day : 28/06/2013 13 results

(Photo by Jason Ayres Gift Enevoldsen – click image for larger view)
11:30 PM: Just got word from Alice Enevoldsen, our Skies Over West Seattle correspondent, that aurora – aka “Northern Lights” – activity is happening out there right now. Alice’s advice: Look north. Let us know if you see it! Her recommended info source: softservenews.com.

12:35 AM: It faded fast, says Alice. We couldn’t see anything by the time we got to Alki to look. (But note that Alice says it’s possible again Saturday night.)

Share This

Get out on the river! Duwamish Rowing Club summer programs start tomorrow

June 28, 2013 6:55 pm

| Comments Off on Get out on the river! Duwamish Rowing Club summer programs start tomorrow

| West Seattle news | WS & Sports

(Photo courtesy Duwamish Rowing Club)
Another way to get out on the water! The Duwamish Rowing Club has an announcement for all ages:

Duwamish Rowing Club is pleased to announce that their summer rowing programs start this Saturday! The first program starts on this Saturday June 29th and runs for a full month, until the 31st of July, every Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday from 4-6 pm. We are looking for kids, ages 12-18, to come out and row on the beautiful Duwamish River with us! Our second program is also every Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday but we are looking for Masters rowers to come out and join us! No experience is required to become a Master; you must just be 21+! The Masters program runs with a flexible schedule so sign up even if you can’t make every single practice. Both programs will cost $80 and have the opportunity to compete at the Summer Rowing Extravaganza hosted by Greenlake Crew. If you wish to join, or have any questions, comments, or concerns, please email John Andersen at johnandersen185@gmail.com

Share This

Highland Park Spraypark, day 1: Back in action!

June 28, 2013 4:49 pm

| 11 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(PHOTO UPDATED 6:32 pm – early evening, day 1)
4:49 PM: We finally made it over to Highland Park Spraypark, on its first day of operations, and found out it’s hit a bit of trouble – the water quit working about half an hour ago. So if you were planning on going over this evening – be forewarned. We’ll be checking back in a bit to see if it’s been fixed, since we’re told Seattle Parks has already been notified.

5:09 PM UPDATE: Joelle Hammerstad from Parks confirms staff is on the way to try to fix it.

5:35 PM UPDATE: It’s working! And open till 8, at 11th/Cloverdale.

Share This

West Seattle traffic alert update: Backups cleared up

June 28, 2013 2:50 pm

| Comments Off on West Seattle traffic alert update: Backups cleared up

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

2:50 PM: We just passed the backup while we were heading westbound on the bridge – eastbound is backed up all the way to Nucor, because of a crash on the ramp to the remaining Alaskan Way Viaduct. Take alternate routes – low bridge, 1st Avenue South Bridge – for a while (until you see the camera view above, looking toward the eastbound bridge, clear up).

4:59 PM: All’s well so far for the pm commute.

Share This

West Seattle Crime Watch: Shooting victim shows up hours after gunfire; school-burglary arrests

June 28, 2013 2:37 pm

| 12 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

2:37 PM: Early this morning, some High Point residents thought they heard gunfire. Police checked it out – nothing and no one found. Then, about 10 hours later, someone turned up at a hospital many miles away, claiming they’d been shot in West Seattle. >SPD Blotter has details.

ADDED 3:03 PM: SPD Blotter has published another West Seattle story today as well – involving suspects caught in connection with break-ins at Highland Park and Sanislo Elementaries.

Share This

New operator for West Seattle’s two Merrill Gardens communities

June 28, 2013 2:31 pm

| 10 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

We’ve confirmed that both local Merrill Gardens (WSB sponsor) senior-living communities – West Seattle and Admiral Heights – are among the 38 MG locations that are being taken over by Emeritus Senior Living. Here’s their announcement:

Seattle-based Emeritus Senior Living is assuming operations of 38 senior living communities from Merrill Gardens, also headquartered in Seattle. These communities are located in eight states across the country, with the majority operating in California (16) and Washington (14). The transaction will add over 4,400 apartments to the Emeritus portfolio. Emeritus intends to retain Merrill Gardens’ community employees in the transaction, which is anticipated to close in the next few months.

The move will build Emeritus’ continuum of care; for Merrill Gardens, it provides greater nimbleness of operations for future innovation and development.

Emeritus is the nation’s largest assisted living and memory care provider, with a workforce of more than 30,000 and the ability to serve nearly 50,000 residents in 45 states. Completion of the Merrill Gardens transaction will increase the number of senior living communities Emeritus operates nationally to more than 500.

Merrill Gardens will then have 26 operating and development communities in six states in their portfolio. The company plans to continue to develop four to five communities per year in select markets. Final closing of this transaction is subject to customary closing conditions for acquisitions of this nature, including regulatory approvals.

A Merrill Gardens spokesperson tells us the transaction is expected to close in 60 days. The names at all 38 communities will eventually change, we’re told by both companies, to reflect the Emeritus branding.

Share This

SDOT confirms Delridge repaving will enter next phase July 8th

June 28, 2013 12:39 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| Delridge | Transportation | West Seattle news

SDOT has just sent an announcement confirming what we mentioned in Thursday’s daily traffic tracker – the Delridge repaving project is a week away from its next phase:

Work on Delridge Way SW Paving Phase 4, between SW Holden and SW Orchard streets, begins July 8. This segment of work will not require a detour as the roadway is wide enough to maintain one lane of traffic each way. Meanwhile, as weather permits, crews will stripe the roadway between SW Thistle and SW Holden streets the week of July 8. Southbound traffic will remain detoured as follows for up to 4 days.

West on SW Holden Street
South on 35th Avenue SW
East on SW Thistle Street
South on Delridge Way SW

As Phase 4 construction progresses and moves from one side of Delridge Way to the other, drivers will encounter traffic lane shifts. Local access to businesses and residences will be maintained.

This is a five-phase project. Upon completion of Phase 4 work, construction activity will move south between SW Roxbury and SW Henderson streets.

Share This

Union Gospel Mission says it’s working with city on Nickelsville contract

June 28, 2013 11:32 am

| 25 COMMENTS

| Nickelsville encampment | West Seattle news

Been wondering who would get the money approved by the City Council this week to help move out Nickelsville residents so the encampment can be closed by September 1st? Union Gospel Mission just announced they’re working with the city:

Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission (“the Mission”) is developing a contract with the City of Seattle’s (“the City”) Human Services Department to help Nickelsville residents transition to permanent housing and get back on their feet. This comes as a result of the $500,000 appropriated by the City this week to assist the residents of Nickelsville to secure housing, shelter and services over the next several months.

“The Mission looks forward to walking beside the 160 individuals and families who desire a pathway out of homelessness. Mission staff will develop relationships with individuals and families wanting assistance, assessing their needs, finding appropriate housing options, and meeting with them on a weekly basis for up to a year with the goal of each person becoming fully self-reliant,” said Jeff Lilley, the Mission’s president.

The Mission will offer:

1. Relocation assistance to permanent housing for all Nickelsville residents – though all are free to seek their own alternatives.

2. Assisted and case-managed housing, up to one year – with the goal to have residents fully self-reliant at the end of that year.

3. Case management to help residents develop self-sustainable skills, utilizing existing resources as needed, including the Mission’s legal services, dental clinic, community job sources, etc.

4. Evaluation and referral services to those residents requesting entrance into recovery programs – guaranteeing a treatment bed in the Mission’s programs if they so choose (or a referral to other program).

5. Emergency shelter beds at Mission facilities during this transition period as needed.

“The Mission will not manage Nickelsville during this time, just assist in the relocation process. The project has many challenges as well as opportunities, and the Mission, with funding from the City, will begin work right away, ” said Lilley.

Share This

West Seattle Relay for Life tomorrow: New fun – Bubbleman, Recess Monkey, food truck…

June 28, 2013 11:30 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| Fun stuff to do | How to help | West Seattle news

This weekend is the annual Relay for Life of West Seattle, a 2-day, 1-night event raising money to fight cancer. That overall mission is the same as ever, and the location is the same – West Seattle Stadium – but otherwise, there are big changes, including entertainment to which you’re invited to bring the family, and a timeframe change too. It starts at 2 pm Saturday (tomorrow, June 29th), continuing till midday Sunday, and here are the lineup highlights:

2 pm: Opening Ceremony
2:15 pm: Survivor Lap (we will have a lounge with snacks for our survivors!) followed by Teams Lap
3-3:45 pm: ACS Cancer Action Network presentation
4-4:45 pm: Hair Donations
5-8 pm: Contigo Food Truck will be onsite
5-6 pm: Bubble Man
6:30-7:30 pm: Recess Monkey concert for the kids!
7-10 pm: Massages by M3 Bodyworks
7:30 pm: Squirt Gun Game
10 pm: Luminaria Ceremony

The ceremony is in honor of lost loved ones and those who are fighting or have fought cancer. The public’s welcome to stop by at any time during the events above – for a few minutes or a few hours, whether to enjoy the entertainment or simply to show your support for the fight against cancer.

Share This

West Seattle Friday: 6 highlights, notes for today/tonight

June 28, 2013 10:57 am

| 8 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

West Seattle photographer/pilot Long Bach Nguyen shares this aerial of the Highway 99 tunneling machine in its “launch pit” – the view you can’t get while driving by. No major road projects this weekend, by the way. Here are highlights for today/tonight before we get too much further along:

SPRAYPARK OPENS: At 11 am, the Highland Park Spraypark is scheduled to open – here’s our preview from Thursday. (11th/Cloverdale)

SOUP AND SANDWICH LUNCH: Everyone’s welcome at Seaview Methodist Church for the free monthly soup-and-sandwich lunch. 11:30-1:30. (46th/Graham)

WADING POOLS: With sunshine and warm temperatures, it’s a bonafide wading-pool day. In West Seattle, Delridge, EC Hughes, and Lincoln Park wading pools have Friday hours – see the citywide schedule here.

COLMAN POOL CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC: Meantime, outdoor Colman Pool is NOT open to the public today (or the rest of this weekend) because of swim-meet activity – here’s the CP schedule.

LOLLY BOOK LAUNCH AND SAMPLE SALE: 5 pm-midnight, details here. (4112 California SW)

MOVIE SCREENING: At South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor), you’re invited to a special community screening of the documentary “Barzan,” described as “a moving story of a local family torn apart by immigration and the post 911 war on terror. The screening will be followed by a discussion of the film with a panel of experts on issues concerning the current immigration system and comprehensive reform.” It premiered recently at SIFF. 6 pm at SSCC’s Brockey Center, Room A, free tickets online. (6000 16th SW)

P.S. If you have a special event for the 4th of July, or special business hours, please e-mail us ASAP so we can get it onto our traditional 4th of July page – editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!

Share This

From Seal Sitters: Volunteer training coming up; pupping in progress

June 28, 2013 9:54 am

| Comments Off on From Seal Sitters: Volunteer training coming up; pupping in progress

| How to help | West Seattle news | Wildlife

Two updates from Robin Lindsey of Seal Sitters:

*We have scheduled a new volunteer training session on July 24th from 6:30 – 8:30 pm. This will be the last training until the end of pupping season in late fall, due to time constraints on volunteers. The training will be held at Alki UCC. Please RSVP for the event (find the link here). We welcome children – our Seal Sitter kid volunteers ROCK! Here’s more info on the content of the training.

*Harbor seal pupping season is officially underway in South Puget Sound with reports of lanugo (premature) pups in and around area rookeries. Whidbey and the islands north of us have had newborns for several weeks now. There was a report of a small, new pup at Golden Gardens on Monday. As we reported a couple of weeks ago, an adult female seal died at Constellation Park and the necropsy revealed she had given birth two days earlier. We searched the beaches for the next few days, but were not able to find a newborn pup.

So, any day now we could have some seal newcomers to West Seattle – or, of course, one of the yearlings still hanging around from last year could decide to rest on shore. Please be on the alert and, as always, call our hotline 206-905-7325 (SEAL) if you see a marine mammal on the beach!

Share This

TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Finally Friday

June 28, 2013 6:03 am

| 11 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Live view from the east-facing WS Bridge camera; other cameras are on the WSB Traffic page)
6:03 AM: Happy Friday! As always, we’re keeping watch on the commute – with your help; let us know if you see problems that others should know about. (But don’t call or text 206-293-6302 unless you’re a passenger, or until you get to where you’re going.) Thanks!

8:52 AM UPDATE: Just got some information about a mishap involving a bicyclist east of the low bridge less than an hour ago. Seattle Fire spokesperson Kyle Moore says the rider took a spill after hitting a curb, suffered scrapes and a possible shoulder injury, and was taken to a hospital by private ambulance. Police and fire had all cleared the scene by the time we got there, so there is no traffic effect for bicycles, cars, or anyone else right now.

10:52 AM UPDATE: There’s a crash on the eastbound bridge. Details to come.

11:16 AM UPDATE: The last remnants of the crash cleared as soon as we reached the scene (we had to head out on an off-peninsula errand anyway). So all lanes are back open and the backup should clear before long.

2:50 PM UPDATE: We’ve published a separate mention of this, but the bridge is backed up eastbound now because of a northbound 99 problem at the ramp up to the Alaskan Way Viaduct. Avoid.

Share This

West Seattle Crime Watch: Search for would-be burglar

June 28, 2013 3:26 am

| 3 COMMENTS

| Crime | Delridge | West Seattle news

In North Delridge, Patrick reports police are searching for a would-be burglar after a break-in attempt at his neighbor’s house in the 4700 block of 26th SW (map). Description: White male, skinny, black wool cap, black jacket, black pants; an apparent accomplice vehicle is described as late ’70s or early ’80s dark blue Dodge Ram, diesel engine, lifted frame, big tires, last seen southbound on 26th SW. If you have any info, call 911.

Share This