West Seattle, Washington
08 Monday
We’re counting down to another big summer event – this year’s West Seattle Car Show is exactly one month away, 10 am-3 pm Saturday, August 26th. Once again this year, Swedish Automotive and West Seattle Autoworks are presenting the show on the north side of the South Seattle College campus; the show supports SSC’s Automotive Technology program. Many different types of vehicles are welcomed – if you haven’t been to the show, see our coverage from last year. Lots of reasons to visit in addition to seeing the show participants – live music, kids activities, food trucks, tours of SSC programs including the Northwest Wine Academy; more details soon. If you’d like to sign up to be part of it, get the pre-registration discount price by going here. That page also includes signup info for vendors and sponsors (whose logo can be on this year’s T-shirt if signed up by the end of this week).
(Note: Swedish Automotive, West Seattle Autoworks, and South Seattle College are all WSB sponsors; WSB is a co-sponsor of the Car Show.)
It’s more than a hobby … amateur radio is vital to emergency preparedness in our area and many others, too. So – both to practice their skills and to offer a public view into how amateur radio works – International Field Day is under way right now, with local operators gathered in the south field on the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus on Puget Ridge through about 11 am Sunday.
You are invited to stop by any time before then (kids welcome too!) to see and hear how it works. While we were there, solar-power demonstrations were under way:
Just look for the antennas rigged in the field, and the tents nearby:
A decent north breeze is sweeping through the Seattle Chinese Garden on Puget Ridge, just in time for this afternoon’s Kite Festival, continuing through 6 pm.
Bring your own kite or buy one at the garden, which is on the north side of South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor). This is the festival’s fifth year; suggested donation for entry is $3; youth 17 and under are free.
Besides kite-flying, you’ll see demonstrations and entertainment; the latter is highlighted by the International Wudang Internal Martial Arts Academy, scheduled to perform 3-3:30 pm.
Busy for lunch tomorrow? If not – and if you’re going to be in West Seattle or able to get here – we’ve been asked to share this unique invitation on behalf of a local culinary student:
We have an invitation for anyone interested to come join us at the Alhadeff Grill at South Seattle College for graduating student Solmi‘s capstone lunch on Wednesday, May 24th. Price is $15 for the following.
Choice of Appetizer:
– Chicken Wings and Asparagus with Baby Green Salad or
– Seafood Saffron Vol au ventChoice of Entree:
– Seed-Crusted Rack of Pork with Cabbage-Cranberry compote or
– Cod with ArtichokeDessert:
– Sweet Cherries with Kirsch Chantilly and Pistachio Ice Cream
Seating is limited. Call 206 934-5817 for reservations between the hours of 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM.
For additional information – darrell.tsukiji@seattlecolleges.edu
So you’ll have to call tomorrow morning. SSC (a WSB sponsor) is at 6000 16th SW on Puget Ridge.
(Roger Brown of Apical Tree Services, up in a giant poplar tree)
West Seattle’s own botanic garden just got a big gift from local arborists. Here’s the announcement from the South Seattle College Arboretum, accompanied by photos:
In celebration of Arbor Day, local arborists certified by Plant Amnesty took to the trees of The Arboretum at South Seattle College last week, providing some much-needed expert pruning services.
“I am so happy that this work is getting done,” says Mark Pollock, Arboretum Coordinator. “The value of these services is somewhere between $12,000 and $15,000. It’s a tremendous gift to us and we are very thankful.”
Plant Amnesty describes itself as “a 1000-member mock-militant nonprofit organization whose mission is to end the senseless torture and mutilation of trees and shrubs caused by mal-pruning.”
Established in 1987 by the late Cass Turnbull, the organization is devoted to educating the public about the proper way to care for trees and shrubs and to providing referrals to qualified arborists and landscape gardeners.
Every year in celebration of Arbor Day, Plant Amnesty arborists volunteer their time to prune trees for a good cause. This is the second year that they have chosen The Arboretum at South Seattle College for this benefit.
(From left, Roger Brown of Apical Tree Services, Darrin Kuebler of Thor Tree, Eric Matteo of The Tree Stewards, and Mark Harman, retired owner of Stonehenge Tree Services)
(From left, Dana Harper and Jory Virtue of Legendary Tree)
(L-R, Rich Appleton and Jack Bautsch from Plant Amnesty)Arborists who donated their time this year were from:
Apical Tree Services
Fluent Tree
Grün Tree Care
Ira Ford Ecological Design
Legendary Tree Services
Major Tree
Symbiosis Tree Care
The Tree Stewards
Thor TreeThe Arboretum at South Seattle College is a 5-acre botanical garden that serves as a laboratory and workshop for students in the College’s Landscape Horticulture Program. The garden is also a destination for local residents both as an outdoor classroom and as a soothing escape from the city. The Arboretum has one of the best conifer collections in the United States and is designated as a Reference Garden by the American Conifer Society.
Find out more about the Arboretum by going here.
(Photo courtesy Seattle Chinese Garden)
“All is looking good for our festival this weekend,” Seattle Chinese Garden spokesperson Sandy Marvinney tells WSB, as they get ready for the rescheduled Peony and Bamboo Festival. “The garden should be at or close to full bloom this weekend!” The garden is at the north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus on Puget Ridge, and the festival is set to run 10 am-4 pm both days this weekend (Saturday and Sunday, May 6-7). Here’s the latest update on the blooms; here’s the festival flyer. $5 suggested donation for adults; all ages are welcome to visit. The lion dance at 11:30 am Saturday will be a highlight; other activities continue all weekend. You’re advised to check seattlechinesegarden.org before you go, in case of schedule updates.
Two updates at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor):
NEW PARTNER FOR AVIATION MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM: SSC has announced that it’s been selected by Delta Air Lines “as an approved partner college in training future aviation maintenance technicians for careers with the global aviation company.” The AMT program is FAA-certified and has been training technicians since the 1970s. This is the second partnership between SSC and Delta, which launched a paid internship program there in 2014. The college’s announcement says that this means “Delta will also help recruit future AMT professionals to the program and look to hire South-trained graduates for positions in their global workforce.”
Meantime, here’s an aerial look at progress on the new building at SSC:
INTEGRATED EDUCATION CENTER UPDATE: Eight months have passed since we wrote about SSC’s Integrated Education Center project. After West Seattle pilot/photographer Long Bach Nguyen shared that recent photo of progress on the project, we asked SSC communications director Ty Swenson how it’s going. His reply: “We are still aiming to have the new IEC building ready to open for Fall Quarter, which starts September 25.” Read more about the new building here.
(Photo courtesy Marie McKinsey)
Like many places, West Seattle has more than a few “best-kept secrets.” Is the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) Arboretum one of them? That’s what the Arboretum Advisory Committee hopes you can help them find out. Even if you’ve never heard of it, they would love to have your participation in this quick one-page online survey, as they gauge community awareness while working toward celebrating the Arboretum’s 40th anniversary next year.
Thanks to Jenny for the tip. This crash near 17th SW/SW Graham on Puget Ridge [map] sent a man to the hospital this morning and left behind a trail of damage including this shed. Emergency crews had just cleared the scene when we arrived so we don’t have any other information on the circumstances, but we have been able to find out from SFD that the driver was taken to a hospital by private ambulance for “injuries related to the crash.”
Parenting is sometimes joyful, sometimes frustrating … and some expert advice can help with the latter. Next Tuesday (February 28th), in collaboration with West Seattle Cooperative Preschools, Parent Map is presenting Dr. Laura Kastner in West Seattle, explaining how to “Tame the Tears: Parenting Positively.” She’s speaking at 7 pm at Brockey Center on the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus on Puget Ridge. Dr. Kastner is author of “Getting to Calm: The Early Years,” and is a clinical professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the UW. Organizers explain:
Dr. Kastner will draw on her experience to offer parents much-needed tools for success in their parenting journey. Parents will learn tips to help encourage positive behavior, manage those dreaded tantrums and teach emotional intelligence. Walk away with the tools to better manage emotions and strengthen the bond between child and parent.
Discounted advance tickets are available online now.
Thanks to Katie Kauffman for the photo from today’s event at the Community Orchard of West Seattle. She reports that neighbors gathered to learn about sheet mulching, “a no-till technique for soil building.” The orchard is on the northeast side of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus. As previewed on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, Glenn Herlihy, co-founder of Beacon Food Forest, was there for the “talk and mini-work-party.” Within the next month or so, the Community Orchard will restart its annual series of meetups/work parties, so keep watch on its website (and on our calendar) for that news soon.
It was a striking coincidence that while more than a thousand people were at Sea-Tac Airport protesting the President’s immigration crackdown, a teenage immigrant was onstage at the annual South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) “Gifts From The Earth” benefit, telling her story.
Blanca Olivera was 11 when she and her family came here from Mexico. Two years ago, she graduated from Chief Sealth International High School, and became the first member of her family to attend college, via the 13th Year Promise Scholarship – which offers one free year at SSC for graduates of Sealth, Cleveland, and Rainier Beach. Another scholarship is helping her with her second year, and she spoke before the dinner/auction’s “Fund A Dream” paddle-raising round. We recorded her speech on video:
Among the crowd, we spotted City Councilmembers Bruce Harrell and Lisa Herbold. The council voted for funding to help support the 13th Year Promise Scholarship as it expands to serve more local students, likely including West Seattle High School.
As we finished writing this report, the tally came in via e-mail: A record-setting $273,000 was raised tonight.
Along with raising scholarship money, Gifts From The Earth showcases the culinary and wine programs at SSC, and their alumni. This year’s lineup of guest chefs is here; this year’s lineup of wineries is here.
5:21 PM: A main route between North Delridge and Puget Ridge, 22nd SW, is blocked right now because of a crash and what’s described as a resulting “spill” for which an SDOT cleanup crew is being called. That’s the route between Delridge/Oregon and 21st [map]. We’re on the way to check it out.
5:43 PM: Photo added. Police tell our crew at the scene that a driver headed uphill (south/eastbound) hit a utility pole. Wreckage and fluid spill ensued, but no injuries of note. The vehicle’s been towed, the spill dealt with, and the road is reopening.
(Photo sent by Jeanine)
9:21 PM: A big Seattle Fire response is on the way to the 6700 block of 18th SW [map] on Puget Ridge. According to scanner traffic, an SUV has hit a tree and is on its side, with one person reported trapped. More to come.
9:25 PM: The person is now out of the vehicle, after reportedly claiming to be unhurt. Most of the SFD response is being canceled.
(WSB photo)
10:08 PM: Photos added. This one wrapped up fast. The last SFD crew (Engine 11) passed us while we were still a few blocks away. Only one police car was left keeping watch on the vehicle until the tow truck arrived – and we passed it as we left. 18th, narrow as it is, wasn’t even blocked by the wreck.
ADDED TUESDAY MORNING: Neighbors say the driver appeared impaired, and overnight, the call was officially logged as DUI.
1:23 PM: If you’re seeing/hearing a major Seattle Fire/Police response in the Puget Ridge area – there’s an “assault with weapons” response in the 6500 block of 18th SW. No other details so far.
1:29 PM: Still no information about who was injured and how, but police are looking for one suspect – the partial description on the scanner is white, male, 6 feet tall, thin, no shirt.
1:34 PM: The incident is now described as a stabbing. If you’re hearing a helicopter in the area, it’s TV.
1:54 PM: SFD says the victim is a 34-year-old man taken to the hospital with a stab wound in his thigh.
2:26 PM Police still have 18th SW blocked in the 6500 block.
2:53 PM Update from SFD – victim’s wounds are more serious than first reported – now described as life-threatening.
A transit alert from South Seattle College (WSB sponsor), taking effect tomorrow:
Starting Wednesday, November 30, King County Metro Routes 125 and 128 will resume service to South Seattle College’s main campus bus stop located to the west of the Robert Smith Building (RSB on the campus map, which you can see here).
The temporary stop located near the Northwest Wine Academy in the north parking lot will no longer be in service.
Construction on campus had led to the change.
(WSB photo, added 6:51 pm: At left, vehicle – being towed – that hit pole)
5:59 PM: Thanks for the tips: Power is out in parts of northeast West Seattle, and apparently it’s not all shown on the outage map, which now shows 15 customers out in Pigeon Point/North Delridge – at and near Delridge/Andover – but we’ve also heard from Victoria in Riverside, who says “we are out down here too,” on 16th and 17th SW. This is likely related to a crash in the 4500 block of West Marginal Way SW that another texter says involved a vehicle hitting a utility/light pole – we’re checking on that. If you’re also out of power but NOT on the City Light map, please let us know in comments (after you’ve called SCL to let them know your outage is not showing – 206-684-3000).
6:04 PM: Now the map is updated to 356 homes/businesses out of power. Adding a screengrab.
6:51 PM: Just back from the crash scene, which is on the east side of West Marginal Way SW – affecting the northbound lanes – just north of the Duwamish Longhouse. The pole was snapped in two and dangling; the vehicle that hit it was about to be towed. Adding photo. Meanwhile, some have the power back – the count is down to 288 on the SCL map. One crew was at the scene and reported to be calling for more help.
7:39 PM: As reminded by commenters, this is affecting some traffic signals too – if you arrive at one that’s not working, that makes it an all-way stop – do NOT go through without stopping.
9:23 PM: The SCL map has now recalibrated the restoration guesstimate to “pending,” which seems in line with what commenter Amy found out.
11:56 PM: The outage is now in its seventh hour, with the current potential restoration time estimated around (corrected) 4 am. (Let us know if you’re back sooner!)
1:52 AM: And after about eight hours, the outage is over.
Here’s a way to get involved with the future of West Seattle’s own institution of higher learning. The announcement is from the city:
Seattle Department of Neighborhoods is seeking interested community members from surrounding neighborhoods to participate on the South Seattle College Standing Advisory Committee. This committee provides feedback on projects planned and under development by the college to ensure it complies with its Master Plan. The Master Plan describes zoning rules, long-range planning of the property, and transportation planning.
Sound interesting? Full details are in this announcement. Background on the committee’s work last decade is here.
(WSB photos)
While the first day of the fall semester at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) isn’t until September 26th, more than 100 new students got a jump start this week. They are in the 13th Year Promise program – which pays first-year tuition to graduates of three Seattle Public Schools high schools, including Chief Sealth IHS. Here are full details from SSC:
South Seattle College celebrated its largest incoming class of 13th Year Promise Scholarship recipients on Sept. 15 since the program’s inception in 2008. 110 students completed orientation this week and will start their higher education at South this fall with their first year of tuition paid for through the scholarship program.
The celebration came at the end of a three-day “Bridge Program” orientation, where incoming 13th Year scholars learned key skills and resources to help them navigate the transition from high school to college.
“I want to truly encourage you to take advantage of this great opportunity,” South Seattle College President Gary Oertli said to the incoming class. “Be committed in your heart to say ‘I’m going to do this,’ whatever your goals may be.”
For Chief Sealth International alum Matthew Burckhard, that goal is training to carry on a family tradition.
“I’m going into culinary or pastry because my grandfather was a baker … (and) a couple years ago he passed away and I figured I should take on his legacy and see if I can become a baker as well,” Burckhard said.
The scholarship guarantees one year of free tuition at South Seattle College for all high school graduates from Chief Sealth International, Cleveland, and Rainier Beach high schools, regardless of their grades or finances. Scholars’ first year of tuition is covered through a combination of donations to the South Seattle College Foundation and financial aid rewards.
Someone else new on campus was spotted at today’s ceremony:
The otter is a new – so far nameless – mascot. The 13th Year program started with Cleveland in 2008; Sealth was added in 2011.
If you went to South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) this past Saturday for the West Seattle Car Show, and hadn’t been there recently, you might have noticed the sizable construction project on campus, along 16th SW.
(WSB photo, taken last week)
The $32 million Integrated Education Center project is a major addition for the campus on Puget Ridge. We asked SSC spokesperson Ty Swenson for an overview; here’s the information he provided:
The new 57,550 square foot Integrated Education Center (IEC) will replace the existing Cascade Court Building (CAS) and provide for expanded growth in our health care programs and needs for basic skills training, which includes English as a Second Language (ESL), adult basic education and high school completion.
(Rendering by McGranahan Architects – looking east from 16th SW, showing pedestrian walkway and plaza improvements)
Three stories in total, the IEC’s first floor will have general purpose classrooms and computer labs. The second floor will be dedicated to health care programs and the third floor will house faculty and staff from various disciplines. There will be small collaborative spaces found throughout the building intended for small group meetings or projects, and there will be three outdoor spaces – one at the front entrance, a balcony on the west side of the first floor and a roof garden on the west side of the second floor.
The IEC will integrate classroom and lab space for the health care programs, adult basic education, and ESL programs as well as a supporting faculty suite. Co-location of these programs will increase the efficacy of vocational-focused ESL training, I-BEST (where we teach basic skills in reading, math and/or English while simultaneously providing job training) and nursing NAC-LPN-RN ladders to better serve ethnic minority students and students with emerging English skills.
This energy-efficient building will provide plenty of natural light and an atmosphere that is welcoming, conducive to learning in many modes and a great place for students, staff and faculty to engage in collaborative ways.
The IEC’s location offers an opportunity to improve the visibility and identity of South Seattle College along 16th Ave SW. The project was designed to provide a balance and transition between the scale of the campus and neighboring homes. With the removal of Cascade Court, pedestrian movement and outside gathering spots will be created and improved. An open pedestrian walkway from our main entrance above 16th Ave. SW will lead to an expanded Clock Tower Plaza, considered the campus’s core and main gathering spot for students.
Construction is expected to continue through next May, followed by college staff/programs moving out of Cascade Court, which will be demolished in summer/fall 2017.
P.S. You can check in on the progress via the official construction-site webcam.
(UPDATED EARLY SUNDAY with winners added to our earlier as-it-happened coverage – scroll down)
11:42 AM: In the north lot at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) on Puget Ridge, we’re in the second hour of this year’s West Seattle Car Show. It’s all about the details – the door locks in our top photo are on the 1965 Ford Falcon next to our booth in the heart of the show. Wide variety of cars, including a 1992 Ferrari:
Not a big car fan? How about hydros?
Adjacent attractions that are welcoming Car Show-goers include the Northwest Wine Academy and Seattle Chinese Garden, both right here along the north side of the campus. Wondering about the weather? It’s been cloudy and breezy so far this morning, but no rain, and none expected, so no need to worry about that. It’s even looking like the sun WILL appear, as forecast, before too long. Best viewing time is before 3 pm, when the trophies will be handed out – they’re ready and waiting:
We’re off to check out the kids’ activities – more coverage to come. See the show schedule here!
12:25 PM: This is also a good place to be for lunch. Nibbles and Kebab Brothers are here, just north of the Wine Academy building. Inside that building on the east side of the Car Show zone is where you’ll find ongoing kids’ crafts, a race track, and $1 hot coffee as well as $5 wine/beer, plus snacks (including $1 popcorn).
And the sun has JUST broken through!
From right before the sun showed up, a quick Instagram-video spin around a section of the show:
The Disco Cowboys are onstage after 1:30 pm.
1:18 PM: More reasons to take a close look at the cars – the ’60 Cadillac (fins and all) on the other side of our booth sports this detail:
If you’re here at the show, be sure to get a BINGO slip to take around to the booths (including ours) to get the squares marked off – this will be your FREE entry into the drone drawing. Also, 50/50 Raffle tickets – fundraising for nonprofits (the White Center Food Bank is here!) – are on sale at the info booth, which is under a blue canopy on the northeast side of the show zone here in the SSC north lot. Prime time to come see the cars, the hydros, the people is until 3 pm, when the trophy winners will be announced.
2:32 PM: The Disco Cowboys are onstage now and if you haven’t heard them before, they’re exactly what the name says:
This one's from the peak of 'disco' – "I Love the Nightlife" pic.twitter.com/2QAmhhuV8G
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) August 27, 2016
… disco music, done cowboy style.
2:57 PM: And the show finale … drawing and trophy time. This year, something new – the trophy-winning cars got a bit of advance notice and have been moved over near the stage for the presentation, so everyone can get one more look at the winners, rather than hearing the winners listed and trying to remember which was which.
ADDED EARLY SUNDAY: The winner list, and photos. In the order announced, as announced, with some photos (sorry we didn’t get them all!):
1954 and older: 1939 Pontiac
1955-1959 domestic: Packard
1960-1964 domestic: ’64 Pontiac
1965-1969: ’65 Ford Falcon (also featured in our top photo)
1970-1974: VW Camper
1975-1989: 1976 Buick Wagon
1990-present: 2007 Corvette
Best Truck: 1974 Chevy
Best European: 1958 MG
Best Asian Import: Isuzu Impulse
Alternate Fuel or Electric Vehicle: 1966 Buick Skylark
Best Motorcycle: 1967 Norton
Best Woman-Owned Vehicle: 1969 Dodge Dart
Best Junior-Owned (Under 21): VW GTI
Best ‘Survivor’: 1957 Pontiac Station Wagon
Judges’ Choice, Best Stock Vehicle: 1998 Ferrari
Judges’ Choice, Modified: ’67 Camaro
People’s Choice Award, in honor of show founder Michael Hoffman: 1938 Auburn
O’Reilly’s Trophy: 1967 Chevelle
South Seattle College-presented Best Student Car: 1995 Toyota Pickup
The awards were announced by West Seattle Hi-Yu youth, with the assistance of West Seattle Autoworks’ Todd Ainsworth, still in his Disco Cowboys singing gear:
This was the third year that WS Autoworks and Swedish Automotive coordinated the West Seattle Car Show, and the ninth year for the show overall.
(WSB photo from 2015 West Seattle Car Show)
We’re reminding you again tonight that the annual West Seattle Car Show has moved up into August this year and it is just nine days away – Saturday, August 27th, 10 am-3 pm on the north end of the South Seattle College campus! If you have a vehicle to show off, you’ll probably find just the right category here; pre-registration forms are due ASAP – otherwise, you can register on show day. Find all the registration info here.
The show is presented again this year by Swedish Automotive and West Seattle Autoworks, and we checked back with organizers for the toplines of what you’ll find besides cool vehicles:
*The South Seattle College will be giving tours of the Automotive Tech and Aviation Maintenance programs.
*We will have kids’ activities, including a wooden race track our people are building with wooden cars for the kids to keep.
*The Northwest Wine Academy will be be open and serving coffee and beer, as a convenience to patrons, and wine, which is their specialty. They will also have light snacks.
*There will be at least 2 food trucks: Nibbles (specializing in northwest and southwest food) and Kebab Brothers (specializing in kebabs and hot dogs).
*The Seattle Chinese Garden will be open for viewing.
*We will be selling T-shirts, dash plaques, water, and ice cream.
*Larry Lomax will be DJ-ing again.
*The Disco Cowboys band will be playing again.
The day’s full schedule will be online next week. In the meantime, whether you’re planning to be in the show or just planning to come have fun, 6000 16th SW on Puget Ridge [map] is where you’ll want to be on August 27th.
West Seattle Autoworks, Swedish Automotive, and South Seattle College are WSB sponsors.
Story and photo by Linda Ball
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Motivated by last week’s hate crime against the Endres family on Pigeon Point, 10 concerned neighbors got together tonight to talk about what they could do to make the family feel safe in their community.
On Tuesday night last week, someone left a racist, threatening note on the door of the Endres home. The disturbing message made it clear that the author did not appreciate her mixed-race children.
Rachel Glass, the precinct committee officer for the area, organized tonight’s meeting at a nearby coffee shop. Read More
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