West Seattle, Washington
03 Thursday
4:15 PM: Metro has just published its revised proposal of route changes for this September, timed with the debut of West Seattle’s RapidRide Line C. The list starts here; we’re reviewing now to add the highlights for West Seattle, but wanted to make sure you knew it was live, so you can do the same. The first public briefing on the changes is scheduled for tonight’s Southwest District Council meeting, South Seattle Community College board room (6000 16th SW), 7 pm. There’s also an online survey, and (as reported here earlier) two West Seattle open houses ahead, as well as some informational tabling (here’s the calendar with all locations and dates).
UPDATED 4:51 PM: Some toplines of what Metro says has changed from what was proposed last fall:
For Route 22:
Change from November 2011 suggestion
Metro is no longer proposing to completely replace Route 22. During public outreach in November 2011, we heard that loss of transit service in Arbor Heights would negatively affect many riders, and the steep slope between California Avenue SW and Fauntleroy Way SW, will make the RapidRide C Line inaccessible to many Gatewood residents.
For Route 37:
Change from November 2011 suggestion
*Keep some service on Route 37.During public outreach in November 2011, Metro heard that this service is important to riders along Beach Drive SW and Alki Avenue SW because steep grades and distance make it difficult to reach alternative service. Metro will continue to analyze ridership patterns and the overall transit network, and may consider more changes in this area in the future.
For Route 55:
Change from November 2011 suggestion
*Operate trips during peak hours to downtown Seattle in the morning and to the Admiral District in the afternoon to prevent overcrowding on the C Line.
For Routes 56/56X:
Change from November 2011 suggestion
Increase the speed of Route 56 Express by skipping the stops at SW 26th Street and Chelan Avenue SW.
8:27 PM NOTE: We’re currently at the Southwest District Council meeting, where Metro is doing its first community briefing (as previewed earlier). Highlights to come. Outreach continues all month; Metro’s final recommendation has to go to King County Executive Dow Constantine in mid-March, and it will go through the County Council, with an expectation that they would “take action” in May.
(May 2011 photo by Debra Salazar Herbst)
Again this year, the West Seattle 5K and “car-free day” Seattle Summer Streets events will be on the same day at Alki – and this year, that day is May 20th. May sound far away, but registration for the fundraising run/walk is open now! Denise Lathrop shares the news:
West Seattle High School PTSA is proud to sponsor the fourth annual West Seattle 5K Run/Walk on May 20, 2012 at Alki Beach. Funds raised from the West Seattle 5K will support music, arts, communications and other emerging needs at West Seattle High School. This is a great community event and provides an opportunity for everyone to participate.
Online registration is now OPEN! For more information or to register for the West Seattle 5K or donate go to: http://westseattle5k.com/
If you are interested in helping to plan or sponsor our event contact Denise Lathrop at: delathrop@comcast.net or 206-941-3924
(WSB is a 5K co-sponsor again this year.)
Just in from King County – your next chance to get an update on plans to reduce sewer overflows into Puget Sound by building “green stormwater infrastructure” like rain gardens in neighborhoods feeding the Barton Pump Station:
People are invited to learn about King County’s progress on a project to control combined sewer overflows (CSOs) from the Barton Pump Station in West Seattle through green stormwater infrastructure.
A public meeting is planned on Wednesday, Feb. 8, at Westside School, 7740 34th Ave. SW. from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
The announcement continues ahead:Read More
We checked back with SDOT to ask where they’re at on the promised plan for how to make sure you have more notice of future major bridge closures like last weekend’s eastbound Spokane Street Viaduct closure, which backed up traffic in a big way for most of Saturday, but wasn’t mentioned on electronic-message signs (like the one at right, photographed Saturday by Craig). They’re already taking smaller steps – like promoting the mailing list you can join for alerts about the SSV Widening Project (the e-mail signup has always been on the official city info-page, but it used to be buried at the bottom – now it’s at the top). And they’re promising to let everyone know within a day or two what else they’ll be doing in the future to try to reduce the surprise factor. Meantime, as we noted, we’re doing our best to keep daily reminders atop the BIG STORIES list on the WSB sidebar, and when we get advance word of daytime/weekend major closures, we’ll give them a permalink too. (No weekend/daytime closures on the horizon – see the list here.)
(TOPLINE: Short-lived scare in The Junction, all over now)
11:30 AM: A fire call in the 4500 block of 42nd SW has some evacuations under way. We’ll be there shortly.
11:35 AM UPDATE: 42nd is blocked off north of SW Alaska, as you can see in the photo above, sent by Dale (thank you!). Scanner traffic has mentioned a “suspicious package”; we’re checking with authorities on scene. We’ve also just talked with Leon Capelouto, owner of the building, who says he believes the first report came from a manager at Altamira Apartments in the building.
11:40 AM UPDATE: Police confirm it’s a suspicious package – they heard about it around 11 am. The caller reported what looked like “a box of dynamite.” The Arson and Bomb Squad has just arrived, according to SPD spokesperson Det. Mark Jamieson.
The evacuations are just as a precaution. Patrol units are there, helping with traffic control. Evacuees are gathered in various spots nearby.
Det. Jamieson says the “package” is apparently inside the building.
11:51 AM UPDATE: All clear, police and fire tell us at the scene – the “suspicious package” turned out to be a box of road flares. The road is reopening and those who were evacuated will be allowed back inside.
(Pileated woodpecker digging for termites in a Highland Park utility pole; photo by Mike York)
Our daily preview is often about what’s likely to make news today/tonight, in addition to activities/events from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar, traffic alerts, etc. And indeed, a news preview tops today’s list:
REVISED METRO PROPOSAL DUE OUT TODAY, DISCUSSED IN WEST SEATTLE TONIGHT: Sometime today, Metro is expected to publish its revised “restructuring” proposal for West Seattle’s route system, meant to take effect this September when Rapid Ride Line C launches here. The first proposal circulated late last fall and stirred some controversy by proposing to cut service in some areas; a Metro rep told the Admiral Neighborhood Association in December that the cuts in North Admiral would be softened a bit for this revision, but we haven’t heard any other previews, so we’re awaiting Metro’s release of the full revision (watch here). THEN – Metro is on the agenda to talk about it at tonight’s Southwest District Council meeting, public welcome, 7 pm at the board room at a target=”_blank” href=”http://southseattle.edu”>South Seattle Community College (which is in the Robert Smith building front-center on the campus at 6000 16th SW).
ALSO ON THE SOUTHWEST DISTRICT COUNCIL AGENDA: Councilmember Sally Bagshaw, who chairs the Parks and Neighborhoods Committee (renamed/refocused from last year), is scheduled to visit.
BRIDGE CLOSURES CONTINUE TONIGHT: Same pattern as Monday and Tuesday night – Fauntleroy Expressway (info here) and eastbound Spokane Street Viaduct (SDOT announcement here), both 9 pm-5 am.
AND SPEAKING OF BIG ROAD PROJECTS: The Alaskan Way Viaduct South Portal Working Group meets for the first time in a few months, for a briefing on/discussion of how the tunnel and South End projects are affecting this side of the bay, 4 pm, Sound Transit board room downtown.
EARLY DISMISSAL FOR SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS STUDENTS: Today is a two-hour early-dismissal day for school staffers’ professional-development work.
ON STAGE IN THE JUNCTION: At ArtsWest – All Through the Night, 7:30 pm. Purchase tickets online, or through the ArtsWest Box Office: 206-938-0339.
GET GROWING: At the West Seattle Tool Library tonight, “Introduction to Indoor Winter Gardening,” 7-9 pm. From the announcement: “There’s no reason to let the cold weather stop your veggie gardening. Learn how to grow an indoor winter garden quickly and easily, as well as how to get things started for the spring ahead.” Instructor is Christina Hahs. Sign up online: http://wstoollibrary.org/calendar/introduction-to-indoor-winter-gardening/
NIGHTLIFE: At 8 pm, it’s weekly Quiz Night at Beveridge Place Pub, explained by BPP as: “This is a weekly event we have been hosting at the pub for about 10 years, it is a great mix of regulars, new players, tough questions and good times. $2.00 a person, teams of 2-6 people. Winning team takes 80% of the pot, 2nd place the other 20%. There’s even a prize for last place, AND beverages that get you “bonus points”!”
TIME TO BUY! Tickets are scheduled to go on sale for Northwest Hope and Healing’s STYLE ’12 tenth annual Look Good, Feel Good, Do Good! fashion show, 7 pm Showbox SODO. nwhopeandhealing.org.
Like the totem pole stolen from a West Seattle park two-plus years ago, this one goes in the “they stole WHAT” file. That’s University of Washington professor Philip Thiel with a 70-inch, 1,260-pound propeller that was about to be donated to Seattle Parks for a north-end installation, till thieves made off with it in the U-District yesterday. Parks put out the citywide alert late yesterday, but didn’t have a photo till this morning; now that it’s available, even though the theft did NOT happen in West Seattle, we’re helping get out the word. If you happen to see it, Parks would like to hear from you at 206-684-7241 (and we’re sure police would, too).
Forecasters say the rain will ease up later, but there’s apparently standing-water trouble out there – via the WSB Facebook page, Sharon reports, “The on-ramp from Delridge to the West Seattle Bridge is flooded once again!” Any other problem spots you see, let us know so we can share the heads-up (but of course, please don’t call/e-mail till you’ve arrived!).
Tonight (Wednesday), the girls-varsity basketball teams from West Seattle High School and Chief Sealth International HS face off for the final time this season. That’s what their male counterparts did Tuesday night, in a game won by the visiting Seahawks at WSHS, 63-48. The summary, ahead:Read More
(Photo by Robin Lindsey)
Five months ago, Sandy the harbor seal was rescued from a West Seattle beach, dehydrated and emaciated, and eventually taken to PAWS for rehab. Tonight, as the Seal Sitters‘ “blubberblog” reports, Sandy has been returned to the wild, and she is the first seal in her age range – “older rehabilitated weaned yearling” – to be tracked by satellite! Get the full story, including video of Sandy being fitted with her “hat,” by going here.
Four reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch tonight – starting with Ryan‘s stolen car:
My 1997 Subaru Impreza 4 Dr. white with black trim was stolen from 41st and SW College at approximately 3AM January 31st. License #085-ZOS. The car has a npr and NW native art orca sticker on the back of the car. A police report has been filed.
Three more reports – a bride-to-be’s car break-in, doorstep grocery theft, and suspected car prowlers to LISTEN for – ahead:Read More
Last night, we reported on two signs – almost simultaneous, but apparently not linked – of the economic-inequality protest movement heading this way. One was word that the newly announced “Occupy West Seattle” plans its first meeting in Seattle this Saturday. All we had at the time was a line or two from social media; tonight, we’ve received an announcement via e-mail, with details on the first meeting and word of a second. Read on:Read More
(UPDATED SUNDAY 2/5/2012 WITH NEW ADDITIONS)
3:55 PM: Some bars and restaurants have the big game on the big screen(s) – some don’t, and call it a day early. We’re putting out the call this afternoon for Super Bowl plans at local venues this Sunday, and have already collected a few – West 5, for example, invites you to come brunch or have a Bloody Mary 10 am-3 pm, and then they’re closing. Skylark Café and Club will close at 3 post-brunch. JaK’s Grill won’t be open at all. Where to watch – or not? Let us know here, or via e-mail (editor@westseattleblog.com) so we can fill out the list.
ADDED 5:49 PM: Additions – Thanks to HelperMonkey in the comments for pointing out that Corner Pocket in The Junction is hosting a Super Bowl event starting at 2:30 pm Sunday, with “crab cakes, pulled pork and brisket sandwiches, wings, our famous corn dawgs, drink specials.” Also on the “where to watch” front, The Wing Dome in The Junction has lots of screens and, general manager Andy Pattalochi says, the #1 Super Bowl Sunday food – chicken wings. If you want to order takeout wings for a viewing party at home, he tells WSB via e-mail, they’re taking pre-orders now through Saturday … And one more addition to the where-NOT-to-watch list, Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) will be closed, so that, proprietor Jeff Gilbert quips, their loyal and talented staff can go home and “yell at the TV.” … Keep the info coming! We’ll keep this story linked in the sidebar BIG STORIES list for those seeking Super Bowl Sunday info.
ADDED WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON: Rocksport “showing the game on all 23 screens! Also offering Bloody Marys & Brunch 11am – 3pm, as well as full menu & new featured menu items & draft beers for February,” per comments, where there’s also mention of Bamboo Grill on Alki having a viewing party. And from Jenny at The Bridge: “The Bridge will be open this Sunday normal hours, 9 am for brunch! $3 Bud Lights and we do have Buffalo Wings as well! We are expecting a great party like last year.”
ADDED THURSDAY: Tuscan Tea Room and Bistro in The Junction has an unusual promotion: “MEN EAT FREE** 10:30 am-4:00 pm Super Bowl Sunday Brunch!! **Fine Print: With two entrees and two beverages the man’s entree is free! Two men dining? 50% off the whole bill.” … The Celtic Swell is having a viewing party with drink specials …
ADDED FRIDAY: From Pizzeria 22 proprietor Cary: “I have been noticing that many restaurants and bars in West Seattle will be closed for the Super Bowl, traditionally a very slow night for us. However, Pizzeria 22 does not have a television, one of the only restaurants in Admiral that doesn’t, by choice, and we will be open as we always are on Sunday evening at 4 pm. We are encouraging our neighbors and customers to support local business during the hours of the giant corporate advertisement blitzkrieg.”
ADDED SATURDAY: Company in White Center says, “Hey sports fans, advertising enthusiasts and half-time show trainwreck appreciators! This Sunday is the Super Bowl! Come down early for pre-game nonsense, drinks and FOOD! $2 PBR, $2 Rainier and $4 Fireball. We will also offer Swinery Bacon Dogs ($8) and 1/2 pound Painted Hills burgers ($9). Mmmmm, sporty! We will open at noon.” … From Beveridge Place Pub in Morgan Junction, proprietor Gary reports: “Beveridge Place Pub will be hosting a potluck while showing commercials on all three screens intermittenly interrupted by a football game! Bring some food and enjoy Happiest Hour prices from noon til 6:00pm! In addition, Animal Aid & Rescue Foundation (AARF) will be serving up hot dogs – donations welcome – and raffling beer glassware, beer signs, and t-shirts!” … And after the game, Guy Olson suggests post-game karaoke at Yen Wor Village in the Admiral District: “Madonna is singing at half time during The Super Bowl. I’m singing super bad Madonna at 9:00pm. Karaoke from 9 pm-2 am.”
ADDED SUNDAY: Admiral Pub‘s Super Bowl party details are on FB … And Patty tells us what’s up at West Seattle Thriftway: “West Seattle Thriftway Deli will be offering a Hot Wing Bar…6 Different sauces will be offered!! Only $4.99 lb cooked and ready to go with you where ever you plan on watching the game! Also THE BEST cheese selection in town!”
ONE MORE SUNDAY NOTE: Shannon at Avalon GlassWorks in Luna Park says they’re open and blowing glass – if you’d like to watch something other than football. The superheated process might serve as a REAL pre-game “warm-up”!
Just announced by the King County Marine Division – after mechanical trouble cut short the Monday night service (as reported here) and canceled this morning’s runs entirely, the West Seattle Water Taxi is back in service for this afternoon/evening, starting with the 3:45 run from downtown.
(June 2011 photo by Jim Clark)
What could be better than walking West Seattle beaches during low-low tides and enjoying sights like that? How about – being there during low-low tides as a volunteer beach naturalist, to help others learn about the beach and how to be careful while on it! Here’s your chance:
Care about beaches? Good with people? Sign up to be a volunteer beach naturalist with the Seattle Aquarium at a Seattle-area beach this summer. Naturalists will attend a program orientation on Tuesday, March 13, and receive training from marine and interpretative experts on five weekday evenings (3/20, 4/4, 4/17, 4/24, 5/1) and three weekend days (3/25, 4/7, 5/6). Once trained, volunteers spend three summer days educating visitors about beach ecology and beach etiquette at Carkeek Park, Constellation Park (Alki), Des Moines Beach Park, Golden Gardens, Lincoln Park, Olympic Sculpture Park Beach, Redondo Beach, Richmond Beach, or Seahurst Park. To sign up or get more information, please e-mail beachnaturalist@seattleaquarium.org or call (206) 386.4365.
Just announced by Spring Hill in The Junction: It’s becoming Ma’ono Fried Chicken & Whisky:
Spring Hill Restaurant & Bar at 4437 California Avenue SW will be changing its concept from a modern Pacific Northwest bistro into a Hawaiian inspired fried chicken shop & whiskey bar.
Mark, Marjorie and team are very excited to present the neighborhood of West Seattle with ma’ono. Spring Hill has had such a fantastic response and following for our fried chicken dinners, beginning February 8, 2012 we will begin serving fried chicken dinners seven nights a week (Monday through Sunday) paired with mid-pacific inspired food. ma’ono, meaning flavor, will be a reflection of Mark Fuller’s flavor memories of Kauai.
The bar at ma’ono will be expanding from eight bar stools to eighteen with an additional counter. ma’ono’s mixologist MiNan Ahn will be behind the bar with an expanded whiskey selection making delicious cocktails and beverages. Happy hour will be available in our larger bar and in the dining room. Brunch will continue on Saturday and Sunday.
The change takes effect next week – Wednesday, February 8th. You can see the menu on the new website that goes with the big change – go here.
(At Jack Block Park, by Flickr member ‘Old Desolate,’ via the WSB Flickr group pool)
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:
NO WATER TAXI tHIS MORNING: Reminder that the West Seattle Water Taxi is canceled this morning because of mechanical trouble that cut its schedule short last night. We’ll publish an update whenever word comes in that a decision is made for this afternoon/evening.
OVERNIGHT BRIDGE CLOSURES: Scheduled again tonight – Fauntleroy Expressway (info here) and eastbound Spokane Street Viaduct (SDOT announcement here), both 9 pm-5 am.
DENNY INTERNATIONAL MIDDLE SCHOOL TOUR: From 8:00 to 9:10 am. All welcome – no appointment needed. (2601 SW Kenyon)
WEST SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL COFFEE CHAT: Talk about WSHS with principal Ruth Medsker, 9-10:30 am (check in at school office, 3000 California SW).
WEST SEATTLE COMMUNITY ORCHESTRAS: Weekly rehearsals as detailed here for returning AND new musicians; rehearsals at Chief Sealth International High School (2600 SW Thistle).
POWER TOOLS 101: Workshop at the West Seattle Tool Library, 6 pm. From the announcement: “Join instructor Amy Ecklund, as she welcomes you in to the basics of using small powertools such as circular saws, jigsaws, powerdrills, impact drivers, nail guns, and miter saws. As part of the class, you’ll demonstrate what you’ve learned by building a take-home, cedar planter box.” Sign up online.
PATHFINDER K-8 PTSA MEETING: At the school (1901 SW Genesee on Pigeon Point), 6:15 pm.
SANISLO ELEMENTARY PTA MEETING: From the announcement, “We welcome all current and prospective parents. 6:30-7:30 in the school library, child care is provided.” (1812 SW Myrtle)
SEATTLE LUTHERAN HS OPEN HOUSE: It’s open house night at Seattle Lutheran High School: 6:30-8 pm, details here. (4100 SW Genesee)
HOPE LUTHERAN SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: Open house night at Hope Lutheran School (WSB sponsor) – 7-8:30 pm more info on this flyer. (4456 42nd SW)
NIGHTLIFE: Skylark Café and Club acoustic open mic night, starts 7 pm … Rock music/pop culture trivia at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), 8 pm … At The Bridge: Trivia every Tuesday, $2 registration beginning at 8 pm and play starting at 8:30 pm.
Tonight (Tuesday) and tomorrow, it’s crosstown-matchup time in high-school basketball: West Seattle High School‘s boys’ varsity team hosts Chief Sealth International HS at 7:30 tonight, and the girls’ varsity teams play same place, same time, Wednesday night. At both games, Bev Corey tells WSB, the WSHS cheerleaders will be collecting food for the West Seattle Food Bank, so spectators from both sides are encouraged to bring something to donate. Both schools were in action Monday night – WSHS hosted Bainbridge, and Bev reports that the boys won 68-45, while the girls lost 29-53. At Sealth, per our partners at the Seattle Times, the Seahawk boys lost to Lakeside 79-73, and the girls came up short too, 64-44.
(From left with Rep. McDermott, 34th District Democrats activists Jackie Dupras, Marcee Stone, Tamsen Spengler)
For West Seattle’s highest-profile politicians and political activists, Beveridge Place Pub was the place to be tonight. The occasion: A fundraiser for the Seattle area’s longtime Congressional representative, U.S. Rep. Jim McDermott, that also drew contributions for the West Seattle Food Bank. If a media alert about the event went out, we didn’t receive it, but big thanks to Dina Lydia Johnson for sharing photos and info – more ahead:Read More
West Seattle’s King County Councilmember Joe McDermott has a new high-profile role – leading the council through the budget process. Read on for the official announcement:Read More
6:10 PM: Multiple reports via Twitter and e-mail of engine trouble just as the 5:45 pm West Seattle Water Taxi run from downtown was arriving at Seacrest. Checking on its status.
(Photo by Bill Schrier – looking down toward engine room before docking at 6 pm)
6:25 PM UPDATE: It’s just been confirmed by King County, the West Seattle Water Taxi is canceled for the rest of the night. That means no 6:15 or 6:45 runs from downtown, no 6:30 or 7 pm runs from West Seattle. We’re expecting an update later on its status for tomorrow.
9:24 PM UPDATE: It’s also just been announced, the West Seattle Water Taxi will be canceled for Tuesday morning, too. Too soon to say what’ll happen Tuesday afternoon.
West Seattleite Sage Wilson at Working Washington tells WSB it’s just a coincidence that his group’s mini-protest outside a local bank today came 
the same day that the “Occupy” movement announced an official “Occupy West Seattle” branch. But it’s notable that the economic-inequality protest movement is reaching outside downtown.
First, the protest: Working Washington stationed Sera and Abdi outside Wells Fargo in The Junction with signs and flyers about WF’s tax history (based on this report). Its news release also said WW hopes to attract West Seattleites to participate in a protest targeting WF downtown tomorrow, meeting at Westlake at noon and marching from there.
At the same time, though apparently not related, “Occupy West Seattle” turned up for the first time on Facebook (here) and Twitter (here). They have announced their first “General Assembly” meeting for this Saturday at Alki UCC (6112 SW Hinds, time TBA). Their motto: “We are taking what we learned downtown and bringing it to the local neighborhoods.”
February 13-18, a series of events is planned for South Seattle Community College. Here’s today’s announcement:
Japanese American Day of Remembrance
Events mark the 70th anniversary of the signing of Executive Order 9066.Wednesday, February 15, 2012
11 am – 1 pm, Brockey Student CenterJapanese American Day of Remembrance observes the 70th anniversary of the signing of Executive Order 9066 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on February 19, 1942, following the attack on Pearl Harbor. It authorized the evacuation and incarceration of 120,000 persons of Japanese ancestry living on the West Coast, most of whom were U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents
In Washington state, nearly 13,000 people of Japanese descent were ultimately sent to detention centers. Most Seattleites ended up at Camp Minidoka near Hunt, Idaho, while the majority of rural Western Washington evacuees were sent to Tule Lake in California.
South Seattle Community College is holding a series of events to recognize this historic date.
Wednesday, February 15
*11 – 11:50 am – Mary Matsuda Gruenewald will discuss her memoir, Looking Like the Enemy, and share her story of living in several Incarceration Camps
*12 – 1 pm – Mark Mitsui, South’s former vice president of Student Services and current president of North Seattle Community College will discuss the significance of this Day of Remembrance with author, Mary Matsuda Greunewald.Monday, February 13 – Friday, February 18 Photographs by Teresa Tamura
Photographer Teresa Tamura created a series of black and white images that record the remains of the Minidoka Relocation Center, as a means of affirming the spirit and resilience of those who lived through the incarceration. The collection will be on display in the South Seattle Community College library. Ms. Tamura’s photos have been displayed at Whitman College, Missoula Art Museum, and published in the Seattle Times.The public is invited to remember and learn more about this period in our history through the words and experiences of these special guests. The events are free and open to the public. Driving directions: www.southseattle.edu/campus/map.htm#sscc.
This program is part of the learning series From Prejudice to Genocide, sponsored by the Office of Diversity & Retention at South Seattle Community College.
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