May 2013

Leighann Davis, owner of Wild Rose Antiques in the West Seattle Junction alerted us to the Wisteria now in full bloom that annually takes over nearly her entire Admiral District Home. The plant and blossoms are so large and numerous that it has made the house look like something from Lord of the Rings.

She responded to some of our questions about the massive floral display:

"The wisteria is very special. The house is over one hundred years old and I believe the wisteria is getting close to one hundred also as I've seen old photos of it. Flowering time depends on the amount of rain we have but I would say around one month.

When the flowers start falling you live, eat and sleep with them because every time you open a door they come flying in. You have to keep it pruned or it will literally take over the house and only a crazy person would fertilize it.

Some years are more stunning than others and I would say it's a little skimpy on blossoms this year but as you said it is still magnificent."

You can see a larger version of the whole display in the attached file, linked above.

West Seattle photographer (and Herald contributor) Steve Shelton whose images as a photographer have appeared in magazines and newspapers worldwide was out walking his dog in Lincoln Park on May 15 and as luck would have it, only had his iPhone when he spotted an amazing sight around 7pm. Others saw it too. Here's his story.

By Steve Shelton

Last time I checked there was no volcanic activity between Colman Pool and Lowman Beach. And underwater geysers have yet to be reported in the 40+ years I've been in this neighborhood.

So what was I to think when a spout of water some 30 feet high erupts 50 yards off shore accompanied by the sound of gushing water? Then as fast as the sound appeared it was silenced as the source slid back into the sea.

I was alarmed, but exhilarated at the same time. Something very special just happened. But I caught only a glimpse.

This was no seal. No otter. And no little fish. But so close to the water's edge. I was thinking, "What on earth?"

Airport workers and community allies are moving forward on a voter initiative to set wages and work conditions for the jobs of thousands of low-wage workers in and around SeaTac Airport.

Last week, airport workers who are part of the SeaTac Committee for Good Jobs filed an initiative petition with the city of SeaTac and have begun to collect signatures to get the measure qualified for presentation to the City Council, and for inclusion on the November ballot.

Committee representatives need 1,541 signatures, which is 15 percent of the registered voters from the November, 2011 city elections.

More than 90 volunteers came out last Saturday to gather signatures. The committee expects to gather enough signatures to qualify to get the measure qualified for presentation to the City Council, and for inclusion on the November ballot in the coming weeks.

An array of workers, faith and community supporters, union members and retirees are part of the SeaTac Committee for Good Jobs. Working Washington is also part of the committee.

The couple of Michael Keever and Kim Kowalski are residents of the homeless encampmentNickelsville and they love their dog. His name is Midnight and Keever describes him as, "mixed breed Black Lab, Terrier, Airedale, Irish Wolfhound, German Shepherd. A lot of different types."

"He was bred by some hippy kids in the U-District," said Michael, "almost twelve years ago and I got him as a puppy." Midnight came from a litter of 10 and Michael was told this dog was the standout as far as intelligence. "As soon as they laid down the training paper and pointed to it one time, he was the one who got it instantly."

Midnight's intelligence shows in his relationships too. "He wants permission before he does anything," which means he is purple collar dog. Keever explained this means a dog that, "absolutely will not nip or bite under any situation. He's safe with geriatric patients or children. Purple is the safest one."

Fresh from the desk of West Seattle's Crime Prevention Coordinator Mark Solomon, the May edition of his Seattle Police Newsletter is all about car prowls:

Dear Community Friends,

Car Prowls
Recently many of our neighborhoods have experienced a high degree of car prowls. This is a concern from Arbor Heights to Mount Baker, Rainier Beach to Alki, and all points in between. Car prowl is a regional problem, not just a neighborhood problem or a City of Seattle problem.
It’s frustrating in so many ways. There’s the loss of property. We often think items should be safe in our vehicles; we shouldn’t have to hide our stuff. In an ideal world, that would be true. Unfortunately, there are those who, given the opportunity, will steal from others. If there is something to take, they’ll take it. There’s the damage - if any - done to the vehicle. I say “if any” because many times, the thieves don’t have to break a window to gain entry to the car; the car is left unlocked.

May 24 UPDATE: Highline School Board members do not have to formally vote on the new security plan recently unveiled by district administrators.

District officials, however, emphasize that they would not move forward with the plan without informal board agreement.

While the district did hold a community meeting May 20 on the recommendations, a presentation was not given at the May 22 school board meeting.

Here is our previous coverage with corrections made:

School security officers will remain armed under a proposal announced May 14 by Highline Public Schools.

A public meeting will be held Monday, May 20, 6-7:30 p.m., at district headquarters (ERAC), 15675 Ambaum Blvd. S.W.

The school board holds its regular meeting on Wednesday, May 22, 6 p.m., at Southern Heights Elementary,11249 14th Ave. S.

Here is the news release from the district:

More extensive staff training and strong coordination with local law enforcement are the hallmarks of a proposal to improve safety and security at Highline schools. The proposal will be presented to the community at a public meeting on Monday, May 20.

KENT - Class 1A Tri-District 1/2/3 champion and Nisqually League titlist Seattle Christian charged past Cascade Christian 1-0 in a first round boys state soccer match up on Tues., May 14, at French Field to advance into a quarterfinal round game against Highland, a Tues. night 2-1 winner over Quincy. The encounter is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Sat., May 18, at Orting.

This was the third win against Cascade after previous 4-0 and 5-1 victories.

Although the score was close, the on the field action was dominated by the Seattle Christian Warriors (18-10

"We did everything well, except finish," said Warrior head coach David Peters. "There were plenty of shots, good passing and corner kicks.We kept bombing them with shots that hit cross bars or posts, but just couldn't get the shots to go in."

The one shot that did make into net came after the Seattle Christian team had quickly overrun the territory of the Cascade squad in opening action. SC threatened in almost every way possible until senior forward Grant Fremmerlid collaborated with midfielder Keaton Kerr who took a Fremmerlid pass to angle home a goal from the right side in the 15th minute of play.

With art viewers walking the streets of Pioneer Square on a sunny Thursday evening 20 or so people gathered in the projects public relations office, called Milepost 31, to listen to Chris Bambridge, tunnel specialist and consultant for WSDOT, explain how this incredible machine being assemble on Seattle’ waterfront will do its’ job.

Built in Japan the tunnel boring machine, referred to as a TBM, is the largest of its type in the world. You might think okay largest in the world means what? To give you a sense of how massive this machine is the cutting head is 57 feet in diameter. Orient the head to its vertical position and it’s almost the height of a six story building.

Watching two German powerhouse soccer clubs (Bayern vs. Dortmund) battle it out for the esteemed UEFA Champion title with hundreds of like-minded fans in the comfort of a movie theater with a massive screen (while donating food items for charity) ... sound like a good idea?

The West Seattle Soccer Club is sponsoring just such an experience on May 25.

Here are the details from WSSC:

West Seattle, WA - The West Seattle Soccer Club (WSSC) is excited to announce that we will be sponsoring the showing of the final match of the 2013 UEFA Champion's League at the Admiral Twin Theater on Saturday, May 25th. Admission is FREE for all of our soccer families and their invited guests. Children under 12 must be accompanied by and adult.

Please bring a kid-friendly food item to benefit the West Seattle Food Bank and help us end hunger in our community!

Pre-game will begin at 11:00 am, with the championship match between the German powerhouses Borussia Dortmund and FC Bayern Munich starting at 11:45am.

News release:

Motorists might want to avoid 1st Avenue South between 140th and 146th Streets this week as grinding and asphalt work will be taking place. Traffic could be congested especially during peak travel times (mid-day/lunch hour).

Access to driveways will be limited and may require using the next available access.

Please plan for extra travel time or consider alternative routes to destinations along 1st Avenue South.

The project is nearing completion with the final layer of asphalt coating to be applied within the next few weeks, weather permitting.