Crime Watch: West Seattle’s first 2008 murder
One more report from the Southwest Precinct: This one somehow went all but unnoticed over the weekend — a man and woman found dead in a home on the southeastern edge of West Seattle, an apparent case of murder-suicide. Police say they answered a call at 9:45 am Saturday about a man found dead with wrist wounds at a home in the 2nd/Roxbury vicinity (map); relatives said they were worried about his wife, who no one had heard from in a while — officers subsequently found her dead, “locked in the family van.” Police say the couple had a history of domestic violence. No further details, but that would make her West Seattle’s first murder victim of 2008 (our area had three in 2007; all three suspects were still awaiting trial at last check).
WS Crime Watch: Alki shots; homeowner tackles burglars
Two items just in from Lt. Steve Paulsen at the Southwest Precinct: 
First, confirmation of something we got e-mail about over the weekend: Those WERE gunshots very early Sunday morning on Alki. At 12:44 am, a man heading south from 63rd/Alki “fired 5 rounds from a .38 revolver while driving.” Witnesses gave police a description of his vehicle; several minutes later, an officer found it at Delridge/Myrtle, and found the suspect “in possession of the loaded handgun and ammunition.” They say the suspect “later confessed to shooting up in the air while driving because, ‘he felt someone on the beach had been threatening him’.” and apparently thought that person had something to do with the recent death of the suspect’s relative. No injuries or property damage; the suspect is in jail. Next – three burglary arrests yesterday that may solve more than one recent break-in:Read More
Encampment postscript: Photojournalist’s park proposal
Exactly one week after we brought you first word of the Camp Long homeless encampment (cleared on Friday) that WSB contributing photojournalist Matt Durham had documented, he has a two-part postscript. First, his newest photos above, clockwise from top, and his captions below:
1. Spring rears its head along the trails leading to the removed encampments at Camp Long.
2. The encampment and its removal scarred nearly 50 yards of trail with deep ruts and the litter. Parks Department workers are limited in their resources to properly restore the park, given other demands.
3. A teddy bear, along with other human waste, continues to litter the area surrounding the dismantled encampment.
4. Large areas of forest floor are trampled and impregnated with leftover refuse from the encampments.
5. Parks Department workers remove a rope swing, near the homeless encampment, to reduce the chance of serious injury to park visitors.
6. A Seattle Parks Department wheel loader knocked a tree down to maneuver close enough to remove a large quantity of human refuse.
Second, Matt has written commentary about an idea he suggests could prevent such encampments and enhance park usage. Read on:Read More
Sustainable West Seattle Festival: More video highlights
Those who worry that city leadership might not always have neighborhoods’ best interests at heart will be interested in that excerpt from the Sustainable West Seattle Festival speech by Jim Diers, former director of the city Department of Neighborhoods. From our vantage point next to the main stage for all five hours, Diers was hands-down the most energetic speaker of the day (gotta check out the NEIGHBOR POWER! bellow – that’s the title of a book Diers wrote). More from him, and four other clips to conclude our coverage, ahead:Read More
Fire alarm call @ closed Fairmount Park Elementary
Several fire units responded within the hour to the closed Fairmount Park Elementary building – the 911 log just cleared the call and describes it as an “automatic fire alarm” call. A neighbor reports, “15 minutes of watching two trucks full of firefighters try to carefully remove door hinges. Then the school district key holder shows up and they open the door the old-fashioned way. Only smell of anything was the diesel from the fire trucks.” (FP closed after last school year; the district is holding it as “inventory” for possible future use rather than putting it up for sale.)
News from 2 West Seattle pet-care providers
First, the latest e-mail newsletter from Lady Di, Pet Chaperone discusses the move to her new location in The Junction (the old one in Admiral is making way for development):
Moving date has arrived for the Lady Di business. On June 1st we will be open in our new facility at 4433 42nd Ave SW (right in the heart of the West Seattle Junction). We are located behind the Eagles. From California Avenue; entry is through the alley off Genesee St. or Oregon St. The Lady Di Pet Chaperone sign will be posted on the fence.
The new facility is smaller and still offers that “at home” feeling. A cozy fire on cold fall and winter days will keep all the “pups” and us warm. Any donations of wood or furniture will be greatly appreciated. Because the new facility is smaller we will have to limit the number of dogs. The weight limit will be reduced to 50 pounds and only a few of our larger dogs will be able to make the move with us. We are all sorry about this change and hope those few will find another facility for daycare. …
We hope this move will go smoothly and that you will all enjoy bringing your dogs to our new “home-away-from-home.”
We also heard this weekend from Shane at Stella Ruffington‘s in Morgan Junction:
The Seattle Dog Daycare Association (SDDA) is holding a food drive from May 1 through May 15, to benefit local shelters and rescues in the greater Seattle area. Food and/or cash donations are being accepted at Stella Ruffington’s Doggy Playcare during regular business hours.
The Seattle Dog Daycare Association is a networking group of professional dog daycares in the Greater Seattle area.
1st post-festival report: A “Sustainable” success
We’re just back from the first-ever Sustainable West Seattle Festival in The Junction, and by all accounts, and our observations, it was a smash hit. SWS president Bill Reiswig said in closing remarks less than an hour ago that what he found really “moving” was all the interaction going on, between exhibitors and participants and festivalgoers — a fulfillment of the “building community, creating connections” mission you may have seen on the posters for the SWSF.
That’s what we experienced too; we had a great time not only spreading the word about West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day, but also meeting so many people who are out there in WSB-land, including some folks we’ve “known” via e-mail for many months but never before met in person … thank you all SO much for stopping by to say hi. We’ll have a full wrapup later tonight with more festival pix and video. Congratulations to Sustainable West Seattle, which made a daring move by putting on a major event like this after less than a year in existence … and succeeded big-time.
Sustainable West Seattle Festival update: 2-wheeled fun
(Our previous reports on the festival, under way in The Junction till 3 pm, are here and here.)
Just steps away from the Sustainable West Seattle Festival table that’s become temporary WSB HQ for the day, you can see the Westenders Scooter Club with those bright bikes. And though it’s not technically on the festival site, across the street by the northeast entrance to the Farmers’ Market, we spotted the “human-powered smoothie” maker:
The festival continues till 3 all around the Wells Fargo lot on the northeast corner of 44th/Alaska; we’re here mostly on behalf of West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day (just another form of recycling) — lots of folks have dropped by to say hi (thanks!). We’re just west of the “Main Stage,” where a variety of speakers have appeared throughout the day – later we’ll upload video from the speech by Jim Diers, former city Department of Neighborhoods leader, whose booming call for “NEIGHBOR POWER!” could be heard for blocks away!
Also happening now: Be a Master of Disaster, Admiral edition
View Larger Map
Yesterday Sunrise/Olympic Heights, today – Admiral! Backstory: Continuing through late May, we’re helping local neighborhood leaders get you information that will help you keep your family safe in case of disaster. One big part of this spring’s campaign in West Seattle is the designation of neighborhood gathering spots so that everyone knows where they can go post-disaster to get information and help. This is being done on a very grass-roots level, and not all areas of West Seattle are set up yet, but those that are (marked with clickable icons on the map you see above) have been having drop-in events where neighbors can come by, meet the folks working on this, and get important info on simple steps they can take to be prepared. The next such event is happening right now at Hiawatha Park (click the spot on the map in the Admiral District). If that’s the spot closest to you, take a few minutes and stop by, sometime before 5 pm.
2nd report: Sustainable West Seattle Festival begins
Those are Duwamish Tribe members singing a song of welcome to open the first-ever Sustainable West Seattle Festival, continuing till 3 pm in The Junction (Wells Fargo lot and surroundings, across from the Farmers’ Market). Other scenes from the first hour:
That’s the Polar Bear getting ready for its closeup. Next, the popular “Undriver Licensing” booth:
Next, evidence many festivalgoers already were “undriving”:
Here’s an overview of the area north of Wells Fargo. There are also booths in and around the south and east sides, including the drive-thru (our table is next to the main stage just outside the north end of the drive-thru).
Something for gardeners too:
If you haven’t been yet, drop by the WSB table, say hi, and pick up a West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day (next Saturday — call it P2P recycling!) reminder. And remember the transportation/transit discussions happening inside ArtsWest, too.
Events in The Junction today: SWS Festival, Market, CKS’ 10th
First, a quick sponsor note that’s also a shoutout to a small-business success story: As advertised in our sidebar, Curious Kidstuff in The Junction is celebrating its 10th anniversary today with a one-day, 25% off sale. Happy anniversary! Now, the two other events, 
just a couple blocks from CKS: After less than a year of existence, Sustainable West Seattle is throwing a party for the whole community — the first-ever Sustainable WS Festival, 10 am-3 pm today, at two locations in The Junction: The Wells Fargo parking lot at the NE corner of 44th/Alaska, and ArtsWest, where a Transit/Transportation Forum has two sessions, 10:30 am and 12:30 pm. (Actually, three festival locations – bus tours to High Point leave at 11 am and 12:30 pm.) There’s a huge slate of workshops, speakers, and events; see it here. We’ll be reporting from a table at the festival all day (and promoting West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day). Don’t forget to bring donations for the West Seattle Food Bank! Speaking of food, this all unfolds right by the weekly West Seattle Farmers’ Market, 10 am-2 pm; plant lovers will want to check the Langley Fine Gardens (despite the name, which evokes a Whidbey town, they’re from Vashon) stand, where we spotted our favorite spiky solanums last week. Read on for the official “fresh sheet” from market organizers:Read More
West Seattle Saturday scenes: Boating, gardening …
A little cruel that the sun finally showed up in the evening of “Opening Day” — but boaters braved the drizzly day anyway – we spotted these sailboats (and several others) coming out of the bay @ Don Armeni around mid-afternoon, while the schpritz (as we call it) dripped on down. Also seen around West Seattle:
West Seattle was the center of the plant-sale universe today, with several sales under way – that picture and the one below are from the Furry Faces Foundation animal-rescue fundraiser in the courtyard next to Hotwire Coffee (WSB sponsor) – $20 gets you a hanging basket, you pick the plants and they’re assembled for you on-site. This sale continues tomorrow, 10 am-4 pm.
If you’re not intimately familiar with Junction geography, the sale site is at California/Genesee, just a few blocks northeast of 44th/Alaska, where you’ll find two big events tomorrow: West Seattle Farmers’ Market (10 am-2 pm) and the first-ever Sustainable West Seattle Festival (10 am-3 pm, full program here) — we’ll be at the latter with West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day (next Saturday!) info and blogging tips for anyone who’s been thinking about starting one.
Update: Details on the Italian restaurant coming to Avalon
That wasn’t a mystery for long … we were away from the computer for a few hours, and while we were gone, not only did someone find the website for the restaurant taking over the spot Murphy’s is vacating (here’s our report from last night), someone else forwarded us this e-mail announcement that appears to have gone out just about an hour ago:
Sean and Sofia Goff to open Cafe Revo Ristorante!
Coming soon to West Seattle!
Rustic Northern Italian recipes brought straight from the old country to our Pacific Northwest table.
Café Revò Ristorante is being created by West Seattle Residents; Chef Sean Goff and Sofia Zadra Goff.
Café Revò will welcome all of their guests as family, in a warm tradition of hospitality that has been handed down for centuries. The local motto is, Mangia, bevi e godi! “Eat, drink and enjoy!”
Together with their experienced management team, Milo Goodrich and Kevin Fry, Chef Sean and Sofia will be looking forward to welcoming you to their home at Café Revò.
The Café Revò website is caferevo.com. You can check out the menu here.
Summer noise alert from Boeing Field managers
An interesting item forwarded on the mailing list for the North Delridge Neighborhood Council (one of the neighborhood groups having a big sale on West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day next Saturday, by the way):
King County International Airport
May 2, 2008
Community Notice
Seattle/Tukwila/Renton metropolitan area residents may experience temporary increases in aircraft noise levels from the Museum of Flight and SEAFAIR celebration events from May-August 2008. Please note the following dates:
May 21-24 EAA B-17 Bomber Visit
May 24 Cascade Warbirds Fly-In
June 21-22 Wings of Freedom 2008 Bomber Tour
July 31-August 3 SEAFAIR Blue Angels Week
For further information about any of these visits, tours and fly-ins, please contact the Museum of Flight at 206-764-5720. The Blue Angels are sponsored by Seattle SEAFAIR, whose number is 206-728-0123.
Your editor here is a total Blue Angels geek so we’ll be pretty much camped out at MofF those days. Last year we only had a still camera; this year we’re video-equipped so watch out…
Speaking of disaster preparedness …
The WSB “More” page — automated roundups of the latest citywide/regional media reports mentioning West Seattle and related topics, plus the latest CL listings for WS — has links to two South Sound articles on the disaster exercise under way right now, simulating various Seattle scenarios (they’re in the “More” roundup because they mention the Alaskan Way Viaduct).
Happening now: Be a “Master of Disaster” @ Hughes
View Larger Map
Continuing through late May, we’re helping local neighborhood leaders get you information that will help you keep your family safe in case of disaster. One big part of this spring’s campaign in West Seattle is the designation of neighborhood gathering spots so that everyone knows where they can go post-disaster to get information and help. This is being done on a very grass-roots level, and not all areas of West Seattle are set up yet, but those that are (marked with clickable icons on the map you see above) have been having drop-in events where neighbors can come by, meet the folks working on this, and get important info on simple steps they can take to be prepared. The next such event is happening right now at Hughes Playground (click the spot on the map near the words “High Point”; street address is 2805 Holden). If that’s the spot closest to you, take a few minutes and stop by; look for them on the north side, near the restrooms, till 4 pm.
Helping local students: Today, tonight, and beyond
TODAY: The weather’s a little sketchy but if you were going to wash your car anyway, note that the WSHS Class of ’08 is having another Grad Night-fundraising car wash at the school through 2 pm today.
TODAY: Arbor Heights and Highland Park Elementary Schools are both having rummage sales under way right now (AH has a plant sale too); more here.
TONIGHT: The Sanislo Elementary auction, 5 pm, Holy Family. More here.
THURSDAY: Another WSHS benefit — the Foundation is raising money for visual and performing arts with an evening of dinner and theater (and a few extras!) on Thursday night, hosted by County Councilmember (and WSHS alum) Dow Constantine — read on for full details and ticket info:Read More
1 week till West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day!
A little too early for a reliable long-range forecast, but of course we are thinking bright sunshine for West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day 
one week from today, 9 am-3 pm, more than 145 locations all over West Seattle. Our registration closed more than a week ago but if you have some stuff to sell, there’s a chance you can still be part of one officially participating venue – the courtyard next to Hotwire Coffee (WSB sponsor; see the Hotwire website or drop by Hotwire for more details). If you are going to be a shopper that day — maps will be available online (here and at westseattlegaragesale.com) starting Thursday, and at 10 locations around West Seattle (see the list here). If you are going to be a seller — the last dozen or so infopackets are in the mail as of this morning; if you don’t get yours by Tuesday at the absolute latest, please call us 206/293-6302. Remember we’re having two contests as a fun little side note — “Best Sign” (photograph yours on sale day and send it to garagesale@westseattleblog.com) for sellers, “Most Unusual Item” for sellers AND shoppers (same drill, send photo to that same address) – Hotwire Coffee cards are the prizes in both contests. Last note, we’ll be tabling at the Sustainable West Seattle Festival tomorrow in The Junction, 10 am-3 pm, to continue getting the word out about WSCGSD, so if you’re there, look for us and come say hi.
Traffic alert: Short partial Viaduct closure Sunday morning
Just found this in a city traffic advisory:
The March of Dimes March for Babies will occur on Sunday, May 4, with as many as 10,000 walkers participating. The northbound lanes of the Alaskan Way Viaduct will be closed to traffic from 9 to 11 a.m. The march will begin at Qwest Field at 10 a.m., move south on Occidental Avenue South to South Royal Brougham Street, west on Royal Brougham to First Avenue South, north on First onto the northbound lanes of the SR-99 Alaskan Way Viaduct, and north on the viaduct to approximately the Western Avenue off-ramp. Then they will make a u-turn and move back to Qwest field along the same route.
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