West Seattle scenes: Duwamish Head sunset; harlequin ducks
Two shoreline scenes to share tonight: First, thanks to Alki photographer David Hutchinson for tonight’s vivid late-fall sunset. According to the current forecast, we have one more clear day ahead – then clouds might start moving back in around this time tomorrow night, with an anticipated return to wet weather. Temperatures are expected to stay a bit above normal, though tonight, with the clear sky, will be cold. Looking ahead to the big holiday events next weekend – all listed in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide – might be rainy, but you know what they say about making predictions this far out …
Second, just received while we were processing David’s photo, Aaron Baggenstos shares this view of harlequin ducks photographed at Lincoln Park:
(Click image for larger view)
Aaron tells us he leads wildlife-photography tours throughout the state via his business Aaron’s Photo Tours.
Feedback for Metro: 4 chances tomorrow; intense WSCPC discussion
(Crowded RapidRide bus boarding downtown 11/20/12, photo courtesy Ben Blain)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
“The change we did was big – probably too big.”
So acknowledged Metro Transit planning supervisor David Hull during this month’s West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting, which itself swerved back and forth along a list of topics that, too, was probably too big.
The change to which Hull referred was the September 29th Metro service change affecting numerous West Seattle routes, taking effect the same day as the launch of RapidRide C Line, replacing the 54/55 buses.
Metro’s received an earful and then some ever since, and is offering another chance tomorrow (Tuesday, November 27th) morning for West Seattle bus riders to sound off – at four stops along the RapidRide route, as detailed here.
At the WSCPC meeting, the changes’ effects on public safety – on board the buses, at the stations, along the roads with more buses and new features such as curb bulbs – were supposed to be the subject. But some attendees brought up gripes about reduced or changed service, too.
In the end, much was vented, little solved – but the venting itself might lead to something down the road. Metro reps again noted that some tweaks were in the works, likely for the February service change.
Ahead, what came up, what was said, and what’s next:
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West Seattle Crime Watch: Illegal dumping – in a big way
5:38 PM MONDAY: The photo and report are from Monica:
There is a lot of good stuff happening in Highland Park and there is the bad stuff, like this dumped, smashed RV, located at 12th SW & SW Myrtle….such a “gift” for our neighborhood. A neighbor stopped by as I photographed the “thing,” mentioning that he saw this heap of junk over by Westwood Village earlier in the week.
Monica says it has been “tagged” by the police, so it should be a candidate for removal soon. Here’s one way to report this type of thing online.
ADDED TUESDAY MORNING: We went by at 9 am and it was still there, though the tag was from 11/21, warning that it needed to be gone by 11/24. Here’s the view of its east side – right along Riverview Playfield:
(WSB staff photo)
If it’s still there tomorrow, we’ll start checking with the city to see about a timetable.
Opening tomorrow: TT’s Soul Kitchen in White Center
Some restaurant news on this quiet post-holiday-transition Monday: Walking along 16th SW in downtown White Center this morning, we noticed a sign up in the window of TT’s Soul Kitchen, at the former site of Pho Lynna (southeast corner of 16th and Roxbury): It’s scheduled to open tomorrow at 11 am, with live jazz for the first official lunch crowd from noon-2 pm. The proprietors are a White Center couple, Tony and Trina – they were out when we stopped by, but a staffer told us they’ll be open 11 am till 10 pm Tuesdays through Sundays (we’ll doublecheck as soon as we hear back from them). There’s an image of their menu on Facebook – with lunch and dinner items including sandwiches, burgers, gumbo, fried chicken and fish, and more.
Followup: Bus-related road work near Westwood Village postponed
This morning, we mentioned that King County expected to resume work today on 26th/Barton-area changes related to Metro Route 120, including bus-bulb installation. This afternoon, KCDOT spokesperson Jeff Switzer sends word that the work is postponed another two weeks:
King County Metro Transit is adjusting the schedule for the next round of construction in West Seattle. The contractor for the project is tentatively scheduled to start bus zone and sidewalk improvements Dec. 10 and focus work on the south side of Southwest Barton Street.
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8th grader in the house? West Seattle High School’s invitation for you
If your family includes a current 8th grader planning to attend, or considering attending, West Seattle High School, here’s your invitation to an event next week:
West Seattle High School is hosting a Department Fair on December 4th for families with a current 8th grader.
6-6:30 pm: Meet department heads and review course offerings
6:40-7 pm: A 9th-grade panel discusses readiness and support and extracurricular activities
7=7:30 pm: A college and career-prep panel gives an overview of course offerings, AP and Honors classes, and requirements
Find out more on the WSHS website.
Followup: Deadly fire ruled accidental; victim Peggy Munsen remembered
(Cross-posted from partner site White Center Now)
(WSB/WCN photo from Saturday night)
Two updates today on Saturday night’s deadly fire on 28th SW, just south of Roxbury: First, according to King County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Sgt. Cindi West, it’s been ruled an accidental electrical fire. (Though no crime was believed to be involved, Sgt. West was dispatched to the scene to help coordinate communication.) Second, the sister of the home’s resident, 71-year-old Peggy Munsen, has spoken with WCN news partner The Seattle Times and confirmed that Ms. Munsen is the woman who died in the fire. That’s the same information given to us that night by a friend, but WSB policy is to withhold names until officials and/or family confirmed it. Ms. Munsen’s sister is former West Seattleite, now Bremerton resident, Kay Trepanier, long known for her business Cruises By Kay. As she told The Times, her sister went into the cruise business too. There is no word yet of memorial plans.
Saw the Fauntleroy Cove commotion? Sailboat trouble
12:19 PM: We’ve just obtained some information on an incident that caught some attention on Fauntleroy Cove Sunday afternoon. A sailboat ran aground, and Seattle Fire Department crews helped make sure the person on board got to shore safely, according to SFD spokesperson Kyle Moore, who says, “Our engine company waded out in 1 foot of water. The lone occupant of the sailboat leaped to the firefighters and they took him to shore. He was uninjured.”
ADDED 5:49 PM: We’ve added photos just sent by Peter Hogan (thank you!).
Volunteer work that saves lives: Crisis Clinic needs help
We mention them in every WSBeat report, and every time our reporting touches on the issue of suicide. Today, we’ve received an announcement that Crisis Clinic – a life-saving resource for people all over the region – is looking for volunteer help:
Crisis Clinic has been helping individuals and families in need since 1964. From the beginning, volunteers have been the heart of our organization, providing caring and confidential support to callers on the 24-Hour Crisis Line.
Our programs have expanded greatly over the years, increasing our need for community volunteers. We now offer a variety of opportunities for both youth and adults, suited to meet each person’s interests and availability.
New volunteers are currently needed to:
· Answer calls on the 24-Hour Crisis Line or WA Recovery Help Line
· Respond online via Crisis Chat
· Mentor youth volunteers with Teen Link
· Make quality assurance calls for King County 2-1-1
We provide volunteers with professional training and supervision, ensuring they have the knowledge and skill to make a difference in the lives of our callers.
Applications are now being accepted for the next training session starting in January.
To learn more, please call Crisis Clinic at (206) 461-3210 ext. 697 or visit our Volunteer page online at:
crisisclinic.org/get-involved/volunteer.
Meeting tonight, Delridge Produce Cooperative seeks new name as work on its potential new home ramps up
(WSB photo, taken this morning)
Two months after demolition of the old houses on the site, construction work is now ramping up at the site of DESC’s future 66-unit Delridge Supportive Housing complex in the 5400 block of Delridge Way, north of SW Findlay. As noted in the project FAQ, onstruction is expected to last about a year.
And tonight, the nonprofit that is likely to open a co-op grocery store in the DESC building’s retail space has its next monthly meeting – with big issues including: How about a new name?
Name the Co-op!!! The Delridge Produce Cooperative idea has evolved from a plan for a co-op produce stand to a small, but full-service, community-owned multi-stakeholder grocery store! This means the store will not only be a source for healthy food, including meat, eggs, dairy and seafood but a support network and financial opportunity for large, small, and backyard farmers. The Co-op’s employees will also have an equal stake in the store. Our current name is misleading for some and we have received feedback regarding a name change. We wish to make another round of reusable strawberry bags and founding member t-shirts!! So, we need to choose our name! Please help.
They’re taking suggestions via their Facebook page. And whether you have an idea for a name, or not, you’re welcome at their meeting tonight:
We invite anyone with the time and inclination to join us at this very exciting step of the grocery store creation. We are welcoming founding Board Members and still looking for core volunteers to help at this stage.
Our November meeting is this Monday evening! All interested volunteers are needed to help plan our next steps. Teresa Young, Organizational Development Specialist from the Northwest Cooperative Development Center will join us to find out how the NWCDC can assist us at this stage. We are making final edits to our business plan and reviewing the first draft of our bylaws. This special meeting will be from 5:30-7:30pm, Monday November 26th at the Delridge Library.
West Seattle Crime Watch: Stolen Subaru to watch for
Out of the WSB inbox, from Andy:
Our red 1996 Subaru Impreza Outback was stolen from in front of our house [6500 block of 37th Ave SW] last night. The license plate read AJX3354. Any help getting her back home would be appreciated.
If you need a reference, Andy says it looks something like this. Meantime, as SPD advises via its @GetYourCarBack Twitter feed (where this has been posted too), if you see what you think is a stolen car, call 911 to report it.
At the Spokane Street Overcrossing on Highway 99, south of the West Seattle Bridge (
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