West Seattle, Washington
17 Sunday
Story and photos by Mary Sheely
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Gray, chilly, rainy – perfect weather for a barbecue, isn’t it? Well, it is if you’re a member of the Pacific Northwest Barbecue Association, which is holding the Evergreen State Barbecue Championship at Alki Beach this weekend. Thirty teams were setting up tents and smokers in the morning drizzle and cold, and all of them will remain, camping and cooking overnight, until the final awards for pork butt, brisket, pork ribs and chicken are given out at 4 p.m. Sunday.
The competition is serious but friendly – Steve Sanders and Sherwin Chin were working together, setting up Steve’s tents in the rain, yet the two are actually on competing teams. Sanders, with Smoke a Fat One Barbecue, has a catering service in Snohomish, but calls his barbecue competing “just a hobby that went bad.” Or good – Sanders actually qualified for October’s Jack Daniels Invitational in Lynchburg, Tennessee, the holy grail of barbecue competitions. Chin is from Bellevue and competing with Rainbow Catering. Both men say their ribs are their best entry.
ORIGINAL 12:43 PM NOTE: This just in from Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association: Its community-barbecue celebration LINKS has been moved indoors – still at Delridge Community Center, but it’ll be inside, still 2-6 pm with live music, entertainment, food and other fun. 1:19 PM UPDATE: It’s actually indoors at YOUNGSTOWN ARTS CENTER across the street (4408 Delridge). See you there. 3:45 PM UPDATE: Here’s a photo from about an hour ago – tables are set up inside the theater, lots of food, entertainment should be in full swing by now:
Rain or no rain, the time capsule burial ceremony at Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza is on for 2 this afternoon. The time capsule itself was filled and sealed this morning at the Log House Museum – that’s director Andrea Mercado in the photo with the completed capsule (at right, Clara Peterson, who with brother Loren assisted in the hour-long job, and peeking into the top of the frame is Patrick Donohue, city Parks Department manager for the plaza project); you’ll recall she put out a call for people to save memories, souvenirs and daily-life “ephemera” last November 13th – anniversary of the Denny Party’s Alki landing – to put in the capsule, and all that is what went in today. We’ve got video of much of the event and will add some later; the capsule contents were catalogued by Eilene Hutchinson as they went in:
We’ll be at the 2 pm ceremony today too – the capsule is supposed to be available for public viewing around 1:30. And remember that Alki also is headquarters to the Evergreen State Barbecue Championships all weekend (separate story to come) so it’s a busy day at the beach! 6:52 PM: Adding more video from this morning’s filling/sealing gathering. First, Andrea explains to Clara and Loren how the capsule-filling will proceed:
We asked Andrea afterward if she had ever done a time capsule before – nope, this was her first one. And she said they’re meticulously documenting everything they did regarding storage and placement, because what’s considered time-capsule state of the art now is nonetheless unproven – since you don’t really know what’ll happen till you get to the capsule opening decades (or longing later). Some of what’s in the capsule is simple, some personal:
9:13 PM: Thanks to Paul Carr for sending us the program from today’s ceremony (video is in a separate story here), which includes the full list of what’s in the time capsule. See it (and the rest of the program) here.
First word of new drinking/eating establishments, or changes in existing ones, often comes from the state’s database of liquor-license applications, and this morning there are two applications of note: At 5632 Delridge (map), which would be across the street and a bit south from Olympia Pizza and Pasta, there’s an application to open “La Luna,” seeking a spirits/beer/wine/restaurant/lounge-type license. We’ll see what else we can find out. Meantime, it looks like Garlic Jim’s in The Junction, on the market for more than 9 months, has found a buyer; there’s an application for a new beer/wine license there, with different applicants, but the restaurant’s name is staying the same, according to the online info. (The liquor-license application database can be found here.)
Many of today’s events are all or partly indoors, but even if you were looking forward to what’s supposed to be happening outdoors – the forecast says the rain WILL lift. Not predicting sunbreaks, but “rain” is supposed to make way for “cloudy with chance of showers.” We have NOT received word of any rainouts; we’ll add word of anything we do hear, but in the meantime, the show must go on. Two of this afternoon’s highlights: The Alki Statue of Liberty Time Capsule ceremony (with West Seattle High School alum astronaut Greg Johnson starting a round of local appearances) at 2 pm, which is also the start time for the Delridge Neighborhood Development Association‘s LINKS barbecue at Delridge Community Center (2-6). A highlight tonight: Easy Street Records in The Junction celebrates Pearl Jam‘s new “Backspacer” with a 9 pm party preceding the midnight sale — bring a donation for West Seattle Food Bank – giveaways, raffles, music (they’ll be playing cuts from “Backspacer” starting at 11), and if Easy Street’s full when you get there, the party’s officially spilling over into West 5. More here. For today’s full list of events, click here.
That trio of volunteers staffed a cheery concession table full of candy inside the gym at Holy Rosary School as the 20th annual Westfest (WSB sponsor) got under way last night. It continues 10 am-10 pm today – lots of outdoor fun, of course, including bouncy rides for kids (and we saw a portable climbing wall too), plus bingo:
We also heard via Twitter from West Seattle-resident TV personality Jim Dever (@jimdever) that the “West Seattle Idol” talent show at Westfest at 4 pm today is not to be missed. Here’s the Westfest map and schedule; here’s a map to Holy Rosary.
Also continuing today, the big sale at Peace Lutheran Church in Gatewood (Google Street View above; here’s a map) to help Baby Maarten, a 1-year-old who’s in the fight of his life (chronicled here), getting treatment for a brain tumor. By several accounts, including what organizer Claudia wrote here, Day 1 was terrific, and there’s still lots left for you to shop on Day 2. (Speaking of sales, if you’re going to be out and about, check out the listings for yard/garage sales today in the Freebies/Deals/Sales section of the WSB Forums.)
That’s entrepreneur Stuart Anderson demonstrating his trademark pitch for Senior Housing Assistance Group, at a Friday celebration marking the grand opening of its new Arrowhead Gardens (WSB sponsor) senior-living development in southern Highland Park (map). They’re throwing open the doors for an open house 11 am-5 pm today and noon-5 pm tomorrow, with refreshments and live music. Anderson, who founded his famous Black Angus restaurant chain in Seattle, just made a special visit Friday, recounting how he became the organization’s spokesperson:
Arrowhead Gardens’ name reflects not site history, but site shape, in case you were wondering; its website lists some of the features of the newly built complex, which will rent out more than 400 units (more details here).
More details to come, but first the scores, since both games are now over: Chief Sealth High School (1-2) blanked Cleveland for its first win, Sealth 30-Cleveland 0 at Southwest Athletic Complex … O’Dea beat West Seattle High School (2-1) 39-7 at West Seattle Stadium.
10:51 PM: Tonight’s win was actually Chief Sealth’s first since October 2007 – which was also against Cleveland. We’ve added a photo of tonight’s scoreboard at left. Sealth’s next two games are on the road (here’s the season schedule) – they’ll be at Ingraham at 7 pm next Friday.
ADDED 11:27 PM: More now from the WSHS game: West Seattle’s only touchdown came when quarterback Ellison Tran ran the ball in on the keep just a few minutes into the first quarter. The score came on West Seattle’s first possession of the game. The Wildcats moved the ball 75 yards on 11 plays.
ORIGINAL 8:27 PM REPORT: Getting messages about the chopper over The Junction and beyond. We’re still checking to be sure but chances are it’s a news chopper for the West Seattle High School-O’Dea game at West Seattle Stadium. Will update with whatever else we find out. Co-publisher Patrick is at the game (tweeting it at @wsblive – halftime was O’Dea 18, West Seattle 7) but it’s impossible to tell from there – choppers have such strong cameras these days, they can shoot from very high. There’s nothing on 911 in terms of fire/medics which bolsters the theory, but we’re also checking with police. 8:33 PM UPDATE: Confirmed from a friend who works at KING5, it’s their chopper, covering the game. As our friend notes, their chopper will be out somewhere every Friday night – so on Fridays, if you hear a chopper before 9 pm or so, it just might be for football, but thanks again to everyone who checked in via e-mail, Facebook and Twitter – you just never know. 9:15 PM SIDE NOTE: Longer story to come, but the game just ended – O’Dea 39, WSHS 7.
We’re off to get photos of both, but in the meantime, this quick note.
(photo added 10:59 pm – Proletariat Pizza proprietors Stefanie and Mike, and daughter)
As of a little more than an hour ago, it’s opening night for Proletariat Pizza on 16th SW in the main White Center business district, and cash only for starters, according to neighbor Full Tilt‘s post in the WSB Forums. Meantime, speaking of food:
(Friday night photo)
That’s the outdoor food court at Westfest (WSB sponsor) at Holy Rosary School (map here; event schedule here) and open tonight till 10, then 10 am-10 pm tomorrow. More to come!
Holy Rosary School‘s big fall festival Westfest (WSB sponsor) starts at 6 tonight … the 2nd annual West Seattle Junction Car Show (co-sponsored by WSB) takes over Junction streets all day Sunday … WSHS Grad Night has a fundraising car wash tomorrow, which is also when you’ll find the first in a series of monthly Family Fun events at High Point Community Center … Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association invites you to the LINKS Community Barbecue tomorrow afternoon … the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) has announced fun events for America on the Move week – just part of the SEVENTY events/activities in the West Seattle Weekend Lineup, brought to you by Skylark Cafe and Club – read on!Read More
Finally got official police details on what all those sirens were about last hour – thanks to the people who e-mailed us about it: According to Seattle Police media unit Det. Jeff Kappel, robbery detectives were looking for suspects “in cases they were working” around noon when one bolted and ran onto Schmitz Park Elementary (map) grounds. One eyewitness report we received by e-mail says the person jumped a fence to get onto school grounds:
Lunch time and the older kids were on the playground. Man jumped the fence and hid behind the backboard. Police cars arrived told kids to get down and they all responded immediately. All are safe and the man with the gun was handcuffed and taken away. … Staff and students responded extremely well.
Nobody was hurt and police confirm the man was taken into custody. Det. Kappel says he’s not sure which case the suspects were associated with, but three people are in custody. We’re working to find out more and will add additional details as we get them. 1:46 PM UPDATE: Just talked to Rhonda in the Schmitz Park office. She reiterates that everybody’s OK and back in class now and “did an amazing job.” She also says principal Gerrit Kischner (who’s on the phone with police as we speak) will send an official e-mail to Schmitz Park parents to let them know about the incident. 2:55 PM UPDATE: As provided by Ezra in the comment section below (and also sent to us in e-mail by another parent), here is the note sent to parents by the principal:
Dear Schmitz Park Families:
I want to share with you information regarding an incident that has affected our school community. I am sending you this letter to update you on the facts and to assure you that we are doing everything we can to support our students.
At approximately noontime today, Seattle Police Department arrested an unarmed robbery suspect on our school property during recess for third, fourth and fifth graders, and the police are conducting an investigation. Your child may have witnessed or knows another student who witnessed this event.
Student followed policy directions very well and playground monitors moved quickly to move students to safety. Following the incident, police gave the all-clear to allow Kindergarten, first and second graders onto the playground to begin their recess. We have discussed the incident with our students with the information available to us at this time.
Providing your students with a safe learning environment remains a top priority at Schmitz Park Elementary School. It is important that we continue to work together towards this unified goal. We are committed to safety within our community.
Additionally, classroom teachers will continue to discuss personal safety and safe practices regarding getting to and from school and reporting unsafe situations. Our counselor, Alben Tufel, has been made available to talk with students as well. Depending on the age of your child, this is also a good time to discuss how rumors spread and how we can work together to keep each other safe. I hope you will take the time to have similar conversations at home with your child.
Our plans for emergency drills this year include plans to conduct a lock-down drill. Please be assured that the safety and security of our students is our number one priority. If you have questions or concerns, please contact us.
As you will note, the principal’s note says the suspect was not armed. We are still working to get more information from police regarding any additional details they can share with us on the case – particularly what the suspects were wanted for, separate from the brief escape. 5:36 PM UPDATE: A little bit of new info – according to Southwest Precinct Lt. Norm James, the suspect arrested on school grounds was being sought in connection with the Westside Pharmacy post-shutdown holdup the other day (here’s our original story on that). 8:42 PM UPDATE: More details now on SPDBlotter. Two arrests in all but police originally had questioned three people. The one who jumped the fence at Schmitz was indeed the robbery suspect; the other one arrested was the alleged getaway driver. Both men are 23.
Just in from Seattle Parks – Southwest Pool won’t be reopening any earlier than October 5th. The federally mandated drain-upgrade work revealed a major problem in need of immediate repairs. More details shortly when Parks sends an official news release. 3:06 PM UPDATE: The news release is now published on Parkways.
RADIO DRILL TONIGHT: Just a note that the West Seattle Community Hubs (explained here – a GREAT website) are testing a radio system that neighborhood reps will use in case of catastrophe – in case for example you are a radio aficionado, or pass someone involved in the drill, and overhear something that sounds alarming, 5:30-7 pm tonight, don’t worry, it’s only a drill.
PLANT SALE TOMORROW: If you are thinking about fall veggie gardening, Community Harvest of Southwest Seattle wants to see you at St. James Place (9421 18th SW) noon-3 pm tomorrow for its fall veggie-start sale. And bring your extra produce for donation to food banks!!!
AMERICA ON THE MOVE WEEK: West Seattle /Fauntleroy YMCA (WSB sponsor) has a week of special events planned – the main goal, consume 100 calories less and walk 2,000 steps more every day. Here’s the full list of special events – first ones are a family boot camp and fun walk tomorrow on Alki.
Big news in West Seattle with so many Parks Department properties here: Mayor Nickels is proposing a gun ban in parks facilities “intended for children and youth.” (The prospect of new city rules on guns in parks also came up at an Alki Community Council meeting this summer, during discussion of recent incidents involving firearms, like this one in June, although it does not appear the ban would include beach parks like Alki.) Here’s the full text of the city announcement, plus information on how to formally comment on it:Read More
Quick look at this weekend’s games: West Seattle High School (2-0) plays O’Dea – remember that big win last year? – at 7 tonight, West Seattle Stadium (map). Chief Sealth High School (0-2) plays Cleveland at 7 tonight, Southwest Athletic Complex (map). Tomorrow at 7 pm, Seattle Lutheran High School (1-1) faces Northwest Christian (Lacey) at WS Stadium.
That’s the biggest of three rooms of donated items going on sale starting at 9 this morning at Peace Lutheran Church (NE corner of Thistle/39th; map), with the proceeds to help Maarten, a 1-year-old fighting a brain tumor. You first saw Maarten’s story here two weeks ago; now the big sale is here, today and tomorrow. Lots more information at the Help Maarten website, including an update on how he’s doing, and how you can help if you can’t make it to the sale – but if you can, not only will you find the giant room of stuff you see in our photo, but also in other rooms, musical instruments, furniture, even artworks – we dropped by as organizer Claudia and other volunteers were working Thursday night to get it all organized. And a bake sale too!
Click ahead for three Thursday night scenes:Read More
(Long-form full report has been added following this first short summary)
Quick summary from Alki Homestead owner Tom Lin‘s presentation that just wrapped up at the Alki Community Council: His architect and engineers say so much of the building was damaged in the January fire, compounding long-pre-existing deterioration, that the landmark would need to be “reconstructed.” Lin proposes doing that and adding 25,000 square feet of other buildings on the 15,000-square-foot site, with the potential end result a new Homestead, plus a bar/lounge “Seattle Auto Club” and a bed/breakfast “The Fir Lodge” (both names from its past), plus a wellness center/spa. The Landmarks Preservation Board will have to sign off on any proposal. Where will the financing come from? Lin says he hasn’t started working on that yet, but says that the perceptions nothing’s been happening at the site since the fire are incorrect, as the evaluation and planning work has been happening all along. Full report to come. ADDED 2:20 AM FRIDAY: Read on for the long-form story, with more photos:Read More
Just seven months after Sean Goff and wife Sofia Zadra Goff finally brought their dream of an Italian restaurant to fruition with Café Revò in the Luna Park business district, family and friends are in mourning — Sean has died, at the age of 43. (He is shown at left with Sofia in a photo we took in June 2008 while profiling them for a story about their restaurant plans.) The restaurant, a WSB sponsor, opened this past February – at least a 15-year dream for the couple. But a few months ago he became seriously ill, and early today his illness turned fatal. Here is the obituary just sent out on the Cafe Revo mailing list:
West Seattle Restaurateur Sean Goff fell asleep in the Lord September 17 at age 43. His death followed an illness of several months. While initially there was hope for his recovery, in the end, Sean was stricken with a fatal cerebral hemorrhage. Since February, many West Seattle residents had gotten to know Sean as the tall, genial chef of one of the area’s newest restaurants, Café Revò.
Previously, Sean served as a master chef at such area restaurants as Grazie and Anthony’s on the Waterfront. But Sean always hoped to open a restaurant of his own. The idea began to crystallize on one of his several trips to Northern Italy with his wife, Sofia Zadra Goff. Specifically, they both enjoyed the cuisine of the village of Revò in the Italian alps, home of Sofia’s ancestors.
Fascinated by the local cuisine, Sean found himself cooking alongside the locals, learning their centuries-old methods of producing unique flavors. One day, thinking about his dream restaurant, Sean came up with the “perfect” name, Café Revò.
Sofia and Sean were both long-time residents of West Seattle, so what better place to realize their dream? This past year, with the help of a number of friends in the restaurant business, Sean and Sofia were able to open Café Revò, right near Spokane Street, on Avalon Way SW.
Although very active in developing the restaurant site, Sean began experiencing symptoms of fatigue and other complications in April and May. Through the summer, Sean could only be active part-time with the restaurant. Still he was able to hire and train an outstanding staff of servers and chefs, as the restaurant’s many customers can attest.
During Sean’s illness, the actual running of the restaurant has been handled by his wife Sofia and the general manager, Milo Goodrich. Both feel confident that in spite of suffering the loss of Sean, they can continue Café Revò as a West Seattle landmark, maintaining Sean’s legacy of fine dining and customer service.
Sean is survived by Sofia, his two children Forrest and Maya, his father Michael Goff of Idaho and his brother Dan Goff of Colorado, plus a host of loving family and friends.
Sean’s passing is being mourned not only in the Seattle area but also in Revò, Italy, where the entire town has been proud and somewhat amazed that the ambiance and cuisine of their region was now present in a faraway place called West Seattle
Funeral services for Sean are set for September 21 at 1:00 p.m., at Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption, 1804 13th Avenue on Capitol Hill. Viewing will begin at noon. Interment will follow at Evergreen-Washelli.
Since July, Sean’s treatment has involved many days of hospitalization. And even with medical insurance, the family is responsible for covering 20 percent of the costs. Not surprisingly, much of their financial assets are already tied up in opening the restaurant.
In lieu of flowers, contributions are welcome to the Sean Goff Medical Fund at any U.S. Bank branch. Checks should be made out to Sofia Goff and can be mailed to Café Revò, 2940 SW Avalon Way, Seattle, WA 98126 or to U.S. Bank, 4200 SW Edmunds St., Seattle, WA 98116.
And here’s the funeral information we have received from the family.
Funeral Schedule For Sean Chano Goff
Monday, September 21st
Noon – Viewing
1 pm – Funeral Service
Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption – 1804 13th Avenue
Burial at Evergreen Washelli – Procession from church to cemetery
11111 Aurora Ave. North – Seattle, WA 98133
Cafe Revo will be closed that day, for a private party for friends and family, but Sofia stresses that the restaurant will go on. Here are the photos sent out atop the mailing-list obituary tonight:
One of our newest sponsors is Arrowhead Gardens, the senior-living community that’s celebrating its grand opening in West Seattle this weekend; here’s a map to its location, and here’s the official announcement:
The Senior Housing Assistance Group (SHAG) is pleased to announce the opening of Arrowhead Gardens, its newest affordable senior living community. Residents have been able to take occupancy of the first of three (3) residential buildings about two weeks ahead of the originally scheduled opening date.
Arrowhead Gardens will be hosting its official Grand Opening event over the upcoming weekend of September 18-20, 2009. The festivities will begin at 10:30 am on Friday, September 18th, with a special Grand Opening ceremony by invitation only. The general public is invited to a Grand Opening celebration on both Saturday, September 19th and Sunday, September 20th, with food, refreshments and live music. Prospective senior residents and their families can tour the community during the Grand Opening event weekend, or at anytime by appointment. Visit Arrowhead Gardens today, where the lifestyle is rich and the rents are affordable. And don’t miss the Grand Opening event! See what all the fuss is about.
Located in the Highland Park neighborhood of West Seattle, Arrowhead Gardens is the latest of 27 affordable senior living communities operated by SHAG, the largest senior housing provider in the Puget Sound region. Certain age and income restrictions apply. Arrowhead Gardens provides affordable independent living opportunities designed specifically for active seniors, age 61 years or older, or disabled seniors, age 55 or older.
Arrowhead Gardens will contain an aggregate of 449 dwelling units in three (3) unique and architecturally distinctive residential apartment buildings situated on a lushly landscaped four (4) acre campus and configured in a village-like setting around a fourth building, the Village Center, a community building which contains leasing and management offices and most of the community’s special amenities and facilities. All buildings are access-controlled, elevator-serviced and fully sprinklered. Secure underground parking is also available. In addition to the affordable rents and the large selection of one- and two-bedroom apartment homes to choose from, it’s the beautifully landscaped gardens and courtyards, soothing water features and a wealth of other amazing amenities and facilities that have most new and prospective residents excited. ³We¹ve heard from seniors who have visited and toured Arrowhead Gardens that have said it has a ‘resort’ feel to it,” said Bill Fenner, SHAG¹s Executive Director.
Lots more information about the grand opening, and Arrowhead Gardens, can be found here.
The headline is in quotes because it’s one of the first lines in an e-mail we received today from Craig Undem of Cycle University. As he notes, Cycle U has been offering “spin-type classes the last 2 winters at the Senior Center in The Junction” (here’s a 9/07 WSB item) and now they’re moving into the old Huling (and briefly Gee) Chrysler showroom at 4550 Fauntleroy (Google Street View above; map). He adds, “We will be having fitness classes and selling bikes and offering bicycle repair.” We’re working to find out more about their plans, and will bring you details in a followup.
First, the followup: The Gatewood resident we all know only as “burglarbustindad” will be on TV sometime tonight; KING5 wanted to get in touch with him after reading his story here – we sent him their e-mail address (we never divulge contact or ID info) and he said in this comment that they were over interviewing him earlier today. (Added early Friday – Here’s the story link.) He also sent us the photo at left – he jokes that Cookie is “fired” as his guard dog – 15 years old, by the way. Meantime, the suspected burglar remains jailed. Now, to two burglaries that to our knowledge have NOT yet been solved – both, like “burglarbustindad,” with stolen items including sizable quantities of coins — read on:Read More
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