Actually “West Seattle and vicinity” scene – the annual 40-mile Water and Spirit Bike Ride starts and finishes in West Seattle, but riders ferry over to Kitsap County along the way, and take the Southworth-to-Fauntleroy ferry back. Krista Livingston shared the photo of one group on Saturday’s ride; she says, “It turned out to be a wonderful day for the 4th Annual Water and Spirit Ride! We had a great showing, beautiful views and a lot of fun. Thank you to all of the volunteers and riders that made this a fantastic event.” It raised money for Scholastic Journey and Family Promise of Seattle (whose next major fundraiser is the Justin Roberts concert on Friday!).
16-year-old Seattle Lutheran High School student David Cohen has made it to the final 16 in the masters’ bracket of the Pokémon trading-card-game world championships. That word from SLHS’s Bil Hood; here’s the bracket. The final matches are tomorrow.
Big weekend in North Delridge. Tomorrow, you’re invited on a walk along Longfellow Creek – more on that in a moment. First: A KCTS 9 TV crew was on 25th SW this morning during a neighborhood-wide work party, the final phase of the installation of 10 rain gardens:
According to North Delridge Neighborhood Council chair Karrie Kohlhaas, the crew’s working on a story about community-building. That was certainly in action as neighbors worked in the Saturday sunshine to put plants in the new rain gardens.
They’re building ten of them in connection with Stewardship Partners, which has launched a program aimed at adding 12,000 of them to neighborhoods around Puget Sound. The rain gardens are meant to keep potentially toxic runoff out of nearby Longfellow Creek – one of West Seattle’s green treasures, and the centerpiece of a walk that you can join in tomorrow: A neighbor-led walk along the creek, everyone welcome – including kids and dogs – starting at 1 pm from Greg Davis Park at 26th/Brandon (map), lasting about 45 minutes. No need to RSVP, just show up. (That’s not far from the 25th/Findlay raingarden neighborhood, if you want to take a side trip afterward and have a look!)
Two events continuing till 8 pm: At Endolyne Joe’sin Fauntleroy – the pig roast is under way (and if you don’t like pork, they’re offering chicken too – live music there, and at another event continuing till 8:
At Alki, it’s the Festival of India, which continues tomorrow, noon-8 pm, if you don’t see this till later tonight.
*A Genesee citizen heard sirens and then saw a man climb a tree in a nearby yard. Concerned that he might be trying to elude officers, she called 911. Though it turned out that the sirens were associated with a fire a mile away, the officers were still happy to collect the man from the tree and book him into King County Jail on a $20,000 felony burglary warrant.
*On Wednesday afternoon, an officer was approached by an intoxicated man walking with an open container in the 2500 block of Walnut SW. For safety purposes, the officer confiscated several weapons from him, including a folding knife with a longer-than-legal blade, a straight razor, and small black stun gun. He was also carrying a variety of tools commonly used in car prowls but told the officer he had been using them in a carpentry job. After being transported to the precinct, a check of his backpack showed additional hand tools, flashlights, a lock pick, dark clothing, and a toy smoke grenade. He was booked into King County Jail for investigation of weapons possession.
One of the reasons that Vera Johnson‘s foreclosure fight has made news is that it goes beyond the story of someone trying to save their home and business – her Village Green Perennial Nursery is also a community gathering place, home of myriad events, like an ice-cream social this afternoon. The ice cream was from Full Tilt, whose Justin Cline is shown above with Vera. Those in attendance had other palate pleasers to try – courtesy of a cooking demonstration by Cinnamon Berg ((herbed polenta bites with grilled tomato salsa or fresh figs; sweet onion and fig jam on grilled bread with chevre):
Her Cinnful Creations also has been offering cooking classes at West Seattle Produce. This afternoon’s music, meantime, was courtesy of Squirrel Butter:
Longtime West Seattle resident David Brachtenbach passed away on August 9th in Federal Heights, Colorado. Those who knew David best will remember him for his kind heart, irreverent sense of humor, creative intellect and love for his dogs. He will be missed by his family and friends and those who saw him on his regular walks around West Seattle. Born in 1962 in Selah, Washington, David lived most of his life in Seattle. He was loved and will be missed. Donations in his name to the Seattle Humane Society are appreciated.
(WSB publishes obituaries at no charge; send text and photos to editor@wsb.blackfin.biz)
The arts/crafts fair at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) till 3 pm today has a story at every table. Just walking through the front yard, you’ll find it – like Sydni Smith and “Charlie the Monster”:
Sydni’s buddy has had some hefty medical bills. So she’s raising money to get them handled. And she’s getting help from her friends – like Helen Johnson, who’s selling her crocheted creations in public for the first time:
You might also know Helen from the new West Seattle Coffee House at 35th and Graham (which opened a month and a half ago). Take a close look at her crocheted items – which she says she’s never sold publicly before! – like the “infinity scarf” (no end) or the kids’ scarf that has magnetic fasteners. Her Yoda cap was sported by artist Barbara Noonan:
Barbara lives in Madison Park now but says she’ll always consider West Seattle home – “it gets in your blood.” And that goes for the trio of best friends who wanted to tell us their story:
Sitting in the sun on the C & P front porch were, from left, Nancy Biggs Lind, Nancy Capelouto Ridden, and Marilyn Brandon Moy. They have been best friends since 8th grade at Denny Middle School – the old building, where demolition is just wrapping up – and went on to Chief Sealth, where they were all Class of 1965. Their kids all grew up here too. But perhaps the best story of all in the front yard is that of Sheila Lengle:
Besides showing and selling her own work, Sheila will show you a book of photos including one that shows the Craftsman house that is home to C & P – when it was her ecCollective Gallery (she lived there, too). But go find out for yourself. Till 3 pm, 5612 California SW, just south of SW Findlay (and yes, there are artists/craftspeople inside too!).
BREATHE DEEP SEATTLE 5K: First-ever edition of this lung-cancer-fighting walk/run. Last-minute registration at 8:30, 5K starts at 9:30. Details here.
ARTS AND CRAFTS AT C&P: Arts & Crafts Fair, 9 am-3 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 5612 California SW. Unique, local arts and crafts for sale. Featured artists include photographer Machel Spence, with new work including the image shown above.
CRAFTS FOR CHARLIE: Sydni Smith‘s fundraiser “Crafts for Charlie” is part of the aforementioned C&P Crafts Fair, 9 am-3 pm, raising money to help with her pet’s medical expenses – details here.
RAIN GARDEN PLANTING PARTY: 10 rain gardens are in the works in North Delridge on 25th Ave. SW between Brandon and Findlay. Today, the plants go in, 9 am-2 pm. You can help plant, or just stop by and learn about rain gardens.
DOG TREAT BAKE SALE: The Westcresters PAWSwalk team is having a dog treat bakesale this Saturday, August 13th, 9:30-noon, at the Westcrest off-leash park (North parking lot, off SW Cloverdale). All proceeds benefit PAWS. Some human treats too!
WALKING TOUR: Walking tour of rainwater solutions in Longfellow Creek Legacy Trail/Delridge/High Point Area, 10 am – 1 pm. The tour will meet at Home Depot at 7345 Delridge Way SW (between Orchard St & S Sylvan Way). People for Puget Sound, a non-profit group working to protect and restore the health of Puget Sound and the Northwest Straits through education and action, has organized a rainwater tour in the West Delridge and High Point neighborhoods. An optional discussion will conclude the event.
NOT IN WEST SEATTLE, BUT FEATURING WEST SEATTLEITES: Canning Across America events at Pike Place Market, including a demonstration by West Seattle’s Shibaguyz; details here.
SSCC GARDEN CENTER: Plants! Garden Center open at South Seattle Community College, second Saturdays through October. 11 am-3 pm. 6000 16th SW, north side of campus.
LEMONADE STAND/BACK TO SCHOOL DONATION DRIVE FOR TREEHOUSE: West Seattle kids are putting on this fundraiser at 53rd/Genesee noon-2 pm to help kids in foster care, through Treehouse. Besides buying lemonade, you can drop off new or like new clothes, backpacks or school supplies, and the girls will get them to Treehouse.
FESTIVAL OF INDIA: Festival of India at Alki, noon-8 pm both days, schedule here.
ICE CREAM SOCIAL: Village Green Perennial Nursery Ice Cream Social, featuring Full Tilt Ice Cream and a cooking demonstration by Cinnful Creations, 1-4 pm (more info on this Facebook event page).
30 YEARS ALREADY? West Seattle High School Class of 1981’s 30th Reunion is today at Emerald Downs in Auburn. Festivities include: Horse racing starting at 2 pm and a non-host cocktail hour from 7 pm to 8 pm. Buffet dinner and dancing.
40 YEARS ALREADY? West Seattle High School Class of ’71 potluck picnic at Lincoln Park Shelter 5 at the North end from 3 pm to 10 pm.
STARMITES AT ARTSWEST: Through Sunday, it’s this year’s production by the teens and tweens in the ArtsWest Summer Musical Apprenticeship Program – today, 3 pm and 7:30 pm. (Details and ticket-buying link here.)
DINO-MANIA AT WEST SEATTLE OUTDOOR MOVIES: West Seattle Outdoor Movies‘ presentation tonight is the original “Jurassic Park” (trailer above). Movie starts at dusk, courtyard next to Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor), 4410 California SW. Free, bring your own blanket/chair (and money for concessions/raffle benefiting nonprofits). Gates open 6:30 pm.
OLIVER! Twelfth Night Productions presentation of “Oliver!” (portion of proceeds to benefit Treehouse), at West Seattle High School Theater, 7:30 pm. Full details here.
CANDYLANDIA DANCE PARTY: At the Heartland Café‘s Benbow Room, starting at 9 pm: Dance party! Candylandia is a monthly night of sweet sounds, liberal libations, and shakin’ good times brought to you by DJ Cotton Candy every second Saturday of the month. (Above, a new promotional video for Candylandia!)
NEPAL BENEFIT: The Bo M. Karlsson Foundation (BMKF) annual Mahilaa night at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW). There will be dinner, wine, live entertainment and an auction featuring many wonderful one-of-a-kind items. Please join us for an exciting night celebrating and benefitting Nepal! Please contact Bipasana Sakya Joshee at (206) 455-0652 or visit their website to reserve your spot. BMKF, a non-profit organization, awards scholarships to universities and trade schools to underprivileged young women in Nepal.
MOVIES ON THE LAWN: presented by Unique Families of Seattle. Free outdoor movie at 9246 36th Ave SW, arrival time: 8 pm (donations welcome), film starts around 9 pm. Put the kids in jammies and come on down! Private residence so space is limited, must RSVP to attend. Email joanna@uniquefamiliesofseattle.org. Tonight’s movie is “Ponyo.”
Just out of the inbox from Nick, who says this happened less than two hours ago, about 10:30 pm:
Hey, just wanted to let people know that I was jogging Friday night in Seaview on 48th Ave SW between SW Findlay St & SW Brandon St [map] when I got hit about 20 times by some punks with what I’m pretty sure were fully automatic pellet guns. Luckily I was wearing long shorts and a baggy sweatshirt so I only got hit 3 times on my body, but they left some decent-sized marks, including a raised welt on my wrist. Didn’t get the plates at the time as I didn’t think of it until about 15 seconds after they were gone, but it was an average-sized sedan with either a black or dark colored paint job. Multiple people inside, they were heading north. I believe this is similar to a story I read on here not too long ago if I’m not mistaken. I reported it when I got home. Let’s get these cowards off our streets, people. They can really hurt you if you were to get hit in the eye or something.
Nick may be referring to this Crime Watch roundup, which included a report of pellets/BBs fired at a West Seattle home.
An update from the Seal Sitters’ “Blubberblog” – West Seattle’s first seal pup of the year, whom they nicknamed “Tiny” because it was a very small newborn, has died. But there probably wasn’t anything anyone could have done – seems an adult female seal found dead on a West Seattle beach this week was likely Tiny’s mom. Full story here.
(WSB photo of ‘The Hole,’ May 2011)
When we first reported back in June about a settlement ending the legal battle over “The Hole” — the excavated-then-stalled development site at 39th/Alaska, once known as Fauntleroy Place — we noted that the court case was technically kept open for one last matter to be overseen by Superior Court Judge Susan Craighead — the foreclosure sale of the property.
Today, court documents were filed to officially order that sale.
No date yet. Earlier this year, a sale date was briefly in place, till the entity that has hoped to take over the site – 3922 SW Alaska LLC, a spinoff of Madison Development – got the sale postponed by putting up a bond. In the meantime, the judge suggested mediation and that finally led to a settlement. Full details of that settlement have yet to publicly surface, but bits and pieces of it keep turning up in the online files. Here’s what we reported in June; since then, nothing much except an “order to disburse funds” in late July. We have been watching the files closely, and now we’ll be watching for a sale date. Results of that sale will determine what happens next with the site, once slated for a mixed-use development including residential units and a Whole Foods Market and Hancock Fabrics store.
Next Tuesday will mark 34 years since the death of “The King” – music and movie legend Elvis Presley. But Danny Vernon came to West Seattle’s Providence Mount St. Vincent (WSB sponsor) tonight not to mourn Elvis, but to celebrate him – which he’s been doing professionally for more than a few years. As you can see in the video, he enchanted the crowd. (added) He performs as later-stage Elvis, too, as Bill Bacon‘s photo (thank you!) shows:
Tonight was the second of this summer’s four free Friday night concerts at The Mount, and it was accompanied by a display of gas-powered nostalgia:
That’s Michael Emmick‘s Caddy, part of a classic car show that augmented tonight’s entertainment. For even more of a flashback – check out this Corvair:
Almost forgot to share this weekend’s SDOT citywide traffic advisory, which includes two West Seattle events – the two-day Festival of India at Alki, and the Holy Rosary parish picnic. Read on for the full rundown:Read More
(Video added 7:45 pm, shot downtown as the ship started moving away)
You might be able to see it from West Seattle shores as it transits Elliott Bay – the Pallada, the Russian tall ship that’s been docked at Pier 66 the past few days (as previously reported here), has just sailed away, headed out of Seattle. Lots of horn-sounding and cheers that you might have heard all the way over to the Salty’s/Seacrest side! (7:45 pm note – It’s San Francisco-bound, per its track at MarineTraffic.com.)
Four more notes about one-time-only events this weekend:
WATER AND SPIRIT BIKE RIDE: Tomorrow’s the 4th annual Water and Spirit Ride, described by organizers as “a 40-mile bike ride with some of the most beautiful scenery in the Pacific Northwest, including three ferry crossings and a farmers market!” You can sign up till 9 tonight by going here, or sign up tomorrow morning at the start/finish line at Salty’s on Alki, starting at 6:15 am (cash/check only). You can depart from there at either 6:30 or 7:30 am (the first leg goes downtown to catch the first ferry of the ride route). Ride proceeds will benefit Family Promise of Seattle and Scholastic Journey.
ENDOLYNE JOE’S PIG ROAST: 5-8 pm Saturday, Endolyne Joe’s in Fauntleroy is having a pig roast – second year in a row. Here’s the full menu and pricing.
HUSKY DELI ICE CREAM @ LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: On Sunday afternoon, 1-3 pm, you’ll find Husky Deli’s Jack Miller serving up his famous ice cream for $2/scoop during an ice-cream social at the Log House Museum courtyard (61st/Stevens), celebrating the deli’s 79th anniversary. Live piano music by Verona Morgan Ryan, and coffee by White Center’s Dubsea Coffee.
Second from left in the back row, photographed at South Seattle Community College‘s 2010 “Earth Day Every Day” event, is SSCC’s Dean Michael Ryan – who’s just been announced as Sustainable West Seattle‘s 2011 “Sustainability Hero.” SWS’s Patrick Dunn says Dean Ryan will be officially honored at the group’s annual community picnic next Monday at Lincoln Park, and you’re invited – full details here. Click ahead to read the details of Dean Ryan’s achievements and why SWS chose to honor him with this award:
Sustainable West Seattle enthusiastically recognizes Michael Ryan, Dean of Hospitality and Service Occupations at South Seattle Community College, as its 2011 Sustainable Hero of the Year. During his tenure with South, Michael Ryan has passionately pursued sustainability through the consistent development of programs and innovations, many of which would have been nearly impossible without his leadership and guidance.
Most notably, Dean Ryan was an essential supporter in the creation of successful programs such as SSCC’s Students for Sustainability, The West Seattle Tool Library, and The Community Orchard of West Seattle. All of these programs were able to find a home at South due to Dean Ryan’s commitment and passion not only for the environment but also for community building and sustainable innovations in the community college system.
In his work with the Culinary Arts Program at South, Dean Ryan helped to introduce sustainable practices into every aspect of their food service curriculum. Among other sustainable achievements, the program now composts their food waste and recycles paper, plastic, and canned goods. It also works with a local company to process its waste oil into biodiesel.
In light of all of these successful achievements and his commitment to carry on these pursuits, Sustainable West Seattle feels fortunate to be associated with the work of Dean Ryan. We’re proud to have him as a part of West Seattle’s sustainable community and we hope that sustainability at South Seattle Community College continues to thrive through his leadership and advocacy.
1:55 PM: A big Seattle Fire Department callout in the past few minutes to Allstar Fitness in North Delridge (map) is mostly being canceled right now – per the scanner, “small fire, reported ‘out’ by occupant.” We’re still en route to check on the situation.
2:16 PM UPDATE: Adding a photo. Fire crews say there was a “very small fire” inside and that triggered the sprinkler system; patrons are being kept outside right now while the water from that is being cleaned up.
(Photo by Christopher Boffoli for WSB, added 3:49 pm) 5:13 PM UPDATE: We asked Seattle Fire spokesperson Kyle Moore about the cause: “We responded to a laundry room fire at the location. The caller said flames were visible. Someone extinguished the fire before Engine 27 arrived. Fire investigators determined the cause was accidental, a chemical reaction. Investigators estimate damage at $1000 to contents and $1000 to structure.”
Four West Seattle Crime Watch notes this afternoon: First, a WSB Forums post with details on stolen fishing gear, taken from someone who came here to join the big fishing rush at Lincoln Park – the friend who reported it hopes you might spot it on Craigslist or at a pawn shop and report it to police. Read the post here. Ahead, three reports including a burglary whose victim thought the culprit might have used a sledgehammer:Read More
(UPDATED BELOW with details of the just-announced plan) 10:41 AM: County Executive Dow Constantine and County Council members are briefing the media downtown right now on what was billed as “a major development (regarding) transportation funding.) According to the politics website PubliCola, the word is that the council now has the “supermajority” needed to put a $20/year car-tab fee in place, without sending it to voters. This comes as a deadline loomed: After postponing a decision two weeks ago, the King County Council was scheduled to decide next Monday whether to put the proposed $20 car-tab “save Metro” fee on the ballot, just make it happen with a supermajority vote in their own ranks, or take some other action to close the Metro budget gap that had threatened huge service cuts. West Seattle’s County Councilmember Joe McDermott says via Facebook, “Pleased that my colleagues and I have come to an agreement to save Metro transit!” More to come. Our partners at the Seattle Times are updating their story here; when we get the full text of the announcement, we’ll add it here.
11:51 AM: The full announcement has just arrived from the county executive’s office, explaining the five points in the plan, including phasing out the ride-free zone and providing bus tickets to car-tab renewers:Read More
A postscript on Thursday’s Admiral Safeway grand opening: If you saw our first story in the morning, you’ll remember the bench on the stairway landing in honor of 41-year employee Barb Fuda, lost to cancer while the new store was being built. The photo shown above is one of the many historic photos now hung around the new store, and it’s right by “Barb’s bench.” Safeway’s Sara Osborne says Ms. Fuda’s husband Bob came to the new store on Thursday afternoon: “… and he looked up at this photo that is hung RIGHT NEXT to her bench and he said, ‘That’s Harry.’ We asked, ‘Who’s Harry?’. He said, ‘Barb’s dad.’ He apparently worked as the Admiral Safeway’s meat manager for years. We had no idea when we chose or hung the photo.” (Bob left a comment about this, too.)
(Baby “blood star,” photographed by Machel Spence – circumference of a quarter, she says)
Maybe you’ll see something like that if you walk the beach around low tide (-1.1, 10:37 am). Here are more of today/tonight’s highlights:
TRAFFIC ALERT: The road-rebuild work on SW Edmunds between California and 44th in The Junction is scheduled to continue till tonight, but the eastbound direction was to have reopened by now, leaving only the westbound side closed till they’re done. As the city’s original advisory points out, the westbound bus stop isn’t expected to reopen till tomorrow.
PACKET PICKUP FOR TOMORROW’S ‘BREATHE DEEP SEATTLE’ 5K: Signed up for this first-ever lung-cancer awareness- and fund-raising 5K in Lincoln Park? Packets will be available for pickup at West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) 4-8 pm today. Registration and race details here.
WINE FOR A CURE: At South Seattle Community College‘s Northwest Wine Academy, 5-8 pm – Wine for a Cure tasting to benefit Team Tracy‘s fundraising for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day Race for the Cure. $10 donation at the door; samples of a special selection of academy wines will be available, as will light appetizers.
SKATING AT ALKI: Friday Night Skate at Alki Community Center, 6:45-8:45 pm, $3 per person (includes skates if you don’t bring your own).
OLIVER! WEEKEND #2:Twelfth Night Productions (WSB sponsor) presents “Oliver!” at West Seattle High School Theater (3000 California SW), 7:30 pm. Tickets available at the theater, $18/adults, $15 students/seniors.
STARMITES AT ARTSWEST: Through Sunday, it’s this year’s production by the teens and tweens in the ArtsWest Summer Musical Apprenticeship Program – 7:30 pm. (Details and ticket-buying link here.)
From reports on cases handled recently by 
Those who knew David best will remember him for his kind heart, irreverent sense of humor, creative intellect and love for his dogs. He will be missed by his family and friends and those who saw him on his regular walks around West Seattle. Born in 1962 in Selah, Washington, David lived most of his life in Seattle. He was loved and will be missed. Donations in his name to the Seattle Humane Society are appreciated. 
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