West Seattle, Washington
27 Sunday
(Justice the police horse at Westwood Village in 2/2010, photographed by Becky; other photos in this story by Deanie Schwarz unless otherwise credited)
By Deanie Schwarz
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Anyone who’s lived in West Seattle within the last nine years might have bumped into Seattle Police Department officers on horseback on training rides at Westcrest Park or Westwood Village. For some, that’s the only visible sign of what’s otherwise a semi-secret: The SPD Mounted Patrol Unit is headquartered here, in a barn in Highland Park. But maybe not for much longer.
The unit has about 2,000 square feet of office space attached to a 16,000-square-foot barn and arena, tucked away on three acres at the southern end of Westcrest, surrounded by an old stand of madrona and maple trees. Behind the park driveway and a couple of looming radio towers, the arena and attached paddocks seem far removed from the rush of traffic at 8th and Roxbury (map), the city-county boundary one block to the south.
Now the unit’s future is in question. When Mayor McGinn submitted his proposed budget last week – now in hearings before the City Council Budget Committee – it called for eliminating the Mounted Patrol Unit and transferring its officers to other parts of the department. But in the 100-year history of the SPD Mounted Unit, this is not the first time the patrol officers and horses have been put on the budget chopping block. .
On a recent late summer morning, long before the Mayor’s budget items were announced, the daily mucking-out of the stalls began as usual at 7:00 am, when Glen McMahon, the civilian stable manager arrived.
(Ahead – a look inside the Mounted Unit, as well as a look at how Portland saved theirs in the face of budget cuts.)Read More
Schmitz Park forest steward Dylan shares that photo along with an invitation for you to come help plant trees in one of West Seattle’s green gems. They’re having a tree-planting event this Sunday, as part of the 350.org 10-10-10 “global work party.” If you can spare three hours 9 am-noon, you can help plant Sitka Spruce and Western Hemlock in the park; RSVP here (and find out more).
Before we get to Sunday – a separate regional event gives you the chance to join in one of several West Seattle events on Saturday:
It’s a regional Duwamish Alive! work party day, 10 am-2 pm on Saturday – all cleanup and restoration events in the Duwamish River watershed, some even on the river itself (there’s a waterborne work party too) – go here to see where you can help out.
Two citywide events this morning of West Seattle interest: South Seattle Community College is in the spotlight, along with its sibling campuses around the city, as they connect via satellite this morning to the first-ever White House Community Colleges Summit … The City Council Budget Committee continues its closeup look at Mayor McGinn‘s proposed budget. Today’s agenda starts with public comment at 9:30 am and the Department of Neighborhoods‘ presentation at 9:45 am, including the Neighborhood Matching Fund (responsible for many projects in areas like ours, and proposed for a $700,000 cut). The agenda’s here. … Fire Station 37 moves from old to new today, as reported here yesterday … Music notes: It’s Rock Trivia night at Feedback Lounge (8 pm) and Open Turntables night at Skylark Café and Club (6 pm) – both WSB sponsors – plus weekly rehearsal for West Seattle Community Orchestras at Chief Sealth International High School (details here).
Four weeks till Election Night on November 2, but you’ll be able to vote much sooner, as King County plans to mail ballots for the general election on October 13. Though the election may not be top-of-mind for most people right now, there is much at stake, so we’re planning nightly updates/reminders – sometimes short, sometimes long. We start tonight with a quick overview: Go to the right sidebar here and put in your name and birthdate to bring up your online voter guide – you will see you have more than three dozen votes to cast: The U.S. Senate race, U.S. House, three State Legislative District 34 races (including the no-incumbent State House Position 2), 2 King County races including the no-incumbent County Council District 8, seven Seattle Municipal Court judgeships (two of them contested), 10 statewide judicial races (including one contested spot on the State Supreme Court), six statewide initiatives, one statewide referendum, two state constitutional amendments, three county charter amendments, one county proposition, and one Seattle Public Schools levy. In the “online voter guide,” there are links to information about every candidate and every ballot measure.
Tomorrow: The newest developments in our area’s two biggest races.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Tonight marks the debut of a new WSB feature – and a new contributor. Megan Sheppard won’t be new to you, though, if you read the Police Blotter column she wrote for the West Seattle Herald for a decade. Recently, after hearing she had decided to leave that role, we told Megan – semi-jokingly – that if she ever decided she missed going through the police reports, looking for the stories that had gone (mostly) unreported, we’d welcome her help … and she took us up on it. Megan has deep West Seattle roots, as the daughter of longtime prominent community advocate and entrepreneur Virgil Sheppard (featured last summer in our story about the West Seattle Grand Parade‘s Orville Rummel Trophy), and we look forward to having her contribute more than “just” these roundups. But for starters – here’s the first installment.)
By Megan Sheppard
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
From reports on cases handled recently by Southwest Precinct officers:
*In the Youngstown area, a man walked into his kitchen and found that a crossbow bolt (the pointy, “business end” of the projectile) had been shot into his home and was stuck in the window blinds.
*Someone threw two large logs onto the roof and hood of a vintage car in the Admiral area last week.
Eight more reports ahead:Read More
After another question about how much longer work will continue at Fairmount Playground – “we’re anxious to get our playground back,” as the asker explained – we checked today with project manager Kelly Davidson. She tells WSB the work should be done in about a week and half, because she is “expecting the site to open on the 15th.” (Two public meetings were held last winter; we covered them here and here, and you can see the final Parks and Green Spaces Levy-funded design here.)
Two West Seattle Crime Watch reports from the inbox tonight – a stolen car to watch out for, and a case of “metal trolling” with a witness wondering if anything got stolen as a result – read on for details:Read More
Seattle City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, who lives in West Seattle, recently announced he’d be stopping in several other city neighborhoods for conversations for anybody who wants to drop in and chat. This afternoon, he’s added a “hometown” date to the tour – 11 am-1 pm this Saturday at Southwest Library. From the announcement:
These informal conversations will take many different directions, with all topics on the table. “I sincerely hope people will take advantage of this opportunity to have informal yet meaningful conversations about our City,” said Councilmember Tom Rasmussen. “I’d like to hear people’s thoughts regarding next year’s budget, transportation issues, as well as other topics relevant to Seattleites.”
Councilmember Rasmussen chairs the council’s Transportation Committee, so if you have thoughts about SDOT, roads, or any other issues (they collaborate with the non-city agencies that serve our area too) – this is a chance to bring them up in person.
ORIGINAL 2:35 PM REPORT: Thanks to everybody who e-mailed (etc.) about a sizable police presence on Genesee Hill, around 50th/Genesee. We went over to check, and most of the officers were gone, but we noted a Tukwila Police car on scene along with Seattle Police (see photo). Sgt. Sean Whitcomb of the SPD Media Unit only has preliminary information, but he says notes in the system indicate police made some kind of “felony stop” – arresting someone for a potential felony, which usually means lots of backup and guns drawn – and also that it may indeed have something to do with a case in Tukwila. We’re still working to find out more.
6 PM UPDATE: Update from Sgt. Joe Maccarrone: “It was a van taken from Tukwila in a carjacking; our guys spotted it in West Seattle, and one suspect was taken into custody without incident. (Suspect) and van were both turned over to Tukwila PD.”
Thanks to Fairmount Community Association‘s Sharonn Meeks for spotting and sharing this news: The Seattle Parks webpage for the West Seattle Golf Course driving-range project now has a date for the next public meeting – October 27th. At the first meeting Aug. 5 (WSB coverage here), there was some concern about the potential site; at the second meeting Sept. 15 (WSB coverage here), a slightly different site was proposed, but its potential effects on the existing golf course drew concern. To see what the project team’s come up with now, be at the golf course’s clubhouse at 7 pm Wednesday 10/27.
Update from the Seattle Fire Department: Though the date for the official dedication celebration has not yet been set, spokesperson Christina Faine says tomorrow is moving day for Fire Station 37, from the city-landmark old station at 35th and Othello to the new one at 35th and Holden. (Here’s our sneak-preview tour of the new station from last August; here’s our report on its sculpture, so prominent along 35th SW.) The historic old station is expected to be sold; the process began back in July, as we reported here (that story also includes our video tour of the old FS 37). 4:31 PM UPDATE: We stopped by “old” Station 37, and found packing under way:
That’s Brian Shaner. A few more scenes:
The morning preview is later than usual because the bridge-backup story needed to stay atop the page till we got the “all clear.” So now, here are the highlights: One more reminder that today’s the last day to register to vote in the November 2nd election – if you want to do it the convenient way, online (you can also change your address that way too), or by postal mail (must be postmarked by today), details here … 3 library events: Baby Story Time at 11:30 am, Southwest Library and Evening Book Group at the same branch, 6:45 pm, plus Family Story Time at 7 pm, High Point Library … It’s Bingo Night at Alki UCC! Doors open 5:30 pm, games start at 6:30 … A series of four weekly Theater Improvisation classes starts at 10:30 am today, Senior Center of West Seattle … And Balorico’s monthly free dance class at Kenyon Hall is tonight, 7 pm. More on the WSB West Seattle Events calendar (and please let us know if you’ve got something to add – today or beyond!).
Though a West Seattle Bridge crash is already “closed” on the 911 log – meaning fire/medic units have cleared – we’ve gotten several messages indicating it’s still causing a backup. According to two people on Twitter (thanks, @cdawg2610 and @nicholasseattle), it’s a westbound truck that got stuck atop the cement barricade, which then was pushed partway into the eastbound lanes, blocking one of them. This is reported to be near the 35th/Fauntleroy end of The Bridge – and the view from the Fauntleroy cam right now does look fairly jammed. 7:55 AM UPDATE: From the middle of the jam, @alexpietsch tweets that eastbound Fauntleroy is “backed up well past Oregon right now.” Adding the Fauntleroy cam “live” image here. 8:27 AM UPDATE: Alex sent a photo just before going by the stuck truck, which as you can see is definitely close to the Fauntleroy end (so if you get on The Bridge from Admiral or Delridge, it’s not an issue):
(He clarifies, that’s the tow truck you see in his photo, not the stuck truck itself.) 8:38 AM: Just got the e-mail rider alert from Metro that the 21, 22, 54 and 55 are “experiencing delays” because of this. 8:56 AM UPDATE: As the top image shows, it’s cleared up now – Jodi also confirmed that via Facebook. She also had this early view of the actual (then-)stuck truck:
ADDED 3:53 PM: Devin shared a better view of what caused the backup:
(All photos by WSB’s Patrick Sand unless otherwise credited)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
You can see downtown from the roof of Harbor Properties‘ under-construction Link – and when it’s done, from the same spot, you’ll also see a stretch of green.
No, not more of that green wrap: A rooftop garden (and sizable deck) will be atop the 195-apartment, plus ground-floor commercial, building along 38th SW north of SW Alaska (map) in The Triangle. Construction is about two-thirds done – it started in late November last year, and the building is scheduled for residents to start arriving in late March of next year.
After the project marked a milestone recently with the departure of its big crane, we requested a hard-hat tour, and Harbor obliged, with Steve Yoon and Emi McKittrick as our guides:
Starting at ground level, we could see the commercial part of the Link building taking shape.
That’s the spot along the alley (east side of Link) where a day-care provider plans to take a sizable space, about 12,500 square feet – and its operation will include an outdoor play area. The rest of the commercial space? For one, vegetarian restaurant Chaco Canyon Café is close to a deal, says McKittrick (you might recall the much-commented-on WSB story six months ago, asking you about potential interest).
Three West Seattle school notes tonight:
WEST SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL’S 1ST NEWSLETTER OF THE YEAR: Denise Lathrop from the WSHS PTSA shares the link to their first newsletter of the year, inviting the community – not only those directly involved with the school – to see what’s up. According to Denise, highlights include an introduction for WSHS’s all-new administrative team, principal Ruth Medsker and vice principals Mike Kelly and Jennifer Kniseley, opportunities to volunteer and/or to serve on the PTSA board, dates for ACT and SAT testing/registration, and what’s up in student life/activities (even the dates for the fall play!). Here’s the direct link to the newsletter (PDF download from the school website).
PATHFINDER K-8 MUSIC PROGRAM NEEDS INSTRUMENTS: Sent by Lashanna Williams from the Pathfinder K-8 PTSA:
This year at Pathfinder K-8 the participation in instrumental music has SKYROCKETED!! We are looking for instruments so that all our kiddos can play!! DO you have an instrument that you would be willing to loan? Clarinets and violins are in high demand- but anything is appreciated! To donate or loan an instrument, e-mail Alisha scrapinmomx2@hotmail.com or call Lashanna @ 715-5265
LAFAYETTE WALK-A-THON DEADLINE: Lafayette Elementary is the biggest public elementary in West Seattle, and every year its Walk-A-Thon raises money for needed items that aren’t provided for in the district budget. Besides walker pledges, they also look for business sponsors every year (WSB signed on again this year) and tomorrow is the deadline for signing up. Sponsors get their logos on the official Walk-A-Thon T-shirt plus published in a directory and the school yearbook. Businesses interested in sponsorship can contact Mark Johnson at 206-932-0501 or markj0501@yahoo.com.
Got a school fundraiser, too? We’d love to publicize your event/campaign/etc. too. E-mail info to editor@westseattleblog.com. That’s also the address for any kind of West Seattle school news (and other ways of contacting us are listed here). Thanks!
As the Total Experience Gospel Choir rocked the rafters in the Alki UCC sanctuary, you could hear them from a block away – we did, as we got out of the car to catch the end of their concert kicking off the fundraising West Seattle CROP Hunger Walk this afternoon. With Pastor Pat Wright leading the nationally renowned group as always, they concluded with the song excerpted in our video clip above – “Reach Out and Touch Somebody’s Hand.” Then it was time for the walkers to head out onto a 5K route, into what was at the time a sunny afternoon on Alki:
In previous years, Alki was the only Seattle site for the CROP Hunger Walk, but this year, it expanded to two, adding one at Green Lake (also held this afternoon). The money raised is split three-fourths to nationwide/world hunger, one-fourth to local food banks (as explained here).
With Monday on the horizon, one more reminder that the West Seattle run of the King County Water Taxi (WSB Traffic page sponsor) is operating via different docks (and vessels) on weekends/weekdays, while the vessel damaged in last Sunday’s downtown crash (WSB coverage here) is assessed and repaired: Monday-Friday this week, it’ll be Argosy Cruises‘ Sightseer again, between Seacrest and Pier 55. Don’t expect to see the Rachel Marie back any time soon – Rochelle Ogershok from the county Transportation Department told WSB a few days ago, “It will likely take several weeks to make arrangements for a move, get the vessel into a ship yard, have it inspected further and then make a final determination as to the extent of damage.”
The small creatures were represented by guinea pigs Cupcake (right) and Zoe – who joined more than two dozen dogs (no cats in sight, so far as we could see) for West Seattle’s third “Blessing of the Animals” this weekend, this time in the West Seattle High School parking lot next to St. John the Baptist Church.
Blessing some of the dogs in that photo are St. John’s Rev. Peter DeVeau next to (in Franciscan robe) Brother Kris Wilder (the photographer at right was from the Seattle Times [WSB partner]). Rev. DeVeau asked the crowd first, “Happy about the purple tent?” (upper right) – referring to yesterday’s big Washington Huskies win. Then, after a parade, it was blessing time:
(If you’ve missed our previous coverage – the reason this is done this time of year is that tomorrow’s the Feast Day for/birthday of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals.)
Thanks to LyndaB for the tip – we just found a webpage with details: Goalkeeper Kasey Keller from Sounders FC will sign autographs (and promote a beverage) at the Junction QFC (42nd/Alaska) this afternoon, 4-6 pm.
VOTING NOTE #1: Time to start banging the drum for the November 2nd statewide election, four weeks from Tuesday. If you are not yet registered – TOMORROW (Monday 10/4) is your deadline to sign up online. You can do it right now by going here. That’s also the deadline to change your address. If you’re not currently registered in Washington, you can do it in person till 8 days pre-election, but why push it? By the way, we’ll spotlight election issues/races daily starting tomorrow – ballots will be mailed in ten days. Now, voting note #2:
(Photo courtesy Krispijn Larrison)
That’s Krispijn Larrison, Easy Street Records‘ visual artist – the guy behind the displays you see in The Junction (and also at ESR-Queen Anne). He is one of five finalists, from among 1,500 applicants, in a contest with an unusual prize: Live inside the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry for a month. This is one of those “vote for the winner” contests, and tomorrow is also the deadline to vote for Krispijn to win. He says you can vote once every 12 hours, so, assuming the contest runs through the end of Monday, you can vote for him three times between now and tomorrow night – here’s where to go to vote (you can see his official entry video on that page, too).
Two wildlife sightings from the WSB inbox – first, from Nancy:
3:00 AM – 36th SW in Admiral area Friday night/Saturday morning. Our dog went crazy barking in house. Turns out a large black/white skunk had taken over our backyard. Anyone else report a skunk in the Admiral area?
We don’t hear much about skunks, but the state has a “coexisting with skunks” webpage with handy advice, if you’ve encountered them – see it here. We hear much more often about coyotes, including this report this morning shared by Chris from SoundYoga (WSB sponsor):
6:45 am, walking my dog going north on 37th, and a coyote loped by us at 37th and Juneau on the opposite side of the street. We looked at each other but he seemed on a mission…
The state’s “coexisting with coyotes” info is here; our archive of West Seattle coyote-sighting reports (some with photos) can be browsed, newest to oldest, here.
(Photo from today’s WS Farmers’ Market added Sunday afternoon, courtesy Girl From Arizona)
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar: Alki UCC is a community hub today, welcoming you to breakfast at 9 am, Blessing of the Animals during 10 am service, then the annual CROP Walk to raise money to fight hunger at 1:30 pm, details here (6112 SW Hinds) … The West Seattle Eagles also invite you to breakfast, steak and eggs for $9, 9 am-noon (4426 California Ave SW) … The day’s second Blessing of the Animals is presented by St. John the Baptist Church in the West Seattle High School parking lot at noon (3000 California SW) … Also at noon, join Spokespeople West Seattle for the West Seattle Farm and Fowl Tour bicycle ride, leaving the north end of South Seattle Community College (6000 16th SW) … 2 pm, 90-years-young writer/comedian/activist Georgie Bright Kunkel‘s one-woman show at the Admiral Theater (previewed here) … Pencil Me In For Kids‘ first fundraiser for next school year, a “Cookie Lee” jewelry sale @ the West Seattle Eagles, 4-6 pm … Special event at the weekly West Seattle Farmers’ Market: Apple tasting! Here’s the weekly Ripe and Ready list, 10 am-2 pm (44th/Alaska).
(Photos courtesy Seafair Pirates)
Kids and adults alike shriek at its cannon blasts during parades, and wave as it carries the Seafair Pirates along city streets at other times of the year (with some of the pirates living in West Seattle, it’s a semi-common sight here between parade seasons too). But tonight, the Moby Duck is docked, so to speak, by the damage done in an engine fire. Our partners at the Seattle Times reported this morning on the fire, which happened late last night in Bothell. The group’s spokespirate Mark “Keelhaul” Jensen told the Times the damage could total $25,000. We e-mailed him to ask if they’d photographed the damage, and he sent photos including the two we’re using here:
The Pirates plan an emergency meeting to figure out what to do and whether they’ll need a donation drive to get Moby Duck sailing our area’s asphalt/concrete passageways again.
| 33 COMMENTS