West Seattle, Washington

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month : 10/2016 308 results

Ex-substation contaminated and due for demolition, to neighbors’ surprise
October 13, 2016 7:43 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | Utilities | West Seattle news

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(WSB photos)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Neighbors of the former Avalon substation building by the southwest end of the West Seattle Bridge say they were surprised to find out, after years of living nearby, that it is contaminated with mercury and set for demolition.

Wednesday afternoon, they gathered with Seattle City Light and Department of Construction and Inspections reps and City Councilmember Lisa Herbold to try to clarify what happened and what’s planned for the site after the building is torn down and the contamination cleanup. Read More

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WEST SEATTLE STORM WATCH: Newest alerts for both storms; city leaders’ update
October 13, 2016 4:58 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

(UPDATED 9:16 PM with change in first storm’s timing – scroll down)

4:58 PM: Here’s the newest update from the National Weather Service about what’s headed this way late tonight:

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The High Wind Warning for tonight remains scheduled for 6 pm-7 am, though the wind isn’t due until hours after the warning kicks in.

The National Weather Service also has added a High Wind Watch (which is one level below a “warning” but that’s because it’s further away time-wise) for noon Saturday to 3 am Sunday.

The major change in the forecast so far is that tonight’s wind could continue longer into Friday morning than first thought. Again, we’ll be on duty all night and into the morning with weather coverage. If there’s trouble where you are, once you’re safe and know it’s been reported to authorities, please let us know – text or voice, 206-293-6302 is the best way.

Speaking of phone numbers, save these:

CITY LIGHT, REPORT AN OUTAGE: 206-684-3000

SDOT, REPORT AN EMERGENCY ROAD HAZARD: 206-386-1218

ADDED 6:21 PM: Mayor Murray called a news conference late today that was billed as an update on city preps for the storm but spent more time on the encampment legislation. It just wrapped up; we monitored it via live stream and will have a separate story on what’s new with that issue, but in the meantime, one point made by the mayor: Once the wind picks up, stay out of city parks, because of tree danger. Most parks are technically closed during the hours the wind is supposed to be at its worst anyway. Also, Parks Superintendent Jesús Aguirre mentioned that grass playfields citywide are closed because of the rain. The mayor says the city is planning to open its Emergency Operations Center early tomorrow to coordinate whatever storm response is needed, and that SPD and SFD already have extra personnel called in and on standby, in addition to the utility crews you’d expect.

ADDED 9:16 PM: The storm has slowed its approach, we’re told. And this from the NWS:

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SAVED: Fauntleroy Creek Salmon in the Schools program will swim on
October 13, 2016 2:11 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | Wildlife

(WSB photo, May 2016: West Seattle Elementary group at Fauntleroy Creek with volunteer Dennis Hinton)

By Dennis Hinton, Fauntleroy Creek volunteer
Special to West Seattle Blog

After months of not knowing if the Fauntleroy Creek Salmon in the Schools program would continue uninterrupted as it has for more than 20 years, word came late last week that it will.

The program centers on coho fry released by schoolchildren. Ten elementary schools and three preschools in West Seattle receive coho eggs in January and students rear the fish while learning about biology, habitat, and the role of salmon in Pacific Northwest environment, commerce, and culture. Nearly 800 students came to the creek this past spring on release field trips, bringing 1,800 coho fry.

For the first time since 1991 when it started Salmon in the Schools, the state Department of Fish and Wildlife notified program coordinators six months ago that coho eggs might not be available for the 2016-17 term. Without them, participating West Seattle schools would have had to rear another salmon species for release elsewhere.

(WSB photo: Judy Pickens at Westside School on egg-delivery day last January)

“This news from the state was chilling to both teachers and creek volunteers,” said Judy Pickens. She and Phil Sweetland represent Fauntleroy Creek on the Salmon in the Schools – Seattle steering committee that coordinates the program for 71 schools in the city. “Without coho, the creek would have lost much of the life we’ve been working for 26 years to restore and the community would have lost a much-loved natural feature, a small taste of the wild in urban West Seattle.”

The state based its warning on last year’s meager return of coho spawners to Puget Sound and predictions of a low coho return this year. Warm water off the Oregon-Washington coast killed their prey and, without food, the fish that had survived predation and pollution to get that far died. No spawners came into Fauntleroy Creek last fall.

Based on early coho returns to area hatcheries, creek volunteers are cautiously optimistic about getting spawners this year. The annual drumming to call them in will be Sunday, October 30, at 5 pm at the fish-ladder viewpoint (SW Director and upper Fauntleroy Way SW).

Volunteers will start watching for spawners the following week when tides are high enough for the fish to have easy access to the mouth of the creek. Assuming veteran watchers spot fish, watch here for an invitation to join their ranks.

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STORM WATCH UPDATE: 4 things the National Weather Service wants you to know
October 13, 2016 1:11 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

Here’s a 4-point update from the National Weather Service:

No wind so far today – just rain. The alerts remain:

*High Wind Warning, 6 pm tonight-7 am tomorrow, S to SW sustained to 35 mph, gusts to 55 mph
*Special Weather Statement that includes the wind expected Saturday night, possibly stronger than tonight

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West Seattle Thursday: WS Art Walk, WSHS volleyball vs. breast cancer, Chief Sealth IHS open house, more…
October 13, 2016 11:07 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Thursday: WS Art Walk, WSHS volleyball vs. breast cancer, Chief Sealth IHS open house, more…
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Yes, a storm is still brewing. But the forecasters say the big wind isn’t due in until very late tonight. So, so far, a full schedule of events is still planned for this evening:

OYSTER HAPPY HOUR: As mentioned in this morning’s followup on the Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor) remodeling, 5-7 pm at Admiral MM, you’re invited to the first “oyster happy hour” – 99 cents each. (41st/42nd/Admiral)

VOLLEYBALL RAISING $ TO FIGHT BREAST CANCER: West Seattle High School‘s volleyball teams invite you to watch them play Ingraham tonight at WSHS and to contribute to their breast-cancer-fighting fundraiser:

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The photo was shared by WSHS head coach Staci Stringer, who says, “We would like to invite the West Seattle community to our Breast Cancer awareness volleyball match at 7 at West Seattle! JVC/JV starts at 5:30. We will be asking for donations at the door and would love to raise awareness and some funds for research.” (3000 California SW)

OPEN HOUSE FOR CHIEF SEALTH INTERNATIONAL HS FAMILIES: Tonight: “CSI will be hosting our annual Open House. This is an opportunity to meet your student’s teachers and learn about their classes. A spaghetti dinner will be served starting at 5:30 pm. The official welcome to Open House will be given by Principal Fraser-Hammer beginning at 6:30. During the welcome, families will hear from the counseling department and from representatives from our International Baccalaureate and Academy programs. At 6:50, families will be given time to travel to their student’s first period. Families will spend 10 minutes in each class and then will move on to the next class period. The last class period will end at 8:25.” (2600 SW Thistle)

WEST SEATTLE ART WALK: 6-9 pm at venues around the peninsula. See previews and locations on the official West Seattle Art Walk website.

SECOND THURSDAY OUT! 6 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle: “Inviting the LGBTQ community and their friends and neighbors for social hour, light dinner at the Center, followed by ArtsWest’s production of Ibsen’s ‘Ghosts’. Everyone is welcome to attend – no membership or signup is required.” (SW Oregon/California SW)

OPEN MICROPHONE: 7-9 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), express yourself musically! (5612 California SW)

SEATTLE OPERA PREVIEW: 7 pm, preview “Hansel and Gretel,” free, with live music, at Kenyon Hall!

With refreshing humor and Wagnerian orchestration, this atmospheric fable explores universal themes of poverty, peril, and bravery, culminating in happiness for all—save for one very bad witch! Deepen your enjoyment of this provocative, dreamy, and melodious opera as you get an inside look into Seattle Opera’s upcoming production. Featuring professional singers and accompaniment at the Steinway, this hour-long presentation will take you on a journey through the story and music of Humperdinck’s masterpiece. There is no charge for this performance.

(7904 35th SW)

SOUTH SOUND TUG & BARGE: “Unbridled bluegrass, Irish and folk tunes with a side of punk” – live music at Parliament Tavern in The Admiral District, 9-11 pm. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

THERE’S ALWAYS MORE on our complete-calendar page.

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BE PREPARED! Not just for storms: Free class in West Seattle
October 13, 2016 9:54 am
|    Comments Off on BE PREPARED! Not just for storms: Free class in West Seattle
 |   Preparedness | West Seattle news

Here’s hoping you are already ready for the stormy weather that’s on the way. But storm trouble is just one of the challenges you need to be prepared for. And you’re invited to find out about being ready for almost anything, via a free class that longtime WSB sponsor John Moore @ Northwest Insurance Group is presenting later this month:

6-8 pm Monday, October 24th @ The Kenney (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW):

Northwest Insurance Group is sponsoring a Disaster Preparedness Presentation and will have a guest speaker from the American Red Cross. Lucia Scordamaglia will bring sample supplies/kits and provide plenty of information and handouts addressing how to best prepare for winter storms, earthquakes, house fires, flooding, landslides, and other disasters that disrupt our day-to-day lives.

RSVP to John Moore – johnm@nwinsgroup.com

Get your RSVP in ASAP to be sure there’ll be room.

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FOLLOWUP: See what’s changing in Metropolitan Market’s Admiral remodel
October 13, 2016 9:00 am
|      27 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Almost a month into its remodeling project, Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor) in Admiral is showing major signs of change:

mmdeli1

We didn’t have many details when we mentioned the remodeling last month, but we do now, after a mini-tour on Wednesday, with store director Paul Marth and MM executive VP Helen Neville. Above, new cases and tiling have brightened and expanded the area where you’ll find cheese, deli meat, and the olive bar.

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The bakery area has new tile, too, and the coffee bar will be moving downstairs this weekend to its new home adjacent to the bakery, by the west doors.

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That will create room for an expanded housewares area upstairs.

The kitchen behind the hot-food and sandwich-case area is getting new equipment, and as previously mentioned, will be adding pizza and wok food. The soup bar and seating area will expand; the poke bar will move to a more central location.

The remodeling is now set for two phases. The first phase of work will be done by November 11th, and then the remodeling will stop for the holiday season, a traditionally very-busy time for Metropolitan Market. Then after the holidays, they’ll turn attention to the meat, seafood, and grocery areas.

Marth has been the Admiral store director since summer, 11 years after a previous stint.

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He adds that while they remodel and look at additional items for the latter, they are talking with and hearing from customers about what they’ll be looking for while the West Seattle PCC Natural Markets (also a WSB sponsor) is closed for the construction of the mixed-use building that will be its new home (likely to start sometime next year).

One more MM area in transition – the big covered patio south of the main east entrance. They’re expanding its seating to facilitate monthly “events” there, such as farm-to-table dinners with guest chefs. You can get a sneak peek during an “Oyster Happy Hour” planned tonight (Thursday, October 13th), featuring 99-cent Hama Hama oysters, 5-7 pm. (Yes, there will be heaters!)

P.S. Until the first phase of remodeling wraps up next month, the store continues closing overnight (10 pm-6 am) Sunday through Thursday, while maintaining its round-the-clock schedule 6 am Fridays-10 pm Sundays.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Thursday watch
October 13, 2016 7:00 am
|      2 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)

7 AM: Good morning. The rain continues, and the National Weather Service says the first round of wind is on the way, with a High Wind Warning from 6 pm tonight to 7 am Friday.

If you are heading TOWARD West Seattle right now or soon, be forewarned that a crash has closed the southbound Battery Street Tunnel.

7:40 AM: That crash has cleared. Nothing else reported on nearby routes except general slowness. Meantime, forecasters say that while the wind warning starts at 6 pm in our area, the worst isn’t expected until late tonight. We will be on storm watch through the night and into early Friday. (Another reminder that school’s out tomorrow – long-scheduled day of no classes for Seattle Public Schools.)

7:48 AM: Texter warns of especially slow traffic on Admiral Way getting to the bridge.

7:55 AM: Could be related to that:

8:11 AM: Texter (reach us at 206-293-6302 any time) says the light on Cloverdale at Highway 509 is out, and that’s causing some backup on the 1st-to-Olson-to-Roxbury hill.

8:28 AM: Iggy reports in comments that the Route 22 bus has lost a tire, south of Morgan Junction, and is awaiting Metro maintenance. Until and unless a replacement has been brought in, could mean delays for people waiting to ride elsewhere on the route.

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SCAM ALERT, AGAIN: Fake ‘City Light’ caller, but ‘very convincing’
October 13, 2016 12:23 am
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

The utility-bill scammers just don’t quit. We heard Wednesday night from another Junction business that got the call and wanted to warn you not to fall for it:

We received a call from someone (Wednesday) saying they were from Seattle City Light. The person on the phone said he was given a work order to disconnect our power due to unpaid bills.

The person knew we are set up with automatic pay with SCL and he said our payments for the last two months didn’t process due to something that went wrong with their processing system. He said we needed to immediately pay a certain amount of money or our power would be disconnected in the next half hour.

Long story short, this ended up being a scam but the person on the phone was extremely convincing. We were hoping you could spread the word about this new scam so nobody gets taken.

As a City Light spokesperson said in a 2014 alert, the utility “does not call, email or visit customers demanding immediate payment to avoid shutoffs. Anyone who falls behind on payments will receive at least two written notifications before the shutoff process starts.” If you are concerned about your account status, call an SCL customer rep at 206-684-3000 – don’t deal with the person who called you out of the blue.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: See the thieves who took palm tree, supplements
October 12, 2016 9:39 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

In West Seattle Crime Watch, thieves caught on camera taking unusual items:

PALM-TREE THEFT: Martin returned from a trip and discovered this early-morning tree theft on his security video:

“Just ripped it right out of the wet dirt and took off with our palm,” he says. It happened near California and Juneau. “If anyone can identify person or vehicle, please contact SPD and reference tracking # T16010221.”

REPEAT PACKAGE THIEF: Hannah says this thief has hit their apartment building multiple times:

That image is from a September theft; the one from 4 am this past Monday wasn’t usable, but this time, she says, the thief “stole a bunch of nutritional supplements. I didn’t know you could pawn protein powder and digestive enzymes and such. If anyone sees a bag of supplements from Baseline Nutritionals dumped anywhere, I’d love to have some back.”

P.S. Early re-reminder – bring your neighborhood concerns directly to local police @ the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting next Tuesday (October 18th), 7 pm, Southwest Precinct (2300 SW Webster).

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ENCAMPMENTS IN PARKS? City Councilmembers’ alternative proposals
October 12, 2016 6:52 pm
|      70 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

(UPDATED THURSDAY AFTERNOON with council staff analysis of the differences between the two alternatives)

6:52 PM: Two city councilmembers’ alternative versions of the camping-in-public-places proposal are now part of the agenda for Friday morning’s committee meeting. One is by the Human Services and Public Health Committee’s chair Sally Bagshaw, and the other is by Mike O’Brien, who is sponsor of the original bill. We’re reading them right now but wanted to publish them so you can read them too. First, from Bagshaw:

In hers, the expanded definition of “unsuitable” areas starts at page 6, so if you’re just going to skim, that’s where to start.

And from O’Brien:

For comparison, here’s the week-old draft that was in our story last Friday.

Toplines to come. Though the committee is NOT expected to vote on Friday, the 9:30 am meeting at City Hall is still on, and will include a public-comment period.

10:15 PM: After reading both, here’s a quick summary of the differences: Besides, as mentioned earlier, a more expansive definition of what’s an “unsuitable” location – including all areas of parks, not just the “improved” ones – her bill does not mention vehicles, as the draft we obtained last week did. O’Brien’s alternate bill does mention, as did the draft, coming up with rules about vehicle camping within a few months. Meantime, his mentions setting up an advisory committee to oversee implementation of whatever new rules are passed; Bagshaw’s does not. And finally, hers includes this:

Unsuitable Location Options – Within 30 days of the effective date of this ordinance, the City shall set up additional sanctioned, or managed encampments or spaces where people can safely camp. Such identified spaces and sites shall be numerous and large enough to accommodate the reasonably estimated unsheltered population in need of such outdoor living spaces.

Again, the 9:30 am Friday committee meeting at City Hall is now NOT set to include a vote, but this will be discussed, and there will be public comment. It’ll be live on Seattle Channel, online and cable 21.

ADDED 1:32 PM THURSDAY: If you haven’t thoroughly compared the two alternatives yet, this council-staff memo, just added to the agenda for tomorrow’s meeting, does exactly that.

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WEATHER ALERT: High Wind Warning for Thursday night-Friday morning
October 12, 2016 3:47 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

The National Weather Service has just raised the storm-alert level again – this time, to a High Wind Warning for 6 pm Thursday through 7 am Friday. Read it here. Sustained wind will be up to 30 mph, from the south, switching to the southwest, with gusts possible to 55 mph. And this is just the *first* storm – the one expected this weekend could be even windier – so get ready, just in case. More to come…

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BIZNOTE: What’s going into the ex-West Seattle Curves space
October 12, 2016 3:30 pm
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

We’ve been getting questions for months about what’s going into 3280 California SW, where West Seattle Curves closed one year ago, and we finally have an answer. Just heard from Shandon Graybeal, who says she’s opening a gift shop in Suite A called Alair: “We specialize in unique and small-batch gifts with an emphasis on locally made goods and companies that give back. We are proud to be part of the West Seattle community and are honored to provide a fun shopping experience.” She’s aiming to open Alair by early December.

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West Seattle development: 12 rowhouse units replacing 3 Alki duplexes
October 12, 2016 1:08 pm
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

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Thanks to the texter who pointed out that the city has put up a project-application sign for a proposed 12-unit rowhouse development in Alki, replacing three 71-year-old duplexes on the northeast corner of 61st SW and SW Admiral Way. The project for 3050 61st Avenue SW has not yet officially appeared in the Land Use Information Bulletin but the sign’s appearance suggests that’s imminent (next LUIB is tomorrow), and that will open an official comment period. The “site plan” document in the city’s online files, by architects Novion, shows two 3-story buildings, one with eight units facing 61st and the other with four units facing Admiral. The “Alki Parking Overlay” requires 1 1/2 offstreet spaces per unit, and this plan shows 18 spaces off the alley, east of the bigger building, north of the smaller one.

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@ Fauntleroy Community Association: ‘Quick’ response to oppose City Council park-camping proposal; first word of WSF meeting
October 12, 2016 11:03 am
|      36 COMMENTS
 |   Fauntleroy | Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

The Fauntleroy Community Association board vows “quick” action to let the City Council know it’s against proposed legislation that could change the rules about camping in city parks (the subject of this much-commented-on WSB report last Friday). That was one of the major topics on its agenda last night:

CAMPING IN PARKS? FCA’s jurisdiction includes Lincoln Park, and that made the proposed legislation a major topic at tonight’s meeting. Several members, said president Mike Dey, had asked whether FCA would consider “getting involved” as an organization, and if so, what would the response be, and that’s how it ended up on the agenda.

One attendee said she had never come to a neighborhood meeting before, until she saw this was on the agenda. “This is something that I’m passionate about, I cannot have my kids’ safety” (jeopardized). She said that her job brings her into contact with families experiencing homelessness, but a park is not the appropriate place for anyone to live.

All it does is degrade neighborhoods AND people, said one FCA board member. It’s going to perpetuate the problem.

“It’s not a solution, it’s a nightmare,” said another one.

“What if we did a survey, and put data” behind the response? suggested another member. Unfortunately, time’s running out, the point was made.

Is this an issue on which to burn political capital? was one question. Public opinion seems overwhelmingly against it. But is the council listening? Most didn’t think so: “I’m scared to death they’re going to approve it.”

After a further short round of discussion, the FCA board voted unanimously to draft and send a letter expressing opposition to the ordinance. “We will respond, and will respond quickly” was the promise.

The discussion happened at mid-meeting, but even before the meeting began, it was the major topic of discussion. Referring to the incident earlier in the day in which Seattle Police shot and killed one of two people in a reported knife fight near the clearing of “The Jungle” on Beacon Hill, one person said, “Hoping this doesn’t happen at Lincoln Park.”

Another expressed interest in acquiring a tent “because I am ready to go camp outside the mayor’s office.”

The agenda is now up for the 9:30 am Friday meeting at which the City Council’s Human Services and Public Health Committee is scheduled to consider the proposal, but as of this writing (11 am Wednesday) the updated version of the legislation is not yet available online. (Added 12:28 pm: There are multiple reports that the committee will not VOTE on Friday. But the meeting is still scheduled.)

Next hottest topic:

FERRY UPDATES: This briefing by Gary Dawson, FCA’s point person on Washington State Ferries-related issues, brought first word that WSF is planning public meetings to talk about the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route’s issues. Read More

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West Seattle Wednesday: Chief Sealth PTSA; Explorer West open house; self-defense class for runners; more…
October 12, 2016 9:31 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

tysonseagulls
(Alki Beach photo by Tyson Rowley)

From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, which has even more for today/tonight, a few highlights:

BABY STORY TIME: 11:30 am at High Point Library, bring your 4- to 12-month-old(s)! Free as always. (35th SW/SW Raymond)

LOCAL BIZ MEETUP: This week’s free meetup at West Seattle’s only coworking center, WS Office Junction (WSB sponsor), is for local businesspeople – just drop in, noon-1:15 pm. (6040 California SW)

SCHOOL BOARD MEETING: Those signed up for public comment at 5:30 pm at tonight’s Seattle Public Schools Board of Directors meeting downtown (see the list on the agenda) are set to talk about topics including Chief Sealth IHS, the sports-transportation concerns raised by West Seattle HS, district support for treaty rights of the Duwamish Tribe (with chair Cecile Hansen on the speaker list), and more. (3rd S. & S. Lander)

EXPLORER WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: 6:30-8 pm open house for families considering Explorer West Middle School (WSB sponsor) – more info in our calendar listing. (10015 28th SW)

SELF-DEFENSE CLASS FOR RUNNERS: Tonight’s the night, 7 pm at West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor), a free self-defense class so runners can help protect themselves. Please RSVP – our calendar listing explains how. (2743 California SW)

CHIEF SEALTH PTSA MEETING: All welcome, 7 pm in the library. It’s this year’s Resources meeting – as explained on the PTSA website, lots of information about lots of things you should know about. (2600 SW Thistle)

34TH DISTRICT DEMOCRATS: 7 pm at The Hall at Fauntleroy, the major agenda items for our area’s largest political organization are getting out the vote and reviewing leadership roles. (9131 California SW)

NORMAN AND FRIENDS: 8 pm, acoustic and alt-country music at Parliament Tavern in The Admiral District. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

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Sanislo back to Denny-Sealth: No complaints at district meeting
October 12, 2016 8:55 am
|    Comments Off on Sanislo back to Denny-Sealth: No complaints at district meeting
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

No complaints last night about the only West Seattle proposal in the next round of Seattle Public Schools boundary changes. As noted here last month, SPS plans to move Sanislo Elementary back to the feeder area for Denny International Middle School and Chief Sealth International High School next school year, two years after moving Sanislo to the Madison MS-West Seattle HS zone. This does NOT change the boundaries of the Sanislo attendance zone itself. Denny was the site last night of the district’s fifth and final citywide meeting about that change and some in other parts of the city, and the only person who had something to say about the Sanislo change was longtime Denny principal Jeff Clark, who thanked the district for “reuniting” Denny and Sanislo. We asked Clark how many students this was expected to add to Denny; he said the current rough estimate is about 20. The district had noted that despite the official change, many Sanislo parents were applying to send their kids to Denny anyway. Last night’s meeting did draw commenters from other parts of the city with concerns about some of the non-WS changes the district is pursuing. The full citywide package of changes is to be introduced at tonight’s School Board meeting.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Wednesday updates & alerts
October 12, 2016 7:00 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Wednesday updates & alerts
 |   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)

7 AM: Good morning! No incidents reported right now in/from West Seattle.

Weather-wise, it’s “calm before the storm” phase – early this morning, the National Weather Service raised the alert level to a High Wind Watch, with gusts up to 55 mph possible Thursday night into Friday morning.

As for road-work alerts – the SW Admiral Way work west of California continues. We noticed restriping complete on part of the route between the Admiral District and Schmitz Park, but more ahead to the west.

FERRY MEETING: Last night at the Fauntleroy Community Association meeting, we learned that Washington State Ferries plans a series of community meetings, including one in Fauntleroy on October 27th, later this month. Full report coming up later this morning.

7:38 AM: Just spun through the live cameras (lower-right dropdown here). Still OK – the usual sluggish spots, eastbound low bridge and 99 exit lane on high bridge.

8:38 AM: Still quiet. A few more reminders:

–Sounders FC vs. Houston, 7:30 pm at CenturyLink
–No school for Seattle Public Schools students on Friday

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@ Pigeon Point Neighborhood Council: Streets, school, safety
October 11, 2016 10:44 pm
|    Comments Off on @ Pigeon Point Neighborhood Council: Streets, school, safety
 |   Neighborhoods | Pigeon Point | West Seattle news

Traffic and crime/safety issues are in our toplines from last night’s Pigeon Point Neighborhood Council meeting:

TRAFFIC: SDOT‘s Jim Curtin was the guest, to talk about and listen to a variety of neighborhood issues. Among them: Overgrowth on 21st and 22nd SW that makes it difficult for drivers to see when making a left turn. The blackberries are close enough to scratch your car sometimes. One attendee said part of the overgrowth is on private property, in which case, they were told, the Department of Construction and Inspections would have to be involved. Curtin talked about some work ahead on Delridge that should be done soon if the weather cooperates, the painting of a “fog line”/”edge line” to define the travel lanes north of Orchard, as first described in this WSB report from last January.

(WSB photo from January, looking north on Delridge near Myrtle – existing ‘fog line’ is toward the left)

Lanes that in some places are up to 20 feet wide will be restriped to 11 feet.

Bus and dropoff traffic at Pathfinder K-8 was a topic too. Principal David Dockendorf said his school is starting new safety patrols to help with crossing and traffic, especially where the buses load and unload. One attendee said buses were using a route that they supposedly weren’t allowed to; they were directed to contact Seattle Public Schools‘ transportation department.

Any way to have Pigeon Point solid-waste pickup scheduled to happen outside school-dropoff hours, to reduce traffic conflicts? asked one person. Curtin said he would look into that.

CRIME/SAFETY: From the Seattle Police Southwest Precinct, commander Capt. Pierre Davis, Operations Lt. Ron Smith, and researcher Jennifer Burbridge were all in attendance. She circulated the newest micro-policing plan for Pigeon Point and announced the upcoming citywide Public Safety Survey (which will be available online starting Saturday). Responses will be crucial, said Capt. Davis, to augment planning for neighborhoods’ safety needs, besides what 911-call data reveals. He also urged people to call 911 when something’s happening, and said they still believe crime is under-reported. And he announced that five new officers have just been assigned to the precinct.

Attendees brought up concerns about camping in the West Duwamish Greenbelt. Lt. Smith said Community Police Team Officer Todd Wiebke continues to be the point person for homelessness-related issues (he’s reachable at todd.wiebke@seattle.gov).

One more note: The SW Precinct (2300 SW Webster) will again be a dropoff spot for Drug Takeback Day, 10 am-2 pm on Saturday, October 22nd.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Gatewood hit-run; North Admiral, Seaview car prowls
October 11, 2016 8:18 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

8:18 PM: Three notes in West Seattle Crime Watch:

HIT AND RUN: This unfolded in Gatewood late in the day, according to neighbors; we have not yet been able to confirm with police whether anyone was arrested. Neighbors say a red pickup truck hit a moving car on 35th near Holden [map], and sped away through other parts of the neighborhood, to the southwest. The three people in the car were unhurt, but, our tipster tells us, they were visiting Seattle from Kansas, in a rental car on the last day of their vacation, due to fly home tomorrow. Our tipster says the hit-and-run pickup went by their house so fast, “it sounded like a plane was going to crash.” Some pieces were left behind, including a bumper. Neighbors called 911 and reached out to help the shaken visitors. ADDED 9:35 PM: A Gatewood resident reports almost getting hit by the same truck at 41st and Rose, seeing two people ditching it a few blocks away, and tracking them to Lincoln Park. Police weren’t available immediately – the person took photos (here’s one) and provided them to SPD – but they did show up at the ditched truck, our tipster says, describing it as “badly damaged and filled with a lot of tools and oddly enough, 2 pumpkins.”

(back to original report) CAR PROWL: Robin reports:

Someone prowled our Prius in North Admiral (Sunday) night. This is probably our 5th prowl in the past three years. We seem to get hit every 6 months. They get into a locked car without breaking the windows and rifle through our console. Nothing of value stolen except change.

…AND A DOUBLE CAR PROWL: From Danielle at 46th and Findlay [map] in Seaview:

Early Friday morning, my car and my fiance’s car that are parked out in front of our home were broken in too. The thieves spent a decent amount of time going through everything. They went through every piece of paperwork in both glove boxes, and went through compartments in the vehicles we did not even know we had. They left the doors of the cars all open, and our neighbor let us know at about 7am on Friday. They stole ipods, phone chargers and a passport (which was found by a neighbor). The passport was found in a puddle behind the Cal Rey apartments at Raymond and California. The neighbor contacted us to let us know she had it. … No other cars on the street were broken in to that night. Just ours.

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More late-night/early-morning bus service? Tell Metro what you think
October 11, 2016 7:09 pm
|    Comments Off on More late-night/early-morning bus service? Tell Metro what you think
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

West Seattle would be one of the areas getting a little more late-night/early-morning bus service, if Metro goes through with a proposed service expansion, and they’re looking for your feedback. From the announcement:

… Metro has about 40 routes with some level of late-night service throughout King County. Of these, 20 provide trips after 2 a.m., including three Night Owl routes that loop through some Seattle neighborhoods only between 2:15 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. The City of Seattle contributes funding to late-night transit operation and is a partner in this effort. Metro’s draft proposal would replace the three Night Owl routes with late-night service on regular, all-day routes that serve the same areas. The draft proposal also includes new after-hours bus service to Sea-Tac Airport for travelers and workers, for whom there currently are limited options after 1 a.m. It also includes hourly all-night service on the RapidRide C, D, and E Lines, which currently operate all night but with less than hourly frequencies. …

If you check “proposal by route” here, you’ll also see that “later” service is proposed for Route 120, which runs on Delridge. Want to tell Metro what you think of its proposal? Answer this survey by October 30th.

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STORM ALERT UPDATE: High Wind Watch for Thursday night-Friday morning
October 11, 2016 4:01 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

ORIGINAL REPORT, 4:01 PM TUESDAY: The National Weather Service now has an official “special weather statement” for our area, warning of multiple storm systems headed this way – first, lots of rain starting Wednesday night; then, potentially, lots of wind this weekend. Read the alert here. Forecasts can and do change, but at least take this as a reminder to get your fall/winter preparations in place – batteries, flashlights, and other things you might need if the power goes out. Updates as the week goes on!

10:19 PM: The newest “forecast discussion” from the NWS is out and the storms are still on the way. Higher-level alerts, such as a wind watch, could be issued as soon as tomorrow.

7:17 AM WEDNESDAY: And indeed, a High Wind Watch was issued early this morning. See it here. The NWS says the wind could get up to 35 mph sustained, 55 mph gusts, in our area Thursday night-Friday morning.

WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON: We have a new update up here – the alert has been raised to a high-wind warning.

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FOLLOWUP: Roxhill Elementary PTSA hears about school’s expected move to EC Hughes
October 11, 2016 3:36 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

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By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Four and a half years ago, in the Roxhill Elementary School cafeteria, we covered a meeting called to talk about a proposal to merge Roxhill into Arbor Heights Elementary, after AH’s rebuild. The plan was soon scrapped, and AH is sole occupant of the new school that replaced the crumbling original one.

Roxhill, however, is still in its deteriorating building. Seattle Public Schools has another plan for moving the program, and this one has traveled far down the path to reality without formal community conversations.

Last night in the cafeteria, the “reborn” Roxhill PTSA took steps toward making sure there’s some conversation before the fall 2018 move to a renovated and reopened EC Hughes Elementary, 1.2 miles north, simply happens.

While it hasn’t been finalized by the School Board, assistant superintendent Flip Herndon told last night’s PTSA meeting that it is indeed virtually a done deal. We first reported on the possible move one year ago, but details at the time were few.

PTSA president Amanda Kay Helmick, leading the meeting with vice president Al Fisher, had announced the School Board rep for West Seattle and South Park, Leslie Harris, as the main guest. Harris, however, was at a School Board committee meeting and arrived just after the PTSA meeting ended. Attendees heard instead from Herndon and from senior project manager Mike Skutack, with whom we had toured Hughes for a story we published Sunday about the renovation plans. Read More

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