West Seattle, Washington

13 Sunday

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month : 09/2017 302 results

DEVELOPMENT: New proposal for 3078 SW Avalon – townhouses instead of apartments
September 19, 2017 1:06 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Development | West Seattle housing | West Seattle news

(King County Assessor’s Office photo of 3078 Avalon, currently holding 1959-built triplex)

City records show another change in plans for 3078 SW Avalon Way [map], which has been through a lot of change – on paper, at least – in the last five years. We first reported in August 2012 that it had an early-stage development proposal for a “7-story building with 65 residential units and 77 underground parking spaces.” One month later, dozens of neighbors filled the room at its first Design Review meeting. When its second one was scheduled almost a year later, the plan had changed to what city files described as an “8-story, 108-apartment, 61-parking-space proposal.” After the Southwest Design Review Board gave its final approval in January 2014, neighbors appealed a subsequent city determination that the project would have no significant environmental impacts. The city Hearing Examiner’s ruling in December 2014 went their way. Then, this past July, after an architect change, the project returned to Design Review. The current board, entirely different from those who reviewed the project previously, felt they didn’t have enough information for a final decision and decided another meeting was in order.

And now – the apartment project’s been scrapped, with a new plan for the site, according to documents in online city files: 8 townhouses with four offstreet-parking spaces. A new preliminary site plan was filed less than a week ago. This would be the second apartments-to-townhouses plan change on the block – at one time 3062 SW Avalon Way also was proposed for a 100+-apartment building, but nine townhouses are now being built.

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Should Metro Transit be self-contained again? County Executive proposes it
September 19, 2017 10:43 am
|      17 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

(WSB file photo)

Just announced by King County Executive Dow Constantine‘s office – he’s proposing that Metro Transit break away from the County Transportation Department and become a self-contained department:

King County Executive Dow Constantine directed work to begin on a plan to move Metro from a division within the King County Department of Transportation to a standalone County department. This would increase innovation and accountability in four areas: increasing mobility options, capital construction, investing in Metro’s workforce, and expanding the transit system through partnerships.

“This region increasingly depends on fast, reliable transit. So it’s no surprise that Metro is one of our most vital, visible, and popular services,” said Executive Constantine. “By elevating Metro as a standalone department, we can better encourage innovation and accountability so that we continue to make strong progress in mobility, delivering capital investments, focusing on employees, and forging strong community partnerships.”

The move builds on the successes in creating the Metro Connects long-range plan, the ORCA LIFT fare for riders earning lower incomes, and services that are better integrated with Sound Transit.

Over the coming months, Executive Constantine will form a work group with County Councilmembers to identify shared objectives and priorities for Metro as a standalone department. Following thorough business planning and budget processes, a formal proposal will be transmitted to the Council in fall 2018 as part of the 2019-2020 budget process. It’s anticipated that Metro will become a department early in 2019 following Council actions.

King County and Metro Transit merged in 1994, following a voter referendum. Metro later became a division within the King County Department of Transportation, along with the Road Services, Airport, Marine, and Fleet Administration divisions. Metro is the largest single division in King County government, providing $1.6 billion in transit services in 2017-2018 through 4,800 employees – including 2,800 transit operators.

Metro provides 500,000 rides daily through bus service and under contract for Sound Transit and the city of Seattle. Metro’s daily ridership is above 400,000 and with service expanding, Metro is the largest transit agency in the state and serves the nation’s fastest growing transit market in the country.

You can read Constantine’s letter to KCDOT director Harold Taniguchi here. The plan was announced to Metro employees yesterday, via a memo from Taniguchi that a WSB reader sent us this morning – when we subsequently asked Metro/KCDOT for confirmation of the plan, the response was the official announcement you see above. (Text of the Taniguchi e-mail is after the jump:) Read More

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UPDATE: Police investigation after SFD ‘full response’ in Gatewood
September 19, 2017 10:23 am
|    Comments Off on UPDATE: Police investigation after SFD ‘full response’ in Gatewood
 |   Gatewood | West Seattle fires | West Seattle news | WS breaking news

10:23 AM: A Seattle Fire “full response” is on its way to a possible house fire in the 4100 block of SW Monroe in Gatewood.

10:27 AM: Most of the SFD units have been canceled, with the fire having been a small exterior fire, per scanner, but police are on scene, our crew reports upon arrival, and we’re hearing a medic unit being dispatched for someone believed to be ill/injured.

12:35 PM: Police investigators are still on scene, looking at both a vehicle that was up on the home’s lawn and at the area that’s possibly where the small fire started. We’ll be checking back with SPD later this afternoon to see if there’s an update.

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West Seattle Tuesday: Crime Prevention Council, Junction Neighborhood Organization, Welcoming Week, dog swim, Seabird Survey training, more…
September 19, 2017 9:49 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Osprey, photographed by Kersti Muul)

Unique opportunities today/tonight – from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

‘WELCOMING WEEK’ AT YMCA: You’re invited to the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) for “Welcoming Week” presentations starting with two sessions today – one that’s just ending as we publish this, but another’s at 6:30-7:30 pm – for “Our Global Y,” as staff member Austin Cassell shares his reflection on his recent trip to the Tijuana YMCA. (36th SW/SW Snoqualmie)

FILL THE BOOT: Seattle Firefighters will be out around the city, 9 am-7 pm, with their annual fundraiser to fight muscular dystrophy, including multiple corners in the heart of the West Seattle Junction. (California SW/SW Alaska)

DESIGN-REVIEW CHANGES @ CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE: Following up on the public hearing last week (WSB coverage here), the City Council‘s Planning, Land Use, and Zoning Committee will take up proposed changes to Design Review again today and may vote to send them on to the full Council – possibly with amendments. The meeting starts at 9:30 am at City Hall. (600 4th Ave.)

POOCHES IN THE POOL: 5-7 pm at Arbor Heights Swim and Tennis Club, it’s the first day of the end-of-season swim sessions for dogs (after the pool has already closed to humans for the rest of the year. Dogs only in the pool, but owners must stay nearby – other rules and info in our calendar listing. Fundraiser for AHSTC swim teams. (11003 31st SW)

TRAIN TO HELP WITH PUGET SOUND SEABIRD SURVEYS: From Kersti Muul: “Audubon has a Puget Sound Seabird Survey that runs from October to April on the first Saturday of the month. There is a Survey Protocol Training (tonight) at 5:30-7:30 pm.” At Lincoln Park, at the shelter just north of the restrooms. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)

SHOULD I HELP? Domestic-violence-awareness training presented by New Beginnings at High Point Community Center, 6-7:30 pm: “Attend this quick and easy workshop and walk away with actions you can immediately put into place if you suspect domestic violence around you.” Registration information is in our calendar listing. (6920 34th SW)

DADS AND KIDS PIZZA NIGHT AT SANISLO: New program launching tonight at Sanislo Elementary on Puget Ridge – free pizza for dads and kids at 6 pm, then at 6:30, a presentation about WATCH D.O.G.S. (Dads Of Great Students). From Ebony Lee:

All are welcome including community members who would like to learn about the program. Although the national program is geared toward men, at Sanislo we welcome both women and men! This is a unique chance for dads, granddads, uncles, step-dads, and adult brothers to have a night alone with their student in a fun atmosphere at school. WATCH D.O.G.S. is a one-of-a-kind school-based, father-involvement program that works to support education and safety. WATCH D.O.G.S. is one of the nation’s largest and most respected school-based, family, and community engagement, organizations in the country. Since the program’s creation in 1998, more than 6,450 schools across the country have launched a WATCH D.O.G.S. program of their own. Each school year hundreds of thousands of fathers and father-figures make a positive impact on millions of children by volunteering millions of hours in their local schools through this amazing one-of-a-kind program.

The event is in the Performance Center at Sanislo. (1812 SW Myrtle)

PARKING & PARK AT JuNO: As previewed here last night, the Junction Neighborhood Organization agenda tonight includes SDOT reps talking about the new parking review they’re launching in The Junction, Parks reps talking about the new park to be developed in the 4700 block of 40th SW, an update on HALA upzoning, and more. 6:30 pm at the Senior Center/Sisson Building. (4217 SW Oregon)

EVENING BOOK GROUP: 6:30 pm at High Point Library – this month’s book is “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee. (35th SW/SW Raymond)

WEST SEATTLE CRIME PREVENTION COALITION: 7 pm at the Southwest Precinct, it’s your monthly chance to hear from and talk to local police. (2300 SW Webster)

UNPLUGGED, A MUSICAL GATHERING: 7 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), all acoustic musicians welcome! (5612 California SW)

SOUTH SOUND TUG AND BARGE: 8-11 pm at Parliament Tavern. “Unbridled bluegrass, Irish and folk tunes with a side of punk.” No cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

THOSE ARE JUST THE HIGHLIGHTS … see what else is up for today/tonight/beyond, by going here.

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WEST SEATTLE WHALE-WATCHING: Orcas return
September 19, 2017 7:58 am
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Wildlife

7:58 AM: Thanks for the texted updates! Orcas are now reported to be southbound past the 4100 block of Beach Drive; we had an earlier report of some in Elliott Bay. Let us know if you see them!

8:18 AM: We have conflicting reports on direction so we’ll just amend this to “seen off West Seattle.”

8:26 AM: Thanks to Bruce Easter for the photo from the Elliott Bay sighting – added above.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Tuesday updates; NB 99, West Marginal Way crashes
September 19, 2017 7:06 am
|      21 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

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

7:06 AM: Good morning. One big problem so far this morning – the Battery Street Tunnel is closed because of a crash, so NB 99 is backed up in a big way.

7:27 AM: They’re still working on the tunnel crash, which SPD describes as a “rollover.” NB 5 has had various problems in the early going too, so if you’re headed downtown, your better options will be 1st or 4th, though getting across the bridge to get there will still be a slog.

7:40 AM: SDOT says the crash in the tunnel has been cleared. But beware of “residual backups.” Also, SDOT noted that a vehicle in the right lane waiting to get into the tunnel had stalled … so that might be a factor.

7:47 AM: SDOT says that stalled vehicle has cleared too. Meantime – roads are wet everywhere. Plus, a commenter says the 4th/Lander light in SODO is blinking.

Back here on the peninsula, we don’t know yet if the weather has changed these plans (we’ll go check a bit later this morning), but SDOT’s 25th SW repaving work in North Delridge is scheduled to start today.

8:01 AM: No details but there’s a medical call at 45th/Admiral with one engine on scene.

8:09 AM: If you’re inbound to West Seattle, note that SDOT reports a stalled vehicle on the westbound bridge. Fauntleroy end, per scanner.

8:22 AM: And as commenters are pointing out, the feeder routes are backed up too (the telltale red marks them on the SDOT map, which is always linked in these commute reports, above).

8:47 AM: Crash reported at West Marginal Way SW and Puget Way. Per scanner, it’s a vehicle rolled over on an embankment, everyone out. We’re heading that way.

9:13 AM: No traffic effects on W. Marginal. Pickup is in shrubbery off the road, southbound side.

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Don’t just read them – see them! WordsWest Literary Series starts season 4 this Wednesday
September 18, 2017 9:40 pm
|    Comments Off on Don’t just read them – see them! WordsWest Literary Series starts season 4 this Wednesday
 |   West Seattle books | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(WSB photo: WordsWest co-curators Susan Rich, Harold Taw, Katy Ellis)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

The three West Seattle writers who co-curate WordsWest Literary Series say it’s the kind of series “we would like to be invited to.”

WordsWest opens its fourth season this Wednesday night at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) and co-curators Harold Taw, Katy Ellis, and Susan Rich say it’s become everything they hoped it would be, and more.

While we regularly feature WordsWest in the WSB calendar and previews, we thought the start of the season would be a good time to check in with the co-founders, to re-introduce (or, if you’re new here, introduce) them and what it is they do each month. So we sat down with Susan, Katy, and Harold for that check-in over lunch at Easy Street Records one recent midday.

First – we should mention that WordsWest events usually feature two writers, in an innovative format, plus a community member reading a “favorite poem,” and a chance for interactivity with the dozens of attendees. More on the 7 pm Wednesday season-opener lineup a bit later – but first, the start of their story:

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TUESDAY: Parking & park, @ Junction Neighborhood Organization
September 18, 2017 8:41 pm
|      19 COMMENTS
 |   Development | Junction parking review | Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

For the first time in almost a decade, SDOT is reviewing parking in The Junction. Department reps will talk about it at the Junction Neighborhood Organization‘s next meeting, tomorrow (Tuesday, September 19th). Here’s the “fact sheet” for the review, just added to the city website today:

(Click image for full-size PDF on city website)
Q&A is promised, too. (Whether or not you’ll be there, the city’s just opened this online survey as part of the review.)

Also on the JuNO agenda: Next steps for the future Junction park in the 4700 block of 40th SW, following the recent “open house” – Seattle Parks reps including project manager Karimah Edwards will be there. And with the final HALA Mandatory Housing Affordability Environmental Impact Statement and its proposed upzoning maps due soon, the JuNO Land Use Committee will present an update, too. All welcome at tomorrow night’s meeting, 6:30 pm, at the Senior Center/Sisson Building (4217 SW Oregon).

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NEW DATE: Talk with your Seattle School Board rep Leslie Harris next Saturday
September 18, 2017 6:31 pm
|    Comments Off on NEW DATE: Talk with your Seattle School Board rep Leslie Harris next Saturday
 |   Delridge

As reported back on Saturday, an emergency closure at Delridge Library forced our area’s Seattle School Board rep Leslie Harris to cancel this month’s community-conversation meeting at the last minute. Now there’s a new date/time: Noon-2:30 pm next Saturday (September 23rd). If you have something to talk with her about – or want to hear an update on the district’s big issues – drop in. The Delridge Library is at 5423 Delridge Way SW.

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MAYOR TIM BURGESS: City Council colleagues choose retiring councilmember to serve until November election is finalized
September 18, 2017 3:45 pm
|      19 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

(Archived Seattle Channel video from 5 pm swearing-in ceremony)

3:45 PM: 10-year City Councilmember Tim Burgess is about to become Mayor Tim Burgess. He was the only councilmember nominated this afternoon by colleagues eligible to vote on who would succeed Bruce Harrell, who took over last Wednesday after Ed Murray’s resignation, but said he didn’t want to keep the job through November. After several councilmembers spoke glowingly of Burgess, one councilmember did not – Kshama Sawant voted no, after citing reasons including Burgess’s support for encampment sweeps and a new North Precinct police station. He wasn’t running for re-election, so he was going to be leaving the council anyway. Burgess ran (briefly) for mayor in 2013. He promises now to help the city “heal” and “move forward. … Public service is a high calling.” After he’s sworn in, Harrell returns to the council presidency and councilmembers will have to choose a temporary councilmember for District 8, which Burgess has been representing. Updates to come.

4:02 PM: News release from the city says that Burgess will be sworn in by City Clerk Monica Martinez Simmons at 5 pm, and reiterates that he will serve until November 28th, when King County certifies election results (finalizing either Cary Moon or Jenny Durkan as the next mayor).

4:59 PM UPDATE: We’ve embedded the Seattle Channel live stream above for the swearing-in ceremony – click “play.”

5:04 PM UPDATE: Joining Burgess for the swearing-in ceremony are other elected officials including King County Executive Dow Constantine and state Attorney General Bob Ferguson. “We are united” in promising that the governments will collaborate, Burgess says. He notes, “We want our region to be a place where businesses are successful.” He repeats the “We are united” theme for a variety of other issues, including education. And with that, he becomes Mayor Tim Burgess, for two and a half months.

5:08 PM: The new mayor just answered a few media Q&A, first about the budget process, which he would have been heading up as a Councilmember, and now will be involved as submitting the mayoral budget proposal, one week from today (September 25th). Asked what he meant by saying this is a time to heal, he says the recent “crisis” was “painful for all of us.” Asked about what he hopes to accomplish, he said, “I’m going to be mayor for 71 days,” and the budget will be a major part of that time, as well as getting the city ready for its next permanent elected mayor. West Seattle/South Park City Councilmember Lisa Herbold, by the way, as vice chair of the committee that leads the budget process, now will be leading it. And there’s a council vacancy that will have to be filled – the city clerk’s website spells out the process.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: 3 burglaries
September 18, 2017 2:34 pm
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

Three reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:

BUSINESS-BURGLARY ARRESTS: Just reported this afternoon via SPD Blotter – three 13-year-old boys were arrested after a South Delridge business break-in. The vape-and-smoke shop in the 9000 block of Delridge Way SW was broken into late Friday night, and police say that was the second burglary in less than a week. This time, the shop’s owner saw the burglars via a live video feed, called 911 immediately, and police found the suspects “several blocks away (with) numerous items from the store in their possession.” The store’s owner also gave police video from the burglary on Sunday, September 10th, and SPD says one suspect “matched the description of a suspect depicted in that burglary as well,” adding that: “All three suspects were arrested and subsequently released to their parents/guardians. The stolen merchandise was recovered, photographed, and returned to the owner.”

Two other West Seattle burglary reports are now in the online files of incidents for which narratives have been publicly posted – we’ve summarized them below:

BURGLARY FOLLOWING SHOE DEAL: This began with a transaction for a pair of Yeezy shoes, advertised online for $400, bought by someone who met the seller in the 9000 block of 10th SW early Sunday morning, September 10th, near his residence. About six hours later, the house’s residents left; one resident got a call six hours after that from someone saying he had “located a bag with her property in it in Des Moines.” The recipient of that call subsequently went home and discovered someone had broken in and stolen items including the shoes purchased earlier in the day. Police were called. Some hours later, the officer got a call from the victim, who, according to the narrative, said “she had actually recovered the jewelry and ID cards [stolen from her home] … and the stolen shoes were back [for sale online] now for sale for $350.” The narrative says police were going to set up a sting – but doesn’t say how that turned out.

CAR STOLEN IN ADMIRAL BURGLARY: A resident in the 2700 block of 45th SW called police late last Monday night (September 11th) to say that someone had burglarized her home and stolen her purse, keys, and car. She explained that she had a brand-new puppy and had gone out to show it off to her neighbors, and the burglary and theft happened while she was gone. (The report narrative does not include details about the stolen car nor whether it’s been recovered yet.)

WEST SEATTLE CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL MEETING TOMORROW: Another reminder – Tuesday night, 7 pm at the Southwest Precinct (2300 SW Webster), the WSCPC meeting brings you a chance to hear about crime trends and bring questions/concerns directly to local police.

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$419 citation looms if you’re caught on camera not stopping for a Seattle Public Schools bus
September 18, 2017 1:22 pm
|      32 COMMENTS
 |   Safety | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Alongside a school bus parked at Pathfinder K-8 on Pigeon Point, Seattle Public Schools held a media briefing this morning on the new camera-enforced crackdown on drivers who don’t stop for school buses. 120 of the 379 buses the district is using are now equipped with six cameras each – five of them in the spot you see in the top photo, one in the front-facing rear-top-left spot below – and they’ll be recording video of potential lawbreakers.

School-bus driver Ty Boulanger was at the briefing and said he sees violations often:

If an apparent violation is spotted on camera, it’ll be sent to the King County Sheriff’s Office, which is contracting with SPS to review each and every possible violation. Sgt. Ryan Abbott, who’s been the point person on that for Highline Public Schools‘ version of the program, was among those at the briefing, where it was stressed that each potential violation is reviewed by a deputy who decides whether to send it on to the driver or not.

The cameras are being installed on buses by, and remain the property of, American Traffic Solutions, the same company behind the city’s school-zone-speed-enforcement cameras and red-light-enforcement cameras. It gets $69 for every potential violation sent to KCSO for review, and other cost and revenue numbers are in this page from the School Board-approved action item that created the program (see the full document here):

The 120 camera-equipped buses are “random,” SPS says, and you won’t even see a flash. The recordings include license plates and GPS information. Warning notices are going out for those caught in the next two weeks, and then the $419 citations begin. That fee cannot be reduced, SPS tells us, while noting that violators can request a payment-installment plan. Seattle is now one of about 30 school districts in the state ticketing via bus cams.

P.S. If you’re not clear on the stop=for-school-bus law – here’s the full text.

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VIDEO: West Seattle Water Taxi crew’s orca encounter
September 18, 2017 11:21 am
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   King County Water Taxi | Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Wildlife

What a way to start the day! Thanks to the King County Water Taxi‘s West Seattle crew for sharing that video – from the Doc Maynard, they saw orcas on this morning’s 6:15 and 6:35 am sailings, Frank Massaro tells WSB, adding that crew member Jade Farrar recorded the video during the latter.

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What’s up for your West Seattle Monday
September 18, 2017 9:45 am
|    Comments Off on What’s up for your West Seattle Monday
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Female downy woodpecker, photographed by Mark Wangerin)

From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

‘FILL THE BOOT’ DRIVE: Today through Thursday, West Seattle and four other areas of the city will see Seattle firefighters’ annual “Fill the Boot” fundraiser for muscular dystrophy. (Photo added:)

(Multiple corners at California SW/SW Alaska)

AFTERNOON BOOK GROUP: 2-3 pm at Southwest Library. This month’s book is “The Buddha in the Attic” by Julie Otsuka. All welcome! (9010 35th SW)

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT COMMISSION: This new city commission meets for the second time at City Hall downtown, 6 pm. The agenda is linked here; our coverage of the commission’s first meeting is here. (600 4th Ave.)

FAMILY STORY TIME: 6:30 pm at High Point Library, bring the kids for songs, stories, and rhymes! (35th SW/SW Raymond)

ROSTAM BATMANGLIJ LIVE IN-STORE: 7 pm at Easy Street Records, Grammy-winning songwriter/producer Rostam Batmanglij is live in-store with a special solo performance celebrating his just-released debut solo album. (California SW/SW Alaska)

LOOK INTO THE FUTURE … via our complete-calendar page, here.

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WELCOMING WEEK: West Seattle YMCA celebration to include music, dance, food, film
September 18, 2017 9:04 am
|    Comments Off on WELCOMING WEEK: West Seattle YMCA celebration to include music, dance, food, film
 |   Triangle | West Seattle news

You are invited to join in special events at the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) this week to celebrate Welcoming Week. Here’s the announcement:

This Welcoming Week (through Sunday, September 24th), the West Seattle YMCA will join Welcoming America, hundreds of YMCAs and other organizations nationwide in hosting free events to celebrate immigrants’ contributions to communities and bring together all residents in a spirit of unity. Welcoming Week activities are all free, open to the public and include a focus on cultural experiences.

“At the YMCA, we believe we are stronger when everyone in the community feels welcome and we can all work together for the common good,” said West Seattle YMCA Executive Director Shalimar Gonzales. “Welcoming Week is an opportunity for neighbors – both immigrants and U.S.-born residents – to connect, find common ground and celebrate our shared values – all for a better us.”

West Seattle Y’s Welcoming Week activities include:

Sept. 19, 9-10 am and 6:30-7:30 pm. Our Global Y: Presentation and Discussion. West Seattle staff member Austin Cassell will share his reflection on his recent trip to the Tijuana YMCA.

Sept. 20, 4:30-6 pm. Cooking Across Cultures. Stop in for a FREE community cooking demo where you’ll learn and taste how potatoes are prepared in three different countries: India, Korea, and Mexico. Chef Kim O’Donnel will lead an immersive culinary adventure by preparing aloo gobi (India), gamja jeon (Korea), and papas con rajas (Mexico).

Sept. 22, 6-7 pm. Film Screening of 8 Borders, 8 Days.

A single mother shows us the consequences of closing America’s doors to people fleeing war. With no answer to her application for resettlement in the US, a smuggler’s raft to Europe was the only way out. 8 Borders, 8 Days is a 60-minute documentary following their story.

Sept. 22, 5-6 pm. Afro-Cuban Dance with guest instructor Mark Lilly. Join us as we explore the traditions of the Yoruba people of Nigeria with instructor Mark Lilly. In this class you’ll learn the traditional Orisha dance movements. These dances came to the Americas during slave trade (Maafa) and are taught in the Afro-Cuban technique.

The West Seattle Y is in The Triangle, at 36th SW/SW Snoqualmie.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Monday updates; Admiral Way collision
September 18, 2017 6:52 am
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   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! Wet roads are the big news so far this morning. No incidents in/from West Seattle; though a crew was reported to be dealing with tree trouble on the eastbound Admiral Way hill earlier this morning, the city map shows normal traffic speed in that area now.

7:59 AM: Medical response at 37th/Admiral. Texter says pedestrian is hurt. On our way to check.

8:14 AM: Not there yet but getting messages that most lanes are blocked by the response, so avoid that area (Admiral near the viewpoint atop the hill to/from the bridge) for now. The SFD log shows two of its units are still on scene.

8:33 AM: Just arrived. Police can only tell us that one man was injured and is being taken to Harborview Medical Center. Apparently not life-threatening because the Traffic Collision Investigation team is not being called out, and police say they expect to clear the scene – which currently has one downhill lane blocked – within 15 minutes or so.

11:34 AM: SFD tells us that the victim is “a homeless male in his 70s (who) suffered serious injuries to head and leg.”

4:14 PM: In comments, the victim’s daughter-in-law says he is not homeless, and also is hoping to hear from witnesses.

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UPDATE: Dog hit by car in Morgan Junction
September 17, 2017 8:09 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Pets | West Seattle news

8:09 PM: Just received two notes about this, including this one from Carrie:

Just witnessed a large white possible labradoodle hit by white SUV at graham & California ave in West Seattle. The dog took off running and we lost sight of him at California & Fauntleroy. If you’re in the area please keep an eye out for this guy!

9:39 PM: We have since received and published a lost-dog listing from Seaview and Carrie says that might be the same dog.

THURSDAY AFTERNOON NOTE: Izzy’s owner Nancy has updated the aforementioned lost-dog listing to say that Izzy has been found and is home!

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Triangle Task Force mulls its mission, with Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route public meetings ahead this week
September 17, 2017 7:01 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Fauntleroy | Transportation | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Is there really anything the Triangle Route Improvement Task Force can do to improve the route?

One task-force member asked that question about midway through the task force’s most-recent meeting at Fauntleroy Church, wondering aloud, “What is (Washington State) Ferries hoping to get out of us continuing to meet – because maybe we’re done.”

There was no direct answer for that but the indirect answers could be heard throughout the meeting, including toward the end, when time was opened for public comment, and several of the Vashon residents in attendance stood up.

While WSF changed its Fauntleroy terminal processing procedures in mid-June, hoping to get drivers through the tollbooths more quickly, frustrated Vashon residents have been pointing out that many boats are still leaving with empty spaces – and not because there are no vehicles left to load.

WSF says a major part of the problem is that the Fauntleroy dock holds 80 waiting cars, but the route is running 120-vehicle-capacity boats. Expanding the dock, in the midst of a single-family-residential zone, has long been considered to be out of the question.

Riders contend that problem could be transcended somewhat if WSF had portable scanning equipment that could be used by terminal staffers, so that those with tickets didn’t have to stop at the booth to be scanned.

But we’re getting ahead of ourselves. First, we should note that WSF plans two community meetings this coming week – the one on Vashon, Wednesday night, is likely to be particularly contentious. (Times and locations are at the bottom of this page.) Now – here’s how last Thursday’s task-force meeting unfolded:

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MORE TRAFFIC ALERTS: Crashes on westbound West Seattle Bridge, southbound 99 ramp to bridge
September 17, 2017 5:10 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

5:10 PM: And another crash, this one affecting traffic headed back from the Seahawks game, among other westbound travelers – thanks to the reader who tipped us; Seattle Fire has just been dispatched to the westbound bridge, Fauntleroy end, before Walking On Logs. It’s reported to be a one-car crash; no word on whether anyone’s hurt.

5:15 PM: Per scanner, no one’s hurt, but it’ll take a bit to clear because the vehicle is sideways “blocking 1 1/2 lanes.”

5:30 PM: And now SDOT reports a crash on the southbound 99 ramp to the westbound WS Bridge.

6:10 PM: SDOT says the crash on the Fauntleroy end of the westbound bridge is now clear.

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ANOTHER POWER OUTAGE: 22 customers on Delridge Way
September 17, 2017 5:03 pm
|    Comments Off on ANOTHER POWER OUTAGE: 22 customers on Delridge Way
 |   Delridge | Utilities | West Seattle news

5:03 PM: Second West Seattle power outage of the day – and this time, it’s blamed on a tree. Seattle City Light says 22 homes/businesses are out along Delridge between Findlay and Juneau, with restoration estimated by 8 pm.

5:27 PM: This one also was restored long before the estimated time – outage map shows the power’s back.

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TRAFFIC ALERT UPDATE: Crash cleared on Delridge Way onramp to EB West Seattle Bridge
September 17, 2017 4:41 pm
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC ALERT UPDATE: Crash cleared on Delridge Way onramp to EB West Seattle Bridge
 |   Delridge | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

4:41 PM: If you have to get onto the eastbound West Seattle Bridge any time soon, don’t head toward the Delridge Way onramp – there’s a two-car crash. No injuries, per scanner, so the Seattle Fire response will be clearing soon, but they’re asking for SPD to help with traffic.

4:58 PM: SDOT says the ramp crash has been cleared.

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WEST SEATTLE POWER OUTAGE: 300+ customers in Puget Ridge, North Delridge
September 17, 2017 3:00 pm
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 |   Delridge | Puget Ridge | Utilities | West Seattle news

3 PM: From the Seattle City Light outage map, that’s the area where 302 customers (homes/businesses) are affected – plus a couple spots along West Marginal Way SW – by a power outage that started about 20 minutes ago. Thanks to Billy for the tip; we’ve heard from others that the power flickered in some other areas. No word yet on the cause; restoration is estimated around 9 pm but again, as in all outages, that’s just an estimate, could be sooner, could be later.

3:55 PM: SCL says “equipment failure” is the cause, and has moved the restoration estimate to 7:34 pm.

4:44 PM: Power restored. Thanks to Dee for the update, saying the electricity was back in time to see the Seahawks win!

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We heard it too: Flyover for Seahawks game
September 17, 2017 1:31 pm
|      20 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

1:31 PM: Sorry we didn’t hear about this one in advance – that was a flyover for the Seahawks home opener, roaring in right over south West Seattle, a few minutes ago. Still looking up exactly what/whose jets they were.

1:46 PM: Haven’t found that info yet but here’s what it looked like for those at the stadium.

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