West Seattle, Washington
26 Saturday
Just drove westbound on the bridge from I-5 and verified what WSDOT says – the ramps to I-5 and Beacon Hill from the east end of the eastbound bridge are open again. Next closure for this project isn’t till 3/1-4 and will affect the ramp to southbound 5.
Going skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing in the weeks ahead? Do this first! From Greg Whittaker at Mountain to Sound Outfitters in The Triangle:
Join Mountain to Sound Outfitters in a free Avalanche Awareness Course on Tuesday Evening at 6:30 pm.
This course is designed as an Awareness Course and is not a certification. It is a great primer if you are getting ready to travel in the local backcountry via ski, snowshoe, or snowboard this spring for the first time, or if you are an experienced veteran looking for a good presentation. Techniques and equipment will be presented, and for those interested, there will be gear available at special pricing.
Signups required, and can be found here.
M2SO is at 3602 SW Alaska.
That’s one of two maps accompanying the last item on tomorrow morning’s Seattle City Council briefing agenda (9 am, City Hall downtown) – an update on possible annexations, as first reported on partner site White Center Now last week. Seattle leaders have a lot to talk about, since White Center and vicinity (“Area Y” on the map above) voters said no to Burien last November, and the Boundary Review Board rejected a bid for the Duwamish Triangle to be annexed by Tukwila. While it’s expected our city will pursue the Duwamish Triangle and the South Park “sliver by the river,” White Center and vicinity remains a wild card – the city has long had dibs on it but elected officials have repeatedly declared annexation unaffordable, and allowed Burien to pursue it first. There’s still an enticement dangling, but not for long – sales-tax credit to offset the cost of annexation, if it’s in the works by the start of 2015. Will the city pursue big, or small, or not at all? If you can’t be there tomorrow (note that it’s not a vote, just a briefing), you can watch live at 9 am via Seattle Channel (on-air or online).
11:26 AM: Another water-pipe problem beneath a local road – this time, at Ferry on the north end of California SW. Thanks to Trecia and Brian (who sent the photo) for the tips on this. A crew’s been on scene for a few hours, and Brian says the road remains open: “There are traffic cones and SPU personnel diverting traffic. Folks are able to get by in both directions, although there are a few honks because it is tight.”
4:37 PM: Drove by about an hour ago and the crew’s gone; no trace but a patch in the road.
High-school senior in the house? The Rotary Club of West Seattle is offering scholarship money and awaiting applications:
Continuing education of our young people is so important that every year the Rotary Club of West Seattle awards Scholarships to two or three graduating Seattle Area (preference given to West Seattle) high school seniors towards their college education.
The deadline for applications is fast approaching (April); if you know a deserving West Seattle senior, please visit our website to fill out the application. It is open to any senior student in the West Seattle area.
In summary, the name of the scholarship is the Gambriell Scholarship and requirements follow:
· Available to any graduating high school senior student.
· Based on financial need and academic merit.
· Student would not otherwise be able to attend college without these funds.
· Preference given to West Seattle residents.
· This year each recipient will receive $3,000 to $5,000, depending on number of recipients.
· Funds must be used on tuition and fees to accredited post-secondary educational programs.
· Date due for applications is April 30, 2013.
· Recipients chosen by May 31, 2013.
· Applications should be returned to the address on the application.
The application form, along with more information, is on the WS Rotary’s home page at westseattlerotary.org.
The Roxhill Castle playground is close to opening at Roxhill Park (as noted during the recent organizational meeting for a new community council) – and this week, its “artist in residence” needs help for finishing touches. Mike Henderson e-mailed to say the main castle’s turret – which project organizers told us emerged as something special during the volunteer build last fall – is “in the final push”:
It’s going really well thanks in large part to a small group of great volunteers. We are in the final push this week and need extra people for mosaic work, sponging down the installed tile, and the final grouting. Every day, 10-2, with Saturday the 23rd being the day to grout. We have all the tools needed on site and all the tasks are easy to learn. The only limitation is having to climb a ladder to get onto the scaffolding.
He shared the photos of parts of the turret:
If you can help any day this week, please e-mail Mike at centerforawesome@gmail.com. (And since 10 am is fast approaching as we publish this, if you’re able to help today, you can likely track him down on site; the park is south of SW Barton, across from the southwest side of Westwood Village.)
(“Live” cam looking at the eastbound West Seattle Bridge; more cams here)
6 AM: We’re watching traffic more closely than usual this morning, because WSDOT’s continuing to work on the I-5 Spokane Street Interchange Special Bridge Repair project, which means:
*Eastbound West Seattle Bridge ramps to I-5 are closed
*Eastbound West Seattle Bridge ramp to Beacon Hill is closed
*You have to exit at 4th Avenue S. if you’re not exiting at NB 99 or 1st Ave. S.
*At 4th, WSDOT promises a trooper/flagger and adjusted signal timing
They’re ahead of schedule, and expecting to reopen the ramps by 3 pm today, but till then, you’ll have to detour or use alternate routes. Detours for getting to I-5 are outlined here. (Or from south West Seattle, take Highland Park Way to get to NB 99 and, at the north end of the 1st Avenue S. Bridge, take the Michigan exit to reach I-5.)
Also this morning:
*First commute since the Metro “service change” on Saturday; biggest change, Route 50 – here are full details
*No Water Taxi service because of the Presidents Day holiday
*School’s out for most (if not all); Seattle Public Schools resume classes tomorrow
We’ll add updates; yours are appreciated too (if you can comment or text/call – 206-293-6302 – legally & safely, e.g. as a passenger, or once you get to your destination). Thanks!
4:41 PM NOTE: As published in a separate update, the I-5 ramps did reopen before 3 pm. And the day has been devoid of traffic trouble.
Local artists are invited to come sell their creations at the next “Homemade Brigade,” March 2nd at Freshy’s in The Admiral District, according to Krystal Kelley from event partner Mind Unwind:
The Homemade Brigade is a community partnership between Mind Unwind and Freshy’s Coffee. The Brigade is comprised of artists who create goods and art pieces in small batches by hand. Most of the artists featured in the past use recycled and reused materials, but this is not necessary.
For artists, come sell your wares. Entrance fee includes table, you keep all your sales…there is no commission. Table fee is $15 per artist. Register early, space is limited!
Follow this link to register.
For art enthusiasts, come buy local art that is creative and inspiring. Support local art and business!
Two West Seattle Crime Watch reader reports tonight – first, Lizz reports a car theft:
Hey, my car was stolen from the corner of 9th and Thistle in the Highland Park area, in the middle of the night between 2/15-2/16, not sure what time. It is a light blue Honda Civic ’91, with a fuzzy steering wheel, cherries and a yellow air freshener tree hanging from the front mirror. There is no side mirror on the right side. The license plate number is 530YTG. Please keep an eye out, and if spotted, please call the police and Tina at 206-321-5660. Thank you!
And from Diane, a car prowl:
I want to report that we had our car prowled (Charlestown &52nd Ave SW) sometime late last night 2/16/13 or early this morning 2/17/13. The car was unlocked and there was nothing of great value in it but the contents of the glove box were strewn all over and my dog barrier was broken. It seems they did not take the change from the door pocket but did make off with some leather gloves and I’m hoping nothing else.
Yet another reminder – your next chance to bring neighborhood-crime concerns/questions directly to local police, and to hear about the latest trends, is Tuesday night (February 19th) at the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council’s meeting, also including guests discussion Seattle Parks security/safety and the SPD Victim Assistance Program. 7 pm at the precinct (Delridge/Webster), all welcome.
If you are thinking about taking the West Seattle Water Taxi tomorrow morning just in case the I-5/Beacon Hill ramp closures bring extra bridge backup – just a reminder, you can’t; both Water Taxi runs are out of service on Presidents Day.
P.S. 7-day-a-week WT service resumes April 8th.
That just-published video shows a winning performance – the Chief Sealth International High School Percussion Ensemble, led by student leaders Farhan Vohra and Francisco Leon, under the direction of CSIHS band director Marcus Pimpleton – as they won the Elliott Bay Music Educators‘ Solo and Ensemble competition last weekend at Seattle Pacific University. In April, they will represent the Seattle area in the large percussion category at the WIAA/WMEA State Solo and Ensemble competition in Ellensburg. Congratulations!
(“Live” traffic cam for east end of WS Bridge; see more cameras @ WSB Traffic page)
WSDOT says the ramp work at the east end of the West Seattle Bridge will be done early – but not before the morning commute, so this advisory includes information you need for tomorrow morning:
The ramps from the West Seattle Bridge to Interstate 5 will open much sooner than expected, but Monday morning commuters will still need to add an extra 15 minutes to their drive.
Contractor crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation are making excellent progress and will reopen all of the ramps to I-5 from the Spokane Street Viaduct and lower Spokane Street by 3 p.m. Monday, Feb. 18.
The closure began on Friday, Feb. 15 and was scheduled to last until 5 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 19. Crews have worked around the clock to remove and replace aging expansion joints and also jacked sections of the ramp to repair slabs of concrete.
While President’s Day is Monday, not everyone has the day off work. In anticipation of heavy traffic on the detour route, the City of Seattle has retimed the light at 4th Avenue South and a trooper from the Washington State Patrol will flag traffic during the Monday morning drive.
Until the ramps reopen, 4th Avenue S. is where you’ll have to get off the eastbound bridge if you haven’t already exited at 1st or to NB 99.
P.S. The next scheduled closure in the I-5 Spokane St. Interchange Special Bridge Repair Project is Friday night 3/1 until Monday morning 3/4 and will only affect the ramp to southbound I-5 from the east end of the bridge.
With the Roxhill Park skatespot set to open soon – it’s the perfect time for a new skate shop across the street in Westwood Village. SW Skate Shop is in its second week of business on the breezeway (east of Bed Bath Beyond). We stopped in today and met Ian Mandt, the manager, and Luke Constant:
They told us the shop’s focusing on local brands whenever possible, and it’s carrying boards, components, apparel, even local art – check out Jason Singler‘s work, displayed on the walls (and available for purchase, too):
Mandt says their hours are somewhat flexible for starters, noon-6 weekdays, 11-5 weekends.
If you’ve seen the police response near Me-Kwa-Mooks Park and are wondering what’s going on: Police were looking for someone reported to be possibly in danger of harming himself, and, according to scanner traffic, found him, and were calling in an ambulance to get him some help.
The days are longer, the temperatures are higher, and rummage-sale/garage-sale season is in view! Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor) has just announced the plan for its big spring sale:
Spring Rummage Sale
Friday, March 8th from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm and
Saturday, March 9th from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm“A” is for Appliances
“B” is for Baby stuff
“C” is for Cookware
“D” is for Dresses
“E” is for EVERYTHING . . .Everything you could possibly want or need, all at prices “not of this century.” This twice-yearly event is coming right up and will feature usual bargains galore! Furniture, bikes, BBQs, and garden items outside. Plenty of clothing for all ages, jewelry, toys, games and other great stuff inside.
Tibbetts UMC is at 3940 41st SW, online at tibbettsumchurch.org and on Facebook here.
SIDE NOTE #1 – The ninth annual West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day, coordinated by WSB, isn’t far away either: Saturday, May 11th. Watch for our registration-dates announcement next month.
SIDE NOTE #2 – If you are having your own sale, any time of year, here’s how to list it for free on WSB.
Just in case the sun doesn’t show up today, here’s one last look at Saturday – the sunset scene from Constellation Park, courtesy of Jon Anderson. Now, on to Sunday, with five highlights for the rest of today from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Year-round and open today as usual, 10 am-2 pm, 44th/Alaska. Don’t usually go in the winter? You might be surprised by the list of what’s generally available this time of year.
TALK ABOUT HOMELESSNESS … with a panel including regionally known experts/activists, noon at Alki UCC (62nd and Hinds); details in the calendar listing.
JAMTIME AT C & P: Sunday afternoon “old-time country and bluegrass” at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), which just celebrated anniversary #10. 1-4 pm (5612 California SW).
BEEN TO THE TOOL LIBRARY LATELY? As the weather warms and the days lengthen, it’s getting to be prime time for projects again. The award-winning West Seattle Tool Library‘s regular Sunday hours are 1-5 pm. It’s at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW), on the northeast side of the building. You can even browse the inventory online before you go.
‘LOVE LETTERS’ FINALE: One final performance for the Fauntleroy Players‘ production at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW). 2 pm; tickets at the door.
… and as always, there’s more on the calendar, for today, tomorrow, and the weeks/months beyond.
That’s the traffic cam looking eastbound on the West Seattle Bridge; no problems so far, but tomorrow might be a different story, since the ramps to I-5 and Beacon Hill will remain closed for repair work until early TUESDAY morning. This camera shows part of the work zone:
The repair work is for WSDOT’s I-5 Spokane Street Interchange Bridge Repair project, which continues into spring with periodic closures, though never the same spot twice. This weekend, if you don’t exit to northbound 99 or to 1st Avenue South, you will be diverted off the eastbound bridge at 4th Avenue South. The westbound side is NOT affected. Detours and project details are here; more traffic cameras are here.
(Photos by Nick Adams for WSB. Above, the Au Lac Vovinam Dance Team)
With a lion dance, firecrackers, and even a mayoral appearance, all graced by sunshine, West Seattle’s Vietnamese Cultural Center celebrated the Lunar New Year on Saturday afternoon. But there is more to the celebration than those bright and loud elements:
That’s the center’s director Lee Bui, after lighting incense. Another tradition: A tray of five fruits, as an offering:
Lanh Bui prepared it …
… and placed it on the outdoor altar:
There were photos with their guest, Mayor McGinn:
And time to admire the center’s growing complement of tributes and temples:
What looks like garlands hanging in the foreground of that view were actually strings of firecrackers, waiting to be lit:
That’s Duong Tan setting them off. And of course there was dancing:
From the Au Lac Vovinam team, which performed, here’s Doan Dinh in the foreground:
The celebration was about ceremony, but also about people – like Phuoc Huynh, who spoke:
And Chi Nguyen:
And the uniformed veterans often seen at Cultural Center events, like Len Hua, photographed saluting during the national anthems:
And this time, a special guest:
You’re welcome to visit the center on Saturday afternoons, when it’s open to the public, noon-3 pm at 2236 SW Orchard. The iconic statue on its grounds depicts the 13th-century hero Gen. Tran Hung Dao.
The new Genesee Hill elementary school to be funded by the voter-approved BEX IV levy is advancing through the design process. The Genesee-Schmitz Neighborhood Council has published new design graphics, both for the building and its landscaping – with a caveat that the district has told GSNC the building schematics need to be updated again, because the school will definitely be built for a 650-student capacity. (As noted by GSNC, and reported here earlier this month, the current Schmitz Park Elementary – whose community is planning the new Genesee Hill school – is expected to teach almost 600 students next year.) You can see the new graphics in multiple posts on the GSNC website at genesee-schmitz.org, where there’s also a list of upcoming “community conversation” meetings about the project: February 26, March 14, April 30, all at SP Elementary, all at 6:30 pm.
(October 2012 photo by Nick Adams for WSB; click image for larger view)
Last month, the first talk in a new series presented by The Whale Trail drew a full house to C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor). The next talk is just five days away – Thursday (February 21) – and tickets are still available, reports TWT’s Donna Sandstrom with this reminder:
It has been almost 8 years since the Southern Resident Killer Whales (J, K and L pods) were listed as endangered. How are they doing? What progress has been made towards their recovery? What can we do to help?
Join us for this informal and informative talk featuring Lynne Barre, NOAA Fisheries. Learn what NOAA and its partners are doing to conserve and protect these iconic and beloved whales, including current research findings, management approaches and population updates.
Lynne is the Branch Chief in the Protected Resources Division at NOAA. She worked on the endangered listing of the Southern Residents, designated critical habitat, and developed and finalized the SRKW Recovery Plan.
As part of the recovery program, Lynne developed an oil-spill-response plan and protective regulations for killer whales in Washington. She works closely with partner organizations, including The Whale Trail, to implement the recovery plan. Lynne also works on the newly listed rockfish species and coordinates with Puget Sound salmon recovery.
We’ll also hear updates from Robin Lindsay (Seal Sitters) and Laura James (tox-ick.org).
This is the second in an “Orca Talk” series, hosted by The Whale Trail at C&P, 5621 California SW. Cost: $5 suggested donation, kids free. Advance tickets available at brownpapertickets.com/event/337516. Buy tickets now – see you there!
Questions – or, interested in volunteering? Here’s how to reach Donna: donna@thewhaletrail.org or 206.919.5397.
While there’s no update on the armed street robbery we reported last night in the 28th/Adams area of North Delridge, SPD Blotter has published summaries of two others from last night – 
one in the Admiral area, another one in North Delridge. In the first case, the victims and suspects were all juveniles – 3 victims, 4 robbers, around 9 pm in the 2600 block of California SW – here’s the summary. In the second, a man walking in the 4800 block of Delridge Way just before 11 pm, after leaving what police describe as a “large party,” was held up; police found the suspect, and the items he stole, by going back to the party. Here’s that summary.
Also, a reader report of a man who she says was behaving lewdly – not a complete flasher but seemingly on the verge – on Marine View Drive this afternoon between Roxbury and 104th (map). She described him as “seemingly Latino or Middle Eastern with facial hair, probably in his 30s” and says he was “walking along with his shirt rolled up and the top of his pubic region exposed,” and after they passed, pulled his pants further down to expose more of his backside. She says she tried calling the non-emergency police line but gave up after being bounced around. As we told her, police advise that you call 911 in most cases, including something like this; the dispatchers are the same and will route you if need be.
Less than a week after winning the title of America’s Best Bagger at the National Grocers Association convention in Las Vegas (WSB coverage here), Andrew Borracchini is back at work today at Metropolitan Market-Admiral (WSB sponsor). Management and co-workers held a celebration in his honor this afternoon, before he got back to the bagging business. We stopped in for a photo and asked a couple quick questions: When did he know he would win? Soon as he was called back up as one of the five finalists, he replied, he knew he had it. (We took this screengrab of the Final Five from the live UStream feed during the event:)
And, what’s the plan for his $10,000 prize? Saving it for now and deciding later, Andrew replied. (He also gets a trophy, and the store is slated to get a special commemorative “Best Bagger” checkout stand!)
Watch for that wedding ring – which belonged to the late husband of a West Seattleite who says her family’s home was broken into Friday. The burglary victim, who asked that her name not be used, says there were also irreplaceable items – photos of her late husband – on an iPod (described as “5th generation, blue”) taken by the burglar(s). The break-in happened sometime between 8 am and 3 pm Friday near 50th/Edmunds (map); if you have any information about the ring, or the burglary, contact police.
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