West Seattle, Washington

13 Wednesday

71℉

month : 06/2015 320 results

47th/Admiral/Waite project: SDOT update; safety reminder
June 23, 2015 10:10 pm
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   Safety | Transportation | West Seattle news

(Photo taken this evening, looking westward at 47th/Admiral/Waite)
Two messages tonight about the 47th/Admiral/Waite signal and crosswalks project. First one is a progress report from SDOT:

Work resumed last week at the intersection of 47th Avenue SW and SW Admiral Way. Crews installed the signal poles and striped the intersection, including new crosswalks. They also began installation of wiring in preparation for the new signal heads that we expect will be delivered later this week. We anticipate approximately three more weeks of construction while the signals are installed and configured.

The striping of the crosswalks before the signal’s installation, however, led WSB reader Jennie to e-mail this safety concern and ask if we’d share it:

I was wondering if you might be able to highlight a safety concern and an extra need for people to slow down and use caution when driving through the new Admiral stoplight intersection that is being created near Alki Mail and Dispatch.

There are not lights yet to control this intersections, yet they have decided to lay down all of the crosswalks. I am *very* concerned that someone is going to use one of these new crosswalks (potentially even young kids now that they are out of school) and get hit. The one crosswalk that was always there was placed in about the best position for line of sight for cars and it obviously didn’t do its job well with crossing deaths and accidents.

Crosswalks don’t require lights – don’t even require striping (as explained here) – but nonetheless, since the painted crosswalks are new features and the light is still a few weeks away, it’s a good idea to take extra care in that area as people using all modes get used to the new features.

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What you WON’T see during this year’s Seafair Pirates Landing on Alki: The annual pole-vaulting competition next door
June 23, 2015 9:00 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

(2012 photo by Gary Jones)
It’s been a fixture for years on Alki Beach, right next to the Seafair Pirates’ Landing (which is coming up this Saturday)- the Alki Swashbuckler Beach Vault pole-vaulting competition. 19 years, according to its website, which is where we found out that it’s NOT happening this year for the first time since 1996. The website mentioned only the Pirates’ Landing date change as a reason, but this is the second year since the landing moved up to late June, so we contacted the presenting group to find out more.

Becca Gillespy Peter of Pole Vault Power explained in response to our inquiry, “The early date is bad for us, we have multiple conflicts, primarily the USA National Championships in Eugene, Oregon, and our local Junior Olympic Association Championships.” She said that while one of those conflicts existed last year, they made the choice to give it a try anyway, but the weather was iffy – more of a risk in June than July – and the turnout seemed lower. With all that and some communication challenges with the Seafair Pirates organization, they decided to cancel: “We are bummed to have to cancel the event after 19 years, but hope to return next year … We do hope to return next year, it may conflict with the Olympic Trials, depending on what date they choose, but I should be able to find enough volunteers to run the event in my absence, if necessary …” And if you just want to get your annual fix of pole-vault spectating, Becca reminds us, “We also have a beach vault every year on July 4 at the city of Tacoma’s Freedom Fair Festival; this will be the 21st year in a row for pole vaulting at that event.”

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New Seattle Parks ‘guidelines’ for natural areas/greenbelts? Public hearing Thursday; petition drive under way now
June 23, 2015 5:31 pm
|      49 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(West Seattle section of Parks map showing ‘natural areas’ in purple, parks in green)
Remember the GoApe/Lincoln Park kerfuffle three years ago? In short – Seattle Parks spent one year talking with a commercial zipline operator about a potential facility in Lincoln Park without any public notification/discussion. A local advocate got wind of it, asked us about it, we reported on it, local community advocates organized against it, the proposal was withdrawn.

No specific proposal of that type has emerged since. But natural-space advocates say they’re afraid a new Seattle Parks policy proposal that has a public hearing this Thursday (June 25th) – sparked by the controversy over a mountain-bike course elsewhere in the city – would open the gates for it, and for much more. They are circulating an online petition and sounding the alarm.

You might already have seen discussion of this in the WSB Forums. The “briefing paper” about what’s formally known as “Natural Area and Greenbelt Supplemental Use Guidelines” explains in this preface:

The purpose of the Supplemental Use Guidelines is to provide a transparent tool to evaluate use proposals in Parks’ classified Natural Areas and Greenbelts. (See map, Appendix B of the Guidelines.) The impetus to develop use guidelines came from the difficult process Parks, the Board and the community have been through regarding locating a new use – a bicycle trail – in the Cheasty Greenspace, one of Parks classified Natural Areas. We need to ensure that as an agency, we are meeting the needs of all of our residents and that policies reflect the
changing needs of residents and long-term goals for the city and Parks.

Here’s the full document:

One of the loudest opposition voices is from the Seattle Nature Alliance statement, which has major roots in West Seattle. Its statement includes a link to its petition:

Seattle Parks Department proposes to change the use policy for Natural Areas and Greenbelts, allowing previously prohibited uses in protected areas. After heated community debates over a proposed commercial zipline in Lincoln Park (2012), and more recently, a mountain-bike skills course in the Cheasty Greenspace, Seattle Parks seems to be proposing this policy change to streamline future projects and is ignoring the growing concerns about Seattle’s booming development and its effect on natural areas.

Concerned by equitable access to nature and potential damage to wildlife habitat from overuse, the Seattle Nature Alliance launched a Change.org petition. – ‘Preserve Seattle Parks Natural Areas and Greenspaces’. The Seattle Nature Alliance is opposed to the expansion of ‘specialized’ recreation in our natural areas and greenspaces. Co-director Denise Dahn believes “these revisions give privileges to a select few at the expense of everyone else. This is unfair as well as environmentally unsustainable. Parks are for everyone.

Parks staff is recommending that the Parks Board approve the new guidelines. First comes this Thursday’s public hearing, during the board’s 6:30 pm meeting at Parks HQ downtown (100 Dexter Ave. N.) Their vote is expected four weeks later, on July 23rd.

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West Seattle 4th of July: Early reminders on fireworks, crime prevention
June 23, 2015 3:56 pm
|      28 COMMENTS
 |   Safety | West Seattle news

(2012 photo: Illegal fireworks at Hamilton Viewpoint Park while spectators awaited view of legal Lake Union show)
With the 4th of July a week and a half away – plus an extra-long spell of warm, dry weather already well under way – the Southwest Precinct asked us to share a reminder that’s more important than ever:

The Seattle Police Department and Seattle Fire Department would like to remind the public that fireworks are illegal in the City of Seattle.

The possession, manufacture, storage, sale, handling and use of fireworks are prohibited. Fireworks offenses are gross misdemeanors punishable by up to one year in jail and/or a $5,000 fine.

Fireworks pose a fire hazard to property and present a safety risk to those who use them. Every year the Seattle Fire Department responds to fireworks-related fires and injuries. The holiday-related fires and injuries are preventable.

On the 4th of July, 911 centers become overloaded with non-emergency fireworks calls. DO NOT call 911 unless you have a life-threatening emergency and need immediate help from police, fire or medics. Unnecessary 911 calls block people with real emergencies from reaching 911 and getting help.

Any fireworks-related fires or injuries should be reported directly to 911. Other fireworks violations may be reported by calling the Seattle Police non-emergency number at 206-625-5011.

Via Community Police Team Officer Jon Flores, we also have SPD info-sheets to share on preventing/deterring crimes that are even more common in the warm season:

*Car prowls
*Making sure your windows are secure
*Making sure your doors are secure
*Burglary deterrence, outside your home
*Suspicious behavior and when to report it

P.S. More crime-prevention info is just a few hours away at tonight’s West Seattle Block Watch Captains’ Network meeting.

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West Seattle restaurants: Mioposto sets Admiral opening date
June 23, 2015 2:03 pm
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

The restaurant that’s moving into the north section of what was Admiralty House Antiques has set its opening date.

Via Twitter, Mioposto told us today that it’s planning to open the 2141 California SW restaurant on August 6th. News of Mioposto’s West Seattle expansion came back in January; our most-recent update was in March, when proprietor Jeremy Hardy told us they’ll open for lunch in Admiral as well as dinner. This will be Mioposto’s third restaurant, after Mt. Baker and Bryant. (Here’s the current menu.)

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Goodbye, Department of Planning and Development; hello, Office of Planning and Community Development
June 23, 2015 12:48 pm
|      20 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

Mayor Murray is breaking up the Department of Planning and Development, and longtime director Diane Sugimura is retiring. Those are the bottom lines from an announcement this morning at City Hall. The mayor is creating a new city department, the Office of Planning and Community Development, that is supposed to have the big picture in terms of planning – not just construction/development but also transportation, among other things – and dismantling DPD, whose other functions such as permitting will be handled by a department to be named later. Read the full announcement ahead:

Read More

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2 more West Seattle projects have Design Review dates: 4801 Fauntleroy Way SW, 5414 Delridge Way SW
June 23, 2015 11:20 am
|      15 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

Days or even weeks before the formal notices of Southwest Design Review Board meetings are sent out, the dates appear on the city Department of Planning and Development website, which is where we find two more early alerts, for a doubleheader meeting at the Senior Center of West Seattle on July 23rd. Both projects will be reviewed for Early Design Guidance (EDG), first of the Design Review process‘s two phases:

4801 FAUNTLEROY WAY SW: This former parking lot currently being used for The Whittaker‘s construction-project trailers (map) has its own future project proposal, as we first reported in April, and it’s now set for the 6:30 pm spot on the July 23rd SWDRB agenda. Above is David Foster Architects‘ early version of the “packet” for the meeting, as found in the city’s online files; keep in mind that since the meeting’s a month away, it might change. In the packet, the project is described as a “four-story mixed-use building with 30-40 apartments, 2-8 retail or live-work spaces. Between 0 and 7 parking spaces.” (Projects can be somewhat fluid in the EDG phase, depending on which of the potential size/shape options are viewed favorably by the board – if you browse the packet above, you’ll see the three variations proposed so far.)

5414 DELRIDGE WAY SW: No packet yet for this project that we first wrote about in February; a house (map) north of Cottage Grove Commons is proposed for demolition and replacement with a four-story building including seven residential units, 1,100 square feet of commercial/office space, and seven surface parking spaces. It’s the 8 pm project on the board’s July 23rd agenda.

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West Seattle safety: Next set of ‘rectangular rapid-flash beacons’ going in @ Highland Park intersection
June 23, 2015 9:57 am
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Highland Park | Safety | West Seattle news

Thanks to Beef for the photo from 11th SW and SW Holden in Highland Park, where SDOT’s installing another set of “rectangular rapid-flash beacons” in hopes of making it safer for people to cross. West Seattle’s first set has been up for about a month at California/Dakota north of The Junction, as reported here; a third set is in the works for the new crosswalk in front of the Boren Building at 5950 Delridge Way SW, home to K5 STEM and interim home to Arbor Heights Elementary (for one more year).

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West Seattle Tuesday: Block Watch Captains’ Network; story times; music; dancing; more…
June 23, 2015 8:59 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Take two minutes for a calming close-up look at West Seattle sea life, courtesy of “Diver Laura” James, who shared that with us last night, to share with you. And now … a look ahead to what’s happening above water today/tonight, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

BABY STORY TIME: 10:30 am at Southwest Library, bring your newborn-through-1-year-old to enjoy fun stories, songs, rhymes. (35th/Henderson)

ZYDECO DANCING AT SALTY’S: 6-9 pm event at Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor), including dance lesson, dancing, cocktail, appetizer – but call quick to make sure room’s still available! (1936 Harbor SW)

TUESDAY TUNEUP: Also at Salty’s tonight, starting at 6:30 pm, no-cover live piano, accordion, and saxophone, and fundraising for ReAct Theatre – details here. (1936 Harbor SW)

WEST SEATTLE BLOCK WATCH CAPTAINS’ NETWORK: 6:30 pm at the Southwest Precinct (and you’re welcome to come as early as 6 pm to network and get your materials for this year’s Night Out), with special guest SPD Crime Prevention Coordinator Mark Solomon talking about the new safety plan in the works for Denny International Middle School and vicinity. Last WSBWCN meeting until September – more info on the WSBWCN website. All welcome, Block Watch involvement not a prerequisite. (Webster/Delridge)

FAMILY STORY TIME: 7 pm tonight at Delridge Library – all ages welcome to enjoy stories and rhymes. (5423 Delridge Way SW)

NIGHTLIFE TONIGHT … see the listings on our calendar!

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Tuesday updates & alerts
June 23, 2015 7:41 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Tuesday updates & alerts
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
7:41 AM: Nothing to report so far on the outbound commute.

Meantime, it’s the last scheduled day for this closure in The Junction:

8:50 AM: Still quiet. Meantime, in case you’ve been wondering about the ongoing Delridge/Orchard work, this is the latest from Seattle Public Utilities:

The daytime single-lane restriction on SW Orchard Street (east of Delridge Way SW) will remain in place off-and-on through the end of July as crews complete paving and striping. As has been the case throughout this project, the lane may be closed Monday through Saturday, 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., and will be opened to traffic during non-work hours. During closures, all westbound traffic will be diverted to the eastbound lane with the assistance of a traffic flagger.

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Prayers for Charleston, in West Seattle: St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church’s invitation
June 22, 2015 10:16 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle religion

From St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church‘s new priest-in-charge Rev. Michael Carroccino:

One week later, Prayers for Mother Emanuel

Saint John the Baptist Episcopal Church invites you to join them for Evening Prayer and Communion this Wednesday night as they remember in prayer the victims of the shootings in Charleston’s Emanuel AME Church, and their families. Offerings will be designated for the Lowcountry Ministries – Evelyn Pinckney Fund. 6:30 PM Wednesday, June 24, at Saint John the Baptist Episcopal Church, 3050 California Ave SW.

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Save the date: Celebrate the reopening of Cove Park on July 18th
June 22, 2015 8:46 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Fauntleroy | West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

(WSB photo of Cove Park, taken from the bluff across Fauntleroy Way at midday today)
Exactly three years ago, on June 22, 2012, we reported the closure of Cove Park – the pocket beach just north of the Fauntleroy ferry dock – for what was at the time described as about two years of work to upgrade the Barton Pump Station next door. Cove Park’s beloved art installations were taken away for storage, but now the crow and canoe are back … the beach is being restored … and new art will be in view when the beach reopens soon. Thanks to Judy Pickens for the heads-up that the big celebration is set for 2-4 pm on Saturday, July 18th (as she first reported in the Fauntleroy Community Association newsletter): “Festivities will include remarks from community, county, and artist perspectives, music created for the occasion, refreshments, and tours of the upgraded and expanded Barton Street wastewater pump station.” Perfect timing that day, between the West Seattle Grand Parade and the first of this year’s six West Seattle Outdoor Movies!

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More fresh-grown food! High Point Market Garden farm stand opens this Wednesday
June 22, 2015 6:34 pm
|    Comments Off on More fresh-grown food! High Point Market Garden farm stand opens this Wednesday
 |   Gardening | Health | High Point | West Seattle news

(WSB photo, looking eastward across the garden this afternoon)

It’s a mini-farm in the middle of a residential neighborhood – the High Point Market Garden. Every summer, its farm stand offers a weekly chance to buy fresh-grown produce steps from where it’s grown, and the city Department of Neighborhoods sent word that this Wednesday is opening day. Just-harvested organic produce will be on sale 4 pm-7 pm at the farm stand at 32nd and Juneau (map), every Wednesday from this week through September 30th. EBT cards are accepted and the stand participates in Fresh Bucks, doubling the first $10 spent on the card. The announcement adds, “A new feature at the High Point Farm Stand will be the ROAR mobile farm stand that sells produce grown by local farmers across Puget Sound. ROAR, which stands for Roots of All Roads, is focused on connecting community with locally grown produce and sharing new ways to enjoy it.” DoN oversees the High Point Market Garden (one of two in the city – the other is at NewHolly) as part of its P-Patch program.

TUESDAY P.S. We noticed the city webpage for the program had listed a later opening date, in July; the warm, dry weather that’s led so many gardens to bloom earlier has also accelerated food gardens like this, so the date was moved up.

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35th/Roxbury charter-school updates: Site sale finalized; new development plan; local forum scheduled
June 22, 2015 3:42 pm
|      37 COMMENTS
 |   Arbor Heights | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Four updates today on the planned charter middle/high school at what’s now the Freedom Church/Jesus Center on the southwest corner of 35th/Roxbury, almost six months after we discovered the proposal:

DEAL CLOSED: The nonprofit that’s developing the school for California-based charter operator Summit Public Schools, Washington Charter School Development, has closed the deal to buy the property. King County records show the purchase price was $4,750,000, almost $2 million more than the site’s 2008 sale price.

TWO-PHASE SITE DEVELOPMENT: Once we found the records of the purchase, we started checking on the status of the plan to remodel and add onto the former supermarket building at the site, and discovered a change in the plan: It’s now going to be developed in two phases, confirms a spokesperson for WCSD, which is affiliated with Los Angeles-based Pacific Charter School Development. First, they’ll remodel the existing building, and they’ve applied for a building permit to do that. The proposed additions (shown here a month ago) would be in a second phase. The school itself would be phased in anyway – Summit says it would start with 6th and 9th grades and add middle/high grades each year until fully enrolled as 6th through 12th.

CHURCH STAYING TFN: Summit Public Schools is still more than a year away from its proposed opening (and awaiting state approval, required because charter schools operate with public funding). So in the meantime, WCSD says, Freedom Church/Jesus Center is “renting back the building for the near future to allow the Church to continue providing its outstanding and award-winning community service in West Seattle while plans for the school are being finalized.” In addition to the church, the center also works with a variety of community programs and partners, including the Seattle Youth Violence Prevention Initiative.

PUBLIC FORUM NEXT MONTH: According to the calendar for the Washington Charter School Commission – which will have to approve Summit’s application (linked here) before it can open the school – a public forum is planned at the site as part of the process (as mentioned in our previous update), 6 pm July 21st.

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West Seattle Crime Watch, be-on-the-lookout edition: Small business hit by shoplifter; child saddened by bike thief
June 22, 2015 2:11 pm
|      20 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

2:11 PM: Two West Seattle Crime Watch reader reports today, and your watchfulness is appreciated:

JUNCTION SHOPLIFTER: From Linda Sabee of Carmilia’s:

Yesterday afternoon (Sunday, June 21) around 4:00, a twenty-something woman shoplifted several items from my store, to the tune of about $325. As she shopped, she told a sad tale about her dying grandmother, proceeded to try on many things and when the store got busy and I was distracted with another customer, she bolted with the unpaid-for items.

She’s tan, athletic but large build, she was wearing a black ‘Fight Like a Girl’ tee with a skirt and tennis shoes. Her long hair was pulled back into a pony tail. She said she grew up around here, moved to San Diego and has been back for about a year to care for her grandmother. She also said she put on ten pounds over the past year. All of this could be untrue. Perhaps she’s a pathological liar as well as a thief.

CHILD’S BICYCLE STOLEN IN ADMIRAL: Maybe you’ll find Rafael‘s bike.

(That’s Rafael and his bike – added 3:11 pm)
Mom Cynthia messaged us:

My child’s bike was stolen from in front of our home last night. It’s a 16″ Tonka boys bike. Looks like (this pic) except no training wheels. If you see it grab it and let me know. Or if you have a 16″ bike we can borrow till we find a new one I would appreciate it. He was fighting back tears this morning trying to be strong. Sweet boy.

This happened near 46th and Stevens.

P.S. We’ll write more about this later but tomorrow night’s West Seattle Block Watch Captains’ Network meeting is the place to be for neighborhood crime-prevention info – 6:30 pm, Southwest Precinct (Webster/Delridge). All welcome – you don’t have to be a BW captain or even a BW member (but if you’re interested in finding out more about how it works, come early and mingle – doors open at 6).

7:55 PM UPDATE: See the comments – Rafael’s bike has been found!

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UPDATE: Small fire extinguished in 9400 block 16th SW
June 22, 2015 11:55 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

(WSB photo)
11:55 AM: Seattle Fire is responding to a “fire in building” call in the 9400 block of 16th SW. First crews are seeing “light smoke.”

12:02 PM: Most units are being dismissed.

12:09 PM: Our crew talked with SFD at the scene. The fire started in some bags of items in an apartment area inside the mixed-use Rozella Building. They’re not sure yet what sparked the fire, but it’s out; no one was hurt.

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SATURDAY: 2015 Seafair Pirates Landing at Alki Beach, a little later this year – here’s the schedule
June 22, 2015 11:25 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news

(2014 photo by David Hutchinson)
Just five days until the next big West Seattle summer event – the Seafair Pirates’ Landing on Alki this Saturday (June 27th). This year, they’re rampaging ashore a bit later than usual – around 2:15 pm. But the festival surrounding their arrival lasts all day – with vendors, kids’ activities, and more, starting at 10 am, by the Alki Bathhouse (60th SW/Alki Ave. SW) and on the boardwalk. Here are key times for what’s happening when (UPDATED FRIDAY 6/26):

Masters of Ceremony
Robert “Cockroach” Blair
Zacharia “Splinter” McCormick
Magician Just Sage as the Pirate “Mr Bustier”

Playing 11:00-11:40 – Pig Snout

Noon-12:40 pm: The Dead Letters

1:00-1:40 pm: Runt

2:15 pm: Pirate Landing (approximate)

2:30 pm: Knighting Ceremony

3:30-4 pm: The Fabulous Miss Wendy

4:20-5 pm: Harrison B

5:20 pm: The Echo Devils

Live Pirate Play by:

The Jade Dragon Pirates
Swordplay and carbide cannons

PDXYAR
Bullwhip demos, pirate fights and a living history display

And welcoming the Pirates on the beach:
Ten Man Brass Band

If you’ve never been – the beach gets crowded, to say the least, so don’t plan to just mosey on up at the last minute – check this aerial from our 2014 report:

(2014 photo by Long Bach Nguyen)
It’s also fun to watch what happens offshore, as the Pirates approach from a distance and at some point cannon fire ensues (warn the little ones!). The Seafair Pirates, by the way, are celebrating their 66th anniversary, and will also be seen, in their landlubbing “vessel” Moby Duck, in the West Seattle Grand Parade on July 18th.

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West Seattle Monday: Swimming, hiking, reading, more…
June 22, 2015 9:38 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Monday: Swimming, hiking, reading, more…
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(WSB photo: Young sidewalk-art creator at Saturday’s Morgan Junction Community Festival)

Happy Monday! Quick look ahead at what’s up for the rest of today/tonight:

COLMAN POOL NOW 7 DAYS A WEEK: Through Labor Day, the city-run outdoor pool on the shore at Lincoln Park is open daily – see the schedule here.

GIVE THE GIFT OF LIFE: 1-7 pm blood drive today at Holy Rosary (closed for break 3-4 pm) – details in our calendar listing. (42nd/Genesee)

SEE A RESTORED FOREST: 6:30 pm hike through part of the West Duwamish Greenbelt with the Nature Consortium. Free, but please register – our calendar listing shows you how. (14th SW/SW Holly)

FAMILY STORY TIME: 6:30 pm at High Point Library. (35th/Raymond)

MORE! on our calendar.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: First Monday of summer
June 22, 2015 6:21 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: First Monday of summer
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Good morning! It’s the first full day of summer, which arrived with the solstice just after 9:30 Sunday morning. As usual, we start with alerts:

42ND SW NORTH OF ALASKA: This closure for road-repair work is scheduled to continue through tomorrow, according to SDOT.

47TH/ADMIRAL/WAITE SIGNAL & CROSSWALKS: This is in the final stages of work, so remember that if you’re planning to travel this way.

ALKI AVENUE RAMP WORK: We noticed equipment staged in the area where SDOT says work will continue this week.

VESSEL CHANGE ON VASHON WATER TAXI: Melissa Ann is handling the Vashon Water Taxi run this morning while Sally Fox is out of service for maintenance. This doesn’t directly affect the West Seattle Water Taxi run, but because of its lesser capacity, it could have some effects on the Washington State Ferries run from Vashon and the Metro bus routes from Vashon that run through West Seattle.

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Congratulations! West Seattle Baseball’s tournament sweep
June 22, 2015 2:53 am
|    Comments Off on Congratulations! West Seattle Baseball’s tournament sweep
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Thanks to Kelly for the update on West Seattle Baseball‘s tournament achievements:

I wanted to let you know that last weekend, the West Seattle Baseball 9U All Star team and the 10U All Star team both won the Maltby Pony Baseball Invitational tournament in their age brackets, and (Sunday), the West Seattle Baseball 11U All Star team AND the 12U All Star team both won the Maltby tournament in THEIR age brackets. A clean sweep!

Attached is a picture of the 11Us, many of the 12Us, and their coaches. Go, West Seattle!!!

Thanks also to Sue for e-mailing to let us know.

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West Seattle weekend scene: 2015 summer’s first sunset
June 21, 2015 9:31 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle weekend scene: 2015 summer’s first sunset
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

Thanks to Lynn Hall for capturing the end of the longest day of the year, almost 12 hours after the arrival of summer. Tonight’s sunset came 16 hours after sunrise; now the days start getting a bit shorter, as Alice Enevoldsen explained at last night’s quarterly Solstice Park sunset watch. Most notable in the days ahead: The forecast suggests hotter weather next weekend – upper 80s on Sunday.

(added) Wider shot from Upper Alki, by JayDee:

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The WSBeat: Tale of the tossed laptops, and 5 more from SPD files
June 21, 2015 8:42 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police | WSBeat

By Megan Sheppard
On the WSBeat, for West Seattle Blog

This edition of our periodic feature The WSBeat contains summaries written from reports on cases handled recently by Southwest Precinct officers – generally cases that (usually) have not already appeared here in breaking-news coverage or West Seattle Crime Watch reports, but that might at least answer the question “what WERE all those police doing on my block?” Or on the bridge, or the beach, or …

*Citizens reported finding four old laptop computers hidden in some bushes at Alki Beach Park.

*Around noon on the 15th, someone called 911 to report a “man down” at 29th and Trenton. The man was able to mumble his name to officers, which allowed them to run a records check. He was wanted on a no-bail escape warrant from the Department of Corrections and was booked into King County Jail.

*On the evening of the 12th, while walking her dog in Hiawatha Playfield, a woman saw a large group of teenagers, with one making a small fire in the grass with some papers. She yelled, and they all ran. The Fire Department doused the area with water. The teens might like to know that one of the papers that didn’t burn — which appeared to be a report card — clearly displayed someone’s name.

Three more summaries ahead:

Read More

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Congrats to Seattle App Academy’s ‘Hacker Cup’ competitors
June 21, 2015 8:01 pm
|    Comments Off on Congrats to Seattle App Academy’s ‘Hacker Cup’ competitors
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Congratulations to the students who competed in this week’s “Hacker Cup” at Seattle App Academy (WSB sponsor)! We stopped by during the competition to check it out. Here’s what they were tasked to do:

Create an original game using the Kodu visual programming language and submit it for review by our panel of judges. Present and demonstrate your game during our competition night and you could win big time! Students compete in one of two divisions according to grade range (Division I for Grades 4-7 and Division II for Grades 8-12).

You can also submit your robotics, microcontrollers, and other gadgets for exhibition. Simply submit an entry form and show off your work to your friends, family, and SAA classmates during our competition night. Attendees will have the opportunity to select their favorite gadget by voting for the audience choice award.

Here’s one of the participants, Diego Escame-Hedger, presenting his game:

At night’s end, trophies were presented – Michael Mage from Seattle App Academy shared this photo of the winners and other participants:

They are:

Lars Moreland – First Place
Zachary Hanson – Second Place
Kian Hufford – Third Place
Gabby Betzer – Audience Choice
Owen Chapman – Robotics Medalist
Carson Comick
Constantine Olson
Diego Escame-Hedger
Gunnar Schmitz

SAA, whose mission is “to inspire tomorrow’s technology creators,” is headquartered in Jefferson Square, where it offers classes, including in weeklong day camps this summer, starting tomorrow.

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