West Seattle, Washington

16 Tuesday

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month : 06/2017 320 results

So many things you can do on this West Seattle Saturday – here’s the list!
June 3, 2017 6:30 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous


(The lovely and loud Steller’s Jay, photographed by Mark Wangerin)

So many choices for the day and night ahead – from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

ART & PUPPY @ DUTCHBOY COFFEE: 8:30-1 pm, drop by Dutchboy Coffee in Highland Park and see this month’s art show plus meet the Newfoundland puppy who’s the stand’s new mascot. (1513 SW Holden)

FLY FEST: Emerald Water Anglers (WSB sponsor) presents this daylong celebration of fly fishing at Me-Kwa-Mooks Park, 9 am-4 pm. Classes, demonstrations, even a free lunch (with the guides’ cookout competition) – here’s the schedule. (4503 Beach Drive SW)

NATIONAL TRAILS DAY – TAKE A HIKE! Guided hikes in the West Duwamish Greenbelt at 10 am and noon today in honor of National Trails Day, as previewed here. (Meet at 12th SW/SW Holly trailhead)

WORKSHOP ON SUPPORTING LOCAL IMMIGRANTS AND REFUGEES: 10 am-1 pm at Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation, free workshop with local organizations: “Many in our Greater Seattle community want to take action to help local immigrants and refugees; this workshop is designed to provide specifics on how to help.” Details here. (7141 California SW)

LEARN ABOUT FOOD FORESTS: 10 am-12:30 pm workshop at the Community Orchard of West Seattle on the north side of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus, with Kimberly Leeper & Jackie Cramer. Full details – cost, what to bring, what you’ll do – in our calendar listing. (6000 16th SW)

FRIENDSHOP POP-UP: Friends of the Seattle Public Library invite you to their pop-up sale today, 10 am-2 pm, at the West Seattle (Admiral) Branch – used books, gifts, more. (2306 42nd SW)

GATEWOOD FAMILY FUN FESTIVAL: 11 am-2 pm, all welcome to enjoy free, fun activities, including Mikey Mike the Rad Scientist (noon-1 pm). Details in our calendar listing. (4320 SW Myrtle)

BARBECUE COOKOFF/FUNDRAISER: 11:30 am-2:30 pm at Daystar, barbecue cookoff and $5 lunch with proceeds benefiting the Senior Center of West Seattle – music and kids’ activities, too. Details in our calendar listing. (2615 SW Barton)

BENEFIT BARBECUE: 11 am-3:30 pm at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor), enjoy a barbecue lunch benefiting Pencil Me In For Kids. (4201 SW Morgan)

‘WEAR ORANGE’ WALK & RALLY: Gun-violence-prevention advocates will lead a walk from Anchor Park at 11 am, followed by a rally at Alki Beach Park around 11:45 am – details are in our calendar listing. (1150 Alki SW)

WHALES IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD: Noon-2 pm in honor of Orca Month, learn about land-based whale-watching. Talk with naturalist Kersti Muul at Constellation Park south of Alki Point. (3521 Beach Drive SW)

(TIME UPDATED) NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY SPRING RELEASE: Noon-6 pm wine sale and free tasting at NWA on the north end of the South Seattle College campus. (6000 16th SW)

FIRST DAY OF SECOND WEEKEND FOR COLMAN POOL: The outdoor saltwater pool on the shore at Lincoln Park starts its second preseason weekend, with sessions noon-7 pm – schedule’s here. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)

NO ALKI LIGHTHOUSE TOURS TODAY … but they’re expected to resume tomorrow.

SKIN CARE POP-UP: West Seattle resident Kari Gran is at Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor) for a 2-6 pm pop-up shop featuring her skin-care creations. (4540 California SW)

WSHS ALL-SCHOOL REUNION & CENTENNIAL ‘GROUP HUG’ PHOTO: The West Seattle High School All-School Reunion starts at 4 pm, celebrating 100 years since the school opened (1917 district photo at left) – the schedule of events is here, culminating in the “Group Hug” photo on the north side of the school – all community members welcome – be there by 6:15 pm. (3000 California SW)

WEST SEATTLE MEANINGFUL MOVIES: “Racing Extinction” is this month’s film.

Doors open at Neighborhood House High Point at 6:30 pm for socializing; film at 7, followed by discussion. Free but donations welcome. (6400 Sylvan Way SW)

CHIC STREET MAN IN CONCERT: 7 pm at Alki UCC, to raise money for West Seattle Helpline.

Details in our calendar listing. (6115 SW Hinds)

‘THE LION KING’: Encore performance of Our Lady of Guadalupe School (WSB sponsor)’s performance of the kids’ version of the musical, 7 pm. In the gym; free; donations appreciated. More info here. (3401 SW Myrtle)

THE TIKIGRAPHS: 8:30 pm at Parliament Tavern. $7 cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Police investigating gunfire reports
June 3, 2017 1:00 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

Via text and via scanner, we’re hearing about gunfire heard near 11th/12th/Barton [map]. Police were dispatched after multiple 911 reports; some reported a vehicle believed to be associated with what they heard, described as a “small compact with loud exhaust.” No reports of any victims so far, and we’re not hearing (yet) if police have found casings and/or property damage.

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SATURDAY: West Seattle HS All-School Reunion with centennial ‘Group Hug’ photo
June 2, 2017 9:34 pm
|    Comments Off on SATURDAY: West Seattle HS All-School Reunion with centennial ‘Group Hug’ photo
 |   West Seattle history | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

One more reminder as the weekend begins – this year’s West Seattle High School All-School Reunion is bigger than ever because of the centennial celebration – WSHS opened 100 years ago. In honor of that, alums, students, staff, and all others interested are invited to gather for a “Group Hug” photo on the north side of the school, coordinated with the Southwest Seattle Historical Society. Here’s Jim Biava of the WSHS Alumni Association with the invitation:

The All-School Reunion starts at 4 pm; gather for the photo at 6 pm. What happens inbetween – and afterward – is listed in our most-recent preview.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Garage burglar tries to steal bicycles; car vandalized
June 2, 2017 8:04 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Two reader reports, plus crime-prevention advice, in West Seattle Crime Watch tonight.

BURGLAR TRIES TO STEAL BICYCLES: From J, a security-camera image and report:

Last night about 3:30 am a unidentified person broke into our condo garage on the 1300 block of Alki Avenue and attempted to steal our two Bikes. Fortunately the person was not able to break the lock and left.

CAR VANDALIZED: From Monica:

My car was vandalized last night on Beach Dr. Back window was hit with something (no rocks in the car) and glass is completely shattered. It appears to be straight-up vandalism as the car was not broken into.

PREVENTING CAR PROWLS: Received today from Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Burbridge, SPD advice on car-prowl prevention – see it here.

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TRAFFIC ALERT UPDATE: Stuck truck towed, Battery Street Tunnel open again
June 2, 2017 3:57 pm
|      16 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts


(Stuck truck – image courtesy Laura James)

3:57 PM: An oversize truck got stuck in the northbound Battery Street Tunnel, and SDOT reports the backup is now four miles, past the West Seattle Bridge. A texter says southbound is slow too. So if you’re headed toward downtown, or northbound out of it, find another way, or wait a while.

4:30 PM: It’s actually a truck with an oversize load. No word yet about what’s planned to clear it, so this is likely going to be going on for some time.

4:47 PM: Now there’s also a crash reported on the southbound Viaduct before Columbia Street. So Highway 99 through downtown is in general a mess.

5:08 PM: The southbound crash is cleared. But still no news of what’ll be done to get the oversize truck unstuck in the BSTunnel.

6:05 PM: Now SDOT says the NB Battery Street Tunnel is closed to all traffic.

6:27 PM: The truck’s been towed out and all lanes of the tunnel are open again.

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SEEN OFF WEST SEATTLE: USS Nebraska, headed out
June 2, 2017 3:35 pm
|    Comments Off on SEEN OFF WEST SEATTLE: USS Nebraska, headed out
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news


(Photo by Peter Tutak)

Yesterday an aircraft carrier, today a submarine. Thanks to those who sent photos of the sub sighting earlier this afternoon; Josh Farley from the Kitsap Sun tweeted that it’s the USS Nebraska, leaving Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility. This page with U.S. Navy photos and info says the Nebraska is leaving “after completing an extended major maintenance period, to include an engineered refueling overhaul.”

SIDE NOTE: Checking the Sun’s site, we learned the decommissioned carrier USS Independence, which passed us back in March, arrived yesterday at Brownsville, Texas, where it’ll be scrapped.

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VIDEO: Louisa Boren STEM K-8 parents, supporters demand district restate its permanent status rather than consider a move
June 2, 2017 12:04 pm
|      36 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(UPDATED 4:59 PM with district slide deck from meeting)

(WSB video of entire Thursday night meeting at Louisa Boren STEM K-8)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

“Say it!”

Just a few years after Seattle Public Schools designated the former Louisa May Boren Junior High School as the permanent home of West Seattle’s STEM K-8 school, its parents and supporters found themselves last night demanding that district officials re-state that status.

Which they eventually did – but without an accompanying guarantee the school won’t be moved.

The campus’s past as an interim site is the main reason it’s in the district’s crosshairs right now for a potential return to that status, the STEM K-8 community was told during the boisterous briefing meeting (previewed here and here).

Associate superintendent Dr. Flip Herndon opened the hour-plus meeting by explaining that the district expects to be constructing and renovating schools “for the next 15 years, at least” as its enrollment continues to grow and its buildings continue to age.

Capital Projects and Planning director Richard Best went through the slides, starting with a recap of the schools recently built and renovated in West Seattle, including last fall’s opening of the new Arbor Heights and Genesee Hill elementaries, with the district expecting to grow to 55,000 students soon. He directed people to the Facilities Master Plan on the SPS website for an overview. They’re adding dozens of classrooms each year. Slides showed most elementary schools trending up, though they’re wondering if it’s plateau’ing. (Update – we requested the slide deck and received it this afternoon – PDF here, embedded below:)

Best said that adding special education capacity at every school also leads to campus-capacity challenges, as well as class-size-reduction mandates. They’ll be working with enrollment planners over the summer. And he noted that “in West Seattle we are seeing elementary growth occur more rapidly in the northern section than in the southern section.”

Capacity planning also involves looking at schools’ outdated systems that might not support technology – so those “rise to the top of the list to meet the educational needs of our students and staff.” That will figure into the 2019 BEX V levy. He added that school modernization means that “of the 102 schools that we have, over a third have historical landmark designations, so we can’t tear those buildings down.” (Those include EC Hughes, being modernized right now so that Roxhill Elementary can be moved there in a year, as we’ve been reporting.)

So, that all came down to this: Boren is “one of our largest school sites left to be utilized as an interim location,” Best said, drawing boos. Read More

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UPDATE: Lou Cutler’s Make-A-Wish fundraising run, ‘greatest day of the year’
June 2, 2017 9:40 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | Pigeon Point | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

9:40 AM: That’s Lou Cutler finishing his first lap a short time ago at Pathfinder K-8, where the retired PE teacher celebrates his birthday every year by running one lap for each year of his age, as a fundraiser for Make-A-Wish.


(Lou and chief cheerleader/wrangler Teacher Andy, pre-run)

This morning, speaking to students and others just before starting his 66-lap day, Lou declared it “the greatest day of the year”:

We’ll be checking back at Pathfinder (1901 SW Genesee if you want to stop by and join in – and here’s his donation-drive link).

12:51 PM: We’re back at Pathfinder. After a little more than three hours, Lou’s finishing Lap 53 of 66.

Students filter in and out throughout the day – while Lou and teacher Andy were close to alone on the field, we’re told a couple of Pathfinder grades are about to rejoin them. The laps so far total 9 miles, we’re told.

1:42 PM: Minutes ago, Lou finished the 66th lap:

Loud cheers and chants of LOU! LOU! LOU! echoed around the field. And then, the victory photo:

Lou’s been a “wish-granting” volunteer for MAW for more than 20 years, even longer than he’s been doing this run. His actual birthday is later this month, so he’s still only 65, and as he started the second-to-last lap, with that number, he hollered, “A great year to be alive!”

P.S. And yes, he says he plans to do it again next year.

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What’s ahead for your West Seattle Friday
June 2, 2017 8:32 am
|    Comments Off on What’s ahead for your West Seattle Friday
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Looking ahead to the rest of your West Seattle Friday:

LOU’S MAKE-A-WISH RUN: Starting around 8:45 this morning on the field at Pathfinder K-8, retired PE teacher Lou Cutler is back for his annual birthday run raising money for Make-A-Wish. One lap for every year – this year, that’s 66! You’re invited to stop by and cheer him on, and/or join him on the track, and/or donate by going here. (1901 SW Genesee)

FREE TASTING @ NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY: 4-8 pm at the Northwest Wine Academy on the north end of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus, it’s the spring-release celebration. 6-8 pm, alumni winemakers are pouring, too. (6000 16th SW).

WORDS, WRITERS, WEST SEATTLE: 5-7 pm at Barnes and Noble/Westwood Village, meet and hear author Claudia Rowe in this month’s Southwest Seattle Historical Society-presented book talk. Here’s her video invitation:

More in our calendar listing. (2600 SW Barton)

CORNER BAR: The monthly pop-up bar at Highland Park Improvement Club welcomes you starting at 6 pm – all-ages until 9 pm. (1116 SW Holden)

WEST SIDE MUSIC ACADEMY: Students/staff of WSMA perform tonight at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. (5612 California SW)

‘SWEENEY TODD’: Second night for ArtsWest’s new production, 7:30 pm curtain. (4711 California SW)

ALL-STAR REVIEW: More than 20 artists tonight at Parliament Tavern – not just music! 8 pm-1 am, no cover, 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

SKYLARK’S 11TH ANNIVERSARY: 9 pm – here’s who’s playing as The Skylark celebrates its 11th anniversary! $7 cover. 21+. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

FIREWORKS: You might hear them late tonight, from across Elliott Bay – the Mariners plan a post-game show at Safeco Field, and sometimes the sound carries.

MORE! See the rest of what’s happening today/tonight on our complete-calendar page.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Friday watch
June 2, 2017 6:54 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

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

6:54 AM: Good morning! No incidents right now in West Seattle or on the outbound routes.

WEEKEND ALERTS: Changes this weekend on I-90 … and the NB Highway 509 paving starts Sunday.

7:30 AM: While tipster Susan reported no port-truck backup very early this morning, that’s since changed – just got a text from someone who biked to downtown and reports a big backup now.

8:49 AM: Texter reports Water Taxi trouble at Seacrest – possible mechanical issues. We’re checking with King County DOT.

8:57 AM: Haven’t heard back from them yet but we do see via Water Taxi Watch that Sally Fox (the Vashon vessel) is now at Seacrest.

9:20 AM: Brent Champaco of KCDOT confirms Doc Maynard is off to be checked out and Sally Fox is picking up its remaining morning commute runs. Update later.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Gunfire reports; followups in car-prowl and auto-theft cases
June 1, 2017 11:42 pm
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

In West Seattle Crime Watch, a call working right now, plus two followups:

GUNFIRE REPORTS: Police are responding right now to reports of gunfire heard near 17th and Henderson, and further east. If you heard it too, be sure to call 911, since that helps them trace the location.

Meantime, two followups:

CAR-PROWL SUSPECT OUT OF JAIL: The 37-year-old man arrested in Fauntlee Hills early yesterday after watchful neighbors called 911 got out of jail tonight. We’re not identifying him since he hasn’t been charged, but the King County Jail Register listed this as his sixth time in jail in the past 11 months, and Superior Court records show that he has an extensive criminal history, going back into his teens. We don’t know who the judge was or why s/he set the suspect free, only that the jail register says he got out on “conditional release” at 7:07 tonight. This doesn’t necessarily mean he won’t be charged, so we’ll keep watching the case.

AUTO THEFT x 2: Back on Monday night, we covered the police search for two men who ran off after abandoning a stolen Subaru wagon on Beach Drive SW. Neither was found, but we’ve learned that they dumped another stolen vehicle before taking the Subaru. First clue came when J e-mailed us this photo that night, saying it was a stolen pickup, according to the tow truck driver:

That was in the 4000 block of California SW, which is also where police had told us the Subaru was taken. Today we finally got the police report narratives, which confirmed that the two men who took the Subaru had left the Chevy pickup behind at the scene. The report added that police spotted the stolen Subaru headed northbound on Fauntleroy Way past Lincoln Park while the responding officer was still talking with its owner. Then the two ditched it on Beach Drive (shaved keys were found in the ignition and dropped near the vehicle, the report says). As for where the pickup truck was stolen – all we know is that it’s described in the police report as a King County Sheriff’s Office case.

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SATURDAY: Emerald Water Anglers Fly Fest at Me-Kwa-Mooks Park
June 1, 2017 9:23 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news

(WSB photo: EWA’s Dave McCoy @ past Fly Fest Guide Cookoff)

Fly-fishing fan? Know one? You’ll want to be at Me-Kwa-Mooks Park this Saturday (June 3rd) as Emerald Water Anglers (WSB sponsor) presents the annual free Fly Fest. Here’s the plan:

Schedule of Presentations and Casting Classes:

9:00 AM – Intro to Fly Casting Class
9:45 AM – Summer Steelhead Opportunities and Tactics
10:30 AM – Fly Fishing Puget Sound
11:15 AM – Single Hand Spey Demonstration
12:00 PM – EWA Guide Cookoff and Free Lunch
1:00 PM – Cuba: What US Anglers/Travelers need to know
1:45 PM – Advanced Casting Class: Double Hauling, Distance, etc.
2:30 PM – Fly Fishing Cascade Mountain Creeks

All presentations and classes are open to all, no reservations required!

All Day:

Demo rods from Scott, Winston, Sage, G. Loomis, Echo, Epic, Hardy, Redington, Fenwick, and More!

Check out the latest in gear from Patagonia, Simms, Costa, Yeti, Airflo, Rio, OPST, Outcast, Nautilus, Bauer, Waterworks-Lamson, Abel, Galvan, 3-Tand, Tibor, and More!

Experience the heat of competition as EWA guides battle it out in the Annual EWA Guide Cookoff. Sample guide lunches and make sure to cast your vote for the ever popular people’s choice award.

Free casting instruction all day from EWA Staff and IFFF Certified Instructors

Free seminars from EWA Staff and Industry Reps

Later on Saturday night, at Emerald Water Anglers’ Junction store (4502 SW Oregon) at 7 pm, it’s the Seattle premiere of “SLAM” with Hilary Hutcheson: “the engaging story of three female anglers from different walks of life in pursuit of the same epic challenge.” Free, but tickets are required – go here to get yours.

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UPDATE: ‘Heavy rescue’ callout in North Admiral for collision of Amazon Fresh truck and SUV
June 1, 2017 6:26 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS breaking news

6:26 PM: Most of the units sent on what was originally a “heavy rescue” callout at 44th and Massachusetts have been canceled, but we’re still on our way to find out about the crash, which is reported to involve a delivery truck.

6:44 PM: The driver has been taken to the hospital by private ambulance, indicating non-life-threatening injuries. We’ve added a photo of the damaged truck.

7:46 PM: Two more photos added, from WSB’s Christopher Boffoli, including one showing the SUV that was the other vehicle involved in the crash. The “heavy rescue” callout was made initially because the driver’s-side damage on the Amazon Fresh truck had led to concern the driver might be trapped.

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LOWMAN BEACH PARK’S FUTURE: Seawall or no seawall? And is there really a choice?
June 1, 2017 4:50 pm
|      17 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

After what was publicized as an hourlong meeting was well into overtime, a relentless round of questioning finally dug into the heart of the matter:

Is there really any choice about what’s going to be done about Lowman Beach Park‘s failing north seawall?

While Seattle Parks‘ David Graves (top photo) and his consulting engineers showed three possibilities – including one keeping the tennis court and restoring the seawall – Graves acknowledged it was unlikely he would be able to get grant money for a new wall.

And that concerned many of the ~40 people at the meeting, mostly waterfront residents north and south of the park, some of whom think the city’s removal of a south seawall section in the ’90s has adversely affected their property, and are worried the city doesn’t have enough information about effects of another removal.

Here’s how it all unfolded: Read More

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WEST SEATTLE SALMON: Fauntleroy Creek finales for fry releases, smolt monitoring
June 1, 2017 3:15 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Fauntleroy | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools


(Nancie Hernandez with Salmon in the Schools – Seattle, leads Concord second graders as they explore habitat near Fauntleroy Creek. Photos by Mark Ahlness)

Two seasonal salmon milestones have just been reached at Fauntleroy Creek, Judy Pickens reports:

On Wednesday, Fauntleroy Creek volunteers hosted the last of 700+ students who visited Fauntleroy Park over the past five weeks for salmon releases.


(Concord International students leave Fauntleroy Park after the last of 19 salmon releases at Fauntleroy Creek)

They brought 1,800 coho fry reared since January in area schools through the Salmon in the Schools program.

This week also marked the end of monitoring smolts migrating out to Fauntleroy Cove. Since mid-March, twice-daily checking of upper and lower traps documented that 32 coho smolts had survived their year in the creek, up from 19 in 2016. They’ll put on weight in nearshore habitat, then head to open water before returning to spawn in two years.

The next big seasonal event: Volunteers will watch for returning spawners this fall. Seven showed up last year – after zero in 2015, 19 in 2014, zero in 2013, and a record 274 counted in 2012.

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FOLLOWUP: Sweep begins at unauthorized RV camp in east West Seattle
June 1, 2017 1:57 pm
|      41 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police

Carrying out a plan first reported here last Thursday, the city is clearing the 2nd Avenue SW site [map] that has been an unauthorized RV encampment for three weeks. “Move along to where?” is the question that dozens of people have been asking at the site they call “Camp Sanctuary“; pull back from the trailer, and you’ll see police vehicles, with the SPD-led Navigation Team there to offer options.

The Southwest Precinct’s point person on homelessness-related issues, Community Police Team Officer Todd Wiebke, was there when we stopped by around noon; unlike the recently cleared area under the West Seattle Bridge, this is in the SW Precinct’s jurisdiction.

Officer Wiebke told us that while those on the site were warned last week that they, their vehicles, and belongings would be removed today, they have until tomorrow to clear out.

The original announcement of the campers’ arrival said they had been swept from parking spots in SODO; the city contended that it wasn’t a sweep, it was parking-rule enforcement. As for this site, a state-owned parcel adjacent to city land where tent camps have been evicted before, the city says WSDOT intends to use it soon as a staging area for summer work on I-5. We’ll check back tomorrow.

SIDE NOTE: Officer Wiebke’s been writing publicly for a while about his work. His occasional posts are also now being featured on WSB; the latest is in our Forum.

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SEEN OFF WEST SEATTLE: USS Nimitz heading out on deployment
June 1, 2017 12:34 pm
|    Comments Off on SEEN OFF WEST SEATTLE: USS Nimitz heading out on deployment
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news

Thanks to Sheattland for tweeting photos of the USS Nimitz (CVN 68), seen from West Seattle, as it headed out of Rich Passage, leaving Bremerton for an expected six-month deployment. It has sailed past us several times in recent months – most recently in late April – for shorter training/certification trips in preparation for this deployment. It’s headed to the western Pacific, where two other carriers and their strike groups already are.

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‘CHANGE THE WORLD’ PROJECTS: The 8 problems Explorer West Middle School eighth-graders are tackling this year
June 1, 2017 11:18 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

It’s a challenge, a lesson, and empowerment.

Every year, eighth graders at Explorer West Middle School (WSB sponsor) are exhorted, invited, and assigned to “Change the World.”

That’s the theme of the group projects they must complete and present before leaving EWMS and moving on to high school.

We’ve featured some in past years – two years ago, a group that wanted to make sure kids of all abilities had a place to play, and made a difference in a local project; last year we featured a group advocating for expanding the availability of healthful food.

This year’s topics were, according to teacher Tim Owens, as chosen by students, all relating to sustainability:

– Bullying of students with disabilities
– Sexual harassment and assault in schools
– Immigrant rights
– Assistance for refugees
– Sex trafficking
– Youth homelessness
– Depression among adolescents
– Gender inequality (regarding pay)

Along with group projects, EWMS students invited world-changers to speak with them about some of those problems and what is being/can be done about them.

We were there on Tuesday afternoon as the entire school gathered in the gym to hear from four people representing organizations working on civil/human rights, and then moved on to classrooms where the eight groups of eighth-graders made their project presentations.
Read More

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BIZNOTE: Thunder Road Guitars adding 1st expansion location
June 1, 2017 10:17 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Some West Seattle businesses expand to Ballard, some to Burien. Thunder Road Guitars (WSB sponsor) is literally going much farther – expanding to Portland! Here’s how proprietor Frank Gross announced it:

We are thrilled to announce that this fall we will be opening another Thunder Road Guitars storefront in one of my favorite cities, Portland, Oregon. The new Portland store will act as a sister store to our flagship Seattle location and will be owned and operated by one of our own, Will York, who I’m sure most of you know. Will moved to Seattle from Gainesville, Florida, in 2012 and got his start in the musical instrument business winding pickups for Lollar Pickups. Will has been with us since 2015 and has become a true asset to Thunder Road Guitars.

We are so excited to have Portland be the first city outside of Seattle with a Thunder Road Guitars. The new store will be located in the Nob Hill neighborhood at 1024 NW 19th Ave and will be open for business in early September of this year. Thank you all so much for your support and business over the years, here’s to the next chapter!

Thunder Road Guitars’ West Seattle shop is in The Junction (4736 California SW).

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What’s ahead for your West Seattle Thursday
June 1, 2017 9:09 am
|    Comments Off on What’s ahead for your West Seattle Thursday
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous


(Photo by Jim Borrow, who says murmurations of European Starlings have been happening at Alki Point the past few nights)

Here’s what’s ahead for your Thursday:

USS NIMITZ HEADING OUT: Alert for ship-watchers – you can expect an aircraft carrier sighting late this morning as the USS Nimitz deploys from Bremerton.

HAWKS NEST WEST OPENS: As previewed here last night, the new bar/restaurant on Alki officially opens at 3 pm. (2806 Alki SW)

MOVE BOREN STEM K-8? As previewed here yesterday and last week, Seattle Public Schools officials will be at Louisa Boren STEM K-8 at 6:30 tonight to talk about the possibility they’ll propose moving the school to another building. (5950 Delridge Way SW)

DESIGN REVIEW FOR 5458 CALIFORNIA SW: What could be the final Southwest Design Review Board meeting for the six-live-work-unit project at California/Findlay is set for 6:30 pm tonight. The meeting at the Senior Center/Sisson Building includes a public-comment period. (4217 SW Oregon)

MARY LAMBERT AT EASY STREET: 7 pm, free Easy Street Records in-store concert by chart-topping, Grammy-nominated singer Mary Lambert – backstory in our calendar listing. All ages. (California SW/SW Alaska)

NORTH HIGHLINE UNINCORPORATED AREA COUNCIL: 7 pm at North Highline Fire District headquarters, the community council for White Center and vicinity meets. The agenda is previewed on our partner site White Center Now. (1243 SW 112th)

‘SWEENEY TODD’: Opening night at ArtsWest Playhouse, 7:30 pm curtain. Details in our calendar listing. (4711 California SW)

HORSE & TIGER: Live music at Parliament Tavern, 9 pm-midnight: “A night of funky instrumental improv, featuring members of The True Loves.” No cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

MUCH MORE … on our complete-calendar page.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: First day of June
June 1, 2017 6:52 am
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

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

6:52 AM: Good morning and welcome to June. No incidents right now in West Seattle or on the major outbound routes.

8:33 AM: WSDOT says that the left lane on NB 509 just before the 1st Avenue S. Bridge is blocked by a stalled vehicle.

8:39 AM: SPD is being dispatched to a reported two-vehicle collision at Delridge/Thistle, with both reported to be “facing westbound.”

8:48 AM: The location has been corrected to 22nd SW/SW Thistle. No serious injuries reported so far, as there’s no accompanying SFD dispatch.

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