West Seattle, Washington
30 Saturday
More news on the way … but in case you don’t have a westward view, we didn’t want these photos of the Olympic Mountains, out this morning in all their sunlit glory, to go to waste. Thanks to Alia Ali for sharing the top view from Fauntleroy; the view below was caught from Duwamish Head by WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand.
We’ll confess we can’t name the peaks in Alia’s photo, but we do know the WSB photo shows The Brothers, 6842 feet elevation on the south, 6650 on the north. And check out West Seattle photographer Long B. Nguyen‘s Olympics gallery!
FIRST REPORT, 11:30 AM: Reported to the police this morning and via West Seattle Crime Watch now – a dark green Acura Integra “that’s lowered and has tinted windows and has a decal that goes across the top of the entire back windshield that says ‘Cascade Honda Crew’.” It was stolen from Fauntleroy Way east of Morgan Junction. If you see it, call 911, as advised in the @getyourcarback tweet (which includes the plate number).
ADDED 3:20 PM: In comments, AE reports another stolen car, a teal 1995 Honda Civic taken in High Point – plate number’s also in an SPD tweet.
(Added: Reader video shared via e-mail – it rotates to correct angle quickly)
8:53 AM: Fire crews are rushing to the 1300 block of Alki Avenue SW (map), where a garage fire is reported. First crews on scene say it’s the garage for a home, and they’re seeing smoke. Note that the initial response is likely blocking traffic both ways – they’re calling for police to help with that – so you’ll want to avoid that stretch of the beachfront boulevard.
9 AM: Our crew is en route; via scanner, crews at the scene say the fire’s under control and they’re checking to be certain it didn’t spread.
9:10 AM: The fire is “tapped” – which basically means out. Our crew has arrived and is told nobody was home when it happened; we’ve confirmed, no injuries. Damage and cause are still being assessed. The 1300 block of Alki is still closed to traffic because of fire units.
9:31 AM: Fire crews say the garage contained “miscellaneous” items and that damage is estimated at $5,000.
(Thanks to Ryan O’Keven in Admiral for the “snowbird” image from last weekend’s wintriness)
Happy midweek! Highlights from today’s listings on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
COLLEGE PREP HELP: Need some assistance navigating applications and everything else that goes into getting ready for college? Find some help 4-5 pm at High Point Community Center. (6920 34th SW)
FAIRMOUNT PARK ELEMENTARY INFO NIGHT: Considering or planning on sending your child(ren) to the reopening, expanding Fairmount Park Elementary? Since it’s still under construction …
… tonight’s Info Night (details here) is at Alki Elementary, 6 pm.
PATHFINDER MIDDLE-SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: 6:30 tonight, it’s an open house at Pathfinder K-8 geared toward families with incoming 6th-8th graders. No reservation required. (1901 SW Genesee)
HARBOR SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE, SPECIAL INVITE TO WEST SEATTLEITES: Harbor School on Vashon Island (WSB sponsor), 4th-8th grades, has a 7 pm open house tonight, extending a special invitation to West Seattleites, as described in our calendar listing. (15920 Vashon Highway SW)
34TH DISTRICT DEMOCRATS: Big agenda tonight, 7 pm, The Hall at Fauntleroy. From chair Marcee Stone-Vekich:
7:20 Program — Update from Seattle City Councilmembers
Speakers: Sally Clark, Mike O’Brien and Tom Rasmussen
Topics: $15 minimum wage, micro-housing, and transportation7:50—Questions from Membership
8:00 — Keep King County Moving
Speakers: King County Executive Dow Constantine & April Putney of Transportation Choices Coalition
· Presentation of Possible April Ballot Measure re Transportation District
· Consideration of Endorsement
(9131 California SW)
EARTHRISE CHAMBER CHOIR REHEARSALS BEGIN: Interested in joining the choir? Check out tonight’s rehearsal, starting at 7 pm – details in our calendar listing – at Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation. (7141 California SW)
‘THE LITTLE DOG LAUGHED‘: Another week of performances at ArtsWest starts tonight, 7:30 pm. (4711 California SW)
(More cameras, and other info, on the WSB Traffic page)
West Seattle doesn’t seem to be particularly hard-hit, but around the city, there are some spot power outages after a stormy night. On City Light’s map, there’s one spot around 41st/Southern in Gatewood, blamed on a tree. The National Weather Service has a “short-term forecast” in effect warning of gusts up to 45 mph in the hours ahead.
TRAFFIC ALERT: Work continues at 30th/Roxbury, as part of pedestrian-safety upgrades, and that means traffic restrictions, especially on the westbound side.
WEEKEND ALERT: Remember the northbound I-5 lane closures last month? Now it’s southbound I-5’s turn, and if you will be heading this way through downtown any time between Friday night and Monday morning, you should know about this.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: The city has announced a multi-year traffic-safety project for 35th SW, along its entire stretch in West Seattle, Fauntleroy Way to SW Roxbury.
7:33 AM: City Light is working near the aforementioned 41st/Southern outage:
Neither street is an arterial, so the only traffic effects are in the neighborhood.
Thanks to “Diver Laura” James doing some above-ground photography tonight after she spotted stormwater “going the wrong way” from a drain cover under the West Seattle Bridge (above) and along Harbor Avenue:
As you’ll see on this King County webpage, the rain is also overwhelming the system in a few spots – as we write this, four red triangles mark four combined-sewer overflows on the Duwamish, and if you look at the yellow spots, those mark earlier overflows. No CSOs are shown right now on the Puget Sound side of the system, though.
Proud parents of players on the Metro Sound Division champion West Seattle High School girls-varsity basketball team made that sign to cheer them on as they started postseason play at Cleveland High School tonight. The home team won, 66-44; the game got off to a fast-paced, physical start.
It was within reach for the Wildcats until the third, when Cleveland went to a full-court press.
The third also saw foul trouble for Lydia Giomi, leading scorer for West Seattle with 15. Charli Elliott, who had 8 points, went out with a nosebleed.
Second-highest scorer for the Wildcats was Lexi Ioane with 13. Head coach Sonya Elliott (below center, with assistant varsity coach Ashley Ioane at right) says their next game will be Thursday.
She’s expecting to get word by morning of who they’ll play and where; we’ll update this story when that info’s in.
2:09 PM: From Coach Elliott – they’ll play at 7 pm Thursday at Holy Names Academy on Capitol Hill, vs. HNA (728 21st Ave. E.).
We mentioned over the weekend that installation work was under way for Luna Girls on Alki, Lezlie Jane‘s sculpture paying tribute to West Seattle’s waterfront history. Our first and third photos are by David Hutchinson, who was at the site on Monday as the three sculpted life-size “bathing beauties” arrived. By the Monday afternoon rain, they were under a tent, which is where we found them late today.
The crew told us today they have some more work to do with the sculpture’s base before it’ll be done and fully on display.
The project is privately funded and being installed on a grassy berm on the east end of the grassy berms that stretch from Seacrest Dock toward Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor).
If you still haven’t seen a presentation about the city’s pedestrian retail zoning project, you haven’t been to a neighborhood meeting in West Seattle lately.
TonightNext month, Aly Pennucci (right) from the city Department of Planning and Development speaks about it again, this time at the Admiral Neighborhood Association‘s meeting (7 pm March 11th, Admiral Congregational Church). Last night, she was scheduled to talk with the North Delridge Neighborhood Council. Before that, three other meetings – including last week’s Southwest District Council presentation, which tops this report on that meeting.
This potential zoning change for some neighborhood business districts would come with changes, as she explained – auto-related businesses wouldn’t be allowed; parking might be reduced; curb cuts would be minimized … What might be required in existing pedestrian zones as well as new ones:
(January WSB photo: Temporary speed trailers on 35th SW south of Graham)
After years of discussions about safety improvements on 35th – and less than two months after the most recent deadly crash – the city is now committing to action. Just in:
Today Mayor Ed Murray and Councilmember Tom Rasmussen announced that the City will launch a multi-year traffic safety corridor project for 35th Avenue SW. The mayor and councilmember both committed to improving safety for all users on streets like 35th Avenue SW by reducing speeding and collisions.
“Reducing speeds is the single most effective way to decrease collisions and prevent future tragedies on Seattle’s streets,” said Mayor Murray. “Through thoughtful traffic safety corridor work we can help make 35th Avenue SW safer for everyone.”
With safety projects already underway for Lake City Way and SW Roxbury Street, the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) will launch a 35th Avenue SW Corridor Safety Project in fall 2014 to help enhance safety. The project will focus on the three mile segment between Fauntleroy Way SW and SW Roxbury Street. Early implementation efforts will begin in March 2014 and will include pedestrian focused education, especially for older residents, and enforcement targeting speeding, distraction and failure to yield.
“Continuing our efforts to improve safety on the 35th Ave SW corridor is important,” said Councilmember Rasmussen. “A traffic safety corridor study will engage the community and help build on the improvements made in the past several years.”
Traffic safety corridor projects address roadway safety through data-driven engineering, enforcement and education efforts that reduce speeding and collisions while improving pedestrian crossings. These projects are guided by an extensive SDOT public outreach effort where the department shares traffic data and reviews recommendations from modal plans with the community. SDOT then works collaboratively to develop solutions, identify priorities and establish a timeline to implement short and long term improvements.
Potential engineering measures to be considered during this process would include traffic signal installation and enhancements, channelization modifications, pavement repair, arterial traffic calming, lighting and pedestrian crossing improvements.
Previous corridor safety projects in Seattle have achieved significant safety enhancements. The Aurora Traffic Safety Project (2009-2011) reduced fatal and serious collisions by 28 percent and total collisions by 21 percent. In spite of an increase in traffic volumes, the Fauntleroy Way SW Project (2009) reduced injury collisions by 73 percent.
In addition to numerous earlier discussions of 35th SW problems and potential solutions, this time, neighborhood and advocacy groups launched an online petition.
Reader report from “Drahcir61“:
Approx 1:20 pm, Tuesday, Feb 11th – intersection of 16th Ave SW & SW Orchard (1/2 mile south of the community college) & 1/4 mile north of SW Holden … west side of 16th Ave SW.
I witnessed 2 men walk past my house on 16th Ave SW across from Orchard … 1 black & 1 hispanic. Probably mid-20s, 5’8″ to 5’10”, slim build, dark clothes. I watched the hispanic man open my neighbor’s mailbox & physically remove all of the mail … he walked away.
The hispanic male is wearing a teal & black checkered hoodie … the teal is very bright, like a chess board … teal & black … his hoodie is covering his face. The other male, black, was wearing dark clothes, nothing special … appeared to be clean cut in appearance.
If you see them “wandering” your streets call 911 … these guys are “working this afternoon.”
Congratulations to the West Seattle High School girls-varsity basketball team on their division championship! Head Coach Sonya Elliott sent the photo and an update as they begin postseason play:
The West Seattle Girls Basketball team had a special visit from Lisa Skvarla [pictured with the team] of Lee’s Martial Arts Academy, where the girls were empowered with life skills and self-defense techniques. Varsity finished the regular season as Metro Sound Division Champions and begin their playoff run tonight at 7:00 pm at Cleveland in the Metro League Tournament.
The Wildcats were division champs last year too.
(UPDATED with landlord’s lawyer confirming complaint has been dropped)
ORIGINAL REPORT, 1:25 PM: We’re getting inquiries, so here’s what we can tell you so far:
9 am this morning, West Seattle Athletic Club owner Sam Adams and his landlord H-P Properties were on the schedule at the Regional Justice Center in Kent for what court documents described as an “eviction hearing,” as first reported here last month. We arrived early to cover it. The updated electronic schedule scrolling in the courthouse lobby – something like those status boards at airports – listed Adams’ name and case.
For an hour, we watched King County Superior Court Commissioner Carlos Velategui run through a variety of other cases. After 10 am, the clerk announced morning recess; we asked what had happened to the case, and the clerk told us no one from either side ever checked in. Asked what that means to the case, the clerk said they usually give people a half-hour grace period, but if they don’t show, the case “just falls off the calendar.”
The newest documents in the online court file as of this writing were filed by Adams’ lawyers just yesterday, arguing that the case should be dismissed because the original December 20th eviction notice hadn’t been sent to/posted at the sites required by law. Those documents also reiterated his contention that the delinquent rent payments were ultimately the fault of the two companies he is suing, as also reported in our January story, Allstate Financial Group (which describes itself as providing billing and management services for health clubs) and Barratt Leasing. So what now? We’re trying to reach lawyers for comment, and will also continue to watch the court file.
1:45 PM: Just heard back from the landlord’s lawyer, David Tall. He says West Seattle Athletic Club “came up with a payment sufficient to reinstate the lease,” so this complaint has been dropped.
West Seattle naturopath Dr. Rachel Giordano is suddenly in the national spotlight because of a photograph from her childhood modeling days. Dr. Giordano, proprietor of Seattle Weight Loss and Wellness (WSB sponsor), posed in a 1981 ad for Legos, showcased again recently as an example of non-sexist toy marketing, compared to the current, well, pinkitude of girls’ toys, including Legos. Writer Lori Day learned from a friend that Dr. Giordano was the girl in the ad – which has been making the rounds for at least two years – and tracked her down for an interview, published today by womenyoushouldknow.net. Dr. Giordano is quoted as telling Day, “I did so many advertisements as a kid that this LEGO ad did not stand out in my memory … (but) I’m super excited to tell my story!” (Follow the WYSK story link to see the ads – as fervent copyright-law observers, we’re not republishing them until we’re sure it’s OK to do so. Thanks to Marco for the tip on this!)
The West Seattle Lions Club is helping young readers this month, starting with the scholars at Roxhill Elementary School – everyone gets a book, courtesy of the Lions Giving Library, according to club president Jimie Martin. They’ll continue giving out books in West Seattle and White Center over the next few months, so Jimie wants to hear from anyone or any school that needs books for kids – 206-619-1029 – since they firmly believe, “Every child should own their own book!”
(“Ceasefire” for the hummingbirds, during the snowy weekend, as described by photographer Bob Venezia)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
MADISON MIDDLE SCHOOL TOURS: Now until 10 am, if you have a prospective/potential Madison student, you’re welcome to visit. (45th/Spokane)
PATHFINDER SCHOOL TOUR TODAY, OPEN HOUSE TONIGHT : Now until 9:45 am, it’s tour time for those with a prospective/potential Pathfinder student. Then tonight 6:30-7:45 pm, it’s a tour geared toward prospective elementary families. (1901 SW Genesee)
STEM AT BOREN TOURS: 10-11 am, visit Seattle Public Schools‘ first STEM-focused option school. (5950 Delridge Way SW)
ARBOR HEIGHTS AT BOREN TOURS: Two tours are scheduled today at Boren regarding Arbor Heights Elementary‘s upcoming two-year stay there, as detailed in our calendar listing – 12:30-1:30 pm, current and prospective parents; 4:30-5:30 pm, current and prospective parents and staff. (5950 Delridge Way SW)
HIGH POINT NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: 6 pm at Neighborhood House’s High Point Center. (6400 Sylvan Way SW)
WEST SEATTLE TRANSPORTATION COALITION: 6:30 pm, all welcome to the WSTC meeting at Neighborhood House’s High Point Center see the agenda here. (6400 Sylvan Way SW)
ADMIRAL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: If you haven’t yet seen one of the presentations about the city’s pedestrian/retail zoning project, here’s your next chance, 7 pm, lower-level meeting room at Admiral Congregational Church. The agenda includes an update on the 47th/Admiral signal plans and the architect for the 30-townhouse/live-work-unit project proposed at the former Charlestown Café site, which debuted last week at Design Review. (California/Hill)
FAUNTLEROY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: Board meeting tonight, and the public’s always welcome. 7 pm at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse. (9131 California SW)
MADISON PTSA TALKS ABOUT KIDS/GUNS: 7:15 pm, as previewed here, the Madison Middle School PTSA invites you to come hear about the ASK campaign (Asking Saves Kids) to help embolden parents/guardians to find out if their kids are visiting/playing in gun-safe homes. (45th/Spokane)
LOTS MORE, including additional nightlife happenings, on the calendar – here.
ADDED 7:32 AM: Doublechecking archives, we find the 30th/Roxbury road-work alert starts today.
Nothing unusual in the area as we begin, but there’s a weather update – the National Weather Service no longer has a storm alert up for the city, just some other parts of Western Washington. Above and below, the two main cameras for the bridge:
And here’s the northbound Alaskan Way Viaduct:
More cameras, and other info, on the WSB Traffic page.
Transportation news last night, in case you missed it: The state says repairs to the Highway 99 tunneling machine “will take months,” no matter which way its contractor decides to approach fixing it.
Earlier Monday, the King County Council took the first step toward sending a Metro/roads-funding measure to voters by creating a Transportation Benefit District, explained here. During that same meeting, councilmembers put on hold for two weeks their vote on the first round of cuts Metro would make if funding isn’t found, from voters or the state.
TONIGHT: All are welcome at the West Seattle Transportation Coalition meeting, 6:30 pm at Neighborhood House’s High Point Center (6400 Sylvan Way).
7:02 PM NOTE: If you were wondering what was happening on Alki earlier this evening – crash at 54th/Alki SW – photo courtesy Cami:
The Seattle Fire response closed fairly soon, and the incident classification suggested no serious injuries, but Alki SW was blocked for a while.
Family and friends gathered Friday to remember Bob Love. Here’s a look back at his life:
Robert (Bob) W. Love Sr., 89, of Seattle, passed away January 27th, peacefully in his sleep.
Those who knew Bob Love will fondly remember him as a very caring man with a “larger-than-life smile.” He had a great wit and constant sense of humor. He brought laughter wherever he went. As father and grandfather, he always had encouraging words for his family. If life got someone down, he was there with encouraging words and a smile. Out of a generous heart, he went out of his way to help people get through things.
Bob was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, the youngest of 3 sons, born to Clarence William Love and Cora Erickson. He and his older brothers, Bill Love, and Lou Love, lived in Utah until approximately 1936 when the Loves moved to Seattle. He attended West Seattle High School. Soon after graduating, Bob was offered a spot in a Machinist Trade School program. God had led him to the work he was ‘cut out for,’ and he became passionate about it, and soon advanced into Foreman positions.
It’s postseason time for high-school basketball, and WSHS shares news of a win:
The West Seattle High School boys’ basketball team knocked out the favored Lakeside Lions Monday night in the first round of the Metro Tournament. The Wildcats lost to Lakeside earlier in the year, and this time the Cats went on the road to win with the final score of 65-58.
The Wildcats were powered by senior Deandre Love, who finished with team-high 29 points (13-14 FT). Also playing well for the Cats were seniors Ruslan Burduzha, who had 16 points and 12 rebounds, and Malachi Cain, who added 12 points.
West Seattle travels to Bainbridge Island on Wednesday to play in the second round of the Metro Tournament. The game will start at 7 pm.
Depending on the outcome at Bainbridge, WSHS will play either Thursday or Friday night for final seeding into the SEA King district tournament.
(WSDOT graphic showing how much tunneling had been done before the machine stopped December 6th)
Tonight for the first time, the state says it’ll be “months” before Highway 99 tunneling resumes. WSDOT published this update tonight:
This evening Seattle Tunnel Partners (STP) informed WSDOT and responded to a media inquiry that it is still conferring with its experts to determine how to repair or replace the broken seals surrounding the main bearing of the SR 99 tunneling machine.
Replacing the seals is a complicated process and STP is working closely with Hitachi Zosen, the tunneling machine’s manufacturer, to determine the best path forward. They are looking at two ways to access the seal area: through the back of the machine or by drilling an access shaft from the surface in front of the machine. Either way, this process will take months. They expect to make a decision by the end of the week, and once they do, we will share that information with the public.
STP has not yet fully determined the cause of the seal problems and to date, they have not shown any evidence that suggests the state or taxpayers will be responsible for cost overruns associated with these repairs. We have requested and expect detailed plans on how the repairs will be made and how STP can recover lost time on the tunneling project.
Since the machine is stopped and repairs need to be made, STP has also informed the City of Seattle that they can proceed with seawall replacement construction near the machine’s current location.
This update follows one on Friday detailing what was believed to have brought the machine to a stop two months ago. The tunnel originally was supposed to open at the end of next year.
It’s fundraising gala season, and we have a few announcements to share tonight. First: Pathfinder K-8 is getting the word out about its 20th annual auction event just under four weeks away:
Calling all Pathfinder families and alumni! Pathfinder K-8 will be celebrating our 20th Annual Auction, “Starry Night in the Woods,” on Saturday, March 8 (5:00 pm) at the Jerry Brockey Center at SSCC.
All money raised will go directly to the unique programs at Pathfinder that support our expeditionary learning, like our Earth Project, tutoring, camping trips and environmental education. Pathfinder educates students to become passionate, lifelong learners, respecting themselves, others and the environment.
We have received several generous donations from West Seattle businesses and Pathfinder supporters. Our students and families are also creating original works of art and gift baskets for our auction. Donations are being accepted until February 21. It will definitely be an exciting evening of giving and community building.
Tickets are on sale here, which is also where you’ll find contact information for the auction co-chairs if you would like to donate something.
Another Monday, another weather alert. One week ago, we reported the National Weather Service suggesting a chance of snow the following weekend – and look what happened. Tonight, a new Special Weather Statement looks ahead to tomorrow night and early Wednesday, anticipating wind gusts of at least 40 mph and up to an inch of rain. Stay tuned!
Almost exactly seven years ago, the Admiral Safeway gas station added biodiesel with pomp, circumstance, and even participation by then-Mayor Greg Nickels. It was the company’s first location in the nation to offer the part-vegetable-oil fuel mix. Now, the alternative fuel has been dropped. We found out from WSB reader Jay F, a biodiesel user, and checked with regional Safeway spokesperson Sara Osborne, who confirmed it via e-mail late today, explaining: “Simply stated, there was no longer enough demand to justify the investment..” That leaves the Propel Fuels mini-station at 35th/Barton, which offers B20 and B50, and Hans VW at 35th/Graham, which offers B100. (WSB photo from February 2007 – check those prices!)
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