month : 08/2017 316 results

Two reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:

STOLEN BIKE RACK: From Peter:

On Tuesday, August 29th between 1:35-2:50 pm, while parked in the West Seattle LA Fitness parking garage, our hitch-mounted 4-bike rack was stolen off the back of our car. We had a locking hitch-pin on it, but the thief must have broken it off somehow! The rack is a Yakima HoldUp +2 bike extension, allowing it to hold 4 bikes.

There were specific issues with this rack that would allow us to identify it if found. It’s not a small rack, so should be fairly easy to identify if it turns up!

DUMPED BICYCLE: This one was reported by Lisa in Fauntlee Hills:

Wondering if anybody know anything about this bike?

This bike is locked up on my property.

It showed up Tuesday, weirdly stuffed in my tree and LOCKED to the fence.

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BIZNOTES: Dr. Raleigh’s retirement; two West Seattleites’ new acquisition; Kindermusik time @ Kenyon Hall

| West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Three biznotes tonight:

(Photo courtesy Dr. William Raleigh, pictured with wife Wray Raleigh)

DR. RALEIGH RETIRES: Longtime West Seattle dentist Dr. William H. Raleigh has announced his retirement:

After practicing dentistry for 44 years, I decided to retire from full-time employment. Being a dentist in West Seattle has been a huge part of my life. I never wanted to leave this role due to the closeness I have with my long-term staff, and the relationships with my patients, cultivated over many years. The ongoing conversations I have had with you have enriched my life and provided a wealth of insights. I shall miss you all.

Dr. Raleigh has turned his practice over to Dr. Michael Korn, whose background is detailed in the full announcement Dr. Raleigh sent to patients (read it here). Dr. Raleigh adds:

To aid in a smooth transition, I shall be working back for Dr. Korn, and I shall continue to be a part of the office. My current staff will remain as well. … Thank you for all your support over the years. It has been a privilege treating you!

WEST SEATTLE WOMEN’S ACQUISITION: Two West Seattle women are now the owners of a big downtown media-services firm, Media+, for which they’ve long worked.

This news release tells the story of Mary Ann Grajek (above left) and Lauren Portman Ramaska (above right), both of whom have been with the company more than a decade, becoming its new owners. Their agency represents companies you know such as North Delridge-headquartered Bartell Drugs, and their goal is to be “the most successful independently-owned mid-sized media agency in the country.”

KINDERMUSIK TIME: A new season is about to start at historic Kenyon Hall in Sunrise Heights:

Kindermusik, the premier early-childhood music and movement curriculum, is taught at Kenyon Hall by master musician Lou Magor. Families with children birth to seven years of age are welcome to register. For more information, please e-mail kenyonhall@earthlink.net. Classes begin right after Labor Day.

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LABOR DAY: 3rd annual ‘poker run’ motorcycle ride celebrating labor history

August 31, 2017 8:00 pm

| Comments Off on LABOR DAY: 3rd annual ‘poker run’ motorcycle ride celebrating labor history

| Holidays | West Seattle news

(WSB photo, Labor Day 2016)

Motorcycle or scooter rider? You’re invited to start your Labor Day with the third annual Seattle Labor Ride & Poker Run, hosted by City Councilmember Lisa Herbold, celebrating the history of labor and supporting the Labor Archives of Washington. The ride starts at West Seattle’s Chelan Café. The first one two years ago, explains organizer Bob Combs (above with spouse, the ride’s host), was a campaign event, but then last year, he says, “Pairing up with a friend of mine from the VME (Vintage Motorcycle Enthusiasts) club, Tom Samuelson, we put a different twist on it and turned it into a fundraiser for LAWS (Labor Archive of Washington State), moved the date to Labor Day.” They raised $600 for the archives, grew the turnout, and hope to get even more participants this year.

The stops, hosted by unions and/or visiting their halls, are listed on the ride’s website, here, where you’ll also get the explanation of “poker run” if you haven’t been on one before. The entry fee is $20. Combs adds, “The ride is all on largely empty city streets the morning of Labor Day, speed limits are all under 40, and is very friendly to smaller bikes and scooters.” Registration starts at 8 am Monday outside the Chelan Café (3527 Chelan SW), with riders leaving at 9.

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DEVELOPMENT: Microhousing project site for sale; demolition docket

August 31, 2017 4:41 pm

| 28 COMMENTS

| Development | West Seattle housing | West Seattle news

Development-related notes…
(WSB photo)

MICROHOUSING PROJECT SITE FOR SALE: There’s a new commercial-real-estate listing this week for 5952 California SW, which – as first reported here in May 2016 – is planned for a microhousing project. The listing itself is titled simply “SEDU Site”; as you might recall, SEDU is the city’s official name for microhousing, small efficiency dwelling units. The last official description on the city website says the project will have 29 microunits and 6 apartments, which is also what the listing’s online notes say: “Property in process of being permitted to build 35 units (Small Efficiency Dwelling Units) and also being approved to go up 5 stories …” County records show the site was sold last December for less than half its current $2 million listing price.

DEMOLITION PLANS: The following list shows West Seattle demolition permits/applications dated within the past two weeks, as found in the city’s online files:

(King County Assessor’s Office photo, 3276 California SW)

-3276 California SW, one-story commercial building to be replaced by live-work units
-3045 California SW, one-story commercial building to be replaced by building with ground-level commercial under 3 apartments
-9211 15th SW, house to be replaced by townhouses
-2950 Alki SW, house to be replaced by 3 townhouses
-4214-4218 30th SW, two houses to be replaced by 8 townhouses
-5033-5035 Delridge Way SW, houses to be replaced by townhouses
-5016 Fauntleroy Way SW, house to be replaced by two new houses
-8802 9th SW, house to be replaced by 8 townhouses
-7926 34th SW, house to be replaced by new house
-4725 SW Dawson, house to be replaced by new house
-6314 49th SW, house to be replaced by new house
-4415 48th SW, house to be replaced by new house

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CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUP: Ryan Cox pleads not guilty

August 31, 2017 2:47 pm

| 9 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

After Gatewood stabbing suspect Ryan Cox refused to appear in court for arraignment this past Monday and Wednesday, King County Superior Court Judge Sean O’Donnell signed an order this morning authorizing deputies to use “reasonable force … if necessary” to make him appear. We don’t know whether force was required – morning crash coverage kept us from getting to the downtown courthouse this time – but we do know, from online documents, that Cox did appear. He pleaded not guilty to the charge of second-degree assault filed against him, and his next hearing, for case-setting, was scheduled for September 7th. He remains jailed in lieu of $150,000 bail.

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HEALTH ALERT: Recreational shellfish harvesting closed from Alki Beach south to Pierce County line

August 31, 2017 1:31 pm

| 11 COMMENTS

| Health | West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

County health authorities just announced that the state Health Department has closed beaches to shellfish harvesting from “Alki Beach south to the Pierce County line, including Vashon Island and Quartermaster Harbor beaches.” Here’s the full text of the news release:

Paralytic Shellfish Poison (PSP) has been detected at unsafe levels in shellfish on Vashon Island and at the Des Moines Marina. As a result, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has closed Alki Beach south to the Pierce County line, including Vashon Island and Quartermaster Harbor beaches, to recreational shellfish harvest.

The closure includes all species of shellfish including clams, geoduck, scallops, mussels, oysters, snails and other invertebrates; the closure does not include crab or shrimp. Crabmeat is not known to contain the PSP toxin, but the guts can contain unsafe levels. To be safe, clean crab thoroughly and discard the guts (“butter”). Working with partners, Public Health – Seattle & King County is posting advisory signs at beaches warning people to not collect shellfish.

Commercial beaches are sampled separately and commercial products should be safe to eat.

Anyone who eats PSP contaminated shellfish is at risk for illness. PSP poisoning can be life-threatening and is caused by eating shellfish containing this potent neurotoxin. A naturally occurring marine organism produces the toxin. The toxin is not destroyed by cooking or freezing.

A person cannot determine if PSP toxin is present by visual inspection of the water or shellfish. For this reason, the term “red tide” is misleading and inaccurate. PSP can only be detected by laboratory testing.

Symptoms of PSP usually begin 30-60 minutes after eating the contaminated shellfish, but may take several hours. Symptoms are generally mild, and begin with numbness or tingling of the face, arms, and legs. This is followed by headache, dizziness, nausea, and loss of muscle coordination. Sometimes a floating sensation occurs. In cases of severe poisoning, muscle paralysis and respiratory failure occur, and in these cases death may occur in 2 to 25 hours.

If symptoms are mild, call your health care provider or Washington Poison Center (800-222-1222), and Public Health (206-296-4774). If symptoms are severe, call 911 or have someone take you to the emergency room immediately.

Recreational shellfish harvesting can be closed due to rising levels of PSP at any time. Therefore, harvesters are advised to call the DOH Biotoxin Hotline at 800-562-5632 or visit the Shellfish safety website before harvesting shellfish anywhere in Puget Sound.

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FOLLOWUP: Why SDOT halved Westwood walkways project after approving it

August 31, 2017 11:52 am

| 7 COMMENTS

| Safety | West Seattle news | Westwood

(New ‘preliminary design’ for walkways project, showing just the 26th SW walkway)

Tuesday’s SDOT announcement essentially halving a Neighborhood Street Fund project previously approved for the Westwood area raised some questions. We took them to SDOT.

To recap – the community-proposed, SDOT-approved Chief Sealth Walkway Improvements Project was to create two walkways along 26th and 25th. SDOT’s announcement said the department is dropping the 25th walkway because a development application is expected in the future and the developer would be expected to pay for something similar – though, the city acknowledged, it might be “several years.”

So our first question to SDOT was, with nothing showing publicly in city files, how did the city find out about this development plan and how much of a sure thing is it? This question, and our others, were answered by SDOT spokesperson Norm Mah:

During the summer and fall of 2016 while NSF applications were being developed through conceptual design (before final projects were selected), the design team reviewed active permits for future development around this site and found nothing, leading the team to propose the solution for a pathway on 25th Ave SW. However, the SDOT design team was contacted in the spring of 2017 by an architectural firm who shared preliminary plans for the adjacent parcel on the east side of 25th Ave SW. SDOT’s Street Use division then confirmed that the planned NSF project on 25th Ave SW would be required by code when this development moves forward.

In the interim, SDOT considered low-cost alternatives to improve this pathway for residents of this neighborhood, but any changes SDOT makes to this pathway now could result in the developer not being required to construct permanent improvements in the future. As stated in our outreach letter, we believe that the high likelihood of this development occurring meant that investing public funds at this location right now would not be the best use of public tax dollars.

One reader asked if there was precedent for this.

SDOT projects, including NSF projects, are frequently dropped or adjusted in response to future development. Fortunately, this entire project was not dropped and residents in this neighborhood and Chief Sealth students will still benefit from an improved pathway on 26th Ave SW.

With limited funds for improvements, we need to use public funds carefully to build projects that otherwise would not be constructed. These overlaps are typically found earlier in the project design phase because an active permit is filed.

Speaking of money, we also asked what would be done with the money that now will not be spent on this project. Mah says they don’t know yet:

At this point in the design process it is too early to know how much extra funds are available from the amount we budgeted for this project. We will know more in October and can provide the community with an update at that time.

So, we’ll be checking back. Meantime, the 26th SW walkway is planned for construction next year. (Here’s the original project proposal, as summarized by SDOT for the Delridge Neighborhoods District Council review process.)

P.S. The newly renamed Westwood-Roxhill-Arbor Heights Community Coalition plans to talk about the project during its first fall meeting, next Tuesday (September 5th), 6:15 pm, at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW). The full meeting agenda is in our calendar listing.

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West Seattle Thursday: Alki Kids’ Place open house & 4 more highlights

August 31, 2017 10:48 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Late-night owl photo by David Hutchinson)

We’re socked in on the Gatewood/Fauntleroy line – how about you? The weather is supposed to improve later – and then, the National Weather Service says, it’ll be extra-hot over the holiday weekend. But we’re not there yet. Here are Thursday highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

WADING POOL AND SPRAYPARK: The only West Seattle wading pool still open for the season is Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way), and the hotline confirms it WILL be open 11 am-8 pm today, as is Highland Park spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale), both open daily through Labor Day.

LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: Noon-4 pm Thursdays-Sundays, you’re invited to visit the home of West Seattle’s history, HQ of the Southwest Seattle Historical Society, and these event-light final days of summer might be your perfect opportunity. (61st SW/SW Stevens)

SWAP MEET 4 PEACE & FILM SCREENING: 2 pm at Muse Gallery in North Delridge. Everyone’s invited to a “potluck-style mini-swap meet” and film screening at the wrap of a summer program:

Bring an item or two to swap w someone else! It could be anything- music, film, art related! Vintage clothes? Books? Music? Funny props? Art? Art supplies? Join us as we celebrate and wrap our 6-week summer session as Across the Bridge. We’ll also be screening Team Introvert’s short film “Star” right next door at The Skylark at 3 pm! We’re an all-ages crew of creatives, exploring work opportunities in Seattle and we went on 10 field trips this summer. Feeling proud of our crew and happy to connect with new friends and old! Join us! Bring a friend.

(3801 Delridge Way SW)

ALKI KIDS’ PLACE OPEN HOUSE: Still finalizing your plans for after-school care this year, especially with early-release Wednesdays new on the Seattle Public Schools calendar? 4-6 pm today, you can visit Alki Kids’ Place (WSB sponsor) to meet the new director and find out about the program. (6115 SW Hinds)

SINGER-SONGWRITERS PERFORM FOLK-POP: 8-11 pm at Parliament Tavern – Heather Edgley, Sarah St. Albin, Niagara Moon. No cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

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LABOR DAY WEEKEND: Last 2017 chance to tour Alki Point Lighthouse

August 31, 2017 9:22 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle history | West Seattle news

(Photo courtesy U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary)

If you’re staying here on our beautiful peninsula for the holiday weekend, this might be one last thing on your summer bucket list – tour historic Alki Point Lighthouse. Again this summer, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary has opened the historic lighthouse for free tours on many weekend days, but this weekend is it for the year – you can tour Saturday, Sunday, and/or Monday, 1 to 4 pm, be there by 3:40 pm to be sure you get in before it closes. The auxiliary’s Debra Alderman, who keeps us updated all summer on changes in tour dates, invites you to: “Come see a special piece of West Seattle history that has been keeping mariners safe for 104 years and still glowing strong! For more information, visit our website.” The lighthouse is at 3201 Alki SW.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Thursday watch; Viaduct, bridge offramp crashes

August 31, 2017 6:10 am

| 7 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

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

6:10 AM: Thanks for the texts. We start with a crash, confirmed by SDOT, on the northbound Alaskan Way Viaduct at Seneca.

And wherever you are headed, watch out for slick roads. @WestSeaWx says “lots of drizzle out there thanks to a thick marine layer that moved in overnight.”

6:23 AM: WSDOT says the crash is blocking the 2 right lanes. Metro is warning of bus delays.

6:45 AM: SDOT says the Viaduct crash has cleared.

7:19 AM: Now there’s a “heavy rescue” response listed as westbound West Seattle Bridge at Delridge. The crash is on/at the offramp, not affecting eastbound traffic. We are off for a closer look.

8 AM: Took a long time to get within view from the north end of Delridge/west end of low bridge, but the scene is still mostly out of photographic range. A bus was on the ramp along with emergency-responder vehicles, but just as our photographer started walking that way across the intersection, the bus left. A car, pointed the wrong way, is partly in view.

SFD has cleared the scene. An SDOT crew is clearing debris.

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BACK TO SCHOOL 2017: Here’s when classes start(ed)

August 31, 2017 12:56 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

With Labor Day weekend nearing, we’ve made a list of when local schools resume classes – a few already have!

PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS

SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Wednesday, September 6th, for all except kindergarteners, who start September 11th

HIGHLINE PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Wednesday, September 6th, for all except kindergarteners, who start September 11th

VASHON ISLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT: Tuesday, September 5th, for all except kindergarteners, whose students start September 7th

INDEPENDENT & PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS

HOLY ROSARY SCHOOL: September 5th

HOPE LUTHERAN SCHOOL: September 5th

OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE SCHOOL: September 5th

EXPLORER WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL: September 6th

SHOREWOOD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL: September 6th

TILDEN SCHOOL: September 6th

WEST SEATTLE MONTESSORI: September 6th

WESTSIDE SCHOOL: September 6th

ALREADY IN SESSION

SUMMIT ATLAS CHARTER SCHOOL: Started August 21st

SEATTLE LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL: Started August 24th

HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL: Started August 28th

KENNEDY CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL: Started August 29th

POST-SECONDARY

SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE: Fall quarter starts September 25th

Did we miss anyone? Please comment or e-mail us!

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FOLLOWUP: Why 59th/Admiral all-way stop was installed late at night

August 30, 2017 10:27 pm

| 22 COMMENTS

| Transportation | West Seattle news

(WSB photo, looking west across the intersection at midday today)

As you know if you (a) went through the area today and/or (b) read our morning traffic coverage, the 59th/Admiral all-way stop is now in place: The signs are installed, and what was a pedestrian-activated signal is now flashing red. SDOT had told us that the work would be done “Monday or Tuesday” of this week. We had been checking morning and afternoon both days – no sign of crews. Then, we learned from two neighbors, SDOT showed up to do the work late last night, and was still on the scene, with loud equipment, past midnight. So we asked SDOT spokesperson Dawn Schellenberg why the work was done at that hour. “Because of the large volume of transportation projects being installed and the importance of meeting Levy to Move Seattle commitments, SDOT crews are currently working day and night shifts,” she replied.

Did night work mean overtime? “Overtime was not used for this project.”

Schellenberg acknowledged that advance notice to neighbors of nighttime work would have been a good thing. Since more work is coming up on other intersections along Admiral Way west of California (as announced two months ago), we asked about the plans for that work:

We’re finalizing designs at the other intersections and will issue work orders in the next few weeks. I don’t yet have information on schedule, or time of day. Agreed, public notice of night-time work would be good. I’ll try and keep apprised of our plans and update adjacent residents as appropriate.

This is all followup to the Admiral Way Safety Project that rechannelized the western stretch last year. Other work in the area included a few blocks of repaving two weeks ago, following continued complaints about the road’s condition.

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LABOR DAY WEEKEND: Admiral cleanup Saturday

August 30, 2017 8:59 pm

| Comments Off on LABOR DAY WEEKEND: Admiral cleanup Saturday

| How to help | Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

Put the “labor” in your Labor Day weekend – before you get down to relaxing – and join the Admiral Neighborhood Association‘s quarterly Adopt-a-Street cleanup this Saturday. 9 am-noon (and if you can’t devote all that time, give what you can), with coffee and treats before, sack lunch after, meeting at Metropolitan Market (41st/42nd/Admiral; WSB sponsor). Just show up – tools and bags provided – all ages welcome.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Dumped tools; Ryan Cox case update; car break-in

August 30, 2017 6:15 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

6:15 PM: Two notes in West Seattle Crime Watch:

DUMPED TOOLS: Know anyone who’s had carpet-laying tools stolen? Dan sent the photo:

They were found “on the median strip of SW Alaska St. between 46th and 45th Ave SW.”

RYAN COX CASE UPDATE: For the second time in three days, we went to the King County Courthouse this morning, where Gatewood stabbing suspect Ryan Cox was scheduled to be arraigned – to enter a plea to the charge of second-degree assault filed days after the August 8th attack. And again, the morning calendar ended after two and a half hours without his appearance – he again “declined to appear,” according to the document filed at midday saying the hearing is now rescheduled to 8:30 am tomorrow. We asked King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office spokesperson Dan Donohoe what happens if this continues. “We always argue that a defendant needs to be present in court for arraignment. Arraignment will eventually be completed. The Court can also issue an order allowing the jail to use reasonable efforts to bring a defendant to court.” (For the record, at least one other defendant on the morning calendar was described in court as declining to appear.)

CAR PROWL – ADDED 6:40 PM: One more reader report, just received from Ayla:

My car just got broken into last night that is parked right in my driveway on 17TH AVE SW! :( It was completely rummaged through — everything in the console and glove compartment pulled out onto the seat. They took my Apple desktop that I just bought from Employee sale. It was covered on the back seat and since it was heavy, I was waiting for my son to come home to carry it inside the house. They also took my makeup bag, sunglasses, and some groceries.

Such a low life and horrible heart! They must have needed it so bad for their drug money!I have to work overtime to purchase this computer! If they could go out and steal, why not use that energy to work for a guaranteed money? Why waste time and make other people’s life miserable! These thieves are heartless! They do not have values, morals, and discipline. I hope they catch these prowlers soon!

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FOLLOWUP: See the light-rail community comments West Seattle Transportation Coalition just sent to Sound Transit

August 30, 2017 3:01 pm

| 70 COMMENTS

| Transportation | West Seattle news

(Map from Sound Transit’s “system expansion” website)

West Seattle’s branch of Sound Transit light rail is still an estimated 13 years away, and major planning is a ways off too. But the West Seattle Transportation Coalition saw no wisdom in waiting, and organized a June workshop to collect early community ideas and feedback (here’s our as-it-happened coverage).

Today, WSTC sent Sound Transit its wrapup of what participants said, as well as documents with community comments collected in connection with the event.

Here’s the summary they sent, followed by the community-comment collections:

Dear Sound Transit Board Members:

The West Seattle Transportation Coalition (WSTC) sponsored and conducted a peninsula-wide, public workshop on June 22, 2017, to inform the community and gather their input on the ST3 light rail proposal for service to West Seattle.

Following an introduction on light rail by Tom Linde, P.E., and supported by traffic engineers Larry Wymer and Mark Jacobs, the WSTC shared the representational ST3 alignment for West Seattle, as shown in Sound Transit’s documents dated July 19, 2016 (C-03a2, Downtown to West Seattle Elevated, Rev. 1, Sheets 1-5), including station areas at Delridge, Avalon, and the West Seattle Junction. Workshop attendees were asked to complete a comment card and answer survey questions. The comments are attached.

In general, attendees expressed the following preferences:

*Run the rail line underground through the West Seattle Golf Course, and into The Junction—the central, historic West Seattle business district,

*Include a Park & Ride and a bicycle garage at each station

*Conduct more community meetings to gather public input,

*Regular Sound Transit must provide timely reports on options, decisions, and progress toward implementation

*Sound Transit and other transportation agencies are strongly encouraged to examine less expensive options that are not slope-challenged, and can be delivered faster, such as aerial tramway, app-centered van pools, and driverless vehicle systems.

To arrive at their results, WSTC workshop organizers and attendees identified several factors that they want taken into account, including: Read More

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VIDEO: South Park crowd voices frustrations, hears city reps’ promises

August 30, 2017 2:00 pm

| 15 COMMENTS

| South Park | West Seattle news

Story by Tracy Record
Photos and video by Patrick Sand
West Seattle Blog co-publishers

Anger flared at times as a standing-room-only crowd filled the South Park Neighborhood Center last night to hear from, and talk with, city reps who declared themselves committed to community safety.

The meeting was requested by community members weary of dealing with issues from gunfire to garbage to squatters, and suggesting a “disconnect” between city words and community reality.

We recorded it all on video, which you can watch, unedited, below:

“I understand your issues well,” said Kathy Nyland, Department of Neighborhoods director – and Georgetown resident – opening and facilitating the meeting.

She thanked the crowd for its patience while the city got the meeting organized.

City Councilmember Lisa Herbold, whose district includes South Park, said its issues have been at the forefront since she took office but it’s clear “I need to do more. … It takes a lot of vigilance to address issues in this community and other communities that are difficult and complex.”

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FERRY ALERT: 2-boat schedule starting tomorrow for Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth

August 30, 2017 12:18 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| Transportation | West Seattle news

Trouble with the Washington State Ferries vessel M/V Hyak on the Bremerton run is leading to changes that will, in a domino effect, put the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route on a 2-boat schedule starting tomorrow. WSF published this announcement with full details. WSF says this could last up to two weeks.

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West Seattle family to open Brass Knuckle Bistro in White Center – but first, a ‘garage sale’

August 30, 2017 10:34 am

| 33 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants | White Center

(UPDATED THURSDAY NIGHT with garage-sale dates/times, Saturday and Sunday 10-4)

By Linda Ball
Reporting for West Seattle Blog & White Center Now

Case Justham says he doesn’t sleep very well, so he stays up and reads cookbooks all night. His mom Linda Justham says her son looks at the science of food, down to the molecular properties of a dish. Case is quick to point out that he’s not a scientist, but he likes to try non-traditional cooking methods.

Case (photo at right), a self-taught chef, is presently the sous chef and butcher at The Swinery in West Seattle. With mom Linda, sister Piper Carscadden, brother Drew Justham, and wife Amy Justham, they are partnering to open the family’s first restaurant, Brass Knuckle Bistro in White Center. Case will be the chef, Carscadden will work the front end and social media and Linda will do the books, eventually turning them over to Carscadden. The others will be mostly silent partners, although Drew has extensive front-end experience and will probably be present in the first few weeks.

The entire family lives in West Seattle but they chose what was until three months ago the location of 3.14 Bakery at 9602 16th SW, just south of Roxbury, for the bistro (and are having a “garage sale” there ~~later this week~~ Saturday and Sunday – more on that below).

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West Seattle Wednesday: Delridge Grocery town hall; High Point Market Garden; more…

August 30, 2017 9:04 am

| Comments Off on West Seattle Wednesday: Delridge Grocery town hall; High Point Market Garden; more…

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Bewick’s Wren, photographed by Mark Wangerin)

Midweek highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

WADING POOL AND SPRAYPARK: The only West Seattle wading pool still open for the season is Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way); it’s open 11 am-8 pm today, as is Highland Park spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale), both open daily through Labor Day.

TINKERLAB GIZMOS & GADGETS: One last Wednesday-afternoon session before summer break is over, drop-in fun with STEM-based crafts at Delridge Library, 1-3 pm. All welcome. (5423 Delridge Way SW)

SAFETY WORKSHOP: Seattle Neighborhood Group presents this free workshop at Delridge Library, 3:30 pm: “Keeping Your Property Safe and Crime Free.” Organizers say, “This is a FREE workshop designed for property managers, landlords, and anyone else that is interested in building safer communities. We’ll discuss how to identify and prevent illegal activities at your property, tips for effective Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), how to create excellent rental agreements, and how to work with residents to make your property a great place to live!” (5423 Delridge Way SW)

HIGH POINT MARKET GARDEN: Summer growing season is still going strong. Today’s your next chance to buy produce steps away from where it was grown, 4-7 pm at the weekly High Point Market Garden Farm Stand. (32nd SW/SW Juneau)

GROUP RUN: 6:15 pm at West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor), tonight’s group run is sponsored by the upcoming Snohomish River Run – details in our calendar listing. All runners welcome! (2743 California SW)

DELRIDGE GROCERY CO-OP TOWN HALL: 6:30 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, as previewed in our latest progress report on the volunteer group that has long worked to bring a co-op grocery store to Delridge – hear what the market study showed, how you can help, and what’s next. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

AT PARLIAMENT TAVERN: SUP (Sonic Unity Project), 8-11 pm. Jam improv featuring RL Heyer (guitar), Brad Gibson (drums), and special guests. No cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

SEE WHAT ELSE IS UP … by checking our complete calendar!

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Wednesday watch; 59th/Admiral change

August 30, 2017 6:35 am

| 4 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

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

6:35 AM: Good morning! No incidents reported so far in/from West Seattle.

59TH/ADMIRAL ALL-WAY STOP: Last week, we reported that SDOT planned to make the 59th/Admiral change “Monday or Tuesday” of this week. We’ve been checking, and hadn’t seen any work by late Tuesday afternoon. Now we’ve learned crews were working at the intersection late last night. We plan to follow up with a firsthand look in the next hour or so, but in the meantime, if you travel through there, heads-up.

6:54 AM: Still no incidents in the area. One more heads-up – you might see school buses out in force today and tomorrow; a local driver tells us they’ll be practicing their routes, one week in advance of the start of classes at Seattle Public Schools.

7:11 AM: Still incident-free – and cloudy. Meantime, in case you missed it Tuesday evening – the new crosswalk that’s been years in the planning on the west side of Alaska/Fauntleroy/39th is now open.

7:56 AM: Just crossed the bridge, headed toward downtown to cover a court hearing. Aside from a little slowing toward the crest (we enter the bridge from Fauntleroy Way), fairly fast-moving, and 15 minutes after leaving HQ, we’re already on 4th Avenue. One right-lane closure on 4th for the paving project, a bit north of the bridge, and more lane-narrowing near Walker, but no backup.

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SDOT scales back grant-funded walkway near Chief Sealth IHS because of possible future development

August 29, 2017 10:06 pm

| 26 COMMENTS

| Safety | Transportation | West Seattle news

(Above, original design made public in March; below; revised design announced today)

Sent late today by SDOT – news that they’re scaling back on planned pedestrian improvements because of possible future development. The update sent to the project mailing list was signed by outreach lead Michael Charles:

I am touching base with you to share an update on SDOT’s Chief Sealth High School Walkway Improvements project. This project is part of the Neighborhood Street Fund program, which funds community-requested projects.

Updated Design

In the original design, we planned to have a walkway along 25th Ave SW. This was removed because of the likelihood that a developer will submit a permit for construction on the east side of 25th Ave SW in the relatively near future. Knowing this, we’ve removed the paved walkway on 25th Ave SW from the project design, because the developer will be required, per the City’s Land Use Code, to construct similar right-of-way improvements.

We recognize that this is unwelcome news to some of you who looked forward to the improvements on 25th Ave SW. While it could still be several years before this development takes place, the high likelihood of its occurring means that investing public funds at this location would not be prudent.

We will continue to advance the project and improve the walkway on 26th Ave SW. Please see the project website to view the updated project design.

(That’s the second map at the top of this story.) This is the first major update since project feedback was sought back in March. The project website now has an updated “fact sheet.”

As for the possible development, we’ve just checked the parcels along the east side of 25th and have not found any early-stage filing that would correlate with what the city’s referring to, so far. But there’s vacant land on the north side of Trenton and 25th (as spotlighted unpleasantly during last year’s Find It, Fix It walk) – we’ll keep watching the files.

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GRATITUDE: Injured bicyclist says, ‘Thanks to the woman who called 911 for me’

August 29, 2017 7:51 pm

| 25 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle people

From James:

I wiped out on my bike today, barrelling down Genesee between Avalon Way & Delridge. A bike malfunction locked up my back wheel and I was thrown. The injuries were semi-serious, but I was trying to crawl my way back to my bike and get home. I’m glad I didn’t. She calmed me down, insisted that I sit, called 911 and (I think) waited until the fire brigade arrived. The ambulance picked me up and I just got home from Harborview. Staples in my head, cracked helmet, and about 2 sq ft of aggregate road rash.

Thanks to that nice woman who stopped and called the cops for me. I likely otherwise would have pretended everything was cool, but at the time I was likely concussed and in a haze. Now that I have my wits back, I could easily see myself walking back up the hill and trying to ride home when I had a hard time remembering what year it was in the ambulance. I also had a hard time remembering who the president is, which is a nice side effect of concussions if you’re into that sort of thing.

Again, thanks to that kind woman. Seattle is becoming a gritty city in some parts, but I’m happy to have nice neighbors in West Seattle.

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WEST SEATTLE’S NEWEST CROSSWALK: SW Alaska, west of Fauntleroy

August 29, 2017 5:23 pm

| 16 COMMENTS

| Safety | Transportation | Triangle | West Seattle news

The long-anticipated SW Alaska crosswalk on the west side of Fauntleroy Way is now open (lower half of the top photo). First word came in a short time ago from Matt, who also sent the photos:

Finally! They painted the stripes this morning and it was open by the afternoon. They also re-striped East across Fauntleroy.

The walk signal is about 15 seconds long and the turn arrow does remain red; however, I did observe one southbound car start to proceed through the right turn when the signal turned green for the other two lanes only to stop quickly when they saw a pedestrian crossing. I’d suggest caution when crossing here as it may take a while for people to get used to a crosswalk being here.

This crosswalk has been years in the making – though SDOT installed it, it was part of The Whittaker‘s (WSB sponsor) “public-benefit package,” required for its alley vacation; the crosswalk goes from The Whittaker’s northeast corner across SW Alaska to Spruce (LA Fitness + apartments). We’re told there’s still a little more work ahead at this intersection, so don’t expect to see it crew-less just yet.

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