West Seattle, Washington
22 Sunday
(Live view from the east-facing WS Bridge camera; see other cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
6:03 AM: Happy Monday! We start with our West Seattle Bridge and Highway 99 camera views …
It’s a short week for Seattle Public Schools and anyone following the same calendar – half-day on Thursday, then Friday and the following Monday off. And two traffic alerts are coming up for next weekend – here’s the story we published last week.
8:59 AM: Just announced by Washington State Ferries, the Tahlequah-Point Defiance run between South Vashon and Tacoma is out of service TFN – which could mean extra traffic for Fauntleroy-Vashon. In case this continues all day, here’s the Fauntleroy-Cloverdale traffic cam which shows a vehicle backup from the West Seattle terminal IF one is in progress:
Updates as we get them.
9:27 AM: Short-lived outage – WSF says the Salish is back in service, so south Vashon has a ferry again.
Joey Genzale has been making signs and choosing produce, getting ready to reopen Tony’s Market on Monday for the third year since the passing of its namesake, his dad Tony Genzale, whose portrait hangs over the entrance:
This year, Joey told us on Sunday, he will run Tony’s with more of his dad’s trademark spirit, “do things the way my dad would” – you might even hear those Dean Martin songs again. And there are other reminders and tributes here and there, like this framed bag (“one of only two like it”) dating to his dad’s Pike Place days:
After “a couple years of trial and error,” Joey says, he plans to focus closely on what people want most, so you’ll find fewer non-produce items this time. The ones he will carry include Penny’s Salsa and cage-free eggs from Puyallup. This year, Joey also expects to take more time to manage, to scout the best produce for the best prices, since his longtime friend Aaron will be helping run the market:
And the prices will be lower, he says, gesturing to the bright, shiny apples awaiting customers on the south side of the store: “99 cents a pound!” he says proudly. More than ever, Joey says, he wants to live up to Tony’s standards – “When he said it was the best, it was the best.” See for yourself as Tony’s Market gets going for the year under the red/white/green canvas at 35th/Barton, 9 am-7 pm every day.
The Yada Yada Blues Band is playing to a full house tonight for West 5‘s 10th anniversary party (previewed here Friday night, on the actual anniversary). Among the revelers – co-proprietor Dave Montoure, who along with Dean Overton opened the restaurant/lounge on February 8, 2003:
As with any anniversary/birthday party, there’ve been some gifts:
The party continues at 4539 California SW. Congrats, West 5 – here’s to the next 10!
Two reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch tonight – a burglary in which the victim lost keepsakes from family photos to her wedding ring – and what appears to have been a case of casing – details after the jump:Read More
From Garfield High School parent Kathy, news of a chance to buy tickets to an unusual school-benefit raffle:
Tomorrow night from 4-7:00 at the West Seattle PCC, Garfield High School will sell tickets for their Tesla Sedan raffle. That is right! We are only selling 1,650 tickets for a chance to win a Tesla sedan! The 2013 car of the year. All electric, it can go 300 miles on one charge. $100 will get you a ticket. The winner will be drawn at Garfield’s auction on Friday, March 1st. You need not be present to win. Proceeds from the raffle go towards hiring a counselor in the High School & Beyond Career Center.
You can read more about the raffle on the Garfield website.
ADDED MONDAY: Frpm Phil Sherburne of the Garfield PTSA, in an exchange when we asked a few followup questions: “This raffle just shows to what extent parents need to go to raise money to make up for state cuts in important programs at the high school. (Last year) the raffle prize was a Nissan Leaf electric car. We chose electric cars because they speak to the future which is what education is also about. This year the prize is the Tesla S Sedan–300 mile range. This is a spectacular car–a real breakthrough. The car costs us $85,000. Tesla reserves the car for us. We don’t have to pay for it until after the raffle. This was important because we want the winner to be the first owner of the car. That way there is no sales tax on the car and the winner is eligible for a $7500 tax credit. Last year we cleared $40,000 for the school and with this year’s raffle we will clear $80,000 if we sell all the tickets.”
(UPDATED 7:29 pm with full story added to original 4:44 pm bulletin)
Story by Tracy Record
Photos/video by Patrick Sand
West Seattle Blog co-publishers
WestSide Baby‘s annual Benefit Tea raised $225,000 today, up from last year’s $175,000, courtesy of a recordsetting crowd – 550.
It wasn’t really about numbers – it was about helping hands and generous hearts.
This was the 12th tea, and the second year that the afternoon gala filled a ballroom at the Hilton Conference Center at Sea-Tac, where it moved after outgrowing previous digs.
The number of children helped by WS Baby, of course, is even more staggering – more than 22,000 – and executive director Nancy Woodland revealed a new goal – to “stretch” in the next three years to try to help even more, in an even-wider area.
(Photo by Mike Gatty, substituted Monday for previously used UStream screengrab)
Just in from Las Vegas, via the Metropolitan Market Twitter feed – The Admiral store’s Andrew Borracchini won the Best Bagger National Championship at the National Grocers Association’s Las Vegas convention a short time ago. We checked in with Andrew earlier this week just before he and his family left for Vegas. Andrew has won the Washington State championship the past two years, and this was his second trip to Vegas to compete in nationals.
ADDED 5:39 PM: Rhonda Porter (WSB sponsor) notes in comments and here that Metropolitan Market shoppers got the news over the PA system when Andrew won. Store director Glen Hasstedt says the national champ is likely to be back at work next weekend.
P.S. Per a comment, Andrew is expected to be on “The Late Show with David Letterman” Monday night!
MONDAY MORNING UPDATE, 8:43 AM: A National Grocers Association spokesperson tells WSB that actually the plan for that is still in the works, “likely in a couple days.” Watch here for updates.
MONDAY 9:20 AM: The official news release from the Washington Food Industry Association:
On Sunday February 10th Andrew Borracchini, an 18 year old grocery bagger from Metropolitan Market in West Seattle, took home the ultimate prize at the National Grocers Association sponsored Best Bagger contest. The contest featured the best-of-the-best from 23 states for the coveted $10,000 grand prize, “Golden Grocery Bag” trophy and the “Best Bagger Golden Lane,” a special checkout stand that will be installed in his home store in West Seattle’s Admiral District.
Andrew Borracchini has already won the statewide qualifying Best Bagger competition for 2 consecutive years. Today he returns to Washington triumphant after flying to New York to schedule an appearance on the David Letterman show. When asked about his performance this year compared to last, he said he “just worked harder and tried to remain less stressed.” Andrew’s Store Manager Glen Hasstedt, who has also previously trained Andrew’s brother and sister at Metropolitan Market urged Andrew to “stay grounded, stay focused on your job, and not get overwhelmed,” practiced with him 4 days per week (including weekends) for months, and every day in the weeks leading up to the nationals.
The Borracchini family, longtime members of Seattle’s grocery industry who own local favorite Borracchini Bakery, were able to attend the contest in Las Vegas to cheer Andrew on for his big win.
Metropolitan Market stores are led by Store President Terry Halverson, a member of the Board of directors of the Washington Food Industry Association —the non-profit organization that annually hosts the Washington State Best Bagger Competition and represents members of the independent, local food industry.
Andrew adds that he would like to thank his co-workers, friends, family and the WFIA for all of their support.
For Valentine’s Day week, you can show your love for your local neighborhood council – starting, for North Delridge residents, with the ND Neighborhood Council at 6:30 pm Monday, at Delridge Library (Delridge/Brandon) – here’s the agenda summary from Parie Hines:
In honor of the upcoming Valentine’s Day this week, we will be discussing what we love about Delridge, what we love about previous and ongoing projects of the NDNC, as well as the changes and improvements to the neighborhood that would strengthen our love. This will be a continuation and expansion of the very brief visioning exercise from the December meeting. Also on the docket is a discussion of the NPSF applications and numerous updates about the many things going on in our very lovable ‘hood.
1:02 PM: In case you are seeing the big police/fire response south of The Junction, near Rite-Aid, in the 4300 block of SW Hudson – police are dealing with a reported shooting, possibly self-inflicted. The call is minutes old; more to come.
1:10 PM: Police are still trying to figure out what’s going on – if the call was for real, and if so, what the caller’s status is. Per the scanner (we have a crew en route) they were closing some nearby streets as a precaution.
1:17 PM: WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand reports from the scene that a patient has been brought out of the house, and is being moved to an aid unit. No word on the circumstances – that’ll take a while for police to sort out – or the man’s condition.
1:26 PM: The fire units are being dismissed except for Medic 32, which will take the man to Harborview Medical Center. The street closures should be cleared fairly soon too, since police have established at this point that the situation is stable and there’s no danger. Lt. Ron Smith of the Southwest Precinct is on scene and our crew is talking with him now to see what else they know.
1:32 PM: According to Lt. Smith: The man called 911 twice, first threatening self-harm, then saying he had shot himself. When officers got to the door, he let them in, but had an obvious gunshot wound and he is now en route to the hospital.
*Our customary reminder: If you or someone you know is thinking or talking about suicide – Crisis Clinic is available 24/7 – 206-461-3222.
Big news for the little dancers of Gildenfire and their leader Jenna Lutton. They’ll soon have a permanent studio, reports Megan Kelton-Rehkopf (who also shared the photo from their latest performance):
On Neighborhood Appreciation Day (Saturday), Jenna Lutton’s Gildenfire Dance held their annual performance for the residents at The Kenney. At the end of the performance, Jenna announced that Gildenfire has found a permanent home and she’s launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise $5500 for a dance floor and mirrors to transform the space into an amazing dance studio. The new home of Gildenfire will be in White Center, located behind McLendon’s.
Here’s the link to the Gildenfire fundraising page on IndieGogo – as of this writing, already two-thirds of the way to the goal!
(2011 egg hunt at Hiawatha; photo by Jason Grotelueschen)
If your family is among those who preferred the traditional center-by-center Easter-egg hunts at West Seattle’s city-run community centers – after one year away, they’re back this year. We noticed in the multi-center catalog, while previewing today’s Hiawatha pancake breakfast, that each center is listed as having its own egg hunt, all at 10 am Saturday, March 30. (Last year the centers experimented by joining forces for one huge regional event at Southwest Athletic Complex.) P.S. We’re building our list of spring-holiday events already – if your organization, business, church, etc., has something to add, be sure to get us the info as early as possible – thanks!
Hotcakes were the hot ticket for breakfast in West Seattle this morning, judging by the turnout at Hiawatha Community Center‘s annual benefit breakfast. The pancakes and sides were cooked up outside …
… and served fresh inside, as fast as staffers and volunteers could work:
Festive fruit, too:
We’ll be checking on the final tally – which goes to make sure that everybody who wants to take part in Hiawatha’s programs can do just that, regardless of their financial situation. A flyer handed out at the breakfast included highlights of upcoming programs and events, which you can browse in the newest West Seattle Community Centers (WSB sponsor) catalog, online.
(Eagle #2 “not impressed”? Photo by Danny McMillin, via WSB Flickr group)
10 highlights from the lineup for today/tonight, via the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
HIAWATHA COMMUNITY CENTER PANCAKE BREAKFAST: Have a great breakfast today and help raise money to help make sure Hiawatha programs can be afforded by all. 8 am-noon at Hiawatha Community Center (2700 California SW); details in our calendar listing.
LITTLE PILGRIM OPEN HOUSE: Little Pilgrim Preschool at Fauntleroy Church is holding an open house today, 11 am-1:30 pm (9140 California SW); details here.
WESTSIDE BABY TEA: Today’s the day for the biggest annual event benefiting the local nonprofit serving tens of thousands of kids (and their families) each year, 2 pm @ the airport Hilton Conference Center – details on the WS Baby website.
BATTLE OF THE BAGGERS: Andrew Borracchini from Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor) in Admiral is representing our state again this year in the Best Bagger competition at the National Grocers Association’s convention in Las Vegas, and the event is set to start around 2:45 pm today – with a live stream planned, here.
HAVE YOU MET ‘SHIRLEY’ YET? Just a few more chances to meet “Shirley Valentine,” as explained on the ArtsWest (WSB sponsor) website, a woman in her 40s, trying to get out of a rut, heading out on a journey of self-discovery. 3 pm matinee. (4711 California SW)
FREE CHORAL CONCERT: More than 100 singers form the Northwest University Choralons, and you can hear them sing tonight at Westwood Christian Assembly (9252 16th SW), 6 pm – details here.
SONGWRITERS IN SEATTLE: They’re performing an all-ages show, free, at 7 pm at Skylark Café and Club (3803 Delridge Way SW).
‘SACRED GROUND’: St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church (California/Hanford) is launching a new type of worship service at 7:30 pm on Sunday evenings, “a moment of contemplation with sacred music in a sacred place, a chance to connect with the divine,” starting tonight. Details in the calendar listing.
GRAMMY AWARDS: Root for West Seattleite David Miles Huber, up for a third time in the Best Surround Sound Album category. And you can do it while watching the Grammys on the big screen at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor; 6451 California SW).
WEST 5 CELEBRATES 10 … years, that is, with a big anniversary bash tonight, featuring music by the Yada Yada Blues Band and more, 8 pm, as previewed in our Friday report, and as featured in this Facebook event page.
Even more happening today/tonight in West Seattle … full list (and the days/weeks/months ahead), here!
From the Total Experience Gospel Choir (above) to the Chief Sealth International High School Choir (below) …
… to student/pro collaborations like Septimus with the Denny International Middle School Jazz Band:
… last night’s third annual “Soul Jambalaya” (free, with donations benefiting the Denny and Sealth music programs) “was truly incredible,” reports Denny principal Jeff Clark (who also shared the photos):
Congratulations to the Denny and Sealth Jazz Band and Choir students! A huge thank you to our guests from Septimus and the Total Experience Gospel Choir!
This musical celebration is the creation of our inspirational band director, Mr. Marcus Pimpleton. He described the thinking behind this amazing event this way:
“Three years ago, I had the opportunity to take a group of Denny students to the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival’s ‘Jazz is Blues and Sacred Roots Concert.’ That concert, through the language of music, provided students with a musical history lesson connecting the jazz music our students study in their school ensembles to its musical roots in the blues and to the spiritual songs of hardship and struggle that grew initially out of the experience of negro slaves … My primary hope in organizing Soul Jambalaya is to recreate that synergy that I felt that night at Hampton, to expose my students to the music they may have limited experience with, and in the tradition of Black History Month, to celebrate the influence of African-American music styles to the musical landscape of America.”
Thank you, Mr. Pimpleton, for bringing that synergy and celebration to our scholars and our community!
Two utility notes:
DELRIDGE WATER TROUBLE: If you are in the North Delridge/Pigeon Point area and notice anything odd about your water early today, this might be the cause: Crews were busy early this morning dealing with water gushing up from beneath the street on the east side of Delridge Way SW along the south edge of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. The water was flowing along the street for blocks, though traffic wasn’t hindered.
POWER OUTAGE TODAY: Ben shared the news about a scheduled Seattle City Light outage today in his neighborhood near 42nd and Raymond, north of Morgan Junction. We checked with SCL, whose Scott Thomsen confirmed to WSB that “there is an outage on Sunday, February 10, from 7 am to 3 pm. A power line needs to be raised to maintain public safety. This requires changing out a bad pole and its transformer and setting a new pole. Thirty-four residential customers and two businesses are affected.”
Will the third time be the proverbial charm for West Seattle-based musicmaker David Miles Huber, when the Grammy Awards are announced tomorrow? He’s been nominated for the third time – this time, “Chamberland” is up for Best Surround Sound Album. The video above shows Huber’s in-studio performance of “Emerald,” one of the album’s cuts. His previous nominations, also in the Best Surround Sound Album category, were announced in 2009 and 2010.
Log House Museum volunteers Bonnie and Andrew were among those enjoying free chili and cornbread on the museum’s porch this afternoon, during the Neighbor Appreciation Day celebration. (They turned out to be something of a Valentine’s Day story too – their love of West Seattle brought them together online, and now they’re married – as well as expressing their community caring through volunteering!) Right before serving chili, the Museum had hosted one of its monthly volunteer briefings, and new Southwest Seattle Historical Society executive director Clay Eals reports another good turnout. He mingled with museum visitors and volunteers this afternoon:
You don’t have to wait for a special occasion to visit the museum – it’s open noon-4 pm, Thursdays through Sundays, 61st and Stevens.
West Seattle’s Sheila Lengle is one of the artists showing and selling work right now at the “pop-up art gallery” event under way at the Technology Access Foundation’s center in White Center’s Lakewood Park. Last year, Sheila’s work was seen all over West Seattle after she won the WS Garden Tour’s poster contest. Also there, Jave Yoshimoto:
He’s exhibited internationally and is currently a teaching artist at West Seattle-based ArtsCorps.
Second from right in the photo above, that’s Vera Johnson, owner of Village Green Perennial Nursery, who’s showing photographs tonight. The event organized by Menrva Labs continues till 8 at 605 SW 108th.
Out of the WSB inbox, from DC:
We live on the 3800 block of 17th Ave SW. There were several cars on our street broken into last night around 3:30 am. They went up and down our street and smashed passenger side windows and opened unlocked doors.
Our neighbor’s dog was barking and woke their owners up, which made them spring into action and call the police. They caught a glimpse of the prowlers and yelled out to them, which prompted them to flee.
The police arrived here around 3:45 a.m, and left their business card with an incident number on our front seats. Our cars had minimal damage, broken window’s, and open glove compartments, they rummaged through papers and stuff.
We just thought our West Seattle neighbors should be aware and be safe.
P.S. Not related, but if you wondered about a helicopter just east of West Seattle last night – it was a search in South Park; we have the story on partner site The South Park News.
It’s Neighbor Appreciation Day around the city, and one highlight was a chance to tour some of the Seattle Fire Department‘s stations for a couple hours at midday. We stopped at Fire Station 11 at 16th and Holden in Highland Park, which is currently home to not only Engine 11, but also a numberless backup ladder truck. We’re told it’s one of the few straight-frame ladder trucks still in service, as the two-driver tiller trucks are now preferred. Changes are ahead for Station 11, where upgrades including earthquake-safety work will start this spring, and an on-site trailer will take the place of the permanent quarters for a while.
Though the station tours are over, other Neighbor Appreciation Day events continue. A free swim is under way at Southwest Pool till 2 pm, and the Log House Museum is celebrating with free chili and cornbread on its expansive porch. You’re welcome to stop by 61st/Stevens till 4 pm – photo to come.
Filmed at, and premiered at, West Seattle’s own Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), that’s the new video for the second single by the on-the-rise Van Eps, “Save Yourself.” The band members include West Seattle resident Matt Strutynski. On the heels of last night’s premiere party, the video’s West Seattle-based director Jamie Burton Chamberlin just sent the clip.
Youth-sports signup season continues with an event today for Southwest Little League, whose area stretches southward from SW Juneau and westward from 1st Avenue S. From 11 am to 1 pm in the Log Cabin at Steve Cox Memorial Park in White Center (15th/102nd), they’ll sign up prospective players in person – so if you live within the aforementioned area, bring your child’s birth certificate, three proofs of residency, and the registration fee. Check out the residency requirements, fee details and more on the SWLL website.
(Photo by Don Brubeck)
Long list of things you can do today – and there’s even more on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, beyond these highlights:
TRAFFIC ALERT, ALL WEEKEND: Yet another reminder that the Delridge/Henderson section is completely closed this weekend so that the Delridge repaving project work can focus there. Here’s the detour map.
OPEN HOUSES: Community School of West Seattle (9450 22nd SW) is adding a fourth preschool class this year and has room – 10 am-2 pm open house today (parents/guardians only) – and at the same time, same location, the new K-5 Taproot School is having an open house, too.
SALAMANDERS, BEETLES, SPIDERS: Nature Walk at Camp Long, 10:30 am, with West Seattle naturalist Stewart Wechsler. Details on his website.
VOLUNTEER TRAINING AT THE LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: Show up at 11 am today (61st/Stevens) and find out how to get involved with the Southwest Seattle Historical Society. (Note followup event at 1 pm below …)
FIRE STATION OPEN HOUSES: As part of Neighbor Appreciation Day, three West Seattle fire stations are having open houses 11 am-1 pm – 11 (Highland Park), 32 (Triangle), 37 (Sunrise Heights). Details here.
VALENTINE’S DAY STORYTIME … at Barnes and Noble/Westwood Village, 11 am: “We’ll be reading ‘The Perfect Hug,’ as well as two other holiday-themed stories. There will be treats and crafts, as well!”
SIGN UP FOR THE FLOAT DODGER 5K: This pre-West Seattle Grand Parade run is on for its second year; sign up and celebrate (approaching) summer noon-4 pm today at West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor; California/Charlestown).
CHILI AND CORNBREAD AT THE LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: Starting at 1 pm, come enjoy free chili and cornbread as part of Neighbor Appreciation Day (61st/Stevens).
FREE PUBLIC SWIM: Another Neighbor Appreciation Day event – free swim at Southwest Pool (2801 SW Thistle), 1-2 pm.
TALK ABOUT AFFORDABLE CHILD CARE: 2-4 pm at Delridge Library – full details in the calendar listing.
POP-UP ART GALLERY … at the Technology Access Foundation‘s Bethaday Learning Space in White Center’s Lakewood Park, 4-8 pm. Artists include Village Green Perennial Nursery owner Vera Johnson; family activities in addition to the art show/sales – full details in the calendar listing. (605 SW 108th)
SOUL JAMBALAYA: Big slate of music – pros and students, multiple genres – at Chief Sealth International High School (2600 SW Thistle), 7 pm, free but donations will be accepted to benefit the Sealth/Denny music programs. Here’s our preview from earlier this week.
SINGIN’ AND SWINGIN’ WITH BOBBY D: The songs of legendary Bobby Darin, 7:30 pm at Kenyon Hall (7904 35th SW), details here.
ROY ZIMMERMAN: The satirical songwriter brings his show to WSUU (7141 California SW), 7:30 pm.
AT SKYLARK: Laguna, Summer Aviation, and DJ Hectophonic, starting at 8 pm (3803 Delridge Way SW).
’80s DANCE PARTY: Monthly event at The Benbow Room, 8 pm.
AT THE ALKI TAVERN: Time’s ticking on the Alki Tavern, with five weeks left till it’s closing forever. Go enjoy it tonight with Burley Mountain performing tonight, starting at 9.
THE DEE DEES’ DEBUT: “Their first performance anywhere,” says the Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) announcement, describing The Dee Dees as an all-female Ramones tribute band. We also know it’s fronted by Feedback GM Bradi Jones. Be there – 9 pm (6451 California SW).
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