day : 05/04/2016 11 results

West Seattle Hi-Yu: Parade season’s about to start; Tea coming up too

April 5, 2016 9:31 pm

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| West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival | West Seattle news

Catching up on West Seattle Hi-Yu as summer approaches, we visited the organization’s monthly meeting last night at Admiral Congregational Church. Above, the plan for this year’s float – the last neighborhood float in Seattle – is based on last year’s popular Around the Sound – this time, it will be Around West Seattle, as envisioned by Junior Court Queen Amelia Kline. Holdover features will include the orca, fish, and ferryboat that were hits last year, and some new features TBA. A donation is needed for starters: A small children’s bicycle with a basket and training wheels. If you have one you can donate to Hi-Yu, contact them through their website.

Hi-Yu is still looking for Senior Court candidates (the deadline has been extended again), so this year’s parade season, starting with next weekend’s multi-location Daffodil Parade in Pierce County, will start with just the Junior Court on the float and the Teen Ambassadors marching alongside.

Next big event – the annual Hi-Yu tea, 2 pm Sunday, May 22nd, at The Hall @ Fauntleroy. Local businesses can expect to hear from Hi-Yu reps seeking donations for the fundraising auction. Tea tickets, available through Hi-Yu, are $25.

P.S. You’ll get to see the Hi-Yu float and entourage here in West Seattle during the WS Grand Parade on Saturday, July 23rd.

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Chief Sealth IHS students, teacher taking wood-shop class fight to School Board tomorrow

April 5, 2016 7:41 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

The students fighting to save the wood-shop class at Chief Sealth International High School are taking it to the School Board meeting tomorrow. We’ve heard conflicting reports of the class’s status since last we checked in with various involved parties; the students we first told you about on March 10th told us they planned to speak to the School Board, and tomorrow’s updated agenda shows they’ve secured spots in the public-comment period, which is prescheduled with advance signups. The public-comment list also includes wood-shop teacher Nan Johnson. The program itself is not on the agenda, but its fate is part of an ongoing budgeting process that eventually gets back to the district level. The public-comment period starts at 5:30 pm tomorrow (Wednesday, April 6th) at district HQ in SODO (3rd and Lander).

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TRAFFIC ALERT UPDATE: Crash on EB bridge, stall on WB bridge both clear

April 5, 2016 5:49 pm

| 9 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Screengrab from SDOT cam, before SFD left the scene)

5:49 PM: Thanks for the tips: A crash is blocking the left two lanes of the eastbound high bridge.

5:57 PM: Multiple tips note it’s backing up the westbound bridge too.

6:18 PM: And if you’re headed west on the Fauntleroy end of the bridge, there’s a stall blocking one lane by Walking on Logs.

6:39 PM: Both scenes are now clear.

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WEST SEATTLE TREE-CUTTING CASE: Preview what council committee will see Thursday

April 5, 2016 5:20 pm

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| Crime | Environment | West Seattle news

As reported here last night, the first official public discussion of the West Seattle illegal-tree-cutting case is set for this Thursday morning at the next meeting of the City Council’s Parks, Seattle Center, Waterfront, and Libraries Committee. According to the just-published agenda, the presenters will be Seattle Parks Superintendent Jesús Aguirre, Transportation Director Scott Kubly, and, from the City Attorney’s Office, Joseph Groshong. The presentation is about more than the West Seattle case – as shown in the slide deck above, which accompanies the agenda, it’s titled “Tree Stewardship Presentation,” but if you scroll through to page 4, it moves to information about vandalism and enforcement, and then the West Seattle case on page 7. If you can’t be there in person – one incentive: the agenda includes a public-comment period – you will be able to watch live via the Seattle Channel, cable 21 or online at seattlechannel.org.

Previous WSB coverage:
Monday, April 4
Friday, April 1
Wednesday, March 30
Monday, March 28
Saturday, March 26

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CRAB-TRUCK CRASH FOLLOWUP: Driver to be cited, says SPD

April 5, 2016 3:57 pm

| 33 COMMENTS

| Alaskan Way Viaduct | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

(WSB reader photo from Monday afternoon, looking southwestward toward the tipped truck and its spilled load)

New information today about the crab-truck crash that closed the northbound Alaskan Way Viaduct for hours on Monday (WSB coverage here): Seattle Police say the driver is expected to be cited for negligent driving – going too fast and making an “unsafe lane change” toward the south end of the elevated section. Fine: $550, says SDOT, whose Commercial Vehicle Enforcement section is taking the lead on the investigation; so far, we’re told, it appears to have been strictly driver error, not a problem with the truck’s load. What happened to those spilled boxes of crab? Basically, SPD spokesperson Sgt. Sean Whitcomb told us, it had to be discarded – either to garbage or compost – once it had fallen onto a roadway, there’s no way to verify it’s safe enough even to donate, let alone sell; the city is “not in the business of subjecting someone to (potentially) contaminated goods.” And, unlike the fish-truck crash that blocked southbound 99 almost exactly one year ago, salvaging the load was not a priority – clearing the road was. “Our efforts were centered on just getting (the truck) off (the roadway),” Whitcomb stressed. This incident was a big test of the plan the city announced last August, four-plus months after the fish-truck crash exposed glaring flaws in coordination between city agencies like SDOT and SPD, among other things.

P.S. Guard-rail repairs will close the right NB lane at Monday’s crash scene for a while tonight, starting around 7:30 pm, per WSDOT.

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FOLLOWUP: What caused last night’s brown water in Delridge and Admiral

April 5, 2016 2:19 pm

| 8 COMMENTS

| Utilities | West Seattle news

After a flurry of discolored-water reports started flowing in last night after 9 pm, we promised to follow up today with Seattle Public Utilities. The response is just in from spokesperson Ingrid Goodwin:

SPU crews conducted two hydrant flow tests last night in West Seattle: one in the vicinity of 48th Ave. SW and Waite St, and the other one on Delridge Way. The hydrant tests are a mandated requirement by the City of Seattle for new construction projects.

As you know, any time there is a disturbance in the water main, discolored water can happen. Last night’s hydrant tests caused discolored water for some customers in those areas where the tests took place. Since last night, SPU has received about 50 calls from customers in West Seattle related to discolored water.

SPU does not typically notify customers in advance about routine, day-to-day maintenance work that crews complete quickly and has a low impact or no impact on customers. However, we understand that many West Seattle residents are acutely aware of discolored water, have been experiencing persistent problems since last summer and want to be informed when SPU knows there might be a disturbance in the water system. SPU needs to do a better job communicating in advance to customers when we know there is planned, day-to-day work by SPU crews that can cause discolored water. We are working on developing and implementing a method to do so soon.

The unidirectional flushing that is scheduled to begin in a couple of weeks will not eliminate discolored water, but will help reduce the intensity and duration of discolored water when it does occur. SPU will be sending customers information explaining the work, an FAQ that will answer some questions and a map that shows the areas that will be flushed. Customers, who live in West Seattle neighborhoods where the flushing will start in April, should look for a mailing from SPU to arrive next week.

We had first word of the “unidirectional flushing” plan in this story last Thursday.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Bicycles stolen and found

April 5, 2016 12:33 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Two bicycles in this Crime Watch report:

STOLEN: That’s Tony‘s bicycle, stolen Sunday night from “inside my apartment building” at California/Mills [map] – Tony is a relatively recent arrival to the area, so the theft is an unpleasant “welcome.” A police report is filed. If you’ve seen it, please contact SPD, and let us know too.

FOUND: In case you hadn’t seen this posted in the WSB Forums, a black mountain bike turned up at 37th and Trenton [map]. Almost always, that means “stolen and dumped.” We already checked – not Tony’s bike. This one is Specialized brand, for starters.

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West Seattle Tuesday: Fundraising food; many music options; more…

April 5, 2016 10:44 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Thanks to Claudio Gonda for that bald-eagle photo from Me-Kwa-Mooks Park – see Claudio’s full Flickr set here. And now, let’s see what’s up for the rest of today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

DINE OUT FOR HIGHLAND PARK ELEMENTARY: Eat/drink at Zippy’s Giant Burgers in White Center today and a portion of the proceeds goes to the Highland Park Elementary PTA – details in our listing. (9646 14th SW)

DINE OUT TO SAVE KPLU: At Mioposto (WSB sponsor) in Admiral, a percentage of tonight’s dinner proceeds will go toward the campaign to raise money to save KPLU public radio. (If you’re reading this outside WS, note that Mioposto’s Bryant and Mt. Baker locations are participating, too.) More info here. (2139 California SW)

JUSTIN KAUSAL-HAYES: Live music at Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor), “acoustic hits of the last 4 decades.” 5-8 pm, no cover. (1936 Harbor SW)

LEARN TO PLAY DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS: Ages 9 and up, first Tuesday of the month, at Meeples Games (WSB sponsor), 6 pm, free, everything provided, just bring yourself. (3727 California SW)

WEST SEATTLE BIKE CONNECTIONS: All welcome at the monthly meeting, 6:30 pm at HomeStreet Bank (WSB sponsor) in The Junction. (41st SW/SW Alaska)

LOVE TO MAKE THINGS, AND MAKE FRIENDS? Two groups meet tonight – West Seattle Crochet and Knit Social Circle at Uptown Espresso in The Junction (California/Edmunds/Erskine), West Seattle Quilters at Senior Center of West Seattle (California/Oregon), both groups at 7 pm.

BILLY JOE & THE RC’S: Live at Parliament Tavern every Tuesday, 7 pm, featuring Billy Joe Huels and Robin Cady of The Dusty 45s, along with Rod Cook. No cover. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

BLUEGRASS JAM BAND: Live music at Löcol, 7 pm, no cover. (7902 35th SW)

SINGER-SONGWRITER SHOWCASE: 9 pm every Tuesday at Shadowland. (California SW/SW Oregon)

LOOK INTO THE FUTURE … via our complete calendar (which has even more for today/tonight, too).

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CONGRATULATIONS! Seattle Lutheran robotics team to championships

April 5, 2016 9:54 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

It’s National Robotics Week – and one of our area’s student teams has big news: The Seattle Lutheran High School robotics team has qualified for the district championships in Portland. SLHS sends word that Team SeaBot qualified by ranking 46th of 158 teams in Washington, Oregon, and Alaska. 64 teams will compete at Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Portland tomorrow through Saturday; the field will be reduced to 30 qualifying for the international FIRST (Robotics) Championship in St. Louis, April 27-30.

The St. Louis competition includes teams from across the U.S. and around the world. (Thanks to Jeannie Flohr at SLHS for the update and photos!)

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Remembering Mary ‘Mimi’ Anderson, 1919-2016

April 5, 2016 9:10 am

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| Obituaries | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

The funeral and reception in memory of Mary H. Anderson are planned for April 16th at The Mount. Here’s the remembrance her family is sharing:

Mary H. Anderson, “Mimi” to her family, was born in Seattle in 1919. She died March 17 at Providence Mt. St. Vincent after a courageous battle with cancer. Mary and her beloved brother Bill, who preceded her in death, grew up in First Hill neighborhood. She attended Holy Names Academy and the Cornish school of the arts.

In 1946, Mary and her husband Frank Novak moved to West Seattle with their new baby Christine. The first thing she did was join Holy Rosary Parish, where she was a member for 70 years.

In 1976, Mimi married her true love Roger Anderson, who had two grown children of his own, Laurienne and Carver Anderson.

Mimi and Rog were married for 30 years and they lived and loved it thoroughly. Together they enjoyed traveling, bridge games, quiet nights reading and watching the ferryboats, family events, his wonderful sense of humor and her fabulous gourmet meals.

Mary leaves behind treasured friends and family, only child Christine Evens, grandsons Patrick and James Allen, Charles Evens (Lanna) and great grandchildren Andrew and Fae. She also leaves her wonderful nephews John and Phil Hendry, great nephew Troy, great nieces Sasha and Shannon and special friend Kathy Oczkewecz who she called her adopted daughter.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances can be made to the Providence Mt. St. Vincent Foundation, or her favorite charity National Animal Society.

Funeral mass will be in the Chapel at Providence Mount St. Vincent in West Seattle, Saturday, April 16, 2016, at 10:30 a.m. Reception to follow in the dining room, all are welcome. Please share memories of Mimi on our online guestbook.

(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: April’s first Tuesday

April 5, 2016 6:27 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)

6:27 AM: Good morning – the big issue right now on area outbound routes is eastbound I-90. A police investigation has the main lanes closed; eastbound traffic is using the express lanes only. That’s backing up northbound I-5, including the stretch to which you exit from the West Seattle Bridge.

Otherwise – the Viaduct is back to normal after yesterday’s crab-truck crash. But remember the overnight closures on NB 99 continuing north of downtown – 10 pm-5 am, nightly through Thursday night, and then the next two weeks bring overnight closures on SB 99, again north of downtown – if you travel that stretch during those hours, get the details here.

6:48 AM: All lanes of eastbound I-90 have just reopened, according to an e-mail alert from WSDOT.

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