(3:49 am update: Early estimates – more than $3,400 raised! More numbers later today)
From WSB contributing reporter Jonathan Stumpf: That’s Beth Wood, the first of five acts on the night at the West Seattle Eagles‘ Junction HQ on Saturday night, as the Eagles rocked to raise money for relief work in Haiti. In the kitchen, volunteers worked to keep the crowd refreshed:
Five local beers — including brews from West Seattle’s Elliott Bay and White Center’s Big Al — were served for $4 alongside pulled pork sandwiches for the same price. Also donated, silent-auction items including tickets to the Rat City Rollergirls (whose season opens today at KeyArena), artwork from West Seattle resident Steve Klinkel, and a three-hour sailboat ride for four. Organizer Amy McGrath anticipated 350 people by the night’s end.
Even if you didn’t make it to the show, you can still help the Eagles reach out to help Haiti in these two ways: Contribute to Mercy Corps (here’s the link) – and/or bring new or gently used shoes to Eagles’ HQ at 4456 California SW (map) – they’re collecting through February 13th. 1:08 PM: Thanks to Colby for sharing a few more photos, spotlighting other acts at last night’s show – from Sledgeback:
That’s Judy Vann and Jason Vann – whose WS basketball roots go deep — at the sign-up table for the West Seattle Pride AAU Basketball fundraising bowl-a-thon. WS Pride is a new youth-athletics organization planning to start play in March, with basketball for ages 10-17, and supporters bowled today to help build up the coffers for teams to travel to tournaments. Lots more details about West Seattle Pride, including what AAU Basketball is about, can be found on the group’s official website – you can find them on Facebook too.
Once again this weekend, work that was supposed to last till early Monday has instead ended Saturday night: The city has just sent word that the West Seattle Bridge ramp from northbound I-5 is open again. (The note didn’t mention the Columbian Way westbound-to-WS-Bridge ramp status, so we’re checking on that. 7:37 pm update – city spokesperson Alex Fryer says it’s open too.)
At the city Parks Board meeting on Thursday night, there was a quick update aboutCamp Long‘s lodge renovations – with department management saying the lodge is still on target to reopen “by June.” In the meantime, though, the park itself remains open, with lots of programs on tap – like the ones on this list Sheila Brown sent around tonight for February – read on:Read More
Late last night, we published a note from the Alki woman attacked while driving a Metro bus last weekend in Tukwila, saying King County Executive Dow Constantine would meet with her this afternoon, and asking for community support. 2 TV crews went to Alki to see if anyone showed up; we spotted them interviewing Constantine afterward, and went over to ask him how the conversation went: He said it went as well as it could, considering the circumstances:
You heard him talk about the strength of the driver and her family; her daughter is the one who first wrote publicly about the attack, in a post one week ago in the WSB Forums. As for what steps Constantine might seek to improve driver safety, he said it just might be time to revisit the idea of some physical barrier between drivers and passengers – it was studied several years ago, he said, and not pursued at the time.
Till 5 pm today, the Duwamish Tribe welcomes you to an open house as their West Seattle longhouse celebrates its first anniversary. Duwamish chair Cecile Hansen spoke about an hour and a half ago, saying the tribe has sent a letter to President Obama, trying to accelerate consideration of their longstanding quest for federal recognition – briefly granted during the end of the Clinton Administration, canceled in the early going of the Bush Administration, being fought in court as well as the political arena. While the Duwamish fight for their future, you can also learn about their past – they’re showing the film “Princess Angeline,” about Chief Sealth‘s eldest daughter, twice today, and the next showing is at 3 pm. Or just check out the exhibits – remember its full name is the Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center:
The Duwamish Longhouse celebrated its grand opening 1/3/2009 (our reports, with video, are here and here). It’s at 4705 West Marginal Way; here’s a map. (Other upcoming longhouse events are on the calendar here.)
From Rebekah via Facebook – just in time for you to either join in or at least know what the people in the purple shirts are doing:
It’s that time of year again. The Beer Dashers are taking on to the Junction this afternoon at 2. 2-10 pm. Be forewarned or join in! Here’s the low down:
2:00 PM Alki Tavern
3:00 PM West 5 Lounge
4:00 PM Talarico’s Pizzeria
5:00 PM Table 35
6:00 PM The Rocksport
7:00 PM Poggie Tavern
8:00 PM Maharaja Cuisine of India
10:00 PM West Seattle Beer Dash 12 ends. Ride home with your designated driver or take a taxi.
This is the 12th year, so be on the look out for the purple shirts with 12 eggs and carton on it
So we’re driving around to get photos of events we already knew about — when we happened onto something else. A dancing banana by Admiral Chevron begged the question of “What’s THAT all about?” — hopped out and snapped the photo: 3 students, 2 Kennedy and 1 Seattle Prep, collecting money for Haiti – and, oh yeah, promoting a garage sale nearby, doing the same thing. 1930 47th SW, said the sign … so off we went:
Not only are they having a garage sale (IN the garage, so you won’t get wet), but also a bake sale, all proceeds (as with the money in the boys’ bucket at California/Admiral) going to American Red Cross‘s and Catholic Relief Haiti efforts. Here’s a map – they’re there till 2 pm. Before the garage-sale side trip, we stopped by Seacrest:
The West Seattle Wildlife Habitat Project is putting in more plants for the demonstration garden by Seacrest. Next step – this spring, they start organizing to get more West Seattle neighborhoods beyond Alki certified as Wildlife Habitat – listen up for details to come regarding what you can do in YOUR neighborhood. And join the WS Wildlife Habitat Project group on Facebook (go here). The work party’s over at noon — but here’s something else happening till 3 pm (on break 11:30-12:30 so don’t go by during that time):
ThePuget Sound Blood Center‘s mobile blood drive – B- and O- especially needed but other types welcome – outside Admiral Safeway (parked on California) till 3 pm. More of today’s events as they happen, coming up; you can also “follow” WSB on Twitter (@westseattleblog), where we post pix of most events we cover, while we’re there.
As noted in our recent coverage of the North Delridge Neighborhood Council, they had to move their meeting spot because the Delridge Library won’t be open late enough on Wednesdays any more, once the Seattle Public Library schedule changes take effect this Wednesday. NDNC hasn’t finalized the permanent night and location but they HAVE set the time/place for the next meeting: 6:30 pm Tuesday, February 9, at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center.
MORE MUSIC TO HELP HAITI: Join the West Seattle Eagles for a benefit tonight to help Northwest-based Mercy Corps‘ work in the quake zone. Doors open at 8, music starts at 8:30, $10 donation for five acts – more info here.
SURVIVING, WITH HUMOR: Three-time cancer survivor and humorist Becky Hanson is at Bridge Park this afternoon at 2 pm.
LIBRARY SENDOFF: After two decades in West Seattle, Karen Spiel is heading downtown to manage a different group of branches, and there’s a goodbye reception 2:30-4 pm at the West Seattle (Admiral) Branch today.
WEST SEATTLE PRIDE BASKETBALL BOWL-A-THON: This new youth-sports organization (read about it here) is raising money so its players can travel to tournaments; join the bowl-a-thon 3:30-6 pm today at West Seattle Bowl.
HOPE SCHOOL ROCKS: Dinner/dance “FUNdraiser” tonight for Hope Lutheran School, happening at nearby Seattle Lutheran HS, 6 pm (details here).
THEATER X 2: First weekend for ArtsWest‘s “Love Song“; it’s also the last night of West Seattle High School‘s student production of “Jumpin’ Jupiter.” Both at 7:30 pm.
An emotional Friday night at the Seattle Lutheran High School gym, for several reasons. This ceremony was one of them: A new board was dedicated to honor the school’s track-record holders, and it’s named after the man who holds four long-distance records for SLHS: Eric Engelstone, a 1983 SLHS alum who died in 2004. The ceremony was held last night while Bear Creek was visiting – and that’s who Engelstone’s daughter Kendall plays for:
With her – sister Christine, mom Shelley, and the man who coached Eric Engelstone in his recordsetting days, Bob Matthews. The rest of the night was one for the Kleenex, too, since it was Senior Night – photos and game highlights ahead:Read More
Those are just some of the highlights — shot by Captive Eye Media for WSB — from last night’s Chief Sealth High School boys’ varsity basketball victory over Franklin High School at Sealth/Boren, 72-58. It was considered one of the biggest games in the city last night, with Sealth #2 in its division (behind Rainier Beach), Franklin #1 in its own (and last year’s state 3A champion). Sealth’s Keon Lewis led the scoring with 28 points; here’s a full game wrapup from our partners at the Seattle Times. The girls’ varsity game (stats here): Franklin 63, Sealth 44. Also last night – at West Seattle High School, Bainbridge was the visitor; boys’ varsity score (game stats here) WSHS 39, Bainbridge 35; girls’ varsity (stats here), Bainbridge 43, WSHS 34.
(Photo added 12:17 am, thanks to Katie for sharing it) 11:50 PM: An allegedly drunk driver has been stopped after reportedly speeding westbound on The Bridge. It all started on The Viaduct, according to a tweet from @SeaCrime – we came in on the scanner traffic toward the end. A fire unit’s being called in to check on the driver’s condition. We’ve received multiple calls/notes/tweets about the major police response – thanks! 12:17 AM: Added a photo taken by Katie, who says the driver was in a maroon Subaru that “spun around,” apparently after a certain technique was deployed by officers to stop it. She was close enough to hear the driver – who is on the ground by the officers in the background – say slowly, “I….was….trying to find…a place to…PARK it.”
We just received a note from the Alki woman beaten unconscious while working at her job as a Metro bus driver in Tukwila one week ago tonight. She is out of the hospital but wanted to get this message out and is hoping you will answer her call for a sign of support:
I am keeping this brief because it is hard for me still to keep concentration but I am the Metro Driver involved in the assault almost exactly one week ago in one hour from now.
Dow Constantine is meeting with me at my home tomorrow [Saturday]. Change needs to be done. I will not say where I live, but I am in the Alki area and he is coming at 2 tomorrow, Saturday. He needs to know this sort of thing is unacceptable. If folks show up to the beach with signs and presence, I believe he will see that this does not just affect drivers, but the public as well. We need to keep pressure on for change.
If you can support her – send this around – use the Share This feature beneath this item, or right-click on the headline to get the URL for this so you can send it any way you choose. While she does not want to publicize her name or address, we believe it’s the central part of the beach district (Bathhouse vicinity). Meantime, as reported here Wednesday, a 15-year-old boy is now charged with assault in connection with the attack.
One week after the shutdown of the 4th Avenue offramp from the westbound Spokane Street Viaduct section of the West Seattle Bridge, you can see crews wasted no time in taking it down. Marybeth Turner of SDOT visited the construction site on Thursday and shared this photo with us today. The north side of the westbound SSV is where the widening will take place, with a brand-new structure added; the new westbound off/on-ramp will be at 1st Avenue, while a 4th Avenue offramp is being built on the eastbound side. This gives us a reason to remind you that as of minutes from now, the northbound I-5 ramp and Columbian Way ramp to the westbound West Seattle Bridge are both closing for what could be the entire weekend, till Monday morning, though the same shutdown pattern last weekend ended much earlier than planned (on Saturday night); we’ll keep you up to date on changes. The city’s infopages on the project start here; more photos of the ramp demolition are here; our archives of project coverage, dating back more than a year and a half, start here.
The 1st birthday/anniversary (whichever you prefer) celebration for the Duwamish Longhouse is all day tomorrow – and that’s one of the weekend highlights. The West Seattle Eagles‘ concert to raise money for Haiti relief is also happening this weekend – doors open @ 8 Saturday at their aerie in The Junction – and their counterparts in White Center are having a benefit breakfast on Sunday. There are also three school open houses, a West Seattle Wildlife Habitat Project work party, the South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor) “Gifts from the Earth” fundraiser, and TONS more: From tonight through Sunday night, more than 50 events/activities, brought to you by Skylark Cafe and Club, where you’ll find FREE live music and rockin’ food – like the special Valentine brunch and dinner deals just announced:Read More
We took that photo of Karen Spiel at this month’s North Delridge Neighborhood Council meeting, as she broke the news that after two decades in West Seattle, she’s heading downtown, which’ll be her home base as manager of a bigger group of Seattle Public Library branches. Good news is, you can say goodbye to her in person tomorrow – her farewell reception is 2:30-4 pm Saturday at the West Seattle (Admiral) Branch, 2306 42nd SW, with a brief program around 3 pm. Meantime, Wednesday is when schedules change for many library branches, as first detailed here; Delridge and High Point will go to 5 days a week, West Seattle and Southwest will be 7 days a week.
Our community’s blood supply still has not recovered from the holidays and we are having a last-minute drive tomorrow with the hopes of giving it a boost.
We are currently at an Emergency Level (less than 1 day supply) for B- and a Critical Level (less than 2 day supply) for O- … However, all blood types are needed.
Saturday January 30th
Safeway Admiral West Seattle
Bus parked at 2622 California Ave SW
9:00 am- 3:00 pm
(closed 11:30 am – 12:30 pm)
If you donated on or before Dec 5th, you are eligible to donate at this drive
While walk-ins will be accommodated as best as possible, you can make an appointment by calling 800-398-7888
(From left, Kim and Jason McKissack, Renee Maher, in Olympia Monday)
Just in from Renee Maher of COMPAS, a law-enforcement-advocacy group:
We’ve been told that some very important bills for law enforcement and firefighters will be voted on the House Floor on Wednesday, February 3. The House Floor session is scheduled to start at 10:00 but the bills may not be heard until closer to 10:30.
The House gallery is open to the public and we are particularly inviting families of fallen officers (both past and recent), law enforcement officers and firefighters. There will be an honor guard procession as well.
Among the bills being heard is HB 2519 (expanding benefits for the families of officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty) and EHB 1679 (the Jason McKissack Act).
Monday, we went to Olympia to cover the House Ways and Means public hearing on EHB 1679 (WSB coverage here); the next day, the committee unanimously voted to advance it to a vote in the full House. If you’re just coming in on the story – this dates back to the attack on then-Officer McKissack in summer 2008, in which he was kicked in the face while responding to a call of someone in trouble, kicked so hard he suffered brain damage from which he hasn’t recovered enough to return to any kind of work; the city has let him go, and that meant benefits ended for him and his family. Meantime, if you want to tell your State House reps what you think about EHB 1679, they are Rep. Eileen Cody (who voted for it in Ways and Means on Tuesday) and Rep. Sharon Nelson – each of their names is linked to contact info.
A month and a half after the Beacon Hill crash that seriously injured Jade West Cafe owner Wah Wong and his son Jason Wong, the drunk driver who hit them has pleaded guilty. King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office spokesperson Dan Donohoe confirms that 50-year-old Rodney James pleaded guilty to two counts of vehicular assault. He is scheduled for sentencing at 1 pm February 12th before King County Superior Court Judge Julie Spector, and Donohoe says prosecutors are recommending 30 months in prison (of a possible 10 years).
According to the original charging documents, his blood-alcohol level was .16 at the scene, twice the legal limit, and beer was found inside his car. The crash happened while he was “on a suspended sentence for reckless driving (amended from driving under the influence)” in a case from 11 months earlier, and James also had a record that included escaping from a Pennsylvania maximum-security prison in 1981 (without a description of why he was there). Jason Wong lost a leg after the crash; he and his father are both now home after weeks of inpatient care, but the restaurant’s future is not yet determined.
One thing for sure; The family has a pile of medical bills; donations can be made to the Save Jade West Cafe Fund at any Wells Fargo branch.
In that photo we took 17 months ago, King County Executive Dow Constantine stood next to the man who held the title at the time, Ron Sims, as the county announced money from the state would pay for more bus trips during Alaskan Way Viaduct-related construction. With that construction really revving up, more of those added trips are kicking in. Today – thanks to Robert for noticing and sharing the details — we know more about new Metro trips to/from West Seattle taking effect at the next “service change,” one week from tomorrow (February 6). (You can get the full list by going here and clicking Metro Schedule and Route Revisions.) West Seattle highlights include:
*21E – Northbound service to downtown Seattle will have three new trips arriving at 3rd Ave & Pike St about 7:50, 8:14 and 9:17 am. Southbound service to Arbor Heights will also have three new trips leaving 1st Ave & Union St about 4:25, 4:55 and 5:25 pm.
*54 – Service will improve to every 10 to 15 minutes during weekday peak periods.
*56E – Northbound service to downtown Seattle will have two new trips arriving at 3rd Ave & Pine St at about 7:45 and 8:14 am. Southbound service to Alki will also have two new trips leaving 1st Ave & Pike St about 5:13 and 6:09 pm.
*60 (White Center)- Service will improve to every 15 to 20 minutes between 6:30 am and 6 pm weekdays. Northbound trips will leave from a new bus stop northbound on 15th Ave SW & SW 100th St. Two new southbound trips will leave 10th Ave E & E Mercer St at 10:10 and 11:10 pm. Route 60 will also be revised to serve the Olson Pl/Meyers Way P&R on weekdays.
The King County Road Service Division is advising motorists that the previously scheduled closure of the South Park Bridge has been postponed due to a delay in obtaining a permit for the work. The bridge had originally been scheduled to close for a four-day period for testing beginning Sat. Jan 30. The testing will be rescheduled for a later date.
Three weeks ago, after a liquor-license application notice went up at the former Georgia Blu space in The Junction, we published this short item – noting what the license was for, and mentioning we’d reached the applicants. They told us they weren’t ready to talk at the time, but promised details when they were. Today they’ve made good on that promise, and sent this announcement to share with you:
Bin 41, the Junction’s upcoming retail wine shop which will be moving into the former Georgia Blu space, is owned by long-standing West Seattle residents, T. Frick and Jon McNamara. Both Landscape Architects by training, T. and Jon discovered a passion for wine over a decade ago that developed into an understanding of the value of wine in our everyday experiences. They are looking forward to both bringing this passion for wine to the Junction and to contributing to their local community.
Bin 41 will be collaborating with the community’s first retail wine shop, West Seattle Cellars, and other neighborhood businesses. “We want to contribute to the spirit of West Seattle through the collaboration of local business. Our goal is to work closely with our friends, Tom and Jan, of West Seattle Cellars to provide the West Seattle community with more access to fine wine. This will be a win-win for the community in that consumers will have more choice overall; in wine selection, weekly tastings and educational opportunities.”
Bin 41 will be providing retail wine sales by the bottle and wine-related merchandise. Their portfolio will have a strong focus on local wines from the Pacific Northwest as well as various labels from around the world. In their field of design, the McNamara’s have been committed to contributing to a sustainable future. We are excited to continue this commitment to reducing our environmental footprint by working in the neighborhood in which we live as well as incorporating other sustainable concepts into the shop. The proprietors hope to open for business sometime in March, with a grand opening in early April. More information will be posted as plans progress further.
We had to ask – where did the name come from? T’s reply: “Our passion for wine, winemaking and the dream to open the shop grew out of our home on 41st. So we wanted to carry the number forward. Bin represents the storage of wine.”
At the city 
The 1st birthday/anniversary (whichever you prefer) celebration for the 
We took that photo of Karen Spiel at 
In that photo we took 17 months ago, King County Executive Dow Constantine stood next to the man who held the title at the time, Ron Sims, as the county 
Three weeks ago, after a liquor-license application notice went up at the former Georgia Blu space in The Junction, we published
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