month : 09/2014 306 results

West Seattle traffic alert: Crash on eastbound bridge

September 8, 2014 9:57 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Added: WSB photo by Christopher Boffoli)
9:57 PM: A crash on the eastbound bridge parallel with Admiral has police blocking the Fauntleroy/35th entrance – if you head that way, you’ll be diverted to the Avalon entrance down the hill instead.

10:08 PM: The entrance has reopened, per scanner-monitored discussion.

10:41 PM: While the wreckage is cleared, the westbound bridge is now temporarily closed at the scene (parallel to Nucor, we’ve since learned), following a brief eastbound closure.

West Seattle Car Show countdown: Sunday’s looking sunny

September 8, 2014 9:31 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news

Got a set of wheels (two or four, maybe even five) that’s your pride and joy? Are you signed up for Sunday’s seventh annual West Seattle Car Show yet? In our previous preview, we invited prospective participants to share photos – editor@westseattleblog.com – and this is the first one in – Abby shared the photo of her husband’s 1973 Jeep CJ-5. The weather is still looking great for Sunday, when show entries will line the temporarily-closed-to-traffic streets in the heart of The Junction, 10 am-4 pm. Come down, have breakfast/brunch/lunch/coffee, shop, admire the cars (and trucks, and motorcycles, all models/years welcome). And/or be part of it – here’s where to sign up online right now – check out the cool locally designed/made trophies. See you in The Junction on Sunday!

‘Dog Days of Summer’ ahead at Arbor Heights Swim & Tennis Club pool

September 8, 2014 8:06 pm

| 5 COMMENTS

| Pets | West Seattle news

(Photo courtesy Cori Roed)
Again this year, AFTER Arbor Heights Swim and Tennis Club closes its pool for the season, before it’s cleaned, dogs are invited to go swimming! The pool at 11003 31st Avenue SW plans five sessions:

Tuesday, Sept. 16th 5-7 pm
Wednesday, Sept. 17th 5-7 pm
Thursday, Sept. 18th 5-7pm
Friday, Sept. 19th 5-7 pm
Saturday, Sept. 20th 10 am-1 pm

No people, just dogs (again, this is AFTER the human swims end for the season) but dog owners must stay at the club while their pets are in the pool. $10/donation per dog or $25/pass for the full five-day run. Complete details are on the official flyer.

Tale of two corners: Updates from California/Charlestown

September 8, 2014 4:15 pm

| 28 COMMENTS

| Development | West Seattle news

Two notes from California/Charlestown – the northeast and southeast corners, to be specific:

EX-DENTAL BUILDING FOR LEASE: On the northeast corner, the former Implant Dentistry of Washington building is for lease. Dr. R. Michael Keenan has retired “after 37 years in West Seattle,” according to a note on the door. (Thanks to Debbie for the tip!)

APPLICATION IN FOR RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT AT EX-CAFE SITE: On the southeast corner, Intracorp has officially applied for its master-use permit for 3824 California SW, according to today’s Land Use Information Bulletin. The company plans to build 28 residential and live-work units on the site of the former Charlestown Café, which closed three years ago.

(Rendering from Design Review meeting in July)
It passed the first phase of Design Review on its third try two months ago but still has at least one more meeting to go; the city has not yet set a date. The official notice of the permit application includes a link you can use for comments.

West Seattle Crime Watch: Another ‘flasher’ incident

September 8, 2014 1:12 pm

| 36 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Police are investigating a new report of a man exposing himself outside a local school. This one was reported within the past hour near Holy Rosary School; police arrived quickly and were told that a child said a man described only as white, heavyset, and in his 30s “exposed himself to kids on the playground behind the school.” He was said to have been leaning against a vehicle described as a silver minivan. No suspects found yet, according to our followup conversation with SPD spokesperson Det. Drew Fowler. Holy Rosary already has sent an alert to parents; three have forwarded it to us (thank you):

Students reported that a man was seen in a parked silver vehicle (maybe a van). He stepped out and did not have any clothing on the bottom part of his body. He was not on our property. He was near the sidewalk by the big toy—— outside the fence. The police were immediately notified. Three squad cars and three other officers were here within six minutes of the report. Staff have circled the area a number of times. Staff will be out at the end of school, patrolling the area.

We did ask police, and so far they don’t have any further descriptive details such as hair or clothing color/style.

(Side note: No one’s ever been arrested in the two incidents there last September.)

West Seattle Crime Watch update: Stolen car, needed for volunteer work, found!

September 8, 2014 11:52 am

| 6 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

ORIGINAL MONDAY REPORT: Another stolen car to watch for – this report arrived this morning from Patricia:

I would like to report that my car, a red Subaru station wagon plate number ARD 1430, was stolen sometime early Friday morning, September 5th. If anyone sees it, please call Seattle Police with incident number 14-296238. I was told that Subaru steals have been on the rise lately. I hope to find my car as I do a lot of volunteer work that requires me to haul things around. Police said it will probably be abandoned somewhere in West Seattle the next two weeks. It is red, with racing rims on it and might still have a cross hanging from the mirror. Thanks, West Seattle Blog, I have often seen cars returned through the good hearts and eagle eyes of the people who read this.

Indeed, thanks to everyone who keeps an eye out – one of the recent “reunions,” for example, was a car mentioned here and spotted by a reader in an odd spot in a large parking lot. Patricia’s car was taken from the 7900 block of 17th SW (map).

TUESDAY MORNING UPDATE: Found!

My red Subaru that was stolen and reported on the blog yesterday was found. An hour and 1/2 after it was reported on the blog it was dropped off at a business in White Center. We tracked the time their truck vacated the spot and when they returned and the car was there. Could they have seen it on the blog? I like to think so; you and the people of West Seattle are making a difference in the amount of cars being returned.

West Seattle schools: Arbor Heights Elementary teardown revs up

September 8, 2014 10:08 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| Arbor Heights | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

While demolition crews did a bit of work at the old Arbor Heights Elementary School site on the Friday before Labor Day, they didn’t start tearing down its buildings in earnest until this morning, starting on the south side of the campus. (Thanks to Elise and Joe for the tips.)

Arbor Heights students and staff are spending this year and next at the Boren Building, shared with K-5 STEM, while the new school is built. Renderings were shown at a community meeting in June, including these:

That same meeting (WSB coverage here) included the project’s two-part timeline; this site work is expected to continue through November, and then a stopdown is planned until the Phase 2 bid is awarded, with the rest of the work to begin in spring.

West Seattle Monday: Hi-Yu; North Delridge NC; Denny PTA; more

September 8, 2014 9:04 am

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| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Young Steller’s Jay, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
Happy Monday! Here are highlights for today/tonight from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

ALZHEIMER’S CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP: Twice-monthly Alzheimer’s Association-organized support group meets today, 1:30 pm, at Providence Mount St. Vincent. No charge to participate. Details in our calendar listing. (4831 35th SW)

MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL AT THE FEEDBACK: On the big screen at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), you’ll find Monday Night Football tonight. (6451 California SW)

MONSTER DASH TRAINING RUNS: Not a runner? No problem! These programs will get you ready for next month’s third annual West Seattle Monster Dash. First one starts 6:30 tonight at Lincoln Park – details in our calendar listing. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)

NORTH DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL: 6:30 pm, back to the regular location, Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. Agenda includes discussion of North Delridge Policing Plan. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

EVENING BOOK GROUP AT WEST SEATTLE LIBRARY: The branch in Admiral hosts this month’s Evening Book Group, reading “The Bonesetter’s Daughter” by Amy Tan, 6:45 pm. (2306 42nd SW)

WEST SEATTLE HI-YU MEETING: 7 pm at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church, with the agenda including:

*Election of the 2014-15 board members

*Plans for the upcoming year, including recruitment for the Junior Court

What to bring:
*a pen because we might have a ballot election
*your checkbook, so you can sign up for your 2014-15 membership
*a great attitude and your clever ideas for the new year.

If you love parades, people, community service and fun, come join and share your ideas. All are welcome – be part of long tradition in West Seattle.

(California/Hanford)

DENNY INTERNATIONAL MIDDLE SCHOOL PTA: 7 pm, first general meeting of the year at Denny International Middle School. (2601 SW Kenyon)

NIGHTLIFE: Trivia and karaoke at multiple venues – go directly to our calendar!

TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Monday updates & notes

September 8, 2014 6:12 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(WS bridge and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
It’s the first full week of school, and traffic patterns are still getting settled, so keep that in mind this morning and beyond. Otherwise, a few notes for starters:

*Lane closures on Highway 99 the next four nights (plus a West Seattle Bridge ramp closure Thursday night)

*Utility work on I-5 south of the West Seattle Bridge again late tonight/early tomorrow

*West Seattle Car Show next Sunday in The Junction (closing California between Edmunds and Oregon to traffic, opening it to pedestrians and show participants – here’s our newest preview)

10:37 AM UPDATE: City Light has canceled the aforementioned utility work, after completing its project ahead of time, so no south-of-here I-5 closures tonight after all.

West Seattle YMCA announces expansion plan for Triangle HQ

September 7, 2014 7:42 pm

| 54 COMMENTS

| Health | Triangle | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Starting with an all-staff meeting tonight, the West Seattle YMCA is pulling the wraps off plans for a major expansion project at its headquarters in The Triangle.

The Y (a WSB sponsor) will be officially filing for permits with the city this week, but has been quietly fundraising for a while. Its Board of Managers has a goal of raising half the cost of the $11 million project, with the Greater Seattle Y board raising money for the other half.

“We’re excited!” exclaimed regional executive Josh Sutton, during our conversation about the plan.

September 7, 2014 7:20 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle parks | West Seattle people

Another Morgan Junction-area public space is in better shape tonight because of hard work by community volunteers. Thanks to Barry for the photos and report:

A delegation from Peace Lutheran Church again joined Friends of Morgan Junction Parks on a neighborhood cleanup effort. The two groups put in a solid shift on a beautiful Sunday afternoon at the SDOT property on the corner of Fauntleroy and Juneau, where restoration work was begun last fall. The two groups have also been restoring the triangle property next to the Thriftway in Morgan Junction.

Tall, thick weeds had taken over the parking strip at the Juneau site. These were removed, in addition to a lot of dead wood on trees and plants in the interior. We’ll return later in the fall to add some new plants to the parking strip area.

You can connect with Friends of Morgan Junction Parks via its Facebook page.

Traffic alert for tonight, tomorrow night on I-5 south of West Seattle

September 7, 2014 5:38 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

If you expect to be using I-5 south of West Seattle in the late-night/early-morning hours tonight and/or tomorrow – heads-up about some Seattle City Light work that will bring lane/ramp closures:

City Light is working to increase the electrical capacity and reliability to the Duwamish Valley with the H-Frame Replacement and Feeder Installation Project. This project will impact traffic on I-5 with intermittent ramp closures, lane closures, rolling slowdowns and traffic detours and surface street closures between the West Seattle Bridge and S 188th St as workers remove transmission cable currently spanning across the highway.

September 7, 2014 5:07 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

That’s Athena and her UW Huskies fan banner. Brand new … and, now, stolen from her yard in the 5900 block of Beach Drive SW (map). “If anyone sees it, I would appreciate getting it back. … It’s about 8.5 ft tall and slender, looks exactly like this, still brand new.” Let police know if you have an idea about what happened to it.

Will you come home from next Sunday’s West Seattle Car Show with one of these?

September 7, 2014 1:56 pm

| 8 COMMENTS

| Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news

One week until the seventh annual West Seattle Car Show – an “open-class” show for the first time – and we have a sneak peek at some of the trophies! Local artist Mindi Katzman (below left) designed them, Brian Walker (below right) fabricated them, and Mindi shared a few photos:

The show will again be in the heart of The Junction, 10 am-4 pm on September 14th, with California SW closed to traffic between Oregon and Edmunds. Organizers had almost 100 cars signed up when we checked a few days ago, and there’s room for more – any year of car, truck, or motorcycle – ten trophies are up for grabs!

You can sign up online right now – if you don’t make your decision until the last minute, there will probably be room if you show up first thing next Sunday morning, but why risk it? Register in advance . If you’re planning to be a spectator, admission is free as always, thanks to the support of community businesses/organizations, including presenters West Seattle Autoworks and Swedish Automotive (both WSB sponsors) and sponsors (including WSB, proud to have been part of this every year since its launch in 2008). See you in The Junction next Sunday!

P.S. Are YOU participating in the show? If so, consider sending us a pic of your entry so we can include it in one of our previews in the days ahead – editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!

‘Future of Aerospace’: Career expo for high-school students next Friday in West Seattle

September 7, 2014 10:39 am

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| Delridge | West Seattle news

Never too soon for high-school students to look ahead to what happens after their diplomas are in hand. Here’s one way: The “Future of Aerospace” career expo next Friday (September 12th) afternoon at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. From the announcement:

During FOA, students will able to learn about the following careers:

* Pilot – Commercial and Private
* Flight Attendant
* Flight Instructor
* Aircraft Design
* Aircraft Mechanic
* Aircraft Manufacturing
* Air Force Reserve Pilot
* Air Force Reserve Careers
* Aviation Business Management

Here’s the full announcement (PDF) explaining who’s involved, why, and what teens can learn with a visit to the expo, 3-5 pm Friday at Youngstown (4408 Delridge Way SW).

West Seattle Sunday: Seven ways to spend part of your day

September 7, 2014 9:29 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Red-tailed hawk, photographed by Robert Spears, shared via the WSB Facebook page)
Sunday in the sunshine! Here are some of the possibilities on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

BENEFIT CAR WASH: Highline Premier FC high school girls’ soccer teams are continuing their fundraising car wash from 10 am to 2 pm at Westwood 7-11, raising money to travel to a showcase in Las Vegas next February at which they can be seen by college coaches and recruiters. (35th/Barton)

FESTIVALS! Holy Family in White Center has a street fair continuing today 9 am-4 pm (20th/Roxbury); the San Gennaro Festival (presented by a West Seattle family in Georgetown) is in its final day, 10 am-6 pm. (S. Angelo St.)

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Though it’s September, summer vegetables and fruit are still available in abundance. 10 am-2 pm. (44th/Alaska)

GRAND OPENING: Emerald Water Anglers‘ new shop in The Junction – noted here back in June – has its “grand opening” celebration under way, with today’s events starting at 11 am; they’re featuring presentations and raffles – here’s the schedule. (Oregon/42nd)

COLMAN POOL’S FINAL 2014 DAY: Today’s the last day this year for swimming at West Seattle’s only city-owned outdoor pool. Swimming starts at noon – find the schedule here. (On the shore at Lincoln Park)

‘COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE – ABRIDGED’: Final performance of this student production, a senior project and nonprofit fundraiser, 2:30 pm in the Seattle Lutheran High School gym, details in our calendar listing. (41st/Genesee)

AFTERNOON MUSIC: Greg Spence Wolf and Steve Norris perform live at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 3-5 pm. (5612 California SW)

EVEN MORE HAPPENING … for today, tonight, beyond; see it on our calendar!

High-school football: West Seattle High School’s season-opener in Alaska

September 7, 2014 8:17 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

The first game of the season is in the books for the West Seattle High School varsity-football team and coach Tom Burggraff – played 900 miles away, against Juneau-Douglas High School. JuneauEmpire.com reports this was the third game of the season for the Crimson Bears, who won last night’s game, 24-8. Thanks to Deni Mensing for sending the link, which includes game stats – including two receptions for her son Carter Mensing, the TD scored by Fynniecko Glover, 7 receptions and 6 tackles for Carter Golgart, 7 tackles for Bailey Wyatt, and 98 yards of passing for Robert Harrelson – and four photos you can click through.

Next up for WSHS: Friday night (September 12th) at Southwest Athletic Complex vs. Washington.

West Seattle weekend scene: Tiki Tank on Alki

September 6, 2014 11:56 pm

| 12 COMMENTS

| Seen around town | West Seattle news

From the Playa to the beach. Previously seen at Burning Man (here’s video!), the Tiki Tank turned up on Alki tonight. David Hutchinson photographed it outside Spud, not far from the salsa’ing crowd at Statue of Liberty Plaza, in what mashed up into a fine late-summer Saturday night at the beach.

West Seattle weekend scene: 100+ watch ‘Princess Angeline,’ meet filmmakers, with WS Meaningful Movies & SWSHS

September 6, 2014 11:29 pm

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| West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Thanks to Clay Eals from the Southwest Seattle Historical Society for the photo from Neighborhood House’s High Point Center, where more than 100 people came to tonight’s screening of “Princess Angeline,” and talked with filmmakers Sandy and Yasu Osawa. He explains: “The 53-minute film focuses on the history of the Duwamish Tribe and its efforts to become federally recognized. Princess Angeline was the daughter of Chief Seattle. Sponsoring the presentation were West Seattle Meaningful Movies and the Southwest Seattle Historical Society. Those attending were encouraged to inscribe pre-addressed postcards to President Obama asking that the tribe be recognized.” The latest version of the recognition bill is languishing in the U.S. House.

Puget Sound orcas welcome first new baby in two years

September 6, 2014 8:49 pm

| 8 COMMENTS

| Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Wildlife

(L-pod orcas – file photo, shared here in 2009 by Jeff Hogan of Killer Whale Tales)
Just a week ago, the Kitsap Sun reported that Puget Sound’s orcas, the Southern Resident Killer Whales, were down to their lowest population level in almost 30 years, after two deaths this year, and no new births in two years. Tonight, some good news: The Center for Whale Research, which had reported the population down to 78, says it’s up to 79, with a new baby spotted in L Pod, same pod that had the last SRKW birth in 2012. In a Facebook post, CWR says the baby, to be known as L120, was with L86. You can see a photo on Orca Network‘s FB page.

West Seattle development: New commercial building on Delridge

September 6, 2014 7:25 pm

| 12 COMMENTS

| Delridge | Development | West Seattle news

Our daily check of city Department of Planning and Development records turns up a new project in a high-profile place: The lot at 5448 Delridge Way SW, between DESC’s Cottage Grove Commons and the Martin’s Way storefront. The site has long held a ramshackle 1927-built cottage. On Friday, its new owner applied to the city for permission to tear down the house and build a commercial building. Documents in the file carry the name of Dreamscapes, a local landscaping company whose owner bought the Delridge site a year ago, according to county records. The online file says the permit is for a 1-story “office” building with a pre-fab steel frame and four on-site parking spaces (the site is zoned for “neighborhood commercial” up to 40 feet high).

Here’s what we found out about the early-morning death investigation at Admiral Way Viewpoint

September 6, 2014 6:47 pm

| 8 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle police

If you are among those wondering about the police, fire, and then Medical Examiner response at Admiral Way Viewpoint just after dawn today – especially unnerving to some in that area after the overnight fires – we finally have a bit of information. SPD Lt. Alan Williams responded to our inquiry, saying a suicide victim was found there, a man believed to be in his 70s.

(As always when mentioning suicide, we want to point out a local resource for those considering self-harm or otherwise in crisis: The Crisis Clinic has a 24-hour hotline, 206-461-3222.)

Followup: What happened when the Gatewood Elementary Class of ’56 reconnected

September 6, 2014 3:30 pm

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| Gatewood | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Back in April, we shared the announcement of a reunion for the Gatewood Elementary School Class of 1956. Now, the followup – Carol Stoner shares the photo above and this report on how it went!

We finally managed to locate more than 70 of the original list of 90. Most of us had not seen the school since the remodel in 1991, and we spent much of the tour reconciling our memories with the new reality.

The Class of 1956 attended Gatewood before the ‘gator was its mascot, when wooden desks with iron grillwork legs were bolted to the floor, and empty inkwells clanged if you flicked them during study time. Cloakrooms in the back were filled with wet coats, dripping boots, and lunchboxes with baloney sandwiches on white bread. No actual library; books were shelved in Mr. Acedo’s sixth-grade classroom, and choosing 35 books for your class was brief, stressful, and done very quietly during his class if you were book monitor that month. And, even in 1956, the wooden stairs leading up into the school had deep indentations, hollow treads, where former students, perhaps parents and grandparents, had trudged in previous decades.

On August 22nd, twenty-eight ‘Woodies reunited for a tour of the remodeled school and a catchup picnic in Lincoln Park. They found the wooden steps had been replaced, but delighted in the fact that the century-old banisters had been retained. Gone also were the wooden desks and cloakrooms, giving the rooms a modern feel and more space. The class picture on the front steps and the tour itself was much like herding cats, but a good time was had by all.

The picnic following at Lincoln Park, catered by Husky’s, was great fun. We heard apologies for remembered slights: “I’m sorry I pushed you off the table in Kindergarten, but I wanted to nap there” or “Sorry I teased you so much, but you were so cute when you blushed.” Episodes were told about teachers who had impacted our lives for good and bad, but we heard no bad stories about missing classmates, only “Remember how fast he ran?” or “She was so funny! Do you remember when she…?” We also told stories on ourselves, and it turns out that little candy store across the street from school must have made a fortune!

Although most of us shared the grade-school experience with one class for seven years, we split into two groups in ’56, some going to Madison and some to Denny. Some classmates we hadn’t seen in 58 years. Since then our classmates have built homes, airplanes, businesses, and families. They have climbed mountains, written books, worked in law enforcement, education, and health care. They have been firefighters, commercial fishermen, and researchers. They’ve worked with numbers, words, machinery, and people. It was a joy to reconnect with old friends, to remember cloakrooms, wooden desks, and inkwells, and when we were all twelve.

Gatewood is an official city landmark, by the way. P.S. Follow the link to the April announcement to see class photos from back in the day.