West Seattle, Washington
01 Tuesday
Around this time yesterday, a huge Seattle Fire Department response rushed to the 4100 block of 48th SW for what turned out to be a basement fire, nobody hurt. We just checked with SFD spokesperson Helen Fitzpatrick to get the cause: She says a waterbed heating pad ignited, catching the mattress and then the frame on fire. Damage total: $70,000. (On the WSB Facebook page, a relative of the family mentioned that while the fire damage itself wasn’t so much, there’s a lot of water damage and many keepsakes were lost.) Photo by WSB photojournalist Christopher Boffoli
If you drive Thistle between California and Delridge, you’ve probably noticed that banner outside Peace Lutheran Church. We first reported June 6 about the Tour de Revs heading this way — three Lutheran ministers on one special bicycle, pedaling around the country to fight global hunger — and now we’ve got an update on the street party/barbecue that Peace Lutheran is planning for their visit 6-8 pm Thursday — Kristie says everyone’s invited to a barbecue, and to ride with the “Revs” afterward:
We’ve officially been granted the permit for this all-invited Block Party featuring the three cycling Revs on the bamboo bike designed by well-known eco-bike maker Craig Calfee … Bring a donation for the West Seattle and White Center Food Banks and something to share. Picnic fare available. Ride with the Revs and hear about their cross-country journey! 6-8 pm, ride following.
Peace Lutheran is at 39th/Thistle (map). You can read all about the Tour de Revs (and see their unique three-person bicycle) at their website – including this section with frequent updates.
West Seattle is one of the city’s three focus areas for the Youth Violence Prevention Initiative – as discussed during last Thursday’s City Council town-hall meeting in Fauntleroy — so anything related to it is news here, even if it’s an event happening in another part of the city, like this one: It’s just been announced that Marian Wright Edelman is coming to Seattle for a YVPI summit next Tuesday in the Rainier Valley – read on for the official announcement:Read More
Just received from Dow Constantine‘s campaign:
Rivals Jarrett and Constantine Jointly Call for Greater Openness and Transparency in King County Executive’s Race;
Phillips and Hutchison continue to refuse to make public candidate questionnaires
Today, two of the major candidates for the office of King County Executive, King County Council Chair Dow Constantine and State Sen. Fred Jarrett, issued an unusual joint statement pointing out that they are the only two candidates to have been fully open and transparent in making public the detailed candidate questionnaires they have submitted to a wide range of constituency groups and organizations.
State Rep. Ross Hunter has posted some, but not all, of his questionnaires on his web site. King County Councilmember Larry Phillips and former television anchor Susan Hutchison have refused to make any of these important documents available to the public.
In response to this noteworthy lack of transparency, Jarrett today said: “The selection of the next King County Executive is one of the most important decisions that voters will face this year, and will have a major impact on the future of this region. One of the significant challenges the next Executive will face is changing the county culture to one of openness and transparency. If candidates are not willing to be open and transparent with the voters now their willingness to meet that challenge is doubtful. That is why it is so important that all of the King County Executive candidates give voters a clear and detailed understanding on where they stand on a wide range of issues, and why I issued my challenge to all candidates to post their completed questionnaires. Unfortunately, Dow Constantine and I are the only candidates to have done so.”
Dow Constantine added, “As rivals for the office, we disagree on issues. But on the need for full openness and transparency Fred and I are in agreement. That is why we have both posted all of our candidate questionnaires on our respective web sites. The other major candidates owe it to the voters to make public the full range questionnaires that they have privately submitted to the various interest groups with a stake in the outcome of the race.
“The voters have a right to make an informed choice about the next King County Executive. How can they expect to believe the promises of change and reform coming from some of the major candidates when those same candidates continue to hide their views on major issues from the light of public scrutiny?”
That house in the 8600 block of 9th SW in Highland Park – a few houses north of SW Trenton – was the scene of a big made-for-media announcement this morning that brought out a swarm of TV and radio crews as well as your friendly neighborhood local online news source. Congressmember Jay Inslee (whose district is mostly to the north and west of Seattle), State Rep. Bob Hasegawa (from the 11th District south of West Seattle/White Center) and leaders/workers from the Laborers International Union of North America were there to announce the first home in the Northwest to be weatherized as part of LIUNA’s program involving federal “stimulus funding.”
The home that’s being weatherized first belongs to Carolyn Ostrom, who’s in the UFCW T-shirt in that photo, standing with a group including Rep. Inslee (right), Rep. Hasegawa (left), and LiUNA’s regional vice president Mano Frey (center), who’s based in Alaska. Within his first minute and a half of remarks, as you’ll hear in our video, Rep. Inslee tied this event into the energy bill passed in the U.S. House last week and bringing troops home from Middle East wars:
The union’s big talking point today was a training program to credential workers for weatherization jobs, and some of the trainees were in the crowd watching the announcement:
Inside the house, the weatherization work was under way:
And the homeowner said she’s looking forward to the results:
Now the big question: How to apply for either the training or the weatherization. We circled back with contacts and, for the training, were pointed here; for the weatherization, check with the Moontown Foundation (we still have a few inquiries out and will add anything more we learn).
Just launched, a city-assembled page of “recession resources” links — see it here.
If you didn’t see it Saturday — either via WSB or via being stuck in it in person — Creighton sent that photo of the eastbound bridge backup during the Alaskan Way Viaduct‘s shutdown for the Rock ‘N’ Roll Marathon (compounded by other road changes/closures). SDOT did send out lots of advance warning, as noted here and elsewhere, but on Saturday, numerous WSBers reported that the “Viaduct Closed” warning lights in West Seattle and on The Bridge weren’t on. Marybeth Turner from SDOT acknowledges it was human error, not a mechanical problem:
SDOT’s procedure for using the warning lights that alert motorists that the Viaduct is closed is clear: in coordination with the Seattle Police Department, if the Viaduct is closed, the lights should be on. This weekend, the policy was not followed. We have re-acquainted and re-focused key staff on our procedure.
Something similar happened last October. The lights were installed in late 2007. ADDED 12:51 PM: So if it DOES happen again, whether a human or mechanical failure, is there a hotline to call? we asked. Turner’s reply:
People may call (206) 386-1218 and report the lights are not functioning. There is someone on hand to answer this phone 24-hours a day.
That’s the same number you’d call about emergency road problems “after hours.”
We’ve collected event listings, fireworks/travel/transportation/etc. information and other holiday notes on one page as in years past. See the 4th of July page here – and please let us know if you see something missing or have a holiday-related question it doesn’t answer. Thanks!
Will Seattle’s future townhouses transcend the dominant design critiqued in that city photo/graphic? City Councilmember Sally Clark hopes so. Tonight — almost one full year after she, Mayor Nickels and West Seattle architect Brandon Nicholson stood together at the Capitol Hill announcement (July 2008 WSB coverage here) of the proposal to change the Multi-Family Code, particularly as it affects townhouse design, the committee Clark chairs brings the topic to West Seattle. At 6 pm at Youngstown Arts Center, her Planning, Land Use and Neighborhoods Committee convenes a “review and discussion of issues surrounding townhouses and other low-rise housing.” Those issues are detailed in this 12-page memo, if you have time for a little advance studying – after which, if you have something to say, tonight’s agenda has room for it, with a full hour set aside for public comment. (And if you want to check on the status of the entire Multi-Family Code proposal, that’s all here.)
Before you see it in the West Seattle Grand Parade on July 18, you should know the West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival float “How Sweet It Is” has been racking up awards elsewhere on the summertime community-parade circuit around Western Washington: Tim and Carol Winston from Hi-Yu just shared these photos from last weekend’s Port Orchard Fathoms O’Fun Parade, where it won the award displayed here by current Hi-Yu Queen Margo Femiano:
(The weekend before, the float won an award in the Marysville Strawberry Festival parade.) Margo’s close to the end of her reign, as are the rest of the Senior and Junior Court – here are two of the latter, Queen Zoe and Princess Elyse:
That brings us to two more items of Hi-Yu news: First, applications are still being taken for this year’s Junior Court. July 14 is the deadline; interviews and coronation are July 17. Download the official application form here. And you can meet current Junior and Senior Court members, as well as the Senior Court candidates tonight at the Hi-Yu White Rose Reception – a women-only event, Fauntleroy Church, 7 pm.
Have to confess we STILL have not been there. But here’s the next best thing – Mary T tells the story of a Walker Rock Garden visit with words and pictures on her site Shelterrific. (The “garden” is also featured here on WSB in the West Seattle 101 section.)
Thanks to a neighbor’s tip, we broke the news back in April that, two years after the district closed it, Fairmount Park Elementary would reopen for summer school this year. Now, we’ve now from the summer session site coordinator (principal), Angela Sheffey, who says teachers arrive Wednesday and students start next Monday – she wanted to share some data points with the community:
1. Summer school will be in session daily from July 1st to July 30th.
2. The school hours will be 8 AM to 1 PM.
3. We will have approx. 350 students attending summer school.
4. The faculty will need all of the (small) parking lot parking, as well as the street parking.
5. Please report any and all suspicious activity to the police @ 911
Sheffey says the students who will be at Fairmount Park are all grade-schoolers – second, third and fifth grade, to be specific. As for what’ll happen to the building – hit recently by break-ins – in the future: We reported last week that the city has provided opinions regarding possible uses of this closed school and 7 others citywide (including Genesee Hill and E.C. Hughes in West Seattle). The School Board, incidentally, meets Wednesday, with an agenda including a final vote on the sale of Jefferson Square “air rights” to the company that had been leasing them for the apartments over the shopping center.
(photo added 7:11 pm)
First we heard the aid call for an unconscious (but responsive) man aboard a Metro bus at Fauntleroy/Fontanelle (map) … then Duyen sent a photo (which we’re not using) showing the same man, who had appeared to be asleep under a seat on the bus, a 54 express, as far back as downtown. We’re reporting this in case you passed the fire/medic units with the stopped bus along busy Fauntleroy and wondered what’s going on; as we finish writing this, the medics reported they’re doing CPR. More units are being called in. 7:12 PM UPDATE: No word on the man’s condition – because of medical privacy laws, we may not be able to find out. In addition to the fire/medical crews, Metro sent a supervisor, as you can see in the photo we just added.
(Photos by Christopher Boffoli, this one added 5:26 pm)
ORIGINAL 5:15 PM REPORT: Fire in a house – we’re on our way. According to the scanner, crews are searching the house (in the 4100 block of 48th – map) to make sure nobody’s inside. Also per the scanner – The fire’s in the basement and is now “tapped.” 5:24 PM UPDATE: WSB photojournalist Christopher Boffoli is on the scene and reports “lots of smoke” before the fire was tapped. (photo added 6:11 pm)
The response has been scaled back but several engines remain on the scene, working to fully extinguish the basement fire. 5:42 PM UPDATE: Christopher spoke with the Fire Department’s incident commander, who confirms that nobody was hurt, and adds that investigators are on the way to figure out how the fire started.
Car prowlers remain the most prolific criminals in West Seattle – striking at least three times a day in the past two months, per Southwest Precinct property-crime stats – and here’s another case. From the east side of Morgan Junction, Pamela and Andrew sent that photo; as he reports: “My car was broken into on Saturday night/Sunday morning close to 35th and Morgan [map]. The culprit smashed the back window of my car. The car alarm did not go off, or didn’t wake us. They took a bunch of computer hardware that was in the car. It’s all replaceable of course, but very annoying. I would encourage all W. Seattle residents to not leave stuff in your car around here, especially during the summer months. I normally take everything out of my car, but forgot just one time and suffered the consequences as a result.” Pamela added, “This is the first break-in/car break-in we have had in 11 years at the same home.”
The deadline’s just been extended for artists to propose a project for the Delridge Community Center park (shown in clickable Google Street View above), explained by North Delridge’s Nancy Folsom as “a separate, companion project to the planned Delridge Skatepark. … Youngstown Cultural Arts Center is shepherding this community-driven project.” You have till July 31st to apply; as the application says in part,
The artist will consider the structure’s access and location to the skate park and accommodate its possible use by skateboarders, spectators, visitors, and neighbors. Design and placement of the artwork will focus on its relationship with the skate park and the social environment by serving as a gateway to the Delridge neighborhood.
Get the application here – and get it in by the end of July!
From the city’s traffic-alert list for the SODO area (you can sign up for the list from the bottom of this page):
Repaving 4th Ave S between S Royal Brougham Way and Airport Way S begins tonight, Monday, June 29, and will continue through the end of July. In order to minimize traffic interruptions, most work will occur during the evening hours between 6 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
Counting down now till the summer’s biggest West Seattle event, Summer Fest in The Junction (WSB sponsor) July 10-11-12, and we just got word its brand-new website is up, with even more details on the music, art, vendors, family fun, food, and other features we’ve been telling you about. Here’s the home page; vendors (with maps to their individual locations) here; music here; other entertainment here – and even more to explore.
We heard most of this play out on the scanner early this morning but didn’t get quite enough information to write about it till verifying with police – which now we’ve done: On Beach Drive around 4:30 this morning, police arrested two men who were caught with a stolen Zodiac watercraft. Neighbors noticed police had guns drawn as they made the stop – which we heard on the scanner, too – and Seattle Police media unit Officer Renee Witt explains that’s standard procedure for a “felony stop” (and theft of a large item qualifies). The theft had happened in the 3500 block of Beach Drive (map); the alleged thieves were stopped in the 6700 block, where the Zodiac was recovered. Officer Witt says the two suspects were booked into jail. (Thanks also to Denise and Leonard for e-mailing to ask about this.) One note about police activity in the middle of the night – often if we’re monitoring something but there’s not enough information yet for a report here on WSB, we publish a short note on Twitter (like this one regarding this incident), so check there too if you see/hear something going on – you don’t have to have an account to see our updates – twitter.com/westseattleblog.
As the Hiawatha Playfield renovation work intensifies, with dirt-moving having begun late last week, Dave e-mailed this morning to say the century-old elm tree by the field has just been cut down (same tree shown in the city photo at left). This has been in the plans for a long time, according to the story we published after a public meeting in December 2007, at which time the Parks Department said 14 trees in all – including that elm – would be coming down. Some things have since changed, though – like the timetable for the project, which was then expected to be built last year, but is just getting started now, and the price tag for the project, with bids that came in so low, Parks was able to move half a million dollars out of the budget to cover about 2/3 of the Delridge Skatepark project. There’s also a new project manager, and we’re working to get an official update from him on the timetable and what’ll be happening over the summer, as well as the latest on the tree-cutting that will be involved. (Parks had said at that 2007 meeting that the elm tree had suffered serious damage in an ice storm several years ago – note the uneven sides in the photo.) When the project’s done late this year, Hiawatha will have new lighting and new turf for full-size baseball, soccer and football fields (details here). 1:17 PM UPDATE: Stopped by Hiawatha for photos of what’s happening, including what’s left of the elm tree:
We also got a quick status report from project manager Garrett Farrell:
The contractor has removed the existing batting cages, backstop, bleachers and field lighting. Stripping of the old field surface is underway. The new underground irrigation and electrical work will follow.
Farrell notes the tree removal is also explained on the Hiawatha project’s webpage – it’s still expected to total 14 trees including this one; the other 13 are smaller/younger. ADDED 5:10 PM: Thanks to Forest for pointing out that the city’s been vigilant about elm-tree disease for months now — here’s info about the Elm Protection Program.
Since July 4th is on Saturday this year, Friday is also a holiday for many – particularly government agencies. We’re still finalizing the 4th of July list of events and FYIs, but in the meantime, the FRIDAY changes include: Most government offices are closed; Metro buses will be on a Sunday schedule; the King County Water Taxi and shuttles are on a Saturday schedule; the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth ferry will be on a holiday (Sat-Sun) schedule; most post offices will close at noon but there WILL be mail delivery service Friday (not on Saturday); note that trash/recycling/yard-waste service will be normal Friday AND Saturday. (And if you’re looking for July 3rd fireworks shows – none in West Seattle but there are a few in this statewide list of summer fireworks statewide.)
From Camp Long, its July program announcement:
Yoga in Nature
Sarah teaches with enthusiasm for personal growth and expression. She has studied Iyengar, Hatha, Vinyasa and Ashtanga yoga styles and from these roots, creates a unique blend of her own. She lives for her time outdoors; whether climbing, skiing, cycling, practicing yoga, or just being; she feels communion with nature is essential to contentment. “It is a very special opportunity to teach in such a beautiful setting as Camp Long. It is like escaping from the city, and treating yourself with the gift of mindfulness.” Register no later than one day prior to class by calling 684-7434.
July 8 Wed 5:30 – 7:00 pm
Course #46363 Activity Fee $12July 15 Wed 5:30 – 7:00 pm
Course #46364 Activity Fee $12Water Calling: Mater Matrix Mother and Medium FREE
Artist Mandy Greer is creating a temporary artwork this summer at Camp Long in West Seattle. Titled Mater Matrix Mother and Medium celebrates the splendor of Seattle’s urban creeks and encourages stewardship of essential watersheds. This artwork commissioned with Seattle Public Utilities 1% for Art Funds administered by the Seattle Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs in partnership with Restoring our Waters.Meet the artist and witness the creation of the artwork. Greer will be installing her artwork near the Polliwog Pond.
Every Tuesday and Thursday, June 15-July 9 11 a.m.- 2 p.m.
Watch performance at Polliwog Pond July 16 at 6:30 p.m.
The project includes a performance produced by Greer in collaboration with choreographer and dancer Zoe Scofield.View the art by Polliwog Pond June 15 thru July 31
Camp Long is open Tuesday-Sunday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
For more information about ways to protect and improve Seattle’s urban waterway, visit the
Restore Our Waters webpage at http://www.seattle.gov/util/restorourwaters/Camp Long Owls
Ages 5 and older
Will the juvenile Barred Owls be begging for food by hissing? Or will they be missing? Join us for some Barred Owl nightlife! Bring a flashlight. Register no later than one day prior to class by calling 684-7434.
July 18 Sat 8:30 – 10:30 p.m.
Course #43268 Activity Fee $7Family Butterfly and Bug Hunt
Ages 3 and older
Use butterfly nets to gently catch a variety of insects, then use magnifiers and bug boxes to look at them up close. Smaller students and scientists alike will learn from and enjoy this program. Register no later than one day prior to class by calling 684-7434.
July 18 Sat 1 – 3 p.m.
Course #43276 Activity Fee $7Shakespeare in the Park
Camp Long hosts Shakespeare this summer. FREE
The Life and Death of King John. This historical piece dramatizes the reign of King John of England (ruled 1199-1216). He is the son of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine and the father of Henry III. The play opens with a plea from the French King Phillip for King John to abdicate in favor of his nephew and includes dizzying changes of alliances, a Papal excommunication and a subsequent reconciliation. In the end… well, I don’t want to ruin it for you.
Camp Long July 24 Fri 7 p.m.The Comedy of Errors. This is light, frothy entertainment, driven by coincidence and slapstick
humor all in a single day. The story centers around two sets of identical twins accidentally separated at birth. When Antipholus and his servant, Dromio, of Syracuse travel to Ephesus, they do not know about Antipholus and his servant Dromio of Ephesus. When the Syracusan twins encounter the friends and families of the Ephesus twins, there is a series of wild mishaps based on mistaken identities.
Camp Long July 25 Sat 7 p.m.Beavers
All ages
Baffled by beavers? Come and learn about the dynamic life of these master builders and the very important ecological role they play. Join us in exploring the life, lodges, behaviors and physical adaptations of these industrious, fascinating and busy mammals. Also learn how we can live together with beavers in our backyards! Register no later than one day prior to class by calling 684-7434.
Instructor: Sue Johnson
Location: Trailhead at 25th Ave SW and Brandon St.
July 25 Sat 1 – 3 p.m.
Course #43261 Activity Fee $7Herbal Salve Making
Ages 12 and older
Jayne Simmons, farmer and owner of Sister Sage Herbs and Good Food Gardens, will teach this introductory herb class. Learn to identify the healing plants that are growing near your doorstep. See them prepared into a healing salve for cuts and burns. We will discuss the entire process of making the salve, from choosing the right plants for your situation, harvesting, drying, storage, and infusing herbs in oil. You’ll leave with a small container of salve and recipes for lip balm and other salves. We may have time to walk about and find some of the plants we discuss. Register by calling 684-7434
July 25 Sat 10 a.m. – Noon
Course #43296 Activity Fee $18First Saturday Free Walks
Please register by calling 206-684-7434.Longfellow Creek Yancy Street FREE
Dragonfly Pavilion
This is by far the coolest art you will ever find on a trail, unless you’re trekking the Southwest where petro glyphs are as common as cacti. Explore the north reaches of Longfellow Creek and Puget Park, both natural areas in the Delridge neighborhood. Find out about this great wildlife corridor. Register no later than one day prior to class by calling 684-7434.Location: SW Dakota and 28th Ave. SW – just south of Allstar Fitness
July 11 Sat 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Course #43277Pritchard Beach FREE
This wonderful piece of property would never have undergone the most dramatic facelift had it not been for a small group of committed citizens who saw the potential of returning the property to its “natural” state. Bring you binoculars – there’s great birding at Pritchard! Register no later than one day prior to class by calling 684-7434
Location: Pritchard Beach – 8400 55th Ave S
July 11 Sat 2 – 5 p.m
Course #43285Mee-Kwa-Mooks Beach Safari FREE
Ages 3 and older
Rejuvenate at the end of your week and enjoy some of the best low tides of the year. Find amazing marine animals and intertidal plant life, and discover the fascinating interrelationships within the tidal zone! Dress for possible windy weather and wear shoes that can get wet and handle slippery surfaces. Register no later than one day prior to class by calling 684-7434.Location: Me-Kwa-Mooks Park
July 18 Sat 9 – 11 a.m.
Course #43301Tot Treks and Tyke Hikes
Tot Treks
Ages 2 – 3
Adults – share nature with your children! In a local park where the grass and ferns grow, beneath the tall, old trees, is a special place for you and a child to explore. Learn effective and fun outdoor activities and ideas for other times and places. Please arrive 10 minutes before class time and wear appropriate clothing for the weather. Up to two children can be registered with each adult. Sorry, no strollers.
Activity Fee: $7 per adult/child pair. $3.50 for each additional personFlower Fun!
Please register by July 4
July 7 Tue 10 – 11 a.m.
Course #43308Beach Fun!
Please register by July 18
Location: Me-Kwa-Mooks Park
July 21 Tue 10 – 11 a.m.
Course #43309
Camp Long is at 5200 35th SW (map).
This Tuesday will mark 1 year since West Seattle’s Charlestown Cafe reopened after repairs from a fire that came on the heels of a long fight over its site’s future. Seemed like the time to check in to see how things are going – and we found out some surprises:
Story and photos by Kathy Mulady
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
The one-year anniversary of the re-opening of Webster’s Charlestown Street Café is a bittersweet celebration for Ron Hanlon, owner of the West Seattle fixture.
A fire in the stove hood in February 2008 closed the Charlestown Café for months while Hanlon, the café property owner and the insurance company haggled over details. The restaurant with the something-for-everyone menu finally reopened June 30 last year. Just in time for what some have nicknamed the Great Recession.
Hanlon’s longtime business partner Larry Mellum moved on earlier this year, expanding Pike Place Chowder to Pacific Place downtown. But Hanlon is staying put at Charlestown, and in West Seattle, where he has owned restaurants for 30 years.
“I’m going to ride this to the end,” he said this week.
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