West Seattle, Washington

15 Friday

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month : 04/2017 316 results

MAY DAY: What you need to know about what’s planned, and unplanned, in Seattle on Monday, so far
April 30, 2017 10:37 pm
|      21 COMMENTS
 |   Safety | Transportation | West Seattle news

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(WSB photo of police awaiting protesters under east end of West Seattle Bridge, May Day 2016)

Lots of alerts have been circulating for the past few days about how May Day protests and marches might affect downtown and the surrounding areas tomorrow.

Nothing is specifically planned in West Seattle – but last year, you might recall, we picked up coverage in the evening as one group of demonstrators got close to the east end of the bridge – police kept them from actually getting onto the bridge.

So we’ll be monitoring everything closely throughout the day..

TWO MARCHES WITH PERMITS: A small demonstration is planned to start around 8:45 am downtown, south from 2nd and University; a much-larger march is expected from Judkins Park to Seattle Center starting at 1 pm. More details on both are in this SDOT alert.

METRO’S PLAN: Read it here. Bottom line: “All bus service that travels near or through the downtown Seattle area might be subject to delays during and after Monday afternoon’s events. Bus riders are advised to plan ahead for longer trips, revise travel plans if necessary and allow plenty of travel time.”

THE WILD CARD(S): Demonstrations that haven’t applied for permits can’t be predicted. And last year can’t be used as much of a comparison since May Day was on a Sunday. But a websearch for May Day 2017 in Seattle brings up mentions of an 11 am “March on Amazon” from Westlake Park plus two 6 pm rally/marches – one from Judkins Park, one from/at Westlake Park. We’ll add anything more we find.

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CONGRATULATIONS! Westside School’s volleyball champions
April 30, 2017 10:11 pm
|    Comments Off on CONGRATULATIONS! Westside School’s volleyball champions
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Thanks to Meg Halverson for the photo and report:

This afternoon at Bishop Blanchet, Westside School‘s 8th-grade girls’ volleyball team beat Holy Rosary-Edmonds to take the AA CYO title in two games. Westside’s team was undefeated this season. Go Wolves!

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Car break-in; Crime Prevention Coordinator’s first newsletter
April 30, 2017 8:14 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

In West Seattle Crime Watch tonight, a reader report and the first newsletter from the Southwest Precinct‘s new Crime Prevention Coordinator:

CAR PROWL: From Ian – “My family and I got our car broken into last night and misc items taken. We must have both accidentally left the car doors unlocked as no forced entry. We live on 37th and Genesee. [map] Please keep an eye out!”

CRIME PREVENTION COORDINATOR’S NEWSLETTER: Even if you haven’t met Jennifer Burbridge, the Southwest Precinct’s new crime-prevention coordinator, in person, you might feel like you know her through our recent reports – the announcement of her hiring, our subsequent interview, and her talk at last week’s West Seattle Block Watch Captains’ Network meeting. She told that group she’ll be writing a monthly newsletter; here’s the first edition:

(If it’s easier for you to read, here’s the PDF version.)

MISSED OUR CRIME WATCH COVERAGE FROM EARLIER THIS WEEKEND? See the links on the CW page.

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SUNSET WHALE-WATCHING: Orcas off West Seattle again
April 30, 2017 7:15 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Wildlife


(Added: Photo by David Hutchinson)

7:15 PM: Thanks to Jason, who’s been updating us on southbound orcas that might make it to West Seattle before dusk – newest update, they’re passing Golden Gardens Park (west of Ballard). Let us know if you see them!

7:33 PM: Another update – they’re reported to be crossing the mouth of Elliott Bay.

7:50 PM: In view from Alki (per another texter).

9:51 AM: Photo added – thanks to David Hutchinson for the view of an orca passing the north end of Constellation Park around 8 pm.

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HAPPENING NOW: Rajaa Gharbi’s West Seattle gallery-opening reception
April 30, 2017 5:22 pm
|    Comments Off on HAPPENING NOW: Rajaa Gharbi’s West Seattle gallery-opening reception
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Artist Rajaa Gharbi has lived in West Seattle for seven years and has just opened her own gallery north of The Junction, upstairs at 4425 41st SW, where her grand-opening reception is happening right now, until 7 tonight.

Gharbi explained that she had noticed West Seattle had no solo-artist galleries – and the time seemed right to open her own. She is a much-honored poet as well as visual artist – as you’ll see in her biography – and a trailblazer, including having been the first Tunisian woman (she was born and raised in Tunisia) to work as a salaried marionettist, and the “first North African English-language poet in the United States to have been published and awarded public funding for literary work.” She told us she is still settling on official gallery hours, but you can definitely go until 7 tonight – as noted in our West Seattle Sunday preview, some of her framed prints are on sale during the opening as a benefit for K-Love 4 Art.

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West Seattle scene: Flamingo-flocking fundraiser
April 30, 2017 4:58 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Seen around town | West Seattle news

“D in West Seattle” sent that photo this week after the flamingo flock turned up outside a neighbor’s house. It’s been a few years since the peak of the flamingo-flocking fad, and D wondered what we might have heard about who’s doing this right now (and why). The sign in the photo was a big hint – we found contact info online for the West Seattle branch of Young Life, a faith-based organization, and area director Alison Bray answered our inquiry: They’re flocking through July as a fundraiser, $50, West Seattle/White Center area only: “All donations help local middle-school and high-school students attend camp this summer.” If you’re interested, you can contact Alison – alisonb.yl@gmail.com.

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COUNTDOWN: 3 weeks to the 2017 West Seattle 5K on May 21!
April 30, 2017 3:57 pm
|    Comments Off on COUNTDOWN: 3 weeks to the 2017 West Seattle 5K on May 21!
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

One of the year’s biggest school fundraisers is just three weeks away: Sunday, May 21st, starting around 9:20 am, you can run, jog, walk, or roll in the West Seattle 5K. This is the ninth year for the WS5K, which takes you all along Alki, from the starting line near 61st SW/Alki SW, to Anchor Park and back. It’s been presented every May since 2009 by the West Seattle High School PTSA (with co-sponsors including WSB), and the proceeds go to programs for WSHS students. Your registration also gets you a cool T-shirt with the new logo (at right). Kids 6 and under run/walk for free. Don’t procrastinate – you can sign up here, now.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Recognize this vandal?
April 30, 2017 12:29 pm
|      32 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

South Delridge neighbors caught a tagger on camera in an alley in the 8800 block of 17th SW:

The tag left behind after the sighting on Friday was the anarchy symbol:

Now SPD has put out a citywide call to identify the tagger. Neighbors also shared these video clips with us:

If you know who this is, SPD says, call 911.

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BEFORE & AFTER: Boy Scout Troop 282’s landscaping makeover at Tibbetts UMC
April 30, 2017 11:20 am
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

When we stopped by the Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor) book sale last weekend, we spotted Boy Scout Troop 282 working on the landscape and included a photo in our report. Now, it’s just been finished. Here are the before and after photos:

A troop parent sent the photos and update:

Tibbetts United Methodist Church (3940 41st Ave. SW) now has a new look, thanks to the hard work contributed by West Seattle Boy Scout Troop 282 and other recruited volunteers. This Eagle Scout Project, organized and led by Cade Carney, made considerable improvements to the landscape in the front of the building.

Work has been underway for several weeks but (Saturday) the last capstone was placed, completing the project.

Thanks to everyone who shares news of community volunteering and giving, and other good work – editor@westseattleblog.com any time!

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West Seattle Sunday: From the beach to the stage, and beyond…
April 30, 2017 7:29 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous


(Brant, photographed by David Hutchinson, who says, “One of the benefits of being a Seal Sitter is to be out along the shoreline. Lots of wildlife to view, including large groups of Brant along Alki Beach, getting ready for their trip north.”)

Happy Sunday! From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, wander the street in the heart of The Junction and see what’s fresh! (California between Oregon and Alaska)

MASTER GARDENERS @ FARMERS’ MARKET: Have a gardening question/plant issue? 10 am-2 pm, it’s the Master Gardeners‘ first clinic of the season at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market – look for their booth. (California between Oregon and Alaska)

ROCK AND GEM SHOW: The West Seattle Rock Club‘s annual show continues today, 10 am-5 pm at the Masonic Center in The Junction. Free and fun, with activities as well as displays. (40th SW/SW Edmunds)

COMMUNITY ORCHARD WORK PARTY: 10 am-1 pm, you’re invited to the Community Orchard of West Seattle on Puget Ridge to help out – details in our calendar listing. North end of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus. (6000 16th SW)

WELCOME ROAD WINERY’S SPRING RELEASE: Noon-4 pm, at the tasting room for Welcome Road Winery (WSB sponsor): “Enjoy noshes paired with our new summer-ready releases, including a Malbec fit for BBQ and our new Semillon.” (3804 California SW)

LOOKING FOR PRESCHOOL? Noon-2 pm, open house at Holy Rosary School‘s preschool – details in our calendar listing. (42nd SW/SW Genesee)

OPEN HOUSE: If you’re looking for a home, 3-bedroom, 1.75-bath 6733 48th SW near Lowman Beach has an open house 1-4 pm today and it’s being advertised on WSB to get the word out.

LOW-LOW TIDE: Speaking of the beach – at 2:41 pm, it’s a -2.1′ low-low tide. You might even see a Dungeness crab, as did Heather‘s son at Constellation Park:

If you can’t get out today, maybe next month, when the lowest tides will be even lower – some below -3′.

‘BYE, BYE BIRDIE’: 2:30 pm curtain time for the final performance of Seattle Lutheran High School‘s production of the classic musical, in the gym. (4100 SW Genesee)

GET ON STAGE/GET INVOLVED: Open-microphone event for all ages with Mode Music Studios (WSB sponsor) at The Skylark next door. Sign up at 3 pm, get on stage starting at 4 pm, find out about this month’s beneficiary Social Justice Fund NW, which will have a representative there. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

UKESTRA AT C & P: The 14-member ukulele ensemble will perform at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) 3-5 pm.

‘FIRST DATE’: 3 pm curtain time for Twelfth Night Productions‘ comedy, at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center – details in our calendar listing. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

RAJAA GHARBI’S OPENING RECEPTION: 4-7 pm, you’re invited to international artist/poet Rajaa Gharbi‘s new studio/gallery in The Junction for the opening reception: “Framed prints of selected paintings and drawings from Rajaa’s exhibitions held between 1987 and 2015 will be sold with a percentage of the proceeds benefiting local nonprofit K-Love 4 Art.”

(That work – image provided by the gallery – is titled “Moons, Desires, and Rumi’s Mistresses.”) More info in our calendar listing. (4425 41st SW)

THERE’S MORE … as you’ll see on our complete-calendar page!

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From the Driveway of Delights to ‘classy junk,’ 310+ sellers readying for West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day on May 13
April 29, 2017 11:02 pm
|    Comments Off on From the Driveway of Delights to ‘classy junk,’ 310+ sellers readying for West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day on May 13
 |   Community Garage Sale Day | West Seattle news

It’s a map-making, listing-checking marathon here as we get ready for the 13th annual West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day, coming up on Saturday, May 13th – just two weeks to go. More than 310 sales are registered, from Pigeon Point to Brace Point, Puget Ridge to South Delridge, North Admiral to North Shorewood, and just about every West Seattle (and a bit beyond) neighborhood inbetween.

If you’re a seller, please watch your e-mail in case we have to send you a followup question – an address accidentally missing a digit, that type of thing. (And anyone with a question, seller or shopper, can send it to our special mailbox for WSCGSD, garagesale@westseattleblog.com.) We invited sellers to be as eye-catching as possible with their up-to-20-word listings, and here’s some of what we’ve seen so far:

*Sellers describing themselves as “Aging Hipster and 10-year-old son”
*Sellers describing themselves as “retired teachers/grandparents reluctantly selling” kids’ books and toys
*Unique items including a sailboat, kayak, cut flowers, antique Schwinn bike, BB8, mid-century sink, “raining lamp,” surfboard, glass art by an artist “clearing inventory at great prices”
*An invitation to “come get Burning Man gear”
*Many mentions of junk – from “no junk” to “classy junk”
*Our favorite description of sale site so far: The Driveway of Delights

That’s just a sampling as we go through the listings. Many more previews to come. Look for the online and printable maps/listings here (and on westseattlegaragesale.com, our official WSCGSD website) next Saturday (May 6th), and be ready to sell/shop/meet neighbors/all of the above on May 13th!

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COUNTDOWN: 3 weeks until West Seattle Bee Festival on May 20th!
April 29, 2017 8:17 pm
|    Comments Off on COUNTDOWN: 3 weeks until West Seattle Bee Festival on May 20th!
 |   High Point | West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

(WSB file photo: West Seattle Bee Festival parade participants)

We’re continuing to count down to more of West Seattle’s awesome spring and summer events, and we are now just 3 weeks away from this year’s West Seattle Bee Festival, 10 am-3 pm Saturday, May 20th, at High Point Commons Park, home of the West Seattle Bee Garden, just north of HP Neighborhood House at 6400 Sylvan Way SW.

Before the festival, you’re invited to be part of the Honey Run at 8:30 am:

The Honey Run is a free, informal, fun run for all ages that takes place at High Point Commons Park. One lap around the park is 1K. Runners compete to see how many laps they can do, and in how short a time. The earlier start time will allow runners or walkers time to do more laps – last year, the parade was on their heels on the same course.

The kids’ and pets’ parade is at 11 am, after an hour of getting ready – face painting, dressing up as bees and flowers, etc. It will be led by the Big Bee, which organizers explain is “a huge puppet and drum inspired by the traditional dragon dance from Asia. The High Point Vietnamese community designed, built and will operate this exciting spectacle!”

Other West Seattle Bee Festival features:

*See, and learn more about, bees, with Puget Sound Beekeepers. Find out how you can help bees survive and thrive. (Hive demo at noon!)

*Music and food

*Street fair showcasing businesses, community groups, and organizations focusing on environmental sustainability, providing community resources, and/or helping support bees. The fair also includes a Plant/Seed/Tool Swap again this year – “bring your excess plants, seeds, or tools … and take home what you find!” It’ll be near the north end of the fair, which runs 11 am-2 pm.

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*Unusual pollinators, presented by Woodland Park Zoo noon-2 pm (above, Jungle Nymph photographed last year)

*Art activities for kids with artist Kimisha Turner

Watch the Bee Festival webpage as the festival gets closer!

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WEST SEATTLE WHALE-WATCHING: Orcas reported in the area
April 29, 2017 6:09 pm
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE WHALE-WATCHING: Orcas reported in the area
 |   West Seattle news | Wildlife

6:09 PM: Thanks for the tips – we’ve had scattered reports of orcas in the area this afternoon but right now, multiple reports that they’re visible off Blake Island, headed north. Let us know if you see them!

7:03 PM: Just got a text (206-293-6302 is our 24/7 number) from someone who saw them from the Bainbridge-Seattle ferry. So if you’re looking … they’re still out there, and there’s still enough light at this point of the evening to facilitate whale-watching!

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HAPPENING NOW: 4 West Seattle stops today on NW Green Home Tour
April 29, 2017 2:33 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Environment | West Seattle housing | West Seattle news

Until 5 pm, you can visit 4 West Seattle stops on the free Northwest Green Home Tour. Here’s the list, south to north:

9323 31ST PLACE SW: Above, Parie Hines of LD Arch Design (WSB sponsor), architect for two of today’s stops. This one transformed a “typical warbox” with “a family-sized porch & 2-story addition.” The builders were Mighty House Construction, whose Doug Elfline is there talking with visitors, too.

3726 SW AUSTIN: Mighty House also remodeled the kitchen that’s being shown off at this stop.

WEST SEATTLE NURSERY: As noted when it opened, the expansion building here was designed by Hines and built by Ventana Construction (WSB sponsor), whose co-proprietor Anne Higuera was leading a tour when we stopped by:

The tour website explains that while this is a commercial building, “it features many strategies that can be used in green homes.”

2608 46TH SW: The northernmost stop is a “granny flat” behind the house where the granny’s family lives. This project is by Lastingnest Inc. and SAGE Designs NW.

While the tour continues tomorrow, the West Seattle stops are today only, until 5 pm.

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ANOTHER WAY TO GIVE: Clothing drive today @ Morgan Junction Starbucks
April 29, 2017 1:56 pm
|    Comments Off on ANOTHER WAY TO GIVE: Clothing drive today @ Morgan Junction Starbucks
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | WS beverages

That’s Kayla Huggins, store manager at Starbucks in Morgan Junction, with boxes full of donations they’ve received for a drive continuing until 4 this afternoon, for the women and children of Hope Place:

HOPE PLACE

Seattle Union Gospel Mission’s Hope Place is one of the few shelters for women and children in Seattle and one of the only to accept women with male children up to the age of 18. Hope Place is an essential lifeline for families fleeing from domestic violence, recovering from substance abuse, or simply without a safe place to stay.

OUR GOAL:

*To include and connect our community around a single objective, where together we can support the needs of the women and children at Hope Place!

*To collect as many clothing items for woman (All sizes), boys and girls clothing items (birth – 18 years), and unused, unopened hygiene products for women and children.

PLEASE CONSIDER BEING A PART OF THIS EVENT! THANK YOU!

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HAPPENING NOW: Junction Day of Giving 2017 – you buy, they donate!
April 29, 2017 12:10 pm
|    Comments Off on HAPPENING NOW: Junction Day of Giving 2017 – you buy, they donate!
 |   How to help | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

This year’s Junction Day of Giving is under way! Our first stop was 42nd SW/SW Oregon:

That’s Reid Curry, manager at Emerald Water Anglers (WSB sponsor). EWA, where you’ll find outdoor apparel as well as fishing-related merchandise, has chosen the Wild Steelhead Coalition as its beneficiary today. EWA is one of ~30 shops and restaurants promising 10 percent of today’s proceeds to local nonprofits of their choice.

ADDED 1:03 PM: We’re back in The Junction checking in with more Day of Giving participants, like Fleurt proprietor Sam Crowley:

Fleurt is where you’ll find flowers and gifts. They will be selling flower crowns like the one Sam’s wearing, for Mother’s Day, when they’ll have a floral tepee outside the shop at 4536 California SW and special photo ops (bring Mom! Grandma! Great-Grandma!) as a fundraiser for West Seattle Food Bank. But today, their Day of Giving beneficiary is Nature Consortium.

A couple doors south of Fleurt, you’ll find Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor) at 4540 California SW.

Proprietors Frances and John Smersh chose the Alzheimer’s Association as their beneficiary for Day of Giving; as reported here in November 2015, Frances is living with early-onset dementia. Their shop is a treasure trove of unique jewelry, art, housewares, gifts, and more.

See the full list of who’s participating and who they’re donating to by going here – and in The Junction, look for signs with red balloons, like these:

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UPDATE: West Seattle Junction shredding event so popular, second truck called in
April 29, 2017 12:04 pm
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | West Seattle news

12:04 PM: The free shredding (and e-cycling) event in The Junction right now is so popular (as noted in comments on today’s West Seattle Saturday preview), Cara Mohammadian from event sponsor Windermere called to say they have a second truck on the way and so they’re extending the time – instead of a 1 pm cutoff, they’ll go until ~3 or until the second truck is full. It’s happening in the Junction parking lot off 42nd SW just south of SW Oregon.

12:46 PM: That was fast – just got another update; the second truck’s full and they’re wrapping up. Anybody else sponsoring a shredding event in the area sometime this year, let us know – obviously a big demand (people had been asking us about this one for months).

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HAPPENING NOW: Healthy Kids Day @ West Seattle YMCA
April 29, 2017 11:25 am
|    Comments Off on HAPPENING NOW: Healthy Kids Day @ West Seattle YMCA
 |   Fun stuff to do | Triangle | West Seattle news

The outdoor obstacle course is a classic feature of Healthy Kids Day at the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor), but this time – the first HKD since the Y’s expansion – you’ll find new fun too, especially indoors!

That’s the “make your own trail mix” area to help kids have fun learning about healthy snacks. Also new this year – executive director Shalimar Gonzales!

You’ll find family-oriented businesses and organizations on site too – like Second Gear Sports (WSB sponsor), whose proprietors Mark Bremen and Ellen Bremen are there:

Here’s the list we published earlier this week showing the schedule, and list of activities, for what’s happening until 1 pm. The Y’s at 36th SW/SW Snoqualmie in The Triangle.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Prowler call leads to stolen car; robbery reported; another package-taker on video
April 29, 2017 10:03 am
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Prowler call leads to stolen car; robbery reported; another package-taker on video
 |   Crime | West Seattle police

Three reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:

PROWLER CALL LEADS TO STOLEN CAR: What we have on this so far is via radio exchanges – we won’t be able to get the report before Monday: In North Admiral, someone called 911 around 7 am after reporting seeing a suspected prowler outside a neighbor’s home. Police arrived and, before too long, found the suspect. They also found, in a dead-end alley, a Subaru reported stolen in Pierce County (our photo above shows a tow truck taking it away). We’re watching the jail register to see if the identified suspect shows up there. (NOON UPDATE: He has, and it says he is being held for investigation of burglary and vehicle theft.)

CAR, PHONE, WALLET REPORTED TAKEN BY ROBBERS: After seeing an early-Friday-morning call classified “armed robbery” on the SPD Twitter log, we requested the report. It says a man called police around 2:45 am from the Junction 7-11, saying a man and woman had robbed him of his vehicle, phone, and wallet about 45 minutes earlier. The report says the man appeared “highly intoxicated” and told police he had come over the West Seattle Bridge but didn’t know the area well, so he pulled over to get out of his car to smoke a cigarette and figure out where he was and where he was going. A woman came up to ask for a cigarette, he told police, and then a man came up and knocked him unconscious; when he came to, his car was gone. He said it was a blue 1999 Pathfinder but he didn’t know the plate number because he’d acquired it recently from his aunt. Police tried some searches but couldn’t come up with a match. The victim declined medical assistance and said he’d make the stolen-vehicle report later (we’re not seeing a Pathfinder on @getyourcarback so far); police arranged a ride home for him.

PACKAGES TAKEN: Mark in Admiral shared these videos from 11:20 am Wednesday:

Mark reports, “A primer black Pontiac sedan pulled in front of our house in North Admiral. We had just had packages delivered and sitting on our front porch. One suspect got out of the passenger side, came up to our front porch and took the packages. He returned to the vehicle and they drove away. Suspect is white, about 5’9”, dark hair, wearing a black t-shirt, charcoal sweats, and sneakers.” The first clip shows the package removal; second clip shows the vehicle. Info? Let police know.

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West Seattle Saturday: Junction Day of Giving, YMCA Healthy Kids Day, NW Green Home Tour, wine, tea, theater, music, more!
April 29, 2017 6:55 am
|      16 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous


(Great Blue Heron rock-hopping at low tide – photographed by Kersti Muul)

From the beaches to the businesses, something for everyone today/tonight. Here are the highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

FREE TAI CHI AT THE BEACH: Second Saturday of the season for Lao-Shi Caylen Storm‘s free Tai Chi at Alki, 9 am, by Statue of Liberty Plaza. (61st SW/Alki SW)

COMMUNICATORS’ DISASTER DRILL: 9 am-noon, you’re invited to observe in the south-side field at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor), one of multiple sites citywide where the Seattle Auxiliary Communications Services has a disaster drill, “Operation Spring Break,” simulating the immediate aftermath of a major earthquake, this morning. (6000 16th SW)

HEALTHY KIDS DAY: 10 am-1 pm at the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) in The Triangle. See all the activity highlights in this preview from earlier this week. Free, all welcome, nonmembers as well as members. (36th SW/SW Snoqualmie)

WEST SEATTLE JUNCTION DAY OF GIVING: 10 am-6 pm, ~30 West Seattle Junction shops and restaurants will be donating part of their proceeds to nonprofits – see who’s participating and which nonprofits they’ve chosen by going here. Also note that while Thunder Road Guitars (WSB sponsor) is participating, their storefront is closed – they’re at the Tacoma Guitar Festival today and will be donating part of what they sell while there.

FREE SHREDDING/E-CYCLING: 10 am-1 pm in The Junction’s northeast parking lot, presented by West Seattle Windermere. (Off 42nd SW between SW Oregon and SW Alaska)

INTERNATIONAL TABLETOP GAMING DAY: 10 am-midnight at Meeples Games, come for a scheduled event and/or open gaming! Our calendar listing has the lineup as well as a reminder that they’re collecting nonperishable food for the West Seattle Food Bank. (3727 California SW)

(added) DRUG TAKE-BACK DAY: 10 am-2 pm, Southwest Precinct – drop off your unwanted/expired prescription drugs to get them safely out of your home. (2300 SW Webster)

(added) ROCK AND GEM SHOW: The West Seattle Rock Club‘s annual show is 10 am-5 pm at the Masonic Center. Free admission. (40th SW/SW Edmunds)

GREEN HOME TOUR: Four West Seattle stops are part of the Northwest Green Home Tour today – all listed, with addresses, in our calendar listing. 11 am-5 pm. Free.

WELCOME ROAD WINERY’S SPRING RELEASE WEEKEND: 1-5 pm at Welcome Road Winery (WSB sponsor): “Enjoy noshes paired with our new summer-ready releases, including a Malbec fit for BBQ and our new Semillon.” More info here. (3804 California SW)

PRINCESS ANGELINE NATIVE TEA PARTY: 1-3 pm at the Duwamish Tribe Longhouse and Cultural Center, “Native & English teas, cakes, and finger sandwiches with a lump of sunshine. Your hostess is Princess Angeline’s great-great-grand-niece, Cecile Hansen,” Duwamish Tribe chair. Music too. (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)

EXPLORE THE SHORE AT LOW TIDE: 1:51 pm, -2.4′ low-low tide. But don’t be sad if you miss it – next month we’ll have some -3′ low-low tides.

FREE SELF-DEFENSE CLASS: 3:30 pm at Seattle Integrated Martial Arts, “donation-based with proceeds going to organizations and services helping women deal with and prevent sexual assault.” (4159 Fauntleroy Way SW)

MUSIC NIGHT OUT FOR DENNY/SEALTH: 5:30 pm at Fauntleroy Church, dinner, auction, and music to celebrate and raise money for Denny International Middle School and Chief Sealth International High School musicians – details in our calendar listing. (9140 California SW)

BELLS OF THE SOUND: The popular handbell group presents a jazz concert at Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor), 7 pm. (3940 41st SW)

‘BYE, BYE BIRDIE’: 7:30 pm curtain time for Seattle Lutheran High School‘s production of the classic musical, in the gym. (4100 SW Genesee)

‘FIRST DATE’: Twelfth Night Productions‘ comedy has a 7:30 pm curtain time tonight, at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center – details in our calendar listing. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

A NIGHT OF SINGER-SONGWRITERS: 9 pm at Parliament Tavern, Abby K (CD release!), Amanda Navares, Jared Mitchell & The Wingtips perform. $5 cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

SCOTT MX TURNER: Live music at Whisky West, 9 pm. No cover. 21+. (6451 California SW)

See even more on our complete calendar! And an advance reminder …

2 WEEKS TO WEST SEATTLE COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE DAY: Saturday, May 13th, is the big day – with 310+ sales of all sizes, all around the peninsula, signed up to be on The Map, which will be available one week from today! Watch for our next preview later today.

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WEST SEATTLE BRIDGE TRAFFIC: Newest recommendations for better ‘management’
April 28, 2017 11:34 pm
|      41 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

It started in 2014 with the West Seattle Transportation Coalition‘s list of priorities. In January 2015, when then-City Councilmember (and West Seattle resident) Tom Rasmussen chaired the council’s Transportation Committee, he announced a West Seattle Bridge Corridor Management Task Force; in September 2015, he presented a “whitepaper” with recommendations.

Some have been put into place.

Last year, the council got a progress report, and asked SDOT to study four possibilities for addressing congestion factors, as noted in the last paragraph of District 1 City Councilmember Lisa Herbold‘s update here.

Now, the results of that request are out, in the form of SDOT’s “West Seattle Bridge Corridor Congestion Management Study,” made public by Councilmember Herbold. (If you can’t read it in the embedded version above, here it is in PDF.)

It addresses goals for the upper bridge and lower roadway – not just the low bridge, but the entirety of lower Spokane Street all the way east to Airport Way.

For the upper bridge, the goal is to reduce crashes, improve responding times when they do occur, and “improve operations capability on alternate routes.” The report says 50 crashes happen each year, on average, on the upper bridge.

For the lower corridor, the goal is to “manage a roadway that experiences frequent and unpredictable disruptions as the ‘normal’ operating condition,” and managing truck queues on Spokane St. The report notes averages of five 12-minute low-bridge openings each day. The report notes the “federal mandate” for maritime traffic to maintain priority and does not recommend “restricted opening hours” for the bridge. (However, the recommended Duwamish Waterway User Group might discuss voluntary limits, the report says.)

Also noted: A daily average of 67 train crossings between 1st and 4th on Spokane. And it acknowledges the low bridge/roadway as “the only pedestrian and bicycle train connection” between West Seattle and SODO, with connections to downtown.

The recommendations, in descending order of their estimated costs:

*Enhance alternative routes (to change traffic flow during incidents) via ITS – $6.6 million
*Smart traffic signals and ITS for Spokane St. – $6 million
*Active Traffic Management System on the high bridge – $5.4 million
*Construct Refuge Pullouts – $2.5 million for one, $5 million for two
*Swing Bridge Delay Information System – $950,000
*24/7 traffic-operations center for SDOT to get information out – $875,000
*Rail Crossing Delay Information System – $600,000
*Raised pavement/striping – $250,000
*Establish Duwamish Waterway User Group ($0)
*Terminal 5 Queue Management System and Port/City agreement to ban truck backups on Spokane St. ($0)

The Active Traffic Management System would include “overhead signs capable of posting advisory speeds, variable speed limits, and warning messages approaching backups or queues at targeted locations. … This would be similar to the system installed on I-5.”

Refuge Pullouts would be spots where responders could “push disabled vehicles or vehicles involved in collisions … to restore traffic in the corridor.”

The Swing Bridge Delay Information System and Rail Crossing Delay Information System would involve adding cameras and messaging signs that would include countdowns for how much longer conditions might last.

Not recommended: “Median gates” that could be used to facilitate U-turns on the high bridge if a serious incident led to a blockage. They wouldn’t improve response times or safety. Also not recommended, striping a “fire lane” on the high bridge; this is a longrunning practice in New York City but those researching for the West Seattle Bridge Corridor Report were told they weren’t a good idea for various reasons.

The study includes an extensive discussion of what might happen when “modernized” Terminal 5 reopens, regarding truck backups. We’ll take a look at that in a separate report. Meantime, Councilmember Herbold says that regarding the suggested actions, “I’ll be looking for ways to work with SDOT to implement these recommendations.”

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Lending a hand at WestSide Baby during National Volunteer Week
April 28, 2017 9:42 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   How to help | West Seattle news


(Photos courtesy WestSide Baby)

Volunteering is often described as “lending a hand.” A multigenerational group of women did just that today at WestSide Baby in honor of National Volunteer Week. Among them: centenarian and “knitter extraordinaire” Virginia Carmichael, a volunteer visiting from The Kenney:

She and others from The Kenney visited to drop off hand-knit items for babies in need. WestSide Baby says she “has been knitting as much as one baby sweater per week for 5 years for WestSide Baby.” Several other residents from The Kenney “regularly create garments and quilts to keep their littlest neighbors safe, warm and dry,” explains Jess Sweetman of WS Baby.

The knitters’ creations were exhibited at The Kenney recently before being taken to WS Baby. Virginia says she’s volunteered all her life, going back to her days as a Girl Scout. She told WS Baby that she likes to keep busy and “benefits as much from making the sweaters as the children who receive them.”

The announcement of today’s donation visit also quotes WestSide Baby executive director Nancy Woodland (at right in the second photo above) as saying, “We are so excited to celebrate these very dedicated and talented volunteers and everything that they do to support kids in our community. We are privileged to be a part of an incredible community of support made up of over 1,800 volunteers who dedicated over 18,000 hours of service last year. Volunteering benefits our entire community.”

Thinking about volunteering for WestSide Baby? Here’s how.

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WEST SEATTLE CHAMBER: After Hours @ HomeStreet Bank; awards breakfast next week
April 28, 2017 8:55 pm
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE CHAMBER: After Hours @ HomeStreet Bank; awards breakfast next week
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

This month’s West Seattle Chamber of Commerce After Hours event brought local business reps to HomeStreet Bank (WSB sponsor) in The Junction – above, from left, are Chamber CEO Lynn Dennis, branch manager Nam Le, and Chamber board president Paul Prentice. The Chamber honored HomeStreet as Emerging Business of the Year in 2016, and is days away from celebrating this year’s winners of the Westside Awards. We checked today and some tickets remain for the awards breakfast next Thursday (May 4th), 7:30 am at Salty’s on Alki (1936 Harbor SW; WSB sponsor) – here’s where to register.

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