West Seattle, Washington
18 Thursday
Thanks to Doug B for sharing that view of lightning visible if you’re looking southwest over Vashon – radar, and numerous Twitter reports, place it actually off to the southwest; Olympia and environs report quite a show tonight. We’ve heard some thunder from here; the KING 5 radar shows it moving northwest up over the Kitsap and Olympic Peninsulas, so the lightning might not get any closer, but if you have a western view, it’s a sight to see.
3:19 AM: Raining now. Adding that photo by Jason Attaman of Alki (shared via the WSB Facebook page), showing the storm clouds at sunset, just a few hours before the thunder/lightning.
5:31 AM: Louder thunder just now, and heavy rain. Just in case you see this after waking up and wondering what happened while you slept.
Just can’t get enough of the bald eagles! David Hutchinson photographed that one at Duwamish Head. Then in Lincoln Park, Katie got phone video of the eaglet in flight again:
And from Emma … let’s call this Alki eagle “the enforcer”:
Thanks again to everyone who shares photos – wildlife, sunsets, other sightings, breaking news – editor@westseattleblog.com any time.
From SPD Blotter: A man is in jail, facing charges of malicious harassment (hate crime) and malicious mischief, after costly vandalism at a Muslim community center Tuesday night. SPD’s Jonah Spangenthal-Lee writes that the man told police he smashed windows at the building near 35th and Holly because he “hates Muslims.” Police say two city maintenance workers heard it happen, saw the suspect, called 911, and helped police find him at High Point Community Center a few blocks away.
We’re on Avalon Way as its funky little business district opens its arms and its doors to evening visitors for the 2nd annual Luna Park Block Party. Top photo shows Sean Welch making a bowl at Avalon Glassworks, where you can enjoy some truly warm temperatures if you are missing true summer (don’t worry, you can also stand by their ginormous fan and feel Seattle-cool). The block party’s on till 9. Outside Java Bean Coffee, we spotted their long-famous red VW van:
Tonight’s host business is Ola Salon a bit further south along Avalon Way, where Sid Law is serenading Block Party-goers:
And Luna Park Café promises free facepainting, though – thinking ahead to Saturday’s West Seattle Grand Parade – we opted instead for a photo of “Bailey the Burger”:
The Luna Park Block Party’s on till 9 tonight.
We’re at the Senior Center of West Seattle in The Junction (northeast corner of California/Oregon), where the big upstairs meeting room is the site of the first open house for the Fauntleroy Way Green Boulevard proposal 
(official city website here). Five SDOT staffers are here, answering questions and talking with people at two identical tables, each of which is set up with a long rectangular map showing the area under consideration, Fauntleroy between 35th SW and SW Alaska. There are also stacks of forms on which you can write your thoughts. Also here, Brian Hawksford from the office of City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, the West Seattleite who chairs the council’s Transportation Committee. What SDOT is hearing from participants so far includes questions about : They’re asking about a water line under the road. Some have suggested trees and raised planters. A concern was voiced about the safety of people walking over to Trader Joe’s, including from Link Apartments across Fauntleroy. Would this mean no bus service on Fauntleroy? planners were asked. Some are also asking about bicycle access (Seattle Bike Blog asked the question in this story). And there are questions about whether the “boulevard” concept could continue further south on Fauntleroy. The open house continues till 6 pm – just drop by, ask a question, write a comment (or e-mail one later – contact info’s at the end here).
5:17 PM UPDATE: We asked what happens next – answer, in addition to taking comments, here and via e-mail, SDOT is also doing traffic/pedestrian studies in the area, to see which of the potential alternatives might work best. Then they’ll come up with the “10 percent conceptual design concept” by the end of the year, before this proceeds further; right now, as was pointed out to us last week, that’s all the funding this project has ($250,000) – more funding would have to be budgeted for full design, let alone construction. As for whether more public meetings are planned – that’s still up in the air; this is the only one they originally planned, SDOT says (though it was not officially announced till this week, aside from postcards that arrived in some nearby homes last week, which is how we indirectly found out about the meeting last Friday).
The Port of Seattle just sent word that Terminal 18 on Harbor Island, run by SSA, is getting three more Super Post Panamax cranes, and they’re expected to arrive in the area next Tuesday. They’re 267 feet high and can handle the world’s largest container ships; the ZPMC Zhen Hua 23 will bring them in. (You can track it here.) The first three arrived in November (WSB coverage here).
(Photo of Officer John Bernasconi, courtesy Cindy Bernasconi)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Seattle Police Officer John Bernasconi, the SPD Motorcycle Drill Team‘s Drillmaster, will do this Saturday what no one before him has done:
He will relinquish his leadership of the team in a ceremony during the West Seattle Grand Parade.
Officer Bernasconi is retiring this year, after 43 years on the force, where he serves in the Traffic Division. He is also the longest active member of the Motorcycle Drill Team, which he joined 36 1/2 years ago – in January 1976, becoming Drillmaster in 2000. And – he is a West Seattleite, born and raised here.
That’s why he has chosen to have the changeover ceremony during the West Seattle Grand Parade, instead of a parade later in the season, as has been customary, we are told, for those before him.
It won’t happen at the start or the end of the drill team’s performance in the parade – but right in the middle. And you’re welcome to watch – but you have to be in the right place!
The King County Marine Division, parent agency to both the West Seattle and Vashon Water Taxis, has just announced a leadership change. Official county announcement ahead:Read More
Just in case you weren’t clear from yesterday’s WSDOT announcement, we doublechecked today – the Sunday-through-Thursday-night overnight closures of the southbound Alaskan Way Viaduct/99 stretch between downtown and the West Seattle Bridge are planned EVERY week from now till fall weather arrives.
Also just announced, in this week’s edition of the Construction Lookahead update, there will be a weekend NORTHBOUND closure at the end of this month (this time frame includes the Seafair Torchlight Run closure):
July 28-30, northbound lanes of the Alaskan Way Viaduct will be closed between the West Seattle Bridge and S Royal Brougham Way on-ramp from 5:30 PM Saturday through 5 AM Monday. The northbound lanes will be open north of Royal Brougham after the completion of the Torchlight Run the evening of July 28th.
And if you’re planning even further ahead, the Construction Lookahead also includes the I-90 bridge closure times/dates for Blue Angels practices and airshows in early August: Thursday, August 2, 9:45 am to noon AND 1:15-2:30 pm, plus Friday-Sunday, August 3rd-5th, 12:45 pm-2:40 pm each day.
P.S. A few minutes after we published this, SDOT came out with its list of what’s ahead for next week for the Spokane Street Viaduct. As previously mentioned, NO full closures, in either direction, but some overnight lane closures are in store – read on:Read More
In West Seattle Crime Watch today, three more reader reports of car prowling/break-ins – read on for details, including what the prowlers did – and did NOT! – take:Read More
(Courtesy SiteWorkshop – click for full-size PDF version)
Good news and not-so-good news for everyone looking forward to the Highland Park Spraypark, to be built on the current site of the Highland Park wading pool, which is in its fourth season of closure: The good news, according to Seattle Parks project manager Kelly Goold, is that the King County Health permit for construction/operation was finalized just yesterday – and that means construction is a go. But now, they have to get the $635,000-budgeted project out to bid. Goold says that process is likely to start next Wednesday, with a three-week window for bidding, meaning a contractor won’t be chosen before mid-August, and construction would start in the fall. He says that’s perhaps just as well, since use of the play area would be dramatically curtailed by construction operations right at the heart of summer season, so bottom line, looks like the spraypark won’t open till next year. (The rendering above shows the final design as presented to the community at a Highland Park Action Committee meeting this past March [WSB coverage here].)
Before this Saturday’s parade, hundreds of runners/walkers will make history in the first-ever West Seattle Float Dodger 5K.
Online registration has just been extended – go here before midnight tonight! The race starts from California/Charlestown by West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor), whose Tim McConnell just shared the brand-new FAQ:
Q – Will I miss the parade if I run?
A – No! The race is before the parade; you will have plenty of time to finish and watch the parade. We have even secured a parade-viewing area for runners and their families near the finish line.Q – Can kids run too?
A – Sure! We even have kid-sized shirts for those participating. Strollers, pets, etc. are all welcome to be a part of the inaugural race.Q – I want to do it but I’m afraid of getting run over by a float.
A – The floats on the course will not be moving! We will be running around them on the first turn. The race is 75 minutes before the parade, not during. The name Float Dodger was meant to be catchy; it does not mean you have to run around, behind or away from moving vehicles!Q – Where does my entry fee go?
A- Funds from the Float Dodger 5K go to help a number of organizations. Part of the money goes to the American Legion Post 160. They are the group that organizes and puts on the parade. That money will be used to help pay for the road closure, which continues to get more expensive. Your entry fee will help keep the parade a part of West Seattle’s summer events. The remaining money goes to the West Seattle Rotary and the Lymphoma/Leukemia Society. It is a not-for-profit event.Q – Sounds fun but I don’t run.
A – A 5K is 3.1 miles. That really isn’t very far. The winner of the race will probably finish in less then 15 minutes. The average walker can do it in less than 45 minutes. Think of walking from Admiral Safeway to Uptown Espresso and back, plus there will be around 1,000 people cheering you on. Fun, easy, healthy, and a good way to give charity. Plus you get a shirt that says you did it.
The 5K starts at 9:45 am Saturday from California/Charlestown. See you there!
(Photo by Nick Adams, from partner site White Center Now coverage of Jubilee Days Carnival opening night)
Highlights for today/tonight:
WHITE CENTER JUBILEE DAYS CARNIVAL: It’s open at Steve Cox Memorial Park (15th/102nd) today at 1 pm and continuing on into the night; here’s more info from the Jubilee Days website.
FAUNTLEROY WAY ‘GREEN BOULEVARD’? TELL THE CITY WHAT YOU THINK: As first reported here last Friday, the city is moving ahead with early design for a potential “Green Boulevard” revamp along Fauntleroy Way SW between the West Seattle Bridge and SW Alaska. An open house 4-6 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle (California/Oregon) is your first chance to take a look at the concept and tell the city what you think. If you can’t drop by before 6, this page has info on how to comment (bottom of page).
SKILLET FOOD-TRUCK FOUNDER AT METROPOLITAN MARKET: Josh Henderson of Skillet, which helped ignite the food-truck craze in Seattle, has published a cookbook, and he’s signing it 4-6 pm today at Metropolitan Market in Admiral.
NOT IN WEST SEATTLE, BUT – IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN THE SODO ARENA PROPOSAL: The joint city-county hearing is today, 5 pm, at Seattle City Hall downtown. Details in our calendar listing.
LUNA PARK BLOCK PARTY: 6-9 pm tonight, your second annual chance to stroll the business district that stretches south from Avalon/Harbor/West Seattle bridge. Watch a glass-blowing demonstration at Avalon Glassworks, enjoy live music and freebies at Ola Salon, happy hour at Luna Park Café, and more – as listed here.
‘SHOP LATE THURSDAY’ IN THE JUNCTION: 6-9 pm, all summer long; participating businesses are listed here.
COMMUNITY KAYAK TOURS OF THE DUWAMISH RIVER: Tonight is the first in a series of tours – and one of two in the series that takes off from T-107 Park in West Seattle. 6 pm. Full details here.
ALKI COMMUNITY COUNCIL: Monthly meeting at 7 tonight, Alki UCC Church (6112 SW Hinds), with agenda including the proposed rezone we reported on here.
These are just some of the highlights – full lineup for today/tonight is on the calendar!
A police briefing – including the Delridge shots-fired incident from hours earlier – was part of last night’s combined Southwest District Council/Delridge Neighborhoods District Council meeting at Southwest Teen Life Center. City Councilmember Tim Burgess and County Assessor Lloyd Hara also talked with – and heard from – the councils, whose members represent community associations and other major organizations around West Seattle. Read on for the hot topics:Read More
Jane Church Lange, 94, mother of longtime West Seattleite Kip Lange, will be remembered this Saturday at St. John’s Episcopal Church. From her family:
Jane Church Lange passed away peacefully on the morning of Friday, July 13th in Seattle, Washington. Jane had a zest for life from birth to death. She grew up during the depression era with her sister Peggy, and brothers Dwight, Fred and Floyd.
A beautiful and feisty young lady, Jane had many prospective beaus. She married Leo A. Lange on March 29, 1937. They moved to Bellingham and then Sequim as Leo started his teaching career. They settled in North Seattle where Jane and Leo raised Laurale, Kip and Marcia. When Leo retired, he and Jane moved permanently to Carlyon Beach which became the place for numerous family gatherings.
A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend Jane will be fondly remembered for her humor and caring heart. She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Leo A. Lange. She is survived by her children Laurale Lange (Jean), Leo ‘Kip’ Lange (Sheila), and Marcia Rugg (Morrie); her grandchildren Janni, Jon, Jimmy, Cheryl, Jay, Elliott and Lance; 11 great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews; the daughter and son of her heart Marilyn Kettle and Bill Rideout; and her adopted Tam family.
Funeral services will be held at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church, 3050 California Avenue SW, on Saturday, July 21, 2012. The viewing will start at 2:00 pm, memorial service at 3:00 pm, and the reception will immediately follow. Please visit washelli.com/obits for an online memorial and to send condolences to the family. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be given to the American Heart Association in Jane’s name.
(WSB publishes obituaries at no charge; send text and photo to editor@westseattleblog.com)
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