day : 30/10/2015 10 results

Thanks to Gary Jones for sharing his photo from Alki Point. The newest notable sighting at sea off West Seattle is NOAA Ship Ronald H. Brown (R-104), the federal agency’s largest ship at 274 feet. It’s docked on the Duwamish River tonight, as shown on MarineTraffic.com; the latest fleet report from NOAA says the ship arrived from Dutch Harbor, Alaska, after studying “bioeffects of the Chukchi Sea,” described further:

Assess habitat conditions that influence biodiversity and distribution of benthic infaunal communities, contaminants, and chemical body burdens of resident organisms as measures of environmental health in the bays and lagoons in the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas in the vicinity of proposed oil transport pipelines. Baseline data will be essential for monitoring pollution control effectiveness and National Resource Damage Assessment activities in the event of a spill.

The Chukchi Sea is where Shell had drilled before announcing earlier this fall that it would end its Arctic Ocean exploration TFN. The Ronald H. Brown is homeported in Charleston, South Carolina; no word how long it’ll be here.

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West Seattle weekend scene: Halloween (Eve) carnival @ Hiawatha Community Center

October 30, 2015 9:28 pm

| Comments Off on West Seattle weekend scene: Halloween (Eve) carnival @ Hiawatha Community Center

| Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news

(WSB photos)

Big night at Hiawatha Community Center, with two levels of activities and decorations for the annual Halloween Carnival! Down in the gym, games and activities were geared for kids over 5:

Upstairs, activities were at a smaller scale, still offering big fun:

Wherever the carnivalgoers went, it was another chance to show off their costumes:

So much fun this past week – and Halloween itself isn’t even here yet! Check our West Seattle Halloween Guide to see what’s happening tomorrow.

P.S. You can preview what’s ahead at Hiawatha and West Seattle’s other city-run community centers for the rest of this fall – including the winter holidays – by browsing the regional brochure.

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West Seattle weather: Another wind advisory tonight & Saturday morning

October 30, 2015 8:13 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

While the wind advisory for this morning’s stormy weather expired in mid-afternoon, another one is about to take effect. The National Weather Service has a wind advisory taking effect at 9 tonight and continuing until noon Saturday. Like this morning, the wind will be out of the south, 20-30 mph with gusts to 45 mph. Be sure everything’s charged, just in case! Heavy rain is still on the way, too; here’s the forecast. As always, we’ll continue coverage throughout the weekend, so if your neighborhood experiences storm trouble (power outage, trees/wires down, etc.) please let us know – text or call 206-293-6302 any time.

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PHOTOS: Admiral District trick-or-treating on Halloween Eve 2015

October 30, 2015 3:55 pm

| 9 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

3:55 PM: The radar was right! No rain as the businesses of The Admiral District host West Seattle kids for trick-or-treating. Just come on over to California and Admiral and the surrounding area – west to 44th, east to 41st, and north/south for a ways.

Get treats, and tell your friendly local businesspeople “thanks”! Or, in the case of those handing out treats at Brookdale, your friendly local residents:

It’s on until 6 pm.

4:18 PM: Above are the ladies of Admiral Bird, where we’re based while doing some as-it-happens updating. Below, the space shuttle landed in the pumpkin patch of the Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor) costume contest, concurrent with trick or treating:

We’ve also seen a Blue Angel, 10 months early!

Continuing with the aviation theme:

And … Teletubbies?

More costumed proprietors … Parris and Kent Sadow at Atomic Boys:

Under the really big hat, that’s Dr. Keith McDonald at A Kids Place Too Dentistry for Children (WSB sponsor):

Eek! Alki Bike and Board is haunted!

4:46 PM: We found The Incredibles!

So – you think West Seattle traffic is bad on the streets? Check out the sidewalk near-miss:

Excellent Halloween soundtrack at The Bird, by the way. “Don’t Fear the Reaper,” “Thriller,” “Somebody’s Watching Me,” more. And a bit further south on California, it wouldn’t be Halloween without the Wiseman’s Appliance freezer – portrayed by Molly:

More later.

P.S. Lots more Halloween Eve fun to follow – including the nearby Hiawatha Community Center Carnival, 6:30-8:30 pm – check out the WSB West Seattle Halloween Guide.

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Homa Rugs: Welcoming a new WSB sponsor, with a clearance sale and free West Seattle delivery

October 30, 2015 3:10 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | West Seattle people

We’re welcoming a new WSB sponsor this afternoon, Homa Rugs, whose proprietor, Ahmad Mohammadian, invites his fellow West Seattleites to come shop his store’s inventory-clearance sale before its move at the end of the year. He’s offering free delivery to anywhere in West Seattle.

(Ahmad Mohammadian and son Bijan, graduate of Seattle Lutheran HS)

Homa Rugs has been in business on 1st Avenue for three decades. What you’ll find includes all-wool rugs in a variety of patterns, from several countries, crafted with all-natural vegetable dyes, which he says will last 30 to 40 years with proper care. Some of them are antique rugs that are in good condition. Homa Rugs‘ inventory also includes Gabbeh rugs.

The store is moving because its site is being redeveloped. Right now during the clearance sale, 2×3 rugs start for as little as $50, 3×5 rugs beginning at $100, and 4×6 rugs for as little as $200. You’ll also find runners up to 10×14 in length and rugs as large as 17×23.

Homa Rugs is at 1208 1st Avenue downtown, 206-623-7663, online at homarugs.net.

We thank Homa Rugs for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Stolen-and-found reader reports

October 30, 2015 1:55 pm

| 9 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Starting this afternoon’s West Seattle Crime Watch roundup – Byron was hit by Halloween-decorations theft:

We had a few strings of lights, a string of 8 legs, arms, feet and hands (good quality molded body parts), and a few skulls stolen from our yard on Hanford and 38th. Oh how sad.

STROLLER AND BIKE STOLEN: From Tim:

Someone took our toddler’s white and blue Strider bike and big orange stroller from our front porch last night. We’re in the 5200 block of 36th Ave SW. Don’t expect to see them again, but we did file an online report.

STROLLER FOUND: A stroller stolen earlier is one of the possibly stolen items found by another reader:

Thursday morning at around 6:15 AM while walking our dogs on 32nd Ave SW between Thistle and Elmgrove St. my friend and I found a discarded stroller and nice jacket. These items were thrown onto the sidewalk, leading us to believe they were possibly stolen and discarded? We would like to get them back to the owner (s). I am happy to arrange the return but would like for anyone claiming these items to please describe the jacket and the make of the stroller. I can be reached via this email address: turtle05071@aol.com

BIKE FOUND: Another item found – possibly stolen property – by Allison:

Last week I found a BMX bike on the side of my house. I live at 30th and Roxbury accross from Roxhill Elementary. I’m thinking the bike was stole and stashed on the side of house?

Thanks again for sharing your reports – go to the police first, but once you’ve done that, please let us know so your neighbors ALL around West Seattle can stay in touch with what’s happening. And be safe this Hallo-weekend! We work 24/7, so you can get breaking news to us any time – text or call 206-293-6302 – thanks!

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West Seattle Friday: Admiral trick-or-treating, Hiawatha carnival, SW Pool swim, lots more Halloween (Eve) fun, and other events…

October 30, 2015 11:34 am

| Comments Off on West Seattle Friday: Admiral trick-or-treating, Hiawatha carnival, SW Pool swim, lots more Halloween (Eve) fun, and other events…

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

What’s up today/tonight? First, from the WSB West Seattle Halloween Guide (this isn’t everything on that list, so please check there, too!)

OCTOBER 30, ADMIRAL DISTRICT: Trick-or-Treating in The Admiral District, participating merchants – look for those displaying this sign:

3-6 pm. (California/Admiral and vicinity)

TRICK OR TREAT AT HOMESTREET: HomeStreet Bank (WSB sponsor) in The Junction has trick or treat candy until 6 pm today and 9 am-1 pm tomorrow, for everyone dressed up in costumes. Please, NO masks permitted inside the bank for security reasons. (4022 SW Alaska)

COSTUME CONTEST: Kids’ Halloween Costume Contest, 3-6 pm at Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor). (41st/42nd/Admiral Way)

HIAWATHA CARNIVAL: Halloween Carnival at Hiawatha Community Center, 6-8 pm. 25 cents a ticket. (2700 California SW)

SWTLC CARNIVAL: Creepy Carnival at Southwest Teen Life Center, 6-8 pm, free. (2801 SW Thistle)

PUMPKIN BASH: The Great Pumpkin Bash for kids through 5th grade, at Westwood Christian Community, 6:30 pm. (9252 16th SW)

FREE SWIM: Free Halloween Family Swim at Southwest Pool, 7-8 pm. Swim in a pool full of pumpkins! Anyone under 18 years old must be accompanied in the water by an adult or guardian. (2801 SW Thistle)

LIVE AT EASY STREET: Monster Mash Bash live music at Easy Street Records, 7 pm, free, all ages. (California SW & SW Alaska)

HAUNTED HOUSE: Presented by Clown Mania, 7-9 pm each night. (5007 Erskine Way)

TREEHOUSE PARTY: 9 pm at The Treehouse Lounge in The Admiral District: “This year, we’ll celebrate our 4th scare-iversary at The Treehouse with more spine-tingling spooks than ever before. Join us for our Halloween Party. Live music by Mike Sorensen and costumes are encouraged!” No cover. (2206 California SW)

And now the non-Halloween events, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

FUNDRAISER FOR ATTACK VICTIM: You’ve heard about Ramon Aspeitia, the West Seattle restaurant worker paralyzed after an attack in White Center. From the proprietors of The Westy Sports and Spirits:

This is late notice but we wanted to help out Ramon. We just received our playoff tickets to the Sounders game this Sunday. We have two sounders tickets that we will raffle off on Saturday afternoon at 5 pm. We will also include a $50 gift certificate to the Westy for the winner. Raffle tickets will be sold all day Friday and Saturday until the winner is chosen at 5 pm. Each ticket will cost a dollar. All further donations are welcome. Anyone is welcome to stop by and make a purchase without any obligation to dine at the Westy. Thank you.

The Westy is at 7908 35th SW.

HIGH-SCHOOL FOOTBALL: 5 pm at Memorial Stadium downtown, it’s a postseason game for Chief Sealth International High School, vs. Seattle Prep. (401 5th Ave N.)

LIVE MUSIC: Kyle Taylor @ C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. (5612 California SW)

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Rezone ex-substation at 16th/Holden? Proposal emerges in city budget docs

October 30, 2015 9:33 am

| 7 COMMENTS

| Highland Park | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

(Aerial-photo graphic via Seattle City Light)

Again today, the City Council has a marathon meeting to go through potential additions/changes in next year’s budget, which will be finalized before Thanksgiving. Reviewing today’s long list – just made public, minutes before the meeting – we see one for potentially rezoning the former City Light substation at 16th and Holden and other nearby properties. This is something community advocates including the Highland Park Action Committee have pushed for, in hopes of expanding the mini-business district at that intersection, as the city continues determining the fate of eight ex-substations in all. Here’s the text of the document – remember, this is a proposal, and a final decision about including it in the budget won’t be made today:

Council requests that the Department of Planning and Development’s (DPD) Planning Division, or the proposed new Office of Planning and Community Development (OPCD), develop and execute a scope of work to consider zoning and land use changes for the properties in and around the intersection of 16th Ave SW and SW Holden Street, including the former Seattle City Light Dumar Substation (“Dumar”) at 1605 SW Holden Street. DPD/OPCD should add this to the scope of work for either the Delridge Action Plan or to the work called for in Resolution 31612 to consider zoning and land use regulation changes in certain single-family areas (implementing recommendations from the Housing Affordability and Livability Action Agenda Committee’s proposal).

The Executive is requested to submit a report to the Council with a project scope, timeline and implementation plan for potential changes to zoning and land use regulations that could apply to this area by July 1, 2016. The project scope must include working with the Highland Park Action Committee (HPAC), property owners of lots being considered for a rezone (to include 1605 SW Holden Street) and other community members to develop recommendations. The rezone analysis should consider the most appropriate zone(s) for the area, including considering the addition of a Pedestrian zone designation.

Seattle City Light (SCL) has submitted legislation (CB 118512) for Council consideration that would declare eight substation properties as surplus and authorize the sale of these properties. The Dumar site is one of the eight properties being considered for disposition.

The Dumar site is located on the southwest corner of the intersection of SW Holden Street and 16th Avenue SW in the Highland Park neighborhood; this property is in a Single Family zone. The other three corners of the intersection are zoned Neighborhood Commercial with a 30 foot height limit. The northwest corner is occupied by a 7-Eleven store, the northeast corner by the City’s Fire Station No.11 and the southeast corner by a two-unit strip mall. As requested in Resolution 31424, SCL conducted outreach to the community about the potential disposition. This included attending district council meetings, community council meetings, soliciting comments through letters and emails and two formal public hearings.

SCL heard from HPAC and from emails from community members, a strong interest in seeing the Dumar site rezoned to Neighborhood Commercial (or an alternative commercial zone) to implement their vision that this intersection will be built out as a small, pedestrian-friendly commercial center. SCL also heard from the abutting owners to the Dumar property who requested that the property not be made a park and, instead, be sold for development as a single family residence. Whether the City disposes of the Dumar property or retains it, this SLI directs DPD/OPCD to initiate an evaluation of the zoning and land use regulations that apply to this site and the surrounding area to determine if a rezone is appropriate and to implement any identified needed changes.

Sponsors are listed as Councilmembers Tom Rasmussen, Bruce Harrell, and Nick Licata. You can watch today’s budget meeting live on Seattle Channel, online or cable channel 21. The budget will be finalized before Thanksgiving; you can send comments about this or any other aspect of the budget via a feedback form you’ll find on this page.

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West Seattle weather: Wind advisory today, flood watch tonight

October 30, 2015 9:13 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

While the rain’s taking a break right now, the wind kicked up early this morning, out of the south, and that finally brought an official “wind advisory” from the National Weather Service, in effect until 3 this afternoon, with gusts as high as 45 mph. The photo above is from Constellation Park south of Alki Point, where sea spray blew over the seawall – and onto Beach Drive SW at times – when this morning’s 12-foot high tide collided with wind-fueled waves. The “flood watch” alert is still set to take effect about the time the rain returns this evening, with heavy rain expected at times through Sunday, so our “clear your storm drains” advice from yesterday continues. Also, if you live in a flood zone and need sandbags, you can get them at Delridge Community Center (4501 Delridge Way SW).

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Friday updates; weekend Highway 99 closures…

October 30, 2015 7:24 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news

(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
7:24 AM: No incidents so far. Stormy morning but an afternoon break is predicted before more rain tonight, so that could be good news for Admiral District business trick-or-treating, planned for 3-6 pm today. The other big reminder is the Highway 99/Alaskan Way Viaduct inspection/maintenance closures set for Saturday and Sunday, 6 am-6 pm each day. (As always, if the second closure ends early, or isn’t needed, as has happened sometimes in the past, we’ll update, since we cover news 24/7.)

7:44 AM: Per scanner, a crash is reported at Olson/Myers, at the east end of Roxbury, and is blocking some part of the road; haven’t heard which side yet, but if you’re heading that way, you’re now forewarned.

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