West Seattle, Washington
14 Sunday
If you missed the brief mention in today’s morning traffic report – WSDOT has scheduled the next twice-yearly Alaskan Way Viaduct inspection closures for next weekend. But this time, it’s a 2-part plan:
–NORTHBOUND Highway 99 between the West Seattle Bridge and Battery Street Tunnel is scheduled to be closed all weekend, 11 pm Friday, October 6th, until 5 am Monday, October 9th. In addition to the twice-yearly inspection, parts of this stretch are also scheduled for other projects including utility work.
–SOUTHBOUND Highway 99 between the West Seattle Bridge and Battery Street Tunnel is scheduled for closure 5 am to 6 pm each day on Saturday, October 7th, and Sunday, October 8th.
(As always, we’ll be monitoring all this for updates in case the closures end early.)
Westwood-area community advocates are ramping up their campaign to get the city to restore what it cut out of the Chief Sealth Walkways Improvement Project earlier this year. And they need your help.
As reported here in August, the city cut the community-proposed, grant-funded project in half because a development plan along 25th SW is expected and the developer would be expected to pay for similar improvements. The city acknowledged, though, that the improvements could be “several years” away, but in the meantime, they say, they’re only going to build the 26th SW path.
Community members say the idea of a developer maybe eventually building the 25th SW path is too uncertain and too far off, and want SDOT to recommit to the full project. They are concerned about safety of those who use the undeveloped path – not just nearby students – and the area’s status as a long-running eyesore (as noted on the Find It Fix It Walk last year).
The walkway-project status is on the agenda for next Tuesday’s Westwood-Roxhill-Arbor Heights Community Coalition meeting, and Marianne McCord – who shared the photos – says they are hoping for a show of support (6:15 pm October 3rd, Southwest Library, 9010 35th SW). If you can’t be there, e-mail NSFChiefSealthWalkway@seattle.gov – or, even if you can.
West Seattle has many scouting groups with long histories – and now, a new group is getting ready to launch, with two meetings in October. In case you haven’t seen it on our calendar, here’s their announcement:
For anyone who is interested in an inclusive, non-religious scouting experience for all genders, we are starting a group here in West Seattle. We’ll be learning outdoors skills like orienteering, tracks and first aid to name a few. Dues are affordable (scholarships also available) and include uniforms as well as handbooks. We are part of the Baden-Powell Service Association.
We meet twice monthly starting in October, once on a weekday evening and once on a weekend day. The group is divided into Chipmunks (age 2-4), Otters (age 5-7), Timberwolves (age 8-11), Pathfinders (age 12-17), and Rovers (ages 18+).
Our first weekday meeting will be 6-7:15 pm Monday, October 9th at the High Point Library, 3411 SW Raymond. We will be getting to know each other, playing games, and learning about orienteering.
See our calendar listing for a link to the waiver they’re asking attendees to bring. The new group will have its first weekend meeting noon Sunday, October 22nd, at the Lincoln Park North Play Area.
(Photo by Kersti Muul)
Thanks to everyone who sent photos of this morning’s sunrise rainbow! On with the rest of today/tonight – from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
ART SHOW SUBMISSIONS: Second of three days to bring your visual-art creation(s) to Southwest Library for its annual Community Art Showcase, which starts Sunday. Details here. Open until 6 pm tonight. (9010 35th SW)
STERLING KAYAK DEMO: 4-7 pm at Alki Kayak Tours, your chance to demo high-end kayaks with their creator. (1660 Harbor SW)
COCKTAIL PARTY: Starting at 6 pm tonight, drinks, appetizers, and games @ A Grand Affair, raising money to help the West Seattle Food Bank fight hunger – if you don’t already have a ticket, get yours at the door at Westland Distillery in SODO. Lots more info here! (2931 1st Ave. S.)
MEDICINE SONGS FROM THE TIME OF CHIEF SEATTLE: 7 pm at the Duwamish Tribe Longhouse, Duwamish teachings with NW Native Storyteller Johnny Moses: “All are invited to share in a deeper understanding of the language and culture of the First People of Seattle, Chief Seattle’s Duwamish Tribe, through traditional local songs and stories.” (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)
FOLK MUSIC: Noah Derksen at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. (5612 California SW)
THE GODDESS PROJECT: 7 pm networking, 8 pm screening at Highland Park Improvement Club, “a documentary film amplifying the voices and stories of women across the United States.” Ticket info is in our calendar listing. (1116 SW Holden)
(Photo by Linda Rusch)
FOOTBALL: Chief Sealth International High School hosts Franklin at Southwest Athletic Complex, 7 pm. (2801 SW Thistle)
PARLIAMENT TAVERN TURNS 2: 8 pm to midnight, Parliament Tavern‘s All-Star Review/2nd Anniversary Party:
A party featuring the choicest talent West Seattle has to offer: singer-songwriters, comedians, multi-instrumentalists, spoken word — the entertainment starts early and goes late! We’re gonna be 2!! No cover! Featuring Kurt Einar Armbruster, Spencer Carlson, Brian Cutler, Dandelion, Eiffel Power, Cami Voss McDonald, Oliver Rosenthal, Ian Predo, Don Rauf, David Rodriguez, Runaway Satellite, Brenda Scallon, Timothy Scallon, Sarah Skilling, and South Sound Tug and Barge
Parliament Tavern is a 21+ venue. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
AND THERE’S MORE … go check out our complete-calendar page.
Heads up in case you’re going to be awake in the very early morning hours tomorrow (aka, very late tonight) – WSB will be down for a while, likely somewhere in the 2-4 am vicinity, for some technical work. It’s totally under-the-hood stuff so you shouldn’t notice anything different once we’re back up, but if you do, please contact us so we can troubleshoot (e-mail is best – editor@westseattleblog.com). And if any breaking news happens during that time (we’ve had two big early-early-morning stories in the past week, so you never know), we’ll get you the info via our social-media channels (here and here). Thanks for your patience!
(Seal Sitters photo: WDFW team arriving at Lincoln Park on Thursday)
Ian e-mailed us on Thursday to report encountering a Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network volunteer dealing with a dead seal on the beach at Lincoln Park. We contacted Seal Sitters to find out more, and heard back today from Lynn Shimamoto:
On Thursday morning, Seal Sitters hotline operator Gretchen received a report of a dead harbor seal south of Colman Pool. I found the body of a juvenile seal with no obvious signs of injury. I asked our stranding network partners at Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife if they could perform a necropsy. Dyanna Lambourn and Steve Jeffries, both marine-mammal experts at WDFW, agreed to pick up the seal at Lincoln Park. Soon their boat was speeding toward me. They pulled up close to shore, took the seal, and whisked it away for examination at the lab.
Information we collect on this seal will be added to NOAA’s national database. By calling the Seal Sitters hotline at 206-905-SEAL to report a marine mammal on the beach – dead or alive – the public is helping to contribute to the scientific monitoring of this population.
That’s 206-905-7325 – especially if you frequently walk/ride along the shore, consider keeping it in your phone.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
7:25 AM: Good morning. No incidents currently reported in/from West Seattle. Three notes:
WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES: The fall schedule and fare changes take effect Sunday.
SUNDAY NIGHT WATER TAXI: The West Seattle Water Taxi will run the extended schedule on Sunday because the Seahawks are playing an evening game.
VIADUCT CLOSURE NEXT WEEKEND: Highway 99/Alaskan Way Viaduct is scheduled to be closed much of next weekend (October 7-8) for its annual inspection as well as other work, according to the weekly Construction Lookahead – we’ll be verifying details later today.
10:31 AM: Speaking of the Viaduct, there’s road work right now on the northbound end at Western, and that’s causing a backup. Also a big crash on southbound I-5 by the West Seattle Bridge exit – avoid SB I-5 through downtown entirely for a while.
(UPDATED 11:11 AM with new info from SFD, and aftermath photo)
(Added 2:50 am: Video courtesy Monika)
FIRST REPORT, 1:04 AM: Seattle Fire is sending a “full response” to California/Juneau for a report of a possible apartment fire. More as we get it.
(Added: WSB photo)
1:07 AM: The first units on scene report a “working fire” that appears to be on the exterior of the three-story apartment building.
1:13 AM: The log has updated this to 5656 California SW [map], which is the Green Acres complex, the only three-story building at that intersection. Firefighters have water on the fire. A second alarm has been called. Most if not all of California is blocked, too.
1:25 AM: Our crew has arrived and confirms California is blocked. The damage is visible on the southeast side of the building, as you can see in the first photo we’ve added. No word of any injuries so far. Firefighters are still working to check whether the fire spread into the building anywhere.
1:43 AM: Fire’s not out yet but SFD says it’s under control and confirms no injuries are reported. Firefighters have been working on ventilation to deal with the fire reportedly having spread into the attic.
SFD’s public-information officer has arrived. The Red Cross is being called to help the residents.
2 AM: PIO Kristin Tinsley just briefed us and citywide media. (Video of briefing added 2:50 am)
No word on the fire’s cause yet but it’s believed to have started on the first floor and spread up. At least six units are damaged. Fire’s now reported to be out, but SFD is expected to keep a presence at the scene for some time on “fire watch.” Side note: You might recall a big SFD response to the same building almost six months ago – that one turned out to be just a kitchen fire.
2:32 AM: The fire forced pet evacuations as well as people, above, that’s Kona the bulldog, with Kona’s people, whose apartment is one of those damaged. More info later when there are official updates on cause and damage.
11:11 AM: SFD says the cause is “undetermined” and damage totals more than $500,000. We just went back over for this photo:
We should also note that, as SFD mentions, West Seattle Church of the Nazarene across the street (42nd/Juneau) opened its doors early this morning so the evacuated residents had someplace to go.
12:58 PM: More news of helping – C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor) is in the same block as the building and says it’s donating tips and has a fundraiser going for the fire victims:
It was a beautiful and busy night for the first-ever West Seattle Junction Wine Walk, a perfect pairing of wineries and merchants. The idea was so popular, tickets sold out long before the sipping started. Tonight’s participants included West Seattle wineries – north Morgan Junction’s Viscon Cellars (top photo), whose team poured at CAPERS (where ticketholders began their night) and south Admiral’s Welcome Road Winery , featured at Carmilia’s Boutique (below):
Music mixed with wine at Thunder Road Guitars, whose featured winery was Nine Hats:
Click! Design That Fits – which celebrates its 13th anniversary this Saturday – hosted Treleaven/Red Earth Wines:
Menashe and Sons Jewelers had Coral Wines pouring:
Along with the winery/merchant teams, the Junction Association’s volunteers helped power the night:
Joanie Jacobs coordinated them:
Yes, there will be a second Wine Walk, West Seattle Junction Association executive director Lora Swift tells WSB – next May. (Watch for other opportunities to explore The Junction in the meantime, such as the monthly West Seattle Art Walk on second Thursdays, the West Seattle Farmers’ Market on Sundays, and the West Seattle Junction Harvest Festival coming up October 29th!)
Tonight’s other pairings are all listed here. And our customary disclosure – the businesses and wineries mentioned above include WSB sponsors: Viscon Cellars, Welcome Road Winery, Thunder Road Guitars, Click! Design That Fits and Menashe & Sons Jewelers.
Thanks to Kersti Muul for the photo – whale-watchers were out at Constellation Park at dusk, as Southern Resident Killer Whales that had been making their way south all day finally got this far. No telling where they are now, but if they continued southbound, we might see them heading back this way tomorrow … any time you spot a whale, please let us know via our 24/7 hotline, 206-293-6302 – thank you!
At left, that’s Lillian Gray, who created the card game “Goatfish“ with her dad Chad Gray and is at Meeples Games right now with him and others, ready to show it to, and play it with, you. We brought you their story last Sunday night. Since then, the Goatfish Kickstarter crowdfunding page has launched and already surpassed its initial goal, though they are now going for a “stretch” beyond that. Here’s a look at some of the cards:
You are welcome to stop by Meeples (3727 California SW) before 9 pm tonight to test out “Goatfish” and meet its creators.
(Sound Transit graphic from 2016 WSB coverage)
The Sound Transit board just took another step toward making light rail to West Seattle a reality – first major move since the approval last May of the draft expansion plan. Here’s the news release we just received:
The Sound Transit Board today approved the West Seattle and Ballard Link Extensions, establishing a $285.9 million budget for preliminary engineering for the project and giving the green light to move forward with extending light rail to some of the most densely-populated neighborhoods in the region.
Also in a related action, the Board executed a $24.4 million consultant contract with HNTB Corporation to begin project development services.
“With the approval of this important step for the West Seattle and Ballard light rail extensions, Sound Transit moves forward to implement the system expansion plan that voters approved last November,” said Sound Transit Chief Executive Officer Peter Rogoff. “We look forward to working closely with stakeholders and communities to decide on the project details rapidly and bring light rail to more communities on schedule and on budget.”
The West Seattle and Ballard Link Extensions are part of the Sound Transit 3 Plan that voters approved last fall. The project includes extending light rail to West Seattle by 2030, building a second downtown tunnel in conjunction with the extension to Ballard, and beginning service to Ballard by 2035. This fall, Sound Transit will initiate technical work on the project, and in early 2018 embark on a community engagement process to reach early consensus on a Preferred Alternative by early 2019.
West Seattle Extension
The project assumes connecting West Seattle to Downtown Seattle via Alaska Street, Fauntleroy Way, Genesee Street, Delridge Way, Spokane Street, and the SODO Busway. The extension also includes a new connection to the existing Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel south of the International District/Chinatown Station, a new rail-only high-rise bridge over the Duwamish Waterway, elevated alignment over SR 99 and the South Spokane Street Viaduct, and an elevated alignment in West Seattle. This extension would serve five station areas.
Ballard Extension
The project would connect Ballard’s Market Street area to Downtown Seattle, then cross Salmon Bay on a new rail-only bridge near the existing Ballard Bridge. The extension would continue south on an elevated guideway through the Interbay corridor along 15th Avenue Northwest and Elliott Avenue West before transitioning to a new Downtown Seattle light rail tunnel. The new tunnel would run through the Uptown and South Lake Union neighborhoods along Westlake Avenue to Sixth and Fifth Avenues before reaching the International District and connecting to the existing Link tracks at South Massachusetts Street. This extension would serve nine station areas.
Sound Transit’s consultant team, HNTB, will be responsible for providing planning, engineering, operational, environmental and community outreach technical services to support the first phase of project development work for the West Seattle and Ballard extensions. Other firms on the HNTB team include Jacobs Engineering, CH2M, EnviroIssues, Fehr & Peers, Hewitt Architects and LMN Architects.
More information about the West Seattle and Ballard project, including how to sign up for project updates, is available at www.soundtransit.org/wsblink.
That page in turn links to several others including this one with current timelines for the planning, design, and construction process.
4:07 PM: A two-vehicle crash at 30th SW/SW Genesee involves a school bus, but no one is hurt, per scanner – not the students, nor their driver, nor the other vehicle’s driver. We’re headed that way to see if we can find out more.
4:25 PM: SFD has left. The bus and police are on 30th just north of Genesee.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Tonight the city’s Technology Matching Fund celebrates its 20th anniversary with a 5:30 pm gathering at El Centro de la Raza (2524 16th Ave. S.). While the party’s not in West Seattle, the latest round of recipients included two local nonprofits – and this story takes a closer look at what the money means for one of them.
(City of Seattle photo from gathering of matching-fund grant recipients)
By Marika Lee
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
For some, tasks such as uploading a resume or printing important documents seem simple. But not when everything is in an unfamiliar language and computers are not yet an everyday part of your life.
“A lot of things get lost in translation and having someone who speaks your language when you are trying to navigate a new email account, for example, is much easier,” said Ahmed Rodol of the East African West Seattleites he helps.
Rodol is the development director for South Delridge-headquartered Education for All, one of the most-recent grantees for the city’s Technology Matching Fund.
“(Education for All) was intended to be a bridge between immigrants that are here and the resources that are available. Also, to help them compete in the work environment and help them be confident enough to seek the American dream and be self-sufficient,” Rodol said.
(Click for larger view in PDF)
Last Sunday, we published a reminder about a city survey asking your thoughts on 36 possible “design elements” for the new West Seattle Junction park (4700 block of 40th SW). Commenters noted that the graphic showing those options remained difficult to read, and we promised to ask Seattle Parks for a larger, clearer version (since none existed on the Parks website at the time, either). Since then, they’ve provided a high-resolution version, and also added it to the project website – if you click the image above, you’ll go directly to the largest-available PDF version. In addition, the survey, which was supposed to close back on Monday, remains open. So here’s one more chance for your thoughts – the survey asks you to choose 10 of the 36 elements that you most would want to see in the park, which will be designed next year and developed in 2019.
Now that it’s Thursday afternoon, it’s time to look ahead at some of the weekend highlights, in case you haven’t already seen them in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar. We start with the Lantern Festival and Competition in the Galleria at Chief Sealth International High School (2600 SW Thistle), featuring a chance to win prizes for handmade lanterns, and performances including a lion dance. The Van Lang Vietnamese Cultural and Language School is presenting the free event and hoping you’ll be there, 4:30-8:30 pm – all ages welcome! (Check our West Seattle Saturday lineup that morning for schedule specifics; it’ll wrap up with a lantern handout and night walk with lanterns starting at 8 pm).
Toplines from last night’s Highland Park Action Committee meeting:
ROUNDABOUT UPDATE: $500,000 of funding is in place so far for the proposed roundabout at the top of the Highland Park Way hill – the $200,000 announced at the Find It Fix It Walk in May, and another $300,000 from the Move Seattle levy. They’re now awaiting word on a state grant of more than $1 million, with hundreds of community members expressing support as well as city, county, and state elected officials plus U.S. Rep Pramila Jayapal. HPAC co-chair Michele Witzki says they hope to find out in November whether that grant will happen – it would virtually finish the funding for the roundabout. “This is exciting!” resounded around the room. Co-chair Gunner Scott noted that it’s far from the area’s only transportation need, though (as also discussed during the FIFI Walk). Witzki said that they’re awaiting a city report that will show the status of some of those other projects.
CRIME UPDATES: Southwest Precinct Operations Lt. Ron Smith told HPAC that car prowls in Highland Park are down 49 percent from this time last year but “crimes against persons” – anything from domestic-violence assault to lewdness incidents like indecent exposure – are up five percent.
(Photo courtesy South Seattle College)
Welcome Week continues at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor), and an event today starts our list of highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
SSC RESOURCE AND INVOLVEMENT FAIR: South Seattle College students are invited to Clock Tower Plaza 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. to “meet other students, discover campus clubs and resources, register to vote and win PRIZES! Join us for fun, snacks and selfies!” (6000 16th SW)
ART SHOW SUBMISSIONS: First of three days to bring your visual-art piece(s) for display at the Southwest Library‘s annual Community Art Showcase, which starts Sunday. Details here. Open 10 am-8 pm today. (9010 35th SW)
WEST SEATTLE DEMOCRATIC WOMEN: Lunch meeting 11:15 am-1:15 pm at West Seattle Golf Course with local leader of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense – details/contact info in our calendar listing. (4600 35th SW)
HURRICANE HELP FOR PUERTO RICO: Second drop-off event at Hiawatha Playfield, 3-7 pm, with local coach Rey Delgado collecting donations before his trip to hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico next week – details here, and check the comments for an update. (2700 California SW)
WESTSIDE NEIGHBORS’ NETWORK WINE TASTING: 5:30-7:30 pm at Ephesus Restaurant, enjoy a wine tasting and appetizers, free, and find out more about the Westside Neighbors’ Network. (5245 California SW)
RECYCLED PAPER COLLAGE WORKSHOP: 6-8 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) with artist Linda McClamrock. Our calendar listing includes registration info. (5612 California SW)
WEST SEATTLE JUNCTION WINE WALK: The first-ever Junction Wine Walk is sold out! We’re mentioning it just in case you (if you’re not among the lucky ticketholders) are in the area and wonder what’s going on. 6-9 pm.
WEST SEATTLE TRANSPORTATION COALITION: 6:30 pm at Neighborhood House/High Point, with guests from SDOT, talking and taking questions about West Seattle projects, as previewed here. All welcome. (6400 Sylvan Way SW)
PLAY ‘GOATFISH’ WITH ITS CREATORS: 6:30-9 pm at Meeples Games, West Seattle father and daughter Chad and Lillian Gray will introduce you to the card game they’ve created and are crowdfunding for, Goatfish, as previewed here. (3727 California SW)
AT PARLIAMENT TAVERN: 7-10 pm, Jamie Nova SKY, Late September Dogs (acoustic), Annie O’Neill: “A night of soulful acoustic rock bands that feature powerful female vocalists.” No cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
7:06 AM: Good morning. So far, no incidents reported in/from West Seattle.
ADMIRAL DISTRICT REPAVING: The repaving work between College and Hill on California SW is scheduled to continue today.
The repeat offender arrested after Saturday night’s Riverview burglary and Puget Ridge car crash is now charged, and back in jail.
32-year-old Jason L. Bramblett got out of jail on bond after a judge set his bail at $5,000; tonight, he’s back in, with bail set at 10 times that amount, after prosecutors charged him with residential burglary, attempting to elude a pursuing police vehicle, and DUI.
Charging papers note that Bramblett has four other burglary convictions, including the 2012 Pigeon Point case for which he recently served time in state prison (we obtained the mugshot at right from the state Corrections Department). His record is detailed in the charging document as going back into his teens:
As of September 27, 2017, the defendant’s criminal history includes: Burglary 1 (2012), Attempt Theft (2012), Theft (2010), Residential Burglary (2008), Assault 4 (2007), Taking Motor Vehicle 2 (2007), Obstructing (2006), Property Destruction –DV (2005), Theft 1 (2005), Burglary 2 (2005), Assault (2004), Assault/Harassment/MIP (2003), VUCSA (2003), Residential Burglary/Trespass 1/Theft 3 (2002-Juvenile), Taking Motor Vehicle 2 (2000-Juvenile), Malicious Mischief 1/Theft 2 (2000-Juvenile), Theft 3 (1998-Juvenile).
Today’s documents otherwise tell the same story outlined in our report on Monday – a neighbor near the burglarized house in the 7200 block of 12th SW saw an unfamiliar vehicle pull up, with a man getting out, climbing over the fence, and trying to kick in a door. The neighbor called 911 and said he was fairly certain his neighbor wasn’t home. Police arrived and saw the man carrying out a TV set, trying but failing to get it over the fence; they then found him and his green Ford sedan (registered to Bramblett) on SW Orchard. He headed westbound, and when police tried to pull him over, he briefly complied but then took off again. He then was found near 16th and Dawson after crashing his car into a parked vehicle; officers reported he seemed drunk. His car had been left running, in “drive,” with, according to the documents, “a large can of Four Loko malt liquor seen on the driver-side floorboard.”
Bramblett was taken into custody. His car was impounded and the report accompanying the charging papers say that items found inside it included a TV, a PS2 game system, two phones, and a tool kit. A name found with the tools led police to a Shoreline man who, when contacted, told police that he and his roommates had been burglarized earlier that same day. (He and his roommates have since been to the Southwest Precinct and identified some of the items, but some of what was found in Bramblett’s car, the police document says, remains a mystery.)
In addition to being held on the new charges, Bramblett is also being held for alleged violation of his probation (“community custody”). And today’s charging documents attempt to explain something that wasn’t available for our report on Monday – noting that prosecutors had asked that day for Bramblett’s bail to be set at $50,000, but the judge set it at $5,000, possibly – wrote prosecutors – lacking full details of the eluding attempt (in which, they say, he nearly ran down the officer who had walked up to the suspect’s car), and lacking full details of the 2012 burglary case, in which Bramblett assaulted a resident after kicking in a door.
As frequently reported here, SDOT has myriad projects in play on the peninsula – and some are overdue for promised updates. So what’s going on? You can hear – and ask – at tomorrow’s West Seattle Transportation Coalition meeting. The preview from WSTC:
Fall is officially here and the West Seattle Transportation Coalition resumes meeting this month. Our September meeting will be Thursday, September 28, at 6:30 p.m. We meet at Neighborhood House High Point Center.
This month, representatives from Seattle Department Of Transportation will join us for a general discussion about projects around and affecting West Seattle. Want to learn more about the Highland Park roundabout? What your Move Seattle levy money is doing? 35th Ave SW rechannelization? West Seattle Bridge mobility? Local repaving work? Lander Street overpass? Rapid Ride on Delridge? Fauntleroy Boulevard project? That pothole in front of your house? Come and join us and get the latest word from SDOT.
Neighborhood House HP is at 6400 Sylvan Way SW.
We took that photo in the parking lot on the southwest corner of 17th and Roxbury at midday today after tips about a big law-enforcement presence – primarily Seattle PD, though the lot is south of the city/county line. Police at the scene told us they were arresting at least one suspect for whom they had a warrant. Now, the details are in via SPD Blotter:
Seattle Police and King County Sheriff’s deputies arrested two men at a gang member’s funeral in White Center on Wednesday as part of an ongoing anti-violence emphasis effort in the Southwest Precinct.
Police and deputies were on hand at the funeral Wednesday following a shooting one night earlier outside a home on 12th Avenue and Donovan Street in South Park.
On Tuesday, associates of the deceased gang member had gathered at a home near 12th Avenue and Donovan Street for a viewing.
During the event, several attendees were targeted in a shooting outside the home, leaving a 20-year-old man with serious gunshot injuries.
In an effort to prevent any further violence, SPD officers and King County Sheriff’s Deputies maintained a presence outside the funeral in White Center on Wednesday. Following the services, officers recognized one man, who had a warrant for unlawful possession of a firearm and a department of corrections violation.
Deputies also arrested a second man, a convicted felon, who was found in possession of a pistol.
Detectives continue to investigate Tuesday’s shooting, and patrol officers are conducting emphasis patrols in the area.
(2017 West Seattle Bee Festival photo by Karen Berge)
The photo is from last May’s West Seattle Bee Festival, with Cindi Barker teaching kids about preparedness via the “Wheel of Misfortune.” Cindi’s been volunteering for many years to organize and teach fellow West Seattleites how to be ready for disasters and other emergencies – and to share that knowledge with others outside this area – and we just received this announcement that she’s won a national award!
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today that Cindi Barker has been selected as one of the 11 Individual and Community Preparedness Award recipients from around the country.
Cindi Barker was chosen to receive the 2017 Community Preparedness Champions Award for her development of Emergency Communication hubs and the creation of the “Hub-in-a-Box” program for Seattle, Washington residents. Earthquakes are a high risk for Seattle residents due to multiple fault lines in the area. To help residents prepare for disaster, Ms. Barker started developing Emergency Communication hubs. These hubs are agreed-upon meeting places where people can gather, organize, and strategize to help one another in the event of a major earthquake. Recently, she concentrated her efforts in predominantly lower socioeconomic areas to facilitate their preparedness efforts. This resulted in the creation of the “Hub-in-a-Box” Program, an effort to help communities easily prepare hubs. Seattle has roughly 135 Emergency Communication hubs spread throughout the city.
“FEMA is proud to recognize the great efforts of individuals and organizations who are helping to create a national culture of preparedness,” said Sharon Loper, Acting Administrator FEMA Region 10. “When we work together in our communities, we are stronger, and more resilient.”
Cindi Barker was recognized by Sharon Loper on Wednesday, September 27 to congratulate her on her efforts. Additionally, Cindi and all award recipients will be recognized in a webinar hosted by FEMA’s Individual and Community Preparedness Division. Awardees will be invited to share their experiences, success stories, and lessons learned with fellow emergency management leaders.
Emergency management is most effective when the whole community is engaged and involved. Faith-based organizations, service agencies, businesses and associations, tribal organizations, youth and older Americans, and people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs, can make a real difference in their communities before, during, and after disasters. Each year, FEMA honors individuals and organizations who excel at inspiring the public to be ready if a tornado, hurricane, wildfire, or other disaster were to strike their community.
You can read more about the hubs here – and be sure to make note of the one nearest your residence!
P.S. Cindi is active with West Seattle Be Prepared, whose other leaders Karen Berge and Deb Greer talked about the hubs and other preparedness issues at last night’s West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network meeting (WSB coverage here).
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