News

Iconic Alki Point Lighthouse will celebrate 100th birthday

patr — Fri, 24 May 2013 17:54:29 +0000

The Alki Point Light Station, built in 1913 will celebrate 100 years this summer with a special exhibit at the Log House Museum and tours of the Lighthouse itself.

On June 1, the museum at 3003 61st Ave. SW will open an expanded exhibit featuring artifacts, photos, memorabilia and handmade lighthouse cookies.

The exhibit is called “Alki Centennial Summer: From Lantern to Lighthouse."

The U.S. Coast Guard will open the Alki Lighthouse for public tours from 1 to 4 p.m. the same day and thereafter on weekends throughout the summer.

According to legend (and the U.S. Coast Guard) Hans Martin Hanson hung the first lantern to mark the hazardous Alki shoals and the southern entrance into Elliott Bay in the 1870's. The lighthouse was constructed in 1913 and has remained the same (but well maintained) ever since. It is on the National Register of Historic Places. The Lighthouse is located at 3201 Alki Avenue SW.

The U.S. Coast Guard page on the facility explains more about its history and current operation," On April 1, 1913, the new Alki Point Light Station was ready for operation. The Light House Service built a 37-foot-tall octagonal concrete and masonry tower with an attached fog signal building on the most exposed part of the point. Two large houses for the lighthouse keepers and their families were built behind the lighthouse. About 7,000 yards of sand and gravel were added to the point to protect the buildings in stormy weather from heavy swells and high tides.

The two lighthouse keepers were required to keep constant vigils in alternate 12-hour shifts, seven days a week. For this, they each received a salary of $800 a year plus housing.Up until the 1980s, all the operations at the Alki Point Lighthouse were manual. Coast Guardsmen assigned to the station, were standing eight-hour watches, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The airway beacon was turned on one-half hour before sunset and was turned off one-half hour after sunrise by the duty lighthouse keeper. Also, the Commander of the 13th Coast Guard District and his family lived on the light station in the Chief Lighthouse Keeper’s house.

In October 1984, the lighthouse operation was fully automated, with photoelectric cells turning the airway beacon on at night and off in the morning. Today (2003), the signal, a modern VRB-25 marine rotating beacon, operates 24 hours a day, flashing once every five seconds. Burnt out bulbs are replaced automatically and if there is a power failure, there is an emergency light located on the outside of the tower operated by 12-volt batteries. When visibility drops below three miles, photoelectric cells activate two electric FA 232 foghorns powered by a 12-volt battery system. Coast Guardsmen assigned to lighthouse duty are relegated to facility maintenance."

Clay Eals, Executive Director of the Southwest Seattle Historical Society said, “Our mini-exhibit on the lighthouse, now in our small gallery, will expand to the main gallery and include newly displayed artifacts, rare vintage photos, artwork and other memorabilia to tell the inspiring story of how the lighthouse came to be, how it has operated as an aid to navigation over the years and how it continues to be a symbol of hope for all of West Seattle and beyond.”

The exhibit also will cover the decades prior to the construction of the lighthouse, when a single lantern provided the same function of aiding the navigation of sailing ships and steering them away from danger.

The exhibit will run all summer long and will be enhanced over time with the addition of new items, activities and interpretive programs.

It was curated by Sarah Baylinson, museum manager, along with Southwest Seattle Historical Society collection/exhibit volunteers.

On Saturday, June 1, 2013, the museum will be open during regular hours from noon to 4 p.m., with a program of speakers at 2 p.m.

Throughout the afternoon, Southwest Seattle Historical Society volunteers will use prisms to explain to children and adults the workings of the lighthouse lens. Also available will be Alki Lighthouse coloring sheets for children.

“We hope to have at least 100 children stop by and draw pictures of the lighthouse that day, in celebration of the 100th birthday,” Eals says. “Each child will receive a handmade, hand-decorated Alki Lighthouse cookie. Of course, cookies will be available for others as well.”

By the end of the afternoon, all 100 (or more) of the children’s pictures are to be displayed at the museum.

For more information on “Alki Centennial Summer: From Lantern to Lighthouse,” visit loghousemuseum.info or call the museum at 206-938-5293.

Man attacked with baseball bat and robbed near 16th and SW Barton

patr — Fri, 24 May 2013 19:39:19 +0000

Just prior to midnight on May 23 a man walking in the 1600 block of SW Barton St was attacked with a baseball bat and robbed by two men. Seattle Police say that an "older model white car pulled up next to him. Suspect 1 (S1) and Suspect 2 (S2) jumped out of the car. Suspect 1 had a baseball bat and struck the victim on the lower right back area then used the bat to push the victim onto the ground.

The victim heard S2 (suspect without the bat) asking if he should “pull out” his gun as he began reaching towards his waist. The victim was not sure if S2 was asking him or S1 about pulling the gun out."

Though no gun was displayed the victim said he believed they had one.

A laptop bag containing a laptop and other miscellaneous items was taken.

The police report said that "the suspects ran back to their car and it left eastbound on SW Barton St. The victim believed there was a third suspect who was driving the car because it began to leave as soon as the other suspects had entered the vehicle. Officers responded to the area and conducted an area search with negative results. Suspect and vehicle information was circulated to patrol officers.

The victim sustained small abrasions on his hands and knees from being pushed to ground. He declined medics."

Suspect descriptions

Suspect 1 is described as a black male late teen to early 20’s, dark skin, with a red bandana over face, wearing a red hooded sweatshirt.
Suspect 2- is described as black male late teen to early 20’s, dark skin, aviator sunglasses, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt.
Suspect 3- Unknown

UPDATE: West Seattle High School chefs-in-training get big time exposure cooking for celebrity chef

Ty Swenson — Thu, 09 May 2013 01:20:56 +0000

Update for May 24
West Seattle High School Student Sarah Rosenthal, winner of the Pro-Start Cooking Competition covered by the Herald on May 8 (full story below), has been selected for the final three to compete for the title of Top Teen Chef in the U.S.

Rosenthal was competing with 63 students across the country for the chance to compete for the title, and the winner will cook with renowned chefs at the White House (yes, that White House).

The update comes from Rosenthal's culinary arts teacher at WSHS, Danielle Henry.

"I am so proud of Sarah and can’t wait to see her compete in the next round!," Henry proclaimed.

Original story on May 8
The meals generated at public schools are generally the butt of many jokes, with gummy mashed potatoes and mystery meats adding to the negative stereotype. May 8 at West Seattle High School was a major departure from the norm as three talented students and chefs-to-be battled against each other in creating gourmet meals for celebrity chef and Food Network star Maneet Chauhan.

The winner of the Pro-Start Cooking Competition not only received a full set of professional knives, but will also be in the running for an invite to cook with top-tier chefs at the White House.

WSHS students Sarah Rosenthal, Chance Stubblefield and Garrison Smith were chosen by their fellow culinary class students and teacher, Danielle Henry, to compete in a fast-paced environment modeled after the popular Food Network show “Chopped” that gave them 40 minutes to create their dishes. Chauhan, on a 21-city tour promoting her new book “Flavors of My World: A Culinary Tour Through 25 Countries” while judging high school students’ dishes, is often a judge on the show.

Celebrity chef and Chopped judge Maneet Chauhan

“Start cooking!” rang out and the three chefs whirled around their stations, bringing advanced technique, regional ingredients and unusual flavor combinations to life. Their mission: create a “contemporary American” dish.

WSHS chef Garrison Smith breaks down herbs for his dish

Chance Stubblefield cuts morel mushrooms for his meal

Sarah Rosenthal inspects her dish components

Cooking under the pressure of a clock is one thing. Cooking under a clock while 100 fellow students cheer you on (including the cheerleading squad and band), as a Food Network television crew puts microphone booms and cameras in your face, and as culinary icon Chauhan, a James Beard Award-winning chef, asks about your dish and offers encouragement? May as well have been inside a pressure cooker.

Chauhan gives Rosenthal's pesto a whiff while a Food Network camera crew lurks behind

West Seattle High School band members, cheerleaders and students cheered the competitors on

For Rosenthal, Stubblefield and Smith, however, the spectacle did not seem to faze them in the slightest.

While professional chefs on “Chopped” are known to occasionally not finish their dishes in time, the three had no issues, pulling their meals and artistic plating together with a few seconds to spare.

Smith's finished swordfish plate

Presenting their dishes to Chauhan and two other culinary experts was next. Smith created swordfish with pea shoots, lemon couscous, an orange citrus sauce and cumquat herb salad. Stubblefield presented his “Salmon from Heaven” dish, using Pacific salmon, broccolini, morels and quinoa, a notoriously tough-to-prepare edible seed from Spain. Rosenthal impressed the judges with handmade green tea pasta, pesto, Serrano ham and a quail egg.

Smith presents his plate

Needless to say, the judges were blown away and said each dish belonged in a restaurant. Chauhan offered mountains of praise for the contestants along with handy chef tips to improve their dishes and craft as they move forward in the culinary world.

Her overall assessment: “Sophisticated, clean, delicious flavors … and a good sign for our industry.”

The student chefs were whisked away as the judging panel discussed each dish. Upon their return, Sarah Rosenthal was announced the winner.

Sarah Rosenthal reacts to her win

Her jaw dropped in amazement as fellow competitors gave her hugs and congratulations. A culinary star to follow in Chauhan’s footsteps may have just been born.

ProStart is a two-year restaurant school-to-career program taught in Washington high schools through the Washington Restaurant Association Education Foundation. The ProStart curriculum is nationally accredited and prepares students for successful careers in the foodservice industry.

Two juvenile car thieves caught red handed

patr — Fri, 24 May 2013 19:50:19 +0000

A 911 report about a boy jumping a fence and opening a door to a parking garage led to the arrest of two juvenile would be car thieves on May 23 in the 5400 block of Delridge Way SW.

The caller followed up by going to the garage and saw two boys breaking into a Toyota Matrix, starting it up and driving it backwards, hitting a fence.

When officers arrived they apprehended the suspects behind the Delridge Library. Witnesses positively identified the two suspects, and the 14- and 15-year-old suspects were arrested. They have been booked into the Youth Services Center.

UPDATE: White Center License Agency employees arrested in alleged fraud scheme

Ty Swenson — Fri, 24 May 2013 17:14:39 +0000

Updated details from this morning's story are found below.

Two employees at the White Center License Agency (a Department of Licensing sub-agency) on 16th Ave. S.W. were arrested on May 22 along with the father/son owners of T & C Premier Auto Sales (SeaTac) and T & C Wrecking (Seattle) for an alleged fraud and forgery scheme aimed at avoiding excise taxes on vehicle transfers, according to the Federal Way Police Department.

According to FWPD, a four month long investigation found the four were allegedly working in collusion “to forge and/or fabricate title documents to avoid paying excise taxes.”

Authorities believe the illegal operation has been going on for years, and “suspect hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles have been illegally titled for the purpose of making money and defrauding the State of Washington of Motor Vehicle Sales/Use Taxes.”

Search warrants were issued at all three locations on May 22 and numerous computers and files were confiscated as evidence along with the arrests. The Washington State Department of Licensing “became suspicious when they noted an unusual increase in transactions at the White Center location” which lead to the opening of an investigation, according to FWPD.

We won’t name the suspects until (and unless) charges are filed, but two women from the White Center office and a father and son from T & C were arrested. All four were released from a Kent jail after their arrest pending charges and police said a fifth suspect is still outstanding.

Updated information:
We spoke with Cathy Schrock, Civilian Operations Manager for the Federal Way Police Department to explain how they believe the fraudulent activity worked.

Schrock said the owners of T & C became known in the non-English speaking community as an alternative way to get title paperwork done instead of going to a DOL office and working with the government, where red tape and language barriers could make for a frustrating experience.

Instead, she said, these people would legally purchase a car and bring the bill of sale and title transfer paperwork to the suspects at T & C. From there, the auto dealership would collect a $400 fee from the buyer and tell them there title would show up in the mail soon.

Behind the scenes, the suspects would then allegedly construct fraudulent paperwork that made it look like the original seller had gifted the vehicle to the buyer instead of selling it for a price that would be subject to sales tax at the time of title transfer. Gifted vehicles are not subject to sales tax, so the fee was avoided.

They would then allegedly take the doctored paperwork to the White Center License Agency where the arrested employees would complete the transaction.

Explaining the White Center connection, Schrock said
“All along, during the investigation, we assumed that the licensing agency employees were getting some kind of kickback. Interestingly enough, what we discovered once we arrested them was they actually did not accept money from (the auto dealer), but what they did was continue to accept his transfers, turning a blind eye to his fraudulent transfers, and keeping the numbers up and then they received bonuses from their employer for the number of transactions they were processing on a monthly basis.”

Schrock said the employees allegedly admitted in an interview after their arrest “that they knew what they were doing was wrong.”

In several interviews with local TV stations, Neal Lockett, owner of the White Center Licensing Agency, said he had no idea what was going on and believes his employees are innocent.

Schrock said King County’s licensing department has shut down the business for the time being and will be investigating the situation further.

Meanwhile, authorities have a lot of confiscated paperwork and computers to comb through in building a case.

Schrock said it could be some time before King County Prosecutors announce charges.

She said the goal of the investigation is to stop the fraudulent activity and doubts that the hundreds of car buyers who had T & C help them with the paperwork will be hunted down to pay the excise tax initially avoided (likely unknowingly in most cases).

Nancy Whitlock leaving post as Exec. Dir. of Nature Consortium

patr — Thu, 23 May 2013 23:58:14 +0000

Nancy Whitlock, whose efforts to raise the public consciousness about the environment and who has led efforts to rebuild and restore many natural areas around the West Seattle community has announced she will leave the post of Executive Director of the organization she founded, Nature Consortium.

She shared the news in a letter to supporters:

Dear Friends,

Every day when I come into the office, I am humbled by how far Nature Consortium has come. What started 15 years ago as my personal mission to connect with my neighbors, has now evolved into a thriving organization with 11 hard-working staff members and thousands of committed volunteers. We are all in it together to connect people, arts, and nature.

I can’t help but look back on what we’ve accomplished at Nature Consortium with reverence and joy. In less than two decades we’ve rallied more than 23,000 environmental enthusiasts of all ages to help us plant more than 43,000 native trees and understory plants in the West Duwamish Greenbelt. Our Youth Art Program has conducted just under 9,000 classes in music, dance, theatre, culinary arts, gardening, and much more, for more than 15,000 Seattle area youth. And, the project that started it all, the Arts in Nature Festival, has delighted more than 22,000 festival-goers over the years. I am in awe of how my original vision has grown, and how it has inspired others well beyond what I had expected.

Because Nature Consortium is in such a great position to continue its important work within the community, it is with mixed feelings that I share the news with you that I have decided to make way for new leadership and begin my transition out of the Executive Director role.

While I have put months of thought into this decision, it was still a difficult one to make. I founded Nature Consortium not long after my son was born, and both it and he have grown up together. NC is, in a way, a child to me, and the people that form its community have become my family. Knowing that has made this decision easier, as I leave this thriving organization in the good hands of our passionate board, amazing staff, and excellent partners.

Fifteen years is a long time in any position, and I knew that one day, if I had done my job well, Nature Consortium would be ready to move to the next level without me standing at the helm of the ship. The time has come to begin setting this in motion.

I won’t be disappearing entirely, though. I’ll be working full-time now through October curating the Arts in Nature Festival, leading our team and assisting with the transition. Then starting in November I’ll begin a four-month sabbatical during which time I look forward to spending with my family, letting my creative juices flow, and maybe even doing some solo guerrilla tree-planting in the Greenbelt. After the four months, it will be the decision of the Board on what formal capacity I might return to Nature Consortium – but at the most it will be in a very part-time capacity.

While I will always be Nature Consortium’s #1 cheerleader, I feel that it is time for new leadership to carry on and lead our growing team. It’s also time to undertake the exciting, and scary, task of reflecting on what lies ahead for me.

Additionally, this presents the organization with an opportunity. While we don’t know who the next executive director will be, I do know that new leadership can bring energy to a solid foundation. In appreciation of all that you’ve given Nature Consortium, the Board and I are committed to making sure that we continue to inform you of pending leadership decisions. A transition committee has formed and we are in the midst of developing a plan for hiring a new Executive Director.

Nature Consortium has built so much, but there is still untapped potential – and I can’t wait to see what wonderful things will happen in the next fifteen years, and more. I want to thank all of you for allowing me to engage in this joyful work of connecting people, arts, and nature. There have been so many people that have brought us to where we are today. I know that there is a true community of people here that are passionate and committed to this work.

My last day will be in November. In the meantime, you’ll still see me around Seattle and participating in all of our summer events – including our 15th anniversary celebration of the Arts in Nature Festival. Please don’t hesitate to stop by, drop me a line, or call me with any questions you might have.

With joy & appreciation,

Nancy Whitlock
Executive Director

SPU marking ‘low-flow’ hydrants in West Seattle

Ty Swenson — Thu, 23 May 2013 21:45:47 +0000

Seattle Public Utilities has begun marking low-flow fire hydrants throughout Seattle with a red ring that will help firefighters quickly identify those that deliver less than 500 gallons of water per minute.

Seventy hydrants throughout the city are deemed low flow by SPU, and many are located in West Seattle – primarily the Arbor Heights neighborhood.

“Low-flow hydrants are fully operational, but output less water per minute than other hydrants,” according to an SPU press release. “The clearly marked hydrants aid firefighters by helping ensure that the best fire-suppression tactics are chosen when operating a low-flow hydrant.”

The issue of low-flow hydrants came into focus in August of 2011 when an Arbor Heights home burst into flames while the family was away on vacation (spontaneous combustion of flammable materials in the garage was to blame). Firefighters arrived to find the hydrants near the blaze were inadequate for fighting the towering flames, forcing them to relay several miles of hose from adequate sources over a five-block radius. By the time the fire was brought under control, it was a total loss.

The history of Arbor Heights issue, according to SPU director Ray Hoffman in a presentation to Seattle’s City Council in 2011, was that the area was annexed by Seattle in 1954 with substandard water mains.

“For the past few years, the Seattle Fire Department (SF ) has been working in partnership with Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) to achieve greater fire protection in Arbor Heights,” Seattle Fire spokesman Kyle Moore wrote in an email. “Since 2011, SPU has updated the water mains, added fire hydrants and has installed red rings to clearly identify low-flow hydrants. These additional measures assist the Seattle Fire Department with our fire suppression tactics and also provide an increased level of safety and fire protection to the residents in Arbor Heights.

“Each Seattle Fire Engine carries 500 gallons of water, enough to extinguish an entire room fire,” he added. “Also every fire engine is equipped with 1000 feet of hose line. This is enough hose to reach the 1000 gallons-per-minute (gpm) hydrants which SPU has placed within 1000 feet of all residences in the city.”

SPU plans to have all low-flow hydrants marked by the end of May.

Furry Faces Foundation to hold open house June 1

steves — Fri, 24 May 2013 01:08:31 +0000

Iconic West Seattle animal rights advocate Teri Ensley will have an open house plant sale Saturday, June 1, beginning at 4:00 p.m. to benefit her Furry Faces Foundation. She had a tragic fire Jan. 9, 2012, and is bouncing back.

Arthritis Foundation honors West Seattleite with Inspirational Leadership Award

Ty Swenson — Fri, 24 May 2013 00:36:46 +0000

May 23 was a day of recognition for the tireless decade-plus work of West Seattle resident Judi Yazzolino in supporting, raising funds and serving on the board of directors for the Great West Region Arthritis Foundation.

Her peers in battling the disease that affects all people, from juveniles to the elderly, honored Judi with their annual Inspirational Leadership Award during the Journey to a Cure Breakfast at the Washington Athletic Club. According to the Arthritis Foundation, there are over 100 forms of arthritis and treating the disease costs the U.S. economy $128 billion annually, results in 44 million outpatient visits and results in 9,367 deaths a year. Over 300,000 children in the United States have been diagnosed with juvenile arthritis, debunking an oft held belief that it is an elderly disease.

Judi, who is just over a month into her new position as the West Seattle Food Bank’s development director, has plenty of reason to battle for arthritis awareness. 25 years ago, she herself was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. She said her mother and grandmother have also battled the disease.

“I do this, not necessarily for myself, but I’ve watched my mother and she hasn’t been lucky enough to have the biological drugs that all of the researchers were able to come up with for my sake and I live, most of the time, not really knowing or feeling like I have RA,” Judi said after receiving her award from Arthritis Foundation Great West Region CEO Scott Weaver.

In addition, she said raising funds for research on juvenile arthritis has been a passion as their smaller, still developing bodies cannot handle many of the drugs used to help adults ease their pain.

“I am one of the fortunate ones diagnosed early and able to take aggressive treatment with biologic medications to control my disease,” she added. “Because I feel so fortunate, I am determined to do whatever I can to help find a cure for this awful disease.”

Upon receiving her award, Judi told the Herald “I’m very thankful and I really appreciate the fact that they honored me.”

In addition to serving on the Arthritis Foundation board since 2005, Judi is also the founder of the Bone Bash Seattle dinner/auction that takes place on Oct. 26 this year, a team captain for the Seattle Jingle Bell Run/Walk fundraiser and Arthritis Foundation golf tournament volunteer.

Landing at the West Seattle Food Bank
The West Seattle Food Bank has landed a “salesperson at heart” who has “no problem asking for money,” in Judi (her words), and she hopes to put her skills to use in bringing sustenance to those in need after joining the non-profit in late April.

Judi was born in Federal Way but has long time West Seattle roots and lives on the peninsula today (only five minutes from her new job, as she’s thrilled to share). She spent the majority of her career as an advertising rep in the corporate world, including a stint as a national sales manager for CBS. As things sometimes go in that field, she was laid off five years ago.

After a three year hiatus from work, she decided she’d had enough with the “cutthroat” corporate gigs and zeroed in on working in the non-profit sector.

“I love fundraising, I love non-profits, and I’ve always been involved in them. Why not hook the two together and actually get paid for what I love to do?” she thought.

Serendipity clocked in at the right moment as Fran Yeats, executive director at the food bank, just happened to be looking for a development director. The two hit it off, and the rest is history.

“I’m very excited to be giving back to my own community; the people who live around me who need help,” Judi said of her new job (where she is equally thrilled to be able to wear jeans to work … a telltale sign you’ve left the corporations behind).

Having lost her job at one time and finding herself in financial dire straits for a time, Judi said she hopes to also help the food bank reach out to those people whose middle class status has dropped out from below, breaking through social and information barriers to connect everyone who could use a free meal with the West Seattle Food Bank’s vital service.

The West Seattle Food Bank is found online at www.westseattlefoodbank.org. For more information on the Arthritis Foundation, visit www.arthritis.org/washington/.

Delridge Way SW & SW Holden Street intersection will close May 31 - June 3

patr — Thu, 23 May 2013 21:51:12 +0000

Information from SDOT
Most of the intersection of Delridge Way SW and SW Holden Street will be closed from 7 p.m. Friday, May 31, until 6 a.m. Monday, June 3, for roadway restoration and storm drain installation. This work is part of the Seattle Department of Transportation’s Delridge Way SW Paving Project that is rebuilding much of Delridge Way SW between SW Orchard and SW Roxbury streets.
For the closure of the Delridge/Holden intersection, the detour will be as follows (see attached map):
· Northbound traffic on Delridge Way SW - Take SW Thistle Street to 35th Avenue SW to SW Morgan Street/ Sylvan Way SW/ SW Orchard Street to Delridge Way SW

· Southbound traffic on Delridge Way SW - Take SW Holden Street to 35th Avenue SW to SW Thistle Street to Delridge Way SW

During the week of June 3, the roadway will be striped between SW Henderson and SW Thistle streets, the areas of Phases 1 and 2. Street parking will be eliminated and lanes will be temporarily shifted for up to four days while striping is completed.

This is a five-phase project. Upon completion of Phase 3 work, construction activity will move north to Phase 4, between SW Holden and SW Orchard streets. The Delridge Way SW Paving Project is funded by the “Bridging the Gap” transportation levy approved by Seattle voters in November 2006. Please visit the project website for more information: www.seattle.gov/transportation/pave_delridge.htm

Found Rabbit

cmenges — Thu, 23 May 2013 18:45:08 +0000

UPDATE: SUM-BUNNY came to get their fuzzy. Home found. Thanks everyone.

Small domesticated bunny found in the 98168 area code. Looking for owner. Please contact Karla if you recognize the bunny in this picture.

Burglary experts cover the latest West Seattle trends

Ty Swenson — Thu, 23 May 2013 22:43:09 +0000

Seattle Police Detective Jill Vanskike spends her days focused on residential and industrial burglaries, from tracking down perpetrators in real time when a 911 call comes in to evaluating evidence in the aftermath, tracking stolen goods that show up at pawn shops, and keeping an eye on known crooks who have been released back onto the streets after a jail stint.

On May 21, Vanskike and CPT Officer Jonathan Kiehn joined the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council to talk about what they are seeing on the ground and share some tips with the community on how to safeguard their home and, possibly, get their stuff back once the dastardly deed is done.

What the experts are seeing
Vanskike said the general profile of our burglars are juveniles in groups of two to three (there are, of course, adults as well) , often times traveling to West Seattle from other parts of King County while people are at work and kids are at school. The modus operandi is to have one person knock on the door (while in communication with the others, usually by cell phone). Meanwhile, the other two are working their way into the backyard where they will break into a window or door once the coast is known to be clear. Once inside, they generally focus on high-end electronics (Apple products are a favorite), gold and silver jewelry, cash and guns.

She said police are also seeing more and more burglars wearing gloves during the commission of a crime, making it more difficult to ascertain fingerprints.

Prevention: There is no silver bullet
Officer Keihn said burglary prevention is all about taking a multitude of small steps, as there is no magical method to prevent someone from entering your home if they chose it as a target.

If you are home when someone appears to be breaking in, police recommend yelling out, “Hey, what are you doing!” or “Honey, can you get that?” to make it clear someone (or more than one) is home. Vanskike said burglars generally don’t want to run into anyone. Home invasion robberies, she said, generally involve a pre-planned target where the robber and victim are somehow affiliated. If the perpetrator still tries to get into your home after making your presence known, police recommend getting to a safe, locked room and calling 911.

The list of things to do with your home start with the outside, and pertain to the principals of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED). One of the main concepts is to keep your yard and home easily visible to neighbors. Ten foot high solid fences and towering shrubs, while providing us privacy while we are home, also provide burglars privacy once they are on your property. To learn more, check out the Herald’s prior coverage here.

Home alarm systems and posted signs letting everyone know they are in place can also act as a deterrent.

In the warming summer months, avoid the temptation to leave windows slightly ajar when you leave to keep the house cool.

There are near infinite resources found online. We recommend simply searching “burglary prevention” and seeing what comes up, or visiting the City of Seattle's information page found here: http://www.seattle.gov/police/prevention/Neighborhood/burglary.htm

The last, and possibly most important tip discussed on the night was to get involved or start up a block watch with your neighbors. Folks watching out for folks and their property (and for people on the block who don’t belong) are invaluable techniques.

Once it happens, tips on getting your stuff back
As Vanskike put it, “If they want in, they’ll get in.”

She recommends everyone create an inventory of their significant belongings, including description of the product and any markings it may have (that ding on the corner of the TV from moving it in, for example), serial numbers and price. The benefits here are both for police in investigating where your items might pop up for potential recovery, and for your negotiations with the insurance company for a claim.

Another technique is to etch your driver’s license number into the product. Identity thieves can’t do anything with a DL#, and it’s a great way to identify your belongings.

Burglary case study: Neighborhood feeling under siege
The number of reported home burglaries in West Seattle varies quite a bit, but in our weekly Police Blotter tabulation we generally see anywhere from 10 to 20 reports every seven days. Those incidents are normally spread across the peninsula with no immune areas, but at times a certain neighborhood becomes a target and gets hit enough for neighbors to take notice and start to worry.

That’s how it’s been for the neighbors in a two-block radius near 39th and Bradford in the North Admiral district, who have seen five different homes hit in the last few months along with other thefts.

We talked with a resident who asked to remain anonymous (to protect his identity, more on that later) about their experience.

Perched at high altitude, the neighborhood is fairly well known to many West Seattleites due to its iconic water tower and the Helmstetler Family Christmas Spectacular display put on each year. The homes are generally well-kept, the neighbors are friendly, and there are always plenty of young kids running around.

The resident we spoke with has lived in the neighborhood for 20 years, and said he has never heard of so many burglaries in such a short period of time. As we drove around the neighborhood, he pointed out five homes broken into over the last handful of months. A truck and drift boat have also been stolen, and someone stripped a stolen powerboat in an alley … all of this within a few blocks.

“It’s a tight neighborhood,” our guide said, “We all look out for each other even if we all don’t get along.”

All the burglaries have occurred midday, and two were even on Sundays. This is rare as thieves generally work Monday through Friday (with the highest probability of an empty home). It’s made them wonder if the person behind it knows about their lives, their schedules. Rumors have swirled about a known drug user who moved away from the area about a year back, and who has been spotted driving in the ‘hood a few times recently, but there is no evidence connecting him. This, by the way, is why our guide decided to remain anonymous.

“I think our neighborhood is now asking, ‘Who’s next?’” our guide said, whose home hasn’t been hit yet.

Lt. Davis with the Southwest Precinct said the best thing the neighborhood can do is call 911 whenever an incident occurs so SPD can evaluate the when and where of who’s being burgled. He also recommended they crank up the already tight neighborhood to an official block watch, with ways to communicate with each other and get on the same page about suspicious behavior and reporting it quickly.

“We are constantly in and out of the house,” the neighbor said, echoing a concern felt by so many as they are forced to leave their homes dormant for long stretches of the day.

Our guide grew up in West Seattle and said he has really seen an uptick in crime in the last ten years across the peninsula. While West Seattle still has that small town feel that many cherish, development is moving it in a more urban direction, with higher density and, seemingly, higher crime rates. It makes him wonder if it’s time to move on.

“I tell people I have an exit plan to get out of Seattle. I don’t know where I’d go, but it’s just too bad,” he said.

Robberies and Subaru thefts up in West Seattle

Ty Swenson — Thu, 23 May 2013 22:04:35 +0000

Southwest Precinct Operations Lt. Pierre Davis addressed the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council on May 21, providing an update on recent crime trends.

Davis said his officers have arrested several active burglars in the past month, but they have also seen an uptick in West Seattle robberies over that time, with mostly younger crooks primarily targeting people with visible electronics such as iPhones.

A common refrain, Davis plead with the community to diligently 911 when they see suspicious behavior in their neighborhoods or are the victim of a crime, no matter how small.

Subaru auto thefts are also on the rise, he said, due to the fact that criminals can easily steal them with a shaved key. For the thieves, Davis said the advantage is two-fold: Subarus are easy to steal and generally have wagon capacity that some use for their next nefarious step: burglarizing homes and filling the car up with stolen loot.

“With warm summer months (and a predictable rise in crime) … it’s an ongoing battle, but we are here to win,” Davis said.

The West Seattle Crime Prevention Council's next meeting is on June 18th, 2013. They will also hold a safety walk at Lincoln Park on May 28th, beginning at 7:00 pm and meeting by the North parking lot. All are welcome at both events.

Historic B-17 returns Saturday, May 25 through Monday to offer rides

steves — Fri, 24 May 2013 01:18:40 +0000

The “Aluminum Overcast,” the Experimental Aircraft Association’s (EEA) restored B-17 bomber, returns to Boeing Field to offer rides Saturday, May 25 through Monday, Memorial Day. People can book flights at the Museum of Flight.

Pictured left is WWII B-17 pilot, Ken Wheeler, 90, of Gig Harbor, with current B-17 pilot, Rick Fernalld, at Paine Field, Everett, before the plane flew down to Seattle for the long weekend. Wheeler, who flew with the 15th Air Force out of Italy, is a docent at the Museum of Flight. If you see him, he might tell you about the time three of his four engines failed and he and his crew bailed with parachutes over Croatia. He landed in a tree, cut himself down, and escaped.

'Abandoned dog' returned to his owners; No charges filed

patr — Thu, 23 May 2013 23:28:51 +0000

The case of the "abandoned dog" named Zipper at Westwood Village, that caused a virtual media storm last month has resulted in the dog being returned to its owners after an investigation found no reason to charge the owners with cruelty. The Seattle Animal Shelter reported that their investigation revealed that despite widespread speculation that the animal had been left in the vehicle for up to six days there was no evidence to support this claim.

They state, "All evidence points to Zipper being left in the vehicle for a few hours during the evening he was taken in by police. While not ideal, and an absolute no-no in warmer months, leaving an animal in a vehicle for a short time is not illegal unless other circumstances pose a threat to the animal’s welfare (e.g., extreme cold weather, access to dangerous items that could be ingested or cause bodily harm, vulnerability to dog-napping if vehicle is unlocked, etc.)."

Zipper has been cared for by the staff at the Animal Shelter for the past four weeks and then was returned to his owners. The shelter said the owners had been "fully cooperative" during their investigation. They note that the original police report stated that Zipper appeared emaciated and they state, "but his eating habits over his four-week stay at the Shelter and a visit to the vet confirmed that while he could stand to gain a couple pounds, he is healthy, energetic and just one of those dogs that is extremely fit."

Read the Animal Shelter report here.

West Seattle Lions Club honors 11 high school seniors; Each receives $1,000 scholarship

steves — Fri, 24 May 2013 00:58:05 +0000

On May 23, the West Seattle Lions Club, which meets upstairs at the Senior Center of West Seattle, gave out 11, $1,000 scholarships to seniors graduating Chief Sealth, Seattle Lutheran, and West Seattle high schools, a tradition since 1956.

"We give scholarships based on criteria of citizenship and academic prowess and abilities," said Lions Club past president, Nancy Sorensen, a Burien-based attorney who pointed out that King County Executive Dow Constantine was a Lions Club scholarship recipient.

"The Lions Club is the world's largest service organization," she said. "There are more than 40,000 clubs all over the world. (…) The Lions Club worldwide has a primary commitment of hearing and vision because they were challenged by Hellen Keller who spoke at their convention in 1924 to be of service to those who could not see and could not hear."

"Education, you never know where it's going to lead, and what it's going to do," West Seattle Lions Club President Harvey Rowe told the students. "But you just have to be inspired to learn more and do more. I look around now and say, 'I'm getting frustrated. I can't learn enough. There are hundreds of fields, and I just made a dent in one of them.'" He is a retired mechanical engineer and worked with flight.

"For the students here, they should be real encouraged and think, 'Life is wonderful,'" added Rowe. "There is so much to learn and do. You get a chance to meet people all over the world and really find out what life is about."

Recipients attending stood and spoke of their plans. They included:

Emily Follansbee of Chief Sealth, who has played soccer, tennis, unified sports (special ed soccer), started the school's ukulele club, and made the Dean's List. She plans to study engineering at Gonzaga University.

Kirsten Kenny of WSHS, played soccer, did gymnastics, will attend Pacific University and hopes to get a degree in molecular biology and become a physician.

Luis Ramirez of Chief Sealth, has played varsity soccer all four years, unified sports (special ed soccer), and plans to attend Washington State U. to pursue a mechanical engineering degree

Alana Sullivan of Chief Sealth was Junior Class VP, played varsity softball all four years & was team captain two years, played varsity volleyball three years, & has two part-time jobs including the Original Bakery. Will attend UW.

Anika Lindstrom of Seattle Lutheran played basketball all four years, & for her senior project organized shelter for Tent City. Will attend Western Washington U. to study psychology.

Viridiana Rodriguez of Chief Sealth has been deeply involved with community work including El Centro de la Raza, & plans to attend SSCC, & hopes to transfer to Eastern Washington U.

Lauren Shaughnessy- WSHS senior class president I was a gymnastics captain this year, soccer ran track,years, gymnastics four years, Hotwire Coffee, Gonzaga U. School of Nursing.

Also receiving awards, but not in attendance, are Karla Mejia Fuentes, Chief Sealth, Samrawit Zeinu, Chief Sealth, Yardia Gonzalez Arroyo, & Yesenia Mendoza Ramos.

Highline Public Schools will fund all day Kindergarten this fall

patr — Thu, 23 May 2013 22:38:42 +0000

Highline Public Schools, announced on Thursday May, 23 that they will fund tuition-free full-day kindergarten at all district schools starting this fall.

State lawmakers are currently debating over budget plans with varying levels of kindergarten funding. Highline would fund the program in any case, regardless of what the state chooses to do.

Each of the three plans under consideration would fund full-day kindergarten at some, but not all, schools in Highline.

Highline Superintendent Susan Enfield said, “We cannot wait for the legislature to act. Full-day kindergarten is the right thing to do for all our children and families now.”

Highline considers full-day kindergarten to be a key strategy for meeting their goal of 95 percent of next fall’s kindergartners performing at or above grade level in all core subjects by the end of Grade 3.

They cite multiple studies that show children who participate in full-day kindergarten make significant gains in reading and math compared with students in half-day programs. The district said that research also shows that mastering reading and math skills by third grade is critical for success throughout middle and high school.

“Kindergarten is a critical year. It sets the stage for a child’s entire school experience,” said Highline’s P-3 Director Anne Arnold, who directs early learning (preschool through grade 3) programs.

“This is one of several critical investments Highline making toward the bold goals in our new strategic plan,” said Enfield. The district is also investing in high-priority goals for older students, such as ensuring that 19 out of 20 students pass Algebra by Grade 9, and that 19 out of 20 students in the freshman class of 2013 graduate successfully.

Beware scammers posing as City Light employees

patr — Wed, 22 May 2013 21:29:10 +0000

Seattle City Light and the Seattle Police Department are warning people to beware of con artists, posing as Seattle City Light employees using false threats of disconnecting electrical service to get money from people.

According to City LIght customers reported at least 15 scam attempts to City Light this week and other utilities in the Pacific Northwest have reported similar activity. In Seattle, the scammers appear to be targeting Asian small businesses.

In a press release on the problem City Light explained:

"The con works like this: A person claiming to work for the utility calls a customer and claims the account is overdue. The caller then threatens to cut off electricity service unless payment is made immediately.

One new twist in this old scam has the con artists seeking payment by pre-paid debit cards, which might not have the same fraud-detection features as a credit card.

“Awareness is the best defense against con artists,” Customer Service Director Kelly Enright said. “An immediate demand for payment is a red flag for fraud. Anyone who gets a call like this should get contact information then hang up and call the utility and police.”

Seattle City Light customer service representatives are available at (206) 684-3000 to advise customers of their account status and answer any questions they might have.

Anyone who believes they have been contacted by a scam artist should report the incident to Seattle Police at (206) 625-5011.

Seattle City Light will not shut off a customer’s electricity for one late payment. Before a shut off is ordered, Seattle City Light will send the customer at least two written notifications.

Additionally, City Light has programs available for customers who are having trouble paying their electric bills, including a low-income rate assistance program where qualifying customers can save up to 60 percent. Information is available at (206) 684-3417.

Seattle City Light is the 10th largest public electric utility in the United States. It has some of the lowest cost customer rates of any urban utility, providing reliable, renewable and environmentally responsible power to nearly 1 million Seattle area residents. City Light has been greenhouse gas neutral since 2005, the first electric utility in the nation to achieve that distinction."

UPDATE 2: Suspected pellet gun shooting on 38th SW sends victim to hospital

patr — Thu, 23 May 2013 00:28:53 +0000

Update for 7:50 pm
Seattle Police have what they called "short of a person of interest" in the suspected BB Gun shooting on 38th SW. The incident injured one person who was taken to Harborview with a wound to the mouth but according to police, cars in the area also suffered damage, which began yesterday.

The police received a consent to search the house and conducted a search. They found a single 22 caliber rifle but determined it had not been recently fired.

This incident took place over two days with cars being damaged by projectiles. There were at least five "hits" on cars on the street according to police. They looked for the projectiles inside the vehicles but found nothing. One penetrated a window but they could not find the projectile inside.

The person being interviewed in the case is the nephew of the man who is the owner of the home. Neighbors say the uncle has lived there for more than a decade. The uncle said the boy is an eagle scout and an excellent student and "as straight as they come."

Update for 7 p.m.
Around 6:30 p.m. Seattle Police approached the home where a suspected BB-gun shooter may be holed up on the 4700 block of 385th Ave S.W. in West Seattle.

Shortly thereafter, several officers pulled back from the scene, including the heavily-armed Gang Unit.

Police have are questioning a person in the shooting and are conducting interviews in an ongoing investigation.

Original Post
Just before 5pm May 22 Seattle Police officers responded to 911 calls of a shooting at 4736 38th Ave. S.W. The victim is a 31-year-old male and according to the Seattle Fire Dept. he was likely shot with a pellet or BB Gun. He suffered a wound to the mouth.

The early reports said the victim sustained a gunshot wound while out walking his dog down the sidewalk.

According to police the victim was walking northbound on the east side of 38th Avenue SW when he was struck on the right cheek by an unknown projectile, possibly a BB (pellet).

Police said witnesses helped the victim walk down to a nearby fire station where he was treated. He was then taken to the hospital.

The area is cordoned off as police surrounded the home, where they believe the suspect may be located, and interviewed a man who stepped out of that home.

Well known King County Sheriff Deputy Martin ‘Marty’ Duran dies of injuries from a motorcycle crash

David Rosen — Thu, 23 May 2013 06:19:17 +0000

Our news partners at Q13 Fox reported that King County Sheriff Deputy Martin ‘Marty’ Duran who was involved in an off duty motorcycle crash has died because of his injuries. He was 47 years old.

Sgt. Cindy West said, In 2004, Duran moved to King County and accepted a job with the King County Sheriff’s Office.

“Deputy Duran was a highly respected member of the Sheriff’s Office and most recently was a Master Police Officer assigned to the Southwest Precinct,” West said

Fore more information please follow the link: http://q13fox.com/2013/05/22/king-county-sheriffs-deputy-in-motorcycle-c...

SUV flips and burns on Roxbury sending driver to the hospital; Eyewitness account

patr — Thu, 23 May 2013 05:04:09 +0000

A male driver of an SUV was sent to the hospital on Wednesday night after rolling his vehicle near the intersection of 35th and Roxbury. According to former West Seattle restaurateur Deborah Breuhler who literally saw the accident in her rear view mirror, " He was coming up Roxbury going westbound. I was watching him in my rear view mirror and he was going very fast. I'm thinking ok he's going to hit me, but then he starts to go into the oncoming traffic.

I thought, 'Oh he's going to pass me, we're all good' and then he turns really quick into this parking garage and flips car up the hill like three times. So then he climbs out, and the car is on fire, this woman is screaming at the car. Then he's hugging this elderly gentleman who turns out to be his grandfather and I don't know where he came from. But he's laughing and the music is blaring super loud and the car is smoking. Then the fire department shows up and strap him to a board and they took him away. I guess he was drunk out of his mind. But nobody got hurt and he didn't damage any property other than his own. That was the craziest thing I've ever seen in my rearview mirror."

Seattle Fire Department offered an update via Twitter " Seattle Fire paramedics transported 26YO male to HMC after Jeep SUV flipped into retaining wall. Minor injuries."

We will update this story when we have an official report.

SSCC Culinary Arts open house set for June 1

Ty Swenson — Tue, 21 May 2013 23:17:05 +0000

For aspiring chefs and food service professionals in the area, here's a heads up on a free open house for South Seattle Community College's Culinary Arts program.

From SSCC:

South Seattle Community College will host a free Open House/ Information Session for its highly regarded Culinary Arts department Saturday, June 1. The tour will being at 9:30 am in the Alhadeff Grill Dining Room.

Participants will be able to tour the facilities and learn more about South Seattle Community College’s highly-regarded Culinary Arts program. Hosted by members of the faculty, participants will also be able to learn about degree and certificate options in Restaurant & Food Service Production, Catering & Banquet Operations, and Pastry & Specialty Baking. After the tour, faculty and staff members will be on-hand to review program admission requirements, career opportunities and register new students for either the Summer 2013 or Fall 2013 quarter.

The Open House is free and a Continental Breakfast will be served at 9:30 am. Please do not wear sandals or open-toed shoes to the tour.

Culinary Arts Program
South Seattle Community College
6000 16th Ave. SW, Seattle, WA 98106-1499
(206) 934-5344
ann.witt@seattlecolleges.edu
aaron.jamroski@seattlecolleges.edu

Learn from a burglary detective with West Seattle Crime Prevention Council on May 21

Ty Swenson — Tue, 14 May 2013 23:56:50 +0000

The West Seattle Crime Prevention Council will learn how to better safeguard homes from burglars and how to recover stolen items from burglary detective Jill Vanskike at their May 21 meeting, which is open to the public.

The meeting is held at the Southwest Precinct community room (2300 S.W. Webster St.) from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Here are the details from WSCPC:

Our guest will be burglary detective Jill Vanskike, she will discuss factors that attract burglars to specific homes, the most common points and methods of entry, target hardening and the protective devices that are the most effective at preventing burglaries. Also, tips that can aid in the recovery of stolen property and the use of Craigslist, Ebay, pawn shops, and flea markets in the recovery of stolen items. Next meeting June 18th, 2013. Our safety walk at Lincoln Park will take place on May 28th and begin at 7:00pm, we will meet by the North parking lot. All are welcome at both events.

Alki Masons honor West Seattle’s talented juniors

Ty Swenson — Tue, 21 May 2013 18:12:42 +0000

In a tradition reaching back 35 years, the Alki Masonic Lodge held their Annual School Awards on May 20 to honor the hard work, both in the classroom and the community, of eight juniors each from Chief Sealth and West Seattle High School.

In the words of the Mason’s, “The purpose of this School Awards Program is to recognize, and thus stimulate, participation in Public School Education. The Masonic Fraternity has long supported the public school system as one of the basic necessities in maintaining the American Ideal of Democracy.”

Mason Martin Monk, who ran the show, said the 35th anniversary was a special one for him since he had received the award 35 years ago as a student at West Seattle High School.

In addition to a plaque honoring their achievements, the juniors also received $200. After the first 16 recipients were announced (and who in turn announced the support of their family and friends in attendance), the Mason’s unveiled their four winners out of that group (a boy and girl from each school) who receive additional scholarship funds and are entered into the Mason’s statewide scholarship competition.

The eight recipients from each school were hand-picked by school staff, and the eventual winners were picked by the Masons.

Here are the winners (In bold italics are the 2013 Top Boys and Girls):

Chief Sealth International High School:
Tasha Addington-Ferris
Izac Bauer
Nicole Carter
Miquel Castillo
Eileen Lee
Oscar Mwaba
Christina Nguyen
Matthew Wo

West Seattle High School:
Megan Antalan
Baylee Corey
Regine Fernandez
Lukas Irwin
Myka Kielbon
Matthew Lee
Michael Lee
Phi-Khanh Pham

Also in attendance were last year’s winners, who each spoke and gave the junior’s good advice on preparing for college in the year to come. Past winners included Mariah Rubio-Reboca and Sean Umeda from Chief Sealth, and Keitaro Hallberg and Michiko Yoshino from West Seattle High School.