West Seattle, Washington

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Spotlight Stories


  • Closure

    LOW-BRIDGE CLOSURE: Starts on Saturday

  • New

    NEW BUSINESSES: Coffee and wine moving in

  • Sale day

    WS GARAGE SALE DAY 5/11: Register by April 25!

Seattle NBA deal: County Executive Constantine looking forward to ‘Welcome home, Sonics!’; Councilmember McDermott ‘thrilled’
January 21, 2013 9:44 am
|      61 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

The big citywide story today is the deal to bring NBA basketball back to Seattle – and elected officials from West Seattle are hailing the deal. From King County Executive Dow Constantine:

The return of our hometown team is now within reach. I was a high school kid in the spring of 1979 when I joined 300,000 fellow fans on the streets of downtown Seattle to celebrate our Supersonics winning the NBA Championship. Those were great days for our community.

Thanks to Chris Hansen and his investment partners Steve Ballmer, Peter and Erik Nordstrom, and the strength of regional partnerships and our collective can-do spirit, we can now look forward to celebrating the day we can say, ‘Welcome home, Sonics!’

ADDED 10:23 AM: From another West Seattle-residing elected official, County Councilmember Joe McDermott, who chairs the council’s Budget and Fiscal Management Committee:

I’m thrilled Mr. Hansen and his partners acquired a team. We are closer than ever to having the Sonics play in Seattle again.

Yet, this is just one step in many left before the new arena will be built. As we agreed last year, an economic impact analysis and a full environmental review must be completed before the arena deal is finalized. The County, City and Mr. Hansen will continue to work together until the opening tip-off.

More to come.

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TRANSIT/TRAFFIC TODAY: King Day Monday
January 21, 2013 6:03 am
|    Comments Off on TRANSIT/TRAFFIC TODAY: King Day Monday
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Live view from the east-facing WS Bridge camera; see other cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
We know this isn’t a day off for everyone, so here’s the transit and traffic tracker, with a few notes:

METRO: Reduced-weekday service
WATER TAXI: No service
SOUND TRANSIT: Regular service
WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES: Regular service

Tonight’s traffic alert: Southbound 99 is closed from Battery St. Tunnel to West Seattle Bridge for four nights again this week, 10 pm-5 am, tonight, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday nights.

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Seal Sitters updates: ‘Year of the Seal,’ and a bittersweet find
January 21, 2013 2:07 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Wildlife

(Seal Sitters photos by David Hutchinson)
From Robin Lindsey @ Seal Sitters:

Every year, Seal Sitters’ hotline (206-905-7325) receives hundreds of calls. Most are local, but many others come from surrounding areas of Puget Sound. As part of NOAA’s Marine Mammal Stranding Network, Seal Sitters responds to all reports of marine mammals on the beaches of West Seattle – both live and dead. Usually, the calls concern vulnerable harbor seal pups resting and warming up on shore. However, with a 50% mortality rate their first year, Seal Sitters deals with many dead pups annually.

Saturday afternoon, we responded to our first mortality of 2013. The hotline received a report of a “sick” pup at Lowman Beach Park, being watched over by a young girl until volunteers could arrive. Responders discovered that the pup was in fact dead. As is the norm in these cases, the location was noted, photo ID taken, a brief visual examination was made, and the length was recorded (35 ½ inches).

Because the dead pup was in such good condition and a prime candidate for necropsy, a call was made to WDFW Marine Mammal Investigations. The pup was bagged and removed from the beach. Transport will be made to the WDFW lab in Lakewood, in hopes that the cause of death can be determined. Thanks to Schmitz Park Elementary student Lunabella who called the hotline.

Seal Sitters recently received an award from Seattle’s Department of Neighborhoods matching fund program to implement our project for 2013, “Year of the Seal.” To receive and expend these funds, our volunteers are required to put in an equivalent number of matching hours of work on the educational project, culminating with the installation at Alki Beach of a bronze sculpture depicting a harbor seal mom and pup. The most numerous marine mammals in Puget Sound, harbor seals are the most likely to be encountered on our beaches, as they spend about half of their lives on shore. Harbor seals do not migrate. Seals born in our area stay year-round their entire lives. For this reason, they are considered to be an “indicator species” of the health of our waters. Throughout the year, Seal Sitters will be placing an emphasis on educational outreach to inform local school children and the public about important issues regarding our fragile marine ecosystem.

In the coming months, public meetings co-sponsored by Seattle Parks & Recreation, will be held to present our Year of the Seal sculpture concept and site location and will welcome your input. Stay tuned for further details. Read more about the project on the Seal Sitters website.

If you are interested in getting a look at some of our local pinnipeds, you might visit Jack Block Park. Quite a number of harbor seals have been hauling out there since mid-December.

(That’s where the top photo was taken.)

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Also on Tuesday: Sustainable West Seattle’s annual meeting
January 21, 2013 12:50 am
|    Comments Off on Also on Tuesday: Sustainable West Seattle’s annual meeting
 |   Sustainable West Seattle | West Seattle news

In honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.‘s birthday, today is the MLK Day of Service – but tomorrow (Tuesday) you have multiple opportunities to carry on that spirit of service, by participating in community meetings. Here’s one more from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar that we’re making sure you see ahead of time:

Sustainable West Seattle‘s annual membership meeting is Tuesday, January 22nd from 7 – 9 pm at the West Seattle Senior Center.

You’ll hear about SWS programs for 2013 and ways that you can get involved as a volunteer. We’ll be introducing our new and returning board members plus appreciating our outgoing board colleagues.

You will also learn about the kick-off of our 2013 SWS Green Project Incubator Grant with $1000 generously donated from the CoHo Team of Windermere Agents. SWS will offer this grant to a West Seattle resident who applies with an idea to foster sustainability in our neighborhood. Come to the meeting for more details.

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Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday: Monday reminders
January 20, 2013 8:30 pm
|    Comments Off on Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday: Monday reminders
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

Monday is a federal holiday to commemorate the birthday of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. – here’s what’s closed/changed (and what’s not):

SCHOOLS: Closed.

TRANSIT: Metro is on a reduced-weekday schedule; Sound Transit buses are on a regular schedule. The Water Taxi will NOT run. Washington State Ferries are on their regular weekday schedule.

GOVERNMENT OFFICES/FACILITIES: Mostly closed – including all Seattle Public Library locations.

TRASH/RECYCLING/YARD WASTE PICKUP: Normal service, and transfer stations are open.

U.S. POSTAL SERVICE: Holiday – no delivery, etc.

BANKS: Holiday.

PARKING HOLIDAY: Yes, for spaces with the City of Seattle’s pay stations/meters.

MLK DAY OF SERVICE: We’ve highlighted two events – the Nature Consortium work party and the West Seattle Spokespeople under-the-bridge cleanup. Anyone in need of volunteers tomorrow? Let us know with a comment or e-mail and we’d be glad to add the mention.

OFFICIAL CELEBRATION: Not in West Seattle but not far – rally, march, workshops; details here.

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Bicyclists vs. cancer: Obliteride route likely to include West Seattle
January 20, 2013 5:40 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Health | How to help | West Seattle news

If everything goes according to plan, a major new bicycling event in this area will include West Seattle on its route. Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center is planning its first-ever fundraising bicycle ride, called Obliteride, coming up in August. Obliteride organizers e-mailed WSB to let us know about some points of West Seattle interest, including the route possibility – too soon to say for certain because they are still working on permits. One of the main point people for the ride is a West Seattleite – Mark Grantor, senior events manager; his background and interest in the cause are detailed in a story on the Obliteride site. They’re planning four routes – 25, 50, 100 miles on August 10th, 180 miles with an overnight stop in Tacoma, August 10-11. There’s an entry fee plus a fundraising commitment. Details and registration links are here. If you’re not ready to ride but would like to help, they’re also enlisting an army of volunteers.

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Police investigation under the West Seattle Bridge
January 20, 2013 4:38 pm
|      19 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police

If you noticed the police and fire response under the bridge, west of the marina: They’re investigating the discovery of a body. Police at the scene told us they’re looking into whether it’s linked to a vehicle found and towed off the bridge early this morning – possibly a case of suicide. After getting a reader report about this investigation with a mention about a car abandoned on the bridge, we went over to ask if it had anything to do with the Walking on Logs vehicle, but police said the vehicle in question was found on the high rise.

(As we note whenever reporting confirmed or possible suicides, they are an epidemic, five times the homicide rate, and shouldn’t be ignored. There **is** help available: Crisis Clinic has online resources and a 24-hour hotline, 206-461-3222.)

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West Seattle scene: Dedication day for Lions’ new mural
January 20, 2013 3:01 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | White Center | WS culture/arts

Thanks to the WSB reader who shared photos from the West Seattle Lions‘ mural dedication today at 17th and Roxbury – that’s artist Xavier Lopez Jr. above, signing his creation. Just last month, he was honored as a White Center Hero for his role in the mural art that’s popping up all around the area, including the work dedicated today.

(WS Lions president Jimie Martin with Mark Ufkes from the WC Chamber)
A map to all the White Center-area murals, including this one on the West Seattle side of Roxbury, can be found on the WS Chamber of Commerce‘s website.

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West Seattle scene: Parking on slope, by Walking On Logs
January 20, 2013 1:41 pm
|      29 COMMENTS
 |   Seen around town | West Seattle news

Two people have e-mailed us wondering how this vehicle managed to wind up on the slope along the Fauntleroy Way end of the West Seattle Bridge, just north of Walking On Logs. Nothing obvious on the police/fire logs – so we don’t know; do you? We went over for a look and a photo; no damage visible so far as we could see.

SIDE NOTE: Noticed while there that the sculptures themselves are sporting new red and blue garb to promote Camp Fire candy sales:

According to the regional Camp Fire council, you’ll see Camp Fire youth out and about selling candy starting Friday.

4:41 PM NOTE: The vehicle is still there, as is another one parked in the pullout by it (facing the correct direction) with its emergency flasher lights going. That car was parked there when we first went by at noon but, though it appeared unoccupied, we didn’t pay much attention – till noticing just now that it’s still there.

6:45 PM: Mystery solved. See Andrew’s comment; also, we received this note from another reader:

I was leaving WS at approximately 9.30 this morning and saw the silver Toyota – traveling westbound – hit the central reservation pretty hard (rear end bucked up in the air, thought for a moment it might actually bounce over). Saw other westbound vehicles braking in my rear view mirror – embarrassed now but didn’t feel in a position to stop and call it in safely, and by the time I got to work had already forgotten about it.

There is nothing on the fire 911 log, so apparently – as Andrew’s comment suggests – the driver didn’t need attention from medics. The SUV was gone by 6:45 pm tonight (we passed the area again heading outbound on the bridge).

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Your move! West Seattle Chess Tournament ahead for youth
January 20, 2013 11:35 am
|    Comments Off on Your move! West Seattle Chess Tournament ahead for youth
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news

Student chess player in the house? Don’t miss the chance to sign up for the West Seattle Chess Tournament, just announced for February 23rd at Schmitz Park Elementary, presented by the Chess Mates Foundation. Full details and registration link ahead:

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West Seattle Sunday: 10+ things to do before the day’s done
January 20, 2013 10:24 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

A male Anna's Hummingbird keeps warm in near freezing weather in our yard.

(Male Anna’s Hummingbird, photographed by Danny McMillin, shared via WSB Flickr group)
If you haven’t checked the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar yet today – you’re missing a double-digit list of things to do in the hours ahead. Venues with live music this afternoon and evening include C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) and Skylark Café and Club; health-care reform is the topic of a 2 pm community forum at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church; wellness author/practitioner Tierney Salter signs her new book at Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor). And that’s not even half the list – see it all (and peek at the days/weeks ahead) by going here.

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Update: Police investigate stabbing, one man hurt
January 20, 2013 2:47 am
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | West Seattle news | WS breaking news

2:47 AM: Police are investigating a stabbing in the Delridge/22nd SW area (map) right now. According to radio traffic between medics and Harborview Medical Center, the victim is a 27-year-old man described as having a “single stab wound to the left flank.” He is being taken to HMC; no other details so far.

3:28 AM UPDATE: Southwest Precinct Lt. Alan Williams says officers “are currently attempting to gather information as to exactly what occurred” – so far they know that the victim himself called 911 to report that he had been stabbed by someone he didn’t know, but didn’t make the call until about 15 minutes after it happened. They found him near Delridge and Graham. Early information from medics, Lt. Williams says, is that the stab wound was not life-threatening.

11:13 AM UPDATE: A few more details this morning via SPD Blotter – but what happened remains a mystery. (For the commenter who asked, police clarify the wound location as “lower left back.”)

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What West Seattle’s frosty weather has in common with Mars
January 20, 2013 1:51 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

If you look closely, you’ll see another dimension to our frosty, foggy weather. Jason Gift Enevoldsen shares his photo, and this explanation:

A result of the recent slow freezes in WS this week, thin ice crystals (needle ice) lift up small rocks, dirt, and plants in unusual arrangements. It has been fascinating looking for these miniature landscapes and watching how they change from day to day.

And in a larger context, Jason adds:

My wife, Alice (alicesastroinfo.com), and I disagree about whether this should be properly called frost heave, needle ice, or soil creep. But in any case, she found that there’s evidence for a similar process (soil being moved by ice formation and thaw) on Mars:


(NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS)
The origin of this feature is not known for certain, but it resembles Arctic features on Earth called pingos. A pingo develops when ice lifts part of the ground, making a giant frost heave. This image, about 4 km wide, is part of image P15_007033_1915_XI_11N045W taken by the Context Imager (CTX) on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter.

The orbiter’s website, by the way, is showing even more wintry imagery right now.

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Robotics success for Westside School’s ‘Monkey Wrench Gang’
January 19, 2013 11:58 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

The first competition for the first Westside School (WSB sponsor) middle-school robotics team went well, says adviser Erik Christensen, sharing this report:

Way to go, Monkey Wrench Gang!

Westside’s inaugural Middle School FLL Robotics team, The Monkey Wrench Gang, participated in the State Qualifying Competition for the Seattle region. Final standings haven’t been posted, but the team placed in the top third out of 35 teams.

In addition, the team took home the “Programming Award” for developing the best program to run their specific robot design – quite a coup considering it’s the team’s first year of competition.

Congratulations, Blake, Grant, David, Luke, Emilio, Coach Erik Christensen, and Team Manager Julie Jetland.

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More West Seattle teachers back MAP testing revolt: Now, Schmitz Park Elementary
January 19, 2013 6:30 pm
|      30 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Teachers at a second elementary school in our area are voicing their support for others around the district who are declining to give the Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) tests. As with Sanislo Elementary School‘s teachers (see their letter here), Schmitz Park Elementary teachers are sending a letter voicing support without going so far as to say they won’t give the tests. We received this tonight:

Dear Superintendent Banda,

The staff of Schmitz Park, by a nearly unanimous vote, joins in its support of Garfield High and all other schools and individuals around the district that boycott the MAP test. We agree with Garfield’s position about the harmful, ineffective, and wasteful nature of the MAP test and its deleterious impact on instructional time and consequently student achievement. We join SEA in asking you to not discipline our colleagues for standing up and speaking the truth.

We also agree with the Sanislo Elementary letter of support, which points out a deep concern around MAP. Apparently, district officials told Garfield staff the test was “not valid” because the margin of error can exceed the expected growth score. Given this information, it seems unthinkable that these scores would be used to determine the “effectiveness” of teachers. The teacher’s collective bargaining agreement allows the use of low scores to impact the placement of teachers into more comprehensive evaluations, en route to performance improvement plans and termination. The threatening of teachers with invalid data simply is not right.

There is a similar problem brewing in the elementary schools. Not only are our teachers concerned about the time taken away from instruction to administer the test, but the current version of the MAP test is aligned with the old state standards and it is clearly an unsuitable vehicle for evaluating students currently being taught the new required Common Core Standards. So not only are the results of little instructional value, but this discrepancy between what is taught and what is measured will yield falsely low scores making the MAP test invalid for the purpose of measuring student growth/teacher effectiveness.

The idea of using MAP scores as a component of teacher evaluations is disconcerting and needs to be addressed. As such, in response to Superintendent Banda’s e-mail of January 14, we recommend suspending the MAP requirement until the promised review has been completed.

We hope you will interpret the “boycotts” around the district not as disrespect but as a sign of deep concern and needed change.

Sincerely,
Schmitz Park Elementary School Staff

Here again is Superintendent José Banda‘s published message about the MAP revolt from earlier this week, saying the district will review it, but needs right now to proceed with it.

ADDED 11:25 AM MONDAY: The Schmitz Park teachers have revised their letter to add the word “nearly” before “unanimous,” and at their request, we have also added that word (toward the start of the letter) to reflect the change.

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West Seattle Weather Watch: Snow and ice, one year ago
January 19, 2013 5:12 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

(January 19, 2012, photo by Meredith, taken from North Admiral)
Mired in the fog as we are, some WSB’ers have suggested a trip back in time … to the snow/ice that hit one year ago. James wrote today, “We are one year removed from Snowpocalypse 2012!!! Quite a difference a year makes. Might be fun to look back … ?” Kathleen e-mailed the same suggestion last night. Back on Tuesday, we asked “Think we’ll see snow this year?” (consensus: “no”) on the WSB Facebook page, while revisiting January 15, 2012; but an archive check reminds us the snowy, icy weather lasted for several days, with stories including these:

1/16/12: Photo roundup
1/18/12: Downhill skiing, Gatewood to Lowman Beach
1/19/12: Ice-storm warning
1/19/12: “Snow bird” photo gallery

But fog is the only “white stuff” we’ve dealt with this week, and it’s not expected to go away before Tuesday. Snow fans, don’t lose hope yet – the record for latest snowfall in Seattle is April 17, 1972, and that’s still three months away.

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About the fire response in Sunrise Heights earlier…
January 19, 2013 4:03 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

Close call in Sunrise Heights earlier this afternoon, 7100 block of 31st SW – “food left on the stove” caused enough smoke for a house-fire response, but it was caught in time to avert a full-on fire, and nobody was hurt. Thanks to Tony Bradley for sharing the photo!

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Another quick online vote: Concord 4th graders need tech
January 19, 2013 1:30 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   South Park | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Concord Elementary in South Park is part of the West Seattle region for Seattle Public Schools, and one of its fourth-grade classes is asking for your help in getting a $1,000 grant for technology: Marina Pita‘s class made a video to enter in the online vote at changemyschool.com – a quick, no-strings-attached, no-registration-required type of vote: Just go here (and take a minute to watch the video too)!

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Social change regarding mental health: Talk about it @ Hope on Tuesday
January 19, 2013 12:38 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Health | How to help | West Seattle news

Just out of the WSB inbox – you’re invited to come talk about a topic that many say isn’t discussed often (and openly) enough:

This Tuesday, January 22, 2013, at 7:00 PM in the Sanctuary of Hope Lutheran Church of West Seattle, the Hope Stephen Ministry group is hosting a discussion on community problems and opportunities related to current mental health legislation and issues, including those related to recent shootings and violence in the U.S.

Ann Christian, CEO of the Washington Community Mental Health Council, will respond to questions and present ways in which each of us can identify and help individuals in need and advocate for social change around this vital and ever-changing topic. This is a community-type meeting with no charge and all interested persons are welcome to attend.

Hope Lutheran Church is at 4456 42nd SW, just north of SW Oregon.

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Remembering Manvel ‘Schauff’ Schauffler, 1924-2013
January 19, 2013 10:30 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Obituaries | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

The family of longtime educator Manvel “Schauff” Schauffler, a founding board member of Explorer West Middle School among many other achievements, shares this remembrance:

Manvel Schauffler, who taught hundreds of Seattle-area kids history, sailing, camping, cooperation, and the joys of classroom and outdoor learning for more than a decade, passed away on January 8, 2013.

Known to all simply as “Schauff”, he taught at The Bush School in Seattle and also helped found two middle-schools, The Hyla School on Bainbridge island and Explorer West in West Seattle.

He was born in New York City in 1924, and grew up in New Rochelle, New York. His pastimes there were sailing on Long Island Sound, playing ice hockey and other sports, and rooting for the New York Yankees. He once shook hands with Lou Gehrig.

He served with the U.S. Navy during World War II and met his wife, Verna, at Black Mountain College in North Carolina after the war.

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West Seattle Saturday: From Babypants to ‘Banned’
January 19, 2013 9:43 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Saturday: From Babypants to ‘Banned’
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

As the three-day holiday weekend begins, live music bookends the day – there’s still time to get the family to High Point Community Center for Caspar Babypants at 10:30 am, and then tonight, last thing on the list is Aaron Daniel‘s “One Man Banned” performance, 9:30 pm, Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), with happenings along the way including a sunset nature walk. See the full list on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar – just go there and expand any calendar line of interest via the right-side plus sign.

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Easy Street Records’ final Queen Anne night, and auction ahead
January 19, 2013 2:52 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Not WS but we're mentioning it anyway | West Seattle news

Photojournalist Erika Schultz of The Seattle Times (WSB partner) has published a gallery of Friday night images from the final hours of Easy Street Records‘ Queen Anne store – see them here. The West Seattle store remains OPEN, but Queen Anne is now shut down, as announced by proprietor Matt Vaughan earlier this month. Its final hurrah will be an auction on Sunday; if you’re interested in some of the fixtures/memorabilia – even a banner signed by West Seattleite/rock icon Eddie Vedder – there’s an auction preview at the site 4-7 pm today (Saturday), and again 9 am Sunday until the live auction’s start at 11 am. (See lots of auction-item previews on the Easy Street website.)

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High-school basketball roundup: WSHS at home, Sealth on the road
January 19, 2013 2:30 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

The West Seattle High School cheer squad and their young protégés had a lot to cheer for last night, as both WSHS varsity teams won their home games against Ingraham.

It was a runaway win for the girls – West Seattle 61, Ingraham 26, game stats here, with four Wildcats in double-digit scoring – Lydia Giomi had 16 points, and 11 each are on the books for Charli Elliott, Lexi Ioane, and Gabby Sarver.

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