West Seattle, Washington
05 Wednesday
This one’s a little too unusual to just go on the WSB Pets page with all the other lost/found critters … Jeff Jorgenson at Forest Lawn Cemetery (east edge of High Point) shared that photo, explaining, “I think it is an African pied crow. It is banded and has clipped wings and is very friendly and loves to hang out on shoulders. We found it this morning next to the flagpole nearly frozen. It’s pretty certain that it wouldn’t have made it through the night.” If you have any idea whose crow this is, 206-932-0050 is Jeff’s office number.
That sign greeted visitors at Merrill Gardens-Admiral Heights (WSB sponsor) tonight, where they served dozens at a pasta dinner with 100 percent of the proceeds going to the families of the murdered Lakewood police officers. Dessert treats too – chef Lisa Thompson showed off the cupcakes-in-progress when we peeked into the kitchen:
Both West Seattle Merrill Gardens (the other one is at 35th SW/Snoqualmie) participated in tonight’s fundraiser – just got word that the two together raised almost $1,500 – it came with this photo snapped by MG (all other photos in this story are by us) at the 35th SW location:
A bit further south, Animals First Foundation rallied supporters at the Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor):
From left, that’s Jeremy, Stacy, Sara, Carina, Alysson, and Erin from AFF, which is an animal-advocacy group whose work is described here. Not far from the Feedback, we visited The Hall at Fauntleroy:
At the 34th District Democrats‘ holiday party tonight, that’s host Richard Bartlett raising a toast. We also spotted State Rep. Sharon Nelson, who finds out on Monday if she’ll get the interim County Council seat for District 8 (she sought it in case councilmembers decide to choose someone who won’t run for the permanent seat in a year, which the other 34th District legislator in the final four, State Sen. Joe McDermott, intends to do):
Other partiers included Dina Johnson, more often behind the lens, taking photos at events from Highland Park Action Committee meetings to regular 34th District Democrats gatherings:
What’s up tomorrow night? The biggest event: the West Seattle Art Walk, which includes special Shop Late festivities in The Junction. More on that coming up – and browse some of the highlighted artists on the WS Art Walk website.
(WSB photo from December 2, the base where the totem pole used to be)
Just confirmed with Southwest Precinct Lt. Steve Paulsen: Police have arrested a suspect in the theft of the West Seattle Rotary Viewpoint Park totem pole. 
As first reported here Thursday morning, the pole disappeared early last week; we contacted the Parks Department on Wednesday after a WSB’er sent us a note saying her family noticed it was gone. After our inquiry, Parks did extensive checking, then verified on Thursday that no one had been authorized to take it, and so they reported the 18-foot totem pole – installed when the Rotary Club of West Seattle donated the park to the city in 1976 — as stolen. As the story unfolded, WSB commenters recalled seeing what turned out to be the actual removal Monday night of last week – the crane truck hired to take it got stuck in the grass and mud, and required help from a tow truck. We’re not identifying the suspect, a West Seattle man, as charges are not filed so far, but what we’ve been told seems to go along with the storyline reported here, after we covered Rotarians’ attempt to find out what happened. Police have not yet recovered the totem pole but are questioning the suspect and hope to be able to recover the pole soon. P.S. We had asked Parks and police earlier today if the totem pole had been assigned a dollar value, just out of curiosity – so far we don’t have a number, but Parks spokesperson Dewey Potter notes that the Belvidere story pole installed in 2006 was valued at more than $61,000. (Pre-theft totem-pole photo used with Rotary’s permission.)
The National Weather Service is just out with a new forecast – featuring multiple mentions of the word “snow,” possibly even flurries tomorrow, after one more clear, very cold night tonight, though the major mention involves the weekend. What a coincidence – it was also Christmas ship weekend LAST year when Snowpocalypse ’08 began. (P.S. – As reported earlier, there’s a burn ban in effect, so no wood fires unless they’re your main source of heat.)
Another news release to share – just in from Seattle-King County Public Health – the shortage of H1N1 vaccine has eased and now they say anyone 6 months or older is eligible – read on for the full announcement:Read More
We’ve reported on this multiple times before but it’s so big, the Parks Department wants to make sure you don’t miss it: It’s time to start working on applications for a share of the $15 million Opportunity Fund created by the Parks and Green Spaces Levy voters approved last year. While the levy itself contained money for a variety of specific projects, this fund is set up so that community-initiated projects can get a share of the $. Read on for a just-out news release about the fund and the round of informational meetings next month, including the one announced for West Seattle:Read More
There’s a followup on the “low bridge” traffic problem described and discussed in this WSB report from Nov. 22, and explained on this map made by Rob. According to an alert on SDOT‘s SODO mailing list, as of this past Monday, Seattle Police were planning to “increase enforcement of rules against stopping on the low-level Spokane Street swing bridge,” including ticketing violators if necessary. We haven’t been out there during rush hour so we’re asking any low-bridge commuters: Have you seen the extra enforcement, and have the backups eased?
Our newest sponsor says customers discovering them have been high-fiving them and saying, “It’s about time West Seattle got a full-service ski shop!” And Mountain to Sound Outfitters offers a lot more – here’s what they want you to know:
(From left: Chris Petry, Jon Steel, Ryan Basilone, Greg Whittaker)
Mountain to Sound Outfitters is a new business from the operators of Alki Kayak Tours and the Seattle Ski Shuttle. Our passion is to get people out actively enjoying the natural beauty that surrounds us. We have created customers in the ski and paddlesports world, but till now, were not able to provide the retail goods for the snow-riding and kayaking community, nor were they available to the West Seattle community or anywhere south of downtown Seattle. Now, our brand-new shop offers full-service Ski and Snowboard Service, Ski and Snowboard Rentals, and Retail Ski and Snowboard Gear.
Owner Greg Whittaker has 15 years of experience working as a ski technician and custom boot-fitter and is stoked to provide the service to Seattle – with the technical expertise and machinery to flatten, tune, repair and wax boards, mount skis, and work on any binding. We also have one of the largest rental fleets in Puget Sound, and can offer daily or seasonal ski and board rentals. One specialty that we are really excited about is our THULE dealership. We can provide vehicle racking solutions for any vehicle – you don’t have to drive to North Seattle any more – now you can support local business and get quality service for vehicle racking.
Mountain to Sound Outfitters also hopes to support the community by facilitating a non-profit West Seattle Snowsports Council to get middle-school and high-school students up into the mountains weekly. With the connections we have created with the ski areas, we can make it an affordable endeavor for local West Seattle young adults. Overall, Greg says, “Both in the kayaking world, and the snow-riding world, we are helping people discover the natural beauty in our area and giving the technical tools, instruction, and access to the Mountains and the Sound.” (The ski shuttle is in full swing, by the way, leaving at 7:30 am Monday-Friday, returning around 6:30 pm.) You’ll find Mountain to Sound Outfitters at 3602 SW Alaska (map) and online at m2soutfitters.com.
We thank Mountain to Sound Outfitters for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news on WSB; find our sponsor team, and info on joining, all here.
(Photo by Gary Jones)
ORIGINAL 10:31 AM REPORT: Just got a call from orca expert Jeff Hogan – J-Pod is headed along the West Seattle shore – from south of Alki toward Lincoln Park. Closer in than usual, he says. Off to go have a look! 11:45 AM: No luck for your editor here but Gary Jones saw them – adding his photo in a moment. He counted at least three more in addition to the one shown in the photo. We’ve also got a Twitter report from @senorfrijole that they’re now in the Three Tree Point vicinity south of West Seattle (in addition to an 11:40 comment below that they were south of the Vashon ferry dock.) Keep an eye out later – maybe they’ll head back north. (Our past orca coverage, including stories with video and photos, is archived here, newest to oldest.) 12:23 PM: Good info in the comments, including this from “Cloudbreak“:
There are WAY more than 4 whales in this group. I would say more like 10-20. They were in several large groups circling over by Vashon when I was on the 11:30 ferry headed eastbound from Vashon.
Across the Sound from West Seattle, they were spotted in Kitsap waters over the past few days – here’s coverage of that. ADDED 1:17 PM: WSB contributing journalist Mary Sheely photographed a group of whale-watchers at Lincoln Park a bit earlier:
The woman in blue is a particularly well-known whale-watcher: Donna Sandstrom, who’s been working on The Whale Trail (explained in this WSB story from June). Mary, by the way, says they DID see the orcas — too far for a photo, but not too far for binoculars. ADDED 3:49 PM: KIRO TV has put up its helicopter video of the orcas as they swam near Vashon – see it here. 5:16 PM: As the awesome folks at Orca Network note in comments, please be sure that they get official detailed reports. Let us know fast so we can get the word out to other West Seattleites that the whales are in view again; they work with official whale-trackers for the longterm record. (And if you see orcas OUTSIDE West Seattle waters, let them know too – they track them from all over – be sure to sign up for their newsletter, which is a nightly bulletin usually full of photos and info – orcanetwork.org.)
No cozy fire in the fireplace today/tonight: The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency has just expanded what was a Snohomish County-only burn ban into King County too. It’s a Stage 2 ban, which the agency says means:
* No burning is allowed in ANY wood-burning fireplaces, wood stoves or fireplace inserts (certified or uncertified) or pellet stoves, unless this is your only adequate source of heat. Residents should rely instead on their home’s other, cleaner source of heat (such as their furnace or electric baseboard heaters) for a few days until air quality improves, the public health risk diminishes and the ban is cancelled.
* Even if your fireplace, pellet stove, or wood stove is your only adequate source of heat, no visible smoke is allowed.
* No outdoor fires are allowed. This includes recreational fires such as bonfires, campfires and the use of fire pits and chimineas.
* Burn ban violations are subject to a $1,000 penalty.
It is OK to use natural gas and propane stoves or inserts during a Stage 2 burn ban.
TWO FUNDRAISERS FOR OFFICERS’ FAMILIES: It’s the 2nd of two days for the Papa John’s Pizza “profits to the Lakewood officers’ families” fundraiser – as reported here last night (with help from many commenters), the response was massive. There’s another way to enjoy yummy food and know you’re helping the officers’ families: Pasta dinner for a $10 donation at both West Seattle Merrill Gardens (WSB sponsor) locations, 5-7 tonight – details here.
ANIMALS FIRST FOUNDATION FUN @ FEEDBACK: Fundraiser tonight at the Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) on behalf of Animals First Foundation – 7 pm, $10 donation gets you snacks, games, and a chance to hear from local animal advocates including West Seattle’s own Teri Ensley of Furry Faces Foundation.
34TH DISTRICT DEMOCRATS’ HOLIDAY PARTY: No business, just celebration, says the 34th DDs’ website, capping a year in which one of their own longtime members ascended to the County Executive’s office. 6 pm, The Hall at Fauntleroy. It’s a potluck, so don’t come empty-handed. P.S. Congratulations to the 34th DDs’ webmaster Bill Schrier, who’s also City of Seattle Chief Information Officer, and in that capacity has just landed on the Computerworld Top 100 list of Premier IT Leaders
For more holiday haps – the West Seattle Holidays page is chock-full (just three days till the Christmas Ship‘s big West Seattle weekend, and four days till the next Hometown Holidays Sunday in The Junction!) – and for other events, including a Stand for Children recruitment event in WS tonight, see the WSB West Seattle Events page.
WAX BAR TO THE TRIANGLE: Not every day you check the latest list of liquor-license applications and discover one for a skin-care business – but that’s what happened today, when we noted The Wax Bar has applied for a “snack bar”-class license at the storefront above in The Triangle, 37th/Fauntleroy (map), between the new shoe repair shop and West Seattle Brake Service. We called The Wax Bar’s current location in Ballard to confirm. They told us they’re hoping to open in West Seattle in February, but that depends on how permits go. So what’s the liquor license for? we asked. Answer: To serve beer, as they do in Ballard (here’s a feature our partners at the Seattle Times published last year). This is part of the Triangle’s ongoing business boom, just as its first major mixed-use project (Link) begins construction (bringing 200 residential units in 2011) – Mountain to Sound Outfitters just opened at 3602 SW Alaska (and they’ve just joined the WSB sponsor ranks – more on that tomorrow); Cycle University opened 2 months ago at 4550 Fauntleroy; the aforementioned shoe-repair store is about two months old; Lien Animal Clinic just opened a brand-new building. (Wednesday afternoon note: The Wax Bar has now announced the expansion on its own website – here’s the item.)
JUNCTION WING DOME UPDATE: “Villagegreen” asked in the WSB Forums whether Wing Dome was still coming to The Junction, as first reported here two months ago – wondering whether the “for lease” sign that’s still in the window was, so to speak, a bad sign. We checked today with Colleen O’Leary of Consolidated Restaurants (Wing Dome’s parent company) – she said they have not yet finalized the lease but still expect to; since it’s not finalized yet, they don’t have a timetable for opening the restaurant. She also said they’re not planning to take the entire ex-CAPERS space.
They’ve helped keep thousands from going hungry — and their only reward is knowing what a difference they’ve made in all those lives. But tonight, West Seattle Food Bank volunteers got a special thanks – a dinner in their honor at The Hall at Fauntleroy. Food Bank board president Pete Spalding (honored last weekend with a West Seattle Volunteer Recognition award) says it’s important to celebrate them for “all of their hard work and dedication to helping our clients.” You can, of course, help the Food Bank even without volunteering – just go here. (PS – There are many ways to help those in need this holiday season, listed on our West Seattle Holidays page, and even if there’s not a specific holiday drive, if you’re with a nonprofit that would like to put out a specific request for ways people can help, please let us know so we can share – we often hear from people asking “what can I do to help?”.)
Just out of the WSB inbox, from Joshua:
I live in a house with three friends on SW Charlestown St near the 7-11 gas station [map] and am currently out of town on business. I just received a phone call from my roommate saying that someone has broken into our house this evening and stolen a variety of things, mostly small and valuable: digital SLR, small stereo, jewelry, and etc… We are still waiting for the police to arrive and to file an official report, but please let this be notice to other West Seattle residents that this person may choose make this a trend in the area. As far as my roommate could tell, there are no signs of forced entry, even though all the doors were locked when she came home. The intruder *may* have come in through a window and, if so, maybe locked the door behind him/her.
Thanks to Brian and Christopher for the tips – at least one car is stalled at the top of The Bridge, backing up westbound traffic all the way to I-5.
Kristina and Tamara both shared the news that after dark, a crowd gathered at Papa John’s in West Seattle, on the first of two days during which the chain is donating its Puget Sound profits to the families of the four murdered Lakewood Police officers, whose three-hour memorial service ended an hour ago. We are down there checking on it right now – the cameraphone photo (more pix to come) above confirms, there’s indeed a line for takeout, and we’re told a big wait for delivery too. Remember Papa John’s is doing this again tomorrow (and there are other fundraisers in West Seattle, including tomorrow night’s pasta dinner at both WS Merrill Gardens [WSB sponsor] communities – full details of all the fundraisers can be found here). ADDED 6:44 PM: The crowd inside:
7:22 PM: As some commenters are noting, and as Carrie Ann said via Facebook, it appears they’re no longer taking orders for tonight – but remember, this continues tomorrow.
We spotted that waterfall-turned-icefall outside a Triangle business on Monday, but we doubt it’s thawed since then, given the temperature’s stayed below freezing all day. One alert, thanks to tipster Katherine – the West Seattle (Admiral) Branch Library is without heat at the moment – she told us they were considering closing early if they can’t find a way to warm the place up; we’ve got messages out to Seattle Public Library‘s communications team to confirm. Meantime, the National Weather Service has just updated its detailed “forecast discussion,” noting it’s likely to be a few degrees colder tonight than last night, and mentioning again that there’s a chance of lowland snow Friday night/Saturday.
It started an hour later than expected because the nearly 2,000-vehicle-long procession took extra time, but the service with tens of thousands in attendance at the Tacoma Dome is officially under way as of shortly after 2 pm. Watch it live on KING5.com. Here’s our earlier story with several West Seattle ways to help the officers’ families – today, tomorrow, this weekend and beyond. To contribute directly to the fund, go here.
Thanks to the folks at DKA, building the new Denny Middle School and renovating Chief Sealth High School, for the latest aerial photo of the site – compare to this one from three months ago:
In the latest construction update, they say Sealth work is continuing on “insulation, doors, plumbing, HVAC, electrical and fire sprinklers” and wall-framing, while structural-steel deliveries continue for the new Denny – they’ve already completed putting up the steel for the new Denny gym as well as the Galleria that both schools will share. Sealth is scheduled to move back this fall after 2 years at the Boren interim location; we’re checking on the latest timetable for Denny occupancy. Here’s the official project-information site.
Today we’re welcoming our newest WSB sponsor, Seattle Cat Sitter. Sasha Goodwin lives in West Seattle and that’s where she started her business, offering in-home 
cat-sitting services to keep your cat happy and healthy while you are away. She’s offering a special discount as Seattle Cat Sitter joins the WSB sponsor team – 10 percent off for first-time clients. Sasha says she’s proud to be part of the West Seattle business community, and she’s also a West Seattle volunteer, helping out at Next To Nature in The Junction, with cats that are there from Friends of the Animals, looking for their forever homes. Seattle Cat Sitter is licensed, bonded and insured, and in addition to cat-sitting, Sasha also offers other services: She can run holiday errands and deliver cakes, flowers, etc., for special occasions. Call Sasha at (206) 409-6040, e-mail info@seattlecatsitter.com, or check the Seattle Cat Sitter website at seattlecatsitter.com.
We thank Seattle Cat Sitter for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news on WSB; find our sponsor team, and info on joining, all here.
That’s one of the newest renderings of the revised Admiral Safeway project, as shown to the Seattle Design Commission downtown last week – we’ve added that and five other new renderings to our full report on that review. And tonight, the project (which returns to Design Review in West Seattle a week from Thursday) will be one of the items on the agenda as the Admiral Neighborhood Association meets for the last time this year, 7 pm, Admiral Church basement meeting room (California/Hill).
Also tonight – from the WSB West Seattle Holidays page: Westside Symphonette‘s holiday concert, which we previewed here (with video). It’s a two-fer – holiday classics (even a Hallelujah Chorus singalong) AND orchestra classics from the great composers. It all starts at 6:30 pm at the West Seattle High School Theater – and it’s the next best thing to free – $1 (though the nonprofit community orchestra would be thrilled if you cared to donate more).
Three more fun events to mention: Libraries often have kids’ storytime, but tonight, it’s “adult storytime” at West Seattle (Admiral) Branch Library, with “Thrilling Tales” at 7 pm (more here) … and it’s regular trivia night at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) – rock ‘n’ roll team trivia at 8 pm – and Christo’s on Alki (7 pm).
Today, thousands of law-enforcement officers and other mourners will gather at the Tacoma Dome to remember the four Lakewood Police officers murdered at a Pierce County coffee shop nine days ago. If you plan to go to Pierce County to pay tribute, the info you need is all here; meantime, today, tomorrow and this weekend, there are several fundraisers through which you can help raise money for the officers’ families:
PAPA JOHN’S PIZZA, TODAY AND TOMORROW: Papa John’s stores around Puget Sound – including West Seattle – are donating the profits (what they bring in above and beyond their costs) of all sales today and tomorrow. They open at 11; you can order online here.
IVAR’S CHOWDER, TODAY: Ivar’s will donate all proceeds – that’s the total sale price – from chowder sales today, at all its locations, to the fund for the officers’ families. Closest locations to West Seattle are on the downtown waterfront (next to the fire station that’s just north of Colman Dock ferry terminal) and the Ivar’s Seafood Bar in Burien (map).
PASTA DINNER AT MERRILL GARDENS’ WEST SEATTLE COMMUNITIES TOMORROW: 5-7 pm Wednesday, Merrill Gardens at Admiral Heights (2326 California SW) & West Seattle (4611 35th SW) — both WSB sponsors — will host a Pasta Dinner to raise money for the families of the fallen police officers – minimum donation $10/person, and all the money received will go to the fund for the families.
SCOUTS COLLECTING DONATIONS ON SATURDAY: West Seattle Tiger Scouts plan to have a table at the Holy Rosary School Christmas Tree Lot this Saturday (December 12) from 9 am-5 pm to collect donations for the fund to help the officers’ families. Den leader Stan Debiec says, “We are also hoping to have a “giant card” available for people to sign. If we can muster up the card and people sign it, we will then get a group of us scout parents and scouts to drive it down to the Lakewood Police Department and present it to them.”
WEST SEATTLE-BASED SPORE DONATING PART OF PROCEEDS: Last but not least, we heard from Lily at Spore, a West Seattle-based company with a distinct niche – doorbell buttons. Some come with blue lights. Per Lily: “Until the end of January, we will donate 25 percent of each order from customers who purchase any of our products and use the code BLUE at checkout to officer memorial funds. We will also ship the order for free. Although our blue products were our inspiration, customers do not have to order a blue colored product to use the code.”
You may have seen the TV reports — like this one — about an emotional court hearing Monday for a man accused of hit-and-run for the crash that killed 30-year-old Jerome Dumlao as he walked across a Belltown street early Sunday. We have learned from one of his neighbors that Mr. Dumlao lived in West Seattle, and also drove a FedEx route in the area. The driver accused of killing him, who police say admitted to drinking before the crash, is in jail in lieu of $500,000 bail. 3:18 PM UPDATE: We have just heard from a friend who says there’s a memorial fund set up for Mr. Dumlao’s family – through Sterling Savings Bank in Ballard.
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