West Seattle, Washington
14 Saturday
Tonight’s West Seattle Crime Watch roundup starts with another stolen car getting found – 
Carissa reported her Audi was stolen in early October; she e-mailed again to say it was found last Thursday night at Sea-Tac Airport. One odd detail from Carissa: “There were tools in the back with paperwork for Queen City Sheet Metal Company.” (Just to see what’s trending now, we checked the police-report map for the most recently reported car thefts in West Seattle: A truck was stolen late last night from the 3400 block of 40th SW; a car was stolen early yesterday from the 5200 block of 19th SW; and one was taken late Sunday night from the 6700 block of 12th SW. That’s the entirety of the detail available – which is why we welcome reader reports with more info.)
Ahead, six more reader reports – including a neighborhood where burglars seem to strike on a certain day of the week:Read More
Though Halloween is eight days away, the biggest events are this weekend (as you can tell if you check the WSB West Seattle Halloween page). And the first-ever West Seattle Junction Association-presented Harvest Festival this Sunday (October 28th, 10 am-2 pm) just keeps getting bigger. Note the brand-new map/poster above (printable PDF here) – in addition to helping you figure out where to find your favorite Farmers’ Market booths along California SW (the streets are closing, so they’re moving out into the street), it also lists events beyond the costume parade (11:30 am from Junction Plaza Park), trick-or-treating (noon-2 pm) and ongoing activities (entire 10-2 duration) already announced. West Seattle Eagles invite you to a pumpkin-spiced-pancake breakfast at their HQ near the Junction Post Office, and ReMAX invites you to a “gently haunted house” at their HQ on 44th, noon-2 pm. We’re among the businesses/organizations presenting one of the activities (look for WSB X 3 – us, WestSide Baby and West Seattle Bowl with pumpkin bowling!), so we’ll see you there!
As we continue daily transit/traffic updates – including reader reports – crowded buses have continued to be a concern, particularly Route 120. Just in from Metro, word that more buses are on the way:
King County Metro Transit is adding buses to meet increased ridership demand between West Seattle, Burien and downtown Seattle.
Starting Oct. 29, eight additional commute time buses will be added to routes 55 and 120. Two more trips will be added to each route during the morning and evening weekday commutes.
“We’re seeing double-digit demand over last year on this corridor, and demand increases even in the face of tight budgets,†said Kevin Desmond, Metro Transit general manager.
Thanks to everyone who has shared photos of the rainbow sightings to the north a short time ago – Stacy sent the double rainbow from Seacrest, and we’ll add others shortly. As mentioned in our morning preview, the forecast says thunderstorms with ice pellets are possible. (But een as we write that – some blue sky is headed this way along with more clouds …)
ADDED 3:42 PM: More rainbow photos! (Plus, a final batch added in early evening, from the ones tweeted to us…)Read More
Whenever you can spare five minutes, watch that video shown last Friday night at the Seattle Police Awards banquet, sponsored by the Seattle Police Foundation. It tells a story never before told publicly – what happened before Café Racer killer Ian Stawicki‘s murderous day came to an end in West Seattle on May 30th (here’s our as-it-unfolded coverage from that day). It explains the Medal of Courage awarded to Southwest Precinct Officer Scott Luckie and to Detective Scotty Bach for what they did in West Seattle on May 30th – and includes their firsthand stories as well as some (not graphic) in-car-camera video from that day. Officer Luckie, we learned, was the first uniformed officer on the scene where Stawicki was found – and he moved in, as the video explains, without backup. Your WSB co-publishers were among the journalists in attendance last Friday night and requested a copy of the video; now it’s been uploaded for public view. Officer Luckie was not able to attend Friday’s banquet to accept his medal in person (it was explained that he had something else major going on in his life – a wedding!).
(Photo by Patrick Sand for WSB)
1:23 PM: Big response right now to the 2300 block of Halleck, which is in Upper Alki (map), for a reported house fire. Police are headed that way too, to help with traffic control. More to come.
1:33 PM UPDATE: First crews on scene reported (via scanner) “light smoke” and a suspicion that this is an electrical fire. They say it is under control.
(Photo by Christopher Boffoli for WSB)
1:53 PM UPDATE: Some crews have been canceled. We’ve added a photo from WSB’s Christopher Boffoli. There’s word of one possible injury – WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand, who also went to the scene, says medics are checking out someone with a possible knee injury (neighborhood person, not firefighter), but we don’t know the circumstances.
1:59 PM UPDATE: The injury is now reported not to be related to the fire. Have added another photo, this time from Patrick, showing the actual structure where the fire happened – construction has been under way there.
(Leathers and Associates rendering of new Roxhill Park play area)
Some volunteers have stepped up since the last announcement seeking volunteers for the “community build” that is required to get Roxhill Park‘s new Castle in place November 2nd through 6th – but there’s still room on the roster, says organizer Mat McBride:
Hey do-gooder, the Roxhill Park Needs You. This park may go unrealized for the lack of a few more folks willing to give just a little more. There are currently about 68,000 people over the age of 18 in West Seattle. To date, this project has about 140 volunteers. A lot, but not nearly enough. If you are one of the 67,860 adults in West Seattle who hasn’t yet signed up, don’t assume someone else will do the good work for you. Trust me, I do a lot of volunteering, I’ve run the numbers, and That isn’t happening.
I am asking you for 4 hours. If you care about parks, kids, social justice and equity, community, or crime – I’m asking you for 4 hours. Give this project 4 hours of your life and you will have made a difference. Sound like a stretch? It isn’t. This park has a direct link to all of these things. This place matters. In return, you’ll get fed by a local joint you love. You’ll get some great exercise (oh, hello calorie-rich holiday season, I wasn’t expecting you so soon). You will get the immense satisfaction of having joined in something larger than yourself and making a difference (I am not exaggerating this).
I’m asking for just 4 hours. Claim your place here: http://doodle.com/gusyyykv9zzrdksy
Can’t do 4 hours, but still want a part of the action? This project has partnered with the West Seattle Tool Library, who will provide some of the tools and supplies that will build this park. We don’t have enough of either right now, and your gift or donation to the Tool Library will help the build the park and the library at the same time (our greatest needs are: ladders, air compressors, sliding compound miter saws, cordless impact drivers, and electric impact wrenches). To make a gift or donation to the West Seattle Library, contact Micah Summers, the Tool Library director – micah@wstools.org.
The community website for the project is here. P.S. Please note that volunteers must be at least 18 years old.
(Remodeling under way inside Bamboo, which provided the photo)
After a rocky summer, Alki’s Bamboo Bar and Grill is closed most of this week, to reopen Friday, and is announcing new, local ownership. Two months ago, after a shooting outside, its management – then-ownership wasn’t present – called a community meeting to answer questions and make promises (WSB coverage here). Today, they’ve sent a news release saying they’re keeping the promises they made.
(Photographed on Alki by Machel Spence)
Weather could get wacky later – the forecast currently warns of possible thunderstorms with ice pellets. Meantime, some of the highlights for the rest of today/tonight, from the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar:
FREE LUNCH! The Rotary Club of West Seattle invites you to lunch at noon at Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor):
Robert Walker is the President of the Population Institute, where he directs the organization’s advocacy and public education activities, including its work on issues related to health, economic development, sustainability and the environment. He also serves as the chief spokesperson for the Population Institute, including frequent interviews on radio and television. He is a regular contributor to the Huffington Post, and lectures frequently on the subject of world population. Join us at noon for lunch and to meet members of our club, then listen to a great presentation by our speaker and out by 1:30. And the best thing is lunch is on us.
NEW PARENT, OR EXPECTING: It’s the monthly orientation today for those interested in joining West Seattle PEPS (Program for Early Parenting Support). 1:30 pm, Bright Horizons (4530 38th SW).
DROP-IN CHESS FOR KIDS/TEENS: 4-5:30 pm at High Point Library (details here).
ONLINE CRIME REPORTING: Tonight the West Seattle Blockwatch Captains’ Network invites you to come hear about the Seattle Police program that enables you to use an online form to report certain types of crime. 6:30 pm, Southwest Precinct (Delridge/Webster), everyone welcome – you don’t have to be a blockwatch captain or even member.
FIND OUT ABOUT RAISING A GUIDE PUPPY: West Seattle See Dogs invite you to drop by their twice-monthly meeting, 6:30 pm at The Kenney (WSB sponsor).
NIGHTLIFE: Karaoke at Skylark; trivia at The Feedback; live music at Locol; singer/songwriters at Shadowland … go to the calendar and click on any of those individual listings to get times and more info.
In The Junction, several storefronts on the west side of California between Alaska and Edmunds have been awning-less for a few days. We took this photo the other day but before we collected followup information, Breezygirl asked about them in a comment last night, and JWWS helpfully pointed her to this item on Bakery Nouveau‘s website, which explains it’s a round of fall cleaning, with new awnings to follow.
(Live view from the only WS Bridge camera currently in operation; see other cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
Good morning – no incidents reported so far. During am/pm commute or the rest of the day, if you see/hear about something that others should know, this is as usual the place to comment (when you can do so safely, of course – no texting and driving).
ADDED TUESDAY PM: Just to make sure you don’t miss it – Metro has announced it’s adding buses to the 120 and 55 as of next Monday.
Congratulations to all the high-school athletes in West Seattle who have just completed the regular season of fall play. Now, many move on into the postseason – and here’s the schedule information we have for this week so far, compiled via school reps and the Metro League website. In most cases, this is division competition to determine how the district playoffs will go:
VOLLEYBALL
Chief Sealth International High School (Metro Sound Division #2) plays Thursday at 7:30 pm (opponent TBA)
West Seattle High School (Metro Sound Division champs) plays Saturday at 11 am (opponent TBA)
FOOTBALL
Sealth plays Seattle Prep 5 pm Friday @ Memorial Stadium
WSHS plays Bainbridge 5 pm Saturday @ Memorial Stadium
SOCCER
Sealth hosts Blanchet at 6 pm this Wednesday
(updated) WSHS plays Holy Names at 7 pm Friday at Ingraham
CROSS-COUNTRY
Both Sealth teams qualified for the district meet, this Thursday at Lower Woodland
SWIMMING
WSHS and Sealth in qualifying meet 3:30 pm Friday at Helene Madison Pool
Please let us know about changes/additions! Our coverage so far this season (and preceding seasons) is archived here.
10:35 PM: In South Delridge, crews are at a house fire in the 9000 block of 21st SW, just reported as under control and almost out.
10:39 PM: According to SFD, the fire started “in a wall,” according to the first report they got. They’re still checking on some possible hot spots in the attic. SFD says no injuries have been reported.
TUESDAY MORNING UPDATE: SFD public-information officer Kyle Moore says they’ve determined the fire was accidental:
The occupant of the home was working on plumbing when the heat from the plumbing work ignited the wall and extended into the attic space.
At 10:10 p.m., a call came in the Fire Alarm Center reporting flames coming from the wall of a home in the 9000 block of 21st Avenue SW. Engine Company 11 arrived to find smoke coming from the roof of the two-story home. The firefighters used an attack hose line to knock down the flames while the first in Ladder Company searched the residence for occupants and then headed to the roof to cut holes in order to vent the smoke and heat.
Firefighters discovered the fire inside the walls of the home. The flames extended up the walls into the attic. Crews removed two walls and brought down ceilings in order to completely extinguish the flames. It took approximately 30 minutes to completely knock down this fire.
Three occupants safely evacuated the home and there were no reported injuries. The damage estimate is $65,000 to the structure and $5,000 to the contents.
Two months ago, we heard from West Seattle filmmaker Jamie Burton Chamberlin as his film with Duff McKagan’s Loaded, “The Taking,” neared completion. Tonight, its first episode has debuted online- see the 8-minute clip above. As explained in the description on its YouTube page, “the series explores the lyrical content of Loaded’s studio album of the same title, which was released last year. The project will be released telling a tale of totally bizarre adventures, imprisoned band members, and kids’-size ice cream cones.” Nine more episodes – including West Seattle-filmed scenes – are promised in the weeks ahead (Chamberlin hinted at their content in our August story); watch for announcements here (among other places).
Soup weather has arrived. And so has news of a chance to show your soupiest stuff. Just out of the WSB inbox:
The 3rd Annual Great Soup-Off of West Seattle
Saturday, November 3rd at 6 pm
Big Al Brewing
9832 14th Ave SWPrepare your finest soup for a friendly competition with friends, family & neighbors!
Please bring:
…a soup to serve 10
…your own serving and eating ware
…and a friendChildren/youth are welcome! RSVP to mikhaila.gonzales@gmail.com
SCHMITZ PARK ELEMENTARY MENTIONED IN BOSTON GLOBE: One of the East Coast’s best-known news organizations has published a story looking at Seattle Public Schools in comparison to Boston’s system, and one of the Seattle schools featured is Schmitz Park Elementary. Read the story here. (Thanks to Jameson for the tip!)
FRUITFUL YEAR: City Fruit harvested trees in West Seattle this year as well as elsewhere – and reports the West Seattle harvest alone totaled more than 6,700 pounds of fruit, going to dozens of organizations helping fight hunger. City Fruit is raising money for its 2013 harvesting work with a hard-cider tasting 5-8 pm November 1st at Olson Kundig Architects, 406 Occidental Ave. in Pioneer Square (a central location since besides WS, City Fruit also serves South Seattle and Phinney Ridge). Tickets are available online.
SPACE NEEDLE GOING GREEN – well, the top is, anyway. The online voting is over and a tree design is the winner to replace the “Galaxy Gold” (looks orange to us) that’s been atop the Space Needle, visible from here.
The 3916 California SW storefront recently vacated by Olivia’s Consignment for Kids (now at 4140 California SW) won’t be empty for long.
Frank Gross of Thunder Road Guitars (left) just announced he’s chosen it for the first showroom of his till-now online-only vintage/used-guitars business. Just last month, when Thunder Road co-presented a guitar show/sale at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), we mentioned he was looking for a storefront – and now he’s found it. Frank tells WSB he’s hoping to be open at 3916 California by mid-November; hours will be Wednesdays-Saturdays, 10 am-6 pm, by appointment Sundays-Tuesdays. Find out more on the Thunder Road website, here.
For everyone with something to say about the Seattle Public Schools BEX IV levy before the project list is finalized at the School Board’s November 7th meeting – this Wednesday’s public-comment session may be pivotal. We contacted the district today to ask exactly how it’ll work, in case you’re thinking about attending and/or speaking. From district spokesperson Tom Redman:
The BEX IV Capital Levy public comment session (not a public hearing) will be held from 4:00-5:00 pm on Wednesday, October 24th in the John Stanford Center auditorium.
Those who wish to speak may sign up at the meeting: a sign-up sheet will be located on a table just inside the auditorium.
Each speaker has up to two minutes to provide his/her comments to the Board.
The Board is taking comments from 4:00-5:00 pm.
The Board will not be responding to comments provided.
At last week’s board meeting (WSB coverage here), School Board president Michael DeBell had said he expected at least 20 speakers to have a chance. In the meantime, capacity@seattleschools.org is the address you can use to e-mail comments on the plan, which currently includes, for West Seattle, an expanded/renovated Fairmount Park Elementary to reopen in 2014, rebuilt Schmitz Park Elementary to open in 2015 at the current (closed) Genesee Hill school site, and a rebuilt Arbor Heights Elementary to open in 2018 – a date that local public-school advocates want to see moved up.
It’s been seven weeks since we first reported on JC’s Deli, in the works to bring “classic hoagies,” meats, and cheeses to 9007 35th SW, next to West Seattle Fish House and Stuffed Cakes. We noticed recently that signage had turned up in the window – and now, we’ve confirmed the door’s about to open to customers. Cynthia Cummings – the “C” in JC’s Deli along with mom Jeanette Cummings (“J”), well-known for her work in nearby delis – tells WSB the deli will open tomorrow (Tuesday, October 23). They had been awaiting Health Department inspections, and now that those are over and done with, they’re ready to go. JC’s Deli will be closed Mondays, so that’s why they are opening tomorrow, with regular days/hours Tuesdays-Saturdays, 10 am-8 pm, Sundays 11 am-7 pm. (Dine-in as well as take-out, as mentioned in our original story.)
The state Ecology Department just sent advance word about a drill planned for this Wednesday, off Blake Island on the other side of Puget Sound from West Seattle’s west-facing shores. While Ecology says it’ll be happening on the west side of the island – which would mean, facing Kitsap County – we’re publishing the alert in case unusual boat/aircraft traffic and other sightings catch your eye while participants are heading to and from the site:
Anyone spotting oil skimming vessels, containment boom and other response equipment on the west side of Blake Island in Puget Sound Wednesday Oct. 24 shouldn’t be alarmed.
The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) is testing the ability of six area oil companies to mount a rapid, aggressive and well-coordinated response to a major oil spill in central Puget Sound.
No oil will be discharged during the drill.
Harley Marine Services is sponsoring the multi-party oil spill preparedness drill with its cleanup contractor Marine Spill Response Corp. MSRC is a private, non-profit company supported by oil terminal and shipping company members.
More details, including “who’s participating,” ahead:Read More
(Saturday morning photo looking toward The Olympics, by Nick Adams for WSB)
Welcome to the final full week of October (already)! Showers are expected later today.
MONDAY ARTISTS: Watercolorists are invited to join this established group, 9:30 am Mondays at Island View Apartments across from West Seattle High School.
LA LECHE LEAGUE: The breastfeeding-support group meets on fourth Mondays (that means today) at 10:30 am, Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation church @ 7141 California SW.
WEST SEATTLE COOKING CLUB: 3 pm at Beveridge Place Pub – the rules are, use the weekly theme to make something and bring it to share. This week’s theme: African.
WEST SEATTLE WOMEN IN CHARGE: The business-networking group will meet in the evening for the first time – 6 pm, Freshy’s in The Admiral District. Details and map here.
SEATTLE LUTHERAN OPEN HOUSE: The high school at 40th and Genesee north of The Junction welcomes prospective families to an open house at 6:30 pm tonight.
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DIET: The popular class by Kathy Abascal starts a new series at The Kenney (WSB sponsor) tonight at 7.
FAMILY STORY TIME: At High Point Library, 7 pm.
And as always, there’s MORE on our calendar – for today, tonight, and beyond! Plus, check the WSB Halloween page for special events this week and next.
ORIGINAL REPORT, 9:15 AM: After starting the day with an inbox full of reports regarding the recurring noise that’s come to be known as “The Hum,” we’ve been checking around. You’ll recall that the last time this happened, the distinctive sound was traced to vacuum-type equipment from an offloading operation at the CalPortland terminal on the Duwamish River, and as reported here last week, they have been working on figuring out ways to muffle it. Is this the same sound? Hard to tell. Our early watch headed in that direction and couldn’t determine conclusively. We checked with Highland Park Action Committee leadership, which has been in frequent contact with CalPortland; they say management e-mailed them over the weekend to say said they have placed more noise blankets around the machine while awaiting a new muffler, and they are working on more interim measures. We have an inquiry out to them too to see if there’s even an offloading operation currently under way. So no conclusions, but wanted to let you know we’re checking on it. The city remains your official contact for noise concerns – find info on that here.
1:08 PM UPDATE: From Pete Stoltz at CalPortland, one of the people we met with at the facility last week along with HPAC leadership:
We are in the process of offloading a vessel that arrived at our Cement Terminal on Saturday Morning October 20th. The schedule for offloading is weather dependent because we cannot offload when it is raining. This ship requires about 84 more hours of offloading operations. We currently predict offloading will be complete on October 25th, weather permitting.
We have been monitoring the posts on the West Seattle blog and read the latest posts from your readers regarding the noise this morning. We recognize their concerns and take them seriously. We also understand that recent noise measurements showing that the equipment technically complies with noise code requirements does not resolve those concerns. That is why we have continued our effort to muffle the noise from the machine since we first learned it might be the source of the “hum†on September 26th.
As you reported in your recent update we replaced one of the two silencers on the machine and ordered a replacement for the second silencer. Unfortunately, the new silencer has to be custom made for the machine, but it is on order and scheduled to arrive and be installed before the next ship arrives for offloading during the first week of December. Due to the physical properties of noise, our noise consultant expects that installation of the second silencer should result in a more substantial reduction in noise than can be achieved with replacement of only one silencer.
In addition to the installation of the new silencer, we fashioned an additional baffle and attached it to the air discharge port and wrapped the old silencer in sound blankets. We also installed additional sound proofing material on other parts of the machine. On Saturday, the crew constructed and installed additional panels around the silencers made of plywood and foam insulation (photo attached), and are continuing to construct and install additional panels in an effort to enclose that area of the machine in an effort to improve the situation.
We appreciate our neighbors’ patience and recognize and understand the frustration expressed in the comments on the blog. We are continuing to take steps to reduce the noise from the machine, both short- and long-term, and will continue to provide additional updates on the status of our progress on this effort.
(Live view from the only WS Bridge camera currently in operation; see other cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
6:58 AM: Good morning! Starting a new week – and here’s today’s place for your traffic/transit (all modes, land or sea) updates, as well as anything we have to report, updated throughout the day. So far, nothing out of the ordinary.
8:11 AM: We’re watching all the usual sources, from Twitter to cameras, and still nothing unusual on the bridges/roads. One reminder: This is the last week before the West Seattle Water Taxi switches to its fall/winter 5-day-a-week, commute-times-only schedule NEXT Monday. Also, while we’ve had a few comments about bus capacity being OK in the early going, an 8:10 am rider has weighed in via Twitter with capacity concern – adding that to the comment thread.
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