day : 08/11/2015 12 results

A tree played a big role in the Southwest Design Review Board‘s latest look at mixed-use Junction project 4532 42nd SW.

(From the project “packet,” a rendering of building massing if the tree were kept)
The meeting was a second round of Early Design Guidance for the newest proposal for the site right behind Capco Plaza – 6-stories, ~75 apartments, 3,813 sq.ft. of commercial space, offstreet parking for ~63 vehicles (though this is in an area where projects can be built without any parking because of the proximity of “frequent transit”).

This location was approved for a different project under different ownership back in 2009.

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UPDATE: Gunshots or fireworks? Whatever that was, police are investigating

November 8, 2015 9:41 pm

| 21 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle police

9:41 PM: In case you heard them too, 911 has received calls about possible gunshots or fireworks heard from north Arbor Heights to Sunrise Heights (and we heard them here in Upper Fauntleroy). Nothing on the scanner at this point indicates a particular location, and no reports of anyone hurt anywhere.

P.S. If you were among those reporting something similar in north/northeast West Seattle around 2:30 am today – the final classification on the police log was “noise disturbance,” meaning they never found evidence of gunfire – no shell casings, no property damage, no victim(s).

10:25 PM: Comment consensus: Fireworks. (Police haven’t reported finding any evidence of gunfire, either.)

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West Seattle weather: Yes, that’s a thunderstorm. Plus, advisory ahead

November 8, 2015 8:06 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

Yes, that’s a thunderstorm heading this way. Several people have mentioned seeing and hearing it (thanks to MetPatrick for first word); the National Weather Service has a “short-term forecast” about it, too. It won’t last long but there’s more stormy weather on the way, according to the NWS, which has a “Special Weather Statement” for bouts of strong wind and heavy rain, starting Tuesday night.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Triangle mugging linked to Queen Anne carjacking, Airport Way crash

November 8, 2015 6:15 pm

| 25 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

ORIGINAL SUNDAY NIGHT REPORT: This reader report from Dan turns out to have been part of a crime spree that police say started and ended outside West Seattle:

My wife was mugged this morning around 10:30 am on SW Alaska Street and 37th by a man showing a gun from his waist. The man grabbed the purse that was hanging from my wife’s shoulder and flipped her to the ground and pulled the purse away from her.

He ran into the alley by Lien Veterinary and took off in a car that, according to police, was stolen. Thanks to my wife’s strong yelling for help and assistance from various people from the Link apartments who called police and took photos of the getaway car. Later we were driven by the police to a crash scene on Airport Way south to identify the mugger, who had crashed the car head-on into a transit van. Thanks to the kindness and quick response by SPD to apprehend the mugger and the SFD attending to my wife.

According to an earlier post on SPD Blotter (which didn’t catch our attention previously because it doesn’t mention West Seattle), the stolen vehicle was from a carjacking last night in Queen Anne.

ADDED MONDAY AFTERNOON: We’re working to find out if the suspect is due for a bail hearing today; he apparently went to the hospital for treatment of injuries before being booked into jail. Here’s a section from the police-report narrative detailing what SPD says happened between the robbery here and the crash on Airport Way:

While patrol units were conducting an area check for the suspect, Officer Novisedlak #5884 observed a vehicle with the matching plate traveling eastbound on the West Seattle Bridge. As the vehicle drove past (the officer) on the bridge, he broadcasted that the driver appeared to match the description of the suspect. (The officer) then followed after while waiting for sufficient units before initiated his lights and sirens to conduct a stop on the vehicle. Once sufficient units arrived with (the officer), he attempted to conduct a stop on the vehicle at 7th Av /James St. The suspect then refused to stop his vehicle by accelerating at a high rate of speed while continuing eastbound on James St. The suspect then continued to evade Officers by driver for several blocks as Officer followed after with lights and sirens. The suspect vehicle later stopped after colliding with another vehicle while driving the wrong way up the I-5 off-ramp to Airport Way. The suspect then exited the vehicle and was taken into custody without incident. The suspect was transported from the scene to HMC for treatment for unknown injuries.

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West Seattle Thanksgiving: Eastridge Church turkey giveaway set for November 21

November 8, 2015 3:33 pm

| Comments Off on West Seattle Thanksgiving: Eastridge Church turkey giveaway set for November 21

| Holidays | West Seattle news

(WSB photo, November 2014)
Early word so the news gets around: Eastridge Church is again giving away turkeys and bags of groceries on the Saturday before Thanksgiving – this year, that’s November 21st – no proof of need required. It starts at 9 am outside the church, which is on the southeast corner of 39th SW and SW Oregon, and continues while supplies last – more information here.

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TRAFFIC ALERTS: Backup on westbound bridge; Battery Street Tunnel closed

November 8, 2015 2:54 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

2:54 PM: Two traffic alerts right now as of just before 3 pm – we’re getting multiple reports of a backup on the westbound high bridge – apparently a lane closure without warning, but SDOT says it’ll be reopened shortly. Meantime, the Battery Street Tunnel has been closed both ways for a crash response.

3:01 PM: SDOT says the lane closure was for “maintenance.” Meantime – not related so far as we know – the BSTunnel remains closed TFN.

7:03 PM NOTE: The tunnel did finally fully reopen by 5:30.

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FOLLOWUP: Another oiled bird rescued at White Center pond

November 8, 2015 1:50 pm

| 7 COMMENTS

| Environment | West Seattle news | White Center

As promised, we went back this morning to the White Center stormwater-retention pond where the state and its contractors are cleaning up what’s believed to be a cooking-oil “spill” (yes, as has been pointed out, it could also have been intentional dumping) and rescuing oiled birds. The Canada goose caught while we were there late Saturday was the first bird captured for cleanup, a state Ecology Department spokesperson told us today, right before they caught a second one:

(Aside from a honk of protest, the goose didn’t resist.) Oiled feathers impair a variety of vital functions for birds, as explained here, including waterproofing and temperature regulation; we learned at the spill scene yesterday that rescued birds would be warmed on site and then transported to PAWS for rehabilitation. We expect to find out more tomorrow about where the investigation of the spill stands and how the birds are doing.

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Speaking of emergency road repairs/cleanups: THE number to call

November 8, 2015 12:10 pm

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| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Related to the previous traffic-alert story: Here’s a number to save to your phone in case you happen onto a road emergency such as a downed tree, downed power lines, dangerous debris. If it’s a city road, call 206-386-1218. That is the SDOT Street Emergency hotline and it’s staffed 24/7. We had previously referred people to a different SDOT number, but verified with a department spokesperson this week that 206-386-1218 is the number (someone mentioned to us that they had reported a downed tree via the Find It Fix It application, but then found out that’s NOT for emergencies). For more information on non-emergency maintenance issues, check out the resources here, and pothole reporting is here, as is the map you can check to see if one’s already been reported.

P.S. If it’s a matter of imminent danger, of course, you can of course always call 911.

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TRAFFIC ALERT UPDATE: Eastbound bridge repairs complete

November 8, 2015 11:07 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

11:07 AM: If you have to use the eastbound bridge, be forewarned that the Fauntleroy entrance is backed up right now (11:07 am) for repairs. They’re fixing a barrier section knocked out by an earlier collision.

11:51 AM: The repairs are complete and it’s OK to use the Fauntleroy Way entrance to the eastbound bridge again. Thanks to those who reported this via text – 206-293-6302 any time.

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West Seattle whale watching: Orcas in the area again

November 8, 2015 9:13 am

| 1 COMMENT

| Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Wildlife

9:13 AM: Missed your chance to go look for orcas during their recent weekday visits? Maybe today is your day. Jeff Hogan from Killer Whale Tales just texted to share a report of orcas seen in the Vashon ferry lanes. No initial word of their direction. Take your binoculars; most of the time they’re closer to the Vashon side than the West Seattle side. More when we hear it.

10:15 AM: No further reports – and the murky weather is a complication – but if they’re in the general area, they might switch directions, so you never know where/when they will turn up. Please comment if you see them – thank you.

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West Seattle Sunday: Music, art, wreathmaking, Veterans Day dinner…

November 8, 2015 9:09 am

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| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Sanderlings, photographed by Danny McMillin at Alki, shared via the WSB Flickr group)

Lots of options today on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

‘MONDAY ARTISTS’: These painters’ show/sale continues 10 am-3 pm today at Island View Apartments. (3033 California SW)

FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm every Sunday – see what’s fresh. (California SW between SW Oregon and SW Alaska)

FAUNTLEROY FINE ART AND GIFT SHOW FINALE: 11 am-2 pm, your last chance to see and shop the work of local artists/crafters. Fauntleroy Church Fellowship Hall. (9140 California SW)

MEDITATION & TRANSFORMING THE MIND: Learn more about your practice in this talk with Buddhist Monk Gen Khedrub at Sound Yoga (WSB sponsor), 11 am-12:30 pm. No pre-registration required. (5639 California SW)

MAKE YOUR OWN WREATH: Free workshop 1-4 pm at Highland Park Improvement Club – bring your own greenery etc. (as explained in our calendar listing), tables/inspiration provided. (12th SW & SW Holden)

CONCERT AT HOPE: 2 pm at Hope Lutheran Church, “organ repertoire from a variety of genres, accompanied by brass quartet, tympani, flute and choir” with refreshments to follow. Free. (42nd SW & SW Oregon)

LIVE MUSIC: Acoustic folk-rock with singer/guitarist Laura Bermes at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 3-5 pm. (5612 California SW)

LADIES MUSICAL CLUB: French operatic favorites are featured in this free classical concert, 3 pm at West Seattle (Admiral) Library. (2306 42nd SW)

VETERANS DAY DINNER: Free Italian dinner for veterans, active-duty service members, reserves, National Guard, and families – just come to American Legion Post 160 between 5 and 7 pm. Presented by Post 160 and Auxiliary Unit 160. (3618 SW Alaska)

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VIDEO: Southwest Seattle Historical Society brunch crowd goes ‘Home to the Homestead’ and gives big

November 8, 2015 2:02 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle history | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

“In this room, at this moment, this is West Seattle,” declared Southwest Seattle Historical Society executive director Clay Eals, toward the start of Saturday’s sold-out Champagne Gala Brunch fundraiser.

And West Seattle showed its generosity as well as its spirit – Eals tells WSB that the revenue from the event, which filled the Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor) event rooms from windowed wall to windowed wall, totals “$77,180, up 26.4 percent from last year.”

Early on during the brunch, Eals had other numbers of note: SWSHS’s 31st anniversary, and the 100th birthday of Erma Couden, widow of its founder Elliott Couden.

While the brunch’s theme was “Coming Home to the Homestead,” he cited a long list of highlights for the year even before the historic Alki Homestead/Fir Lodge‘s sale was announced and restoration commenced, including:

–Art Wolfe speaking
–Admiral Theater upgrading (the SWSHS saved the Admiral a quarter-century ago)
–West Seattle Junction Historical Survey launched
-Museum Manager transition, Sarah Baylinson succeeded by Lissa Kramer
–“Count the Lincoln Logs” contest
-Supporting the Duwamish Tribe‘s fight for federal recognition
–“If These Walls Could Talk” tour of Ye Olde Curiosity Shop founder Daddy Standley‘s house
-Coat of paint and other touchups for the museum
-Interior work, new shelving at museum
–Riverside walking tour
-Third year of the Words, Writers, & West Seattle literary series
–Totem Pole Cruise to Alaska
–Richard Hugo tribute concert and film screening in White Center
–School Daze pop-up museum at The Kenney (WSB sponsor)
–First-ever Family Halloween on the Porch

The society won two big awards this year: Last year’s Totem Pole unveiling was at the heart of 2 awards, one from Association of King County Historical Organizations, “best single-impact-event award,” and SWSHS was crowned Nonprofit of the Year by the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce.

But the biggest news of all this year was new ownership of the landmark Alki Homestead/Fir Lodge, purchased in March by Dennis Schilling, who quickly embarked on its restoration, six years after the landmark was charred by fire. For so long, its fate remained unknown, Eals reminded the brunch audience, showing the 2010 “This Place Matters” gathering, echoed by a photo op this past summer – “This Place Still Matters” – that was more of a celebration.

The Homestead rebirth by itself has inspired myriad events, including the log-structure-restoration lecture/demonstration by David Rogers in August. Also, Homestead memories are being shared on the “virtual chicken dinner” page on the SWSHS website. And the 1,000-plus-student photo op on June 5th dubbed “Group Hug for the Homestead” was a morning to remember, as we showed you here.