West Seattle, Washington
05 Wednesday
If you think Alki should have an active Community Council, this is the time to step up. Shared by Larry Carpenter on behalf of the ACC:
What: Alki Community Council Meeting
When: Thursday, January 20, 7:00-8:30 PM
Where: Alki UCC Church Parlor, corner of 62nd Ave & Hinds
Who: ACC Members and Residents of AlkiAgenda: Open Forum on Future Course of the Council
Declines in ACC membership and increasing costs associated with producing a quarterly newsletter and holding monthly meetings have created a dire fiscal situation for the Council. The main agenda item will be a presentation of the current financial situation followed by discussion of possible options:
a. Raise dues to cover expenses or continue as is until treasury is exhausted
b. Discontinue mailing the Beacon but continue to maintain website at reduced cost and distribute minutes electronically
c.. Discontinue monthly ACC meetings, with ACC board continuing to meet monthly/bimonthly and the Council meeting 1/2 times a year for family social event and election of board
d.. Seek merger of ACC with a nearby neighborhood group with similar goalsPlease try to make this meeting if you think it’s important that the Council continue to play a role in Alki. A quorum of 15 members is needed to make decisions on the Council’s future.
This will be the ACC’s first meeting in two months. Here’s our report on the previous one.
(WSB photos by Christopher Boffoli)>
Today officially marked the start of the second week of murder-trial proceedings in the case of the deadly West Seattle shooting two years ago of Steve Bushaw – though the case hasn’t even gone to jury selection yet, and might not for a while, depending on how things proceed. Previously, two of the four original defendants – the two accused of actually shooting Bushaw along California SW between Alaska and Edmunds late Super Bowl Sunday night in 2009 – pleaded guilty to the reduced charge of second-degree murder. Danny O’Neal entered his plea eight days ago, as proceedings began; John Sylve pleaded guilty last Friday. The other two were in court today – from left, alleged mastermind Bryce Huber and alleged getaway driver Brandon Chaney:
They remain charged with first-degree murder and with conspiracy to commit murder. After a brief session this morning, King County Superior Court Judge Joan DuBuque recessed court until 1:30 this afternoon to review some of the information that had emerged; the afternoon session was even shorter, and she recessed the case until 9 tomorrow morning. While there were many twists in this morning’s open discussion involving lawyers, the prosecutor and Judge DuBuque, the most noteworthy one involved the statement given by Sylve as part of his plea agreement. It was indicated that his statement might conflict with the one that the other confessed triggerman, O’Neal, gave days earlier. And that, the prosecutor said, might change the deal to recommend the low end of the sentencing range for him. We’ll find out what’s next when court resumes tomorrow morning.
So what REALLY happened to bring Marty Riemer back to The Mountain, 15-plus months after they booted him? This morning, that topic came up while we were visiting Riemer’s West Seattle-basement-based podcast – the guests were past and present co-workers Shawn Stewart (also a West Seattleite) and John Fisher. And as you can hear in our top clip, Riemer offered an assessment you may not have heard before. As we reported Sunday night/Monday morning, he returns to the station on the afternoon shift next Monday, and will continue with his podcast. The station’s made some other tweaks too, involving the music, as you’ll hear in another clip after the jump:Read More
Almost a year after first word of a “ropes course” coming to West Seattle’s Camp Long, the plan is advancing, and Seattle Parks has just sent word of a community meeting where you can find out more about it:
Seattle Parks and Recreation is hosting a public meeting for the community to learn about the new ropes course coming to Camp Long; it takes place from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 27 at Camp Long, 5200 35th Ave SW.
Last year, Seattle Parks and Washington State University 4-H entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to bring a ropes challenge course to Camp Long.
Parks’ news release continues after the jump:Read More
(The table was only empty for presentation logistics – all the others were full)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
With that quote from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., longtime West Seattleite Mike Heavey opened his presentation this afternoon to the Rotary Club of West Seattle‘s weekly lunch meeting at Salty’s on Alki. The topic: The much-discussed case of Amanda Knox – “a 20-year-old kid, from the University of Washington, from West Seattle” at the time of her arrest in Italy in 2007, which as you almost certainly have heard led to a murder conviction which is now being appealed (with proceedings continuing next Saturday).
That image of brant in West Seattle waters is courtesy of Danny McMillin, who often shares photos of beautiful birds you can see around here almost every day. Though we’ve all seen them and may even be able to identify them by name – how much do we really know about them? An expert is making two presentations in West Seattle today and tomorrow; the first one is less than an hour away, so notice might be short, but there’s plenty of time to arrange to see the second one. The expert is Woody Wheeler of Conservation Catalyst; at 1 this afternoon, he speaks at Merrill Gardens-West Seattle (4611 35th SW; if you want to go, just RSVP to Colleen at 206-932-5480); then tomorrow at 7 am, he’s the featured speaker at the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle‘s next meeting. Here’s the announcement they asked us to share:
Expand your awareness of our connection to nature by learning about the wild birds in our midst. No better way to connect kids and families, neighbors and friends than to appreciate the birds around us. West Seattle is blessed as a stopover for birds flying elsewhere, and is home to many beautiful birds on our beaches and backyards. Come hear Woody Wheeler’s informative, fun, visual presentation of our beloved, sometimes ruffled winged friends. You may even want to take a birding tour to learn more first hand. Kiwanis of West Seattle is 80 years old. Come have breakfast, see Kiwanis in action (and members having fun) at a weekly meeting; and hear this informative presentation. Consider joining Kiwanis to apply your talents in making our community the place you want it to be. Our goal: Helping communities, one child at a time.
The Kiwanis meeting is at 7 am tomorrow (Wednesday), Be’s Restaurant in The Junction (4509 California SW).
It’s been a while since this was announced – but tomorrow’s the first night, so SDOT is out with a reminder today:
Work to widen the Spokane St Viaduct requires closure of the structure’s westbound lanes just west of I-5 for six nights: from 10 p.m. – 5 a.m. this week and next on Wednesday , Thursday and Friday nights – January 19, 20, 21, and 24, 25, 26. During the closures, the bridge weight will be shifted onto a new column; a barrier will be set up on the Harbor Is. ramp; and pavement repair needs will be determined. No work is scheduled and all lanes will be open Saturday and Sunday nights. During this work, southbound I-5 traffic will exit at Forest St to access surface streets. Northbound I-5 traffic and westbound traffic from Columbian Way will be detoured to surface streets at 6th Ave S.
The Spokane Street Viaduct is the section of the West Seattle Bridge between Highway 99 and I-5.
(WSB photo looking south toward the crash scene on Saturday afternoon)
The King County Sheriff’s Office has sent an update this morning on last Saturday’s Shorewood truck-pedestrian crash, which shut down 26th SW south of SW 106th (map) for several hours and sent a teenager to Harborview Medical Center:
A 14 year-old boy was seriously injured when struck by a pick-up truck about 12:30 PM on Saturday, January 15th. The accident occurred in the 10800 block of 26th Ave SW, which is in unincorporated King County just south of Seattle.
Investigating detectives believe the boy came running out of a driveway and into the street. He was hit by a 2005 Dodge Ram pick-up driven by a 21 year-old man, who was not able to stop or avoid the boy. The man lives several blocks from the scene of the accident.
Detectives do not believe there were any contributing factors in the accident, such as alcohol or drugs.
10:37 AM UPDATE: According to KCSO spokesperson Sgt. John Urquhart, the boy was reported this morning to be in serious condition. The case isn’t entirely closed, though; he tells WSB, “The case is still under investigation and there have been no arrests or citations issued.”
(Photo shared by JJ – looking south from Constellation Park, south of Alki Point)
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar: West Seattle Little League‘s first in-person registration of the year was “snowed out” last Tuesday, but the weather looks fine for tonight, West Seattle High School library, 6-8:30 pm, full details at WSLL website …Two major community meetings on the list: Sustainable West Seattle‘s Community Forum (Senior Center of West Seattle, 6:30 pm, preview here), and West Seattle Crime Prevention Council (Southwest Precinct, 7 pm, preview here). … West Seattle Community Orchestras practice tonight at Chief Sealth International High School for the first time in the new year details here … Sanislo Elementary‘s PTA meets at the school tonight, 6:30 pm … Are you the (unpaid) caregiver for a loved one, dealing with stress and relentless demands on your time? A course called “Powerful Tools for Caregivers” will be offered at the Senior Center of WS (California/Oregon), 1-3 pm Tuesdays from today through Feb. 22nd, free; call to register – 206-932-4044.
UPDATE 7:05 pm: The Sustainable West Seattle meeting is moved to Coffee To A Tea, in the Alaska Junction. Happening now! (until 9pm)
If you are not part of the local writing scene, you might know West Seattle poet Nicole Hardy best for her work at Circa in the Admiral District. One week ago, a national/international audience got to know her because of her essay published in the New York Times, “Single, Female, Mormon, Alone.” Tonight, Nicole Brodeur of the Seattle Times (WSB partner) follows up with Hardy and reports that the essay was received so sensationally, she now has an agent and a new book deal. (She’s already published two books of poetry, which you can read about on her website.)
Many people spent this MLK Day as they spent previous ones – volunteering in ways big and small. Some joined in organized events; some came up with their own, as did Annabelle Allen, Hayden and Anne Wainwright, and Molly Allen: Sharing the photo, Mark Wainwright described their efforts as an “impromptu … Day of Service,” explaining:
They picked up a bunch of trash along California from Charlestown to Hinds. Great work, kiddos! (And thanks to the moms, Jane and Shana, for the encouragement!
Two West Seattle Crime Watch reports out of the WSB inbox tonight. First one is about a truck-trailing package thief; second a quick note about an attempted break-in. Read on:Read More
As the CD release party for Pearl Jam‘s “Live on Ten Legs” got going at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) less than an hour ago, it was so wall-to-wall, we barely had room to get Shawnte, Mollie, and Melissa to pose with their newly purchased copies of the CD and vinyl versions. Easy Street Records is there selling the album, Ten Club is there selling merchandise, and The Feedback has on-loan rare PJ memorabilia on display (in addition to their existing collection):
We’re told the party continues the rest of the night. Or till closing, whichever comes first. Next special event, Fiasco plays live, as a benefit for a nonprofit helping multiple-sclerosis patients, January 29th.
We took that photo tonight after Judy forwarded us the e-mail she received about the upcoming closure of Museum Quality Framing in the Admiral District (2352 California SW). Though the sign says it’s “moving,” the e-mail announcement says the store is “closing” and invites customers to patronize a South Lake Union location after this one closes January 27th. This will leave West Seattle with at least four framing stores by our unofficial count – Artistic Framers, Northwest Art and Frame, U-Frame-It, and Wallflower Custom Framing. (P.S. Yes, the store that’s closing is the same one a car drove into last May.)
(One of the underground rooms at Lowman Beach’s Murray Pump Station, from a tour last June)
And another preview for the week ahead: The Morgan Community Association only meets quarterly, so when they get together, the agenda is info-packed. On the agenda for Wednesday night, 7 pm, lower level of The Kenney, hot topics from street changes along California SW and 48th SW, to planning this year’s Morgan Junction Community Festival, to the recent recommendation for how to reduce combined-sewer overflows (CSO) into Puget Sound at Lowman Beach’s Murray Pump Station (above). As we reported in early December, the county is recommending a Murray solution that will require the purchase of private property across from Lowman Beach Park (we followed up with MoCA’s response); King County’s Martha Tuttle is scheduled to be at Wednesday night’s meeting with an update on where it stands and how the recommendation was reached. MoCA also will talk Wednesday night about its new Facebook page (you can “like” it here), and soon-to-retire Crime Prevention Coordinator Benjamin Kinlow will discuss neighborhood safety. See the full MoCA agenda here.
Continuing our look ahead to the post-holiday week: Volunteering opportunities like tabling at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market – where Micah Summers (above) led a home-brewing demonstration yesterday – are part of what Sustainable West Seattle will discuss at its monthly Community Forum tomorrow night (6:30 pm Tuesday, Senior Center of West Seattle, California/Oregon). Lots of other projects you can get involved with, including the forthcoming SWS film series. Other planned presentations include the West Seattle Wildlife Habitat Project and the Salish Sea Transport Co-op.
As this MLK Day holiday Monday winds up, we’re looking ahead at some of what’s in store for the rest of the week. Tomorrow, for the first time in 2 months, the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meets (7 pm Tuesday, Southwest Precinct, Delridge/Webster). In addition to police updates on local crime trends, WSCPC has a guest speaker on the agenda; Robert Gant, who works with local youth as part of the staff at Southwest Youth and Family Services.
Once again this year, local law-enforcement leaders will be part of the Polar Plunge at Alki Beach, raising money for Special Olympics/Washington. WSB is proud to be co-sponsoring the Polar Plunge again in its second West Seattle year. Just got word from organizers today that Seattle Police Chief John Diaz will be taking the plunge again this time – and Southwest Precinct 
commander Capt. Steve Paulsen confirms to WSB that he will follow in his predecessor Capt. Joe Kessler‘s water-shoed-footsteps by doing the same. You can form a team or go it alone to be part of Polar Plunge on Saturday, January 29, plunging at noon, after awards at 11:15 am, and a pre-plunge performance from the Seahawks’ Blue Thunder drum line. If you register and raise the $50 minimum, you get a T-shirt and a cup of Ivar’s chowder – sign up now by going here; we’ll see you there!
We’re at UW’s Hec Ed Pavilion, where Chief Sealth International High School‘s boys-varsity basketball team just beat Bellevue High School, 60-58, as part of the two-day King Holiday Hoopfest. More to come!
3:03 PM UPDATE: Our first clip shows the team taking the floor in the big arena. WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand covered the game at Hec Ed, and reports:
Chief Sealth took advantage of Bellevue’s foul trouble late in the game to put up a 60-58 win at the 2011 King Holiday Hoopfest, at Hec Ed Pavilion on the UW campus. Both teams had foul trouble throughout the game, but Sealth’s rough patch came early. In the first quarter, Bellevue had 12 points, most from free throws. The Wolverines held onto a steady lead for most of three quarters due to Sealth leading the game in turnovers with 25. But late in the third quarter the Seahawks’ Pepe Hernandez and Keon Lewis worked to bring their team a one-point lead going into the fourth quarter. From there Bellevue’s foul problems kept them for regaining the lead.
After the game Coach Colin Slingby met the media along with Lewis and Hernandez:
Lewis and D’nique Harris-Welch were Sealth’s high scorers with 18 points each. Bellevue’s standout player was Nate Sikma, who had 27 points Nate is the son of former Sonic Jack Sikma. No break for Sealth – big game tomorrow night at home against Rainier Beach.
ORIGINAL 11:58 AM REPORT: That traffic-cam screengrab from a few minutes ago shows a vehicle fire that’s being put out in the Terminal 5 area, on West Seattle’s side of the Port. We don’t have information on the fire itself yet but received a call that traffic on the “low bridge” is being forced to turn around – so wanted to send out a heads-up.
(Photos by Christopher Boffoli, added 12:50 pm)
UPDATE: Christopher Boffoli is at the scene. He says the cab of a tractor-trailer caught fire. The driver got out OK, and the cargo (a load of paper) appears to be all right. No word on the cause. This is right on the west end of the low bridge, and they’re starting to let traffic through again, but he says there’s still a notable backup.
Video added 2:16 pm; no official word so far on the fire’s cause.
(Photo courtesy of Rhonda Porter)
If you would be interested in living in and caring for what has to be the most unusual home/garden pairing in West Seattle today – Lita has an offer for you. She e-mailed WSB to share the news that the Walker Rock Garden and Home are for sale:
I am the granddaughter of Milton and Florence Walker, the creators of the Walker Rock Garden (located at 5407 37th Ave SW, West Seattle). We (my aunt, cousin, and myself) are placing the Walker Rock Garden and Home for sale as we can longer maintain it. … We’re hoping to drum up interest amongst locals and ultimately find someone whose heart lies in keeping the garden healthy and happy (and hopefully allowing the public to still visit).
The Walker Rock Garden, created by Lita’s grandparents over the span of 20 years, is one of those places you have to see to appreciate. Photos do hint at its memorable sights – here’s a gallery shared by Lita; here’s one by Rhonda “The Mortgage Porter” Porter (WSB sponsor). Others who have written about it include Lori Hinton in “West Seattle 101“ and West Seattle-based online entrepreneur/eclectica expert Jerry at JetCityOrange.com (his page about Walker Rock Garden is here).
The site is not an official landmark, so there’s no official guarantee of its protection. Lita shared this official flyer; we asked her a few followup questions such as asking price (not mentioned on the flyer, nor could we find a listing online) and whether they’ll have an open house – we’ll add her answers when they come in.
ADDED 8:50 PM: Lita replied:
The property will be listed on the MLS near the start of February and the price has yet to be determined. However, we wanted to get the word out so anyone interested in preserving can start to look at their finances. Also, because we do not yet know who the next owners will be, this very well could be the last year the garden will be open, so come check it out before it is too late. The hours can be found at walkerrockgarden.net.
She says they will not be requesting an official agreement that the buyer would preserve the rock garden.
A memorial service is planned this Saturday for Ann Owchar, a longtime West Seattle community advocate and volunteer. In a note shared on community lists, her daughter announced Ms. Owchar “passed away peacefully after a courageous battle with a very rare and debilitating form of dementia.” Until her illness, Ms. Owchar continued to represent the Highland Park Action Committee on the Southwest District Council. She was also active in its battle against the city’s proposed jail sites in Highland Park; she joined Monica Cavagnero and then-HPAC chair Dorsol Plants in speaking to the 34th District Democrats about it in summer 2008:
Later that year, HPAC honored her, as reported here, for her decades of community service:
(Photos courtesy of Dina Lydia Johnson, who also designed the certificate)
Ms. Owchar also volunteered tirelessly for other causes/groups including Soroptimist. Sharing news of her death via the North Delridge mailing list, city Neighborhood District Coordinator Ron Angeles noted, “Delridge is a better place for all people to live and grow due to Ann’s never ending love for her community. She will be missed by many.” Ms. Owchar’s memorial service is at noon Saturday at Howden-Kennedy, 3909 SW Alaska, and will be followed by a reception at her daughter’s home at 3726 SW Webster. Ms. Owchar was 81.
| 1 COMMENT