day : 18/05/2018 15 results

ELECTION 2018: Who’s in the running as filing week ends

May 18, 2018 11:49 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

Filing week is over. Here’s who you’ll see on the August primary ballot:

34TH DISTRICT STATE SENATOR – This is the position with no incumbent, since Sen. Sharon Nelson decided not to run again. 11 people have filed:
7 Democrats (Sofia Aragon, Shannon Braddock, Lem Charleston, Lisa Ryan Devereau, Joe Nguyen, Annabel Quintero, Lois Schipper)
2 Republicans (Darla Green, Courtney Lyle)
1 independent (Debi Wagner)
1 “no preference” (Hillary Shaw)

34TH DISTRICT STATE HOUSE – Incumbent Reps. Eileen Cody and Joe Fitzgibbon both filed to run again; neither has an opponent.

7TH DISTRICT U.S. HOUSE: This appears to be an all-West Seattle faceoff, with incumbent U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal the lone Democrat, repeat candidate and anti-immigration advocate Craig Keller the lone Republican, and nobody else filing.

What the Admiral Neighborhood Association heard from SPD, SDOT, and Sub Pop

May 18, 2018 11:04 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

We’ve already reported on the biggest news from this week’s Admiral Neighborhood Association meeting – the announcement of this year’s Summer Concerts at Hiawatha lineup. But that wasn’t all that happened. Here are the rest of the toplines:

COMMUNITY POLICING: The area’s assigned Community Police Team Officer John O’Neil introduced himself. He’s a 14-year SPD veteran, Navy veteran, father of three. “The human element of police officers has been lost …because we don’t share,” he explained as his rationale for a personal introduction. “A lot of time, people see the uniform, and they see a robot.” He has been working in western West Seattle for about six months now. He explained that CPT officers “handle the long-term problem calls. … We want to connect with people. We want to be at these meetings.” But “if someone’s breaking into your house,” don’t call him! He also told people NOT to report crimes via social media – SPD won’t see it.

In Q&A he was asked about noise at bar closing time. If it’s a chronic problem, that’s something you can bring to the attention of your Community Police Team officer, he said.

FOLLOWUP: Fauntleroy Creek salmon-release season at midstream

May 18, 2018 9:58 pm

| Comments Off on FOLLOWUP: Fauntleroy Creek salmon-release season at midstream

| Environment | Fauntleroy | West Seattle news

(Volunteer Dennis Hinton instructs Pathfinder students and EarthCorps crewmembers in the gentle releasing of fry into Fauntleroy Creek. Photo by Kersti Muul)

Thanks to Judy Pickens for the update from Fauntleroy Creek:

Salmon-release season passed the midpoint this week, with nearly 400 students, plus 170 adults and younger siblings, having put just over 700 coho fry in upper Fauntleroy Creek. Reared through the Salmon in the Schools program, the fish will spend the next year in the creek, then head for two years in saltwater.

EarthCorps trainees restoring habitat along the middle reach of the creek were special guests on Pathfinder’s May 15 field trip, joining students to release fish and answer questions about their work and career plans.

Keeping the creek safe for such students as well as healthy is a major objective of the Fauntleroy Watershed Stewardship Fund administered by EarthCorps. Since March 1, individuals and school groups have donated $6,300 toward a goal of $30,000.

Salmon releases will continue through June 1.

Here’s the backstory on the stewardship fund.

VIDEO: Little lost otters make it up to Hiawatha before their rescue

May 18, 2018 8:43 pm

| 19 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | Wildlife

Remember the river otters we mentioned last night – including a pair seen making their way up Fairmount Ravine? They apparently kept going, and by morning were spotted by startled neighbors on the east side of Hiawatha Community Center. First we heard from Jennifer – then, Andrea sent the photos, video, and report:

Found these pair of cuties hanging out on Forest Ave SW by Hiawatha Playfield this morning – must have strayed too far from Mom in their adventures up from the water. Animal Control came to get them and bring them to the wildlife center in Lynnwood to be properly relocated. Thanks to all the neighbors who helped divert traffic while these little guys decided to camp out in the road!

We confirmed with Seattle Animal Shelter executive director Ann Graves that SAS Officer Cantu picked up the otters and took them to PAWS – we have an inquiry out to them as to what happens next, but probably won’t hear back until Monday.

SAS doesn’t always step into wildlife situations; Graves explains that “we do not handle ‘nuisance’ wildlife but we do respond to calls which are considered ‘rescue/assist’ situations.”

SUNDAY NIGHT UPDATE: Laura Follis from PAWS responded to our inquiry with some early info, and we’ll be pursuing more Monday. She says the otters are a female and a male, “approximately 10 to 12 weeks old. They have no obvious injuries but both are very thin so obviously orphaned. They are eating fish on their own. The male had nasal discharge that is suspicious of pneumonia and they are very susceptible to it so is going to be on a course of antibiotics. They love their pool.”

HAPPENING NOW: Second sold-out West Seattle Junction Wine Walk

May 18, 2018 7:02 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | WS beverages

The West Seattle Junction Association‘s second Wine Walk is sold out! CAPERS is the epicenter – that’s where Ben Viscon of Viscon Cellars (WSB sponsor) is pouring tonight, and where the limited supply of same-day tickets were snapped up after they went on sale an hour before the Wine Walk started:

But even if you didn’t get a Wine Walk ticket, you can do some evening shopping – for example, Menashe and Sons Jewelers (WSB sponsor) has kicked off its 45th anniversary sale – 30 percent to 50 percent off! – and you can shop with a soundtrack as musician Zechariah Valette is performing there:

The Menashes are featuring wines from Aluel Cellars. More than a dozen wineries are paired with businesses for the Wine Walk. At Fleurt, it’s Coral Wines – and a lot of smiles:

At Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor), Convergence Zone Cellars is pouring:

Each winery is selling bottles as well as offering tastes. And if you enjoy candy with your wine – stop by VAIN (WSB sponsor), where they’re hosting Dolcetta, as well as Ellensburg Canyon Winery. The Wine Walk is on until 9 pm tonight; again, it’s sold out, but watch the Junction Association’s channels for word of the next one!

UPDATE: About the police response on West Seattle Bridge

May 18, 2018 6:01 pm

| 30 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:01 PM: Thanks to SDOT for the image: A Seattle Police/State Patrol response has two lanes blocked on the westbound West Seattle Bridge. According to what we heard via scanner, a state trooper had someone at gunpoint, and called for backup. SPD responded (you might have seen multiple cars headed full code through West Seattle). We don’t know the circumstances of the arrest or what preceded it, but everything is reported to be under control now.

6:35 PM: The scene has cleared to the shoulder, so no lanes blocked any more, per SDOT. Meantime, WSP Trooper Rick Johnson just called us after we asked what this was all about. He said a trooper “on his way to work at the ferry terminal” tried to pull over the driver, a woman, for reasons as yet unknown, and she refused to stop – so he saw what Johnson called a “perfect opportunity” for a PIT maneuver – Pursuit Intervention Technique, which causes the pursued vehicle to lose control and spin to a stop. He subsequently took the driver into custody; an ambulance was called to check her out because at the very least, Johnson explains, that gives the driver a jolt. She’ll eventually be booked into jail.

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Suspects sought in robbery spree that included West Seattle holdup

May 18, 2018 4:25 pm

| 10 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Seattle Police went public this afternoon with four photos of suspects they say are wanted in a robbery spree this week that included a West Seattle holdup:

Police say the Avalon 7-11 was robbed around 3 am, one of six holdups in and out of Seattle in a two and a half hour time frame, and that not only do they believe these four suspects were linked to all of them, but also that they committed two robberies on May 16th. They are described as:

… four black males, ranging in age from 16 to early twenties. All of the suspects had their faces partially covered either by masks or hooded sweatshirts that were drawn tight. One of the suspects was armed with a handgun. At this point there is no suspect vehicle description. The images below are from the Seattle robberies on May 16th.

If anyone recognizes any of the suspects … or has any information on these crimes, please contact the Seattle Police Robbery Unit at (206) 684-5535.

The Avalon 7-11 robbery is the only one mentioned by SPD as having happened in West Seattle, and there are no further details so far.

ROAD-WORK ALERT: Lane closures on SW Barton starting tomorrow

May 18, 2018 3:57 pm

| Comments Off on ROAD-WORK ALERT: Lane closures on SW Barton starting tomorrow

| Transportation | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

Just in from SDOT:

The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) advises travelers that lane closures on SW Barton St between 29th Ave SW and 30th Ave SW begin Saturday, May 19 through Wednesday, May 23. The closures are for concrete panel repairs on SW Barton St. This project is weather dependent. SDOT would like to thank the public for its patience while this work is being completed.

What travelers can expect:

*SW Barton will have one lane of alternating traffic open during construction hours (8:30 am to 6:00 pm)
*Police Officers will be staged at 29th Ave SW and 30th Ave SW to direct traffic
*Sidewalk access will remain open
*One lane in each direction of SW Barton will be open for vehicle traffic after construction hours
*Possible travel delays through construction area during work hours

PHOTOS: West Seattle Bike Connections and friends under the bridge for Bike Everywhere Day 2018

May 18, 2018 3:30 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| Transportation | West Seattle news

Thanks to Don Brubeck for photos from West Seattle Bike Connections‘ under-the-bridge station this morning to celebrate Bike Everywhere Day (broadened a few years back from Bike to Work Day). Above,
Don explains, Paul Dieter and Sonia Honeydew were “checking the serial number on a bike to help the rider register it on BikeIndex.org. That is a database for theft recovery – free, Seattle-based nationwide non-profit registry of bikes. We were ‘vaccinating’ bikes, thus the lab coat.” New at the station this year, Verity Credit Union (WSB sponsor), opening soon in The Junction, promoting loans for bicycle purchases,especially e-bikes:

Those who stopped also enjoyed “coffee from Uptown Espresso (Delridge), teas from Choice Organic Teas in Georgetown, hydration drinks from Nuun, homemade cookies and fruit from our volunteers, and lots of bike information especially on the Delridge corridor,” plus assistance from Alki Bike and Board (WSB sponsor), Don adds.

(Thanks again to Don for the pics – we appreciate event-coverage contributions at westseattleblog@gmail.com!)

YOU CAN HELP! Start your weekend with an hour at Roxhill Park

May 18, 2018 2:52 pm

| Comments Off on YOU CAN HELP! Start your weekend with an hour at Roxhill Park

| How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Big spring weekend ahead … and if you can give one hour of your time at the start, you can make a difference: 10 am, meet at 29th and Barton to join your neighbors for Spring Clean at Roxhill Park. You don’t have to bring anything – gloves, bags, and safety gear will be provided. It’s a partnership of community members and city departments including Seattle Public Utilities, Parks and Recreation, Neighborhoods, and SDOT.

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Burglaries near Fairmount Park

May 18, 2018 1:12 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Crime | West Seattle news

While Rasmus and his wife were sleeping, somebody broke into their home near Fairmount Park, and he says police told them they weren’t the only ones hit:

We discovered someone had opened our sliding back door and targeted iOS devices. They also took my wife’s purse and wallet (w/ ID, medication, etc). They left bigger things (like TV) behind, and it looks like they were in and out very quickly.

The officer who arrived to take our statement told us it looks like several places may have been hit along Fauntleroy Way. He also said more people might discover it later in the day, because the burglars didn’t break anything and only went for smaller items.

We suspect it happened some time between 5:30 and 6 am, because we both heard some noises around that time, but thought it was the upstairs neighbor.

If you have any info, the SPD incident # is 2018-177832. Looking at Tweets by Beat, we see one other report in the system already, about two blocks south. (Remember that the time stamp on most of SPD’s automated tweets reflect when the report appeared in the system, not when the incident actually happened.)

AVALON REPAVING/RECHANNELIZATION: See where the SDOT plan’s going, one year later

May 18, 2018 11:02 am

| 39 COMMENTS

| Luna Park | Transportation | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

SDOT has unveiled its new in-progress plan for the SW Avalon Way repaving/rechannelization project, one year after it first came to light.

This time last year, SDOT had a community meeting after announcing it would repave/rechannelize Avalon plus a few blocks of 35th “after the Fauntleroy Boulevard project.”

Though Fauntleroy Boulevard is on hold pending Sound Transit light-rail decisions, SDOT confirmed this week that the Avalon/35th plan is moving ahead, and the project zone has expanded a bit. We met with two key members of the project team, project manager Bill Clark and communicator Dan Anderson, to get the rundown on what’s now in the plan.

Before we go any further – take note that SDOT does plan an “open house” community meeting, and a mailer; the former is set for June 5th in The Triangle, the latter will be on its way to project-area mailboxes soon (see it here now).

The project now calls for repaving the entirety of Avalon, from where it begins at Fauntleroy, to where it ends at Spokane. Plus, along with the stretch of 35th between Avalon and Alaska that’s to be repaved (and in some spots rebuilt), the repaving also will extend a block onto Alaska west of 35th.

West Seattle Friday: Wine, theater, music, art, low-low tide…

May 18, 2018 10:12 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Female Wilson’s Warbler, photographed by Mark Wangerin)

So much going on – and these are only the highlights!

CREATING A WILL FOR YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN: Drop in between 11 and 11:50 am for this free, friendly presentation at Nurturing Expressions (WSB sponsor) in The Junction. (4727 44th SW)

SPRING RELEASE: The Northwest Wine Academy at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) hosts the first day of its spring-release tastings, 1-7 pm. (6000 16th SW)

LOW-LOW TIDE: Out to -2.9 feet at 1:47 pm.

KIDS’ MURAL-PLANNING WORKSHOP: This is for any and all 7- to 13-year-olds who would like to help plan the new mural that artist Henry Luke will create at EC Hughes Elementary for Friends of Roxhill, as explained in our calendar listing. First of three Friday afternoon sessions, 4-5 pm, at Southwest Library. (9010 35th SW)

SHOP AND SIP: Junction Wine Walk tonight! 5-9 pm – advance tickets are sold out but a limited number of same-day tickets go on sale at 4 pm at CAPERS (4525 California SW). Not only is it a chance to sip but also to shop – see The Junction’s Wine Walk page for special shopping opportunities, including Menashe and Sons Jewelers (4532 California SW; WSB sponsor) launching their 45th anniversary sale.

FRIDAY NIGHT SKATE: 5:45 pm at Alki Community Center, one of the last ones of the season! Details in our calendar listing. (5817 SW Stevens)

ALKI DAZE: Community celebration organized by Alki’s Guy Olson starts with a meet-and-greet at Alki Bike and Board at 7 pm, followed by an 8 pm bonfire at the beach. (2606 California SW)

SHREK, THE MUSICAL: Lafayette Elementary‘s second performance is at 7 pm at the West Seattle High School Theater. (3000 California SW)

THE MAMA-LOGUES: You’ll laugh until you cry. Or vice versa. Mirth about motherhood. 7 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

‘BOBCAT BOB’: 7 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), the ever-popular Bob “Bobcat Bob” Rice performs. (5612 California SW)

WEST SEATTLE COMMUNITY ORCHESTRAS: Two concerts in one night! Among the special features announced by WSCO:

*Karlyle Varney, graduating from Chief Sealth IHS, will be a special guest conductor with the West Seattle Symphony, leading the group in Offenbach’s “Can-Can” from Orpheus in the Underworld.

*Emma Bruce, also graduating from Chief Sealth, has been chosen as this year’s concerto winner.=She will be performing the first movement of Bruch’s violin concerto.

*Two Wind Symphony performers are also graduating: Iris Siegmund, clarinet, and David Tabakian, who plays baritone sax. David is graduating from Roosevelt HS and Iris from West Seattle HS. …

*Last but certainly not least, James Pham, the Symphony’s conductor, is heading to a teaching opportunity in Germany in the fall and will not be able to continue conducting in WSCO. …

In addition to all the celebrating, a great variety of music will be presented throughout the evening, from WSCO member compositions to Orchestra classics. The Percussion Ensemble and the Wind Symphony kick off the evening at 6:30, with the Symphony’s portion beginning at 7:30, both in the Chief Sealth International High School Auditorium. No charge, though donations are appreciated!

(2600 SW Thistle)

SWEET, SWEET MUSIC: Ukuleles and more, at Fauntleroy Church, 7:30 pm. (9140 California SW)

ALL THAT, AND STILL THERE’S MORE … just check our complete-calendar page!

UPDATE: West Seattle Junction flower baskets have arrived!

May 18, 2018 9:04 am

| 5 COMMENTS

| Gardening | West Seattle news

9:04 AM: Thanks to Ricki Brown for the photo – the West Seattle Junction Association flower baskets have arrived, and are going up all along the heart of The Junction this morning! This is the second year that The Junction offered the chance to “adopt” flower baskets as a fundraiser, and we learned recently from WSJA executive director Lora Swift that they have all been adopted – so you will again see plaques next to the baskets identifying the “adopters” (which include WSB). We’ll check back later for a look at the baskets once they’re in place.

ADDED 8:21 PM: Almost forgot to add the follow-up photo!

TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Friday watch; weekend reminders

May 18, 2018 7:02 am

| Comments Off on TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Friday watch; weekend reminders

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

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

7:02 AM: Good morning! Just checked around, and no incidents or transit alerts in/from our area so far.

BIKE EVERYWHERE DAY: If you’re riding, the celebration station under the bridge continues until 9 am.

WEEKEND REMINDERS: On Puget Ridge, 18th/Myrtle will be closed for reconstruction work starting tomorrow morning … Sunday is the West Seattle 5K, with Alki/Harbor closed during the race, ~8-11 am ,,, And remember that another round of “Revive I-5” work will affect northbound I-5 this weekend – here’s the map.