month : 08/2013 315 results

West Seattle weather/traffic: Thunderous PM commute

5:02 PM: With lightning, thunder, and heavy rain having just moved into the area, and traffic trouble that started hours ago, we’re launching a new story here to track PM commute, and weather, advisories. Stay tuned.

5:10 PM UPDATE: We’re now in Fauntleroy checking out a report of a crash near the south Lincoln Park parking lot, potentially affecting ferry-dock-bound traffic. Here for now is the SDOT camera in that vicinity:

… update, just passed it; those are the crashed cars at the bottom of the camera view. No sign of fire or medics but it’s slow going northbound too.

5:31 PM UPDATE: Per TV weather radar, the cell with thunder, lightning, and downpour is now north of us and continuing to head north. Here in south West Seattle, we’re down to light rain and even an attempted sunbreak.

6:53 PM UPDATE: As commenters have pointed out, there’s trouble on 99 now, too. A southbound crash right by the bridge, according to an e-mail update from WSDOT.

Happening now: Teachers picket at 35th and Fauntleroy

4:10 PM: One demonstrator carries an umbrella along with his picket sign in the Seattle Education Association – mostly Seattle Public Schools teachers, but some other staffers are included – picketing that’s under way right now at 35th and Fauntleroy. Picketers at all four corners totaled more than two dozen when we stopped by a short time ago. They’re scheduled to be there until 6 pm, as a show of support for their union’s ongoing negotiations with the district; their contract expires on Saturday, and they voted earlier this week to reject the latest offer. Their next vote is scheduled for Tuesday, the night before the scheduled start of classes, and the district has already warned families to have a backup plan in case school is delayed – although there has NOT been a strike vote so far. This, by the way, is one of four spots around the city where teachers are demonstrating this afternoon.

6:31 PM: Via Facebook, teacher Misty asked to share this message: “I would like to take a moment to thank all of the people who nodded, smiled, waved, and honked their horns today as they were driving by. We felt very honored by their show of support. It was appreciated.”

Daughters of the Dead Sea farewell show now a benefit, too

Our video of West Seattle band Daughters of the Dead Sea is from a show at Easy Street Records in The Junction last October. They’ll be back at ESR this Saturday night – but it’ll be the last time, as the band is breaking up. And we’ve learned it’s not only a farewell show; singer/guitarist Jen Stinespring is battling cystic fibrosis, with which she was diagnosed in infancy, and is moving back East to be with her family, so this show is a benefit to help with her medical bills. $10 donation at the door; local fave Hobosexual is on the bill too, and ESR tells us Whiskey Radio has just been added. Show starts at 8 pm Saturday (August 31st) at Easy Street (California/Alaska).

West Seattle traffic alert: Crash on southbound I-5, by bridge

Heads-up if you are heading south of West Seattle – there’s a big crash on southbound I-5 right at the end of the bridge. Seattle Fire says via Twitter that it involves a bus, with at least five people hurt, one in critical condition.

12:43 PM UPDATE: According to the State Patrol, a semi-truck headed east from West Seattle collided with a charter bus. SFD update on patients: 1 critical patient & 4 serious patients heading to Harborview, 1 serious patient to Swedish, 1 serious patient to Virginia Mason. 2 lanes are blocked at the crash site (see the latest traffic-camera view above).

1:03 PM UPDATE: If you are anywhere from the WS Bridge northward, you will definitely want to avoid southbound I-5 TFN:

2:37 PM UPDATE: The backup is STILL about 11 miles, according to WSDOT. So if you usually take I-5 southbound home to get to West Seattle – start thinking about an alternate route. We’ll update when the commute gets closer.

13 highlights for the rest of your West Seattle Thursday

(Thanks to Lise Thivierge for sharing the photo from Seacrest!)
Busy day/night – especially for back-to-school events. From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and the WSB inbox:

LAFAYETTE PLAYGROUND WORK PARTY: Just got word of this “rain or shine” event, happening NOW until 2 pm today at Lafayette Elementary‘s playground: “Please join us for the annual trimming of the kiwi, kindergarten planter cleanup, sweeping of wood chips into the play area, planting some flowers, etc. We will have tools provided from the district but please bring comfortable gloves and any personal supplies that you’d like to use.” (California/Lander)

TEACHERS’ INFORMATIONAL PICKETING: As first reported here Tuesday night, Seattle Education Association members – who have yet to reach a contract with Seattle Public Schools – plan informational picketing around the city today, including 3-6 pm by the southwest end of the West Seattle Bridge. (35th/Fauntleroy)

ROXHILL BACK-TO-SCHOOL BARBECUE: 4:30-6:30 pm at Roxhill Elementary: “This is an opportunity for our families to come to the school, have a hot dog dinner, meet their teacher and receive free school supplies.” (Roxbury/30th)

PATHFINDER K-8 BACK-TO-SCHOOL BARBECUE: 5-7:30 pm tonight at the school, including the dedication of the new mosaic sign. Indoors if necessary. Details in our preview.

GATEWOOD ELEMENTARY MEET-AND-GREET: In groups, spread out between 5:30 and 7:15 pm – details in our preview. (4320 SW Myrtle)

POLITICAL FUNDRAISER: 5:30-7:30 pm tonight at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), according to the announcement, “Seattle City Councilmembers Richard Conlin, Nick Licata, and Tom Rasmussen; Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon, King County Councilmember Joe McDermott, Ted Barker, Kim Becklund, Brian Earl, Ann Martin, Marcee Stone-Vekich, and Max Vekich are co-sponsoring a fundraising reception to benefit Fair Elections Seattle, which appears on the November ballot.” (6451 California SW)

BABYSITTER MEET AND GREET: Free adult-only drop-in event at West Seattle Office Junction, to meet babysitters working locally. 6-7:30 pm; RSVP by going here. Light refreshments; giveaways including a selection of Usborne books. (5230-B California SW) Update: This event has been postponed; new date TBA.

DUWAMISH RIVER KAYAK TOUR: Native American history along the Duwamish River is the focus of tonight’s community kayak tour with the Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition and Alki Kayak Tours. Meet at 6 pm at Terminal 107 Park; details in our calendar listing. (4700 W. Marginal Way SW)

DENNY ORIENTATION: Another pre-back-to-school event, this time at Denny International Middle School: 6:30-8 pm, “for students and parents/guardians who are new to Denny International (all grade levels). This event will be a time to learn more about our school and meet staff.” Ice cream afterward! (2601 SW Kenyon)

FINAL HIAWATHA CONCERT OF THE YEAR: As previewed here on Tuesday, this year’s Admiral Neighborhood Association-presented Summer Concerts at Hiawatha finale is tonight, featuring Strong Suit, 6:30 pm – update, INDOORS at the Hiawatha Gym east lawn if the weather clears, in the Hiawatha gym if it doesn’t. (Between California and Walnut, 2700 block)

DESIGN REVIEW: 4433 42nd SW, the apartment project known as Junction Flats, goes before the Southwest Design Review Board at 6:30 pm tonight, upstairs at the Senior Center of West Seattle. As always, there will be a chance for public comment. Here’s our report from last week with a link to the newest project information, including the “packet” for tonight’s meeting.

OPEN MIKE AT DIVA: 7 pm Thursdays, it’s open-microphone night at Diva Espresso in The Triangle – which now serves beer, too. (4480 Fauntleroy Way SW)

WATER TAXI FOR SEAHAWKS GAME: Another reminder that the West Seattle Water Taxi will run on the extended game-night schedule tonight for the Seahawks game, with the final run from downtown to WS scheduled for 10:30 pm; see the schedule here.

And there’s even MORE – on the calendar!

Overnight ‘hazmat’ call on Delridge verified as false alarm

August 29, 2013 10:23 am
|    Comments Off on Overnight ‘hazmat’ call on Delridge verified as false alarm
 |   Delridge | West Seattle news

Seattle Fire spokesperson Kyle Moore has just verified that the overnight “hazmat” call in the 7700 block of Delridge Way was basically a false alarm, as we tweeted at the time. His update:

An envelope with reported white powder turned out not to contain anything hazardous or dangerous according to the Seattle Fire Department Hazardous Materials Team.

At 12:35 a.m., a 911 call came into dispatchers at the Fire Alarm Center reporting an envelope with white powder at an apartment complex located in the 7700 block of Delridge Way SW. The caller stated they opened the letter and felt symptoms.

Firefighters isolated the two patients and also the letter. Tests were conducted on the letter and came back negative for any known hazardous or dangerous substances.

Seattle Police Department officers were also on scene investigating.

The patients were evaluated but did not require any treatment. The letter was turned over to authorities.

Update: Emergency response on Roxbury

August 29, 2013 10:02 am
|    Comments Off on Update: Emergency response on Roxbury
 |   West Seattle news | WS breaking news

10:02 AM: Though the 911 log says Roxbury/Olson, the big emergency response happening right now is some blocks west of there, according to our crew, near 12th SW. At first, it was thought a pedestrian might have been hit, but it’s been determined that a 40-year-old man, as described in radio communications, apparently became disoriented/ill and “wandered into traffic,” possibly a blood-sugar problem. County and city crews are on scene and the man is being taken to the hospital now, so the scene should clear before too long.

10:30 AM: Just verified with SFD spokesperson Kyle Moore – the victim basically “lay down in traffic,” and the location was 11th/Roxbury.

West Seattle scene: Rotarians pitch in with Pencil Me In For Kids

Thanks to Josh Sutton for the photo from last night’s Rotary Club of West Seattle sorting party for Pencil Me In For Kids, which collects and distributes school supplies to students in need; in red at left, that’s longtime PMIFK champion Sue Lindblom giving instructions to Rotarians who joined in. This year, nine elementary schools in West Seattle are getting about $8,500 worth of supplies as a result of PMIFK.

SIDE NOTE: The WS Rotary’s monthly fun/fundraising First Friday public gathering is (date corrected) one week from tomorrow (Friday, September 6th), 5-7 pm, at The Bridge this time around. (4439 35th SW)

TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Pre-holiday-weekend Thursday

August 29, 2013 6:03 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Pre-holiday-weekend Thursday
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Live view from the east-facing WS Bridge camera; other cameras are on the WSB Traffic page)
6:03 AM: With the weekend in view, it’s time for reminders of road work ahead, while we start today’s commute watch:

*Ramp closure tonight: The ramp from northbound I-5 to the West Seattle Bridge will close 10 pm tonight-5 am Friday to get ready for the all-weekend-long expansion-joint work.

*Ramp closure all weekend: The ramp from northbound I-5 to the WS Bridge and to lower Spokane St./6th will close 7 pm Friday-3 pm Monday for the aforementioned safety work. Project details, detour info, future closures, and more can be found here.

Also, the citywide big-event roundup for the long holiday weekend is already out – SDOT published it here.

P.S. The West Seattle Water Taxi does run late tonight for the Seahawks game, with the last sailing from downtown at 10:30 pm.

12:46 PM UPDATE: Trouble on southbound I-5 at the bridge, because of a bus/semi-truck crash – updates in a separate story.

School events tonight: Pathfinder K-8 barbecue; Gatewood meet-and-greet

Two more West Seattle schools are sharing reminders of pre-school-year events for their students/staff/families – both of these are happening tonight:

PATHFINDER K-8: 5-7:30 pm tonight is the back-to-school barbecue, with “hot dogs, watermelon, chips, and Pathfinder fun,” according to PTSA vice president Michael Schweers. The unveiling and dedication of the mosaic sign will happen, too, along with appreciation for “all the volunteers who made it happen,” he adds. (1901 SW Genesee)

GATEWOOD ELEMENTARY: Tonight is meet-and-greet night, in these groups and times:

*K/1 5:30-6:15pm
*2/3 6:00-6:45pm
*4/5 6:30-7:15pm

Says the announcement: “This is a great opportunity to come and meet your teacher, see the classroom and reconnect with returning Gatewood families.” (4320 SW Myrtle)

‘Nickelsville’ closure countdown: Three sites found, camp says

Eviction won’t be necessary – ‘Nickelsville’ says it has secured three sites so that everyone can move. That’s according to an announcement minutes ago on the encampment’s official Facebook page:

Great news! Nickelsville has secured two more sites and will be moving this Sunday. We’re notifying the neighbors before announcing the two additional sites on Friday afternoon. There are many ways you can help with the move, either by helping us pack up the trucks, donating money to pay for our bills at this site, or donating materials such as 33 gallon trash bags, duct tape, basic tools such as hammers, or bringing food and water on moving day.

The one site that already has been announced is in the Central District, at 20th and Jackson. Also posted on the Nickelsville Works page, a photo of a flyer with packing/moving instructions for camp residents. More to come.

Budget increase, schedule delay for new Water Taxi vessels

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

With periodic boat breakdowns continuing to affect King County Water Taxi service, it would seem the two brand-new 250-passenger boats the county plans to build can’t be ready soon enough.

They won’t be ready as soon as hoped for, though – the county has to send the project out to bid a second time, and plans to add to the budget.

Read More

11 reasons why this year’s West Seattle Outdoor Movies rocked

Hello, Cleveland! Er… West Seattle. ’80s rockumentary spoof “This Is Spinal Tap” wrapped this year’s West Seattle Outdoor Movies season this past Saturday night (WSB coverage here) with a full house in the courtyard next to Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor). Proprietor Lora Swift has just sent an 11-point list of this season’s highlights:

*Six movies ranging from the classic James Bond Goldfinger to The Muppets, Spinal Tap and Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure

*More than 1,500 people attended this year

*More than $1,900 raised for charity

*Community BBQ

*Media support from the West Seattle Blog

*Gift certificates donated from local businesses

*Live music before the shows

*An 18” Stonehenge

*Shoe auction to raise money for a local animal-advocacy group

*Food drive

*Robots

Watch here, and the official website, next spring, for news about West Seattle Outdoor Movies’ 2014 season!

Seattle Public Library announces what it WON’T be doing this year

From the “just in case you wondered” file – the Seattle Public Library has made a point today of announcing/reminding patrons that for the first time in five years, it won’t have to shut down for a week at summer’s end to save money. That’s because of the seven-year, $123 million levy approved by voters a year ago. SPL will of course close for Labor Day next Monday, but otherwise – the doors are open and the website’s in service.

Congratulations, West Seattle Totems! Season of big wins

“The West Seattle Totems have had an outstanding year,” declares the riflery club’s coach Joe Matter, sharing this wrapup and the team photo:

Led by two seniors, Lauren Phillips and Emma Carey, the Totems successfully defended last year’s Junior National Championship in Four Position Smallbore Rifle. And that was just the beginning…

Alec Patajo, one of the younger kids in the program, won 6 national championships in his age group (14 & under).

McKenna Dahl, who is a paralympic athlete, took the silver medal in the National Three Position Air Rifle Championship. She also qualified for the USA National Paralympic Team. She traveled to Britain for the International Paralympic World Cup Match in July where she finished 11th and 12th in two Air Rifle events. She is just back from Bangkok, Thailand, where she captured the Gold Medal in the Falling Targets, and 5th in offhand Air Rifle in the last World Cup Match of the season.

The West Seattle Totems’ team efforts were thunderous this season. The top team, the Thunderbirds, also finished 3rd in the American Legion National Air Rifle Championships, 2nd in the NRA’s Three Position Air Rifle Championships, 3rd in the Open Smallbore Four Position National Championship. The team also won five State Championships.

The Totems also competed in three National Qualifier matches this season in order to attend the Junior Olympic National Championships as well as the Civilian Marksmanship Program’s National Championships. The Totems were the only club in the nation to qualify two teams to go the those events.

In total, the Totems brought home more than 40 national awards, both team and individual, this season.

Lauren Phillips is off to Nebraska this fall, where she is on scholarship for the Huskers Rifle Team.

Congratulations, Totems!

SIDE NOTE: As we head into fall, just a reminder that we appreciate reports like this on local achievements (not just sports) – we try to keep informed on as much as possible, but there’s still so much we won’t know unless you share the news so that we in turn can share it with the West Seattle (and beyond!) community – editor@westseattleblog.com any time.

West Seattle Wednesday: Arbor Heights, Sanislo events; timebank orientation; more

August 28, 2013 10:57 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Wednesday: Arbor Heights, Sanislo events; timebank orientation; more
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Off Constellation Park this morning: Photo by WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand)
Sun’s out now, and if you weren’t up early, you’d never know it had been a gorgeously misty morning for a while. We procured photographic proof while out to check on a few things. Now, on with the rest of our late-August Wednesday … highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

DISCOVER SHOP ‘ANTIQUES, VINTAGE, COLLECTIBLES EVENT’: The volunteer-operated, American Cancer Society-benefiting shop in The Junction has a special sale on one-of-a-kind treasures starting today; open until 4:30 pm. (4535 California SW)

EARLY DAYS: Baby in the household? This weekly support group meets today and every Wednesday, noon-2 pm, in the classroom at Nurturing Expressions (WSB sponsor) in The Junction. (4746 44th SW)

ARBOR HEIGHTS KINDERGARTEN PLAYDATE: Incoming kindergarteners are invited to come meet future classmates at Arbor Heights Elementary, 3:30-5 pm today. (37th SW/SW 104th)

HIGH POINT MARKET GARDEN FARM STAND: 4-7 pm every Wednesday through early October – buy organic produce just steps away from where it was grown. Info in our calendar listing. (32nd/Juneau)

SUPERMARKET PICKETING: If you see people with picket signs at local supermarkets this afternoon/evening, it’s not a strike, but local unions warn a strike vote could be approaching, with no deal yet after six months of negotiations. Two local stores have been announced as among the sites for today’s picketing: the Safeway store at Roxbury/28th, starting at 4 pm, and the Westwood Village QFC, starting at 5 pm.

SANISLO KINDERGARTEN ORIENTATION & ALL-SCHOOL ICE CREAM SOCIAL: Two big events at Sanislo Elementary tonight – kindergarten orientation at 6 pm, all-school ice-cream social at 6:30, as previewed here. (1812 SW Myrtle)

WEST SEATTLE TIMEBANK ORIENTATION: Find out more about the new West Seattle Timebank tonight, by coming to an orientation meeting at the Senior Center of West Seattle. Potluck at 6:30, orientation at 7, details in our calendar listing. (Oregon/California)

POEMS AND STORIES AT C & P: The monthly poetry/storytelling showcase is 7-9 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) – details in the calendar listing. (5612 California SW)

First-ever local walkathon for Parkinson’s coming to Lincoln Park

Since our most-recent list of fundraising walk/runs coming up in West Seattle, we’ve found out about another one: The American Parkinson Disease Association is having its first-ever Walk For Optimism at Lincoln Park on Saturday, September 28th, with an 11 am start. As explained in the announcement:

Parkinson’s Disease is a neurological movement disorder that is both chronic and progressive, and we are still seeking a cure. Approximately 1.5 million Americans have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s to date. The APDA is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization. We are the largest grassroots network serving the Parkinson’s community, and the only organization that funds both research and patient support. Funds raised from the Optimism Walk will benefit Parkinson’s disease research, education, and patient support both here in Seattle and across the nation.

More information, and a link to sign up for the Walk for Optimism, can be found here.

TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Wet Wednesday

(Live view from the east-facing WS Bridge camera; other cameras are on the WSB Traffic page)
Rain was blamed for some of Tuesday morning’s traffic trouble – so give yourself some extra time this morning, since we’ve had more overnight. A lot more – about a quarter-inch in the official gauge at Sea-Tac. And some fog has drifted through, too.

Restaurant news: Meander’s Kitchen moving White Center locations

6:47 AM: Thanks to Jan for the tip: Meander’s Kitchen is moving again, ten months after relocating from West Seattle to White Center. Proprietor Miranda Krone announced overnight via Facebook that she’s moving to a smaller spot in WC, 9809 16th SW, which is less than two blocks south of where her restaurant is now. More than a month earlier, she had mentioned in another post that her restaurant was struggling because of her “rash decision” to move to a much-bigger space. Her new update says Meander’s will be “closed for the next couple of days” but should reopen in the new space Friday.

8:43 AM: Couldn’t quite place the address, so we went over to White Center to take a look, and have added a photo; the space was San Fernando Roasted Chicken until recently, one door down from the corner of 98th and 16th.

Summer’s last outdoor-music hurrah: Final Hiawatha concert Thursday

That’s Strong Suit, the band you’ll see onstage at Hiawatha Community Center – east lawn, or in the gym if it rains – Thursday night (August 29th) at 6:30. It’ll be the final show in this year’s Summer Concerts at Hiawatha series, presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association, with co-sponsors including WSB. The other outdoor-entertainment series have already wrapped for the year, so bring a blanket and/or chair, even a picnic dinner, and come bid summer farewell with Strong Suit’s guitar-pop sound. It’s been another summer of smash shows, with hundreds on the lawn each Thursday night; we’re likely to hear a series recap when ANA next meets, second Tuesday of the month – September 10th, 7 pm, on the lower level of Admiral Congregational Church (California/Hill).

Going to Sanislo Elementary? Two big events Wednesday night

August 27, 2013 7:37 pm
|    Comments Off on Going to Sanislo Elementary? Two big events Wednesday night
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Even with the uncertainty (see our previous story), preparations for the start of school continue – and for those going to Sanislo Elementary this year, we were asked to share this announcement for tomorrow evening:

Sanislo Kindergarten Orientation will be at 6:00 pm on Wednesday, August 28th ! It will be followed by an All-School Ice Cream Social at 6:30 pm, put on by our PTA! Class lists will be posted that evening.

Sanislo is one of a half-dozen West Seattle public schools starting the new year with a new principal; as announced in April, Bruce Rhodes succeeds Ernie Seevers, who retired after a career that wrapped up with four years leading Sanislo.

Seattle Public Schools parents warned that school might be delayed; union plans West Seattle picketing

5:16 PM: With one week until the scheduled start of classes, Seattle Public Schools is formally warning families that school might not start on time. The district has just started sending robocalls and e-mails telling families to have a backup plan just in case its lack of a contract with the Seattle Education Association delays the first day of school. As noted here last night, union members voted Monday to reject the newest offer and are not scheduled to meet again until next Tuesday.

ADDED 6:10 PM: SEA says it will have informational pickets this Thursday, 3-6 pm, at spots including Fauntleroy and 35th SW here in West Seattle. Meantime, read on for the full text of the e-mail sent to SPS families:

Read More

More portable classrooms on the move from Genesee Hill

Heads up – more portable classrooms are being moved, early tomorrow and early Thursday. From Tom Redman at Seattle Public Schools:

The last of our portable moves from Genesee Hill are scheduled as follows:

8/28/13 before 6 am- 1 single from Genesee Hill to Jane Addams

8/29/13 before 6 am- 1 single from Genesee Hill to Jane Addams

SPS and its contractors are following the SDOT requirement for these structures to be moved off-site in the early morning hours in order to comply with SDOT’s requirement to be off the road by SDOT’s 6am truck traffic restriction hour. This results in the entire to and from transport needing to be completed by 6 am.