day : 04/09/2015 12 results

The family of retired science teacher “Don” Greengo is sharing this remembrance with the community:

H. Donald “Don” Greengo, loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, died of natural causes, surrounded by loved ones, on June 4, 2015. Born October 15, 1928, in Waconia, MN, to Royal E. and Blanche I. (Downs) Greengo, he was the youngest of four boys. At the age of two, Don contracted polio, which affected the growth of his legs. He underwent several surgeries at Shriner’s Hospital throughout his childhood. Always having a positive outlook on life, he never complained.

As a teenager during the summer of 1945 he met his future wife and the love of his life, Gretchen Harvey. But life would first take them in different directions.

After graduating from the College of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN, with a Bachelors in Science, and further studies at Case Institute in Cleveland and the University of Washington in Seattle, he began teaching science (chemistry, physics, earth sciences, and math) in Anoka, MN. Despite using a cane to help with walking, Don traveled to Japan, the Middle East, India, and Europe, exploring different cultures. In the mid-1950s, Don took a job with the U.S. State Department to teach overseas, first in Japan at the Itazuke U.S. Air Force Base, and then at Habibia College in Kabul, Afghanistan. While still overseas, he learned through his sister-in-law that Gretchen was living in Seattle and was a widow with two small children. After returning to the U.S. in late 1958, he came to Seattle and a date was arranged for Don and Gretchen to meet. Don proposed to Gretchen after that first date and they married on July 17th, 1959.

Don began a career with the Seattle School District in 1959, teaching at Sealth, Nathan Hale, and finally, 18 years at West Seattle High School, where he was head of the Science Department, retiring in 1984. He was a favorite teacher of many students over the years. He garnered respect from his students because he treated them with respect, as he did with all people.

Don will be remembered by family and friends as a man of quiet strength, integrity, patience, and compassion. Don enjoyed traveling with his family, visiting relatives and the annual summer trips with Gretchen, their children and grandchildren. He loved to play games, tell corny jokes, and tell of his adventures overseas. He loved the Arts, going to many plays, ballets, and concerts, and he loved the outdoors. He had a great love for his family and they for him.

Don is survived by his wife Gretchen, of nearly 56 years; his children, Denise (Bugnon) (husband Ken) Reed, Paul Bugnon, Kevin Greengo, and Laurie Greengo; his grandchildren, Jennifer Reed, Stephanie (Reed) Olson, Owen Greengo; and great-grandchildren, Brennen and Peyton Olson; his brother Irving Greengo; and numerous nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank close family friend and nurse extraordinaire Keiko Hume for the compassionate and loving care she gave Don.

Don, we will miss you, your great sense of humor and love of life, your selflessness. and your love of family. You set a wonderful example for humanity. In lieu of flowers, the family requests you give a donation to a charity of your choice in Don’s honor. A celebration of Don’s life will be held at a future date; information for family and friends will be forthcoming.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

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Reader reports: Stolen car; suspicion-stirring encounters

STOLEN CAR: Tanya reports her mom’s car was stolen in the 7100 block of Fauntleroy Way SW, outside The Kenney (WSB sponsor), where her mom, who works in home care, was visiting a patient on Wednesday. It’s a 1993 green 4-door Honda Accord LS that resembles the car in this photo (except for the hubcaps). No plate number to share – her mother had changed plates recently and “did not yet memorize or save the data on the new plate.” But if you see this type of car seemingly abandoned in your neighborhood, please alert police.

SUSPICIOUS ENCOUNTERS: Two reports of incidents that weren’t crimes – so we’re not labeling them Crime Watch – but stirred concerns:
Read More

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High-school football: Season starts in West Seattle tonight

September 4, 2015 6:09 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

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

(WSB photos by Patrick Sand. Above, Wizzy and cheerleaders)

High-school-football season starts on the peninsula tonight. West Seattle High School hosts Lindbergh (from Renton) at 7 pm at Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle). There’s also a game at West Seattle Stadium (4470 35th SW) – Seattle Prep hosting Bothell, scheduled to have started at 5 pm.

Then tomorrow, Seattle Lutheran plays at WS Stadium at 1:30 pm, hosting Mary Knight (from Elma); Chief Sealth International High School has a 7 pm Saturday game on the road vs. Garfield at Southeast Athletic Complex.

ADDED SATURDAY: Final score from the Wildcats’ game: Lindbergh 21, West Seattle 14.

We’re adding three photos we took in the early going.

Next up for WSHS, a road game at 7 pm Friday (September 11th) vs. Washington HS in Tacoma.

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UPDATE: Garage fire out in east Admiral, no one hurt

September 4, 2015 5:03 pm

| Comments Off on UPDATE: Garage fire out in east Admiral, no one hurt

| West Seattle fires | West Seattle news | WS breaking news

5:03 PM: Seattle Fire crews are at the scene of what’s described as a “garage fire” in the 2700 block of 38th SW (map). SFD says it’s a detached garage, and that the fire’s under control. More to come.

5:26 PM UPDATE: Our crew says the fire’s out and most of the firefighters are leaving. It was in the back of a detached garage; no vehicle was in the garage at the time, we’re told, and no one was hurt. The cause is under investigation.

ADDED SATURDAY: SFD says this fire was accidental, caused by smoking materials.

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What city-run community centers will offer IF there’s a Seattle Public Schools strike

September 4, 2015 4:39 pm

| 12 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle parks | West Seattle schools

In our area, Alki, Delridge, Hiawatha, High Point and South Park community centers will offer all-day camps as an expansion of current before-/after-school care IF there is a Seattle Public Schools strike. That news and other related info from the city is just in via this announcement:

Today Mayor Ed Murray announced that Seattle Parks and Recreation, in partnership with the Associated Recreation Council (ARC), will expand currently scheduled before- and after-school care into all-day camps on September 9, 10 and 11 in the event of a strike by Seattle Public Schools teachers.

“While we still hope that an agreement will be reached to allow school to start on time, the City is making arrangements to provide some relief to impacted families juggling childcare arrangements,” said Murray. “That’s why, for families with children already participating in Seattle Parks and Recreation before- and after-school programs, we will be expanding those program hours for them.”

“The heart of our work here at Parks and Recreation is to support kids and families,” said Parks and Recreation Superintendent Jesús Aguirre. “If the strike takes place, we will do just that.”

DETAILS AHEAD:

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ROAD-WORK UPDATE: Final details on rescheduled Arbor Heights microsurfacing

September 4, 2015 4:00 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Arbor Heights | Transportation | West Seattle news

Final details are now all worked out for the rescheduled microsurfacing in Arbor Heights. Here are full details from SDOT:

The pavement on many Arbor Heights streets is about to improve. On Wednesday, Sept. 9 or Thursday, Sept. 10, SDOT will be applying a microsurfacing overlay to local roads, weather permitting. This preventative maintenance work was scheduled originally for Monday, Aug. 31, and Tuesday, Sept. 1, but SDOT postponed the work due to rainy weather.

Neighborhood Impact:

SDOT understands Wednesday, Sept. 9 is the first day of school. Please review the map above and the notes below, and contact us if you foresee any complications with your transportation and access needs during the work period. This week, SDOT’s contractor, VSS International, distributed a final notice confirming the work with neighbors on streets scheduled for microsurfacing.

To ensure the microsurfacing treatment has time to properly cure and dry, streets receiving the treatment are closed, on average, for 4 hours between 7 AM and 5 PM on the day work is scheduled. In rare cases, streets may be closed for up to 8 hours to ensure proper curing and drying. If you live, work or play on a street scheduled for microsurfacing, please note the following:

• Please follow posted “No Parking” signs and detours
• Cars must be relocated off the road and planting strip area prior to the start of work. Cars parked within the posted work area will be towed at the owner’s expense. If you wish to use your car on the day you are scheduled for microsurfacing, we recommend you move it to an unaffected street prior to 7 AM.
• If work coincides with your regular garbage, recycling or yard waste pick-up, please have your bins to the curb before 6 AM to ensure collection. We will not affect pick-up.
• Streets generally reopen within 4 hours of closure, but in some cases, may take up to 8 hours to reopen
• If a street is not completed on the day it is scheduled, it will be completed on our make-up day, Friday, Sept. 11. If for any reason SDOT is unable to maintain this schedule, you will be re-notified of the new date to resurface your street.
• Emergency vehicles will have access through the project area at all times without delay

Please note, SW 104th St east of 35th Ave SW is scheduled for microsurfacing on Thursday, Sept. 10, not Wednesday, Sept. 9 as indicated on some final notices distributed in the neighborhood.

About Microsurfacing
Microsurfacing is a preventative maintenance method that extends the life of pavement for 7 to 10 years. Similar to painting a house, microsurfacing creates a protective layer which preserves the underlying structure and prevents the need for more expensive repairs in the future. To be effective, the treatment must be applied in dry weather and dry completely before being driven or walked upon again.
SDOT successfully completed a microsurfacing pilot project in Arbor Heights in 2014. More information on that project is available here.

Questions? For more information:
Art Brochet, Seattle Department of Transportation
2015Microsurfacing@seattle.gov | 206-727-3669
Visit: seattle.gov/transportation/microsurface_arborHeights.htm

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58-unit microhousing at 4528 44th SW OK’d by Southwest Design Review Board

September 4, 2015 3:04 pm

| 26 COMMENTS

| Development | West Seattle housing | West Seattle news

(From the “design packet” by Alloy Design Group)

The 6-story, 58-unit microhousing project planned to replace an 8-unit apartment building at 4528 44th SW in The Junction is the first West Seattle project in a while to make it through Design Review in the minimum amount of meetings. The Southwest Design Review Board has approved it after one Early Design Guidance-phase meeting (in March) plus, last night, one Recommendation-phase meeting. One member of the public offered comments. Patrick Sand was at the meeting for WSB; toplines ahead:

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4 ways to spend the rest of your West Seattle Friday

September 4, 2015 12:20 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Four highlights for your afternoon and evening, if you’re not leaving town for the holiday weekend:

HAPPY 13TH BIRTHDAY, HOTWIRE ONLINE COFFEEHOUSE! WSB’s flagship sponsor – hub of many community activities, including West Seattle Outdoor Movies – is celebrating “lucky #13” today, and proprietor Lora Swift (WSB photo below) has decided that YOU get the gift(s)!

Details are on the HWC Facebook page. Hotwire’s open until 7 pm. (4410 California SW)

CORNER BAR, WITH RAT CITY BRASS: 6 pm at Highland Park Improvement Club, it’s the first-Friday pop-up Corner Bar, featuring Rat City Brass starting at 7:30 pm. Details in our calendar listing. (12th SW & SW Holden)

LIVE MUSIC AT C & P: Teresa Mae performs tonight at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. (5612 California SW)

LIVE IN-STORE WITH DANNY NEWCOMB & THE SUGARMAKERS: Longtime local musician, new band, new record – all combine for a free 8 pm all-ages in-store concert at Easy Street Records; info in our calendar listing. (California SW & SW Alaska)

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ROAD-WORK ALERT: SDOT crews marking SW Roxbury for rechannelization work

September 4, 2015 11:16 am

| 16 COMMENTS

| Transportation | West Seattle news

(WSB photos)

Thanks to @smokeycretin9 for tweeting the tip: An SDOT crew is working on SW Roxbury right now, putting down markings for the upcoming rechannelization. They’re working westward toward 35th SW and the crew supervisor told us they’re expecting to be out most of the day.

The bulk of the work, he confirmed – including the “hydroblasting” to remove the old lane stripes – will start a week from Monday, which is the time frame that project manager Jim Curtin gave the Westwood-Roxhill-Arbor Heights Community Council earlier this summer. As unveiled at WWRHAH’s meeting last April, SDOT’s plan will rechannelize the road between 17th and 35th, along with other safety measures along the entire length, eastward to Olson.

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West Seattle Chamber of Commerce hears ‘State of the Port’ from commission co-president Courtney Gregoire

September 4, 2015 9:27 am

| 1 COMMENT

| Port of Seattle | West Seattle news

(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Big changes for the Port of Seattle, and more on the way.

That’s what Seattle Port Commission co-president Courtney Gregoire detailed to the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce‘s monthly lunch meeting on Thursday, under a tent at port-owned Jack Block Park (whose namesake, a former commissioner himself, was in attendance).

Gregoire (pictured above with the WS Chamber’s CEO Lynn Dennis and board chair Hamilton Gardiner) touched only briefly on the controversy that turned commission meetings into international news earlier this year.

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West Seattle whale watching: Sighting in Elliott Bay

September 4, 2015 8:46 am

| 1 COMMENT

| Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Wildlife

If you have eyes on Elliott Bay, watch for spouts. Ian reports via Twitter that he’s seen multiple spouts by an unknown type of whale that’s “made a huge circle of the bay.” (P.S. Our most recent sighting report was last Sunday, humpbacks near Alki Point.)

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Friday updates; holiday-weekend reminders

September 4, 2015 7:11 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
7:11 AM: No incidents in the area so far. But here’s one West Seattle bus cancellation announced by Metro so far this morning:

Transit Alert – NB Rt 56 to downtown Seattle due to leave 61st Ave SW & Alki Ave SW at 7:23 AM has been canceled.

— King County Metro (@kcmetrobus) September 4, 2015