West Seattle, Washington
21 Saturday
The view from the deck of the Stennis, by photog Meegan M. Reid. Carrier is headed out for training. pic.twitter.com/RCTrmxt5ks
— KitsapSun (@KitsapSun) January 12, 2015
Aaron texted us about an aircraft carrier passing Alki Point right now and at first we thought it had to be the USS Nimitz, expected to be Bremerton-bound sometime this week, postponed from last week. But no, it’s the USS John C. Stennis, headed out for training again, per the Kitsap Sun (whose photo tweet you see above).
ADDED: Thanks to Lynn Shimamoto for catching a good look at the Stennis and sharing the photo:
No exact date yet for the Nimitz’s trip from Everett to Bremerton, by the way.
(Map courtesy Seattle Public Utilities)
Busy week for utility-related projects in West Seattle – along with the advisories recapped in our daily traffic watch, here’s the explanation of drilling activity you might notice later this week:
Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) will conduct soil testing as part of the SW Orleans St Sewer Replacement Project which will repair the sewer mainline in the SW Orleans St right-of-way, west of the intersection with 30th Ave SW. We will use the results of these soil tests to help us replace the sewer line next year.
Soil tests allow us to determine current underground conditions around the existing sewer line. A crew will drill 15 to 20 foot deep holes to take soil samples. After taking samples they will fill the holes and restore the surface. At one location they will install a groundwater monitoring well. The map on the back of this page shows the two drilling locations.
Work is expected to begin on January 14th and will take one to two days. Normal work hours will be between 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. After the drilling, we will be onsite periodically to measure groundwater levels in the monitoring well.
There will be two drilling locations in the public right-of-way as shown on the (above) map. The crew will work in one work area at a time.
(WS high/low bridges and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
7 AM: As we head for the heart of the commute, there’s an emergency response at a crash on West Marginal Way SW just north of Highland Park Way SW – no word, though, on how it’s affecting traffic. And on the northbound I-5 “collector-distributor” downtown, there’s a stall blocking a lane by Marion St.
ADVISORIES TODAY: If you use Water Taxi Pier 50 or state-ferry Colman Dock downtown, today is the day access changes – details in our previous report … near the Fauntleroy ferry dock, county crews are scheduled to repair concrete panels by the Barton Pump Station project this week … and the south end of Beach Drive will be busy today with the continued concrete pour at the Murray Combined Sewer Overflow Control Project tank site.
7:17 AM: SFD has already cleared the W. Marginal Way scene. According to e-mail from Kimberley, it involved an overturned pickup, and “people were out of their cars helping” even before fire/police arrived. Also, a texter mentioned a crash on the bridge, but there’s no emergency dispatch so far. As the cameras show, though, it’s definitely a full-on eastbound backup.
7:29 AM: Crash just reported at Admiral Way/Avalon – no injuries reported but some blocking, according to the scanner.
7:56 AM: No indication of anything out of the ordinary on the bridge. Meantime, our crew just checked the W. Marginal Way scene – the right southbound lane before Highland Park Way is still blocked but a tow truck is there to take care of the wrecked pickup truck, so this should be clear before too long, no indication of anything mandating a major investigation. Traffic is getting by in both directions.
9:00 AM: One more transportation-news note – the next Seattle City Council briefing on the Highway 99 tunnel project and related issues is coming up around 10:45 am – you can watch live at seattlechannel.org. Preview the slide deck – which mentions more about “what if the Viaduct had to be shut down?” plans as well as settlement affecting downtown water mains – by going here.
9:49 AM: Just back from a quick check on several things: Sharonn had mentioned in comments that 37th is closed in The Triangle north of Alaska because of work involving a big crane. We went by (photo to come) and were told this involves removing something from the roof at the SK Food Group building (4600 37th SW). We also checked on the mentioned-above Murray CSO concrete pour and Barton Pump Station road-panel replacement – both of those projects are under way, with minimal traffic impact (except for Beach Drive south of Lincoln Park Way – unless you’re a resident and have to get through, avoid that today).
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Fire Station 29 in Admiral has been slated for remodeling and seismic-safety upgrades since voters passed a citywide levy 11 years ago.
For at least a year, the city has been saying that while the work is under way at Station 29, its engine and personnel would be based from the same Harbor Avenue industrial site that was interim home to North Delridge’s Station 36 during its now-complete upgrades. The $1.8 million contract has now been awarded, and Station 29 work is soon to start.
Then suddenly last Wednesday, the city was sending reps door-to-door around a triangle of SDOT right-of-way a block northeast of the current station – between 44th SW, Ferry SW, and SW Hill, across the street from Admiral Congregational Church and A Child Becomes Preschool – telling neighbors the plan had changed at the last minute, and that the triangle would house the interim fire station instead, for about a year, a tight fit at best.
Since our first report that afternoon, we have pursued follow-up questions, and neighbors have been mobilizing. Their point, in a Saturday-morning gathering attended by City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, is that they’re not against having firefighters nearby (they’re already on the block) – they’re concerned about the size and safety of the newly designated site, and the lack of transparency in keeping the change under wraps until the last moment.
5:41 PM: The hilly stretch of SW Andover east of Delridge is closed right now because of a crash – for a while only half the road was blocked, but fluid from the crash has apparently caused vehicles to slide on the other side, so police have closed the entire hill. No word yet on how long cleanup will take; no major injuries reported from the crash.
8:07 PM UPDATE: Just went by – the hill is clear and open.
(WSB photo by Patrick Sand)
5:09 PM: Sizable Seattle Fire response right now for a car fire reported in the underground garage by the Admiral Bartell Drugs. Per scanner, the sprinkler system has it under control and ventilation is the big concern now. More to come.
(Photo courtesy Ted Johnson)
5:36 PM UPDATE: Our crew at the scene says one car was involved and the fire didn’t spread to others. Lots of water on the floor inside the garage because of the sprinklers. Nobody hurt.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
“In general, when I look back at where I was and where I wanted to be, if I knew I would be doing the things I’m doing now, I’d be so ecstatic.”
That’s how comic Adam Cozens, a West Seattle native, sums up what’s transpired in the four years since last we checked in with him. He had already been pursuing his dreams in New York for a few years when we interviewed him during holiday-season visits home in 2009 and 2010.
Then in December, he e-mailed WSB to let us know he’ll be back in the area this month, starting with a headliner show at Comedy Underground on January 21st. So we talked with him by phone to find out what’s changed in the four-plus years since he was last here doing a Seattle stand-up show while visiting family (his parents are still here in West Seattle, where, as we first noted in 2009, he attended Schmitz Park Elementary, Madison Middle School, West Seattle High School, and Seattle Lutheran High School).
One big change: He lives in Los Angeles now. (Pasadena, to be specific.) But that might not be the biggest.
The concrete pour that started Friday will continue tomorrow at the Murray Combined Sewer Overflow Control Project site – a million-gallon tank under construction across from Lowman Beach. That’s according to an update from project spokesperson Doug Marsano from King County Wastewater Treatment. Like Friday, that means up to 10 trucks an hour, starting at 7 am, and it might continue beyond 6 pm.
11:02 AM: There’s always the possibility these two reports do NOT involve thefts, but in case you can help reunite items with their rightful owners, we’re sharing the reader reports. First, from North Delridge:
I had a package stolen from my porch on Thursday. At least I think it was stolen because it has been reported as delivered and my neighbors don’t have it. It was from Nordstrom but I don’t think it was labeled as such. It had two bras and a skirt. I live on 25th between Brandon and Findlay, right behind the Delridge Library.
Second, if you’re missing a suitcase, through theft or otherwise, a tipster says this turned up on an Admiral parking strip, and tweeted a photo:
It was still there as of first thing this morning, SW Stevens west of 38th SW.
11:48 AM NOTE: SPD tweets suggest the suitcase has been reported to police as “found property,” so if you’re the owner and don’t see this until later, check with them. (Also, see the comments below for an update from the finder.)
ADDED 2:20 PM: Just received a photo of a bicycle found in the greenbelt near Fauntleroy Church:
Morgan says it was there as of early afternoon, “in the Fenton Glen little ravine by the little path to the creek at the far end of Fauntleroy Church’s parking lot … sort of hidden behind a big cedar.”
Today is the last day of business, for now, for Firefly Café and Creperie in The Junction, writes its owner Charell Estby in this Facebook post. It’s been up for sale for half a year, she writes, and while it’s still listed and looking for a new owner, she has to move on. Firefly opened at California/Genesee in fall 2012 and has been involved in many community charity drives and donations along the way. Firefly is open today until 3:30 pm.
(Shell art on Alki, photographed by Lisa Ruiz)
Quiet Sunday – just what you need to recover from The Game, right? Here’s what we do have on the calendar:
LAST DAY FOR FREE TREECYCLING: If you still haven’t taken down the Christmas tree, maybe this will be incentive: This is the last day Seattle Public Utilities is accepting trees for free. (Until next year, and you really don’t want to keep it around THAT long …) You can take yours to the South Transfer Station, which is open 8 am-8 pm. (130 S. Kenyon)
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, with five more vendors expected to be returning today. (44th/Alaska)
WEST SEATTLE ULTIMATE FAMILY FRISBEE: According to the WSUFF Facebook page, they’re experimenting with adding a second field today, for kids and beginners. 11 am, Walt Hundley Playfield. (34th/Myrtle)
TJ GRANT: 3-5 pm acoustic set at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) – “smart, emotional lyrics and powerful delivery.” (5612 California SW)
LADIES’ MUSICAL CLUB: 3 pm, free concert of music for oboe, mezzo-soprano, and piano at West Seattle (Admiral) Branch Library. (2306 42nd SW)
CARL TOSTEN: 6:30-8:30 pm, the singer/songwriter/guitarist is live at Locöl. (7902 35th SW)
OF COURSE THERE’S MORE … on our calendar!
10:01 PM: Thanks to the caller who tipped us to the power outage that’s affecting almost 200 customers near South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) and to the east, along the Duwamish River. It’s on the Seattle City Light map now (screengrab added, above). The map’s guesstimate of restoration time is just before 1 am, but please keep in mind, it could be much sooner or much later – no word of the cause yet.
P.S. See the mobile version of the SCL map by going here. If you’re out but in a different area, be sure to call 206-684-3000.
10:38 PM: Most of those affected are back on; the outage map now shows 18 still out, in the pockets off West Marginal Way SW. SCL still hasn’t disclosed the cause.
11:27 PM: We now have a response via Twitter:
@westseattleblog Cause was a faulty part on a utility pole. Crews quickly isolated/fixed the issue and restored power. Thank you
— Seattle City Light (@SEACityLight) January 11, 2015
The outage map shows two customers in the industrial area along the Duwamish are still out.
9:53 PM: Another victory of note tonight: Congratulations to West Seattle High School senior Taryn Smith, just crowned Miss Seattle 2015! More info to come.
ADDED SUNDAY MORNING: Thank you to Melinda Fredericks for the photos. She says Taryn is also varsity cheer captain at WSHS and, “She is an amazing woman, fantastic leader and will do even more amazing things in the future!” The Miss Seattle competition is part of the Miss America program. P.S. Video from the announcement last night is here.
After tonight’s 31-17 victory over Carolina, the Seahawks play for the NFC Championship one week from tomorrow, at noon January 18th. We already have the first neighborhood tailgate party announcement – noon to 4 pm, Highland Park Improvement Club:
Doors open at 11:30 AM. Come whoop it up with your 12th neighbors. Bring snacks or a dish to share. Bring your own beverages. Everyone is welcome at HPIC, no matter who you are rooting for.
HPIC’s at 12th/Holden. As the week goes on, we’ll have a list of other public parties – bars, restaurants, neighborhoods – share info via editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks and Go, Hawks!
(Photo courtesy West Seattle Baseball: 2014 Bronco Division champions)
We know, it’s all about football tonight. But if you have a young baseball player in your house, take note that West Seattle Baseball sent word this week that its spring-season registration is open, for 4- to 19-year-olds:
West Seattle Baseball is a 100% volunteer organization dedicated to teaching kids the game of baseball and giving them opportunities to get out on the diamond. In addition to regular season play, all kids ages 7 and older participate in post-season tournaments. Those kids wanting to continue playing have opportunities to play baseball well into the summer in programs such as All Star programs for ages 8-12 years old as well as summer recreation programs including the West Seattle Crush at the Pee Wee fields.
West Seattle Baseball hosts several summer all-star tournaments in West Seattle featuring some of the top teams in Western Washington.
West Seattle Baseball welcomes players of all experience levels. West Seattle Baseball is proudly affiliated with the national PONY Baseball organization. Our goals include teaching the fundamentals of baseball and good sportsmanship while building a sense of community among players and their families. Practices begin in March, and the West Seattle Baseball regular season runs from the beginning of April to early June. You can register today at westseattlebaseball.com.
Got a winning chili recipe? Maybe you even cooked it up for tonight’s game and won raves. The upcoming Fauntleroy Chili Cookoff could be your next playing field. Planners are looking for home-based chili chefs to compete. Meat or vegetarian, if your recipe is a winner, e-mail info@fauntleroyucc.org or call 206-938-4203 for competition details; the cookoff is 6:30-8 pm January 31st in the Fauntleroy Church Fellowship Hall. (If you’re more chili fan than chili chef, get it on your calendar now – more info here.)
(Photo courtesy South Seattle College: SkyCity Executive Chef Jeff Maxfield, SSC culinary alum)
Two weeks from tonight, 15 accomplished Seattle chefs will cook dinner for 300 people supporting the South Seattle College Foundation during “Gifts From the Earth.” Go here to see the full lineup and read their stories – award winners, entrepreneurs, hotel chefs, restaurant chefs, club chefs, SSC-alum chefs. Then make your reservation to support student scholarships and services via tickets to the event, 5 pm Saturday, January 24th, at Brockey Center on campus. The night includes silent and live auctions. And yes, there will be wine! Your tickets await, here.
Michael‘s bicycle is “instantly recognizable,” as he puts it. And now it’s gone … so he’s hoping that if you see it, you’ll be able to help him get it back. He’s part of the Alki Beach Creeps bike club; his “beach cruiser” bike was stolen in Pioneer Square. Call 911 if you see it.
No, the West Seattle Water Taxi won’t be featuring live music regularly – so far as we know – but it was the venue for a mini-concert on Friday morning, as you can see and hear in the video above. First we got a note from a rider wondering about the band; while researching, we received another note that solved the mystery – Stephanie from the West Seattle-based band Woodland explained that they were “filming a video of (the band’s) song ‘Coal Train Rain’ for NPR’s ‘Tiny Desk Concert Series‘ contest. The contest draws thousands of entries from all over the country, for a chance to perform behind Bob Boilen’s desk for NPR Music in Washington, DC.” While on board the Spirit of Kingston, the band even managed a photo session:
Stephanie added that Woodland has a West Seattle gig coming up, January 26 at Locöl Barley & Vine; its full performance schedule is here.
Just heard from Harry’s Chicken Joint (6032 California SW; WSB sponsor), which is changing its hours because of tonight’s Seahawks playoff game – open 1-5 pm instead of the usual 4-8 pm. So if you want chicken for the game, get it early. Anybody else changing hours for the game, let us know in the comment section below – thanks!
(December 2014 photo by Long Bach Nguyen)
When the Port of Seattle‘s Terminal 5 in West Seattle shut down last July, the vast empty space visible from the bridge caused doubletakes for weeks – no ships, no containers, no trucks. The modernization project expected to put it back into use is still at least three years – and up to a quarter-billion dollars – away from completion. But the port had said it was looking for interim uses, and this Tuesday, its commission will be briefed on what is apparently its most-likely prospect: Leasing space to Foss Maritime for projects including homeporting and supplying Arctic-drilling and support vessels for Shell and handling components for an LNG (liquefied natural gas) plant planned near Prince Rupert, B.C.
The port’s been talking to Foss about this since before Terminal 5 closed last July, according to a memo by Seaport Managing Director Linda Styrk and Deputy CEO Kurt Beckett, published with the commission agenda that went online last Thursday – the T-5 details start on page 5:
The memo says the drilling support would involve homeporting eight vessels from fall through spring, until they head for summer work in Alaska, and handling equipment and supplies for the fleet.
(While the specific vessels are not mentioned, Shell vessels have come through Seattle before, for work at nearby Vigor – most notably two that had trouble later in Alaskan waters, the drill rigs Kulluk and Noble Discoverer, which were to come back in 2013 but were taken to Asia instead.)
In addition to the potential oil/gas exploration and LNG plant component work, the Port memo says, “Foss has identified additional prospects for breakbulk and bulk business” that it could add, possibly even including work for the port itself, involving helping get “… 100,000 tons of aggregates to Sea-Tac’s center runway repaving project. Vessels would deliver aggregates to T-5, where they would be transported to SeaTac International Airport over the road in a manner that would reduce air emissions and regional traffic congestion versus traditional routes.”
But to get any of this going, according to the memo, the port has to move fast, because Foss might need the space as soon as March and would need to start work ASAP on “tenant improvements” (though, as this Seattle Times report also notes, it has not yet won the contract for the LNG project). So this is all on the agenda for Tuesday’s commission meeting, 1 pm at the Sea-Tac Airport Conference Center. Commissioner Stephanie Bowman had told the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce in October that T-5 is “not going to be empty for long,” and now it appears that’s true.
P.S. The slide deck for Tuesday’s meeting also touches on the plans to deepen both waterways at Harbor Island; the timeline for that work is much further into the future, listed now as 2021-2025 for the West Waterway, which T-5 fronts.
(Photo by Don Brubeck)
Tonight’s the night … Seahawks vs Panthers, 5:15 pm. 12s are on the skyline, on the flagpoles, in the windows, everywhere. And in our calendar highlights for today/tonight, you’ll find these two:
TAILGATE IN HIGHLAND PARK! Highland Park Improvement Club hosts a neighborhood tailgate party on game days and tonight, the doors open at 5 pm. All welcome. Details in our calendar listing. (12th/Holden)
CHEER AT FEEDBACK LOUNGE: The game’ll be on the big screen at the Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), which opens at 11:30 am, and Happy Hour will be under way, starting at 3 pm. (6451 California SW)
Also today/tonight:
DELRIDGE COMMUNITY CENTER HAIRCUT FUNDRAISER: Second of five Saturdays, 8:30 am-3:30 pm, when you can donate to Delridge CC while getting a free haircut from Rudy’s Barbershop stylists in the Airstream on the southeast side of the center. (4501 Delridge Way SW)
TILDEN SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: School-shopping for K-5? Interested parents are invited to come tour Tilden School (WSB sponsor) and meet its teachers and specialists, 10 am-noon. (4105 California SW)
NW MONTESSORI OPEN HOUSE: 10 am-noon open house for parents interested in Northwest Montessori. (7344 35th SW)
BABY IN THE HOUSE? ON THE WAY? ‘EARLY DAYS’ NOW ON SATURDAYS TOO! 10:30 am-12:30 pm at Nurturing Expressions (WSB sponsor), the new second weekly session of the drop-in support group Early Days for parents of babies up to 1 year, and expectant parents too. (4746 44th SW)
THE BURNZ: Live in-store show at Easy Street Records, 7 pm. (California/Alaska)
SUNDODGER, DEAD LANGUAGE, VESTER … live at 9 pm at The Benbow. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
VANOWEN ALBUM-RELEASE SHOW: Stay at The Feedback after the game, and see/hear Vanowen perform their new album “Beautiful” live, 9:30 pm. (6451 California SW)
THAT’S JUST THE START … see more for today/tonight, by going directly to our calendar.
(WSB photos by Katie Meyer)
If you’ve been in the Easy Street Café any time in recent months, you’ve likely admired the work of Jini Dellaccio, famed for her rock ‘n’ roll photography, gone last year at 97. Now she’s being celebrated outside Easy Street.
On Friday afternoon, WSB’s Katie Meyer happened onto Don Rockwell painting from a self-portrait by Ms. Dellaccio. This is the final month of her show at ESR, building up to a closing party and sale on January 26th.
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