West Seattle, Washington
24 Wednesday
As sunset approaches, Sunrise Heights is just getting warmed up. Tonight’s their big neighborhood block party. And we have photos courtesy of a member of one of the bands that are playing – Rick Price from BottleRockit. Here’s the first band, MoonGirl:
You probably recognize Rick’s name – when not onstage, he’s onscreen, a longtime local TV journalist, working for KIRO (Channel 7). Where’s Sunrise Heights, you ask? Roughly – east of 35th between High Point and Westwood.
ADDED: And thanks to Tom for sharing this photo:
The party is a volunteer-powered annual event, part potluck, part contribution-funded, with proceeds benefiting the Sunrise Heights Neighborhood Association.
Announced today by Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) co-proprietor Jeff Gilbert:
PICK AT IT: THE 1st ANNUAL WEST SEATTLE GUITAR AND GEAR TRADE SHOW with special live performance by AARON DANIEL
Saturday, September 15, 6 PM
Pick At It is a unique spin on guitar trade shows as it features ONLY West Seattle guitar makers, sellers and tradesmen showcasing their wares. Included event sponsors are…
Owner Frank Gross, buys and sells vintage guitars and amps worldwide through his online store, and is one of the city’s top authorites on guitars.
Todd Baker is a highly trained and skilled luthier, not only repairing all aspects of guitars, but making custom acoustic basses as well.
Greg Williamson is widely known for his extremely popular and hand-crafted Greedtone guitar effects pedals (now carried nationally by Guitar Center) and hand-built amplifers. Greg is also the sound engineer for the annual West Seattle Summerfest.
Every Fastback guitar is exclusively designed and hand crafted for guitar players by guitar players. Fastback also has a line of popular custom made amplifers and is a recording studio as well.
Owned and operated by Shadowland’s Ben Jenkins and Greg Williamson (Greedtone), this Georgetown studio is fast becoming one of the more in-demand rooms in Seattle to record in.
A West Seattle resident and one of the more unique guitarists in Seattle, Aaron – who recently performed two sold-out shows at The Moore Theatre with the Seattle Rock Orchestra – will be doing a live showcase at the event.
Come buy and trade, try out amps and effects pedals, get a free tune-up on your guitar and hang out with tons of fellow musicians and guitar geeks and fans. There will also be a themed cocktail designed by the legendary Matt Johnson. (Wait ’til you see what it is!)
(Photo by Nick Adams for WSB, added post-festival: Giorvi Merca, 9, at 3-legged race finish line)
11:25 AM: It’s the biggest festival of the summer in eastern West Seattle – and Delridge Day 2012 has just begun, in and around Delridge Skatepark (Delridge/Genesee), which was dedicated at last year’s DD.
(As-it-happened photos, through 3:01 pm update, by WSB’s Patrick Sand)
All the info’s here – lots to watch, lots to do, lots to see. The festival is an all-volunteer production again this year – presented by the North Delridge Neighborhood Council:
At the NDNC booth, that’s Kirsten Smith and Parie Hines. (Parie also leads WSB sponsor LD Arch Design.)
11:40 AM UPDATE: It’s not a festival without RapidRide Man – who’s here along with the big red and yellow bus, previewing the service that will be launched in West Seattle next month, parked along 26th SW on the northwest side of the playfield:
That’s also where you’ll find a food truck, Athena’s from Highland Park. Meantime, here from across the street at Youngstown – it’s the West Seattle Tool Library’s new mobile unit:
That’s Stu Hennessey from Sustainable West Seattle and Alki Bike and Board – ABB is sponsoring the skate competitions that are under way till 2 pm (with free skate to follow) at the skatepark during today’s festival.
12:12 PM UPDATE: The sun has just emerged! When you come to the festival, say hi – we’re by the entrance along Genesee, west of the skatepark. We’re here not just to cover it but also as co-sponsors:
Face painting, bouncy house, balloon art, all part of the Kids’ Zone.
1:12 PM UPDATE: After looking over at the Evo booth near ours and noticing a regal little Shiba Inu, we went over for a photo:
That’s Ryu, sitting on the table in front of Hahn. Lots of dogs here – there’s plenty of space between booth rows, for them to walk comfortably with their people. Meantime, a Zumba performance, flash-mob style, erupted over by the stage a little while ago:
(Video to come.)
2:16 PM UPDATE: First politician sighting – just talked to City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, who was marveling at how well the skatepark is working out, especially considering, as he recalled, it was originally slated to be built up by Myrtle Reservoir – until neighbors opposed it so strenuously, alternate sites were sought; Delridge welcomed it.
Just about everyone we’ve talked with has described today’s festival, meantime, as “mellow,” “low-key.” The police are here – but it’s community outreach, not an emergency response:
The festival’s on till 3.
3:01 PM NOTE: And so soon, it’s over! Thanks to everybody who came by to say hello. We have more photos to add, from WSB contributing photojournalist Nick Adams, which we’ll add later – have to move on now to more of what’s happening today.
ADDED SATURDAY NIGHT: As promised, more photos! From here on out, they’re all by Nick Adams for WSB:
That’s Rafael Newman break dancing with groups Break Animal and Catch Them All.
The sign’s up at Easy Street Records – and we’re told the newlyweds will be in the area for photos in a few hours – Auburn e-mailed to share the photo and the news of Sean Jolly and Michelle Mierz – who first met as schoolmates long ago, and much later reconnected and fell in love – getting married. More on that later today.
The other sighting is at the north end of Pigeon Point:
Mark sent that photo – and earlier, Jim sent us one from last night – and as far as we can tell, it just might be a sign that Doctor Who is wandering timelessly around Pigeon Point today. Not a Dr. Who fan? This might explain.
Another West Seattle wedding announcement!
Kristina Graubins & Kane Jamison are happy to announce that they were married on August 11th at Lincoln Park. The happy couple moved to Seattle from Champaign, IL in 2008 and have lived in Arbor Heights for just over a year. When they’re not walking their dog Ben or tending to their new flock of chickens, they can be found chiseling away at their endless list of urban homestead projects. Please send your happy vibes to the new couple!
Another one of those days with so much going on, that instead of replicating the WSB calendar list here, we’re pointing you there – more than 30 events from morning till night, including the Delridge Day festival 11 am-3 pm (here’s the full schedule/vendor list – we’ll be reporting live). Find the list here – click on the right side of any line to expand it for a preview, then the “read more” at lower right of that preview to go to the full listing page, including times, address, and map. Have a great day!
(Photos by Nick Adams for WSB)
Today, you’ll find volunteers from the 34th District Democrats in a booth at the Delridge Day festival – just hours after the organization’s biggest fundraiser of the year, the Garden Party. Last night, partygoers basked in evening sunshine at West Seattle Nursery, with the theme “All-American Barbecue,” and with this area’s highest-ranking politician serving as auctioneer/emcee:
With King County Executive Dow Constantine, that’s the 34th DDs’ chair Tim Nuse at left, and the ubiquitous reminders that this is a presidential election year. The event’s theme even inspired some costuming – Chris Porter was in the red-white-and-blue spirit:
More of WSB contributing photojournalist Nick Adams‘ scenes from the Garden Party, ahead:
By Megan Sheppard
On the WSBeat, for West Seattle Blog
As always, the WSBeat summaries are from reports on cases handled recently by Southwest Precinct officers, incidents of note that (usually) have not already appeared here in breaking-news coverage or West Seattle Crime Watch reports, but that might at least answer the question “what WERE all those police doing on my block (whenever)?”:
*Around 7:30 a.m. on a recent Thursday, a 15-year-old was assaulted on the bike trail near the steel mill by two men who told him to empty his pockets. He was punched and knocked to the ground (and also struck back, bloodying one suspect’s nose). The suspects — considered to be possibly homeless because they were described as “both pretty dirty” — were described as black men: One in his twenties, about 6 feet tall, wearing a white short-sleeved T shirt; the other in his forties, about 5’8”, wearing a black beanie, black shirt, and brown baggy pants. They remain at large.
Ahead, five more summaries, including the case of the arrested landlord, and trouble at/near Lincoln Park:Read More
BIG Saturday ahead. You can preview it all right now on the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar. And here are a few details on two of the biggies:
(Click to see map full size in Delridge Day brochure, with vendor list)
DELRIDGE DAY: Tons of fun packed into a four-hour festival, 11 am-3 pm Saturday in the park between Delridge Community Center and Delridge Skatepark. We’re sponsoring the Kids’ Zone, with a bouncy house, face-painting, picnic games, and balloon art. You’ll also find live music (the schedule’s in the official brochure), dozens of booths (come say hi!), two food trucks, the Alki Bike and Board skate competitions, and more.
WEST SEATTLE OUTDOOR MOVIES: Second-to-last Saturday for the year (!) … The Beatles’ animated “Yellow Submarine” is the movie; trivia with Jessie from Skylark Café and Club is the preshow fun; the courtyard next to Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor) is the place. You’ll also find Furry Faces Foundation there selling/making pet tags (read about the program here) starting around 6 pm. Movie’s at dusk – it’s free, but bring $ for pet tags and nonprofit-benefiting raffles and concessions!
Every so often, a Seattle Parks property gets extra attention via what the department calls a “jamboree” – with staffers from all over the city deploying to the chosen park. The next one is Lincoln Park, as discussed at the Fauntleroy Community Association‘s board meeting this week. Parks manager Carol Baker came to the meeting to share some early details:
(Photo by Mike Siegel/The Seattle Times – republished with permission)
This Sunday, when you see River Farm Organic Produce at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market, you might consider buying something extra – we’ve just learned that their family has lost a home in the big Taylor Bridge Fire in Central Washington. An anonymous family friend e-mailed to let us know about this, and to say that River Farm does plan to be at the WSFM this Sunday. We have since confirmed this with market management, which explained that the family farm itself was spared, as was the home of the farm family’s patriarch, but the fire destroyed the home of his daughter and her husband. In addition to supporting them directly, we’re told they also will benefit from the Neighborhood Farmers’ Market Alliance “Good Farmer Fund,” which helps with emergency relief for vendors hit by crises like this. (You can donate to that fund online here.)
A message sent to the WSB Facebook page requested a list of air-conditioned restaurants. So we asked for suggestions – here’s what we have so far (sorry we haven’t linked them all, but the WSB Restaurant Guide is a shortcut to info):
Melissa, Micki, Anmari, Lucretia: Circa
Julia, Dorothy, Jenny: Zeek’s Pizza (A/C *and* a patio, Julia notes)
Betsy, Molly, Jaime: Spiro’s
Katie, Sara: Freshy’s
Kristin, Tessa: Fresh Bistro
Teresa: Puerto Vallarta
Andy: Wing Dome
Guy: Yen Wor
Susan: Angelina’s
Aimee: “La Romanza Bistro is air conditioned and our cocktails with put a nice chill on you :)” (Editor’s note, La Romanza is a WSB sponsor)
Julie: Talarico’s
Jaime: Admiral Pub and Spiro’s
Tessa: Fresh Bistro
Our notes: Both Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) and The Bridge have pointed out they have A/C. (The Bridge is now open for lunch, by the way.)
P.S. Food/beverage spot suggestions that aren’t restaurants:
Donna: Stuffed Cakes
Ronda: Full Tilt Ice Cream
CeeCee: “Have dessert for dinner and go to Baskin-Robbins? Jamoca Almond Fudge sundae with whipped cream! You’ll be cool inside and out – just have to exercise a bit more when it cools down.”
Lindsey: “Beveridge Place AND they are having the cider revival. Nice and crisp!”
Wendy: Beer Junction
P.P.S. A few non-food/beverage (more or less) suggestions that were shared:
Nyla: “Sorry no food, but Cherry Consignment will be nice n cool & we have a great “toy box” for your kiddos.”
Kambra: “It’s not a restaurant, but the Bartell’s at Jefferson square has INSANE AC… i nearly cried.”
Erik: “The Highland Park Improvement Club is ALWAYS nice and cool & tomorrow night at 6:30 is FREE FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT!!!It’s the 3rd Friday of every month! The have popcorn, candy, drinks and all of the concessions are delicious & affordable, so bring a pillow, blanket, etc. and come on down!!!” (Editor’s note: This is also part of today’s “West Seattle Friday” preview.)
Amanda: “The bowling alley for the win!! Awesome happy hour AC blasting the whole building was nice and cool.”
Elissa: “The Seattle Children’s Museum has AC :)”
Donna: “Try getting out on the water! (Thursday) was a perfect day for kayaking!”
And a question:
Rachel: “Any newborn-friendly places? I’ve got two very hot little kiddos at my place!”
Thanks for the suggestions, questions, etc.!
Two West Seattle Crime Watch reader reports this morning, starting with Barb‘s stolen Blazer:
Sometime between 5:30 am on Thursday 8/16/12 and 5:30 am on Friday 8/17/12 my green (but dirty) 4-door Chevy Blazer was stolen from where it was parked on Belvidere. It was at the corner of Grayson and Belvidere in the Admiral area. The license plate is ____-NNJ.
Call 911 if you find it.
(3:15 PM UPDATE: See the thread in comments – turns out Barb’s vehicle was impounded. But SPD apparently didn’t know that – they even tweeted it as stolen.)
Report #2, a car prowl in Upper Alki, reported by Syd:
I live on 59th Ave SW (near Charlestown) and wanted to alert people that last night someone tried to break into my car, attempting twice to break my passenger window. Thankfully they were unsuccessful, but they smashed the window and damaged the door frame. This is the second time in the past few months that my car has been targeted.
If you have a Crime Watch report to share with your neighbors via WSB, editor@wsb.blackfin.biz – but please report it to police first!
West Seattle filmmaker Jamie Burton Chamberlin has big news – his feature film featuring Duff McKagan’s Loaded is almost done. The video above is from an interview in which the project is discussed by McKagan himself, whose most recent star turn was as Seafair Torchlight Parade Grand Marshal. Before that, the film was shot in a variety of places around the area, including West Seattle venues such as Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) and West 5 (where we covered the wrap of filming last September – here’s that story), along with scenic spots like Alki.
Chamberlin says the film, “The Taking,” will “be released in episodes; a total of 10 vignettes/music videos that will tell a tale of totally bizarre adventures, imprisoned band members, and kids’ size ice cream cones. The series begins Fall 2012. There are numerous cameos in the film including: Jerry Cantrell and Sean Kinney of Alice in Chains, former Guns ‘n’ Roses guitarist Gilby Clarke, Steve Jones of Sex Pistols, and Lemmy Kilmister from Motorhead.” Chamberlin is producer and director for “The Taking,” and promises more news soon on exactly where you’ll find the vignettes when they start rolling out.
(Don Brubeck‘s photo shows one place to beat the heat – a shaded field! Thursday photo from Alki Playfield)
You probably have your heat-beating strategy fine-tuned by now … after today, the forecast says, it’ll get back to something resembling normal. Lots of great ways to spend your Friday night, and a few things during the day, in our highlights from the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar:
DONATE TO WESTSIDE BABY: There’s a donation drive at the soccer camp that West Seattle Soccer Club is having at Riverview Playfield today – “Pack the Goal with PJs and Pants.” They’re collecting those items in sizes 4-12, till noon, and offering a chance at prizes including Sounders tickets.
BALLROOM DANCING: It’s the monthly event with Lauren Petrie at Delridge Community Center, 1:30 pm – details here.
SUMMER CONCERTS AT THE MOUNT: 85th Street Big Band plays tonight – optional dinner/drinks available for sale at 5:30 pm, music (free!) at 6, south side of the Providence Mount St. Vincent campus (4831 35th SW), more info (including the menu) here.
GARDEN PARTY: The 34th District Democrats‘ fundraising auction, with live music, food from The Swinery, ice cream from Full Tilt, and guest auctioneer County Executive Dow Constantine, starts at 6 at West Seattle Nursery (California/Brandon); more info here.
THE NOISE GUY! He’s at Alki Community Center at 6:15 tonight – details here.
MOVIE NIGHT AT HIGHLAND PARK IMPROVEMENT CLUB: “Ratatouille” is on the screen – bring the family! 6:30 pm at HPIC (12th/Holden), details here.
‘ANYTHING GOES’ AT WEST SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL THEATER: It’s the second weekend for Twelfth Night Productions ‘ (WSB sponsor) version of the Cole Porter classic – don’t forget to bring nonperishable food for the West Seattle Food Bank! – 7:30 pm (ticket info and more on the TNP website; 3000 California SW).
‘GODSPELL’ AT ARTSWEST: Three more chances to see the youth performers put on this show! 7:30 pm.
MORE LIVE MUSIC: Bob “Bobcat Bob” Rice at C & P Coffee (WSB sponsor), 6 pm … Barbie Anaka at Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor), 8 pm … Panama Gold, Western Medicine, Loyal Kites at Skylark, 8 pm … Fiasco plays Feedback Lounge at 9:30 pm.
West Seattle Stadium will be the site of national-championship competition this weekend, as dozens of throwers come from around the country, as explained in this news release we just received:
Men and women ages 30 and over will be contesting the United States Track and Field Association’s (USATF) National Masters Throws and Ultra Weight Pentathlon Saturday and Sunday at West Seattle Stadium. Events begin at 8 am each day.
The throws pentathlon is a Masters (age 30-105+) event consisting of 5 events – the hammer, shot put, discus throw, javelin throw, and weight throw. They must be contested in order. Weight of implement goes down in 10-year increments after age 50 as age increases. Athletes compete in 5 years age groups, 50-54, 55-59 etc. Each distance, for each event, has a point score based on its relationship to the world records for the events. The athlete with the highest number of points wins.
The First Masters National Championship was held at Husky Stadium in 1992. It was organized by West Seattle residents Ken Weinbel and George Mathews (former WS resident and meet director of this year’s event), with the help of West Seattle resident Leon Joslin. That first meet was conducted by the Seattle Masters Athletic Club, who is also responsible for building the area’s only hammer cage 18 years ago at West Seattle Stadium. The ultra weight pentathlon was also created by Weinbel and Mathews and will be contested on Sunday.
Three-time Olympic hammer thrower and flag bearer at the LA Olympics, Ed Burke, 72, of Los Gatos, Ca. will be competing and looking to break world records in the Throws Pentathlon and Super Weight Throw in the meet this weekend. Meet Director and five-time Masters World champion in the weight and hammer throw, George Mathews, will be looking to break his American record in the age 65-69 Super Weight (44lb.) throw. Over 60 athletes have entered the meet and come from all over the United States.
Residents and staff at The Kenney (WSB sponsor) have been getting to know new CEO Ed Mawe over the past few weeks, but tonight was the first big public event at which he appeared – the continuing-care retirement center’s annual barbecue.
Mawe joined The Kenney last month, not long after the departure of previous CEO Kevin McFeely. That’s according to information provided tonight by Moraine Byrne, president of Ontrac Management Services, part of Covenant Retirement Services, an Illinois-based firm also recently hired by The Kenney, to help with management and positioning. Byrne tells WSB that Mawe has “many years of serving senior adults in the Tacoma and Portland areas.” Online research shows Mawe’s past leadership roles include tenures at Franke Tobey Jones in Tacoma and Mary’s Woods in Portland.
Back to the barbecue – The Kenney’s park-like northwest lawn provided shade, both trees and tents, and a chance for residents, relatives, and neighbors to enjoy each other’s company.
The barbecue is an annual August tradition.
The two hottest nights of the week are coinciding with the nights for West Seattle’s ongoing weekly summer outdoor concerts. First, tonight at Alki, The Braxmatics:
They boogied at the beach, during the annual Alki stop for the Summer Concerts at Hiawatha series presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association.
(Video added)
Next Thursday, it’s back to Hiawatha, with Caspar Babypants, 6:30 pm, free as always.
But first – another free outdoor concert in West Seattle tomorrow! The Summer Concerts at The Mount series will feature the 85th Street Big Band at 6 pm Friday, south side of the Providence Mount St. Vincent (WSB sponsor) campus, which is usually shady by showtime. Bring a chair/blanket – and some $ if you’re interested in dinner (tacos with toppings bar – available starting at 5:30 pm), hot dogs/hamburgers, or other treats.
(WSB 2011 photo of the view from behind the “ecology blocks” at the bottom of the sliding Beach Drive slope)
Earlier this year, when repaving was ahead for a section of Beach Drive close to the ravaged section caught in a dispute over slides, the city revealed more mediation was ahead. Now, there’s word it has succeeded. This is just in from the City Attorney’s Office:
A significant hillside repair project along Beach Drive in West Seattle will be built without any City funds, in accord with the successful mediation of Anderson v. City, Saladino et. al.
“I am pleased to report that the City has resolved litigation and enforcement actions related to landslides in West Seattle above Beach Drive,” City Attorney Pete Holmes said Thursday. “Insurance monies and private funds will be used to construct deep retaining walls and a drainage system to stabilize a hillside. No City funds will be used to construct the project. The City has agreed to waive the majority of fines it sought in this action in exchange for the agreement by Peter Saladino to build the walls.”
Saladino and the City were both defendants in this action brought by 29 households that alleged they were affected by the landslides that occurred in 2007 and 2010.
The parties reached agreement late Wednesday night, the second day of mediation.
Saladino personally and the insurance carrier for Saladino agreed to fund and construct the remediation project to stabilize the hillside across a three-property area. The remediation project, which is likely to cost more than $2 million, involves two walls and a drainage system. The project is being reviewed by the Department of Planning and Development and the Department of Transportation and other City departments, with construction likely to begin this year.
The City did not pay attorney’s fees. The City did agree, however, to reduce the fines against Saladino to $10,000 if he is able to obtain that amount or more from a neighboring property owner’s insurance company. If he is unable to get that amount, the City will waive all fines as to Saladino. In addition, the City agreed to resurface a portion of Beach Drive north of the slide area in 2012.
Tom Rasmussen, chairman of the Seattle City Council Transportation Committee, expressed delight with the settlement: “The area near the slide on Beach Drive is in terrible condition and the agreement will allow the hillside to be repaired and Beach Drive to be repaired and repaved.”
We’ll add backstory shortly. As part of all this, the city had sued Saladino in 2009; area homeowners sued in 2011.
Earlier today, David Hutchinson sent us that image of a cormorant that he said was behaving somewhat unusually – just sitting on a seawall, rather than in the water or on a piling. No indication of trouble, and it soon flew away, David says, but later in the day, as a Seal Sitters volunteer, he got word of a phone call that makes publishing the photo a more-urgent matter:
This afternoon, Seal Sitters received a call on our hotline, reporting a “non-native” cormorant on the beach near 53rd & Alki Ave. The reporting party said that the cormorant had trouble walking, appeared unable to fly, and had what could be a fishing lure in its mouth. Seal Sitters followed up, but was unable to locate the cormorant. If you spot this bird on a West Seattle beach, please call Seal Sitters hotline (206-905-7325) and we will respond and see if we can help.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
“A good neighborhood joint.”
That’s how Aaron Shepherd explained his future Admiral District restaurant, the Copper Coin, to a passerby who peeked in while he was working today.
We in fact got first word of the Copper Coin via another passerby, WSB Forums member “twobottles,” who started a discussion wondering what was going in at the former Porterhouse space; another member, “Admiral935,” then added a little more info, and we picked up the research from there.
Aaron already owns a successful restaurant north of the city, and says he’d been looking around for a new place for a few years, but even the neighborhood where he lives – Ballard – didn’t offer just the right spot.
West Seattle did.
So here’s his plan:
Just in from SDOT, the customary weekly list of what’s happening elsewhere in the city, which we share here so you won’t be surprised to suddenly happen onto a roadblock/crowd/traffic jam/etc.:
Though the King County Wastewater Treatment Division is well into the preparation process for tearing down a block of houses/apartments across from Lowman Beach Park and replacing them with a million-gallon tank to reduce sewage overflows – a “fence-painting party” is even planned this Saturday – the city hasn’t finalized the land-use permit yet. First, a city-led public meeting has just been announced to take comments before it does. The meeting is scheduled for September 11th, 6:30 pm, The Hall at Fauntleroy (in the old schoolhouse at 9131 California SW).
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