West Seattle, Washington
15 Friday
“We keep getting bigger and better, but would like to fill in some of our smaller sections,” says Toni Reineke of West Seattle Community Orchestras, with days to go till their first rehearsal of the year (last week was “snowed out”). She elaborates:
We especially need cellos, string basses, trumpets, and percussion—and oboe and bassoon, of course!
If you are a beginner or haven’t played for a while, don’t be shy! We have three orchestras spanning beginning to advanced levels.
Pre-register online at wscorchestras.org, then be ready to rehearse on Tuesday night at Chief Sealth International High School. E-mail Toni with questions, tonireineke@comcast.net.
Seattle Lutheran High School‘s boys-varsity basketball team used its deep bench to wear down Tacoma Baptist in West Seattle on Saturday night, cruising to a 55-27 win. Details ahead:Read More
… though it won’t be open to the public (so far as we know). Bob in North Admiral shares the photo of a West Seattle home where every TD in tomorrow morning’s game will draw a cheer – from somebody. 10 am, Q13 FOX, Seahawks vs. Bears – and if you’re still deciding where to watch, we’ll have a list early tomorrow of West Seattle venues planning to open early and/or offering specials. Let us know if you’ve heard of one, or run a business that’s offering one. (Among what we’ve heard of so far – you can even get pizza for breakfast – Zeeks is delivering starting at 9 am citywide.)
ADDED SUNDAY MORNING: Places we’ve heard from (or seen via Twitter and/or Facebook) opening early (or early enough) and specifically mentioning game-viewing include: Elliott Bay Brewery, The Wing Dome (free popcorn chicken), and Talarico’s in The Junction, 9 am; Brickyard Bar-B-Q and Admiral Pub (free breakfast buffet) in Admiral, 9 am; Beveridge Place Pub in Morgan Junction (21+), 9:45 am; Christo’s on Alki (20% off game-watchers’ tickets), 10 am. And for an alternative – West 5 promises, via Twitter, a Football Widows’ Brunch: “No TVs, no bandwagon … hope we get to do it again next weekend.”
What a way to start the weekend: West Seattle-based kinder-rockin’ Caspar Babypants drew hundreds to High Point Community Center this morning. Our video shows this morning’s show-opening song, “Baby Bear.” There was at least one “Baby Seahawk” there too:
That photo was shared by Nicole via Facebook; she dubbed the most eager young concertgoers as “the baby mosh pit.” (added) Here’s a different view, shared by Tony:
Whether they moshed or bounced or boogied, the young concertgoers were offered treats by the PCC Natural Markets (WSB sponsor) Kid Picks crew, Clauda and Andrea:
The Caspar Babypants concert was part of High Point CC’s Fabulous Family Fun series, which has two more special presentations this quarter, both also at 10:30 am on Saturdays – a magic show on February 19th, and more music with The Board of Education on March 19th.
That’s not fog or mist … that’s steam rising off hot compost at the site of the future Community Orchard of West Seattle. A group estimated at up to 50 volunteers has just wrapped up a truly groundbreaking work party, putting down cardboard (remember the donations last fall?) and compost mulch along the orchard site, which is now on the northeast side of the South Seattle Community College campus. They worked at the site – undaunted by the steady rain – after a morning permaculture workshop.
ADDED: Two photos shared by organizer Aviva Furman (best known for Community Harvest of Southwest Seattle):
She has some words of gratitude in the comment section – and info on how you can get involved with the orchard.
(Photo added 3:12 pm)
2:18 PM: This is just south of West Seattle, but we got tips from Ann Marie and Maryann: 26th SW is closed just south of 106th SW for a crash investigation. Sheriff’s deputies at the scene tell us a pickup hit a pedestrian. The pedestrian was taken to Harborview. The closure is expected to continue a few hours; the Major Accident Response team just arrived a few minutes ago.
3:12 PM: Added a photo. Deputies say the black pickup in the photo was the vehicle that hit the person, whose belongings were still on the other side (southbound, right side of photo) of the street when we were there. No other details at this point, except that the crash happened around 12:30 pm. If you’re having trouble placing where this is, it’s just south of the small Shorewood market, and 106th SW is a busy road between Arbor Heights and White Center. (Here’s a map.)
5:31 PM UPDATE: We just went to the scene to check – 26th SW is open again. And while there’s no further official info, Bryce says via Facebook that he was among the first on the scene after the truck hit what he and other sources say is a male juvenile:
According to witnesses at the scene and the distraught young man driving the pickup; the teen darted out in front of his truck. It was an accident. My heart and prayers go out to both families involved. I hope the boy recovers 100%.
Because of the holiday weekend, we might not have official information before Tuesday.
6:40 PM UPDATE: King County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Sgt. John Urquhart has sent a brief news release on the crash, but the only additional detail it contains is that the victim, described as “around 15 years old,” is in serious condition.
11:59 AM: It’s been a while since the last reported whale sighting off West Seattle shores, but Linda reports via Facebook that, about an hour ago, she “saw whales between Blake and tip of Bainbridge … from Lincoln Park. Not certain what type of whale.” Checking Twitter for any corroborating reports, we came across one from a Bainbridge resident reporting an orca sighting from “the ferry” with the past 15 minutes. No word on which direction, nor have we heard from our area’s whale experts, but a heads-up is always in order.
12:29 PM UPDATE: Orca Network just mentioned them on FB a moment ago:
We have reports from the Ferry Tilikum of 4-5 orcas in the Fauntleroy ferry lane at 10:32 AM, 6 or 7 seen by Melinda Simon heading north off Alki Point around 11:10 AM and of 6-8 orcas seen by Jeff Hogan at 11:25 in the Bainbridge ferry lane, still heading north. So far no definite ID’s but they are likely transients.
(Photo courtesy Aviva Furman)
While mulching material was being moved to the new site of the future Community Orchard of West Seattle, that little salamander turned up. Not sure if s/he will be there, but you’re invited to pitch in at an orchard-site work party and design workshop today – details here … Also from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar: Need a little more purring around the house? Though technically closed for the season, Kitty Harbor is opening today for a special one-day adoption event, noon-6 pm, with more than 50 cats and kittens from local rescue groups. 3422 Harbor Avenue SW. … A little ways up the road, divers at Alki Cove 2 will be part of the Seattle Aquarium‘s Giant Pacific Octopus Census, 9 am-1 pm … Need help paying your utility bills? Assistance is available – but you might not know how to find it, so there’s a special sign-up event continuing today (and tomorrow) at Southwest Youth and Family Services, 9 am-3 pm (details here) … Looking to move? New WSB sponsor Link – the almost-done building in The Triangle – is officially pre-leasing; look for the Airstream along 38th SW between Fauntleroy and Alaska, 8 am-5 pm … If you’re looking to fix up the place where you live now, West Seattle businesses are part of the Remodeling Expo at the Convention Center downtown today (and tomorrow), including WSB sponsors Potter Construction and NCompass Cottage Company (find show info here) … Another downtown event featuring a West Seattleite: An afternoon of poetry with Eugenia Toledo, 2-4 pm at Central Library … And West Seattle Community Clinic is having one of its periodic events offering free health exams to women 40-65 who are uninsured or underinsured – call to check if they have any appointments open; 206-937-9722 (if they’re booked up … Also call on this one before you go: Learn the history of High Tea, at Merrill Gardens West Seattle (WSB sponsor), 4611 35th SW, free, but RSVP to 206-932-5480 … Finally, a reminder about the West Seattle Eagles‘ dinner tonight to benefit the family of Brian Teachout – here’s our preview with details. … More on the calendar!
6:42 AM: A full house-fire response has gone to the 9000 block of 37th SW (map). But most of the units are being canceled after one crew discovered most of the smoke in the house was caused by a “smoldering couch,” according to scanner traffic.
6:49 AM: This is announced as a “tapped” (as in, more or less out) fire.
SATURDAY NIGHT NOTE: As discussed in comments, SFD was called back to this house tonight. We went over to check it out; it appeared to be something of a false alarm – what we could find out at the scene indicated someone smelled smoke again and called 911 just in case.
Tomorrow marks two years since the fire, blamed on a Christmas-lights malfunction, that blackened the inside of the city-landmark Alki Homestead and forced its beloved restaurant to close. While its owner has proposed “reconstructing” the historic log structure and including other businesses on the site, and even took steps toward applying for a permit, it’s been 14 months since that proposal went before the Architectural Review Committee of the city Landmark Preservation Board, whose signoff is required – and it has not reappeared in that venue.
Last July, owner Tom Lin announced he would sell the Homestead, offering it first to preservation/cultural groups, then to the general public. No public listing ever appeared, and no deal has ever been announced. We have left Lin messages asking for comment on its status, but no reply. However, an announcement came Friday afternoon from the Southwest Seattle Historical Society, headquartered half a block away at what was the Homestead’s carriage house: They plan a media event Sunday morning, on the fire anniversary:
A coalition of four heritage organizations — the Southwest Seattle Historical Society, Historic Seattle, 4Culture and the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation — will hold a press conference to provide updates on the potential for protection, preservation and restoration of the city-landmark 1904 log building known as Fir Lodge and the Alki Homestead Restaurant.
Those are the same four Lin mentioned in his July announcement offering the Homestead for sale. They also were part of last July’s “This Place Matters” photo gathering, part of this nationwide historic-site-awareness campaign. But at the time, at least one of those organizations made a point of saying they’re not in the building-buying business. So what’s their plan? They’ll discuss it at the Log House Museum, 11 am Sunday.
(Photos by Christopher Boffoli for WSB – added 1:31 am)
1:05 AM: Heavy-rescue call at 38th and Oregon – avoid the area. Christopher Boffoli is there for WSB. He says it’s an overturned car. The “heavy-rescue” part of it has been closed quickly – indicating fire/rescue crews not needed after all. But we’ve heard police say via scanner, the stop sign on the southeast corner of 39th and Oregon will need repair/replacement.
1:12 AM UPDATE: Christopher reports, “SPD tells me that there are no serious injuries despite the fact that one car overturned. It seemed everyone was wearing seat belts. An out-of-town driver missed a stop sign that was leaning way over and t-boned another car. Everyone is shook up but OK. SPD says no evidence alcohol or drugs are involved.”
1:41 AM UPDATE: Added photos, and here’s more info from Christopher: “It was a Mini versus a little Ford. … The woman driving the Mini was a designated driver for the night. She’s visiting from Boston. She was headed north on 38th and blew through the stop sign at Oregon (which) was leaning way over. Looks like someone hit it and no one noticed. Amazingly, there were barely a few scratches on the front bumper of the Mini. SPD said they considered it an accident and wouldn’t be citing anyone. The tow truck was just arriving a few minutes ago before I left. They should have Oregon open to traffic again within 15 minutes.”
In one week, Roxhill Elementary School librarian Pat Bliquez will officially receive the Golden Apple Award that was announced last October (here’s our coverage of the Roxhill assembly where students and staffers congratulated her). Our partners at the Seattle Times also wrote about her, and Roxhill’s head teacher Chris Robert says that story inspired a good deed from miles outside West Seattle:
A grandmother in Kent read the story and was inspired to donate over 200 hand- knitted caps/hats to Roxhill and Mrs. Bliquez. Pat created a lesson for all the Kindergartners, 1st graders, and 2nd graders in which she read a story about caps/hats, students wrote/drew about the story, and every student left (the) lesson with a new cap. It was incredible seeing the look on students’ faces as they were told they got to select a cap to keep, and it was fun watching kids keeping their caps on all day at school.
Hearing about this, we asked for a photo, and received the one above, some of the Roxhill kindergarteners in their prized caps!
Three break-in reports for West Seattle Crime Watch, plus one potential-prowler sighting that football fans might want to know about, all from the WSB inbox – read on:Read More
8:58 PM: Two scores in so far tonight from local high-school basketball games. In girls’ varsity matchups, it was Seattle Prep 78, Chief Sealth 43, and Seattle Lutheran 50, Chief Leschi 16. Boys’ varsity games are under way now in both of those pairings, which are being live-tweeted (Sealth at @wsblive, SLHS at @seattlelutheran). West Seattle HS teams are playing Nathan Hale tonight.
ADDED 9:09 PM: Another final: SLHS boys’ varsity 43, Chief Leschi 35.
ADDED 9:28 PM: And another boys’ varsity final, Seattle Prep 57, Chief Sealth 50.
WSHS scores and details from tonight’s spotlight matchup (Sealth/Prep) ahead:Read More
Tonight we’re welcoming new WSB sponsors under the same ownership, Pegasus Pizza and Pasta, and Bamboo Grill. New sponsors get to tell you about themselves. First: Pegasus Pizza and Pasta, at 2770 Alki Ave SW, has been serving West Seattle for more than 25 years and provides great dine-in experience as well as a take-out service for your convenience. The moment you set foot into Pegasus Pizza and Pasta, you can tell that someone has an eye for details. With large windows that look onto Alki Beach. you are able to soak up the essence of being on one of Seattle’s favorite beaches. The restaurant seating is terraced so that everyone can enjoy the view. Intimate lighting can make for romantic dinner or a focused family occasion. Come to the Pegasus on any evening and you will find a variety of people and groups.
Nothing goes with authentic Pizza and Pasta like a great bottle of wine. Recently Ted has enlisted help from some of the industry’s top wine connoisseurs to evolve and build a wine list that will compliment any dish. Choose from any of our hand chosen wines or 12 different beers on tap. Pegasus Pizza and Pasta is proud to be a sponsor of West Seattle Blog and a proud member of the West Seattle Community. Pegasus Pizza and Pasta can be reached by calling 206-932-4849 or online at www.PegasusonAlki.com
BAMBOO GRILL
The Bamboo Grill has been a West Seattle and Alki Beach favorite for more than 8 years. Located at 2806 Alki Ave SW, the Bamboo Grill provides a great surfer Tiki bar atmosphere and incredible menu diversity, with a great view of the beach and Puget Sound boat traffic.
Recently, the Bamboo Grill has had the privilege of bringing in a new head chef, Chris Beh. Chef Beh has a long history of culinary experience as well as being featured on local TV cooking shows. “What I like about working at the Bamboo is the diversity of food we create,” says Chris, “Someone can come in for a great steak, a rack of our famous baby back ribs or one our signature seafood dishes. There truly is something for everyone.” Don’t be surprised if Chef Beh comes out and asks how your meal was.
West Seattle businesses have enjoyed the Bamboo Grill’s location for many company parties and events, with its scenic views and free parking. Some couples decide to have their wedding on the beach and the Bamboo Grill has been chosen to provide reception catering and reception services. Eating out does not need to cost an arm and a leg. Bamboo Grill has weekly food and drink specials such as “kids eat free” breakfasts on Saturday and Sunday, Tuesday “Double Lunch Punches,” Football/Basketball food and drink 
specials.
Giving back to the local community is also a priority. The Bamboo Grill has been involved with a number of charities over the years. “Giving is contagious,” says Sarah Suseyi (right), owner/general manager, “and we are happy to help out when we can.” Last November, the Bamboo Grill hosted an event to help and honor our local law enforcement as well as the Lakewood Memorial Fund – featuring members of local Seattle bands Queensryche, Lotus Crush and Candlebox.
The night life at the Bamboo Grill does not disappoint. Starting at 10 pm on Friday and Saturday, the Bamboo Grill turns into Alki’s hottest nightlife with DJ Ronnal Ives spinning tunes, and plenty of room to dance. Bamboo Grill is happy and proud to be a sponsor of West Seattle Blog and can be reached at 206-937-3032 or online.
We thank Pegasus & Bamboo for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news on WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.
The first week of pre-trial motions and discussions in West Seattle’s Steve Bushaw murder case started with a guilty plea, and ended with one. Our partners at the Seattle Times report tonight that, four days after Danny O’Neal, one of two accused triggermen, pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of second-degree murder with a firearm enhancement, the other one – John Sylve – struck the same plea bargain. Here’s the Times story. This happened during what was supposed to be a recess in the case until next Tuesday; when proceedings resume then, two defendants remain – alleged mastermind Bryce Huber and alleged getaway driver Brandon Chaney, both still charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder in the shooting of Bushaw outside Talarico’s in The Junction on Super Bowl Sunday night in February 2009. The documents from today’s announcement are not in the online files yet, so we don’t have full details of the latest plea agreement.
One month ago today, we reported on community help for the family of Brian Teachout, who died at after surgery for an injury suffered while putting up Christmas lights. Brian was just 46. Since then, other successful grassroots benefits have been organized – the ornament sale, the light-show donations – and now there’s word of one more way to help. Linda Fittro sends word that tomorrow (Saturday) night at the West Seattle Eagles‘ HQ, Mary Lou Wilkerson is sponsoring a dinner to benefit the Teachout family: “Salisbury steak, real mashed potatoes & gravy, veggie, roll and dessert, all for $8. 5:30 pm till 7 pm or sold out. All proceeds go to the Teachout family.” The WS Eagles are at 4426 California SW (206-938-4426).
(Seattle Police investigators with the wrecked Buick on Sunday morning – rescuers had cut its top off)
Throughout the week, we’ve received notes from people living near the scene of the 47th/Charlestown crash that led to a major power outage early Sunday (original WSB coverage here), wondering how the two people in the car were doing. Though they originally were described as having life-threatening injuries, we have just learned from Harborview Medical Center that the passenger, a 31-year-old woman whose hometown is not listed in the police report, is out of the hospital. The driver, 23-year-old Mohammad Nema of Burien, is still at Harborview but is now in satisfactory condition – and he is charged with vehicular assault as well as domestic violence. According to the charging documents, the passenger was his estranged girlfriend, who had two protection orders against him linked to an assault allegation in early December. The charging papers don’t say why she was with him on Sunday morning, but they say:
… the defendant was speeding well in excess of the posted speed limit. He failed to maintain control of his car and crossed the centerline and began rotating clockwise as he skidded 133 feet. He then left the road and slammed broadside into a utility pole. The force was sufficient to break the pole which caused a power outage in the neighborhood. There was enough energy left to propel his car an additional 52 feet until the car eventually came to a stop. Both the defendant and (passenger) were unconscious. Both suffered at least fractured pelvises. …
A bottle of open, mostly empty tequila was found wedged between the defendant and his driver’s door. Blood alcohol results for him are pending. Preliminary collision reconstruction shows he was speeding at least 48 mph and that does not even take into consideration the energy to break the pole. The analysis indicates he was traveling freeway speeds when he lost control.
When Nema gets out of the hospital, he will be booked into the King County Jail, with bail set at $100,000, according to online records. Court documents say he has a record of citations and charges including driving the wrong way on a one-way street, possessing an open alcohol container in a car, speeding, and driving without liability insurance.
Six weeks from today, we should find out if anyone’s coming forward to buy The Hole, the West Seattle development site (map) that stalled after excavation more than two years ago, caught in legal skirmishes that are only now starting to play out. As part of said skirmishes, the first trial ended in November with a decision (which has been appealed) that the company that dug The Hole, Aero, has lien priority; King County Superior Court Judge Susan Craighead formally ordered the foreclosure sale two weeks ago, and the official notice was published Thursday in the Daily Journal of Commerce. According to that notice, the sale is set for 10 am Friday, February 25, at the King County Administration Building downtown. The notice also says: “The judgment debtor can avoid the sale by paying the judgment amount of $23,286,974.16 together with interest, costs, and fees before the sale date.” The “judgment debtor” is Fauntleroy Place, LLC, which is still linked to Seattle Capital; the site’s note is held by 3922 SW Alaska LLC, a concern linked to Madison Development, which had sought foreclosure in 2009 without having to pay the construction-company liens (totaling $4 million) that Judge Craighead has since ruled are at the head of the line.
That just-published clip is the second in a series of video hints, posted to YouTube and shared via the home page and Facebook page for 103.7 The Mountain radio, further enhances speculation that West Seattle online/on-air personality Marty Riemer is about to rejoin the station that booted him and on-air partner Jodi Brothers in fall 2009. He and Brothers, who also lives in this area, have been podcasting from Riemer’s basement for much of that time – but she just (a) had a baby and (b) announced she’ll be with the Bob Rivers Show when it arrives at 95.7 FM this spring. The Riemer-returning speculation started with both the departure of the DJ who took over morning at The Mountain after him, and then with the first video hint earlier this week (note the West Seattle scenery, plus another West Seattleite, The Mountain’sdirector Shawn Stewart). As today’s clip says in the final frame, there’s news coming Monday; we’re checking with Riemer to seek at the very least a golden-voiced “no comment.”
Hundreds of Chief Sealth International High School students just found out in a surprise announcement in the school auditorium that a free year of college awaits them – and potentially thousands of their future counterparts. In an event under way at Sealth right now, South Seattle Community College has announced that CSIHS is the second Seattle Public Schools high school to become part of the SSCC 13th Year Promise Scholarship program. (Cleveland High School was the first, starting with its Class of 2008.) The official announcement explains:
The groundbreaking scholarship program, which is the first of its kind in Washington state, guarantees every graduating senior the opportunity to attend South tuition-free for one year, regardless of grade point, test scores or other factors. …
The 13th Year Promise Scholarship was developed to address data that shows the enormous difference just one year of college can make in terms of earnings and a student’s likelihood of continuing in higher education. This critical “Tipping Point” has been identified as a high school diploma and one-year of college. The scholarship is also designed to increase the access to higher education for our community’s students, particularly those from underrepresented groups, including students of color, low-income and first-generation college students. …
The program is funded by financial aid and/or scholarship funds raised through the South Seattle Community College Foundation. …
The announcement event is being led by two Sealth graduates – SSCC president Gary Oertli and CSIHS principal John Boyd.
ADDED 3:34 PM: Oertli and Boyd are in the video added atop this story – also participating, school-board rep (and Sealth parent) Steve Sundquist:
(video no longer available due to blip.tv shutdown)
(Wednesday photo of Fairmount Springs’ chronic Fauntleroy Way puddle)
Rain remains in the forecast (“special weather statement,” in fact) … but we’re used to it, right? Also on the Friday schedule: If you see this before 9 am, you are welcome to go meet the West Seattle Earlybirds Toastmasters at ArtsWest, during their 7-9 am open house this morning … Almost next door at Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy (WSB sponsor), a 2 pm event promises info to help you figure out which supplements can boost your immune system … Exercise can help too, and Friday Night Skating at Alki Community Center might be the ticket – $3/person, BYO skates or borrow them, 6:45-8:45 pm … Live music tonight at Skylark CafĂ© and Club (calendar here) and C & P Coffee (calendar here), both WSB sponsors … SIDE NOTE: Exactly four months from today, it’s West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day, sponsored/organized by WSB (second Saturday in May every year, this year that’s May 14)!
(Photos by Ellen Cedergreen for WSB)
Besides the monthly West Seattle Art Walk (see our previous report), Thursday night brought another major art event – the West Seattle High School Winter Art Expo, a juried show. Here’s a group of WSHS ceramics students and their teacher – from left: Korina, Nelsy, Silvee, teacher Michelle Sloan, Regine, and Justice:
Parents, jurors, and students perused a vast array of “Me Boxes,” one of three featured mediums:
What’s in a “Me Box,” you ask? They are process boxes the students make and decorate.
WSB contributor Ellen Cedergreen, who covered the expo, explains that each panel represents a different part of the student, in the following layout: The outside top of the box represents who the students appear to be to the world; the inside is meant to show how the student sees her/himself; the four outer walls represent one of four emotions – peace, sadness, anger, and joy. WSHS student Socheata Thon told Ellen that the inside of hers is primarily dedicate to speed since she is fast, “like a cheetah”:
Here are WSHS students Jordan Jackson and Tyler Johnson with their “Me Boxes”:
Retired Ballard High School art teacher Jane Morris (in the next photo with WSHS student Maxwell Zimmerman), was a juror:
Jane told WSB that students were judged primarily on how well they executed their own artistic intent, which they wrote out as “artist statements.” Jurors read the statements before sitting down with students for one-on-one critiques. The expo included 10 professionals judging more than 200 students; winners will be announced in class today.
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