day : 11/07/2011 13 results

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Within a few minutes of the scheduled start of tonight’s North Delridge Neighborhood Council meeting, more than 25 people were in the small meeting room at Delridge Library – more than double the usual NDNC turnout. (Our photo shows only about half the room.)

The biggest, and first, topic: The proposed 75-unit homeless-housing project that Downtown Emergency Service Center (DESC) wants to build on Delridge, a stone’s throw from tonight’s meeting site.

Read on for highlights of that discussion and other issues/matters talked about tonight:Read More

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Election 2011: 3 West Seattle events/forums ahead

July 11, 2011 11:23 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

Five weeks till the August 16th primary – which will narrow down the field in some races, and will decide the City of Seattle tunnel-related referendum. For your calendar-marking reference, three candidate/issue events are coming up in West Seattle in the next few weeks:

First, this Wednesday night, it’s the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce/Greater Seattle Business Association co-sponsored candidates’ reception at The Hall at Fauntleroy, 5:30-7:30, register here ($10 members/$15 nonmembers and students).

Second, a week from Thursday, the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce presents a “Just The Facts” forum on tunnel-related city Referendum 1, with two referendum opponents from Protect Seattle Now and two referendum supporters from Let’s Move Forward, plus your editor here as moderator – that’s 6 pm July 21st in the West Seattle High School theater. (Admission free.)

Third, a combination ice-cream social/election forum presented by a new coalition of local neighborhood and community advocates, “Voice Your Voice,” 6:30 pm July 28th at South Seattle Community College‘s Brockey Center, with city, county, port, and school-board candidates, plus Referendum 1, all scheduled to be part of the program. According to organizer Karl de Jong, the candidates will be on ice-cream-scooping duty before the “moderated debate-style forum.” (Admission – and Husky Deli ice cream! – free; donations will be accepted for West Seattle Food Bank.)

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Another West Seattle Bridge traffic alert: Southbound ramp from I-5

July 11, 2011 10:37 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

For the second time today, there’s trouble if you’re trying to head back to West Seattle via southbound I-5. A crash is reported at/on the ramp to the westbound West Seattle Bridge from SB I-5.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: QFC incident; stolen VW Bug

July 11, 2011 9:12 pm

| 17 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

(Photo by Ellen Cedergreen for WSB)
Two West Seattle Crime Watch items – this first one, from within the past hour. We received a note asking about a big police response to the Junction QFC. WSB contributor Ellen Cedergreen was there and says some kind of argument/confrontation was involved, apparently involving someone known to frequently hang out outside the store. He had to be subdued, Ellen reports, and a woman who was with him was yelling at officers; Ellen says the two were taken away, as were the dogs they had with them, and that SPD says they’ll be considered to be trespassing if they return to the store. We have an inquiry out seeking more information from police. No injuries reported.

1:18 AM UPDATE: Southwest Precinct Lt. Alan Williams says, “At about 8:07 p.m. officers were dispatched to remove a group of six trespassers from the QFC … At least one of the trespassers also made some threats against the complainant who had called 911. One of the trespassers, an adult male, was uncooperative and threatened the officer’s life. The officer placed him under arrest but had to struggle with the suspect in order to take him in to custody. A second suspect, an adult female who was part of the group of trespassers, obstructed the officer while he was making the arrest so she too was arrested by back-up officers. In addition to the threat charge and resisting arrest, the male suspect will be booked on an outstanding felony warrant. The female suspect will be booked for obstructing the officer. No medical attention was required by anyone involved.”

(back to original 9:12 pm story) Second item:

As reported here on Friday, police say car thieves have been busier than usual lately. Here’s another theft. From J:

My blue 1965 Volkswagen Beetle was stolen from in front of my house … in Fauntlee Hills between 10 pm and 6 am Sunday night/ Saturday morning. If you see this car anywhere else, it is not where it is supposed to be. If anyone does see it give a call to the SPD. They have been contacted and a report has been filed. License plate is 062 zvk. Thank you.

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More money for, or less service from, Metro? Hearing tomorrow

July 11, 2011 7:32 pm

| 33 COMMENTS

| Transportation | West Seattle news

The second of three King County Council hearings on “the future of Metro“ – and the closest one to West Seattle – is at 6 pm tomorrow night downtown. If you missed the backstory: King County Executive Dow Constantine says that either Metro needs to raise more money, or cut service. The current proposal on the table for more money is a $20 car-tab fee. Constantine has asked that the county council simply approve the fee, which would require a two-thirds vote; so far, it appears the council may fall one vote short, which would mean it couldn’t be approved without going to voters. Before the council makes its decision, it’s having three hearings – starting with one last week in Kirkland – to hear from citizens. (After tomorrow night, the third and final hearing is 6 pm July 21st at Burien City Council chambers.) Since our first report on this, the county has come out with more documentation on potential cuts – including this map showing how some routes might be affected – and a table showing the list of potentially affected routes can be seen here. If you can’t make either upcoming meeting, you can send written comments by going here.

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West Seattle Bridge traffic alert: WB Spokane Street Viaduct backup

July 11, 2011 4:30 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

4:30 PM: Avoid the westbound Spokane Street Viaduct – truck trouble has backed it up to I-5. We’re trying to find out if it’s the same truck we tweeted about while stuck in traffic in the same spot two hours ago. Anyway, bottom line, avoid the I-5-to-99 section of the bridge TFN.

4:41 PM: Thanks to those who are sending photos, including Brad, whose pic we just added. Looks like the same spot where a truck was stuck in the 2 pm hour.

On Twitter, one driver says it’s truly a dead stop … and some people are out of their cars (as seen in the photo tweeted by Rob, added above).

4:56 PM: WSDOT says via Twitter that the stuck semi is FINALLY being towed off the Spokane Street Viaduct – still will take the backup a while to clear, though. The truck apparently lost a wheel (we had noticed a flat while passing it in 2 pm hour). Thanks to Ashley for the photo above showing the truck (and tow crew).

6:13 PM: Sounds like all’s getting back to normal – let us know if you’re experiencing otherwise. Meantime, just added the photo above this paragraph, taken by Danny McMillin – note the skateboarders on the new construction alongside the jammed-up road. (Click to see a larger version.)

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Speaking of road work: Fauntleroy Expressway project gets closer

July 11, 2011 4:22 pm

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| Transportation | West Seattle news

West Seattle’s next major road project, the Fauntleroy Expressway seismic retrofit, is getting closer to construction. This involves the southwesternmost section of the West Seattle Bridge. Since our last update in January, the timetable moved further back into the year, but the city is now starting to make the rounds to get the word out, beginning with tomorrow night’s meeting of the Junction Neighborhood Organization. We had been working on an update, and here’s what we found out from SDOT: The project includes steel-column jacketing, reinforced-concrete “girder seat extensions,” reinforced-concrete footings, and bearing pads. It went out to bid in March; CA Carey Construction is the winning bidder, at $2,388,477, which SDOT says is more than $100,000 under their estimated cost. The money comes from the 2006 Bridging the Gap levy. There will be traffic effects, but the city says mostly during off-hours:

When construction begins traffic operations on the Fauntleroy Expressway will be unaffected during the day, especially during the a.m./p.m. rush hours. However, in order to make some of the necessary seismic improvements, we will close segments of the Fauntleroy Expressway and its on-/off-ramps periodically throughout the project. Those closures will occur during the night, early morning and weekend hours.

During closures:
* A minimum of one on-ramp and one off-ramp to and from the Fauntleroy Expressway/West Seattle Bridge will always remain open.
* The Delridge Way SW on- and off-ramps will be open.
* Signed detour routes will be posted and utilize existing arterials to minimize residential cut-through traffic.
* Uniformed police officers will be used, at times, to keep traffic moving.

“Significant construction activity” is expected to start in September and to last through the first quarter of 2012. You can find out more during the presentation at tomorrow night’s Junction Neighborhood Organization meeting (6:30 pm at Ginomai, southwest corner of 42nd/Genesee).

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Might be hope for those potholes yet: City finds more road $

July 11, 2011 2:56 pm

| 8 COMMENTS

| Transportation | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

Just announced on various city websites including this one (with news conference video) – $3 million more to prevent SDOT job cuts and fix roads. Which ones? We’re checking. (Official news release here.)

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Update: Commenter says heart-attack patient ‘stable’ today

July 11, 2011 1:41 pm

| 9 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle people

In case you aren’t following the comments on last night’s report about the medical emergency toward the end of the day at West Seattle Summer Fest – though official information is not available because of medical-privacy laws, a commenter has provided this update on the man who collapsed and received “citizen CPR” before medics rushed in:

I am friends with the man and his family. He suffered a massive heart attack. He made it through the night and is in stable condition today. The doctors are optimistic about his condition. His wife is keeping us up to date. My thanks to everyone who helped out.

Comments on the previous story also have included more information about learning CPR – thanks to everyone who’s contributed information – as this shows, you never know when it could save a life.

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West Seattle wildlife: ‘Very big’ coyote spotted

July 11, 2011 11:10 am

| 21 COMMENTS

| Coyotes | West Seattle news | Wildlife

From Beth:

I saw a VERY big coyote outside my window at 9:20 am on the 3600 block of 47th Ave SW [map]. The animal was in stalking pose and appeared to be alone. He was heading west out of my yard. I emailed my direct neighbors to get their animals inside but wanted everyone else to be aware as well.

Coyotes may be old news to some, but not to all, and that’s why we keep publishing sighting reports when we receive them. If you’ve never seen one, scroll through our archive of reports – last one included a very clear photo.

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Reminder: Radiation-surveying helicopter flights under way

July 11, 2011 10:31 am

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| Health | Helicopter | West Seattle news

(Photo tweeted by @cpatchworks)
We’re not sure if this is the helicopter that’s been flying low over parts of West Seattle this morning, from Alki to Fauntleroy – haven’t gotten a close enough look yet – but in case you missed the advisory we published on Friday, here it is: A chopper based at Boeing Field is flying over local urban areas to get a baseline reading on “normal” radiation levels, not related to the Japan disaster, but as part of a two-year-old federal project. If you get a close look at the low-flying chopper, you can compare it to the photo on this page.

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West Seattle Monday: North Delridge Neighborhood Council, and more

July 11, 2011 8:46 am

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| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

HELP FOR CAREGIVERS:Are you a caregiver? Chances are if you’re doing one or more of the following for an older adult relative, neighbor, or friend you are in fact a caregiver: Bringing them food or groceries, driving them to appointments, running errands, helping with yard work, checking in on someone, doing a load of laundry for them, visiting them on a regular basis, assist someone with household chores or paying bills, or organizing someone’s medications. Caregiver advocate Amanda is available to be consulted 8:30 am-2 pm Mondays at Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon St), Mondays, to help you connect to in-home services, housing options, Medicaid eligibility, respite, adult day health, support groups, counseling, legal options, transportation, nutrition, and more.

NEW AFTERNOON EXERCISE CLASS: Starting today, Monday and Friday afternoons, also at Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon St), Mondays and Fridays (July 11-29, August 12-22nd, 3 pm – no class except Aug 1, 5 & 8). Cost: $35 for 10 sessions paid in advance. Instructor: Alicia Jean Demetropolis M.E.S. Includes seated/standing activity.

NDNC MEETS: North Delridge Neighborhood Council meeting, 6:30 pm. The council is meeting outdoors this summer as weather permits – this meeting is scheduled for the park alongside Delridge Community Center.

BALLROOM AND SALSA: New dance classes launching with Balorico at Kenyon Hall. Call 206 679-7229 or e-mail balorico@gmail.com.

SING IT: Monday night karaoke with Kelli at Skylark Café and Club (WSB sponsor), 9 pm.

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West Seattle’s green weekend: Orchard dedication, garden tours

July 11, 2011 12:38 am

| 5 COMMENTS

| Gardening | West Seattle news

Story and photos by Ellen Cedergreen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

This is a month to celebrate gardens and gardeners – with the West Seattle Garden Tour (co-sponsored by WSB) next Sunday, and two tours with West Seattle stops this past Saturday, including the grand-opening celebration for the Community Orchard of West Seattle on the north side of the South Seattle Community College campus on Puget Ridge.

First, we take you to a stop along the Seattle Tilth-sponsored Chicken Coop and Urban Farm Tour, which was citywide, but with some West Seattle stops, including author Lyanda Lynn Haupt‘s Gatewood home.

They use a byproduct from roasting coffee beans called “chaff.” It looks like hamster bedding and is nitrogen-rich, making it a good material for composting. As a bonus, it can be acquired free from local coffee roasters – just inquire with your favorites. Lyanda took visitors into the coop, where she picked up her chickens, allowing visitors to touch them.

From left to right: Adelade, Ethel, and Ophelia. Ethen is a Barred Rock; the other two are Buff Oringtons, a favorite breed of Lyanda’s. She says she’ll get an egg a day from each when they start laying, which should happen shortly. Also at her stop, visitors examined a coldframe in the yard.