day : 29/01/2012 8 results

In case you missed the gridlock and frustration earlier this weekend: The eastbound Spokane Street Viaduct – that’s the official name for the West Seattle Bridge between 99 and I-5 – has another construction closure overnight, 12:01 am-5 am Monday. That’s a remnant of what was supposed to be a weekend-long closure that caused weekday-style gridlock for most of the day Saturday, until SDOT suddenly announced it was ending early after “completing required work early.” Though the closure had been mentioned in SDOT updates dating back more than two weeks (here’s the first one we published, on January 12th), they all included it in lists starting with much-less-impactful overnight closures; the biggest complaint Saturday was an offline situation: No signage on bridge approaches warning of the closure, neither electronic nor analog. In addition, as some pointed out, while the 1st Avenue South offramp was open, it was narrowed to one lane.

Along with a 97-comment discussion here on WSB, some concerned West Seattleites contacted SDOT directly. Among them was one who shared with us a response he received from the man who runs SDOT, director Peter Hahn:

I share the concerns you describe below. The SDOT people who have worked on the outreach plan for the projects(all) impacting W. Seattle will be meeting with me Monday and devising an improved responsive plan of coordination and outreach. We will share that with the community.

We also had e-mailed SDOT media contacts during the closure jam as well as West Seattle-residing Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, who chairs the council’s Transportation Committee, who replied that the city “must do better.” Ironically, the Saturday backup coincided with a four-hour Open House at City Hall to which all Seattleites were invited to come meet city reps and get “information from city departments,” SDOT included.

Share This

West Seattle Crime Watch: Stolen truck to watch for

January 29, 2012 9:44 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Just in case it’s still in the area – keep watch for this stolen truck reported tonight by Ann-Marie:

Sometime today, Sunday January 29, 2011, between 3:45 pm and 6:30 pm, my father’s red 1987 Toyota pickup truck was stolen from out in front of his home on 34th Ave SW and SW Raymond St. The license plate number is A71496U. It has a manual transmission and a black canopy over the bed of the truck. If it is seen, please call it in to the police and then contact my father at marshameaton@comcast.net or 206-938-0488. Thank you for your time!

Share This

High-school basketball: Senior Night at Chief Sealth

January 29, 2012 8:36 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

The Chief Sealth International High School Band, directed by Marcus Pimpleton, had a special occasion to play for last night – Senior Night for the basketball teams. Though both Sealth varsity teams were bested by visiting Bainbridge Island, it was still a festive night, including a celebration of the players who will graduate this year. We have photos of them all, right after the game recaps, ahead:Read More

Share This

West Seattle Crime Watch: Stolen car found; hit-run car sought

January 29, 2012 4:31 pm

| 11 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

In West Seattle Crime Watch this afternoon – we start with some good news: A stolen car reported here yesterday has been found. From Kris:

Just wanted to let you know that the 94 Honda Del Sol that I reported to you yesterday (stolen on Wednesday 1/25), was found by Tukwila police this morning. It was parked behind an Apt. complex off of International Blvd. S. The car is running fine and it appears that only a few CD’s are missing. Thanks to all!!

On the flip side – from Kayla:

I was a victim of a serious hit and run around 11:30 (Saturday) morning. The car that hit me was blue and white with 20″ rims. Looked to be an old police car at one time, or a taxi, so I’m thinking it’s a Crown Victoria. Maybe even a caprice. The police said the car was reported as stolen yesterday, and was also reported to be linked with drug trafficking. If anyone sees this car it needs to be reported. Since it was a hit and run, and no one can identify the driver, I am now financially responsible with my own insurance.

Kayla says it happened around 26th and Brandon, and that the car reportedly has been seen before around Delridge and High Point. She wasn’t hurt but her car is totaled. Call 911 if you see a car resembling what she described.

Share This

West Seattle wildlife: Bird’s-eye view of well-known goose

January 29, 2012 3:14 pm

| 21 COMMENTS

| West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news | Wildlife

While volunteering for Seal Sitters in the Lincoln Park vicinity recently, Alki-based photographer David Hutchinson got a close-up look at the famous white geese who live in the area. (They’ve been discussed on WSB before, but never with such a striking photo – thanks!)

Share This

West Seattle Hi-Yu double bill: Spring Tea and coronation!

January 29, 2012 11:56 am

| Comments Off on West Seattle Hi-Yu double bill: Spring Tea and coronation!

| West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival | West Seattle news

(2012 West Seattle Hi-Yu royalty, photographed by WSB in December – Senior Court Queen Kayli, Junior Court Queen Thea and Princesses Elena and Amanda)
New West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival president James Kline has been visiting community groups around West Seattle to get out the word that Hi-Yu is hoping more people than ever will support their work this year, and beyond. Hi-Yu isn’t just a collection of summertime events – it’s also a traveling ambassadorship of sorts that lets the rest of the region know about West Seattle, the last community in the city to have its own traveling float appearing in parades around Western Washington. Here’s one way to support Hi-Yu this year: Buy tickets and/or serve as a table captain for this year’s West Seattle Hi-Yu Spring Tea – which also will include a coronation, since Hi-Yu has made some calendar changes. Here’s the official announcement

This year’s Spring Tea and Auction will be held on Sunday, March 18th, 2:00-4:30. A rare event this year, the Spring Tea will also feature the official coronation of the West Seattle Hi-Yu Senior Queen Kayli Schulz, accompanied by her junior court, Queen Thea Pulido, Princess Amanda Elder, and Princess Elena Kline. We are planning a great event at The Hall at Fauntleroy, catered by Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes. Many wonderful auction items have already been procured that are sure to spark your interest. It will be the perfect opportunity for you and your friends and daughters to enjoy the spectacle of a royal event.

Tickets are now available for purchase. You can buy tickets individually or become a Table Captain and buy a table for 10 to share with your closest friends. For those who have filled tables in the past, thanks so much. Hopefully, you and your friends would love to come again. For those who are new to Hi-Yu, seriously consider becoming a Table Captain and purchasing a table to enjoy as a group. This is an event your friends/daughters will remember for years.

All purchases will be helping support the West Seattle community with family events to include Seattle’s last remaining community float and our scholarship program for women. This year’s theme is “Secret Garden.” You can read more about coming events at www.westseattlehiyu.com or view us on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/WSHiYu. You will also find a link to buy tickets for the Spring Tea which you can share with your friends.

You have two options for purchasing your Spring Tea tickets, by mail or online. To purchase by mail, send a check for $25 each to West Seattle Hi-Yu, PO Box 16130, Seattle, WA 98116-0130. To purchase online, simply click one of the links below and you will be forwarded to our PayPal account, where you may use a major credit card or your own PayPal account. Online ticket purchases are $26, which covers all credit card transaction fees.

Click here to Purchase Individual Tickets

If you have any questions: (206) 388-8778 or lynaiapulido@gmail.com

Share This

West Seattle Sunday: School open houses; ukuleles; more

January 29, 2012 6:03 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Great blue heron on the West Seattle shore, by ‘Old Desolate‘ in the WSB Flickr group pool)
Sunday highlights, from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

TRAFFIC REMINDER – *NO* SCHEDULED BRIDGE CLOSURE: Just in case you missed it – the work that was supposed to close the eastbound Spokane Street Viaduct section of the high bridge us done early – except for one last section of work scheduled for 12:01 am-5 am Monday.

OLG OPEN HOUSE: Our Lady of Guadalupe School Open House, 9 am-1 pm:
3401 SW Myrtle Street, West Seattle
Phone: 206-935-0651
ALSO, view sustainable designed green home model displays at the middle school science fair!

HOLY ROSARY OPEN HOUSE: Holy Rosary School Open House, 10 am-1:00 pm, 4142 42nd Ave SW

AT THE MARKET: West Seattle Farmers’ Market in The Junction, 44th/Alaska, 10 am-2 pm. Here’s what market managers say you’ll find new today:

+ Spot Prawns!!! (via fishing vessel Hat Trick)
+ Wine Sampling (with Rockridge Orchards)
+ River Farm returns w/ ORGANIC chicken
+++BOOTH CANYON’s pears!

HOLY ROSARY PRESCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: 10:00 – 1:00, 42nd and Genesee Streets. 3/4 and Pre-K classes

HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: 10 am-2 pm, 9615 20th SW

TOSS IT!: West Seattle Ultimate Family Frisbee, Sunday mornings 11 am, Walt Hundley Playfield at High Point.

ANOTHER SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: West Seattle Christian Preschool open house, 1-3 pm, 4425 41st Ave SW

UKULELES IN THE AFTERNOON: The Castaways play ukulele music at C & P Coffee at 3 pm! The group includes two West Seattle-ites, Mark Bader and Pam Mandel.

COOKING CLASS: At the new Mind Unwind in the Admiral District, Freshy’s Coffee proprietor Amber Bennett leads a soup-cooking class – find out about it here (and check to see if any room is left).

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION: West Seattleites involved!
What: LISA KOCH BIRTHDAY BASH with ROXANNA WARD & JENNIE MCNULTY
Who: Lisa Koch, Roxanna Ward, Jennie McNulty and special guests
Where: The Triple Door / 216 Union Street / Seattle, WA 98101
Time: 7:00 pm (doors open at 5:00 pm for dinner)
Price: $18 advance / $20 door
Tickets: www.tripledoor.com / 206-838-4333

FOOD TRUCKS: Snout and Co. food truck at 35th/Graham … check Highland Park Improvement Club site to see if anyone’s there today.

Share This

Remembering Riverside’s history: Plaza dedication

January 29, 2012 1:20 am

| 8 COMMENTS

| West Seattle history | West Seattle news

That Saturday gathering in northeastern West Seattle was on one level about a plaza –

… but it was really about the people. This corner of West Seattle, now towered over by the high bridge, is Riverside, for decades a home to fishing families, mostly Croatian immigrants, whose descendants have mostly moved on, but won’t let the history (as detailed in the plaque inscription) be forgotten:

They gathered Saturday for the dedication of Riverside Memorial Plaza; the word “memorial” took on an added poignancy, for one of the plaza’s tiles bears the name of Jennie Plenkovich:

That’s the maiden name of Jennie Jaramillo, laid to rest earlier this week at age 75. As noted in her published obituary, she was a founding member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, which overflowed with mourners for her memorial Mass just yesterday. Her uncle Frank Zuvela was a driving force behind the Riverside plaza project, and he was keynote speaker Saturday:

You can visit the Riverside Memorial Plaza at 17th SW/W. Marginal Place (map). Read more about it, and Riverside history, here, here, and see photos from Riverside days gone by, here.

Share This