West Seattle, Washington

18 Thursday

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day : 20/07/2015 12 results

West Seattle coyotes: Heard but not (yet) seen
July 20, 2015 10:53 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Coyotes | West Seattle news | Wildlife

Just out of the WSB inbox from Bob:

I just wanted to let you know the coyotes in Schmitz Park have very vocal the past two nights. We have not seen them yet but our dog has been on alert in the back yard. You might want to let the neighbors know to watch their cats and small pets.

We share coyote reports when we get them, not to be alarmist, but because not everyone realizes they live among us, and if you realize that they do, you have a better chance of taking measures to ensure we and they stay a healthy distance apart. This info from the state can help.

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Congratulations! West Seattle’s Alina Guyon chosen to become a Girl-Up Teen Advisor
July 20, 2015 9:52 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

That’s Alina Guyon, a West Seattleite chosen by the United Nations Foundation to be a Teen Advisor for Girl-Up. She is one of 20 girls chosen, and the only girl from Washington State. More about what she’s doing:

Girl-Up advocates for adolescent girls in developing nations; they focus on the countries where it is hardest to be a girl. They stress the importance of education for girls, health and safety.

To become a teen advisor, a girl first needs to be nominated by someone from outside her family. A letter is submitted to describe why the applicant would be a good candidate, and describes her past experience advocating for girls in developing nations. Girl-Up then selects 100 girls to complete an extensive application, including essays, videos and photos.

Why focus on adolescent girls? Statistics show that investing in girls between the ages of 12-15 has tremendous long-term benefits. A girl who is educated is less likely to be married as a child; she will have a better income and can provide for her family. She is more likely to value education for her children, which breaks the cycle of extreme poverty. Adolescent girls are agents of change.

Alina’s first task was to travel to Washington DC for a United Nations Leadership Summit. She even met First Lady Michelle Obama after her talk supporting Girl-Up. In the coming year, Alina will advocate for policy change on behalf of adolescent girls, meet with our state representatives and senators, and encourage students to start Girl-Up clubs. Girl-Up clubs meet to raise awareness of girls rights and support girls who need it the most.

If you are interested in learning more, go to www.girlup.org. Contact sherylguyon@gmail.com if you have any questions or are interested in starting a Girl-Up club.

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All-City Band’s big week in West Seattle! Photos at Seacrest tonight; hosting Band Jam at SW Athletic Complex on Friday night
July 20, 2015 7:12 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Right in the middle of a wildly busy summer season of parades and other performances, the Seattle Schools All-City Band is at Seacrest Park tonight for its annual photo session – which tends to spark some curiosity, including potential future members:

Its members are high-school-age musicians from all over the city, led by Marcus Pimpleton, the acclaimed music leader from Chief Sealth International High School and Denny International Middle School.

All-City Band put on an award-winning show in the West Seattle Grand Parade this past Saturday, and next Saturday, they’ll be in the Seafair Torchlight Parade downtown. But first – the big, fun, free annual pre-parade tuneup event happens this Friday here in West Seattle, and you’re invited as always: It’s “Band Jam,” 7 pm Friday (July 24th) at Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle, the stadium across from Chief Sealth, featuring not only ACB but also some of the bands that will join them in the Torchlight Parade. Never been? Check out our past coverage.

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FOLLOWUP: West Seattle Library sets dates for 2-week closure
July 20, 2015 5:34 pm
|    Comments Off on FOLLOWUP: West Seattle Library sets dates for 2-week closure
 |   West Seattle news

Last month, when the Seattle Public Library announced upgrade work was ahead for the West Seattle (Admiral) branch, it said a two-week closure would be needed as part of the project, likely in September. The dates have just been announced, and it’s coming up sooner – the second half of August. Here’s the announcement:

The West Seattle Branch and book drop, 2306 42nd Ave. SW, will be closed from Monday, Aug. 17 through Sunday, Aug. 30 while the front steps are being replaced as part of an exterior construction project to improve access to the branch.

The branch is scheduled to reopen at 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 31.

While the branch is closed, patrons may choose any other Library location as a pickup location for items placed on hold and may return materials to any branch. If patrons don’t select an alternate branch, their holds will be sent to the Southwest Branch, 9010 35th Ave. SW, 206-684 7455.

Other nearby branches are:

· Delridge Branch, 5423 Delridge Way SW, 206-733-9125
· High Point Branch, 3411 SW Raymond St., 206-684-7454

Exterior construction work started June 15. Improvements include:

· Rebuild front steps
· Redo ramp from rear parking lot to main front entrance
· Redo ramp from rear parking lot to lower-level meeting room
· Add lighted handrails to ramps and steps
· Resurface parking stalls on north end of the lot

The project is expected to be completed in late September.

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FOLLOWUP: Admiral Way Safety Project expects next parking study soon, updated plan in ‘late August’
July 20, 2015 4:06 pm
|    Comments Off on FOLLOWUP: Admiral Way Safety Project expects next parking study soon, updated plan in ‘late August’
 |   Safety | Transportation | West Seattle news

If you’ve seen temporary traffic cameras up along west Admiral Way in the past week or so – yes, they’re related to the SDOT proposal for changes along the road between California and 63rd, including removal of 200 parking spaces and channelization changes. In our followup published last week featuring one of the meetings City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen has had with local groups both pro and con, we mentioned we had questions out to SDOT. Today, we talked with project manager Emily Ehlers. She says they’re expecting the promised followup meeting with the community to be in “late August.”

Between now and then, they’re expecting two sets of data – one gathered by temporary cameras like the one you see above, five of which she says are in place, recording pedestrian activity in the project zone. That data, according to Ehlers, will help them decide if new crosswalks and flashing-beacon-type signage are needed. The other set of data will involve the next parking study, which she says has not started yet – you might recall that SDOT raised eyebrows by basing its first round of recommendations on parking-usage studies done in the winter, so, agreed to community demands to do a study in the summer too. She says they’re working with a consultant to get going on that and she expects it to happen soon. Ehlers added that they are receiving lots of community feedback and said that’s part of what they’re working with, too – so you have plenty of time to e-mail her at emily.ehlers@seattle.gov.

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SATURDAY: Westcrest Park celebration to include bouncy house, art dedication, obstacle course, food truck, music…
July 20, 2015 2:37 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Highland Park | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

2:37 PM: When Seattle Parks officially opened the five-years-in-the-making Westcrest Park expansion almost two weeks ago, they mentioned a July 25th celebration. That’s coming up Saturday, and today Parks shared more details: Music, balsa-wood planemaking, a bouncy house, and an obstacle course from Camp Long will all be part of the 11 am-1 pm party next Saturday. Plus the dedication of Flyers (part of which is in our photo above), the park expansion’s wind-spun public art by David Boyer. If you’re new – this all happened because the city decided to bury what had been an open-air reservoir in this area of Westcrest Park, and that made room for more park space on top, including a new permanent play area.

6:16 PM: We’ve verified a few more details with Parks spokesperson Karen O’Connor: The What Up Dog food truck will be there (maybe you’ve seen it recently at Don Armeni Boat Ramp) and music will be by Correo Aereo.

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UPDATE: Big response, small fire at home on 36th SW
July 20, 2015 12:58 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

12:58 PM: A full Seattle Fire response is headed to the 5600 block of 36th SW (map) for a possible house fire. Updates to come.

1:01 PM: First units to arrive aren’t seeing anything, and are hearing it might just be a “dryer fire.”

1:06 PM: Our crew at the scene says that’s been confirmed – a small dryer fire, and it’s out. Most of the responding units have been sent back.

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West Seattle businesses: Feedback Lounge announces it’s closing
July 20, 2015 12:02 pm
|      62 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants | WS beverages

(WSB file photo)
“Say it isn’t so!” wrote one tipster who e-mailed to let us know that the Feedback Lounge in Morgan Junction has just made this announcement online:

FEEDBACK LOUNGE SAYS GOODBYE
LAST DAY: SATURDAY, AUGUST 8th, 2015

What a wild ride we’ve had over the last seven years. There are simply no words to express how \ grateful we are to have been a part of the West Seattle Business Community and to have made countless, wonderful friends and worked with a many of the industry’s best.

But all good things come to an end. The owners are moving on and the Feedback Lounge is closing. New ownership will be remodeling the space with anticipated reopening in the fall. Our last day of business will be Saturday, August 8th with a final blowout show. We’ll announce the line-up soon.

But in the meantime, please drop by to have a drink with us and say goodbye.

Stay tuned to our Facebook page – we have a few surprises coming up.

The Feedback opened in April 2009 and became known for its craft cocktails as well as for its rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia collection and, eventually, live shows including rock and comedy, as well as for its community support of various causes – it’s hosted countless fundraisers. We’re working to find out more about its owners’ plans and the space’s future.

12:22 PM: We just heard back from Feedback co-proprietor Jeff Gilbert (at left in a 2011 WSB photo with co-proprietor Matt Johnson, sporting T-shirts with a slogan they became well-known for). He says they can’t elaborate on the new ownership just yet. As for the reasons for closing, he cites several, including his ongoing work in Portland that he jokes has almost required “dual citizenship,” all adding up to the owners not being able to devote enough time to the enterprise.

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FOLLOWUP: Hearing postponed for Port, Foss, Shell, city fight over Terminal 5 permits
July 20, 2015 11:26 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Port of Seattle | West Seattle news

(May photo by Paul Weatherman: Shell’s Aiviq and Polar Pioneer @ T-5)
This Thursday was supposed to be the day that the city Hearing Examiner started listening to arguments in the fight over permits allowing the Port to allow Foss to host Shell at the Port of Seattle’s Terminal 5. But it’s been pushed back three weeks, according to a notice in this morning’s city Land Use Information Bulletin, with the new start date August 13th, continuing into the following day and August 24th if necessary; the delay was requested by Foss, according to the case file. The Port, Foss, and Shell are appealing the city Department of Planning and Development‘s May “interpretation” saying that the port’s permits for use of the terminal don’t cover what’s involved in hosting Shell. More than a dozen maritime-related businesses sought to join the case in their support, as we reported last month, while environmental groups requested permission to support the city’s position. It’s been five weeks since the Polar Pioneer drill rig left West Seattle to head north; what happens in the appeal process now could affect whether it returns here after whatever happens in the Arctic Ocean later this summer.

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West Seattle Grand Parade 2015, final report: The people!
July 20, 2015 10:11 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle Grand Parade | West Seattle news

The summer’s biggest weekend is just a memory – but before we totally move on, one last West Seattle Grand Parade photo gallery, the biggest of all – more of the people, your neighbors, who paraded down California SW at midday Saturday!

Cora boogied her way down the route for the West Seattle Amateur Radio Club again this year – but did you know, the tower replica behind her was flashing Morse Code all the while? A little hard to see in the sunshine, but a WSARC rep we talked to before the parade thought you should know.

This year’s Orville Rummel Trophy for Outstanding Community Service recipient, former West Seattle Big Band director Donn Weaver (backstory here), got a visit from his WSBB successor, parade co-coordinator Jim Edwards, in The Junction:

Weaver also is a former longtime music teacher at West Seattle High School, which had an entry in this year’s parade, the cheer squad:

Seattle Lutheran High School sent its cheer squad to the parade too:

**30+ MORE PHOTOS AHEAD!**
Read More

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Monday cooldown edition; bridge crash
July 20, 2015 6:55 am
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
The temperature is down 30 degrees from where it peaked Sunday on the hottest day of the year, and so far, no traffic trouble through/from West Seattle. However, we do have a ferry alert, one that follows advance warning:

TWO-BOAT SCHEDULE ON FAUNTLEROY/VASHON/SOUTHWORTH: Because of repairs involving vessels elsewhere in the system, this route is being served by M/V Issaquah and Cathlamet on the two-boat schedule, with unscheduled supplementary service by the 34-vehicle Hiyu. WSF says this could last three days. Check ferries’ statuses on this WSF run, or any other, here.

TRANSPORTATION NEWS: A few links. First, the Seattle Times gets an advance copy of an independent analysis saying the city needs to do a better job of clearing crashes (most notably, the fish-truck fiasco) – read Mike Lindblom‘s report here … At 21st/Genesee in Pigeon Point, neighbors painted a new “street mural” on Sunday in hopes it will help slow traffic … A different West Seattle street-painting project on Sunday did not go so well.

SATURDAY NIGHT VIADUCT CLOSURE: Early heads-up – this Saturday night brings the Seafair Pirate Run before the Torchlight Parade, and that means a few hours of Alaskan Way Viaduct closure. More details as the week goes on.

8:34 AM: Crash on the eastbound bridge near the 4th Avenue South exit. Thanks to the person who texted us about it. SDOT shows the bridge-cam image:

Jeremy reports via Twitter:

8:45 AM: The Seattle Fire units have cleared the scene, suggesting no major injuries.

8:55 AM: Now one lane blocked, and not for long, per scanner. But SDOT warns the lower bridge is about to swing open for vessel traffic, so don’t use that as an alternate route for a while.

9 AM: Crash scene now cleared, but SDOT says backups still stretch all the way across the eastbound bridge.

3:45 PM: Trouble on southbound 99:

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UPDATE: ‘Smoking materials’ blamed for house fire at 44th/Graham
July 20, 2015 1:29 am
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle fires | West Seattle news | WS breaking news

(Thanks to Steve for the photo)

1:29 AM: Seattle Fire units are arriving at what the first arrivals are describing as a “small exterior fire” at a house in the 4400 block of SW Graham.

1:38 AM UPDATE: The fire has since been described as coming from the house’s crawl space. Two people were inside, described as a man and woman in their 50s, and escaped without injury, according to emergency-radio discussion; Red Cross is being called to help them. Some SFD units are being dismissed.

1:49 AM: The fire’s been pronounced “tapped” and the cause is under investigation.

2:06 AM: SFD is cancelling the call for the Red Cross, which means either the residents don’t need help or that they’ll be able to reoccupy their house.

10:13 AM: We checked with SFD spokesperson Kyle Moore regarding the cause and the damage. He says investigators determined the fire was caused by “improperly discarded smoking materials (that) ignited a wooden planter of the front porch. The fire spread to exterior siding and crawlspace. The damage estimate is $50,000. There were no injuries.”

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