West Seattle, Washington
16 Tuesday
When Michael Taylor-Judd told the 34th District Democrats at their West Seattle meeting last week that he had an online-donation button on his in-progress website, he was also quietly declaring he’d chosen which race he was in: Position 1 (it’s on the webpage, and he confirmed it to WSB). Today the incumbent, Councilmember Jean Godden, also is making a point of saying she’s definitely running again – note this tweet from a few hours ago. It’s at least a five-candidate race so far, since King County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Maurice Classen jumped in last week, and while he’s not listed on the city website as having filed yet, Bobby Forch and David Schraer are shown in the Position 1 race along with Taylor-Judd and Godden. Five of the council’s nine positions are on the ballot this fall – besides this one, incumbent Councilmembers Tim Burgess, Sally Clark, Bruce Harrell, and Tom Rasmussen of West Seattle all are up, and the city website shows all have filed to say they’re campaigning.
Just announced – a party at West 5, which recently celebrated its 8th anniversary, in honor of Georgetown Brewing‘s 8th anniversary:
On February 23rd 2003 Georgetown Brewing delivered its first keg of Manny’s Pale Ale to the Latona Pub in Wallingford. Eight years later, Manny’s Pale Ale stands tall as Georgetown Brewing Co.’s flagship beer. The success of Manny’s Pale ale has afforded the owners of Georgetown Brewing Co. to greatly expand their brewing capacity and their selection of “Darn Tasty Brews.”
Georgetown Brewing started out as a small, home-based venture by co-owners Manny Chao and Roger Bialous. Knowing they had created an excellent pale ale, Manny and Roger departed their day jobs, found a location in the historic Rainer Cold Storage building on Airport Way in Georgetown and started brewing Manny’s Pale Ale. Success came quickly for the young brewery and tap handles sporting the colorful “Manny’s” logo started popping up in pubs of quality and character throughout Seattle.
In 2008 Georgetown Brewing vacated their 9000 square foot brewing facility in the old Rainier Cold Storage building and moved into their sparkling new 37,000 square foot facility just across the railroad tracks at 5200 Denver Ave S. Their retail facility later opened in 2010 at the Denver facility.
Reflecting on the anniversary is co-owner Roger Bialous, “This is a proud milestone for everyone at the brewery. With so many great, independent breweries making quality beer in Seattle and Washington State, we are pleased to have enjoyed continued success.” Quipped Manny, “We like to make beer, period. The owners and employees also enjoy consuming beer.”
To celebrate their 8th anniversary, the owners and employees of Georgetown Brewing chose to have a party at West 5 Lounge in West Seattle, a restaurant that also recently celebrated its 8th anniversary. Said Manny “We kind of grew up with Dean and Dave (owners of the West 5). They were one of our earliest customers and we have watched our respective businesses grow together since 2003, becoming friends along the way. We thought – it’s a perfect place for us to celebrate!”
The anniversary party is open to the public at 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 23rd. In addition to Manny’s Pale Ale, all of the handles at West 5 will be pouring Georgetown beer. The following will be available for enjoyment: Roger’s Pilsner, Chopper’s Red, Georgetown Porter, Lucille IPA, Lisa’s Chocolate Stout and Superchopp. There will also be giveaways of Georgetown Brewing (and West 5) merchandise.
February 2003 was quite some month in the West Seattle beverage/food world. Not only did West 5 launch that month – so did C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), in a comfy Craftsman house at 5612 California SW (map). In fact, founders Cameron and Pete Moores (namesakes C & P – who we coaxed into the Sunday sunshine for a quick photo) started it on this date in 2003. Valentine’s Day “seemed like a lucky day to aim for,” Cameron explains.
As they celebrate their business’s 8th anniversary, we asked what has surprised them most as the years have unfolded: “That owning a coffee shop could be like a family, this place is no longer our own vision, it has become about the community. Like a family, the sweetest part of the experience is getting to know each other over time.” C & P offers a slate of community-geared events year-round – music, poetry, art, wine-tasting (their ongoing calendar is here) – and we wondered about the secret of pulling that off successfully: “There is so much talent here in West Seattle, we only had to provide a welcoming space, and the music and art present themselves. We are so lucky to live here!” No major changes planned for the coming year, says Cameron – “We just want to continue working on improving our space, preserving the 100-year-old building we inhabit, and meeting new friends.” If you want to wish C & P a happy anniversary, they’re open till 8 tonight (6:30 am-8 pm weekdays, 7 am-8 pm weekends).
A Genesee-area cancer patient’s family, hit by a car theft last Mother’s Day (here’s the WSB story from last year), says it’s happened again – this time early Valentine’s Day – and this time, the car had a packed trailer attached, so they are missing a lot more than just a vehicle. It’s a gray 1991 Subaru Legacy Wagon, with DP plates, 02112, and a 4×8 utility trailer with Arizona plates. (Police have already sent it out on their Twitter feed for stolen-vehicle reports – here’s the tweet.) Their firsthand story after the jump:Read More
TODAY/TONIGHT’S HIGHLIGHTS … That photo just came in from Sam, proprietor of the Junction flower shop Fleurt at California/Oregon, who says it’ll stay up throughout this Valentine’s Day; if you’re looking for someplace taking last-minute Valentine flower orders, she is (with a free pair of earrings thrown in for $50+ orders) … speaking of free:
FREE MOCHA, TODAY ONLY! Deals don’t get better than that. Get the today-only FREE strawberry/white-chocolate mocha coupon for Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor) by going here … Hotwire’s at 4410 California SW (next to the post office).
VALENTINE DINNER: Three other WSB sponsors have Valentine’s deals: Dinner for 2 special at Feedback Lounge (details here), 6451 California SW … Special Valentine’s dinner with burlesque, food, beverages, at Skylark Café and Club, 3803 Delridge Way SW – full details and ticket-buying link here … Bamboo Grill on Alki has special Valentine dinners including filet mignon ($39.95/two), butternut-squash ravioli, or mahi mahi, 2803 Alki SW.
SALAMANDER LOVE NIGHT: Still deciding what to do tonight besides a nice dinner? Naturalist Stewart Wechsler is scheduling a program that he has done every year for years at Camp Long called “Salamander Love Night,” 7 pm – two species of salamanders show up around Valentine’s night every year to court, mate and lay eggs. Since Parks budget cuts no longer allow public programs at Camp Long, this is not an official city offering and there’s no fee (though donations are accepted) – call or e-mail ASAP to check if there’s room, 206-932-7225 or ecostewart@quidnunc.net.
NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING WITH VALENTINE COOKIES: That’s what the North Delridge Neighborhood Council is promising tonight, Delridge Library, 5423 Delridge Way SW, 6:30 pm. Show your love for your ‘hood and participate! Agenda includes a briefing on upcoming work at North Delridge’s Fire Station 36.
WHAT’S MORE ROMANTIC THAN OPERA? Seattle Opera preview tonight at the West Seattle Branch of the Seattle Public Library, 2306 42nd SW, 6:30 pm (more info here)
TODDLER VALENTINE’S EXTRAVAGANZA: Bring your little sweetie to this one today at Hiawatha Community Center, 2700 California SW, 10:30 am-12:30 pm, $5/child. Giant jumpy toy, games, crafts, Balloon Buffoon Dude and all the toddler toys. Gift bags and snacks are included!
Those are just some of the highlights – check the WSB West Seattle Events calendar for the full list.
(WSB photo from 2010 West Seattle Grand Parade, by Christopher Boffoli)
Yet another city-budget shock wave is rippling tonight – this time, one that casts a cloud over a decades-old West Seattle summertime tradition.
American Legion Post 160, longtime sponsor of the midsummer West Seattle Grand Parade, has just started planning for this year’s parade, set for July 23rd, and has learned it’s facing a big new bill – not unlike the local youth-sports leagues that are suddenly paying thousands more than they used to.
Last year, we reported on the close call American Legion Post 160 and other summertime event sponsors had with a city “cost-recovery” proposal – at one point in May, it looked like events happening just weeks later might have to pay for their own traffic control, which the city has always picked up, and that could have cost the West Seattle Grand Parade $1,500 it didn’t have.
Given the short notice and big protests from other affected groups, the city decided to pull back for last year, while issuing a warning about this year’s budget. So now, it’s 2011. Post 160’s parade chair Dave Vague tells WSB, “Although the city has not changed its fee schedule for the parade, the Seattle DOT is now requiring us to handle all of our own No Parking signs. I asked one of the barricade companies for a bid and it is going to cost us $3,000 to put up all of the signs. Needless to say, this is too large a burden for the American Legion to take on by themselves now.”
The “no fee-schedule change” to which Vague refers cuts both ways. As explained in our story last year, while the obvious solution would seem to be for Post 160 to charge entry fees for commercial participants, they can’t; parades that charge entry fees are charged sharply higher permit fees. Right now, so that their permit fees stay low, there’s no fee for anyone to enter (though some donations are received).
So how to handle the $3,000? Vague says, Post 160 is turning to you for ideas and support:
We are looking to the West Seattle Community to help us raise the necessary funds for the parade or help us find a sponsor or sponsors to help us with the cost. If your readers would like to donate or have ideas on how we could raise the funds needed, they can contact the American Legion at (206) 935-9407 or write me at vagued@comcast.net.
(WSB photo from 2010 West Seattle Grand Parade, by Mindon Win)
As longtime fans of the West Seattle Grand Parade, and co-sponsor of multiple community events each year since we became a business, we have already said (as we did last year) that WSB will be first in line to be a sponsor if Post 160 decides to go that route. What’s your thought about the best solution? Let Post 160 know, and/or post a comment here.
Thanks to Derek Page for sharing the photo and the results of this afternoon’s big game:
“The 6th Grade Holy Rosary boys defeated St. Joseph today in a hard-fought battle to win the citywide CYO championship. The final score of 20-13 reflects the excellent defense played by both teams. Congrats, Gators!
ADDED 9:58 PM: We now have the results of the HR 8th-grade boys’ championship game; they lost to Lakeside, 43-29.
For a lucky few, this was a day for whale-watching. But for many more, it was a great day for eagle-watching. Above, the closeup is courtesy of Robin Lindsey, who notes, “This eagle perched on a light pole was literally stopping traffic this afternoon along Constellation Park as people were excitedly taking cell phone photos, No doubt this mature eagle was probably thinking people are crazy.” The juveniles drew attention, too:
Trileigh Tucker shared that photo and the next one, observing that love is in the air, and not just for people: “For the past few days, there’s been lots of eagle activity, and lots of eagles, in Lincoln Park. I’m attaching a couple of photos of a juvenile bald eagle (I’m guessing it’s a first-year bird, born last spring) from today. In addition, there’s been lots of courtship behavior between two adults, including chasing each other, aerial interactions, and much chattering back and forth. Just in time for Valentine’s Day! I hope everyone keeps their eyes out to appreciate nature’s romance…as well as our own!”
And an eagle couple was caught on camera too, by Steve Edington, who says, “I was in Lincoln Park about 9:30 this morning and saw a bald eagle catch a salmon. It flew into its ‘usual’ tree, along with its mate, and proceeded to devour the fish.”
Thanks to everyone who shared their sightings!
Should it stay or should it go? The fate of the big birch tree shown above is one of the issues that came up as about 50 people joined in the first design meeting for the new 34th/Barton P-Patch, Saturday afternoon at Southwest Community Center.
Landscape architect John Barker, who’s leading the design work, told attendees that an arborist checked out the tree with him earlier in the day, and proclaimed it to be perhaps the healthiest European paper-birch tree she had seen in the city. On the other hand, materials prepared for the meeting show it casts a significant shadow, so the design process will have to determine whether that’s an impediment to maximizing the site, or perhaps a feature for cool shade on warm summer days. Toward the start of the meeting, a show of hands was requested, and the “keep the tree” hand-raisers significantly outnumbered those supporting “take out the tree” – which is the only tree of any kind on the site. Barker estimated that it would cost about the same to keep it or get rid of it.
But the tree’s future was just one topic, albeit one that took up a fair amount of time.
Though they’re to the south of us at last report, local orca experts did spot whales in West Seattle waters again today, and sightings on the Orca Network Facebook wall affirm this. We mention it so that you can be on the lookout between now and dusk – on days when they pass here headed southbound, they often reappear in this area late in the day (last Sunday, orcas made a very close pass by Alki, and some even went on into Elliott Bay, toward downtown). We’ll add updates here if they’re seen in our waters again before dark.
P.S. West Seattle-founded The Whale Trail has another presentation coming up that orca fans won’t want to miss – find out about Tucker, the dog who’s helping save orcas! It’s at the Duwamish Longhouse in West Seattle at 7 pm February 24th, and advance tickets are available now – full details on The Whale Trail’s website.
Thanks to Explorer West Middle School for sharing photos from a special guest appearance last week by King County Executive Dow Constantine. 
Every year, the school focuses on a sustainability issue, and this year it’s “What makes a society sustainable?” so that’s what he talked about, before answering students’ questions. The school says his presentation included an explanation of balancing environmental sustainability with economic health plus reminiscences of his early involvement in community organizing to help save West Seattle’s College Street Ravine (side note, the Nature Consortium‘s quarterly work party there in his honor is coming up 10 am Tuesday – RSVP to 206.923.0853). So how did the school get West Seattle’s top politician to come speak? The event had a unique origin: Explorer West parent Judith Arvidson was the winning bidder for an appearance that Executive Constantine donated to the Southwest Youth and Family Services auction last year, and decided to in turn donate it to her daughter’s school.
Lots of early Valentine’s celebrations today, and things are especially heart-y at Illusions Hair Design (WSB sponsor), in the throes of its annual “Have a Heart Day” fundraiser. Illusions team members donate their time, and the salon offers reduced-price haircuts with all proceeds going to charity – this year, it’s Pencil Me In For Kids, to make sure no student has to go to school without the supplies she/he needs. The salon was busy when we stopped in a while ago, but Illusions’ Sue Lindblom told us they still had a few openings – so you can call 206-938-3675 to see if there’s a chance they can get you in before 4. More reasons to stop in – the artists they’re currently showcasing are on hand too; and they’re offering salon merchandise at a 14% discount. They are accepting Pencil Me in for Kids monetary donations too, so even if you aren’t getting a cut, you can stop by and help the cause – 5619 California SW.
If you pursue your passion, it’s said, it can take you a long way – and West Seattle photographer Machel Spence‘s photographs of local fungi are now on their way around the world. She announced this weekend that she’s “in the current winter issue of Fungi Magazine – there is an article inside with more photographs and I was chosen for the cover shot too! I think it’s such an amazing boost for West Seattle and another reason why we should protect our parks here!” Many of her photographs, views into a sometimes-tiny world you have walked by and through a million times and never noticed, are from Lincoln Park. Her website has a link you can use to get a copy of the magazine, whose founders say it’s both for amateur and professional mycologists.
Spring approaching – and it’s the major season for fundraising galas. Some of them are annual traditions – and then every year new ones emerge, like this one: The intergenerational three-group West Seattle Community Orchestras have just announced their first-ever Spring Gala, to raise money for their youth programs – that’s half the WSCOs’ 120-musician membership! – as founder Toni Reineke notes in the announcement, the group “fill(s) the gap for students wishing to pursue their talents in music, at a time when many local music programs have suffered budget cuts.” If you buy your ticket early, there’s a discount. A night of music, with a silent auction and light dinner, is promised, at West Seattle’s Kenyon Hall. The gala is at 7 pm Saturday, March 12th (doors will open at 6:30 pm), with tickets $20 if purchased before March 1st, $25 afterward. To get your advance tickets, e-mail Abe Santini at abe@wscorchestras.org.
Collected from the inbox in recent days, seven West Seattle Crime Watch reports – two with photos of loot to be on the lookout for (one of those photos is related to a burglary already reported here). It’s all after the jump:Read More
VALENTINE’S DAY AT WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: That’s the sign at last week’s West Seattle Farmers’ Market promoting what you will find there today – a whole lotta love (explained here). 10 am-2 pm, 44th/Alaska.
NOT SO VALENTINE-INCLINED? Tonight you can enjoy “Anti-Valentine” dinner at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) (details here)
GET YOUR GAME ON: An informal weekly “adult/big-kid pickup soccer game” is scheduled at 10:30 am Sundays at Hiawatha Playfield – same place you’ll find West Seattle Family Ultimate Frisbee every 2nd Sunday at 11 am (southeast corner).
PIANO ACCOMPANIMENT FOR SILENT FILMS: At Kenyon Hall, 7 pm: Pianist extraordinaire Donald Sosin plays silent shorts by request, To make a reservation, please e-mail kenyonhall@earthlink.net.
ARTSWEST TRUNK SHOW: A special one-day-only jewelry trunk show 11 am – 3 pm in the newly renovated gallery at ArtsWest.
OPEN HOUSE: Little Pilgrim School, a program for 2 – 5 year old children that’s in the Fauntleroy Church building (9140 California SW), has an open house 11 am-1 pm today.. Stop by to tour school spaces, meet the teachers, ask questions and pick up enrollment information for fall classes.
ALSO IN FAUNTLEROY: Filming of the independent movie “After the Ghost” is scheduled to continue at a home north of the ferry dock today/tonight (details here).
HERE, KITTY, KITTY: Second day of county-presented cat adopt-a-thon at Kitty Harbor, noon-4 pm (3422 Harbor Avenue).
MEMORIAL: Memorial for 14-year-old Carter Allen, killed in a crash last month in Shorewood; it’s at the Evergreen High School gym (map), 2 pm (details here including how to help his family)
More on the WSB West Seattle Events calendar.
The basketball games we mentioned earlier weren’t the only student competitions on Saturday – just got this report early today from Marcus Pimpleton, band director at Chief Sealth International High School (among other local roles) – the video above is from the winning performance:
Please join me in congratulating the members of the Chief Sealth International High School Percussion Ensemble on winning the percussion ensemble division of the Elliott Bay Music Educators Solo and Ensemble Contest at Seattle Pacific University Saturday morning. The students received a rating of superior and will move on to represent the Greater Seattle area in the WIAA/WMEA State Solo and Ensemble Contest on April 29th in Ellensburg.
The Chief Sealth percussion ensemble is comprised of concert and marching band members from the Chief Sealth High School Band’s drumline. The participating students have demonstrated a great deal of initiative from the selection of the piece, to organizing their own practice schedule to individually mastering their parts. They have taken our percussion program to a whole new level of musicianship, pride, unity, and intensity. I would especially like to acknowledge Josh Chan and Justin Bales, the volunteer coaches who have helped to prepare the students for the festival.
P.S. – Some of Chief Sealth’s band musicians are on the program for the big Soul Jambalaya benefit next Saturday night (details in our previous story on that).
That’s the official (current) trailer for “Loaded,” the project by West Seattle filmmaker Jamie Chamberlin, who just sent word that intern filmmakers are needed to help:
We are looking for intern filmmakers to come on board the LOADED Rock and Roll Feature film currently being shot in Seattle.This project has a built-in international distribution deal and will be an opportunity to get a solid credit on resume. Depending on proficiency , it could lead to a paid position and opportunity to align with an award winning production team. We are looking for: Visual artists. Editors. Cinematographers. Graphic Designers. For info or resume submissions: info@blackdahliafilms.com
Its synopsis, after the jump:Read More
We’ve received a couple notes asking about the big fire callout along the Admiral Way hill a few hours ago. It wasn’t much of a fire but since people are asking – Christopher Boffoli checked it out for WSB and reports that it was a “small bed fire, no injuries” – firefighters stayed around for a while ventilating the home (which was in the 3200 block of 31st SW, just east of Admiral Way).
(Video added: Last :30 of Sealth game, with the victory celebration)
HIGH SCHOOL: In district tournament play – Chief Sealth International High School just beat visiting Eastside Catholic, 44-42. Seattle Lutheran‘s boys also won, 49-35 over Shoreline Christian. Earlier, West Seattle High School lost at Bellevue, 82-60.
MIDDLE SCHOOL: Madison Middle School‘s girls and Denny International Middle School‘s boys both played Eckstein Middle School in championship games at Sealth this afternoon. Eckstein won both games, boys 73-51 (we’re still verifying the final girls’ score).
(added) HOLY ROSARY BOYS: Derek sent word the 6th graders beat St. Luke’s today and will play for the CYO championship on Sunday at 1:30 pm against St. Joseph, at Bishop Blanchet High School. (added) And the 8th graders are in their championship game at 6 pm Sunday at Blanchet, according to Dan.
ADDED EARLY SUNDAY: More details and more video, ahead:Read More
For today’s Neighbor Appreciation Day, we thought it would be fun to assign a photojournalist to visit all five of West Seattle’s fire stations during the midday open-house window shared by every fire station in the city. Cliff DesPeaux made it to four – all except Station 36 by The Bridge (next year, we’ll go there first!) – and here are the highlights. Top photo, firefighter Dave shows off his gear at Station 37 in Sunrise Heights; next, also at Station 37, 3-year-old Alec Olson was in the driver’s seat of Engine 37:
And one more view from Station 37 (which just opened last fall) – 2-year-old Daniel Forehand:
Look at those lights! Engine 29 wowed the crowd at Station 29 in the Admiral District:
Next, also from Station 29: Firefighter Keith Langhorn shows off the engine’s controls to Alki resident Clyde Carpenter and his sons Ian and Evan, both 4:
Now on to Station 32 in The Junction – here’s Aleksandra Abney climbing down from a peek into a truck:
At Highland Park’s Station 11, 4-year-old Noah Rodriguez tried on a Ladder 13 crew member’s helmet (he’s with mom Rachel and 7-year-old brother Justus):
If you don’t know exactly where the stations are, check out the Google Map in our preview. Today’s other events included refreshments at Delridge Community Center and a free swim at Southwest Pool; as reported here earlier in the week, a Neighbor Appreciation Day student-art contest also included a winner from Sanislo Elementary School. Neighbor Appreciation Day was noted at one other city-involved event in West Seattle today, the first design meeting for the Barton/34th P-Patch; we were there, and our report is forthcoming later tonight/early tomorrow.
(Photo of wave vs. rocks by Harbor West on Beach Drive, by Stephanie Brownfield)
A few hours after the wind kicked up in a big way (as we noted on Twitter), the National Weather Service finally declared a “wind advisory” that’s in effect till 9 pm tonight. The NWS warns of gusts up to 50 mph. There’s already been one outage in West Seattle, fewer than 100 homes/businesses in Arbor Heights, just south of Roxbury and mostly east of 35th, recently restored according to the City Light tracker.
You’ve heard a lot about what’s going on in the Middle East – but have you heard about what’s going on in Southeast Asia? A border clash between Cambodia and Thailand is about to come to a head in front of the United Nations, and today Cambodian-Americans came to West Seattle and White Center for a demonstration aimed at bringing it to your attention and demanding the U.S. government get involved. West Seattle Blog/White Center Now contributor Deanie Schwarz noticed the protest, took these photos and talked to spokesperson Sokmakara Hang, who explained that the demonstrators came from all over the state, and came here because this area has the state’s highest concentration of Cambodian-Americans. They stood on corners all around 16th/Roxbury:
Also on hand was Meach Sovannara from the Khmer Post Media Center in Long Beach (Calif.). The dispute is over a border area near the Preah Vihear Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site that is more than a millennium old. The Cambodian-Americans say the most recent skirmishes killed Cambodian soldiers, and are demanding that the Thai government stop what they call an “invasion.” They want United Nations intervention as well as President Obama and the rest of the international community. According to this story from the Bangkok Post, this issue will be brought to the UN Security Council on Monday, and reportedly Cambodia will claim it’s at war with Thailand. There’s more background on the century-long conflict over the temple in this Jakarta Post story.
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