West Seattle, Washington
28 Thursday
Foreground at right, that’s Fauntleroy resident Chris Porter, who was an Obama delegate to the Democratic National Convention (here’s his first-person report published on WSB afterward) – we found him with other signwavers on the Fauntleroy overpass about half an hour ago. All Democrats, except for two Lakeside School students who came with a get-out-the-vote sign; we talked to them on video – (added later) here’s the clip (tough to do a coherent interview over a near-freeway):
And here’s a video clip of Chris and company – most notable for the sound of traffic, and honking, going by:
By the way, the view looking east from the overpass:
And on the way to the overpass (added later), just one lone signwaver at 35th/Fauntleroy – but our video view, as we pass, shows a couple other campaign sights:
A bit to the southeast, Neil sends this photo, with a note that there was no wait to vote at Delridge Community Center around 9:30:
And if anyone wants to harken back to the last time a Democratic candidate won a first term … we found this bumper sticker on a car in front of Salon 08 on the north edge of The Junction:
We’re just steps away from Salon 08 at the moment, posting from Hotwire Coffee, WSB’s inaugural advertiser as of one year ago tomorrow — proprietor Lora Lewis is here serving up the “Election Specials” we mentioned last night – have overheard three “Obama for Change” orders in 15 minutes, in fact.
That’s the result of our short chat with Mayor Nickels and wife Sharon Nickels just outside Admiral Church, where they arrived to vote at 7:30 – we asked him (a) his thoughts on the end of the in-person voting era in King County, and (b) if he had any predictions. If you somehow hadn’t heard this before, he reconfirmed he’ll be on the ballot in a year. Meantime, we’ve also heard from The Junction, where someone texted us that 20 people were in line at Tibbetts United Methodist Church by 7 am, and here’s what we got at our polling place, Peace Lutheran Church in Gatewood — we talked briefly with Charles Exe, who was first in line to vote:
Peace Lutheran had two chairs at the head of the line – Charles got one, and Sandy Essene, second in line, got the other:
Another West Seattle-related tidbit — as the TV and Web political pundits prattle on through the day, there’s online speculation that an Obama Administration might consider former Senator Tom Daschle as White House Chief of Staff; Sen. Daschle was here just last month at the big breakfast event for Delridge-based Southwest Youth and Family Services, which is run by his brother Steve Daschle. ADDED 8:39 AM: Distant shot at left of the helicopter you may have seen buzzing The Junction and Admiral. We saw it while at Admiral Church in the 7 am hour – definitely a news chopper, though I couldn’t tell whether it was 4 or 7 – likely covering voting, since nothing else newsworthy was up at that time. Thanks again to Cami for that shot and for this one of voters at Schmitz Park Elementary around 7:30 am:
We’re heading back out to see what else is up in the early going. Meantime, in addition to comments on our home-page reports like this one, there’s also Election ’08 chat going on in the ever-hoppin’ WSB Forums (with newly added features – chosen your avatar yet?).
That’s the lineup under the overhang outside Admiral Congregational Church, minutes before voting began at 7 am. In the foreground with a coffee cup, longtime Admiral community activist Dennis Ross, who said he’s going to miss the in-person voting experience (as are we) in future elections. We’re here because in a little while, it’ll be the traditional official Election Day photo-op of the mayor, who votes here (Channel 7 is doing its election-morning live shots from here as a result) . More pix of that, plus the pre-voting scene at the WSB team’s home precinct on the other end of West Seattle, in a bit. We know there were lines elsewhere – driving northbound on California, we saw one (lots of umbrellas in view; the rain hasn’t let up yet) outside the Senior Center in The Junction. (Remember, your pix are welcome throughout the day and evening, editor@westseattleblog.com, as we’ll be chronicling Election Day — and Night — as it happens.) ADDED 7:19 AM: Alki News Beacon editor Cami MacNamara sends this shot of the line that had already formed inside the Alki Community Center lobby by quarter till 7:
First: As Election Day begins, remember how Election Season began:
Scenes from the precinct caucuses, almost nine months ago, February 9 – this was the Democratic crowd at Arbor Heights Elementary (photographed that day by Tim):
And this WSB shot captured the lined-up Republican caucus crowd that day at Southwest Community Center:
Now – we will set out shortly to see if lines are greeting poll workers for their last major election (as devoted in-person voters, we will have to bring Kleenex when we go cast our votes). King County Votes is collecting photos and stories about in-person voting, too, so we will probably share ours.
Here are some info-links that may help as we begin Election Day:
If you vote in person: 7 am-8 pm. Where, you ask? Doublecheck here.
If you vote by mail but haven’t sent your ballot in yet, get it postmarked by 8 pm or drop it off at the nearest polling place (list here).
Still dithering over some hot races/issues? Background links on the WSB Election page, where we’ll also have results links tonight as spillover from the home page.
Not sure what to do with the “downticket” races like judges? The 34th District Democrats (WSB sponsor) have a full list of endorsements here; countywide Republicans, here; nonpartisan Muni League‘s list, here.
Election Night parties? Discussed in this WSB Forums thread.
Coverage here? All day and all night. And we’d love to have you be part of it. Send us pix, video links, leave comments, call with tips, whatever, so we can chronicle as much of West Seattle Election Day ’08 (and night) as possible.
All those sticky notes, and dozens more, represent the latest progress toward figuring out what will happen at the Denny Middle School site after the new school opens on the Chief Sealth campus. Even though that’s more than two years away, Seattle Public Schools managers want a final design in place within the next few months, and that’s why Design Team meetings are under way. Last time, we reported on a meeting for which few showed up; tonight, a better turnout, and as SPS manager Don Gillmore put it, this was the end of the “abstract” part of the process — read on for more on what happened and what’s next:Read More
Earlier, we showed you a nonpartisan exhortation to vote, and a Republican signwaving stronghold. Now, a couple signs from the D side — the one atop this post is from Jason in Fauntleroy; the next one is from Highland Park‘s Dina Johnson, who says this banner will be in her yard on Election Day next to a “big flag”:
Another sign of the times is the drink-special roster at Hotwire Coffee (which by the way became WSB’s first-ever sponsor as of exactly one year ago this Wednesday):
(Click to see the full-size flyer)
Hotwire is one of many places we expect to visit as we roam West Seattle tomorrow chronicling Election Day (and Night) ’08 — we’ll have one more round of voting-info links up in the early morning, then our coverage starts with the opening of polling places at 7 am — we’ll be at a couple places when the doors open, but we also would love to get pix from you, cameraphone or whatever, of your polling place or anything else election-related — editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!
As reported here after a King County Superior Court jury exonerated an Alki 18-year-old on Friday in the 10/13/07 deadly shooting inside a car at 59th/Admiral, the trial had one more phase: Since the teen’s legal team had filed a request, as allowed under state law, for compensation for what he’s gone through if it was found that this was justifiable homicide — the jury cleared him on the grounds of self-defense — the jury needed to convene again to consider that part of the case. That took all day today, after which both jurors and the teen’s mother had something to say — read on for our courtroom correspondent’s report:Read More
That’s the West Duwamish Greenbelt trailhead at 14th SW/SW Holly (map), where toddlers, preschoolers, and the grownups caring for them are invited to meet at 10 am Wednesday for a child-friendly tree-planting event. Lisa Corbin from the Nature Consortium elaborates:
Join us for a toddler and preschool age-friendly tree planting in the West Duwamish Greenbelt, Seattle’s largest remaining forest. We will plant (and name!) tree saplings in an area recently cleared of invasive blackberries, discover other hidden treasures of this amazing natural wonder, and hear about the history and the future of the forest from Mark (buphalo) Tomkiewicz, Forest Restoration Director for Nature Consortium. We provide tools (for adults) and will be accommodating of the little ones! Feel free to bring kid-sized shovels. Dress for the weather, and wear appropriate footwear (some parts of the trail are muddy) Extreme rain cancels. Be ready for inspiration! Call 206/923-0853 or e-mail Lisa@naturec.org to reserve your spot. RSVP today!
Lisa says the tree-planting should run from 10 am-noon.
Coming back from downtown, we were a few cars back at the Fauntleroy/35th stoplight when those sign-wavers outside the strip mall caught our eye – and we managed to fish out the video camera in time to snag that short clip. What you don’t see are the Obama signwavers just offscreen to the left; light turned green, and the steer-with-left-hand, shoot-with-right-hand maneuver doesn’t work so well in the rain. Remember – send us your Election Day pix/clips, all day and night tomorrow – Election Eve stuff welcome tonight too, we’ll post more later. (Election side note – we have mentioned a couple of these here already, but the fabulous Monica @ the P-I’s Big Blog has compiled the “7 Election Day Freebies” list.) ADDED 6:40 PM: Went back to 35th/Fauntleroy so we could get out of the car for a better shot (and audio, given all the hooting and hollering of the Obama signwavers) of the scene. Discovered the biggest Republican sign had been swapped out while we were away – the one with the hammer and sickle wasn’t there when we passed by earlier:
If you’re wondering about the Beren sign – he’s the Republican challenging Seattle’s incumbent Congressman Jim McDermott. More Election Eve coverage to come!
Ordering pizza tonight after a rough Monday? Tomorrow, as part of an Election Night event? You might find some info to savor in The 1st WSB West Seattle Pizza Taste Test, organized by WSB contributing photojournalist Christopher Boffoli, with volunteer help. They didn’t hit every pizza place in West Seattle, but a good sampling – read on to learn more about this beloved food and to see which of the ones they tried came out on top(ping)!Read More
We’re at the County Courthouse downtown (again), where the King County Ferry District public hearing drew … zero testimony from West Seattle. Spectators in the gallery, but nobody who wanted to speak. (Not exactly a convenient time, we know.) King County Councilmember Dow Constantine‘s office does report more than 30 e-mails have come in, supporting the Elliott Bay Water Taxi and the Ferry District (which runs the EBWT and the Vashon passenger ferry), and you still have time to send yours, before a vote expected later this month on whether to reauthorize the Ferry District — not a slam-dunk deal — send e-mail to info@kingcountyferries.org.
(photo added Tuesday morning — Wally said he had a mossed-over roof gutter and we asked for a pic!)
The forecast summaries don’t look too apocalyptic but Wally sent a note pointing us to the forecast “discussion” for Thursday-Friday – the possibility of heavy rain and breezy weather resulted in this note from the National Weather Service:
COULD ALSO SEE SOME LOCALLY HEAVY ACCUMULATIONS OVER THE LOWLANDS…FALL LEAVES CLOGGING DRAINS COULD EXACERBATE THE PROBLEM…SO THE SWING SHIFT SENT A SPS HIGH-LIGHTING THE POTENTIAL FOR MOUNTAIN AND LOWLAND LEAF CLOGGED DRAIN FLOODING.
Bottom line, check those drains again in the next day or two – those colorful leaves are beautiful but once they’re down, they can cause big trouble if they wind up blocking your drains, private and public property.
That sign in a Gatewood apartment window says it all. Still need info – where to go, what to do, who’s on the ballot? County Elections’ online HQ here; WSB Elections page here. If you take pix or video of voting/election-related happenings tomorrow, or have something else to say, please send it – all day and all night, we will be chronicling Election Day ’08 in West Seattle, with words and pictures (and results after 8 pm), as it happens.
From Chief Sealth High School, we get word the student newspaper is available online for the first time; see it here! (West Seattle HS‘s latest paper is online too.) Also, the CSHS daily e-mail update brings word that the Sealth girls’ soccer team is in the playoffs, starting with a game at 8 pm tonight at Memorial Stadium. (Added later: Just got WSHS e-mail, its girls soccer team is in the playoffs, #1 seed, playing 7 pm tonight at Southwest Athletic Complex.) Speaking of playoffs, Bil Hood sends word from Seattle Lutheran High School that the Saints football team has “clinched the Sea-Tac B League title, automatically qualifying them for the state tournament.” The Saints beat Sultan 29-6 at West Seattle Stadium on Friday night and finish the regular season with a game this Thursday at Evergreen Lutheran. Bil also reports:”Saints runners Gordy Mueller and Blake Wulf both qualified for the Washington State High School Cross-Country Championships this coming Saturday in Pasco.” Got school news – sports, academics, volunteering, whatever? Send it to WSB to share with your West Seattle neighbors!
Just got word from Southwest Precinct Lt. Steve Paulsen that 51-year-old Daniel P. Ward, wanted in the October 17th stabbing of a woman at the Stewart Manor complex in High Point, has been arrested. SWP officers took him into custody last night. According to the King County Jail Register, he was booked just before 9:30 pm, and is being held not only for investigation of assault, but also for “failure to appear” on a previous domestic-violence assault charge.
A week and a half ago, we reported from the courthouse as King County Superior Court Judge Suzanne Barnett announced the latest decision in the fight over what, if anything, will be built on the lawn of the landmark Satterlee House (aka the “Painted Lady” of Beach Drive). She ruled against Satterlee House owner William Conner in his appeal of a decision made last April by the city Hearing Examiner (WSB coverage here). That decision in turn had affirmed a vote last year by the city Landmarks Board, denying Conner permission to build three 3,000-square-foot-average homes — not denying permission to build ANYTHING on the lawn, just rejecting this specific proposal as potentially marring the characteristics that led to the property being designated in the early ’80s as a city landmark. After Judge Barnett’s ruling on October 24th, Conner’s lawyer Richard Hill told WSB they would “digest” the ruling before deciding whether to continue the challenge; we checked back with Hill this morning to see if a decision had been made, and he replied, “Yes, Mr. Conner intends to appeal.” Next stop, the state Court of Appeals; we will continue to cover this, every step of the way.
2 major meetings on the WSB Events calendar: 1:30 pm at the King County Council Chambers, it’s the King County Ferry District public hearing we’ve been telling you about – if you can possibly break away to go voice your support for the Elliott Bay Water Taxi, it could mean a lot to the service’s future; if you can’t be there, send a WT support note to info@kingcountyferries.org … 7 pm tonight @ Denny Middle School, it’s the next session for the Design Team plotting the Denny site’s future, once the school itself moves to a new building on the Chief Sealth campus (here’s our report on the last meeting).
Here are the results of our weekly Sunday night drive-by survey of posted regular and premium prices at West Seattle gas stations; prices are still sliding, but more slowly than the previous week. The biggest price drop of the week was 36 cents/gallon (3 stations), compared to 44 cents last week. Even more notably, only one non-diesel price, at one West Seattle station, remains above $3.00; everything else is 2-something, as you’ll see in the list ahead:Read More
We have just confirmed information posted earlier tonight in the following comment on our original report about Saturday’s accident near Seacrest, in which a 25-year-old diver turned up missing and was rushed to the hospital (along with the two divers who brought him up and needed to be checked out for effects of rapid ascent):
The missing diver was my brother, his name is Duy Tran. We do not know how long he was under water for before he was found, nor have we been told about what the possible cause of the accident was. He has severe brain damage from the extended period of time he was without oxygen, we were told that it took 30 minutes to get his heart beating again. We just hope that there will be some good news somewhere in the future.
Before republishing this comment here atop the home page in an update, we called Harborview Medical Center to verify whether a patient by that name is there. We just received a call back from the nursing supervisor who confirmed that yes, Duy Tran is there, and listed in serious condition. We also followed up with the sister who left the comment; she added in an e-mail reply, “My brother’s wife called me this afternoon and told me about the post on WSB … my brother did not have ID on him when he was diving, and my family did not find out about what had happened until around 8 pm yesterday … My family has lived in West Seattle for almost 10 years and we have always found it a wonderful place to call home. It is sad that the closeness to Alki that my family loves about West Seattle so much has caused us so much pain.” Seattle Police Harbor Patrol took over the investigation yesterday; there has not been a formal update from SPD since then, but we will be checking tomorrow morning to see if they have determined what went wrong — as we showed you in video added to our original report, SPD divers went down yesterday afternoon to look for clues. MONDAY MIDMORNING UPDATE: No new information re: the police investigation, according to Seattle Police spokesperson Officer Renee Witt. We also checked again with Harborview, where spokesperson Susan Gregg-Hanson tells WSB this morning that Mr. Tran is still listed in serious condition. MONDAY AFTERNOON UPDATE: Lila Tran has posted a photo of her brother on her blog, and describes him as “in a coma.”
As we’ve reported previously (Sept. 25, Sept. 26, Oct. 7), West Seattle is about to get a barbecue joint, and tonight we know when it’ll open: Otis Austin from the OK Corral called WSB today to say this Thursday’s the day. (In our 10/7 update, he had said he expected to open in the first half of November, so he’s right on schedule.) If you missed our earlier updates, he already has a successful OK Corral in Greenwood, and he’s taking over the West Seattle restaurant space at 4417 Fauntleroy (map), long-vacant former home of Seattle Teriyaki and Burger, next to recently remodeled/changed-hands Tervo’s Mini-Mart. Otis says he’s planning to be open noon-10 pm, 7 days a week, for starters, while he gets a feel for what the neighborhood wants — and for the first two months, he’ll offer a “five-dollar lunch special.” Asked exactly what you’ll get for your five bucks, Otis says with a friendly chuckle that you’ll just have to go in and see. As he had told us last month, though there will be a table or two, the focus will be on takeout.
(click to see full-size potential route map on Metro website)
Two weeks ago, we told you about proposed Metro Route 50, which would include a leg between Delridge and The Junction. It’s not getting a ton of attention in West Seattle because it’s included in a package of proposals that Metro is spotlighting as Southeast Seattle changes — all related to the launch of light rail next year. Metro’s taking public comments through next Thursday, so we’re reminding you about this one more time in case you want to pipe up. this page has all the details on your commenting options, including e-mail, phone, and postal-mail methods, or this online questionnaire (note that you’ll find Route 50 about halfway in). Metro says it will decide in January whether this (and other) proposals go forward; more comments will be solicited, and then a final county decision is expected by May.
From West Seattle acupuncturist Miranda Taylor (who you may know for her advocacy with the High Point Neighborhood Association), we get word of acupuncturists citywide banding together to offer free services to Iraq/Afghanistan combat veterans on November 11th, and planning a permanent clinic to support them. Read on for full details:Read More
Thinking of a furry new addition to your household? Now’s the time, Morgan Junction’s the place. The Morgan Junction Pet Adoption Stroll is under way right now — with adoptable pets at Pet Elements (California/Holly; here’s a map), Stella Ruffington‘s (two doors down from Caffe Ladro; here’s a map), and The Wash Dog (next to Kokoras Greek Grill; here’s a map). When we stopped by a few minutes ago (before the stormy weather returned, but don’t let that stop you), Pet Elements still had a half-dozen-plus available cats and kittens from Purrfect Pals shelter, including the two you see above, and these two:
(Hard to get cats to pose, but you know that if you share your home with one or more!) Again, three venues, one afternoon, cats AND dogs, continuing till 4 pm today, more info here. Furry Faces Foundation organized it and is participating with adoptable pets; the Pet Stroll comes on the heels – or should we say the paws – of F3’s “Catsino” fundraiser, with recreational casino-inspired gaming on Saturday at Beveridge Place Pub — check out a couple of the characters we found there:
Furry Faces Foundation is a local labor of love, with advocacy for rescued animals and spaying/neutering – keep an eye out for their other fundraisers year-round, from plant sales in the spring to wreath sales for winter!
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