West Seattle, Washington
30 Thursday
(Photo from ready-in-advance Sale #28 – “plants, plants, plants” – sale pics: garagesale@westseattleblog.com)
Happy West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day 2015! The key links, again, before we also list what else is happening:
–More than 340 sales, of all sizes, all over West Seattle, 9 am-3 pm!
–Clickable, searchable online map here
–Downloadable/printable list/guide/map here
–Donation drives listed here (not just for sale aftermath – some are collecting through the day, in case you want to buy and donate, or aren’t having a sale but have stuff to unload, and some are collecting after today, too)
–As-it-happens coverage to come (and a few more key links)! But first, a look at what else is up today/tonight:
STAMP OUT HUNGER: Whatever you’re doing today, before you head out, fill a bag with food for the National Association of Letter Carriers‘ annual collection, and put it by your mailbox, mailslot, wherever your letter carrier delivers/picks up.
NEPAL SEEDS BENEFIT LEMONADE/TREAT STAND: 9 am-noon, lemonade/bake sale, as previewed here. (7800 block California SW)
MEET ‘RAINWISE’ CONTRACTORS: 10 am-noon at Highland Park Improvement Club (which has been honored for its sustainability innovations!), find out more about RainWise and meet contractors who install raingardens and/or cisterns, for which you might be eligible for a rebate. (12th/Holden)
MY THREE LITTLE BIRDS’ FIRST ANNIVERSARY: 10 am-5 pm, the upscale-kid-stuff-resale shop in south Morgan Junction celebrates its first birthday by throwing you a party – details in our calendar listing. (6959 California SW)
ALKI WALK TO HELP SHAPE FUTURE TOUR: 10:30 am, meet up at the Log House Museum to join a walk that’s billed as a “scouting expedition” as the museum creates the definitive Alki walking tour, with your input – as explained here. (61st/Stevens)
VIETNAMESE STORY TIME: 11:30 am at Delridge Branch Library. (5423 Delridge Way SW)
OPENING RECEPTION AND ARTIST TALK: For Katherine Arquette, Native Kaleidoscope Collection, at the Duwamish Longhouse, 1 pm – details here. (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)
AFTERNOON TEA AT TIBBETTS: 2-4 pm, a first-of-its-kind afternoon tea at Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor) – details here. (3940 41st SW)
EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION HUBS DRILL: 5-10 pm, the Emergency Communication Hubs around the city are participating in a quake-scenario drill, including two in West Seattle (Hiawatha and Ercolini). Details in our preview.
SOUTHSIDE REVOLUTION JUNIOR ROLLER DERBY: Doubleheader starts at 5:30 pm at Southgate Roller Rink – explained here. (9646 17th SW)
GARY BENSON, LIVE: At C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. (5612 California SW)
BARNYARD MUSICAL MYSTERY, FINAL PERFORMANCE: 7 pm at Chief Sealth International High School auditorium, the final performance of Lafayette Elementary‘s musical, as previewed here. (2600 SW Thistle)
MUSIC OF WEEZER, U2, GUNS & ROSES: 9 pm, all-ages show at The Skylark. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
REALLY, THERE’S MORE … see it here.
This e-mailed photo solved a mini-mystery for us …
Someone texted us last weekend and said they were pleasantly surprised to have seen people picking up trash in Highland Park. They didn’t know who or why. Neither did we, and the busy pre-WSCGSD week proceeded without further word – until the photo above arrived with this explanation:
We thought we would share a little neighborhood news for Spring Cleaning inspiration. A group of us from the 9000 block of 12th and 13th cleaned up 10 bags of trash all along Henderson and south of Henderson on 11th, 12th and 13th Ave this past Sunday.
If other blocks want to join in, the city is holding their annual Spring Clean and
they will give you supplies and pick up the trash from your block. All info here.
We know at least one other West Seattle neighborhood has Spring Clean plans this weekend. Get yours going too! (And you’re welcome to send us a photo afterward so we can let your West Seattle neighbors know what a cool thing you did. From left in the pic above are Irene Davis, Blair Johnson, Sarah Rudinoff, Wendi Sargent, and Jessica Bomball.)
Late word from SDOT of bridge lane closures planned starting tonight and continuing off and on for the next six days/nights:
The eastbound curb lane of the West Seattle Bridge will be closed through Thursday, May 14 during off-peak traffic hours for utility work. The schedule will be:
Friday to Sunday, May 8th to May 10th — 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Monday to Thursday, May 11th to May 14th — 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
It’s an indoor-outdoor party at Rudy’s Barbershop (WSB sponsor) in The Triangle right now – above, DJ King Midas is spinning at the grand-opening party; below, the Tasty Vibes food truck is out front with eats:
Even indoors, the garage doors are up as the stylists do their thing:
More details in the party preview published yesterday – it’s on until 10 tonight, at 4480 Fauntleroy Way SW, with The Wimps due to start playing around 8.
4:47 PM: M/V Tacoma, which serves the Seattle-Bainbridge state-ferry run, has just broken down, and is under tow right now. Thanks to the reader who tipped us via text; we often get questions about ferries that look to be in trouble off West Seattle shores, so we’re mentioning this pre-emptively. Thanks to @sudsymaggie for the photo:
Oh no! The MV Tacoma has lost power and is adrift in Elliott Bay. Tugs just arrived. @wsferries #Seattle pic.twitter.com/EqQrb0gBrN
— SudsyMaggie (@SudsyMaggie) May 8, 2015
Tacoma is the ferry that was out of service for eight months after a breakdown last July.
4:55 PM: Tacoma has been towed to Colman Dock. “This will cancel the 4:40pm and 6:20pm sailing from Seattle and the 5:30pm and 7:10pm sailing from Bainbridge Island,” says WSF.
7:04 PM: Tacoma remains out of service and for now, the Issaquah has been moved from Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth, which subsequently is down to two boats. But thanks again to tipster Maggie, we know that State Sen. Sharon Nelson (who represents this area and lives on Maury Island) has been told that if Tacoma’s troubles persist, Evergreen State will be brought in to be a lower-capacity third vessel on F-V-S.
It’s West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day eve! 9 am-3 pm TOMORROW (Saturday), 340+ sales of all sizes, all over West Seattle. Even if you’re not shopping for anything in particular, WSCGSD’s biggest success every year is as a way for neighbors to meet face-to-face, and that’s a big reason why we’ve been happy to coordinate/present it since its fourth year in 2008.
You’ve probably seen the map by now – online edition here, printable sale list/guide/map here (21-page PDF, so make sure the printer’s stocked)!
A few other notes:
Sale #191 started early – 4822 SW Niesz Court – and sent that photo; they’re going until at least 4 pm today. A few other sales are starting early and/or ending late – if they mentioned it in their registration, it’s mentioned in their map listing.
Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (#183, 4410 California) and C & P Coffee Company (#21, 5612 California SW) are the official multi-seller sites. The sales that registered as “block sales” are:
*#289 – 3200 block 48th SW
*#321 – 4000 block 54th SW
*#158 – 5057 36th SW
*#141 – 5630 31st SW
*#339 – 2411 SW Myrtle
*#137 – 5914 34th SW
*#32 – 5454 45th SW
*#205 – 2719 47th SW
*#201 – 5231 SW Stevens
*#100 – 6600 38th SW
*#340 – Sylvan Ridge Townhomes
Remember that some sales are in garages, others are in front yards, others are in garages/carports on alleys. Where “special instructions” were provided, you’ll find them in the listings. But if you get to a specific address and don’t see the sale, maybe it’s out back.
*More unusual items you’ll find in the listings:
Grand Piano … Moroccan pottery … military-history books … ’50s tile tabletop … custom fireplace mantel … air hockey table … Porsche rims … castoffs from film sets …
*Did we mention the nonprofit/benefit sales? More than 20 – we’ve updated the list here.
*A bit o’trivia – West Seattle neighborhoods with sales include:
Admiral, Alki, Arbor Heights, Beach Drive, Belvidere, Brace Point, City View, Delridge, Fauntleroy, Gatewood, Genesee, Hansen View, Highland Park, High Point, Junction, Lincoln Park, Luna Park, Morgan Junction, North Admiral, Pigeon Point, Puget Ridge, Schmitz Park, Seaview, Snake Hill, Sunrise Heights, Sylvan Ridge, Upper Alki, Upper Fauntleroy, Westwood
(Go see a neighborhood you haven’t visited before!)
*Please check westseattlegaragesale.com in the morning for any last-minute cancellations that were too late to make it onto the printable map – the clickable map is updatable and if we get word one’s canceled, we’re changing it there.
*Also – please do put out your Stamp Out Hunger food-donation bag by wherever your mail is picked up/delivered, before you go out to sell/shop tomorrow morning!
We hope to squeeze in one more round of updates/previews tonight around mid-evening, providing breaking news doesn’t get in the way, and then we’ll be out covering it all tomorrow, starting with early-morning preparedness – photos welcome at garagesale@westseattleblog.com – thanks!
(SDOT camera image from Thursday evening)
Last night, for the second time in five days, the West Seattle “low bridge” – aka the SW Spokane Street Swing Bridge – suffered a “malfunction” that left it off-limits to traffic, both surface and marine, for more than an hour and a half (WSB coverage here). We failed to follow up after the Sunday incident (WSB coverage here) but sent an inquiry to SDOT first thing today. The communications team obtained and forwarded this reply from Paul Roberts, SDOT’s Structural Operations and Maintenance Manager:
Last night the bridge operator prepared to open the bridge for marine vessels. Once the traffic control gates were deployed, an operational anomaly occurred. This caused the bridge’s systems to fully stop, a process that prevents unintentional public safety issues or unnecessary risk/damage to the bridge itself during a system anomaly. Anomalies can occur because of (but not limited to) power supply surges, sensor alignment, controller system conflicts or component failure.
Bridge technicians were immediately summoned to the bridge to assess the incident and regain operational control. Although the bridge technicians were able to return operational control to the bridge operator, the cause of the anomaly is still under review.
The bridge technicians will continue working on the problem to identify the cause and contributing factors, and to figure out how these types of anomalies can be minimized.
Our archives show two bridge breakdowns in the span of less than a month last summer – in July, a gate pin was blamed for an hour-plus bridge outage; in June, a computerized measurement device used during bridge “docking” was blamed for a two-hour-plus outage.
SIDE NOTE: The “low bridge” is the only option bicycle riders and walkers/runners have for crossing the Duwamish north of the 1st Avenue South Bridge (aside from a bus or the Water Taxi). It’s been in service since the early ’90s.
(UPDATED 3:33 PM, adding Foss statement on intent to appeal city DPD ‘interpretation’)
(Polar Pioneer in Port Angeles this afternoon; webcam image used with permission of PA Chamber of Commerce)
ORIGINAL REPORT, 12:24 PM: As reported here Thursday, the Port of Seattle Commission plans to discuss in public session on Tuesday what it will do about the city’s declaration that the port has to apply for a new permit to use West Seattle’s Terminal 5 for Shell’s offshore-Arctic-drilling vessels. The commission’s agenda for Tuesday meetings usually is posted by Thursday afternoon but didn’t appear on the port website until a short time ago. The T-5 lease situation is the only item on the 1 pm public agenda:
The city Department of Planning and Development’s “interpretation” of the need for a new permit was announced by the mayor on Monday; it was published on the city website yesterday, and our report also includes an open letter from Foss and local unions to the mayor, contending this action will be damaging to the city’s maritime industry. Meantime, the Polar Pioneer platform remains anchored in Port Angeles; the Noble Discoverer drillship is expected in Everett next week; and two Shell-related vessels, Aiviq and Harvey Champion, are at T-5 right now. And a Shell executive was quoted earlier this week as saying the city ruling wouldn’t impede their Arctic-drilling plan.
ADDED 3:33 PM: Foss Maritime has announced it plans to appeal the DPD interpretation, and that it intends to go ahead with bringing Shell’s oil rigs here during the time it takes to resolve the appeal:
Foss Maritime plans to appeal the city of Seattle’s determination that Foss’s use of the Port of Seattle’s Terminal 5 is not allowed under the Port’s existing use permit.
The appeal process will take months to complete. In the meantime, Foss intends to provide its customer, Royal Dutch Shell, the services for which it contracted over the next few weeks as it prepares for the summer oil exploration season in Alaska.
The city’s position is not supported by the plain language of the permit at issue, and will cause long-term harm to the maritime industry as a whole. The permit for Terminal 5 allows Port customers to tie up vessels so that goods and cargo can be stored, loaded and unloaded, which is precisely what Foss is doing at Terminal 5.
By taking this action so late in the day, Mayor Ed Murray is trying to stop a lawful project that has already put 417 people to work full-time and will soon employ hundreds more, many of them citizens of Seattle. Worse, he has openly solicited the Port of Seattle to use the city’s action as a pretext to break a valid lease at Terminal 5, despite the separately elected Port Commission’s recent unanimous vote to uphold the lease.
These actions are an attempt to prevent one of the city’s oldest and most prominent companies from performing marine services that it has provided and the Port has welcomed for generations. This action is akin to the mayor ordering Seattle City Light to cut off all electricity to Amazon on the Friday after Thanksgiving.
If his actions simply impacted Foss, that would be bad enough. But it jeopardizes many other business activities across the waterfront, and calls into question the sincerity of the mayor’s previous statements in support of the maritime sector.
For example, under the city’s initial determination, Alaska fishing trawlers would not be allowed to winter over at the cruise ship docks at Terminals 90 and 91; the Seattle Fire Department’s fire boats could not dock at Terminals 90 and 91 as they are currently doing; and the vessels of the U.S. Navy and other navies that visit during Seafair would not be allowed to tie up at Port facilities. Maritime businesses from Ballard to South Park are doubtless nervously checking their permits and wondering whether the mayor will deem them worthy.
Foss believes that the permitting at Terminal 5 is appropriate for our use, and that the city’s determination is a statement of politics rather than policy. Accordingly, we will challenge it through the appropriate channels. The process looks like this:
* Foss will appeal the determination to the Seattle Hearing Examiner within 14 days. Other interested parties, such as the Port, may join in the appeal.
* The hearing examiner will then set a hearing date on the matter.
* The hearing examiner would typically produce a ruling on the matter within 15 days after the hearing.
* Under normal circumstances, the city would not issue a violation to Foss or the Port of Seattle until and unless it prevailed in the hearing.
The mayor’s office has just announced new directors for two city departments – including a new director for the Department of Neighborhoods, though it’s a name many will recognize. Here’s the official announcement:
Seattle Mayor Ed Murray today named Jessica Finn Coven to serve as director of the Office of Sustainability & Environment (OSE) and Kathy Nyland to serve as director of the Department of Neighborhoods (DON). Bernie Matsuno, who has served as director of DON since 2011, will be stepping down effective June 2.
Finn Coven comes to OSE after serving as Washington Director of Climate Solutions since 2011. Previously she worked at the U.S. Climate Action Network and Greenpeace. She serves on the board of directors of Washington Conservation Voters and Puget Sound Sage.
“Jessica brings deep connections to Seattle’s environmental community,” said Murray. “Her commitment to environmental justice will lend strength to Seattle’s new Equity and Environment Initiative. The benefits of progressive environmental policy must reach all our diverse communities more equitably, including low-income families, immigrants and people of color.”
“Anyone who knows Jessica appreciates her deep knowledge of environmental policy,” said Rashad Morris of the Bullitt Foundation. “Her commitment to economic and racial equity makes this an especially strong choice as Seattle works to bridge issues of sustainability and social justice.”
“Seattle has long been a proof point that we can create more broadly shared prosperity by prioritizing a clean and healthy environment,” said Finn Coven. “Mayor Murray has been a leader throughout his career on sustainable transportation solutions and equitable responses to climate change. I’m absolutely thrilled to join his team and to be part of Seattle’s next chapter in clean energy development and ensuring the health of all Seattle’s family.”
Finn Coven will be paid $132,000 and start at OSE on June 12. Finn Coven replaces Jill Simmons, who announced her decision to step down as director of OSE in April.
Nyland is currently a senior policy advisor on land use and planning in the Mayor’s Office of Policy and Innovation. She is a former chief of staff to City Councilmember Sally Bagshaw. Before joining city government, she served on several community councils, founded the Georgetown Merchants’ Association and chaired Seattle’s City Neighborhood Council.
“During my first year as mayor, Kathy has become a trusted advisor,” said Murray. “Her personal history as a community advocate, her strong relationships with neighborhood leaders throughout the city, and her policy acumen make her the natural choice to step into this role. I look forward to her leadership in community conversations on private development, public investments and support for vibrant neighborhoods in our city.”
“I am honored by this opportunity to continue to serve the Mayor and the city in this new role at the Department of Neighborhoods,” says Nyland. “I’ve long believed that our communities are our strongest resources and I look forward to bringing more voices to the table. We want to support and strengthen all our neighborhoods in Seattle.”
Nyland joins DON on June 2 and will earn $136,000.
Matsuno came out of retirement to serve as director of Seattle Department of Neighborhoods, intending to serve only a few months, but staying on for more than four years. She developed and expanded new community programs at DON, including the People’s Academy for Community Engagement (PACE) and the Public Outreach and Engagement Liaison (POEL) program to expand civic engagement, especially in underrepresented communities.
“Bernie has been a true champion of our neighborhoods and a helpful advisor to me on community issues and needs,” said Murray. “She has advocated effectively for the community to have a greater voice in City government and their neighborhood – an important role that the department will sustain.”
“I’m very appreciative of the opportunity to serve in Mayor Murray’s administration, but I am looking forward to this new chapter in my life,” said Matsuno. “I’m excited about this transition and intend to continue my professional work for the people of Seattle, as well as volunteer in my community.”
“Bernie Matsuno was one of my first and best hires 27 years ago,” said Jim Diers, former DON director. “Bernie initiated a powerful leadership development program and innovative outreach strategy to ensure that all voices are heard. I’m excited that Bernie is passing the torch to Kathy Nyland, someone who I have long admired for her leadership of the Georgetown neighborhood. I know that she believes deeply in the department’s mission and I can’t wait to see what she does in taking it to the next level.”
Matsuno will continue to lend her expertise to future City community-engagement projects.
A Belvidere resident was hit by a “sophisticated identity theft” that she describes as resulting from “an easily overlooked risk,” and wrote this to warn you about it:
Sometime around the end of April, someone hacked into my wireless router and stole my name, address, WDL#, and SS#. I’ve since discovered that wireless routers have two passwords – one for the wireless signal (which I had locked down), but also one for the router admin itself. The router comes from the factory with a standard login/password, and no instructions for changing it. This is something I overlooked, and this is how the thief got in.
I was first alerted to the theft when I received an email receipt from a store in University Village for a large purchase I didn’t make, on a card I haven’t used in years. I called the store, and they fortunately remembered the woman who made the purchase, and were able to provide a description – a white woman, age 30-35, with long blond hair (not a description of me). She had a WDL ID with her photo and my name and address.
I of course immediately checked my credit reports and set up fraud alerts, and discovered that over a dozen inquiries had been made with my name, and several new cards opened.
It turns out the thief also had a plan to collect the new credit cards and statements. The thief put a vacation hold on my mail at the post office on California & Oregon (using her fake ID), saying she would be back May 15 to pick up the mail. Sure enough, when I figured this out & got my mail restarted, there were the new credit cards and statements.
With further investigation, I discovered that my identity had been used in Puyallup and Everett to open store credit accounts, and that the thief was using a prepaid cell phone purchased in Everett. I also received an alert that my complete information (plus passport # & medical ID #) was for sale on a black-market website.
I’ve filed reports with both the police and postal service investigators.
Just want to emphasize this was a complex and local theft – to get into my router, the thief had to physically be close to my house. Then of course they visited the WS post office, and shopped at nearby shopping centers. Everyone, please check your wireless router admin login and secure it! If you find your information has been compromised, do report it to the police and let them know you’re aware of my case so they can put it all together. I was told the police cannot investigate this kind of fraud without more evidence, more thefts, or a higher amount of actual monetary loss.
Here’s what the Federal Trade Commission says about how to protect yourself from what happened to “Belvidere Resident.”
Good morning! Summer-ish weather today (and tomorrow too), and a great day to be on the water – that’s the carrier John C. Stennis (CVN 74) with the Bremerton ferry, photographed by Greg Snyder, back today from at-sea training. Somewhat quiet schedule for today/tonight, as we head toward a big weekend (Mother’s Day on Sunday, West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day tomorrow):
FREE BAKING CLASS FOR TEENS: 3 pm at Delridge Community Center – learn how to bake, free! (4501 Delridge Way SW)
METRO LEAGUE HIGH-SCHOOL BASEBALL TOURNAMENT: Games tonight at Southwest Athletic Complex in West Seattle and Steve Cox Memorial Field in White Center.
RUDY’S WEST SEATTLE GRAND OPENING PARTY: 6-10 pm, music, food, beer, freebies to celebrate the grand opening of Rudy’s Barbershop (WSB sponsor) in West Seattle, as previewed here on Thursday. (4480 Fauntleroy Way SW)
FRIDAY NIGHT SKATING: 6:30-8:30 pm, roll the night away at Alki Community Center. (5817 SW Stevens)
LIVE AT KENYON HALL: 7:30 pm, The Syncopaths take the stage. (7904 35th SW)
LIVE AT THE FEEDBACK: 8:30 pm, Buckets of Rain CD-release show at Feedback Lounge. (6451 California SW)
MORE! on the calendar.
(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
7:39 AM: Good morning! Much quieter so far than yesterday was – no trouble spots to report so far.
WEEKEND 99 CLOSURES: If you have seen the signs, you might not realize these do NOT involve 99 between here and the Battery Street Tunnel – the Alaskan Way Viaduct itself remains open. The closures are from the tunnel north to Valley Street, as explained here.
VIEW FROM THE WATER: Maggie, who commutes from Vashon and has long shared helpful info, also shares beautiful views like this on occasion, snapped from the Water Taxi:
@westseattleblog Morning WSB crew! Mount Rainier behind the Alki lighthouse. Passed by on the Sally Fox this morning. pic.twitter.com/6YuG7Nxufp
— SudsyMaggie (@SudsyMaggie) May 8, 2015
WEST SEATTLE COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE DAY TOMORROW: If you’ve missed the mentions elsewhere – tomorrow is the 11th annual West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day (an event coordinated by WSB since its fourth year in 2008). Many people use it as an occasion to wander around their immediate neighborhoods and see who’s selling what – with 340+ sales, chances are there’s at least one near you; both versions of the map (with short descriptions highlighting some features of each sale) are here. Forecast: Sunny, high in the mid-to-upper 70s.
8:28 AM – BRIDGE CRASH: First trouble spot of the morning. Crash reported to be blocking the bus lane on the eastbound bridge, midspan.
8:35 AM: Just added that screengrab of the bridge camera showing the crash-related activity. Haven’t heard anything on the scanner yet about injuries.
8:57 AM: No update yet on how soon this might clear. At least one person is reported to be hurt and the outside lane is blocked.
9:06 AM: Cleared!
(UPDATED Friday afternoon with fire’s cause)
(Texted photo)
9:57 PM: Seattle Fire is responding to a “fire in building” call at Delridge and Barton. It’s believed to be a commercial building. Police are blocking traffic both ways, at Delridge to the north. Westbound traffic is being blocked at 20th/Henderson. More to come.
(ADDED: WSB photo)
10:05 PM: Firefighters confirm it’s a commercial building. They say they have the fire knocked down; our crew has just arrived and says it’s very smoky – firefighters are bringing out their ventilating equipment. As we write this, our crew is telling us the building’s signage says D & H Auto.
10:10 PM: No report of injuries. Despite the volume of smoke, it’s not a huge fire – some units are being dismissed.
10:23 PM: SFD confirms no injuries – no one was in the building when the fire started. The fire marshal (investigator) has been summoned and will determine what caused it.
10:32 PM: We talked at the scene with SFD spokesperson Kyle Moore. He says that flames were visible from the sides of the building when firefighters arrived, but it only took them 10 minutes to get the fire out. They’re still checking for damage inside – one car might have been in the building. Investigation of the cause is under way. The roads in the area should reopen within an hour.
MIDNIGHT: Just drove by. The roads are indeed open, though northbound is narrowed right in front of the fire scene. One fire engine is still there, apparently on “fire watch,” keeping a crew on scene (rotating a new one in every so often) just in case it rekindles. No word yet on the cause. Adding video (above) of our brief interview with SFD spokesperson Moore.
ADDED 1:26 PM FRIDAY: The cause, from SFD:
Seattle Fire Investigators determined a fire at a West Seattle auto repair shop was accidental, caused by overheated electrical wiring inside an office. The damage estimate is $70,000.
The update on SFD’s Fire Line website also says one car was destroyed.
Big win for the West Seattle High School varsity baseball team, as postseason play begins. Thanks to Caryn Johnson for the report and photo:
First day of the Metro Playoffs. West Seattle matched up against Franklin at Hiawatha this afternoon. Sophomore Ryan Kimsey (above) started on the mound for the Wildcats and proceeded to throw the entire game. In the bottom of the 1st inning, Junior Morgan McCullough led things off with a solo home run. The Wildcats would tack on 4 more runs to close out the inning. Then in the bottom of the 3rd, the Wildcats opened up the game, scoring 8 runs off of 8 hits. West Seattle would run away with this game, winning 1-15. Their next opponent is Roosevelt, tomorrow (Friday) at 4:00 pm at Steve Cox Field in White Center.
P.S. Tickets are still on sale for the June 22nd Mariners’ game, to benefit the Wildcats and their annual appearance in the High School Baseball Classic at Safeco Field. You can get yours by sending e-mail to wshsmarinerstickets@gmail.com.
About a dozen people rallied on the sand at Alki Beach tonight to call attention to their campaign against 12 cell-phone antennas planned on the roof at Stevens Crest Apartments (61st/Alki), as previewed in our Monday report. They had a bonfire, as announced, burning items representing the antennas, and displayed signs and exhibits about their concerns, which range from the antennas’ appearance to possible health effects. The next major step in their appeal of the city approval of a variance allowing the antennas is a conference later this month, in advance of the July 22nd hearing scheduled in the Hearing Examiner’s chambers downtown.
5:48 PM: Just one of those days. Almost every major route has had something go wrong. Right now, the low bridge:
The Lower Spokane St Bridge is currently closed due to a technical malfunction. Use alternate routes. pic.twitter.com/QbyktMGZqb
— seattledot (@seattledot) May 8, 2015
The low bridge, officially known as the Spokane Street Swing Bridge, also suffered a “technical malfunction” on Sunday that made it unusable to surface traffic for an hour and a half. Here’s the “live” webcam that looks at the low bridge:
More as we get it; no ETA on a fix so far.
6:33 PM: As of the latest update from SDOT a minute ago via Twitter, still out of commission.
7:40 PM: After almost two hours, it’s working again. No explanation of the malfunction – we’ll be following up tomorrow.
(WSB photo from 2010 Hood-To-Hood Challenge party in West Seattle)
The full announcement isn’t until next Tuesday, but KEXP is offering a sneak peek of the details locked in for the West Seattle’s Hood-To-Hood Challenge victory party – first one here since 2010. Every year, fundraising drive, KEXP offers the party as a prize to the neighborhood that yields the most money during its summer fundraising drive, and last time West Seattle came out on top – a narrow victory, 100 dollars or so, but a win it was, so KEXP is planning the big bash here for Friday, May 29th.
KEXP’s Jeff Vetting tells WSB that one block of California SW will be closed to motorized vehicles that day, between Alaska and Oregon. The fun will include KEXP DJs broadcasting live, including West Seattleite Kevin Cole in the afternoon. Live music is planned on a stage that’ll be set up at SW Alaska – the full lineup isn’t public yet, except for Australia’s Miami Horror, which will be here as part of its U.S. tour. Then 6-9 pm, more KEXP DJ action at venues around West Seattle, followed by band showcases around town starting at 9 pm. Full announcement during Kevin’s show on KEXP next Tuesday (2-6 pm) – the bands, the venues, the extras.
(Wondering what Hood-to-Hood Day was like last time around? See our updates from 2010 here, here, and here.)
Now just two days until the 11th annual West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day, presented by WSB, 9 am-3 pm Saturday, May 9th. Looks like sellers are clear to start getting ready, because it’s clear sky all the way to and through Saturday, the forecast says.
The newest toplines:
*340+ sales of all sizes, all over West Seattle
*Addresses and sale descriptions are on the online map here and the printable list/guide/map here
*The sales are numbered for easy referencing, same numbers on both versions of the map, of course
*Looking for a specific item or type of item? Use the search icon on the online map, or open up the printable (21-page PDF map) and use the FIND function
*Two official multi-seller sites, for people who didn’t have the room or the amount of stuff to have an entire standalone sale:
—-Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor)/Ginomai courtyard/lots, 4410 California SW
—-C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 5612 California SW
*For sellers with leftovers they don’t want to keep post-sale, AND/OR for people who want to shop for fun and donate their purchases to good causes, SEVEN organizations have donation drives going on Saturday (and a few of them on Sunday) for dropoffs (even one offering pickups). See the full details here, including who’s accepting what, where, and when.
*If you missed any or all of them, here are links to highlight lists we’ve published:
*Nonprofit/benefit sales
*Trivia from this year’s lineup
*Unusual items
*Memorable descriptions
Few more lists to come tonight/tomorrow, including block sales and unusual items, 2nd round. Also: We invariably get last-minute sale cancellations – we mark them on the ONLINE map, but it’s too late to change the PRINTABLE map, so please check the map page or westseattlegaragesale.com for those changes.
2:36 PM: At first the call was for a crash in the southbound Battery St. Tunnel; now SDOT says the tunnel is closed in both directions, so if you’re heading to or from the north side of downtown (or beyond), looks like I-5 is your choice for now. Updates to come.
2:46 PM: We’ve added the city webcam view from the curve going into the northbound side of the tunnel – traffic remains at a complete halt. Seattle Fire says it’s a two-car crash with minor injuries.
2:59 PM: SDOT says the northbound side of the tunnel has reopened (you can see from the “live” cam above that the backup has dissipated) – but the southbound side is still closed.
3:26 PM: The tunnel is open again both ways, according to SDOT.
Today we’re welcoming a new WSB sponsor, Seattle App Academy. As a new local sponsor, they get the chance to tell you who they are and what they do:
Seattle App Academy is a volunteer organization that coaches students in computer programming, electronics, and robotics. Modeled after Little League, Girl & Boy Scouts, and other youth-focused organizations, the mission of Seattle App Academy is to inspire tomorrow’s technology creators.
Located in Jefferson Square (just above Bartell’s), the Seattle App Academy classroom is equipped with thirty state-of-the-art 23-inch touch-screen computers, Arduino microcontrollers, Mindstorms robotics, and more. Our classes are offered in eight-week sessions for students in grades 4-12. Three of our most popular classes will also be offered in a day-camp format as part of our Summer@SAA program in June and July.
As a volunteer organization, community support allows us to offer high-tech classes at an affordable price. We are thrilled with the parents, teachers, developers and designers that have continued to coach with us over multiple sessions and that help make our programs great! All volunteers are trained by Seattle App Academy to work with our students and to effectively deliver our curriculum.
Earlier this year, Seattle App Academy partnered with Kennedy Catholic High School to offer classes to high-school students. Our 16-week computer science and programming class introduces students to basic data types, computer logic, and structure to build a foundation for more advanced programming concepts and experiences. Students will receive school credit for the class.
In June, Seattle App Academy will host The Hacker Cup Competition, showcasing student talent in programming and game design. A small panel of judges will review all submissions and award trophies for first, second, and third place. Attendees will also have the opportunity to see student-created gadgets and robots.
Learn more about the Seattle App Academy by visiting our website and signing up for our newsletter. We regularly host open houses and free programs for kids, including our very popular Keyboarding & Minecraft Boot Camp. Please feel free to contact us at info@seattleappacademy.com and thanks for your support!
We thank Seattle App Academy 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.
Two West Seattle biznotes from businesses with celebrations ahead:
RUDY’S WEST SEATTLE GRAND-OPENING PARTY: 6-10 pm tomorrow (Friday, May 8), Rudy’s Barbershop (WSB sponsor) in The Triangle invites you to its official grand opening party. Free food and beer from Tasty Vibes and Big Al’s; live music with The Wimps starting at 8; free pre-designed tattoos courtesy of Blue Geisha, two DJs, free bowl cuts, and a raffle or two. See the official flyer/invite here. (4480 Fauntleroy Way SW)
MY THREE LITTLE BIRDS TURNS ONE: Jennifer Young of the “upscale children’s resale store” My Three Little Birds in south Morgan Junction is excited to announce that her shop is celebrating its one-year anniversary Saturday. Stop by 10 am-5 pm (yes, Jennifer says, she knows you’ll be out and about for WSCGSD anyway!) – celebration highlights include face-painting from 10 am to 11 am, the Ben and Jerry’s Scoop Truck 11:30 am-1 pm, and a BOGO sale all weekend long. (6959 California SW)
(Downy woodpecker, photographed by Mark Wangerin in Fauntleroy Park)
For tonight, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
COMMUNITY ORCHARD OF WEST SEATTLE: 5-7 pm on the north end of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus, drop by, pitch in; it’ll be a perfect evening to work and learn outdoors. BYO gloves/water. (6000 16th SW)
NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER: 6:30 pm, it’s the annual gathering at Alki Beach, sponsored by the West Seattle Ministerial Association. (61st/Alki)
‘BARNYARD MUSICAL MYSTERY’: 7 pm at Chief Sealth International High School auditorium, it’s the first of three performances of Lafayette Elementary‘s musical, as previewed here. (2600 SW Thistle)
GENESEE-SCHMITZ NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL: 7 pm, general meeting at West Side Presbyterian Church (WSB sponsor), with agenda including the new school under construction on Genesee Hill and Seattle Green Spaces Coalition. (3601 California SW)
CELL-ANTENNA OPPONENTS’ RALLY: 7 pm at the Alki Beach fire pits, the group opposed to 12 cell-phone antennas proposed atop an Alki apartment building plan a rally, as previewed here. (59th/Alki)
WHAT ELSE IS UP, YOU ASK? Just go here to see.
9:57 AM: Police and helicopter are searching east of California/Andover. We don’t know yet what the crime was but the person they were seeking was described as a white man in his 30s, black hair, blue jeans. More to come.
10 AM: Police report one person in custody near 35th/Andover. Whatever the incident was, it started at California/Hinds.
10:21 AM: We caught up with police there to find out how this started. They describe the man as being in crisis (added: “throwing things into the street, kicking cars and generally screaming obscenities” was an initial report) and say his behavior was what led to a police call; they didn’t call for Guardian One but the helicopter happened to be nearby and offered to come help them track the man down. (The pilot who recently spoke to the West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network – WSB coverage here – did say they monitor many frequencies when up, and sometimes self-assign this way.) The man is being taken to the hospital by private ambulance for a mental-health evaluation.
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