West Seattle, Washington
09 Friday
Two more updates this morning (in addition to our first two installments from West Seattleites in DC – 
read them here and here): First, we’ve added an Inauguration page, with a variety of info including local events planned during and after the actual swearing-in (chances to celebrate on into the night). Second, we wanted to remind you about the WSB Forums-organized shoe drive in honor of the new administration’s call for service — now through Tuesday, there’s still time to take new or gently used shoes to drop boxes at Hotwire Coffee (WSB sponsor) and Full Tilt Ice Cream. They will all be donated to Soles4Soles (read about that organization here). And here’s the official flyer.
That’s just some of what’s new, according to today’s Ripe ‘n’ Ready list of what you can expect to find at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market, 10 am-2 pm, 44th/Alaska.
Lots of West Seattle activity on the police scanner these past couple hours – one report from someone in Highland Park who thought someone fired shots at his house, another call about possible shots heard closer to the Westwood area, beer getting shoplifted from the 16th/Holden 7-11 … Then, NOT from the scanner, Lisa e-mailed a firsthand report of a “sparkler bomb” in Admiral:
I live in Admiral by the PCC and had a “sparkler bomb” explode in the parking strip in front of my house about an hour ago. My house is swarming with about 5-6 police right now collecting all the fragments. It was crazy scary. There is a hole in my parking strip and fragments up to my front porch and 2 houses beyond. The police think it’s random, and have a suspect.
Lisa’s not sure if that suspect is in custody yet, though. (We will of course follow up with police.) Meantime, one other e-mail mentions hearing “explosions” in the Admiral area around 2 am, most likely the same incident. Five months ago, something similar happened in Highland Park; here’s our report about that one (be sure to read the comments, which brought out a lot of information about what a “sparkler bomb” is).
(the ticketed seats in front of the U.S. Capitol, with sign-bearing passersby, and media)
Those are just a couple of the latest photos sent back by two of the West Seattleites who are in “the other Washington” for the presidential inauguration. Last night, we published the first report from Fauntleroy residents Carter and Dan (read it here; photo of Carter at right), and this morning we added photos they sent; tonight, we have just received another report, and lots more pix, including the two above – read on:Read More
That video feature is about Alki Elementary School winning the Governor’s Health Bowl sponsored by the Washington Health Foundation. The WHF sent us the link along with word that Alki Elementary will have teacher and student reps in Olympia next month to be honored for the school’s accomplishment; during the competition last fall, with more than 400 schools participating, they “logged more than 130,000 miles of health,” according to WHF’s Joe Furia. (Joe
Thanks to Cindi Barker for pix of two events this morning and afternoon – first, the Orchard Street Ravine planting party in Gatewood. Cindi reports volunteers “focused on planting the remaining plants provided by Parks right before the snowstorm and mulching everything around the trail and up on the steep east slope.” Here’s a wider shot – the orange flags, Cindi says, mark spots where Parks Department employees did some planting right before last month’s freeze/snow:
Can’t quite place OSR? Here’s a map; here’s our coverage of its dedication three months ago. Meantime, Cindi also provided photos and info from an event this afternoon that was her brainchild, an informal Google Map-making workshop with Alice Enevoldsen, who turned WSBers’ road reports into fabulously helpful G-maps during Snowstorm ’08. Half a dozen people showed up for the gathering at Uptown in The Junction – although Cindi reports it took a bit of a low-tech turn:
Uptown’s wi-fi was having trouble, so Alice resorted to pen and paper for a while. Then a nearby signal was acquired and she was able to get back to demonstrating via the actual website:
If you missed it – Google Maps do have online tutorials, although that’s seldom a substitute for watching somebody like Alice who knows their way around. Thanks again to Alice for being so generous with her time and talents. One last photo to share right now – we certainly agree with JayDee when he sent this under the heading “It was nice to see the sunset tonight”:
Looks like the sun might make an appearance again tomorrow.
As mentioned previously, the day before Inauguration Day is not only MLK Day, it’s also the day that President-elect Obama has suggested as a National Day of Service. Add another person to the long list of those answering the call — Katy L from Fairmount Springs:
In response to Obama’s call to National Service in honor of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. this Monday, I am organizing a diaper drive at the Jefferson Square Safeway store on behalf of WestSide Baby. We will be there from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., collecting diapers for low-income families in the South King County area. Nancy Woodland, Executive Director of Westside Baby, tells me their supply of diapers in sizes 4, 5, and 6, as well as training pants, is completely gone. They have had to turn families away.
For those looking for an opportunity to serve that day, we still need a few more volunteers to help out. You can contact me at revkaty@nwlink.com. Otherwise, please stop by to say hello or drop off some diapers, if you can.
Other events are listed on usaservice.org, the website set up for Day of Service – and service opportunities beyond that. Here’s the latest list of results for our search of West Seattle and environs – several more events added since last we checked a few days ago.
VIDEO SHOOT SCARE: Found this tale of police summoned to what turned out to be a video shoot. Not exactly on the Seacrest Game Show Inferno scale, though.
LIGHTS DOWN, OR ELSE: If you live in High Point, you’re under orders to take your Christmas lights down before this weekend’s over.
Thanks to Chris Weinmann for photos taken this morning of a coyote that he says is “stranded on the lookout at Jack Block Park. The coyote can’t get to you because it is behind the fence. It is very calm (probably cold and hungry) and has been there for hours now. I’m sure it is quite used to people stopping by, by now, too…”
Chris wasn’t sure if anyone had reported that it seemed to be stuck; he said he had no luck reaching Animal Control. We suggested a state wildlife hotline; meantime, we’re going over to see if it’s still there – it had to have GOTTEN there somehow in the first place, so perhaps it will find that same way out, if it hasn’t already. 3:30 PM UPDATE: Back from a visit to Jack Block (among other places). Checked the entire length of its viewpoints/overlooks and didn’t see any sign of the coyote.
Out of the WSB inbox, from Hillary in Arbor Heights, who called the police to report the car break-ins and then sent this to share with you:
I wanted to get the word out that both my husband’s and my cars were broken into last night. We are at 42nd Ave SW and 100th (map). Our GPS units were stolen, some change, and a phone charger (for a phone which was not in the car, so the charger is USELESS to the moron – but I need it since my phone has been discontinued).
We’ve lived here for less than a year, after a big move from the east coast. My husband uses his GPS for work, and I use it because I’m still becoming familiar with the area. We feel extremely violated and are wishing we were back east right about now.
I won’t expound on how I feel about the jerk who did this. But at least we can help others.
The Seattle Police website offers very basic information about deterring car break-ins; however, as we mentioned in our story about the November meeting of the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council, law enforcers say it’s optimal not to leave anything in your car that even hints at a GPS system – even suction cups with nothing visible might give someone impetus to break in to look under the seat or in the glovebox. By the way, the WSCPC meets again this Tuesday night (7 pm at the Southwest Precinct), and there’s always a local police rep in attendance, to share info about the latest local crime trends AND to answer questions personally.
That’s the Google Street View of the Shamrock apartment building, 3262 California SW. The half-century-old 10-unit building is the latest West Seattle apartment complex to go up for sale; asking price $1,495,000 according to this listing. We report most big real-estate listings no matter what, but this one’s particularly interesting because it’s in the area that’s been under review for “upzoning” for more than a year (archived WSB coverage here). This is mentioned in the flyer for the building, which reads in part:
This property may provide a buyer with a high quality building in an excellent location, the potential to increase below market rents, and potentially increase the density of the property with its new zoning of NC1- 40’ (final approval expected).
We haven’t checked lately on the status of the upzoning proposal (after repeated checks kept yielding answers with timeframes that never panned out) but will on Monday; its official city status page is here. Other new and notable multi-unit listings in West Seattle right now include the Limrock in the Admiral District (listing here) and the waterfront brick building on Beach Drive next to Weather Watch Park (listing here)
ROAD WORK: Three spots you might encounter city crews today – SDOT’s Marybeth Turner sent us the alert:
An SDOT crew plans to repair street pavement previously excavated for work on utilities at two locations on 35th SW … 5500 block of 35th SW (map) and at 35th SW and SW Raymond (map). They will also do the same type of work at 3500 West Marginal Way SW (map). The streets will remain open for traffic. They plan to work from 9 am until 3:30 pm.
ALICE’S MAP DEMO: One more reminder — one of the heroes of the incredibly collaborative (thank you again!!!!) WSB Snowstorm ’08 coverage was Alice Enevoldsen, who saw a need and filled it — creating customized Google Maps of West Seattle-wide road conditions as reported by WSB’ers. Morgan Junction‘s Cindi Barker asked Alice if she’d consider sharing her expertise with others, and the resulting get-together is at 1 pm today, Uptown Espresso in The Junction, BYOL(aptop).
WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING? It’s all in the West Seattle Weekend Lineup.
(Photo courtesy Southwest Seattle Pony Baseball: Red Sox, 2008 Bronco Division champs)
In the past week, we’ve brought you news of West Seattle Little League registration (another session coming up Tuesday) and West Seattle Association of Pee Wee Baseball signups (ongoing, online). This morning: Southwest Seattle Pony Baseball. It’s spring tryout time, according to the announcement we’re sharing, from Doug Groesbeck:
Southwest Seattle Pony Baseball will be holding Spring Tryouts for the Bronco Division on February 7th and 8th between 11 AM and 1 PM at High Point Playfield in West Seattle (map). The Bronco Division is open to players ages 11 and 12 (birthdays between 5/1/1996 and 4/30/1998). You can pre-register for the tryouts through the league website (link here).
Southwest Seattle Pony Baseball also has two teams in our Pony Division for players ages 13 and 14 (birthdays between 5/1/1994 and 4/30/1996). Currently, both teams have a full complement of players and we will not be holding tryouts for this age group on the dates listed above. If however, your child has an interest in playing at this age level, we can facilitate getting you and your child in touch with another Pony League in our area who may be in need of players. If your child would like to have this opportunity, please contact Dennis Crawley (Player Agent) through our website (here’s the link).
Southwest Seattle Pony Baseball is dedicated to providing a competitive, fun and affordable baseball experience to the families of the Greater West Seattle area. The majority of Bronco Division games are played in beautiful Lincoln Park right here in West Seattle. Pony Division home games are held at High Point and Highland Park Playfields, also here in West Seattle.
(photo from Carter, showing the space that’ll be jammed with people on Inauguration Day)
Over the past few weeks, we’ve received e-mail from several West Seattleites who will be at the Presidential Inauguration on Tuesday – and they’ve promised to send updates on what it’s like to be there, both before and during (maybe even after). We have our first dispatch tonight from Carter and Dan, Upper Fauntleroy residents who’ve already arrived — here’s what Carter wrote (with more photos, added Saturday afternoon):Read More
Our third followup on Zack the cat is (the one with) the charm: We got word this afternoon from Teri Ensley of Furry Faces Foundation that Zack’s entire medical bill is paid. If you’re joining the tale late, Zack found his way into the life of a West Seattleite named Jane; she couldn’t find his previous owner, but she did learn he had been badly hurt and needed expensive surgery. She e-mailed us, at wit’s end, and we put out her call for donations to pay for Zack’s care. Along the way, Furry Faces jumped in to assist, and here’s Teri’s report today:
Hi, West Seattle Community!
Zack is one lucky cat–not only does he have Jane, but our West Seattle Community! Twenty-eight donors paid his entire bill of $1239.00, plus left a positive balance of $32.00 in F3’s Lien Animal Clinic account. Because of each of you, Zack now has a second chance at having a loving forever home with Jane. The remaining balance will be used to help with any medical followup Zack may need. If he doesn’t have followup needs, then it will be used to help another [future] animal companion who needs financial assistance.
There really are no words to describe how grateful, humbled and inspired F3 is feeling. Our Oliver’s Fund helps animal companions, whose humans are on restricted income (going through difficult times, etc.), with unexpected Veterinarian bills, however, alone, Oliver’s Fund did not have even close to enough money to cover the full cost of Zack’s surgery. Thanks to everyone for your generosity.
And please help us thank:
1. Jane—who rescued and adopted Zack
2. Lien Animal Clinic who performed the surgeries and provide pre/post op care
3. West Seattle Animal Hospital (WSAH) for starting Zack’s fund so that word could get out. At the time Zack’s fund was started, Jane did not know where Zack’s surgery would be performed. WSAH was very supportive of the change to Lien Animal Clinic and quick to let donors know that their donations would need to be redirected to Lien Animal Clinic. We know this created duplication of effort for both WSAH and all of the donors, so greatly appreciate your patience and follow through.
4. West Seattle Blog for posting Zack’s need and keeping all of us informed of his status.
Have a lovely weekend. And think about smiling at everyone you see…they just may be one of Zack’s benefactors. ; )
Cheers,
F3
From the city Parks Department:
Alki Community Center will close today, Friday, Jan. 16, at 6 p.m., and will remain closed all day on Saturday, Jan. 17, due to the fact that the heating system for the building is temporarily out of service. All Friday evening activities have been cancelled. Saturday basketball games have been moved to Madison Middle School, 3429 45th Ave SW. All other Saturday activities have been cancelled. The center will open again on Tuesday morning, Jan. 20, for regular programming.
That means no roller skating tonight; we’ll amend the West Seattle Weekend Lineup.
MONDAY CHANGES: Metro wants to make sure you know it’s running at reduced service levels for the MLK Day holiday on Monday. Here are the details, including a list of which routes won’t be operating that day.
SNOWSTORM FEEDBACK: In our report on last night’s post-snow open-house feedback session at Southwest Community Center, we mentioned a printed survey Metro was circulating. It’s not available online but Metro provided us with a copy to share with you – you’re invited to print it out and mail it in by next Friday, or use the e-mail address on the form to send your answers to their questions.
What we mean by that is: Our weekly list of Friday-Saturday-Sunday events is a “map” in its own right, but the big map activity this weekend happens tomorrow afternoon, when Snowstorm ’08 WSB mapmaking star Alice is leading an informal session on how to make Google Maps – that, and other activities including a big concert rescheduled from its snow-scuttled date, are all part of more than 30 events and activities in West Seattle this weekend, ahead:Read More
Even though new school years start in fall, decisions about each year are made the preceding winter, so this is a busy time for local schools and families. Today, we’re welcoming a new WSB sponsor, The Community School of West Seattle, which invites you to attend an open house tonight or tomorrow morning. 
Here’s what they’d like you to know about their school: The Community School of West Seattle (CSWS) provides a unique family friendly learning environment. Their philosophy of Organic Education creates respectful early learning experiences in an enriched, anti-bias environment. The teachers work with the children on communication skills and problem-solving techniques, they support social, intellectual, physical, emotional and cognitive growth in a creative and developmentally appropriate space that has lots of outside space and a large dedicated studio. They believe in supporting the whole family by offering a year round program, parenting workshops, social events and a resource library. CSWS is currently accepting applications for Fall 2009. There’s two open house events — one tonight (Friday, January 16th) at 6 pm, and another tomorrow (Saturday, January 17th) at 10 am. These events are for adults, but you and your child will be able to schedule an observation when the classes are in session. At the open houses, parents will learn about; Messy Play Day for Toddlers age 18 months to 3 years. Pre-school for 3- and 4-year-olds. And, the multiage Kindergarten through 2nd grade program. We welcome The Community School of West Seattle to the WSB sponsor team; full lineup’s on this page along with info on how to become part of it!
(from the brochure in Tigrigna, spoken in parts of Eritrea and Ethiopia)
Working on the forthcoming West Seattle Weekend Lineup, we stopped by the High Point Community Center website and remembered that HPCC’s Brian Judd had asked us to share this with you: An informational brochure about HPCC is now available in 11 languages besides English. If you have friends, neighbors, co-workers, relatives who speak any of these languages — Amharic, Arabic, Cambodian, Chinese-Simplified, Chinese-Traditional, English, Farsi, Oromo, Samoan, Somali, Spanish, Tigrigna, Vietnamese — you’re invited to print out the material or point them to the website – the links are all on the HPCC home page.
Got a couple notes last night about a police search/containment operation along the Fauntleroy side of Lincoln Park, but the units were gone when we went to check it out. So this morning we got the scoop from Southwest Precinct Lt. Steve Paulsen: Two juveniles tried to steal beer from the Lincoln Park 76 station (map). As they ran, the clerk hit one with a bottle. They still managed to get away; no arrests so far.
If you drove The Bridge late yesterday, no doubt you noticed the re-striping work wasn’t all done. And indeed, there’s more ahead – plus 35th and Fauntleroy as soon as the city can get to it – according to this citywide update just in from SDOT:Read More
(scroll down for latest information, continuing to add it as we get it)
(photo by David Hutchinson)
ORIGINAL 6:23 AM POST (which was headlined “Alki Homestead fire out”): That’s according to Helen Fitzpatrick of the Seattle Fire Department, who says flames were coming from the rear of the restaurant when crews arrived. Crews were sent out about 5:20 am. The Homestead’s log-house building on 61st SW south of Alki SW (map) is a city landmark (since 1996); the restaurant business was up for sale last year and we had reported just before the holidays (11/25/08 WSB report here) that its owner, Tom Lin, had found buyers. According to the Fire Department, no one was in the building at the time of this morning’s fire. More details and photos shortly. 6:43 AM UPDATE: Another photo from David Hutchinson, this one showing the fire-response vehicles lined up all the way onto Alki Ave. Witness reports say firefighters had to cut into the building while fighting the flames. No word of any injuries.
6:49 AM UPDATE: Co-publisher Patrick has an update from SFD spokesperson Fitzpatrick at the scene: The fire broke out on the 1st floor and flames did shoot up through the roof. No idea yet what caused it. Damage is mostly confined to the 1st floor (which of course is the restaurant’s main floor). 61st remains blocked off from Alki Ave to SW Stevens (Log House Museum).
7 AM UPDATE: Most of the fire vehicles are starting to pack up to leave. We’re not being allowed around back of the building so far, so it’s too soon to say just how extensive the damage appears from the outside.
7:06 AM UPDATE: Fitzpatrick says there’s “significant smoke and char damage on the first floor” and some damage in the attic area. Investigation into the cause continues.
7:22 AM UPDATE: Patrick just talked with owner Tom Lin at the scene. The message he wanted to reaffirm: Nobody is hurt – in the past there were tenants renting some space in the building but that space has been vacant for a while. Tom knows his office was damaged but doesn’t know the extent of the restaurant damage yet and so has no idea when it’ll reopen. He told us that he lives nearby and heard the sirens; when he realized how close they were, he went over to look and was shocked to find out it was the Homestead. Patrick asked about the in-progress sale mentioned in our November report; Tom said it hadn’t closed yet but the prospective purchaser had been actively preparing for some potential remodeling work, and the restaurant had been scheduled to close soon because of that (as he’d told us in November). Patrick adds that the fire damage is not visible from outside, at least from the front of the restaurant; Tom believes the thickness of the log structure kept the flames from actually breaking through the framework, aside from the aforementioned attic damage. (added later – video we shot as a TV reporter was interviewing him with the same questions we’d asked some time earlier)
7:38 AM UPDATE: Owner Tom just told Patrick investigators believe the fire was electrical in origin.
8:01 AM NOTE: We’ll have more photos back shortly, more clearly showing the damage from outside. Regarding the mention of the attic, we’re reminded that we covered a special sale at the Homestead last April (here’s our story, with photos); many of the items had been brought out of storage in the attic.
8:15 AM UPDATE: Adding more photos. First, this is from behind the restaurant, showing the roof damage – that’s right behind the famous vertical neon sign:
Looking at the roof from the front, only a little damage can be seen, right around the chimney:
Here’s a wide shot of the restaurant’s century-old building – from this angle, if not for the fire trucks, you wouldn’t have known there’d been a fire:
By the way, if you’ve never been inside the Homestead, here’s a photo of the interior.
10:29 AM UPDATE: From Dana Vander Houwen at the SFD: The fire is blamed on “excessive draw of power for Christmas lights plugged into a single outlet” and damage is estimated at $400,000.
11:45 AM UPDATE: From an opening to the courtyard on the alley behind the restaurant, you can see this sad scene – burned items from inside the restaurant.
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