West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
(Photos by WSB’s Patrick Sand)
The two City Council members who did not sign last week’s letter calling for the Nickelsville encampment’s closure by September 1st were among three councilmembers who came to West Seattle last night for a forum on homelessness.
Their divergent positions on the matter were evident when all three – Nick Licata and Mike O’Brien, who weren’t part of the letter, and Tom Rasmussen, who was – responded to an audience question asking about “the plan” for the shutdown. We have that part of the discussion on video:
Ahead, the rest of what was discussed – what’s the city doing regarding homelessness in general, and what community members can do to help:
(Seattle Parks photo, taken during spraypark testing)
School’s out, the sun’s out (despite forecasts to the contrary), and West Seattle families are anxiously awaiting the opening of our area’s first-ever spraypark, in Highland Park, five years in the making. As reported here a week and a half ago, construction is done – but they can’t open just yet. First, they were awaiting a part; now, an inspection. After a reader e-mailed to ask for an update, we checked with project manager Kelly Goold, who replied: “We are now waiting on final King County Health approval. Not sure when this will occur, hoping in time for this weekend, but could be next week.”
P.S. City-run wading pools start opening this weekend – the first in our area is Lincoln Park, where the season starts Saturday (weather permitting). Here’s the full citywide schedule.
For about a week, WSB Forum members have been discussing Alki Beach volleyball tournaments and a perception that they’re taking up more of the sandy beach than past summers. Many questions were asked about matters such as permits, parking, and rules; we asked Seattle Parks for answers, and have added the reply to the Forums thread, which you’ll find here – as the discussion continues. (One thing we learned from the Parks reply: The department publishes a regularly updated list of big events coming up at its parks citywide.)
(Click image to see larger view)
Thanks to Trileigh Tucker for another bird-family photo – juvenile crows squawking at mealtime. (These were photographed in the Lincoln Park area, but we’ve heard about some apparent parent crows dive-bombing people on California SW south of The Junction – ’tis the season.) On to today’s highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
AMANDA KNOX CASE @ WEST SEATTLE ROTARY: Two and a half years ago, West Seattle-residing Judge Mike Heavey spoke to the Rotary Club of West Seattle about the Amanda Knox case (WSB coverage here), in which he had become personally involved as an advocate for Knox. Today at noon at Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor), he returns to the Rotary, and the subject, with the presentation “Amanda Knox: 100% Innocent,” billed as “discuss(ing) the concept of confirmation bias and dismantl(ing) the prosecution’s” theories and claims. (1936 Harbor Ave SW)
HAPPY 28TH ANNIVERSARY, CAPERS! The Junction store celebrates 28 years in the neighborhood with a celebration 4-6 pm today. You’re invited to stop by CAPERS for “cake and bubbly and fun.” Details on this Facebook event page. (4525 California SW)
CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL: Neighborhood crime concern? Bring it to the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting tonight – you’ll be able to ask local SPD leadership about it, as well as directly hearing from them about current trends. 7 pm, Southwest Precinct meeting room, right off the parking lot. (SW Webster, west of Delridge Way SW)
CARING FOR SOMEONE WITH DEMENTIA? Providence Mount St. Vincent presents educator Teepa Snow, with the first of three workshops for those who are caregivers for people with dementia. Free of charge; no RSVP required. 7 pm in the Chapel. (4831 35th SW)
BELLYDANCING: Tonight’s nightlife listings include the Alauda bellydancing showcase at Skylark Café and Club, 7:30 pm, free/all ages. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
(Live view from the east-facing WS Bridge camera; other cameras are on the WSB Traffic page)
As we start today’s traffic/transit watch, remember that California SW repaving between Myrtle and Frontenac is scheduled for today and tomorrow. We’ll be checking later this morning to see if the heavy equipment indeed shows up and gets going.
And the advance reminder again – if you expect to leave the peninsula on Saturday, review the closures for the Rock ‘n’ Roll Seattle Marathon, including NB 99.
(Photo by Amanda Grove)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
While hundreds of people will be taking courses from South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor) this year, we can guarantee that Georgia Mitchell will be the only one taking them while riding a three-wheeled Y Fliker scooter cross-country.
You might already know Georgia. Not just because she’s a 2009 Chief Sealth graduate; that same year, she made news by becoming Miss West Seattle Hi-Yu.
She’s been off at college in Hawai’i, and on a culinary internship in France, before transferring back to join the hospitality program at SSCC.
But first: Starting one week from today, she’s embarking on three months of human-powered travel across America, with three Brazilians and an Irishman.
The National Weather Service has a “short-term forecast” alert in effect for our area right now, and it warns of potential thunderstorms. Claire tweeted a few minutes ago that, from the Lincoln Park area, she’d seen lightning to the west. In case it heads this way, you’re forewarned! (The forecast says they’re a possibility tomorrow and Wednesday, too.)
It’s been a while since we’ve reminded you – but now we’re just four nights away from the benefit screening of “Jaws” at the Admiral Theater, so we’re reminding you again. As announced last month, it’s the kickoff of a benefit movie series (with co-sponsors including WSB) for the Mind Unwind Foundation‘s support of arts in education and for The Admiral’s renovations, and there’ll be a silent auction and art exhibit as well as the movie. 11 pm this Friday night, June 21st. Get your tickets online, here. 21+ only because of beer/wine sales. And save the dates for the second and third movies in the late-night series, “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” July 27th, and “The Big Lebowski” on August 24th.
Back on Friday, we mentioned briefly on the WSB Facebook page that police had responded to a Hiawatha-area call about students burning homework papers after the last day of the school year. Turns out that wasn’t the only paper-burning call they handled that day – SPD Blotter has just published this saga of a Schmitz Park incident hours later.
2:54 PM: Heads up if you’re headed to or from Highland Park, among other affected areas: A crash at West Marginal Way SW and Highland Park Way (map) is leading police to close West Marginal at the scene and for at least a few blocks north.
3:18 PM: Our crew at the scene says a car hit a pole and hydrant (though there’s no water flowing from the latter) on the west (southbound) side of the road a short distance north of Highland Park Way. While the car will be towed soon, the pole and resulting suspended wires have to be taken care of by City Light. P.S. Just added a cameraphone photo but because of the sun and tree cover, the pole hit by the car is hard to see – we’ll substitute clearer photos when our crew gets back. The driver was not seriously hurt.
3:35 PM: Via radio, police are saying City Light can’t get there for another hour or so because it’s shift change.
Meantime, the closure is requiring semi-trucks to turn around as well as smaller vehicles, since they are heavy users of this road. So we do advise avoiding the area entirely TFN.
4:01 PM: Substituted a clearer photo. West Marginal at that spot is still closed off, be forewarned.
5:20 PM: Open both ways, but City Light repair crew has outside southbound lane blocked.
(TUESDAY UPDATE: The full “packet” for next week’s hearing is now available here.)
(Click image for larger view)
Next time the Southwest Design Review Board meets, on June 27th, its second round of “Early Design Guidance” for 3210 California SW will be on the agenda (as noted here last month). That’s the proposed South Admiral building with a face longer than a city block, the first development proposed for the area upzoned in 2010. Taking into account the feedback from members of the board and the public at the first meeting two months ago (WSB coverage here; official city report here), they’ve come up with a new plan that, along with other changes, breaks the building into three parts rather than two – as seen in the new “massing” image above (the colors are NOT representative of any final look – they are just used in the rendering as highlights). We talked about the new proposal with Lis Soldano from Intracorp, the project’s Seattle-based developer:
11:39 AM: We don’t have the specifics yet, but two Metro routes in West Seattle – 21 and 120 – are on a list of eight bus routes for which the city plans to give Metro $750,000 to buy “more than 5,000 hours of added service per year through early 2016.” The money comes from “savings from the voter-approved Bridging the Gap Levy,” according to a news release from the office of Mayor McGinn, who made the announcement today with Metro General Manager Kevin Desmond. It says the money will “help Metro increase evening and weekend frequency on high-ridership routes from 30 to 15 minutes or from 60 to 30 minutes.” The announcement also makes a point of noting that the State Legislature has yet to reach a deal on the transportation-funding proposals that would help Metro avoid having to make $75 million in cuts when two types of temporary funding start running out next year.
11:52 AM: The mayor’s spokesperson Aaron Pickus says the extra hours are set to take effect in September. We’re asking Metro for any other details available.
12:53 PM: County spokesperson Rochelle Ogershok tells WSB the “service change” that’ll bring the added hours is on September 28th. So far, she has no additional details regarding exact number of hours, etc., but we’ll add anything more we find out.
Two quick notes in West Seattle Crime Watch this morning:
STOLEN CAR: Taylor asks you to keep an eye out for his girlfriend’s car, stolen last night on 10th SW in Highland Park. It’s a black 2000 Honda CR-V, with plates ending in WLO. Call 911 if you see it.
WEST SEATTLE CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL: Since the WSCPC doesn’t meet in July and August, this is your last chance to get a guaranteed SPD audience for a neighborhood concern. In fact, that’s what tomorrow’s meeting will be devoted to, along with updates and followups (including a discussion of the recent Lincoln Park safety walk). 7 pm Tuesday (June 18th), Southwest Precinct – parking lot entrance is off Webster, west of Delridge Way.
(Click image for larger view)
Thanks to Long Bach Nguyen for sharing that recent view looking toward the Olympic Mountains over northern West Seattle. On to three highlights for today/tonight:
SUMMERTIME SWIMMING: Two notes for our area’s city-run pools today: Colman Pool is now in 7-day-a-week operations on the shores of Lincoln Park (schedule here), and Southwest Pool has added daytime swims now that school is out (2801 SW Thistle; schedule here).
LONGFELLOW CREEK WALK: 6:30 pm, join Sustainable West Seattle on a hike through the Longfellow Creek Watershed. Details in our calendar listing. (Meet at 26th/Yancy)
WESTSIDE INTERFAITH NETWORK: This group of 20+ congregations works “to provide a ‘network’ of help and services for people in need throughout our community.” Tonight, it’s invited city officials to join in a meeting so the network can learn more about ways to help meet “the challenges (they) face in providing human services … the goals or plans (they) would like to implement … and the ways (WIN) can be a working part of any solutions.” The public’s welcome at the meeting, 6:30 pm, Our Lady of Guadalupe‘s Pastoral Life Center. (7000 35th SW)
(Live view from the east-facing WS Bridge camera; other cameras are on the WSB Traffic page)
6:03 AM: Summer is now officially here – well, traffic-wise, anyway, since school’s out. Otherwise – we start with traffic alerts for later this week:
*California SW repaving Tuesday-Wednesday between Myrtle and Frontenac
*Saturday closures for Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon, including NB 99
3:44 PM UPDATE: West Marginal Way is closed north of Highland Park Way because of a crash – ongoing coverage here.
Early warning, since this one tends to sneak up unless you happen to be running in it: The Rock ‘n’ Roll Seattle Marathon/Half-Marathon is next Saturday (June 22nd), and as usual, it brings road closures – most notably for our area, Northbound 99. According to the closure list on the marathon website, northbound 99 will be closed 5 am-3:30 pm Saturday from Hudson (on the East Marginal Way section) to Roy, north of downtown. Here’s a map. Full road info, from maps to parking notes, can be found here.
Four tidbits:
FINALLY CLOSER TO OPENING? There’s a sign the new restaurant planned for the former Bohemian location at 3405 California SW might finally be approaching its opening, almost two years after it was sold. The last official word was nine months ago, when our repeated inquiries via phone, e-mail, note under the door, etc., finally were answered with a postal-mail letter from the new ownership, which already has Bick’s and Saltoro in North Seattle, and explained that this too would be a “simple neighborhood dinnerhouse.” In the ensuing months, work has continued, including subtle exterior touches – and now we’ve found a help-wanted ad seeking cooks for “North Seattle and West Seattle” locations, and the application address is Bick’s. The last known working title for the WS restaurant was West City Kitchen, but no signage has appeared yet.
Speaking of ads, another one of note:
BAMBOO BUILDING FOR SALE: A new commercial-real-estate listing appeared this weekend for the building housing Bamboo Bar and Grill. The listing makes it clear the business itself is NOT for sale, just the building, which also has three residential units on the second floor, and the marketing brochure reiterates that the business has another year on its lease and wants to stay. Asking price: $1.4 million.
And changes elsewhere:
BLACKBOARD BISTRO BRUNCH: Summertime and not only is the patio open at Blackboard Bistro (3247 California SW), says Chef Jacob Wiegner, they’re also now serving Sunday brunch 9:30 am-2 pm, with current dinner hours 5-9 pm Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, and 5-10 pm Fridays and Saturdays. (We have updated the WSB West Seattle Restaurant Guide accordingly.)
DIVA IN THE EVENING: This past Thursday night, Diva Espresso in The Triangle launched a Thursday night open-mike night, 7-9 pm (signups at 6). And in the announcement shared with us by Diva management, they also mentioned they’re “in the process of getting” a license to offer beer/malt beverages.
With the Morgan Junction Community Festival (co-sponsored by WSB) less than a week away, here’s an update on this free, one-day community event, including the performance schedule, with two shows by the famous Bubbleman, and open-mike spots for all ages. The festival is next Saturday (June 22nd) in the usual 3 spots just north of California and Fauntleroy: The lot west of Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), in Morgan Junction Park, and alongside Washington Federal on the other side of California. Browse the schedule here:
All well-behaved leashed dogs (over the age of 4 months) are invited to bring their owners and join the Pooch Parade and the Contests.
2:00 – Pooch Parade: A parade of pooches will line up starting at 2:00 pm north of the Morgan Junction Park on SW Eddy Street. Look for the signs. We will parade through Festival to the Washington Federal Bank Stage. Costumes are optional.
2:15 – Contests: Join us for the following contests:
1) Cutest Puppy (4 months up to 9 months),
2) Best Trick, and
3) Best Dog/Owner Look-AlikeFirst- and second-place contestants will be selected via the ‘audience applause meter’ as monitored by the MC and awarded commemorative medallions. All “Bark of Morgan” participants will receive a special prize.
Sponsors of the second “Bark of Morgan” are The Wash Dog (WSB sponsor), Pet Elements, and Stella Ruffington’s Doggy Playcare
Then there’s the Bite of Morgan – food samples from WSB sponsors Feedback Lounge, Zeeks Pizza, and Harry’s Chicken Joint, plus other participants Kokoras Greek Grill, Domino’s Pizza, and McDonald’s. Also, you can support festival finances by buying a freshly barbecued lunch at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor), with proceeds donated to festival-presenting Morgan Community Association. A few food trucks plan to be there too – confirmation’s expected within a day or two. See you in Morgan Junction on Saturday!
Thanks to West Seattle Little League for sharing the photo of their victorious Juniors, who won the District 7 Tournament of Champions today in Renton, 4-3 over the Pac-West Angels. The team is coached by Mark Terao and Mark O’Neil; pitchers in the victory were starter Grayson O’Neil (through 5) and Jacob Terao (through the 7th). Shoutout to the other players, as listed by WSLL: Jax Cramer, Chris Drake, Blue James, Jackson Oehling, Trifon Papahronis, Elijah Phouangphet, Timmy Roach, Gage Rowlands, and also, though they couldn’t play today, Zach Gerhardt and Marcus Titialii. This comes just one week after the regular season ended for WSLL. Congratulations!
(WSB file photo of Madison’s east-facing gym exterior, where the sign would go)
One month ago today, we reported that the city had approved the four-year-old proposal for a 30-square-foot electronic sign outside the Madison Middle School gym. A group of neighbors has appealed the decision, and tomorrow, they go downtown for a conference with the city’s Hearing Examiner, to prepare for a full hearing in July. We talked with one of the neighbors, Claudia Ludwig, who explained why they’re challenging the decision:
Next weekend, local teens Alex Miller, Nicholas Orndorff, and Clara Orndorff will be participating in international underwater-robotics (ROV) competition for the second consecutive year. We brought you their story last year. Writing a report and getting it published counts in the competition too; we are pleased to share their 2013 update:
Recently the AMNO & CO ROV Team qualified to compete in the 2013 Marine Advanced Technology Education (MATE) Center’s International ROV Competition for students. A Remotely Operated Vehicle, or ROV, is a tethered robot used to complete tasks in underwater environments.
AMNO & CO was the second-place winner in the Pacific Northwest Regional, which was held on May 11th. AMNO & CO accomplished this using an ROV they designed and built over the past year. At the International ROV Competition, which will be held June 20-22 at the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center, AMNO & CO will compete against more than thirty of the top teams from MATE’s 22 regional competitions around the world, including competitions in the US, the UK, China, Egypt, Canada, and Hong Kong.
Each year, the MATE ROV competition encourages students to learn and apply science, technology, engineering, and math skills to the competition tasks that simulate real-world problems from the ocean workplace. This year, the contest focuses on the role that ROVs play in installing and maintaining a system of underwater sensors and other equipment.
This system of equipment is known as the Regional Scale Node, or RSN, which consists of a primary node that can then deliver power to a series of sensors that are connected to it. These sensors include an Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler, or ADCP, that measures the velocity of the ocean’s currents, and an Ocean Bottom Seismometer, or OBS, which collects data about seismic activity on the ocean floor. Currently this system is being installed off the western coast of the United States. This array of sensors will provide new and useful data about the ocean, including data about climate change and its properties and consequences, which will be useful to our understanding of the world.
Teams will participate in mission tasks, piloting their ROV to deploy and install simulated versions of the actual sensors being used. To do this, not only must ROVs be able to transport the sensors correctly, they must also be able to open and close hatches, turn locks, and connect power cables. In addition to the simulated sensors, teams must also create their own temperature sensors that can take measurements from a simulated hydrothermal vent (a vent on the ocean floor that emits hot water). In addition, teams must prepare a technical report describing their ROV, make a presentation to a panel of judges, and create a poster display.
This is the fourth year that AMNO & CO has participated in the Pacific Northwest Regional ROV Contest, and the second year they will be attending the MATE International ROV Competition. The team members are Alex Miller, Nicholas Orndorff, and Clara Orndorff.
The AMNO & CO ROV team is supported by local sponsors including West Marine, Fisheries Supply, and Harris Electric. The team practiced at the Shoreline Pool and fundraised over the summer near Alki Beach. Their fundraising covered a large portion of the cost of their ROV.
For more information about the AMNO & CO ROV team, please contact them at amnoandco@live.com, or visit their Facebook page facebook.com/AMNOandCoROV. For more information about the MATE ROV competition, visit marinetech.org/rov-competition.
We wish AMNO & CO the best of luck in next weekend’s competition!
Not sure if that’s dad or mom Northern Flicker feeding babies at Lincoln Park – waiting for word back from photographer Trileigh Tucker – but it seems perfect for this family-oriented day, whatever the case. Here are highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
SPEAKING OF LINCOLN PARK … start the day with a work party, helping Friends of Lincoln Park. Meet in the north parking lot at 9 am; details in the calendar listing. (Fauntleroy/Rose)
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, with this week’s featured items including various varieties of cherries. (44th/Alaska)
DADS AND DISCS: Ultimate Frisbee for Father’s Day! 11 am, Fairmount Playfield. (Fauntleroy/Brandon)
GLASSBLOWING DEMONSTRATION: A family of artists will be working at Avalon Glassworks today, and you’re invited to observe – drop by between 11 am and 4 pm. (2914 SW Avalon Way)
FATHER’S DAY BARBECUE AND SUMMER KICKOFF: All invited to this event planned outside – including games! – at Admiral Congregational Church, noon-2 pm. (California/Hill)
IS DAD A CAT FAN? Adoption event with Friends of the Animals Foundation, noon-3 pm at Next to Nature in The Junction. (4543 California SW)
DIY BIKES … free bike repairs at the West Seattle Tool Library, 1 pm-5 pm. DIY means more than Do It Yourself; come see for yourself. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
… and more on the calendar!
Three West Seattle Crime Watch notes: First, a South Delridge domestic-violence call on Saturday afternoon almost turned into a SWAT standoff – we, in fact, were on the way to it after hearing word of a road closure, when the SWAT team was canceled after the suspect’s arrest. Police have published the story via SPD Blotter, including this photo of a hidden compartment in a sofa where they say they found the suspect hiding:
SPD also reports finding three guns in plain sight in the apartment – all pointed out by a 3-year-old girl who, along with a younger child, had been there when the victim was assaulted earlier. The suspect was booked into jail.
Two reader reports now – starting with this one about two stolen bicycles – including the one pictured below:
We would like to report two of our mountain bikes stolen from Verge Condos at 3213 Harbor Ave. SW sometime between 10:30 pm Friday night and 11:00 am Saturday morning. The bikes were stolen from our condo garage and the cable lock cut.
Bike descriptions:
Women’s Novara 2013 Pika Mountain Bike – light blue and white
Men’s Specialized Hard Rock Mountain Bike – royal blue and black
Let police know if you’ve seen them.
We also have word of a stolen go-kart:
That was reported by Shyla, who said it was taken from her backyard on June 6th, near 39th/104th in Arbor Heights, and she adds: “In light of the most recent arrest of a guy just a few blocks away from our house I’m guessing there might be a connection. Would just like people to see the kart in case it shows up around the neighborhood or garage sales.”
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