West Seattle, Washington

19 Friday

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month : 10/2015 325 results

WEIRD-LOOKING WATER: New info from Seattle Public Utilities
October 29, 2015 3:41 pm
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   Utilities | West Seattle news

More than a month after our first reports about discolored water at different points around West Seattle, it’s still being reported here and there, so we have an update this afternoon from Seattle Public Utilities.

(WSB September photo, Myrtle Reservoir)
First, regarding Myrtle Reservoir, considered indirectly to blame because it had been emptied for earthquake-resistance upgrades, and that led to some rerouting in the Seattle Public Utilities System, which was suspected of “stirring up sediment that can lead to temporary discoloration,” according to SPU’s Ingrid Goodwin, who tells WSB today, “Myrtle Reservoir has been cleaned, disinfected and refilled with water. We are now waiting on the results of the water quality samples taken from the reservoir yesterday. Assuming the samples come back satisfactory, the reservoir will be back in service tomorrow (10/30). Bringing Myrtle back on line may help solve the problem of discolored water for some customers. But we’ll know more after the reservoir has been back in operation for a few weeks.”

In our most-recent update, SPU also had confirmed that because of the drought, it’s been drawing water from its well field north of Sea-Tac Airport, a different water source from the Cedar River Watershed. Overall, Goodwin continues: “Regular bacteriological samples in the area continue to come back satisfactory – indicating that the water remains safe to drink. Since the end of September, we have been taking water quality samples and analyzing for metals, pH, chlorine, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, temperature and color at the wells and at eight additional sites in West Seattle and Georgetown. Results from this supplemental water quality sampling in West Seattle continue to show the water is safe and meets drinking water standards.” (Those wells will be turned off “when Seattle’s water supply conditions return to normal,” but that doesn’t seem close yet.)

So what to do if you get odd-colored water? SPU says 39 customers reported it from October 20th to 27th “in the general West Seattle and Georgetown/SODO area.” Here’s what to do if it happens: “We encourage customers to continue to report problems with their drinking water to SPU by calling the 24/7 Operations Response Center at 206-386-1800. Reporting the problem as soon as it is noticed helps our water quality inspectors in their investigation to pinpoint the cause.” Goodwin also reiterates that discolored water has other causes, including when the fire department operates hydrants (this may have been the case with the recent fires in W. Seattle) or contractors open hydrants on construction projects. Leaks and breaks in water lines can also cause temporary discolored water.”

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West Seattle weather: Flood Watch alert – clear your drains!
October 29, 2015 1:46 pm
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

Soon as we publish this, we’re headed out to clear that drain – since the National Weather Service has a “Flood Watch” alert in effect for tomorrow night through Sunday afternoon. That’s most critical for people near rivers, but it also means we’re likely to get drenched, and clogged drains lead to problems including swamped streets and sidewalks (see our coverage of the storm three weeks ago) – a few minutes of attention now (scoop up the leaves in the gutters, too) can make a big difference.

P.S. Here’s the forecast – breezy as well as soggy, so keep everything charged.

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TRAFFIC ALERT: Fauntleroy/35th entrance to eastbound West Seattle Bridge reopens after crash
October 29, 2015 12:21 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

12:21 PM: The closure is because of a crash on the bridge parallel with Admiral Way. It’s only affecting the Fauntleroy entrance – you can get on the eastbound bridge from the Admiral/Avalon/Spokane and Delridge ramps. Thanks to Jonathan for the texted tip! (And this photo:)

12:28 PM: Per scanner, police are hoping to have one eastbound lane open soon, so everybody stuck behind this shouldn’t be stuck too much longer. But some cleanup/repairs will be needed too – apparently the crash knocked out part of the barrier.

12:41 PM: The lane has reopened, so the bridge entrance has too, but it might be slow going for a while.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: 5 reader reports & 6 prevention tips
October 29, 2015 11:47 am
|      22 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

The newest round of West Seattle Crime Watch reader reports – THANK YOU for sharing the information so your neighbors ALL around the peninsula know what’s going on – plus the latest prevention advice:

BURGLARY & CAR THEFT: Paige and her husband discovered early this morning that someone had broken into their house near 21st and Holden, stealing not only his wedding ring, but also the keys to his truck – which subseqently was stolen. Watch for a 2004 black Toyota TUndra with a crew cab and tonneau cover, license C71042B.

Three car prowl and theft reports from The Junction:

TRUCK BREAK-IN: From Jessica:

Just in case it happened to others, I wanted to report that we had a pick-up truck broken into on 41st Ave SW next to Jefferson Square last night and they look to have used a universal remote keyless entry tool as everything was taken but the car doors were found this morning with doors locked again, nothing broken, but everything inside taken including a phone, tools, insurance info and other paperwork in the cab of the truck. The car alarm when off when we opened the car this morning. If it happened to others maybe somebody has info we can use to track the suspect down.

CAR BREAK-IN, BALLET COSTUMES GONE: Milyssa says this happened last night “after ballet class”:

My family went out to dinner in the Junction, parking in the lot behind Bakery Nouveau. We were gone no more than 45 minutes, and I came back to a smashed front passenger window, and a missing work bag … all (it) contained was a Fire Department lunch bag, various tubes of Chap Stick, and two lovely ballet costumes that my daughters wore to dress-up day at dance class. And two pair of ballet shoes. Of course I have reported to police, and checked nearby dumpsters to see if they just dumped the bag after seeing the contents. No luck. So, this is a crappy reminder to me, and a gentle reminder to your readers to leave nothing visible in your car. And if any of you happen to find one of our ballet costumes, my girls would dance for joy!

PACKAGE THEFTS AND CAR-PROWL TRY: First Wendy e-mailed to say, “3 packages from Amazon (various shippers) were stolen from the front door on Monday, 10/26/15, in 4400 block of 44th Ave SW. (Report) filed with police.” Then she sent this followup: “And when I told my neighbors, I found out that one just had an attempted car break-in. Someone took a crowbar and damaged their door and skylight trying to get in.”

A series in the Alki area:

CAR BREAK-IN ATTEMPTS: Reported by Kate:

Monday, approx. 12:30 am, the 2400 block of 55th Ave was victim to numerous car prowl attempts. We have filed a report and handed over security camera footage to police. My vehicle was locked but prowlers were still able to get in without breaking a window. It is believed they used a radio-frequency device to unlock the car. They did not get anything of value so they moved on down the street looking in other vehicles. This is a team of thieves and move very efficiently, with one person walking while another drives a vehicle behind. Please don’t leave anything of value in your cars; let’s not give them motive to violate our property! It is also important to file a police report even if nothing was damaged or stolen. If you live on or near 2400 block of 55th SW and have any security footage of the time frame I mentioned, please contact authorities. We may be able to get more detail on thieves and their vehicle.

PREVENTION ADVICE in the newest newsletter from SPD Crime Prevention Coordinator Mark Solomon (as previewed in our Tuesday report on the West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network meeting):

CAR PROWL PREVENTION

* When you exit or enter your parked vehicle, take a moment to look around the area.

* Turn off and lock your car whenever you have to walk away from it. This includes at gas pumps, ATMs, coffee shops, etc. Never leave your car idling and unattended.

* Leave No Valuables in Your Car. Items of little or no value to you still look inviting to a thief. Even pocket change is enough of an enticement for some thieves.

* If you must leave valuables in your car (say you’re out shopping and still have some stops to make), make sure that nothing of value is within plain view. Place items in your car trunk out of sight. Do this when you get to your car, rather than waiting until you park at your next stop.

* Don’t leave accessories visible in your car. You may have taken the Laptop or IPod in with you, but if you leave the USB cables for your laptop or earbuds for the IPod in the back seat, the offender may think those items are in the car and break in anyway.

* If you have a GPS, think about how it is mounted in your car. If the mounting for the GPS is visible, the thief may think the GPS is in the glove box or under the seat and may break in to try to get it. Have removable mounting for the GPS and put that out of sight as well.

We can speak to #5. And even though none of “the items” were in the car, the thief or thieves took the connector cord anyway. And yes, only a $2 loss, but we filed a report online – you can do that here, but we hope you never have to.

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West Seattle Thursday: Glow in the dark; get a free pumpkin; look for a job; be punny; more…
October 29, 2015 9:22 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Thursday: Glow in the dark; get a free pumpkin; look for a job; be punny; more…
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Sanderling, photographed on Alki by Mark Wangerin)

First, today/tonight highlights from our West Seattle Halloween Guide:

TODDLER PUMPKINPALOOZA: Toddler dress-up station, bubbles, face painting, carnival games, for ages 1-5 at High Point Community Center. $5, 10 am-noon. (6920 34th SW)

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS CRAFTS: Drop-in crafts event – make clay skulls at Southwest Library, 3-4:30 pm. Details here. (35th SW & SW Henderson)

GLOW-IN-THE-DARK PARTY: Glow-in-the-Dark Party at Delridge Community Center, 6-7:30 pm. Free! “For ages 12 and under: Come dressed in your best glow-in-the-dark costume, or any costume, and try the glow-in-the-dark ring toss, tic-tac-toe and other fun games.” Plus, the Pop-Up Pumpkin Patch – see next listing! (4501 Delridge Way SW)

POP-UP PUMPKIN PATCH: From Delridge Grocery: “Thanks to sponsors 21 Acres and PCC, we will be holding our FREE Pop-Up Pumpkin Patch this year, Thursday, October 29th, 6-7:30 pm in conjunction with the Delridge Community Center’s Glow in the Dark Party for kids 12 and under. FREE pumpkins until we run out.” (4501 Delridge Way SW)

Now, from the year-round WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

GROUP RUN: West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) calls it the “School’s Back In Session” run – every Thursday at 10 am. 3 or 6 miles, all paces welcome, no need to pre-register. (2743 California SW)

JOB FAIR: 11 am-7 pm at Providence Mount St. Vincent. (4831 35th SW)

PUNDAMONIUM: Pun slam! How punny ARE you? Sign up at 7:30 pm, show starts at 8:30, at The Skylark. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

OPENING NIGHT: “My Mañana Comes” starts its run at ArtsWest Playhouse, 7:30 pm. (4711 California SW)

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West Seattle development: Mixed-use 4106 Delridge Way SW goes back to Design Review Board next month
October 29, 2015 9:00 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle development: Mixed-use 4106 Delridge Way SW goes back to Design Review Board next month
 |   Development | West Seattle news

From today’s edition of the city’s twice-weekly Land Use Information Bulletin:

The mixed-use building proposed for 4106 Delridge Way SW has its next date with the Southwest Design Review Board, 6:30 pm Thursday, November 19th, at the Senior Center of West Seattle. This project was revived after seven years on hold – it went through Early Design Guidance in 2008, but didn’t go on to the second stage until this past February (the official city report on that meeting is here). It’s currently proposed for 36 residential units over 3,700 square feet of commercial space, with 36 parking spaces “within the structure,” envisioned as five stories high, on a sloped lot on the east side of Delridge Way. The “packet” for the November 19th meeting isn’t available yet, but you can see the one from February here.

To see the other projects we’ve covered lately – scroll through the WSB Development coverage archive.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Thursday updates; weekend Viaduct closures ahead
October 29, 2015 7:06 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Thursday updates; weekend Viaduct closures ahead
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
7:06 AM: Good morning! No incidents in the area so far this morning.

BIG WEEKEND REMINDER, AGAIN: Saturday and Sunday, 6 am-6 pm each day, WSDOT plans to close the Alaskan Way Viaduct for its semiannual inspection – the closure will stretch from the West Seattle Bridge to the Battery Street Tunnel.

7:51 AM: Still quiet. Reminder that Halloween happenings are about to get going in a big way – they’re listed in our Halloween Guide, including Admiral District Trick-or-Treating 3-6 pm Friday. (Forecast sounds as if rainproof costumes, or at least umbrellas, will be in order, maybe a rain cover for the treat totes too …)

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CONGRATULATIONS! Metropolitan Market-Admiral has another ‘Washington’s Best Bagger,’ Candice Lastimado
October 29, 2015 2:20 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

(Photos courtesy Washington Food Industry Association)

Congratulations to Candice Lastimado, a courtesy clerk at Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor) in Admiral, the store’s second Washington’s Best Bagger champ in four years. She won the title, the trophy, and a $2,000 prize this week at the Washington Food Industry Association-presented event in Spokane. She was accompanied by quite the team:

With her in that photo are her coach – store director Glen Hasstedt – as well as sales/operations executive VP Helen Neville, president/CEO Todd Korman, mom Dana Lastimado, and operations VP Darryl Pittman. In February, Candice will go to Las Vegas to compete in the 30th annual National Grocers Association Best Bagger Competition. The store’s previous national contender, two-time state champ Andrew Borracchini, won the title in 2013.

P.S. Wondering about the competition criteria? From the announcement: “Participants in the Best Bagger Battle were judged on a rigorous criterion of speed, style, technique, and uniform bag weight. The competition consisted of up to three rounds. The first used paper bags, while the second required participants to fill reusable bags. A bruising third and final round determined the ultimate winner.”

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Submarine seen off West Seattle: USS Albuquerque’s final voyage
October 29, 2015 12:52 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news

(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Amanda R. Gray)

With U.S. Navy facilities relatively close by, submarine sightings happen here now and then. Robert reported this one on Wednesday – and later shared the link through which we obtained the photo and the backstory: After 32 years and a half-million miles of service, the fast-attack submarine USS Albuquerque (SSN 706) passed by on its way to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton to “commence its inactivation process,” says the Navy. Its last voyage followed an inactivation ceremony in San Diego a week earlier; the nuclear-powered submarine’s inactivation also drew a tribute in its namesake city. The process of “inactivating” a nuclear submarine is explained by the Kitsap Sun, which says this one joins about a dozen others awaiting dismantling, at a cost of at least $25 million each.

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West Seattle Halloween: Teal Pumpkin Project carves out an inclusive niche for trick-or-treaters
October 28, 2015 8:51 pm
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   Halloween | West Seattle news

(Photo by Jason Enevoldsen)

By Alice Enevoldsen
Special to West Seattle Blog

Think about a recent time you were excluded from something:

Your friends spent the evening out without you; you didn’t have time to watch that movie everyone said was so good; or, you weren’t invited to an important meeting, even though your coworker at the same level was. You know that feeling? It isn’t fun, but as adults we’re able to deal with it appropriately most of the time. Celebrating Halloween with food allergies means being left out over and over again, which is particularly difficult for children.

Enter the Teal Pumpkin Project! It’s simple:

1. (optional) Sign up at http://www.foodallergy.org/teal-pumpkin-project.
2. Display a teal pumpkin at your door, or a picture of one, to show that you’re participating.
3. Give trick-or-treaters a non-food treat, either instead of candy or in addition to candy.

The Teal Pumpkin Project is not an attempt to eliminate candy from Halloween. The Teal Pumpkin Project was started to promote the inclusion and safety of, and respect for, people with food allergies. As a happy circumstance, this also promotes the inclusion and safety of, and respect for, people who also cannot have candy for reasons besides food allergies.

I don’t have food allergies, why would I participate?

Empathy and inclusion.

Halloween today is one of many social occasions with an emphasis on food. For someone like me, with food allergies, these occasions mean being excluded or partly excluded. That’s not fun. It’s not fun that it is absolutely necessary that I use my willpower to resist eating a delicious-looking cookie that might have nuts, or a caramel candy bar (my favorite) because the brand has mixed peanuts into the caramel. I’m an adult though: I have both the willpower to resist the candy bar and the emotional resiliency to cope with the exclusion. Children are still learning these things.

There are already 18 households signed up on the West Seattle peninsula, including White Center. You can find a map of some of them on the Teal Pumpkin Project website.

I know there are more planning to participate as well.

Do kids really like non-food treats?

Yes. Not every kid likes every treat, and that’s true for candy too, but non-food treats can be even more fun, and are less likely to be subject to the “parent tax” (you know the one: the portion of kids’ candy eaten by the parents after bedtime?). I’m sure you can get even more creative, but stickers and glowsticks are usually a hit. I’ll be making slime. Are you down to the wire on time? A dollar store is going to have a variety of things that might work for you.

If I’m handing out candy and non-food treats, how do I determine which treat to give to each trick-or-treater?

I advocate giving out both to each kid, but the Food Allergy Research and Education organization recommends that “you can either ask trick-or-treaters if they have any food allergies, or give every visitor a choice of which treat they’d like: candy or a non-food item.” Keep your candy and non-food treats in separate bowls.

I/My Child Has Food Allergies

Please stay safe on Halloween. Bring your epinephrine and allergy medications while you trick-or-treat and to Halloween parties. Wait until you get home to eat any treats. Check every label and ingredients – “fun-size” candies can have different ingredients than full-size. If you can’t find the ingredients, swap it for something safe. Bring extra safe treats along with you to parties.

Have a Happy Halloween!

RESOURCES

FARE: Food Allergy Research and Education
FAACT: Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Connection Team
WA-FEAST: Washington Food Allergy, Eczema, and Asthma Support Team—this is our local active support group.
Sea-FAC: Seattle Food Allergy Consortium—local research being done into causes and cures for food allergies.

EDITOR’S NOTE: We’re adding the Teal Pumpkin Project map to the WSB West Seattle Halloween Guide, so you can find it again easily.

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VIDEO: Deputies ask for help identifying suspects in bus-stop stabbing
October 28, 2015 5:22 pm
|      25 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | White Center

5:22 PM: If you recognize any of the men in those surveillance-video images, the King County Sheriff’s Office wants to hear from you. They say these are the suspects in the Sunday night bus-stop stabbing at 15th and Roxbury, an attack that left a West Seattle restaurant worker paralyzed. KCSO spokesperson Sgt. Cindi West‘s update has new details:

The stabbing occurred around 6:30 pm near the Bartell Drugs store at 15th Ave SW and SW Roxbury. When police first contacted the victim after he had been stabbed, he thought he had been on a bus with the suspects. During recovery in the hospital, he told detectives that the suspects had not been on the bus. The victim told police he had gotten off the bus and gone to a smoke shop near the Bartell Drugs store. He went back to the bus stop near Bartell’s and was smoking when the suspects bumped into him. He said words were exchanged and an altercation ended with him being stabbed multiple times.

When the first deputy on the scene arrived he found the victim, barely conscious, with a blade stuck in his back near his spine. The victim told the deputy that he could not feel his legs. The three suspects fled on foot southbound and can be seen in the video running away. The victim is still in intensive care at Harborview and is paralyzed as a result of the stabbing.

Detectives are asking for the public’s help identifying the suspects on this video. They are described as three Hispanic males, late teens or early 20s, and had blue bandanas. If you have any information related to this case, please call the King County Sheriff’s Office at 206-296-3311.

As reported here last night, the victim has been identified as Ramon Aspeitia, who works at Shadowland and Ma’Ono in The Junction; his employers and friends put together a crowdfunding drive to help him and his family as he recovers.

P.S. KCSO is working on making the full video clip available – we will add it here if and when that happens.

ADDED 6:12 PM: Two short clips have just been made available, and we’ve uploaded them. In the first one, Sgt. West explains, you’re seeing “when they first flee”:

In the second, Sgt. West says, they start to go back toward the scene, “then run back”:

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FOLLOWUP: Shooting suspect released; prosecutors to decide on charges later
October 28, 2015 4:23 pm
|      26 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

4:23 PM: As noted in our Monday coverage, today was the day by which the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office had to file charges against the suspect in Saturday’s double shooting, in order for him to remain in custody. We’ve just received word that charges are not being filed today, so the 25-year-old suspect will be released. This, according to KCPAO spokesperson Dan Donohoe, is “pending ongoing investigation. A decision regarding charges will be made at a later date.”

The shooting early Saturday at 23rd SW and SW Willow left a 24-year-old man dead and a 34-year-old man seriously wounded; the suspect was arrested at his home about half a mile away several hours later. Probable-cause documents made public in connection with the suspect’s bail hearing on Monday had said the man who died, his brother, and the suspect were embroiled in a years-long dispute over a $200 debt and had met at the scene early Saturday for what was maybe going to be some kind of fight – and then came the deadly gunfire.

LATE-NIGHT UPDATE: The King County Jail Register confirms that the release happened around 9:20 pm.

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FOLLOWUP: Despite funding ruling, West Seattle charter school moving ahead
October 28, 2015 3:28 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Arbor Heights | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

3:28 PM: West Seattle’s first charter school is still moving toward opening in Arbor Heights next fall, despite the state Supreme Court ruling saying public funding for charter schools is unconstitutional.

That’s according to Jen Wickens, regional director for California-based Summit Public Schools, which plans to open Summit Atlas, a charter middle/high school, at 9601 35th SW. Washington Charter School Development bought the site from Freedom Church in June for $4,750,000, initially with a large-scale remodeling/addition project that has now been changed to two phases, the first to get the building ready to host the founding 6th- and 9th-grade classes next fall. City files show its permit is still pending.

Wickens tells WSB that the Washington Charter School Commission “unanimously approved the Atlas contract” earlier this month. She says that while Summit is “deeply disappointed” with the state Supreme Court ruling, they’re moving ahead because “we remain hopeful that we will find a solution to serve the students and families of West Seattle.”

Summit opened its first two schools in Washington this fall and took interested West Seattle families on a tour of one earlier today, Summit Sierra in the International District. Wickens says the Summit Atlas principal, Greg Ponikvar, “has been meeting with families and students and we know there is deep interest from the West Seattle community.” The Charter School Commission approved Summit’s application in August, less than a month after a hearing held at the building the school intends to use. First word of the charter-school plan emerged in January, when we found out about it via a building-permit application that popped up in city files.

Meantime, 10 state legislators – none from our area – are asking the state Supreme Court to reconsider its decision. The ruling has not been finalized, which is why, as explained in this month’s report by the Charter Commission’s executive director, the schools that are open have continued to receive state funding.

ADDED 4:09 PM: And there’s word a short time ago of another filing asking the Supreme Court to reconsider – this one is a “friend of the court” brief from four former state Attorneys General – Ken Eikenberry, Slade Gorton, Christine Gregoire, and Rob McKenna. Here’s the document.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: 4 reader reports
October 28, 2015 2:07 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Four reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch this afternoon:

MAIL/PACKAGE THEFT: Ben reports: “Just a heads up, our mail and packages were stolen from our house between Trenton and Henderson on 34th SW (Monday night). Sucks.”

CAR BREAK-IN, AND … Also Monday night. Mary reports: “I wanted to let people know that our truck got broken into … It was in the alley between 30th and 29th near Trenton. Also, on Friday night someone left a white North Face jacket behind the truck that was broken into.”

ANOTHER CAR BREAK-IN: Sara says this too happened Monday night: “I live on the 4400 block of 49th Ave SW and my car was broken into while parked in the alleyway between Genesee and Oregon SW. They took 3 credit cards and some cash and then used the credit cards at Walgreens and Jack-In-The-Box but were declined at Fred Meyer.”

AND YET ANOTHER CAR BREAK-IN: Heather reports, “Just thought I’d share our car was prowled last weekend in front of our house in the 8800 block of 37th Avenue SW (between Trenton and Henderson). Unfortunately they made off with quite a lot because we had stuff in the trunk and a bunch of kids’ CDs in the car. It had been locked and there was no sign of forced entry (it’s an older Honda Civic…probably not too tough to open). Just thought I’d let people know to keep their eyes open.”

PREVENTING CAR PROWLS: Here’s the official SPD advice.

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Planning (way) ahead: West Seattle Car Show moving to August
October 28, 2015 11:25 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news

(WSB photo from 2015 West Seattle Car Show)
The folks at West Seattle Autoworks and Swedish Automotive (WSB sponsors) are already planning next year’s West Seattle Car Show and want you to know that the date is set. This will be the show’s second spin on the north side of South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) on Puget Ridge, where it moved this year after seven years in The Junction. The official date: August 27, 2016, not only earlier in the summer, but also on a Saturday instead of a Sunday. Fewer conflicts on many fronts, says WSAW’s Todd Ainsworth, from other shows to football to weather. So now you know!

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West Seattle Wednesday: See the Y plan; meet the Parks supe; plus business, poetry, party, dance, more
October 28, 2015 10:16 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Wednesday: See the Y plan; meet the Parks supe; plus business, poetry, party, dance, more
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Photographer Mark Wangerin suggested “Woodpecker Wednesday” when he shared that photo of a red-breasted sapsucker, and a few other local woodpeckers, this week. Works for us! Now, on to what’s happening. First, from the WSB West Seattle Halloween Guide, where you’ll now find three dozen events from today through Sunday:

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS PRINTMAKING: Drop-in event at South Park Library, 1-2:30 pm. Details here. (8604 8th Ave. S.)

MONSTER BASH COSTUME AND KARAOKE CONTEST: Tonight at Tug Inn, hosted by Christopher Mychael, cash prizes, 9:30 pm-close. (2216 SW Orchard)

And now, from the year-round WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

WORK ALONE? DON’T LUNCH ALONE: Bring your lunch to the weekly Coworking/Entrepreneur/Networking meetup at West Seattle Office Junction (WSB sponsor), noon-1:15 pm. (6040 California SW)

NEED AN ORCA LIFT TRANSIT CARD? 1-6 pm, your weekly opportunity in West Seattle – stop by Neighborhood House’s High Point Center. (6400 Sylvan Way)

FREE DANCE PARTY: Irish Set Dance party at Kenyon Hall, 6 pm, free, no experience required – details in our calendar listing. (7904 35th SW)

WEST SEATTLE YMCA’S REVISED EXPANSION PLAN: First of three community meetings this week to show and discuss the downsized expansion plan for the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor), 6:30 pm, in the Youth Programs Building. (4515 36th SW)

MEET SUPERINTENDENT AGUIRRE: The new superintendent of Seattle Parks is back in West Seattle for one more stop on his “listening tour,” 6:30 pm at High Point Community Center. (6920 34th SW)

POEMS AND STORIES: 7 pm, Poetrybridge‘s monthly event brings Chris Jarmick and Cesario Larios to C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) to read, plus the traditional community open-microphone time. (5612 California SW)

WOMEN’S BUSINESS INCUBATOR: As previewed here last week, tonight’s event at West Seattle Office Junction is an orientation/networking meetup for ““a nonprofit business center for women starting locally focused businesses and for local women business leaders, with the goal to offer micro-loans, nurture leaders, connect with mentors, training and business services for women-led small business owners, professional office space, business services and start-up assistance; as well as quality drop-in child-care services for infants thru pre-K.” 7-8:30 pm. If you’re not already signed up, check to see if there’s room. (6040 California SW)

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Memorial service Saturday for Lisa Slader, 1965-2015
October 28, 2015 9:07 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Obituaries | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

A memorial service is planned this Saturday for Lisa Slader, 50. Here’s the remembrance her family is sharing:

Lisa Slader passed away Sunday night after a two-year battle with cancer.

Lisa was born in San Angelo, Texas and raised in Burien. Her father worked at Boeing for 30 years. Lisa attended Evergreen High School, graduating in 1983. Lisa met Greg Slader in 1987 and they settled into the West Seattle neighborhood of Belvedere. Lisa had a 25-year career @ Northwest Administrators as she excelled in pension accounting.

Lisa is survived by her two boys and her husband. She was very involved with their youth sports, as her boys played baseball, basketball, and soccer in local West Seattle leagues. Jesse and Cameron went on to graduate from West Seattle High school.

Funeral Services are this Saturday (October 31), 11 am @ Forest Lawn Cemetery, 6701 30th Ave. SW in West Seattle.

(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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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Last Wednesday in October
October 28, 2015 6:30 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
6:30 AM: Good morning! We start with reminders and previews:

SHORT SCHOOL DAY: Classes end two hours early today for students in Seattle Public Schools, so watch for buses, walkers, riders, and earlier-than-usual flashing beacons.

SOUNDERS FC TONIGHT: Playoff game vs. LA at CenturyLink Field, 7 pm. No extended West Seattle Water Taxi service, since the WT is now on its winter schedule.

HIGHWAY 99 CLOSURES THIS WEEKEND: This Saturday and Sunday, Highway 99 will close 6 am-6 pm each day between the West Seattle Bridge and the Battery Street Tunnel for its twice-yearly inspection, as well as some other work (including testing of the repaired fire-suppression system in the BSTunnel).

9:13 AM: Quiet morning commute in/from West Seattle, but now Eddie reports a jack-knifed Route 55 bus at 44th/Alaska. We are on the way to find out more.

9:20 AM: Just as our photographer arrived, the bus cleared the intersection.

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High-school volleyball: Shorewood Christian advances in SeaTac League tournament
October 28, 2015 4:00 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)

Next stop for the Shorewood Christian High School girls’ volleyball team is Tacoma, where SeaTac League tournament play continues Thursday morning following this victory last night.

Athletic Director Claudia Diama Rose sent word of the Lions‘ match last night vs. Northwest Yeshiva HS, played in West Seattle at the Salvation Army gym in South Delridge.

Shorewood, coached by Jesse Vanderveer and Jennifer Reed, won Tuesday night’s match in three consecutive games.

They play Thursday at Evergreen Lutheran in Tacoma, starting with a 9 am game against Puget Sound Advent. See the brackets here (you’ll notice that another local school, Seattle Lutheran, is in the tournament too).

The SC roster: #7 Natalie Billharz (lone senior), #4 Sarai Appert, #3 Misgana Mengesha, #5 Rosie Young, #13 Maddy Bir, #8 Shelaine Lorenz, #14 Kyra Goodspeed, #10 Lily Turner, #12 Alice Liu, #15 Amanda Tong.

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West Seattle scenes: Moonrise and semi-sunset
October 28, 2015 1:02 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

Thanks for the beautiful Tuesday evening views! Greg Snyder got the moonrise (above); JayDee photographed the shades-of-silver semi-sunset (below):

Photo to share? editor@westseattleblog.com (or tag us on social media, @westseattleblog, so we’ll see it) – thank you!

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VIDEO: Arson investigation, holiday-season crime prevention, and more @ West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network
October 27, 2015 9:45 pm
|    Comments Off on VIDEO: Arson investigation, holiday-season crime prevention, and more @ West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network
 |   Crime | Safety | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

No arrest yet in the West Seattle arsons.

That’s what Southwest Precinct commander Capt. Pierre Davis told the West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network tonight, almost one full week since the last fire in the string of half a dozen arsons that have been under investigation for more than two weeks. Here’s video of his update:

That most-recent fire was early last Wednesday, set in a recycling bin outside a house at 40th SW and SW Morgan, half a mile from the October 12th firesetting shown on surveillance video made public last Thursday:

Capt. Davis told the more than 30 attendees that the investigation remains open and active, with multiple agencies working on it. Call 911 or 800-55-ARSON if you have information.

He was asked about last Saturday’s double shooting, in which a 24-year-old man was killed and a 34-year-old man seriously wounded, with a 25-year-old suspect arrested hours later. Capt. Davis had no additional information on that beyond pointing out that – as we reported after the suspect’s bail hearing – the victims and suspect were known to each other.

Also brought up by attendees:

Read More

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FOLLOWUP: White Center stabbing victim ID’d as West Seattle restaurants’ employee; community contributions sought
October 27, 2015 6:33 pm
|      33 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | White Center

(White Center Now photo from Sunday night)
Two nights ago, on our partner site White Center Now, we reported on a stabbing at 15th and Roxbury in White Center, as King County Sheriff’s Office deputies and detectives searched for three men who stabbed a 26-year-old after he got off a bus. What we didn’t know until tonight is that the victim is an employee at two West Seattle restaurants. The co-proprietor of one, Ma’Ono’s Marjorie Chang Fuller, forwarded us the YouCaring page that seeks help for the victim’s recovery, with this update:

Ramon Aspeitia is a highly respected and extremely hard working employee at both Shadowland and Ma’ono in the West Seattle Junction neighborhood. He was viciously attacked by 3 men and brutally stabbed in the back on his commute home after work Sunday Oct 25th around 6:30 pm at his bus transfer in White Center. He is currently in Harborview Medical Center, fighting to be stabilized and to regain feeling in the lower half of his body. We are all hoping for a full recovery and he could use your thoughts and prayers at this time. This is gonna take a tremendous toll on his family and of course his 2 children. We’re asking the community to help in any way they can. Every bit will help his family with the medical and monthly bills while he recovers. His family will greatly appreciate anything you can do to help..

Here’s the direct link.

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More biz news: Walgreens buying Rite-Aid; each has 2 stores here
October 27, 2015 3:09 pm
|      32 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Big takeover just announced: Walgreens is buying Rite-Aid for $9.4 billion. Walgreens has two West Seattle stores, in High Point (35th/Morgan) and South Delridge (15th/Roxbury); Rite-Aid has two stores in WS too, south of The Junction (California/Hudson) and at Westwood Village (25th/Barton). The official news release says that Rite-Aid will continue operating as a subsidiary of Walgreens, “initially” under the Rite-Aid name, so there’s no indication of closures/consolidations at this point. The aforementioned stores represent four of West Seattle’s six standalone chain drugstores right now – the other two, in Admiral and The Junction, belong to Bartell Drugs, which is headquartered in West Seattle – and a seventh is on the way, the CVS store to be built at 4722 Fauntleroy Way SW.

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