West Seattle, Washington
13 Sunday
Looks like that first short garbage strike was the last one. Our regional-news partners at the Seattle Times report there’s a tentative settlement in the contract dispute between Waste Management – which handles solid waste for our area among many others – and Teamsters Local 174. No details of the deal yet, but Local 174’s members will vote on it Sunday.
Severson Construction in the 3200 block of Harbor Avenue (map) was burglarized overnight. We received this report from Candace Severson, who is hoping you will be on the lookout for three stolen computers:
The Seattle Police Department called us at home this morning (April 27th) at 2:00 a.m. from the inside of our office on Harbor Avenue. The front window had been taken out and three desktops (one black Sony Vaio desktop and two iMac Desktops) were stolen.
Some tenants who live in the condos above saw two men in a dark vehicle carrying the stolen merchandise. We have filed a police report and serial numbers have been placed on Craigslist for any good citizen who is interested in helping us recover our stolen items.
Here are the serial numbers;
I Mac Desktop 20″ White – W 88284 JUZE 2
I Mac Desktop – W 94492 DOPP 7
Sony “Vaio” Desktop – 27504130 – 4 – 3000366 – 4Reward for information concerning this theft.
SPD’s non-emergency number is 206-625-5011 – but if you think you see something suspicious happening now, don’t hesitate to call 911.
This year’s Sustainable West Seattle Festival is being held in conjunction with the Delridge Day celebration, June 5 at Delridge Community Center – and organizers are taking applications right now. Here’s the form – May 15 is the deadline for applications. (This is a change for the festival – it’s been held in May in The Junction the past two years – but this year, Delridge Day is a bigger-than-ever event, and the SWS Festival is part of it.)
From Paula at West Seattle Elementary:
The community is invited to attend our annual Literacy Night at West Seattle Elementary School. The event is Wednesday, April 28th, from 6:30-7:30. There will be games, poetry, readings, and a visit from literature characters, including Clifford the Dog! Our 4th and 5th grade students will be taking photos with these characters during the evening to earn money toward their annual trek to Islandwood on Bainbridge Island next month. In addition, there will be a raffle and our Scholastic Book Fair (credit cards accepted)! We hope the community will come and visit our wonderful school. Come and meet us! We look forward to welcoming you!
From the Neighborhood Farmers Market Alliance:
West Seattle Farmers Market Special Kids Event:
You are all invited to join us for special family activity devoted to spring planting. Kids can get their hands dirty planting various seeds, flowers and wheat grass for their own gardens at home. Folks can learn more about the growing cycle of seeds and have fun grinding eggshells to add nutrients to the soil.
Sunday May 2 10 am – 1 pm.
This event is free and open to the public. The West Seattle Farmers Market takes place every Sunday – Year Round- and is located in the Junction aka downtown West Seattle – outdoors in the parking lot behind Key Bank – off of the corner of California and Alaska.
“The Hole” on the Junction/Triangle border is far from the only stalled-development eyesore in West Seattle. This afternoon, we have new information about another one:
After receiving an e-mail inquiry about the status of the Shoremont Apartments site at 2464 Alki – at one point purchased by the development arm of an architect firm and slated for an ultramodern development, with a demolition permit issued – we’ve done some research the past two days, and have learned two things:
First – City records show repeated citations for violations regarding the building being unsecured, and overgrown. City inspector Michael Griffin – who laughed ruefully when we told him what we were calling about – tells WSB that the Shoremont’s (previous) owners wouldn’t even return phone calls, so it’s all been “an exercise in paperwork.” The city, he says, is doing its best to make sure that the building “is secure to keep transients out” – but even that has required repeat visits, and repeatedly replaced boards (we’ve retouched the tags out of this photo):
Griffin mentioned that neighbors had told him the building was to be auctioned off this month. Online county records show indeed, there was a foreclosure auction scheduled for April 2nd. Including delinquent interest, records say more than $3 million was owed on the site, which had been sold for $2.2 million two years ago. The inspector told WSB he was waiting to see the new ownership, if any, recorded before figuring out who next to start notifying of the violations at the site.
This afternoon, we found out who the “new” owner is: The federal government, according to Chris Sheehan, who is with Whidbey Island Bank, the new owners of what was CityBank of Lynnwood, which the feds closed a week and a half ago. Sheehan tells WSB the Shoremont was part of the CityBank assets seized by the FDIC when they closed the bank – beleaguered by bad real-estate loans. So – he didn’t disagree with our suggested assessment – it’s the feds’ problem now. As soon as we figure out who to talk to at the FDIC (it’s after-hours back East now, anyway), we’ll pursue further. (The site’s not yet listed here.) Meantime, as you can see from our photos taken this morning, the windows are broken, the grass is overgrown, and a once-stately apartment building continues to fall into disrepair.
Just two nights till the annual citywide Dining Out for Life fundraiser for Lifelong AIDS Alliance. Five West Seattle restaurants are on the list for this Thursday: Abbondanza, Buddha Ruksa, Fresh Bistro, Skylark Café and Club (WSB sponsor), and Talarico’s. Check the Dining Out for Life website to see whether they’re donating part of their proceeds for lunch, dinner or both – and also to see who else is participating around the city.
If you’ve seen police activity in Seaview the past couple hours, Doug‘s report explains it:
Our housekeeper spotted three people in an old light blue van pull into the alley behind our house this morning. Two of the people got out and came into our backyard. She scared them off and called me. I drove around and found them doing the same thing in the alley near 47th and Findlay [map]. I got the police on the phone and followed the van for several blocks throughout the Seaview neighborhood until police arrived and stopped them in an alley off Graham and 46th. They told the cops they were looking for scrap metal, but officers are running their names to check for any warrants. As always, please report any suspicious vehicles to police. There have been far too many home burglaries in the area lately.
Not long after Doug’s note, we also heard from Gary, who said that a tow truck has since shown up to take the van away. We’re checking with police to see if that means there were arrests involving the three people who were in it. SECOND CRIME WATCH REPORT: Bob at Seattle Integrated Martial Arts in The Junction says a sandwich-board sign for his business and co-housed Limber Yoga was stolen from 42nd/Alaska on Sunday night – if you’ve seen it anywhere, let them and/or police know.
(L-R: Craig Undem, Tyler Farrar [pro racer at grand opening], Kristi Berg, Brad Loetel, Ed Ewing)
Today we welcome a new WSB sponsor, Cycle University, located on Fauntleroy where the Huling Brothers Chrysler showroom used to be (4550 next to the 76 station; map). Here’s what Cycle U wants you to know: They are a bike shop and a training center with a full selection of bikes, for kids to adults, and a full-service center for repairs of any kind. The employees are coaches as well as mechanics and love sharing their knowledge. They specialize in helping new riders who are taking up sports like Road Riding, Triathlon, Mountain biking, Cyclocross, or just riding around West Seattle in style. They have teams you can join for each one of these categories if you want to get serious. Cycle University is unique because they not only sell and service bikes, they teach classes to improve your riding, like a ski school for bikes. The list of classes is extensive, but in a nutshell, they have an impressive indoor training center where you bring your own bike (or rent one of theirs) and do spin-type classes; they teach kids to ride without training wheels; and they have outdoor classes for adults on: Group riding, hill climbing, Triathlon, Cyclocross, and Introduction to Road Racing. Founded by Craig Undem on Gatewood Hill in 2004 (used to race against Lance Armstrong and coached at the Tour de France in 2002 and 2003), Cycle U has another location in North Seattle near Children’s Hospital. They carry the full line of Specialized bikes and have a friendly staff of folks who love bikes and endurance sports. They also specialize in Bike Fitting. Manager Brad Loetel is assisted by head mechanic Catherine Monroe, and Ed Ewing is the director of their indoor Cycling program. Hours are Monday – Friday 11-6, Saturday 10-6 (opening Sundays in May). Call 206-432-9982 or visit the website for the full scoop – www.CycleU.com. They have a bike swap this Sunday (May 2nd), where you can sell your cycling stuff or look for good deals!
We thank Cycle University for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news on WSB; find our sponsor team, and info on joining, all here.
The WSB inbox has brought questions lately about the status of two more of the new businesses we’ve previewed – so here are updates. HEAVENLY PASTRY: If you walk by their future storefront in the Admiral District – between Linda’s Flowers and Gifts and Alki Bike and Board – you’ve probably noticed the whimsical, oft-changing displays, like the Captain Kirk cutout above. Heavenly Pastry and Cake proprietors Allison Barnes and Michael Stein are working hard on the buildout and say they’re now hoping for a mid-May opening. Here’s our November story about their plans.
LOCOL: We mentioned in an early April comment thread that a followup was in the works regarding Locöl, the wine/beer bar planned for Westwood, between Sharon’s Westwood Florist and Kenyon Hall; then two people pointed out this week that it had never appeared! Oops. So we just checked back with co-proprietor Kyle Duce to see how things are going. He says they’re waiting on permits but still hoping to open “July-ish.” He adds:
So in the meantime we are putting together our wine and beer list and tasting options for our small food menu. We were able to talk with Tony’s Produce and are excited to get our fresh organic produce from the neighborhood.
Here’s our January story about what’s in the works for Locöl.
Transportation tops the list for tonight: Still not sure how you’re going to get through a tangle of traffic-affecting work between here and downtown in the next several years? Drop by the Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement open house, Madison Middle School, 6-8 pm … Or, if you are going to be more affected by the South Park Bridge closure June 30, that’s also the time window for tonight’s meeting to present the draft closure plan (Machinist Hall in South Park) … Tonight’s also the Fauntleroy Fall Festival Fundraiser at Endolyne Joe’s, with a portion of proceeds benefiting the big event – starts at 5 pm for dinner, followed by late-night happy hour with live music at 8 … Also: Two free classes for your health – a free “Intro to Yoga” workshop at SoundYoga (WSB sponsor) – 7 pm, but please call/e-mail to sign up … Westwood Curves offers “Healthy Fats,” a free class at 10:30 am or 6:10 pm (246-7900 to register).
After our Monday night Disaster Preparedness Month mention, a comment from “Onceachef” pointed out that 
if you need prescription medication to stay healthy, you need to make sure you have a supply ready to go if you have to evacuate. The federal government has plans to get drugs into disaster-affected zones – read about them here – but the whole point of personal preparedness is the expectation that authorities will not be mobilized to help immediately, so you have to be able to take care of yourself for at least several days. The general advice is that you keep the stockpile in your preparedness kit, and rotate it, rather than just packing it and forgetting about it. What if you need insulin, which is supposed to be kept refrigerated? Here’s a federal infosheet on that. … Got a preparedness question we haven’t addressed, as we get to the final few days of Disaster Preparedness Month? Leave a comment, e-mail us, or take your question, any time, to the West Seattle Be Prepared group on Facebook – where others interested in the topic will help you find the answer!
(Our first report on the Confucius Institute celebration, with more video/photos, is here)
First-grader Delaney Blanford‘s English and Mandarin greeting embodied what the Confucius Institute Education Center opening ceremony at Denny International Middle School was all about: Giving more students in our state the chance to learn Mandarin. She was preceded by Beacon Hill International School classmate Nat Beaumon (that’s Confucius Institute HQ director Madame Xu Lin and state Superintendent of Public Instruction Randy Dorn in the background):
Their participation as student emcees fits right in with the mission of the Seattle Public Schools international schools – with Chief Sealth International High School the latest to win that designation, and prominently participating in today’s ceremony; the center and its language programs will be based for now on the Denny campus, but will move to the Sealth/Denny campus a few blocks east on SW Thistle this fall. That’s why a parade/procession traversed those blocks as today’s ceremony ended:
At the end of our video, that’s Denny principal Jeff Clark, resplendent in the bright-blue suit he often wears when his Denny Dolphins are in the spotlight. At the start of the video, the Lion Dancers (doubling as break dancers) were from Franklin High School, the marching musicians from Denny and Sealth (both directed by Marcus Pimpleton). Clark and Chief Sealth principal John Boyd both spoke at their future new campus – the Denny principal, exchanging gifts with the Confucius Institute’s leader Madame Xu Lin:
Boyd will be hosting the center starting this fall, since his students move into their renovated school this September, while the new Denny won’t be occupied till 2011.
He also walked in the parade/procession, with West Seattle’s school board rep Steve Sundquist (photo right) also accompanying Madame Xu Lin:
The distinguished visitor from China had a short time earlier unveiled a plaque, with Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Maria Goodloe-Johnson:
And she heard students sing the Chinese folk song “Mo Li Hua“:
The student emcees joined them:
But what this ultimately comes down to, is back in the classroom – where the visiting delegation began their short stay in West Seattle, watching students practice writing Chinese – in this case, the word for “harmony”:
Along with Madame Xu Lin, four other representatives from the headquarters of the Confucius Institute – a nonprofit affiliated with the Chinese government (explained further on this University of Washington website) – attended the ceremonies, as did representatives from the Chinese Consulate General in San Francisco. They got a whirlwind hard-hat tour of the Denny/Sealth site before they left (here’s our report on the one we took with Sealth students a few weeks ago).
Out of the WSB inbox, from Holly:
Just sending in a quick note to alert the community of a car theft. My white 1990 Honda Civic DX hatchback (plate #774-MVS) was stolen from in front of my home sometime between 9:00 last night and 9:00 this morning. We live in the Highland Park neighborhood on 18th Ave SW between Thistle and Cloverdale [map]. Any information regarding my beloved “Lily White” would be much appreciated.
According to a memo shared with us by a reliable source, Seattle Parks Superintendent Tim Gallagher has just turned in his letter of resignation. By all accounts, the department is facing a budget crisis – as we reported here a month ago – and may be hit the hardest of any department, according to what City Council President Richard Conlin told the Southwest District Council in West Seattle earlier this month. Read ahead for the memo that includes Gallagher’s resignation letter (ADDED TUESDAY MORNING, reaction from West Seattle-residing Parks Board chair Jackie Ramels):Read More
From South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor):
The public is invited to attend a celebration to honor student achievement at South Seattle Community College’s annual Friends of the College Dinner, Thursday, May 6 from 5-8 pm.
Each year the South Seattle Community College Foundation awards scholarships to more than 100 students in academic and professional technical programs. The annual Friends of the College Dinner honors those students for their success, while recognizing the generous donors who make these scholarships possible.
This event is a very special evening for students and donors to come together and share what South is really about – community. It also offers the opportunity for members of the public to learn directly from students and donors about the many ways available to support students.
A limited number of tickets remain available.
The dinner is at Brockey Center on campus; tickets are $30/person. Call Heather at (206) 764-5809.
(Friday afternoon photo by Christopher Boffoli)
ORIGINAL 2:41 PM REPORT: Prosecutors have until Wednesday to file charges against the 22-year-old man arrested in connection with the stabbing of a 40-year-old woman along a High Point street Friday afternoon, but in the meantime, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has just provided us with the document that indicates probable cause, and tells the story not only of the brutality of the attack, but also of the three heroes who helped and led police to the suspect. 3:25 PM UPDATE: After that document, following the jump, we also have added a letter that High Point residents are receiving, which includes information about a Thursday community meeting, the victim’s current condition, and eviction proceedings for the suspect’s household – read on to see it all:Read More
As noted previously, West Seattle won KEXP’s “Hood to Hood” fundraising challenge – and the celebration is set for May 21st. Today, the radio station has revealed details of who’s playing where and when that day/night as part of the peninsula-wide party – full list here. (Thanks to Lauren for sharing the link!)
Denny International Middle School in Westwood is abuzz with excitement right now – in two languages – Mandarin and English. Dignitaries from China are part of a high-powered delegation visiting the school right now to celebrate the launch of the Confucius Institute language program – to be based here at Denny until the new Denny/Sealth campus is open a few blocks east. The visit began with a classroom tour (photo above) and is now moving on to a big assembly, with students from Denny, Chief Sealth International High School, and Beacon Hill International Elementary, as well as dignitaries galore (including state schools Superintendent Randy Dorn). This will conclude with processions, including a lion dance, from Denny to the new Denny-Sealth campus in a little more than an hour, and as we mentioned earlier today, that means SW Thistle will be briefly closed in the area. “A very historic day for the state, city, and Seattle Public Schools,” as Karen Kodama, SPS international education administrator, has just proclaimed this to be. More to come! ADDED 3:16 PM: We’ve got lots of photos and video to put in a second report, but while we work on that, here are the Denny and Sealth musicians playing short version of both the China and USA national anthems at the new Sealth/Denny campus as the event ended:
ADDED 4:54 PM: And here are two of Christopher Boffoli‘s photos: First, from the start of the procession down SW Thistle from Denny to the new Sealth/Denny campus – lion dancer/break dancers from Franklin HS, followed by Denny/Sealth musicians – video of the parade will be in our second report:
From the auditorium event, Madame Xu Lin, who leads the Confucius Institute from its headquarters in China, with Superintendent Dorn:
She told the Denny audience this is the first middle-school-based Confucius Institute she has visited on the occasion of its grand opening.
Not a lot to preview for tonight – the regular Monday highlights are all on the WSB West Seattle Events calendar – but here’s an advance reminder of some biggies later this week:
TUESDAY – ALASKAN WAY VIADUCT OPEN HOUSE: The south-end Alaskan Way Viaduct work starts later this year, and nearby projects such as the city’s Spokane Street Viaduct Widening Project are about to kick into higher gear. What does this mean for how you get around? The people with the answers will all be in the Madison Middle School Commons 6-8 pm Tuesday, waiting for your questions.
TUESDAY – SOUTH PARK BRIDGE CLOSURE MEETING: The bridge continues on the county-announced track to permanent closure June 30th. So what’s being done to help drivers and South Park businesses survive until a new one is built – if it’s built at all (financing is still no sure bet)? The draft closure plan will be unveiled and explained tomorrow night at the Machinist Union Hall in South Park (map), 6 pm. More info here.
WEDNESDAY – CITY BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING: This isn’t in West Seattle, but so far, it’s the closest scheduled hearing on the city budget, and many people already are rumbling about drastic effects of potential cuts – like the dire warnings we reported recently about what Parks may face. So if you have a strong opinion about ANYTHING in the city budget – what shouldn’t be cut, what should – advocates on a wide variety of issues are all but begging you to show up for this hearing, sponsored by the mayor and City Council, at the New Holly Gathering Hall on Beacon Hill (map). 5:30 pm – signups start at 5.
The mayor’s office announced this morning that three women and eight men are in the running for Seattle Police Chief, including 3 candidates from SPD – here’s the list:
Judy Bradshaw, Chief of Police — Des Moines (IA) Police Department
Rick Braziel, Chief of Police — Sacramento (CA) Police Department
Adam Burden II, Former Assistant Chief of Police — Miami (FL) Police Department
Ronald Davis, Chief of Police — East Palo Alto (CA) Police Department
John Diaz, Interim Chief of Police — Seattle (WA) Police Department
Rick Gregory, Chief Administrative Officer/Acting Public Safety Director — New Castle County (DE)
Clark Kimerer, Assistant Chief of Police — Seattle (WA) Police Department
Anne Kirkpatrick, Chief of Police — Spokane (WA) Police Department
Jim Pugel, Assistant Chief of Police — Seattle (WA) Police Department
John Romero, Chief of Police — Lawrence (MA) Police Department
Lisa Womack, Former Chief of Police Elgin (IL) Police Department
Here’s the full announcement. Southwest Precinct Captain Joe Kessler is among those on the search committee; video of its meetings, including the most recent one last Wednesday, are archived here.
We just got full details of a big event this afternoon that not only is significant for West Seattle students and educators, but also will briefly affect traffic on a busy street, so here’s the heads-up: As part of a celebration of the new Confucius Institute language program based at Denny International Middle School – until the new Denny/Sealth campus is open – there will be two processions from the current Denny to the under-construction Denny/Sealth in the 1:45-2 pm vicinity, and SW Thistle will be closed (map) while that’s happening. The first procession is a lion dance around 1:50 pm; the second will include marching-band members and an international delegation of dignitaries. It’s a short route from Denny to the new campus, but Thistle is often busy between 35th and Delridge, so this is your advance alert. (P.S. For more on the Confucius Institute in West Seattle, here’s the letter Denny principal Jeff Clark is sending home with students.)
Almost eight months after The Sanctuary at Admiral applied to officially change the designation of how its church-turned-events-venue building (42nd/Lander) can be used, the city has granted the request, according to this morning’s Land Use Information Bulletin. The new designation is “theater and spectator-sports facility,” but as explained in our story when the application was made public last September, that’s not what it sounds like – it’s just the classification they had to seek for the sort of events they host (weddings, parties, etc.). Now that the decision’s in, there’s a deadline of May 10th for appeals, as explained on the official notice. The Sanctuary became an official city landmark last year.
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