West Seattle, Washington
23 Tuesday
12:08 AM: Multiple helicopter reports from Arbor Heights to Highland Park. Nothing on the scanner/911 log so far, which might just mean it’s a King County Sheriff’s Office case. If you’re seeing police on the ground, let us know so we can figure out what’s going on!
12:11 AM: And Guardian One just tweeted that indeed, it was a case in the county:
Just assisted White Center Deputies looking for a burglary suspect.
— KCSOAirsupport (@KCSOAirsupport) October 18, 2014
Per scanner, they are now headed over to SODO to check out something else.
It’s been three months now since the sudden ouster of longtime Senior Center of West Seattle executive director Karen Sisson brought to light a possible change in the center’s relationship with Senior Services, the citywide agency that staffs and manages it but doesn’t own its building. Tonight, we received word of a community meeting called to seek opinions on the center’s future. This is from Catherine Airola, who explains that she is working with a subcommittee of the West Seattle center’s board:
“Should we Stay or Should we Go?”
For more than the past 4 months the Senior Center of West Seattle (SCWS) has been dealing with challenges. We need your input to help us determine the direction of SCWS. Do we stay affiliated with Senior Services (SS) knowing they have proposed a different organizational model? Do we become our own entity, relying on our members and community alone?
Please attend the Town Hall and/or email questions/comments to Cing828@gmail.com . (cutoff date for emails is 11/7/14)
Town Hall Meeting
Tuesday, November 11th, 2014
2 sessions – 3 pm and 5:30 pm – SCWS, 4217 SW Oregon St.
The center, as has been pointed out, owns its building, unlike most of the other centers that are staffed and administered through Senior Services. We plan to follow up to find out more about what’s being proposed, by SCWS and by SS, before the meetings.
(Added: Video of Sealth players with trophy, post-game)
7:33 PM: We’re at Southwest Athletic Complex, where the rain has stopped and the first quarter of the big game has just ended. West Seattle High School has scored first in the annual Huling Bowl football battle of crosstown rivals, WSHS 7, Chief Sealth International High School (the home team, though both are sharing this field these days) 0. More to come.
7:38 PM: Wildcats score fast in the second quarter, now leading 14-0 with 10:14 left until halftime.
#22 Fynniecko Glover has scored both TDs for WSHS. And a few minutes later – the rain has returned.
8 PM: Halftime, still WSHS 14, Sealth 0. Marching bands take the field!
8:19 PM: First, it was West Seattle, under the direction of Ethan Thomas:
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Then Sealth, directed by Marcus Pimpleton:
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We’ll be adding longer clips, plus game photos, later, of course. And now the teams are back on the field, getting ready for the second half. It’s Senior Night for Sealth, so its players ran out through a “We (Heart) Our Seniors” banner held by the cheerleaders, wearing pink because it’s breast-cancer-awareness night. (Added: Photo of Sealth cheerleaders giving gift bags to their WSHS counterparts:)
P.S. Sealth won this game the past two years, after a long WSHS streak.
8:39 PM: There’s a medic call over on the street north of the stadium. Don’t know yet what it’s for; we’re checking.
8:50 PM: Third quarter over, still 14-0 WSHS.
Meantime, the emergency situation outside the stadium involves a 29-year-old man hit by a car. Does not sound like life-threatening injuries. Very busy on Thistle tonight, with the orchestra concert across the street at Sealth and the game here. (Added: Police tell us the man was crossing the street at 27th/Thistle with a child, who is OK. They hadn’t yet figured out which way they were crossing.)
8:52 PM: Touchdown Sealth.
By #11 Daron Camacho, who dedicated the game to his godmother, who’s fighting breast cancer:
With the point-after kick good, it’s now WSHS 14, Sealth 7.
9:26 PM: Dramatic few minutes with turnovers and a penalty just led to a Sealth touchdown by #12 Weston Reed, followed by 2-point conversion.
It’s now Sealth 15, WSHS 14 – the Seahawks’ first lead of the game – with 4:12 left in the game.
Shortly thereafter, Sealth intercepted the ball.
9:37 PM: Field goal Sealth with :16 left. Score 18 CSIHS, 14 WSHS.
9:39 PM: And that’s the final score. Sealth wins third consecutive Huling Bowl.
Carrying the trophy triumphantly aloft, the players ran off the track, then came back to gather by the end zone. It’s their third win this season, the first season for head coach Simon Iniguez.
CAR PROWL: Reported via text: Somebody smashed the window on that car along 36th SW between Raymond and Juneau. They also found evidence of a battery-theft attempt inside.
FOUND BICYCLE #1: Scott writes, “Anyone missing this bike? Showed up in my alley in Sunrise Heights”:
FOUND BICYCLE #2: Thanks to WSB Forums member Metrognome for pointing out this – a post about a bicycle found at Alki Elementary, and destined for city pickup.
Two traffic alerts right now: First, according to scanner traffic, police are blocking off the Delridge Way onramps to the West Seattle Bridge because of a medic response on the bridge. That’s all we know so far. Also, @mjs1980 tweets that there’s a police car and tow truck with a vehicle on the uphill side of the Highland Park Way hill, so if you’re headed that way, be careful.
Ongoing transportation/traffic concerns in Fauntleroy will get an airing in front of city reps including SDOT’s new director in three weeks: Thursday, November 6th, is the time/date just announced by the Fauntleroy Community Association for its long-in-the-works community conversation about issues from speeding to sidewalks to parking, and beyond. FCA president Mike Dey says SDOT director Scott Kubly, DPD director Diane Sugimura, Mayor Murray’s transportation adviser Andrew Glass Hastings, and City Council reps have all confirmed they’ll be there, 7 pm at The Hall at Fauntleroy.
Halloween is exactly two weeks away – and yes, West Seattle’s own Skeleton Theatre is back, according to ST’s Maia Low, who tells WSB, “It’s a brand-new show called ‘Beyond the Pale.’ It’s the story of a skeleton super-spy, Mason Tanner.” The ~20-minute show will run multiple times between 6 pm and 9 pm on Halloween (Friday, October 31) and the night after, Saturday, November 1st, at 36th/Hanford (map). Visit the ST website for behind-the-scenes info, cast details, more (including backstory if this is the first time you’ve heard of Skeleton Theatre!).
P.S. The WSB Halloween page – with this event and lots more over the next 2 weeks – should be up tonight; if you still haven’t sent us your listing (including bar parties), editor@westseattleblog.com ASAP – thanks!
(Spot of color seen this morning in The Triangle, looking north to Fairmount)
The full list is on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar – but for a quick look ahead, here are five highlights for your West Seattle Friday afternoon/evening:
BEER/CIDER TASTING: 4-6 pm at Metropolitan Market-Admiral (WSB sponsor) – details in our calendar listing. (41st/42nd/Admiral Way)
FREE MOVIE: Movie Night at Highland Park Improvement Club – free admission; concessions available for purchase; BYO chair/blanket, or find a chair there. Doors open at 6:30, movie at 7 – it’s a “family” movie in more ways than one, as the plot hint here reveals. (12th/Holden)
SEE THE SEATTLE SYMPHONY FOR FREE! And the West Seattle Community Orchestras – all in one big community concert – as previewed here Thursday:
(Added: WSCO-provided photo of Friday afternoon rehearsal with the Symphony)
7 pm tonight in the auditorium at Chief Sealth International High School. (2600 SW Thistle)
HULING BOWL: That’s the official name of each year’s West Seattle HS vs. Chief Sealth IHS football game, with a trophy for the victors, and tonight’s the big game, 7 pm at Southwest Athletic Complex, as previewed here on Thursday. Come cheer for either or both! P.S. It’s a “pink-out” for breast-cancer awareness – so whomever you’re cheering for, wear some pink. (2601 SW Thistle)
NOT DEAD YET, 5 YEARS OLD: The popular West Seattle band marks its fifth anniversary with a show at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), 9 pm.
(WSB photo from 2008: One of many safety rallies/demonstrations on ‘I-35’)
Just in from SDOT: Two meetings are now planned to kick off the 35th SW safety-improvement program. The 6:30-8 pm meeting next Wednesday (October 22nd) at Neighborhood House’s High Point Center was announced back in August; now, they’re adding a meeting on Tuesday, October 28th, 3:30-5 pm at Southwest Branch Library. Plans for the “multi-year” safety project were first announced back in February, after years of crashes and concerns along what’s been dubbed “I-35.”
A month and a half into the new school year, we had the chance to check back with the Chief Sealth International High School Link Crew as its members – freshmen and their mentors – crisscrossed the peninsula by bus for an afterschool “Road Rally” on Thursday.
First, they gathered in the Galleria for signmaking and strategy-plotting. You might have seen them in action after that – teams taking photos by West Seattle landmarks and businesses. Points were awarded for photos involving any of more than 40 locations and activities. Bonus – sunshine!
Activities included “picking up litter” and “best Superhero pose”; locations were near the school – Longfellow Creek – and far, including Walk All Ways in The Junction.
That’s Lincoln Vuong, and we thank him for the alert about what he called “pretty much a massive scavenger event around town.” He and the rest of this year’s Link Leaders are resolved to keep the community updated on their work with the Class of 2018:
If you use the Instagram app on your smartphone, you can see the photos by searching for the hashtag #sealthlinkcrew. The Road Rally wrapped up after about two and a half hours with an optional gathering for hot chocolate and snacks back at the Sealth Galleria.
P.S. The Link Crew program – explained here – also is used at West Seattle High School and elsewhere across the country.
(Starting at :15 in, you’ll see some whales – sorry for the shakiness, very long zoom!)
8:59 AM: If you’re anywhere near the water today, keep watch for orcas! Just before nightfall Thursday, the Orca Network had southbound sightings in the north Sound – first sightings that far south in quite a while. Then this morning around 7:30 am, according to West Seattleite Jeff Hogan from Killer Whale Tales, sightings were reported off Vashon Island – still southbound, but at some point, they will have to head back this way, so we’re sharing the alert. If you see whales, please let us know (text/voice 206-293-6302 is our breaking-news hotline, and this qualifies); we’ll update with any reports.
9:40 AM: Still southbound, south of us, per this ON commenter – off Point Robinson on Maury Island (across Puget Sound from Des Moines) about 20 minutes ago.
10:44 AM: Now at least some of the whales are reported to have turned and headed northbound.
12:14 PM: Jeff just texted to say that whales believed to be from all three resident pods are “trending northbound” past Three Tree Point south of West Seattle.
(Added: Photo by Greg Snyder)
1:28 PM: In view! Passing Blake Island.
1:58 PM: The research boat is visible off Blake Island – binoculars definitely needed – if you are near Me-Kwa-Mooks on Beach Drive as we are now. Some whales are ahead of it, some behind.
5:38 PM: Continuing to add visuals from today’s sightings as we get them. Above and (added) below, photos by Gary Jones, as the orcas passed Alki Lighthouse.
(WS bridge and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Happy Friday! This weekend’s big traffic news will be the Highway 99/Alaskan Way Viaduct closures, so we’ll get right to that reminder:
HIGHWAY 99/ALASKAN WAY CLOSURES THIS WEEKEND: The multi-part closure is explained here. The main parts you should know about: (1) From the Battery Street Tunnel north to Valley Street, Highway 99 will be closed all weekend, from late tonight until early Monday. (2) The stretch from the West Seattle Bridge to the BS Tunnel will be closed for its semiannual inspection, 6 am-6 pm Saturday and Sunday.
OTHER WEEKEND ALERTS: SDOT‘s citywide list is here, including another major closure this weekend – the 520 bridge.
TWO UPCOMING LOCAL ALERTS: Both published here Thursday – one for 26th SW in North Delridge, one for two FYI’s related to the Fauntleroy ferry dock.
10:42 AM: Julia tweets that the 35th/Roxbury signal is out. We’re heading out to check.
Two West Seattle food-biz notes:
FIREFIGHTER WITH A NOT-SO-SECRET IDENTITY: Embedded above is the recent Evening Magazine profile of Chef Michael Poole and his artisan candy business, Hot Chocolat Artisan Firehouse Chocolates. Even if you saw the profile on TV, you might not have realized Chef Poole is based in West Seattle. His day job, as the TV feature shows, is as a lieutenant in the Seattle Fire Department dispatch center; in his “spare time” he has space at one of the commercial kitchens in The Triangle, making his Hot Chocolat creations. (We met him there earlier this year.) His culinary career started out with a more general line of catering, but he eventually went on to study and work with master sweets-crafters in France. He sells his chocolates online and also has some retail outlets, including Chaco Canyon Organic Café in The Triangle, where you can buy his vegan chocolates.
COASTLINE CROWDFUNDING ADDS PUNCHCARDS: It was suggested by WSB commenter Goodgraces, and now it’s part of the crowdfunding campaign for Coastline, the “burger joint” that is taking over the ex-Shoofly spot in The Junction. One of the partners, Aaron Shepherd, sent this update tonight:
Responding to community feedback in regards to their hopes for participation with the Kickstarter campaign, we have Upgraded our Rewards. We’ve added a new category of “Punch Cards”:
4 Burger Punch Card for $25
6 Burger Punch Card for $35
9 Burger Punch Card for $45
12 Burger Punch Card for $55
15 Burger Punch Card for $65We hope people are excited about the Upgraded Rewards, and look forward to seeing everyone at Coastline ASAP.
Shepherd says they hope to open in about a month.
These two advisories are from different agencies but both are potentially of interest to Fauntleroy ferry-dock users.
POSSIBLE TEMPORARY SERVICE REDUCTION: From Washington State Ferries:
Starting Saturday, Oct. 18 through Tuesday, Oct. 21, customers travelling on the Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route are advised to prepare for longer than usual wait times due to a possible vessel downsizing and a two-boat schedule. The temporary downsizing and 2-boat schedule may be needed in order to maintain a full, system-wide sailing schedule while the Wenatchee is out of service for its annual mandatory U.S. Coast Guard safety inspection. Updates will occur as more information is known.
ONE-DAY REDUCTION IN BOOTH/LANE AVAILABILITY: This is from King County Wastewater Treatment, as its Barton Pump Station project continues north of the dock:
North ferry lane entrance and toll booth closed for electrical work
October 21, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.On Tuesday, October 21, a quiet generator will be brought on site to allow for Seattle City Light crews to perform electrical work at the Barton Pump Station. Work will begin around 7:00 a.m. and is expected to be complete by 3:30 p.m. During this time, the north ferry lane entrance and toll booth will be closed.
King County has been working closely with Washington State Ferries throughout the project to ensure minimal disruption to traffic along Fauntleroy Way SW and to keep ferry traffic moving.
While the north ferry lane is closed, commuters and neighbors can expect extra flaggers to assist pedestrian, bike, and vehicular traffic.
The upgraded pump station is expected to be in operation by year’s end, the county says, with restoration work, including Cove Park on the beach, planned early next year.
Two upcoming sports events feature friendly faceoffs between our area’s two biggest public schools – both spotlighting the fight against cancer:
HULING BOWL, FRIDAY NIGHT: The Huling Bowl – trophy and all! – is the name of the annual football game between Chief Sealth International High School and West Seattle High School, and you’re invited to this year’s edition at 7 pm tomorrow (Friday), Southwest Athletic Complex (2601 SW Thistle, across from the Sealth campus).
Sealth’s bulletin announces it as a “pink-out,” urging everyone to wear pink to show support for the fight against breast cancer. That will be especially meaningful for Sealth running back Daron Camacho, who e-mailed us overnight asking if we would let folks know that “I dedicate the game to my Godmom Margarita Vidrio, who is fighting breast cancer.” You’ll see Daron on the field wearing #11.
VOLLEYBALL, MONDAY NIGHT: Thanks to Jim Bowe for sharing the announcement:
On Monday, October 20th at 7 pm, West Seattle HS Volleyball hosts Chief Sealth in what is always a great Metro League volleyball match. The WSHS volleyball girls are making this night Cancer Awareness Night. Admission to the event is free. There will be opportunities for people to donate to cancer research if they choose to do so; however, attendance and awareness is really the goal.
The WSHS gym is on the southwest side of the school, right off the parking lot, at 3000 California SW.
In case you missed the mention when the West Seattle Community Orchestras‘ new season started – tomorrow night at Chief Sealth International High School, some of their musicians will be featured in the first Seattle Symphony community performance this fall – free admission! Here’s the lineup and program for the 7 pm concert:
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
West Seattle Junction Hub Neighborhood Plan …
West Seattle Triangle Streetscape Concept Plan ..
Seattle Pedestrian Master Plan …
Seattle Right of Way Improvements Manual …
Seattle Pedestrian Retail Areas plan …
One thing was clear during last Saturday’s “walkshed” tour of the Junction/Triangle area, with Seattle Planning Commission reps listening to local community reps: There’s no shortage of plans and documents covering the area, but there’s a shortage of understanding in how they interact, interface, intersect, and what they mean.
The tour itself was linked to the Planning Commission’s ongoing work on the city Comprehensive Plan update, dubbed Seattle 2035. The next big milestone for that is the environmental-impact statement, expected to be out early next year. And this is no bureaucratic bit of wonkiness to ignore: As was pointed out at the start of Saturday’s event, this type of discussion preceded the 1990s-generated plan for “urban villages” including The Junction/Triangle – much of which is only now coming to pass, as was underscored by the current, future, and recent development sites passed (and often discussed) along the way.
But the topic wasn’t just the dense heart of the Junction/Triangle, but also its single-family zones – like a stretch of 40th south of Edmunds and the major project sites bordering it on the north.
For backstory on the tour, see our coverage of last month’s Junction Neighborhood Organization meeting (which included a slide deck setting the stage). To see what happened during the tour – read on:
Out of the WSB inbox, from Beth:
I was just in Schmitz Park talking to the park warden and he asked if we could get some info up on the blog. People had a campout under the bridge (last night) and left all their supplies/ garbage strewn about. They had a large amount of chicken wings and he is working on getting it all picked up but wants people who bring their dogs in to be aware that there may be chicken parts he can’t reach around the bridge/going down the ravine; they can cause a choking hazard/ digestion problems for the dogs.
That’s the final trailer for “Interstellar” – which you’ll be able to see at West Seattle’s historic Admiral Theater before it hits the megaplexes. The Admiral’s announcement explains why (and when):
How exciting is this? Paramount Pictures and Warner Bros. Pictures announced that the highly anticipated “INTERSTELLAR” from Christopher Nolan will be released in 70mm IMAX® film, 70mm film and 35mm film formats on Wednesday, November 5th, two days ahead of its nationwide release. Because the Admiral Theater is one of only a few theaters screening in 35 mm, we have been selected to premiere this highly anticipated holiday movie.
“In the past, we have always had to wait in line for a film to run its course in major chains before coming to us,” says Dinah Brein, Admiral Manager. “More and more, new films aren’t even being made in 35mm, so this is a huge treat for us, sort of an early ‘Thanksgiving blessing’.”
The Admiral will have a special sneak-peek showing of the movie, Tuesday, November 4th at 8:00 PM and then will show the movie multiple times beginning on Wednesday, November 5th. Ticket prices will be set at $10.25 for adults and $8.50 for seniors (65 and over) and children under 11. All screenings before 5:00 pm will be matinee priced at $8.50. Senior Tuesday discount does not apply and special tickets (Groupon, Living Social and Deal Flicks) will not be accepted for the run of the film.
“INTERSTELLAR” was shot using a combination of 35mm anamorphic film and 65mm IMAX film to maximize the crispness and clarity of the image and give the audience a truly cinematic and immersive experience. These advance engagements highlight those theaters presenting “INTERSTELLAR” in its native formats.
“INTERSTELLAR” stars Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, Bill Irwin, Ellen Burstyn, John Lithgow, and Michael Caine. With our time on Earth coming to an end, a team of explorers undertakes the most important mission in human history; travelling beyond this galaxy to discover whether mankind has a future among the stars. Directed by Christopher Nolan, written by Jonathan Nolan and Christopher Nolan, and produced by Emma Thomas, Christopher Nolan and Lynda Obst.
P.S. because you’re probably wondering: No new official news on The Admiral’s future.
(WSB photo: One of the many barges that come and go off West Seattle’s northeastern shore)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
EARTHQUAKE DRILL THIS MORNING: Want to practice what you know about what to do in an earthquake? 10:16 am today is the Great Washington Shakeout. For local-specific information – particularly, the location of your nearest Emergency Communication Hub – browse West Seattle Be Prepared.
PRESCHOOL STORY TIME: 11 am at Southwest Branch Library. (35th/Henderson)
TEEN HALLOWED HUNT AND COSTUME CONTEST: 6:30 pm at Alki Community Center, it’s this year’s first spotlighted Halloween event – just for teens. Details in our calendar listing. (5817 SW Stevens)
GENESEE-SCHMITZ NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL: 7 pm tonight, it’s a general meeting for GSNC at West Side Presbyterian Church, with topics including the P-Patch and City Fruit, as detailed in our calendar listing. (3601 California SW)
ALKI COMMUNITY COUNCIL: 7 pm tonight, the ACC board meets (members welcome) at Alki UCC – not in the parlor as usual (another event is happening there tonight), but on the third floor. Announced topics include “discussion of landslide and transit issues and plans for the November annual meeting.” (6112 SW Hinds)
UNPLUGGED! 7 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), it’s the Seattle Classic Guitar Society‘s monthly open-microphone event for musicians and singers. (5612 California SW)
HYMN SING: You’re invited to add your voice at tonight’s 7 pm hymn sing hosted by West Seattle Christian Church. (4400 42nd SW)
MORE ON THE CALENDAR! Nightlife as usual, but also events throughout the day – you can easily browse beyond, too. Just start here.
That map shows the location of a pipe project just announced by Seattle Public Utilities for a block and a half of the 26th SW greenway in North Delridge. It will affect people who drive, bike, and walk in that area, but it also comes with a request for those who live there: Don’t use outdoor water while the work is under way (indoor water, no problem, since it drains to a different part of the system). Here’s the full advisory, which neighbors should be getting if they haven’t received it already:
SPU says the work should start within the next two weeks.
(WS bridge and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
No traffic trouble in, or outbound from, West Seattle so far. Today’s notes:
VIADUCT/99 CLOSURES THIS WEEKEND: Between the West Seattle Bridge and Battery Street Tunnel, Highway 99 will be closed 6 am-6 pm Saturday and Sunday for its semiannual inspection. But it’ll be closed all weekend, late Friday night until early Monday morning, from the BST to Valley Street. The multipart closure is explained here.
BRIDGE STOP FOR BICYCLE RIDERS: West Seattle Cyclery is under the West Seattle Bridge again this morning until 9 am “with hot coffee, drinks, and snacks. We will also have service equipment to help with any minor repairs.”
7:25 AM: Per SDOT tweet (remember, they have a separate account for bridge updates now), the low bridge is closed to traffic right now. (The camera that’s been showing it lately is offline, so it’s not in our highlight boxes above.)
7:38 AM: Open again. All’s still relatively quiet out there otherwise. By the way, last night’s Morgan Community Association meeting included an update on the overflow-tank project at Lowman Beach that’s been generating extra double-dump-truck trips lately – the dig is halfway down and is still on track for completion in early November.
Two West Seattle Crime Watch notes:
GUNFIRE SUSPECT OUT OF JAIL: 30-year-old Daren Atwood, charged with a firearms offense after last Thursday’s gunfire incident near Fairmount Ravine, is out of jail after one day. We reported Tuesday night that he had been charged and booked; this afternoon, he appeared in Seattle Municipal Court. According to the online docket, the city asked for $50,000 bail; a judge let him out on personal recognizance. His next court appearance is set for November 13th.
ABOUT THE HELICOPTER: Just before 9 pm, a relatively brief burst of helicopter activity brought some questions from north and northeast West Seattle. Via Twitter, the Guardian One crew confirmed it was them, helping Seattle Police with “a disturbance call.” No further details, so if we find out anything in the morning, we’ll add it here.
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