day : 10/09/2016 10 results

Look for that sign at California and Portland in Gatewood [map] on Sunday, 10 am-1 pm. Yma tells us her daughter and friends have been making signs all day for a cookies and lemonade stand that will raise money to help with Louisiana’s recovery from deadly floods. The parents will “match whatever is made and donate to Red Cross, targeted to flood relief.” The flooding killed 13 people and forced thousands from their homes, leaving the state trying to find billions for recovery.

UPDATE: Motorcycle rider killed after collision leads to fall from bridge ramp

September 10, 2016 7:36 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

UPDATED 7:39 PM: Two scenes, one incident, working right now. We’re at lower Spokane St. at East Marginal, where a motorcycle rider apparently fell to the surface, off the bridge, where the motorcycle was found:

The rider is reported by SFD to have “critical” injuries.

Police are on the high rise bridge and here at Spokane/Marginal. They’re also, according to the scanner, closing the southbound 99 offramp to the westbound bridge so they can figure out “where the point of impact” was. Spokane/East Marginal is closed all ways. Be aware, if you’re trying to get to/from Harbor Island, that besides this incident, the weekend-long construction-project closures have resulted in detours.

7:51 PM UPDATE: We’re still at Spokane/Marginal. Traffic is being allowed northbound on East Marginal, but surface Spokane St. is closed west of East Marginal.

That and the southbound 99 ramp to the westbound bridge – which is right over the scene where the rider was found (photo above) – will both be investigation scenes for the Traffic Collision Investigation Squad and will be closed TFN.

8:32 PM: To get back to West Seattle, we took the westbound bridge from the 1st Avenue South ramp, and saw two SPD cars on the left shoulder of the bridge before the high rise, with the injured rider’s motorcycle still on the ground. SPD is describing this as a “single-vehicle collision,” so far, but the investigation is continuing. No further information on the rider yet.

9:58 PM: So far as we know, both closures are still in effect. If we don’t hear anything official by 10:30, we’ll go check. Meantime, we have added some photos above.

11:25 PM: Live, albeit blurry, video via the SDOT Travelers’ Map, for 99/Lander, shows the offramp to the West Seattle Bridge is still closed.

11:29 PM: And moments later … per scanner, confirmed by that video feed, police have JUST reopened the ramp. Their investigation continues on the roadway below.

ADDED SUNDAY, MIDDAY: In comment discussion below, family members say the rider has died. SPD hasn’t yet released any additional information.

SUNDAY AFTERNOON: The rider’s family tells us his name was Ryan, and he was 41 years old.

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FOLLOWUP: Happy 100th birthday to Ruth Winquist!

September 10, 2016 5:44 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Last weekend, we brought you the story of Ruth Parker Winquist, who as of today is West Seattle’s newest centenarian. Linda Ball, who wrote that story for WSB, was at the official birthday party today and reports that “probably 30 or so extended family members and friends (were there) honoring Ruth.” Linda’s photos also include a picture of the mayoral proclamation in honor of Ruth’s “amazing feat.” And here’s the birthday honoree with some of the partygoers:

Among those in attendance was Ruth’s daughter Sallie Morris, who arranged the party refreshments, and who also was the first person to tell us about her mom’s milestone. Happy hundredth to Ruth!

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UPDATE: Brush fire in Gatewood, out fast

September 10, 2016 3:50 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| Gatewood | West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

3:50 PM: What started as a house-fire response has now switched to a “rubbish fire that spread to brush” in the 7300 block of California SW in Gatewood [map]. We’re on the way to check it out.

4:01 PM: The last SFD unit was pulling away as we got there. So, it’s out, and wasn’t major.

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TRAFFIC ALERT UPDATE: Crash on eastbound West Seattle Bridge cleared after 1 1/2 hours

September 10, 2016 3:44 pm

| 27 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Traffic-cam view of crash scene)

3:44 PM: Thanks to the texter who just let us know about this – 911 shows a fire dispatch as of a few minutes ago too: There’s a crash on the eastbound West Seattle Bridge, “over Avalon” as the texter described it. They say it’s affecting traffic both ways because the crash “took out a median.” So if you’re heading east sometime soon – getting onto the bridge from Delridge might be a better bet.

3:54 PM: Added a traffic-cam view of the crash scene, above.

4:12 PM: Traffic is still getting by, one lane each way. We’ve added a street-level view sent by Mark.

5:05 PM: Texters say traffic was stopped for about 15 minutes but is now moving again.

5:14 PM: Especially in the eastbound direction, we highly recommend avoiding this section of the bridge until it’s completely clear. It appears the wrecked car is on the tow truck now but it might still be stop-and-go until it’s gone and repairs are completed. Here’s the live camera image.

5:19 PM: The scene has JUST cleared after an hour and a half.

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West Seattle gains Momentia: Community connections for people with memory loss

September 10, 2016 1:20 pm

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| Health | West Seattle news

(Photo courtesy Momentia)

You might have noticed the newest decorations at Walking on Logs near the southwest end of the westbound West Seattle Bridge, but not recognized the name on the banner: Momentia. We just heard from the people behind it, with an explanation:

Momentia Seattle is a grassroots movement empowering people with memory loss and their loved ones to stay connected in the community! You can visit the community website to learn more about the movement, our community partners, and to see a full calendar of programs and events throughout the Greater Seattle Area: www.momentiaseattle.org

Part of it is Camp Momentia, happening next Saturday at West Seattle’s Camp Long, a day-camp experience for 48 people with memory loss. Cayce Cheairs with Seattle Parks tells us the camp is fully enrolled, but if you are interested, you can connect to get on the list for next year’s camp and other “dementia-friendly recreation” in the meantime – e-mail cayce.cheairs@seattle.gov – one of the upcoming events is a community gathering here in West Seattle next month “to hear from the West Seattle memory loss community about what programs you’d like to see in your community. Hosted by community partners – including the UW Memory and Brain Wellness Center, the Senior Center of West Seattle, Providence Mt. St. Vincent, Full Life Care, and Seattle Parks and Recreation – this gathering will offer an opportunity for people living with memory loss and their loved ones to have their voices heard and to help create more creative and social engagement opportunities for people living with memory loss in West Seattle.” More details soon – we’ll have it on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar once we get them.

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Celebration of life next Saturday for Charles Rhett Richards, 1988-2016

September 10, 2016 11:51 am

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| Obituaries | West Seattle news

Family and friends will gather next Saturday (September 17th) to celebrate the life of Charles Rhett Richards. Here’s the remembrance they are sharing with the community:

Charles Rhett Richards, 28, passed away July 30, 2016.

Born on February 6, 1988 in Seattle, he lived a very full and engaging life, always on the go. Son of Pat and Paula, brother to Emmett (Becky) and Wes (Shay), and uncle to CeeCee and Clara. He moved to Bellingham in 2009, where he graduated from WWU with a Bachelor in Business.

After college he traveled Europe, Australia, and the United States to visit friends, family and to live life on the go. He lived life in a matter most wouldn’t dare, always seeking something new to experience, see, or do. He filled every life he touched with love and joy, finding worth in all, resulting in countless friendships. A warm and wonderful man, he brought enthusiasm to every endeavor. You will forever be in our hearts and thoughts, Rhett; please watch over us all until we meet again.

Celebration of Life: Our Lady of Guadalupe, 7000 35th Avenue SW, on September 17th at 1:30 pm. Memorials can be sent to Catholic Community Services in Rhett’s honor.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

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West Seattle Saturday: Camp Long celebration; Delridge Day of Dance; fun ways to help local nonprofits…

September 10, 2016 6:48 am

| 5 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Male Spotted Towhee – photographed by Mark Wangerin)

Here’s what’s happening for your West Seattle Saturday, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and inbox:

CAR WASH FUNDRAISER: 10 am-3 pm, Seattle Lutheran High School cheerleaders plan a fundraising car wash at West Seattle Autoworks (WSB sponsor). Weather should cooperate. (35th SW/SW Webster)

ART SALE: 10 am-4 pm, multiple artists combining for a studio show and sale – including the work of Jennifer Carrasco, Genna Draper, Ricardo Duque, Simona Foggitt, Beata Metzelaar, Scott Parker-Anderson. The studio is in the West Seattle Church of the Nazarene building. (4201 SW Juneau)

WALK-A-THON AT THE KENNEY: 10 am-1 pm, drop by The Kenney to help its residents and friends raise money for the fund that helps people stay there beyond the exhaustion of their funds. If you can’t walk or support walkers, you are also welcome to bid on silent-auction items. (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW)

CONFIDENCE-BUILDING WORKSHOP FOR KIDS: 10 am-noon at Elite BJJ of Seattle (WSB sponsor) in North Delridge, a free workshop for kids 6-13, accompanied by parents, as previewed here – call first to be sure there’s space! (5050 Delridge Way SW)

CAMP LONG CELEBRATION: 11 am-5 pm, celebrate the 75th anniversary of Camp Long during a daylong party including its Mountain Fest celebration of climbing – details in our preview. Flag ceremony at 1:30 pm. (5200 35th SW)

(Added 7:23 am – this morning’s sunrise, from Seacrest, photographed by Tom Milne)

RALLY MODEL HOME GRAND OPENING: 11 am-5 pm, visit Rally (WSB sponsor) – the townhome/live-work community between Admiral and The Junction – for the grand opening of its model home. (California SW/SW Charlestown)

DELRIDGE DAY OF DANCE: Noon-4 pm, a multicultural celebration featuring West African dance at Delridge Community Center/Playfield – details here. (4458 Delridge Way SW)

SECOND TO LAST DAY FOR COLMAN POOL: Noon-7 pm, it’s the second-to-last day this year that you can swim at Colman Pool on the shore at Lincoln Park, as it opens for a post-season weekend. (8603 Fauntleroy Way SW)

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS SEMINAR: September is Preparedness Month, and you can get in the spirit by participating in a free SNAP (Seattle Neighborhoods Actively Prepare) seminar at the Breath of Life SDA Church, co-presenting with the Seattle Office of Emergency Management, 4 pm. (9807 26th SW)

SALSA ON ALKI, THE FINALE: 5 pm at Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza, the last “Salsa on Alki” session of the year starts with a lesson; 6-10 pm, dancing. Cover charges and other details here. (61st SW/Alki SW)

‘UNMASK THE NIGHT’ FUNDRAISER: 7 pm at Duos Lounge, a fundraiser to help Chad’s Legacy Project sponsor a mental-health summit, as explained in our report published on Thursday. Check ticket availability here. (2940 SW Avalon Way)

CONCERT TO HELP WEST SEATTLE HELPLINE: 7 pm at Alki UCC, it’s the latest in a series of concerts to raise money so the West Seattle Helpline can continue providing emergency assistance. Tonight, the Olympia Chamber Brass performs – details in our calendar listing. (6115 SW Hinds)

BON-FULTON @ C & P: 7 pm, C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) presents live music for your Saturday night. (5612 California SW)

LIVE AT PARLIAMENT TAVERN: 9 pm, Maurice & His Thing, no cover. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

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High-school football: Another West Seattle HS win

September 10, 2016 6:40 am

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| West Seattle news | WS & Sports

West Seattle High School is 2-0 after a big win last night at Southwest Athletic Complex.

(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)

The Wildcats’ first home game of the season ended with a 43-7 victory over Ingraham. The scoring was spread around: #84 Colin Roman (below, celebrating with #85 Andrew Burggraff) got the first touchdown with 8:17 to go in the first quarter.