day : 20/10/2016 11 results

The first big event of the season happened tonight at High Point Community Center: About 40 teens worked to plan, set up, and perform in this year’s Haunted House.

Four more photos from WSB’s Leda Costa, ahead: Read More

VIDEO: Chief Sealth musicians open for Seattle Symphony and West Seattle Community Orchestra

| West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Our video is from the pre-concert performance at Chief Sealth International High School tonight, as CSIHS musicians played a selection by Vivaldi, opening for the free “Side by Side” community concert featuring the Seattle Symphony and West Seattle Community Orchestras. The student musicians are introduced in the clip by Sealth principal Aida Fraser-Hammer and by teacher Jorge Morales, who conducted them.

P.S. Two upcoming galas offer you the chance to support local music and more – flyers were circulated at tonight’s concert:

-Annual Fall Gala and Auction for WSCO, November 12th, 6 pm, @ Alki Masonic Hall – get tickets here

-8th annual Seahawk Spirit Dinner and Auction, November 19th, 5:30 pm @ Brockey Center (South Seattle College), with proceeds benefiting CSIHS PTSA and Athletics and Denny-Sealth Performing Arts – get tickets here

ALSO: WSCO has three concerts coming up in December; we’ll add to the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, but in case you want to set calendar reminders now:

-6 pm December 6th, Debut Orchestra & Brass Sextet
-7:30 pm December 9th, West Seattle Symphony Orchestra
-7 pm December 13th, Intermediate Orchestra & Wind Symphony

All are free (donations appreciated), in the CSIHS Auditorium.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Arrests linked to robbery investigations; package thief on camera; graffiti vandalism

October 20, 2016 7:40 pm

| 9 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

First, a developing story:

Southwest Precinct police “may have cleared seven robberies” from the past month after taking seven people into custody south of South Park late today. We’re expecting more details tomorrow, but here’s what we know, after asking SW Precinct Operations Lt. Ron Smith about it at the start of tonight’s Alki Community Council meeting:

While SPD has a “limited pursuit” policy, they had been looking for suspects in connection with more than half a dozen recent robberies, including some in West Seattle. One of the precinct’s newest officers, he said, spotted a stolen car that they had linked to suspects through video footage. According to SPD’s Twitter feed, the sighting was made near Marginal/Cloverdale (in the South Park area). Via scanner, we heard the pursuit that ensued (a West Seattleite also reported to us that he saw it); it ended south of South Park when the vehicle crashed, according to Lt. Smith, who said no one was seriously hurt but one person was taken to Harborview per department policy in situations like this. Most of those taken into custody, he said, were juveniles. Again, Lt. Smith stressed that this is early information; we expect to find out more about this tomorrow (if it doesn’t appear on SPD Blotter sooner).

Also in West Seattle Crime Watch tonight, two reader reports:

PACKAGE THIEF ON CAM: Chad sent these images and a report:

I had a package theft today at 1:04 PM. My home is on the 4000 block of Myrtle ST. at the end of a dead-end street. Fed-Ex package delivered to my front porch this afternoon at 10:30. At approximately 1:00, a couple (male and female) prowled our street. As my neighbor was leaving his house by car, he noticed their Black Nissan in our dead-end and made sure they took note of his presence. They left the street. Apparently they stopped at the bottom of the street at California and pretended to be lost. My neighbor went about his business. The couple must have noticed that a) there was a package on my doorstep, and b) my neighbor had left as they returned and at 1:04 stole the package from my stoop. (Above and below) are the images of the woman stealing my item.

If you recognize this car, or this woman, please do call the police to let them know. I have reported this information to the police (Reference report T16010551).

The vehicle is a black (updated) Kia Optima.

GRAFFITI VANDALISM: We’ve received two reports in two days of extensive graffiti/tagging vandalism – which unfortunately isn’t rare, but we’re told a church is among the targets, and Lincoln Park was hit too, according to one tipster. Please report to police to help them potentially zero in on the vandal(s) – and, they advise, take photos of it and then paint it over.

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ZONING CHANGES: First look at draft maps for West Seattle’s 4 ‘urban villages’ with Mandatory Housing Affordability

October 20, 2016 4:44 pm

| 46 COMMENTS

| Development | West Seattle news

A long-awaited set of maps is public this afternoon. They show zoning changes proposed for the city’s Urban Villages to meet one of the mayor’s Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda (HALA) goals, Mandatory Housing Affordability, in which developers either commit to building a certain percentage of what’s considered “affordable housing,” or pay fees to a city fund that will bankroll some of it. West Seattle has 4 official Urban Village areas – The Junction, Morgan Junction, Admiral, and Westwood-Highland Park. Here are the draft maps:

(Direct link to West Seattle Junction map)

(Direct link to Morgan Junction map)

(Direct link to Admiral map)

(Direct link to Westwood-Highland Park map)

The draft maps quietly appeared on a HALA feedback website – no formal city announcement yet, but they were due out this week, and that’s why last night’s Morgan Community Association meeting offered a primer on how to read them, once they’re out. MoCA board member Cindi Barker has been on one of the “focus groups” that have been working on the principles to shape the maps. Here’s what she explained to the group last night – these key points:

-Some urban villages were proposed for expanded boundaries – in this area, The (West Seattle/Alaska) Junction is the only one.

-Whichever areas on a map are colored in, that’s where a zoning change is proposed. Single-family zoning inside urban villages is orange on the maps and proposed for changing to “residential small lot.” Also when reading the maps for a change, look for a white zoning label (like SF 5000, single-family 5,000 square feet, followed by a slash, to RSL).

-The solid-color change areas will be getting a “typical” amount of upzoning via Mandatory Housing Affordability, such as one story. If a change area has diagonal lines through it, it’ll be more.

The meetings, Cindi Barker explained, focused on what principles should be applied, in order to make this work around the city. The text boxes on the maps feature some of these principles.

Solid-color change areas will be getting a “typical” amount of upzoning, likely one more story. With diagonal lines, it’ll be more.

-Multi-family-zoned property will see changes, even outside Urban Villages.

-Single-family-zoned property will NOT see changes outside Urban Villages.

Barker says the city will be having open houses and workshops around the city in the months ahead to explain and answer questions about all this. MoCA will also have its own meeting to help Morgan Junction residents. No date for any of this yet;

And the focus groups that have been meeting for several months will also be going over the draft maps at their upcoming sessions, which are all on this page.

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West Seattle development: The Kenney’s rezone; new apartments near 35th/Roxbury; South Delridge townhouses; 2 more notes

October 20, 2016 3:43 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| Development | The Kenney | West Seattle news

Development notes:

THE KENNEY REZONE PROPOSAL: We first reported two weeks ago on retirement-housing complex The Kenney‘s plan to expand via rezoning to add an apartment building with about 40 units on the southwest side of its property, and possibly townhomes on the southeast corner (rendering above). A “contract rezone” will be required, and city online files now show that the process has begun. The official notice isn’t out yet but it’ll be at Land Use Permit #3026106.

20 APARTMENTS @ 9447 35TH SW: This early-stage proposal just appeared in city files today – 9447 35th SW (map). It would replace a small commercial building with a 20-unit apartment building including 1,200 feet of commercial space.

8 TOWNHOUSES @ 9225-9229 16TH SW: An early-stage proposal for this South Delridge site (map) calls for four 2-unit townhouse buildings, two fronting 16th, two right behind them, replacing a duplex.

SW HOLDEN SUBDIVISION SITE CLEARING: Thanks to the neighbor who pointed out site-clearing for the 18-house subdivision at 2768 SW Holden (map):

The project has been in the works for at least four years (backstory here) and finally moved toward construction earlier this year after Jabooda Homes bought it for $2.2 million.

COMMENT PERIOD FOR 4754 FAUNTLEROY: Today’s edition of the city-circulated Land Use Information Bulletin includes official word of the land-use-permit application for 4754 Fauntleroy Way SW, the 7-story project with 108 apartments and 10 live-work units proposed for the former Capitol Loans site (and the parking lot north of it) at Fauntleroy/Edmunds. You have until November 2nd to comment; the notice explains how. The project still has at least one more Southwest Design Review Board meeting ahead (no date yet); it passed Early Design Guidance in August.

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HIGHWAY 99 TUNNEL: Approaching 5,000-foot mark

October 20, 2016 2:33 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Highway 99 tunnel | West Seattle news

WSDOT is out with its latest twice-weekly progress report on the Highway 99 tunneling machine. As of today, it’s dug 4,955 feet of the 9,270-foot tunnel route, and could pass the 5,000-foot mark within days. The most-recent maintenance stop turned out to be a short one, and it’s been tunneling again since October 12th, currently toward the north end of the Union-to-Stewart-Street zone.

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West Seattle whale-watching: Orcas in the area

October 20, 2016 11:40 am

| 4 COMMENTS

| Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Wildlife

12:03 PM: Thanks for the text – orcas are reported in the area! Southbound and possibly along or near West Seattle shores by now, according to Orca Network spotters, who say these are Southern Resident Killer Whales. Let us know if you see them!

12:24 PM: Another texter says they’re off Alki. We’re en route to look.

12:39 PM: Not seeing any unassisted from the Alki Point vicinity but some hardy spotters are out looking. Take binoculars.

12:55 PM: Just heard from Jeff Hogan of Killer Whale Tales. He says some are visible in the Vashon ferry lane, one here, two there, southbound, but not close to the WS side.

1:54 PM: From above Lincoln Park, we’re seeing a few headed along the north end of Vashon, continuing SB.

2:07 PM: And we just received a call from someone seeing more pass by Constellation Park. Thanks – 206-293-6302 voice or text, any time!

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Live or work in The Junction? New Emergency Communication Hub ‘opens’ this Sunday

October 20, 2016 11:16 am

| Comments Off on Live or work in The Junction? New Emergency Communication Hub ‘opens’ this Sunday

| Preparedness | West Seattle news

With an earthquake drill this morning, and what you might consider a “storm drill” last weekend, preparedness may well be on your mind. Today, we have news about West Seattle’s Emergency Communication Hubs:

The newest Hub, in The Junction, will be set up for an “opening” event this Sunday, noon-3 pm, so you can visit and get familiar with the concept. It’s in the Hope Lutheran Church parking lot, off SW Oregon just east of 42nd SW [map]. Even if that’s not the one closest to you, if you don’t know about the Hubs, now’s as good a time as ever. From the explanation on westseattlebeprepared.org (an awesome overall preparedness resource):

The Emergency Communication Hubs are locations around West Seattle which have been designated by neighborhood leaders and volunteers as community gathering sites if a major disaster makes it impossible to get information and help in the usual ways. These are locations that are easy to find and familiar to most people in each of these neighborhoods.

We’ve chosen outdoor locations because many buildings may be unsafe following an earthquake or similar type of disaster. After buildings have been checked for damage and deemed safe/usable, they will very likely be used as shelters. The Emergency Communication Hubs will be the initial gathering locations, since they can be predetermined for each neighborhood.

If you don’t see one close to you on the map – it’s because nobody has stepped up to get one going! Here’s information on how to get started.

P.S. The new Junction Hub had a preview event back in June, during a quake-scenario drill for which hubs were “activated” around the city.

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What’s up for your busy West Seattle Thursday

October 20, 2016 10:11 am

| Comments Off on What’s up for your busy West Seattle Thursday

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Male pileated woodpecker @ Fauntleroy Park – photographed by Mark Wangerin)

Lots going on! From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and Halloween (etc.) Guide:

MONSTER DASH FUNDRAISER AT ZIPPY’S: All day/night at Zippy’s Giant Burgers in White Center, a percentage of proceeds will go to the West Seattle Monster Dash – the benefit for local Cooperative Preschools, coming up October 29th. More info on today’s benefit is in our calendar listing. (9614 14th SW)

EARTHQUAKE DRILL: You should already know whether your workplace, school, etc. is participating in today’s 10:20 am nationwide drill – but just in case it’s news to you and you see/hear something worrisome, it’s only a drill!

HAUNTED HOUSE: From the WSB West Seattle Halloween Guide – Haunted House at High Point Community Center: “Enter and get ready to be scared in this amazing High Point Community Center Haunted House built by the neighborhood teens. All proceeds help fund High Point Teen programming.” 5:30-7 pm, ages 8 and up, $2. (6920 34th SW)

CIRCLE OF SINGLES: For singles 60+, at Copper Coin in The Admiral District, 5 pm. (2329 California SW)

WEST SEATTLE TIMEBANK: 6 pm orientation, 6:30 pm potluck, 7 pm presentation by the Urban Homestead Foundation. More info in our calendar listing; all welcome. At the Sisson Building/Senior Center. (SW Oregon/California SW)

SEATTLE SYMPHONY SIDE-BY-SIDE WITH WEST SEATTLE COMMUNITY ORCHESTRAS: Come early to see the Chief Sealth IHS String Ensemble at 6:30 pm; Seattle Symphony and WSCO play at 7 pm. CSIHS Auditorium. Free! (2600 SW Thistle)

SEATTLE LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: 7-8:30 pm, prospective families are welcome to visit Seattle Lutheran HS. The open house starts in the gym. (4100 SW Genesee)

ALKI COMMUNITY COUNCIL: 7 pm at Alki UCC. Announced agenda toplines: City Council’s encampment-ordinance proposals; Westside Neighbors Network; new public-safety survey. (6115 SW Hinds)

NOT DEAD YET: They’re back! Live tonight at Whisky West in Morgan Junction, 7:30 pm. (6451 California SW)

KO ELECTRIC: Live “electric jazz” at Parliament Tavern, 8 pm. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

FIND MORE … on our complete calendar page.

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UPDATE: Bicycle rider taken to hospital after 47th/Genesee incident

October 20, 2016 8:30 am

| 58 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS breaking news

8:30 AM: We’re breaking this out of the morning traffic report: An incident involving a bicycle and car has sent a woman to the hospital. It happened near 46th/47th and Genesee [map]; police tell us the woman was riding a cargo/family bicycle with a child, and that the child was not hurt. Westbound Genesee is closed; eastbound is open. We’re still working to get more details but at this point police are not expecting the Traffic Collision Investigation Squad, which indicates that the woman’s injuries are not life-threatening. Officers are talking with the driver at the scene.

8:39 AM: Police say the street will reopen shortly.

9:11 AM: Seattle Fire spokesperson Capt. Shata Stephenson tells us that this was a “low-speed” collision and the rider, 41, was taken to the hospital mostly for evaluation purposes. We have an inquiry out with Harborview too.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Rainy Thursday

October 20, 2016 7:02 am

| 8 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)

(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)

7:02 AM: Good morning. No incidents reported in or from West Seattle so far, but it’s a rainy morning following a rainy night, so please watch out for puddling (or worse) in some of the usual spots. (Via Twitter, Meg mentions Fauntleroy/Raymond.)

7:26 AM: If you’re at or near 35th/Avalon, you might be noticing multiple fire units on the west side of 35th. It’s an “automatic fire alarm” call at 4435 35th SW (Aura).

8 AM: Thanks for the tips. Emergency response at 47th and Genesee, possibly involving a bicycle rider. We are on our way to find out more.

8:25 AM: We’re at the scene. Westbound Genesee is closed at 46th. Eastbound is open. We’ll be writing about the incident separately shortly. (Here’s the link.)

8:38 AM: Police say Genesee will reopen shortly.

8:45 AM: If you haven’t headed out yet – it’s now raining very hard, so be ready to travel slowly to stay safe.

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