West Seattle, Washington

19 Saturday

59℉

Spotlight Stories


  • Remembering

    WSB CO-FOUNDER DIES: Remembering Patrick Sand

  • Zoning

    ZONING CHANGES: Check your neighborhood

  • Kenney

    TOWER LIGHT’S BACK ON: The story behind it

The sticky-note school of design: Denny site meeting tonight
November 3, 2008 11:56 pm
|    Comments Off on The sticky-note school of design: Denny site meeting tonight
 |   Denny-Sealth | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

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

Share This

Election Eve ’08: More signs, plus “candidate coffee”
November 3, 2008 10:51 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Fauntleroy | Highland Park | West Seattle politics | WS beverages

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!

Share This

59th/Admiral shooting trial postscript: One more court victory
November 3, 2008 9:07 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news

gavel.jpgAs 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

Share This

A big job for little kids: Invitation to Wednesday event
November 3, 2008 8:17 pm
|    Comments Off on A big job for little kids: Invitation to Wednesday event
 |   Environment | How to help | Puget Ridge

thetrail.jpg

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.

Share This

Election Eve ’08: Yes, there are Republicans in West Seattle
November 3, 2008 5:43 pm
|      39 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics | West Seattle video

Video thumbnail. Click to play
Click pic to play video

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:

Video thumbnail. Click to play
Click pic to play video

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!

Share This

WSB Extra: The 1st West Seattle Pizza Taste Test!
November 3, 2008 3:45 pm
|      71 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

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

Share This

Water Taxi’s future: Ferry District hearing over as fast as it began
November 3, 2008 2:38 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Elliott Bay Water Taxi | Transportation | West Seattle news

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.

Share This

West Seattle Weather Watch: Check those drains, again
November 3, 2008 2:20 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Safety | West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

(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.

Share This

Election ’08: The final hours pre-Election Day
November 3, 2008 12:45 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Gatewood | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

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.

Share This

High-school updates from Chief Sealth and Seattle Lutheran
November 3, 2008 12:31 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

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!

Share This

West Seattle Crime Watch: Stabbing suspect arrested
November 3, 2008 11:05 am
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

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.

Share This

Satterlee House development fight: Owner to appeal latest ruling
November 3, 2008 9:42 am
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle history | West Seattle news

hosuetoday.jpg

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.

Share This

Today/tonight: Support the Water Taxi; plan the Denny site
November 3, 2008 7:33 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Denny-Sealth | Elliott Bay Water Taxi | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

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).

Share This

West Seattle Gas Price Watch: Price slide slows, ever so slightly
November 3, 2008 5:31 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Gas prices | Transportation | West Seattle news

gas-pump.jpgHere 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

Share This

Update: Seacrest diving-accident survivor identified
November 2, 2008 10:12 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news

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.”

Share This

OK Corral’s West Seattle barbecue joint to open Thursday
November 2, 2008 7:29 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

okcorral.jpgAs 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.

Share This

New Metro Route 50, Delridge-to-Junction? Days left to comment
November 2, 2008 6:03 pm
|    Comments Off on New Metro Route 50, Delridge-to-Junction? Days left to comment
 |   Delridge | Transportation | West Seattle news

route50.jpg

(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.

Share This

Veterans Day ahead: Local acupuncturists’ unique plan
November 2, 2008 4:00 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news

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

Share This

Creature comforts: Pet Stroll happening now (plus Catsino pix)
November 2, 2008 12:31 pm
|    Comments Off on Creature comforts: Pet Stroll happening now (plus Catsino pix)
 |   Pets | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

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!

Share This

Different kind of art walk: Morgan Junction park sidewalk update
November 2, 2008 9:04 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Thanks to Cindi Barker of the Morgan Community Association for forwarding that rendering from the city’s Public Art program. It shows the original concept for a public-art project that’s now being proposed for the sidewalk alongside the new Morgan Junction park, as revealed at the last MoCA meeting (WSB coverage here). This rendering was created when the project by SuttonBeresCuller was on the boards for a Central District location, so its configuration may well change, but the idea’s the same — frames set into the sidewalk with surfaces for people to create temporary art. The city had already funded it for the original location, so installing it at Morgan Junction’s new park won’t cost that project anything more, and MoCA voted to support the idea; this is the first time the rendering’s been available for wider distribution here. SDOT already had agreed to sidewalk improvements by the new park, for which construction might start before year’s end, project manager Virginia Hassinger told MoCA last month.

Share This

Happy Sunday! What you’ll find at West Seattle Farmers’ Market
November 2, 2008 6:30 am
|    Comments Off on Happy Sunday! What you’ll find at West Seattle Farmers’ Market
 |   West Seattle Farmers' Market | West Seattle news

The pic at left is a hint … kiwis are part of what’s on this week’s fresh list; see the entire list here. Remember, West Seattle Farmers’ Market is year-round now, so today and every Sunday, you’ll see it 10 am-2 pm at 44th/Alaska in The Junction.

Share This

It’s “fall back” time – with that extra step to take
November 2, 2008 2:00 am
|    Comments Off on It’s “fall back” time – with that extra step to take
 |   Safety | WS miscellaneous

Now that it’s 2 am Sunday on time-change day, it’s really 1 am, so it’ll be 2 am again in an hour. Anyway, here we are joining the chorus of fall-back reminders, with the smoke-detector add-on: Change those batteries. Even if you have an ultravigilant smoke detector like ours, which thinks every roast is an inferno, it still needs functioning batteries to save your life. Go change ’em.

Share This

Election ’08: West Seattle notes with 3 days to go
November 1, 2008 10:44 pm
|    Comments Off on Election ’08: West Seattle notes with 3 days to go
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

ART TO RAISE $ FOR OBAMA CAMPAIGN: When the West Seattle Farmers’ Market opens at 10 am tomorrow, Fairmount resident Nancy Driver will be there to sell what you see above – and is expecting it to go fast. She explains in e-mail, “I and a couple of friends from the clay studio I work in very belatedly decided to make some ceramic items to raise money for the Obama/Biden campaign. We have some very cool and very colorful, original artwork, Obama fridge magnets, coasters and hot plates for sale. The prices will be: fridge magnets – two sizes for $5 and $6.50; 3-7/16″ coasters – $10; 6″ hot plates – $15. All of the money will go to the Obama campaign – we should end up with around $400.” Nancy says she’ll be “hanging out behind Key Bank” but as soon as the items – fewer than 50 left – are gone, she’s gone, so if you’re interested, be there at 10.

LOOKING FOR VOTES, ONE DOORBELL, ONE PHONE AT A TIME: You may have gotten a visit or a call already this weekend – both sides are canvassing West Seattle. The 34th District Republicans fanned out from Westwood Village this morning, and it was a big day of work for volunteers from the 34th District Democrats (advertising their sample ballot via WSB), who will be on the streets again tomorrow after a citywide rally on Beacon Hill with state, local, and national Democratic Party leaders.

ELECTION DAY BAZAAR, BAKE SALE: This may be the last major election with in-person voting in King County, which originally had hoped to go all-mail by now. Toward that end, local groups are going to strike while the iron — or the ballot — is hot, with bake sales and bazaars on Election Day. Fauntleroy Church (WSB sponsor) is having its traditional Fall Bazaar, 8 am-7 pm, selling baked goods and crafts, and offering a “hearty soup lunch” 11:30 am-1:30 pm. And outside Alki Community Center, you will find neighboring Alki Elementary School‘s PTA selling baked goods on Election Day.

BALLOT DROPBOX A SMASH HIT: Saw a TV mention tonight that the ballot drop-off box at Delridge Neighborhood Service Center, one of only two in the city, was overflowing for a while earlier today, but has since been emptied. For in-person voters, the county Elections Department is trying to get the word out that you shouldn’t be worried about long lines on Election Day – according to this update, it’s staffing polling places for the possibility of “100 percent turnout” but notes that two-thirds of all county voters cast ballots by mail (p.s. as of 8 pm Saturday, HALF those ballots have been returned, per twitter.com/kcvotes). If you haven’t made up your mind on everything yet, remember we have links to pro/con/neutral info on all major races and ballot measures on the WSB Election page, which also has continuously updated election headlines from citywide news sources and major state political blogs.

Share This