West Seattle, Washington

26 Thursday

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month : 09/2011 343 results

West Seattle Crime Watch: Car thefts don’t just happen at night
September 28, 2011 8:40 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Many of the auto thefts we hear about happen in the middle of the night – but here’s another reminder thieves might be brazen enough to strike in the middle of the day, too: Amber reports that a gray late-’90s Nissan belonging to a neighbor’s employee was stolen from the street in front of her house today, between 7:45 am and 5 pm. She’s on 18th SW near Thistle (where, she says, a neighbor was hit by burglars just last week).

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Blessing of the Animals: 2 in West Seattle this weekend
September 28, 2011 5:43 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Pets | West Seattle news | West Seattle religion

(WSB photo from St. John’s 2010 “Blessing of the Animals”)
This weekend is the closest one to the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi – patron saint of animals – so it’s time for West Seattle’s traditional “Blessing of the Animals” events. On Saturday, you’re invited to the lobby of Providence Mount St. Vincent at 10:30 am. Then on Sunday, St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church will offer blessings in the West Seattle High School parking lot next door (3000 California SW) at noon. As The Mount’s announcement put it, it’s simply an occasion “to give thanks for all creatures great and small.” (And that means even the smallest of pets, if someone brings ’em – check out the guinea pigs in our report on St. John’s event last year.)

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Food trucks in West Seattle: Highland Park to follow ‘Chowdown’
September 28, 2011 3:39 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Fun stuff to do | Highland Park | West Seattle news

If you are a food-truck fan, you no doubt are counting down the days till Sunday, when the Mobile Chowdown will take over the heart of The Junction with more than 20 food trucks (listed here), 11 am-5 pm, all ages, no admission fee. Turns out that the Mobile Chowdown will be something of a preview for what the Highland Park Improvement Club hopes will be a weekly, growing food-truck gathering! On the following Saturday, October 8th, what you might call a new West Seattle node of food trucks will debut. You probably already know that Marination Mobile and Parfait Ice Cream, both of which will be at Mobile Chowdown, have been at 35th/Graham on Saturdays. Now, HPIC is inviting food trucks to use its spacious parking lot on Saturdays – and the first two official takers are Lumpia World and I Want Curry Now, both of which will also be at Mobile Chowdown this Sunday. So to review:

*Mobile Chowdown in The Junction this Sunday (October 2nd), 11 am-5 pm, California SW from Edmunds to Oregon, one-time event
*HPIC food-truck Saturdays start October 8th, 11 am-3 pm, 12th/Holden, recurring

P.S. On October 8th, you can make a day/night of it at HPIC – they are having a Harvest Dinner potluck that night at 6 pm, asking participants to “bring their own homemade food to share, plus a plate to leave behind, which will become part of the community kitchen we are building.” Cabaret and musical entertainment and a no-host bar. (If you’ve never been to HPIC, maybe this reference will help – a few blocks east of where Zippy’s used to be.)

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West Seattle schools: Nature program needs volunteers
September 28, 2011 1:35 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | Wildlife

With all the nature lovers we’ve encountered in WSB-land, we’re startled to hear that this local school program is low on volunteers. But that’s what Marieke Stientjes Rack from the Seattle Audubon Society reports – so we’re sending out the call:

Seattle Audubon has provided FUN for FREE at Sanislo Elementary School for 10+ years. FUN is a environmental education program for 3rd and 4th graders. The program introduces students to the natural world in their own schoolyard habitats through observation, discovery, and scientific inquiry. Seattle Audubon has been and is able to provide this high-quality program, including small group instruction, because of volunteers. Volunteers are trained and then work with small groups of 4-5 students for 4, one-hour lessons, over the course of 4 weeks.

FUN students spend over 8 hours getting to know their schoolyard habitat and, on average, showed a 13% increase in environmental science knowledge for the 2010-2011 school year. Here is a link to the program website; interested volunteers can contact Seattle Audubon’s Volunteer Coordinator at volunteerc@seattleaudubon.org.

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Update: Water rescue, fire calls both resolved quickly
September 28, 2011 11:45 am
|    Comments Off on Update: Water rescue, fire calls both resolved quickly
 |   West Seattle news

11:45 AM: Busy hour for the Seattle Fire Department – after clearing a major callout for a possible water rescue on the south end of Beach Drive, they are now responding to a “fire in building” call in the 6500 block of 32nd SW. Our crew is on the way.

11:49 AM: Neither call has turned out to be a major incident – Seattle Fire spokesperson Helen Fitzpatrick says the “water rescue” was a report of an overturned kayak, but the person in the kayak swam safely to shore, and that the fire call has turned out to be “food on the stove.”

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Update: West Seattle Bridge motorcycle crash turns fatal
September 28, 2011 11:20 am
|      76 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

11:20 AM: We have just confirmed with Harborview Medical Center what two people reported in the comments on coverage of Tuesday’s West Seattle Bridge crash: The 53-year-old man whose motorcycle crashed as he swerved to avoid a car has died. Commenter JD says, “He was a very kind, and wonderful person. He served the community with honor and integrity. He will be greatly missed.” We are not publishing his name until we confirm with the King County Medical Examiner’s Office that their notifications have been made, but another commenter had described him as a state Ecology Department employee who commuted to Bellevue from Kitsap County. A commenter says he leaves a wife, three sons and a daughter, and many others who love him.

ADDED 2:36 PM: We know now that information about the motorcyclist’s death has been circulated in his workplace, and we feel comfortable publicly identifying him as Bradly Gilmore. We asked the Ecology media team if there was any information they can share, and got the following from Seth Preston:

I can say that those who worked with Brad thought very highly of him. As Bob Warren, manager of the Toxics Cleanup section in Bellevue, said of Brad: “There are very few people in life where you know that they have everything in the right order and priority. And it seemed that everything he did was of the highest quality and accomplished with such calmness. I will miss working with him.”

Brad worked in our Voluntary Cleanup Program, which enables owners of contaminated sites to meet state cleanup standards independently and to receive technical guidance from Ecology during the process.

Among Brad’s accomplishments was serving as project coordinator for the Shell multi-site pilot project. You can learn more about this groundbreaking effort here: ecy.wa.gov/programs/tcp/sites_brochure/vcp_sites/vcpOverview.htm.

Jim Pendowski is the manager of the entire Toxics Cleanup Program, based at Ecology’s headquarters in Lacey. Jim said in a message to program employees today that “Brad was a good guy and he made a difference. He will be missed.”

A grief counselor will be available to Brad’s co-workers on Thursday at our Bellevue office.

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West Seattle Blockwatch Captains Network: Preparedness, and where to get the $ for it
September 28, 2011 11:16 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Blockwatch Captains Network: Preparedness, and where to get the $ for it
 |   Crime | Safety | West Seattle news

Story and photos by Keri DeTore
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

After a summer hiatus, the West Seattle Blockwatch Captains Network reconvened last night at the SW Precinct for their monthly meeting. Led by co-founder Karen Berge, the meeting focused heavily on Emergency Preparedness, as so many community events have this month, and a city rep was on hand to provide information about accessing matching fund grants to promote the issue.

First however, Karen had a big announcement: WSBWCN has been awarded a $4,000 grant from the Bill Wright Technology Matching Fund to help develop on online tool that will help neighborhoods find their Block Watch captains, and will help captains communicate with each other. Says Karen about the award: “We’re doing back flips over here!”

City of Seattle Department of Neighborhoods Project Manager Garry Owens (photo at right, with Karen) was invited to discuss the city’s matching fund grants that are available to community groups undertaking projects focusing on community involvement.

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West Seattle Wednesday: School’s out (early); preparedness x 2
September 28, 2011 8:52 am
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Young raccoons spotted near 38th/Dakota; photo courtesy of MG)
Welcome to a wild Wednesday! Highlights from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

SHORT SCHOOL DAY: Today is the first two-hour early-dismissal day of the year for Seattle Public Schools.

GET CHEESY: Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor) launches its annual monthlong “For the Love of Cheese” festival; today’s events at the Admiral store start at noon.

CLINIC OPEN HOUSE: Highline Physical Therapy open house 4-7 pm at new clinic, 4700 42nd SW, suite 510, free non-alcoholic beverages, everybody welcome!

SOLD WHERE IT’S GROWN: High Point Market Garden Farm Stand, 4-7 pm, 32nd SW and SW Juneau – seasonal, fresh, organically grown produce sold next to where it’s grown.

MAKE SURE YOUR PETS SURVIVE TOO: Pet preparedness is the topic of a special educational presentation by West Seattle Be Prepared, 6:30 pm at Senior Center of West Seattle in The Junction, details here.

MORE PREPAREDNESS – AT HIGHLAND PARK ACTION COMMITTEE: The local neighborhood council that usually meets toward month’s end is resuming its schedule post-summer, and Highland Park Action Committee has preparedness on the agenda too, with a guest speaker from the Seattle Office of Emergency Management with a SNAP (Seattle Neighborhoods Actively Prepare) presentation. Meeting starts with a 6:30 potluck, SNAP presentation at 7, news/announcements at 8. HPAC meets at the Highland Park Improvement Club building, 12th/Holden.

FOUR MORE CHANCES: “Amy’s View” starts its final week at ArtsWest Playhouse in The Junction, through October 1st, 7:30 pm Wednesday (also this Thursday, Friday, Saturday).

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West Seattle success stories: 3 student-athlete standouts
September 28, 2011 8:50 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

News to share of three local student-sports standouts now scoring college success:

BASKETBALL SCHOLARSHIPS: From West Seattle High School girls’ basketball coach Sonya Elliott:

Best friends & WSHS graduates Kirby Davis and Taylor Magera will be playing basketball at Edmonds Community College this year. Kirby was West Seattle High School’s 2010-11 Most Improved Player and Taylor was Captain; they received basketball scholarships and will continue their education while playing under head coach Tarrance Tucker.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Tim McConnell from West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) shared the news that WSR part-time employee Max O’Donoghue-McDonald was named UW Husky Athlete of the Week after his recent win at the Sundodger Invitational in Lincoln Park, as the first Husky to win it two years in a row. Tim noted, “That’s a pretty big deal considering football usually dominates this time of year. Plus he is just a great kid. Customers love him and he always has a smile on his face, singing a song and just loving life. He definitely does West Seattle proud!”

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Kona the dog, found! ‘That karma will last you a lifetime’
September 27, 2011 9:47 pm
|      28 COMMENTS
 |   Highland Park | Pets | West Seattle news

That’s Kona, a Husky/Lab who is home tonight, two weeks after she was reported lost (her photo has been on the WSB Pets page all that time). Kona’s family says an incredible outpouring of help in West Seattle this afternoon brought a joyful conclusion to their dog’s odyssey. Claire writes:

I wish everyone in the world could have been there today to see the amazing kindness of every person and dog in Westcrest Dog Park today. We got a call about 1:30 that Kona (the black husky lab female who has been missing since 9/12) was spotted in the dog park with an injured leg. We sped there from work and I think every person there, and especially a couple with an amazing Malamute, helped lead us to her in the woods.

She ran out right between my husband and I and he caught her in his arms–she was frantic and running from the voices–but when she realized who it was I think we were all crying. (Well, Kona and I were anyway!) THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts for staying with her and making sure she was contained so we could get her home. We took her to the vet and she has a fractured foreleg, and will go into surgery tomorrow, but I don’t know if she could have been caught if she didn’t have the injury to slow her down.

If I could lasso the moon for all of you, I would. She means the world to my husband, 4 year old son, our other dog Ernie, and me. “Thank you” doesn’t begin to express the depth of my gratitude. Blessings on each of you, and that karma will last you a lifetime.

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West Seattle scene: High Point playground officially opens
September 27, 2011 9:40 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   High Point | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

A little brisk this afternoon as High Point’s new playground – built in a day last Friday, with hundreds of volunteers pitching in – officially opened. But commemorative purple scarves from playground partner KaBOOM! kept community advocates warm:

The new playground is at Bataan Park on the east side of High Point.

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Election 2012: Governor candidate Jay Inslee in West Seattle
September 27, 2011 9:11 pm
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

(Photos by WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand)
It’s not too rare for rock ‘n’ roll and politics to mix these days – and that’s what happened tonight at Morgan Junction’s rock-themed Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), location tonight of a fundraiser for the man considered to be the Democratic frontrunner for next year’s governor race, U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee. (Suggested donations, per the original invitation, ranged from $75 to $1,000.) Other top local Democrats showed up to lend their support:

That’s State Rep. Eileen Cody (top left), with Marcee Stone, 34th District Democrats board member; next photo, County Councilmember Joe McDermott (below right), with Pigeon Point’s über-involved Pete Spalding (left) and 34th District Democrats board member Les Treall:

Unless the campaign takes an unexpected turn, it’s considered likely to be Rep. Inslee vs. Republican state Attorney General Rob McKenna in November 2012 in the race to succeed Gov. Chris Gregoire. Inslee represents the 1st Congressional District, which includes parts of King, Snohomish, and Kitsap counties, mostly north of Seattle.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: ‘Teamwork’ nabs car-theft suspect
September 27, 2011 6:36 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

A suspect who ran from a stolen car is in custody tonight, thanks to what Southwest Precinct Lt. Ron Smith calls “great teamwork by the patrol units.” We asked Lt. Smith about the incident after hearing some attention-grabbing scanner traffic around 4 pm – a search of some kind in Highland Park, resulting in an arrest. Lt. Smith told us it started with the report of a car theft in the Westwood Village parking lot. Before police even talked with the victim in person, Lt. Smith says, “an officer observed a vehicle matching the stolen vehicle at 15th SW & SW Henderson. The officer pulled behind the suspected stolen vehicle, at which time the vehicle fled.” Then the driver got out, he says, and ran through several backyards. Officers set up “containment” in the area, and caught the suspect “attempting to climb a fence in an effort to flee.”

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Worried about Viaductlessness? Special chance to talk about it
September 27, 2011 5:18 pm
|      27 COMMENTS
 |   Alaskan Way Viaduct | Transportation | West Seattle news

(WSDOT photo of the new southbound 99 SODO offramp that will open after the 10/21-31 closure)
Concerned about the October 21st-31st Alaskan Way Viaduct closure and how we’re all going to get around, considering how just one incident like this morning’s bridge crash can snarl the system? You’ll get a chance to sort it out in person with city, county and state transportation experts and others, in a special meeting that’s just about to be formally announced. We heard about it while tracking this morning’s City Council Transportation Committee meeting; it’s tentatively set for 5:30-8 pm October 10th at West Seattle High School. Besides the short-term issues of how to get around during the shutdown, we’re told City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen and County Councilmember Joe McDermott will want to hear from you on big-picture issues of how the Viaduct project overall will affect area traffic for years to come. A similar meeting is in the works for northwest Seattle, likely October 12th.

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Update: Duane Starkenburg charged, bail raised to $500,000
September 27, 2011 3:19 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Bail for Duane Starkenburg – charged last January with attacking joggers in Lincoln Park, then arrested last Friday for investigation of child rape (as reported here yesterday) – is now up to $500,000. That’s the word from the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, which has just formally charged Starkenburg in the child-rape case. The charging documents give an approximate time frame for the crime, between April 2000 and April 2002, at which time the victim, the daughter of a then-friend, would have been no older than 11. The documents also say that investigators learned about this while doing followup investigation this month on the jogger-attacks case, for which Starkenburg was awaiting trial. He is scheduled to be arraigned on October 11th. (Photo from February hearing by Mike Siegel/Seattle Times, republished with permission)

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What to do about crowded West Seattle schools? Meeting ahead
September 27, 2011 1:37 pm
|      26 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Will Seattle Public Schools reopen schools? Build new ones? Both? Just announced, three community meetings around the city to talk about “capacity management” – including one in West Seattle. From the announcement:

With enrollment trends indicating growth within Seattle Public Schools boundaries, the District implemented a task force of community volunteers and SPS staff, who collected and studied all available data relative to demographics and enrollment. Their work resulted in the decision to create and implement an Intermediate Term Capacity Management plan to cover the period of 2012-2016, prior to building schools as part of the Building Excellence IV (BEX IV) program.

That plan will be explained, and your feedback sought, 6:30-8 pm Thursday, October 6th, at Madison Middle School.

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West Seattle Crime Watch followup: No hate-crime arrests yet
September 27, 2011 12:42 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Following up on the reported hate-crime attack against a Genesee couple, first reported here on Saturday night – someone smashed windows and slashed tires on their vehicles, and that they found a threatening, anti-gay note – we have checked with both Seattle Police and the victims. Police will say only that it is an “active and ongoing investigation.” Meantime, after more than 100 supportive comments following the original WSB coverage, Chris and Lyle added their own:

From the bottom of our overflowing hearts, we can’t begin to thank everyone for their show of support through the incident that happened at our home. We were surprised, as all of you were, that this even happened in our community. We have been residents of West Seattle for over 4 years now and have always been welcomed with open arms. If these cowards thought for one minute that we plan to be a victim and to live in fear, they thought wrong. Your kind words through this horrible situation have strengthened us beyond imagine and are even more proud to be part of this community. …

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West Seattle Community Orchestras’ rehearsal plan for tonight
September 27, 2011 12:14 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Community Orchestras’ rehearsal plan for tonight
 |   Announcements

West Seattle Community Orchestras’ rehearsal plans for tonight (Tuesday, September 27) is out:

Debut Orchestra, 5:30 to 6:45PM
At Fauntleroy Church, 9140 California Ave. SW (shared facility with the YMCA)
You may park in the parking lot off of California Ave.
Look for WSCO signs!
Face the church, walk up the stairs (to your right)
Enter the building at the door marked “Church Office/YMCA”
Look for signs from there – we will rehearse in the Narthex

Intermediate/Symphonette Orchestra, 7:00 to 8:15PM
At Fauntleroy Church, 9140 California Ave. SW (shared facility with the YMCA)
You may park in the parking lot off of California Ave.
Look for WSCO signs!
Face the church, walk up the stairs (to your right)
Enter the building at the door marked “Church Office/YMCA”
Look for signs from there – we will rehearse in the Narthex

Symphony Orchestra, 7:00 to 8:45 PM
At The Hall at Fauntleroy, 9131 California Ave. SW, Vashon Room
Park in the lot behind (west of) the building, accessible from SW Director Street
Walk up the long ramp; the Vashon Room is at the lower entrance to the building.
Look for WSCO signs

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Councilmembers preview the future of Fauntleroy’s Cove Park
September 27, 2011 11:37 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Fauntleroy | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

First of two updates from this morning’s City Council Transportation Committee meeting:

That’s what Cove Park just north of the Fauntleroy ferry dock is projected to look like after the Barton Pump Station expansion. This was a hot topic at this month’s meeting of the Fauntleroy Community Association, which has been working with government agencies a long time to make sure the station project doesn’t completely ravage the park and its distinctive art. The council committee had asked for a presentation on where the post-project park design stood. In addition to what they saw – here’s a PDF with the graphics – the plans also are detailed in the latest edition of the FCA newsletter, where Mardi Clements writes that the centerpiece will be a “stunning display of multiple new pieces of salmon-themed art created by noted sculptor Tom Jay …” They will include a “Salmon Bench” shown to the committee today:

The FCA newsletter article says the bench will be “cast bronze depicting a coho digging a redd in ‘the river of time.’ She will be installed with her tail touching a faux concrete rock carved with petroglyphs inspired by images of salmon from around the world.” Cove Park’s existing raven, canoe, and story rocks are to be returned to the park after the pump station project, which will be under construction for about two years, expected to start next summer (here’s the county information about it).

One point of contention for Fauntleroy community advocates remains the fencing between the project and homes on the beach; they wanted fencing that was more of a visual screen, but the team briefing the committee today said they’re going with the Design Commission recommendation of a more-see-through fence. SDOT has jurisdiction because this park is on a “street end”; it’s not a Seattle Parks site. No vote was taken today, it was just a briefing, but agreements related to the pump station project eventually will come before the council.

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Daystar Retirement Village: Welcoming a new WSB sponsor
September 27, 2011 10:10 am
|    Comments Off on Daystar Retirement Village: Welcoming a new WSB sponsor
 |   West Seattle housing | West Seattle news

Daystar Retirement Village in Westwood is one of our newest WSB sponsors, and as per our tradition for new sponsors, today is their chance to let you know what they’re about:

Welcome to Daystar Retirement Village. We are a locally owned and operated retirement community with independent- and assisted-living apartments, located in the south end of West Seattle.

Independent living at Daystar does not mean you do not have any available services. Our independent residents have amenities you might find in a fine hotel included in the monthly rent at Daystar. Things like scheduled transportation, zero-maintenance apartments, full appliances in independent units (including washer and dryer), and well-being checks throughout the day, are some of the services our independent residents benefit from.

For those residents who need a little extra assistance to maintain their independence, we can provide Personal Assistance Services that include numerous medical and non-medical tasks for an additional monthly fee.

For all residents, we have 24-hour staffing, flexible meal plans, housekeeping, free parking, emergency call system, locked front doors with surveillance cameras, and we’re pet-friendly!

Daystar Retirement Village offers a variety of diverse activities. It is your choice whether you want to participate but we truly have something for everyone. Art and history classes, trips to tourist sites and local shopping, Tai Chi, Wii games, ice cream socials, comedy clubs, movies, barbecues, and wellness classes are just a small sample of what you’ll find here.

Daystar‘s location is another great advantage. We are just across the street from Westwood Village, which offers multiple restaurants, a gym, a US Post Office, Starbucks, Rite Aid, Target, and numerous other amenities. We have been a member in this community since 1988; we hope you will come visit us (2615 SW Barton). We have someone here to give you a personal look around Daystar every day of the week. After your visit you will understand why the smart folks who live here often say: It’s so good to be home!

We thank Daystar Retirement Village for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news on WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.

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Update: Motorcyclist seriously hurt in crash; bridge jammed for hours
September 27, 2011 7:20 am
|      100 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(TOPLINE, 3:56 PM: New information from police; motorcyclist reported to be in serious condition – details below

7:20 AM: Thanks to everyone for the texts/calls – at least two lanes are blocked on the eastbound high bridge because of what multiple reports say is a motorcycle crash. The latest traffic cams are here.

7:43 AM UPDATE: We’ve added a “live” image from one of the bridge cams above (refresh the page for the latest). And now there’s a separate incident: The ramp from Delridge has a medic response – reported to be a woman in labor.

7:50 AM UPDATE: The situation on the high-rise is NOT likely to clear any time soon. Scanner indicates that the Traffic Collision Investigation Squad is being called in, as the motorcyclist is reported to have “critical” injuries. Their work usually takes a few hours. If you are headed downtown or further north, 1st Avenue South Bridge or low West Seattle Bridge might be better options.

8:18 AM UPDATE: We’re checking the feeder routes. 35th SW northbound currently backed up to The Mount.

8:47 AM UPDATE: Anecdotal reports via Twitter and Facebook indicate that while, as you can see in the “live” image above, those two right lanes are still blocked, the rest of the flow is moving more smoothly. We also have a report from Alex, who got downtown in half an hour by detouring from Morgan Junction to Roxbury to 509 to 99 – if you aren’t familiar with that route, it’s worth exploring someday when you’re not under “get to work” pressure, so you know it for future reference.

9:12 AM UPDATE: Thanks to the WSB’er who shared that video of the investigation on the bridge shoulder as the 125 bus went by. We’ll continue to update this story till the lanes clear (you can refresh to see the latest version of the “live” bridge cam image above, too – those are investigation vehicles in the right lanes right now).

9:27 AM UPDATE: Investigators have cleared the scene and all bridge lanes are now open. We are following up to see what we can find out about the crash victim (and also about the woman in labor from the Delridge ramp). *added* SFD spokesperson Kyle Moore says the motorcyclist is a man in his mid-50s and was taken to the hospital in “serious” condition; he says the woman is in her late 20s and did not deliver at roadside – she was taken to a hospital.

3:56 PM UPDATE: Police have now released more details via SPD Blotter, saying the motorcyclist crashed while trying to avoid getting hit by a car:

On September 27th, at approximately 6:53 am, a 1998 BMW driven by a 47 year old female was travelling eastbound on the West Seattle Bridge in the far left lane, on the downhill grade approaching the northbound SR-99 exit. The BMW was attempting to change lanes when the BMW nearly collided with a 2007 Yamaha motorcycle that was also travelling eastbound in the “Bus Only” lane. The 53 year old male motorcycle rider took evasive action by applying heavy rear-braking which caused the rear wheel of the motorcycle to lock. The motorcycle continued skidding its rear wheel for a considerable distance until it lost control.

The motorcyclist suffered head and facial injuries and was transported to Harborview Medical Center in serious condition. The driver of the BMW was screened for impairment, but it was determined that the driver was not impaired by alcohol and/or drugs. Detectives from the Traffic Collision Investigation Squad (TCIS) responded and processed the scene. They will continue to follow up on this investigation.

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West Seattle Tuesday: Pan Africa; playground; PTSAs; politics…
September 27, 2011 6:43 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(West Seattle Bridge sunrise, by Pye42, from the WSB Flickr group pool)
Busy Tuesday! From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

SO LONG, SHIPS: Not in West Seattle, but you may see it passing by: Today’s the final scheduled cruise-ship visit of the season- Celebrity Century at Pier 66.

RESTAURANT OPENS: Pan Africa Grill is scheduled to open (California/Juneau), dinnertime. Here’s our weekend sneak peek inside.

NEW PLAYGROUND: Grand opening celebration 4:30-6 pm for new High Point playground in Bataan Park.

COMMUNITY ORCHESTRAS TONIGHT: West Seattle Community Orchestras’ new season continues, with rehearsals starting at 5:30 pm – updated informationcan be found here

BLOCKWATCH CAPTAINS: West Seattle Blockwatch Captains Network meets, 6:30-8 PM – SW Police Precinct, 2300 SW Webster. Spotlight presentation explains the Neighborhood Matching Fund.

CANDIDATE FUNDRAISER: Candidate for governor Jay Inslee will be in West Seattle for a fundraising reception. 6-7:30 pm at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), invites suggest donations of $75 Guest | $250 Friend | $500 Sponsor | $1000 Co-host.

SANISLO PTA: First meeting of the school year for the Sanislo Elementary PTA, 6:30 pm in the school library.

CHIEF SEALTH PTSA: First meeting of the school year – Chief Sealth International High School PTSA in the Galleria, 7 pm. Meet your PTSA Leadership Team; hear from Principal Chris Kinsey; learn about the Teen Health Center. Spanish & Somali translation provided; refreshments too.

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Video: What comes down, must go out – into Puget Sound, off Alki
September 27, 2011 3:43 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | Sustainable West Seattle | West Seattle news

The latest video from diver/videographer Laura James just came in overnight – with another vivid reminder that what comes down, must go out, into the waters around us: She’s continuing to chronicle outfalls off West Seattle shores, and discovered rain runoff right off central Alki Beach, parallel with 55th/56th SW. The pipe in her video, Laura says, is in water that’s only about 20 feet deep at high tide. (Photos here.) And as you will see at the end of her clip, it’s yet another reason to take the time to learn how not to feed the Tox-Ick Monster. Been to one of Sustainable West Seattle‘s presentations yet? If not, next one’ s less than two weeks away, with prizes again awaiting those in attendance – 7 pm Monday, October 10, at Pathfinder K-8 on Pigeon Point.

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