West Seattle, Washington

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Spotlight Stories


  • Champs

    THE CHAMPS: WSHS team’s big victory

  • Fire

    CAMP LONG: Help rebuild the history

  • Holiday Guide

    WS HOLIDAY GUIDE: See what’s in it!

Followup: Long-gone West Seattle bus stop back “within 2 weeks”
September 28, 2009 9:54 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

One month ago, we reported that Metro promised the 42nd/Alaska bus stop removed during construction of Capco Plaza (home of the new QFC store) would be back. Since the store’s been open almost 2 weeks but the bus stop’s not back yet, we asked Metro’s Linda Thielke for an update this morning; her reply: “The city will be the agency re-installing the bus stop at 42nd & Alaska. We expect it to be done within two weeks.”

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Burglary suspects arrested on the West Seattle Bridge
September 28, 2009 9:00 am
|      20 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Thanks to everyone who e-mailed and texted us about a startling sight on The Bridge about an hour ago, which appeared to involve someone getting arrested. We just checked with the Seattle Police media unit and they say that’s exactly what happened. According to Det. Mark Jamieson, it all started with a burglary report in the 3800 block of 46th SW (map) – a caller saw two men stealing things out of a backyard, including a shop saw. The caller gave police a description of the men and their vehicle, and it was tracked down on the eastbound bridge. Police held the suspects until the victim/witness could be brought to the scene to identify them, then, when positive identification was made, the two suspects were arrested. 3:50 PM NOTE: We asked Southwest Precinct Lt. Steve Paulsen if the two have been linked to any other burglaries, since several passers-by say their SUV looked “packed full” – he says, “We’re still looking into that.”

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Neighborhood alert: Post-sale (?) dumping in Sunrise Heights
September 28, 2009 7:06 am
|    Comments Off on Neighborhood alert: Post-sale (?) dumping in Sunrise Heights
 |   Sunrise Heights | West Seattle news


View Larger Map

AJ sent this a few days back – but since tonight would be the night, if it happens again, we’re running it now to share the intended neighborhood alert:

I just wanted to alert my fellow community members of the illegal trash dumping activities in the Sunrise Heights Neighborhood. We live off 35th and Holden behind the Chevron gas station [map] and have had people dumping remnants of what appears to be garage sale leftovers every Monday night. It’s been two weeks in a row that there has been (a lot) of cr*p outside in the alley, so we wanted to let our neighbors be aware of suspicious activities. If we can keep our neighborhood clean, why can’t trash dumpers?!

We noticed it too while driving by (before getting this note, so no photo) in the area shown in the Google Street View image above.

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Today’s the deadline: Nominate your favorite Local Food Hero!
September 28, 2009 6:07 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Fun stuff to do | Sustainable West Seattle | West Seattle news

Just under threetwo weeks till the Eat Local Now! dinner/auction presented by organizations including Sustainable West Seattle and CoolMom (with co-sponsors including WSB), 5 pm Sunday 10/11 at Alki Masonic Hall in The Junction (map). One of many highlights at the event: The Jeff Fairhall Local Food Hero will be honored. The award is explained here; your nominee doesn’t have to be a West Seattleite, since Eat Local Now! is a regional event (happening here in WS this time around). Grower? Vendor? Chef? Advocate? Get your nomination in by day’s end – the form’s here – and get your ticket(s) for Eat Local Now! too (on sale online here).

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West Seattle weekend scenes: From centennial to cycling
September 28, 2009 3:25 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle weekend scenes: From centennial to cycling
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | West Seattle religion | WS & Sports

(Photo by Kevin McClintic)
By the time the moon rose toward the end of a beautiful weekend, we’d collected a few more photos to share. First, congratulations to Tibbetts United Methodist Church north of The Junction for its centennial celebration on Sunday:

Pictured above (thanks to Betsy Wharton at Tibbetts for sending photos) are Tibbetts Church members (back row from left) Barbara Benson, Shirley Lindberg, Betsy Wharton, Howard Bogie and (front row from left) Ted Reed – plus (continuing front row) Pat Simpson, Seattle District Superintendent, Pacific Northwest Conference of the United Methodist Church; Grant Hagiya, Bishop, Pacific Northwest Conference of the United Methodist Church; Joanne Carlson Brown, Pastor, Tibbetts United Methodist Church; member Douglas Hom. The celebration included displays like this:

And Betsy sums up the event:

The September 27th Centennial Celebration at Tibbetts United Methodist Church began with an 8:30am coffee hour during which members old and new gathered to greet one another and watch video footage taken 50 years ago during the construction of the Sanctuary that stands today. The Worship Service included music by a large Centennial Choir and the Tibbetts Handbell Choir. United Methodist Bishop Grant Hagiya gave the sermon and Pastor Joanne Carlson Brown greeted former pastors and friends of Tibbetts who had come back for the celebration events.

A big THANK YOU to the West Seattle Community for your support of Tibbetts United Methodist Church, over the last 99 years, during this special Centennial year, and for all the years to come. We’re 100!

Also from Sunday – we got a couple of notes about two big Navy cargo ships seen off West Seattle shores for a while today. JayDee got a photo, too.

After exhaustive online research, absent the ability to get direct info from the U.S. Navy on a Sunday night, we still couldn’t nail down exactly which ships they were; we thought this Snohomish County article about three ships visiting Everett might be a clue, but the photos of those ships don’t resemble this one. We’ll check with the Navy later today. (9:45 AM UPDATE: Thanks to Mark for the answer! He tracks ship traffic with this site, and says they were the Cape Island and Cape Intrepid, both indeed with the Military Sealift Command.)

Last but not least, courtesy of “westseattledood,” a scene from Westcrest Park on Saturday, during the Copper Cross bicycle races that took over the park for most of the day:

Thanks again to everyone who shares photos and info – you can reach us via e-mail, Facebook, Twitter, phone any time.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: More car break-ins
September 27, 2009 9:31 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Crime Watch: More car break-ins
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | Westwood

Bad weekend for more than half a dozen car owners in one local condo complex – hit by two nights of break-ins, and nowhere near the break-in report we had here earlier. Read on for the story:Read More

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West Seattle business: 5th anniversary for Click! Design That Fits
September 27, 2009 8:46 pm
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Story and photos by Mary Sheely
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

Frances and John Smersh are the owners of contemporary gift and home goods store Click! Design That Fits (2210 California SW; WSB sponsor). But you could say they have a silent partner: their neighborhood.

“A necessary part of our store concept is West Seattle,” Frances says. “We would not have opened a store had we not been able to do it here.”

Obviously, it was a smart decision: Click! will mark five years in business with an anniversary party this Friday, October 2, 6-9 p.m., featuring catering by West Seattle-based Splendid Cupcake, a free etched glass from Roost for each guest — with purchase — while supplies last, and weekend sales including 25% off Smersh Design, the gold vermeil and silver jewelry that Frances designs, through October 4.

Both the retail store and the jewelry business have proven staying power, despite the fact that neither John nor Frances had a background in retail or even art.

Read More

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Alki Beach 5K Walk/Run 2009, report #2: Results, video
September 27, 2009 5:53 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle video

Shari Sewell of Northwest Hope and Healing told us 1,298 had signed up by race time for this morning’s Alki Beach 5K – and our first clip shows everyone leaving the starting line, from the first runners to the last walkers. The results are now posted online, too – find them all here – and here are our clips of the first male and female finishers – Brett Kapels (Hope Lutheran School athletic director) in 16:41:

And Regina Joyce in 19:21:

Our first report from this morning, with photos, is here. Northwest Hope and Healing was founded in West Seattle, with the mission of helping newly diagnosed breast-cancer patients.

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Magazine spotlight for West Seattle’s own Hotwire Coffee
September 27, 2009 4:24 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

The latest edition of Costco Connection features an article on the book whose author Robert Spector spoke in The Junction this past week, “The Mom and Pop Store.” And the big photo that goes with the article shows one of the West Seattle entrepreneurs mentioned in the book, Lora Lewis from Hotwire Coffee (WSB’s 1st-ever sponsor), who says it’s her first-ever national spotlight! See the story here.

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From West Seattle waters: A crabby mystery
September 27, 2009 2:44 pm
|      18 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Wildlife

That photo is from “Kona” Greg, who works at Alki Kayak Tours (different Greg from the boss), and wants to know what a king crab was doing in 3-foot deep water off Duwamish Head – or, if that’s not a king crab (which usually roam Alaskan waters), what was it? he wonders:

I was out on a tour Friday Sept 18th and spotted this critter near the Duwamish Head channel marker. I had a guest from Penn. with me. We were in about 3 feet of water and she spotted a crab and asked me what kind it was? I could not believe my eyes when I looked down. It sure looks like a King crab to me. I am wondering if anyone has ever seen a King in Elliott Bay, or has information on what this is if it in fact is not a King. I am in, on, or under water here ALL the time and have been for the last 5 years. I have never seen anything like this. Plus as a PADI divemaster I have over 200 dives right here in West Seattle.

Here’s the other photo he sent:

The only kind of “king crab” that’s supposed to be in Puget Sound is this one – pretty but doesn’t resemble Greg’s photos at all.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Musician/entrepreneur’s car broken into
September 27, 2009 2:21 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

(Saturday photo by Kevin McClintic)
On our way into the “Nickelsville” homeless encampment at T-107 Park yesterday afternoon to cover its “1st anniversary” open house, we met Jason Douros, co-owner of Revolution Coffee, which also had a big event yesterday – its re-grand-opening as a nonprofit. While talking with Jason, we admired the small battery-powered amp he was carrying, and he told us he’d been bringing it to the encampment weekly for music/church events. Then today, this note:

Just wanted to let you know, ironically, that my car was broken into this morning at my home here in West Seattle in the alley of 48th ST. [Admiral District] They broke my rear window out and stole the Bass and Amp I use to play down there (red Yamaha Electric Bass with a missing D string and a Roland Microcube RX amp).

No insurance to cover the window or the guitar. Dumb luck I guess, but at least I don’t have to replace the string.

Kevin McClintic happened to have sent us a photo of the musicians playing at yesterday’s event — that’s Jason, with the amp, second from left.

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Side note to developer Mastro’s bankruptcy: Investors’ losses
September 27, 2009 12:47 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

(WSB photo from August 2009)
One month ago, we noted that the owner of that idled 35th/Avalon (map) development, Michael Mastro, had been forced into Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Today, the Seattle Times (WSB partner) reports on other casualties in the situation: His “Friends and Family” investors. Here’s the story. Proceedings in Mastro’s case continue later this fall; his West Seattle holdings also include the LLC that owns a parcel near the south end of Harbor Ave (proposed for a development called Aqua Bella) and the parent company of the West Water apartment-condo-apartment complex in Morgan Junction.

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Update: Search ends in Highland Park
September 27, 2009 11:56 am
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Highland Park | West Seattle news

(Photo added 12:07 pm)
On our way to the 9000 block of 11th SW (map), where police and fire have responded to an “assault with weapons” call. More details as soon as we get them. 12:03 PM UPDATE: We’ve arrived in the area and police are looking for a suspect so we’re being kept back. Still working to get details on what happened. Huge police presence, at least half a dozen cars. 12:07 PM: Just heard via scanner that it’s a “GSW” (gunshot wound) – they have just let paramedics past the police line. No official word on the circumstances, so far, and we will add the caveat that information does evolve and change. 12:19 PM UPDATE: And in fact, the information has evolved: We’re told at the scene that they’re no longer looking for anyone – they have found a victim of what appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Still working to make sure no one else was involved and will add whatever else we find out.

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Alki Beach 5K Walk/Run 2009, report #1: The first finishers
September 27, 2009 10:42 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

Those are the top male and female finishers from this morning’s Alki Beach 5K Walk/Run, benefiting Northwest Hope and Healing, which helps newly diagnosed breast-cancer patients. (The official results aren’t online yet but via loudspeaker, he was identified as Brett Kapels, who finished 3rd last year, and she’s Regina Joyce.) This is the second year for the 5K, which previously had been a half-marathon; the West Seattleite who is NWHH’s executive director, Shari Sewell, told us they’d counted 1,298 signups by race time – up 30% from last year’s 1,000 participants. Brisk but beautiful morning. We’re processing our traditional video clip of EVERYONE at the start of the race and will publish that separately later. But first, a few more photos – first, right after the starting horn sounded:

A big group rounds the first bend onto the Alki bike path:

HUGE amount of volunteer help makes this happen – from the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle volunteers with the stop signs:

… to the volunteers in the water booth, bundling up against the chilly breeze:

More later! (P.S. Thanks to Facebook friends – find us at facebook.com/westseattleblog – for pointing out that first finisher Brett Kapels is Hope Lutheran School‘s athletic director.) PPS – Here’s our video of everybody taking off – will feature it as an embed in the followup report when results are available.

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Happening today: Alki Beach 5K; Farmers’ Market; Tibbetts
September 27, 2009 6:03 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle Farmers' Market | West Seattle news | West Seattle religion

ALKI BEACH 5K WALK/RUN: More than 1,200 people are signed up, we hear – and you can still do same-day registration if you get to Alki Bathhouse at 8 am. The run (from the Bathhouse to Anchor Park, and back) benefits Northwest Hope and Healing, which supports newly diagnosed breast-cancer patients as they struggle to continue the practicalities of life while dealing with their new fight for survival. (We’ll be tweeting pre- and during-race photos at @westseattleblog – you don’t have to be on Twitter to see a Twitter feed, just click that link.)

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm as always, 44th/Alaska, and watch @NFMASeattle on Twitter for tidbits once the market opens. (No Ripe and Ready list online today, sorry!)

TIBBETTS CENTENNIAL SERVICE: It’s been a big year for West Seattle churches celebrating 100th anniversaries, and the big party for Tibbetts United Methodist Church is today: Regional Bishop Grant Hagiya will preside at the 10 am service, during which former pastors will be recognized, and a gala banquet will follow the service. More here (including the latest on plans for the church’s next big rummage sale, in early October).

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Site note: Testing Bing “site search”
September 27, 2009 12:33 am
|      16 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle online

The Google site-search feature we’ve been using for a while is far from perfect – though we’re still Google fans in general, it seems that Microsoft‘s Bing is on the ascendancy, so we’re testing its site search instead. What you’ll notice if you try the new (unlabeled – that’s how MSFT coded it) search box (top of sidebar) is that your search will open a popup that stretches across the center of the WSB page you’re on, with two tabs – the default is the WSB search for your term, and if you click the WEB tab, it’ll show you web-wide results for your search. Let us know what you think; it’s an easy switch back if you think the Google box worked better. (And if you’re looking for something you’ve seen in our forum, including the keyword forum in your search will help find it.)

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Road-rage report – from bicyclist towing 2-year-old daughter
September 26, 2009 11:54 pm
|      43 COMMENTS
 |   Gatewood | West Seattle news

Just out of the WSB inbox, a road-rage report – from a bicyclist who was towing his 2-year-old daughter uphill in the new California SW bicycle lane in Gatewood. Read on:Read More

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Fall chill in the air – can you spare a coat for a foster child?
September 26, 2009 11:10 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

Even when the days are warm, the nights are now cool, and you’ve probably at least thought about bringing your sweaters and coats to the front of the closet. Maybe you can take it a step further – and get a coat to somebody who can’t afford one. At Sleep Country USA in Westwood Village, the annual Coat Drive for Foster Kids is under way now through November 1st. As the official announcement from Sleep Country puts it, “many foster kids arrive with only the clothes on their backs.” You can donate “new coats in every shape and size” at any Sleep Country USA store; the one at Westwood Village is in the section of the center anchored by Bed Bath Beyond. Or, you can donate through PayPal and Sleep Country will use the $ to buy coats (here’s the link). Want to know more? 888-88-SLEEP.

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Community Harvest: 1 house, 306 pounds of donated grapes
September 26, 2009 9:23 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

You’ve no doubt heard by now about Community Harvest of Southwest Seattle, which has been harvesting local produce, particularly fruit, with volunteer help, for donation to local food banks. One homeowner made what turned out to be a really big donation, and shared this note she got from Aviva at Community Harvest after 11 volunteers stopped by to pick grapes two days ago:

“I just dropped off the grapes at the food bank. 306 pounds!! Can you believe it? I would have to say that it is the highest yield/house this season, not to mention that the tree owners (kids included!) were the most fun. This has been a great way to end (well, almost end) the season – and puts us at 6400 pounds – just 100 away from our goal.”

The homeowner/grape donor (who also shared these photos, including that one of a volunteer with a big box of the grapes) added:

So, if your yard has some fruit that you aren’t going to use, please contact Aviva so they can reach the 6500 pound goal! Speaking as the homeowner who donated grapes yesterday, I can personally attest that these people are wonderful– they come to your place, pick and bag the fruit, then take it away. That is about as easy (for the homeowner, lol) as it gets! No more wasted fruit, no nasty mush in the yard, and best of all, lots of good fruit for the food bank.

Contact info for Community Harvest of Southwest Seattle is online at gleanit.org.

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SODO traffic alert: 4th Avenue repairs update
September 26, 2009 7:40 pm
|    Comments Off on SODO traffic alert: 4th Avenue repairs update
 |   Not WS but we're mentioning it anyway | Transportation

If you heard about emergency repair work on 4th Avenue S. and worried that it would affect going to tomorrow’s football game, or commuting beyond, there’s good news tonight – read on:Read More

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Stadium scare
September 26, 2009 5:43 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Thanks to Brenda for e-mailing to ask what we knew about an incident at West Seattle Stadium earlier today, reported to her by a witness; we just checked with the Seattle Police media unit and here’s what they found out: A man in the stands at noon today during a youth football game spotted a man “with whom he had an ongoing disagreement,” as Det. Mark Jamieson put it, and pointed a gun at that man. Others apparently tried to intervene. No shots were fired and nobody was hurt; police were called, but the two men were both gone before they arrived. Witnesses had a description of the car in which the man with the gun left; Det. Jamieson says a car matching that description was stopped in the 6900 block of Delridge (about 2 miles away; map), but the suspect wasn’t in it. Nobody arrested or hurt, and police didn’t find the gun, but Brenda says the witness told her game was stopped for a while as all this played out.

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West Seattle High School Class of 1999 reunion tonight!
September 26, 2009 5:06 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle High School Class of 1999 reunion tonight!
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Just got a reminder note – West Seattle High School Class of 1999 (yearbook photos above) reunion is tonight at Mission, 8 pm. FREE to WSHS grads and family/friends. It’s a time/location change from the original plan, so they want to be sure everybody got the word.

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Happening now: Open house/1st anniversary at “Nickelsville”
September 26, 2009 4:17 pm
|      28 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news

Dozens of visitors – many also with cameras and notepads – are at the West Seattle homeless encampment that calls itself “Nickelsville” right now (Terminal 107 Park), for a “1st birthday” open house presented by its residents and sponsors, also intended as a fundraiser – a rep from the sponsoring organization Veterans For Peace told visitors it takes $1,000/month just for the portable toilets they rent. (We’ll add video later.) You can see them in the background of this photo we took today:

After a few speeches, including reminiscences about the past year since more than two dozen people were arrested at the encampment’s original site on city property at Highland Park Way/West Marginal Way, there was a slide show with photos and newspaper clippings telling the same story:

The encampment has been at T-107 Park, which is port property, for two months (here’s our story about their arrival). The port says time’s run out and they need to clear out by Wednesday; encampment organizers say they won’t go. Perhaps as a hint of what’s to come, we saw two port officers walking the periphery just as we arrived a few minutes after 3:

As far as we could see, they stayed outside the orange webbing that surrounds the encampment; we didn’t see them in the group that gathered to listen to speeches and watch the slide show. The event is expected to continue for the next few hours if you want to go see the encampment for yourself.

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