West Seattle, Washington
29 Monday
Thanks to Kim Dinsmoor for the tip that this radar-equipped speed-warning sign is now up and running on northbound 35th at Willow (map). As we reported earlier this week, a recent crackdown there netted dozens of violators; as you can see from our Friday afternoon photo, some are still whizzing by (we actually saw somebody at 55 while we were staked out by the sign for a while; it picks up your speed about a block south of the sign itself). The sign is among the safety improvements promised by the city in the handout that SDOT distributed before and during the rally at 35th/Juneau earlier this month; another one is promised for SB 35th by Camp Long before month’s end.
Last night, West Seattle High School celebrated homecoming with a win – today, it’s homecoming for Seattle Lutheran High School at West Seattle Stadium. We have a multi-part Saints sports update courtesy of Bil Hood:
Today’s Seattle Lutheran High Homecoming football game will be webcast at www.bsports.org. Click on “Channel 2” to hear the Saints take on NaSalle at 1 pm.
In addition to the announcement of the Homecoming court, the game will also feature the Junior Saints Cheer Squad. The 15 members of this squad attended last summer’s Saints Cheer Camp for Grade Schoolers; this will be their big public debut.
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Congratulations to Kyle Hay, WIAA/Seattle Times state athletes of the weekClass 2B
Kyle Hay, Seattle Lutheran football: Hay accounted for five touchdowns against Chief Leschi. He ran for 62 yards and three scores, passed for 138 yards and a touchdown and returned an interception 51 yards for a
TD.
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The SLHS Soccer team and Coach Norton will be on TV today on KING 5 at 10 am. Then replayed again Saturday at 5 pm on Northwest Cable News. Then replayed again Sunday at 11:30 am on KONG 6/16.
If you’ve got school news – sports OR otherwise – let us know so we can share the news with your West Seattle neighbors! E-mail items short or long, any time. SATURDAY NIGHT UPDATE: Congratulations to the Saints – they beat Naselle 22-19.
That video shows the West Seattle High School Wildcats busting through a banner to take the field at the start of the second half of Friday night’s homecoming game against Rainier Beach at Southwest Athletic Complex. WSB co-publisher Patrick has sports-reporting experience in his arsenal and was down at SWAC live-tweeting the big game; now that it’s in the books, he’s written up a full report (including a video interview with WSHS’s coach), which you’ll find just ahead:Read More
Not long before tonight’s High Point stabbing, we happened to have been downtown in a big room with hundreds of police officers — all the way up to Chief Gil Kerlikowske. The occasion: The annual Seattle Police Foundation awards banquet, and SPD invited us (among others – we found ourselves sitting next to Casey McNerthney, a major contributor to the P-I‘s “911” blog). Glad we were there so we could report back about some of the West Seattle-linked winners — like the ones from multiple precincts, shown above (via cameraphone) as they accepted their awards, collectively as the “West Seattle Bank Robbery Response,” for their work during the wild crosstown incident July 1st that started with a robbery at the Admiral Wells Fargo and continued to a downtown standoff which ended with the shooting of a suspect (who survived). Read on for the names of those honored for this effort, and other West Seattle-linked honorees tonight:Read More
(video added 11:58 pm)
ORIGINAL POST: We’re en route to check it out – 6300 block of 34th SW. More shortly. 10:54 PM UPDATE: About eight police vehicles, multiple medics – this is in the Seattle Housing Authority building on 34th just north of Morgan. No info yet on what happened or who’s hurt – our crew’s seeing one person being wheeled away. 11:02 PM UPDATE: Sgt. Sweetland at the scene tells us they’re searching for a suspect, who’s believed to have known the victim. Injuries not likely to be life-threatening. Only information we have about the victim is gender: female. 11:15 PM UPDATE: Police confirm it was a stabbing, not a shooting, but reiterate it wasn’t life-threatening wounds and that they “know exactly who they are looking for.” Most of the police/fire crews have left the scene, and as of a few minutes ago, it was our crew and Channel 4 hanging around in case more info emerges. SATURDAY UPDATE: SPD Blotter describes the victim’s injuries as “cuts to her neck and arm” and notes the suspect still is on the loose.
Homecoming game’s over — West Seattle pulled out a 20 to 16 win over Rainier Beach on a very soggy Friday night at Southwest Athletic Complex. Story to follow soon (we tweeted key plays as they happened — see the archive at twitter.com/westseattleblog). Next Friday night, it’s the “Huling Bowl,” West Seattle vs. Chief Sealth (which is 0-5 after losing to Franklin 27-12 tonight).
That bright new banner paying tribute to West Seattle High School‘s past, present, and future, now hangs in the school gym, scene of today’s pre-homecoming rally, featuring free food!
Signs of spirit were visible in the parking lot too:
West Seattle HS — undefeated! — takes on Rainier Beach at Southwest Athletic Complex at 7 pm; WSB will be there to cover the game (including updates via Twitter – check out twitter.com/westseattleblog), second-to-last regularly scheduled game of the year. (Tomorrow, by the way, is Seattle Lutheran‘s homecoming game – more on that later tonight!)
Thanks to Luckie for that photo from an Admiral District tradition – today’s edition of Lafayette Elementary‘s annual fundraising Walk-A-Thon – she also sent us this photo of new 4th-grade teacher Greg Schroeder and his daughter:
We dropped by the Walk-A-Thon during what turned out to be a bit of a lunchtime lull, but we did catch up with Todd Crooks, longtime Walk-A-Thon emcee, who did it today for the last time — the last Lafayette student in his family is in 5th grade this year (Crooks himself is a Lafayette alum):
Lafayette mustered a huge list of sponsors for the Walk-A-Thon – check out the back of the T-shirt:
Congratulations, Leopards!
Festival season is practically year-round these days. This Sunday afternoon, it’s the biggest Fauntleroy event of the year – the Fauntleroy Fall Festival at Fauntleroy Church (WSB sponsor), YMCA (WSB sponsor), and schoolhouse. Other weekend highlights include the West Seattle High School and Seattle Lutheran HS homecoming games, the West Seattle Trails kickoff, and MUCH more — 42 West Seattle events on our handy list ahead (sponsored by Skylark Club and Cafe, with free live music six nights a week):Read More
It is almost unimaginable to think of having to stand just feet away from a murderer – let alone a murderer who took someone precious away from you and your family forever. But that is what West Seattleites Pam Reside Leach (first photo, left), her husband Jeff Leach (second photo, left), and their teenage son Joey Leach did, with quiet but firm bravery, as they spoke during an emotional hearing before King County Superior Court Judge Michael Fox a short time ago. 
This was the first part of the sentencing hearing for Brian Walsh (at right in both photos above), who pleaded guilty in August (WSB coverage here) to second-degree murder in the beating/stabbing death of Pam’s developmentally and physically disabled brother “Benny” Reside (photo right) in April 2007 at Cal-Mor Circle in Morgan Junction. The hearing had to be split into two sessions because of a medical emergency for a member of the defense team; Pam and her family asked that today’s date be kept, rather than entirely postponed till later, because other family and friends had flown in to be present. We will add details from this afternoon’s testimony to this story a bit later; the second half of the hearing is set for December 5th, and it was reiterated today that the prosecution is asking for the longest sentence possible, 18 years and 4 months, while the defense is seeking the low end of the scale, 14 years and 2 months. ADDED SATURDAY MORNING: Excerpts from what Jeff, Joey, and Pam Leach told the judge – and the killer – in court, and what the judge wanted them to know as the day’s proceedings concluded:Read More
It’s been in the right sidebar, on the Traffic page, on the Events page, but one more reminder can’t hurt: Alaskan Way Viaduct closed for inspection this weekend, 6 am Saturday till 6 pm Sunday (we’ll let you know if it reopens sooner).
Just announced by the mayor’s office: A new van using photo radar to crack down on school-zone speeders will be introduced by Mayor Nickels, Seattle Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske, and City Councilmember Nick Licata at Gatewood Elementary on Monday. That’ll be the fourth WS mayoral event in less than four weeks (click these links for coverage of the previous three: Alki Elementary walk, the Sanislo Elementary sidewalk, the Orchard Street Ravine dedication). P.S. Next week’s a big one for Gatewood – on Friday, the school hosts Seattle Green Schools‘ Earth Summit.
This afternoon, we’re welcoming the newest WSB sponsor: West Seattle Nursery, 
where fall gardening season is in full swing (check out the colors in the photo at left). As is the tradition when a new sponsor joins the WSB team, we offer them the chance to let you know who they are and what’s up with their business: “West Seattle Nursery has been selling plants to neighborhood gardeners year-round for 22 years. We are proud to provide a great selection of perennials, annuals, shrubs and trees – tried and true favorites but also rare and unusual garden gems. Quality is important to us, so the majority of our plants come from Northwest growers, thus they are acclimated for our climate and growing conditions. Our staff is a well-rounded group of seasoned gardeners and plant enthusiasts. When you come to visit us, our first priority is to show you around, answer your questions and help you find the perfect plants for your garden. Our destination gift shop is overflowing with beautiful and unusual gifts, housewares, books, and indoor plants. We also provide a great selection of seeds, bulbs, tools and soil amendments. Mark your calendars for upcoming events at West Seattle Nursery: Through October 25th, our Fall Art in the Garden Exhibit – talented and creative local artists and craftspeople have honored us with their beautiful, durable and fanciful garden art; Saturday, October 25th, from 10 am to 1 pm: Our first-ever Growing Gardeners Appreciation Event! Children ages 4-12 are welcome to join us for a costume contest and scavenger hunt. There will be prizes and treats for everyone, and you’ll be done just in time to go trick or treating in The Junction! For more information on joining our Growing Gardener Club visit our website: www.westseattlenursery.com; Saturday, November 15th, from 11 am to 3 pm: Our Fall Open House – Join us for complimentary espresso and hors d’oeuvres. Check out Ingrid’s beautiful Christmas trees and all of our other holiday-themed merchandise. Get seasonal gardening advice from our staff. We look forward to this event every year and we hope you enjoy it as much as we do! In December, some of the artists among our staff will be giving a wreath making seminar every week. We’ll teach you how to build beautiful holiday wreaths and table swags out of seasonal evergreens. They make great gifts. Dates and times to be announced in our Fall Mailer (add your name to our mailing list the next time you visit) and also on our website: www.westseattlenursery.com.” Huge thanks to West Seattle Nursery for its support, and to all our sponsors, as well as to you, in turn, for supporting them. Our full list of current advertisers can be found here, along with information on how to join them.
More than 100 people jammed the Chief Sealth HS Library (at Boren) last night for the International Baccalaureate program’s Information Night. IB is a rigorous academic program for juniors and seniors, with some components even good for college credit. This is the second year for IB at Sealth; we spent a moment last night talking with the program coordinator, Laura Robb – our clip, and more info, just ahead:Read More
A few weeks after Vera from Village Green Perennial Nursery told us someone had stolen one of her streetfront signboards (from 26th/Roxbury) by sawing it away from its tether, she e-mailed to say it’s happened again: “Another Village Green sign has been stolen! This time they cut off 2 legs.” And apparently hers wasn’t the only business whose sign was taken — Vera says someone from e-green landscaping (WSB sponsor) “found (the sign) at Home Depot on Delridge – the store employee said they found several business signs dumped in their dumpster! This is apparently a fun hobby for someone!”
(October 2007 Lafayette Walk-A-Thon photo courtesy of Luckie)
THIS MORNING: Lafayette Elementary School‘s annual Walk-A-Thon – you can cheer the kids on between 9 am and 3 pm as they circle the recreation areas on the west side of the school (map). This year they’re hoping to raise $38,000 for enrichment programs the district doesn’t fund; the $55K raised in last year’s Walk-A-Thon paid for a tutor program, Accelerated Reader tests, school computers, and a science enrichment program, as well as adding to a fund for playground updates.
TONIGHT: That’s our video (it’s better than the automated thumbnail implies) from the end of the thrilling West Seattle High School victory over O’Dea last month. Tonight, the undefeated Wildcats play their homecoming game, facing Rainier Beach at Southwest Athletic Complex (7 pm) – and before the game, you’re invited to a pep rally and barbecue (hot dogs and hamburgers!) at the WSHS Commons, 4:30-5:30. For anyone who can’t be at the game, but will be online somewhere, we’re planning updates via Twitter (if you have or get a Twitter account, follow us at westseattleblog; or you can see our Twitter updates on the web at twitter.com/westseattleblog).
Another note from last night’s Morgan Community Association meeting (in addition to our Fauntleroy Way paving report; still to come, new information about the Morgan Junction park): Martha Tuttle from King County was there with updates on the Murray Avenue Pump Station project, which will dig up a major chunk of Lowman Beach Park when construction begins – read on to see what she announced:Read More
Zombies on California Ave! A “ghostly gala”! Trick-or-treating in The Junction and Admiral business districts! And looking beyond – dates for the Christmas Ship‘s West Seattle visits! All part of the WSB Holidays calendar page that’s now up; many thanks to those who already have e-mailed us about scheduled events to include on that page and our regular Events calendar – if you know of something that’s scheduled for Halloween or the winter-holiday season (November through New Year’s) and it’s not on the Holidays page, please e-mail us the basic info! We’ll continue to add info to the page as it comes in. (And also, for the holidays page and elsewhere, we’ll feature photos of West Seattle jack-o-lanterns and holiday lights again this year – e-mail your photos and/or your sightings!)
This is the only West Seattle murder case from 2007 to go to trial – and that trial started this week with jury selection. WSB is covering the trial of the Alki 18-year-old charged with second-degree murder for the 10/13/2007 deadly shooting in a car at 59th/Admiral; we have not published his name since it emerged last fall that his defense focuses on a contention he was a longtime victim of sexual abuse. Here’s the update from our reporter on what happened at the courthouse today:Read More
Congratulations to Redmond’s Mike Town, who won the webpoll portion of the “Cox Conserves Heroes” competition in which Fauntleroy’s Judy Pickens was also among five people in Western Washington honored for their work to lend nature a helping hand. Thanks to everybody who voted for Judy, not just because she does great work, but also in hopes her chosen nonprofit, EarthCorps, would get the $5K donation in the winner’s name; you can still help EarthCorps right this second with an online donation. And you can help Judy and the Fauntleroy Creek coho by being at the creek overlook (across from the ferry dock) later this month for a special event – here’s her latest update:
The annual drumming to call the salmon home to Fauntleroy Creek needs a lead drummer or two. The event will be Sunday, Oct. 26, 5-6 p.m. at the fish-ladder viewpoint (SW Director and upper Fauntleroy Way SW) and typically draws 40-60 people of all ages to sing, act out salmon stories, and enjoy spirited drumming. If you’d like to set the beat, e-mail Judy_Pickens@msn.com. In case of rain, instruments will have canopy cover.
Thanks to two people who e-mailed us in the past several hours that they’d heard Jefferson Square Starbucks has an official closing date (we had first word in July that it was on the Starbucks shutdown list) – we have just received confirmation from a PR firm working with SBUX (though they won’t get any more specific than “end of October”; if it’s really 11/7, that would be a few days short of what would have been the store’s 1-year anniversary, since it opened 11/9/07). Read on for the full statement we received (it’s mostly boilerplate but we always like to share the whole thing so you can read it for yourself if you so choose):Read More
A few quick reminders before the day’s too far gone, from the WSB Events calendar: Interested in the International Baccalaureate (IB) academic program at Chief Sealth High School? Special info night, 7 pm, cafeteria (at temporary Boren location). Also at 7 pm – West Seattle knitters welcome at the Pins and Needlers meetup at Uptown in The Junction; here are some of the friendly faces from last week:
A bit earlier – 6 pm – 2nd of 3 workshops where you’re welcome to help design a new fitness room for Southwest Community Center (read more here). And at 9:30 pm – Alki Idol @ Bamboo (more here).
FIRST SIGHTING OF WEST SEATTLE REGULAR GAS IN THE $3.10s: A short time ago at Gasco (35th/Henderson), it was down to $3.19. That’s a dime drop from their price at weekend’s end.
NOT EXACTLY ROSE-COLORED GLASSES: West Seattle entrepreneur Nate Eddings sent us his press release too, but we hadn’t gotten around to digitizing the profanity on his main product. Daily Weekly is PG-13 so they are showing his glasses in their full, um, glory.
AND THE WINNER IS … Channel 7’s 5 pm news tonight is scheduled to include the announcement of who won the Cox Conserves Heroes web vote. Thanks to everybody who voted for Fauntleroy’s Judy Pickens (and therefore for EarthCorps, which gets a $5K Cox donation if Judy wins).
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