West Seattle Blog…

Congratulations! Denny-to-Sealth scholar Jasmine Smith wins national spelling competition

Midway through her summer between leaving Denny International Middle School and entering Chief Sealth International High School, 14-year-old Jasmine Smith has achieved something big – winning the “Spell It Like It Is” competition at a national summit for youth mentors.

The news comes from Denny principal Jeff Clark and from mentoring leaders Hazel Cameron and Donald Cameron from the 4C Coalition. They took a group of six youth, two mentors, and two parents to Orlando, Florida July 18th-21st for the National Alliance of Faith and Justice‘s 6th annual “Take a Stand to Keep a Seat” National Youth Mentoring Training Summit, held in collaboration with the 41st Annual Conference and Training Institute of the National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice.

The official announcement explains that, “This summit/conference and training institute officially launched a multi-year national collaborative focus on the cooperation of law enforcement, incarcerated parents, mentors, and youthful stakeholders in reducing the ‘school to prison’ pipeline from America’s classrooms, particularly for African American males.” A key focus is preventing summertime “learning losses” when school is out, and that has led to the Pen Or Pencil Movement (POP). Jasmine studied for the “Spell It Like It Is” spelling competition as part of POP. Last year’s national winner was also from Seattle and also a 4C mentee, Rainier Beach High School student Savannah Bell. Congratulations to 4C, its mentees, and mentors!

Is your party signed up? One week from tonight: Night Out 2014

One more nudge: One week from tonight, thousands of people all around the city will be out having block parties, as part of Night Out 2014 – the official time slot is 6-9 pm Tuesday, August 5th. Provided you’re not on a major arterial, if you’d like to close your street for the occasion, you need to sign up – here’s the place to start. As we do every year, we’ll be out covering West Seattle’s Night Out, and we’re always happy to hear where you’re having your party, so we can stop by for a photo and add your neighborhood to our coverage – editor@westseattleblog.com.

Followup: New owners of eviction-fight house say they’re taking the city to court

(July 18 WSB photo)
A new development late today in the fight over a Morgan Junction house that’s been the subject of a showdown over foreclosure and eviction. Eight days ago, Mayor Ed Murray announced he was telling police to stand by until the circumstances Byron and Jean Barton‘s legal fight over the house was clearer; this afternoon, we received the following announcement from a law firm representing the company that bought the house at foreclosure auction in April:

Triangle Property Development has taken legal action to force Seattle Mayor Ed Murray and the Seattle Police Department to uphold the law by removing the illegal trespassers from a West Seattle house.

The company filed the document, formally called a writ of mandamus, in King County Superior Court more than a week after Murray ordered police officers to stand down rather than remove Byron and Jean Barton from the house, which they had broken into after being legally evicted by King County Sheriff’s deputies. Triangle Property Development bought the house at a foreclosure auction in April, more than two years after the Bartons stopped making mortgage payments.

“Mayor Murray’s refusal to uphold the law is undermining the legal process by preventing a property owner from lawfully using and possessing its property,’’ said Synthia Melton, legal counsel for Triangle Property Development. “The legal issues the mayor refers to in this case have already been determined by the courts. The Mayor’s inaction is supporting criminal trespass, and can set dangerous precedent for how court-ordered evictions will be executed, making it more difficult for law enforcement to perform its job.”

Click to read the rest of Followup: New owners of eviction-fight house say they’re taking the city to court…

West Seattle Crime Watch: Seen this stolen white Acura?

Last stolen car reported in Crime Watch here was found by a reader – so maybe it’ll happen this time too. Keep watch for the car stolen from Michael, who sent this note today:

Yesterday I found that my car was stolen from the front of my house on the 5000 block of Beach Drive SW [map] between 11:30 am-8 pm. A report has been filed already. The car was a white 1998 Acura CL 3.0, license 609-MMM. If anyone notices anything, could they please contact me at satwick@mindspring.com, or police.

Noticing unusual state ferry activity across the Sound? M/V Tacoma stalls, M/V Sealth tows

1:19 PM: Water-watchers know the regular Bainbridge and Bremerton Washington State Ferries routes by heart, so it’s not hard to see when something digresses from the usual pattern. Right now, M/V Sealth has diverted from the Bremerton route to go check out trouble reported with M/V Tacoma, which is reported to be stalled by Bainbridge Island. You can track both via WSF’s VesselWatch.

1:26 PM: Update via Kitsap Sun reporter Josh Farley on Twitter:

The person whose photos he has re-tweeted is Van Badzik, who also tweeted this:

That’s West Seattle in the backdrop, east of where the ferry-towing is happening alongside Bainbridge.

1:39 PM: As noted in comments, and also now reported by the Kitsap Sun, the tug Thea Foss is headed over to help.

2:46 PM: The Tacoma is en route to Bainbridge to offload. WSF says the Bainbridge/Seattle run is one boat only TFN.

West Seattle outdoor art: Youngstown mural painting, starting today

Stopped by Youngstown Cultural Arts Center at midday to check on the progress of this year’s mural project – and we discovered the young artists are officially starting work on the mural today! They actually have been working on the 210-foot retaining wall along Delridge for a while now, but first job was to get it primed, and now that that’s done, it’s mural-painting time. That’ll take about two weeks – the grand unveiling is planned for August 14th. As noted here last month, this is part of the same city-funded summertime program that resulted in more than a dozen mini-murals on signal boxes along Delridge last year. The youth are working with professional artists, and according to this online update, they welcome community volunteers, too.

What’s ahead for the rest of your West Seattle Tuesday

(Photo by Laura Goodrich, shared via Flickr)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

SPOKE AND FOOD: Bicycle to dinner tonight! More than a dozen venues around the city are donating part of tonight’s proceeds to the Outdoors For All Foundation as part of the annual Spoke and Food fundraiser – dinner, 5-10 pm. West Seattle’s participating venue is Marination ma kai (WSB sponsor) at Seacrest; White Center has Proletariat Pizza.

JUNCTION NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATION: Unlike many neighborhood councils, JuNO *is* meeting this month, and you’re invited, 6:30 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle. JuNO director René Commons says, “We will be discussing plans for the Neighborhood Night Out August 5th at Junction Plaza Park & our agenda for the fall. Hope to see you there!” (Oregon/California)

PUNK ROCK AEROBICS: New session starts tonight at Alki Community Center, 6:45 pm – all sizes, fitness levels encouraged. Details in our calendar listing. (5817 SW Stevens)

LOTS OF NIGHTLIFE: Music, trivia, karaoke, bingo … see the individual listings on the calendar!

TWO MONTHS FROM TODAY … is the September 29th deadline to apply to be part of this November’s Fauntleroy Fine Art and Holiday Gift Show. Interested? Info’s in our listing.

Shower shutdown at Seacrest, Alki: You can’t rinse yourself off any more because of pollution concerns

ORIGINAL REPORT, 10:33 AM: That photo from Alki Bathhouse shows a shower you can’t use any more because of pollution concerns. Paul shared it, with the note: “I, the lady with the two kids covered in sand at Alki Beach today and every scuba diver in Seattle would be interested in knowing how our tap water is harmful to Puget Sound (especially when we still have combined sewer overflow running untreated into Puget Sound every time it rains)?” The shower at Seacrest Boathouse has the same status and signage. So we checked with Seattle Parks, whose spokesperson David Takami replied:

In early July, Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) staff checked for possible prohibited discharges at two locations in West Seattle:

* The outside shower at Alki Bathhouse, where pottery equipment had been washed; and

* The fish-cleaning sink and divers’ showers at Seacrest Park.

SPU administers the City of Seattle’s compliance with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) stormwater permit. NPDES is a program of the federal Environmental Protection Agency.

SPU determined that prohibited substances were present and draining directly into Puget Sound. Used water from showers and sinks may contain dirt, chemicals, chlorine and other substances that are not allowed to be directly discharged into the Sound. Upon notification, Seattle Parks and Recreation staff turned off the water at these two sites. Staff are looking into short- and long-term solutions.

We posted signs at both locations that read “The outside shower has been turned off or removed because it drains directly into Puget Sound in violation of the Federal Clean Water Act.”

We’re checking with SPU to find out more, including whether this is a citywide crackdown.

5:40 PM UPDATE: Spoke with an SPU rep, Louise Kulzer, a short time ago and got some answers, though it was recommended that we contact someone tomorrow who would likely have even more specifics. This, she said, originated with a complaint – the city has long acknowledged that many of its actions are complaint-based rather than proactive, and this seems to be one such case. Kulzer said, however, that the specific action of shutting down the showers would have been Parks’ choice to remedy the problem of discharging prohibited substances directly into Puget Sound. Even if not for a complaint, SPU does routinely inspect businesses and city facilities and might eventually have discovered this anyway, we’re told. We asked if parks in any other areas had been ordered to remedy similar problems, and Kulzer didn’t have that information handy – that’s something we should be able to ask about tomorrow.

TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Tuesday updates; W. Marginal Way reopens after 4-hour tipped-truck shutdown

(SCROLL DOWN for updates on truck trouble that’s blocking W. Marginal in 4500 block)

(WS bridge and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
6:16 AM: Good morning! No road work or closures announced for today. So, we start by looking ahead to later this week:

BLUE ANGELS I-90 BRIDGE CLOSURES: Our daily reminder this week for midday/afternoon drivers – I-90 bridge closures are Thursday-Sunday – here’s the schedule.

ROXBURY SAFETY PROJECT: 6 pm Thursday at Southwest Library, it’s your first look at what’s being proposed to make SW Roxbury safer.

And in transportation news:

TUNNEL TIMETABLE: Some snags in the process of digging down to the Highway 99 tunnel-boring machine, as Mike Lindblom reports at SeattleTimes.com (WSB partner). Here’s how WSDOT explains it.

7:27 AM: Thanks to the texter who just alerted us – the fire callout in the 4500 block of West Marginal Way is related to a semitruck crash blocking most lanes:

Here’s a map. Getting that upright is likely to take quite some time.

7:47 AM: Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth ferries are on a two-boat schedule because the re-activated Evergreen State is having trouble.

7:59 AM: Per scanner, the West Marginal Way truck contains “dry concrete.”

8:05 AM: SPD tweet says only minor injuries in the crash but W. Marginal remains closed. We’re waiting to hear from the crew we sent to check it out.

8:23 AM: Our crew’s just back. Police think it’s going to be at least a couple hours until this is cleared. They confirm the trailer is full of dry cement. Photos to come.

8:44 AM: Until ours is ready – here’s a photo SPD just tweeted from the other side of the truck:

9 AM: Closer look, by WSB’s Patrick Sand:

Again, police say only minor injuries. We’ll continue updating here, even as we move on with other news/info. Meantime, a multi-car collision at 1st Avenue South/Spokane was just mentioned on the scanner.

9:19 AM: SPD Blotter has a short summary, most notably mentioning that the container might have been “loose” and destabilized the truck.

9:29 AM: As per comments – and scanner – the light at Delridge/Andover is out. We’re en route to check it out. Remember, a broken stoplight means, treat the intersection like a four-way stop! (Added: Confirmed, it’s out. No crew in sight – but, whether coincidental or not, City Light is working nearby.)

9:58 AM: Hearing it’ll be at least another half-hour before West Marginal is cleared.

10:57 AM: SDOT tweets that final cleanup and towing are under way so it shouldn’t be long. (Added – A moment later, SPD units said via radio that it would be about half an hour.)

11:15 AM: And via scanner, police say they’re reopening W. Marginal.

Summer Concerts at Hiawatha this Thursday: Caspar Babypants

(WSB photo from 2011 Hiawatha show)
The most popular performer ever at Summer Concerts at Hiawatha returns to the Admiral Neighborhood Association-sponsored series this week – Caspar Babypants, the West Seattle-based kiddie-rock star, takes the stage at 6:30 pm Thursday (July 31st). Via his website, he’s promising “a 90-minute show full of every hit you can sing!” as well as a chance to buy advance copies of the new CB album “Rise and Shine!” The concert itself is free – come early, bring your own chair/blanket, picnic dinner if you feel like it, and get ready to have a great time.

Video: Blue Angels return, and more sights in the sky

If you’ve been reading WSB for more than a few years, you know we recommend the Museum of Flight, alongside Boeing Field, as your base for Blue Angels viewing during Seafair week. That’s where the Navy demonstration team takes off from, lands at, and parks during its Seafair visit. And that’s who recorded the video in our top clip, as the Blue Angels arrived today for the first visit since 2012 (military budget-belt-tightening canceled their season last year). Their major practicing doesn’t start until Thursday, but if you want to go see what they look like parked, the MoF is your place these next few days.

But as noted here over the weekend, they’re not the only sights in the sky, and Gary Jones caught another one (two-in-one) today:

Two Chinook U.S. Marine Corps helicopters buzzed Alki Point, as Marine Week continues, part of the Seafair events.

Marine Corps aircraft will be on display at the MoF starting Wednesday, continuing through the weekend.

West Seattle Crime Watch followup: ‘Flasher’ suspect due back in court Wednesday

A hearing is set Wednesday for the man arrested Friday night in connection with one of the recent “flasher” incidents. As reported here on Saturday, the 37-year-old man was jailed for investigation of indecent exposure and failure to register as a sex offender. We’ve learned a bit more about the case today, now that we’ve been able to check with the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.

This incident happened last Tuesday evening near Beach Drive and Orleans (map). The victim (whose comment here is the only reason we knew about the case) is quoted as telling police that she was walking north on Beach Drive when she saw a Nissan Pathfinder parked northeast of the intersection. A man inside yelled over to ask her if she knew where Hanford Street is; she walked closer and saw through its front windshield that he was exposing, and holding, himself. She walked away, making note of the license plate and other descriptive factors. Police responded and went to the Admiral-area home of the car’s owner, who told them his son had been driving the vehicle, a 1998 silver Pathfinder, parked there and still warm (though the suspect was not found). After further investigation, the suspect was arrested on Friday. The probable-cause document makes note of the two similar incidents in West Seattle over the past two weeks – one in Admiral on July 15th, in Gatewood on July 17th – but does not say if he is officially suspected; we’ll see what happens if and when charges were filed.

His status as a Level 2 sex offender is related to what’s described as convictions for arson and burglary with a sexual motivation in 2000; the court documents are not available online so we don’t have details of the case. He was reported to have moved out of state in 2007, apparently to Idaho, where he was found guilty of failure to register in 2008, and should have registered within three days of returning to this state, which might have been as long as two years ago. Since he was arrested Friday, a bail hearing was held Saturday, and bail was set at a total of $100,000; the suspect posted bond and was released from jail afterward, and is due back in court Wednesday afternoon, by which time we might know about charges in the case.

TUESDAY EVENING UPDATE: The suspect, Duane Atwood, is now on the sex-offender registry, so we are identifying him with this public information now published on the county website. No photo with the listing, though.

Bright as a star, named for an astronaut: What those bright lights across Puget Sound from West Seattle turned out to be

(USNS John Glenn last night, WSB photo at twilight, from a distance)
For the past few weeks, people with west-facing views from West Seattle have been noticing a new and VERY bright light from the Manchester vicinity (map). The WSB Forums even had a thread going for a while, and that led to the theory that the lights were coming from, or related to, a certain ship that’s been at the Manchester Naval Fuel Depot about that long, and finally confirmed it last night by taking a ride on the Seattle-Bremerton state ferry. The ship is the USNS John Glenn, a mobile landing platform that was just dedicated a few months ago. Here’s a US Navy file photo:

We observed the lights on the port (left) side of its superstructure, rising. Today, a spokesperson for Manchester told WSB earlier today that lighting is required when fuel/fluid operations are under way at night. What we’re still trying to find out is – if this is even available as public information – how long the USNS John Glenn, which apparently does not yet have a homeport, will be there. But since we’re still getting inquiries about this, we didn’t want to wait any longer to share the answer of WHAT the lights are.

Update: Albert, missing in West Seattle, found & safe

UPDATE 9:45 PM: As detailed in comments below this story, Albert has been found – thanks to everyone who helped!

****
ORIGINAL REPORT, 1:58 PM: Albert is missing – and his brother asked us to get the word out:

My 33 year old brother is mentally unstable and likely in the West Seattle area. He was staying at Transitional Resources (2970 SW Avalon Way), but ran out early this morning (the staff thinks between 5-8 am). He does not have a car, cell phone, or wallet, so he is probably wandering around on foot. He is likely in a disoriented state from insomnia. He is of Asian descent, has some facial hair, and wears glasses. If anyone sees him, please contact me by phone (650-387-0738) or email (piwaisfafa@aol.com).

Or, call police.

Update: Overheated power cord blamed for house fire in 6500 block of Delridge Way; no one hurt; cat rescued

(UPDATED with fire’s cause – scroll down)

(WSB photo: E-29 firefighter Todd Jensen carries cat rescued by E-11 firefighter Annie Olson)
11:23 AM: Big fire response en route to a house in the 6500 block of Delridge Way SW (map). It’s a basement fire, according to an early report from the scene, which also said everybody got out OK. More to come.

Fire off Delridge near Home Depot @westseattleblog pic.twitter.com/PcqnLyAPe6

— Yovany Camacho (@CubanRefugee) July 28, 2014

11:30 AM UPDATE: Added a Twitter photo (thanks, @cubanrefugee) – our crew is almost there. Police are being asked to block Delridge both ways in the area, which is north of the busy intersection with Orchard/Dumar businesses. LOTS of smoke, which is an extra reason to stay away.

11:40 AM UPDATE: Our crew says wind is blowing the smoke further down Delridge – so you might be noticing it some distance away. SFD has sent more equipment to the scene. We’ve added a quick clip via Instagram – you can see the billowing smoke.

11:52 AM: Our crew on the scene and scanner traffic both indicate firefighters are making progress – they’ve declared the fire “tapped” but that still leaves more work to do; they’ve mentioned smoldering insulation, for example.

Also: At least one pet, a cat, has been rescued.

12:25 PM: SFD PIO Kyle Moore is on scene so we’ll have additional information soon. Also note – Metro Route 120 is rerouted because of the fire-related Delridge closure.

1:07 PM: Moore (briefing video added above) confirmed that no one was hurt; one cat rescued, another bolted, and another is being sought. Four people were working in the back yard when the fire started in the basement – no word on the cause yet. Delridge Way is now open again, and Route 120 is back to normal.

3:22 PM: SFD says an overheated power cord was to blame. Damage totaled $200,000. In addition to the three cats who survived along with the four residents, their half-dozen chickens are OK too.

4 notes for the rest of your West Seattle Monday: Blue Angels; blood drive; caregivers’ group; Pencil Me In For Kids

(Kimberly Pena photographed these fire dancers on Alki last night)
Four quick notes for the hours ahead:

BLUE ANGELS REMINDER: Two years after their last Seattle appearance, they’re back, and you’ll likely hear/see their arrival in the 12:30-1 pm vicinity. Here again is our preview published last night, with lots of information (including Wednesday’s parade of Navy/Coast Guard/Canadian ships – and OTHER planes).

BLOOD DRIVE IN GATEWOOD: If you can donate this afternoon/evening, Peace Lutheran Church would love to see you. The mobile blood drive is set for 1-7 pm, and you can just walk up. (39th/Thistle)

SUPPORT GROUP FOR ALZHEIMER’S CAREGIVERS: If you are taking care of someone with Alzheimer’s/dementia, this free support group is for you. 1:30 pm at Providence Mount St. Vincent. (4831 35th SW)

PENCIL ME IN FOR KIDS DONATION DRIVE: PMIFK collects and buys school supplies to help kids in need, and they need your help NOW to make sure no scholars are supply-less in the next school year. Again from 3-6 pm today, you can donate supplies and/or cash to Rotary Club of West Seattle volunteers at QFC in The Junction; details in our calendar listing. (42nd/Alaska)

About that early-morning earthquake: Centered in South Sound

Some discussion in today’s traffic watch about an early-morning earthquake, 3.5 magnitude at 4:04 am; we were on duty at the time and didn’t notice a thing. Here’s the map showing its epicenter in the South Sound (outside Belfair); you’ll also notice the DYFI link over the map – click that and you can send in a report (helpful to scientists!) about whether you felt it.

TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Monday updates; ferry change; last day for Sound Transit survey

(WS bridge and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Good morning! As today’s traffic watch begins, we have several notes:

EXTENDED WATER TAXI SERVICE TONIGHT: Because of tonight’s Sounders game, the West Seattle Water Taxi will run on an extended schedule.

FERRY REPLACEMENT: WSF says the Evergreen State will replace Sealth on the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth run starting today and while its capacity is comparable, the ES doesn’t have galley service or vending machines because it was recently mothballed and is being reactivated for this guest appearance, expected to last less than a week.

BLUE ANGELS: One flew in Sunday, the other six are due in around 12:30-1 pm today. I-90 bridge closures are Thursday-Sunday – here’s the schedule.

LIGHT RAIL FOR WEST SEATTLE SOMEDAY? SURVEY DEADLINE! Today is the deadline for feedback on the latest phase of Sound Transit‘s in-progress Long-Range Plan Update. Easiest way: This survey. (For more background, check out our earlier coverage.)

5:53 PM: Not sure yet about the westbound bridge slowdown – we’ve had two reports of police activity.

Changes ahead at 4480 Fauntleroy Way: Diva Espresso, Maestro Motors, Ace 1 Computers out; Rudy’s Barbershop apparently in

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

The other shoe has dropped following the sale of 4480 Fauntleroy Way SW in The Triangle – the three businesses in the building have been given notice to leave.

And a document filed online with the city suggests they’ll be making way for a business that’s been promising a West Seattle location for almost two years.

At least two of the existing businesses – Diva Espresso and Maestro Motors – are looking for new West Seattle spots.

Here’s what we have discovered so far, following research that started with e-mail tips this morning (thank you!):

Click to read the rest of Changes ahead at 4480 Fauntleroy Way: Diva Espresso, Maestro Motors, Ace 1 Computers out; Rudy’s Barbershop apparently in…

More Seafair air-and-sea details: Blue Angels in Seattle tomorrow, Parade of Ships (and aircraft) Wednesday

Welcome to seattle #7! pic.twitter.com/Gt4m2vEeJD

— Seafair Festival (@SeafairFestival) July 28, 2014

Earlier today, we mentioned military aircraft sightings linked to Marine Week, which is part of Seafair this year. But the big show is yet to come – the return of the Blue Angels. Love them or hate them, you might want to know when they’re coming in, in addition to when they’re practicing and performing. So we’ve just confirmed that six Blue Angels arrive at Boeing Field tomorrow (Monday) by 1 pm. (One arrived unannounced today – see Twitter photo above.) A downtown flyby is expected around 12:30 pm. Wednesday, #7 goes up for demonstration flights with one “influencer” and one media person. Then Thursday (9:45-noon and 1:15-2:40 I-90 bridge closures) and Friday are practices, Saturday-Sunday are the official shows (12:15 pm-2:40 pm I-90 closures the latter 3 days). More as the week goes on. Also:

PARADE OF SHIPS/FLIGHT: We’ve already mentioned this feature returns this year too, and the ships will be visible from West Seattle shores on Wednesday afternoon – you might glimpse the aircraft from here too, though in the past we’ve noticed the flybys were closer to downtown. Here’s the list of participating vessels and aircraft expected along the downtown waterfront around 1:45 (so, obviously, passing West Seattle earlier):

Parade of Ships
USS Essex
USS Chancellorsville
USS Howard
CGC Mellon
HMCS Edmonton
HMCS Brandon

Parade of Flight
MV-22B
AH-1Z
UH-1Y
CH-53E
CH-46E
Coast Guard Search & Rescue Demonstration – MH-54D

Your chance to explore the Duwamish River: Kayak tour series set

(WSB file photo)
The Duwamish River, along West Seattle’s eastern border (and beyond), is in the spotlight more than ever this year. Some cleanup is under way and plans for more are in the works. A high-profile awareness campaign by the Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition has even brought a high-profile supporter, Seattle-based hip-hop superstar Macklemore (who wrote about it here).

But you don’t have to be a star to help the river. You can do something as simple as taking a tour. And DRCC has just announced this year’s series – every other Thursday night, 6-8:30 pm, starting this week (July 31st), through the end of September. Three tours leave from T-107 Park on the West Seattle side of the river – July 31st, August 14th, September 11th – while the other two leave from Duwamish Waterway Park in South Park – August 28th and September 25th. And they’re all in partnership with West Seattle-headquartered Alki Kayak Tours (with whom you need to RSVP – tours@kayakalki.com – $45/person unless you’re bringing your own kayak, in which case, it’s by donation). Here’s the flyer with full details (PDF).

Speed cams, school-zone beacons, ‘pedestrian zoning’ and more @ this quarter’s Morgan Community Association meeting

Transportation issues dominated this quarter’s Morgan Community Association meeting – with information of interest beyond Morgan’s borders.

SPEED CAMS: In addition to the two new ones that will be activated on Roxbury (by Roxhill Elementary and Holy Family School) this fall, dozens of other locations remain under evaluation around the city, according to SDOT‘s Brian Dougherty. Since the first one to be activated in West Seattle is on Fauntleroy Way near Gatewood Elementary, and since a flashing (cameraless) beacon recently went in on California SW near Gatewood, Dougherty was asked if the latter location would likely get a speed camera. He said he thought that 35th SW by Our Lady of Guadalupe – frequently staked out by the flexible-location “speed van” – would be a more-likely priority for another West Seattle speed cam. Once there’s a new list of proposals, they would require City Council approval, and you’ll recall that the money generated by the cams is all slated to go to school-safety projects. One such project is in the works for the aforementioned Fauntleroy crossing by Gatewood, at Myrtle – bulbs to shorten the crossing.

FLASHING BEACONS ON FAUNTLEROY: Dougherty also mentioned that new flashing school-zone beacons will go up on Fauntleroy Way before newly expanded Fairmount Park Elementary reopens this fall, so look for that work soon.

The meeting included even more transportation info – regarding the Fauntleroy/California intersection – click ahead: Click to read the rest of Speed cams, school-zone beacons, ‘pedestrian zoning’ and more @ this quarter’s Morgan Community Association meeting…

West Seattle Bridge anniversary: One more big event ahead

Next Saturday night, “Sleepless in Seattle” (the movie that inspired the cry, “You can’t get to Alki like THAT!”) will be onscreen as part of West Seattle Outdoor Movies, sponsored by the Southwest Seattle Historical Society as a wrapup of the summerlong celebration of the 30th anniversary of the dedication of the “high bridge.” As you know if you’ve been to a WSOM screening before, the screen is on a big wall in the courtyard outside Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor), which has been partnering with SWSHS in the summerlong celebration.

Back on July 14th, 30 years to the day after the bridge’s dedication, the courtyard was the site of a panel discussion of the bridge’s history – not just how it got built, but also, the bizarre spinoff story that became a murder mystery. In case you missed that event, here’s our video:

Back to next Saturday’s WS Outdoor Movies presentation: According to the full preview on the SWSHS website, preshow entertainment includes live music and more of those historic bridge-related video clips previewed here earlier this month. And as with all WSOM shows, it’s free! But you can bring $ for not only nonprofit-benefiting concessions and raffles, but also to buy an anniversary T-shirt and commemorative coffee. Make a night of it – August 2nd, 4410 California SW.

Military aircraft over West Seattle? Probably for Marine Week. P.S. Blue Angels!

ORIGINAL REPORT, 11:52 PM: Texter this morning asked about Ospreys seen over West Seattle – the kind with rotors, not feathers, most recently mentioned here three months ago during preparations for a Presidential visit. This time, we are fairly certain they’re part of Marine Week, a new addition to Seafair. Here’s the schedule. No specific aircraft mentions, but the Museum of Flight at nearby Boeing Field is expecting some for its part of Marine Week, with arrivals Tuesday night, according to its website. Add all this to the Blue Angels‘ impending return, and the sky’s going to be a lot busier than usual this week.

BLUE ANGELS UPDATE, ADDED 6:59 PM: It seems they’re keeping a different schedule this year. Seafair is showing one Blue Angel arrived today, and TV stations are reporting more coming in tomorrow, reportedly a 12:30 pm downtown flyby. We’re checking…

Six possibilities for the rest of your West Seattle Sunday

If you haven’t already checked the calendar:

(Added: WSB photo of Katherine Pryor at WSFM just as her hour was concluding)
AUTHORS AT WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: “Readers to Eaters” presents two local authors at the WSFM today – until 11 am, it’s West Seattleite Kim O’Donnel with her “Meat Lovers’ Meatless Cookbook“; 11:30-12:30, it’s Katherine Pryor (from Magnolia) with the kid-geared “Sylvia’s Spinach.” The market itself is on until 2 pm as always. (44th/Alaska)

EXPLORE THE BEACH: The tide is low enough for exploring today (-0.6 at 11:53 am), so volunteer beach naturalists are back at Constellation Park and Lincoln Park, 11 am-1:30 pm.

ALKI POINT LIGHTHOUSE TOURS: Perfect weather to tour Alki Point Lighthouse – note that there are no tours next weekend because of Seafair, so after the 1-4 pm tour window today, only half a dozen chances remain, later in August. (Alki SW/Beach Dr. SW)

(Thanks to Karen for the photo from Saturday night’s GreenStage production at Lincoln Park)
FREE OUTDOOR SHAKESPEARE: GreenStage presents “Othello,” 3 pm at Lincoln Park; details in our calendar listing. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)

WEST SEATTLE GREEN SPACES COALITION: The group continuing to work on the future of the “surplus substations” in this area meets at 3 pm, Southwest Branch Library; details in our calendar listing. (35th/Henderson)

PIANO-MANIA AT KENYON HALL: That’s how the historic concert venue bills Radoslav Lorkovic‘s performance at 7:30 tonight:

Radoslav first came to our attention as the coy keyboardist for Ronny Cox. A few months ago he wowed the audience at Kenyon with his remarkable talent as composer and singer, and we invited him to come back whenever he can. Luckily for us, he’s on the west coast again this month, and has agreed to return to the hall.

E-mail kenyonhall@earthlink.net for your reservation. (7904 35th SW)

West Seattle Hi-Yu float wins Seafair Torchlight Parade award

(Torchlight Parade photo courtesy West Seattle Hi-Yu)
Congratulations to West Seattle Hi-Yu for its award-winning appearance in Saturday night’s Seafair Torchlight Parade. The craftsmanship and creativity that went into the 80th anniversary Hi-Yu float – which features a steam-emitting teapot – won the Seafair Workmanship Award. Hi-Yu’s Denise Davis told us via Facebook, “Duane (Davis), the driver/builder, said the judges were beaming when they saw the teapot steaming and the cake spinning and the court members dancing to ‘Welcome to my Tea Party’.”

UPDATED P.S. Thanks to Hi-Yu for sharing the parade photos – look closely at the one above this line to see driver/designer Duane!

West Seattle weekend scene: First WSHS Alumni Basketball Game

High-school basketball season is still four months away – here’s the schedule, taking shape – but the West Seattle High School court was busy on Saturday afternoon.

The first annual West Seattle High School Alumni Game was organized as a benefit for the current program. The schedule included a shoot-around and 3-pointer competition; for the main game, players were split between the school’s past and present mascots, Indians (gray T-shirts) and Wildcats (white T-shirts), with 2004 as the dividing line. Missed the game? Look for the second-annual edition next year. And you can support WSHS athletics any time via the WS Booster Club.