December 2010

Press Release:
Two construction projects begin next Monday, Jan. 3 that will create temporary reroutes for several King County Metro Transit bus routes that normally travel on First Avenue South through Pioneer Square and the SODO area of Seattle. Then in February, those buses – and others – will have new long-term routing.

The reroutes starting Monday will affect Metro routes: 21, 22, 56, 57, 85, 99, 116, 118, and 119. They will not serve any southbound stops on First Avenue South between Cherry/Washington streets and South Atlantic Street. Northbound bus service will not be affected.

Details for each route can be found in the online Alerts Center under the “construction and events” heading.

More changes in February
Starting Feb. 5, Metro will make long-term street and/or stop changes for about two dozen bus routes serving downtown Seattle to keep people moving during the multi-year construction in downtown Seattle and the SODO area. The February changes affect routes: 15, 15X, 16, 18, 18X, 21, 21X, 22, 23, 26, 26X, 27, 28, 28X, 37, 56, 56X, 57, 66X, 81, 85, 99, 111, 114, 116X, 118X, 119X, 124, 143, 157, and 161.

West Seattle resident and local architect Brett Wiggins, will return to the 14th annual Elvis Invitationals to compete to be crowned KING! Mr. Wiggins came in 2nd place last year and is returning to claim the crown of Seattle's Best Amateur Elvis.

To take place Saturday, January 8th, on what would be Elvis' 75th birthday, at Club Motor, 1950 1st Ave. South in Seattle's SODO neighborhood

This year he will perform "You've Lost That Loving Feeling" backed by a live band, The Kentucky Rain.

Over 20 other "Elvi" will be performing that evening.

More details and ticket info: http://www.SeattleInvitationals.com

As we wrap up 2010, this is a retrospective on the major crimes that occurred in West Seattle and White Center.

Below the crimes of 2010 you will find a recap of the best from West Seattle Herald’s Police Blotter – a lighter, more humorous take on crime and public safety.

Shane McClellan attacked and tortured
On May 25, 16-year-old Shane McClellan was attacked and tortured over four hours by two men, one African American and one Pacific Asian. The attack received national attention as a hate crime since one of the attackers screamed racial slurs about McClellan being white while he was beaten. The suspects have been charged with robbery in the first degree and malicious harassment.

Shane McClellan, beating victim ID’s attackers

Charges filed against Shane McClellan’s alleged attackers

Thomas J. Qualls shootout with police

7:48 a.m. on December 24th. 6500 block of 52nd Ave NE.

A home being remodeled was burgled on Christmas Eve. Workers stated they left the premises around 2:30 p.m. on December 23, locking up the home as they left. Upon arriving on the 24th, workers noticed the back door had been forced open and several hand tools were missing.

7 p.m. on December 25th 100 block of N.W. 85TH ST

A little before 7 p.m. on Christmas Day, an Asian male teenager walked into a store on 1st Ave N.W. and N.W. 85th carrying a steak knife and demanded money from a clerk.
The police report states that when the clerk refused, the teen said "I am serious, I am attempting to rob you. Call the Police."
"I can call the police for you, you don't have to do this though," the clerk responded.
Before the teen could further his demand, an elderly Asian female came into the store and said she was the teen's mother.
The woman and the teen got into an argument and then the woman told the clerk her son had mental problems.
The woman took her son out of the store and walked off.
The clerk reported the incident to the police, who were unable to locate the suspect.

Woodinville Firefighter Matt Durham has passed away. Durham was also a photojournalist whose photos appeared in many Seattle newspapers. Durham was chief photographer to the West Seattle Herald for many years.

UPDATE:

A Memorial Service has been announced for Woodinville Firefighter Matthew Durham. Durham died on December 30 after a short battle with Melanoma Cancer related to his work as a firefighter. A public memorial service is planned for Saturday January 8th at 1:00 p.m. The service will be held at Overlake Christian Church in Redmond, WA. The service will feature a fire service honor guard and Eastside Pipes and Drums. The public is welcome to attend the service and show their support to the Durham family and the Woodinville Fire & Rescue District.

# # #

Address for Overlake Christian Church
9900 Willows Road
Redmond, WA

The Seattle Fire Department reports that Seattle Firefighters rescued eight people from burning house in Ballard on N.W. 64th and 9th Ave N.W. early this morning. SPD assisted with one of the rescues.
When crews arrived at the flame-engulfed single-family house, the family members were trapped on the roof, including an elderly woman. Two were treated at at Harborview Medical Center for burns but there were no life threatening injuries.

Burien resident Kathie White reported her 2002 Chevrolet Camaro stolen at the beginning of September. Police soon recovered the car and instead of returning it to White took it to impound.
Four months later White still does not have her car back and the person whose house it was recovered at has not been charged.
While ownership of the car is pretty clear to White, it is not as clear to the state Department of Licensing or the prosecutor.
While White has the original title to the car, the person whose house the police picked the car up at also has a title for the car in her name, supposedly transferred to her from White.
White suffers from lupus and was in the hospital for a couple of weeks during August. The woman who White believes stole the car used to work with White and knew when White was going to be in the hospital.
It is during her stay at the hospital White believes an old title was stolen from her house and used to transfer the title fraudulently.
The licensing department has cancelled the title, but says they cannot release the car without an order from a judge.

WSJunction.org is reminding West Seattle at large that New Years Day is good occasion to enjoy a brunch in the Junction. Here's their post:

After your midnight celebrations into 2011 tonight, you might be looking for a bite to eat tomorrow…Come to The Junction! You can find brunch at West 5, Jak’s Grill and Shadowland all starting up at 10 am! If that’s too early for you, come grab some breakfast all day (or lunch) at Easy Street or some lunch at Elliott Bay (as well as any of the previously mentioned establishments).

The tweet went out today to let everyone know.

"We will be open on Monday, Jan. 3rd! Happy Hour is from 3-6pm; dinner service begins at 5pm. Please come and check us out!"

After a soft opening and getting their systems and menu more refined the new restaurant at 2940 s.w. Avalon Way will finally open.

As the West Seattle Herald first brought you on Nov. 8 the process to bring the restaurant back to life has been fairly brief but not without it's challenges as we outlined in our earlier story.

The entire Avalon neighborhood may see future issues as the Rapid Ride program from Metro moves forward.
Till then, this new restaurant is hoping to see customers from West Seattle and the rest of the city.

Press Release:

Twelfth Night Productions, West Seattle's own community theatre is partnering up with Family Promise of Seattle this holiday season to change the lives of homeless children and their families. West Seattlites are
familiar with Twelfth Night's productions and reputation of putting on quality theatrical productions, giving opportunity for local community members to shine on stage. But, did you know that the the production
company regularly partners up with local non-profits and community groups to make a difference right here in West Seattle?

This year, Twelfth Night will once again bring the holiday opera, "Amahl and the Night Visitors," to the stage. Amahl is a touching story about a poor young shepherd and his mother who receive a visit from the Three Kings on their way to Bethlehem. This fully scored orchestrated production is a perfect way to cap off your holiday celebrations, and is appropriate for patrons of all ages! And while you attend the show,