Seattlest

UW Women's Cross Country to Defend National Title

Amy Mikel — 2009-11-20T12:30:23-08:00

University of Washington’s cross country teams head down to Terre Haute, Indiana this weekend for the NCAA National Division I Men’s and Women’s Cross Country Championship races, which take place on Monday morning. Should be interesting, it’s no big deal--the women are only returning as defending National Champions since they clinched the very first NCAA Championship in program history last year.

It’s been 11 years since a UW program has successfully defended a National Championship. (Women’s Crew won back-to-back titles in 1997 and 1998.) But as the No. 1-ranked women’s team is so far undefeated this year, with eleven straight wins dating back to last season, let’s just hope nothing goes horribly, horribly wrong.

The women have been consistently strong all year, ranked No. 1 since the preseason, while the men’s team has rallied to tiptoe up the charts, ranked 24th nationally preseason and entering the NCAA Championships ranked as 17th. The men’s team placed 18th at Nationals last year.

UW is hosting a live viewing of the race Monday morning at the Ram Restaurant in the University Village Mall. Doors open at 9:00 a.m. The race will be also streamed on CBS college sports and NCAA.com. VERSUS (formally Outdoor Life Network) will be televising the meet as well. Or, keep tabs via UW’s track & field twitter feed. Men’s race begins at 9:08 a.m. PST, Women's at 9:58 a.m.

Excavator Rampage in Stanwood

Regis Lacher — 2009-11-20T10:02:00-08:00

The weapon of choice of Stanwood rampagers.

Whew! What a week for weird crimes. So far we've had self-styled ninjas wounding themselves, crossbow-wielding attackers, an underage drunk driver turning herself in and a miraculously harmless 8-story fall. (Okay, that last one isn't a "crime," but you get what we're saying. It's been a weird week for violence.) Now, to cap it off this Friday: a construction equipment rampage in Stanwood.

KIRO reports that a Stanwood man hijacked an excavator in an attempt to destroy buildings at a local business. The as-yet unnamed man destroyed a construction trailer and a couple of water tanks before rolling the excavator.

The driver of the excavator was taken in with minor injuries and will be charged upon release from the hospital. Besides him, no one was hurt. Frustratingly, there is as yet no indicator of what his motives were, although police say it wasn't an act of ecoterrorism.

What's going on with Washington criminals? Did something snap last week, and now guns and knives and stolen cars aren't enough for them? We're hoping things don't escalate to Killdozer-caliber levels.

More Reasons to Love the Sounders, Soccer

Robert C. — 2009-11-19T17:00:00-08:00

Aside from on-field accomplishments, one of the shining successes of the Sounders FC organization was its connection to fans and the community at large. Today, as part of festivities leading up to Sunday's MLS Cup at Qwest Field, a few Sounders are chipping in to build an entire elementary school playground. In one day.

Sounders FC Captain Kasey Keller, along with Peter Vagenas, Fredy Montero and James Riley, joined other MLS players, Home Depot associates, and Seattle Schools volunteers in the day-long project at Van Asselt Elementary, just across I-5 from Boeing Field. After today, the school's 600 students will have a shiny, brand-new place for recess.

The Home Depot and Seattle Public Schools funded today's undertaking, also co-organized by MLS W.O.R.K.S.--the league's community outreach initiative--and a nonprofit group that constructs play areas across the country called KaBOOM! (Not to be confused with the household cleaner sold in infomercials).

But wait, there's more! On Saturday, Sounders FC players, city officials, and other volunteers will plant trees and pick up litter around Qwest Field as part of "Clean and Green Seattle"--another MLS W.O.R.K.S. project in conjunction with the City of Seattle. Also, it's just good form to clean up before thousands of guests arrive.

As if that weren't enough, MLS, as part of its environmental platform GREENER GOALS, will distribute reusable bags and eco-tip wallet guides to fans attending Sunday's game, AND purchase carbon offsets to offset all the electricity used at the stadium that day. Yay, soccer!

The Ninja Warriors Among Us

Mary Perkins — 2009-11-19T14:00:00-08:00

"Not Really Sure if I Believe This Guy" by Chip Py, from our Flickr pool

If Seattle is going to make national news, it might as well be for ninjas. A lone man was found by Seattle Police on Monday night screaming atop a 5 foot fence post. He claimed he wasn’t being chased, and merely "overestimated his own ninja skills." This overestimation led to impalement atop said fence post and a trip to Harborview Medical Center. Apparently, the man found himself on the fence post after fleeing a fight outside of a sports bar. Police believe alcohol may have played a (very significant) role.

If inept ninjas weren’t enough for Seattle, today brings the news that a local man was shot with a crossbow Wednesday evening. The attacker apparently hid and waited outside the victim’s home. The victim is reportedly is in stable condition after also being taken to Harborview Medical Center. The attacker remains at large, presumably still in possession of a crossbow with one less arrow in its quiver.

Together, these reports raise some very serious questions. Is the change in seasons ushering in a new era of creative weaponry? Where are the pirates in all of this? And, is it just a coincidence that the new Warner Bros. movie Ninja Assassin comes out next week? We ponder the answers to these questions and hope that the next wave of ninja news isn’t quite so gruesome.

Today in Incredible Selfishness: Rainier Valley Food Bank Burgled

Regis Lacher — 2009-11-19T10:02:00-08:00

The Rainer Valley Food Bank was burgled. You can go ahead and let your face fall into a rictus of unspeakable shock and anger now; this is a textbook "justifiable rage" moment.

Thieves broke the lock on the food bank's storage locker and took around 30 crates of potatoes, onions, canned food, peanut butter, and other items--around $1500-$2000 worth of food earmarked to be given to needy families over the weekend as part of the food bank's Thanksgiving distribution. The Rainer Valley Food Bank provides food to around 10,000 people per month, up from about half that this time last year.

We can only imagine what goes through someone's mind as they steal 30 goddamn crates of food from a food bank--a place where, if they'd asked, they'd have been given food for free.

But speaking of textbook moments, if there was ever an opportune time to give, this is it! You can bring your donations to the Rainier Valley Food Bank, 4205 Rainier Avenue South, Tuesday through Saturday, from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The food bank takes healthy nonperishables like canned soup, vegetables, fruit, tuna, and chicken, and boxed dinners. You can also donate online.

Update! Group Health says it will help restock the stolen food. PCC is also donating $1,000 worth of food. And if you're still interested in donating, check this list out. Hat tip to Monica Guzman at the PI.

Greenwood Arson Suspect Identified; Taproot Rebuilding After Fire

Amy Mikel — 2009-11-17T12:45:14-08:00

Via Flickr. Photo by Scott Nolte, Producing Artistic Director.

The Seattle Times reported over the weekend that Seattle police have arrested a primary "person of interest" in the recent rash of Greenwood arsons. Kevin Todd Swalwell, a middle-aged homeless man, has been convicted of arson in the past and has since been linked to several fires after a tip put Swalwell on detectives' radar.

Stawell’s court appearance is scheduled for today, where King Country prosecutors are expected to formally charge him with felony arson. "Detectives believe Swalwell is responsible for some, if not all, of the arsons in Greenwood," acting Assistant Police Chief Paul McDonagh said Friday at a press conference.

The biggest commercial arson in the neighborhood was a three-alarm fire which broke out in the Eleanor Roosevelt Building directly east of Taproot Theater on October 23rd, obliterating three restaurants and a coffee house and causing over $2 million worth of damage. Green Bean Coffee House, the Szechuan Bistro, CC Teriyaki, and Pho Tic Tac were rendered "black holes in the side of the old brick building," yet over a hundred firefighters worked to successfully save the Taproot space--the most prominent arts organization in the Greenwood area.

While fire did enter the Taproot building in spots, the performance space, scenic, and costume shops were fortunately not damaged, nor were the theater’s server and database. Closing weekend performances of Enchanted April were relocated to the Seattle Children’s Theatre. Temporary homes were found for the theater’s Acting Studio Classes as well as the costume shop, production offices, and box office.

The Taproot space has since been stripped down to the studs, with plans to restore the theater’s auditorium and lobbies for the January 2010 season opener. But despite the challenges posed by the fire, Taproot is still producing a holiday show. With no suitable space to be found, Taproot’s planned world premiere of Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Christmas Carol has had to be postponed until next holiday season; It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, one of Taproot’s most popular past holiday productions, will be staged instead at the Stage One Theatre at North Seattle Community College.

Theatergoers can still get a taste of next year’s holiday premiere with two staged readings of Sherlock Holmes, to be held at McKinley Hall at Seattle Pacific University. All proceeds from the pay-what-you-can productions will be donated to the Greenwood Fire Relief Fund.

It’s a Wonderful Life // Stage One Theatre at North Seattle Community College // Nov. 25-Dec. 30 // $20-33
Sherlock Holmes staged readings // Seattle Pacific University’s McKinley Hall, 3307 Third Avenue West // December 4 & 5 // 8:00 p.m.

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Weekend Sports Roundup: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Robert C. — 2009-11-16T15:44:00-08:00

Saturday and Sunday’s one-two punch of football losses had us feeling a little like boxer Miguel Cotto after his own weekend beatdown at the gloved hands of Manny Pacquiao. Except without all the bleeding from the face and stuff.

Luckily there was one bright spot (and we don’t mean the kind you see after getting knocked silly) thanks to…

The Good: The Husky Men’s Basketball team, Saviors of Montlake, who banged out three wins in three days this weekend; The third, a 111-55 tenderizing of Portland State. Minus big man Jon Brockman, this year’s pack seems to be holding its own with a #14 national ranking. We’ll be latching onto them to get through a long, cold winter because, frankly, we don’t have a choice.

Good thing they’re winning, unlike…

The Bad: The Seahawks. About a month ago, the Cardinals were really bad houseguests at Qwest Field. They ate all our food, broke a lamp, and left a 27-3 defeat in our toilet. Sunday in Arizona, the Hawks looked for a minute like they just might return the favor. We shed hair in the bathtub, played loud music and grabbed a 14-0 lead.

Then just before we decided to torch the place, guilt set in (why are we so nice?), and all of a sudden we started doing our own dishes and vacuumed a bit. By the fourth quarter we were like, "Thank you soo much for letting us come over!" as we gave them 14 points and two interceptions.

On our way out, we neatly folded the sheets, left mints on the pillow, and ended our desert stay with a 31-20 defeat.

But it wasn’t as bad as…

The Ugly: UW Football. Unlike closer, nail-biting losses of earlier this season, Saturday’s 48-21 loss to Oregon State was an old-fashioned romp. Bowl dreams deferred, we’re now looking big-picture. We might only be 3-7, but, as Times’ writer Bob Condotta notes, remember how we didn’t win last season, ever?

There are two games left this year, and one more victory is in reach. Cougs, we swear in the name of the Dawgfather Don James if you don’t lose to us in the Apple Cup like you're supposed to, you’ll find Butch’s dismembered head in your bed.

Other notes:

-Sounders FC midfielder Freddie Ljungberg was named to the MLS Best XI, the season's best players by position.

-Go halvsies on your Mariners season tickets with fellow fans! ("Yeah I’ll take the Yankees series if you want the Orioles. Cool?")

-The desolation of Oklahoma City has finally gotten to Kevin Durant.

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It's Fish v Pebbles in Alaska...and in Seattle

Ronald — 2009-11-16T11:00:00-08:00

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A baker's dozen of Seattle eateries are featuring Bristol Bay sockeye this week, to call attention to the dangers the fish will face from a proposed open pit mine. Save Bristol Bay's salmon by eating salmon, they say! But a woman in Alaska thinks you should boycott those restaurants.

First, the fish side of the story, told to coincide with Pacific Marine Expo 2009 later this week, the largest commercial marine trade show on the West Coast. Bristol Bay, some 200 miles southwest of Anchorage and surrounded by thousands of square miles of Alaskan tundra, is "home" to a third of the world's salmon: that is, they pass through the bay en route to their spawning grounds. It's a majestic landscape, inhabited only by a handful of native villages. Except for the salmon fishery, out on the treacherous waters, there's no industry.

Enter the developers in the form of Northern Dynasty, parent company of mining project called the Pebble Partnership. A wealth of minerals lies beneath the tundra, and Pebble wants it. Gold, copper, molybdenum silver, rhenium, palladium. The land was opened to mining in the waning days of the Bush administration, and the project had the enthusiastic support of Alaska's former governess, Sarah Palin. Trouble is, getting at the riches would require a vast open-pit mine, the world's biggest, on the headwaters of Bristol Bay. The pit would measure 15 miles across; the dam to hold back the mine's toxic tailings would be 700 feet high and 4.5 miles across, the world's most massive, bigger than the 3 Rivers dam in China, and built on a seismic fault.

Kevin Davis, the chef at Steelhead Diner and an avid fly fisherman, is alarmed. He's gone to Washington DC to lobby against Pebble Partnership's plans. (Sunday evening he was being interviewed by Q13 News.) Seth Caswell, owner of Emmer & Rye and president of the Seattle Chefs Cooperative, is worried about the threats the mine would post to Alaska's native culture. John Shively, on the other hand, CEO of the Pebble Partnership, says the chefs don't understand the project or appreciate what it could do for the people of the region. Going a step further, Gail Phillips up in Anchorage is outraged by the behavior of the 13 Seattle chefs who are sticking their noses into Alaska's business. Boycott them, she says!

Seattlest agrees. By all means boycott these restaurants. Show 'em who's boss. Seriously, Ms. Phillips, are you nuts? Every single visitor and every single local knows Seattle is famous for salmon. Like it or leave it, salmon is at the heart of Seattle's restaurant economy. Thanks to "activist chefs" like Caswell and Davis, we now get some of that wonderful Alaska fish down here in the Lower 48, and we serve it to visitors from around the world. You should try some.

For the record, here are the restaurants Ms. Phillips would have you boycott: Art of the Table, Chiso, Emmer & Rye, Flying Fish, Persimmon, Ponti Seafood Grill, Rover's, Steelhead Diner, Tilth, Tilikum Place Cafe, Pike Brewing Co., Palace Kitchen and Etta's Seafood.

Around The -Ists This Week

Regis Lacher — 2009-11-15T12:00:00-08:00

Photo by Clayton Hauck

Chicagoist occupied itself with Twilight and pillow fights.
Seattlest reminded us that we don't watch Mariners baseball for the game, we watch it for the player-on-player bromance.
Phillyist got personal this week, calling the man who stole a staffer's purse their official asshole of the week.
Torontoist thought about personal blogging, with special guest Lauren White (known better on the internet as Raymi the Minx).
Austinist had a chat with John Krasinski (Jim on The Office) about adapting David Foster Wallace's Brief Interviews with Hideous Men for the big screen.
Shanghaiist stopped making out in public, after getting wind that there was a group of PDA police tasked with ensuring that our displays of affection stay off the streets.
Gothamist was sad to hear that a dog which was brutally beaten and thrown off a building was, after being nursed back to health, euthanized by the ASPCA, which determined her to be too aggressive.
SFist wondered who paid for Mayor Gavin Newsom's life coach.
LAist interviewed Obama's campaign manager David Plouffe, stirring up talk of still-hot topics like John McCain, Rev. Wright, political journalism, and the concept of change.
DCist watched as a real life nature show unfolded at the National Zoo when a deer wandered in to the lion habitat on a busy Sunday afternoon.
Londonist mourned (or celebrated) the demise of poor quality free evening newspapers and loved/hated bendy buses on busy routes.

Around the Sound: The Week in News

Mary Perkins — 2009-11-13T15:00:00-08:00

"Happiness" by BrittneyBush, from our Flickr pool.

King County is set to close its animal shelters at the end of January due to lack of funds.
Police arrested a male suspect in a series of arsons in Greenwood.
Thousands turned out at a memorial for UW undergrad Brittany Hollenbach, who was struck and killed by a car earlier this week.
And finally, don’t read this if you ever want to sit on the toilet again.

Griffey-Ichiro Ticklefest to Continue Another Year

Robert C. — 2009-11-12T13:00:00-08:00

When Ichi Met Griffey

We love Ken Griffey Jr. for so many reasons.

We love him for homeruns he hit, and homeruns he robbed. We love the timeless image of him chugging around third base against the Yankees in the legendary Game Five, and the one from seconds later, smiling wide underneath a pigpile of grown men.

We love that he came back to the team that built him, and we love the stadium he built.

But throughout last season, we learned to love him for another reason: how happy he makes Ichiro.

With Wednesday’s announcement that Ken Griffey Jr. would rejoin the Mariners for one more year, we’re not only seeing the return of a Mariner icon, but the revival of the best Seattle bromance since Bill Gates and Paul Allen.

By all accounts, Griffey’s presence in the 2009 clubhouse lifted players’ spirits--and none more valuable than of the previously glum Ichiro. Part of Griffey’s modus operandi was reportedly merciless surprise tickle attacks while the nine-time Gold Glover tried to stretch.

Ichi, meanwhile, confessed only Griffey was allowed to attempt such an assault. Anyone else would be punched in the face--not an empty threat from someone revered for his hitting ability.

Via his agent, Ichiro reacted to Wednesday’s news from Japan saying, "What Junior brings to our team is professionalism and experience of a great player, but more than that, a great and wonderful person. Junior is good for the team, good for the young players, good for the city. He is a wonderful man and I am honored to be his teammate."

Can you feel the warm fuzzies?

If you need further proof that these two were meant to be together, you have to watch this amazing ‘90s video of Griffey and a boyish Ichiro’s first meeting at a Cincinnati Japanese restaurant. As best we can surmise, it was for a Japanese TV program that is surprisingly not a hilarious game show. You can fast forward to the actual meeting at about 1:50, or enjoy the first part where Ichi learns all about the NHL at a Mighty Ducks game (oh, the ‘90s). The blousy sweatshirts, tight fades and Japanese voiceover are priceless.

Don’t know about you, but I’d keep my eyes peeled at Benihana for a similar man-date come April.

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Hey, Veterans: Get Your Free Stuff

Regis Lacher — 2009-11-11T09:38:20-08:00

It's Veteran's Day, and in true American fashion, businesses are appreciating our servicemen by giving them free stuff. If you're a veteran, you're eligible for the following:

Free burgers (and cheeseburgers) at Dick's from 10:30 to closing.

Free dinners at Applebee's, all day.

Free admission at the Museum of History and Industry.

Free car washes at Brown Bear.

Free admission to the Veteran's Day Ceremony at the Museum of Flight. The Boeing Employees' concert band plays at noon.

SHARE to Homeless: "Camp Out or Get Out"

Mary Perkins — 2009-11-10T19:00:00-08:00

"In the Shadows of Society" by Taylor Hain , from our Flickr pool.

The local homeless advocacy organization SHARE is forcing its residents to participate in camp out protests in front of elected officials’ homes, reports PubliCola.

SHARE (which stands for Seattle Housing And Resource Effort) made news this summer in a series of overnight protests in front of city council members' houses. These "camp outs" were meant to persuade the council to give homeless residents funding for transport to and from SHARE's shelters. The council agreed, but with the stipulation that SHARE keep their shelters open year-round, something that SHARE says it doesn’t have the money to do.

PubliCola first reported on rumors that the protests were not-so-voluntary on October 15th. At the time, most of the evidence was based on interviews with homeless people involved in the protests. Now comes the news that SHARE memos specifically outlined a plan of action that forced shelter residents to vote for an ultimatum: either "SHUT DOWN" (the shelter) or "SLEEP OUT" (in front of elected officials’ homes). PubliCola has the most recent memo:

The memo, dated November 6, tells shelter residents that although the protests are "NOT mandatory," the alternative is to "take a hiatus from SHARE"—that is, find somewhere else to sleep during the time of year when shelters are crowded because of the rain and cold—"and come back when it is over with absolutely NO penalty whatsoever. Shelters may also elect to close down rather than participate.

Not mandatory apparently, if you’ve got a place to sleep at night that isn’t in one of SHARE’s shelters. SHARE’s next protest is planned in five weeks time, no word yet on if Jamie Foxx will be participating in character (although we doubt they can afford him).

The good news in all of this is that Seattle voters just passed a levy that will create 1,850 units of affordable and low-income housing units and help 3,420 poor households with housing. Obviously Seattle still has a long way to go toward a long-term solution to the homeless problem, but this certainly can’t hurt as we head into the worst season for those without a roof over their heads.

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Arson Reward Increased to $25,000

Regis Lacher — 2009-11-10T17:00:00-08:00

Taproot Theatre is adding its insurance coverage to the NW Insurance Council's reward for apprehending the arsonists responsible for the recent fires throughout Greenwood, bringing the award up to $25,000.

The Taproot Theatre was one of several businesses damaged by an October 23 intentional fire, just one in a string of arsons in the Greenwood neighborhood. There have been seven arsons in Greenwood since June, including two fires set last Thursday and one set this Sunday evening, which scorched but did not damage longtime resident Moonphoto. The Seattle Fire Department believes all were set by the same person.

The Seattle Fire Department and the Seattle Police Department be holding a meeting tonight at the Phinney Ridge Lutheran Church, 7500 Greenwood Ave. North, to discuss the string of fires. The meeting begins at 7:00 p.m.; doors at 6:30 p.m.

In better news, the Green Bean Coffeehouse, which was gutted by an October 23 fire, is reopening in a temporary location this weekend. They'll be taking over the Sip & Ship at 8560 Greenwood Ave N.

If you've got any information about these arsons, call the Arson Hotline at 800-55-ARSON.

Requiem For a Dream Season

Robert C. — 2009-11-09T19:00:00-08:00

For at least ten hours after the final whistle blew on the Sounders season, we wore our Rave Green jersey and scarf in mourning, and maybe some denial.

In Houston Sunday, it was another physical match, another scoreless draw after regulation. And ultimately, it was one line drive volley by former USL Sounders player Brian Ching that ended Seattle’s inaugural season 1-0 in extra time.

When last we wrote, we said that an inability to finish scoring chances undid the Sounders on their home pitch. Sunday we saw much of the same, with shots sailing or rolling wide, or being skillfully rebuked by Dynamo GK, Pat Onstad.

We feared this might happen--nearly 30 years of being a Seattle sports fan has conditioned us to think this way--but in our heart of hearts we really thought the Sounders would come back victorious.

Sunday afternoon felt a bit like that October day in 1995 when the Cleveland Indians snuffed out the Mariners “Refuse to Lose” fairy tale run. Remember little Joey Cora weeping in the dugout after the game, being consoled by then-Mariner Alex Rodriguez? After the final whistle, we felt a lot like that, except we were in a half-empty bar (not a dugout), being consoled by a half-empty beer (not a prick).

We just didn’t want it to end.

The irony: playoffs were a bonus we never even expected. Aside from the post-season, the list of Sounders accomplishments this year was already much to be proud of. We’ll begin to focus on that again, and next season soon enough. But for now, we grieve.

The magic carpet ride, as Kevin Calabro would say, is over for 2009. Thanks, Sounders, for a year beyond imagination.

First Kick at Qwest Field is March 25, 2010. Only four months, 16 days and counting.

Other Weekend Sports notes:

If you didn’t see enough roughness in the Sounders/Houston matchups, check out this girl. She will cut you.

The Huskies gave former coach Rick Neuheisel and UCLA their first Pac-10 win of the year. At least we have the Apple Cup to look forward to.

The Seahawks beat the Detroit Lions. Also, a tree fell in the forest.