FOLLOWUP: City crew fills hole at ‘crumbling cul-de-sac’
Just yesterday, we reported on the case of the “crumbling cul-de-sac,” with pavement problems at SW Portland Court including a hole that neighbors said they’d been trying to get filled for three years. They sent a note to a list including City Councilmember Lisa Herbold and WSB on Wednesday; Thursday morning, we stopped by to talk with them and get a look; later Thursday, the councilmember referred their case to SDOT director Scott Kubly. Then this morning, a crew showed up to fill the hole, neighbors Brian and Andy (who shared the top photo) report. (Don’t know if it was the same crew, but we also saw SDOT workers filling a hole on California SW in south Morgan Junction this morning.)
HAPPENING NOW: End-of-school-year street party west of The Junction
Thanks to David for the photo of the all-dad band DAD, performing right now on 48th Avenue SW west of The Junction. It’s the second year that they’ve closed the street (with permits) for an end-of-school-year party. They’re scheduled to play until about 10 pm, and you’re welcome to go join the party. They’re collecting donations for the PTA at West Seattle’s most-populous elementary, Genesee Hill.
SPORTS: Todd Veenhuizen joins West Seattle High School as girls-soccer coach
More end-of-school year sports news: West Seattle High School has a new girls-soccer coach. We met Todd Veenhuizen at his meeting for prospective players after school on Thursday.
He shared his expectations – including positive attitudes – as they look ahead to tryouts in about two months. And he told them about his background, including serving as an assistant coach for women at UW and Seattle University. The new coach says he believes the team has a solid core to build on, losing only two players to graduation (one of whom happens to be his daughter Sara Veenhuizen). First league game in the fall, by the way, will be against crosstown rivals Chief Sealth International High School.
WEST SEATTLE WILDLIFE: ‘Wonder’ the harbor seal, and 2 reminders
The photo is courtesy of David Hutchinson, who explains that it shows “‘Wonder‘, a yearling harbor seal (last year’s pup) that has been using Alki-area beaches recently – watched over by Seal Sitters. Taken as usual from a distance with a telephoto lens.” Rather than saving the photo for tomorrow’s daily lineup, we’re sharing it tonight for two reasons:
-With low-low tides continuing through Monday, more people are out on the beaches, and might encounter marine mammals. If you see a seal or sea lion on the beach, or a marine mammal that appears to be in trouble, the Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network hotline is 206-905-SEAL.
-Tomorrow morning, Seal Sitters and friends will be out cleaning up Alki, and it’s not too late for you to RSVP to be part of it. They’re gathering at Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza (61st SW/Alki SW) at 9:30 am and cleaning until noon.
UPDATE: Seattle Fire response in 8800 block 35th SW
4:41 PM: Another “full response” for a possible house fire, this time in the 8800 block of 35th SW.
4:52 PM: Firefighters tell us this was a small porch fire and it’s out. No one was home; they don’t yet know how this started.
FOLLOWUP: Lincoln Park encampments ‘swept’ today, police say
Earlier this week, a reader report about a frightening confrontation in Lincoln Park sparked a lot of discussion here. Hours later, we asked the Southwest Precinct‘s second-in-command, Lt. Ron Smith, about patrol plans there, and he indicated they would be stepped up now that Alki has calmed down. The next day, we asked City Councilmember Lisa Herbold if Lincoln Park issues were on her radar; she said she’d been hearing about the camper concerns and letting constituents know how to report them. Today, this is just in from WSB reader Chuck, who took his concerns to both Herbold and police – he received this from SW Precinct commander Capt. Pierre Davis:
Thank you for taking the time to convey your concerns regarding the homeless/camping issues in Lincoln Park and in other greenbelt areas of West Seattle. To date, our Community Policing Teams, The Southwest Bicycle Patrol squad and our district officers have conducted several patrols and social contacts with various individuals in the aforementioned areas.
This morning our officers along with representatives from the Seattle Parks Department conducted a sweep of Lincoln Park and removed several encampments and issued park exclusion notices to the involved subjects. This information was also passed along to our Navigation Team, who will assist us with further follow-up on the Park’s homeless issue.
This matches a bit of scanner discussion we heard this morning about police sweeping a park area (via a frequency that covers both West and South Seattle, and no mention of addresses, so we couldn’t tell which park).
UPDATE: Kitchen fire brings big, then downsized, Seattle Fire response to 7700 block 20th SW
2:05 PM: Seattle Fire is sending a “full response” to check out a potential house fire in the 7700 block of 20th SW [map]. Updates to come.
2:09 PM: First unit on scene reports via SFD radio that this appears to be a kitchen fire, and that as far as they know, everyone’s safely out of the house. They’re calling for a ventilation fan.
2:13 PM: The call is being downgraded and most of the responding units are being dismissed.
2:26 PM: SFD Lt. Harold Webb tells us at the scene that the fire extended to the kitchen cabinets but did not damage the structure, and it’s out now. Nobody hurt. The family should be able to go back into their house before too long.
FOLLOWUP: West Seattle Junction post office’s outdoor mailbox might still be months from replacement
An update of sorts in the saga of the missing mailbox outside the US Post Office in The Junction, last seen in mid-January:
(WSB photo: Damaged Junction mailbox just before it was removed in mid-January)
Reader Diana shared with us the response she got from a complaint made to USPS Customer Service, and the news isn’t good. First, she said, she met with a supervisor at the Westwood post office last Monday. She was referred to the consumer complaint hotline (253-214-1800), through which she filed a complaint on Tuesday. Then on Wednesday, Diana received a phone call from USPS, and quotes them as telling her:
We are very aware of the problem and there have been a lot of complaints. A replacement was requested 6 months ago. We followed up with the manufacturer and it may be several more months before we receive a replacement. Unfortunately there is nothing we can do.
USPS had indeed told us in January that they’d ordered a replacement. So what’s the problem with the manufacturer? Don’t know, yet; don’t even know who the manufacturer is, despite spending some research time trying to find out.
P.S. Diana adds, “Just a note from me…please be courteous to the USPS employees. They are really out of the loop on this issue and their jobs seem pretty stressful as our city and community changes.”
West Seattle Friday: From low-low tide to music, and more…
(Lincoln Park at dawn – photo by Brett)
Summer is really here! From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
LOW-LOW TIDE WITH BEACH NATURALISTS: Until 1 pm, Seattle Aquarium volunteer beach naturalists are back at Lincoln and Constellation Parks to assist while you explore at a very low tide: -3.2 feet at 10:52 am.
BLOOD DRIVE: Peace Lutheran Church in Gatewood is hosting a blood drive today, 1-7 pm, with a break 3-4 pm. If you don’t have an appointment, check to see if walk-up spots are available. (39th SW/SW Thistle)
COUNCILMEMBER HERBOLD’S DISTRICT OFFICE HOURS: 2-5:30 pm today, City Councilmember Lisa Herbold is at the South Park Community Center for in-district office hours – drop-ins welcome. (8319 8th Ave. S.)
WEST SEATTLE SUMMER SHOWDOWN ’17: High-school boys’ basketball at West Seattle High School, all weekend, starting at 4:30 pm today – local team Seattle Lutheran plays Puyallup at 7:30 pm. (3000 California SW)
THE ALOHA SHREDDERS: Father and son duo perform at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. (5612 California SW)
ASANAS FOR ALZHEIMER’S: Fundraising yoga event, 7:30 pm at Park West Care Center. Details in our calendar listing, including how to RSVP. (1703 California SW)
(updated) ‘RAW, RUSTIC VERSE’: Live music at Parliament Tavern with The Spoils, and The Demon Rind, 9 pm. $5 cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
And a note in case you hear them:
FIREWORKS TONIGHT … after the Mariners’ game at Safeco Field. Sometimes the sound carries across the bay.
TIME TO BEAUTIFY: Morgan Junction community cleanup Saturday
(Volunteers from May’s Morgan Junction cleanup – photo courtesy Jill Boone)
The weather will be beautiful … might as well beautify the neighborhood too. Tomorrow morning (Saturday, June 24th), you’re invited to join the next volunteer community cleanup in Morgan Junction, organized by Jill Boone. Meet by the ATM on the east side of California SW in the Teriyaki & Wok/Domino’s/gas-station lot for “a quick cleanup of California Ave and the Fauntleroy intersection and bus stops.” 9 am-10:30 am. The city’s providing litter grabbers and bags; Jill adds, “We also have a few kiddie grabbers this time and hopefully some small vests. Kids of all ages are welcome and leashed, friendly dogs. :) I will do a short safety talk at 9 AM so try to be on time. You might want to bring hand sanitizer and gloves too.” RSVP to litterleague@gmail.com with how many adults and how many kids will participate.
CONGRATULATIONS! 2 championships for West Seattle Baseball All-Star teams
Zach Jones shares the photos and a report about two championships for West Seattle Baseball All-Star teams last weekend. First, their 8U tournament at the Pee Wee Fields below Riverview:
We had 16 teams from around the area (Seattle, Silverdale, Bellevue, Maple Valley, Renton, etc) in our 8U Hardball Classic. It’s one of the biggest 8U tournaments around. The West Seattle All Stars took the championship in a great win over the Rain City Royals (Maple Valley). 12-4 was the final.
Players on the team are: Avery, Emery, Kingsley, Micah, Jackson, Nolan, Julian, Max, Will, Kaipo, Ivan, and Tate. Coaches: Jorge, Dave, Zach (me).
In addition, we held a mini-tournament Sunday for the 7U teams that entered. Our own West Seattle 7U All Stars won the championship against Puget Sound Powerhouse.
[Atop this story] is a picture of all of our WS kids celebrating the victory together. It was a great moment as the 8U teams stormed the field to celebrate with their 7U buddies!
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