West Seattle, Washington
19 Friday
Just posted at SPDBlotter: Police are asking for help finding witnesses in a West Seattle bicycle crash this morning. They found a woman in her twenties, with life-threatening injuries, in the 7700 block of Delridge (map). But they don’t know what happened – whether someone hit her, or whether something went wrong and she was the only one involved. From The Blotter:
Traffic Collision Investigation detectives were called to the scene to investigate and process the collision site. It is unknown at this point whether or not this was a single vehicle collision or a hit and run. The investigation continues. Anyone who may have information regarding this collision is asked to contact detectives as 206 684-8927.
Checking the 911 log, it looks like medics first responded to that area around quarter past 6 this morning. We’re checking with police now to get more information beyond what’s on The Blotter. 6:28 PM UPDATE: Lots more info in comments during the day, at least regarding what was seen at the scene after it happened. Meantime, we called police late today to ask if there’s any new info – regarding the bicyclist’s condition, or any information on the crash’s cause. Short answer: No. (Without knowing the name of the rider, by the way, we are unable to independently obtain information on her condition from the hospital. So if anyone who knows her does see this and is able to let us all know how she is doing, that will be appreciated.) 8:01 PM UPDATE: Amy sent this via e-mail:
i do know her. and right now all i know is she is in ICU i don’t want to um
say her name cause i don’t know if they’d want that.but shes in icu she has facial fractures, a broken arm scrapes bruises and
some internal injuries. she probably will need surgery for the facial
fractures. but other than that i do not know how she is. that update was
given to me around 1 pmish. prayers for her and her family are appreciated.
With today being the first major all-mail election in King County, we wondered if the tradition of candidates and supporters waving signs during “rush hour” would go on anyway … it did. Here’s what and who we found in the 35th/Fauntleroy area on the way to The Bridge – King County Executive candidate (and King County Council Chair) Dow Constantine above, these two groups below (none of whom contacted us, by the way – we just went out looking):
The Fauntleroy walkover bridge had two volunteers with Constantine signs – didn’t get a photo. If you have photos of other sign-wavers in West Seattle this morning, editor@westseattleblog.com – we’ll be out looking when the afternoon commute gets close too. Remember, make sure your ballot gets postmarked today, OR take it to a dropbox by 8 pm tonight (locations listed here).
The ballot dropoff box outside White Center Library (11220 16th SW; map) and its counterpart at North Delridge Neighborhood Service Center (5405 Delridge; map) are the two closest places to take your ballot up until 8 pm tonight (or get it in the mail, but be sure it’s postmarked today). County Council District 8, which includes West Seattle, is still the district with the highest percentage of returned ballots – but 80 percent are STILL out there, so that’s a whole lot of voting yet to happen. We’ll bring you election results once the vote-counting begins.
Also today/tonight:
HIGH POINT MARKET GARDEN: 4:30-7 pm, 32nd/Juneau (map), see what’s fresh from the mini-farm right by the stand.
END-OF-SUMMER CELEBRATION AND FAMILY GAME NIGHT: Delridge Library is throwing a party because readers of all ages “nearly tripled the Delridge Branch summer reading goal of 2,350 books!” Drop in any time between 6 and 8 pm (5423 Delridge; map).
“INTRO TO (BIKE) COMMUTING”: That’s the latest Bike Smart Seattle presentation in West Seattle, 6:30 tonight at Southwest Community Center (2801 SW Thistle; map).
(Olympic National Park photo from nps.gov)
Right now, a group of West Seattle High School students is “on assignment” with National Geographic Photo Camp in Olympic National Park, and this Thursday night, 7 pm at Youngstown Arts Center, you will be able to see the results – Susan Turner from NatureBridge sent the following news release with information about what’s happening – read on!Read More
Eight days after we brought you first word of the gorilla-napping (involving an animatronic creation using the suit shown in the photo above) from Youngstown Arts Center (original WSB report here), the gorilla is back, according to a note tonight from Gina, who first reported its disappearance:
Thanks for your help in spreading the word! Our gorilla was safely returned to us today thanks to the good work of SPD. … We’re not pressing charges but would like to invite the kidnapper to wear the gorilla suit to attract attention at our next event.
Thanks to Jim Clark for that sunset photo taken from Lincoln Park tonight. Forecast says we’re looking at 80s tomorrow, maybe 90s Wednesday, 80s Thursday (when the Admiral Neighborhood Association‘s Summer Concerts at Hiawatha — co-sponsored by West Seattle-based businesses and organizations including WSB — continue with the Brian Waite Band).
That’s Nicole‘s window, near 37th/Edmunds, south of The Mount. And this is what did the damage:
Nicole shared those photos along with the story of what happened:
I have a frightening and very disappointing incident to inform you about. Last night around 10 pm, I was sitting in my front living room when a rock was thrown through my front window. Unfortunately I was not able to see the suspects, it was too dark. I’m thankful I was not struck by the rock or the glass that was littered across the living room but it certainly could have been a lot worse. Whoever threw the rock did it from 100-150 feet away, as our house sits high up off the street. It was clearly deliberate and not an accident. The rock was the size of a baseball and shattered the big window which is quite large, 12’x5′.
The police combed the area but came up with nothing. I’m not sure how something like this can be prevented but it certainly has my attention. I’m going to add additional motion sensor lights on that side of the house and possibly add a video camera and surveillance sign, we have had a lot of car break-ins and burglaries in the area.
Got that photo this afternoon from the FBI, taken during a robbery today at the Alaska USA Credit Union on 3rd in Renton. Looked a lot like the robber from the KeyBank holdup in The Junction on August 5th (note he’s even wearing the same T-shirt):
The same robber was linked to at least one of two robberies in North Seattle a week ago Saturday. So we pinged the FBI to ask if this is believed to be the same guy. Agent Frederick Gutt says, “Yes, the suspect today is believed to be associated with each of these robberies.” Here’s the description from today:
The suspect is described as a black male, mid 30’s, approximately 6′ tall, mustache, wearing a tan baseball cap and blue jeans, and departed on foot. The suspect displayed a handgun and should be considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information regarding the suspect is asked to call the FBI at (206) 622-0460
Till 7:30 tonight, you’ll find the Delridge Produce Cooperative “Mobile Market” – free produce as part of a four-week test – on the lawn south of Youngstown Arts Center (4408 Delridge; map) – that’s where we took the photo a bit earlier. The project’s been getting lots of buzz and an increasing number of visits – even a line when they opened this afternoon! Here’s an update DPC sent before starting up for the day:
Today we have peaches from an organic farm in California, courtesy of Madison Market, and multi-colors of carrots from Full Circle Farm. We expect to get at least fifty visitors today, which is what we’re aiming for. We still need volunteers to fill up the schedules for the next three weeks, and we’re on the lookout for local organic farmers who would like to donate.
We have gotten a lot of calls and personal referrals from people who want the produce from the ‘Mobile Market’ to supplement thier limited food budgets, so we are definitely confirming our suspicions that there is a real need for inexpensive fresh food on Delridge. If things keep going the way they are, we can prove that not only is there a need for produce on Delridge, but also that people can show up at certain locations and times to get it – and that they want it that badly. This demonstrates that a *real* mobile market (in particular) is likely to succeed in Delridge. We’ve also gotten calls from other places than Delridge, asking if you have to show identification that says you’re a Delridge resident to get free produce. I think that this illustrates that if we had the kind of produce co-op that we want, it would bring business into Delridge from other parts of Seattle and therefore be more likely to succeed. There is not a lot of inexpensive organic produce in Seattle in general, so we may become a magnet for those who desire it.
Next week, the tote bags will be ready, and we will have the mulit-language information pamphlets about free and low-cost healthy programs. The tote bags are beautiful, sturdy, washable green polyester that packs down into a key fob the size, shape and color of a big strawberry. They are being silk-screened by local company Heart On My Sleeve with an inspirational logo that was created by a local artist for our ‘Tote Bag Art Contest’ a few months ago. I believe that she found out about the contest by reading about it on the West Seattle Blog.
You’ll remember Heart On My Sleeve – they’re the fashion/art/music team based in Pigeon Point, profiled here earlier this year. Meantime, if you don’t make it to the “Mobile Market” at Youngstown by 7:30 tonight, they’ll repeat the same sequence of four locations next Friday through Monday – all listed here.
ADDED 7:20 PM: Thanks to Dina Johnson for this photo of the multiple colors of carrots available at the stand today:
The former Alki Mortgage building at California/Myrtle (map), a few steps south of Caffe Ladro, will soon house The Little Gym of West Seattle. Owner Birgit Obrietan tells WSB, “We can’t wait to become part of the West Seattle community!” She and her husband own The Little Gym operations in Bellevue and Issaquah, and Birgit says that “having a gym in West Seattle has been a dream of ours for many years.” They are hoping to open in early November for regular classes and birthday parties; ultimately, she says, “We will have parent/child classes, preschool gymnastics, grade school gymnastics, birthday parties and summer camps.” Their classes are for ages 4 months to 12 years, and you can find more about what they offer at thelittlegym.com. (They’re also reachable at 206-937-0311.) We asked if they’ll be occupying the entirety of the building; Birgit says no, “there is some back office space that will be rented to another tenant.” Side note — The Bellevue branch that Birgit and her husband own was the very first The Little Gym, opened in 1973; they’ve run it for nine years. (By the way – and thanks to Robert for spotting this – they’re advertising for a director.)
30 hours to go till the vote-counting begins. We have profiled candidates, covered forums and endorsement meetings, and now it’s in your hands – if you haven’t voted already, get your ballot in the mail or into a dropbox (no stamp needed for that option!) – there’s still time to prove the “low turnout” predictions wrong. Our pre-election coverage is all archived here, with contributors including veteran West Seattle-based journalists Kathy Mulady and Jack Mayne. Kathy looked into the latest campaign-spending information, with a West Seattle hook, to bring you this report:
By Kathy Mulady
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
West Seattle residents have already contributed nearly $121,000 to an election season that is shaping up to be one of the most expensive ever.
So far, candidates for mayor, city council, and city attorney have raised $2.4 million and spent $1.9 million.
Mayor Greg Nickels and challengers for his office have already spent more than $1 million, according to the Seattle Ethics and Elections website.
A reminder from the Seattle City Council:
The Seattle City Council’s Planning, Land Use and Neighborhoods Committee will hold a special meeting Tuesday, Aug. 18, 5:30 p.m. at Blanche Lavisso Park located at East Yesler Way and 22nd Avenue South.
It will discuss proposed changes to the mid- and high-rise sections of the multifamily code. The updates are designed to provide more affordable housing and open space, along with greater flexibility in building design.
The meeting is open for public comment following a committee briefing and discussion. The public is encouraged to arrive early as free ice cream* will be served starting at 5 p.m.
Who: Seattle City Council’s Planning, Land Use and Neighborhoods Committee
What: Special meeting to discuss proposed mid- and high-rise building codes
When: Tuesday, Aug. 18 – ice cream served at 5 p.m., meeting begins at 5:30 p.m.
Where: Blanche Lavizzo Park, E. Yesler Way and 22nd Avenue South, Central Area
*Ice cream purchased with Sally Clark’s personal fund.
Published at partner site White Center Now — County Executive Kurt Triplett has proposed “mothballing” 39 King County parks — 6 in the North Highline (including White Center) area — to save $. It’s a developing story; we’ll continue posting reaction/details there.
Here’s followup information from the city on two things we’d inquired about: First, yesterday’s power outage in the Admiral area (thanks to Jamie for the photo above and for one of the first reports when it happened): Seattle City Light‘s Scott Thomsen says it was caused when a utility pole’s crossarm broke (that may explain the “loud noise” reported yesterday), and affected almost 200 homes and businesses (including Admiral Safeway and West Seattle PCC). Repairs were complete about three hours after the outage started just before 2. Now, to Beach Drive:
We took that photo a few days ago after receiving a note from a concerned neighbor who saw extensive vegetation removal at Weather Watch Park (map), which he described as “clearcutting,” wondering if it had been authorized and, if so, by whom. First we checked with Seattle Parks, which reminded us that Weather Watch Park is SDOT property since it’s a “street end.” Here’s the information we received from Marybeth Turner at SDOT today:
A contractor hired by SDOT cleared away invasive weeds and dead plants and removed litter. The only tree-related work was the removal of suckers from a sweetgum tree. This maintenance work at the street-end area was done at the request of neighbors. Although this turned out to be legitimate activity,we appreciate the vigilance of residents who report what might be illegal activity. For more information about the street end, residents may call Patti Quirk, SDOT Street Use office, (206) 684-8501.
We’ve received two West Seattle Crime Watch reports this morning to share with you – one vehicle break-in, one home break-in. Both victims have advice for you based on what they’ve learned about what happened to them – read on:Read More
Thanks to Chas Redmond for that photo from Seacrest Pier. It’s a reminder that this week includes August’s lowest tides – not nearly as low as the ones enjoyed earlier this summer, but still good enough for shore appreciation. Tomorrow and Wednesday mornings have the lowest tides (here’s the chart), around -2.0, 9:44 am Tuesday and 10:34 am Wednesday. Chas also sent this sunrise photo from Seacrest:
TRAFFIC ALERT: The southbound 1st Avenue South lane closures announced (then revised) by SDOT last week start today; details here.
DELRIDGE PRODUCE CO-OP “MOBILE MARKET,” DAY 4: Today’s the finale for the first of four 4-day, 4-stop weeks in the Mobile Market trial period — 3:30-7 pm at Youngstown Arts Center (4408 Delridge; map), 3:30-7:30 pm. Go get free fruits/vegetables and help shape the future of fresh food in Delridge. (Here’s our Friday story; here’s seattletimes.com coverage today.)
SUSTAINABLE WEST SEATTLE BARBECUE/POTLUCK: Bring something to share and/or grill, and join SWS in celebrating summer at the shelter behind Camp Long Lodge (5200 35th SW; map), 7 pm.
COMMUNITY KAYAK TOUR ON THE DUWAMISH: Should be a beautiful night on the river. The semiweekly tours only have a few more sessions before summer’s end – to see if there’s room tonight (leaving from South Park at 6 pm), go here for RSVP info.
With 8 pm tomorrow your deadline for voting in King County’s first-ever all-mail primary, we have been wrapping up our close-up looks at candidates in races including the three Seattle City Council contests you’ll find on the primary ballot. Bobby Forch is the final council candidate in this series. Previous stories are in the WSB Politics archive.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Bobby Forch is running for Seattle City Council Position 4 with knowledge of city government from the other side – as a manager for the City of Seattle, specifically a strategic adviser in SDOT.
Forch, a 53-year-old Central District resident, says, “I am running because I believe the Seattle City Council can do more to turn around our economy while supporting the values we believe in as a city.”
He’s one of six candidates running for Position 8, held for more than a decade by Councilmember Richard McIver, who decided not to run again.
(Photo by Robert Sorbo)
Thanks to Barefoot Wine‘s PR folks for sharing that photo from Saturday’s Alki Beach cleanup. They say more than 100 volunteers showed up for the “Beach Rescue Project” held as part of Barefoot’s partnership with the Surfrider Foundation. We found their video highlights on the Barefoot website, too (ending with a group photo at the Statue of Liberty):
Looking for another chance to help clean up Alki? The Alki Volleyball Association has a cleanup scheduled for September 12th – here’s the event’s page on Facebook (where we hope you’ve already “friended” WSB, at facebook.com/westseattleblog).
At left, that’s Susie Drake, a local nurse, with people she has helped in the African nation of Senegal. She and fellow nurse Sydnie Phelps are going to Senegal (map) this fall, and friends are helping them raise money and collect donations to take along to an orphanage and mission – you can help too, at a fundraiser in West Seattle one week from tonight. Their friend/co-worker Shanna Mosher shares the news (and the photo above, from Syd and Susie‘s website):
*Two remarkable nurses, three rocking bands and a troupe of belly dancers will be at the Bohemian in West Seattle on Sunday August 23 for a fundraiser benefiting the less fortunate in West Africa. *
*This is a unique opportunity to have a direct impact improving the quality of life for those in need in Senegal. Your much-needed donations of medical supplies, funds and other necessities will be personally delivered directly to the LaPouponniere Orphanage and the Kahone Mission in Senegal, assuring that your donations will be utilized by the people who need them most. In addition to delivering your donations, they will be providing unconditional love and care for orphaned infants, and assisting the nuns at the Mission with their medical expertise. *
*Senegal is one of the poorest countries in the world, with a per capita income of $500 per year. Nearly 1 in 160 women in the rural areas die from child birth. Nearly 1 child in 7 dies before the age of five, and 1 in 4 suffers from chronic malnutrition, malaria and upper respiratory infections. Still, the government of Senegal is committed to keeping health a priority and is striving to create a forward thinking medical community. *
*Thanks to generous nurses like Syd and Susie, and to supporters like YOU, we hope to help bring supplies and equipment so local trained health care practitioners can implement their skills.*
*The show starts at 5:30 pm and is free, but donations will be greatly appreciated. There will also be a raffle for tickets to see the Sounders FC in** action.***
The Bohemian is at 3405 California SW (map). More on the trip, here.
Out of the WSB inbox, from John, who says this happened between noon and 1 pm today:
Just a warning to other West Seattleites. My wife and I were both home (Oregon & 39th) [map] with the front door open letting the sun in. Someone walked into our house and stole my wife’s purse from a chair close to the front door. Didn’t see anyone suspicious around. Everyone be on the lookout for weirdos.
John, of course, called the police, and says they “mentioned an incident yesterday in the same area.”
Thanks to those who’ve sent notes about a power outage in the Admiral District. One report says it followed a “loud bang” – and Diana says that Admiral Safeway has been without power for about half an hour. Seattle City Light says that the outage is within these boundaries: Admiral to Hanford, 42nd to 50th, but they’re not sure how long it will take to fix. A tipster has just sent the photo you see above, showing crews with what he describes as a downed line, south of Lafayette Elementary. 2:52 PM UPDATE: The tipster says the crews on the scene just told him they’ll need about an hour to splice the line. (Early Monday note – Jamie says their power came back on around 5:30 pm. We’ll be checking with City Light today regarding the official cause and how many homes/businesses were involved.)
Separate incident but also involving City Light: Crews have been working on a utility pole hit in a crash this morning; SW Morgan has been closed a few blocks up the hill east of West Seattle Thriftway as a result. We just went back to check (and to take the photo shown above) and they tell us they should be done, and be able to reopen the road, within an hour or so. (Thanks to Dasi for the original report on this, and Tom for the update that the road was still closed.)
(Members of the Feedback Lounge crew – from left, Tony, Todd, Matt, Bradi, Nell & Drew)
Today we welcome a new WSB sponsor, The Feedback Lounge in Morgan Junction, home of “the best drink you never had.” Each week co-owner Matt Johnson comes up with a drink whose recipe might go back 100 years — or just a month or two. Starting today, Matt will shop at the West Seattle Farmers Market each Sunday and uses those fresh ingredients in a drink that evening. We followed him around this morning on his shopping trip:
Matt wound up buying those peaches and adding some sage. Here he talks about how he’ll mix those together:
(Update – since we first published this, The Feedback has tweeted that this drink’s being called “The Morgan Street Monk.”) The Feedback opens at 4 pm; Sundays feature jazz from KPLU. While the Feedback isn’t a venue for live music, it does showcase the best that rock, jazz, the blues, and outlaw country have to offer. Dinner is served from 6-10 pm daily and there’s two happy hours, the first from 4-6, and the second from 10 pm-1 am – seven days a week. It’s at 6451 California SW (map).
Thanks to The Feedback Lounge for supporting local news and information by joining the WSB sponsor team, all listed here with info on how to join!
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