West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
(June photo contributed by Claudia, weeks before two of the goslings were killed)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Fauntleroy’s white geese are gone.
Early this summer, their numbers were up to five – parents and three goslings.
Then in early July, a driver hit and killed two of the goslings.
In recent days, we had received a few notes from worried West Seattleites, saying the remaining adult male gosling seemed to be missing too, and they were seeing only the female and the surviving gosling.
As of hours ago, those two are gone – but still alive – and their whereabouts are no mystery.
We found out through two calls today from a Lincoln Park-goer who told the story of what he considered an unauthorized capture: He said he was at the park early this afternoon, the two white geese nearby, when two people suddenly swooped in with carriers, put blankets over the geese, stuffed them into the carriers, and departed. Before they left, he said, another concerned outlooker found out that they were being taken to an animal sanctuary on Vashon Island called Baa Haus.
The caller said police were called and given a license plate number, but couldn’t catch up with the goose-capturers before they ferried away.
We hadn’t heard of Baa Haus before but looked it up online and left messages via voice-mail and e-mail. This evening, we got a call back.
Yes, Baa Haus has the geese, said the caller. They had received numerous calls from people worried the geese were in danger and needed to be rescued, before Baa Haus finally got the chance to intervene today via “a good Samaritan,” she said. She referred to the geese as having been “dumped in a park” and didn’t know much about their history, except to say Baa Haus understood “their numbers were dwindling.”
The two geese, she said, are “settling in quite happily” tonight at their new digs on the nonprofit’s six acres on Vashon, where they have about 30 geese in all. They will be “in quarantine” for a while, she said, until Baa Haus can get them checked out by a vet, and then they’ll work to integrate them with the other geese. But so far they seem to be in good spirits and condition, she said, adding that they’ve been vocalizing – “trash talking” as she put it with laughter – with the other geese.
Our conversation was brief, and we’ll be following up. Before we learned where the geese were, we had put in a call, unreturned, to the Seattle Animal Shelter, which had some involvement with the birds over the years, particularly in cases where the geese had been attacked by dogs.
We recall seeing white geese like these on the beach at Lincoln Park and nearby Cove Park going back more than 15 years; the question is whether anyone ever actually owned them, and whether Baa Haus needed anyone’s permission to remove them from the park. The spokesperson said her organization, which has been around for 20 years, has worked with numerous other groups, organizations, and entities.
Thanks for the texted photo and tips. When we started hearing about a police presence at the east end of the West Seattle Bridge an hour or so ago, WSDOT would only describe it as “an incident” and said the ramp had cleared. Then scanner traffic indicated searching was continuing/had resumed. The Guardian One helicopter was involved for a while and described it as an SPD search for a possibly armed person. From what we’ve heard most recently, the officers were also looking at the hillsides by the I-5/Columbian/WS Bridge interchange. No word if anyone is in custody yet.
One week ago, thanks to tips, we reported on SDOT‘s preparation work for restriping Admiral Way west of California SW, a project that’s been in the pipeline for a year and a half, with the final design announced in July. Today, SDOT announced the work schedule:
Work to restripe SW Admiral Way between California and 63rd Ave SW will occur the week of September 26. We expect construction to take about one week, depending on the weather. During this time on-street parking will be restricted on both sides of the street between 7 AM and 5 PM for the entire length of the project. This allows the street to be restriped while keeping a travel lane in each direction open. “No parking” signs will be in place for 72 hours prior to the start of the restrictions. We’ll work to reduce impacts as much as possible and appreciate your patience during this work.
Here’s the mailer that SDOT says will go out to residents and businesses next week; it says SDOT is drafting “Phase 2” of the project, based on suggestions from the August walk-and-talk meeting (WSB coverage here).
But first – as reported here last night, project reps will be at next Tuesday’s Admiral Neighborhood Association meeting (7 pm Tuesday, September 13th, The Sanctuary at Admiral, 42nd/Lander), for updates and community Q/A on the work that’s about to start.
The family of longtime West Seattleite Sylvia Ann Mickelson is sharing this remembrance with the community:
Sylvia Ann (Alger) Mickelson passed away peacefully on August 14, 2016 at the age of 88.
Sylvia was born to Milla and Thomas Alger, who immigrated from Norway. Sylvia was born and raised in West Seattle and preceded in death by Earl M. Mickelson, her husband of 65 years. Sylvia graduated from West Seattle High School in 1946 and attended the University of Washington.
Sylvia’s spirit is carried on by her three children, Susan Scott (Daniel), Chris Mickelson (Kimberly), Bart Mickelson; four grandchildren, Shawna Clark (Steve), Christiana Mickelson-Bigsby (George), Trine Mickelson, Tristen Mickelson; great-grandchild George Bigsby V; sister Beverly Alger; many nieces, nephews, and friends. Sylvia’s family was very important to her, and the grandchildren put a sparkle in her eye until the very end.
Sylvia lived 50 years in the same home and neighborhood in West Seattle where she had made many lifelong friends whom will miss her greatly. Sylvia was a longtime member of the West Seattle Eagles, and the West Seattle Yacht Club. She was a dedicated volunteer for the American Heart Association.
We want to thank Sylvia’s many caretakers over the years, most recently Maricris and Paul, in whose home Sylvia resided, who took exceptional care of her the past year, along with her dedicated caretaker Fely Tugade. Services will be private. Remembrances may be sent to the American Heart Association.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)
3:10 PM: Got a call pointing out the black smoke visible across Puget Sound. The Kitsap Sun reports via Twitter that it’s a structure fire in Tracyton [map], north of Bremerton.
3:57 PM: The Sun has a story online, with a photo. The building that caught fire is described as a two-story workshop; no injuries reported.
(Photo courtesy South Seattle College)
You could call this a massive donation of school supplies: When classes start for the fall at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) in a little over two weeks, one college program will have more than 30 tons of new material to work with, thanks to a business donation. SSC shared the photo and announcement:
This summer, Nucor donated approximately 65,000 pounds of steel to the college’s Welding Fabrication Technology program, which will help students hone their skills and prepare for welding careers for several quarters to come.
“To get a few pieces of steel here and there is one thing,” Welding Instructor Rick Baker said. “To get a whole truckload is a whole different story!”
“It’s a huge help to our program,” Welding Instructor Doug Rupik added, saying the steel bars will be used for classwork, unique building projects, welding booth improvements and “to help us get students prepared for the Washington Association of Building Officials welding certification test.”
South Seattle College and Nucor Steel have forged a strong relationship over the years, with several welding students earning their internship credits at Nucor and, in some cases, going to work for the West Seattle industry staple after graduation. South’s welding program also takes students on Nucor tours for a deeper understanding of metallurgy as part of their curriculum.
Nucor also supports South Seattle College’s Foundation by funding student scholarships, and Nucor’s Plant Controller Walter Reese serves on the Foundation Board.
“We want to give back to the communities in which we live and work, and supporting the college really fits well into that mission of ours,” Reese said, adding that the steel donation not only benefits South students in their education, but may well benefit Nucor with talented graduates coming to work for them one day.
The fall quarter starts at SSC on Monday, September 26th. Here’s how to enroll.
12:47 PM: BT reports an overnight car prowl:
My 2013 Jeep Wrangler was broken into last night by cutting through the soft top window at (4800 block) 38th Ave SW [map]. Various personal items including a yellow and black striped (like a bee) Disccraft golf bag with all of my discs and a blue and gray gym bag with boxing gloves were taken.
If anything fitting that description turns up dumped in your neighborhood, please comment.
ADDED 1:19 PM: We have received another report of a car prowl that netted sports gear, this one in the 3900 block of 37th SW:
In total they took 16 golf clubs, a discover pass, and the vehicle registration. Hope that these items turn up as I was planning on donating the clubs to Goodwill.
(Kingfisher on the lookout – photographed by Dan Ciske)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar for your Friday afternoon/evening:
FRIDAY AFTERNOON MOVIE: 1 pm at Senior Center of West Seattle, Terry’s “Greatest Movies You’ve Never Heard Of” series features “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves,” from 1991. $1 members/$2 non-members. Free popcorn! (SW Oregon/California SW)
WORDS, WRITERS, WEST SEATTLE: Molly Ringle is tonight’s featured author in the monthly Southwest Seattle Historical Society-presented series. Here’s the SWSHS video featuring Ringle inviting you to tonight’s event:
5-7 pm at Barnes & Noble/Westwood Village, she’ll talk about her novel “Immortal’s Spring,” third in a trilogy of novels based on Greek mythology. (2800 SW Barton)
‘A NIGHT IN SPAIN’: Paella and flamenco! 6 pm benefit at and for the Senior Center of WS. Check ASAP to see if they still have tickets. (SW Oregon/California SW)
HIGH-SCHOOL FOOTBALL: West Seattle High School (1-0) has its first home game tonight, 7 pm vs. Ingraham at Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle) … Chief Sealth International High School (0-1) is on the road, 7 pm vs. Nathan Hale at Northeast Athletic Complex (10750 30th NE).
TX TRUMBO @ C & P: 7 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), singer-songwriter Tx Trumbo performs live. (5612 California SW)
3 BANDS @ SKYLARK: Stuporhero, Lazy Animals, and Green Cross, 9 pm at The Skylark, $7 cover. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
School can be tough – not just academically. Tomorrow, Elite Brazilian Jiu-jitsu of Seattle (5050 Delridge Way SW; WSB sponsor) is offering a FREE workshop on confidence-building and how to handle bullying. It’s for students 6-13, and their parents, 10 am-noon on Saturday (September 10th). Elite BJJ explains, “Most of this session will be an honest discussion about the mental preparation required to handle and defuse situations,” and parental presence is required so the info can be “reinforced and re-communicated” afterward. Go here ASAP to RSVP. Again, this is free, but if you can help, Coach Sonia Sillan reminds us that “Elite BJJ of Seattle is always in support of New Beginnings. Every event, we ask for donations (gift cards – Fred Meyer/Target/Visa; check; full-sized toiletries).”
(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)
6:39 AM: Good morning! One incident reported on an outbound route right now – at 4th and Lander in SODO, a crash is blocking one northbound lane.
WEEKEND REMINDER – LIMITED ACCESS TO HARBOR ISLAND: Ramps to Harbor Island will be closed this weekend because of railroad-crossing work – here again are the details.
WEEKEND LANE CLOSURES ON EB I-90, SB I-5: Road work will affect traffic on eastbound I-90 just east of I-5, and southbound I-5 in South King County – read the alerts if your weekend plans will take you onto either of those freeways.
WEEKEND EVENTS, CITYWIDE: Here’s the weekly SDOT look at major potentially traffic-affecting events, including Sunday’s Seahawks home game.
7:02 AM: SDOT says the 4th Avenue crash has cleared. But now there’s a northbound I-5 problem on this side of downtown – WSDOT says the right lane is partly blocked by a crash “just south of” Seneca. (Added a few minutes later – WSDOT now says there are TWO crashes in that same area.)
7:12 AM: Both NB I-5 crashes are now cleared, WSDOT now reports.
8:53 AM: It’s been incident-free since then, at least in our general area, but here’s a traffic note: We’re on the high bridge right now, on the way to an interview off-peninsula, and the bridge is stop-and-go … more stop than go.
9:01 AM: Two other notes – we’ve received multiple reports of a water problem on California SW by West Seattle High School – checking with Seattle Public Utilities to see what they know. Also, if you are headed for surface Spokane St. in SODO, there’s a fire-alarm call with multiple SFD units at an address that checks to just west of 1st Avenue South.
9:23 AM: We might have a separate story about it later, but for now, we’ve confirmed that SPU is aware of the break – it’s a “service line,” not an actual main line – and will have a repair crew out later.
9:42 AM: Our photographer reports the crew is actually there now. This is on California SW near the south entrance to WSHS:
Thanks again for the tips – there’s no outgoing center of information about SPU problems, unlike Seattle City Light, which has an outage map, so we appreciate tips when you see something happening. (As with crime, report it to the authorities first, then let us know – 206-293-6302 text or voice if it’s happening now!)
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