visitors dropped in on a Denny classroom, including pro-basketball players from Seattle, Jamal Crawford and Will Conroy:
Celebrities are an integral part of the campaign; students can sign up for celebrity wakeup calls by going here. Side note: The campaign does take pains to say there’s nothing wrong with staying home if you’re really sick – they’re just targeting absences for which there is really no good excuse.
From partner site White Center Now: After talking about it at literally every meeting for the past few months, the Burien City Council has finally taken a vote on whether to proceed with potential annexation of White Center, Boulevard Park, and most of the rest of what it didn’t vote to annex two years ago – and that vote was “yes.” The annexation process still has a long way to go, though; if it does go all the way, instead of Roxbury being the city/county border (in most spots), it would be the Seattle/Burien border. Here’s the full story on WCN.
HELP MULTIPLE WEST SEATTLE SCHOOLS: This Wednesday, you are invited to stop into any Starbucks store in King County and get a free $10 gift card for DonorsChoose, provided by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. You can then take the card and, through the DonorsChoose website, make a $10 donation to any classroom project listed there; organizers say almost 300 Seattle projects are listed, and our quick check revealed multiple West Seattle projects among them. You can add personal donations too, but there’s no obligation. Here’s the link, if you want to check in advance whether there’s anything for which you’d want to use the card.
WEST SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL PTSA TOMORROW NIGHT: The fall round of PTSA/PTA general-membership meetings continues, and tomorrow night, it’s West Seattle High School‘s turn, 7 pm. (Agenda toplines are in the listing on the WSB West Seattle Events calendar page.)
WSHS GRAD NIGHT FUNDRAISER: Also from WSHS – this Saturday, there’s a car wash to raise money for the all-night, alcohol-free, chaperoned Class of 2012 Grad Night party, 11 am-3 pm at West Seattle Produce (Fauntleroy Way just south of SW Alaska). More details on this and other Grad Night fundraisers at facebook.com/pages/WSHS-Grad-Night-2012/234315233286143
ROXHILL TEACHER’S TWO BIG CELEBRATIONS:
That’s Roxhill Elementary fourth-grade teacher Teresa Klein. We reported recently on principal Carmela Dellino‘s announcement that Klein was chosen as a “Symetra Hero in the Classroom“; last Thursday, she was officially honored during a special event at Roxhill, and just yesterday, she got special recognition on the field during the Seahawks–Falcons game at CenturyLink Field (hence the jersey in the photo, shared by Symetra). She is one of two dozen K-12 teachers around the region who will be honored by this program before the Seahawks’ season ends. This also puts Roxhill in the running for one of three $10,000 grants that will be announced at season’s end.
New details today for the first major community forum to be organized to talk about Downtown Emergency Service Center (DESC)’s proposed Delridge project to house 75 homeless people living with mental illness. We’ve reported previously that a group spun off from the North Delridge Neighborhood Council has planned the event for October 11th – one week from tomorrow – at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center; the time is now set (6:30 pm) as are other details of the format and invited participants. Read on for the official announcement:Read More
(March 2010 view of the “low bridge,” from its tower, taken by Councilmember Rasmussen)
Though they’ve rejected previous requests to limit low (swing) bridge openings during rush hours, the U.S. Coast Guard has agreed to do so, temporarily, for pm rush hour, during the upcoming 9-day, 10-night Alaskan Way Viaduct closure. That’s according to a statement just in from City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen‘s office, which includes formal announcement of the October 10th closure-info open-house meeting we’ve been previewing here – read on for details:Read More
ORIGINAL 2:49 PM REPORT: From WSB contributor Deanie Schwarz:
The big police response in Highland Park earlier this afternoon, including the blocking-off of the area around 13th/14th/Barton, involved a search for two burglary suspects. One was arrested relatively quickly, Deanie reports, while a K-9 search was used to help find the second. Police told her both are in custody. No details of the actual incident yet – we have an inquiry out to the precinct.
ADDED 4:59 PM: Southwest Precinct commander Capt. Steve Paulsen has more details:
Today, our officers responded to a citizen 911 call of suspicious activity in the Highland Park neighborhood. Our officers responded to the area and located an unoccupied vehicle in the area that we have been keeping an eye out for (other reports of suspicious activity the past couple of weeks – possible burglary suspects).
Officers watched the vehicle for a period of time and encountered 2 subjects (adult and juvenile). Both subjects fled the scene. Containment was quickly set up, with one being apprehended quickly and the other after a K9 was called in from home.
Great team work and communication by our officers and detectives as well as our citizens calling in the suspicious activity to 911.
We believe these two subjects are responsible for a number of burglaries in West Seattle and White Center. Our Detectives are conducting the followup investigation. Both subjects are well-known to our officers for extensive criminal histories.
(Photo by MIKE SIEGEL/Seattle Times, used with permission)
12:51 PM: Just in from Italy: Amanda Knox‘s conviction is overturned, per the live feed we are watching on KING. Sobs erupted in the courtroom. The slander charge, regarding something Knox said in the police interrogation regarding a bar owner for whom she had worked, is the only one that was not overturned. CNN is posting one-liner updates here. Perugia is nine hours ahead, so it’s already well into evening there; the day in court started with Knox, who grew up in West Seattle and has family here, and co-defendant Raffaele Sollecito both pleading their case. Our partners at the Seattle Times have been tracking the developments overnight here, and are with the “Friends of Amanda Knox” group that had gathered at a downtown hotel to watch developments. “Amanda’s coming home, and that’s what we wanted,” a family friend has just told KING in a live report from that gathering.
1:01 PM: “We’re thankful that Amanda’s nightmare is over. She suffered four years for a crime she did not commit,” Knox’s sister Deanna Knox has just told the media in a news conference broadcast live. “…We now respectfully ask you to give Amanda and all of our family the privacy we need to recover from this ordeal.”
1:38 PM: Lots of comments from all over the region, nation, and world – including a statement from King County Executive Dow Constantine:
“Today’s acquittal is a dramatic vindication for Amanda and her family and friends here in West Seattle. I cannot be more pleased at this emotional outcome in the Italian court. Her family has been unrelenting in their pursuit of justice. After so much agony, their four-year ordeal can now come to an end.”
2:19 PM: Changed photos atop this story – the new one, also from the Times, is of the Seattle group that had gathered to await the decision, celebrating as it was announced. Meantime, there is word that Amanda Knox has just left the Italian prison and is now officially free.
5:24 PM: This account, among others, says she and her family will fly home from Italy tomorrow.
‘Tis the season for some holiday planning – and as of today, CoolMom is accepting donations for its 4th annual Toy Swap ‘n’ Sale, with proceeds also benefiting WestSide Baby. The actual event is 9 am-2 pm Saturday, November 12th, at Fauntleroy Church (our photo at right is from last year, same location); donating in advance not only helps CoolMom and WS Baby, it also gets you a $5 credit toward shopping at the sale! Read on for more details and the donation-dropoff spots:Read More
Thanks to Stacey who – after getting caught in the traffic jam like so many this morning – sent word of that banner on the Fauntleroy walkover (first one in a while, since the Great Crackdown of 2007 all but ended the practice). We subsequently headed out to take that photo from the frontage road (NOT from traffic). Yes, along with zillions of others, we will be watching for news of the Amanda Knox verdict, and we’ll publish an update here when it happens (currently not expected to happen before 11 am 12:30 pm our time, which is 8 pm 9:30 pm Perugia, Italy, time). Here’s what else is making news today/tonight:
REMINDER FOR BUS RIDERS: It’s the first commute day since Metro’s “service change” kicked in on Saturday.
NEW URGENT-CARE CLINIC: Today’s the day Highline Medical Center-West Seattle (WSB sponsor) opens its new Urgent Care practice.
NEW SCHOOL-ATTENDANCE CAMPAIGN: As noted here on Friday, the mayor and school superintendent will be at the new Denny International Middle School at 11:30 am today to launch the local version of a national campaign to boost school attendance.
SUBTLY SPICED: West Seattle Cooking Club meets at Beveridge Place Pub, 2 pm. This week’s ingredient: Saffron.
BINGO AT ALKI UCC! Bingo at Alki UCC Church, tonight and every Monday. Buy-in is $7 and payouts vary according to the number of players. Doors open at 5:30 and games begin at 6:30. Usually done by 8:30. 62nd and Alki.
HELP FOR PARENTS: New parenting lecture series debuts tonight at Admiral UCC Church, co-presented by A Child Becomes Preschool, 6:30 pm, more info here.
FAMILY STORY TIME: Mondays 7 pm, Family Story Time at the High Point branch of the Seattle Public Library.
WANT A FREE TRAIN TICKET? The Amtrak companion fare giveaway continues at PCC Natural Markets (WSB sponsor), while it lasts – more info here.
(“Live” image looking westward at the eastbound West Seattle Bridge – refresh for latest)
6:50 AM: Thanks to everybody who has called/texted/e-mailed with word of an eastbound backup on the West Seattle Bridge that’s worse than you’d usually find at this hour. The 911 log lists a crash that apparently did not have major injuries but, according to multiple tipsters, involved three vehicles, so it may take a while to clear. (Late-morning addendum: SFD spokesperson Kyle Moore confirms no one was hurt.)
7:10 AM: The crash is described as “at Admiral,” which on the eastbound side means “parallel with.” You can check the various bridge and feeder views (we’re watching them too) from the WSB Traffic page. One WSB’er says via e-mail that the crash involves “two SUVs and one small sedan.”
7:36 AM: Via Twitter, we have a report about the feeder-street backup – half an hour from the Fauntleroy neighborhood and she hadn’t even reached SW Alaska (blocks BEFORE the 35th/Fauntleroy bridge entrance) yet. Adding a “live” bridge image atop this story – refresh the page for the latest view. The crash scene isn’t visible from the existing bridge angles, so if you get through and know whether it’s been cleared, please let us know (once you reach your destination!).
7:52 AM: Via Facebook, Margie says the crash scene itself has been cleared. Backups will take a while. Alex is trying to get to 509 via Holden – on the southeast side of WS – and he’s hit a backup too.
8:24 AM: Most reports say things are getting better, finally. But the hair-raising-commute stories are still coming in – via Twitter, @206SportsFan says, “One hour from Morgan Junction to Luna Park via bus. … New personal ‘best’ worst.” Jana also commuted by bus and tweeted the photo above, after finally reaching the Avalon turnoff on Fauntleroy.
By Megan Sheppard
On the WSBeat, for West Seattle Blog
Back after another short hiatus: From reports on cases handled recently by Southwest Precinct officers:
*Though he had been evicted at the beginning of the month, a man still had the key to the front door of his former condo building in the Admiral area. He would enter, climb to the roof, and then jump to his old balcony to get inside his old unit, against the orders of the sheriff, bank, and realtor. On Tuesday he was arrested and booked into King County Jail for investigation of criminal trespass. The condo management group will be changing the lock on the front door.
*Late Saturday of last weekend, seeing a car pull out of an Admiral service station without its headlights on, an officer ran the plate and discovered that the registered owner did not have a valid driver’s license. He pulled the car over at 36th and Olga. The driver admitted he had no insurance or license and, although he wasn’t wanted on any warrants, he did have a history of burglary and firearms possession. For safety reasons, the officer had him exit the vehicle, which brought half-full bottles of whiskey, brandy and cognac, a crowbar, and a pair of black leather gloves into plain view. These were confiscated. The 16-year-old was cited for driving without a license or insurance, for not using his headlights, minor in possession, and possession of burglary tools. He was released to his brother’s custody; his car was towed.
Six more summaries ahead:Read More
“Blessing of the Animals” events are a tradition for the weekend closest to the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals – and again this year, West Seattle had three of them. We dropped by the third and final, and only outdoor, blessing event, presented by St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church in the West Seattle High School parking lot next door. Order of St. Francis Brother Kris Wilder (above left) and St. John’s Rev. Peter DeVeau (above center, and below) offered the blessings;
Here’s video as everybody – people and pets – circled around:
(This weekend’s other two West Seattle “Blessings of the Animals” were at Providence Mount St. Vincent on Saturday morning and Alki UCC earlier today.) Side note: If Brother Wilder looks familiar … it may not be just because he has been featured in our previous years’ coverage of this event. He was also on WSB recently in a different kind of robe: The one he wears as a karate instructor, and author of self-defense books.
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