West Seattle, Washington

09 Monday

66℉

month : 08/2016 296 results

Why police are at Delridge/Orchard AM/PM
August 10, 2016 5:58 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

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Thanks for the tips about a big police response at the AM/PM store at Delridge/Orchard. We just went over to find out what was happening. We’re told two people got into a fight right outside the store; one was hurt and had to be taken to the hospital. No robbery involved, just a fight/assault, police say. The store is closed temporarily while officers talk with witnesses inside and outside of the store, but the gas station remains open.

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West Seattle schools: ‘Summer of Learning’ @ Denny IMS
August 10, 2016 3:13 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle schools: ‘Summer of Learning’ @ Denny IMS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

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Summer school is more than you might remember it to be. Denny International Middle School principal Jeff Clark shares photos from the summer program that’s wrapping up at his campus:

As August began, the Westside Scholars at Denny International Middle School are finishing up five weeks of academics and enrichment classes. Over 200 scholars participated in Denny’s summer program this year.

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The Westside Scholars Program is intended to offer extra academic support to incoming 7th and 8th graders as well as serve as an introduction to middle school for incoming 6th graders from all of Denny’s feeder elementary schools. The program is an excellent opportunity to become familiar with the building and future teachers as they transition to the next level of their education.

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Amongst the many enrichment opportunities such as Mariachi, Cooking and Cartooning, sixth graders participated in a unique Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) class twice a week that made science alive and active. A tremendous staff of educators and community partners led and guided the scholars’ instruction and development. Congratulations to our scholars and thank you to our staff and partners for making this happen for our community!

First day of school for Seattle Public Schools students is exactly four weeks from today – September 7th.

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UPDATE: Demolition at Morgan Junction Park expansion site
August 10, 2016 12:47 pm
|      46 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

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12:47 PM: Thanks for the tip! Another long-in-the-works demolition has just begun – this time, on the former market/cleaners building at the Morgan Junction Park expansion site. Both of the businesses closed earlier this year, months after the demolition permit was issued. The city bought the site two years ago for $1.9 million. The plan for the site has yet to be designed, but the Park District levy will provide money for design and development, along with more than a dozen other “landbanked” sites including two others in West Seattle (40th SW in The Junction and 48th/Charlestown)

2:29 PM: They’re making fast work of it – just passed by again a few minutes ago:

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Close to half gone.

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West Seattle development: 2nd Design Review date set for PCC-site project @ 2749 California SW
August 10, 2016 11:33 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle development: 2nd Design Review date set for PCC-site project @ 2749 California SW
 |   Development | West Seattle news

If you’re following the plan for ~112 apartments and a new PCC Natural Markets-West Seattle (WSB sponsor) store at the site of the current store, 2749 California SW, you’ll want to know that the date is set for the Southwest Design Review Board‘s second look at the project: September 1st.

This is a second round of the first phase, known as Early Design Guidance, as requested by the SWDRB at the conclusion of its first look at the project on July 21st (WSB coverage here), so it’s still in the phase focused on “massing” – the building’s size and shape. The revised design “packet” is not available online yet, but keep watching the project page as the review gets closer. It’s set for 6:30 pm Thursday, September 1st, at the board’s usual meeting place, the Senior Center of West Seattle/Sisson Building (California/Oregon).

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CRIME WATCH: 2 car prowls; stolen bicycle; ‘dumped’ 3-wheeler
August 10, 2016 10:08 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

The newest reader reports (editor@westseattleblog.com):

CDs TAKEN IN CAR PROWL: From Serena:

Just wanted to send a quick note that my son’s car was broken into Sunday night. This happened in the 2700th block of 38th Ave SW. No damage to the car but about $400 worth of CD’s were stolen. It is an eclectic collection of CD’s (heavy metal, reggae, Hindu music). If anyone sees a bunch of discarded CD’s, please let us know, he would love to have them back.

CAR PROWL #2: From Adam:

Victim of car prowl last night near Genesee. Car was parked in driveway off the alley between 46th and 47th. Criminal got nothing but a couple bucks in coins and a Starbucks card that was deactivated before they could use it.

BIKE THIEF DEFIES DOG: Dave says it took a lot for someone to steal a kids’ bicycle from his residence:

A 24″ kids Specialized Hot Rocks bicycle was stolen from the side of our house on the 7300 block of 17th Ave SW between the hours of 9 am and 1 pm. Here is a picture of what it looks like.

The thief had to deal with a barking dog and multiple gates to get into the yard so must have been determined. The bike was under a tarp and other bicycles. This was reported to the police and I believe is call 16-286935. The serial number is WSBC71104. Please contact Dave at 206-409-3439 with any leads, thank you.

ABANDONED, LIKELY STOLEN: Sue found this “dumped in our side yard on 47th.”

If it’s yours, contact her at suebhounz@gmail.com.

P.S. – HOW TO FIND ARCHIVED CRIME WATCH COVERAGE: Two ways. One, everything categorized as “crime” automatically goes into the newest-to-oldest archive here. We also manually add the links to the WSB Crime Watch page, but it can lag a little; that page is also where you’ll find all the West Seattle-area Tweets by Beat and some resource links.

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6 options for your West Seattle Wednesday
August 10, 2016 9:00 am
|    Comments Off on 6 options for your West Seattle Wednesday
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

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(WSB photo: Planting-strip garden we noticed during last night’s 35th SW walking tour)

Happy Wednesday! Highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar for today/tonight:

NETWORKING MEETUP: Noon at West Seattle Office Junction (WSB sponsor), drop in to meet local entrepreneurs and other nontraditional workers. (6040 California SW)

STEEL-DRUM PARTY: 2 pm at (updated – the library is presenting, but it’s at the community center) Delridge COMMUNITY CENTER – “Dance, clap, and stomp along to live steel drum music with musician Ian Dobson! This rhythmical journey inspires resourcefulness and interest in exploring other languages and cultures. For all ages.” (4501 Delridge Way SW)

HIGH POINT MARKET GARDEN FARM STAND: 4-7 pm, visit the farm stand to buy produce grown and harvested by local residents on a mini-farm that’s just steps away. (32nd SW/SW Juneau)

ALKI CRIME/SAFETY/POLICING FOCUS GROUP: Something to say about crime, safety, and/or policing in the Alki area? Tonight is your focus group with researcher Jennifer Burbridge, 6 pm in the community room at the Southwest Precinct. (2300 SW Webster)

34th DISTRICT DEMOCRATS: Our area’s largest political group meets tonight at 7 at The Hall at Fauntleroy, with this agenda highlight:

7:15 Program: The Relationship between Our Police and Our Communities of Color
· Moderator: Chris Porter.
· King County Sheriff John Urquhart
· Judge Anne Levinson (Ret.), Office of Professional Accountability Auditor, newly appointed to the PDC
· Fe Lopez, Executive Director of the Community Police Commission, City of Seattle;
· Sili Savusa, Executive Director of the White Center Community Development Association; and
· Bobby Alexander, MPA, Activist (1st year Michigan State Law)
· Question and Answer Period

Initiative endorsements also will be considered. (9131 California SW)

AMERICAN LEGION POST 160: Monthly meetings are now being held at 8 pm. (3618 SW Alaska)

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Wednesday watch; road-work reminders
August 10, 2016 6:52 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Wednesday watch; road-work 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)

6:52 AM: So far, no incidents in/from West Seattle this morning. Two road-work reminders:

LOWER SPOKANE: SDOT says work has begun on this project east of the low bridge; here’s the advisory we published Friday.

ENDOLYNE TRIANGLE: This work in Fauntleroy’s Endolyne district, including changing a block from two-way to one-way, is expected to start today.

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West Seattle businesses: Seattle Mart moves into ex-Boeing Plant 1
August 9, 2016 11:13 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

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The big brick building at 200 SW Michigan [map] – once part of Boeing Plant 1 – is starting a new chapter in its history. Next week it opens as Seattle Mart, a new name and new home for dozens of wholesale showrooms that had been part of the Pacific Market Center in a Georgetown building now occupied by a pet-insurance company. Those independently owned showrooms (see the tenant list here) in turn serve independent retailers. Pacific Mart management tells WSB that the tenants are mostly wholesalers who don’t carry inventory, with the exception of a few cash-and-carry businesses. Seattle Mart will be open Monday and Tuesday as well as by appointment. Its grand opening will be part of Seattle Market Week, with most festivities on Saturday, August 20th, 2-8 pm.

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West Seattle wildlife: Luna Park seal sighting
August 9, 2016 9:12 pm
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news | Wildlife

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While we work on a couple more news stories for tonight, how about a photo break? Mark Wangerin – who you know primarily for his amazing bird photos, often shared with us so we can show them to you – sent these images, explaining: “I was down at Luna Park trying to shoot Osprey diving, when this little pup attempted to haul out and get warm. After a few tries, it was successful. It rested and yawned, but its rest was soon disturbed by a ferry wave. It gave up on this spot and went to the sandier side of the pier. I had to remind a few not to disturb. That they need to haul out to warm themselves.”

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We asked Mark if he had notified Seal Sitters (which handle, as we were reminded during Sunday’s Fauntleroy humpback stranding, ALL marine mammals in the area); he said he didn’t have a phone with him, and said the seal was soon out of sight. By the way, checking Seal Sitters’ Blubberblog, we see they’re having a volunteer-training session on August 27th – go here to RSVP if you’re interested.

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AS-IT-HAPPENED COVERAGE: 35th SW walking tour in ‘Phase 2’ zone
August 9, 2016 6:01 pm
|      31 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news


6:01 PM: That’s the plan for the 35th Avenue SW Corridor Safety Project walking tour that SDOT is leading tonight, with the times and places where you can meet up with the tour if you just want to go along for part of it. We’ll be covering it for the duration; updates to come.

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6:08 PM: Above is the photo we took on arrival at 35th/Avalon; we now have four residents, two SDOT staffers. Not walking yet so this might run a bit behind the posted schedule.

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6:30 PM: Now at Dawson. 11 residents. (Added – video of part of the conversation:)

Someone parked along 35th just north of here displaying an anti-rechannelization sign.

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Dawson might get a signal to facilitate crossing – to and from popular city park Camp Long – and that could mean it would need to keep 4 vehicle lanes, SDOT says.

One man who joined here says there are far more families with kids in the area now and they need to be able to cross safely.

6:54 PM: At 35th/Juneau. The person with the protest sign walked over to join the group, expressing a concern about speed limits being too low. 5 mph won’t make a difference, she said. Actually, SDOT’s Jim Curtin said, it would. (Added: Video from this stop, including that exchange:)

7:10 PM: At Graham, where two people have been hit and killed in the past decade. This corner will get a big mixed-use development soon, so it will be much busier. Curtin says vehicles will enter and exit from Graham, not 35th. 8 people on the tour now, by the way. He also says this intersection will soon get temporary painted curb bulbs on the SW and SE corners.

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7:25 PM: Tour crossed Morgan and is wrapping up – this is where ‘Phase 1’ begins, with the road becoming one lane each way just south of here. What happens along the stretch we just traveled will be decided in the months ahead.

One woman who has been along for most of the way says she understands the safety rationake but she and her husband find the rechannelized stretch frustrating. Signal timing is a clear problem, and Curtin acknowledges that, reiterating what he told us after last Thursday’s meeting – that the timings will be fixed.

Another concern – getting stopped behind the Route 21 buses and their frequent stops. One person wonders if there can be fewer stops. Someone else points out that not everyone can walk further – elders, people with disabilities, people with small children, etc.

7:39 PM: Tour officially over. We will be adding video clips from a couple of the stops once we are back at HQ.

7:58 PM: Talked at the end with Curtin and the other SDOT staffer on the tour, James Le. Curtin stressed that whatever you think about the possible changes along the way – detailed in the boards prepared for last Thursday’s meeting – “it’s not a done deal” and they’re continuing to review the hundreds of comments they’re receiving and have received (at least 110 at last Thursday’s meeting alone). Another community meeting will be planned before year’s end, and they plan to incorporate both feedback and data as they work on design for Phase 2 (north of Holly, south of Alaska).

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NEXT WEEKEND: Free bilingual music/ dance/ drama performance of ‘Blood Wedding/Bodas de Sangre’ at Roxhill Park
August 9, 2016 4:09 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks | WS culture/arts

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(Production photo)

We just found out about this unique, free performance coming to Roxhill Park next Saturday and Sunday nights, “a bilingual multidisciplinary telling of the Spanish play ‘Blood Wedding/Bodas de Sangre‘ by Federico García Lorca, with live music and dance.” Here’s the full announcement:

Rural Spain. A story of love, longing, and bitter revenge. Families in a small village are divided, rankled with old grudges, but their children, despite it all, seek love instead of acrimony. A classic since its inception, Federico Garcia Lorca’s play Blood Wedding demands that we ask: Is it up to us or fate in deciding who we love?

This inaugural production by 1-Off Productions, Blood Wedding, is translated by Caridad Svich and directed by University of Washington graduate Tina Polzin. Through collaborative work done by Polzin and a cast of bilingual actors, Blood Wedding will be presented bilingually, using Lorca’s original text alongside Svich’s translation.

1-Off Productions is a joint venture between Seattle theatre artists Tina Polzin, Ana Maria Campoy, and Matt Sherrill. Its intent is to bring professional theatre to communities with limited access, to represent diverse stories onstage employing a multidisciplinary approach, to create theatre reflective of the community artists serve, and to build and strengthen community through shared theatrical experiences.

As a core tenant of 1-Off’s mission of creating community through a shared theatrical experiences, all performances will be free of charge.

Each performance will preclude with a professionally-taught latin dance lesson, the learning of a song from the show, and an an invitation for the audience to participate in the wedding scene.  The live music will continue post show, allowing the audience members to meet and greet with the actors and each other.

Blood Wedding features a diverse ensemble of Christen Gee (Brooklyn Bridge), Jordan Taylor (American Idiot, Bad Apples), Michael Blum (Blood/Water/Paint), Angela Maestas (The Passion As Told by Antígona Pérez), Marissa Castillo (The Brothers K), Meg Savlov (Electricidad), Carolynne Wilcox, Maddy Noonan, Alex Huffman, and Miranda Sieg. Creative team includes Jonathan Shue (music director), Amy Johnson (choreography), Danielle Pekus (stage management), Brandon Estrella (scenic design) and Melinda Hare (costume design).

It’s described as suitable for all ages, and it’ll be performed at Roxhill Park (2850 SW Roxbury) at 6 pm Saturday and Sunday (August 13-14). You can also see it at South Park’s Duwamish Waterway Park (7900 10th Ave. S.) at 6 pm August 27th.

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West Seattle development: Mixed-use project for ex-auto shop site at 8854 Delridge Way SW
August 9, 2016 2:07 pm
|      20 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | Development | West Seattle news

exauto(King County Assessor photo)

City files show an early-stage redevelopment proposal for 8854 Delridge Way SW, the South Delridge auto shop that’s been closed since an electrical fire in May of last year. A 4-story mixed-use building is proposed, with 30 apartments. The 8,200-foot corner lot is zoned C1-40. Notations on the city Department of Construction and Inspections website suggest this project will have to go through the Design Review process.

This area too is becoming a redevelopment hotspot; it’s less than three blocks northwest of the 32-unit building at 9021 17th SW that passed Design Review last month, and about the same distance northeast of the ~80-unit 2222 SW Barton project that has its first review on September 15th.

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VIDEO: Demolition begins at ex-Life Care Center, future Aegis Living site
August 9, 2016 11:36 am
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

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11:36 AM: Demolition has finally begun at the former Life Care Center at 47th/Admiral/Waite, vacant for more than 3 1/2 years. The teardown has begun on the back of the building, which will be replaced by a new Aegis Living memory care and assisted living center.

12:30 PM: By the way, thanks for all the tips that the teardown work had started. When last we published an update, after tips about the arrival of the construction-office trailer last month, Aegis told us they expected to start this week. The Eastside-based company got Design Review approval last February for a three-story center with 80 units – here’s a rendering by architects GGLO:

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Aegis bought the property in late 2013 for $3,650,000. This is their 17th project in the Puget Sound area; the Aegis website says this will open in spring 2018.

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West Seattle Tuesday: 35th Avenue SW walking tour; free Tai Chi; more…
August 9, 2016 10:47 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Tuesday: 35th Avenue SW walking tour; free Tai Chi; more…
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

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(Anna’s Hummingbird, photographed by Danny McMillin)

From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

35TH SW WALKING TOUR: Following up on last week’s 35th Avenue SW Phase 2 meeting (WSB coverage here), SDOT invites you to a walking tour tonight, starting at 6 pm at 35th/Avalon, ending at 35th/Holly. You’re invited to walk the distance or just meet up at one of six spots along the way with questions/comments. Here’s the map with locations and times.

MORE FREE TAI CHI: Lao-shi Caylen Storm, who brings you free Tai Chi on Alki on Saturday mornings, says it’s grown so much they’ve added a class – 6 pm Tuesdays, starting tonight, weekly through October 18th. Questions? caylenstorm@gmail.com. (60th/Alki, by the Bathhouse)

WEST SEATTLE MOTORCYCLE CLUB: 6 pm monthly ride-in at Pizzeria 22. (4213 SW College)

WEST SEATTLE BIKE CONNECTIONS: The monthly meeting was rescheduled to 6:30 pm tonight at HomeStreet Bank (WSB sponsor), with topics including planning for a bike rodeo at next month’s Seattle Summer Parkways event on Alki. (41st SW/SW Alaska)

FAMILY STORY TIME: For ages 1-5, 7 pm at Delridge Library – stories, songs, and rhymes! (5423 Delridge Way SW)

NIGHTLIFE AND MORE … when you check out the additional listings on our complete calendar!

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FAUNTLEROY WHALE FOLLOWUP: Towed, sunk by Global Diving and Salvage crew
August 9, 2016 8:40 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Fauntleroy | Seen at sea | West Seattle news

8:40 AM: We’re at the Fauntleroy ferry dock, where a crew from Global Diving and Salvage is getting ready to tow away the carcass of the 39-foot juvenile humpback whale that died on the beach here Sunday (WSB all-day coverage here; photo/video followup here). First, it had to be evaluated:

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The whale has been out of view, submerged, since a Washington State Ferries “shore gang” tied it to floats Sunday night and towed it to a spot along the dock where it’s been secured since then.

As we reported last night, Global – which is based in West Seattle – got the call on Monday that its assistance would be needed to dispose of the whale, which is to be sunk in Puget Sound rather than taken to a beach to decompose. Its 62-foot landing-craft-type vessel Prudhoe Bay – also known for bringing the Seafair Pirates to Alki Beach each summer – pulled up just after 8 am:

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Global Diving and Salvage executives tell WSB they’ve assisted with whales before – including the fin whale that turned up at Seahurst Park in Burien in 2013.

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9:13 AM: The crew has secured floats – and therefore, the whale – to the Prudhoe Bay, and is sailing away from the dock, headed for a “pre-approved” sinking site. (We’ve added video atop this story, and will be adding more photos later.)

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4:27 PM UPDATE: Just talked with David DeVilbiss from Global, who confirms the whale has been “respectfully” sent to its final resting place “in about 400 feet of water.” Location not specified, but we’ve noted that MarineTraffic.com showed the Prudhoe Bay off Blake Island most of the day. DeVilbiss adds that a marine biologist was on board and able to get more information about the whale that couldn’t be gathered on the beach – underside markings, for example.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Little League’s mower stolen; bicycle taken; stolen car found
August 9, 2016 8:19 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

In West Seattle Crime Watch, three reports:

WEST SEATTLE LITTLE LEAGUE’S RIDING MOWER STOLEN: From Deborah:

The West Seattle Little League’s new 2016 Kubota riding lawn mower was stolen from the equipment shed at Bar S. The thieves broke into the shed during the middle of the day Saturday sometime between 1:00-4:00 p.m. According to neighbors, one of the thieves was a white man in his 30’s wearing an orange safety vest. They left Bar S by cutting the chain and exiting the Southern side of the ballpark. If you have any information regarding this theft, please contact wsllgeneral@hotmail.com or 206-790-6358.

Or, call police. (The stolen mower looks like this.)

STOLEN BICYCLE: Matt tweeted this photo of his bicycle, stolen from his apartment building south of The Junction:

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He says, “Brand is Specialized and the model is “Ground Control” (or at least that’s what it says on the frame). It’s gray, unknown number of years old. I got it for free from a coworker. Handlebars are flat.” It’s been reported to police.

STOLEN CAR UPDATE: We published JW‘s auto-theft report here on Saturday. Her followup:

My Honda has been found at the bottom of Fairmount Ave by parking enforcement, fortunately drivable. Yea! By any chance someone has any surveillance from 4:00 to 5:00 a.m. Saturday morning that could have captured it heading east on Hanford and turning left and heading down the Fairmount ravine, that would be killer.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Tuesday updates; 35th SW walking tour tonight
August 9, 2016 6:52 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Tuesday updates; 35th SW walking tour tonight
 |   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: Good morning – relatively quiet on the roads so far; no incidents in or from West Seattle. One reminder for tonight:

35TH SW WALKING TOUR: As a followup to last week’s 35th Avenue SW Phase 2 meeting (WSB coverage here), SDOT plans a walking tour tonight, starting at 6 pm at 35th/Avalon, ending at 35th/Holly. You’re invited to walk the distance or just meet up at one of six spots along the way with questions/comments. Here’s the map with locations and times.

SODO NOTE: Mariners’ game tonight (vs. Detroit), 7:10 pm

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FAUNTLEROY WHALE FOLLOWUP: Humpback’s final journey tomorrow; what researchers are saying tonight
August 8, 2016 8:49 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Wildlife

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(WSB photo @ Fauntleroy ferry dock this morning)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

The humpback whale that stranded and died south of the Fauntleroy ferry dock on Sunday will spend one more night tied to floats nearby.

We covered the rescue, and then research, work all day and into Sunday evening – here’s our as-it-happened coverage, and here’s the photo/video gallery we published early today.

Tomorrow morning, West Seattle-headquartered Global Diving and Salvage will send a vessel and crew to Fauntleroy to take the 39-foot juvenile female humpback on her final journey.

We talked tonight with Global vice president David DeVilbiss, who said they got the notification around midday today to “go ahead and take care of the whale” – too late to finalize logistics and make it happen before tomorrow morning.

He says they’re likely to use the Prudhoe Bay, which gets a spotlight each summer as it delivers the Seafair Pirates to Alki Beach. That’s also what Global used to tow away the fin whale that washed up at Seahurst Park in Burien three years ago. While it was taken to a relatively remote spot to decompose, this whale will be sunk in an unspecified area of Puget Sound that’s approved for the procedure.

DeVilbiss says that “involves towing it out and weighing it down with benign weights – basically, concrete blocks,” then cutting it loose to sink. It’s not as simple as it might sound – the whale’s carcass bloats with gases, so they’ll need to make sure the weights are enough that it won’t just float back up again.

No specific time is set for the tow – the crew will start work relatively early, preparing the boat and materials, before heading to Fauntleroy.

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One more followup – the newest information on the investigation into why the whale died. Here’s what Cascadia Research Collective, whose biologists John Calambokidis and Jessie Huggins were among the experts and responders on the beach, is saying so far. They report that the “limited necropsy” done at the beach “revealed poor nutritional condition, multiple internal parasites, and internal injuries associated with the beaching event. The animal also had some killer whale bite marks on the jaw, and killer whales had been reported in the area the previous day. Samples will be submitted for a variety of analyses to determine if there were any other conditions that contributed to the stranding.”

This was the first time a whale had stranded on a West Seattle beach in six years, since the gray whale – also a juvenile female – that died in The Arroyos in April 2010. While her exact cause of death was not determined, the necropsy drew worldwide attention for turning up plastics and other trash in her stomach (here’s that report, also from Cascadia Research).

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Renter? Landlord? New city rules on the way
August 8, 2016 7:59 pm
|      48 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle housing | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

If you are a renter – or own rental property – you’ll want to know about new rules passed by the City Council today. They were sponsored by our area’s City Councilmember Lisa Herbold. Read the related documents; here’s the announcement:

Council unanimously adopted comprehensive tenant protection legislation today. Currently it is illegal to discriminate against a prospective renter whose primary source of income is a Section 8 voucher. The legislation adopted today expands that legal protection to include people who receive alternate sources of income such as a pension, Social Security, unemployment, child support or any other governmental or non-profit subsidy. It also creates a new First- come, First-served screening process that will seek to help address discrimination in housing across all protected classes.

According to the Seattle’s Renting Crisis Report from the Washington Community Action Network, “48% of individuals who pay for rent with Social Security Disability Insurance or Social Security retirement income said that discrimination prevents them from having successful rental applications.”

Councilmember Lisa Herbold (District 1, West Seattle & South Park), the legislation’s sponsor said, “When the Seattle Office for Civil Rights conducted secret shopper fair housing testing relating to applicants who applied for housing using Section 8 vouchers, 63% of applicants were shown different treatment, which is already illegal. Today we’re expanding those protections, and I expect this new law will have positive impacts for renters.”

The legislation adopted today is aimed at making the housing application process more objective as a tool to mitigate unconscious bias and ensure the city investments in addressing our affordable housing crisis and homeless crisis are effective.

The source of income discrimination proposal was developed following recommendations from the Mayor’s Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda task force. Council further amended the proposal to provide further protections:

Read More

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UPDATE: Driver hits teen at Delridge/Genesee
August 8, 2016 5:22 pm
|      16 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | West Seattle news | WS breaking news

FIRST REPORT, 5:22 PM: Fire and police are at a crash reported at Delridge/Genesee. Avoid the area for a while if you can; we are on the way to check.

5:36 PM: Delridge is blocked between Oregon and Genesee. Buses are being rerouted – 50, 120, 125.

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5:42 PM: Police tell us at the scene that a pedestrian has been taken to the hospital. And they say four vehicles are involved.

5:54 PM: Update: One driver hit the pedestrian; the other 3 vehicles belong to witnesses. The victim is a 15-year-old boy; his injuries are not life-threatening. Possible broken arm. Delridge should reopen soon.

5:59 PM: Delridge is now open again.

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What you saw in the sky: Amazon jet on photo shoot
August 8, 2016 3:19 pm
|      16 COMMENTS
 |   Seen around town | West Seattle news

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(Added: Photo by WSB’s Christopher Boffoli)

Thanks to Woody’s Aeroimages for the heads-up via Twitter – Amazon‘s first-ever Prime Air jet is doing a photo shoot over the city, and we hear it’s been spotted over West Seattle. The 767-300 flew during Seafair; here’s more about it from GeekWire.

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West Seattle development: Projects proposed for 6016 and 6022 California
August 8, 2016 2:32 pm
|      47 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

The redevelopment pace continues to intensify north of Morgan Junction. City files show two early-stage proposals on adjacent sites in the 6000 block of California Avenue SW, next to a site that already has a project in the works:

ricketc
(King County Assessor photo)

30 APARTMENTS PROPOSED FOR 6016 CALIFORNIA SW: This two-story building is currently home to businesses including the legendary Rick’s (Psychic) Barber Shop. The proposal would replace it with a 30-apartment building; the site plan shows 10 units on each of three floors, no offstreet parking (none is required because it’s on the RapidRide C Line route).

County records show this building was built in the early ’50s on a 7,500-square-foot lot currently zoned NC2-30, same as the subject of our next item:

citynails
(King County Assessor photo)

7 UNITS PROPOSED FOR 6022 CALIFORNIA SW: This is currently home to the one-story retail building housing City Nails. The proposal is for what’s become a common mix on lots like this one – three live-work units facing California, two townhouse units behind it, and two single-family houses behind them, on the alley. Five off-street parking spaces are in this plan.

Again, these are early-stage proposals – the businesses remain open, and the permit process has a long way to go. Just to the north of them is 6010 California, which we wrote about in May. It’s proposed for three live-work units and four townhouses, replacing an almost-century-old single-family house.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: 2 more stolen vehicles to watch for
August 8, 2016 12:46 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Two more stolen vehicles reported overnight – if you see either one, call 911.

STOLEN WORK TRUCK: From Mardi – “At 4:40 am, our 2016 Ford F-150 was stolen from our parking spot on our private road, Seola Lane. The quad-door truck is white with royal blue decals that say Multi-M Construction all over it. We live real close to Arbor Heights, White Center, and Burien. Please keep an eye out.”

STOLEN FROM OWNER’S WORKPLACE: Someone stole Robby‘s truck from in front of his workplace, West Seattle Produce (4722 Fauntleroy Way SW), sometime between 9 pm Sunday and 7 am today. It’s a 1994 white Jeep Cherokee (looks like this photo), plate 165-ZXN.

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