West Seattle, Washington

15 Friday

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month : 08/2016 296 results

West Seattle Crime Watch: Marine View Drive gunfire; South Admiral burglary attempt
August 31, 2016 11:04 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Crime Watch: Marine View Drive gunfire; South Admiral burglary attempt
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Two incidents to report in West Seattle Crime Watch tonight:

GUNFIRE CONFIRMED: Police confirm that what sounded like gunshots along Marine View Drive early this morning *were* gunshots, even though the incident was only logged as a “disturbance.” Casings – we don’t yet know how many or what type – were recovered in the 10600 block of Marine View Drive (map), SPD confirmed to WSB, adding that no injuries or damage were reported.

BURGLARY ATTEMPT: From Joshua:

I just wanted to get the word out of an attempted burglary in the 46th Ave & Spokane St area. [map] My wife and I weren’t home at the time and it happened sometime between this past Saturday and yesterday morning. They tried getting into the back door of the house by prying the locks and then tried the same thing on the garage door and did a lot of damage to those locks. Luckily, they weren’t successful.

Thanks again for the Crime Watch reports – 206-293-6302 text or voice if it’s urgent (after you’ve called 911), editor@westseattleblog.com if it’s not.

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LETTUCE PRAY: Produce-collection/donation program needs new leaders
August 31, 2016 8:05 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Gardening | How to help | West Seattle news

(Photos courtesy Jane Taylor)

After 10 years and five tons of donated food, this is the last year that Jane Taylor and Kristen Parsons are able to lead the Lettuce Pray program. They’re looking for volunteer(s) to take it over so it doesn’t die on the vine, so to speak, at the end of this season. Here’s what’s involved, as explained by Jane:

Lettuce Pray is a summer food-bank collection program set up informally through many of the churches of West Seattle.

Five churches — Alki UCC, St. John the Baptist Episcopal, West Seattle Unitarian Universalist, Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, and St. Bernadette’s Parish — are participating this year; in some years that has been as many as nine, depending on what other priorities the churches have. The churches mobilize their home gardeners to bring spare home-grown produce to church every Sunday morning during the harvest season (this year July 3 – October 2) and put it in specially marked Lettuce Pray boxes or baskets. We make the rounds, collect the produce, and put it in cold storage at the West Seattle and White Center Food Banks.

We have been doing this for ten years and have collected over 10,000 pounds of fresh produce. It can be done by one person, but we find it’s more fun when two people do it. It’s the easiest possible volunteer gig and allows so many people to make numerous small contributions that make a big, big impact.

Anyone who is interested is welcome to reach out to Jane Taylor – janeatay@msn.com. Our final collection will be October 2, and it would be great to bring a new volunteer on before we finish up so they can see what we do.

What you see in the top photo is what the average week’s haul takes – about 120 pounds of food, and it all fit into Jane’s Honda Insight hatchback. That’s Jane and Kristen in the second photo, by the way, with part of this week’s Lettuce Pray haul – “fresh corn and juicy plums.”

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HIGHWAY 99 TUNNEL: Pausing as the halfway mark gets closer; photos from tour today
August 31, 2016 4:26 pm
|      18 COMMENTS
 |   Alaskan Way Viaduct | Highway 99 tunnel | West Seattle news

(UPDATED 9:36 PM WITH PHOTOS FROM TOUR TODAY)

Cutting_Tools
(WSDOT image)

ORIGINAL REPORT, 4:26 PM: Since its last maintenance stop ended in mid-July, the Highway 99 tunneling machine has dug 1,000 feet. Another 500, and it will be at the official halfway mark. But right now, WSDOT says, the machine is stopped down “to inspect and replace some of the larger cutterhead tools on the front end … STP chose to check the tools – and change them as needed – because Bertha has moved from clay into a mixture of sand and gravel that will more quickly wear them down. Replacing the tools now will preserve the machine and ensure it continues to function well as it mines toward STP’s next planned maintenance stop.” You can read the full update here, and you can go here to see where the machine is now – that’s also the page that tracks its progress, currently listed as 4,135 feet along the planned 9,270-foot tunneling route.

ADDED 9:36 PM: A West Seattleite who has long represented our area on Viaduct/Tunnel advisory groups, Vlad Oustimovitch, is sharing photos tonight from a tunnel-project tour earlier today. First photo shows a used drilling tooth that was replaced today, as part of the work mentioned above:

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Next, you’re looking at “giant rollers” that hold up the tunnel-building part of the machine:

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Here are the pistons that push the machine forward once rings are in place:

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Another view from inside the tunneling machine:

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Here’s the control room:

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And “the tail end” of the machine:

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Back outside the machine, in the already-built 4,135 feet of tunnel, here’s a look at the upper deck:

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Oustimovitch was one of “about eight” people on today’s tour.

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OPEN LETTER: Delridge Neighborhoods District Council’s invitation to city councilmembers
August 31, 2016 3:07 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge District Council | Neighborhoods | Southwest District Council | West Seattle news

Seven weeks have passed since the mayor’s abrupt announcement that the city would lurch away from the longstanding District Council system and look for new ways of “engagement.” As part of that, the Department of Neighborhoods has been running an online survey (with promotion including paid ads here on WSB and other places). The District Councils, including the two in West Seattle, are in the meantime about to resume their meetings after the traditional August break. And Delridge Neighborhoods District Council chair Mat McBride, who turned the group’s last meeting into a rally of sorts with reps from DCs around the city, has just issued an invitation in this open letter to City Councilmembers Lisa Herbold, Lorena González, Tim Burgess, and Rob Johnson, which we’re publishing with permission:

Esteemed City Council members (representing D1, At-Large, and Neighborhoods Committee),

I am requesting your presence at the September meeting of the Delridge Neighborhoods District Council meeting on Wednesday, September 21. The DNDC is very interested in having a conversation with you regarding community, engagement, and the future of the District Council system within DoN (we’ll also be ranking NSF grants that evening, in case you wanted to observe a DC in action).

District Coordinator Kerry Wade will follow up with an agenda, including specific time and location once it’s finalized. Your RSVP is appreciated.

In Community,

Mat McBride
Chair, Delridge Neighborhoods District Council

PS, in case you haven’t been following DoN’s Engage Seattle poll, it’s a good read. All responses and comments (predominantly by white middle-aged homeowners, which I suppose raises some ironic existential questions) are published. Recommended reading, and if you haven’t taken the poll, I suggest doing so.

Quite a few comments have been made in support of the District Council System (side note – good on you for making all responses transparent, even those that highlight flaws in this latest proposed revision of DoN). And they’re right to do so, the District Council System (DoN’s, not City Council’s) is vital.

Democracy has to be public. Not solely, and there’s a lot of good suggestions about how to enhance the process and increase engagement. But it’s the District Councils, through a relationship officially observed by the City, that provide this function. It is vital to have public discussion with City representatives and elected officials. It is vital to challenge assumptions. It is vital to provide a forum in which the public can champion or object to issues, initiatives, or proposals within a specific geography. Because at the end of the day, it comes down to people doing things. Not taking a poll, not reading a newsletter, not submitting a comment to a blog, but actual honest-to-goodness engagement. Communities are made of people that come together and unite over a common goal. Where technology can enhance and assist this process, it absolutely should. But without an established network and designated place for that to manifest, it’s meaningless. Community is local, friends, and you have to make local work.

So, how to accomplish this? The best solution is also the easiest – restore the DoN District Coordinator staff to pre-2008 levels.

When the cuts first came, and again when they continued, community leaders predicted the exact circumstance we find ourselves in today – the fraying of the social network to the extent that it struggles to provide its most basic functions. The District Coordinators served as the glue within each District, themselves clusters of communities. It’s a big job, and staffed appropriately, it works great – an individual with a comprehensive knowledge of the individuals and organizations operating within the District is able to coordinate and direct active and emerging civic engagement to promote or fulfill the goal of serving the community. The act of networking people is the single most successful way to disseminate information – we have never been able to improve on talking to each other (not that we should). Humans can consume a huge amount of data, and most of it is not registered as important. This is especially true of communication by local government to citizens. If you want your message communicated, you need peer-level discussions within the community. Since most City correspondence is dry and boring (on the surface, anyway), you need citizens who will consume it regardless, translate salient points as necessary to make it accessible, and explain why it’s important to care about. And then, you really need them to talk about it.

Good news! You’ve had that model in place for the last 28 years. By most assessments, it’s past the “Proof of Concept” phase. Success is built upon the enhancement and improvement of existing infrastructure. The dismantling of an established and proven institution, which is to be replaced by an untested concept, is – well, it’s a singularly terrible idea. Restore the District Councils, and commit to enhancing them through all the excellent suggestions for improvement that I’ve read from other respondents to this survey.

If you haven’t taken the survey yet – here’s the link. (And after you answer it – as mentioned above, the results so far can be seen here.)

As for the upcoming District Council meetings – everyone, as always, is invited. The Southwest District Council is expecting Parks Superintendent Jesús Aguirre at 6:30 pm Wednesday, September 7th, at the Sisson Building/Senior Center in The Junction (California/Oregon).

The Delridge Neighborhoods District Council mentioned above will be on Wednesday, September 21st – as Mat McBride wrote, time and location to be finalized, and we’ll publish an update when that happens.

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Looking for something to do Labor Day weekend? Learn 3-D printing design @ Delridge Library
August 31, 2016 1:21 pm
|    Comments Off on Looking for something to do Labor Day weekend? Learn 3-D printing design @ Delridge Library
 |   Delridge | West Seattle news

Your Seattle Public Library branches offer more than reading, viewing, and listening material (as this WSB story reminds us) – they also offer free workshops and classes. And Sandra Sinner from the Delridge Library sends word that there’s still room in a two-day class this weekend teaching 3-D printing design to beginners: 1-5 Saturday (info) and 1-5 Sunday (info). Free, but you have to pre-register, so if you’re interested, do that ASAP by calling 206-733-9125.

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CONGRATULATIONS! 4-year-old Colton Fukano wins BMX championship
August 31, 2016 11:34 am
|      28 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Today, we are happy to share another story about a West Seattleite with an amazing achievement! Proud mom Shawnda Fukano explains what her son has just accomplished:

While most kids were enjoying one of the final weekends of the summer, Colton Fukano was clinching the Washington State BMX Championships in the 5 & under category.

A West Seattleite and soon to be kindergartener at Genesee Hill Elementary, Colton began racing BMX this past January and quickly showed that he wasn’t your average 4-year-old on a bike. After finishing several races on top, he was picked up by the Sonic BMX Team, coached by Jamie Stenson and sponsored by Sprocketts Recycled Bicycles in Magnolia and Potter Racing Products. He headed into the state finals this weekend with four State Cup 1st place finishes during the season, and his 1st place finish on Sunday earned him the State #1 Plate.

Colton’s dad, Casey Fukano, started taking him to the North Seatac BMX Track for fun when he was three years old. Colton loved it, asking, “Can we go to the Sandy Park today?” all the time. During this past winter, when the weather was too bad to ride in Seatac, they tried out a BMX clinic at the Peninsula Indoor BMX track in Port Orchard, an easy ferry ride from Fauntleroy. Colton loved it, and he’s been racing ever since.

Colton would like to say THANK YOU to his coach Jamie, his team sponsors Sprocketts and Potter Racing Products, and Nikko Teriyaki in Jefferson Square for his favorite race-day meal: chicken teriyaki! And, he’d love to see more kids get involved in the sport of BMX, which is an Olympic sport (US won a gold and silver medal this year). The Seatac track is just a 20-minute drive from the Alaska Junction, so head over and have some fun!

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From our calendar, for your West Seattle Wednesday
August 31, 2016 10:35 am
|    Comments Off on From our calendar, for your West Seattle Wednesday
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

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(Sunrise at Riverview Playfield – photographed by Michael Hobbs)

Five ways to spend the rest of your West Seattle Wednesday:

GET OUT OF THE HOME OFFICE … or away from the coffee-shop table, and instead, spend your noon hour at West Seattle’s only coworking center, WS Office Junction (WSB sponsor). This weekly free meetup welcomes work-at-home people, entrepreneurs, freelancers, coworkers, etc. Noon-1:15 pm, and you’re welcome to bring your lunch. (6040 California SW)

HIGH POINT MARKET GARDEN FARMSTAND: Your weekly chance to buy West Seattle-grown produce, sold next to where it’s harvested! 4-7 pm – details in our calendar listing. (32nd SW/SW Juneau)

ULTIMATE AUTUMN FRISBEE: 6 pm at Fairmount Playfield, the weekly drop-in disc event has changed to a slightly earlier time in anticipation of fall – details here. (5400 Fauntleroy Way SW)

GROUP RUN: 6:15 pm group run from West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) with demos and raffles for Seattle Marathon entries – full details in our calendar listing. (2743 California SW)

IRISH SET DANCING: 6:30 pm lesson if you need it, 7 pm dancing, at Kenyon Hall. You don’t have to bring a partner. Donation of $5 per person/$10 family is requested. More info in our calendar listing.

SEE OUR CALENDAR FOR MORE … it’s here for you 24/7.

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BACK TO SCHOOL: Schmitz Park Elementary’s future finally officially announced
August 31, 2016 9:02 am
|      20 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

schparklong
(WSB photo, taken today)

With the students and staff from Schmitz Park Elementary moving into the new Genesee Hill Elementary, many have wondered what would happen to the SPE campus. Bits and pieces of information have emerged unofficially, and we’ve continued to ask the district for comment. Finally, this morning, the plan is out, as part of this announcement:

Seattle Public Schools is excited to announce that starting in fall 2016-17 families will be supported with expanded child-care options in West Seattle. SPS, in partnership with Seattle Parks and Recreation, will be providing new child-care options in the Schmitz Park building as well as in the Genesee Hill and Lafayette Elementary buildings.

For many years, the need for child care has been growing across the City but reached a crisis level in West Seattle. Recognizing the growing need, former Lafayette Principal Robert Gallagher and Schmitz Park (now Genesee Hill) Principal Gerrit Kischner, along with Associate Superintendent of Capital and Facilities Dr. Flip Herndon and other central staff, Seattle School Board Director Leslie Harris, Seattle Parks and Recreation, and City Councilmember Lisa Herbold, worked together and identified a solution to meet the needs of the district’s West Seattle families.

Details of the solution:

• Eighty child-care spots are planned for the new Genesee Hill Elementary school.

• The district has finalized a multi-year lease with the Associated Recreation Council (ARC), to provide additional child care at the Schmitz Park building. At least 100 new childcare spots are expected to be licensed and made available to waiting families.

• ARC staff will walk child-care students from Genesee Hill students the three blocks to the Schmitz Park building after school dismissal, just as they do currently in walking students between Lafayette and the Hiawatha Community Center. Once registration is complete, ARC will determine which students will remain at Genesee Hill for child care and which students will walk to Schmitz Park.

• Child-care registration and enrollment began on July 2 for the majority of waitlisted families.

• Additional child-care spots are also being added to Lafayette Elementary thanks to Hiawatha Community Center and Seattle Parks and Recreation.

The district wants to thank our community, Schmitz Park PTSA, and the City for supporting this solution for our shared families. We couldn’t have done it alone. While we haven’t been able to meet the needs of all our West Seattle families, we have made significant gains.

We also want to recognize the Schmitz family’s contribution to Seattle Public Schools and the West Seattle community. The Schmitz Park site opened as an annex to Genesee Hill Elementary in 1953 when Dietrich Schmitz served as President of the Seattle School Board and his brother, Henry, served as President of the University of Washington. In 1956, the assistant principal at Genesee Hill, Ms. Dorothy Jack, was appointed to open Schmitz Park School, and the current building was completed in 1962. With the start of the next school year, neighborhood students will return to Genesee Hill Elementary. SPS will retain the former school building in its inventory, and we are pleased it will remain open and serving families in West Seattle for the foreseeable future.

In keeping the building open, we not only meet the needs of our families but also reduce potential vandalism, ensuring SPS continues to be a good neighbor and steward of our resources.

Principal Kischner, who has been instrumental in development of the child-care plan, said, “This agreement shows what we can get done when we work together. I am especially pleased that this multi-year lease will allow families to plan ahead and commit themselves to the long-term viability of the Schmitz Park-Genesee Hill community. It demonstrates the kind of partnership that can make a difference to neighborhoods throughout the city.”

The SPS history of Schmitz Park Elementary is here. The school, at 5000 SW Spokane, is on land donated by the Schmitz family, which remained involved with the school for its decades of operation. They were part of the community celebration of the school that we covered back in June, and Vicki Schmitz Block and son Dietrich Schmitz represented the family as Grand Marshals in July’s West Seattle Grand Parade.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Wednesday updates; back-to-school reminders
August 31, 2016 6:30 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Wednesday updates; back-to-school reminders
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)

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

6:30 AM: Good morning. Power has been restored to everyone affected by the overnight outage, so that shouldn’t be affecting travel this morning. No incidents reported in the area right now. If you travel through West Marginal Way/Highland Park Way, today is the second scheduled day of the repaving project.

BACK-TO-SCHOOL REMINDERS: Today is the first day of classes at Hope Lutheran School (42nd/Oregon), a short distance south of the two other West Seattle schools that are already back in session, Holy Rosary and Seattle Lutheran. Tomorrow (Thursday) is the first day for Our Lady of Guadalupe. Our full list of the “early” wave of school reopenings is here. … Seattle Public Schools start classes in exactly one week; you’ll see school buses out again today practicing routes.

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West Seattle, White Center power outage hits more than 3,500 homes/businesses; most restored after 45 minutes
August 31, 2016 12:38 am
|      19 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | Highland Park | Utilities | West Seattle news | Westwood | White Center

(Map of outage area, from Seattle City Light website)

12:38 AM: Thanks for the texts: Seattle City Light‘s outage map says more than 3,500 homes/businesses have lost power, mostly in southeast West Seattle and White Center. No word yet on the cause.

12:53 AM: The map now has the “estimated restoration” time of 7 am, but we always add the reminder, that’s a guesstimate and it could be much sooner, or much later. SCL is still investigating the cause.

1:15 AM: Commenter SteveMG reports seeing SCL and emergency responders in the 8th/Roxbury vicinity.

1:18 AM: We’re getting some reports of power restored – mostly from South Delridge. No change in the outage-map total yet but sometimes it lags.

1:25 AM: Now the map’s caught up with the restoration reports – 294 customers (homes/businesses) still without power, in White Center. Here’s the updated map:

1:36 AM: Along with SteveMG, a commenter on our partner site White Center Now also mentions what seemed like an underground “explosion” at 8th/Roxbury. Here’s what SCL tweeted about the cause, without mentioning a specific location:

6:27 AM: Power has since been fully restored.

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PHOTOS: Summer of Learning = summer of creating @ High Point Library
August 30, 2016 11:26 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   High Point | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

All summer long, Seattle Public Library programs have kept kids and teens busy, learning, exploring. Not just through reading – the High Point branch celebrated two programs Monday evening, both of which produced creations you can enjoy. First, the song you can hear below:

That song is the work of the STYLE program – Songwriting Through Youth Literature Education. The students read Maya Angelou‘s poem “And Still I Rise,” talked about it, and wrote music inspired by it.

Imani showing off her Certificate of Participation.
(WSB photos by Leda Costa)

STYLE, taught by education director Nate Bogopolsky and teen librarian Ken Gollersrud, was a collaborative program – as was the other one celebrated last night, the six-week game designing program Story ‘Hood. It was led by SPL digital media/learning program manager Juan Rubio and intern Tigh Bradley along with Gollersrud. They led ten tweens through the process of designing, coding, testing, and then playing a game. Last night, the gamemakers, with friends and family, walked from the library to High Point Commons Park to play the game, Storm Fighters:

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Playing Storm Fighters. at Commons Park.

This is what the Storm Fighters game looks like.

Playing Storm Fighters at Commons Park.

The game is based on High Point-area history/information but ultimately about environmental consciousness, and photojournalist Leda Costa, covering the celebration for WSB, observed that awareness turning into action: “On our walk back to the library, some of the kids actually started picking up litter around the park and saying things like ‘Look! I picked up virtual litter and real litter!'”

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The game is “their creation completely,” said Rubio. “They came up with the idea about falling trees, a storm that destroys the environment, they wrote all the text that you see in the game, they decided on the locations, so it’s about working together but it’s also about going through the design process and creating content/creating media.” The game integrates GPS.

Playing Storm Fighters at Commons Park.

You can play it at Commons Park with a smartphone or tablet – go to taleblazer.org and use the game code gsyiykb.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Burglary attempt; CR-V stolen/found; car-prowl loot to watch for; found bicycle, motorcycle helmet…
August 30, 2016 9:50 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Four reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch tonight:

EARLY MORNING BURGLARY ATTEMPT: From Richard, who lives near Gatewood Elementary:

Someone attempted to break in our house last night at approximately 12:23 AM. We captured the attempted break-in on our video surveillance system.

We called 911 after we realized this was not a false alarm from our video surveillance system.

Based on our video, he appeared to first climb over our patio railing (not an easy feat), then attempted to open our patio door (which leads to our kitchen). He then walked to our front door and attempted to open it. He then sat on our front yard for a minute and left just before the police arrived.

Seattle police arrived promptly, asked us a few questions, and looked around our yard and surrounding area. Very pleased with their response and handling of the situation.

If and when we get images from Richard’s surveillance video, we’ll add them.

CR-V STOLEN, FOUND, WITH LOOT FROM A CAR PROWL: From Rachel:

On Sunday 8/28, my 2000 Honda CR-V was stolen on SW Holden St / Delridge Way SW. I’ve also had my license plate taken twice in the past 6 months. Appears to be a commonly stolen vehicle in the area.

Vehicle was recovered yesterday, 8/29, in an apartment complex’s parking lot a block away from the theft location. The inside was coated by the thief with what appears to be WD-40. SPD officer said this is to prevent leaving fingerprints behind.

They took the few emergency supplies kept in the vehicle (fire extinguisher, cables, etc) and left behind a large tool box. Turns out the tool box belonged to my neighbor who had his work van broken into on 8/28 (also on SW Holden St).

Another car prowl victim is asking you to keep watch for some of the items she lost –

SEEN THESE STOLEN DOCUMENTS? Sarah M is hoping a few not-worth-anything-to-anyone-else items might turn up:

My 2004 Corolla was prowled sometime between Saturday night and Monday morning. It was parked in my lot, just SE of Fauntleroy Way SW & SW Edmunds.

I’m hoping someone will find some of the documents that were taken – mostly car-related info of no value to anyone but me. Including a red vinyl Toyota car care manual. I’ve already looked all over the nearby blocks, dumpsters, etc. Also taken, as you may notice this item and then the docs – the prowler carried everything away in a black bag with a bright “Supercalifragilisticexpealidocious” (from Sound of Music) printed on it in bright letters.

I don’t expect to get the “valuable” items (Bluetooth, etc.), but I’m asking if anyone finds docs with my name on it to let me know. Thanks!

FOUND BICYCLE, MOTORCYCLE HELMET: A Roxhill-area resident has found both of these items in recent weeks and think they were both stolen and dumped:

Please comment if you think either might be yours.

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Longtime West Seattleite Joe Sutter, ‘father of the 747,’ 1921-2016
August 30, 2016 7:28 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Obituaries | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

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(Boeing photo, republished with permission)

Boeing has announced the passing of a legend, Joe Sutter, 95, who also happened to be a longtime West Seattle resident. Mr. Sutter is best known as “the father of the 747,” but the message from Boeing Commercial Airplanes president/CEO Ray Conner adds that he had accomplished much more:

This morning we lost one of the giants of aerospace and a beloved member of the Boeing family. … Joe lived an amazing life and was an inspiration – not just to those of us at Boeing, but to the entire aerospace industry. He personified the ingenuity and passion for excellence that made Boeing airplanes synonymous with quality the world over.

Early in Joe’s career, he had a hand in many iconic commercial airplane projects, including the Dash 80, its cousin the 707 and the 737. But it was the 747 – the world’s first jumbo jet – that secured his place in history.

Joe led the engineering team that developed the 747 in the mid-1960s, opening up affordable international travel and helping connect the world. His team, along with thousands of other Boeing employees involved in the project, became known as the Incredibles for producing what was then the world’s largest airplane in record time – 29 months from conception to rollout. It remains a staggering achievement and a testament to Joe’s “incredible” determination.

Long after he retired, Joe remained very active within the company. He continued to serve as a consultant on the Commercial Airplanes Senior Advisory Group, and he was still a familiar sight to many of us working here. By then his hair was white and he moved a little slower, but he always had a twinkle in his eye, a sharp mind and an unwavering devotion to aerospace innovation and The Boeing Company. Fittingly, he was on hand to celebrate our centennial at the Founders Day weekend. He was one of a kind.

Joe was loved. He made a difference in the world. He made a difference to us. We will miss him and cherish our time with him.

Here’s a biographical tribute video from the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, which awarded Mr. Sutter its Lifetime Achievement trophy in 2013:

He also told the story of the first jumbo jet in a book published in 2007 and titled simply “747.”

ADDED 8:26 PM: The Seattle Times has added more information to its report on Mr. Sutter’s passing, including quoting his son as saying he had a bout with pneumonia just before his death.

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You’re invited to collaborate on a greener schoolyard for Gatewood Elementary – garden renovation, too
August 30, 2016 5:51 pm
|    Comments Off on You’re invited to collaborate on a greener schoolyard for Gatewood Elementary – garden renovation, too
 |   Gatewood | How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

You can help Gatewood Elementary get greener – by helping plan playground improvements and/or renovating the school garden. Here’s how:

Help us imagine and design a greener schoolyard at Gatewood Elementary!

We are applying for a Neighborhood Matching Fund (NMF) grant to design playground improvements to renovate active play spaces and provide more opportunities for connection with nature and outdoor learning. Think shade trees, natural play areas, wildlife habitat, etc.

We want your input and need your help to win the NMF grant, as we need to demonstrate community match/engagement through pledges of volunteer time. Could you attend any evening design meetings next spring (there will likely be three meetings, Jan-Apr 2017)? If you are a Gatewood family, neighbor, or interested community member, please join us! Children and teens are more than welcome.

To pledge your time, please email Sandy Lennon (sandylennon@comcast.net) with names (of all participating family members), address/zip, phone, email, and the amount of time you can offer. If you don’t want to share all contact info, an email or phone contact is fine.

We are also hoping to begin rejuvenation of our school garden to be an awesome learning garden, outdoor classroom, and permaculture demonstration project. If you’re interested in helping with this project, we’d also love to hear from you.

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YOU CAN HELP! Admiral Neighborhood Association’s Adopt-a-Street cleanup Saturday
August 30, 2016 2:52 pm
|    Comments Off on YOU CAN HELP! Admiral Neighborhood Association’s Adopt-a-Street cleanup Saturday
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

Early alert: If you’re not going out of the area for the Labor Day weekend, give a little volunteer labor to clean up our community! The Admiral Neighborhood Association‘s quarterly Adopt-a-Street cleanup is Saturday (September 3rd). From ANA president Larry Wymer:

WHERE: Metropolitan Market (2320 42nd SW) — Meet at the outdoor awning area across from the floral department

WHEN: Meet up between 8:45-9:00 am; clean up 9 am-noon

GOODIES FOR YOU: Coffee, doughnuts, brown-bag lunch (all provided by Metropolitan Market)

SUPPLIES FOR YOU: Garbage bags, gloves, grabber tools, safety vests, etc.

Even if you can’t stay for all three hours – a little help goes a long way.

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BIZNOTE: Back-to-school-&-sports shopping? Second Gear Sports remodels, adds delivery
August 30, 2016 1:19 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | WS & Sports

2ndglong

Fall means back to school AND back to sports. West Seattle’s sports-consignment store, Second Gear Sports (WSB sponsor), has recently remodeled to add more retail space and new fixtures so that more of their items are easier to browse and discover. The new fixtures were obtained from three regional Sports Authority stores that shut down – it’s enabled SGS to get more merchandise up off the floor and higher up for visibility as well as accessibility.

2ndgofffloor

Also, Second Gear Sports has launched pickup and delivery service for large items, via their new wrapped vehicle that you might have seen around town.

2gback

SGS is at 6529 California SW and will be celebrating its third anniversary this fall.

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BACK TO SCHOOL: Tiny Trees Preschool opening @ Camp Long
August 30, 2016 11:59 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks | West Seattle schools

tinytrees
(Photo courtesy Tiny Trees – classroom-building work party at a non-WS site)

We’ve already reported on two of the schools opening this fall in West Seattle – the new Arbor Heights and Genesee Hill elementaries – and here’s one that’s opening WITHOUT a new building, without any building at all, in fact: Tiny Trees Preschool.

Tiny Trees got big attention last year for announcing its plan to launch outdoor preschools in Seattle city parks, and the list of parks now includes West Seattle’s Camp Long, where the nonprofit plans two classes starting next month. Teacher Anne Churchill, a West Seattleite, tells WSB that teachers and other staff will partner with parents later this week to set up the outdoor “classroom” areas they’ll be using at Camp Long “to make a quality education in reading, math and science affordable for families and to give children a joyful, nature rich childhood – one full of play, exploration and wonder.” They’re expecting the two classes at Camp Long to serve up to 64 children.

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South Seattle College’s big construction project: About the Integrated Education Center
August 30, 2016 10:30 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Puget Ridge | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

If you went to South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) this past Saturday for the West Seattle Car Show, and hadn’t been there recently, you might have noticed the sizable construction project on campus, along 16th SW.

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(WSB photo, taken last week)

The $32 million Integrated Education Center project is a major addition for the campus on Puget Ridge. We asked SSC spokesperson Ty Swenson for an overview; here’s the information he provided:

The new 57,550 square foot Integrated Education Center (IEC) will replace the existing Cascade Court Building (CAS) and provide for expanded growth in our health care programs and needs for basic skills training, which includes English as a Second Language (ESL), adult basic education and high school completion.

(Rendering by McGranahan Architects – looking east from 16th SW, showing pedestrian walkway and plaza improvements)

Three stories in total, the IEC’s first floor will have general purpose classrooms and computer labs. The second floor will be dedicated to health care programs and the third floor will house faculty and staff from various disciplines. There will be small collaborative spaces found throughout the building intended for small group meetings or projects, and there will be three outdoor spaces – one at the front entrance, a balcony on the west side of the first floor and a roof garden on the west side of the second floor.

The IEC will integrate classroom and lab space for the health care programs, adult basic education, and ESL programs as well as a supporting faculty suite. Co-location of these programs will increase the efficacy of vocational-focused ESL training, I-BEST (where we teach basic skills in reading, math and/or English while simultaneously providing job training) and nursing NAC-LPN-RN ladders to better serve ethnic minority students and students with emerging English skills.

This energy-efficient building will provide plenty of natural light and an atmosphere that is welcoming, conducive to learning in many modes and a great place for students, staff and faculty to engage in collaborative ways.

The IEC’s location offers an opportunity to improve the visibility and identity of South Seattle College along 16th Ave SW. The project was designed to provide a balance and transition between the scale of the campus and neighboring homes. With the removal of Cascade Court, pedestrian movement and outside gathering spots will be created and improved. An open pedestrian walkway from our main entrance above 16th Ave. SW will lead to an expanded Clock Tower Plaza, considered the campus’s core and main gathering spot for students.

Construction is expected to continue through next May, followed by college staff/programs moving out of Cascade Court, which will be demolished in summer/fall 2017.

P.S. You can check in on the progress via the official construction-site webcam.

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What’s up for your West Seattle Tuesday
August 30, 2016 9:00 am
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Great Blue Heron, photographed by Mark Wangerin)

The calendar tends to quiet as Labor Day approaches, but we have a few things to highlight:

ONE MONTH TO APPLY! The deadline for artist/craft vendors to apply for the Fauntleroy Fine Art and Gift Show is now exactly one month away, September 30th. Details are in our calendar listing.

TUESDAY TAI CHI: 6 pm at Alki Beach Park – weather permitting – it’s the new Tuesday night edition of free Saturday Tai Chi with Lao-Shi Caylen Storm. (60th/Alki)

NEW ORLEANS ROADHOUSE & HONKY-TONK JAZZ: That’s the description of what Joe Ross and The Bird Watchers will be playing tonight at Parliament Tavern in The Admiral District, 8 pm, no cover. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

BABY KETTEN KARAOKE: 9 pm at The Skylark, it’s karaoke “with flattering sound systems, songs that you actually want to sing but can’t find anywhere, and magical song slips that self destruct if ‘Grease megamix’ is written on them.” (3803 Delridge Way SW)

SEE THE FUTURE … via our full WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (where you’ll also see how to send an event to be listed).

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Tuesday updates; W. Marginal Way crash
August 30, 2016 6:52 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)

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

6:52 AM: Thanks for the text – a crash on West Marginal Way at Dakota (map) is affecting traffic. Here’s what SDOT tweeted:

No major injuries so far as we know – the crash drew a one-engine SFD response.

FURTHER SOUTH ON W. MARGINAL WAY: In case you missed the alert last night, paving work is scheduled for a stretch of Highland Park Way today and tomorrow, at W. Marginal.

7:37 AM: Update from SDOT: “Both NB lanes and one SB lane are now open at W Marginal Way SW & SW Dakota St.”

FAUNTLEROY/ENDOLYNE TRIANGLE WORK DONE: If you haven’t been through the Fauntleroy/Endolyne business area in a few days, we checked on Monday and the traffic-calming work that started last week is done:

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Our photo shows the major change – the block of Brace Point Drive between 45th and Wildwood is now one way eastbound, with angle parking and painted “curb bulbs” (the biggest is just out of our shot, to the right).

7:47 AM: SDOT just tweeted that the West Marginal/Dakota crash scene is completely clear.

BACK TO SCHOOL: Reminder that it’s already back-to-school season … on the north end of The Junction, Seattle Lutheran High School and Holy Rosary School are already back in session; Hope Lutheran School (42nd/Oregon) starts tomorrow. Here’s our list of the “early” starters; the first day for Seattle Public Schools is one week from tomorrow – Wednesday, September 7th – and remember the schedule changes for many schools, as listed here on Monday.

8:57 AM: One more back-to-school reminder – school buses are out practicing their routes starting today.

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CONGRATULATIONS! 11-year-old Miles Trius’s 5th half-marathon
August 29, 2016 10:03 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Another achievement for young runner Miles Trius of West Seattle! From his family:

Miles completed his 5th half-marathon Sunday in Santa Rosa, California, beating his Seattle Half-Marathon time and coming in at 1:49:52.

This was his first race running without his dad, Navy Chief Ernesto Trius. Miles just turned 11 and will be entering 6th grade this week. Miles will be starting his training for his first marathon, The Santa Rosa Marathon next August. He will be raising money for his school and church, Our Lady of Guadalupe. He would like to give back to a community that has supported him through CYO Cross Country, Track, and Jog-athon. A special thank you to the Santa Rosa Marathon for supporting his running.

Miles’s family has kept us updated on his achievements for two years now – dating back to his Seattle Half-Marathon run at age 9.

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ROAD WORK ALERT: Highland Park Way SW repaving tomorrow, Wednesday
August 29, 2016 7:42 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Highland Park | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

Heads up if you use Highland Park Way SW in the W. Marginal Way SW vicinity – SDOT has announced repaving work for the area tomorrow and Wednesday:

From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, August 30 and Wednesday, August 31, travelers can expect the following:

SDOT will grind and repave Highland Park Way SW from W Marginal Way to SW Myrtle St.

The eastbound lanes will be closed. West and eastbound travel will be available on the north side of Highland Park Way SW.

Travelers may enter and exit driveways, but may have to wait up to 15 minutes for equipment to clear.

There will be no parking in the work zone.

Police officers will help with traffic control at the intersection Highland Park Way SW at W Marginal Way.

This project is part of SDOT’s 2016 Arterial Major Maintenance (AMM) program. The AMM program maintains our busiest streets by making strategic small scale investments at key locations on city streets.

Though the city alert describes this as “South Park,” it’s part of West Seattle.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Assault outside Alki home; twice-stolen car now twice found; seen this scooter?
August 29, 2016 5:17 pm
|      16 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

5:17 PM: In West Seattle Crime Watch:

MAN ASSAULTED OUTSIDE ALKI HOME: This happened last Wednesday night, but we didn’t hear about it until today. An Alki Beach resident was seriously hurt in an attack outside his home. His family, who has asked not to be identified, says the victim had discovered someone trespassing in their yard and urinating on the house. After suggesting that the person clean up after himself, the family said, the victim was knocked down, kicked, and beaten by the trespasser and two accomplices. The attackers got away; the victim went to the hospital. No descriptions available so far.

STOLEN CAR RECOVERED: Robin, who reported last Friday that her Honda Civic had been stolen for the second time, says it’s been found, outside West Seattle:

In case neighborhood readers are interested in the likelihood of their stolen cars turning up, I’m happy to report that mine was recovered by SPD the next day on the 2600 block of King Street. The thief made a clean slice through my steering wheel with some kind of portable saw, I presume, and was able to remove the club and drive away. It doesn’t look like any other damage was inflicted and nothing was stolen, though it’s being checked out and repaired at my garage (hopefully they can find a steering column for a ’94 Honda!).

ANYONE MISSING THIS CAR? (Removed, as noted in comments)

6:52 PM: Just out of the WSB inbox – we’re adding this scooter-theft report:

Red Scooter, last seen Sunday night 8/28/16 on 30th and Cloverdale. If you see it please contact Terry at 206-355-2211. Seattle Police incident #16-313023.

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