West Seattle, Washington
23 Sunday
One more game at the Tacoma Dome today for the Chief Sealth International High School boys’ basketball team – and a tough one because of foul trouble. In the consolation round, North Central (from Spokane) topped Sealth 53-46. That’s the acclaimed Sealth drum line in our top clip; game details and video after the jump:Read More
We’re at the King County Courthouse, where Superior Court Judge Carol Schapira has just sentenced the second defendant in the Highland Park beating/hate-crime case from last May. His sentence is 72 months total – 48 months for the robbery (which includes the beating), 24 months after that for the weapons enhancement), and a concurrent 12 months for the malicious-harassment charge. That’s three months longer than the sentence the same judge gave the first defendant, 23-year-old Ahmed Mohamed, last month.
Pleading guilty to robbery (with a weapons enhancement) and malicious harassment (hate crime) in January (WSB coverage here), Jonathan Baquiring, like his co-defendant, had acknowledged a racist motive in attacking now-17-year-old Shane McClellan in Highland Park and beating/torturing him for hours. Charges weren’t filed till four months later; Baquiring was the first suspect arrested, and has been in jail since then, almost six months.
Before the judge’s decision, prosecutors asked for the same 72-month sentence they had requested for the first defendant, on the most serious charge. Shane McClellan’s father Tim addressed the judge, as he had at the first sentencing. “The continuing impact… this has had on our family … on my son,” he began, his voice breaking. Judge Schapira notes she remembered that the previous sentencing, at which she also presided, was on Shane’s 17th birthday. “I hope there is some sense of satisfaction, now that Mr. Baquiring made a decision to plead guilty, that this matter will not have .. any more uncertainties,” so that Shane “can move on,” the judge told the victim’s father. “It’s like the final chapter, we want to put it to rest,” McClellan replied. When the judge offered Baquiring the chance “to say something,” he asked for forgiveness, “for everything we have done.”
Baquiring’s lawyer called him “unschooled in the legal system and in the realities of alcohol consumption,” saying he had “consumed at least four 4 Lokos” (that came up in the first sentencing too). “This is not anything that was planned or decided on in advance … I think Mr. McClellan was truly a random victim – that doesn’t make his victimization any less real …” the lawyer said. Unlike the first defendant, he had no family or friends speaking on his behalf, so after he spoke, Judge Schapira pronounced her sentence, noting that he had no criminal history before this and saying she hopes he will have nothing after he serves the sentence. (We have her remarks on video, and will add them here when we are back at HQ, as well as video a photo of Baquiring in the courtroom – you’ll notice her speaking especially slowly; Baquiring spoke and listened through a translator.) ADDED: Here are the judge’s remarks:
This was mentioned briefly at the Delridge District Council meeting two weeks ago, but we haven’t seen details till today – Mayor McGinn will be in Westwood this Sunday. The invitation just forwarded by a WSB’er says he’s at Southwest Library (35th/Henderson) for community Q/A, 1:30-2 pm Sunday. And literally a minute after we published this, the mayor’s office confirmed the visit starts at 12:30 pm at Roxhill Park. (Last weekend, we caught up with him during an unpublicized visit to White Center, which the city is considering annexing along with the rest of the remaining unincorporated North Highline area.)
(February 2011 photo by Ellen Cedergreen for WSB)
Will you be able to visit a space shuttle by driving just a few minutes east? Last month, NASA Administrator Charles Bolden visited the Museum of Flight, which is hoping to receive a retired space shuttle to put on display. (He’s seen at center in our photo, with museum CEO Doug King and former museum president/retired astronaut Dr. Bonnie Dunbar.) Today, the museum – just over the ridge from West Seattle – announced that Bolding is expected to make an announcement on April 12th. (MoF points out that’s the 30th anniversary of the first shuttle launch.) A new space gallery is under construction at MoF, with completion expected this summer; the museum is one of 27 contenders around the country to be the home of a retired shuttle.
Two days ago, we updated the saga of accused catalytic-converter thief Joel Lund, described by police as an “active” suspect. The latest update: Just about 24 hours ago, Lund got out of jail. (Thanks to the WSB’er who found this on the King County Jail Register before we did.) Here’s what our research has turned up: After he pleaded not guilty yesterday to the one charge currently against him, malicious mischief, the judge agreed to let him out of jail provided he participates in the Community Center for Alternative Programs, which requires weekday check-ins and classes at a facility downtown. The conditions also included drug/alcohol/mental-health treatment, according to court documents. King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office spokesperson Dan Donohoe tells WSB that prosecutors opposed letting Lund out at all. His bail had been set at $20,000; he was arrested February 15th for the second time in three days, and he had remained behind bars since then, until yesterday’s decision by Judge Theresa Doyle. Potential burglary and theft charges listed on the jail register remain under investigation, with nothing formal filed yet, according to Donohue. Lund is due back in court for trial-date-setting on March 17th.
P.S. We mentioned in our report the other day that we had been working on a longer story. Since the case keeps moving faster than we do, we’re just going to add the background from that story – on the current case and previous ones – here, after the jump:Read More
Story and photos by Ellen Cedergreen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
The Duwamish Longhouse was the site of a “killer” talk last night as part of a series of presentations hosted by West Seattle-based The Whale Trail to share more information about our region’s resident orcas, officially known as Southern Resident Killer Whales (SRKW) – and in this case, how dogs can help them.
Donna Sandstrom (above), executive director for The Whale Trail, introduced keynote speaker Katherine Ayres, of the UW-based Center for Conservation Biology (below):
Sandstrom noted that Katherine’s work, using scat-detection dogs, has helped pioneer research for the whales. She also greatly emphasized the importance of both volunteer support, and the successful collaboration with organizations such as NOAA Fisheries, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, People for Puget Sound, The Seattle Aquarium, The Whale Museum, and Coast Watch Society. Ayres later reiterated the importance of inter-agency collaboration, as she outlined the importance of sharing and comparing data.
Her talk centered around groundbreaking research practices where dogs are being used to detect killer whale scat (feces), to learn information that could help protect the threatened species. Dr. Sam Wasser pioneered the practice in 1997 when he founded the Center for Conservation Biology.
Though we don’t have a formal obituaries section, if you lose a loved one and would like to honor them, we are always happy to publish the obituary (photo too) free, as part of the WSB tradition of sharing community information. This morning, Robert shares the news that his aunt Virginia “Ginny” Nieman-Lewis has died, and that her memorial is planned for next Thursday (March 10th). He says Ms. Nieman-Lewis had lived in West Seattle since the ’70s; you might have known her when she worked at the Cat’s Eye Café:
Obituary for Virginia Nieman-Lewis
Brought to us on August 25th, 1954
Departed her earthly shell February 26th, 2011It is with great sorrow that I share that on the morning of Saturday the 26 of February 2011 at around 9 am, Virginia Lewis departed on her journey to the after-life. She passed peacefully in her sleep from unknown causes while in her home surrounded by family and friends. She was born in Iowa and attended High School there. She later pursued her education at Kansas State University, after which she became a resident of the West Seattle area….
(Photo by Christopher Boffoli for WSB)
Checking this morning on two trouble spots: First, if you got stuck in a backup this past hour coming back westbound into West Seattle on the bridge via Fauntleroy, that car may be to blame. The call went out as a potential “heavy rescue” just under an hour ago, but when fire and police got here, they couldn’t find anyone in or near the car, according to SPD Media Unit Officer Renee Witt – so how it got there is a mystery at this point (if you saw it happen, we imagine police would like to hear from you.
There’s also an update on the problem that narrowed Highland Park Way this morning and temporarily rerouted the southbound Metro Route 23 – Stephanie described it as “a light pole that is in danger of falling in to the road on Highland Park hill just before the bottom of the hill,” which meant the uphill lanes were closed (thanks also to Jason). We just drove over to check and the road’s fully reopen now – and there’s a conspicuously newer-looking pole in place in the area in question.
What could be the trip of a lifetime is just weeks away for the Chief Sealth International High School Honor Choir – but they’re still raising money, and here’s your next chance to help – as promoted in the photo above, drawn on a car that may well be first in line:
The Chief Sealth Honor Choir was invited to travel to New York City to perform on Easter Sunday at Carnegie Hall. The students and their families have been busy since October rolling up their sleeves and working hard, now we are hoping to really clean up … your car, that is! Drive on down to Alki Auto Repair, no matter how filthy this winter has left your vehicle, we will be happy to see you!!!! Here are the details:
Car Wash for Carnegie Hall
Sunday, March 6th and March 27th
9:00 AM-4:00 PM Rain or Shine
Alki Auto Repair
2504 Alki Ave SW
$10.00
Donations encouraged and heartily appreciated!
Here’s the letter explaining more about the trip (and how to donate even if you don’t need your vehicle washed, or don’t have one to get washed).
(Kathleen says the eagle landed on her roof on Thursday, “posed for a few pictures, and flew away”)
Our look ahead to today/tonight starts in The Junction, where a new weekly Game Night is ready for another go-round at Uptown Espresso (Edmunds/Erskine/California), 6-11 pm, bring your own board/card/dice games or use the ones you’ll find there … Bin 41‘s next wine tasting is 5:30-7 pm tonight, kicking off Washington Wine Month with winemaker Marcus Miller from Airfield Estates … On Puget Ridge, the monthly “Meaningful Movies” series will screen “The Economics of Happiness” at 7:30 pm, common house at Puget Ridge Cohousing (18th and Myrtle) … In North Delridge, the Skylark Café and Club (WSB sponsor) live-music bill tonight includes My My Hey Hey‘s Neil Young tribute at 11 pm (more on the Skylark calendar) … Can’t wait for Southgate to reopen? No waiting required for weekly Friday night skating at Alki Community Center, 6:45-8:45 pm, BYO or use theirs ($3/person) … Peek ahead to the weekend (and beyond) on our calendar.
(One of the graphics shown at last month’s Triangle open house)
From this week’s Southwest District Council meeting: SWDC members say they’re not clear about where city planning for the West Seattle Triangle‘s future really stands, despite last month’s community open house, and their own city briefing days before it. So they want the project’s lead city planners Susan McLain and Robert Scully to return before the council and outline exactly what they’re doing next with feedback from those meetings, as well as with the plan itself, and what they’ll be telling city leaders. SWDC members also would like to talk with Councilmember Sally Clark, whose Committee on the Built Environment would theoretically eventually consider the results of the Triangle process. SWDC co-chair Susan Melrose of the West Seattle Junction Association and past co-chair Erica Karlovits of the Junction Neighborhood Organization also questioned whether the Triangle planning process had adequate community representation/participation and had truly resulted in consensus.
Another topic of concern for the council – the ongoing changes in the Department of Neighborhoods, which (among other things) provides staff assistance for district councils (whose members are all volunteers) – more after the jump:Read More
West Seattle’s newest neighborhood council – the Genesee-Schmitz Neighborhood Council, about to celebrate its first year – has two invitations for area residents (here’s the map to use to see if that means you):
BEEFING UP BLOCK WATCHES: Next Tuesday (March 8th), 6 pm at the Southwest Precinct, area Block Watch captains and interested neighbors are invited to a Block Watch meeting, featuring retiring Crime Prevention Coordinator Benjamin Kinlow and Community Police Team Officer Ken Mazzuca as well as the West Seattle Blockwatch Captains’ Network. The GSNC hopes to find out how many active Block Watches are out there, as well as to get them going in areas that don’t have them yet. (BW captains who can’t attend are asked to contact the council through its website, to share contact and location information.) More details here.
GENESEE-SCHMITZ NEIGHBORHOOD EVENT: This one’s more of a celebration, “to kick off year two,” inviting all area residents to a town-hall forum “where neighbors can share the concerns and interests they want the council to focus on,” followed by a hoedown, led by instructor Dina Blade, with live music by the Canote Brothers. The event is 6:30-8:30 pm March 31st (dancing starts at 7) at West Seattle Christian Church, 4400 42nd SW, $3/person or family donation requested, and you’re asked to bring cookies to share!
(The team taking the floor at the start of tonight’s game)
A boys-basketball state-tournament heartbreaker just ended at the Tacoma Dome – Bellevue 49, Chief Sealth International High School 48. We tweeted live from Tacoma (see the tweets here); more details here on WSB, and video, when our crew’s back at HQ. (Sealth plays a consolation game, vs. winner of tonight’s Glacier Peak-North Central game, tomorrow at 2 pm.)
ADDED 11:20 PM: Details and video from our Tacoma Dome coverage, after the jump:Read More
Motivating teenagers to stay in school is harder than you might think. The dropout crisis is real, and multiple attempts are under way to try to convince kids, one by one, to keep going. The video you see above is part of a campaign called “Get Schooled.” West Seattle High School is participating, and there’s a rap/rhyme contest too. One participating WSHS student e-mailed WSB with his video link – it’s a 1-minute video, full of local scenery! – and this explanation:
My name is Ryan Gluckman, I am a Junior at West Seattle High School, and I am participating in “Get Schooled,” a campaign focused on motivating kids to graduate high school, and be on time to class. This program is relatively exclusive, including only 25 schools in the nation, one of them being WSHS. Participating students submit a rhyme & video that explain how they stay motivated in school. I wrote, directed, performed, and co-produced an entire video along with the help of my fellow student, a Senior at West Seattle High School, Lucas Saunders. We filmed the entire video in West Seattle. WSHS showed support for my video [earlier this week] by playing my song over the intercom in the hallways inbetween classes.
Ryan also shared this link explaining the video contest and why your support matters. He has a Facebook page for his participation in the contest, too – you can show support by “liking” it here. Note that you have to sign up with the Get Schooled site to vote – though the checklist makes it look like you can’t participate if you’re over 19, the rules clearly say anyone over 13 can vote; deadline for voting is March 18th. (P.S. If you wondered who’s behind Get Schooled – we did – its “partners” are listed here, including the Seattle-based Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation).
Laurie Paul is a longtime West Seattle resident who is thrilled that her commute is about to get a lot shorter. She has been director of a Bright Horizons child-care center in Bellevue for 14 years – and now she is going to lead its first center in West Seattle, at Link (WSB sponsor) in The Triangle. If you see this before 7 pm, you have a chance to meet her during a drop-in informational session that’s under way at Cupcake Royale in The Junction (California/Alaska); otherwise, watch this webpage for upcoming events (like a hard-hat tour on March 31st). Paul told WSB contributor Ellen Cedergreen at today’s event that Bright Horizons is scheduled to open in Link on May 2nd.
Bright Horizons started back east and now has centers in North America and Europe. Some of its centers are partnered with companies to serve their employees (local Starbucks workers may be familiar with the Mermaid’s Lagoon program), but others are standalone community-serving centers like the one in West Seattle will be. According to our earlier conversation with regional manager Mahira Aleem, the center will serve more than 160 children, including three infant rooms. They also hope to integrate their program with some of Link’s unique features, such as the gardens planned on its rooftop deck. Their facilities are centered on the north side of Link, but they also have outdoor play areas, including one being built at the site east of neighboring Lien Animal Clinic where the Link construction trailer has been based.
Though they’re two months away from opening, they’re signing up families now, and you can find information – including phone and e-mail contacts – on their West Seattle-specific webpage, here.
Thanks to Dan for the tip and the photo – a madrona tree has fallen from the slope over Jacobsen Road (between Seaview and Beach Drive), blocking most of the westbound (downhill) lane. He says it just happened about half an hour ago.
3:44 PM NOTE: As the wild weather continues – we’re under a “short-term forecast” alert for at least another half-hour (that explains the current downpour) – might even see some lightning.
Another matter of pedestrian safety – this time, gratitude, and a reminder, from Abby:
I wanted to both thank a driver and caution other less-than-careful drivers to watch out for pedestrians. Last night, getting off the bus at 35th and Roxbury, I was crossing Barton heading north on 35th Ave SW when a truck taking a left turn onto Barton nearly ran me over, going at quite a speed. It was only thanks to a driver stopped on Barton, heading East, who honked his horn that made me stop just inches shy of being hit and likely killed last night. Thank you. I am so grateful for your action – for being there-for honking. And to all of us who drive – please take care to be watchful and mindful of pedestrians, bicyclists, and fellow motorists.
Rain, hail, sun – we’re seeing it all today, except the wind – and we’re also having an encore by the rainbows! Sue just shared that shot from Genesee. And Alki-based food writer Kim O’Donnel shared her view via Twitter:
Tonight’s forecast suggests a possible thunderstorm with ice pellets!
By Megan Sheppard
On the WSBeat, for West Seattle Blog
From reports on cases handled recently by Southwest Precinct officers:
*Last Thursday evening, officers noticed a suspicion-evoking car in the 8000 block of Fauntleroy Way. A license check revealed that it had been used in an armed robbery on Queen Anne, and that people associated with it should be considered “armed and dangerous.” The vehicle was stopped in the 4600 block of SW Monroe. The driver was eventually released, but two passengers wound up in the King County Jail. Police say both were carrying drugs and that the woman, an Admiral resident, had an outstanding felony drug warrant.
Five more summaries after the jump, including, “What would your mothers say?” and two cases involving dogs:Read More
This morning, they were the guests of honor; in less than eight hours, they’ll be the main event. A pep rally for the Chief Sealth International High School boys’ basketball team (and others who’ve won big in competition lately) just wrapped up at the school gym about an hour ago, revving up the 1,000-plus student body for tonight’s 3A state-tournament game at the Tacoma Dome. That of course meant the fight song, starring the Sealth band and cheerleaders:
At least once a year, a local school puts out the call for musical instruments, in case you have one in the closet or the trunk or someplace it just isn’t getting used. From Diane Stuart:
What do you do with that old violin, flute, trumpet, saxophone, clarinet, (anything!) — that your now 35-year-old kid used to play in Jr. High Band?
West Seattle Elementary needs donated instruments for our instrumental instruction program. Don’t worry if that old instrument needs a tune-up, or even an overhaul. SPS has a technician who can make repairs.
Please bring donated instruments to the main office of West Seattle Elementary (formerly High Point). 6760 34th Ave SW.
If you are headed toward the West Seattle Bridge any time soon – be forewarned, there’s a car on its side in the inner eastbound lanes on the highrise, and while fire units already have cleared, the wreck itself hasn’t been moved, so avoid the bridge for a while if you can. (Above, a screengrab we took from the traffic camera a few minutes ago; here’s the live version.)
10:38 AM UPDATE: Wreck is cleared, according to an update from Metro (and a check of the aforementioned live camera).
From this morning’s Land Use Information Bulletin, sent twice weekly by the city Department of Planning and Development:
DATE SET FOR SAFEWAY-REVISION HEARING: We first reported in January about a change to the Admiral Safeway redevelopment project – the building on the northeast side of the site was losing the originally planned “flex-work spaces” and doubling the amount of apartments (from 40 to 78). Safeway talked with the Admiral Neighborhood Association about it on February 8th. This requires City Council approval, which will span two meetings – the first, before the Committee on the Built Environment, is now set for 9:30 am March 23rd (City Hall downtown). Here’s the official notice. (DPD recommends approval; that decision is viewable here.) The meeting is not an open public hearing, but the rules will allow testimony from those who provided written comments; the documentation says two positive comments were received, and two that expressed “concerns.”
SHOREMONT APARTMENTS: The official online notice that goes along with the new sign in front of these apartments at 2464 Alki can be seen here; as we reported earlier this week, the Shoremont’s new owner is proposing restoring the two buildings to four units each (two of each building’s units had been consolidated into one several years back), which is a big change from the last official proposal on the site under a different owner 3 years ago – demolition and something new. If you want to comment on the new proposal, today’s notice says you can do so through March 16th (and explains how).
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