West Seattle, Washington
16 Tuesday
6:23 PM: A crash reportedly involving a semi is affecting traffic going to the northbound 1st Avenue South Bridge from the Highland Park/South Park end (map). More to come.
7:02 PM: Adding a photo WSB contributor Deanie Schwarz sent – you can see the truck was on its side right by the under-construction transfer station. Going to check on the status, since we haven’t heard anything new.
(Photo courtesy Mike)
7:23 PM: A tow truck is working right now to get the truck upright; ramp still closed.
10:15 PM: WSDOT says the ramp was re-opened by 9 pm.
ADDED THURSDAY MORNING: We checked with Seattle Fire Department spokesperson Kyle Moore to ask about injuries: Moore says, “The force of the crash knocked out the windshield to the truck cab. When our firefighters arrived, they helped the man out through the windshield area of the cab. He suffered minor injuries, just bruising and banged up a but he is okay. AMR transported him to Harborview as a precaution. The semi-truck did leak fuel. We threw down absorbent material to pick up the fuel.” (Note: AMR is the private ambulance service – when you see the white vehicles with red trim at incident scenes, that’s usually what it is, and it usually means injuries are NOT life-threatening.)
Three West Seattle Crime Watch notes this afternoon – two are followups from last night: First, we have finally tracked down what brought a large police response to North Admiral around 7 pm. Someone reported to police that a man with a gun was shooting at crows. It turned out to be a BB gun, according to SPD spokesperson Det. Mark Jamieson; the BB gun was taken into evidence, but there were no arrests. Also, we checked to see if the search in Arbor Heights, which related to a stolen car, had resulted in arrests; Det. Jamieson says no. Finally, a new report this afternoon – a car theft reported by Elizabeth:
Our Toyota Highlander was stolen out of our alley driveway last night. 38th and
Dakota. Just FYI for all our West Seattle neighbors.
P.S. For stats fans – SPD announced today that June crime stats have been added to its ongoing online tallies.
Two and a half years after 26-year-old Steve Bushaw was shot dead outside Talarico’s, jury selection has begun in the murder trial of the two defendants remaining in the case. In two sessions this morning, 120 prospective jurors were brought into King County Superior Court Judge Joan DuBuque‘s courtroom, and askedwhether serving on the jury for this trial would cause hardship. For those who were not excused in that round, questioning this afternoon (voir dire) will involve the defense and prosecution lawyers deciding who is acceptable to be seated.
Judge DuBuque has outlined a timetable for the case: Court will be in session Mondays through Thursdays, 9 am to 4 pm (except August 15-16, when it will be in recess), until the case goes to the jury, at which time they will also deliberate Fridays if necessary. It is projected to last three or four weeks before the jury gets the case. The defendants are alleged mastermind Bryce Huber and alleged getaway driver Brandon Chaney, both on trial for first-degree murder after prosecutors dropped the conspiracy charge; John Sylve and Danny O’Neal have already pleaded guilty to being the triggermen and are expected to testify. Earlier this week, it was agreed that opening statements would start next Monday, though that is of course dependent on how the rest of the jury selection process goes.
The state Liquor Control Board has announced a list of 10 farmers’ markets that have been invited to be part of a pilot wine/beer tasting program – and West Seattle Farmers’ Market is on the list. The LCB says the program will run from this September until November of next year, and the 10 invitees’ participation must still be confirmed. Full details here.
Just three days after the hugely successful 2011 edition of WestSide Baby‘s “Stuff the Bus” diaper drive this past Sunday (WSB coverage here), the double-match donation from Huggies is arriving – since WS Baby got 50,000 (and then some) diaper donations, Huggies is donating 100,000. The unloading operation is under way right now at WS Baby’s White Center donation processing/storage center; we’ll add more to this story later.
ADDED 12:48 PM: WestSide Baby executive director Nancy Woodland wanted to share words of thanks:
Below, Nancy’s with Amani Gomez from Kimberly-Clark (left) and WS Baby’s Jolyn Mason.
The forklift they used this morning, by the way, was provided by La Mexicana Foods next door. And as Nancy said in our video clip, they still need diaper donations to keep hundreds of local babies dry, healthy, and happy – here’s how you can help.
3:11 PM UPDATE: WS Baby has updated its final official Sunday total to 55,000 diapers.
When Chief Sealth International High School principal John Boyd announced two weeks ago that he is leaving for a new job in Highline Public Schools, management at Seattle Public Schools promised the community would get a chance to participate in the selection of his successor. The next major step has just been announced by the district:
Chief Sealth International High School staff, students, parents, alums, and community members are invited to a community meeting on Monday, August 1, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. to give input into the qualities you would like to see in the new principal of Chief Sealth International High School. The meeting will be held at the John Stanford Center for Educational Excellence (JSCEE) in room 2700. The John Stanford Center for Educational Excellence is located at 2445 3rd Avenue South.
If you are unable to attend the community meeting, you are welcome to fill out a short survey to provide input: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/WMMMT5L
You are also welcome to e-mail Aurora Lora, Executive Director for West Seattle Schools at aalora@seattleschools.org to provide additional feedback.
ADDED 2:01 PM: An addendum from Sealth athletics director/activities coordinator Sam Reed, who sent this to the Chief Sealth PTSA mailing list but gave permission for it to be republished:
Please take the opportunity, as mentioned below, to provide your input and opinions on the future leadership at Chief Sealth International High School.
The most recent information I received alludes to the fact that District leadership plans to hire an interim principal for the entire 2011-2012 school year. Aurora Lora and Superintendant Susan Enfield have put together a list of potential names and will be making an almost immediate decision based on the opinions given at the meeting, through e-mails received and through the survey linked below. They hope to have the interim principal named before Mr. Boyd’s last day (August 5).
Similar to the process undertaken at West Seattle High School last year, the interim principal will be evaluated extensively in the Spring and a decision will be made at that time whether to convert that person to a permanent position or undertake a complete interview process.
(Bird experts – what’s this? Early Monday am Seaview photo courtesy Chris Johnson)
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar, for today/tonight:
TRIANGLE TO COUNCIL: City Council Committee on the Built Environment hears presentation on West Seattle Triangle proposals, including potential extensive rezoning, 9:30 am. Live on Seattle Channel online and cable channel 21. Agenda and presentation links are in our preview story.
MOBILE SIGNUPS FOR SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Community Resources on Wheels hits West Seattle streets to help parents register their children for Seattle Public Schools and get information on a variety of area resources for families. The bus will visit from 11 am – 2 pm at Westwood Village Target, 2800 SW Barton. Parents and caregivers who plan to enroll their student in school should bring the following: Birth Certificate (K-1st grade only); immunization information; current proof of Seattle residence (utility bills, lease, DSHS; shelter/transitional housing letter); admission form (parents can fill out in advance at seattleschools.org or it will be available on the bus) and photo ID of parent/guardian. For more information, visit the website or call the SPS Service Center at 206-252-0760.
INFO ON SERVICES FOR DISABLED SENIORS: “What is PACE?” at Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon St), 12:15 pm. If you know someone over 55 with disabilities, they may qualify for some of these services: prescription drugs, dental or vision care, long term care, home health nursing etc. Drop-ins welcome.
FRESH PRODUCE, SOLD WHERE IT’S GROWN: 3rd week of the High Point Market Garden Farm Stand, 4-7 pm, 32nd SW and SW Juneau. This is a weekly stand selling seasonal fresh organically grown produce right in the garden where the produce is grown. More details here.
(Photo courtesy Sustainable Seattle)
Back in February, the Delridge Neighborhoods District Council got first word (WSB coverage here) of the then-forthcoming “Sustainable Rain” project, which a Sustainable Seattle rep told council members would include rain-garden work in West Seattle. They didn’t have details then – but they do now, and a rain garden like the one pictured above (which is in Puyallup) is in the works for a spot along California SW, north of Morgan Junction. You’re invited to help:
*COME DIG A RAIN GARDEN IN WEST SEATTLE!*
*Saturday, July 30 *10 am – 2 pm*
*5902 SW California Avenue*
Join Sustainable Seattle and Alleycat Acres in digging the first rain garden in the Russell Foundation-funded Sustainable Rain project! Come help create this garden at a business/residence, protect Puget Sound, and support sustainable businesses. Come for as long as you can, meet great folks, and learn about rain gardens. Bring shovel (if you have), gloves, and water to drink. Bring kids if you can supervise them.
Not familiar with rain gardens? They’re explained here. This is the first of several sites around the region that are slated to be part of the Sustainable Rain project.
It’s the fitness equivalent of zero-to-sixty – a “couch-to-half-marathon” training plan. West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) has led a successful group through it before and is getting ready to do it again – so if you’re interested in running/walking a half marathon (13.1 miles) but stymied about where to start, you’re invited to the info night for the next group, this Thursday (July 28). If you’re interested in the (free!) training, the 17-week plan starts Sunday, culminating in walking/running the Amica Seattle half-marathon on November 27th. The shop’s at 3727 California SW, northwest corner of Calif/Charlestown, upstairs; Thursday night’s info session begins at 7 pm.
P.S. WS Runner’s Tim McConnell also has a shoutout for Team WSR’s finish in the recent Ragnar Relay – 190 miles in 23 hours and 48 minutes: 15th overall, 5th in mixed-gender, 1st in mixed-gender running stores, all accomplished in WSR’s first-ever entry in the relay.
Another local school has a visiting teacher in need of a host family – even for just part of the year. This time, the request comes from Pathfinder K-8. Can you help?
Last year Pathfinder K-8 School was able to provide Mandarin instruction for our students. This was done through an exchange proram with the College Board. It has been a great experience for our students and our families. Students have been able to have Mandarin instruction during the school day and an optional afterschool program has also been available. Pathfinder would like to continue this program for the upcoming school year. In order to do this we must find a host family or host families for our teacher.
We are in need of a host family for our teacher, Mingqui Zhang, to stay with starting on August 22nd. Ms. Zhang would stay with the host family for all or part of the 2011-2012 school year. Families could host on a trimester basis. This is a great opportunity to learn about Chinese culture and pick up some Mandarin Chinese, while doing a great service for our schools. Hosting the Guest Teacher is much like hosting an exchange student, families are responsible for providing the teachers with a room of their own, including the teachers in family meals, and providing them access to things like a washer and dryer. The teacher will receive a modest salary through the Chinese Ministry of Education and the Confucius Institute, and will be provided a bus card for transportation.
If you are interested in serving as a host family, or know of someone in West Seattle who would be interested, please have them contact Pathfinder’s Assistant Principal Lisa Clayton at lclayton@seattleschools.org
Three notes in West Seattle Crime Watch tonight. First, if you’re seeing police activity in Arbor Heights around 32nd and 106th, officers are searching right now for suspects who apparently fled a car that turned out to be stolen. Second, we’re still trying to track down information on an incident earlier tonight in the Admiral District that led to a brief, albeit reportedly sizable, response (will add whatever we find out). Third – two people e-mailed on behalf of neighbors who sadly can’t do it themselves because burglars stole their computer equipment. The break-in happened today near 44th/Cambridge, and one of the neighbors reports:
Burglars hit during the day, broke down the front door, stole computers, including a brand new Apple desktop computer just out of the box, and a Rolex. Left everything else. A burgundy car was seen yesterday, parked just down the hill, with a man inside it watching the neighborhood for quite awhile.
From waving to candy-throwing to pet-sign-wearing, there was plenty of campaigning in last Saturday’s West Seattle Grand Parade (here’s our video of the entire parade, real time, from the honor guard forward) … those are some of the scenes, above. Most of the candidates/advocates you saw in the parade – and others – will be in West Seattle again this Thursday night for the West Seattle Candidates’ Forum – that’s the same day ballots, to be mailed tomorrow, should start arriving.
The forum’s organizers have two things they want you to know tonight: First, they’ve locked in the lineups (see the PDF here, or in text after the jump) … including entertainment, as well as debate/discussion! Second, they WANT ***YOUR*** QUESTIONS – most of the event will consist of questions gathered in advance. There’s an open thread for questions in the WSB Forums (go here) – or, post yours as a comment on this story – or, use this form to send it to organizers. Reps from community groups and hot issues will be there to take your questions starting at 6:30 pm – along with candidates serving free Husky Deli ice cream! – including: WSDOT (on the tunnel), SDOT (on the SW Alaska rechannelization), Seattle Referendum 1 (tunnel), County Veterans’ Levy, Kiwanis Club of West Seattle, Neighborhood House, Sustainable West Seattle, WS In Motion, Seattle Police and Fire Departments, West Seattle Blockwatch Captains’ Network, West Seattle Be Prepared Emergency Communication Hubs. Free child care, too. Now – click ahead for the text of the news release: Read More
While also planning to report this to police, PJ wanted to share the word of a suspicious incident involving someone knocking at the door around mid-afternoon today, just north of The Junction:Read More
Once again, SDOT has called off the plan to close the westbound Spokane Street Viaduct for a few nights for the ongoing widening work. So it’ll be fully OPEN tonight through Friday night, after all. No new date yet.
The newest forecast suggests clear skies Thursday night through Saturday night (and maybe beyond) – good news for two major (and free!) outdoor entertainment events coming up: Thursday night, the 6-week Summer Concerts at Hiawatha series, presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association, starts its third season. Above, the Gothard Sisters are the kickoff act. 6:30 pm Thursday, east lawn at Hiawatha Community Center, BYO blankets/chairs (and some $ for concessions if you want – we’re doublechecking on the final lineup for that), family-friendly. (Full season lineup here.)
Then Saturday night – a comedy classic is the second West Seattle Outdoor Movies event of the summer:
On the big screen in the courtyard by Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor), it’s “Airplane!” – with magician Louie Foxx as preshow entertainment. Gates open 6:30 pm Saturday, movie starts around 9 (it was 9:15 pm last Sat.), free but concessions and raffle tickets benefit local nonprofits, so bring a few bucks if you can. (Full season lineup here – and add August 27th, the rescheduled night for rained-out “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.) P.S. Both the movies and concerts are free thanks to community sponsors (including WSB).
One week from tonight – on Tuesday, August 2nd – it’s Night Out, the annual nationwide celebration of neighbors banding together to fight crime. If you want to close your (non-arterial) street for a block party, hurry! Other neighborhoods have already done it – like the lively people of Pigeon Point, whose official signpost invitation to neighbors is up (artwork by Jim Sander, photo courtesy Pete Spalding). The registration link is on this Seattle Police Department infopage. And if you wouldn’t mind us stopping by your party for a pic, please e-mail us the location and who to ask for!
Meantime, if you use Twitter, and follow the feed for Seattle Police, you were probably startled this morning (we were!) to suddenly see their feed changed into an information stream with single-line messages about calls officers were handling around the city. (Usually, the SPD Twitter feed only has a few messages a day, mostly links to updates on their SPD Blotter site of selected incident summaries.) At a mid-morning briefing about Night Out, they explained they’re doing a “tweet-a-thon” today, 6 am to 6 pm, highlighting incidents that the public tipped them about. Media Response Unit leader Sgt. Sean Whitcomb explains it here.
P.S. Before Night Out gets here – make sure your Block Watch is linked up with the West Seattle Blockwatch Captains Network! You can find them on the Web, on Facebook, and this Thursday night, info-tabling at the West Seattle Candidates’ Forum (6:30-9 pm at South Seattle Community College‘s Brockey Center – updated details coming up later this afternoon).
Thanks to Dwight for e-mailing about a power outage affecting some stores at Westwood Village. It is NOT on the Seattle City Light map; we just went over to check and found that several businesses in the center of the mall – including Pier 1 Imports and Eats Market Café – have signs up saying they’re closed for the day because SCL is doing transformer work. Some stores on the east side of the mall that were reportedly out earlier have power now (including QFC), so bottom line, if you’re going to Westwood Village, you might want to check directly with the store first to see if it’s affected.
Today, we welcome one of our newest WSB sponsors, Breathe Hot Yoga, which has now added a West Seattle studio in The Triangle, on the north side of Link (also a WSB sponsor). 
As is WSB tradition for new sponsors, Breathe Hot Yoga was invited to share what they would like you to know about their business:
Breathe Hot Yoga was founded by Amber Borgomainerio and Ross Yearsley. Amber is well known as an expert yoga teacher whose greatest passion is sharing the gift of a regular yoga practice with her students. It should be no surprise that Breathe‘s mission is to bring authentic, accessible and affordable yoga to Northwest urbanites hungry for healthy life challenges.
Breathe Hot Yoga opened its doors in South Lake Union in early 2009 and is now excited to announce the opening of our West Seattle location at 3750 SW Alaska (map). Amber is no stranger to West Seattle, having brought hot yoga to West Seattleites as the manager and lead teacher of the West Seattle Yoga Center from 2002-2008. Everyone at Breathe Hot Yoga is excited about being back in West Seattle, and we look forward to reconnecting with the community as well as making new friends! You will love practicing yoga with us at our beautiful new studio! Breathe Hot Yoga is online at breathehotyoga.com, and reachable by phone at 206-659-0092.
We thank Breathe Hot Yoga 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.
The Seattle Police SPD Blotter website has just published a couple rounds of highlights from recent activity by the Aggressive Drivers Response Team, including an 80-mph citation on Sunday on the West Seattle Bridge. That’s in this roundup; here’s another new roundup, with activity last week on the bridge and on SW Roxbury (plus a few non-West Seattle spots). P.S. SPD will have some news a bit later this morning; early today, their Twitter feed suddenly morphed into a fast-moving stream of activity, somewhat similar to the Seattle Fire Department’s online 911 log, and they’re explaining it at a media briefing right now.
Roxhill Park in Westwood is about to get a skatespot (which has not been without controversy) and a playground renovation, and Seattle Parks has set the date for the first public meeting about the project. According to a postal-mail notification that, as of this morning, seems to have preceded the full online notification, the meeting will be 6-7:30 pm on Wednesday, August 10, at Southwest Library (35th/Henderson). The postcard says Parks staffers will “outline the project scope and schedule, and learn what the community priorities are for transforming the play area and incorporating a new skatespot into the park.” The skateboarding area is expected to cover about 8,000 square feet, which is about two-thirds the size of the under-construction Delridge Skatepark. The $1 million-plus Roxhill project funding is from the Parks and Green Spaces Levy.
In case you feel the need for sunshine at some point today – Alison Doyle shared that video compilation of scenes along Alki and environs from our sunny Saturday (accompanied by contemplative piano music). Thanks, Alison! Meantime, here are highlights from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:
PARTIAL BRIDGE CLOSURE: Traffic alert for late-night/early-morning drivers – TONIGHT is the rescheduled start of four nights during which SDOT plans to close the westbound Spokane Street Viaduct 10 pm-5 am. That’s the section of the WS Bridge that runs from I-5 to Highway 99. This means the I-5 and Beacon Hill ramps to the WS Bridge will be closed. Here’s the most recent SDOT reminder.
LOOKING FOR WORK? Always helps to know you’re not alone. The “Notes from the Job Search” support/networking group continues to meet at 11 am Tuesdays at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor; 5612 California SW), 11 am.
STORY TIME: All summer long, it is Somali Story Time at the High Point public library (3411 SW Raymond) branch! Bring your children to enjoy stories, rhymes, and fun in Somali, 1:30-2 pm. … Then tonight, Family Story Time at the Seattle Public Library’s Delridge branch, 7 pm
NEW FIELD FOR ULTIMATE FRISBEE: West Seattle Ultimate Frisbee has moved to Fairmount Playfield, and it’s now twice a week – Tuesdays 6:30-8:30 pm, Sundays 11 am-1 pm.
FREE LEGAL HELP: Community Legal Clinic at Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon). Appointments start at 7 pm. Call 206-267-7070.
Three quick notes about local restaurants:
PORTERHOUSE MAKEOVER: Krista Maes, operations director for Porterhouse in the Admiral District, tells WSB they’ll be closing the restaurant/pub tomorrow (Tuesday) “for our own semi-extreme restaurant DIY makeover and re-opening Wednesday July, 27th at about 5 pm for dinner service. The major changes will be seen in styling, menu, and dining room layout and functionality.” Once it’s done, Krista says, “We look forward to any and all critiques,” and will offer “avenues for feedback.”
SPRING HILL AND BIN 41 TEAM UP … for monthly “Juice Salon” sessions at Spring Hill, with small bites and local wines, plus winemaker Q/A. First one is just a week away. Read about it on the Spring Hill website.
RED STAR REOPENING: After a six-day closure, Red Star Pizza in Sunrise Heights is set to reopen tomorrow, per notes on both their door and their website.
(One tile names members of a family that influenced Fauntleroy into the 1980s. Photo courtesy Phil Sweetland)
Your name – or some other inscription – can be etched into Fauntleroy history! From Judy Pickens:
What do a state legislator, sculptor, and school office manager have in common? Their names get walked on by more than a thousand people every week in the Fauntleroy Church/YMCA lobby.
That’s because each contributed in an important way to what Fauntleroy is today. Bill Leckenby was a conscientious voice in Olympia for district residents, Frank Evans made fine art as well as very popular “Thora-ware,” and Betty Bogardus Colman greeted children every day at Fauntleroy School.
These names and several dozen others with a past or present in Fauntleroy have graced the church/Y lobby since 1996, when the church initiated the buy-a-tile project. During the building remodel last year, the lobby grew, as did the number of blank 8″ X 8″ tiles. Now 200 are available to capture more of the neighborhood’s flavor for decades to come.
The tax-deductible cost is $100 per tile for up to two lines of lettering, and pretty much anything related to Fauntleroy goes. Buyers might choose to
§ commemorate grandparents
§ honor a special Y coach
§ mark a wedding or baptism
§ list family members
§ recognize a neighborly business
§ credit an influential residentDeadline to purchase tiles is Nov. 1. Proceeds benefit the church’s Fund for the Future. Order forms are available in the lobby, church office, or at www.fauntleroyucc.org.
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