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  • Closure

    LOW-BRIDGE CLOSURE: This weekend’s plan

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    VIDEO: Crime Q&A with police, politicians

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    ALKI PARKING: Are changes ‘done deal’?

A signature quilt, and a memorable evening
March 12, 2009 3:33 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Fauntleroy | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

That one-of-a-kind quilt is hanging near the door of the Fellowship Hall at Fauntleroy Church – but it’s in the market for a new owner. Your WSB co-publishers got the story behind it Wednesday night while talking to Little Pilgrim School director Lorrie Cook after our guest appearance in the church’s “Re-creating Community in Our Day” series:

Thanks to Kevin McClintic for the photo, and thanks to everybody who came out to share in the chat, and to Rev. David Kratz and his church for inviting us; next Wednesday at 7 pm, Diane Shiner speaks on “The Interplay of Environment and Community.” Now back to that quilt: School parent Krista Withers designed and crafted it, and it has a square for each student in Little Pilgrim School, designed in consultation with the students – each one met with her to choose fabric, designate an animal, and apply their “signature.” It’s in the tradition of signature/friendship quilts dating as far back as the Civil War, created as raffle items to raise money for soldiers — now, it’s being raffled to raise money for the school, and the raffle happens May 3rd at the Little Pilgrim Spring Parent Workshop. Tickets are just $1 each, six for $5, and if you don’t have friends/family at the school from whom you can buy ’em, contact Lorrie Cook at lorrie@fauntleroyucc.org or 932-5600.

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34th District Democrats endorse Constantine, bridge name
March 12, 2009 2:23 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Fauntleroy | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

From Wednesday night’s 34th District Democrats meeting, Bill Schrier sent that photo with word that West Seattle’s largest political organization “overwhelmingly endorsed” King County Council Chair Dow Constantine in his run for King County Executive (which is now officially a nonpartisan position), and contributed $3,434.34 to his campaign. Earlier in his political career, Constantine served as 34th District State Senator and Representative. We interviewed him the day he announced his Executive candidacy (see the story here); we have since interviewed his major opponent (so far), County Councilmember Larry Phillips, and plan to publish that story later today. P.S. from tonight’s 34th DDs’ meeting: They also heard from two other West Seattleites who you’ll see on the ballot this fall, City Council candidates David Ginsberg and Dorsol Plants. And the group endorsed a resolution to rename the West Seattle Bridge in honor of former City Councilmember Jeanette Williams (we first told you about the naming campaign back in January).

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Mayor … Duke?
March 12, 2009 2:21 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle politics | West Seattle restaurants

He’s said it before (we found a 2005 reference) and now he’s apparently saying it again; Duke’s Chowder House restaurant chain owner Duke Moscrip (whose locations include one on Alki) says he’s thinking about a mayoral run. Here’s part of a group e-mail he sent:

I have recently been encouraged to run for Mayor of Seattle and I am seriously considering the idea. Many of you have said that I have “always acted like the Mayor so might as well give you the job.” All kidding aside, my interest and motive in doing so will be clear to you when you begin to see my writings on the issues in our City and State. Please take this opportunity to go take a look on the page created at Facebook. I encourage you to comment on my ideas and/or my potential campaign.

Here’s the Facebook link; there’s a Twitter account set up too (so far, just pointing to two links on the FB page). So, is he truly serious? We put in a call; Moscrip called back late Wednesday night and left voice mail saying he’s “inclined” to run but hasn’t made up his mind yet. We hope to chat with him more in-depth soon. Those who HAVE filed their intention to campaign, besides incumbent Mayor Nickels: James Donaldson (the former Sonic also is on the council-candidate list) and Norman Sigler.

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Movie previews: 2 days till this Saturday night’s special events
March 12, 2009 2:04 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Admiral Theater | Fun stuff to do | West Seattle Outdoor Movies

That’s the trailer for the ORIGINAL “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,” a family fave that’s FREE on the big screens in the West Seattle Christian Church Activity Center this Saturday night, for the second of three Winter Movies on the Wall – that’s INDOORS, mind you – presented by Junction merchants (and co-sponsors including WSB). Movie’s at 7, doors open at 5:30, bring a chair and a donation for the West Seattle Food Bank.

Meantime, Saturday night’s also showtime at the Admiral Theater, not just for the singalong edition of “Mamma Mia,” but also for this couple to say their vows onstage for real:

(photo courtesy Melodie Anderson)
We’ve been telling you about Melodie Anderson and John Babcock‘s wedding right before “Mamma Mia” at The Admiral, 7:30 pm Saturday – Admiral entertainment director Dinah Brein McClellan put out the call for couples after she and her team thought it might be fun to enhance the movie’s romantic theme with real-life love. She’s providing the nondenominational minister; Sugar Rush Baking Company is providing wedding cake and mini-cupcakes; Cafe Revo‘s donating a wedding dinner for four; and a secret donor’s throwing in a Chelan vacation-home stay. (Anything else for the happy couple or the fun festivities? Let Dinah know at dinah@admiralentertainment.com) You don’t have to bring anything but good cheer – it’s all part of the $8 ticket price for the “Mamma Mia” singalong (song list here; we’re thinking “Take a Chance on Me” is particularly apropos). Tickets are available online.

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$15 million settlement for athlete paralyzed in WSHS incident
March 11, 2009 11:05 pm
|    Comments Off on $15 million settlement for athlete paralyzed in WSHS incident
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

Just posted tonight at SeattlePI.com: $15 million settlement for Mac Clay, paralyzed after a wrestling-practice incident at West Seattle High School two years ago. The article says the money will come from Seattle Public Schools‘ insurance, not from the district directly. Mac now attends Seattle University and plays wheelchair rugby with the Seattle Slam, which has a tournament coming up this weekend.

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West Seattle scenes: Wednesday bookends, sunset and moonset
March 11, 2009 10:27 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle weather

Thanks to two photographers for sharing scenes that bookended today: Above, Colby‘s photo from Lincoln Park at sunset tonight; below, Tracy White‘s photo looking at this morning’s moonset behind north Vashon Island:

Got a timely photo to share? editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!

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Date set for Alki Point sidewalk work to start: Next Monday
March 11, 2009 5:48 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

(WSB photo from February 13 SDOT-led tour of Alki Point sidewalk-project site)
We broke the news last Thursday that the Alki Point sidewalk/traffic-calming project would definitely start this month. Now SDOT has just sent word that Monday, March 16, is the official start date. As the city’s project page notes, no-parking signs will be in place as needed with minimum three days’ notice, so if they’re not up already, area residents should be on the lookout. As shown on the final plans (see them here) and discussed during the SDOT-led tour we covered a month ago, the city is routing the sidewalk completion along Alki Ave between 65th SW and Beach Drive so that most of the existing residential parking will remain; raised crosswalks will be installed at both ends of the project, as well as other “traffic calming” measures at 63rd/Alki to maximize the number of vehicles that head southbound on 63rd from northbound Alki – especially important since the sidewalk addition will narrow the non-arterial westernmost stretch of Alki Ave.

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Sound Transit drops proposal to cancel West Seattle 560 service
March 11, 2009 5:04 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

Last night at the Fauntleroy Community Association meeting, board members expressed concern about the possibility Sound Transit might be dropping the West Seattle leg of its Route 560 bus service (as discussed in a recent WS open house). Even before we could write our wrapup of last night’s meeting, we got word from FCA president Bruce Butterfield of a new development – and Bruce Gray from Sound Transit just confirmed it to WSB:

The idea of removing all West Seattle service from the 560 route is off the table.

During the course of our usual public outreach process that’s been going on since early January we’ve heard loud and clear that there are many in the area who value this route and its service to/from West Seattle.

Right now we’re taking a close look at which times this route has the highest use. Eliminating some of the runs with very low ridership could be an option we would recommend to our Board. None of these would be during rush-hour trips.

We encourage riders to contact us at fastride@soundtransit.org or 866-940-4387 to let us know their thoughts about proposed changes to the 560. We will also host a public hearing in the Sound Transit Board room on Thursday, April 2, at noon to hear feedback on proposed service changes. The full Board is expected to take up the matter at their April 23 meeting.

Gray encourages everyone interested in Sound Transit to take an online survey about the 560 and other proposed service changes ST has been considering – find that survey here.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Recognize this loot? Call police
March 11, 2009 3:54 pm
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Just in from Detective Brian Ballew at the Southwest Precinct: “Could you please post the attached photos … and see if anyone recognizes the property. The items were recovered during a burglary investigation in the West Seattle area.” Here are the photos:

If you have any idea whose these are/where they are from, please call Detective Ballew at 206-233-7836.

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Congratulations to Elliott Bay Brewery: “Business of the Year”
March 11, 2009 3:48 pm
|      28 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Patti Mullen of the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce tells us it’s OK to share the just-revealed news that Elliott Bay Brewery has been chosen the Chamber’s Business of the Year – so, congratulations, EBB! The award will be presented at a special breakfast event at Salty’s on Alki at 7:30 am April 8th, at which time Robinson Newspapers founder Jerry Robinson also will be honored with the Chamber’s Community Service Award. For tickets , contact the Chamber – 932-5685 (and wschamber.com) – and be sure to look out for copies of the shiny new Chamber-published West Seattle Community Resource Guide!

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Looking ahead: Energy spotlight at Sustainable West Seattle
March 11, 2009 3:39 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | Sustainable West Seattle | West Seattle news

In late January, we showed you that video of the Jellyfish Wind Appliance, along with word that its West Seattle inventor Chad Maglaque is among the entrants in a Google-sponsored competition. Google subsequently pushed back its announcement of the 100 finalists (who’ll be put to a public vote) till March 17, and today we know that the day BEFORE that announcement, Maglaque will be among the speakers at Sustainable West Seattle‘s next meeting — next Monday, March 16. Energy will be in the spotlight, with the program also including reps from Seattle City Light and Northwest Sustainable Energy for Economic Development. SWS meets next Monday, 7 pm, Camp Long Lodge. (And a reminder – applications are being taken now for exhibitors and sponsors for the 2nd annual Sustainable West Seattle Festival, 10 am-3 pm May 3rd in The Junction; find out more here.)

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Cars targeted, again
March 11, 2009 1:45 pm
|      19 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

As was reiterated again last night by Lt. Steve Paulsen in the crime update at the JuNO meeting (WSB report here), car-related crime is one of the worst West Seattle problems at the moment, even with crime down overall. That photo came from Scott, who says:

This morning I woke up to discover that thieves had stolen the front of my Honda Civic. I live on 37th between Dakota and Andover [map] and the car was parked in the alley behind our house. They took the hood, lights, front bumper and the front side panels. They also broke a small triangular window towards the back of the car for some reason. It didn’t seem like got inside the car, there was nothing in there to take. Whoever did this knew what they were doing – other than the window there wasn’t any other damage.

We also have a short note from yesterday regarding a window-smash situation – this report was from Michale, who saw it while driving by:

I just wanted to report a car break=in (Tuesday) morning on the corner of 40th Ave SW and Holly [map]. I live just a block away and on my way to work, I noticed a car with a smashed-out window and glass all over the street. From what I could tell, the thieves only hit the one vehicle. This is the first time I have seen a smash and grab in the neighborhood. I would like to just put the word out there for people in the area to be on the lookout.

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Happening tonight: 34th DDs and WSB in Fauntleroy, and more
March 11, 2009 11:52 am
|    Comments Off on Happening tonight: 34th DDs and WSB in Fauntleroy, and more
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle politics | West Seattle schools

From the WSB West Seattle-wide Events calendar – first, two events tonight across the street from each other in Fauntleroy: The 34th District Democrats are at The Hall at Fauntleroy (old schoolhouse) for their monthly meeting at 7 pm, with the agenda including City Council candidates David Ginsberg and David Bloom (who’s already spoken twice in West Seattle in the past week, here and here); across the street at Fauntleroy Church, the ongoing “Re-creating Community in Our Day” speaker series features your WSB co-publishers tonight at 7 pm (after an optional “simple supper,” for which the church will accept donations, at 6). In Delridge tonight, anyone applying for Seattle Public Schools during this month’s open enrollment period is welcome to go to the Delridge Library 5:30-7 pm for in-person application help (more here). And tonight, Junction Idol continues at Rocksport, 9 pm.

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Mayor at SWYFS: Kerlikowske congratulations; new utility help
March 11, 2009 10:38 am
|    Comments Off on Mayor at SWYFS: Kerlikowske congratulations; new utility help
 |   Delridge | Utilities | West Seattle news

(Video: Sili Savusa of SWYFS discusses how the utility-bill-help changes will be used in their work)
Just back from Mayor Nickels’ brief media op at Southwest Youth and Family Services in North Delridge. Two big items: First, he publicly congratulated Police Chief Gil Kerllikowske for the official announcement this morning of his nomination as federal “drug czar” (White House news release here); the mayor says he will announce his plans for interim SPD leadership on Monday. His Kerlikowske quote: “Our loss is the nation’s gain.” He would not comment on a possible short list for interim and permanent chief, although he hinted quite strongly that the permanent chief could well come from within SPD – here’s video of what he said about that:

Second, the main reason for the briefing: He announced — with the help of SWYFS staffers Rosario Nava and Sili Savusa (Rosario is at the microphone in the top photo) — a new streamlined program for offering utility-bill help to families making 70 percent or less of the local median income. Bottom line on that: The city will now use the same eligibility standard for Seattle Public Utilities and Seattle City Light help – currently, that’s an annual income of $53,124 or less for a family of four, which makes you eligible for a 50 percent reduction in utility bills for up to 18 months. You can get an application and more information by calling 206-684-0268. Full details in this city news release.

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West Seattle scene: “Lion King” roars out of town – from here
March 11, 2009 9:34 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Seen around town | West Seattle news

Thanks to Anne at Ventana Construction (WSB sponsor) for e-mailing to ask “what’s up with all those cars and car carriers?” at the vacant ex-Huling lot south of the 76 station. We went over to check it out and here’s the deal: The traveling cast and crew of “The Lion King” are about to move on to their next stop, and they needed a place to rendezvous, so the vehicles that the cast and crew have been driving can be transported to the next stop (Michigan, they said). Why here? “Big empty lots are hard to come by!” was the reply.

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Hey, bidder, bidder: More info on a West Seattle auction
March 11, 2009 9:15 am
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Thanks to Beel for pointing out that the items Seattle Public Schools will auction here in West Seattle this Saturday are now catalogued and shown on the auctioneer’s website (even musical instruments!). Here’s the starting page. The auction starts at 9 am Saturday (with preview time at 8 am) at the currently vacant EC Hughes building, 7734 34th SW (map).

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Admiral Neighborhood Association meeting: “Political night”
March 11, 2009 3:23 am
|    Comments Off on Admiral Neighborhood Association meeting: “Political night”
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

By Charla Mustard-Foote
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

Tuesday night’s Admiral Neighborhood Association (ANA) meeting at Admiral Congregational Church was billed as a “Political Night”, and the main topics were transit, spending priorities, neighborhoods (and their residents) and money (the subjects of most local political discussions these days.)

16 people braved the cold to hear David Bloom and Highland Park’s Dorsol Plants tout their Seattle City Council candidacies. King County Executive candidate Dow Constantine was a surprise addition to the agenda.

Read More

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West Seattle woman with aid/peace delegation in Gaza
March 11, 2009 2:58 am
|      18 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

If you follow what’s happening in the Middle East, you may have heard about an international aid delegation, sponsored by the women’s peace group Code Pink, that made it into Gaza from a long-closed Egyptian border crossing. Turns out a West Seattle woman is with the group. Dr. Amal Sedky Winter‘s daughter, Miriam Yovetich, e-mailed to share her mother’s story. In e-mail to family and friends, Dr. Winter described the delegation as “almost 60 women with sleeping bags and tents” as they camped out hoping the border crossing would open so they could fulfill an invitation from the United Nations Refugee Agency to be in Gaza for International Women’s Day last weekend. (Her e-mail can be read in its entirety on this website.) Dr. Winter is an Egyptian-born psychologist who has been in the U.S. since her teen years, and has long advocated on behalf of Arab women’s rights. The delegation’s visit is scheduled to end today, according to this story about a B.C. woman who also is with the group. Dr. Winter’s daughter also tells us her mother has been developing this website to share information about Egypt.

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March moonrise, photographed from West Seattle
March 11, 2009 1:30 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle weather

The moon was officially full right about the time it rose tonight. WSB photojournalist Christopher Boffoli captured this memorable moonrise. Crystal-clear night, already into the 20s at this writing.

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Junction crime update, including latest on Steve Bushaw murder
March 10, 2009 11:44 pm
|      24 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Safety | West Seattle news

(2/1/09 photo by WSB contributing photojournalist Christopher Boffoli)
An update on the unsolved murder of Steve Bushaw was part of what the Junction Neighborhood Organization heard during tonight’s lightly attended meeting – the many who have voiced concern about recent Junction crime, but didn’t attend the meeting, missed a chance for candid Q/A with the #2 boss from the Southwest Precinct, Lt. Steve Paulsen. One big question came from JuNO president Erica Karlovits: What if anything could he say about the Bushaw case, 5 1/2 weeks after the 26-year-old was shot and killed on Super Bowl night? Lt. Paulsen said, “This was not a random attack … homicide detectives have a lot of good leads and it’s progressing. Sometimes these take a lot of time, even if you know who a suspect is, to develop probable cause …” And he reiterated that there’s no evidence it was random: “Every indication is that these people knew each other.” The absence of stranger-on-stranger violence was a theme in his general discussion, and the Q/A, about Junction-area crime. Car prowls continue to be the top problem, but he said they were down in February – just under 90, compared to just under 130 in January, and the March rate is even lower so far, with just two reported to police in the past few weeks. He mentioned a couple of recent arrests may have played a part in getting the worst offenders off the street.

He also was asked about trouble with “night establishments” and drunk driving, especially given what happened last night:

(Monday evening photo by Mark Ammann)
Lt. Paulsen reiterated that DUI is suspected in last night’s crash, in which the 35-year-old driver of that pickup hit 13 other cars (mostly parked) along the east side of California SW in the heart of The Junction’s business district (previous WSB coverage here). It was also mentioned that a suspected drunk driver hit a pole on that same side of California just north of Oregon several hours later (911 logs confirm a motor-vehicle accident call at that location at 1:52 am today). More of tonight’s discussion about Junction crime, just ahead:Read More

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2 Sen. McDermott-sponsored civil-rights bills win Senate votes
March 10, 2009 10:37 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle politics

Late night for legislators in Olympia. Senate Democrats have sent word that two bills with sponsors including West Seattle State Sen. Joe McDermott have passed: SB 5688, extending “full marital benefits” to domestic partnerships, and SB 5952, which, as described in a news release, “add(s) ‘transgendered’ to the definition of sexual orientation that is in the state’s hate crime statute.” Both have companion bills that have to be voted on by the full State House — you can check their status through the pages for each Senate bill (linked to their numbers above).

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Heart On My Sleeve: Fashion, and love, from Pigeon Point
March 10, 2009 8:00 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Pigeon Point | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Seattle could and should be “the independent fashion capital of the world.”

That’s the bold – yet not boastful – declaration of the three men who comprise Heart On My Sleeve, a fashion (and design, and music, and more) business based in a deceptively drab Pigeon Point duplex, a stitch away from the West Seattle Bridge.

Johnathan Oliver, 23, is a Navy veteran. Shelton Sampson, 25, is a former UW football player. Art B, 32, has a music focus.

Focused on fashion creations from recycled clothing, Heart On My Sleeve started 2 years ago when Johnathan and Shelton met in Hawaii, where John was working on a production of the “Lion King” musical with which Shelton’s sister happened to be involved. They became fast friends and business partners, hatching the HOMS idea and coming up with the logo in a Hawaii Starbucks – presaging their eventual headquarters in Starbucks’ hometown (how they got from there to here is a whole ‘nother tangent for another time’ — in short, Shelton was from here, and finally convinced Johnathan to move).

If you haven’t heard of Heart On My Sleeve before, that’s what they’re trying to hurdle now. They are working around the clock, getting by, but confident they’re on the brink of that one big breakthrough.

They’ve gotten attention already. When we saw a KING5 feature a while back (watch it here) — our ears perked at the mention of “West Seattle,” but we couldn’t find contact information online. Someone eventually sent it to us after an online discussion, but it fell through the proverbial cracks. Then Johnathan sent a note just yesterday – along with some files including portfolio-style photos of their work:

So let’s get to what their creations are all about. The heart of what they do is recycling: Here’s Shelton, for example, with a work in progress on one of the mannequins standing in the room where I chatted with him, John, and Art this morning:

That started with a jacket – something that might have come from a thrift shop, or a donation. Then it’s examined with a fresh eye – a vision – and becomes the foundation of something completely new. The knot you see around the waist is for sizing – it’s a device they use if they’re consulting with a client.

The clothing is major, but Heart On My Sleeve doesn’t just design.

Read More

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Junction Plaza Park updates: New website, more pledges
March 10, 2009 6:50 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Junction Plaza Park | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Quick update from the Junction Neighborhood Organization meeting that’s under way right now: A new website for the project has just gone live – you can see it at friendsofjunctionplazapark.org. That’s where you can get the forms to pledge volunteer time, which is the big push right now – JuNO president Erica Karlovits, who’s co-chairing Friends of Junction Plaza Park, says the first West Seattle Farmers’ Market tabling this past Sunday collected “two pages of volunteer pledges.” They’re trying to gather as many pledges as possible before the early April deadline to apply for a city $100,000 Neighborhood Matching Fund grant to apply toward the $350,000 cost of finishing the park (on the northwest corner of Alaska/42nd in The Junction). Susan Melrose of the West Seattle Junction Association is here too and says that if fundraising and all else goes well this year, construction could start early next year.

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