day : 22/10/2017 9 results

Though the annual gathering along Fauntleroy Creek is billed as singing and drumming, today, the messages resonated most – messages written by participants of all ages, to tie to the fence at the creek overlook across and upslope from the ferry terminal.

Some were simply notes of welcome. One even carried an apology. And of course there was also singing and drumming, led by Jamie Shilling:

The songs urge the salmon to return:

And the singing/drumming begins. Volunteer watchers counted 7 coho spawners in Fauntleroy Creek last year. pic.twitter.com/NgFIZNisoU

— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) October 23, 2017

And then there’s an urging of environmental respect, “Habitat,” to the tune of the half-century-plus-old “Lollipop.” Some wore salmon hats, decorated during the Fauntleroy Fall Festival a week earlier:

Leading the activity then, and emceeing the gathering today, was creek steward Judy Pickens, who noted that the welcoming event goes back to 1994:

She provided updates including the explanation that volunteers will now be watching for coho spawners, likely into mid-November, since the prediction this year is that they’ll arrive late. She also says a UW researcher will be studying pre-spawning mortality in the creek and will be waiting for word of any fish in obvious distress – less of a problem on Fauntleroy Creek than Longfellow Creek in eastern West Seattle, which has more of a runoff-pollution problem.

With Judy’s help, we’ll have updates during salmon-watcher season – and she says they’re hoping to organize another weekend event where you can come to the creek and talk with volunteers; we’ll let you know as soon as we get word of that.

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UPDATE: Driver hits tree, flips car at 35th/Southern, taken to hospital

October 22, 2017 9:47 pm

| 6 COMMENTS

| Gatewood | West Seattle news | WS breaking news

(Added: WSB photos by Patrick Sand)

9:47 PM: A Seattle Fire “heavy rescue” response is on the way to 35th/Southern in Gatewood, where a vehicle is reported to have flipped, with someone trapped inside. Per scanner, southbound 35th is blocked at the crash scene. More to come.

9:52 PM: We’re now hearing 35th is blocked both ways at the crash scene. Avoid the area [map].

9:54 PM: SFD has freed the person from the vehicle.

10:02 PM: Police tell us the car flipped after the driver hit a tree.

10:09 PM: The driver, described only as male, is being taken to Harborview Medical Center by SFD medic unit. 35th may be closed another hour or so at the crash scene.

10:22 PM: And to be clear, only one car involved, only one person in the car, we’re told. Adding more photos. We’ll update when the road’s open again.

11:42 PM: We haven’t heard an update on the road but SFD has fully closed out of the call.

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@ MORGAN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: HALA followup; Gatewood Elementary playfield preview; other quick updates…

October 22, 2017 8:59 pm

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| Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

We’ve already reported one story from this past week’s quarterly Morgan Community Association meeting – the installation plans for City Light’s new metering system – and we have one more to go, an update on a development project that’s taken a surprise turn. But first, tonight, other hot topics from Wednesday night, first of which was a followup from the city’s HALA-related open house the previous evening:

COMPREHENSIVE-PLAN AMENDMENTS, THE NEXT STEP: While Tuesday night’s open house in High Point (WSB coverage here) tackled two topics, one is of the most interest to MoCA – the proposal to amend the city’s Comprehensive Plan to override neighborhood-plan-related language related to single-family zoning. (We previewed this here.)

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TUESDAY: West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network hosts Councilmember Lisa Herbold

October 22, 2017 6:40 pm

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| Crime | Safety | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

Wondering what your West Seattle/South Park City Councilmember Lisa Herbold is doing about crime, safety, policing concerns? Here’s your chance to ask her: She’s the guest at Tuesday night’s West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network meeting, 6:30 pm at the Southwest Precinct (2300 SW Webster). Right now, in addition to representing our area on the council, Herbold is also chairing its budget committee, which is making spending decisions for the next year; she ascended to that role after the shakeup that started with former Mayor Murray’s resignation. You don’t have to be part of a Block Watch to attend the meeting, which will also include updates from local police leadership – just come to the precinct meeting room, which is right off the parking lot, entrance off Webster west of Delridge [map], east of the south side of Home Depot.

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FOLLOWUP: Concord Elementary PTA seeking support for solutions to dual-language program, kindergarten-crowding concerns

October 22, 2017 3:50 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| South Park | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

“We ARE the opportunity gap,” Robin Schwartz from the Concord International Elementary School PTA told the Seattle School Board at its meeting this past week. (When you click “play” on the video clip below, it should advance to her remarks.)

We first reported three weeks ago on the concerns of Schwartz and other parents at Concord, which is in South Park but also draws some West Seattle families, especially because of its dual-language program, the subject of some of the changes they’re worried about.

They organized a forum to bring some of those concerns to school and district officials (WSB coverage here), and have another one planned.

And now they’re gathering signatures of support after circulating this letter:

In her remarks to the school board last Wednesday, a comment period that has strict time limits, Schwartz focused on the kindergarten class size, adding that besides being a non-optimal experience for students, “Our teachers are overwhelmed and overburdened.”

At the forum earlier this month, the district promised a committee would look at the parents’ concerns. A November 9th followup meeting is planned to see what progress has been made. But the PTA doesn’t want to just wait for that, so is seeking signatures of support – if you would like to add yours, here’s where to sign on (scroll to the end of the document after the summary of concerns and requests).

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COUNTDOWN: One week to West Seattle Junction Harvest Festival 2017!

October 22, 2017 1:59 pm

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| West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

One of the freshest things at today’s West Seattle Farmers’ Market was the sign being created to remind everyone that next week’s WSFM will be part of the 2017 West Seattle Junction Harvest Festival! It’s a market and much more – 10 am-2 pm Sunday, October 29th: For one, the street closure for that day only will extend south to Edmunds, and the extra block will feature local businesses and organizations offering FREE harvest-themed games and activities, starting right at 10. (The list of activities is on the West Seattle Junction Association website.) Then:

11 am – Chili cookoff at the KeyBank corner of California/Alaska ($10 donation for the West Seattle Food Bank gets you a flight of tastes from all 9 chili competitors, and the chance to vote for your favorite)

11:30 am – Costume parade starting from Junction Plaza Park (42nd/Alaska), led by the West Seattle High School Marching Band, heading west into, and then around, the festival – everyone’s welcome to participate!

Noon – Business and booth trick-or-treating

New at the festival: A root-beer garden (California/Alaska, by Easy Street Records) – $3.50 for root beer (from The Beer Junction) topped with vanilla ice cream (from Husky Deli) and Applepalooza as part of the market.

WSB is a co-sponsor of the Harvest Festival and we look forward to seeing you in The Junction next Sunday!

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: 3 reader reports, plus 28 feet of happy ending!

October 22, 2017 12:36 pm

| 5 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

West Seattle Crime Watch starts with three reader reports:

CAR BREAK-IN: From Kala in South Delridge:

Last night my car was broken into sometime after 8pm. I live in a townhome off of 17th and Barton. My Jeep was parked in the designated parking spot for my place..when I came out this morning all my stuff from the center console and glove department were all over the ground..after checking doors I realized that the back hatch was open so guessing they crawled through. Nothing of value was taken other than a wallet that contained only an Id.

We’ve previously had someone cut the lock to our back gate and also have seen lots of people lurking around the area. It’s very unsettling. Just wanted to report so everyone stays safe!

HIT-RUN, THREAT: From Brittany:

(Friday) night a car intentionally rammed into my boyfriend’s car on Avalon Way. He followed the vehicle onto a side street to obtain a license plate and insurance info, at which point the driver of the vehicle exited his car. He leaned in through my boyfriend’s open window and attempted to put his hands on him while threatening to shoot him and beat him up. He then drove away. My boyfriend got a photo of the car, including the license plate, and filed a police report, which hasn’t turned up the guy.

I’m hoping someone will recognize the car and be able to identify the driver so he can be held accountable for his dangerous actions.

Police have the full plate; since this isn’t a photo showing a crime in progress, we’re just showing the first three digits, but if you know who it is, that would likely be enough. We will add the SPD incident # when we get it. (Added: It’s 17-390469.)

HIT-RUN ON THE BRIDGE: From Anne, who says this happened on the westbound bridge, middle lane before the rise:

My red Prius was rear-ended on the West Seattle Bridge Wednesday 10/18/17 between 6:15 and 6:30 pm. It was a white four-door older vehicle that hit me and then drove away before the police arrived. There were at least two males in the car. When the white car collided into me I was pushed into the car in front of me, which was a Subaru SUV. Please contact me or the police if you saw the white car drive away, have any more details or observations , or see a white car with new front-end damage in your neighborhood. It may have red paint on the bumper.

AIRSTREAM STOLEN, THEN FOUND: If you don’t read comments, you missed all this! But it’s too good not to mention in a followup note. Back on Thursday, Esther sent word that her 28-foot classic Airstream trailer had been stolen in the Alki area. In a comment on that report, Michael posted this photo he had taken of an Airstream being towed later that morning, elsewhere in West Seattle:

Esther should have been notified about the trailer’s discovery and tow, but the thief/thieves had switched the plates, among other things. Friday, with the help of Michael’s photo and some other reader suggestions, she got it back! Thanks again to everyone who has helped reunite readers with cars, bicycles, motorcycles, and trailers via WSB Crime Watch over the years … we hope you never have a crime to report, but if you do, please let us know – so much does NOT go out over the scanner, so without e-mail and/or other tips, we won’t be able to report it – editor@westseattleblog.com, or, if it’s happening now, text/call 206-293-6302.

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ELECTION 2017: One more West Seattle appearance for mayoral candidates

October 22, 2017 9:58 am

| 16 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

If you couldn’t make it to last Thursday night’s West Seattle forum with six citywide candidates (WSB video/photos/text coverage here), you have another chance this week to see two of them here – mayoral hopefuls Jenny Durkan and Cary Moon.

(WSB photo from Thursday night forum)

They’re scheduled to appear during the second half of the West Seattle Democratic Women‘s lunch meeting on Thursday (October 26th) at WS Golf Course, 12:30 pm-1:15 pm (the meeting starts at 11:30 am). If you’re interested in ordering lunch – you need to e-mail chair Rachel Glass by Monday morning – werdachel (at) aol (dot) com – it’s $13.50 members, $15 non-members. If you’re not interested in lunch, there’s a $5 program fee that includes coffee/tea and dessert. The golf course meeting room is right off the parking lot, 4600 35th SW.

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West Seattle Sunday: Call the salmon home; sing about books; more!

October 22, 2017 7:54 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Added: Fall colors this morning by Fauntleroy Creek overlook)

Here’s what’s up for your Sunday, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

DUWAMISH NATIVE ART & CRAFTS MARKET: 10 am-6 pm at the Duwamish Tribe Longhouse in West Seattle. Come shop! Free parking for shoppers. More info here. (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm year-round, so come see what’s fresh – fruit, vegetables, juices, nuts, cheeses, meat, fish, beans, and much more. (The market’s own weekly preview mentions cranberries and radicchio as among the new arrivals.) In the street in the heart of The Junction. (California SW between SW Oregon and SW Alaska)

KINDNESS ROCKS: Join the project with a 10 am-noon session today at Lil’ Bug Studio. (10007 13th SW)

NEW SCOUTING GROUP: First weekend meeting for new all-gender scouting group that’s part of the Baden-Powell Service Association. Noon at Lincoln Park‘s North Play Area. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)

STEVE ITTERLY: Singer-songwriter at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 3-5 pm. (5612 California SW)

DRUM AND SING TO CALL THE SALMON HOME: Annual tradition along Fauntleroy Creek – all welcome, all ages, to drum and sing to call the salmon home to spawn. BYO drum – or just bring your voice! 5 pm on the porch of the house below the creek overlook – just off SW Director from the northeast end of the overlook that’s across Fauntleroy Way from the ferry terminal.

BOOKTOBERFEST – LIBRARY KARAOKE: 6-11 pm at The Skylark:

It’s Libraryoake: Karaoke with Librarians! Belt it out for the love of books! Do you love to sing karaoke AND love books? Then this is the event for you. The library is hosting a special Booktoberfest edition of Libraryoke at the Skylark Café in West Seattle where you are highly encouraged to sing songs inspired by or about books and libraries. There will be prizes for singers who choose bookish songs or who dress up as their favorite authors or literary characters. Parents can bring youth and teens to sing as well. Feel free to bring books to swap and share, as there will also be a book exchange.

All ages. The event is free – drinks and food are not. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

P.S. Checked our West Seattle Halloween Etc. Guide yet? All the Halloween/harvest/fall/etc. events from here through November 1st – and if we’re missing yours, please e-mail us the info – editor@westseattleblog.com – thank you!

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