West Seattle, Washington
16 Sunday
Two West Seattle Crime Watch reports. First – a tough start to the year for West Seattle Cellars, and this didn’t make it any better: They’re cleaning up this afternoon after an overnight break-in, less than a month after store co-proprietor Bear Silverstein was laid to rest. After receiving tips via phone and e-mail (thanks), we just went to the shop (map) to find out about the reported burglary. Tom DiStefano tells us somebody broke through the glass door overnight, cut themselves in the process – police are getting DNA samples from the blood – and upended the cash register, but it was empty. In the end, he says, all the burglar(s) made off with was, he says, “a couple bottles of French wine.” Tom stresses that they’re OPEN for business, all’s well, you’ll just have to go in the side door while they’re cleaning up. Now, the second case: You’re asked to be on the lookout for this stolen bicycle:
Via Facebook, Gini tells us:
We live in the 11400 block of Marine View Dr SW [map] … The 50’s vintage bike was red, white and blue and had a metal basket with a white primrose planted in a clay pot. (which they smashed on the driveway) The bike had sat there at our gate for 3 years and brought joy to me everyday. Walkers would stop and take pictures and folks were always telling us how much they liked it…
She says it was stolen sometime this morning. Meantime, we’ll mention it again: If you have concerns/questions about local crime and safety issues, TONIGHT is the monthly meeting of the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council, a citizen-volunteer-led group but always attended by local police who answer questions as well as updating the latest cases and trends, 7 pm, meeting room at the Southwest Precinct (Delridge/Webster; there’s parking on the SW side of the building, enter off Webster).
SWINERY UPDATE: When we reported their “remodeling shutdown” plan last week, they were planning to be open through this Friday before closing for a few weeks. Instead, their pre-closing sale was so successful, proprietor Gabriel Claycamp reported via Facebook, they’re closed now (except possibly for a TBA “bacon sale”). Meantime, another hot West Seattle food business added something special at lunchtime today for Fat Tuesday:
BAKERY NOUVEAU TUNES: Thanks to Michael at Liberty Bell Printing across the street for the tip: Outside Bakery Nouveau, patrons and passersby were serenaded by members of Swamp Soul (seen here last August during the inaugural Admiral Neighborhood Association Summer Concerts at Hiawatha series). (1:40 pm) Thanks also to Meryl at Sleepers in Seattle and Edgar from Captive Eye Media for sending pix – we just substituted Meryl’s photo for our original on-the-run BlackBerry snap. BN’s Fat Tuesday fare includes paczkis, the filled donuts that also were celebrated in a competition at Metropolitan Market/Admiral (WSB sponsor) today (video of that coming up – but [added] here’s a photo shared by Pam, two of the kids she took to watch the festivities):
Story and photos by Mary Sheely
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
A guy walks into an empty storefront and gets asked about perfume.
It sounds like a joke, but it’s actually what happens when Mike Ross stops to ask what new business is going in at 4536 California SW (map) in The Junction.
“How do you feel about perfume?” he’s asked.
“I don’t,” is his reply.
Christen Cottam is out to change that.
This April, she’ll be opening a perfumery, Knows Perfume, in that space (formerly home to Westside Alterations).
(scroll down for newest info – adding fire cause at 2:47 pm)
(top photo courtesy Aimee, added 8:07 am; photo below, our original cameraphone pic from 7:01 am)
ORIGINAL 6:49 AM REPORT: Checking on house fire call in 5600 block of 25th SW (map). In e-mail, Aimee says the house was at one point “fully engulfed in flames.” According to the scanner, “one occupant of the house has received some injuries” and is getting help from the Medic 32 crew at the scene. 7:01 AM: Fire reported “knocked down … with hot spots and heavy debris.” Our crew has just arrived – added cameraphone photo above. From the front, house appears pretty much gutted. 7:17 AM: On scene, SFD tells us that five people got out safely (we’d heard on the scanner that was “one male, four females”). The fire is not believed to be “suspicious” but the cause is still under investigation. Still checking on the status of the person who’s being treated in Medic 32 at scene. (update) We’re told that the “one male” they were trying to check for smoke inhalation, refused treatment. 7:55 AM: In the media briefing at the scene, deputy chief Jessie Youngs said two of the people were in the basement and a neighbor was slightly hurt getting them out. Here’s our video of his 2-minute briefing:
And here’s a clip of firefighters inside the house once the fire was out (except for hot spots):
10:03 AM: Just checked with SFD; investigators are still working to figure out how this fire started. 2:48 PM UPDATE: Seattle Fire has just announced the fire’s cause – accidental, started by “unattended candles.” Damage estimate: $200,000. More info on SFD’s Fire Line site – including candle-safety information.
MID-WINTER BREAK MUSIC CAMP STARTS TODAY – and there’s still room at this camp for 4th-8th grade musicians, held at Denny International Middle School, according to this comment from leader Marcus Pimpleton on our original announcement. Be there, 9 am. Details here.
CITY FURLOUGHS – The city’s spreading its money-saving furlough days around – today, Neighborhood Service Centers (including The Junction and Delridge) are closed, and some SDOT workers are on furlough.
STATE OF THE CITY – Not a furlough day for Mayor Mike McGinn; he’s giving his first State of the City speech at 2 pm. If you can’t be at City Hall to see it in person, watch live on Seattle Channel, online or on cable 21.
FAT TUESDAY #1 – PACZKIS GONE WILD: It’s Fat Tuesday, and the second annual edition of a wacky tradition at Metropolitan Market/Admiral (WSB sponsor) – an intracompany competition involving the filled Polish donuts called paczkis (pronounced POONCH-keys). You’re welcome to watch (and we’re told paczkis and coffee will be handed out to spectators), 11 am. (Here’s our story from last year.)
FAT TUESDAY #2 – MATADOR HAITI FUNDRAISER: Matador‘s donating all its profits today/tonight, all locations including West Seattle, to Haiti quake relief.
FAT TUESDAY #3 – BRIDGE PARK PARTY: For Mardi Gras at Bridge Park in High Point, Southern dinner & dancing, 5:30 pm, call to RSVP: 206-938-6394.
WEST SEATTLE CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL AND SUSTAINABLE WEST SEATTLE TONIGHT: As previewed here.
And more! on the WSB Events calendar!
Monday in Olympia, supporters of the Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition were among those joining environmental and education advocates who rallied to raise concerns about the state budget (as explained here, with rally photos here). While DRCC is an advocacy group that also makes the rounds of neighborhood groups and festivals), much of their awareness-raising happens on the river itself. “Yes, it is a river,” as group leaders reminded during a recent tour. They pointed out the good, the bad, and the ugly – perhaps the best example of the former, the wildlife in our video above that’s found a way to co-exist with the industrial development: Two eagles (our video shows one) perched on the heavy equipment atop a barge. The river tour co-sponsored by ARCADE was meant to highlight the “built environment” as well as nature – ahead, more of the sights in both categories:Read More
SUSTAINABLE WEST SEATTLE: The monthly meeting moves to neighboring South Park tomorrow for a presentation on “Walkable, Livable Communities,” featuring the Northwest Ecobuilding Guild suggesting “allowing more housing in single-family neighborhoods – done the right way” can create those kinds of communities. Full details are on the SWS website; it starts at 7 pm tomorrow at the South Park Community Center, 8319 8th Ave. South (map).
WEST SEATTLE CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL: In addition to a crime-trends update from, and Q/A with, Southwest Precinct police, there’s a guest speaker this month from the Department of Planning and Development: Karen White focuses on “code compliance” and will talk about so-called “working with neighborhoods to rid the area of nuisance properties, especially abandoned houses and business buildings.” WSCPC’s website invites questions in advance, in case there are specific situations you want to see addressed – westseattlecpc@gmail.com – check out the website’s new look (blog format so it’s easier to have fresher info). Tomorrow’s meeting is 7 pm, Southwest Precinct meeting room (west side of the building at Delridge/Webster).
Earlier today, we mentioned the West Seattle Helpline‘s “Taste of West Seattle” coming up May 13th, and their call for more local restaurants to be part of it. (Here’s that story.) 
Right now, news of another tasty West Seattle event for a good cause — the Nature Consortium‘s second annual benefit brunch, noon Sunday, March 14, at The Hall at Fauntleroy. WSB is proud to be among the event sponsors. The Nature Consortium’s main mission is to work in the West Duwamish Greenbelt, along the eastern edge of West Seattle, restoring it to healthy forest-hood. They’re based at Youngstown Arts Center here in WSB. You can go to the NC’s site to find out more about the benefit brunch and how to RSVP.
ORIGINAL 3:02 PM REPORT: On our way to check out another crash. Jill sent first word of this – “a major accident westbound in the bridge just above Admiral/Avalon exit. All lanes blocked by rescue vehicles…” 911 log confirms a “heavy rescue” response to that scene. Via Facebook, Mark describes what he saw: “Two cars, one car upside down, people inside.” 3:12 PM: We’re still working to get a viewpoint of the scene but we can tell you that cars are getting off The Bridge at the Admiral/Avalon exit, so it’s west of there. 3:34 PM: Thanks to commenters for updates, including this from CJZ: “We were driving about 100+ yards behind when the one vehicle suddenly spun and rolled violently. There just happened to be an American Med. Response rig to my right as we were driving across the WS Freeway and they were able to respond within seconds.” 4:13 PM: The traffic cam for the end of The Bridge at Fauntleroy shows traffic, which indicates the scene’s clear.
A commenter in our earlier story has forwarded a letter from Services Group of America confirming the helicopter-crash death of chair/owner Tom Stewart, whose company was headquartered in North Delridge until 2006. The Seattle Times (WSB partner) is now also quoting the company as confirming Mr. Stewart’s death, as well as 4 others who were on board the SGA-owned chopper that went down in Cave Creek, Arizona. Here’s the letter; if you can’t open the PDF, we’ve cut/pasted the text after the jump (added 3:23 pm, here’s the official company news release):Read More
For the second year in a row, West Seattle’s pooch population has produced the Cover Dog Model Search winner for CityDog Magazine (headquartered in West Seattle). CDM’s Brandie Ahlgren sent this sneak peek at the cover with wheaten terrier Murphy, who went to the finals (as noted here in September) after winning the photo shoot held at West Seattle Thriftway. Brandie says the winter issue with Murphy on the cover (photographed by J. Nichole Smith of dane + dane studios will be on sale this Friday, and adds, “This issue also includes ALL of the dogs from the cover dog model search — close to 500 in all! CityDog is sold in West Seattle at Barnes & Noble, Pet Elements and Mud Bay.” (Here’s 2009 cover dog Cohen.)
ORIGINAL 1:16 PM “AVALON BLOCKED AT GENESEE” REPORT : On the scene. Bicyclist took a bad spill. Being taken to hospital. Police say no car was involved. Road should reopen shortly. 1:39 PM: Added photo, taken looking northwestward on Avalon from Genesee corner. Going back to check that the road reopened as expected.
It’s midwinter break, so nobody was at Gatewood Elementary (map) when Jared spotted urban wildlife there this morning:
I’m up early with my dog; out and about in the Fauntleroy Park/Solstice Park/Gatewood Elementary areas quite often. I’ve seen my fair share of our urban Coyotes but never at the school grounds. I just had to send you a quick note. At approximately 8:30 this morning I saw a coyote scampering underneath the large trees just east of the older playground structure. He originated from the dumpster behind the school. The crows that frequent these tress were going crazy; their squawking is what drew my attention to this corner of the field. The coyote spent a couple minutes surveying under the tress and than ran off Northbound to Frontenac St. Doubtful the dog would have been in these parts with school in session, but alarming nonetheless.
Previous coyote reports are archived here (newest to oldest) – including our most recent article about authorities’ advice regarding coexistence.
(Phoenix TV report this morning on the crash investigation)
The Seattle Times (WSB partner) was first to report this locally last night: A helicopter belonging to Services Group of America, headquartered in West Seattle (in the North Delridge building known for its huge flag) until 2006, crashed in Arizona, killing at least 3 people, who have yet to be publicly, officially identified. The company acknowledged to the Times that the crashed chopper was the personal helicopter of its owner and chair, Tom Stewart here’s his official bio on the SGA site), and said there were conflicting reports on whether he was aboard. When Stewart’s company was headquartered in the North Delridge building, helicopter-flying was the source of a controversy that spanned almost the entire ’90s decade – in 1991, he sought a permit for a helipad atop the building, and the fight went all the way to the state Supreme Court before a final ruling against it in 1999. This aviation site reported on the crash and pointed to the FAA registration data of the helicopter, which suggests it may have belonged to the company before its move from West Seattle to Arizona. Since Stewart’s company moved, the main headline back here has been the $125,000,000 for-sale listing of his Vashon farm (detailed on this website, video tour and all). The SGA chopper went down in the Cave Creek, AZ, area.
More info this morning about West Seattle student athletes in tournament play starting this week: We mentioned Seattle Lutheran High School over the weekend; this morning, an update on Chief Sealth High School‘s boys’ varsity team from athletic director Sam Reed:
The Chief Sealth boys’ basketball team will begin league play with a semi-final game Wednesday evening, February 17th, versus Seattle Prep High School. Sealth (13-7 overall, 12-3 league) earned the 3rd seed into the tournament and will play Seattle Prep (16-4 overall, 14-2 league) for the right to play for the Metro League title. Rainier Beach and Franklin face off in the other semi-final game. All four teams have already earned a guaranteed berth into next week’s district tournament.
The game will start at 7:00 p.m. at Seattle Prep High School (2400 11th Avenue East) [map]. Tickets are $7 for adults, $5 students. The Metro League championship will be determined Friday, February 19th at 6:45 p.m. at Seattle Pacific University.
Also happening today: First, since the libraries are closed, Hotwire Coffee (WSB sponsor) is offering a free hour of Internet surfing to anybody who comes in and mentions they heard it on Twitter, Facebook, or WSB. Another reason to stop in at Hotwire and say hi – proprietor Lora Lewis says barista alum Blayne, who left a few months back to focus on his fashion career, is back Monday-Tuesday this week and next.
Switching gears, a note from “Westseattledood,” who’s been part of a Block Watch discussion in the WSB Forums:
Are you a Block Watch Captain in the SW Precinct or do you know one?
Are you interested in forming a Block Watch Captains’ Network? Do you think efforts to revitalize the Block Watch program in our SW Precinct neighborhoods is an idea worth talking about?
While the city of Seattle is ahead of the country in participation of Block/Neighborhood Watches, citywide there is only about 30% participation. There was a time when 70% of Seattle citizens were affiliated with a Block Watch.
If you are interested in strategies for West Seattle neighbors to revisit and perhaps revitalize this proven, cost-effective model of citizen support of public safety and crime prevention, join your neighbors for discussion today.
4:00 PM today
Delridge Uptown Espresso.
3845 Delridge Ave SW
(Delridge and Andover)
(May 2009 photo from the Taste of West Seattle)
The Taste of West Seattle is a major fundraiser each year for West Seattle Helpline, and a showcase for some of our area’s tastiest culinary creations. This year, the date and place are set – three months away, May 13th, at The Hall at Fauntleroy – but the menu of participants is still being cooked up. Helpline executive director Anna Fern says they’re hoping to make it an even-longer list this time! With West Seattle’s restaurant scene growing increasingly delicious by the day, she’s inviting more restaurants and businesses to join the Taste of West Seattle this year – so it can be the biggest and best ever, supporting local families in need. Call her at 206-932-2746 to find out how to be part of it. **NOTE: Since original publication of this item, Helpline has changed the date to 5/20/10.**
WHAT’S DIFFERENT:
Schools are closed (for public schools, it’s Midwinter Break all week)
Most government offices are closed
Banks are closed
City-run community centers are closed (Southwest Pool too)
City and county libraries are closed
Metro Transit is on the “When No UW” schedule
No regular-mail delivery
Parking’s free on city streets with pay stations/meters
WHAT’S NOT DIFFERENT:
Trash/recycling/etc. on regular schedule
Sound Transit service is on the regular weekday schedule
State liquor stores are open
(Thanks to Rene for sending photos)
ORIGINAL 12:16 AM REPORT: Thanks to everyone who’s phoned/e-mailed/FB’d about this – police are investigating an apparent hit-run crash that we are told has damaged multiple vehicles along 35th near Holly (map). Avoid the area – Ella is telling us via Facebook that utility lines are down too. The truck that hit the other vehicles is still at the scene but its driver apparently fled and has not yet been tracked down. Ella says the driver “was wearing a black puffy jacket and looked to be about in his 30’s” – the truck you see above in Rene’s photo is the one that hit other vehicles, we’re told. Rene’s account: “Hit and run. We heard a loud crash and sparks flying from a moving truck. Truck hit four parked cars, smashed into the light pole right at the southbound bus stop. Truck driver fled the scene.” ADDED 12:51 AM: A photo from Al, showing one of the cars hit by the truck:
From Al’s note … “This time around 11:40 PM … a large cargo truck struck a number of parked cars heading north and then careened across the southbound lanes and went up the curb at Holly St. The driver took off. This picture is of my neighbor’s car that was parked two houses up and ended up on the sidewalk in front of my house. When is SDOT going to (do) something (anything!) about 35th?” We have blurred the license plate in the photo so as to not reveal personal info; however, one resident who tells us his car was “accordioned” by the truck is Sustainable West Seattle president Brian Allen. 2:29 AM: Brian tells the full story as he experienced it in the comment section, here, and shares a photo of his car from another angle:
He also reports that the crash scene hasn’t been fully cleared up – debris, and the truck, remain, while a city crew is dealing with the pole and lines. 4:19 AM: Just drove by the crash scene to see if it was cleared yet. The truck’s still there, with one police car next to it, blocking the outside southbound lane on 35th, just south of Holly. This photo from D. Groves shows the scene clearly (except for the big tag on the truck, which we blurred):
5:19 AM UPDATE: Scott C called a few minutes ago to say a tow truck has arrived at the scene; TV truck, too. 10:18 AM UPDATE: As Mike points out in comments, Q13 reports this morning that Croft Rentals says the truck was stolen (they’re in the 11200 block of 16th SW in White Center). “Whoever was driving rammed two trucks just to get it out of the lot,” reporter Brian Callanan (a West Seattleite) was told. “Threw the registration on the ground.”
From the Hero Memorial Workout at CrossFit West Seattle in the Admiral District on Sunday afternoon: Sometimes, the intensity of an activity is shown most vividly in the moments when participants pause, like this. The workout was in memory of SPD Officer Tim Brenton, murdered in the line of duty on Halloween night, and a fundraiser for the Behind the Badge Foundation. Also from the Admiral District, a sight in the sky:
A Valentine’s rainbow arced in the east (thanks also to “k” for sending a shot of it). One more sighting – “The King” really did materialize at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market, as promised by market managers:
Nice jumpsuit! That’s a Twitpic, tweeted by @callingindead.
Two solicitor alerts to pass along – one from a local business, one from the city – read on:Read More
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, C&P: Happy anniversary to C & P Coffee, which celebrated its 8th “birthday” today. C & P also just sent a reminder about an event recently added to the WSB Events calendar – next Friday, 6:45-9 pm, a knitting party! New addition to the evening: Raffle items that will benefit West Seattle-founded, breast-cancer-patient-helping Northwest Hope and Healing.
WESTSIDE YOGA AND DOGA: Eight days till Kelly Showalter-Page plans to open her new yoga/doga studio in Morgan Junction (6417 Fauntleroy) that she describes as “the only traditional Ashtanga and Doga studio in Seattle and the only Doga studio in the United States.” She’s been documenting the space’s transformation on the Westside Y&D Facebook page.
WIGGLE ROOM ON THE WAY: Not far from there – on the south end of Morgan Junction at 7001 California SW – West Seattle Dawg has moved out of the space, and Tracy Giles and Charlotte Bontrager have moved in to open Wiggle Room Dog Obedience Studio and Daycare. Giles tells WSB, “We expanded the rear fence so that the dogs have an awesome yard to play in (the largest outdoor space for dog daycare in West Seattle), and we remodeled the inside area. We are adding structured play and learning time in the daycare and an obedience studio for small group or individual lessons upstairs.”
RANCHO BRAVO TACOS UPDATE: Yes, one of the city’s better-known taco-truck operators says he’s still coming to West Seattle, though the timetable first mentioned last year has slid. After a WSB Forums discussion reopened the other day, we checked back with proprietor Freddy Rivas, who tells us they’re now hoping for April 1st – he’s focusing first on opening a bigger trailer in Wallingford, and then a Greenwood location on March 1st.
WING DOME NOTE: Marty e-mailed to point out that the future West Seattle Wing Dome location gets a quick mention in this Seattle Times (WSB citywide-news partner) article today. We first reported word of their Junction plans last September, with a quick update in December; we checked back a few weeks ago and the status was exactly what the Times mentioned today – still finalizing the lease.
Local branches of the Seattle Public Library have gone through some changes this past month – both management changes, and the schedule changes that have affected the entire system – and that’s put the “Story Time” schedule on hold for a while. But children’s librarian Shannon Schinagl sends word that they’re about to resume the popular regular events – “with an addition!” she points out:
Southwest Library:
– *New! Baby Story Time (for newborns – 12 months) on Mondays at 11:30am, beginning Feb. 22!
– Toddler Story Time on Thursdays at 11:00am, beginning Feb. 25!
– Preschool Story Time on Wednesdays at 11:30am, beginning Feb. 24!Delridge Library:
– Pajama Story Time on Tuesdays at 7:00pm, beginning Feb. 23!High Point Library:
– Toddler Story Time on Thursdays at 11:30am, beginning Feb. 25!West Seattle Library:
– Toddler Story Time on Wednesdays at 10:30am, beginning Feb. 24!South Park Library:
– Preschool Story Time on Wednesdays at 11:15am, beginning Feb. 24!
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