Alki event for The Whale Trail: “It’s not too late” for orcas

June 8, 2009 2:57 am
|    Comments Off on Alki event for The Whale Trail: “It’s not too late” for orcas
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle video | Wildlife

A grand vision to mark 15 key whale-watching spots on our state’s inland and seacoast shores — The Whale Trail — is coming closer to reality. At one spot set for a marker, Alki, a who’s-who of marine mammal/ecology advocates gathered last night for an open house to show off the plan, including Whale Trail director Donna Sandstrom (seated in the photo below) and Kathy Fletcher from People for Puget Sound:

Sandstrom said orca extinction “will not happen on our watch … it’s not too late.” Fletcher said awareness-raising efforts like The Whale Trail are “part of the overall effort to restore Puget Sound … as an ecosystem.” She also urged people not to be fooled by the Sound’s “extraordinary beauty” — “Puget Sound is in trouble,” all the way down the food chain, which is topped by the orcas.
One of their major sources of food is salmon – Mark Sears, longtime researcher as well as resident operator of West Seattle’s Colman Pool, discussed what’s being learned about the specific salmon they prefer, and why it matters:

The importance of protecting local waterways was hammered home by Duwamish Tribe chair Cecile Hansen, who also digressed into mentioning the status of her tribe’s bid for restoration of its short-lived federal recognition:

The unifying message: It takes not just a village, but a region, to protect its whales. Sandstrom suggested “a clear vision for everyone in the room, that by 2020, we have a thriving orca population here in Puget Sound – The Whale Trail is one way we’re going to do that.” It’s not just a private effort: A state Fish and Wildlife Department rep was there, showing off the designs for new wildlife maps you’ll be able to get starting next month, and also talking with us about the WildWatch Cams (check it out – coolest link we got all weekend). So how can you help The Whale Trail get all 15 markers up by 2013 as hoped? Sandstrom mentioned a $14K state grant has just come in, but it’s matching funds, so they need contributions (including volunteer help). Contact info is on their website, which she told us will have a “donate” link soon too.

A few more scenes from Race for the Cure 2009 in Seattle

That was the welcome sight and sound this morning at the end of the breast-cancer-fighting Puget Sound Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure 5K Walk, which filled the Alaskan Way Viaduct with walkers of all ages. As we’d noted in this story, West Seattle middle-schooler Adam Westerman, 12, was Grand Marshal of the Kids’ Run an hour before the 5K Walk — we missed his moment in the spotlight but you can see him and his mom Eddie interviewed in this KING5 story; there’s also video of Adam with KING5’s Jean Enersen in the second half of this “raw video” from the station’s site. On her website, Eddie wrote earlier this week that their team raised $16,000 (Monday morning update – Eddie says more than $17,600). We took cameraphone photos during the walk for as-it-happened coverage via Twitter (scroll down to Sunday morning “tweets” with photo links), but our favorite shot every year is the one taken as the thousands of walkers enter The Viaduct heading northbound from the stadium zone:

Last year, we wondered if that would be the last time The Viaduct was open to walkers – because of uncertainty over its fate – now we know that it’s likely to remain standing till 2015, but much construction is already happening around it – one view from today:

Congratulations to everyone who walked and ran today, and to all the survivors, those there in spirit as well as those there in person. Many walk in celebration and/or memory of special people; for us, it’s the mother-in-law I never met, the grandmother my son never met, Mildred Hickman Sand, lost to breast cancer in 1972. May the cure be near — TR

West Seattle Garden Tour: Get a sneak peek online

Just found out via one of the spotlighted households that the gardens in next month’s West Seattle Garden Tour are all now described online, with photos. July 19 is the date for the self-guided WSGT; this year’s guest speaker is gardening star Ciscoe Morris, whose presentation at The Kenney at noon on tour day is included in the ticket price.

West Seattle weekend scenes: Farewell parties @ SSCC, Cooper

You can’t have a farewell party without a cake. That’s one of two we saw this afternoon while stopping by two celebrations we had previewed – first, the one for Ingrid Olsen-Young, the popular veteran preschool teacher at South Seattle Community College Co-Op Preschool who’s leaving for Walla Walla. “Teacher Ingrid” agreed to take a quick break from mingling with well-wishers to pose with friend Janet Ko (thanks again to Janet for help with our preview story):

The party was, of course, at SSCC, Brockey Center to be precise; photos were shown on the big screen, and albums were out for perusal:

Now a bit northwest to Pigeon Point, where Cooper School‘s “closure celebration” opened the school to visitors this afternoon, 4 months after the School Board vote to end the Cooper Elementary “program”:

Outside, kids got the chance to bounce:

Cooper Elementary classes continue until Seattle Public Schools‘ last day of the year on June 19; between now and then, the legal challenge brought by closure opponents (first WSB story here, followup here) gets a hearing next Friday.

West Seattle wildlife: Caught playing (o)possum

Quick break between news stories – more in the works, but first we wanted to share that photo e-mailed by Kristina with this explanation:

My dogs and I were walking on the green area off of Bonair and we came upon a possum playing dead. It’s North America’s only marsupial! After we gave it some space it perked up and sauntered off into the trees.

Everything you could ever possibly want to know about opossums – including what “playing possum” is all about and how they got to our area in the first place – is on this helpful state-created webpage.

West Seattle Crime Watch: Two cars targeted

(Updated from first publication with 10:35 pm addition of second incident) Just out of the WSB inbox:

FYI for the neighborhood.

Left the car parked outside my house last night, instead of the carport (32nd & Henderson area). This morning, found the keyhole damaged and the framing between the window and door was pried up. No other damage and they didn’t get in the car….Nothing fancy, just a 15 year old car with a fork in the front seat. Asked around and no one saw or heard anything.

Wendy B

Also note that in comments on our previous story about possible stolen items dumped in Pigeon Point, one commenter mentioned a keying spree in that area last night. ADDED 10:35 PM: From Todd in Westwood:

My wife’s 08 Subaru Impreza has been vandalized. Sometime in the last two weeks, someone has poured paint remover on the hood, doors and roof of the car. The substance was clear and sticky, we thought it might be tree sap, as we park it under two large horse chestnut trees. Once I started to wash the car, the paint came right off, just like automotive paint remover.

We have been in contact with an officer at the SW Precinct who thinks it might be random or a real amateur job. We have contacted Benjamin Kinlow at the SW Precinct a few weeks back to start the process of getting the block watch back in order.

If you’re interested in Block Watch, here’s the Crime Prevention page on the Southwest Precinct website.

Dumped items: “Did somebody have their car stolen last night?”

So asked Rich in the note he sent with the photo you see above:

This new looking “Bugaboo Gecko” stroller is sitting just off the road near the 4400 block of 21st Ave SW, right by the radio tower. There are various cloth grocery bags and an umbrella. This is not the usual trash that gets dumped in this field… I tried calling the police non emergency number, 206-625-5011, but was advised to call back later by an automated voice due to a large number calls.

I hate the fact that car thieves might be using my neighborhood as safe place to ransack stolen cars.

If the stroller is yours, Rich can reunite you with it – contact us and we’ll put you in touch with him – editor@westseattleblog.com. (P.S. A note if you live in Pigeon Point – tomorrow night’s the next meeting of the Pigeon Point Neighborhood Council, 7 pm at Cooper School.)

Followup: Alki gun-violation suspect out of jail

June 7, 2009 1:30 pm
|    Comments Off on Followup: Alki gun-violation suspect out of jail
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

We’ve been following the story of the 25-year-old Army sergeant arrested and jailed Friday night after an incident on Alki – original Friday night coverage here, Saturday followup here. Just checked the King County Jail Register — he posted bail (which had been set at $1,000) and got out around 9:30 this morning. The allegation against him is listed in Seattle Municipal Court records as “carrying firearm with intent to intimidate” (which is in this section of the Municipal Code). We’ll check with city attorneys tomorrow to see what happens next.

Celebrating West Seattle volunteers: Nominated anyone yet?

June 7, 2009 12:05 pm
|    Comments Off on Celebrating West Seattle volunteers: Nominated anyone yet?
 |   Delridge District Council | How to help | Southwest District Council

Not sure how many were from West Seattle, but kudos to the MANY volunteers (like the green-shirted cheerleaders above) who made the Race for the Cure an incredible event again this year (our photos later, and if you have one of you and/or other West Seattleites in the event, please share – editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!) Anyway, seeing them reminded us that we want to update you on the GREAT response so far to the brand-new effort to celebrate West Seattle volunteers, just launched by the Southwest and Delridge District Councils and WSB. We know the peninsula’s home to HUNDREDS of people who really rock the volunteer world to make this a better place, so while we’ve got some fab nominees now, let’s get more — take a second and send in the name(s) of the one(s) you appreciate the most! Here’s the quick ‘n’ easy online nomination form – deadline is June 17th; a community panel will review the entries and choose three for recognition during one of the summer’s big events, the July 14th Hi-Yu Concert in the Park.

Today: Viaduct closure for R4TC, bike ride, Cooper, orcas …

VIADUCT CLOSURE AND RACE FOR THE CURE: Different agencies have offered different times but suffice it to say — the Alaskan Way Viaduct will be closed from early this morning (7-ish) till 11 am, for the Race for the Cure. You can register at Qwest Field if you haven’t pre-registered; that’s what your procrastinating editor here will be doing — we’ll also be there to catch West Seattle middle schooler Adam Westerman (left with mom Eddie Westerman, a breast-cancer survivor) serving as Kids’ Run Grand Marshal. If you’re interested in a few updates from R4TC as it happens, check our Twitter feed (twitter.com/westseattleblog) – possibly Facebook too (where you’ll find us as WS Blog). One more Viaduct note: Remember the open house at Madison Middle School this Wednesday, 6-8 pm (see ad in WSB sidebar), for you to get info about the tunnel plan and offer comments on what should be studied for official reports.

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm as always; here’s the “fresh sheet.”

TIDE GUIDES: It’s not a mega-low-tide today but low enough for the Seattle Aquarium to have uniformed Beach Naturalists at Constellation Park and Lincoln Park (south of Colman Pool), 10 am-1 pm

PLANT SALE/PET ADOPTION: Furry Faces Foundation‘s plant sale is 10 am-4 pm today, 3809 46th SW, with pet adoption on-site noon-4 pm.

NO SKILLET: Skillet Street Food will NOT be in West Seattle today – they’re taking their Airstream to the Mariners’ game instead.

HOLY ROSARY CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION BEGINS: First major event – 11:15 Homecoming Mass followed by a special luncheon (full details here).

BIKE RIDE: Tour West Seattle’s historical spots on two wheels with the Southwest Seattle Historical Society; meet at the Log House Museum at 12:30 pm.

INGRID OLSEN-YOUNG CELEBRATION: 2 pm at South Seattle Community College‘s Brockey Center, as the beloved preschool teacher says goodbye to SSCC; see our story about her here.

COOPER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FAREWELL: 2 pm, looking ahead to the scheduled closure of the school “program” later this month. Full details here.

“ORCA TRAIL” OPEN HOUSE: 4-7 pm at Alki Bathhouse – details here.

Even more events — including Day 3 of SIFF at the Admiral Theater — in the West Seattle Weekend Lineup.

11:22 AM UPDATE: The Viaduct did reopen before 11, in case you were wondering.

Seattle Aquarium beach naturalists in West Seattle this summer

June 7, 2009 2:31 am
|    Comments Off on Seattle Aquarium beach naturalists in West Seattle this summer
 |   Announcements

When low tides reveal more of West Seattle’s shore, you don’t have to figure it out for yourself – you can take advantage of this free service – here’s the official announcement we received:

The Seattle Aquarium will have uniformed Beach Naturalists at Constellation Park Marine Reserve (63rd SW and Beach Drive SW) and Lincoln Park (south of the pool) on the following low tide dates:

June 7, 10 am – 1:30 pm
June 20, 9am – 12pm; June 21, 10am – 1pm
June 22, 10am – 1pm & June 23, 10am – 2pm
July 5, 10am – 1pm
July 19, 9am – 11am; July 20, 9:30am -12:30pm; July 21, 10am – 1:30pm

They can answer questions about marine life on these two West Seattle beaches. For more information visit The Seattle Aquarium website:
www.seattleaquarium.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=267

Blood drive at West Seattle PCC store on July 3rd

July 3, there’s a blood drive at West Seattle’s PCC. Here’s the official announcement:

Did you know that nearly 38,000 transfusions are performed daily in the
United States? Volunteer donors are the only source of this precious
gift which can mean life for pre-mature babies, cancer and surgery
patients, accident victims and other ill and injured people.

Each day the Puget Sound Blood Center must collect nearly 900 pints of
blood to support patients within our community. Donors must be 18 or
older (16 or 17 with parental permission), weigh at least 110 pounds and
be in good general health. Because blood is separated into and
transfused as components, just one donation can help up to three people.

Hydrating well prior to donation and eating a small meal can help the
donation process if you have never donated before. And remember, you
can donate every 8 weeks -that’s up to 6 times per year! If you have
questions about medical criteria or potential deferrals, please contact
1-800-398-7888 or email our Clinical Support Specialists,
clinicalsupport@psbc.org.

Please help support the PCC Natural Market-West Seattle blood drive!
Walk-ins are welcome!

Date: Friday, July 3, 2009

Where: PCC Natural Market, West Seattle

Address: 2749 California Ave SW

Hours: 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm (lunch break from 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm)

Thank you for your support!

Joe Crookston performs at Youngstown on August 8

Got this from Paul Fischburg:

Our beloved Joe Crookston will make a rare appearance at Youngstown on August 8th – doors open at 7:30, show starts at 8:30.

Tickets are already on sale and this concert will almost certainly sell out. Seats are limited but the magic and creativity are not! You can pick up tickets at for $15 at Fremont Place Books: 621 N. 35th St Seattle, WA (206-547-5970) e-mail: info@FremontPlaceBooks.com for info.

Or Tickets can be purchased online at: brownpapertickets.com

West Seattle wildlife: A fine tern of events

Well, that’s all we could think of for a headline, given that Beach Drive Blog already took “Tern, Tern, Tern” (here’s the soundtrack). Great pix on BDB: Terns over West Seattle waters.

Monitoring the “Whole Foods hole”: Citizen Q, city A

While much of the attention regarding the stalled Whole Foods development at Fauntleroy/Alaska/39th has focused on what will happen to, and in, the huge hole – one WSBer has been worrying about the road alongside the hole. She contacted the city to express her concerns and wanted to share the e-mail she received, regarding how it’s being monitored — read on:Read More

From the Seal Sitters: Harbor seal dies after West Seattle rescue

If you’ve been following the story of the Alki gun incident last night, you know that it included the report (starting with this comment on our original report) that a seal was being harassed by the man arrested for an alleged weapons violation. It’s believed now that it’s the same seal whose death has just been reported by Robin Lindsey of West Seattle-based Seal Sitters, a harbor seal that died today after being rescued from the Harbor Ave waterfront – read on for her full report, including what to do if you encounter a marine mammal in any kind of trouble or being threatened: (Monday update: the Seal Sitters have updated their website – see the update here – their original Saturday night report is what follows)Read More

Party on Sunday to celebrate “magical” teacher Ingrid Olsen-Young

By Kathy Mulady
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

On her last day teaching at the co-op preschool at South Seattle Community College, Ingrid Olsen-Young was holding her ink stamp, ready to place a happy message on the hands or tummies of the tots in her class, a ritual at the end of each day.

Suddenly she stopped and smiled. The little tummies were already stamped — each with a simple “thank you.”

Sunday, the “thank you” will be a little more elaborate as 20 years of preschool students gather to honor Ingrid with a farewell reunion at the Jerry M. Brockey Center on campus from 2 to 5 p.m.

“Losing Ingrid is kind of devastating,” said Margaret Pyfer. “She personally cares about each family. She truly cares about each child.”Read More

SIFF at The Admiral, day 2 (with more from night 1 party)

June 6, 2009 3:58 pm
|    Comments Off on SIFF at The Admiral, day 2 (with more from night 1 party)
 |   Admiral Theater | Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(photo by Christopher Boffoli)
The party’s over but more than 20 screenings are yet to come, as West Seattle makes its Seattle International Film Festival debut — this is day 2, and many are no doubt still recovering from day 1:

Shortly after cutting a ceremonial ribbon last night during the open house/party celebrating the Admiral Theater‘s debut as a SIFF venue, SIFF director Carl Spence (with Admiral entertainment director Dinah Brein-McClellan at the start of the clip) was ceremonially “kidnapped” by the Seafair Pirates. But that was just the conclusion of their visit – as always, they made an entrance that could be heard for miles around:

(They’ll be landing on Alki on July 11th, by the way.) And while at the theater, they helped cut the cake in pirate style:

That photo’s also by WSB photojournalist Christopher Boffoli, as are all the others you’ll see just ahead – more scenes from the party, and information on the rest of SIFF’s run at The Admiral:Read More

Safe Futures Youth Center bowling fundraiser June 9

June 6, 2009 2:50 pm
|    Comments Off on Safe Futures Youth Center bowling fundraiser June 9
 |   Announcements

It’s not in West Seattle, but Safe Futures Youth Center is – here’s a chance to help:

Rock & Bowl for SafeFutures Youth Center!

June 9th, 2009 / 5:30pm

Garage Billiards (Capitol Hill)
1130 Broadway Ave, Seattle

$20 minimum donation requested (includes bowling and shoes rental)
Must be 21+, ID required
Chance to win door prizes!

For more information, call Alex at 206-235-8892

Happening now: P-Patch progress, plant sale, apartment tour

More work today at the new P-Patch in The Junction: Aaron Hernandez from the Friends of Genesee P-Patch sent that photo from Thursday – a city crew has been by to help clear the garden site, which as we recently reported, is one of four new P-Patch sites in line for city funding from the Parks and Green Spaces Levy (the P-Patch also has received a Small and Simple Grant, according to Aaron). Site volunteers are doing some more work there today; if you’re interested in future involvement with the P-Patch, you can reach Aaron here. No matter what kind of gardening you’re doing, you need something to grow. You’ve got myriad plant-buying options this weekend – for one, Village Green Perennial Nursery has just rejoined us as a WSB sponsor – they’re only open for the season till June 28 – and then there’s the Furry Faces Foundation fundraising plant sale:

Lora Lewis from F3 and Hotwire Coffee (WSB sponsor) sent that petunia photo. The sale — with most plants from $1 to $5, Lora notes — continues till 4 pm, and again 10 am-4 pm tomorrow, at 3809 46th SW (tomorrow adoptable pets will be there too, noon-4 pm). Back in The Junction, till 2 pm today, you can enjoy free treats and get a tour at Mural Apartments (WSB sponsor), which has thrown open the doors to show off in its first month of renting brand-new units in “Downtown West Seattle.” 42nd SW, right across from Jefferson Square. Say hi to manager Rose (posing with some of the aforementioned free snacks):

Again, the full slate of what’s up this weekend is in the West Seattle Weekend Lineup.

Hunger-fighting Tour de Revs to stop at Peace Lutheran in West Seattle

June 6, 2009 12:21 pm
|    Comments Off on Hunger-fighting Tour de Revs to stop at Peace Lutheran in West Seattle
 |   Announcements

Here’s the official announcement:

Thursday July 2 Peace Lutheran 3816 39th Ave. SW [39th/Thistle] will host a Potluck/Presentation Block Party from 6-8 pm featuring the Tour de Revs, a trio of Lutheran Pastors travelling cross country on a bamboo bicycle built for three to raise awareness and funds to end Hunger. This will be stop 39 of 65 in their 13,000 mile journey traveling on their custom bamboo bicycle created by Craig Calfee from a design originally created for local production in the developing world.

The cycling Revs will share about their trip, the bike, and their mission to end Hunger. Cycling youth from Peace Lutheran, St. Luke’s in Bellevue, and Our Savior’s in Issaquah will be cycling in that evening from a local cycling and service trip and will also share about their experience.

West Seattle and White Center Food Banks along with other local charities and community agencies will be represented, the grills will be grilling and the people chilling.

Bring a non perishable food item for the West Seattle and White Center Food Banks and something to share.

Ride your bike and end the evening with a sunset ride in beautiful West Seattle with the Revs.

All are welcome.

www.peacelutheranseattle.org
www.tourderevs.org

Questions/RSVP Kristie Neklason worldhunger@lutheransnw.org

Tomorrow: “The Whale Trail” open house at Alki Bathhouse

June 6, 2009 12:09 pm
|    Comments Off on Tomorrow: “The Whale Trail” open house at Alki Bathhouse
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | Wildlife

(February 2008 photo courtesy Jeff Hogan)
Just got word of this (with an eVite) — too late for the original publication of the latest West Seattle Weekend Lineup but we love orcas so wanted to call special attention to it:

The Whale Trail Open House/Fundraiser
Sunday, June 7th, from 4 – 7 p.m. at the Alki Beach Bathhouse

June is orca month in Washington! Help us celebrate by attending an Open House and Fundraiser for The Whale Trail (www.thewhaletrail.org) at the Alki Beach Bathhouse in Seattle.

Learn more about whales in the Seattle area, and what you can do to help protect them. Mingle with our core team including representatives from NOAA, Washington Dept of Fish and Wildlife, People for Puget Sound, the Seattle Aquarium, the Whale Museum and Coast Watch Society. Celebrate the start of orca month, and support a great cause, too!

The event is open to the public, and will feature light refreshments, educational displays, and a short program. There is no charge but donations to support The Whale Trail are welcome. Please stop by – looking forward to seeing you there!

What’s “The Whale Trail,” you ask? From its website:

Our mission is to inspire appreciation and stewardship of whales and our marine environment by establishing a network of viewing sites along the whales’ trails through Puget Sound and the coastal waters of the Pacific Northwest.

P.S. Sounds like some great speakers at the event too, from a phone conversation we just had, including an opening by Duwamish Tribe chair Cecile Hansen and a presentation by local orca researcher Mark Sears.

Alki gun incident update: Armed Army sergeant arrested

(Friday night WSB photo, taken on 63rd just south of 63rd)
Last night, we happened to be driving in Alki when police passed us, rushing to the scene of a report that someone had “brandished” a weapon; here’s what we reported at the time. This morning, in addition to commenters providing more detail following our first report, we now have full details from police via SPDBlotter, which identifies the suspect as a 25-year-old man and tells the story:

On 06/05/09, at approximately 7:00 p.m., a suspect was at 60th AV SW and Alki Av SW with a female friend, when he got into a confrontation with a group of juveniles (young teenagers — middle school students). The suspect hurled profanities at the teens and pulled up his shirt to display a holstered handgun, frightening the juveniles and many onlookers. Officers arrived on scene and quickly located the suspect at Alki & 63rd SW. Officers recovered a .357 magnum revolver from the suspect’s waistband. He appeared to be under the influence of alcohol, and was also carrying a flask of whiskey. The suspect, produced a US Army ID, identifying him as an active duty sergeant, and a CCW permit issued by the state of Ohio.

After interviewing victims and witnesses, it was determined that the display of the handgun did not appear reasonable in response to any real or perceived threats from the juveniles. The suspect was arrested without incident and transported the Southwest Precinct. The suspect’s immediate commanding officer was contacted and made aware of the situation. The suspect was booked into King County Jail for unlawful carrying/display of a weapon. The revolver and Ohio CCW card were placed into evidence.

Washington does honor Ohio concealed-weapons permits, by the way, according to data we found online. As for the suspect’s status, while we don’t have his name, the jail register does show one man booked into jail last night on this type of charge, and he’s still in custody right now in lieu of $950 bail.