West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
Two West Seattle Crime Watch reader reports:
From Rebekah:
We had two bikes stolen from our backyard at Croft and Delridge on sunday during the early evening when nobody was home. These bikes hold sentimental value for us. The pink one is a Diamondback, and has whitewall tires, the black and red one has flames on the tires. Both are slightly rusty.
Seen either or both? Let police know – and comment here.
From Guy – whose deck-dwelling pirate is seen first in happier times:
Around 2:30-3:00 am last night my life-size pirate statue was launched off my second floor patio on the 2600 block of Alki. I wasn’t home at the time.
A witness said it was a group of what appeared to be teenagers. They were seen getting into a newer dark green Ford king cab truck with a canopy. I’ve had the statue for three years and honestly I can’t believe it wasn’t stolen prior to this. I hope they get a severe spanking!
Doing some pre-holiday cleaning? Got children’s books that the kids in your family have outgrown? Consider taking them to the West Seattle Food Bank, which provided the photos and the request:
The West Seattle Food Bank’s Bookcase Program is in need of all kinds of gently used children’s books, especially board books. Our Bookcase Program has grown tremendously over the last year – we distributed over 12,000 adult and children books all through generous donations from our community. Our clients love the program; they can take up to 10 books home to keep. Donation hours are Monday – Friday 9 am – 3 pm and we are located at 3419 SW Morgan St. on the corner of 35th & Morgan. Enter through the garage on Morgan, come in, and we have volunteers that can help you with your donation. Thank you so much.
(You want to make somebody smile before the holiday, right?)
Thanks to Todd Carlsen for the photo and report:
“Wish U Could Swish,” a team made up of 4 soon-to-be 7th graders at Our Lady of Guadalupe School, finished in 2nd place in the 12 and under girls’ division at the 26th annual Spokane Hoopfest 3-on-3 tournament. The girls finished the 16-team bracket with a record of 6-2 and had to endure temperatures both Saturday and Sunday of 105-plus degrees. They fought their way through the losers’ bracket and ended up playing 5 games on Sunday before losing in the championship game Sunday afternoon. Team members include Mary Carlsen, Daniella Colberg, Eva Flanagan, and Dominique Monroe. The team is coached by Daren Monroe.
Another update from King County, whose reps warn that Lowman Beach access is going to get even tougher in the weeks ahead:
King County contractors for the Murray CSO Control project will begin replacing an eight-inch water pipe in Beach Drive SW this week. The work requires excavators, trucks, and a crane to work in Beach Drive SW for about a month.
The work will create traffic congestion and delays, especially south of the Lincoln Park Way SW intersection on Beach Dr. SW. Flaggers will guide traffic around the work site. Emergency and local access on Beach Dr. SW will be maintained. All parking will be closed along Beach Drive SW south of Lincoln Park Way SW. Steel plates will cover the work area in the road outside of work hours. The road will be patched after the pipe is installed and fully restored at the end of the project.
Installing the new pipe will not affect water service to neighbors. Connecting the new pipe will require a service outage later this summer for Beach Drive SW residents south of the Lincoln Park Way intersection. More information will be provided before that work occurs.
Crews will continue building the underground storage tank while the water pipe installation occurs.
Thank you for your ongoing patience during construction. Please direct any concerns or inquiries to the project hotline: 206-205-9186.
4:25 PM: If you’re headed outbound to NB Highway 99, heads up: SDOT says a crash is blocking all but one lane in the stadium zone.
4:58 PM: Not clear yet, and we hear it’s affecting the eastbound bridge.
5:37 PM: All lanes have reopened.
5:54 PM: New problem on NB 99 just north of downtown – a fire along Aurora, just south of the Aurora Bridge.
The mayor and fire chief came to the southeastern edge of West Seattle today for what amounted to one big “Help Wanted” ad. During the event at the Joint Training Facility, new Seattle Fire Chief Harold Scoggins said the department is recruiting – not just because of jobs open now, but because of up to 400 retirements projected in the next few years; he described SFD as an “aging department” and explained that recruiting and hiring is a long process:
This does NOT mean SFD is short-staffed right now – Chief Scoggins says all stations are fully staffed 24 hours a day, but if the force gets any thinner, current firefighters might be scheduled a little more intensively than the department would prefer. To cast a wide net for recruits, SFD will be going to community events around the city and holding open houses; if you or someone you know is interested in becoming a firefighter, just stop by a fire station to inquire. You can also go here to find out about qualifications, the application/hiring process, and more.
Barbara Ellen Boe, who died last weekend at 71, will be remembered at a service in West Seattle on July 9th. Here’s the remembrance her family is sharing with the community today:
Barbara Ellen Boe was born to Clayton Royal Lape and Ellen Ward on January 2, 1944, in Big Timber, Montana. Barbara spent part of her early childhood with her beloved grandparents, Robert (Bud) Ward and Anita (Brannin) Ward Hoyem up the Sweet Grass Canyon at the Ward & Parker Sawmill and ranch. Barbara’s father served in the US Navy during the Second World War, and her mother worked in Helena, Montana. Barbara formed a deep attachment to her grandparents and south central Montana.
Following several years in the Big Timber area after the war, the family moved to Santa Barbara, California. Barbara went through the Santa Barbara school system until the latter part of high school. She returned to Big Timber, Montana to stay with and help her grandmother. Barbara graduated from Sweet Grass County High School and attended the University of Montana at Missoula for a short time.
Barbara returned to Big Timber and was later married to LeRoy Schilling. They had one daughter, JoAnna.
Barbara married John Christopher (Chris) Boe on May 31, 1981 at the Big Timber Lutheran Church. The couple moved to Billings, Montana and resided there for nine years. Barbara worked for then Eastern Montana College in the library and also with the Continuing Education Department. While in Billings, Barbara and Chris were blessed with two daughters, Elizabeth Ellen and Kristina Anita (Nina).
In 1989 the family moved to Seattle. Barbara was employed as a property manager until her retirement in September of 2010. Following her retirement, Barbara maintained her lifelong love of reading, staying up on current events locally, nationally, and internationally, attending church, and being involved with her family and grandchildren.
Barbara passed away on Saturday, June 27, 2015, from acute myeloid leukemia. She is survived by her husband Chris, daughters JoAnna (Stacey), Elizabeth, and Nina, and grandsons Benjamin and Cameron.
Her funeral will be held on Thursday, July 9, at 2:00 pm at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church (3050 California Avenue SW). In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)
Another quick update: Last night, we heard from a few people who had seen the signage being taken down while passing by Sunfish at 2800 Alki SW, and as a result were worried that maybe it was closing or changing. So we went by today to check. What we found out: Sunfish is alive and well. The awning and sign just came down for refurbishment, and are expected back in a few weeks.
Sorry we didn’t mention this in real time, but we’ve received a few questions, so we’re mentioning it now: The big Seattle Fire response in the 6900 block of Delridge Way SW just after 10 am turned out to be a small kitchen fire, according to SFD – most units dismissed quickly, no injuries reported.
Now that the City Council has taken final action to send the “Move Seattle” transportation levy to the November 3rd ballot – you’re going to hear a lot about it over the next four months. We noticed early today that SDOT has a new round of infosheets. The one below, for example, incorporates changes made by the City Council, including the revised categories for investments – “congestion relief” is now a focus – and added language, such as the “West Seattle ingress and egress planning” that Councilmember Tom Rasmussen pushed to add:
Breakouts by City Council district are now posted – though they’re still relatively short on specifics. Here’s the one for District 1 (West Seattle and South Park):
Again, the funding for Move Seattle – $930 million in property taxes – did not change before the final vote. And if you want to see the discussion before that vote, the Seattle Channel‘s archived video of yesterday afternoon’s meeting is up:
More background about the levy is on its city webpage.
(The iridescent, invasive European Starling, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
Highlights for the last day/night of June, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
LIBRARY STORY TIMES: At 10:30 am, it’s Baby Story Time at Southwest Library (35th/Henderson) and Toddler Story Time at West Seattle (Admiral) Library (2306 42nd SW); at 7 pm, Family Story Time at Delridge Library (5423 Delridge Way SW).
WADING POOLS OPEN TODAY: Lincoln Park, 11 am-8 pm; Delridge, 12 pm-6:30 pm. (Addresses & citywide schedule here)
BIKEMOBILE BIKE REPAIRS: The new Bike Works truck will be at Neighborhood House’s High Point Center 1:30-4 pm every Tuesday until September – read about it here. (6400 Sylvan Way)
DUWAMISH/GREEN RIVERS’ WATERSHED FUTURE: 5-7 pm at Camp Long, you’re invited to an open house, with presentations at 5:30 and 6:30 – details in our preview published last weekend. (5200 35th SW)
INTERESTED IN TEACHER CERTIFICATION? 5:30-7 pm, come to the Southwest Library to learn about a UW program in teacher certification – details here. (35th/Henderson)
WEEKLY DEMO & PADDLE RACE: At Alki Kayak Tours, 6-8 pm demos, 7 pm races, no preregistration required. (1660 Harbor SW)
MORE! Browse all the listings for today and beyond on our calendar.
(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Happy Tuesday! One day closer to the three-day holiday weekend (Saturday is the 4th, Friday is the government observance).
(Photo by Valerie Costa)
According to MarineTraffic.com tracking and photos tweeted by drilling opponents, the leased-by-Shell drillship Noble Discoverer is starting its journey to the Arctic. Its departure from Everett comes two weeks and one day after Shell’s other rig, Polar Pioneer, left Terminal 5 in West Seattle. At one point, it was expected that Noble Discoverer also would come to T-5 as part of Foss’s interim lease, but instead it’s been in Everett since its Puget Sound arrival. Polar Pioneer arrived in the Aleutian Islands last weekend as a stop along the way to the Chukchi Sea; several other Shell vessels that have spent time at T-5 in recent weeks are there already – including Aiviq and Harvey Explorer – or en route, including Harvey Champion, now in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. When they’ll return depends on what happens or doesn’t happen in the Arctic between now and September.
Three reader reports to share tonight:
HIT & RUN: Tim says this was one lousy parting gift to get while preparing to move – damage done by a hit-and-run driver near 42nd and Manning (map). It’s been reported to police. Tim says a neighbor believes the car was a Subaru Forester – checking to see if they also mentioned its color.
PLANT THEFTS: The latest case of illegal grab-and-go from a garden:
1:30 am this morning, 2 white women were stealing plants from my driveway where I have
plant sales, when my neighbor came home. They already had the 2-3 Japanese Maples in their car (2 Ukigumo, 1 red Pygmy). They had taken two hostas in 3 gallon containers and placed at the front of the driveway – then they were discovered by my neighbor. They promptly left in their Toyota Sienna, around year 2000, color light gold/silver, partial license (starting with) 522 … My Neighbor was chasing after them on foot. This is a dead end block – one way in and out. 7300 block 19th Avenue SW.
DOOR-TO-DOOR CONCERN: Our final reader report:
I live in the 8500 block of 14th Ave. SW in Highland Park. A little before 4:00 p.m. two young men knocked on my door. The windows were open and the TV was on, but it took me a few seconds from the time I first heard knocking to get to the window and stick my head outside to see who was at the door. In the meantime, it sounded like someone wriggled the door handle and tried to get in. When I stuck my head out the window, they said they were from Century Link and they wanted to talk to neighbors about construction that is going on. We are having wires enhanced in the area. I said I wasn’t interested.
I called Century Link and it was confirmed that none of their representatives are going to houses in the area. They only send out technicians. The young men looked to be in their early 20’s. One was brunet Caucasian with slender build and the other was tall, stocky African American. They wore white shirts and black pants and carried clipboards.
There’s always the chance the person the reader spoke with at CL didn’t have good local info – so if you happen to know these visitors were legit, please advise, does happen sometimes.
Tonight, no excuse for running pretty sunset photos – no weather alerts, for example – James Bratsanos just happened to share the photos, and with the holiday on the way, a sunset-pic break just feels like the right thing to do before the next few stories we’re working on.
Forecasters now say the 4th of July is expected to get into the mid-80s, cooling a bit from temps that they believe will peak on Thursday in the low 90s.
Special event this Wednesday night at Talarico’s in The Junction – the regular weekly trivia night, long hosted by Phillip Tavel – who happens to be a candidate for City Council District 1 – features seven of his current and former fellow candidates, comprising one of the competing teams. Tavel says those who accepted the invite are ex-candidates Tom Koch and Dave Montoure plus current candidates Karl Wirsing, Brianna Thomas, Jody Rushmer, Chas Redmond, and Shannon Braddock. If they win, their prize and his pay get donated to a local nonprofit. You’re invited, 8:30 pm Wednesday at 4718 California SW.
When the city launched a process to come up with three sites to house up to 100 homeless people each, it was promised that they’d come up with a list of city-owned properties as the next step. Now, we have the first list. No West Seattle sites on the “preferred” list, but one familiar site is on the “potential future locations” list – while the address on the new map (7115 2nd Avenue SW) is slightly different, the “Glassyard” description indicates it’s at the site of the original home of the encampment calling itself “Nickelsville” (which was evicted almost two years ago). See the map above; here’s what the mayor’s office announced:
Today Mayor Ed Murray released a map of City-owned properties most suitable for new permitted encampments to serve at least 200 individuals experiencing homelessness. The mayor will transmit a resolution on the encampment sites to the Seattle City Council tomorrow.
The three preferred City-owned sites for 2015 are:
· 2826 NW Market Street for approximately 52 residents.
· 3234 17th Avenue W for approximately 70 residents.
· S. Industrial Way between 5th and 6th Avenue S for approximately 78 residents.Four City-owned sites were identified as potential future locations:
· 8030 15th Avenue NW for approximately 36 residents.
· 3830 4th Avenue NE for approximately 64 residents.
· 7115 2nd Avenue SW for approximately 95 residents.
· 7110 Rainier Avenue S for approximately 32 residents.“Permitted encampments are not a permanent solution to the crisis of homelessness we are experiencing in Seattle,” said Murray. “These encampments will provide a safer community environment than sleeping under a highway overpass or on a park bench. Residents will have improved access to services and we hope to open the door to permanent housing as quickly as we can.”
This year the mayor proposed and the City Council unanimously adopted an ordinance that allows up to three permitted encampments of no more than 100 persons each on City-owned or private property. Each location will be permitted for one year, with the possibility of permit renewal for an additional year. Each site must be vacant for one year between encampments.
“The One Night Count, tells us that there were over 2800 people in our community living without shelter this year,” said Councilmember Mike O’Brien. “Identifying city-owned sites for transitional encampments is an important next step. I look forward to working with community to establish up to three sites where people can stay safely and in community as we seek permanent housing solutions.”
“I am right by Mayor Murray’s side as we create safe spaces for community members who are without shelter,” said Councilmember Sally Bagshaw. “Managed encampments will offer the most basic resources for people, such as a 24-hour shelter with public health services, hygiene facilities, and potentially access to electricity. I wholeheartedly support this approach which will make our city better for all of us.”
Before recommending the sites, Seattle’s Department of Planning and Development reviewed more than 135 vacant City-owned parcels. The ordinance adopted by the Council limits encampment locations to unused property in non-residential zones, excluding park properties. Each encampment must be at least one mile from other legal encampments.
The City estimates that one-time start-up costs for the encampments will be $32,000, with annual lease costs and services for encampment residents of approximately $200,000 already provided in the 2015 budget.
Seattle’s Human Services Department (HSD) has selected two encampment operators through a qualification review process: SHARE and Nickelsville. The encampment ordinance requires that operators have prior experience managing shelters, low-income housing or homeless encampments. The Murray Administration continues to reach out to other faith-based and non-profit organizations that may be interested in operating an encampment.
The encampment operators are responsible for safety and security within the camp and residents will be screened by the operators for acceptance. A third organization, Low Income Housing Institute, will provide case management services to individuals living in the encampments.
HSD contractors and staff will make regular site visits to support SHARE and Nickelsville, and coordinate public health, medical outreach and food assistance.
“A place to store your things, sit and talk with friends, and rest your head at night are taken for granted by most of us,” said Mark Putnam of the Committee to End Homelessness in King County. “For many, however, these are not givens. Encampments can offer a temporary safe place for people to be human, while working to get back into stable housing.”
“The Mayor rightly sees the crisis facing people experiencing homelessness as requiring a response that includes the safety and community of sanctioned encampments,” said Michael Ramos of the Church Council of Greater Seattle. “We welcome this step to expand the continuum of care to meet this most basic of human needs.”
Encampment operators will form a Community Advisory Committee to respond to community concerns, review operations standards, and work with neighbors when encampments move to new permitted sites.
More information is available on HSD’s website.
On that page you’ll find this FAQ as well as backstory. The previous encampment site was known as 7116 W. Marginal Way SW so we have a followup question out to the mayor’s office regarding the address discrepancy.
5:04 PM: Quick reply from Murray spokesperson Jason Kelly, just after we published this: He confirms the “potential future location” on 2nd SW is the same site where there’s been an encampment in the past, an SDOT-owned parcel adjoining state-owned land.
Will the Seattle Board of Park Commissioners – aka the Park Board – recommend approval of new guidelines for the natural areas and greenbelts under Seattle Parks jurisdiction? Intense discussion preceded and followed our preview of the board’s public hearing last Thursday night. Now the video’s available online – embedded above, or watch it directly on the Seattle Channel website here. The board is expected to make its recommendation next month; even if you didn’t get to the hearing, you can get your comment(s) to the board as long as you do it by July 16th.
Another quick lookahead to the holiday weekend: The King County Department of Transportation has just announced the Water Taxi schedule: For the West Seattle route, Friday, July 3rd, and Saturday, July 4th, will both be on the Saturday schedule; for the Vashon route, no service on Friday (Saturday’s already an off-day).
We’re welcoming a new WSB sponsor today, Red 27 Engraving. As a new local sponsor, they have the opportunity to share some information about what they do:
(Red 27 Engraving owner Dana Perreault)
Your local WEST SEATTLE source for trophies, unique gifts and corporate awards, Red 27 Engraving owner Dana Perreault is happy to help you! Ordering is easy! There are 1,000s of awards to choose from and engraving options for one-of-a-kind specials.
Dana is a resident of West Seattle and began his business at his house. When he was ready for a shop and retail location, West Seattle was his only consideration. “I enjoy our community and want to be part of the economic growth as well as supporting a wide variety of my neighbors.” Dana is a member of the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce, sponsors youth sports in the area, and is always looking for situations that deserve an award!
Red 27 Engraving is located behind Caffé Ladro in south Morgan Junction, with open hours Tuesdays – Fridays 9 AM-5 PM and Saturdays 10 AM-2 PM at 7009 1/2 California SW; come in and let us help you personalize your awards today! Correct spelling guaranteed – Dana will work with you to make it right. RUSH orders, too: For a minimal charge, Red 27 Engraving can work with you to get your customized awards when you need them. Call 206-854-7328 or e-mail red27engraving@gmail.com.
We thank Red 27 Engraving for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.
(Live camera for Fauntleroy ferry dock; find it any time on the WSB West Seattle Traffic page)
If state-ferry travel is part of your plan for the 4th of July weekend – Washington State Ferries has just put out a quick guide with reminders and changes. One of the latter affects the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route: On the 4th, an extra run will be added from Vashon to Fauntleroy at 11:25 pm. In general, the biggest crowds are expected westbound this Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, and then eastbound on Sunday. If you’re traveling through Colman Dock downtown, remember that waterfront construction continues to change the traffic patterns, so your route there or back might be different than last time you used the terminal. Whichever terminal(s) you’re using, you can check conditions via cameras and other info on the WSF site (here’s the full list of links to terminals), and bulletins go out on Twitter, too.
(Young downy woodpecker, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
Quick look at today’s highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
WADING POOLS OPEN: This is the third day of daily operation for the Lincoln Park wading pool, 11 am-8 pm (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), and the first for the Delridge wading pool, noon-6:30 pm (Delridge/Genesee) – see the citywide schedule here.
FAMILY STORY TIME: 6:30 pm, the whole family’s welcome at the air-conditioned High Point Library. (35th/Raymond)
HI-YU ORDER OF THE WHITE ROSE RECEPTION: 7 pm at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church, the celebration of West Seattle Hi-Yu royalty past and present: “Past royalty are encouraged to wear their crowns and bring their memory books.” (3050 California SW)
THEY HAVE QUESTIONS, YOU HAVE ANSWERS: 7:30 pm free all-ages trivia tonight at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), 8 pm pub quiz at Shadowland (Oregon/California).
9:05 AM: As reported here earlier this month, today is installation day for the second tower crane on the biggest construction project under way in West Seattle, mixed-use The Whittaker at Alaska/Fauntleroy/Edmunds. This one’s going up on the north end of the project, two months after installation of the first one at the site’s south end. The installation staging is happening primarily on 40th SW, so it’s not affecting a major arterial right now, but an engine from temporary Fire Station 32 was parked on the street for quicker access while this is under way.
The Whittaker will include almost 400 apartments and nearly 600 parking spaces, as well as retail including Whole Foods Market (no other tenants have been announced so far). The only other project in West Seattle with a tower crane right now is the mixed-use 4435 35th SW.
1:03 PM: Thanks to Matt for this photo:
That’s the first crane in the foreground at right.
| 12 COMMENTS