West Seattle, Washington
11 Thursday
After another wave of “what’s up with the West Seattle Trader Joe’s and why hasn’t work started already?” we checked around this morning, and uncovered big news: The city’s decision on the project’s Land Use Permit will be published in the city’s next Land Use Information Bulletin, which comes out on Thursday, according to Bryan Stevens from the Department of Planning and Development. (That’s also noted behind the “land use” tab of this DPD page.) And sources suggest to WSB the decision’s a thumbs-up. That’s a major step toward the start of construction, though Stevens cautions, “The related construction permit will need to be obtained before work can begin. Corrections are currently being addressed by the applicant.” (If you are interested in all the minutiae, you can click through the tabs at the bottom of DPD project pages like this one for the TJ’s building permit, particularly “reviews” – the department now puts more detailed information online than they used to.)
Of course, we know the main answer you want is – when will it be open? Project documents we perused at DPD HQ downtown for this February update project a six-month construction schedule, so there’s still a chance it will at least be open in time for Christmas shopping. (And if you are completely new to this story – the location is 4545 Fauntleroy Way SW, the former longtime Huling Brothers Buick showroom; the building will get a new facade on its southeast-facing side, but the project overall for the 14,000-square-foot store boils down to remodeling, not rebuilding. It’s now been almost eleven months since the original announcement.)
Another delay this afternoon in the case of accused Lincoln Park jogger attacker Duane Starkenburg, over the prosecution’s objections. Starkenburg was arrested January 25th and charged with indecent liberties in connection with three attacks on women jogging in the park – the one that led to his arrest, as well as 2 in August and December. He returned to court today, and contributor Katie Meyer was there for WSB. She reports that while the prosecution wanted a trial date set, Starkenburg’s lawyer wanted a delay because they have arranged for a mental-health expert to meet with him, but that evaluation might not be complete for two months. They also wanted time to prepare for a certain type of evidence they say the prosecution is planning to use; Katie looked up the code that was cited, ER 404B:
Other Crimes, Wrongs, or Acts. Evidence of other crimes, wrongs, or acts is not admissible to prove the character of a person in order to show action in conformity therewith. It may, however, be admissible for other purposes, such as proof of motive, opportunity, intent, preparation, plan, knowledge, identity, or absence of mistake or accident.
Judge Theresa Doyle granted the defense’s delay request, though the prosecution protested it, saying that Starkenburg is charged with indecent liberties against “strangers,” involving force. So the next court date is set for July 5th. Starkenburg remains free on bond, and remains under orders to stay out of all parks in King County. (Photo from today’s hearing, by Katie Meyer for WSB)
A recently issued permit for a “new storefront” at Elliott Bay Brewing Company in The Junction sparked our curiosity – so we stopped by today to find out what’s up. Elliott Bay Brewing owner Todd Carden tells WSB he’s been thinking for months about facade work that will leave the building looking a little more like what it looked like decades ago. And even just with a bit of work, he’s uncovered some history:
The inscribed bricks shown in our photos are part of what he uncovered while out doing some work today – with the inscriptions 1932, above, and below, GJ Vayhinger:
(Who was GJ Vayhinger? So far, we’ve only found one reference, in a Google Book search result about a national board of hardware sellers. Help, Junction historians!) Carden says he doesn’t have the plan completely finalized yet – he’s still exploring options. There are even windows under the current facade, so he’s going to see what kind of shape they’re in, to possibly let some more light into his establishment. So be on the lookout for a “new ‘old’ look” at Elliott Bay!
4:14 PM UPDATE: WSB’ers have been researching GJ Vayhinger while we were working on other stories – read their discoveries in the comment section – and the research indicates he indeed ran a West Seattle hardware store!
With the Alaskan Way Viaduct closed for part of the day, it’s a better-than-ever reason not to even bother thinking about leaving the peninsula on Saturday, May 14th. West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day will have more than 250 sales on the map by the time we’re done – what you see at left is a screen grab of the rough-cut map ***with only about two-thirds of the addresses input so far*** (once they’re all in, we number the sales, north to south, west to east).
From Admiral to Alki to The Arroyos to Highland Park to Pigeon Point and beyond, you will find sales in your neighborhood on May 14th – and you will find reasons to go explore West Seattle neighborhoods you’ve never visited. Since West Seattle can certainly be reached without using The Viaduct, we encourage you to invite your friends, relatives, co-workers all to c’mon over. As we go through the list, we are making sublists of the benefits, the block sales, the unusual items, and once we publish the maps – still trying hard to make the promised date of next Saturday! – you’ll want to peruse and preview. One neighborhood’s having what they call a mini-street fair; one school has a sale with more than 100 families participating … This is HUGE.
If you have stuff to sell but didn’t make the deadline … you can still check with the group sites that had tables to offer – Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor) plus the Ginomai lot across the alley, lora@hotwirecoffee.com … the VFW Post 2713 Hall in The Triangle (e-mail Commander Ron Zuber at rzuber@clearwire.net) … Cycle University in The Triangle (contact info on their website at cycleu.com) … and C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), e-mail candpco@comcast.net. Plus you can stop by any of the aforementioned sites to see about signing up in person.
Two other things – We are reminded (thanks, Kris!) that May 14th is also Stamp Out Hunger Day, the annual postal carriers’ food drive, so before you go out to sell OR shop, be sure to leave a bag of nonperishable food by your mailbox for your carrier to pick up. And the other events around West Seattle that day include one that’s bought a spot on the map – the West Seattle Kiwanis Classic Car Show and Motorcycle Poker Run, which is offering a barbecue too, 4700 Fauntleroy Way.
Sale hours are 9 am-3 pm; watch here, on the WSB Facebook page, on the Garage Sale Day Facebook page, and on the official WSCGSD website for the announcement of the map, plus other info.
(2009 photo by Christopher Boffoli for WSB; during the now-ended process, the cupola-topped Seaview Building became an official city landmark)
It’s been three years since the historic West Seattle retirement complex known as The Kenney first went public with an ambitious – and controversial – plan to redevelop much of its Fauntleroy Way campus and dramatically expand its capacity. (WSB broke the story in August 2008 – here’s our first report.) The plan has undergone a variety of changes along the way – with myriad community meetings, both part of the official process, and part of the organization seeking feedback. Last summer, The Kenney had told us the plan was in “retooling mode”; but now, most of the plan is being shelved, at least for a few years, according to this announcement just in from The Kenney management:
(Today) The Kenney will remove the four Notice of Proposed Land Use Action signs that line the perimeter of their campus.
“There are a couple of issues,” says Kevin McFeely, President and CEO of The Kenney. “For one, there’s a new economic reality we’re facing that people are having a much harder time selling their home; something that’s concurrent with moving into a retirement community. Second, it’s much tougher to find lenders for new building projects. As we looked at this project we realized the need to scale down the redevelopment plan to continue to reach the needs of our current residents, our future residents and our neighbors.”
The focus for The Kenney will be on how to improve their current campus and programs. “The people that are inquiring into The Kenney are of a different mindset than those we’ve seen in the past,” says McFeely. “They want choices of programs and amenities, smaller but more efficient use of space apartments and options for various lifestyles. We’ve decided to concentrate on upgrading the infrastructure of our 100 year old campus, expanding our programs and services, and focusing on how we can reach the needs and wants of the seniors of the future.”
Redevelopment is not out of sight, however. The Kenney has begun the plans for a Memory Care Unit to be open fall/winter of 2011. There’s also more building on the horizon, but it may be a few years away. “We do need to have more people on campus in order to survive as a community,” says McFeely. “Not the original 400 we had once planned, but maybe 275-300. This new project will most likely start in the next two to five years.”
When the original $150 million redevelopment plan was announced in 2008, there was some community unrest. “I’d like to thank the community for hanging in there with us,” says McFeely. “We’ve gone through a lot of changes in the plan and I know it’s been tough not knowing. Scaling back will really meet the needs of our community.”
Our archive of coverage of that process is here, newest to oldest.
With summer roaring toward us – really! – West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival leaders and members met last night at St. John the Baptist, and we have updates including one big change.
SENIOR COURT SELECTION CALENDAR CHANGE: Coinciding with a change in leadership for the committee that oversees the Scholarship Program – including the summertime coronation of the Senior Court and Queen – Hi-Yu evaluated other festivals’ schedules and has decided to move the Senior Court selection to a fall/spring schedule. Currently, the court that’s selected in summer doesn’t preside over the festival season till the FOLLOWING summer, and then represents Hi-Yu in the Seafair Scholarship Program the year after that, and this among other things will consolidate all that. No exact dates are set yet; new committee members will meet starting May 10th to decide on a timetable – most likely they will start accepting applications in fall, and will coronate royalty in spring. Again, that means NO Senior Court coronation this summer.
JUNIOR COURT TIMETABLE STAYS THE SAME: That said, Hi-Yu has decided to keep the Junior Court timetable the same – chosen during the Hiawatha Fun Festival that’s part of the summertime celebration.
(Float sketch, first published on WSB in February)
FLOAT’S FIRST APPEARANCE: Hi-Yu is continuing to work frenetically on the Sparkling Seattle-themed float, aiming for a debut in the Sequim parade on May 14th. They are still looking for someplace to store it – if you have a suggestion or offer, please contact Hi-Yu.
BUTTONS, SOUVENIR BOOK: They’re planning to make 3,500 buttons this year, since that’s how many they sold last year (see the winning design here). Hi-Yu is also still seeking sponsors before finalizing the souvenir book (which has its prototype cover ready, designed by Elaine Durham).
HI-YU FISHING DERBY DATE: The West Seattle Sportsmen’s Club-sponsored event at Seacrest Pier is the first Hi-Yu event on the calendar, and it’s set for May 21st this year.
(SIDE NOTE P.S. Remember, it’s not the Hi-Yu Parade, it’s the West Seattle American Legion Post 160 Grand Parade, but since so many think of it as the “Hi-Yu Parade,” these updates might leave you wondering about the date – it’s July 23rd. We expect an update soon on Post 160’s fundraising efforts to cover the street-closure cost.)
(Tiny bushtits nestbuilding, photographed by Trileigh Tucker last Sunday. She explains, “This is the male, who’s just delivered a new batch of construction material to the nest, woven it into the interior, and is getting ready to go get the next batch. You can see that the nest is hung from small branches with material that might include flexible twigs or spider silk, and the nest itself is made of leaves, lichen, mosses, and other forest materials. Both the male and the female work on the nest.)
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:
ORCHESTRAS IN CONCERT: Tonight’s the first of two Tuesdays with spring performances by groups from the West Seattle Community Orchestras. Tonight, the Westside Symphonette and String Ensemble are in concert at Chief Sealth International High School auditorium (2600 SW Thistle Street), 6:30 pm – see full story here.
CITY BUDGET UPDATE: It’s not in West Seattle but certainly will affect us all – so, you can watch this live online at the mayor’s website if you’re interested: Mayor McGinn‘s 2012 budget briefing, 11 am.
FAMILY STORY TIME: Family Story Time at the Seattle Public Library‘s Delridge Branch, 7 pm.
FEATURED AT SKYLARK TONIGHT: West Seattle musician Stacey Unck (singer/songwriter, acoustic/folk, guitar + cello) has a show at the Skylark Cafe and Club at 8 pm. Scarlet Season plays at 9 pm
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There’s Mother’s Day brunch, and there’s Mother’s Day breakfast in bed … and here’s something new (yet old-fashioned): A Mother’s Day pie social. In case you hadn’t already heard, one is planned at Village Green Perennial Nursery (10223 26th SW) on Sunday, 1-4 pm – with the price of admission a freshly baked homemade pie and a $5 donation for the White Center Food Bank. Village Green’s Vera Johnson is hosting along with Kate McDermott, and RSVPs are requested by Friday. More info on Vera’s “Dig It” website, and/or this Facebook event page.
West Seattle High School special-education teacher Alex LaRosa is hoping for a good turnout for a special event tonight (with dinner!) for families of students with IEPs (Individualized Education Plans) – so in case that means you, here’s the reminder:
West Seattle High School is hosting an event for our students with IEPs (Individualized Education Plans) tonight (May 3rd) from 6:30 to 8:00 PM. We have invited various county, state, and community agencies and organizations to provide students and their families with information about options for employment, housing, income, and services for students after they leave high school. Dinner (fried chicken and salad) will be provided, and parents and students will have the opportunity to meet with and speak with agency representatives, as well as hear brief presentations from the panel.
We’ve received another very creatively-written event notice from WSB Sponsor, Tibbetts United Methodist Church, for their book sale on May 21st. We’ve never heard of an eKindook reader, have you?
From 10:00am – 1:00pm on Saturday May 21st. Tibbets United Methodist Church (3940 41st Ave SW) holds our semi-irregular somewhat annual used book sale.
Readers Unite! Join us to stand anachronistically, albeit proudly, lauding our Luddite ways. Our mission is to stem the tide of the eReader revolution. Tibbets United Methodist Church (WSB Sponsor, 3940 41st Ave SW), from 10 am – 1 pm holds its “semi-irregular somewhat annual” used book sale. Together we can overcome! Besides, how else can we sell hardbacks for the rock bottom price of a buck, paperbacks are just half that.
Not a book owner? Discover the secrets many thousands of people already know about book ownership; owning one is cool, owning lots of books is pretty darn sexy. Super models the world over already know the secrets, so should you. To think, you can lose weight, be sure to ask any student hauling a hefty backpack of books around campus. Will you get the same result with a six ounce, eKindook reader, nope. Friends will be envious of your intellect as you clarify the mystery of string theory. Later that evening, your dinner guests will be amazed at your golden clarified butter. Both skills learned from reading “Clarifying String Theory and Ghee – Take the Mystery Out of Theoretical Physics and Cooking”. Sure, you say, “I’ll get my books from the library”, true, but, caveat borrower. your kindly librarian will eventually want them back. What happens when you buck the system? Late fees are just the tip of the iceberg (p54. “Fun Facts About Icebergs”), who wants to be tracked down by the library police force? Before you know it, you’re photographed, fingerprinted, library card shredded and you’re on your way to the big house, oh the shame. Nuff said.
In addition to satisfying your craving for intellect, we also satisfy your craving for goodies. Available for sale, a selection of treats and coffee. Plus the highly desirable “comfy” chair” (p102. “The Best of Monty Python”) to sit and ponder your purchases. Relax, read, have coffee, oh, and if you spill it on a book, mop up and keep continue reading. Try that with your eKindook reader!
Tonight in West Seattle Crime Watch, the saga of two Acura Vigors stolen and recovered – with certain parts missing. The first part of the story is a followup on the original theft report; the second part is a stolen-and-recovered, all in one – read on:Read More
A busy season of “Salmon in the Classroom” releases at Fauntleroy Creek started today – if you’ve been to a local school and seen a tank of baby salmon, this is usually the next step. Above, students from Pathfinder K-8 were the first to join creek steward Judy Pickens to learn about the little fish before setting them loose into the world. Here’s how the fish arrived:
Here’s how the students arrived – that’s Judy leading the way into Fauntleroy Park:
Ready for a music break? Jim Edwards from the West Seattle Big Band (which is now 15 years old and going strong!) shares a sample of last night’s performance during “Jazz Sunday” at Admiral Congregational Church – photos by Michelle Edwards, music with the help of a digital audio recorder. Next chance to catch them: June 3rd during the West Seattle High School All-School Reunion.
The underground “alley vacation” for the two-building Conner Homes project between Alaska/California/42nd (south side) in The Junction won final approval from the City Council this afternoon on a unanimous vote. The Seattle Channel video above shows the entire afternoon council meeting – this item is 30 minutes in; Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, whose Transportation Committee (with only one member, him, in attendance) presided over the official public hearing last week before recommending approval (WSB coverage here), spent several minutes explaining the project to his council colleagues. Then, they voted 9-0 in favor of it. Next step? The permits will finish going through the system, now that this component of the project (which facilitates a large underground parking garage) is finalized. Then, as developer Charlie Conner told WSB last month, he doesn’t expect anything to happen in terms of construction any sooner than the end of the year – the businesses now on the site have leases till then.
(WSB video from October 2008 rally on 35th SW)
Concerned about safety on 35th SW, a rekindled topic here after the deadly motorcycle-car collision last month, and speeder-targeting police patrols? One of the High Point-area neighborhood advocates who has been working on the issue for years, Denise Sharify, just sent word of a “Traffic Slow Down Rally” planned for Wednesday, May 11th, 4-5:30 pm (weather permitting) – 2 1/2 years after the last one, which followed a crash that sent a student to the hospital. All are welcome to participate in this one; we’re checking on the exact gathering place.
There’s no surer sign of a baby boom in West Seattle than a business boom in services for mothers with babies. Here’s the newest sign: Nurturing Expressions has just opened a store in The Junction. But owner Tracy Corey is no newcomer – she’s been running Nurturing Expressions since 2004, and is a board-certified lactation consultant (as well as a 20-year-veteran registered nurse). The store’s “we’re open!” announcement, however, says it’s not just a store for moms who choose to breastfeed their children: “Whether mothers choose to breastfeed, pump, bottle feed or do a combination, their team of consultants will support mothers and their babies through all stages of feeding.” For nursing moms, they have classes (here’s the current schedule), support groups, and merchandise, including breast pumps and nursing bras. And at the store, they have a private breastfeeding room where moms can get coaching and support. The store’s in Junction Tower – the same building as longtime WSB sponsor Westside Dermatology – 4746 44th SW (on the second floor). You’ll also find Corey and her coaching online – not just on the Nursing Expressions website, but also on Twitter as @theboobiecoach. (Photo courtesy Nurturing Expressions)
(See 2:06 pm update at bottom of story, with bus info from Metro)
New information about the Alaskan Way Viaduct lane reduction that starts May 16th, according to WSDOT’s announcement this morning (here’s our earlier story). The media briefing wasn’t a presentation type of briefing but rather a Q/A opportunity availability with Viaduct project boss Ron Paananen. Here’s what we learned beyond what this morning’s announcement included:
*KEY POINT – THIS IS FOR A LONG, LONG TIME: The “2013” mention in the announcement is NOT the actual expected end date for this. Barring something unusual like a project stall, 99 will be down to two lanes each way, at least for this stretch, till the Central Waterfront replacement opens. If that’s the deep-bore tunnel, possibly late 2015. (And if the tunnel is tossed, Paananen warned, that would add at least 2 years to the replacement process.)
*FEWER LANES, SLOWER SPEED: The speed limit will drop as well as the number of lanes – to 35 mph. Heading north, toward downtown, the lane reduction and speed reduction will kick in, WSDOT says, just as soon as you get off The Bridge and get onto 99. It continues until roughly Royal Brougham Way (the street between the stadiums) before opening to three lanes each way again. Heading back south toward West Seattle, approximately the same stretch – Royal Brougham to the north, until Lander (which is a bit north of Spokane, the street The Bridge parallels).
*TRANSIT LANE DOESN’T RUN THE ENTIRE STRETCH: The mentioned-earlier northbound transit lane will NOT be through the actual work zone – it will be a partial stretch enabling buses that use The Viaduct to get a bit of a jump on traffic, but once they get to the actual work zone, it will be two lanes for everyone. (See the map atop our earlier story.)
*WHY DO THIS NOW? The reason one lane is being lost – on the west side of The Viaduct, in both directions – is because a few pillars for the new southbound replacement structure actually have to go through the footprint of the current one. So there will be pile-driving work right next to the travel lanes. How will that affect Viaduct stability? Paananen says they will monitor it carefully – the southern stretch has not had settling trouble in the past, but on the other hand, it’s technically more vulnerable, since the “fill” that changed the area from tidelands decades ago is deeper than it is under the rest of the viaduct.
We have a few other notes to add shortly. And if you have a “how is this going to work?” question that neither our coverage nor the WSDOT website is answering – PLEASE ask in comments, and we will do our best to pursue answers; WSDOT has a large and responsive media-relations team who (regardless of your view of the actual project merits) whom we are sure will pursue the answer for us/you.
2:06 PM UPDATE: Checked with Linda Thielke at King County Department of Transportation regarding Metro and the upcoming AWV lane reduction. For one – she says they will be out later this week with some information specifically targeted for bus riders whose routes will go through the construction zone. In the meantime, here’s the latest on bus-service increases past and possibly future as part of the “viaduct mitigation”:
To date, WSDOT has funded an additional 31 trips on routes: 21X, 56X, and 121. These trips were added a while back to make transit a good alternative for folks during the construction. Metro has seen ridership increase 11 percent on those trips (fall 2009 compared to fall 2010).
Right now, there is a proposal (not finalized yet) that would add more trips in October 2011. This would increase trips on the Rt. 120 funded by WSDOT and the Rt. 54 funded by Metro. And, the additional trips on the 21X, 56X, and 121 would continue.
Also, we’re seeing an uptick in inquiries about vanpooling and vansharing from the West Seattle area.
Here’s where you can find out more info about that.
Just sent by Heath, with the observation, “How true.” (The structure on which the impromptu sign is duct-taped is along the Beach Drive waterfront, across from Me-Kwa-Mooks. It’s the framework for another of the wayfinding kiosks that are going up around the area – this one has been awaiting its permanent map and artwork inserts, as of our most recent drive past. A stretch south of this spot is in pretty good shape after a rebuild a few years ago, but further down, it’s arguably one of West Seattle’s ruttiest stretches.)
As part of the south-end Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Project – the major work that’s under way now and is proceeding regardless of whatever happens to the Central Waterfront section – weekend closures and longterm lane reductions are coming up starting in less than two weeks. They’ve long been part of the plan, but with two weeks to go, the alarm was sounded this morning by the state Department of Transportation, which is summoning media to a briefing in a few hours.
The closures will happen during the weekend of May 14-15. Longterm lane reductions kick in right after that. WSDOT announcement highlights ahead:Read More
(Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza, photographed this morning)
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:
CONNER PROJECT, TUNNEL MEASURES ON CITY COUNCIL AGENDA: When the City Council meets at 2 pm, it will consider final approval of the “alley vacation” for the Conner Homes two-building Junction project (Alaska/California/42nd), following last week’s hearing before the Transportation Committee (WSB coverage here). Also on the council agenda (which you can see here in its entirety) are two of the measures that might go to a public vote regarding the Highway 99 tunnel, as well as reappointment of Southwest Design Review Board members Rob Murphy and Norma Tompkins, among other measures. As always, the council meeting will be live on Seattle Channel, seattlechannel.org or cable channel 21.
HI-YU MEMBERSHIP MEETING: With festival season fast approaching, West Seattle Hi-Yu Summer Festival membership meets at 6:30 pm, St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church hall.
FREE DANCE CLASS WITH BALORICO: 6 pm, try a free dance class with Balorico at Kenyon Hall – more at balorico.blogspot.com
EVENING BOOK GROUP: The monthly Evening Book Group meets tonight at Southwest Library, 6:45 pm; this month’s title is “Cloud Atlas” by Liam Callanan.
MONDAY NIGHT KARAOKE: Karaoke with Kelli at Skylark Café and Club (WSB sponsor), 9 pm
FOOD DRIVE CONTINUES: All month long, you can drop off food donations at PCC Natural Markets-West Seattle (WSB sponsor). Details here
It happened over the weekend in Interbay, but it was a big occasion for teams from both Chief Sealth International High School (above) and West Seattle High School (below):
They are making history as two of eight Seattle Public Schools high schools that have launched soccer teams for the new Seattle Public Schools Unified Soccer League in partnership with Special Olympics, which describes the international Unified Sports program as being for teams that include players “with and without intellectual disabilities,” training and playing together. On Saturday, all eight schools met for a series of round-robin games at Interbay as part of a special event dubbed The Kickoff. The games were preceded by opening ceremonies including a March to the Match. (Sealth’s band was originally scheduled to play, but it turned out that noise regulations didn’t allow that so early in the morning!) The other schools involved are Rainier Beach and Cleveland, in the “South Division” with WSHS and CSIHS, and Nathan Hale, Ballard, NOVA, and Ingraham, comprising the “North Division.” We also found the West Seattle area represented early Saturday morning by School Board president Steve Sundquist:
Joe Hampson, director of sports programs for Special Olympics Washington, explains that soccer is the pilot program for Unified Sports locally; elsewhere in the U.S., he says, basketball and golf are played too. They’re starting with soccer since it is now widely played by kids before they get to high school, it seemed like the perfect sport with which to begin. Competition for the new league continues next Saturday at Interbay.
If you’re still up, you’re probably watching cable news or checking national/world news sites for updates on the stunning announcement tonight that U.S. troops have killed Osama bin Laden, less than half a year short of the 10th anniversary of 9/11. (If you missed it somehow, the official White House recording of the president’s late-night statement – late Eastern time, anyway – is embedded above.)
Remembering the gatherings at Alki’s Statue of Liberty after the 2001 attacks, we went by a little while ago to see if anything spontaneous had broken out. At least at the time we went by, only a few people were by the statue – but a TV crew had broken out a large light to illuminate the statue as a backdrop for a live report, no doubt on “local reaction.” (Just down the street a block, the usual spring/summer-night Alki crowds watched as a car took off too fast, burning rubber.)
We haven’t seen official comments from local leaders yet, though King County Executive Dow Constantine observed via Twitter, “Good to have @BarackObama – Doesn’t bluster ‘Bring it On” or crow “Mission Accomplished” but patiently, wisely, competently gets the job done.” Also on Twitter, City Councilmember Tim Burgess said, “This is wonderful news for the whole world!”
A thread in the WSB Forums, headed simply “Bin Laden is DEAD,” has drawn a few comments.
Your editor here was working in Seattle TV news when 9/11 happened, executive-producing a morning newscast, in the control booth as the horrifying pictures from back east came in. Relatively quickly, we handed over most of our airtime to the network, as there was little to say locally, for a while. Feels that way tonight, so we’re going back to writing a few stories still left to tell from the weekend – but if there is a related West Seattle story you think should be told, please leave a comment, or let us know some other way.
7:13 PM: Big response to a house fire in the 9200 block of 3rd SW. We’ll be there shortly.
7:32 PM UPDATE: The fire is off Olson Place, as it heads downhill toward 509. Massive Seattle Fire presence visible in the right uphill (southwest) lane of Olson.
7:42 PM UPDATE: Fire Department spokesperson Lt. Sue Stangl is at the scene and tells us the fire started in the kitchen, and most of the fire damage is there, but a water pipe in the house has broken as well, so there’s water damage, and crews are working to pump out the water from the break. Nobody is hurt. But Lt. Stangl says the residents had just moved into the house today.
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