West Seattle, Washington
27 Sunday
This one’s too hot to wait for our nightly election update in 12 hours or so: The newest Kiwanis Club of West Seattle newsletter is out, and it includes word of both 34th District State House Position 2 candidates appearing at the club’s next weekly lunch meeting, noon Wednesday (October 13th) at Be’s Restaurant in The Junction (4509 California SW) – if you’re interested in attending but not a member, call 206-938-8032. That’s the only West Seattle forum/debate on the horizon right now.
Thanks to Cormac for sharing the photo. His note mentioned only “Highland Park” but we have a followup inquiry out to ask if he can provide a slightly more specific location. 11:20 AM UPDATE: Cormac replied and identified the location as “near Forest Lawn Cemetery” [WSB sponsor] which is more like “east of High Point,” so we’ve changed the headline. He also says he saw at least three in all. (Think you know all about coyotes? Here’s the “Living with Wildlife” link we always offer – including information on what to do if you find yourself too-close-for-comfort to a coyote.)
With so many cuts proposed in next year’s city budget, and so much concern over their potential effects – we’re working right now on the story of the Southwest District Council hearing last night from the Department of Neighborhoods‘ director, who frequently used the word “pain” – next Wednesday’s public hearing in West Seattle is bound to draw hundreds. If you are planning on going – and all involved urge you to! – you’ll want to see the full online agenda, which includes some of the plans for procedures and guidelines, as well as a note that the hearing is actually TWO hearings – the first one about where the city might get money (property-tax levy?), the second, comments on the proposal itself. The agenda also includes links to documents you might want to review. The hearing’s at 5:30 pm (sign-ins at 5) at South Seattle Community College‘s Brockey Center, next Wednesday, October 13th; the full agenda is here. (And even more budget info, including other ways to comment, can be found here.)
It’s been a while since we’ve talked about the West Seattle Emergency Communication Hubs (above) – neighborhood-designated sites around the peninsula where you would be able to go in case of disaster/major emergency, to get information and help (here’s where to find the one that’s closest to you). This morning, we have a request for you to help the Hubs during an upcoming “fake quake.” From Cindi Barker:
On Saturday, October 16, there will be a citywide drill of volunteer Emergency Preparedness organizations. In West Seattle, the Emergency Communications Hubs will set up 3 of their Hubs and conduct a live drill of an earthquake scenario, complete with aftershocks. To make this as realistic as possible, we would like to have citizen “actors” come to the Admiral, Fauntleroy or Highland Park Hubs to report damage, request assistance or offer resources (we’ll provide the script ideas). We would especially like to invite SNAP groups or Block Watch members to help, so you can see how the Hubs could interact with your neighborhood group. The drill will run from 9:00 am to noon on the 16th and you can participate for part or all of the drill. If you can help, please contact us at info@bepreparedseattle.info.
Big night for some West Seattle schools – including Curriculum Night at Madison Middle School (6:30 pm), Open House for families of students at Chief Sealth International High School (6 pm), Junior/Senior Night at West Seattle High School (6:15 pm), Family Engagement Night at Sanislo Elementary (6 pm) – thanks to Misty for two of those tips and Sue for another; any others? let us know … Toddler Story Time today at High Point Library, 11:30 am … The Seattle Design Commission gets an update on the West Seattle Triangle planning process today (1 pm, City Hall downtown) … Traffic note: Lane closures today on the West Seattle and Admiral Way bridges … First Lutheran Church of West Seattle Pastor Ron Marshall‘s quarterly “Read the Koran in 4 Weeks” series starts its next four-week run tonight (call 206-935-6530 to check if there’s still room) … If you’re interested in the King County Housing Authority‘s developments in the White Center area, the agency’s director will be at tonight’s North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meeting to answer questions (North Highline Fire District HQ, 7 pm) … More on the WSB Events calendar.
Continuing our nightly mini-updates looking ahead to the November 2nd election, with voting starting in just about a week, since the county says ballots go into the mail next Wednesday: If you’re interested in talking politics online with other West Seattleites, we call your attention to the WSB Forums, where we started a Politics section two years ago, by request. That year, perhaps not surprisingly, participants were far more interested in talking national politics than local politics. This year, it’s been a mix. You can browse the topics currently under discussion from the index page for this section of the forum – if you want to join in, you have to sign up, but it’s usually pretty quick. Meantime, if you want to talk politics in person – you’re in luck, since tonight (Thursday) is a special election-focused program by the Southwest Seattle Business and Professional Women, looking at how this year’s elections might affect women. Longtime political consultant Cathy Allen is the guest speaker. The event starts at 6 in White Center’s Greenbridge neighborhood; full details here, including how to RSVP. Meantime, as we will remind you in every update, you have more than three dozen races/issues to decide, so start preparing now, before your ballot arrives – here’s where to find your online “guide” (the general pamphlet’s linked on the left, or you can create your own custom version on the right).
Five days after the fire that ravaged its engine compartment, the Seafair Pirates‘ Moby Duck made a trip to the Pirates’ top-secret North Seattle HQ tonight – thanks to the donated services of Skyway Towing. The occasion: Pirate leadership – in red blazers rather than the standard pirate regalia – talking about what they need to get the World War II-vintage craft back on the road again before Seafair 2011, and what happened to do so much damage:
That’s spokespirate Mark “Keelhaul” Jensen, who explained that they’re hoping to raise $25,000 in donations, since that’s the original estimate. But they don’t just need money: The engine that caught fire is an old Chrysler, and the Pirates are currently debating gas vs. diesel — they are in dire need of someone who is an automotive electrical expert to go through the Duck. They are also in need of a place to work on The Duck – if anyone has warehouse or other open space, please contact them. They really need to get The Duck out of the elements, as the fire caused damage that’s already risking serious rust.
You can send money to
Seafair Pirates Moby Duck Fund
PO Box 27638
Seattle, WA 98165
or go to seafairpirates.org and click the PayPal link. Seafair Pirates president Rusty Harper – who lives in West Seattle – says if you can help, it’s part of saving a tradition, and they are grateful to have long had so much community support:
If you have questions or want to talk about helping out, call 206-365-1590.
Tonight Seattle Police have published photos that they believe show two robbers suspected in five heists around the region – one of them in West Seattle, at the Admiral Way 7-11 on September 12th. The photos are from a Renton robbery about two weeks ago. One’s at left; you can see the others on the SPD Blotter.
(Car seats turned in for recycling during 2009 event, photo courtesy WestSide Baby)
WestSide Baby is getting the word out tonight about its car-seat-collection drive, about to be kicked off with the help of Waste Management – with two events, one on the north side of the city and one at WS Baby’s White Center headquarters. That car-seat-collection event is set for 10 am-2 pm on Saturday, October 16th (10027 14th SW – map); or if you just can’t wait to get the car seat off your hands, 10 am-4 pm at the Ballard branch of Viking Bank (2237 NW 57th – map). IMPORTANT: Check out the criteria for whether your car seat qualifies to be recycled for reuse – details here.
(One of the new Seal Sitters signs on Alki; photo courtesy of, and copyrighted by, Robin Lindsey)
Seven months ago, we happened onto Seal Sitters reps at an Alki coffee shop, minutes after they got news that the group would get a Neighborhood Matching Fund “Small and Simple” grant, $15,000 for education. (Matching Fund grants require that the recipients also chip in the same value in cash/materials/volunteer labor – they are not outright gifts.) As of this morning, Seal Sitters‘ Robin Lindsey tells WSB, part of the grant money has become something tangible – two “prototype” signs on Alki, to educate people about the frequent beach visitors. Robin adds, “We are very excited about getting this valuable information on the beach and hope it will alleviate some stress for the (member of the) public that finds a pup and does not know what to do.” We can attest to the fact there are many people who need that info – three times in the past few days, we’ve received calls or messages asking us, and we’ve of course pointed them to Seal Sitters, who have a hotline at 206-905-SEAL. And it’s been a very busy few weeks for Seal Sitters and the pups they watch out for – the stories are all told at www.blubberblog.org – some of them heartbreaking, like the recent death of “Twiggy” the seal, and some heartwarming. You can also read more about the signage project on this blubberblog.org page.
From the Seattle Public Library:
Registration for the 19th Annual Artists Showcase at the Southwest Branch of The Seattle Public Library began Friday, Oct. 1 and continues through Saturday, Oct. 23. Interested artists can either register at the branch, 9010 35th Ave. S.W., or call 206-684-7455 to sign up.
Artists of all ages may enter up to three pieces for display. All artwork formats are accepted.
The Artists Showcase is a non-juried, nonprofit exhibit. The exhibit will be on display at the branch from Sunday, Oct. 24 through Saturday, Nov. 13. A public reception with the artists will be held from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 6 at the Southwest Branch.
The reception is free and open to the public. No registration is required. Free parking is available in the branch parking lot. Coffee and dessert will be served.
Artists may bring their work to the Southwest Branch before the showcase Thursday, Oct. 21 through Saturday, Oct. 23 and should pick it up after the showcase Sunday, Nov. 14 through Tuesday, Nov. 16. The Library will create display labels for each piece of artwork. Artists should attach their names and titles of each piece of artwork as they would like the information to appear on the display labels.
Artwork will not be offered for sale at the Library, but artists can provide cards with their names and contact information to be put near their displays. Visitors interested in purchasing artwork will be referred to the artists.
The reception is sponsored by the Friends of the Southwest Branch.
For more information, call the branch at 206-684-7455.
Just got the word from marketing director Nicole Aly: The West Seattle Wing Dome, in The Junction, will open next Tuesday, October 12th. Opening date will be regular hours – 11 am to 10 pm. “We’re excited,” Nicole tells WSB.
(Fire-pit photo, courtesy The Wing Dome)
As we showed you in our sneak-peek tour inside the restaurant space (which used to be part of neighboring CAPERS) last month, with Nicole and manager Andy Pattalochi showing us around, this is the first Wing Dome to have a patio and fire pit, and she says that area will be open from the start.
(Beer-taps photo, courtesy The Wing Dome)
It’s been a little over a year since first word the Wing Dome was in talks for the West Seattle location; their other restaurants are in the metro area, and owner Consolidated Restaurants is Seattle-based. 4:50 PM UPDATE: Nicole called with one postscript – the patio/fire pit will be delayed a week or so.
(Christopher Boffoli‘s video tour of the park-construction site, from our update last month)
Since the most recent online update regarding Myrtle Reservoir Park had mentioned a scheduled construction-completion date this week, we checked again with project manager Virginia Hassinger. She has just shared an update that will be published on the Parks website and also posted as a sign at the park site:
We are making steady progress toward completion of the new park at Myrtle Reservoir in fall of 2010. We are eager to open this site to the public as soon as possible.
The final concrete pour was completed on Sept 30. The critical work for the next two weeks will be completion of the irrigation system, followed by importing and spreading of topsoil, and finally hydro-seeding. Other remaining work includes installation of landscape plantings, handrails, installation of bike racks, a variety of finish detailing, and site cleanup.
The Myrtle site has presented us with a variety of challenges in the last two months. We encountered differences in the grade between our plan and the final reservoir site. We also found existing underground utilities at elevations or locations that conflicted with our planned improvements. The designer (Nakano and Associates) and construction team (Ohno Construction) have been able to make field adjustments without compromising the design intent. We have added time to the contract to allow for these changes; our current contract completion date is November 12, 2010.
Parks is planning on a soft opening soon after the work is substantially complete. We want to get the lawn areas seeded as soon as possible. Actual germination and growth will be somewhat weather dependent. Protection of the new lawn is a concern and we are working on a plan that will allow us to protect the lawn while opening the play area and viewpoint to the public. An official public opening celebration, yet to be scheduled, will follow the soft opening.
We’re at the King County Courthouse, where Thomas Qualls has just made his first court appearance since pleading not guilty to three counts of second-degree assault. Those charges are a result of the incident at his Alki home one month ago (original WSB coverage here) in which police say that, after they responded to a call about suicidal threats, they wound up firing at Qualls as he fired an assault rifle at them. He was hit once in the abdomen and got out of the hospital less than a week after the incident; he was in a wheelchair for his court appearance today, but did not speak (this type of hearing, it should be noted, is not often an occasion for defendants to comment). The hearing was for “case-setting,” relatively routine; lawyers asked for extra time, and mentioned a potential plea-bargain offer (no details), while also saying they are still awaiting key reports in the case, including one for ballistics (the charges against Qualls carry “firearm enhancements”). If the case is not resolved sooner, the next court date will be in January. Qualls remains in King County Jail in lieu of $1 million bail.
According to an SDOT traffic alert, the ‘heavy rescue’ call at East Marginal/South Spokane is a train-vehicle crash – avoid that area – SDOT says all lanes of East Marginal are blocked. 1:52 PM UPDATE: SDOT just tweeted that traffic has cleared.
Last month, we reported the days/times for two of West Seattle’s three annual business-district trick-or-treating events: Admiral Treats and Treasures is set for 3-6 pm, Friday, October 29; West Seattle Junction trick-or-treating 1-3 pm Saturday, October 30th. Today, after a visit to the Westwood Village offices, we have their date/time as well: Sunday, October 31st, 4-7 pm. (Till the forthcoming WSB Halloween page is up and running – got an event to share? – you’ll find all this on the Events page – be sure to share your event info!)
(YouTube photo montage of Bacon Kevin Bacon – substituted for previous video clip, which seems to be broken)
In recent months, you might have seen the What Do Bacon Do? folks around West Seattle — at the WS Art Walk last April, street festivals, etc., with their festive felt Bacon People. Right now, they’re gaining new attention for their role in a fundraiser – and they’ll even be on KING 5‘s “New Day Northwest” at 11 this morning, we just found out. The photo above is the reason why – they were part of the making of a bust of actor Kevin Bacon, crafted from, what else, bacon. West Seattleite Wendy Watkins is on the WDBD team and explains it’s being auctioned on eBay – three days to go, and the bidding’s past $4,000! – to raise money for Ashley’s Team, a foundation to help families dealing with childhood cancer (Ashley is a leukemia patient who is also the daughter of the owner of J&D Foods, a partner in the BKB endeavor and best known for Bacon Salt). Sorry, though, BKB is not edible – as the eBay description notes, it’s been “well-lacquered.” (Bid here!)
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar: The Southwest District Council is scheduled to hear about potential local effects of Alaska Airlines’ “Greener Skies” proposal tonight (the same presentation was set for the Alki Community Council last month but didn’t happen after all), 7 pm at South Seattle Community College‘s board room … The city budget proposal is likely to be discussed by SWDC too, and at City Hall downtown, the council Budget Committee‘s all-day meetings continue – the departments making presentations today include Seattle Public Library at 3 pm – agenda here (includes links to the presenting departments’ budget outlines), all shown on Channel 21 and seattlechannel.org … Presented by Seattle Lutheran High School today at neighboring Hope Lutheran, 11 am-2:30 pm, “Understanding the Mysteries of the Teenage Brain” by Victoria Tennant, a presentation for teachers and other professionals but open to everyone ($40; e-mail brianabowen@clearwire.net) … The entertainment list includes weekly trivia (6:45 pm) and open mike (9 pm) at Skylark Café and Club (WSB sponsor), and Fine Films at Freshy’s presenting “Sweeney Todd” (2007), 7 pm.
In our nightly update/refresher course, as the November 2nd election approaches (with mail-in ballots scheduled to be mailed by the county one week from today): The ballot’s full of hot statewide ballot measures – but in terms of candidates, two local races are for open seats :
STATE HOUSE, 34TH DISTRICT, POSITION 2: If you didn’t pay attention in the primary, this is the seat that Rep. Sharon Nelson is leaving for the State Senate (where she is running unopposed, for the seat given up by State Sen. Joe McDermott, who is seeking election to the King County Council). Joe Fitzgibbon of Burien and Mike Heavey of West Seattle, both Democrats, are the two finalists from a four-person primary race. Much of the campaign action has involved doorbelling – but you can pick up other bits and pieces by following them on Twitter (Fitzgibbon here, Heavey here) or Facebook (Heavey here, Fitzgibbon here). Recent news includes Fitzgibbon’s endorsement by OneAmerica Votes Washington and Heavey’s endorsement by the Seattle Times.
KING COUNTY COUNCIL, DISTRICT 8: This is the seat Dow Constantine left to run for King County Executive; Jan Drago was appointed to the job early this year, after leaving the Seattle City Council, but never planned to run to keep it. So after what was also a four-candidate primary race, the nonpartisan position now has State Sen. Joe McDermott (see above) and Diana Toledo in the running, both from West Seattle. Recent news includes Toledo’s endorsements from the two candidates who didn’t make it out of the primary, Shawn McEvoy and Tim Fahey, and McDermott’s endorsement by IBEW Local 46. These two don’t seem to be tweeting, but you can follow them on Facebook for quick bursts of campaign notes – McDermott here, Toledo here.
Your full list of what/who is on the forthcoming ballot can be found online by going here. There’s one campaign forum coming up in the area with all four candidates on the same night – 7 pm October 21st, sponsored by the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council, at the Greenbridge YWCA, 9720 8th SW.
Just reported (thanks to Katie for the tip): Two men held up Papa John’s on California SW north of SW Brandon (map). They’re described on the scanner as one black, one Samoan, both wearing ski masks and gloves, dark clothing, both displayed guns. They were reported to have left through the back door. A K-9 unit is helping police search. Witnesses are telling police, according to scanner traffic, that they got away in a mid-’90s silver Acura with a “mismatched wheel on the passenger side.” Call 911 if you have any tips. 11 PM UPDATE: Per the scanner, a car close to the getaway car’s description – with a “slope” that may be related to the “mismatched wheel” – was seen speeding across the West Seattle Bridge and exiting to northbound I-5. (Could be a coincidence, though, so do still keep an eye out here.) 12:21 AM UPDATE: Added photo by Christopher Boffoli, as police continued to search the alley behind the restaurant, where the robbers were last seen.
10:17 AM UPDATE (WEDNESDAY): Just checked with police – according to Officer Renee Witt in the SPD Media Unit, neither the robbers nor their car have been found yet.
Tonight’s West Seattle Crime Watch starts with that surveillance video just in from a Highland Park resident near 5th SW and Cloverdale (map). He has just also given that video to police who are investigating the theft of a parcel from his doorstep, delivered today containing an “expensive motorcycle helmet” around 2 pm, then stolen, according to his surveillance camera, about three hours later. He says, “It amazes me that someone can get away with this in broad daylight, and has made me feel oddly violated – even though they didn’t enter my home.” If you recognize the car/person, call police.
Second of three items in Crime Watch tonight:
Local businesses are being warned by police about another string of business burglaries. The photo above was sent by Christopher Boffoli via iPhone about this time last night at the 38th/Alaska (map) construction site for Link, where police responded to a burglary alarm; site owner Harbor Properties tells WSB that nothing was taken. This coincides, though, with something else we’d been checking out: A WSB’er e-mailed to say he was in a West Seattle store when police officers came in to give shopkeepers a heads-up about area business break-ins. Lt. Norm James at the Southwest Precinct confirms: “We had 8 commercial burglaries last week that appear unrelated, but just to be on the safe side we started notifying businesses” – that, he says, is also part of the new Business Watch program (as reported here), a business version of Block Watch. (Sorry, we don’t have the burglary locations, so far.)
Third and final Crime Watch report tonight – just got this note, from a West Seattleite who didn’t want his name used, about a home break-in attempt:
I live in the 7500 block of 31st Ave SW [map]. My wife got home this afternoon at 2pm and she found that one of the patio furniture chairs had been removed from our deck and placed under a window in the backyard. Someone had tried to force the window open, failed, and tried to wipe away any indications of them having been there. Thankfully they were unable to get inside, we presume our dog and the neighbor’s dogs likely spooked the criminal. We notified the police who gave us an “event number” and spoke with a few neighbors, but no one saw or heard anything.
Out of the WSB inbox tonight, two events for this weekend:
TWELFTH NIGHT PRODUCTIONS CABARET AND AUCTION: It’s the event that yields much of the funding for community-theater troupe Twelth Night Productions, and it starts at 6 this Friday night at South Seattle Community College‘s Brockey Center – dinner, drinks, appetizers, silent/live auction (items including a Leavenworth getaway and “instant wine cellar”), and entertainment, $55/person, tickets available online through Thursday.
AT COVE PARK, HELP OUT, AND LOOK AHEAD: A work party this Saturday at the mini-beach park north of the Fauntleroy ferry dock will be followed up by a chance to talk about what’s ahead for the park, according to this note from Mardi:
Saturday, October 9th, Tom Jay, lead artist, and Kirk Hackler, lead landscape architect, will be at Cove Park to talk to any interested community members about ideas for the restoration of the space after the Barton Street Pump Station is expanded and restored. All are welcome to help maintain the park from 10 to 1, and then meet with Tom and Kirk at 1 pm.
Construction of the two-year pump-station project is scheduled to start in 2012 – here’s more info on the King County Wastewater Treatment Division website.
Thanks to David Rosen from SlickPix Photography for the sunset shot. Forecast suggests at least one more day of sun – and some chillier air early next week (lower-40s low on Monday night?).
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