September 2010

The Inglemoor High School attack was too much for the Ballard High School volleyball team in its Sept. 8 nonconference 2010 season opener.

Inglemoor took the match 3-0 after winning games 25-16, 25-18 and 25-13.

Monique Marquez finished with 18 assists for Ballard. McKinley Kellogg lead the Beavers with eight kills and Deanna Meyers added five kills of her own.

The Beavers, who are looking to make the playoffs again this season, take on Lakeside High School in another nonconference match at 7 p.m. Sept. 9 at Ballard High School.

Mr. Gyro's
5522 20th Ave. N.W.
206.782.7777
Hours: still in flux, call ahead

Reviewing newly established restaurants can be a tricky affair, but Mr. Gyro's, recently opened in its second location just north of Market Street on 20th Avenue, has been around long enough in their Greenwood spot to stand up to a timely review. And, as expected, the logistics and procedural details are a bit rough after the recent debut, but the food still shines.

The straightforward menu features a varied selection of sandwiches and plates. The Gyros Plate ($7.99) and Chicken Shawarma Plate ($9.99) are action packed, complex and bountiful medleys of some of the freshest and most life-affirming cooking to be found anywhere.

Fresh and minty cucumber, tomato and lettuce salad crowds one side of the plate, with sliced and pungent onions squaring off with the tart dressing. The chicken is moist, succulent and unabashedly brimming with the almost sweet flavor of cardamom, garlic and lemon.

Graffiti was the issue of the night when Seattle City Councilmember Sally Clark and Seattle City Attorney Peter Holmes stopped by the Sept. 8 Ballard District Council meeting to answer questions and address concerns from neighborhood residents and representatives.

While Holmes spent some time on other issues, such as the recent funding disagreement between Mayor Mike McGinn and the Museum of History and Industry, the majority of questions and comments that came his way were related to the damage done to the neighborhood and its businesses through graffiti and how to stop it.

Despite trying to prosecute as many taggers as possible, prosecutions are down 40 percent from the previous year, Holmes said.

By Steve Shay

A new book, Adios, Nirvana, may interest many area readers, perhaps even those who generally prefer to “wait ‘til the movie comes out.” That’s because this book is about life, death, and coming of age in West Seattle. Many local references are made, including Easy Street Records, Schmitz Park, Admiral Way, Delridge Way, the West Seattle Bridge, area bus lines, and even Eddie Vedder. The book’s author, Conrad Wesselhoeft, 56, is a Fauntleroy resident. The book is officially scheduled to be released Oct. 25, but may be available sooner.

Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Adios, Nirvana is classified as “YA” (young adult) fiction, but may become a “crossover,” as the story promises to resonate with adults, too, particularly those with teens of their own.

The September edition of the monthly West Seattle Artwalk is tonight Sept. 9 from 6 to 9 p.m.

Taking place in businesses all over West Seattle the Artwalk features a wide range of artistic expression from paintings, to photography, to jewelry and more.

If you have the time and don't mind driving a bit the art on display this month is worth it.

At the Twilight Artists Collective in the Junction at 4306 SW Alaska Street is "Hands On". Hands On is a group show featuring Seattle artists- Augie Pagan, Ego, Jeff Taylor, John Osgood, Jose Rodgrigues III, Justin P. Farquar, Parskid, Solace, Weirdo, and many more.

Featured at Carmilia's 4528 California Ave. s.w. is artist Kristina Griffiths. Weather permitting she will do a live painting on the sidewalk just outside of Carmilia's.

The Bohemian Restaurant at 3405 California Avenue Southwest, likely West Seattle's most eclectic restaurant, celebrated its second year in business Sept 8 and announced some new changes.

Run by brothers Eirik and Jason Rice the business has weathered the difficult economic times rather well with a steady flow of people seeking an alternative to "Soup, salad, entree, dessert, coffee, goodnight" as chef Jason Rice put it.

"Our biggest challenge has been to get people to think a little bit outside the box about conventional eating. Eating platters together, mixing and matching three and four items, getting a chance to share and experience more of the menu between a group of four people," said Jason.

Join local historian Peder Nelson on a walking tour of West Seattle's old-growth gem, Schmitz Preserve Park. Learn how this beautiful city park came to be and how it has remained an urban forest while traversing its many scenic trails. Experience West Seattle in its natural state!
September 18th, at 10:00am.

The tour will meet at the northwest entrance to the park on 58th Ave SW and SW Stevens St near Alki Elementary. Rain or Shine of course.

Free with museum membership (available pre-tour) or $5 donation.
For more information visit www.loghousemuseum.info or call 206-938-5293

Sponsored by the Southwest Seattle Historical Society (501C3) all proceeds benefit the Log House Museum

The Seattle Police Department has released new information on officer involved shooting incident Sept. 3 in the 6100 block of Admiral Way.
The West Seattle Herald's original coverage of that incident is here.

From the Seattle Police Department Blotter:

The suspect in the September 3rd officer involved shooting, Thomas J. Qualls, 59, remains in stable condition and under police guard at Harborview Medical Center.

The three officers involved are all assigned to the Patrol Operations Bureau, Southwest Precinct: Sergeant Steve Strand, 19 years of service, Officers Andy Peloquin, 16 years of service, and Officer Mark Gallegos, 1 year of service.

The sergeant and two officers are on paid administrative leave which is a normal practice after an officer involved shooting.

The investigation remains active and ongoing. The photos were made available today by the Seattle Police Homicide Unit.

9:30 p.m. Aug. 31 – 6 a.m. Sept. 1, 9000 Block of 24th Ave. N.W.

A custodian at North Lake Elementary told police unknown suspect(s) were on the school grounds after normal operating hours. The suspect(s) cut three locks on the grounds.

Two locks were securing a storage portable on the east side of the school. The portable holds gym equipment and nothing was missing.

The third lock secured a shed attached to a classroom portable on the north side of the school. The shed housed the electrical panel for the classroom and had had nothing to steal.

The custodian told police that nothing was stolen, but the locks were unusable and had to be replaced.

Noon Sept. 1, 100 Block of N.W. 85th St.

A man approached the victim, who had just withdrawn cash from an ATM and was pushing his young daughter in a stroller, and said, "Give me all your money, and I won't hurt you."

The victim gave the man $540, and the man left. The victim and his daughter were unharmed.

9:30 a.m. Sept. 2 – 2:55 p.m. Sept. 2, 4200 Block of Greenwood Ave. N.

The Link Apartments, under construction since last November on 38th s.w. saw a major milestone in the construction process today as the primary lift crane on the roof of the structure was taken down.

Harbor Properties is behind the project and notes that the construction will be complete in April of 2011. When finished the building will feature 14,000 square feet of street level Commercial/Retail and have 200 1 & 2 Bedroom Apartments, Studios and Garden Lofts. Also part of the building are a 3,200 square foot Indoor/Outdoor Rooftop Deck & Lounge Rooftop plus a P-Patch garden where residents can grow their own fresh vegetables.

The Link Apartments will be on the future RapidRide bus route and will have access to the fitness center at the nearby YMCA. The building will offer WIFI internet access in the lobby lounge and “Linked” private spaces. It is being built "Green Certified."