West Seattle, Washington
28 Thursday
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
For the first time in three months, the West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network reconvened at the Southwest Precinct last night – and most of the meeting could be summarized as the multiple faces of the opioid crisis:
First, a crime update from local police, who say much of the area’s property crime is tied to drugs, and people trying to get money for them; second, an emotion-stirring presentation from people who have been caught up in the crisis, mostly through family members, some of whom have lost their lives to it.
The two-dozen-plus attendees, in around-the-room introductions, listed neighborhoods all around this area, from Beach Drive to Top Hat.
POLICE BRIEFING: First up, Southwest Precinct commander Capt. Pierre Davis talked about property crime, still our area’s most pervasive crime problem.
Another stolen vehicle has been found, thanks to a WSB reader. Last Sunday night, we published Erica‘s report of a black Toyota 4Runner stolen in High Point; today, the reader spotted it in their neighborhood, between 40th and 41st near SW Edmunds. Police were called, and Erica confirms they got the vehicle back.
(WSB photo)
Seattle Fire medics are about to take a 12-year-old boy to a hospital to be checked out after he was reported to have been hit by a driver on northbound Fauntleroy Way at SW Rose, across from Lincoln Park. Emergency personnel at the scene tell us the child was not seriously hurt and is being transported as a precaution. We don’t know anything more about the circumstances, but the scene is expected to clear shortly.
Two notes about businesses in city parks:
CALL FOR CONCESSIONS: Looking ahead to summer, the city wants to be sure you know about this, in case you operate – or know of – a business that might qualify:
Seattle Parks and Recreation is seeking proposals for seasonal partners to operate food service, recreational activities, and group fitness concessions in various park locations throughout Seattle. Locations vary with sites appropriate for carts, food trucks and other self-contained service businesses. Proposals are due by March 16. Details here.
Among the documents you’ll find on that page is this one that includes specific locations open to food concessions this summer – including, in West Seattle, two at Alki Beach and one at Lincoln Park.
PRESCHOOL MEETING: We first reported last month that another city park in West Seattle will be the site of an “outdoor preschool” starting this fall. One has been operating at Camp Long, and now Parks is also opening Lincoln Park to a preschool program. A new operator called Roots and Sky Nature School is expected to get the contract, Parks confirmed in early January, and a meeting is planned 6-7 pm this Friday (January 26th) at Dakota Place Park (4304 SW Dakota) for anyone with questions about the plan.
One week ago, we reported that Providence Mount St. Vincent was temporarily not allowing visitors, so it could be “vigilant” in keeping its vulnerable residents safe from this year’s particularly nasty flu. Today, The Mount notified families and others that it will be open to visitors again starting tomorrow. Spokesperson Susan Clark shared a copy of the announcement sent by administrator Charlene Boyd:
We are delighted to report that The Mount will be open to visitors, effective Thursday, Jan. 25th — tomorrow! Thank you so much for your patience during this challenging time.
However, we continue to ask for your support and cooperation as we get back to normal operations. You may visit if you are well. You must wash or sanitize your hands upon entering and leaving The Mount. Sanitized hands are some of our best defenses for preventing flu.
You may not enter The Mount if you are ill. No fever, cough, sore throat, diarrhea, or vomiting in the last 48 hours prior to visiting The Mount.
We will be resuming house-wide activities gradually over the next few days.
Again, we thank your for your cooperation and patience, and we look forward to seeing you soon.
The Mount is an assisted-living and skilled-nursing-care facility and also home to an intergenerational preschool, which has continued operating but had suspended visits between the kids and seniors while flu concern was peaking.
Two biznotes this afternoon:
FRESH VITAMINS: After noticing the “store closing”/liquidation sale signs at the Westwood Village store last night, we called today for details. We’re told the chain is closing its Washington and California stores but the exact date depends on how quickly the inventory is sold – could be open for a few more weeks.
JUST POKE: After a commenter pointed out recently that this poké restaurant mini-chain had announced it’s coming to West Seattle this year, we asked for more details. Finally heard back from co-founder Norman, who explains that it’s taking a little longer than they had hoped because the first (unspecified) location fell through – but they’re on the brink of signing for another (unspecified) location, one that he said already is set up for food/beverages, so once they have a lease, the turnaround won’t be too long.
(Harlequin ducks, photographed at Lincoln Park by Katy Dixon)
Education, entertainment, community involvement … all on tap for the rest of your Wednesday. From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
STORY TIME WITH LOCAL AUTHOR KERRI KOKIAS: 10:30 am at West Seattle (Admiral) Library, local author Kerri Kokias reads from her new children’s book “Snow Sisters.” (2306 42nd SW)
REV. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR., PERSPECTIVES THEN & NOW: All welcome at this noon presentation by Dr. Eric Michael Dyson in the Brockey Center at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) – details in our calendar listing. (6000 16th SW)
LINCOLN PARK SOUTH PLAY AREA DESIGN: Final community meeting about the plan to overhaul the south play area at Lincoln Park, where the play equipment had to be removed last year. 6-7:30 pm, see the design and give your feedback to Seattle Parks‘ project manager and landscape architect. Bring the kids for their feedback too. Lower-level meeting room at The Kenney. (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW)
HIGHLAND PARK ACTION COMMITTEE: Big agenda for the year’s first meeting of the Highland Park Action Committee, 7 pm at Highland Park Improvement Club – see it here. You’ll find out about crime/safety trends, the city’s sharps-collection program, natural-drainage systems, the Southwest Indoor Tennis proposal, and much more. Bring community concerns and questions. (1116 SW Holden)
LEARN TO DANCE! New series of classes continues tonight at the Senior Center of West Seattle – West Coast Swing at 7 pm, Viennese Foxtrot at 8:15 pm, take one or both. Info in our calendar listing. (4217 SW Oregon)
TRIANGULAR JAZZTET: 7 pm at Whisky West in Morgan Junction. No cover. 21+. (6451 California SW)
BASKETBALL: Senior Night for the Chief Sealth International High School girls-varsity team, playing Seattle Prep at 7:30 pm (2600 SW Thistle) … The West Seattle High School girls are home too, hosting Roosevelt at 7:30 pm (3000 California SW)
MORE! See other listings for today, tonight, and beyond, on our complete-calendar page.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
7:06 AM: Good morning. The rain started up again a short time ago but so far that’s the only commute-affecting factor – no incidents reported in/from West Seattle.
7:54 AM: Stalled vehicle reported in left lane of EB bridge, near crest.
6:22 AM: We have reports of low water pressure in the area of 40th SW between SW Oregon and SW Alaska. One reader says they’ve called Seattle Public Utilities and were told there’s a water break. On our way to check.
(Photo posted in comments by Mark)
6:39 AM: No crew on site right now but the water is flowing on the east side of the street, southward toward SW Alaska from the vicinity of a hydrant at midblock. No traffic effects.
(WSB photos from here down)
7:53 AM: Neighbors report in comments that a crew is there now.
10:13 AM: As commenters reported, LA Fitness (sign above) is indeed closed – we just went by to verify. They hope to reopen by mid-afternoon. And 40th is closed between Oregon and Alaska because of the work.
11:16 AM: We also just got a text that Sound and Fog – which is across SW Alaska on 40th – is also closed because of the water break. If you know of any other businesses affected, please let us know – we’re making phone calls in the meantime, but unlike a power outage, there’s no information on the exact area affected, so we’re just making guesses for starters. (added) We just checked with West Seattle Bowl, for example, right next door to Spruce (the building that houses LA Fitness) – the bowling alley and its restaurant DO have water.
11:36 AM: Across the Fauntleroy/Alaska intersection, The Whittaker (WSB sponsor) tells us they’re without water, but we need to check individually on how/whether that’s affecting the businesses in their building. (added) We called CityMD, which says they’re closed to walk-in patients until the water’s back on, but you can call to make appointments.
12:07 PM: SPU’s Andy Ryan tells us the water “should be back on for customers by 1 pm. Crews will do some flushing to minimize the dirty water caused by the shutdown, and will remain at the jobsite this afternoon, completing the repairs on the hydrant.”
1:30 PM: A commenter says water is back on at Spruce.
2:33 PM: Sound & Fog has reopened. So has 40th SW. The signs were off the door at LA Fitness but we have to head back that way to send someone in to verify that they’re operational.
3:24 PM: LA Fitness confirms it’s open again too.
4:07 PM: And last but by no means least, SPU’s Ingrid Goodwin has answered some followup questions:
What happened? We strongly suspect that a car hit the hydrant based on where it broke and the force needed to cause the type of damage that occurred (damage occurred to critical hydrant parts that were underground).
Why did the water main have to be shut down? Normally, crews can simply shut off the hydrant valve to make the repair. But because the hydrant valve was damaged, they were forced to shut off the water main to stop the break, which unfortunately led to temporary water shutoff for customers.
Why so much damage? The hydrant that was hit was very old, installed about 40 or 50 years ago. The types of hydrants SPU has been installing for quite a while are “break-away” hydrants that are designed to break away or withstand being struck by vehicles. The new hydrant that was installed today is a break-away hydrant.
(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)
Two games at Seattle Lutheran High School on Tuesday night – and it was Senior Night for both varsity teams, hosting Auburn Adventist. Above, the girls lost a close one, 33-32; below, the boys won in overtime, 52-48.
#21 Joe Meehan, who led the Saints with 22 points, was one of the senior boys honored:
Also honored, #11 Alex Okabayashi:
From the girls’ team, seniors honored Tuesday night were #0 Dazor Tillet:
And #24 Izzy Jones:
Both teams play at Puget Sound Adventist in Kirkland next Monday.
| 3 COMMENTS