month : 05/2017 330 results

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

The city and county reps on hand at the third “community conversation” about Myers Way-related homelessness issues almost outnumbered the community members who showed up.

But a smaller turnout than the previous “conversation” did not result in fewer questions; this crowd had plenty. Read More

Share This

West Seattle Thursday: Alki Community Council; 4417 42nd SW design review; Glo Dental Studio grand opening; more

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Great Blue Heron, photographed by Mark Wangerin)

Here are highlights of what’s ahead today/tonight, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

DANCE TIME WITH LAUREN PETRIE: 2-4 pm, go dance at the Senior Center of West Seattle in The Junction, with live music by Lauren Petrie! More info in our calendar listing. (4217 SW Oregon)

GLO DENTAL STUDIO GRAND-OPENING CELEBRATION: 4-6 pm, you’re invited to Glo Dental Studio (WSB sponsor) for the grand-opening celebration, starting with a ribbon-cutting, continuing with refreshments, and great specials – details in our calendar listing. (3295 SW Avalon Way)

WEST SEATTLE TIMEBANK: 6-8 pm gathering tonight at White Center Library, with guest speaker Rachel Glass from Hate-Free Delridge. Details in our calendar listing. (1407 SW 107th)

SOUTHWEST DESIGN REVIEW BOARD: One project on the agenda, 6:30 pm tonight at the Senior Center/Sisson Building – the Early Design Guidance review (size/shape/location) for 4417 42nd SW, “a 4-story apartment building containing 58 units and 4 live-work units,” with 29 underground parking spaces. The project is called Junction Landing; it’s one door north of, and proposed by the same local team behind, Junction Flats. See the design packet here; we first mentioned this project back in December. The meeting includes a public-comment period. (4217 SW Oregon)

ALKI COMMUNITY COUNCIL: 7 pm at Alki UCC, the ACC agenda includes a “focus group” conversation with the Southwest Precinct’s new grad-student research analyst to discuss crime/safety issues. (6115 SW Hinds)

LIVE MUSIC AT WHISKY WEST: 7-9 pm, David Johnson performs “melodic arrangements on guitar & piano.” No cover. 21+. (6451 California SW)

BELLYDANCING: The monthly Alauda showcase at The Skylark is tonight, starting at 7:30 pm. No cover. All ages. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

Share This

VIDEO: Seattle Mariners’ 20th annual DREAM Team tour stops at Sanislo Elementary

May 18, 2017 9:00 am

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

(WSB photos and video by Randall Hauk. Above, Kyle Seager donating books for the Sanislo library)

Exciting end to the school day for students (and staff!) at Sanislo Elementary on Wednesday. Sanislo was one of four schools in the region chosen by the Seattle Mariners for the 20th annual DREAM Team Assemblies. More photos and video ahead: Read More

Share This

TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Thursday watch; looking ahead

May 18, 2017 7:06 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

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

7:02 AM: Good morning! No incidents so far in/from West Seattle.

Looking ahead:

BIKE EVERYWHERE DAY TOMORROW: If you’ll be riding on what used to be Bike to Work Day,
stop at the west end of the low bridge for the special station with West Seattle Bike Connections and friends, 6-9 am – details in our calendar listing.

WEST SEATTLE 5K ON SUNDAY: A reminder that Alki Avenue will close to traffic for a few hours on Sunday morning (May 21st), starting at 8 am, for this year’s West Seattle 5K – the route is from 61st/Alki to Anchor Park, and the closure usually goes a bit beyond on both sides, Don Armeni to 63rd/Alki.

Share This

Music star Chris Cornell, former West Seattleite, dies at 52

May 18, 2017 6:52 am

| 29 COMMENTS

| Not WS but we're mentioning it anyway | West Seattle news

6:52 AM: Sad news overnight. Music star Chris Cornell has died in Detroit, just 52, after Soundgarden‘s sold-out concert there. His Seattle ties were strong, given his years with that band (and so much more). He lived in West Seattle long ago, as mentioned here in WSB’s early months, when he had a solo hit with the theme from the first James Bond movie starring Daniel Craig. Mr. Cornell also was a philanthropist, forming the Chris and Vicky Cornell Foundation with his wife, “to protect the most vulnerable children.” He is survived by three children of his own. His body was found in his hotel room; the cause of his death is under investigation. (2011 photo, via Wikimedia)

P.S. KEXP is paying tribute all day (90.3 FM/online).

12:02 PM: Authorities in Detroit say Mr. Cornell died by suicide.

There’s help for anyone thinking of self-harm … here in King County, the Crisis Clinic has a 24-hour hotline at 206-461-3222. And here’s what the American Federation for Suicide Prevention says.

11:23 PM: A view of tonight’s biggest tribute:

#SpaceNeedle went dark tonight in honor of #ChrisCornell #Seattle #RIPChrisCornell pic.twitter.com/1x7DNm1sQw

— Sigma Sreedharan (@sigmas) May 19, 2017

Share This

Another win for West Seattle BMX racer – and kindergartener – Colton Fukano

May 17, 2017 10:03 pm

| 5 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Last August, we brought you the story of Colton Fukano, who at age 4 – before starting kindergarten – had just won a state BMX championship. This week, we have an update on Colton’s bicycle-racing achievements, again from proud mom Shawnda Fukano:

Race season has started again for 5-year-old Colton Fukano, a kindergartener at Genesee Hill Elemenatary and member of team Sonic BMX. This past weekend he took 1st place at the Fraser Valley National Race in Chilliwack, British Columbia, where he raced against the top intermediate five-year-olds from Western Canada. We want to say thank you to Coach Jamie Stenson and Michael Benson, owner of Sprocketts Recycled Bicycles in Magnolia, for sponsoring the team. If any kids are interested in trying out BMX, check out the North SeaTac BMX track’s summer camps. West Seattle Cyclery in the Alaska Junction can help you get anything you might need to get started!

Colton’s been a BMX rider since he was 3; his backstory is in the August report.

Share This

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Tire slashing; found bicycle

May 17, 2017 8:26 pm

| 5 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Two reader reports:

TIRE SLASHING: From a Sunrise Heights resident: “We had two tires (the road side) slashed on our company van last night. Sitting in front of our house. Feels very personal, but was wondering if their were any other reports in the area — 32nd and Holden.”

FOUND BICYCLE: John sent the photo:

He says, “This bike has been sitting at this spot for at least 3 weeks. I saw it before I left town at the end of April and it’s still leaning against the same telephone pole. It’s at the corner of 59th Ave SW and 60th Ave SW (between SW Charlestown and SW Andover). It’s a blue Sekai bike.”

Share This

TASTE OF WEST SEATTLE 2017: Food/drink participants revealed, with days left to buy tickets

May 17, 2017 6:30 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| Fauntleroy | Fun stuff to do | How to help | West Seattle news

(WSB photo from Taste of West Seattle 2016)

With less than one week left to buy tickets for West Seattle’s biggest annual celebration of food and drink, the Taste of West Seattle‘s lineup has been revealed.

Backstory: The Taste of West Seattle benefits West Seattle Helpline, whose work basically comes down to preventing people from becoming homeless, by providing emergency help. It’s happening 6 pm Thursday, May 25th, at The Hall at Fauntleroy, and you have to buy your ticket(s) by next Tuesday (May 23rd). From Helpline:

The Taste of West Seattle is a local, community-based food fair and is the largest event of its kind in West Seattle. This year’s Taste will feature food and drink from 40 different restaurants, breweries, wineries, coffee shops, bakeries, chocolatiers, and more – all from right here in West Seattle! Check out the restaurant lineup below:

BAKED. Custom Cakes
Bakery Nouveau
The Beer Junction
Beveridge Place Pub
The Bridge
Brookdale Admiral Heights/WS
Chaco Canyon Organic Cafe
Circa
Coastline Burgers
Copper Coin
Coral Wines
Dream Dinners, West Seattle
Dolcetta Artisan Sweets
Doolie’s Food
Duos Catering
Elliott Bay Brewing Co.
Endolyne Joe’s
Fresh Bistro
Harry’s Chicken Joint
Husky Deli
The Lodge Sports Grille
Locöl Barley and Vine
Metropolitan Market
McCrea Cellars
Mioposto
Mission Cantina
Pecado Bueno
Phoenecia
Pecos Pit-West Seattle
Pizzeria 22
Prost! West Seattle
Salty’s on Alki
Schooner EXACT Brewing Co.
Stuffed Cakes
T2 Cellars
Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes-Catering and Events
Viscon Cellars
West Seattle Cellars
The Westy
Zeeks Pizza

All proceeds from the event go directly to the West Seattle Helpline’s emergency assistance and homelessness prevention programs. These services stabilize and support individuals and families in West Seattle who are recovering from a crisis or unexpected hardship.

Buy your tickets online right now – go here
For more information – go here

(Eight of the participating venues – Dream Dinners, Endolyne Joe’s, Metropolitan Market, Pecos Pit, Salty’s on Alki, Viscon Cellars, The Westy, and Zeeks Pizza – are WSB sponsors.)

Share This

Landmark-nomination hearing set for Avalon Substation building

May 17, 2017 5:08 pm

| 15 COMMENTS

| West Seattle history | West Seattle news

(WSB photo from October 2016)

The former Avalon Substation building at 3243 SW Genesee has been proposed for landmark status and will go before the city Landmark Preservation Board in July. Here’s the official public notice of the hearing; here’s the official nomination document submitted to the city, including photos of its interior and exterior. In this case, it’s not necessarily that the 1954-built building is believed to merit that status, but meets criteria requiring considerations while the ex-substation is reviewed for proposed demolition. (We first told you back in October about City Light’s plan to tear it down and clean up mercury contamination.) In case you’re wondering, the landmark nomination does not include the building next door that houses Pecos Pit (WSB sponsor), which is using the ex-substation’s parking lot. Public comments are welcomed at and before the hearing, which is set for 3:30 pm Wednesday, July 5th, at City Hall downtown.

JUNE 13TH CORRECTION: Story has been amended above after City Light pointed out that it owns the land that holds the Pecos Pit restaurant but not the building.

Share This

See the new signage gracing historic Highland Park Improvement Club

May 17, 2017 3:38 pm

| 5 COMMENTS

| Highland Park | West Seattle news

Something new for one of our area’s liveliest community facilities! The photos and report are from Dina Lydia Johnson:

The 98-year-old Highland Park Improvement Club, a neighborhood gathering place, finally has permanent signage! This is something we’ve been wanting and needing for many years.

The design was developed by committee: Kay Kirkpatrick (photo above), Dina Johnson (photo below), Julie Schickling, and Nicole Mazza over the past year or more.

The new signage graces the area of the facade where the “eyebrow” fell last year. Meantime, more scenes from the installation, featuring HPIC trustees Blair Johnson and Billy Markham:

Dina adds, “It’s done just in time to be wildly celebrated at the Club’s annual festive wine-tasting fundraiser Highland Park Uncorked, this Saturday, May 20th. Thanks to ALL!” Find out more about Uncorked (with sponsors including WSB) on the HPIC website.

Share This

WEST SEATTLE 5K: Donor seeking to sponsor a family

May 17, 2017 2:25 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

With days to go until this year’s West Seattle 5K (9:20 am Sunday, May 21st, from 61st/Alki to Anchor Park and back), race organizers asked us to let you know about a first-of-its-kind offer::

An anonymous donor has generously offered to pay the entrance fee for a local family in need that wants to run the West Seattle 5K this weekend. If you know a family that would like to participate, but isn’t sure if it is within their means, please e-mail bsweagraff@saffronkey.com and we’ll sign that family up. The donor does not care how big the family is — they just want to support the community.

The WS5K (with sponsors including WSB) is a benefit for West Seattle High School via its PTSA.

Share This

FAUNTLEROY BOULEVARD: SDOT goes public with newest traffic studies, will continue with plan to eliminate ‘right-turn pockets’

May 17, 2017 1:17 pm

| 16 COMMENTS

| Transportation | Triangle | West Seattle news

As the Fauntleroy Boulevard project gets closer to final design, many who are closely watching the process have asked for details of the newest traffic studies done by/for SDOT – since the project was on hold for a few years, and conditions changed in the meantime, new studies were ordered. The full report has just been linked to the project website, and we’ve uploaded it to Scribd so you can also see it, embedded, above (direct link to city-hosted PDF is here).

In short – SDOT says that the study’s results do NOT change its plan to eliminate the right-turn “pockets” at Avalon and Oregon. Right turns WILL still be allowed – but turns will have to be made from the outside through lane.

Meantime, if you don’t have time to read through the study report (31 pages) right now, here’s how the contractor summarizes its findings on page 28:

The proposed project will construct landscaped center medians, realigned intersections, improved street lighting, protected bike facilities and improved pedestrian facilities with defined sidewalks and new crossings of Fauntleroy Way SW.

DKS has completed a project traffic analysis of the existing, the year of opening, and the future 2044 project condition.  The following summarizes the main findings of analysis:

 The protected bike lanes are proposed to be one‐way on both sides of the corridor and therefore should have minimal impact on the signal operations as a bike signal phase will not be required.

 The year of opening conditions accounts for an 8% growth which includes planned development within the next two years in the area. Signal timing changes at intersections along Fauntleroy Way SW and 35th Avenue SW are required to accommodate this growth. The signal timing adjustments, in conjunction with turn restrictions, provide acceptable LOS D or better operations in the year of opening conditions. Certain intersections experience better operations in future conditions due to optimized signal timing.

 The proposed additional marked crosswalks across Fauntleroy Way SW at SW Avalon Way and at SW Oregon Street are not recommended as they would require an additional signal phase for an exclusive pedestrian crossing, reducing the efficiency of the intersection operations by introducing additional pedestrian and vehicle delay at the individual intersections and to the corridor.

 The Fauntleroy Way SW Boulevard project is expected to allow for acceptable corridor operations through the year 2044.  This is due in large part to PSRC’s new 2040 regional travel demand model which projects little vehicle traffic growth along Fauntleroy Way SW, but a 25‐33% growth in transit trips on the SW Alaska Street/35th Avenue SW transit corridor.  Also, by 2040, both pedestrian and bicycle trips in this section of the City are expected to grow at approximately twice the rate of vehicle trips.

 To ensure a conservative analysis, pedestrian volumes were assumed to double at the intersection of SW Alaska Street/Fauntleroy Way SW Boulevard, while bicycle volumes were assumed to double along the corridor for the year of 2017. Through 2044, pedestrian volumes were assumed to double at every intersection and bicycle volumes were assumed to triple along the corridor.

Meantime, SDOT continues taking comments through the end of this month on whether to break the median at 37th SW – scroll to the middle of the project page to see how to send your thoughts. The city expects to finalize the design this summer and start construction earlier this year.

Previous WSB coverage can be browsed here.

Share This

@ West Seattle Crime Prevention Council: All about SPD’s Traffic Unit, plus local crime trends

May 17, 2017 11:47 am

| 8 COMMENTS

| Crime | Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Council | West Seattle news

By Randall Hauk
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

Opioid addiction continues to be the root cause behind much of West Seattle’s property crime problems, Captain Pierre Davis explained at last night’s meeting of the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council.

Opening the meeting, the Southwest Precinct commander updated community leaders and interested residents on the West Seattle/South Park police force’s progress on a number of crime-related issues. Later in the meeting, SPD’s citywide Traffic Enforcement Section commander was the special guest.

First, trends and issues: Davis says car prowls are down 22 percent from last year over the first four months of 2017, but that there continues to be a lot of auto thefts occurring in West Seattle neighborhoods (neighborhood-crime statistics are available via the SPD Crime Dashboard). While police continue to track cases and make a significant number of arrests, Davis says that reacting to crimes after the fact will have minimal impact on the issue.

“As the chief says, we will never arrest our way out of problems like this,” said Davis.

The captain reiterated advice about assuring valuables are not left in vehicles to help prevent becoming a victim, especially with the warmer weather of summer months approaching, when Davis says activity tends to rise. Read More

Share This

WEST SEATTLE SUMMER FEST 2017: See the music lineup!

May 17, 2017 9:45 am

| 17 COMMENTS

| West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(Thunderpussy’s 2016 KEXP performance)

Less than two months until the peninsula’s biggest party of the year – West Seattle Summer Fest, in the heart of The Junction, this year set for Friday-Sunday, July 14th-16th. And we’ve just received first word of this year’s music lineup – headlined on Night 1 by Thunderpussy (video above), on Night 2 by Brent Amaker and The Rodeo (video below), and wrapped up on Day 3 by The Dusty 45s.

(Brent Amaker and The Rodeo’s 2012 Seattle Channel/ArtZone performance)
Here’s the full lineup:

FRIDAY

3:30 – Po Boys
4:30 – Wiscon
5:30 – Dryland
6:30 – Hotels
7:30 – Sassy Black
8:30 – Purple Mane (Prince Tribute)
9:30 – DJ Kurt Bloch
10:00 – Thunderpussy

SATURDAY

1130 – School of Rock
12:30 – Wild Wild Mexico
1:30 – Lisa Prank
2:30 – Thee Sgt Major III
3:30 – The Gods Themselves
4:30 – Golden Gardens
5:30 – Genders
6:30 – Sisters
7:30 – CHARMS
8:30 – Porter Ray
9:30 – Vox Mod
10:00 – Brent Amaker & The Rodeo

SUNDAY

12:00 – South Sound Tug & Barge
1:00 – Mega Bog
2:00 – Swedish Finnish
3:00 – Carrie Akre & Danny Newcomb from Goodness
4:00 – Dusty 45’s

These are all the main-stage acts on the north end of the festival zone, between SW Oregon and SW Genesee. Summer Fest info continues to be rolled out on the official website – go here – so set your calendar for July 14-16! (WSB is a Summer Fest sponsor again this year.)

Share This

6 options for your West Seattle Wednesday!

May 17, 2017 9:22 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Thanks to John Bartell for the Tuesday night sunshine photo from Brace Point)

We’ve arrived at midweek and the weekend’s in view. But first – six highlights for your Wednesday, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

BABY STORY TIME: 11:30 am at High Point Library – bring the little one(s) up to 12 months old. (35th SW/W Raymond)

FREE SELF-DEFENSE WORKSHOP: 3:30-5:30 pm at West Seattle High School Library. While this is aimed at girls and women, all are welcome – details in our calendar listing. (3000 California SW)

ROXBURY PAVING OPEN HOUSE: As we’ve been reporting, SDOT might move up the SW Roxbury paving project to 2019, and tonight is your chance to find out more and get your questions answered by dropping in at an open house, 5:30-7 pm at Southwest Library. (35th SW/SW Henderson)

ULTIMATE FRISBEE PICKUP GAME: Join your neighbors for an informal pickup game at 6 pm Wednesdays, starting tonight at Fairmount Playfield. (Fauntleroy Way SW/SW Brandon)

WORDSWEST LITERARY SERIES: 7 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), this month’s WordsWest Literary Series event:

“Disruption and Repair” with Laura Da’ and Lena Khalaf Tuffaha

Both Laura Da’ and Lena Khalaf Tuffaha are incredible poets who bring unique perspectives from their extraordinary backgrounds.

We also host a community member to share his or her favorite poem as part of the Favorite Poem Project. This month: Pathfinder K-8 Teacher Kelly Riggle Hower.

Free; all welcome. (5612 California SW)

DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOODS DISTRICT COUNCIL: 7 pm at Neighborhood House High Point. (6400 Sylvan Way SW)

THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO SENDS CALENDAR LISTINGS! editor@westseattleblog.com – plain text in the body of your e-mail, as far in advance as possible. Thank you!

Share This

SPORTS: West Seattle High School soccer team advances @ state with double-OT victory

May 17, 2017 8:50 am

| 4 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

(Thanks to Sara for the photo!)

The West Seattle High School boys-soccer team has advanced to the next round of the state playoffs with a 2-1 win last night over previously unbeaten Stadium HS – via a double-overtime goal. Later this week, the Wildcats play Gig Harbor; as of early this morning, the time/site were not yet listed on the bracket page.

Share This

TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Wednesday watch

May 17, 2017 6:25 am

| Comments Off on TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Wednesday watch

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

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

6:25 AM: Good morning! No incidents so far in/from West Seattle.

Looking ahead:

BIKE EVERYWHERE DAY ON FRIDAY: What used to be Bike to Work Day is Bike Everywhere Day, and once again, West Seattle Bike Connections and friends will have a special stop along the bike path 6-9 am, with bicyclists also invited to join a 7:30 am ride to the rally downtown – details in our calendar listing.

WEST SEATTLE 5K ON SUNDAY: Alki Avenue closes to traffic on Sunday morning (May 21st) at 8 am for the West Seattle 5K and should reopen sometime in the 11 am hour – the route is from 61st/Alki to Anchor Park, and the closure usually goes a bit beyond on both sides, Don Armeni to 63rd/Alki.

6:45 AM: Waikikigirl e-mailed to ask you to watch out for wildlife crossing: “This morning at 5:30am walking eastbound on SW Roxbury (south side of road) and approximately 22nd Ave SW, there were a Mother duck and her 6 babies walking the fog line. PLEASE BE CAREFUL, motorists – KEEP AN EYE out for them!”

8:03 AM: SDOT reports a crash at Delridge/Oregon; SFD has been dispatched.

8:16 AM: SFD has closed that call.

Share This

WEST SEATTLE WILDLIFE: Harbor porpoise found dead on Alki Point

May 16, 2017 9:32 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Wildlife

Our hotline (206-293-6302) rang this afternoon – someone wondering who to call about a dead porpoise. In West Seattle, if it’s a stranded (dead or alive) marine mammal, you call Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network, we replied – 206-905-SEAL. We just found out what happened later, with local wildlife advocate Kersti Muul sending photos and this report:

This evening there was a washed-up female harbor porpoise on the beach at low tide just South of the Lighthouse…. Initial rudimentary scans appear to reveal some issue with birthing perhaps. She was so beautiful, practically flawless and beautifully designed by nature…. I photographed her for evidence of transient orca interference but found none.

Seal Sitters was there with her and a group of us helped carry her to a private driveway where she was to be picked up for necropsy by Cascadia Research Collective.

As noted by NOAA last year, harbor porpoises had dwindled in Puget Sound until a big comeback in recent years

Share This

CONGRATULATIONS! Denny teams @ underwater-robotics competition

May 16, 2017 8:35 pm

| Comments Off on CONGRATULATIONS! Denny teams @ underwater-robotics competition

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Turns out our area had more representation at last weekend’s regional underwater-robotics competition – the report and photos are from Denny International Middle School principal Jeff Clark :

Congratulations are in order for the Denny Underwater Robotics Program! We sent two teams to compete in the Pacific Northwest ROV competition in Federal Way on Saturday. Both teams worked extremely hard all year and our Scout Team placed 3rd overall! Way to go, Dolphins! Thank you to Mr. Nelson for coaching them!

As reported here last weekend, an independent team of West Seattle youth competed too, and is headed to internationals.

Share This

Orca lovers invited to Vashon Island on Saturday to ‘Celebrate Springer!’

May 16, 2017 7:06 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | Wildlife

(2002 photo of Springer, by Mark Sears)

An amazing story that unfolded just west of here 15 years ago, with many West Seattleites involved, will be retold and celebrated starting this Saturday. Donna Sandstrom of WS-based The Whale Trail shares the explanation and invitation:

“Celebrate Springer!” marks the 15th anniversary of the dramatic rescue in the waters off of Vashon Island of the orphaned orca Springer (A-73) and the heroic efforts by Washington and British Columbia teams working together to return her safely to her home 300 miles north in Johnstone Strait at the north end of Vancouver Island.

Today, Springer is still healthy and in 2013 had her first calf, Spirit. They are most often seen on the north central British Columbia coast and occasionally return to Johnstone Strait in summer.

The 2002 Springer rescue team will reconvene at 1 PM on Saturday, May 20, at the Vashon Theater to tell “Springer’s Story,” first-hand accounts of how Springer was identified, rescued and rehabilitated.

“Celebrate Springer!” will also feature a dance performance by Le La La Dancers, who were present at Springer’s release, and followed at 5 PM by The Whale Trail sign dedication at the Point Robinson Lighthouse Park.

Sponsors for the Vashon Theater event are Jody Peetz and Pete Schroeder, Marine Mammal Veterinarian. Tickets are available in advance from Vashon Theater tickets (go here).

The Point Robinson location has been identified by The Whale Trail as one of the best places to watch whales from shore. The new sign was funded by the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife and customized for the Point Robinson site with the assistance of Vashon resident Rebecca Benson, Point Robinson historian Bruce Haulman and Vashon Park staff Eric Wyatt.

“Life is filled with magical moments,” said Vashon Parks executive director Elaine Ott-Rocheford. “I count myself lucky to hold a front row seat to many spectacular sights from our own beloved park system. We are thrilled about the new Whale Trail sign being posted at Point Robinson Park, as it provides a ready education about the natural marine life wonders to be viewed from the park’s shoreline. The posting of the sign represents a perfect tribute to the story of Springer, the orphaned Orca, who was rescued off the north end of Vashon Island.”

The new Whale Trail sign is one of three funded by the state Fish and Wildlife Department. Others will be dedicated in the summer at Fay Bainbridge State Park and at Point Defiance.

“WDFW provides services that link our quality of life to healthy natural resources and ecosystems,” said Deputy Chief Mike Cenci with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Police. ”It’s a privilege to be a partner in this project where the public can view and appreciate the spectacle of these Northwest icons from shore. Watch for and wave at the Fish and Wildlife Police Boat that ensures protection of the whales.”

“Springer’s story is an unqualified success – the only project of its kind in history,” said Donna Sandstrom, director of The Whale Trail and organizer of the Vashon Island event. “We hope her story inspires people to join us in working on issues facing our endangered southern resident orcas today, with the same urgency, courage and resolve.”

“Celebrate Springer!” events will continue in June and July with programs at NOAA Fisheries, Whale Trail Orca Talk, Whale Trail sign dedications, and conclude with a three-day program at Telegraph Cove, British Columbia, where Springer was released in 2002 and rejoined her Northern Resident family.

Share This

WEST SEATTLE OUTDOOR MOVIES: Here’s the 2017 lineup!

May 16, 2017 3:33 pm

| 7 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle Outdoor Movies

The lineup is set for this year’s West Seattle Outdoor Movies, six free summer Saturday movies in the “festival street” on the south side of the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor). Drum roll …

July 22 – “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story”
July 29 – “The LEGO Batman Movie”
August 5 – “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”
August 12 – “Finding Dory”
August 19 – “Queen of Katwe”
August 26 – “Beauty and the Beast” (2017)

The movie series (with co-sponsors including WSB) will feature preshow kids’ games and activities coordinated by the Y. Food trucks, too, and concessions, plus nonprofit-fundraising rallies. And the last movie of summer will include the free community barbecue sponsored by West Seattle Christian Church. Movies start at dusk. See you in the street!

Share This

COUNTDOWN: One month to Relay for Life West Seattle – new location

May 16, 2017 3:12 pm

| Comments Off on COUNTDOWN: One month to Relay for Life West Seattle – new location

| How to help | West Seattle news

(WSB photo from Relay for Life West Seattle 2016)

Continuing to count down to summer events, we are now exactly one month away from this year’s Relay for Life West Seattle, raising money to fight cancer. This year, the overnight event will be at Hiawatha Playfield instead of West Seattle Stadium (which has a resurfacing project coming up), starting at 6 pm Friday, June 16th. Even if you’re not participating, you can stop by to cheer for the teams and/or donate – the Survivors’ Lap at 6:30 pm and the luminarias at 10 pm are two reasons to visit. Find out more here.

Share This

UPDATE: Police investigating bank-robbery attempt north of Junction

May 16, 2017 12:48 pm

| 14 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

(WSB photos by Christopher Boffoli)

12:48 PM: Thanks for the tips. Police are investigating a possible holdup/attempt at Washington Federal north of the Junction. More to come.

1:04 PM: WSB’s Christopher Boffoli reports that a K-9 unit is at the scene, searching for a suspect described as a white man around 40 years old, about 5’7″, dark curly hair that might have been a wig, wearing a Gap hoodie, armed with a handgun. The bank is currently closed.

ADDED TUESDAY NIGHT: At tonight’s West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting (separate report to come), we followed up with police. No arrest, but “lots of nice footage” of the suspect, we’re told. None of it public so far.

Share This