day : 10/10/2013 16 results

PACK YOUR BAG! Day 9: Keeping things clean

October 10, 2013 11:52 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Preparedness | West Seattle news

If you still haven’t jumped into our item-at-a-time “Go Bag” preparedness series in honor of Washington State Disaster Preparedness Month – we’re getting closer to the weekend, great time to catch up! But the next items to put in your bag are fairly simple. From West Seattle Be Prepared:

We’re going to do a couple of days of hygiene supplies. Put 1 roll of toilet paper and one washcloth per person in your kit this time. Heads up – start looking in the stores for a small first aid kit, so when that comes up, you know where to get one, or think about what you might already have around that house that could be collected together.

Catch up with previous installments – and join in as we head toward the goal of finishing October with a vital preparedness item on hand – by going here.

Update: 2 stabbing victims found in Westwood Village area

October 10, 2013 6:58 pm

| 136 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

6:58 PM: Police and fire have rushed to the 2500 block of SW Barton to respond to an assault-with-weapons call. Details as we get it.

7:02 PM: We’re told it’s a stabbing with two victims – our crew is on the way and we hope to find out more shortly about circumstances and conditions.

7:10 PM: Our crew says one victim is being treated by the bus stop across Barton from Target, the other by the Westwood Village McDonald’s.

SPD now says both victims are “males believed to be in their late teens.” Seattle Fire, however, says one is a 21-year-old man, the other a 15-year-old boy.

7:19 PM: Our crew at the scene says police are still trying to sort out whether the victims were stabbed where they were found. No word of any arrests yet. The injuries are not believed to be life-threatening, according to early assessments.

9:29 PM: No new information. We’ve added two photos taken before police cleared the scene about an hour ago.

10:33 AM FRIDAY: Just published on SPD Blotter:

Gang Unit detectives are handling the follow up to a stabbing of two people last night at the Westwood Village. The two victims, ages 15 and 21, were transported to Harborview Medical Center with multiple stab wounds.

At about 6:45 pm, several Southwest Precinct officers were handling a disturbance call in the 2600 Block of SW Barton when someone came running up to them stating that someone had been stabbed across the street. Officers immediately ran over and found the 15-year-old male on the street. Seattle Fire was immediately called and responded. A second victim, the 21-year-old, was found across the street.

As the victims were being attended to, their friends told officers what had happened. The group of friends had gone to Westwood Village when they confronted another group of Hispanic males. The two victims reportedly got into a fist fight with the group and during the fight the man was stabbed by one of the suspects. The Hispanic males reportedly then fled. The 15-year-old and another friend gave chase, catching up to and confronting them near the QFC. According to witnesses, the 15-year-old collapsed in the street with multiple stab wounds. Both of the victims were treated at the scene and then transported to HMC. The suspects, only described as Hispanic males, fled the scene.

Gang Unit detectives responded to the scene and will be handling the investigation.

Happening now: West Seattle Art Walk, October 2013

October 10, 2013 6:45 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle Art Walk | West Seattle news

Pershing Hall – the new event venue created inside West Seattle’s historic American Legion Post 160 in The Triangle – is open right now for its first WS Art Walk night, featuring artist Jason Tang. Art Walk is on until 9 pm, and here’s the map/list showing who else is open:

Can’t decide where to go? Preview some of the artists via the official Art Walk website at wsartwalk.com.

Happening now: West Seattle Food Bank celebrates 30 years

October 10, 2013 6:07 pm

| Comments Off on Happening now: West Seattle Food Bank celebrates 30 years

| West Seattle news | West Seattle people

If you get over to the West Seattle Food Bank‘s 30th-anniversary-celebration open house by 7 pm, please note it’s a two-story event. Upstairs is where you will find Rev. Ron Marshall from the WSFB board (and First Lutheran Church of West Seattle), signing copies of his book about the food bank’s history, “Hunger Immortal.” (At left in the photo is Linda, first to buy an autographed copy while we were there.) On the main floor, get a behind-the-scenes look at food bank operations:

That’s Charlie Workman, who can tell you all about the WS Food Bank van and its role in helping serve clients; other staffers are on hand to answer questions and show you around. And up front, volunteers are explaining how distribution works:

The Food Bank is on the southeast corner of 35th and Morgan; tonight’s open house continues until 7 pm.

West Seattle road work: Delridge repaving detour direction switched

October 10, 2013 5:39 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Delridge | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

As of this afternoon, SDOT has gone ahead with the one-day-delayed plan to switch the detour direction as repaving work continues in South Delridge:

Delridge Way SW Phase 5 Detour Reversed: Northbound now detoured

Northbound traffic on Delridge Way SW is now detoured at SW Roxbury Street. The change reverses the direction of the previous detour in phase five, between SW Roxbury and SW Henderson streets. The detour went into effect this afternoon and will remain until project completion, expected the end of this year. Southbound traffic along this stretch of Delridge Way SW will be maintained.

Northbound Delridge Way SW traffic at SW Roxbury Street is directed along one of two paths:

· West on SW Roxbury Street
· North on 26th Avenue SW
· East on SW Barton Street/ SW Barton Place onto Delridge Way SW

Or

· North on 16th Avenue SW
· West on SW Henderson Street to Delridge Way SW

Calling all bakers! Create a winning Fauntleroy Fall Festival cake

October 10, 2013 4:58 pm

| Comments Off on Calling all bakers! Create a winning Fauntleroy Fall Festival cake

| Fauntleroy | West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

(Photo by Cindy Hegland)
Like to bake? Create a cake for the upcoming Fauntleroy Fall Festival‘s fun cake walk – and you might win one of the coveted chef’s hats above (second-place cake bakers get aprons). From Judy Pickens:

The judging of decorated cakes and the cake walk that follows have become a popular attraction at the Fauntleroy Fall Festival, this year on Sunday, Oct. 20, 2-5:30 pm. The more cakes, the merrier! Cakes (or a cluster of cupcakes) can be any size or flavor, and the fall-related design is up to you. Entries may be in the beginner, middling, or advanced category. Bring your cake on a disposable plate/tray to The Hall at Fauntleroy between noon and 1:30 on festival day. All festival-goers will get a chance to vote on the best and then win one in the cake walk. Questions: Carolyn Tucker, tucker_family@me.com.

The Hall is at 9131 California SW, in the historic schoolhouse.

West Seattle traffic alert: 26th/Roxbury signal trouble

October 10, 2013 2:56 pm

| 7 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news

2:56 PM: Before long we’re going to have to give SW Roxbury its own coverage category. New problem right now – thanks to multiple tipsters for letting us know about the traffic signal at 26th and Roxbury malfunctioning because the truck in the photo (shared by Cyndi) hit the control box. We have a ground crew en route to check on the situation.

4:41 PM UPDATE: The truck was able to leave without a tow, but the signal box was mangled, as you can see in our photo above. We’ll be going by again shortly to check if the signal’s working yet.

West Seattle development: Junction teardown update

October 10, 2013 2:44 pm

| 29 COMMENTS

| Development | West Seattle news

Went to The Junction to check on the teardown work that began earlier this week at the site of two future apartment/retail buildings. The eastern building is now all gone, with the former Rocksport space next to go.

Just yesterday morning, Brian Presser from TouchTech Systems a couple blocks away caught the demolition crew bringing down part of the copper-tone awning:

Today’s “after” view, looking west at that spot:

The demolition crew is working east to west and is likely to start on the California/Alaska building next week.

West Seattle traffic alert: Pickup crash blocking SW 106th

October 10, 2013 1:40 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Arbor Heights | Shorewood | West Seattle news

We’ve added this to our daily traffic watch already, but are also noting it separately here because a somewhat busy route connecting Arbor Heights, Shorewood, and White Center is blocked right now – SW 106th by 32nd, where a pickup truck has gone off the road and dented a fence on the north side of 106th. At least one person is being taken to the hospital by private ambulance.

3:51 PM UPDATE: Just checked – and the road is open again.

West Seattle scene: Firefighter Story Time at Southwest Library

October 10, 2013 1:38 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | Westwood

One young fan was all geared up for the occasion this morning when the crew from Seattle Fire Department Engine 37 came to Southwest Branch Library – less than a mile from their station – for Firefighter Story Time. They read the classic fire-safety book “No Dragons for Tea” – but the story wasn’t the only attraction; their gear drew a crowd too:

This is the fourth of ten Firefighter Story Times around the city this month, which among other things is Fire Prevention Month. As SFD points out, preschoolers are especially vulnerable to burn injuries, so the sooner they learn about fire safety, the better.

New proposed home for Luna Girls on Alki sculpture; meeting set

October 10, 2013 11:59 am

| 15 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

A new proposed home has been found for the privately funded Luna Girls on Alki metal sculptures. We got first word via that photo from David Hutchinson. When we reported on the sculpture plan in July of last year, a site near Alki Bathhouse had just been identified, after it was determined the landscaped “island” along Alki SW at 63rd wouldn’t work out. Ground was broken last November, but the site idled and then in July, the Parks Department announced the Bathhouse-vicinity site wasn’t right either, saying it was working with Lezlie Jane, the West Seattle artist who has been involved with myriad Parks projects, to find a new spot for her creation. It now appears that site will be a grassy berm by the small pier just west of Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor) – the artist’s site includes an aerial view. The sign says a public meeting is set for ~~6 pm~~ Monday, October 21st, at Marination ma kai (1660 Harbor SW; WSB sponsor). We’re checking with Parks today to find out more about the site move.

UPDATE: The subsequent city announcement sets the meeting time at 6:30 pm.

From White Center Now: Helicopter search; update – suspect caught

October 10, 2013 11:01 am

| 17 COMMENTS

| Crime | Helicopter | West Seattle news | White Center

11:01 AM: We’re getting questions about the King County Sheriff’s Office helicopter over downtown White Center. In case you’re seeing it and wondering too, here’s what we published on partner site White Center Now: KCSO says the search is for someone who broke into a car and stole a purse. Deputies are searching on the ground too, and were seen in the 14th/96th vicinity.

11:56 AM: Search is over – per @kcsoairsupport, they didn’t find the person they were looking for.

12:27 PM: Our ground crew says the search was centered toward the park end of SW 96th, east of 14th SW. They took the relatively rare opportunity to get a clear photo of Guardian One – which assists other law-enforcement agencies at times, including Seattle Police, which doesn’t have its own chopper – in case you aren’t familiar with what it looks like (sometimes handy in order to distinguish between law-enforcement and TV choppers).

3:52 PM: Update from KCSO spokesperson Sgt. Cindi West: “The suspect from (this incident) was arrested near 102 and 8th SW after being spotted prowling cars in Steve Cox Park.”

West Seattle Thursday: So much to do, so little time

October 10, 2013 9:27 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Along Delridge heading north

(Fall colors on Delridge Way – photo by Flickr member old desolate, via the WSB Flickr group)
Long list of major local happenings for today/tonight – check it out!

FIREFIGHTER STORY TIME: 11 am, Southwest Branch Library, it’s your only chance this time around to bring kids to meet local firefighters and learn a fun, important lesson about fire safety. (35th/Henderson)

NORTHWEST CENTER TOUR: As previewed this morning, employers are invited to find out firsthand what it’s like to have an inclusive workforce, by touring NW Center’s nearby HQ at 12:15 pm. If you can’t make it today, there’s another tour next Thursday – details in our story. (7272 West Marginal Way S.)

HIGH-SCHOOL VARSITY SPORTS: West Seattle High School soccer is on the road today, 3:30 pm, playing Nathan Hale at Addams Playfields in the north end; both WSHS and Chief Sealth IHS varsity volleyball teams play on their respective home courts at 7 pm. (WSHS, 3000 California SW; Sealth. 2600 SW Thistle)

WEST SEATTLE FOOD BANK OPEN HOUSE: 5-7 pm, celebrate an anniversary, a book, and the fight against hunger in our community. From Judi at WSFB:

Please join the West Seattle Food Bank at their 30th Anniversary Open House. Take a tour and learn how they serve the West Seattle Community. They’ll be serving appetizers and beverages as well as wine tasting with their partner’s Sozo. Get your “hot off the press” copy of “Hunger Immortal: The first 30 years of the West Seattle Food Bank, 1983-2013” written and autographed by long time WSFB board member Rev. Ron Marshall. The book will cost $30 with all proceeds going to the West Seattle Food Bank. Share with your friends, everyone is welcome! Thanks to event sponsors Husky Deli & Catering and Elliott Bay Brewery.

(35th and Morgan)

5 ESSENTIAL DOCUMENTS: Plan your health-care future with expert help – free event (no RSVP required!) at Emeritus at Admiral Heights (WSB sponsor). Starts with refreshments at 5:30 pm; details in our calendar listing. (2326 California SW)

WEST SEATTLE ART WALK: New venues have joined the list/map for the fall quarter – including brand-new venue Pershing Hall in The Triangle – so take a fresh look at where to go and who to see for tonight’s Art Walk, 6-9 pm. Here’s the walking map/venue list, and here’s the official WSAW website with artist/venue previews.

CHIEF SEALTH IHS OPEN HOUSE/CURRICULUM NIGHT: For Chief Sealth International High School students’ families, it’s the big night to meet teachers and find out more about what’s happening this year. 6-8 pm. (2600 SW Thistle)

DESIGN REVIEW MEETING: 6:30 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle, the Southwest Design Review Board gets another look at 4435 35th SW, the mixed-use building that was first proposed in 2009, then shelved, then redesigned, and now working its way through the system. Here’s our preview, including a link to the design “packet,” showing what architect GGLO and developers Trinsic are proposing. All welcome at tonight’s meeting, which will include a public-comment period. (California/Oregon)

PARKS BOARD CONSIDERS BICYCLE-POLICY UPDATE: Seattle Parks is considering an update to the 20-year-old policy about bicycle use in parks, and the public hearing is at tonight’s Parks Board meeting downtown. Documents here and here – several West Seattle parks are named. Meeting’s at 6:30 pm at Parks HQ. (100 Dexter Ave. N.)

TEEN ALCOHOL/DRUG ABUSE COMMUNITY MEETING: 7-8:30 pm in the library at West Seattle High School – come talk about urgent community action to address teen drug/alcohol abuse, as detailed in the meeting announcement. (3000 California SW)

SEATTLE STAIRWAYS @ GSNC: Tonight’s regular meeting of the Genesee-Schmitz Neighborhood Council includes a presentation by Cathy and Jake Jaramillo, authors of “Seattle Stairway Walks.” 7 pm at West Side Presbyterian Church. (3601 California SW)

RAISE THE MINIMUM WAGE? From West Seattleite Brian Callanan – not happening in West Seattle, but includes local participation, and it’s a big topic for businesses and workers citywide:

The Seattle Channel is covering a hot topic Thursday night: The possibility of raising the minimum wage. It’s a huge part of the local political races in Seattle and the focus of a controversial ballot measure in the city of SeaTac this November. Come voice your opinions as part of our live studio audience in a forum at NewHolly Gathering Hall at 7054 32nd Avenue South at 7 pm. Admission is free, but please register at seattlechannel.org. More details here. Husky Deli’s own Jack Miller has agreed to be on our panel to talk about business impacts in West Seattle, so come out and let your voices be heard, too!

NIGHTLIFE: Big night here too! Music, pub quiz, open microphone, much more – see all the listings right on our calendar.

‘Inclusion Works’: Northwest Center invites employers to see for themselves

October 10, 2013 8:14 am

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

(Photo courtesy Northwest Center)
That’s Scott, one of two people working at West Seattle’s Pacific Rim Equipment Rental thanks in part to job coaches from Northwest Center. The South Park-headquartered nonprofit is known for its own inclusive workforce, but you might not realize it helps match other companies with dedicated workers who also happen to be people with disabilities. In honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, over the next eight days, NW Center is offering two chances for local businesspeople to come tour its headquarters and see for themselves how “Inclusion Works” – NW Center’s theme for this month. The “People of All Abilities Tours” are free, first one 12:15-1:15 pm today, second one next Thursday (October 17th) 9-10 am, both at 7272 West Marginal Way South – but you need to RSVP by contacting Hilary Anderson ASAP, 206-378-6372 or handerson@nwcenter.org.

TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Thursday updates

October 10, 2013 7:18 am

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Live view from the west-facing WS Bridge camera; other cameras are on the WSB Traffic page)
7:18 AM: Nothing major so far – brake lights/headlights in the usual places:

The only upcoming traffic advisory in the area is the one reported here last night – lane closures on the Spokane Street Viaduct section of the West Seattle Bridge this Sunday morning.

7:56 AM UPDATE: Bus-line backup on Avalon Way, tweets Maggie, but it’s not because of buses:

@kcmetrobus Cars lined up in the bus lane along Avalon Way, forcing busses into a long wait line onto WS bridge. @westseattleblog

— Maggie (@SudsyMaggie) October 10, 2013

9:49 AM: SDOT tweets that the Battery St. Tunnel is closed northbound, verifying a tip we just got. Don’t yet know why.

1:21 PM: 106th is closed in Arbor Heights/Shorewood between 31st and 32nd because of a crash.

34th District Democrats: Transportation, shutdown, immigration

October 10, 2013 7:14 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

Toplines from last night’s meeting of our area’s largest political group, the 34th District Democrats, at The Hall at Fauntleroy:

WEST SEATTLE TRANSPORTATION COALITION: Speaking to the 34th Dems on behalf of the just-launched, and now renamed, advocacy group were Mat McBride and Joe Szilagyi. “We want to do the greatest good for the greatest number of folks,” explained McBride – not just advocating for the peninsula with Metro, but also addressing issues such as development density without transportation capacity. 6:30 pm November 12th at High Point Center/Neighborhood House (6400 Sylvan Way SW) is the next meeting, Szilagyi announced, and there will be work to build a transportation-improvement plan “and bring everybody together, come hell or high water, to solve these things” – they’re hoping for all stakeholders, everyone interested, to come and be part of it. (The WSTC website is here.)

SPEAKING OF TRANSPORTATION: Seattle City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen spoke toward the start of the meeting regarding the state Senate Transportation Committee‘s upcoming public hearing, Monday 10/14, 6-9 pm at a new location – First Presbyterian Church at 1013 8th Ave. downtown, larger than the original location. “They said they want to hear from regular people – they want to hear from you,” he said. County Councilmember McDermott included concerns in his brief speech toward the meeting’s start, too.

Ahead, other topics from the federal shutdown to immigration reform, and more: