West Seattle, Washington
26 Friday
Tomorrow marks two years since the fire, blamed on a Christmas-lights malfunction, that blackened the inside of the city-landmark Alki Homestead and forced its beloved restaurant to close. While its owner has proposed “reconstructing” the historic log structure and including other businesses on the site, and even took steps toward applying for a permit, it’s been 14 months since that proposal went before the Architectural Review Committee of the city Landmark Preservation Board, whose signoff is required – and it has not reappeared in that venue.
Last July, owner Tom Lin announced he would sell the Homestead, offering it first to preservation/cultural groups, then to the general public. No public listing ever appeared, and no deal has ever been announced. We have left Lin messages asking for comment on its status, but no reply. However, an announcement came Friday afternoon from the Southwest Seattle Historical Society, headquartered half a block away at what was the Homestead’s carriage house: They plan a media event Sunday morning, on the fire anniversary:
A coalition of four heritage organizations — the Southwest Seattle Historical Society, Historic Seattle, 4Culture and the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation — will hold a press conference to provide updates on the potential for protection, preservation and restoration of the city-landmark 1904 log building known as Fir Lodge and the Alki Homestead Restaurant.
Those are the same four Lin mentioned in his July announcement offering the Homestead for sale. They also were part of last July’s “This Place Matters” photo gathering, part of this nationwide historic-site-awareness campaign. But at the time, at least one of those organizations made a point of saying they’re not in the building-buying business. So what’s their plan? They’ll discuss it at the Log House Museum, 11 am Sunday.
(Photos by Christopher Boffoli for WSB – added 1:31 am)
1:05 AM: Heavy-rescue call at 38th and Oregon – avoid the area. Christopher Boffoli is there for WSB. He says it’s an overturned car. The “heavy-rescue” part of it has been closed quickly – indicating fire/rescue crews not needed after all. But we’ve heard police say via scanner, the stop sign on the southeast corner of 39th and Oregon will need repair/replacement.
1:12 AM UPDATE: Christopher reports, “SPD tells me that there are no serious injuries despite the fact that one car overturned. It seemed everyone was wearing seat belts. An out-of-town driver missed a stop sign that was leaning way over and t-boned another car. Everyone is shook up but OK. SPD says no evidence alcohol or drugs are involved.”
1:41 AM UPDATE: Added photos, and here’s more info from Christopher: “It was a Mini versus a little Ford. … The woman driving the Mini was a designated driver for the night. She’s visiting from Boston. She was headed north on 38th and blew through the stop sign at Oregon (which) was leaning way over. Looks like someone hit it and no one noticed. Amazingly, there were barely a few scratches on the front bumper of the Mini. SPD said they considered it an accident and wouldn’t be citing anyone. The tow truck was just arriving a few minutes ago before I left. They should have Oregon open to traffic again within 15 minutes.”
In one week, Roxhill Elementary School librarian Pat Bliquez will officially receive the Golden Apple Award that was announced last October (here’s our coverage of the Roxhill assembly where students and staffers congratulated her). Our partners at the Seattle Times also wrote about her, and Roxhill’s head teacher Chris Robert says that story inspired a good deed from miles outside West Seattle:
A grandmother in Kent read the story and was inspired to donate over 200 hand- knitted caps/hats to Roxhill and Mrs. Bliquez. Pat created a lesson for all the Kindergartners, 1st graders, and 2nd graders in which she read a story about caps/hats, students wrote/drew about the story, and every student left (the) lesson with a new cap. It was incredible seeing the look on students’ faces as they were told they got to select a cap to keep, and it was fun watching kids keeping their caps on all day at school.
Hearing about this, we asked for a photo, and received the one above, some of the Roxhill kindergarteners in their prized caps!
Three break-in reports for West Seattle Crime Watch, plus one potential-prowler sighting that football fans might want to know about, all from the WSB inbox – read on:Read More
8:58 PM: Two scores in so far tonight from local high-school basketball games. In girls’ varsity matchups, it was Seattle Prep 78, Chief Sealth 43, and Seattle Lutheran 50, Chief Leschi 16. Boys’ varsity games are under way now in both of those pairings, which are being live-tweeted (Sealth at @wsblive, SLHS at @seattlelutheran). West Seattle HS teams are playing Nathan Hale tonight.
ADDED 9:09 PM: Another final: SLHS boys’ varsity 43, Chief Leschi 35.
ADDED 9:28 PM: And another boys’ varsity final, Seattle Prep 57, Chief Sealth 50.
WSHS scores and details from tonight’s spotlight matchup (Sealth/Prep) ahead:Read More
Tonight we’re welcoming new WSB sponsors under the same ownership, Pegasus Pizza and Pasta, and Bamboo Grill. New sponsors get to tell you about themselves. First: Pegasus Pizza and Pasta, at 2770 Alki Ave SW, has been serving West Seattle for more than 25 years and provides great dine-in experience as well as a take-out service for your convenience. The moment you set foot into Pegasus Pizza and Pasta, you can tell that someone has an eye for details. With large windows that look onto Alki Beach. you are able to soak up the essence of being on one of Seattle’s favorite beaches. The restaurant seating is terraced so that everyone can enjoy the view. Intimate lighting can make for romantic dinner or a focused family occasion. Come to the Pegasus on any evening and you will find a variety of people and groups.
Nothing goes with authentic Pizza and Pasta like a great bottle of wine. Recently Ted has enlisted help from some of the industry’s top wine connoisseurs to evolve and build a wine list that will compliment any dish. Choose from any of our hand chosen wines or 12 different beers on tap. Pegasus Pizza and Pasta is proud to be a sponsor of West Seattle Blog and a proud member of the West Seattle Community. Pegasus Pizza and Pasta can be reached by calling 206-932-4849 or online at www.PegasusonAlki.com
BAMBOO GRILL
The Bamboo Grill has been a West Seattle and Alki Beach favorite for more than 8 years. Located at 2806 Alki Ave SW, the Bamboo Grill provides a great surfer Tiki bar atmosphere and incredible menu diversity, with a great view of the beach and Puget Sound boat traffic.
Recently, the Bamboo Grill has had the privilege of bringing in a new head chef, Chris Beh. Chef Beh has a long history of culinary experience as well as being featured on local TV cooking shows. “What I like about working at the Bamboo is the diversity of food we create,” says Chris, “Someone can come in for a great steak, a rack of our famous baby back ribs or one our signature seafood dishes. There truly is something for everyone.” Don’t be surprised if Chef Beh comes out and asks how your meal was.
West Seattle businesses have enjoyed the Bamboo Grill’s location for many company parties and events, with its scenic views and free parking. Some couples decide to have their wedding on the beach and the Bamboo Grill has been chosen to provide reception catering and reception services. Eating out does not need to cost an arm and a leg. Bamboo Grill has weekly food and drink specials such as “kids eat free” breakfasts on Saturday and Sunday, Tuesday “Double Lunch Punches,” Football/Basketball food and drink 
specials.
Giving back to the local community is also a priority. The Bamboo Grill has been involved with a number of charities over the years. “Giving is contagious,” says Sarah Suseyi (right), owner/general manager, “and we are happy to help out when we can.” Last November, the Bamboo Grill hosted an event to help and honor our local law enforcement as well as the Lakewood Memorial Fund – featuring members of local Seattle bands Queensryche, Lotus Crush and Candlebox.
The night life at the Bamboo Grill does not disappoint. Starting at 10 pm on Friday and Saturday, the Bamboo Grill turns into Alki’s hottest nightlife with DJ Ronnal Ives spinning tunes, and plenty of room to dance. Bamboo Grill is happy and proud to be a sponsor of West Seattle Blog and can be reached at 206-937-3032 or online.
We thank Pegasus & Bamboo for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news on WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.
The first week of pre-trial motions and discussions in West Seattle’s Steve Bushaw murder case started with a guilty plea, and ended with one. Our partners at the Seattle Times report tonight that, four days after Danny O’Neal, one of two accused triggermen, pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of second-degree murder with a firearm enhancement, the other one – John Sylve – struck the same plea bargain. Here’s the Times story. This happened during what was supposed to be a recess in the case until next Tuesday; when proceedings resume then, two defendants remain – alleged mastermind Bryce Huber and alleged getaway driver Brandon Chaney, both still charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder in the shooting of Bushaw outside Talarico’s in The Junction on Super Bowl Sunday night in February 2009. The documents from today’s announcement are not in the online files yet, so we don’t have full details of the latest plea agreement.
One month ago today, we reported on community help for the family of Brian Teachout, who died at after surgery for an injury suffered while putting up Christmas lights. Brian was just 46. Since then, other successful grassroots benefits have been organized – the ornament sale, the light-show donations – and now there’s word of one more way to help. Linda Fittro sends word that tomorrow (Saturday) night at the West Seattle Eagles‘ HQ, Mary Lou Wilkerson is sponsoring a dinner to benefit the Teachout family: “Salisbury steak, real mashed potatoes & gravy, veggie, roll and dessert, all for $8. 5:30 pm till 7 pm or sold out. All proceeds go to the Teachout family.” The WS Eagles are at 4426 California SW (206-938-4426).
(Seattle Police investigators with the wrecked Buick on Sunday morning – rescuers had cut its top off)
Throughout the week, we’ve received notes from people living near the scene of the 47th/Charlestown crash that led to a major power outage early Sunday (original WSB coverage here), wondering how the two people in the car were doing. Though they originally were described as having life-threatening injuries, we have just learned from Harborview Medical Center that the passenger, a 31-year-old woman whose hometown is not listed in the police report, is out of the hospital. The driver, 23-year-old Mohammad Nema of Burien, is still at Harborview but is now in satisfactory condition – and he is charged with vehicular assault as well as domestic violence. According to the charging documents, the passenger was his estranged girlfriend, who had two protection orders against him linked to an assault allegation in early December. The charging papers don’t say why she was with him on Sunday morning, but they say:
… the defendant was speeding well in excess of the posted speed limit. He failed to maintain control of his car and crossed the centerline and began rotating clockwise as he skidded 133 feet. He then left the road and slammed broadside into a utility pole. The force was sufficient to break the pole which caused a power outage in the neighborhood. There was enough energy left to propel his car an additional 52 feet until the car eventually came to a stop. Both the defendant and (passenger) were unconscious. Both suffered at least fractured pelvises. …
A bottle of open, mostly empty tequila was found wedged between the defendant and his driver’s door. Blood alcohol results for him are pending. Preliminary collision reconstruction shows he was speeding at least 48 mph and that does not even take into consideration the energy to break the pole. The analysis indicates he was traveling freeway speeds when he lost control.
When Nema gets out of the hospital, he will be booked into the King County Jail, with bail set at $100,000, according to online records. Court documents say he has a record of citations and charges including driving the wrong way on a one-way street, possessing an open alcohol container in a car, speeding, and driving without liability insurance.
Six weeks from today, we should find out if anyone’s coming forward to buy The Hole, the West Seattle development site (map) that stalled after excavation more than two years ago, caught in legal skirmishes that are only now starting to play out. As part of said skirmishes, the first trial ended in November with a decision (which has been appealed) that the company that dug The Hole, Aero, has lien priority; King County Superior Court Judge Susan Craighead formally ordered the foreclosure sale two weeks ago, and the official notice was published Thursday in the Daily Journal of Commerce. According to that notice, the sale is set for 10 am Friday, February 25, at the King County Administration Building downtown. The notice also says: “The judgment debtor can avoid the sale by paying the judgment amount of $23,286,974.16 together with interest, costs, and fees before the sale date.” The “judgment debtor” is Fauntleroy Place, LLC, which is still linked to Seattle Capital; the site’s note is held by 3922 SW Alaska LLC, a concern linked to Madison Development, which had sought foreclosure in 2009 without having to pay the construction-company liens (totaling $4 million) that Judge Craighead has since ruled are at the head of the line.
That just-published clip is the second in a series of video hints, posted to YouTube and shared via the home page and Facebook page for 103.7 The Mountain radio, further enhances speculation that West Seattle online/on-air personality Marty Riemer is about to rejoin the station that booted him and on-air partner Jodi Brothers in fall 2009. He and Brothers, who also lives in this area, have been podcasting from Riemer’s basement for much of that time – but she just (a) had a baby and (b) announced she’ll be with the Bob Rivers Show when it arrives at 95.7 FM this spring. The Riemer-returning speculation started with both the departure of the DJ who took over morning at The Mountain after him, and then with the first video hint earlier this week (note the West Seattle scenery, plus another West Seattleite, The Mountain’sdirector Shawn Stewart). As today’s clip says in the final frame, there’s news coming Monday; we’re checking with Riemer to seek at the very least a golden-voiced “no comment.”
Hundreds of Chief Sealth International High School students just found out in a surprise announcement in the school auditorium that a free year of college awaits them – and potentially thousands of their future counterparts. In an event under way at Sealth right now, South Seattle Community College has announced that CSIHS is the second Seattle Public Schools high school to become part of the SSCC 13th Year Promise Scholarship program. (Cleveland High School was the first, starting with its Class of 2008.) The official announcement explains:
The groundbreaking scholarship program, which is the first of its kind in Washington state, guarantees every graduating senior the opportunity to attend South tuition-free for one year, regardless of grade point, test scores or other factors. …
The 13th Year Promise Scholarship was developed to address data that shows the enormous difference just one year of college can make in terms of earnings and a student’s likelihood of continuing in higher education. This critical “Tipping Point” has been identified as a high school diploma and one-year of college. The scholarship is also designed to increase the access to higher education for our community’s students, particularly those from underrepresented groups, including students of color, low-income and first-generation college students. …
The program is funded by financial aid and/or scholarship funds raised through the South Seattle Community College Foundation. …
The announcement event is being led by two Sealth graduates – SSCC president Gary Oertli and CSIHS principal John Boyd.
ADDED 3:34 PM: Oertli and Boyd are in the video added atop this story – also participating, school-board rep (and Sealth parent) Steve Sundquist:
(video no longer available due to blip.tv shutdown)
(Wednesday photo of Fairmount Springs’ chronic Fauntleroy Way puddle)
Rain remains in the forecast (“special weather statement,” in fact) … but we’re used to it, right? Also on the Friday schedule: If you see this before 9 am, you are welcome to go meet the West Seattle Earlybirds Toastmasters at ArtsWest, during their 7-9 am open house this morning … Almost next door at Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy (WSB sponsor), a 2 pm event promises info to help you figure out which supplements can boost your immune system … Exercise can help too, and Friday Night Skating at Alki Community Center might be the ticket – $3/person, BYO skates or borrow them, 6:45-8:45 pm … Live music tonight at Skylark Café and Club (calendar here) and C & P Coffee (calendar here), both WSB sponsors … SIDE NOTE: Exactly four months from today, it’s West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day, sponsored/organized by WSB (second Saturday in May every year, this year that’s May 14)!
(Photos by Ellen Cedergreen for WSB)
Besides the monthly West Seattle Art Walk (see our previous report), Thursday night brought another major art event – the West Seattle High School Winter Art Expo, a juried show. Here’s a group of WSHS ceramics students and their teacher – from left: Korina, Nelsy, Silvee, teacher Michelle Sloan, Regine, and Justice:
Parents, jurors, and students perused a vast array of “Me Boxes,” one of three featured mediums:
What’s in a “Me Box,” you ask? They are process boxes the students make and decorate.
WSB contributor Ellen Cedergreen, who covered the expo, explains that each panel represents a different part of the student, in the following layout: The outside top of the box represents who the students appear to be to the world; the inside is meant to show how the student sees her/himself; the four outer walls represent one of four emotions – peace, sadness, anger, and joy. WSHS student Socheata Thon told Ellen that the inside of hers is primarily dedicate to speed since she is fast, “like a cheetah”:
Here are WSHS students Jordan Jackson and Tyler Johnson with their “Me Boxes”:
Retired Ballard High School art teacher Jane Morris (in the next photo with WSHS student Maxwell Zimmerman), was a juror:
Jane told WSB that students were judged primarily on how well they executed their own artistic intent, which they wrote out as “artist statements.” Jurors read the statements before sitting down with students for one-on-one critiques. The expo included 10 professionals judging more than 200 students; winners will be announced in class today.
(Photos by Ellen Cedergreen and Patrick Sand for WSB)
A night to celebrate, for many along the path of last night’s West Seattle Art Walk: Above, the trio behind Twilight Artist Collective, Mary, Cheryl, and Erin, celebrating Twilight’s sixth anniversary (did you read the story of how they began?). Also along the way, many marking new beginnings now, or soon, like Miranda Krone, whose culinary-art achievements were part of the fare as C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) hosted not only an Art Walk stop but also its monthly Wine Club:
Miranda is the chef who will soon open Meander’s in the former Jade West Café space north of Morgan Junction (here’s our December report). Another brand-new entrepreneur marked a milestone last night:
That’s Monica Skov, hosting her first Art Walk night at month-old West Seattle Fabric Company in the Admiral District, showcasing fabric art, and getting ready for classes to start – possibly as soon as mid-February. Meantime, the shop that preceded WSFC at 2210 California SW celebrated its first January Art Walk in The Junction:
Those are some of the wire birds by Shelli Markee on display now at Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor). Flying up to Alki, Seal Sitters‘ Robin Lindsey was one of the featured artists at Alki Arts:
Robin’s wonderful wildlife photos were at centerstage, along with Carol Braden‘s whimsically covered guitars – here’s Carol with Alki Arts’ Diane Venti:
And they had a surprise musical guest, rustled up at the last moment – the renowned Carrie Akre:
On to the other end of the Art Walk route, The Kenney had music too – with barbershop quartet The Country Squires:
One of The Kenney’s featured artists was resident Mona Elliott, who posed with her painting of Mount Rainier:
Back to The Junction – photographer Machel Spence‘s mushroom magic graced the wall at Coffee to a Tea with Sugar:
She posts new work on Flickr just about every day. One block south at ArtsWest, photojournalist Roger Ressmeyer, whose work is highlighted in the “Beginning of Totality” show:
And we made one more stop, back up in Admiral – Shanti Salon and Spa (WSB sponsor), displaying the paintings of Brian Forrest, whose work is expressionist in influence; this one is titled “Minstrel“:
Remember, most of these displays will be up all month – so you can enjoy art any time – between now and the next West Seattle Art Walk, which is on February 10th, 6-9 pm as always. Watch wsartwalk.com for information.
Mary McNeight recently opened a storefront for Service Dog Academy in West Seattle – and she’s about to try for a little regional fame, by organizing a “flash mob” this Sunday to showcase “positive dog training.” After laying the groundwork under the radar, she’s just gone public with the news, including instructions for how you and your dog can participate – there’s info and a video on this page of her company’s website. It’s not in West Seattle, but Westlake Park‘s not that far away; 3 pm Sunday is the actual “flash mob” time, but they’re also having a practice event Saturday in Bothell (detailed on the same page).
It’s been a week since our first report about the disappearance of West Seattle resident Jeremy Peck. Volunteers joined the search last Sunday (WSB coverage here); now, two more ways are available for people to help, and the reward’s been increased. As noted on the WSB Facebook page this afternoon, there’s a new Find Jeremy Peck page (you can “like” it here); family and friends have set up an anonymous tip line, 206-478-4905, you can call any time. And the reward for information on Jeremy’s disappearance is up to $1,500. He was last reported seen at the Admiral Pub early Christmas Eve morning.
Chief Sealth International High School is one of three Seattle Public Schools on the “persistently low-achieving” list released by the state today. That list is compiled annually to show which schools are eligible for a federal grant of up to $2 million over three years – if they pursue one of four federally designed plans of action. The district says that while it is pursuing grants for its other two schools on the list, AS#1 and Rainier Beach High School, whose deficiency is listed as “achievement,” it is not doing so for Sealth, whose deficiency is listed as “graduation.” From a news release sent by SPS tonight:
One other school – Chief Sealth International High School – is also on the state list of eligible schools based on low graduation rates. Seattle Public Schools is not pursing a grant application for Chief Sealth, because the school is well into implementation of a plan to ensure a high-achieving school. “Chief Sealth leadership, staff and families are working very well together, and in cooperation with Denny International Middle School, to create an outstanding 6-12 pathway based on the International Baccalaureate and international education,” said Goodloe-Johnson. “While additional funding would be helpful, we do not want to disrupt the momentum that has been created.”
Seattle Public Schools and its teacher union decided last year that any school for which a grant was sought would follow the “Transformation” type of improvement plan – which requires “Replace the principal and take steps to increase teacher and school leader effectiveness; institute comprehensive instructional reforms; increase learning time and create community-oriented schools; and provide operational flexibility and sustained support.” Last year, West Seattle Elementary was on this list, and the district pursued a grant. This state document explains the criteria for landing on the list. We have a message out seeking further comment.
If you’ve long been involved with the Block Watch program in West Seattle – or know someone who has – there’s a special call out for you tonight, from the WS Blockwatch Captains’ Network, looking ahead to its next meeting – which also extends a special invitation to those wanting to say farewell to retiring Crime Prevention Coordinator Benjamin Kinlow (here’s our Tuesday report on his impending retirement):
What’s the History of Blockwatch in West Seattle? Are you part of the history? Do you know part of the history?
When: Tuesday, January 25, 2011 6:30-8
Where: SW Precinct 2300 S.W. Webster (Delridge & Webster)
Agenda: 6:00-6:30 Socializing and networking during setup
6:30-7:00 WSBWCN news and updates, crime prevention tip of the month
7:00-8:00 History of Blockwatch in West Seattle with Benjamin Kinlow
Open forum for sharing historical information, blockwatch stories and thanking Benjamin.
8:00-8:30 Socializing & networking during teardown.Featured speaker: Retiring Crime Prevention Coordinator Benjamin Kinlow
The topic of our January meeting is focused on the history of block watch in West Seattle. Benjamin Kinlow who has many years of experience in blockwatch will regale us with his stories of how things used to be, how they have evolved and talk about some highlights of his career. We invite everyone in West Seattle who has participated in blockwatchs over the years to come say goodbye to Benjamin, hear about the history of blockwatch and bring their blockwatch stories to share. Especially if you have stories relating to working with Benjamin and how he has helped you with your blockwatch it would be great to send him off to retirement with a few stories he might have forgotten!
We are trying to round up historical memorabilia and/or photos of blockwatch history in West Seattle that we could scan and put in a slide show so if you have something please get in touch. E-mail: wsblockwatchnet@gmail.com or call 206-424-0040 and leave a message.
It’s the second Thursday of the month, which means it’s West Seattle Art Walk night, 6-9 pm all over the peninsula. A new list of venues, since it’s a new quarter – and that means a new walking map (the second page of this PDF). Photography has a special spotlight this time around – at Alki Arts, on the north end of the Art Walk, you will find photographer Robin Lindsey, whose beautiful photographs grace the website of Seal Sitters, for whom she is a first responder (and much more). In The Junction, you will find photographer Machel Spence at Coffee to a Tea with Sugar – we mentioned her show here recently; she takes ethereal photographs of fungi in forests, and shares some of them via the WSB group on Flickr. At ArtsWest, the photojournalist whose work is now on display, Roger Ressmeyer, will be at centerstage for a special edition of ArtsWest’s popular “OnStage” discussion series at 7:30 pm. And at Wallflower Custom Framing, photojournalist Anton Moentenich is the featured artist.
Other special features tonight: Want to meet Miranda Krone, who is opening Meander’s in the former Jade West Café? She’s the appetizer chef tonight at C & P Coffee (WSB sponsor), which is hosting its Wine Club tonight and is also an Art Walk stop. And some of West Seattle’s newest businesses are part of the lineup – West Seattle Fabric Company in Admiral, Locöl, Tuscan Tea Room, the Admiral branch of Bird on a Wire Espresso. Then there’s the big sixth anniversary bash at Twilight Artist Collective in The Junction. Lots of venues previewed at the official Art Walk website!
P.S. Not officially part of the Art Walk, but in its spirit – the West Seattle High School Winter Art Expo is under way at the school library till 8. Here’s our preview from last week.
That shot from a West Seattle bank robbery last April (WSB coverage here) was one of the most-discussed bank-robber photos we’ve run … as the robber’s gender seemed to be in doubt. Today, Seattle FBI spokesperson Special Agent Frederick Gutt confirms to WSB that a suspect held for a bank holdup in Kent may be the so-called “Mrs. Doubtfire” robber, suspected in a string of stickups around the region. She is a 53-year-old resident of Des Moines, arrested for robbing an Alaska USA credit union branch in Kent two days ago, according to Special Agent Gutt. We reported last September that one suspect was likely responsible for 6 heists, 3 of them in West Seattle, starting with the April 2010 KeyBank robbery in The Junction (the others are listed here), though the list has now grown to 11, according to the FBI. (Hat tip to seattlepi.com for what appears to be the 1st report on the arrest.)
Mid-afternoon wildlife break! First, the top photo is from Felicia, who’s looking for ID help:
I live along Harbor Ave, close to the West Seattle Bridge, and (Tuesday) night I’d been getting up to look out the window all evening to check out the snowfall. A little after 10 pm I saw this guy on the wire just below my balcony. He hung out for a while and let me take some photos. The cars below didn’t seem to bother him, he even seemed to watch them go by. He looked up at me a few times, when my camera made noise, and finally flew off. Beautiful! I did a bit of research and believe he was either a spotted or barred owl. If anyone can tell for sure, I’d be interested in which one. It was an unexpected and amazing moment to share the wonder of the quietly falling snow with this beautiful creature.
Next photo is our latest reported coyote sighting, sent yesterday morning by Paul:
Paul explained that was “a Fairmount ‘yote (Wednesday) morning getting back on the street after taking to the brush to get around me.”
(Wednesday photo by Christopher Boffoli)
Following up on Wednesday’s 44th SW incident involving two dogs shot by police responding to a domestic-violence call, we had a few questions for the Seattle Animal Shelter. Regarding the dogs’ breed, SAS director Don Jordan told WSB, “DOA dog = Lab. Injured dog = Bulldog mix. These match the licenses we have on file.” Had his officers dealt with them before? “Slight history of welfare checks, leash-law violations, and menacing behavior,” replied Jordan: “Citation for LLV + Menacing in 2008. Eight impounds between these two dogs in 2008 and 2009.” We also asked about the condition of the surviving dog. According to Jordan, it was “stabilized at West Seattle Animal Hospital then transported to (a clinic) for overnight observation. We were putting the owner in contact with (the clinic) so they could determine what they wanted to do with the dogs leg – i.e. amputation, plates/screws or ultimately euthanasia.” The newest information from police, released last night, said the dogs were “on top of” the woman they ultimately arrested on suspicion of domestic violence, and that they charged the officer who opened fire.
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