July 2010

Eric Galanti owner of the Admiral Pub and Alki Crab and Fish working with Greg Whittaker of Alki Kayak Tours have announced the opening of a new dining and waterside lounge area just adjacent to Alki Crab and Fish at 1660 Harbor Avenue Southwest.

"Eric's idea was to make this a lounge where you could come after an exhilarating kayak ride," Whittaker said. At the moment they only serve beer and wine but a class H license is expected sometime in the next two to three weeks.

We were really developing the kayak thing," Whittaker continued, "and Eric really saw the possibilities of it and stepped up and developed an incredible area to hang out." They spent the last six weeks remodeling the space and today it's open with deep outdoor couch style seating in charcoal with orange pads.

'The Deck' at Alki Crab and Fish will seat about 90 people. The space features a clear plexiglass wall on its northern side that will block the wind and preserve the view. On those few especially hot days we get, one wall is equipped with 'misters' that will add some moisture to the air to help keep people cool. Galanti designed and built much of the space himself.

A 64 year-old SeaTac man was injured when homemade fireworks exploded Sunday night, July 4th, sending him to Harborview Medical Center with critical injuries.
The Sheriff's Office Major Crimes Unit and Bomb Disposal Unit are investigating.

Deputies were called to a house in the 2800 block of South 138th St. shortly before 11 p.m. The victim was already in route to Harborview with fire department medics.

Deputies were told a 52 year-old resident of the house built a homemade "aerial device" by tying together a bundle of sparklers. He placed the sparklers in a tube, and then into a concrete cinder block to brace it. When the man lit off the "rocket', it exploded in place, sending pieces of the concrete block in all directions.

The victim was standing about 15 to 20 feet away when the device detonated. He was hit in the head by part of the cinder block, causing a serious head injury, which, according to the fire department, was life threatening.

Other pieces of the block struck a nearby car, denting the door and breaking the window. The house and the garage door were also hit.

Dear Editor
My husband and I and family of 4 moved to the Gatewood area of West Seattle thirty eight years ago this month. This past week has brought attention to the fact it is a great place to live.

Monday, June 28th, my husband who has Alzheimers, and I were walking to Mail boxes post office to mail letters and do a little shopping at the local Thriftway store. On our way my husband tripped over an uneven place of sidewalk, pulling myself over on top of him. I was able to get up unhurt, but I wasn't sure about him. A kind lady living in the Myrtle Street community where we live, stopped her car and immediately offered her cell phone to help. The concerned young woman employee of Mail Boxes, offered her sweater for my husband's head and mailed my letters for me. At the same time, a couple of police cars came by and called a fire truck whose medics checked my husband out, finding he was o.k. A policeman drove to our house where our son had just arrived from work and was able to come and take us home.

It was the last Friday of the school year, and there was a dangerously exuberant mood. The sun was shining. The fountain was shimmering at Ballard Commons. For most schools, it was either Field Day or an after-school party at Golden Gardens beach.

At Salmon Bay School, it was yet another retirement party for Jay Sasnett, this one ending with cake in his west-facing classroom.

“I’ve got my bicycle lock,” I called to my daughter as we went our separate ways on two wheels.

“You’re the one who needs its,” she replied.

I had the lock, but outside of Salmon Bay School I realized I didn’t have the key. I carried the bicycle into the building and left it near the office, thinking the side doors were locked.

Half an hour later, the only thing on the floor was my helmet and keyless Kryptonite lock. My bicycle had been stolen.

I raced around the old Monroe School in hopes that it was being ridden impulsively through the halls and the gym the way my stolen car once looped a soccer field. The janitors checked hidey-holes. The bike was still nearby. We all knew it.

Sleep Country USA Foster Kids Clothing Drive
Now through July 11th at all Sleep Country and Sleep Train locations.
Make a difference in a foster child’s life by donating new clothes of all sizes for foster kids throughout Washington and Oregon.
For information: www.sleepcountry.com

Discovery Shop 50% Off
4535 California Ave. S.W.
From Friday, July 9 thru Sunday, 11th
50% off EVERYTHING, except plants. July I thru July 20th: 50% off all items tagged in blue. West Seattle Summer Fest “Sidewalk Sale” hours: Friday, July 9 & Saturday, July 10th: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Our Pictures and Frames Festival continues to offer fine art and frames. All proceeds go to fight cancer. Except for the days mentioned above, the Shop will be open every Sunday, 11a.m. to 3 p.m. Other days we will be open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to customers and donations. The ACS Discovery Shop always needs volunteers. Click on our logo in the ad at the top of the page.

2010 West Seattle Summer Fest - July 9th, 10th and 11th

Three Tree Point, the site of a large publicly funded fireworks display saw thousands of people, possibly escaping the rain downtown, find that it was a light misty rain over the point too as cars were crammed into every available spot to attend parties, shoot off fireworks, see the big show (which is fired from a barge off the point every year) and just enjoy the national event.

Even though it was raining, people seemed to enjoy the show and as in years past could see the Quartermaster Harbor show off to the Southwest if they were on the south side of the point or in Normandy Park.

CLICK THE IMAGE TO SEE MORE PHOTOS FROM THE THREE TREE POINT FIREWORKS

By Patrick Robinson and Greg McCorkle

In an event on July 4 sponsored by the Alki Loghouse Museum and Southwest Historical Society "This Place Matters" brought together politicians, and preservationists joined by community members to highlight the historic significance of the Alki Homestead/Fir Lodge, a building that has been the subject of some controversy as to its operation and potential rescue over the past few years.

The building, located at 2717 61st SW, was built between 1903-1904, and is constructed of Douglas Fir logs and was originally named the Fir Lodge.
A brief history of the building can be found at HistoryLink.org.

The building became a restaurant in 1950 when it was purchased by Swend Neilson and Fred Fredricksen , who dubbed it the Alki Homestead. Walter E. and Adele Foote purchased the business in 1955 and sold it to Doris P. Nelson in 1960. It was Nelson who created created the atmosphere and theme for the Homestead that was decorated with antiques, serving family style cooking. It became famous for fried chicken dinners.

Ed. Note: Jerry Robinson is the publisher of the West Seattle Herald, White Center News, Ballard News Tribune, Highline Times, Des Moines News, SeaTac News and FederalWayNews.net.

When we had to replace our flagpole, I tried to order a new one topped with a shiny brass eagle, but they were all out.
So, I had to settle for a brass ball.

The brass ball turned out to be a blessing in disguise as it allowed a live bald eagle to land on it as I was taking this picture.

What appeared to be well over a thousand people, including parents and kids, rode bikes, scooters, wagons and strollers through the Admiral Neighborhood in the 15th annual staging of the Admiral Neighborhood Children's Parade.

The event sponsored by The Admiral Neighborhood Association, Weitzel Construction, Kayle Shulenberger, Speech-Language Pathologist, and the parents and families of West Seattle began shortly after 10 AM, beginning in the 1100 block of 44th Ave. S.W. The Hi-Yu princesses were on hand as was County Executive Dow Constantine.

The parade wound around the block, crossing California Avenue and came down the side street to enter Hamilton Park (the viewpoint) for sack lunches and blanket Popsicles. Wheelbarrow races, sack races, and an free form beach ball game of Soakum kept the kids busy and happy.

CLICK THE IMAGE TO SEE MORE PHOTOS FROM THE EVENT

Ed. Note: Jerry Robinson is the publisher of the Ballard News-Tribune, as well as the Highline Times, West Seattle Herald, and FederalWayNews.net.

When we had to replace our flagpole, I tried to order a new one topped with a shiny brass eagle, but they were all out. So, I had to settle  for a brass ball.

The brass ball turned out to be a blessing in disguise as it allowed a live bald eagle to land on it as I was taking this picture.

Ballard Big Picture is a column of scenes from around the neighborhood. If you would like to submit a photo for use on this site and in the Ballard News-Tribune, please send it to Michael Harthorne at michaelh@robinsonnews.com. Be sure to include your name and information about your photo.