West Seattle, Washington

17 Thursday

45℉

month : 04/2016 306 results

West Seattle Wednesday: Eat @ Joe’s & help Roxhill; see ‘The Addams Family’; SW District Council, School Board meetings…
April 6, 2016 9:31 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

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(Varied thrush, photographed by Mark Wangerin – click to open a larger view)

Our highlights for today start now and stretch across the next 12-plus hours!

DINE OUT FOR ROXHILL ELEMENTARY: Endolyne Joe’s (WSB sponsor) is donating part of its proceeds today to support enrichment programs at Roxhill Elementary. Joe’s dining room is open until 10 tonight. (9261 45th SW)

NETWORKING MEETUP: Noon at West Seattle Office Junction, take a break from your home office, local business, coffee-shop spot, wherever, and come network. Bring your lunch. (6040 California SW)

WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON AT THE MOVIES: 1 pm matinée at the Senior Center of West Seattle, today showing “Rose of Washington Square” (1939) with Tyrone Power, Alice Faye, Al Jolson. Suggested donation $1-$2. (California SW/SW Oregon)

SEALTH SHOP SUPPORTERS @ SCHOOL BOARD: 5:30 pm, the public-comment period starts at the Seattle School Board meeting at District HQ in SODO, and supporters of the budget-threatened wood-shop program at Chief Sealth International High School are on the list. Here’s the agenda for the full meeting, which starts at 4. (3rd S./S. Lander)

SOUTHWEST DISTRICT COUNCIL: 6:30 pm at Senior Center of West Seattle. No agenda yet but we’ve heard word of a guest to discuss plans for the upcoming tunneling-related Alaskan Way Viaduct closure. (California SW/SW Oregon)

JIM PAGE: Live at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. (5612 California SW)

‘THE ADDAMS FAMILY’ AT WSHS: 7:30 pm at the West Seattle High School Theater, go cheer student performers in the WSHS Drama Club/Music Department production of the musical “Addams Family.” Ticket info’s in our listing. (3000 California SW)

CHECK THE CALENDAR for even more!

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Memorial tomorrow for Marie Loken, 1922-2016
April 6, 2016 8:55 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Obituaries | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Family and friends will gather tomorrow at The Mount to remember Marie Loken. Here’s the remembrance they’re sharing:

Our beloved mother Marie M. Loken passed away on March 26, 2016 at the age of 93. She was born on August 22, 1922 in Seattle to Charles and Marie McIntosh. Mom was the eldest of three sisters and spent her youth in Ballard and spent many a Sunday on her grandparents’ farm on Vashon Island. She was a 1941 graduate of Holy Angels High School, where she received a diploma from Holy Angels Academy School of Music in addition to her high school diploma. At 17, Mom could play concert level piano pieces and never lost her love of playing her piano. After high school, she worked at Federal Way High School as a secretary and then worked as a typesetter for Sears Roebuck catalogue department in the old Sears building on 1st Avenue. Shortly before World War II, she met the love of her life, Roger, at a local dance school. They wrote to each other throughout the war, and while he was overseas he asked her to marry him. 69 years later they were still together until his death last year.

She moved to Kettle Falls to help Roger embark on his teaching career. While they were building a house, Marie endured harsh winters and summers raising her babies, all born about a year apart. She returned to Seattle in 1958 and resided in West Seattle for her remaining years. After raising her six children she returned to Sears and worked as a typesetter with the same people that she had worked with when she was 19. Through the years Marie was Roger’s right hand and greatest supporter through his teaching and real estate endeavors. Mom loved to travel and she took trips with her husband and family to Europe and Hawaii and the Oregon Coast. Reading mysteries and watching her classic movies were some of her favorite pastimes. When it came to gardening, she could grow anything from a cutting. In her younger years, she was an avid bowler, bowling a 300 at one point. The last of the great card senders, she maintained correspondence with her friends from Kettle Falls for over 60 years and never let a holiday or birthday go by without sending a card. She was a Red Cross Volunteer and a longtime member of Holy Rosary and Guadalupe parishes.

She is preceded in death by her husband Roger and her grandson Mac Branom. She leaves behind her six children: David Loken of Everett; Joan Perryman of New Mexico; Catherine Hunter of Des Moines, WA; Robert Loken of Seattle; Roberta Jackowski of Seattle; and Karen Coffey of Portland; 10 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. Services will be held at 9:30 am on April 7th at Mount St. Vincent Chapel. Graveside services will be held at Holyrood Catholic Cemetery. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Emmick Family Funeral Services – West Seattle. Please share memories of Marie 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: Wednesday on the move
April 6, 2016 6:58 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Wednesday on the move
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

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

6:58 AM: No incidents in or from West Seattle so far this morning.

7:23 AM: Since it’s still quiet, some reminders:

-Overnight closures on 99 north of downtown continue tonight, 10 pm-5 am, between the Battery Street Tunnel and Valley Street. The full list of closures for the rest of this week and the next two weeks is here.

-The West Seattle Water Taxi‘s 7-days-a-week spring/summer schedule starts Friday, with a free-rides-all-day celebration on Sunday.

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Seeking street $, and many quick updates @ Westwood-Roxhill-Arbor Heights Community Council
April 6, 2016 12:32 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

With no guest speakers at this month’s Westwood-Roxhill-Arbor Heights Community Council meeting, plus a sparse turnout with potential factors including the crab-truck-crash traffic snarl and evening sunshine, the result Monday night at Southwest Library was a fast-moving mélange of mostly brief items.

Except for:

NEIGHBORHOOD STREET FUND: Less than two weeks remain until the application deadline for this city grant money. While on one hand WWRHAH co-chair Amanda Kay Helmick said it was angering to have to apply for grants to get safety improvements on city streets, on the other hand, it’s time to go with the process. She is hoping the area will generate many proposals by the deadline. Her biggest idea, “Barton Complete”: A project to address crosing safety of Barton, including the area by Roxhill Park and the “wall of buses” zone – “you have buses lining up, cars coming, people trying to cross,” and a pedestrian was hit not that long ago. She’d like to see the crosswalk at the bus stop with flashing beacons as well as crosswalks at 25th and 29th, plus slower speeds between 26th and 29th on Barton. Co-chair Eric Iwamoto brought in the even-bigger picture of safety for Chief Sealth International High School students walking in the area, including across Trenton, and using bus stops.

Another potential site for a project: The park-like triangle in South Delridge, Another attendee said that features dropped toward the end of the Delridge-Highland Park Greenway route need to be pursued. Some discussion centered on how unfortunate it is that so many worthwhile projects are placed in competition with each other.

INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE: Chris Stripinis had an update on the big issue discussed last month – pavement damage and residential concerns in the Westwood area because of the huge increase in bus traffic since it became a “transit hub.” New temporary signs are up labeling 26th SW a 20 mph zone – very small signs, Stripinis pointed out. A discussion of bus speeds ensued. Stripinis also mentioned communication from Councilmember Lisa Herbold‘s office regarding pavement repairs in the area and the city telling Puget Sound Energy it’s up to them to make repairs happen by mid-April or else SDOT will do it and bill PSE for the costs.

ROXHILL PARK LIGHTS: Likely on track for fall, said Helmick.

ROXHILL-AREA FIND IT FIX IT WALK: One is in the early planning stages, Helmick has heard from the Department of Neighborhoods – no date yet. North Delridge hosted one last year. (Here’s what they’re all about.) Helmick noted that the multiple walking tours with various officials in the area

BOG COMMITTEE: Not represented at the meeting but a 12-page report was presented to the co-chairs. Grant-writing is what’s next, so they can “hire a consultant.”

ELECTIONS NEXT MONTH … for WWRHAH board positions – step up if you’d like to run!

SOUTHWEST DISTRICT COUNCIL … Wednesday, 6:30 pm at Senior Center of West Seattle, will include a guest with info about the latest plans for a ~2-week Highway 99 closure once the tunneling machine starts going beneath it.

SOUND TRANSIT 3 … A reminder that it’s time for input; besides the survey you’ll find at soundtransit3.org, remember the 5:30-7:30 pm April 26th open house at West Seattle High School, and the discussion at 6:30 pm April 28th @ Neighborhood House’s High Point Center, with the West Seattle Transportation Coalition.

DESIGN REVIEW CHANGES COMMENT DEADLINE … coming up this Friday; go here to find out more about the proposed changes and find the survey link for commenting.

CAMP LONG … Advisory Council needs new members – go here to find out how to apply.

CITY NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL TALKS BUDGETING … 11 am April 24th at City Hall.

WWRHAH meets on first Mondays, 6:15 pm, Southwest Library; watch for updates at wwrhah.org.

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West Seattle Hi-Yu: Parade season’s about to start; Tea coming up too
April 5, 2016 9:31 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Hi-Yu: Parade season’s about to start; Tea coming up too
 |   West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival | West Seattle news

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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
|      23 COMMENTS
 |   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

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(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

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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
|    Comments Off on Remembering Mary ‘Mimi’ Anderson, 1919-2016
 |   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
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: April’s first Tuesday
 |   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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BASEBALL: West Seattle HS bounces back
April 4, 2016 11:56 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

West Seattle High School is back on the winning track after a Monday victory that followed a Friday loss. Thanks again to Caryn Johnson for the report and photo from todays game:

Monday afternoon, West Seattle hosted Franklin at Hiawatha. They bounced back nicely after their first defeat in the Metro League on Friday against Ballard.

Freshman #32 Reuben Gut started on the mound for the Wildcats. After shaking off some nerves and giving up a few hits and a run in the first inning, he settled down nicely to pitch the next four, allowing no more to score.

Jack Page went 4 for 4 with 3 singles and a triple, but it was the bat of Morgan McCullough that had the biggest boom. He hit his first home run of the season in the third inning out to right field to score two runs and take control of the game. Three others on the team would also have multi hits in the game. In the end, the Quakers just couldn’t keep up and fell to the Wildcats in 6 innings, 12-2.

Next game is Wednesday evening at 6:15, against Garfield, on their home field.

You can see the Wildcats’ full season record and schedule here.

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BROWN WATER: Reports from Admiral, Delridge
April 4, 2016 10:32 pm
|      17 COMMENTS
 |   Utilities | West Seattle news

10:32 PM: Suddenly in the past half-hour or so, we’re getting reports of brown water in at least two areas of West Seattle, North Admiral and North Delridge. No, it’s NOT the “West Seattle flush” we first told you about last week – that’s not supposed to get going before mid-month. If you’re seeing brown water, tonight or any other time, please call Seattle Public Utilities‘ 24-hour hotline, 206-386-1800. (So far, one North Delridge resident said she was told it’s a hydrant flush; the North Admiral situation seems to be a mystery. But please call if you’re seeing it – that’ll help them sleuth.)

TUESDAY, 9:20 AM: We’re still hearing from people experiencing this; we’re checking with SPU but that’s no substitute for you calling them directly if it’s happening at your house and you haven’t called already. From our recent visits to and reports about SPU’s system, we can tell you the “sediment” to which they refer is basically rust from the old cast-iron water mains that constitute much of the system in this area (among others), not unhealthy but certainly unappetizing, and the upcoming flushing operations are aimed at getting some of it out of the system so that changes in routine such as hydrant operations or leaks/breaks don’t have as much of it to stir up.

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West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day 2016: Registration begins!
April 4, 2016 9:49 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day 2016: Registration begins!
 |   Community Garage Sale Day | West Seattle news

With just under six weeks until the 12th annual West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day on May 14th, we are ready to register!

The form to sign up your sale is here.

If you’ve been part of WSCGSD in past years – we haven’t changed anything except expanding the word limit for your listing on the map to 20 words – the field in the online version has lots of room, but the printable/downloadable PDF is the reason we need to set a limit. The fees are the same as they’ve been since we took over WSCGSD in 2008; they cover our production and promotion costs (and anything left over supports WSB’s ongoing operations as West Seattle’s 24/7 news source).

*Sale day is Saturday, May 14, 2016.

*Official sale hours: 9 am-3 pm, but if you want to start yours earlier/end it later, that’s up to you – you can say that in your “ad” text (but no late starts/early ends, though, it’s important to cover the official time period – thanks!).

*Registration gets you on the map, which is published on WSB and on the West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day website – as well as promoted/advertised regionally and in our social-media channels – with clickable and printable (PDF) versions. The map is ready a week in advance and assigns each sale a number, which you can use for cross-reference and for your own promotion (“come see us, we’re sale #22!”), etc.

*Same three sale categories: Individual, Organization/Business/School, Block Sale.

P.S. If you have a small amount of stuff to sell and/or no place for a sale, check in at Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor) ASAP for a free spot in the Hotwire courtyard or Ginomai across the alley. There’ll be one general map listing for Hotwire; if you sell there, you’re still welcome to buy your own (optional) mention on our list via the form above – just mention Hotwire/4410 California SW as the sale address.

P.P.S. We haven’t set the end date for registration yet – we usually wait to see how things are going – but we keep signups open for at least three weeks, so there’s plenty of time for people to decide to jump in.

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WEST SEATTLE TREE-CUTTING CASE: City Council committee to discuss, publicly, Thursday
April 4, 2016 7:43 pm
|      60 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Environment | West Seattle news

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(March 26th WSB photo by Christopher Boffoli)

As first reported here last Friday, the City Council got a closed-door briefing today on the West Seattle illegal tree-cutting case. We checked afterward with Councilmember Lisa Herbold, who had told us this was going to happen. Her reply: “The briefing was an Executive Session briefing about the legal strategy moving forward. What I can say is that the City Law Department is fully engaged in pursuing remedies that include both civil and criminal penalties and are working with SPD in the investigation necessary for both. Sorry for nothing new to report specifically, but I think it’s a testimony to the Council’s serious consideration of these actions that we all received a briefing.”

Herbold did actually mention one specific new item – she says the tree-cutting situation will be discussed, publicly, at Thursday morning’s meeting of the Parks, Seattle Center, Libraries, & Waterfront Committee (9:30 am, City Hall). No agenda yet. Herbold’s not a member of the committee but plans to attend.

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

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UPDATE: NB Alaskan Way Viaduct fully open again, 6 hours after crab-laden truck goes sideways
April 4, 2016 2:54 pm
|      55 COMMENTS
 |   Alaskan Way Viaduct | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(TOPLINE: As of 8:29, six hours after the truck full of frozen crab went sideways, the Viaduct is fully open again)

2:54 PM: That crash has just led to a followup alert that the NB Alaskan Way Viaduct is “subject to closure,” so don’t head that way for a while. Metro is routing 120, 125, and the C Line off NB 99 for now, too.

3 PM UPDATE: Here’s the view from the other side, thanks to a reader who texted us (we’re at 206-293-6302, 24/7):

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And another view, texted from a back-seat passenger of someone who was on the Viaduct:

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Again, while the photos show left-lane traffic getting by, SDOT has warned that both lanes are “subject to closure,” so an alternate route remains your best bet. Here’s the “live” view:

3:24 PM UPDATE: Tow trucks have arrived.

3:45 PM UPDATE: The southbound lanes also are being closed, says SPD, while they work to right the truck.

4:11 PM UPDATE: Southbound 99 has JUST reopened. Check the “live” view above for an update on northbound – the truck’s been pulled upright, for starters.

4:35 PM: Thanks to the reader who sent this video showing items falling from the truck to the surface below The Viaduct:

SDOT’s latest tweet, meantime: “We’re currently off-loading the truck and will then tow it. Once the structure is deemed safe lanes will reopen.” P.S. Regional media reports the boxes falling off the truck are filled with frozen crab.

4:47 PM: And WSDOT has just tweeted that the truck is being towed. It’s been about two hours since the wreck. (added) You can’t see it in the current “live” view above but other views show MANY boxes left behind, so northbound is going to be out of commission a while longer.

4:59 PM: Thanks to the reader who texted a view showing exactly what we just mentioned:

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5:30 PM: This update from SPD Blotter says it’s been determined the Viaduct does *not* have any structural damage as a result of this, and so it’ll be able to reopen once all the debris are cleared. SPD also verifies that the cargo was frozen crab. (Another side note – it’s been a little more than a year since the infamous fish-truck crash; that too happened around 2:30 pm, but it was on SB 99, not NB.)

6 PM: Northbound 99 is still closed at the crash scene. We’ll continue updating until it reopens.

6:37 PM: One lane of NB 99 has just reopened. The right lane will remain closed TFN because of guardrail damage, says WSDOT.

6:47 PM: Metro says Rapid Ride C and Routes 120 and 125 are back on their regular routes using the Viaduct.

8:29 PM: Six hours after the crash, SDOT just announced that NB 99 is fully open again.

8:45 PM: … with this postscript:

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YOU’RE INVITED: Dedication celebration for new Junction art
April 4, 2016 12:44 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

The forecast for Thursday looks spectacular, and here’s one way to spend part of your evening outdoors: Celebrate the dedication of the newest public art in The Junction! You might have noticed the art on the street-facing sides of Junction 47 at the southeast corner of California and Alaska – here’s the 6 pm Thursday (April 7th) event announcement from the Junction Neighborhood Organization, which is presenting the event at 6 pm Thursday along with the West Seattle Junction Association:

The bronze panels & glass artwork by Lezlie Jane and metal artwork by Miguel Edwards reflect the evolution of the community. The artwork and other building improvements were a result of six years of community involvement working with the current owner Equity Residential, the former developer Conner Homes, and the City of Seattle to make this a great building for ‘The Junction,’ which has been the active center of West Seattle since 1907.

Lezlie Jane will share her story of the 10 historic bronze panels which are installed in alcoves of the brick columns around the Junction 47 Starbucks store. The bas-relief panels were hand carved in clay, cast in bronze, then finished with a custom patina. Each panel has art depicting past and present places that are unique to the Duwamish Peninsula and the history of West Seattle.

o Fir Lodge/The Log House Museum
o Geographic Legacy/4.8 Miles of Beach
o Duwamish/The First People/ DKH’ DUW”ABSH /Time immemorial [top left photo]
o Old Mudhole/Colman Pool Lincoln Park
o Alki Point/ 1868 Lighthouse [top right photo]
o First Ferryboat/1888
o Fauntleroy Creek/Longfellow Creek
o City Views/Then and Now
o Alaska Junction/1907
o Station 32/ Seattle Fire Department

We hope you will join our community to share this opportunity to meet the artist, developer, city officials, and community volunteers who helped make it a reality.

Get a sneak preview in this video tour with Lezlie Jane, recorded and published (via YouTube) by the Clay Eals of the Southwest Seattle Historical Society:

Learn more about each panel on Jane’s website, where you can also browse her huge body of work, which includes iconic art at parks all around West Seattle.

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West Seattle Monday: Tinkerlab, WWRHAH, Hi-Yu, more…
April 4, 2016 11:21 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Monday: Tinkerlab, WWRHAH, Hi-Yu, more…
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

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(Downy woodpecker, photographed by Mark Wangerin)

Highlights of what’s up for the rest of today/tonight:

COMMUNITY ORCHARD MEETUP/WORK PARTY: 4-6 pm, go visit the Community Orchard of West Seattle on the north side of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus to find out more about the orchard and see how to (or pitch in and) help. (6000 16th SW)

TINKERLAB: 6-7:30 pm, all ages are welcome to drop in at Delridge Library to “work on a fun STEM-based craft or challenge and tinker around with construction and builder kits” – more in our listing. Free! (5423 Delridge Way SW)

WESTWOOD-ROXHILL-ARBOR HEIGHTS COMMUNITY COUNCIL: 6:15 pm at Southwest Library, come get involved with WWRHAH – tonight’s agenda is in our calendar listing.

WEST SEATTLE HI-YU: 7 pm at Admiral Congregational Church, come get involved with the volunteers behind the city’s last neighborhood float (among other things) – details on tonight’s meeting are here; all welcome. (California SW/SW Hill)

And this note:

COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE DAY REGISTRATION: As previously announced, we’ll be opening registration for this year’s West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day before the day’s out – when we’re ready, you’ll see an announcement here on WSB as well as on our WSCGSD site at westseattlegaragesale.com. The big day this year is now less than six weeks away – Saturday, May 14th!

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CONGRATULATIONS! Here’s who won the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce’s 2016 Westside Awards
April 4, 2016 9:13 am
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Congratulations to C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), announced this morning as Westside Business of the Year along with this year’s other winners of the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce‘s annual Westside Awards.

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C & P proprietors Cameron and Pete Moores (update: we photographed Cameron today, just after publishing this story) are in their 14th year of operating the cozy coffeehouse and event venue at 5612 California SW. You’ll find far more than “just” coffee and other beverages there – stop in on any given evening and you might also find live music, or a Whale Trail Orca Talk; the many other events hosted there include bazaars. C&P offers private rentals too and supports a long list of community causes.

C & P is one of four winners announced today by Chamber CEO Lynn Dennis. The others are:

HomeStreet Bank‘s West Seattle branch (WSB sponsor) – Westside Emerging Business of the Year: Since HomeStreet opened its West Seattle branch in The Junction two years ago, it’s become a hub for community activities including everything from the WestSide Baby “Stuff the Bus” drive to Santa photos to Seahawk support, as well as opening its doors to community groups.

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Melodie VanHouten (at center in our photo, with, from left, Cody Rees, Sharon Lingbloom, Phil Varce, and John Babauta) is branch manager and vice president.

West Seattle Helpline, Westside Not-for-Profit of the Year: WS Helpline, founded in 1989 and currently led by executive director Chris Langeler, offers emergency assistance to people in need in our community, in a variety of ways, including a clothing bank.

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(WSB photo: Chris Langeler and volunteer coordinator Theresa Sundin in the WS Helpline offices)

Last year, according to the Helpline website, the nonprofit:

*Served over 3,500 of our neighbors in need.

*Provided $78,454 of value in clothing for 1,592 adults and children at The Clothesline.

*Provided over $70,000 of assistance to prevent evictions and shutoffs for more than 300 local families.

*Distributed more than $10,000 in bus tickets to for medical appointments, job interviews, and basic needs.

Dave Montoure, Westsider of the Year: Montoure is not only in his 14th year as co-proprietor of West 5 in The Junction but also is a community advocate who has served in leadership roles with organizations including the Chamber and the West Seattle Junction Association. He also has supported many community causes and organized West Seattle for Japan as a response to the devastating earthquake/tsunami.

You can applaud the winners in person by being there as they are honored at the 2016 Westside Awards breakfast at Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor) at 7 am on May 4th, which also will feature former Seattle Mayor Norm Rice as keynote speaker. Tickets are available now at the WS Chamber website – go here.

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