West Seattle, Washington
29 Friday
Kitchen fires are the most common kind of fire in the U.S. – so do you know what to do in case of a fire in your kitchen? Take a few minutes and watch the demonstration we covered this morning at the Joint Training Facility on the southeast edge of West Seattle. That’s Seattle Fire Department Captain C.M. Yob. (For the abbreviated version, move the cursor ahead to 2 minutes in, when the flames appear.) Also on hand, Puget Sound Energy‘s Andy Wappler:
We photographed him showing off the elements of a disaster-preparedness starter kit that will be given away at Fred Meyer in Redondo (25250 Pacific Hwy S.) during an event on June 14th that’s part of the Safe in the Sound campaign involving PSE and the Red Cross, among others.
>(2:11 PM UPDATE: The owner has been found)
1:47 PM: If you have any idea whose dog this is – she has a tag reading “Lulu” – they need to know she’s at a local clinic, and that a lot of people worked hard to rescue her and are trying to find her people.
It started with Jennifer, who lives near the top of the hill at Highland Park Way and heard it happen around 1 am:
I looked out of my 3rd story window and saw the driver of an SUV (in the dark it looked like a silver Pathfinder or Infinity) get out and look under their vehicle. They said something to their passenger and got back in their car after a few seconds. They tried to drive off but whatever they hit was still blocking their way somewhat so they backed up a bit then went forward again. They paused slightly and then just drove down the big hill.
I could see through the branches of the tree between me and that part of the street something flopping and flailing about, it looked like a large dog. I then say a Border Collie run across Highland Park way from the west and it was obvious they were buddies. The Border Collie went to the other dog and stood there looking around as if for help. I decided to run down to help but by the time I got there all I saw was blood on the street. Almost starting to cry, I looked up the weird little street going Southeast, up kind of behind where I live and sure enough there was the big dog that had been hit, limping up the hill with the Border Collie encouraging its friend to get somewhere, probably home. I didn’t know what to do.
From there, the dogs both went to the side yard of a nearby house. Jennifer followed along and guessed it might be their home; the injured dog went into the back yard, while the border collie came back to her. She knocked on the door – no one came. She went back when it was light; the border collie turned up again, the other dog was still in the yard. She says, “(A young neighbor) saw the border collie wondering around and decided to take it for a walk. He was on Highland Park Way when a woman stopped her car, told the kid that was her dog and took off with it. She did not mention a second dog at all.” She found the owner of the house where the injured dog was still resting, and with the help of yet more neighbors, “we tried all sorts of things like calling vets, 911, friends, friends of friends, the animal shelter which was not taking calls until 9:15. Finally the kid, who happens to volunteer at the Burien shelter, called an officer there who out of the kindness of his heart came to put the dog on a stretcher, load the dog into his vehicle and transport the dog to Lien Animal Clinic. Incredible dedication!”
2:11 PM UPDATE: Nancy, another neighbor who was helping, says Lulu’s owner has been found.
One lane is blocked each way on 35th SW in the High Point area because of a crash – thanks to the person who texted to let us know. Police at the scene tell us no one was hurt, but it’s slow going in the area so avoid it there for a while if you can. In all, police confirm three cars were involved.
Also from today’s city Land Use Information Bulletin – another big proposal that is now ready for review and comments: The city’s draft Environmental Impact Statement for the plan to reduce combined-sewer overflows (aka “The Plan to Protect Seattle’s Waterways”). Here’s the formal notice. This is similar to, but NOT part of, the county CSO-reduction plan that has led to two major projects in our area (storage tank at Lowman Beach and roadside raingardens in Sunrise Heights and Westwood). The city is accountable for different areas, including, in West Seattle, Longfellow Creek and the Duwamish River, and is exploring alternatives including the possibility of more underground storage in the Delridge area. Lots of documents related to this – for the shortest version, the executive summary, go here. You’ll find an overview, and how to comment, by going here – June 30th is the commenting deadline, and there’s one public hearing planned (June 24th in North Seattle, details at that same link).
Just before noon, the low tide will be out to -1.9 feet – great for beach exploration. As we’ve been noting for the past few days, the Seattle Aquarium‘s volunteer beach naturalists are back on duty.
Part of the corps, John Smersh (who you might know from longtime WSB sponsor Click! Design That Fits in The Junction), shared the photos from Constellation Park south of Alki Point. The naturalists are there and on the Lincoln Park beach by Colman Pool until 1 pm today; here’s their schedule for the rest of the week, and on into summer. In just two weeks, you’ll see some even lower tides, bottoming out at -3.3 feet on June 14th, lowest it’ll get this summer.
Very busy Land Use Information Bulletin from the city today; we’re working on several stories, but for starters – it’s officially comment time for proposed multi-family zoning changes dubbed the “low-rise code corrections.” They’re meant to be a response to neighborhood concerns that zoning changes back in 2010 enabled multi-family projects that were out of scale with some neighborhoods. The notice summarizes the key parts of the proposal (which you can see in full here):
Specific proposed development standard changes are:
*Eliminate a height allowance of up to an additional four feet above the base height limit for apartment housing type developments that include a partially below grade story.
*Eliminate a floor area exemption from the floor area ratio (FAR) calculation for the portion of buildings in a partially below grade story for apartment type developments.
*Add a new height control to limit the maximum street-facing façade height for development on sloping sites to 44 feet in a 40 foot maximum height Lowrise zone, and 34 feet in a 30 foot maximum height Lowrise zone.
*Place a 30 percent coverage limit on how much of a rooftop may be covered by clerestory architectural features.
*Require the area of unenclosed exterior stairs, hallways and breezeways to be included as chargeable floor area in FAR calculations.
*Include the floor area of loft spaces that are less than full ceiling heights in the FAR calculation.
*Add a side setback requirement for rowhouse developments that are next to other types of housing.
*Change the rounding up threshold for the density limits in Lowrise zones from 0.5 to 0.85.
*Add a density limit of one dwelling unit per 1,600 square feet of lot area for rowhouse development on small lots in the Lowrise 1 zone.
Not sure if there’s lowrise zoning near you? The city’s zoning maps are here. Today’s notice, meantime, includes a “determination of nonsignificance” – meaning the city doesn’t think these changes will have environmental (noise, traffic, etc.) ramifications; the comment period runs through June 12th – scroll to the bottom of the notice to see how to comment. The proposal requires City Council approval, and would not affect any projects currently in the pipeline.
Just announced: Free shredding and e-cycling this Saturday in The Junction, 10 am-1 pm May 31st, presented by the West Seattle Junction Association and Windermere West Seattle. It’ll be in the parking lot in the 4500 block of 42nd SW (between Oregon and Alaska). The e-cycling provider’s website lists what they’ll accept.
P.S. If you can’t get to this Saturday’s event but have documents to dispose of, free shredding will be offered a week later, 9 am-1 pm June 7th, at PBJ Textiles‘ new location in White Center – details here.
This year’s Seattle Works Day – volunteer work parties around the city – is set for June 7th, and open to participation by anyone who’s interested. After getting the announcement, we asked about specific West Seattle locations – here are three:
*Brandon Street Natural Area (SW Brandon/29th SW): Join Gorilla FC (described by SW as “the Sounders’ civically minded fan base”) in maintenance of newly planted areas.
*Westcrest Park (9000 8th SW): Forest restoration led by AmeriCorps.
*The Kenney (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW): Assisting the nonprofit retirement center’s gardener in garden weeding and mulching, plus stairwell sweeping
There’s a $30 registration fee to support Seattle Works, and it gets you into two after-parties 3:30-7:30 pm – details and signups here.
(WS Bridge and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
6:25 AM: The road/trail/etc. watch is on for Thursday!
6:48 AM: The big problem right now is on southbound I-5 south of I-90, so if you are headed this way from points north, we should mention it. An old expansion joint has popped up and is forcing the closure of three lanes. WSDOT is tweeting updates here, such as:
The maintenance truck pushed the expansion joint back down. pic.twitter.com/qSddDo2LOq
— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) May 29, 2014
6:53 AM: WSDOT estimates repairs to take another half-hour or so. Again, that’s on the southbound side, but just FYI.
9:07 AM: Those lanes haven’t reopened yet, by the way. And other southbound routes like 99 are reported to be jammed.
11:17 AM: Open now! Adding photos here from West Seattle photographer/pilot Long B. Nguyen, from before repairs were completed – above, the traffic jam; below, the work zone:
By the way, more expansion-joint work – scheduled, this time! – is in the works for I-5, the first weekend in June. It’s part of the story we published last night about upcoming highway projects.
11:35 AM: By the way, Vice President Joe Biden is in town, in case you bump into a motorcade. Private fundraiser:
Saw @VP #Veep #motorcade on 1st Ave S. #seattle http://t.co/ACUZeLgtx9 pic.twitter.com/rMJzRedN8Q
— M Kanoli (@MKanoli) May 29, 2014
His wife Dr. Jill Biden is also in Seattle, at a business-related event at Seattle Center, along with former West Seattleite, now Interior Secretary Sally Jewell.
The state has just laid out its plan for major summertime road work, and that includes Highway 99 just north of West Seattle. First, a busy weekend of regional work will include a shutdown of southbound 99 between Denny Way and the WS Bridge, 10 pm Friday, June 6, until (no later than) 5 am Monday, June 9. This, WSDOT says, is “to shift southbound traffic onto a new route through the State Route 99 tunnel project site.” That same weekend, two lanes of northbound I-5 will be closed just north of the WS Bridge for more expansion-joint work, and the 520 Bridge across Lake Washington will be closed, so that first weekend of June might be a great time to just not try to leave the peninsula.
WSDOT also has announced Highway 99 work that will include nighttime closures in the late summer:
This project will replace 81 concrete panels on the aged stretch of Highway 99 in the area shown above, between the West Seattle Bridge and the remaining elevated Alaskan Way Viaduct. From the project webpage:
In summer 2014, contractor crews will repair 81 concrete panels in both directions of State Route 99, between South Spokane and South Holgate streets in Seattleâs SODO neighborhood. Crews also will grind down 198,000 square feet, approximately three and a half football fields, of wheel ruts. This project is similar to concrete grinding and replacement work we have done on I-5 in Kent, Seattle near the Ship Canal Bridge, and I-405 near Bellevue.
What can drivers expect?
âą Weekend and weeknight lane closures in both directions of SR 99 between South Spokane and South Holgate streets
Right now, that work is not expected to start until August. Watch our weekday traffic coverage for reminders about upcoming projects as well as day-to-day updates.
(WSB photos/video by Patrick Sand)
Not much advance notice for Camper Van Beethoven‘s live in-store performance tonight at Easy Street Records, but a full house of fans turned out for the California alt-rockers, who started making music in the ’80s, including their biggest hit, their cover of “Pictures of Matchstick Men,” which we recorded them playing tonight:
Lead singer David Lowery said this was their first performance in Seattle since the mid-’80s (added: but, as pointed out in comments, they were in town far more recently). Drummer (corrected) Chris Pedersen sat on the floor and played the bucket:
They were here to promote their new album “El Camino Real,” officially out next Tuesday (Easy Street is taking pre-orders).
For the sixth year in a row, Lucas Engles-Klann of West Seattle is celebrating his birthday by raising money for animals … and he’s all of 8 years old. You’re invited to the party, this Sunday at Woodland Park Zoo – his mom Jen Engles-Klann shared the announcement:
The 6th annual Auction for Animals will be taking place on Sunday, June 1st at Woodland Park Zoo from 1 pm to 3 pm.
Auction for Animals was started by Lucas Engles-Klann in 2008 amidst plans for his 3rd birthday party. When asked how he wanted to celebrate, his reply was âI want to save all the animals,â and his annual fundraiser was born. The event has taken many different forms over the years, including benefit dinners, raffles, and auctions, and has raised over $15,000 to support the Woodland Park Zoo, the National Audubon Society, and Point Defiance Zoo. Money raised this year will go toward preservation of Woodland Park Zooâs gorillas, snow leopards, and jaguars.âš
Special features at this yearâs event will include a bake sale, games, a live auction (hosted by Lucas) for kids, and a silent auction for the grown-ups. Items up for grabs this year include unique pieces from local artists and amazing wines.
âšNow eight years old, Lucasâ passion for animal preservation has grown with him, and he now assumes much of the responsibility for planning and overseeing every aspect of the event. His excitement has not gone unnoticed – more than 150 people attended last yearâs event and raised more than $3,200.
This yearsâ Auction for Animals event is free and open to the public (zoo admission is not required, but may be purchased separately) and will be held in the Education Center at the South (Hippo) Gate, 750 N 50th Street.
(In the photo, that’s Lucas presenting a check for last year’s proceeds to WPZ’s Sarah Valentine.)
Three West Seattle Crime Watch reader reports today. From Trissa, a theft at Camp Long:
We were at Camp Long with students & had locked a purse in the kitchen during the day. It looks like it didn’t get locked after lunch & someone snagged it and a Nike jacket between 12:30 and 2:45. We’re filing a police report and looked through the bushes and along the road leaving camp. If anyone comes across a silver coach bag, please let us know!
At Schmitz Park, someone is vandalizing a tree, says the Seattle Nature Alliance:
Last week, someone had apparently cut and peeled bark from this old-growth native Western Red Cedar in Schmitz Park, leaving a bright red scar.
A few days later, more bark had been peeled from the same cut. Removing bark can harm trees and is not allowed in Seattle Parks. Trees like this cedar are among the few remaining old-growth trees we have left in Seattle. They have stood for hundreds of years. They were protected for us, and we are protecting them for future generations.
From South Delridge, Mike spotted possible evidence of package theft – an empty parcel box, with packing material nearby, left on “the curb along the south side of Barton, where the stub of 17th off Delridge used to be.” He reported it to a Seattle Police officer he found nearby, so if you’re in that area and missing a package, be sure you report it so they can connect the dots.
Just announced – plans for a new celebration of Juneteenth – “the second Independence Day” – in West Seattle, set for June 22nd. Here’s the announcement (starting with some history), from High Point resident Liz Davis, shared by community builder Shukri Olow:
Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States. Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19th that the Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free.’
This summer will not pass without two opportunities to celebrate freedom, June 19th and July 4th. Do you remember your first Fourth of July? The first time you drove a car? What about your first kiss? Did you have trepidation and enjoyment at the same time? Were there Internal and external fireworks? Celebration and excitement? The exploration of something new yet unknown can bring many different, sometimes conflicting feelings.
That’s what I think the enslaved Africans in Galveston were feeling summer of 1865 when they received the announcement from the Union Major-General Gordon Granger, “The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor…” This announcement was two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed into law. Over the years the celebrations and realization of freedom have grown.
Are you ready to celebrate this summer? You may have mixed emotions about this celebration. You may not have heard of this day of independence. No matter how you feel about Juneteenth, The Juneteenth Committee invites you to celebrate FREEDOM. Volunteers of The African American community at High Point are working with community partners including Seattle Housing Authority Community Builder to bring entertainment, spoken word, and food from the rich and uniquely West African and American culture known by many different descriptions; Black American, Soul/Soul Food or African American, to name a few. Children and adults will have lots to taste, touch and eat at this inaugural High Point Juneteenth Celebration. Sunday, June 22, 2014 2-6 pm at The Neighborhood House High Point Center, 6400 Sylvan Way SW!
3:09 PM: A big Seattle Fire response has rushed to a house in the 2200 block of 46th SW (map). Details to come.
3:19 PM: We’re still en route, but the call has closed, which explains the lack of scanner discussion.
3:36 PM: SFD spokesperson Kyle Moore says the call turned out to be somebody burning leaves.
Efficient, agile, smart, Seattleâs steel mill keeps the fires burning. (@MikeSiegel7) Pics: http://t.co/6L93UK4MfG pic.twitter.com/gCV7b1zNVC
— Seattle Times Photo (@SeaTimesPhoto) May 27, 2014
Thanks to Amy for the tip about a rare photographic look inside West Seattle’s Nucor Steel plant – we say “rare” because they’ve had a “no photo” policy in the past, but either they’ve made an exception or it’s changed, because the photo gallery published on SeattleTimes.com this week is definitely a closeup look inside. The photo in the tweet above is just one of the images; go here to see the others. They were published with a feature story about the steel mill that appeared in the Times’ Sunday magazine Pacific Northwest (here’s the online version).
This summer marks the fourth year that Luna Park businesses will throw a Block Party – it’ll be on July 10th. That date also will be part of a new monthly event debuting this weekend: The Luna Park Street Market. On four Sundays – June 1st, July 10th, August 17th, and September 14th – the lot outside Ola (2942 SW Avalon Way) will “provide a fashion, accessory, music, shopping mecca,” according to the announcement. While you’re out and about this Sunday, you’re invited to stop by between noon and 3 pm.
Summertime is ice-cream-truck time. West Seattle residents Chelsea and Chris are hoping to hit the road this summer with what they say will be Seattle’s first 100 percent vegan ice-cream truck, specializing in vegan ice-cream sandwiches – if their crowdfunding campaign works out.
They’re calling their mobile enterprise the Cookie Counter, and it’s actually not a truck – it’s this blue 1974 VW Van:
The Sunrise Heights-area residents have taken to Kickstarter to look for funding, where they explain: “All of our ice creams are coconut based and we offer a variety of gluten-free options, meaning we automatically cater to dairy & egg allergies, along with wheat & gluten.” Flavor combinations in the works include Earl Grey with Lemon Zest, Orange Cardamom with Coconut Chocolate Chunk, Gluten Free White Chocolate with Mint, Green Tea with Raspberry, Gluten Free Coconut Lime with Mango. “Unlike other trucks offering vegan ice cream, we will have more than one or two options,” says Chelsea, adding that her background includes work as a personal vegan chef and as a waitperson/barista at Easy Street CafĂ© – plus volunteer work with kids: “I am passionate about kids and hope to get the truck involved in community events once we’re up and running!” Chris is a UW student, veteran (Marines), and dad (his 12-year-old son Mally is in the Kickstarter video). Their campaign has two and a half weeks to go.
(Tuesday night’s sunset, by Lynn Hall; did you see last night’s cloud formations?)
Six possibilities for the day/night ahead:
LOW TIDE, WITH BEACH NATURALISTS: Low tide is at 11:22 am today, this time down to -1.8, and you have another chance to explore with the advice of Seattle Aquarium volunteer beach naturalists. Look for them (there should be signs) south of Alki Point and on the beach at Lincoln Park near Colman Pool, now until 1 pm. (See our calendar listing for other upcoming dates – tomorrow’s low tide will be even further out.
WEST SEATTLE TIMEBANK: It’s your next chance to get involved with the West Seattle Timebank – 6:30 pm potluck, 7 pm orientation for new members (concurrent with a membership meeting), details in our calendar listing. At the Senior Center of West Seattle. (California/Oregon)
HIGHLAND PARK ACTION COMMITTEE’S LAST MEETING BEFORE FALL: After tonight, HPAC is on meeting hiatus until fall, so come to HPIC tonight to find out what’s happening in HP. As announced:
Our agenda includes representatives from King Countyâs Wastewater Treatment Division to update us on the potential *roadside rain garden project in Highland Park* that we talked about in the fall. They spent the winter doing geotechnical testing and want to let neighbors know what they found out, and implications for a potential project.We will also be hearing from a friend and neighbor involved in Highland Park Elementaryâs PTA with an exciting collaboration opportunity.
Potluck at 6:30, meeting at 7. (12th/Holden)
POETRY AND STORYTELLING: Listen, participate, or do both at the monthly night for poems/stories/open mike at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7 pm. (5612 California SW)
CAMPER VAN BEETHOVEN, LIVE: Easy Street Records will rock at 7:30 pm tonight with a live in-store by longtime faves Camper Van Beethoven, who will stick around for signing afterward. (California/Alaska)
‘LONG AS I CAN GROW IT …’ Seen the acclaimed production of “Hair” at ArtsWest (WSB sponsor) yet? Next immersion in the Summer of Love is at 7:30 pm; info here. (4711 California SW)
MORE … on our calendar!
(WS Bridge and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Good morning! Slow going this morning, though no specific situation is blamed.
SPEED-CAMERA INSTALLATION: If you missed the story on Tuesday – the two school-zone speed cameras announced almost a year ago for Roxbury are being installed starting today. However, the city says they won’t be activated until fall.
8:45 AM: Via scanner, there’s word of a crash in the outside eastbound lane “midspan” on the high bridge.
9:07 AM: We just checked Roxbury for any sign of the camera-installation crews that the city said would be starting work today. Not seeing anyone yet.
You have to start thinking about college even before you get to high school. Denny International Middle School scholars learned that lesson during a special week of activities, as principal Jeff Clark reports:
Last week, at Denny International Middle School, our scholars enjoyed a week-long focus on preparing for future success in college. As a part of this theme and celebration, college-focused lessons were taught daily; special activities, including a college fair, were held during lunchtime; and, on Friday, all three grade-levels went off to college on an exciting field trip!
Plans for the week included:
· Monday, 5/19: Intro to College lesson taught in Language Arts
· Tuesday, 5/20: Whatâs important in High School lesson taught in Social Studies
· Wednesday, 5/21: Major and Career Awareness lesson, including presentations from City Year, taught in Science
· Thursday, 5/22: Financing College lesson taught in Math
· Friday, 5/23: Whole-school Field Trip Day!
o 6th grade: All scholars went to Seattle Central Community College
o 7th Grade: œ went to South Seattle Community College and œ went to Highline Community College
o 8th Grade: All scholars went to the University of Washington (top photo)On our field trips, our scholars enjoyed College tours, attended classes, and experienced an afternoon on campus!
Thank you so much to our College Week Planning Team: Roxana Amaral, Meva Beganovic, Lisie Monahan, Francis Sutton, Becca Gross, and Patricia Rangel! Go Dolphins!
Thank you to everyone who shared photos from this evening’s spectacle to the west – above, from Owen Reese; below, from Leslie Dierauf:
Views via Twitter, too:
@westseattleblog wow, shot of alki from pioneer square…! pic.twitter.com/d0Y9D6KtwD
— Darren (@heydtrain) May 28, 2014
Seriously, looks like Bob Ross has been painting #WestSeattle from heaven. Home sweet, home. @westseattleblog pic.twitter.com/lRURi7mco1
— Zithri Ahmed Saleem (@ZithriSaleem) May 28, 2014
Tomorrow’s forecast looks a little unsettled, too.
At left, that’s Raindrops the cat. She is the inspiration for a benefit show at Skylark CafĂ© and Club this Friday night – the return of the West Side Glory variety show, which in turn was an evening spinoff from Seattle’s original drag brunch. West Seattleite Jeffrey Robert is hosting and producing, and proceeds benefit West Seattle’s Kitty Harbor cat/kitten shelter, which saved Raindrops after Jeffrey rescued her from a local road. So here’s how the story goes:
Back in December, Raindrops made an appearance on the WSB Lost/Found Pets Page, described as having been found on the bridge, though that wasn’t quite right, it turns out – Jeffrey says she was on the top of the overpass bridge connecting the West Seattle Bridge and Highway 99.
She was badly hurt, too – including a broken leg. Jeffrey (photo at right) says she didn’t look like she was going to survive. He contacted Kitty Harbor, who arranged for surgery, and eventually she found a forever home. He plans to tell the entire story during West Side Glory on Friday night. They still don’t know how Raindrops ended up on that busy road – whether she was dumped, or maybe fell from a car she climbed into. But there she was.
Even if you’re not interested in a tale about a kitty – you might want to see the all-star lineup taking the stage starting at 9 pm Friday, including West Seattle’s rising-star comic Mona Concepcion and local burlesque performer Sibyl Darling. Along with the aforementioned performers, the lineup includes David Johnson, Emmett Montgomery, Beka Barry, Olivia LaGarce, Cherry Tart, Cherry Sur BĂȘte, Honey Bucket, Abbey Drake, Deb Seymour, Peggy Platt, Sylvia O’Stayformore, Bella Luna & Michelle Pannell, SuperNova-Majesty, Matt Clear, “and more TBA” – plus a prize raffle.
It’s 21+ – Jeffrey allows, “We get a little bit naughty” – suggested donation $15. If you need a reminder, here’s the Facebook event page. Skylark is at 3803 Delridge Way SW.
| 1 COMMENT