West Seattle, Washington

24 Wednesday

48℉

month : 07/2017 311 results

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Packages, contents tossed
July 29, 2017 2:20 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

This week’s big West Seattle Crime Watch reader-report topic has been package theft – both the thefts and the discovery of discarded boxes/items. Here are the latest:

PACKAGE FOUND: From Kathrine in The Junction:

I found an open USPS package in a bush while I was out walking my dog today and I would like to return it to its rightful owner. The box was open and the shipping address was torn from the box, other that I can make out “Oregon St.” The return address is from Myrtle Beach, SC. If someone can give me the name of the person who shipped the box, I’d be happy to return the package to its rightful owner. The box contains a rather expensive handbag. Or if someone can describe to me what the handbag looks like, that might work as well……

If it might be yours, let us know.

PACKAGES TRASHED: From Manya in Gatewood:

Came home from work (Thursday) and one of my packages was partially opened almost as if someone saw what was in there was of no interest (curriculum books). Then my downstairs neighbor stopped by and said that they found packages from another neighbor opened and the contents thrown all over the alley and possibly some things stolen. Following that, 3 police cars showed up across the street (the owner of the packages in the alley) and the report is that they saw someone in their backyard and it’s most likely related. Hoping more awareness will help either catch the thief or at least help others be on the watch for their own property.

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HAPPENING NOW: ‘Da Grind’ outrigger-canoe racing off Alki
July 29, 2017 12:01 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news

12:01 PM: Sandy beach, blue water, Hawaiian music, outrigger canoes … it’s a little bit of aloha right now on Alki, east of the bathhouse, as the Seattle Outrigger Canoe Club‘s “Da Grind” day of racing continues. The men’s long-course racers (to Blake Island and back) are scheduled to head out soon; the women’s long-course racers got going around 9:30 this morning; short-course racers (about 4 miles along Alki and back) are scheduled around 2 pm.

Spectators are welcome and are in fact lining the seawall as the canoes go by; the club has numerous tents on the sand, too.

The racing is scheduled to continue until the awards ceremony around 3:30 this afternoon.

3:31 PM: More photos added.

The races weren’t held last year because of what the club calls a racing-schedule change.

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West Seattle Saturday: Outrigger-canoe racing; outdoor movie; earthquake drill at 3 hubs; Shakespeare at Camp Long; more…
July 29, 2017 6:07 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Saturday: Outrigger-canoe racing; outdoor movie; earthquake drill at 3 hubs; Shakespeare at Camp Long; more…
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Western Sandpiper, breeding plumage – photographed by Mark Wangerin)

Busy midsummer Saturday – for reasons including these:

SEAFAIR-RELATED TRAFFIC ALERTS: Two to note – first, you might encounter the annual Torchlight Parade float traffic jam between the Harbor Avenue gate to T-5 and the low bridge at some point this morning, if we’re reading the “no parking” signs properly. Seafair never answered our inquiry about a specific time. But we DO have an official alert about tonight’s Viaduct closure for the pre-parade Torchlight Run (which took last year off but is back this year) – northbound Highway 99 will be closed 5 pm to 7:45 pm; southbound will remain open.

Now, on to the spotlight events for today/tonight in West Seattle:

OUTRIGGER RACING OFF ALKI: Also back after taking a year off, the Seattle Outrigger Canoe Club‘s “Da Grind” races from Alki. First races start at 9:30 am – full schedule and details are here. (2600 Alki SW)

HUBS’ EARTHQUAKE DRILL: 9 am-noon, three of West Seattle’s Emergency Communication Hubs are part of a citywide drill simulating what might be happening as neighborhoods try to manage the aftermath of a big earthquake. You’re welcome to observe, or participate as a “citizen actor.” Details (including addresses) in our calendar listing.

DOG ICE-CREAM SOCIAL: Dutchboy Coffee in Highland Park invites you and your canine companion, 10 am-noon. Here’s what they’re offering. (16th SW/SW Holden)

FREE RAINGARDEN WORKSHOP: 10 am-noon, with local raingarden expert and landscape architect Paul Byron Crane, at the Duwamish Cohousing Common House. (6000 17th SW)

GIANNONI’S PIZZA ANNIVERSARY: 11 am-9 pm today, tomorrow, and/or Monday, stop by Giannoni’s Pizza in Westwood Village and wish them a happy 10th anniversary! Here’s how they’re celebrating. (2600 SW Barton)

CHIEF SEALTH CHEER CAR WASH: 11 am-2 pm, support your Chief Sealth International High School Cheer Hawks at their fundraising car wash at Les Schwab in Georgetown.

$5 donation. (6111 4th Ave. S.)

ALKI BEACH LGBTQ PRIDE EVENT: 11 am-7 pm, third annual LGBTQ Pride celebration at Alki Beach – details here. (59th SW/Alki SW)

WADING POOLS AND SPRAYPARK OPEN TODAY: Lincoln Park wading pool and Highland Park spraypark are open 11 am-8 pm; Delridge and Hiawatha wading pools are open noon-6:30 pm. (Find addresses here)

BBQ TO BENEFIT WEST SEATTLE FOOD BANK: Super Deli Mart‘s big annual barbecue, noon-5 pm, donations benefit West Seattle Food Bank. (35th SW/SW Barton)

ALKI POINT LIGHTHOUSE TOURS: 1-4 pm, tour Alki Point Lighthouse with the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary – be there by 3:40 pm for the day’s final tour. (3201 Alki SW)

SALSA ON ALKI: Dance lesson 5-5:45, dancing 6-10 pm. Info including price in our calendar listing. (61st SW/Alki SW)

‘LEGO BATMAN’ @ WEST SEATTLE OUTDOOR MOVIES: Gates open 6:30 pm, movie at dusk (9-ish) in the SW Snoqualmie Festival Street south of the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor). See our preview for details. Bring your own chair/blanket; bring $ for nonprofit-benefiting raffles and concessions; movie is free. And tonight, bring diapers for WestSide Baby! (36th SW/SW Snoqualmie)

SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK: GreenStage presents “Richard II,” directed by Susannah Rose Woods, at Camp Long, free, 7 pm. More info in our calendar listing. (5200 35th SW)

KEVIN KILLMON: “Soulful acoustic rock singer/songwriter” at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. (5612 California SW)

THREE BANDS: 9 pm-midnight, Parliament Tavern presents Power Skeleton, Himiko Cloud, Mind Beams. $7 cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

SEE MORE … on our complete-calendar page!

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This time it’s definitely fireworks
July 28, 2017 11:03 pm
|    Comments Off on This time it’s definitely fireworks
 |   Not WS but we're mentioning it anyway | West Seattle news

Meant to mention this in the daily preview list … that’s a post-game Mariners fireworks show you might have been hearing in the distance just now. They have one more planned this season, September 22nd.

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AS-IT-HAPPENED COVERAGE: Band Jam 2017 brings musical marching to Southwest Athletic Complex
July 28, 2017 7:12 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

That’s the Junior All-City Band, elementary- and middle-school musicians from all over the city, first up at Band Jam, which will fill the next hour and a half or so with marching-band music at Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle) – a free and fun showcase on Seafair Torchlight Parade Eve, hosted by the All-City Band and organized by its director Marcus Pimpleton:

Second up, the Gents Drumline:

Excellent crowd this year! No admission charge, still some room in the bleachers over here on the north side.

7:44 PM: From Burien, the Kennedy Catholic High School Marching Band just wrapped up its set:

And the Rainbow City Band has marched onto the field:

Each band performs at least two songs.

8:24 PM: And sometimes the performances aren’t really songs – like the drumline-centered tour de force the Sumner High School Summer Marching Band (which includes middle-schoolers) is performing right now.

We’ll add video of that later – this is from a few minutes earlier:

The Sumner band has more than 100 people on the field! They’ll be followed in a few minutes by the hosts, the All-City Band, Seattle parade fixtures in their green polo shirts and white pants – grand-prize winners at last Saturday’s West Seattle Grand Parade.

8:52 PM: And with everything from flag-twirling to virtuoso baton-tossing – along with their signature chant, “Who are we? All-City Band!” they have wrapped up the show.

After a march to the fence at the bottom of the stands, and a standing ovation, they’re done, Band Jam is over, and it’s on for many of tonight’s musicians to tomorrow night’s Torchlight Parade downtown. We’ll be adding/substituting more photos/video back at HQ.

11:48 PM: The additions have begun.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Package-theft evidence dumped
July 28, 2017 6:59 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Received from Sheridan a short time ago:

Just witnessed two people in a vehicle dumping the boxes of stolen packages in the alleyway behind my house near 22nd SW & SW Cloverdale. Reported to Seattle Police along with car’s registration number. Was a light blue/silver Honda CRV.

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UPDATE: Driver/rider collision at California/Brandon, 1 hurt
July 28, 2017 5:40 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

5:40 PM: A collision between a driver and motorcycle rider has California closed at Brandon. No info on injuries yet.

5:46 PM: The two-wheeled vehicle involved is actually a scooter, our crew says. The man who was riding it will be taken to the hospital but is not believed to have major injuries; he is alert and conscious. The car driver is reported to be unhurt. Because no one has life-threatening injuries, the Traffic Collision Investigation Squad will not be dispatched, and the scene is likely to clear within an hour.

5:49 PM: Southbound California has just been reopened; northbound remains blocked at the scene.

5:59 PM: Northbound California has now reopened too.

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VIDEO: See inside West Seattle’s first charter school, Summit Atlas, 3 weeks before it opens
July 28, 2017 4:38 pm
|      25 COMMENTS
 |   Arbor Heights | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Classes start August 21st at the former supermarket and church that is becoming West Seattle’s first charter school, Summit Atlas.

Today – six months after a ceremonial groundbreaking kicked off extensive remodeling, and days before work begins on an addition – we got our first look inside, with a tour that included future students and their families.

It’s been two and a half years since we broke the news of the charter-middle-and-high-school plan for the property at 9601 35th SW (southwest corner of 35th/Roxbury), discovering an early-stage proposal in city permit-application files.

Former owners Freedom Church/Jesus Center sold the site in 2015 to Washington Charter School Development for $4.75 million. WCSD is the regional branch of a California-based company that specializes in building schools for charter firms like Summit (also California-based) – this is their fourth in Washington, all repurposing existing buildings, WCSD’s James Heugas (a West Seattle resident) noted after today’s tour. (We got a look inside one of the others, Summit Sierra in the International District, a year ago.)

But before we show you what’s been done inside and what’s about to happen outside, some updates:

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Starting Saturday, don’t omit the area code
July 28, 2017 3:24 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

You might already use area codes in all the phone calls you make. But if you don’t – you’d better start. It’s mandatory in our state as of tomorrow (Saturday, July 29th), with a fifth area code soon to be added. This has been in the works for more than a year – lots of background info here.

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WEST SEATTLE DEVELOPMENT: Two Delridge updates
July 28, 2017 2:02 pm
|      15 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | Development | West Seattle news

From the city Department of Construction and Inspections files:

REDEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL AT 5214 DELRIDGE WAY SW: An early-stage proposal has just appeared in city files to redevelop this site [map], which has been remodeled incrementally in recent years and now houses multiple small businesses. The new proposal is described as follows:

Demolition of existing commercial structure and construction of new 3600 sf mixed use building and (4) townhouse units. Mixed use building to include (2) commercial spaces and (4) Small Efficiency Dwelling Units (SEDU). Parking for (6) vehicles to be provided on site.

(SEDU is the city’s term for microstudio apartments.) Again, it’s an early-stage proposal, just beginning its journey through the potential permitting process.

SEE THE DESIGN PACKET FOR 8854 DELRIDGE BEFORE FIRST REVIEW: Two miles south, 8854 Delridge Way SW [map] goes to the Southwest Design Review Board for the first time on Thursday night (August 3rd). We first reported a year ago that a mixed-use project was planned for the site of a burned-out former auto shop. The design packet describes as “a new 4-story building over a below-grade parking garage level with 31 apartment micro-units, retail (café) space, and 15 enclosed parking stalls.” Here’s the packet by Sazei Design Group:

Or, see it here. Next Thursday’s review is for Early Design Guidance, so it focuses on “massing” – size, shape, placement on site – and is set for 6:30 pm at the Senior Center/Sisson Building (4217 SW Oregon), including a public-comment period.

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SATURDAY NIGHT: See ‘LEGO Batman’ @ West Seattle Outdoor Movies
July 28, 2017 12:33 pm
|    Comments Off on SATURDAY NIGHT: See ‘LEGO Batman’ @ West Seattle Outdoor Movies
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle Outdoor Movies

From the same people who brought you the earworm “Everything Is Awesome” … it’s “The Lego Batman Movie,” and it’s what’s onscreen Saturday night at this summer’s second West Seattle Outdoor Movies event. You’re welcome to show up in the SW Snoqualmie Festival Street [map] on the south side of the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) in The Triangle as early as 6:30 pm; the movie starts at dusk, 9 pm-ish. Here’s some of what else will be going on between those two times:

*Diaper drive for WestSide Baby (especially in need of sizes 4-6 and training pants)
*Nonprofit-benefiting raffles for items including a Pagliacci gift card and Zippy’s gift certificate
*Kids’ giveaways from Curious Kidstuff
*Food truck (awaiting word on which one)
*Fundraising concessions
*Pre-movie kids’ activities courtesy of the Y

…and more. Admission is free; bring your own chair and/or blanket. (Or both … it was a little breezy by showtime last Saturday night.) See the full season lineup – every Saturday night through August 26th –
here.

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@ West Seattle Transportation Coalition: Who’s responsible for dealing with port-truck trouble?
July 28, 2017 10:30 am
|      23 COMMENTS
 |   Port of Seattle | Transportation | West Seattle news

(2015 photo by Don Brubeck)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

When port-bound trucks clog routes leading to shipping terminals, who’s ultimately accountable for clearing them, and preventing future problems?

That was part of what was explored in depth during port reps’ visit last night to the West Seattle Transportation Coalition, which also reviewed key points made by participants in its June workshop about light-rail routing.

First:

PORT TRUCKS: As they had done at this month’s Southwest District Council meeting, operations executive Zachary Thomas from the Northwest Seaport Alliance and Port of Seattle communicator Mick Shultz talked, and answered questions, about the truck traffic.

Thomas explained again about how the shifting alliances in the shipping business had led to the “additional volume (for) some terminals” and less for others. The “general shift of volume from Tacoma to Seattle” led to a 40 percent increase in volume at Terminal 18 on the east side of Harbor Island at one point this spring, Thomas said, noting that similar changes were happening around the world at the same time, “massive changes” that meant “for the first two to four weeks of the new alliance(s) … the vessels were just all over the place.” (Terminal 46, further north, didn’t see any change, though.)

At the time of that volume increase, “you would have seen a lot of trucks, no doubt about it.” The terminal operator, SSA, did take action in response to what was going on, Thomas said – though not enough to prevent backups. So that led to some grilling on who could have and should have done more.

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West Seattle Friday: Band Jam; Chief Sealth multi-class reunion; free teen swim; more…
July 28, 2017 9:04 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photos @ Alki Point, by Gary Jones)

We’re perched on the edge of the weekend, ready to fly into fun … here are the highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

WADING POOLS AND SPRAYPARK OPEN TODAY: Lincoln Park wading pool, 11 am-8 pm; Highland Park spraypark, 11 am-8 pm; Hiawatha wading pool, noon-6:30 pm; EC Hughes wading pool, noon-7 pm. (Find addresses here)

CHIEF SEALTH MULTI-CLASS REUNION: If you are a Chief Sealth graduate from the ’60s, ’70s or ’80s, you’re invited to tonight’s reunion! 5-8 pm at the Lincoln Park picnic shelters on the beach closest to the park’s south end. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)

HUNDREDS OF MUSICIANS, MARCHING: This is the most moving outdoor concert you’ll see all summer. That’s moving, as in forward, backward, sideways … marching bands all over the field at Southwest Athletic Complex for this year’s Band Jam! It’s mostly – but not entirely – a tune-up for Saturday night’s Seafair Torchlight Parade, as first hatched by Seattle Schools All-City Band director Marcus Pimpleton back in 2009. ACB hosts and dare we say stars in the showcase, with this year’s announced lineup also including Junior All-City Band, the Gents Drumline, the John F. Kennedy Catholic High School Marching Band, the Rainbow City Band, the Sumner High School Spartan Marching Band. Gates open 6 pm and fundraiser concessions go on sale; 6:30 pm preshow entertainment; 7 pm, Band Jam begins. (2801 SW Thistle)

DIRECT FROM TEXAS … it’s Unwed Fathers, live at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. (5612 California SW)

SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK: Tonight at 7 at Camp Long, GreenStage presents “Comedy of Errors,” free. Details in our calendar listing. (5200 35th SW)

FREE TEEN SWIM AT SOUTHWEST POOL: 8-9:30 pm, youth 11-19 are invited to Southwest Pool for a free swim! (2801 SW Thistle)

MOVIE IN THE PARK: “Jungle Book” is tonight’s movie in the “park” next to West Seattle Church of the Nazarene, 9 pm. Free; refreshments provided. (42nd SW/SW Juneau)

THREE BANDS … live at Parliament Tavern, 9 pm-midnight; see the bill here. 21+. $5 cover. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

SEE EVERYTHING ON THE CALENDAR … by going here.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Friday updates; weekend notes
July 28, 2017 7:11 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Friday updates; weekend notes
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(HERE’S THE REVAMPED SDOT MAP with travel times/video links)

7:11 AM: We’ve checked around and there are no incidents of note in/from West Seattle so far. Looking ahead to tomorrow:

TORCHLIGHT RUN VIADUCT CLOSURE: The route includes the Alaskan Way Viaduct, which will be closed northbound 5-7:45 pm Saturday night, while southbound remains open.

HARBOR AVENUE PARKING RESTRICTIONS: As noted here on Thursday, both sides of Harbor Avenue between the bridge and the T-5 entrance have parking restrictions for tonight/tomorrow because of Torchlight Parade float storage. Seafair hasn’t responded to our request for schedule details but in past years the floats have headed out around 8 am Saturday, headed downtown, and that’s led to some traffic effects.

7:40 AM Stalled vehicle on right lane on NB Viaduct approaching Seneca.

8:02 AM: SDOT says that is now clear.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Delridge robbery suspect nabbed 20 miles away; package thief on cam; more
July 27, 2017 9:49 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

Three West Seattle Crime Watch reports, starting with a robbery arrest far from the crime scene:

ROBBERY SUSPECT TRACKED TO FEDERAL WAY: Published on SPD Blotter tonight:

Just after 2 p.m. this afternoon, Southwest Precinct police officers responded to a report of an armed robbery at a bus stop near Delridge Way and Kenyon Street. The teenage victim reported to officers that a teenage suspect brandishing a handgun approached him, stole his iPhone and ran away.

Police called for a K9 officer in the hopes of tracking the armed suspect nearby. Those efforts did not prove fruitful. Fortunately for police, the suspect also left an electronic trail.

Using the phone’s location software, Officer Ernie DeBella followed the e-trail to Burien and then later to Federal Way. Officer DeBella successfully tracked the phone to an occupied silver minivan and called for back-up. With assistance from King County Sheriff’s Office and Federal Way Police Department, officers stopped the minivan. All four passengers got out and ran, but didn’t get far, and were detained by police.

The victim called his iPhone and officers could hear it ringing inside the mini-van on cue. Officers could also see a handgun in the minivan’s interior.

Three of the four occupants were interviewed and released from the scene. The fourth occupant, determined to be the robbery suspect, remained with officers. While they were questioning the suspect, a recent crime victim approached officers and reported that he recognized the teenage suspect as the person who had robbed him the day before. Federal Way Police will continue to investigate that robbery separately.

Officers impounded the minivan pending receipt of a search warrant. Officers transported the suspect back to Seattle and booked him into the Youth Service Center.

Also tonight, two reader reports, both related to mail/package theft:

PACKAGE THIEF: From Brittany in High Point, with frame grabs from security video:

A package was stolen off my front porch in West Seattle at 12:29 pm today.

If you see this navy blue car (possibly a Ford Focus 4-door sedan) or this person anywhere, please let me know.

This has already been filed with the Seattle Police Department.

If you have any info, the SPD incident number is 17-274738.

AFTERMATH OF PACKAGE THEFT: From Ray, also in High Point:

Boxes from two blocks away made it to 34th and Graham. Happened between 12-1 on 7/27.

Looks like they choose a driveway to turn into and dump the boxes.

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WEST SEATTLE ROAD WORK: 35th SW repairs this week, Alki-area paving next
July 27, 2017 8:23 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

8:23 PM: Thanks to @MetPatrick22 for the photo and word that 35th SW near SW Webster* is getting some spot-paving repairs this week. No advisories from SDOT, so we checked in with spokesperson Sue Romero – who explained that “spot repairs” do not usually generate advance alerts – and asked about any other smaller paving projects coming up. She mentioned these:

Paving Beach Dr. SW between SW Andover St. & SW Charlestown St., August 1-2 & August 8-9, 9 am-4 pm

Paving 63rd Ave SW between Alki Ave SW & SW Admiral Wy, August 3rd & August 10th, 9 am-4 pm

The 35th SW spot repaving plan was noted here twice last month, most recently in an update last month from City Councilmember Lisa Herbold.

8:54 PM: Right after we published this, Chas Redmond mentioned the repaving in the waning moments of the West Seattle Transportation Coalition meeting, also noting that it had been done near SW Thistle. So after the meeting, we drove 35th to see exactly what’s been repaved: Northbound lane, Cloverdale to Thistle, and Holden to Othello.

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VIDEO: Nick Drummond @ Summer Concerts at Hiawatha, week two
July 27, 2017 6:54 pm
|    Comments Off on VIDEO: Nick Drummond @ Summer Concerts at Hiawatha, week two
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

6:54 PM: Still time to get to the east lawn at Hiawatha Community Center for the second of this summer’s six Summer Concerts at Hiawatha, presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association.

In our photos are Nick Drummond and Friends, bringing their “alt-folk” sounds to the crowd enjoying tonight’s free show, which continues until about 8 pm, along Walnut south of Lander.

7:55 PM: Photos updated; video to come (added: here it is):

Next week, the “Jet City rock” of The Adarna, 6:30 pm Thursday, August 3rd.

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One more Seafair Torchlight alert that might affect you long before the parade
July 27, 2017 5:49 pm
|    Comments Off on One more Seafair Torchlight alert that might affect you long before the parade
 |   Port of Seattle | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Photo from 2015 pre-parade float procession out of West Seattle)

We’ve been mentioning all week that the northbound Alaskan Way Viaduct will be closed for a while Saturday evening for the return of the Seafair Torchlight Run, before the downtown parade (which is NOT on The Viaduct). There’s one other way you might be affected – though we don’t have official comment from Seafair, “no parking” signs along both sides of Harbor Avenue SW indicate that the parade floats will again be traveling to/from, and stored at, Terminal 5 before Saturday night’s parade, as has been done in in past years. South of the Harbor Ave. gate to the port facility, the signs on the south/eastbound side prohibit parking 2 am-10 am Saturday morning, while north/westbound signs prohibit parking 7 pm Saturday night-2 am Sunday morning. The past few years, the floats have headed out around 8 am Saturday, but pending an official response from Seafair, we don’t yet know this year’s schedule.

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FOLLOWUP: Parks looking at ‘rebuild’ for Lincoln Park’s closed south play area
July 27, 2017 4:14 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Safety | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Looks like the south play area at Lincoln Park will NOT be reopening any time soon. Two weeks ago, we reported on its closure, with Seattle Parks citing safety reasons, but saying at the time that it would have to decide between repairs and rebuilding – which is what the signs still up at the site say:

We asked Parks spokesperson Rachel Schulkin for an update, and she told WSB today: “Planning staff are meeting soon to create a timeline for a rebuild.”

While the play equipment remains fenced off, the swing set to its north remains open, as does the recently rebuilt play area in the north area of the park, by the wading pool. We’ll continue to follow up.

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FOLLOWUP: Here’s how to help lifelong West Seattleite and local school employee who lost home to fire
July 27, 2017 1:53 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

(WSB photo from Sunday)

Last Sunday afternoon, we reported on a house fire in Highland Park, in the 8100 block of 14th SW. No one was hurt, but it turns out the damage was greater than first assessed, and the longtime West Seattle resident and Denny International Middle School employee who lived there has lost most of his belongings, as well as a place to live, so a family friend has organized a crowdfunding page for community members to help. Michelle Whelan explains:

Lifelong West Seattleite Roger Baker, or “Mr. Baker” as he’s known to students at Denny Middle School, recently lost his house and most of his belongings to an electrical fire. The home had been in the Baker family for about 40 years and … is essentially a total loss due to internal damage and the prohibitively expensive cost to rebuild.

This is the same home Roger returned to 20 years ago help care for his ailing parents. In 2009 he obtained his current position as custodian at Denny MS. In the intervening years, while also working full time, Roger helped provide elder care for his parents — driving them to and from appointments, family events, and taking care of the home. His mother passed away several years ago, followed by his father more recently.

The Baker family, tribal members of the Turtle Mountain band of Chippewa, has deep, longstanding roots in West Seattle. Multi-generational graduates of West Seattle schools, the Bakers are a strong and close-knit family…which makes Roger’s loss all the more upsetting as he no longer has a place to live.

There’s even more to the story, which you can read on the GoFundMe page, which also has post-fire photos of the house’s interior. (SFD says the fire was accidental, sparked by a battery charger.) The GFM page also has details on non-monetary donations that would be helpful as well.

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WATER TAXI UPDATES: New survey for you; latest on dock move, ridership numbers
July 27, 2017 12:42 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   King County Water Taxi | West Seattle news

(WSB photo from last Friday)

The latest government service/agency/etc. asking for your feedback via an online survey – the King County Water Taxi. The new survey is phrased as if you are on board, so if you aren’t riding it today, you might consider answering from the standpoint of your most recent ride, or the reasons you usually use it, even if you only ride a few times a year. The survey starts here.

The WT website Captain’s Blog also provides two updates of potential interest to Water Taxi riders. The newest is about the soon-to-start Colman Dock overhaul that will result in a new foot-ferry terminal; read it here. It’s also a reminder that one week from Monday – starting August 7th – Water Taxi service will be interrupted for up to a week while its downtown terminal moves to an interim location north of Colman Dock.

The other notable update has some new numbers on Water Taxi ridership, including a 7.2 percent increase on the West Seattle run last month over the same period last year. But month-by-month numbers on the “data” tab of this WT-website page have not been updated since the end of last year.

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ON THE MOVE: 3 Boren portables to be relocated next week
July 27, 2017 11:23 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Heads up, in case you see the “No Parking” signs and/or plan to be on the road in the early morning – three portable classrooms will be removed from the Louisa Boren STEM K-8 campus next week, to be relocated to other schools outside West Seattle. The information just received from Seattle Public Schools spokesperson Tom Redman says one portable will be moved from Boren (5950 Delridge Way SW) to Ballard High School early Tuesday (August 1st), and two will be going to Ingraham High School, one each on Wednesday and Thursday (August 2-3). For all moves, Redman says, they’ll be moved via a southbound/eastbound route:

Transports will leave from Louisa Boren at about 3:00-4:00 a.m. to meet SDOT requirements for transports to be off city streets by 6:00 a.m.

These transports are coordinated with required SDOT transport permits and will be accompanied by Seattle Police escorts for additional traffic control as they leave Louisa Boren and head south on Delridge Way towards Roxbury and further to Hwy 509 as they leave West Seattle.

“No parking” signs will be installed on the streets along the north side of Louisa Boren, in order to allow for adequate width in the roadway for the trucks to maneuver the oversized loads.

Additional “no parking” signs may be placed at different locations along the route to allow for adequate width in the roadway.

P.S. While it’s not directly related to this, you might be wondering where the possible move of STEM K-8 itself stands, now that almost two months have passed since the district-led meeting about it. We’re checking on that.

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West Seattle Thursday: Nick Drummond @ Hiawatha; WS Transportation Coalition; ‘Chasing Ice’; more…
July 27, 2017 10:26 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Killdeer, photographed on the West Seattle shore by Mark Wangerin)

A gray start to our day, but it’s not expected to last. Here’s what’s happening for the rest of today/tonight, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

MEET YOUR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR: Yun Pitre, our area’s Community Engagement Coordinator for the city Department of Neighborhoods, has drop-in “office hours” now through 2 pm at the Southwest Neighborhood Service Center. Got a city-related question/concern? Stop by and talk with her. (2801 SW Thistle)

MIKEY MIKE THE RAD SCIENTIST … talks about nature with kids 2-10 at High Point Library, 11:30 am. No preregistration required; free – details in our calendar listing. (35th SW/SW Raymond)

SUMMER CONCERTS AT HIAWATHA: Tonight’s the second of six free Thursday night concerts on the east lawn at Hiawatha Community Center, brought to you by the Admiral Neighborhood Association, with co-sponsors including WSB. As previewed here last night, Nick Drummond and Friends will take the stage tonight at 6:30 pm – bring a chair/blanket/picnic dinner and enjoy music until ~8 pm. This morning’s drizzly weather is forecast to clear up long before showtime. (2700 California SW, Walnut side)

WEST SEATTLE TRANSPORTATION COALITION: As previewed here last night, WSTC talks with the Northwest Seaport Alliance about Port of Seattle truck backups and related issues; the agenda also includes a discussion of last month’s light-rail-routing workshop. All welcome. 6:30 pm at Neighborhood House High Point. (6400 Sylvan Way SW)

‘CHASING ICE’: The West Seattle Democratic Women invite you to a screening of “Chasing Ice” during their 6 pm monthly meeting at the West Seattle Golf Course. Too late if you haven’t RSVP’d for dinner, but you can RSVP for dessert and coffee/tea to cover the per-attendee room charge – info is in our calendar listing. (4600 35th SW)

AND THERE’S MORE … on our complete-calendar page, which also explains how to send us YOUR event info!

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