West Seattle, Washington
16 Tuesday
With center director Laurie Paul and regional manager Mahira Aleem beaming, and State Sen. Sharon Nelson helping, a handmade “ribbon” was cut this morning to officially dedicate West Seattle’s first Bright Horizons child-care center, the largest of three businesses on the ground floor of the new Link Apartments at 38th/Alaska in The Triangle. (BH and Link are WSB sponsors.) The center opened last month (here’s their photo gallery) and has been ramping up to get ready for this community celebration. One high-profile visitor, seen in our photo below with Sen. Nelson and center director Paul (who is a longtime West Seattleite, though till now she’d worked for BH in Bellevue), was West Seattle Chamber of Commerce CEO Patti Mullen:
Special guest stars today: The Not-Its, performing their bouncy “kindie rock” for some very enthusiastic young fans:
The Not-Its have a new album coming out in a little more than a week – Tuesday, June 28th – titled “Tag, You’re It.” Bright Horizons, meantime, is open Mondays-Fridays, and if you would like to find out more about their center, contact info can be found here. In addition to its extensive space on the north side of Link’s ground floor, it has outdoor playspace nearby, too.
(UPDATE: As of 10:10 pm, STILL closed in the westbound direction)
If you’re heading toward Highland Park Way westbound (uphill) from West Marginal Way SW (etc.), sorry, you can’t go that way – police have blocked it off. We’ve had multiple reports of some kind of slick on the hill, with people “fishtailing” according to Stephanie‘s report via Facebook. A state trooper is there along with SPD (photo above), and he tells us a truck spilled fuel – they had been “following it for a while,” he said – and the hill will stay closed, westbound, till they can get it cleaned up.
4:36 PM: The second time we heard the approaching Chinook today in West Seattle, we were someplace we could get a photo – outside, at Alki’s Bar-S Playfield, covering the West Seattle Little League regular-season-ending barbecue and Snack Shack ribboncutting (full story on that later). More than one person in attendance joked that WSLL must have booked a flyby for the occasion. Several others from around West Seattle have e-mailed or otherwise messaged to say this was low enough to rattle their home – as our photo attempts to show, low indeed. No concrete info on what they’re doing, but the last notable flyover on Memorial Day eventually was confirmed as training, according to our pal Patty at Roosiehood.
5:17 PM: Elizabeth solved the “mystery” pretty fast. As was noted in our morning preview, the Museum of Flight had an all-day helicopter event – and she confirms that the Chinook was part of it, sharing the closeup shot above as it landed at Boeing Field.
1:45 PM: We mentioned this earlier only on Facebook and Twitter because it looked like it would clear fairly fast, but apparently it hasn’t cleared yet: Avoid Fauntleroy end of eastbound bridge, there’s a crash parallel with Nucor.
2 PM: We passed the aforementioned scene on both sides of a quick run downtown. It should be clear shortly – a tow truck was getting the last of the vehicles at about 1:50 pm. (We don’t have any information on circumstances or injuries, though.)
We also have seen two apparent spinouts today on the southbound 99 offramp to the westbound West Seattle Bridge – this one at about 1:46 pm hadn’t even drawn police yet:
There’s also been a crash in West Seattle, 42nd/Findlay, this past half-hour, and Christopher Boffoli checked it out – stand by for more on that.
2:33 PM: From Christopher:
He says private ambulances were on hand, with at least two people expected to go to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. We don’t have the official word yet on citations but it appeared that the southbound car had a yield sign but failed to yield, he says, adding: “It took SFD a bit of time to extract the passenger in the gold van as the door on that side was deformed by the crash.”
(Fixers’ Collective founder Greg Kono taking a break from the clock-radio challenge)
Story and photos by Christy True
Special to West Seattle Blog
The first meeting of the West Seattle Fixers’ Collective was lightly attended but productive, as members tried to bring a broken clock radio and an espresso maker back to life.
The collective plans to meet Thursday nights (but not weekly) at the West Seattle Tool Library workshop at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. It’s a new venture for people interested in prolonging the life of the things they own, learning how things work, saving a few resources, or who just love to tinker. It is modeled on a Fixers’ Collective in Brooklyn, New York.
The small crew that gathered Thursday night dissembled a clock radio that would
no longer turn on after it was dropped on the floor.
By Megan Sheppard
On the WSBeat, for West Seattle Blog
From reports on cases handled recently by Southwest Precinct officers:
*Around 12:30 last Sunday morning, two men walking in the 2500 block of Alki SW were confronted by a group of men in their twenties who demanded money. When the men refused, they were knocked to the ground and repeatedly kicked. One victim suffered no losses, but the other man’s clothes were ripped and his wallet stolen. The attackers ran to the south and left in two cars: one a dark blue Chevy diesel “dually” truck (one with four rear tires — two on each side) and the other a dark SUV.
Fairly quiet week, so only three more summaries after the jump:Read More
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:
WORK PARTY WITH A VIEW: Seacrest Garden work party: Help maintain the beautiful native-plant garden on the shore of Elliott Bay! Weeds need to be pulled and mulch needs to be spread. All tools and gloves will be provided, plus some snacks and beverages to keep you fueled up! Now till noon, 1660 Harbor SW.
BRIGHT HORIZONS’ WEST SEATTLE CELEBRATION: The new child-care center at Link (like BH, a WSB sponsor) celebrates with family fun including a performance by The Not-Its at noon. Full schedule here. 38th/Alaska (map).
IN CASE YOU SEE A LOT OF HELICOPTERS… (Or hear them, given the weather …) The nearby Museum of Flight is having helicopters fly in for today’s American Heroes Air Show, gates open at 10 am. See full story here
SWAC SIGNUPS: SWAC Football/Cheer (WSB sponsor) registration at Roxbury Safeway, 11 am-2 pm, ages 7-14 welcome for the season starting with August practices.
LUNCH FOR A GOOD CAUSE: Fundraising barbecue at West Seattle Thriftway with proceeds to benefit Pencil Me In For Kids, starts 11 am.
TOUR THE LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: Noon-4 pm, today and every Thursday-Saturday, 61st/Stevens (more info here).
SWIM OUTDOORS, EVERY DAY TILL FALL: Colman Pool starts its 7-day-a-week summer operations today.
USO FUNDRAISER: USO Fundraiser and the presentation “Eleanor Roosevelt, Her Life and Times,” Merrill Gardens at Admiral Heights (2326 California Ave SW). 12 – 4 pm. Cost is $10. Lunch served 12 – 1 pm, raffle 1:30 PM, and featured presentation at 2:30 pm. RSVP to 206.938.3964.
VOLUNTEER AT THE CHINESE GARDEN: Seattle Chinese Garden is having a Volunteer Orientation from 1 – 4 pm. It starts with a guided tour which meets in the Garden’s entry court. Volunteers are needed to help with gardening, staffing the Discovery Center, and working in the office. For more information, please see this webpage or call the office at 206.934.5219.
BAKE/CRAFT SALE: Bake sale and homemade crafts sale for Power of Hope, a non-profit organization focusing on youth empowerment through arts. All proceeds go to camp tuition for underprivileged youth. Bake sale will be held Saturday, June 18th 1:30PM-6PM and Sunday June 19th from 10 AM-3 PM at the West Seattle junction- outside the Key Bank @ 4701 California Avenue Southwest. Delicious homemade delicacies will include traditional and unique goodies, diabetic friendly cookies, plus vegan and gluten free treats!
TOUR NICKELSVILLE: Nickelsville potluck/open house, organized by members of the WSB Forums, open house 2-6 pm, potluck at 5 pm (more details here), West Marginal Way/Highland Park Way
WSLL CELEBRATION: West Seattle Little League ribbon-cutting ceremony formally celebrating their new snack shack. The dedication will be held at 3 pm at Bar-S Playfield. Read WSB story here
BINGO TO FIGHT BREAST CANCER: The Half Racks team is holding a Bingo For Boobs fundraiser to help raise money for the Susan G. Komen 3-day Cancer Walk. Each team member has to raise $2,300. The fundraiser will be at the West Seattle Senior Center on Saturday, June 18th. The doors open at 6 pm and bingo starts at 7 pm. We will have food and drinks available, and tickets are $20 each and include a free dauber!
DANCE ON THE SAND: Salsa on Alki Beach, 6-10 pm. Sponsored by BelltownDanceStudio & Century Ballroom.
WHITE CENTER ART WALK – WITH A FILM FESTIVAL! Short films are part of tonight’s White Center Art Walk, 6-9 pm – details, venues, artists here
(Photos by Patrick Sand for WSB)
Their year started with a ribbon-cutting and ended with confetti-tossing – and the Chief Sealth International High School Class of 2011 is officially launched into the post-high-school world. Friday evening at Memorial Stadium downtown, sun graced the grads as their devoted cheering sections filled the stands:
These three had unique reasons to cheer:
School Board president Steve Sundquist has a Class of ’11 daughter, Rachel Sundquist (his second Sealth graduate, after Leslie in 2008); Dr. Susan Enfield is in her first round of sendoffs as acting district superintendent; principal John Boyd shepherded his first class in the much-renovated campus. Ahead, more scenes from tonight’s ceremony, the third and final commencement for West Seattle’s major high schools:Read More
It started with an idea in the WSB Forums, and tomorrow (Saturday) is the day it happens: The homeless encampment that calls itself “Nickelsville” is inviting visitors to an open house, 2-6 pm, with a potluck at 5 pm. Everyone is welcome, and tours will be offered, as well as information on the camp’s future plans, according to WSB Forums member Mike, who has been living there since shortly after the camp returned to West Seattle last month. He says you can even find out about their “Small, Simple, Sturdy, Sleeping Structures.” The camp is at the southeast corner of West Marginal Way SW/Highland Park Way SW (map) – if you get lost, you can call 206-450-5268. And if you’d like to pitch in some last-minute help for the potluck – this is the newest WSB Forums thread, detailing the last few things organizers were trying to round up.
Three more sign-up events are ahead for the Southwest Athletic Club (SWAC) youth football and cheer programs – and the next one is tomorrow. The SWAC Football/Cheer program recently joined the WSB sponsor team and is signing up boys and girls, ages 7-14, for the season that starts with August 1st practices. SWAC is a West Seattle-based nonprofit organization; board president Eric Larse says its purpose is to teach “youth teamwork, discipline and self-esteem through participation in youth football and cheer activities. We provide a safe structured and positive environment that stresses dedication, teamwork, and sportsmanship, which teaches as much about life as it does football and cheer.”
Practices are at the Southwest Athletic Complex, across SW Thistle from Chief Sealth International High School. Tomorrow’s sign-up event is 11 am-2 pm at Roxbury Safeway, 9620 28th SW; others are listed on the SWAC website.
For more than a quarter-century, Windermere Real Estate agents and other staffers have taken a day off work each year – independent of whatever volunteering they do in their private lives – to work on neighborhood-improvement projects during their Community Service Day. Today was the day for a project in West Seattle, and the sun graced the 40-plus people working at Greg Davis and Cottage Grove parks in North Delridge – mulching, weeding, and planting.
The two-park work party was a joint project of Windermere’s two West Seattle offices. They raised money to donate more than 50 new plants you’ll see next time you visit the parks (here’s a map).
Out of the WSB inbox, from Marty H:
I was cleaning out my car at 45th and Charlestown and had walked back up to the house when I heard someone calling out “help me”…. I went back down to the street and an elderly gentleman was wandering looking confused. A couple of moms from the neighborhood were out biking with their kids and they stopped to ask him if he needed help. I joined them in asking the fellow where he lived and if we could call someone for him. He seemed to know where he lived, but couldn’t figure out where he was or how to get home. These moms stayed with him while I retrieved my keys and I was able to drive him to his home based on his description of his house and a vague recollection of the intersection. I waited outside to make sure he had his keys and was in the door safely. I don’t know who the other women were who helped in this situation but I am heartened by the fact that together we were able to help a neighbor in need. Thanks to you, ladies!!! We put the “good” in the hood today!!
About a block from where one former Huling Brothers Auto site is being transformed into West Seattle Trader Joe’s at 4545 Fauntleroy Way, another, as we’ve been reporting since January, is being remodeled to house Les Schwab Tires, at 38th/Alaska. We’ve long had a request out to the company for some information that city files didn’t reveal – such as, when are they expecting to open? Les Schwab had declined comment till all the permits were in, but today we have a few official details, directly from the company for the first time:
1. The new store will open in September. The final date is not yet determined.
2. The store will employ 10-12 people and additional employees will be hired based on the volume of business.
3. The store manager will be selected from an existing pool of Les Schwab employees, based on the company’s promote-from-within policy.
4. The retail space is 12,000 square feet with six service bays and there
will be an additional 4000 square foot basement that will be used for warehousing product inventories for customer tires, wheels, brakes, shocks and alignments.
As is the case with the TJ’s project, this one is neither demolishing nor constructing a building – an existing structure on the site is being remodeled.
A question on the WSB Facebook wall reminds us of something that needs to be mentioned here: There will NOT be an Alki Beach car show this summer, according to organizers. So far they’re not commenting on why, but when we tracked them down recently to ask – after a few people e-mailed us to ask about the (previously) annual summertime show – the reply was, sorry, no show this year. So there you have it. However, there WILL be a West Seattle Junction Car Show, as of this writing – planned for Sunday, September 18th; watch for more info in the weeks ahead.
Worried you won’t make it to the Fremont Fair because of this weekend’s predicted traffic craziness? Here’s just one more reason you don’t even need to think about leaving West Seattle: The “Art Car” roadshow – which will spend most of the weekend in Fremont – is headed to West Seattle on Sunday night, according to Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) proprietor Jeff Gilbert. He shared the top photo of the “Chewbaru” – which Jeff explains as being “covered in dentures, empty tubes of toothpaste and toothbrushes. … All told, there are between 30 and 40 art cars with mind-boggling cars showing up in the Feedback Lounge/Zeeks Pizza parking lot this Sunday, June 19th. … A pretty cool Father’s Day activity that everyone can enjoy. This event is free, kid and camera-friendly. Rain or shine, though I hope if it does rain it won’t foam up any of that guy’s toothpaste!” (That’s the northwest corner of Fauntleroy/California, if you don’t often get to Morgan Junction.)
12:44 PM: Just getting word of an arrest following a reported robbery attempt at a business in The Junction. The photo above shows Seattle Police alongside the north side of “The Hole” on 40th SW, near where the arrest reportedly was made. More to come – we’re still working to confirm details – thanks to everyone who has called/texted about the police sightings during the search.
(This photo and next one by Christopher Boffoli for WSB)
12:55 PM: Just talked to Det. Mark Jamieson in the SPD media unit, and here are the details, according to what police were told: A man who was “acting suspiciously” inside West Seattle Computers was asked to leave – and then pulled a gun out of his backpack. He then left the store. Someone from the store followed him until he turned east on Alaska, and called police. After searching areas including Jefferson Square and the businesses on the northeast side of The Junction, officers found someone in the alley between 40th and 41st SW matching the description, and after a positive ID, made an arrest at 12:38 pm.
1:27 PM: Added photos by WSB contributor Christopher Boffoli, who is based near where police made the arrest. The suspect’s face is blurred in the photo added above the 12:55 paragraph; in the photo above this paragraph, you see items that were reported to have been in the suspect’s possession – including what appears to be a gun.
West Seattle’s Denny International Middle School has won the citywide Middle School Math Olympiad for the third consecutive year, according to principal Jeff Clark, who reports: “The team got strong performances from all three grades: 8th and 7th Grade teams finished first overall in their grade levels, while the 6th grade team finished second overall. The competition was held at Campion Hall on the Seattle University campus. The sun was out and the mathematicians from all of the schools were having fun. Congratulations to our students and to Mr. Lai, our math-team coach.”
(WSB video of Massy Ferguson at Summer Fest 2010; they’re back this year)
It’s the biggest question we’ve heard asked in anticipation of West Seattle Summer Fest (coming up July 8-9-10, with WSB among the co-sponsors) – who’s playing? (Besides the Fastbacks reunion announced last month.) Finally, the music lineup is live on the Summer Fest website. See it here with full details on dates/times! Or, for a quick glance at the list of performers, click ahead:Read More
Two spray-paint incidents overnight are being dealt with this morning. Both carried messages about West Seattle High School. One incident involved spray paint at the school – after receiving a report about it, we photographed it on a low concrete wall and sidewalk on the west (parking lot) side of the school. (The actual writing is blurred in our published photos, per WSB policy.) WSHS principal Ruth Medsker says Seattle Public Schools crews have since removed it. “Our security is working on determining who is responsible. We have some leads. … We have not called the police as of now, but it is not out of the question.”
The other incident is in the same spot that gets painted every year about this time – the SW Charlestown hill west of 45th SW. Last year found commenters debating “tradition or vandalism?”. This year, we heard about it via a commenter who claims that neighbors captured it on hidden cameras and will go to police with the visuals unless it’s removed. We went over for a look. The road surface is indeed newly painted with multiple colors. Spray paint cans are still in the planting strip on the north side:
The stop sign at the bottom of the hill was painted too:
After we went by, a neighbor called and claimed there’s paint on some private property as well, including a fence. They had not yet reported it to police. Regarding the road and the sign, we are waiting to hear back from SDOT to see what their plans are.
ADDED 4:56 PM: From Marybeth Turner at SDOT:
SDOT Street Maintenance supervisors looked at the street painting on SW Charlestown and 45th/ 47th SW today. They removed the paint cans and determined that the street is safe to drive on. To conserve resources in the event that more painting occurs, they will wait until school is out and then clean the street.
Street Maintenance notified the community police team and asked them to keep an eye out for any further vandalism.
If you missed – or forgot about – the alert earlier this week, here it is one more time: Big events this weekend PLUS closures for the I-5 Mercer exit *and* the 520 floating bridge = potential traffic backups around the region. So say the local transportation departments, including SDOT, which is out with its weekend roundup of what’s happening where. (The Alaskan Way Viaduct *is* open this weekend – but remember that NEXT Saturday, June 25, it is scheduled to be closed most of the day for the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon.)
A few highlights from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:
LOW-TIDE QUESTIONS ANSWERED: 12:36 pm, the tide is out to -2.6, and won’t be that low again till late October (and that’ll be a late-night low-tide). Again today, Seattle Aquarium volunteer beach naturalists will be at Lincoln Park and South Alki to assist with low-tide explorers (here’s the full schedule)
NEW RESTAURANT ADDS LUNCH: After a week in “soft open” mode, Bang Bar in The Junction is scheduled to add lunch today, 11 am.
TAKE A HIKE: Free eco-hike presented by the Nature Consortium, meet 14th/Holly, 1 pm
SENIOR DANCE: Dance for people 50+ (singles and couples) at Delridge Community Center, 4501 Delridge Way SW, 1:30-3:30 pm. Dance or listen to the music of Lauren Petrie. $3.
BOOK SIGNING: As part of the 40th anniversary celebration at Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor), the Admiral store (2320 42nd SW) has Becky Selengut signing her seafood book, 4 – 6 pm
CHIEF SEALTH GRADUATION: Commencement for Chief Sealth International High School Class of 2011, 5 pm. Memorial Field (Seattle Center, Downtown). More info on school website.
STORYTELLING: Storytelling event at the White Center Cultural Center (9421 18th SW), 5:30 pm – Indonesian storytelling by Diakonda Gurning.
DIAPER DRIVE AND POKER: Admiral Pub event at 6:30 pm – poker and diaper donations! Details in this WSB Forums post.
FREE MOVIE IN HIGHLAND PARK: Doors open at 6:30 pm, movie at 7 pm. Free admission, Highland Park Improvement Club (12th and Holden). They will be selling snacks and nonalcoholic drinks, and adults can bring their beverages of choice. There will be folding chairs for seating, or feel free to bring blankets and pillows or non-floor-scratching chairs. Movie hint: This animated superdog has a rude awakening when he strays off his movie set into the real world.
LATE-NIGHT END OF SCHOOL ICE CREAM PARTY: Free sundae-making party at High Point Community Center for teens, plus games, 7 pm-midnight.
CONCERT: Composer, guitarist and singer Jim Scott is coming to Westside UU to perform at Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation (7141 California SW), 7 pm. Jim is most well-known for being a long-time member of the Paul Winter Consort, a group known for their “earth music”, a blend of jazz and world music. TIcket info or questions: 206-935-0418 or office@wsuu.org.
Two more local schools are getting much-needed new musical instruments, thanks to donations from the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation, whose donation to Denny International Middle School and Chief Sealth International High School was reported here earlier this week. Daniel Rossi teaches instrumental music to students at six area elementary schools, including Highland Park and Concord International, which he says are also getting grants from the foundation: 20 flutes, clarinets, violins, violas, trumpets, and trombones for Highland Park, to “begin to build a collection of instruments for students to use,” and 13 flutes, trombones, and cellos for Concord, “to supplement our inventory.”
Thanks to Jim Clark for sharing Thursday low-tide scenes from south of Alki Point. One more low-low tide awaits, today (Friday) at 12:36 pm (-2.6 feet)
Tides won’t be this low again till late October – and then, it’ll be in the post-midnight wee hours, requiring most likely a light and a coat if you insist on exploring!
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