West Seattle, Washington
17 Tuesday
If you routinely drive California SW uphill south of Morgan Junction, you’re probably more than aware of the bumpy spot that’s been rattling drivers for a while around the crest of the hill, at California/Webster (map). Construction crews are now fixing it – that means slow going in the short run but good news in the longer run. Broadcaster New York Vinnie – who lives in the area – put together this video report:
Vinnie and your editor here worked together at Channel 13 back in the (not-so-long-ago) day; he’s got various projects going right now, and you can find him online at newyorkvinnie.com.
Cocktails, anyone? Play that video and you’ll see, and hear, Matt Johnson making the St. Basil during tonight’s sneak-preview invite-only party at Morgan Junction’s new Feedback Lounge (between almost-done Zeeks Pizza and one-year-anniversary-celebrating Beveridge Place Pub). As we mentioned this morning, its website is now fully launched, and the drink menu is just part of what you will find there. It springs forth, of course, from the bar:
There’s food too (here’s the menu, from the website). And the people. Like proprietor Jeff Gilbert:
You can meet him, look inside the Whammy Bar — where you’ll find those guitars — and more, starting 6 pm Saturday. The sign went up today, too, so there’s no chance you’ll get lost:
That’s video of Grace Puffert (speaking) and Mary Griffin, Seattle Lutheran High School students introducing their senior-project fashion show Sunday afternoon at the SLHS gym. The benefit for Providence Mount St. Vincent, where the two volunteer, raised about $800 and drew enthusiastic applause and cheers throughout. We first heard of the project more than two months ago, when the students posted about their project in the WSB Forums, looking for classic fashion to be loaned for the show; we interviewed them shortly afterward; then we checked in on their dress-rehearsal show; and finally, Sunday was the big day. And what a production – with almost 30 models! The show kicked off with this Edwardian look loaned (and made!) by Morgan Community Association‘s Cindi Barker, who was watching from the front row:
Phil Yovetich and Alex Meyer served as the emcees, talking their way cheerily through an entire century, including these ’70s looks (with music to match):
And who could have a “Fashion Through the Ages” show without ’80s-height shoulder pads?
We happened to sit next to Grace Puffert’s proud grandmother and grandfather, Miriam and Larry Puffert, who live at another of West Seattle’s major senior-living centers, The Kenney. Miriam Puffert told me that Grace’s interest in fashion dates way back – relating the story of an outfit her granddaughter “designed” at age 9, which grandma went on to make for her. Grace plans to study fashion merchandising in college, while Mary told us she wants to study psychology. Congratulations and good luck to Grace and Mary, and to ALL West Seattle’s graduating seniors. (By the way, Storey Squires from The Mount, speaking before the fashion show, said that of the 200 or so volunteers there, more than 40 are youths!)
Football’s back on the field tonight at Southwest Athletic Complex (across from the permanent Chief Sealth High School campus), as local officers and deputies from Seattle Police Department and King County Sheriff’s Office coach a flag-football jamboree with players from all over the metro area — our video captured a few lively plays. Both agencies sponsored the tournament through the Greater King County Police Activity League, with grant assistance from NFL Youth Football; according to the original announcement, tonight’s jamboree marks “the beginning of an eight-week long series of games which will include elementary, middle, and high schools kids from the inner city as well as five tribal communities.” The PAL has previously sponsored youth boxing, too. Big day for local law enforcers in the many community activities they are involved with in their “off-hours” – today was also “Tip A Cop” day at local Red Robin restaurants, per this item on SPDBlotter, the department’s blog-style site (which just launched a new look, by the way).
That’s just one of the young performers from Youngstown Arts Center who drew a cheering crowd in the Chief Sealth/Boren cafeteria during today’s Gathering of Neighbors; just feet away, we had a ringside seat for the dancers, rappers, poets, and other performers, including the Inner City Ensemble:
What today’s event was truly about was the people. The people who came to find out more about West Seattle organizations and businesses – and the people who are busy making this an incredible community to call home – people like Chief Sealth students Sara Schendel and Sam Westler:
They are two of the students who’ve been working for months with Cooper Elementary students on a project in the adjoining greenbelt; they’re now working outdoors just about every weekend and are inviting you to join their next work party – 10 am-2 pm next Saturday (4/11) on the south side of Cooper. See our previous Gathering of Neighbors coverage here; we have yet more to tell you about — more great community events and news picked up during conversations today (thanks again to everyone who took the time to chat with us!) — coming up later.
WSB photojournalist Christopher Boffoli shares that low-tide look from earlier this week. Tides are back on the upswing but if you’re a low-tide fan, you only have to wait a few more weeks for the rocks and other secrets to be revealed (here’s the chart).
(video from WSB HQ added 9:45 am – mostly just to record the proof, for posterity)
Yes, that’s a bit of snow mixed in with the rain right now. Temperature’s currently a few degrees above freezing so not likely to get TOO serious, but the official forecast even mentions it. Last year, if you’ve forgotten, we saw snow as late as April 19th. 10:12 AM NOTE: According to comments also coming in via Twitter (@westseattleblog) – where even a religious leader is complaining about it – Facebook (WS Blog), and e-mail, this is happening all over the place – Tukwila, Kent, Everett, Bremerton, downtown, and myriad West Seattle neighborhoods.
ADDED 10:30 AM: Seems even the little ones have mixed feelings about our endless winter. This photo shared by Bronwyn in Belvidere seems to capture the ambivalence:
We’ve seen eagles more than a few times in our 18 years of living in West Seattle, but can’t quite recall HEARING them – so thanks to Gary Jones for getting close enough to capture audio as well as video from Alki Point this morning, and sharing the results. At one point, he spotted four eagles in the same tree, and got still photos too:
Thanks again to Gary for sharing the video and photos – if you capture wildlife, breaking news, memorable scenes, editor@wsb.blackfin.biz – any time!
THE GROUCHOS: This is at least the third year that Groucho Marx faces have appeared in the bridgeside greenery of Pigeon Point. This news comes from Mark Bourne, who chronicles the sighting here and even wrote about them for Film.com last year.
GARBAGE TRUCKS: Not only did some trash/recycling procedures and pickup dates change starting today, WSB photojournalist Christopher Boffoli noticed something else:
He says that’s the first time he’s noticed one of the new “powered by natural gas” trucks, and adds, “You can’t really tell from the video but they are noticeably quieter than the old ones. They are also the cleanest garbage trucks I have ever seen.” We found a little more information at the Waste Management Seattle website — actually an excerpt from an earlier city news release about the new solid-waste contracts: “Sixty percent of the (WM) trucks will run on a bio-diesel blend and 40 percent will run on compressed natural gas.” Remember, if you’re STILL confused about the changes, you can find more info here or call the city’s “customer service” line at 684-3000.
BONUS SIGHTING: Moments after we published this item, we received a note, with pix, re: yet another interesting sighting — Larry Nitkey wondered if this was a “bridge to nowhere”:
Still looking for complete verification but 99% sure it’s for the Hood Canal Bridge project, judging by what’s in this Sunday article. (Note that the bridge’s six-week construction shutdown is just a month away – it starts May 1st.)
In the final moments of the weekend — we’re sharing a short clip courtesy of Tim Roberts, who couldn’t resist capturing the cherry blossoms on video while out and about in the sunshine.
(first of 2 WSB video clips of Denny Jazz Ensemble at last night’s dinner)
Denny Middle School‘s cafeteria sports a big blue neon sign on one wall: DENNY DINER. Last night, though, the “diner” became a jazz supper club for the annual Denny Music Department Jazz Dinner, which packed the house with a crowd enjoying food including gumbo, jambalaya, and barbecue from West Seattle’s own OK Corral, as well as music from not only Denny student performers but also Septimus and the West Seattle Big Band – as well as visiting musicians from Cooper Elementary:
(photo of Cooper musicians provided by Denny principal Jeff Clark)
A dessert auction was part of the program too – according to an announcement during the event, the desserts alone brought in more than $1,000. Denny gained renewed attention recently for its designation as an International School starting this fall, but its music programs have regional fame thanks in no small part to director Marcus Pimpleton, who not only leads music at Denny but is also the director of the Seattle Public Schools All-City Band, seen in parades everywhere in their distinctive green polo shirts. Another photo provided by the school shows him with some of the students between their sets last night (the Jazz Ensemble played at the start and finish of the event):
Also on the bill, the Denny steel-drum band (featured recently here) and acoustic musicians. Meantime, here’s another jazz clip from last night – sorry that our video quality is spotty but the audio’s good, in no small part thanks to the kids’ talent and hard work:
(The sax soloist is 6th grader Ryan Maroney.) The ensemble goes to the Reno International Jazz Festival in about a month; other Denny music events on the calendar include Marching Band Camp at the school during spring break next week (we published a feature about Denny camps at mid-winter break last year).
That’s the future site of ARK Memorial Park, just west and a little south of Arbor Heights Community Church, which owns the 8,000-square-foot parcel. Under and around that gazebo, a small but hardy group gathered Saturday afternoon for the ceremonial groundbreaking:
The young assistants are Isabella and Elliana Kimball, sisters of the park’s namesake, Alexandra Ramona Kimball, stillborn on the same day – March 28th – one year earlier. As Hal Kimball noted goodnaturedly during the downpour-graced groundbreaking, baby Alexandra’s initials are part of the double meaning in the park’s name:
AHCC says the park/playground will be for the entire community, not just for church families. As noted in our first story about the ARK Park plan last summer (see it here), this is a private project, not seeking city funding. So far they have raised more than $5,000, enough to begin the project’s first phase, but that’s just a start; next fundraising event is a spaghetti dinner at the church Fellowship Hall on April 18th (more info here). The timetable for construction depends on how the fundraising effort goes, but
At last year’s Sustainable West Seattle Festival (have you signed up for this year yet? 4/4’s the deadline), Jim Diers listed West Seattle – and elsewhere – examples of “Neighbor Power,” and tonight he brings that energy and evangelism to the Fauntleroy Church series about “Re-creating Community in Our Day.” It’s free at 7 pm; if you want to, you can go early and share a “simple supper” for which donations will be accepted, starting at 6 pm. Afterward, if you’re in the mood for music, “Junction Idol” is into the finals at Rocksport — one of the contenders recommended to us is Anders:
See the rest of the contestants on the Junction Idol YouTube page – then show up tonight at 9:30 to watch the finals.
CHIEF SEALTH MEETING: One other note – the Chief Sealth High School PTSA encourages Sealth parents to attend a meeting tonight, 7 pm, in the school library, to hear from principal John Boyd about how district budget challenges will affect the school.
(added 12:59 pm) PATHFINDER K-8 PTSA MEETING: Also just got word (thanks, Lashanna!) that Pathfinder K-8 has a meeting tonight too, for an update on the changes that are under way (as it prepares to move to a new location this fall) – 6:45 pm, school cafeteria.
We dropped by the beautiful Duwamish Longhouse this afternoon in the middle of the Fry Bread for Justice fundraiser – unfortunately, they were between batches of fry bread during our visit, but Pam at Nerd’s Eye View tells a great yarn from her visit. (They’re planning more Fry Bread for Justice events – keep an eye on the tribe’s website.) And tonight, the finale of the Winter Movies on the Wall series – “Napoleon Dynamite,” preceded by a tater-tot-eating contest – just a bit of which was caught on video:
Nine entrants – not bad! The tater tots – and the $25 gift-certificate prize – were donated by Skylark Cafe and Club (WSB sponsor). Keep an eye out for more news soon about the popular Summer Movies on the Wall series, which will start in mid-July – outdoor movies every Saturday night for six weeks, beginning July 18th.
When the Duwamish Tribe dedicated its long-awaited longhouse on the eastern edge of West Seattle on January 3rd, lawyer Scott Wheat – seen in that WSB video clip from our coverage of the event – talked about the tribe’s legal fight for federal recognition. One thing they need: Money. So tomorrow – and two other dates in April and May – the tribe is holding all-day events under the title “Cecile’s Fry Bread for Justice” – Cecile is the tribe’s longtime elected chair Cecile Hansen, and we’ve heard that her fry bread is legendary. Other food, plus entertainment, and “surprises,” the tribe promises. (We also got a note this morning that they’re looking for volunteer help from people with food-handler permits.) 10 am-5 pm tomorrow at the longhouse, $20 donation at the door; more info here.
Thanks to Adam for creating and sharing that video of this morning’s snowy scenes around West Seattle. What’s the music, you ask? “Lullabye” by _ghost. Next, a photo from David Hutchinson:
David adds:
Not nearly as much snow at sea level this morning as up at the Admiral Junction; just enough to add some highlights to the old 1975 Alaska Square Tlingit Totem Pole being stored by the Port of Seattle at Jack Block Park.”
Reminder, a wind advisory is in effect till 11 pm, and the afternoon forecast says we could see gusts up to 50 mph.
Longing for the sun that seemed to shine throughout the workweek – and now has mischievously vanished? WSB photojournalist Christopher Boffoli captured some of it this past week on video – lovely water scenes off Beach Drive. Another video to share – this one from Arbor Heights Elementary School:
That’s a video plea for Barbara Bailey, the school’s music teacher, to get better and come back. Arbor Heights teacher Mark Ahlness shared that clip with us; he writes on his own website – which is among the 100 West Seattle sites featured on our automatically and frequently updated Blogs page (always good reading) – that she is “fighting valiantly to regain her health.”
TRAFFIC ALERT: To clarify the Alaskan Way Viaduct closure signs you may have seen regarding tomorrow’s St. Patrick’s Day Dash – according to this city alert, if you head northbound tomorrow morning (approximately 7:30-11 am), you will be routed off 99 at Western, since the Dash is happening north of The Tunnel. So that might cause some slowdowns. (Reminder, NEXT weekend is The Viaduct’s next inspection shutdown – full closure 6 am-6 pm Saturday and Sunday, Battery Street Tunnel closure from Friday night-Monday morning.)
P-I GLOBE PETITION: With an announcement due next week on the fate of the Seattle P-I, a longtime WSBer wanted to share this petition, saying that whatever happens with the P-I itself, the iconic globe should not go away. You can see and “sign” the petition here.
Sorry, no runway models – instead, a fresh new concept: Real women wearing real clothes! (And, in our short clip, modeling to the fitting tune of “Got to Be Real,” the 1979 disco classic by Cheryl Lynn.) Good turnout this afternoon – we counted at least 50 – for the fashion show/West Seattle Food Bank fundraiser at The Sanctuary at Admiral (the ex-church-turned-event-venue north of Hiawatha):
The fashion show was co-sponsored by Designer Labels Consignment Boutique, Clementine, Elliott Hair Salon, Small Clothes, Coffee to a Tea w/ Sugar, and Herban Feast Catering.
She’s a successful enterpreneur and coach, but you may know Sunny Kobe Cook best from her “Sleep Country USA” commercials. Now she’s back onscreen as one of the stars of the 8-minute movie you see above, “A Taboo for Eight,” a creation of her husband and MovieStarNow.com proprietor John Murphy, which premiered with a party Friday night at their West Seattle home. Click ahead to read their news release about it (including the list of cast and crew):Read More
Big day for work parties! Thanks to Josh Sutton for the pix and this report:
Rotarians Bill Fazekas (left) and Ryan Reese split firewood today at YMCA Camp Colman, where the weather held out most of the day. Located on Key Peninsula, Camp Colman has an almost-100-year connection to West Seattle, founded by families in the Fauntleroy area.
Ten Rotarians (and three of their kids) joined forty other volunteers who cleaned winter debris, spread woodchips on trails and prepped camp for schoolgroups and spring campouts. YMCA Camp Colman also offers summer camp and is taking signups now @ www.ymcacampcolman.org If you’re a Camp Colman alumni, you can find a group on Facebook. Also, the annual Goop breakfast is coming up on Saturday, March 28 at the Fauntleroy YMCA.
The Fauntleroy Y is part of the West Seattle Family YMCA, which is a WSB sponsor. One more photo, this one of the whole group:
Meantime, we’re proud to be a co-sponsor of the first-ever Winter Movies on the Wall series in The Junction, which kicked off tonight with “The Mummy” – preceded by a race that’s hard to explain – you just have to see it:
The winner took home a gift certificate for Square 1 Books in Jefferson Square. Two more Winter Movies on the Wall, coming up the next two Saturday nights – the original (Gene Wilder) “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” next Saturday 3/14, and “Napoleon Dynamite” on 3/21, showtime at West Seattle Christian Church‘s brand-new activity center at 7 pm, doors open 5:30 pm, bring your own chairs and donations for West Seattle Food Bank.
That’s the video we mentioned in our earlier report on King County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Satterberg‘s presentation today to the Rotary Club of West Seattle; as soon as we saw it, even before Satterberg finished speaking, we sent a note to his media liaison to ask if we could have a copy to share with you – it is quite the gripping clip, with video and audio from inside a police car as officers worked to stop the driver of a stolen car, who sped throughout West Seattle one night in November 2007. Not sure if this has been made public before – we were still working in TV news then, and don’t remember having seen it – nonetheless, it’s worth a look. As Satterberg observed, “This is why auto theft is not really a nonviolent crime – it’s amazing (in this case) that no one got killed.” (As for what happened to the guy arrested at the end of this – that’ll be another followup.)
(video added 2:06 pm, SLHS gym sendoff for the teams just before 1 pm )
An update this morning from Bil Hood at Seattle Lutheran High School (which is on the northeast edge of The Junction):
Our basketball teams are heading to Spokane this afternoon for the State Basketball Tournament in Spokane.
The boys get started tomorrow night at 5:30 v.s the number 2 team in the state, Napavine. The girls follow at 9 vs. the number 2 girls team, Colfax.
There are links at www.SeattleLutheran.org to live audio and video feeds from the games as well as a cell phone text service that will send you the scores as they happen.
GO SAINTS!!
ADDED 2:06 PM: Video of this afternoon’s sendoff for the teams, before they left SLHS.
P.S. FROM ORIGINAL REPORT: One other high-school basketball note – we told you yesterday morning that Chief Sealth is in the running for its match vs. Cleveland to be chosen channel 7’s “Game of the Week” if it wins a webpoll – last hour to vote – go here (right sidebar). ADDED 2:05 PM: Thanks for voting – they won. Now, they’re trying to sort out exactly what that means – what kind of showcase the game will get – we’ll keep you posted.
Ever wish you had the perfect video to send to friends/family out of state who haven’t been here on a sunny day and can’t understand why you love West Seattle so much? We suggest this could be THE clip to share. WSB contributing photojournalist Christopher Boffoli went out for a drive, with his camera riding high in the back, and that video is the result. (See if you recognize ALL the streets!)
Meantime — it was still a lovely day as the clouds rolled in later; Dan in Sunrise Heights sent this photo from the ferry Kitsap:
Tomorrow’s forecast: Cloudy. At least we have the memories!
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